My First Official Run – Century Superbods 2010
For race results, please go to the Century Superbods Run website
It feels ecstatically great to finish my first race! And when I found out my run time, I thought, not bad at all.
I was up at 4:15am to be sure to arrive at Bonifacio Global City by 5am on a Sunday. It’s insanely early, even for a morning person. Plus, Sundays are for waking up slow. But there I was at BGC at about 5am on a Sunday – me, and 9000+ other people.
It’s quite amazing to see the number of people who came to be part of the Century Superbods run. I know that a lot of people have chosen to put on those running shoes and have started getting into the running lifestyle. But it’s quite a sight to see them – literally thousands of runners converging in one area in preparation of their chosen run distance. Whatever drowsiness I felt faded when I felt the energy radiating from everyone and everything that morning.
I met up with my friend Maki and we made our way to the stage and starting line. The closer we got to the stage, the more crowded it got. The starting line was literally jam packed with people. It was like a rock concert/rave party out there. The music was booming and a warm up was being conducted for us. The 21k runners were gearing up for gun start as they were first off into the race. Next up were those doing 10k (which Maki took) followed by the 5k runners and then lastly those like me doing 3k.
As the countdown began for 3k, people started cheering excitedly and shouting, “Let’s do this!” and started jogging in place. If that doesn’t pump you up, then I don’t know what will.
10…9…8…7…6 Jog in place. Earphones on? Check. Hi energy running music? Check. Jog in place.
5…4…3…2…1 The buzzer goes off at 5:38. The crowd cheers again, moves forward, and I’m off to my first official run.
The air was cool, dawn was close to breaking and the streets of BGC are nice and wide. The terrain for 3k was relatively flat and easy to run as opposed to where I train – a lot of inclines. We had some cars honking in encouragement (or was it irritation? I couldn’t tell). There were runners I over took while there were runners running like the wind, zooming past me like graceful gazelles with the long strides of their long legs. I kept my pace.
There were times when I wanted to stop and walk a bit. There always are. I promised myself I wouldn’t and I didn’t. It’s just 3k. I told myself – If I was able to do it before, then I could do it again. If can do this, then I can do 5k. So I pushed on until finally, the finish line was in sight. When I saw it, I sprinted and finally crossed the finish.
I felt totally awesome. I didn’t feel tired at all…in fact I think I could’ve run a little more. I’m pretty confident I’ll be capable of running 5k soon enough.
The race wasn’t the end of the mornings events. The sponsors had a lot of freebies and little gimmiks for the finishers. But before being part of all that, Maki, Judd and I decided to go chill at Krispy Kreme where we met up with Maki’s photographer friend, Lawrence. Thanks Lawrence for being the man behind the lens when Maki and I decided to camwhore at the event area.
We ended the morning raiding the booths and taking pictures of ourselves.
………………………………..
Today, they released the Century Superbods Race results and I was happy with what I saw!
Time : 19 mins and 47 secs
Category : FF (I have no idea what that means)
Category Ranking : 4 (Woah!)
Ranking for the 3k womens division : 77 out of 1072 runners (not bad)
Overall Ranking : 229 (I’m not sure what this mean. Overall of all 3k runners?)
I think I’ll continue training and joining more races!
Patty (me) and Maki hyper after the run
I ran last year and it felt good. I decided, heck, I’ll run some more.
I think there is a new epidemic spreading among Metro Manila denizens… Running Fever.
I’ve got more and more friends and family getting into their running shoes and working those strides for all sorts of reasons : to lose weight, to maintain their weight, to build endurance, to start a healthy lifestyle etc. The bottom line is, they’re runnin’. Its gotten me running too.
I remember my first – the Ateneo Fun Run July last year. I got up at 5am to make sure I’m at starting line before 6am. When I arrived at Ateneo, I was pleasantly surprised to see a lot of people there – hardcore runners doing the 10km, the regular runners doing the 5-km, and fun-runners like me. The energy in the air perked me up.
For that run, I did 2.5 km with a combination of walking and running in between because I was simply out of shape. I ran with no prior training. No jogging..not even walking. I finished the 2.5 km with my legs aching and me gasping for breath. (My hardcore runner friends will probably be snickering at this). Despite that, I felt darn great. Was it the endorphins? Was it the morning air? What it the excitement coming from other runners? Whatever it was, I felt awesome.
I thought, maybe I SHOULD start doing this more seriously.
Fast-forward a couple of months later..
January. My colleagues Maki and Carlos have been excitedly talking about using GPS on their Blackberrys to monitor their runs. At that time, I sorely needed exercise. All the talk about marathons and GPS systems reminded me about that Ateneo run. I decided, “Ok, you know what? Let’s do this. At least one run.. even if i pick the shortest distance. Let’s get it started. The Century Tuna Superbods Run is coming up. Maybe I’ll join that. I’ll do 5km. And oh yah.. Derek Ramsy’s going to be running too. Ok, I gotta be there. Muhahaha”.
Since July, I’ve been jogging on and off. I didn’t really monitor my time nor did I care about my distance. I was after the exercise and feeling great after. But sometime around mid-January when my colleague Carlos began to seriously run and when Maki, a serious runner, joined our team in the office, I got inspired and decided to take it up another notch.
So began “Operation train myself”…
1) Run every weekend
2) Run at least once a week
3) Start sleeping early
4) Drink lots of water and eat a balanced diet (fresh fruits and veggies first!)
4) Monitor running time
5) Monitor distance.
The results so far? Pretty good I must say for someone who just started. In my last run did 2.5 km in 13 mins non-stop with energy to spare after. I think I can do 3km in 15 mins.
Its a simple start for my first real run… 3km. As mentioned, I originally wanted to do 5km. Unfortunately, I got sick earlier this week and wasn’t able to train. I know its nothing compared to the 21km run which I know some friends are planning to do. But hey, its a start. I’ve been following my simple program consistently since January..except for this week as I was sick. I’m fine now. Tomorrow morning, I run.
I feel great. I’ve lost weight and toned up a bit. On days that I run, my energy level is pretty good from morning to evening. The best part is, it really helps with work-related stress.
The Century Tuna Superbods is next weekend -
21 Feb 2010 at Bonifacio Globa City. Must I add, Derek Ramsy is running.
One week remains and I think thats more than enough. After this 3km run, I go the next level… I hear that it gets quite addicting.
Musicfest 2010. An hour with Boyce Avenue, Jabbawokeez, and Kris Allen
Yes. An hour hanging out with these dudes would’ve been totally awesome. Too bad my one hour with them was spent as a random blogger in the audience of press people. Oh a girl can dream. (Wait, I think i was more than an hour)
Yesterday, I, along with fellow bloggers Judd, Carlos, Mika, and Maki attened the pre- Musicfest 2010 prescon by Fearless Productions Inc. Musicfest 2010 features Boyce Avenue, Kris Allen, and the Jabbawokeez. Yes, to you fans in the Philippines, they are here on Pinoy soil and you can catch then in Cebu Feb 5, 2010 and Manila on Feb 6, 2010.
This being my first prescon organized to interview international artists, I was kinda expecting an eruption of ruckus and chaos with cameras flashing left and right, and raving fans screaming. The “chaos” was actually very mild and the whole event was… well.. tame.
The emcees for the afternoon were Mo Twister and Georgina Wilson. Georgina was looking gorgeous.
Georgina Wilson and Mo Twister
Boyce Avenue
First up was Boyce Avenue. I’ll have to admit, I didn’t really know much about Boyce Avenue until yesterday. After the interview, I looked them up on YouTube and realized “Oooh, so these are the guys that my sister has been bugging me to listen to.” At that time, I chose not to listen to them because I automatically labelled them “mainstream pop”. Sorry. I have tendencies of mild music snobbery which emerges from time to time.
Anyway, so what if these guys rose to fame because of covers. I really liked their covers. My favorite (and the favorite of many others for sure) is Apologize. Alejandrrro, your voice… *melt*. These boys from Florida accumulated 90 million hits on YouTube and subsequently made waves on the radio as well. Now, they are touring the world. 90 million hits man. Well, when you combine 3 hot guys with that “sensitive-guy” appeal, melt-worthy singing, a good catchy sound and the internet.. That’s what you get.
After Boyce Avenue came Jabbawokeez. Woot! I was hoping they’d bust some slick, square, suave moves for us. That would’ve been totally awesome. Every time I watch a video of these guys, it’s always mind blowing. Never mind the fact that they are creative, how they execute those the moves is just..wow.
During the interview, these guys were, well.. your regular cocky, goofy, cool American b-boys. (Is it just me or is it a typical California thing to be all “like yeah. so like. you know“. Anyway, just an observation). They told some stories of how life was for them before their rise to fame. They were pretty regular dudes who had a passion for dance and who had to take different jobs to pay the bills. Two of the Pinoys in their group did some telemarketing stints. (I found this funny. So does this mean that our “innate call center skills” transcend geographical borders? Apparently so. hehe.)
There was a lot of Pinoy pride coming from the Jabbawokeez but then they were quick to point out that some of them were also Black and Vietnamese. That’s why they wear masks while they perform. Its not about who is who but its about the dance and the Jabbawokeez a group.
Seems like the Jabbowakeez have a thing for shades
Lastly, Kris Allen. Krrriiiiis Allen. The American Idol 2009 winner. Now I don’t what was up was this guy. Was he suffering from a bad case of jet lag? Did he pop too many sleeping pills. Maybe both? Whatever it was, he had this laaazzzyy slurrr yesterday. “Ohhh, I leanrrrned some FFilipinooo today. Maaabuuuhaaayyy…!” It was weird. Even the band members seemed to be in a different plane that afternoon.
Want some trivia about Kris Allen? Someone in the audience asked the band to share something the world didn’t know about Kris Allen. (I guess he/she was hoping for something juicy.. perhaps for a gossip worthy story). Kris hates set lists. He’s the type who would prefer to just go with the flow on stage. Unfortunately, they always need a set list. So there! What else can I give you. hmm..
Ah yes. Kris Allen’s music career began in 2007 when wrote and self-produced an album entitled Brand New Shoes. He made around 600 copies and gave it to friends and family. Unfortunately, it didn’t really fly. Then came American Idol and the rest is history. This multi-talented guy (he plays the guitar, piano, and ukulele) and his band are now touring the world.
Of all three performers, it was only from Kris Allen whom we were able to milk out a brief performance. Someone from the press asked him to sing us a song and he obliged. I forget what song it was. I was concentrating on his slurrrr and my food (I was at the food table at this point). What I do remember thinking is,”If someone proposed to me singing like that, it would be an instant YES”. Unfortunately, it was, as said, a brief performance. No worries, if like me, you want to see what these guys, do check them out live while there are here!
For all the Cebuanos, catch them on Feb 5, Friday,at SM City Cebu North Opening Park at 8pm.
For you Manila peeps, hurry over to McKinley Hill Open Grounds on Feb 6, Saturday, at 8pm as well.
Of course, you’ll need tickets to get in. Yes, don’t you wish it were for free?
For Cebu Tickets, contact Ticketworld (2254041). For Manila tickets, contact Ticketworld (8919999). OR, you can contact this mobile number 0915-7457131.
Before I end this, let me leave you with another little trivia about these three groups. Notice, they all have performances using the song “Apologize”.
Read MoreWorld Pyrolympics Day 1
Do you remember what it was like being a kid in a candy store? Or if you had the chance to step into Toys ‘R Us when you were a kid, do you remember what it felt like? Two words : child-like wonder (was that three?). That “woooaah” moment with your mouth hanging open as you just stare in amazement.
That’s how it is for me when i see fireworks. I become eight years old again.
Last Saturday, 21 Nov 2009, was the first Saturday of the World Pyrolympics. And of course, this pyrotechnics fanatic didn’t allow herself to miss out!
For those who don’t know what the World Pyrolympics is, its where the world’s best pyrotechnics teams come together and compete by showcasing awesomely dazzling fireworks displays. If I’m right, this is the 4th World Pyrolympics but the first time for it to be “pyromusical”. Think colorful explosions in the sky synchronized with music.
And yes, this happened and is going to be happening for the next couple of Saturdays in Bonifacio Global City, PHILIPPINES. You don’t get this just anywhere folks.
Last Saturday, Germany and China took the stage. This Saturday, it’ll be Canada and Australia. 5 Dec will be Japan and Italy. For 12 December, it’ll be South Korea and US. The last Saturday, 19 Dec will be the fellowship of fire where the Philippines will be participating.
Here are the videos of the displays for Germany (courtesy of Vince of WhenInManila and Anton of Our Awesome Planet):
Germany (part 1)
Germany Part 2
The next one is part 2 of China’s display. When part 1 is posted by When In Manila, I’ll post it as well.
Between the two, I think China owned it! I wish you were there to see it. The video doesn’t do justice. Its just too bad that it rained during China’s set. I thin thats the reason why it became very smokey.
What do you think of the view from which the videos were taken? Best seats in the ENTIRE house ain’t it? That’s where I will be the coming Saturdays. Wooh! Ask me where. Maybe I’ll tell you.
By the way, general admission also has a GREAT GREAT view. Its only 200 pesos for a ticket. Its well worth it. My friend and I watched from the SVA (special viewing area) which is right in front of the launching point. The view was great as well.
I’m very excited to see what tricks in the bag the other countries have. I’m looking forward to Japan and Italy. I hear they are countries to watch out for. Italy won in the last World Pyrolypmics. Japan is very secretive about their fireworks shells. They refuse to see to foreigners. That’ll be a very interesting night. We’ll see.
.
After the fireworks … chill time
Chika sessions with Nikki
Apple Martinis and Margaritas at New Orleans after the Pyrolympics
Read MoreWordCamp 2009 and My Lovely Bowl of Pho
(Pictures from Carlos a.k.a Existential Walker and Judd) Thanks guys. I will use my own pictures once I get my own camera. ‘Til then, I’ll have to contend with my crappy P&S cam, and leeching.
WordCamp 2009
Last Saturday, I attended my first WordCamp seminar.WordCamp is a conference/seminar focused on WordPress. It was co-presented by Mozilla and hosted by the Mindanao Bloggers Group at AIM, Makati. It was ….. interesting. First thing’s first. Sorry blogger but it seems that I may want to migrate to wordpress (oh no, bots crawling my system now. Don’t suspend my account!). That’s as much as I can say since the rest of the info was basically technical. No matter how much I tried to focus and understand, it all seemed like a blur to me. *bleary eyed* I’ll probably just ask Judd and Carlos to help me out. lol. I know, I know. I should at least have a surface understanding of it all since I work in the internet industry for crying out loud.
That’s me smiling in a supposedly candid picture. Beside me are Judd and Marcelle who’s happily plurking on my netbook since his laptop won’t pick up the wifi signal
My favorite parts were the segments on vlogging and bloggers’ roles in the coming National Philippine Elections 2010. That’ll be a whole separate post but I really liked the points of the speaker. For those who think bloggers are just a bunch of lazy bums with nothing to do with their lives, you are starkly wrong. There is much the blogsphere can do. It gives a voice to regular people like you and me. It can be a really powerful tool.
As for vlogging (video blogs), its still at its infancy stage. Think Happy Slip and Moymoy Palaboy . Right now, most of the vlogs I’ve encountered are just about random crazy stuff that people come up with. “Productive Boredom” is what I’d call it. I’m just real curious as to how its going to evolve. Definitely, someone will come up with a socio-political vlog. That I’m very excited to see. I’d make one if I could but I just don’t have the time and resources.
What would I vlog about if I had time to vlog?
1) I’d vlog about different positive things that are happening around the metro – like GK, or concerts for a cause, organic Philippine-made products (or Philippine made products in general),some cool youth initiatives like
Ako Mismo. I think the Ako Mismo people and the Juan Tama people should come up with vlogs.I think the best part of it all was meeting new people (I always like meeting people) – the Mozilla people, the Mindanao Bloggers,
Jehz Lau, and the other bloggers (you know who you are). There are so many cool ideas out there. Hope to see ‘em all emerge into reality.
The speakers
My Lovely Pho
I’ve been craving for Pho since Friday night. After WordCamp, the Nuffies were nice enough to agree and eat at Pho Hoa.
Pho is my ultimate comfort and happy food. I like it with LOTS of chopped chilli and the red hot sauce you see in the picture. Extra Spicy is the way to go baby