Nature Valley Run 2010 - Part 1

I was very excited to join this race for 2 reasons:
1. I believe in Nature Valley’s advocacy - “For every registered runner, one tree will be planted”. It’s about time we go back to the basics to address our environment.
2. The said race was last May 30th, which was also my 30th year Running Anniversary. I made this race as a “Gift Race “to myself.

PATRICK STATISTICS:
RACE DISTANCE: 21 km
ACTUAL RACE DISTANCE (Garmin): 21.220 km
* FINISH TIME: 1:56:51

* PB for 21k event
PACE / KM: 5:30/ km
BODY WEIGHT: 128 lbs.

MABU STATISTICS:
RACE DISTANCE: 5K
FINISH TIME: 46:37
* PB for 5k event

Great Run Babes !

WEATHER: Humid about 80%.

Comments:

- An Estimated 11,300 runners joined the race. Wow!

- Did you see the 2-Big Giant TV Screen at the start of the race? Wow, fantastic! I felt like a movie star! Also, what was nice about it on how strategically it was placed. Even if it was 9am and the sun was shinning bright, the TV picture was very clear.
- The Race route was very challenging and the nice part about it. It was not your Typical Rio Route because it had some additional variations.
- The no. of marshals was also unbelievable. You can see them almost everywhere in the entire route. They were spaced about 20 meters apart. It was a fantastic show of full forced manpower. If you got lost pa you must be really STUPID! :-)
- Water and 100 plus sports stations were simply overflowing. As I got closer to the water station to grab a drink, I thought to myself “Hmmm?.. What will I have? Water?..100 plus sports drink coloured orange?...or the 100 plus sports drink clear colour ?” There were just so many choices. And let’s not forget the water sponges so refreshing!
- There were also BOUNCERS on the race course. Yes, bouncers! I APPROVE of these BOUNCERS!!! Especially those on the Start and the Major Intersections of the race. “NO BANDITS! “And Bouncers tell them rude motorist to wait. Yeah! In this time of the race, RUNNERS are the KING! :-)
- When you cross the finish line, you again see yourself in the Big Screen TV. It was amazing!
- Did you enter that “Nature Valley Camp Ground“? Well if you did not, you totally missed half the fun. It was AWESOME! I felt like I was back in grade school going to my school fair. It was very nice. Kulang nalang balloons and cotton candy :-0.
- My wife “MABU” and I were invited to go to the VIP tent, but we were a bit hesitant, because we did not know anybody. But we were heart-warmingly welcomed & accommodated by, the Nature Valley Team’s Ms. Tess Panganiban (Managing Director of General Food Corporation) and Ms. Diana Velasco (Brand Manager). Usually when you go to an event, everyone is so busy that nobody minds you, but they really took their time to talk to us in a very heart warming way – THANK YOU.

THIS HAS TO BE ONE OF THE BEST RACES I HAVE EVER JOINED!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NATURE VALLEY TEAM

Check out the Giant TV screen at the background they had 2 of them, WOW ! JONEL M.- FrontRunner Magazine, DIANA VELASCO - Nature Valley Brand Manager, MABU, ME and TESS PANGANIBAN - Managing director of Gen Mills food.TANYA LARA - Phil Star, BEN CHAN - PhotoVendo, ME and MABUMABU, Ben Chan and I.Me, Kim T., MABU and Tanya Lara Awesome NATURE VALLEY Camp ! I felt i was back in grade school attending a school fair

They even gave out Mini Running Guide booklets which is very helpful for all inspiring Runners !

30 years Running

+ 1 = 30 years of Running

Today May.30, 2010 is my 30th Running Anniversary.
Running has always been my Passion, I feel it is what I do best.
Every kilometre I ran was always an Adventure to me.
Every step I took was a discovery of myself.
There were days when I felt like I was running in Heaven, but there were also days that I struggled with my run.
But I NEVER had a bad running day, because Running is what I truly enjoy.
I have always said, “Running is NOT a Sport, but a way of LIFE”.

I pray for many more Running Decades to come and I always Thank my Wife,kids but most of all my Creator because it is them who gives me the strength to go on.
I continue my journey in this game I call LIFE.

THE JOURNEY HAS JUST BEGUN !HIGHLIGHTS:
Started Running MAY.30, 1980:
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Weight when I started Running: 220lbs.
Present weight: 129 lbs.
WHY I STARTED RUNNING: I started Running NOT to lose weight but I started running because I simply enjoyed it.
When I took my first step us a runner I knew I was hooked and this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
TOTAL no. of Races I have joined: 169
Breakdown:
MARATHONS - 4
20 MILES – 1
HALF MARATHON - 2

21k - 5

16K - 5
15K - 5
12K - 8
10K - 128
9K - 2
8K – 2
6K - 1
5K - 2
4.5K - 1
3K - 1
200M – 2
-------------------------
BEST RACE TIME:
MARATHON – 3:52:20
HALF MARATHON – 1:54:53
21k - 1: 56 :51

16K – 1:21:3910K – 41.10

FIRST RACE: LA SALLE - LIPA 6K RACE (1981)
NO. OF RUNNING SHOES ACCUMULATED: 300 -+
FIRST RUNNING SHOE: BROOKS
FIRST RACING SHOE :ADIDAS MARATHON 80
INJURIES: PLANTAR FASCIA, SHIN SPLITS, PATELLA TENDINITIS, HEEL SPUR, BACK PULL, TENDON BURSITIS, PULLED HAMSTRING.
PLACES I HAVE RUN OVERSEAS:
HONG KONG, THAILAND, SOUTH KOREA, SINGAPORE, CANADA (VANCOUVER, RICHMOND, AND SUREY) STATES (SAN FRANCISCO, LOS ANGELES, LAS VEGA, LEVI, SEATTLE, HAWAII, AND GUAM).
PLACES I HAVE RUN PHILIPPINES:
LIPA , BATANGAS, TAGAYTAY, BORACAY, ANTIPOLO, PASAY, PASIG, CALATRAVA NEGROS, LINGAYEN, BOHOL,BICOL,BAGUIO,PANGASINAN, SUBIC, CLARK, ALABANG,FORT, GRENNHILLS, Q.C., MAKATI,ROXAS BOULEVARD, DUMAGETE,CEBU,DAVAO
FAVORITE RUNNING SHOE: NIKE Tailwind (they don’t make it anymore), ASICS kinsei, NIKE Air Max Series.
FAVORITE RUNNING GEAR: GARMIN
FAVORITE RUNNING QUOTE: Make Running a way of Life.
FAVORITE RUNNERS: Sebastian Coe, Alberto Salazar, Joan Benoit, Bill Rogers.
FAVORITE RUNNING DRINK: Water, Coke Zero
FAVORITE RUNNING FOOD: Rice or Instant noodles
FAVORITE RUNNING BOOK: Running and being – Dr. Gorge Sheehan
FAVORITE POST RACE FOOD: Chocolate milk with cornflakes & Peking duck
FAVORITE POST RACE DRINK: Margarita, Lite Beer, Mojito
FAVORITE PAIN KILLER: Alaxan 1000mg
FAVORITE RACE: Greenfield 2010
OTHERS:
- I have been praying the Rosary in my run since the year 1994.

- In the first 13 years I was an afternoon runner. When I got married I switched to an early morning runner.I wanted to spend more time with the family.
- I like running alone. I’m not a very good running partner
- I never listen to music when I run.
- I love running in the rain or snow.

- i disabled the "Comment Option" in my blog because comments are not important to me. I Like sharing my Running Experience in my blog, if you like reading my blog I Thank you very much. If you don't like it i also say thank you for reading it.
- I fell flat on my face twice while running.
- I’ve gone to the bushes to do the no.1 about 50 times
- I’ve gone to the bushes to do the no. 2 about 10 times :-)

Picture of me when i started running 1980 ( note: The La Salle track uniform )

RunningShield 2010

80,000 km - Ink no. 3

When i hit the 80,000 km running mileage mark last May.26,2010 I wanted to give myself a simple remembrance that will remind me of my personal accomplishment.
I did not want the usual running gear gift . What I wanted is something Unique and Very memorable. INK no. 3 is what I wanted !!!!!

80,000 Kilometers

Today May.26, 2010, I officially past the 80,000 km Running mileage mark.
I started Running May.30,1980 that makes it a total of 29yrs 11months 26day for me to reach the 80,000 km.
How far is 80,000 km ?
1. The circumference of the earth at the equator is 40,076 kms. = I ran 1.95 times around the world.

2. 80,000 km = 1,895.95 Marathons
3. Distance of the United States from West Coast to the East Coast ,1 way = 4,828km
(I ran across the United States 16.57 times).

The day I started running, I always kept a Running log book, where I would indicate how many kilometres I ran for the day, what my pace per km was, what the weather was, and how I felt during my run.
I did this for days, weeks, months and years.
It was only late last year that I realized that I would hit the 80,000 km mark around May 2010.
Every kilometre I ran was always an Adventure to me.
Every step I took was a discovery of myself.
I learned what my limitations were

I learned what i could change, what i could not and were i needed help.
But most of all, I have accepted WHO I AM.
There were days when I felt like I was running in Heaven, but there were also days that I struggled with my run.
But I NEVER had a bad running day, because each run was always a NEW experience.
I have always said, “Running is NOT a Sport, but a way of LIFE. With every step I take, there was a sense of inner peace within me. Also, it gave me the strength to handle challenges in a better prospective.
I have no plans of slowing down. I will keep on running till my Creator allows me too, because it is Him who gives me the willpower to go on.
THE JOURNEY HAS JUST BEGUN IN THIS GAME THEY CALL LIFE !

Thank you God

This will not happen :-)

frontrunner Magazine !!!!!

The 3rd Issue of frontRunner Magazine (May – June) will be on sale this week in all National Bookstore, Fully Booked, Booksale Bookstore branches, ROX bhs and SecondWind Running Store.
front RUNNER the country’s 1st full-sized magazine devoted solely to running is the brain child of the Editor-in – Chief Mr. Constante Mendoza in the running community we know him as “JoneL” or “Bugobugo”.
The said magazine has very much improved in terms of layout, high resolution pictures and Editing This Magazine has definitely evolved to be a World Class Running Magazine!
Congratulations Jonel.
Thank you for including the pictures from the resent CONDURA RUN 2010.

I see dead people

I went for my usual 20km run today but instead of running at 4am I waited till about 5am. I did not want to run in the dark because I was scared I would see dead people. When I did start to run I could see dead people on the street.
OK, I did not literally see dead people but I can only see them in my head.

Rewind May 16, 2010 (Sunday) 2pm.
My wife 2 kids and I were going home from Makati to Alabang. We decided to take the Skyway to make our trip faster, about a kilometre before the Bicutan exit we saw a Toyota Fortunner that apparently crashed in the centre divider guard railing and “ Rolled“ 3 or 4 times before stopping on the shoulder with its wheels in the air.
As we got closer I notice there were 4 bodies on the middle of the road apparently they were thrown out of the car (I will not get into the details on what we saw in respect to the family). There was also an infant (estimate a year old) she was in the middle of the skyway and she looked dazed. I was not sure if there was anybody else in the vehicle because it was a total wreck.
There were only 2 cars in the vicinity to help and it was a COMPLETE CHAOS.
Instead of driving away, my family and I took control of the situation. We stopped our car and went down to Help. My wife got the infant and comforted her and we were going to bring her to the hospital. My eldest daughter also helped my wife and was checking if there were any other survivors. My youngest daughter was screaming to passing motorist to help. I was telling passing motorist to tell the skyway group to send an ambulance at the same time I was phoning the Skyway group and PNP to send an ambulance.
I wanted to check the 4 bodies on the road if there was any sign of life but I just couldn't’t get myself to go near. I was scared.
After a few minutes 2 young foreigners came by and helped bring 1 of the children to the hospital and soon after a few more motorists came by to help.
What was sad is there were some people who just looked and drove away while others were taking pictures of the dead bodies. (You disgust us!).
When the Skyway group and ambulance finally did arrive at the scene to take control of the situation.
We decided to go home and we prayed for the people who died and their respective families.
The message of this entry is not to applaud the people who helped or to criticize who did not.
The message of this entry is accidents do happen but when you get in a car.
MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS WEARING SEAT BELTS!!!
http://www.gmanews.tv/video/60272/3-kids-killed-in-skyway-road-accident
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20100516-270333/4-killed-as-SUV-flips-over-Skyway

Nature Valley Run Advocacy

I rarely endorse any Running Races, Unless i really believe in it.
Because I believe Running is a gift from our creator,
”Running should be used as an instrument to make life better for others”.
This is the reason I am fully supporting the
Nature Valley Run 2010 which will be held on May 30,2010
The Advocacy of the race is very simple, “ For every registered runner, One tree will be planted” . I believe in simplicity because when you make it to complicated it fails in the end.
Nature Valley Granola Bars are also very good in taste. I was very surprise on the Freshness and crunchiness of the product but the most important is Nature Valley Granola Bar is good for your health.
It was also very nice for Nature Valley to feature me in the Phil Star News Paper last week
- Thank you

The other reason why i am excited to join this race is because on May.30 It will be also my 30 years Running Anniversary.

Runnew Race - Part 2

No. of Runners who run the 16k event - 196
Ranking - 36
Finishing Time - 1:28:30

Chip Time - 1:28:19

Humidity - 100 %

RUNEW Race part - 1

1. This will be my 2 nd race that I will be using a Timing Chip.
2. The Race Venue will start at the Filinvest, Alabang area and the Race Route will pass the Ayala Alabang Village where I reside.
3. For the new Runners who have never run inside Ayala Alabang Village they will be in for a surprise because the village is beautiful. The race route is lined up with decade old Mango and Acacia Trees. It’s also 1 of the places in Manila that is pollution free.
4. Another surprise the runners will encounter are the Ayala Alabang famous rolling killer hills. The hills can even make an elite runner beg for mercy.
5. The reason I will run in this race is to explore the possibility for the CONDURA RUN 2011 to be stage in the Filinvest, Alabang area.

STATISTICS:
RACE DISTANCE: 16km
ACTUAL RACE DISTANCE (Garmin): 16.180km
FINISH TIME: 1:28:19
PACE / KM: 5:27/km
BODY WEIGHT: 128.8 lbs.
HUMIDITY : 100%

Comment:
Around 3 am the rain was pouring for at least an hour. When the races started at 5.20 am the humidity must have reach at least 100%. It was so humid that at the 5km mark I was already drenched it sweat.

Usually during races I don't really drink that much water but this time I took advantage of every water station and had as much liquid as possible. I notice when i get dehydrated I literally go deaf. Because of this I was extra careful.

When the sun was shining really bright around 6.30 am the race route was like a "Steam Bath". It was unbelievably hot that I decided to slow down a bit. I can see that it wasn't only I but the other runners too who weir struggling in the route. What made it even worst are the rolling killer hills I mentioned earlier but in spite of all this challenges it was really a good race. I really enjoyed it and if i may say this is 1 of the best races i have ever joined.
It's always great to experience all different types of challenges in a race because when you overcome this challenges the reward is much more satisfying.

Thank you God ! Junrox, Alfred & I ( Boy im really short ! )Running friend RoningDedicated runner " Bong"RuneW race venue was a block a way from Palms Country ClubGeoff, me,Rayner & Noel (nice to see you again Geoff )are you ready for Condura marathon 2011Running friends Hey even Asian Hospital Doctor (who took care of my wife when she was sick ) joined the race. After a good race its nice to have a good chinese lunch with the wife and kids.

May.01 - TAKBO PARA KAY KRISTO 10k race.

Not all Great races are created by Top Organizers.
Sometimes it’s the small races with the unselfishness of Volunteers giving their best for the Lord that makes a Great Race.
TAKBO PARA KAY KRISTO is one such race. It is a prayer run for a peaceful and honest election, initiated by the Transparochial Youth together with the Diocesan Commission on Youth of Parañaque.
SILOG EXPRESS http://silogexpress.blogspot.com/ fully supports this race because we believe in their advocacy.
Unfortunately , I wasn't able to join the race because i had to attended to some very important matters but the feedback i got from the organizer the race was a success and about 2000 participated in the race. Congratulations to Nick Tuazon, Jm Sangco and the entire race committee, Job well done. If you have the race again next year I'm definitely joining.
Oh, later in the morning i ran a hard 15k !!!.