The Heritage Park - Improvised Public Oval / Park

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In my usual weekend long slow runs that take me to Bayani Road at the Fort, a very interesting scene that has gotten my attention is that of at the Heritage Park in Taguig.

The residents of Taguig City just south of C5 road have practically no open spaces to do their running, jogging, walking or even just relax on a park like atmosphere due to congestion in the neighbourhood. However, with the ingenuity of the Filipino people and the kind hearted attitude of the management of The Heritage Park, an improvised oval is now being used by the general public at The Heritage Park along Bayani Road.

The Oval is roughly about 400 meters (same as any official sized oval) that encircles the East and West entry gates of Heritage Park that is crossed in the middle by Bayani Road. To be able to take a complete turn you need to cross Bayani Road twice! Surprisingly, even with the difficulty and hazard the oval imposes, the place has been very popular to local residents. The crowd can run to hundreds at times. Young and old people alike are happy doing their own individual version of a morning exercise. There are families with infants to savour the early morning sunshine. On the side of the improvised oval, you will see vendors selling the famous “taho” , water/sodas, or any other street food. The atmosphere is a park like festive mood with people running on a counter clockwise direction in unison.



My heart is filled with joy wherever I pass this area. You could feel the raw and unadulterated meaning of a morning exercise may it be running, walking, or just plain family bonding. The great about all of these, it does not cost a single peso. You need not worry if your attire is the latest or in fad. You need only to come as you are and what you have.

I wish to congratulate the Management of Heritage Park for allowing such a convergence of people in the morning and late afternoon in their premises. You are doing a great thing for the local residents of Taguig. Your business might be catering for dead, but, certainly you have shown concern and care for the living and not necessarily those that are your clients, but, the public in general.

25th SEA GAMES - Double Gold Medal For Marathon

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It’s a DOUBLE GOLD for JHO-AN BANAYAG and EDUARDO BUENAVISTA at the 25th SEA GAMES in the female and Male Marathon events. With Jho-an Banayag registering a time of 02h 46m 34s and Eduardo Buenavista registering at 02h21m10s. The finals event was held on December 15, 2009 at 06:15am at Main Stadium, National Sports Complex at Vientiane Laos. With these medal finishes, running which has been experiencing resurgence and popularity this year, will definitely inspire more to take up the sport. We still have more young and able men and ladies out there who have been hitting the roads on weekend races that show great potential for serious development. Next step is idenifying these assets and providing support and training to built up our pool of runners. To EDUARDO BUENAVISTA and JHO-AN BANAYAG you both have made us proud of your accomplishment. MABUHAY KAYO!

Coming in 6th in the female marathon event was also a Filipina CHRISTABEL MARTES with a time of 03h00m31s this will just highlight that we have great talents in running.

On another event in athletics which is for the Male 20km Race Walk event our entry and my dear friend MICHAEL EMBUEDO was only able to land the 4th place with a time of 01h 41m 54s. Michael might have missed a podium finish this time, but, given the trials and obstacle that he went through just to be included in the National Team was already a feat in itself. Congratulations as well to you Mike.


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I pray that sports authorities give more support and exposure to MARATHON EVENTS AND RACE WALKING eventS that we as Filipinos can definitely excel given the right backing.

Those who are interested on what and how is race walking executed, please click on my side widget of ICABOD and a video on Race Walking can be seen.

The 13th San Diego Rock n Roll Marathon - Planning Stage

My age and physical restrictions in running has not prevented me from joining marathons, however, I need to be selective on marathons that are “people friendly” rather than those of serious competitive marathons as in the case of Boston Marathon or its likes.

The two marathons that I have joined in 2009, the Los Angeles Marathon and Singapore Marathon are what are commonly known as “people friendly”. The marathon is more geared and set on the individual goal and capability of the runner to test and help them achieve their own purpose in running a marathon and having fun in the process.

For 2010, I have set a personal goal of joining another two marathons for the year. How I wish I could do more, but, physical restriction limits me to a maximum of two per year, that is of course excluding the local road races in Manila with distances of 10k/15k/21k.

First on my list is the 13th SAN DIEGO ROCK and ROLL MARATHON scheduled for June 6th 2010.

The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon is an annual marathon held in San Diego, California, USA. It was established in 1998 and has been run every year since. It is the original race in the Rock 'n' Roll series of marathons and half-marathons managed by Competitor Group and held around the United States of America.

The marathon commences at 6th Avenue at Palm and concludes at Parade Deck in Marine Corps Recruit Depot. Runners have seven hours in which to complete the marathon. Since its inception, the marathon claims to have raised in excess of $100 million for charities. The 2006 marathon had 21,159 participants—17,339 of whom successfully finished the race.

As of 2009, the other races in the Rock 'n' Roll series are:
• Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon - held in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe
• Rock 'n' Roll Mardi Gras - held in New Orleans
• Rock 'n' Roll Dallas Half Marathon
• Country Music Marathon - held in Nashville
• Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Marathon
• Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon
• Rock 'n' Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon
• Rock 'n' Roll San Jose Half Marathon
• Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon
• Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon & 1/2 Marathon

Below is a film clip of the 12th San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon held last June 2009.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid40280743001?bctid=40062833001

2nd on my list is a repeat of the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon which will be held sometime on the first week of December 2010. The event is very friendly and considering its proximity from Manila is a must attend.

Christmas holidays is coming, but, as they say when you enjoy running it is an everyday affair to hit he road.

SCSM - The People's Marathon

The Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) which has capped its participation at 50,000 runners for logistical reasons, is now one of the biggest marathons in the world. The organizers are very ambitious and there is a possibility to expand the event to make it a people’s marathon.

The other famous marathons around the world feature far lower numbers. The Boston Marathon, which is the only marathon apart from the Olympics that requires a qualification time, averages 20,000 participants. This year, 90,000 applied to run the New York Marathon. The number of entrants was capped at 30,000. In Asia, 27,075 signed up for the Beijing Marathon. The Tokyo Marathon scheduled for February 2010 is expected to attract 30,000 participants.

Singapore Marathon started in 2002, when only 6000 took part then. What distinguished SCSM from the other marathons is that it has focused on the average runner, there were young people, older ones and even people running the race pushing prams with their own individual reasons and purpose competing primarily against themselves, raw pleasure of running.

Kenyan Luke Kibet won this years’ SCSM with a time of 02hr 11min 25sec and received US$35,000 (P1.6m) and Albina Mayorova of Russia clocked 02hr 32m 49sec who as well received US$35,000 as cash prize.

For my personal experience, the SCSM was enriching and a wishful dream that someday such an event would be a possibility in the Philippines. I have been to marathons abroad, but, by far SCSM is the most organized on all aspects of the race logistically, technically and on crowd control management.

At 5:00am entry to the holding pen for participants of the full marathon was opened. It was a sight to behold, elite runners were on the forward section, the sub-4/5 on the middle and those over 5 were at the 3rd sector of the pen. For the full marathon, there were 17,500 starters and just imagine the long sea of runners waiting to be started. One minute before the start there was total silence as required by the organizers so that when the starting horn is sounded it can be heard by all. Then at 5:30 the starting horn was sounded and again festive sound played. From where I was positioned at the start it took me more than 5 minutes to finally cross the starting line. You could just imagine the long line.

42.195 km is a distance to respect and lots of things could happen along the way. I would like better share to you the event in pictures hereunder which would do actual justice to the scenes and happenings during the event.










It took me 06hrs 15m 30sec (chip time) 06h 20m 21sec (clock time) it was way over my LA Marathon finishing time of 06h 00m 15sec. Just to accept the fact that as time passes by at my age, you just get slower. Slower does not necessary translate failure, but, something to be thankful to God that he has still up to now blessed me with good health to enjoy running in its raw form. I pray for more years of injury free running.

The SCSM was as great event to close my personal 2009 running adventures.

SCSM - Race Packet Distribtion

The Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon is one of Asia’s top marathons and a highlight of Singapore’s sporting calendar. A new record was set this year with 50,000 runners registered in under six weeks. Along the route, there will be over 100,000 enthusiastic supporters and volunteers to add colour and vibrancy to the event, truly one for the whole community and country of Singapore.

Just imagine, how do you distribute race packets to 50,000 participants? In the Philippines we even have problem leading to chaos to just distribute 3000 race packets to participants, what more if the number is 50,000!

SCSM had convenience and order in their vision so much so that they have allocated three days for the distribution of race packets and holding the same at a massive venue which is at Singapore Expo. At the same time as the distribution dates (03-05 December) a wide array of runners apparels, shoes, gears and what have you concerning running were provided as a runners fair.

I am sharing hereunder pictures taken at the Singapore Expo when I collected my last 05Dec09 at about 2pm.








Race will be tomorrow 06Dec09 with gun start at 5:30am. I am trying to control my excitement and hopefully I do get a good nights’ rest. Meantime, it is time for some exercise, not running, but, shopping. Till my next blog on the actual race see you!

Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2009

For those who will be participating in the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2009 scheduled for December 6, 2009, sharing to you the following information. See you at the starting line!

4 more days to SCSM 2009. Let's Move It!

Follow the rhythm and be part of the action! Check out the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon moves at http://youtube.com/watch?v=kkHEvC91h84. Dance to the beat and groove along with us on 6 December 2009!

Race Entry Pack Collection

Reminder to all runners to collect your Race Entry Packs!
Date : 3, 4 and 5 December 2009
Time : 10 am to 8 pm (3 – 4 December 2009)
10 am to 6 pm (5 December 2009)
Venue : Hall 5, Singapore Expo Convention and Exhibition Centre

For runners who have balloted successfully but did not managed to pick up last weekend, please collect from Hall 5 too.
Click here for more details.

Catch SCSM’s First LIVE Telecast on SuperSports

For the first time in the history of the SCSM, the event will be broadcast live on StarHub’s SuperSports (Channel 22) on Sunday, 6 December 2009. Catch the inaugural live broadcast from home at 5.15 am to 8.30 am, and a repeat telecast on the same day from 7:30 pm onwards.

All You Need to Know

Runners’ alert! Important information which you should note in preparation for the big day:

Bib:

Display your bib number clearly on the front of your T-shirt at all times during the race. Remember to enter your personal details on the reverse side of the bib (e.g. name, emergency contact number, blood type) with a permanent marker or ballpoint pen.

Timing System:

Disposable ChampionChip will be used at this year’s race. You can keep it as a memento after the race as there is no need to return them. Click here to find out how attach it to your shoe correctly.

Encouragement Bib:

Write a word of encouragement for your fellow runners or get your loved ones to pen their encouragement message for you! Display it proudly at the back of your running top or even your shorts!

Click here to read on other essential information.
________________________________________

NB Power Run 09 - A Great Sunday Morning

After a long wait today is the day for my family run, New Balance Power Run 2009.

Waking up in the morning has never been a problem for me. But, with the family, I knew before hand that this shall be an issue so I told all that I shall wake them up at 4:15am for us to leave the house at 5:00am. True enough, it was an great effort to keep everyone on schedule but we did manage as planned.




Arriving at the Fort at 5:15am a big crowd was already gathered. It was just about the same time that the gym instructor from Slimmer’s World was conducting a warm up session in front of the activity stage. I could already smell something good about this event. Great layout for the stage, a good number of courtesy booths, great sound system, there were different finishing arc for 21k and 10k/5k events, starting line for all categories is on the same place. The fantastic thing of this event was the “crowd control”. You have marshals with sign boards indicating the category and guiding them to the starting chute by batches. Given the number of participants, numbering around 7000 (as per the MC) the organizer had full control of the crowd. There were a good number of portalets available at the ground area. The race started at 5:30 for the 21k, 5:45 for the 10k and 6:00 for the 5k events. Good time management.

Distance markers and directional signs were very prominent along the route. Water and hydration stations were more than sufficient and well positioned. The marshals were manning the intersections. I would like however to describe a scene at the junction of Lawton and the small road leading to American Cemetery wherein a woman riding a taxi made a scene by going down her taxi leaving its doors opened and walked a few steps in the direction of the marshals and shouted “hoy kami naman malalate na ako sa trabaho ko” there were other inaudible things I could not make out but I assume it was no good words. I actually did not know how to react or how to interpret what I just witnessed. I just smiled with lots of things in my mind and proceeded my way to McKinley area. I pity the woman for losing her temper.





Coming back from McKinley and to the 10k finish line was still smooth and orderly. Crossing the finish line was great, orderly, cordoned and well manned. The unexpected finisher’s medal was awaiting all finishers. There was hydration available at the finish line with banana as well. What could you say of this race event? Thanks you New Balance for the sponsorship, Extribe you did a wonderful organization of the race and to all the runners, we all had a great Sunday morning!

It is a great feeling that we now have race events that we could be proud of. There was the Timex and now the NB Power Run.




Now I have to report on my family run. I was feeling great that after a very long time my wife was joining me on a race. I had her awaken early, race number attached to her shirt, reached the Fort, did the warm-up with the Slimmer’s World instructor, introduced her to friend runners that we came across, and finally showed her the mustering area for the 5k run. I then proceeded my way to start ahead with the 10k run. At the 9km marker my daughter-in-law Pamela over took me. I crossed 10k finish line at 01h04m02s to my great surprise my wife, Hermie and son Dax were already awaiting me. Although I knew both were only to run 5km, I just could not believe that they were already there ahead of me. I later found out both “chicken-out” “showed-up but did not start” it was another “act of God” both have the same excuse that my granddaughter was crying before the start of the 5km run and they did not want to leave her with the yaya. It was a very lame excuse, but, what to do except accept it. The good thing is that Pamela finished the 10k in 01h03m00s and Dennis my 11year old finished the 5km in the region of 45 minutes, both of whom did great and I am proud.

Even if I had two family members that did not start and finish, it was still a great Sunday morning for the family.

God is good! ALL THE TIME.

Garmin 310XT - Thanksgiving Gift

Much has been reviewed and written about the Garmin 310XT since its debut middle of this year. As such, I shall not be dealing on the technical and functional aspect for the training device, rather I wish to share the circumstances I got one.

Sometime April this year I gifted myself of a Garmin Forerunner 405. I find the same to my satisfaction with all its technical capabilities. However, I felt disappointment after only three months not because it has mal-functioned or the device quit on me, but, it was outdated by a newer model, the 310XT. Had I known then that a new model was coming up I would have rather waited to save the cost.

Having read so many good reviews of the 310XT, I asked my daughter Dawn who is a doctor in Moreno Valley CA to check availability and cost. At about the same time then, she was asking me to hand her down my old DSLR Camera a Sony Alpha 100 which I readily agreed. After a week or so she came back and told me the cost of the 310XT plus a heart rate monitor to go with it. Then she asked me how I would like to pay for the unit. This more or less made me feel down and disappointed as I was contemplating on a swap between my DSLR and the 310XT. I then just told her that the item was expensive so I have not decided to buy it at this time and will wait a while. I intentionally did not talk to her for a week so I think she got the message.

To cut the story short, I now have 310XT courtesy of my daughter Dawn and son-in-law Alex whom I would like to thank both for the “thanksgiving gift” sometimes the parents need to make “lambing” while I can easily afford one, but, a gift from a love one is very precious thing. Kaya nga tinawag “magulang” dapat magulang sa lahat ng bagay at di mag-papagulang sa mga anak. Joke only.




Anyways, the Sony DSLR Alpha 100 is my thanksgiving gift to both Alex and Dawn. I am so happy of my new toy. Thank you Alex and Dawn.

The Garmin Forerunner 405 is now for sale, any buyers out there?

"Fit N Right Run 09" RFID - Failure In Data Gathering

Overhead Sensors instead of MAT Sensor (subject to many condition for error reading)


The RFID attached only with a staple wire to Race Bib (needs to be positioned 90deg)

Two days after the “Fit N Right Run 09” last Sunday 22Nov09, the race result for 3k/5k/10k were posted at http://www.runningmate.ph/del_monte/result.

As this is the very first time the RFID system is being used locally I am very much eager to know how the system performed on its debut.

Basis results released there were only 408 results for 10k, 1173 results for 5k and 605 results for 3k. Total results gathered by the system were 2186 results ONLY. The figure is way below the total number of participants during the event. I do not have the exact figure, but, the crowd during the event was easily double the result provided. Meaning, so many runners were not timed.

It is but so obvious that the RFID failed to deliver the results in the data gathering. Runningmate.ph who is the time keeper provided the following explanations on their website; (POSTING WAS PULLED DOWN)


As of 0930 hrs 26Nov09 a request from Marianne Tapales of CEMG was made which we quote - We appreciate your comments especially about the rfid timing sytem. However, may we request you to pull down the copy pasted disclaimer from runningmate.ph. CEMG accepts the responsibility of the ups and downs during the race. For discrepancies in timing or if your name is not on the list, please send an email with your full name, bib number and contact details to racetime@runningmate.ph.
unquote .

I feel very disappointed not for the RFID system, but, the manner it was used. As I have posted prior to the race data gathering was on its way to failure with the following established scenario then;

- There was no accompanying written instructions with respect to RFID sensor which was attached to the race bib. Majority of the runners were not aware that the plastic strip attached to the race bib was a timing device.

- The shoe lace mount for an RFID with a mat sensor should have been used as with “D-tag” as this eliminates the different possibilities that Runningmate highlighted on their explanation. (running behind a tall runner, finished with your RFID mount not in the right position, etc...)

- Runningmate was correct in identifying that the finish line was a total CHAOS with no crowd control.

- However, I do not see the logic on the explanation of “manual timing”. RFID was being used there was no need for a “manual timing” and there was none provided for manual timing as evident that race bibs have no “pull-out tag or barcode” to detach as you cross the finish line. You do not take manual time visually as the runner cross the finish line, there are way too many runners crossing at the same time even if you have a perfect view.

- The RFID was only stapled on the race bib. It was so easy to get detached particularly with sweat and hydration fluids during the race.

Anyways this may only be a birth pain. The RFID System is good and well tested system abroad. As in any tools and technology, mastery in the usage is of utmost importance. Hopefully the next race that will utilize the RFID, the organizers will do a better job than what happened at the “Fit N Right Run 09”.

NB Power Run 09 - My Family Run

After two months of delay due to typhoon “ONDOY” the NEW BALANCE POWER RUN 09 will finally be held this coming Sunday 29Nov09 at the Bonifacio Global City.

As posted in my previous blog on 25Sep09 and 27Sep09, NB Power RUN 09 is a long awaited race for me personally. It took me more than two years to convince my wife to try running and due to my insistence, she finally said “yes”. I had her registered for the 5km category, but, as events lapsed it was not meant to be due to “ONDOY”. I tried to ask her to register on other races after then, but, her easy excuse was “maybe she was not meant to run as foretold by even nature”. She insisted to wait for the actual event day for the NB Power Run 09.

With four days to go, I am excited and hoping that no “Acts of God” will stop the event this Sunday. It will be a family run for us, my son Dax, my daughter-in-law Pamela, my youngest son Dennis and my wife Hermie.

By the way the original routes for the different categories have been changed and the following race route were posted;









An added incentive announced by the sponsors PARTICIPANTS WHO WEAR NEW BALANCE FOOTWARE WILL RECEIVE A PAIR OF NB RUNNING SOCKS. Make sure to cross the finish line in your New Balance shoes.

See you on Sunday 29Nov09 5:30am gun time.