Archive for March, 2009

TBR RACE REVIEW: PINAY IN ACTION 2009

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!

I was Ninoy—or as close as I could get to being a hero like him during last Sunday’s Condura Run.  And, many of my running friends (around 50 or so) were like Ninoy too.  Some of us ran slow, while others a bit faster (such as 5k winners Bernadette Magaso, 1st female; Ben Alejandrino and Jonas Bacnagan, 2nd & 3rd male respectively) but we all ran for the same cause: to help build schools.

– My pace buddies during Condura: Jake, myself, JunC, Vince nearing the finish line –

We all wore our brand spankin’ new bright yellow singlets with the words…

BUILD MILEAGE
BUILD ENDURANCE
BUILD SCHOOLS
I AM A RUNNER
I AM A HERO
I AM NINOY

…printed on the back of our shirts to officially launch the I Am Ninoy Runners Group to the Filipino running community.  Many of us were approached by fellow runners asking us about the singlets, what the group is about, or how they could become a member.

WHAT IS I AM NINOY ABOUT?

I Am Ninoy is not a political movement.  It is an endeavor to bring out the hero in the Filipino.  There is so much poverty and one way to eliminate this is providing education to the less privileged. A group called “5775 Reverse the Education Crisis” is helping us facilitate this objective. 

– Jamike and Mayi Lopa, my good friends and the couple behind the I Am Ninoy Runners Group –

WHAT IS 5775?

This group is composed of a number of large corporations that provide funding and technical support. You may be wondering why they call themselves 5775–in a survey done nationwide, it was learned that the average grade of a student is 57% while the passing grade is 75%–thus 5775 to signify the gap that needs to be reveresed in the counry’s educational crisis.  They have developed assistance packages in their program to address what they’ve identified to be the most critical needs.  These include the following:

1. Nutrition through in-school feeding programs (it was found out that the students were performing bad because of lack of nutrition)
2. Materials through providing reading, math and science workbooks 
3. Infrastructure — building classrooms/buildings 

WHAT IS I AM NINOY RUNNERS GROUP?

Last Sunday, March 22, during the Condura run, the I Am Ninoy Runners Group was launched.  By the simple act of wearing the I Am Ninoy Runner shirt during the Condura Run, runners were heroes to the thousands of children who want to learn and have a better life.  

The way it works:  The I Am Ninoy group seeks out institutions and individuals who can sponsor the runners participation in races. These sponsors commit funds, which are in turn donated to pilot projects of the 57-75 Movement. All pledges and donations are posted on the I Am Ninoy website.

ALL donations will go directly to schools.  The Aquino family or its foundation will not receive a single centavo.  

HOW CAN I JOIN THE I AM NINOY RUNNERS GROUP?

Join the I Am Ninoy Runners Group and be a hero in your own little way.  Just visit the website, pay a one-time fee of P500 as your investment in the cause. In exchange, you will receive an exclusive iamninoy Runners shirt, the official uniform/jersey for all running events.  Every time you wear this shirt during a run or other occasion, you are helping make a wish come true.

We do not need to give up our lives like Ninoy did to be a hero–a simple act of kindness is enough.

WEBSITE: iamninoy.com

* Photos (except for the 1st) are courtesy of Rapa Lopa.

It’s been a great week for my legs so far. No signs of injury at all. I haven’t felt this good in weeks.  Thank God!

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!

Condura Race results are out.  Click here to get your official time.

No need to go far to register for a race.  No more lengthy registration forms to accomplish.  Finally, we Filipino runners can register for some of our favorite races ONLINE!

How to register for a race:

1. Click on EVENTS.  You’ll see a list of races.
2. Click on the race you would like to join.
3. Accomplish entry form online or download registration form for printing. 
4. If online, you may pay using either your Credit Card, ATM or G-Cash. 
5. Upon registration, you will be asked to:
   1. select the Nike Park branch as your designated pick-up point. Race kits will be available at the pick-up point seven (7) days before the race day, or
   2. have the race kit delivered at your doorstep for an additional fee.

Big thank you to Coach Rio de la Cruz and Vince Mendoza for making it more convenient for us runners!