OUR AWESOME PLANET

SCTex Run

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I ended my back-to-back travel last week with a 10k run along the soon-to-be-opened Subic - Clark - Tarlac Expressway (SCT-Ex). I'm one of the few runners who can claim to have run along the longest super highway in the Philippines! The SCTex is 93.77 km long with the Subic-Clark section measuring 50.5 km long and the Clark-Tarlac section at 43.27 km long. This is a major development backbone in the Central Luzon Area that connects Subic Freeport and Special Economic Zone, Clark Special Economic Zone, and the Central Techno Park in Tarlac. It cuts the travel time from Clark to Subic to only 30 minutes! Simply amazing! They say it will open end of April (28th tentatively).

I attended the awesome Colors Travel Photography Workshop by Master Photographer Wig Tysmans last April 11-14 weekend. Due to the storm, we were extended for two more days in Busuanga enjoying the El Rio Y Mar resort. Right after, I went to a scheduled 3-day road trip with my family and parents to 100 Islands and Bolinao, Pangasinan. We stayed overnight in Clark last Saturday night so that I can ran the 10k during the 94k SCTex Weekend.

I was dying to update the blog. My inquirer article on Awesome Family Destinations was published when I was in Palawan. I'm planning to do a detailed post on all the destinations I featured in that article within the week.

Rogin E Challenge Update
Despite the hectic back-to-back travel, I feel alive and not really exhausted. I was able to do a 10k run despite my tiring schedule. I've been drinking Rogin E with my Vitamin C supplements and I would like to think that Rogin E is making a difference. I'm going back to the gym this week and hopefully progress more towards my weight goals. I must admit I've been enjoying the food at El Rio Y Mar in Busuanga, Palawan.

Text and Photos by Anton Diaz. Copyright 2008.

Happy Anniversary to Happy Feet!

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Happy 1st Year Anniversary to Happy Feet! I am a proud member of this awesome social running club. I always look forward to races just to meet this young, fun and passionate runners. I got inspiration from the group because most of them are experts in their own right. Anybody can join specially the running newbies who want to have company during the races. Just join the impromptu_runners@yahoogroups.com.

Run for FAME

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I have a lot of backlog lately on my blog posts so I'm sorry for the multiple posts in one day. I have a lot of stories to tell and I can't wait to post all of them.

Congratulations to the H@ppy Feet runners who finished the Run for FAME last Sunday at Mall of Asia! FAME stands for The Filipino Association for Mariners' Employment. It aims to unite all legitimate shipmanning companies for a more formidable presence in and source of the world's maritime labor force.

I try to keep running 10Ks to balance off all the food trips with my wife. Recently, we went on a food trip in Marikina and I can't wait to share with you our discoveries. We ran a total of 11.5K around Mall of Asia and my legs hurt a bit probably because of the additional weight gained from the food trip.

Technorati Tags: MOA

The Great UP Sunday Picnic Brunch

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It was my first time to run under the trees of the famous UP oval for the Great UP Run. Now I understand why a lot of runners do their training runs here because of the scenic route and the shade offered by the trees. I'm starting to become a run-aholic like my friends from the H@ppy Feet running group.

H@ppy Feet organized a picnic near the lagoon in UP as a bonding moment for the group. It turned out this was one of the best Sunday Picnic Brunch I ever had.

I recorded my personal best of 75 mins for a 10k which is still relatively slower than most runners. I aim to go sub-1 hour for my 10k run and sub-7mins/km pace.  I lost 1030 calories but I think I gained more than that from the picnic. I'm running these days just to keep my current weight.

Technorati Tags: Great UP Run

 
My running buddies from H@ppy Feet. Most of us have started running for less than a year. The common thing that binds the group together is the passion for running. If you are looking for running buddies, join us at impromptu_runners@yahoogroups.com.

Also, we are looking for sponsors for the group's running shirt/ singlet. Let me know if you know of somebody who would like to sponsor H@ppy Feet.

 
Of course, our P&G running buddies are always there in all the major runs.

 
Everyone contributed to the picnic and it was a memorable Sunday Picnic Brunch. The 10k run was a good excuse to eat a lot.  I brought M Cafe's killer Jackfruit Sansrival dessert to the picnic.

 
Here is a quote from Mon Sunday, the god father with 2 decades of marathon experience, about the Sunday Picnic Brunch:

" Wow, after the wonderful race at UP Great Run was the first picnic at UP.Grabe na to. Si Trisha nagdala ng hershey mini chocolate and barbecue, Si Chai yata nagdala ng manok and saging?? correct me if i am wrong and the pang-ulam (danggit and pusit) and the sawsawan. Si Vanggie brought her home made ensalada and the healthful cucumber inspite of her hectic schedule(talagang mahal na mahal niya talaga ang Happy Feet I salute you Bangiggay) . Si Anton brought the tasty langka cake. SMith brought goldilocks cake. He also brought her beautiful wife. Si Roselle cook us first class rice from Rustan pa yata. Si Joms yata brought his good service of showing/touring us the place and made funny faces and remarks. Si Ben brought the mineral water. Si totoy, Rey and Sam pala ang doon din.Me, i brought the softdrinks. Si Eric brought a virtual lechon. Si Michelle and her friend Aljoy run the UP great run but they left early . At least she came to visit our group and meet the new members."

"After the upakan ng pagkain at kantiyawan, Nag picture taking ang group. Mga 11 am , the group dispersed and we will meet again on our practice run next week."

 
The girls of H@ppy Feet!

We can't resist not to take a picture in front of the oblacion. (Photographer on the run, Ben Chan orchestrating the UP shot)

Takbo Para Kay Ariel

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H@ppy Feet Members running for 2nd Lieutenant Ariel M. Toledo

TAKBO PARA KAY ARIEL. Sino ba si Ariel?
"This is a FUN RUN for a Cause. Proceeds will go to 2nd Lieutenant Ariel M.Toledo, Phil. Airforce, Philippine Military Academy Class of 2006-MANDALA's Magna Cum Laude and Valedictorian, 27 years old, who has been orphaned and now diagnosed with Cancer of the Bile Duct. He is in need of an amount of US$55,000.00 or approximately Php2,600,000.00 for one continuous therapy and Php2Million to cover other expenses for his sustenance and pending bills to be paid in different hospitals. His story was recently featured in ABS-CBN's Maalala Mo Kaya (June 20, 2007). "

Related Posts: Takbo Para Kay Ariel

I'm happy that I met the H@ppy Feet runners group. These group are passionate about running and even supports causes such as Takbo Para Kay Ariel. I met them in the blogosphere when I was preparing for my Milo Marathon and looking for blogger runners. These group of people are the official source of runner's information in Manila! 

Here is an un-official list of H@ppy Feet Blogger Runners:

The Bull Runner (thebullrunner.com) Coffee Mug (banggigay.wordpress.com)
o.O Surviving this lonely planet (renz.ticsay.ph)
Photographer on the Run (benmchan.blogspot.com)
RUNNING DIVA (jambalayamuzika.blogspot.com)
Habang Tumatakbo (tackbow.blogspot.com)
a one-live cat's life (witchkitty.blogs.friendster.com/the_kitty_cats_blog)
Hit me with your best shot… (hitme64.wordpress.com)

Technorati Tags: Takbo Para Kay Ariel

 
Congratulations to the Bull Runner for winning the 5th Place for Women Runners!

I felt very good about my run yesterday because I was able to sustain a 9 minutes run / 1 minute walk pacing. I run around 45 minutes which is not bad.  BTW, thanks to the companies who supported the Takbo para kay Ariel. We need more companies supporting runs for a cause such as this!

Regards,

Mommy Milkshake Marathon

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We love supporting this Mommy Milkshake Marathon last Saturday sponsored by Barbizon, for many reasons:

1.  This was the first time our entire family run together for the 2k Fun Run. During the Milo Marathon, Aidan wanted to run with me but it was so hot. So this time, I was able to ran side by side with Aidan together with Rache and Baby4.

2.   This was my first run after the long 42k marathon and I was hoping this gets back back into the groove of running. (without fear of dehydration, hahaha)

3. Aidan is still breast feed until today.  This is actually one of the reasons why we always bring Aidan with us on road trips and travels outside Manila. He is also healthy and rarely gets sick.

4. I finally met the H@ppy Feet runners: the Bullrunner, Bangingay, Ben Chan, etc.  It's great to meet with fellow Filipinos who loves to run and a few of them are also into Nike +.

5. I do hope Aidan is able to remember his first 2k run. I'm dreaming of the day that we ran a 42k Marathon together...

Related Posts:
The Barbizon Mommy Milkshake Marathon by the Bull Runner

2k in 30 minutes for the Diaz Family.... not bad :)

Aidan and Rache at the starting line of the Mommy Milkshake Marathon.

Aidan was not in a good mood that morning because of the heat and it rained before the race. We are proud that Aidan is still breast fed until today!

H@ppy Feet Runners -- Nice Meeting you guys!  I hope to get to know you guys more in the eGroups!

Aidan with Tessa Prieto-Valdez.

Rache with Baby4, Aidan and Anton.

Of course, there were water stations provided by Wilkins. There were a total of 4 water stations in total and Aidan stopped in each one of them because he likes to serve us with water...actually we think he is fascinated with the water station even at home...He likes to serve us with lotsa glass of water.

Aidan and Mommy Rache in the finish line.

Congratulations Aidan, you are a 2k finisher at the age of 2.5 years old!! Yehey!!

Conquering the 31st Milo 42k Marathon

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The moment has come...to face one of the biggest personal challenges in my life. I aim to conquer my first 42 kilometers Marathon tomorrow at 4am for the 31st Milo Marathon. The marathon starts in Km. 0 at the Rizal monument, going all the way along Roxas Blvd making a U-turn in NAIA road going to Buendia. From Gil Puyat, the race continues all the way the entire stretch of Buendia crossing over the Kalayaan flyover to the Fort. Then it passes the Fort area passing through Lawton avenue until Heritage Gardens near C-5 which is the 25km point.  Hopefully, I will survive on my way back and reach the Quirino grandstand safely at 11am.

I can't imagine how the Ultra-marathoners (see Run For Your Life)  will survive running the 100km starting from U.P. at 7pm tonight and also ending in Quirino grandstand in sync with the Milo Marathon for their last 42km.  We joined forces together to dedicate our marathon run for a cause to Kythe.  Thanks to all the people who sent me their pledges!!  Collectively, for every Kilometer I finish, I will be donating P500 to Kythe and I do hope to complete the 42km tomorrow.  I actually have a bad stomach since last week and I do hope that the meds would take effect in time for the Marathon tomorrow.  There is still time to send me your challenge pledge (via email anton@diaz.ph / text 0928 - 558 8500) (see Blogger's Run For a Kid's Life) and to other blogger-runners who decided to join in the Blogger's Marathon-for-a-cause.

If you have time, please watch and support us tomorrow morning for the 31st Milo 42k Marathon run. If you decide to support, you can give gatorade to the runners or just a simple cheer would do to encourage our spirits to complete the marathon. If not, make sure to avoid the marathon race route tomorrow morning since it will be closed for 7 hours. Thanks for all your support and say hi when you see a fat guy running hopelessly in green milo marathon shirt with P&G logo at the back.

Jim’s Top 10 Tips for Running a Successful Marathon....

Technorati Tags: Milo Maraton

Jim’s Top 10 Tips for Running a Successful Marathon

When you ask your body to run 42.2 kilometers, the SMALLEST of details can make the difference between success and failure, or making it a great experience or 6 hours of hell. Here is a listing of the personal discoveries I have had in finishing 18 full marathons, so you can avoid some of the HUGE mistakes I have made in the past:

1. Never wear anything new. No new socks, new t-shirts, shorts. And absolutely, positively, no new shoes or underwear. Everything you wear should be “battle tested” on a long run to ensure it does not irritate your skin or rub you the wrong way. Chafing and rubbing can absolutely stop you from continuing.

2. Start out slow, a lot slower than you feel you can run. Marathoning is a sequence of 2 events of mind/body. The first 30 kilometers you must use your mind to convince your body to SLOW DOWN when it wants to go fast. The final 10 kilometers, you must use your mind to convince your body to SPEED UP when it wants to stop. It is very easy to fall into a trap of going too fast at the start as your adrenaline and energy carry you along. Remember, it is not how you start, but how you finish, that will determine success. Take it easy.

3. Take care of your nipples (Guys—watch out!). NOTHING is more painful than having a sweat soaked shirt rub your nipples raw until they bleed. This will happen over 42.2 kilometers unless you take precautions. Women need to wear a sports bra that they have tested in long runs. Guys should use band-aids or any other bandage to cover. Plus some lubricant on top to make sure.

4. Carry a fanny pack with key aids. There are special running fanny packs that are comfortable and allow you to carry along small items. Despite the best efforts of your friends and family to be along the course for support; and the race organizers to have plenty of aid stations, 99% of the time you will find yourself in need and no one is there to help. I suggest to carry a small amount of toilet paper; lubricant for any chafing/lips; some gel packs for energy; and some money in case you need to buy something enroute. Also a cell phone can help if you are in a large race and will need to locate your family at the finish line.

5. Eat as normal. There is plenty of talk about “carbo loading” and the like. This is fine, but in reality don’t try new foods the day before or the day of the marathon. Eat as you normally would. This kind of running can really wreak havoc on your bowels and stomach, and to add in new foods can often make it worse.

6. Get to the start line at least 45 minutes prior to start. You will need to sort out where to start, ensure you have everything, and also to make a last minute trip to the toilet. Don’t come 5 minutes before when the mad rush is on—get there early and warm up.

7. Mix water and sports drinks during the run. I would not suggest drinking only water or only a sports drink. Mix them and drink a half-cup of each at each aid station. DON’T SKIP OUT ON THE FLUIDS. Take a little at every stop! You are not dehydrated until it is too late to notice. Water is crucial but if this is all you drink, you will feel bloated and will not get all the nutrients you need. Drink only Powerade and you will get all the electrolytes (needed for muscle contraction) but you can get an upset stomach. This is why it is key to mix them.

8. Take walk breaks. Even if only for 30 seconds, this allows your running muscles to rest briefly while you switch focus to the walking muscles. I suggest walking for a few seconds at each water station. Many people, myself included, will say they have run their fastest times when they took small walk breaks every 10 or 15 minutes. This preserves your legs for the final 10 KM, which is when the real marathon begins!

9. Get your sleep 2 days before the race. You won’t sleep too well the night before, so don’t worry about it, and under no circumstances should you take any medication to help you sleep that can make you groggy the next morning. The key is to get a good night sleep 2 days prior. Focus on this night (Friday) and don’t stay out too late.

10. Finally, don’t do anything stressful the final week of the marathon. Too many runners try to get in some final tough runs on the last 7 days, and they enter the marathon with dead legs. There is nothing you can do to get in any better shape in the final 7 days, so don’t even try. The only thing you can gain by over training in the final week is sore legs that will let you down on marathon day. Take it easy, rest up. And on the Saturday before, do NOTHING. No walking, nothing. Lay around the house and watch movies!

Blogger's Run For a Kid's Life

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A Blogger's Marathon-For-A-Cause

Dearest Our Awesome Planet Friends,

I'm not a runner. I never imagined in my life that I can run 10k. I have used all the possible excuses I can think of --- I'm too fat and I cannot handle my weight, it is so boring to run for more than an hour, it is better to sleep to regain energy than to run, it is too hot and I don't want to get darker than I already am, etc. etc... I realized that I've been eating too much when I gained the equivalent weight of Aidan (around 30lbs+) ever since he was born (that is when I started blogging).

Thanks to my boss, Jim Lafferty, who motivated us to run and we formed the P&G Marathon team. I started running since January but I was not disciplined enough to follow the Marathon training plan to the letter. Not until I got Nike Plus, it changed my entire running life. It is my loving companion during my run. Nike Plus would give me statistics about my pacing and how long / how far I already run. It lifts my spirit with the power songs when my legs are already telling me to quit. It plugs me into this virtual community of runners in the Philippines and all over the world. That was good for 21K or half a marathon. I survived the 21K Run for P.E.A.C.E. and 21K Adidas King of the Road. .

On July 22, 2007, I hope to become part of the elite group of the 0.1% of the world's population who have run a full 42 kilometers marathon. I don't know if I will finish the 42km run since I'm running at my heaviest weight. I would like to make it meaningful and to run like there is no tomorrow. In partnership with the Pinoy Ultra-Runners' Run For Your Life, I'm dedicating my first Marathon to Kythe. Kythe is a non-stock, non-profit organization that caters to the psycho-social needs of pediatric patients (especially those with chronic illness, such as cancer) in government hospitals around the country. I would like to solicit donations as part of my first marathon, and 100% of the proceeds will go to Kythe.

Kythe runs various activities and programs for pediatric patients, from in-house playroom activities, and bedside activities like reading books to children, to out-of-hospital trips like visiting zoos, museums, etc; With available but limited funds, they also cater to the medical needs of some indigent patients. It is currently supporting ~9 affiliate government hospitals, and has supported and uplifted the lives of hundreds of patients and their families. More difficult than running my first 42km, their task is way over challenging given the number of patients in various hospitals to support, and very limited resources and fund to support them.

We need your support. The mechanics is simple and patterned after a marathon challenge pledge. I got the idea from Christian Pobre who used to do a Marathon-for-a-Cause for Bukas Sarili.  You just need to pledge an amount P10 per Km. If I finish 42km, then you just need to donate P420. If you are generous, you can pledge P100, or $1 or even P1 will do. 100% of the proceeds will go to Kythe. Please put your pledge in the comments section and I will contact you via email on the easy ways to give the donation.

For the bloggers who will also run the Milo Marathon on July 22, let us make this a blogger's marathon-for-a-cause. You can run as short as 5k and collect pledges / donation from your family and friends. Let me know if you are joining so that I can include you in the list of the Bloggers Running for a Child's life. We will do a simple dinner/ ceremony afterwards to give the donations to Kythe. Please don't forget to register in the Milo Marathon this week.

Thanks for all your support in advance. May God reward and bless you for your generosity.

Sincerely,

Email me at anton@diaz.ph for your pledge or text me for your pledge at +63 928 558 8500

 

Adidas King of the Road, 21k Aftermath

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All my leg muscles are still aching today but I'm feeling a lot better after the 21k run last Sunday @ Adidas King of the Road.  My average for my first 10k is 7.5 minutes per kilometer. After the 11k mark which is along the Kalayaan fly over, my legs were attacked by cramps and I was forced to slow down to 9 minutes per kilometer. I still ended up second to the last, but I finished the race in 3 hours and 15 minutes. I was hoping to beat the 3 hours mark but the last 2 kilometers along Roxas Blvd was so grueling that I just focused on finishing the race. I was happy that the P&G marathon team waited for me before they took a group photo to celebrate our KOTR run.

 
The 21k run started in the Quirino Grandstand, running through Roxas Boulevard then turning left along Buendia all the way to the Kalayaan Flyover. I started running from our house in Malate towards the starting line for about 5k already and walked back home to complete my 30k run in preparation for the Milo Marathon. Our boss and coach Jim said, all those who finished the 21 KOTR last Sunday would definitely have a higher chance of finishing the 42k marathon. That was a confidence booster and I'm visiting the sports doctor to have a final check if everything is in ME is ok physically. Will announce the details of the Marathon-for-a-Cause soon...

The P&G Marathon Team!  As Ria would say, Running is the New Golf!

Here are some of my learnings after the 21k Marathon

1. I need to start slow and conserve my energy.
I tried to run at 9mins run/ 1 minute walk but I was exhausted easily. I should do 6 minutes run / 1 minute walk during the 42k marathon.

2. No fuel belts for me. As it is, I am heavy already and I felt the additional weight of the fuel belt at the 5k mark. I would need to rely on bike support and family/ friends to give me the fuel (gatorade, fuel bar, water, etc.) that I need.

3. I need to lose 10lbs. I barely survive the 21k run at my 210lbs weight. I just need to go under 200 lbs in 3 weeks time (hopefully) before the July 22 Milo Marathon.

4. Petroleum Jelly works!  I survived without any scratches or bruises because of the petroleum jelly. I might need to buy the Body Glide to be sure. I should also put some lubrication in my ear because the earphones could scratch my ear over time despite the rubber cushion.

5. My Big Toe hurts.  Unfortunately, my big left toe continued to have an internal bleeding because I choose the wrong shoe size or maybe the Nikes are not good for long runs. I don't know what to do but let it heal on its own.

Related Posts:
Adidas King of The Road by The BullRunner
Adidas KOTR by Renz Ticsay
Whew. Pant. Struggle. Finish. (Part 2) by Hit me with your best shot…
Adidas king of the road by Bangingay's Coffee Mug
Philmug Nike+ Challenge Thread

Technorati Tags: 21k, Adidas, KOTR

 
At the 11k mark with Momer along the Kalayaan bridge. At this point, I was still doing well until the leg cramps hit me on the way down the Kalayaan bridge. We started to run around 5.40am and this photo was taken at 6.52am.

 
Mars took this photo as I was about to cross the finish line at 3 hours and 12 minutes. You need to add + 30 minutes from the clock above because they reset it at the start of 10k.

I felt I was king of the road (hehe) after finishing second to the last in the 21k race :) Here is my boss giving me a congratulatory high five -- yahoo!

Adidas King of the Road, 21K

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I'm all set for my 21k Adidas King of the Road run. I'm excited to complete the 21k KOTR and I will attempt to run an additional 10k to finish my scheduled 30k run. In the spirit of What's in your bag, here are the  gadgets, and marathon stuff that I usually bring during a run:

1. Nike Plus Airmax 180
2. Nike + iPod Sport Kit
3. Nike Dri FitSocks
4. Ipod Nano 2gb with Power Songs
5.  Sennheiser PMX70 Sport Line Stereo Neckband Headphones
6. Adidas King of the Road Race Packet
7. Adidas Dri-fit Red Shirt with Race Number
8. PowerBar Gels (Green Apple, Raspberry Cream, Strawberry Banana, Vanilla, Caramel)
9. Petroleum Jelly
10. Nathan Marathon Belt Fuel Bag

Technorati Tags: 21k