If you’re an avid reader of this blog, you would noticed how I would religiously post my race preparations especially my first marathon race where I became so obsessed with it I even detailed my actions on per hour basis prior to the actual start of the race. For this race, I decided to screw my usual pre-race preparation post because I realized however detailed my preparations are, the expected outcome usually never happen because of several factors I don’t have control. However, I always make sure to study my previous race and learn from any mistakes I encountered. Hence in this race, I did some adjustments:

Banana
Pooping twice on your debut marathon race will sure going to destroy your game plan. My mistake from my marathon preparation was that I was eating 3 bananas per day up to the actual race day. Later I found out that eating too much of it can simulate bowel movements. Hence I totally ignore banana on most days but I did eat a small one coated with honey during the race day for my breakfast.

Immodium
I’ve been hearing this from fellow runner bloggers that taking Immodium an hour before the race will ensure no stomach upset. I did try this on Thursday and Friday during my usual morning run and seems to work OK on me. This worked well on the race day as I didn’t experience loose bowel movement. If you should try this, please try it first during your training to see if it will work well on you. NEVER try anything new during the race.

Hydration
During my marathon race, I remember drinking 3-4cups of Gatorade/water for every water station. This made my stomach feel so heavy which probably contributed to having to release my bowels during my last race. So for this race, I probably bypassed five liquid stations but relied more on my hydration belt plus a cup of water from 3 or 4 stations.

As for my race strategy, I did prepare for this one. I reckon that after doing two 5km races (Condura and Air Speed), two 10km races (Greenfield and Southern race) , a 16km (Earth Run), 15km (Mizuno Infinity), a 21km (Botak Paa-Tibayan) and a marathon (Milo 33^rd elimination), pushing for PR this time for my succeeding races will make sense. I was hoping the training I did for Milo and a week before this race will help me improve my disastrous/severely dehydrated 21km finish time of 2:37 via Botak Paa-Tibayan race. Furthermore, I was hoping that my CWX Ventilator tights that I got from Runnr store will provide support to my knees and help keep sweat away from dripping into my feet. The tights did work and I believe this also helped me recover very fast. A review will be posted later.

The race started on time and I found myself running comfortably fast during the first 4km. This is the first race where I did challenge myself to look for potential running targets with the aim of running faster. I would increase my pace once I’ve identified a target then once done, I would slow down and maintain a certain speed, look for another running target and increase my pace again and so on. This would go on for the first 11km until I get tired of it. I know its fun as it gives me “mini-success” during my race, it also motivates me every time I over ran my target but it’s not maintainable. I wasn’t checking my heart rate monitor watch but rather my time but upon checking my heart rate I realized that I was running way beyond my aerobic zone (133-153) and my heart rate would range somewhere between 165-175. I knew right-away that muscle cramp will soon find its way on my legs and true enough; it attacked me along the Lawton-Bayani road. There’s something about this road I hate about. This road always gave me cramps for some reason. I remember fully stopping in this road and applying my ever trusted roll-on Salonpas from time to time. Everytime I would continue my run after a brief stop, muscle cramp would appear every 10 minutes. If some runners dread the Kalayaan Fly-over, I dread more this part of the road! If this road goes further down to Heritage road, I knew I would not make it within my target time. Alas, the u-turn going up was so quick and I soon find my way to the Fort again. Six hundred meters away from the finish line, I was running fast but muscle cramp near my hamstring would soon attack me. This happened three times that I have to stop, do a walk and soon jog. The last 100 meters, I was already running, giving all my best and before I knew it, the finish line was just a few meters away. I saw two ladies ahead of me and wanting to overtake them, I sprint. One of the lady runner (which I later learned was a takbo.ph member) saw me coming from her behind and tried to increase her pace too. Alas, the ruthless running ninja will never give way to a lady for strong finish and so I sprint and overtook her.

After the race, I asked a fellow takbo.ph runner what was his time as I was just behind him and told me 2:26. So if my estimate is right, I finished this race somewhere between 2:26-2:27. A ten minute improvement from my previous 21k race woohoo! Later after the race, we did our usual post-race carbo loading at Jolibee. Unknown to me, Rico, Chris and the gang prepared a mini program to give medals to fellow takbo.ph members who finished 42km run last Milo race. While I understand Milo has nothing to do with it, I did appreciate the fact that my running family recognized the hardship I did to finish my first 42km run.

I went home very happy knowing that I did improve my race and even more, knowing that my running family will always be there to support and encourage everyone to achieve their personal goal.

If you see me sprinting with that kind of face and you happen to be running nearby, run with utmost caution

Emo me receiving Milo replica medal from his hoffness Poj

Me and the Medal

Today, the trend of marathon running has gripped Filipinos like a red-hot fever that’s here to stay! With an estimated average of 2 marathons per weekend in Luzon alone, people are running for all sorts of reasons: for friendship, the thrill of a good challenge, and others for charity!

But with several marathons being conducted week after week, most of these runs have begun to blend into one another.  Even with the constant challenge to break one’s personal best, every run becomes a virtual repetition of the run before. Two questions now come to mind: first, will there ever be a run that truly stands out? And secondly, “What’s in it for the runners this time?”

This is where Kenny Rogers Roasters steps in.  For years, Kenny Rogers Roasters has promoted deliciously healthy eating, supporting a fit and active lifestyle. With sumptuous choices and savory entrées, Kenny Rogers Roasters has long bannered meals that are healthy, yet incredibly delicious and mouth-watering; a testament to their dedication to providing a variety of food choices for people who proactively choose healthy living.

Now, Kenny Rogers is taking another leap forward in its dedication to health – one that is bound shake up a storm!  It is with great pride that we present: The Kenny’s Open ‘09 Urbanite Run! On August 15th at 7:00 p.m., at Bonifacio Global City in the Fort, a truly one-of-a-kind run will take place. And as the name suggests, The Kenny’s Open ’09 Urbanite Run will happen at night!

Think about it! Marathons and fun runs have been popping up all over the city every weekend- for years! Yet at the end of the day, none have truly broken away from the ordinary routine. Sure, everyone has fun; we tie on our running shoes and race to beat our personal best time. Yet, have you ever wondered if there could be more to the convention?

Kenny Rogers Roasters certainly thought so! In the spirit of offering only the very best variety and the freshest choices, Kenny Rogers Roasters is stepping up and setting out, because on the night of August 15, history will be made.

This is your chance to be a part of it. You’re invited to be a part of the first, ever Kenny’s Open ’09 Urbanite Run!

Joining is easy.  Simply stop over at any Kenny Rogers Roasters branch or the new Kenny’s Roast and Grill restaurant at the Powerplant Mall, purchase a P600 Urbanite Run Ticket to Eat, Run and Donate your way to fitness! Secondly, participants, all 18 years old and above, must register their information.

Can you imagine it? Glow in the dark wristbands, sleek jerseys, and Kenny’s key colors of red and black whipping around like a bonfire! With an advanced timing chip system to record runners’ progress and distances of 5/10/15 kilometers, the Urbanite Run is designed especially for the young and young at heart of the Metro.

And it doesn’t stop there!  After crossing the finish line, runners will cap off the evening with entertainment and deliciously healthy eating! With the bang and percussion stylings of Tribo Manila thumping while you eat your favorite Kenny Rogers Roasters meals, you can chat around with friends and actually put up your feet for a real night to remember! And what’s more, there’s a lot in-store for runners who speed by the quickest: exciting cash prizes and cool consolation prizes will be given away.

But throwing a rocking party and carving a place in history isn’t the end of it! The Kenny’s Open ‘09 Urbanite Run is also for the benefit of Hands-On Manila Foundation and the 57:75 Movement. As Kenny Rogers Roasters is dedicated to healthy and delicious choices, both foundations have similarly made it their mission to feed the minds and spirits of the youth.

Proceeds from the Kenny’s Open ’09 Urbanite Run will be donated to both foundations as a fund “racing” to champion the nutrition, sports and recreation of the Hands on Manila and the 57:75 Movement kids.

Watch out for this truly one of a kind marathon, ladies and gents! Look out for flyers and posters to find out more, because The Kenny’s Open ‘09 Urbanite Run is speeding ahead and leaving other runs in the dust!

You can find the mechanics  here.

RUNNR INTRODUCES THE VIDEO GAIT ANALYSIS. Elite, hardcore and casual runners can get state-of-the-art recommendation from RUNNR’s highly professional staff through video gait analysis.

RUNNR HITS HIGH STREET

The first state-of-the-art concept store for running opens its doors on June 12 on Bonifacio High Street. RUNNR is the first and only specialty store of its kind with all manner of runners in mind.

It will have the best running gear from all the top brands such as Adidas, Asics, Fuelbelt, Hammer, Mizuno, Nathan, New Balance, Nike, Polar and many more. It will also be the first to launch the revolutionary line of Newton Running Shoes and CW-X compression apparel in the country.

Runnr Video Gait Screen

RUNNR will feature an exclusive Footworx Fitting process that leads customers thru a comprehensive series of tests such as our Footprint Scan and High-Speed Video Gait Analysis. Plus we will be the first to offer Custom Insole Moulding in the store, while-you-wait.

RUNNR, thru the vision of its founder and avid runner Toby Claudio, has enlisted the services of the best in the fields of retail and running. Andy Niven, an elite runner who is an Ironman triathlon finisher is the man leading the team from RedGoods, a Hong Kong based retail entertainment design firm who did the design for the store. Niven has had more than 20 years’ experience managing broad-based retail and commercial design throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia for such clients as Disney and New Balance.

A team of highly trained and passionate staff will be equipped to analyze foot morphology using the Runnr Podoscope, which uses two combined features: a themodynamic scanning system for viewing the foot print and direct measurement of foot and arch dimensions which determine foot type. The store is also equipped with the Professional High-Speed Video Gait analysis system to determine a person’s precise gait characteristics as he/she runs on a treadmill.

The RUNNR staff is also capable of recommending the proper footwear to suit the individual’s foot type, leg axis, and gait pattern based on the results of the video analysis. These customized services ensure that whatever one’s requirements as a runner, the shoes minimize foot instability for better absorption of shock, and minimize fatigue while maximizing energy transfer. There’s also the option to create a custom insole using the exclusive RUNNR “FlashFit” process that uses heat to create special insoles molded to the exact shape of any foot in just 10 seconds. This machine won an innovation award for being the most creative invention for the running market in 2008.

Other running gear available at RUNNR include Fuelbelt and Nathan hydration packs, Polar heart-rate monitors, and will be the first to market the revolutionary line of Newton running shoes in the Philippines.

RUNNR specialty store is the only one in the country and in the world to incorporate all these products and services under one roof.

For more information, you may visit the RUNNR at building B3 of Bonifacio High Street.

Note: From the conversation I had with one of their marketing team, foot scanning, custom sole machine and CWX Compression Apparel are not yet available. Video Gait Analysis is ready for testing on June 12!