Mizuno Run 2011 finisher medal delivered

                                                                                                Photo by The Greentennial

Let me give credit where credit is due!


In the recently held Mizuno Run 2011 last June 11, there were 21K finishers who have not received their finishers’ medal, and Swthrt and I were among those. For whatever reasons the organizers might have, many runners were quite disappointed because of the lack of medals. It is an embarrassing situation at the finish line, others have while others don’t. The organizers were quick to react, however, and promised that medals will be delivered at the registered home address of those who were not lucky to have one after finishing the race.

True enough, we received but only Swthrt’s finisher’s medal last Tuesday. It was delivered at our residential address. Unluckily, I haven’t received mine. My theory was that Swthrt and I have the same name, Joseph and Josephine, which makes it prone to be mistaken as one and the same person. In almost all our races together, we have an almost identical finish time. This already happened at the Condura Skyway Marathon 2011 wherein it was only Swthrt’s name that was listed at the race result including the downloadable certificate. Anyway, I still hope that the organizers will act favorably on my request and will receive my finisher medal soon.

Recap: 2011 Mizuno Infinity Run

The 2008 Mizuno Infinity Run will always be a memorable event for me, because it was my very first official race. I joined the 5K category then.

In 2009, however, we DNSed (Did Not Start) because Swthrt’s father met a tragic accident that lead to his untimely death. In 2010, Swthrt and I only ran the 5K, for unremembered reason.

The Race
It was familiar but very challenging route in this race. It was quite a long time since we joined a race that passes through Bayani Road going to C5. The race started early but runners were caught in a surprise that no count down or announcement that the gun will be fired to send off the runners. The host was even caught unaware when the starting gun was fired, and there we go!

We had a good start going all the way to Kalayaan flyover up to the first U-turn point in Buendia near South Super Highway. On our way back, tiredness began to set in which slowed down our pace. Swthrt continued to run on a steady pace as we ran along Bayani Road while I was already struggling to keep pace with her. We still managed to finish a 2:45:+ which was almost identical to the time we have in our last two 21K races, the Goldilocks Run and the AKTV Run. Our muscles must have memorized the pace, he he he. This really calls for a speed training sessions!


Some Observations
Water stations were strategically placed but lacked personnel to immediately refill water cups. Thank God our hydration bottles always come in handy during this point. The showers from the water tanks was a welcome treat for the 21K runners. The joint use of the Lawton Ave. (part of the route) with other runners from other race (Security Bank Fun Run) made the road crowded. 21K runners have to zigzag their way especially there were many walkers from the other race that blocked the road. There were also insufficient finisher’s medals. Those who finished late will have to wait for their medals to be delivered home which I doubt if this could be fulfilled by the organizers. Mizuno should make true of their slogan “Never Settle,” as they should never settle to a good enough race but always strive for the best race ever! More power to Mizuno!

OCAI RUN

The Ortigas Center Association, Inc. (OCAI) has decided to partner with the Rotary Club of Ortigas Center (RCOC) to hold the Run for the benefit of the various humanitarian projects of RCOC. OCAI and RCOC have in turn joined hands with Balance Lifestyle Fitness Club of Discovery Suites to promote the South Pole Expedition 2010, the very first expedition to be undertaken by a Filipino extreme outdoor sportsman and quintessential climate change advocate, Coach Bobby del Castillo. The expedition to the 1,170 kilometer trek through the sub-zero icelands of the South Pole, where the much-feared climate change has had the most drastic effects, not only aims to show the world the adverse effects of climate change, it also hopes to bring as many prayers and pledges with him for peace, environmental awareness, and environmental involvement.

With Rudy Biscocho as the run's race director, all the people behind the event are aiming to accomplish the goals of the Rotary Club of Ortigas Center and Balance Lifestyle Fitness, and thus for the first time, this 27th of June, 2010, at 5:00 in the morning, more than four thousand (4,000) runners will run along the streets of Ortigas Center and surrounding areas, for the 3k, 5k, and 10k distances of the first ever *OCAI RUN*. While on the night before the running event, June 26, 2010, there will be a kick-off benefit concert at the Discovery Suite's Frontage, where the admission is free.

All the proceeds of the OCAI Run and the benefit concert will go to the humanitarian projects of the Rotary Club of Ortigas Center and the South Pole Expedition 2010.

* letter of invititation from Ms. Jai D. Cortes, Marketing Officer (Running), Master Sports Corporation -MIZUNO*

Not my distance

Mizuno Infinity Run 2008 was my first official race. As most newbie runners, I tried the 5K distance and was able to log in a decent time finish for a beginner. Last Sunday Mizuno 2010 gave me a chance to try the 5K distance once more. I was hoping to set a new PR on this distance or even better to do a sub30 finish time. The big crowd for the 5K distance was overwhelming. Our son JM and I positioned ourselves in front of the crowd.

I told JM to run with me until we reached Honda where Swthrt and Josh would be waiting to take some pictures. As we were released JM sped up and joined the fast runners. I tried to catch up with him but to no avail.

JM speeding up with me trying to catch up (please look for me)

I was already grasping for air even at the start of the race. I was having a hard time getting my rhythm and my heart was really pounding very fast. What made things worst was when I heard Jet P shouting “there’s my target” which forced me to hold on my pace but in the end brought me to reach my limit. Jet, you really know how to choose a target, ha ha ha. Anyway, I had to run-walk the rest of the course and managed to finish after 33 min. JM finished in 27 min.

Josh getting bored waiting for kuya and daddy

I will run a full marathon but never again will I join a 5K race (at least without any preparation). Last Sunday’s Mizuno run made me realized that 5K is not my distance.

Congratulations to Mizuno and to all the runners who have beat their time!

Mizuno IR10 Presscon

Mizuno has played a significant part of my running life. It was my first official race (5K category) since I started running in 2008. In last year’s edition of the Infinity Run, I was registered for the 15K category but, Swthrt and I was not able to run because it was the burial day of my father-in-law. Mizuno Rider 12 was my first Mizuno shoes and the one I used for my first full marathon in the Condura Run 2010. Last night, I attended the Mizuno Infinity Run 2010 at the roof deck of the BMG Center in Magallanes. Discussed during the presscon were mechanics of the upcoming Mizuno race and the future of Mizuno running.

Photo Talks - Mizuno Infinity Run 2010

2nd DNS for the year, Mizuno Run ‘09

This year’s edition of the Mizuno Infinity Run was supposed to be my anniversary run. I started running last May 2008 by prodding of my officemates. After a month of consistent training, I braved the challenge to join the Mizuno Infinity Run ’08. It was my first run, a 5K…. And the rest is history. This year I registered for the 15K category aiming to set a new PR and Swthrt will run the 5K together with our son JM. We were forced to skip the race because of an untimely incident. We are in the state of mourning. Swthrt’s father met an accident which led to his passing away last June 3. He was laid to rest last Sunday, June 7 2009. In this trying times, it will always be family first above anything except God. This is the time where family members need one another for support and comfort. My prayer was that God will continue to bind our family in His great love for us. May God use this incident for our family members to be able to see the purpose of God and accept the salvation He offers. I pray that God will comfort Inay with His love and kindness knowing that Itay is now with His Creator and God.

Anyway, races can wait. PR’s can be set in another time! See you guys in future races!