Archive for August, 2009

LEVI’S FUN RUN

Venue: Bonifacio Global City
Distance: 1.5k/ 3k/ 5k
Fee: P300
Registration: July 20 to Aug 18, 2009
Register at: Levi’s Kids Trinoma, Levis and Dockers in Gateway, Levi’s Greenbelt 5, Levi’s Market Market.
For info: Call LSPI HR at 889-9301 ext 2122 or 2123 or King Bernas 0908 692-8018

Why join:

1. According to Ronnie C., a running friend and executive at Levi’s, “the novelty about this run is how to be in stylish Levi’s maong get-up while running a PR in 5K.  Either way, one can win with a sub 18 minutes 5K or can simply be in stylish Levi’s maong outfit and still win.  For those feeling executive, they can be in their Dockers long sleeves and tie with CW-X to match.”  There will also be stylish/cute category for the kids.  Of course, for those who wish to run in regular running apparel, that’s fine as well.
2. For the benefit of children with HIV/AIDS

Hope to see you there!

We, the iamninoy steering committee, would like to invite the members of the iamninoy Runners Group, to don your yellow iamninoy shirts tomorrow and run for Tita Cory as she is laid to rest.  For non-iamninoy members, we invite you to run in yellow shirts together with us or in your own groups.

For those in the South, some of us will meet at 7 a.m. tomorrow to run loops around the Alabang Country Club loop.  We invite you to join us.  Park your cars at Woodrose.

If the South is too far, feel free to gather together with friends and run as a group in Tita Cory’s memory.  If you would like to get a group together, post a comment here with your venue and time to inform other runners who may join.

As passionate runners, this silent tribute is the best send-off we can give our beloved Tita Cory.  We will do what we love in her honor.

* To running bloggers, kindly spread the word through your own blogs.  Thank you.

I received this disturbing note as a comment on my blog…  

Gary is missing. He didn’t show up after the run and he even left his belongings and car. Everyone (organisers, family and friends) are looking for him. There is a youtube video of him collapsing at the stadium, but the paramedics said that they let him go after checking him. But no one has found him till now.

Name: Gary Leon Robert
IC number: 870818145695
Running no: A793
WEARING ADIDAS ORANGE VEST, WHITE SHORTS AND BASKETBALL SHOES.

Click here to watch the video of Gary collapsing at the stadium.

Anyone with information, please call 012-3802133 OR 016-977 8919.

3 August 2009
1.12pm

First I thought it was a hoax until I checked the source of the video, Runwitme, a credible runner and an online friend since I started blogging.

While we cannot do much from where we are here in Manila to help, I thought of posting it to serve as a reminder for all of us runners to always be careful during races.  We never know what can happen.  

UPDATE (AUGUST 6, 2009):

– The Star Online
– Nine Over Ten blog

Safety tips I would recommend:

1. Join a race with a buddy or a group.
2. Wear a Road ID or any kind of identification.
3. Park in well lit areas or near the guard.
4. Carry only what you’ll need during the race.  No need for expensive jewelry or gadgets.
5. Tuck a small amount of cash in your pocket for emergencies.
6. Inform someone at home where the race will be held and what time you’ll be back (if you’re running alone.)
7. Consider including mace in your gym bag.

Feel free to add more tips I may have missed.

I hope they find Gary soon.

Two months ago, I got a call from Tony Atayde of Nike asking me what my plans were for August.  Scratching my head, I answered “Uh, no plans for now…” And, excitedly he interrupts me to talk about the Nike Hood to Coast Relay, the largest relay in the world with 1,000 teams of 12 runners each running from the ski lodge at the 6,000-ft level of Mt. Hood down to the Pacific Ocean at the town of seaside where a beach party awaits the runners.  The race is held in Oregon, USA annually where Nike’s headquarters is located.  This year, it will be on August 28 to 29.

I wondered why Tony was telling me all this until he paused and said “We would like to invite you to join.  Will you be available?” I smiled and answered “Tony, even if I were busy, I would clear my sched just for the trip!”

– Nike Hood to Coast website –

And so began my training and preparations for one of the biggest adventures of my life.  

I “met” my other Southeast Asian team mates online by way of email where we were all asked to confirm our participation, enter our 10km race times, submit our sizes for apparel and shoes as well as our preferred flights.  Most of the runners from the two teams Nike is sending will be coming from Singapore; there are only 3 of us from Manila.  I believe our team will be called the Singaporean Chili Crabs, but I have to confirm if this is final as I’ve never tasted those crabs myself. Hah!  

As early as mid-June, we were sent a training program created by Racer’s Toolbox, especially for our teams.  I started out following this to the letter until my long runs, including the Run for Home half marathon, was throwing it out of whack so I decided to use my own program instead.  I also informed my PT at the gym about the race, so he’s thrown in some exercises that should help me in trail running.

I emailed rockstar trail runner Rick Gaston (365me) for some training tips which scared the hell out of me (ex. “The third leg will be hard because of the sleep deprivation.” or “At night in the dark, you can spot your van in the distance and it will be a reassuring presence.”), but it also got me even more excited about this adventure.

I hope that we’ll have enough time to tour Nike Campus which is, as I was told, an experience in itself to visit.  If one is lucky, they say you’ll spot Lance Armstrong on his stationary bike or Tiger Woods walking by your side. Good thing Lance is a good friend of mine already, well, via twitter that is…heehee!

Official HTC Relay countdown begins now!  26 days to go…woohoo!

Links:
Official website of Nike Hood to Coast Relay 
Open Space
Run Oregon blog

I woke up at 5 a.m. yesterday and hurriedly got ready for a Saturday morning run with friends.  As hubby and I were getting dressed, we got a text message that ex-President Corazon Aquino had passed away.  I paused to watch the news on TV and with the confirmation of the news,  a wave of sadness swept through me.  I couldn’t believe the country’s most gentle and kind-hearted Tita had passed away.  (I never met her, but call her “Tita” because it feels as if she was everyone’s second mother.) 

Last March 2009, I was invited by Tita Cory’s nephew, Jamike Lopa (Try-Athlete) and his wife, Mayi (In a Nutshell), to join the steering committee of the iamNinoy Runners Group, which aims to encourage other runners to become modern day heroes, just like our martyred national hero and Tita Cory’s husband, Ninoy Aquino.  By donating P500 to the iamNinoy runners group, a runner gets a yellow iamNinoy shirt to wear at race events and helps the iamNinoy beneficiary, 5775 movement, which aims to reverse the current education crisis in the country.

The next iamNinoy event will be the Kenny’s Urbanite Run on August 15, 2009, where we encourage all iamNinoy members to wear the yellow shirt to symbolize their commitment to help.  With Tita Cory’s recent passing, the yellow shirt will take on even more meaning for all of us.  Personally, it will be my way of paying my respects and celebrating the life of such a great woman.  I’d like to tell the world that iamNinoy, but in some way, iamCory too.

Our deepest condolonces to the Cojuangco-Aquino family, especially Rapa, Jamike and Mayi.  Rest in peace, Tita Cory.

This yellow ribbon was sent to me by Jamike.  You may want to use as profile pic in your facebook account. Just right click, save, and upload to your FB profile.