Philippines Golf Academy

In another sporting life, I was a runner. Not a casual, around the block runner but a serious 80k a week, sub-20 5k fanatic. I picked up running in school first as a school boy training for soccer and never stopped. I took my running kit everywhere I went and ran wherever my travels took me. The zenith of my running achievements was my participation in the first Manila International Marathon in 1980 when Bill Rogers and a handful of Kenyans showed us all how it was done. I managed to finish in less than 4 hours accomplishing the goal I set for myself. Osteoarthritis from injuries to my right ankle brought this passion to a screaming halt one day while training for a 5k race. The pain was so severe I had to limp home. I miss it so.

It is with some bemusement that I look upon the legions that have taken to the sport. I see so many with technique that is potentially injurious and yet more with shoes ill-conceived for the purpose. They need to understand how dangerous this is to their longevity in the sport. I suffered from this malady myself. Mostly because good running shoes were so hard to find back in the day and because I used them well past their effective lifetime. My injuries reached the point that I had to have custom orthotics designed to alleviate my pain at much expense and after a long and arduous search for a sports podiatrist that correctly diagnosed my malady.

Somnio Pacemaker

Today’s runners are so lucky by comparison. A new company named Somnio (Latin for “dream”) has come up with a line of modular running shoes that integrate a system of footbeds, varus wedges, forefoot and heel cushions to custom-fit their shoe to the particular gait of the runner. Revolutionary!

I had the privilege of spending the better part of an afternoon with Somnio’s Global Product Manager, Danny Orr to discuss the finer points of the company, its philosophy and its shoes. A podiatrist by training, Orr is a serious runner and there are precious few qualified to talk about running shoes that he.

Edwin Ngo, President Cole Haan & GBX, the author, Somnio Global Product Specialist Danny Orr and Ceasar Valmadrid Cole Haan & GBX Admin Manager

Somnio is founded on the principle that shoes should adapt to the individual and improve biomechanics. Every person is different and by extension, every pair of shoes should be different to cater to the person’s needs. So Somnio built a platform to make that possible. The exclusive line of almost infinite shoes and limitless possibilities was designed in the United States’ leading sports medicine laboratory then tested and refined on elite athletes and real people. The result is a modular series of shoes that are infinitely customizable for a large range of the running population for use in a variety of conditions and a scientific extremely thorough fitting system.

To fit a runner to his shoes, Somnio employs a 5-step system; first the fitter measures ach height and pronation. Cushioning is selected on body weight. The individual then does a one-legged squat on the laser line-up device to assess typical running patterns. Then Varus wedges are used to adjust the alignment of the patella to the position of the foot. Next the appropriate arch height is determined. The fitter then uses a durometer gauge and the varus setting to select the appropriate inserts for the individual. Once this is complete the consumer will try the appropriately outfitted shoe on the treadmill while his gait is again analyzed by computer to see if the shoe addresses the individual’s requirements and further adjustments, if any are required are made at this point. Most impressive! This is akin to having a shoe with custom orthotics fitted to you at the point of purchase.

Somnio Exact Change

Somnio’s system is called F.E.A.T. (appropriate, no?) or Functionally Adjustable Tri-Component System. It uses interchangeable footbeds, Indx cushioning inserts in the heel and forefoot and a tunable varus angulation system of inserts for adjusting a runner’s alignment at foot strike. All this conspire to alleviate fatigue and injury over the course of a training run or race.

The afternoon with Danny seemed to end much too soon. In reality, we had spent the better part of three hours talking but it went by so quickly. I was gratified to hear that Somnio gets a many requests for golf shoes; so many that they are in fact considering a line as the next step in the growth of their company. At the end of it all, I ordered a pair of shoes for myself. Perhaps with a custom fitted pair of Somnios, I might be able to rekindle my relationship with one of my first sporting passions.

Special thanks to Dynes Dignadice, Marketing Manager (Asia Pacific) Cole Haan & GBX for arranging our time with Mr. Orr.

Read the whole story on:http://pinoygolfer.com

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