Greenfield City Sunset Run 2010

Saturday, 10 April 2010  |  Race Announcements

I’ve registered for the Greenfield City Sunset Run! Finally, I get to run this race as I went last year only to watch the hubby while I was sidelined by injury. If you’re still thinking about it, I suggest you decide by tonight as early registration ends tomorrow. See you there!

Greenfield City Sunset Run 2010

When: Saturday, 24 April 2010
Where: Greenfield City, Sta. Rosa Laguna
Distance: 500m, 3k, 5k, 10k, and 21k

10 Reasons Why You Should Join Greenfield City Sunset Run 2010

  1. Race starts in the evening, which differs from the traditional early morning-scheduled runs.
  2. Out-of-town run will take the runners around Greenfield City. The race will pass through wide tree-lined avenues through Pramana, Greenfield City’s exclusive residential development, as well as through the Greenfield Auto Park and the Santa Rosa Business Park.
  3. Race starts and ends in the Paseo, the City’s lifestyle center, the Paseo.
  4. Booths will be set-up, such as: Cool Down Zone where runners can avail of free massages, yoga and pilates sessions and Kid’s Zone with inflatable fun like the bounce house and giant slide
  5. Throughout the mall, participating merchants will be holding sales and giving special discounts.
  6. Various restaurants and outlets will have their best on offer, and a wide selection of food choices will be available
  7. Several after-run concerts featuring Manila’s premier performers.
  8. All registered participants get 20% off New Balance items and Runners Only discounts at Paseo Stores.
  9. Shuttle bus service is available for participants on race day. Departure from Greenfield District (Mandaluyong) to Greenfield City (Sta. Rosa, Laguna) is 2:00 PM. Departure from Greenfield City (Sta. Rosa, Laguna) to Greenfield District (Mandaluyong) starts at 10:00 PM.
  10. Organized by Finishline and running coach Rio de la Cruz

(more…)

Baguio Day Two: 20KM Around Baguio

Friday, 9 April 2010  |  Running + Triathlon

Previous Post: Baguio Day One: Camp John Hay

DAY TWO: SLOW AND EASY | 2 hours, 30 min around Baguio

Based on Coach Jim’s TBR Dream Marathoners training program, which hubby is following, he was to run 2 hours and 30 min. over the weekend. He was to do a 9 min. run and 1 min. walk interval. I promised to run with him.

The night before, I set my Garmin 310XT to a 9:1 interval program with 15 reps. Just 15 reps?! It sounded so short and manageable.  (Later on, we realized it was easier said and done, especially with the undulating hills of Baguio!)

We started our run at 5:30 a.m. with the roads enshrouded by a wonderfully thick fog. The weather was slightly chilly, just the way I liked it.

MAP
– Map of our 20km Run around Baguio from Garmin 310XT –

First 5k: Mines View

From Baguio Country Club, we made a right on Country Club Road. Upon reaching Park Road, we made another right climbing up a steep Ignacio Villamor St. that made me yell no less than 5 minutes into the run: Is this our warm up?!

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– This was our marker on Park Road –

Every now and then, we had to deal with crap (not figuratively but literally horse manure) but that was about the only problem I had. Our slow pace, combined with the walks, allowed us to enjoy the cool weather and wonderful view that Baguio had to offer.

There were a handful of runners we passed along the way. A couple of them were obviously veterans, clad in Milo singlets and conquering ascents as if they were flats. The one that stood out was a boy, probably below 10 years old, who ran solo at a pace that was reserved only for the elite.

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– Up, up and away! –

When we reached Mines View Park, the park and the stores were still closed. It was unfortunate as I looked forward to even just dropping by the Mines View viewdeck to catch a glimpse of Baguio’s landscape or to ran past the quaint stores with souvenir items. Still, we felt like tourists seeing the place with new eyes as we surveyed the area on foot even before the crowds came in.

We ran downhill (finally got to rest those quads!) through Gibraltar Road reaching the rotunda passing Pacdal Church. We hit 5k at Park Road, near Baguio Country Club, where we started earlier. This gave us a perfect 5k loop.

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– Pacdal Church along the rotunda –

2nd 5k: The Mansion & Wright Park

Eager to hit more tourist spots, we took the same route earlier (yes, another round of those hills on I. Villamor!) but, instead of entering Mines View, we took a left turn on Leonard Wood and ran towards the Mansion, the official summer residence of the President. As soon as we reached the Mansion gates, I slapped myself in the head for leaving my camera behind.

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– I took this photo when we returned in the afternoon by car –

Across The Mansion was Wright Park where hubby and I ran around the Pool of Pines along with other runners doing their rounds. It was the first time I visited this side of Wright Park, even if I had spent every summer visiting the horses on the other side.

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– The Pool of Pines was filled with runners early in the morning. I took this in the afternoon too –

We made our way back to Baguio Country Club for a quick toilet break and we were off again.

3rd 5k: Teacher’s Camp

After Baguio Country Club, we ran through South Drive, a road which I found more enjoyable to run on; there were less hills, the road was a bit wider, and, most of the time, we could run on the sidewalk without worrying about vehicles.

We passed the old location of Hyatt Hotel, one of the worst hit by the 1990’s earthquake killing over 50 people. Hubby was running at a steady pace, but I quickened the pace at this point as my imagination went wild over ghosts and spirits.

When we reached Teacher’s Camp, we screeched to a halt thinking if we should enter the area to pay the Track Oval a visit. Almost on cue, hubby and I shook our heads at the same time since we both knew the uphill climb heading out of Teacher’s Camp from the track oval would be pure torture.

We attempted to run in Loakan, but after almost getting sideswiped by oncoming vehicles, we decided against it. We made a u-turn and ran towards the gas station (forget if it was Petron or Shell) where we refueled with Gatorade, Hammer gels, and—I couldn’t resist—a tiny chocolate bar. We then headed back towards Baguio Country Club again.

Last 5k: Camp John Hay

Our last 5k was at Camp John Hay. We covered almost the same route we ran the day before but at a much slower pace.

By the last 15 minutes, hubby felt knee pain. He stopped to rest and a good samaritan—in the form of a National team boxer—helped stretch the tight muscles with my hubby squinting in pain. It was a funny sight, really.

I advised hubby to walk it out. After all, he had covered around 2 hours 20 mins already. I went ahead to finish an exact 20km. To date, that was the most memorable tour of Baguio I’ve ever had. Highly recommended!

Baguio Day One: Camp John Hay Run

Friday, 9 April 2010  |  Running + Triathlon

We were to spend 4 days in Baguio for Holy Week. I packed 5 sets of running clothes. Just to be sure, right? Running in cool weather—with the El Nino heat of Manila—was an opportunity that this runner wanted to take full advantage of.

DAY ONE: 10K | CAMP JOHN HAY

I run in Camp John Hay every single time I’m in the City of Pines. But, this being the first time that I’ve visited Baguio completely injure free; I had the liberty to roam the camp and go where my feet took me.

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-Entering Camp John Hay –

From Baguio Country Club where we were booked, hubby and I ran towards Camp John Hay. We took our regular path in the Camp making an immediate left after the guard house, which is a steep and long uphill, more torturous than the deadly McKinley Hill that we urban runners are used to. I know that this hill is where many of our elite athletes run their intervals. An ex-National team member friend of mine said that they used to run 30 reps up this hill. Hubby and I could hardly catch our breath when we reached the top. No reps, just one climb!

We rolled down towards Mile Long and attacked more hills as we ran towards the Manor. We made our way toward the other gate of Camp John Hay passing Figaro and the horseback riding area. We decided to stay within the confines of the Camp and turned around at the end, where the other gates was, and proceeded towards the mini golf. It was a pleasure to run in the secured residential area where the Baguio cottages always make me want to abandon the city and live in this city instead. We passed by the Pet Cemetery and made a mental note to tour the kids there later on.

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– Love these roads! –

We ran down again towards the Manor passing Mile High.  We then took a deep breath and attacked another uphill climb as we made our way towards Starbucks and Cantinetta. It was here that I decided to just walk and enjoy the view of the golf course on both sides. Upon reaching the top, we entered another residential area. This is where hubby and I parted ways as hubby cut his run short to rest before our long run the following day.

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– Entrance to one of the residential areas we ran in –

I completed a total of 10km. As I was making my way out of the village heading back to Baguio Country Club, the guard told me: “Ma’am, iniwan ka an ng kasama mo!” Pleased with my run in such beautiful scenery, I replied with a smile: “Okay lang. Mahaba pa takbo namin bukas.”

NEXT POST: DAY TWO: 20KM around Baguio City

NYC Here I Come!

Thursday, 8 April 2010  |  Bullish Insights

I’M IN!

Just got word that I got into the ING New York City Marathon 2010 lottery!

Goodbye goal-less days. Hello serious training! New York here I come!

Who of you is heading for NYC Marathon, too?

Calling Wear Testers for New Balance Shoes

Wednesday, 7 April 2010  |  News + Promos

Are you still suffering from withdrawal symptoms from the long break? Here’s something to perk you up.

As a follow up to THIS post, New Balance is offering three lucky runners one (1) pair of New Balance shoes each for wear testing. This means that New Balance will give you a pair of shoes to use (and keep) but, in return, you must give us a fair and honest assessment of the shoe.  Your review will be posted on this blog.

Are you game?  Here’s how to join:

  1. Subscribe to TBR Mailing List by filling in your name and email on the upper right of this blog.  (Can you see it?Right above the ad boxes to your right)  Current subscribers need not register again.
  2. Within the week, I will email TBR Mailing List a survey on running shoes.  Fill this up completely.
  3. All complete survey forms will be included in the raffle.
  4. 3 lucky runners will be chosen.  Winners will be notified via email and through this blog regarding pick up of prizes.

May the best runner win!