The adidas King of the Road 2009 is nearing, and I am quite excited! I have been training for the 21k distance of the QC International Marathon on October 18 so I expect to do better on the 25th. Normally, I would not have scheduled a back-to-back half marathon race, but I made an exception for adidas because of their new singlet.For the past 3 years, adidas has given out the … [Read more...]
running with mt. mayon
I had recently returned from Legazpi City, in Albay. Our office gives seminars to police recruits all over Luzon, and I was tasked to help out our main facilitator in the Regional Training School 5. When we arrived, I asked recruits on the best route for a 7-8km run. Instead of drawing a route for me, they did the best thing; they invited me to run with them the next day at … [Read more...]
magical el nido
El Nido in Palawan boasts of wonderful white sand beaches. Just a bit off the bay, I found this trail which leads past a guard house (guarding what?), a cemetery (yes, along the beach!), some resorts, some houses, and finally ends at a long-unused trail going up the mountain. The trail is short, so I had to double back and run along the beach (below) and to the town street … [Read more...]
the running boom
I still remember the early years of my running life. I would check the races against my schedule, plan my training, and then register. As I was not (and still not am) an avid racer, I only joined a few events per year, based mostly on the organizer and the distances. Choosing the race was a big thing for me; there were only two middle distance races then, Yakult's 16k run and … [Read more...]
the running kittens
The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start. John BinghamI love running. Running makes me happy—happy to feel the sweat running through my body, happy to hear the rhythmic thumping of my New Balance on the road, happy to hear my even breathing as I run kilometer after kilometer.The other month, however, I realized my major problem as a … [Read more...]
New Year’s Resolution: Run Well
My running shoes have become giant erasers on my feet. Every footstrike rubs away some memory of a previous indiscretion with food or smoke or drink. Every successful mile releases me from the grip of the demons of failure. Every starting line is another chance to prove that my past will not determine my future. -John BinghamLike most people, I, too have my share of New Year's … [Read more...]
Surviving the dream
A runner’s creed: I will win; if I cannot win, I shall be second;if I cannot be second, I shall be third;if I cannot place at all, I shall still do my best. - Ken Doherty I’ve done it. After years of just dreaming about running the magic 42.5 km, I finally did it.Yes, at long last, after months of training—inconsistent I might have been—I have finished my first marathon!It … [Read more...]
I have finished!
Running to the finish line of the International Marathon for the Pasig River. Many thanks to my friends from the UP Mountaineers—Rocel (in bike) and Sean (orange shirt). Yes, I did it! With my friends at the finish line of the International Marathon for the Pasig River, celebrating our personal victory. It was the culmination of months of training and hard work. What a happy, … [Read more...]
Finishing the distance
In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack or last. You can say, ‘I have finished.’ There is a lot of satisfaction in that.-Fred LebowMore than a half-marathon—this is the distance I am running in less than 2 days. A good 25 kilometers of concrete, unshaded road, and I plan to finish it in 2 hours and 45 minutes. As it is, the mere … [Read more...]
New Balance 2006
This was 10k New Balance 2006. I hope I could train enough for the 25k this November! By the way, I have no idea who I was running with. I guess I just ran with him to "borrow" some energy to sprint the last hundred meters! … [Read more...]