No runs the last two weeks

Took advantage of the long weekend last week and as an early Father’s day present to my parents, I’ve decided to bring all of us to Kuala Lumpur.  I thought I could squeeze in a couple of morning runs but if you are booked along Bukit Bintang, one of the busiest areas in the the city,  it is impossible to do so.  Also, walking around all day does a lot to one’s legs. 

At the moment I am at the old domestic airport waiting for my tagbilaran flight, delayed as usual. 🙂 Will meet Tsi in Bohol for some bonding time.  The itinerary is quite full with only a couple of days to spare. We will check out the most important sights and I know there’s mountain-biking and running in the agenda.  I brought my running and cycling paraphernalia and hope they all happen!

Haven’t focused much on running lately because the trips and work have somehow affected that. Still don’t know if I can do the Manila Mayor’s Marathon on the 22nd.  I have downloaded the application form though but from the pinoyrunner’s yahoogroup, there seems to be confusion on where to register and when to get your running bib. 

To those running the DND Half Marathon tomorrow,  good luck to all of you!

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Improved my time in Takbo Para sa Puso

During the Runnex @ 25 race a couple of weeks back,  I finished in 1 hr 3 minutes.  In Takbo Para sa Puso’s race this morning,  my unofficial time according to my Polar is 1 hr 1 minute and 2 seconds!  OMG!  If I had run a little bit faster,  I could claim to the whole world that my 10k time is 1 hour. Anywaaaaays,  I am still extremely happy because this is my best 10k time.  To celebrate,  my cousin and I decided to have breakfast at Rodic’s.  Love their tapsilog and you can’t beat the Php60.00 price! 

Today’s race is well organized as expected. The gun start was at 5:55am for the 10k race.  After 5 minutes, the 5k runners will follow.  I was at the AS building when the elite 5k runners passed me.   Ice cold water was available and overflowing! I am always afraid that for slow starters like me who are usually at the tail-end of the pack,  will have a higher chance of encountering empty water stations.  It didn’t happen in this race because agua is in abundance!  I hope every race is like this.

Don’t know the next race we will be joining.  I heard there is another Mizuno Run sometime June but I have yet to see details of the race.  There are also 21k races scheduled for next month that I saw in PhilRunner’s site. One will be on June 15 at Camp Aguinaldo called the 8th DND Half Marathon and the other one is the 2008 Manila Marathon Mayor’s Cup in Luneta on June 22.  Seriously considering to join one of these two races.  

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Running Essentials: Road ID

Last December, I have decided to get myself a Road ID bracelet.   It does makes sense to get one because if you are like me who does not bring an ID when I run (just one key in my pocket), it will be extremely hard if ever I get into trouble (knock on wood) and I have no identification whatsoever. 

I got this idea of purchasing a wrist ID from the suggestion of one of the kind members of PinoyRunners yahoogroup.  By using his code,  I was able to knock-off USD1.00 from the USD19.99 price.  Shipping was not expensive either and it only took 3 weeks to have the item shipped to the Philippines. Nakipagsabayan pa kasi ako sa Christmas rush.

Aside from the wrist ID, you may opt to buy the ankle ID or shoe ID or even a shoe pouch for your other essentials such as keys, cash, cards, etc.  I wanted to get one of each but had to stop myself kasi baka mukha na akong cyborg if I have a lot of running paraphernalia on. 

You can customize your ID plate and put whatever you like. Here’s mine!

 

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Skipped the PCRC’s Takbo Para sa Kalusugan, Joining Takbo Para Sa Puso

It had been steadily raining since Saturday night and when I woke up early for the Pasig Run on Sunday,  the rain has not stopped.  A couple of my co-workers and myself were sending SMS messages back and forth,  unsure if the races for that day will push thru and if they are,  are we going to participate still.  My cousin Tsi and I are joining the Pasig Run while my officemates are going to do the Pringles Run at the Fort.  Checked with Tsi and we both have decided with heavy hearts to skip this particular race. 

Anyways, there will be a DocFit: Takbo Para Sa Puso 2008 Run on Sunday, May 25 organized by Rio.  I checked his website at www.runrio.com and it involves a 5K and a 10K run.  I always enjoy running around UP because not only do I get to reminisce about my college days,  the route includes tree-lined paths and an over-all better experience.  Even though there is an area with quite a difficult incline that upon approaching it,  always triggers me to call all the Saints that I know just so I can get through it.

Sana it won’t rain on Sunday.  See you guys and good luck to all of us!

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May 18 PCRC’s 9th Year Summer Fun Run – Takbo Para sa Kalusugan at the ULTRA

We signed up for the Pasig ULTRA Run during the Champion Run Along the River event.

While eating yummy lugaw or goto (can’t tell the difference) and lumpiang toge in one of the carinderias at Marikina Riverpark, we noticed a registration booth nearby.  It’s for next Sunday’s run at the ULTRA. We haven’t joined any race there so my cousin and I signed up.  We decided to skip the Pringles Run and the 5 Miler at the Fort and take on a new fresh route.  Would it involve killer hills? Again, we have no idea what the route is so let’s just pray it won’t go through this particular steep hill where Aycee’s is located.  Come to think of it, if there are killer hills it wouldn’t hurt to treat ourselves to an order of sisig at Aycees post-race.  Ay sana bukas na!

 

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Thoughts on Marikina 2nd Champion Run Along the River

My unreliable Polar is telling me the Marikina 2^nd Champion Run Along the River is 11.46kms!  I have never ran a race where my watch tells me it is exactly 10kms or 15kms.  At least it is consistent in a way.

How did I fare? My official time is 1:12:41 with a pace of 6:36.  A pace like that sounds good! I’m also happy that the results were immediately available at www.runrio.com.  It even tells you how far behind were you from the winner.  My gap was 33 minutes…hmmm…it’s like the winner doing another round of 11k and we will cross the finish line together. J  Haay I’m sure by the time I finished, Ms. Mercedita is home and having her breakfast already. He he.

Over-all, I enjoyed the race.  My first time to run in Marikina and wouldn’t hesitate to go back and try that route again.  The view of the river is calming and oftentimes that’s where I am looking instead of the road.  “Ay incline na pala!”, I didn’t even realize it.

And as usual, everyone is friendly! At the holding area before the start of the race,  some of the people would tease us that we have to be prepared for the overflowing river.  During the race,  the police and marines are very polite with their “Good Morning Mam”.  Mukhang titser kaya ako?  And at the 8km mark, I am ever grateful to Mr. Ramos.  I hope that is his name because we have exactly the same finish time.  He was initially encouraging me that I can do it, I suspect he heard my labored breathing.  Eventually we ran side by side and he continued encouraging me to keep my pace.   There was even one point he said that we should hurry at unahan naming yung amerikano.  I broke into a smile because baket ba lahat ng puti, we call amerikano, diba?  Yes we did overtake the guy but after a few minutes I had to slow down a bit and told him to go ahead and I’ll just see him at the finish line.  He replied that pace na lang nya ako and sabay na kami.  That gave me enough energy to run a little faster.  Before we crossed the finish line, he said “sana mag place ka hija!”  I wanted to say “Yes Dad nasa bottom 20% for sure”.   To Mr. Ramos,  Sir thank you very much ulit! Sa susunod na race J

I had to wait for my cousin to finish so I decided to use her camera and take pictures of her. I was parked near the giant Lady of Marikina structure and waited for her to pass by.  I noticed that for late finishers who need to pass thru the parking area to get to the finish line,  it can be a free-for-all, do-what-you-want activity center! Cars were backing out, some children are playing or riding their bikes.  You have to watch out and be careful in case an unsuspecting van is reversing.

And before I forget, my cousin and I love to take photos of ourselves after the race.  During these times, one dad saw us and volunteered to be in the next set of frames.  So to this guy, mabuhay ka! You upstaged our poses! Sorry we weren’t able catch your name.

 

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2nd Champion Run Along the River tomorrow

Looking forward to tomorrow’s Marikina 10K run. The last time I was in Marikina was during the Tour of the Fireflies in April. I was surprised how clean the city is. I haven’t checked out the route for tomorrow’s run but if it involves the view of the river, I know it will be one good race. Hope there is enough water for everybody!

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