Before we even start with this, I'll be blunt - I was never really an Adidas kinda guy. My last Adidas shoe was the Kobe shoe shaped like a foot during the late 90's. Got injured bad with it. Thought it looked cool though. Thus I was armed with this intrinsic, subliminal (albeit unrequited) disdain as I entered the Adidas AdiZero presser.
Up for the challenge?My curiosity was piqued when Quincy of Greenbulb PR emailed me the invite, a hotwired "challenge" built in to the event. The spin is that the Adizero series is the lightest in its class, so bring your running shoes, if it's heavier than 265 grams they'll give you a 20% discount. By default you would think that they'd give you a discount if it were lighter, but hey we're getting ahead of ourselves. Just think of it this way - if these shoes would allow Takbo.ph head honcho Jinoe to beat Haile Gebrselassie in a 10k, they're worth giving a second look right?
Eat my dust Haile!But before the whole thing started... .. GBM (at the entrance of Greenbelt 3 fronting the pond) : Manong , where is the Adidas store located?Manong Guard : Ay wala na ho dito yan, nasa Greenbelt 5 yan.GBM: Huh, my contact person specifically said Greenbelt 3.MG: Ay wala na nga ho yan, matagal na. Dati nanjan ngayon wala na.GBM: Are you sure?MG: Oo nga, kahit pagbaliktarin mo pa to, nilipat na nga.GBM: Okay hmph , okay I'll take your word for it.
Crabby GuyGBM (at the Greenbelt 5 entrance) : Boss, where is the Adidas store located here?Fancy SG : Oh no sir, we don't have that store here. It is actually in Greenbelt 3.GBM (woah) : Um, seriously? The guy in Greenbelt 3 said it was here!FSG : I do apologize for that sir. It happens with the goofs over there. They have... slightly different training from us. Do you want me to personally escort you to the Adidas store?GBM: Oh that won't be necessary , you guys sure do things .. differently here in Greenbelt 5!FSG: You betcha sir! Have a wonderful day, and don't hesitate to approach me should you have any other concerns.GBM: !!!!
Greenbelt 5 guards are... differentGBM(Back in Greenbelt 3) : The guard at Greenbelt 5 said it was here!SG: Wala nga dito! Kahit saan ka tumingin dito, wala dito!GBM: (walks about 40 feet from entrance, sees Adidas store to his left, goes back to guard)So what do you call that ginormous Adidas store about 40 feet from where you're standing?SG: Ah, eh, um, Ehhhhh. Bago siguro yan! Bago! Ngayon ko lang nakita yan! Wala yan dati!Senior Security Guard : Ser, first day lang ho niyan pagpasensiyahan ninyo na... .GBM: !!!!
Uh, er, hehe, um SORRY ser?The Launch Proper Once I finally extricated myself from that mess a wee bit perturbed, I made my way back to the store. Among the blogging luminary sightings (:P) Takbo.ph bossing Jinoe , Jaymie/TBR, idol Vener, and sir Rene/Jazzrunner were among the early birds. Bromance buddy Rico/Sheer Will, Sam The Running Ninja, Running Diva Roselle and Jay/Prometheus Cometh along with Marga/Alaskadora got there a little bit later. Nice store, impeccably decked out. Was warmly welcomed by PR guy/erstwhile textmate Quincy. Turns out he was about 5 batches lower than me in DLSU. Oh the trappings of old age.
Yes it's lighter!
Dreaming of how it would be to run in these shoes... .
Jinoe and Jaymie hanging out before the "weigh in"
Sam and Roselle catch up with the gangThe Products Youthful looking Adidas marketing boss Xavier was on hand to explain the nuances of the different products. Touted as the lightest in their class, these shoes were the same ones worn by Haile Gebrselassie when he broke his own world record at the Berlin Marathon, the first sub- 2:04 marathon time in history. There are three main models in the series - Aegis, Tempo, and Boston. What do these have to offer? Let's take a look.
"Back when I was in college, which was like last year , I always thought Adidas was the best"Adizero Aegis
The Official Word :A faster, sleeker lightweight trainer which is designed with ForMotion upper and a ground-adapting 3D Formtion unit for smoother, more natural touchdowns at high speeds. Airmesh provides maximum ventilation. A moulded respEVA sockliner for greater step-in comfort while an extended Torsion System bar gives heel and midfoot stability.What that means : These are shoes which would provide the speed of a typical racer while providing much needed stability for midfoot strikers. The advantage? It's reputed to be lighter than anything else on the market within its class hence you'll be faster. Follow the logic?Adizero Boston
The Official Word : This is a competition long-distance running shoe intended for serious runners. Once again, the air mesh upper gives maximum ventilation while the dual-layer Adlite/respoEVA sockliner give great step in comfort, an extended Torsion System bar gives heel and midfoot stability, and adiPrene in the forefoot and heel provide max cushioning.What that Means : Essentially, it's the model in the series built for longer distance runs as it provides more cushioning and stability. Planning to run a marathon at 2:57 pace just like Haile without developing plantar fasciitis in the process? While that's pretty much unrealistic, if you're a competitive runner who's looking for an edge then this is the shoe for you.AdiZero Tempo
The Official Word Without a doubt the lightest in its class, the Tempo provides all the benefits of the two others in the series, only difference is that the midsole is built around two plastic heel plates that slow side-to-side movement, giving the shoe additional rearfoot support. A firm section of foam in the shoe's forefoot provides a solid base for toe-off.What That Means : Quite simply, all the benefits of an ultralight racer for the faster paced, high- arch people or for the neutrals who need a tempo run/speedwork day shoe. Very light, and provides enough stability for good measure. The Weigh In As niceties were exchanged, we were ushered to the main area by the emcee's well-modulated (promise) voice. The official "weigh- in" challenge was to commence. Among others, Jaymie put up her Lunar Glides and Jinoe his Mizuno Ronins to the test. Both shoes were , as the well-modulated guy put it awkwardly, "DEFINITELY Lighter" than the 265 gram challenge weight. Okay. As that made for some unneccesary weirdness, nice guy Xavier qualified the whole thing by explaining that the Ronins and Lunar Glides were classified as flat racers, and that their claim was only limited to within its class.
It's definitely lighter!
Not again!He explained that the Adizero Rocket would be the equivalent of these shoes. Much like P.T. Barnum playing to the crowd, the Rocket was propositioned for a weigh-in. Lo and behold, it came in at a Liliputian 190 grams, sending shocked murmurs amongst those present. I doubt if those present have ever heard of a shoe that light. The running denizens were definitely impressed.GBM Takes on the Challenge I brought my own size 12 NB 848 light stabs just for fun. It looked so um, big compared to the Adizeroes. How much did it weigh against the 265 gram standard? 375 grams. Eeek! :) But Rico pointed out that his shoes were even heavier, so I guess the Adizeroes really blow away all competition in the "lightness" genre. So if you're part of that school of thought who equate lightness = speed = better times, you know where to go.Adidas has an ongoing promo from July 17 to September 22, with their Greenbelt and Trinoma flagship stores involved. Three packages to choose from -
Package A- Get 15% off when you buy a running top + bottom and receive a FREE adidas marathon diary.
Package B- Get 15% off a pair of running shoes (includes mi adidas) and receive a FREE adidas marathon diary.
Package C- Get 25% off when you buy a running top + bottom + shoes (includes mi adidas) and receive a FREE adidas marathon diary.
I'll see if I could give you guys a more comprehensive review of the AdiZero line in the upcoming days. Watch out for it!
Epilogue
GBM (on the way out) : Boss, may I know where the men's room is?
SG: Ah wala hong CR dito, sa Greenbelt 5 pa ho ung pinakamalapit.
GBM : Oh Lord not again... ... ..
That's All Folks!
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