Rained Out

Had to cancel today's scheduled 15km run. Weather is not cooperating.

Next Race

Am thinking of a 15k event for my next race. So far I've identified only 2 that are hosting 15k events: The Pink Run on Oct17 at Mckinley and the Unilab Run United on Nov21 at the Fort.

VP Binay's Vehicle Runs a Red Light... Again !

At 7:50am on my car's clock coming from the Phil. Red Cross Run for Humanity Race this Sunday 15 Aug, my son and I were travelling eastbound along Buendia Ave approaching the intersection of Ayala Ave. We were 3 vehicles abreast occupying 3 lanes of Buendia approaching a green light to cross the intersection. Suddenly, a Makati traffic aide in the middle of the intersection abruptly signals us to stop, which we did. As my son and I were wondering aloud what this guy was up to, he suddenly waved through the southbound lane of Ayala Ave extension and lo and behold, 4 black vehicles with blinkers crossed the intersection on a very conspicuous red traffic light. We were close enough to spot one of the vehicles sporting the No. 2 plate! I dont think I need to tell you whose that is. You just cant teach an old dog new tricks. Thumbs down on this one. President Noynoy can and chooses to wait for his turn on a traffic intersection and the Vice President can not? Uso pa ba yan?!?!

PRC Run for Humanity 2010

My performance. Today's 10k event turned out to be a difficult race for me. I was straining myself most of the way and continuously having to try to reduce my heart rate to below 150 from above 160 levels. Somehow i feel like i strain my legs more than usual and feel more tired when I consciously try to slow the pace down. My Garmin clocked the run from start to finish line at 1:24:43 for a pace of 0:8:28/km and an average heart rate of 159bpm. Because of the gun start (no timing chip here) my official time will be longer than my Garmin time. I think i should concern myself with the heart rate only during training runs and rely on perceived effort or exertion during races. Will try that on the next race.

Congratulations to PRC and the organizer (I seem to recall seeing MLB in one of the signs along the course). The event did not have the bells and whistles of the more popular races but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Support for the running participants is more than adequate, no shortage of water stations and cheerful volunteers, ambulances conspicuously posted every so many kilometers in the race course (hey this is the red cross, remember), and vehicular traffic at intersections are visibly manned and controlled by mmda and police. I particularly liked the straightaway course.

Note: After the 10k turnaround, on numerous occassions, not a few cyclists occupied the same lanes near the curb approaching the runners from the opposite direction without giving a wide berth and posing a collision risk. A compelling reason for runners to be alert and more aware of vehicular traffic.

My Running Gear

I use the following gear on most of my training runs.
1. New Balance NB 801 MF
2. Nike no show running socks
3. New Balance moisture wick sun visor
4. Nathan Speed 4R hydration belt
5. Garmin Forerunner 305 heart rate monitor and stop watch

PRC Run for Humanity 2010: Pre-Race

Am registered for tomorrow's 10k run. I believe this run is for a worthy cause. Am anxious though about how it turns out. There's no mention of who the event organizer is. So far no advise about parking areas for participants and aside from a assembly/race time of 500am appearing in the registration form, there are no further updates re gun starts for specific events. I am seriously considering bringing a hydration belt in case the water stations turn out to be lacking. The singlet that I requested in XL size is not available as of yet. I was asked to return to their QC chapter office tonight at around 8pm. Notwithstanding, I am excited about running the full length (and back) of the Diosdado Macapagal Highway. My first straightaway run.

Delayed Onset Running

This blog marks the launch of a non-athlete's late attempt in running and is intended to chronicle the progress or lack of it. Due to proximity, I train at the University of the Philippines (U.P.) Diliman Campus, hence the monicker "Campus Runner". I started running in late December 2009 to burn fat and to keep fit. Now, I run because its fun (most of the time).