Marquez' Travels: June 2010

Monday, June 28, 2010

Ace Hardware Eco-Friendly Run 2010

My Running Diary (scroll to see the full list):

At the end of our run, my girl and I were contemplating on why did we register for this event, ha ha. We sorted the reasons out and concluded that it was all because of the freebies, LOL!

Thumbs Up

This is a run for a cause (for the environment specifically).
Registration includes singlet, bib number, and free mug.
If you have an SM Advantage Card, you'll get free cap too.
A lot of freebies after the race, free massage, and great raffle prizes too.

Thumbs Down

The gun start had been triggered earlier. The 10K is supposedly starting at 5:50AM. But the 10K pack started earlier; thus, we're late.
A lot of runners partake in the event, and the organizers may have overlooked at it. They mishandled that huge runners.
Overcrowded runners on the FINISH line, making it difficult to 10K runners on their second loop.
While having our picture taking at the FINISH line, we spotted a 10K runner who seem to have just finish the race. Unfortunately, no more marshal is present. Too bad.
The line in claiming of the tote bags is pretty long; but I don't need to wait that long for my girl knows how to have it immediately, he he.
Same thing with the baggage counter, unsystematic.

I cannot really comment on the hydration for we did not stop for one. We brought our own. Plus, we won't be waiting for the race result anymore, we DNF. But knowing that this race was organized by the same people behind The Mighty Run, race result might be nowhere to be found too.

with JC Tiuseco

with my girl at the FINISH line

the freebies

The race organizers sure still has a lot to improve. Nonetheless, it was a FUN RUN. We finished our 5K at 0:33:18; wherein we felt that it is shorter than 5K. I even overheard someone that it was just 4.2K.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Hundred Islands, Alaminos, Pangasinan

Last June 13-14, 2010, my girl and I together with her family had an outing at Hundred Islands at Alaminos, Pangasinan. The said tourist spot had a total of 123 islands (as what our tourist guide, Julius, said). And the body of water surrounding these islands is the Lingayen Gulf.

I will be sharing you here pictures of our island hopping (Day 1).

Island Hopping: P2,000 (we're 14 in the group - 13 adults and 1 child)
Life vests: P50 each
Snorkel: P150 each
Fee: P20 each (for the whole day)

Century Cave

We merely had a picture-taking here. The hole above the cave is mesmerizing.

Traversing a trail-like path toward the cave...

Hole!

View from Century Cave

Quezon Island

A place to swim and eat.

Cottage that we rent: P600
Food that we eat: P1,050 (2 milk fish, 8 squid, 2K rice, and 2 softdrinks)

After the fun and lunch at Quezon Island, we had our snorkeling activity. Unfortunately, we don't have any picture of it to share. Just a thing, be brave enough of the water even if you don't know how to swim; just secure yourself with your life vests. You won't enjoy the activity unless you conquer your fear.

Children's Island

I believe this island is meant for children for it was only 2-3 ft. (?) deep. But for me, it is not advisable for it was cruel on one's foot. Not really a place to enjoy swimming.

Stephanie

Cuenco Cave

The last in the list for today. It was a cave that somehow resembles a tunnel. But you cannot cross the cave and swim on the other end. Only picture-taking is allowed.

Will be posting our Day 2 Island Hopping one of these days...

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Walk the World 2010

My Running Diary:

My list had been growing at a constant rate; and I have to say that I never thought that I could reach this far when I am really hesitant at the beginning. The early wake up and the travel already stresses me out. But I survived, and here I am still aiming at crossing every FINISH line. I guess the thing that pushes me to run is (aside from my girl) is the thought that in every step that I make, I am running for a certain cause, I am helping a certain organization, I am helping a life.

This same thought is what moved me to get up from bed despite the weather (it had been raining recently). I participated in the Walk the World 2010 to end hunger. Together with thousands of runners and walkers, we take away the worry of raining (great that it did not rain, not until everyone is finished). This must be an exhibit of God's providence.

Thumbs Up

Of all the races that I joined, this is the cheapest - PhP250 only. Your registration is already inclusive of their Walk the World 2010 shirt and certificate of donation.
With that amount of registration fee, the event did not fall short of hydration. Booths offered cold water sufficient for all runners.
They use paper cups rather than plastic ones.
I also wanted to place here in the thumbs up of the race the considerable number of participants. It was nice and heart-warming to know that runners somewhat believe in a certain cause, and not just concentrate on running, personal records, or even winning.
Although not many, the runners were still entertained with the dancers and higantes from Pampangga at the post-race event. The masters of ceremony were the Hizon couples from the land of basketball. KC Concepcion also entertained the runners together with the kids.
Knowing that I run in order to end hunger and that I run together with other countries all over the world is an 'x' factor of the event.
Baggage counter is positioned in a cemented area so that if rain comes, our things won't get wet.

Thumbs Down

I guess the only thumbs down for this event is the late gun start. Good thing the weather is that cooperative. I come home with still fresh legs and not weaken by the heat of the sun. God is good.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Nature Valley Run 2010: RunRio Trilogy Leg 2

My Running Diary:

With what had been the result of the Nature Valley Run 2010; I believe the negative feedback from the RunRio Trilogy Leg 1 had already been erased. Indeed, Coach Rio De La Cruz had been true to his words of being able to make it up to us (runners) this time in the Leg 2. Hence, despite the fact that we (my girl and I) were late, the fun run was, indeed, FUN.

With the 11,000 plus runners, making way to the starting line is not that difficult as compared to the first one. Marshals on the starting line were telling 5K runners to make way for us (10K) late runners.
Water stations is that sufficient. There were considerably looooooong table that contains water and 100 plus in the hydration booth, making it easy to get a drink for hydration.
Marshals are equally sufficient together with the KM markers.
Claiming of loot bags after finishing the race has no queuing.
And we (runners) should be proud that we were equivalent to a tree (1 runner = 1 tree).
Race Results were already out a day after the race.

A thing that I dislike about the race was when we (10K runners) have to merge with the flock of 5K runners before our 3K mark. The crowd was that huge. My girl had to run on the plant boxes in order to free herself from that major traffic jam.
As always, I hope runners would have that discipline of not leaving their plastic cups behind. They were putting the runners that are left behind at risk. As for the race organizers, I hope that they would use paper cups instead. Let's love our planet. It's the only thing that we got.

basketball shoot out

I won a Nature Valley notebook by scoring 40+ points