http://runningenthusiast.net/

Guys, the Running Enthusiast finally got a home. I've already transferred to http://runningenthusiast.net/ All the latest updates about me and running can now be found on my dot net site. Thank you very much!

New Home

Guys, I'm transferring to a new home for my running blog: http://runningenthusiast.wordpress.com/

Random Thoughts will still be available on the same site.

Hope everyone who supported my blogspot site (wish!) will still appreciate the wordpress version.

I'm slowly transferring the blogs that I'm following to my new home. Didn't realize that I'm following hundred of blogs since I started in April.

To those who are asking, I won't delete my blogspot for 'sentimental' purposes (naks!).

See you at my new home and continue supporting us!

The Million-Hectare Challenge

I received this invite from Haribon Foundation and they are organizing a run and pledges to save 1M hectares of Philippine rain forest. Below are the details:

WHAT IS THE MILLION HECTARE CHALLENGE?

The Million Hectare Challenge 2010 (MHC2010) is a pledge run that aims to raise
awareness and funds for the Rainforestation Organizations and Advocates to 2020 (ROAD to 2020), an environmental conservation movement to restore one million hectares of our rainforests using native tree species by year 2020. Now on its fourth year, the MHC2010 has both a competitive and a non-competitive component that will be held on Sunday, November 21, 2010 at McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. Pledge walkers and runners may choose to accept the challenge of completing up to 10 kilometers, while racers must choose to compete in a race category, 3K, 5K or 10K.

In the last three years, The Million Hectare Walk held yearly in November from? 2007 to 2009 helped us reach out to more than 1,000 individuals to raise awareness on biodiversity and forest protection through lectures, discussions and presentations. We were able to network with various sectors that enabled us to plant more than 10,000 native trees to address habitat loss and climate change.

WHAT IS A PLEDGE RUN?

A pledge run unites individuals or teams to a common cause. Restoration of our rainforests or the Road to 2020 campaign is a cause that Filipinos can rally towards. It aims to bring back Philippine rainforests in order to recover and conserve biodiversity, optimize our supply of forest benefits and ecosystem services such as provision of food, and non-timber forest products, clean air, clean water, reduce the risk of natural hazards and enhance options for sustainable livelihood. Armed with this common vision, participants raise money or pledges from friends, families and co-workers.

WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE?

Anyone who wants to bring back our natural forests can be a participant. There is no age limit. Be a team leader and form a group. The more team members you have, the more people will become aware and able to take part in this conservation movement.

ARE THERE ANY FEES?

We have kept the registration fee low – P350.00 (children up to 12 years old and Haribon Members (on active status) and P400 (regular) to ensure the widest possible participation. There are no required pledge commitments in order to participate but everyone is encouraged to get pledges.

HOW MANY PARTICIPANTS DO WE NEED?

We need to have 3,000 registered participants this year. The more participants, the more pledges, the more money we will be able to raise. With this money, the more trees we can plant and expand our natural forests, the better for our natural forests to continue to provide ecological services not only for our benefit but even those of the next generation.

HOW MUCH CAN BE RAISED?

Our goal is to raise at least P3 million this year. The potentials are tremendous. A pledge by one person can be as high as Twenty Thousand Pesos (P25,000.00). Just think - if 3,000 participants can each pledge at least P1,000, we will have raised P3,000,000! Remember, this is for our environment, our future including those of our children’s and beyond. No amount is too small and every peso counts!

WHAT CAN BE CONSIDERED PLEDGES?

Pledges can be a fixed donation that is paid upon registration. Pledges can be raised from employers or friends and family by committing to attain a certain distance travelled (either through walking or running) or time completing the run. Pledges can be raised by being a volunteer during the event. Even as a volunteer you can commit to raise pledges. The key is participation! Corporate supporters can also become event partners or match employees’ donations/pledges.


WHAT IF WE ARE NOT AVAILABLE ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT?

No problem! You can still participate by supporting participants as you donate, pledge and collect pledges for your registered participant(s).

HOW DO WE RAISE PLEDGES?

The suggested minimum pledge is One Hundred Pesos (P100.00) and this is equivalent to a native tree to be planted in a critical watershed area. There are no total pledge or goal minimums.

1. No amount is too small - it is the nature of pledges, that lots of small donations combine to become a big contribution. Every peso counts!
2. You can pledge yourself! Be your own donor.
2. You can recruit pledges from family, friends, teachers, neighbors, co-workers, church- mates, classmates, etc. If you have ever sponsored someone in another event, it's time for them to return the favor.
3. It is easier to collect the donation once a pledge is made. There may be difficulty on collecting after the event.
4. We encourage the formation of informal teams for more participation.
5. If payments are in cheque, please remind them that the check be payable to Haribon Foundation.
6. Talk to your Human Resources Department about Employer Matching Gifts. See if your company will match all or a portion of your total pledges.

HOW DO WE REGISTER OUR PLEDGES?

Download the pledge form from Haribon’s website: http://www.haribon.org.ph. Upon payment of the registration fee, you will be given a unique registration number which becomes the participant identification number (PIN). Indicate the PIN in the Registration form and pledge sheet. There are two ways you can register your pledges.

1. Write down the amount of pledges you have raised by indicating payment details in the pledge sheet and submit this to Haribon together with the payment. Make sure you write down your PIN in the pledge sheet to facilitate ease in recording.

2. Your sponsors can pay directly to Haribon using various modes of payment using the sponsor’s pledge form. Don’t forget to write down your (PIN) in the sponsor’s pledge form in order for their donations to be credited to you.

All pledges must be turned over to Haribon on or before December 15, 2010.

HOW DO I REGISTER AND PARTICIPATE?

1. Complete the Registration Form, submit by fax (434-4696) or email to mhc@haribon.org.ph or drop it off at the Haribon office: 973 Aurora Boulevard, 2nd floor Santos & Sons Building, Cubao, Quezon City. Make sure you sign the waiver before submitting the form to Haribon. Upon payment of the registration fee, you will be given a confirmation letter (if payment is made via internet or mobile phone) and an official receipt if payment is made at the office. You will then be given a participant identification number (PIN) which should be copied onto the top right-hand corner of the registration and pledge forms. All donations/pledges obtained should have your PIN so that these can be attributed to you.

2. Recruit others if you want to form your own team so you can walk or run together as a group, and ask everyone in the team to register.

3. Collect pledges from family, friends, neighbors, schoolmates, workmates or church- mates, etc. Use the Pledge Form and complete the needed information.

4. Pay Registration Fees or pledges. Fees are P400.00, and P350.00 for children 12 years old and below and Haribon members on active status. Payment of Registration Fees and pledges can be made by doing any of the following:

a) Cash or Check (CC)- Pay with cash or a check made out to Haribon Foundation. Haribon Office: 2nd floor Santos and Sons Bldg., 973 Aurora Blvd., Cubao QC. Please ask for your Official Receipt; or

b) Bank Deposit (BD): Go to any BPI branch and deposit amount to Haribon’s BPI Account (Kalayaan Branch) – Peso SA 1993-0767-47. Please scan and send a copy of your deposit slip together with the registration/sponsor’s pledge form via email to mhc@haribon.org.ph or fax to 434-4696 (attn: MHC2010) Don't forget to include your name, PIN (of host runner/walker if paying for a pledge) and the purpose of deposit- “Haribon MHC” on deposit slip;

c) www.bpiexpressonline.com (BP): if you are enrolled to the online facility, log on to their website and go to Payments & Reloading. You must first enroll Haribon Foundation (HFMEMB) as a biller and type in the Haribon account number in the reference # field (1993-0767-47) and then proceed to Bills Payment. Follow the prompts. Please make sure to email a copy of your payment confirmation to mhc@haribon.org.ph and indicate your name, PIN (of your host runner/walker, if paying for a pledge) and purpose of payment- “Haribon MHC” in your email.

d) Credit card thru PayEasy (PE) go to www.haribon.org.ph and click on Donate. Follow prompts. Please make sure to email a copy of the PayEasy confirmation at mhc@haribon.org.ph. Do not forget to indicate your name, PIN (of your host runner/walker, if paying for a pledge) and purpose of deposit- “Haribon MHC” in your email; or,

e) Visit us: Haribon Office address- 2F Santos and Sons Bldg., # 973 Aurora Boulevard, Cubao, Quezon City from Monday to Friday from 9AM- 5PM or in designated registration outlets within MM

Deadline for the submission of registration forms and payment of registration fees is on November 16, 2010.

5. All validated and verified deposits will be issued official receipts by Haribon Foundation. These may obtained on or before the day of the event.

6. After paying for the registration fee, you may claim your MHC Kit at the Haribon Office or designated pick-up points (starting October 15, 2010. Pls be ready to show your official receipt/deposit slip and confirmation email from Haribon. Kits will not be released without the required documents. You may also have a representative pick it up on your behalf together with a valid ID and Letter of Authorization. Should you fail to receive a confirmation email from Haribon after submitting proof of payment, please call our attention on this matter using the phone numbers given below.

ARE DONATIONS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE?

Only corporate donations to Haribon Foundation are tax deductible. Haribon will issue certificates of donation to donating corporations requesting for it.

WHERE IS THE RACE ROUTE?

The Million Hectare Walk 2010 will be held at the McKinley Hill, Bonifacio Global City. There will be three race distances: 3k, 5k and 10k. See attached race route for your reference. Events will begin at these times:

5:30am 10k

5:35am 5k

5:40am 3k

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES TO BE GIVEN DURING THE EVENT?

The cash prizes for the race are the following:

1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place
10k Php6,000 Php4,000 Php2,000
5k Php4,000 Php3,000 Php1,000
3k Php1,500 Php750 Php 500

Special awards will be given on the following categories:

1) Highest amount of pledges raised by an individual
2) Highest amount of pledges raised by a team
3) Most number of members in a team
4) Largest number of members of a family registered as a team
5) Highest amount of pledges raised by a 10k runner
6) Highest amount of pledges raised by a 5k runner
7) Highest amount of pledges raised by a 3k runner
8) Oldest registered participant
9) Youngest registered participant
10) MHC runner of the day (M/F)
11) Haribon Trivia winner


WILL THERE BE MARKETING MATERIALS?

Yes, marketing and reference materials are posted on our web site. You can print them and distribute them to your supporters and recruited walkers.? You may also request for posters for your companies/organizations/schools by contacting Haribon through its email or phone numbers given below.

For more details please click HERE.

Steps to Efficient Running

For those who wanted to start running, here are some basic steps that you can follow:

Run tall. Gravity and weak core muscles cause many runners to “fold” in the middle when their feet land. This sitting-down movement wastes energy. Imagine that wires are attached to your shoulders, pulling you up slightly. Thrust your hips forward a bit and think “stability” when your foot hits. It’s easier to run tall if you’ve worked your core properly.

Relax. Tension in your arms, shoulders, neck, and face reduces efficiency. Arms and fingers should be loose. Unclench your hands and let your jaw jiggle.

Breathe right. Your breathing should be rhythmic and deep, and you should feel your diaphragm, not your chest, doing the work. Exhale with controlled force. When you pick up the pace, don’t let your breathing get shallow.

Land on the midfoot. A heel-first landing is a brake. It means you’re extending your leg out too far in front of your center of gravity, so it takes more energy to move forward. And it’s shaky, so your muscles are working on stabilization instead of forward motion. Shorten your stride. It’ll feel odd at first, like shuffling, but once you get used to it, focus on thrusting backward with force.

Run softly. The louder your footfalls, the less efficiently you’re running. Try running more quietly; you’ll be unconsciously switching to a midfoot strike and a shorter, quicker stride.

Swing symmetrically. Check your form on a treadmill in front of a mirror. If one arm is bent more than the other or swings more, you have a musculoskeletal imbalance that can slow you down. Target the weaker side with strength and flexibility exercises.

(http://ririanproject.com/2007/10/22/10-benefits-of-running-and-how-to-do-it/)

I'm guilty of landing on my heels. This is a work in progress. Hopefully I can perfect my form.

See you guys!

Moving to A New Home

I'm slowly moving to a new home...for my blog.

Currently doing some parallel postings to make sure both are updated while I'm still fixing some stuff in Wordpress.

Click HERE to see the new site.

Weekend Review

October 16, 2010

I did my final LSD prior to KOTR last Saturday and that was one hell of a run!

Met up with Jerry (a dailymile friend) at SM Bicutan around 5:15 AM. I'm not in good shape. The week was so busy that I didn't have the chance to do short runs or exercise even. The 5-day untrained legs already felt shin splints creeping when I reached kilometer 4. This is going to be tough. I had to slow down and let Jerry do his thing alone for the meantime. My shins were really feeling bad. I must take some walking breaks every 5 minutes. That went on until we reached Villamor-Sales bridge.

We started running again when we entered Fort Bonifacio and miraculously the shin splints were gone. Still, pacing is bad. Can't keep up. Must maintain a slower pace and run-walk strategies to survive this LSD.

We finally arrived in BHS and did two rounds before heading back. We decided to pass by McKinley to hydrate and check out the place and the 'hills.' After walking a couple meters down, we decided to run up the hill. This is it! I just couldn't lift my legs anymore midway the hill. Whew!!! Felt my hamstrings really working hard. I think I should do that again as part of training to strengthen my lower extremities and prepare them for more challenging runs in the future.

I admit, going back was harder. Thank God for the cold weather. It somehow helped me to continue on pushing and finish the run.

Upon reaching our 21st kilometer, I really decided to walk. My legs were too numb at this point. They're really heavy. Walking was difficult too.

I miss the leg pains, how it feels to be sore after running. Because when you do run 3-4 times a week, you really don't feel the pain anymore. And feeling it again is exhilarating.

October 17, 2010

Rode my bike as a recovery from Saturday's long run. It really did help a lot to lessen the leg soreness apart from compression.

The long wait is over. Here I come Pikermi!!!

Dream Marathon Journey: First Bull Session

Last night was the start of my Dream Marathon journey. I was hesitant to go at first because of the schedule, location, because I'm not feeling well, workload in the office. But because I really want this, I've decided to go and didn't care much of how I'm feeling.

Saw familiar faces, my ANR Alabang family, some guys I've already seen in races, and of course Jaymie. I really didn't get to check the number of participants in the first bull session. Got more interested with the AVPs and what the speakers would say about their experiences and get some tips from them.

In a nutshell, here's what I kept in my mini running suitcase:

• Run smart
• The importance of hydration, food intake, and training.
• Always say 'thank you.'
• Enjoy the distance
• Dedication

'Til the next bull session! Nice to see you batchmates. Hopefully by next session we get to chat and know more about eachother.