Getting inspired before a marathon

Hearing good motivational speakers in a conference would always get you inspired. During the GIS Users Conference that our agency participated in as an institutional partner, I got a chance to listen to one of the guest speaker whose topic was “Dreaming Big”. It was a motivational topic that aims to inspire GIS practitioners to explore on the vast array of GIS applications and the great potential that system and technology offers in improving life. Though it was not the first time that I heard of such kind of talk, it caught my attention as the speaker, Mr. Alex Araneta, started to relate it to running. He showed a familiar video of a father and son team, the Team Hoyt, who together finished marathons, ultra-marathons, ironman and more. They have accomplished it in a not so ordinary way. The father has to push his son, a quadriplegic, in a special wheelchair. There were three lines that capture the essence of the video.

The Dick (father) is the body
The Rick (son) is the heart
Do not run alone!

And towards the end of his talk, he shared that he together with his wife have ran and finished their first full marathon in February 2010 during the Hong Kong Marathon. We can dream big and be able to realize it not only alone but with other people who have one goal and one vision that we have. Let us not run alone! Run with our loved ones, friends and other runners who have the same passion in running as we have. Swthrt and I will be running at the Condura Skyway Marathon on Feb 6 2011! See you there!

Running Nose

With just a week to go before the Condura Skyway Marathon, I’m here teary-eyed due to running nose. Yes, my nose took off ahead of me. For the past two days I have been video documenting a conference of GIS (Geographic Information System) users not only in the Philippines but with the countries in the Asia Pacific. It was held at EDSA Shangrila with about 800 stakeholders. I must have acquired those colds viruses, or the cold temperature at the session hall and at the exhibit area of the conference and fatigue must have lowered my body immune system. Anyway, I just hope and pray that this cold would not last long.

Registration for the Condura Skyway Marathon 2011 is still open

The annual Condura race is on! Join the country´s premiere marathon to be held on February 6, 2011 and feel the thrill of running on the Skyway! Register for 3k, 5k, 10k, 16k, 21k or 42k.

So what´s in store for you when you join the Condura Skyway Marathon?

Experience a world-class marathon with the use of D-Tag Timing System which accurately counts your time as you cross the finish line.

Sport that stylish and trendy runner look! Wear the dri-fit technical shirt with the event logo designed by Team Manila.

Everybody´s a winner! If you are a finisher, you will automatically receive a medal and be reminded of your achievement and your memorable participation in the event.

Last but not the least; aside from having lots of fun and excitement, you´ll also be making a contribution in the protection of dolphins of Bohol. P50.00 of the registration fee that you will pay will go to this advocacy.

For more details, visit www.conduraskywaymarathon.com

What are you waiting for? Don´t miss this chance to participate in a world-class and noble running event of the year! Hurry and go to Greenbelt 3 now before the slots run out!

Registration is open until January 31, 2011.

Team JRunning is now on Facebook

A like page of Team JRunning is now on Facebook. This site is intended to reach more people (families and friends) to share our experiences in running and encourage them to try the sport. We also hope to share our faith with stories and insights that would strengthen one’s faith in God. We hope that you visit the site too.

Surprise from Run United II - 32K Afro Challenge

Last Sunday, 16 January 2011, we received a surprise from a courier service... a copy of the personalized finisher certificate for the 32K distance of the last leg of the Runrio trilogy, the Run United 2. Attached also was a 4’x6’ finisher’s photo. It was unexpected but it was really appreciated as the Unilab Active Health Program organizers together with Runrio took time to mail such recognition for the runners. For us it served as a confidence booster as we prepare for the 42K Condura Skyway Marathon this February. More Power to Unilab and looking forward for this year’s edition of the Run United events.

AMAUIBLOG was in Manila

The author and owner of one of Maui’s well-visited blogsite, amauiblog returned home last December 2010. Liza or Ne, as we fondly called her was my one and only sister. Though the circumstances surrounding her return to the Philippines were not that good (we had an uncle who died whom she paid respect to), we were glad that she was home after almost 8 years living with her own family in Maui, Hawaii. She only had a week to visit our parents and relatives.

Liza was also a runner in her own right as she was able to join and finish several cause- oriented fun runs from where she lives.

She was also a member of an all-female team who joined the famous Hana Relay in Maui.

And being a runner, Liza took the opportunity to join us in our regular runs in UP. Together with Swthrt and I, Liza enjoyed running at the UPD Academic oval even with the eyesore garbage left by the students who participated in the annual UP Lantern Parade the night before our run. Prior to our run, Liza said that she might only be doing a couple of rounds of the oval but she was able to do more rounds after enjoying every round with a cup of taho.

She surely missed eating it. When we were little kids, we always wait for the friendly taho vendor who regularly went to our apartment every morning.

After the run, we took her around the campus where swthrt and I would normally run, and places when running inside the oval feels boring for us. We planned to run again the following day but the weather did not cooperate. Hopefully, when Liza returns again soon, we can spend more time running with her not only in UP but to the rest of the running venues we have here in Manila. Or better yet, she would experience the thrill of joining a race here in the Philippines.

Photos Talk _ Dinner with BFFs