Archive for July, 2009

Awesome.  

Race results with race analysis from RunPix can be found here.

Free race photos taken by—who else?—Photovendo can be downloaded here.  (Go to “Print Your Photos” box)

By far, this is the most comprehensive presentation of race results ever provided by a local race.  Tying up with RunPix was a good move for Globe and Finish Line, which certainly benefitted all of us runners with race performance analysis that we can choose to dissect or reject (if we fell below our own standards…heehee).  I am impressed.

Here are my race results:

Time: Official time using time chip was 2:11:19. Ack, not the 2:09 I got from the Garmin. But, this is fine…

Splits and Speed:

Location: I was just entering Lawton when the winner crossed the finish line.  Did I really want to know that?

And, here are the great shots I downloaded from Photovendo! Photovendo took over 30,000 shots of all runners during the event…

– with the best running buddies: Jun and Annie just before gun start. Annie and I wore double “belt bags” that’s why there are bulges underneath our shirts. Yeah right. Photoshop please! –

– with Jun, Jay (my Run Radio partner), and Annie.  When the race started, Annie and Jay left Jun and I behind. –

– Had a blast! Can you tell? –

–  Running buddy Jun looks awfully tired! He ran even if he felt slightly ill.  I believe this shot was taken right before I clapped my hands repeatedly, cheered him on saying “C’mon Jun, kaya mo yan.  Morning sickness lang yan!” hehe.  He didn’t even laugh! –

– Thanks for this shot, Photovendo! –

– …And for this one too. Glad to have photos of one of my more memorable races –

PRESS RELEASE:

BOTAK Paa_tibayan Takbo 10 Miler, 5 Miler and Street Mile Challenge: “A Run for Runners”

Get ready and lace up! After the success of our 100KM Race last June 28 were Jessie Ano has broken the 100KM National Record we bring you the Run Fest this coming August 23, 2009 which will happen at AS Parking lot in UP Diliman were we will be running for no other than ourselves. BOTAK shall give benefit to the rehabilitation of the UP Track and Field Oval into a world class tartan track, where the direct benefit will be our running community.

More areas to train and run shall help develop our sport further and even provide better training facilities for our athletes competing here and abroad. On the other hand, runners who are living within the city won’t need to go to ULTRA or Rizal Memorial Track Oval anymore to do their training. Also with this project Metro Manila will have an almost complete training venue in its major cities.

BOTAK Paa-tibayan Takbo is a continuation of the BOTAK Takbo 100KM Running Fest, so for those who had registered for the June 28 event we shall carry it over to Aug. 23. The events are scheduled at; 6 am gun start for the 10 and 5 Mile race and the heat races of the Street Mile Challenge shall commence at 10 am. Our running fest shall also proceed all through out the day with good food, health programs and fitness activities, and games.

More updates to come in the following weeks!

Race distances and registration fee at:

300 Php – 10 Mile and 5 Mile Race
250 Php – Street Mile Challenge (1 Mile race)

Race organized by: Mr. Ian Alacar as Project Director, Mr. Edmund Mangaser – Race for the 10 Mile and 5 Mile Race and Mr. Ben Alacar, Street Mile Challenge.

– 5 mile Course Map –

Little Miss TBR crept up on me while I was working on the laptop, “Mama, when will we run?” Confused, I ask her what run she was talking about. She replied that I told her and Kuya about a race we were all going to join together, that I said it was that day, and that she wanted to wear her new running shirt already (the one I bought on the 1st day that Runnr opened, an excellent local athletic brand for kids called Equipe). All this she blurts out in a whiny tone, like she was ready to burst into tears out of exasperation with her seemingly forgetful mother.

“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.

TRB Review: Run For Home Globe Ayala Land City Run

Overall Rating (10 highest): 8

Organizer: Finish Line

THUMBS UP:

– New 21k course. One of the rare times Ayala Ave. was closed for runners.
– First time the disposable timing chip was used (and hopefully not the last.)
– Very organized and ontime race start.
– Adequate drinking stations with ample supply of 100 Plus and bottled mineral water (this was my experience. I heard of other runners who fell in line just to get a sip.)
– Portalets along the half marathon route.
– Presence of marshals all throughout the route.
– Complete race packet.
– Comprehensive race website, which included a forum, running blog links, pixlink (race day photos), and more.
– Free Photovendo photos (coming within the next few days).
– Race result analysis (coming soon too)

BETTER JOB NEXT TIME

– Limited kilometer markers for 21k.
– Crowded race packet redemption (first day).
– Sloppy online registration system.
– Lack of explanation on use of timing chip for beginners. Confusing directions on attaching the chip to the shoe.
– Slightly delayed race results considering a timing chip was used.

Awesome race. I had serious concerns about the ability of Globe and Finish Line to fulfill their lofty promises for this event, but truth be told, this race surpassed my expectations. With 6,400 registered runners for this race, a great number of problems could have arisen due to the sheer number of participants. However, the race went smoothly with minor flaws, mostly in pre-race preparations, at that.  Congratulations to Globe and Finish Line for pulling off a race that raised the bar for local races.

————————————

OFF TO A BAD START

– Assembly area post-race –

The Run for Home race started ominously for me. Less than a few hundred meters into the 21km run, my Garmin Forerunner 305 decided to die on me. (It’s been very naughty ever since I toyed with the idea of getting a Polar RS800CX or Garmin 310XT) Good thing I had backup: Nike+ Sportsband on the other wrist and JunC, my run buddy, with his Garmin as substitute pace setter!

Shortly after my Garmin’s demise, right before the Buendia flyover ascent, I felt the need to run to the little girls’ room. How embarrassing that I had to go this early in the game, but when I spotted a handful of male runners running towards the bushes, I threw caution to the wind and rushed towards the Chowking restroom. In a snap, I was out the door and ready to rejoin JunC and the rest of the half marathoners.

BLESSING IN DISGUISE

After the Buendia flyover, it was smooth-sailing for me. Running “blindly” without my Garmin and “deaf” without my ipod allowed me to enjoy every single minute of the race. JunC would periodically announce our pace—that we were going much faster than our planned easy, training pace of 6:30 min/km—but I would always reply with a reassuring nod, or a short rationalization, such as “It’s okay. We need buffer for the Buendia ascent.” I cannot count how many times Jun answered back “Remember, we still have Bayani Road after.”

Almost all 21km went by in a blur, like a dream, really. Surprisingly, I felt strong all throughout the entire run. There was no instance when I felt exhausted or parched nor did I feel any hint of pain in my legs. Even the climb back up Buendia towards Bonifacio—where I always find myself rolling down the flyover wishing the race would soon end—didn’t cause any major difficulty. I didn’t know what I did differently for this race: Was it a good night’s rest? Hammer espresso? Or, pure adrenaline that kept me feeling so great the entire time? All I know is that it was the way I would’ve wanted any of my long runs to play out: no injuries, no weariness, no boredom. Sure, no PR either, but that really wasn’t my goal for this particular race.

PR IF I DIDN’T P(EE)

We ended the entire 20.92km (according to JunC’s garmin) with an unofficial time of 2:09, average pace 6:13. My uncalibrated Nike+ Sportsband registered 22.46km at 5:50 pace.

It occurred to me shortly after the run that at 2:09, I would’ve broken my Singapore Half Marathon time of 2:08 had I not stopped for a pee break. Annoying thought, isn’t it? So, I spent the past couple of days reminding myself over and over and over again: It was a training run. You didn’t plan on breaking your PR. Training run. Forget PR. Training run. Forget PR…

One minute. Sheesh. Next time, can someone just remind me to run to the bathroom thrice before the race starts?

– with Armand and TBR Magazine. TBR Magazine (July-Sep 09) was distributed on race packet redemption day and race day. Hope you got a copy! –

– with Hector of Second Wind, Armand, Jun, Coach Rio, Mikey, Neville of Pinoy Ultra Runners, and hubby –

– with Cristy, Nora, Johnny, Mariel, Annie, hubby, Jay, and Vener –

– with Toby of Runnr, Jun, Annie, Mari (who broke his 21k PR at 1:29!), Lester, Kim, Jonel and Mariel –

– with Mark, Annie, Jun, Tiffin, Nicole of Runnr, Mariel and hubby –

– Met Karen Davila and gave her copies of TBR Mag, of course! –

– Head-to-toe unplanned matching outfit with Mariel. Maybe we’re the Solemates?! –

– with the hubby who ran 10k –

– with Jun & Mariel (Solemates), sorely missed Annie girl fresh from Singapore, and the hubby –

I didn’t make it to this Halloween race last year, so I missed seeing Coach Rio as cupid, showing off his well-sculpted abs with nothing but a diaper on, Marga in her school girl costume, Gelo A. with his Lance Armstrong christmas balls, and many more.  It looked like one of the most hilarious and fun races held last year.  

For this year, I nominate Shake, Rattle and Run for the scariest teaser design of the year! More details to follow soon, but block off your sched (and think of your costume) already…