Invaluable Running Clinic

Organizers have to move the running clinic tomorrow - from Parklane Hotel to Casino Español - to accommodate close to 200 running enthusiasts (as I write this column) that signed-up for the event.

If these 200 will all run the full marathon then I would say that the forthcoming Cebu City Marathon slated January 10, 2010, would be a “smashing success” to borrow the term of my fellow sports columnist Raffy Uytiepo.

Why did I assume 200 would be running the 42K? If a runner isn’t gunning to finish the full route, there’s no compelling reason to attend the clinic. Running the shorter distances (5K and 21K) is a walk in the park. If you’re like me, who is attempting to finish my first marathon, you just need all the help you could get, like a running clinic.

At first, I thought I’d pass on this clinic but had a change of heart. When I finally dialed the number to reserve a seat, I was told that I might have to wait for confirmation because the numbers of registrants have ballooned!

The speakers during clinic (“Preparing for Your First Marathon”) include some of the most knowledgeable men and women when it comes to running with the likes of Millette Chiongbian, Dr. Rosan Trani, Dr. Renald Ramiro and Raffy Uytiepo. The topics range from preparation, nutrition, and preventing injury.

I’d like to thank CERC for organizing such a clinic. The knowledge that a runner will get from the clinic will surely be invaluable.

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The outbursts of Serena Williams and Roger Federer at the recent US Open had me thinking…is there double standard in the US Open.

If this isn’t so, why is Serena getting the boot while Federer is not?

Maybe the words of Serena were more threatening…”I’m going to shove this ball down your f——— throat” to an Asian match official. Federer’s words weren’t sweet either…”You have any rules? Don’t tell me to be quiet, ok? When I want to talk I’ll talk, all right...I don’t give a shit what he said, ok?”

The tirades of Serena and Federer, however, are nothing compared to the antics of Ilie “Nasty” Nastase of Romania. For young readers, Nastase has the best touch and speed among players of his era but then the most obnoxious! He would curse in six languages, abuse umpires and throw shoes at linesmen! 

The most outrageous of Nastase’s antics was in the 1979 US Open. He was playing equally egregious John McEnroe in the second round. Nastase complained and heckled officials. The young McEnroe retaliated and soon the crowd (some 10,000 of them) began to boo. In the fifth game of the fourth set, Nasty refused to serve so the umpire awarded the set to McEnroe. The crowd got into the act and began throwing garbage to the court. The official fearing a riot, reversed the earlier decision, replaced the chair umpire and let the game continue! Who won that match? Read my column next week.

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Raffy Uytiepo just texted to say that he has been invited to perform during the reception of the 2009 Ford Ironman Championship in Kona, Hawaii. I texted back, “As Elvis?” He replied, “You don’t know that Elvis is very popular in Hawaii?” Frankly, I don’t know but I’m happy for my tukayo!

For comments, please write [email protected]. – THE FREEMAN