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Guess who’s coming to town by January 2010…Garmin!  A local company has just obtained exclusive distributorship of Garmin products—from car GPS devices to…you guessed right…running watches! Finally!

In 2007, before we saw a Garmin on every other runners’ wrist, I had to order my Garmin 305 online. And, only a few months back, I still had to order my Garmin 310XT through a friend. By 1st quarter of 2010, no need to pay shipping fees or beg a friend to hand carry the watch home, Garmin products will be readily available in Metro Manila.

For now, they are definitely bringing in the Garmin Forerunner 310XT and Garmin Forerunner 405.  I’m hoping they can bring in the Garmin Forerunner 305, too.  Hopefully, they can also have a service center to replace our dead batteries instead of us having to ship them out to Taiwan.

By the 1st Quarter of 2010, the Garmin showroom will be open to the public.  For now, they can accept orders for the watches.  If you are interested, just comment below and I’ll make sure to forward your email.

I discovered Chi Running almost two years ago and wrote about it here.  Shortly after that post, I borrowed the Chi Running book by Danny Dreyer and a friend gave me the Chi Running DVD. I eagerly attempted to practice the techniques I learned, but I was never too sure if I applied it correctly. As time passed, I ended up practicing one basic principle, which I believe helped me recover and further prevent injury: midfoot landing.  All the rest, I simply can’t remember!

Thank goodness then for this guy: Lit Onrubia, who has brought Chi Running into the Philippines. (If his name rings a bell, he’s the famous boyfriend who proposed to his fiance at the Julia Fordham concert years ago. Yes, he was also the Philo teacher at AdMU.)  I had the pleasure of meeting Lit after the New Balance Power Run and, when I found out he took a Chi Running instructor course in the U.S., I knew I had to learn more about Chi Running from him. Below is my interview with Lit:

Note: On Dec. 28, 2009, Lit will give a FREE 2-hour intro session exclusively for TBR Readers. Wanna join? Details at the end of the interview below.

What is Chi Running? How will it benefit runners?

Chi Running is a revolutionary running technique developed by Danny Dreyer that combines the inner focus and balance of Tai Chi with the power and energy of running. The central themes of Chi Running are energy efficiency through relaxation, and injury prevention through proper form and alignment. The end goal is to learn a practice that leads to a lifetime of enjoyable and pain-free running!

I firmly believe that Chi Running benefits anyone who wants to run with ease, efficiency and without injury. It’s a fantastic starting point for beginners and for anyone returning to running after an injury. And experienced runners and triathletes have much to gain from Chi Running because it helps them run longer and faster without necessarily exerting more effort or exposing their bodies to potential injury brought about by a heavy training schedule. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet a lot of Chi Running practitioners — both new and experienced runners alike — and all of them really only have good things to say about what Chi Running has done for them.

How long does it take to learn Chi Running? Is it difficult to learn and apply?

This is a great question and is one of the most common questions asked about Chi Running. It is actually very easy to learn, but almost impossible to master. I could teach somebody the basic principles and start having them apply it in 2 hours, but it takes even Chi Running Master Instructors (including Danny, there are only 7 certified Master Instructors in the world) years before they understand all the nuances and consistently feel all the principles in their bodies. And I suppose that’s what makes the practice of Chi Running so wonderful and challenging! The goal is not to run longer or faster each time but to run better by gaining a deeper understanding of how your body moves and how the physical forces of nature around us work while we run. Chi Running is not at all difficult to learn and apply, but one must be willing to constantly listen to one’s body and adjust as he/she gradually sets higher goals.

– Lit teaching pelvic rotation –

– Lit teaching lower body relaxation (knee bending and ankle lift) –

How did you learn Chi Running, how long have you been practicing it?

I first heard about Chi Running back in 2004. This was shortly after the first edition of the book was published. At that time, all I knew about Chi Running was that it was this natural running technique that promoted a forward lean and a mid-foot strike. And it resonated with me because I always ran with a slight lean ever since I started running 12 years ago and was already mostly a mid-foot runner. Still, I never bothered to learn more about it or buy the book. Fast forward to 2008 — I read on a website that the revised edition of the book was released and planned to finally buy it. But as luck would have it, a good friend of mine gave me the book as a present. I started reading it and I was hooked by page 8! It just totally blew my mind! Danny’s book articulated all the things that I had thought
about on how to run properly but could never fully understand. Applying the things I learned from the book and feeling the positive changes in my running inspired me to learn more about Chi Running because I wanted to share it with others. So in late 2009, I decided to get certified as a Chi Running Instructor and went to San Francisco and San Diego to learn from two Master Instructors and immerse myself in it. I can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed both experiences.

– Chi Running Instructor Certification class with Master Instructor Kathy Griest: Lit is in the front row, right –

How has Chi Running helped you?

Chi Running has made running a hundred percent more enjoyable for me! I’m able to run as often as I want without any soreness, And though I’m now much fatter (double sigh — haha!), I run better now in my late 30s compared to when I was in my late 20s. And I believe that my mind has connected with my body like never before. I’m just now more aware and have a better understanding of how our bodies work and this leads to me setting appropriate goals which I’m enjoying meeting and hopefully exceeding. I used to be very ego-centric with my running. Like how my enjoyment was directly tied to how fast or how far I could run. That’s completely changed. My enjoyment is now a result of being able to run more frequently with the confidence that I could probably and hopefully run forever. (And 
I hope it stays that way!) Still, I find that there’s still so much about running that I’m discovering and I absolutely cannot wait to share this with people. By the way, Danny is aware of the running boom in our country and he told me that he’s absolutely thrilled that we’re formally bringing the practice to the Philippines! After all, it’s only fitting that we bring a running technique inspired by eastern principles over to Asia!

CHI 
RUNNING SESSION DETAILS:

Instructor: Lit Jose Onrubia

Program: 
Chi Running is a revolutionary running technique that focuses on running with the correct form for efficient and pain free running. Chi Running is ideal for beginners, for runners coming back from injuries, and for experienced runners looking to improve their skill.

Dates: TBA. Stay tuned to www.thebullrunner.com for updates!

Venue: Bonifacio High Street or Ultra

Prices:

For Private Sessions (By appointment)

• Php1,000/hr for a one-on-one session
• Php1,500/hr for 2 people
• Php2,000/hr for a group of 3 
people
• Arrangements could also be made for a private Chi Running Basics course for up to 12 people

For Public Sessions (Dates TBA)

• Php2,000/person for the 4-hr Chi Running Basics course. (Maximum of 12 people per course)

Contact details: Call Lit at:

• Cell: 0917-537-6870
• Email: lit.onrubia@gmail.com

WIN SLOTS TO AN EXCLUSIVE CHI RUNNING INTRO SESSION FOR TBR READERS! Details below:

• Number of slots available: 3 pairs or 6 slots only (4th pair is for hubby and myself) since Lit wants to focus on each participant
• Exclusive TBR Chi Running Intro Session:

1. DECEMBER 28, 2009, MONDAY, 6:30 TO 8:30 PM, BONIFACIO HIGH STREET (near Runnr/ Mizuno): 2 hours for the intro (mostly getting the form right — proper posture and “the lean”), understanding running efficiency and injury prevention, and then spending a few mins running
2. TBA: 2-hr follow-up session would be best (mostly running, applying the forms and talking about the other elements: foot strike, arm swing, gears/cadence, pelvic rotation, uphill/downhill running)

• How to win:

1. Wait for my post entitled WIN SLOTS TO A FREE CHI RUNNING SESSION anytime before Christmas.
2. Contest will be open only for 8 hours from time of posting.
3. 3 winners will be chosen by TBR based on the answers provided to a specific question.
4. Each winner will be entitled to 2 free slots to the Chi Running Session.
5. Chi Running slot is transferable.

The Condura Run is always one of the most anticipated running events of the year.  It is known as THE run for runners, by runners as the brains behind the event are two passionate running brothers, Ton and Patrick Concepcion, who will stop at nothing to ensure that the race they offer is at par with the many races they’ve run themselves.

The Concepcion brothers are hands-on with race organization from conceptualization (they started sending out surveys as early as May 2009! Click here to read what most runners wished for!) down to implementation (for Condura 2009, I met Ton during set up on the eve of the race!)  So, it comes as no surprise that, as early as two months prior to race day, the website is up with all details laid out for runners to go gaga over.

– I found myself as an “extra” on Condura’s website! Cool! –

Just like last year, the website is one of the best race websites I’ve seen providing complete and relevant information designed in a simple, visually appealing, and easy-to-read format.

Click here to view the Condura Run 2010 – Run for Dolphins website.

My advice to all those who want to join this race:  Train NOW.  Register NOW.

See you on the Skyway on February 7, 2010!

Joy Rojas is back! It wasn’t too long ago when Joy announced her daunting dream of running across the USA after running across the Philippines in 2005.

Now, Joy Rojas can proudly say she is the first Southeast Asian woman to run across the USA!  She ran 16 states in 169 days, from Los Angeles to New York, running over a marathon daily, covering 5,000-kilometers for Takbong Pangarap Trans-USA Run 2009.

– Joy running across the USA, accompanied by trainer Mat Macabe –

I was fortunate enough to be one among the many friends, family, and press invited to welcome her back from the USA yesterday.  Truth to tell, I was eager to hear about her experience and share this on the blog, but I really came as one of her biggest fans who just wanted to give her a big hug and tell her how much of an inspiration she is to everyone, myself included.

I’ll be posting an interview with Joy soon about her Takbong Pangarap Trans-USA Run 2009. Check this blog again in a few days.

– with my idol Joy Rojas and Li’l Bull Runner (counting the confetti she collected from the floor) –

– I hope Li’l Bull Runner learned a thing or two about girl power that day! –

What a great way to end my racing year! I’ve signed up for 21k at philstar.com’s Christmas Celebrity Run. A good friend (you know who you are!) insists I aim for my elusive sub-2 half marathon goal, but my body tells me it’s not the right time. I’m in the mood for a slow, easy, and fun Christmas-y run!

I’m thinking I should squeeze some bibingka into my compression tights, pour hot choco into my amphipod bottles, and keep an eye out for some great friends to celebrate a Christmas picnic-on-the-run! I could also hide a mistletoe under my cap in case I bump into Piolo! Hah!

See you at philstar.com’s Celebrity Run!

Disclaimer: My body may tell me otherwise within the next couple of days. If I go beyond picnic pace during the run, then that means I’ll be gunning for the sub-2 instead. We’ll see!

—————————————-

PRESS RELEASE

A Run before Christmas is one way of welcoming the yuletide season with a healthy lifestyle. This year philstar.com is proud to invite all online community members, race and sports enthusiasts, lifestyle aficionados to join the Christmas Celebrity Run on Dec. 20 at the Fort Bonifacio Global City Taguig.

This event was organized for philstar.com’s online community to communicate and interact with their favorite celebrities who share the same passion for running, online literacy and charity work, promoting a healthy lifestyle. Stars like Piolo Pascual Mark Bautista, Christine Jacob-Sandejas, Dianne Castillejo, Coach Ani de Leon, Rovilson, Tessa Prieto Valdez, Maricel Laxa-Pangilingan, Anthony Pangilinan, Jaime Zobel de Ayala, Fernando and Kit Zobel de Ayala will be joining the event for a cause.

More than the social and healthy benefits of running, philstar.com’s Christmas Celebrity Run 2009 will also help fund the computerization program of Gilas (Gearing up Internet Literacy and Access for Students), a multi-sectoral initiative spearheaded by the Ayala Foundation program.

The philstar.com Christmas Celebrity Run 2009 is sponsored by Adidas, Yahoo! Philippines, E-Games, Brazilian Agaricus, Crocs, Nutribar, Smart, Coppertone, Aqua Blue, Sport Beans, Timex, Chris Sports, Vitwater, Mizuno, Paul Calvin’s Deli, McKinley Hill, and One Tagaytay Place, Action and Fitness magazine, Men’s Health Philippines, Women’s Health Philippines, Magic 89.9, AXN, Jack TV, Jobstreet, Chikka, People Asia, The Philippine STAR, NU 107 and takbo.ph.

Registration runs until Dec.18 at the ROX, Bonifacio High Street, Taguig; 2nd Wind at 88 Maginhawa St., Teacher’s Village, Quezon City; Crocs Stores (SM Megamall, Trinoma, SM Mall of Asia), Chris Sports (Glorietta, Festival Mall) and Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association office, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. Registration fee is P350 for the 3K, 5K and 10K runs and P450 for the 21K. More information: www.philstar.com