June 28, 2010

Pacing The Milo Marathon Distance

A pacemaker or pace-setter; (wikipedia) sometimes colloquially called a rabbit, is a runner who leads a middle- or long distance running event for the first section to ensure a fast time and avoid excessive tactical racing. Pacemakers are frequently employed by race organisers for world record attempts with specific instructions for lap times. Some athletes have become essentially professional pacemakers. A competitor who chooses the tactic of leading in order to win is called a front-runner rather than a pacemaker.

Pacemakers may be used to avoid the tactics of deception that are possible in competition by those who, for example, race away from the start line (and are likely to subsequently slow down), giving the other runners the impression that they are far behind. A trusted team of pacemakers who are paid to keep the runner at a speed that they can manage for the rest of the race become useful in such a situation. Pacemakers are also used on world record attempts in order to make sure that the runner knows where their invisible 'opponent' predecessor is at that stage of the race. Pacemakers serve the role of conveying tangible information about pacing on the track during a race.

If you're goal is to cross the finish line within the specific qualifying time of the milo marathon, these people will be of great help. Draft-off with one of them and have the guts to wreak havoc on the road, surely this will be a lung-busting, adrenalin-pumping ride. Whew! I already ran with everyone of them, at kumain ako ng alikabok, but running with them was one hell of an experience for me. Try it too and be a prestigious member of the milo marathon qualifiers.

Good luck and look for them at the starting line.

June 25, 2010

The Rexona Run 2010

What makes a man go the extra mile? Is it the lure of triumphantly crossing the finish line? Or is it the knowledge that each step he takes, each kilometer he completes may change the landscape of sports development among today's youth?

Rexona Men challenges runners to go the distance at the first Rexona Run slated on August 1, 2010 at the SM Mall of Asia grounds to help motivate the love of an excellence in sports among children.

Aside from supporting a worthy cause, runners can expect something new at the Rexona Run. For starters, runners - beginners and enthusiasts alike - will test their mettle on the 3K, 5K, 10K or 21K flat course - the first time that a new route will be used on the SM MOA grounds. This new route will bring runners through the Marina of the famous Manila Bay.

Another first is the use of the D-Tag, a disposable timing chip as used in the much celebrated New York City marathon. The D-Tag is lighter and more accurate than most timing devices and is simply attached to the runner's shoe. Time is recorded via Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology each time a runner crosses time check points eliminating long lines and waiting periods. The disposable tag also eliminates queuing after the race to return the chips.

Registration begins June 28 until July 19 at the following Times stores: SM Mall of Asia, SM North Edsa, SM Southmall, SM Megamall, Glorietta and at R.O.X. Runrio brings another innovation to the registration process by making use of an iPad at each registration booth to capture the registrants details and immediately upload it to their database.

Registration is also available online at www.runrio.com. Details of the event will also be posted on Sports Fan Center on facebook, the fan page of Rexona Men Sport Defence, the brand's latest variant designated for the sports fan.

Fees are at P400 (3K), P600 (5K), P600 (10K) and P750 (21K). Race kits will be given to participants upon registration including a singlet, bib, D-Tag, and a 150mL Rexona aerosol.

For more information, please call the secretariat at (02) 703-1736.

June 20, 2010

Fathers Were Sons

Henry James once defined life as that predicament which precedes death, and certainly nobody owes you a debt of honor or gratitude for getting him into that predicament. But a child does owe his father a debt, if Dad, having gotten him into this peck of trouble, takes off his coat and buckles down to the job of showing his son how best to crash through it.

Sherman made the terrible discovery that men make about their fathers sooner or later... that the man before him was not an aging father but a boy, a boy much like himself, a boy who grew up and had a child of his own and, as best he could, out of a sense of duty and, perhaps love, adopted a role called being a father so that his child would have something mythical and infinitely important: a protector, who would keep a lid on all the chaotic and catastrophic possibilities of life.

Dad, you're someone to look up to no matter how tall I've grown. Your guiding hand on my shoulder will remain with me forever.

Happy father's day.

June 9, 2010

Run Run For Children's Fun 2

PTAA again presents it's second hosting of the Run Run For Children's Fun 2 at the Mall of Asia on June 20, 2010. This will be a 3K, 5K and 10K fun run event.

Who Can Join:

1. The Fun run is open to PTAA Members & Non-PTAA Members.
2. The Fun run is divided into the following categories:
  • Men's Category, 3K, 5K, 10K
  • Women's Category, 3K, 5K, 10K
  • PTAA Members' Category, 3K, 5K, 10K
3. Participating minors should have their parent or guardian sign the waiver form in the registration form.

How To Join:

1. To join the fun run, a participant should register prior to the event by filling up an entry form that can be obtained through the following centers/outlets:
  • PTAA Office : 12/F EGI Rufino Plaza Taft cor. Gil Puyat Ave. Pasay
  • All Terra Cyclery : Club 650, C-5 Road, Libis (next to Shopwise)
  • Secondwind Running Store : Maginhawa St., Teacher's Village | Ortigas Home Depot
  • The Travel Club : Trinoma | Rockwell | Greenbelt 3 | Alabang Town Center | MOA
  • Registration may also be downloaded from
    http://run4change.com/
    http://www.takbo.ph
    http://www.ptaa.org.ph
2. Participants shall pay a registration fee of P400 (3K/5K/10K). Registration fee is inclusive of donation to GK Bagong Silang.

3. Race kits will be released upon payment. The race kits include race number, race map, pins. Singlets will be distributed on-site after the race.

Online Reservation and Bank Deposit:

1. Reserve online by emailing mike@ptaa.org.ph your scanned registration forms.
2. Fax or send through email the deposit slip.
3. Wait for confirmation, or email mike@ptaa.org.ph.
  • Bank details: Banco de Oro (BDO) – Leveriza Branch
  • Account Name: PTAA
    S/A No.: 262-0021916
    Fax: 552-0029/30, Tel. No.: 552-0027/28
Race Proper:

1. Assembly / check-in shall be at 5:15am at SM Mall of Asia
2. The race will fire off promptly at:
  • 10K – 6:00AM
  • 5K – 6:05 AM
  • 3K – 6:10 AM

June 6, 2010

Team Woman Run

What a better way to celebrate a woman's strength than with an all-woman run?

Gather together your sisters and friends to form a team of three or four individuals, and be part of this year's Woman Team Run. Woman Team Run is an all-woman team relay for females. This exciting event will be held on June 27, 2010 at the Venice Piazza Mall, McKinley Hill.

Each team will run a combined distance of 21K. The first runner will run a distance of 10K, the second runner will run 5K, the third runner will run 3K, and the fourth (or first) runner will run another 3K. There will also be a 5K individual run category.

Of course, it is a given that women love to be fashionable. A Best in Costume Award will be awarded to the team who adds the most flair to their running outfits. Criteria will be made up of originality, creativity, use of Team Woman singlet, and overall impact.

A lot of things are expected of today's woman. Woman by Lactacyd understands the needs of a woman with an active lifestyle. As its tagline goes, only Woman Knows a Woman, made to keep up with you.

At the end of the race, a team composed entirely of women will be chosen to become ambassadors of Woman by Lactacyd. Currently, Leica Carpo, Amanda Carpo, Chesca Carpo and Bea Locsin are the strong, athletic women who wave Woman by Lactacyd's flag. These veteran runners will hold free running clinics on May 30, June 6 and June 13.

Woman Team run participants will enjoy lots of fun giveaways. The first 100 teams to complete the relay will each receive free pouches from Beauty Bar and gift certificates worth P75 from David's Salon.

Team registration fee is P1,500, inclusive of a limited edition Team Woman by Lactacyd singlet for all team members. Registration fee for the individual run category is P600. Avail of a discounted fee of only P450 with proof of purchase.

Register online at www.teamwomanrun.com from May 15 to June 20, 2010. Major credit cards are accepted for online registration. For cash registration, visit TIMEX in SM Mall of Asia, SM Southmall and SM North Edsa, or at RUNNR in Bonifacio High Street. Cash registration runs from May 15 to June 24, 2010.

Team Woman Run is brought to you by Woman by Lactacyd. Sponsors for this event are 100 plus, Alaska Slim, Beauty Bar, Blue Water Day Spa, David's Salon, Dole, Nature Valley, Summit Mineral Water, Timex and Wilson Standard Everlast. Media partners for this event are Multisport, Runnerspeak, and Women's Health. Special thanks to registration partner Runnr and venue partner The Venice Piazza Hall at McKinley Hill. This event is organized by Eventking Corp.

For more information, email secretariat@teamwomanrun.com.

June 1, 2010

May Winnings

May had been a fruitful month to Xty because she visited the podium three times. After aborting her training for the upcoming milo manila leg, supposedly her 2nd full marathon event, she concentrated in just doing short-distance races. With just a day of training during weekdays (we were at runners low due to excessive humidity), she still managed to find her rhythm during races and eventually won runner-ups on three of the four races that she joined. She said she never run fast, it was just pure luck that the competition is not that tough. But I believe, there's something in her that I and many other people don't have; we were both runners, but she's a born winner. See related story here. "The month of may is really good to me, after winning on my first, the second and the third followed. Three is a charm indeed." she said.

Xty with the Runners Plus Officers after
winning 3rd place at the Run for the Blind.

Xty receiving her 2nd place award from
Art Disini at the Runnex Executive Series.

Xty with Bo Sanchez shortly before receiving
her 3rd place winning at the Kerygma Fun Raiser.