All geared up for a new PR!

4th Auto Review Run for Road Safety and Courtesy 10 km 01:00 05:58 pace

NEW PR!!! Last time was when I was running for Looney Tunes. But I was challenged when Ken commented that I should have a new PR. So here you go - Sub 1 - clocked at 59:41!

I like the fact that we have our own runners lane. Some roads were flat; and the slight uphill and downhill was just easy for me and Phalangging. Hydration stations were abundant - water and Pocari Sweat. The weather cooperated!

I was all geared up for the run: compression tights by Team Eight, Halo sweatband, rasta music on the go, Ungo shirt to represent Cebu and the VFF Flow for easy running. And of course, pinanindigan ang TytsBogdo!

Location: Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila
Date: September 26, 2010

(above post is a repost from dailymile).

Photos courtesy of Mikaela and Mai "Lasinggera" Cruz.

Phalangging's First Official Race

Home sweet home. It always feels good when you are in your hometown and be with your family. I missed my family so much that I had so many reasons why I want to go home to Dumaguete City. My going home to the City of Gentle People was just as exciting to run for the 34th National Milo Marathon Dumaguete Eliminations.

Here are the reasons why I'm just sooooo freakin excited:

• last time I went home was last March
• It's my first official race outside Cebu
• my first official race in Dumaguete (of course, not my first run though!)
• my 2nd Milo Race for September
• and it's Phalangging's first official race!

Phalangging, as you may have seen the photo in my previous post is my new VFF KSO Flow. VFF or Vibram is actually short for Vitale Bramani who pioneered in developing climbing sole for shoes when six of Bramani's mountaineering friends died in the Italian Alps. Today, several known brands are using Vibram soles on their products. These brands include Deckers, The North Face, Merrell, Timberland, Rockport, and Nike-ACG. Some high profile brands like Dolce and Gabana and Hugo Boss also use Vibram soles. (source: wikipedia)

Anyhow, I'm just happy I finally made it home and run!

And my family was there to support me. 

Two Milo Races in one month? NOT BAD AT ALL!

I will dream of this!... not anymore! (edited post)

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!

Certified Trail Runner

Yes! I'm already a certified Trail Runner after I finished 2:23:10 in this morning's Thrill of the Trail Bohol sponsored by The North Face. Dailymilers, Ungo, RH and TTB Runners converged as one team as we conquer the trail at E.A.T. Danao in Bohol.

As it was our first, some of us treated it as a fun trail run. We didn't mind about the pace, the covered and remaining distance, the heat, the river crossing, the muddy and slippery rice fields and all things you encounter in a trail run.  Most of us ran 11K while a few ran 22K. 

Our goal this morning was, of course, to finish the race but we actually ended up doing an extensive documentation. I was holding Coleen's camera throughout the race and took pictures of fellow runners while Doc King2x and Adz also had their share of 500 plus images. Master Photographer Estan did his part by  running with us in the first few kilometers and took some shots. He was just wearing sports sandals yet he survived the slippery and muddy trail.

We passed through corn and rice fields, slippery and muddy trails (it rained the night before!) and crossed two rivers. We saw a few Chocolate Hills and took some shots too. We run, walk and fell on our butts, but we never failed to smile whenever there is a camera. We just had fun!

I have prepared for this event. I got my hydration bag, first aid kit, and my VFF Flow Phalangging. I was supposed to wear my VFF on the last stretch of the trail. But I was more challenged by fellow TTB Coleen who took off her shoes and ran with her socks on the cemented after crossing the first river. I followed suit after crossing the second one and we both ran from KM9 to the finish line with our Runnr socks. We raised the Ungo Banner as we cross the finish line.

Our first trail run was indeed one hell of an experience. We reached the finish line with our heads held up high and we are just proud to say that we are already Certified Trail Runners.

Thank you to the Dailymilers, Ungo, RH, Team Yellow Jersey (thank you Manny for the jersey!) and TTB guys for the fun, the laughter and the cheers, the motivations and encouragements, and to The North Face Thrill of the Trail Bohol Event Organizers headed by Race Director Dax Ang for the well-organized race and for the wonderful experience!

Trail Running Virgins No More!

The extensive documentation was made possible the efforts of Doc King2x and Adz, Coleen, Master Photographer Estan Cabigas and Mikaela. Photos are available in this link and check out the other album courtesy of FitandRun.info

Phalangging!

Look Mom! It's "Phalangging" - my new VFF Flow.
Pic with fellow Ungo Runner Lorebelle
taken during the Ungo Pre-Milo Carbo-loading Party

WE MADE IT!

Our first 21K was a blast! Inspite of the pain that I'm suffering since Thursday, Nikia and I finally endured our first half-mary this morning at the 34th National Milo Marathon Cebu Eliminations.

Ang Milo Medal, bow!

The weather was great that early morning. Nikia and I were pacing with Jaymarl and Weng of Accenture Running Club on the first few kilometers. And the first 8K was just perfectly fine - pacing was good and hydration is abundant. Ungo supporters like Dan and Bikik and Louie were there to give us extra water and Gatorade. Tito and wife Irene as well as Axle and Richelle were there to take pictures and motivated us.  I also had the chance to pace with Coleen on a few kilometers. Sir Jerry Chua and Popoy also paced with me for a few kilometers.  I also saw Team Yellow Jersey’s Manny Camacho and his running mate. 

Coach Jobert & Friend, Emily and Jay

The grueling part was the run to SRP - it was sooooooo freakin' HOT! After the turning point just a few hundred meters in Sugbu, I was able to catch up with Utramarathoner Atty. Haide Acuna. Aside from the fact that I was star-struck (as always!), I was still able to ask her the distance and she gladly said, "13.8 na! Gamay nalang! And it's less than 2hours pa!". So I decided to pace with her and she reminded me of the distance every 500 meters and motivating me to continue with the pace. Until we reached KM15 and she said, "6K nalang! You can do it!" That motivated me to push further. I also saw Micke Sumampong just a few meters away from me.

Pam with running mates

But the heat has vaporized all my energy so I had to walk and run and walk and run. Jack of ARC says he had cramps already. I also felt the pain again with my left calf. Atty. Haide sped off and my mind was telling me to just stop and just walk and think of not finishing the race. But after enduring the SRP route, I finally came to my senses again to finish the run. The waterboys also helped in refreshing my body – though all wet but at least refreshing!

Doc King2, Adz and Agatha

The last 3kms was the deciding factor. I looked at my watch and it’s just a few minutes away from the cut-off time. I had to push it. Fellow Ungo Runners shouted at me and motivated me to finish the race. On the last 100meters, Master Ungo Max Limpag gave me a 1-minute hand signal and encouraged me to rush until the finish line. I can feel goose pumps when the spectators, race officials, and some guards at the back entrance cheered at me.

Alas! A sight to behold! The finish line was just a few meters away. Coach Boying Milan at the sidelines says I can make it! I looked at the clock and I saw 1 hour and 30mins. Finally, I stepped on the mat at the finish line with 1:30:17. This is an unofficial time as we will still wait for the official results from Milo.

Milo snapshots

Much has been said but finishing my first half-marathon is one of the best things that happen to my life. And I’ve got a lot of people to thank for: to my family who always supported me all the way; Aijeigh who also ran with me in some occasions and even though she wasn’t at the finish line, she will always be in my heart; to the Ungo Runners headed by Max Limpag – they have been an inspiration!; the members of Team Tyts Bogdo or TTB and RH Runners – for all the motivations; members of Dailymile Team – for creating this running social site wherein we can track our mileage and training – a very big help in pushing for more miles; to the Dailymilers for the friendship, the fun, the endless postings of motivations – you guys are amazing! Special mention to Doc Porfie Amboang and Doc King2x Perez for assisting me when I so pale and almost fainted after the race. Thank you!

Of course, to Jah who gave me the strength and presence of mind to endure the pain and the heat; and for giving me the courage and the will to finish the race.


For the complete album, please see this link and click on the slideshow.

“But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Food + Camera = Ungo Fun

KAON + CAMERA = UNGO FUN!

to quote Bikik: "Cargo-loading Party"

Fact # 1: FOOD can make an Ungo go silent!

Fact # 2: A CAMERA can also make an Ungo go silent!

Of course, Friday nights won't be complete without our Motivational Speakers.
Our very own Cebu Elites: Ms. Annie Neric and Doc Reel Bontol of Team Reborn
who recently braved the Iron 70.3 Cobra Philippines. We are proud of you guys!

Master Ungo Max Limpag gave some final instructions for
tomorrow's Milo race.

Ungo Ladies.... and... Gentlemen

nya model-model daun sa Ungo Tarpaulin.

look... I'm wearing my 2-day old VFF Flow! 

of course, the night will not be over without the power of Red Horse!
I had fun with the RH Runners and a few Ungo peeps having some drinks at Papa Ross Grill.

For the complete photos, please see this link via my Picasaweb and click on Slideshow.

Good luck to all Ungo Runners, TTB and RH Runners on the 34th National Milo Marathon Cebu Eliminations.
Let's get those medals!!!