Second Wind – Ortigas Branch Opens Saturday

Thursday, 12 November 2009  |  News + Promos

Secondwind Running Store, the first running specialty store in the Philippines for runners, by runners, is set to open a new store at the Ortigas Home Depot in Pasig City on Saturday, November 14 at 12:00 noon.

The new store is Secondwind’s second branch, and is considered an enhanced version of the first store, which started operating in March 2009. It will be open Monday to Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., to offer an unprecedented level of service.

Running Starts Here-Secondwind Map.

The shop carries the best brands in the industry, offering quality FOOTWEAR, EQUIPMENT AND apparel PLUS A whole lot of innovative devices and accessories that can be used for the sport. It provides gait analysis, which measures body movement and mechanics, and boasts a staff of running enthusiasts, who can provide various running tips and advises.

Secondwind built a second branch with its vision of promoting and furthering the growth of running as a sport and as a community in the Philippines in mind. It aims to attract more people to join the running community, as well as cater to a larger crowd by opening a bigger store in the heart of the metro.

The store also features a friendly and cozy atmosphere, which represent Secondwind’s mission of creating a venue where current and would-be runners can be with people who share the same passion for the sport.

Meet the Second Wind Team:

Team Secondwind

SECOND WIND ORTIGAS BRANCH:

 E-Prime Area, Unit 03A, Ortigas Home Depot, Dona Julia Vargas Ave., Barangay Ugong, Pasig City, Telephone number 914-02-83.

SECOND WIND QC BRANCH:

88 Maginhawa St.
Teachers Village, QC

WEBSITE: www.secondwindrunningstore.com, thesecondwind.multiply.com

Runnr Pre-Christmas Promo

Thursday, 12 November 2009  |  News + Promos

Double Runnr pre-Christmas promo! Here are the details:

1. RUNNR PRE-HOLIDAY TREAT (until Nov 30)

– Free Limited Edition I’m a RUNNR T-Shirt, for a minimum purchase of P5,000 and above.

RUNNR Promo (4 x 6 inches)

2. NEWTON 4-DAY TREAT (Nov 13 to 16)

– Buy any Newton racer and get 10% off plus a free limited edition I’m a RUNNR shirt
– For every pair of Newton Guidance Trainers, get a free Newton premium shopping bag and a limited edition I’m a RUNNR shirt

Newton 4-Day Promo ( 4 x 6 inches)

By the way, to Cebuano runners: you’ll have to wait just a wee bit longer for the Runnr Cebu. Store opening has been postponed to 1st week of December.

Marathon Diary: My Marathon Training Program

Wednesday, 11 November 2009  |  Running + Triathlon

Experts say that if you want to achieve something, write it down on paper. I live by that—and I swear by it. I even take it one step further by detailing exactly how I’ll go about to achieving that goal.  (I know a lot of you runners do the same.)

When it comes to running, I am just as anal. As soon as I commit to a running goal, I pore over various training programs and choose one that’s best for me at that particular time.

When I started running in 2006, my first goal was to run 5k in Pinay in Action. I downloaded Runner’s World 8-week program and followed it to the letter. (Beginners, click here to download the same program I used, same program I printed out for hubby when he was starting.)

This time, for the Singapore Marathon, I pored over various Marathon Training programs:

Jeff Galloway – run/walk program, best for beginners
Hal Higdon – various marathon programs to choose from novice, intermediate, advanced, best you read his book
Smart Coach – personalized program
F.I.R.S.T. (Furman Institute of Running and Scientific Training) – 3x a week running program

And, after all the research, the winner for me was F.I.R.S.T. Why?  The program recommends three high-quality runs each week—intervals, tempo, and long run—leaving me with enough time for strength training, stretching, massage, cross training, and most importantly, it allows me to have a life outside of running (in case you forgot, I’m a wife, mom, and entrepreneur, too!)

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– My program on Excel Spreadsheet. Good thing Jun (Solemates) created a template so I just typed my numbers in! hah! – 

I didn’t follow it to the letter.  I made a few adjustments for the program to work with my schedule and a friend had to make major revisions when I did my accidental marathon at QCIM a few weeks ago (whooops!), but I’ve followed the three mandatory runs as much as possible, no matter how I feel that day.  I always cringe when I think of the intervals on Tuesdays, I dread the tempo runs on Thursdays, and I am always giddy like a school girl on Sundays when I get to do my favorite long runs. Crossing my fingers that it’ll help me reach my goal on marathon day!

Last Call for 2010 Condura Race Wishes

Monday, 9 November 2009  |  Race Announcements

Ton Concepcion of Condura is asking for any more suggestions for Condura Race 2010.  He gave me a sneak peek into what they’ve planned so far, and let me tell you that I think they’ve got everything (and more!) covered.  But, if there are still some items you’d like to share from your “Marathon Wish List,” for the race and pre- and  post-race events, share it now and Ton says that they’ll try their best to make our marathon dreams come true on Feb. 7, 2010.

As for my Marathon Wish List, I just have two requests:

  1. Well-organized race (from redemption of race packets to leaving the parking lot after the race!)
  2. Marc Nelson to run alongside me throughout the entire marathon

Okay, fine. You can skip No. 2. Just give me No. 1 and I’ll be a happy camper.  All those below would be great too:

  1. Carboloading party for 42k runners Friday before the race
  2. Quality race singlets
  3. Race bibs with runners’ names on them
  4. Pace groups
  5. Bananas, gels, and sponges at stations
  6. COLD Gatorade and mineral water at stations with long tables
  7. Portalets along the route
  8. Timing chip with RunPix analysis
  9. Free race photos from PhotoVendo 
  10. Pleasant and knowledgeable race volunteers and marshals (believe me, this makes a big difference when one is exhausted)
  11. Entertainment at every other kilometer (e.g., Marc Nelson yelling me name)
  12. Nice, heavy, unique medals
  13. Additional singlets only for 42k finishers
  14. Food after the race
  15. Free massage after the race

For now that’s it. I’m sure I’ll think of more.

Feel free to list your own requests by commenting below.  Ton will definitely read it.

I Conquered Corregidor! Part 1

Monday, 9 November 2009  |  Bullish Insights

CorregidorSet

Oh Corregidor, how I wish I discovered you sooner! I wanted to yell this out from the top of the cliff towards the vast sea before me as I, together with Edward Kho, Conquer Corregidor Race organizer, my husband, and photographer Levy, ran down the meandering trails to end our run through the island.

As online media partner for the Conquer Corregidor race, I was fortunate enough to have been invited by Edward to run in Corregidor last Saturday, while he plotted the race course for the December 6 race. I decided to pass on Pasig Marathon and chop my 28km mandated long run into two just to run in Corregidor, and am I glad I did.

The race course is 10 miles or 16km. For this day, since we started running at 11a.m., I only covered a total of 11km alone (ran the balance 17k Sunday) while the others rode the motorcycle and van (Edward was busy plotting, the hubby had a headache due to heat and exhaustion from a busy work week, and the photographer thought I was insane for running in that heat!) It was an awesome run! The kind that made me smile from ear to ear while my heart wanted to burst out of my chest due to extreme happiness. I’ll let the photos below do the talking, but I do hope you experience it for yourself.

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– 1.5 hr ferry ride to Corregidor. with Li’l Bull Runners and Edward, race organizer for Conquer Corregidor –

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– Kiddos try to get shut eye during the ride. They were ecstatic over the trip, especially my boy who is taking up Philippines’ scenic spots in Civics –

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– My first time in Corregidor. Awesome view. I was itching to run –

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– Dec. 6 race starts in Malinta Tunnel. How cool is that? –

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– San Jose Church –

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– I shall return! –

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– One of my favorite portions of the route with the strong breeze from the sea blowing against my face. As you round the corner, you’ll be in for a surprise…should I tell you already? Hmmm –

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– Okay, this is the surprise! A long, steep, lung-busting climb uphill. The photo makes it look short. Believe me, it was much longer. Runners will run this twice over in the race. Woohooo! –

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– I couldn’t resist running along the shore. This isn’t part of the race course though –

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– Niiiiice! I wanna go back already! –

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– It was around 12 noon already here. I was exhausted and out of breath, but I was having the time of my life! –

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– Running past the barracks. Spooky but a great historical sight –

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– The view in the middle of the run –

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– Race will take you through a 500 meter trail course! Another one of my favorite portions! –

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– And the trails begin –

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– The lighthouse is the first thing you see when you step out of the trails. There’s a small sari sari store and toilets too –

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– Another trail portion near the finish. This is at the edge of the cliff overlooking the sea. It’s beautiful up here –

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– So beautiful I had to stop and act like a tourist –

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– Aaaah, Corregidor! I shall return!

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NEXT POST: Running in Corregidor – Trip Details