Anger at Water Servers “*&%$#ina bakit wala kayong tubig!” Curses like that were flying around at each water station we passed. I pity those servers at each water station, whose only job is to serve water but they also became the receiving end of all runner’s angst. One runner was so pissed he overturned the table. Another runner kicked something what look like a water cooler. These scenes would happen for every water stations. The usually composed Coach Ige would soon lose his cool, but was professional enough not to curse at water servers. I myself wouldn’t like to make life harder for them, I would simply just stop by at each water station, see if there were cups with water and if I couldn’t find one, just continue my run. I like those police cadets. They were disciplined. As they passed each water station with no water, they would still continue their run in groups, in perfect cadence and would still throw jokes at each other from time to time. It was an honour to run with these guys, albeit in a not so perfect race. I cannot blame pissed runners. They were there to experience an “international” race, as promised by the race organizers. Knowing that this race is being sponsored by Smart Communications, surely the promise would not be broken with all the marketing budget they have for this. We were all wrong. As I continued my

Days before my 2nd marathon, I had internal issues I have to deal with. I thought of using this race as my emotional punching bag, release all frustrations, let go of negative thoughts and just run to achieve that sub 4:30 finish time I’ve been dreaming off. The Inquiry Knowing how badly I suck during my first marathon three months ago because of hydration issues, I called Eventologist office(SIM race organizer) few weeks before the race to ask for their hydration plan. I was told by the lady who answered the phone that there would be water stations every 2.5km. That water will be served for the first 20km and water, Pocari sweat, biscuit, chocolate, banana from 20km onwards. At least that was the plan. I thought serving just water for the first half of the race sounds wrong (runners need electrolyte too!) so I sent an SMS to somebody from the race organizer to verify this. He was short of saying the info I got was wrong and that hydration plan is according to “international standards”. I was asking for specifics but was always reminded that the race’ hydration plan is according to “international standards”. At least that was what I was told. Later I was told by Eo that power drinks will be served after 15km. I disposed of the water content on my 2 bottles and put Gatorade instead (thanks Luis). Following experienced marathoner sir Jim Lafferty’s

Got this email from my inbox. I hope you guys could support this noble cause. Let It Shine Foundation invites everyone to help create opportunities for adults with autism by joining its RACE & SHINE charity run event on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at Fort Bonifacio.Money that will be raised from this event will fund research for a specific purpose: that of providing vocational training and other work opportunities for adults with autism, such as supporting the creation of programs for small and medium sized companies to employ individuals with autism.Most meaningful provisions for individuals with autism end upon leaving school, but the Let It Shine Foundation hopes to change this by developing vocational programs that give individuals with autism equal opportunities to work. Support will go both ways – not only will there be skills therapy programs for the adult with autism, training and assistance can also be given to business owners who want to determine how they can create these work opportunities. The race itself will have four distances – 3, 5, 10, and 15km plus a special 3km relay best suited for beginners and families. Children as young as seven years old can participate. Individuals with Autism are also encouraged to join the event!   Registration can be made at R.O.X. (Recreational Outdoor eXchange) at Bonifacio High Street  on November 12-19, 2009. Registration payments and forms also accepted at ALL TERRA store, located at Club 650 along Libis

Got an email today from my inbox. Here’s an update from the organizer of Adidas King of the Road Race. Dear King of the Road Registrants: In behalf of adidas, we would like to apologize for the inconvenience we have caused some of you. We value your patronage and have listened to your inputs. In connection with this, we would like to announce the following: 1.    Extended Registration. We have extended registration until October 22, Thursday, 12:00 NN only. Runners who wish to register can do so in adidas stores in Eastwood, Katipunan, Greenbelt 3, Podium, Power Plant Mall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, and Trinoma; Planet Sports outlets in Glorietta, Greenhills, Power Plant Mall, and Trinoma; and The Runnr at Bonifacio High Street. 2.    Pick up of Singlet. For those who registered in SM Megamall last October 17 and those who registered after October 18, your race packets and singlets are available at the RACE Office located at # 51 Annapolis Street, Greenhills only on October 24, Saturday, from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. For those who won’t be able to pick up their packets on October 24, you may do so on race day, October 25, Sunday, beginning 4:00 A.M. at the King of the Road race venue, Bonifacio Global City. 3.    Hotline. For any queries, please contact us at: RACE Office # 51 Annapolis Street, Greenhills Telephone Number:  727-99-87 and 703-72-27, 0918.915.85.36 Our sincerest apologies to

Last Sunday I joined Quezon City International Marathon under 21km category. I joined this race as part of my training, being my last long run for a major run next Saturday – Subic International Marathon where I will run my 2nd marathon race. I have no intention to go for sub-2 hour for this race, my intention was to double-check my running form on downhill, check my breathing pattern, study if consciously “lifting” my knee will help me propel forward efficiently, check my cadence, test negative split and so on. Being new to this route, I was actually very careful not to screw up nor encounter any injuries. The worst thing I could do for this race is go all out, hit sub 2 hours and showed up with tired legs on my marathon revenge. Yeah, I’ve been preparing madly for my marathon revenge this Saturday. If you want to know why I consider this my “revenge”, please read my first marathon encounter here. For two weeks, I’ve been going to gym regularly to strengthen anti-gravity muscles particularly on my hips and quads to prepare for long downhill runs. These are the muscles that would absorb most stress on downhill run. FYI, I was told that the Subic route for 42km would consist of 80%-85% downhill with relatively flat roads, if your quads is weak, good-luck and be careful. Now going back to this race, I woke up around 2