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Healthy Night With Soyami

Last January 25, I was privileged to be invited at the Blogger's launch of Soyami Soya Chips, which I found out that it's Manufactured by 100% Filipino-owned Marketing and Manufacturing Company - AM Global Works Marketing Corp. The event was held at one of the cozy restaurants at the Fort Strip in Bonifacio Global City, hosted by the Sporty and Health enthusiast TV Host Marc Nelson, together with Ms. Apple Morales, the President and Owner of AM Global.

Three flavors of Soyami Soya Chips (Original, Cheesy Cheddar, Pizza)
At the healthy and guiltless pleasure of the eve, Chef Sandralyn Hataway from Tourne Restaurant served us with her Soya-inspired dishes. Yes you read it right, there's more food that can be prepared with Soya. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to jot down the name of the dishes due to the excitement of having my taste glands get a home run of the sumptuous meal. If you're curious to try these Soya-inspired dishes, you may drop-by at the Tourne Restaurant located at the 7th Street, the Fort Strip, together with your friends after your evening run or jog around BGC. If you won't be able to drop-by at the said restaurant but want some quick fill for your protein needs after a tiring workout at the nearby Fitness First or a long run towards BGC, then you may just grab a pack from any variants of Soyami snacks.


But wait, meron pa pala... Chips are not the only variant of Soyami as they also have bread sticks in three flavors: Garlic, Chili, and Basil. Not only that, as our Grandparents will also love the oldest-favorite, hard-one but melts-in-your-mouth "puto seko" also made from Soya. For the ladies who loves oatmeal, there's also the Soya Oatmeal cookies. All these foods are also made of non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) and Halal-Certified food which means it passed the dietary consideration of our Muslim brothers.

Bread Sticks and Soya Oatmeal Cookies
Soya Helps prevents the following:
  • Bones: (Osteoporosis)
  • Breast Cancer
  • Reduces the risk of Prostate Cancer
  • Colon Cancer
  • Reduces the risk of heart diseases and high blood pressure
  • Reduces Menopause Symptoms
  • Child Obesity
  • Hair Loss
  • Increased healing of the wounds
  • Protects again Alzheimer’s Disease
with TV Host Marc Nelson and AM Global President Ms. Apple Morales
You may also dip the Soyami Chips
Center Snack
Soyameal at Tourne
Soyami Dessert
Present also on the event were Sponsors and Representatives of other Nature-advocate Organizations and Companies who also presented to the Bloggers their creative and wonder products such as the Face One of Q-Life, Recycled pens of Fernbelly TreeHugger, and the undying call to save our Trees and Forests by Haribon Foundation.

Get to know more about the health benefits of Soya, visit the following vides from this link.

Visit and like Soyami's Fanpage and you may also follow them on Twitter.

Soyami wish to give thanks to their Sponsors and Partners:
Q-Life's Face One
Fruit Magic
Fitness First
Tourne
Haribon Foundation
Suncoast: Lightwater and Vit. Boost
Fernbelly - Treehugger
Rudy Project
Read more ...

Snacking Without The Guilt

I first have a taste of the Soyami Chips after the 2nd Trek the TEC 90 floors vertical run last November 26, 2011. At first, I was hesitant to get my tongue from their free taste as I'm not really a usual chips-eater guy (unless at the very last resort when my stomach's already feeding with my innards). At the same time, although I am a "taho-addict" and soya-milk drinker (for my protein source alternative), I still can't absorb the idea of eating a Chips snack made from Soya. It was because I believed that you can't make Soya as tasty without artificial flavorings (like the added milk, chocolate, or strawberry and sugar from Soya milk), much more if it's in chips form, you'll need the much "vetsin" to make it appealing to the taste buds. But when I saw Soyami's booth's banner that reads: "Made with Real Soya, No Trans Fat, No MSG", my initial reaction was: "weh? ma-try nga!".

Photo courtesy of Soyami
After the taste-test, well, it sort of never really ended as we still begged more from the crew of Soyami to open more packs for us to munch at while waiting for the program to start. The taste? Malinamnam! So when our stomachs were finally fulfilled with the tasty snacks, I was enticed to buy their trial pack which includes the three flavors of Soyami Soya Chips - Original, Pizza, and Cheddar Cheese. The trial pack also comes with a 3-day pass for Fitness First, which my brother was able to use a week after.

Then last January 25, I was privileged to be invited at the Blogger's launch of Soyami Soya Chips, which I found out that it's Manufactured by 100% Filipino-owned Marketing and Manufacturing Company - AM Global Works Marketing Corp. The event was held at one of the cozy restaurants at the Fort Strip in Bonifacio Global City, hosted by the Sporty and Health enthusiast TV Host Marc Nelson, together with Ms. Apple Morales, the President and Owner of AM Global.

Three flavors of Soyami Soya Chips (Original, Cheesy Cheddar, Pizza)
At the healthy and guiltless pleasure of the eve, Chef Sandralyn Hataway from Tourne Restaurant served us with her Soya-inspired dishes. Yes you read it right, there's more food that can be prepared with Soya. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to jot down the name of the dishes due to the excitement of having my taste glands get a home run of the sumptuous meal. If you're curious to try these Soya-inspired dishes, you may drop-by at the Tourne Restaurant located at the 7th Street, the Fort Strip, together with your friends after your evening run or jog around BGC. If you won't be able to drop-by at the said restaurant but want some quick fill for your protein needs after a tiring workout at the nearby Fitness First or a long run towards BGC, then you may just grab a pack from any variants of Soyami snacks.


Present also on the event were Sponsors and Representatives of other Nature-advocate Organizations and Companies who also presented to the Bloggers their creative and wonder products, and the undying call to save our Trees and Forests.

But wait, meron pa pala... Chips are not the only variant of Soyami as they also have bread sticks in three flavors: Garlic, Chili, and Basil. Not only that, as our Grandparents will also love the oldest-favorite, hard-one but melts-in-your-mouth "puto seko" also made from Soya. For the ladies who loves oatmeal, there's also the Soya Oatmeal cookies. All these foods are also made of non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) and Halal-Certified food which means it passed the dietary consideration of our Muslim brothers.

Soyameal at Tourne
Soya Helps prevents the following:
  • Bones: (Osteoporosis)
  • Breast Cancer
  • Reduces the risk of Prostate Cancer
  • Colon Cancer
  • Reduces the risk of heart diseases and high blood pressure
  • Reduces Menopause Symptoms
  • Child Obesity
  • Hair Loss
  • Increased healing of the wounds
  • Protects again Alzheimer’s Disease
Here's some Exercise Tips I got from the presentation of the resident Nutritionist of Tourne:
  1. Consult with Doctor before starting any exercise program.
  2. Know your exercise capacity. It pays to know where you can start off with your exercise.
  3. Go for FAT LOSS instead of WEIGHT LOSS.
  4. Engage in resistance training at least 3x per week.
  5. Cardio exercises at least 30 minutes everyday.
  6. Start with 3 sets with 10-15 reps per set.
  7. Challenge yourself every training day. This will give your body something to anticipate everytime.
  8. Keep yourself hydrated.
  9. Track yourself. Keep a journal of your programs to see where you came from and appreciate the achievements.
  10. Make it Fun!
with TV Host Marc Nelson and AM Global President Ms. Apple Morales

And here's what our own running icon has to say about Soyami:
"I’m always on the run so Soyami is perfect snack to carbo-load and power me through the day."
- Rio dela Cruz, Celebrity Runner & Sportsman

Get to know more about the health benefits of Soya, visit the following vides from this link.

Visit and like Soyami's Fanpage and you may also follow them on Twitter.
Read more ...

Riovana Run With Your Receipts Promo

How would you like to get an extra from your sports apparel purchases? Riovana has an ongoing promo for each of your receipts from Riovana BGC and Katipunan branches. Just accumulate your receipts dating from January 28 until February 28, then have those receipts exchanged for a Gift Certificate.



More details about the mechanic:

  1. Customer will need to accumulate Php5,000.00 receipts in Riovana BGC and Katipunan from January 28 – February 28, 2012

  2. Customer will receive Riovana Gift Certificate amounting to Php500 pesos.

  3. GC is not convertible to cash.

  4. This Promo is not in conjunction with any other promos

  5. Riovana Gift Certificate is valid 1 year upon issue

  6. Redemption is valid 60days afrter promo period.

  7. Participating Stores- Riovana BGC and Katipunan

Read more ...

Diabetes Should Never Happen To You

by Dr. Gabe Mirkin, M.D.

One of three North Americans will become diabetic, and almost all are pre-diabetic long before they become diabetic.

Signs of pre-diabetes include:
  • a protruding belly
  • small buttocks
  • love handles around the belt line
  • high triglycerides (greater than 150)
  • low HDL (good) cholesterol (lower than 40)
  • fatty liver
  • fasting blood sugar above 100
  • blood sugar above 120, two hours after eating.

If you change the habits that cause the signs of pre-diabetes, you can probably avoid ever becoming diabetic.

Image from MedicineNet.com
Exercise Helps Lower High Blood Sugar Levels.

People who are pre-diabetic have a far more dramatic lowering of high blood sugar and insulin with exercise than non-diabetics (Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, December 2011;43(12):2231-2240). High blood sugar levels cause sugar to stick to the outer surface of cell membranes and destroy them. High blood insulin levels constrict arteries leading to the heart to cause heart attacks.

Intense Exercise is Far More Effective in Controlling Blood Sugar Levels Than Just Exercising.

In another study, men performed the following workout three times a week: They warmed up by pedaling on a stationary bicycle for five minutes, performed two 20-second hard sprints and then cooled down by pedaling slowly for five minutes (European Journal of Applied Physiology, December 2011). After six weeks, there was an incredible drop in blood sugar and insulin levels, far more than a diabetic achieves by exercising less intensely for more than one hour a day. The authors write: "These sprints break down as much glycogen in two 20-second sprints as moderate endurance exercise would in an hour."

Muscles store sugar inside their cells as glycogen. Emptying muscle cells of glycogen markedly improves the ability of muscle cells to remove sugar from the bloodstream.

BAD HABITS THAT CAUSE DIABETES:

If you have type II diabetes, you probably did it to yourself. More than 90 percent of diabetes is caused by inability to respond to insulin. Insulin cannot do its job of driving sugar from the bloodstream into cells until it attaches on special hooks on cell membrane called insulin receptors. So anything that blocks insulin receptors prevents insulin from working and causes blood sugar levels to rise too high. Also, anything that drives sugar into cells without needing insulin helps to prevent and treat diabetes.

Behaviors that block insulin receptors include:
  • Eating Red Meat. The saturated fat in red meat blocks insulin receptors to prevent insulin from doing its job.
  • Being Fat. Full fat cells block insulin receptors.
  • Lacking Muscle. Contracting muscles can remove sugar from the bloodstream without needing insulin. However this effect lasts only during exercise and up to 17 hours afterwards, so you have to exercise every day. Exercise draws sugar into cells without even needing insulin, and exercise makes your body respond better to insulin (Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: December 2011;43(12):2231-2240).
  • Lacking Vitamin D. Vitamin D is necessary for your cells to respond to insulin. Lack of vitamin D blocks insulin receptors and prevents insulin from doing its job of lowering blood sugar levels. Vitamin D levels should be above 75 nmol/L.
  • Sugar and Other Refined Carbohydrates. Eating or drinking sugar and refined carbohydrates (such as bakery products and pastas) raises blood sugar levels the most. A high rise in blood sugar causes sugar to stick to cells. Once there, sugar can never be removed. It eventually is converted to sorbitol that destroys the cell to cause all the horrible side effects of diabetes: blindness, deafness, heart attacks, strokes, dementia, impotence, kidney failure, amputations and so forth.


Read more ...

Diadora Mythos Samurai III - Shoe Review

Last November of 2011, I received a pair of top of the line running shoe of Diadora, an Italian sports brand - the Mythos Samurai III, courtesy of Ms. Lia Solo from Royal Sporting House.

When I came back to running in 2008, my first running shoe then was also a Diadora Mythos that I bought on a sale price at a Mall. Though the shoe was a Women's style racing flats, it was substantially durable, soft on the heels, and flexible running shoe that fits my foot well. I have first used it on a race at the 2008 Men's Health Miracle Run and it gained a lot more of pounding and mileage both from the badminton court and on the road until its last race at the 2009 Pioneer Mighty Run.

That first experience with Diadora running shoe I thought was also the last as Diadora no longer glanced my eyesight. But now they're back on the line with an impressive evolution to the technology of their footwear as integrated to the Mythos Samurai 3 running shoe - Elaston E.V.A. foam on the insole and midsole, the Axeler CCB, Power Flow shank, and the Axeler WI5 technology.

I've first used this shoe during the 2nd Trek the T.E.C 90 floors vertical run (yeap there was no break-in for this shoe). After one day, my brother also used this same shoe for his 2nd fun run (and his first race after more than a year) for a 3k run with flag football at the 2011 Run BGC. I allowed my brother to use this so I could observe how did my brother performed with the shoe, as he has been without training nor preparation prior to his race. Gladly, there were no shoe-caused injuries manifested to him aside from the 1-day of sore leg muscles due to the absence of run training.

Diadora Mythos Samurai III
As for me, here's my quick outlook based from my own experience and observation to the Mythos Samurai III:
  • Lightweight - almost as light as my Adizero Boston race flats.
  • Cushioned - thanks to the shock-absorbing EVA foam
  • Sturdy yet Flexible - the blown flexoft rubber breaks the breaking-in rule!
  • Breathability - nylon air-mesh construction and Power flow at the outer-sole
  • All Terrain Type - just look at the outer-sole, it's thick, sturdy, and shouts out for trail actions.
  • Great Value - comes at discounted price at all Diadora and RSH stores in metro-malls.
  • Stability and Support
  • Eye-Friendly color combinations
Although, I owned a one size bigger because for my usual shoe size of US7.5 for the Mythos Samurai III seems to have narrow toe box for me. The next size, US8 on the other hand was like too large for me. Should there be a size of US7.75, it might have been the perfect fit, lol!

Quick Specs:

Upper: Nylon air mesh and Supreltech. Lining with special anti-bacteria treatment.
Insole: Removable anatomical cotton jersey and shock-absorbing Elastom E.V.A. foam.
Midsole: Moulded Elastom E.V.A. foam. Double Action² in the heel area. C.C.B.. Axeler Wi-5 Propulsion. Power Flow.
Sole: Blown Flexoft Rubber in the front area. Special Duratech 5000 wearproof compound in the heel area.

More technical details available on this post, while here are some photos for your delight :)

Upper: Nylon air mesh and Supreltech
Heel area: Special Duratech 5000 wearproof compound
Lining: special anti-bacteria treatment
Double Action²

Power Flow
Blown Flexoft Rubber
It even has arch-support

shock-absorbing Elastom E.V.A. foam

Please also drop-by and like my Running Team's facebook fanpage at:
Diadora Phils. Running Team
Read more ...

Lactic Acid

by Dr. Gabe Mirkin, M.D.

When you exercise, sugar is broken down into different chemicals, to produce energy for muscles. As long as you get all the oxygen you need, the final products are carbon dioxide and water, but if you exercise so vigorously that you can't get the oxygen that you need, the reactions stop, causing a chemical called lactic acid to accumulate in your muscles and spill into you bloodstream.

Lactic acid buildup in muscles does not make muscles tired and may even make muscle contract more efficiently, which may increase your endurance. This concept contradicts what most instructors teach in their exercise classes.

The old theory was that lactic acid makes the muscles more acidic which causes them to hurt and burn and interferes with their ability to contract, so you feel tired. Now researchers have shown that muscles contact more efficiently when lactic acid accumulates in them. Electric currents cause muscles to contract. This electricity is generated by cell membranes causing potassium to move inside cells and chloride ions to stay outside. With vigorous exercise, potassium ions accumulate outside cells. As large amounts of potassium ions accumulate outside cells, electricity is not generated and the cells cannot contract. Another ion called chloride accumulates outside cells and prevents potassium from getting back inside cells. Lactic acid removes the chloride, so it is easier for potassium to get back inside cells. Therefore lactic acid increases the ratio of potassium inside cells to the amount outside, and this helps the muscle contract with more efficiency.

While this concept of how muscles use lactic acid for energy is reasonable, it is not likely to change the way athletes train or the way exercisers become more fit. Healthy people are supposed to exercise vigorously and feel a burn in their muscles during exercise, which signifies buildup of lactic acid in muscles. They feel sore on the next day, go easy for as many days as it takes for muscles to feel fresh again, and then exercise intensely again.

When lactic acid causes your muscles to hurt, you breathe harder and faster, and slow down to catch up with your oxygen debt. This converts lactic acid into carbon dioxide and water that are blown off as you breathe. Blood levels of lactic acid lower and your muscles stop hurting. A pace that you can hold breathing fast and deeply, but not gasping for breath, is called the lactic acid threshhold and is the training level for most competitive athletes.

Read more ...

Race for the Orphans

When: February 12, 2012

Categories: 5K, 10k

Where: Camp Aguinaldo Grounds, EDSA corner Santolan Avenue, Quezon City



Registration Fees: Regular registration fees (from January 7 until February 9, 2012)

Php 600.00 - 10K

Php 400.00 - 5K

- Includes Bib with Timing Tag and Singlet (For both 5k and 10k runners). All registered runners have a chance to win a free trip for 2 to Boracay.



REGISTRATION VENUES

January 7 to February 11, 2012 (12:00 nn – 8:00 pm)

- Secondwind Running Store: Quezon City and Ortigas Branches

- A Runners Circle (ARC): Roxas Blvd. corner Quirino Avenue

- ROX: Bonifacio High Street, BGC, Taguig



Avail of the early registration promo of 6 Race Kits plus 1 FREE (same category only) good until January 22, 2012.

A RACE FOR THE ORPHANS

A race for the orphans, a race for your hearts! A very special race for the month of the heart—The Race For The Orphans will stir the Camp Aguinaldo Grounds in the still misty morning of February 12, 2011 each not only to experience running the peaceful grounds of the military camp but to take part in answering the orphans' cry for love and compassion.



It is with this aim that Rundezvous Events Inc., will stage this event that will provide scholarship grants through “I-Hope”, a trust fund that will support the educational needs of these orphans of soldiers killed in action in Mindanao and for future grantees of the AFP Educational Benefit System (AFPEBS).



“We shall leave no soldiers’ orphan behind”. This is the AFP Educational Benefit System Office’s (AFPEBSO) tagline, an organization which deeply recognizes the heroism in each Filipino soldier. It is one of the morale and welfare outfits of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that grant educational benefits both to the military personnel and their dependents with the aim of helping them secure a brighter future. As it recognizes our soldiers' heroism, especially of those who lay down their lives in protecting peace, AFPEBSO gives priority to the orphans of Filipino soldiers who were killed in action.



For inquiries, please call or text:

Abet: 09158030224

Zarina: 09165217400

Or call Phone: 6(32) 3829659 c/o of Salie Guarin.
Read more ...

Century Tuna NAGT

Event Venue: Start & Finish at Dungaree Beach, Subic Bay Freeport,

Race Date & Time: February 5, 2012 (Sunday) at 6:00AM



Race Distances:

Standard Distance Age-Groupers –

1.5k swim (2 loops), 40k bike (2 loops), 10k run (4 loops)



Standard Distance Age-Groupers –

750m swim (1 loop), 40k bike (1 loop), 10k run (2 loops)



Mini-Sprint (13~15, 16~19 years old, & Adults) –

750m swim, 20k bike, 5k run (all 1 loop)



SuperTriKids Aquathlon (all 1 loop)

9-10: 200m swim, 400m run

11-12: 350 swim, 1.5k run



To Register:

Submit filled-up registration form with your fee at the TRAP Office, Room 101 Bldg B, Philsports Complex (ULTRA), Meralco Ave., Pasig City or at Speedo Concept Stores or at Bike King, Bonifacio High Street. (Speedo & Bike King will receive forms until Feb. 13, 2011 only).



Peso payment can also be made through:

BPI (Tomas Carrasco C/A No. 0081-0483-63) or

PNB (Triathlon Association of the Philippines,, C/A No. 1002-3310-0013)

TRAP Office No. 710-8259 or 399-6598



Fax entry form and deposit slip with name to Fax#: 809-3136.

Email: fabiedavid@yahoo.com



Registration Fee:

Standard Distance: P2,500 (until December 31, 2011); P3,000 (January 28, 2012)

Sprint Distance: P1,500 (until December 31, 2011); P2,000 (January 28, 2012)

Mini Sprint: P1,500 (until December 31, 2011); P2,000 (January 28, 2012)

STK Aquathlon: P1,000 (until January 28, 2012)

No student discounts for STK participants



Website: www.triathlon.org.ph
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Get Hyper... Get Into Sports

As some of you would know, I was once a feeble, asthmatic, underweight and malnourished child. I haven't gained the proper development of my physique during the right stage of my adolescence that I even have to request for exemption from my ROTC classes. But it was all thanks to the absence of pity from the medical Doctor of PMA (Philippine Military Academy) that gave me the confidence and boost that I could still improve my health and fitness. And that was how I started to become active with running.

For the past few months, I wasn't able to seriously train and prepare for my races unlike the previous years. So as the year 2012 came, I am worried about how will I get back my fitness that I once was. I needed motivation, the push, and some serious runners to get inspired with. Thankfully, I received an invite from HyperSports for their first GetFit 2012 campaign that was held last January 14, 2011 at the PhilSports Complex Track Oval (Ultra).

The invitation was an opportunity for me to drive myself back into running, and indeed I got driven sweating during the session, also amazed with the highly profiled but all humble athletes that constitutes the team of HSPI such as the 3km SteepleChase SEAGames champion Mr. Rene Herrera and the Elma Muros record breaker for the 100-m hurdles Ms. Sheena Atilano. Other renowned athletes of their team includes the Country’s record-holder of the 100-m and 200-m dash Mr. Ralph Waldy Soguilon, Mr. Djundi BiƱas - the Country's 3rd best pole vaulter, and more athletes from other disciplines who also holds great records that I can only get envy about.

So, the first session was all about the basics of running. Getting into basics - that's what I really need! It began with some warmup, stretching, drills, and a 2.012km timed run across the oval. The drills, specially the mountain-climb drill made my head/sinus ache, and the 2.012km run made my chest expand to its explosion and my head swirl upon reaching the finish line after 10mins. and 10secs. That's not normal, but that's what I get for the lack of training and pushing myself at the same time.

Learn the basics
love the drills
as well as the core trainings
to finish strong
The GetFit 2012 campaign of HSPI is very well recommended not just for the newbies but also for the seasoned runners/athletes who wants to get back into the basics of training, and to other runners wanting to gain more knowledge about the proper training and preparations. Running, though looks easy, still requires the right knowledge and proper execution to prevent injuries and sports-related accidents.

Get to know them more by visiting their website at HyperSports Philippines Inc and facebook fanpage.

HSPI GetFit 2012 Session 1 class photo
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Skechers ProSpeed - Actual Race Shoe Review

*Note: The races from this shoe review were all held at the last quarter of 2011, it's a very late post but pardon me.

The only thick cushioned shoe that does'nt need breaking-in.

That was my own remarks with the Skechers ProSpeed after my first short 3.5km hilly run with it at Tagaytay Highlands last October 8, 2011 during the Nathan Ridge Test Run. I had a similarly thick-cushioned running shoe before I got to try the Skechers ProSpeed and the difference of breaking it in and the other one was really way up different. With the ProSpeed, my plantar fasciitis did not manifest even the slightest though the first break-in with it was already an uphill route.

Two weeks after the initial run, the ProSpeed was immediately tested on the roads of BGC during the 2011 Adidas King of the Road for a 21km distance, and at the route of the Run United 3 (RunRio Trilogy Leg 3) 2011 for the Afroman (32km) distance. Indeed, the actual races I had with the ProSpeed were already longer distances.

From both of these races, I have to run at a slower than my comfortable slow pace for 7 to 8 kilometers of the route which spanned up to 1 hour and 12 minutes (read the links above for the details). Before I indulged into my first Ultramarathon, I was afraid of going too slow than my comfort slow pace because it was with that kind of pace that my legs and endurance would immediately deteriorate. But with all honesty while wearing the ProSpeed, the responsiveness (that might be due to the Kinetic return system) of the shoe made such slow pace manageable for me that even if I was already experiencing some cramps from a few kilometers from the finish line, I was still able to reach the finish with much ease. And despite the thickness of the outer sole from its inherited design from the shape-ups line of Skechers, the shoe was still as lightweight as a race flats.

One more noticeable thing about the Skechers ProSpeed was the butt and lower-back trimming effect that I felt. On each of the drive phase of each of my foot (the phase where the foot starts to go up/behind the back), I could feel that my upper butt is being pushed upwards. Thus, the shoe seems to give the butt its rounded shape or contour while running that afterwards, your lower body shape is more enhanced (good news for the ladies). In contrast, this effect gives more stress to the hips and/or lower back as manifested after I reached the finish line at the RU3 - RunRio Trilogy Leg 3 2011. A solution for this though is by strengthening your core which includes the lower back for the body to be able to handle such stress.

In Summary, the Skechers ProSpeed truly delivers what it has defined on the features of the shoe.

Pros:
  1. Lightweight as a racing flat.
  2. Truly mid and fore-foot shoe.
  3. Recommended for those who wants to transition from heel-striking to mid or fore-foot strike.
  4. Friendly to those who have heel injuries.
  5. Somehow aids with your balance.
  6. Springy effect/Kinetic return system truly delivers.
  7. Shapes-up (your) my upper butt. *wink
  8. You become taller =)
Cons:
  1. If you have balancing problem, the wiggling of the shoe might make you uneasy at first.
  2. The shape-up effect to the butt requires a strong core.
  3. The Blue color for Men doesn't look good for a dark skin-tone (like me).
Read the post ProSpeed at First Glance to know more about the technical specs of this running shoe.

Special thanks to Ed Escueta and Carina Manansala for the photos.
Read more ...

Where Has RunningAtom Been

Hello runners, bloggers, and colleagues, long time no see, no hear, no race!

I missed most of you, I missed my running buddies, my blogger friends, my buddies, and.... did I miss the road? My body surely did miss the morning dew, the sound of my breathe while running, the pavements, the barking dogs, and the morning fresh air. I've been out of the races and the running community for exactly one month and 2 days now. And it seems that the longing for gun-starts, the crowds, the finish line, the sponsor booths, and the runner's high has not been in sync with my mood for some time already. Admittedly, my last two races for 2011 (both last December 2011) has not been very exciting for me had it not been an out-of-Country and an out-of-Town race. Still thankful for these opportunities and blessings coming along!
Image from Theresa Talks

As for the blogger events, it has been some time since I mingled with my colleagues in the blogging world. I still receive invites and opportunities to do so, and I'm already getting embarrassed for turning down, or sometimes confirming my attendance but at a later point would back-out from a supposed-to-be blogging event due to unforeseen meetings, changes in plans, and other tiring and unforeseen matters since before December 2011 came. These made it inconceivable for me to handle all at the same time. I could only manage to post as-is the event announcements and press releases from my inbox on another blog that I put in for these specific purpose (visit AktiboKaBa?).

Still, everything can be coped up with, and given its due time, everyone could learn to adapt, and I hope I'm already at such point of adapting very nicely. And I am thankful that despite of verging myself into being low-spirited, the blessings, guidance, and opportunities still comes knocking, or it may have been there since then but I only turn away from it, and when I look back, it was still there!

Getting back to your previous better level is sometimes, really difficult when you're already at the point of surrendering or giving up what you love, what you do better, and what your passion is. But God really knows where you should be and what you should be. That I realized and still trying to understand what's more in-store for me on my remaining earth years (well according to my lunatic mind, I still have 25 years left in my mortality except when unsuspected things happen)! And yes, when you're at the pit of losing yourself, you tend to lessen the minutes, or might be the years of your own mortality rate. Okay, so much for those insanity!

So how was RunningAtom lately? Well from December 19 up to now, I have only managed to run a single distance of 15.54 km, where it took me almost two hours to complete, and even had me depleted upon reaching the finish line at the apartment. Thankfully enough, I was again able to do some mild 2.012km speed run last January 14 at the Ultra (PhilSports Complex), courtesy of HyperSports Philippines Inc. The basic drills we had made my head ache for the remaining duration of our sessions, and the very short 2.012km distance we've ran made and felt like my heart is about to explode from within my chest. That made me realize that I'm back to zero, or even below my fitness level than when I came back to running last 2008.


My next race schedule (as planned) will not be until February 18th for a grueling, first-time SkyRace in the Phils. I hope with the remaining two weeks to train, I could pull up my fitness level enough to get me at the peak of Mt. Ugo, where turning point and half of the 33km total distance will be.

So, hope to see some of you soon! :)
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Pilipinas Akyathlon®: The Philippine International SKYRACE™




This is the Philippines’ first international SKYRACE™ (high-altitude mountain trail running race) and is part of the 2012 SKYRUNNER™ World Series Trials. “Akyat” in the vernacular translates to “climb.”

Pre-register to this race by emailing (1) name, (2) gender, (3) birthdate, (4) mobile
number, (5) country represented to kath@philskyrunning.com.


EVENT INFORMATION:
18 February 2012, Saturday, 4:000 AM (Baguio Assembly Time)
Mt. Ugo, Itogon, Benguet, Philippines

Race Course Description:
This is a 33-km out-and-back race, starting from the Barangay Hall of Tinongdan (779 masl) in the Municipality of Itogon, Province of Benguet. The first 1.7km is a downhill run on paved road to the start of the trail (499 masl). From this point, the route to the summit is mostly uphill with a total elevation gain of 1858 meters, and loss of 195 meters.

The scenic route will showcase magnificent views of surrounding mountains, including portions of Binga and Ambuklao dams as far away as Pangasinan. It will navigate through pine forest trails and 3 sitios: Cayuco, Cawayan and Lusod which lead to vantage points where other peaks in Benguet can be seen.

The turnaround point will be at the summit of Mt Ugo (2162 masl). The 16.4-km route from the summit to the finish is a mirror image of the route to the summit, and concludes with a 1.7-km (280m vertically) ascend to the finish line at the hall of Barangay Tinongdan.


Getting to the Race Site:
Foreign participants can get to the Philippines at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manilla (300 km to Baguio City) or at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark (200 km to Baguio City).

Pasay or Cubao, Metro Manila to Baguio City Victory Liner buses (www.victoryliner.com) leave for Baguio City from Pasay or Cubao every hour, 24 hours a day. Travel time is 6 to 8 hours for regular aircon buses and 4.5 to 6 hours for deluxe buses. Fare is Php455 for regular aircon buses and Php715 for deluxe buses. The Pasay terminal is closer to the Manila Airport than the
Cubao terminal. Upon arriving at the Baguio City terminal, take a taxi to your designated hotel in Baguio City.

Foreign participants can get transport information and assistance from DOT when traveling using the recommended schedule. Please email your flight details.

Baguio City to Tinongdan, Itogon. From 4:30 to 5:00 am, on race day, Jeepneys will be arranged, free of charge, to shuttle all participants from Baguio to the start line. Transpo will also be arranged for the day of course familiarization (Feb. 15). Those who wish to visit or proceed to Tinongdan earlier can take a taxi or coordinate with the organizers for possible sharing of rides with other participants. Distance is only 20km but travel time can take up to 1 hour.

Accommodations:
Hundreds of hotels and inns are available in Baguio City. Please contact the organizers if you need assistance.

In Tinongdan, Itogon, dormitory, homestay and camping grounds are available on first-come, first serve basis. Bring your own sleeping gear.

Awards and Prizes:
Trophies and valuable outdoors prizes will be awarded to the top 3 overall winners in both the male and female categories.

Medals and valuable prizes will be awarded to the top 3 runners, male & female in the 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and above age groups.

All finishers will receive a medal, finisher’s t-shirt and will be qualified for raffle prizes.

Race Guidelines:
  • Each runner must be self-contained and self-reliant, complete with hydration pack or fuel belt, trail food and first aid kit. Suggested things to bring: headgear, headlamp, raincoat.
  • The supplied race number bibs must be worn/pinned at the front and back of each runner.
  • Water loading stations will be available at the Start/Finish line area, 5km mark, 10km mark and the turnaround point at Mt Ugo Summit (16.4km mark).
  • The trail will be marked with ribbons and directional signs will be installed at appropriate junctions.
  • Race marshals will be stationed along the course.
  • The use of trekking poles is permitted.
  • Bringing of mobile phone is encouraged (fully charged and with adequate load).
  • A no-drafting rule (10 meters distance maintained) will be enforced over the foot bridge portion of the course.
  • In case of serious injuries of a fellow runner or other emergencies, runners are obliged to pause with his/her racing, extend the appropriate help, and call/text the race organizer.
Registration Fee:
For local Philippine runners:
     Php1,500 until 30 November 2011.
     Php1,800 until 31 December 2011
     Php2,000 until 31 January 2012.
     Php2,500 until 17 February 2012.
*USD50 for foreign entries payable on Feb. 17 during race kit claiming.

Payment by local residents can be made by depositing the fee to BPI current account number 3191-0473-02 of Philippine Skyrunning Association, Inc.
Email scanned deposit slip (with your name) to kath@philskyrunning.com.

Event Organizer: Philippine Skyrunning Association
Event Hosts: Province of Benguet, Municipality of Itogon, Barangay of Tinongdan
Event Supporters: Department of Tourism – CAR
Event Partners: Rope Access Services & Consulting Inc, High Angle Rescue Team of the Philippines
Event Sponsors: Salomon, ROX

This is a GREEN EVENT. We endeavor to reduce the use of plastic, paper and other
non-essential resources.

More information will be posted at www.philskyrunning.com and our Facebook
account “Philippine Skyrunning.”

Race Map

RACE ROUTE DATA (from GPS)
Distance to the summit (turnaround point) 16.44 km
Total race distance 32.88 km

Elevation at start / finish 767 masl
Elevation at turnaround point (Mt Ugo Summit) 2150 masl

Lowest point 466 masl (at 2.2km mark)
Highest point (Mt Ugo Summit) 2150 masl

Elevation gain, start to summit 1858 m
Elevation loss, start to summit 475 m

Net elevation gain, start to summit 1383 m
Net elevation gain, whole race 0 m

Elevation gain, whole race 2333 m
Elevation loss, whole race 2333 m
Route Profile
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Sipalay NAGT 2012 Leg 3

Date: March 24, 2012 (Saturday)

Venue: Sipalay City, Negros Occidental

How to get there:



‐ From Bacolod it’s about 3‐3.5 hours away by car.

‐ Rent a car and bus services available

o http://www.nyalatoursbacolod.com/

o Ceres Liner BUS: Bacolod City: (034) 433‐4993: (034) 434-2387



We suggest you register and book hotel very early as this is peak season. Hotel List attached.



Standard Distance; Relay, Sprint; & SuperTriKids



Pls. contact Francis Campos for details: Francis Campos francis.campos@datasolutions.ph; Mobile # 0917-300-1131
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Filipino TriAthletes Invited to 2012 XTerra Guam Championship




Swim
The Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) is inviting professional and amateur triathletes in the Philippines to join in the 2012 XTERRA Guam Championship Off-Road Triathlon. The annual XTERRA Guam race is set for March 10, 2012 and it promises to be the biggest triathlete sporting event in Guam.



This year, the XTERRA Guam will be licensed as an official championship qualifier event. This means that participants have a chance at winning a part of the US$15,000 prize for professional triathletes or earning a spot at the XTERRA World Championship event for age-group (amateur) triathletes. The XTERRA World Championship, held annually in Maui, is attended by the best athletes from around the world.






Bike
Jennifer Crisostomo, GVB Board Director and Chairwoman of the Sports Tourism Committee, said: “We’ve seen top athletes from Japan, Australia, Europe and Micronesia come out for XTERRA Guam, so we know with an XTERRA Championship Qualifier, we have the potential to attract even more. With our beautiful ocean, challenging bike course, and amazing running course through tough terrain and rivers – triathletes are in for a real treat.”



XTERRA Guam has been voted one of the “Top 5 Off-Road Triathlons in the World” by Triathlete Magazine. The course includes warm, open water swim, biking on Guam’s fun yet challenging terrain, navigating the jungle, sliding down slippery waterfalls, and running along the beach toward the finish. The modified international distance off-road triathlon has a 1.5K swim in the beautiful waters of Piti, Guam, 31K bike up Nimitz Hill and through the Mt. Alutom area, and a memorable 8.2K trail run.



As XTERRA Guam title sponsors, GVB will be joining forces with platinum sponsor and official airline of XTERRA Guam, United Airlines, in addition to the Port Authority of Guam, Cycles Plus, Payless Car Rental, the Guam Triathlon Federation, KUAM Sports, Hornet Sports, and the Mayor's offices of Ordot-Chalan Pago and Piti.




Off-road Run


For more information about XTERRA Guam and to register for the race online, visit www.xterraguam.com. You may also contact the Philippine office of the Guam Visitors Bureau via info@visitguam.com.ph or 519-6756.
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Dakak National Age Group TriAthlon 2012

Punto del Desembarco de Rizal, Dapitan City

February 26, 2012



RACE DISTANCES:

Standard Distance & Team Relay: 1.5k swim (2 loops), 40k bike (2 loops), 10k run (4 loops)

Sprint Distance: 750m swim (1 loop), 20k bike (1oop), 5k run (2 loops)



REGISTRATION:

January 1, 2012 - January 31, 2012 (P3,000.00)

February 1, 2012 - February 15, 2012 (P3,500.00)





Registration includes the following:

  • 2 nights and 3 days Accommodation at DAKAK Beach Park and Resort

  • Free transport to Dapitan City/Dakak and from Dipolog Airport/Dapitan Port.

  • Finisher’s T-shirt

  • Finisher’s Medal

  • Race packets

  • Bike and Helmet Stickers

  • Water & Sports Drinks

  • Dinner Buffet during Race Briefing

  • Lunch Buffet during Awarding

Contact:

TIMELINE DIGITAL PRODUCTIONS, INC.

Unit 404 Transorient Maritime Bldg. No. 66 Timog Ave. Quezon City

Dexter Araquel, Race Organizer

02-2114674

0920-989-3398

0917-577-3398
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Across Borders - Run for Red Cross

When: January 22, 2012 5:30AM

Where: UP Los BaƱos

Registration Fees:

3K - Php 350.00 (Php 280.00 - Student)

5K - Php 400.00 (Php 350.00 - Student)

10K - Php 500.00



Registration Sites:

Baker Hall, UPLB

Red Cross Laguna Chapter

Online at www.facebook.com/AcrossBorders



See poster for more details:

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Red Meat Linked to Diabetes

by Dr. Gabe Mirkin, M.D

Red Meat (Image from Seattle Organic Restaurant)
The largest study to date shows that eating red meat every day increases risk of diabetes by 19 percent (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, October 2011). Researchers analyzed data on 204,157 men and women who were followed from 14 to 28 years in the Health Professionals Study and the Nurses Studies.

They found that eating processed meat (one hot dog or two slices of bacon) daily increased risk by more than 50 percent. They also found that substituting other protein sources for red meat markedly reduces diabetes risk. The most effective foods were whole grains, nuts, fish, poultry and low-fat dairy products. Beans are also an excellent substitute for red meat.

Another study found that meat-eating adults are four times more likely to develop diabetes than vegetarians in just two years of follow-up (Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases. published online October 10, 2011). The authors followed 15,200 men and 26,187 women in the U.S. and Canada who were free of diabetes. Two years later diabetes had developed in 0.54 percent of vegans, 1.08 percent of lacto-ovo vegetarians, 1.29 percent of pesco-vegetarians, 0.92 percent of semi-vegetarians and 2.12 percent of non-vegetarians.

PROBABLE MECHANISM: Before insulin can do its job of driving sugar into cells, it must first attach to special hooks on cells called insulin receptors. The saturated animal fat in meat prevents insulin from attaching to its receptors. As a result, blood sugar levels rise and a person is at increased risk for developing diabetes.

NITRATES AND IRON: Meat is also high in nitrites and nitrates which block insulin receptors. Processed meats have even higher levels of nitrates because they are added as preservatives. Red meat contains high levels of extremely absorbable heme iron that can damage the beta cells that produce insulin.


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