2nd FR Mags Running Clinic

With the recent happening in the running community like injuries, accidents or even death, one might ask, is it really safe to run in a race? What do I need to know about running? and more.

Like any other sports, running is safe provided one is equipped with the proper knowledge and understanding of the sport. With the boom in running, more and more people are enticed to try the sport. And with many races with categories of distances from 2.5K fun run distance to a full 42.195K marathon any runner would easily fall into the temptation of running longer distances to push one’s limits. This is where the danger lies. Running unprepared for any race and any distance is quite dangerous and could be fatal. It is a good thing that veteran runners and running organizations are concerned of educating newbie runners about the sport. One of them is the FrontRunner Magazine of our good friend Jonel, a certified ultra runner. His group will be conducting the 2nd of a series of running clinics to make aware the public of the different aspects of the sport. This session’s speakers are: Harvie De Baron, Sports Nutritionist who will be discussing Proper Nutrition for running; Ms. Bernadette Bathan, Runner and blogger/marathoner who will share on Women Running concerns; and Dr. Jonathan Babsa-ay, MD, Ultramarathoner who will lecture on Medical concerns of runners. It will be held at R.O.X., Bonifacio High Street, Global City, Taguig on August 4, 2010 at 6:00pm - 9:00pm. Be there.

Free Registration!

Fit n Fun Buddy Run 2010

This race was our longest run since we ease back to training after the TBR Dream Marathon. After last Saturday’s Ayala Fun Run, comes another race that would put us back to the right track of serious training. Prior to this race, I commented on the Bullrunner’s blog that Swthrt and I will be running this race HHWR (holding hands while running). But on the last minute Swthrt and I decided to race on this one to asses our fitness level and make the needed adjustments on our training. The proof was that there were no photos during the race. The uniqueness of this race (buddy runners must start and finish together) allowed us to test how far we can go in pacing or pulling one another in a race.



We started on our usual very slow pace before picking up to a more comfortable pace (that was 7-8min pace) that we can sustain for the longest distance. We have our best time of 1:05 to beat for a 10K run. The first 2K of the race was always difficult for us. It was at around the 3K marker that we got our rhythm but was suddenly halted when I encountered pain on the top part of my foot. I attributed it on my running form. I have been too conscious on my foot landing. I was trying to avoid heel strikes to ease the pain brought about by my plantar fasciitis. Swthrt got worried that she kept on asking if I was ok and that if we have to drop out of the race. I was so thankful that after some adjustments in my running the pain subsided and we continued on the race. We reached 5K marker in 35 minutes which confirmed our pace of 7min/K. The Kalayaan flyover was another challenge since we have never ran this route for quite some time. The last time we ran this part of the route was during the Globe Run for Home if I remember it right. It was at this point that Swthrt and I were alternately setting the pace. But I must admit that she’s in better shape than I am. There were times that I had to ask her to slow down because I’m having a hard time catching up. It was a fun run for us as we would sometime had a good laugh after having some speed burst from time to time. It took us an hour reaching KM8 in front of St. Lukes Hospital. After doing some math, I told Swthrt that we would probably be crossing the finish line within 1:14- 1:15 at the pace we were going. Yes! We crossed the line at 1:15. The race gave us the right perspective on our current fitness level. We can now move on in training knowing our areas of weaknesses.



After the race, Swthrt and I scouted on the different booths of sponsors set-up in front of the stage. The fun part was that we have taho and pandesal with cheese to munch. It was a very good race overall with needed improvement on the hydration stations. Aside from that, there were enough marshals, kilometre markers were in place and a big loot bags full of groceries. Surely this race will be in our line up next year.

Ayala Group Fun Run 2010

Since the start of the school year last June, Swthrt had been looking forward to a good weekend training run. Perfect timing, the Ayala Group of companies held a fun run at the Makati Triangle. Swthrt and her associates at HCMI joined the event. Needless to say that I was there to give support to Swthrt and document her run. We fetched Beth, Swthrt’s officemate, who also ran the race. We arrived at the venue early anticipating closure of major roads which will be part of the race route.We immediately joined the HCMI group after which we had a warm up run inside the Ayala triangle.

Swthrt ran the 5K, the longest distance category of the event. There was also a 2.5K category. For the 5K, participants ran 4 times the loop. The starting line was in front of the Tower One along Ayala Ave. The runners turned right at Paseo de Roxas, then turned right at Makati Avenue, right again at Ayala Avenue to complete 1 loop.

The event was graced by Ayala’s top bosses headed by Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala. A short program was held before the gun start.

Swthrt had a good start and I was with her as pacer and photographer, hehehe.

I have to skip the third loop after feeling the pain on my flantar which had been bothering me for the past two to three weeks. Yes, the culprit maybe the extra weight that I gained.

Anyway, I joined them again on the last loop, with Swthrt finishing in a time of 35 minutes. It was a good conditioning run before embarking on a more serious training program for a bigger goal, another marathon perhaps?

In the afternoon, we joined the II-Camia Family Day of our eldest son at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife. It was a day full of activities for us.

The joy of running with a buddy

This year’s edition of the Fit n Fun Buddy Run by Robinsons Supermarket will be our first couple run since this kind of race was introduced. Swthrt and I usually run together during races ever since she was hooked. We always finish major races in identical times, like more recently, the Globe Run for Home and the TBR Dream Marathon. It does not mean though, that we do not want to run alone. In fact we run separately during the 2010 Condura Run. Swthrt ran the 21 K solo while I ran my first full marathon. Running with someone close to you is really great.

2010 Run for Home

TBR Dream Marathon

Running with a buddy is fun, much more if he or she is the love of your life. I have noticed lately that there were lots of couples running in various races around the metro. We have friends who started running alone and later on convinced their partner to run with them. In UP, which was our favorite running ground, more and more couples are seen running together. The TBR Dream Marathon also registered several couples ran their first marathon like our friends Anna (Meekrunner) and Jun, Eric (RunningBeyondAir) and his wife Ems and more. Not to mention Mariel who was paced by Jun in the second loop of the race. The best thing here is that, couples share each other’s passion in running. You may have known great love stories developed while running together. The unforgettable and sweet marriage proposal in a running event by Hector was a sure winner. Swthrt and I have always enjoyed the site of seeing couples running together or even holding hands while walking. This year’s buddy run will surely be a great event to be with. And definitely more love stories to unfold! See you couples at the starting line.

Need for motivation

My officemates noticed that I’m gaining extra weight again. I’m also feeling sluggish for the fast weeks. I have only logged a few kilometers in running since our last full marathon in Nuvali last May. Heavy workloads, home chores, kids’ schooling, and not so good weather conditions in the evening are the primary reasons for the low mileage. And no specific goal of running another full marathon adds up to the unmotivated training.



I have already decided not to run the 34th Milo Manila Elimination this coming Sunday. With the two full marathons I have finished, I learned to treat the distance with much respect. More so, running in Milo Marathon, which I consider my Everest in running (that is locally, who knows God may give me a chance to run an international race). I want to run my first Milo marathon prepared for the challenge and finish within the qualifying time or at least with a respectable time. But since I started running in Milo two years ago, I cannot let this year pass by without joining one of their elimination legs. Swthrt and I will be joining 21K for the Batangas leg. Also to keep us motivated, we will be preparing for this year’s 2nd QCIM this coming December.

To start the ball rolling again, we will be running the 10K Fit n Fun Buddy Run on July 11 and hopefully more tune-up races before starting on another serious training program for 42K. Probably highlighting the training program will be the last leg of the RunRio Trilogy, the 32K Challenge.


Good luck to all Milo runners this Sunday.