Fit and Run.Info

I didn’t sign up for RunRio’s Rexona Run which was held early this morning at the Mall of Asia. Nah, as much as I want to after a week of having joined the Takbo.ph anniversary run at 10K. Instead, I opted to shoot the race. I just missed rising in the morning with my camera gear. Looking at the viewfinder and clicking on the shutter button as runners pass. I was positioned at front-right of SM MOA and later transferred near the finish line.

I did see some familiar faces including three runners from Smart, the Running Shield and Ken from Cebu who surprised me when he called out.

Here are some of the shots I took.

One of the many lady runners during the race at MOA

The Running Shield

Taken infront of SM MOA

There were really many runners in this race, attesting to the popularity of the sport in the metropolis

Feeling the wind against ones skin. Going topless all the way

A runner near the finish line during the Takbo.ph Runfest

1 hour and ten minutes.

That was my answer to Patrick, aka Running Shield, when he asked me what was my target time in the recently concluded Takbo.ph Runfest, the biggest online running community’s anniversary run. This is also my third race that I’ve joined and my first 10K in a race.

Actually, I was not so sure about the target time if I can make it but I opted to challenge myself and have something that I can work out during the race. Most of my 10K and above runs hovered between 1 hour and 14 minutes to even a dismal 1 hour and 20 minutes on blah days including lots of stops and the occasional walks.

After the race? Though it’s not official time but I clocked myself, I stood at

1 hour and 7 minutes.

That’s it. Not bad. A close call to my target but still happy that I was able to exceed my expectations. But just imagine, if I limited my walks and didn’t suffer some muscular pain on my feet near the joint with the leg during the first two kilometers, I might have clocked better.

With James Betia, aka Journeying James: runner, blogger and traveler

The Takbo.ph Runfest was also an opportunity to meet with friends. Of course, Blas, aka Titanium Runner, who registered me was there but we only met after the race. Former Smart colleagues were also present like Eric, Ellen and Maffin. I didn’t get to see Carl who was one of the race marshals. These guys were the ones I covered during the Epic Relay Run.

And, of course, I was excited and happy to finally meet great runners: the Running Shield and James Betia, aka Journeying James. These two I only knew online in their blogs and in dailymile.com and have exchanged comments in status updates. The latter is also a traveler like me.

Lastly, it was a good race with a good singlet that I like but wished it had a good fit.

It's personalized baby!

My bib number

After following up my race pack for the Takbo.ph Runfest this week with the courier and a series of email exchanges with Jinoe of Takbo.ph, I finally got it at ROX, Bonifacio High Street branch, this evening. But I was almost exasperated that they still didn’t have my name on their list. If the two attendants didn’t check their stock, I would’ve asked for a refund!

Anyway, the past few days were quite hectic and got me worried that the courier told me that my name and race bib number was not on their list. Strange as Blas Tiangco registered us and he got his race pack several weeks ago. One of Jinoe’s updates even included mine as for delivery. However, in his last update released a few days ago, my number wasn’t even included and was cause for alarm!

Time to move on though. I was quite happy when I actually got mine but can’t suppliers really come up with standard sizes? Mine was already XXL and it was still smaller. The same with the Fairtrade Run singlet. The NatGeo Earth Day run technical shirt was way, way better and was a good fit for me.

Now, time to rest for the early morning race.

Published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer last 6 July, my article on Smart's participation during the Epic Relay 250 which I covered. CLICK TO READ.

I’ve written on the Epic Relay 250 held in Subic last 13 June for Smart’s two teams that the company fielded and it got published last 6 July in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the country’s top broadsheet. It is found at the Lifestyle section. This is my first article in this newspaper.

It is also available online. Last year, I was also featured in the broadsheet.

The original plan was to go immediately to the Fitness Run race of Fitness First from our ungo morning run at the twin bridges of Mandaue and Mactan so that I can shoot the runners. However, since we started late because of the rain, I was already late that when I did arrive in Ayala where the race was held, the last few runners were already at the finish line.

Instead of shooting those at the venue, I just decided to chat up with Twinkle, Cebu’s popular running diva as well as returned her Chi Running book that she lent me during an interview (this has still to be posted). I also met with Victor, a friend who is also into photography.

One of two runners that I was only able to shoot.

During the awarding at the Terraces in Ayala Center Cebu

Twinkle 2 with her daughter Romylin Nina who placed 10th in the race

Cebu's popular running diva with her fans

My friend Victor who's also into photography