My Subic Adventure - SIM And Others

When I finally decided to participate for the 21k Subic International Marathon a compromise agreement with the family was to bring them as well in Subic and have a family bonding time.

On 24Oct09 Saturday early morning the family with my granddaughter proceeded our way to Subic. As I have not been to Subic for about two years, I was delighted to see that travel time has been greatly reduced with the opening as well of the SCTEX (Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway). When we reached the Floridablanca interchange, the westbound lane has been coned for counter flow as the eastbound lane will be used by the 42k Subic International Marathon which was to start on the same day at 4:30pm using the expressway all the way to Subic area ending at the Remy Field.





We reached the Subic area at about 9:30am and went directly to ZOOBIC. I have arranged our tickets via internet the day before so the wonders of e-technology were available for this theme park. I found the place great with its main attraction of almost 50 tigers and all types of animals, serpents, crocs and others. There was even an animal and Aeta shows incorporated in the package. The tour was guided and lasted for 3 hours so your P475 is well worth the entry fee.

It was already 2pm when we were able to check-in at the Lighthouse Resorts which was also a sponsor for the SIM and gave 20% discount for participants. The place was nice and has the beach and pool facilities for the children and adult as well.





At 5:00pm the family decided to have a Sunday’s anticipated Mass at the San Roque Parish which was also inside the Freeport Zone to free my tight schedule on Sunday which will be 21k race and travel time back to Manila. This part I will not forget for a long time. Just after the after the mass, I told the family that I will bring them back to the hotel and I will proceed to Remy Field to await the finish of the 42k race which should be coming in by 7pm. Feeling so in a hurry, I forgot my favourite orange Nike cap and a very expensive Rudy Project shades at the church pew. As they say, the “Lord Gives And Takes Away”. So long shades may the finder enjoy you!





Arriving at Remy Fields at 6:30pm the Nike 10k race was in its last runner coming in at the finish line. The announcer was mentioning that there were about 270 participants on the said race. The field had a very festive atmosphere and the stage was being prepared for a night party and band which was to start after the awards ceremony of for the 42k. Then just about 6:50pm the first Kenyan runner entered the field and followed in interval of minutes by another 7 Kenyan runners. I was already losing hope to see the first Filipino runner and finally the 9th finisher was Filipino runner from Baguio. After he cross the finish line, I had to leave be back to the hotel with the family.





At 3:00am the following morning I was already awake and preparing myself for the race. The distance from the hotel to Remy Field was barely 5 minutes so I was taking my time to leave the hotel as the gun start will only be at 5:30am. When I did arrive at 5:00am at Remy Field, the area was already full of people. I am not good at making estimates but there were thousands. This is the very first time that I have seen so many police participants, Philippine National Police is one of the sponsors. There were also a lot of young kids in elementary grades which probably are local school supporters for the event. While awaiting for the start of the race it was nice to see familiar faces and friends from Takbo.ph, however, with so many people it was difficult to maintain conversational phase.




I was hoping that the gun start for 21k will be as scheduled but sad to say it did not with a mini program injected prior to the race. I do not complaint for this, however, only two negative comments I have for the race are (a) the gun start for the 21k, 10k, 5k, and 3k was changed to be a mass start. This could not have been an issue if the organizers were able to control the participants to be positioned before the start line. In the process of having people go back there were squeezing and stepping over with 3k and 5k participants in front rather than at the back and children squeezed in between. This was unsafe, I hope they improve this in the future. (b) Medals for the 21k run out to more than half of the participants. The organizers were fully aware of the number and should have prepared accordingly. Other than these two issues, the race was great. The route was perfect with no vehicular traffic, scenic view along the way, inclines to conquer and a good fresh air for the lungs.




As I have participated on both the 21k events for the QCIM and SIM, I am very much tempted to compare both events, but, would rather not and just thank the sponsors for both events to continue providing these races in the future, however, to take notice of the post race analysis and comments received from the different sectors to improve on the same in the future races. Both events are very distinct from one another which are just great. Both ice creams have different flavour.

Lastly, I wish to thank the group of Takbo,ph (Rico Villanueva and friends) stationed at near the 14km distance who provided COLD DRINKS that really made may day. I completed the 21k in 02h45m05s and had the rest of the morning swimming at the resort pool before reaching back in Manila at 5pm.

SIM my family bonding time and 21k race, great and wonderful (sad- goodbye Rudy Project shades)!

21km KOTR / SIM - Torn Between Two Lovers

When announcement was made that the 21k category for the Subic International Marathon and the Adidas “King Of The Road” will both be held on 25Oct09, I told myself that it is going to be a difficult choice to make as both race events are great and have their own pros and cons.

Just life a lover torn between two beautiful ladies, I registered for both the 21km category for both races. I knew I can only participant in one race, but, I did register for both to allow myself enough time to contemplate and make a last minute decision as to which event to attend. Anyways, the one that I will not select I shall have a souvenir singlet and race bib to keep.

With only 4days remaining before the event, I have to make a difficult decision today. I have in the end decided to participate in the SUBIC INTERNATIONAL MARATHON 21km category as against the Adidas KOTR. Whilst the choice of SIM was not favourable in terms of travel, contingency expenses and time. It did offered a positive mark as the event is an International event as compared to KOTR. Further, the KOTR fiasco on the race packet distribution and handling of the so called “running expo” was downer that cast doubts as to actual race handling of KOTR.

Regardless of my reasons, I still PRAY for the SUCCESS of both events KOTR and SIM for the ultimate satisfaction and content of the running community as a whole.

As for the SIM, I intend to bring my family for an overnight stay at Subic on Saturday 24Oct09 and make the most of the visit in Subic to check out the different facilities and attractions. This will also allow me to be fresh and ready on 25Oct09 at 530am which is the gun start for the 21km.

Subic here I come!

1st QCIM - Delivered As Promised

A few months back when QCIM was first announced, I have my reservation if I should partake on the said race on reasons that I have to spread myself evenly and be selective of the marathons and race events one after the other for the month of October and November. Today, I am glad that I did run the 21k for the 1st QCIM.

In a short and simple statement, it was a well organized, participated, supported marathon race event. I wish to extend my congratulations to the City Government of Quezon City, Runnex, Finish Line, the PNP support group, city public schools and the countless volunteer groups that has made the event a success and something to emulate. As promised and hyped, the event delivered the goods!





When I was discussing marathon organization with Bald Runner (Gen.Jovinal Narcise), he has emphasized that one important aspect in the equation in organization of a running event to guarantee its success is to have the GOVERNMENT involve on the project. The government have vast resources at its hand to ensure support from all sectors. Only after the government’s involvement will the private corporations be tapped to polish the commercial needs of the event. To tap the cake with icing, it is of course you need a worthy organizer who knows what running is all about. A tri-partite effort is necessary and this is exactly what did happened win the 1st QCIM. It has definitely had its labour pains during the process, but, to think that this is only the 1st, the standard it has achieve on the 1st year which is already of International Standard will easily improved with the experience gained and as the years continue (hopefully there will more years in its existence)





The route was GREAT imagine 8 lanes of Commonwealth Avenue free from traffic is all for the runners delight. For the full marathon, an added trill was even the coverage of the La Mesa Dam eco-park. QCIM did have the full backing of the City Police Stations, mobile cars, patrols, PNP officers and ranks. They were all over to handle security and traffic issues. This I think was the primary reason why was the route was free from vehicles. Added to these, are numerous marshals stationed on all intersection.





Water Stations, aid stations, providing 100plus, muscle pain, water sprinklers from fire trucks, were positioned in strategic location. Another welcome participations were the five (5) schools bands with the majorettes. I wish to make special mention of the high school students that were stationed at Commonwealth Avenue and Don Antonio who were so energetic in their cheers and smiles. The young girls and boys were an instant relief to watch.

The area within circle and Mindanao avenue was like having a fiesta at hand that you have people on the street and walking about while watching the runners. Parking was not a problem which was free and had guards stationed in the parking area.





Congratulations to the Kenyans who were expected to win and did delivered to lift the running standard of the event. Not to be outdone, congratulations as well to the Filipino elite runners that won, Cris Sabal was again at his best. To all the runners, congratulations for your participation. Runnex and Finish Line you did a good job.




Lastly to the City Government, PNP and the community sectors of Quezon City please take a bow!

KOTR 21km - I Did It In 01Hr 45Mins 00Sec

Yes, you read it right, ADIDAS KOTR 21K I did it in 01h45m00sec!!! However, it is not for the race distance proper of 21k itself as the race will only be held on 25Oct09, instead, it was the QUEUING TIME for me to collect the race packet at the Megatrade Hall no.2 today 17Oct09. To say the least, it was as well a PR in my racing experience to collect a race packet.

I do not know how to explain or to what I should attribute the cause for such a problem. The only glaring fact is that the distribution system was not well organized and that the whole process was done MANUALLY to match your claim stub to your race bib number and then the manual search to the different boxes stowed on the floor.




I was in line by 11:15am and I got my race packet at 01:00pm for a record of 01h 45m 00s. Young and elite runners could have easily run the 21k during that time.

As it is only the first day of race packet collection, I hope Adidas will do something to correct the problem, otherwise, there might be tempers exploding during the distribution process. The race packet collection was timed to the much press released two day “Running Exposition”. Sad to say the Expo itself was short of anything to show as most of the booths are empty or is it just that the exhibitors have not yet arrived and occupied their assigned booths.

Anyways, I look forward to a good KOTR race as in the past which cannot be said of race packet distribution.

1stQCIM - Preparing For My 21km Run

(Click on image to enlarge view)

When I woke up today 15Oct09 it was raining moderate to heavy. With the 1st Quezon City International Marathon just 3 days away and having registered myself for the 21k run, I need to log distance in the next two days to ensure that I am fit and ready for Sunday’s run.

With the weather not being cooperative, I have no other option but to run in the rain. My plan is for a 15k LSD on the busy streets of the metropolis covering EDSA, C5, Fort Bonifacio and back to EDSA.

At 4:21 am with temperature at 24C, I started my run at Paragon Plaza which is at EDSA/Reliance Street and proceeded in the direction of Shangri-la Plaza at Shaw Blvd to C5 crossing C5/Pasig River Bridge to Market Market to different roads at the Fort Bonifacio then to EDSA/Kalayaan crossing back to Guadalupe bridge and ending my run back at Paragon Plaza. The whole route was 15.28km which took me 01h59m21s.

Tomorrow I plan to replicate the same run and take a day rest on Saturday and be ready for the QCIM.

The QCIM 21km route will be from QC Circle then to UP Campus back track to Commonwealth Avenue then straight east all the way to Batasan then back to Commonwealth overlapping circle then to Quezon Blvd Extension until EDSA then back to Circle for a 21km distance. Starting gun will be at 5am.

This will be the first time Quezon City will be hosting an International Marathon and I am excited to be part of the event in my own small part. I will see you guys this coming Sunday!

33rd Milo Marathon Finals - Reinier Pacific / Takbo.ph Volunteer Aid Station

Reinier Pacific and Takbo.ph were the designated official volunteer Aid Station at the 33rd Milo National Marathon Final today 11Oct09.

The Aid Station was positioned along Sen.Gil Puyat Avenue just off the Chino Roces junction. Members from both groups were already manning the station by 04:30 ready to receive the 42k and 21k runners.

Much can be said from the experience gained by each member of the service team, however, we had only one unified wish and that was to be able to encourage, push, and welcome runners as they pass the aid station. We hope that our smiles and cheers were as refreshing as the bananas, apples, oranges, petroleum jelly and efficascent oil that were served and even to those that have requested the leg massage service, we hope to have given you a welcome relief.



Making sure that we leave the place as clean as it was before the servicing of the runners, trashes and litters were collected and bagged. At 830am with the traffic at Sen. Gil Puyat given the signal by the marshals to be opened, the Reinier Pacific / Takbo.ph Aid Station was closed.

Thank you to Nestle for allowing the group to be of service. And to all the runners, you were all winners in your own rights!

My EDSA and C5 Runs - A Matter of Pollution and Safety

Since Friday last week 02Oct09, I have not been to my regular daily run at the Ultra Oval as the PSC (Ultra) Sports Complex has been transformed into an evacuation center for the “ONDOY” flood victims. Initially there were not many evacuees. However, since the nearby public schools in Pasig have been opened again for classes, more and more evacuees have been relocated at the PSC Complex in Pasig.

As a result of the above, I had no other option but use my usual weekend running routes at Fort Bonifacio. However, on weekdays, I find for me to go to Fort Bonifacio is too demanding due to travel time and the traffic I have to traverse on the way.



It was on Tuesday afternoon at 4pm I tried a new route (EDSA, Pioneer, Ortigas business area, C5 and Valle Verde area) as pictured above which covered a distance of 10.65km which took me 01h21m02s. It was a great route, but, I do not recommend the route particularly on an afternoon or early evening as there are a lot of vehicles on the road and the SMOKE POLLUTION was really so bad that you will feel suffocated. After my run, I was high on carbon monoxide inhalation.

On Wednesday, still feeling the effects of the smoke inhalation from the run of the previous day, I decided to take a rest day to recuperate.



Today Thursday 08Oct09, I told myself that I better try the morning run so that there will be less smoke pollution on the road. So at 5am with light rain I tried another route mainly taking myself to EDSA until Camp Aguinaldo then to C5 and back to EDSA. Route is as pictured above. True indeed that the morning run particularly with rain showers has very minimal smoke pollution making it satisfactorily acceptable. However, the down side of the morning run particularly using EDSA and C5 was the SAFETY FACTOR as the buses and taxis just do not care, passing you only by inches, that the only way to run safely is on the sidewalks without using the road itself. The route was 11.02km which took me 01h32m07s using the sidewalks. On this run, I think I learned how to dance “TINIKLING” with my swerving form road to sidewalk to gutter to road.

Both runs has taught me that smoke pollution and safety consideration weights heavier that the travel distance I have to make to Fort Bonifacio. Tomorrow, I think I will just have to accept the travel time and head back to Fort Bonifacio area.

33rd Milo Marathon - Reinier Pacific and Takbo.ph Volunteer Aid Station

Come Sunday 11Oct09, REINIER PACIFIC and TAKBO.PH will serve as an official volunteer AID STATION during the 33rd Finals of the MILO NATIONAL MARATHON to serve the 42K and 21K runners. The aid station will be situated along SEN.GIL PUYAT AVENUE (formerly Buendia) just off the crossing of CHINO ROCES AVENUE (former name is Pasong Tamo).

The aid station shall provide to ALL runners of 42k and 21k services listed below at its fastest and efficient ways without sacrificing TIME. Runners can allocate a “PIT STOP” of no more than 15-30 seconds that would help a long way to ensure they be able to relieved themselves of muscle pains, apply lubricants and intake of solid food for fuel. The following will be provided at the aid station;

- 20 service bays for spraying of Methyl Salicylate Camphor+Menthol (Efficascent Oil)
- Petroleum Jelly for skin lubricants to avoid skin chaffing
- Leg massage (if requested)non-professional method best effort only.
- Banana
- Apple
- Orange
- No liquid supply will be provided at this station as this matter will be addressed by water stations along the route.
- Lastly staff of REINIER PACIFIC and members of TAKBO.PH community will provide the encouragement and full attention. A guaranteed SMILE and ENCOURAGING WORDS will the main serving for the day.
- Runners for 21K shall pass the Aid Station once, and for the 42K runners they will have two opportunities to pass the paid station, 1st on their way to the Fort and then on their return from the Fort.

REINIER PACIFIC and TAKBO.PH wish to thank the sponsors NESTLE for giving the group the opportunity to share and serve the runners of the 33rd MILO NATIONAL MARATHON FINALS.

To all volunteers, call time will be at 3:30am to set-up the logistical requirements for the aid station. Come with a lot of stored smiles and encouraging words!

To the 42k and 21k runners, WE LOOK FORWARD TO SERVE YOU.

October Run Festival - "You'll Never Walk (RUN) Alone

When you walk (RUN) through the storm
Hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark
At the end of the storm
There’s a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of the lark

The song “You’ll Never Walk Alone” in its 1st stanza clearly describes the picture above and can be associated in the recent developments in Metro Manila after the tropical storm “ONDOY” and typhoon “PEPENG”. Further, if you change the word “walk” to “run" it will describe the atmosphere in today’s 5TH OCTOBER RUN FESTIVAL.

Today 04Oct09, was such a significant day to be thankful to the Lord that he has spared Manila from the wrath of “PEPENG”. It was so nice to see familiar faces again on the road. It was great to see Bald Runner (Jovie Narcise) and the Team Bald Runners, Jinoe and Que Gavan and the Takbo.ph group, Jonel Mendoza and the Team Hardcore and others as if to signal and welcome the day for life to move on.



I was only entered in the 5K run, so, I had the opportunity to talk with the guys running the 16K while they were inside the holding area waiting for the gun start. I was still having my casual talk with some of the 16K runners that suddenly without warning the starting gun was sounder. Those that I was talking to have that surprised look of “do we start to run now”. After three seconds or so, by instinct the flow of runners just started.

After the 16K left the starting line, all 5K runners were called to check-in themselves and await the start. It was at this time that I joined Queenie and Luis of Takbo.ph We were having some casual talk that again without any warning the starting gun was sounded. Wow! This race does have a quick start! So much so that it was only after about 500 meters that I remember to push the start button on my Garmin Forerunner 405.

5K run was but a short run, so there is nothing much to say of the route, although there were a sufficient number of marshals along the route and a good number and well positioned water stations. I do not know if I just missed it, but I was not aware if there were distance markers along the route. Congratulations to The Fort Striders Club, Inc. for holding the event on its 5th year. It was a good race after a storm.

My 5k today was 28m03s a great way to welcome the golden sky!