"adiZero Gram Challenge" - Busted

Further to my blog last 3Aug09 and wanting to find out the reality behind the ADIDAS “adiZero Gram Challenge”, I went today 10Aug09 at 4:30pm at the Adidas store in Greenbelt 3 Makati. Upon arrival I asked the salesmen in the store that I wish to take part in the challenge for both the “adiZero Aegis” for their trainer category and “adiZero Rocket” for the racing plats category.


As scaled adiZero AEGIS weight was 265 grams


As scaled ASICS Speedstar 3 weight was 248 grams lighter by 17 grams (winner)


As scaled adizero ROCKET weight was 194 grams


As scaled ASICS Piranha SP-2 weight was 116 grams lighter by 78 grams (winner)


According to the salesman the advertisement said that “bring in your running shoes for a weight-in, if they’re HEAVIER than 265g, we’ll give you up to 20% off your purchase of the ultra light adiZero Aegis, adiZero Boston or adizero Tempo.So gentlemen the challenge was “bring a heavier shoes” which is not a challenge at all! And on the same manner if you win over their product you get as well 20% discount, but why buy something that is heavier than what you already have?

ASICS are still far ahead in their shoe technology than the ADIDAS adizero producs on the real meaning of the word “challenge”. If you are at present intending to buy a new pair of running shoes and are not particular on the quality and technology then take the challege, bring your old shoes and get the 20% discount. Otherwise, you may want to consider the ASICS Speedstar-3 or ASICS Piranha SP-2.

Running For Weight Loss - Reality in Calorie Value

While running is one of the most effective activities for burning calories, it is for this very reason that those who picked up the sport had “Weight Loss” as their primary reason for its goal.

However, to attain the result of “Weight Loss” in running it is best to understand the different “numbers”, data, formula, conditions that will in the end spell out success. Otherwise, it would just be another futile exercise to reduce weight.

Before anything else, please take note of the following facts;

A persons daily calorie need to “maintain” present weight = weight (x) 13

Calorie burned in running 1km = 62.2 or 100 calories for 1 mile.

Calorie burned sitting doing normal actions = 160 calories / hour

Gross Energy Cost = total calorie burned running point A to point B

Net Energy Cost = GEC (-) Calorie burned on idle state in time GEC was attained

1 pound (lb) in body weight = 3500 calories

Energy Expenditure = Net Energy Cost

Energy Conservation = If the Energy Expenditure attained in your running leaves you so exhausted that you spend the rest of your day on the coach watching movies rather than cleaning the house or working in the garden, you may end up burning fewer calories throughout the day than if you did a slightly shorter run but still had the energy to take the kids to the park or do your normal daily walk.

Energy Compensation = better known as eating more calories after a workout/run than what you burned off during the run.

Ideal composition of your calorie intake = 50% carbohydrates 25% protein 25% fat.

Sample – Mr. A weight is 150lbs has a daily calorie intake of 2300 and runs 10km in 1.5 hrs 3 times a week and has no other exercise on the remainder 4 days of the week will he attain weight loss in this scenario?

Calorie intake = 2300
Calorie need = 150lbs (x) 13 = 1950
Monthly excess in calorie intake = 2300(-)1950 (x) 30 = 10,500 calories
Calorie burned in running/ month = 62.2 (x) 10 (x) 13times/month = 8086 calories
Net Energy Cost = 8086 (-) (13times x 1.5 hrs x 160 calories) = 4966 calories
Weight gain/loss = 10500 kcal (-) 4966kcal / 3500 = 1.58lbs GAIN

Although Mr. A does 130km per month he does not lose weight because his daily intake exceed his calorie needs daily he has two options to take ;

Option 1 = Lessen his intake to match his calorie needs and all others the same and the result will be he is going to lose 1.42 lbs in a month.

Option 2 = reduce daily calorie intake of 2000 ,runs 20 times of 10km a month and the result will be a weight loss of 1.75lbs in a month.

Accordingly, it best to remember to WATCH OUT for our daily calorie intake. One piece of Hersey Kiss is 25 calories and will take you an equivalent of 0.4 km to run in order to burn. But, if you do not eat that one kiss and still run then the equation is all in the minus side of weight loss.

Try to make your own scenario and/target weight loss by playing around with your calorie intake and the mileage you want to put into your run. Just remember to balance your calorie intake as defined and NEVER be on the state of Energy Conservation and Energy Compensation.

"adiZero Gram Challenge" - A Marketing Gimmick?

Earlier today 03Aug09 ManokanRunner (Jivoe Gavan) posted at the tabko.ph a post titled “Take the adiZero Gram Challenge” linkage on the post is as follows;

http://takbo.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=371&Itemid=1

I knew I have more than a couple of running shoes that would stand the challenge and are lighter than 265 grams they are;

ASICS Piranha SP-2 (4.2 Oz or 119.07 grams)


ASICS GEL Hyper Speed -3 (6.5 Oz or 184.28 grams)


ASICS Speedstar-3 (8.8 Oz or 249.48 grams)


However, Chuck has commented on the post “Just wondering. If say you have shoes, which are already lighter than this Adidas model, then why would you want to buy the Adizero?”

Also Zixednatz followed with “Chuck, you've got a good point there. Just because you have a 20% discount doesn't mean you have to buy the heavier shoe. They don't make any sense...”

This is the best also by Chuck “Obviously, it's a marketing gimmick of Adidas. Runners with lighter shoes will naturally bring their shoes in and would want to get the discount... thinking that they "BEAT" Adidas' challenge.I won't buy the shoes but good strategy by Adidas.“

And to think I almost took hook, line and sinker! Thank you guys for getting me back into my senses.

My LSD - Her Finish Line

Today August 1, 2009 is my scheduled usual weekend long run. I woke up at 4:00am and looked out of my bedroom window to check on the weather condition and saw it was raining moderate to heavy. I contemplated for a couple of minutes arguing with myself if I shall continue as planned or just go back and sleep.

Something inside me was pushing my inner self to proceed even with the heavy rain. I dressed up immediately and filled my hydration backpack then off I went to Fort Bonifacio. Out of habit, I always park my car at the BHS southeast parking lot located at 11th avenue at the back of the GAP store. The guard on duty is already known to me by face whom I always notice to be the same guard for last one year that I have more or less been doing the same routine. We did our usual small talk, and he mentioned that it was raining heavily and if I am decided to take the run. I told him it was great to take a run on heavy rain and the good thing about today was that it was not cold even with the heavy rain as it was somewhere at 24-26 degrees centigrade.

At 4:55am I was off and running having no fix route to take and was just feeling my way where it would take me with only an intention of completing a distance of no shorter than 10km. I took a three quarter loop at the BHS then turned right at 11th avenue right at 26th street straight to Rizal avenue then u-turn at 3rd avenue all the way to 5th avenue. Upon reaching the junction connecting 5th street and Lawton avenue again something was pushing me to proceed my way to Heritage Park and with the heavy rain, I would have normally not opted to the urged but instead proceeded my way to Heritage Park.

When I was at Bayani road where they have the jeepney station I noticed there were cluster of groups listening to the radio. As I was trying to pass between the cluster of people I cannot but overhear their loud voices that “CORY AQUINO IS DEAD” It was around 5:30am and I late on found out that she died at 3:18am.

The first thing that came into my mind was to pray for her soul and thank God that she is no longer in pain and is now in his Kingdom. I continued my run passing the Heritage Park and due to tiredness just took a glance on the entry gate and saw quite a number of cars entering but did not give any meaning into it. Later, I found out that President Cory was brought from Makati Medical Center to The Heritage Park.

My run from thereon was mixed with flashbacks and memories as to the impact that the Lady contributed to the country and to the Filipino people in general. With these things playing in your mind the remainder of the run I did not notice the tiredness nor the time passing by. Upon reaching C5, I turned then proceeded all the way to 26th street then back to 11th street and ended my run for 12.09km in 01h32m06sec for an average speed of 7.9km/hr.

The day just would not be complete without the Lady getting back my attention. At about 4pm in the afternoon, I saw the remains of President Aquino passed by our condominium again giving me the distant opportunity to say goodbye to a Philippine Hero that I have personally witnessed in my life time.






President Corazon Aquino has reached the FINISH LINE in her marathon in this life. She had a great race, touching people’s lives not only here in the Philippines but all over the world. Not only did she had her PR "personal record" established it was as well a "Philippine Record."

Goodbye Tita Cory.

Marathon Training Software - TrainingPeaks tm

When I first planned for my first marathon I made sure that I complete the 16 weeks of preparation. However, the actual composition of my training was mainly composed of daily run between 10-15km five (5) times a week and with at least two (2) road races on weekends per month that I find myself entered into. On the practical side, this was augmented by training tips from veteran marathoners and or coaches as to their personal experience if and when circumstances allow a change meeting with these veteran runners/coaches.

With the above training plan, I was able to complete my very first, which was at the Los Angeles Marathon last May 25, 2009. The improvised/widowed training plan did work for whatever reason.

As I have entered myself for the Singapore Marathon scheduled on December 6, 2009. I have enough time to for the required 16 weeks of training preparation. I was contemplating on just using the same things that I have done in the past as mentioned above. However, the experimental nature in me wanted to seek other possible training plans. For this reason, I have surfed the web and found the website of TRAINING PEAKS “The Ultimate Training and Nutrition Software” whose website can be found at;

http://home.trainingpeaks.com/

They provide software for different sport and cater on different levels. The Basic software they provide for FREE. However, it has limited functions. They do also provide Premium Edition, and you have to subscribe for certain time duration. Complete details can be found at;

http://home.trainingpeaks.com/sign-up-personal-edition.aspx

The Training Plan is sold separately, and you will have a complete wide selection of plans that would satisfy and address your personal needs. Selection can be found at;

http://home.trainingpeaks.com/training-and-nutrition-plans.aspx?s=Marathon&plantype=all

The good thing about the software is that it is compatible to most if not all the existing wrist monitors/computers i.e. Garmin, Polar, Timex, Suunto and others of the like.

I purchased the 2009 Runner's World Marathon Challenge for Intermediate Runners, by Runner's World. I already got the plan emailed to me and had the same applied to the desktop Personal Trainer Account. The plan also allows you to apply the program on whatever day/date you prefer and can as well be reinstalled and revised as you deem necessary. The program is delivered weekly. The Training Plan also comes along with a Meal Plan. With all the different analysis, reports, statistical views and others, I am now also having a grand marathon in understanding the different tabs and functionalities of the software that I think I might spend more time in the computer than in actual running.

Anyways, I have 16 weeks to work on my training and hopefully after completing the first 4 weeks I should be able to see if there was really a sense to what I bought. Check it out for yourself should such a training plan interest you.

I did not check if they have a refund for unsatisfied customer!

Run with ME - Team Bald Runner

When Ateneo Management Engineering (ME) Alumni announced sometime in June that they shall be hosting a running event in celebration of the 40th year of ME and for the benefit of ME scholarship Fund, it opened a door of opportunity for me to ask Gen. Jovinal Narcise (Ret) to field two Team Bald Runners for the 5k Team Category and one single entry for both the individual 10K for male and female.



Team Bald Runner (A)

Jovinal Narcise
Jose Marie Javier
Anna Vargas
Gerald Sabal
Reynolds Ascura
Reynaldo De Los Reyes
Raul Lamprea
Rene Desoyo

Team Bald Runner (B)

Amado Castro
Saturnino Salazar
Michael Embuedo
Christian Dalida
Milbert Nabuab
Renier Antoque
Crifrankreadel Indapan

10 K Individual Event
Men – Alquin Bolivar
Female – Marecil Maquilan

On race day, it was great to see different teams from running clubs, communities and most specially varsity teams from UAAP entered and competing on the team events. The Far Eastern University Varsity Team who was champions from the last UAAP season was very prominent and intimidating in their warm-up.

Unlike the usual race events that you join on weekends, the Run for ME was a school organized event. You find yourself amidst blue blooded creatures of Ateneo. Mind you, all logistical arrangements were done by student/faculty/volunteers that you need to understand and provide leeway in holding such an event. For non professionals, I think they did general well. The route in itself is unique as it is confined only within the Ateneo ground. The only other university that I could think of that could be possible does just an event will be at the University of the Philippines, which is very obvious because of its vast university property.

Team Bald Runner performance resulted as follows;

1. 2nd Place Team Event – Team Bald Runner A (winner was FEU)
2. 4th Place Team Event – Team Bald Runner B (3rd was Marikina)
3. 2nd Place 10K Female Individual Event – Marecil Maquilan
4. 4th Place 10K Men Individual Event – Alquin Bolivar

To Jovie Narcise and Team Bald Runners, thank you for giving me the opportunity to run with you.

Registered - Singapore Marathon 2009

Sometime last month, JINOE GAVAN of TAKBO.PH in one of our conversations mentioned that he and his new bride QUEENIE have their eyes set and planning to join the STANDARD CHARTERED SINGAPORE MARATHON. He gave the me the information that online registration will open on midnight of July 16, 2009. The said marathon is one of the more prestigious marathons in Asia and is to be held on DECEMBER 6, 2009. Linkage to their website and for those interested can be accessed at;

http://www.singaporemarathon.com/

Given the crazy idea and the proximity of Singapore, I weighed matters and finally decided to enter myself in the said event. On July 17, 2009 I have completed my registration and now am runner 07473-PHI-MVM-OLP with my confirmed entry form below;



Cost of registration is Singapore Dollar $65.00 or approximately P2,146.00 On the airfare cost there is a number of options to avail of should one be on a budget as there are flights from Clark to Singapore via Tiger Airways, Clark to KL then Singapore via Air Asia, Manila to Singapore by Jet Star, Manila to Singapore via Cebu Pacific, and the regulars PAL and Singapore Air. Another option is getting package deals from travel agents which consist of airfare and hotel accommodation.

It is a great Christmas present for oneself and a great way to end the running year.

Is Running Your Dog in "Globe 21K Run For Home" COOL OR NOT COOL?

Take a look at the picture below. A REGISTERED female participant (proof is that she is wearing a race bib) was running her dog during the 21K Globe “Run For Home”. Picture was taken just after the turnaround point located at Ayala Avenue near Inter Continental Hotel.



Nowhere in the world does a half-marathon road race allow for a race participant to run with his/her dog. I am pretty sure that race officials of “Run For Home” does not as well allow running with your dog on a 21K road event.

But, if such an assumption is correct, how was this female registered participant able to check herself at the starting line? How come she was able to reach all the way to Ayala Avenue at Intercon Hotel without her attention being called by ANY of the race marshals stationed practically on every intersection? Does the race marshals think she was doing a valid, normal and race conformity action? I would fault the race officials on this issue rather than the runner. Had the race officials been diligent enough, the runner's action could had been called (thousand of people saw her running with the dog)and such an embarrassing scenario could have been avoided.

On another point, IT IS COOL to bring run/walk your dog at BHS as it is allowed on the said venue. IT IS COOL to bring your dog and show its physical attributes on a dog show as it is the right venue. IT IS COOL to run your dog on open roads, parks, and streets. But, it is NOT COOL to run your dog on a half marathon road race it is not the right venue and it violates established running etiquette.

Fuming Mad On "Globe VIP Parking"

Wishing to be able to have sufficient time to spare prior to the 21k gun start of Globe “Run For Home” I left my place at 4:00am today 19Jul09 and headed for Fort Bonifacio. By 4:15am I and Jun Martinez were already within the vicinity of Bonifacio High Street and there were already a great number of participants who have arrived earlier than us which was a clear indication of a well attended race event.

As I was approaching the cashier parking booth at the parking area just at the back of ROX, a Globe security personnel approached me and asked if I am a “GLOBE VIP” I said “no I was not” and the Globe Security said that I cannot park my car on the said parking area as it is primarily reserved for “GLOBE VIP”. I tried to hold my cool as much as possible and asked the following questions;

1. Is the parking area “pre-paid by Globe? (answer) No it was not.
2. What constitute a “Globe VIP” (answer) Executives of Globe and their guests holding parking stabs.

One beauty in the sport of running is that all are equal, rich, poor, executives, students, working class, unemployed and what have you. Everyone has a fixed distance to traverse. It is between you and the road. I have as well participated on so many local road races in the past two years and NEVER have I seen a RESERVE PARKING FOR VIP . In this issue, parking fee will still be paid for by the so called “VIP” and the only purpose of the word “VIP” is that they can come late and not bother to find their own parking space.

I told the Globe Security who were about five (5) men that I am insisting my public right to go inside the parking as I am a paying registered runner and that the parking area was not “pre-paid” by Globe. Should they (Globe) want, they can tow away my van. I asked the cashier to issue me a parking ticket, who at first does not want to issue one without approval from her superiors. In the end the girl issued a piece of paper attest that my van is parked on the area.



To make matters worst and fan more my anger on the issue, upon completing my 21k run I was surprised to see that the parking area was only occupied by about 20 cars (the parking area can easily accommodate 100 cars). The parking area was UNUSED and in the process did not earn the revenue it could have easily gotten from other participants who were looking for a parking area.

Just before I was about to leave, I saw VINCE MENDOZA and showed him the parking area and the problem on the VIP PARKING. Vince reply was that he could not himself understand the action of GLOBE for such an action.





To GLOBE I wish to remind that you are a “Customer Driven” corporation and the priority to you should be the “customer”. On this case, I/we, have duly paid for to participate in the race and we are entitled to all the amenities that goes with the race. I am sure that such an idea of a VIP PARKING RESERVATION is beyond the knowledge of your high executives as these people are well known in the industry to be humble and human who are not ashamed to fall in line and be given the same treatment as any Juan or Maria. In the end, what have you accomplished? The parking area was “UNUSED” which could have easily been used by your “paying customer” and avoided any inconvenience in looking for other parking area even though they came early for the race.

I hope that GLOBE will have a good explanation on this matter. On the part of FINISHLINE, I have already shown firsthand the issue to VINCE MENDOZA which I hope that as organizers they will be able to advise their sponsors on future races the norm and the importance of “First Come First Serve” principle and that in running all men are equal regardless of financial or education attainment.

Globe "Run For Home" - Race Pack Distribution

Today 16Jul09 is the first day of Race Pack collection for the Globe “Run For Home” as organized by FinishLine located at Bonifacio High Street. For the local race to be abreast and in tune with international road racing standard, FinishLine is adopting two new race procedure locally, the designation of a fix day/s (16-18July) as distribution day for race packs and the application of a “disposable timing chip” which will be used by all runners to determine their timing during the race. A much awaited improvement on local road races.

With the heavy rain experienced the whole day all over Metro Manila, I had my doubts and apprehension if the distribution of race packs will be orderly or the distribution will even push through at that because of the heavy rain.





At about 4:15pm today I arrived at the Bonifacio High Street and proceeded to ROX which was the published location for the distribution. I was re-directed by the guard to proceed to the square bounded by Nike and Krispy Kreme.

I was surprised that even with the heavy rain, there were more than enough staff from Finishline and Globe manning the tents and were actually in the process attending to the needs of the runners in their registration and collection process.

I got even a bigger surprise that the distribution line and procedure was systematic and hassle free. There was a designated tent for “on-line registrants” and those that registered with Globe Business Centres have also a designated tent. There was a designated table for those that have refunds to collect. For information of others, there was a P90.00 “over-charged” during the initial on-line registration. The refund was provided in cash with expediency. As for the P300 Globe Card there was also a designated tent and staff to handle the same.

Overall, I was able to collect my race pack in five (5) minutes and that was in heavy rain. Understandably, you need to equip yourself with your own umbrella or rain gear.

If what I have experience today will be their standard, I congratulate Finishline and Globe for handling this part of the race very well in deed. This is a great assurance that the race will go on rain or shine.







See you all at the starting line on Sunday, 19July09 at 5:00am