ThatIndieRunner: September 2018

Beats for FNB Joburg 10K Streets

2018

Sunday, September 23, 2018
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Puma Hybrid Rocket

2018

First Thoughts

The Puma Hybrid Rocket is one latest innovations from Puma. When I was presented with the opportunity to test it out, I took it with both feet. Initially, I was skeptical about the sole of the shoe. This is not a conventional sole. It comprises of a segmented sole as seen above. In all my years of running I have never had a shoe with 3 pieces of sole. Its called the HYBRID because there is a mix of PUMA's running innovation IGNITE FOAM & NRGY beads. What does this mix promise? Cushioning and energy return. The essentials for the streets...

Is this a running shoe though? My initial thought when I received my pair. So the test began. For a running shoe to stay in my sneaker circulation. It has to be

- Versatile -

It has to look good with shorts shorts, tights and I should be able to wear it with a pair of jeans to go out shopping at the mall.

- Bouncy -

It has to add a spring to my step, concrete is hard the amount of energy I put into my stride. I need to get some of it back.

- Snug -

Knit is in and I am here for it. Also sock feel is the only feel.

- Flashy -

Vivid, chromatic, kaleidoscopic, find a synonym and add it to this list. There's a reason why jeans are cuffed at the knee now. Its the same reason tights also clamp down at your knees. To show off the design of the shoe. The most eye catching design compliments the most striking colourway. Triple Black, volt and pink, black and ribbon red. Huey, striking running shoes are a staple.

First Run

First, I took them out walking on the streets you know just to show them off let them get used to my pronating feet. Then we shuffled on the treadmill while virtually running a segment of the New York marathon. Then I reminded my body that its strong with a Saturday session at The Arena Bryanston and then I did hill repeats with the Braamfie Runners on a Thursday evening. I took these Puma Hybrid Rockets on a whole fitness Journey right?!

This is a Neutral running shoe, so it wouldn't be favourable for people who pronate or supinate according to running wisdom. However, I like living life on the edge and run in any comfortable shoe that matches my outfit. Lets be real anyway, neutral running shoes are always the snazziest...

Final thoughts

What I like about this shoe?

- it's hot, it's fresh we can take it to the sneaker cypher and it would win.

- Its sleek, the evoKnit upper feels like a sock. You can run without socks.

- Its bouncy, responsive, energetic

- The lacing system and heel pull tab, make putting on these babies a hassle free process and they lock in your foot to keep it secure.

What can be improved?

- There's a band round about where the laces start, which pinches you initially. You need to break these shoes in a bit longer than other shoes because they are so form fitting.

This shoe is currently on circulation, in fact I will be running the FNB 10KM Joburg city run on the 24th September in these shoes. Its more suited for shorter distances and the gym floor.

The Puma Hybrid Rocket is currently available online and at independent sports retailers for R 2 299

#RunRevolution

Friday, September 21, 2018
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Heidi Nguyen

2018

On You …

My name is Heidi, I’m 28 years old and a daughter of a chef, coach, an entrepreneur and single mom to my little Frenchie. I live in Odense, Denmark together with my dog. When I don’t work and not running in the streets with my crew (Odense Running Crew), I love to travel, because it makes me fall in love with my life – it makes memories, it gives me freedom to be myself and because of I’m passionate about running, then it’s even better to explore the world by running. All in all, I’m passionate about inspiring other people with my running story, things I do and how I live my life.

On Balance…

I’m hardworking and have to always keep my deadlines, so I have a very busy office job, I also have business trips several times a year, but I’m a time optimist and it’s doesn’t matter how busy am I, then I take time to run, everyday, even if it’s in working hours – just to balance my life, if I don’t do that, then I can work my ass out for the rest of my life. It’s important to exercise, to get healthy, and the most important thing in life, is to be a good role model for my team, my colleagues – and show them the good energy.

On Running…

In my young ages, I did a lot of sports. I play tennis and football, I have also been an elite swimmer and professional dancer – but after studying at the university I didn’t do exercise, because of work. So one day in my very stressful period, I woke up and told myself that I have to exercise, to lose some weight and be healthy, and it is here my running history began – for 1,5 years ago I started running to get myself of out my stress period. It doesn’t take long time then I took it ambitiously and get a coach. Today I’m coached by Maria Sig (Earlier Danish Elite Runner) and this is absolutely the best thing I have done in my life.

On Miles…

I’m a half marathon runner, no more, no less – so far, honestly my longest running distance is exactly 21,09 km. The first time I think about the experience after crossing the finish line, then it was crazy – as really crazy. The distance is long enough to be hard and to get yourself out of control. My first race was CPH Half 17’, where they actually cancelled the race, about 10 minutes after I crossed the finish line, because of clouds and thunder – in that moment I was really happy to finished the race.

On the Streets…

I love to run on the streets, both together with my crew and alone, I love all the people passing me – these people don’t know it, but they give me more power to continue and complete my training session. They’re the reason that I don’t stop, when it hurts, even though they don’t cheer. Running on the streets with my running buddies is also an opportunity to show people, that it’s more than just running – it’s also about good vibes, great friends, the crew love feeling and just having fun.

On Pain…

The pain is both mental and physical, and most of the time it’s all about the mental and this is a part of the game of being a runner. I’m exactly not the best to push myself through the pain, but I know my body can do more than I think and luckily I have great running buddies, who know me very well and pushed me, beyond my limits. But of course, I also listen to my body, I learned from every pain, so I also accept and respect my body, as soon I felt any pain – I’m not running when I’m injured.

On Women…

It’s doesn’t matter who you are and your age, running is good for everyone and everybody can be a runner – old as young, men as women and kids, so guys: just go for a run – when you finish, you will not regret.

And of course women have to be a bit careful and think about their future, when they do elite sports, running etc. in relation to the female body, pregnancy and how much you push yourself, but as a jogger then you don’t have to think about it, it’s not harmful, on the contrary.

On the first run…

Actually I can’t remember my first run, but I can remember that it was pretty hard the first 2-3 months. I couldn’t even run 2 km without a break and the feeling of near death, but I kept going and today I’m running 8-18 kilometers, 4-5 times a week, without any problems – so hard work pays off.

For all the beginners, doesn’t matter how hard it is, or when you’re feeling down, because you don’t see yourself developing, then just be patient. Don’t go too fast, that’s the receipt directly to an injury, so you have to listen to your body and start slow – one day you’ll look back and see how far you’re from where you started.

On social media…

I’m very active on SoMe, especially Instagram – and you’re more than welcome to follow me and my running story and goals at Cph Half and Amsterdam Half: @_heidinguyen . Instagram is the platform where I get my motivation from for both running and travelling. It’s always exciting and inspiring to follow my running friends around the world, when you only meet them few times a year.

On the future…

This year’s goal has the focus only been on the half marathon distance, so I’ll do two more within this year, Cph Half 18’ and Amsterdam Half 18’. After that, I’m not sure yet, maybe getting faster at 5- and 10K, or maybe run a marathon – it’s two different things, so I think I have to discuss this with my coach. But all in all, I will do my best to inspire and motivate people to run, especially all the beginners – it’s not only about how fast you run, just run and be patient, then everything about running will comes to you.

#RunRevolution.