HCMI running clinic held

The Running Club of Honda Cars Pasig in coordination with its HRD has organized a running clinic for its associates at the Honda Cars Global City on 03 August 2010. Jonel Mendoza, a seasoned ultra marathoner and a publisher of frontRUNNER Magazine shared his experiences and lectured on the basics in running. The event was attended by associates from the different branches of Honda Cars Makati Inc. ( HCMI ) who are running newbies and those who want to try the sport. The clinic aims to encourage their associates to practice a healthy lifestyle by having proper nutrition and exercise.

For quite some time, a good number of HCMI associates have been joining races in the metro. Three of their associates, Joel Abrazado, Ritchie Ascueta, and Baby Estrella (Swthrt)have already finished a full marathon (TBR Dream Marathon). Other runners have successfully completed shorter distances ranging from 5K to 21K. This month, some runners will be participating in the Camsur Marathon. Since the company understands that having a healthy body translates to a more productive office, it continues to support other sports, such as badminton and basketball. Just recently, the Ayala group of companies, which HCMI is a subsidiary, held a fun run in Ayala Triangle.

The clinic started at around 6:30 pm giving ample time for participants from other branches. Jonel’s presentation focused on the Who, How, When and Where of running. He also shared practical tips while running in a race. With the advent of climate change causing hot weather during races and the recent news of fatality during races, Jonel also tackled injury prevention and proper hydration.

After the presentation, Sir Mar Encarnacion, CIO of HCMI, presented to Jonel the certificate of appreciation from the company. After the clinic, some participants rounded the BHS as part of the actual run, and before calling it a day.

In behalf of the HCMI associates Swthrt and I would like to thank Jonel for sharing his time and running experiences with us. More power also to your frontRUNNER magazine.

Ayala Group Fun Run 2010

Since the start of the school year last June, Swthrt had been looking forward to a good weekend training run. Perfect timing, the Ayala Group of companies held a fun run at the Makati Triangle. Swthrt and her associates at HCMI joined the event. Needless to say that I was there to give support to Swthrt and document her run. We fetched Beth, Swthrt’s officemate, who also ran the race. We arrived at the venue early anticipating closure of major roads which will be part of the race route.We immediately joined the HCMI group after which we had a warm up run inside the Ayala triangle.

Swthrt ran the 5K, the longest distance category of the event. There was also a 2.5K category. For the 5K, participants ran 4 times the loop. The starting line was in front of the Tower One along Ayala Ave. The runners turned right at Paseo de Roxas, then turned right at Makati Avenue, right again at Ayala Avenue to complete 1 loop.

The event was graced by Ayala’s top bosses headed by Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala. A short program was held before the gun start.

Swthrt had a good start and I was with her as pacer and photographer, hehehe.

I have to skip the third loop after feeling the pain on my flantar which had been bothering me for the past two to three weeks. Yes, the culprit maybe the extra weight that I gained.

Anyway, I joined them again on the last loop, with Swthrt finishing in a time of 35 minutes. It was a good conditioning run before embarking on a more serious training program for a bigger goal, another marathon perhaps?

In the afternoon, we joined the II-Camia Family Day of our eldest son at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife. It was a day full of activities for us.

Swthrt sets new PR @ KOTR ’09

This year’s edition of the Adidas King of the Road (KOTR) gave runners another venue to prove themselves and set new personal best. This time Swthrt and I registered for the half marathon which was the main event for this race. This was highly anticipated since the New Balance race which was scheduled earlier than this race was postponed to a later date. It was a family affair for this race. Our eldest son, JM ran the 5K, while the youngest, Josh served as the official photographer. My parents also joined us to look after Josh.

We arrived at BHS before 5am, with enough time to do some warm-up run. We met with Vener and Xty and the runners from Honda Cars Makati.

with Xty and Vener and our son JM

Swthrt who had a limited practice run before the race was quite nervous at the start. The 21K runners were released on time and we were off for a good start. Our target pace was 6:30 – 7:00 min/K. Swthrt was doing great and we even had a chat with Jinoe going all the way to Kalayaan flyover before he pulled away. Swthrt was having a steady pace along Buendia Avenue. It was always at this area where she experienced some sort of a runner’s high as she would just run and that everything else was amazing. We reached the turn-around point along Buendia with no problem at all. As we made our way back, Swthrt would experience side stitches occasionally but she would continue on. We have our first break of Kitkat at the junction of Ayala-Buendia. We are experimenting on this energy supplement, hehehe (cheaper di ba?). Upon reaching the area covered by the 10K runners, the road was crowded with runners and was quite difficult to run. Swthrt had a first walk break going up the flyover. Tiredness begun to set in and so I told her to have another break, let’s have a kitkat! What was amazing with Swthrt was her desire to continue on. At this point, the cheers, high five signs and encouragements from other runners surely kept us going. Our run continued with walk breaks and slow jog to recover. Side stitches also attacked once in a while but Swthrt was able to bounce back and ran patiently until we cross the finish line after 2:40:+. It was a new personal best for Swthrt beating the 2:45:+ record at the Run for Home. It was a wonderful experience for both of us.

with Mae (in my own views) andn Manny (IceOne)

Eco Downpour

I was awakened by the heavy downpour in our area at around 3:30 am last Sunday. As I woke up, I was wondering whether the scheduled Ayala Mall’s Eco Dash would push through. At around 4:00 am the rain stopped which prompted me to wake up Swthrt and prepare for the race. We usually don’t have much ritual before the race. For a short distance race, a cup or two of coffee would be enough to boost us. By 5:00am we were set to go to the race site, at the BHS. It was still raining when we arrived at the Fort Bonifacio. To our amazement, there were already lots of people converging at the starting area. The parking lot where we usually park was already full. We parked at the next available parking area near Honda. There we met with other members of Team Honda (the new kids on the block, hehehe). Actually they are officemates of Swthrt whom she recruited, and now regularly joined races.

Team Honda

After we saw the release of the 21K runners, we proceeded to the starting area to check in for our 10K race. Up to this point the rain never stoppred. It even from time to time gets stronger as we patiently waited for our release. We met with other bloggers while waiting for the gun start. Soon the gun fired, and Swthrt and I were off to a good start. We reached the Kalayaan flyover without any problem. There was water all around and it was truly a wet and wild race as we sometimes have to skip and jump to avoid pot holes filled with water along the way. It was fun running in the rain as seen by faces of runners who joined the race. It was a new course at least for a portion of it. We reached the turn- around point inside the Ayala Center after 34:36 mins. where we were given straws. On our way back, Swthrt started to complain of pain on her shin. She was thinking the lack of practice run for the past two weeks might have caused it. Anyway, Swthrt continued on and we finished at 1:11:+ for the 1oK.

Xty and Vener

Dra. Doray, Bards and Coach Titus adding extra kilometers after thier 21K