My FREE Nike Lunar Racer...i luuuuv it!!

My new Nike Lunar Trainer!!!..and i got it for FREE!!!.Yooohoooo!!!!!!!!!.it can't be any cooler than that..

I was so lucky to be invited by Nike, through Mr. Nino Sinco (i really love this guy.he's like a father to me), to be one of the a few selected participants to the Nike Lunar Racer Trialling today at the Bonifacio High Street.

This "by invitation only" event was participated by a mix of runners, triathletes, gym enthusiasts and other athletes.Notable personalities present were Mark & Doray Ellis of Fitness First, TV celebs and fellow triathletes Drew Arrellano and Paolo Abrera, socialite Tessa Prieto and Patrick Concepcion. There are a few familiar faces that i've already seen somewhere, either on TV or print ads, but i cannot remember their names.Like i also saw the lead female lead vocals of Session Road, whom i have met last Ateneo Big Blue Run. Just her name didn't register to me.Sama ko..

Anyway, the group was gathered in front of the Nike Store in Bonifacio High Street (cool store!!) at around 6am. Estimated participants is less than 100. I am really one of the few lucky souls to be invited.


The event started with the registration of the participants. Upon registration (and checking whether your name is in their list or not), we were initially given a Nike Singlet and a pair of Nike socks..cool di ba...and even cuuullleer, when i began to fit the Nike Lunar Trainer Shoes that was reserved for me..and it was a perfect fit..Ganda pa ng kulay!!!

So i got up from my sit and prep up for the test run.I started to mingle with my new found friends (and they're very very friendly!!). They are one of the members of the growing running group, Happy Feet.I finally met Doctor Oknoy, Mon, Ben (photographer on the run) Patrick Concepcion, and some others, but i cannot their names (my bad.so sorry!).These guys are so accomodating and very down-to-earth.

So after the prep-ups and a few poses (and some more poses) with the cameras (both from the media photographer and a handful of digicams, including Tessa Prieto's), we started to run and test the new Nike Lunar Trainer.

The run is short, just around 2K, circling around the Bonifacio High Street block.The pace was just "conversational".I was able to talk with Pat since we are running side by side for a time, and got a piece of his mind.I must say, he is one cool guy.

Anyway, after the run, a one-pager questionaire was distributed to us, para sa aming mga feedbacks regarding the shoes.

and my verdict (initial)....

..........from the initial run, i must say, i liked the shoes.The cushioning is great.You're like running on the surface of the moon (sort of).Cooly and smoothly bouncing up and down.

.......... the shoes fit snugly.It is very comfortable.Considering that this is just the first time i'm running with the shoes.Normally, new shoes are a bit stiff when they are just out of the box.But this one, it didn't felt that way.

...... i liked the color. White and luminous green. It's a bit loud, but obviously not as loud as my yellow Mizuno Racing Flats.

I can't think of any lowdown as of yet.As i said to Mr. Nino Sinco, i have to give the shoes a few mores runs, and a long run, for me to be able to fully judged the shoes.My above-mentioned verdict are just based on the initial run.Medyo limited. But, i am really excited with this one. I am looking forward on testing it further.

The event ended with the little briefing with the Nike Lunar technology. The Nike marketing guy gave us a visual presentation (through an LCD TV) of the said new technology.
To give you a teaser of the said technology, here it is (taken from http://www.nike.com/).....

Read on.

NIke Lunar Trainer

Overview

Paradigm-shifting technology creates a new running experience with the Nike Lunar Trainer+ Men's Running Shoe, an excellent lightweight, responsive ride with superior cushioning.

• LunarLite foam for ultra-lightweight, springy cushioning



• Breathable mesh upper



• Nike Free last for anatomical fit



• Geometrically placed outsole lugs for shock absorption



• BRS 1000 rubber in high abrasion areas on outsole



• Nike+ ready

The Technology

Flywire

Flywire helps provide ultra-lightweight support and comfort for your foot. It gets its strength from thin Nylon fibers strategically placed on the upper of the shoe to hold the foot in place, helping to reduce slippage during activity. This allows for a massive reduction in weight because material is there only where it’s needed for structure.

LunarLite

LunarLite foam is 30% lighter than standard Phylon and provides ultra-lightweight and springy cushioning for your foot. Encased in a Phylon or Phylite midsole, this new foam compound, invented at Nike, delivers cushioning that’s soft and not too mushy. It allows impact force to be more evenly distributed and helps reduce painful pressure points on your foot

Nike+

Nike+ is designed for athletes who like to run with music and who want to measure and monitor their progress toward their goals. To get instant workout feedback, you’ll need Nike+ ready shoes and either a Nike+ SportBand or an iPod® nano and Nike + iPod Sport Kit (which includes a sensor and iPod nano receiver). When placed under the sockliner of the left Nike+ ready shoe, the sensor measures your pace, distance, time elapsed and calories burned. This information is transmitted wirelessly to the receiver for real-time audio feedback while you listen to your favorite workout music. Learn more at Nikeplus.com.

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So there you have it..The new Nike Lunar Trainer..If you are one of those who liked it, don't go to your favorite Nike shoe store just yet..It is not yet available in the Philippine market..It is to be released this October 2008 pa (and that makes me even luckier.hehe.).

I was able to talk w/ Drew and Paolo..Drew is doing WhiteRock Triathlon din pala this October. He is also training for it....Si Paolo, mahaba na daw sa kanya yung Whiterock.His exact words were 'pang Olympic lang to pre'.So he is not doing it.

so there you have it once again..this is one truly blessed morning for me..Free stuffs, cool people, cool venue..i can't ask for anything more..

let's go running!!!!!!!

Pictures courtesy of Jaymie, thebullrunner.