Tag Archives: Nike

On my feet: The shoe post

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This was suggested by Ibeliz (Ibelita on instagram and Zilebi designs on Facebook).

I started running outdoors about four years ago. I used to run on the treadmill but I forgot what I wore. I bought my first pair of Nikes: Nike Vomero 4


They were neutral shoes until I found out about Gait and as someone who used to overpronate, I was recommended a new type of shoe: Nike Zoom Structure Triax+ 15. I had been getting injured constantly in the Vomeros and had to use knee supports.

So I got a new pair of Nikes but the Zoom Structure still left me injured and felt heavy.

Years later, I decided to go minimal.

I bought a pair of Vibrams KSOs (I haven’t successfully raced in them as yet) and a pair of Nike Free Run+ Shield iD. They were the first shoes I ran in completely injury free.

Later when I checked my Gait again, I found out that I was a neutral runner. So I welcomed my first pair of New Balances: The 890v2.

These days I go between the New Balances and the Frees and when it rains I pull out my Nikes. It’s sacrificing it’s structure for the greater good: not ruining my favorite pairs because of mother nature. They still work great even if I’ve had them for years.

I’m a couple months away from my first marathon and I’m trying to decide on shoe choices. I love shoe colors. The brighter the better. I feel like they put me in a good mood especially since I tend to look at the ground that I’m stepping on.

I love how colors have such prominence in mood. Although my favorite color is red, I’d never run in them (maybe one day). I love purples, pinks and greens.

I wanted a new pair of Nike Frees so I got my final pair:


The furthest I’ve ran was in my New Balance 890v2 but I’m still building miles in my Frees.

A few weeks ago I tried customizing but I think I’ll be sticking to just New Balance 890s and Frees from now on. I still want these:

What’s your favorite pair of running shoes?

Designing the body that I want

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It’s funny that I call myself design lady yet I’m hardly posting things related to design on my blog. However, I’m currently designing the body that I want. It’s been an interesting journey so far. It’s now June 13th and I’ve successfully worked out or kept moving everyday since the last week in April to maintain the physique and strength that I have. I’ve also started eating better by making better food choices:

(This is my infamous oatmeal with fruits – sometimes I add more fiber but this has blueberries, banana and strawberries)

With all these changes, I didn’t notice how strong I was until this past weekend.

I started on Saturday. I arranged to run with my friend Peggy in Central Park. Unfortunately the park is so far away that I hardly go because it’s quite the trip. I had forwarded her a list of group runs held by Jack Rabbit Sports and we decided to join the one at 9am. I woke up at 6am, got ready packed my book bag and lifted my brand new Jamis Allegro Femme down the stairs.

I wasn’t looking forward to the trip because I realized that I had to make a transfer where I would have to lift my bike for two flights of stairs. I also didn’t know what the exit at 86th street would look like (it had another few flights of stairs). Thankfully my bike weighs about 20lbs.

We joined the group and ran 7 miles. We took a route to Randall’s island running along FDR east river drive.

(The map partially shows the route)

After the run, we walked to 55th street and 6th ave to have brunch at La Bonne Soupe (which was incredible). I had post workout fuel of the La Canadienne Crepe. After, we walked to 46th and 9th where Peggy left her bike the night before. I bid her farewell since she had work to take care of and I biked the 10 miles back to Brooklyn with the assistance of my Ride the City app (and google maps on Android which is better than the iPhone’s since it shows bike routes — take that Apple!).

When I synced my Nike+ Fuel Band, it had tripled the daily fuel:

I got home and prepared for the next day to go on a zipline and canopy adventure. It just so happens that I booked a trip with a company that takes people to CBK mountains in Poconos, PA. We met them at 7am and headed out by bus ride. Once there we were given quick zipline safety procedures and started the 6 courses. We gradually got higher and higher above ground with each course’s zip line getting longer and higher above ground. This is where my strength and athleticism was tested. I wasn’t even tired from the night before (shockingly). Each course tested our agility as I used my core muscles to keep myself up and maneuver through. I even did a Tarzanesque swing to a net. Our final zip line was 85 feet high – a race (that I lost) – between two people.

When we got home, I took a shower and headed to bed. The next day, made sense to use as a rest day, I didn’t feel anything. Fitness test completed. The body is incredible.

Such a brand whore

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It’s certainly not what you think, I don’t go for super priced items at stores or supermarkets but I realized that I am extremely influenced by brands. It’s usually from experiencing them and adapting to them. However, I ought to be ashamed of myself since I am fully aware of advertising. Heck, my day job is to get people to buy things (that they might not necessarily need).

Lately, I’ve been finding reasons why I need to purchase things. Recently, I determined that purchasing a Starbucks coffee might be better than preparing my own and it’s all because they got me with their marketing. Yes, they won. My last coffee grounds finished a week ago and I haven’t yet made a detour to the supermarket to purchase any. So, Starbucks influenced one of my peers awhile back and she recently showed me her gold card. Naturally, I wanted to switch from my regular card to get a spiffy, shiny card with my name on it. Yep, that’s how they did it. I am aware though that I need to use my card at least 30 times. This means 30 x $5 (approximately) equals $150 before I get a lustrous gold card.

Just 25 more times… if I keep forgetting breakfast.

However, the other thing I love about Starbucks is the experience itself. I can reload my card from my mobile phone or online.

I can check my past transactions. I can use their free wifi at any of their locations. I’m never stressed while waiting in line. They’ve most certainly won me over.

Anyway, a few weeks ago I came across an article on Bloomberg Businessweek and the products that I consume won when being compared to other brands. They called the issue The Popularity Issue (which I found online here). I am only covering the main ones listed that deals with my life directly and will do a follow up post if possible.

Here’s a run down:

Peanut Butter.

Of course Jif won. I love Jif. I don’t even like peanut butter that much but that’s my default brand. The store brand peanut butter doesn’t seem to compare. For the past 20 years Jif also seems to have been America’s favorite.

Booze: Smirnoff Vodka

Although I’m a Guinness type of gal, I don’t mind Smirnoff (Kids I’m not condoning your drinking at all). However, “Vodka is perceived as low-cholesterol, has no breath effects, is mixable, and is part of that whole Sex and the City, women-with-fancy-drinks phenomenon,” according to Thomas Russo.

Cereal: Honey Nut Cheerios.
But, I love Oatmeal.

Deodorant: Secret
Although I love using Dove.

Car Color: White
Although I would prefer Red, I don’t even have one :) (I live in NYC).

Sneaker: Nike Air Force 1
I have never used Air Force 1s but I like my Nike running shoes :) . I also like Zoo York. My favorite pairs of shoes are from Steve Madden.

Flower: Rose
I love roses and I love hibiscus flowers.

Lipstick: Revlon
I love  Opi.

The issue also covered face-offs.

Democrats won over Republicans, Budlight over Bud, Cats over Dogs, White over Whole wheat bread, Beatles over the Rolling Stones.

What are some of your favorite brands and which ones you would never substitute for another? Would you take a significant detour just to get that brand?

Design Lady NYC

Warmer Days, injured knee & musings

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It’s kind of difficult updating consistently so this post will have a variety of things – a mixture so to speak.

feet

Few things to share. I found out this week that I have Jumper’s knee, aka Patellar Tendonitis. I did some research and found out that, “People who continually jump, run or cut quickly to one side during a sport can irritate these tendons.” That’s definitely me. I do lots of running (besides those that I have been tracking, I’m always running up the stairs and speed walking…

However, none of that is good for my knee so I had my first session of Physical Therapy and I was told that I couldn’t jump rope, do lunges or squats for the weeks that I am in therapy.

It seems like the only cure for this is rest – if you call that a cure. So that’s what I am dealing with as I prepare for the 10K (the Nike Human Race). I got my gear today for the race:

nike plusThis year it’s in Prospect Park. I am very excited but I know that I will have to take my time with this. The other day I ran 4 miles and brought my pace down to a minute (although I sped up in the end).

A great deal of my friends think that I am crazy for running like this but I’d have to say I love running a great deal. I’m very fortunate to be doing it. Many of you do not know what you’re missing… there’s nothing like a runner’s high. I feel driven, determined and fulfilled at the same time. Another step to push myself.

So, it’s my mother’s birthday today. Halloween is coming up. I can’t go to St. Croix this year because of $$$. I have Physical Therapy which is taking up my time as well (hey, in the perfect world, I’d won the lottery by now).

I also wanted to share some artsy stuff with you. I saw displays in Chelsea Market and thought I’d share:

market

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market 2

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market4

market6

market7

market5

I really love the building’s rustic look.

underpassSince it was a warm day I got to go around… including Flash Happy Hour (the drinks were free)! Then, Shweta and I ended up going to Taj for Indian Food (amazingly delicious!)

pink

By the way, I hate pink.

guysThe ambiance was caused by them… Photo by Shweta.

I will try to be quicker between posts ;-) .

Day 2 with my Nike+ Shoes

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I love that I can track my runs :-)

This is day 2. I’m not fast today… I’m actually very tired and it’s super super hot. However I checked out this sweet feature on NikePlus.com. Remember to support the race for the cure. It’s tax deductible. Read the email here. I raised $55 yesterday. I paid $30 for the race itself. It should be great! Besides, who doesn’t want to save breasts?

I want to thank Julian, Melissa, Samuel and Nathan for donating yesterday! What little you can donate will be very appreciated. It doesn’t go to me, it goes to Komen’s Greater NYC Race for the Cure.

If you can’t see the flash below, click here to view the actual website.