One-Day Expo at Unilab for Run United

Posted in Blog, Pre-Race

I was already at Ortigas Home Depot this morning, chilling at Starbucks and waiting for SecondWind to open its doors when my mom called. Excitedly, she told me, “I’m at Unilab and there’s gait analysis here!”

I’ll backtrack a little to explain. My mom and sister are both proudly Unilab employees, and today the company held an exclusive expo with Planet Sports at their fitness center. Featuring New Balance products at a staggering discount, Fitprint static analysis, and a gait analysis with a sports physician who also consults for SecondWind. (I’m sorry, doctor, I forgot your name!) In line with Run United on March 7, the company has really been pushing their employees to take up running and sign up.

So my mom called, and of course I went to the expo at Unilab instead. Hehe. First I got my foot measured for New Balance shoes (I’m a 7 1/2) then had a static analysis of my feet. I distribute weight evenly along my feet when standing, and my heel-to-toe motion is straight through when walking. But the gait analysis showed me what really happens when I run.

sticker markers for gait analysis
That is not my best angle.

I got stickered on three points for each leg — knee, calf, ankle — so that the good doctor could plot the points on the video captured of me running on a treadmill.

capturing my run
Ugh. I’m a heel-striker?

Upon analyzing my footage, the doctor determined my left leg is well-aligned through footstrike, mid-stride, and toe-off, with an almost-perfect straight line running through the points on my left leg. My right foot, however, turns outward when I run, so my heel, ankle, and calf twist to accommodate this. Upon toe-off, my leg rights itself.

Oh, and I’m a heel-striker. Sigh. Gone are the illusions of being a midfoot striker. Oh well, I still can run pretty fast anyway. :P

Based on what I learned from these tests, I went for the New Balance WR1225, a medium-stability shoe with good cushioning. (According to Timmy, it’s the “Christmas shoe” since it’s 12/25. Get it? Ü) Since I’m increasing my mileage anyway this year, I’m gonna need a pair of shoes that’ll take that kind of punishment. I hope this fits the bill.

NB 1225: Pink
Of course, they’re pink.

I’m breaking them in during the next few weeks so that by March 7 at the Unilab Run United, they’ll be race-ready!

 

Permalink | 17 February 2010 at 2:53 pm

10 Responses to “One-Day Expo at Unilab for Run United”

  • Kenkoy Runner said,

    good job kikayrunner on having your gait analyzed :) hehe

    ako naman opposite nung sayo, my left foot ung nag popoint outwards, hehehe pero difference natin is mas forefoot ang natural landing ng paa ko :) hehehe

    check mo yung link ko for my "story" naman hehehe

    http://timmysebastian.multiply.com/photos/album/188/pwede_ka_palang_pang_team_bald_runner_eh

    see you century! may name ka na sa xmas shoes mo? :D

  • Calv said,

    wwwooo ganda bagong shoes. im a stability shoe user din with cushioning pero sa asics naman kinuha ko. so hindi ka talaga makatakbo on superbods?

  • Noelle De Guzman said,

    Thanks Timmy! I hope I made the right choice about my shoes. :)

    Calvin, I think my race kit is coming tomorrow. My feet feel good today, so we'll see how it feels on Friday when I run a bit.

  • truman said,

    merry christmas! :D enjoy your new pair!

  • Run Kick Smash said,

    That's a nice pair of shoes! You should name is Jesus. :)

    _sid

  • Nathaniel said,

    Noelle, wow nice shoes! I am seeing future 4:30 marathons in them :-)

  • Randy said,

    my first visit to your site…Bing and Anj of Planet Sports pointed it out… great meeting you and your family.

    regards,
    doc randy

  • drey said,

    toink! you made a blog pala about the "gait" nag text pa ako… anyway cool blog, good job. il visit secondwind soon..:)

  • jetpaiso said,

    nice legs! (partida, bad angle pa yan! hehehe)

    nice shoes, let us know how it felt during the test run ha, thanks!

    enjoy =)

  • Noelle De Guzman said,

    Truman Bryan, the first Noelle now has Christmas shoes! hahaha.

    Sid, I still have to find out whether they will be my salvation. :P

    Thank you for always encouraging me to aim for a sub-4 hour marathon, Natz. I and my shoes will try our best, by the grace of God!

    Hello Doc Randy, thanks for the analysis. :)

    Drey, bro, look for Hector when you go to Secondwind.

    Papi Jet, the shoes were great today during my run at Fort. I'm very happy with the purchase.

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