Fit and Run.Info

Why I’m shooting Ilocos 65K & TNF Bohol

estan — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 05:36:31 +0000

WHY Ilocos and Bohol?

because… of the spectacular scenery there like

Spectacular rock formations at Kapurpurawan in Burgos

And you have racers running in the vicinity of the Bangui wind farm, the scenic beaches and a whole lot more. In Bohol, yes, I will actually go there, you have the rugged Danao landscape that will really be a “major, major” come on! As a photographer shooting races, these are the type of sceneries that I want to capture runners in. Who would want to let this opportunity pass? Check out The Bald Runner and TNF’s Thrill of the Trail sites.

See you ultramarathon racers in Ilocos this weekend and trail runners in Bohol on 12 September.
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5th University Run – the images

estan — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 12:59:19 +0000

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A runner clad in Igorot traditional wear

Check the gallery (500 photos)

Upon arriving in Cebu, I immediately went to CDU to shoot the 5th University Run where many of my ungo and TTB runner friends participated, reaching the venue at the nick of time, a few minutes before the race started.

Frankly, the race is quite chaotic and it was frustrating for runners as, coinciding with the intramurals of CDU, students who participated were just walking in rows that racers were zigzagging and evading people at the front. Some parts of the road have potholes that one runner friend got injured. Because of the confusing route, there were some who decided not to finish the race as they got lost.

Anyway, it was an opportunity to meet the runners that I’ve befriended online through dailymile.com. Until the next run.Similar Posts:

TNF’s Thrill of the Trail – Bohol: should I run or shoot?

estan — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 01:02:08 +0000

TNF's Bohol trail run race

TO SHOOT or TO RUN?

This basically is plaguing me now for The North Face’s Thrill of the Trail – Bohol trail running race. So trivial, you might say, and two friends already asked me to join as they will also be registering. Many ungo runners from Cebu will also troop to this neighboring island. Also, there is only a limited number of participants so as not to have a big impact on the trail path.

A part of me wants to experience trail running. I used to climb mountains in college and during my stint in Smart and getting acquainted with the hills again would be most welcome. Doing the trails is also a change to my usual road runs and races. Then I have to buy new trail running shoes and perhaps some accessories which might set me back a couple of thousands of pesos, even with TNF’s 20% discount coupon with price points starting at 6,000 pesos.

A part of me also wants to shoot. Just imagine the rugged terrain of Danao, the expression of the runners and the exhaustion that I’m sure they will be experiencing. All these are ingredients to a good sports photo shoot.

If given the choice, I would prefer the latter. I want to build my portfolio and the TNF Bohol trail run will be most welcome. Come Monday or Tuesday, I will know if I will either run or shoot.

Note: I’m not sure why but for Metro Manila registrants, they’re charging P500 while provincial ones just P350. Check their website.Similar Posts:

Running with the ungo runners, again

estan — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 03:35:38 +0000

Bro. Carlo Bacalla, SDB, spoke about ultrarunning and his experiences at last Friday night's run. CLICK TO ENLARGE.

I made it a point to join the usual Friday night run with the ungo runners as I was in Cebu last week. As always, its fun and a good opportunity to touch base with Cebu based run enthusiasts.

The number wasn’t as much as I expected (some scheduled an LSD the following morning) and there were several new faces and familiar ones that I have seen only on dailymile.com and Facebook.

Guest speaker was Bro. Carlo Bacalla, SDB, who spoke about his experiences, joining ultramarathons, the preparations and the mindset, this, peppered with witty quotes that made his presentation engaging and interesting.

Below are the few images during the run. These will also be uploaded to Fit and Run facebook page later.

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VIEW THE GALLERYSimilar Posts:

Today is my fifth month of running

estan — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:40:36 +0000

It was 2 March when I finally decided to start my couch-to-5k training program, laced up my newly bought discounted New Balance shoes and head out that dawn to the Legazpi Park in Makati City. Five months after, it’s been 311 KM total according to my dailymile.com profile. I want to get fit. That was my mantra to run and I’m achieving it. Little by little, friends have commented about me shedding those pounds off.

I have joined a total of three, yeah, just three, races since I started:

NatGeo Run, 5K (Metro Manila)
Fair Trade Run, 5k (Cebu), and
Takbo.ph Runfest, 10K (Metro Manila)

and I’m actually training for my first 21K, CamSur, this 26 of September. Of course, I will be joining 10K races before the Bicol run.

I’ve also fallen into the laziness trap or skipping training runs because of some flimsy reasons but I am dead set in my first 21K and thus, I have to be more disciplined in doing my weekly routine. From three times a week, I will be doing four and set my weekly mileage at 30-40 KM.

Looking forward to do more runs, get faster and be fit.Similar Posts:

Starting August with a midnight run

estan — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 17:06:56 +0000

I contented my self photographing runners in yesterday’s Rexona Run 2010 but a few hours ago, on the eve of my five months of running, I started August with a leisurely midnight run around Makati City. Nothing so special but traced an old route that I’ve been coming back from time to time: Dela Rosa – Makati Ave. – Arnaiz and two loops at the Legazpi and W. Sycip Park.

I need to start August right. After having paced a friend for around 3KM last week, my only run, I have to get back to my training for the upcoming 21K at CamSur. Anyway, today’s 2 August and marking my fifth month of my running addiction.Similar Posts:

Rexona Run 2010 photo gallery

estan — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 12:06:55 +0000

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Rexona Run 2010

Click to check the gallery

It’s finally up, over 800 runner portraits taken during the Rexona Run 2010 held at the SM Mall of Asia early this morning. Just check out the gallery to see if I was able to take your photos.Similar Posts:

Shooting the Rexona Run 2010 at the MOA

estan — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 06:12:44 +0000

I didn’t sign up for RunRio’s Rexona Run which was held early this morning at the Mall of Asia. Nah, as much as I want to after a week of having joined the Takbo.ph anniversary run at 10K. Instead, I opted to shoot the race. I just missed rising in the morning with my camera gear. Looking at the viewfinder and clicking on the shutter button as runners pass. I was positioned at front-right of SM MOA and later transferred near the finish line.

I did see some familiar faces including three runners from Smart, the Running Shield and Ken from Cebu who surprised me when he called out.

Here are some of the shots I took.

One of the many lady runners during the race at MOA

The Running Shield

Taken infront of SM MOA

There were really many runners in this race, attesting to the popularity of the sport in the metropolis

Feeling the wind against ones skin. Going topless all the way

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A new PR in my 1st 10K race at the Takbo.ph Runfest

estan — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 07:09:18 +0000

A runner near the finish line during the Takbo.ph Runfest

1 hour and ten minutes.

That was my answer to Patrick, aka Running Shield, when he asked me what was my target time in the recently concluded Takbo.ph Runfest, the biggest online running community’s anniversary run. This is also my third race that I’ve joined and my first 10K in a race.

Actually, I was not so sure about the target time if I can make it but I opted to challenge myself and have something that I can work out during the race. Most of my 10K and above runs hovered between 1 hour and 14 minutes to even a dismal 1 hour and 20 minutes on blah days including lots of stops and the occasional walks.

After the race? Though it’s not official time but I clocked myself, I stood at

1 hour and 7 minutes.

That’s it. Not bad. A close call to my target but still happy that I was able to exceed my expectations. But just imagine, if I limited my walks and didn’t suffer some muscular pain on my feet near the joint with the leg during the first two kilometers, I might have clocked better.

With James Betia, aka Journeying James: runner, blogger and traveler

It’s also my first time to run at The Fort. Wide roads and good surface. However, I just wished that the route was simpler.

The Takbo.ph Runfest was also an opportunity to meet with friends. Of course, Blas, aka Titanium Runner, who registered me was there but we only met after the race. Former Smart colleagues were also present like Eric, Ellen and Maffin. I didn’t get to see Carl who was one of the race marshals. These guys were the ones I covered during the Epic Relay Run.

And, of course, I was excited and happy to finally meet great runners: the Running Shield and James Betia, aka Journeying James. These two I only knew online in their blogs and in dailymile.com and have exchanged comments in status updates. The latter is also a traveler like me.

Lastly, it was a good race with a good singlet that I like but wished it had a good fit.Similar Posts:

Finally, my Takbo.ph Runfest race pack!

estan — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 15:22:55 +0000

It's personalized baby!

My bib number

After following up my race pack for the Takbo.ph Runfest this week with the courier and a series of email exchanges with Jinoe of Takbo.ph, I finally got it at ROX, Bonifacio High Street branch, this evening. But I was almost exasperated that they still didn’t have my name on their list. If the two attendants didn’t check their stock, I would’ve asked for a refund!

Anyway, the past few days were quite hectic and got me worried that the courier told me that my name and race bib number was not on their list. Strange as Blas Tiangco registered us and he got his race pack several weeks ago. One of Jinoe’s updates even included mine as for delivery. However, in his last update released a few days ago, my number wasn’t even included and was cause for alarm!

Time to move on though. I was quite happy when I actually got mine but can’t suppliers really come up with standard sizes? Mine was already XXL and it was still smaller. The same with the Fairtrade Run singlet. The NatGeo Earth Day run technical shirt was way, way better and was a good fit for me.

Now, time to rest for the early morning race.Similar Posts: