Back when I was a struggling 5 km runner (sorry Brian, really have to borrow this line hehehehe)….
I was stucked in 183lbs body made of flesh and bone.
- Me at 183lbs. First race- Condura 2009 5km
I was a clueless runner then. I have no watch to time myself, was using wrong shoes, wrong apparel and wrong source of electrolyte for my runs. I was using those “colored beans”. And it left a nasty color on my tongue.
- Some electrolyte beans on my mouth-eeww
I realized then that I should have used Gatorade, because nothing quenches your thirst more than Gatorade.
- Gatorade-Thirst Aid for that deep down body thirst
As I started joining more races, I noticed an incredible change on my body. I’ve lost a lot of weight plus more gwapo pa. I then started joining Mizuno Run Clinic to improve my running form.
- Mizuno Run Clinic with Jai
But more importantly, I noticed I’ve become faster as a runner. With no watch available to measure my improvement, I’ve just relied on my feeling, but still I was getting faster! Maybe I’m just lucky? I don’t know. So I decided to “replace luck” and try to shop around for Suunto Watch and ask fellow runner bloggers about their own Suunto watch.
- Suunto – Replacing Luck
But then, I was invited to attend press conference for Mizuno Infinity Run 2010 and as luck would have it, my name popped-up during the raffle and I won for myself a Suunto T1c. I will soon make a detailed review on this watch but based from my readings from the user guide, its got a nice real-time calorie consumption tracker and shows real-time and average heart rate. According to Jet, their heart rate monitor feature is superb. I will try to compare this with my other HR watch and check which one is really better.
- Suunto t1c
- Two lucky souls that day just won Suunto t1c
Now that I’m properly informed of the right electrolyte to take during my runs and use my Suunto watch to help me during my easy and hard runs, the next thing I need to help me improve and beat my own time is shoes! I have nine shoes in my shoe rack but I use only few of them during races and training. These are:
- Mizuno Inspire 4
Mizuno Inspire 4, for a detailed review click here. I use Mizuno Inspire 4 specifically for my long runs from Dasmariñas City to Tagaytay (25km). With its soft and bouncy feel, it helps me improve my aerobic fitness and help be a better runner. There’s Inspire 6 already available in the market, will try it as soon as I get hold of it.
- Mizuno Ascend
Mizuno Ascend. I bought shoes this last year in preparation for several trail races I will join this year. Currently, I use it as my “recovery shoes”. A day or two after a Sunday race, I normally don’t jump to oval track or asphalt road right-away to start training. I would normally run within the grassy/softer ground section of the oval track as it’s a lot easier on my legs. I would only do it for 20 minutes though, followed by core strengthening and that’s it. So far its working as it helps me recover fast from a race and even from injuries faster! Just how important to sometimes hit the grass instead of track or road? Just check this article from Runner’s World.
“when you run on grass your cardiovascular system works harder than it does when you run on a track. Yes, this means that intervals run on grass will be slower than those run on a track. But it also means you’ll get stronger from running an occasional workout on grass, as you force your body to work harder to overcome the slower surface.” – Runner’s World
hint: latest version of Mizuno Wave Ascend will arrive soon! Check this blog out for latest news about it.
- Mizuno Wave Aero 8
Mizuno Wave Aero 8, for a detailed review click here. It’s the lightest shoes I got so as I expected, I only use this when doing my intervals in the oval track. I still remember what Milo Finalist/BDM classmate Jay Nacino told me what his secret was to achieve that 3.30+ marathon finish time during 33th Milo Elimination…do a lot of intervals! I’m not going to discuss about interval training, go and google it yourself to see the benefits and how it can improve your time. As for me, I hope its going to be a fruitful relationship between this shoes and me to Beat My Time and finally be able achieve my dream sub 4 hour finish time.
And if you’re one of those guys planning to venture to the dark-side, the fight-club of the running world community, I’m sure you will love this Mizuno shirt I bought with SPF 15. I used this during the Bataan Death March Ultramarathon 102km race. I just hope they can come up with long sleeves and higher SPF levels next time.
- Ultramarathoner Ninja well protected during the race- from http://fitandrun.info
Remembering the very first race I joined (5km race) and finally venturing into ultramarathon (102km) exactly a year later, I thought I was lucky I have the privilege to experience it here in the Philippines. From being a former fat man to an ultramarathoner, it took a lot of guts from my part but most importantly a lot of help and encouragement from the running community as well. So for the very first time, I will join a 15km on April 11 Mizuno Infinity Run 2010 Beat Your Own Time not as a runner gunning for another P.R but as a pacer. I will help runners beat their own time and hopefully, help them as well transform and transcend themselves to a better person after this race. I do believe there are races that changes people’s lives, I hope this is one of them and I want to be part of it.
If you’re looking to improve your 15km time, I will be there targeting 1 hour and 30 minutes. Be there and beat your own time!
- Mizuno Infinity Race 2010 Beat Your Own Time
The Mizuno Infinity Run is one of the most anticipated races in the metro. Since 2008, about 10,000 runners have alrady showcased their grits as their adrenalines left their footprints all-over Fort Bonifacio. To add to the excitement, Mizuno unveiled its twist by announcing the June 2009 Mizuno Infinity Race as a time trial. This makes the upcoming infinity race day 2010 as the THE VERY FIRST-EVER RACE TO BANNER THE “BEAT YOUR OWN TIME” CHALLENGE.
1. Distance: 15km, 10km and 5 km
2. When: Sunday, April 11, 2010
4:00 am – Check In
5:30 am – Start of 15km
5:45 am - Start of 10km and 5km
6:00 – 9:30 am Raffle
8:30am – 10:00am awarding
3. Where: Global City, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
4. Starting Point: Federacion Drive (Near NBC Drive and The Fort Strip)
5: Fees: php450 for 15km and php400 for 10km and 5km
Presenting Partners:
Gatorade | Oakley
Major Sponsors:
Mail More | NutriBar | Suunto | Manila Water | For Victoria
Media Partners:
RunnerSpeal | Philstar.com | Men’s Health | Women’s Health
Other Partners:
Doctor J | Beeline | BMG Solar | JoePepperoni | CITGO
Race Organizer: Rudy Biscocho RACE
Related posts:
Titanium Runner
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 12:22 am:
Go Sam Go! I will follow your lead and pace for this race!!!
hotlegsrunner
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 4:14 am:
congrats on winning a Suunto! I remember winning my very first Mizuno shoes at their raffle this year. I couldn’t believe it when they called out my name! =D
tyrone
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 5:46 am:
cool…keep it up
Ferdie
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 5:48 am:
Hi Bro ,
Congratulations para sa mga achivements mo.. Running has helped you a lot to become a better you… More power to you…
Gemma
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 5:49 am:
Nice! Guess I have to buy one for me
.
sherry
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 5:49 am:
wow! i didn’t know about the beat your own time thing… but i think it would be super awesome…
dyule
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 5:51 am:
wah! grabe d ka naman masyadong fan ng mizuno ha! me too i likey my mizuno Elixir my first shoes… i named her Elly =D
wasn’t able to register in Mizuno Infinity Run booo naubusan ako ng 10k so how could i beat my time?? Bandit itow!
Marvin Rae
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 5:52 am:
nice sam! dapat pala talaga sumunod ako sayo sa magallanes. haha! you’ve really improved from “a struggling 5 km runner” (hehe) to an ultraman! congrats dude! goodluck sa race.
princess
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 5:56 am:
looking good huh! goodluck!
karen
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 6:00 am:
congrats sa new watch..kainggit naman! sana recovered ka na ng husto come mizuno infinity run..God bless
Phil
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 6:02 am:
Hi Bro nice blog ah
Lorie
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 6:04 am:
I had witnessed your BDM run Sam, and I should say you deserved to be called ULtraMan.. oh I’m sorry Ultra Marathoner I meant .. hehehehe
But in all seriousness you can endure all runs because you hear it through your feet instead of your brain….
Keep it up..
jetpaiso
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 6:13 am:
go ninja, go ninja, go!
lindenm
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 6:17 am:
nice work Sam!!!
Though I envy you a lot for getting that Suunto T1C. Imm grab you one of these days and steal it to you. hahaha!
But really a great job! Goodluck and more power!
lindenm
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 6:17 am:
nice work Sam!!!
Though I envy you a lot for getting that Suunto T1C. Imma grab you one of these days and steal it to you. hahaha!
But really a great job! Goodluck and more power!
Jonas
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 6:19 am:
Hello. nice pix pre.
runningcat
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 6:40 am:
Ask Mizuno to give you an anti-ITBS shoes!!!
Myk
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 6:42 am:
How much would a Suunto t1c have cost if you bought it?
admin
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 6:49 am:
Hi Titanium!
Yeah hopefully no injury 1.30 should be a piece of cake. I will try sub 55 for 10km for enough buffer for the next 5km.
Myk
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 6:56 am:
Whenever the word “Mizuno” pops up in my head, images of Japanese food always come with it. I dunno why.
tin
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 8:48 am:
I use MIZUNO too!
too bad di ako naka reg sa mizuno run 
next year nalang 
and sam you’re a lucky soul talaga dahil sa suunto watch! 
i wish ako din kaso malas ako sa raffles! 
hahaha! Time to beat your time 
kayang kaya mo yan 
jayrulezzz
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 2:59 pm:
keep running, running ninja
jovie narcise
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 3:11 pm:
good luck, ultrarunner sam!
tere
on Mar 31st, 2010
@ 3:11 pm:
huwaw! galing naman
admin
on Apr 1st, 2010
@ 4:22 am:
Hi Julie,
yeah we’re both lucky with Mizuno heheehe
admin
on Apr 1st, 2010
@ 4:23 am:
thanks tyrone!
admin
on Apr 1st, 2010
@ 4:23 am:
Hoy Ferds!
Nag-asawa ka lang di kna nagparamdam smen heheeheh..see you next races ok?
admin
on Apr 1st, 2010
@ 4:24 am:
Gemma,
I was able to convince Erik to buy you one, go and try him hehehee
admin
on Apr 1st, 2010
@ 4:24 am:
Hi Sherry,
Yeah its the race theme, gotta beat your previous time. See you!
admin
on Apr 1st, 2010
@ 4:25 am:
Dyule,
Banditing is the way to go hahahaha…but if Rudy would ask me to pickup pacers for different distances/time, ill pick a bunch of guys including you for the job..
admin
on Apr 1st, 2010
@ 4:26 am:
Marvs,
Buti nlang di ka sumama, the probability of me getting the first prize will be reduced if u were there hahahaha..see you sa IR10!
admin
on Apr 1st, 2010
@ 4:26 am:
thanks karen!
admin
on Apr 1st, 2010
@ 4:27 am:
Yow princess, you look good too!
admin
on Apr 1st, 2010
@ 4:27 am:
thanks phil!
admin
on Apr 1st, 2010
@ 4:28 am:
Hi Lorie future life-time partner of argonaut hahahah. thanks for the visit!
admin
on Apr 1st, 2010
@ 4:28 am:
thakns jet
admin
on Apr 1st, 2010
@ 4:29 am:
Yow Linden,
With your racket, you can buy one nman
admin
on Apr 1st, 2010
@ 4:29 am:
thanks jonas
admin
on Apr 1st, 2010
@ 4:30 am:
Hi cat from down there!
Yeah if there will be an anti-ITBS shoes, its gonna shake the entire running shoes industry!thanks for the visit.
admin
on Apr 1st, 2010
@ 4:30 am:
Myke,
I believe the t1c at Time Depot cost php5,995
admin
on Apr 1st, 2010
@ 4:31 am:
Hi Tin!
thanks sa visit. I heard you’re starting to kick-ass with your training. Goodluck!
admin
on Apr 1st, 2010
@ 4:31 am:
Earl thanks for the visit!
admin
on Apr 1st, 2010
@ 4:32 am:
Hi Sir Jovie,
thanks for the visit!
admin
on Apr 1st, 2010
@ 4:32 am:
Capt Tere!
Thanks as well. See you guys soon!
james
on Apr 2nd, 2010
@ 12:47 am:
master ganda ng ninja shoes mo….
estan
on Apr 4th, 2010
@ 12:18 am:
as a starting runner myself, i’m inspired by your improvement.
by the way, as a photographer and fellow blogger, it’s always good to give credit where credit is due. I took that photograph of you during the BDM and, while I’m not charging anything for the pictures like photovendo, the least you could have done is not remove the signature I placed in the image or just place a credit/link.
admin
on Apr 4th, 2010
@ 2:09 pm:
it has been corrected. i got this wordpress plugin that crops pictures to make it smaller for better view. It unintentionally removed your favourite spot.
admin
on Apr 4th, 2010
@ 2:09 pm:
thanks man. See you soon!