We men ran for our women at PIA

Last Sunday was a day for women in running at the Pinay In Action Run organized by Senator Pia Cayetano. It was an annual event giving importance on the role of Filipino women in our society. Our agency, NAMRIA, supported the event by sending about 50 runners from our running club with our officials involved in Gender and Development (GAD). Our delegate was headed by OIC Deputy Administrator and Information Management Department Director Linda SD Papa, Head Executive Assistant Georgia Ventura and Chief of Staff Lorelie Peralta. The event being an all women run was also supported by men. They were there either as pacers to their wives, as photographers, or simply to give support to the advocacy. We also saw familiar faces of blogger/runners participating in the event.

at the starting line (Picture courtesy of JunC)

The women in our team with DA Papa

I was at the event not only for our team but also to give support to Swthrt as she ran her 2nd 10K race. We arrived at the venue, Mall of Asia at around 5:30am. We immediately met with the rest of our group. Swthrt and I had a short warm-up run and stretching before the race. Swthrt was quite apprehensive in running the race because of her 2 week side line brought about by shin splints. In fact, she was not able to ran at the recently concluded Condura race. The race started a little over than the scheduled time of 6:00 am because of some ceremonial and photo ops which understandably for the purpose of having publicity. Anyway, the runners were released at the same time for all categories. 10K runners will have to run 4 loops (2.5K each) of the designated course.

running the first lap

running the 2nd lap

During the first lap, I had to remind Swthrt to run at her comfortable pace as this would be her first long run after a long rest. We had a short 3K run prior to this race which I posted last week On our second lap, Swthrt was steadily running at her pace but was bothered by the heat of the sun. It was really hot specially on the front side of the mall. We managed to ran the first 5K at 34:44 min. It was on the third lap that Swthrt started to feel pain on her shin. We slowed down a bit and had to make short walk breaks. It was also a good decision on our part to bring hydration belt as support because there was already a shortage of water at the aid station in front of the mall. The problem was immediately acted upon by the organizers as they were able to have bottled water on our 4th and final lap. We ran the second 5K at 38:44min and finishing with a time of 1:13:29.

to the finish line

Swthrt was really exhausted from the heat but was still able to finish strong. Congratulation Swthrt and I’m proud of you as always!

Team NAMRIA

Swthrt’s back on the road

Swthrt was back in training this morning after being sidelined at the Condura Run because of severe pain in her shin. She had to take a rest after the Ayala Fun Run and have her shin massaged by Coach Titus Salazar of Team Baldrunner. We started at our place at around 5:30 am going to C5 Libis. Our goal was to at least run for 30 min or cover at least 3K. Swthrt started slow and then gradually pick up her pace. We thank God that she was able to complete our scheduled run. This Sunday, Swthrt will again be running 10K at the Pinay in Action Run at the MOA in celebration of the Women’s Month. Hopefully she will be able to sustain and finish the race strong.

Condura Run 09 Race Results

http://www.condurarun.com/results.html

My official record:

Place: 896

Race No.: 250

Name: Joseph Estrella

Time: 2:25:51

Pace 6:57

photo by Mark Parco

total number of 21k runners: 1317

My Condura 21K Race

The Butanding Parade

It was a clear indication that running has now become so popular as the highly anticipated Condura Race unfolds yesterday. Thousands of runners took the challenge of testing their limit in the 21K half marathon race. I heard that many of them were running this distance for the first time. I am one of them who tried for the very first time. I started running last May 2008 and have ran several 5K, 10K and 15K races and have thought that it’s about time to try the longer distances.

Swthrt, who opted not to run 5K where she was registered because of pain in the shin and I arrived at Fort Bonifacio by 5:00 am. As soon as we found a spot to park our car, I immediately proceeded to do a warm-up run which did not last long as I heard the announcement that the 21K runners are called to check-in. I was able to squeeze in some stretching inside the corral.

The gun was fired on time and the 21K runners were off. I was actually feeling strong and was quite focused on my plan for the race. I was setting a personal goal of 2:15:00 to 2:20:00 on this race. Upon reaching the Kalayaan flyover I saw Erlito, my classmates in high school, I decided to run and keep paced with him. We ran at a comfortable pace where we can have a few chat. We reached kilometer 5 in 34:41. We have maintained this pace all the way to Quirino Highway approaching the Skyway ramp. The water station at this point was also distributing Sports Beans from Candy Corner and I was able to grab a couple of bags. As we begun our approach to the Skyway ramp we already saw the escort vehicle of the lead pack on their way back. Being able to run at the Skyway was an experience to be remembered. Erlito was able to bring a camera and we had a few shots for souvenirs. We also got a photo shot from Jinoe of Takbo.ph. We continued our run and begun to saw familiar faces of runners/bloggers already on their way back. I begun to shout out their names to cheer on them and give encouragement. It was also a way of keeping myself sane on “why am I doing this?”, running 21 kilometers, hahaha. Nearing the turn around point for us was sight to behold. We were also welcomed by a shower station from the water truck stationed at the Skyway. They were also handing out sponges soaked in cold water to freshen up the runners from the heat of the sun. As we started to make our way back I picked up on my pace. Slowly I left Erlito behind as he opted to keep his pace and not to be burned out. Along Buendia Avenue, I got my second wind and continued on, I did not even notice that I already crossed the Ayala intersection. I slowed down a bit as I crossed Makati Ave to prepare for the final approach to Kalayaan flyover. Upon managing the flyover, I knew it will only be a matter of few kilometers to the finish and it will be over. As I made a turn left at Serendra I saw IAAF Level IV Coach Espejo (Team Baldrunner) cheering on and shouting last 400 meters. It was music to my ears. I also saw Coach Salazar and Gigi on the final turn to the finish line. Swthrt was cheering on in front of Honda as I make the final sprint to the finish line. My unofficial finishing time was 2:20:+. I was able to hit my goal and was very happy about it! I am beginning to love the distance. I praise and thank the Lord for this achievement. To God be the glory!

I would also like to thank all the people who have supported me, my officemates and to my church-mates who prayed for me to have the strength and a safe run. And to Swthrt who was always there for me, I love you Swthrt!

with Erlito, George( Fuerza Armada), Chito (Sundaywarrior)

with Rocelle (Running Diva), Christ and Vener(Run unlimited)

Swthrt with T2 Runners

Congratulations Ton and Patrick Concepcion for the Great Condura Run!

Team BR conducts running clinic in NAMRIA

The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, an attached agency of the DENR conducted the 3rd of a series of lectures and seminars in celebration of the National Women’s Month. The event focused on the theme “Fitness Day” which aimed to promote a healthy lifestyle to all employees.

The Running Clinic was spearheaded by retired Gen. Jovenal Narcise also known as The Bald Runner and two Level IV International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF)-accredited coaches of the Team BaldRunner namely Head Coach Capt. Ferdinand Espejo and Coach MSg. Saturnino Salazar. The lecture focused on the Basics of Running, why and how we run. The Bald Runner discussed the basics and fundamentals of running and shared his experiences in the shorter distances (5K to half), marathon and ultra marathon races he joined. The humble 57 year old retired Major General has already completed 2 ultramarthon trail races (50K {Bulldog Trail Run in LA} and 55K {Pinatubo Trail Race}), thirteen full marathon races and presently preparing for the 1st Bataan Death March 102K Ultramarathon Race on April 5, 2009. This will also be the first running event to be organized by Bald Runner’s Events which aims to place the country in the map of international ultramarathon events. Being an experienced runner, Gen. Narcise also shared practical tips on the different aspects of running.

Coaches Espejo and Salazar on the other hand demonstrated and taught the proper running form and other running techniques that may improve a runner’s performance. Coach Espejo presently serves as a national coach/trainer of the Philippine Athletics Team and NCR Regional Director of PATAFA. Coach Salazar is the current record-holder of the 50K walk and was bronze medalist in the 1997 South East Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. He coached the national walking team during the SEA Games in Manila.

The running clinic was attended by about 50 employees of the agency who mostly participate in various road races especially those promoting and advocating in the conservation of the environment. The event was held in coordination with the NAMRIA Sports Club and co-sponsored by Universal Robina Corporation (URC) providing healthy snacks for the participants.