Thanks for the Memories

As January draws to a close, and since it's just one week into the Lunar New Year, I'd like to share the last and most important lesson I learned from 2011 before finally letting it go.

Stay strong, believe in yourself, and know that everything happens for a reason.

So yes, I was lying before when I said I did, but now I can, at long last, truthfully say that I understand :)

2011 Race Awards

In the spirit of the new year and remembering the experiences of 2011, I present my race awards for the second year in a row :)


Best Value for Money: AdiNation of Runners 5th Sunday Runs (January 31, 2011 and May 29, 2011) , McDonald's McHappy Run (November 11, 2011)

The AdiNation of Runners 5th Sunday Runs held in January and May 2011 definitely take the best value for money award.  For a reasonable fee of P50, we were given race bibs, breakfast, Adidas freebies (such as water bottles), and decent hydration during both events, and winning teams were given Adidas products for prizes.  The catch, however, was that you had to be an active member of the AdiNation of Runners, and you were required to have a minimum number of stamps (attendance) during ANR sessions.  As an active member and assistant coach of the Ortigas chapter, however, that was no problem for me.

Adination of Runners - Ortigas Chapter 5k Women's Relay Team during the 1st ANR 5th Sunday Run (January 30, 2011)

For non-exclusive races, McDonald's McHappy Fun Run held at the Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill in Fort Bonifacio takes the Value-for-Money award.  At P600, the registration fee for 10k wasn't exactly cheap, but the inclusives, consisting of a Sausage McMuffin and unlimited brewed coffee courtesy of McCafe, unlimited Selecta ice drops, a McHappy finisher's shirt, a donation to the Bright Mind Read project of the Ronald McDonald House Charities, adequate hydration, and a voucher for a free Big Mac for Foursquare addicts (like me!) made me feel like I got my money's worth :)

Sulit! (with running buddies Sam and Memes)

Runner-up: Robinson's Fit n' Fun Buddy Run, Fort Striders
Special Mention: Hyundai Run (I didn't run this, but what run gives you better value for money than a well-reviewed and organized run that's free?)



Best Route (Road Race): Baguio 21k (April 8, 2011) , AXN Runs Philippines (September 18, 2011)

 

The soft breeze, the heavy air, the lush scenery, the scents of nature, the killer inclines...the Baguio 21k run adopted "Feel the hill" as its tagline for a very good reason!  But despite the challenging terrain, boredom was hardly felt since I was busy appreciating the refreshing mountain/countryside view.  And as an added bonus, I barely noticed the time it took me to finish the run thanks to the cool breeze and fresh air (albeit not without a bit of smog from the belching vehicles).

With no less than four flyovers back and forth, AXN Runs Philippines wasn't dubbed as a "run challenge" for nothing!  Beginning and ending in F. Ortigas Jr. (Emerald) Avenue in Ortigas, the route of AXN Runs Philippines brought runners along Julia Vargas, through the urban jungle of C5, straight to Lanuza, back and forth the long and winding flyovers of Kalayaan, Ortigas/Tiendesitas, Blue Ridge, Katipunan, and cruising (walking?) along the other rolling roads and hills along the way.  This was, without a doubt, the best city-based route of the year!

Best Trail: Merrell Adventure Run (June 18, 2011)


2011 was the year I got into trail running, starting with the Men's Health All-Terrain Race in June 2011.  Two weeks after, I found myself joining the Merrell Adventure Run in Montalban, Rizal.  Unfortunately (or fortunately?), strong rains poured the night before, resulting in extremely slippery inclines, fallen branches, and mud mud MUD all over.





During this run I discovered I was glad to have my friend Maynard pace with me across the ten long kilometers.  This was certainly not a run for fussy runners nor the faint-hearted.  I slipped a bunch of times and was more than grateful for the showers provided at the finish line.  The effort required for this 10k trail run certainly bested the effort that is usually required for a half-marathon, but the interesting scenery, coupled with the rush of endorphins after, certainly left me with a feeling of euphoria and excitement for more trail runs in the future!




Most Unforgettable Race Experience: The Bull Runner Dream Marathon 2011 (March 20, 2011)

                  

Nobody forgets their first time.  Bull Runner Jaymie Pizarro made sure this would hold true for participants of the second Bull Runner Dream Marathon held in Nuvali, Laguna.  Joining late meant missing the Bull Circles and Sessions, but this still held true for me.  The race itself was superb: clean air and clear roads, overflowing hydration (never appreciated the many flavors of Gatorade as much!), gel stations, the non-competitive camaraderie and encouragement among participants.  But mustering enough strength to keep myself from giving up and eventually "sprinting" with my friends who'd come along to cheer me towards the finish line while tolerating monthly period pains, the pain of plantar fasciitis, and a very troubled mind makes this event the most unforgettable running event for me thus far.

Special Mention: Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore


Held outside the Philippines, the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore, my second full marathon and first international race gets a special mention owing to its pretty singlet, nice medal, and tough route.  And best of all, a strong finish with a personal best 42k time left me feeling exhilarated long after the event.

Runner-up: AXN Runs Philippines, AdiNation of Runners 1st 5th Sunday Run



Best Medal: Corregidor International Half-Marathon

I may not have joined the event this year, but I still can't help but name Corregidor International Half-Marathon's heavy and ginormous medallion as the best medal of 2010.

Runner-up: Condura Skyway Marathon



Best Singlet: Adidas King of the Road (October 23, 2011)

The event's 2010 singlet was a black racerback made of dri-fit material that was plain and basic.  This year Adidas King of the Road decided to go for the polar opposite, providing runners with attention-grabbing bright singlets ranging from fuschia or stark blue for females to royal blue and deep green for males, with the same racerback cut.  Not everyone was pleased with the loud shades, but I was an instant fan.  I even got myself a second singlet at the King of the Road expo, where they were sold for P500 each.


Runner-up: AXN Runs Philippines, Nike We Run Manila 10k (Special Mention: Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore, which I think also deserves the best finisher's shirt award)



Most Organized Run: The Bull Runner Dream Marathon 2011

This unexpected surprise arrived at my home after a couple days after a bit of e-mail correspondence!

I named TBR Dream Marathon as the most unforgettable race of 2011.  And because of smooth procedures from bull circles and bull sessions to the race packet claiming/carbo-loading session, and during the race itself -- almost all the flavors of Gatorade you could think up overflowing at each hydration station, well-managed traffic and organized roads, gel stations, useful freebies such as a 1.5 L bottle of Gatorade (Gatorade 1 HR), a Thermos water bottle with an insulated cover and lots of toothbrushes -- I would have to consider it the most organized run as well.  Special recognition is due to the team in charge of distributing certificates; because I was unable to claim my race certificate and souvenir program CD at Mercato Centrale, the organizers sent it to me via Air 21.  Nice!

Runner-up: Unilab Run for Wellness Leg 1


Special Awards
Worst Singlet/Finisher's Shirt: Men's Health All-Terrain Race (mislabeled sizes that were way too big!)
Most Forgettable Run: Goldilocks Run (I might've forgotten about this one if I didn't keep the singlet.)
Worst Organized: Nike We Run Manila, Brooks Run Happy

Total Races for 2011: 27
Total (Official) Mileage (Races Only): 465.19 km


Cebu Marathon (21k)
Greentennial Run (15k)
AdiNation of Runners 5th Sunday Run (5k 5-member women's relay)
Condura Skyway Marathon (21k)
Unilab Run United for Wellness Leg 1 (21k)
The Bull Runner Dream Marathon (Full Marathon)
Globe Run for Home (10k)
Baguio 21k Feel the Hill (21k)
Goldilocks Run (21k)
Brooks Run Happy (15k)
AdiNation of Runners 5th Sunday Run (5k 5-member women's relay)
Men's Health All-Terrain Race (10k Trail)
Mizuno Infinity Run (21k)
Merrell Adventure Run (10k Trail)
Yamaha Run for Heroes (21k)
Robinson's Fit n' Fun Buddy Run (10k Buddy Run)
Rexona Run (10k)
Unilab Run United for Wellness Leg 2 (21k - PR)
Fort Striders Run (10k - PR)
AXN Runs Philippines (21k)
Camsur Marathon (21k)
Nike We Run Manila (10k)
Adidas King of the Road (16.8k)
Energizer Night Run (10k)
Unilab Run United for Wellness Leg 3 (32k - PR)
McDonald's McHappy Run (10k)
Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore (42k - PR)

Happy New Year!

WELCOME, 2012!!!

For one last time, I'd like to thank you, 2011...it's been twelve months of laughter, pain, achievement, trials, tears, and above all, lessons.  My last year as a twenty-something is one that I'll probably never forget!

Now let's make this the best year of our lives :)