The Urbanite Run Race Results can be found here.

It’s a good thing the race results came out earlier than expected. Was told this came out as early as last night. I just hope next Finishline race will have individual race photos as well courtesy of PhotoVendo.ph (Update: Urbanite Run Race Photos by Photovendo available here–> Photovendo.ph

Anyway, the result confirmed I broke the 60 minute barrier woohoo!! Was even more surprised  senator/runner Pia Cayetano who usually runs a lot faster…is right behind me. Maybe this is just her tune-up run for Saturday’s CAMSUR Ironman. She’s indeed a tough lady-senator huh

I joined this race simply because it’s a night run. With no previous experience running a road race at night, I don’t mind spending Php600. Plus added bonus is I got the chance to bring my wife and son with me. I really intend to get them “expose” to running community with my intention of running with them soon. Hopefully there will be more “family-friendly” races to come such as this.

We reached The Fort area around 6:30pm with elite runner Ellen Tolentino and ultraman Pat in tow. Lucky us, there was no “Parking for VIP” rule that day to piss less-privileged runners like us unlike the previous race I joined. As it was too early before the 8:45pm race for 10k runners, I spent a couple of minutes with wife and son around Bonifacio High Street to cool off. Wife decided to go to Market Market! to have their dinner but I hesitate to join for some unknown reason. Off they went to MarketMarket while I walk around to “feel” the atmosphere. As I was walking around, I saw a couple of fellow takbo.ph guys already having their usual chit-chats near ROX area, Runnr store already filled up with runners window-shopping/buying stuffs and some diners (most likely not runners) looking weirdly at the lower section of my body while eating their foods. I know, I should have not worn my bad ass looking CWX tights for that short 10km distance but I still did. I saw some college girls looking at my tights and I noticed them having this giggly conversation while looking at me. It got me thinking if they were talking about my tights or the shape of my crown jewel.

Walking around got me so hungry so I decided to go back to parking area to get some money to buy foods. Pity me, wife has my wallet and there was only Php25 pesos on the car. I took it and went to 711 near Net One Center, enough to buy a banana and choco mucho. Minutes later, I got so thirsty but with no money, I thought of going to Takbo.ph booth to get some water. There were no water bottles there but I saw Powerade stations and I thought I should get one. Was able to drink two cups of water and I felt relieved. It was already 7:30pm when I decided to start my usual 30 minute warm up jog. I went back to the parking area where I did my 15 minute pre-race stretching ritual. After this, I proceeded to the Start/Finish section where I noticed a couple of runners raring to go. As I planned to go sub 60 minutes on this race and knowing that Takbo.ph boss Jinoe will run sub-60 on this race, I decided to pace with him together with Carlo. Another takbo.ph runner Carmen who I promised earlier I’ll help pace with told me that she won’t be able to run with me due to back pain. I said OK and I noticed her praying minutes before the gun was fired.

I have no idea what got me but as the gun was fired, I ran very fast I ended up leaving my team. On the third kilometer, I looked at my watch and noticed I clocked in 13 minutes. As I reached the 5th kilometer, I checked again and I noticed I clocked in 23 minutes. On my way down to McKinley road and with the help of gravity I sprinted away -  swaying my arms higher (almost eye level) while increasing my back kick. While I love what I was doing while running down this section of the road, I was disappointed to see some 5km runners walking down while occupying the road. I really hope that there would be some unwritten rule that all runners should follow, that if you should walk, try to look quickly at your back and if you’re clear, proceed near the edge of the road and continue you walk there to give way for runners. I must admit that I slowed down on some section of the road on my way down to shout “excuse meehh” while they hurried themselves to one side of the corner to walk. I felt relived as I reached the U-turn at the same time nervous as the next road way up will be the toughest part of the route. True enough, upon reaching the 8th km, I noticed my run uphill took more than 12 minutes. With two kilometers left, I kept on saying on my mind “IMPROVE OR DIE, IMPROVE OR DIE, IMPROVE OR DIE” repeatedly to remind me of my goal for the race. Still thinking of my previous 10km race four months ago (Greenfields: 61 minutes), I thought I would not forgive myself if I don’t improve in this race at all. And if EVER I don’t improve in this race, my plan is to stop running, stop this blog and do something else. Hence the DIE part.

On the last 100 meters of the race, I was no longer uttering “IMPROVE OR DIE” on my mind; I was already shouting those words from my mouth. While running the last 40 meters of the race and for some weird reason, only the word DIE came out of my mouth repeatedly. “Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die”, I saw some runners ahead of me giving way for me fearing their lives.

I crossed the finishline after 58minutes and set a new PR. While happy I was able to meet my goal (and didn’t die), I knew I could do more than this. I shall visit the 10km race a month from now and will try to do sub 55 minutes. Hopefully, with more hill trainings (and stairs training at Net One Center), I will be able to achieve this.

As for the race itself, FinishLine improved a lot I must admit. Longer tables (with cover in case it rains) at water stations, kilometer markers, knowledgeable marshals, organized location of several booths/stations and nice give-away. Love the vodka by the way. Next time to improve is the claiming of race kits. I find it very disastrous and I won’t cover this anymore in this blog as I know fellow runner-bloggers will discuss this part. To Team BaldRunner for guarding our vehicles, thank you too. To all runners who participated and those reading this blog, thanks and I hope you too also take the challenge of improving your race.

See you all in future races!

I bought a pair of Adidas Response Stability weeks ago to take advantage of the 30% discount that Runnr store gave to some runner-bloggers. When I had another gait analysis, Julius of Runnr noticed that my right foot overpronates from time to time. So he suggested a couple of stability-cushion shoes but with more emphasis on the cushioning part. My eyes were fixed on New Balance 1225 then, however he mentioned that the shoes I should purchase must weight more on the cushion side to straighten my right foot. Additionally with my “heavier” built, I was hoping a cushion shoes will help soften the impact on my knees plus hopefully avoid any incidents of a painful butt.

To help me with my choices, he had me ran on my barefoot, Nike Vomero and then Adidas Response Stability and compared video captures of my foot strike on each. Adidas Response Stability seems to improve pronation on my right foot, so I purchased one on the spot. Julius wants me to try other shoes but with tight budget, I knew that what he recommended is the cheapest but reliable shoes within the cushion-stability range.

I tried this at the oval track and in a fun run I joined weeks ago. Here are my observations:

• Witha very thick cushion, I’m surprised it feels very light and its cushion softer than any shoes I have so far.
• Very durable, I will use this on 21km and marathon races in the future. But then no one can stop using me using this pair on lower distances as well
• It may lack that “kick-ass” look/style, but it made it up with its great traction and comfort even on wet roads.
• Excellent arch support.
• The only thing I don’t like about this shoe is its too wide for my feet.

So if you’re looking for cheap running shoes with good joint/impact cushioning, long lasting, lightweight and fair elastic rebound sole, Adidas Response Stability might be for you.

Available at:Runnr Store
Cost: Php 4,495

For geeks, check the specs:

• Air mesh upper
• Mesh tongue for maximum ventilation
• Lace-up front
• Nonslip lining
• Anatomically molded EVA insole
• Dual-density midsole for pronation control
• FORMOTION(R) for motion control and ground adaptability
• adiWEAR(R) outsole for durability in high wear areas
• Blown rubber outsole

While doing our grocery last Saturday, I spotted a blind massage center in Waltermart Dasma which is interestingly located in the same section where DVDs, mobilephones and PSPs are being sold. As I haven’t got myself a massage that week, I hurriedly scheduled a massage for myself on that day. There were four massage therapists available and all of them NOT wearing dark sunglasses. This scene made me remember the time I had my massage from another blind massage center in another mall here in Dasma. As I paid my fee to the supervisor and gave a tip to the “blind” therapist wearing sunglasses, on my way out, I actually saw the guy removed his sunglasses and overheard the guy blurted out “10 pesos lang kuripot!” (translation: 10 pesos only, stingy!). So I thought having “real” blind masseur this time will probably make the experience more positive

While inside their small booth, the person in charge asked me to choose one from the available therapists and I chose the guy because I thought a women therapist might be too “soft” for me. And so the session begins. He did a few sample pressures on my back while asking me if it’s too soft or too hard. I told him he could massage me the “hard” way. He first started at my back, using his fingers to apply pressure by pressing it along what he said was my body’s “energy pathways”. He later said it’s called Shiatsu massage. I told him it sounds Japan and asked if it came from Japan. He said yes. He mentioned that he felt lots of air nodules on my back and asked if it felt painful. I said yes and told him to explode all the air nodules he can locate. He then started working through my neck, head and even did some pressing on my ear lobes (which I honestly though unnecessary but funny). He then started working on my arms then on my feet all the way up. As he was applying pressure points on several areas of my legs all the way to the bony area near my butt, he also accidentally almost press his thumbs against my b@lls. I have to inform him gently he could press any part of my body and will even pay him for it except the family’s crown jewel. He laughs. He commented I have surprisingly muscled legs and I have to inform him I run. He then applied oil on his hands and walk through the same steps only this time he was doing it with long gliding strokes which felt really wonderful. He said it’s called Swedish massage. Kidding aside, I asked him if it originated from Sweden and he said firmly no. I didn’t ask him again.

The session ended after 1 hour and 15 minutes and I only paid php160 (US$3.33) ? I honestly thought it should not last for more than an hour but I guess they weren’t tracking the time spent at all unlike in another mall where massage therapist are wearing wrist watches that would sound an alarm every 30 minutes.

Now for the boring part, here’s what massage can do for you. If you’re a competitive runner, massage should be a regular part of your training schedule:

• Break up scar tissue that may have built up in your muscles.
• Improve blood flow to your muscles.
• Loosen muscles that have contracted (shortened) with continued use.
• Allow more oxygen to move into your muscles.
• Improve the flow of lymphatic fluid, which aids in healing.
• Reduce the chance of injury, through proper stretching, race preparation and through deep tissue massage.
• Improve range of motion and muscle flexibility, resulting in improved power and performance.
• Shorten recovery time between workouts.
• Maximize the supply of nutrients and oxygen through increased blood flow.
• Enhance elimination of lactic-acid build up (a by-product of exercise).

I did some research in the Internet and found out the best time to have your massage is two days before the race and a day after the race. Not satisfied with my own research, I asked elite runner Cris Sabal for his thoughts and he suggested the same schedule. I went home with what I felt like relaxed body and slept for two hours after that.

Oh by the way, I gave a tip of 20 pesos this time!

I only got to know this particular race last week Wednesday and when I realized it’s a “family-run”, I immediately signed up with the intention of helping my wife familiarize about the racing community. She has not seen nor experienced any actual race and so I thought this would be a great opportunity for her to do so and together with our son, a family bonding moment would be a good idea.

Right after I parked my car at Ospital ng Manila (500 meters from the Start Line), I noticed from a distance that most of the participants were students still in their P.E dress, families and only a few were runners. The atmosphere was very festive with various known individuals doing their share of talk in the stage (wasn’t really interested to know who they were or what they were talking about) and ends with a group of women senior citizens dancing their way which I only realized later was suppose to be our stretching exercise before the actual race begins. Here’s my observation of the race in typical bull runner style:

Organizer: Kenneth John Montegrande
Venue/ Route: Rajah Sulayman Park, Baywalk, Roxas Boulevard in Malate, Manila

Nice:

A chance to run with family. Although my wife didn’t register, this race gave her the opportunity to see me in action and enjoy the atmosphere.
Water every kilometer. As this race is mostly geared towards “non-runners”, a water station every kilometer is a good idea

Improve Next Time:

Missing checkers. I had a hard time looking for the people responsible for checking/signing my race bib. I asked several race staffs and was just told to look for the guy in black. I found him after 7 minutes. Next time have the checkers positioned in one place.
Late start. For those coming from very far place like I do (Dasma Cavite), getting there on time is a lot of effort. I just wish the organizer can also start the race on time. The race should have started at 4:30pm but according to my watch, race actually started around 4:55pm
Walkers blocking the roads for faster runners. While I already anticipated that this race will not be as organized as compared to other race I’ve joined, I just wish they have instructed marshals to separate “walkers” from runners or have a designated place for walkers. The second turn-around point near Vito Cruz street where most of the 5km and 3km runners (mostly students) were just beginning to run/walk where just chatting with their classmates occupying the whole road, I asked one of the marshals if he could instruct them to just align themselves in one section of the road. Most of the runners, including myself have to briefly stop and slow down several times to overtake runners.
Very small water station booth. Although the organizer did a great job in placing a water station every kilometer, it’s very small and with only two persons handling us water, some runners have to wait for their turn to be served with water. This could be improved if they could just put a 3 meter long table with cups already with water and have the runners take it themselves.
Cheaters. I saw one guy who crossed the middle section of the road, joined his friends and got a colored ribbon (this should have been given to him if he reached the turn-around point). I realized that the guy who gave it has 3 more ribbons in his hands. This could have been avoided if race people be instructed to just give ONE ribbon for each runner as they passed certain section of the road.
Area near the finish line was partly blocked by walkers. I wasn’t able to do my usual-strong finish as 50 meters before the Finish line, there were several walkers (including my son who runs towards me to greet me hahahahaha) blocking the way. This could have been avoided if there were some sort of blockage near the finish line area.

With no intention of aiming for PR for this particular race, I only got to finish the race in 61 minutes (which was same record I got from GreenFields race). Still I like this race and I hope there will be more “family-oriented’ kind of race in the future!

Me and Little Ninja. His name is Shaun and he's the cutest 2 yr old guy during the race. After the race we went to Mall of Asia and inside Guess botique, he pushed one of the mannequin breaking its arm and me shelling out php1,000 to repair it. It's not cute.

There was a taho vendor after the race and I must have consumed 4 cups of it. This is me offering little ninja some.

Family that runs together, stays together