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Runner’s World Philippines Now Out

March 29th, 2010 journeyingjames 15 comments

Runner’s World Philippines 1st Issue- April 2010

The 1st Philippine Issue of Runner’s World is now out in the market. Good thing it is for FREE! You can have an exclusive copy of it by buying a Men’s Health or a Women’s Health magazine for only P165. I got mine from Fully-Booked BHS. Running is indeed increasing its popularity here in the Philippines. I wonder why there is no RW Singapore or Japan? Other RW editions are from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, UK and of course US.

“Welcome to the first issue of Runner’s World Philippines. Whether you’ve just started running or have been plodding on for years, you’re bound to have an obsession with feet…” –Maria Calica, Editor-in-Chief

The story behind my Runner’s World mag.
I was at the magazine section last Saturday when I saw a pic of Coach Rio on the cover. As a newbie runner I got interested. Then I learned that it was the 1st issue of Runner’s World. I’m not really a fan of magazine except if its free or from Booksale. As far as I remember the most expensive mag that I bought was P39. A Surfing mag as I am a “surfer” wannabee. But last weekend I found myself buying Men’s Health for P165. As I was about to pay I remember that my money is just enough for food while in Manila. Good thing that I can use my credit card in Fully-Booked so I got my own copy. Obvious that I’m a running addict already: logging 30-40 kilometers a week, wearing singlet when I sleep, eating pasta thrice a week, and buying a running mag.
When I took the jeepney, I immediately opened the mag and browsed it. When I got home I read every page (36 pages in all) from front to back (all ads and product sponsors and even the names of contributors).

So happy to have my copy of RW Philippines and Men’s Health.

I bet the 1st issue of RW Phils will be a collector’s item someday.

Here are some of my fave picks:

Rave Run (Can I submit a photo for the next issue?), pp.2-3
Ask Miles (now I know…), p.6
Use Your Noodle (Pasta 101), pp.12-13
Fridge Wisdom (I will definitely try the shake, yum-yum), p.15
Coach Rio’s Corner (preparing for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil pala si Coach Rio), p.23

More Pics from the inside:

Coach Rio’s Story

Correct! Each runner to his/her own training.

Sorry, blurred images because I am using my laptop camera

Runner’s World (RW) is world’s leading running magazine. RW Philippines will be available quarterly this 2010 bundled with Men’s Health and Women’s Health mag so watch out for the next issue.
To get us more excited on the next issue, let’s guess who will be the next on the cover? My guess, its Piolo Pascual.

Categories: Running Tags:

Trading Globe’s Run for Home for Boracay

March 24th, 2010 journeyingjames 3 comments

As I was about to register for Globe’s Run 2010, I noticed that I already have an earlier commitment- a planning retreat at Boracay. Still, there is something in me that wants to Run for Home and run at Ayala Triangle. But the registration fee is enough to convince me that I should go to Boracay and have my running training there as well. So I traded my opportunity to run at Ayala to Boracay Island Running. So let me say squarely that I believe that Globe Run 2010 and Green Miles are nothing compared to my RUNNING NIRVANA in Boracay.

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“Kunwari, nanghihinayang na ‘di nakasali sa Globe Run dahil walang recycled singlet and ‘di na-experience yung bagong ruta sa Ayala Triangle”

(Pretending that I regret to join Globe’s Run for Home 2010 because I don’t have a recycled singlet and was not able to experience running on a new route- Ayala Triangle)

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(On the balcony before my MSD, I woke up my friend to capture this photo. The background was majestic.)

MY RUNNING NIRVANA:

Medium Slow Distance (MSD)

Stoked on a new running/travelling adventure, I really forced myself to wake up early (the night life got some of my sleeping time) and lace my shoes. The plan was really to run barefoot but because I saw a lot of runners the day before with shoes on I also wore mine. Since I don’t have a Garmin, I just relied on run.com for the approximate measurement of my route. It says 11.5 kilometers or 7.18 miles, half of the distance was on the main road of the island, the other half on the shore with 249ft. highest elevation.

11.5K route according to run.com and Google map

First times:

1. To run in Boracay. It was also my first time to visit Boracay. And I think Boracay is like Timog Ave. and Makati placed in an island minus the pollution. The night is very much alive with music, dancing, party and a lot more. I think I wanna come back.

2. To run on sand. I run on sand but not intentionally as I did in Boracay. I must admit that I’m a proud ‘runner’ with my hydration belt with me. People are always staring on my belt. They think it’s training weights. You can also find a lot of runners in the am (5:30-7:00) and in the afternoon (4:30-6:00). They run barefoot, with running shoes, basketball shoes, slippers, etc.

3. To run not knowing the entire route. It was indeed an adventure run, and I enjoyed it. Just having fun on the road, the beach, the hills.

Barefoot Running

I am aware of the many benefits of barefoot running and I think it is best done on beach like this:

(Attire: Board shorts by Fox, Rash Guard by Body Glove and Running Cap by Nike. No shoes of course!)

14 Kilometers Plus Plus (14k++)

The last day of my Boracay Run was indeed a BLAST! I think it is the best of my solo runs so far. A 14-kilometer run with everything in it- hills training, LSD, run-walk method, beach run, trail run, mountain climbing, sight seeing, picture taking, etc.

14K route according to run.com and Google map

(After my 14k run, tanned already, hydration belt depleted, sun is hot. Because I run alone, I brought my friends’ digicam. I love the green coconut trees and the blue skies.)

More pictures to come in the following days.

Thanks to Ira for letting me use her digicam when I run, Runnel for taking an early morning pic and Mitch for the barefoot running pic.

Categories: Barefoot, Boracay Tags:

Running in Boracay Soon…

March 18th, 2010 journeyingjames 2 comments

Running here soon…

(from Katrina Lou Samsin’s flickr)

Boracay running kicks off tomorrow! Summer is around the corner, try to grab some before the monsoon rains come.

Visit this site after 4 days for an update…

My Running Nirvana at Boracay is now done but I still have hangover. Experience Nirvana here.

Categories: Running Tags:

Green-Minded Running

March 15th, 2010 journeyingjames 8 comments

It’s been a month now since I thought of changing my blogsite to greenrunner or runningreen not because I’m from La Salle but because I always wanted to have my own little way of saving the planet that by going green. I guess the time has come for me not to change my blog site but to post something for the benefit of our planet.

I am supporting Earth Hour. I will turn off the lights on March 27, Saturday at 8:30pm. I will encourage all my friends, contacts, students, etc to do the same. I hope you would do the same. Yet, more than this I will run- instead of taking the public transit i would opt to run/walk to save on fuel. Imagine every person running/walking…hmmmm? We have clearer skies, fresher air and healthier lives.

Three ways to get you started:

1. For kids, make our planet brighter by creating a lantern. Click here to join the Earth Hour Lantern Project.

2. For Facebook/Twitter users, talk about Earth hour on your status/tweet. Become a fan. Share it with you contacts!

3. For bloggers like me, place a widget, banner or blog about Earth Hour. Post a video like this one:

Now I want to give you 7 ways to run green:

Instead of taking the public transit run/walk if you can. It’s healthier too!
Instead of buying 500ml Gatorade bottles, buy 1.5L and just refill my previous bottles. It’s cheaper also!
Bring hydration during races so you do not rely that much on water stations- it would translate to lesser plastic cups thrown to garbage.
When buying a juice/cola after the run, skip the straw.
Next time you run try bring with you a plastic so you can pick up some non-biodegradable along the way.
Use your running shorts twice. It will save a lot of fresh water.
Bring your empty GU/Hammer with you, don’t throw it along the route.

Go green! Run green! Run green-minded!

Earth Hour Website here.

Categories: Running Tags:

Race Review: Pocari Sweat Fun Run

March 13th, 2010 journeyingjames 8 comments

Ready, Get Sweat, Go! (3K/5K/10K)

March 13, 2010 (5:00am) at The Fort

Race Fee: Php250 for all distances

Beneficiary: Philippine Society for Crippled Children & Filipino Athletes

Organizer: Evangelista Sports Management, Inc.

I’m still asking myself if I really have to do a race review on this one. C’mon James give me a break you’re just a newbie runner, you have run not more than 10 races and you are doing a race review? Yes, I run just 7 official races but I think I have something to say. I paid for the race and I think it is just fine to say something for the betterment of future races. I hope the organizers will be able to stumble upon this review.

RACE REVIEW

5-Excellent 4-Very Good 3-Average
2-Needs Improvement 1-Terrible

Registration: 2- Registration is not accessible to everyone. C’mon Pocari who would go to your office just to register. Good thing that you give the singlet, race map, bib number, and Pocari Swear bottle holder as we register. The website is not working during the first day of registration, good thing you manage to fix it. One thing more, it was my first time to use a tarpaulin race bib- very creative and I bet cheaper than the water-proof bibs used in most races.

Starting Time:2- The website information said that assembly time is 5:00am so we hurriedly went at the venue. Instead of taking jeepney we had to take the taxi. Too sad because we waited for more than 30 minutes before the race started. Good thing there where warm-up exercises and a short program- National Anthem and Prayer before the race started.

Route Markers, Marshal and Traffic: 1- No kilometer marker. Just a handful of marshals who doesn’t even know what to do. The race was not close to traffic. I heard some motorists bonking their horns on runners. I hope those motorists learn to run someday.

Start/Finish Lane and Race Clock: 2- I know this is only a P250 fun run but

hey I think a start/finish line is a must for every race. The clock was too small you have to see through the crowds when after you finished your distance.

Restrooms/Baggage Area: 1- This is the first time I looked for a portalet and I find none. This is very important race organizers. You said will portalets are provided but there was none. Next time I suggest that you station at least 3 person at the baggage area. It was tiring job for a single person considering that more than 2,000 runners registered for the race.

Hydration Station: 2- “Ice tubig” at Pocari Sweat on 350ml bottle inside the cooler. It was unhygienic for me to drink water from an ice bag just because I don’t know where it came from- too bad. Luckily I have a tough stomach. What

a waste of Pocari as the marshal pass 350ml bottles to every runner. We just need to sip some as we are more focused on our running. I actually brought a bottle with me at the last 2 kilometers to my detriment cause I’m used to running free hand. To make things worse, they didn’t follow the water stations as stated on their water station guide.

It was also chaotic after the race because the 3K and 5K runners rushed to the Pocari Station to get as more than they needed. I also saw some who are not registered getting drinks. I will not forgot someone wearing blue who get a box full of Pocari for his own. I feel sorry for the 10K runners who didn’t get a drink after the race. A claim stub or a mark on the race bib would do the trick.

Agawan ng Pocari (even those not registered had their share)

Singlet: 4- A combination of white and blue. I just noticed that its heavier than my previous singlets especially when it is wet. I guess the cloth used is cheaper than the dri-fit materials used in most if the races I’ve joined.

Here’s my model (Gideon and AR) wearing the singlet.

Course: 4- I heard that the 3K route was not followed as prescribed in their planned race route making it lacking some 500m. On 11th Ave the runners headed straight to the finish line forgetting to turnright to 30th street. The 5K route has a short downhill at 5th avenue which I enjoyed cause it is here that I was able to overtook most of the runners. The 10K route just followed the 5K route. You just have to run twice the loop. Luckily, i joined the 5K because i’m not a fan of loops- its kinda boring. I know of some who opted to run just 5K instead of the 10K because its tiring to get back on where you have run already.

Race Results: 4- Its good that the organizers admitted that they will only record the first 10 finishers in each category and you have to time, yourself to the finish line. Shame to those organizers that promised to publish results and as of today haven’t done so.

Freebies: 4- None. Wait, do you consider a bottle of 350ml Pocari Sweat freebie? Okay, I understand as this race has no sponsor other than Pocari- that is why I’m putting 4.

Over-all Rating: 2.5

More photos (thanks Gideon for bringing your camera):

My 3rd 5K race at 26:45 (unofficial time), a new PR for me.

There were pacers for the 10k runners- 5:00, 6:00, 7:00 & 8:00/km

Post-race program and games:

5K Winners: 1st Place- Jujet De Asis (16:22)

5K Winners: 1st place-Maricel Maquilan (20:59)

Runners from Los Banos (Me, AR and Gideon)

Beneficiary of this Fun Run- The Philippine Society for Crippled Children

Special Mention: I just to thank Sir Toel Toel who registered us for this race. Sir, without you my friends and I will not able to experience how to race in The Fort. Thank you also for the Adination of runners registration form.

Summary. I enjoyed this race over-all because I was able to bring my running buddies from Los Banos. They absolutely had fun in their first time to experience running at The Fort. What I admire the the most from the organizers is that they invited the beneficiary to come to the event and even render a special number for the runners. They also gave a cheque amounting to Php150,000 for the benefit of Philippines Society for Crippled Children. This would give confidence to the runners that a certain amount of money they paid for the race indeed goes to the right hands- in their case- the right feet (they are crippled). It was a a small, simple race without much fun fare, festivities, corporate freebies, finisher’s medal, LCD screen or spectators but a memorable race indeed. After all what separates the best races from the common ones are the memories shared, experiences encountered, the strong finish you made and the thought that you made friends along the way.