Archive for July, 2009

It’s confirmed.  Straight from Ton Concepcion’s mouth…

After reading your (TBR) survey, Patrick and I are pleased to announce that the Condura Run 2010 shall be on FEBRUARY 7, 2010, SUNDAY. This will run through the Skyway.  Feb. 7 is still cold and it gives us and the runners more time to prepare. We are planning this early so that we can make the Condura Run a memorable event for the runners.  We shall announce from time to time surprises that the runners will love.  Thank you.

Race distances: 3k/ 5k/ 10k/ 21k.  As for the 42k, Ton did not confirm.

Race organizer: still finalizing details.  A little birdie gave me a clue “It will be the best of both worlds.”

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Hmmm…February is going to be yet another busy month for runners.  We’ll have the following:

• Feb. 7: Condura 21k or 42k.  Why join?  The Skyway!  Well-organized.
• Feb 21: Run Rio 32k.  Why join?  Daang Hari! Well-organized.
• Feb 28: Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 42k.  Why join?  Hong Kong!  Well-organized.

Uh oh, this is a tough choice.  Can’t we join all three of them?

TBR Review: Run with M.E.
Organizer: Ateneo Management Engineering Alumni
Venue: Ateneo de Manila

THUMBS UP:
– Challenging course: a mix of ascents and descents on the road, rocks, and a run through the Ateneo Highschool field
– Ample supply of water at stations
– Directional signs and race course marshals
– No singlet but was announced early on as funds were directed to the beneficiary: 40 scholars

BETTER JOB NEXT TIME:
– Race start mixed runners of all distances
– Narrow strip of road climbing up from the gym
– Long lines to claim free shirts given to the top 50 finishers for each race distance

– with Manman Jalandoni, member of the race organizing committee from Ateneo ME alumni –

Run with M.E. was a relatively small race with around 1,000 runners showing up for the event. The usual spoils of a bigger event were not available, and rightfully so since this race was a fund raising event to send 40 scholars to school. Despite the limited budget, organizers successfully provided runners with an enjoyable event covering basic requirements for a good race. The atmosphere was more laid-back and friendly, less hectic than the more commercialized races, but just as fun. Congratulations to the Ateneo M.E. Alumni! I hope you make this an annual event.

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It was 1996. My best friend and I joined the Ateneo Taekwondo Team to obtain exemption from P.E. classes. One training day, our coach surprised us with a new warm up: one run around school grounds. My best friend was a smoker while I never smoked a cigarette in my life (and I never will.) But, there we were, both gasping for air as the rest of our team mates happily jogged along. That was the last time I ran in Ateneo.

Yesterday morning, I found myself at the starting line of Run with M.E. ready to conquer the roads that once challenged me. I was near the front of the starting line along with my hubby and right behind the elites. The race organizer announced that 5k would go first, 10k and 3k would follow. Perhaps we were busy chatting or we were too excited to run, but when the gun was fired, it was only then that we realized that were running the 10k and we shouldn’t have been there! So, we ran a few steps forward to let the 5k run their race, laughed about our foolish mistake, and made our way back to the starting line for our real start.

When the race started, I didn’t have a plan. Nothing, nada, zilch. Then, my Garmin—whose software I updated the night before thanks to good friend Alvin’s advice—died once again. I relied on my Nike+ Sportsband instead, but couldn’t quite read see the pace as I was maneuvering the slippery, scary roads. So, my impromptu plan was to give 90% effort: fast but not the vomit-at-the-end-of-the-race fast.

We ran downhill towards the gym and up again a very narrow, rocky path. Then, we ran on the main road that led us to Ateneo High School. As I was running, I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic about my fun and carefree college days. I passed our old hangout, the cafeteria, and even those far off classrooms at Bellarmine Hall which I deplored walking to (as if it was so far!) Then, I spotted my old Theology teacher, Fr. Dacanay. I called out his name and he stared at me blankly. I yelled out “Old student!” in between breaths and he smiled back. If I had more time, I would’ve stopped to remind him that I was the student who arrived late for class and, in front of everyone, he ordered me to get out because no late comers were allowed. How embarrassing, but I loved him still.

My favorite part of the race was the run around the high school soccer field. It was unique for a race and a good break from the tough roads. After one loop, we ran on the road again and made our way back towards the Blue Eagle gym for another 5k loop.

By 5k, I was exhausted. It was due to lack of training, really. But, I pushed myself and focused on finishing the race at almost the same pace as I had started.

As I ran around the same loop again, nostalgia took a backseat. I was already tired and out of breath. I stopped at every water station to sip water and pushed myself forward again. The second half of the race came and went quickly. I basically shut my eyes to run as fast as I could.

I finished the race at exactly 53 minutes for a distance of 9.07km according to my Nike+ Sportsband. Hubby’s Garmin says it was 9.67km while my friend Harry’s Polar registered 9.33km. Not bad at all for an overly sentimental runner who hasn’t done any speedwork in weeks.

– with fellow Ateneo alumnus Dingdong (RunMD) –

– with Pinoy Ultra Runners Jeremy, Hector (of Second Wind Running Store), and Neville –

– with Cougcat and his wonderful parents, Thess and Arnold.  Arnold, thanks for pacing me in the last kilometer! haha –

– with takbo.ph peeps. Where were the takbo.ph women, guys? –

– with Ron, runner and host of Auto Review –

– Ron and his son Paolo (camera man) interviewed me. I was so passionate about what I was saying, I had my eyes closed! –

– with Ian of Botak –

– with TBR readers. Did we get to introduce ourselves to each other? –

– P&G Runners, Kristy and Pablo –

– with Bald Runner and Kim. Kim, let’s run soon! –

– Exchange gifts with BR. I gave BR his Nike Structure Triax, the prize he won as the chosen commenter in TBR Mag… –

– BR gave me the BR 1,000km Club shirt. Thanks BR! –

Is this for real?  1 minute to airing of the first radio show dedicated to running and, as I climbed up on the stool in the DJ booth of NU 107, I still couldn’t believe I had accepted this job as DJ along with good friend and fellow running blogger, Jay Nacino (Prometheus Cometh).  

– J & J –

– with our boss, Run Radio producer, Marga –

30 minutes prior to the airing, Jay and I were chatting our jitters away at 7-11, which was a short walk from the radio station.  We talked about the oh-so controversial Globe race, the slew of marathons set for October, and family drivers (how did that get in there?) and, for a minute, I thought we should have saved all our stories for the live show instead!  At that time, our producer, Marga Deona (The Changeling Child), the woman behind Run Radio, was frantically weaving her way through Edsa traffic.  When Marga arrived around 15 minutes before airing, all things turned serious.  We received a short briefing and started jotting down notes hurriedly.  Marga entered the booth to set up the music and Jay and I were left at the lobby, staring at each other as if we were at the starting line of the biggest race in our lives.

Jay told me he was going to say a short prayer, then turned his back on me facing the life-size mock ups of Adam Clayton and Bono of U2.  I said a short prayer and asked for guidance as well, asking God to “please keep me from saying anything stupid.”  When Jay faced me, I asked him “Did you ask for guidance from the gods of U2?”  I thought they would definitely be able to help us in this kind of situation.

So, there we were, seated at the DJ booth, watching the DJ countdown from 5…4…3…2…and 1.  He points to me and I nervously utter the words: “Welcome to Run Radio, the first run radio show for running…” 

– The DJ booth was intimidating –

– Getting serious… –

– …not! –

We were live for one full hour.  We only had an outline in our hands, so the show was not scripted at all.  We discussed future segments of the shows, read ads, introduced powersongs, interviewed our Nike 5k Challenger, and gave our very best in our first attempt at being disc jokeys. 

Much to my amazement, time flew by quickly.  Before we knew it, the one hour was over.   I didn’t realize it would be so much fun!  Being our first show, I’d have to admit there’s still a lot of room for improvement, but I’m pretty confident the show will improve and have its own personality in the weeks to come.

– Thank you guys for the support! Bobby, Vimz, Jun, and The Bull Runner family –

– Run Radio with the Little Bull Runners.  Little Miss Bull Runner was thrilled about mommy’s new job –

– The end to a great night and the start of new running and radio adventures –

Don’t forget to tune in next week!  

Run Radio on NU 107 every Friday, 9 to 10pm

Podcast available here three days after each airing.

If you heard us last night, let us know what you think.  Feel free to send in your comments—the good, the bad, and the ugly.  I told my producer that I gotta hear the truth so that I can work on my weaker points.  Be nice though…hahaha.

* Thanks to Vimz for some of the photos.


For those who were not able to claim their race kits or change for the online payment for Run for Home, organizers will be having a two day redemption booth at RUNNR starting tomorrow July 25 until Sunday July 26, 2009 from 4:00PM to 8:00PM.



All runners who availed the Globe promo but forgot to claim it during the redemption day may proceed to Globe Business Center (Market Market branch ONLY) to claim their SIM pack or call card. Present your ID or claim stubs. If in case someone will get it in your behalf, Globe will require an authorization letter from the participant and a photocopy of their IDs before they release the item.

By this evening, I’ll be wearing a new hat—that of a disc jockey!  It’s a new role—one that I never imagined I would ever be given the opportunity to undertake and one that is worlds away from my job as mommy, graphic designer, baby sign language instructor, and running blogger—but it’s one that I’ll definitely enjoy as it revolves around one of my greatest passions (and yours too!): RUNNING!

Tune in to the debut of RUN RADIO on NU 107.5 at 9:00 to 10:00 PM.  We’ll be on air every Friday, same time, same station thereafter.