First Time at Second Wind: A Review

We have been invited by Hector to their shop since its opening day last March.  But it was only last Sunday that Quennie and I were able to visit the Second Wind Running Store.

Getting to the shop was far from our place but it was pretty easy.  We took a bus going to Fairview and dropped off at Philcoa.  From there, we went inside McDonalds and had a cup of Oreo Caramel Sundae.  This part is optional.  Then, we took a tricycle in front of MiniStop which is just a few steps away.  We just gave them the address, 88 Maginhawa Street and the driver knows it.

We were greeted by familiar faces.  Hector, Neville, Mikey and Enzo. They are the men who man the store.  eyng!?  The store features shoes from Mizuno, Asics, New Balance and Solomon Trail Shoes and some apparels from New Balance and Transistion One.  They also have SportBeans, GU, and Hammer Gels.  Plus accessories like OpticNerve Eyewear, Polar and Timex watches.

Pros

• Knowledgable staff.  They know their stuff and can really recommend the shoe for your foot type.  They can elaborate seamlessly on the shoe models that they got me lost in some of the terms they are using.  You gotta hear Neville explaining the shoe to a customer in straight English.  Nosebleed ako!
• On-site Test Run.  There is a treadmill inside that allows you to test run the shoes before buying them.  And even if you are undecided to buy, you can still test the shoes and just comeback for it once you have decided.
• Accurate gait analysis.  Second Wind features the first gait analysis tool in the country.  Using the treadmill and a gait analysis software, they can identify your foot type and make the proper recommendation on which shoe to buy.  This is an important tool since the right shoe can help you run more efficiently and avoid common running injuries.
• A Runner’s Atmosphere.  The shop is really a shop for runners with the display of finishers medals, autographed race bibs and the smell of used, wet socks.  I’m just kidding on the smell and the socks.  😀

Cons

• Location is far compared to other shops.  Going to UP is not easy for us.  But the directions going to the place is easy to follow.
• Small area.  Very little space to run around.  As if, Id be running inside.  Hehehe.  It might be chaotic if they serve more than five customers at a time.  But they have tables and chairs outside as the runner’s tambayan.
• Unavailable brands and runnning goodies.  They don’t have some of the hard to find stuffs for runners especially on the new brands in the market.  No wonder they are still hard to find.  We hear customers looking for Garmins, CW-X, and Skins.  Second Wind is still working on making them available.

Quennie left the shop happy because she got herself a new pair of shoes.  A New Balance WR848.  This was recommended by Hector based on her gait analysis.  Quennie was a mild overpronator on her right foot.  Her current shoe is pair of neutral cushioning shoes and sometimes she complains of pain in her right knee.  The gait analysis at Second Wind identified that the wrong shoe type could be a culprit and recommended a stability shoe for her.  I will post the results of the analysis and how the shoe corrects her pronation.  Newbie runners are so lucky to have these things available today compared to the trial and error approach I had 2 years ago to get to the right shoe.

Second Wind Running Store is located at 88 Maginhawa Street, Teachers Village QC.  Tel No. 799-2089

For more updates, visit Secondwind Running Specialty Store Facebook Page