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Last Sunday, May 25, our entire family woke up in the wee hours of the morning to drive out to Club Manila East on the opposite side of the world for Anton’s (or TBR Jr.’s haha) first Aquathlon.  (Read about his first triathlon here.)

There were three options for registration: Race category (medals would be awarded and kids were split into age categories), Play category (with short and long options), and Relay.  It was the first time the Play category was introduced and, after consulting with Coach Ani de Leon, I chose to register Anton in the Long distance Play category where I thought majority of the kids would be joining.  Boy was I wrong.  I guess the kids (or parents LOL) are pretty serious and competitive now.  When we showed up for the race, there were only 4 kids in Anton’s category.  Everyone else had signed up for Race!  Well, it didn’t bother Anton so it didn’t bother me!

My boy was cool and calm as always from claiming of race kit, body marking, to dropping his stuff at transition.  I believe it was his Mama (yet again) who was a nervous wreck.  I asked him more than a handful of times: How do you feel?  Excited? Nervous?  And, TBR Jr. would reply in jest: “I’m nexcited.  Just a bit nervous and more excited.”

At 8:00 AM, Coach Ani briefed the kids. 2 girls. 2 boys including Anton.  By 8:15 AM, they were off.

The swim was 300 meters.  Anton had trained under Lozada’s swim program all summer so I was pretty confident he would finish this.  But, as I watched from afar, I knew he was struggling.  Later on I learned that, since he didn’t have his glasses and the water was murky, he couldn’t see a thing.  (Woah boy, that’s what I get for refusing to spend on prescription goggles tsk tsk)

The 2 girls came out strong followed by the boy and Anton came out last.

I chased after Anton as he made his way into transition.  I watched him from the sidelines as he expertly slid his foot into his shoes (without socks like a real triathlete…so unlike me! LOL), wore his race belt and bib, gulped down his water and sped away for the 2k run.  (If only he wouldn’t be so embarrassed by me, I would’ve hugged and kissed him like he was 2 years old right there and then! Haha!)

I waited for him by the finish line and, before I knew it, the boy came flying in.  After a minute or two, Anton came 2nd.  Judging by his face, I knew he pushed hard and gave it his all.  And that, for me, was a winner!

Congratulations to my not so little big boy, Anton!  We’re so proud of you!  Congratulations also to all the kids who finished and to the awesome organizers of Ironkids!

Specialized Philippines announced its 2014 ambassadors a few weeks ago.  First good news for that night?  I found out that I was one of them!  Woot!

Joey Ramirez, Chief Executive Officer of Dan’s, the Philippine distributor of Specialized proudly said: “Specialized has been sponsoring a number of athletes for several years now, but it is only recently that we have come to have such a diverse group of athletes.  We have always been about performance. In selecting our ambassadors, we consider their racing credentials as well as their enthusiasm to really represent Specialized in their training and racing lifestyle.”

In my case, I’m guessing Joey voluntarily overlooked the “racing credentials” area and gave me 200% for enthusiasm and passion for the sport.  Sweet! LOL.  Thank you so much to Joey and the rest of my Specialized family!

Second good news that night?   They announced Matteo Guidicelli as one of the new brand ambassadors of Specialized!  That makes us practically siblings!  (Wait, if he starts calling me Ate that ain’t good news at all!)

with Joey Ramirez and Matteo Guidicelli

Here’s the list of all 2014 Specialized Ambassadors:

Matteo Guidicelli – Mountain biker, Triathlete, and Actor

Monica Torres – Professional triathlete

Ariana Dormitorio – teenage phenom in the mountain biking scene

Nino Surban

Other ambassadors include: Fitness First Cycling and Triathlon Teams and The Isuzu D-Max – Team Prima with rising star Jerich Farr.

Before the night ended, it was also announced that, for the second year in a row, Dan’s was awarded the coveted Specialized Distributor of the Year Award for the Pacific Rim region thanks to its aggressive promotion of Specialized, its signature Body Geometry FIT methodology, and fruitful partnerships with its ambassadors.  Congratulations Specialized Philippines!

I’ve been running with the Saucony Guide 6 for months now. I’ve been using it as my primary training shoe for long distances on weekends and it was my shoe of choice for Tokyo Marathon last February.

When I heard that the Saucony Guide 7 was about to be released I was both worried and excited. I looked forward to testing this fantastic pair of shoes and, at the same time, I hoped that Saucony didn’t make too many changes to an already great shoe.

The good news: they made only a few changes, which are truly upgrades and improvements to its predecessor! That’s a good thing because this is a multi awarded shoe. Since its original debut in 2008, the Guide was twice named the Independent Running Retailers Association (IRRA) “Shoe of the Year” (2009, 2010), Runner’s World “Editor’s Choice (2012) and Runner’s World “International Shoe of the Year” (2012).

SAUCONY GUIDE 7 FOR MEN

SAUCONY GUIDE 7 FOR WOMEN

So, I’ve used the Saucony Guide 7 for over a month now and I can finally release an honest to goodness shoe review:

YAY:

The Saucony Guide 7 is a stability shoe that provides flexibility, guidance, and support surprisingly without the bulk or the weight. The best way for me to describe it is that it’s a cross between the stability of an Asics Gel Kayano and the lightness of the Kswiss Kwicky Blade Light. Basically, the Saucony Guide 7 has successfully combined the best of both worlds.

The shoe is extremely stable and I like how it feels close to the ground since I’m an overpronator. It provides good cushioning, not the soft mushy type, but just the right amount to still be responsive. I also like how flexible the shoe is which I can tell by the sound of the shoe striking the ground. I’ve had shoes that sound like plywood hitting the pavement. The Guide 7 is close to silent and soft.

The forefoot area is wide and spacious, perfect for runners like me with annoying bunions. The heel cup hugs my foot comfortably. It doesn’t slide nor does it feel too tight.

To be honest with you, I didn’t feel a significant difference from the Guide 6 to 7 and that’s a good thing!

NAY:

Nothing. This is the first time I absolutely have no complaints about the shoe.

PRODUCT DETAILS FROM SAUCONY:

So who can run in the Guide 7? The answer is: almost anyone.

Pronators appreciate the light stability and guidance, while neutral runners find that it offers a touch of support without over-correcting their foot through the gait cycle. It really hits a sweet spot for a large percentage of the running population. Its fully decoupled SRC (Super Rebound Compound) crash pad in the Guide 7 heel area provides a smoother transition at foot strike. Moreover, the outsole of the new Guide’s forefoot has been flared by 2mm for a more supportive platform during the latter stages of the gait cycle. The Guide’s 8mm heel-to-toe offset positions the foot during impact in a way that creates a greater range of motion for the Gastrocnemius-Soleus-Achilles tendon system, allowing for a more powerful running stride. The end result: the Guide is the ultimate training partner, providing both stability and flexibility in a surprisingly lightweight package.

UPGRADES FROM SAUCONY GUIDE 6 TO 7

Saucony has upped the Guide 7’s midsole technology game by adding a heel-to-toe PowerGrid insert for lightweight propulsion. The revolutionary PowerGrid foam is 15% lighter and 30% more durable than traditional EVA. Deeper flex grooves and improved toe-spring ensure the new Guide moves with the runner. At a mere 10 oz, the Guide 7 is significantly lighter than any other shoe in its class.

DISTRIBUTION OUTLETS

Runnr in Bonifacio High Street and Trinoma, Toby’s Mall of Asia, Planet Sports in Power Plant Mall, Secondwind Ortigas, major SM Department Stores nationwide and select Robinsonsons Department Stores.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SauconyPhilippines
Twitter: SauconyPH
Instagram: SauconyPH

ANG INIT!  Not a day passes when these words aren’t said or written online.  The heat is unbelievable and unforgiving, yet we still go out there and run!  Here’s what I thought of yesterday as distraction while running (or suffering) on the treadmill in a crazy, hot gym.  Feel free to add your own:

YOU KNOW IT’S TOO HOT TO RUN WHEN…

You’re sweating while you’re lacing up your shoes.

You’re seriously considering cutting off the sleeves of your favorite running shirt.

That Gatorade bottle you froze last night? It defrosted in 10 seconds.

You unfollow that friend who posts running pics abroad in 10 degree weather.

You carry P500 in your pocket while running around Bonifacio Global City for all the Slurpees you’re going to gulp down from every 7-11 you pass.

Bawal. Magsalita. It’s too tiring to talk.

It’s humid even INSIDE the gym!

You’re afraid to leave your running shoes in the car for fear they’d melt.

The only other people on the road are ultramarathoners who have gone to hell and back and decided to run in hell again with you today.

After a run, your clothes cling to you like you swam in them and you wonder how you’ll peel them off.

You tap yourself on the back for surviving a gruelling tempo run in the heat only to realize it was much slower than an LSD.

A good recovery drink should have carbs + protein + lots. of. ice.

Just thinking of running leaves you exhausted, but you do it anyway…because 1) You’re nuts and 2) You’re a runner!

Happy to announce my new passion project and I sure hope to see ALL WOMEN there…and some men in tutus too. Teehee!

Event: Carbtrim – The Bull Runner All Woman Race
Date: July 20, 2014
Distance: 5k, 10k, 21k
Venue: Filinvest City, Alabang

All women are invited to CARBTRIM – THE BULL RUNNER ALL WOMAN RACE! This run for womanity features 5k, 10k and 21k race distances along the safe and friendly roads of Filinvest City in Alabang. It will be a run open to women of all fitness levels who wish to celebrate women empowerment and camaraderie.

Participants can expect lots of bling, boas, and tutus on this fun-filled event! Charm bracelets will be awarded to all 21k female finishers. All female finishers will receive colorful boas upon crossing the finish line. Prizes await the top three female finishers for each race category.

As for the male runners, limited slots will be open to men who wish to run as “honorary women of the day!” The only requirement is that they wear tutus provided in the race kit. 21k male finishers will receive medals.

Early bird registration starts on May 19 until June 8 only at Planet Sports, All Woman Floor at Bonifacio High Street. Early bird rates are 21k P1200, 10k P800, and 5k P600. Regular and late registration will be at Planet Sports – Bonifacio High Street, Planet Sports – Trinoma, and New Balance, Festival Mall in Filinvest City, Alabang. Regular race fees (June 9 to 30) are 21k P1400, 10k P1000, and 5k P800 and race fees for late registration (July 1 to 6) are 21k P1600, 10k P1200, and 5k P1000. Race kit redemption will begin on June 9, 2014.

All runners will receive free CarbTrim Capsules in their race kits to help them reach their ideal race weight by race day. Female participants will also receive an attractive dri-fit women-specific racerback All Woman Race singlet along with the race bib and ipico timing chip.

The race starts at Spectrum Midway Avenue in front of Filinvest Tent in Filinvest City. Gun start for 21k is 4:30AM, for 10k 5:30AM, and for 5k 5:45AM. Runners will be treated to shopping and pampering at the post-race area.

Carbtrim – The Bull Runner All Woman Race is sponsored by the following: Title Sponsor – Carbtrim, Presenters – Filinvest City and Runrio, Official Sports Drink – Gatorade, Official Endurance Multivitamin – Enervon Activ, Official Recovery Drink – Enervon HP, Official Sports Bra – Moving Comfort, Official Timing Partner – Garmin, Official Insurance Provider – Paramount Insurance, Silver Sponsor – Creamsilk, Regular Sponsors –Dole and Planet Sports. Media partners – Women’s Health, Race Day Magazine, Multisport, Urban Mom, PinoyFitness.ph, SwimBikeRun.ph, MommyMundo.com, and WhenInManila.com. The event is organized by TheBullRunner.com.

For more information, please contact Macel at mobile number 0942.477.6099 or email tbrallwoman@gmail. You may also visit www.facebook.com/allwomanrace or thebullrunner.com