Merry Christmas and a Happy New Belly

Merry Christmas everybody!!! Our (CERC) gift to you this season is the inclusion of the SRP Tunnel during the Cebu City Marathon. Aside from the road closure at 4:00 AM to 9:00 AM on race day, we finally made arrangements of using the SRP tunnel as part of the sights to see in Cebu.

Humba and Ice cream are my weakness. I have been eating a lot since last week and have gained weight. Less exercise with a bottomless pit of a stomach will definitely ruin a properly engineered training program. One of the biggest challenges of the CCM is to maintain race weight during the December days. Lucky for me, I can NOT run the CCM. Organizers and members of CERC have to take care of the water stations along the CCM route. While you busy yourself tapering and maintaining proper diet, I eat and rest. I will be assigned at the SRP Tunnel water station along with fellow Ungo Runner Dr. Alex Junia and Dr. Clifford Aranas. Please share with me you comments or suggestions on how to make MY ASSIGNED WATER STATION the most memorable. Email me at reelrunning@ceburunning.com.

Merry Christmas Everybody!!! And a Happy New Year!!! See you in 2 weeks!!!

CEBU CITY MARATHON 2011 UPDATES!!!

Registration to one of the best marathons in the Philippines is almost over. Cebu Executive Runners Club (Organizers of the Cebu City Marathon) announced to extend the registration period for the 2011 CCM race to December 22, 2010. If you are still undecided, you have 2 more days to go. We (CERC) hope this new CCM 2011 Finisher's Medal will persuade to go to the Ayala Active Zone Registration Center or log-in at www.cebumarathon.com to register.

If you are a Cebuano and are not running the CCM 2011, Please help us make the marathon more special to others by participating in the events. On race day, please watch and cheer for runners along the race route. Inspire, motivate and help runners achieve their goals. Thank you very much. 

The Finisher's Medal

The Finisher’s Medal is one of the most effective means of relieving pain among athletes. Euphoria felt after receiving the medal when crossing the finish line is due to the sudden rise of endorphins in our blood stream causing our bodies to forget or mask pain. Muscle sore, cramps, tightness and fatigue quickly fades when we don the medal.

(Speedo NAGT 3rd Place Medal - 30-34 Age Group)

Only in marathons and triathlons that the last finisher receives the same cheer as the first. Spectators applaud as participants cross the finish line and complete the race. They envy as participants receive their finisher’s medal.

(5th CDU University Run Medal - 1st Place Doctors' Category)

The medal symbolizes achievement. It tells other people that you have endured something that is not easily accomplished. I trained hard with Team Reborn for the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines and gained 3 medals. During my taper period, I ran the 5th CDU University Run and won in the 10K Doctors’ Category. Then I completed triathlon training by finishing the 2010 Cobra 70.3 Ironman Philippines and ranked 111 out of 497 individual participants. 2 weeks after the Ironman, I lead the “Run for the Medal” pace group for the 34th Milo 21K Cebu Eliminations and finished on time. Three medals in four weeks.

(Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines Finisher's Medal)

As an active member of the Cebu Executive Runners Club, I am not eligible to run the Cebu City Marathon. Members have assigned tasks and will become marshals during the best marathon in the Philippines. Because of this, the CCM finisher's medal remains one of my most sought after medal.

(Cebu City Marathon 2010 Finisher's Medal)

Train Hard. See you on the Road.

The Cebu City Marathon is right around the corner... Reminders for the Runners

The countdown comes to an end as the Cebu City Marathon draws near. Excitement clouds the running community of Cebu. While most participants are running the 5K, some are first timers to the 42K category. Anxiety projects from every striving marathoner. 

Final preparations are taking place as the event draw closer. Race packets are meticulously prepared by organizers before the marathon expo on Jan.6-8, 2010 held at the Ayala Active Zone. Freebies, race bibs, singlets, timing chip (21K and 42K category), race details and route are placed one at a time in every race packet ready for distribution. Arrangements for the Carbo-loading party on Jan.8, 2010 at 6PM at the Ayala Terraces are verified to satisfy all runners wanting to load on fuel for the race.

Members of the Cebu Executive Runners Club, organizers of the CCM, busy themselves with the final race preparations while race participants focus on final race day strategies.

Here are a few reminders to prepare for Race day.

1. Study the route. Familiarize yourself with the route to avoid confusion and properly set out a plan.

2. Make a checklist for race day. Apparels, shoes, cap, fuel belt, wrist-top computers, race bib, timing chip and Gels are of utmost importance. It is advised to bring money and toilet paper in case on emergencies.

3. Post-race gear. Extra clothes, slippers, towels, medications and money are put together in one bag to bring on race day. Deposit items in courtesy booth.

4. Race Strategy. Gel every 45-60 mins. Eat a light breakfast 1-2 hours prior to the race. Walking breaks for first timers. Sips of water every 1.5- 2K to avoid dehydration. Warm-up and Stretching routine before the race. Run at your own pace.

5. Carbo-Load 2-3 days before the race and not the night before. Meet with other runners and fuel up at the official CCM carbo-loading party on Jan.8. Coupons are priced cheap at P150.00 for a carb-meal and drink during the party. Free coupons are given to the first 150 registrants of the CCM. A program to orient and inspire runners is prepared. Family and friends are invited to share this night with runners.

6. Do not miss out on the Race Expo. Race packets are distributed during the Expo. Runners will also have the chance to grab some new gear at discounted prices.

7. Sleep. Get at least 6-8 hours of sleep prior to the race. Eat dinner and put yourself to bed early to relax and prepare your body for race day.

8. Hydrate the entire day before the race. Never hydrate 1-3 hours prior to the race to avoid feeling heavy or bloating. A simple test to check hydration status is to note your urine color. Clear and almost transparent urine color is recommended.  

9. Race Rules Familiarization. No wheeled supports and unregistered runners (bandits) inside the barricade. Wear race bibs in front of singlet. No shortcuts. Secure your timing chips. No chip means no official finish time.

10. Bring extra money for the CCM souvenir shirts and official marathon photos. Smile every time you see a camera aimed at you.

To all CCM participants, Godspeed and don't forget to enjoy the Race.

See you on the Road. 

Published Sunstar Cebu "On the Road" January 8, 2010.

Cebu City Marathon UPDATE !!!

Christmas and New Year's Day is almost here. Malls and offices will be closed on the holidays. But as long as Ayala Active Zone is open, CCM registrations will continue.

Register Now for the Grandest Running Event in Cebu for 2010.

Join the Cebu City Marathon!!!!

Marathon History

The Marathon started in Greece in honor of a war hero Philippides (Phidippides) who ran himself to death during the Persian/ Greek War. He ran 140 miles in 36 hours to ask the Spartans to aid the Athenians in crushing the Persian invaders. After being turned down, he ran back to Marathon, Greece and informed them of the desolate news. Outnumbered 4 to 1, the Athenians fought the Persians in a surprise attack and forced them to sea. This pushed the Persians to attack the city of Athens in hope that the Greek army can not assemble in time. Philippides was again tasked to run a distance of 26 miles to warn the Athenians of the attack and the news of victory over Persia in Marathon. After reaching Athens in approximately 3 hours, Philippides collapsed and died of exhaustion. Athenians and Spartans defended Greece from the Persian invaders and won the war. 

The first marathon was held during the olympic games and covered a distance of 40 kilometers. A Greek postal worker completed the course in 2 hours 58 mins and 50 secs and won. The official marathon distance was later changed to 26.2 miles during the 1924 Paris Olympics.

Current world records for the Marathon include Haile Gebrselassie, an Ethiopian, during the 2008 Berlin Marathon and finished 2 hours 3 minutes and 59 secs while British Paula Radcliffe holds the female record at 2 hours 15 mins 25 secs during the 2003 London Marathon. 

Every runner dreams of joining a full marathon. We often start running distances from 5k to 10k then the half-marathon and later the full Marathon. Finishing a marathon needs persistence, patience, determination and courage. No words can describe the feeling after completing a 42 kilometer race. Elated and proud emanates from every marathon finisher.

Take the Challenge. See you on January 10, 2010 for the Cebu City INTERNATIONAL Marathon.

The Cebuano Marathoner

In a few weeks, Cebu City will be hosting its biggest tourist attraction. Held once a year on the third sunday of January, the SINULOG Parade will grace the streets of Cebu and fill it with color and energy. Tourists, domestic and Foreign, will march across the busiest streets of Cebu to witness first hand the beauty of Cebu City.

But some tourists prefer to run. Held a week before the actual street parade, Cebu City will also host its biggest running event. The Cebu City Marathon will encompass all the beautiful sites Cebu has to offer and probably more. As more and more Cebuanos get afflicted with the running virus, many often hesitate to join the race. "I am not ready" they say. But what does it really take to run 5K, 21K or 42K?

Training for a Full Marathon is very much different than running a 5K. Nutrition, Mileage and proper gear come into play. Injuries do happen to the unprepared. Mileage slowly increases at 10% a week from 30K to 60-70K a few weeks prior to race day. Wearing improper shoes can cause a catastrophe during the race and lead to plantar fascitiis, shin splints and cramps. Not only will the race test you physically but also mentally. Runners "Hit the wall" and quit anytime during the race. Anything can happen from KM 1 up to KM 42.195.


When runners decide to run a marathon, they commit themselves to train. Preparations include waking up at 3:00-4:00AM to run, eating a regular balanced diet, STOP smoking and minimize drinking alcohol. Many dare try but few triumph.

Take the challenge. Become a Marathoner. 

See you ON THE ROAD !!!

The Perfect Pain Reliever after a Marathon

Everybody hurts after a Marathon... The best treatment? 


Pills? NO. 
Massage? NO. 
Kiss from a Sexy and Beautiful Girl? MAYBE.


FOR INSTANT RELIEF.... This will suffice.

PAIN IS INEVITABLE.

SUFFERING IS OPTIONAL.

See You on January 10, 2010