RunnerProfile:: Rio Dela Cruz

A young entrepreneur Rio Dela Cruz is now a part of the select few people who can organize a kick@ss footrace in the metro. Handling personal coaching duties, Coaching the UP track team, a new line of running apparel business, and organizing races is a hefty responsibility. But not for Rio, his schedule keeps him busy as a worker bee.

I've known him for over a year now and that signature afro look and speedy running is really hard to forget. After a couple of races Mon and I tried to look for a uniform supplier. We got Rio to do our uniforms and the rest is history.

Don't forget to visit his brand spankin new website RUNRIO

I won't keep you waiting, here's my take on Rio.

GK Bayani Run April 13, 2008

After 3 weeks of almost no proper training, crazy 3 hour hillclimb run, short speed runs. I managed to up the ante and switched race numbers with a friend(absolutely not advisable).

After 6 months of racing exclusively for the 5km event, I managed to finally join the 10km event today. Since JoAr was automatically registered for the 10km event, I had a good excuse of just beating myself up on the race.

Summer Time! The sun is usually up by the time the gun start fires. It's fun! But when the route takes you straight in front of the strong shine and glare it ain't fun anymore.

One things that's hard to control is the pace burst at gun start. 5km lap time registered a new PR. It was only at the last quarter of the race where I finally had a hard time pushing and maintaining my race pace. It took me a staggering 11:50minutes for the entire last 2.5km.

A mere 400m away from the finish line I had to barf and did this while I was still running. I can't stop! Not now that I'm this close to finishing the race. I continued on the pace and just hoped for the best. When I suddenly heard a trailing runner trying to overtake me at the last 300m.

"This is my race!"

Change of Stride
Pulled some momentum from my arm swing (thanks for all those speed training Jo!)

I was able to maintain my place and Finished at a disappointing 42.03minutes.

Reminder to self: Racing without training isn't fun!

RunnerProfile:: Charisa Patacsil

The impromptu_runners list has led me to meet some cool new friends.

First time I met her was on one of our regular Tuesday night run around Salcedo. Wait...... or maybe it was when we did that one Krispie Kreme nocturnal run towards Fort Bonifacio. What amazed me was that she was able to keep pace with the men during the 10km run. She was sporting a short but very constant high repetition pace. Ever since that run Chaia has been a regular impromptu_runner. Joining us on almost every Sunday foot race that her super busy/jetseter schedule allows.

Here's my take on Chaia's run








Keep on running and have a good one mate!

Exodus Run 03-15-08

The tequila was surely tempting last night. Follow it with that oh so icy cold San Mig Light! AhhhhhhhhhH!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Coach Rio!

Truth is.... I slowly excused myself from the table (thank you Mel for the phonecall!) and hid inside the house for a minute before finally saying goodbye to all the folks there in the party.

Then totoy(h@ppyFeet wicked fast senior member) sent me an SMS.

"Ben & JoAr, See you tomorrow at the Exodus 5km run."


Hmmmmmmmm....... was this a goodnight, sleeptight message???? Well, it can also mean let's race tomorrow right?! This time I didn't mind the message and just proceeded with my usual pre-race rituals.

I got up at 430am and was at Ultra Track Oval by 5:05am It was the first time that I saw the whole stadium lighted that early. I saw Totoy lining up the registration tent picking up our race packets. Once we got our packets we headed back to our cars and changed to our running gear.

I went to my usual corner at the track, near where the archery targets are kept, and started my usual warm-up routine at the 100m straightaway. I wasn't really feeling confident and was already on panic mode since JoAr was no where to be found. Thanks to the tequila and beer last night I guess. hehehehehe

Well, I finished my warm-up with a 400m walk and by this time Samboy Lim, the guest of honor of the event, finished his pre-race pep talk signaling the start of the race.

I knew the route since JoAr and I regularly use this short route for our Tempo training runs. I also knew that this won't be an easy and PR race for me. Although the route is blessed with quite a number of fast downhill sections, It is also cursed with tons of uphill and finishing it with a killer heartbreak 200m 45degree incline.


::GUN START::

I made a really easy start, seeding myself on the 5th row already. I took the steep exit really slow and just focused on the speedy downhill from Meralco Ave all the way to Julio Vargas Ave. Coach(on his motrobike) joined me just right outside the Ultra stadium. I made my first race move once I got to Meralco Ave. First 150m push.

Then once I was at the Julio Vargas steep downhill, I remembered what they were all saying...... "Itapon mo lang sa harap!" I guess I was doing it correctly this time that I never heard that phrase during the whole race.

I saw the first water station just before we hit C5 Ave. I grabbed a cup and just proceeded on route. By this time I can still see the next runner about 20m ahead of me I can still manage to push and get him but I knew that I have to stick to my race plan and just maintain pace, recover and get ready for the final ascent and have enough left for a good last kick.

Midway at the last incline, I felt it again. Just like how I felt during training. Legs slowly getting heavier and heavier, my throat felt like it was being slowly squeezed and I was feeling in serious Vomit Mode again.

Jo splashed some icy cold Tequila, err..... I mean water on my back and he kept shouting words that I can't understand anymore. All I can imagine was that short 50m flat and the last remaining 600m downhill leading to the finish chute. Surprisingly I recovered really fast on that incline attempt and didn't even suffer the usual side stitch pain. I was again just throwing my feet up front. I can still feel that I was able to push on well. I got to the finish line in a not so fast finish time.

Exodus Run 5km: 21:20 5th overall.

Again sorry for the lack of visuals. Next target race is the Mizuno 5km event on the 30th. I'm hoping it's a fast course. See you there!

Condura Run for Tubbataha 2008

I woke up way way way earlier than usual for this race. Not to race but to cover the event. Patrick Conception the organizer of the race tasked me to document the whole race.

Together with 2 of my best buds, RC and RB. This is what we came up. Enjoy!

Mizuno Infinity Race

Here's another race before the month ends.

Mizuno is challenging you to push yourself to the limits, push your mind, and your body will respond. If you think you have the endurance and the power to drive yourself to maximum performance, we challenge you...

The first MIZUNO INFINITY RUN, this will be a 5, 10, 15 kilometer run open to all runners. More than 70,000 pesos in cash and Mizuno items to be won!

The Mizuno Infinity Run would not have been possible without the help of RUSH Fitness Water, Mail and More, McDonald's, Heritage Drive, Mckinley Hill, Citgo Lubricants, BMG Solar and Beeline Helicopters.

What: MIZUNO INFINITY RUN
Registration Fees:

5k - P150
10k - P200
15k – P250

When: March 30, 2008 (Sunday)
4:00am – start of registration
6:00am – start of race
6:00am – 15k
6:30am – 5k and 10k

Where: Global City, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
Starting point: Federacion Drive
(the street near NBC drive and The Fort Strip)

Registration will start on March 11, 2008 in any Mizuno store and any Mail & More branche in NCR.
- Race packs can be claimed starting March 15, 2008 in any Mizuno store. Race pack includes race number, map of the route and race information.
*Runners can claim their packs on the day of the race. If possible, please claim your kits before the run.


IMPORTANT:

1. Upon registration, runners will be given an ACKNOWLEDGMENT RECEIPT. They will need this to claim their race packs. *NO A/R NO RACE PACK.

2. Do not forget your race number on the day of the race. NO RACE NUMBERS, RUNNERS ARE CONSIDRED UNREGISTERED.

3. Start of race is 6:00 am. Please come early.

For inquiries please contact 757.31.60 local 520 and 517, Mizuno marketing dept.


NEVER STOP TESTING YOURSELF. BRAVE THE INFINITY RUN!

DND Gintong Pangarap 2008 Race

Last December Joms, Jaymie and I raced the DND relay 21km race and we snagged 3rd place. This time I around, since Joms is nowhere to be found and Jaymie is racing Pinay In Action along side her son, I went on my own and again settled for another 5km fast one.

I had a hard time looking for a good parking space at 5am. This surely was a good sign that the race was going to be well attended. Immediately I tried to look for Coach Jo since he was the one who registered me for this race. Turns out, he's quite busy for the day. Since he was the one in charged of all the race packets. When I got my pack and last minute instructions from him I just made sure that I was well warmed up for the race.

5minute slow jog on the tarmac
2 x 30m High knees extensions
2 x 30m Butt kick
2 x 30m High Knees
2 x 30m leg raise
Stretching routine
5minute slow jog

At exactly 6:00am the gun race started for the 21km event. As the runners left, We(5km runners) were called in for check-in. And also exactly 15minutes after the gun start fired again. I wasn't on the first row of runners on the starting grid and so it was really hard again to get a good start. It's really hard to keep or at least establish the right pace when you're stuck in the middle of overly excited runners.

I have to thank the bald runner for having this race really well prepared and organized. Water station, route marshals, and KM Markers were present at the race. I was able to monitor my pace because of this nifty detail along the route.

When I reached the 1st marker time check registered a good 3:20. Upon reaching the west gate of Villamor Airbase I just glided along a relatively relaxed pace. 2nd Marker registered 8:00. And then I felt that I struggled a bit in the 3rd km, I relaxed while getting a drink and splash. and relaxed again when I got my turn-around loop tag. I missed getting a time check for the 3rd km(dang! I really need a garmin) But I knew where the last km marker what made me get a ran faster was that time check registered at only 15:35.

I passed by 2 runners on the last uphill section of the course. And made my way on the next 6man pack. I knew I had to gather what ever is left of my endurance and just pour it all in the last kilometer. Good thing was that It was downhill all the way to the finish. I knew the layout of the finish chute but I didn't put into consideration that we need to make a small look inside the parade grounds. I managed to maintain pace and finish with no barfing nor fainting incidents.

Unofficial Time: 19:09minutes

Ok now I'm going back to training.