Back To The Trails...

By Frank

It's been 2 months since my last ultra. I did mentioned that I would certainly like a rest period before embarking on another one. But little did I expect, time flies and I'm facing my next ultra adventure soon in the next 1 month plus, The North Face 100 Singapore on 15 October 2011.

Organised by my colleagues over at Singapore, I will be representing Running Lab Malaysia to run the event. A little saddened by my last year's team mate Jamie's decision not to participate due to work reasons. Then I ask Yip about it and he agreed only to pull out due to the fact that the event clashes with another which he was more interested in. So I guess that was it. No TNF for me this year. But after a little pondering, I guess the company needs someone to represent it. I continued my hunt for a team mate and then Jeff came along. After getting his permission from his "home minister", he agreed and thus the formation of Team Running Lab Malaysia running the 100KM Duo distance (50KM each).

The route will only be revealed a week before the race and even myself has no idea on it. I do hope there will be a modification to it over last year's route to make things more interesting. I have no idea on which shoes to put on. Last year's experience with the Salomon was a terrible one. This time round, I do hope for something minimal though, but also did not omit out the choice of normal road running shoe as there's at least 50% tarmac at last year's edition.

My build up to it hasn't been a good one for I lack the time to train. Starting last week, I've tried to put in at least 5KM of running every night after arriving back at home from work. Yeap, that's starting my run around 10.30pm or so, with a hydration backpack strap on my back to simulate race day conditions. As for Jeff, based on his Facebook status, he has put in great effort and has been clocking on the distance. He will do really fine on race day should he stay injury free. Just that I wonder if he will wait for me at the finish line without crossing it like how I did last year. Hmm... Jeff *hint hint*

This morning despite waking up at 3am to prepare for my LSD, I decided to pass on it as my left knee didn't feel right. Perhaps too much squatting back at work while serving customers. But let's see about tomorrow. I really need to run, but with conditions like this, can someone tell me what to do? Aih....

K-Swiss Kwicky Blade-Light...

By Frank

The next sibling in K-Swiss Blade-Light family. Meet the K-Swiss Kwicky Blade-Light. This review came a little late for reasons you all know why due to my work.

The K-Swiss Kwicky Blade-Light...

Lateral view of the Kwicky...

Medial view of the Kwicky...

I received this shoe back in May 2011 and was instantly impressed with the Ion-Mask coating on the shoe. The coating made the shoe almost water proof and I'm able to justify it as I literary poured water over it during my Sundown Ultra Marathon to cool my feet down. Water just didn't sip in and just drip off from the top. Gone are the Flow Cool System which allows fresh air to enter the shoe from the toe box and to exit via the heel counter. Instead, ventilation pods are now located at the side of the shoe and it works just as good. The 10 drainage ports on the mid and outsole are still present and it's made bigger this time compared to other Blade-Light models.

Closer look on the Ion-Mask coated overlays...

The Kwicky weight in at about 255 grams which made it light enough for both training and race days. Flexibility is amazing and the blades like the other Blade-Light shoes help a lot in propulsion. Cushioning on the fore foot is barely there due to the low profile design which I really like a lot. However, as we move slightly upward towards the heel, the presence of a medial post which offers stability turned me off. I really like all my other Blade-Light shoes for it's minimalist design but the Kwicky just didn't felt right with the post. It felt firm on my arch and unlike the K-Swiss K-Ona C which have its medial post on the rather mild side, the medial post on the Kwicky is rather on the higher side.

The firm medial post...

Back to the outsole, more Aosta II carbon rubber has been included this time round compared to the other Blade-Lights for improved durability. Furthermore, somehow the blades did not actually pick up a lot of small stones or gravels as compared to the others. Am I superstitious or has it got to do wit the design? Hmmm...

The outsole showing the drainage ports and the Aosta II carbon rubber...

The blades...

The seam free upper is also another highlight of the shoe. There's basically no stitching and the shoe can be worn sockless. It felt really good and with the ventilation and drainage ports built into the shoe, those with sweaty feet will be able to wear it with minimal concerns. Even the stay-tie laces did what its suppose to, to stay tied always.

The K-Swiss Kwicky Blade-Light is certainly a product that deserves praises. But I will certainly prefer it if the medial post is done away with. If so, I will probably give it almost a perfect score. However, as we are differ, this is just my opinion. Good or great, try it on to know more about it. It took me the distance during my century adventure with no discomfort at all. And my feet was just a little damp despite pouring water over the shoe. Like K-Swiss mentioned, you start the run with a shoe that weight 9 ounces and finish it at the same weight. That's gonzo!

The K-Swiss Kwicky Blade-Light is now available at a recommended selling price of RM519.0 and is available at Running Lab, Tropicana City Mall.