I first heard about front RUNNER magazine from the Editor-In-Chief himself ultra runner Jonel Mendoza during the Cebu City Marathon last January. It is the first and only Filipino full-sized magazine dedicated solely to the great sport of running -- by runners for runners.
The maiden issue featured Vertek Buenavista (2009 Sea Games Marathon gold medalist) on the cover. I got five copies, three of which I gave out to friends and newbie runners (including Maayong Buntag Kapamilya host and TVPCV senior correspondent Vilma Andales shown above) who wanted to learn more about running and how to do it right. The other two copies are with me. One I've read from cover to cover, the other still in plastic -- running memorabilia for 50 years hence. =)
The March-April issue of front RUNNER is extra special for the Marathon Foodie not just because I'm in it, but because it highlights Cebu as runner's haven. It has an excellent piece written by Cebu Running's main man Max Limpag on the best places to run in Cebu. It also features the 3-1 running method by heart surgeon and marathoner Dr. Peter Mancao, which helped virgin marathoners finish 42.195 kilometers in good form and injury free. The article is written by James Abilla, owner of the Cebu-based "St. James" bottled water company. It also has a glowing review of the Cebu City marathon. All in all front RUNNER dedicated 13 pages and 21 photographs (in full color) to Cebu, the CCM and Cebuano runners.
But the main reason why I like this magazine is it talks about running from the perspective of runners -minus the fluff. It has articles that are actually useful to newbies and veterans alike. Best of all the articles do not employ subliminal marketing, which I find distasteful. You know the kind that gives advice to newbies but is actually pushing a product.
Let's support front RUNNER by getting our own copies at Fully Booked, National Book Store and Book Sale outlets.
This was the question posed by Angeli Cardinez who gave birth last year and is looking for ways to lose the baby fat. Angeli was inspired by Donna Cruz-Larrazabal’s (Marathon Mom) article about how she trained hard and finished her first two marathons despite having to raise children, running a household and being the wife of famous eye doctor and runner Yong Larrazabal.
The marathon distance is the same.It’s always 26 miles and 385 yards in the English system and 42.195 in the metric system.But deciding where to run your first full mary can be as crucial as training for the marathon itself.Choosing which course to make a marathon debut in is as important as hours spent on the road.
For the first-time marathoner, choosing the right course can be as overwhelming as the distance itself, simply because there are lots of options available to the newbie marathoner, especially those with travel money to spare.
The Marathon Foodie says a newbie marathoner should only stick to these three factors in weighing her options:1.) Do I go local or abroad? 2.) How much time for training do I have between now and my target marathon? 3.)What kind of training ground do I have in the next 3 to 4 months before my target marathon?
Many newbie runners like to mix traveling and running a marathon.Like hitting two birds with one stone, the runner has run a marathon whilst discovering a new and exciting destination.
Gail Kislevitz, a veteran of 20 marathons and author of First Marathons, a book of personal accounts says this may not be a good idea. "Traveling adds another level of stress to an already difficult event.The number one thing people do is underestimate what it takes to run a marathon. Running the miles is not enough.When choosing a marathon, keep in mind how and where you are doing your training, and try to simulate what you’ll find on the course.The ideal situation is to pick a marathon close by where you can train on the actual course."
Apart from a familiarity with the race course, running in your own turf also allows you to harness your own local fan base that can provide you with material and moral support when you need it most at the crucial points of the full marathon (from 25KM till the finish line.)Sure, big city marathons like New York and Chicago have their big crowds, but there’s nothing like seeing the familiar faces of your family, friends andloved ones along the race route and when you cross that marathon finishline for the first time.
Before the Cebu City Marathon, runners aiming to run a full marathon for the fist time had to race in Metro Manila or Subic .If you’re a runner based in Cebu or the nearby provinces looking for a marathon debut, I suggest you make the Cebu City Marathon in January 2011 your goal.It is home, so logistics and hotel accommodations need not be a problem, the roads are familiar and the cut-off time of seven hours is generous enough even for the slowest of runners.More importantly, the CCM has proved itself to be an excellently managed race making your marathon debut as pleasant an experience as possible, despite the inevitable muscle pain that marathon running brings.
And speaking of cut-off time, the more generous it is, the better for the first time marathoner whose first and primary goal should only be to finish the full marathon regardless of time.The oldest running event in the country which is the Milo marathon has a cut-off time of 5:00 for the full marathon, so the Manila eliminations set this July 4 may not be the wisest choice for a full marathon debut, unless of course you are as gifted as Marathon Mom Donna Cruz- Larrazabal, who finished her first full marathon in 4:48:45 in Macau, which like Milo has cut-off time of five hours.
Mt. Manungal Climbathon
The Municipality of Balamban will commemorate the 53rd death anniversary of President Ramon Magsaysay, Jr. with a climbathon at Mt. Manungal on March 20. 2010.
The climbathon is open to all professional runners and weekend warriors.The race starts at the Welcome Arch of the Municipality of Balamban at the Transcentral Highway all the way to the crash site in Mt. Manunggal .The race distance is 17KM for the men’s open and 13KM for the women’s category and executive division.The race route consists of a mix of concrete roads, dirt roads and mountain trails.So it might be a good idea to leave the racing flats at home and wear all-terrain shoes for the climbathon.
Balamban dumptrucks will be picking up trekkers as early as 5Am in JY square in Cebu Cityon March 20.There will also be a pickup point in Balamban for local trekkers.These same dumptrucks will be ferrying trekkers on Sunday back to Cebu City and Balamban.For inquiries you may call 3332190 or 4650455 local 115.
The Marathon Foodie has one observation.Women runners have been running far longer distances since the 1960’s.In this age of gender equality, why do women have to race the shorter distance of 13KM in the climbathon while the men race all of 17KM?
Free Running Clinic
Take advantage of Runnr Academy ’s free running clinic on “Optimal Running Technique” with three-time Philippine National Triathlon champion Arland Macasieb at Ayala Center Cebu’s Active Zone on March 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and March 6 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Macasieb will discuss common running errors among recreational runners; the attributes of elite runners; correct running posture; Running tools, drills and skills for speed.
Macasieb is an exercise physiologist and holds a masters degree on exercise sciences from the Montclair State University . He was the Philippine National Triathlon champion in 2001, 2005 and 2006. He is also a 6-time Ironman finisher.
Race reviews have been unanimous in rating the Cebu City Marathon excellent, and the Marathon Foodie could not possibly add any more praise. Instead, I will tell you what went on behind the staging of this perfect race. 1. The 42K route was supposed to pass through the Marcelo Fernan bridge connecting Mactan Island to mainland Cebu. Next to the Magellan's Cross, the second of the two Mandaue-Mactan bridges has become an iconic image of Cebu.
But the bridge management board is headed by Gov. Gwen Garcia who is engaged in a bitter fight with Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena and Cebu City is a co-presenter of the marathon. If Mayor Osmena was a woman, it would have been a really nasty cat fight and the organizers would be caught in the crossfire. To solve the problem before it became one, the organizers scrapped the bridge portion of the race route.
2. The race route for the 42K was revised four times with members of CERC conducting several test runs to make sure that the distance was spot on.
3. Unheralded but nonetheless crucial was the support of Talisay City during last Sunday's race. Unlike Manila's MMDA, Metro Cebu does not have a unified traffic management body. Hence, when the 42K runners crossed the small bridge separating Cebu City and Talisay City, CITOM no longer had jurisdiction. But, setting jurisdictional issues aside and even without any credit in the media releases about the event, the City of Talisay still graciously provided marshalls and their own traffic enforcers who ensured that runners were given priority and right of way when they crossed four intersections found at the Talisay portion of the SRP.
4. Sportsman and marathoner Jonathan Atan Guardo and Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena clobber each other everyday in the papers as both are running for the Cebu City South congressional seat. One of the major issues in the campaign is Mayor Tom's health, which makes Tom and Atan a study in contrast. But, Atan ran the full mary at the CCM despite knowing that if the race would be successful, Mayor Tom would surely get credit. On the ther hand, Mayor Tom supported the marathon, thus providing Atan a possible vehicle to show voters a physically strong candidate as opposed to an ailing one. They may have been rivals, but the CCM provided both camps with a win-win situation. 5. CERC composed of doctors, lawyers, businessmen, university professors, engineers, businessmen and professionals personally manned the stations. RTC Judge Gabriel Ingles personally handed out water cups and bananas at the Capitol Parish water station. Real doctors massaged runners legs at the stations found at the last 10 KM of the race route. Much has been said about the CERC's perfect teamwork, diplomacy, foresight and combined experience running marathons in different parts of the country and of the world as crucial in contributing to the success of CCM. I say fierce pride of place brought them all together.
You see, this is how Cebuanos think -- Cebu is not just a place. It is also an identity -- a brand. If an event that carries the Cebu brand fails, then everyone of us here share in that failure regardless of political color or station in life, whether you're a participant or not. Thus, when put to task, expect Cebuanos to come in full force and put our best foot forward.
“The marathon is a charismatic event. It has everything. It has drama. It has competition. It has camaraderie. It has heroism. Every jogger can’t dream of being an Olympic champion, but he can dream of finishing a marathon.” – Fred Lebow
I finished the Cebu City Marathon in 5:11:13 (official time) or 36 minutes faster than my first marathon time of 5:47set last October at the QCIM.
This was enough to land me in 17th place in a field of 31 women and 191st overall out of 394 runners male and female.
With Coach Precing Capangpangan
Giving up my humba and other porky stuff, switching to vegetarian food, being ten pounds lighter (from 132 lbs. at QCIM to 121 lbs. at CCM) and swimming at least a kilometer every other day really did pay off. Plus, I'm beginning to master the negative split, which Coach Precing and I have been working on for the last three months.
But my biggest story of marathon triumph is about one of the last four guys who crossed the finish line that day – my husband Eugene.
Eugene and I are hardly ever together in the same place.We’ve been married for a little over three years now, but if we count the number of days we’ve been together it won’t reach 365.
Eugene has no love for running.To him, running means covering two miles or 3.2 kilometers of ground space in 18 minutes, which is the minimum requirement in the military’s physical fitness test.
So it was a big surprise when after dragging him to Coach Jim Saret’s lecture at the CCM running clinic, he registered for the 42K instead of the original plan of running only 5K while I do my second marathon.
On the day we registered, my training was peaking while Eugene only had 3K runs to speak of.
MF:It’s just a month and a half away.There’s not enough time for training.
Eugene :I can do this.There’s no cut-off.
MF:42K isn’t 2 miles.
Eugene :Kaya yan.
MF:You could die you know.
Eugene :I’ve done a 5-hour foot march carrying a 30-pound backpack.I can do this.
MF:Why do you want to do the full marathon?You never liked running.
Eugene :Because I want to understand you.I’m doing this for you.
I continued to train in Cebu while Eugene ran inside his military camp in Samar.I finished three 32k's, his longest run was only one 21K.I knew it was folly but he would not listen.
We agreed to run the race, but at different paces.The plan was for me to come back for him at the Fuente Osmena circle and escort him in the final six kilometers -- almost like running an ultra. Eugene's general race day plan was to run right behind Twinkle Ignacio. It is Sinulog after all and surely, the race officials will wait for the only runner carrying the image of the Sto. Nino.
On race day I put money in his pocket in case of a DNF and he would need a ride home. At the starting line we met Raffy Osumo who is a sports columnist for The Freeman and the resident running consultant at Runnr Cebu. Raffy injured his back three weeks before race day and he needed to run slow. Raffy and Eugene became fast friends and paced each other.
I was on pace throughout the race and crossed the finishline strong after sprinting the last 200 meters. But the seven hills and one flyover in the last seven (7) kilometers of the 42K route took whatever I had left in the tank and could no longer run back for Eugene. I decided to wait and figured, Eugene will probably finish between 6:00 to 6:30.
I met my best friend Mary and her husband John at the finishline. They both ran the 5K race and decided to wait with me. The clock kept ticking - 6:00, 6:15, 6:25. Twinkle already crossed the finishline still there was no sign of Eugene and Raffy.
As the last of the 6-hour marathoners crossed the finishline, I became worried sick. I kept thinking, why did I let him run the race severely under trained? How could I have forgotten to write my contact numbers in case of emergency at the back of his bib? Why didn't I let him bring a cellphone? People have died in the marathon sparing not even the best trained of elite runners (think: Ryan Shay).
The wait seemed interminable and as the timer ticked 7:00, I was real scared and crying at the finishline. Coach Rio's team was already dismantling the chip timing device. Members of the CERC like Raffy Uytiepo, Jasmin and John Pages, Perl and Jacs Jacalan, Judge Gabby Ingles, Annie Neric and Nica, Andrew and Jane Ong, were all there waiting for the last man to arrive and were worried for Raffy Osumo who was running with an injured back.
At 7:05, Joel Juarez, the lead motorcycle marshall appeared and told us the last four runners were at JY Square. "Did you find my husband? Puti iyang singlet, kuyog sila Raffy?" Joel said Yes.
I cried again, only this time, from sheer and utter relief. The clearest thought that was running through my head was that if Eugene died that day running a marathon for me, I would be totally heartbroken and would never recover. You know what they say, 'you don't know what you got till it's gone'.
Soon, Raffy and Eugene appeared running hand in hand at the last 300 meters. Everyone was clapping. As I stood there waiting for Eugene to cross the finishline it was as if a cloud had lifted and I was seeing him clearly for the first time.
Raffy and Eugene crossed the finishline together at 7:10:15 (official time). Eugene had cramps as early as KM 14 and again at KM 18. They ran and walked the rest of the way where they met rookie runners Cliff Abraham and Rex Wagas who were hobbling because they were wearing new shoes on race day! Eugene and Raffy found their second wind at KM 35, but refused to leave behind Cliff and Rex, who were the last two to cross at 7:20:59.
Eugene and I ran and conquered the longest route at the Cebu City Marathon.Although we ran at different paces and for different reasons, we never dreamed that the Mt.Everest of running, would turn out to be the shortest distance in finding our way back home.
All those 26.2 miles became the shortest distance between Eugene's heart and mine.Everything else was forgiven.
Eugene and I are a work in progress, and we realize that we need to work harder than most.The words commitment, perseverance and sacrifice best describe not just what it takes to train for the marathon, but also what it takes to keep any relationship going.
His first marathon experience made him appreciate the hardwork invested by runners for training, and so Eugene vows to be better prepared (listen to the wife more) and shave at least two hours from his current personal record. We agreed that although we will be training separately for our next race -- the Real Berlin Marathon in September, we will do this together.
My practice continues to keep me bound here in Cebu and Eugene's obligation to God and country will continue to keep him away from home. As for time and distance, it will hopefully be nothing more than a reading on a GPS watch.
With Raffy Osumo, Mary and John Lood
Photo credits: Crestina Boholst, Marlen Del Mar-Limpag, Michael Enriquez, Mary Valero-Lood
As you may have already heard or read from those who attended the Cebu City Marathon Carbo Loading Party sponsored by Ayala Center Cebu, it was a great success. It was extra-special for the Marathon Foodie because I finally met and shook hands with The Bull Runner herself - Jaymie Pizarro who inspired the creation of this blog.
I also met the Bald Runner himself, retired Gen. Jovie Narcise, Jinoe Gavan who's the topman of Takbo.ph. and Jonel Mendoza of Team Hardcore and founder and editor-in-chief of the newly minted Frontrunner magazine.
with Jinoe Gavan and Dr. Reel Bontol a.k.a. Reel Running
And there was Luis Arcangel a.k.a. the Gingerbreadman, whose fantastic humor and writing style I admire so much. It was also a reunion of sorts for me and Carlo Serrano a.k.a Drum and Run who took some of these photos. Thanks Carl! With the Gingerbreadman and Tin Sayson
I'm sure there were other bloggers from out-of-town who were present at the CLP whose race reviews I may have read in the past but could not recognize because they were not wearing race clothes that night. (Harhar.)
I was nervous at the CLP for two reasons -- these bloggers, whose opinions matter to other runners and even corporate sponsors (who read their blogs), will not only be running Cebu's biggest race, but will review and critique it as well. In short, for good or bad, they will play a crucial role in whether or not the Cebu City Marathon in 2011 will gain support from the running community outside Cebu City and the sponsors who are supposed to bankroll next year's event.
The other reason I had butterflies in my stomach was because I as supposed to deliver an inspirational speech that night along with top Filipino triathlete Noy Jopson, sub-four marathoner Dr. Yong Larrazabal and Coach Rio Dela Cruz. Why I got picked, I had no idea. (Paano yan? Walang teleprompter! Hahaha!)
The Pasta Party Speech:
Good evening everyone!
My marathon pace ranges from 8:00 minutes to 7:30 minutes per kilometer, which means I will probably finish the entire course on Sunday between 5 to 51/2 hours.
At this rate, I will probably never win a marathon; and every runner’s cherished dream of a Boston qualifier is still a good few years away.
But I have been tasked tonight to give a few tips and a bit of inspiration to those who will try to conquer the full marathon distance in this our Queen City of the South.
This is probably because although I am neither the fastest nor the slowest, I represent the average participant – those non-athletes who on Sunday will nevertheless run all those 26.2 miles -- from the gut, from the heart and even from the deepest recesses of our souls.
With Annie Neric of Holiday Gym and Spa, TBR, Jane and Andrew Ong of Leona's
(I’d like a show of hands – Those who will be running the marathon for the first time on Sunday, please raise your hand? Those who will be running the half marathon for the first time please raise your hand?)
There is a great debate going on whether plodders and slow runners like many of us here tonight, have a place in the marathon. It is a race after all – a running event and not a walking competition.
The New York Road Runners’ Mary R. Wittenberg the race director of the world renowned ING New York Marathon gives an excellent defense on behalf of the 5-hour plus marathoners and it goes –
“The marathon is the Mt. Everest of running. In other words, the ultimate goal. One that takes careful and rigorous preparation. But we specifically don’t say – ‘you’ve got to be fast to do it.’
To us, it’s about conquering the distance and conquering self doubt. The marathon is about dreaming to achieve and putting in all the work to make that dream reality.
A marathoner is a marathoner regardless of time. Virtually everyone who tries the marathon has put in training over months, and it is that exercise and that commitment, physical and mental, that gives meaning to the medal, not just the day’s effort be it fast or slow. It’s all in conquering the challenge.”
Team Sugbu Triathlon
The pursuit of the marathon routinely changes people’s lives. Personally, it has made my life richer with new friends and new-found knowledge. All the sacrifice and self-denial that marathon training demands have made my life more meaningful. It has taught me once again to dream like a child and to persevere on those dreams. It has made me stronger, tougher and braver – well beyond improved physical fitness. I’m sure it has changed your life too hopefully for the better and I wish we could swap marathon stories tonight.
I end this short message with a few tips gained from running segments of the Cebu City Marathon’s 42K route over and over in the last 3 months of training.
- The SRP is a flat and lonely road, except for the causeway and the small bridge connecting Cebu City and Talisay. Your biggest enemy at the SRP will be the headwind coming from the sea.
- 500 meters before SRP, you will be passing through the Basilica del Sto. Nino. If you’re religious, superstitious, or want to finish without injuries, it might be a good idea to light a candle.
- Here’s a real idea, why not light 21 or 42 candles – one for each kilometer? You don’t have to stop running to do this. The Sinulog dancing, candle-wielding mananabtan will do the task for you. A candle costs P1.00 per piece, the Sinulog dancing is free.
- On your way back to the finish line the sun will be directly in your eyes as you will be facing the east when you run along Escario St. and Mango Ave. (for the 42K runners).
- For the 42 K runners, the last 10 kilometers will be a killer. Expect to negotiate at least seven hills and inclines on your way to the finish line. These are – the two hills on Mango Avenue located beside Iglesia ni Kristo and Mango Square; the hill along Escario Street, and the two hills along Gorordo Ave. beside Gemsville Subdv. and the unfinished Mormon temple on a hill.
- When you make the turn at J.Y. square, cheer up, it’s all literally and figuratively downhill from there to the finishline.
Finally, on behalf of my running friends, I would like to thank the Cebu Executive Runners Club for taking on the gigantic task of putting up this prestigious event. It’s amazing how you managed to convince the Cebuano runners – who are all tihik (kuripot) to the bones – to shell out more than P300 pesos for the registration fee. I guess this turnout – huge by Cebu standards – is a testament to your reputation and the trust we runners have in your group.
Thank you to all the sponsors.
Thank you to the City of Cebu, Councilor Jack and Mayor Tom for fully supporting the Cebu City Marathon. Every great city in the world – London, Berlin, New York, Chicago, Boston – have their own big city marathons – if we do this right and be consistent year after year (whether you're a runner, organizer, marshall, spectator or a volunteer at the water station), if we do this right maybe the Cebu City Marathon can someday be in the same league as the world marathon majors.
The South Road Properties management approved a request to conduct test run inside the South Coastal Road on Sunday, 20 December 2009. The SRP which, on normal days, is off limits to runners and joggers, will comprise 17 KM of the Cebu City Marathon route.
For all those interested to join the LSD please be guided by the following:
Meeting Place: Magellan's Cross. Assembly: 4:00 to 4:30 AM Run Starts @ 4:30 AM sharp
There will be churchgoers at the Magellan's Cross exit of the Basilica del Sto. Nino because of the Misa de Gallo, so dili ra kaayo sya mingaw. For those who will be bringing cars, you are advised to park in a more secure place such as the I.T. Park and simply commute or run towards the assembly venue.
Runners should take care of their own hydration and nutrition needs.
Important: As much as possible, the runners should run in one pack @7:30 mins./km pace because there's only one SRP patrol car that can escort the group. The police escort is necessary in ensuring our safety especially while running on the viaduct, which has no sidewalks.
Runners should run right and not left as earlier posted. After the viaduct, runners must run on the sidewalks.
Turnaround point is the Phoenix gas station in Talisay. (You won't miss it. It's blazing red!)
After exiting SRP, runners are free to pursue any route or distance they wish to complete their target distance for their respective LSD.
Those who feel they cannot finish the SRP trial run must ride a car or cab towards the Aduana exit. If the runner has no car or cab, it is advisable that he take the Mambaling exit. The viaduct (about 1.2KM) is really very dangerous.
Prior to the run, participants will be asked to sign a waiver.
And finally, Marathon Foodie will collect a contribution of P10.00 each from the participants for the escorts' honorarium.
Rest well, prepare, and let's all pray for a safe run on Sunday.
Note: On Marathon Day, the SRP and two lanes of all roads included in the CCM route will be closed to vehicular traffic to ensure runners' safety.
Photo Credit: Valcaro of Sugbu Triathlon, photos were taken during the LSD organized by Sugbu Triathlon last 29 November 2009
On 01-10-10, the biggest running event in Cebu will take place! Sign up today for the Cebu City Marathon and get exciting early-bird perks. The first 500 registrants will get free copies of Men’s Health or Women’s Health magazines. What’s more, as part of the preparation for all runners, the first 500 registrants of 21K and 42K distances will get free passes to the Carbo-loading Pasta Party at The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu on January 8.
Slated to be the marathon to top all others, the Cebu City Marathon is the first race in recent years to host the full marathon distance of 42.195 kms. A total of P300,000 in cash prizes will be offered to the winners with P50,000 in store for the 42K champions in men's and women's category. There will also be a lot of fun activities awaiting all runners at the Start/Finish line including entertainment with band and dancers, massage therapists, food and drinks, Media Tent plus an Awarding Ceremony with great raffle prizes and lots of entertainment! Along the race route, runners will be provided with Summit Water every 1.5KM plus 100 Plus Isotonic Drinks, First Aid, chocolates, bananas and even liniment spray in some stations. For the first time ever, there will be clappers, cheerers, dancers and band along the route to cheer on the participants! Everyone can also purchase their very own marathon photo at the Souvenir Photo Tent.
Register now! Deadline for registrations is on December 31, 2009. Visit the Cebu Marathon Booth at the Active Zone, Ayala Center Cebu or Cebu City Sports Center (PSC Office). Registration for Manila participants will be at RUNNR, Bonifacio High Street. You can also visit the Marathon Expo from Jan. 6-9 at the Active Zone, Ayala Center Cebu and get big discounts and special deals on shoes, apparel and running accessories. The Cebu City Marathon is presented by Summit Natural Water and Globe, organized by the City of Cebu together with Cebu's leading club, Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC). For more details, visit www.cebumarathon.com or call ASAP Cebu at (032)2328518 or 19
The newly-opened RUNNR store and Cebu Executive Runners Club will hold the Cebu City Marathon Running Clinic Part 3 on Dec. 5 (Sat), 2009 at the Active Zone, Ayala Center Cebu.
The speakers are as follows:
1. Coach Jim Saret – to talk about running and training techniques, necessary preparations to take up running as a sport, Tips for different levels or runners: starting out, beginners, advanced, marathoners, etc., how to determine readiness: when to move from 3K to 5K to 10K to 21K and 42K.
2. Coach Julius Giron – to talk about benefits of heart rate monitor, compression wear and forefoot/midfoot running.
Just like the first two clinics, part of 3 will still be for free. The two speakers are Manila-based and brought in by RUNNR.
For more than a month now, the Marathon Foodie has been training and training at 4AM and sometimes during lunch break for the CCM and not a word about it on this blog But when John Pages of Cebu Executive Runners Club broke the news that the organizers found enough logistics for a ChampionChip device on marathon day, the Marathon Foodie couldn't help but be raised from blogosphere Hades.
This is a first in Cebu's road racing history.
What is a ChampionChip?
The ChampionChip is a high-tech, identification device used to time athletes in a race. The technology consists of a miniature transponder in a specially designed housing, marked with a unique identification number. The transponder is a waterproof glass capsule that contains a silicon chip and an energizing coil. The ChampionChip can be used under all weather conditions, wet and dry, cold and hot.
How does the ChampionChip work?
There are no batteries in the ChampionChip. The transponder is inactive until moved into a magnetic field, generated by a send antenna in a mat. When the ChampionChip enters the magnetic field, the energizing coil produces an electric current to power the chip. The transponder then transmits its unique identification number to a receive antenna in a mat. The entire process takes approximately 60 milliseconds.
Benefits? 1. Provides organizers with fast, accurate and the highest quality results, both in hard copy and electronically.
2. Prevents dishonest participants from making “short-cuts.”
3. Post results on the web within 24 hours of the event.
4. Helps manage the finish line… making the finish free-flowing.
----------------
Registration areas (registration will start on Friday, Nov. 27):
Active Zone, Ayala Center Cebu
Cebu City Sports Center (PSC office)
Deadline: December 31, 2009
Registration fees:
5K: P250 21K: P450 42K: P650
Only the 21K and 42K participants will have the ChampionChip.
The 42K participants will receive, upon finishing, a Finisher’s Medal. All participants will receive singlets and race packs.
For more inquiries, call Marlyn at 2328518/19.Official website: www.cebumarathon.com
On Tuesday morning, I got this from the mail. Inside was an invitation to run the 2010 Standard Chartered Hongkong Marathon.
No, I'm not that special, it's just that the HKAA has a mailing list of all previous entrants and they have budget for invites sent the old school way.
This pack contains a race map as big as a cartolina and in full color. The 2010 edition of the HK marathon will still include two tunnels (one of which below sea level), the same flyovers, but instead of just two bridges, it will now feature three. In addition to the Tsing Ma and the Ting Kau bridges, runners will have to go through the Stonecutter's bridge.
The cut-off time remains the same -- 5:30.
There's plenty of time between now and February. If I really work hard at it, I can probably make it to the cut-off time. It's really tempting. I have this strong need to redeem myself, after showing up in 2009 ill-prepared with a total disrespect for the marathon distance. I want to go back to Hongkong a stronger, better and smarter runner. I want my HK Marathon redux to end in a blaze of glory. Hongkong can wait.
In the meantime, training starts again. This time, for the Cebu City Marathon on 01-10-10 where I hope to significantly improve my QCIM time. There's really nothing like running in your own backyard.
Speaking of training, there are those who say that if you want to improve your time, there must be specificity of training. Meaning no swimming, no biking. On the other hand, Leica Carpo became fast (enough to qualify for the Boston Marathon) in just two years by incorporating triathlon (White Rock) training into her regimen.
After almost three weeks of physical therapy and absolute abstinence from running, the Marathon Foodie showed up at the 09-09-09 edition of the annual Don Sergio Osmena Sr. run.
The DSOS is supposed to be the oldest and longest-running local racing event in Cebu City held in commemoration of the birth anniversary of Cebu’s grand old man. The DSOS is also a very competitive race designed only for those who have the appetite for racing on 10.22 kilometers of asphalt and concrete roads. It is no place for first-time racers, or runners recovering from an injured foot looking to run only 3K or 5K. It is 10K or none at all. The Marathon Foodie was ready to be humbled. I had no expectations of making it in the top 10, nor was I expecting to break my PR of 1:01. Just the same, I showed up one hour before the start of the race and warmed up and stretched, this time more meticulously than ever. All I wanted was to run pain and injury free. Prior to the race, I reviewed and ran the race course over and over in mind, plotting the parts where I would run fast (Imus, Gen. Maxilom Ave. and Osmena Blvd.), battle with difficult inclines (U.P. Cebu to eskina Sudlon all the way to J.Y. Square and Maxwell Hotel along Escario St.), including walk breaks if I have to (UP Cebu and Maxwell Hotel). As the starting gun went off, Vangelis’ “Chariots of Fire” was playing in my MP3. I had only three songs playing on a loop for this particular race – the two others were “Gonna Fly Now” from the Rocky soundtrack and “Hallelujah” from Handel’s Messiah. Chariots of Fire makes me see in my mind’s eye the correct running form I should maintain throughout the course, Gonna Fly Now inspires me to beat all the odds, and Hallelujh is for summoning strength that is more than physical. For the first time, I ran not with abandon but with caution – making sure that my right foot had the correct form and not hiwi (askew) when it landed on the ground. It felt strange running with studied motion after recovering from an injury. The cocky rookie runner with the wisdom of someone who knows nothing was replaced by the studied precision of someone who’s been hurt.
I waited for the pain to strike my plantar fascia. There was none. I waited for the sharp pain on my right metatarsals. It did not recur. I got lucky at the DSOS. The Marathon Foodie finished the race in 1:06:14 or just a little over five minutes slower than my PR. Not bad, all things considered. I’m happy and thankful -- thankful for being lucky enough to have recovered quickly and happy that I could run again, free from pain. But I know too that one wrong move (like a haphazard warm-up and stretching session or a lazy running form) and the pain will be back.
My feet still have more work to do and I still need those expensive orthotics to address my biomechanical issues for good. When it’s for keeps you just can’t give up because you got hurt. You find ways to get healed and start running again.
Doing the Math
Just because the Marathon Foodie had a great run, doesn’t mean the she’s willing to let slide the DSOS Run organizers’ major slight during the race. You would think that after organizing the DSOS since the 80’s that the organizers would have perfected their hydration system for runners. The Marathon Foodie was sorely disappointed to find that the organizers did a sloppy sloppy job of providing water for the participants. There was no water from 2.5 KM onwards!
I know that real runners should be able to run well, with or without efficient water stations, which the Marathon Foodie did, but that’s not the point. The point is, when organizers collect registration fees, then they are obligated to provide the basic requirements of a road race – hydration that is enough for EVERYONE, correct distance measurement and marshalling. Where did our registration fee go? If there were 400 registered runners at the DSOS then they were able to collect P60,000.00. Surely, there should have been more than enough money to buy water and water cups for ALL the runners. I wish to point out that since the race is sponsored by the City Sports Commission, the City Government of Cebu must have foot the expenses for the prizes, medals, trophies and singlets. Plus, the organizers used left-over plastic cups from a Milo-sponsored event and the race bibs looked like it was recycled from another running event. How does the Marathon Foodie know? First, the race bib does not bear the event name. Second, the dimension of the bib is wrong and obviously not proportional to the font size of the race number printed on it. If you look closely at the race bib, the top portion of the bib was obviously cut. Am I being OC and overly demanding? Maybe I am, but only when I feel that runners should have been provided what is rightfully due them in a race.
Photo credit: Thanks to Abby Ponce for the wonderful poster!
