Photo Talks - 15K Masters Run

Photo Talks - Mommy Milkshake Marathon 09

Who says running isn’t expensive

One may have thought that running can be the cheapest way to have a good physical exercise. All you have to do is to put on your favourite sportswear and rubber shoes and you’re off to a good workout. Nowadays, there are nice places to jog or run. UP Diliman even dedicated a jogger/biker lane inside the campus. Bonifacio High Street and Mc Kinley Hills in Fort Bonifacio are also frequented by runners. Others may have the privilege of living in a village where one can have a good running experience. With all these, one may really say that running can be cheap.

As you begin to run and reap the benefits of it, one began to feel the drive to be better in it. And so, you begin to look for better running shoes, desire to wear nice running apparels (e.g. branded singlet, shorts) and accessories (sports watches with gps capable, iPods, etc.) that are now available in the market. Running gears are now readily available to runners with the rise of specialty running store. They even offer services such as gait analysis to determine the type of shoes suitable for your running form. Even the staffs in these shops were experienced runners and are knowledgeable to be able respond to their customer needs and queries.

With the running boom experience in the country, the interest of people getting into running had raised its level from a simple form of exercise to a competitive one. Running clubs were formed in different offices and even asked the services of experienced runners and coaches to conduct running clinics. When I started running just a year ago, there were limited numbers of races you can join. Today, simultaneous races are held in weekends. There were times were two races were held within Fort Bonifacio alone. Last weekend there were at least three races held simultaneously within Metro Manila. These September, almost all the weekends offers good quality road races. Registration fees for these races vary depending on distance categories. Common price ranges from 200 – 500 pesos. Most of them are giving portions of the proceeds to charity. Others are promoting advocacies and for some it was part of product promotion. A runner will put in his budget a considerable amount of money to be able to join races. Of course, joining races may not be compulsory but once you get addicted into running, I’m sure you would surely want to try it.

So, who says running isn’t expensive. For whatever it’s worth. I just hope that running as a sport for everyone will be here to stay because we all love to run! Keep on running runners! See you at the following races!

Running A Marathon*

READ: Philippians 3:12-21

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 3:14

The Comrades Marathon, which began in 1921, is the oldest ultra-marathon. Covering 90 km (56 miles), it is held annually in South Africa. Bruce Fordyce completely dominated this marathon in the 1980s, winning it nine times between 1981 and 1990. His 1986 record of 5 hours 24 minutes and 7 seconds stood for 21 years before it was finally broken in 2007. It’s amazing to me that he has continued to run in this race every year.

In a sense, we as Christians are all in a marathon. It takes endurance to run and finish the race of life. When the apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians, he spoke of how he was “reaching forward to those things which are ahead” (3:13) and pressing on “toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (v.14).

Our Lord Jesus has set an example of how to run life’s marathon. The Bible tells us that Jesus “for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). Despite “hostility from sinners,” He completed His race (v.3).

The secret to finishing well is to look forward to the joy that awaits us after life’s race—eternal life with Him. — C. P. Hia

I ran to meet Him when I heard His call—

The Savior’s arms were open to receive;

And I’m still running since I gave my all,

Inviting others also to believe. —Hess

The Christian’s race is not a competitive event but an endurance run.

* Swthrt, in her daily devotion, read this article from " Our Daily Bread".

Dean’s Cup UP Law Invitational Triathlon and Fun Run

Being disappointed with my first race held at UP which is the Hataw Pilipinas, I was quite apprehensive in joining the 1st Dean’s Cup of the UP College of Law. There were questions that bothers me prior to this event. First, will it be a well- organized race considering that this will be their first time to organize this event. Second, will there be more participants to this race since there will be at least three races that will be held within Metro Manila on the same date. There was the Tatakbo ka ba? Fun Run by the GMA 7 network expected to draw more crowds and the Smash and Dash Fun Run by Greenhills Shopping Center and Sun Cellular. Third, will Swthrt and I make a comeback and be well motivated to finish this race coming from a not so good performance in our last race.

Even though we registered early for this race, we only got our race kits last Saturday after a good 10K practice run at UP. To my surprise, Swthrt ‘s singlet was not yet available that we have to comeback for it later in the afternoon. At this point, I was really hoping that everything will be well come race day. Anyway, I was able to talk with Eric of Run for Change, the coordinator for this event, who assured me of a good race and participation of a good number of runners.


The Race
We arrived at UP at around 5:20 am and park our car near the College of Engineering which was a block away from the starting line for the race. Swthrt and I did some warm-up run and stretching prior to the race. We saw Jay, Prometheus Cometh, who was doing his long run. The race started a few minutes after 6 o’clock. It was a separate start for the different categories. The 10K runners were released first. We have to run one loop of the academic oval and a portion of the University Avenue to complete a 2.5K route and then 2 laps of the outer loop with 3.75 K distance per lap. We saw Vener and Christy while doing our first lap of the outer loop. Swthrt and I decided to run at the pace we did last Saturday targeting a 1:10 time for the 10K. Finishing less than this time will be better. There were a good number of participants especially in the 5K and fun walk events. Enough water at the hydration station. There were volunteers handing over the cups of water to the runners. One volunteer even took time to cross the street (we are running on the opposite side of the street where the station is) just to offer us the cup of water. There was also a food station which offers energy bars, bananas, and more for the 10K runners at the University Avenue. We finished the race in 1:08:+ and got our certificates, bananas and freebies at the finish line.

Bananas for everyone!

Lots of freebies which includes Hershey's drinks and dark chocolates

Swthrt had a souvenir photos with Hershey’s and Kisses mascots. Overall, Swthrt and I were satisfied with the race organization. Congratulations to Eric and the people behind this event.

with Eric of Run for Change

After the fun run, we went to the university pool to witness the start of the Triathlon event. We saw familiar faces such us the teams of Second Wind, Hector, Nevil, Jeremy.

Briefing before the race

There was Mama Ting doing the solo event. We also happened to see a cousin of mine who will be joining the event for the first time. The triathlon event was graced by Senator Pia Cayetano who was also a Triathlete. She fired the starting gun for the athletes. We were not able to finish the event and had to go home early for a church worship service. We went home happy and contented looking forward for another great race at UP.

First wave of swimmers

Mama Ting on her second set of the swim leg

with cousin Chris before the race

For now, we are gearing up for the 21K New Balance Power Run. See you there!