What were you doing back in 1991? Some of you may not even be born yet at that time. Back then I was in my elementary school days and if you ask me I don’t really remember things that happened aside from schooling. Looking up the major events that transpired the year via Wikipedia, here are some of the results I found:
Archive for July, 2010
29
Jul
10
1991
How does a running community celebrate its anniversary? By running of course!
Takbo.ph held its first Runfest to celebrate the occasion last Sunday. It was the last race I signed up for before I got injured, one of the rare few that charged below P500 as registration fee, and definitely one of my most anticipated races for the year! Unfortunately, the gods of running had other plans for me.
Since registration fees became ridiculously expensive for my budget and my knee was injured signing up for races had been the last thing on my mind, and as such became out of habit. Running still is, but racing? I’m not going to set new PRs with my knee anyway so there hardly any motivation to race. And since it was no longer a habit there’s a natural tendency to overlook something.
Ten hours before the race I realized something—I had completely forgotten to bring home my race kit from the office! There were three options then on my mind: (a) get my kit from the office, (b) run without a race bib, or (c) none of the above!
It seems anomalous to be in the office on a Saturday night, not to mention all the time I’d lose in the process, so it’s not very inciting. Running without a race bib, a.k.a. “bandit” seems to be the more convenient option. I’m registered anyway so I’m “eligible” to participate but people won’t know that since I won’t be wearing my race bib. I don’t want to encourage anyone to run “bandit” on any race, particularly on a race celebrating running, so leading by example I discarded that idea. So what’s plan C? Sleep it off 
. Sure I can still join the celebration as a volunteer but I knew I’d just be envious of those running that I might be tempted to run “bandit.” Besides the temptation of a good, long sleep was too difficult to resist.
Tantrum Run
I missed the chance of running at “race pace” (which I haven’t done this year) but a resourceful runner always find ways. So that the weekend will not be wasted I settled to just doing my regular easy run whenever I’m not racing—from home to SM Fairview (via Commonwealth Ave. and Regalado Ave.), slightly more than 6K. This is actually longer than the 5K race I signed up for. 
I actually started doing this run from a crazy “green” idea of saving money and carbon emission from the commute each time I needed to do the groceries or go to the gym. You helped save the environment and you got your run! Too bad there’s little chance of me setting new PRs with this route either since each time I do it I always carry a bag with at least 1.5kg weight (700g netbook for surfing via Wi-Fi, 500mL of sports drink, change clothes, etc.) and the route is practically uphill. And yes, that 6K run serves as my “warm-up” before pumping some iron.
Celebrate Running
Congratulations to Mr. Jinoe Gavan for a successful Runfest and thank you for your brainchild, takbo.ph. Congratulations also to everyone that made this event a success! To my takbo.ph family whom I miss dearly I hope to see you soon!
DNS is my name removing the repeating letters and vowels. In the internet it could pertain to the Domain Name System. In racing it is a term for a competitor failing to start the race (Did Not Start). In this context however it may as well refer to Did Not Show.
The North Face Thrill of the Trail series is back with a vengeance, and this time around it landed on the island of Bohol:
Traverse 12 chocolate hills and cross 2 rivers as you experience the Thrill of the Trail in Bohol – The North Face Philippines via Facebook
As the name implies this is a trail running event with two distances to choose from: 11K and 22K. Because of its impact on the trails slots are limited to a combined total of 20 slots per branch for all distances. Registration is until August 20, 2010 or until the slots are filled up (whichever comes first) and costs P500 (Metro Manila, P350 Provincial) for all distances. You may register at the following sites:
The North Face
SM City Cebu; SM City Cagayan De Oro; SM City Davao; SM City North EDSA; SM Mall of Asia; Shangri-La Mall; Glorietta 4; SM Megamall
ROX
Bonifacio High Street; Ayala Center Cebu
Res Toe Run
Dumaguete; Ayala Center Cebu
The race is on September 12, 2010 which starts at Danao Municipal Hall and ends in the vicinity of E.A.T. Danao. Race kits can be claimed from September 1 to 11, 2010 on your respective points of registration (make sure to keep your registration receipt).
For more information on this event visit http://www.thrillofthetrail.ph/bohol-trail-running. Photos courtesy of The North Face Philippines.
21
Jul
10
Two Flights, Zero Races
As of this afternoon I have officially two flights to two opposite points in the country (north and south) but no registered races! Well, only official registration is not in attendance but the intent is 100% there as these flights were sparked by two races, an ultramarathon in the north and a trail run in the south. Honestly, this is the first time that I got more excited with a trail run than an ultramarathon (which grew to be a favorite for me for some reason). For which races I’m referring to, you’ll find out soon enough (watch out for my next post). But first I have to secure my place with those races by registering.
If you happen to have the July 2010 issue of Action & Fitness (A&F) Magazine our Mt. Maculot adventure is featured on the Travel & Adventure section, page 92, courtesy of our climb muse Vicky Ras. This is my first time to appear with A&F and first time to be featured not running! Thank you Vicky for sharing our adventure with everyone!
(Had I known you’d share our pictures I would’ve stuck with you more! )
P.S.
Aside from the aforementioned article Vicky has another one about Eating Healthy. Noelle “KIKAYRUNNER” too has an article in this issue about Shoulder Stretches (nice flexibility Noelle!).
19
Jul
10
Biodiversity Run 2010
Greetings from the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB)!
This year 2010 marks the celebration of the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) with the theme “Biodiversity is life. Biodiversity is our life.” The Year aims to raise public awareness of the importance of biodiversity and the consequences of its loss to human survival. The Philippine Government, in support to the IYB celebration, has proclaimed 2010 through Proclamation No. 2003 as the National Year of Biodiversity where everyone is enjoined to initiate activities to support the celebration.
In support of the celebration, ACB is organizing the Biodiversity Run 2010 with the theme “Run for Biodiversity, Biodiversity is Life, Run for Life”. The race is scheduled on 4 September 2010, 6:00AM at the Forestry Campus, UP Los Baños, College, Laguna.
The Biodiversity Run 2010 is an advocacy race aimed at promoting the rich biodiversity of Mt. Makiling Forest and nearby ecosystems. The race promotes road running as an affordable avenue to physical fitness, mental well-being, ecological awareness, and enhancement of local tourism. Proceeds from this event will go to the ASEAN Biodiversity Fund (ABF), an endowment fund developed and established to support the implementation of biodiversity-related programs in the ASEAN region. Contributions to the ABF are open to governments, the private sector, organizations, foundations, and individuals.
In this connection, we are pleased to invite you to be our partner/sponsor for the Biodiversity Run 2010. Your support of any kind will raise funds for biodiversity programs and serve as your participation in the global celebration of the International Year of Biodiversity. It will also be your response to the national proclamation of the Philippine Government, enjoining everyone to initiate and involve in activities to support the celebration.
As a partner/sponsor, your organization name will be announced throughout the event, where you can also display your organization name, products and services. We will also include your organization in publicity through our website and media network in the ASEAN region.
Should you have any inquiries about the event, please do not hesitate to contact us through the following ACB staff: Ms. Angie Metin at arcametin@aseanbiodiversity.org or 09276973094; Ms. Grace Rodulfo at gsrodulfo@aseanbiodiversity.org or 09174775308.
Thank you and we hope for your usual support and cooperation.
16
Jul
10
Summoned by the gods of running…
Last Wednesday, amidst the ruckus and chaos known as office work, a mysterious package arrived from the gods of running…
I was nestled deep within the realms of programming when all of a sudden I was informed of such package:
Guard: Sir, you have a delivery
RP: Who, me? Really? (Dumbfounded, still processing scripts in his mind) 
Then there it was! His messenger disguised as a delivery boy handing the package over to me in exchange for blood, I mean signature. The gods of running has pulled me out of the pits of labor and reminded me of my calling!
Gods of running to RP: you have been summoned! Celebrate our feast! Celebrate running!
RP: Yes master (in a “hypnotized” emotionless tone)… will celebrate run fest… 
To all who have been summoned, I’ll see you on the 25th! 
Here’s another chance to get yourself a FREE race courtesy of the Score Card. For every purchase of a Score Card you are entitled to one free registration of any distance at the following events: Run to Read and Dean’s Cup (Fun Run only). Race details are listed below:
Run to Read
Run to Read Fun Run was designed to raise funds to build and restore libraries for the less fortunate communities in various parts of the Philippines. The run will be composed of four major distance events: 3K, 5K, 10K, and 15K; and a 500 meter dash for kids and their moms or dads.
When: August 15, 2010
Where: Bonifacio Global City
Distances and Registration Fees: 15K (P450), 10K (P400), 5K (P350), 3K (P300), and 500m dash (P500 for both kid and a parent). Download registration form here.
Registration sites:
- All Terra Cyclery
Club 650, Libis, Quezon City - BrandWorX, Inc.
Penthouse, Eurovilla 2 Bldg., Legaspi Village, Makati City - Reebok
Festival Supermall; SM Megamall; Trinoma - Royal Sporting House
Glorietta 4; Ali Mall; Robinson’s Place Ermita - Runnr
Bonifacio High Street - SecondWind Running Store
Maginhawa St., Teacher’s Village, Quezon City; Home Depot, Ortigas
With your assistance, more school children may afford the luxury of knowledge by simply aiding their cause through the Run to Read Fun Run that is being done in partnership with National Bookstore’s Buklat Aklat program. For more information please visit http://run4change.com/runtoread/.
Dean’s Cup: The UP Law Invitational Triathlon and Fun Run
The Dean’s Cup consists of two events, an invitational sprint distance triathlon* and a fun run. The sprint triathlon consists of a 750m swim, 20K bike and a 5K run. The fun run is composed of a 3K, 5K, and 10K run, plus a 1K costume walk for children. The race route will pass through various parts of the UP Diliman Campus.
When: August 01, 2010
Where: UP Diliman Campus
Distances and Registration Fees (Fun Run): 10K (P450), 5K (P400), 3K (P350), 3K (P300), and 1K costume walk (P300). Discounts for early or group registrations, special rates for onsite registration. Download registration form here.
Registration sites:
- Dean’s Office
2/F, Malcolm Hall, College of Law, UP Diliman, Quezon City - SecondWind Running Store
Maginhawa St., Teacher’s Village, Quezon City; Home Depot, Ortigas - All Terra Cyclery
Club 650, Libis, Quezon City
The annual Dean’s Cup is for the benefit of the Office of Legal Aid which assists in indigents in their court cases as well as other legal needs. For more information please visit http://run4change.com/uplawtri2010/.
* All those interested to join the triathlon must inform the organizers by sending an e-mail to uplawtri@run4change.com.
14
Jul
10
Darkness Falls
The rainy season’s full onset officially begins in the Philippines as typhoon Basyang (Conson) entered the country’s area of responsibility and had a landfall, and last night Metro Manila was just hammered by very, very strong gusts of winds (maximum of 120kph according to weather reports) as it traverses the island of Luzon. The result—darkness! A few minutes short of midnight last night, power was cut and not as isolated as I had initially thought. As of the time of writing the typhoon is already out into the South China Sea, there’s still no power throughout the island of Luzon, and the operations of electric-powered LRT and MRT were suspended. It’s a good thing that classes were suspended too as it alleviated traffic.
As I finish my late candlelit dinner last night I can’t help but think how far we have come. In this age of internet, mobile devices, wireless broadband, and timing chips we sometimes fail to acknowledge our over-reliance to technology, electricity in particular, that we always rush things and forget to slow down to savor those precious moments of life. Isn’t it nice to take it easy every once in a while?
Last night I felt like I was transported back to the 19th century colonial times and how difficult life was. You can’t even walk fast as your candle’s light might be put out, not to mention the fire hazards it brings. I also remembered the phrase “nagsusunog ng kilay” (literally, burning eyebrows, connoting studying) with a scene of a student reading his book in front of a lamp (which reminds me of those rare childhood moments when there’s a blackout and you had to study for the exams the following day). Then all that experience was broken the moment I opened the tap and there’s running water.
This year’s installment of the National MILO® Marathon (Manila Eliminations) takes the race on an entirely new level. Personally I’ve never had any local race come close to what MILO® had achieved with this year’s Manila Eliminations, and despite so many new developments it still had plenty of room for improvements.
The Runners
I consider MILO® Marathon as a runner’s race. Never in any race have I met so many “real” runners. I say “real” because of their genuine passion for the sport. They’re not in it for bragging rights, nor the prize, but instead to prove their worth. And this race never runs short of them. Runners coming in all sorts of form: some without an arm, or a leg, some short of height, or youth, or health, but definitely never short of honor and talent. I’m humbled by the presence of these runners as in their eyes I’m still a mere “visitor” in their turf—a turtle in a race of rabbits (so that’s why I was wearing green! 
).
Turtle spotted 
I remember vividly on my way to the final turn-around, a lady old enough to be my grandmother already on the way back! Definitely gives a literal meaning to the Tagalog saying, “Papunta ka pa lang, pabalik na ako.” (roughly, you’re just on your way forth, I’m already headed back)
Where there’s light there’d be shadows, and lurking within the crowds of the runners and the participants like myself were those self-centered glutton thieves, out to steal pride and honor that they lack. I won’t dig deep into the rotten pits of the underworld but it seems that where they came from qualifying for the finals is everything! In their world one should qualify no matter what it takes! Was it the free race? Was it the free singlet and shorts? Or was it the free food at the Carbo-Loading party? Could this be “poverty” in the runner’s world?
Had some of these creatures viewed out their window while taking that van, or that other one not made a relay out of the marathon, or that other one not skip those loops, perhaps they would’ve seen and be humbled by the efforts made by those “real” runners. As a mere participant, I’ll always admire these “real” runners (and hope to join their ranks in the future).
The Review
The series had begun long before many of us were even born (myself included) and I could say we grew up with awareness of it. Who would’ve known that I too would be part of it?
For my third time joining MILO® Marathon I’d say this is the best one yet.
Pros:
- Reasonable registration fee
- Better registration process
- Donate A Shoe program
- Good quality singlet
- Relatively challenging route
- Earlier gun start
- Bananas, energy gel (Hammer), sports drinks (Gatorade), and water throughout the route
- Timing chip
- Numerous portable toilets at various locations along the route
- Sponge (limited)
- Finisher’s shirt!
Marathon with three loops?
Cons:
- Insufficient hydration during the critical times of the race (last loop to the end)
- Three loops in the route
- Crowd control, particularly near the Finish
- Baggage counter (for 5K)
Race in progress, look at the background
Suggestions:
The overall system may have improved but some old problem still remains: people! Some staff still don’t know where their baggage counter is (or if they have one), many still don’t know how to properly man runners and spectators (a few runners thought the Start line is the Finish line and people kept crossing the road while the race was in progress), some don’t know how to handle, store, and distribute bags in their baggage counters (that ruckus with the 5K baggage counter), and overall the organizers are still not ready for major emergency situations (resulting in reported deaths during the Manila Eliminations). Hopefully in all future races all people involved with the race are properly informed and trained of their part so as to avoid the horrors of the past. Accidents happen but it doesn’t mean it can’t be minimized.
For its 34th year there were a lot of sweeping changes, some made it better while some made it worse, depending on where your vantage point is. For my marathon perspective it was one of the best races I’ve had so far despite having one of my worst finish in terms of time, and health (10 times of flyovers would take its toll). I realized with this race that we don’t need another “International” marathon, MILO® is ready to take that place as far as the marathon is concerned. It has shown it’s got that potential, there are just some more kinks that need to be ironed. God is in the details. Personally I’d give the 34th National MILO® Marathon Manila Eliminations a Very Good (4½/5) rating with all its improvements and the great overall experience (not necessarily all pleasant) I’ve had.
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