I found this video in one of the blogs in my tagsurfer.

Check out the running form of these guys … and drool. I do wish I have a much longer stride.

And yes, running can be dangerous to your mental health. Before you know it, you drool over running form first before you realize that you are watching half nekkid men running.

Running: I did 10K today. Funny how there are more skaters than runners in my temporary route. Ran an extra 500m to the shop Joy asked me to visit. Unfortunately, the bag she wanted me to get wasn’t there anymore. After my failed shopping attempt, I had chicken inasal at BBQ Park. It was another 500m to the hotel. Too full and tired. I got in the first cab I saw. Good night! 

Enjoy!

During my last work trip, I played hooky big time. 10 days and I only ran 5K. Tsk tsk tsk. And I even  had a great playground – a big lake – just across the street.

This time around I was determined to get back into base training and log my required weekly mileage. I was so desperate that I was prepared to run circles at the Iloilo sports center. Fortunately, I found this 1.2km stretch near Hotel del Rio. It’s asphalt and well lit. The view is just a bonus. And I even found a manong pacer.

I ran 9K and went home happy and pain-free. Plantar fasciitis, away!

Blogging has been a big part of my running. I process my runs through my blog entries. I vent and celebrate in it.

When I started Bananarunning it was just a way for me to ramble about running without bugging my friends too much with running stories. Along the way, I found that it has a lot of bonuses, too. Through the blog, I have connected with several runners and most of them I now consider good friends and mentors. I also feel blessed that the blog has inspired a few people to run and even embrace a healthy lifestyle.

In the two years I have been blogging, the story about two brothers, a bald runner and a guy I only know as “G” is the biggest blessing of all.

“G”

In July 2009 somebody left a comment in my blog. He said that he is a Pinoy who grew up in the States. While researching about running he found my blog. He said that it inspired and motivated him to run. Then he offered to donate a pair of running shoes and race entry to a deserving runner.

When I read the comment, I ignored it at first and allowed it to sit in the unapproved list. It was too just good to be true. It sounded like something straight out of scamlandia. 

Nevertheless, I have to admit that the comment piqued my curiosity. If the person really meant well then it would be a great opportunity to put a smile on a deserving runner with a new pair of shoes. I figured that I would be safe as long as I don’t send him too much personal information and access to my bank account.

With these in mind, I decided to send him an email and see what he was up to. After a few email exchanges, I was convinced that he was legit. He still refused to give me his name and simply signed his emails as “G”.

My next task was to find a deserving runner.

“Bald Runner”

In August 2009, Bald Runner posted an entry about a young runner who won a Street Mile race with a finish time of 4 minutes and 36 seconds. That was amazing! But the real story was in the shoes he wore at the race. It was tattered and held together by  tape. 

Later on BR gifted Duncan with a pair of Newton shoes he received through his “Project Donate a Shoe”. It was a hand me down but the smile of Duncan’s face when he received it was priceless.

In the meantime, I was still cooking up a plan/promo to find a deserving runner. I was looking for someone who can inspire and motivate others.  Yeah,  I know, I am sometimes slow on the uptake.

Finally … after G sent an email to ask about updates … I sat down and brainstormed about G’s  offer. Life, work and running was taking up too much of my time so I wasn’t able to focus on our little project. I felt guilty because I knew that I was keeping a runner from a new pair of shoes and a depriving someone a reason to smile.

I started browsing through the blogs to find an inspiration. Something clicked and felt right when I saw Duncan’s smile when he received the Newtons. I wanted to see him smile that way again. This is our deserving runner.

I immediately contacted BR and requested for Duncan’s number. After a few text messages, Duncan and I agreed to meet after the New Balance PowerRace to buy his shoes.

Two Brothers: Duncan and Derek Amarante

G and I only talked about Duncan. However, turns out there is more than 1 talented runner in the family. 

Duncan, 13yo, and Derek, 17yo, are  two talented junior runners from Balibago, Sta. Rosa, Laguna. A quick Google search would show how fast these kids can run. To illustrate, Duncan won Botak’s Street Mile race with a time of 4:36. His brother, Derek placed 2^nd in the 5K category of the Milo San Pablo City Elims with a finish time of 17:13.

They both needed a reason to smile.   

It was Duncan’s birthday last November 28, so after the NB race, I invited Duncan, Derek and their father, Darius, for breakfast with T2. 

With Darius, Derek, Harry, Smokey, Dingdong, Essie, Vince and Duncan at Kabisera

 

 

Over breakfast we exchanged running and life stories. With young runners, I always look into their eyes when they talk about running. There are some junior elites who join races for the prize money. These kids are no different. As their father said, they sometimes gamble at races. For races here in Manila, there were times when they will come with just enough money to get them to the race and will try hard to win to get them home. Now I can understand the frustration of some elite runners when they win and end up with GCs or the prizes are delayed. Sorry, I’m digressing a bit. And so we talked about Derek’s performance at NB and you can see his eyes twinkle as he related how he dueled with the top runners during the 5K. Duncan was listening raptly to his brother with the same twinkle in his eyes. I could feel their passion for running.

I also found out that they train and race in the same pair of shoes. I knew then that these kids not only deserve but also need the running shoes G and I would be buying for them.

After breakfast, we headed to Runnr. Duncan already whispered to me that he wanted a pair of Mizuno Mushas.

Erika of Runnr assisted them and made them go through the whole foot analysis sequence.

And then Duncan zeroed in on the green Mizuno Musha. They showed him other shoes but he never let go of the green Musha. Many thanks to Erika for giving us a discount and a Runnr shirt to Duncan.

Runnr didn’t have the Mizuno Wave Aero that Derek wanted so we waited a bit for Mizuno to open.

Blogging might have started as a way for me to vent and to celebrate my runs but it has turned and twisted into some very exciting experiences, encounters and escapades. 

To G, many thanks to you from me, Duncan and Derek. I only wish you were with us when we went shopping. It was a delight to see these kids pick out their shoes.

To Vince and Essie, thanks also for your birthday gift to Duncan. I passed by Mizuno at Megamall and got him the running tights he requested. He doesn’t have to hang on to the strings of his running shorts now when he is training for the steeplechase event.

It truly felt like Christmas came early for me and the Amarante Boys.

To start training again!

After resting for a few weeks, I am ready and able to start training again. The bum ankle is fine now. I was able to do the drills and workout yesterday with little to no pain. Will be attempting to run longer later.

I have also have prepared a rough training program for the season. I am still anxious about the 32K on Dec 30. It should be an interesting race for me. I think I should be fine as long as I stay away from those shots that  Team Hardcore would likely give to unsuspecting runners.  

And before I officially start training again, I would like to thank T2 for all the runs and breakfasts we shared. It’s been a great season friends. Time to get busy again.

On Saturday, I will tell you the evil plan I have for 2010…and 2011.

Can I please whine? Just this one time. Please.

I ran 5, then 8 and finally 10K last Sunday. I thought I was finally on track and back on the road. Running and rolling.

Well, this evening, I was running and almost ended up rolling down the road. I didn’t notice a the small stone on my path and stepped on it at an awkward angle. I wobbled. The ankle twisted and I ended up hobbling.

The good news is I don’t think I have a sprain. It’s just strained. If I tiptoe it doesn’t hurt. 

I had to cut short my run and  ran forefoot all the way back to BHS. 

I hope this gets better…soon.

If a Full is 42K and a Half is 21K. Do we now call this race a 3/4s?

Whatever it is, I’m registered. 

This is going to be on December 30 at Camp Aguinaldo. Four loops around the Camp. The route rolls. Be prepared, be very prepared. 

I heard that there will be beer, ice cream etc at the finish line. Nice!

This race is of course brought to you by Bald Runner. The 15K Masters that he organised a few months back was simple and well organised. They could still improve in recording the finish time of runners but the important thing was that we had sufficient water and the distance was accurate. I liked that they used smaller cups too. 

Now that I have registered for a race, I suppose its time to hit the road!

I was at the Mizuno store at BHS today and a runner came to register for the 01.10.10 race. The sales associate told him that the race has been moved to April? Been away for a bit not sure if you guys have heard about it.

Eniweis, looks like I have to revise my training program again. 

Back to the drawing board…

Update: 1 Dec 2009

Sent an email to MrBiscocho. He confirmed that new date is 11 April 2010. Ample time to train and beat our 2009 times boys and girls.

10 days was just way too long to be away from this blog. I dunno why but my connection at the hotel was problematic. I could get on the site but could not go to the Dashboard or create a new post. I just kept getting cut off. Heniweis, didn’t have much to blog about since …

It’s time to ‘fess up…

My name is Bards and I’m a slacker. My last run before my 5K today was last Nov19 and it was only 5K.

No runs but I have been walking and walking. Average of 3 hours a day. Walking out of necessity because that’s the best way to explore a city. Lots of walking too because I kept on getting lost. Plus, there is that mountain I climbed last Sunday.

Got back from NY last Nov 15 and two days later I flew to Ha Noi for work. When I landed in Ha Noi, I have to admit that I was still a bit dazed and confused. No time for jetlag though. Worked required me to hit the ground running. Plus there were just too many new things to see, taste and try.

When I wasn’t working, I was playing tourist. Can we just please count the kms I walked at cross training so I won’t feel so guilty?

SEE!

Ha Noi has a lot of tourist attractions within the city itself.  Even the old and almost rundown part of the city has interesting architecture. All new to me and very exciting. Finding the pretty. This was my motto. Sure Ha Noi is noisy, polluted and filthy but then you look up and around, you guaranteed to see something pretty.

Their houses are tall and narrow. Run down, yes, buy you can still feel the echo of its former glory. Or maybe I just inhaled too much motorbike fumes. Seriously, I find their old buildings and its intricate details very fascinating.

Here are the my favorite places in Ha Noi : 1. Temple of Literature:Very calming oasis in the middle of the city. This is the site of Viet Nam's first university. 2. Ancient House at Ma May St. A fully restored traditional house that gives visitors a glimpse of how things were before. 3. Mai Gallery: Great place to have an overview of Vietnamese modern art. Super like. It made me want to pick my brushes again. 4. Ngoc Son Temple: Easily accessible and located in the Hoan Kiem Lake. If you only have limited time (patience, desire and energy) to visit one temple then this is it. I loved their red temple doors.

Sunset over at West Lake. I always make sure that Im back in my room before sunset so I could watch it.

TASTE! Ah street food. Their streets are teeming with street food. Noodles, bbq, snails, breads, seafood and other stuff I cannot identify. No need to stick to tusok-tusok the fishball.  The tricky part is figuring out what each street resto is serving, what to order and how to make them understand what you want to eat. The easiest way to go about it is of course to go with a local. Without a local to guide you, the only option is to look at what the people beside you are eating and order the same thing.

This is my first attempt at eating streetfood in Ha Noi. After searching for the cleanest looking one. I plopped down on one of the plastic chairs and pointed. They of course started talking in Vietnamese. Busted! Foreigner.

Cà phê sữa đá or Iced coffee with milk. You have to have one. They use condensed milk and it makes the whole thing creamy and sweet.

Beer! Ha Noi Beer of course is a given. You have to taste their local brew. Also, spread around the city are microbreweries and you have to try at least one. I joined a group for a microbrewery tour and enjoyed it. The group was comprised mainly of two kinds of people: those who like to brew and those who like to drink.

A great guide of anything and everything Ha Noi for foreigners is The New Hanoian. It’s Hanoi’s community produced local expat guide. I always used this site when I needed to decide on where we would eat. Great and accurate restaurant reviews.

TRY!

If you think motorbike riders in Manila are crazy. You will need to reevaluate things when you get to Ha Noi. I swear I saw a lady texting while on her scooter. Crossing the street is always tricky when you are surrounded by motorbikes but somehow I survived. I crossed and trusted that they will not hit me. It kinda worked.

Riding a motorbike  I did. I could not take a picture though because I was hanging on for my dear life. My friend Nhi-ha took me for a spin and it was scary at first but I enjoyed it. Even if I had one eye closed most of the time, you have to give me credit for not shrieking. Not once. Silent screams hahaha.

Climbing a mountain. I never planned to but it happened. I joined a group to visit a temple and somehow we ended up in search for this big statue on top of a hill. A hill,okay. A mountain, hell no! But we kept on climbing. It would have been crazy to turn back after we have climbed sooooo far already. And the punch line of this episode…when we reached the top instead of a statue we found a sign saying that the the ground breaking was sometime January 2008. Yup, it was still under construction. One million and one steps and not a single soul was able to tell us that at the top of the mountain we will find nothing. This truly was a case of …. *hit me with some Miley* … Ain’t about how fast I get there/Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side/It’s the climb

went up the mountain with these folks. our organiser - the one in pointy shoes. so i think we were not really meant to go climbing. but we did.

This is the statue that we would have seen. Had we climbed the Soc Son mountain in 2010! They just started casting the statue last Oct 26, 2009.

Running. So Ha Noi was fun but I was only able to run once. Partly because it was cold but largely because I’m a slacker. But honestly, I needed a break. I realised that I have been training non-stop since the last week of Dec2008. The break did my mental game a lot of good. It absolutely depleted my endurance and speed but at least I am excited to train again.

See you guys on the road. I’m back!

 Now this is the fierce finish line photo I’ve been dreaming about. 

A second timer showing our finish time on top of the banner/streamer prominently showing the name of the race (and sponsors too).

Click! 

Pretty please with Gu on top! :o)