Archive for October, 2009

Bad news to Cupid and his abs (Coach Rio), young school girls Marga and Vimz, and Lance Armstrong and his golden Christmas ball: Organizers of the much anticipated event, Shake, Rattle & Run, announced the cancellation of their fun-filled Halloween costume race.  That’s too bad since running friends and I were thinking of our costumes as early as last month.  At least, we’ll have more time to plan for 2010!

Here’s the official announcement:

Elite Multi-Sport Resources (EMR) would like to announce that the 2009 edition of Shake Rattle and Run – the Halloween Costume Fun Run has
been canceled for this year.

Originally scheduled on October 30, 2009 (Friday) at 6PM, this unique and fun event will return in 2010.

Circumstances brought about by Typhoon Ondoy have made it difficult to properly promote and produce this annual event to the standards
expected.

Please watch out for further announcements on the 2010 Shake Rattle and Run event. It’ll be a shocker!

Elite Multi-Sport Resources thanks all its friends, supporters and partners for their unwavering encouragement.

I was at Ultra track oval last night for my weekly intervals. Amidst this running boom, the sight of a half-filled track filled with runners of all sorts doesn’t surprise me anymore.  But, as I made my way towards my regular spot, I noticed something new: the Adidas Running Clinic which was on its first day.

People say that running is the metaphor for life.  Who would’ve thought it could’ve been the metaphor for corporate rivalry as well? When a runner stands atop the flight of stairs that overlook the entire track oval, he/ she can choose between two major sports brands just with one simple question: LEFT or RIGHT?  To the left is Adidas Run Clinic led by Coach Ani de Leon, right is Nike Training Clinic headed by Coach Rio de la Cruz.

Let’s not forget Team Bald Runner’s Clinic further down left led by Coach Saturnino Salazar.  Team BR has no support from the corporate running bigwigs, but the training is just as effective.

Having three training clinics all at more or less the same time (on Tuesdays) in one teeny-weeny track oval is insane, but it’s great for us runners, too.  A little healthy competition among the various run clinics should spur all of them to provide great programs and offer top-notch training for their runners. 

When I got home, I told the hubby about the three run clinics at Ultra and went on to talk about the incident as another proof of the non-stop growth of running in the country.  He agrees, and then adds “Or maybe we just need more track ovals in Manila, too.”

NEW LIST OF RUNNING CLINICS!  For a list of RUN CLINICS around Metro Manila, click on this new page.  You’ll find it on the sidebar on the upper right too.

Two months to go. Or 8 weeks. Or exactly 60 days.

Yes, I’ve got 60 days to go before I run my first full marathon: The Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon on Dec. 6, 2009. You didn’t know I signed up, did you?

Truth is, I registered way back in August for the Singapore Half Marathon eyeing Subic International Marathon for my first full. Then, I changed my mind (or more like cowered in fear of the tough concrete and high elevation of SCTex) so I downgraded my Subic distance to half instead and set my sights on Singapore for the full 42.195km.

Phew, I am excited, to say the least. But, I’m also nervous and overly paranoid about re-injury.

For those of you who don’t know, injury has hit me the past two times I dreamed of doing a marathon: Runner’s Knee around November 2007 then ITBS December 2008. Both times I was aiming for a February full marathon.  

It’s cliche to say that the setbacks only made me stronger. But, it is absolutely true. It didn’t just make me a stronger runner, it made me a smarter one, too.

I can look back at those two dreadful periods in my running life (tissue, please) and tell you in all honesty that I am glad I experienced them all: the seemingly endless search for the magic cure and the perfect shoe, long hours at yoga and the gym wishing I was on the road instead, missed runs, and sleepless nights pondering when I could run again. All these and more gave me the knowledge and experience to know that my body wasn’t ready to take on a full at 2008 or early 2009, that it is much wiser to wait for the right time than to rush weak legs into an event they are not primed for, that a bull (no matter how stubborn) can learn patience to become a better, stronger runner.

I started training a month ago, but when I think of it, I actually began training a full two years back when the contagious bug that is the marathon entered my bloodstream.

I’m hoping you catch the virus, too (if you haven’t got it yet). So, this begins my “Marathon Diary” (M.D.) series from now until Marathon Day (hey, it’s M.D., too!), December 6. I’ll share with you bits and pieces (or even long tales) about my marathon training, the people who will support me along the way, the gear that will help me achieve it, and any marathon thoughts that come to mind (I’m sure there will be many.) Until then…

Have you registered for QCIM? The good people at Runnex extended registration and scrapped late fees to accomodate those who were affected by Typhoon Ondoy. Here’s their official announcement:

Due to numerous requests from runners residing from the calamity areas of Marikina, Taguig, Pasig, Cainta and Muntinlupa City, the organizers of QCIM have announced that the list up for the 1st QCIM has been extended up to October 13, 2009. As such, there will no longer be any late registration penalty!

“All runners who were victims of the recent typhoon Ondoy should be given consideration for this tragedy” Runnex chair Mr. Art Disini reiterated during an organizational meeting yesterday. So starting today, all runners who will register for each of the race categories (5k, 10k, 21k & 42k) will still pay the regular registration fees as follows:

REGISTRATION FEES: (Local Residents)

5k           P 300.00
10k             300.00 
21k             500.00 
42k             650.00 

Please note that TIMEX stores which were previously part of our registration centers for the race will no longer accept registrations. However, the following registration centers will still be accepting registrants:

NIKE PARK – Bonifacio High Street, Taguig
SECONDWIND Running Store – 88 Maginhawa Street, Teachers Village, Quezon City
QUEZON CITY HALL – Ground Floor, Elliptical Road, Quezon City
NATIONAL ENGINEERING CENTER (Juinio Hall) – Room 403, Agoncillo Street, U.P. Diliman Campus, Quezon City (Tel No. 920-4206)
Also, we are presently arranging additional NIKE STORE Outlets at the SM Mall of Asia, Megamall, Southmall and Glorietta 3 as registration Centers. This outlets will be receiving registrations starting Wednesday, October 7, 2009.

So, I was having a tough time debating where I should do my 20k LSD this coming Sunday: Celebrity Run or Milo. Looks like the decision was made for me…

Philstar.com has announced that its Celebrity Run, set for October 11, will be postponed.  Here’s an excerpt from their official announcement…

Due to the series of typhoons that hit the metro the past two weeks,philstar.com is postponing its Celebrity Run 2009 originally scheduled for Oct. 11, 2009 at the Fort Bonifacio Global City.

The philstar.com Celebrity Run 2009 will be moved to give way to the relief, clean-up and rehabilitation efforts of Taguig City, which was one of the urban areas badly hit by Ondoy last September 26, 2009. The new schedule of the race will be announced later.

Click here to read full article on Philstar.com

Milo…here I come!