Fit and Run.Info

I contented my self photographing runners in yesterday’s Rexona Run 2010 but a few hours ago, on the eve of my five months of running, I started August with a leisurely midnight run around Makati City. Nothing so special but traced an old route that I’ve been coming back from time to time: Dela Rosa – Makati Ave. – Arnaiz and two loops at the Legazpi and W. Sycip Park.

I need to start August right. After having paced a friend for around 3KM last week, my only run, I have to get back to my training for the upcoming 21K at CamSur. Anyway, today’s 2 August and marking my fifth month of my running addiction.

Rexona Run 2010

Click to check the gallery

It’s finally up, over 800 runner portraits taken during the Rexona Run 2010 held at the SM Mall of Asia early this morning. Just check out the gallery to see if I was able to take your photos.

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.