Places of My Year 2019

1. Valencia, Negros Oriental

perimeter fence at the Sulfur vents of Valencia

2. Dumaguete City

something new at Dumaguete boulevard

3. Siquijor

4. Intramuros, Manila

after our baking class at Lyceum CI in Intramuros. Say hi! to Anna.

5. The Fort, BGC

post Sunday morning run near Track 30th

NatGeo Run 2019

A run for the world’s oceans.

The 10th Earth Day Run is aimed at raising awareness of plastic pollution and reducing the amount of single-use plastics that enter the world’s oceans.

I only did 5km run twice as training since I was also busy preparing for my graduation at LPU. I knew it wasn't enough but at the same time I really felt ready to unlock my first 10km run ever.

I didn’t even have a target time as I'd like it to be just steady and smooth run. My only aim is to reach the finish line injury-free.

I've walked through the crowd so I can be in the first line of runners as I always do in my previous races. I feel that there's quiet an advantage in doing so and I've read from an article that this can help amateur runners to be more relaxed. A few minutes before the gun start, the host reminded everyone to enjoy the race, push harder in last few miles and imagine oneself crossing that finish line. Every time I feel the cramps in my feet, his words of encouragement would crossed my mind and yes, I keep on imagining that I'll be crossing that finish line with a victorious smile.

It feels great running in a route that's not new to me at all. I tried not to glance at my Fitbit so I won't panic and just run, walk and breath as much as I could. It was already at km7 when I started to feel the pain in my right foot but I've somehow managed to take another km. After 3 water breaks and a series of leg cramps in the last 2 miles, I've crossed the finish line approximately an hour and 10 minutes before the official cut off time,

My Fitbit Charge 2:

14 Apr, 04:30    Run  10.39 kilometers    1:23:44 - Missed to stop the timer at the finish line. I was already refilling my water bottle when I noticed it.

Official time from Runrio:

Rank   Bib No.      Gun Time   Chip Time
565     12835         01:21:28     01:20:53

The result isn't bad at all as there were more than 15,000 runners or shall I say eco warriors who pledged and joined the campaign.

No single-use plastics were allowed at the event and they urged all runners to use the reusable water bottles included in every race kit.

TELUS Family day Fun Run 2019

A run for the benefit of the Dumagat tribe in Norzagaray and the Quezon City Football club 

I decided to sign up for this run after I learned that it's also for others in need. I wasn't able to join in the previous years due to conflict of schedule with my other 5Ks like the Milo Marathon last 2018.

The course is set at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. For this run, my Fitbit Charge 2 recorded 4.57km at 29:14 which has earned me another finisher's medal.

It's always great to join a run knowing that a portion of your registration will help support a cause. I learned that the Dumagat Tribe is one of the oldest tribes in the country. Aside from lack of food, poor shelter and potable water, there's no electricity in their area. This means that any donation will certainly go a long way.

Looking forward to next year's family day fun run. Thank you TELUS!

Run for Wishes

 A run to help grant wishes of children with critical illness through Make-A-Wish Foundation Philippines.

Just the thought of seeing someone else smile because of something we've given or did is one of the best feeling in the world. How much more if it's for the children? When you're young, what did you wish to have? 

Last December 2018, I signed up online thru takbo.ph to run a total of 40KM virtually to help grant wishes of children with critical illness. I'm positive that I can accomplish it as it's during the busiest month of the year when everyone else are busy shopping and partying and for the following reasons:

Less commute time. I don't want to go through long lines at the bus or train stations going home which is always the case on the weeks before and after Christmas. It was fun tracking my run and walk from work to home at some point.

Indulge a little too much. Most of us won't only gain gifts but also gain some weight during the holiday season. For me, running is one good way to stay fit and to burn calories. Had whatever I want to eat without feeling guilty at all as I know that I still have more KMs to cover.

Tracking my run is easy with my Fitbit Ionic as it has a built in GPS that provides map, pace and route information.

Got my entitlements (e-certificate, finisher shirt and medal) a week after completing my target distance.

Thanks to takbo.ph and Make-A-Wish Foundation Philippines.

The Color Run Hero Tour 2018

A run for the benefit of the YES Pinoy Foundation in support of their #IAmSuper campaign.

I am Super is aimed to better equip the nation for disaster resilience and to help out young people and communities, who have been affected, who are being affected, and who will be affected by natural and man-made calamities. - yespinoy.ph

It's known to be the Happiest 5k on the Planet and the largest running series in the world.

Before the gunstart, the Yes Pinoy founder Dingdong Dantes thanked everyone a.k.a heroes and encouraged fast runners to take two turns. It's also a non- timed run so I just enjoyed every pace including the bubble obstacle. Better to wear your sunglasses as they have plenty of color powders throughout the course.

For this run, my Ionic recorded 5.04km in 38:41 min. It's more accurate compared to my last one in Bacolod.

I love the unicorn Finisher's medal. But the best thing is to be able to contribute to the foundation-all for a good cause.

My First 5K in Bacolod

A run for the benefit of the Holy Infant Nursery Foundation, Inc. 

My original plan was to join the Masskara half marathon but my flight was already booked a week earlier. Glad that I found the Dalagan sa Kabataan run scheduled the day after my arrival. It was organized by the UAP Negrense chapter for the benefit of the Holy Infant Nursery Foundation, Inc. It made my trip more interesting not just because of the thought that I'll be running on a new or unfamiliar route but more importantly it is for a cause.

The run started in the Provincial Capitol grounds where the kilometer zero of the province is located. The route took me around the city center of Bacolod where you can see different businesses, inns, malls and museums.

I completed my first 5K run in Bacolod in 26:31 however I was a bit surprised to see my Fitbit Ionic only recorded 3.66km. Oh well, the discrepancy wasn't an issue as it is not a timed run and apparently they also do not have a finisher's medal for everyone who joined except for the top 3 finishers.

Looking forward to join the Masskara run or may be in other neighboring cities in Negros island.

Taken before the gunshot. P.s I'm not the girl in the photo

From roundhouse kicks to 5K runs

I wasn't a runner or hardly much of an athlete unlike my sister. I found my niche in different contact sports during my University days and I'm still into it until now. I ran my first 5K run in the 32nd Milo Marathon Clark leg in 2008 and in the Cebu race the following year. I have set a personal best of 38 minutes which I think is still great for a first timer like me.

at the 33rd Milo Marathon Cebu race. 2009.

I did have plans to continue running in other races however, I was pre-occupied with flying in and out of the country in late 2009. Then, there's the story of giving birth and becoming a full time mom.

In 2015, I participated in another 5K run (not Milo Marathon) and finished number 36 out of thousands of runners. I had no proper training at all as I have a full time job but inspired by the thought of getting my first ever medal as only the top 50 finishers are entitled to have including a finisher shirt.That made me realized that I still have the strength to go for more.

I was finally back for the 42nd Milo Marathon Metro Manila leg last Sunday and finished within my targeted time of less than 35 minutes. Yes, after a decade. I guess my early work schedule and proper sleep helped me a lot during that day as I'm not part of any running groups and do not have a lot of running friends to train with me. I just made the commitment onset of the year that this is something I want to continue doing.

I don't know yet if I can run a half or full marathon in the future but I can look back on my achievements proudly. And I can't wait to finish my first 10K run in my hometown next year for the Milo Marathon in CDO.