wang writes

Nike Women's LunarGlide+

I’m just making an educated guess for this one, my new pair of Nikes. It’s the LunarGlide, which I think is supposed to replace and improve on the Lunar Trainer that I have been using (four pairs and counting) in the past year to much comfort and success. So, I’m hoping and predicting these new kicks will make me go fast. They’re all packed in my Langkawi luggage and I’ll update you on how they are after I put in some miles in them.

What’s new with these Lunars?

– An “innovative mid-sole architecture” called Dynamic Support, that adapts to a runner’s gait with each step, providing superior cushioning and as-needed stability. I think it’s touting itself as one style fits all kinds of runners. Stability or cushioning? Cushioning or stability? This shoe is supposed to solve your dilemma by giving you both.

– “Soft, yet strong microfiber synthetic overlays ultrasonically welded into place for seam-free comfort.” I guess this means it kinda feels like you’re going commando? On your feet, that is.

– Of course you still get the LunarLite technology (lightweight cushioning that creates a “trampoline effect”, returning energy to you) and Flywire technology (threads in the shoe’s upper that act like the cables of a suspension bridge that offers support yet is super lightweight) seen in the original Lunars.

– The women’s model, weighing a mere 243 grams (or about the same as a typical portion of steak), has some added features over the men’s model, given girls are generally built lighter and smaller and have broader forefeet than guys There’s more soft foam under the heel and a more flexible forefoot and some stretchy material adjacent to the big toe.

Blah blah blah. You know what, technology doesn’t usually get me too excited. I like my running shoes basic and no-frills, and that’s why I used to do all my runs in thin-sole racers and still prefer to train and race in my Lunar Racers. Sometimes wearing super high-tech shoes make my feet feel very clunky and heavy and even more uncomfortable. How good are the LunarGlides? I’ll let you know in a week…

And onto the next thing that (might) make you go fast: a 27 cog. Okay, maybe not fast, but it’ll definitely help you up those crazy Mont Ventoux-esque hills. I got for cheap a 27-12 Chorus 11-speed cassette last week, deciding it wasn’t worth the money to get the Super Record version just for a 60g weight savings. Suffering on the Phuket hills as the only rider with a 25 cog made me realise how important a 27 is, especially for these little legs of mine.

Campagnolo Chorus 11-speed cassette (27-12)

Bling — I mean, bring — the hills on.

And finally, the last thing that makes you go fast, at least according to Damo: szechuan-style long beans with minced pork and rice.

It’s his pre-race staple for dinner. Tomorrow he races a 36km Individual Time Trial, tonight he ate beans and rice. He used to buy it from Crystal Jade for over $10 for a small plate of it and a couple of bucks more for a small bowl of white rice. A few weeks ago I decided to cook it for dinner using this recipe, though adding more beans and less pork. Simple, quick, cheap and super delish.

Szechuan-style long beans with minced pork

A big part of the success of the dish is the kind of rice you eat the beans and pork with. We use basmati rice, long-grained and fluffy and al dente. I’ve forgotten the brand now but it comes in a cute little zippered sack from Cold Storage. Really really good.

Oh, it also makes you go fart.

Haha.