Earth Run 2012 Review: The Price i$ Right

Earth Run 2012 got a lot of runners excited at the very affordable price of Php350 for 10k (and an early bird rate was at Php250 to boot!). I believe the price was very reasonable. Upon getting the race kit, which contained the singlet, timing chip, race bib, complete details of the race route, gun start time and location of the start/finish line, I didn’t feel shortchanged at all.  I’ve joined some races charging Php500 which didn’t even offer a timing chip. For the win, there was no shortage on the fancied goodie bag given after the race, and everyone had a finishers certificate for bragging rights.

Where have all the cowboys gone?

There was shoving and bumping while racers tried to make it early to the front lines or catch up from being late due to the scarcity of marshals and event organizers during the race itself. But the saving grace for this dilemma was the host Gelli Victor.  She did a good job not just entertaining us, but also providing direction for the pre and post race activities.

All in all, I score this race 8 out of 10 because it gave me good value for my money, not to mention the cause it represents. 

I believe other race organizers should look into how Adevents Manila pulled a race like this off. Low cost does not always equate to low quality.

Waiting up front for a good headstart

Gelli doing her magic. We got a greet right before this shot. 2 seconds of fame!

Stuff of legend!

Not the usual finishers'  drink but hey...It tasted good! Oishi Fiber & Fruit

The Foam Roller Works!

After a slow 7.54 km run because of running with sore legs from previous training, I knew that I needed to give my legs a break. Thank God for my ever ready sister-in-law Noelle, aka Kikay Runner, I get to  treat my legs to a foam roller session.

The foam roller is a foam log that is used to relax contracting muscles and increase circulation. This works by using body weight on different positions to hit different areas. While flexing leg muscles, just roll to target the pain, then stay on that pressure point for 30-60 seconds and enjoy the salay (odd combination of sarap and aray) brought about by muscle relief.

Runners World magazine says that the foam roller provides similar benefits to a deep-tissue massage. What's awesome is that it can prevent injury, cure pain and restriction of motion, and improve performance. For a complete guide on how to roll, click right here .

After getting on the floor, I was amazed by its instant effect, so instant that it got me typing on this blog right away. My stiff legs usually heal in a matter of days, but now I feel recovered and ready to hit the road anytime soon.

If you had any serious injuries in the past, you should consult a health professional first to make sure that the foam roller is safe for you.

Rock n Roll runners!

You can purchase a foam roller at any Runnr branch.

Why Run?

Ever ponder Why am I running anyway? when you find yourself gasping for air, muscles cramping, and skin chafing among all other discomforts during a long run?

The longest distance I have ever run was 10k last March 2011, and at some point there, I did find myself wondering why I had to stick it out when my thighs were screaming "Stop! I hurt already!". At that time, I wanted to run that distance for the sense of accomplishment I could derive in knowing that I was no longer limited to the usual 5k. Almost a year later, I'm eager to start training again, but this time, my purpose has progressed from simply pride and honor to love and faith.

When Michael decided to get back into running, he specifically wanted to do so in memory of Brooke, our darling daughter. Not only that, but he had in mind to use running as a medium for spreading the message of perseverance that Brooke taught him and also to make a difference, no matter how small, by joining races with a specific cause. When he's short of breath and tempted to give up during training, it's the thought of Brooke that fuels him to keep going. I'm sure it's the bigger purpose that Brooke gave him that will push him forward when he's struggling to complete his goal of finishing a 21k race before the year ends.

When I start running again, I know it won't be easy. Despite being physically fit for most of my life, by the time I recover from my CS operation, it will be like starting from zero. I will have to build up my endurance and strengthen my leg and core muscles like a total newbie. It will most definitely take some time before I can run a 10k, let alone a 5k, race again. But I know that I need only to remember my daughter's beautiful face to keep me running not only until I regain my strength, but until my legs can no longer move. Yes, I plan to keep running my whole life.

Some runners I've spoken with say they run specifically to look good and maintain good health. One runner says he doesn't like running at all, but does it (and even excels at it!) because he's a triathlete and running is part of it. Another ultramarathon runner is driven by the thought of his son and daughter. Whatever your purpose, it's worth a minute to go back to your reasons from time to time. Running isn't all about the physical capacity of a person after all. It involves a runner's heart, mind, and spirit, and how willing he is to give it his all for the purpose he set out for to begin with.

Earth Run 2012: Red Goes Green

I am so excited to be part of another run for an awesome cause: Earth Run 2012 . This will be happening on April 15, 2012 on the Bonifacio High Street grounds. The registration price may shock you.  At a very reasonable price, you get to participate in a run that includes the usual set of goodies a runner would find in a high cost run. (See below)

This will be for the benefit of Greenpeace, an independent global campaigning organization that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment, and to promote peace. This run also promotes awareness on how to take care of our dear planet earth, which is getting a beating with so much going from the industrial end. We need to understand that if we don't do our part, there will be consequences. 

Besides, wouldn't you just love the thought of running and breathing in fresh air even in the middle of the metro no matter what time of day. A runner can dream right?  And a runner can do his part.

Here are more details...

REGISTRATION FEES

Download the Registration Form here.

3K | 5K | 10K — P300 (includes dri-fit singlet, race bib, and timing chip)
16K | 21K — P400 (includes dri-fit, race bib, timing chip, and finisher’s medal)

Early Bird Promo

P250 for 3K / 5K / 10K
P350 for 16K / 21K, from March 9 to April 1, 2012

Claiming of Packs: April 10, 2012

REGISTRATION OUTLETS

CHRIS SPORTS
Glorietta 3 — 818.6136 | 818.6124
Mega Mall — 633.4946 | 633.1659
SM North Annex — 441.1075
Ever Gotesco Grand Central — 363.3738

R.O.X.
Bonifacio High Street
Global City, Taguig
Tel No.: 856.4639

Event Organizer : http://www.adeventsmanila.com/

St Luke’s Eye Run:My Thoughts...

3:30am woke me up to the sound of my excited heart. This in fact would be the first of many. My first race since early 2011. My first race since my commitment to blogging our running adventures. My first beneficiary race. My first race with my wife in the sidelines for now. And my first 12k.

That same excitement got the better of me as I forgot to check the actual gun start, time and location for the race. Good thing that as I reached 32^nd street the LED-lighted stage of the St. Luke’s Eye Run called out to me from a distance and directed me to good parking on 10^thstreet. (see photo to the left)

Aside from parking, 10^th street was a good warm up spot and was perfect for that pre-run pose with my better half and other half of the red runners Marielle.

Here are my high’s and low’s of the race.

Highs:

1. Good route!: It started well with long flats and down hills. Being a late riser for most of the time and a neophyte 12k’er, I needed that kind of course to warm me up gradually.

2. Smart hydration: The water stations were situated strategically, having more stations towards the end. It also served one of my favorite work out drinks Pocari Sweat.

3. Loot bulb moment!: Instead of making the runners wait long in line for the much coveted loot bag, the organizers distributed almost empty bags and made sure the event host, Mellow 94.7’s Chloe, informed the runners to go around, visit the different booths and claim their freebies grocery shopping style. This strategy made it possible for the lines to flow smoothly, preventing death by impatience and dehydration for the love of loot. It also spread the accountability of supplies not just forone booth but for all the sponsors present. Talk about good crowd management. =)

4. Going bananas: Pre and post race support was great! Before and after the race, bananas were being handed out like flyers. Very smart and helpful of the organizers to make bananas so accessible since potassium is very important for post work out recovery. Free water was very much available too and distributed by people who knew you needed it right away.

5. The Cause: Check my previous blog to know more about the cause and why it is close to our hearts.

Lows:

1. Late gun start: The technical struggles during the pre race programs contributed to this.

2. Communication: Though the claim-your-own-loot-using-empty-bags idea was brilliant, the initial reaction of the exhausted, aching, hungry runners caused a bit of a commotion. Chloe did a good job of pacifying the crowd by explaining the claiming mechanics, but it may have been better if this was explained before the race to set the right expectations.

3. Lack of finisher shirts and loot bags: A perennial problem every organizer encounters. They may have done better to anticipate this shortage during the planning stage, and perhaps prevented it.

Over all, I had a great race experience that morning. The ratio of my highs vs. lows say it. In the end the ultimate prize is knowing that people were to be blessed by your participation and that your consolation is the satisfaction of finishing strong.

Kudos to Without Limits for giving us runners the opportunity to do our little part in giving sight to those who need it.

Imagine one of the beneficiaries running one of your races soon. Now that’s a sight to behold!

Me going strong on my 7th kilometer. If you can't spot me, look for the red shoes!

Finished and fulfilled.

Bottom photo: Awarding of 5k winners

"Takbo, Maria Clara, Takbo!": A Different Kind of Ladies' Night

Michael and I attended our first event as runner/bloggers yesterday, which happened to be my birthday (March 9). Pinay In Action (P.I.A.) organized a running and fitness clinic in celebration of Women's Month, and since half of the Red Runners is a girly girl, my wonderful husband tagged along with me to hear and learn from the speakers of Takbo, Maria Clara, Takbo!

The clinic started off with Coach Ani De Leon-Brown's informative talk on running tips for beginners. This covered helpful advice on how to squeeze in a work out for busy moms who feel that they just don't have enough time to spare for exercise. I for one benefited from her tips on how to get started on working out again after a pregnancy. Like her, I'll really have to approach my training for running like a beginner, and build up from there. Hopefully, like her as well, I'll be able to do a long distance run within a few months of giving birth. Props to Coach Ani for doing a 21k race just recently and for looking mighty fit after having just given birth!

Chef Joey Prats proceeded to talk about diet and nutrition. His tips were very practical and realistic (Yes, it's ok to have a cheat day in the middle of a strict diet to keep one's sanity!). During his talk, I noticed how the ladies in the audience were extra enthusiastic about asking questions, perhaps because the subject of food is always of interest to most people. From Chef Joey's talk, Michael and I resolved to get back to healthy eating, having indulged during the many weeks I was pregnant. Without doubt, a fresh commitment to a healthier diet is something very valuable that we got from the clinic.

Finally, Senator Pia Cayetano shared an encouraging message on empowering women not just to live healthy and balanced lives, but more importantly to stand up against the abuses that many women face today. In her talk, she briefly told us the sad story of Melinda Ponce, an ultra-marathoner from Cebu, who was abused and eventually murdered by her own husband. Senator Pia made me realize that we can do something in defense of women like Melinda before it's too late. We can get involved, even if it's the unpopular thing to do, by speaking up and seeking help. You may visit Senator Pia's blog, MyDailyRace.com, for details on how we can do our part.

Clockwise from Top: Coach Ani De Leon-Brown, Chef Joey Prats,

Senator Pia Cayetano, and Michael proudly posing with loot for women!

All in all, it was a good first event for us not just as beginners seeking some good ol' running advice, but even more, as people who seek to make a difference and have a specific purpose for all that we do.

To top it all off, we won a box of scrumptious yet healthy cupcakes from Slice, Senator Pia's up and coming restaurant at High Street Central. Chef Mitch and Pat of Slice gave us this yummy treat for being the 500th follower of Slice on Twitter.

My birthday cupcakes

It was a happy birthday for me indeed!

My Rave about the Wave (Mizuno Wave Rider 14)

I love shoes! Especially running shoes. Every time I visit a mall, you'll find me window shopping, analyzing, and fitting shoes over and over and over again. You may call me a shoe sales man's worst nightmare. Design is a must for me, and thank God that there are now many great running shoes that satisfy both the scientific and aesthetic tastes of running enthusiasts like me. In this renewed running adventure and for a runner with neutral needs, I went with the Mizuno Wave Rider 14.

Initially, I wasn't impressed with the design, but when I saw the mars red model , I knew I had to have this one. More than that, this shoe gave me the support I didn't get from any of my previous shoes. In fact, this shoe gives me the best of both worlds--cushioning and stability. In some commentaries, I noticed that a common complaint about this shoe is the high collar and the discomfort this causes the runner. Well, I guess that would depend on if you have big ankles and/or your ankle balls protrude. For my kind of feet and ankles, though, the shoe fit me like a glove. With thin ankles, I need all the support I can get, and this shoe provides just the support I need. On top of that, the mars red model suits us as "The Red Runners".  Teehee...

While I rave about this shoe, I would not encourage you to just randomly go out and get this particular model. Every foot has its own unique anatomy. You still have to visit stores like Riovana Runnr or taf (the athletes foot), get your gait analysis to learn about your pronation, and proceed to choosing the perfect shoe for you. 

For now, having the Mizuno Wave Rider 14 is my Cinderella ending. Instead of being given the shoe by a prince, my wife/princess got me this as a gift, and we both will run happily ever after.

Now to find the perfect shoe for her...