Run Like An Athlete With The UA HOVR Phantom 2
The best thing about being an amateur runner is that there are no restrictions. I don’t have any dietary plan or training obligations – aside from getting out of the scratcher as soon as humanly possible and getting the T shirt and shorts on (which is easier said than done some mornings, depending on the events of the previous evening). I can eat and drink whatever I like, whenever I feel like it. I’ll just end up paying for it later on my run; I understand and accept all responsibility for that, but there’s only me who cares – there’s no coach or Olympic Committee members standing by and clucking their tongues in disapproval.
Then once I actually get the feet going, depending on how I feel, I can get my Eliud Kipchoge on and go for a long run, or leap over a fence or two and do my Josh Cheptegei impression. And no matter what kind of run I’ve been doing I’ve always got to finish with a Lightning Bolt sprint – complete with archer pose at the end. Yeah, okay so I’m a dick, but at that time of the morning absolutely no one gives a stuff.
But in order to have the sort of freedom to do whatever run I feel like doing, I need to have running shoes that are equally at home in distance, cross country or sprint running. Luckily for me the new UA HOVR™ Phantom 2 shoes are perfect for this as they have been designed to be versatile rather than specialised. This means a bit of extra cushioning in the sole which is particularly useful if there’s any concrete or road running on your circuit, but not so mushy that you lose bounce and end up sacrificing speed. It’s a fine balance but they’ve got it right.
The UA HOVR Phantom 2 also feels softer and smoother, with a new, stretchy fit from the built-in sockliner that hugs your feet nicely and helps you forget you’re even wearing shoes. Incidentally, this sockliner was inspired by bike chamois – you know, that padding you find in bike shorts. The collar dips lower than previous models too in order to fit better around the ankle – which also makes them easier to slide on and off. The Phantom 2 also has a moulded midfoot and its flexible outsole makes it very comfortable to run in.
Of course, if you really want to get your Kipchoge or Cheptegei on, you can also bust out one of the Under Armour Training Plans too. Based on MapMyRun they help break down whatever goal you have – whether it be time-based over distance, a weight loss target, or just staying consistent – into achievable milestones. But, unlike some coaches out there, these plans dynamically adjust to your progress and so help make going out for a run what it should always be – an enjoyable experience!
The UA HOVR Phantom 2 running shoes are available at Platypus Stores and online at platypusshoes.co.nz and at the Under Armour Brand Houses in Newmarket and Sylvia Park.
