Hydration Belt: Fuel Belt R20

So, I was able to get some budget to buy a new hydration belt. I was contemplating in the store today between Nathan Speed 2 and Fuel Belt R20. My previous belt was a Speed 2 which was a large and does not fit me anymore (I got thinner, yahoo!) and it is quite old and dilapidated. I decided on Fuel Belt R20 because it looks nice and can hold my car keys, and maybe around 2-3 GU at the same time. I am definitely using this to train for Milo 21K. I did get the yellow one because I wanted to pair it with my shoes. Here is a photo I grabbed from the internet of what I bought.

See you guys in the road. Running in UP oval tomorrow - LSD.

The HP Run

As most of my friends know, I have transferred to HP since November of 2012. And since I am a loyalist, I am promoting The HP Run happening on September 1, 2013 at the Bonifacio Global City.

I am not sure yet what will be my target for ths race but I am hoping that this could be my PR. Anyhoo, here are the race details.

Race Details:

Venue: Bonifacio Global City
Date: September 1, 2013 (Assembly Time is at 5AM)

Race Fees:
3k: PHP 400
5k: PHP 500
10k: PHP 600
5k Buddy: PHP 800 per pair

Fees are inclusive of:
Singlet (Size availability may be limited.)
Runningmate Race Bib with built in timing chip

Registration Guidelines:
Registration period is from June 26, 2013 – July 26, 2013.
Please take note of the fees of which race you are participating.
Mode of payment is via bank deposit. Payment should be made prior to registration.
Please keep a copy of your deposit slip as it will serve as your passport to redeem your race kits.

For 5K Buddy:
1st buddy registers and chooses “Yes, this is first signup” in Initial Sign Up field.
A code will be emailed to the 1st buddy.
2nd buddy registers and chooses “No, I have a buddy code already.” and enters the code.
Note: Registration guidelines for HP employees will be communicated internally.

Bank Account Information:
BPI – Savings Account
Pierre Gabriel Ngo Dee
9829-1854-98

For any questions, you may contact:
hprunph@hp.com
0917 5907172
0915 2848938

You can also visit the page for registration at:
http://hprun2013.runningmate.ph/index.php/event/register

Please like our facebook page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/hp.run.event

See you guys!

On Gears and running Milo Half Marathon

I decided that if I am going to come back to running, I need to invest on something. I then decided that I will buy new running shoes and register for races. I was able to purchase my new running shoes coupled with new socks and a bargain eyewear from Runnr. Today, I was able to register for the Milo Half Marathon happening on July 28.

The shoes:

Brooks Trance 11

Well, yeah I got this on sale. Since I am not running any full mary yet, I decided to settle on a cheapo shoes before I transition back to Asics or something more expensive. I had myself tested in Runnr Trinoma and I am still under stability since I am a flat footed runner. My option was between Brooks and Saucony but I bent on buying brooks because of aesthetics. You see, I have wide feet and some "slim" design shoes does not really work for me. So in the end, I decided to get something that looks good, yet fits my foot type.

I searched videos as well on YouTube and came across this:

After watching the video. I knew I did a good job choosing my shoes. I took my new rides for a test drive today conquering a distance of 5km (recovery from Adidas) and I did enjoy my supported run. I am definitely running places with my Brooks Trance 11.

Since I saved some of my budget from buying shoes which are on sale, I was able to squeeze in some new socks from Runnr and their new shades. I would definitely enjoy running now under the sun.

The race:

Milo Half Marathon, July 28

Well, best of luck to me! I decided to run a half marathon with very little training but since I have a new coach-friend and he told me he will pace me, I am more confident that I will be able to finish this race with flying collars. Today, upon signing the lady told me that there are only around 150 slots left for the 21km so if you guys are still interested to race Milo go to Riovana at BGC to register. Do not forget your 300g Milo packets!

I am looking forward to train more and more with my new gear and Milo. See you guys on the road!

Finally kicked-off with a BANG for my future running plans

Today, I was able to run 16.8KM at the Adidas King of the Road 2013 at BGC. It was a very momentous occassion because finally, I was able to run again after so many months of hiatus. Don't get me wrong, I still do fitness stuff but mostly in the gym but this time I want to come back to my real passion which is running. I was able to find a new friend/coach, Bob who commits on helping me achieve that sub-2 21K by the end of this year and hopefully a full marathon in Condura. But those plans are still way ahead, as of now I'll just savour the memory of running strong today with a finish time of unofficially 1:50:++ for the 16KM or well, 17KM as what my Garmin read.

Photos from today's run:

Serious runner ha! Photo courtesy of We Run for Good Health. Thank you guys!



16.8km finishers: Ara Arida (Miss Universe-Philippines 2013), mysefl and monster Jess Segovia

10km finisher: Lex Librea from the infamous "We love you, Maria Venus Raj" viral video

Reunited with Tin Ferrera, my ultramarathoner friend who helped me accomplish New York Marathon 2010

The whole gang at Toastbox, The Fort for some post-race meal.

In photo from right: Lex, Tin, Bob, Jess, Ara and Sly



Planned! World Vision Run - June 24, 2012

My friends, Lex, Giselle and I have planned to run this race. Primarily because of the good contribution it will give to the society. I am very much excited and plan on registering my best 5K (hopeful, wishing baka nga).

Here are the details for those who still intend to join:

And the singlet:

See you in the starting line!

Back(!) and with inspiration in 2012

2011 has been a long year and the entire duration, I was absent from my blog. Also, I gained a lot of weight because I kept on travelling for work and if my calculations are right, I was out of the country for half of the year! I cannot say that I am complaining but it took a toll on my weight. Coming in to 2011, I was a thinner 173lbs, thanks to the New York Marathon. I got into this weight with not much effort on dieting and at the end of 2011, I was 196lbs! A 23lbs add on. Whoah!

I decided to get thinner in 2012 and joined the gym. I did a spinning-run-core-weight training combination. It also helped that I was exercising alongside some of my friends which made me strive more. One of them is Giselle Angelica Munoz who competed in Binibining Pilipinas 2012 (photo below) who used to be 150lbs and shrunk to 115lbs with much determination and perseverance. I am so proud of her and decided that I will share the same success story she had. She might not have taken home the crown but she left the pageant a much better person; fit and fabulous.

Another inspiration of mine is Lex Librea who used to be (a lot) bigger. To have an idea of who Lex is, watch the video of "Maria Venus Raj: We Love You" in YouTube. My dear friend started with no gym experience and with 6months of gyming and some dieting (pun intended for the Jamaican Patties), he has lost around 50lbs!

Photo below shows Lex in 2010 (back in sando). I am going to post his new picture in 2012 SOON!

Indeed, 2012 is a weight loss year for my friends. And I am determined to shrink and hopefully look good with my ideal weight. So far, I have lost 25lbs and I shall post photos of me soon! Just wait and see.

New York Marathon - Photoblog

I did took photos while during the marathon to show that I had fun. Here are my photos:

At New Jersey bus pick-up area (IZOD)

Waiting area at Fort Wadsworth - Malamig talaga!

Right before entering the starting chute. Discarded my garments already.

Official pacers for 4:45. Should have stuck with them! Cool people.

At Verazzano-Narrows Bridge. I was literally at the back of the pack.

Somewhere in Brooklyn where we identified that my support friends will be waiting for me.

A lot of bands are on the street. Took time to take a photo with one of them.

Brooklyn house owners are very supportive. They even decorated their building facade.

Somewhere in Queens.

One of the stops where I will be meeting my friends!

While running again.

Queensborough Bridge. Where I first walked. Around 25K (I think)

First Street in Manhattan. Super daming tao pero hindi masyado nagchecheer.

Going to Bronx. I'm already tired and I think this is where I met "the wall". So glad to have seen my support!

Support #1: Mikee (and Anika's bag)

Support #2: Victor (and my backpack!)

Last street outside Central Park. A spectator volunteered to take my picture.

Right after taking my medal. I did it!

Me and my heat sheet. Di naman naka generate ng heat.

Going home. My legs hurt! Naiinis ako sa concept ng subway at this point.

2010 (a bit too late, but still!)

2010 is a very eventful year for me. Una, I was sent to Beijing for a 2-month extended business trip. Dito ko naranasan mabuhay mag-isa, to take care of myself and show to my foreign colleagues what I am capable of. Dito ko rin na experience ang SNOW! Na nakakahiya man aminin, I tried touching outside my apartment and people are actually staring at me as if I am baliw or something. LOL. Laking pasasalamat ko, nandun sa Beijing si Michele (Bangayan) para samahan ako sa mga tourist spots at kay Rainy para gumimik. Those two months were some of the best memories I will ever have.

After my Beijing stint, I started preparing for my marathon (NY). Dito, nakilala ko ang ilan sa mga taong nung una akala ko mga magiging mga casual friends ko lang but it turns out naging friends din talaga kami along the way. Thanks to Tin for introducing me to Iah, Kap. Tere, Kaye, Macky, Jan, Smacky, Jerry, Mari and the rest of the Thank God It's Sunday peeps. I became a part of the Team BR din where I met Madame and Sir Jovie plus the pool of TBR Elites who guided me too sa aking training. Kayo ang naging instrumento sa katuparan ng pangarap kong New York marathon.

During this year, naging masaya din for me kasi a very deserving lady by the name of Maria Venus Raj made it to the finals of Miss Universe. Masaya ako na nakasama ako sa journey ni Venus from the time na nakilala namin siya at kung nasaan man siya ngayon. Naaalala ko pa yung mga cheap thrills namin like eating out pag may training and just making fond of just about everything. Isang malaking congrashuleyshuns to Venus for making us, her Aces and Queens family proud.

By the last quarter of the year, naging hectic na ang schedule ko. I got a new role in the office as a regional resource. It is like learning everything from square 1. And to add to that, nagtransition pa ako from my original role. It was hard, tough and at times, emotionally draining. But at the end of the day - sabi nga ni Veejay sakin, mas maganda nang busy ka, kaysa hindi. Kasi pag di ka busy, wala ka nang work. Thanks to Anne for helping me out on my new role.

During this time, kailangan ko na din lumipad to the US for my marathon. I didn't really got the chance to prepare much kasi I was so busy. Dumating na yung day ng flight ko na hindi ko man lang napapansin. When I was in the airplane, narealize ko lang bigla na YES, pupunta nga ako ng Amerika. I was really looking forward in seeing my friends and my family na most of them, hindi ko pa nakikilala in person. Thanks so much to Boom and Darcy for accommodating my stay in the US. Salamat din kay Mikee (+Boom) for supporting me sa marathon. It is really great to see familiar faces pag nandun ka na sa point na ayaw mo nang tumakbo at narating mo na yung sukdulan ng fatigue. Salamat sa inyo.

The NYC marathon must have been the highlight of my 2010. It is a good summary of what I have become. First, bilang independent na tao na kayang sumuporta sa financial implications ng travelling abroad. Second, its a culmination of a long journey of training. During the training, madami akong nasacrifice like gimik times, kain (because of proper diet), time with family and friends and some other small bits of event that could have affected my life. When I posted my photos of the marathon here in FB, the comments are overwhelming and I felt proud of what I have achieved. Sa lahat ng mga taong sumuporta, maraming salamat po.

Pag balik ko from the US, I faced more challenges. Dito na magtatake effect ang new role ko, mag bibirthday na din ako saka magpapasko. Along with all these happenings, it just felt right to be on my own. I decided to move out of the house and live alone. At first, may resistance from my parents but then, wala naman talaga silang choice. I need to build my life. I rented a condo and started with just a bed and a fan. It was fulfilling, lonely at times pero sobrang exciting. Salamat sa mga kaibigan ko specially to Herbert and Nelson who were there for me during this time.

2010 is indeed on heck of a year from me. Looking back in December 2009, I was wondering who and what I will be in December 2010. I now have the answer. A person who is stronger, fitter, determined and excited what the future holds. Looking forward to another review of my life pag dating ng December 2011. Ano na kaya susunod? Magkaka ** na kaya ako? What do you think Kent?

Again, sa lahat ng taong nakasama ko ngayong 2010, maraming salamat for being there through my journey. Kita kits sa 2011 ha!

After 5 months...

I'm back!

Wanted to start my running routine again. There are a couple of "dahilans" why I stopped blogging and why I run on and off. Well, most of it because of my new job in the office and secondly, I ran my marathon. After which, I just felt like eating a lot and thought the weight and the belly will not come back. I went to this blog again and saw my picture in the entry below and looked down at my current belly. Its now bad. I need to come back. SO I AM.

For the next entry, I will be copying the notes in my Facebook account which I wrote to thank and share my experience during the New York Marathon. Watch out!

Official Marathoner, and a NYC Marathoner at that!

Yes. I finished the 2010 New York Marathon. It is one hella of a run! I would be posting more stories and photos but for now here is me with my NYC Marathon medal and my celebratory cosmo!

The ING New York Marathon Expo

Went at the first day of the expo. People were mostly foreigners as the real New Yorkers are still at work.

So far, this is the best race packet distribution and expo that I have been to. Hopefully, we could have something like this in Manila.

PS. Will come back on Saturday with my friends so they can have a feel of the marathon themselves. And, to bribe them to make posters for me. HAHAHA.

Javits Center

At the entrance of the Expo

Picture muna bago pumasok sa Expo

Collection of race packets for Marathoners

At the official station where they hold interviews from experienced and professional runners

After the race packet, here is the expo where you can purchase marathon goodies

Inside the actual expo

Giant route map

Asics booth. Here, you can have your 10minute video taken and will be shown in Times Square (?)

Poland Sprin water. Official water of the marathon giving free photos which you can download online. Amazing.

Going home with my marathon bag + a lot of free stuff!

The goodie bag contents + some expo freebies

I'm In, We're In..... In New York

I am finally in New York. Been in the US since Saturday and have been seeing relatives, sights and everything. From places and places, you can see random Marathon good lucks and posters and it keeps me excited. Today, I am claiming my marathon kit at the Javits Center. *excited* Hope to see fellow Pinoys there!

Conquering New York

Of course, when you are bound to run New York, I cannot help but wonder "What will I wear for the NY Marathon?". After months and months of choices, I finalized everything and came down with this (see below). Spot me in the news!!!

Current song: Empire State of Mind

Finally, 10K sub-1!!!

I never thought the day would come. Yesterday, a couple of thousand ran the Adidas King of the Road in Fort Bonifacio. The day was filled with excitement and the field was a sea of blacks. I decided to wear my official New York marathon gear in this race as the singlet I got was way too big for me.

I started the race cool and relaxed. Following my fellow TGISunday official pacer, Jan and Neil (6:00/km). At first, we were passing through a lot of runners and I even ran on a putik area. Eventually, after 3KM, when new runners began to tire we picked up the pace. I was running and maintaining a 5:50 pace which is really new to me. I usually and comfortable pace arpund 6:30 - 7:30 but decided to really race KOTR. I was aiming for a sub-1. This was the first race that will give me the opportunity to do so and I was focused in getting that goal. I managed to keep pace with Jan and Neil and ensure I do not lose sight of them. I did walk the Kalayaan flyover inclines to ensure I do not over-run this part of the race.

1KM through the finish line, I saw Chrys and told her that we should aim for a sub-1. She told me to go ahead and so I did. I went for it. REALLY.

Crossed the finish line, 59'11" in my Garmin which happens to be the official time of KOTR also! I can now brag that I run 10K at a sub-1 pace. :)

Registered!

Yesterday, I went to ROX BHS to register for runs. I should register already as it will be too late to register when I get back from my US trip and I would also miss the discounted prices. The registration were at the second floor of ROX and all the runs are almost there. Checked some of them and proceeded registering for the following:

Run United - November 21, 2010 (15K)

QCIM2 - December 5, 2010 (21K Half Marathon)

Greentenial Run 2011 - Janurary 23, 2011 (15K)

Excited and anxious for these runs. When Condura opens, I'll be one of the firsts to register - for the full mary.