Archive for January, 2012

Discovery Channel is staging Vertical Run 10K (a race climbing up and down the stairs of a building) and we’re giving away complimentary race kits to 10 lucky winners. Wanna join?

Event: Discovery Channel Vertical 10K Run
Date: February 12, 2012
Venue: Stamford Executive Residences for Vertical 10K, Venice Piazza Mall, McKinley Hill, Taguig City
Categories: 3K, 5K and Vertical 10K
Registration period: Dec 21, 2011 to Feb 5, 2012
Registration sites: Runnr, ROX, selected Aquabest branches, online www.verticalrun.com.ph
Registration Fees: 3K – P500, 5K – P650, Vertical 10K – P1000
Beneficiary: Earth Hour 2012

Here’s how to win a race kit. All you have to do is answer this:

WHAT WOULD YOU RATHER DO?

A. Run 39 floors up and down a building thrice hand-in-hand with either Derek Ramsay or Iza Calzado (fine, both if you want!) during a vertical marathon.

OR

B. Watch the 39th Channel on Skycable (That’s Discovery Channel, by the way) with breakfast in bed in a swanky hotel.

There is no right or wrong answer. Choose a letter above (A or B) and explain why in 2 sentences in the comment section. Top 10 winners will be chosen based on your ability to make TBR and her kids laugh, think, or just brighten up our day with your wit and humor.

Contest Rules:

1. Readers may submit more than one entry with different answers.
2. TBR will choose 10 winners who will each win one (1) complimentary race kit.
3. Contest ends on January 27, 2012 (today), 4:00 PM. All answers submitted after this cut off will not be counted.
4. Winners will be announced on this blog before January 28, 2012.
5. Winner will be notified via email and will be advised on claiming of race kit.

Let the games begin!

Congratulations to friends, Cebu-based triathletes Noy and Amale Jopson, for their awesome feature on Runner’s World Philippines’ January-March 2012 issue.

When the hubby and I ran The Great LapuLapu Run in Cebu last 2010, it was Noy and Amale who took care of us and even found a babysitter for our kids while we ran.

It was also Amale who encouraged me to run California International Marathon with her last December. I remember her telling me in Cebu a year before CIM: “Let’s go, Jaymie! No husbands, no kids! Just us!”  Woah, I was thrilled with the idea and registered for CIM a couple of months after. Amale went on to finish CIM with a jaw-dropping time of  3:46 for her very first marathon. Amazing!

– Noy and Amale Jopson –

In the same issue, Runner’s World featured running bloggers in the article: Run, Blog, Inspire. Thanks to RW for including me in the lineup. Thanks to Monica Barretto too for the fun shoot.

– me in my home office on Runner’s World Magazine –

RW featured other running bloggers: Dennis Ravanzo (Running Pinoy), Pat Concepcion (Running Shield), Noelle de Guzman (Kikay Runner), one of my dearest and most kulit friends Vima Mendoza (Kulit on the Run), one of the most humble running bloggers I know, Rene Villarta (Jazz Runner), Jinoe and Que Gavan (takbo.ph) and Cheryl Golangco (Little Running Teacher).

The feature that surprised me and I was most thrilled about was this:

– TBR Dream Marathon on RW’s Marathon Guide 2012 –

How cool is this? For my little baby, The Bull Runner Dream Marathon, to be featured alongside big names such as Milo Marathon, Condura Skyway Marathon, Camsur Marathon and more made me feel like a proud mama. (Tears of joy, baby!)

Thanks and Congrats to Runner’s World for this fantastic issue!

Mwahahaha! You are mine now!  And, can I just say?…Ang gwapo mo!

The Tempo Run (or anaerobic threshold run or lactate-threshold run) was popularized by Jack Daniels, Ph.D. He defined it as “nothing more than 20 minutes of steady running at threshold pace.” He went on to say that 20 minutes is ideal, but you could vary this to suit the needs of a course. Based on effort, experts will tell you that tempo pace is when you feel like you’re running “comfortably hard.”

You either love tempo runs or you hate ’em. Of course, you could be like me: love them to death before or after the run because you know they do wonders for your speed and strength, but whine and yell and scream (in your mind because God knows you don’t have the energy to even open your mouth and let out a yelp) during every single minute of that run when you feel like your lungs are bursting out of your chest and your knees are about to dislodge from their sockets.

From May to December of 2011, I didn’t have any tempo runs, or any speedwork for that matter, because of my injury. But, when January 2012 hit, and I felt like my foot was ready for some speed, I let out a loud cheer (all alone in the shower that’s why you didn’t hear it): “I can do tempo runs now!” then wiped the sweat out of my forehead as I dwelled on the hardships to come.

Aaah, tempo runs. I love them to death, but here are 10 things that I never ever could say while I’m running my tempos (usually with good friend Alvin in Bonifacio High Street):

1) So, how’s life?
Tempo runs are not for long and winding stories.

2) Hey, is that our good friend at Starbucks?
Tempo runs do not allow for any sight seeing. You’re like a horse with side-blinders on.

3) Wow, look at the stars!
Tempo runs do not allow for sight seeing. And, don’t be an idiot, watch your step!

4) Check out those fireflies!
Aaaagain, tempo runs do not allow for any sight seeing. Good friend Alvin used to point out an area in BGC with fireflies and I would squint in an attempt to see them but this would all seem like a blur. You wanna see fireflies? Save that leisurely stroll for Valentine’s!

5) Can we run through McKinley Hill?
No, don’t try killer hills at such a fast pace! Go for your hill training some other day.

6) How do I look in my bright pink compression socks?
Who cares how you look? A tempo run is serious business. It’s all about performance, not fashion. But, hey, I like those socks. Got a pair myself!

7) Where’s my water?
Uh oh, you should’ve had it in hand. Otherwise, don’t even mention it because you’ll have to run for hydration at the same speed and that is just plain exhausting.

8 ) I think I’ll lift weights later.
Skip it. Just eat and go to sleep after.

9) Oooh, I love running this fast!
I can only say this ALWAYS after the fact!

10) I’m feeling strong? Can we run 5 kilometers more?
If you ask for this, that means you didn’t run fast enough.  OR you’re just plain insane.

I’m a sucker for spas and deep tissue massages. I also know the value of therapy and treatments for muscle tightness or injuries performed by licensed physical therapists. So, when I dropped by the new Sports Recovery Center on the 2nd floor of Riovana in Bonifacio High Street, I thought I had died and gone to runner’s heaven.

The new Riovana Sports Recovery Center recently opened to service athletes, specifically runners. It’s a spa and clinic in one. While most of us visit a doctor’s clinic only when we’re already injured, the Riovana Sports Recovery Center hopes to change all that by espousing the value of preventive maintenance: getting treatments done even before injury. Simply put, it’s the place to go for pre-race conditioning or post-race recovery treatment, or just to give your body a treat after regular training.

IT’S A PHYSICAL THERAPY CENTER

Owned and operated by MultiSportMatrix, a company with big names in the Philippine sports medicine scene, such as Dr. Gar Eufemio, Dr. Jun Rafanan, and Coach Jim Saret, the center is like the physical therapy area of a sports center with high-tech medical equipment, namely one of three cryo machines in the country, laser and ultrasound. They also offer sports massage, acupuncture by Dr. Philip Tan-Gatue, platelet rich plasma (yes, just like what Kobe and Tiger do!), hydration therapy / oxygen supplementation, kinesio taping, and stretching.

For injured runners, they recommend that you be assessed first in a clinic since the center is manned by nurses and physical therapists.  Having said that, there will still be appearances by doctors as well as conditioning and running experts (need you ask who the running expert will be if it’s in RIOvana?!)

– Riovana Sports Recovery Center Staff (L to R): Tintin, Aileen, Nia, Tina, Dianne, Laura –

As for the staff, I must say that I was quite impressed. When I entered the center, they were very warm and accommodating; they welcomed me with smiles, explained each service, and answered all my questions. I heard the staff—most have a background in nursing or physical therapy and are athletes themselves— were hand picked by Dr. Eufemio himself. With such wonderful and professional personnel like that to spend a full hour or more of treatment with, I felt very comfortable and at ease.

IT’S A SPA

The center is clean, air-conditioned, and spacious enough for each of the beds in a cubicle. There are around six rooms in the center, two of which can be opened and converted into a couple’s room. There’s a room for stretching and another for acupuncture. There’s also a clean shower room for runners who wish to undergo treatments after a run. During the session, there’s relaxing music playing in the background, much like those in spas.

TREATMENTS

Riovana Sports Recovery Center offers the following treatments:

De Luxe Package……….P1000.00
I. For the lower back and both lower extremities
II. For the neck, upper back and both upper extremities

Includes the following:
– Ultrasound/Laser Therapy – Helps decrease inflammation and increase flexibility
– Sports Massage
– Full Body Stretch
– Cryo-therapy – This literally “freezes the pain away…”
° Additional P50 for every modality in excess

Elite Package……….P1800.00
De Luxe Packages I and II combined!

Couples Package……….10% discount
Come in with a partner and get 10% off

For Patients with a Physical Therapy Referral……….P500.00 (for the first body part)
Inclusive of all modalities and exercises
° Additional P50 for every modality in excess

Pre-Event Stretching……….P150.00
Full Body, Approximately 30 minutes

Acupuncture Treatment……….P1200.00

Promotions:
– Pre-pay for 6 sessions and get 10% off
– Pre-pay for 10 sessions and get 2 sessions free
– Combine any package with acupuncture and get 20% off

TBR REVIEW

Thanks to Dr. Eufemio, I got to try a complimentary Elite Package last week.  Dianne, a license physical therapist and an athlete herself, took care of me for almost an hour and a half.  The Elite Package usually takes 2 hours, but due to my hectic schedule, Dianne and I focused on certain areas, particularly my shins, big toes, and Neuromas, instead.

– Dianne with the cryo, ultrasound, and laser machines –

We started with the Ultrasound, a non-invasive and no-pain treatment where Diane placed gel on my skin and used a contraption to decrease inflammation and improve flexibility.  This was actually very relaxing.  This was followed by the Laser therapy where I pointed out specific areas that were painful or tight. Dianne said this could reduce the nodules in muscles much like what a deep tissue massage would do but without the screaming and yelling.

I thought I escaped a deep tissue massage, but it was the third service in the package. Dianne massaged my shins, ITB, and foot, areas that I pointed out needed releasing.  If you’re not in a rush, you can have a full body deep tissue massage. It’s part of the package.

Next, we used the Cryo machine, one out of only 3 cryo machines in the Philippines.  This was my favorite!  It works like an ice pack on your body, but reduces the time from the usual 10 minutes to 3 minutes and without the mess.  It feels cold, but completely relaxing too.

Dianne would’ve ended the entire treatment with stretching, but I had to rush out to pick up the kiddos in school.  So, I passed on the treatment and yet, I felt like I had the works done. I felt completely rejuvenated and my muscles were relaxed and loose.  I felt so great I was tempted to do a tempo run that evening, but I decided against it.

THE VERDICT

Thumbs up to the Riovana Sports Recovery Center.  It’s a novel idea that promotes proper care and therapy for athlete’s bodies to prevent injury and allow us to perform at our best at all times.  The fact that it is backed by top sports and medical experts and manned by knowledgeable and accommodating staff who go out of their way to provide the best service in a comfortable, relaxing setting makes a visit well worth it.  The facilities are clean and well-equipped, price is reasonable, and the location is convenient and accessible.  Perhaps the only downside I foresee is that it will be hard to set an appointment when the rest of the world hears about this gem of a place for relaxation and recovery secretly hidden atop Riovana Running Store.

CONTACT DETAILS
Riovana Sports Recovery Center
Mezzanine Level, Active Fun Bldg., 9th Ave. cor. 28th St. Bonifacio Global City
Open from 10am to 9pm daily
Phone: 478-9408
Mobile: 0916-353-4485
Twitter: msmxrecovery