Men’s Health – December 2010

Friday, 17 December 2010  |  Press

Guess who’s on Men’s Health’s December issue?

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Uhm…aside from Rich Herrera…

Yup. You’ll find me in one of the back pages…

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Thanks to the magic of makeup I look like a speed demon here.  A friend had the perfect description for this photo: “very bullish!”

Thanks to Men’s Health and Peejo Pilar!

All Systems Go for Condura Skyway Marathon

Friday, 17 December 2010  |  Race Announcements

This is what I wrote about Condura Race in 2010: “If Condura Run hopes to remain as one of the best races in the country, it must step up its offerings next year and inject newer, fresher ideas to compete with world-class local races that runners will definitely see this year.”

And, after the bloggers briefing about the race and going through Condura’s E-reg system, this is what I have to say about Condura’s upcoming race in 2011: “Goodbye Condura Run, Hello Condura Skyway Marathon! Leeeet’s run!”

For 2011, Condura is definitely pulling out all the stops to make their race one of the biggest and best events of the year.  Their tradition of running for a cause continues—this time, P50 goes to the dolphins of Bohol with the rest of the proceeds donated to other beneficiaries.  By 2012, Condura hopes to be the premier marathon event in the Asia-Pacific region. (Challenge for Condura is how to make tourists see and feel the culture of the country if they’re up on the Skyway 90% of the time….but I’m sure the Concepcion brothers will figure that out!)

WHO’S NOT JOINING CONDURA?

You can check out the Condura Skyway Marathon website, which is just wonderfully made by the way, to learn more about this much anticipated event in the running world. They enumerate 12 reasons why you should join the race (e.g., 3inch medals for 42k, cool shirts, tons of freebies, etc.)—not that a lot of people need convincing.  I don’t know anyone who isn’t joining this race.

For me, Condura Skyway Marathon is a must-run event for me every year. Here are my 5 reasons why I’m definitely joining:

1) I have fond memories of Condura. In 2009, this was where I launched The Bull Runner Magazine.  Last year, Condura Race was my first official local marathon. And it was a PR at that. It was made extra special because my best running buddy Annie came home from Singapore to run it. We ran side-by-side on the Skyway.

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– with my irreplaceable running buddy, Annie-girl! –

2) Route is simple and relatively fast. It should even be faster now without that awful Condura Hill. (Oooh the memory of that steep ascent still sends chills up my spine!)

3) Coach Rio de la Cruz is the race director. By far, RunRio’s races are the most well-organized events in the local running scene from marshaling to traffic management, there are rarely any mishaps anymore.  (Hey, Rio’s my friend but I remain unbiased and I speak the truth!)

4) Race organizers Ton and Patrick Concepcion are runners who will toil away for months on end to deliver a bigger and better Condura event each year. Ton says he is the only runner who hasn’t joined the Condura Skyway Marathon!  (How can he when he’s so hands on managing his own race?)  Ack, I can’t wait to run the race this year.

5) I need a goal. And THIS IS IT!

CONDURA’S NEW E-REGISTRATION SYSTEM

At the bloggers’ dinner hosted by Condura, we were briefed about the race and then treated to a special surprise. We were brought to the Condura Kiosk right in front of Asics, the race’s official shoe sponsor, and were guided through the convenient and efficient race registration system.

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– Bloggers register. Say hi Bards (Banana Running)! –

Here’s how Condura’s E-registration goes:

1) Register online. Or, you may also register at the computers provided in the kiosk. Print out the confirmation form.

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– Hubby keys in his information –

2) Submit at the Condura Registration center. Pay the fee. Sign the waiver.

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– Staff checks the printout and collect payment at Step 2 –

3) Present confirmation stub and claim race shirt and bib.

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– Vener claims his shirt at Step 3. He gets a free Hershey’s bar too! –

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– Nice shirt, Condura! Logo was designed by Team Manila –

I allowed everyone else to register as I bit my nails and pulled all my hair out over the huge decision I had to make: Was I going to register for a 21k or a 42k?

At the very last minute, I decided to go the conservative route: 21k.

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– with Jun (The Solemates), hubby, Ton Concepcion, and his daughter –

THE MORNING AFTER

I woke up the following day and felt like crap.  I couldn’t get Condura out of my mind.  My brain told me I did the right thing in registering for 21k.  But, my heart told me otherwise.  I waaaant to do the 42k!  This requires some deep pondering among good running buddies over a long run this weekend and a tapsilog breakfast.  Let’s see!

Be a Hero through Running

Wednesday, 15 December 2010  |  Bullish Insights

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HERO stands for Help Educate and Rear Orphans.  HERO foundation provides educational stipend support to children of soldiers who are killed-in-action or are permanently incapacitated while in combat duty.

Since August 23, 1988, HERO has so far supported the education of more than 2,100 children and AFP orphans at various levels of education. About 798 orphans had already graduated in college.

Original founders include: late Pres. Corazon Aquino, former AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Renato de Villa, Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala, and other concerned businessmen.  Current Board of Trustees include: Fernando Zobel de Ayala (Chairman), Gen Renato de Villa AFP (Ret) (Vice Chairman), Antonino T Aquino (President), Pinky Aquino, Ces Drilon of ABSCBN, Jun Bisnar of Ayala Land, Miguel Belmonte of Phil Star, Sandy Prieto Romualdez of Phil Daily Inquirer, Ton Concepcion of Condura and more.

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TBR DREAM SUPPORTS HERO FOUNDATION

A portion of the proceeds raised from TBR Dream Marathon on March 20, 2011 will be donated to Hero Foundation. Beyond that, we’ve pledged to help by encouraging our TBR Dream Marathoners—and those who read this blog as well—to raise funds for HERO through their runs.

HOW DO YOU COLLECT PLEDGES?

  1. Announce to family, friends, and colleagues about the 42k you will run on March 20, 2011 (or any race you prefer). You can even do this via email. (No backing out now!)
  2. Inform them you are running not just for yourself, but also for orphans of Hero Foundation. Explain how they can help by pledging a specific amount for every kilometer you run. Example: P10 for every kilometer. P10 x 42 = P420 for the entire race.  You decide on the amount.
  3. List down the names and corresponding pledge of each person.
  4. Train hard for TBR Dream Marathon…and try your darndest best to finish all 42 kilometers on March 20, 2011. (During the last 5k, it would help to think of all the kids you’ll help by crossing the finish line.)
  5. After you’ve recovered from your marathon, collect pledges and donate this to HERO Foundation in four ways:
  • Deposit at BPI. Saving Account no. 000013-6263-32. Fax deposit slip to Gemma at Hero fax no. 913-1318
  • Deposit at Landbank. Current Account no. 1672-1001-23. Fax deposit slip to Gemma at Hero fax no. 913-1318
  • Send check to Hero office at Camp Aguinaldo. Contact Gen. Garcia or Gemma below
  • Drop at HERO donation boxes in various Ayala Malls

For more info, you may contact the following:  Gen. Renato M. Garcia (Executive Director) or Gemma (Chief Accountant) of HERO Foundation, Inc. Room 203, 2/F, AFPGIC Bldg., EDSA cor. B. Serrano St., Q.C.; tel no. 912-0361 or 912-9330.

For more information about HERO, click HERE to view website.

Road X Trail – Postponed to Jan/Feb 2011

Tuesday, 14 December 2010  |  Race Announcements

Finishline announced that the ROAD X TRAIL series has been moved to January and February 2011:

Cycling – From December 11, 2010 to February 13, 2011, Sunday morning
Running – From December 18, 2010 to January 15, 2011, Saturday afternoon
Duathlon – From December 19, 2010 to January 16, 2011, Sunday morning

Some runners must’ve been saddened by this news.  As for me, I’m overjoyed.  No way could I fit this trail run into my busy holiday sched.  But, with the postponement, I must admit that I am seriously considering it, especially since it’ll be a good way to burn the excess calories from the holiday bingeing.  Oh, this also gives me enough time to dust off my North Face trail running shoes.  Hope to see you there!

Nike Run Manila 5k

Monday, 13 December 2010  |  Race Reports

It was a toss up between QC International Marathon and Nike 5k two weekends ago.

QCIM will always hold a special place in my heart since it was my first unofficial 42km. Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to drive all the way to QC that week for a race I wasn’t planning to…uhm…race.

Nike Run was going to be relatively smaller, shorter, and more convenient. Definitely the kind of race I was in the mood for. So, I joined the Nike 5k instead. With post-marathon blues gone, my mindset was fun. Fun. Fun.

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

The small, relaxed, happy atmosphere was a breath of fresh air for me. No pressure nor stress whatsoever. Bumping into friends, Vimz (Kulit Runner), Aljo, Jun (The Solemates), and especially Dingdong (RunMD) who I hadn’t seen for months, at the assembly area made it even more delightful.

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Before us were the Polo Tri Team equipped with their loaded hydration belts, a sure sign that the race was probably just a portion of their long run for the day. For a moment, I felt envious, wishing I could go back in time to our heavy marathon training days. But, I reminded myself to take it easy for now and revel in my “off-season mode”…at least until I figure out what my next marathon goal will be!

AND THE RACE BEGINS

The race took us through my favorite areas of Bonifacio Global City, the long uphill ascent that Alvin and I climb for our training runs.  There was a bit of a traffic with no other distance but 5k, but it wasn’t a problem at all for me.  Despite the crowd, I thoroughly enjoyed every kilometer of this run. Maybe it was because my ipod was loaded with brand new songs.  Or, there was no pressure at all for me to reach a specific time.  Or, that I could almost taste breakfast at Sentro afterwards. Whatever.  My goal was to have fun and that’s definitely what I got.

Before we knew it, the 5k race was over. I crossed the finish with a smile on my face without even glimpsing at the time on my Garmin.  (I did check it later on and it recorded 27:24 for 5k with an average pace of 5:26 min/km.)

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– with friends Aljo, Vimz (Kulit Runner), Leia, Bobby, and Jun (The Solemates) –

POST-RACE FESTIVITIES…AND FREEBIES

Hubby and I dropped by the VIP Tent to congratulate our Nike friends for a wonderful event. The post-race atmosphere was festive with cheerleaders keeping runners entertained plus loads of freebies. I loved the mini Nike figurines they gave away which went directly to our kiddos.

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– No, that’s not Coach Rio on the right –

A little birdie told me Nike is eyeing a 10k next year…and that is fantastic news. But, I do wish they consider adding a 21k distance to the mix. C’mon Nike…Just Do It, please?