Posts Tagged with: "Southridge"

The day started ominously. I crawled out of bed with my left knee still sore (as it had been all week hence the lack of posts due to minor depression!) I hadn’t had over 5 hours of sleep all week due to work. Breakfast wasn’t satisfying at all with with my favorite Skippy’s Natural Super Chunk running out. To top it all off, we left the house late, got stuck in traffic, and almost missed the race. Good thing it didn’t start on time!

A SCHOOL RUN FOR FUN

The assembly area was a sea of familiar faces. It was where my two worlds as mom and runner collided. There were co-parents from school who were joining their first race. But, at the same time, there were serious, competitive runner friends —heck, even ultramarathoners—who signed in for this little fun run for Southridge.

If TBR Jr. was giddy with excitement over this race, I was the opposite. I was drowning in worry over the sore knee. I had decided early on that this was not going to be a “race,” but a training run. I entered the assembly area not feeling the race at all. I thought I’d take it easy, play it by ear, and pray to the high heavens that—at the very least—I wouldn’t aggravate my injury with less than a month before New York Marathon.

– Race organizer Francis Macatulad starts the 1k kids race (Photo courtesy of Jojo Gloria) –

IT’S A MIRACLE…I AM CURED!

The first two kilometers were a challenge. Without any warm up, I tried my best to keep it slow and safe. But, when you’re surrounded by giddy and overly enthusiastic highschool boys or super serious runners, it’s hard to hold yourself back. I ran steady at a comfortably hard pace. All the while I listened intently to my body, specifically my knee.

None. Nada. No pain, no complaints from the knee…AT ALL. This was a surprise…a pleasant one!

At around 3k, unless I was hallucinating which is usually the case when I run under such intense heat, I believe the knee yelled back to me “Run faster. I’ll be fine!” And so, being the obedient runner that I am, I complied. I quickened my pace and found my rhythm. I didn’t give it 100% but I did let go of my worries and allowed myself the opportunity to have fun.

We ran two 5k loops around the area of Palms Country Club in Filinvest Corporate City, a route that I love for its challenge and simplicity.  Before I knew it, the race was over.  And, I finally could begin to smile.

My stress-free happy run ended at 51.19 mins according to my Garmin. Distance was 9.7km and my average pace was 5:17/km. First place for women’s 10k! Woohooo!

– First Place: Women’s Category 10k (Photo courtesy of Jojo Gloria) –

– Couldn’t be any prouder of TBR Jr. who didn’t win the race but loved every minute (Photo courtesy of Jojo Gloria) –

Even better news: As of today, my knee is back to normal. Southridge run race organizer, Francis Macatulad, was probably right in saying: “A podium finish is the best pain reliever.”

– with Krispy Kreme and Total freebies in hand. New York, Here I Come! (Photo courtesy of Eric Cantuba) –

“I want to train for Southridge Run.” That’s what my son told me several days ago. Oh boy, you should’ve seen the smile on my face!

The thing is, I have no clue how to train a 9-year old.  Initially, when TBR Jr. would sign up for fun runs, we would run/walk around the village a week or two before the race. The hubby and I just wanted him to experience races without any pressure, to have fun, and, of course, to love running the way we do.  Deep inside, we hoped that he would eventually want to get serious about running.  Well, I guess it worked!

I went ahead and sent an SMS to the best person in Manila to ask about training kids for runs/triathlons: Ironwoman Ani de Leon, the coach of the Super Tri Kids and Alaska Iron Kids. She advised me that we should train him by running 1k, then 2k, and finally 3k thrice a week.  This is something we’re definitely doing…uhm, in between training for New York, that is!

Hope you can join the Southridge Run…just as our family is doing.  Proceeds from the race will be used to buy 30,000 books to be donated to public schools in Muntinlupa.  Registration is on-going.

WHAT: SOUTHRIDGE RUN
WHEN: Saturday, October 9, 2010 at 6:00 AM
WHERE: Westgate complex in Filinvest Corporate City Alabang

DISTANCE | FEES | PRIZES:

• 10k | P400 | Medals & prizes for top 3 male & female finishers
• 5k | P400 | Medals & prizes for top 3 male & female finishers
• 1k | P350 | Medals for ALL finishers 13 years old & below. Plus prizes for top 3 finishers in 2 age categories: 10 to13 years old and 9 years old & below

REGISTRATION:

• Bonjour, Total Gas Station, Filinvest Corp. City (near West Gate entrance) – ongoing until Oct. 8, 2010, 9pm (extended). Open 24/7
• Onsite registration on October 9 from 5 am to 5:30 am

Here’s a small race that should be fun and challenging: SOUTHRIDGE RUN.

I loved the course of Kraft Run a couple of weeks ago, so this should be another opportunity to run through the course again.  The route will pass mostly closed roads around the driving range and Palms Country Club. It’s going to be a family affair so take the kids along. TBR Jr. is raring to go!

WHAT: SOUTHRIDGE RUN
WHEN: Saturday, October 9, 2010 at 6:00 AM
WHERE: Westgate complex in Filinvest Corporate City Alabang
DISTANCE | FEES | PRIZES:

• 10k | P400 | Medals & prizes for top 3 male & female finishers
• 5k | P400 | Medals & prizes for top 3 male & female finishers
• 1k | P350 | Medals for ALL finishers 13 years old & below. Plus prizes for top 3 finishers in 2 age categories: 10 to13 years old and 9 years old & below

REGISTRATION:

• ROX, Bonifacio High Street – Sept. 22 to Oct. 6, 2010
• Bonjour, Total Gas Station, Filinvest Corp. City (near West Gate entrance) – Sept. 22 to Oct. 6, 2010. Open 24/7

The Southridge Run aims to promote family bonding and physical fitness. It also hopes to raise funds to donate 30,000 books for public schools in Muntinlupa, in cooperation with the Department of Education, Mayor Aldrin San Pedro and the Rotary Club.

Hope to see you there!