tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10751899794811765962024-03-05T07:35:03.436-08:00The Chaho PaceAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01387369677705433457noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075189979481176596.post-16937092173758532672013-03-05T17:46:00.000-08:002013-03-05T17:46:32.355-08:00Surviving Xterra 2013<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What is Xterra? For triathletes, it is the equivalent of the Ironman race, only mountain bikes and trail running is required. In short, it is the ultimate off-road triathlon race in the world; and for the 3rd straight year, Xterra Philippines will be held in Liloan, Cebu.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This year's race features a new venue for the swim & transition, a tough bike course and a brutal run route. Xterra is basically a mountain biker's dream race. It usually showcases tough climbs and technical downhills. Liloan has all of that and more. So it was never any doubt that the organizers will have any trouble mapping out a world-class Xterra course, despite the sudden change of venue.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last year I joined the Xterra Individual Lite division. It was my first ever triathlon race so it made sense that I must join this year's race. But this time, doing the Individual Full category. I knew it was not going to be easy. I am not a very good mountain biker, I have a great fear of heights, and I still have my damaged left knee to deal with. So, why will I join Xterra? Because I love to challenge and test myself, and prove that anything is possible!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To be honest, my Xterra game plan was just to survive ... and hopefully make the cut-off times and get that finisher's medal. I knew that my bike split would be very slow and that I would have a hard time during the run. It's tough to get used to riding on single tracks, rocky technical downhills and steep climbs in just 3 weeks of preparation. Running on uneven terrain with so many sharp stones & loose rocks is not an easy thing to for a guy with bum knees & flat feet. But I will do this!!! I was determined to make the bike cut-off time at 12 noon and then survive the run under the scorching heat!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Race day came and the excitement, anticipation & expectations reached a fever pitch. You knew everyone was hyped and had game plans of their own. I knew the swim would be the least of my worries and true enough, almost everyone had very fast swim splits. But then it was time for the bike leg, and I was just glad I still had 4 hours and 20 minutes to finish the 2 loops before the 12 noon cut-off time. Just a few kilometers in and I had to dismount from my bike a few times whenever I came across difficult terrain. And pushing my bike up that steep ridge really drained me ... and this was all on the 1st bike loop! Then came the killer uphills, the single tracks and then the technical downhills! I lost count of the bikers overtaking me and kept hearing "Bike on your left" over and over again! Well, this was nothing new since I also experienced the same thing last year. I just kept looking at the time, endure cramps and kept catching my breath on the 2nd loop. I reached the transition area with 15 minutes to spare before the cut-off time! Whew!!! Then came the run. And boy was it HOT!!! Some water stations ran out of cold water and it was really very lonely since most of the participants either finished their race or were already about to finish their run. I was walking a lot, trying to endure the challenging terrain and the heat of the sun! There were times that I felt like giving up but there was nowhere else to go, nobody to talk to and nothing up ahead but just single track roads. I just had to keep moving. I reached the finish line in 6 hours 47 minutes and it was the most fulfilling race I had ever done ever!!! It really drained me, humbled me but I survived it! I AM AN XTERRA WARRIOR!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To all the mountain bikers & trail runners out there: I salute you! It's not easy to ride a mountain bike. The handling, the skill, the balance & the courage to tackle steep uphills and technical downhills is no joke! Running around uneven terrain, going up & down hills and trying to watch your step while maintaining the pace is also certainly no joke as well! These things take time, effort and lots of practice. After the race, I said to myself not to join Xterra anymore. But that was yesterday ... and am looking forward to surviving Xterra 2014!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5RLlace9jOm-GbLFkUQBdFSL32T_Og69xaGPnCVuJAWasyQ-HcJsqpNcGFma0L0Ej8C-ABSZypilb3LOQQhgHC6H4hMwlOcG1Hpm96Ah4yVOvDBoISAnPa7l5QODEZlXYMpdCGpsuCNC/s1600/62088_4809168346244_1823073182_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5RLlace9jOm-GbLFkUQBdFSL32T_Og69xaGPnCVuJAWasyQ-HcJsqpNcGFma0L0Ej8C-ABSZypilb3LOQQhgHC6H4hMwlOcG1Hpm96Ah4yVOvDBoISAnPa7l5QODEZlXYMpdCGpsuCNC/s400/62088_4809168346244_1823073182_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me & Doc Benj getting ready for the swim</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnrcDsyiJRCZsqw-36vtRPyEm1YpsGWf8rNGYlpf5LUv_KGNnvPUAGnQAZRSi9dP-IBOAXb2p9UoV0JpRaC8Y94gOKZRa3UC0YXDwMfxWfGf5jeuiU6puEenSogEWj1-9rHWlJeYG1ffx/s1600/rob8085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnrcDsyiJRCZsqw-36vtRPyEm1YpsGWf8rNGYlpf5LUv_KGNnvPUAGnQAZRSi9dP-IBOAXb2p9UoV0JpRaC8Y94gOKZRa3UC0YXDwMfxWfGf5jeuiU6puEenSogEWj1-9rHWlJeYG1ffx/s400/rob8085.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just out of T1, still fresh on the bike!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_Zw-c5Iz3f_DKd75Yjb5sysnBmqnXJdnFTqM42I6Mu5sTPwJHRo3MJfzgufowjOVf6w0p18GeGAQL2pc-Z8JXHBL2p6CrfyG16s623MY8OwflCreifiCrlptm4RV_3SSIaurtmzUWkx_/s1600/886522_452786384792678_1106484442_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_Zw-c5Iz3f_DKd75Yjb5sysnBmqnXJdnFTqM42I6Mu5sTPwJHRo3MJfzgufowjOVf6w0p18GeGAQL2pc-Z8JXHBL2p6CrfyG16s623MY8OwflCreifiCrlptm4RV_3SSIaurtmzUWkx_/s400/886522_452786384792678_1106484442_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local folks all around the route to cheer the participants.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHbsoVxrn-tuPLNUeLWLlDkOh1Dp8R9vi4YmpUkjHNorGI2iXQwDLezvrA8YV3NRop0aXwMRC6gsqvPeTtYDH-hB7NXhAk91e_eSTeGId8qHt8QG6fu3T3C2SUt0dqLvpOvclEGhzjsXA/s1600/563277_623802570979499_2069589162_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHbsoVxrn-tuPLNUeLWLlDkOh1Dp8R9vi4YmpUkjHNorGI2iXQwDLezvrA8YV3NRop0aXwMRC6gsqvPeTtYDH-hB7NXhAk91e_eSTeGId8qHt8QG6fu3T3C2SUt0dqLvpOvclEGhzjsXA/s400/563277_623802570979499_2069589162_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steep ridge where everyone had to push their bikes up!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeWESfkv76yuo6H4uA9Y1Z5ZXVJwVruikxxAdjKz_1UH3Eb7mxmAb5St5CoHGTfVLy1CPnO4wwoWjdFY4q4SdrZLgFb1-rSxEt6_QY76t_-07wqrrhkZ3hQCrNlVANNAjSAfVJao4DQ_u/s1600/522494_10152141352476564_2070536608_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeWESfkv76yuo6H4uA9Y1Z5ZXVJwVruikxxAdjKz_1UH3Eb7mxmAb5St5CoHGTfVLy1CPnO4wwoWjdFY4q4SdrZLgFb1-rSxEt6_QY76t_-07wqrrhkZ3hQCrNlVANNAjSAfVJao4DQ_u/s400/522494_10152141352476564_2070536608_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishing up my 2nd bike loop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswnqND_Sib8fvC0Rm45sD-EovIMYO53evuN9jFuDQ_IBeAGhJMadXSJt3i-QKZ8q0nODpBrfpC3Q5qtcX2tOOwsNEzVqKAC78Qg7w8hGzwNdK-kkxYEwfnaUNGcBNttFf9Rl0o6aHjvG0/s1600/860407_10151776228748065_1364070714_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswnqND_Sib8fvC0Rm45sD-EovIMYO53evuN9jFuDQ_IBeAGhJMadXSJt3i-QKZ8q0nODpBrfpC3Q5qtcX2tOOwsNEzVqKAC78Qg7w8hGzwNdK-kkxYEwfnaUNGcBNttFf9Rl0o6aHjvG0/s400/860407_10151776228748065_1364070714_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching the finish line!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbCMzhmgCL3uagtpteRE8-HBwAT7XCSFmQNV6sq9k8otDwlItnUmIMs9C3huOpkafj6z8LN-_ZH3lU7nEF2kMkI87TQLHPI00zSZv7cfuH5VWObOJ-_N3WV1sUx3Kas7VanzLufjMmCKe/s1600/886965_10151460207079154_1172431618_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbCMzhmgCL3uagtpteRE8-HBwAT7XCSFmQNV6sq9k8otDwlItnUmIMs9C3huOpkafj6z8LN-_ZH3lU7nEF2kMkI87TQLHPI00zSZv7cfuH5VWObOJ-_N3WV1sUx3Kas7VanzLufjMmCKe/s400/886965_10151460207079154_1172431618_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mission accomplished! I am an Xterra Warrior!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01387369677705433457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075189979481176596.post-15334223643900828882012-08-08T01:44:00.001-07:002012-08-08T01:44:14.230-07:00Cobra Ironman 70.3 2012: Godspeed, Ramie<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aug. 5, 2012: Cobra Ironman 70.3 in Cebu. It was to be the biggest sporting spectacle in Cebu's history, and TTB was going to be a part of it with 10 individual entries and 3 relay teams. It was going to be our biggest triumph of the year, and we were all well-prepared and ready to go. I was doing the bike leg for TTB Cebu relay team, and I was going to enjoy the experience.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18lA5_QXnOInsKNGwlquO1614PQRZQ_MabTRrJBGT3TmAFOygAqYvbjH00jFueBcooaMFp6Sxno8_pe5F9soRuOz3QOMgxPgvleJAqBrvJSpMtG8GbtJ87UG3hYesKzqU2VR2R-sRYuAw/s1600/297594_324222837671897_751316701_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18lA5_QXnOInsKNGwlquO1614PQRZQ_MabTRrJBGT3TmAFOygAqYvbjH00jFueBcooaMFp6Sxno8_pe5F9soRuOz3QOMgxPgvleJAqBrvJSpMtG8GbtJ87UG3hYesKzqU2VR2R-sRYuAw/s400/297594_324222837671897_751316701_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching the swim leg with Ramie, Doc Mitty & Mai-Mai</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">True enough the Cobra Ironman kicked off with a blast and a frenzy! All the hype and anticipation exploded with the more than 1,700 athletes registered ready to endure punishment and claim their medals. When it was my turn to go out on the bike course, I was just amazed at the people lining up the route. It was something new for a Cebuano since these are the same roads that you occasionally do training rides but with vehicular traffic. It was going to be the first time to ride along the SRP, and I was going to enjoy every minute of it.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiwVRJJWhEkSApudOdoUe8s-1-4gwIsCaRdCZfQ2XAVtrLPAd7XBW3XAKOWutauNPmJ2SrrzbhPcfc6J21JBc77xkMcHpvmQviG1K6QASbZARgnEG30GptSK8FjbFGVxnS-Vzzevgqncy/s1600/576070_508090032539456_1214392343_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiwVRJJWhEkSApudOdoUe8s-1-4gwIsCaRdCZfQ2XAVtrLPAd7XBW3XAKOWutauNPmJ2SrrzbhPcfc6J21JBc77xkMcHpvmQviG1K6QASbZARgnEG30GptSK8FjbFGVxnS-Vzzevgqncy/s400/576070_508090032539456_1214392343_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water station at KM65, Talisay area, with Ramie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I passed by teammate and regular bike buddy Ramie Igaña a few meters past the water station at the Talisay area, approximately 25 kilometers to go. We both acknowledged each other and I sped up with the tailwind heading home. I saw an ambulance just before entering the tunnel and thought, "who could that be?". I got back to the transition area after a 3 hour 18 minute ride and stayed on to watch the other athletes coming back from their bike rides. After all my other teammates came back from their rides, I was still surprised why Ramie wasn't back yet. I could tell that Doc Mitty, his wife and relay runner, was really worried. As the bike cut-off was announced and still no Ramie in sight with no word whatsoever from the marshals & organizers, I had this bad feeling that something was wrong.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I left the transition area to join Siobe as we waited for Mommy Sheila at the finish line. When she arrived, we got our medals and finisher shirts and then headed down the lunch area. That's when Doc Benj told us the news: that Ramie was pronounced dead after he suffered an Acute Pulmonary Embolism on the bike course at the Talisay area. I was really in shock since that was the area that I overtook him. I was probably the last person he saw and my name was probably the last thing he uttered. Celebration turned to devastation as we were all speechless and in disbelief.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doc Mitty said Ramie died doing what he enjoyed best: biking. He was an avid biker ever since his college days. Ramie was a good friend, a loving husband & supportive father to NIña, and a true TTB <i>adik. </i>TTB was going to celebrate it's 2nd year anniversary on Aug. 7. For the past 2 years, we have been through so many bike rides, runs, gathering & parties and that is how I want to remember Ramie. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My photo tribute to Ramie (some of our bike rides)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXu0Zws8sdq9p2PLDwKoBG3frhQo8tsKfN4jV3Ch8krDnhD5TbGu8AFfGflqsxwqmoHjOLi5tafFWtFrZWp71qQUUxxOw7Zh1_sfOLygMNm5oFyvQkjdyANOULFsag0v77Dpk1-VYUlw_/s1600/227793_10150295133518712_7677056_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXu0Zws8sdq9p2PLDwKoBG3frhQo8tsKfN4jV3Ch8krDnhD5TbGu8AFfGflqsxwqmoHjOLi5tafFWtFrZWp71qQUUxxOw7Zh1_sfOLygMNm5oFyvQkjdyANOULFsag0v77Dpk1-VYUlw_/s400/227793_10150295133518712_7677056_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3DD-npOoAJBCuaOpB6bXOIePPsvxALlHSJWowWRapBTpudaHTNFkoOkrqngsHdVnTf4J43aCmwUwW30gP-ZpgcEM0GRoVKmldi7MbRy5AopJQ_dw3zVR05qT8zrMbxeq8BdsYH_FZ3Og/s1600/229655_10150283788938712_7163351_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3DD-npOoAJBCuaOpB6bXOIePPsvxALlHSJWowWRapBTpudaHTNFkoOkrqngsHdVnTf4J43aCmwUwW30gP-ZpgcEM0GRoVKmldi7MbRy5AopJQ_dw3zVR05qT8zrMbxeq8BdsYH_FZ3Og/s400/229655_10150283788938712_7163351_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTORzAOaZil0kDMOKFG4FSE7DBDkSWeXQ0xM9js1Ng-nTXxyNU7fhs4G4XjU_4JeCPkSlTNUaLyHF20ChjW3ZhSiwed69oNZsjUWjzl6n_ndzhqzj7cArb8794pwhw0HGaiTF7aU6tPGB/s1600/259084_10150313930763712_5347093_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTORzAOaZil0kDMOKFG4FSE7DBDkSWeXQ0xM9js1Ng-nTXxyNU7fhs4G4XjU_4JeCPkSlTNUaLyHF20ChjW3ZhSiwed69oNZsjUWjzl6n_ndzhqzj7cArb8794pwhw0HGaiTF7aU6tPGB/s400/259084_10150313930763712_5347093_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGb6eH6mXpBJhwhwb77aUuMYzjT2K3FFJN60d6WFTM_tIa8DYW3ifmAzTBFsM_nFc3ZlPVof4hEcIAuybI40MMoxhBaov6wp0PJbAExFZayJhblVFJfNyvwvq2G4UZVSLDgTkGYlJ9sgX/s1600/262805_2076459348712_5932206_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGb6eH6mXpBJhwhwb77aUuMYzjT2K3FFJN60d6WFTM_tIa8DYW3ifmAzTBFsM_nFc3ZlPVof4hEcIAuybI40MMoxhBaov6wp0PJbAExFZayJhblVFJfNyvwvq2G4UZVSLDgTkGYlJ9sgX/s400/262805_2076459348712_5932206_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hxeBeEok0OXsJRbw-d4LlBbVF2Hh6yGCQPKJ3Ipva98z0ZHbatlvMgOUbs-Lqv5buWBV8KwXtniTFRlfZMCP1pKM2ZS82xhKV4gYXIJYD1tBETUMbMvZn3kLzxaHrWzYSHiSyqQ4edGb/s1600/266362_2075301775267_1052403_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hxeBeEok0OXsJRbw-d4LlBbVF2Hh6yGCQPKJ3Ipva98z0ZHbatlvMgOUbs-Lqv5buWBV8KwXtniTFRlfZMCP1pKM2ZS82xhKV4gYXIJYD1tBETUMbMvZn3kLzxaHrWzYSHiSyqQ4edGb/s400/266362_2075301775267_1052403_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWu-4ezpK3QRQLIykifLF_RwoFe1swPCuOqdS1ECXoPLuw7oRcZqvt374HbxUPv3R67GzTlZ5-ZtHbg2crOjSkMXVNKgOkYeOtrYCCRSda9XnELcrjG_GbUdEwpjziL0k0Y3UmLLopFzac/s1600/387915_2666904764972_549403617_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWu-4ezpK3QRQLIykifLF_RwoFe1swPCuOqdS1ECXoPLuw7oRcZqvt374HbxUPv3R67GzTlZ5-ZtHbg2crOjSkMXVNKgOkYeOtrYCCRSda9XnELcrjG_GbUdEwpjziL0k0Y3UmLLopFzac/s400/387915_2666904764972_549403617_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaK6Bb0vqzWYYZQJHhAU7C2mBiUyQVSthbOFUw0RpkCDScKJxH9VnFQxQxDaXKxhoVHhO-syww-r7FYslqUVbDwkloOAHdmxfcoomr2j7mhpmpzcTV0PCsmjcjBcSWEyeFG_1wO-NsHyOn/s1600/405890_10150511434369154_1528672469_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaK6Bb0vqzWYYZQJHhAU7C2mBiUyQVSthbOFUw0RpkCDScKJxH9VnFQxQxDaXKxhoVHhO-syww-r7FYslqUVbDwkloOAHdmxfcoomr2j7mhpmpzcTV0PCsmjcjBcSWEyeFG_1wO-NsHyOn/s400/405890_10150511434369154_1528672469_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22NYmS5nS5SY-iotdHEwhbNPbOT1lh_oX87jG_dzLwLNuoqBl8q84bYUnhLo5RVOqZ1SubkME4O7GIJZhu1qZY1yxjCZZEA8SA1gh8TTA7pggGUQLM3PcVXLozFMRiN76yUB9XNkMuwfG/s1600/407329_10150608829914154_1416032067_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22NYmS5nS5SY-iotdHEwhbNPbOT1lh_oX87jG_dzLwLNuoqBl8q84bYUnhLo5RVOqZ1SubkME4O7GIJZhu1qZY1yxjCZZEA8SA1gh8TTA7pggGUQLM3PcVXLozFMRiN76yUB9XNkMuwfG/s400/407329_10150608829914154_1416032067_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzA6scYMK2HFXngwDmh-7qyPOfOZGod5GHsSltJERWDEUiV_fbn9JeVCPH6lCKhgEmtZFuOMc75LUTpBPLzdHdDyTSx2LFtJVVSzF-iagOdlswd0DRMj9-VUvhyphenhyphenSy7zB6-hWDk7RXC2tGm/s1600/413945_3530276428724_1916757135_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzA6scYMK2HFXngwDmh-7qyPOfOZGod5GHsSltJERWDEUiV_fbn9JeVCPH6lCKhgEmtZFuOMc75LUTpBPLzdHdDyTSx2LFtJVVSzF-iagOdlswd0DRMj9-VUvhyphenhyphenSy7zB6-hWDk7RXC2tGm/s400/413945_3530276428724_1916757135_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjMc-segR838eFzulxvK6Zp9yDwlN0DBNyVYQ1L5XSg8kkWUMk2nLMUsJiMRItBLqGa4TT_A8IRMxyzoaiRq2ST7ckMlfmtpDFBxq6CyqdaYjZRc8-aLgh5O49N7joT23oggInsPMjB-P/s1600/421200_10150608831009154_2042979333_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjMc-segR838eFzulxvK6Zp9yDwlN0DBNyVYQ1L5XSg8kkWUMk2nLMUsJiMRItBLqGa4TT_A8IRMxyzoaiRq2ST7ckMlfmtpDFBxq6CyqdaYjZRc8-aLgh5O49N7joT23oggInsPMjB-P/s400/421200_10150608831009154_2042979333_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="goog_1898545120"></span><span id="goog_1898545121"></span><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gone too soon, my friend. But godspeed on your next journey, we will ride again someday...</span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Z0iA8dToeuZ9PBY7jKUqGbj6_fswQYYi3PIu0cckUsrlZMFIjMs80ES30NPr30D5cjAw8YZv6SIyMN-cw5MgEx0HHwOJcawarwldW12h2aqm9ch8EmakDJzWz61m4csZCm4LxvlCwPrq/s1600/376818_10151031647399154_174632199_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Z0iA8dToeuZ9PBY7jKUqGbj6_fswQYYi3PIu0cckUsrlZMFIjMs80ES30NPr30D5cjAw8YZv6SIyMN-cw5MgEx0HHwOJcawarwldW12h2aqm9ch8EmakDJzWz61m4csZCm4LxvlCwPrq/s400/376818_10151031647399154_174632199_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01387369677705433457noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075189979481176596.post-52845162602378945002012-06-27T07:06:00.000-07:002012-06-27T07:06:09.713-07:00TTB: Tri Ta Bai!<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So where does a running group go when it has conquered marathons & ultra-marathons? You simply add two more disciplines, swimming & cycling, and venture into triathlon! Sounds easy? Yes and no. It's easy to tackle swimming, biking and running for health & fitness purposes; but to train for a triathlon race is certainly not an easy task! In the words of Ironman Champion Chris McCormack: "If it was easy, everyone would be doing it!"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ever since November 2011, when it was announced that the 2012 Ironman 70.3 Philippines would be held in Cebu City, the excitement and anticipation was already abuzz. Cebu would be playing host to two international triathlon events for 2012: Xterra Philippines in March and Ironman 70.3 Philippines in August. It just doesn't get any better than this! Swimming coaches & trainers were suddenly having full schedules, while local bike shops are reporting record sales up to today! And once online registration opened for Ironman and Xterra 2012, even the most inexperienced athletes signed up for the challenge ... me included!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So now the hard part: <b><i>training for triathlon! </i></b>Most athletes follow certain training programs, while others have their own personal coaches. For me, I have TTB! Aside from comparing notes, tips and advice, it's certainly easier to motivate yourself to train when your teammates are also doing the same routines...maybe even more! Century bike rides, LSDs, brick training and tri simulations with the team has been really fun and fulfilling! Not all of us are fast swimmers, seasoned cyclists or swift runners, but I'm sure we all have the same will and determination to face the challenge of a triathlon race. I can see it in each and everyone of us that it's about taking on the challenge. It's the same attitude that brought TTB together to tackle half-marathons, marathons and ultra-marathons in the first place.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And when 2012's triathlon events came, TTB was there to tackle every challenge!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzyQZNQPYxReTl09IuvTu-4fUB5TDoJGAUDT0G3-u8oY8qJrTUSFCyFkvE8SOpkBg40qfgm2CuzgfwfquCmisMQs2QIl2EmLh-s_1UJqGgyVpFAO1Yio5vy35EQwiomqJlTPDUz3LyoyWD/s1600/484028_163184400469195_1560500218_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzyQZNQPYxReTl09IuvTu-4fUB5TDoJGAUDT0G3-u8oY8qJrTUSFCyFkvE8SOpkBg40qfgm2CuzgfwfquCmisMQs2QIl2EmLh-s_1UJqGgyVpFAO1Yio5vy35EQwiomqJlTPDUz3LyoyWD/s320/484028_163184400469195_1560500218_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xterra Off-Road Triathlon 2012 Finishers</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwbVcLkuOcq-PpRuiKYeh4J0cqrFMwrPcoRr0yBiZj3huu3k_gs7qmp3AqjGZJEdjs59U3fv2Flv7FAKfUza6WSd8jfRh6ovgsPngF-jBusxZMog0JooP86CQKqtmkMyg1aPHc1_Bx_px/s1600/398205_10150768349061425_955927797_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwbVcLkuOcq-PpRuiKYeh4J0cqrFMwrPcoRr0yBiZj3huu3k_gs7qmp3AqjGZJEdjs59U3fv2Flv7FAKfUza6WSd8jfRh6ovgsPngF-jBusxZMog0JooP86CQKqtmkMyg1aPHc1_Bx_px/s320/398205_10150768349061425_955927797_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st Talisay Triathlon (1k swim, 30k bike, 7.5k run)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmb2fZxXcoSCRunvZ3iXWPqYsZRL5O8goIa20J5XA4oj-mJ4puUmAKc7MXiO8il1jQgzzZcGn9j12BsieeMAJMxep_H5dbzGhK_MnffjJkdirnNEOEZHon5z11UCOK3_RCS-zZ63MLQTmJ/s1600/305500_10150708757359154_874997874_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmb2fZxXcoSCRunvZ3iXWPqYsZRL5O8goIa20J5XA4oj-mJ4puUmAKc7MXiO8il1jQgzzZcGn9j12BsieeMAJMxep_H5dbzGhK_MnffjJkdirnNEOEZHon5z11UCOK3_RCS-zZ63MLQTmJ/s320/305500_10150708757359154_874997874_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Century Tuna National Age Group Triathlon Series (1k swim, 30k bike, 7.5k run)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMvyEkk4xzev_JEMZRRGYzDnO_lw_A-cWYzkAi_ybMrSM06EfS2pe_sIAC14pt8YOugFXXrDp_DaLQ4uPdROZfO1FmKPg2amung5LnWNSjGqQmoGAywM8N4RpQIp0xKXU06G7xQMj7ZVy/s1600/205231_346079665463351_675929652_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMvyEkk4xzev_JEMZRRGYzDnO_lw_A-cWYzkAi_ybMrSM06EfS2pe_sIAC14pt8YOugFXXrDp_DaLQ4uPdROZfO1FmKPg2amung5LnWNSjGqQmoGAywM8N4RpQIp0xKXU06G7xQMj7ZVy/s320/205231_346079665463351_675929652_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tabuelan 111 Triathlon (2k swim, 88k bike, 21k run)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As for me, I'm just enjoying the ride! After all, six months ago, I had tendonitis and could hardly run. I could barely complete a 50 meter lap in a pool. But together with TTB, I've taken on the challenge of triathlon and loving every minute of it! See you guys in August!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUJB-6PoufhGKWNcKFS2DjlFG_pgt-ebWAS6FdF-E5oVjyt6jpePM00rpJBNQvL__ZmVuglalTMJxbgRNHeFCY6DNPuqrHBvQ7F_3hfOe5ZYCz7BwdWz2IRAEYIvHa6_yfnBOmawYZOtj/s1600/206034_10150948602287368_270892024_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUJB-6PoufhGKWNcKFS2DjlFG_pgt-ebWAS6FdF-E5oVjyt6jpePM00rpJBNQvL__ZmVuglalTMJxbgRNHeFCY6DNPuqrHBvQ7F_3hfOe5ZYCz7BwdWz2IRAEYIvHa6_yfnBOmawYZOtj/s320/206034_10150948602287368_270892024_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tabuelan 111 Triathlon official finish time: 7hrs, 8min, 8sec</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01387369677705433457noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075189979481176596.post-30299052150321562852011-07-18T04:26:00.000-07:002011-07-18T04:26:13.181-07:00One Year with Team Tyts Bogdo<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">August 7, 2010. It was a Saturday. And it was a spur of the moment LSD (Long Slow Distance) run organized just a few days earlier on Dailymile. It was to be a 21-kilometer run that would cover the 2 major bridges in Cebu. Most of us have never run that far for a long time, and for some never ever. Heck, most of us have never even met in person yet! A full marathon was only a dream for most of us, yet we were going to tackle a half-marathon with not much preparation. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"I could never imagine myself running for 21k!"</i> That's what Charles Cullen said to me just a week earlier when we first met in an Ungo LSD. Boying Milan was the only experienced marathoner, having finished his 1st Milo Marathon just a couple of weeks earlier. That's why everybody called him 'Coach Boying'! Everybody kept asking him questions and advice on preparing for a marathon. And it was Doc Izzy 'Fafi' Rabang who came up with the name '<i>Tyts Bogdo</i>'. Team Tyts Bogdo, or TTB for short. Once again, Coach Boying has all the answers on his blog: </span><a href="http://kirkboying.wordpress.com/2010/08/09/ttb-team-tytsbogdo/">http://kirkboying.wordpress.com/2010/08/09/ttb-team-tytsbogdo/</a><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But in many ways, that Saturday LSD was a truly memorable experience for me. It was my 2nd 21k run ever and I had to struggle trying to finish since my foot was already hurting. But those guys certainly helped me finish. And in the upcoming months of training for that first marathon, we would try to find the time to train together, despite the different schedules we all had. As a result, I guess we all pulled ourselves up into achieving something by training together and pushing each other's limits.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">TTB has certainly grown after a year. Not only has it grown in number, but I guess into something more than just a catchy group name. Of course, it also helps that we are officially a part of the Ungo Runners. And after all the LSDs, ReHydrations, carBogdoloading, races, marathons and ultra-marathons, it's hard to imagine what this crazy bunch of <i>Adiks</i> have achieved for one year. So, what's next for TTB? Anything, Coach Boying? What say you now, Chuck? Whatever it is, one thing's for sure with TTB: <i>Sayang ang Miles!!! </i><b>Happy Birthday, TTB!!!</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A short pictorial summary of TTB's 1st year:</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkR_rs7iArdIKWYS7o1RkxoWQTcKfyGEM9jfOu99pSMVhboLsM0m6-JiuL39musIu0sIYYtTuPntuYaJk8f8R3ZJxYuh1aUOeo1RD7yQUo-yPlAs4BLxoEDxVVqArhmtsxGasCuvhVHENV/s1600/45142_119263031459319_119260524792903_123320_1563918_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkR_rs7iArdIKWYS7o1RkxoWQTcKfyGEM9jfOu99pSMVhboLsM0m6-JiuL39musIu0sIYYtTuPntuYaJk8f8R3ZJxYuh1aUOeo1RD7yQUo-yPlAs4BLxoEDxVVqArhmtsxGasCuvhVHENV/s320/45142_119263031459319_119260524792903_123320_1563918_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">August 7, 2010 Saturday LSD</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TquBkGxaq4Q0QNU8wgEX4MKuFF7h8iZGoqz1aAjiH0dIocXCsBobP8k6bqAfv9wLPXNT_NPmFvlmd6CVu8sN7D-cg9qxwUaX0ov30eYSvlV9i1ROypk6vMHXIU4rK2tQbYXOz65l6_Ft/s1600/59473_434082307325_570747325_5840897_6632642_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TquBkGxaq4Q0QNU8wgEX4MKuFF7h8iZGoqz1aAjiH0dIocXCsBobP8k6bqAfv9wLPXNT_NPmFvlmd6CVu8sN7D-cg9qxwUaX0ov30eYSvlV9i1ROypk6vMHXIU4rK2tQbYXOz65l6_Ft/s320/59473_434082307325_570747325_5840897_6632642_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">STC Glamour Run: the debut of the 1st TTB singlet</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyegcMQhgNWdFj0QvoeKSbAZkxonjvGm1OvoWaSWAQo8d8b31I3E24C0dL7QTCfeh0NdWwNMLOW7GqlEG3bPOysejP91yNBPhQSJpKtDaDGm7deDDwByqmdbfCOPBd6BHRywxc5BthQw7/s1600/33662_10150304244315177_536205176_15538873_3242786_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyegcMQhgNWdFj0QvoeKSbAZkxonjvGm1OvoWaSWAQo8d8b31I3E24C0dL7QTCfeh0NdWwNMLOW7GqlEG3bPOysejP91yNBPhQSJpKtDaDGm7deDDwByqmdbfCOPBd6BHRywxc5BthQw7/s320/33662_10150304244315177_536205176_15538873_3242786_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Citigym Halloween Run: TTB medal finishers</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11Fw99dskl-k9-yC_RLAWDr5MCNVpOmh6wm9U0zqQl-9JuZ7OZo6Gkq6_DJS4X8AR57FwZs_pJPFGTrjK2azzPHxRBuYuvLx_KCQC7-TCpe2LvxoURxyA4owri1juOS4Iu_k5SuycfgGn/s1600/132010_10150336984120177_536205176_16052219_3263695_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11Fw99dskl-k9-yC_RLAWDr5MCNVpOmh6wm9U0zqQl-9JuZ7OZo6Gkq6_DJS4X8AR57FwZs_pJPFGTrjK2azzPHxRBuYuvLx_KCQC7-TCpe2LvxoURxyA4owri1juOS4Iu_k5SuycfgGn/s320/132010_10150336984120177_536205176_16052219_3263695_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Run United Leg 3: TTB banner finish</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZjCeEgHP8OVPqnLQZhpP9mTkF6uZSPJKIv7UNAbuuoIz-k3yOU2USai0zV0EgFTrrZ29jfmubojy0Rd_iYMFVPz-0cdrLu8zpZlr1kJAobiIA8Vl5NaN8DelWVIUixB4Qp_EFgESirQX/s1600/135760_498247872301_619502301_5892239_8379319_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZjCeEgHP8OVPqnLQZhpP9mTkF6uZSPJKIv7UNAbuuoIz-k3yOU2USai0zV0EgFTrrZ29jfmubojy0Rd_iYMFVPz-0cdrLu8zpZlr1kJAobiIA8Vl5NaN8DelWVIUixB4Qp_EFgESirQX/s320/135760_498247872301_619502301_5892239_8379319_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cebu City Marathon 2011: Graduation Day for TTB</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDKOILRhYy3OTyRn57_ELqFBcxjNQEMcA22xXpgchLX82SBdZidJ89HP8nzMJhafPi4Zf-3ynyj8LUrKZHPU_UZ43RN_D7DE02NjcmCnotILTDLJj9-i2KMNLbAg8OJ85g6a-OAbODjB9/s1600/208647_10150524794390177_536205176_17968128_5841232_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDKOILRhYy3OTyRn57_ELqFBcxjNQEMcA22xXpgchLX82SBdZidJ89HP8nzMJhafPi4Zf-3ynyj8LUrKZHPU_UZ43RN_D7DE02NjcmCnotILTDLJj9-i2KMNLbAg8OJ85g6a-OAbODjB9/s320/208647_10150524794390177_536205176_17968128_5841232_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SM2SM Run: TTB's new singlet debut</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHrWJISgFZStDjifXqsqBZbdAlJeMXJXNNDKseYVxq3oWV4_jtQ7pU8xxQok9M_JDHf75apoiL3FgDLUVxNdIUM6tE9jTRSjPvn_7XODwA7Iyi3pvbjvbZCN6_fPRlgLFS2nvA0JZzoDw/s1600/190671_10150122957784247_661394246_6482784_6964723_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHrWJISgFZStDjifXqsqBZbdAlJeMXJXNNDKseYVxq3oWV4_jtQ7pU8xxQok9M_JDHf75apoiL3FgDLUVxNdIUM6tE9jTRSjPvn_7XODwA7Iyi3pvbjvbZCN6_fPRlgLFS2nvA0JZzoDw/s320/190671_10150122957784247_661394246_6482784_6964723_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Citirun 2011: more running medals</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MIcFQqI9irZpX0pY1ftxfhyphenhyphen47gftsdWM3Ri7_DXvi7RK8jmlMI-df0z12at4A8L9xaijbphmpiuPRXEVuOSZAvyQn1-CPiFLzpoUzH163eDu_DYRiQ5eZakWo5uZW33Lcse5dR68Ae_4/s1600/207368_10150140960935677_691715676_6924439_8135510_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MIcFQqI9irZpX0pY1ftxfhyphenhyphen47gftsdWM3Ri7_DXvi7RK8jmlMI-df0z12at4A8L9xaijbphmpiuPRXEVuOSZAvyQn1-CPiFLzpoUzH163eDu_DYRiQ5eZakWo5uZW33Lcse5dR68Ae_4/s320/207368_10150140960935677_691715676_6924439_8135510_n.jpg" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leon Kilat's Retreat: an Ungo 42k run</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bofAgWF3EUXL_vyCx7Q0oHM_HOEGwILIEUhq28lsC5plEBWe5ihcYmYoHeO6Owo8kvGq0c4YjNVx2Ibi8kvJhGe24eJ3XnUgNZWUJf5m_ObMoaAw-7-R6JFbuIXxgcjwUucjT12zlT30/s1600/173012_10150101359612829_689822828_6144127_6298098_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bofAgWF3EUXL_vyCx7Q0oHM_HOEGwILIEUhq28lsC5plEBWe5ihcYmYoHeO6Owo8kvGq0c4YjNVx2Ibi8kvJhGe24eJ3XnUgNZWUJf5m_ObMoaAw-7-R6JFbuIXxgcjwUucjT12zlT30/s320/173012_10150101359612829_689822828_6144127_6298098_o.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">to infinity & beyond, TTB?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01387369677705433457noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075189979481176596.post-12829254127172901502011-01-11T01:17:00.000-08:002011-01-11T01:17:32.735-08:00A Runner's High: Cebu City Marathon 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">“If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon.” —Emil Zatopek.</span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">That quote really hit me because it certainly felt like I was in a different life! Actually, running a marathon felt like different stages so let me break it down into three parts.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><b>Part I: The Adrenalin Rush</b> - For this part, I will mention the hours leading up to gunstart. Since Saturday afternoon, all I could think of was "4am Sunday". I kept visualizing my gear, outfit, things to bring, the race venue and even the route. I could already feel my heart pounding fast and my hands getting sweaty! I tried to go to sleep at around 9:30pm. TRIED is the correct word since I hardly got any! I got up at 2am, had a little meal, coffee, poopstop and it was off to Asiatown I.T. Park!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">When me and my bro got there, you could already sense the excitement and anxiety of everyone. Again, heart pounding fast and more sweaty hands! After so many greetings, a few photos and getting checked in, the more than a thousand strong souls registered for the 42.195 km distance were treated to an inspirational video and a prayer by Fr. Siongo Tan of Team Boyek. Then the countdown began...and a spectacular fireworks display signaled the start at exactly 4am!</span></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrpQeVCv9QiX5jVooeCCnY9dThNaAj-tXqCiazxhGQjxMKvdwTDyncfevUcZniglv6HiHJiHnyUDo3O1UwBbf0zw1OfM-R0pqaRFwyPATWeqCxCMtS4CDT8IRg3LsTVjOJ77GgUYhm0ga/s1600/168389_1596524591659_1192313258_31404409_6162919_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrpQeVCv9QiX5jVooeCCnY9dThNaAj-tXqCiazxhGQjxMKvdwTDyncfevUcZniglv6HiHJiHnyUDo3O1UwBbf0zw1OfM-R0pqaRFwyPATWeqCxCMtS4CDT8IRg3LsTVjOJ77GgUYhm0ga/s320/168389_1596524591659_1192313258_31404409_6162919_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">TTB before gunstart<br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And so we were off! I ran with TTB teammates Coleen, Charles and bro Chill. We maintained a 6:30 min/km pace for the first 6 kms. By this time, Chill and Charles were already pulling away. Fellow TTB mate Benjhz joined me and Coleen as we approached the SRP Tunnel. The runners were still so rowdy and energetic, especially when we entered the tunnel and were greeted with loud Lady Gaga music. So far, so good! We maintained an easy 6:30-7:00 pace with walk breaks on every water station.</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtIL_rk6IU3DHqZhGZr4LItjMOl5BLy6_8XDazZoKpr00fKLdurOeSpdoFHBV6yVmG2XksAY2mSXq0rIgpmwO3JEGPJcBAEhi6GjkN06DdVxh5Q_z35oD3L38_0W4yNvzS492jpbZwoZa/s1600/167278_496283167864_743282864_5935064_6105151_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtIL_rk6IU3DHqZhGZr4LItjMOl5BLy6_8XDazZoKpr00fKLdurOeSpdoFHBV6yVmG2XksAY2mSXq0rIgpmwO3JEGPJcBAEhi6GjkN06DdVxh5Q_z35oD3L38_0W4yNvzS492jpbZwoZa/s320/167278_496283167864_743282864_5935064_6105151_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">With bro at the Fuente area, km 5</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtbmRPhy-vQw_VEU7epSHFL3Bg6uFUJUJoffh53EQZ209pUCVPagRWIOmGbwTMsS2wHU9VOpnyZ503EiCOPsbjWQEAsr9pEbf5PZfIYt_wPdaWzUJi-Yg3Z1mc5g-l0IA-6ajUy2i545P/s1600/162933_10150160576409199_640289198_8445903_6548235_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtbmRPhy-vQw_VEU7epSHFL3Bg6uFUJUJoffh53EQZ209pUCVPagRWIOmGbwTMsS2wHU9VOpnyZ503EiCOPsbjWQEAsr9pEbf5PZfIYt_wPdaWzUJi-Yg3Z1mc5g-l0IA-6ajUy2i545P/s320/162933_10150160576409199_640289198_8445903_6548235_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">With fellow TTB Coleen along Jones Ave., km 7</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Part II: The SRP</b> <b>Highway </b>- For the past week, the morning weather in Cebu was either cloudy, rainy or gloomy. Perfect running conditions! So this was certainly on every Cebu City Marathon registrant's prayer and hope for Sunday's weather. But as Coleen, Benjhz and I entered the SRP highway, we just knew that the sun was going to attack us. It was still dark and cool as we passed the 10 km marker, but you could already see the sun's <i>annoying orange</i> rays forming through some clouds. By the 12th to the 14th km, the thing I was most afraid of suddenly hit me...slowly but surely! My injured left knee (torn ACL and meniscus) started to pop and become uncomfortable with each stride. I was really slowing down! But Coleen stayed with me the whole time (so grateful, Colili). The U-turn point, or the 20th km at the end of the SRP highway, was all I could look forward to at that stage. So many runners were already overtaking us and I honestly was contemplating on not finishing this marathon.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we got to the U-turn, I had to let Coleen go ahead since I was really in pain. And she certainly sped away like an orange blur! From then on, I had so many walks and stops just trying to relax, massage and "aligning" my knee. I could only run a few strides and then walk again. It was so frustrating and disappointing! The only things I could think about were the months of preparations and motivations for my 1st full marathon going down the drain. But so many runners and motivators along the way forced me to just keep on going. At the 24th to 27th kms, where the sun was already very visible and I was approaching the halfway point of the SRP, I finally found a little running rhythm going. Even though I was really slow (around an 8 min/km pace), I figured as long as I'm running I'll be able to get to the finish faster than walking. But the SRP really gets to you. By the 27th km, approaching the Filinvest area where the sun was already in full force, the highway just keeps getting longer and longer. I thought every meter felt like a kilometer! From time to time, the pain in my knee would resurface. But as they say, No Pain No Gain! I just wanted to reach the tunnel to get reprieve from Mr. Sun.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Part III: The Homestretch</b> - After getting out of the SRP and the tunnel (around 4hrs 20min of my Garmin time and at the 32nd km), all I could think of was finishing in one piece. Somebody once said that the final 10 km of a marathon is probably the longest you'll ever run. So true!!! By this time, my feet were killing me. My knee still felt sore but my slow pace probably relaxed it a bit. I maintained by 8 min/km pace while walking every 1.5 - 2 kms. Heading into Mango Avenue (35 - 38 km) was also another <i>torture </i>area. The uphill and downhill slopes and the heat of the sun certainly didn't help any of the runners at this stage. Not to mention the heavy traffic and the vehicle fumes all confined at the other side of the road. But you just had to force yourself to move on. <i>Go go go! </i>was all I could think of at this point.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I got to the 39th km, I gathered all my remaining energy to force myself to run the last 3 kms without stopping. <i>Go go go!</i> I raced passed many runners who were walking at the UP Gorordo area (that dreaded killer uphill area) and just kept on going. I felt like I was sprinting, but my pace was still at 7:30-8 min/km. Everything felt so heavy but I just wanted to get this over with and finish under 6 hours!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sight of the finish line and seeing many familiar and encouraging faces really gave me that "Runner's High"! My wife and daughter were there as well as other Team TytsBogdo teammates. What a feeling that was!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLUeQ1VBFOO89M__qU6OrD7idzTgaFFutk_bOZWF3fvbkalmA4AH82BE26PH0IyGLM_WGxM8sYT1SsfIMrr9VJd3_qUB8fqcFz3sIpjzuz5QYBJfT2mfkPodtrlpBWs9kKTskt2zWoGcS/s1600/163944_10150118970201419_718956418_7620946_4587790_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLUeQ1VBFOO89M__qU6OrD7idzTgaFFutk_bOZWF3fvbkalmA4AH82BE26PH0IyGLM_WGxM8sYT1SsfIMrr9VJd3_qUB8fqcFz3sIpjzuz5QYBJfT2mfkPodtrlpBWs9kKTskt2zWoGcS/s320/163944_10150118970201419_718956418_7620946_4587790_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Making the final turn for the finish line</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57LIvfzBrN85SE5G__pir0NHg5gPyGvVR9iZvplcaFJEwnYr5L3t7RIuGI7xj3WcXmEe74O99kAJMh-XQIWWlkPejJEm88eZM5DUaOkx2Av5hGqWMAUC6a3F7HGLDoZOiBMXKFfEpB_WK/s1600/162614_496301512864_743282864_5935554_5637052_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57LIvfzBrN85SE5G__pir0NHg5gPyGvVR9iZvplcaFJEwnYr5L3t7RIuGI7xj3WcXmEe74O99kAJMh-XQIWWlkPejJEm88eZM5DUaOkx2Av5hGqWMAUC6a3F7HGLDoZOiBMXKFfEpB_WK/s320/162614_496301512864_743282864_5935554_5637052_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Touchdown!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I guess it's true when they say that only a marathon finisher can understand how it feels. I've heard so many stories before about finishing a marathon, but only until you actually experience it that you truly understand its significance. Pain was certainly inevitable, as my knees and feet were really heavy and sore right after. Stairs were a nightmare while taking a bath was an effort in itself! But through all that, looking at my twin mangoes CCM medal just puts a smile on my face!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I would like to thank my family, for all their support and tolerance; Team TytsBogdo, who certainly provide all the motivation anyone can ever need in running a marathon; and to the Ungo Family, also for all their support and camaraderie.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1g64PL0VtiS0_EPsur2Ei7VB1kOyTIJMd3BSUCrc2fnKWRYHahFTkrv0KokaQbGBiNFarJTtCytlGHW9mDRKLxptekfRXJNsZiZA2Ry9upjtT1QWJKDPvMK8t1dJMwLMt2HjrFM9nzT0/s1600/167137_1394468560303_1789882762_750036_1258693_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1g64PL0VtiS0_EPsur2Ei7VB1kOyTIJMd3BSUCrc2fnKWRYHahFTkrv0KokaQbGBiNFarJTtCytlGHW9mDRKLxptekfRXJNsZiZA2Ry9upjtT1QWJKDPvMK8t1dJMwLMt2HjrFM9nzT0/s320/167137_1394468560303_1789882762_750036_1258693_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mission accomplished!<br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, I would like to borrow the closing line from CERC member & friend John Pages' article from Sun-Star Daily: T<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">o all those still grimacing with aches and sore muscles, consider this...<br />
“I’m never going to run this again!!!” said Grete Waitz after winning her first of nine New York City marathons.</span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01387369677705433457noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075189979481176596.post-14217668524117328982011-01-07T00:31:00.000-08:002011-01-07T00:31:31.948-08:00Preparing for my 1st Marathon: CCM 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Eleven years ago, after my 1st 21 km run, I said to myself that I would not be doing that again.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Two years ago, I was contented with my weekly routine of 6k to 8k loops running solo around Cempark.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A year ago, I said to myself: "Why are these guys so excited for a marathon (1st Cebu City Marathon 1-10-10)? I can just run anytime I want, anywhere I want and any distance I want."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Six months ago, I thought my weekly 10-15 km Sunday Fun Runs at 5:30 min/km paces were satisfying and gratifying already.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But today, two days before January 9, 2011: the 2nd Cebu City Marathon, and after a 14-week training program, I reflected on my earlier thoughts. I will be running 42.195 km this coming Sunday, I will be running with more than a thousand other crazy guys registered for the same category (including my Team TytsBogdo), I am excited like I have never been in my life and a 5:30 min/km pace is now something I can only dream of.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But my marathon preparation has been made easier by Team TytsBogdo. With special mention of course to my wife and family. But TTB has made the 14-week training program more enjoyable rather than monotonous and boring. To the celebrity sightings on the road during weekday runs, to the many posts and comments on Dailymile and to the many Sunday LSDs, TTB has been more than a running group & family. In fact, sometimes I think I'm more updated with what these guys are doing or saying on Dailymile & Facebook than my own family & friends! Maybe that's an exaggeration but I'm sure you guys get my point.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So to TTB, Ungo Runners and the thousand-plus other crazy registrants for this Sunday's Cebu City Marathon: see you at the finish line!!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A little photo tribute of Team Tytsbogdo in preparation for CCM 2011:</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8CbpQe2Rzj8CK0MrLK-zKg8bz57eEdvPLU3bn_rxrnLrPvRG3610pWUM_Ee9BRer28dsqHBFEeZ3fXUmc9u9RfRUbLwfPVQzU2dgxmXfaQHEBfw6K0S3f7-StoDTTVBMuIhZ3WS0FSf-/s1600/39967_119263101459312_119260524792903_123329_1971203_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8CbpQe2Rzj8CK0MrLK-zKg8bz57eEdvPLU3bn_rxrnLrPvRG3610pWUM_Ee9BRer28dsqHBFEeZ3fXUmc9u9RfRUbLwfPVQzU2dgxmXfaQHEBfw6K0S3f7-StoDTTVBMuIhZ3WS0FSf-/s320/39967_119263101459312_119260524792903_123329_1971203_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TTB's first LSD back in August</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3Hf4_TvbeplNk59ZTM6L17WGR6lSIacf4-1Q3qCQE6R2ImSAd9aRckKqY8A10-R-HDyQi4XSSgKQNFY8zxxmL_6WQvJVygsvOkR1gYWH2mvn-jee4qRMG7uRgu1A5f40i0pYCrz7S3ZH/s1600/76971_137882672930688_119260524792903_212964_4580131_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3Hf4_TvbeplNk59ZTM6L17WGR6lSIacf4-1Q3qCQE6R2ImSAd9aRckKqY8A10-R-HDyQi4XSSgKQNFY8zxxmL_6WQvJVygsvOkR1gYWH2mvn-jee4qRMG7uRgu1A5f40i0pYCrz7S3ZH/s320/76971_137882672930688_119260524792903_212964_4580131_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the Citigym Halloween 21km run</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyn2h5gPveYtLV1gGz4R_hId-j4K2rR8UtOdJ48mf_PmIJ0RU8V47Kk7yDDtfCYOyCsXL8ipfGb6B3RZN4he3tDj5T9c4EzZd5svnLjZEvtalEPAsvNLHlYM-t2gE3RPhY3w-VwFWUcYFY/s1600/937dcbcc87a287fb3fc0910115b0d8ea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyn2h5gPveYtLV1gGz4R_hId-j4K2rR8UtOdJ48mf_PmIJ0RU8V47Kk7yDDtfCYOyCsXL8ipfGb6B3RZN4he3tDj5T9c4EzZd5svnLjZEvtalEPAsvNLHlYM-t2gE3RPhY3w-VwFWUcYFY/s320/937dcbcc87a287fb3fc0910115b0d8ea.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conquering Run United 32km in Manila</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqT5ebIOOz_IAYNjFP-bzrpPJvHPNr0PtyjWVcSrDFR6S2LZUXhTjoMCDfzj-gWtCVV2jCGup7IO1sRSTW7swDRG6eZUuzAcrs-mOOXikYP4UdnMLa8qPZuJ07f4o9kqvBrTypTzEoOg7/s1600/36b111d44dd7d84f53b2b4e2991c89ea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqT5ebIOOz_IAYNjFP-bzrpPJvHPNr0PtyjWVcSrDFR6S2LZUXhTjoMCDfzj-gWtCVV2jCGup7IO1sRSTW7swDRG6eZUuzAcrs-mOOXikYP4UdnMLa8qPZuJ07f4o9kqvBrTypTzEoOg7/s320/36b111d44dd7d84f53b2b4e2991c89ea.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CarBOGDOloading at Fudge before CCM 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcgozIJG-UXZ-6k2RhU6nrXrsmZqoLBfyFsLqDQkUaEl23KOt9q0dJtUvxtPHVd3V6ypVrOFi0b8RnBKoSu76jFS_2dTTek4gFdKtrqZSdIFbU1JOiA8LaqQ7nvMsUcsZZqtc71pMQ5RK/s1600/376337a08758aa53c68c10339a3d97d3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcgozIJG-UXZ-6k2RhU6nrXrsmZqoLBfyFsLqDQkUaEl23KOt9q0dJtUvxtPHVd3V6ypVrOFi0b8RnBKoSu76jFS_2dTTek4gFdKtrqZSdIFbU1JOiA8LaqQ7nvMsUcsZZqtc71pMQ5RK/s320/376337a08758aa53c68c10339a3d97d3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My race pack for Sunday</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_NKDhGZZFPt7Zcpe5-zU1cwENmaoDR7frRbj9jb-tx6sj3dKo-9BCY3CbO_MiakB7632wwoSZEijs14vs8b3ls1JlLmRFubKE2Ab-E8khRaI4IArPK-EjYj6X7CZw-uAHSbqGlGXxxHc/s1600/157451c5325fa86a574d1921fa5bc776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_NKDhGZZFPt7Zcpe5-zU1cwENmaoDR7frRbj9jb-tx6sj3dKo-9BCY3CbO_MiakB7632wwoSZEijs14vs8b3ls1JlLmRFubKE2Ab-E8khRaI4IArPK-EjYj6X7CZw-uAHSbqGlGXxxHc/s320/157451c5325fa86a574d1921fa5bc776.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"You will be mine!!!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01387369677705433457noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075189979481176596.post-49895287960988351612010-11-22T01:03:00.000-08:002010-11-22T01:03:16.386-08:00The RunRio Experience<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ever since June of this year, and at the peak of Cebu's running boom, so many runner friends have been talking about the RunRio Trilogy. The 1st leg was the Century Tuna Superbods last February 21 and then the 2nd leg, the Nature Valley Run held last May 30. All were staged in Fort Bonifacio Global City in Manila and both events featured the half-marathon distance of 21km, and plenty of excellent reviews and praises from the fortunate runners who were able to join. So when the schedule for the 3rd leg (initially billed as the Timex Run) came out, I wasted no time in booking promo plane fares for this much-awaited and "must-run" trilogy finale.</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPty6qjQcTAQDcXvb3goXA1PHW9WvcC_5R2x_imFekB_VYFB849RnFNCIlU0myc8wdEb6XytgND_lH7WyCfSsP8yEOCBMmZbrJDBvW5oSevFermaT_sBkcT7zD6URcY-Vq8gMoiF4TC8HO/s1600/home_rrlogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPty6qjQcTAQDcXvb3goXA1PHW9WvcC_5R2x_imFekB_VYFB849RnFNCIlU0myc8wdEb6XytgND_lH7WyCfSsP8yEOCBMmZbrJDBvW5oSevFermaT_sBkcT7zD6URcY-Vq8gMoiF4TC8HO/s1600/home_rrlogo.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the online registration for the event (eventually renamed as the Run United 2) started back in late September, I immediately registered for the 32km distance! Then you start second guessing and having doubts as to the daunting distance at hand, "Could I handle such a long distance? And at a different place outside Cebu?" But since knowing that Team Tytsbogdo, RH Runners and many other Cebuanos are also joining, then you start to feel confident that you won't be alone. And since most of TTB is also preparing for the 2011 Cebu City Marathon, the 32km Run United 2 is a perfect LSD training schedule for us, all while also enjoying the trip to this much-hyped up event.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I arrived in Manila last Friday, November 19, together with my brothers. The rest of TTB & RH Runners arrived on Saturday. We only had a few hours of sleep last Saturday night, the usual excitement & anxiety before any race day. We got up at 2am and prepared early since we wanted to be early for the 430am start. I have joined a total of 23 race events ever since, and when we reached the venue at the Bonifacio Global City, this was no ordinary race! This was an EVENT!!! It was like entering a major concert event! There were bright lights, loud music, large screen LCDs, plenty of staff personnel & service tents, and lots of runners!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8m9ksQBovSW6tDHsouTFkiARBiG3A9VMr219Ba4MzcY_hcK_a6-RS1q9bSf_7Jxd7rWG_QEQqZupPii9v4j34FhDWiizmVL_JZ02mRzDdiYsYQYvk0j9aHoZhRAoasCfDrYQfds5vDew6/s1600/73966_10150103021972577_638992576_7246065_4671627_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8m9ksQBovSW6tDHsouTFkiARBiG3A9VMr219Ba4MzcY_hcK_a6-RS1q9bSf_7Jxd7rWG_QEQqZupPii9v4j34FhDWiizmVL_JZ02mRzDdiYsYQYvk0j9aHoZhRAoasCfDrYQfds5vDew6/s200/73966_10150103021972577_638992576_7246065_4671627_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some images at the large screen LCDs before the race.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkiWepYe8LL9shs2et6IDzcWh5C1h99wmJD66ObBElJUdn8w5_pLZ281Bnpyy1G102GyKwYLgghvkRbPa1xnXh0OYOsx2hs796zorRz1EBhYUsv91S2oCZgCA2aPzA7RdBNAoDuZsgfWR/s1600/77181_10150103023042577_638992576_7246080_381726_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkiWepYe8LL9shs2et6IDzcWh5C1h99wmJD66ObBElJUdn8w5_pLZ281Bnpyy1G102GyKwYLgghvkRbPa1xnXh0OYOsx2hs796zorRz1EBhYUsv91S2oCZgCA2aPzA7RdBNAoDuZsgfWR/s200/77181_10150103023042577_638992576_7246080_381726_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A computer-generated image of Coach Rio.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDkQ34DVbwOFasYMIhAhJ1yXlB4sq09QiOMwxSmK2Ge4i5mUoMlBGz5YJymMpyl-yBEJwetd27XT-cVPKa1O-m0P6Ou30HN-bQd9u_CsVnaDhyphenhyphenBelAnW1D6ZSNuK7JjZhzg0sX3y2guMX/s1600/74001_462424627325_570747325_6325853_7147298_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDkQ34DVbwOFasYMIhAhJ1yXlB4sq09QiOMwxSmK2Ge4i5mUoMlBGz5YJymMpyl-yBEJwetd27XT-cVPKa1O-m0P6Ou30HN-bQd9u_CsVnaDhyphenhyphenBelAnW1D6ZSNuK7JjZhzg0sX3y2guMX/s320/74001_462424627325_570747325_6325853_7147298_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Tytsbogdo with Wayne just before the gun-start.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the race began at exactly 4:30 am, we maintained a comfortable 6:30-7:00 min/km pace with TTB runners Boying, Chill, Pam, Coleen, Kenneth, Eric and Jack. We looped around the dark streets of Global City for the first 7 kilometers of the route. The asphalt roads were very soft and comfortable while the cool, early morning breeze and the bright full moon were quite refreshing. There were water stations every 1.5 kms and they were really in abundance of water and energy drinks! Some also had bananas, energy gels and water sponges. We passed by Buendia Avenue via the Kalayaan Fly-over and traffic at every intersection was at a standstill just so the runners could pass-by undisturbed! Wow! There were so many impatient and i'm sure irate drivers honking and honking but the race marshalls and traffic personnel would have none of it, as hordes of runners continued to trot up and down the avenue undisturbed! You could see it in the drivers' faces how angry they were! That was really cool!</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we got back to Global City from Buendia, this was already at the half-way point of the route at 16 km. Some of us were already separated from the group. By the time we approached Heritage Park along Bayani Road, I started to feel the heaviness and aches from my legs and feet. This was approximately at the 23rd to 25th kilometers. By this time, I could see Boying, Kenneth, Chill and Pam ahead of me and all I could think of was that I wasn't going to let them out of my sight. I could feel my pace slowing down. There were many runners walking and quite a few dealing with cramps. But there were so many medical aids along the route, not to mention the overflowing water stations! They never run out of cold water!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGzjRHwgOVsKpZ6mXR5EkNb6DsPJM7FLMVXe__sIgGlMHACjA-w41gDz7SNmcgZiF7D_5dAKKjEYIqs4JCIYeq57RBSvr2H8hg77dOuUgGd5S7GaS_eBD5zQheRCopTtQv1kqrVOHrnYL/s1600/155851_462425997325_570747325_6325885_3654278_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGzjRHwgOVsKpZ6mXR5EkNb6DsPJM7FLMVXe__sIgGlMHACjA-w41gDz7SNmcgZiF7D_5dAKKjEYIqs4JCIYeq57RBSvr2H8hg77dOuUgGd5S7GaS_eBD5zQheRCopTtQv1kqrVOHrnYL/s200/155851_462425997325_570747325_6325885_3654278_n.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going up Bayani Road at the 26th km.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last 5 kilometers were the most grueling I have ever ran. The longest distance I've ever ran was a 28 km LSD with TTB, but that was with several walk-breaks in the last 2 km. Entering the loop outside of the Memorial Cemetery was very eerie. First, your body is telling you to stop. Second, the place was so QUIET! Third, it was a very boring 1.5 km loop. And last but not least, you could see the finish alone ahead but you still have to go back for the loop! My mind took over at this point upon reaching the 30th km. My pace was already at a slow 7:30-8:00. I was already running alone for the past 4 to 5 kms so it was purely psychological at this point. As i approached the 31st km, Boying, Chill and Pam were waiting for me with the TTB banner that we brought. This gave me an additional adrenalin rush as the four of us proudly ran together with the TTB banner for the last kilometer! It was time to look good for the several photographers scattered along the last 1,000 meters! You disregard your body pains and try to maintain good running form! And you could hear the people cheering us along the way, even if they could not pronounce "Tytsbogdo" properly! But it was an unexplainable runners' high when we crossed that finish line together!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OdTgIc4vvP7iS7DrsrM8ZchF0z4ZCkldAXPC0d90xSB2CBuJqiLYGFPdmMxH5u6XwhD_NE5RQw2i-l2K1L7igd4OmwJhzRZmjSLT1JcV4iS83ezGQD8S2gHFq2PTvaVVyD5F0yewaQhi/s1600/150364_1581541350909_1606969876_1366630_3221363_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OdTgIc4vvP7iS7DrsrM8ZchF0z4ZCkldAXPC0d90xSB2CBuJqiLYGFPdmMxH5u6XwhD_NE5RQw2i-l2K1L7igd4OmwJhzRZmjSLT1JcV4iS83ezGQD8S2gHFq2PTvaVVyD5F0yewaQhi/s320/150364_1581541350909_1606969876_1366630_3221363_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Tytsbogdo along 7th avenue approaching the finish line.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">That was one memorable experience, and certainly the best and most challenging running event that I have ever experienced in my life. What made it a little easier was the motivational factor that a running group can give you, and that is what Team Tytsbogdo is all about! I'm sure we'll all be ready come January 9 for the Cebu City Marathon! Go TTB!!!</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCBtrDz9Fum5z7YGiQp2nt8sOeM3BDpbyvEE9RwTPah9C5gfG9iT79lV1cxQlp7MVrt8v4W4TAggVn-bev2IQa3Koi63PNtLEblCQE9GeB42VFHYMZfXfOnWhW6aaPTeiXNfYC5VjbrDS/s1600/150580_1582946266031_1606969876_1369755_4225841_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCBtrDz9Fum5z7YGiQp2nt8sOeM3BDpbyvEE9RwTPah9C5gfG9iT79lV1cxQlp7MVrt8v4W4TAggVn-bev2IQa3Koi63PNtLEblCQE9GeB42VFHYMZfXfOnWhW6aaPTeiXNfYC5VjbrDS/s320/150580_1582946266031_1606969876_1369755_4225841_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TTB crossing the finish line!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrLZQvWGl-sdZ-o45i60bOmrQzQGqCOd6PpyI2v-msD0a-Zm9-LdXyTR8yb0KxL9ncn5Qi37AMQ4dGJyoP6psHJBBfGuneOjPny2tnLyNAKZlsXuR5EjvuLrN1t2ASeg1Xa-nc5CTCbjZ/s1600/2d002742620ef6a030ada5cecebabeeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrLZQvWGl-sdZ-o45i60bOmrQzQGqCOd6PpyI2v-msD0a-Zm9-LdXyTR8yb0KxL9ncn5Qi37AMQ4dGJyoP6psHJBBfGuneOjPny2tnLyNAKZlsXuR5EjvuLrN1t2ASeg1Xa-nc5CTCbjZ/s320/2d002742620ef6a030ada5cecebabeeb.jpg" width="284" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With our finisher medals!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01387369677705433457noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075189979481176596.post-66395650774624069482010-10-14T20:53:00.000-07:002010-10-15T01:59:03.373-07:00Running with Team Tytsbogdo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"></div><br />
<br />
The social netwoking phenomenon on the internet has been an incredible 5-years or so meteoric journey. First, there was Friendster. Then, Multiply and MySpace. But Facebook and Twitter were the sites that really got everyone from all ages hooked on the internet, from 8 year olds to 80. But for athletes, runners, cyclists and triathletes, thank God for Dailymile!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Running Training Log" src="http://www.dailymile.com/images/badges/dailymile_badge_143x56_orange.png" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">For a runner like me, Dailymile has been heaven-sent. I encountered the site from a post on Facebook, then started tinkering with it. I thought this could be very useful for me since I could track my running workouts. You could map your running routes and find out how far you ran! Cool! Then by doing so you can see what was your running pace (min/km or min/mil), how many calories were burned and what gear you used. It's like a personal logbook of your workouts! How convenient! For weeks I used Dailymile solely for this purpose. Then I found out that there were many Cebuanos using it as well. Some guys I knew, but mostly total strangers who, by the look of their profile pictures, also loved running. I figured it was like Facebook for athletes!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">After a few months of runs, races and workouts, I finally bought a Garmin Forerunner 305 last May. Now my Dailymile workouts really looked cool! My time and pace were accurate to the last millisecond while the GPS feature showed the map of where I ran after syncing, no need to map your routes. Still I used the site merely for logging my workouts.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But with the ever-growing running boom in Cebu, runners were flooding Facebook and other running sites like ceburunning.com or Doc Reel Bontol's blogspot, reelrunning.com. Dailymile users also started to grow and even though I only knew a few Cebuanos, you couldn't help but add and be added by these running enthusiasts. The comments and motivations started to increase, from friends and from total strangers. Some guys whose faces look familiar only from road runs or weekend races, but never formally introduced to each other. And so my Dailymile friends kept on growing while you give and receive comments and motivations after each workout.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It was through Dailymile that a few of us got together for a 21-kilometer LSD (Long Slow Distance) run back in August. It was to be a training run in preparation for two upcoming 21 km runs later that month. Some of us knew each other from Ungo runs or weekend races, but most of us had just met personally even though you've been chatting, motivating and exchanging comments on Dailymile for months. We had a lot of fun from that LSD, and even decided to form a running group: Team Tytsbogdo. For more on that, click this link: <a href="http://kirkboying.wordpress.com/2010/08/09/ttb-team-tytsbogdo/">http://kirkboying.wordpress.com/2010/08/09/ttb-team-tytsbogdo/</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">From there, Team Tytsbogdo or TTB just took off! A Facebook page was created, more LSDs were scheduled, as well as carbo-loading and beer hydration sessions, with everybody continuing to motivate each other plus a few crazy and wacky comments here and there on Dailymile. We decided to have TTB uniform singlets and a logo, which we have been using for a few races and LSDs already. Running just added another notch to its fun level!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">For me, Team Tytsbogdo is more than just a running group. It's more than just guys wearing the TTB annoying orange singlets. It's also more than the comments, motivations and remarks made on Dailymile. It's more about the friendship and camaraderie, and the will to push yourself more and more. Sometimes you have to run a kilometer or two more because you know Eric the Great will say "sayang ang miles!". Sometimes you have to get up at 4 in the morning because Fafi is already up and running at that time. Sometimes you have to speed up your pace because you know your current pace is only Doc Porfie's recovery pace. And sometimes you have to stop walking during LSDs because Coach Boying is still running right in front of you.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Team Tytsbogdo is currently training for the 2011 Cebu City Marathon, with most of us full-mary virgins. A very daunting task indeed, but with TTB on your side, you just know that it's going to be a much smoother route. Go TTB!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="141" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs682.snc4/62271_127208397331449_119260524792903_160091_4900001_n.jpg" width="200" /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01387369677705433457noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075189979481176596.post-36280359426856204762010-10-10T23:25:00.000-07:002010-10-10T23:25:01.538-07:00My Running Journey<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I love running. If you ask me why, I could go on and on... so maybe if i write something about my running journey, it might be easier to understand.</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've always loved sports ever since I was still in grade school. Before cable TV, computers, video games and the Internet, outdoor games or sports was in every kids' daily schedule. You just had to go out and play. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Like most Filipinos, basketball was, and still is, my first love. The game just never fails to amaze me. The players nowadays are getting bigger, faster and more agile; but I still prefer a little old school, fundamental approach to the game. But still, it's the adrenalin rush, the thrill of the competition and the sweat and bruises you get that keep you coming back for more. Unfortunately, I tore the ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) of both my knees while playing basketball so I had to "retire".</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was during my "retirement" period where I tried to venture into other sports. My dad and brother were playing golf, so I gave that a try. I got hooked for awhile but I was just not physically gifted for this sport. Then a good friend of mine and fellow basketball-injured teammate, Michael Aldeguer, was hooked into running (back then, it was mostly referred to as "jogging"). He was running in the Cebu Memorial Park (Cempark) 4 times a week. A few of our "barkada" also joined in, and so we had this group of 5 or 6 regular "joggers" every afternoon in Cempark doing loops. People used to think we were crazy to be jogging inside a cemetery. "Aren't you guys scared?" Initially you do get chills, especially when it starts to get dark and you pass by the bone chamber and some quiet areas of the park, where all you see are a few dim lights and portraits. But the sweat and adrenalin rush of running just feels so good after every run. It's similar to what you feel after a good basketball game.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So after a few months of running, I decided to join my first "fun run": a 10 km Sinulog run back in 2000. I can't remember the exact date or name of that run, except that it took us from Capitol area to Banawa and back. I finished this run at 1 hr and 8 min. Then after a month, I signed up for the 1st Tri-City 21 km Run. This run started from the Lapu-Lapu Shrine and ended up at the Cebu City Hall, in front of the Magellan's Cross. I finished this at 2 hrs 30 min. But after that, I was so drained that I stopped jogging.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was still a regular 1-pack-a -day smoker during all that, so I'm not sure if that was a case of TMTS (Too Much Too Soon) Syndrome or my lungs just couldn't keep up, but I stopped my regular 6-month old jogging routine. This was way back in 2000. I would attempt yearly running comebacks but they never lasted. Smoking and drinking became my regular daily habits so it was really hard to integrate running into my routine.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Then in February 2009, I just decided to exercise and give running another shot since I was gaining weight, drinking more and smoking more. I will never forget that 1st 2-kilometer loop where it took me almost 20 minutes to finish and had a hard time catching my breath. After that, I decided to change my lifestyle. I quit smoking and stayed away from regular drinking sessions while I concentrated on getting back into shape. I ran almost everyday, just to compensate for my growing appetite (eating sweets and chocolates). I was running regular 4 km loops, then 6 km, 8 km and then a few 10 km loops. But for a year, I stuck to running loops around Cempark. The fresh air and serenity of the park gave me time to meditate, reflect and relax. I was contented with my routine.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But this running boom of 2010, especially the Cebu City Marathon, just gets to you. I got curious and tried running in different routes, like Ayala Business Park and Asiatown IT Park. I decided to join the Citirun, as my first "comeback" fun run after 10 long years. I finished the 12 km run in 1 hr 10 min. I just loved the feeling again! Seeing so many runners was quite a change for me. Sure beats running alone! Pushing your body limits and the runner's high when you see that finish line was just incredible! Some sports give you the excitement of competing against others, the pressures of making a shot or sinking a putt, but running lets you force yourself to do more than what you think you can do. Since then, I tried to join almost every weekly run that I could. But with the lessons I learned 10 years ago, I resisted the temptation of joining half-marathons or full-marathons right away without proper preparations. It's one thing to finish a run/race, but another thing to still be in good condition doing so. You don't want to totally drain or injure yourself.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And so my journey has taken me to the next step. Last Friday, I signed up for the 2011 Cebu City Marathon. It will be my first full mary and hopefully I'll be well prepared for that. I'm also proud to say that I am smoke-free for 20 months now. And thanks to my family, especially my wife, and to my running buddies in Dailymile, Ungo Runners and most of all, Team Tytsbogdo, I hope to keep on running...because "SAYANG ANG MILES!"</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01387369677705433457noreply@blogger.com3