I’ve been very busy last week I forgot to post some stuff on my blog due to my full-time work at a software company, my online raket that I started just last week and another outsourcing business I’m currently working on. To relieve all the stress, I signed up for this race (21km) as part of my tempo-run but also to double-check the condition of my right-knee on longer distances. Sad to say, but I still encountered a sharp pain on the lateral side of my right knee which forced me to utilize more of my left leg and in doing so, caused cramps on my left calf and slowed me down considerably from km 16 up to the finish line. I finished the race based on my timer at 2h:08min+.

Here’s my review of the race:

Positive:
1. Well marshalled race.One marshall even greeted me good morning which is a rarity in race events here.
2. Enough hydration station (water and electrolyte being served).
3. Race started on time

Negative:
1. Lack of kilometer markers.I do believe this is one of those MUST in road races here in the Philippines. All I saw from the entire 21km route were U-turn markers

2. No ribbon in the first U-turn in Ayala area.I remember I overheard one runner on our way to Ayala asking a friend of his (who was already on his way back to Kalayaan flyover) if there were ribbons being given. His friend replied “No” and as expected, this runner (and another friend of his) did a short-cut by crossing to the other lane going back to Kalayaan flyover. I wish I’d restrained myself that morning but my mouth seems to have a brain on its own that I blurted out “Hoy kapal ng mukha nyo!to these runners.

3. Long line to claim your freebies.Yes, I want to see the value of my registration fee, pinapatulan ko din to minsan! I hope race organizers would be more efficient in giving away freebies/lootbags after runners cross the finish line. I believe the last time I saw this being implemented was last yr when I first joined a road race (5km-Condura) where the lootbag was given right after crossing the line. The line was too long I didn’t bother to claim my freebies. Later it was announced that the next Earth Run will feature a 42km. I don’t expect marathon finishers to fall in line for several minutes to claim their rightful freebies after running for several hours! This system must go.

4. Ok this one is probably just me. But I really don’t like the taste of that bitter-sweet energy drink they gave.

Overall I like the way this race was organized except for those minor issues above. Later after the race, there was an announcement that a 42km distance will be featured next yr. This is something I look forward to in the future.

As of this writing, results according to the race organizer (adevents.com.ph) will be available on Wednesday.

For Mizuno Infinity Run 2010 race results, here they are:

For 5km: click 5k-results
For 10km: click 10k-results
For 15km: click 15k-results

Yeah you’ll not see me in the race results. I unintentionally ended up running as bandit. I started running about 20 meters from start line and end in the same spot, finished the race in 1:21:04, I just treated it as a tempo run. Thank God I’m back.

If you’re one of those guys who heard Rudy Biscocho regarding a new timing system being tested by elite atheletes last Sunday, its called the Bib Tag Timing system.  Basically, it includes a disposable timing bib number.  As runners cross the finish line, a chip in the bib number will record their time.  Unlike Champion chip where you have to attach the timing device on your shoes (and remove it aftewards),  the bib is the timing device! According to sir Rudy, it was imported from the Netherlands and it was being tested  last Sunday by the account manager of MyLaps, the manufacturer.  They ordered three systems for use in future events.  Hopefully it should be fully operational by June. Basically, the system uses chips that are directly attached to the bib no. It has high accuracy detection and eliminates a lot of post race handling by organizers.
This kind of system will be used in the Boston Marathon as well.

I just hope this will be as good as Champion chip but not as expensive. If Rudy can introduce this to all his running events and still charge below php500 (I’m actually will be happier if less than php300), this will be a good development in our running community.

I was really surprised when Jinoe invited me for “friends con” for VSO Bahaginan’s 2010 Kabahagi Run over at Paul Calvins. Why should I? Well, he also invited me a month ago for Green Miles Run. What did I do in return? I didn’t blog about the event and worst, I attended the other race (Globe Run 2010). Same day Green Miles Run was held. My real reason why I skipped it was to run a 21km with intention of adding 9 more km (to celebrate my 30 yrs of age, ayan nabisto na!!), I just thought that running 3 loops around MOA area is boring. And so Karma hit me real hard, I experienced my very first DNF that day and received some harsh words from a fellow runner. So I promised myself I will behave well this time. Hehehehe.

VSO Bahaginan is a development organisation committed to fighting global poverty and disadvantage through a wide range of volunteering development programmes, including international and national volunteering. Visit http://www.vsobahaginan.org.ph/ for more information about their programmes.

VSO-PNA Kabahagi Run 2010 on April 21 at Mc Kinley Hill, Taguig

VSO Bahaginan, in its efforts to raise funds for its programs in the areas of disability work, secure livelihoods, peace building, youth volunteering and community exchange, and in partnership with the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), will be holding the VSO-PNA Kabahagi Run 2010 at McKinley Hill, Taguig on April 25, Sunday.  The fun run will have 3k, 5k, and 10k distances.  This is the 2nd time that VSO is conducting a fun run as part of its fund raising activities, the first one being the Kabahagi Run in November 2008 at The Fort. Read the rest of this entry »

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve at least heard of “Runner’s World” now available in our country. I got a copy delivered to my office days ago and while browsing some pages, I noticed that there are topics there I could use to achieve my dream sub 4h for marathon. One particular post there is about achieving fast results by training like experts, where you can be ready year-round for any race in just 4 weeks. I’m not going to give you any details but it sure gonna  help you improve your performance.

Fellow BDM classmate Sherwin Botabora also has a little section in this magazine where he shares how he spends six hours training on the ship’s treadmill (!!!!!)  for the ultramarathon. I could only last 30 minutes on treadmill,  beyond that I’ll go nuts. He must be one of those runners with extra patience, focus and determination.

Go get yourself a copy and I hope you’ll enjoy every pages of it.

from Runner’s World Press Release

Runner’s World comes to the Philippines

For runners, running is not just a hobby—it’s a lifestyle. More attitude than action, running is about being alive and well. As more and more Filipinos get into the habit of running, Summit Media brings to Philippine shores the leading voice of running worldwide—Runner’s World. Read the rest of this entry »

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.

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.
Read the rest of this entry »