What’s Inside: Second Wind Running Store

A specialty running store should not only be about making a sell, packing up the merchandise after the customer pays for it and saying thank you when the customer exits the door. Though the clicking of the cash register shall remain as the store owner’s main objective, it is his relationship with the running community that will serve as his selling point in order for his store to prosper.

Thus, a running store (for runners) should also be the center of events for the local running scene. It’s where runners, from the beginning jogger to the elite marathoner and ultra-marathoner go for advise for the shoes that’s best for them; where to find the most popular running routes and running clubs of which one can join; check-out racing schedules and register for upcoming races;  join scheduled group LSD runs; seek training advice and just connect with other runners.

Store's Facade

This is what Hector Yuzon, ultra-marathoner and President of Second Wind Running Store envisions on what his store would like to offer for the local running community. Yesterday on its opening day (March 28, 2009), my running buddy June and i made a visit to see what was in store. Upon entering, one would feel the running theme ambiance wherein scores of running bibs are prominently displayed at the right side entrance. Rows of running shoes are showcased on the walls with brands like New Balance, Mizuno and Asics. These shoes are well represented, all models and sizes seem to be in stock while rows of shoe boxes are positioned at the bottom of the display.

Hector at the counter with his whirlwind of bibs. Hey, i recognize you too!

New Balance and Mizunos on display

However, very little seems to be in offer for running apparels with a small stock of New Balance dry-fit tech shirts and shorts on display. Hector explains that they’re still trying to build up the stocks as they intend to offer more brands in the future.

The Asics and NB running apparel

Also available are hand-held hydration kits, Power Gels which are reasonably priced, energy jelly beans which were introduced during the Condura Run and sports sunglasses of different models and varying prices. At the middle of the store is a treadmill that serves as a gait analyzer to try out shoes that’s best for your feet.

Always a helping hand

Second Wind’s level of commitment and involvement with runners are both promising and Hector Yuzon’s passion to serve out the sport he loves will be evident in the days, months and hopefully years ahead.

Thumbs up to Second Wind!

ADDRESS:  88 Maginhawa St., Teachers Village QC
EMAIL:       secondwind.proshop@gmail.com    / SHOP: 799-2089

Photo Of The Week – Fish Out Of Water

This clown fish seemed to have escaped the gnawing jaws of the whale sharks in Donsol and has found its way wading through the streets of Bonifacio High. Little Nemo seems to be contented sitting atop popular Manila runner Tiffin Parco’s cap.

Known for her decorative tiaras and headdresses while racing, Tiffin (and her fish) were among thousands of runners who finished the Condura Save the Whale Sharks Half-Marathon last Sunday, March 22, 2009 at The Fort, Manila.

Photo courtesy of Josiah, the photorunner.

(If you have other interesting fishes..uhhm.. i meant 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!

Adventure At The Condura Skyway Run

A fresh run covering an uncharted course is like an adventure. My past trail runs with my running buddies is a testament of this adventure, running thru unknown territory and every step we take, we uncover the sights and serenity of nature as we also uncover and expose pieces of our own selves. A new course, a new exploration, some positive expectations and the unknown…probabilities that face the adventure seeker.

Race bib

An adventure thru concrete jungle and a one-time familiar distance which i have not returned to since last Sunday. This was what awaited me and thousands of other runners in the 21k Condura Run for the Whale Sharks (and Skyway) last March 22 starting and ending at The Fort. Running the distance alone makes it a challenge for me as this will be my first 21k race after about 20 years. The climbs on Kalayaan bridge will again be arduous. The long stretch of Buendia Avenue will be hot with only the tall buildings lined up on its west side providing the shade and the motorists will again rear its ugly heads with impatience as they honk their horns continuously to pass thru.  And finally, the approach to the Skyway, an unknown, probing quest.

Two Sundays ago, I together with the Takbo.ph runners tested our mettle in running the 21k distance, the LSD (Long Slow Distance) way whereby we tackled the Hills of Mckinley and the slow winding uphills of Bayani Road in Taguig, a preparation that truly simulated race conditions like running in hot weather, the volume of liquids to be taken to keep us hydrated, problems with our running gears that may cause chaffing or irritation, running up hills, etc. The runs were only interrupted when we replenished our Hydration belts with energy drinks/water and took some power bars and the low cost alternative but equally effective Choco-Mucho. Looking back at this run, i think we made a fair assessment of ourselves, our strong points and weaknesses and made the necessary adjustments on race day.

The 21k race was to start at exactly 5:30am so running buddy June (who was running the 10k), Darryl (21k) and myself arrived at the venue a few minutes before 5am with still plenty of time to warm-up and stretch. There was an unusually large number of runners already in the vicinity of the starting line, wary perhaps of the strict 5:30am start. When all runners were checked-in, i estimated the 21k group would have reached a thousand runners, maybe more. The space chute accorded to the 21k group was so crowded that runners were standing elbow to elbow with each other.

I had already figured out a plan and a goal. The plan was to go out slowly and settle to an even pace of 6:30-7:00 mins/km. The goal was to finish at around 2hrs & 30mins. I felt i was in good shape, having slept well the night before and i felt relaxed being with my Runnex club team mates, Betty, Tonnette and Dee at the starting line. After the gun was fired, i ran cautiously, not repeating the disastrous kamikaze-like start i did at the Amadeo Coffee Run in Amadeo, Cavite a month ago. i had to reserve my energy since this was going to be a long race. The first four (4) kilometers passed easily including the uphill climb to Kalayaan Bridge on our way to Buendia. Runners were now adjusting to their paces. A two-wheeled “trolley” commandeered by a runner passed by us that drew laughs. Motorists were now emerging from the streets waiting patiently for us to pass thru. The patience would wear off on our way back.  At around the 7th km. at the end of Buendia Avenue when we turned left to a side street perpendicular to Osmena Hiway, we saw different support groups with their own artillery of mineral water, energy drinks, choco bars, pebble-hard jelly beans among others, placed in each vehicles’ trunks and hoods ready to arm their runners with these essentials. A hundred meters more was the entrance to the Skyway.

Kilometers Completed: 7.5k  /  Elapsed Time: 47:25  /  Mind: Relaxed but still excited /  Body: Strong and going toe to toe with the rest  /  Overall: The cautious approach worked well. Was ready to tackle the Skyway.

The much ballyhooed entrance incline into the Skyway which sowed much fear and concern for runners in their first ever run atop that structure was NOT that imposing or difficult climb after all. Several reasons might be attributed to this: First, it seemed that runners were mentally and physically prepared to tackle any hill or steep inclines as they surely must have included this in their training. Secondly, was that the approach was only on the 7th kilometer of the run so bodies were still strong and fresh to tackle such incline and thirdly, it wasn’t so much of a steep climb where the grade was gradually moderate even if it was about 250 meters long.

The run atop the Skyway was however, a different experience altogether. The scenery of warm bodies running along the 4 kilometer stretch was a bit cinematic, it not surreal. The scene was like a sci-fi flick wherein dozens of space ships suddenly emerged from the skies landing at the base of the skyway and letting out a swarm of martians, bolting out of the doors and invading the whole stretch of the freeway.

The invasion of the Skyway

Me, as one of the invaders

Some of the 'martians', like running zombies

The North bound lane of the freeway was entirely closed to vehicles and the wide 3-lane structure was all concrete/cement, no trees, no dirt ground and no shade to protect the runners from the glowing heat of the sun. Sponges soaked in ice-cold water were abundant and a fire truck was stationed at the middle of the freeway that sprinkled the runners with water like a giant shower.

All concrete cement

Did anybody bring soap and shampoo?

One runner who was just a few feet in front grabbed two sponges and placed it inside his running shorts. i then commented to him that it was a great way to cool down his crotch and thighs at the same time. He replied back smiling, “Oh, the sponges? Well, i was planning to take it home with me and use it to wash the dishes when i get home!” The ever resourceful Pinoy!

Kilometers Completed: 10.5k  /  Elapsed Time: 1:08:44  /  Mind: Still oozing with confidence and ready to tackle the second half /  Body: A little tired but was still kicking a few arses  /  Overall: Pace and goal still on target. Hoping to sustain the momentum.

Traversing down the ramp on my way back to the level ground of Buendia, i decided to stop at one of the support groups stationed by Takbo.ph. However,  since i wasn’t wearing their black official singlet, i had to say a special password (given to me by Doc Lyndon, one of the organizers of the support group) to those in charge of the station so they could give me what i needed. i wanted a choco-bar. i slowed to a jog upon nearing their vehicle and when i was in front, i suddenly forgot what the password was! i was grappling for the magic word but couldn’t get hold of the word. it suddenly occured to me that the password had to do someting about “insurance”. The guy was anticipating what i was about to say and i blurted “Insurance! i want a choco bar and password is insurance!” The guy just gave me a blank stare and as he stretched out his head towards me probably to hear me correctly, i said again, “insurance!” Another puzzled stare. Then like some fairy godmother that suddenly appears with her magic wand to whack into my head, i remembered the magic word, i blurted “PHILAMLIFE!” The guy then recognizes the word and immediately hands me a few bars of chocolate while apologizing for failing to acknowledge the initial words i mentioned. “No problem bro, thanks for the chocolates!” Whew!

Kilometers Completed: 16k  /  Elapsed Time: 1:44:00  /  Mind: Now struggling to keep pace. i hope my friends take my picture when i cross the finish line /  Body: Weakened but still punching. A team member hands me a gel which made me more thirsty. /   Overall: Will survive and a sub 2:30 is still a possibility. Gosh, why am i doing this?

The motorists were now up in arms along Buendia Avenue. Shouting matches between drivers and police marshals were now evident within every intersection. Car horns were blaring non-stop. Good thing that drinking water at every water station were flowing non stop too. Now the big push back to the Kalayaan flyover. I psyche myself to push my body atop without stopping and i will never look up when i trust my arms and feet forward. The sun is already in front of our faces and this would be a struggle. As i inched upwards, i see many runners walking, probably conserving energy for the last push. I reach the top and breathe a sigh of relief. i walked about 10 meters to catch my breath then continued to push forward, past St. Lukes Hospital, past Jolibee to my right and back to The Fort.

The last 400 meters

Being passed by after getting cramps at the straightway

A half kilometer from the end of the race, i see my best buddy, June at the banks of the sidewalk ready to take my picture. he tells me that Darryl crossed the finished line about 20 minutes earlier. Great! i knew i was going to beat the 2:30 time i set to myself. then upon reaching the bend towards the straightway, about 150 meters from the finish, i felt a sharp twinge and then cramps enveloped my left calf muscle. Sheesh! i get passed by a few runners with 100 meters to go. But nothing could stop my determination to run those few meters so i continue my strides, not much lifting my legs and this help get me by the finish line.

Towards the finish

There are high points in long distance running and when you train for it and persevere, the rewards are countless. I may not be fast like the ones before me but i’m still proud that i finished a decent place, in an advocacy race to save the whale sharks of Donsol. I had my adventure race…let the whale sharks have theirs.

Kilometers Completed: 21k  /  Finish Time: 2:22:38* /  Mind: Ecstatic despite the cramps, floating in air /  Body: Forgot to stretch and cool down. Will face consequences tomorrow /  Overall: Thinking of running another half at the Greenfields Run!

*Official Time: (http://www.condurarun.com/results.html)

Place  Race#           Name      Sex   Official Time   Pace

802    847     Rene Villarta  M    2:21:53        6:46

June, taking a bow

The route he took

With Jaymie (Thebullrunner) and Art Disini of Runnex

A memento of the half marathon

Thanks to June, Vener/Xty, Jaymie, takbo.ph peeps for the pics

Baywalk: What’s To Watch?

The Manila Bay, particularly the promenade that stretches between the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the U.S. Embassy has been in the news again lately giving the never-ending warnings for people not to swim on its shores because its waters is contaminated with chemicals, toxins and other hazardous waste products. The warnings come as people, in their eagerness to beat the summer heat, toil along the waters unmindful of the hazards that could affect their health.

Manila Bay has a proud history, where historic battles have been fought and won, where the marina was once alive, teeming with fish and other aquatic mammals and where your parents brought you when you were small, gazing on the wide sea and running wildly at the vast expanse of green facing the Luneta Grandstand.

Roxas Blvd at dawn

Polluted as it is today, nothing still beats its spectacular view and while strolling along its promenade, people still flock there in the early evening to witness its famous sunset, it’s giant red-orange rays dipping past the horizon and slowly disappearing into the foreground signaling the end of another day.

So what does one runner expect to see along the bay on the wee hours of the morning? When running buddy June decided that we ran the Baywalk last Wednesday for a change (his office is just infront of CCP) i immediately agreed. When we started our run at 5:30am from the CCP grounds going southbound towards Rizal Park, there were already some semblance of activity wherein joggers and walkers were already hugging the lanes. Past the Manila Yatch Club, we saw some vendors, vagrants and what have you sleeping on the benches probably waiting for sunrise before they rose up and continue with their daily activities. One also notices fathers angling on their home made fishing rods.

The big difference now is that the restos, watering holes and stalls that lined up the promenade during the time of former Mayor Lito Atienza is no more. Present Mayor Fred Lim dismantled all of them when he assumed the mayorship back in 2007. A boon for runners maybe, but a bane for tourism, definitely. Personally, i don’t think runners would have minded the presence of these stalls as there are still jogging paths that traverse beside these edifices. When we reached the U.S. Embassy, visa seekers were already starting to line-up near the entrances under the watchful eyes of the security guards who, with their usual authoritative voices answered queries irreverently from anyone who would dare to ask anything. Brashness personified.

At the Rizal Monument, promenaders were now starting to trickle in, some looking for benches to sit on, others just content in taking their leisurely walks toward the seashore. June and i continued our run towards the grandstand, past the Museo Pambata on our way back to CCP. Past The Embassy again and along the promenade, we noticed fishermen hawking their catch from the bay of small Tilapia and what appeared to be large local tuna or ‘Tambakol’. If the waters here are polluted, aren’t the fish unfit for consumption? Just wondering…

Reachin infront of Rizal Monument

Back to the promenade

Running at the break of dawn

Before reaching back to the Manila Yatch Club, we noticed the presence of rowers propelling their dragonhead boats and canoes with the head drummer barking to paddle in unison with his drum beats. It was a sight to behold.

Reaching the Manila Yatch Club

Dragon boats wading thru the horizon

Paddling at the home stretch

Upon reaching CCP, we decided to call it a day and made our way back to the parking lot to do some cool down/stretching. I noticed that there were no less than eight (8) groups doing Aerobic workouts/dancing scattered around the CCP complex with members numbering from 6 up to 50 per group. There was a group leader who would approached their members with an inverted straw hat in their palm asking for P20.oo ‘donation’ for the aerobics teacher. The more their followers, the bigger the money collected.

Warm down in front of CCP

Chillin' down after the run

The aerobics fitness buffs headed off to Tropical Hut after their session. June and i followed suit and enjoyed brewed coffee, breakfast and the ladies!

High On LSD With The Takbo.ph Runners

Resolved on nailing my first of two 21k trial runs before the actual Condura half-marathon, i decided to join the LSD run (Long Slow Distance, not the drug) at The Fort in Taguig. Organized by the forumers of Takbo.ph and led by Jinoe G., owner/administrator of the running portal, the distance to be covered would be at least 21kms, ran below race pace. So everybody gets to simulate the race conditions and the feel of running that distance come actual event.

It was an opportunity to meet and bond with habitues of Takbo.ph and finally put a picture on all those names and handles that i read on the boards. After arriving at the venue at about 5am and getting the car parked, i was immediately greeted by running couple Sheila and Jonas of the running blog, “2FORdaRoad” both of whom i’m meeting for the first time. They were also slated to do an LSD run but with a different group of runners. We would cross paths later during the course of our run. The Takbo.ph group consisted of about 70 runners divided into 3 groups which i would just call the fast (group 3), faster (group 2) and the fastest (group 1). i belonged to group 2 which was ably paced by Pojie and Steven. We started from Bonifacio High Street and the route took us to 5th Avenue, Lawton Avenue, McKinley Hill, back to Lawton Ave., Bayani Road then passing the Heritage Park, making our turn-around at C-5 and re-tracing our route back.

The "faster" runners of Group 2 along Bayani Road

Our group made sure we covered the whole 21k stretch so upon our return back to The Fort, we ran a few more kilometers around the vicinity and ended our run at the starting point in BHS.

Group 2 along Mckinley Hill

Trailing my group to the finish

We covered a total distance of 21.3 kms (22.3 on other runners’ gps) with a time of 2:47 including water stops. Felt very tired on the last km but felt very good over-all after the run was finished. I’m glad that many first-timers from all the groups finished strong and hope they can sustain their training and taper until race day.

Also, i’m extremely happy of meeting a former classmate of mine in college, Felipe “Ipe” Dumpit of the blog, “kinderdorf leben” for the first time in a run. Nice to meet the other bloggers, Rico “Sheerwill” (thanks for the pics, bro), Cathy “Cathletic”, Roselle “Running Diva”, Natz “i2runner”, Jonas & Sheila “2FORdaROAD” and to the other first timers whose names i’ve missed.

A pat on the back for the organizers of this run! All the doctor-runners were of big help!

Btw, “Choco Mucho” works! Gave me added boost during the last part of the run. Both the milk covered and chocolate covered varities are good tasting as well.

Hoping to do another half this Sunday. Happy running to you all!

With Rico (m) and Ian (r)

Group picture with the Takbo.ph runners (thanks to Marvin)

One more time

Who Is Training For This 21K Race?

Skyway Run for the Whale Sharks

Are you presently training for the Condura Half-Marathon (or the 10K) run this coming March 22? Do you have doubts about your preparation, your readiness to tackle a 21-km race that would include the uphill EDSA (Kalayaan) Flyover bridge and the untested uphill climb towards the Skyway starting in Buendia? If so, read on.

My answer to all questions above is, YES! After days of dilly-dallying whether to join this run or not, i finally inked the registration form for the 21k yesterday at Nike-Trinoma. However, my preparation to run this distance leaves a lot to be desired. I am just averaging a total of 50-60 kms/week with very little long Sunday runs to speak of. My longest runs were my two previous 15k races, the Happy Run, held last January 25 and Runew, last February 22. I remember one 21k run before the RUNEW race but that was it. In between those races are training runs that average between 10 and 14k/day which i did during the weekdays. So would i be able to last the distance? And would this be another “Bahala na si Batman?”

Race Bib and the free t-shirt

In retrospect, i have ran this distance countless of times during races in the 80s but ability have diminished with age so this is like running the half for the first time again. Experience should dictate that i should be doing long Sunday runs of 18 to 25 kms in order to finish a half-marathon comfortably. To aggravate matters, i suffered from severe diarrhea a few days ago which sidelined me for 3 days that left me very weak and dehydrated. I got back to running only yesterday and did a few kilometers of jogging. This morning with my running buddy June, i was able to squeeze in a 11.5km run.

So here i am cramming for more mileage. My game plan: tomorrow March 8, i will be joining a group run either in UP or in BHS for 21k and another 21k the following Sunday, March 15 to complement my shorter weekday runs. This will greatly boost my self confidence leading up to March 22′s Condura race.

If all this fails, bahala na rin si Tarzan!

RACE RESULTS: Amadeo Coffee Run (Feb. 28, 2009)

From Thumbie O. Remegio, one of the organizers of the 2009 Amadeo Coffee Run held at Amadeo, Cavite, here are the race results for the 3k (boys/girls); 5k (men/women); 10k (men/women) and the overall placements:

WINNERS

3K Boys

1^st Raymund Abacan 12:00

2^nd Frederick Bearneza 16:21

3^rd Michael Jay Baril 25:37

4^th Nathaniel Joshua Catipon 30:13

3K Girls

1^st Jenny Ruth Castillo 17:08

2^nd Jennifer Baril 26:39

3^rd Alyannah Catipon 30:06

5K Men

1^st Christopher Uboc 15:33.07

2^nd Ben Alejandrino 15:33.60

3^rd Alley Quisay 15:34

4^th Gerald Sabal 15:52

5^th Mervin Lomarquez 16:07

6^th Marjohn Slanawon 16:22

7^th Juget De Assis 17:14

8^th Isidro Vildosola 17:22

9^th Gary Baniqued 18:47

10^th Joy Antolin 19:34

5K Women

1^st Ailene Tolentino 19:39

2^nd Liza Yambao 20:52

3^rd Genevieve Dela Pena 22:12

4^th Janet Lotenia 25:12

5^th Merilyn Quillo 25:25

6^th Ma. Felsie Briones 31:02

7^th Hasmin Baril 37:55

8^th Venuz Turla 44:53

10K Men

1^st Cresencio Sabal 32:42.13

2^nd Bernadrdo Desamito 32:42.98

3^rd Elmer Sabal 33:02

4^th Darwin Lim 33:05

5^th Alquin Bolivar 33:51

6^th Rene Desuyo 35:27

7^th Johnny Espana 35:27

8^th Michael Canillo 37:12

9^th Jonathan Galo 37:37

10^th Graciano Santos 43:49

10K Women

1^st Maricel Maquilan 39:47

2^nd Fregelyn Yambao 42:26

3^rd Anna Vargas 45:28

4^th Michelle Estuar 47:07

5^th Toni Llynes 56:38

6^th Richelle Alviar Embree 57:01

7^th Bernadette Tan 57:38

8^th Meriam Cruz 58:34

9^th Charit Agana 1:01:13

10^th Candy Lee 1:01:52

OVER ALL RESULT

Race No.	Name	Time
3K
3	Raymund Abacan	0:12:00
1	Frederick Bearneza	0:16:21
4	Jenny Ruth Castillo	0:17:08
7	Michael Jay Baril	0:25:37
6	Jennifer Baril	0:26:39
2	Alyannah Catipon	0:30:06
5	Nathaniel Joshua Catipon	0:30:13
5K
31	Christopher Uboc	0:15:33
2	Ben Alejandrino	0:15:33
1	Alley Quisay	0:15:34
8	Gerald Sabal	0:15:52
15	Mervin Lomarquez	0:16:07
24	Marjohn Salanawon	0:16:22
25	Juget de Assis	0:17:14
37	Isidro Vildosola	0:17:22
10	Gary Baniqued	0:18:47
30	Joy Antolin	0:19:34
21	Ailene Tolentino	0:19:39
13	Cyrus delos Santos	0:20:11
3	Liza Yambao	0:20:52
7	Danilo Parero	0:20:59
19	Genevieve dela Pena	0:22:12
14	Edgardo Samia	0:23:36
64	Janet Lopenia	0:25:12
16	Rene Abacan	0:25:14
35	Merilyn Quillo	0:25:25
5	Teddy Baril	0:27:06
17	Ma. Felsie Briones	0:31:02
18	Ariel Bearneza	0:31:40
29	Bryan Ongcoy	0:32:33
42	Rhoxan Garcia	0:32:42
4	Renante Quiray	0:34:56
41	Neil Garcia	0:37:14
6	Hasmin Baril	0:37:55
12	Rico Ongcoy	0:39:04
9	Nonito Ubay	0:44:52
34	Venuz Turla	0:44:53
10K
46	Cresencio Sabal	0:32:42
24	Bernardo Desamito Jr.	0:32:42
47	Elmer Sabal	0:33:02
56	Darwin Lim	0:33:05
44	Alquin Bolivar	0:33:51
12	Rene Desuyo	0:35:27
57	Johnny Espana	0:35:27
3	Michael Canillo	0:37:12
4	Jonathan Galo	0:37:37
1	Maricel Maquilan	0:39:47
45	Fregelyn Yambao	0:42:26
51	Graciano Santos	0:43:49
26	Henry De Castro	0:44:10
75		0:45:02
71	Anna Vargas	0:45:29
53	Larry Luciano	0:46:09
41	Wilson Mazo Tan	0:46:29
37	Constante Mendoza	0:46:51
42	Michelle Estuar	0:47:07
38	Jovenal Narcise	0:47:09
39	Jan Imperio	0:47:38
2	Melvyn Bolus	0:48:29
6	Arturo Ladia	0:49:44
55	Noel Miano	0:50:27
34	Fernando De Lara	0:52:32
32	Philip Opulencia	0:52:38
25	Rodrigo Cameras	0:53:00
21	Dionisio Potonia	0:53:57
29	Conrado Aquino	0:55:01
36	Ysmael Llagan	0:55:34
33	Amado Gerpaclo	0:55:59
74	Toni Llynes	0:56:38
30	Gerardo Cas	0:56:39
76	Richelle Alviar Embree	0:57:01
28	Willy Eugenio	0:57:09
20	Larry Nuyles	0:57:12
63	Bernadette Tan	0:57:38
67	Jonas Compendio	0:57:52
17	Carlos Turla	0:58:07
10	Danreb Ignacio	0:58:10
50	Meriam Cruz	0:58:34
35	Joaquin JT Oliver	0:58:46
77	Richmond Alviar Laxamana	1:00:51
43	Charit Agana	1:01:13
65	Candy Lee	1:01:52
68	Romulo Castillo	1:02:25
18	Peter Humpe	1:02:27
16	Jovito Labao	1:02:29
61	Chinky Tan	1:02:33
27	Henry Cuevas	1:02:34
7	Rodrigo Conorado	1:02:46
58	Laarni Bernabe	1:03:55
60	Ronaldo Gabriana	1:05:21
49	Rene Villarta	1:05:58
19	Arman Aleta	1:06:07
66	Jesus Apolinar Orona Jr.	1:06:38
40	Siosan Baysa	1:07:42
48	Iris Jerusalem	1:07:57
64	Rosemarie Rabago-Lim	1:09:15
52	Chris Madrigal	1:10:17
14	Francis Rapadas	1:10:22
15	Ben Merza	1:10:44
13	Tim Rivara	1:10:52
62	Sheila Compendio	1:12:04
72	Lallaih Catipon-Lopez	1:12:21
73	Benhur Lopez Jr.	1:12:21
8	Alfredo Dela Cruz	1:15:23
11	Marvin Flores	1:15:24
9	Christian Jamito	1:15:32
70	Gerardo Germar	1:20:44
	Czar Manlicmot	1:20:52

Coffee, Tea or Run?

It was a spur of the moment decision to run yesterday’s Amadeo Coffee Run in Amadeo, Cavite, a cool and quaint town lying in borders with Tagaytay City.  Coach Meriam received an e-mail invitation from one of the race organizers to join its first ever organized race in Amadeo and decided to join it after our Thursday morning 1 hour LSD at UP.  Since Max, our regular training partner had to go to an official meeting on race day, Saturday,  it was just Meriam and myself who will be joining this race.

We didn’t want to bring both our cars to the venue so we decided to just use Meriam’s SUV for the trip. We met up at Starmall, Shaw Blvd at about 4:45am and rushed to the venue because we were still going to register on-site. We arrived in Amadeo a few minutes past 6am. What was surprising for us when we got off the car was the relative cool climate, a spin-off from the cooler city of Tagaytay which is just a few kilometers away. We immediately went to the registration area, paid our entry fees and got our singlets. Lucky for me, there were XL sizes available.

As we were doing our warm-up stretching exercises, the race organizers announced that the race would start at 8:00am sharp. By manila standards, the race time would be way, way too late as the sun would be hanging above our shoulders by then. As we waited, we helped ourselves with what was apparently Great Taste (the brand) coffee in boiling pot then transferred to plastic pitchers and finally served in plastic cups. the large advertisements of the brand are all in the kiosks serving it. So why would race organizers of this town which prides itself as being the coffee capital of the Philippines be serving commercial blend coffee? The runners joked about this with the pretty ladies serving this coffee and ribbed with them that we would have preferred the ready to mix 3-in-one concoction. i had about a cup and a half of these while waiting. i don’t usually drink any coffee before a race and this would prove to be a near disaster for me at the latter part of the race.

Meriam finally deciding what to wear on race morning. She is almost, always in a quandary on what to wear a few minutes before race time. It will take another 10 minutes for her to decide whether to wear sunblock or not!

The starting line, just in front of the provincial capitol

The race started promptly at 8am and the first 300 meters is a sharp downhill so many of the runners started fast. I ran an average of 6min/km for the first 3 kilometers so thoughts entertained that i might be able to go for a 60-minute 10k, or so i thought. My last 10k was about an hour, eight minutes at last November’s New Balance run at Clark. At the turn-around 5km mark, my time was 28:30 which in my estimation would not be enough to do 60 minutes because the return route was mostly uphill. Disaster struck at the 6th kilometer when i felt some palpitation on my chest, my legs began to feel heavy and breathing became laborious. Must be some of the coffee i took as my heart-beat was pulsating more than my average while running. Moreover, the heat of the sun was definitely a bane so in order to control the sluggish feeling, i slowed down to a jog then walked some. It was then a combination of running, jogging and i walked when i got drinks from the stations.  It was like this for the rest of the way until the last 300 meter steep uphill. my watch registered 1:05:58. Anyways…

Meriam did a lot better, her time in the low 50s and placing 8th-overall among the 10k women runners!

Meriam posing with Liza Yambao, runner-up in the 5-k ladies division and runner friend of Happy Feet running club who placed 10th in the 10k mens division

Meriam recieving her 8th-placed award from an Amadeo town official

With hardcore ultra-runner and co-blogger Jonel aka bugobugo85

Jonel & Meriam in front of Provincial Hall

Fronting the food/coffee stalls

To celebrate’s Meriam getting a podium finish, we set-off to Tagaytay market to eat their famous hot-piping bulalo, rice and fruits.

Showing off her 8th place miniature plaque at the Bulalohan Market in Tagaytay City

Over-all, the race was well organized, lots of water stations, warm encouragements from the local folks who lined up the streets to watch. It would have been better had the race began much earlier to avoid the searing heat. We’ll definitely come back next year. Next time there will be no coffee  nor tea before a race. Just run.