tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9400107234687056092024-03-05T18:00:13.703-08:00Running BitoyRun like there's no tomorrow...Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-2280237532855826062012-11-20T01:14:00.002-08:002012-11-20T01:14:22.415-08:00Running through the Valley of Fire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4e5uR85AGdlBrPVB1gpa0IvcZt6kqDJCDguMVVU3MC0SxtgfHpThzGqs-0-tJD_7q45IBxbLabXMo18u8JssHpvu7dnxNZrh8XnJiUv6S6PUxCiaV9nIXuQ_7AiXdFhXnXRBqmsLe1F0/s1600/72192_10200091345355314_1067503916_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4e5uR85AGdlBrPVB1gpa0IvcZt6kqDJCDguMVVU3MC0SxtgfHpThzGqs-0-tJD_7q45IBxbLabXMo18u8JssHpvu7dnxNZrh8XnJiUv6S6PUxCiaV9nIXuQ_7AiXdFhXnXRBqmsLe1F0/s320/72192_10200091345355314_1067503916_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hills! Hills! Hills!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Valley of Fire State Park is a must-see destination if anyone wants to escape the superficial concrete jungles of Las Vegas. You will be amazed with the abundance of red rock formations that you cannot find anywhere else. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While browsing through the list of events in runningusa.com, one of the events was Valley of Fire Marathon 2012 organized by PlanetUltra. I only got to visit VOF last September and I really did like what I saw. So, the chance to come back was something I wouldn't let pass me by. It was a small race with only 300 participants give or take spread sparsely among four categories: full marathon, half marathon, 10k and 5k. One of the volunteers whom my dad was chatting with before the race (yes, my dad drove me to the event) said 35 people signed up for the FM. But only 26 runners finished. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As it is fall, the morning weather was naturally chilly. I was freezing my behind off. I dilly-dallied at the start corral near the park's visitor center before the race officially began and we scrambled like mice in a mace. We already tackled a hill at the beginning of the race. And numerous hills came after it. If not for the amazing landscapes that awaited us, I would have thought of this race as torture. I tried running the uphills but had to resign to walking them after my legs started screaming. I reached 13th mile at 2:45. At this pace, the target of 5 hours was already out of the picture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second half, now that was torture. The sun was getting fiercer and scorching me like a demon entering a hallowed ground. And we bade goodbye to the more scenic portions of the park. I also thought I was lost when running on the dirt roads of the park that's why I decided to walk most of it. When I got back to the paved roads, I could barely see any other runner. My energy is close to being fully depleted. I walked more and ran slower. I ate in most stations that I passed by and at times I thought I was not in a race but in a picnic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Knowing that I was behind the pack affected my morale. I almost kissed dirt when I saw the 26th mile mark. My dad who came back to the park to pick me up even passed by me and asked me to just ride with him in the car. And of course, I said no. It was actually more difficult than it looked and the finish line seemed farther than it was. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were only few people left by the finish line. I heard my name announced by the emcee as I was approaching. My dad was there waiting and recording my "strong" finish. I finished with a big smile.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I clocked in at 5:54 which is my worst PR to date. I finished 24/26 and won second in my age group (2/2). This has to be the toughest race ever but one of the races I enjoyed the most.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kudos to the organizers and the very friendly volunteers. Looking forward to next year and I will be back for a vengeance. </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Event: </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">Valley of Fire Marathon 2012</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Location: Overton, Nevada</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Date: November 17th 2012</span></i></div>
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<br />Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com0Valley of Fire State Park, 29450 Valley of Fire Hwy, Overton, NV 89040, USA36.4297467 -114.51531936.2253387 -114.831176 36.6341547 -114.19946200000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-31815382840078252522012-08-15T17:59:00.001-07:002012-08-15T17:59:03.009-07:00And Sometimes You Get More Than What You Bargained For<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally crossing the finish line</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.2em;">E.T. Full Moon Midnight Marathon, 1/2, 10K & 51K</span></h2>
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Running under the luminous moonlight...</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Watching four shooting stars...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Witnessing a glorious sunrise...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">51 kms of toiling of Route 51's pavements and 7 hours of huffing and puffing, of running and walking--those basically sum up this experience together with the three best things I listed up there. Though not a really big event, almost a thousand active bodies from the states of Nevada and Utah and other states jumped in to join the fun. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were blessed with a good weather, a clear sky and some cool breeze. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It felt like running under a 3d canvass with the horizon of a full moon and twirling stars--and glowees made in China brought in some of that psychedelic whatnot. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad drove me here to get this pic</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I joined this race two years ago when I was just starting out running. It is my first race outside the Philippines and I was excited running with longer limbed runners. I think it was my second pikermi. But as luck would have put it, I felt some intense pain that prevented me from doing a full throttle and had my worst half-marathon performance ever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This time around I did the longest distance-51 kms. I thought I still had it after almost a month of inactivity. I only had a couple of short runs and a 21km prior to this event. I was thinking of finishing in less than 6 hours but covered all 32 miles past 7 hours.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breaking dawn</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And sometimes you have to look at the bright side. I have not been a morning person for some time now ever since I left my job. But when the dawn broke, the velvet horizon shifted to a spectrum of amber and turquoise and after some time, it all felt good sans the sore legs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kudos to the organizers and the volunteers for a great job.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Event: </span></i><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 1.2em;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">E.T. Full Moon Midnight Marathon, 1/2, 10K & 51K</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Location: Rachel, Nevada</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Date: August 4th 2012</span></i></div>
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Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-85476292923865611742012-06-26T10:02:00.006-07:002012-06-26T10:27:44.464-07:00Perth Marathon 2012: First in the Land Down Under<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my Aussie bling</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Years ago, a trip to Australia seemed impossible. And yes, thanks to Jobstreet.com I got enough funds and the courage to travel...alone. Not that it was my first time to travel overseas alone but just to venture into an unknown territory is still a tall order.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other people have this dream. To run a marathon in all continents. I have only run in two--Asia and North America. Australia is my third. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the race</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Endless googling--during office hours--led me to Perth. And to Perth Marathon. I was a bit hesitant but maybe my instincts were right. Perth Marathon was just 'perth-fect' for my first race in Australia. The scenic route along Swan River was more than enough to keep me going. The energy emanating from the cheering crowd gave the extra ump to rally on especially for someone like me who does not know anyone from Perth except for the few runners I met in other races. And yes, being close to my goal of 4:30 (I finished the race in 4:36) is more than enough to make it all worth it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was not a totally easy peasy ordeal as I struggled heavily against depleted energy level brought about by not eating enough breakfast and not enough sleep. But just crossing the proverbial finish line and my name announced by the host, just to reiterate, is more than enough to make it all worth it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you to the organizers and the ever-so-kind volunteers for a succesful event!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am hoping to run this race again. Maybe in the future. Maybe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And Sydney, which I loved a lot, is a whole different story.</span>Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-77286624747082956232012-06-26T09:00:00.000-07:002012-06-26T09:00:50.228-07:00SCKLM 2012: My Last Hurrah in MY's Running Scene<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAQB6Ri-cFLTj0y60N0suYvlktlOJoiSIEuN3J3mdswccfyf_IXaDuvcThI-XJ4FHhRqhl68j-yFmvS4uSzGwUPaIAsFk8sUhKiqewYleX86j9c1cBgc7yJMJKex8X1LLlQRfHGxgKwY/s1600/580072_4227653858514_434666071_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAQB6Ri-cFLTj0y60N0suYvlktlOJoiSIEuN3J3mdswccfyf_IXaDuvcThI-XJ4FHhRqhl68j-yFmvS4uSzGwUPaIAsFk8sUhKiqewYleX86j9c1cBgc7yJMJKex8X1LLlQRfHGxgKwY/s320/580072_4227653858514_434666071_n.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the race</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am a fan of the fleeting, of the ephemeral. After four hours and a half of pounding the pavements of Kuala Lumpur, my last race in Malaysia, my home for 9 months has come into conclusion.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRRPI1ibOYVnQaNTwPEcwdRB9AiF7OOca50-DL1XA3LrE7285KsEExOL2Tk0Y-1SI4wycCU42m0pC1IaB2qle7vOip9EOCcfmG1FLgRGDVpVbzgYSF7iJ3JEp4Ip4P38gnyE6jn4wHtA/s1600/RES.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRRPI1ibOYVnQaNTwPEcwdRB9AiF7OOca50-DL1XA3LrE7285KsEExOL2Tk0Y-1SI4wycCU42m0pC1IaB2qle7vOip9EOCcfmG1FLgRGDVpVbzgYSF7iJ3JEp4Ip4P38gnyE6jn4wHtA/s400/RES.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And months ago, a 4:30 target was just a dream. A dream conceived in Penang in November and failed. Tried again in Bali, SG, Phuket and Perth but still failed. Perth was close with a 4:36 finish. But then, KL gave me a big suprise. I finished 4:28:55. I was expecting to fail with not enough sleep and my legs still sore from last week's Perth race. But the weather was perfect, the crowd (except for the last stretch of fun runners--no, I'm not elitist) persevered till the end and I guess, there is always some truism in what they say about saving the best for last. And the dream target is in the bag!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dt8k9IYlPC_x5uhkjcX-pNxt6YNEsr11RAGECXJEk5mjmMq2qgx6EUVwNdjrQ-hl8qBurK76WxJMd7Y0JvDFTcT7URV5yNCJGi4VO5-Cyo1yVn-0ayF8T3vkIc_4morVN-z-ClWhIfY/s1600/428426_4227660578682_809469538_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dt8k9IYlPC_x5uhkjcX-pNxt6YNEsr11RAGECXJEk5mjmMq2qgx6EUVwNdjrQ-hl8qBurK76WxJMd7Y0JvDFTcT7URV5yNCJGi4VO5-Cyo1yVn-0ayF8T3vkIc_4morVN-z-ClWhIfY/s320/428426_4227660578682_809469538_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Bryan Kho, crazy ultrarunner from Malaysia</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did away with my usual 6:1 run/walk ratio which I have been using for the last two years now. This suited me well when I do my ultras and when I clinched my sub-2 in a 21K race a year ago. It was in Phuket three weeks ago when I tried just walking after every hydration station. Did it in Perth again but I guess bad breakfast got the better part of me. And energy was out of the window.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Standard Chartered KL Marathon of June 24th 2012 finally provided me the avenue to prove something new. That despite the ambivalence of hitting 4:30 looms in the horizon, my spirit strengthened by my faith in the Lord Almighty led me to the finish line within my target time.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FLzQBxdLlWokFM3K9BhYLdRhahanQ9VWZxhILp2sAIojtIjyYWmTYIxgPTnEQ4E1nu8r7zA-v9fy27dmw1jqFXKd31HEXGePqYKayg-t-lDPVCg-f0xW0uQBHVon3MmK8o3pVF2EefQ/s1600/598473_4227676539081_315663130_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FLzQBxdLlWokFM3K9BhYLdRhahanQ9VWZxhILp2sAIojtIjyYWmTYIxgPTnEQ4E1nu8r7zA-v9fy27dmw1jqFXKd31HEXGePqYKayg-t-lDPVCg-f0xW0uQBHVon3MmK8o3pVF2EefQ/s320/598473_4227676539081_315663130_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Malaysia. 9 Months. SCKLM 2012. New PB. Good times. Good times. Terima Kasih!!!</span>Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com0Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia3.139003 101.6868553.0121645000000004 101.5289265 3.2658415 101.84478349999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-22375531464520090042012-04-11T12:38:00.002-07:002012-04-11T12:42:27.919-07:00Conquering Sloth - 30 kms on a Public Holiday<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWt61aRx8obNwlsFaRzPZ0AjFmjOh3G4SsgYI4vE4u_GT16D6fmDv4arDA1YCD40jdUpdsnF5wEXfxdBBusLiDCXDNpgj0IQGKG382fWgiRQzR8S9uCoQjpVxEhf8gzqVXYHuGbRiBOKw/s1600/DM+4-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWt61aRx8obNwlsFaRzPZ0AjFmjOh3G4SsgYI4vE4u_GT16D6fmDv4arDA1YCD40jdUpdsnF5wEXfxdBBusLiDCXDNpgj0IQGKG382fWgiRQzR8S9uCoQjpVxEhf8gzqVXYHuGbRiBOKw/s400/DM+4-11.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">My DM post Apr. 11, 2012</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQw9m8zcI6rg8kKrg0Gf8Sy7q1O8z6gdYJiNIPqiU4gf9DX3qVyvdTTVp-ZuDFy-TMPE0ETPet7W4f1zOoYE_iyPKI_FoGqZtSlMG31EBhVnnubHEADncKeVjhYAXmrJg__CbQ2VRVaaU/s1600/total+4-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="30" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQw9m8zcI6rg8kKrg0Gf8Sy7q1O8z6gdYJiNIPqiU4gf9DX3qVyvdTTVp-ZuDFy-TMPE0ETPet7W4f1zOoYE_iyPKI_FoGqZtSlMG31EBhVnnubHEADncKeVjhYAXmrJg__CbQ2VRVaaU/s400/total+4-11.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Totals</span></td></tr>
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It was national holiday today in Malaysia as a new king was installed. My office friends went go-karting. I begged off. Last weekend's adventure took a toll on my training and hence, I had to move my long run training today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was all set. Except that I slept late last night, everything should be fine I should say. I was out by quarter to five in the afternoon. My mind was all set to hit 30 kms. The initial plan was to leave the condo at 4 in the afternoon and do 10kms on the gym treadmill and do the rest on the road. I was not able to leave at 4 and had to adjust my training plan. I reached the gym at 5 and decided to hit the road instead.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4J-q7M35Tw_P9YcgjinY28JL0pJli7TDZzNpHf0DdlXZHmUk-OkjJfsOSeR3LUNTdIaMVhvNQzwhpZudSSMYl-_3PtROR39ZhxxfH9PYx_qnCldaX6Kcck4D6Ak-OTonTgS-ePhGOpU/s1600/garmin+4-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="92" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4J-q7M35Tw_P9YcgjinY28JL0pJli7TDZzNpHf0DdlXZHmUk-OkjJfsOSeR3LUNTdIaMVhvNQzwhpZudSSMYl-_3PtROR39ZhxxfH9PYx_qnCldaX6Kcck4D6Ak-OTonTgS-ePhGOpU/s400/garmin+4-11.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did an initial 5kms around the park doing 3 loops. Well, the sun was almost setting but it was undeniably hot. A group of teeners were doing some activities and hence the park seemed more alive than it usually is. After 5 kms and with that kind of weather, I was already tired and wanted to go home. And <b>LAZY</b>. I just felt so lazy to go on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I bought a bottle of 100 plus at the nearby mall and tried to walk off the laziness I was feeling. Walked some more until I felt the urge to run again. Ran again and then walked. Then I reached the uphill part of my route. This part, I will have to walk, if I want to reach my mileage goal. It was a 500m uphill and I walked it all. Then I ran the downhill, which is around the same length. Then, I made a turnaround and walked the uphill and ran the longer downhill this time. I ran-walk until I got to the highway then turned left to get to the park. I did this route one more time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the time I returned to the park, I only had 22 kms logged. I only had one hour to finish and return to the gym to claim my stuffs. I am the kind of guy who takes my time and gets inspired by last minute panic. I love to cram. I relish on the different kind of adrenaline rush cramming brings. This is the reason why at work I always get into trouble. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fortunately, I finished after 4 hrs and 8 minutes and reached the gym 15 minutes before it closed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After shower and changing, dinner was McDonald's Quarter Pounder Meal and a cup of chocolate sundae. I am just not sure if it's enough to recover the 1,899 calories I burned but I went home still hungry and ate a couple of oranges and drank my protein drink. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Running Guys!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-73053647645071452562012-04-10T10:26:00.005-07:002012-04-11T12:43:20.412-07:00World Kidney Day Run 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFcsXSxK6gqCn62HYYxS_oOrt_ervDa_a31AFKgCY0rbd7LmB-7_N7X20NJehyphenhyphenVbgKlyDR6xgQx1YPRokn7ch8jBJ9LpBy7F6m9wSjoR2kwALkrmL40BJPLc4AzmQG3NiOWNsTg7MWFQ/s1600/P1180849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFcsXSxK6gqCn62HYYxS_oOrt_ervDa_a31AFKgCY0rbd7LmB-7_N7X20NJehyphenhyphenVbgKlyDR6xgQx1YPRokn7ch8jBJ9LpBy7F6m9wSjoR2kwALkrmL40BJPLc4AzmQG3NiOWNsTg7MWFQ/s320/P1180849.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq845NxiJaAJyfmPG_Pnmyzrc_IIZ2CvrQ-qK99h3Ihny6GrMN7_n0KKir0lLDzgA433_X9MYAR5CQy07VZvD_wo0zzgm3aC1vOsA9Irce1TA_1iP0_ubbwdu_dvdx5OThf-dzN7U0yRs/s1600/P1180853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq845NxiJaAJyfmPG_Pnmyzrc_IIZ2CvrQ-qK99h3Ihny6GrMN7_n0KKir0lLDzgA433_X9MYAR5CQy07VZvD_wo0zzgm3aC1vOsA9Irce1TA_1iP0_ubbwdu_dvdx5OThf-dzN7U0yRs/s320/P1180853.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sorry for the late post. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wish I do not get to the point where I am so broke and have to sell one of my kidneys. This kind of things happens and it's no kidding matter and it's a reality of life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I egged my colleague to sign up with me for this race for 4 reasons. First, it is for charity. Second, it is cheap, 30 RM. Third, the cool kidney-shaped medal. And last, it comes with a Brooks shirt. What else could you ask for?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I consider the race well organized with very minimal hangups maybe started off a few minutes later than started but that's it. Simply put, it served it purpose and everybody had fun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kudos to the organizers!</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Event: World Kidney Day Run 2012</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Location: Detaran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Date: March 4th 2012</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-44854195250770353612012-04-08T08:07:00.000-07:002012-04-08T08:07:57.978-07:00Of Things to Come<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been a crazy time for me lately. Not that I am expecting things to be smooth-flowing. But without divulging too much personal stuffs, it hasn't been easy lately. Good thing is, there are things to look forward to. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DM post</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a very challenging and mind-wrecking week for me. Good thing is, there were things to look forward to this weekend. Yesterday, we went to Berkella Falls for some hiking, canyoning and rappelling. The first and the last were easy or moderately easy. But the middle guy. Think twice before messing up with him. Canyoning is like rappelling except that there is a resistance that you have to battle with while you rappel down. For us, it was the strong current of second cascade of Berkella Falls. Man, it was difficult to get up once the current dragged you down. I tried to fight and stand but the more I fought, the more I was dragged down. I did it twice but I failed twice. Well, charge it to experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This morning was for stair training with friends for our climb next month. I tried running up the stairs with my big backpack and tried to keep up with this friend who had the stamina of an antelope and hopped on the stairs like some small pebbles. Well, he didn't have a bag so he had the court advantage. I did 3 laps of the our condo bldg of our 18-story condo building. We took a short dip at the pool after and makan after that. Had a short nap, err, 3-hour nap, then woke up to do a short run. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are a lot of uncertainties in my immediate future. I am not too sure how to tackle them. Good thing is, in my more immediate future, I have this.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bali Marathon</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And a lot more....</span></div>Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-54147175843292939222012-03-14T09:55:00.003-07:002012-06-26T10:24:13.920-07:00Running and Walking SG's Twilight Ultra Challenge 2012<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>...and no, no fanboy or fangirl ran as Edward or Bella, respectively.</i></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1st loop (Photo by Running Kaki)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Purple haze began to spread across the languid sky. In a while, the sun will come up and illuminate the vast wilderness cloaked in darkness. Err; we were not in the wild. But we were wild about one thing--running or walking as many loops that we can. Never mind that some of us didn't have enough sleep. Never mind if some of us--especially me--didn't have enough training. Never mind if after this race, we will all be embodiment of pain. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">jittery me faking a smile</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Six or so hours ago, I was in the event tent. All jittery as I haven't done any ultra for half a year now. My longest run to date after I left the Phils was 42kms in Penang in November. The longest since 2012 started? 21 kms? That's not even a quarter of my goal: 100kms. Now how am I supposed to tackle 100 kms?</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2nd loop (Photo by Steven Leong)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Sheer will. Sheer patience. Sheer determination. Things were turning out as planned at 50 kms which I finished before 7 am. Then I changed clothes and had some breakfast. After that, I struggled. The sun was out. The place got more crowded. My 100km goal seems to be fleeting farther and farther away with every step I take. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Yawning (Photo by Sidyz See)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I felt tired. Really tired. I was brisk walking. Never mind the other challengers who still have all the energy to run. But I just so want to finish 100 kms! That's all. After the 65th km mark, it's been decided. No more running. I will brisk-walk all the remaining 35 kms. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The plan to have lunch was scrapped. At 12 noon, I still have 25kms to go. The initial plan was to do the last 20kms in the last 4 hour stretch of the race. So I brisk walked hoping to finish 25 kms in 4 hrs. That's like maintaining a walking pace of 9:30 per kilometers. It looks easy on print but in reality after tackling 75 kms it seems like a mountain that I cannot budge. Not that I've moved one before. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Running in the Rain (Photo by Sidyz See)</span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And then there was this rain. It rained cats and dogs. I remember it was half past one when the heavy downpour of rain showered us with all its might. It wasn't really a hot day so I didn't really need a relief from the sun. But the rain jolted my senses. I was a walking zombie before it touched ground. Now, I was awake and realized I had to run some of the distances ahead. The right side of my right foot (redundancy not intended) was already hurting. It was painful to run for a long time. My Garmin has shut down before noon so I had no way of knowing how much I've been running. But I assume I can only manage a 2-minute run and walk until the pain somehow alleviates and then go back running again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The rain stopped after awhile. And while running in the heavy rain didn't prove to be that much fun, I liked the fact that it kept the majority of the people lurking in the park away from our running path. We, the runners, had the track all by ourselves. When the rain quit pouring, came back the mob. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With RD Ben Swee after the race</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">But the rain did make a comeback. And it couldn't have come at a perfect time. Just when I am about to beat the buzzer. I was on my last loop when Mr. Rain came storming through the door. No, it wasn't a storm. I guess what they say about being inspired by last minute panic is true. I was walking faster. And running faster until it hurts. Noticed only a few remaining conquerors on the track. The idea of finishing last crossed my mind. But I really didn't care. And on the last turnabout, there was nothing else in my mind but seeing the finish banner and clinching my first ultramarathon medal for this year. I beat the buzzer by 19 mins. clocking in at <b><span style="color: red;">15 hrs and 41 mins.</span></b> and tackled 10 loops or a total of 100 kms. I couldn't ask for more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>What Do You Think Of When You Run?</b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Gallivanting (Photo by Christopher Koh)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In between smiling or giving two-thumbs up to my fellow challengers I meet along the way, posing for some cameras, icing or spraying my legs, refueling, enjoying the scenery, eavesdropping on people's conversation, relishing the Tagalog chitchats of Filipinos picnicking, responding to Ben Swee's queries if I am still okay among others, I thought about numerous things. I stopped running with an ipod so I get to listen to my thoughts. I thought about my family and how I miss them a lot and how my nieces and my nephew grow up so fast I feel left behind. I thought of my friends and how I lost the chance to be part of special moments in their lives. I thought about my job and it's not one job that is easy to love but I think I am surviving--until when nobody knows. I thought about my fellow runners in the Philippines and how lucky they are with the great running events that are being held back home and about Team Intensity who treats ultramarathons like fun runs. I thought about Fleetwood Mac, Adele, Bruno Mars, and Coldplay among others, whose songs I sing in my head at rare moments during the race. I thought of ee cummings' poems--</span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">not even the rain, has such small hands</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. I thought about random things so random that I forget I thought of them after a second or two. But one thought was constant, in that race it didn't matter where I come from, how much do I make, which religion do I practice, what mattered was I was there and I was giving it my all. I surrendered it all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>The Calm After The Storm</b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ca-79IkUiXyxIdZxmuYKQYmJsJBYbOUv4mfWFGQNX4XaaJQIst9HhNFUM288sIpxgZFsMWohu_sljUlHl5yEAvDtsTBT3zqolzkMfyEwsZjvPACqm_A_a7uMWuINt6vG6sO8YRsE-hQ/s1600/P1180874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ca-79IkUiXyxIdZxmuYKQYmJsJBYbOUv4mfWFGQNX4XaaJQIst9HhNFUM288sIpxgZFsMWohu_sljUlHl5yEAvDtsTBT3zqolzkMfyEwsZjvPACqm_A_a7uMWuINt6vG6sO8YRsE-hQ/s320/P1180874.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Officially mine!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It wasn't a storm just to be clear. But, the stormy range of emotions that went through me was overwhelming. I was a house of pain for some days and even now as of the time of writing. For what it's worth, the body might be screaming of pain but this feat boosted my morale. And it feels damn good. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">***</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Thanks</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Million thanks to my family, friends and colleagues for the well wishes. To Ben Swee, the rest of the organizers, the volunteers, the friendly co-challengers for making the tough challenge a lot more bearable. To my hosts in SG, Marco, et. al., for the kind hospitality. To the Big Man upstairs for letting me go all the way. 100 kms all for You!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Event: Twilight Ultra Challenge</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Location: East Coast Park, Singapore</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Date: March 11, 2012</i></span></div>
</div>Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-73225529381616052272012-02-24T06:23:00.002-08:002012-02-24T06:23:07.643-08:00Hooray to 2 years of Fun!<div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Video courtesy of Ben Swee</span></div>
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As mentioned in some previous posts, I started running in Feb of 2010. I started running along the hard pavements of Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City, PH. My first race was a 3k fun run and from then on, after numerous 5ks and 10ks, a handful pikermis, 3 marathons and 4 ultramarathons, I am still chasing pavements. Well, there were months of being sidelined like when I was in Angola for two months and days when I just felt so lazy to get up and go for a run. But since this year started, there hasn't been any week when I haven't done any run. I bet my groove has come back now. For good. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To keep up with the momentum, I have some races lined up in some of the best places on earth. Lol. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As there was no event that interested me here in Malaysia, I joined a group of runners in Singapore called I.M.D. Running headed by Ben Swee for their training for Bali Marathon. We ran in MacRitchie Reservoir Park. I can say running by the dam is a wonderful experience. We did 22kms and I finished it in around 2:30. Can't really tell exactly since I forgot to charge my Garmin. I had a great time running with some of Singapore's best and looking forward to running SG"s roads again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheers to two years of running!</span></div>Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-62061513180887790152012-01-08T09:44:00.000-08:002012-01-16T09:47:32.635-08:00Starting the year right...12 km for 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPJdaecY3P2hpe3LmnMild3TNN6fsohvejJwvmTpo-k2MAkCD4q9fgzy4hZz_9QbSafAeYhzfgl7iXKkPqlFTbfWVL-WdDrju1bzPGWjt6U4yKE6f6TptqLK3wcRUdZu_bTaVlCYyDWM/s1600/P1180492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPJdaecY3P2hpe3LmnMild3TNN6fsohvejJwvmTpo-k2MAkCD4q9fgzy4hZz_9QbSafAeYhzfgl7iXKkPqlFTbfWVL-WdDrju1bzPGWjt6U4yKE6f6TptqLK3wcRUdZu_bTaVlCYyDWM/s320/P1180492.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Three weeks of running and weeks and weeks of not updating this little nook in this humongous cyberworld, I once again conquered the unknown but usual territory. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I signed up for the <a href="http://www.mpibrun.com.my/mpi2012/home.html">Multi-Purpose Insurans Race</a> last year before going home to the Philippines for Christmas. The numbers game were on it again. 12km for 2012 and happening on the 8th of January. How lucky can one get?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wanna keep this brief as wordy is so 2002. Let me give you what I thought of the race.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZTqYiLHdfal85xklBEard4bcVZWFryZFkxWc-Jzu8m9rI4UmNilcDZi2TuVV5qRI1pVB1DVsoZ4zgbo1iaiBCUS76OVOWSTLqA_ExTnrFhfJTrxw_nH4ePdawiTuHbieTCLNUaY4GDY/s1600/P1180468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZTqYiLHdfal85xklBEard4bcVZWFryZFkxWc-Jzu8m9rI4UmNilcDZi2TuVV5qRI1pVB1DVsoZ4zgbo1iaiBCUS76OVOWSTLqA_ExTnrFhfJTrxw_nH4ePdawiTuHbieTCLNUaY4GDY/s320/P1180468.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">freebies</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Pluses</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Route - as unusual as it sounds, the challenging route was enough to keep me at the edge of my toes and to look forward to the next turn. I didn't expect it to be hilly and boy, was I shaken when I realized how arduous this route was. Good thing, the latter part of the route was mostly downhill so it compensated the pains at the onset of the race.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Generous amount of hydration - Aptly spaced 3 kms apart, the organizers made sure runners were well hydrated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Price - At $48RM, I can say I got more than my money's worth. New balance shirt. Timing chip. Finishers' medal. A box of cereals. Fruits. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Accessibility - For non-car owners like me, the event area in Kuala Lumpur beside the bird park is not hard to find and any taxi driver would be able to find it without the hassle of being lost.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Minuses</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Lack of race clocks - PRs are important even for newbies. Not everyone brings a watch while running. And those digits on the finish banner are enough gratification for toiling it in the race route.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. The crowd - I admire how they had women go first. But I do not think it has something to do with gender. A lot of us, men, were chicked by agile women runners. How about classifying runners based on their pace? That would spread the crowd along the route evenly. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRi_X3tflIDSsWmH672cyYkPeHBvlL4IHrufgObxa9VM8bvk5yV4sKM9ZmUFxoIK0XMvHOXXHkRuNTSicSUOwLF4sXuTiC0mDlPwELYPQpuJrSBxNOcwUAQZMoalSi9pQPkEngjEbeecA/s1600/P1180483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRi_X3tflIDSsWmH672cyYkPeHBvlL4IHrufgObxa9VM8bvk5yV4sKM9ZmUFxoIK0XMvHOXXHkRuNTSicSUOwLF4sXuTiC0mDlPwELYPQpuJrSBxNOcwUAQZMoalSi9pQPkEngjEbeecA/s320/P1180483.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">short shorts</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall, I did enjoy the race. I felt slower as my behind got bigger. </span>Lol<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. But the important thing is I had fun and I guess, I am starting the year right. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More running in 2012!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to Raymond Estrella for hosting and for being my buddy for the day.</span></div>Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com0Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia3.139003 101.6868553.0121645000000004 101.5289265 3.2658415 101.84478349999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-20579492589764892362011-12-03T19:36:00.001-08:002011-12-03T19:37:21.255-08:00Sunday morning musings...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #00c5fe; color: #404547; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">ah those sunday mornings when you go for a run in the park wading through the sea of people who like me are celebrating life...you wonder about the members of the wiser generation who break a sweat moving along Michael and Madonna's ditties during this time while the younger ones would probably still be recovering from last night's drunken stupor...and you think about the year that is about the close and gingerly plotting your plans for the next...and you run to your heart's content, braving the uphills at first and happily walking them at the latter part...and at the 10th km mark, you sigh and give thanks to the Lord Almighty because for what it's worth, it is a good life after all...#sundaymorningmusings</span>Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-333359217155458122011-11-23T06:08:00.001-08:002012-02-24T07:17:05.577-08:00I came, I saw and I conquered PENANG!<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Out of laziness, I am able to finish this post only now. Forgive me if there were details that I have forgotten already. 2-24-12</i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkQU-OhSTiCOZZNG6mncUvkijDII9_0FxhLwSVKPeACCM-zjND3kJPR0cnEr0LqZsKakxte9O8o1ySBE9H0eTaBk1HJc11GW5kZYpEazZUIWrsq63b_yi17UU7hLunZxkkpj5ANbiSHg/s1600/379885_288054621233416_209462665759279_781439_1936542609_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkQU-OhSTiCOZZNG6mncUvkijDII9_0FxhLwSVKPeACCM-zjND3kJPR0cnEr0LqZsKakxte9O8o1ySBE9H0eTaBk1HJc11GW5kZYpEazZUIWrsq63b_yi17UU7hLunZxkkpj5ANbiSHg/s320/379885_288054621233416_209462665759279_781439_1936542609_n.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the finish wall</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Penang is marvelous.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know that is a bit of an understatement. But I am lost for words. The well preserved shophouses. The long stretches of cobble-stoned streets. The vibrantly designed rickshaws. The east-meets-west vibe. The very budget-friendly hostels. And the food! Go to Penang for the best food Malaysia has to offer.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My 3-day detour to this place is a bit short and I know I am coming back. I have to. I didn't do much sightseeing as I spent a couple of days preparing for the race or resting after it. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And no, this is not a travel blog. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I heard about this race last year through a blog of a friend. Apparently, Asia was the 6th continent where he ran a marathon. I didn't realize I'll be doing it too. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was hungry for a race. Any race just to prove I am still a runner. I googled, found some and I signed for three races at one time: PJ Half-marathon, CICM Run and the latest, Penang Bridge International Marathon. And finishing the last one proved to be the sweetest.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Race-day</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpI_TyuzFiKJ-EZSangoFf6ZdmG2o3qDdzS81xL9im2_50puojta-qROuxQqQwwKppK5k_Oe_FKARW8CbM4hjkZ1Kn9IVlm8DlQn7IdkLuKULq5SVMoleU3aAi5nda1aJ7ayemh4IXsE/s1600/P1170989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpI_TyuzFiKJ-EZSangoFf6ZdmG2o3qDdzS81xL9im2_50puojta-qROuxQqQwwKppK5k_Oe_FKARW8CbM4hjkZ1Kn9IVlm8DlQn7IdkLuKULq5SVMoleU3aAi5nda1aJ7ayemh4IXsE/s320/P1170989.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhp1encJJ1-ZWhR3Ga4YmNxBFWEDDsQvq-So749O9OI76tOjLUCcCJEnyuuavIPqOHEQIeWbGFdxa_0VeAxi6DQq_CY46YOyHxAxTp0Uba3v6rvoy6I5NqCCPUPusFWdnYgzXnsnk3PjA/s1600/P1170993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhp1encJJ1-ZWhR3Ga4YmNxBFWEDDsQvq-So749O9OI76tOjLUCcCJEnyuuavIPqOHEQIeWbGFdxa_0VeAxi6DQq_CY46YOyHxAxTp0Uba3v6rvoy6I5NqCCPUPusFWdnYgzXnsnk3PjA/s320/P1170993.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We left the guesthouse at 10 pm Saturday night. Yeah, we were that early to catch a 10-minute free shuttle bus ride from Georgetown to Queensbay mall. As I already figured it out that transpo will be an issue, we made sure we got a seat in one of those buses. But my, I was just so sleepy. We waited for more than 3 hours as we got to the QB mall as the race was going to start at 2 am. I contacted a fellow Filipino runner, Ed prior to going to Penang who was also doing the full marathon. We booked in the same guesthouse and he became sort of my travel buddy for the day also. Coincidentally, we met another Rey who works for a running magazine back home. Soon, we met more runners coming from Cebu and Zamboanga.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After hours of getting to know each other and exchanging stories, we positioned ourselves in the start area. The place was teeming with enthusiastic runners who are there to display their passion for the sport as well as to commune with their fellow runners. After much anticipation, the full marathon runners were given the go-signal and as my favorite expression goes, we scrambled like mice in a maze. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>On the way to the bridge</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWCx7-9BfCLTdzF4WKnn6UCUXwe3KtlHOKX4PQ3bOn5S6b2RJVruk51Wa36QL_G7vYmlrKGTgKMMSslejpPgSRnBkK4jtOrDIYnGXlImJRXBpF6NVOkzxgL2DqDGlXRjoe1sLRQOxHtw/s1600/P1180016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWCx7-9BfCLTdzF4WKnn6UCUXwe3KtlHOKX4PQ3bOn5S6b2RJVruk51Wa36QL_G7vYmlrKGTgKMMSslejpPgSRnBkK4jtOrDIYnGXlImJRXBpF6NVOkzxgL2DqDGlXRjoe1sLRQOxHtw/s320/P1180016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was dark. But the route was well-lit except for some very few parts. As in any race, the first parts are usually more crowded than in the latter parts. A lot of runners have been speeding off at this early part. I kept my speed between 6-6:30 min/km. There was really no chance to speed off as I was sleepy and groggy. And the absence of sun makes me think more of my bed.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I brought my handheld water bottle with me. As the water stations were approximately 4 kilometers away from each other, I want to avoid the risk of being dehydrated. And lo and behold, I think it was the second station which ran out of water that early in the game. I knew the 'logistics' for hydration was faulty so I made sure I have enough stock to carry on.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Past the bridge and what they say about faking a smile and finally!</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Nd8yZLbtV-rZZk-62u4aFYH9Y2niiNnMOyyMZwC8vuYvF0adyj5Jef4honEl69FJpVULrkcL_tCE1H7BY9_w3ozWoBTzVcx4RGHj8IcNu2KhlISO_ElMcYXTsNk99wgweTwcBbAOkrs/s1600/normal_PBIM2-1239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Nd8yZLbtV-rZZk-62u4aFYH9Y2niiNnMOyyMZwC8vuYvF0adyj5Jef4honEl69FJpVULrkcL_tCE1H7BY9_w3ozWoBTzVcx4RGHj8IcNu2KhlISO_ElMcYXTsNk99wgweTwcBbAOkrs/s320/normal_PBIM2-1239.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">faking a smile</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was tired. I was feeling it. Past the bridge, we made a detour to the highway going to Tesco. Things got tougher here as I could feel my energy running thinner and thinner with every step. Relief was available at every hydration stop where aside from refilling our water bottles, we also get some ice massage on our legs. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I couldn't hide my exhaustion and my face was clearly showing it. Rather than keeping a virsage of despair, I forced to smile all through out the last leg of the race going back to Queensbay Mall. It wasn't easy and I am not sure if I am inspiring other runners to cheer up a bit. Well, some did I guess either by giving me a thumb up or smiling back. But good Lord, it wasn't easy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Queensbay mall becomes larger, I could only wish I don't pass out. After bravely hanging in there for a short while, the finish banner is at sight. Treading on and on and on and slyly smiling at the cameras, I finally crossed the finish line. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I finally conquered Penang! Finished at 5:00:48.92. I know it's the worst marathon record I have but with how my physical activity level has gone down the past few months, I couldn't ask for more.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-70681856452743480042011-11-13T03:08:00.001-08:002011-11-13T05:04:50.830-08:00Taking on Malaysian suburbs...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...and the height of naivete.</span><div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yey for the bling!</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a sleepless night. No, I was not excited. I went to bed early to get enough sleep and I was off to dreamland the moment I lay down on the hotel bed and shut off the lights. Then in the middle of midnight, prank calling disturbed my peace and I was not able to sleep again.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitd6Gsy2YJe5qY8_iOzVZtTSTdy8p92CQGz-pgJ3Us2HHh3KF_5fsKNN6B6mjBYrJdCBOywYt-60W-2hIKq6cZIJHX9ZcbdvTfYCWs0A_cm5Ct9p-RDDorB6cTYmgULguFiz3veHYoRgw/s1600/P1170728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitd6Gsy2YJe5qY8_iOzVZtTSTdy8p92CQGz-pgJ3Us2HHh3KF_5fsKNN6B6mjBYrJdCBOywYt-60W-2hIKq6cZIJHX9ZcbdvTfYCWs0A_cm5Ct9p-RDDorB6cTYmgULguFiz3veHYoRgw/s320/P1170728.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Carbo-loading :)</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh well, fast forward 9 hours later. I was able to finish my second pikermi in Malaysia, CICM Responsible Care Run 2011. Maybe I was ready for the race toting my water bottle as the hydration stations would be far from each other. The race went through smoothly. I didn't get a new PR and I realized I was getting slower as I put on some weight. But that's okay. I guess finishing strong is more than enough. But the events surrounding it almost drowned out the good things about the race.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLtbGRorckeevxbar_APni_f4tpkTd7w4DmcrYAAsNx-uLVp-X8_HWuCenRnkCBrIRR0FObMuik5TeIUM5a9VN0AMong33cExeHiyA6UIQavMeS6IMwgbYeSlc2CfmdUNrW8QNtsKNRo/s1600/P1170731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLtbGRorckeevxbar_APni_f4tpkTd7w4DmcrYAAsNx-uLVp-X8_HWuCenRnkCBrIRR0FObMuik5TeIUM5a9VN0AMong33cExeHiyA6UIQavMeS6IMwgbYeSlc2CfmdUNrW8QNtsKNRo/s320/P1170731.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the stage</td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hang-overs</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVNYY3mnn2tCBPgiov_blN9nKvwgl2YbW9YNnEDGAyZDsXjgZs-pXHdhgx3VyPHS6Ad9fIi8oPR0tNFVYpRaeQBHmEoRUJhaU4oiP8Bitr7uGlQ0JsC1XNuxyIzKb14YF3kExoLbQFPs/s1600/P1170744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVNYY3mnn2tCBPgiov_blN9nKvwgl2YbW9YNnEDGAyZDsXjgZs-pXHdhgx3VyPHS6Ad9fIi8oPR0tNFVYpRaeQBHmEoRUJhaU4oiP8Bitr7uGlQ0JsC1XNuxyIzKb14YF3kExoLbQFPs/s320/P1170744.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the best views of the route</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like the route. The scenic trees dotting the roads cooled the air and provided shade when the sun was up. The next-to-nothing traffic with only a few cars interrupted by our sporty gallivanting. And most of all, the mainly flat surface with few unsteep slopes that is PR friendly.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXV85eEuuG0JJ0owRM2kgOW74KIZLQ12qdJjRGJaY8wbVko76JtyTeTupYu-fCh4kcMSRfP0W_fry1edJvL-0Byycde3ptxVtleXiK_mW5nRtPelE3UTpQHbHJGWJCWbvR5CHmJU6dTs/s1600/P1170763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXV85eEuuG0JJ0owRM2kgOW74KIZLQ12qdJjRGJaY8wbVko76JtyTeTupYu-fCh4kcMSRfP0W_fry1edJvL-0Byycde3ptxVtleXiK_mW5nRtPelE3UTpQHbHJGWJCWbvR5CHmJU6dTs/s320/P1170763.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The singlet and the medal</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are medals for every 21km runner who crosses the finish line in 3 hrs. In PJ Marathon, only the first 200 finishers for each category gets one. So, this is officially my first bling in MY.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the singlet. The New Balance singlet is comfy to wear and has better fabric than the one in PJ Marathon. These makes the 50 RM registration so worth it. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hang-ups</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Second race with hydration stations spread at app 4 kms from each other. Is this a standard set-up here? It's a good thing it was not that hot today.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like the route BUT I didn't realize it was just too far. I almost cried as the meter rolled on almost forever. Call me naive as I am new in town. And it's not the organizers' responsibility to get me there but I wish the organizers provided some shuttle service to lure more runners to join. And I was lost twice. Once during race packet pick-up and on raceday itself. Good thing, we reached Setia Alam Welcome Center just in the nick of time. And after the race, I couldn't find a taxi that was leaving. I called the cab company but they said there was none nearby. A taxi was parked by the events area and I had to wait for the program to wrap up (I didn't get to bring an iPad. sic.) for the driver to return and ask him to take me to the hotel. He didn't but instead dropped me off at KLang station where I took a train to KL Central then another train to Kelana Jaya where I was gonna take a bus or taxi to the hotel. I only took the train to KL Central and got off from that station and joined a new group of friends to watch Manny Pacquiao battle it out with Juan Manuel Marquez for the third time.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvD9vPfO5HYJehdrOY-g1Ql_6RRVR3ykvJbAmewxdhK4n8UpVebrvH2ZRKRRNzAu4YRD3uwTq2iJMwPEI0-CmW_qVTgAJuqaKuMio6Lyd37SQTRUnnUxYVxf9hyphenhyphenMhT4aq0NPszrPCJfQ/s1600/manny-pacquiao.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvD9vPfO5HYJehdrOY-g1Ql_6RRVR3ykvJbAmewxdhK4n8UpVebrvH2ZRKRRNzAu4YRD3uwTq2iJMwPEI0-CmW_qVTgAJuqaKuMio6Lyd37SQTRUnnUxYVxf9hyphenhyphenMhT4aq0NPszrPCJfQ/s1600/manny-pacquiao.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that my friends is the biggest hangup of the day--though totally unrelated to this race. What the heck happened?! Tell me.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next week: Penang Bridge International Marathon 2011. I'm stoked!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-16745811307984764982011-10-29T20:35:00.000-07:002011-10-29T20:59:31.613-07:00Taking on Malaysian highways...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...and PJ half-marathon, my first race in Malaysia.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqK-BOLALBGgqePu3n06tmgzN1atcsKrsGg_iT_nq_VcxdIUVyVPYeg1sP2AQ0TnAM2381kdnnONvBTHxhZ4YV5SQZqt0cuGWlo2sNQCIFO1zR6shyiDnMRBiTph1ulHVkAjK4e0jgQg/s1600/P1170677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqK-BOLALBGgqePu3n06tmgzN1atcsKrsGg_iT_nq_VcxdIUVyVPYeg1sP2AQ0TnAM2381kdnnONvBTHxhZ4YV5SQZqt0cuGWlo2sNQCIFO1zR6shyiDnMRBiTph1ulHVkAjK4e0jgQg/s320/P1170677.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running Bitoy :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmfcO-JWL3Erz2PUBMySNY6cE6EleQWdzxuiS2MJfDX0AEDB8D7Fm06tQQvWbmcTWWduyiq0JGsufXtSxam1895vF5ijw-uylycvYKclw7NiVNPg0Vghi3FfhRzxCdhyphenhyphen2stlVTxTyloY/s1600/P1170685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmfcO-JWL3Erz2PUBMySNY6cE6EleQWdzxuiS2MJfDX0AEDB8D7Fm06tQQvWbmcTWWduyiq0JGsufXtSxam1895vF5ijw-uylycvYKclw7NiVNPg0Vghi3FfhRzxCdhyphenhyphen2stlVTxTyloY/s320/P1170685.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to Rock It</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was in a racing drought for almost three months now before this race. During those times, all I could do was be engulf with the untolerable amount of envy I was feeling whenever my running friends from home post their new conquests. The Manila running scene is surely one thing that I miss a lot.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was one boring day in Luanda (and no, Luanda is far from boring), when I signed up for three races--Petaling Jaya Half-marathon which happened today, CICM Run and Penang Bridge International Marathon, both of which are happening next month. So what does this mean? This just means I'm really, really back! And there's no way I'm backing down.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoFopSMqimCID_qT0I16tDOXAxcfhUs-ohLoyVE5Sl0z3VHrclbnoqA9oqVy1_VUO2uSX2El6lmbve1-LeZ_1Wp2odC9Aa1LyuxoxMtV7kvBbMetGBEmGgEBAQxOpMsxnorn97XVmlTA/s1600/P1170680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoFopSMqimCID_qT0I16tDOXAxcfhUs-ohLoyVE5Sl0z3VHrclbnoqA9oqVy1_VUO2uSX2El6lmbve1-LeZ_1Wp2odC9Aa1LyuxoxMtV7kvBbMetGBEmGgEBAQxOpMsxnorn97XVmlTA/s320/P1170680.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stadium Petaling Jaya</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enough of the rhetorics. I was both excited and anxious of this race as this is my first in Malaysia and the first in 3 months. I didn't have enough training and I gained weight a bit. I made sure that I don't miss this race by waking up early and getting to the race area an hour before gunstart. After a warmup session led by two trainers from Fitness First, 21k runners positioned ourselves by the starting line. I was there for only a few minutes and without further ado, the gun was fired and off we scrambled like mice in a maze. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86JLRc2Au3fhN-ldpF4PR4Boj6lu1Y3HP0OpwejvVnLdxjSSMd7mVZ1zE7e8Pvlhc95wNuvrOP5AATRYvg8-EWegoM39IdtLEADcmfvE_8C2f8ywJvIBfRVzJp_pvwly74mGayhFMjD4/s1600/P1170702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86JLRc2Au3fhN-ldpF4PR4Boj6lu1Y3HP0OpwejvVnLdxjSSMd7mVZ1zE7e8Pvlhc95wNuvrOP5AATRYvg8-EWegoM39IdtLEADcmfvE_8C2f8ywJvIBfRVzJp_pvwly74mGayhFMjD4/s320/P1170702.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highway signs</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxM19KwCpBSjizsohApQLiaCGQlOMmMtNAhbbwdqPhWZTLxji0KaI1XR_nmVVJZTwesgRHBXQrdel9PCtAJvIDvHoCjMDkrOfM1cuxv3QP5lXQFssZ3bP7a8wOKEmr7Kz4LkHVjidhPLk/s1600/P1170705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxM19KwCpBSjizsohApQLiaCGQlOMmMtNAhbbwdqPhWZTLxji0KaI1XR_nmVVJZTwesgRHBXQrdel9PCtAJvIDvHoCjMDkrOfM1cuxv3QP5lXQFssZ3bP7a8wOKEmr7Kz4LkHVjidhPLk/s320/P1170705.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Runing inside a dark tunnel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We started before the sun was fully up and it didn't take long before we could fill its unforgiving might. And mighty it really was. I remember having to content myself with walking on the bridge when it was really hot and there were no trees around to provide us some shade. The route was mainly flat with just the right combination of uphills and downhills. The uphills weren't that steep and were doable. And there's the nagging fear of being run over as the highways were not really closed for the event. So, the route was just fine. It was just the heat.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijv27rk7XVbnGhO6mGCbXYZ0GhvyodqCYkdLfBBNLTRTJHjwZwK8sG2_FTSEvMC2RKb5fclx89MplYncH9Lc6kPMmLvJgw82OUu92QxvgmHcvD15FNyXYCmVbQ4VV1-qp082BmpHLGNsk/s1600/P1170717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijv27rk7XVbnGhO6mGCbXYZ0GhvyodqCYkdLfBBNLTRTJHjwZwK8sG2_FTSEvMC2RKb5fclx89MplYncH9Lc6kPMmLvJgw82OUu92QxvgmHcvD15FNyXYCmVbQ4VV1-qp082BmpHLGNsk/s320/P1170717.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highway Runners</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the hydration stations. I thought there were not enough and are spread out too far, I think every 4 kms. So there are only 4 stations for refreshments. Good thing though, they also have sponge stations for us to feel a bit relieved from the heat.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ISs6pp8msKmOa3uNt7-vq4Niw_vmWWcKuDFYEP4RRLNnkPK7AburT-NcQ0_vRFYf3wT4vjO7KysAghdUSKL_3NPWN7LE7rUtTH8bQiiQ8DguHqnoZtLjpBE2eIxVTKiK-XO-y_TjQTg/s1600/P1170724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ISs6pp8msKmOa3uNt7-vq4Niw_vmWWcKuDFYEP4RRLNnkPK7AburT-NcQ0_vRFYf3wT4vjO7KysAghdUSKL_3NPWN7LE7rUtTH8bQiiQ8DguHqnoZtLjpBE2eIxVTKiK-XO-y_TjQTg/s320/P1170724.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost there...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the lack of training. At 17kms, I was already tired and tempted to just walk to the finish line. But I still tried to run and running I did. I was gunning for a sub2 finish but that didn't happen. I settled for a 2:15 finish and ironically, I'm happy about it. I didn't have to beat myself for missing my target. There's another race. There are two actually. And just to be back and finished the race in good form is more than enough.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">***</span></div>
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<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Special thanks to Annitah for the nice chat and the lift after the race. It was a pleasure meeting you.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And yes, I can still hear Stevie Nicks singing in my head. So far, I'm sailing through the changing ocean tides just fine. </span></div>Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-16541040325187926162011-09-27T04:37:00.000-07:002011-09-27T06:44:15.994-07:003 Runs in Four Weeks<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QCG1B9J2WSzBBDz6QxZ61I_xaYMsnUhIYtBFI_RKC3Y2n__Mutp3Ejnxse55GZ4aS06JE7i5pcwLVmWukiOwkKsyxvmHIZVASbq9C1tDSENMT6erXXZKjPmbtTx0oFU5CuDkNYGbiL0/s1600/P1160954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QCG1B9J2WSzBBDz6QxZ61I_xaYMsnUhIYtBFI_RKC3Y2n__Mutp3Ejnxse55GZ4aS06JE7i5pcwLVmWukiOwkKsyxvmHIZVASbq9C1tDSENMT6erXXZKjPmbtTx0oFU5CuDkNYGbiL0/s320/P1160954.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jogging track in Ilha</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been in Angola for a month now and in those four weeks, I have only run 3 times. I did not get to run in my first two weeks here. My first run as I mentioned in the previous post was a barefoot run in this place called Ilha. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7lm7O9QycxqwIMUjUBgohcAdAfbGRBOq1GvyJ5csWXVFDihR-naYuhgVPOFxtnEbW_jpFGf8N7HdvBjaBTQu4cPmocrqiZNxIVURXERlG2b7ibzT1dkOh56Y7tQwjvcbXwcBCitx3d4/s1600/P1160704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7lm7O9QycxqwIMUjUBgohcAdAfbGRBOq1GvyJ5csWXVFDihR-naYuhgVPOFxtnEbW_jpFGf8N7HdvBjaBTQu4cPmocrqiZNxIVURXERlG2b7ibzT1dkOh56Y7tQwjvcbXwcBCitx3d4/s320/P1160704.JPG" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">takbo.ph singlet</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My second run was in the same place when a colleague asked me to run after work. I remember it was so cold (21 degrees is cold for me!) but I soon warmed up after a few loops. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the last one was last weekend when two of my colleagues walked with me from the guesthouse to Ilha so we could do some running. Err, it was only me who ran while they rested and chatted the morning away.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvcClAMyMN1oPyBlBbV5ifCk7bGBMKqnZ8h_oY9zbvQHzWftMwemzcS2nxVp3ZfFExICaq3sobmUZoVV3qc43__vbhRz50uW8j_Dx_bXgeDPC3nNa_dLeYywzgNKutaenaFl2oaKxL2M/s1600/P1160958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvcClAMyMN1oPyBlBbV5ifCk7bGBMKqnZ8h_oY9zbvQHzWftMwemzcS2nxVp3ZfFExICaq3sobmUZoVV3qc43__vbhRz50uW8j_Dx_bXgeDPC3nNa_dLeYywzgNKutaenaFl2oaKxL2M/s320/P1160958.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thumbs up for a good run</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am running less and less and I can't wait to get back to KL to get some normalcy back into my running schedule. Don't get me wrong Luanda is a fine place. It's just that with my work and other circumstances prevent me to give more time for running.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the meantime, doing Indian pushups help me to stay, uhm, trim despite having a hard time doing them. And I signed up for 3 races in Malaysia happening in the next two months. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Running, guys!</span>Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-27422151286177199932011-09-13T13:08:00.000-07:002011-09-27T04:40:52.220-07:00Running Barefoot in Africa<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hoDJwr4UBgLmTW5ATMAFwHg5jiZNw6SidVB65RUdwS4q8rOltN3G_6P8r9X02hGIyYKGZwjRqCNbDBedtugFTV4hXRCMcksxM7dF8CILlHTmWBv2U5-OdPYUVQlMVMDKXR7ZMS9Iso0/s1600/P1160584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hoDJwr4UBgLmTW5ATMAFwHg5jiZNw6SidVB65RUdwS4q8rOltN3G_6P8r9X02hGIyYKGZwjRqCNbDBedtugFTV4hXRCMcksxM7dF8CILlHTmWBv2U5-OdPYUVQlMVMDKXR7ZMS9Iso0/s320/P1160584.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy feet running</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm now on my third week in Luanda, Angola. With the limitations that are imposed on us, road running is out of the picture for now. Or so I thought.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last weekend, my colleagues and I trooped to the nearest beach from Luanda downtown, Praia Ilha. I know there is a running track by the beach but I thought we were still going to this island beach everybody recommends to us, Mussulo Island, so I didn't bother bringing my running gears with me. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8JpW6kL8xr4YssNpozv4JoZyVREEYQya-FmIKdri_uDFs53wV72tsZOoNQTPgM2jtrW7blaZQ6EQBQ5PxDSla40v9SnhoOm7cnplH8XhMaiO50v0pasuJxdFcAzQdCQe5goADYam4P0/s1600/P1160592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8JpW6kL8xr4YssNpozv4JoZyVREEYQya-FmIKdri_uDFs53wV72tsZOoNQTPgM2jtrW7blaZQ6EQBQ5PxDSla40v9SnhoOm7cnplH8XhMaiO50v0pasuJxdFcAzQdCQe5goADYam4P0/s320/P1160592.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset in Ilha</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sand on the beach felt fine and the beach gives a wonderful and unobstructed view of the sunset. But it's not the cleanest. But going here was a welcome distraction.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In between bottles and cans of beer, we played football in the sand. I remember my cousin Jake who taught us how to play soccer when we first met him in the 90's. I never had so much fun since I came here. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While my colleagues were catching their breaths and guzzling more beer, I decided to go for a run. Forget the running shoes. I was gonna run with my flipflops but I thought I'll move freely running barefoot. And so I did just that. I ran barefoot for the first time. I ran for the first time in Africa.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgviBx39J2xVl59nN2K3irgAjgBIfTDHNdGWLhni8w3HU1dxX7VzyG_4cpLbMT47vlUzTfmK4MR9MCCYiUcFmnoPEqCxBFraRkIXoUe7B5emjeSNYH6ndLhjxZh4IxwQ9IGQD8gCvqBJ6I/s1600/P1160599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgviBx39J2xVl59nN2K3irgAjgBIfTDHNdGWLhni8w3HU1dxX7VzyG_4cpLbMT47vlUzTfmK4MR9MCCYiUcFmnoPEqCxBFraRkIXoUe7B5emjeSNYH6ndLhjxZh4IxwQ9IGQD8gCvqBJ6I/s320/P1160599.JPG" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long neck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I ignored the quizzical stares I was getting. Just running with a perfect view of the beach while the sun was setting among few other runners was more than enough to cure me of my homesickness. I did 5 loops totalling 5 kilometers of the running track pausing to take some pictures. I had a good workout and my feet hurt a bit, it was nothing compared to the euphoria of being back on track!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-19693439669520258822011-09-09T13:06:00.000-07:002011-09-09T13:06:43.068-07:00Hiatus in Africa and Missing Manila's Running Scene<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9wzK0LV3K3DdItaW8vER-e7amyVfdY2yHHhcSeBlSLpFxv-lsBFkmOgvYfIF5zh3MBDDPldht1Hvz15a7dXw0SXpPEMq3IO803ZfgXka5I-SAPmtdSI6c9i-YbLgzYKxNcyhn5E6uik/s1600/P1160274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9wzK0LV3K3DdItaW8vER-e7amyVfdY2yHHhcSeBlSLpFxv-lsBFkmOgvYfIF5zh3MBDDPldht1Hvz15a7dXw0SXpPEMq3IO803ZfgXka5I-SAPmtdSI6c9i-YbLgzYKxNcyhn5E6uik/s320/P1160274.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">partying in Angola!</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm currently in Angola, Africa for work until next month. I've seen a few people running by the beach and my envy consumes me. Getting around is difficult since I don't have my own car and have to rely on the company shuttle vehicle. There's no gym in the guesthouse we are staying in and it makes me lazier to do any form of exercise. I sometimes have to content myself with a few pushups on those few days when I am not lazy. As the company is strict on safety, we are not allowed to wander alone, hence, road running is out of the picture. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I miss the Philippines especially my family and friends. And the running scene.From its back-to-back weekend races to those challenging ultra races, forgive me for being biased but the Philippines has one of the most exciting running scenes in the world. Whenever I see my friends posting their recent running conquests, I am filled with ENVY. I miss the early morning calls for a race. The pre-race jitters. The crazy things that happen during the race. The commotion in every hydration stations. The camaraderie among runners. And that finish banner. The simple and quick gratification for some minutes or some hours of running. Simply put, I miss running in the Philippines!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know five weeks is slow or fast depending on my attitude. But for now, hopefully, with some windfall, I get to run in Angola even just once. Else, running for now, will have to take a backseat. </span>Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-24341542951367381772011-08-14T08:41:00.000-07:002011-08-14T08:41:26.884-07:00Sunday Morning Run<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, I'm moving out of the hotel and into one of the company's staffhouses which are actually condo units. I haven't run again in KLCC since last Monday and the only running I can afford is on the treadmill which I have only done in a few minutes. Talk about having an attention span of a 3-year-old.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I ran in KLCC at night last Monday so I wasn't able to fully appreciate its beauty. But this time, I was able to admire its awesomeness in broad daylight. I like the abundance of trees along the running trail. The fresh air that envelopes the area. And of course, the Petronas towers hovering over us like giant doting gods. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I finished a 10km run with a time of 1:03. This is the longest run I had since the Rexona Run in Manila. Afterwards, I pigged out on the hotel's buffet breakfast table and tried to do a few laps in the hotel's pool. I could have done more but I stretched my glute and had to just dip in the water.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Till the next run!</span><br />
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</span>Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-59195235058920365482011-08-08T08:43:00.000-07:002011-08-08T08:43:23.840-07:00Bitoy Running in KL<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmmySUvBAL6bPwOjAEjYms8fTTLZOWvGnkvBs4bINAcQb3ezzxG3fAvuEA-qa_QbGkwqP18gsq8sd65U0YvzAz4D91sXt0K6PA73jSxisbisT957i6wRQdYLbZF5I7yj3omtGGHNUN9E/s1600/KL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmmySUvBAL6bPwOjAEjYms8fTTLZOWvGnkvBs4bINAcQb3ezzxG3fAvuEA-qa_QbGkwqP18gsq8sd65U0YvzAz4D91sXt0K6PA73jSxisbisT957i6wRQdYLbZF5I7yj3omtGGHNUN9E/s320/KL.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petronas towers view from KLLC park (inset: view from my hotel room)</td></tr>
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</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just arrived in KL yesterday. While I am excited to start a new phase in my ho-hum life, I am sad to leave my family and friends in the Philippines. I think I did not get to spend as much time with them as I wanted to since I was busy preparing. I got my visa and clearance just last week so some 'me' time was close to nil. But at least, I got to see most of my dear ones before I leave.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, I started work today with a bunch of other crazy pinoys. It was a bit overwhelming to get to understand the new environment I'll be having for the next years or so. So to cope with all the stress and all the other emotions and at least to make a running comeback after being sidelined for two weeks, I decided to do a short run. I have an obstructed view of the Petronas towers from my hotel room so I was wondering how it would look like uhm, unobstructed. So I ran from my hotel--with always the fear of being lost--and found my way in KLCC Park. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was in the evening so I really can't see well. But I can see there are lots of trees and there's a man-made lake. But the best come-on of the park is the perfect view of the Petronas. I remember a sappy movie I saw a year ago where one of the character likened the towers to two people holdings hands. I wish I could metaphorize the tower at this moment but I think I would have to save that later.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I enjoyed running for thirty minutes in this park teeming with trees and has a running trail. And with the Petronas towers hovering over me, it couldn't get any better.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div>Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-48150476874638606342011-08-04T06:48:00.000-07:002011-08-04T07:42:54.807-07:00Running for Deodorant and a new PR for a pikermi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YwNiBeiV7M4Ar9lNfPUr6V6eBxENSqazXp3TLiE0bnQwzNl-o3l6IMJ3n1VKwz7Ggw7CS7FjQOFMi1v3uWhvd33P2VqinegZGx12lFCOCnYTGzGl1eQrfQiYxGDFKjM47csxdFdAM18/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YwNiBeiV7M4Ar9lNfPUr6V6eBxENSqazXp3TLiE0bnQwzNl-o3l6IMJ3n1VKwz7Ggw7CS7FjQOFMi1v3uWhvd33P2VqinegZGx12lFCOCnYTGzGl1eQrfQiYxGDFKjM47csxdFdAM18/s400/Capture.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's me already!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think I already mentioned that my first fun run was with Runrio through the Century Tuna Superbods Run in Feb of 2010. This year I didn't have a race through runrio so I saw it fitting that the last fun run I'm going to join is one that is organized by Coach Rio. I was to sign up for Yamaha in early July but I ran out of slots. Aside from the race singlet and race bib, registrants also get the chance to win an all-expense paid trip to the Great Wall of China. How cool is that?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It felt surreal to be back on a really big mainstream race of 10,000 plus registrants. I felt weird while waiting on the start area where I am surrounded with 1,000 other strong 21k runners. I just got used to joining races where I was to run with only a few hundred people. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, after the pleasantries, we were off to run around Mall of Asia to somewhere in Manila and back.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just got back from a 60K ultra road race the week before and my right knee hurt a lot after. After a few days, the pain lessened but I could still feel it whenever I run. So I think one thing I did consciously while running was to pray. Pray. Pray. Pray. I was praying that my knee won't hurt. That I would make it to the finish line uninjured.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also got to finish the race without music. While it's comforting to listen to my favorite ditties while running, I found it more quintessential to train doing long runs where I could listen well to my body. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was gunning for sub-2 finish. With all the fear of being injured, I thought I wouldn't bag it. I was gallowaying for the first 13kms with a ratio of 6:1. Then decided to run straight to the finish line. And the last line just made it sound easy when it's not. I was a buzzer beater with my finish of 1:59:39--mere 21 seconds less than 2 hours. But it's all good. I remember finishing the race all wet as I doused myself in the latter part of the race in almost all aid stations we pass by.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The race was well organized as expected of a Runrio race. My only complaint was the long queues in the activity area. Imagine running kilometers and kilometers of road and then being baked under the sun just to register for their activities like wall climbing, reverse bungee, zipline, etc. Then, queuing again for each activity booth. It was great to have these post-race activities but the sponsors should have took into consideration the number of registrants they were expecting who'll try these activities.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyhow, it was a great race for me. So that's all that matters.</span>Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-57059437388945879372011-08-01T10:06:00.000-07:002011-08-01T10:10:11.525-07:00PAU Fort Magsaysay 60K Ultra Marathon Challenge: Surviving on 'Ice Water' and Big Charity<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldC4hxHxDUIH-CmUZP8yXeKWpDOcpZvRCxR_cfk4XrAFdlolyZy_F4u5oWDLG045GTXEOM97Y0Ax6PyaSMUrUlgmmr5VnSD32L49km6vahyWlIPTaA0_n4VuIEhU7Id2RTIDwyDJCv38/s1600/P1150522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldC4hxHxDUIH-CmUZP8yXeKWpDOcpZvRCxR_cfk4XrAFdlolyZy_F4u5oWDLG045GTXEOM97Y0Ax6PyaSMUrUlgmmr5VnSD32L49km6vahyWlIPTaA0_n4VuIEhU7Id2RTIDwyDJCv38/s320/P1150522.JPG" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Sir Jovie at the Finish Line</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am accused of being wordy. And I am. The original title should have been: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PAU</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Fort Magsaysay 60K Ultra Marathon Challenge: Surviving on 'Ice Water' and Big Charity. And singing some </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fleetwood</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Mac Songs in My Head.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>No, Charity is not a person.</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am running out of reasons to say on why I run a race. Words are failing me miserably. I want to channel George Mallory and use the <i>because-it's-there</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> alibi. But I've used that before. So let me chalk it up to experience and camaraderie. Not bad, huh? </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wait, and then there is my dad who was celebrating his birthday on that day. That explains why I was wearing a Milo singlet for my dad who's a namesake of the famous energy drink.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With some help from the ever generous Team Intensity, getting to Fort Magsaysay was almost hassle-free. The only hassle that presented itself mostly in the race was my lack of sleep. And being undertrained. And I know it's a wrong mentality, but I threw caution to the wind and joined the madness.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As soon as fireworks were set off, off we, a hundred plus runners, scrambled like mice in a maze. Some dashed off while some of us took it slowly conserving lots and lots of energies for the 60 kilometers of pavements to tread. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The plan was to run/walk with a 6:1 ratio for the first 40 kms. Then, 5:2 on the next 10 and then 4:3 on the last 10 kms. But that didn't happen. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blame it on the uphills and the sweltering heat. And the exhaustion. And the hunger. And so on and so forth. Alright, I'll stop the griping.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Route</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPqptCQnbug3rF1hpIJZLYBJQD0mB4mspgDdv7T23mz9BVxY1UrMYzo6BoA0rFjPtZuQYHMmE4FiBkRDtyimZT9oURmCF2eNeQiQkhEGydaX6MBxRwsmQtGnXBK4e2LJzzQEwS4oI9Sk/s1600/P1150504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPqptCQnbug3rF1hpIJZLYBJQD0mB4mspgDdv7T23mz9BVxY1UrMYzo6BoA0rFjPtZuQYHMmE4FiBkRDtyimZT9oURmCF2eNeQiQkhEGydaX6MBxRwsmQtGnXBK4e2LJzzQEwS4oI9Sk/s320/P1150504.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSJW7B3nyXnndB3th_eQOozyrUJgj7daTqxuushQxR4cMSOXApc0iwKSOtn506k2avWv8SdszTev_xDAgnZMln0qTKBdStNAXAEOWA_hzVRhCjVHMs2OZx8JTjS0UUu2nhcAJKjIJJ2s/s1600/P1150492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSJW7B3nyXnndB3th_eQOozyrUJgj7daTqxuushQxR4cMSOXApc0iwKSOtn506k2avWv8SdszTev_xDAgnZMln0qTKBdStNAXAEOWA_hzVRhCjVHMs2OZx8JTjS0UUu2nhcAJKjIJJ2s/s320/P1150492.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7FNHpyEA4nmTMCo_kYKcDchEHIh579L9C-jucSryV3VJmIcXHUUC30AE2Ne0AJIyuXADb8Mor4YIqgnGf0-OfLVOmkTyRpBw9n1N3zVnmwr8EPw6EhHZoqd4euB_ua2PgUfaF3Fa-Cg/s1600/P1150476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7FNHpyEA4nmTMCo_kYKcDchEHIh579L9C-jucSryV3VJmIcXHUUC30AE2Ne0AJIyuXADb8Mor4YIqgnGf0-OfLVOmkTyRpBw9n1N3zVnmwr8EPw6EhHZoqd4euB_ua2PgUfaF3Fa-Cg/s320/P1150476.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started slowly being faithful to the planned walk/ratio up to the 4th kilomer. Then, we faced our first big uphill. Then, there was this downhill so steep that if I lost control I'd probably be rolling like a barrel. The rest of the route is sloping with great views of the lush countryside. From Palayan City in Nueva Ecija to Dingalan, Aurora, our eyes were treated to lots and lots of greens. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I should also mention that the route is pretty much straight forward with almost an </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">nonexistent room to get lost. But that doesn't apply to me since I have a proclivity for being lost. But luckily, I didn't get lost this time.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Support crew and surviving on ice water and alms</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was adopted by Team Intensity from the onset of the race and was with them til the fourth kilometer. Till I lost them. Or they lost me. Not sure which came first. Then, I got worried from then on. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good thing, I was bringing some pesos with me and bought water, softdrinks from numerous sari-sari stores as I see them in the road. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkO6736j5tw1Lfjq7asC90X51UPkoAmRHM7vGtOKmBs8VhOCfO1pixx1pn33-Me4sU2T7Z7yxEuei8Ln1y7yspuCWZFtKvN-npjYH-FMBuDqat0S6p_tXRC58ALJwxh52NQeqdaYZtzo/s1600/P1150465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkO6736j5tw1Lfjq7asC90X51UPkoAmRHM7vGtOKmBs8VhOCfO1pixx1pn33-Me4sU2T7Z7yxEuei8Ln1y7yspuCWZFtKvN-npjYH-FMBuDqat0S6p_tXRC58ALJwxh52NQeqdaYZtzo/s320/P1150465.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ice water. Not sure who thought of calling them ice water or ice tubig. But this is basically water placed in a tube plastic used in making ice, placed in the freezer and are sold before they turn into ice. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then there was charity. I was practically begging for water, ice and other provisions. Kindhearted support crew shared with me what should have been for their runners. I remember getting water and Pocari from Jonel Mendoza, Team CB and Team Ungas. A fellow runner named Eric who made me eat his dust shared with me his salt and banana. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Walking Rod and I Am Number 26</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsOcDU4aqHXuba_pybKA9KhGy8crOMT2lvPHjH6ZvKkMYOtBIpCKEN1HUtBLr6Grz-ojIGVQJnMq0-kAQC5Ymj_hM9L9AspzlYCiK886eJ4ZRC3Gc3Ns1sihp_27QbrMORP6oJlfiP5s/s1600/P1150547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsOcDU4aqHXuba_pybKA9KhGy8crOMT2lvPHjH6ZvKkMYOtBIpCKEN1HUtBLr6Grz-ojIGVQJnMq0-kAQC5Ymj_hM9L9AspzlYCiK886eJ4ZRC3Gc3Ns1sihp_27QbrMORP6oJlfiP5s/s320/P1150547.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was treading on long enough doing a mixture of run and walk but for the most parts, walk until I only had 15kms left. And that's when it happened. My right knee started to hurt that made walking even difficult. I rallied on until I saw a huge stick and picked it up to aid me in my walking. I looked funny but who cares? I threw it away upon seeing the finish line which took forever to appear. Then there was the imprinting on the number 26. When I knew I was finishing 26th, I rallied on so that no one would overtake me. A friend of mine was born on a 26th and got married on the 26th of July. So, thinking about it being a perfect gift for her made me think stronger even when I was on the verge of giving up. And soon enough, crossing the proverbial finish line after being baked under the Nueva Ecija sun for 8 hours and 43 minutes could never be sweeter. I was welcomed by Sir Jovie aka Baldrunner, posed for some pics and rested for a bit.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohyphenhyphenxvGUFUwVPRTy98ucuPNiwTED48JGkU5s4rCRg6cOagdWqHsokB4HHhyphenhyphen91J1V1JE8BCxFHTMt3JjhizDfT4YEQjhLuZbkv2suA4wzGLQIDOp5pNSx3MnWya5T2ajqq8zkv2CqRNfz8/s1600/P1150527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohyphenhyphenxvGUFUwVPRTy98ucuPNiwTED48JGkU5s4rCRg6cOagdWqHsokB4HHhyphenhyphen91J1V1JE8BCxFHTMt3JjhizDfT4YEQjhLuZbkv2suA4wzGLQIDOp5pNSx3MnWya5T2ajqq8zkv2CqRNfz8/s320/P1150527.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Soon after, Kharl a member of Team Intensity finished and we had lunch while waiting for the other team members. After a while, Arman and after a longer while, Jeje and Nap arrived. Victory was all around.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coincidentally, this is my last ultra-race in the Philippines before moving elsewhere. And it could not get any better. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did mention about Fleetwood Mac playing in my head. There are two songs. Songbird and Landslide. But between the two, the latter gets me more with the lines <i>'But time makes me bolder, Children get older. I'm getting older too."</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PS. I would have not made it to the finish without the help of the following people:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arman - for letting me hitch in his auto</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Team Intensity (Jeje, Kharl, Nap, Arman and their support crew, Mitch and Malou) for adopting me into their team. Hope to run with them again if I get to visit Manila.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Team Ungas, Team CB (Maridol), Jonel, Eric for generously sharing me their provisions</span></div>Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-83793514525860800912011-07-19T05:23:00.000-07:002011-07-19T05:26:29.186-07:00Thank You Tuesday: Team Intensity<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6Y32rJIZ6x_g3Ug5n6ElaOfpa0iYOWEeY6UZ9utdDQVqsaMNMdMHFGMjiAb_2YOZR7MOo31JYrhY_NLtgBqV71LbBYG-9GZcRE27gjdJ60MVi9wZQ211LGqFfObnDku5b9EMAb9D0sU/s1600/intensity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6Y32rJIZ6x_g3Ug5n6ElaOfpa0iYOWEeY6UZ9utdDQVqsaMNMdMHFGMjiAb_2YOZR7MOo31JYrhY_NLtgBqV71LbBYG-9GZcRE27gjdJ60MVi9wZQ211LGqFfObnDku5b9EMAb9D0sU/s400/intensity.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="326" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Me with Team Intensity (From Left to Right: Kharl, Je, Me, Arman and Nap)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just finished my fourth ultra run this year at the<a href="http://baldrunner.com/2011/07/18/result-pau-fort-magsaysay-60k-ultra-run-2/"> PAU Fort Magsaysay 60K Ultra Marathon Challenge</a> (details to follow). I have always been a solo runner but this time it felt good to be a part of tight group of runners. I wouldn't have finished the race if not for the kindheartedness of the support crews and the other runners. I thank them big time for that. But the biggest thanks would go to <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><i>TEAM INTENSITY</i></span></b> of Alabang for adopting me in this race. I didn't get to abuse the goodies in their support crew vehicle but for them to look out for me in the race already counts a lot.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, this Tuesday, I am thanking Team Intensity. Till the next ultra run! </span><br />
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</span></div>Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-90262830764004964422011-07-08T05:45:00.000-07:002011-07-08T05:49:31.027-07:00My Fumbles in the Valley Trail Challenge and a Race Recap<div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My Fumbles</b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiyYX13e3TkUtoO9kMM2RjTsnC9K_JxSCn1iTkI2Rg5hCw0MMsvm18xaUdjB79dRgmyNvALbpqGCl2X1dLehLKUvyu6AG1P8-K_juSKBOUisIl35B7IMeJdpGOli_fwm8efQC8dTKP6Y/s1600/whole+map.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiyYX13e3TkUtoO9kMM2RjTsnC9K_JxSCn1iTkI2Rg5hCw0MMsvm18xaUdjB79dRgmyNvALbpqGCl2X1dLehLKUvyu6AG1P8-K_juSKBOUisIl35B7IMeJdpGOli_fwm8efQC8dTKP6Y/s320/whole+map.JPG" width="314" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how my GPS map looks like</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLZ3957NGNyKvlAZaLMvrb5x5GKSEN54c31jAYAPe-s9FUi0xHTZ3g01PiyWagDn6KlNMdyR4umDtskZWnpfV91wfDuNfzq-sBzUDVH_Jnd18rdp7H4Y6mp3-3lfK0B_PMVaQyQE_xrc/s1600/perfect+map.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLZ3957NGNyKvlAZaLMvrb5x5GKSEN54c31jAYAPe-s9FUi0xHTZ3g01PiyWagDn6KlNMdyR4umDtskZWnpfV91wfDuNfzq-sBzUDVH_Jnd18rdp7H4Y6mp3-3lfK0B_PMVaQyQE_xrc/s320/perfect+map.JPG" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how it should look like. Find the difference.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I fumbled twice in this race. Well, the first one is my tendency to be lost. I have a very very poor sense of direction. I got lost thrice in this race. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8XgBItbxG9n3CSXYj_gptKzhDQBLsp7bHugASlNHoWsT4aMBjZ24_DigMSM60ao9dJqNPKjWYLmueo28qwRuST97H2EPp7EXAzi4xwmxdSK2exjRUSJ3_BEmwARGG5drSOdTrH4IvDs/s1600/lost+early+part.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8XgBItbxG9n3CSXYj_gptKzhDQBLsp7bHugASlNHoWsT4aMBjZ24_DigMSM60ao9dJqNPKjWYLmueo28qwRuST97H2EPp7EXAzi4xwmxdSK2exjRUSJ3_BEmwARGG5drSOdTrH4IvDs/s320/lost+early+part.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice that line jutting from point 2? That's me getting lost.</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first was with the chase pack in the early part of the race which wasn't our fault because there was no marshal to point us where to make the right turn. I got lost again in the second half of the race somewhere in the field before being signaled to go the right way. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrjcutqVa5KAvc-UmPD3fFTaeCwUiVEUgmc6rNhGH9cXJVR7AoZDkhUcCuBPAzEmDzNt5ujq_QrJZA9PFdsC3TszmQxKj4xFuONY3dWHWoe5LvNK_enHU6Z3DIv4eKYbceaHqd1te86I/s1600/where+i+got+lost.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrjcutqVa5KAvc-UmPD3fFTaeCwUiVEUgmc6rNhGH9cXJVR7AoZDkhUcCuBPAzEmDzNt5ujq_QrJZA9PFdsC3TszmQxKj4xFuONY3dWHWoe5LvNK_enHU6Z3DIv4eKYbceaHqd1te86I/s320/where+i+got+lost.JPG" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Was the discrepancy between loop 1 and loop 2 that big?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the last, was when I missed the creek in the last part of the race. I'm chalking it up to the lack of marshal in the crucial turning points of the race and my short term memory loss. I should have remembered, shouldn't I? I was beating myself up after a fellow runner burst my bubble by telling me they were calling me when they saw me on the wrong direction. But I had my iPod on so I didn't hear them. Upon realizing that, my ego shrank to the size of a Mentos dragee. It felt like the word </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>cheater</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> was stamped on my humongous forehead. I asked the organizer, Sir Jonel Mendoza, if I could return my finisher's medal and explained I missed the turn towards the creek. He asked me to keep it. The organizer has already cleared me. So I kept it. But I still didn't feel like a finisher.</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What made me feel better was when I compared my graph for the 1st part of the race and that of the second and saw the discrepancy wasn't that big. That happened after two weeks. So now, I can rightfully claim to have finished this race. </span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNAWR5J1N1lrvsDNViigJ6Vi0ENtm51aVexsnCNTviX_JB4WAyQggunIeNuNER0zRzKJwEAwlaX8jzJi9GJhCVXxdcJ07C1w3lvZebaNubt0G4nhGiZnzm6EmDEXSWI1T3Yv00EKGRUI/s1600/turned+off+gps.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNAWR5J1N1lrvsDNViigJ6Vi0ENtm51aVexsnCNTviX_JB4WAyQggunIeNuNER0zRzKJwEAwlaX8jzJi9GJhCVXxdcJ07C1w3lvZebaNubt0G4nhGiZnzm6EmDEXSWI1T3Yv00EKGRUI/s320/turned+off+gps.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graph showing straight line. That's how long I inadvertently stopped my Garmin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, the second fumble could have solved the dilemma above. I inadvertently turned off my Garmin watch after the 40km mark. I am not sure why I did it and I didn't even notice it immediately and thought that I was just too slow to get my mileage going. My Garmin says I finished 53.82 kms in 7:52:39 while if I deduce the total hours based from the start time to the finish one, it would equal to 8:39:50. Therefore, I lost around 47 minutes of recorded mileage. I don't think I was walking when my watch stopped recording. So I might have run close to 4 kms during that time. Notice the straight line in my graph. There's no way I could have traversed that straight mainly because, I am a big failure at exploring on my own.</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>RACE RECAP</strong></span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite the mishaps, I thought this was a great race. This was a lot easier than TNF 100 but still difficult. Now, I'm contradicting myself. I would love to do this again sans the minus points it has.</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Plus points</b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOwWe5qSAZpAwa6lxRXa5h2Yp4kDg-LJRKiFaaL3Wyy_aUsFUImIxlJ4oQy0pT2w39WKqh4RnPpj_-3DtiK2kCHkxpQn0cgRiC0MDAcI6X9TClS0zYcjPYtIVroHdsivjpWD6lFR_Jeo/s1600/P1150331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOwWe5qSAZpAwa6lxRXa5h2Yp4kDg-LJRKiFaaL3Wyy_aUsFUImIxlJ4oQy0pT2w39WKqh4RnPpj_-3DtiK2kCHkxpQn0cgRiC0MDAcI6X9TClS0zYcjPYtIVroHdsivjpWD6lFR_Jeo/s320/P1150331.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Zealand!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXMzsijcZvnRUiTakGnQYiVdL4l4LHcMZ7ridmZu2OMBQNKxl_Bhl8Xw6oYa1G_uPPZ2TCBw25FOK-2Z-nflW_jg1ejzPAC8gYzCoXUTDrxCHfffne_wGsPlpfA94uimh-vVho4ju75Y/s1600/P1150330+dark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXMzsijcZvnRUiTakGnQYiVdL4l4LHcMZ7ridmZu2OMBQNKxl_Bhl8Xw6oYa1G_uPPZ2TCBw25FOK-2Z-nflW_jg1ejzPAC8gYzCoXUTDrxCHfffne_wGsPlpfA94uimh-vVho4ju75Y/s320/P1150330+dark.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cotton field</td></tr>
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<div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Route - Lovely, lovely route. Some of the best sights a runner can enjoy while running. I loved the New Zealand part of Nuvali and the cotton field was a feast to the eyes.</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Water stations - They were enough to accommodate the runners and the volunteers were helpful too. I appreciated that even though there weren't enough kilometer marks, the volunteers knew how far yet to go.</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Head organizer - I appreciated that Sir Jonel was very approachable unlike the organizer in the other ultra trail marathon that I joined who was aloof, Sir Jonel was down-to-earth and cares about his runners.</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Minus points</b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Marshals - I thought there were not enough to cover all of the critical turning points of the route. Okay, I am partly to blame why I got lost on the last part but still...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgM5MTzNEWLX4AWCZGGWHHVikvSXZI_HSpEnDnrWqlo-c2ooUh4EkVI9CzYgvmuzXfRP6j-R39kJfscFY1IPl3ml8jhd0c576rOh0ul5leT8GZ1KRzMWbeTIGMEMvgrC3vVygygFm_AQ/s1600/P1150347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgM5MTzNEWLX4AWCZGGWHHVikvSXZI_HSpEnDnrWqlo-c2ooUh4EkVI9CzYgvmuzXfRP6j-R39kJfscFY1IPl3ml8jhd0c576rOh0ul5leT8GZ1KRzMWbeTIGMEMvgrC3vVygygFm_AQ/s320/P1150347.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tie a yellow ribbon around a Meralco poste</td></tr>
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</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Trail signs - I thought some of them were hard to spot and I wish they were bigger and more visible. Kilometer marks are a welcome help too.</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. One source of truth for pre-race info - There were things I never knew about that I only found out on race day. Registration by email was a viable option instead of travelling all the way to A Runner's Circle in Manila. All you had to do was send in a copy of the deposit slip. Another was the free shuttle ride from Makati to Nuvali. I wasn't able to attend the pre-race briefing so how I wish there was a place online where all these important details were posted.</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Regardless of my misgivings, this is one of my favorite races to date and would look forward to join the next outing. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Special thanks</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*<b>Diorez Digal</b> and family for hosting me for a night</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*<b>Shosan</b> who gave me a lift when she saw me walking with my big bag in Nuvali even the assembly area was already near</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*<b>Roch</b> for singing the worst version of Chasing Pavements when I called her because I was getting bored</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*<b>Family and friends</b> for the thoughts and prayers</span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Outtake Pics</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMg9tBPwj-VYTHRmXafbBIRhliTqmNgRc8kjzjxDO-wQvEr_qQuhZYVjBQuxKU2jJvpGcje_pFdVTyTYjtNQAlL2RR6QuzYjprjhoMjSlRJzVhqif6NiSS5AMKcvhn0VWsjsIhFD2L_0/s1600/P1150333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMg9tBPwj-VYTHRmXafbBIRhliTqmNgRc8kjzjxDO-wQvEr_qQuhZYVjBQuxKU2jJvpGcje_pFdVTyTYjtNQAlL2RR6QuzYjprjhoMjSlRJzVhqif6NiSS5AMKcvhn0VWsjsIhFD2L_0/s320/P1150333.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ah. Concrete Road. My comfort zone. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwqVOI77guf6eJqKq2xpNcwjtTg1T5LMj7PZLz-a7Kp7k6x9FAp9eb_gKDn4l4_r0z8vvJtGgZ3i70rHCC9y3IOzDHt4MilsbQJN2sFNvnNIXl-89C6bNs80MH3VTnWAFGsbPTP_4esg/s1600/P1150348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwqVOI77guf6eJqKq2xpNcwjtTg1T5LMj7PZLz-a7Kp7k6x9FAp9eb_gKDn4l4_r0z8vvJtGgZ3i70rHCC9y3IOzDHt4MilsbQJN2sFNvnNIXl-89C6bNs80MH3VTnWAFGsbPTP_4esg/s320/P1150348.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FF Road. Flattened Frogs Road.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvcjJ_ZShyphenhyphenLxAVOyAWZRHf-knFhmJf1G8cSkguC98gVjukCD64p16lyP_mBSdfVPSYjyiInrVACxLJPqVCTBIM9_oVW8EuOVoDAGtvxic2sm_s1sNDpmobMhKsdWlIKMJe7rfmtjAH2c/s1600/P1150351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvcjJ_ZShyphenhyphenLxAVOyAWZRHf-knFhmJf1G8cSkguC98gVjukCD64p16lyP_mBSdfVPSYjyiInrVACxLJPqVCTBIM9_oVW8EuOVoDAGtvxic2sm_s1sNDpmobMhKsdWlIKMJe7rfmtjAH2c/s320/P1150351.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TNF Boa: Dirty but happy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijblphX5UgNSdhGaOWvbA_mklEM1sKY7ktxZOVNu35r0tu324ShfPDX-FHZ7yx_SbRxmOI3y9Qwa1-F5FpYWPGQfNHxXNUbeObV-mCCTotHjrhTKUfknhnKSi-qkIIbWUod8_Sha3MP0E/s1600/P1150354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijblphX5UgNSdhGaOWvbA_mklEM1sKY7ktxZOVNu35r0tu324ShfPDX-FHZ7yx_SbRxmOI3y9Qwa1-F5FpYWPGQfNHxXNUbeObV-mCCTotHjrhTKUfknhnKSi-qkIIbWUod8_Sha3MP0E/s320/P1150354.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-race meal: Lasagna</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5o32SLvUser13sMgm1DH9qa-OILhYKpYQc4qkeK4bdxlym3EBqN23bCuxYH4kNKMEog25OMS_8EMr1aqf4HjpFX2314_S9h7CHLhQVfMP3g2pGCg9Zcxtssv4i5qVWA7-uyIIBr1HuxA/s1600/P1150355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5o32SLvUser13sMgm1DH9qa-OILhYKpYQc4qkeK4bdxlym3EBqN23bCuxYH4kNKMEog25OMS_8EMr1aqf4HjpFX2314_S9h7CHLhQVfMP3g2pGCg9Zcxtssv4i5qVWA7-uyIIBr1HuxA/s320/P1150355.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-race meal: Family sized meaty pizza</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><a href="http://runningbitoy.blogspot.com/2011/07/finishing-valley-trail-challengeor.html">Click here for part 1 of this article.</a></span><br />
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</div>Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-6079177740915292322011-07-08T05:27:00.000-07:002011-07-08T05:49:16.958-07:00Finishing The Valley Trail Challenge...Or Maybe Not<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgPyJUWp9icMV8CXqhNzAyzmraaWEIAKWufcJDEoWlthpeS4VEPT6RsPpW1risBm3mA1SH15pHHEw7Jiu7BAGo-7VJvS6-NcaiQ2DKcGi0WcxSOUtPVvtm4uPDpqCmHqMhAuUdMpJCh0/s1600/P1150332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgPyJUWp9icMV8CXqhNzAyzmraaWEIAKWufcJDEoWlthpeS4VEPT6RsPpW1risBm3mA1SH15pHHEw7Jiu7BAGo-7VJvS6-NcaiQ2DKcGi0WcxSOUtPVvtm4uPDpqCmHqMhAuUdMpJCh0/s320/P1150332.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They made me eat their dust. hmp.</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wish I could have hanged on a little longer. I wish I didn't miss that final turn. But...oh well...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was welcomed by a soft drizzle as I exited the gorgeous home of my colleague in Cabuyao, Laguna. Despite the excruciating pain she was feeling, she graciously hosted me so I won't have to worry about commuting in the wee hours of midnight from Makati to Nuvali, Laguna. It was an easier commute than I expected. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now, Nuvali. This sprawling landscape of trail and concrete has lately been a favorite venue for races. Nuvali offers fresh air and a break from the old, tried and tested running routes of Manila. Prior to this, I was a Nuvali virgin and was looking forward to break in to this new running haven.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nuvali, Nuvali High</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got to the assembly area and with other runners I waited stoically. I don't have a running group and only know two people running this race--batchmates from TNF100 in Camsur. I got to see them later and soon, all of the 50K runners are ready to start.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1t4THa7u_4A66NeVKjDgPWGccWO8CTKj-l7vxeqparhoYX_mpuN_noQEz_SqZpboFU3F3S66uqymMF16suEbxk63ey3wbBsxG45o8jLelI8NW0eTdjxW-lJn4Y11VYUtUdE630iUmQ0/s1600/P1150315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1t4THa7u_4A66NeVKjDgPWGccWO8CTKj-l7vxeqparhoYX_mpuN_noQEz_SqZpboFU3F3S66uqymMF16suEbxk63ey3wbBsxG45o8jLelI8NW0eTdjxW-lJn4Y11VYUtUdE630iUmQ0/s320/P1150315.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with Arman TNF 100 batchmate</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Runners waiting patiently in the clubhouse</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nUjE6WuLIIq4jHlZPB36cYLczxSfuUvCcRoha3NUJMNQSxBHdHHY8LdbdGUkBYN87QebF_ox7moGuaS0FPkOIyGzfu8aaWsy29ra72Eg85QskvGMkJX0Qn5nr9VhGpj4WbYkH0uge_Q/s1600/P1150319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nUjE6WuLIIq4jHlZPB36cYLczxSfuUvCcRoha3NUJMNQSxBHdHHY8LdbdGUkBYN87QebF_ox7moGuaS0FPkOIyGzfu8aaWsy29ra72Eg85QskvGMkJX0Qn5nr9VhGpj4WbYkH0uge_Q/s320/P1150319.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skinny and ready to rumble</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASUCirSdSVYUgoE87GOmCabPeo40WWD8LWUjbK6YquTgC6Bew07OQpmE5_8Xpq6MPfkBxdw1HrzXPnDCAdhe7GoB0qXq-4M_P_wFiYZR3ES20gJBQHyP2oqNlsQF0C0xjEdOhsxXXG70/s1600/P1150314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASUCirSdSVYUgoE87GOmCabPeo40WWD8LWUjbK6YquTgC6Bew07OQpmE5_8Xpq6MPfkBxdw1HrzXPnDCAdhe7GoB0qXq-4M_P_wFiYZR3ES20gJBQHyP2oqNlsQF0C0xjEdOhsxXXG70/s320/P1150314.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even with a map, I will definitely get lost...and I did!</td></tr>
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</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We started around 15 minutes late than scheduled as the organizers were waiting for the sun to shine. And soon as it was the perfect time to sing "Here comes the sun", we scrambled like mice in a trail maze. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>First Half</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgBQ1_ob6DNFiOt1_FVKm7OseDe8g5c2mxTKqqoj7crV8LbiAoyVE90ivacaJM2NGD9V2R52jAChY0qXZ__S7YvqF0nMBNsU3zHZ4zeQmwocmBIOoWIVg0_6i8xCc8JzHDMgrrglFmds/s1600/P1150320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgBQ1_ob6DNFiOt1_FVKm7OseDe8g5c2mxTKqqoj7crV8LbiAoyVE90ivacaJM2NGD9V2R52jAChY0qXZ__S7YvqF0nMBNsU3zHZ4zeQmwocmBIOoWIVg0_6i8xCc8JzHDMgrrglFmds/s320/P1150320.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back when we were fresh and fully charged</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd55_hF8OffvPfsBFABB9JINL_K1VAy7ej_L9UhSn7tgkjlhzL2kLbT5a0q8yiQ9e3j8AvVJ4q92EvJk0d3z5R7lYHpDXrtgd6piRjVJgUHjp3-IKLHld3YxZ46b35DhZPFQ04hgQJDg/s1600/P1150321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd55_hF8OffvPfsBFABB9JINL_K1VAy7ej_L9UhSn7tgkjlhzL2kLbT5a0q8yiQ9e3j8AvVJ4q92EvJk0d3z5R7lYHpDXrtgd6piRjVJgUHjp3-IKLHld3YxZ46b35DhZPFQ04hgQJDg/s320/P1150321.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It wasn't entirely trail...</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought I was a bit careless when I was running fast at the early start of the race. There's a reason for that. I was trying to make up for some lost time I spent along with the others for getting lost in the earlier part of the race. Blame it on poor logistics. The lead pack eventually became the chase pack. There was a part of the trail where it was congested and I had to overtake some runners because the traffic was moving slow. Really, there is traffic in trails! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1Mzqls3KosjL7LJHKCjOHq6wIvkLlY8XAA_e-oIDRioSv5838od0iw1TxSLAiU-gIOfG4q8gwDNLf9OaPeMLPqvJ4wuHal6jrK6TZIGif24FmGfdKHG8-FOD_KyDiCuqd5MhMmkxPg0/s1600/P1150331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1Mzqls3KosjL7LJHKCjOHq6wIvkLlY8XAA_e-oIDRioSv5838od0iw1TxSLAiU-gIOfG4q8gwDNLf9OaPeMLPqvJ4wuHal6jrK6TZIGif24FmGfdKHG8-FOD_KyDiCuqd5MhMmkxPg0/s320/P1150331.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They call this part New Zealand. Guess why.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought that wasn't practical on my part as I found myself struggling to overcome the wall by kilometer 17. I remember even praying the Lord's prayer to help me get through. I think it helped. Well, it was a struggle getting halfway to the race as it was humid that day and I was already feeling it that early on. I walked a lot as far as I could remember.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2N7sEG_me_XkVqqmgjgUO9hZmaP9o2SvH6A5sNCSrE75cbgJk4CEy7kJGDv_yyIuwQlxhK2P-wB7xaG-f1gsCZTdQXFY-oVzx1tmIkYBLNx__StUjfsyDP4fsGiAEri5vfRYGJBxNnxk/s1600/P1150334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2N7sEG_me_XkVqqmgjgUO9hZmaP9o2SvH6A5sNCSrE75cbgJk4CEy7kJGDv_yyIuwQlxhK2P-wB7xaG-f1gsCZTdQXFY-oVzx1tmIkYBLNx__StUjfsyDP4fsGiAEri5vfRYGJBxNnxk/s320/P1150334.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to your bonus miles...the way to the small creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember passing through a small creek where we were welcomed by a sign welcoming us to our bonus miles. You see, the route wasn't 50 really. It was around 57kms plus. Soon, I got back to the clubhouse. I rested for a while and ate a half-can of Vienna sausages and a granola bar. I was planning to rest for some more but a 25K runner noticed me and asked if I'm already waving the white flag. I said no and not afraid for my pride to be tarnished, I hurried up and got back to the trail.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Second Half</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6RpnJ7kdJqF38tKwe5Wi7EXzeQRt8bTE0rFwQTBcAqltFRMdhVo56jIhe2AcGocMbysa7ONCagp1ciZqYrCEEoYV30tAcQStmzIbp7KYpT6ciyMh1jaJipeoKKkFyjAWYcBGAevjF3M/s1600/P1150335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6RpnJ7kdJqF38tKwe5Wi7EXzeQRt8bTE0rFwQTBcAqltFRMdhVo56jIhe2AcGocMbysa7ONCagp1ciZqYrCEEoYV30tAcQStmzIbp7KYpT6ciyMh1jaJipeoKKkFyjAWYcBGAevjF3M/s320/P1150335.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me trying to make it in the second half</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9t610fX8ffubT4KSWuxfs6IZ8kKWHyzyXTx_lMc97bHamwIMVJcV22p8tSbGXx_qMt9j0-6TgYjHtea9FJ95eMrnmS4hd4f3FPQlAHlg6WNeyoirW1l__sSobqNb6kU0gpzBM4TVZMU0/s1600/P1150336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9t610fX8ffubT4KSWuxfs6IZ8kKWHyzyXTx_lMc97bHamwIMVJcV22p8tSbGXx_qMt9j0-6TgYjHtea9FJ95eMrnmS4hd4f3FPQlAHlg6WNeyoirW1l__sSobqNb6kU0gpzBM4TVZMU0/s320/P1150336.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good thing my sleepy self did not fall into this</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was still hot but I carried on. I met Robert again from TNF and it was good to know that he is okay and is back running again. We chatted for a bit before I went ahead. I thought I'm ready to gain ground fully with the short rest. But as bad luck would have it, the heat of the sun was still unforgiving. I was already taking it easy but still I am not able to go full throttle. Soon, Robert caught up with me. And we walked the trail to perdition. Even when it already became cloudy. Even as twenty more runners zoomed past us and bruised my exasperated ego. I was dousing myself with cold water in every water station we passed by--which were strategically located every 5 km--to wake up my tired senses. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHju5xqT9hxKi0QsFC_JiTtifAUIP-cA5-YTv-xkKJXTZPVZPoVj5S6y34_UHtoZ8hdXLJmG6O9SNJftzgHR62Ov28apIuVox0ew3T-kaAT_qMELTHvJBqMsm0rI8RkNt-RWJpYF6SjY/s1600/P1150341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHju5xqT9hxKi0QsFC_JiTtifAUIP-cA5-YTv-xkKJXTZPVZPoVj5S6y34_UHtoZ8hdXLJmG6O9SNJftzgHR62Ov28apIuVox0ew3T-kaAT_qMELTHvJBqMsm0rI8RkNt-RWJpYF6SjY/s320/P1150341.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serenity</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6RNzP59ccTCauZktX1p9GzVjSwtc5Nncy8VYkOQpeVF_IgJ_hMpbxCWnmmw3F-IyHAjn3NKQYb09BLdxW-D77GoZ25gc72qrA1cOYYjLrxXVRmQr-Ri42y_2gu17wO_jcxMxVUdfDdg/s1600/P1150340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6RNzP59ccTCauZktX1p9GzVjSwtc5Nncy8VYkOQpeVF_IgJ_hMpbxCWnmmw3F-IyHAjn3NKQYb09BLdxW-D77GoZ25gc72qrA1cOYYjLrxXVRmQr-Ri42y_2gu17wO_jcxMxVUdfDdg/s320/P1150340.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even cows need their separate peace</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A light rain even blessed us with every drop bouncing gently on our barren skin. It was only when I learned that I only had 6 more kms to go that I decided to go and exhaust all energy that I left. I knew something was wrong. Where was that secret turn toward the small creek? I thought it was closer to the clubhouse. I even thought the organizers decided to drop the part of the route as it rained and the water level in the creek might have risen. Silly thoughts I know. But I set them aside when I saw the finish banner getting closer and closer. So I went full throttle and rallied on and finally made that sweet finish. The organizers' timer said I clocked in at <strong><span style="font-size: large;">8:43</span></strong>. It was a sweet relief to finish more than an hour before the cutoff even if I was expecting to finish within 7 hours. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3XtUifj-lWrPcgARa3e_3HQAQwOPqXeigol8ZBZHoQsGyYHIbJXAyafFCQjpu_ZKSmOUWL4hv2KMWWy4N4mSH4QNZYPMVE2nqNU7GX5Ln5vORPaBaoXjaWN29haYO0C6pWJ_DKhUc7Q/s1600/P1150353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3XtUifj-lWrPcgARa3e_3HQAQwOPqXeigol8ZBZHoQsGyYHIbJXAyafFCQjpu_ZKSmOUWL4hv2KMWWy4N4mSH4QNZYPMVE2nqNU7GX5Ln5vORPaBaoXjaWN29haYO0C6pWJ_DKhUc7Q/s320/P1150353.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Find me on the list. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://runningbitoy.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-fumbles-in-valley-trail-challenge.html">Click here for part 2 of this article. </a></span></div>Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-940010723468705609.post-46293075842702833102011-07-05T08:44:00.000-07:002011-07-05T11:09:07.022-07:00Thank You Tuesday: Bonifacio Global City<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOeNchIoN7x7sL0hXlMZ6f7rjM1FGI8sNnANVSVm_om-PIpT7oT1X4AT_NH4lEcqF1tiUL3j3riNr6RY1OvKULNLeNUfjw1DIj1qCyxXD8q2PIIeOHWoYS4E3CnrOfAPKqMHrt7iXsF8/s1600/P1150374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOeNchIoN7x7sL0hXlMZ6f7rjM1FGI8sNnANVSVm_om-PIpT7oT1X4AT_NH4lEcqF1tiUL3j3riNr6RY1OvKULNLeNUfjw1DIj1qCyxXD8q2PIIeOHWoYS4E3CnrOfAPKqMHrt7iXsF8/s320/P1150374.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BGC Logo at the Fort Strip</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was by the end of 2009 when I secured a new job back at The Fort or to be more specific, Bonifacio Global City or BGC. I've gotten a lot heavier with my previous job and have vowed to painstakingly shed those unwanted pounds. I am just lucky that my current office is just a stone throw away or in Pinoy parlance, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>ilang tumbling lang</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> from Bonifacio High Street which is one of the safest and most accessible routes for The Fort tenants. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC55XvBgBPAgmopMoFC5wMlfiTDq-XlzZC_V6XfnSx0uxqASgdgLljipxLOTgpT4J5jbBG38upve4TRezN0mq4OnSo7QxljtYeW1YSXmcgOamYKeUvmKYJpTfrQZiSadAQYnT0ZZkJo7o/s1600/P1150382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC55XvBgBPAgmopMoFC5wMlfiTDq-XlzZC_V6XfnSx0uxqASgdgLljipxLOTgpT4J5jbBG38upve4TRezN0mq4OnSo7QxljtYeW1YSXmcgOamYKeUvmKYJpTfrQZiSadAQYnT0ZZkJo7o/s320/P1150382.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonifacio High Street</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMt5673j2EOC3uD44URMogLsbLlRsd0Im7MiptMYM0Gk5L4br4m8MvNx-RGsm9cUtxPP5ZAn1SGD-GK2NPtPJUWneEtAZg99Vm6NJSnmNQGG2FfhhCdCw-QtdJTk1JZHAXc97TPMLS7eY/s1600/P1150386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMt5673j2EOC3uD44URMogLsbLlRsd0Im7MiptMYM0Gk5L4br4m8MvNx-RGsm9cUtxPP5ZAn1SGD-GK2NPtPJUWneEtAZg99Vm6NJSnmNQGG2FfhhCdCw-QtdJTk1JZHAXc97TPMLS7eY/s320/P1150386.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Runner at BHS</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am pretty sure that most of my running hours were spent in BGC with some spent in McKinley Hill and in Clark, Pampanga. I started running in High Street and coincidentally joined my first race here--a 3k one. My first 5k, 10k, 21k, 3K and my first full marathon in the Philippines were run here. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So this Tuesday, I am thankful to work and live close to BGC for making my running life a lot easier!</span><br />
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</span>Torhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11375983503673906727noreply@blogger.com0