Thank You Tuesday: Fun Runs

It all started with that one fun run. Whether you joined due to peer pressure or to have something to post in Facebook or maybe because, you were in for the real meaning of the sport, you have to thank the numerous fun runs organized in different parts of the country for that. Running has been touted as the leading individual sport in the country today and with fun runs sprouting like mushrooms after the rain, it could be seen that this boom will last a lot longer compared to other fads. I, myself, got hooked with running because of that first fun run - Century Tuna Superbods Run in February of 2011. So in this Tuesday, to the people behind these fun runs--from the reasonably priced to the ostentatiously expensive--my big thanks!

On to the Next One: frontRUNNER ‘The Valley Trail Challenge’

To make my running career a bit more interesting, I resolved to more trail runs or out-of-town races. This Saturday June 18th, I'll be running my second trail race in Nuvali, Laguna through frontRUNNER magazine's The Valley Trail Challenge. I signed up for the 50K category. It was only yesterday that I found out that there are additional 7.5kms to the route. Whew! With the insurmountable heat we are experiencing now, I hope I can heck it.


Time to get some provisions for the race. See you on the road!

Thank You Tuesday: Garmin FR 305

Garmin watch showing my stats at Mayon 360 50 Mile Run...5,000 calories, whew!

My Garmin in action in 2010 Milo Marathon Manila elims (photo by Photovendo)

Today, I am thankful for my watch! Yes, my a year-and-so old Garmin FR 305 which has been with me in the great races I've run. Getting this gadget April of last year (through my officemates/friends who were in the US for a business trip) helped me a lot especially when I started training for my first half-marathon in May of that year. It was expensive and I could buy 10 Nokia cellphones with flashlights instead of getting this watch. But I can say that it's all worth it. The watch basically tells me how far, how long and how fast or slow have I been running. It comes with a heart rate monitor that I remember using only once because it kind of felt inconvenient wearing something below my chest especially in this humid weather. I love the training  center software that comes with it and how I can easily sync it with my dailymile account. 


So this Tuesday, I am thankful for GPS technology and my ever reliable (up to 12 hours of battery life) Garmin FR 305. 

Thank You Tuesday: Razon's Halo-halo

Beginning this week, I will save Tuesday to trumpet my gratitude to things, persons and deities who  have made my running life extra meaningful or fun.


For this week, I am thankful for halo-halo. Yes, every Juan's quintessential summer cooler. But not just any halo-halo. I am thankful for Razon's halo-halo!

Razon's Halo-halo (picture from Razon's FB page)

You might be wondering how this ice dessert relates to running. Let me explain the connect, err, connection. 

Conquering Mount Pinatubo and Making Friends with the Enemy

The turquoise crater lake of Mount Pinatubo

It was 20 years ago when Mount Pinatubo triggered a cataclysm in Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales and other nearby provinces. The eruption of this long-dormant volcano is considered as the largest eruption in living memory. Yes, it was supposed to be dormant. This sacred abode of Apong Namalyari of the Sambals and Aetas just woke up from its long long slumber and unleashed its centuries old fury.

Pinatubo Crater Lake on August 1991 (from Wikipedia)

I hail from Angeles City, Pampanga and was still very young when the eruption happened. I remember a large cauliflower cloud hovering in our horizon. The only difference was unlike real clouds, it didn't move. It seemed like a bad omen for an event of apocalyptic proportion.