One Year Since

My first official run was the adidas King of the Road 2008. As written on my first entry in this blog, I was inspired by my cousin, the Golden Girl, to join her in her new hobby or sport, or whatever you might call it. After that first run, I knew that I finally found something that will keep me busy for quite a while. Indeed, one year since my first run, I am still yearning for more and planning on reaching new heights too.

Last Sunday's adidas King of the Road 2009 was really very important for me for various reasons. One, it was my first anniversary run; two, my two nephews, Bikoy and Paolo Madrid will join me in this run; and three, i will run the 10K. Though my nephew Paolo, ran with me several times since last year, this is the first official run of my other nephew, Bikoy. And though I already ran the 10K in previous races, I saw it proper to run the same just to give honor to my first official run. Here lies the loyalist spirit in me. Hahahahahaha.

The route was quite familiar for it was the same route as the Condura Run earlier this year. I was really quite elated with the run, especially the moment when I found myself and a whole lot of people in yellow singlets on the Kalayaan-Buendia flyover. The run was actually very comfortable, with water stations (with ample water/gatorade supply and slices of banana) every 2 kilometers and with race marshals guiding every runner's way.

On my way back to the Fort approaching the Kalayaan-Buendia flyover, I had a glimpse of an overflowing yellow road in front and behind me. And I thought that running is actually gaining popularity here and there are actually more and more people going into running.

A few meters approaching the finish line I was accidentally tripped by a female runner who apologized at once. Fortunately, my knees held up to the incident and I didn't fell. Crossed the finished line with a beaming smile knowing that I have accomplished something on that particular day.

Missed during the King of the Road 2009 was my cousin, Ate Nora - the Golden Girl, who is still nursing an injury from a tennis practice fall months back; also missed were my other running buddies, She', and her brothers Edward and Adrian.

Next:
The Philippine International Marathon
08 November 2009

at the finish line with the KOTR 2009 finisher's certificate


brothers Bikoy (left) and Paolo (right)
it was Bikoy's first official run. Congratulations!!!!!!!!

a frustrated Gatorade endorser. Hahahahahahahaha

Paolo and Bikoy after the race

pointing at the start/finish line of the 10K

embracing the feat of finishing the 10K in one piece

the crowd at the finish line

more people at the finish line

and the crowd doesn't want to go anywhere

The Love For Running Inspite and Despite Of.....

My apologies for having been absent in the blogosphere for quite some time. Okay, okay, for a long time. It was due to busy schedules at work at the end of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009. But that doesn't mean that I have totally forgotten about the greatest love I have right now......running.

As a recap, I ended 2008 with runs at the YAKULT 10 Miler and the UP Centennial Run. Wasn't able to join the PSE Bull Run (which was supposedly my first 10K run as promised) due to conflict in work schedules. But I was able to run in the Happy Run at the Fort, afterwhich Paolo, my nephew and I went straight to UP Diliman for the Walk Your Talk, organized by the sorority of Paolo's mom, Bembet; and finished my first 10K running in the Power Run at the Mall of Asia. Much has been said about the Power Run, and I too share their points of view. No need to elaborate here, I know you are all tired of those stories. But, the Power RUn was really very significant for me for it was my first 10K run, and finished it under 60 minutes (although I believe that I ran longer than 10).

Here are some of the photos from those runs..........

Then the Takbo para sa Kalikasan at the Quirino Grandstand followed. This was kind of special also for it was the first 10K of my nephew Paolo. Although he was just forced into it because it is a requirement for his P.E. class at UPLB. He even brought with him his friend from Los Banos to the run. To say we had a great time is an understatement, seeing my nephew finish his first 10K is a very proud moment for me, and of course his mom too. For it was only last December that I convinced him to join me in the runs. He started running the 5K and after 4 official runs, began conquering the 10K. At that moment, I merely became a spectator to the triumph of my nephew.

And now, back to our regular programming...........

Next stop, the Condura Run at the Fort. This was much publicized due to the fact that this is the first time that runners will have the opportunity of steppin/running on the Skyway without dishing out toll fees. But this previlege is only reserved for the 21K runners. To say that I never thought about running the 21K at the Condura run is a complete LIE. In fact, while I was at the Nike Park at Trinoma to register for the run, I was seriously contemplating on taking the Skyway this time, but sanity proved to be stronger. I ended up registering for the 10K run. We'll, running the Kalayaan flyover on to Buendia is not bad after all. A first for me, and I always welcome firsts.

Like the Power Run, much has been said about the Codura Run. And I totally agree 100% to all of them that it was the most organized running event I have participated. There were water stations every 2km, marshalls were everywhere and were very helpful, the roads were marked and police escorts were everywhere too. It was a glorious sight to behold, seeing the Kalayaan flyover and Buendia taken over by runners relishing the experience. I actually had goosebumps as I approached the Kalayaan flyover, for who would've thought that I, together with thousands of runners will be able to run on it's pavement. And now, when I go back to Donsol and see the whale sharks, I will be able to tell them that I ran 10K for them so they better let me touch them. Oh, lest I forget, it was also a run for a special cause, that is to make children with lip deformities realize the gift of smile and share it with others.

takbo.ph support groups

Special thanks to the takbo.ph support groups who were waiting for the runners and giving them water, sports drinks, bananas, and even chocolate bars. Great job you guys.

A sad note however, I do miss my cousin, the golden girl who hasn't been running for quite some time now. Ate Nors, I do hope that it won't be long till I'll be running with you again. Can't wait for that day. Always missing you during races.

I do hope that I'll be able to write more of my running experiences. And if won't have time to write that often, rest assured that I will always have time for running.

And now, the condura run photos.......

The Unforgiving Hills of McKinley...The Unicef Run

There are obstacles where one might think easy to overcome, but more often than not, one is always proven wrong. Such is my experience on the Unicef Run last November 23. I thought given that most of the runners are at the Mall of Asia running the Animo Run of La Salle, I will be able to break my PB or at the most get a hold of a much anticipated podium finish on my age category. To my surprise, it was not the case. My mistake.

Before the start of the race, the organizers changed the route a little bit. No worries I thought. But, to my surprise, it was one hell of a “little change”. For while in the first kilometer mark, there came before me a steep downhill at McKinley Hill, and after the first u-turn of course a steep uphill. After surviving that ordeal and reaching the entrance going to Lawton, I felt real tired and it seems that my mind wanted to convince my body to give in. After some internal conflicting moments, I managed to reach another u-turn and then I decided to triumph over my mind’s desire.

I finished the race not breaking my PB, but I was more than glad to have finished the race in one piece. Apparently, there will be a respite from running at McKinley Hills for a while. I will now try to run on even surface. Less draining on the body, and probably I will be able to break my PB.

One good thing about this race though is that I was able to convince my officemate, She’ (who was my photographer on the Adidas KOTR) to finally run this race. An added bonus is that she was able to convince her two other brothers to run also. In spite of the results of this race, I was still overwhelmed.

With She' and her brothers Edward and Paul

Another bonus is that of meeting a friend back in UP, Jun Catacutan. He's grown so big since the last time I saw him, probably about 15 years ago. When I saw this photo, I felt so small as I was dwarfed by his built.

Now, I need to prepare for the next two runs before the year ends. The Yakult Run and the ICTUS Run at UP. The Yakult Run at the CCP will be a new exprience for me, for I haven't ran yet on the area, and though I run regularly at UP, this will be a first competion run at the UP.

I just hope that I will be able to achieve my goal before the year ends. That of breaking the 25 minute mark for the 5K. After that, I will try to run the 10K in January's PSE Run (which I promised my cousin, Ate Nora).

On the Yakult Run, aside from She' and her two brothers, I will also be joined by another officemate, Noel, plus my two nephews, Bikoy and Paolo. We'll Ate Nors, the tribe is growing.

By thw way, my official time for the Unicef Run (thanks to www.runrio.com) is 26:51, 27th overall in the male category and 7th in my age category.