Talking about running

MANILA, Philippines - One Singaporean magazine editor tweeted: “Whenever people tell me they run marathons I assume they’re not easily bored.” I favorited and re-tweeted this because this was exactly why I stopped running. Not that the sport is entirely to blame; I wasn’t exactly great at it. But this was all because I was pretending –– not even trying –– to run. I did it for charity. I did it to be cool. Unlike Murakami, I didn’t do it to just run.

My last race was four years ago. It was a 10K fun run; halfway through I was not only tired, I was bored and looked terrible. Friends posted finish line photos wherein they looked sweat-free, wind in their hair, triumphant. I looked fifty shades of ghastly in mine.

Recently, I tried to run again. This time, I did not hop on the treadmill and press “8” (fine, “6”). I went hardcore and ran from Makati Ave. to Ayala Triangle and back again, delighting in all that the city had to offer after dark: puddles on the sidewalk, eau de tambucho, absentee pedestrian lanes, Burgos girls, and so on. Despite the challenging terrain, running just to feel what it’s like to run turned out to be a rather pleasant experience.

Last Wednesday, July 4, Rexona for Men launched the Rexona Run 2012, the third race under the successful Rexona-Runrio partnership. If there is a running event that defines the sport best, it is this. The Rexona Run 2012 will be on Aug. 12 at the SM Mall of Asia grounds and it is expected to test the mettle of even the most seasoned runners. Last year, the Rexona Run promised adventure; this year, it puts due emphasis on performance.

There are only three race categories –– not the ones you’d expect. Participants can choose from 5K, 21K Solo, and for the first in local running history, the 21K Relay. While 21K Solo seems like such a huge leap for 5 or 10K runners, the 21K Relay is a chance for them to raise their level by being part of a team of two runners, each running half the distance. Much less intimidating, don’t you think? There’s also some comfort in knowing you’re not in it for the long, long, long haul alone.

The top three finishers in the 21K Solo will take home P7,000, P5,500, and P4,000 respectively, while P5,000, P4,000, and P3,000 will be awarded to each member of the top finishers in the 21K Relay division. Finally, the top three finishers in the 5K category bring home P4,000 for first, 3,000 for second and 2,000 for third. 

In keeping with the “performance” theme, Rexona Run 2012 has created the Rexon Run Outrun Yourself App, which can be downloaded for free via the Rexona Men Facebook page. The app is designed to help runners set their personal best time and motivate them to beat this time through a running playlist and an occasional voiceover time check. The app may also be used to help runners set their pace during the run.

Coach Rio Speaks

As part of Rexona’s commitment to sustaining running in the Philippines, they have enlisted the expertise of Coach Rio dela Cruz, who is also Rexona Men’s newest endorser, as the Rexona Run 2012 race director for the third straight year.

PHILIPPINE STAR: What’s your most challenging role as race director?

RIO DE LA CRUZ: Our top priority is the safety of the runners and the quality of the event. This is our edge. We are very grateful that they tapped us again and partnered with us to handle this event. It’s getting better every year. You learn from previous events, you learn from your mistakes. The event has to be safe of course, and festive. And there has to be things to do after they finish the finish line. But our main objective when we organize races is to make it fun for the runners. Sustain running in the Philippines by making it a fun and quality event.

Do you care at all how you look in those finish line photos?

We were just joking about this during one of our press conferences. You don’t just have to look good –– you have to smell good, too. Kasi hindi lang naman ikaw yung tumatakbo. I’ve experienced this before outside the Phiippines. It’s annoying when you’re concentrating on your pace, tapos biglang may ganung distraction. Mawawala ka sa plano; mapapabilis ka.

Any more running pet peeves?

I’m good for as long as hindi nagagalaw yung buhok ko. (Laughs)

What’s the your pre-run meal?

I don’t have breakfast before running, especially when it’s too early. You have to eat breakfast at least an hour before –– this is for short distances 5-21K. But when you’re doing a 42K race, you should eat at least two hours before. I usually have rice or spaghetti. It really depends on your body type. What your body needs. Some like banana with peanut butter, some get by with just coffee.

What do you usually carry with you when you run?

If I’m joining an intense run, I don’t bring anything but my visor to keep the hair in place. But for fun runs, I bring my iPod, for motivation. I still think about the location though –– if I know I’ll be running on a busy street, I don’t listen to music so I’m fully aware of what’s happening around me.

How do you know you’re running too fast?

Kapag tumatakbo ka and nakakapagsalita ka pa ng normal, you can still chat with running buddies, ok pa yung pace mo.

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For more details on registration requirements, check out the Rexona Men Facebook page, visit www.runrio.com, or call the race hotline at (0927) 347-7700 (Globe), (0929) 717-8164 (Smart), or 887-6194.