QC International Marathon 2011

December 4, 2011 - QC Circle - Commonwealth Ave.

I conquered Commonwealth Avenue, a.k.a. the highway of death.... on foot! Well okay, not the whole stretch but the first 5kms from the QC City Hall which was the route for the 10km event at this morning's QC International Marathon. It was a liberating feeling to run (and walk) in such a wide space! 

Adidas King of the Road 2011

October 23, 2011 - Bonifacio Global City

The Adidas KOTR has been one of my dream runs for the longest time. When I started running back in 2003-2005, their shortest distance category was 10k. I could not join because I was still doing 5k at that time. Then things happened and I had to stop running for several years. When I resumed early this year, I swore I would join the KOTR no matter what. 

The details for this year's race was released around April or May and to my disappointment, there was no 10k category! And the registration fees were so steep! So do I want a cheaper run and do a 5k? Or do I want to level up to 16.8k but have to shell out a whooping P1,300 for the registration fee? I didn't consider the 21k category even though it was cheaper than the 16.8k because I felt it was too soon for a half-mary. So after a month or so of thinking, I decided to challenge myself - physically and financially - and registered for the 16.8k category as early as June. 

Run Rizal

September 18, 2011 - Rizal Park, Luneta

 

My second missed run. This time I got sick with a really bad cough. Rarely do I have this kind of cough so I decided to sit this one out. It's a little frustrating because I was really looking forward to this event. It was supposed to be my 2nd 16k run and I wanted that medal. Well, there will be other races. 

Tiktakbo 4

September 4, 2011 - UP Academic Oval

 

After his 500m run in the Unilab Run United 2 event two weeks ago, Miguel told me, "Mommy, bili mo na uli ako ng 'number' para tatakbo na uli ako."  Then I learned that a couple of my running friends who are also moms like myself were running with their kids in the UP-JPIA Tiktakbo 4 at the UP Academic Oval. I have not seen them for quite a while so I figured this would be a good reunion venue for us and at the same time we would be able to meet each others' kids. And so I registered Miguel in the 500m category - his 3rd official run. 

Unilab Run United 2

August 21, 2011 - Bonifacio Global City

Simply one of my best runs. Had a new PR for my 10k run and I got to run alongside my precious Miguel during his 500m dash. Top that!

Team Reebok Run

August 6, 2011 - Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, Pasay

 

Another wet run but not as wet as that of Milo last week. It drizzled midway into the run then it stopped for a bit only to start again during the last 500m of my 10k run.

35th Milo Marathon - Manila Eliminations

July 31, 2011 - SM Mall of Asia

What can I say, Milo is very dear to me as I grew up drinking this chocolate drink. When we were kids, me and my sisters would drink it all up in then turn our glasses upside down as we shout, "All the way down!". 

When I started running back in 2003-2005, most of my runs were with Milo. And then when I made a comeback last December 2010, after a few years of sedentary living, it was still Milo that I chose to be my comeback run.   

Takbo.ph Runfest

July 24, 2011 - Bonifacio Global City

I could not make up my mind whether to do another 10k or level up to a 16k run even as I was filling out the registration form in R.O.X. more than a month ago. I have completed most of the required details except the distance. I remember stalling by trying out the sample singlet sizes over and over again. I was itching to do a 16k but I kept asking myself if I was ready for it. Then this girl who was also registering that time checked the 16k box on her reg form and I thought, what the heck! I checked the 16k box in my reg form as well, submitted it, paid the fees and left with my claim stub.

Life-work balance was unfortunately unbalanced in the weeks leading up to the race. I didn't get to train well due to were major changes in the office that entailed a lot of after office work and the persistent rains. So my only training was a few weekend 10k runs at the UP Academic Oval when the weather permits. Good luck to me!

SlimmeRUN

July 10, 2011 - Bonifacio Global City

This run was doomed (for me and my sister, at least) from the very start. It was a series of unfortunate events. 

The original SlimmeRUN poster

My sister and I are lifetime members of Slimmers World but I was more interested in doing the Manila International Marathon (MIM) scheduled last June 26, a day after SlimmerRun for two reasons. First, MIM registration was cheaper and second, the venue was nearer our place. I can commute by myself and need not bother Caloy to drive me all the way to BGC. But my sister/running buddy wanted to do SlimmeRun and I guess out of loyalty to this gym which had been a constant witness to my struggle to keep fit in the last 7 years, I agreed. And besides, the singlet was really nice =)

Yamaha Run for Heroes

July 3, 2011 - Bonifacio Global City

First of all, I have to thank hubby's cousin Paolo and family for inviting us to join this run and sponsoring our registration. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

 

10k Race Map

A few meters away from the finish line.

(Photo courtesy of Jpeg Mendoza,  Runners' Runner photographer)

 My 6th 10k run in 4 months

 I haven't been running for quite sometime either due to work or rain. My last 10k run was 2weeks ago then nada! As expected there was some struggle in finishing the run this morning. Good thing the weather cooperated coz it was a bit cloudy and it wasn't that hot. I still managed to finish at 1:24 mins, my average 10k run. So I guess it wasn't that bad.   

Trying out one of the Yamaha motorcycles on display

Coach Rio checking the runners on his Yamaha bike

(Photo courtesy of Jpeg Mendoza,  Runners' Runner photographer)

The Finisher's Bag

I almost did not get a finisher's bag because they ran out of stock. I got the goods that was supposed to be in the bag but not the bag itself. So there I was trying to carry a bottle of water, a Century Tuna Chili Corned Carne, a Unilab medkit and my finisher's certificate with my two hands. Good thing I did not leave the area immediately because after about 10mins, a bunch of bags were delivered. Miguel fell in love with the finisher's bag and asked me if he can use it in school. He said I have so many other bags anyway. How can I say no to that?

Family pic courtesy of Jpeg Mendoza,  Runners' Runner photographer

My race results

Slack Season

It has been a bad running month for me.... a cursed month. I only managed two10km runs in UP Academic Oval in the last month. I had to skip my after office gym runs due to piled-up work in the office plus the fact that my son's nanny went for a 2-week vacation so I had to go home early. 

Then the rainy season kicked in. This week's Typhoon Faclon and has messed up the running community's schedule.  And the only event I signed for this month (SlimmerRUN originally set at June 25) got rescheduled to July 10. So not only do I have zero runs this month, I would totally have to miss this run because the new date fell right smack in the middle of a long-scheduled family trip. Sad =(

Now, that is not the only run/sport event that was rescheduled to a future date, here are some of them:
1. Manila International Marathon - June 26 rescheduled to Sept. 18
2. Camp Run Series 2011 - June 25 rescheduled to Aug. 20
3. Immuvit Metavit Cycling Clinic - June 25 rescheduled to July 9
4. Milo-APEX Running School - June 25 long run postponed until further notice

Hopefully July will be a better month. I have three runs scheduled and I pray I get to run in all of them.

Brooks Run Happy

May 22, 2011 - Bonifacio Global City

Unfortunately, this has got to be the worst run I've ever participated in. Major booboo was starting late in the middle of summer when Mr. Sun sets earlier than most months. I've already seen some irate posts in the Brooks FB page complaining about this. One even posted that the supposed "run happy" event turned out to be "run angry".  And I totally agree. How can you "run happy" when the heat of the sun is breathing down your neck! Then I heard there was also the issue of the water stations or lack thereof.  Luckily for me  the water stations were still handing out water when I passed them by. Well, except for the one located at the foot of the Kalayaan flyover which ran out of water supply so early in the race, about 4kms into the 10k run. This is precisely the reason why I carry my own bottle as I have a constant fear of dehydration. 

However, despite the negative things that transpired in the event, there are still a few things I like about Brooks Run Happy:

• Love the singlet. It was the deciding factor over the Greentenial Run in Aseana. 
• This was my first 10k in BGC and half of the route was new to me.  
• It was also my first time to run in the Kalayaan flyover. It was the longest flyover I've ever run in and it was a thrill because it somehow gave me the feeling I was on top of the world .

Over-all, it was a so-so run. I had better runs where I even paid less.

 

 At the starting line waiting for the (very late) gun start.

Almost at the finish line, whew!

Finally made it!

My Finisher's Medal

 My race results

Intramuros Heritage Run

May 15, 2011 - Intramuros, Manila

I chose this run over the Goldilocks 45th Anniversary Run in BGC primarily because the registration fee  was cheaper and the venue is near where I live. Secondly, I have never ran in the Intramuros area and I thought it would be exciting to try a new route.   

 

3km mark for the 10k race. Me and sis trying to catch our breaths after the first 30mins of running under the intense heat of the sun. 

 

Last 3kms. I was at the tail end of the 10k race. 

 At the end of another good 10k run.

Intramuros graffiti.

World Youth Day Fun Run

May 1, 2011 - PICC Grounds

It was one hot run. Mr. Sun was already peeking at 5:30am so imagine how high he was by 7am when I crossed the finish line. I stopped and took water breaks at all the water station because the heat was making me feel so dehydrated. But all in all, it was a good run. I hope those youth delegates that will benefit from this fund-raising event to participate in the World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain later this year will have a fruitful trip.  

 

 Sunday Mass after the run celebrated by Manila Auxillary Bishop Broderick Pabillo

The crowd attending the Sunday Mass

Cereals by Kellogs

NATGEO Earth Day Run 2011

April 10, 2011 - Bonifacio Global City

Hydrating

Queuing for the free Cushe shoelace.

Mommy Ara: Miguel, anong gawa mo dito?

Miguel: Sleeping =)

Photo ops with the famous (and getting more famous with each running event), Bhoy Runner's Runner.

The 5k race map.

 My race result

Good Housekeeping Family Run

April 3, 2011 - Manila Ocean Park

This time I stayed on the sidelines and let my little runner Miguel have his share of the race track - all 100 meters of it. 

 

Prepping up for the run - putting on his running shoes. 

 

Waiting for the gun start. 

The Race

 Breakfast!

 The Running Nanay with the Running Anak =)

Family pic

Photo ops with the event host, Mr. Chico Garcia of the Morning Rush in the Monster Radio 93.1