As i pack my things every time i go on out-of-town trips, i always put my Training Journal/Log into my carry on bag. It’s a Runners World training journal given to me by running buddy June early this year. Ever since i had it, it has always accompanied me everywhere i go and enabled me to record all my running sessions and keep track of the place, time, distance as well as personal notes on how i felt during the runs.

I’m not a stickler for any training routine nor do i have any existing training program to prepare me for a race. But when i made my comeback to running last year, my objective was just to go out and run–if i felt good, i would run farther than planned and if i felt sluggish, i would just go for an easy, short jog. I never wanted any one workout to count that much as i wanted my running to simply mirror the broader picture of my experiences; that there will be good days and the not so good others.

However, as my runs intensified and the races were getting to be weekly rituals, the need to improve was inevitable. Having a data of your daily runs, you’re able to analyze the type of workouts you do, how you physically felt about these workouts and this can give you some gauge on what to improve and tell you when to back off to avoid overused injuries.

I’ve always believed that the key to successful training is to understand the progress and failures of your every workout and to strike the right balance. Coming home from every workout, i always look forward to getting myself to sit, open my journal and write all details and experiences of the just concluded run, whether it’s positive or negative.

There are lessons learned in every run. There was a new route i took somewhere in South Triangle and passed a quiet street not knowing that there were dogs ready to pounce on me. In my training log, i would write: “Do not ever run on this street again!” On some occasions, i would wonder what i ate the day before that caused me to take a No. 2 on an abandoned building! And i’m still looking for that vendor who sold me a rice cake somewhere Quezon Ave which i ate after my 2nd hour of running which gave me some extra boost of energy to complete another hour of running!

Any kind of information helps you adjust on your preparations and workouts so you can track what’s best for your body. The journal may also help you see the “red signal”: it acts as a sounding board and helps you avoid some of the land mines of training and racing.

With all these information at the palm of your hands, a journal can do wonders to enhance your running. Firstly, it has given me motivation to run farther, faster and set for myself reasonable and attainable goals. More importantly, it has given me inspiration–setting back the calendar on my progress when i was just starting again to where i am at present, take stock on the weight i’ve lost so far, the generally good health i have, the new energy it has given me and the improved times (though modest) i have achieved while running with others.

See you at the races!

A day after our group run from Second Wind-Maginhawa Store to their newly opened Juliana Vargas branch in Pasig, i thought of getting up early that Sunday and do a solo run. Though legs still felt heavy, the short trot to the U.P. campus would probably relax these weary legs of mine. Sometimes, i feel sluggish upon getting on to start and i begin to wonder if the late night bread binges in bed could have been the culprit to all these slackness.

I usually take dinner before 6pm and i get hungry a few hours later before going to bed at about 9pm. Crackers wouldn’t satiate my hunger pangs so i turn to something a little filling, like a pudding or two and that usually keeps the craving at bay until the start of my run the following morning and this is keeping my weight up! Hopefully, i’ll have to limit this intake before sleeping.

Back to the run, i  started getting into a groove and felt the tightness in my calves and thighs. Ha! I forgot to stretch. It may be psychological but starting a run without stretching makes me feel a bit caustic in my steps but i decide to trudge on. UP is just 3 kms away, anyway.

The UP campus, specially along the academic oval bustles with activity every weekend. This Sunday, there’s the usual horde of newbie runners attending the Runnex Running Clinic in front of Abelardo Hall, a 5/10k race being held simultaneously at the other side of the oval and the usual crowd of runners, joggers and bikers. I’m not particularly fond of running around the oval so i head for the outskirts which is less crowded and get to run to what they refer to as Heartbreak Hill to get my dose of hill running.

On the route, i get to bump into Merriam, Obet and the faster runners of Runnex who are doing either their tempo or LSD runs and they entice me to join them. Geez, i wish i had the strength, so i say next time. I continue my run and after an hour and a half of slow running, i call it a day.

Start of the UPIS Run Againts Climate Change (5k)

UPIS 10k start

The Runnex advance group doing their tempo run

From Left, Gani, Merriam, Obet

I start to crave for food again and i pass by this noodle house on my way home. The attendant was serving a customer at the counter with what i thought was a generous serving of Chopsuey rice! And it looked so yummy so i decide to enter the place and order one too. The vegetables were indeed fresh and crispy and at P70.00 bucks per order, i think the price was reasonable.

Chopsuey Rice i took for breakfast

Will have to take a rest day or two and have a massage later to give these tired, old weary legs of mine a respite.

See you at the Race and Shine Run for Autism here this Saturday and the Fit N’ Right Run here the following day, Sunday. I’ll be running both their 10k runs…and they’ll be easy runs again.

Wazzup with Hector Yuzon these days? I see the guy a lot of times during races. He hollers my name every time he’s on his way back while i’m still struggling to reach the turn around bend. In the Urbanite Run, i shout “Hec!” when i passed him while he was running slowly with a female runner, not even turning his head back to acknowledge. Wazzup, Hec? i would later read in blogs that during the run, he was in the motions of proposing to this female runner…Hmm, kaya pala.

Second Win has a new branch at...

I seldom see him now every time i pass-by Second Wind along Maginhawa Street until yesterday when i went over to register for the Corregidor Run. Seems that Hec has been quite busy, focusing his time end efforts on a new baby. So, he’s now telling me. He, Neville and other partners are opening a second branch of the SECOND WIND RUNNING STORE, at the Ortigas Home Depot, near corner of  Dona Juliana Vargas and Meralco Avenues, Pasig City.

 

The grand opening was held this morning, November 14. “We were overwhelmed with the support of the running community–never did we expect and we’re now blessed with another opportunity to serve them once again,” says Hec who is the store’s President. “We also never expected that our small little project would eventually grow.”

To kick off the opening, i was invited to join a group run in celebration of the opening which started at their first store in Maginhawa Street and run up to their new branch in Pasig. We started at about 6:37am and passed through C.P. Garcia-Kalayaan Road then turned right to Katipunan Avenue and ran up the Katipunan Fly over all the way to White Plains, Ortigas Avenue, Lanuza then to Juliana Vargas Ave. until we reached the Ortigas Home Depot.

 

Early birds at Second Wind-Maginhawa, with Hector (in yellow)

Part of the group before we started our run

Running along CP Garcia (Kalayaan) near U.P.

Approaching Katipunan Avenue

Along White Plains

There was an advance group waiting for us when we arrived at the venue. Some mouth-watering food were prepared just at the front of the store. After a prayer and short speeches were made by Hector and his group, the steel doors of the store were finally raised up, signifying that it was now open for business. Well, our mouths were raised up too, ready to gobble-up the food!

A short prayer before the store's formal opening

The "Opening Ceremonies"

Store has now been formally opened

With June posing in front

The store's counter

A small contingent from a promotions and television crew led by Webb Delos Reyes of Visions in Actions were on hand to record the proceedings. They were conducting interviews as this event was going to be shown on Q-TV’s “RunnerSpeak” which will be aired tomorrow (Sunday) from 2:45 to 3:15pm. Hey, the Jazzrunner gave a short interview too! Too bad that the airing will coincide with the delayed telecast of the Pacquiao-Cotto boxing match.

Doesn't she look familiar?

Ayyy.. si Bullrunner pala!:-)

From left, Ronald, Jay & Vener

Ronald and a guest feasting on pancakes, sausages, assorted sandwiches, fruits and all the juice you can drink

From left, Vimz, Webb and Jaymie

Second Wind prides itself as the Philippines’ first running specialty store for runners and owned by real runners. It caters to all runners of all ages, sizes, physical condition, from the elite to the newbie. The store provides running shoes and apparel, energy gels and is also a major registration area for most running events. They have very supportive and knowledgeable staff who employ their expertise on gait analysis in order to recommend which shoe best fit them.

Second Wind’s second location is seen to cater runners from Pasig, Mandaluyong, Makati, San Juan and those living in the south of the metropolis. All the best to you Hec, Neville and to the rest of your group!

It was one wacky and fun atmosphere at last Sunday’s Philippine International Marathon (Run For The Pasig River) where thousands of runners, joggers and walkers invaded Roxas Boulevard, getting together for one noble cause–the clean-up of the Pasig River to bring it back to life.

I had registered for the 10k about 2 weeks ago at a Van Heusen Store in Gateway Mall, Cubao but was told to pick up my race kit one day before the race (Saturday evening) at the ABS-CBN Foundation offices in Quezon City. Earlier that Saturday morning, i was asked by Runnex Chair Art Disini to get from the office of Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte about 50 complimentary PIM race packets and to give it to those who might be interested to run in any of the race categories (3k,5k,10k or 42k). Having already registered myself beforehand, i called up friends who may be interested in joining.

To my dismay (and that of the others) who were with me waiting at Q.C. Hall for the race packets to arrive, we discovered that the packets had no race numbers on it and instead, a generic bib with just the words, “Kapit Bisig Para Sa Pasig” written on it. Although the packets contained the free singlets, the runners were therefore not going to be officially registered for this race and therefore will run as “fun runners!” Embarrassed, i apologized to those who were expecting to be registered, specially those running the 42k marathon.

The race was reminiscent of previous Milo elimination races held every year in Manila wherein students from the different schools in Metro Manila and elsewhere were asked to participate as fun runners thereby flooding the race to about 12,000 to 15,000 participants. It’s the ballyhooed “Biscocho Magic” of race director Rudy Biscocho in getting hordes of participants to join his events.

The 42k run started at exactly 4:30am, just as when we were about to reach Rizal Park. Saw running friends like James, Doc T, Mar, Gab, Roselle and a host of others.

The 10k run started at 6:00am with former President Fidel V. Ramos firing the starting gun. I thought it was the largest 10k run i had participated in as running buddy June Santiago and myself started to push with the crowd at a moderate pace of 7:00mins/km. The crowd started to thin out only when we ran up the Buendia Flyover at the 4 km mark. We reach the turn-around halfway mark at about 32 mins.

While the first half of our run was continuously flowing, our way back was chaotic as we tried to sidestep on the 5k and 3k runners, weaving and zigzagging our way out to avoid bumping into these students who were walking and mostly in groups! Before reaching the U.S. Embassy, we were able to get out of the maze when we saw an opening and transferred into the other lane but we still had to maneuver ourselves up to the finish line. June and i were laughing when we try to sprint towards the finish. Our time was 1:06 and we had to contend with a surly middle-aged lady who seemed uncomfortable in dealing with the large crowd as she got the cut-out bottom of my race bib.

The early morning crowd

TJ Manotoc and Nina Corpuz doing the hosting chores for TV

Early risers woke up to find the race "live" on tv

At the start

June, wearing the "improvised" fun run 10k bib

A week early for Piolo

The lady above was ready to run and asking where Piolo was. When we told her that Piolo won’t be running until next week, she wouldn’t believe us. She said that she had registered already with some friends and they will be running with him during the first 2 kilometers. Only when we told her that this race was the Run for Pasig and that Piolo’s run would be held next week at The Fort did she realize her mistake. When we proposed that she run with Rio instead who might be running this race, her terse reply was, “Who’s he?”

With 4th place finisher, Cris Sabal

With Ailene Tolentino

with Jhun Bautista, Mr. Meekrunner

With the Rexona Ladies

Over-all the conduct of the 10k race was satisfactory, with adequate drinking water and a host of marching bands playing along the route. But what’s more significant is the running community’s contributing role in helping raise funds to rehabilitate and transform the Pasig River into a scenic spot where people can play, engage in water sports, cultivate aquatic life and unclog it of garbage and other toxic wastes and restore it to its former glory.

Carlo Serrano (drumandrun) begs the question:  “If those were real legs, I wonder what his pace will be?” The runner on stilts who measured up to 9 feet tall ran the 5k race.

Photo by Carlo–Thanks, Carl!

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(If you have other interesting/unusual running photos you would like featured, you can e-mail them to the jazzrunner at runnerjazz@yahoo.com and leave a comment with the details.)

Thanks!

The online registration for the Dare to be Fit ‘n Right Fun Run is already available at: www.runningmate.ph/del_monte

REGISTRATION MECHANICS :
1. Registration will be from October 21 to November 16, 2009.

2. To join the Del Monte Dare to be Fit ‘N Right FUN RUN 2009, visit any of the listed registration sites below:

• Del Monte Phils., Bonifacio High Street, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig Global City
• CEMG, 3A Vernida 1 Building, 120 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Vill., Makati City
• SM Hypermarket branches: Mall of Asia, North EDSA, Pasig and Sucat

3. After successful registration, tear off and keep the RUNNER’S COPY of the form. You will find your Runner’s Copy with two (2) stubs: RAFFLE TICKET and Race Packet CLAIM STUB.

4. As a registered runner, you may claim your Dare to be Fit ‘N Right FUN RUN 2009 Race Packet on November 16-20, 2009.
Those who register after November 16, 2009 can claim their race packets on November 20, 2009.
An additional P100 will be charged for late registrants.

5. The Del Monte Dare to be Fit ‘N Right FUN RUN 2009 Race Day:

• November 22, 2009, SM Mall of Asia, Seaside Boulevard, Pasay City
• Official Assembly Time: 4:00am. GUN START: 10k: 6:00am 5k: 6:05am 3k: 6:10am
• Along the course of the race, there will be hydration stations serving drinks in cups to all runners.
• Enjoy with your supporters the booths, freebies and entertainment at the site available during the race until 8:30 am.

6. Prizes:

• 1st place: P10,000 in cash + other prizes + one month free membership in Fitness First
• 2nd place: P5,000 in cash + other prizes + one month free membership in Fitness First
• 3rd place: P3,000 in cash + other prizes + one month free membership in Fitness First

7. Prizes will be awarded after all runners have crossed the finish line during the Awarding Ceremonies.

RULES AND REGULATION

A. Participants below 18 years old must have their entry forms signed by a parent/guardian.

B. Race bib numbers must be worn at all times during the race. It should be pinned in front of the running shirt.

C. All protests related to the results must be made in writing and submitted to the Race Organizer within 30 minutes after the official announcement of winners. A PROTEST FEE of P500 will be collected for every written protest made.

CLAIMING OF RACE PACKETS
Race packets can be claimed from November 16-20, 2009 at Del Monte Phils., Bonifacio High Street, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig Global City or at CEMG, 3A Vernida 1 Building, 120 Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City. Those who register after November 16, 2009 can claim their race packets on November 20, 2009 at CEMG.

WATER AND FIRST AID STATIONS
Drinking water will be provided for at selected points along the route. Medical aid will be available at certain points via roving representatives.

TOILET AREA
Toilet cubicles will be available at the site during the race.

PARKING AREA
All participants and other spectators are required to park their vehicles at the allocated parking area. Please refer to the Map provided. The title sponsor and race organizer are not liable for any losses or damages that may occur at the parking area. Regular parking fees shall apply.

BAGGAGE AREA
Baggage deposit service is available near the stage from 4:00am to 9:00am only.

For the second time in two weeks, i had a chance to bond again with my group from the Takbo.ph runners, this time, a post race Carbo-Loading Party (CLP) at The Old Sphagetti House, along Valero Street in Makati where i got to hear more first-hand accounts of their horrific experiences at the SIM; the recent Adidas KOTR race and a potpourri of everything on running.  The biggest issue is still the lack of water or the absence of water stations, whichever you want to put it. If the absence of drinking water was bad enough inside the La Mesa Dam Nature Reserve (how ironic) and beyond during the recent QCIM, the situation at the Subic International Marathon was 5 times worse, among other things, according to those who ran the 42k course.

As one blogger asks time and again, “When Shall We Learn?”. It’s the most crucial issue i think any race organizer have to devote himself to! If he thinks, that water has been adequately addressed and is more than enough to meet the runners needs, he should think twice and not be complacent about it. The race organizer should be able to double or triple the supply and EXAGGERATE the need to have more than what is needed! In my experience of running these recent races, water and water stations have never been enough to satisfy these runners so additional tables should be purchased, marshals manning these water stations should be added and water sponsors should provide piles and piles of these drinking water (and cups, too) to assure a continuous supply!

Back to our CLP. On a lighter (or heavier) note, the inaugural “Biggest Loser Contest (BLC)” was launched at this get together affair. The BLC is a spin off from the famous reality TV contest wherein contestants who sheds off the biggest percentage loss in terms of body weight, wins! The idea, hatched by Rico Villanueva and those who belong to the “heavyset” group are out to redefine that running may not be enough to stimulate weight loss. In this 6-week contest, sheer will, determination and discipline play an important part, as well. Here are the mechanics:

– Any runner male or female can join and has to join a participation fee of P1,000.00 payable until November 8.

– Contest duration is from October 30 (weight-in) until December 13 (final weigh-in)

– Initial weights of candidates and their progress in terms of weight loss/calorie control shall be posted in Blogs/Facebooks/Multiply accounts of participants.

– Total pot money from participation fees are to be split among the sole winner and two runners-up.

Non-participants may bet on who they think will be the biggest loser. Mechanics will be announced within the week after the launch. As of official weigh-in, 16 runners have joined the battle of the bulge. I would have loved to join the contest and at 180 lbs, i would have benefited a lot if i could only lower my weight still. However, i think i already reached a plateau wherein i have been stucked at my minimum of 170-180 lbs. From 217 last year, i had gone down to 170lbs last August of this year and have been steadily increasing up to 180lbs as of last Friday. No way i’ll ever win or be even near the top 10 losers! So, good luck to those entered. May the biggest loser win!

Rico explaining the mechanics of the Biggest Loser contest

The early runners at TOSH

Runners occupying another table

Doc T playing around, as usual

Lovey-dovey pair: Bryan and Doc Erin

Taking a break

Running ladies

Bodies to die for?

Rico gets to win this one

Squeezed-in (Pix by Ace B)

Ryshel, Doc Pinx, James, me (Pix by Ace B)

Ryshel and Pinky

Beer pa?

Some of the participants of the Biggest Loser contest

By some twist of fate, we were transported into a very different environment as MUSIC would be the focus of interest. Doc Topher and a host of others left ahead to catch some concert he said he had tickets to and we just wondered what concert they would be attending. Turns out that they would be watching the annual NU Rock awards at the World Trade Center near MOA and called us to say that he had 19 more complimentary tickets.

So off we went to listen to some Rock music! Not really my cup of tea but i was really interested to see and hear what the new and upcoming Pinoy bands had to offer:

The "Itchyworms" on stage

Inside the concert hall

Rakista Runners?

Peace to you too, Pepsi!

Hmm, this is better than listening to rock!

Are we listening yet?

Hitting the wall too early?

Marga, at left--my bet for the biggest loser!

In one of the booths inside

While rock music was blaring inside the concert hall, typhoon Santi was beginning to wreck havoc outside, its cold winds and continuous rains alternating with the drum solos and shrieks from fans inside. Had to rush home and put on some Miles Davis and Dave Holland on my CD player to soothe me a bit.

The Marathon Man

A woman was having a daytime affair while her husband was at work. One rainy day she was in bed with her boyfriend when, to her horror, she heard her husband’s car pull into the driveway.

“Oh my God – Hurry! Grab your clothes and jump out the window. My husband’s home early!”

“I can’t jump out the window. It’s raining out there!”

“If my husband catches us in here, he’ll kill us both!” she replied.

“He’s got a hot temper and a gun, so the rain is the least of your problems!”

So the boyfriend scoots out of bed, grabs his clothes and jumps out the window!

As he ran down the street in the pouring rain, he quickly discovered he had run right into the middle of the town’s annual marathon, so he started running along beside the others, about 300 of them.

Being naked, with his clothes tucked under his arm, he tried to blend in as best he could. After a little while a small group of runners who had been watching him with some curiosity, jogged closer.

“Do you always run in the nude?” one asked.

“Oh yes!’ he replied, gasping in air. “It feels so wonderfully free!”

Another runner moved a long side. “Do you always run carrying your clothes with you under your arm?”

“Oh, yes’ our friend answered breathlessly. “That way I can get dressed right at the end of the run and get in my car to go home!”

Then a third runner cast his eyes a little lower and asked, “Do you always wear a condom when you run?”

“Nope…only when it’s raining.”

It was one of the grandest Bloggers/Press launch i ever attended as Del Monte’s Fit ‘n Right launched its newest campaign, Dare to be Fit ‘N Right in Taste Asia Restaurant at the SM Mall of Asia. The launch featured noted sports scientist and coach Jim Saret who gave lectures on Fast Intense Training (FIT), a workout strategy that is touted as the most effective way to burn fat. The FIT workout was demonstrated by fast bursts of intensive exercise that enables one to burn at least 400 calories in a span of only four minutes.

Co-blogger and Takbo.ph runner Rodel ( argonaut ) was hand-picked by Coach Jim to be one of the demonstrators of the FIT workout and gamely showed his wares for all the audience to see first hand the four-minute workout that makes you burn at least 400 calories and continues to burn even when you’re done with the workout!

Coach Jim went further by saying that you don’t have to be a gym buff to enjoy the workout and doesn’t require much space and equipment. It’s scientific, very visual, designed for non-athletes, with measurable results and it’s easy!

Corollary to this, Del Monte Fit ‘N Right also launched its Dare to be Fit ‘n Right Run on November 22 in SM Mall of Asia. The 3K/5K/10K Men and Women Open will benefit the victims of typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng, among others, through the SM Foundation.

Details on their press release are as follows together with some pictures taken during the press launch:

Running is arguably one of the most popular sport these days. Every week, marathons and fun runs are organized with thousands of loyal runners joining. Some do it for the run-induced high, some for charity, others for a social cause they support but ultimately runners do it because it’s fun and a good total body workout!

Del Monte Fit ‘N Right continues its commitment in promoting a healthy lifestyle with the Dare to be Fit ‘n Right Fun Run on November 22 in SM Mall of Asia. Whether you are a regular runner who’s out to improve your PR (that’s Personal Record) or just wanting to join the running trend for a healthier you, Fit ‘n Right has something for you with its 3K/5K/10K Men and Women Open divisions. Official race call time is at 4 am in front of SM MOA Music Hall.

Who says you can’t have fun while shedding off those unwanted fats and extra calories?For a registration fee of P300, runners can get their race packet with the Dare to Fit ‘n Right Fun Run singlet, race bib, Fit ‘N Right products,etc. Registration can be in the offices of Del Monte Philippines at the Bonifacio High Street, Taguig or race organizer CEMG at 3A Vernida I Bldg., Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City or Dare to be Fit ‘n Right Fun Run registration booths in SM Hypermarket in Mall of Asia, Sucat, Pasig, and North EDSA or in Fitness First branches on November 16.

Winners will receive cash and gifts from Del Monte Fit ‘n Right and its sponsors. The Dare to be Fit ‘N Right Fun Run is for the benefit of the victims of typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng through the SM Foundation.Look out for event posters and flyers or visit the Fit ‘n Right Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/FitnRight.The Dare to be Fit ‘n Right is co-presented by SM.Dare to be fit and right with Del Monte Fit ‘N Right!

Bloggers busy doing their thing

Jinoe and Que of Takbo.ph

Over-all view of the bloggers' meet

Coach Jim Saret on his lecture on the 4-minute fitness test

Rodel (Argonaut) strains neck to get that perfect work-out

Sprinting for the finish line!

Que, El Kyoshi, Jinoe, Event Organizer, Marianne Tapales, JazzRunner, Rodel

Contents of loot bags each of us took home

Saturdays are fast gaining ground as the day of choice for staging a race. With Sundays becoming overly crowded with race schedules, race organizers are now concerned on how they can attract runners whenever one or two more races are scheduled on the same day. Runners now have the option in choosing which races to run while race organizers are now moving out of the crowded Sunday schedule and opting to move their races on a Saturday instead.

This means less competition from the other races and if the event has a good race record in the past, a good race director/organizer and a good value for money in terms of registration fees (lots of freebies too) then runners will take notice.

One such race held last Saturday (October 24)  was the “Race For Life Run ‘09″, a 3/5/10/15k race organized by the Real Life Foundation, a Christian Non Profit NGO with a vision of seeing thousands of marginalized Filipino youth educated, gainfully employed and uplifting their communities. This race was i think their second one to stage and has the venerable Rudy Biscocho as Race Director.

When i got text messages from my running buddies June and Darryl that they had a complimentary 10K race kit for me and asked it i was interested to run, i immediately said yes.  However, when i found out the the race would be on the 24th, a Saturday, i posed to think that i would be running a half marathon the following day, Sunday for the Adidas King of the Road race. That meant i was going to race on two consecutive days.

Going into Saturday’s race, i had no illusions of running for a PR or anything fast as i would just be treating this as a regular 10k practice run, a chill run. Yeah, right! Runners always remind this thing to themselves or to others but when the gun sounds off, you immediately shift to 3rd gear and bulldoze your way with the others in an adrenaline rush, forgetting what you had earlier planned to be just a training run.

Starting line

As expected, at the start of the race, i found myself in the familiar position of trying to rush out from the start, again getting carried away by the mad dash! Race started near the International School, traversing the whole stretch of 32nd street all the way to Kalayaan Bridge, down to Buendia Ave. and back. I felt good up to the 3km mark, running at about 6min/km pace before i felt my left hamstring twitch and tighten at 3.2kms. Same old injury acting up again, i thought.

At this point, Russell Pata, a pacer at the QCIM came to my side and wanted to pace but i had to slow down considerably to let the hamstring loosen up. Well, it didn’t, even if i had to slow down to a 7min/km pace. Russell decided to run at his own fast pace after 8kms so i was left to cruise alone until the finish line with a time of 1:07.

Overall, the race was OK, even if they didn’t have water stations for the first 4 kms. There were goodies galore (i got a nice tote bag, snacks with drinks plus 2 t-shirts). The race was well attended, considering that it was a low-key race and i’ll surely be back again next year! Let’s all support the advocacy of the Real Life Foundation, http://www.igivetolife.com/

Crowd after the race

MC Rica Paralejo gracing the occasion

With June

Rica with once-upon-a-time crush, Donita

Announcing the winners

June & running buddies

Darryl & June

More of Rica & Donita

Never mind her sometimes corny asides but she is cute!