Waiting for the new oval

Mayor Tom Osmeña finally gave the go signal to rehabilitate the crumbling track oval but it will be after the 2010 Sinulog yet. Lot of things could still happen between now and the scheduled repairs. According to a report, the Mayor was heard to have said next year’s Sinulog activities will be held mostly at the oval as usual therefore “puede ra bisan ma-damage”. Actually “dugay na kana na-damage” and is already dangerous to joggers at this point. During our signature campaign meeting to pressure government officials to look at the sorry state of the track oval and to hasten it’s repair, several questions were fired to Cebu City Sports Center manager Ricky Ballesteros. I told Ricky we need over 500 million to fix the oval but he said we only need 35 million. Well, the steel coverings (like the one used in the Atlanta Olympics) definitely cost a fortune. Another question is what happens next, granting we will have now a new rubberized oval? Are we still going to allow people to abuse it? If that’s the case don’t fix the oval at all. Still on Tom, the Mayor was not happy seeing some of his City Hall employees shave their heads. He said, he wanted new scenery when he came back after seeing so many bald people in Houston, Texas Rening Ylaya said he didn’t shave his head in sympathy with the Mayor. “Dugay na ko opao oy!”

Cheapest Sport

Whoever said running is the cheapest sport in the world. You don’t need equipment venues, opponents, etc… Everyone says all you need is a good pair of running shoes. Ethiopian Abebe Bekila won the 1960 Rome Olympic Marathon while running barefoot. So did Arsenia Sagaray and Rosalinda Catulong, meaning you don’t even need shoes. But don’t tell that to sportsman Atan Guardo. While training for this year’s Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, Atan asked me what the Guardo Team need in order to have a good performance considering the limited time to train. First, I told Atan we need dri-fit singlets (P1,500) and clima-cool shorts (P900) so our nipples won’t get a rash. We also commissioned Arnold Balais to make custom-built insoles to fit our feet like for instance if you’re a pronator, high-arched or flat-footed (P4,000 each). Sunglasses are important, Rudy Project or Oakley top-of-the line eyewear (P12,000 to 15,000), Garmin watches (P15,000), Nike or Addidas dri-fit cap (P1,000). Unlike some Kenyans we need shoes, Mizuno, Nike or New Balance (P6,000). If you’re running in cold weather, thermal tights (P2,000), gloves (P500). Vitamins, power bars, gels, sports drinks would also add to the spiraling costs. “So pila na to tanan?” Equipment or gears alone P67,500. If running in international marathon, average entry fee is $80. So Atan asked me again “Ingon ka cheapest sport ang running?” Well, Atan it’s definitely cheaper than running for Congressman.

WIVES COMPLAIN

Several wives of runners at first were happy because their husbands seldom go out at night anymore. Since they are training for some marathon, they are asleep by 9:00pm only to rise by 4:00am. They have also stopped smoking, drinking and womanizing. However, when their husbands started running in international marathons it has become expensive. Imagine air fares, hotel accommodations, food and worse, shopping if the wives come along.

NOTES

Condolence to Jane Jane Ong for the demise of her mother Leona and also to Lahug Barangay captain Mary Ann Delos Santos for the loss of her father. Congratulations to ABS-CBN’s Haide Acuña for finishing last Sunday’s Condura 21K Half-Marathon in Manila and good luck to Annie Neric on March 29. Annie is running in the Pinay in Action All Women 10K Run. Cebu Executive Runners Club president Jesse Taborada announced that next year’s Sinulog race will be a full marathon, so train early.- THE FREEMAN