Men’s Health Philippines Urbanathlon and Festival 2012

October 14, 2012

Accomplices: John Paul Lipardo, Liezel Hermedilla, Catherine Mariano, Arriane Custodio, Jobert Dela Victoria, Jennifer Bayani, Catherine Manuel, Hector Viado Padrigo, Running Atom

Venue: SM Mall of Asia

With the recent postponement of 7-Eleven Run 800, we had to take the opportunity to join this year's Men’s Health Philippines Urbanathlon 2012. I missed this event last year because it was held the very same day with Run United 3 last November 13, 2011.

This time, we will not let the opportunity pass. Got our kits and prepared. Won a couple of free kits which was passed on to friends which made this event more memorable. Most of my friends and regular running buddies signed up for 10k run with obstacles. This should be interesting and challenging.

Getting ready...

Let us revisit some highlights of the event shall we? It was a little dark at the beginning...

Photo Credit: John Paul Lipardo

The 21k gunstart was a bit late but the 10k was just right on time. We started at the end of the pack but immediately caught up with the rest because of the first obstacle - the Vertical Climb! We were very fortunate to have our photos taken by photographers who covered the event. Here are some:

Photo Credit: Manghusi PhotoShop | Rexie Jane

Photo Credit: Running Photographer's | Belle

Next off to the second obstacle - going over the Container Van! As expected, the queue of people is starting to build up. That gave us some opportunity for a quick photo-op.

Running friends while waiting for our turn to go over the container van.

The long queue I stated earlier!

Photo Credit: Running Photographer's | GP

After completing the second obstacle, we immediately ran a few more to reach the third obstacle which has two parts - the Parallel Bars and Monkey Bars. There we were greeted with another challenging task.

Photo Credit: Running Photographer's | Yani C

Photo Credit: Running Photographer's | Yani C

Photo Credit: Running Photographer's | JB Alcanites

Afterwards, we went up front at mall of Asia for the fourth obstacle, the Steeple Chase wherein we needed to go over four hurdles to get through.

It was challenging but doable :)

Photo Credit: Running Photographer's | Riza 

Photo Credit: Running Photographer's | Riza 

Photo Credit: Running Photographer's | Riza

Then, it was all running going to Macapagal Boulevard to Coastal Mall route then back to SM Mall of Asia, it was a long run so to speak but was just right to prepare us for the fifth obstacle, the Quantum Leap. It got a little crowded but it was okay. Here are some pictures while we are waiting for our turn to try the obstacle:

Photo Credit: Running Photographer's | Running Berto 

Photo Credit: Running Photographer's | Running Berto 

Photo Credit: Running Photographer's | Running Berto

Last two! That was our battle cry after completing the Quantum Leap. Next up was the Scaffolding Maze. Same thing with the Quantum Leap, we needed to go over and under the bars alternately. This time, the obstacle was not crowded because...

Photo Credit: Running Photographer's | m4

Photo Credit: Running Photographer's | m4

After that, it was the last kilometer and obstacle. Most runners were held up here because of the tough challenge of going over a couple of high walls (hence called Wall Climb). Save the best for last as they say!

Photo Credit: John Paul Lipardo

Photo Credit: John Paul Lipardo 

Photo Credit: Running Photographer's | Jhun-B

Finally, after completing all seven obstacles, it was a mad sprint towards the finish line. Photographers were strategically situated all over the course and we were very fortunate to have a photo taken with the MoA Eye as our background while running towards the finish line. Here is that glorious moment:

Photo Credit: Manghusi PhotoShop | Rexie Jane

Photo Credit: Manghusi PhotoShop | Rexie Jane

The rewards of completing our respective courses:

What can I say? Overall, the event was good. The hosting of Rovilson Fernandez was superb, celebrity sightings were abundant. There was that competitive spirit and the most important element, we enjoyed this event. The organizers did a good job though there are still some points for improvement like most events do. Anyways, If I would rate this event and for a first timer, out of 5 starts and 5 being the highest, this would be rated as 4 of 5.

Until next year! I hope this event would not be held simultaneously with another big event. That would make my decision-making hard XD

Until then, train hard, rest well and don't forget to have fun!

Alam Mo Ba?

Alam mo ba na ang pinakamahirap na gawin ng isang babae?

Yun ay ang ipagtapat niya sa iyo yung tunay niyang nararamdaman, kasi babae siya. Hindi habang buhay kaya niyang itago yung nararamdaman niya.

Sabihin mo man na malandi siya or liberated dahil siya ang nagtapat sa iyo, hindi niya kasalanan yun. Hindi ka naman niya mamahalin kung hindi mo siya binigyan ng dahilan para mahalin ka niya.
Soource: W a G a S

 

Not Meant to be Together

Some people are meant to fall in love with each other but not meant to be together.

Pansamantalang kaligayahan, pansamantalang pagsasama pero sa huli may isang mang-iiwan. Yung akala mo na makakasama mo forever eh iiwan ka din pala. Yung tipong hindi mo inimagine na hindi kayo magkakahiwalay pero nangyari. Siguro ganon lang talaga ang buhay may mga taong dadaan sa buhay mo, papasayahin ka, gagawin kang special sa buhay niya, ipaparamdam sayo na ikaw lang talaga pero yung ginagawa niya sa iyo hindi rin para pangmatagalan. Ma-iinlove ka sa kaniya, ma-iinlove din siya sa iyo pero hindi talaga kayo para sa isa’t isa, hindi pala talaga kayo yung itinadhana na magkasama.

Iba't-ibang Uri ng Taong May Masamang Ugali

Ang mga sumusunod na uri ay mula sa aking masusing pananaliksik. Ang sinumang tamaan ay huwag magagalit. Ito ay di ko nilikha para manakit ng aking kapwa. Salamat sa inyong pang-unawa.

Ang insecure.
Tila hindi mapakali kapag hindi nadadaig ang taong kinaiinggitan niya. Style ng mga ganitong tao ang makipagkaibigan sa mga tao’ng labis nilang gusto’ng matalo. Naniniwala sila sa kasabihang “know your enemies”. Para sa kanila, isa itong mabisang paraan para mapabagsak ang kanilang itinuturing na kaaway.

Ang Plastic.
Mga taong nakangiti sa iyo pero sisiraan ka pagtalikod mo. Kadalasang may kaugnayan ang mga ganitong tao sa mga insecure. Ang ibang taong plastic naman, ginagamit ang pagiging plastic nila para di makasakit ng kapwa. Kumbaga, style nila yon para din a humaba ang usapan. Ayaw ng away kuno. Sa halip na iwasan, suot-suot nila ang kanilang pekeng ngiti sa kanilang mga mukha.

Ang Industrial Fan.
Isa’ng uri ng tao na ubod ng yabang. Hindi mo na kakailanganin ng aircon kapag kausap mo ang taong ito. Sa sobrang kayabangan niya, magagawa nitong mapalipad ang buong SM Mall of Asia dahil sa lakas ng taglay nitong hangin. Pero huwag ka, karamihan sa mga pinagyayabang nito ay walang katotohanan.

Ang Supersawsaw.
Mga taong mahilig umepal. sa mga bagay o isyu na kahit bali-baligtarin natin ang mundo eh indi naman talaga karapat-dapat na pakialaman. Kapuna-puna ang kaepalan kahit na maliwanag pa sa sikat ng araw na indi naman kailangan sumali eh pilit pa ring isinisiksik ang sarili na parang mga ipis na sumusuot sa isang butas habang ini-spray-an ng baygon.

Ang Silent Mode.
Mga taong walang pakialam sa ibang tao. Mabibingi ka sa katahimikan ng mga ito. Ibang iba sa mga supersawsaw na talagang madaldal. Tila naputulan ng dila ang mga ito dahil sa tipid ng mga sagot sa taong nagtitiyagang kumausap sa kanya. Bukambibig: Yup. Ahh. Ok lang. Ok.

Ang Pikon.
Mga taong di marunong tumanggap ng joke. Wala sa bokabularyo nila ang kasabihang “Ang Pikon ay Laging Talo”. Laging sineseryoso ang bawat biro na lumalabas mula sa bibig kahit ng kanilang mismong kaibigan.

Ang Indiyan.
Mga taong mahilig magsabi na pupunta o darating siya sa mga lakad at gimmicks pero di naman susulpot at magiging drawing na lang. Nang-iindiyan. Asahan mong biglang magkakaroon ng maraming dahilan para makalusot sa di pagtupad sa kanyang ipinangako. Wala sa bokabularyo ang salitang “commitment”.

Source: duhyahnaarawr.tumblr.com

Goodbye 7-Eleven Run800, Hello Men's Health Urbanathlon and Festival 2012

The unfortunate happened. 7-Eleven Run800 was postponed and moved way, way next year. January 20, 2012. Fortunately, registered runners were allowed to have refunds. You know the next thing happened here.

Without wasting any precious moment, I immediately grabbed my refund and found myself at R.O.X. and signing up for Men's Health Urbanathlon and Festival 2012 which is supposed to be held the same date with the first mentioned running event. We wanted to try that one since the route is new but the schedule next year is too much to wait.

That's me holding the event singlet, the finisher's shirt (for all) and biting the lanyard (for all). I think this is a blessing.

I am excited for my first run with various obstacles. Everything happens for a reason and it's just pure blessing that I have the chance to experience to participate in another event that would test my physical and mental toughness. To know more about the event, check out Pinoyfitness.com and Takbo.PH; see you on the road guys :)