Volunteer Duties at Color Manila Run 2013

The best way to start the running year is to begin with "flying" colors.

The first organized fun run for this year, Color Manila Run 2013, literally made this a possibility. Pigments of five different colors each stationed along the race route flying in the air is the highlight of this fun run for a cause.

Let's have a background review of the event shall we? Okay, here it goes. This event was organized by Proactive (Yes, Brooks Run Happy, Immuvit, Kellog's Run for a Healthy Filipina and Adidas King of the Road).

The beneficiaries of this run for a cause are Republikha (a non-stock, non-profit organization that reaches out to children through music. Sharing messages that teach them to build and not destroy. It is their goal to shape the nation using the power of music) and Hop-E (a foundation moving towards helping eradicate poverty through the four elements, Education, Empowerment, Employment, and Events. They are now giving free education to the children and parents mountains of Rizal amongst other things).

I got the chance to become a volunteer when someone from my Facebook friends shared a link to a blog entry of jhamjhamrunner that is looking for volunteers for the said event. I was one of the lucky ones who were chosen. Before I was chosen, I was also contemplating to sign up for this event as I was sold with the idea of running in clouds of different colors.

Going back, call time for volunteers is 3:00 AM. After almost everyone was at the meeting place, we immediately went together as a team (I was sneaking in and out of the group to shoot some photos) to the baggage counter area and was provided with what we needed. Color-coded uniforms, breakfast, and most importantly, the blower that we will use to create a "cloud effect". Group picture of volunteers can be seen here in my Tumblr post.

Team uniforms :)

One blower for each color station.

I was tasked to handle the blower for our team (I was with the blue team) and I can't wait to get my hands on the equipment. I know, but it was my first time so bear with me will you?

Audition for the movie SAW?

Breakfast done, it was a short briefing session with all teams before we got deployed along the race course. DOs and DONTs were discussed and after that, a short demo on how to start up and operate the blowers were shown.

Race briefing moments before we got deployed.

Demo time! I cant wait to try this one out for myself!

After the discussion, we were all set, teams got deployed one by one and when we were dropped off to our station, we immediately huddled up and prepared the necessary stuff. Plastic drums containing blue pigments were positioned strategically along the route (we had to cover two sides for the runners coming and going back) so we, as a team, had to manage our blue pigment supplies so that everyone has a chance to "be blue".

"Before" picture of the Blue Team

It was fun to be interactive this time. The two times I was a volunteer last year was manning a hydration station-turned a participant in Lace Up! For Anika and was taking pictures on the recently-concluded Rescue Run 2012. This time it was different, and this time interaction with runners will be top-priority. I was fortunate enough to be part of this and experience the event from a volunteer's perspective.

The race started. When runners started to come to our station, all hell broke loose! Clouds of blue pigments in the air, runners showered with blue colored powders (flour, actually) and I was busy trying to put as much blue to the runners using the blower with the assistance of another volunteer. It was tough to be consistently holding the blower while trying to direct the powder to the passing runners.

Some were okay with it, some tried to avoid the shower of blue (killjoy!), others were lying on the ground and trying to put more blue pigments onto their backs. After the smoke has settled and all runners passed by, it was time for us to clean up. But before doing our clean up chores, we had to pose for a quick photo to immortalize our activity together.

"After" picture of the Blue Team - we became the Smurfs!
Photo Credit: Cleodelia Armendez

Then after the photo-op, we went on and tried to sweep as much blue powder into a decent area on the street for the final clean up from the organizers. After doing some clean-up, we went back to the same assembly area for debriefing and breakfast.

Of course, I had to have a photo lying on the blue pigments before we did the sweeping and clean up.
 
Some observations:

• The event attracted new runners, offering a rather shorter distance without limiting the amount of fun participants got
• It was nice to play around while doing a morning run
• It was a challenge to be a volunteer this time as we needed to be actively hurling the colored powders to the passing runners
• Saw more families with their kids doing a morning run, a promising sight for all of us I should say
• Huge activity area, with a local jeepney parked for photo-op
• Overall, it was fun from beginning to end

It was an honor to be part of this and to be able to contribute to the success of this event. I have heard some positive feedback and minimal complaints. This should be a good foundation for future events of this type.

Now, how about Color Run takes a tour in the Philippines?

That would be awesome!

Triple D: The Down 'n Dirty Dash

"Are you ready to get down and dirty?"

This is not your usual event. You red the tagline right. It's time to literally "get down and dirty" and at the same time help promote a cause spearheaded by Project Pink, a support group that aims to promote breast cancer awareness among Filipina women (who are most prone to the disease, compared to most Asian women). One big step to prevention is proper education and information dissemination about this type of disease.

Forget the time and the competition!
Here's a race where you can just have pure, clean dirty fun!

Ladies, it’s time you forget your usual fun run routine. Hang up your singlets and unlace your trainers as we bring you The Down and Dirty Dash, the first all-women mud run happening on December 1, Saturday, in Nuvali, Sta. Rosa.

The Down and Dirty Dash (or Triple D as we love to call it) is a three-kilometer fun run through a muddy obstacle course (Ladies are going to get down and dirty by going through 5 muddy challenges in order to attain special prizes), shying away from the usual fun run by adding its own distinct female flavor: dirty women. And no, we don’t mean the vulgar type!

Inspired by Go Dirty Girl, a mud run pioneered in the United States, Triple D aims to promote Confidence, Camaraderie, and Empowerment. It is an event for women, made by women - a day where women can simply have fun, hang out with their girl friends and let their hair down.

Forget the meek and weak stereotype. Triple D is a testament to the strong, independent Filipina. She is the modern Maria Clara who’s out to prove that just like any guy, she knows how to get down and dirty – and she’s not afraid to show it.

More importantly, Triple D shows that beneath the modern Filipina’s strength and confidence awaits a compassionate heart. Triple D gives every Filipina not only a day of pure, dirty fun but also the chance to stand up in the fight against breast cancer. Now, isn’t that a cause worth getting down and dirty for?

Here is a short clip as a teaser for the event:

For women of all ages and from all walks of life, get ready for a day of mud, sweat, and un-clean fun! It’s a dirty experience you’ll never forget. Because hey… sometimes it’s okay to run like a girl.

Convinced? Then go to the nearest registration site as shown in the photo below (just click to enlarge). This is one good way to start the so-called "Christmas Month". Remember, registration ends on November 24, so hurry up!

But wait, there's more! An all-exclusive MALE ONLY wave (by popular demand! - you guys are just resilient and won't give up, do you?) dubbed as "Run for you Girl" is also opened for our male population (limited slots only). The girls who had their guys run for them sure are lucky :)

The Down and Dirty Dash is produced by Event Horizon Productions. Find out more about the event by logging on to their official site: www.thedownanddirtydash.com. You may also like them on Facebook: facebook.com/thedownanddirtydash

 

RunRio: Run United Philippine Marathon 2012

October 28, 2012
Accomplices: HyperSports Reserved Energy Team and I AMdatex Happy Runner
Venue: (Bonifacio Global City going to) SM Mall of Asia

"I’m a distance runner; I’ve been trained to keep going, even when it’s hard. When it hurts. When it sucks. When I don’t want to. Call it what you want; stubbornness, endurance, guts, determination. But deep down, I don’t know how to give up. And it’s always worth it in the end."

The event most of us runners are waiting for! We all want to be part of history and that was what we did! By joining our respective running distances, we made sure that we are part of the first-ever Run United Philippine Marathon 2012. Since majority of us are running 21k, we have decided to run with our HyperSports training shirts to join in celebration of this first-ever.

Days before this event, there were a lot of worries that the weather could be the same (more or less) as Run United 3 2012 last September 16, 2012. It was as if the weather gave us runners the scare but did cooperate come Sunday morning. The weather was perfect for a long run. The gun start for the 42k and 21k categories are just right.

We were early at the starting line and had a chance to have a quick photo-op while waiting for the gun start of the 42k event. It was nice meeting running friends at the event.

Between marathoners and HyperSports mainstays - Jose Ramizares and John Paul Lipardo

With the guys at the office - I AMdatex Happy Runner

Since one of us is running a full marathon, I was very fortunate enough to become a spectator while waiting for my gun time at 4:00am. I got to see off John Paul with his 42k journey.

After that, I finally met with the other mainstays of HyperSports. As we all have agreed, we will try to do the 3-1 (3 minutes run and 1 minute walk) intervals as part of our training for our own marathon on February 24, 2013. While waiting for our gun start a group picture is in order.

Photo Credit: Running Photographers|RookieShots

The 21k participants were set off by Philippine basketball legends Benjie "The Tower of Power" Paras and Ronnie "Point Lauriat" Magsanoc. Too bad we were on the outer part of the starting line and was not able to see these two up close.

The eager 21k runners :)

Just a little more and we will be off...

And finally, we were set off almost exactly at 4:00am. From that moment on, we have employed the 3-1 interval. This was my first time to apply the said technique and I was surprised with the result. Lack of training over the past week did me in but for the first 10 kilometers, I was okay. In my previous half-marathon attempts, I was almost spent on my 10th kilometer and had to walk most of the time on my second half.

Go HyperSports!

Photo Credit: Running Photographers|RookieShots

I was way ahead by more than 15-30 minutes of my target finish time until my legs start to cramp up so I walked most of the last 3 kilometers going to the finish line. It didn't matter though. I was happy to cross the finish line together with my friends at HyperSports. The time is still over 3 hours but finished 7 or 8 minutes earlier. I need to train my bladder more, precious time was spent using two portalets along the way. I also stopped at every hydration station during this race. If those can be minimized, I think my time would be better. Room for improvement :)

With first time half-marathoners, Angel and Tiffany.

Though we finished the race, we had to wait for one of our friend who suffered an injury along the route but was determined enough not to quit and finish the race. In doing so, she made us all proud and earned high respect as a runner. If that would have happen to an ordinary individual, they may take the easy way out and quit. Not this runner. Congratulations HyperModel Jonah May Trapal!

There she is! Own own HyperModel Jonah :)

Teary-eyed and all (SINONG NAGPAIYAK KAY JONAH? ^_^), Jonah finished her 21k run running with her heart when her legs almost gave up on her. Athlete fact: The amount of pain we can endure defines us.

We are proud of you! (You can cry now; tears of joy I presume )

I had to wait for another friend who ran a full marathon. By around 9:30am, he crossed the finish line and was awarded by the finisher's medal by Coach Rio Dela Cruz himself no less. Congratulations Hyper John Paul Lipardo.

While waiting for these guys to cross the finish line, I took a chance to sneak in at the Alaxan booth to have a photo taken with our very own "Pambansang Kamao" and two pretty ring girls :)

Kasama pala namin si Benjie Paras :D

After it was all said and done, all that is left is to have the moment immortalized. Another photo-op is in order before having our breakfast!

"We don't remember days. We remember moments."

This is one unforgettable event and we are part of history! Just the thought of that means a lot for us participants. Well, what can I say? The event was well-attended and well-rounded in terms of everything. There are still flaws (loyalty shirt verification and claiming, lack of hydration stations for the 42k runners I heard) which the organizers should be learning from on a go-forward basis and is due for an improvement.

We ate a late breakfast and I went straight home to rest. Here is my loot for this historical day: Run Loyalty Shirt (for actively participating on all four legs of this series including this historic event), 21k Finisher Shirt, 21k Finisher Medal, Finisher Bag and add-on from our distance sponsor - Alaxan FR Sunvisor and Alaxan FR drawstring bag.

Until next year! Hoping to see the minor flaws improved and a better running experience for all of us. Until the next event. Train hard, run happy!

Run United 3 2012

September 16, 2012
Accomplices: John Paul Lipardo, Liezel Hermedilla, Alfie Raposon, Rocel Poblete, Niño Mark Joseph Ili, Jayson Agustin, Jordan Fajardo, Kenneth Paolo Bautista, Wheng Dela Paz, Catherine Mariano, Arriane Custodio
Venue: (Bonifacio Global City to) SM Mall of Asia

The question on last week's post: What is better than running?
The answer last week: Running with friends.

Question for this week: What is better than running with friends?
Answer for this week: Running with friends under the heavy downpour.

It was raining all day since Saturday. Our HyperSports Get Fit Session at Bonifacio Global City that was supposed to be on a Saturday afternoon before Run United 3 got postponed due to the uncooperative weather. More sleep for me on a Saturday.

That long sleep did me wonders. Comparing my performance from my first (Run United 2 2012) and second (HyperSports Get Fit Run 2012) attempts to finish a half marathon, the third attempt was better than the first two. Granted that my time was still similar to the previous finishes, this one was different. The first two finishes were very painful, I was very, very sore the following morning. Not this time. The pain was minimal and tolerable and it could have helped that unlike the first two finishes were completed alone, this time for most of the course, I was running with at least a buddy by my side.

Anyway back to the story, all runners were praying for a more improved weather on race day. That didn't quite happen. 32k runners who began their quest for the third piece of medal at 3:00am can tell that at stages of the run were "unforgiving" due to the heavy downpour and strong winds, same with us 21k runners who began at 4:00am. Well, that didn't stop me and the entire delegation of weekend warriors to finish our respective categories.

It was nice to run under the rain, it was cool and refreshing. The downside, if your camera is not waterproof, it's going to be useless until the weather improves. So much for that, fortunately one of my friend has a waterproof digital camera (which he only brought out on the 17th kilometer, he must be really focused to finish strong on his first attempt of a half-marathon) so good news! I have at least one assured "running in action" picture for the event a a flyover :)

Photo Credit: Alfie Raposon

By the 18th kilometer, I was running alone because I had to make a quick stop at a nearby portalet at the final U-turn for 21k. Enter my two HyperSports training buddies, Catherine Mariano and Arriane Custodio. We were under the impression that we will be finishing the race together, until all 21k runners had to make a right turn towards the finish line at Macapacal Avenue and 32k runners had to go straight and complete another turn at the Mall of Asia Globe. So much for our dramatic finish together, anyway, we agreed to meet later after they finish their run :(

Upon finishing, I hurriedly went to the finisher's area to get my loot bag and finisher shirt, I needed to ensure I got 2XL this time. True enough, as if all things are going for me on that morning, I got my size. And while waiting for my two Hyper Running/Training buddies, I went around the race village. Met Running Atom (seems like we keep on bumping with each other on races see: HyperSports Get Fit Run 2012 and 36th Milo National Marathon Manila Eliminations) who gladly took a photo of me with my medal :)

I also got to see another HpyerFriend and proud 32k finisher, Victor Cruz enjoying his breakfast at the media tent.

I also got my photos taken with the assistance of running friends Jordan Fajardo, Jayson Agustin and Niño Mark Joseph Ili. Here are some where I am proudly wearing my 21k Finisher's Medal:

 
After confirmation SMS that the two were done in their 32k run, I had to "harass" them to finish stamping out their "quest papers" from major and minor sponsors to get a free tote bag. Well, we succeeded in doing that with plenty of time to spare. We can now begin to call them "The Tote Bag Girls" Good Job!!!

Got my tote bag too!

We had a quick breakfast after this and did some sightseeing around the mall while waiting for Manila International Book Fair. Here are the rewards for finishing the 21k category of the third leg of this trilogy:

It was a good run at least for me. This is one experience I will remember and will be building motivation moving forward in preparation for my dream marathon next year. Organized races are not perfect, I am just happy that I ran this race with my friends. I will be resting and will be doing an "easy" 5k run on the 23rd of September for Rexona Run 2012. See you on the road guys. Don't stop running :)