Cardiac Hill Tidbits

1 Key Difference from last year's Cardiac Hill LSD:

1.) Much faster running pace w/ less break time
Were the guys pressured by someone? Is everyone evolving to halimaw status?

Last year - slowly but surely

This year - always on the run

Last year - break whenever, wherever

This year - break only when halimaws take one

3 Oddities during the Cardiac Hill LSD:

1.) Brando (aka Ace Balasador) without his bad-ass camera, or Brando included in the pictures!

2.) Somebody smiling differently ;)

3.) Missing bike support?

Last year's bike support?!?

3 New Improvements in this Cardiac Hill LSD:

1.) Much bigger delegation

Last year's group - 17 participants

This year's group - 35 addicts! (others went home early)

2.) Use of acquired orienteering skills

One of the lesson's learned from CP2?

3.) Improvised Takbo.ph banner

Where's the banner? There it is!

1 Key Similarity with last year's Cardiac Hill LSD:

1.) REAL FUN with Takbo.ph! :D

Did I miss anything? :)

2009: My Running Discovery Year

From the time i ran & raced for the first time with Eire at the Greenfield City Run in Sta. Rosa, Laguna last April 19--both of us wearing badminton shoes as true-blooded newbies--until the memorable Rizal Day Run where I finally hit 1,000km of running mileage, 2009 is a very special year for me.

Eire & I in our first run & race...53 minutes for 5K! :D Both of us seen wearing badminton shoes here, not having a clue what Photovendo was. :P

Nearly 8 years ago, when our company sponsored the Pasig River Marathon and when I actually participated in the 3km fun run, I said to myself I would never run a full marathon. I even thought that those who did run 42km races were crazy. :P

Hmmm...I spoke too soon.

To squeeze everything in a giant nutshell, here are some bits of 2009, the year I decided to get out of that couch and become a running addict. For the best & worst items, this is just my personal opinion. I don't want to debate with anyone here. :)

2009 RACES & RECORDS:

_090419_Greenfield_5K_53:38
_090521_IE8Run_4mi_47:33
_090607_MizunoInfinity_5K_34:45
_090614_PTAA_5K_35:32
_090712_RobinsonsBuddy_5K_39:21
_090719_GlobeRFH_10K_1:04:22
_090815_KOUR_10K_1:03:10
_090823_Levi's_5K_29:03
_090905_MMM_5K_33:13
_090920_ROTARun_10K_1:22:15
_091001_MizunoMini_5K_27:33*PR

_091011_MiloFinals_10K_56:51*PR

_091018_QCIM_21K_2:11:45

_091025_AKOTR_21K_2:04:44

_091115_AnimoRun_10K_1:01:55

_091122_Urbanathlon_10K_1:05:01

_091129_NewBalance_10K_1:05:27

_091206_30for30_32K_3:58:17*PR

_091220_CelebRun_21K_1:56:35*PR

_091230_RizalDay_30K_2:51:28*PR

2009 BEST RACES:

1. Men's Health Urbanathlon (by Finishline)

2. Quezon City International Marathon (by Runnex)

3. Rizal Day Run (by Bald Runner)

Honorable Mention: Robinsons Fit & Fun Buddy Run, Kenny Rogers Open Urbanite Run

2009 BEST RACE ROUTE FOR P.R.:

Milo Finals - 10K Route

2009 TOUGHEST RACE:

30 for 30 Foot Race in Baguio City

2009 MOST MEMORABLE RACE:

2nd MIT-MC Orienteering Competition in Maragondon, Cavite

2009 BEST SINGLET:

Adidas King of the Road singlet

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On the side, I even managed to win in a biggest loser contest organized by Rico of Takbo.ph by losing 34 lbs. in 1 & a half months. That's after running more than 270km and strictly following a balanced diet in the entire duration. Losing those excess pounds helped me more in running and achieving my target PRs. :)

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Thanks a lot to everyone at  Takbo.ph for being very welcoming & supportive to my running addiction. I feel very proud being part of the Filipino running community.

_rizal_day_1,000km_what's_next?

still resting my legs from the rizal day run this morning, i'm wearing a smile on my face, happy that i was able to complete the 2 challenges i set for myself today.

1. CHALLENGE #1: improving my 32K time from 3:58 (in baguio) to sub-3:30

if there's one important lesson i learned from the rizal day run, it would be the value of preparation...up until the night before the race. i slept early, at around 9:00pm, which was a feat as i usually sleep close to midnight. :P i gradually increased my intake of carbs from 3 days before the race, and i also racked in more mileage during the month to help me get used to long distances.

as what i did in baguio, my strategy was to start fast and then slow down a bit (aka take walk breaks). it was my first time to run at camp aguinaldo and i felt a bit reluctant speeding up during the 1st loop as i couldn't see the humps...at 5:30am. it was just too dark! :P

after 2 loops and upon checking my time, i felt a bit relaxed and decided to take 10 to 20-second walk breaks, plus the breaks along the water stations.

at the last loop, i was cheered on by takbo.ph peeps jet, lauren, julie (salamat sa puto...hehehe), cherry, birthday boy ziggy, sam, and others. thanks a lot, guys. what you did really helped me push on with my run and i am once more grateful for having you guys around. of course, much thanks also to eire for her support during my BLC sacrifice and regular runs that helped me exceed my challenge targets.

i finished 29.65km in 2:51, way beyond my 3:30 target. :) challenge #1 done! :D

i set my garmin to change laps every 8km since i assumed it was 32km and i wanted to monitor my pace in segments no more than 10km. here are my race stats:

8km - 5:20/km
8km - 5:37/km
8km - 6:08/km
5.65km - 6:08/km
TOTAL = 29.65km - 5:47/km (2:51:28)

as usual, thanks to brando for the photo...


2. CHALLENGE #2: hitting 1,000km before end of 2009 (in less than 8 months)

it's really great to celebrate a runner's 1,000km mark by getting a shirt from bald runner with a bold statement "1,000km Club". as what sir jovie himself told us when timmy asked if they plan to give out shirts with "2,000km", the first 1,000km would always be the toughest for any runner. it's when you get out of that couch and decide to hit the street, not with your car, but with your own two feet. :)

challenge #2 done!

me & my idol :D


showing off our shirts...this time with carina & rod


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kudos to bald runner and his team for the well-organized race with a distinction of serving ice cream, beer, and ice-cold water for the finishers. the 2 water stations along the route were also filled with cold gatorade, fita biscuits, and even fit & right fruits (am i right?). i am truly amazed with what they did for all of the runners who participated here. i now agree with sam's remark that races don't have to be expensive to be successful & full of freebies.

even if the distance was short, i had absolutely no complaints! i give the rizal day run 3 thumbs up (if i were an alien with 3 thumbs)! :D

saludo ako sa 'yo, bald runner! :) i'm sure takbo.ph peeps will be looking forward to succeeding races organized by your group.

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thanks a lot to tere & her office for the free boodle fight that happened right after the race! :D sarap talaga kumain ng libre! had my fill of pork, rice, sardines, & whatever was in there. :)



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i notice that if i set challenges for myself, the more i get determined to accomplish them. i want a goal in sight so that i can imagine myself reaching it. :) this also helps in keeping me motivated in running. i've tried setting challenges in daily mile and i hope this would also help me after 2009.

for 2010, one of my goals would be to run at least 100-160km every month.

what's the next big challenge for me?

after this, the only definite challenge that i see right now is the condura run. this is my other goal. besides, after running 1,000km in less than 8 months with a decent time for 30km, i could probably say to myself i'm ready to hit sub-4:30 for a 42k race. :P january would be another month for preparations. should i pile up the mileage or start to taper? i'll find out what my body tells me.

i'm excited for 2010! more running, races, & fun...beginning with the LSD at cardiac hills (my 1st LSD with takbo.ph)! :D

happy new running year to all!

_mizuno_infinity_01.10.10

hey, guys! :) here's an update on the much-awaited mizuno infinity run 2010 as shared by Marianne of Mizuno! :D

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Get your 411 on 01.10.10

January 10, 2010: Mark the date for the Mizuno Running Expo and the start of the registration for the Mizuno Infinity Run. There will also be a Running Sale with discounts shooting up to 80% off. All these exciting events happening from 10am to 7pm at the BMG Centre, Magallanes Commercial Center, Makati.

The Mizuno Running Expo will feature top running athletes such as Olympian Henry Dagmil, SEA games athlete Neil Ducusin, distinguished running coaches Ige Lopez, Patrick Joson and Peter Gonzales, renowned race organizer Rudy Biscocho and other known personalities in the running community.

These experts will help expo participants understand more about the competitive running form, proper hydration and nutrition, latest technology and gear, and other vital information to help them get the most out of their running season.

April 11, 2010: Mizuno Infinity Race – the country’s first-ever race bannering a challenge to runners to “Beat Your Own Time.” Registration is at 400 pesos for the 5/10K and 450 pesos for the 15K. You can register for the Mizuno Infinity Run at the following Mizuno stores: Boni High Street, Megamall, Festival Mall, Mall of Asia, Trinoma and Magallanes.

Watch out for the launch of Creation 11 – the official shoe for the Mizuno Infinity Race. Runners will get their race packets for free upon purchase of Creation 11. This is on top of the generous freebies that Mizuno and partner sponsors have prepared.

The Mizuno Infinity Run Expo is made possible in cooperation with Oakley and Gatorade with the following majorsponsors: Mail and More, Suunto, and Manila Water. Doctor J, Derm Plus Lotion, Citgo, and BMG Solar. Media partners include RunnerSpeak, Run Radio on NU 107, Men’s Health and Women’s Health.

Please visit www.mizuno.ph or call 757-3160 loc 515 for more details.