Recalling an afternoon run

There are those moments. They just come and you heed.

There are days when you suddenly feel an urge to do something. It was like that for me Thursday last week.

I already had my scheduled 10k tempo run in the morning, a 49-minute effort at 4:52/km average pace.

I was up early for the run as usual, and again I had to give in to my body's craving for the comfort of the soft bed after lunch. I was up in an hour and was whiling the time away watching "Run For Your Life," the documentary on New York City Marathon's Fred Lebow, when it struck me.

I felt re-energized and ready for an afternoon run. After craving for the comfort of the soft bed, I now seem to be craving for the feel of the road on my feet and the touch of the warm summer breeze on my sweat-soaked body.

I have had other afternoon runs, and even in much cooler weather, I knew they had a way of making your lungs burn early and leaving you gasping for breath almost all throughout the route. It is already summer, and that would heighten the discomfort. But I didn't seem to care.

I changed to my running shorts and shirt, laced up my Asics Sortie Marathon Duo racing flats and headed out for the dirt road that looped around the area where we lived. It was roughly 5 kilometers in distance, a mix of gravel and dirt, over rolling terrain. Even before I hit the first kilometer mark, I already had to go through two short gnarly uphills, my feet shifting here and there on the uneven rocky road. Yes, it's more than an ice cream flavor in these parts.

Going into my second kilometer, my feet were more than happy to be on friendlier packed dirt, not to mention the long downhills. I was still feeling a slight burn in my lungs and gasping a bit for breath, but was becoming a bit more comfortable. It couldn't be worse anymore unless I go all out which I don't plan to do. I was in my comfort zone by the time I was going into the last three kilometers of the loop.

I finished my run in 38 minutes, a 5:38/km effort.

Passing a group of children playing in the afternoon sun as I was winding up the run, I can't help but smile. I felt a sense of oneness with them. Yes, I heed the urge to run and I am young again, a child at play.

Another night run in Davao: GMA-Energizer Night Race

Runners will troop to the streets of Davao City again on the evening of April 16 for another post-sundown event, the Energizer Night Race.

Presented by GMA and Energizer, the Energizer Night Race will feature 3K, 5K, and 10K race distances.

Cash prices will be awarded for the top three male and female finishers of each race distance. The top finisher will take home P10,000 while the 2nd and 3rd placers will get P7,000 and P5,000 respectively.

Special prizes would also be awarded to the youngest runner, oldest runner, biggest contingent, and best in jazzed up singlet or costume.

Registration fee is P450 which entitles the participant to a free Energizer 3 LED headlamp worth P500, a dri-fit singlet, & and Energizer cap and Schick razor to be given before the race. Proceeds will go to the GMA Kapuso Foundation.

Registration sites are GMA TV Station at Shrine Hills, RunClub Davao, Holiday Gym and Spa, Nike at SM City Davao and Sports Town at Gaisano Mall.

In addition to the thrill of a night run and the good feeling that comes from being able to donate to a worthy cause while doing what they love to do most, runners would also be treated to celebrity sightings galore as 5 Kapuso stars will join them in the run. While it may not be everybody's cup of tea, most would definitely welcome the opportunity of being able to run side by side with these celebrities and the postrace photo opportunity.

A postrace concert dubbed Kapuso Night has also been scheduled at 10pm.

Assembly is at 6:30 pm on April 16 at the SM City Davao parking area C with Kapuso stars and Holiday Gym trainors leading the warm up exercises.

Gunstart for all race categories will be at 8 pm.

For more information visit their website at www.energizerbatteries.com.ph.

Burn: U Rock, U Run

Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill in Taguig will be abuzz with runners on Sunday, April 10, with the holding of Burn: U Rock, U Run. 

The event organized by the UP Chemical Society features 3K, 5K and 10K distances and is for the rehabilitation and construction of the buildings of UP Diliman Institute of Chemistry.

Registration fee is P450. Runners who register in groups of 10 get P50 off for each person. Each registered runner will get a race kit which includes a singlet and race bib.

You may register for this event at the following:

• http://upchemicalsociety.org/ 
• http://www.runnersrunner.com/store/events/burn-urock-urun-2011.html., 
• at Chris Sports branches in SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa Annex, Glorietta, and Market! Market!

You may also visit the Burn: U Rock, U Run events page on Facebook for more information.

Run Of Peace set April 10 in Tagum City

Road racing action moves to Davao Del Norte's capital city of Tagum on Sunday, April 10, with the staging of the Run Of Peace at the Rotary Park on Pioneer Avenue starting at 4:00 a.m.

Run Of Peace is presented by the 3rd Special Forces Battalion in cooperation with the 1st Davao del Norte Ready Reserve Battalion, Kalinga ng Liga ng Bise Mayor at Gobernador ng Davao del Norte and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, Provincial Office. The event features a 3K, 5K, 10K and the main 21K distance runs.

Registration fees are Php 250 for 21K and Php 150 for 10K, 5K and 3K. Registration covers race singlet, race bib, finisher's certificate and finisher's kit.

Registration forms are available at the Vice Mayor's Office, SP Building, Bonifacio St., Tagum City and at the Philippine Army 3rd Special Forces Battalion Headquarters in Barangay San Isidro, Tagum City

For tomorrow (April 5) only, Run Of Peace organizers have scheduled a one-day registration at RunClub Davao at Plaza Del Carmen, Loyola Street, Barrio Obrero, Davao City so runners don't have to go all the way to Tagum.

For more information, you may call the following numbers:

(084) 400-1346 / (084) 217 3412 / (084) 218 4869;
0917 554 3712/ 0928 391 2862 / 0922 490 9088

You can also visit the Run Of Peace event page on Facebook.