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.

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.

Need for motivation

My officemates noticed that I’m gaining extra weight again. I’m also feeling sluggish for the fast weeks. I have only logged a few kilometers in running since our last full marathon in Nuvali last May. Heavy workloads, home chores, kids’ schooling, and not so good weather conditions in the evening are the primary reasons for the low mileage. And no specific goal of running another full marathon adds up to the unmotivated training.



I have already decided not to run the 34th Milo Manila Elimination this coming Sunday. With the two full marathons I have finished, I learned to treat the distance with much respect. More so, running in Milo Marathon, which I consider my Everest in running (that is locally, who knows God may give me a chance to run an international race). I want to run my first Milo marathon prepared for the challenge and finish within the qualifying time or at least with a respectable time. But since I started running in Milo two years ago, I cannot let this year pass by without joining one of their elimination legs. Swthrt and I will be joining 21K for the Batangas leg. Also to keep us motivated, we will be preparing for this year’s 2nd QCIM this coming December.

To start the ball rolling again, we will be running the 10K Fit n Fun Buddy Run on July 11 and hopefully more tune-up races before starting on another serious training program for 42K. Probably highlighting the training program will be the last leg of the RunRio Trilogy, the 32K Challenge.


Good luck to all Milo runners this Sunday.

The Rexona Run 2010

A race that won't let you down!

A disposable timing device called "D-Tag" will be used for this race.

Run with confidence run with Rexona!

BLUE SKIES

“I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? Psalm 121:1

There is nothing like going to an athletic event outside under with Blue Skies. In North Carolina we call them Carolina Blue Skies. I guess that is what most UNC fans think. When I think of blue sky, I think of the verse that says, “I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?” (Psalm 121:1).

I am amazed at how a blue sky can set the mood for how someone feels. Those cloudy, rainy days may be a little discouraging or make our spirit feel down, but again remember to lift up your eyes. It does not matter if the sun is shining outside or not, the key is the Son shining inside. As we follow athletics, we will sometimes be up and sometimes be down because of wins and losses. But look up—maybe at a Carolina Blue Sky day or a Blue Sky wherever you live—and let that help you remember that your help comes from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
—Robert Walker