Team A&Y: 2010

Friday, December 31, 2010

TYJ 2010 Running Season Ends!

Capped it weeks ago, actually. But with December being the busiest, the attempts I made earlier to document our last race for the year has proven futile. So today, in the occasion of the new year, I am juggling between composing this post and cooking my kitchen specialties (menudo and sopas) for the family's get-together later. Multi-tasking, in short. Hope I don't screw up big time.

What was supposed to be a one-man contingent for TYJ considering the venue (outside of Cebu), the event ended with 6, complemented with an eager TYJ support group. Half ran, more than half cheered. That's double the fun at the 2nd edition of the Quezon City International Marathon. QCIM2 also marked my 2nd half-marathon, with a couple more extra (23.3K). Completing my sophomore 21K run, the feeling's different but it's sweet, still.

The race began on the Philcoa area, just a few meters from the city's most revered landmark, the QC Circle. In the first and last 4 kilometers of the race, runners were treated to the grandeur of The Oblation as we did a quick tour of Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, a UP-Ikot literally. Almost a decade ago, the Melchor Hall of the Diliman campus used to be home on weeknights. Memories. Memories.

Considered as the widest freeway in the country, runners took the uninterruptible 6 lanes of the Commonwealth Avenue for the most part of the race. Among its many highlights, it's the route I liked the most. The roads are well-manned, hydration stations were available every 1.5K and yes, energy drinks flowed. With overcast skies, even the weather cooperated that early Sunday morning.

2010 has been a good running year for Team Yellow Jersey. I ran the streets alone back in March. Today, I share the same passion with not just plain runners but fun and happy bunch of people. From this point on, we'll continue to abide by one simple and basic rule - we will run for fun, first. For something else, second.

From TYJ and Friends, here's wishing everyone a Prosperous New Year and an exciting and healthy running season in 2011!

(collage courtesy of my TYJ Family, thanks for the autographed copy.)

Next stop: Subic International Marathon and Cebu City Marathon - January 9, 2011.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

5th Seminary Fund Run

Seminario Mayor de San Carlos hosted this 5th edition of Seminary Fund Run on 11.28.10 for the ongoing rehabilitation of its facility. And although that Sunday morning was marred by rains, it still generated decent numbers in terms of head count. Of all the races I have run, it's the most wet (if there's such a term). From the starting point on Dela Montana Street all the way through the 10K turning point in Banawa, the roads were literally damped. Running under this condition, complete with overcast skies, was a lot better than when the sun's out. For me, I think.

For TYJ Amy, Brandon and Leonette, this was a milestone run. On this day, the bar was set higher as they ran their first 10K and they completed it convincingly. Congratulations, guys! We hope to see you in a couple more 10K races before kicking it up a notch (12 or 15K?). One step at a time remains the key though. And it won't be long when all of TYJ are running the same distance, pacing together and still having fun. That will be D day.

'til our next run!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Oops!...I did it again

It would have been a good prep run for my upcoming half-mary. But lady luck wasn't on my side probably and she didn't want me on the road that morning. In the same way she kept me from joining that race with the pink casket as main attraction several weeks ago. To describe this simply, I goofed up again. Who in his right mind would set his mobile phone alarm while it's still on a quiet mode? Nobody But Me! They said it comes in 3s so if it happens the 3rd time, don't blame me. Tao lang po!

Anyway, my co-TYJers were at M-O Plus Run held last Sunday, 11.21.10 at the Asiatown IT Park. It was the "Labanan ang Malnutrisyon" campaign by the producer of M-O Plus, a natural food supplement made from today's miracle tree - moringa oleifera or malunggay. Alex, June Marq and Lor delivered three 15Ks and Amy, Brandon and Ching the other three 5Ks. So that's 60K total for TYJ and about 4,000+ calories. Way to go, guys!

And here are random photos from the event...

Next stop: 2010 Seminary Fund Run this Sunday, 11.28.10.

additional photos: sydney delos reyes and m-o plus on fb

Saturday, November 20, 2010

The Bottle School Run 11.14.10

He spearheaded building structures in various shapes and sizes. Illac Diaz, the prime mover of MyShelter Foundation is at it again. Only this time, he's constructing school from yet another unconventional source - polyethylene terephthalate bottles. Plastic bottles in short. This was the main thrust of last Sunday's Eco Dash - The Bottle School Run held at the Ayala Terraces here in Cebu.

I was battling a terrible cough late Saturday evening and I thought a 10K run may just be the right remedy. So when my alarm went off at quarter past 3 the next morning, I got up albeit with a bit of hesitation. Hours later, I was among the finishers, feeling tired but delighted, wet but definitely not sick. Joining the race was indeed a healthy choice.

In terms of the numbers, it was unlike the previous races. This one, however, was one of the well-organized and the only one in my mind that offered a real post-race entertainment. Veteran runner Mr. Raffy Uytiepo strutted his stuff on stage ala Elvis Presley. Eat Bulaga's Julia Clarete was a hit with the crowd via the Shembot number. And Barbie Almalbis was just thrilled to dish out a string of songs to a tropa of "gising" and not to the usual "lasing".

As for Team Yellow Jersey, only 4 of us were around this time. Nonetheless, the absence of others was augmented by June Marq Ocana as she placed 7th in the overall 10K Female category . She clocked 1:00:38. Likewise, Alex "Diosa" Arong did another impressive sub-1 (0:57:44) finish in10K Male. And Lor Solon completed another 10K race. Congratulations, guys!