Brooks Transcend unveiling & Blog with Brooks Contest

Well, we finally got our chance to touch and feel the new Brooks Transcend!

After months of teasing us with adverts and news through social media to the viewing of the actual shoe during this year's Putrajaya Night Marathon; the selected few of us got a chance to finally see what is the fuss is all about.

For all Brooks fans and users,the new Brooks Transcend is supposedly a new category in between a support/cushioning shoe. More news about the shoe in later write ups but at the moment we could tell you that it's going to replace the Trance Series in the future.

Bloggers were invited to the event to touch, feel and try the shoes and also announce this year's Blog with Brooks Contest. Similar to the contest last year, bloggers are required to write up about the new Transcend leading to its official launch in Feb 2014.

So far on testing the Transcends on site, the shoes are slightly bigger than the usual Brooks. Comfort wise is pretty good and its definitely plushier than usual.

More about the Transcends in later write ups but what we can divulge now is that this is probably going to be a "Limited Edition" shoe cause there is going to be ONLY 360 pairs of them in Malaysia. Yes, that's right. All sizes , all colours and gender combined. The retail price is RM759 a pair and be launching on February 2014.

Just in time for Valentine's or Ironman perhaps?

For more news and information, do check out Brooks Malaysia for more info.
For more photos from the event do click on to this link.

The Return of Live Great Run 2013

Just recently a few select of us fortunate bloggers/runners are invited for a special appreciation dinner from Great Eastern to kick start off The Live Great Run - 2013 Edition. A huge success last year; this run was catered to all different types of runners from competitive, amateurs to recreational levels.

I was one of the invited guest as I blogged about the event last year; which in my opinion was one of the best organized running events I've went. Met the many familiar and new faces at the event and we all had a very insightful discussion with the GE team. 

Runners would not be disappointed this year as GE has many things installed. The obstacle courses are back! It was one of the more interesting parts of the run last year that had everyone talking about.

Here is a breakdown of what we were treated that night.

The night started with an opening from the lovely emcee from Great Eastern, Ms. Wong Fong Yee who is the Assistant Manager of Brand & Communication. Do not be fooled by her as she is an avid runner and has already completed 4 full marathons! I myself sudah kalah lar....

Next up was a welcome address by Ms. GG Kam, the VP & Head of Marketing & Consumer Management. And she herself is an avid runner! She is prepping for her Half Marathon for the upcoming Standard Chartered KL Marathon this coming September.

Next up was Alexandra who gave a quick run down of the event and what is upcoming during the weeks leading towards the event on the 15th September.

So let's see...

The usual 12km and 3km runs are back on!

The NEW route for the 12KM runners and there will be obstacle courses along the way.

The 3KM Fun Run route. Great for the couples and families. 

The slideshow ended and we all had our small sharing and discussion among bloggers and the ever friendly GE staffs.

All I can say is that I can't wait for 15th September and it's gonna be a good 2 week tapering before SCKLM 2013!

All the attendees. Bloggers/Runners with the team from GE. 

For more information about Live Great Run, click on HERE. 

Registrations are already opened and you can register here at http://greateasternlivegreatrun.com/index.php?page=registration-fees

Brooks Frunner : Be Green or Go Green with Brooks!

STOP! In the name of love! That is how Ms. Diana Ross would sing it. But I would had sung “STOP! In the name of Greenery!” . Today I’m stressing out the importance of taking care of Mother Nature.

Poor Mother Nature is suffering as consumer demands for products are usually made from raw or non-recyclable materials. We can do our bid by reducing wastage by purchasing “Eco-friendly” or biodegradable products. Recycling things like aluminium cans, plastic and paper are much encouraged. But what about shoes?

I have too many shoes to think about. What can I do will my old, worn off pairs?

Let’s begin with a story. I have to admit, I am a shoe shopaholic. I’m worse than a woman! What do I do with so many shoes lying around?

In my defence, I buy shoes not for fashion sake but more of functionality.  Over the years as I got active with gym, running, etc ; I have accumulated quite a bit of a collection. I’m not crazy; just that I abuse the mileage quite a bit. That’s when I decided that I needed several pairs for different purposes.  For road, for trail, for treadmill and even for recovery!

Once my shoes reached their expected mileage, I would still continue to use them as my everyday shoes. Fortunately I have the pleasure of wearing sports shoes to work daily; maxing out the lifespan of my beloveds. I will wear them until they start to break apart and the only way I can do is just discard them to the dumpster after that. Not very eco-friendly. That is till now!

I can trade my old shoes and get a RM150 rebate for Brooks shoes? I have loads!

From 1^st – 30^th September 2012, BrooksMalaysia will be more than happy to collect back your old shoes. They will help you recycle them and in return, be rewarded a RM150 rebate for a new pair of Brooks. How awesome is that! Bare in mind, one pair of old shoes is to one RM150 rebate for ONE pair of Brooks. Doesn’t matter how many old shoes you bring, the mechanics still works the same.

Just in time for their Fall 2012 collection, you will be spoilt with the latest choices. The rebate can be used for the following shoes:

Shoes shown are for Men. It also applies to Women shoes as well. Worry not!

What is so great with Brooks shoes are their BIOMOGO midsoles. Traditional midsoles made of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate™ (EVA) are one of the least biodegradable shoe components, lasting up to 1,000 years in a landfill. Brooks added a non-toxic, natural additive to the MoGo compound that encourages anaerobic microbes to munch away once the material hits an active, enclosed landfill; making biodegradation 50X faster (Equivalent about 20 years).

Plus it’s non-toxic and can be used as nutrients for plants and animals. Brooks has even shared this technology with other running shoe makers; encouraging an even more sustainable planet Earth.

Here is a video in detail how does BIOMOGO works.

So what are you waiting for? What better excuse to get a new pair of trainers and help Mother Nature at the same time. Head to your nearest Brooks retailer or contact them at brooksmalaysia@gmail.com for any further details. Click on this link to the nearest Brooks outlet you could go to.

Go Blog with Brooks!

I feel honoured. Why? Just being invited for a blogger’s gathering, that is. First of all, it’s my first. Kinda feel intimidated being that I’m just a small peanut compared to the big name bloggers around.

Brooks Malaysia has been kind enough to invite a select few bloggers (runners themselves no doubt) to launch a blog campaign; aptly name “Blog with Brooks”. Held at The Curve - Mutiara Damansara, attendees are introduced with the launch of their new line that is coming up. Actually it’s more of an update of their current line, but nonetheless existing news for running fanatics and Brooks fans.

With its new marketing campaign to better define the Brooks running shoe line, shoes are categorized in either the “Float” or “Feel” category. This makes it easier for consumers to better understand their running shoe needs. We were treated to a firsthand look on its new line and I can definitely tell you, I’m salivating. Being a Brooks convert myself since last year, I’ve already own 3 pairs ; Adrenaline GTS 11, Glycerine 8 & Adrenaline ASR 8. Although I have other shoe brands in my arsenal, I primarily use Brooks for my training and races.

The Product Specialist explains the technology that goes behind Brooks.

The host explained to the participants on a brief history of Brooks and the technology that goes behind it. I am quite a sucker for product details and I was in for a treat! The product specialist further explained about the “Float & Feel” concept and how it’s targeted at runners with specific needs. Without sounding too technical, let me try to lay it out on layman’s term.

I personally fall under the “Float” category as I love anything with the support, the cushion, the structure and the build. I don’t care so much for colour choices but I usually like anything that is bright and striking; and Brooks never failed me on that part. I love the newly designed red Glycerine 10! (Am I hinting too much that I WANT one?).

Glycerine 10. The WANT list in my arsenal. See my "WANT" face!

The “Feel” category (or Pure Project) is basically Brooks version of minimalistic shoes aim for runners who prefers a more better contact feel to the ground and it’s lightweight. With its striking colours and minimalistic approach, runners are spoilt with choices!

To better understand on where the category of shoes fall into. 

The “Blog with Brooks” competition was announced during the 2^nd half of the event. Runners (or running bloggers) are called to participate in a month long campaign to showcase Brooks and its products. Being a noob runner and noob blogger myself, I think this is pretty much a good start. Participants are required to start up a Facebook page to begin with and in order to be in the running to win the prizes. Blog updates will be linked through the FB page. In the mean time, do like my FB page here! (not force la) . Besides sharing my usual blog updates, I think this is a good chance to also share my experiences with the Brooks brand and hopefully be a resourceful tool for others who are looking into the their brand of shoes.

Further explanation to how the contest works.

Wow, that was a mouthful. It’s no easy task as there will be weekly themes for bloggers. Sounds like a weekly run training plan! Stay tune for more and let the “games” begin!

In the mean time, Do enjoy the other photos taken during the event. 

Food, food, GLORIOUS FOOD! Generous helpings prepared by the host.

Goofing around with our Brooks shoes. Look at Gus hiding behind trying to catch a bite!

  

Bloggers / Runners at attendance.

I wanna "Feel" & I wanna "Float"

We can't stop with group pics.