Category Archives: Running + Triathlon

The Happy Feet is a diverse group of runners who share a common love for running. We take our running very seriously… but (and this is a big BUT… although none of our butts are big) we never take it TOO seriously. We are all for beating PRs, chasing down the competition, and improving our training, but none of these should be undertaken without bouts of laughter, a couple of jokes, or great conversation among friends.

Since joining Happy Feet, I have never gone to a race alone. We register together, agree to meet near the baggage counter of every race, and end the race with anecdotes of our own race experiences. Oh, of course, we take our requisite Happy Feet photo before parting ways. Most of the Happy Feet (usually the single ones which are the majority) share their post-race meals together after each run. I have yet to join an after-run gimmick as the mommy in me holds Sundays as sacred family days for just me, my hubby, and the kids.

Here are photos of our fast-growing Happy Feet group from the recently held Fil-Mus Run For Peace. The photos are courtesy of Ben, Photographer on The Run, who is our official photographer and stylist (yeah, we need one especially after a long, sweat-inducing race!) By the way, Ben has a new 10k PR of 43:01 min. Congratulations again, Ben!

If you wish to join Happy Feet, you must meet the following conditions:

1. You must have an obsessive love for running.
2. You must post as many senseless messages in our e-group as you possibly can.
3. You must be willing to read many a senseless message in your inbox — without deleting them.
4. You must laugh at all of Mon’s jokes… you will meet him later on if you sign in.
5. You must agree to pose for each photo op as required by Photographer Ben and put on a happy face despite the fatigue from a long run.

Should you be interested in joining Happy Feet, just click here.

If you need more incentive to join us (aside from my lovely speech above), check out our soon-to-arrive uniforms…(Oh, we will just look so cool in them, don’t you think?)

Can one DNF in a Virtual Training Run? If so then that was exactly what I did this morning.

I was in Alabang, my running ground, at exactly 4:30 am as agreed upon with my other Virtual Running buddies who were running at their own spots all around the world. I was so ready to run after missing two consecutive VR’s due to family duties and the bad weather.

Entering the village gates, I didn’t realize that the guards would be the last human beings I would see around the area until I parked my car at San Juanico Street. It would be a gross understatement to call the scene eerie, it was chilling, spine-tingling and downright frightening for an overly imaginative person like me. The entire village was asleep but I already had visions of vampires having just devoured all its inhabitants and leaving this village like a ghost town. The orange lights that illuminated the streets did nothing to appease my petrified soul. It just added to the whole spooky Halloween ambiance I found myself in. Oh, I smelled fear in the air and it was emanating from the nerves of only one petrified runner — ME!

Having driven all the way here and not wanting to disappoint my fellow running buddies, I conjured up the little courage I had left and parked my car across the dimly lit tennis courts. I remembered the carpenter that was found dead there last year, the crime left unsolved, and perhaps his soul still yearning for justice. What if he decided to pop up and ask me for help? Ack, I scrubbed that thought from my brain, yanked out my ipod, and jumped out of the car. I decided to brisk walk towards Madrigal Avenue, the main road where the guards were, while I fumbled with my entangled earphones. I desperately needed to hear music — or anything at all — just not the deafening silence on these streets! How could I possibly get my ipod to work when my hands were shaking in fright?! I stared at the empty road before me and knew instantly that I would not survive this run.

I ran back towards my car as fast as I could and headed back home. I spent more than half an hour driving to and from Alabang. Reaching my house at 5:05 am, I wasted no time in squeezing in a good run on my treadmill before I reported for work as Mommy. I ran 6 km for 35 min while watching Conan O’ Brien and HBO. It could’ve been better but I’m glad I still ran. Hitme said “a run is still a run even on a treadmill” and, after my treadmill run, I can still echo what Mary texted this a.m. “Ang sarap tumakbo!” (It feels great to run!)

Next week, can someone please remind me to bring a running buddy or meet up with Coach?

Reports from other Virtual Running buddies:

1. E-rod
   
2. Hitme
3. Steph
4. Ben
5. Nora

It’s time for Virtual Run No. 5! By now, you should know what this is all about. But, if you don’t, slap yourself on the head first, then do either of the following:

1) Go to my archives and read the past 4 weeks’ entries on Wednesday (VR Run Invites) and Thursdays (VR Run Reports).

2) Scroll down and read the brief definition.

3) Don’t read anything here and just make sure you run on Thursday (tomorrow) at 4:30 am Manila Time.

During the Virtual Run, a group of runners run “together” at the same time wherever they may be in the world. Anyone can join!

DATE: 23 August 2007, Thursday (Manila Time)
TIME: 4:30 A.M. (Manila Time)
DISTANCE: 10 km/ 6 miles (or whatever you wish)
RUNNERS/ COURSE: (I’ll update this as more people join up)

Previous runners have been:

1. E-Rod – Newport Beach, USA
2. HitMe – Quezon City, Philippines
3. Banggi – Manila, Philippines
4. Ben – Manila to Makati, Philippines
5. Renz – Metro Manila, Philippines
6. Marga – Parañaque, Philippines
7. Caloy – Davao, Philippines
8. TRF – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
9. Steph – San Diego, USA
10. Gretchen – Truckee, USA
11. Mary – Paranaque, Philippines
12. Caloy – Davao, Philippines
13. Chaia – Makati, Philippines
14. Rick – San Francisco, USA
15. Nora – England
16. The Bull Runner – Parañaque, Philippines

Are you in?

If you’ve been a regular reader of TBR, you must know by now that there’s always something special happening on Thursdays. What?! Nope, I don’t give out free training shoes (although I’m open to receiving ’em.) No, I don’t break my PR every Thursday either (how I wish!)

Every Thursday, for the past couple of weeks, I’ve joined a group of runners all over the world who have agreed to run a certain distance at the same time no matter where we are located in the world. It’s what we call our Virtual Training Run.

The Virtual Training Run is open to runners of every age, nationality, size, weight, or fitness level. So, you—yes you!—may just leave a note below to tell me that you’re running with us tomorrow and you’ll be a part of our growing Virtual Running group. C’mon, join us and we assure you that you’ll have a lot of fun!

DATE: 16 August 2007, Thursday (Manila Time)/ 15 August 2007, Wednesday (US Pacific Time)
TIME: 4:30 A.M. (Manila Time)/ 1:30 P.M. (US Pacific Time)
DISTANCE: 10 km/ 6 miles (or whatever you wish)
RUNNERS/ COURSE: (I’ll update this as more people join up)

1. HitMe – Quezon City, Philippines
2. Banggi – Manila, Philippines
3. Ben – Manila to Makati, Philippines
4. Renz – Metro Manila, Philippines
5. Marga – Paranaque, Philippines
6. TRF – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
7. Steph – San Diego, USA
8. Gretchen – Truckee, USA
9. E-Rod – Newport Beach, USA
10. Jaymie – Alabang, Philippines

To Manila Runners, I hope we can run tomorrow despite the gloomy weather. Click here for PAGASA’s Real-Time weather forecast.

Once again, let us pray for Egay to leave us by tomorrow. After your prayer, chant this 20 times while lifting your arms up and down, eating a banana, and running in a small circle slightly below race pace (preferably when your boss is not looking):

Egay Egay, go away

Come again on a non-running day

Virtual Runners want to play.

Rumors were rife about an upcoming Mizuno Race and, like a good reporter ready to investigate a new story, I asked my sources to verify the information.

GOOD NEWS: Mizuno will have a 5k/10k/15k race tentatively set for December at SM Mall of Asia.

BETTER NEWS: Mizuno has a running clinic every other Thursday, 7 P.M. at Bonifacio High Street.

You know me, I don’t say no to running events…unless it’s too far, too early, or too idiotic. So, I found myself at Mizuno last night ready to see what this running clinic was about.

The Mizuno Run Club is headed by triathlete coach Miguel “Ige” Lopez. It is open to runners of all shapes, sizes, and fitness levels. Last night was its 3rd clinic and a good number of runners showed up. Perhaps half of them were serious (even elite) runners (you know just by looking at their lean physiques and short shorts) and the other half were beginners to intermediate runners. The former was led by Miguel while the latter was guided by Paolo, Mizuno brand manager. They ran a short 3k around the area, which should steadily increase as the runners improve over time.

– Look at them runners! 3k is a yawn for them –

While the runners (including Ben and Tricia of Happy Feet) reveled in their short run, I sat in the booth with Renz and KC, Mizuno marketing associate, sulking. Why did I leave my running attire behind? Had I not known that, despite a good 10k run earlier that afternoon, I would not be strong enough to resist the temptation of seeing other runners leaving me behind?

Fortunately, there were a lot of things to distract me from my petty problem. I met a simple and unassuming guy, Jujet De Asis, who turned out to be the 3rd fastest runner of 5k and 10k in the country. His PR is 16.43 minutes for 5k and 28.41 minutes for 10k. Gosh, his 10k PR is better than my 5k PR! Renz and I bombarded him with questions: How often does he train (6x a week), Where (at the Ultra oval), and Is Buenavista his friend or enemy (competitor during a race but friend at all other times).

– Me and Jujet De Asis (Do you think speed is contagious? I certainly hope so!) –

Soon after, the runners had returned and we started an informal Q&A with Miguel Lopez. He was open to all our questions—from proper form to good nutrition—and generously provided all the information we so eagerly and quickly absorbed.

– Runners stretch. Ben (left) and Tricia (the only one with her arms down haha) of Happy Feet –

– Miguel Lopez shows us the proper running form –

The Mizuno Running Club’s next session is on August 16, 2007, Thursday, 7 p.m. after which sessions will be held every other Thursday. During the next clinic, they will allow runners to test their running shoes during the run. After 5 consecutive attendance in the clinic, runners get a free Mizuno shirt. After 10 consecutive attendance, one gets a discount on Mizuno products. Registration is free.