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.

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.

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.