Running shoes: Minimalist VS Normal

Do you feel overwhelmed by choices when choosing running shoes? Should you go for cushioned shoes? Or light-weight shoes? How do you choose what type of shoes are right for you? Do you have various types of shoes in your closet, yet unsure about which shoes should you wear for this weekend’s big race?

Based on my general observation, there are 2 types of running shoes in the market: Minimalist shoes or regular, cushioned shoes. Regular shoes are equipped with the padding and support required to cushion the impact of running. Their soles are thick. While minimalist running shoes are the exact opposite – they are very light, thin, and flexible. Minimalist shoes mimic the feeling of running barefoot with almost no cushioning.

Traditionally, people have been running barefoot for years. From that ideology, running professionals and designers came up with the idea for minimalist shoes. For every research and data that supports minimalist shoes, there are equal papers and numbers that shows otherwise. Some say that cushioned shoes prevent injury, allows you to run longer, and it is ‘safer’. However, I have also observed fellow runners that still complain from ITB, knee pains, and twisted ankles from wearing highly cushioned shoes. Therefore, I conclude that there is no right or wrong answer. It depends on various factors, such as the condition of your feet, experiences in running, running condition, distance, etc.

I have both types of shoes in my collection. So, how do I decide which shoes should I wear for this weekend’s big race? Personally, this how I decide what type of shoes should I wear for Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2018 (SCKLM), or any other run. Please feel free to follow this guideline when purchasing new shoes too:

The BIG DAY is here!

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I was driving around the heart of Kuala Lumpur with a colleague when we spotted a sign that stated there will be several road closures as part of the annual Standard Chartered KL Marathon (SCKLM) 2016.

“Wow, it’s already time for SCKLM again? How time flies! I remembered that this event was canceled last year because of the haze”. Even my non-runner colleague was excited for this event!

2014 vs 2016 - Same girl, same event, different distance. I am not ashamed to admit that there is no secret and short cut to achieving something that you want.

2014 vs 2016 – Same girl, same event, different distance.

SCKLM 2016 is the highlight of every runner’s calender. The organizer’s decision to cancel last year’s event did not deter runners from signing up again. Due to the scale of the event and its internationally-certified course, it is THE event that everyone has been waiting and training for. So many took this opportunity to do something significant or memorable, such as run their maiden full marathon, or ensuring that Personal Best (PB) are renewed, and I was no exception. 21km, it is payback time!

The last time I ran a half marathon was during Nike We Run KL, and I was not in the best state of health to run 21km. So since the route was almost the same, this is a second shot for me to reach that sub-2:30 goal. The morning air was clear, the temperature was warm, I was feeling well-rested and carbo-loaded. I ran past several iconic attractions in the city centre, such as the Twin Towers, Pavilion Mall, the funny-shaped Menara Tabung Haji, and many more. Despite driving by the same location several days before, it is always interesting to be passing by these buildings on foot instead of behind the wheels. In the end, I exceeded by goal by 7 minutes however it was still a PB for me since my previous achievement was 2 hours 45 minutes.

Since this is an important event for every runner, SCKLM is also a gathering of various running groups. I bumped into a lot of familiar faces through out the race, it was almost like a running community reunion! Some groups even cheered through out the course and not just at the finishing line. Most supporters gathered at the last few kilometers, handing out candies, setting up soft drink booths, or shouted words of encouragement. I could see some runners mood were uplifted when they hear people clapping for them!

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IMG_5155IMG_5147I’m so proud that Nashata has always kept me covered without compromising my modesty in every and any race. I choose to wear the black Ultra top to match with the colour of the team that has always been supporting me.

I returned home with many good memories about this year’s SCKLM, and I hope to return again next year. Now it is time for some well-deserved rest and prepare for next week’s event!

Until next week,

The Weekend Runner.

Semangat yang kuat! – Nur Azyan Yusof

Baru-baru ini kami sempat lagi menemuramah seorang pelari yang hampir berhenti berlari tetapi giat kembali dalam sukan kerana beberapa faktornya sendiri. Ikuti kisah beliau dan sebabnya :

1. Biodata Diri

Azyan1Beliau di beri nama Nur Azyan Yusof atau nama mesranya lagi Yan @ Zyra. Gadis comel ini berumur 35 tahun dan masih bujang, tinggal di Shah Alam. Beliau memiliki Master of Science Computer di Universiti Malaya dan sekarang bekerja di Telekom Malaysia sebagai seorang pegawai eksekutif.

2. Sejak bila mula berlari dan apa yang membuatkan beliau aktif dalam sukan?

Sekitar tahun 2006, beliau mendapati berat badannya semakin naik dan terasa sangat sukar untuk mengekalkan berat badan. Beliau membuat keputusan untuk mula berlari di Standard Chartered KL Marathon (5km) pada tahun 2010. Oleh kerana sejarah kesihatan keluarga yang kurang baik dan ramai keluarganya memiliki penyakit obesiti serta penyakit 3 berangkai (jantung, diabetes, buah pinggang), beliau mengambil keputusan untuk mula berjinak dalam sukan untuk mengamalkan gaya hidup yang sihat walaupun pada asalnya beliau seorang ulat buku di sekolah. Beliau cuba mula berlari secara berperingkat dengan jarak yang paling dekat 5KM, 10KM, 21KM dan full marathon 41KM.

3. Mengapa berhenti berlari?

Beliau berkata, marathon ini memerlukan komitmen yang sangat tinggi. Sekurang-kurangnya perlu berlatih berlari dengan jarak 15KM – 20KM pada setiap hujung minggu. Manakala di hari biasa pula sepatutnya perlu berlatih 3 kali seminggu dengan jarak 5KM – 7KM. Di sebabkan beliau terlalu sibuk dengan hal kerja dan keluarga, beliau berehat seketika selama 2 tahun kerana tidak boleh fokus pada larian.

4. Kesan apabila berhenti berlari

Kesan yang paling kritikal adalah berat badan naik dengan mendadak. Selalunya selepas habis kerja beliau ada membuat aktiviti fizikal kerana baginya itu merupakan salah satu caranya untuk melepaskan stress dan tekanan kerja. Apabila berhenti, beliau lebih mudah marah dan murung. Beliau juga kadang kala menghadapi masalah susah untuk tidur pada waktu malam.

5. Siapa yang memberi dorongan? Ada mendapat tentangan dari mana-mana pihak?

Ramai kawan-kawan memberi sokongan dan dorongan. Cuma ibu bapanya tidak gemar beliau bersukan dengan berpakaian ketat walaupun memakai baju yang menutupi semuanya kerana masih mendedahkan aurat

6. Pencapaian terhebat dan target akan datang

Beliau berjaya menamatkan larian Full Marathon dengan set masa 5 jam 27 minit  dan targetnya yang seterusnya untuk memecahkan rekod terbaru dalam larian full marathon akan datang dengan memakai pakaian yang lebih sopan dan menutup aurat

Testimonial beliau tentang produk Nashata :

” Pakaiannya labuh, longgar dan dibuat daripada material yang sport-oriented! Pakaian saya yang dulu pun bukan senang nak cari. Skirt pendek saya beli daripada tennis skirt. Arm-sleeve saya beli daripada golf sport. Semua saya campur-campur untuk dibawa berlari marathon. Bertuahnya sekarang, semua Nashata dah sediakan! Tak payah survey banyak kedai dah. Lengkap segalanya! “

7. Antara cadangan yang beliau utarakan untuk meningkatkan lagi produktiviti dan stamina seorang wanita untuk lebih cergas dan sihat

Lakukan aktiviti yang menggembirakan diri sendiri dan memperbanyakkan aktiviti sukan seperti badminton, berbasikal, zumba, yoga dan sebagainya. Beliau sangat gemar melakukan body combat kerana beliau terasa seolah-olah boleh melepaskan geram kerana kata beliau, tugas seorang wanita sangat berat dan mungkin menghadapi banyak masalah dan tekanan. Bagi menggalakkan lebih ramai kaum ibu dan isteri pula, beliau menyarankan berlari berkumpulan di adakan dengan satu (1) keluarga ikut turut serta.

azyan yusuf8. Antara program-program larian yang beliau telah sertai :

(a) Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2014 (Half marathon)

(b) Malaysia Women Marathon 2013 (Half Marathon)

(c) Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2012 dan 2011 (Full marathon)

(d) Standard Chartered Singapore 2011 (Full Marathon)

(e) Newton Challenge 2012 (25km)

9. Perbezaan pemakaian dari segi latihan dan marathon

Semasa latihan : Baju biasa bergantung kepada jenis latihan yang di lakukan

Semasa marathon : Baju cepat kering, ringan, serap peluh, mampat, tidak terlalu labuh

10. Berapa minit beliau membuat latihan dan berapa kerap beliau lakukannya?

Hari biasa – 45minit ke 1 jam (3x seminggu)

Hujung minggu – 2 jam ke 2.30 jam (Larian jauh)

1 jam tambahan (Weight training, bodycombat, bodybalance)

2 hari pula diperuntukkan untuk berehat

Perbazaan sukan atau tidak

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beliau ada menyusulkan cadangan lari sambil menolak stroller baby. How cute idea she have huh? Ramai orang tidak terfikir akannya dan mungkin idea ni menjadi seronok jika ada mana-mana pihak yang mencubanya di masa akan datang. Azyan seorang yang sangat kreatif dan sangat ceria. Terima kasih kerana kongsi segala pengalaman dan cerita yang menarik tentang anda bersama kami.