Boo to Bed Rest

Wednesday, 25 June 2014  |  Bullish Insights

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Last Sunday, my alarm clock rang at 2:30AM waking me for the early call time of World Vision Run. I registered for the 21k.

As I rolled out of bed, I knew something was wrong. The room was spinning around me. I slowly made my way towards the bathroom swaying from side to side like a drunken person (which is just the same as me having only 3 sips of wine!) After I splashed water on my face, the dizzy spells disappeared and, being the naive and somewhat cuckoo runner that I am, I proceeded to prepare for the race by preparing a light pre-race breakfast of coffee, apples, and peanut butter. (more…)

Full Race Details for Carbtrim – The Bull Runner All Woman Race

Thursday, 5 June 2014  |  Race Announcements

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4 more days for EARLY BIRD registration for Carbtrim – The Bull Runner All Woman Race! Sign up now to join in on all the fun on race day! Here’s what we’ve got in store for all you women (and a few good men) on July 20 at Filinvest City:

All 21k Female Finishers get this beautiful charm bracelet

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5k, 10k, 21k Female Participants get this drifit, women-specific singlet in their Race Kit.  Race Kit also contains: race bib, pico timing chip, and Carbtrim capsules and iced tea for the Race Kit

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AWR Race Singlet Size Chart

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Carbtrim – TBR All Woman Race 5k Route
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Carbtrim – TBR All Woman Race 10k & 21k Route

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To register, visit our registration centres! See below for more info:

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For more information, you may download our FAQ on this link:

Download: AWR FAQ (PDF File)

Race Report: 2014 Run United 2

Monday, 2 June 2014  |  Race Reports

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Over 10,000 runners participated in 2014 Run United 2 yesterday. I joined the 21k.

For the first time, Run United started at Km 0 in Luneta instead of SM Mall of Asia where the past year’s races had started. The change made for a more unique experience as no other race has done this. It was awesome for runners to see the Rizal Monument at the starting line. If Run United Philippine Marathon starts here, it would definitely be more meaningful.

The downside of this change was the inconvenience of having to travel this far and brave the traffic just to get to the starting line. Not to mention we had to do it in the wee hours of the morning as race start was 4:00 AM. No thanks to you, Heat!

We arrived at the assembly area at 3:30 AM which was pretty well organized. I liked this ambiance more than MOA. No long lines at the potty since there were quite a number of portalets. As we waited for the race to start, the crowd was controlled and quite disciplined. As always for Run United races, the race started on time.

When the gun went off, I bid my friends goodbye, put my Yurbuds on, and focused on my race. I planned on racing this fast. I knew I wouldn’t break my half marathon PR, but I hoped to at least run this at sub-2 hours. At the back of my mind though, I had my doubts. The longest I had run was 16k in the past few months so I lacked training, but I thought I might as well give it a shot. Good luck to me LOL.

The out and back course through flat roads and just a couple of flyovers was fantastic! Wide roads except for a few crowded areas due to road work, no sharp turns except for the major turnarounds, and the climbs at the flyover weren’t bad at all as they allowed the legs to take a break from the flat course. Hydration, kilometer markers, and marshals were plentiful. I loved it. It was a PR course!

But, for me, not a PR day haha! I was fine for the first 15k then, suddenly, I hit the wall. The last 5k was dreadful! There’s no one else to blame but myself. I hadn’t trained for the 21k properly and one just doesn’t wing a half marathon.

The humidity made race conditions even more challenging. I think, by now, we all know how doubly difficult it is to run under this crazy summer heat. The best race organisers can do is make race start early so most runners finish before the sun rears its ugly head.

A friend, Bea, mentioned on Facebook that too many runners would stop abruptly during the race unmindful of the runners behind them. She experienced this at 10k and I also did at 21k. It’s an issue that isn’t just for Run United or even the Philippines. It’s common in races abroad as well. When I ran a half marathon in Laguna Phuket International Marathon, a foreigner yelled at me as I slowed down at the side of the road.  I yelled back: “As$H@%!”  Tell me, what kind of runner yells at fellow runners this way?  Aren’t we all supposed to have fun?  Is your PR so important you lose your manners?  The key is for local race organizers to inform runners, especially beginners, about proper race etiquette.  This is more of a problem on proper education for runners rather than manners. (I’ll do the same at TBR Dream Marathon from now on.)  Runners who walk or slow down should move to the side of the road to avoid blocking faster runners. As for experienced runners, you should NOT yell at the runners nor embarrass them. Sure, I cursed to myself when I almost tumbled over a runner last Sunday who stopped right in front of me, but I didn’t pick a fight with him. As an experienced runner, you should practice proper etiquette yourself.

I crossed the finish line at around 2:12 disappointed with my bad time, but I took this all in stride. I think I’ve reached a point in my life where I love the benefits of running and triathlon, but I never allow it to affect my life negatively. At the end of the day, I run for fun. Why cry over missed PRs? Just train harder and crush it next time.

Congratulations to Unilab Active Health and Runrio for a fantastic race!

Ton, Lit, and I didn’t break our PRs that day but we laughed it off over breakfast
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Bounce back before laspag attacks!  I took my Enervon HP after the race.  You should too.
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The Tamaraw and The Bull
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With teammates Ani and birthday boy Dan Brown and Ting Joson
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with these fierce and fast triathletes from Fitness First: Ton, Doray and Mark Ellis, Keshia, and Belle
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Bromance in Luneta
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with strong triathletes Reujen and Lala
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My car was parked on this road turned parking lot.  We couldn’t leave the race.  Thank God for Starbucks!
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Ultra Track Oval Reopens June 1, 2014

Saturday, 31 May 2014  |  News + Promos

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Missed Ultra? I did!

After what felt like forever, one of my fave coaches, Coach Roel Ano, announced that Ultra Track Oval will be open starting June 1, 2014. Woohoo! I’m so happy I plan to do cartwheels once my feet touch that new track!

See you there!

Photos courtesy of Coach Roel Ano

See you at Km 0 for 2014 Run United 2!

Saturday, 31 May 2014  |  Bullish Insights

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Are you joining 2014 Run United 2 tomorrow? I’ve signed up for 21k.

Tonight, I’ll be on my knees praying that the weather cooperates tomorrow. I’m hoping all 10,000 plus runners do the same so we have greater chances haha!

Run United 2 Course Map for 21k
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Run United 2 Medal for 32k Finishers
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Run United 2 21k and 32k Finishers’ Shirts
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I’m looking forward to the new race start at Km 0 in Luneta Park. Traffic may be a bit more difficult, but I think it’s great that we experience new race starts with the opportunity to improve our races every year.

While I may not get that great looking medal for 32k finishers, I’m pretty excited about the 21k Finishers’ Shirt. Love the design!

See you at Run United 2 tomorrow, runners!