A race to raise hope

The New Balance Power Run comes to Manila this year, and this time, we’re racing to spread hope for cancer victims. Join us on Sunday, September 27, 5:30 am at Bonifacio Global City. Choose from 21k,10k, and 5k events or join the 3k Walk for Cancer Awareness. Hope to see you all there!

Download the registration form at the New Balance site or visit one of the registration outlets listed above.

5 tips for your next long race

1. You will do better. Finishing 21 km isn’t exactly high on the achievement list of recreational runners so when you run in this league, the participants are faster and stronger. You will eat their dust—at least at first. With more regular training, your speed and endurance will improve, and pretty soon you’ll be able to keep up.
2. Cotton socks are baaaaaad. The blister on my toe is proof of that. My feet were soaking after 2 1/2 hours of running. The smell was fresh enough to elicit a flurry of disapproving barks from our neighbor’s dog.
3. Music matters. In fact, music is essential for long races imho, or you’re stuck listening to the occasional breeze, the soft gurgle of running canal water near the road, car horns, muffler-challenged public transportation, and the heavy wheezing of people running close to you. These sounds will drive you slowly insane.
4. Float like a butterfly. I watched Jake sprint yesterday during practice, and I swear, it almost looked like he was barely touching the ground. Run light, and let your momentum carry you forward.
5. And finally, don’t feel bad. Even if your officemate beats you by a humiliating… 15… minutes… sniff… sniff… huhuhuhuarrrgh!

Corcovado

Every time I hear Tracey Thorn's voice, I get goose bumps. EBTG, more than any other musical act, defined college for me. Driving, Rollercoaster, and When All's Well still give me nostalgic flashbacks of uncomplicated days. I hear a mish-mash of familiar voices, I see friendly faces floating tentatively near the edges of fuzzy memories, and I can almost feel the ground under my feet while strolling through misty but recognizable places on campus glowing in oddly golden sunlight.

A decade-and-a-half ago, I graduated with a long, long sigh.

I told myself I wasn't going to look back - well maybe just a little. After all, the people I cared about were moving on to the real world.

But today, I miss them all.

I think I'll get off my lazy butt and take a short, nostalgic run through the campus this weekend. Just for old time's sake.