Whiterock..10 days to go.

With less than two weeks before my most anticipated race of the year, the Whiterock Long Distance Triathlon, i am up to my final preparations. I have been reading my Triathlete's Training Bible (Joe Friel) to make sure that i would not mess up my final preps.

This is the time for taper (as i keep reminding myself). I have greatly reduced my daily training volume. Shorter workouts but still maintaining race intensities. I have wished to peak in time for the race.

I am so excited participating again in a race but also feeling edgy. I can't help it since this is my first tri on such distance. A half-ironman. My goal is just to finish it. Maybe, i would be crossing the finishline at the 6 hr-30min mark.Hopefully. But no pressure. My race time will just be a gravy. As they say, "finish your first, race the next".

And i am determined to finish it...

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Official Roster of Participants at :

http://www.extribe.com.ph/downloads/WRT2008_list_official.pdf

Animated course map:

http://www.extribe.com.ph/content/course_map.html

Ang Muling Hirilingan!..Hooters

Mala!!!!

Uni na naman ta nagkahirilingan na naman guiraray…sabi ngani ni pading Steve, you can’t enough from these guys..true enough!!

The Date
September 13, 2008, Saturday..After mag urulay ulay sa e-group, napag desisyunan na sa Sabado na lang ngani guiraray gibohon ang dikit na hirilingan..une na!

The Place

Tsk.tsk…Maorag man talaga pumili ang Batch 93..True to form, Hooters ang napiling lugar kang hirilingan..Obvious naman kung tano Hooters ang napili..Ang Hooters, sikat na bar baga sa U.S. na ang main attraction iyo ining mga nag gagayunan asin nagseseksihang mga tsiks….Franchise ining yaon sato..Located sa likod kang Mall of Asia..

The Attendees
Joam “The Voice” Santiago – ang trabaho palan kani ni Joam, dubber..Kadakol na siyang project na ginibo…ang pinaka natandaan ko, boses nya ang saro sa mga main karakter kang Naruto….sya man ang boses ni Heath Ledger sa Batman (dae man padi….suba lang!)

Zaldy “ Kiki, the family man” Santelices – kaibahan ni Kiki si mag iina nya kang pag abot nya sa Hooters..Pigpa bisto man lang kami tapos pig walat na samo si Kiki ta madalan sindang sine…garo pig check man lang garo kung siisay man talaga nag kaibahan ni Kiki.hehe…….may negosyo na ining si kiki..motorcycle shop sa Las Pinas…Pig hapot ko kung okey man ang kita..sabi nya, okey man daa..nakakabuhay man daa ning pamilya…dae ko lang nahapot kung pirang pamilya..next time..hehe.

Steve “ the sharpshooter” Realuyo – aram naman na si Steve, mahilig sa Airsoft..This time ngani, pig pahiling nya samo si lugad nya sa muro (daliri) na timaan ning bala..Battle wounds kumbaga….Sharp shooter man ining si Steve bako lang sa baradilan, pati pag “sight” sa lubot kang mga naka talikod na waitress kang Hooters..Dawa harayo, kua pa nanggad.Lufet!

Mhenard “La Pussy” Olivan – of course, kulang ang hirilingan pag mayo si La Pussy..Mayo pa ining absent si ikos puon kaidtong sa Pier One with the Saudi boys..Pirming yaon….This time, siya ang official photographer.Nag dara pa pati ning tripod na nag lalaba.,maurag!..ano daw ang masasabi digdi ni pading mhond sa mga shots ni La Pussy..salamat Menard sa mga pictures!

Jeric “the lover boy” Occiano – pag ulay mi, family day na naman guiraray.hehe....pirmi man ining yaon si lover boy, bantay si misis..maurag pati mag para istorya..life of the party ma nanggad..punong puno ng life (bakong iyo jeric!)..

Oca “the manager” Villamora – accidentally, yaon man duman si Oca sa Hooters..Garo kaibahan si mga tauhan nya sa trabaho..RSM na ni padi si Oca sa Johnson & Johnson..kaya ‘bagong ligo ang pakiramdam ‘

Norman “luv it” Pascual – sympre, yaon man ang saindong yours truly..luving every moment kang okasyon..dawa medyo mapuyat..as lang!!
L to R : Jeric, Joam, Steve, Menard, Yours Truly, Zaldy

With Oca…

Ang mga IRIDO (ang mga nagturugang maduman pero dae sumipot)

Ronnel “Charles Bronson” Beldad – nagkahelang..tinatrangkaso daa sya..pig apudan ako ning mga bandang alas siyete ning banggi sabado..dae na daa sya makakaduman ta kina kalintura siya..nag aabo abo pa pati kang kaulay ko (hehe.dae man)..

Glenn “David Cook” Abrera – ini ang malupit..sya si nag organize, sya si mayo!!..saen ka na……may hilang man daa sya.kina kalintura man..dae man mapirit ta may hilang baya..hehe…get well soon.

Tristan “Primadonna” Prima – after mag confirm sa email, asin kay pading Steve, no where to be found ining si Prima..Dae man lamang nag advise sa text kung maabot..AWOL..sana, okey lang sya..baka lang may nangyari dae maray saiya kaya dae sya nakaabot..

Ang mga pangyayari
Nag abot ako sa Hooters mga bandang alas-otso..Aram ko naman na nagpa reserve si Jeric, kaya dire diretso ako sa laog para hanapon sinda.

After a few minutes, finally, nailing ko na …Naka pwesto sa luwas na table kang Hooters.Duman kaya ang smoking area…
Tulo palang si naabutan ko.
Si Joam, pag kailing sako, tumindog para maki-handshake asin brotherly hug..
Si Steve, na naka-orange, naki pag apir man.
Si Menard, na kaka apod pa lang sa cellphone ko ta hinahanap naman ako, asin si mga ka-batch mi, naogma pag ka hiling sako..
Nagtukaw ako sa kataid ni La Pussy..kakatukaw ko palang, umaatikabo ng piktyuran..

Ara atyan, nag abot naman si Jeric..kaibahan man guiraray ang saiyang usual na entourage.hehe..Si esmi nya, asin kasambahay ninda..

Pag abot ni Jeric, piriktyuran man guiraray..

Ara atyan, si Zaldy naman…medyo nagngarak ngakan pag abot ni Kiki ta garo family day na..Kaibahan man nya kaya si pamilya nya..pero, dae man palan ma-stay..madalan palan sine si mag iina nya, at iwawalat lang si Kiki samo..

Syempre, as usual, nagka sararo na naman ang tropa..Big family kumbaga ang Batch 93, pero dawa sana dikit o pira lang sa mga “tugang” maka iribahan, mayong kasing ogma..

So, umaatikabong ngarakngakan, laratikan, iristoryahan..Medyo napuputol lang ang iristoryahan pag may maagi ning seksing waitress kang Hooters..Syempre!maka baksyo lamang..

Ara atyan man, nag hapit samo si pading oca..nasa balyong table sya naka pwesto, kaibahan si mga ka-trabaho nya..Tyempo lang na yaon man sya duman sa Hooters, kaya he took the opportunity para maka jamming samo dawa dikit na oras man lang…..Maogma si pahapit nya samo ta mas lalong tumindi ang laratikan…si mga matitinding issues kaidto, nag kaurungkat..kaya grabe ang ngarakngakan……ara atyan, naghali naman si pading oca..
Padagos pa man si iristoryahan..medyo naging seryoso ang urulay panandalian kang naging topic ang mga buhay buhay (nice jeric)..Pero this is better ta it put more sense sa paghirilingang ini..kung baga, naging balance….makanos man baga kung puro nalang ngarakngakan ta garo dae kita kya nag gugurang..pero makanos man tong puro seryoso.garo na yan prayer meeting..maogma pag arog kaini…mas nabibisto ta pati ang mga ka-batch ta..
Pero syempre, mas lamang ang kaogmahan..Kaya ngani nasa Hooters..

The Hooter’s Girls
Inarabot na naman ning karamanyakan…Ining si Menard, dae na napundo sa kaka picture kang mga Hooter girls..kung ano anong posisyon.

Hilinga na ni!!!!..




Delightfully Tacky, yet unrefined

Ining iba kong mga ka-batch, kada mag aging waitress, nag raralaba ang mga liog..dae naman pati naherak sa mga tsiks..garo na kaya ama-on o angku-lon naman lang ining mga tsiks para sa mga ka batch ko..arakion pang maray, mina maranyak na….Ewwww!!!..Lain!!

Hilinga ining si Steve, garo man lang nya akin a lang…



Matuang aki ni Mhenard!!


Pamangkin ni Jeric..


May instance pa ngani na ining si La Pussy, dae tuyong timaan kang yosi nya si legs ni Leslie (saro sa mga Hooters)..sa may tadyang pati, harani na sa singit..sa bilis kang pangyayari, biglang kinaputan ni la pussy si legs kang tsik…pinag pagan si legs na tinamaan ning yosi..aram kong dae man tuyo ito ni la pussy, pero…..tsk.tsk.

Mauurag man talaga ang tsiks digdi..puro pa ngani pa picture kami ..ining si Jeric, nag papa picture lang, pag mayo si esmi nya.hehe….from time to time kaya, nag lalakaw lakaw ining si misis ni Jeric….Kaya pag mayo, tamang samantala..pero pag yaon, tuninong ..Goodboy na to-its! (ala Robin Padilla).

Magka kamoks! (pinirit man talaga..)
Hilinga na padi ang picture mi ni Joam..Dae man baga nag kakarayo ang itsura mi..hehe..magka kamoks baga!



Pareho man kaya ang kapalaran mi..Pareho kaming suway na enot na agom, tapos may bago naman ngonian….Bukod sa pagiging kamukha mi, uni ang tale of the tape mi ni Joam..

HS Batch
Joam (J): ‘93 ‘93
Norman (N) : '93

Agom (Marital Status)
Joam : Panduwa
Norman : Panduwa (pero suway naman)

Joam : Kasal sa Enot
Norman : Kasal sa Enot

Mga Aki
Joam : 4
Norman : 3
Aki pagka binata
Joam : Saro
Norman : Mayo
Aki sa enot na agom
Joam: Duwa
Norman : Duwa
Aki ngonian
Joam : Saro
Norman : Saro

Reach (aram na!)
Joam : 12inches
Norman : 12.5inches (lamang dikit..hehe)


Pahamak si Jeric!
Pahamak ining Jeric….Pinatubod nya kami na si Oca na daa ang mag bayad kang bill mi..Ta ire-reimburse na lang daa ni Oca su bill sa kumpanya nya(nice gin!)..so, knowing na bako na kami ang mabayad, nagsi order na ning kung ano ano..

Katong mabayadan na, dae man palan sagot ni Oca..it turned out, nagusuba man lang palan…hay..pahamak ining si Jeric…

Dae man kami nag hugas ta medyo well-off naman ang mga ka-batch ta..no big deal..


Time to go
Mga bandang alas-onse, kaipuhan ko ng mag paaram..ma-bike pa kaya ako saaga ning amay..may team practice.alas singko ang hale..
Masakit mag hali actually..lalo na sa kalagitnaan kang ogmahan..kaso, mayo ning choice.
Nag sabay naman sako si Joam pauli..dae nya kaya pig dara si kotse nya ta habong mag –drive ning naka inom..pig drop ko sya harani sa harong ko sa MAndaluyong circle..nag taxi na lang sya from there..

Habang pauli kami ni Joam, napag iri istoryahan mi ang buhay buhay..lalo na ang samong love affair..let me just say, pareho naman kaming kadakol natutunan sa pakiki pagrelasyon..not just sa agom, pati sa pakikitungo sa mga aki..Bako man kaya gayong “normal” ang set-up kang samong naging pamilya..kaya may kakaibang mga instances na kaipohan ming lusutan o iresolba..
For Joam iyo lang ini ang masasabi ko..Like a true Atenean, he stands up for what is right.. He never gave up on his kids..Dawa masakit, he continues to nurture them..Pirit na tinatao ang lubos nyang makakaya para sa mga aki nya..hanga ako saimo padi..

Messages ni Yours Truly
To Kiki, take care of your family…I am hoping na lumago pa ang business mo…also, I am praying for your wife’s full recovery..
To Jeric, dae mo na padi pag sayangon ining second chance mo (you know what I mean)..magpaka boot na.hehe
To Menard, thank you for always being there (here) pag may hirilingan.
To Steve, stay cool padi..sana mag ka jamming pa kita sa dakol pang hirilingan.
To Joam, may you continue fighting..

To Cook and Bronson, get well soon.
To Prima, magparamdam ka.hehe.

To all my batchmates, hope we could see each other sa next na hirilingan…Please, don’t hesitate to join us..just experience it..you’ll never know what it will bring to you..

For me, it brought me happiness.....


Dae man risang ogma?

as always, dae pa digdi nagtatapos ni....to be continued.

Should I or should I not get this?

I have been contemplating on this particular tri-gear...a chrono helmet..here it is..


LOUIS GARNEAU ROCKET AIR HELMET 2008
The New Louis Garneau Rocket Air Helmet has the aerodynamics of the 2007 model, but with much more ventilation. 2 new huge front vent inlets and 3 new large back vent outlets allow for maximum airflow and ventilation. Like the the original Rocket, it features a large fairing that almost rests on your back when in the time trial position, creating an uninterrupted air flow across your back.

Product Features:
Weight: 14.8 oz/420 g
Certifications: CPSC-ASTM-CE
Vents: 5
Ergobuckle: Quick-release helmet fastener with ergonomic shape
Keylock: Easy strap position adjustment
Spiderlock Elite Stabilizing Device: One-hand quick and accurate fit
Sealed Airdry: Better comfort and optimum ventilationAvailable in colors BLUE and WHITE/BLACK in the following sizes:Small: 20.5-22in, 52-56cmMedium: 22-23.25in, 56-59cmLarge: 23.25-24.4in, 59-62cm

...................


For the past 2 days, i have been thinking of getting one..The idea came into my mind when a friend of mine called me asking if i wanted a new helmet.A Loius Garneau Rocket Helmet 2008, color blue (exactly the same as the above picture).And i asked, why??..He told me that he bought the helmet from an on-line store based in U.S. the other week.He really loved the helmet that's why he spent a few more dollars to get it shipped here in the Philippines.So it arrived the other day, and he got the package..But the problem is, the size of the helmet does not fit him.Arrg!!!..Too small!, he said to me.He followed the measurement guides on the site where he bought it, and it suggested a Large Size for him, but still didn't fit him. Still too small.
And now, he really wanted to dispatch it as quickly as possible.He doesn't want to spend another few more dollars to get it shipped back, and ask for a replacement...He opted to sell it to me..And of course, at a very reasonable price..

So i'm tempted..

I wanted to get it because..
.........undeniably, it really looks so cool.I can imagine wearing it, and looking like a pro-triathlete.hehehe.. I would love to wear it during my Whiterock Triathlon, and to all the Tri-Races i'll be joining in the future.
........ i never had used a chrono helmet.I wanted to feel the "aerodynamic" claim of it.Mas bibilis nga ba ako nito????hehe..Seriously, will it really help specially during "windy" bike rides.
........ i can have it at a very reasonable price.

But i'm having second thoughts, because...
....... though it looks cool to me, but at the same it also looks awkward.Parang kang si Astroboy...Not too many uses that kind of helmet, so i will indeed get some attention among my fellow riders especially during training rides.Buti kung kasing lakas ako ni Rayzon (Galdonez) mag bike.hehe..On tri events, no problem. i saw a lot of triathletes wearing it.
.....also, one minor concern, the color is little off to me..Albeit blue is my favorite color (green is also good too!), but it doesn't match with the color of my bike (big deal!)..OC lang!!..i have a black bike with yellow decals, parang hindi bagay.hehehe..

Anyway, the thought of getting it or not still bugs me.Honestly, i don't have enough PROS and CONS on my list..That's why i can't figure it out. (Laki ng problema mo tsong!!)

At the end of all the research and hearing all the comments/suggestions from my colleauges, if i am still undecided, Bahala na uli si Batman!!!!!

Im Back!!!..In time for the Whiterock..

After battling an "overtraining or over reaching" (whatever you call it) last week, i am happy to be back.Since last week, after my R&R period, i got what you so called symptoms of overtraining/overreaching. Feeling of apathy, comparatively high heart rate during resting periods, depression setting in, etc...It seems that my rests during the R&R was not enough.

Recognizing the symptoms, so i have slow down a bit on training last week.Also, rely on propoer nutrition to gain full recovery.I started to drink Herbalife shakes again!!!....On overtraining or overtraining, Joe Friel would say, "it is better to be on the side of undertraining, than on the ugly side of overtraining"(Triathlete's Training Bible).

So i did!

Last week, i deliberately slowed down..Disregarding the scheduled training regimens, and focused on active recoveries. Albeit still worried to loose some fitness, but Joe Friel had won over me..and it paid off..

Today, my first day of the week for training....Feeling stronger again, i did what i have skipped to do last week...Brick Training...

Brick Training

Woke up at 5.00am..Got the usual "tamad" feeling. Went to the shower immediately to win over it..Success!I was out at around 5.20am.

I planned to do an hour bike ride at an average speed of 30kph, and then a 2 hour run at a pace of 6.30km/min.

Bike Leg
At exactly 5.30, i am off biking..Riding on my new full carbon Giant TCR.Yoohoo!..I proceeded to MOA for the rounds.I have set to end the bike training at the hour mark. I got some hitches at the start of my ride when my Garmin bike pods didn't work. Only hassle was getting off the bike.But i was able to fix it in no time..
At the MOA, i was able to maintain my speed at 30kph.Bikers were not that many since MOnday is usually a rest day for most of the riders....It fits me just right.
The ride is usually uneventful. Just this time, i am more cautios on how my new bike works for me and how i work on the bike. Riding comfort, shifting, handling (i am a bit off with my 44 handlebar. I wanted to change it to either 42 or 40), to name a few of my concerns during the ride.
I got off the saddle at the 1 hour and 15 minute mark.

Transition
I have set up my transition area at my house. I elected to do so in consideration for the safe bike parking.
I arrived at my house at my Garmin's 1 hour and 15 mark. A little bit over 1 hour, but no big deal.
After parking my bike inside the house, taking one N.R.G tablet,running shoes change, wearing my hydration pack, cap, and shades, i am off running...Again, at the start of the run, i got some trouble setting up the foot pod this time for the Garmin. I haven't figured out yet how to change the setting from bike mode to running mode.Anyhow, i was to able fix it while running.

Run
I did the rounds at the Rockwell center. I have planned to do the Buendia route but opted the less traffic and less smog Rockwell area.
I maintained my run at 6.30 km/min...I have planned to do a 2 hour run, but i immediately run out of hydration fluids. So I have to cut back my running time to 1hour and 30 mins. I thought its just alright. I don't want to risk being dehydrated. Bawi na lang!I have to be better equipped though for the next brick session.
But nevertheles, the run was pretty satisfying. I was able to monitor my pace the whole time. Frequently checking my Garmin every so often.
I ended my run at the Mandaluyong Circle. My favorite place for the cooldown run.
Did the strecthing at my house.

More importantly, i got to swig my ice cold Herbalife shake with extra protein to ensure recovery.


So there you have it, my BRICK..

I was happy to go through with it feeling stronger. I think the overtraining/overreaching is now a history..Just really glad to be back..In time for the Whiterock!!!.

Carpe Diem Baby!

When was the last time you felt a sense of awe over a picture?

Look at this…
And read its caption..

“Monstrous waves that oftentimes creates a sound akin to thunder and produces a thud similar to gentle earthquake as it hits the breakwaters”

Captions make the picture more illustrative...or even more poetic at that…can even make the picture more inspiring.

But maybe you’ll say, “oh yeah, alright, great shot. Just one of the many pictures I’ve seen over in the internet or in some gift shops in SM Megamall”…and I’d say, “I agree…but this picture (and a lot more of it) means so much to me…You know why?...This was taken by a good friend of mine, Romulus Rueda.. He is pretty close to me since he is my kababayan, and had been my buddy when we were still in high school.”

Understandably, you will be swollen with pride when you know that a masterpiece was made by a person very known to you….But what made me even prouder, and amazed to an unimaginable extent, is the thought that I have never expected it from my friend. I have never thought that he, who apparently had this secret gift, would ever make me inspire by his works.


And here’s another stimulating shot… buzzing like flies
Note : This photo was published in one Inquirer newspaper issue.

Another one…. Night Lights

And another one…
God's Ray

But, you may ask, who is this Romulus anyway…

Well, I’ll just give a backgrounder…I have passed to describe him because I am avoiding a very long entry. I just cannot describe him in a short paragraph. It won’t do justice.

Anyway,

Romulus Rueda is also Raymond, Raymund, Rueda or Mhond to me. He is sometimes Daboy as well. He resembles the late Rudy Fernandez?? NOT!!. Actually, I haven’t figured out why he was called Daboy. I’ll ask him anyway…. We were both schooled at the Ateneo de Naga University in Camarines Sur, Bicol Region.I have known him for some extent since I am frequent visitor of their old house in Isarog St.. Back then, we listen to our “kind of music” all day..Grunge, Metal, Trash, Alternatives, you name it..Some of the popular bands we’ve been listening to were Silverchair, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and list goes on.And take note, we were listening to TAPES. Back then, CDs are still a bit way out of our student budget. Take note guys, they are already available then (we are not that old, huh!), we just can’t afford it…We would seldom exchange TAPES for us to maximize our budgets.

So Mhond, is a “Metal”..Pronounced as Met-tal..He is not a hip-hop.At least back in our high school days......But I am sure we are more diversed now.No longer caught between the Met-tal and Hip-Hop thing.We have moved on.

And moved on indeed for Raymond..He had moved with leaps and bounds. He is now far cry from his high school image. He had definitely had grown, and moved from a lunky kid to a man.....and a thinking man!

Let me share with you how he describes himself now.I took the liberty on”copy pasting” this from his blogsite. I hope he will not mind..

He says…

I would normally say that i am a photographer, writer, painter, traveller, loner, daydreamer, programmer, biker, boxer. Then sometimes depending on my moods i can be all or none of the above. This blog is my stab to the reality of chasing the lights and realizing that sometimes it is worth the chase and sometimes it isn't. But regardless of whatever it is that i may encounter in my journeys, all of which is still an adventure.
Carpe Diem Baby!

And Carpe Diem indeed..Look at his pictures. Taken through his eyes.See and feel how Mhond seizes the moment, seizes the day, seizes the beauty that surrounds him.

Mhond now had become an inspiration to me more than ever. I could see him through his works, his photographs...He has more than meets the eye.

With this entry, I am hoping that I would be able to re-introduce my friend to the world that we both live in. To our friends, to our family, to our officemates, to our schoolmates, to all the people he and I had known. And we will be meeting in the future..

Through this entry as well, may I thank Mhond.I asked him if I could make a blog on him and grab some of his pictures posted on his site.He immediately agreed.No qualms..And of course, no royalty.What good old friends are for anyway.

To end this entry, I will leave you with one final note.

....Mhond, behind his wonderful works, had remained truly down-to-earth.He may or may not see what he has done, but I hope, he will continue doing it. You inspire people........You have inspired me.

Kudos!

As Mhond would say, Carpe Diem Baby!

May you continue Chasing the Lights....

To re-discover Mhond, just click this.

More on Mhond's thru his Multiply Site.

Kodakan..with Celebs...Part 1

Kodakan with celebrities... PART 1

A collection of photos i have taken since y2006 until this August of 2008.


With Cheche Lazaro - CEO of Probe Team
Newscaster / TV Host
Date Taken : October 1, 2006
Event : Takbo para kay Nessa at U.P.Diliman
This is a fun run organized by the Probe Team. Aimed to raise fund for Nessa, a 5-year old girl with a hole in her heart.

More of Takbo para ka Nessa


W/ Paolo Soler - TV Host (Gameplan)
Date Taken : October 22, 2006 during the OctobeRUN Festival at the Fort..The event was sponsored/organized by my club, The Fort Striders.







W/ Allan Caidic and Eric Menk, both of the Ginebra Gin Kings then.
Date Taken : April 3, 2007
Taken during their practice run at the Ultra Oval. I happened to be running also at the track.

Look how tall Eric Menk is!!



Photos taken during the Terry Larrazabal Bike Festival at the Subic Bay last April 5 - 6, 2008. This happens to be my first Sprint Triathlon.Kinda "ispisyal", with all the celebs i'm with during the event.

w/ Marc Nelson - TV host(Sports Unlimited)/Model/Amazing Race Asia Finalist/Athlete..
Taken on the first day the event at the Subic Convention Center.

Around 3pm, kaya ang init!!!




w/ Brian Lopes. Mountain Bike champ from U.S.

Taken during the Race Briefing at around 7PM.

Not a Mountain Biker though, pero ayus na din!






W/ Leo Oracion, 1st Filipino to climb Mt. Everest.

Still during the Race Briefing.




W/ Raymart Santiago - Movie/TV Actor
Together with my fellow triathletes during race briefing.








At the Starting Line....Race Day!!!!..Still, at Terry Larrazabal Bike Fest.


W/ Mathieu O' Halloran - Professional Triathlete (Team TBB)

Eventual Champion of the event.

On the background are Team TBB Athletes.





W/ Paolo Abrera - Triathlete/TV Host

Paolo happens to be one of my favorite celebrity tri-athlete..





W/ Raymart again at the starting line.

W/ my fellow triathletes Rayzon, Reva at Joy.





W/ Sen. Pia Cayetano - Senator/Triathlete

W/ George Vilog - National Triathlete/Team Philippines







W/ Belinda Granger - Ironman Champion (Recent Ironman China)
Most treasured picture of the event..







W/ Drew Arrellano - TV Host / Triathlete

At the finish line!




W/ Claudine Barreto - Movie/TV Actress


my ex-wifey..





to be continued...

Why I Blog.....Reason # 2

i blog....

...because i wanted to share my thoughts to other people.

HS batchmates

Photo grabbed from our E-group..

Na ogma lang akong i-post ta bigla kong na miss ang mga taong iniyo.hayy!!!!

Introduction from left to right:

C louie "rannie raymundo' favenir, garo pig api..kabangga sana ang nakua..hehe..pero dawa kabangga sana, naririsa ko pa ang dikit na kagwapuhan..pira na naman kaya ang babae kainin ngonian?

C chito sex, garo matalion..ano daw kaya ang iniisip ka ini?...or, garo angot?

C jr the truth, manager looking man talaga..kagalang galang (pronounciation: ka-gulang gulang)..harhar.

Dakulaon man talaga si joseph mollskie..pag ulay ko, pag gurang ta, kapantay ta na..dae pa lan...

C glenda garo dae nag gugurang..garo man lang daraga sana..

C pat, ngiririt naman.purungay na pati ang mga mata.ogmahon na maray!!..maorag pa kaya ini mag basketbol??baka ibang basketbol naman..

c pading kirk, garo dae nag bago ang itsura.metal man guiraray..cool!..pero, garo receding na ang hairlines..signs of aging?

c pading dennis, my classmate sa 4E, druglord man guiraray ang dating.hehe..garo man sna pag may naka iwal ako, ini ang iiba ko sa resbak..just like old times...

.....

It's just truly amazing that i still remember their names almost instantenously as i see their faces in the picture..it has been 15 years, since we graduated from high school and yet, pag nailing mo, bistadohon mo pa man guiraray...

someday, i'm gonna meet you again in person!!..(and of course, kaibahan naman ako sa picture)

Why I Blog?....Reason # 1

I blog..

...because i wanted to express myself through writing.

Nike Human Race 2008 - Manila, Philippines

Race Number : 133
Name: Norman E. Pascual, Male, 32.
Event :Nike Human Race Manila.August 31, 2008.




It's been a while since i joined a 10K, or any road race for that matter.I have been training though for my triathlons but had been passing to join any road races lately. My last road race was a 5K last January 2008 at the Bull Run Festival.Tagal na!

So i kinda missed it.

I got to the event venue (Mc Kinley Hill) on my bike at around 5.30am. It was a good 6 to 7km bike ride from my home.Warm up na rin.


Upon my arrival, i immediately saw Kuya Delmo and Tina, my clubmates at The Fort Striders (our running group).They are there to promote our OctobeRUN Festival,the club's annual fun run on October 26, 2008.They will be distributing flyers and registration forms. They also have put up a makeshift booth to accomodate registrants for the event.

Familiar faces were all over. We greeted and exchange high fives/low fives.It was fun seeing all of them. Happy feets Patrick Concepcion, Master Mon, Dok, Ben, Jaymie and among others. Regular celebrities Drew Arellano and Tessa Prieto-Valdez was also there (got my pic with her).Levy Ang, my T.I. classmate and co-triathlete was also there. All in black!..Taki, my running buddy, was also there but won't be able to run.... It was a sizeable crowd.
Actually, i picked this race because mainly i know, that it would not be crowded. and also, i like the race route.


With Tessa Prieto-Valdes..She's Training for the NY Marathon.


The race started at exactly 6am. That's the number on my Garmin.On the dot..The entire race course was, i would say, very organized. From the starting line, to the water stations (i think every 2+ km, may water station), to the race marshalls, and until you go back to the finish line. Congrats to Rio, the race organizer.

Anaway, i had a good run. But i was hoping to get a sub-50 time, pero hindi umabot. My official time was 52.32... 20th place overall.

Freebies were also great..free nike socks, finisher's picture courtesy of Photovendo, Rush, and Nike Finisher's Bracelet.I was hoping to be picked among the lucky winners during the raffle, pero minalas.hehe. Walang nakuha.

ANyway, i really had fun!...i wore my Nike Lunar Trainer..and my new Garmin as well.hehe

My Finisher's Bracelet...