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HERO stands for Help Educate and Rear Orphans.  HERO foundation provides educational stipend support to children of soldiers who are killed-in-action or are permanently incapacitated while in combat duty.

Since August 23, 1988, HERO has so far supported the education of more than 2,100 children and AFP orphans at various levels of education. About 798 orphans had already graduated in college.

Original founders include: late Pres. Corazon Aquino, former AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Renato de Villa, Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala, and other concerned businessmen.  Current Board of Trustees include: Fernando Zobel de Ayala (Chairman), Gen Renato de Villa AFP (Ret) (Vice Chairman), Antonino T Aquino (President), Pinky Aquino, Ces Drilon of ABSCBN, Jun Bisnar of Ayala Land, Miguel Belmonte of Phil Star, Sandy Prieto Romualdez of Phil Daily Inquirer, Ton Concepcion of Condura and more.

TBR DREAM SUPPORTS HERO FOUNDATION

A portion of the proceeds raised from TBR Dream Marathon on March 20, 2011 will be donated to Hero Foundation. Beyond that, we’ve pledged to help by encouraging our TBR Dream Marathoners—and those who read this blog as well—to raise funds for HERO through their runs.

HOW DO YOU COLLECT PLEDGES?

1. Announce to family, friends, and colleagues about the 42k you will run on March 20, 2011 (or any race you prefer). You can even do this via email. (No backing out now!)
2. Inform them you are running not just for yourself, but also for orphans of Hero Foundation. Explain how they can help by pledging a specific amount for every kilometer you run. Example: P10 for every kilometer. P10 x 42 = P420 for the entire race.  You decide on the amount.
3. List down the names and corresponding pledge of each person.
4. Train hard for TBR Dream Marathon…and try your darndest best to finish all 42 kilometers on March 20, 2011. (During the last 5k, it would help to think of all the kids you’ll help by crossing the finish line.)
5. After you’ve recovered from your marathon, collect pledges and donate this to HERO Foundation in four ways:

• Deposit at BPI. Saving Account no. 000013-6263-32. Fax deposit slip to Gemma at Hero fax no. 913-1318
• Deposit at Landbank. Current Account no. 1672-1001-23. Fax deposit slip to Gemma at Hero fax no. 913-1318
• Send check to Hero office at Camp Aguinaldo. Contact Gen. Garcia or Gemma below
• Drop at HERO donation boxes in various Ayala Malls

For more info, you may contact the following:  Gen. Renato M. Garcia (Executive Director) or Gemma (Chief Accountant) of HERO Foundation, Inc. Room 203, 2/F, AFPGIC Bldg., EDSA cor. B. Serrano St., Q.C.; tel no. 912-0361 or 912-9330.

For more information about HERO, click HERE to view website.

Finishline announced that the ROAD X TRAIL series has been moved to January and February 2011:

Cycling – From December 11, 2010 to February 13, 2011, Sunday morning
Running – From December 18, 2010 to January 15, 2011, Saturday afternoon
Duathlon – From December 19, 2010 to January 16, 2011, Sunday morning

Some runners must’ve been saddened by this news.  As for me, I’m overjoyed.  No way could I fit this trail run into my busy holiday sched.  But, with the postponement, I must admit that I am seriously considering it, especially since it’ll be a good way to burn the excess calories from the holiday bingeing.  Oh, this also gives me enough time to dust off my North Face trail running shoes.  Hope to see you there!

It was a toss up between QC International Marathon and Nike 5k two weekends ago.

QCIM will always hold a special place in my heart since it was my first unofficial 42km. Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to drive all the way to QC that week for a race I wasn’t planning to…uhm…race.

Nike Run was going to be relatively smaller, shorter, and more convenient. Definitely the kind of race I was in the mood for. So, I joined the Nike 5k instead. With post-marathon blues gone, my mindset was fun. Fun. Fun.

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

The small, relaxed, happy atmosphere was a breath of fresh air for me. No pressure nor stress whatsoever. Bumping into friends, Vimz (Kulit Runner), Aljo, Jun (The Solemates), and especially Dingdong (RunMD) who I hadn’t seen for months, at the assembly area made it even more delightful.

Before us were the Polo Tri Team equipped with their loaded hydration belts, a sure sign that the race was probably just a portion of their long run for the day. For a moment, I felt envious, wishing I could go back in time to our heavy marathon training days. But, I reminded myself to take it easy for now and revel in my “off-season mode”…at least until I figure out what my next marathon goal will be!

AND THE RACE BEGINS

The race took us through my favorite areas of Bonifacio Global City, the long uphill ascent that Alvin and I climb for our training runs.  There was a bit of a traffic with no other distance but 5k, but it wasn’t a problem at all for me.  Despite the crowd, I thoroughly enjoyed every kilometer of this run. Maybe it was because my ipod was loaded with brand new songs.  Or, there was no pressure at all for me to reach a specific time.  Or, that I could almost taste breakfast at Sentro afterwards. Whatever.  My goal was to have fun and that’s definitely what I got.

Before we knew it, the 5k race was over. I crossed the finish with a smile on my face without even glimpsing at the time on my Garmin.  (I did check it later on and it recorded 27:24 for 5k with an average pace of 5:26 min/km.)

– with friends Aljo, Vimz (Kulit Runner), Leia, Bobby, and Jun (The Solemates) –

POST-RACE FESTIVITIES…AND FREEBIES

Hubby and I dropped by the VIP Tent to congratulate our Nike friends for a wonderful event. The post-race atmosphere was festive with cheerleaders keeping runners entertained plus loads of freebies. I loved the mini Nike figurines they gave away which went directly to our kiddos.

– No, that’s not Coach Rio on the right –

A little birdie told me Nike is eyeing a 10k next year…and that is fantastic news. But, I do wish they consider adding a 21k distance to the mix. C’mon Nike…Just Do It, please?

I am The Bull Runner. I will rise to the challenge!

That’s Cherifer’s tagline. And, it could might as well be mine.

Juggling all my responsibilities throughout the day as mom and wife, graphic designer, blogger, editor, and of course, runner is definitely a daily challenge. But, I’m always game! I think of all these lofty dreams and sign myself up for seemingly impossible goals because it scares the hell out of me, but at the same time, it makes me feel more alive. Just as long as I know I’m able to balance everything without losing focus on what’s most important (family comes first for me!) then all is good.

So, when Cherifer presented their storyboard and invited me to be their endorser, I thought it was a perfect fit. I started taking Cherifer a few months back and honestly (no bull! and no pun intended, too!) it’s worked for me. I felt so strong throughout my training for New York Marathon. I haven’t even gotten sick, not even sore throat in the cold of New York, for months now. It’s a huge difference from the months of February to May this year when I caught every virus out there!

I also liked the fact that the advertisement was so…ME! Cherifer actually pulled the storyboard out of the About portion from this blog. They constantly asked me if everything they were presenting was true and real for me. When I struggled with recording (sorry, I can’t do much about my nasal voice and kolehiyala intonation!) they welcomed it because it was me!

So, as much as this is a TV ad about Cherifer, it’s also about who I really am. Told you it was a perfect fit!

Thanks Cherifer for the trust and opportunity!

Woah.  Is this for real?  Last September, Timex released the first GPS-enabled watch under the Timex Ironman brand in the U.S.:  the Timex Global Trainer GPS enabled watch.  Finally, it’s here in Manila!

I heard only 15 of these are available in Manila, some of which found their way to the wrists of Piolo, Ani de Leon, and Coach Rio.  For the few that are left, most of us will have to work hard to raise the P22,990 retail price and scramble to the nearest Timex shop before it runs out.

I haven’t tried this watch, but it has certainly aroused my curiosity: Can the Timex Global Trainer GPS outperform the Garmin Forerunner?  If you get one, do let me know!

Here are a few reviews I’ve read:

DC Rainmaker
Engadget

Available only in selected Timex Shops: Glorietta, SM Mall of Asia, SM North Edsa, SM Megamall.
Retail price: P22,990