Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Skyway Sucat and the Condura Marathon 2011

Skyway is now officially extended to Sucat! Yey! Being a Sucat resident for more than 20 years, it's really amazing to see the developments that are happening in our little town.

I attended kindergarten and grade school at St. James along Sucat, I celebrated my 5th birthday at Mcdo BF-Sucat (but where is it now?), and I was at the opening day of SM Sucat. I guess you can say that I am indeed a "taga-Sucat" (ng damit?). So how can I resist the temptation to use the Skyway Sucat on opening day?

Last Wednesday (12/15), the exit to Sucat officially opened and I was fortunate enough to be one of the first people to use it (I asked manong taxi driver to use the Skyway on my way to a Christmas party). It was a thrilling experience, mostly because we don't use the Skyway that much. :) It was so new that it was as if it's a don't-use-your-car day and nobody told us (it's just me, the driver, and the long stretch to Bicutan).

But if you're on the Skyway, on a new road, with no cars, and you see all the KM markings (2 km to exit A, 1.5 km to exit B), what comes to mind? It's a no-brainer - of course it's the Condura Skyway Marathon 2011!

The Condura Run is close to my heart because it's my first real race. I joined the 5K early this year and I admit I have been a believer ever since. (Come on, you get a medal for your first race, and you see all those nice fireworks, and you hear all those bands and people cheering, who wouldn't fall in love with running?)

[Click here for my Condura 2010 experience]

And with that, of course I am running the 2011 Condura Skyway Marathon! I initially planned to do a full marathon but I realized that I am not yet ready for 42K. And I want to give the Condura Full justice so I don't want to run it when I'm not yet ready.

I and my girlfriend Tey are now officially registered for the 21K of the Condura Skyway Marathon 2011! I know it will be a great experience for the both of us because we have never run that high up before (talk about runner's high!).

Here's me with the nice technical shirt, my bib, and last year's medal.


So what are you waiting for? Let's register for the Condura Skyway Marathon 2011 and run for the dolphins! [Visit the official Condura Skyway Marathon 2011 site at http://www.conduraskywaymarathon.com/].

You better register now! Me? I'm going to finish my free Hershey's Milk Chocolate. :))

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Run Rio Leg 3 : Unilab Run United 2

November 20-21, 2010 - Fort

And so I completed the Run Rio Trilogy for 2010! But it was not easy.

Day 1: My Girlfriend's First Time

Unilab Run United 2 is a two-day event. My girlfriend Tey wanted to run the 21K and I can see her determination in the way she trains and the way she shops! (She bought hydration belt, ankle supports, sports bra, socks, sun visor, sun block, and red lipstick).

When we found out it was a 2-day event, I told her she could do a 15K so that we would be there on the same day. But she refused. "Kaya nga nagttrain ako mabuti kasi gusto mag 21K," she said, days before we registered.

Her run was really good. She was expecting she would finish in 3hrs 30mins but she made it to the finish line in 2hrs 54mins (which is only ~2 minutes behind my first 21K)! Good job darling!





And because I was there in the event and I did not run, I had the chance to be like Photovendo - which I also found very heartwarming! People I don't know stop (or slow down a little) and smile at me for a nice photo op. It felt like we are one big happy running family!

(For those guys who ran on Day 1, you might see your picture here.)

Here are some shots that I took.


Donna


Running Couple


Post-Run Barkada Pic


Day 2: Defying Gravity

Tey and I decided that this will be our last running event for 2010. So I decided to end it with a bang! What better way to end it than going for the longest distance of the last of the Run Rio Trilogy?!

I felt prepared for this run. Whatever happens it's a new PR anyway. And I did a pretty good 22K training run the week before so I was a little confident. But at the same time, I was also very uneasy and nervous because once again I would be facing the Buendia Flyover.

I have never completed it from end to end before. It always felt unending and unforgiving. But this time I was determined to conquer this flyover.

I ran with Noel (Deemen Runner) and we had a good, steady start. A few kilometers before the flyover, I asked Noel if we could stop for a while because I had to do number 1 in the middle of the dark. :P

And then the flyover came somewhere beyond the 6K mark. This is it. The moment of truth. When we stepped on the flyover, I put my game face on and determined to complete this stretch of elevated asphalt.
Noel was very supportive because he giving me advice on how to do uphills.

It was still long and unforgiving. But I was stronger and more determined. Needless to say, I was able to kill it for the first time without stopping. :P

The next flat segment to Osmena is easier even with the angry motorists. And then at around the 14K+ mark, we were back at the flyover. This time however I was not as strong anymore. It felt like my right knee is going to break. This is where Noel and I got separated and he went on ahead.

But at the back of my head, I wanted to complete a no-stop flyover again and so I pushed myself. I did again really but I think it cost me a little bit of my good knee.

I kept going as much as I could but after the 21K mark, I thought I couldn't run anymore because of the knee pain. Even when I try to run, I was slower than the guys who are walking! So I decided to alternate run-walk more frequently with a somewhat odd timing.

Even with the pain, I knew I couldn't stop. Not then that I have already endured a lot. Not after all the training. Not after I saw the 26K mark - just 6 more kilometers to go!

I don't know if it was adrenaline or the very cold water I poured on my head but my runs (and walks) are now faster. I planned to sing "Don't Stop Believing" but I ended singing "Defying Gravity" instead. "I think I'll try defying gravity and you can't bring me down." :P

I was very excited to see the last turn and it's very much encouraging to see Tey (now the photovendo), Eugene, and Noel also cheering for me! "Konti na lang!"

And so, after 4hrs 48mins, I was able to finish my 32K run! Congrats to Rio, Unilab, and the rest of the team for another inspiring event!






Let me share some of Tey's shots from the event.

Kikay Runner


Iza and Hammer Nutrition


Eugene Yasay (2 hrs 49 mins!)


Mawawala ba si Jeffrey sa shots ni Tey?


Patrick "Running Shield" Concepcion


Team Logan


Noel Camarillo (Deemen Runner)


32K Finishers! (Earl, Eugene, Noel)


...and the Superposition!

Tey's Superposition (Day 1)




Monday, November 22, 2010

My Adidads KOTR Experience

I ran out slots for the 21K so I did a 10K in the Adidas King of the Road 2010.

So far this is my worst performance for a 10K at 1 hr 12 mins. I realized that Im not very good with the flyover (which is most often part of the route for 10K above).

I included hills in my training for my first 32K at Unilab Run 2 because next time I want to say (at least) that I conquered the Buendia flyover. :P

I had fun and so did Tey who got a new 10K PR! Congratulations darling!



Here are some more pics from the event.





Free breakfast... :))


I ran with the original Superposition Boys but I was not able to super-pose with them.

[L-R: Tey, Earl, Geoff, Junar, female friend 1 (sorry didn't get her name), Char, Ying, female friend 2 (sorry!).]

And so I did a solo superposition...! :P

Monday, October 11, 2010

Early Runs 10K at 10.10.10 Run for Pasig River

10/10/10 Ayala to MOA. We survived the 10K of the Run for Pasig River! I expected a lot of people but I did not foresee the impact of having that much people in one place. :P

Tey and I decided to run together because we knew it will be very difficult to look for each other in a sea of 120,000 heads. We went to Ayala via MRT, which offered free rides for runners. That was really awesome!



I would say the starting area was very organized. Water stations, baggage areas, and portalets, were readily accessible. We were divided into clusters because of the great number of participating runners. Tey and I were at Cluster 2, which was close enough to the stage for us to recognize Piolo Pascual (to Tey's maximum kiligness). [Manny Pacquiao and Santino were also among the celebrities who were at the 10k stage].

Our goal was 1hr 15mins for this 10k. We reached the 5k marker at 00:37:30 which was exactly halfway through our target time. Between 5k and 6k (that was already at Roxas Blvd), we were met by the 5k runners, making the road a little more congested.

At 1hr 15mins, we were only somewhere between 8k and 9k so we missed our target by a around 1.5k. At least, we thought, we could still finish with a decent time.

Little did we know that our run for Pasig River was about to be cut short. The MOA globe and the street towards the Finish Line were the bottlenecks where all the runners. We walked the last 8.5k. Slow, tiring, walk.

We reached the finish line 22 minutes later. I stopped my watch at 1 hr 37 minutes when we cross the finish line. [There was another finish line ahead which was very confusing].

The finisher's band has a very simple design but it looks pretty cool.


There were a lot of marshals but I personally didn't feel that the number was enough to accommodate that number of runners. Anyway, I salute the volunteers for accomplishing their tasks well even though they were definitely outnumbered.

Frantic finisher's band claimers handled coolly by the volunteers.


I'm not sure if we broke the world record but I have a feeling we did. :P

Chillaxing after a tiring walk around MOA looking for a place to buy food from.



Waiting for breakfast.



And by the way, superposition! :P

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Adidas King of the Road 2010 - Me and My Big Singlet

My girlfriend Tey and I (and Geoff "Max" Factor) are officially registered for the 10k of this year's Adidas KOTR. I originally planned to do 21k. However, due probably to the popularity of this run, we ran out of 21k slots. [We only got to register on Wednesday (9/29). Tey was in the hospital most of last week].

I was considering not to run anymore but Tey has been preparing for the Adidas 10k so I decided to join her in her 3rd 10k. I guess I can just run again in the afternoon. :P

Aside from not getting the 21k slots, we also ran out of sizes. I got the Large singlet. And they were not kidding when they said Large. :))





I'm looking at having it altered or exchanging it for someone else's or just buying a new singlet.

Anyway, whatever happens, I guess I'll see you guys there where I (again) for the nth time attempt to get a sub-1 10k!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Registered for Run for Pasig River 10.10.10

Tey and I registered today for the 10k run of the 10.10.10 Run for Pasig River. We bought 1000+ (it's actually 1008 :P) worth of Bench products and we got our bib numbers for only 100 pesos each.

The organizers of this event are targeting a world record of 120,000 runners. Well, it's nice to dream big like this and just imagine how much help the Pasig River will get. But I hope that they are really ready to accommodate this much.

I guess you can say that I think they can pull this off because I registered. After all, I believe it is Run Rio who will organize the 5k and 10k. :))

We'll see you guys - you other 119,998 guys - there! I'm sure we'll bump into each other. :P

Thursday, September 2, 2010

RunRio Triology Leg 3 Online Registration is Now Open!

RunRio 3 or Unilab 2? Put them together, you get 32! :P [Yeah whatever].



Anyway, the online registration is now open [as of September 2 as announced at runrio.com].

For you early birds, you can register here. I just found it a little weird that the payments are in dollars but I guess that's ok (because I won't register online :P).

Take note that this is going to be a 2-day event (November 20 - November 21) so plan accordingly.

My girlfriend intends to do her first half-mary at Leg 3 which is scheduled on Day 1. And as I have been targeting since Leg 1, I will be doing the 32k event which takes place on Day 2.

The plan? I wait for her on Day 1, she waits for me on Day 2! :P Anyway I still have a lot of time to rest after her 21k.

I'll see you guys there! :))

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Eugene Domingo! :P

While doing lazy laps around the oval today, Tey and I saw Kimy Dora herself - Ms. Eugene Domingo! Mamarazzi in the flesh! :))

It felt terrible (and nakakahiya) to disrupt her training routine but my girlfriend she just had to have a picture with her.

We didn't get a chance the first time but we made sure we catch her on the next round. Here's me and Tey practicing if we can capture three of us.



It did not go very well and we did not want to risk it so I decided not to join the picture.

Here's Eugene with Tey (still shaking with excitement!) :))



Go go go! Sana umabot ka sa target time mo! :))

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

RunRio Trilogy Leg 3 : Unilab or Timex?

July 27, 2010 - From their facebook fan page (click here), the admin of Unilab Run United For Wellness announced that the Leg 3 of the RunRio Trilogy will be a Unilab Run, instead of a Timex Run.

As of June 27, runrio.com still shows that Leg 3 is Timex.

Is this for real? Well I honestly do not mind (I'm still doing 32k at Leg 3 either way). I'm just curious. P

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Early Runs the Takbo.ph Runfest

I can say that this is my fastest run so far. I usually average a little over 6 min per km for 5k and 10k but I was finally able to break my 30-minute barrier for the 5k earlier today at Takbo.ph Anniversary Runfest with an unofficial time of 28:17!

I believe my girlfriend Tey also got a new 5k PR at 35:24 and also Coach Noel (Deemen Runner) at ~27! Yeah, PR day!

And if that wasn't enough for you, check out these cool pics!

Of course we have a pic with the takbo.ph couple. Good job guys and thanks! A very nice run! :))


Earl and Tey


Men's Health


Women's Health


...with Noelle the Kikay Runner


...with some GP's Runners - Earl, Renz, Raisa, Yam.


HP Running Mates - Mils, Chrissie, Noel, Tey, Earl, Chaniel.


At ano pa nga ba, like what else? The superposition!



...with our special guest - Patrick Running Shield Concepcion!


...and Coach Rio!

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Just in Time : Tey's Takbo.ph singlet!

July 24. It's finally here! After weeks of waiting, my girlfriend's singlet for the takbo.ph Runfest has finally been delivered! Yey!



New 5k PR tomorrow? :))

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Eng'gfinity : The Engineering Centennial Run

July 18, 2010 UP Diliman. Letting go of PR targets for this run, I decided to run next to my girlfriend Tey and act as her pacer for her first ever 10k! Good job to my darling for finishing with an unofficial time of 1:27:17! :)))) Do you think you'll be ready for your first half-mary by November? :))



I also got the chance to join the UP Gears and Pinions Runners and we all finished together! Thanks for letting me and Tey carry the flag to the finish line! The closer the better! ;)







Of course, my HP running mates were also there during the run. Here are some pics.

Boys - Earl, Eugene, Noel


Girls - Mils, Tey, Dada


I honestly had fun today. It wasn't a very big event but it really felt like home - and I saw a lot of familiar faces too!

However, I think some guys got lost. Eugene and Noel themselves ran a different route from mine. But they still got all four straw markers. The distance registered in Eugene's Garmin was 9.6k.

"Dalawang ikot ako dun sa labas tapos dalawa dito sa oval." - Eugene


Other than this, I believe the run was generally ok. Just the right number of water stations and a nice route [although 10k was just 2x 5k].

I'll see you guys in the next centennial run! Yeah right. :P

Here are some more pics [from Kristine Millano, Ji Reyes, and Tristan Ramirez].

Cone Heads


:))


Oblation Jump


...and the Superposition. :))