Sport Beans

Wednesday, 20 February 2008  |  Bullish Insights

Sport Beans, made by popular jelly bean maker Jelly Belly, are not your typical jelly beans. These yummy little babies are packed with electrolytes, carbohydrates and Vitamins B1, B2, B3 & C—basically what your typical athlete or sport enthusiast needs during long periods of exercise or activity. It’s like having your Gatorade in candy form—my dream come true!

SportBeans
– The best photo I could take of my ripped and
half-empty pack of Sport Beans. –

Last week, before watching a late night movie, my hubby and I stocked up on snacks at Nuts About Candy in Alabang Town Center. As I filled my bag with loads of my favorite neon worms (er, I’m carbo-loading for a future race), I spotted the Sport Beans on display. Uhm, actually they were all over the store—as I’m sure they are as well in all other branches of Candy Corner and Nuts About Candy. My sister had told me about this last year and I’m glad that it’s finally available here in Manila.

I had a difficult time choosing my flavor: it was a toss up between Fruit Punch and Berry Blue. I ended up getting Fruit Punch because it was the closest to my favorite jelly bean flavor, Cotton Candy. (Can you tell I know my candies?) It tastes like your normal jelly bean although a bit on the sweeter side so it may be tough for some people to consume after a long run. It is also slightly softer than the regular jelly bean but I like it. It’s still a delight to eat and a refreshing change from the regular sports drink. Costs P59.75 for a 1 oz pack.

Little Steps

Monday, 18 February 2008  |  Bullish Insights

Little steps at a time. That’s what previously-injured-and-now- breaking-PR’s Photographer Ben texted me today about the process of recovery and getting back into running again. Yes, I had to agree. It’s all about baby steps and itsy-bitsy victories for me nowadays; a slow but sure way to start again without slipping back into the problematic realm of injuries.

Over the weekend, I was in a bit of a sour mood having missed out—once again—on some great races. I was particularly looking forward to Hope in Motion since it was held in my running route, Ayala Alabang. It would have been fun to have joined DZMM’s race too and rub running shoes with Juday hah! The Ateneo Aquathlon, as I’ve heard from Marga, was great great fun; I seriously doubt I would’ve joined it sans injury but still I felt awful knowing that there was a race in my alma mater and I couldn’t even come close to considering joining it.

But, I had to remind myself that there were definitely little victories that were worth celebrating. Thrice last week, I was able to walk a full 20 minutes without feeling soreness or pain after. Woohoo! In my swimming lessons, I was finally able to swim laps using the Total Immersion technique and felt more at ease in the water. The gym…er…uhm…okay, it still bores me to death, but at least my tummy is just a wee bit tighter.

Now that I know I can start walking/jogging/running again, I want to be completely safe about it. Yes, people, I have been traumatized by this evil injury and I shall exhaust all possible means to keep him away. I promised my bull headed self that I will follow this “Return to Running Schedule” which I downloaded from Dr. Pribut’s website weeks ago:

Week 1: Walk 10-20 mins every other day
Week 2: Walk 20-40 mins 5 days per week
Week 3: Jog at easy pace 10 min + walk 20 min
Week 4: Jog 15 min + walk 20-30 min
Week 5: Alternate run 15 min/ run 25 min for 4-5 days of the week
Week 6: Alternate run 20 min/30 min
Week 7: Alternate run 20 min/ 30-35 min
Week 8: Alternate run 25 min/ 30-40 min

Far cry from the Higdon Marathon Training Program I posted on my bathroom mirror a couple of months back, but it requires just about the same amount of dedication and will power. It will be quite difficult to resist the temptation to run a little bit longer or harder every now and then, but I’ll try my best.

To all those who ran the three races over the weekend especially Happy Feet runners, congratulations! To all those preparing for Pasig Marathon this Sunday—especially my bestest running buddy,  Annie—best of luck!

Ateneo Aquathlon

Friday, 15 February 2008  |  Race Announcements

Better late than never. In case you want to join an aquathlon…er…tomorrow! 🙂

WHAT: Ateneo Aquathlon

WHEN: 17 February 2008

WHERE: College Covered Courts, Ateneo De Manila University

It’s an event aiming to popularize multi-sport activities within the ADMU community. It’s a 600m swim and 5k run for 13 & above while 400m swim and 2.5k run for kids 12 & under.

To all interested in joining the Ateneo Aquathlon, please visit their site or e-mail ateneoswimming@gmail.com to get a registration form.

NEWBIE FAQS: (answers are from organizers of the Ateneo Aquathlon)

What is the proper attire? Since it wouldn’t be a long race (half day, done na) for the swim it’s the basic bathing suits for women and swimming trunks/shorts for the men. (Don’t wear board short or anything loose, it becomes a drag)

How is the transition from swimming to running? There will be a transition area where you may prepare all the stuff you need for the run leg. This will be an area only accessible to racers. Don’t worry about your baggage, there will be someone assigned to watch your stuff. There will be signs on the race route to keep everyone well informed.

Do you a have a quota on the number of participants? We’re looking at 300 participants tops.

Where can we register for the race? You may visit ateneoswimming.multiply.com. There’s a link there about the race, online reg form and instruction for payment.

Registration forms are also available at Planet Sports V-Mall, Alabang Town Center, Shangri-La Mall, TriNoma, and Rockwell, The Athlete’s Foot Glorietta, and New Balance Glorietta. No purchase is required to get a registration form.

Onsite registration will be Php450. For past and present Ateneans, registration fee will only be Php300, so please bring proof of current of former enrollment. Visit our website to see pictures of other Ateneo Swim Team events and past aquathlons.

1st Multo-Sport Night Race

Thursday, 14 February 2008  |  Race Announcements

I don’t usually include a list of triathlons in my List of Races so I decided to give this race its own post instead.  It’s just so unique (and hilarious!) it has to be shared:

Are you afraid of the dark? Or maybe those that go bump in the night?

Then it’s time to put your night light on and swim, bike and run like hell!

The UP Mountaineers and the UP Varsity Swimming Team present the 1st “Multo-Sport” Night Race, a beginner and sprint-distance triathlon.

The race starts at 10:00 pm and a monster of a party will follow at the stroke of midnight.

Hurry! Only 100 participants will be accepted.

Event Details:

Date: 1 March 2008

Time:

8:00 p.m. start of registration
10:00 p.m. start of the race
12:00 p.m. awarding and party

Venue: UP Diliman Pool and Academic Oval

Event Distances:
Beginners Category: 500m swim – 11km bike – 2.5km run
Open Category: 750m swim – 20km bike – 4.7km run

Categories:
Male and Female age groups (below-25 / 25-40 / above 40)

Mandatory Equipment
– bike
– helmet
– bike blinker (front and back)

Optional (but recommended) Equipment
– headlamp of bike lighting system
– reflector strips

You may visit the UP Diliman Pool from 4:00 p.m. onwards during weekdays to submit your entry form and payment.

We hope to see you there (or we’ll haunt you forever! bwahahaha!!! )

The Pinoy Ultra Runners are Back!

Wednesday, 13 February 2008  |  News + Promos

Last February 9, 2008, the Pinoy Ultra Runners composed of Neville Manaois, Elizabeth Siojo, Olive Cortez, Dani Dematera, Peter Rivera, Jose De Vera, Jocelyn Saw, Andrew Chinalpan and Pen Nepomuceno conquered their 2nd Run For Your Life Ultramarathon. They ran 65 km from Banaue to Sagada in 9 to 10 hours. Congratulations to the team for a successful and safe run. They raised a significant amount of funds for the benefit of Kythe.

According to Neville, they will soon be offering training for runners interested in joining ultramarathons. The team is currently planning for two races this year. For those interested, just wait for future posts here.

To read more about the Sagada-Banawe adventure, read Neville’s blog.

Lucky for us mere mortals who didn’t have the energy to join their run (at least not yet, right?), the Pinoy Ultra Runners have awesome pics to share. Sit back and drool…

Ultra6

Ultra3

Ultra2

Ultra5

Ultra_1

Ultra4

Thanks to Nards for the photos. For more photos, click here and here.