My (First) Ketchup Run: Planet Sports Run

I was about to answer the call of nature, when the 10K starting gun was fired. What the?! Forget about emptying my bladder, I immediately went down the staircase toward the starting corral, only to find out it was already closed to accommodate the 5K runners. I have no choice but to run and catch up with the last of the 10K runners without stepping on the starting mat (Well, as if we were wearing timing chips!). 

This ladies and gentlemen, this is the story of my catch-up run during the first Planet Sports Run.

If you are a devoted follower of my blog, you know that I am such a negative splitter, but on this occasion, I was a positive splitter for the first few meters or so just to catch up with the tail end of the pack. I caught the back of Sun Star journalist Rene Martel, and targeted him. Yes, during races, I target a certain individual or group of people in order to catch up with them. I do pick them in terms of their speed and endurance level, and sad to say, most of the runners are positive splitters or are rabbits, as they say.(RUNNER'S LINGO: Rabbits/Hares- are runners who usually run fast right from the get-go, but usually slows down in the home stretch. Think Aesop's "The Hare and the Tortoise" fable.) My competitive self is shown in races sometimes, but I know who I am messing with. Hehehehe! I am soo super bad! Anyway, I was literally just behind Mr. Martel, when I saw another runner who was wearing Vibram 5-Fingers! Wow, more and more people are into barefoot running without exposing their soles to the wicked broken glasses, and the blistering heat of asphalt. Oh, which reminds me, I must write a review on Nike Free 5.0 v.4! Anyway, back to the story, so I caught up and eventually overtook Mr. Martel and Vibram 5-Fingers guy in front of the Seminario Mayor de San Carlos. So my next target was Ms. Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM)-Velez Runner. She was running at pace which was good. When we were already in the vicinity of the IT Park, there were no marshalls in the two roads going to that place! A car nearly hit Ms. CIM Runner at the del Mar St. entrance, so I have to man traffic for her. And then, Ms. CIM Runner was about to overtake a maroon SUV that suddenly burst into the scene. Analyzing the situation that the driver will not give in (Ms. CIM Runner is trying to overtake on the right side of the vehicle.), I told Ms. CIM Runner to go to the left side of the car, and she followed what I have said. I finally overtook her near JY Square.

At around UP Cebu College area, some friends of ours from the Mandaue City Runners Club paced with me. Believe me, these guys can run a full marathon in less than 4 hours. My pace is already their LSD pace! I talked to them about the latest innovations of the up coming Milo Marathon, since they have anticipating for it.


I overtook a lot of people along the route. I overtook Maam Twinkle just a few meters from the turning point. I told her that I have to go ahead. Then she nodded. I overtook Mr. Viking guy (whose costume reminded me of Gimli from the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy) who was running 5K just 300 meters from the finishline. I was actually planning to overtake my Tita Nene before the finishline, but it was a bit too late. I finished the race in 1 hour 10 minutes and 1 second! Not bad for someone who was playing catch up. But I surely hope this will be my first and last "ketchup" run.


I caught up with fellow blogger, Katol V., I briefly chatted with him. He was in his "lunch break" and photograph the event. I did not see Sir Manny after the race.

Me with my "Wazzup, dude?" look after crossing the finish line.

Photo by Katol V. 

Energizer Night Run Race Route

Thank you Rodzz Guardiario for sending the race route for the up-coming Energizer Night Run through Facebook. For the benefit of those who still have doubts about the route, here they are.

3K

5K

10K

*Click on the photo to bigify!

Paying It Forward: The Run for Bebe

Don't you just love helping other people in need? Well, I do! Anyway, yesterday, the Code Blue Running Club of the Chong Hua Hospital along with Runcheck organized the Run for Bebe. This is a fund racing activity for one of their colleague who is fighting cancer, and her name is Bebe.

WHO IS BEBE?

She is the assistant director of Ms. Naomi Fajardo, the Chief Nurse of Chong Hua and one of the pillars of Code Blue Running Club. She was diagnosed to have Stage 2B Nasopharyngeal cancer, and now has under gone 33 sessions of radiation and a weekly concomitant chemotherapy sessions.

Nasopharyngeal cancer, if you are also a basketball fan, is the same cancer that Rommel Adducul had.


When I read the morning paper while eating a hearty breakfast with my parents at the IT Park, the organizers were able to raise P100,000.00. Not bad!

THE RACE

So the race was smoothly run, with less hoopla and NO ELITES! Yes, there were no elite runners in sight. I dunno about their reasons for their absence, but maybe because there was a race today (Sunday).  They might be saving their energies for today's run. Pinoy Ironman, Noy Jopson was there, but he was not present today.

There was no grand starting/finishing arc, not even a timing device. The crowd was fine, not too many. So the runners were there to support Code Blue and Bebe.

In the starting pen, I positioned myself somewhere at the back. On my head, I was thinking of doing a tempo uphill since 1/2 of the 5K race is uphill. When we were off, the crowd tried to outrace each other into a crammed J. Llorente St. I just paced myself in a slower pace at this part. At this junction, my right gastrocnemius or the muscle of you bagtak, stiffened.  Uh-oh, it's the stiff gastroc again! I talked to my gastrocnemius to just let me run according to my evil plan. And it went away. The pain went aways as we were heading for  B. Rodriguez. This is where I paced Melissa, our lab rat-on-leave. She is on leave because she is reviewing for the Vet Med board this August. She and her friends were running only 3K, but changed their plans that they will go on to run 5K. She told me to go ahead, so I went ahead.

The first 5K turning point was at the Petron B. Rodriguez station. That was where I remembered that I did not turn on my timer! Yikes, MAJOR BLUNDER! So anyway, I wouldn't let a stupid mistake get in the way of my plan. I was running in ace, as one after another, those who were ahead of me already decided to walk. 

At the second 5K turning point between the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Satellite Office and Cebu City Central School, I started to increase my pace and outrun those who were ahead of me. I managed to caught with Ms. Twinkle Ignacio at McDonald's Jones Ave.  (FYI: McDonald's Jones Ave. is the first McDonald franchise in Cebu. It first opened in 1992.) I asked her if she was already registered for the Energizer Night Race this July. She said not yet. I encouraged her to join since there's a limit in the number of participants.

Me with Ms. Twinkle Ignacio on our way to the Provincial Capitol. Photo courtesy of Jojo Osorio from his Facebook account.

I left Ms. Twinkle at the last water station. I am so sorry for not telling her that I will go ahead! Sorry! On our 3rd and last turning point in front of the Cebu Provincial Capitol, I decided to increased my pace. Someone was already breathing at the back of my neck, so I increased my speed. I was already "sprinting" once I reached the gate of the Chong Hua Medical Arts compound. Once I crossed the finish line, I was very happy that my plan worked.

 With fellow blogger, Manny Camacho. On our back that's Mr. Jojo Canete of CERC doing a wacky pose.

When Ms. Twinkle reached the finish line, I pointed to her where to get refreshments. That is where I met fellow blogger, Manny Camacho. He was actually the one who approached Ms. Twinkle for a photo op. I introduced myself to him, and he was surprised.  After the race we talked about our running misadventures, and how we enjoyed this intimate, yet inspiring race. He was also racing today, but sad to say, we did not get to see each other. It was nice to talk to a fellow blogger in person!

REVIEW

Overall, the race was well-organized. Marshalls were also present, although I did some little marshalling as Ms. Twinkle and I were about to cross on to Fuente Osmena, when this Guadalupe-bound jeepney tried to block us. And water? Well, there were lots of water during the race. There were even refreshments readily available once you crossed the finish line. My overall rating for this race is four doggy paws.

To Tita Naomi (I call her "Tita" since she is my Mom's classmate back in college.) and the rest of the Code Blue Running Club, and Runcheck (How can I forget!) for a successful race! And to Maam Bebe, our prayers are with you!

PS: From now on, I am grading each races with doggy paws. One (1) will be the lowest, while five (5) being the highest.

PS2: Cebu's Running Queen, Mary Grace delos Santos won second place in the Kuala Lumpur 21K event! Congratulations! I got this information through Scientist Runner status on Facebook.

 

Run for the Club Foot Babies

photo credits from the official website.

Another run for a cause will be held this August 8 at the Terrace-Ayala Center Cebu. This is for the benefit for of babies with congenital club foot. To download the registration form and race route, you can download it in their official website.

Other race details will announced later.

Someone's Pimping My Post

 i got this from their Facebook fan page.

As I was goggling my blog(I'm a bit of a narcissist!), I glanced on one of the results. It's the fan page of Bohol Runners Club, and someone's pitching on my post on the upcoming Energizer Night Run. Click here.


To Ms. Yam Garote, thank you for featuring my blog!

Frugal Cebuanos

photo credits from this site.

Journeying James commented on my previous post, that Cebu has cheap racing rates. You see ever since the running boom, the registration fee has gone up in Manila. Gone were the days were one has to pay P150-P200 race.

Here in Cebu, if the race is pegged, let's say at P350.00, expect there will be little participants. Some of my paisanos would even complain for such fee. To convince the participants, the organizers will justify it by giving free breakfasts, loot bags and freebies. Even during the first staging of the Cebu City Marathon, there were participants who complained why the one has to pay P650.00 for the full marathon. The organizers compensated it with a finisher's medal shaped like one of the islands best known produce, the mango. The bulk of the P650, and the P450.00 I paid for my half-marathon, was also for the timing chip. It was the first race in Cebu that used timing chips.

This September, Cebuanos will have to pay P500.00 to be able run in the Milo Marathon. The Milo Marathon this year is a run for a cause. This is also the first time that Milo will use timing chips. Half and full marathon participants will have a finisher's medal (as long as you hit the finish line before the curfew time) and a finisher's shirt (for the full mary only).

the Milo bling. I like.

So, we Cebuanos are the frugal type of people. We make sure if we dish out our hard earn money for a race, we make sure the fees are justified. To Journeying James, come to Cebu, and experience cheap racing!

Adelante, Cebu! First Recoletos Run

If De La Salle University (DLSU) students will shout, "Animo!", the students of the University of San Jose-Recoletos(USJ-R) in Cebu will definitely say, "Adelante!". Adelante means forward, and Cebu is moving forward. Just a week after a run hosted by the Silliman University Alumni in Cebu, the Josenians (as the y are commonly known for) will host the First Recoletos Run- Run for St. Agustine this August 29. Oh it's my dad's birthday!

A certain tipster by the name of "Poruoslogs" gave me some of the race's details.


Race Categories: 3K/5K/10K
Assembly Time: 4:00 AM
Gun Start: 5:30 AM for 10K
               5:45 AM for 5K
               6:00 AM for 3K
Venue: Sumilon Road, Cebu Business Park at the back of Collegio de la Imaculada Concepcion (CIC-Main Campus)


Registration Fee (inclusive of singlets and race kit):
   1. Early bird (To those who will register from June 14- August 14, 2010)- P200
   2. From August 14-27, 2010- P250

Registration Venue: USJR Engineering Office, USJR Alumni Office, Cebu City Sports Commission @ the Cebu City Sports Complex (aka Abellana) and RUNNR @ the Ayala Center-Cebu.


Early Registrants may redeem their race packets starting on August 21, 2010 from 10:30 Am to 7:00 PM. Regular registrants may redeem their race packets on August 27, 2010 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Race packets will be distributed at Sug-angan Restaurant at J. Llorente St., Cebu City.


Again, say this with me this time, "ADELANTE!".

Updates on the Energizer Night Run

So some guy actually send me a personal message through my Facebook account with regards to the race's most important details: registration fee and registration sites.

The registration fee is pegged at P350.00. I say, it's worth it with all the stuffs they are going to distribute during the race.

Interested individuals may register at these establishments:
1. R.O.X.- Active Zone, Ayala Center-Cebu
2. Runnr- Ayala Center-Cebu
3. Parkmall Customers Service Desk- Mandaue City.

Energizer Night Race Will Hit Cebu

photo credits from this site.

This is not the first time Cebu's hosting a night race. The "Midnight Run" during the Christmas break was the other non-morning race, until a TV station showed the TVC in one lazy Sunday morning. This folks is the Energizer Night Run! As of this moment, more and more people are interested to join this race in Facebook. So to those who are not in the circle of many (lucky) Cebuano runners, here is the gist on the race details. *NOTE: I just "copied-and-pasted" this because I am lazy!

Date:	Saturday, July 10, 2010
Time:	6:00pm - 10:00pm
Location:	Parkmall West Parking Area, Reclamation Area, Mandaue City, Cebu

Assembly Time: 6:00 PM.
Race officially starts at 7:30 PM.
Race Category: ALL RACE CATEGORIES ARE OPEN TO ALL.
a. 3K
b. 5K
c. 10K
Race Kit:
a. Singlet
b. Race bib w/ race number, barcode stub, baggage stub with runner’s medical information.
c. Route map
d. Race information and mechanics
On the event date, runners should claim the following from the Registration Counter:
a. Energizer headlight
b. Energizer cap

NOTE: Only those who have officially registered, signed and submitted the waiver, and have checked-in properly are entitled to win in the race.

*limited to 2,000 runners

Registration date and location of the registration booth is still to be announce. 


Last March 27, Malaysia hosted the Energizer Night Run. The distance categories were 10K, 21K, 42K and a 4x10K relay. They even dished out finisher's medals! 


So mark July 10, 2010 on your calendars, folks!

Joga Bonita

That's "beautiful game" in Portuguese!  I know this is a running blog, but I can't help talking about football or soccer! This year is a World Cup year, and the finals is being held, for the first time, in African soil. I just saw my favorite, the Netherlands defeated Denmark 2-0! I never get bored every time the Dutch or Oranje play their deadly counter-attack game.

Unfortunately, in this part of the world, most of the Filipinos don't seemed to care about football, or soccer, as it is fondly called here. But for someone who used to play (My only goal was an own goal back in high school!) and appreciate it's beauty, here are the reason why I love football:

1. It transcends barriers. Whether in terms of race, stature or anything in between, football is being played every where in the world, by every one!

2. You can see real men cry. My most memorable "real men can cry" moment was Cristiano Ronaldo's! He was crying during the awarding ceremonies of the 2005 FA Cup Finals between Manchester United and Arsenal FC. Manchester United dominated the whole game which ended with a 0-0 draw. Arsenal FC (my favorite club) won the game via a shootout. 

3. Men (and women) acting silly. Whether the it's the players themselves doing silly dances, back flips, sommersaults, or fans singing their lungs out with team (or club) songs, dress silly with a mug of beer at hand. (What's your favorite club or team song? Mine is "You'll Never Walk Alone" for Liverpool.)

4. Passion. Think of the hooligans. That's the reason why they exist!


5. Straight men kiss each other. Check out the French team during substitutions or check out the celebration after a goal, straight men can't help it but kiss each other...on their cheeks, that is!

6.  You can play the game at any surface and in any weather conditions.

7. The rivalries. It's more intriguing than those prime time weekday soap operas.
(What's your favorite football rivalry?)

8.  Exchanging kits. As a symbol of diplomacy, rival teams exchange kits, or jerseys, after the games. I know what your thinking, it's un-hygienic, but it's a common practice among players.

9. This is for the ladies! Football has a lot of eye candies!

10. Isn't it amazing how these players can dribble the ball with their foot..while running?!

I have to stop my madness. As of this writing, I am watching the first half of the Cameron vs. Japan game. Japan has the lead 1-0 courtesy of Honda. Bye for now, I have to run tomorrow.

Great Things Start From Small Beginnings

The longest and the biggest foot race in the Philipines, the Milo Marathon is now on it's 34th year. And this time, the race is also for a cause. Proceeds from the race will provide running shoes for the under privilege children in all cities where a Milo Marathon Elimination Race will be held.

This year also, there's a qualifying time for every age category in the 42K eliminations in Manila. Wow, mura'g Boston! The race will kick off this July 4, 2010 in Metro Manila. Here in the Visayas, the elimination leg will start on September 5 in Cebu City, followed by Tagbilaran, Bohol on September 12, Dumaguete City on September 19, and Iloilo City on September 26. I ran the 5K last year which was a bit of a traumatic experience for me, thus I made a vow not to run the 5K again. 10K or 21K? Just wait and see.

Oh, by the way, I already saw the TVC.Who knows, through our efforts, we can discover the next Lydia de Vega.

Takbo na!

Run for Bebe-A Run for a Cause

While doing some Facebook-ing on a boring day at work, I saw this photo tagged to Melina "Twinkle" Ignacio.

Silliman Run on August 22

 Silliman Hall

So far, it's been a boring day at the office, so I took a peek at my Facebook account. My former dorm manager back in college posted in her status that the Silliman University Cebu Alumni will be staging the Silliman Run 2010 this Aug. 22, 2010 at the Terraces in Ayala Center-Cebu. There will be three race categories: 3K, 5K and 10K.This will be fund-raising activity, so everyone's encouraged to participate.

I contacted Mr. Nonoy Castillon for further information, and he sent me a personal message on my Facebook account. In his message, it stated that there will be a P50.00 price cut on the registration fee. For on-site registrants, there will be an additional P50.00 for your registration fee. The registration fee is at P250.00.

Fan Mail

I opened my e-mail this morning, and lo and behold, a FAN MAIL! Let me share you the e-mail.

Hello,

I have read about your "Runner" blog and I find it informative...
I just started running in May and my first run was Rundaue 2010. I enjoyed it a lot. And Im planning to keep this lifestyle for good...  aside from its making me physically fit, its a good way to socialize (meet new friends)...

Please do continue to post about schedules of the "runs" in Cebu... Your blog is indeed helpful!


P.S.
Looking forward to meet you in one of the "runs"!

Thanks,

IO :-)

Thank you Mr. Ireneo Fabiano for your e-mail! It really made my day! Sorry, I just "copy-and-paste" your e-mail.

Planet Sports Run on June 27

Sports apparel outlet, Planet Sports, will host a run this coming June 27 at the Terraces in Ayala Center-Cebu (ACC). The race will start at 5:30 AM. Registration is pegged at P200-P250, depending on the category you would like to join in.

3K- P200.00

5K-P250.00 with singlet

10K-P250.00 with singlet

You can register at the Planet Sports store at the Active Zone in ACC. Or you can download the registration form in this site: http://itlivewire.com/padeliver/images/planetsportrun.pdf. For further inquiries, you can call Patty at (032) 232-8518.


*I hope you will enjoy this Bards!
**thanks to porouslogs for posting the link.