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One of the biggest annual summer sale events in town, Markdown Madness @ Tektite is happening once again. Enjoy up to a whopping 70% discount on participating brands: Skechers, Keds, Sperry Top-Sider, Saucony, Pony, Merrell, and No Fear from April 15 to 19, 9am to 8pm at the Philippine Stock Exchange Exchange (PSE) Auditorium, Tektite Tower in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Markdown Madness is now on its 10th year and promises to be another grand sale with great finds on selected items from participating brands. This is a good time to buy shoes for your summer escapades and vacations, as well as for back-to-school.

Visit MarkdownMadness on Facebook for more information and updates.

As is the tradition of TBR Dream Marathon, after the race, I post anecdotes about the marathon that I receive in my Inbox from our new marathoners. My inbox gets inundated with stories of triumph, love, gratitude, passion, and empowerment that it’s too much of a waste if only I read it. Through this series of stories (one every week for the next couple of months), may you all be inspired to run a marathon or dream big in your own lives.

I’d like to share the letter of a partner, pacer, and “Coach” about the first marathon of his beloved. It’s always heartwarming to read about how an experienced runner helps the other get started with running, but even more touching when it’s done with love. Here’s the story about Maricar’s journey towards her first marathon with Dennis by her side from start to finish:

TBR DREAMER: MARICAR LEYVA, BIB 386
WRITTEN BY PACER: DENNIS MASCARDO

I would like to say thank you for the past 6+ months of great times. I am writing here with a big smile on my face because my better half, Maricar is now a marathoner, this I say with conviction because if you asked me a year ago if she was willing to undergo the training to race a marathon I would have said “Are you crazy??”

Maricar was into a lot of things but running was not one of them, sure ask her to play tennis or go to the mall and she will say yes without thinking twice. This journey of hers started a year ago when I asked her if she wanted to start walking so as to keep fit, she has always been a tennis player half her life and since we moved in the Kaptiolyo Area, courts were hard to find. She said yes and we walked consistently for more than 5 months when I asked her if she wanted to try running a little, she said let’s go, at first she had issues running as I tried correcting her but I realized I had to let her natural form come out and once it did everything fell into place.

We tried her first 5k back in the middle of 2012, she was dog tired but she was hooked. Out came the Dream Marathon Ad which I showed her and asked her if she would like to join. It took her days to decide, I did promise her that I will be there to pace her in all workouts and the actual race. We finally wrote to you and she was lucky enough to get a slot.

Fast forward to Sunday’s race, was she having second thoughts the day before? She was far too excited to think of the normal issues runners think about the day before, you know why? We did our home work and more, Pls don’t tell coach Jim, I tweaked her program wherein instead of just 3 runs, we were running all easy/steady for 6-7 x a week, we still did the main runs but inserted filler runs to make her legs more durable, having been a runner for the past 20 years and then moving into triathlons for the past 18 seasons now, i knew that running a marathon is all about durability and who slows down the least the last 5-10k of the run. We were ready.

RACE DAY
I had us start at the back part, told her to be patient we do the 3:1 as practiced, hydrate every 15 mins and take in a gel every 45 mins, we run the first loop easy/steady – she knew right off the bat, steady nor easy does not mean slow. The gun went off and we were off, first 45 mins went by like it was nothing, she was getting fidgety already as we were still running with a big group, I was telling her be patient let us wait for the last 15kms and see where we are at physically. The turn around came and we were going back to the 21k turn.

THE FIGHT
We both know couples encounter issues during the course of their lives that are unavoidable this was one of them 🙂 – being stressed out with the race + the onset of fatigue took it’s toll, I mentioned something that hit a nerve and we argued about something shallow on any given day – sponges you were giving out! ha! It took me a full 6-8km to make amends and right before going out again the main hi-way or around the 25km mark we finally kissed and made up 🙂

SECOND LOOP
I have done a ton of races in my life and this race might be advertised as a race for first timer marathoners but even the experienced ones will share my sentiments – this course was made to destroy your legs!  Add the concrete roads and the elevation changes, make the mistake of going out too hard, you will have a looong second half.

– Maricar and Dennis at the 2nd loop –

We were already picking up the ones who went out to fast in the first loop and she was estatic, little did she know I was having gastric issues of my own aside from the onset of fatigue. By the 30th km, I told her that I needed a potty break – before turning right to the main hi-way back, I went and felt relieved. Off we went, we did ave around 7:10-7:15 for the whole first 30km of the race, after the break I told her we attack the long road leading to the last rotunda before the start/finish line area. We both found our secondwind and we were clicking 6-6:10 km/pace and eventually catching up with the others. Our legs felt tired and my legs were shot already, being a bigger person meant more pounding, my legs gave way in the last 2-3kms of the race and told Maricar to go for it, which she did.

The final 2kms were like a blur but her legs did not fail her and I let her enjoy the finish line while I walked outside the barriers. I was super happy for her as she finally finished something that we started a year and half ago. Of all my races, the athletes I have coached from the early years of Triathlon here, her finish outweighed them all. I am so proud of her and I love her even more, can you imagine instead of going out on date – we get to run together, running is the new malling for her 🙂 I guess I am little biased given she is my boss 🙂

– Maricar, the new marathoner, with Dennis –

– Maricar and son, future TBR Dreamer. I can tell by his shirt! –

Again, thanks for putting this up and as early as now, we will be joining next year’s TBR Dream Marathon not as participants or pacers but as chasers and pay it forward and help next year’s batch of soon to be marathoners realize running will make you enjoy life even more.

This is a weekly post on my training for Virgin London Marathon on April 21, 2013. Like I always say: The marathon is the icing on the cake; it’s the journey leading up to the race that I absolutely love. Thank you to Unilab Active Health for the trip and to Timex Philippines and UK for the slot.

WEEKS TO LONDON: 2

Taper time, baby! With temperatures rising, all I can say is: THANK GOD!  Is it just me or is it the hottest summer that we’ve ever had to run?!  Am I the only one dying out there?

Two Sundays ago, I was supposed to run 44km, my longest run before London Marathon, but, due to the extreme heat, I ended up running only 30km run. I can tell you this: It felt like a freaking 50k. Amidst the stale and humid air, with my quads and heels burning in pain, I felt like I deserved a medal for even reaching 10k under that scorching heat! (Instead of a medal, the cold Mountain Dew I had was enough of a reward!)

Last Sunday, I ran 21k, my last long run before the marathon. With the shorter distance, this run was much more manageable under the sun but equally challenging. By 10k my clothes were soaked in sweat as if I had finished a half marathon! By the time we ended the run, I was ready to dunk my head in a bucket of ice!

I know, I know, I’m whining.  But, I’m seriously stressed about this heat.  The past two weekends runs have NOT been fun for me. For the first time in my life, I actually dreaded my long runs. But, I’ve just reminded myself that, as with anything in life, once you commit to a goal, you stick by it and give it your best—whether it’s uncomfortable, exhausting, or pure torture. (If that doesn’t work, then you just head off to an air conditioned gym and run on the treadmill! Hah!)

Our little secret: I’m really just counting the days until we can escape the summer heat and freeze to death in London!

FINDING MY SANITY

I have two weeks to London Marathon, but the family and I leave next Tuesday for London and then Paris.  Yes, yes, the hubby and kids are coming along with me for this trip. Woohooo!  While we’re all excited for the trip, especially Li’l Miss Bull Runner who’s been talking a lot about snow, Disneyland Paris, and croissants (LOL!), this also means that, for this running mom, packing and preparing for the trip becomes three times more complicated.  I’ve got to pack winter clothes for a wedding, a marathon, and two kids.  Gasp.

At the same time, work has to be done before I leave. I’m busy designing a 200-page book, working on the magazine, and planning for upcoming events for TBR.  Double gasp.

Then, to make matters worse, while I thought I was tapering off, my Coach, Andy Leuterio, tells me that I must ride 100k this coming Saturday. Century ride gasp.  Then faint.

It’s been an insane week and I’m trying to stay sane.  But, as always, I’ll survive!  Just keeping my eye on the medal.

After years of running, I started biking seriously last 2012.  While running will always be my first love, I must admit that biking comes a close second. I ride two to three times a week now and I look forward to my long rides every Saturday morning just as much as I get excited over my Sunday long runs.

Most of the time, I ride with the boys because there just aren’t too many women on the bike. Occasionally, I ride with good friend Tessa Prieto-Valdes in Nuvali. My Coach created a “team” for us called: The Sisterhood of the (Suffering) Shivs.  Suffering was included there because, well, my Coach loves to make us work hard on the bike!

– Tessa and I and our gwapo bikes –

In time, I hope to be riding like these girls…

If you’re a woman and you’re interested in biking, there’s good news for you. Dan’s, the official Philippine distributor of Specialized, just launched the 2013 line of women’s specific road models! Take your pick:

DOLCE
If you’re just getting started but want a bike with a top-dollar ride, then the Specialized Dolce fits the bill. The DOLCE is a bike that will help you achieve your fitness and distance goals, all while respecting your budget and needs. With its comfortable and fatigue-busting ride quality, courtesy of the FACT carbon fork with Zertz and endurance geometry, the Dolce is the perfect bike is a great addition to your fitness arsenal. Dolce highlights include an oversized downtube for enhanced stiffness, and Zertz dampers on “S”-shaped seatstays on Comp and Elite models for added compliance. It’s fitted with a Women’s Body Geometry Riva saddle designed to relieve soft tissue pressure. The cockpit features a Comp handlebar with 75mm reach and 123mm drop for a comfortable, confidence-building riding posture.

– Dolce Compact –

RUBY
With its FACT carbon fiber frame, the Ruby is light, fast, and all-day comfortable. It’s the perfect tool for Gran Fondos, long training rides, or weekend adventures going out of town and into the hills. Climbing, going fast, or going long, the Ruby responds in a way that inspires confidence while looking good. Zertz viscoelastic dampers in the seatstays and fork absorb road vibration for added comfort, while the FACT triple monocoque construction is lightweight and strong. Women’s Body Geometry contact points feature ergonomic and size-specific components including the cranks, handlebars, and saddle for the most comfortable and efficient fit.

– Ruby Comp Compact –

AMIRA
It. Just. Rocks. The AMIRA is a no-nonsense thoroughbred—born to race and always quick to react. Its stiff, lightweight frame cranks up the speed dial for fast accelerations, while the tapered headtube delivers precise steering and handling for carving corners or dominating tricky descents. The Amira SL4 is the race bike of choice for Team Specialized-lululemon and has taken impressive victories at the Tour of Qatar and La Flèche Wallonne Féminine. Whether you’re bridging a gap or creating one, the Amira will fly. You don’t have to be a pro cyclist to reap the benefits of Amira, however. Whether you need a hard core training bike to complement your TT bike, or just want the lightest, fastest bike you can rock at the weekend group ride, there’s an Amira for you.

– Amira Comp Compact –


– Amira Elite Compact –

Specialized Women’s Road Bikes are exclusively available at Dan’s. For inquiries call 894-5110.

For wanna be swimmers, swimmers, triathletes out there!  Shinji Takeuchi, TI Japan head coach and the “world’s most graceful swimmer” as seen on Youtube is coming to the Philippines!

Event: AquaSphere Total Immersion Open Water Camp
Date: May 31 – June 2, 2013
Venue: Pico de Loro in Nasugbu, Batangas
No. of Participants: 30 only including international participants from Hong Kong and other parts of Asia
Tuition: USD 450 local residents / USD 550 international
* If you sign up with 3 other people (total of 4 participants), each one will get a $40 discount on the tuition fee.

Click HERE to download the Registration Form.

For inquiries:
Contact Ria Mackay 0917.899.6545 Monday to Friday after 5PM