On The Heels of a Dream: My First Ever 10K

Tuesday, 3 December 2013  |  Race Reports

On The Heels of a Dream is a weekly column by guest writer Obbie Suguitan who is currently training for his first marathon, The Bull Runner Dream Marathon, on February 16, 2014.

All through the long weekend training runs of the past 9 weeks, I’ve always finished in the last three – if not the absolute last. I attribute it to the sedentary lifestyle I had for over a decade prior to training, an extraordinarily bad diet, age, effects of smoking for more than a decade from 11 years ago, and the obesity that resulted from all these. My bad knees and poor endurance had me starting from a disadvantage instead of just from scratch. Fortunately, my friends could be relied upon to push me to do something I needed but not necessarily liked – train for a marathon.

Now, after a little bit over two months of faithful training and diet modification, I’ve worked my endurance up a tad and have logged on quite a bit of mileage. By my rough mathematical estimate, I’ve run approximately 150 kilometers in total. Knowing myself as I do, this is an astounding number. Even as I am constantly impressed by my batchmates, this figure is amazing for me. It begs, however, for me to take the next logical step. To participate in an official run.

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So two Sundays ago, November 24, I ran in my first ever official organized run – the Sante Barley Domination Run 2013. On my running buddy Joanne’s urging – against my own instinct of self-preservation – I joined the 10K group instead. I didn’t go through the prescribed 3K or 5K so this was completely alien to me.

So I got to the location of the run at just the right time and was busy observing the proceedings and generally being tense. My wife and youngest son were with me but I was in a bit of a haze because it was a bit intimidating. I just kept repeating in my mind: run your own race – run your own race – relax the toes – relax the toes-relax the toes…

After the countdown spiel of someone who referred to himself as the ‘running host’ and the 10K group bunching together near the starting line, I just heard 5-4-3-2-1-Go! Then everyone was off. As the group stretched forward, I eventually had enough space to start my interval timer and begin a jog. Thank you very much to training, my body went into somewhat of an autopilot mode. The arms started swinging, the legs and feet went into the familiar motion that was trained in for the past two months – thankfully. The best counteraction to jitters is autopilot mode – stress cannot override training!

Around 3 minutes into the run, I warmed up, got into a rhythm (slow but a rhythm nonetheless), and was starting to enjoy and get my bearing. As the distance was eaten up, with a guilty smile on my face, I started to see that some runners were slowing down and that I was passing some of them. Hmmm…was it possible? It was. It is. So through the darkness I trudged on – being passed by some runners and passing some.

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It was more of the same for the next 40 minutes of me doing my prescribed run-walk-run, with a few bouts of calf tightening (or so I thought). So far I didn’t feel the need to stop nor take unscheduled walk breaks. Good. But I was tiring. Even with the training, this was mighty hard. However, nearing what looked like the toll plaza of the highway, I saw the U-turn marker! People were having their photos taken at the marker while I was just running my race without even a smile. Don’t get me wrong. I was having fun but not the ‘Ha-ha’ kind but the ‘I ‘m- doing-this-so-I-can-join-the-1%-marathon-finishers-by-Feb’ kind. If you’re anything like me, you’ll have fun doing something only a few are capable of.

Sante Barley Domination Run 2013

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So, after running back the way I came, I passed a lot of runners in my distance group who were still working their way to the U-turn. Behind me! The sun had come up and the finish line archway was growing in size as I approached. Several meters before the actual finish line my wife and son were with me taking photos. Then, almost anti-climactically, I crossed the line and had a medal put upon my neck.

Finished. I didn’t dramatically run slo-mo across the tape, didn’t hear Chariots of Fire theme music, no close-up shots of sweat beads flying from my brow. Nothing. My wife was there. My son was there. I finished and had a medal. That was really enough – and the fact that this time I wasn’t even close to being last. Not that I’d mind anyway.

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Unceremoniously, I cast a glance around for any familiar faces, but not having seen any, just walked on back to the car. To be completely honest about it, finishing that 10K was both a confidence builder AND somewhat of a rude awakening-cum-reality bite. At this point, thinking about myself doing four times the distance of what I ran this time is quite a long way off. Between now and then however, there remains two months more of training. I will continue the training, stand with my batchmates, pray, keep on doing what I have been, and have fun doing it. Hard work – yes. Needs commitment – yes. Impossible – no. 10K in the bag.

Photos courtesy of Photo-Ops

One Run: Run for Yolanda Victims – Full Details

Thursday, 14 November 2013  |  News + Promos

Everyone is welcome to join ONE RUN: Walk/Run for Yolanda Victims.  Click HERE for more details.

3BULLSESSION

DATE: November 16, 2013, Saturday
TIME:

  • 4:30 AM – Donations will be accepted
  • 5:30 AM – Run starts
  • 7:30 AM – Run closes

VENUE: Track 30th, Bonifacio Global City

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WHO CAN JOIN:  Anyone who wants to help the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. You may run or walk anywhere from 30 mins to 2 hours.

WHAT YOU CAN GIVE: We will accept cash donations of P100 or more per runner.  In kind donations will be accepted as well. Unilab Active Health will collect and deliver directly to Red Cross.

WHO ARE THE BENEFICIARIES:

TBR focused on trusted and credible groups where we could be assured the funds would be used properly and go directly to those in need. Cash donations will be given to the following:

(1) Javier, Leyte – A portion of the funds raised will be handed over to The Master’s Light Foundation of runner/triathlete Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan. TBR and Maricel will decide on items to purchase which are immediately needed by the people of Javier in coordination with Mayor Sandy Javier. While many of the people here have survived, the entire town is devastated and they need immediate funds to begin anew.

Population: 24,000
Families: 4,000 to 7,000
Damages: 100%
Homeless: 90%
Casualties: 3

Photos of Javier below after Typhoon Yolanda struck.

Javiertown

(2) 6 Island of Agutaya, Palawan – A portion of the funds raised will be handed over to runner/triathlete and Palawan-based missionary Philip Leroux of Team Secondwind-Sun Broadband who is personally helping with relief efforts in the 6 islands around him.

Updates will be provided on this blog on how funds will be used.

COURSE MAP:

From Track 30th on 31st Street, RIGHT to 7th Ave., STRAIGHT to Justicia Drive all they way to 8th Ave. Before reaching Kalayaan road, RIGHT at 40th Street, RIGHT to 9th Ave. Then LEFT to 38th street passing University Parkway. RIGHT to Meritt Road until you reach 34th street for the first loop.

You may run one, two, or three loops.  Note that all runners must be back at the finish line by 7:30AM.

To finish, before reaching 34th Street, turn left to 11th Ave, cross 32nd Street. Right to 30th street until you reach Track 30th.

OneRunCourseMap

IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR EVENT DAY:

Please take note of these reminders to keep the event safe and trouble-free.

ONERUNREMINDERS

  • Bring your own hydration. Gatorade will be available but limited.
  • No bibs. No singlets. No medals or lootbags will be given.
  • Run anywhere from 30 mins to 2 hours. Run or walk 1, 2, or 3 loops. (See course map.) Run will close at 7:30AM.
  • Cash donations of P100 or more is preferred. Please bring exact amount.  No change will be given. In kind donations (bottled water, easy to open canned goods, old singlets/clothes, old shoes/slippers) will be accepted. Only usable items please.
  • To expedite collection and avoid long lines, groups or teams are encouraged to combine funds and donate as one.
  • For transparency, donations will be documented. Updates will be given on delivery of donations to beneficiaries via thebullrunner.com.

FOR TBR-ULAH DREAMERS:

  • Bull Circle 3 proceeds as is. Run 1hr 45 mins led by Coach Lit Onrubia.
  • Meet INSIDE Track 30th. Assembly 5:00AM. Briefing and Grouping at 5:30AM. Run starts 5:40AM.

Thank you to Unilab Active Health and Gatorade for the support.  Thank you to ProActive and Team Unilab Active Health for volunteers.  Let’s all work together to do what we can to help Yolanda victims.

Let’s Walk the Talk with Avon

Wednesday, 10 October 2012  |  Race Announcements

Click HERE and go directly to Avon’s Facebook page to join the promo!

ContestPoster

Kellogg’s Run For a Healthy Filipina on 22 July 2012

Saturday, 30 June 2012  |  Race Announcements

Woohoo! A race in McKinley Hill. I can’t remember the last time I ran here. Who would’ve known I’d actually miss the hills here?!  Hope to see you here!  (Great hill training run before Ironman 70.3)

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Event: Run for Healthy Filipina
Date: July 22, 2012
Venue: McKinley Hill
Assembly Time: 430am
Distance | Gun Start | Registration Fee:
3k – 5:55AM | P400
5k – 5:45AM | P400
10k – 5:30AM | P500
16k – 5:00AM | P650

HOW TO REGISTER:

1) Drop by registration centers:

  • Toby’s Shangri La
  • Toby’s Glorieta 4
  • Tobys’ SM Mall of Asia
  • RUNNR Trinoma
  • RUNNR BHS

2) Online registration: http://race.proactive.ph/register/kellogs-run-for-a-healthy-filipina

NOTE:

  • First 500 registrants will receive One (1) 205 grams pack of Kellogg’s Special K Cereal and One (1) Kellogg’s Corn Flakes Cereal Bowl (June 25 – July 1 or Until First batch supplies last)
  • Second 500 registrants will receive One (1) 45 grams pack of Kellogg’s Special K Cereal and One (1) Kellogg’s Corn Flakes Cereal Bowl (follows after first batch supplies last)
  • Succeeding registrants will receive One (1) 45 grams pack of Kellogg’s Special K Cereal (follows after second batch supplies last)

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Singlet

COURSE MAPS
16k
10k
5k
3k

Mizuno Launches Mizuno Run Academy

Friday, 8 June 2012  |  News + Promos

Mizuno launches Mizuno Run Academy in collaboration with Patrick Joson of the Jump Start movement. They are taking the Mizuno Run Club step further by coming up with this running school that teaches science-based running. More than a running clinic, the Mizuno Run Academy is something that would entail a higher level of commitment from the participant. They are offering a limited number of slots so quality education can be delivered. Registration is ongoing for the first module. Coach Patrick will be teaching the POSE and Maffetone method.

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*The Mizuno Run Academy*
Mizuno is committed to engineering shoes and gear that seamlessly combine innovation and technology with a thorough understanding of how runners are meant to run, allowing you to perform better and enjoy the sport that you love. We take that expertise further by providing an avenue for running enthusiasts of all levels and ages to learn the smarts of running.
Having the right attitude is one thing, but knowing how this comes into play with your body is another. It takes a combination of physics, human anatomy, and dedication to have a brilliant running experience.
Make it yours. Be yourself, only better. Never Settle.

*The Coach*
Patrick Joson is the first Filipino US certified pose method coach. He is also a certified International Triathlon Union Level 2 coach. Currently the Editor at Large of Multisport Philippines magazine, Joson is also the founder of Jump Start, a movement that advocates sustainable fitness lifestyles.

*Jump Start*
Jump Start is the only fitness campaign that specifically recognizes the value of longevity and sustainability in any athletic endeavor by combining solid scientific knowledge with unique and exciting activities. By making what you do both fun and scientific, you will not only reap the benefits of the activity, but change who you are from the inside.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jump-Start/332572906775995/

SCHEDULE:

*Module 1: June 25 – July 27, 2012 (7:30 PM – 9:00 PM)
**Classes are subject to change due to weather conditions or other reasons deemed appropriate

Monday Group- Bonifacio Global City
Registration at Mizuno Bonifacio High Street

Wednesday Group- Pasay City
Registration at Mizuno SM Mall of Asia

Friday Group- Alabang
Registration at Mizuno Alabang Town Center

Beginner’s Course: The Science of Running
Discovering the key to high endurance

Session 1 Basics of Pose Running

Session 2 The Maffetone Method

Session 3 Your First 45-minute Run

Session 4 Refresher and Long Distance Slow Run

Session 5 Graduation Run

Fee: P3,500, includes a running kit and admission to the graduation run

Enrollees will instantly receive a *Mizuno Prestige Card*. Additional perks await current cardholders.

*Students are required to attend all classes, otherwise they will not graduate. If a student cannot attend a class, he may make up for it by attending the same session in a different venue of that week, provided that he informs us in advance.

For inquiries, call 757-3160 or visit Mizuno website.