The New Diadora Running Shoes

Diadora Philippines through its Marketing firm Royal Sporting House (RSH), announces the arrival of two of its innovative running shoes that has been engineered with exclusive Diadora technology that will help improve your running performance. Check them out below:

Diadora N-2100

N-2100, Net Breathing System(TM) and Waterproof membrane

Designed for highly skilled and Professional runners

Ultra-light structure with extremely flexible low profile on the metatarsal area ideal for quick workouts or for highly skilled and ambitious professional marathon runners. Most of the sole's surface is composed of a super breathable protective network in synthetic fiber and a special breathable and waterproof membrane. It improves performance by increasing concentration, endurance and precision.

Details:

• Upper: Nylon air mesh and Supreltech. Lasting board in air mesh Lining with special anti-bacteria treatment.
• Outsole: Blown Flexoft Rubber in the front area. Special Duratech 5000 wearproof compound in the heel area.
• Midsole: Moulded Elastom E.V.A. foam. Double Action² in the heel area.
• Arch support: Removable anatomical in mesh water repellent and breathable. Elastom E.V.A. foam antishock perforated and breathable.

SRP: Php 4,695.00

Diadora N-6100

N-6100, Designed for both daily and occasional runners

An innovative shoe that combines Diadora technology with excellent cushioning, allowing the foot to transfer excess heat outward thanks to the innovative and exclusive NET Breathing System(TM). It improves performance by increasing concentration, endurance and precision.

The majority of the sole's surface is composed of a super breathable protective network in synthetic fiber and a special breathable and waterproof membrane. Designed for runners with neutral support seeking cushioning and flexibility in just 270 grams.

Details:

• Upper: Nylon air mesh and Supreltech. Lasting board in Elastom E.V.A. Lining with special anti-bacteria treatment.
• Outsole: Blown Flexoft Rubber in the front area. Special Duratech 5000 wearproof compound in the heel area.
• Midsole: Moulded Elastom E.V.A. foam. Double Action² in the heel area. C.C.B.. Axeler Wi-5 Propulsion.
• Arch support: Removable anatomical in mesh water repellent and breathable and shock-absorbing Elastom E.V.A. foam antishock perforated and breathable.

SRP: Php 4,695.00

Diadora Running shoes and apparels are available at the following Stores:

1. Royal Sporting House Festival Mall
2. Royal Sporting House Alimall
3. Royal Sporting House Recto
4. Royal Sporting House Ermita
5. Royal Sporting House Pampanga
6. Royal Sporing House Lipa
7. Royal Sporting House Cebu
8. The Shoe Shop Rockwell
9. The Shoe Shop Alabang Town Center
10. The Shoe Shop Marque Mall

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Diadora Mythos Axeler TI 4 - Shoe Review

On the website of Diadora, the Mythos Axeler TI IV is said to be the perfect balance between forefoot flexibility and shock absorption that makes this model elastic and reactive. I wouldn't disagree with this statement, as ever since I've ran with this shoe, my personal bests kept on coming race after race.

Propulsive shoe reaction

I've first race (the break-in) the Mythos Axeler TI-IV on a midnight run at my 2nd of 3 legs at the 2012 Epic Relay. And yes, this was also my break-in for this shoe, an actual race for a distance of 9.50km. Although there was no proper break-in for this shoe, there was no foot nor plantar pain afterwards due to the flexibility of the forefoot area that was made possible by the Axeler technology.

The reactivity of this shoe was very much evidenced at the downhill part of the route, as my forefoot lands on the asphalt road, my leg would lift as if I have stepped on a spring. This propulsive action though was not good on the downhill as it feels so unnatural and I would tend to control each lift else I get outbalanced. On the contrary, this propulsion, the reactive effect, and also the shock absorption are all advantage on flat terrain as it makes it easier for the foot to transition to the drive phase.

Never felt the heel-striking

One thing I noticed running with the Mythos Axeler TI IV, (the same thing that happens when I use other thicker or cushioned shoes) is that it seems like I naturally heel-strike a lot. But this heel-striking isn't noticeable until I get to see myself in photos, which makes me wonder if I really strike the ground in the heel area as I never felt like I was landing on my heels while running.

Another feature that I like from this shoe is that it is almost as lightweight as racing flats, much the same with the Diadora Mythos Samurai III. I've also raced this shoe on a 90-floors vertical run and the shoe's weight was the very least of my problem that I haven't thought of it at all.

On a rainy run, the shoe wouldn't also soak your feet, thanks to its "drainage" system found between the arch and heel area. The elastom EVA foam insole also has pores to easily drain the waters going inside the shoe.

Here are the races I've been to with the Diadora Mythos Axeler TI IV that broke my personal bests, all made in 2-months span of racing with this shoe:

1. 3rd Trek the TEC - 90-floors vertical run PR from 00:20:03 to 00:19:10
2. HyperSports' Get Fit Run 2012 - 21K PR from 01:59:24 to 01:56:24
3. Run for Light - New 2nd best 10K PR from 00:48:10 to 00:47:43
4. 36th Milo Marathon - Newest 21K PR breaking my HyperSports 21K PR to 01:54:44

Quick Specs:

Color: Silver DD/dark red/black

Nylon air mesh and Supreltech upper

Blown flexoft rubber in the front area

Special Duratech 5000 wearproof compound heels

Moulded elastom E.V.A foam, sandwich structure shock
absorber and double action in the metatarsal and heel area

CCB medial stabilizer of the arch support

anatomical and shock-absorbing elastom E.V.A. foam insole

Shoe Technology:

• Axeler - a special thread-like frame in tech Alloy, a harmonic steel alloy that is light, elastic and sturdy, is inserted into the sole. It improves forefoot flexibility and pressure distribution while providing maximum midfoot and heel stability.
• CCB - medial stabilizer created to control torsional stability of the area of the arch support, giving the shoe lightness and stability without altering shock absorption.
• DA2 (double action 2) - Diadora’s exclusive shock-absorbing system eliminating negative vibrations in the heel area.
• Duratech 5000 - special wear-resistant rubber compound assuring a far higher wear resistance than standard rubber, offering an effective solution to shoe heel wear.
• Flexoft Blown Rubber - a particolar rubber and air compound developed to guarantee lightweight , flexibility, shock absorption and better propulsion in the forefoot area.
• Microbe Barrier - Microbe barrier is a special antibacterial treatment, which is applied to the inside of the shoe and will last through numerous washes.

Running on Diadora Mythos
Axeler TI IV broke another 21K personal best

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HyperSports Get Fit Run

It was January when I first met the People and humble Athlete/Coaches of HyperSports Phils. Inc. (HSPI) at the 1st Session of their GetFit 2012 campaign. That session kicked my hybernating engines up and gave my start of year the fire needed to revive my lungs and maintain the healthy running lifestyle. But the busy and unforeseen circumstances made me unable to complete the Get Fit campaign, and was only visible for the last time at their 4th session.

Training the HyperSports way

A couple of months later, I missed the new faces I met at the HyperSports sessions, their humility, their enthusiasm for the trainings, and their lively attitude. Some of them I finally got to run with on a couple of races such as during the 3rd Merrell Adventure Run and Trek the T.E.C 2012. But last July 8, it was a reminiscing and a reunion event among the Runners and the HyperSports family at the HyperSports' Get Fit Run debut race held at Quirino Grandstand in Manila. Meeting some of my batch/classmates during the Get Fit sessions, I never knew that the event would be very homey, full of fun, lively and festive -- the kind of fun and festivity that most of us, and most of the pioneers experienced at the 1st Takbo.ph Runfest in 2010.

The event was made more alive with the entertaining partnership of wit and humor of the two program hosts -- Sir RunningHost and Coach Edward Kho. Who knew that they will both make a good tandem and that Sir Edward is as talented, not only in terms of running, race organizing, but also with hosting?

This event is my first 21K road race for the year, my last one was still during the Run United Regional Series Cebu last December 2011 where I performed far below my usual 21K time.

The Race
Although I arrived early at the venue, I almost got late entering the assembly line for the 21K. Gladly for me, the gun-start was re-scheduled for a good 15 minutes to make sure that the whole route is ready and equipped for the arrival of the 21K runners. Ms. Lia who has our race kit arrived just in time for around more than 5 minutes before the new gun-start schedule, giving me just a few amount of time to warm-up. Sam (RunningNinja) who also represented Diadora Philippines Running Team with me positioned himself ahead at the starting line together with our friends at Team Reebok - Blas and Beep-beep.

The hyper hosts

When the gun-start was fired, I was still a bit puffing for air as I have just finished my warm-up a minute before the countdown, but I guess it helped as my breathing was already regulated as soon as I started running. My goal was just to finish again on my usual 21K finish time and an additional 5-minute room should I won't be able to make it in 2 hours.

As soon as we've turned to Roxas Blvd., I noticed one runner whom I always see speeding in most races, but at this point, it seems that he isn't running at his own speed. Judging on his movement, he doesn't look like injured so I thought that maybe he hasn't prepared much. Following his pace, we were speeding at an average of between 11.2 to 12.6 kph (I prefer the view of speed than pace), that's more than a few meters faster than my 10K race pace. Meaning soon enough, at around half-point I might be walking a lot already.

I tried to keep up at his pace until we reached Seaside Boulevard going to MOA where he just increased his speed little-by-little, and the gap between us slowly gained from just a mere arms-apart, then to a few meters-apart. His speed increased more and more until I can no longer close the gap and I could only see him as we face each other after the U-turn points. Looking at my watch, I was only running and maintaining a speed between 10.4 to 11.6 kph, while the guy I was chasing at, in my approximate might already be running at 12.5 to 13.5 kph. As soon as I hit the flyover, I can no longer see him. He was really fast!

The runner I failed to keep up with

New 21K Personal Best
Crossing the finish line, I didn't expect that I would be able to break my long-standing 21K (road) personal best cutting-off exactly 3-minutes from the 1st RunRio Trilogy Leg 2 race held two years ago - May 30, 2010.

Finish Time
I always base my personal record on the official gun-time instead of the chip-time because as soon as I hear the gun-start, it's also the signal for me to press the 'start' button on my timing watch. Although for this race, the race result's gun-time difference with my chip-time was a good 3-mins. and 13-secs., which is not possible since I was positioned just at 2 rows behind the front runners and it did not also took that long before I stepped out from the starting line's timing mat. While for the chip-time, it only has 1-second difference with my own personal timing based on my watch. Looking closely at the 21K race result, even those 1st to 3rd placers have 3-mins. and 13-secs. difference between their chip and gun-times so I think the system's gun-time has already started 3-mins. 13-secs. ahead before the actual gun-start.

Sprinting to the finish, photo thanks to Angelo Lagumbay

"...don’t take the approach of being happy just to be there. You must challenge yourself." - Coach Rene Herrera

Event in Review
For me, this race proved to be also one of the greatly organized, friendly, alive, and homey atmosphere event. The race was just like a fun run of close-relatives. I enjoyed every bit of it from before the gun-start, during the race, and even the post-race program and the camaraderie between the runners, there was no division aura of who's better and who's not.

Aside from this, the whole course was generally clean and there was only very few hydration cups littered along the route.

The timing used a reusable IPICO timing chip and runners have an option to return the timing chip after the race for a Php 50.00 refund. What's more impressive was that during the registration period, the participants who were holding a non-HyperSports IPICO timing chip were given an option to submit those timing chips upon registration, which entitled them of an Php 80.00 discount. These timing chips became usable for this event and were returned to the owner-participants together with their race kits. That's the real essence of reusability!

Although, as in all other races, there are always rooms for improvement, and here's my take for this race:

1. Kilometer markers placed along the course would be great.
2. Gun-start should be on-time, but for reason of re-ensuring the course's safety, the late gun-start is acceptable (the late gun-start though became an advantage to me also).
3. No loop-cords or timing-mats placed on critical turning or U-turn points. I heard that some runners no longer crossed the flyover.
4. More accurate race result next time.

With Jojo and friend, Bearwin, Beep-beep, and Mr. Victor Ting

The happy mix of runners

"Kung panay ang pag-eehersisyo mo, pero at the end of the day nagyoyosi ka naman, umiinom, pinapatay mo lang lalo ang sarili mo." - Bearwin Meilly

Race Profile:
Distance: 21 km.
Official Time (chip): 1:56:24
Official Ranking: 37th

Race Info:
When: July 8, 2012.
Where: Quirino Grandstand, Manila

You may check out more photos from facebook fanpage of DiadoraPh Run Team and download the race results at HyperSportsPh website.

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Diadora Philippines Running Team

Royal Sporting House, the Philippine's marketing firm of many known sports and fashion shoes and apparels made a decision to form a running team under the flagship of Diadora - an Italian sports brand famous for football/soccer. And this year, Diadora took a small leap to make their brand known in the sports of running in the Philippines. That's when Sam, I, Allan, James, and Bave came in referred to give birth to the first batch of the Ambassadors of Diadora Philippines Running Team.

L-R: Allan, Sam, Bave, Me, James

Here we are:

Sammy Delena aka "The Running Ninja" is one of pioneers of Takbo.ph - the first runners online community in the Philippines. He has been active for five years already and has been featured in Men’s Health and Women’s Health magazine as one of the top bloggers in the Country. He is also among the brave Ultrarunners who finished the 2nd BDM 102 Ultramarathon last March 6-7, 2010.

Allan Ray Enriquez aka "RFM" is one of the founders of Six:30 running group based in UP Diliman. He started running February 2010 and has been featured in Runner’s World Philippines (What It Takes To article) and Front Runner Magazine (April 2011, elite issue). RFM recently participated in the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon last December 2011 and Condura Race for the Mangroves last March 2012.

Bave dela Cruz - started running March 2010 and has bagged a lot of medals from various races: 1st place in the 2nd Bald Runner Barefoot Run, 2nd place in the Women’s Division of Yakult 16-Miler 5k category, 3rd place in Finishline in Motion, Brooks Happy Run and Race for the Orphans (where Diadora co-sponsored) in all 5k categories for the Women’s Division. She was also featured in the October-December 2011 issue of Runner’s World Philippines magazine in the Family Fun Run article. To date, Bave finished her first marathon in The Bull Runner Dream Marathon last March.

James Betia aka "Journeying James" in both travel and running community, he is a certified backpacker and adventurer. He has been traveling in the country and Southeast Asia since 2003 on a budget. With his philosophy on travel and his active blogging, it landed him on several features in GMA7, ANC, Mabuhay PAL magazine, Smile Cebu Pacific in-flight magazine, Cab Urban travel Magazine among others. He has just finished his previous mission: "100 Days of Backpacking the Philippines-The Cheapest Way Possible" and he will soon publish a book about it.

Alfredo Vedarozaga aka "RunningAtom" started running August 1997 by the command of a Military-Doctor from PMA when his request for an ROTC exemption due to asthma was denied. From then on, he reached his peak trainings and few races in his hometown until it ended in 2000. He became an active blogger by the time he went back again into running in 2008 and has joined a lot of races ever since from road to trail runs, bagging 3rd place in Finishline's 2011 In-Motion Road-xTrail (8K), and a Champion in BDO's 2010 Race for life (3K, BDO-friend category). He recently became an Ultramarathoner in the PAU-T2N (Tagaytay to Nasugbu) 50K last September 2011.

Diadora Philippines Running Team at the June 2012 issue of Total Fitness magazine:

T-B, L-R: Sam, Me, James, Jennybave, Allan

Visit and like our facebook fanpage to get to know more about the team and the line of running shoes and apparels of Diadora.

Profiled by Allan Rey Enriquez

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3rd Trek the TEC

The first and real vertical run in the Country has once again challenged the stair-runners after only 7 months from their previously successful event - 2nd Trek the TEC that was held last November 26, 2011. It was no different route from the past installments, but the 2,531 steps of the combined Towers 1 and 2 of the Enterprise Center proves it to be still challenging as ever.

TEC's Tower 1 & 2 (photo by Ramil Lomboy)

Just like my first bump into this vertical run (read my race account here), the atmosphere was still the same - friendly and homey. Everyone is excited, and almost everyone would talk and greet each other. Representing Diadora Philippines Running Team were Bave and Me, and also Cris Dela Cruz co-represented us (Kuya Totoy who co-represented the team last year went freelancer this time).

with Bave and Cris

The race was intimately gathered by challengers of around 300 participants - now much participated than the previous installments. If there were only few elite and hardcore runners from the previous years, this time there were a lot of them who joined both on the individual and team-relay (of 4 members) categories. The absence of the Kenyans was surprising, but that also gave opportunity for our locals coming from different provinces - Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, Baguio, and etc to bag the prizes. I was really delightful seeing them on this race like Coach Cris Sabal, Alquin Bolivar, Mario Maglinaw of ARC, Ka Totoy from Team Ungas, Track & Field Varsitarians, co-hometown Joel Bengtay, the Tres-Marias-combo whom I forgot the names (might be Luisa Raterta, Annaliza Diaz, and Ailene Tolentino), as well as the now 14-year old Michelle De Vera (whom I first raced with at the BDO Race For Life 2010), and other known speedy runners were present to challenge the 90 floors of the Enterprise Center.

with my co-hometown runners from Cordillera and Ka Totoy (right-most)

As the runners were dispatched in batches starting from the relay and then to the individual categories further divided into three groups (identified by the proximity card's lace color), minimal "balyahan" occurred as runners try to outpace each other from the first few flights. I haven't noticed what floor I have stopped running, started to pull myself up with the aid of the handrails, and pushing myself up by pushing my legs. It seemed that I was in a trance going up with my mouth wide open gasping for oxygen at each step, head bowed down. The first time I remember seeing a floor marker was at the 23rd floor already, and the ever ego-dumping signage "quitter's exit" haven't even crossed my visual line until when I was already descending from the 1st tower.

Upon reaching the 1st Tower's summit, I rested for a while and did some stretching before heading downwards to the forever spiral of stairs which I could only take one-step at a time, then sometimes jump at the last three steps. The experience running up and down was almost the same as the previous year. On the 2nd tower, I wasn't able to run anymore (again), and just slowly take two-stairs up at a time while pushing each of my legs to help me lift myself up. As I patiently conquer each flight of stairs, I couldn't help but to reminisce my previous years experience at these two towers, and all the experience was like a déjà vu.

with Ms. Lia, Bave, Coach Cris Sabal, and Ka Totoy

Metal stairs - the sign that the finish line is just a floor away. Which also means that abundant fresh air is already waiting for us. And the freshest of the loots farmed atop the building are already harvested for the runners. Indeed it was, coupled with Pocari Sweat.

I have almost wasn't able to run this race this time as I woke up late with only one-hour left before the gun-start. Thankfully I still made it with a few minutes to spare for a warmp-up, and it was still all worth it having shaved off 51 seconds from my previous time.

I seldom repeat a race unless there's a change in race course, or newer challenge but if you'll ask me if I will still join this event on their 4th? Definitely!

Oh, and the running shirt? It was also much better than last year.

Race Profile:
Distance: 90 floors (2,531 vertical steps)
Personal Time: 00:19:10
Official Ranking: 22nd out of 87 Individual category finishers

Race Info:
When: June 24, 2012.
Where: The Enterprise Center Bldg., Ayala, Makati
Event: 3rd Trek the T.E.C.

You may also view the gun-start of last year's trek the TEC.

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Run and Raise Scholars and some Running Tips

Derek was absent but Runners abound at the blooming venue at Aseana City for the Foundation of the Society of Fellows in Supply Management, Inc. (SOFSM) and Philippine Institute for Supply Management (PISM) Run and Raise Scholars. The race was staged for the education sponsorship/scholarship of fifty (50) Students of the University of Makati and Jose Rizal University, and it was a success.

10K Runners

I wasn't supposed to join this event as I was scheduled to have a reunion run with Mr. Kennon for the same day, but few days before the event, the tight schedule didn't allow me to even prepare for such a challenging reunion. And luckily, Ms. Lia of RSH (our Manager for Team Diadora Philippines) was still able to reserve a race slot for me.

The night before the event, I only had a thrifty 3 hours of sleep, woke up 2AM and wasn't able to grab another doze for the next few hours so I just got up and prepared myself at 4:00AM. Going to the venue by Taxi, the driver (E&E Trans.) noticed that I was up for an early morning activity and we zoomed the more or less 30 minutes ride with exchange of chit-chats about table tennis from which he is good at (based from his stories) and morning jogs/runs with his dog. Our exchange of stories brought back some memories back in my College days when I was still agile at a ping-pong table, and the memory of an old runner in one of the races I joined back in Baguio who was blazing fast than I was on a 10K distance with his askal dog in under 42 minutes. I remember these master-and-dog tandem got to the top ten and the dog was also given a special award for his feat.

Ms. Tia of PepSquad Events

At the venue a few minutes before the race, I met with my fellow Diadora Ph team mate Sam who's up for the 10k category. I thought I was also running for 10k but since I was late in notifying Ms. Lia, my distance downgraded to 5k which is the only remaining slot for our team. On the other hand, Allan (who hasn't arrived yet) is gunning for the 3k. All distance categories were then well-represented by our team.

Gun-start was fired at 5:35 AM and runners were full of energy and speeding out for the flat course covering the routes along Aseana and Macapagal Avenues. As I started, I began running on my race pace and tried (and hoped) to keep it constant. I thought of running and pacing at the back of someone who's ahead of me with the same pace than I am. Then I saw this old foreigner who seems running relaxed and I aimed for him but his long strides made him faster than my own race pace. So after just about 800 meters, the foreigner was already way ahead of me. I was running solo already until I chanced upon three ladies in front of me running the same pace as I am. They look like mother-daughters-tandem and they look strong and fast. Judging from their form, they are track and field athletes, aside from the Mom (wearing Milo 2011 singlet) who's age still doesn't show but seems as strong as the two daughter-looking girls. As I U-turned at Macapagal Ave., I noticed that these girls are running for the 10k distance as they went straight ahead and their Mom was on the 5k category.

On my Diadora Mythos Samurai 3

Just after a few seconds from the U-turn, I heard the Mom talked to me and said "tara sabay tayo, sabayan kita, wag ka lang hahataw ha?".

I told her "ate hindi po ako makakahataw sa inyo, nauna nga po kayo sa akin e!".

From that conversation, she began pacing with me and gave me some useful running tips which refreshed my mind. Most of the tips she told me affirmed the things that I have already learned from my own running experiences, save for one which I thought I was doing right - proper breathing in (from the nose) and breathing out (through the mouth). This she told was to prevent my throat from easily drying up. When I'm sprinting, doing speed works, and running on race pace, I can't help but to breathe in and out both from my mouth as I can't seem to take in more oxygen if I breathe in from my nose (unless I stretch or enlarge my nose holes, which is unpractical while running, LOL!).

She also advised me not to rely too much on energy drinks. She said she already qualified a few times at the Milo Marathon for her age (of 52) and achieved top 3 for 10k distances with only water serving as her hydration. Wow, it did amazed me!

This is how you do the "sikad"

Another tip that she told me: "sumikad ka". The meaning of which is to lift off with more power by pushing off the extended leg just before it transitions to the drive phase. Coincidentally, this "sikad" word has been on my thoughts for a few days and weeks already, as I've been trying to figure out if doing this technique would really help me with good foot landing and running better. While she continues with her explanations about it, I realized that the advantage of such is that the leg will be lifted higher (like when you do your knee-highs) at the recovery phase that will help you avoid from over-striding, keeping you upright, and making your feet land naturally on mid-foot and at the center of your gravity/body's mass.

During this whole conversation, I was already puffing hard and can no longer talk much but I was glad that she did paced me so I was pushed to my limit. As we get near the finish arc, she no longer accompanied me towards the finish line and she just turned to the sides. I saw her again at the Pocari Sweat hydration booth and thanked her for the pacing, the running tips, and got to know that her family was all athletes from Runners to TriAthletes. She told her son's name who is a TriAthlete but my memory served me with no space to remember it. And if I remember right, her name -- my pacer-turned-5k-coach's name was Janet Pedrigosa. I searched her name from Facebook but got no chance to find her.

Team DiadoraPh

Race Profile:
Distance: 5 km.
Official Time: 00:25:29
Official Ranking: 11th

Race Info:
When: 15 April, 2012.
Where: Aseana City, Parañaque
Event: Run and Raise Scholars

Race results may be checked from Runningmate.ph and some more photos from the event may be viewed from DiadoraPh facebook album.

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A Hearty Pre-Valentine Race For The Orphans

Race for the Orphans - the first flagship event of Rundezvous Incorporated was held inside the Camp Aguinaldo grounds last February 12. It was a fun and intimate gathering of runners which also marked my first official race for the year after almost two months of hibernation.

Partnered with our running team - Diadora Philippines, the people from RSH Marketing together with Ms. Lia, my co-teammates Allan and Bave were also present to support the good caused-race. Also present on the race are runners and volunteers from the different running teams including Team Boring, UP Heartbreakers, Team USB, Reebok Running, PEx, Team CB, Team Alpha1 and Six:30. Indeed, it was a crowd of long-time brothers and sisters in running which made the atmosphere's event homey for everybody.

As the race-started, I remember the first time I ran the Camp Aguinaldo grounds during the 1st Camp Run 2011. It was a challenging route with lots of intimidating AFP runners around and plenty of rolling inclines that gave my plantar a little bit of knock. Ninety percent of the AFP participants (and bandits) outpaced me on the entire course, but one of them was no match for me at the post-race arm-wrestling bout, heck! =D

Those were the joyful memories coming back to me during the first kilometer while pacing with the speedy couples Bave and Cris Dela Cruz. Cris was a few meters ahead of us leading and pulling-off the pace, Bave puffing out her own best to keep her place while I stayed a little back to give her the push. It was a team-effort for an individual sports, although I think Bave's getting pressured with our presence. While I was pacing with Bave, I observed how determined she was, racing out her lungs and legs at her best - the kind of runner you would want to train with if you like to be motivated and learn about running fast and pushing your limit.

After more than 2.5km, I bid well to Bave as my own engine already started heating up. Began to ran my pace and walked for a few meters upon reaching the 3km mark to get another round of momentum for the final 1.5k. But, I halted at the left-turn from the 4th kilometer due to the sudden incline, Cris was still going unabated like an Energizer bunny who never walked the entire race except when hydrating.

The final stretch towards the finish line was more than 400meters longer though as recorded in my Soleus GPS. I crossed the finish line eight seconds late than Cris, followed by Allan, then Bave came in to grab the 3rd place among the Female participants.

Mish and co-host and Bave with other Female podium finishers

At the finish area, almost everybody is busy greeting each other. The atmosphere was light and festive in the most beautiful essence of a fun run. The event was only attended by at least 1,000 total participants, but it indeed was successful in bringing up its purpose - to help give hope and opportunity to uplift the education of the Orphans of our fallen Men and Women Soldiers through the iHOPE/KAANIB Trust Fund. Congratulations to all the people of Rundezvous Inc. for successfully staging this event!

The people behind iHope with Ms. Abet of Rundezvous

Here's a video of iHelp Orphans Pursue Education (iHope) from youtube:


Race Profile:
Official Time: 00:28:03
Official Ranking: 15th

Race Info:
Event: Rundezvous Inc's Race for the Orphans
When: February 12, 2012.
Where: Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City

Bave, Me, Allan, and Ms. Lia (James and Sam's not around)

You may now check your own race result from RunningMate.ph and grab your photos from the album of the official fanpage of Diadora Philippines Running Team.

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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

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