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Last Feb. 18, 2012, Gatorade treated 52 of our TBR Dream Marathon runners and friends to a free Gatorade Sweat Test at Ultra.

– TBR DM runners woke up early for their Gatorade Sweat Test at Ultra –

The experts and staff of Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI) came in full force. And, even before the 5am call time, our runners were lined up at the Ultra entrance. 100% attendance from all sign ups!

Runners went through this simple and organized process led by GSSI:
1. Measure Body Weight;
2. Urine Test;
3. Patch the Runners (the staff places a cotton like material on the runner’s forearm and forehead to collect sweat and analyze electrolytes)
4. 1 hour 30 minutes running

– Urine samples. Guess which urine is severely dehydrated? –

– GSSI hard at work collecting samples and patching –

– Ultramarathoner and suki volunteer/chaser of TBR DM Leo Tugade gets patched –

– Lara Parpan, Women’s Health editor and guest of Gatorade, gets sweat tested too –

After the 1 1/2 hour run…
5. Taking off of patches after about 45 minutes
6. Finish the 1:30 hr run while monitoring fluid intake
7. Cool Down
8. Towel down and Weigh out.

– GSSI takes this very seriously –

– Gatorade on the house during the sweat test –

– me (saling pusa runner for the day), Ton and Oz of GroupM, and Lit –

– TBR DM runners with GSSI, Marcia of Group M, and one of my favorite paralympic heroes Coach Sid Vildosola –

– Surprise surprise! Who did I bump into as a member of the GSSI team? My favorite PT at Moro Lorenzo Sports Center, Aspi. Years ago, I would run to him for dry needling! That’s me with Aspi and Jun –

THE RESULTS

We received the results from GSSI yesterday. Drumroll please! Participants will receive the results via email as well.

MEN’S RESULTS

WOMEN’S RESULTS

GENERAL DRINK GUIDE FOR TBR DREAM MARATHONERS 2012 ON BULL SESSION 5

While the lucky 50 runners get a personalized guide to their hydration, GSSI was kind enough to offer the same information and guidance to the rest of our runners.

On our next Bull Session on Feb. 25 at NUVALI, GSSI head Nino Sinco will present a TBR Gatorade Drink Guide, a General Drink Guide for the TBR DM Runners based on the data they collected and obtained from the sample of 52 TBR DM Runners during the test. Basically, it’s a cross section guide for the participants/ trainees/ runners.

The talk will start at 4:00 AM at the Solenad Activity area and end at around 4:25 AM. This will be followed by a brief talk by Jim Lafferty and Lit Onrubia and off we go on our 3.5 hour long run.

Some photos courtesy of Nino Sinco. Thanks Nino!

To all TBR Dream Marathoners! Let’s meet up for a simple gathering to celebrate your successes from training and for us to wish you all the best before the big day. Come and join us for our TBR Dream Marathon Send Off Party!

EVENT: TBR Dream Marathon 2012 Send Off Party
DATE: 8 March 2012, Thursday (moved from 10 March)
PLACE: JY CAMPOS Halls A&B, Unilab Bayanihan Center, 8008 Pioneer St., Brgy. Capitolyo, Pasig City
TIME: 7:00 to 9:30 PM

MAP TO UNILAB BAYANIHAN CENTER

PROGRAMME:

WHO CAN COME:

– Registered participants of TBR Dream Marathon 2012
– Invited guests and VIPS

RACE KIT REDEMPTION

During the TBR Dream Send Off Party, you may claim your race kits.  Please make sure you have your medical certificate if you haven’t submitted it at any of our drop off centers.  NO MEDICAL CERTIFICATE, NO RACE KIT.

1) TBR DREAM SEND OFF PARTY, MARCH 8, 2012, THURSDAY: 7:00 PM TO 9:30 PM
* No representatives allowed

2) MARCH 11, SUNDAY TO MARCH 13, 2012, TUESDAY: 2/F R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street, during store hours
* An authorized representative may claim your race pack upon presentation of a Letter of Authorization, Valid ID, Medical Certificate (if not submitted yet), and Submission of Signed Waivers. Click HERE to download TBRDM Waiver. Click  HERE  to download NUVALI Waiver.

3) RACE DAY, MARCH 18, 2012, SUNDAY: 12 midnight to 2:00 AM

PROCESS FOR CLAIMING OF RACE KIT:

1. Submit Medical Certificate. If submitted, disregard this.
2. Sign NUVALI waiver. Download HERE and print or you may get a copy at the Redemption area.
3. Claim Race Packet

FOR QUESTIONS, call TBR DM Hotline at SUN 0922-771-8014 or email macel(at)thebullrunner.com

One of the biggest gifts of TBR Dream Marathon to me is the opportunity to meet runners of all shapes and sizes. Boy was I surprised to discover that one of our TBR Dream Alumni and 2012 participant is a 2011 Palance First Prize Winner. She is Remi Velasco, author/playwright of “Ondoy: Ang Buhay Sa Bubong,” the 2011 Palanca First Prize Winner for Dulang May Isang Yugto.

– Remi Velasco finisher of TBR Dream Marathon 2010 –

– Remi receiving her Palanca Award in 2011 –

Remi sent me an email a few days ago about her current project to help Ondoy victims and I’m sharing it with you in an attempt to help a fellow runner help others:

Title: Ondoy: Ang Buhay Sa Bubong A Charity Event
Where: Tanghalang Huseng Batute, CCP
When: March 17-18, 2012 3pm and 8pm
Tickets available at CCP or ticketworld
CCP BOX OFFICE AT TEL. NO. 832-3704, 9AM-6PM TUESDAYS TO SATURDAYS
Ticket Price: 350 or more for cash donations

“Ondoy” was staged at Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in 2010 and 2011 and at the 2011 Palanca Awards Night.

– “Ondoy: Ang Buhay Sa Bubong” Poster at the Virgin LabFest 6 2010 –

This March 10-11, 2012, the play will once again be shown at CCP. This time around, it will be a staging for a cause. All proceeds will go to the victims of Typhoon Sendong (we are also trying to include the recent earthquake victims.)

The cast of the play Ms Cai Cortez (Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank), Mr. Jelson Bay (Tanghalang Pilipino), Direk Uro de la Cruz (Bubble Gang Director) and Remi, the author, have agreed to waive their talent/professional fee for the said project. CCP also allowed them to stage the play for free.

However, THEY NEED HELP TO HELP. The manpower cost of CCP is not for free. They need sponsors for the manpower, logistics, marketing and advertising. Please click HERE to download Remi’s formal letter of request for sponsorship if you wish to help.

I was quite curious how a playwright / runner lives her life and so I thought I’d feature Remi on this blog too. Here’s a short interview.

1) How did you become a playwright?

I never dreamed of becoming a playwright, really not a second. When I was a kid I would rather sing, dance or honestly run than write.

Ondoy: Ang Buhay Sa Bubong is the first play that I wrote. If I may say, it was also the first entry I had for Palanca and my first Palanca Award. Pretty special for me. I am a Copy Writer and News Writer prior to writing this play.

I drew my inspiration in writing the play from the victims of Ondoy. I (and my younger brother) donated some relief goods and spent time packing and helping out in distributing them. But when I saw people who were helpless, starving with nothing to eat and seeking for their missing loved ones, I felt all the more depressed. I couldn’t sleep. I promised to myself, I wouldn’t stop on merely giving goods. I would like to share something that will leave impact to people. I thought of writing a film first, but I was pressed for time. So, there goes the birth of “Ondoy: Ang Buhay Sa Bubong.”

2) How long have you been running?

I wrote a whole article about this actually, but I’ll give the gist…

Long before I found my passion in writing, running has been in my blood. I started running since elementary days or since I can recall. I remember I was very little, I would wake up at 5am to jog or run.

I didn’t care if there were days that I would sleep scarcely. I got to wake up earlier than usual and run with my sister, a friend and her dad’s group. We would run 3k. In our province, we were part of the group who welcomed the sunrise, listened to the “tilaok ng manok” and smelled brewed coffee of the neighbourhood. We bonded as kids and had great time! At school, I would run with or without shoes. My mom would complain. In a year, she couldn’t count how many pairs of shoes that I would get damaged. She once quipped, “I’d ask for a metal pair of shoes just for you!”

It was an impossibility that I wouldn’t run. RUNNING makes me happy and free.

3) Why did you decide to join TBR Dream Marathon 2010?

42K is a challenge. Running in itself is a challenge. It has taught me a lot. I have learned and appreciated the art of winning and not quitting. I learned that the more that I felt exhausted, the more that I pushed myself forward. The more that the number of my opponents increased, the more that I jolted my energy.

TBR 2010 is one of the moments that I love to look back to. It is self-fulfilling and rewarding. When I encounter some pressure, I would recall my last 15K which were the hardest to finish. If I had conquered this challenge why not on other aspects of life.

People are always amazed when they learn that I am a 42K finisher. Some of my acquaintances were inspired and started running as well.

4) Does running and particularly training for a marathon help you become better at your craft? How?

YES, definitely! As a writer, I need to clear my thoughts and make myself free. Running is one of my happiness. As I said, it makes me happy and free. It is my connection to nature and a form of communication to myself and to the heavens. I greet sunrise and sunset when I run. I love feeling the rain drops. I appreciate seeing everything green around me. I love when the wind blows and touches my face. That is why I love running outdoor.

Many times, I have come up with ideas while running.

When I run, I can test my physical strength. My mind just wouldn’t give up even if I am already exhausted. Sometimes, I think my feet have their own minds.

I pray while I run, too. I become more grateful in everything I have. The feeling of freedom makes me feel part of nature which is pretty special.

In short Ms. Jaymie, running plays an extraordinary part in my life.

– Remi at a training run –

If there’s one race we ought to train for it’s this. If you’re slow, you die! (Insert evil laughter here!)

EVENT NAME: The Running Dead – A Race to Stay Alive
DATE & TIME: April 21, 2012, Saturday 5pm gun-start
TARGET PARTICIPANTS: 1,000 ; 1,100 max
VENUE: Filinvest Alabang, Muntinlupa on and off-road course

For inquiries, visit their Facebook page: runningdead2012

The race is organized by SouthTri, a triathlon team whose members I see often: on the road, at the gym, during spinning class…they’re everywhere!  With this new knowledge that they’re probably Zombies disguised as triathletes methinks I shouldn’t be too friendly.  (Kidding!) In their words, here’s why they thought of this race and why you should support it:

– South Tri.  The friendliest soon-to-be zombies in town with Eric Puno, owner of Army Navy –

The background story for this race is that as a team, we all agreed that on our third year of operations we would start looking outwards and consider outreach or give back to the sport that we love. Initially we thought of donating a fixed amount each, but the effort is painless and the memories are short-lived.

This race, ALL OF THE PROCEEDS after race costs are going to four (4) deserving graduates of the Super Tri Kids program run by Ani de Leon. The kids are from provinces like Binan and as it is with so many athlete hopefuls in any sport who fall through the cracks after their junior training status, they discover that sustaining a training program through to young adulthood is expensive and deprives their families of one able body to help with the family finances.

Our team wants these high-potential kids to keep training and progressing in the sport.

We considered doing a normal fun-run but we wanted to do something that would attract people outside of our usual circles. We came across a race concept “Run for your Lives” in the U.S. and modeled our race after that. We have no illusions of turning into race organizers because we love to train and this takes up too much of our time! That was the point really, to put our time into it vs. the quick and easy option of donating money. We do not have any plans to do a sequel or sequels of this race .. unless people ask us to.

The main goal, our focus, is to raise funds this April and help grow a new batch of elite triathletes. We were shocked to say the least when we found out about another race with the same concept, we’ve been talking to Dan and Ani about the kids since October last year and put the race details together in November. Feels a little like a David v. Goliath seeing that the organizer of the other race has some big media guns behind it but it’s all good – Filinvest Alabang is our home turf and we have fast triathlete friends who’ve got our back so to speak as our chasers. After all, what good is a chase race if you think you stand a chance? : )

Below is the list of TBR DM runners who snagged slots for the free shuttle service to and from NUVALI on our last Bull Session on Feb. 25, 2012:

Shuttle to leave ROX for NUVALI: 330 am
Shuttle to leave NUVALI for ROX: 830 am
Please be on time. Shuttle will wait for no one.

UPDATED AND REVISED LIST.  We also added 3 more slots.  To those who had double entries, please note that the slots are passed on to the next one on the list.