Run for a cause: The Pasig River Run

Much has been said about the recently concluded largest environmental advocacy fun run in the country, the 10.10.10 Pasig River Run. Though I’m not sure as of this writing that we broke the world record as the most runners for an eco-footrace, I’m quite sure that this is the largest in the country.

About my foot- pain prior to this run, I was thankful that it was gone came Saturday. I woke up early on Saturday morning as we often do and told Swthrt that I will not run and have my foot rested. It was still painful that morning. But truly, God has His own way and even a great sense of humor of healing people. I was hoping that I can run on Sunday, for an environmental advocacy run, and God healed me while I’m dealing with nature. I was doing some gardening in our pocket garden and I noticed that the pain subsided and by the time I’m done I can walk and run pain-free. Praise God! Come Sunday I’m all set and ready to join the fun run for the Ilog Pasig.

Swthrt and I and some of our NAMRIA runners ran the 10K which started at Ayala Avenue. We had a good fun run which lasted up to Roxas Blvd wherein we shared the road with the 5k runners. It was here that we started to walk most of the time because of the multitude of people. It was noticeable that mostly were students taking part as a requirement for their NSTP (National Service Training Program) in their respective schools. It became chaotic upon reaching the compound of MOA wherein people would walk from all directions. On our way to the finish line, there were people walking on the opposite way. The crowd was just uncontrollable. Even the greatest race organizer will surely have a nightmare organizing this type of race. All this was expected with the number of registered runners. You just have to be prepared for it!

For me, one thing is clear! People will come and gather for one great cause. I’m just saddened by some negative comments, like it was poorly organized, or it should have been like these, or they should do these things. I myself witnessed and noticed details lacking in a good organized race but for whatever it was, I came to run for a cause and not to be served and be pleased. To all the runners who came and not mind the glitches and hustles along the way, I salute you all! We are all part of history.

In pain before 10.10.10 run

Running on weekends is always a treat for Swthrt and I. Aside from being a stress reliever for a week long of work at the office, it also serves as our favorite bonding moment. And so waking up on a Friday morning with a painful left foot could be stressful if you will be running on the well publicized 10.10.10 Pasig Run on Sunday. The pain was concentrated on the top portion of my left foot. The pain becomes intense every time I walk. I don’t remember any incident that might have caused the pain. I’m just praying and hoping that the pain would subside that I may be able to run on Sunday. To those who will be running for the rehabilitation of Pasig River, See you on the road!

KOTR 2010

The early bird catches the longer distances, slow ones get the shorter distances. That’s what happened to us. It’s been quite a while since we ran our last road race, the Rexona 21K Run. Here comes the KOTR 2010. A much anticipated race which we hope to run next but for some reasons we were not able to register on the first week of registration. During the previous years, registration in shorter distances (5K and 10K) close early. Today, it’s the other way around. We intended to register for the 21K the other day but have to settle for the 10K distance category (the longest distance available). The 21K distance category was already closed since the second day of registration. Wow! That was really fast. It was a proof that a lot of runners have levelled-up. I will not be surprised if the upcoming Run United 2 organized by coached Rio will have its 32K category sold out faster that you would run the distance.

Anyway, we were just as excited that we have registered and will be able to run the KOTR. The goal was to register a new PR and at the same time enjoy the race. Though we have not join races the past weeks, we regularly run whenever possible. Hopefully this race would pump up our training for the coming QCIM.

To the Kings/Queens of the Road, have fun! See you on the road!

Corregidor International Half-Marathon

Registration details for the Corregidor International Half-Marathon:

Registration Venue and Period:

all weekends (Saturday and Sunday only) of October and November, subject to slot availability

RUNNR ( Boni High Street ) Saturday and Sunday, 2pm to 9pm

Second Wind (Maginhawa) Saturday only, 1pm to 6pm
Second Wind (Ortigas Home Depo) Saturday only, 1pm to 6pm

on-line registration facility (for participants residing abroad and outside Metro Manila) will be up on October 9, 2010

Registration fee: P2,500.00 - until October (early registration)P3,000.00 - until November (late registration)

Race Registration inclusions:
Roundtrip ferry to and from Corregidor Full lunch buffet on race day Race bib w/ RFID timing chip Race shirt



Race backpack, Finisher's Medallion (or a 10k Achiever Medal), Runners' Briefing (Dec 4 and 11) at ROXCarbo-loading Bonfire Party (Dec 18, Saturday night)


Victory Party with two top performing bands (Dec 19, Sunday night)


Personalized Finishers' Certificate (complete with name and finish time) Race


Registration Procedures:
1) After completing registration for the race (manual or on-line), beginning the following Monday, contact Sun Cruises at 8346857/8346858 /5275555 loc 4511 0r 4512.

2) Indicate the desired trip schedule:

a) Overnight – departure on Dec 18 @ 8:30am (return trip to Manila is on Dec 19 via 2:30pm trip from Corregidor*)

b) Day trip – departure on Dec 19 @ 5:30am (return trip to Manila is Dec 19 via 5:30pm trip from Corregidor*)

c) Participants with non-competing companions (non-competing companions will have to pay Php2,000.00/person; no race pack will be provided to them) will have to take the Dec 18, 11:30am trip to Corregidor (return trip to Manila is on Dec 20, Monday, via 10:00am trip from Corregidor.*

for “a)” and “b)” indicate if attending the Solidarity & Victory Party on the night of December 19 to amend departure schedule to Monday, Dec 20 via 10:00am trip from Corregidor.

3) If applicable, make accommodations reservation with Sun Cruises (only registered participants will be given reservations). Pay the appropriate accommodations booking amount through the payment mode advised by Sun Cruises.

4) On Dec 4 or 11 (as advised through email and text by the organizers) at ROX, attend the Runners’ Briefing, pick-up the race pack, and claim the Boarding Pass and/or Accommodations Booking ticket from Sun Cruises. Ensure to bring the Acknowledgement Receipt issued during registration. No Acknowledgement Receipt, No Race Pack.

Race Registration Requirements:
1) Properly filled out registration form (may be downloaded by Friday / available at the registration site)

2) Any valid ID (driver's licence, SSS ID, voter's ID, postal ID, passport, etc.) indicating date of birth

3) Proof of participation in a 10k race (during the last 2 months prior to registration) or 21k race (during the last 3 months prior to registration), or a full marathon (during the last 6 months prior to registration) or a doctor's certification of fitness to participate in an athletic event.

For proof of race participation, a printout of the particular race result is preferable. In lieu of that, race bib will be accepted but will be subject to verification through the race results available on-line.

4) Applicable registration fee.

Less blogging and racing, but more running

Tons of work and lots of home chores occupied most of our time during the past weekdays. Less races are scheduled during weekends. Plus the problem with PC and laptop at home also adds up to the reason of less blogging. There was not much to blog but more to run. We had a good run for the past two weeks as part of our training program for the coming QCIM this December. As a matter of fact, we have seen some of our friends also doing their training at UPD on weekends. It was only this week that we missed our weekday runs because of bad weather conditions in the afternoon or evening. Hopefully we will have a good weather this weekend for our long runs.

On less races joined, Swthrt and I have been selective on joining races these days. It was not because there have been no good races but economics would dictate that it will certainly affect our finances. The high cost of registration fees make us think twice before registering. It was a good thing that races scheduled for the year are posted in Takbo.ph which allowed us to pick up races that would fit in to our training schedules. Races would also help us assess our current fitness level as we did in our training.




So, to our running friends, see you on the road and keep on running.