NatGeo Earth Day Run 2012 - 10k Racewalk Mode

After having been absent in the local road races for almost two months, the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL EARTH DAY RUN 2012 held today April 22,2012 at Bonifacio Global City was a much anticipated comeback event for me. Since the middle of February I suffered stress fracture on my foot then was followed by cough and cold  sickness and just about when I was getting better I did a stupid decision of running before getting 100 percent well which resulted on a relapse which eventually prolonged the healing process.

Prior to today’s event I had logged only about 40k of training so I am a bit apprehensive on the outcome for the event. Last night, I decided to go easy on myself so instead of running the event, I decide to use my RACEWALK mode.

When I arrived at the venue at Fort Bonifacio Global City the 21k event has already been started. As with events that are well attended, finding a parking is a struggle, this event was such.  Only after about 15 minutes of queu at the parking entrance was I able to find a parking space.

At 530am the 10k event was started and took us from BGC to Kalayaan flyover to Buendia until Ayala junction and then back track all the way to BGC for the finishline. The event was well handled, however, I wish that the organizers have used different routes or minimize the distance where the different events converge particularly for the 3k and 5k runners who were more or less just strolling along the route which hampered the 21k and 10k runners. Anyways, it was great to see people trying their best to improve their health in running.

My 10k racewalk resulted with a time of 01h23m43s. Hopefully this will jump start to my full recovery and be back to my usual weekly workout of 30-40k distance log.

ADIDAS KOTR & NIKE WE RUN MANILA - RACE KIT DISTRIBUTION

For the month of October there will be two popular races sponsored by two equally popuilar running shoes NIKE and ADIDAS.

On October 16^th will be the NIKE WE RUN MANILA and a week after that on October 23rd will be the ADIDAS KING OF THE ROAD (KOTR) 2011 which will also serve as the finals for the South East Asia KOTR a major event in the local calendar. The running community are but trilled and excited with most local running enthusiast registered on both races. 

Either by change or for whatever reason, collection of race kit for ADIDAS is at the NBC Tent at Bonifacio Global City from October 10-12^th and NIKE is at Bonifacio High Street at Bonifacio Global City from October 11-13^th. Both are just walking distance from one another. Is this only a coincidence and not a commercial strategy?

In this blog I would like to share my personal experience in collecting my race kit for both which I hope is an isolated case and not a general situation.

ADIDAS KOTR – NBC TENT BGC

• -       Collected my race kit on 10Oct11 between 3-4pm.
• -       Presented my claim stub and presented my ID and attendant provided singlet and giveaways in a bag and advised me that my race bib will be delivered to my house as the same is not ready.
• -       Argued with attendant that I received more than 3 email that collection of race kit will be complete. Requested to talk to supervisor to whom I explained incovenience of the matter.
• -       Supervisor asked me if I will accept any race bib number instead of the one that was supposed to be issued to me.
• -       To avoid inconvenience I agreed and the supersor provided me with a race bib 07949 and a timing chip 79649. Only when I went home I noticed the resemblance and difference of both numbers which I hope does not have consequential effect on my actual race data.
• -       Also only after arriving home, I noticed that I was supplied by a size 2XL singlet instead of a size L as is apparent to my confirmation order (refer to copy of registration on the picture above).
• -       The venue and the layout of NBC tent for the distribution as you could see in the pictures are VERY IMPRESSIVE. I hope that my experience is an isolated matter.
• 
  

NIKE WE RUN MANILA – BONIFACIO HIGH STREET

• -       Collected my race kit on 11Oct11 between 4:00-4:30pm.
• -       Presented my claim stub and presented my ID to the attendant.
• -       Attendant advised me that my birthday on my ID is different from their computer which shows January 1, 0000. I told the attendant that obviously that the error is in their computer as there is no January 1, 0000. The same accepted my explanation and revised my birthdate in their computer to my real birthdate.
• -       Learning from my not so nice experience with the Adidas singlet I demanded to see the shirt size in the bag which was a size MEDIUM. I complained and explained that my registration size was LARGE. Attendant could not decide and called the supersivor.
• -       Superviros advised me that he can not do anything but comply to what was indicated on their computer which was a size M. I explained to the supervisor regarding the error on my birthday on their computer which if it was in error then most possibly the shirt size was also in error. Understanding the logic of my explanation, the supervisor agreed to provide me with a size LARGE shirt.
• -       The venue although modest in size and open on the sides was acceptable and well manned and properly laidout. Major complaint I noticed for participants was no issuance of kit to those who who do not have ID to support their claim slips. In fairness to the organizers notice on the ID was well disseminated. 
• -       Again, I hope that my personal experience is an isolated matter. I still am open minded and look forward to a successful race event for  NIKE and ADIDAS. 

       See you all on the races.

Fort Striders Run 2011 - Another Race By Runners For Runners

Three weeks has passed since my last road race not that there has not been any road races since then but rather that the past three weeks has been raining and the weather has not been endusive to running.

This Sunday with good weather forecasted I made sure that I had myself registered in the Fort Striders Run 2011 which is a local running club who are based at Fort Bonifacio Global City. You may check their website here  The race event consisted of 16K/10K/5K/3K and was flagged off with the16K runners first at 5:30am followed by the other categories every 5 minutes interval. As what was expected the number of participants were not that spectacular but would be on the modest scale.

I was enetered at the 10K event and at 5:35am we were gunned off with basically the normal route in Bonifacio Global City however extending a third of the Katipunan flyover span as an added attraction. Hydration support are more than enough with well maintained security and marshals on stratigic points. I have all praises for The Fort Striders Running Club in sponsoring a well organized road race. Fort Striders used as their race organizer MIB Road Race Specialist. I have one minor comment which I hiope the sponsor and organizers could improve, the distance for the 10k was short of 0.25km maybe a more diligent distance measurement in the future. However, the distance markers were positioned along the route. The main attraction of this race was that the registrration fee for 10K was only P400.00 somethoing that you find very unusual now a days particularly on commercialized races. FS Run 2011 is another race event by runners for runners.

I completed my 10K in 01h16m38sec (unofficial) nothing spectacular but a well spent morning with fellow runners.

To Fort Striders Club Congratulations for a good race.

Bonifacio Global City 10k Route In The Rain - Photo Log

For the past three days Metro Manila has been experiencing heavy rains brought about by tropical storm “Egay” and “Falcon”. However, the rain has not stopped me from doing my daily 10k exercise run at the Bonifacio Global City (BGC). Running in the rain is always a trill and enjoyment for me.

Today Jun 25^th 2011 as I woke up I could see in my window that heavy rain was still the order of the day. Being a Saturday my usual golf day is totally washed out. I decided instead to document by photo my usual 10k route at the Bonifacio Global City.

The following are series of photos of my 10k route;

Brooks Run Happy - A Happy Run Just Delayed

When I registered to participate at the “Brooks Run Happy” I did not have much of an expectation. However, when I received my singlet I was surprised and impressed of the quality that was provided. It was made by Brooks itself in which I think only Adidas does the same on their sponsored runs while others use independent suppliers for their singlet to cut on cost.  Further, a couple of weeks prior the race it was announced that a “finisher’s medal” will be provided. It was then that I had the feeling that the sponsor and organizer where serious in making the event a success.

On race day, I and my son Dennis arrived the venue at Bonifacio Global City (BGC) at 5am hoping to catch our 10k start time at 5:40am. Just after parking my car I was impressed on the brilliance on how the singlet fitted the participants that were also arriving.

At 5:10am participants for the 15k event where already called to check-in themselves at the starting coral. At 5:30am, 15k runners where already excited to start the run, however, due to unexplained reasons the two emcees where playing with words and trying to stretch time as much as possible hoping to hear their cue from the organizers to start the race. It was only at around 5:50am or 20 minutes delay that 15k runners were gunned-off. No actual reason was provided but according to grapevine it was due to delay in the positioning of water station along the route (not verified).

At around 6:00am the 10k runners were started. No untoward incident was experienced thereon and I would say the event run well. Having said this I would like to say that the Brooks Run Happy was also a Happy Run. Two possible improvement in the future the organizers should consider, first is the delay in the start-up which if it was true that the reason for the delay in positioning of water station, then the second point of improvement is also of the water station in the manner they were arranged to service runners (square table instead of long table to avoid congestion). I think the organizers better review and assess their water station suppliers and attendants for the negative side of the race. Otherwise, the event was worth your time, money and effort.

Brooks Run Happy was a Happy Run. It was just delayed.

28Nov10 A Buffet Of Races - Run BGC My Menu Choice

Today 28Nov10 is a very special day in running in the Philippines. There is a "buffet of running events" in the Philippines. Believe it or not, there are ten events ( six with metro Manila and four in the provinces – data taken from Takbo.ph blogsite on their List of Races)  all holding their own events at the same time. These events are the following;

Within Metro Manila

1-    Greenovation Run at MOA

2-    Knowledge Channel KaRUNungan at Ortigas

3-    Takbo Laban Sa Droga at UP Diliman QC

4-    Run BGC at Bonifacio Global City

5-    Resort World Manila Fiesta Run at Pasay

6-    2^nd McHappy Day Fun Run at Mckinley Hills

Out of town events

7-    34^th National Milo Marathon Cagayan De Oro Eliminations

8-    Powerade Fun Run at Davao City

9-    Takbo Para Sa Karapatan Ng Mga Bata at Davao City

10-Run 4 Ur Rice : Save Rice, Save Lives at Laguna

Now what can you say about that? It’s a buffet for your own choosing!

Having highlighted the menu of runs available, I have selected the 10K for the Run BGC at Bonifacio Global City on the reasons that (a) I have since July of this year made BGC as my daily venue in my running and what better way but support the place where you do your daily run (b) the event organizer is RunRio and with their vast and recent good performances are assurance of a well organize event (c) 10K as I have just done the 21K last week and my body is no longer that young to take two 21K a week apart and lastly (d) for the third time (in a span of 3 months) I was able to convince my wife and son to run the 3K event to get them continuously exposed in running.

The family arrived the venue at 5:10am just in time to witness the start of the 21K event. I wanted as well to take the opportunity to see a gun start for the strong event also I wanted to see what effect the various races has on the attendance. While I would say that the various selection of races did have an effect on the attendance, I still saw a good number of participants for all the events which if considered on the figures last year would be on the average, but, for this year what can you expect if six events are all holding a running event at the same time. 

At 5:30am the 10K run started on time as scheduled. Just barely half a kilometer from the starting line I cannot but help myself an be astound to a very BIG CHRISTMAS TREE just before turning right at 5^th Avenue. Above is a picture taken which unfortunately is a little blur but what can you expect it was taken while running.

The route has one new variation from the usual route at the BGC as from the 5.5Km mark it took the runners to the newly constructed 8^th Avenue going to Kalayaan and back tracking and leading to the usual route to Rizal Avenue.  After 01h 07m 52s (un-official)I completed my 10K run. Again, nothing spectacular for others, but, a good time for my standard.

I wish to congratulate (getting a habit now) Coach Rio for a well-organized run in all aspect, a race event of again international standard. I take this opportunity in particular to salute Bonifacio Global City Administration for being at the forefront in supporting running in the country. BGC is the safest place that any runner can find within metro Manila. When I say SAFEST it goes to personal safety from bad and ill meaning individual and in general road running safety and traffic control. Please continue your support to the running community. However, I do take note that there are some local residents of condominiums within BGC that do not appreciate the running events every weekend. To these people, we hope for your understanding and thank you for sharing the beauty and availability of BGC to non-residents. Thanks for sharing.

I had a very good fortune that happened to me today during the event and wish to share it to all. For unknown reasons I left the rear window of my Prado open upon parking the vehicle and only found out when we returned after the race to be approached by the head of the security who made known the situation to me. The head of security was so kind to position a guard to ensure that no one took advantage of the situation while we were at the race. THANK YOU for the guards, I was unable to take their names, but, it was so good of you and what you have done just attest to the good management of BGC as a whole. With my wife’s purse, my wallet and so many valuable items inside, not a single item was lost. Praise God and again thank you to the security details of BDC.

Run BGC was a very good race with very extra blessing to go with it.  

Bonifacio Global City - Not Only For Running But Art Works As Well

Fort Bonifacio is now my regular place for my daily early morning workouts and as time passes by I discover and learn more of the place.  Today I discovered the different public art pieces that Bonifacio Global City (BGC) has got to offer to the general public.

BGC has opened up a photo competition for the month of October in which the 2010 Theme : “Photography. That’s the passion in me … The BGC in Me”. As photography is one of my many hobbies in life,  I woke up earlier than usual today and was already at Fort Bonifacio at 4:10am. I was dressed up in my usual morning work-out gears but I was not there to run, but to  capture in photo the different art pieces. With my Canon 7D I was walk to the different locations which is quite a distance as well to cover by foot.

I wish to share the following beautiful Art Works within Bonifacio Global City.

Transformation

Ang Supremo

The Trees

Pasasalamat

Kasalikasan

Balanghai

Kasaysayan Bawa't Oras

Bearable Lightness

Hearsay

Concerto

Tinsteaj #85

Specific Gravity

With the above Art Works it was a great feeling to exercise the spirit. At times we need not only have a physical exercise, but, an inner mental and spiritual exercise for a holistic life.

Back to running on Sunday for the Adidas KOTR.