Running and I are back together

ME:  Lace up your running shoes. Walk - jog. Follow the path.  RUNNING will find you.  

I thought it was over.  You know this, whole I-love-running phase of my life?

There was a point I thought about ditching running, because I am no longer the morning person I used to be.  My pace is no longer within 10% of my age group.  It felt like faded glory of some sort.  I registered for runs or signed up for free, but I would not make it to the start line because all I wanted was to catch up on sleep. 

However, each time I turned my back from "running", I would always come running back to it.  I gave up ignoring "running".  I just had to admit to myself that I cannot run away from it, even if I could think about 101 excuses to ditch it.  

I used to build mileage for full marathons, but it has been two years since I ran a full.  After a full marathon back in 2016, I lost all clear motivations to do some maintenance run. I lost that healthy disposition towards "running".   

And then it hit me...

Wait, I forgot about wellness while I was occupied by the very thought of transitioning from corporate to a new life path.  I was too busy, and yes, stressed, that I forgot how running cleared my head even during the most toxic work assignments in the past.  I forgot that feeling for a while, only to rediscover it after contemplating on some health-related stuff.    

ME:  If you can't run in the morning, run at night.
Now, I run even when it's late and I'm the last person to leave the gym.

I must go back to the one I love - RUNNING...and RUNNING is the very thing I have in mind whenever I sing "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" in my head.  Running is that kind of person who can't be moved - just waiting in a familiar place, hoping to be found again by that his/her special someone.  I must have missed running so much, that I'm beginning to romanticize my analogy. 

I've been running regularly on the treadmill in the last three months.  I have not hit the road yet, but the 3x-a-week treadmill deal is already progress, and enough validation that  running and I are back together.  😊

Just like in the not-so-distant past, I run on the treadmill for as long as I can or want...then I eat. Some things never change. 

[Press Release] Specialized Elite Store Opens at SM by the Bay

Specialized Philippines, in partnership with Gruppo Innovare Corporation, the authorized and appointed distributor of Specialized Bicycle Components in the Philippines, officially opened the newest Specialized Elite Store on Wednesday, October 17 at the SM by the Bay, Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Present during the event were the Gruppo Innovare team headed by its Managing Director, Mr. JL Gavino and Sales Director, Mr. Ritchie Santayana, Mr. Gino Abano, Commercial Director of Specialized SESA was also there to grace the event.

“We are proud to be opening the first Specialized Elite Store here at the SM by the Bay, a perfect location as it is a biker’s haven especially in the morning. As Specialized has striven to make the best bikes for riders since 1974, the Philippine riding community can expect the best one-stop bike shop experience the moment they walk in our store.”, said Mr. Santayana.

During the opening, Mr. Abano presented highlights of various Specialized bike products such as the Venge, the fastest road bike, and the Tarmac, the lightest race bike ever made by the brand.

Venge, now regarded as the fastest road bike.

Tarmac, Specialized's lightest race bike.

For those who love off-road riding, the store also has the Stumpjumper, the brand’s most versatile trail bike, and the Turbo Levo and Kenevo, a pair of e-mountain bikes built to give riders the power to ride more trails.

The highlight of the day was the special preview of the all-new 2019 Shiv Disc. Guests were given a sneak peek on an actual setup of this limited-edition triathlon specific bike, which promises unprecedented aero design, storage for fuel and hydration to last the whole race, and the most flexible fit. It is the most complete triathlon bike ever made.

“We are very fortunate to be able to present to everyone here today an actual set-up of the all-new 2019 Shiv Disc. This complete tri bike will be available globally as a limited edition product and reservations can be placed until October 31, 2018.”, shared Mr. Abano.

The Specialized Elite Store offers worry-free purchases, and a complete “Specialized experience” through the store’s full scope of services: providing expert advice in choosing the best bike, experiencing the bikes first-hand through their bike test program, bike servicing by trained staff, and the Retül Match and Vantage system, the most technically advanced bike fitting and product matching technology available in the market.

The Specialized Elite Store in SM by the Bay is the first of three Specialized concept stores to open, with Pasig and Maginhawa St. in Quezon City completing the new stores for 2018. All three are known to be bike-friendly areas in the metropolis, and more stores are promised to come throughout the country over the next few years.

For further information, about Specialized in the Philippines, visit https://www.specialized.com/ph/en or like and follow Specialized Philippines on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/specialized.ph/. 

Specialized Gears Up for SM Mall of Asia Store Opening

Specialized – a bicycle brand made for riders, by riders – gears up for its store’s grand opening today, Oct. 17 at the SM by the Bay at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

Considered to be a biker’s haven especially in the morning, SM by the Bay is the perfect location for the first of three Specialized concept stores to open, with Pasig and Maginhawa St. in Quezon City completing the new stores for 2018.

 “We want to serve the riders where they are, and at the same time make it convenient for them to get that one-stop bike shop experience,” says Ritchie Santayana, Customer Development Director of Gruppo Innovare Corporation, referring to the choice of locations for the three stores. All three are known to be bike-friendly areas in the metropolis, and more stores are promised to come throughout the country over the next few years.

Since 1974, the brand has striven to make the best bikes for riders. The store is set to offer a comprehensive range of technically advanced products, such as:

·      The Stumpjumper, the brand’s most versatile trail bike,

·      the Turbo Levo and Kenevo, a pair of e-mountain bikes built to give riders the power to ride more trails,

·      the Venge, the fastest road bike, and

·      the Tarmac, the lightest race bike ever made by the brand.

The 2019 Shiv Disc, is also set to take center stage during opening day. The all-new triathlon specific bike promises unprecedented aero design, storage for fuel and hydration to last the whole race, and the most flexible fit. It is the most complete triathlon bike ever made.

Riders can expect easy and worry-free purchases, and a complete “Specialized experience” through the store’s full scope of services: providing expert advice in choosing the best bike, experiencing the bikes firsthand through their bike test program, bike servicing by trained staff, and the Retül Match and Vantage system, the most technically advanced bike fitting and product matching technology available in the market.

Fabulous prizes will also be raffled off while Specialized will give a 10 percent discount on all items on its launch day.

Gruppo Innovare Corporation is the authorized and appointed distributor of Specialized Bicycle Components in the Philippines.

For further information, about Specialized in the Philippines, visit https://www.specialized.com/ph/en or like and follow Specialized Philippines on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/specialized.ph/.

Call to Action: Filinvest City Endurance Weekend 2018

All set for the 6th edition of Filinvest City's annual MTB race event - the Endurance Weekend, happening on July 7 and 8 at Filinvest City Alabang.  

Don't miss out.  Register now before slots sell out!  Check out the following details.  

ENDURANCE WEEKEND 2018
July 7 - 8, 2018
Pacific Rim, Filinvest City, Alabang
http://www.filinvestcity.com

RACE CATEGORIES, FEES, AND GUN START

REGISTRATION DETAILS

Registration is online via https://reg.goorahna.com/#/event/endurance-weekend-2018
Payments can be made via credit card, bank transfer or in authorized payment centers.

AUTHORIZED PAYMENT CENTERS

RACE INCLUSIONS

• race bib
• race jersey
• finisher’s medal

Winners also get to bring home these exiting prizes. 

Wait! There's more...

Special prizes for all NON ELITE Age Category Placers are at stake, and a brand new 

bike will also be raffled off.  All through the courtesy of MOB!  

NATGEO RUN 2018 Onsite Registration

April is Earth Month, and NATGEO is making sure that we take the celebration to the streets in a fun and healthy way.  

If you haven't registered yet for NATGEO Run 2018, today, April 20 is the last day of onsite registration at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.  Register now before all race kits sell out!  😃👍

National Geographic Earth Day Run 2018

National Geographic Earth Day Run Year 9 presents the fun run category (3K), paving the way for more Eco Warriors to participate and champion the environmental causes they believe in. In addition to the fun run category, Nat Geo will host a series of running clinics for elite 21K runners four weeks prior to the main event to better condition the physiques of each marathoner participating in the run. Join us, as we run towards the betterment of our planet on April 22, 2018 (Sunday) at the SM Mall of Asia Grounds.

P750 - 3km

P850 - 5km
P950 - 10km
P1400 - 21km

Online Registration: https://www.runrio.com/race/registration/natgeo-earth-day-run

Singlet Design / Sizing

Assembly Time and Gun Start
21km - 2:30AM - 3:30AM
10km - 4:00AM - 5:00AM
5km - 4:30AM - 5:30AM
3km - 5:00AM - 6:00AM

Cutoff Times
21km - 4 hours 30 minutes
10km - 3 hours
5km - 2 hours
3km - 1 hour

Finisher's Medal

Finisher's Shirt

Race Maps / Race Route

Back at 5

First run after months of no running

Music is about expression.  It matters to me most when I cannot find the exact words to express how I feel about something, in this case, running.  So whenever I finally made time to at least jog...these lyrics have their way to play some melody in my head.

It's undeniable
That we should be together
It's unbelievable
How I used to say
That I'd fall never
The basis is need to know
If you don't know
Just how I feel
Then let me show you now
That I'm for real
If all things in time
Time will reveal

(Back at One by Brian McKnight)

Finding time for a quality run has been a struggle for me since I stopped running regularly 4 years ago. Somehow, in the last 4 years, I was able to get through a couple of half and two full marathon events with (borderline) inadequate training, but with sheer and crazy guts to tour two cities on foot.  There are days I emerge triumphant over my busy schedule and inner demons, finally getting out of bed earlier than usual and lacing up my running shoes for a quick jog.  I long for those days when running for 2 hours or more was the norm...and so I sing...

Late last night
I was goin' through some old things
When I saw a picture of you, my best friend
It reminded me of days when you were mine
You had a way that always left me here with a smile
I want those sweet days back again
'Cause baby

(Cool With You by Jennifer Love Hewitt)

Whenever I jog, I am always tempted to go faster even though I know the risk of doing speed work right away with no endurance base.  As the treadmill hits the 10kph mark, I mentally brace myself for a self-imposed challenge...

Forfeit the game
Before somebody else
Takes you outta the frame
And puts your name to shame
Cover up your face
You can't run the race
The pace is too fast
You just won't last

(Points of Authority by Linkin Park)

I refuse to give up, even after months of zero training. I always manage to come around and go back to running...because I love running.  I know if I start training seriously anytime soon, I will be full marathon-ready in 8 months or so.  For now, I'm back at 5km. Chill.  

Don't you give up, nah-nah-nah
I won't give up, nah-nah-nah
Let me love you
Let me love you
Don't you give up, nah-nah-nah
I won't give up, nah-nah-nah
Let me love you
Let me love you
Oh baby, baby

(Let Me Love You by DJ Snake)