The old runner was flat on his belly, head facing the floor, while a lying motorcycle was a few meters in front of him. The whole picture would tell a story like this man was running in the direction of motor traffic on the “right” side of the road, and was hit by a motorcycle from his behind. He probably didn’t see nor hear the motorcycle when it suddenly hit and killed him. Who’s fault it was remains a mystery. It’s so sad to think that an old man probably trying to live longer by running suddenly gets killed while doing it. I find it disturbing to think that if Beth was running a little slower on that day, it could have been her. I kept telling her that running with the traffic on the right side of the road is really dangerous, and the correct way is against the traffic, so you could see the vehicle and react to any sudden mistake the motorist could do.

Running against the traffic (left side of the road in Philippines, most countries except UK, Bahamas and Japan), is often the most frequent running safety advice we would hear, yet I see most runners even the Elites running with the traffic that they can’t see the vehicles behind them. In fact, the BDM102 pictures would show ultramarathoners doing the same bad habit, even though it’s not in the rule to do so.

However, even running against the traffic, on the left side, could still be dangerous. My Father witnessed an accident just 2 weeks ago by a motorcycle also hitting a runner on the opposite side of the road. The runner, also quite old, was running on the left side of the road while the motorcycle lost control and slid to the opposite side hitting the runner. The old runner survived with minor bruises. Moral lesson is to still keep aware of your surroundings and expect for the worst.

Now ask yourself this question, what advice would you give to your kids or loved ones who would like to start running? Run on the right or left side of the road?

Below are the “RULES OF THE ROAD” from Runnersworld magazine:

• Don’t assume a driver sees you. In fact, imagine that a driver can’t.

• Run against traffic so as to view (and react to) any mistake an advancing motorist may make.

• At a stop sign or light, wait for the driver to wave you through—then acknowledge the driver with your own wave.

• Allow at least three feet between you and a passing vehicle.

• Be prepared to jump onto the sidewalk or shoulder of the road.

• During group runs, go single file when cars need to pass.

• Use hand signals to show which way you plan to turn.

• Respect a driver’s right to the road.

• Run with proper ID, and carry a cell phone with emergency contacts taped to its back.

• Check with the police for local traffic rules.

• Make sure to look out for people pulling out of a driveway. They may not see you.

• At an intersection always wait and look for vehicles coming from multiple directions and lanes before attempting to cross.

• If you run with headphones, make sure you can still hear what is going on around you. Run with just one ear bud in at a time.

• In commercial areas, look out for high-traffic areas, such as the parking lots of grocery stores, restaurants, and bars.

• Watch for early-morning drivers who do not clear frost or morning dew off their windshields; they may not be able to see you.

• Wear bright and/or reflective clothing.

• Run only on roads with wide shoulders.

• Never cross against traffic lights.

Sam “the Running Ninja” invited me to represent him in a dinner/meeting with Mead Johnson and WWF Philippines, to promote “Kid’s Earth Hour” 2010, which aims to promote both Kid’s being Physically Active, and being environmentally aware by joining the Earth Hour (a few hours later).

Kids shall be playing fun physical games (maybe some running) to promote fitness without use of any popular electrical/electronic entertainment systems. Sounds like going old-school, before video games were invented.

The event shall be held simultaneously at three venues all across the metro including 7th Avenue Bonifacio Global City Open Grounds, the Level 3 Trinoma and SM Mall of Asia’s San Miguel by the Bay. Registration begins at all venues at 6pm which will lead into the countdown to Earth Hour at 8:29pm. Then, from 8:30-9:30 the fun continues with a shadow play and other exciting Earth Hour activities.

What is the Earth Hour? Below is the official video that best describes the event and the cause.

From left to right: Ivy Goze (Spinning Lovely Days), Trisha Siojo,(Sustagen Senior Product Manager) Lena Santos (Pinay Mom Blogs) Ilene Aguilar (Mead Johnson Category Manager) Lory Tan (WWF CEO), Earth Rullan (Earthling Gorgeous), Gregory Yan (WWF Information Education and Communications Officer), Chrisse Olayres (WWF Corporate Relationship Manager) Anna Montenegro (WWF Marketing), Anton Diaz (Our Awesome Planet), Rache Diaz and i2runner.

Here are more details from Martin Romualdez of Ace Saatchi & Saatchi:

In support, Sustagen pioneers Kids’ Earth Hour along with WWF Philippines for Earth Hour to get the younger members of the community to get involved too. As heirs to the future, kids should know that they have a responsibility in caring for the world we inhabit today.

How can the kids get involved? Sometimes it can come from the simplest idea of going back to the basics. Save energy indoors, play outdoors. For the first time in Earth Hour history, Sustagen presents a giant playground as an alternative to electricity-driven entertainment. Take this occasion to build your child’s strength, stamina and immunity with a whole gamut of games gathered in this one special playground. Hopscotch, hopball and velcroman combine with major highlights like the rocky mountain climbing course, the giant trampoline, a spiderweb and the Earth Walk for promoting an outstanding body for your child.

Kids’ Earth Hour will be held simultaneously at three venues all across the metro including 7th Avenue Bonifacio Global City Open Grounds, the Level 3 Trinoma and SM Mall of Asia’s San Miguel by the Bay. Registration begins at all venues at 6pm which will lead into the countdown to Earth Hour at 8:29pm. Then, from 8:30-9:30 the fun continues with a shadow play and other exciting Earth Hour activities.

Encourage your kids to see that they too can make this one outstanding world as they build outstanding bodies for themselves. It’s time for them to unplug and play on Sustagen Kids’ Earth Hour Day!

Here are some points about Kid’s Earth Hour:
• Encourages children who are exposed to a sedentary lifestyle to learn the joy of playing outdoors
• Instills the value of caring for the environment

Some points on the importance of outdoor play
• Children who are exposed to an outdoor lifestyle will most likely be active adults
• Aside from the health benefits of practicing basic skills, playing outdoors enhances a child’s knowledge and thinking
• Teaches appreciation for outdoor activities.

All of the blogs that made it to the finals are really good–well written, entertaining, and are about popular spectator sports like Basketball and Boxing. However I would like to emphasize and take pride that we runner-bloggers write more about our own personal experiences–racing, training, injuries, hardships, endeavors, challenges, celebrations, love, sport and life of running. Our personal blogs are therefore sincere, realistic, pure, inspiring, and perhaps challenges readers to be more competitive with themselves or with other runner-bloggers.

Here are the links to the finalists:
Buhay Basketball
Fire Quinito
i2runner
Lakers Today
Philippine Basketball Blog
Philippine Boxing
Sports and Tech sa Pilipinas
The Duffer

Now pictures and videos in facebook and youtube have shown really depressing and traumatizing sights of the victims. The number of deaths does not quantify the whole picture of the disaster.  In the news, we could see that the relief goods are on the way but they are having a hard time distributing them and they were really outnumbered by the vast number of victims. The poorest of the poor are the ones that suffer the most – no electricity or potable water, homes covered in mud, while some areas are still flooded up to 8feet deep like some parts of Muntinlupa.

As you can see in these photos, the conditions are terrible for the affected areas. Flooded areas are not runnable. I beg you all to send your donations for these victims and any amount you are capable would be highly appreciated. If you’re located outside of Metro Manila or if you have no time to go directly to the victims, you can donate Online via Paypal thru:
i2runner

If you’re located inside of Metro Manila, you can directly donate to the following:

• Second Wind Running Store
• 

• Coach Rio  -  46 D. Macapagal St. Vista Valley Subdivision, Sto. Nino, Marikina City

• TeamHardcore (BaldRunner)

So how do you run in the flood? The simple is answer is–you don’t.  Although some hard-core runners feel heroic running in the rain–like my father who ran 17miles (27.2kms) and Beth who ran 6.25miles (10Kms) in the very heavy Ondoy Tyhpoon rain yesterday in C6 where there is no flood, running in the flood is just impossible, dangerous, and the risk of catching diseases is really high. My dad said the huge rain droplets were hurting his skin but he still managed to finish his long run in preparation for the QC International Marathon.  What about me? I thought I should just run the next day when the flood water clears.

So this morning I was hoping to run a 10-miler (16kms) but when I reached some parts of the road, they’re still flooded ankle high, so I managed to walk through them. However I couldn’t run up to the Fort, some of the streets still have floods that are waist-high. I saw some houses here in Lower Bicutan that are leveled lower than the road, so their whole first floor is below ground level, so after 24hours, their houses were still flooded.

I managed to run only 2miles (<3kms), and when I got home, my shoes were all wet with the flood–risky enough to catch diseases, so I immediately washed my legs when I hit the shower.

Washing and Drying the Shoes

In order to be able to run tomorrow, I also washed my shoes to prevent it from getting stinky. How do I dry it? I spin-dry it in the washing machine. Some people think this would damage the fabric of their clothes but the truth is, spinning only compresses the fabric–so there’s really no rubbing, while the centrifugal forces removes the water really well that after 5minutes, my shoes were almost dry. Then after just 1hour of stashing my shoes, they are now really dry that I could use them right away.

Thank you so much Boss Jinoe and Sir Vinz! 

It talks about the “Conventional Thinking” versus “Uncommon Wisdom” by top runners and coaches. Some of it I agree and have experienced myself, while some are among my plans and now unsure if I should continue. It’s like realizing old Filipino medical misconceptions like “do not run in the rain”, “don’t let the wind dry up your sweat at your back”, or “don’t take a shower after running or you’ll get ‘pasma’”.

If you are reading this, buy that September 2009 RW issue. I tried searching runnersworld.com and it doesn’t have the article yet. I think the topic is important and could save a lot of your valuable running time and money. Samples are the following:

On Building those Muscles
Conventional Thinking – Strength Training will make you a better runner.
Uncommon Wisdom – Skip the gym; you don’t run on your arms.
i2runner’s experience – I agree with the Uncommon Wisdom. I used to lift weights to look muscular but when I started to train for the Marathon, the number of hours of training prevented me from going to the gym. But then I had no problem on my upper body running form, I had no neck or shoulder injury or fatigue during the training and running the marathon. I think weight lifting has little or no effect in running. I’d rather use my time on speedwork instead.

Remember to Stretch
Conventional Thinking – Regular stretching is important
Uncommon Wisdom – Stretching is worthless for distance runners
i2runner’s experience – This is where I get confused, and really have no solid opinion. I have been stretching regularly before, during and after my run, but I’m still have stiff inflexible iron legs. Somehow it feels good to stretch tired and sore muscles.

Make Time For Massage
Conventional Thinking – Get regular massages because they increase blood flow to the muscles and remove waste products.
Uncommon Wisdom – Massages may decrease blood flow and waste-product removal.
i2runner’s experience – I love receiving massages because they really feel good. However they’re very expensive and have noticed they don’t really speed up the healing process. Also, the “RICE” (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) doesn’t have an “M” in it.

Miles for Marathon
Conventional Thinking – You have to put in lots of miles to run a good marathon.
Uncommon Wisdom – You can run minimal mileage and still hit a time goal.
i2runner’s experience – I agree with the “Conventional Thinking”. I just can’t accept that if you run less, you’ll run better in the Marathon. I think running performance is the product of both Quality and Quantity.

Actually there are more in the magazine, but I think I’ve made my point. If you miss the September issue, I believe RW’s going to post it soon in their website.

http://peakperformance.runnersworld.com/2009/06/how-did-your-lab-get-interested-in-the-rearfoot-vs-forefoot-questionthats-a-long-story-were-interested-in-the-evolution-of.html

Just check out the long list of negative comments that blog has generated. A lot of experienced runners getting angry at the blog. Let me share my experience with heel-striking and Midfoot/forefoot striking:

Early this year, when I started racking up my mileage, I was primarily a heel striker. When I reached 40 to 50miles/week with 20Miles as my long run, I started getting pains on my knees. That’s when I started taking “ARTHRO“. My high slow mileage stopped after the Condura 21K race and then I started my speedwork in preparation for the July5 Milo Marathon. From 50miles/week, I reduced my mileage to 35miles/week to cope up with the added stress of faster running. However, the knee pain started coming back, even more painful.

That’s when I started changing my technique and tried Chi-Running and/or Pose Method Running. Everytime I tried to accelerate, I would lean forward. At a constant faster speed, I found that I need to just slightly lean forward to get my center of gravity to my midfoot. I then started doing speedwork mostly on forefoot, but my long runs were mostly midfoot. Then the knee pains disappeared. I stopped taking ARTHRO.

I was already lean with a BMI of 21, so heel striking definitely is bad for faster running. Maybe it’s OK for “jogging” with a good pair of cushioned shoes, and good only for slow running up to 40miles per week. But increase the intensity, we may have to change the way we run.

I definitely agree that there is a correct way (ore more ways) to run. Some coaches would argue to run the “natural for you” way. Well it’s a stupid advice like “be yourself”. It’s a lazy way not to improve oneself. There are a lot of ridiculous way to shoot a basketball, but there is a correct, most efficient way. The same as with fighting, boxing, wall climbing, etc. We may be running animals, and what we lack in natural sprinting ability we make up for our highly developed brains. That’s why we must think, experiment, discover, and train ourselves in the correct way of running.

This is where “Just do it” is just not applicable.

Two weeks from now I plan to run in Skyway again, but with the trauma I’ve had with the 200Kph+ runs, I’ve decided I’ll slowdown to topspeed of 13 to 15Kph instead. This time it won’t be a screaming vtec engine @7,000rpm but a turbocharged Enlarged Athlete Heart revving 150 to 170bpm. Let’s hope I won’t blow my Heart Engine.