Sprint in Stripes (McDonald's Stripes Run 2015)

This year's McDonald's Stripes Run 2015 was held in Fort Bonifacio. I didn't register for the run, but I wouldn't have missed this for the world since this would be my inaanak's (god daughter) first "official" run. Technically, Dani's first official run would have been the Pet Express Doggie Run back in 2013. But since she was still in a stroller then, then this would be her first run-run. ;)

At the starting line.
Can you spot Ronald McDonald, Hamburglar, and Birdie? 

See McDo Run.
Run, run, run.

Kerwin & daughter, Kate, just after the 1K gun start.

Dennis & daughter/birthday girl, Alex, at her first run (in a stroller)!
Leading the pack. Team RFB (Running Fatboy)

Per & my inaanak, Dani ,catching up at the 3K category.
Go, Dani! Go, Team RFB!!!

Sunsets With Piolo (Sunpiology Run 2015)

Ahhh, a sunset run with Piolo... 

Hey, a girl can hope, right? ;) 

Kidding aside, it was my first time to join a Sunpiology Run (it's an annual thing), and I'm happy to say that a Piolo Pascual sighting was a success. haha. I kinda got a clue that Piolo was nearby when we (Per and me) had to move aside and let squealing girls overtake us to get closer to Piolo. We only got a glimpse of him, but it was enough to concur that THAT MAN-GOD DOES NOT SWEAT. How embarassing for us grape-faced girls!

Aside from our first time running alongside Piolo, it was also our first time running a race in McKinley Park. We've passed through it during a training session there once last year just before our Tokyo trip, so we knew how the lack of trees at the height of summer was nothing short of grueling. ~ugh~ Thank goodness they held the run at sundown, because these supposedly -ber months are not brr-ful at all. It was also nice that we didn't have to compete with the cars on the road, though going outside McKinley and onto Lawton is a different story. (I'm sure the drivers stuck on the road were more annoyed. hehe)

This year's Sunpiology theme by Sun Life Insurance is a fight against diabetes. The race was part run and part obstacle course. Per and I joined the 5K category, while Dennis ran the 10K. There were about 2 obstacles included at the 5K route, one portion is to avoid barrels of "sodas" and other sugary drinks (FYI, that's how you actually prevent diabetes), and the other we had to crawl through strings with sponges scattered about (The symbolism for the second obstacle was lost on me). 

All in all, it was a pretty good event and a great way to spend a Saturday PM. 

With Dennis (Running Fat Boy) and Per at McKinley Park

Gotta Get, Gotta Run (Gatorade Run 2015)

Gatorade has always been a friendly face in most road races. He's always been a welcome sight at drinking stations and finisher loot bags. ;) haha. But this time, no longer satisfied sitting on the sidelines, Gatorade finally takes center stage and hosts its very own run!

Last Sunday's Gatorade Run 2015 was 8,000 runners strong. Not a bad turn out at all for their first run. The race, organized by Run Rio, was very organized. From the time I got to the venue to collect my race kit, until I crossed the finish line and got my finisher treats, everything went down smoothly.

Oh, and did you notice that something clever went down too? The Gatorade Run was hashtagged #Gatorade1122 because it was held on November 22 and only had (the odd) categories of 11 and 22 kilometers. It's things like that shows how Gatorade/organizers/agency tried to make every little thing special, I think. An Easter egg at the run, if you will. haha.

I did the 11K run which ran past MOA's Sunset Blvd. to Roxas Blvd. and just looped back. Though not a chilly morning for a November, it was cloudy, which was good enough for me. A relaxed, easy run, just the way Sundays should be. :) 

Runners in traffic cone orange singlets. You can't miss 'em.

Unlimited supply of Gatorade at the Drinking Stations.

The arch before the finish line arch was a nice touch for that last push.

Perky cheerleaders were a welcome sight!

The Gatorade Recovery Tent at the end of the race route.

Shoe off.

This cold bath is exclusively for the coconut drinks only.
No runners allowed to jump in. ;)

The hosts: Susie and Jinno (heehee)
(Okay, did I just reveal my era?)

Finisher Loot bag includes:
Gatorade, Tropicana coconut water drinks, Premier water, and an Adidas finisher shirt.
Taho not included.

Congratulations, Gatorade, for a job well done! Thank you for an enjoyable, stress-free race. Looking forward to next year's run!

P.S. Oh, and thank you for the race kit too! :)

Electric Thoughts

I haven't been back in tip top running form for the past few months due to a health scare (I'll talk about that next time), but of course, exercising is, and will always be, a big MUST for me. Recently, a lot of my friends have been convincing me to try out indoor cycling with them. I've tried spinning a couple of years back, and to be honest, it didn't really do anything for me then. My thought bubble read: I'd rather be out running.

Well, since I've had to take things (literally) slower for now, I thought I'd give spinning another try. And there are two things that I discovered: One, that I enjoy this new found form of fitness; and Two, that I'm not as competitive as I was before (see here). haha. Must be the wisdom throughout these years. ;) 

This is my updated thought bubble on Indoor Cycling (or why I do it):

1. I succumb to peer-pressure. I'm a good friend. 
My friend, Leslie, convinced a bunch of us to sign up for indoor cycling so she can get free rides for the referrals. Well played, Leslie. Well played.

2. Cycling is tough, challenging, and fun.
Considering I wrote cycling off already before, I'm glad I gave this another go. Who knows, I might just get on the saddle, and then ride off to do a triathlon next. We shall see...

3. Intense workout in 45 minutes.
I haven't actually completed a whole class without stopping or slowing down, but I'm getting there. And the arm workout... ~Ugh~ Ohh, fiiiine, fine. 

4. Music moves me.
One of the great things about indoor cycling is their party vibe and infectious energy. You can even choose your ride based on the instructor's playlist/personality too! My latest class was Maroon 5 everything. My favorite part was when "Sunday Morning" played. Such a chill ride.  haha. Ang daya. ;)

5. Cycling Circle
Just like in the running community, it's nice to meet new people who share the same excitement over something. Random people fist bump you before the class, and encourage you through it without judgement. Post-ride analysis (especially since I'm a newbie) is also a a nice bonding moment. Asking someone "What's your butt supposed to do in a boomerang?" while wearing spandex sounds really sleazy-weird, but is amusingly quite normal here.

Last night's @teamelectricph themed class sold out faster than you could say "Maroon V in Manila". Thanks for the fun ride, Armand Levine! 🚲⚡#electricstrong

A photo posted by Janine Ngo (@ninjaninengo) on Nov 10, 2015 at 4:14pm PST

Electric Studio, is an indoor cycling boutique, located in Forbestown, Fort BGC. I got their First Timer Package, which is 5 rides for P1500. Pretty good deal! Plus, I got an extra ride from their ongoing referral promo too. ;) 

Save the Date: Gatorade Run 2015

Manila, Philippines – The world’s number one sports drink is finally making its debut in the country’s fast growing running circuit with the launch of the first ever Gatorade Run.

The run will happen on November 22 at the Seaside Boulevard at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. There will be two distances—11 and 22 kilometers gun-starting at 5:00 and 4:00 AM respectively. Race fee is P1,100 for 11K participants and P1,500 for their 22K counterparts. The pre-race kit will include an Adidas race tee, a race bib and a timing chip. Another Adidas shirt, this time a finishers tee, will also await all finishers.

“The Gatorade Run will cap off what has been a historic year for us,” Pepsico Philippines Marketing Manager for Hydration Tony Atayde said. “We just celebrated our 50^th birthday; we recently beefed up our line-up with a new variant called White Lightning and welcomed a powerhouse cast of ambassadors; and now, we’re launching the first ever run powered by Gatorade.”

Atayde added, “As a global leader in sports performance, runners can expect that Gatorade will bring its sports science expertise to the fore. More than just a run, this milestone event is a platform for us to reinforce our message of proper hydration.”

The Gatorade Run will feature a hydration station where participants can get pre-race hydration drinks, a post-run hydration test area where they can instantly learn about their hydration status, and a warm-up area where free sessions will be available for those who want a full-on warm up activity before the run.

Online registration is until November 13. Runners can also troop to Adidas outlets at Trinoma, Bonifacio Global City, Greenbelt 3, SM MOA and SM Megamall to register until November 8. Registered participants can start claiming their kits on November 16 until November 19 from 12:00NN to 8:00 PM at their chosen store and schedule upon registration.

Log on to runrio.com/gatorade-run-1122 for more information or to register.

Save the Date: Sunpiology Run 2015

Worth the wait. Save the date. November twenty-eight. 

Hey, that rhymes. ;) 

What: Sunpiology Run 2015

When: November 28, 2015

Where: McKinley West, Fort Bonifacio

Time: 3:00 P.M.

Distances: 3K / 5K / 10K Run

For more details, go to www.sunpiology.com

Home, and Foot Bound

Nope, not injured. Just staying in and getting a foot spa. Us, runners, have to keep our feet looking good and feeling great, of course!

Product review to follow after a few days (effectivity as per label). ;)

UPDATE: 4-5 days after soaking, my feet started to peel. It resembled the way skin peels off after a bad sunburn. Around 8-10 days, the peeling got worse (which is actually better, in this case, because it means the topmost layer is shedding(?)... molting(?)... regenerating(?)). Even the thicker callouses on my heels and big toes peeled off on its own. By this time, I felt very self-conscious wearing sandals or even flats. My feet looked a bit gross with almost every part of the surface peeling chunks of skin! Now on the second week, after all the dead skin cells peeled off already, my feet is softer and looks brighter. So this is what a snake feels like. Brand new! ;) 

Saved By A Meme-tivation

I almost skipped this morning's run until I saw this meme posted by Second Wind Running Store at their Instagram account. Shamed!!! Haha. I laced up and ran. And just after a few minutes of running, I'm so glad I did! The cloudy weather was perfect. ;) 

How about you? How was your run today?

PC Picks: Sprout Around The Corner

I've been hearing about this new healthy convenience store slash restaurant that opened in Makati a few months back. In the times that I've driven along the streets of Salcedo Village, I've never seen where this restaurant was located at. Last Sunday, I went out for a run in the Makati CBD, since weekends are the best days to be in Makati (no traffic, and not much sun, since all those buildings provide great shade). Rain clouds were looming, but I decided to continue on with my run. It was only when the raindrops were getting fatter and already penetrating my light rain jacket that I decided to take refuge indoors and wait it out. I was right on Rufino Street when I remembered that Sprout was just around the area. A quick search in the online foodie directory, OpenSnap... 

And there you go, it was literally just around the corner!

Shots, Shots, Shots!

The first thing that I grabbed was this tart and tangy bottled sunshine. Sprout's all-natural energy shot, Spice Market, is a great post-run treat. Its ingredients include turmeric (with anti-inflammatory properties for faster muscle recovery), honey, calamansi, apple cider vinegar, and water. 

Sprout: Freshness On The Go

Aside from the takeaway meals, Sprout also serves freshly prepared food: savory dishes, soups, and its house specialty, arroz caldo, made with oatmeal instead of the typical rice. I got the pumpkin-ginger soup (sorry, no photo) which went perfectly with the evening's rainy weather. Maybe I'll try the oats arroz caldo the next time I go back.

A Place To Chill

With its high ceiling and exposed beams, Sprout has the industrial look down pat. Their moss accent wall and wooden furniture keeps the place down-to-earth and cozy. The place is so inviting that you'd actually think that you're just going to grab and go (as one normally would in a convenience store), but end up browsing through all the racks, picking out what you'll be eating for the next "course". Everything there is healthy, so there's not much guilt factor. Mapapa take home ka pa! The chiller is filled with salads, juices, puddings, and even fresh ginger ale. Cocolatto vegan ice cream and Picole Healthy Pops, an all-time favorite of mine, are also available.

Rows of Healthy Goodness

Their shelves are lined with more shots, homemade energy bars, natural kale chips, and mushroom chips in flavors too many to take note of. So, I guess you'll just have to check Sprout out for yourself! ;) 

Sprout Review on OpenSnap: http://www.opensnap.com/en/manila/r-sprout-makati-medical-healthy-food-r472232

Sprout
G/F Signa Designer Residences, 
Valero corner Rufino St., 
Salcedo Village, Makati City

For more restaurants and food finds, download OpenSnap app from App Store or Google Play.

Hole-y Running Trivia, Batman! (or How To Run Blister-Free)

Have you ever wondered what those extra holes in your running shoes are for? Well, get ready to be mindblown! Apparently, with just a flick of the wrist to make a loop or two, you get to run blister-free! Check the video [below] out to see how. I haven't tried it yet (mainly because I haven't had blisters from running for a while), but do let me know how it works for you! :)

Come On, Let's Run

Pacer duties debut next month. ;) Come run with me! #RunUnited2 #exceedyourself

May the 4th Be With You

Have you ever ran with Star Wars' Stormtroopers stomping alongside you? I have! Sharing this blast from the past race post today-- May 4. ;)

http://pacecreative.blogspot.com/2008/10/troopin-at-botak-run.html

PC Picks: Power Chow at Salcedo Community Market

Summer weekends are meant to be sweaty. And as long as you're not clad in office attire, welcome, even. Nope, wasn't out for a run (I ran yesterday), but for a few errands, which included a lot of eating and shopping under the sun. ;) 

Here are some of my favorite finds from Salcedo Market. All healthy, of course! 

Nat Soda Live Juice

I ventured off to the honeybee stall, Milea Bee Farm, which sells honey products. I was hoping to get a cold honey drink because it was a really hot day. They didn't have any, so I got the Yacon flavored juice (to go with my not-so-saintly burger) instead. Heehee. 

Nat Soda Live Juice are fresh fruits fermented in honey with kefir water. It's called "live" juice because of the probiotics found in the kefir, a combination of good bacteria and yeast. Yacon, a root crop that is similar to singkamas, is naturally sweet, so that means this drink is sugar-free! This also comes in other flavors: Pineapple, Butterfly Pea (floral), Pomelo, and Lipote (Philippine berry), which I'll try the next time I go back.

Kale from Down to Earth

The "It" superfood of the hour... Kale! Got this bunch from organic store, Down to Earth, which I had planned to chop up to pieces and freeze, so I'll have a steady stash ready for fruit-veggie smoothies (a la Jamba Juice).  And then I saw THIS...

Just Blend Frozen Bars from Picole Ice Pops

Aaaahhh!!! What is this bar of ingenuity that I have in my hand? ;) Oh, Picole, you homegrown brand of healthy popsicles, just when I thought that you couldn't get any better than you already are, you actually one-up yourself! Just Blend is, well, a blend of different fruits and vegetables all conveniently condensed in a frozen bar that you can easily pop in the blender for an instant smoothie fix. No ice needed!

I got a box of Just Blend's Green Glow (malunggay, kale, wheatgrass, cucumber, green apple, kiwi, lime) and Red Radiance (pomegranate, red beets, tomatoes, cranberries, washington apples, red bell peppers, red cabbage). One bar costs P43. You'll need at least two bars per serving. For less than a hundred bucks, it's way cheaper than store-bought ones or than buying all the ingredients individually. 

The Salcedo Community Market happens every Saturday from 7:00 am - 2:00 pm at  Jaime Velasquez Park along Salcedo Street, Makati City.

Paces & Places: Playground

Paces & Places: 6:06 A.M. City of Dreams, Aseana City

To run, to dream...

In this vast world of possibilities.

How was your run today? :)

Tidbits from Tokyo Marathon 2015

Tokyo Marathon 2015

42.195 kilometers and 3°C worth of "ganbattes!", shots of Pocari Sweat, assorted chocolates, frozen bananas, piping hot tea, dancers, cheering squads, cosplayers... #TokyoMarathon2015, you were a blast! :)