Last night I attended the first session of the Mizuno Running clinic headed by tri-athlete/running coach Miguel “Ige” Lopez. I did attend this clinic early this year but I was only able to attend three sessions (they were 10 sessions-all free!). However, I intend to attend and complete all 10 sessions this time.

For those who are planning to attend this running clinic, here are the questions you might ask and my answers:

1. Where is this Mizuno running clinic held?
Bonifacio High Street – Taguig Metro Manila.

2. What day/time they start?
Every Thursday at 7pm. They usually end around 8:30pm to 9:00pm.

3. How much does it cost to join this running clinic?
As mentioned above, this is free!

4. I don’t own a Mizuno pair, can I still join?
If you go there wearing a different brand of running shoes, this will promptly ask you to leave the place immediately. Ok just kidding, you can go there and register even if you don’t own a Mizuno pair. I myself don’t have one. ? If you own a Mizuno pair, you will be given some discount coupon where you can avail of some Mizuno stuffs at a discount, freebies (possibly a singlet if you complete all sessions, Gatorade bottle for each sessions etc) and bragging rights knowing you’re a member of Mizuno Running Club.

5. How’s a typical Mizuno running session look like?
The session would normally begin with a 1.2km warm-up jog/slow run around BHS. After the run, you will be given 10 minutes to refresh yourself. There will be Gatorade available for everyone. This will be followed by several drills. Coach Ige usually introduce new drills every session so it’s important to attend all sessions if you want to enjoy the drills. Drills usually last for 10-15 minutes, all depending on Coach Ige’s mood and the complexity of the exercise.

To give you some info why you need to include drills in your training:

1. Drills develop total fitness for runners. They exaggerate various aspects of the running motion, as well as isolate and work the specific muscles involved.
2. They can potentially improve your running time. These running drills are great for improving your running form and running economy.
3. The exercises also help to strengthen specific muscle groups needed for powerful running, especially the muscles of the feet, calves, shins, thighs and hips. The ankle, knee and hip joints undergo considerable flexion and extension during the running stride, and each of these joints is exercised through a similar or greater range of motion during the various drills

After drills, its your chance to apply what you’ve learned so you will be asked to run again around BHS loop at race pace.

Last night’s session, we did a 3km time-trial run after the drills. I completed 3.6km (3 loops around BHS) in 18 minutes and 32 seconds. I know I could have improved this time if I didn’t do my leg speed training early that morning. Anyway, this will be compared in the future (possibly in the 10th session) to test if my speed/fitness improves. My plan is to finish 3.6km in 15 minutes flat at the end of this class. Hope to see you guys soon in Mizuno running clinic every Thursday!

I’ve only attended Mizuno clinics twice and really enjoyed the drills. The guy in charge is no other than Coach Ige (Miguel Lopez), tri-athelete and also a business man. He agreed to be interviewed by The Running Ninja and here it is!

Q: Most of the runners identify you as the designated running coach for Mizuno but only a few know that you’re also a competitive triathlete, could you tell us how you started into triathlon and how you ended up working with Mizuno as coach?
A: I started hiking mountains since 1995 when I was still in college and eventually joined AMCI mountaineering club in 2000.  All I did was hike, rock climb and run as aerobic training for hiking.  I was invited by a co mountaineer of mine to join a realy team in a half ironman in 2000 in matabungkay.  I did the run leg of 21k. Surprisingly, we placed 3rd overall and I was inspired by these “triathletes” to do 2k of swim, 90k of bike and a 21k of run afterwards. And still party after.  Amazing!!!

Q: How does your typical training week look like? hint from inquirer.net : (As a triathlete, Miguel logs 10 kilometers of swimming, 300 kilometers of biking and 50 km of running in a week).
A: I swim tuesdays, wednesdays and fridays, I bike mondays, wednesdays and saturdays and sometimes fridays.  I run tuesdays, thursdays and sundays.

Q: Only few people know that you’re an Economics graduate and you own a multi sport apparel called Transition One, could you tell us more about it.
A: I graduated from DLSU with a double degree of Economics and Business Management.  I even worked as a manager in training in Saettle’s Best until I decided to follow what I really like and desgin and produce my own multisport apparel which is TRANSITION ONE.  Started the business year 2004 and slowly grew it and I’m pretty proud to say that it is going pretty well and at the same time I still get to train and test my products during training and racing. Supporting the local scene has always been a part of why I have put up my own business so people who are just starting can get their own multisport apparel without having to spend so much on gear and still look good and perform well in it. (Running Ninja: Product images see below this post)

Q:You also do one-on-one coaching session. Tell us what are the key credentials, capabilities and experience runners should look for in selecting a running coach?
A:When looking for a running coach of course one should look at his/her running experience, running knowledge wherein he applies what he/she teaches, he/she has the respect for the athletes he/she is coaching, always acts in the best interest of the athlete, understanding to the student, has integrity in a coach-student relationship, a good example to the students, and promotes fair play always.

Q:In your experience, what are most runners hoping to get out of coaching? Program design, motivation, discipline, lose weight?
A:a lot of my students definitely want to lose weight but I always tell them that it will always follow if they are consistent with their training.  People usually get coaches cause they need to be assured, to be watched on, motivated during hard training sessions and a good program specifially designed to the student/athlete.

Q:What typically prompts a runner to move from self coaching to using a professional coach?
A:People usually get a professional coach if they get frustrated whenever they train and they don’t seem to improve.  They also get coaches because they trust that person and that the coach is very knowledgable.  The runner also wants reassutance of what he/she already knows.

Q:In addition to the training programs you design, what else do you emphasize to boost runners’ performance?
A:I always emphasize consistency in their training.  Without consistency their learning curve will always be longer.  The more dilignet you are in training the faster you will improve and of course the faster you will run.

Q:What are some common mistakes runners make in terms of designing their own training programs?
A: Common mistakes are training too long and/ort oo soon.  Doing a lot of races every weekend and not focusing on just certain races where they want to excel.  Rest days are usally ignored.  And when they train their hard days are not usually hard and their easy days are not usually easy.

Q:Majority of runners are aiming to finish a marathon, any tips you can give?
A: Always remember to enjoy the journey and not the destination.  Do not be too pressured with the times and if you have an option start short and eventually get more experience until you feel more confident to do longer ones.  Sustainability has always been important to me.

Q:Any tips to newbie runners?
A: take it easy and always have fun!

Q:Finally, what’s the highest complement an athlete can pay you as a coach?
A:To just see them running til they get old.

Please tell us how we can get in touch with you (also tell us where we can buy your stuffs).  People can contact me through my email at t1multisport@yahoo.com or at my cell number 09178478500.  thanks!!!!

It’s funny how people would address me these days. Last night I went to Mizuno Store at Bonifacio High Street to get my winnings from The Bull Runner and was told by the Mizuno lady that she’ll be available around 8:30pm. I figured out I might as well join their training as they really have this cool drills I wanted to participate plus the runs. On my way there somebody yelled at me “Running Ninja!”, I looked around and there he was. His name is Wilson and his blog can be found here. I like the way he writes especially his novela type of describing the events following the recent Botak Paa-Tibayan race.  He’s currently taking his Masters (Electrical Engineering) at UP Diliman and plans to take phd after. He will also join the 100km TNF this coming Saturday in Clark while his brother and dad will do 50km. Well a family that runs together, stays together!

After the warm-up run,  on my way back to Mizuno Store, I met a guy who also addressed me as Running Ninja. He’s a nice guy and so we ended up running together for one or two small loops until he asked me to go ahead of him as he would take a quick break. Later I realized that he’s one of the pastors working for Victory Church at Fort Bonifacio Global City. Nice to meet you pastor Michael Paderes! Later, I found myself running alone that night and two gals quipped “Uy si Running Ninja oh”, like a teen-age boy I said “hello po”. I still love people calling me as Running Ninja but would prefer “Sam”. However, some people still call me “Ammy” following the race result at Alabang Town Center early this month. Please lang! I also got to talk to Coach Ige (Mizuno coach) and we had a small conversation about running. He’s happy to see running is starting to be the “hot” thing here in Philippines. I have to tell him that running coaches are now like the modern D.Is (dance instructors), earning lots of cash from trainings and one-on-one tutorials. He smiled convincingly. I found out later from him that aside from coaching people how to run properly, he also sells stuffs at Bike King. He also agreed to be interviewed in the future, so guys send me any questions you want to ask coach Ige.

Finally just when everyone is starting to leave, I met The Bull Runner and gave me my winnings ( see above 500 worth of food stuffs at Paul Calvin’s and Cocoon Spa and Salon). There’s not much conversation involve as I believe she’s in a hurry to go home (or she’s in a hurry to get rid of me hahaha!).

This is one of the things I like most with running, you get to meet a lot of people of all shapes and sizes. Keep on running guys!