Milo Marathon Finals 2014

MARS QC Runners! Photo by Excipio Imago Photography

last year, i wasn't able to go to the milo marathon finals because my legs were still too sore from running at Nike We Run Manila which was a week before the milo run. mejo ambisyosa kasi i pegged for 2 consecutive 10k runs with only a week recovery in between. i was a beginner at running and didn't know best. :P

but finally, after a year, i was able to attend na! woooh! and here's my record:

the Milo Marathon Manila Finals was rescheduled a week later (Dec 13) than the original date (Dec 7) due to the threats of typhoon Ruby/Hagupit. luckily i just live in the metro and had no plans on the 13th so i was able to come. but as for those who came from the provinces who qualified for the finals, spent money on transportation, lodging, etc, and had to extend for another week due to the rescheduling, i feel bad for all of them. they can't be blamed for all the hassles they went through. :( it can't be helped though. the marathon has to push through this year, and there are no more available dates for december. >XS

anywaaaaaay, i was supposed to run with my MARS9 buddy, Ken, but she didn't make it huhu. T___T i came in late so i missed the warm up with the other guys haha okay lang din naman. >XD

the run was... great! haha. it's my second time to run around MOA/Pasay Area, my first time was during Red Cross Million Volunteer Run (which was kindof bad), so this is definitely the better of the 2 runs.

they say RunRio is a great run organizer and i couldn't agree more. everything was actually organized. there were km markers everywhere, hydration was sufficient, and everything was pretty much in place. as usual there were a loooot of people who ran, and since i was late, i kindof got mixed with the non-competitive crowd (ie. students) who just pretty much walked and took selfies at every kilometer mark, or wherever there's a large Milo signboard around. i don't get annoyed with them, at some point, i was like them too. hahaha

i felt bad for those who were running 5k with their backpacks on though. apparently, 5k runners aren't entitled baggage stubs so there. good thing APEX has a tent where we can leave our bags! we were even given a tapsi breakfast after the run, and i was finally able to claim my MAR9 singlet! yeyy! >XD

that's pretty much it! late post i know. let me leave you with a JGH (just got home) selfie i took that day! haha

PS: thanks for the ride back kris! >:D

my happiest 5k!

wooooh! this afternoon's jog was the best i had so far. in terms of record and overall feeling. i jogged 5.02km in 43 minutes! that's quite a milestone for me because that's my fastest 5k, and i jogged without stopping! HAHAHA sorry naman sa "PR" ko (kung maituturing). still on my way to 30 minutes! <3

i really wanted to call it a run, but at the (literal) rate at which i was going, i was more jogging than running. nonetheless, i never stopped! that means i'm probably doing something right on account of my breathing skills. haha! skill talaga, yes. cos at some point in every run, we need to pause to catch our breaths. most runners do that on a light jog, i do it on a walk... which drags the record lower so yeah. will work on that! >XD

even though i had a great jog, it wasn't really that smooth. come 3k and my feet started blistering! so i had to adjust my steps to lessen the impact on the sore areas. huhu. then after a kilometer i was feeling side stitches naman! common running problem; so i had to slow down a bit. :(

magkaganun man, push parin!!!

when the nike+ app announced 5k, i was sooo frakking happy i could imagine the gray pavement turning red, lanes being drawn with white strips, and a finish tape waiting to be breasted in slow-mo. BEST. FEELING. EVER.

i don't know what else made this run special, could it be the coffee i drank some 30 minutes before, or the #Drop10Workout i did a few hours back, or just the fact that i'm on vacation? lol. whatever the other reasons may be, THANK YOU LORD FOR THIS RUN! <3

i'm still struggling to realize why i'm so slow. at my age i should be breaking the 30minutes barrier already. after MARS9, i felt stronger, and my succeeding runs have finally become injury-free. for the first time in my life, when i stiffen up and poke myself, i finally feel some hardness and not some disappointing jello of fat haha. >XD

i'm suspecting i have weak lungs. though i have to check w/ a doctor parin. for some reason i want to try getting checked-up at Peak Form! ever since that summer where i lived in a newly painted dorm, my health has declined radically. my lungs are just so blah. better check with the doctor. >XS

anywaaaaay, that's it!

btw i'm so excited this season cos i have a lot of personal projects in tow for the coming days, like:

- selecting works for a new portfolio
- a desk calendar!
- watercolor and lettering stuff
- an obligatory year-ender post
- 2015 wishlist
- backlogs, backlogs, and more backlogs
- reviving #ProjectKorra even though the entire Avatar franchise has just ended and by the time i'm finally Korra-ready, no one could probably relate to my fitness peg anymore. haha

sooooo.... i have to gooo!!!
happy Christmaaaasss!!! <3

The literal sports clinic: Peak Form

when i first heard of Peak Form, i thought it was a yoga studio. it sounded like one! haha but apparently, it's not! it's a sports clinic, and a literal one at that!

it's where you'd want to go if you want expert medical treatment and advise about sports related health conditions. Jaymie Pizarro, The Bull Runner, herself testifies to the awesome wonders the technology of Peak Form has done to help her quads recover.

it's amazing to know that specialty health centers like these exist in a metro full of sports advocates! what with the apparent boom of fitness conscious fellows, almost everyone wants to get into a sport. with that in mind, it's reassuring to know that there's a clinic we can run to to get our body recovered in case we face injuries and such.

Peak Form is definitely a front runner in providing only the best services to their clients in terms of sports medication and therapy, and that includes having one of the best names in Sports Science to lead their team.

Take a look at their press release:

Peak Form is pleased to announce the Dr. Gar Eufemio has been appointed as President of the Asean Society for Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy. He is an Orthopedic Surgeon who finished as Chief Resident of the UP-PGH Department of Orthopedics and had his fellowship in Sports Medicine at the University of Cincinnati.

He was the founding head of the UP-PGH Department of Orthopedics Sports Clinic for ten years. He is the Head of the Ortho-Rehab-Rheuma Division of the MegaClinic and has set up the Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Units of Healthway Medical Clinics and My Health Clinic.

In 2008, he was the “Godfather” for the European Sports Medicine Travelling Fellowship program. In 2011, he underwent additional training, this time on platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, in Milan, Italy. He practices in Cardinal Santos Medical Center, MegaClinic and in the recovery center. He was the President of the Philippine Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine from 2011-2014.

With Dr. Gar Eufemion leading the team at Peak Form, anyone can definitely confidently say that I’m glad #IGoToPeakForm.

Location and Contact

Unit 807, The Infinity, 26th Street
Bonifacio Global City
Taguig

Open 9am - 6pm
0916-3534485 or (02)4789408

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peakformmanila
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/peakformmanila
Instagram: http://instagram.com/peakformmanila

Run BGC Urban Adventure 2014

Pinoy Fitness opened a sign up form last week that will allow us to join Run BGC Urban Adventure for FREE if we were among the first 500 to sign up. so right there and then, i filled out the form, submitted it, and invited jeckie, and also some of my college friends to join! it was exciting! FREE SHIRT EH ANO BA. lol. chos

joma, jec, and i :)

anyway, in the end i came with jeckie and joma (his officemate), and together we went to BGC on Saturday (November 29) to collect our kits. chos.

the mechanics says to form a group of 10 people max. we were only 3 but we didn't care cos we thought we could handle all the puzzles and activities naman. sos. haha

but then, while claiming our shirts. they wouldn't let us form a group of just 3. aw. so we had to team up with other people looking to complete their groups. that's where i met kuya Jesus, who was looking for 3 more to complete his team. Amen!

with our team mates!

when all 10 of us huddled up, i was looking at my team and thought, hindi naman kami competitive so it's okay that our group is composed of a bunch of middle aged men who looked like they were only in it for the run. they looked like they could run. and we 3 looked like we could solve puzzles. and that's about what we need in a team right? haha honestly, i was a bit disappointed and thought for a while if we actually have a chance of winning with this team. ang sama ko. sorry po.

QC MARSians spotted!

before the race started, i spotted some QC Marsians and asked them how come they're all here! apparently, the event was also offered for free for MARS (Milo Apex Running School) students and i didn't know because i was absent when it was announced. part of me died and wished i was in their team instead. ang sama sama ko talaga.

but then, SURPRISE SURPRISE! when i got the chance to chat with kuya Jesus, i learned that he and all his companions were BGC GUARDS!!!! OMG! HAHAHAHA i felt like we hit the jackpot! Amen! i just had to highlight that cos i was so shocked and happy! hahaha

i mentally confessed at my prior thoughts. we finally have a chance at winning. HAHAHA #chos

How the game works

Each team will be given a small envelope with puzzle cards that they have to solve. each puzzle will reveal a location in BGC that they have to seek out. on each location, they have to perform a challenge. and on every challenge they complete, they will be awarded stars (3,2,1 stars in order of performance) that will be stamped (well, stickered) on their score cards.

teams will have to perform as much challenges as they can, and earn as much stars as they could. after 3 hours, they must surrender their scorecards back to the commencement area for evaluation.

the winning team will get 50,000 pesos! i don't remember what the other prizes were hahaha!

The first puzzle card we solved led us to 9th Avenue at Bonifacio High Street. i don't know where the hell that was but i thank God our team is composed BGC Guards lang naman *ehem* *ehem* who knew every nook and cranny in BGC. we just had to tell them and they will lead us to the place!

WE WERE NEVER LOST!!!

it fascinates me to no end how they knew every single place in BGC. as in! as we were solving puzzles, we would consult them again and again if any of the words we're forming is making any sense.

"kuya, ano yung market? market market ba yun?"
"ah hindi ibang market yan. dun yun!"

"kuya, ano yung may kalikasan something?"
"kasalikasan yan, dun yan!"

"turf? turfgc?"
"Turf BGC po, dun!"

etc. etc. etc.

HOW COULD IT GET ANY MORE CONVENIENT THAT THAT?! hahaha

we didn't win but we enjoyed a lot! the first activity we did, the one with the BINGO cards was exhausting and at the same time super enjoy! we were tasked to take group pictures with all the items listed in the BINGO card. i could imagine doing this with my college barkada! sobrang saya sana! haha

Pic spam!

drones watching over us

that's a drone up there surveilling the place for cheaters. lol. we were actually called out for opening the envelopes before the announcement to begin took off, but that's because we thought it was already announced. we were just so atat. sorry. the event staff was kind naman not to disqualify us so thank you!

Robot pose at Burgos Circle

Thumbs up with a store employee

With a pet dog or pet cat

Finally

When the game ended we were so exhausted. my knees were so tired, and my tummy was voilently growling for food already. what with all the running, going back and forth to places, and literally dancing in the rain? haha we decided to eat at Murray and D'Vine -- burgers, ribs, and damn good wine! haha

Here's a shot of my food. Heart shaped buns kamown!

According to one staff, some valentines ago they made their buns and patties heart shaped, and the customers liked it and requested not to change it. and that's what they did. i wonder what they would do if we suggested we liked round buns better, or star shaped ones. lol

my Juicy Lucy. 425 pesos. ouch

deeeeym that thick beef patty stuffed with caramelized onions and cheddar cheese. reminds me of Stuff Over at Maginhawa, only waaaaay more affordable. didn't quite enjoy this honestly. Big B parin the best!

going home was terrible cos no taxi would accommodate us. i always understand naman cos makati to fairview is a pain in the gas. i had to add an extra fee para lang makasakay. buti na lang hindi traffic sa EDSA! yeyy!!

cheers to a happy day! >XD

Joined: MILO R2 APEX Running Clinic Season 9

click for source

yehey! i was so excited when i heard that MILO is holding another running clinic this year! i believe it was so successful, and the demand for another batch was too high! i was among those who asked if they could hold another, cos i missed the summer batch. huhu

so what's it about?

The MILO R2 APEX Running School (MARS) is a full program scientific running camp for those who want to lose weight, be fit, and be properly equipped for their next run. it will run for 36 sessions, 3 times a week, starting September 9 until November 29. All for just Php 2,400

REALLY?

That Php 2,400 will already get you a long waaay! imagine, you're not just paying around 66 pesos per session to run the entire circumference of QCMC, which technically IS FREE for all, but you also get lessons on injury prevention and proper running posture, strength conditioning training, running drills, recovery tips, etc....all in the supervision of top running coaches. plus, you'll get to meet new friends!

GOOD DEAL!

Venues:

the clinic will be held simultaneously in 3 venues:

1. Bonifacio High Street, near 7th Avenue
2. SM Mall of Asia, By the Bay
3. Quezon City Memorial Circle

so you can choose which place is most convenient for you.

Categories:

1. Metafit 5K
   and for the hardcore runners...
2. 10k
3. 21k
4. 42k

i joined the Metafit 5k hehe! 

Date and Schedule:

Start: September 8, 2014

End: November 29, 2014

Quezon City Memorial Circle

Monday and Wednesday - 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Saturday - 5:30am to 7:30am (meet up at Abelardo Hall, UP Diliman)

SM Mall of Asia, by the bay

Monday and Wednesday -7:00pm to 9:00pm

Saturday - 5:30am to 7:30am

Bonifacio High Street

Tuesday and Thursday - 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Saturday - 5:30am to 7:30am

Price and Payment:

Php 2,400.00

For payment procedures:  CLICK HERE!

Registration:

Participants must register through an online from  FOUND HERE

Hurry up because they only allow 200 persons to register!

For the full and official details, CLICK HERE!

tara join! jeckie paid for my registration as an anniversary gift, because he knew how much i wanted to lose weight and run at the same time! awww <3 the original plan was that we'd join together but he works in makati and me in QC, so our schedules are kinda screwed up. huhu T___T

i signed up for the Metafit 5k group because i'm only a beginner at running, and i wanted to be able to run 5k in 30 minutes eventually. kayang kaya! haha i'll be at the QCMC site cos it's only walking distance from the office! looking forward to lose weight talaga HAHA. you know how i'm so bad at disciplining myself, so i thought i needed these types of activities to really push me to work my ass off. haha 

what about you, have you joined? >XD

see you!

Nike We Run Manila 2013

oh yeaaahh!

Nike We Run Manila 2013 was held yesterday december 1 at marikina city. gun start at 4pm :D

yesterday was sooo awesome! first time to run 10k outdoors and i seriously enjoyed it! i came along with 4 of my college friends jun, mark, dan and edlaine and we had so much fuuuun!

amigos <3

i'm just starting a running habit and this was a totally good experience for me! this is the second running event i joined (first was red cross million volunteer run) and everything was mostly good!

pros:

- race kit claiming was very organized. with an event like this i was expecting chaos during the claiming dates (nov 21-24) but surprisingly the lines were smooth and there were no long queues as there were around 10+ claiming counters. they gave out a really big tote bag considering it only contained the red runner's shirt, map/guidelines, and dtag. hahaha

- it felt different (in a positive way) running around a neighborhood as opposed to running along the highway or on a treadmill (duh? haha)

- hydration for me was okay. there were tons of water and even though a lot of runners were complaining about the lack of gatorade, the overflow of water (i think) is enough to quench our thirst. hehe

- for the price of 850 per runner, 2 drifit nike shirts + nike water bottle is really sulit! i particularly liked the red shirt cos it's softer and felt more drifit than the white finisher's shirt. hehe

- it felt very uplifting and encouraging hearing the townspeople and children cheer for you along the sides! "go runners!" "wohoooo!" "nike run nga eh! hindi nike walk!" hahaha panalo! there were kids na nakiki-apir pa along the way. but i didn't indulge hahaha.

- the finish line was stationed inside the sports complex so it felt great having to cap off your race in the tracks! feeling marathoner! ang astig sobrang fulfilling! hahaha

- finisher's kit claiming was also a breeze. no long lines. claiming was divided by shirt size and the entire complex was lined up with claiming booths. :D finishers kit included the finishers shirt, nike water bottle, gatorade, and premier drinking water.

- after party concert was awesome kahit di na namin inabutan haha

- going home was a breeze, no traffic at all. thanks dan for the ride! >:D

cons:

- hindi naman talaga ako competitive but some roads were too narrow to accommodate running participants, so most resorted to just walk until they reach a wider street. hehe

- sana may 'FINISHER' na nakalagay sa finishers shirt para mas cool tingnan.

- also, i hoped they allowed us to change shirt sizes cos apparently the finishers shirt was a bit smaller than the runner's shirt. huhu 

- mejo nakaka-guilty tingnan yung mga closed roads accumulating traffic and angry motorists. i hope they change venue next year, MOA, CAVITEX or BGC are still the best options for running events. hehe

- i also hope they made it a morning race as well! no qualms about starting at the afternoon (at least hindi mainit hehe) the thing is, afternoon traffic is worse. i'd rather wake up super early and finish early! hehe

---

overall it was a great run! kudos to nike and runrio! yahoooo! after the run i (unwillingly HAHA) treated my friends to tapsi ni vivian as a post birthday treat. hello to tapsi, bulalo and lechong kawali! in fairness nangarag ang restaurant because of the volume of people who dined in! super full house!

hello high blood!

the goys

i enjoyed it a lot that i had to file for a sick leave today because my body won't cooperate. i have a feeling my right leg was strained so pilay pilayan ako ngayon. i hate this feeling, it feels like my injury is recurring. :'(

UPDATE:

race results out! here's mine, for keepsake haha

Bib number: 69404
Rank: #11505 (yeahh and there were like 15k runners ok?! *proud moment* hahaha)
Gun time: 01:59:20
Chip time: 01:37:21

were you also a participant? how did you find it? :)