Free No Ads Web Host

One look at Dwight Howard’s frame can tell you he can easily bang with anyone inside the paint.  Japeth Aguilar? The first time I saw the guy, and even without seeing him play, I knew that he’s more athletic than most Filipino basketball players. Is it safe to say that an athlete’s physique is always a good indication of how capable and effective they can be?

Not in running, buddy.

In my recent attempts to understand this sport more clearly, I’ve encountered guys who look like fat bastard. I’ve run into douchebag types on the track oval near my workplace as well. I’ve met guys who don’t look the least bit like they’re fit. But the moment they lace on those running shoes… Oh man, it’s on.

Sunday’s Adidas King of the Road marathon was no different. Though my gameplan was to just keep my eyes on the ground in front of me and let my music set the pace, I just couldn’t.

It mattered more that someone I knew who frequented Aysee’s sisig had joined the 21k marathon. My confidence also took a hit whenever throngs of women who looked nothing like runners were passing me left and right. Kulang nalang talaga eh yayain ko sila lahat sa nagbabasketball, badminton, or any other sport I knew I could beat them in (just to make myself feel better). Lol. I guess this is what Adidas meant when they said that every runner is different.

The thing about the sport, is that it can strip you of all preconceived expectations regarding a person’s performance. As I continue to discover how fast and how long I can go with this training routine I’ve started, I have to keep in mind is that though I’m running with (not against) thousands, the most important thing is everyone finishes.

See everyone at the Men’s Health Urbanathlon on November 22nd, and New Balance Power Race on November 29th!

From Alvin Jimenez

One look at Dwight Howard’s frame can tell you he can easily bang with anyone inside the paint.  Japeth Aguilar? The first time I saw the guy, and even without seeing him play, I knew that he’s more athletic than most Filipino basketball players. Is it safe to say that an athlete’s physique is always a good indication of how capable and effective they can be?

Not in running, buddy.

In my recent attempts to understand this sport more clearly, I’ve encountered guys who look like fat bastard. I’ve run into douchebag types on the track oval near my workplace as well. I’ve met guys who don’t look the least bit like they’re fit. But the moment they lace on those running shoes… Oh man, it’s on.

Sunday’s Adidas King of the Road marathon was no different. Though my gameplan was to just keep my eyes on the ground in front of me and let my music set the pace, I just couldn’t.

It mattered more that someone I knew who frequented Aysee’s sisig had joined the 21k marathon. My confidence also took a hit whenever throngs of women who looked nothing like runners were passing me left and right. Kulang nalang talaga eh yayain ko sila lahat sa nagbabasketball, badminton, or any other sport I knew I could beat them in (just to make myself feel better). Lol. I guess this is what Adidas meant when they said that every runner is different.

The thing about the sport, is that it can strip you of all preconceived expectations regarding a person’s performance. As I continue to discover how fast and how long I can go with this training routine I’ve started, I have to keep in mind is that though I’m running with (not against) thousands, the most important thing is everyone finishes.

See everyone at the Men’s Health Urbanathlon on November 22nd, and New Balance Power Race on November 29th!

From Alvin Jimenez

• Adidas King of the Road 2009: Race Kit claiming FAIL http://ping.fm/ErwHB #
• #trafficmanil julia vargas still clear. stay away from cmwealth n balara #
• To those who haven't picked up your Adidas KOTR kits, wala pang tao dito. Parking is a pain though. #
• So there are carolers outside. Isn't it too early? #
• Now I know why it was hard to come by Century corned tuna at groceries. It is made of WIN. #
• Wouldn't mind having this in case the rains hit #Ondoy http://bit.ly/1cgabA #
• From Mighty to Magic. $69! Expected Apple's new mouse to be more expensive, but who's complaining? http://ping.fm/wesnf #
• Ran a 5k today in 35 minutes. In other words, I'm not prepared for #KingoftheRoad on Sunday (lol) #
• So who's responsible for clogging the toilet in the managers' area? Si __________ yung last na nakita kong lumabas dun… #
• Didn't finish last season's House, and now he's in a mental hospital? I know I only missed a few EP's, so wow, what a surprise. #
• @MaiaNuguid hindi pa ako nakakabili ulit! hehe #
• KFC drive-in fail. I think I lined up before 2 cars that ordered 10 bucket meals each. #
• Surfing the net, eating dinner, watching basketball, and playing videogames… and people still wonder why I have a short attention span. #
• I have my doubts whether #windows7 will be able to make people forget about the mess that is #windowsvista. #

From Alvin Jimenez

So today is Thursday, and the Adidas King of the Road 2009 race is two days away. Any runner out there will tell you — there’s just no friggin’ way anyone can cram their training for any marathon. Well, here’s what I managed to squeeze into my schedule over the past month or so since I acquired my Nike+ sensor.

In case you’re curious, the graph above represents the distances I’ve done, segregated by km per day. And what category did I join for Sunday’s marathon? I joined the 10k. So yes, based on estimates alone, I’ll probably cross the finish line in at least an hour and thirty. In runners’ terms, that’d hella slow.

Oh well, I do know that the P500 I paid to register netted me a cool Adidas singlet which was such a pain to claim (see previous post). In any case, goodluck to everyone joining the Adidas King of the Road 2009. See everyone at The Fort!

From Alvin Jimenez

I was supposed to pick my race kit for the Adidas King of the Road marathon on October 25. It just so happens that today is also the 2nd day of their usual 3-day sales. I was informed that Adidas had alloted specific times for race kit pick ups, and having joined the 10k, I ended up going to the mall shortly before 1230. I had a quick meal at Sbarros, and was on my way to Megatrade Hall 2 when I saw a small crowd forming outside. So I said to myself, they’re probably just taking long because of the stubs that have to be submitted.

Well, I was wrong.

Apparently, they were regulating the number of people that went into the place. Fine, there were lines inside, and it depended on what distance category you joined as to where you should lineup. What I don’t understand is why they had to regulate the number of people going in when the place wasn’t even packed. The lines were long yeah, but the place was empty. It didn’t even help that those who weren’t even there to claim their race kits could freely walk in and out of the place. Booboo number one.

Booboo number two is worse. Earlier in the day, a friend of mine registered for the 5k, so I asked him to find out if I could come in early to get my race kit. The organizers said no, and that I had to follow the time that was designated on my registration form. While waiting in line for the 10k race kits, there was a group of people on the side, opening some boxes on the floor. Guess what, they had just started putting the singlets in the race envelopes. How could they have started just then when people were already claiming their race kits?

This brings me to booboo number three. I had already been standing in line for around 30 minutes (by then, I think I had only managed to move a few feet forward, with around 150 more people in front of me) when I heard one of the announcers say that those whose race kits are missing need not worry, and that Adidas will be delivering them within the week. So in other words, if I had gone ahead and waited for my turn, and they didn’t have my race kit there, they were going to deliver it. What if I had stood in line for 2 hours, or even more? Needless to say, I gave up my position in the line because I had to go back to the office.

Booboo number four. I asked some of the organizers what would happen if I decided to come in early the next day to pick up my race kit. The obviously unsure fellow informed me that a lot of 10k racers actually came in as soon as they opened to claim their race kits. What kind of a circus were they running there? Multiple people were saying different things.

I’m at the office right now, still contemplating if I should go back to Megamall and try to claim my race kit. I am after all in Shaw boulevard already. It may be better so I won’t have to return tomorrow. Who knows what mess I’ll find if I go there tomorrow.

I just had to post this because I think this is one of the most poorly organized pre-race functions I have ever seen here in the Philippines. Anytime you try and expect thousands to join your race, and try cramming them into a few hours, that’s a obviously a lapse in expectations right there. I won’t remember the race for what it was. Instead, I’ll remember the race for how difficult it was to secure the damn race kit.

Calling Adidas Philippines? You should have just made your more accessible stores the race kit redemption centers.

From Alvin Jimenez

On my last trip to Las Vegas around this time last year, my fiancee surprised me with a 2nd generation Ipod Touch. I’ve never owned an Ipod until that time because I always thought I would only end up breaking it because of my rugged lifestyle. I refrained from using it in the gym, and only used it in the office. I subscribed to a few podcasts here and there, but the novelty quickly wore off. It was around May of this year when I got another surprise from her. After repeatedly telling Mariel not to get me those Senheissers, she got em anyway.

I know what you’re going to say — that I probably look like a douche when I bring, wear, or use the thing during my runs.

My answer to that, is that I really don’t care.

• My Ipod Touch helps me fend off boredom when I run. I am incapable of running long distances at a uniform pace. This is Mr. Short Attention Span you’re talking to here.
• Believe it or not, those Nike + sensor thingies actually work. I know a heart rate monitor is more useful, but I can’t afford the thing (besides I’m not a hardcore runner). Though far from being 100% accurate, hearing the automated voice say “Workout complete” is actually rewarding.

The moral of this story? There’s no need to worry about perceptions when it comes to your health. If you need that Ipod, dri-fit shirt,  or new pair of running shoes (No, I’m not trying to justify a potential purchase) to keep you motivated, then go for it as long as you can afford it. A few years down the line, you’ll realize that you’d rather be a fit douchebag than an overweight, unfit, tub of lard.

And oh, Mariel, thank you again for my Ipod Touch and kickass earphones.

From Alvin Jimenez

• Just got back from Megamall. Why do I suddenly feel sick? #
• After installing #SnowLeopard, my HD space jumped from 5GB to 16GB. Sweet! #
• must put… controller.. down… #
• The Cleveland Cavaliers signed me to a 10-day contract, oh yeah. #NBA2k10 #
• Adidas King of the Road on Oct 25. Just registered, the singlet itself is worth the P500 reg fee. #
• So after #SnowLeopard installation, all my MS Office docs are being opened using IWork. Sneaky sneaky. #
• Trying out something here… #
• It's only 6pm pero parang 8pm na.. #
• Ginebra vs San Miguel. Mark "The Spark" is back baby. #
• When will the rain ever stop? Take care on the road ppl #
• Can't delete any Twitter created posts on Wordpress c/o #Twittertools. Pffft. #
• #trafficmanila any katipunan updates? #
• Will try to go home kahit traffic. Goodluck nalang sa daan lols. #
• #trafficmanila Edsa Northbound moving steadily. Stay away from Meralco ave/white plains intersection #
• At the rate ppl are going to the mall, you wouldn't think tinamaan tayo ng bagyo. LOL. #

From Alvin Jimenez

Trying out something here…

From Alvin Jimenez