Star Struck at the CLP

Meeting TBR at last. Chika runners ming duha.

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.

See you all this Sunday.

Pit Senyor!

Carpe viam!