The first two parts of our series of Marathon Friend’s Running Tips highlighted the power of positivity, home-made gels and toilet strategies! Now we hear from our trail running pal Alvin from Pimco Sporting Events and Eugene.
Continue reading Marathon Friend’s Running Tips – Alvin Balderama and Eugene Yasay
The first part of our series of Marathon Friend’s Running Tips was thanks to our good friend Raul Concepcion aka the Running Shield where we learned about the power of positive thinking in terms of appreciating the challenges along the way so as to make the victory of finishing a marathon so much sweeter in the end.
Now it is time for some marathon tips brought to you by Filipina Berns Tan and Australian Karen Reimann.
Continue reading Marathon Friend’s Running Tips – Berns Tan and Karen Reimann
I remember racing when the main running races in Manila were the Yakult 10 miler, the Milo marathon and various small races at the University of the Philippines. The running scene has since exploded in the Philippines and is a very popular form of fun and exercise for millions of people.
Sometimes it is hard to get started with a new, healthy habit. If you do it wrongly you can do more harm then good. Here are some tips from a long time runner on how to get started safely and then keep going. You are never too young or old to start running along the road to better health.
Continue reading Running for Beginners: 5 Tips to get started
Ever since Natasha and I got into running we dreamed of joining the iconic Milo Marathon series. We had friends who had run the qualifying races and earned their right to a free marathon in December. That sounded good to us and I attempted to qualify in 2010 but missed out by 19 minutes when I ran 4:08:30.
Luckily we both qualified for the finals in 2011 and 2014. Every marathon gives you a different experience from which to learn.
With the 38th Milo Marathon this Sunday the 27th of July 2014 I wanted to share the many lessons I have learned in my previous 13 marathons. This will be my 4th Milo Marathon and I am glad to support the race knowing that it has been such a well respected race in the Philippines.
One day I hope to have run 65 marathons like my friend Willy Yao and I am sure I will still be learning valuable lessons then too.
13 Marathons – 13 Lessons
Marathon 1. You Have To Be Well Nourished Before and During the Marathon
I went into my first marathon with total ignorance and paid a heavy price. The Subic International Marathon 2009 (4 hours 31 minutes) was a lesson in nutrition for me as I did not eat a proper lunch before the 4pm start. I was top 30 after 32km and then I hit the wall. I did not even have any food or cash on me that day but I always do now.
Marathon 2. It Is More Fun and Rewarding to Share the Journey
I ran the Great Wall of China Marathon in 2010 in 4:49:39. We joined a Filipino contingent and made some excellent friends and had the time of our lives. Realizing how great it was to be part of a large group helped sway us to join the Melbourne Ironman 2014.
Tri Friendly Rivalries
Our motivation to race in triathlons is because we enjoy competing, having fun and meeting great new friends. Sometimes those friends started as rivals: friendly rivals, but rivals non-the-less. It is fun to be a little competitive as we would all rather finish one spot higher if we could (unless you came first).
One of my friendly rivals is Jualyn. We have been friends since our running days and have run many races together such as Quezon City Marathon, Condura Marathon and a few Milo Marathons.
I had not beaten Jualyn in triathlons since he did his very first triathlon at Tri-United 1 way back on March 10th, 2013. He had beaten me in at least 4 triathlons since then and was getting a bit cocky. One of our last races was Tri-United 1 in March 2014, and he beat me then by 1 minute and 52 seconds.
I recently beat Jualyn by 1 minute and 14 seconds at SubiT triathlon on April 27th, 2014. My time was 2:31:03 and Jualyn’s 2:32:17.
Facebook Posts to Inflame the Rivalry
• Chad Davis – Hey Jualyn, How are you mate? Having sleepless nights thinking about how I beat you by 1 minute and 14 seconds? It is nice to get you back after you beat me in every triathlon we did together since Tri-U 1 in March 2013. Haha. I am enjoying this very much. See you for some training soon my friend.
• Jualyn – you got me Chad Davis, but no worries in Tu2 prepare for new battle hehe
• Criselle (Jualyn’s wife) – Haha, he’s having a hard time to believe it Chad , congratulations!
One of our next races together after Tri-United 2 on July 6th will be a 21km trail run on October 12 in the beautiful Sierra Madre mountainous region of Tanay Rizal. To join us visit http://www.pimcosportingevents.net/ or https://www.facebook.com/PimcoSportsEvents.
Another Friendly Rival, RJ Lorenzo
My other friendly rival is RJ Lorenzo. I still remember the 23rd of June, 2013 when I beat him at the 5150 standard distance triathlon and he was telling me that he couldn’t believe it! At first I did not know who he was but when I saw the RJ on his race bib I knew it was the RJ who had always previously beaten me!
Since April 2013 RJ and I have raced 6 times with us winning 3 times each and a difference of just 17 seconds combined after almost 20 hours of racing! Who is the better triathlete? RJ was 17 seconds faster over the 6 triathlons but I won the last race in March 2014 so I am the better triathlete in my humble opinion. For now!
Amazing Co-incidence
Here is a cool and amazing co-incidence. In 2 triathlon races (Tri-United 1 and Melbourne Ironman) Natasha and Weng have raced over 277km for a combined time of exactly 18:33:21 each. Great racing ladies!
So, who is your friendly rival? Do they motivate you to keep training and inspire you to do your best. Competition is healthy and should be fun. Good luck to Jualyn and RJ Lorenzo, but not too much.
Primed for Your Life 