Tagged ‘Running’
- Running is Not my Life
Believe it or not, there was a time in my life when the R word was not mentioned at all at home or with friends. The only time we used it was when mommy would RUN errands, or we RAN out of fresh milk, or I wanted to RUN away from nasty clients.
If you gave [...] - How To Wear Your Timing Chip
With the advent of more high-tech races, more and more races have the TIMING CHIP to give you accurate results for your performance during the race. The organizers provide you with the timing chip, usually a white, circular chip that you must securely attach to your laces. Most runners still don’t know [...]
- Is Running Bad for my Teeth?
I was happily chewing on my holiday indulgence (even if the holidays are over), chocolate almonds from Classic Confections, when I bit into something much harder than an almond. To my horror, it was a quarter of my molar!
By the next day, I was at the dentist’s clinic having it mended. I thought a simple [...] - Cebu Marathon 2010
TBR RACE REPORT: Cebu Marathon
DETAILS: January 10, 2010, Cebu City
ORGANIZERS: John Pages and Meyrick JacalanRATING: Excellent!
LEGEND: (Introducing my new TBR race review rating system for 2010)
5 TBR medals – Excellent
4 TBR Medals – Very Good
3 TBR Medals – Average
2 TBR Medals – Poor
1 TBR Medal – TerribleTHUMBS UP:
- well-attended and well-organized carbo loading party on a Friday (better than the eve of the race)
- convenient and easy registration and race packet redemption
- Timing chip for 21k and 42k
- Fire works at the start of the race
- Challenging and scenic route for 21k
- Abundant water and 100Plus in long tables
- Marshals along the route
- Cebu-themed entertainment along the route
- Cheerers with inspirational signs along the route
- Bananas, sponges, and muscle rub provided at some stations
- Announcement of name upon nearing the finish
- Booths after the race
- Free Leona’s pastries, 100Plus, and mineral water
- Awarding began shortly after the race and was situated near the finish so it was very well-attended
- Immediate release of results
- Unique mango finishers’ medal for full marathoners
BETTER JOB NEXT TIME:
- Kilometer markers were accurate, but there could’ve been more
Cebu City Marathon: the best local race I have ever joined. The organizers of Cebu Marathon got everything right from the carbo loading party to the awarding program. I was told that they ran Singapore, Hong Kong, and Amsterdam Marathons and attempted to replicate the best from these marathons in Cebu. Looks like they were very successful.
The one thing that stood out in this race, which contributed most to its success but didn’t cost a cent, were the people. The warmth and hospitality of the organizers and Cebuano runners were felt all throughout. Spectators lined the roads and cheered enthusiastically. It didn’t feel like another big corporate-sponsored racing event, but a run to celebrate Cebu, its people, and its culture.
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A LETTER FROM A FATHER
I received an email from Maxi about his daughter Bea a couple of days before Cebu Marathon. He wrote:
“Bea is actually a soccer varsity player at UST. I have encouraged her to run regularly because I see the potential in her to become a good long-distance runner someday.
Problem is, she has to have a person she can look up to as a model-runner. She needs a guide, a mentor, a running partner. She needs an inspiration so that she can take running with passion and dedication.
I think that fits you.”
Woah. I was flabbergasted. For a father to entrust his most prized possession to me, his daughter, even for just a 2-hour race, was an honor. We made plans to meet at the starting line…
- Frosty the Snow-woman
Exercise ban my foot. Last week, I told you all about how I was enjoying the R&R after Singapore Marathon, how the down time made me feel like I was happily “floating” along with life…
- All Set for Conquer Corregidor?
The die is cast. While the breeze cools with the passing days, the day of reckoning is approaching when the isle of Corregidor scorches as zealous contenders for Conquer Corregidor lay their claim to racing glory. All 750 race slots have been filled up…
- Secondwind Christmas Registry
Registration at Secondwind Running Store is now open, not for a race, but for Christmas gifts! Even better, right?
- Are You Joining Milo?
A good number of my running friends are in a daze this week. After months of logging in the miles, training is over and it is nearly time for the final performance on Sunday: The Milo Marathon…
- Freedom to Shoes
If there’s one good thing that arose from the ITBS injury it would be this: the freedom to shift from motion-control to neutral shoes. Yeah baby!
The good news came straight out of my doctor’s mouth a couple of weeks ago. It was the same doctor who ordered me, early last year, to use Spenco [...] - Playing Catch-Up
Hospital duties left me feeling bloated and cranky. I missed days of running, consumed every little thing in sight due to sheer boredom (from Boy Bawang to butong pakwan), and temporarily lost the ability to sweat within the four walls of that tiny air-conditioned room.
The only training I got this week was a measly 30 [...]
