Thank God I'm Vain!--- My Botak 42K Run

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Last Sunday, I joined my first Full Marathon and grabbed my first Marathon Finisher's Medal. I must admit, I'm happy,,, well, not really...I'm feeling rapturous! :)


Will this mean more marathons for me?....that, I'll have to think about. :) Certainly this won't be the last, the only question is "when" :) I told myself yesterday, because of some execrable pain I'm going through, I might not join another one until the Singapore Marathon. However, now that I'm feeling better, I am eager to join another one hopefully before my first international full-mary in the land of the Merlion. I just want to be sure how long it will take me to finish 42.something kms.

"I'm Almost a Marathoner"

Why "almost"? Because I didn't get to complete the entire course, not because I can't, but because I got lost!!!....silly me! After reviewing the map, I missed a good 5 kilometers. At least now I know, without pressuring myself too much with time, I can finish a full marathon.

I can't wait to be a full pledged Marathoner

Pacing with my Takbo.ph fellas during the first half of the run, Sir Poj and Doc Roy (who finished the entire course...congratulations!), really helped a lot. Taking it nice and slow during the first half is the key. In long runs such as this, I think it's always good to start slow rather than firing up immediately after the gunshot and end up drained in the middle of the course.

There are some shortcomings in terms of how the race was organized, from water stations to water cups, uninformed race marshals (the reason why I got lost in the first place :) ), late start, etc. In spite of these, I must say that it was a good experience. At least I get to acquaint myself with dire situations that I may encounter in future runs. If there's one thing I'd have to learn how to endure, it's how uncomfortable it is to run under extreme heat...except the fact that I got a nice tan (minus the "singlet line" :)) - Thank God I'm vain!

Add'l Photos by Dr. Roy L. Tan

In purSUIT of Fun & Speed

Last Friday, May 1, 2009, the first ever invitational Nissan Navara purSUIT was held. The race was a combination of Run, Bike, and Drive.
It was an honor for me to be a part of the two teams representing Takbo.Ph. Our admin, Sir Jinoe, offered it and without thinking twice, I said yes!. I was assigned to drive the Navara which made me excited because it will be my first time to participate in such kind of event.

Here's how it was played.

Challenge 1: Treadmill and Bike Time Trial

Challenge 2: Navara Track | Driving Accuracy Time Trial (Team must complete the course as closely as possible to a benchmark time. Time over/under the benchmark will be ADDED to their overall time)

Challenge 3: Mental & Physical Challenges

This is a Time Trial event. Clock will stop only when ALL required challenges are completed.

*Teams will be released on time. However, Organizer reserves the right to adjust schedule in the interests of racers' safety in case Navara Track is still occupied by a preceding team. Affected teams will be duly notified should this occur. Organizer will NOT adjust schedule to accommodate late team sign-in.

Fastest time wins (ofcourse )


Takbo.ph Line-up

Team 1
Graciano Santos - Run
Ronald Rei Declarador - Bike
Marco Christopher Montaos - Drive
Marvin Opulencia - Team Capt.

Team 2
Patrick Alcomendas - Run
Sherwin Botabara - Bike
David Viray - Drive
Jinoe Gavan - Team Capt.

We competed with other sports club such as Fitness First, Pinoy Ultra Runners, X-Terra, Fort Striders, Second Wind etc.
It was my first time to drive off-road, a race at that, and I must admit, it really felt good to abuse a 4x4 :), not because it wasn't mine :) but because it was really meant to be abused. As they say, it's tough and sweet! And will I do it again?....'hell yyyyyeeeah!!!

We were there for fun...and that's exactly what we got!

Trail run...or is it?... Montalban LSD 04.26.09

...we did "ran" from time to time in spite of the fact that it was supposed to be a "TREK!?!" ("it's the other way around...you fool!!!")...what can we do? The track was easy and we had so much energy..... :)


It was my first time to do a Trail LSD and I must say that this won't definitely be the last.
It was the combination of adventure and the adrenaline rush that made the entire thing worth filing a "leave" from work :).
The trail was not easy at all. I/we must admit, we walked almost half of the trail. It was steep from the start all the way up to the summit. Mud also made it more difficult and nasty probably because of the heavy rains the night before.
Upon reaching the top of the mountain, all the pain easily faded away because I felt the cool wind on my face and saw the majestic landscape of adjacent mountains smothered with fog, making it look like it's just beginning to emerge from underneath the earth finding it's way up, adding to the grandiosity of heavens vault.
Minutes later, back to reality, it's time to go down. It wasn't easy. Aside from the fact that I began to feel pain on my knees, the strong heat of the sun made it just as difficult as the ascend.
After our group, "takbo" peeps, settled a bit at the foot of the mountain, we headed to the "Wawa Dam" a few meters away from where our cars were parked.
The stone formations are magnificent. One thing though,I would recommend everyone going there to be extra careful on your way to the falls because there are no fences considering the steep orientation of the walkway. When we came, the water was a bit dark and muddy also because of heavy rains, otherwise it was indeed a sight worthy of fresh alkaline batteries for your digicam.


















Other photos from "Takbo" peeps namely Carlo, Timmy, Edu, Eric, & Argo. (if I failed to mention your name please let me know :))