On Finisher's Medals

This is me after the 2013 Condura Skyway Marathon.
Here's my take on finisher's medals.

I chanced upon a tweet from @kulitrunner a few weeks ago about runners asking for finisher's medal on races.

Well honestly, I only got my first-ever finisher's medal when I finished my first 6K during the 2013 Condura Skyway Marathon. Boy, I cherished the finisher's medal liked a kid, it doesn't matter that I did not run a marathon that day!

When I got home, my whole family had a lot of fun looking at the finisher's medal. I also couldn't stop looking at my post-race pictures with a finisher's medal hanging in my neck.

The day after, I saw my finisher's medal hanging around a portrait of a friendship quote that I got many birthdays back. I smiled at the sight of it.

Two days after, I almost never noticed it.

Fast forward to two weeks later,  the finisher's medal is now a part of my room decor.


Now, this is my opinion on finisher's medals: it's cool to have one. But it would be very very special to get a finisher's medal when a runner finishes a full marathon.

On the other hand, I also understand what other runners want: a memorabilia of their run. The 2013 Condura Skyway Marathon finisher's medal will always make me remember the first time I set foot in the Skyway. But guess what? I think even if the Concepcions did not give finisher's medals to 6K runners, it would be okay with me.

Sure, a finisher's medal would say everything about what you did last weekend. But asking for a finisher's medal on every race that you join?

A few days before the PhilHealth Run (I ran 5K), I was telling a group of office mates about the organizers giving only the finisher's medal to 18K runners. I told them that 10K run is long enough for a medal. But at the end of the day, I thought: does a finisher's medal really matter to me, that I'd skip running that day because there would be nothing hanging in my neck after the smoke clears?

We might just start asking ourselves why are we getting up in the morning to lace up.

Get challenged with From Fat to Fab on April 14, 2013

Ready to be transformed from fat to fab?

God's Wind Events is coming up with another run-slash-obstacle course event in April in preparation for the First Taba Congress this year. What's more, you will be able to get down and dirty (literally) for a cause. Sounds exciting!

Here's the press release from God's Wind Events:

Studies shows that obesity is one of the leading physical conditions of Filipinos. It is because of our culture. Filipinos loves to feast!

In line with this statistic, Contours Advance Face and Body Sculpting Institute are coming up with an obstacle race entitled From Fat to Fabulous on April 14, 2013 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.

From Fat to Fab This will be a fusion of Crossfit and Men’s Health Urbanathlon. We will create an obstacle course with physical challenges that are both fun and challenging. We will make them realize that fitness is fun and that fitness is a life style. Proceeds from the Fat Run will go to Child Haus Foundation.

From Fat to Fab aims to jump start yet another major event, the first-ever TABA Congress, from July 26 to 28, 2013 at the World Trade Center Pasay City.

God's Wind Events and Contours Advance Face and Body Sculpting Institute are cordially inviting you and your company/running group participate in the said obstacle race. You can choose a WAVE for your company.

For other details, Coach Alvin and Ms. Joy Mendoza @ 0917-3140220. You may also check their Facebook page here.

Love this tech shirt!

My First 10K Training Post-Training Analysis

So, how did I fare after taking a few more kilometers?

So, it's been three months since I started sighing in front of my first 10K training calendar. How did I fare?

Well, let's see. There were weeks where I wasn't able to run, and those weeks made me nervous.

There were days when all I wanted to do was to run - nothing else. Happiness was there in the road. I never wanted to stop.

There were days when I wanted to stay in bed for a few more minutes and miss my run.

I couldn't forget the week of my first 10K. That was the week when I realized what I had done - signing up for 10K. I almost wanted to tell myself, "What did I get myself into?" Add to that my mom's question, "Can you really do 10K?" Well, I don't know what happened, but when I told her, "I can. If I don't do it now, when will I do it?" everything just went on just fine up to the race day.

The first two months of the year brought me to new race routes - Coastal Road and Skyway.

So, what's my analysis? For a grade, I'm going to give myself an F for Fair.

I plan to start my training for my next 10K next week. I already have my sights on the better things that I wasn't able to do the last time.

And this time, there is no sighing in front of my 10K training calendar.

Just a wide smile.

Adidas bets on high-tech running shoe to catch up to rivals

Adidas hopes to lead the running sports gear area with their new high-tech running shoe. (image source: yahoo.com)

by Phil Wahba

Adidas AG on Wednesday introduced a running shoe with technical features it says could eventually make it a leader in an area of sports gear where it has lagged competitors.

At a splashy event in New York that included an appearance by four-time Berlin marathon winner Haile Gebrselassie, Adidas launched a running shoe with cushioning it calls Boost. The cushioning was developed with BASF SE and Adidas claims it gives runners a better bounce, lasts longer than the cushioning used in 95 percent of running shoes and is better able to withstand extreme weather.

The product is aimed squarely at serious runners, a market currently dominated by brands like Brooks, a unit of Berkshire Hathaway, New Balance and Asics, rather than people who just wear running shoes to get around.

Other companies also pushing hard to get a bigger foothold in the specialty running shoe market include VF Corp's The North Face and Under Armour.

But Adidas is betting that technology will help it win over runners notorious for their brand loyalty.

"We have a lot of really good running shoes but we haven't had that thing that really moves the needle," Patrick Nilsson, president of Adidas America told Reuters at the launch, estimating that Adidas was fourth or fifth in the U.S. specialty running shoes market.

"With this, we have a chance to go to the top over time."

Adidas is beginning the launch by introducing the shoes at its own stores, online and 100 specialty running stores such as Urban Athletics and Paragon in New York, staffing each on the weekend with an Adidas employee, before a broader roll-out.

The shoes will sell for $150 a pair, making them more expensive than rivals', but Nilsson said the technology warranted what he called a "premium" price.



Adidas bets on high-tech running shoe to catch up to rivals


----

What do you think of the latest high-tech running shoes of Adidas? Will you buy this latest Adidas running shoes? Let us know by commenting!

Skyway Sunday

Courage, pace me.

Running in the Skyway have always lingered in my mind since I started running three years ago. The only time Skyway is open to humans (not in their car seat) happens only once a year, so why not grab the chance? Moreover, who would not want to run in the sky?

So in the middle of everything busyness last Christmas, I clicked on the 6K slot of the 2013 Condura Skyway Marathon website. I thought it was about time to experience running in the sky.

Two weeks before the 2013 Condura Skyway Marathon, I ran my first 10K. I thought I would only get to rest for three days. But then, it seems that I got too much running for a day (naumay in local term), I extended my rest for a week! A Zumba workout and 20-minute Thursday run last week made my running mojo back.







As always, I planned to finish the race safe and lucid. Although my 6K run in the 2013 Condura Skyway Marathon is lesser than my 10K run two weeks ago, I never took it less seriously. After all, running the Skyway is like running a hill.

I was just feeling great as I stepped on towards the Skyway for my 6K run. I never really pass this way every day, but I appreciated its beauty. The road is very flat on the 6K route. It could be one of those runs that you think that you're not in the sky - until you realized that the billboards nearer and the buildings are half its usual size.

To the Skyway, we charge!

The view from the sky.

I took this a few minutes before going to the 6K turn around.
Geesh, I need to pay the toll for the second time. :D

Being a part of the premier marathon event in the country, the Condura Skyway Marathon, was a great experience. The Condura Marathon village was very organized. Portalets were available in many areas (even in the Skyway!), many race officials and were ready to help especially in the Skyway, and water stations were at every 1.5 KM.

The smile of the Skyway conqueror. :)

What makes me feel better are the beneficiaries of my 6K run: Liter of Light, Bikes for the Philippines, I Can Serve Foundation, and Hero Foundation. Plus, I got 3 mangroves to be planted in Zamboanga Sibugay!

Finally, I can officially brag: I ran on the Skyway!

Me and my brother (who took all of my amazing photos today).
Thanks for waking up early, bro!

The Skyway Angels. So happy to see friends Dra. Madel Bugaoan  (center) and Brigette Javier  (right) .
They  ran 10K  today. Congrats!

Geesh, nobody told me the medal was not edible (LOL).

(Photos except in the Skyway were taken by Marc Raphael A. Peñaredondo.)