1) TNF in CDO. This will be an awesome race to join. After my thrilling TNF experience at Clark, I’m seriously tempted to try it again. But, CDO will have to wait.  I cannot just abandon all the great marathons in Manila during October and I have to start saving up for Singapore!  Maybe next year if they’ll have a second run…

2) Cebu Marathon. This is one race to look forward to. It would be a wonderful reason to travel and a good alternative to racing abroad. Click here to visit website.

3) Camsur Marathon? I heard rumors of a Camsur Marathon in the works right after the successful Ironman 70.3 last month. This would be a great race too, if they start very early to beat the heat (which I heard was a killer at Ironman 70.3.)

I predict more provincial races in the months to come.  Perhaps the good people at Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines can offer discounted running packages to spur the growth of running and local tourism at the same time?  Great idea, huh?

“Oh, the Mommy Milkshake Marathon?” I did recall telling her about this in passing a week or so ago. The MMM is an annual fun run my sister organizes, not a major race, but an advocacy run for breastfeeding mommies and families. The past two years, I ran along with my son and nephew. (Click here for Year 1 and Year 2)  This year, I told Little Miss Bull Runner last week that she could join us already. She cheered “Yes!” complete with the elbow into the stomach action, like she clinched a deal.

Well, I explained to her very slowly, “It’s still in September. You have to sleep many more times before we run.” But to Little Miss Bull Runner, “next month” and “later” or “tomorrow” or “next century” are pretty much synonymous. So, she starts to make her awa face, the one that gets her Papa all the time, the same face that’s about to let out a loud shriek due to anger.

To save me from another tantrum, I excitedly asked her “Do you want to just wear your running shirt and then I’ll take your picture?” This got her. She smiled and agreed with enthusiasm. She chose her bottom (a floral skirt!), asked me to pull her hair up into a ponytail, and searched for Lucy (her partner-in-crime puppy who never gets left behind) then she hammed it up in front of the cam.

Here are upcoming child-friendly races that you can run with your children:

AUGUST 30: Looney Tunes Active Fun Run, SM Mall of Asia, 3k/ 5k. Reg fee: P300/ P500 for 3k+5k until Aug. 15; P350 until Aug 16; P500 onsite. Register at Nike Bonifacio High Street.  Visit LOONEY TUNES ACTIVE RUN WEBSITE.  (I heard even their directional signs at the race will be moving Looney Tunes characters!)

SEPTEMBER 5 (moved from Aug. 9): Mommy Milkshake Marathon, a fun run for breastfeeding, Bonifacio Global City.  Call 780-9898.  More details to follow.

One friend, a soon-to-be first time marathoner said that “he will never feel completely ready for the marathon.”  Another running friend who has 2 or 3 marathons under his belt, ran 16k last Sunday morning and spent the afternoon touring his support crew (just one driver) around the full 42km course.  A third friend is carefully planning his nutrition and hydration plan, computing how often he’ll hydrate and take his Hammer gels.

I didn’t register for Milo as I’m hopelessly and inextricably in love with my long, slow training runs lately.  I’m enjoying the quiet time, away from the nervous breaths and sweaty palms of the sometimes maddening racing crowd. The relaxed pace gives me time to enjoy the run in its purest form without focusing on pace or distance, but just going by the sound of my feet landing on the ground. Aaah, while I run easy on Sunday, I shall be with my Milo Marathon friends in spirit.

To everyone running Milo, especially those anonymously mentioned above (haha), I wish for strong legs, boundless energy, and cool and cloudy skies. Break a leg…just not your knees!

Click here to visit the Milo Marathon website.

* Photo used was taken from Milo site.

My running conscience has been tapping me on the shoulder, telling me to take it easy and not get overly excited again, but I can’t help it!  Race organizers nowadays always have something new to offer, so I end up spending Mondays to Fridays scratching my head thinking “Should I?” or “Shouldn’t I?”  9 out of 10 times, I give in.

Here’s my racing schedule from now until the end of July (my race schedule is subject to change depending on my mood):

• June 14: Animo Triathlon.  Too bad I can’t make it to PTAA Charity Run.  I still registered for PTAA earlier today though and I’m crossing my fingers I win the roundtrip ticket to Honolulu.  (Yes, you can win the raffle even if you don’t run.)  If I win that, I would take it as a sign that I should run the Maui Marathon!


– Bumped into the CougCat Family (Arnold, Thess, and Anton, The Leaping Cat) this afternoon as we all registered for PTAA Charity  -

• June 21: Men’s Health, easy pace
• June 28: Botak or GIG…still choosing
• July 5: Milo…10 or half, still choosing, definitely it will be easy pace
• July 12: Robinson’s Fit & Fun, 10k
• July 19: SECRET BIG RACE…I’m super excited for this.  Blocking off my sched for this one.  I highly recommend you do the same.  This race by Finish Line will be in a new route and will have a lot of new offerings for runners.  Wish I could tell you, but I have to zip my mouth until Tuesday.
• July 26: Come Run with M.E…of course I’ll join a race organized by my alma mater!

How about you?  What’re you’re plans for the next month and a half?  I’m guessing it’s as busy as mine.

This is DAY THREE of TBR’s 5 Days to 5/5 Anniversary Contest.  For more info, click here.

WHAT CAN I WIN? Three (3) high-resolution, soft copies of your chosen photos from PhotoVendo

HOW MANY WINNERS? Five winners

HOW CAN I WIN?

1. Submit a comment with the NAME OF THE RACE in which the PhotoVendo photo above was taken.  Ummm…the clue is staring right back at you!
2. The first FIVE people to post correct answers will win the prize.  
3. Comments will be moderated and NOT be published until May 4, 2009, 12:00 noon.
4. Winners will be published on this blog and will be advised how to claim their prizes.

Good luck!

Thank you to Ben Chan of PhotoVendo for providing the prizes for this post.  Click here to visit PhotoVendo to order your race photos online or have them delivered right at your doorstep.

Good luck to all those registered for the race, especially Bald Runner, Coach Jo-Ar, Coach Roel and Jessie Ano, Atty. Jon, Mark Bata, Charlie Chua, Jerry Karundeng, and last but not the least, my idol and good friend, Kim O’ Connell.  (I hope I didn’t miss anyone)  

Eat well.  Run safe.  And, share your stories when you get back!

• May 10: Paa-Tibayan Takbo 42k Marathon (5k/ 10k/ 21k/ 42k)
• June 28: Paa-Tibayan Takbo 100k (1m/ 5m/ 10m/ 50k solo/ 100k relay/ 100k solo)

I was looking forward to meeting the people behind Botak, especially famed cross-country runner, Mr. Cesar Guarin, but my schedule wouldn’t permit.  Fortunately, good friend Jun accepted my invitation to come as proxy and eat a hefty meal for me at Red Box while he immersed himself in the race discussion.

Jun reports that the races seem to be well-planned and organized.  People behind it are experienced: for the marathon, it will be led by one who helped Rudy B. organize races for years, and for the 100k, it will be headed by no less than Pinoy Ultra Runner Team Principal, Neville Manaois.

So, who’s game for the 1st Marathon of 2009 this May?  Raise your hands, please?

Below are details/posters for upcoming Botak Races:

PRESS RELEASE

Isport BOTAK sets the stage for marathon milestone

Isport BOTAK, in cooperation with OlymPlus, presents Paa-Tibayan Takbo 42-kilometer marathon traversing the cities of Taguig and Makati on May 10, 2009.

Set to be a milestone in the sport of running, Paa-Tibayan Takbo 42-K marathon responds to the increasing popularity of the sport both as a competitive field and a hobby for Filipinos.  As the event further promotes the sport, it aims to help the country achieve its goal for an Olympic gold in 2012 by providing runners a competitive environment.  In parallel, the event seeks to raise public consciousness of running as a fitness activity and an alternative hobby for a healthy lifestyle.

As the patron of the Paa-Ligsahan Takbong Pambansa Running Program, Isport BOTAK expects this marathon milestone to draw members of various running clubs, race enthusiasts, Sunday joggers, and even first-timers.  The centerpiece 42-K marathon starts at the back of the NBC Tent at The Fort Global City in Taguig at exactly 4:30 am.  Its route will pass through C-5, Ayala, and Rockwell then back to The Fort for the finish line.  In recognition of the runners who complete the whole 42-K stretch, Isport BOTAK will award each of them a finisher’s medal. 

Meanwhile, the 21-kilometer half-marathon starts at 5:45am, covering the Kalayaan flyover, Ayala Avenue, Makati Avenue, Rockwell and ending once again at The Fort.  Further, two side events, the 10-kilometer run to start at 5:45am and the 5-kilometer run to start at 6:00am will both take their course around The Fort.  In support of Isport BOTAK and the running community, Manila Water will provide sprinkler showers along the Makati route and at the finish line.

Interested participants can register at ROX (Recreational Outdoor Exchange) and Fitness First at The Fort, Sports Connection in Pasong Tamo, Makati and at the Botak Sports Shop at 131 Kamuning Road, Quezon City.  The registration fee for the Paa-Tibayan Takbo 42-K marathon is Php 400; Php 350 for the 21-K half-marathon; and Php 250 for the 5-K and the 10-K runs.  The first 250 to register can have the privilege of having their names printed on their race jerseys.  For inquiries, contact the race director at 4156096 or 4106966.

Following this race is Botak’s 100K marathon to be held on June 28,  2009 at the University of the Philippines.  Watch out for it!

PAA-TIBAYAN TAKBO 42K FLYER

BOTAK PAA-TIBAYAN 100K FLYER

Overall Rating (10 highest): 6

THUMBS UP!
- Unique idea: an All Women’s Run…how great is that?!
- Race for kids: 1.6 km team run
- Abundant supply of free food, sports drinks, and mineral water
- Inspirational “women power” signs along the route
- raises awareness for women’s issue (breast cancer, cervical cancer, violence vs. women, etc)

GOOD JOB!
- Directional signs were aplenty
- Race marshals were everywhere

BETTER JOB NEXT TIME
- Heavy traffic upon entrance into SM parking lot
- Drinks were distributed right smack in the middle of the route while the 5k/ 10k were still running thus causing traffic
- Late start
- Long queues at the rest rooms

Congratulations to Pinay In Action for a fun race!  Until the next year!

_________________________________

I left my racing hat at home and donned my running mommy cap for the Pinay In Action race yesterday morning. The hubby registered for the 10k, while I signed up for 1.6km with Little Miss Bull Runner. The night before (as I had expected), Bull Runner Jr. decided to come along. Yahoo, it was another family running affair for us.

We arrived at SM Mall of Asia to find the 10k/5k runners behind the starting line awaiting the gun start.  Hubby fled to the assembly while the kiddos and I went on a wild search for a clean, queueless bathroom, which we pleasantly found at Bona’s Coffee away from the long lines at the race area.  Our yaya came along to assist—not with the kids—but with the distribution of TBR Magazines and display of the banner (talk about yaya-of-all-trades).

- a sea of pink runners -

- Sen. Pia Cayetano, practices what she preaches about being a Pinay in Action -

Before we knew it, we were waiting for our 1.6km kiddie race to start along with a small group of parents and their children.  I was well-prepared for this run; I carried a camera in one hand with a bag around my shoulder to carry everything else a running mommy must have: mineral water, Sports Beans, towels, and of course, band aid!  When I looked around, good friends JunC was with his three daughters, while MarkP was with his little runner too.  My son was hyper and excited, but Little Miss Bull Runner who had been the brains of this race from the start was in a foul mood.  I repeatedly reminded her that this was her choice and that there was to be absolutely no carrying throughout the race.  She answered with a sleepy nod.  Then, the race began.

- One of the rare times I’m willing to stop during a race just for a photo op -

We ran intervals during the race—run, walk, run, walk, run, walk.  My son was being his usual self, teasing the little one by running ahead of her every so often.  My daughter, who is really a mini bull runner, would instantly speed up once she saw Kuya getting ahead.  But, after a few meters, it was obvious she was getting tired.  She even had a 2-minute crying session when I let go of her hand to take her photo (I wasn’t informed that she wanted us to hold hands throughout the run!)  Midway through the run, she slowed down to a walk and whispered to me “My tummy is getting ouchy.  I need to eat.” So, we relaxed and chatted while my son gobbled up some Sports Beans.  When we neared the finish, I told them, “like all runners, we should finish strong by running towards the finish line.”  We held hands, stopped and counted “3…2…1…Go!” and off we went to run the last few meters.

- Big and small bull runners running -

- We did it! -

Both of my kids ended the race with their faces beaming with pride. After a few high fives and hugs, we waited patiently for their Papa to finish his 10k.  My son was tasked to distribute TBR Magazines along with yaya, while Little Miss Bull Runner started whining and complaining about how long this was all taking (I guess the hubby must break 45 minutes to please the kids!)  Pretty soon, we headed off to McDonald’s with the Cruz family where the kids got their much awaited reward: Happy Meals with Monster vs. Aliens toys.

- Canine runner in pink too -

- Wandersoles + Happy Feet = Happy Soles or Wanderfeet? -

- with the Parco Family and Loony Runner -

- with the Cruz family -

Photos courtesy of Jun Cruz.  Thanks Jun!

As such, my partner and I have registered for our next race.  I believe this will be my fastest race ever. Well, mainly because the distance is probably the shortest ever too.

Little Miss Bull Runner and I will be joining the 1.6km race of Pinay in Action this coming Sunday.  She’s pretty excited about it.  In fact, we’re planning to get her a new pair of shoes before the week ends.  I’m thinking cushioning shoes would be good for her, but I believe her only requirement is that the Disney Princesses are on it. 

Go get her, baby!

How about you?  Have you registered for Pinay in Action already?  Last day for registration is TODAY!

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN THE GREENFIELD CITY RUN:

1. New route – Running in Greenfield City in Sta. Rosa, Laguna is something new and exciting.  Plus, the air is definitely fresher over there.  (See photos below)
2. Organized by Coach Rio de la Cruz – Expect to have a well-organized race with all the usual perks of Rio’s races: abundant water, plenty race marshalls, and Photovendo
3. Full day of activities – Since you’re driving out to Sta. Rosa, organizers made sure it was worth the trip.  Take the family along to enjoy a 2k run for kids, coffee and pastry fair, a weekend market, children’s play area, and outdoor outlet bazaar.  Yes, time to shop for affordable running apparel!
4. Lots of freebies – A little birdy told me runners will receive a ton of loot
5. Online registration via Finish Line – Registering for a race has never been this easy.  You can register online, pay via credit card, and choose to pick up your race packet at Nike or have it delivered at your doorstep. 
6. Great design – Race collaterals were designed by yours truly.  Okay, I know I’m pushing it