Fitness has become the buzzword of late. There are so many ways to get into shape, from run races to out-of-town triathlons, that it was only a question of when fitness would invade the fashion and social scene.

 

It seems even weddings are now fitness-centered. Just a couple of months apart, two well-known fitness coaches tied the knot. And when you have fit people getting married, expect everyone to look beautiful, from the bride to the guests.

 

Bike coach Patrick Joson wed his charming bride Maricris Sarino late last year. Their bike-themed wedding invitations were so creative, and even the giveaways had a tandem bike drawing with the couple’s names emblazoned on them.

 

Shortly thereafter, running coach Rio de la Cruz and Nicole Wuthrich had a happy wedding, again replete with race-themed details like directional maps from the church to the reception having kilometer markings. Their wedding invitation was designed like a race bib number.

 

Accomplished individuals

 

Even if I still have not accepted the fact that I fall under the ninang category, I was honored to be one for Coach Rio and Coy. Looking at the list of other principal sponsors, I felt privileged to be among the likes of Senator Pia Cayetano, Fernando Zobel and Kim Atienza, all super triathletes apart from being accomplished individuals. Kuya Kim is the latest poster boy of Runners World magazine.

 

My ninong partner Ton Concepcion told me about his recently concluded 6th Condura Skyway Run. He shared with me how successful the race was, with the highest number of full marathon entries. As the only race that gets onto the Skyway, the event is a unique experience, and it is also extremely well-organized. Ton and his whole team have really raised the standard of premium races.

 

As a runner, my latest fashion accessory is the Adidas Energy Boost. This revolutionary shoe has the latest cushioning technology, which apparently allows small energy capsules in the soles to store and unleash energy, thus giving the runner “energy return” during the race.

 

Only 200 pairs of Energy Boost are available in the country this season, and the first hundred can be reserved at www.adidasboost.com until today only. All stocks will be delivered on Feb. 27 at the Adidas flagship store in Bonifacio Global City.

 

I got to try Energy Boost along with Lara Parpan, editor of Women’s Health, at the Adidas running workshop to launch the shoe. Bernd Wahler, head of innovation for Adidas, told us the boost makes the shoe come to life, from the moment you first put it on.

My biggest issue with the Energy Boost is that it comes in any color you want, provided that color is black. At least for now.

 

Vaseline triathlon

 

I’ll be using my Adidas Energy Boost at the upcoming Vaseline Men Xterra Off-road Triathlon Series on March 2-3 in Liloan, Cebu. Yes, you read that right. The race is open to all genders; it is only the sponsor that’s a men’s product.

 

At the kick-off at Dusit Thani Manila, Vaseline Men brand manager Jonathan Pua and Alaska Milk and Sunrise Events president Fred Uytengsu both welcomed the country’s top triathletes. Vaseline Men endorser Jericho Rosales was joined by other participants like star chiropractor Dr. Martin Camara, swimbikerun.ph impresario Carlos de Guzman, triathlete Mathieu O’Halloran, and overall hunk David Almendral, to name a few. Registration is ongoing at www.xterraphil.com and in all Runner stores nationwide.

 

Also there was Magnum ambassador Erwan Heussaff, who continues to mystify: How does he look so fit considering how much Magnum he wolfs down, and his blog is www.thefatkidinside.com? I asked him this as we attended the launch of Magnum’s two new flavors—Chocolate and Strawberry, and Chocolate Brownie.

 

Unfortunately I didn’t get an answer, as I was distracted by the chocolate-covered strawberries and other sinful treats served up by Urbn at The Fort.

 

The other Magnum ambassadors, Mond Gutierrez, Solenn Heussaff, Liz Uy and Rajo Laurel, welcomed our newest ambassador, Georgina Wilson.

 

Coming up on Feb. 26 is an exclusive Magnum VIP party featuring Azealia Banks. That hot ticket will melt a few bars, I’m sure.

 

The best part of being a Magnum ambassador is getting all the freebies. My kids love the endless supply, all stocked up nicely in our new Samsung all-digital freezer.

 

Tech innovation

 

The Samsung No-Frost Inverter Refrigerator was recently introduced in the country along with other Samsung home appliances, and I just had to get one. Daphne Oseña-Paez, Samsung Appliances ambassador, was also there at the launch, held in rave resto Chef Jessie.

 

Chiqui Torres-Tan, Samsung Philippines’ head of corporate marketing, told guests the new ref is a tech innovation. I had no idea that a refrigerator can be digital! Apparently, it can.

 

The digital inverter compressor strengthens durability and improves energy efficiency. Chiqui had everyone’s attention as she also raffled off a brand-new, digital ref to a lucky tweeter. I guess it pays to get onto social media!

 

I can hardly wait to see a product that automatically tweets or uploads a photo to Instagram every time it is used! Is the world ready for that?

 

Follow @tessavaldes on Twitter or e-mail her at [email protected]