Globe R4H goes to Cebu

Will it be a fruitful running year for Team JRunning for 2012? This question came up as another big running event which we regularly joined goes out of town. The Globe Run 4 Home goes to Cebu this time giving our running friends in the south an experience and opportunity to share in building homes for the beneficiaries of the race. Swthrt and I have joined this event regularly but with R4H moving down south as its venue, we will be missing again another favourite race. We just missed the recently concluded Condura Skyway Marathon 2012. 

R4H 2009

R4H 2010

Anyway, we just hope that new and exciting races will be up for Team JRunning this year in Manila. Better yet, we just hope that we could join provincial races for a change. This we cannot do as of now because of parental obligations and other matters that hinders us in joining races outside the metro. It will be more costly too if ever we join because the kids would certainly like to be with us.

Registration 

Onsite:

1st level, Paseo Ciudad, Ayala Center, Cebu.

Online:

Online registration is via www.globe.com.ph/run

For more race information visit:  www.globe.com.ph/run

PRESS RELEASE:

Globe Run4Home 2012 races to Cebu

All roads lead to the Queen City of the South as Cebu becomes the official home of this year’s Globe Run4Home, one of the biggest and most awaited running events in the country with the many innovations it pioneered in Philippine marathon history.

The Globe Run4Home 2012 races to the Cebu International Convention Center on March 25, 2012 gathering not only the running community of Cebu, but also its legion of running aficionados in Manila and key cities nationwide to celebrate a common cause: help provide sustainable shelter to those in need, especially victims of Typhoon Sendong.

Globe taps previous Run4Home beneficiaries Gawad Kalinga and Habitat for Humanity Philippines to help raise funds for their housing development projects for the typhoon victims in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro respectively. Completing the roster of partner-beneficiaries are Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, a Cebu-based organization that aims to transform communities in key biodiversity areas into becoming more effective stewards of the environment, and the Philippine Tarsier Foundation, a non-stock, non-profit organization that spearheads a massive campaign to save the Philippine Tarsier and preserve its habitat.

Registration fees per category are P300 for 3K, P400 for 5K, P500 for 10K, P600 for 15K and P700 for 21K, the most affordable registration rate ever in Globe Run4Home history, making the running event more accessible to the growing running community, especially in Cebu. The registration fee entitles runners to their race shirts available in various sizes, race bib number, timing chip, and finisher’s medal for the 21K category. A portion of the runners’ registration fees will be donated to their beneficiary of choice to support their respective advocacies and programs.

In order to attract more participants, group runners are also encouraged to join—with a special treat. For groups of four running in the same category, they will be allowed to bring in a fifth member for free.

Join the Globe Run4Home 2012 and be part of a nationwide revolution towards inspiring hope for the less privileged families, communities, endangered species, and key biodiversity areas. Registration starts on February 1, 2012 via www.globe.com.ph/run or at the Paseo de Ciudad, 1st level, Ayala Center, Cebu City. Globe Run4Home 2012 is supported by Alaska, Gatorade, Summit Natural Drinking Water, and Timex. Media partners are the Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Philippine Star, Cebu Daily News and Newsbytes.

Photo Talks - R4H

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.

Photos Talk - Globe Run for Home 2010

Globe Run for Home 2010

Running on a new race route gave excitement and kept runners’ adrenalin pumping in the recently concluded Globe Run for Home. Swthrt and I were so excited ‘coz we wanted to set a new 21K PR on this race. As expected, it was a well- organized race since people from Finishline were behind the event. It was a new route to at least the first part of it which was running around the Makati Central Business District (MCBD) before going to a more familiar territory which is the Fort Bonifacio Global City all the way to Bayani Road and to the Heritage Park. The concept of different starting and finish line areas was rarely used. The starting line was along Ayala Avenue while the finish line was along Paseo de Roxas.

The Race
Coming into the race, Swthrt was not at her best. She was having problems with hyperacidity. It was probably brought about by the excitement coming into this race. It was a good start for both of us as we run the MCBD up until Buendia Avenue going up the Kalayaan flyover. As we entered the Bonifacio area, we slowed down as Swthrt would experience acid reflux that would give her goose bumps. Anyway, we tried to maintain our pace and were able to reach Heritage Park where we were welcomed with a more challenging route inside the park. We completed the course with a time of 2:44:17 which was not enough to set a new PR. It was still a good race after all.

Congratulations to Finishline and Globe! We hope to see the pictures from Photovendo soon!

Photo Talks - Running Couple

Bro J and Swthrt

Cool Race Result _ Run for Home

Run for Home with Swthrt

Much has been said about the pros and cons of a successful but intriguing Run for Home race. I also have my two cents of comments but would rather save it for another posting. Today, I want to focus on Swthrt’s quest in finishing her first ever half marathon. Since we registered for the 21k category for this event, Swthrt had ask me for the nth time if she could really do it. And again and again, I would give her the assurance that she could do it and finish a half marathon. Last Sunday was the proof that she really can.

with Mesh at the starting line

Even with a late night sleep before the race, we woke up at 3:15 am for the big event. We got ready for the D day and forced ourselves to eat breakfast (which we do not normally do in a race) of rolled oats with milk. We then left home at around 4:00am and arrived at the venue 15 minutes later. To my surprise, the parking area where we usually park was reserved for Globe VIPs ( I’m sure other bloggers have their hot posts regarding this issue) and so we parked somewhere else. We finally get ready for the race at around 4:30 and met with bloggers/friends at the starting line. It was my first time to meet in person, Johnny Sy and Sir Ipe (Kinderdorf). It was quite unusual not to have our race numbers check-in by marshals because of the use of timing chips. The starting gun was fired on time with the runners running smoothly as they cross the mat sensor at the starting line. It was also a good start for me and Swthrt.

Fast and Furious

In our run together in a race, I would normally let Swthrt run in her comfortable pace at the start. I would constantly remind her to keep it and not be pulled by the fast runners. It was an easy run at the start and we reached the Kalayaan flyover without a hitch. It was Swthrt’s first taste of the Kalayaan flyover and she ran it with ease. It was a different experience for her. We continued to run at Buendia Ave. with short stops at hydration stations along the way. We refrained from drinking the carbonated sports drinks provided by a sponsor because we find it hard to run with air-filled stomach. Anyway, we brought our own sports drinks (you know?) to compliment the water provided at the hydration stations. We had a great run along Ayala Ave. We have always enjoyed running a new route to break the monotony of running a common route. This is probably the reason why we have not run a race held in UP. It happens to be our training ground during weekends. Along Paseo de Roxas and Makati Ave, we started to see familiar faces making their way back to Bonifacio. I would either give a high five sign, clap or cheer and shout their names (if I still have the energy) to give encouragement on them. As we make our way back to Bonifacio, pains on the shin and calves begun to set in on Swthrt and walk breaks became frequent. A runner approached me and kindly offered to take a picture of me and Swthrt while running. Unfortunately, the battery of my camera was already low. Anyway, to give our gratitude, we keep pace with him along Buendia and had a few chat with him. It was nice meeting you Raul. I have been regularly checking on Swthrt and offered sports beans and drinks as we continued our run going to Kalayaan flyover. Upon reaching the top of Kalayaan flyover, it's time to have a break, we have Kitkat, hehehe. The pain on her shin continued to persist and there was also stiffness in the calf muscles. Walk break intervals became shorter. At one point somewhere near McDonalds, Swthrt had to walk and we heard a voice from a lady runner shouting "Come on runner in green, i have been following you since this morning. Don't stop now...."'It became a challenge and a pressure on Swthrt's part. I even teased her that she's now a real runner being targeted by other runners,hehehe. Swthrt continued to run and tried to focus on the remaining kilometers of the race. The cheers from other runners like Mesh and Mama Ting whom we met along the way surely gave Swthrt the needed encouragement. We even ran along with Hector (of Second Wind), who's a pacer at 7:30min/k along Lawton Ave.. The last kilometer seems to be the longest kilometer for Swthrt but the sight of the finish line as we make the final turn gave the needed boost to run and finish strong with the time of 2:47:+ (unofficial). The official results will be out by July 23 to be published at the Globe website as stated in the flyers given after the race. Congratulations Swthrt! I love you and I am very proud of you!

With Christy, photo by Johnny after the race

Run for Home Ready

I'm almost sure that excitements starts to shoot up among runners as the race kit for the Run for Home Race on Sunday were out yesterday. We were part of the runners who have pick up their race kits amidst strong rains at the BHS yesterday. The addition of the timing chip makes it more exciting for the runners because it will be the first time that such timing chip will be used in races here in the Philippines. We just hope that it will be a fine weather come race day... not to hot but not raining hard either. See you runners at the starting line!

Swthrt **** ***** ****Bro J