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I’ve been working out (and working, too!) like crazy the past couple of weeks. So, when good friend and regular TBR Magazine contributor, Mitch Felipe-Mendoza, invited me to join the Misibis Bay Fitness Escape, I jumped at the chance!  After all, 1) I’ve heard so many good things about Misibis Bay, 2) I always try to say yes to travel, and 3) uhm, I gained an extra 6 lbs. from bingeing after my swims so I surely need the help in getting back on the right track with my diet!

I am so glad Misibis partnered with my favorite husband and wife fitness couple Armand and Mitch Mendoza (who also headed our TBR Dream Marathon Weight Management Program) to launch the first world-class fitness camp for a resort in the Philippines.

What: Misibis Bay Fitness Escape
When: May 17 to 19, 2011 (Tues to Thurs)
Where: Misibay Bay, Cagraray Island, Albay

Misibis Bay Fitness Escape is a comprehensive and personalized wellness break that will jump start your weight management and fitness goals or will break your fitness and weight loss plateau.

The is the first luxurious fitness and weight management camp in the country where you can get your dream vacation, experience the latest fitness and weight control trends and change your lifestyle — all in one package.

For more details, download the PDF File: Misibis Bay Fitness Escape.

I know it’s short notice, but I hope you can join! We’ll have a blast!

In the spirit of Mother’s Day last Sunday, I thought of sharing some products that I love…

(1) RUN LIKE A MOTHER: A friend brought this home for me as pasalubong from a trip abroad. I initially thought it would be a typical book on recreational moms who happen to run.  I was wrong. It’s a witty and engaging book written by serious runners who happen to be moms and how they successfully balance everything on their plate.  I’m just halfway through the book but I can completely relate!

(2) CUSHE SLIPPERS: I bought this pair of slippers last week in Trinoma after giving a running talk. I usually use Havaianas after a run or swim (and I probably still will for convenience), but this is another option for a more unique and feminine look. Love how the toe slips in between the two straps.  And, did I tell you how comfortable they are?!  Perfect after a long run.  Cushe must mean cushy.

(3) MESSY BESSY SPORTS SPRAY: My good friend Krie Lopez manufactures Messy Bessy. She gave me this for Christmas and I just love it. You know how your sweaty running clothes inevitably makes everything else around it smell like sweat—the car, your gym bag, and even your bathroom. Spray this and the odor goes away completely!

(4) COLUMBIA CHASKI SANDAL: When Columbia gave me this last year, I had a tough time choosing among the colors. Don’t let the cute, playful colors fool you. This sandal was inspired by the ancient Messenger in the Inca Empire called Chaski, who were highly trained runners. Admittedly, I wouldn’t run in them, but I use them for the beach or grocery. Columbia says it’s the ultimate outdoor sandal.

(5) GOODY STAY PUT: I’m a huge fan of Goody’s Stay Put line. But, for the past years, I’ve always stuck to the plain back bands. Couple of weeks ago, I bought this colored set from Runnr. Makes summer running even more fun! And, they’re not so hard to find in my black hole of a gym bag.

(6) NIKE FREE RUN+ 2: I know, I know. I’ve written about this before. But, I can’t help it. This is the ultimate running shoe slash everything else shoe for me. And no, I’m not a Nike endorser. (The shoe in the photo below is the newest model for Women.)

(7) NATHAN HYDRATION BELTS: Check out these colors! I used to be a big Amphipod fan, but after trying Nathan, I switched brands. What I like most about Nathan are the elasticized belts that don’t shift up and down like other brands. I’ll post more detailed product reviews on these two products (and the handheld which is what I use the most) soon.

Belated Happy Mother’s Day to all running mommies! It’s not too late to ask for gifts, you know?

Wow. I didn’t realize how difficult it would be to choose the grand prize winner for 5 to 5/5 (hence the delay…sorry!) It seemed as if most, if not all of those mentioned below, deserved a brand new pair of shoes. Hopefully, we can find ways to provide for this in the future. For now, we just have one winner!

A couple of entries were touching…

I would give a pair of running shoes to my father whom I haven’t spoke with in a couple of decades. I’d use it as an excuse to have long walk or jog with him, just to be with him. JP said on May 06 11 at 8:23 AM

I would give a pair of running shoes to my Mom because I get this strong feeling that she has great interest in running (every time she asks me details of a run, results of my runs, or how I feel after a run), but she wouldn’t buy a pair for herself because she always (and when I say always, it’s ALWAYS) prioritize us, her sons. Jay said on May 05 11 at 4:17 PM

Another was oh-so romantic…

I would give a pair of running shoes to my girlfriend because I can use this for my marriage proposal with a ring taped inside. ronald said on May 05 11 at 9:56 PM

One was thought-provoking…

I swear by everything that I’d give the other pair of shoes to the commenter below me, whoever he or she may be. Running sees no ethnicity, age, or gender, never asking for anything but the runner’s passion. Why should I? Cougcat said on May 05 11 at 7:20 PM

But, I finally decided that, for this contest, the recipient of the shoe had to 1) lack the funds to purchase a pair for himself, 2) use it for RUNNING, and 3) truly deserve it based on the submitted entry.

These entries made it to the list. (Note: a number of you were disqualified when you went above 2 sentences! )

(1) I would give a pair of running shoes to my cousin, Frankie Solis, because she’s our family’s running coach: she encouraged me, my sister and her two sisters to run by accompanying each of us to our first race. Sadly, even though she’s is so good at it (1st place among those under 20 in the All Women’s Run at MoA)… she still uses her badminton trainers, that’s why I think Frankie deserves a free pair: for starting the love of running among the girls in our family. jemi said on May 05 11 at 4:02 PM

(2) I would give a pair of running shoes to that young girl who ran a 5k race on her rubber slippers because I know it will take her places, literally and figuratively!  Note: She belongs to an indigent family and here parents could not afford to buy her a pair of rubber shoes. She’s a member of her school’s athletic team. Dennis Uy said on May 05 11 at 4:02 PM

(3) I would give a pair of running shoes to Joel, a former janitor in our office, because I saw him run as a bandit in one of the races that I joined. I didn’t knew then that running was his sport and giving a pair of shoes will definitely go a long way to continue his passion. mark terrado said on May 05 11 at 4:05 PM

(4) I would give a pair of running shoes to this Manong Danny who joins our weekly running group. He is a tricycle driver who still loves this sports so much that he even outruns the young ones and challenges even our coach! FierceChick said on May 05 11 at 4:12 PM

(5) I would give a pair of running shoes to Janet Lopena (elite runnner, running mate at MOA) because one time I saw her running her shoe broken into two and at that time I know that she can’t afford to buy shoes, asap. leoda said on May 05 11 at 4:53 PM

(6) I would give a pair of running shoes to our village security guard who runs after his night shift along the 6 km main avenue (out and back). He runs in thong slippers. sup said on May 05 11 at 5:19 PM

(7) I will give a pair of running shoes to a less fortunate but deserving student who’s a member of the track team. He/she might be a coach Rio in the making who will continue to contribute to the growth of the sport of running in our country. Lyn said on May 05 11 at 10:33 PM

(8) I would give a pair of running shoes to my dear friend, Dean Mark because of his passion for running. He’s been winning in different local races in bicol but would suffer from blisters everytime because his shoes from ukay-ukay is half size smaller than his actual shoe size. Marvin said on May 06 11 at 7:08 AM

(9) I would give a pair of running shoes to my young friend Marlon because he has been running barefoot in 100m dash competitions and has no parents who could buy him a pair.  angie trinidad said on May 06 11 at 8:48 AM

(10) I would give a pair of running shoes to Louis, a deaf runner and amateur triathlete I met on a run last week. He has inspired me to be thankful for what you have and shown me that running outpaces any differences. Donald Piret said on May 06 11 at 9:32 AM

(11) i would give a pair of running shoes to dr. rachito abellanosa of bukidnon, so he can give it to some of the indigenous youth he’s been training to run marathons. sahlee said on May 06 11 at 10:00 AM

Then, to keep it fair, I held a raffle among the entries above through random.org.  Based on the assigned number per entry above, the winner of the grand prize for the 5 to 5/5 contest is…

Congratulations MARK TERRADO for winning over P10,000 worth of running items!  Your ex-janitor, Joel, is in for a pleasant surprise! Please expect an email from me within the next few days!

Allow me to reminisce over how I spent my birthday last year…

Last May 5, 2010, I hated the fact that I had to work.  BUT, it was a fun shoot for The Bull Runner Magazine with the wonderful team of Ben Chan | Photovendo.

Who did I spend my birthday with?  Let’s call him God’s birthday gift to me. Hah!  Piolo lang naman.

This is DAY FIVE of TBR’s 5 Days to 5/5 Anniversary Contest 2011! This is the last day of the five day contest. (For more info, click HERE.) Are you READY?! Hang on to your seats…

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

Uhm, just over P10,000 worth of prizes from our sponsors and friends!

• 1 pair of New Balance Running shoes
• 1 pair of K Swiss Running shoes
• 1 complimentary Chi Running session
• 1 case of Gatorade
• 1 Gatorade slingbag, towel, and bike bottle
• 1 Runnr shirt and bag
• 1 TBR Dream Marathon lootbag
• 1 TBR Dream Marathon Shirt
• ADDED: 1 H20 Audio Headphones

HOW MANY WINNERS? One (1) winner

Now, in the spirit of sharing and thanksgiving on my 35th birthday (which is really what this 5 to 5/5 Contest is all about, remember?), I would like to give you the opportunity to spread some love too. So, surprise suprise! My condition for the winner of this contest is this: Give one running shoe to a person who deserves it. It can be your husband or wife, your best friend, an elite runner, or a shoeless person on the street. Whoever you want. Just make sure you give one pair away and keep the other pair for yourself. Deal? Okay. Let the games begin!

HOW CAN I WIN?

• Fill in the blanks:

I would give a pair of running shoes to ____ because ______________.

• Submit your answer as a comment on this post.
• The best answer will be chosen by TBR. It can be heartwarming, humorous, creative or sentimental. Whatever touches me the most will be the chosen one.
• Please limit answers to maximum of 2 sentences only. We’re not looking for essays! Refrain from submitting any other posts in this portion except entries to the contest. Failure to follow this rule will lead to disqualification.
• Each commenter can only submit one entry.
• Day Five contest closes on Saturday, May 6, 2011 at 3 p.m.
• Winner will be published on this blog and will be advised how to claim their prizes.

May the best runner win!