Run for Clean Air

The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) joins the country in celebration of the National Clean Air Month this November. One of the highlight activities is the staging of fun run/walk dubbed as “Run for Clean Air” yesterday, November 26, 2009. Our office, the Media Production Division whom many employees are runners, organized the said event. A good number of participants gathered in front of the main building at around 6:30 am for stretching/warm-up before the start of the run. George, a marathoner in our division, acts as the race director while I led the pre-race stretching and served as the head race marshal. It was our little way of promoting running in our agency.

The participants were composed of members of the NAMRIA Running Club and other employees who regularly walk or run around our compound. It was really a blessing that we have a big compound (about 500 meters loop driveway) wherein we can run. The agency also support and promote the advocacy of having a healthy living by exercising regularly. We have Tuesdays and Thursdays as our athletic days wherein employees are allowed to joins in various physical activities such as basketball, volleyball, tae-bo, table tennis, running, etc. This is of course with the condition that an employee should have no pending works before joining any of these activities.

After the run, runners were treated with breakfast of pandesal, hard-boiled eggs, bananas, ponkan and juices in tetra packs donated by some of our officials.

There was also a public clamor that we conduct races in the office regularly for at least once or twice a month. It is an indication that people are now starting to embrace a healthy lifestyle.

Running rain or shine

After having some good practice runs for several days, the urge to run continues. Since I have to wait until 7pm to be out on the streets because of color-coding, I did an out and back run from our office (NAMRIA) to BHS. I added one loop of the BHS before going back. I ran at a comfortably hard (tempo) pace covering approximately 6KM under a drizzle. The comment from Bald Runner in my last post to run rain or shine really pushed me to do it. It was a good thing it did not rain hard during my run. I just hope that our schedule will permit us to run regularly especially on weekdays. Swthrt and I knew that consistency in training is the key to a better performance.

To our friends who will be running the Milo finals on Sunday, We wish you the best!

Have a safe and enjoyable run this weekend to everyone!

Earth Run: Taste of land and water

True to its name, the recently concluded Earth Run was a race that posed challenges through its hilly course coupled with rainfall that caused the delay of the start of the race. The race was scheduled at 5:30am. We arrived at Mckinley Hills at around 5:00am but I decided to proceed to NAMRIA to check on my officemates who will also be running. As we returned to MKH, we heard the announcement that the race will start at 6:00am. It was not so much of a problem since it was already raining and it seems that it will not become hot during the race.

Swthrt with Xen, Nato and Cecil

There was a good number of runners considering the 3 races scheduled for the day. The other one was also at Fort Bonifacio, the IE8 and another at UP Diliman campus, the Run for K.I.D.S. race.

The race
The race started at exactly 6:00am as announced amidst the falling rain. All the runners in different categories were released at the same time. It was already a tough course in the early part of the race. Runners will have to take on the hilly road of MKH. Swthrt and I started on a comfortable easy pace. We reached the first turn around point near the British embassy without any problem. We later noticed that we were running with a Fort Strider pacer with a flag showing 7min/km pace. We kept pace with him until we reached Lawton Avenue going to Essensa which was the second turn around point where they give straws. At this point, Swthrt begun to feel a slight pain on her shin (her persistent problem) and so we slowed down a bit. We tried to maintain our pace but had some walk breaks along the way. In as much as I wanted to run 100%. I did not force Swthrt because I don’t want her to burn out early. This was her first 16K race and I wanted her to finish it strong. As in my previous posts, we planned to just enjoy the race. But actually, I had a target goal in mind of 1:40-1:50 finish time. We reached Gate 3 after 49 min of running. This was the third turn around point and marshals were giving out the third straw. We would speed up from time to time going to the Bayani Road. The test run we did along Bayani Road a week before the race proved helpful as Swthrt was not surprised on what to expect along this route. We reached the Bayani-C5 turn around point and got the fourth straw at 1:20:43. What caught my attention were young children handing out straws in front of the Heritage Park entrance gate, which was still several hundred meters away from the turning point. This may give way to cheating. Straws should be given after making the turn at the designated turning point. Another thing was, I saw a student driver practicing along Bayani Road and definitely placed runners in danger. Upon reaching back to Lawton Avenue, I started encouraging Swthrt by telling her, “konti na lang” and she would reply back, “pagod na ko”. As we reached the venue area, we were surprised that we have to make another loop where the last straw was handed out before reaching the finish line. We crossed the finish line with unofficial time of 1:55. It was 5 minutes of our goal time but we were more than happy to finish in sub 2 hours.

After finishing the 16K run

Mesh receiving the medal

Swthrt and Mae

On the race organization
It was well-organized with the support of running clubs like the Fort Striders who provided pacers and marshals to help runners. Sufficient water on paper cups (totally earth friendly) though at some point they gave water in plastic bottles. There was a good number of marshals at turning points which guided the runners but less of them manning the traffic especially along Lawton Avenue going to Gate 3. The distribution of give-aways were done orderly as it was handed out as you cross the finish line. I just noticed that runners running longer distances were given less give-aways. This was so because they came in late. This is also true to other races i have joined. The loots are taken in by the shorter distance runners like the 3K and 5K runners. I like the idea introduced once by Coach Rio in the RuNew Race where in there were separate booth for give-aways for each race categories. In this way, the goodies were evenly distributed among the participants. Overall, it was a good race.

The reward
Swthrt was able to prove to herself that she can do it. The pains and tiredness were worth it knowing that she had accomplished her goal. What a better way to reward her by treating herself for a full body massage. I’m proud of you Swthrt! Luv u!

Earth Run 16K challenge

Joining the 16K Earth Run has become a challenge to most of the NAMRIA runners. More will be running the distance and test their will and determination in running. This will also be Swthrt’s first official 10-miler race and of course, I will be her pacer. Our game plane for this one is to just have fun! The PRs will come later. We just hope that we can be back in training with Team BR at the ULTRA soon!

We men ran for our women at PIA

Last Sunday was a day for women in running at the Pinay In Action Run organized by Senator Pia Cayetano. It was an annual event giving importance on the role of Filipino women in our society. Our agency, NAMRIA, supported the event by sending about 50 runners from our running club with our officials involved in Gender and Development (GAD). Our delegate was headed by OIC Deputy Administrator and Information Management Department Director Linda SD Papa, Head Executive Assistant Georgia Ventura and Chief of Staff Lorelie Peralta. The event being an all women run was also supported by men. They were there either as pacers to their wives, as photographers, or simply to give support to the advocacy. We also saw familiar faces of blogger/runners participating in the event.

at the starting line (Picture courtesy of JunC)

The women in our team with DA Papa

I was at the event not only for our team but also to give support to Swthrt as she ran her 2nd 10K race. We arrived at the venue, Mall of Asia at around 5:30am. We immediately met with the rest of our group. Swthrt and I had a short warm-up run and stretching before the race. Swthrt was quite apprehensive in running the race because of her 2 week side line brought about by shin splints. In fact, she was not able to ran at the recently concluded Condura race. The race started a little over than the scheduled time of 6:00 am because of some ceremonial and photo ops which understandably for the purpose of having publicity. Anyway, the runners were released at the same time for all categories. 10K runners will have to run 4 loops (2.5K each) of the designated course.

running the first lap

running the 2nd lap

During the first lap, I had to remind Swthrt to run at her comfortable pace as this would be her first long run after a long rest. We had a short 3K run prior to this race which I posted last week On our second lap, Swthrt was steadily running at her pace but was bothered by the heat of the sun. It was really hot specially on the front side of the mall. We managed to ran the first 5K at 34:44 min. It was on the third lap that Swthrt started to feel pain on her shin. We slowed down a bit and had to make short walk breaks. It was also a good decision on our part to bring hydration belt as support because there was already a shortage of water at the aid station in front of the mall. The problem was immediately acted upon by the organizers as they were able to have bottled water on our 4th and final lap. We ran the second 5K at 38:44min and finishing with a time of 1:13:29.

to the finish line

Swthrt was really exhausted from the heat but was still able to finish strong. Congratulation Swthrt and I’m proud of you as always!

Team NAMRIA

Team BR conducts running clinic in NAMRIA

The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, an attached agency of the DENR conducted the 3rd of a series of lectures and seminars in celebration of the National Women’s Month. The event focused on the theme “Fitness Day” which aimed to promote a healthy lifestyle to all employees.

The Running Clinic was spearheaded by retired Gen. Jovenal Narcise also known as The Bald Runner and two Level IV International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF)-accredited coaches of the Team BaldRunner namely Head Coach Capt. Ferdinand Espejo and Coach MSg. Saturnino Salazar. The lecture focused on the Basics of Running, why and how we run. The Bald Runner discussed the basics and fundamentals of running and shared his experiences in the shorter distances (5K to half), marathon and ultra marathon races he joined. The humble 57 year old retired Major General has already completed 2 ultramarthon trail races (50K {Bulldog Trail Run in LA} and 55K {Pinatubo Trail Race}), thirteen full marathon races and presently preparing for the 1st Bataan Death March 102K Ultramarathon Race on April 5, 2009. This will also be the first running event to be organized by Bald Runner’s Events which aims to place the country in the map of international ultramarathon events. Being an experienced runner, Gen. Narcise also shared practical tips on the different aspects of running.

Coaches Espejo and Salazar on the other hand demonstrated and taught the proper running form and other running techniques that may improve a runner’s performance. Coach Espejo presently serves as a national coach/trainer of the Philippine Athletics Team and NCR Regional Director of PATAFA. Coach Salazar is the current record-holder of the 50K walk and was bronze medalist in the 1997 South East Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. He coached the national walking team during the SEA Games in Manila.

The running clinic was attended by about 50 employees of the agency who mostly participate in various road races especially those promoting and advocating in the conservation of the environment. The event was held in coordination with the NAMRIA Sports Club and co-sponsored by Universal Robina Corporation (URC) providing healthy snacks for the participants.

Fitness Day at NAMRIA

The Team Baldrunner headed by Sir Jovie (Baldrunner) will be conducting a running clinic at NAMRIA on March 17, 2009. It will be part of a month-long celebration of Women's Month wherein there will be a series of lecture and workshops on different topics promoting this year's national theme "Babae, Yaman ka ng Bayan!" The clinic will be open to all NAMRIA employees.

Team Bald Runner and Staff, through Bald Runner’s Events, is offering FREE Running Clinics to any interested group of runners and corporate offices who would like to learn the basics of running; train and be competitive in road races; and be able to organize their own respective running clubs or teams.