From sprints to middle and long-distance to marathon events, the art of running is a highly revered form of human expression, with deep roots in human history. Here are five of our favourite runners who have demonstrated great dedication and strength in their love for the sport, deserving of our admiration.

5. Catherine Ndereba

Catherine Ndereba (born July 21, 1972) is a Kenyan marathon runner. She is a former World record holder and a top-two finisher in four of the five World Marathon Majors. She was the first woman to run under 2:19 and the first woman to win the Boston Marathon a record four times. She also organises a Half Marathon in her hometown, named after Field Marshall Dedan Kimathi, a freedom fighting hero in Kenya’s struggle for independence.

Having defied the conventions of a male-dominated society, Ndereba’s strength and perseverance no doubt make her deserving not only of her nickname Catherine the Great, but also a spot on our list.

4. Yohan Blake

Yohan Blake (born December 26, 1989) is a Jamaican sprinter known by the nickname “The Beast”. Blake is an Olympic Games silver medallist at both the 100m and 200m Olympic gold medallist, world champion and world record holder at the 4x100m. At 19 years and 197 days he was the youngest man to have ever broken the 10-second barrier for 100m. Blake also founded the YB Afraid Foundation in 2011, an organisation that works to address the educational, physical and mental health and social needs of underprivileged youth.

With a fierce fighting spirit and a compassionate heart, Blake is both a beast and a beauty and certainly earns his place on our list.

3. Paula Radcliffe

Having suffered from asthma and anemia as a child, Paula Radcliffe (born December 17, 1973) overcame her conditions to set the marathon world record for women at 2:15:25 at the 2003 London Marathon. The English long-distance runner has won medals for the New York, London and Chicago marathons, and is known for being an advocate for anti-doping in athletics, having made several public protests to expose drug cheats. She is also involved in the World Health Organisation’s Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity, and just last month called on schools to do more to tackle obesity.

Despite struggling with achilles and foot injuries, Radcliffe ended her competitive running career last month with the 2015 London Marathon. Her name will go down in track and field history for her still-unbeatable marathon record and never-say-die spirit.

2. Michael Johnson

“The Man with the Golden Shoes”, Michael Johnson (born September 13, 1967) is an American track and field athlete who is the only sprinter ever to be ranked No. 1 in the world in the 200 and 400 meters in the same year, which he has achieved four times. He is generally thought to be the greatest all-around sprinter of all time, and is unmistakable on the track with his distinctive running style of a stiff straight back and a short, rapid piston stride.

Aside from that, he is known for being the pioneering track and field multimedia superstar, and has snagged multimillion-dollar-endorsement deals around the world, which was previously unheard of for runners.

1. Usain Bolt

With his apt surname, undeniable gift and impressive speed, Bolt strikes us as someone who will go the distance, earning himself the top spot on our list.

The Jamaican sprinter (born August 21, 1986) is arguably the fastest man in the world, winning three gold medals at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, and becoming the first man in Olympic history to win both the 100-meter and 200-meter races in record times. Bolt ran the men’s 100-meter race at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London in 9.63 seconds, a new Olympic record, making him the first man in history to set three world records in a single Olympic Games competition. His foundation, the Usain Bolt Foundation, aims to enhance the character of children through educational and cultural development, as they live their dreams.

Are you fast enough for Qlipp? Find out more about Qlipp, the ultimate tennis performance sensor here.

REFERENCES

Wokabi, J. and Mutuota, M. (2008). Catherine Ndereba Focus on Athletes Biography. Retrieved from http://www.iaaf.org/athletes/kenya/catherine-ndereba-115233#biography

30 Greatest Runners: Catherine Ndereba. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.olympics30.com/30greatestrunners/CatherineNdereba.asp

YB Afraid Website. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://ybafraid.com/

BBC Sport. (2001). Radcliffe vows to continue campaign. Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/world_athletics/1488232.stm

Bryant, M. (2015). Paula Radcliffe: Schools can do more to tackle obesity. Retrieved from http://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/paula-radcliffe-schools-can-do-more-to-tackle-obesity-10249732.html

Smolsky, C. (2014). Top 10 Runners in the World. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/34428-top-runners-world/

Paula Radcliffe Website. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.paularadcliffe.com/biography/

Michael Johnson. (2015). The Biography.com website. Retrieved from http://www.biography.com/people/michael-johnson-9356188.

Baylor Athletics Website. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.baylorbears.com/sports/c-track/mtt/johnson_michael00.html

de Bertodano, H. (2012). Michael Johnson: ‘For eight years I was a five-time gold medallist. Then it was four-time. It’s not the same’. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/athletics/9378922/Michael-Johnson-For-eight-years-I-was-a-five-time-gold-medallist.-Then-it-was-four-time.-Its-not-the-same.html

Usain Bolt Website. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://usainbolt.com/bio/

Usain Bolt. (2015). The Biography.com website. Retrieved from http://www.biography.com/people/usain-bolt-20702091#synopsis.

QLIPP is finally on Instagram!

We have been receiving much support from all of you out there and now, it is time for us to give back.

Through our official Instagram account, we promise to bring you daily updates and show you a side of us that you have never seen before. This would be a great opportunity for us to get to know you better and hear what you have to say.

Also, you will receive the latest information, reminders to take part in our giveaways and even sneak peaks on what has been going on behind the scenes.

If you have been wanting to see more of us, what better way to do so by following us right now @qlippsensor! 

To all tennis coaches out there, here is something for you!

QLIPP is on the lookout for tennis coaches who are interested in joining us in our first ever referral scheme.

Just like how Rafael Nadal discovered his passion for tennis through his rigorous trainings by his uncle turned coach, Toni Nadal, it is little surprise that behind every successful tennis player is a dedicated coach committed to bringing out the best in his or her students.

Our QLIPP Ultimate Tennis Performance Sensor is able to provide real time statistical feedback on one’s performance and we believe that both coaches and students alike would definitely benefit from the use of our sensor.

If you are a coach and are interested in joining us, sign up now at https://www.qlipp.com/coach/ 

For any inquires regarding this scheme, do not hesitate to drop us a mail at marketing@qlipp.com

With less than 3 weeks left, we can definitely feel your enthusiasm for QLIPP’s official launch on Indiegogo!

We have received many enquires regarding our sensor and would like to thank all of you for your interest in the QLIPP Ultimate Tennis Performance Sensor.

Here are our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:

What can I expect from the QLIPP Ultimate Tennis Performance Sensor? 

Here are the specifications of our sensor:

What makes the QLIPP sensor different from the rest?  Apart from being one of the lightest in the market, the QLIPP Ultimate Tennis Performance Sensor can also be attached to any racquet and provides a dampening effect as well.

When will the sensor be launched?  We will be launching on Indiegogo on 24 June 2015. Indiegogo is the world’s largest crowdfunding website.

Where can I buy the sensor and when will I receive it?  We are currently in the midst of taking pre-orders at https://www.qlipp.com/experience/. The QLIPP Ultimate Tennis Performance Sensor will be shipped out for free in December 2015.

Ever wondered what it would be like to have your very own QLIPP Ultimate Tennis Performance Sensor?

Apart from being one of the lightest and most portable tennis sensor in the market currently, our sensor is also really, really easy to use.

Here’s how our registered ‘twist and lock’ design allows you to easily attach our sensor onto any racquet you may have:

Step 1: Position the sensor along the last string.

Step 2: Twist it.

Step 3: Lock it by twisting the sensor fully in place.

And that is it!

With just three simple steps, our sensor will be securely attached to any racquet and ready to be used because we believe that while your workout should be hard, your performance shouldn’t be.

Once again, to stand a chance to walk away with a free demo set, sign up today at: http://qoo.ly/567f2!

Still hurting from your last run? Here are the 5 most common running injuries and how to treat them.

Running is one of the easiest sport to pick up, but it is also one of the easiest sport to develop an injury. Injuries often occur due to overexertion and incorrect running technique. When you run, you can take up to 200 strides per minute. Each stride sends a forceful energy through your feet, ankles, shins, calves and knees, which can cause tremendous strain on the muscles and bone.

1. Runner’s Knee

The cartilage under your kneecap can wear down after constant intense running over a prolonged period of time. This causes pain and discomfort around the knees, especially when going up and down stairs, squatting and sitting with the knees bent for a long time.

Treatment:
– Tape the knee
– Use a knee brace
– Take inflammatory medication
– Rest your body and reduce the intensity of your runs

2. Stress Fractures

Overexertion and constant strain can result in a small crack in the bone that may worsen if left untreated. This is because the bone needs sufficient time to recover and repair itself after an intensive activity.

Stress fractures usually occur when runners increase the intensity, frequency, or duration of their runs too soon without enough rest in between.

Treatment:
– Stop running completely for at least 8 to 16 weeks, depending on the severity of the fracture.
– Consult a doctor.
– Switch to swimming or pool running to build strength.

3. Achilles tendinitis

A sudden increase in training intensity can lead to an inflammation of the Achilles tendon, the thick band of tissue that connects the calf muscles to the back of the heel. Runners with tight or weak calves are especially prone to Achilles tendinitis and should thus work on loosening and building strength in their calves.

Treatment:
– Rest, ice, and stretch the calf muscles can relieve the pain temporarily.
– Shoe aids such as heel lifts and highly structured shoes can help lessen the strain on the Achilles tendon.
– Regular exercise to strengthen and stretch the lower legs.

4. Muscle Damage

Muscle damage includes muscle strains, pulls, and tears. This is often caused by insufficient f and improper warm up of the muscles, making it prone to injury. The most commonly pulled muscles during running are the hamstrings, quadriceps, calf, and groin.

Treatment:
– Rest the muscle
– Ice the affected area
– Compression
– Elevation

5. Shin Splints

Occurs when the shin bone and/or the connective tissues along the shin is damaged and causes sharp or aching pain when running.The constant impact of the feet on the ground may cause small tears in the muscles around the shin bone.

Shin splints most commonly affect runners with high arches or flat feet, and new or returning runners who overexert themselves.

Treatment:
– Reduce the intensity of your runs.
– Rest
– Ice your shins
– Wearing an ankle brace can speed recovery and help stabilize the ankle to reduce the strain on the shin muscles.

While there are a variety of treatment available for each injury, the key is to give your body sufficient rest and to know your limits to prevent overexertion.

 
Are you fast enough for Qlipp? Find out more about Qlipp, the ultimate tennis performance sensor here: https://www.qlipp.com/

References:

Fraioli, M. (2014) The 5 Most Troublesome Running Injuries. Retrieved from http://running.competitor.com/2014/07/injury-prevention/the-top-5-most-troublesome-running-injuries_11316

Aschwanden, C. (2011) The Big 7 Body Breakdowns. Retrieved from http://www.runnersworld.com/health/big-7-body-breakdowns?page=single

Grabianowski, E. Top 10 Causes of Running Pain. Retrieved from http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/running/health/10-causes-of-running-pain.htm

24 June 2015. Be sure to mark this date down because this is the day you have all been waiting for.

Yes, we are finally going to launch!

In the next few weeks leading up to our greatest milestone yet, we will be sharing more information on our Indiegogo campaign, providing the latest updates on our tennis sensor and will also be looking back on our journey with all of you so far.

We hope you are excited because we definitely are looking forward to this day!

Have you always wondered which sport would fit you the best? Perhaps you’ve had a handful in mind but have never been able to decide on which to pursue. But who says that you have to stick to just one? There have been a number of athletes out there who have dabbled in multiple types of sports, and have gone on to be just as successful. Read on to learn about 5 athletes who have gone professional in baseball, but have also earned titles in other sports.

1. Dave Winfield (1973 – 1995)

First up, we have Dave Winfield. He was a former American Major League Baseball right fielder, currently the special assistant to the executive director of the MLB Players’ Association. He held a baseball career for 22 years, going through 6 teams, namely: the San Diego Padres, the New York Yankees, the California Angels, the Toronto Blue Jays, the Minnesota Twins, and the Cleveland Indians. But before all of this, he was drafted in baseball, basketball, and American football – a feat accomplished by only 2 other athletes. His athletic prowess was recognized all throughout his career and in 2004, he was named the third-best all-around athlete of all time. A list of athletes who “were simply built for any sport”, and “could have succeeded in just about any sport they chose.”

2. Rick Rhoden (1974 – 1989)

Next, there’s Rick Rhoden who enjoyed a baseball career for 16 years, playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Houston Astros, and the New York Yankees. He made his way through baseball, gaining the reputation of being an outstanding hitting pitcher. After retiring from the sport of baseball, Rhoden went on to try golf. He became a professional golfer and has landed among the top 10 multiple times, with earnings from the Champions tour exceeding $250,000.

3. Brian Jordan (1992 – 2006)

Brian Jordan is a former MLB outfielder, and played as a safety in the National Football League. In baseball, he played for the St. Louis Cardinals, the Atlanta Braves, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Texas Rangers, while for the NFL, he played for the Atlanta Falcons. He excelled in both sports, leading the Atlanta Falcons in tackles, and at one point was even up for being an alternate to the National Football Conference Pro Bowl team. However, the Cardinals wanted him so much that they offered him a contract to join their team for a hefty sum, thus keeping him away from football indefinitely.

4. Jeff Samardzija (2008 – Present)

Currently the baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox in the MLB, Jeff Samardzija was also an avid basketball and football player. He was a letterman of all three sports back when he was in high school, and was named their Most Valuable Player twice, in football. He went on to attend the University of Notre Dame and accepted an athletic scholarship to play for both the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team, where he was recognized as an All-American wide receiver, as well as the Fighting Irish baseball team. Former Notre Dame coach Rob Ianello said that Jeff  “had the speed, he was deceptively fast, and he had length to him. He had terrific hands and body control and he always excelled at it. He would have been a front-line receiver in the National Football League.” Samardzija has also played for the Chicago Cubs and the Oakland Athletics.

5. Russell Wilson (2012 – Present)

Lastly, there’s Russell Wilson, currently the quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL. Wilson has been described by ESPN as the, “dynamic, young quarterback… all too aware of how demanding, draining, and painful the sport can be.” Before entering the NFL, Wilson played baseball for North Carolina State University and went on to do two summers in the minor leagues. He said that he’s always loved baseball and that playing baseball is what helped him in football, with “the idea of staying focused on one pitch at a time, one play at a time. You have to forget about the pitch before, the inning before your last at-bat.” It was a mentally grinding sport that enabled him to push himself and further his sports career.

Are you fast enough for Qlipp? Find out more about Qlipp, the ultimate tennis performance sensor here.

References:

Caple, J. (2013) From the diamond to the gridiron. Retrieved from http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9563548/nfl-players-played-baseball-professionally