It starts with One HELLO... Sweet Life starts with Team Kamote Runners!

Love begins with one “Hello!”, and this is indeed true between me and the Team Kamote Runners. And here is our love story...

It was last January when I found an invite from my facebook notification about a Luneta to Tagaytay LSD. I laughed when I read it. I thought to myself, why am I invited here? I can't even do more than 10K of run. So I posted on the invitation wall and gracefully declined the invite. Despite that, the hosts from that invite were very persuasive and persistent in explaining to me that I don't need to run the whole stretch, I just need to run the distance that I will do at the Condura Skyway Marathon, and that is the sweet 16K.

So, because if their undying perseverance on me, I shy on declining and accepted the invite. I prepared myself for it but because of the excitement, I had a hard time putting on some sleep.

We started to run at around 12:30AM at the Kilometer Zero mark in Luneta. A few stretching, a solemn prayer and then were off. At the stretch of going to Coastal Mall I had a very hard time because I was not used to running at that wee hours of the morning. I am trying to keep up with them but my strength and endurance is nothing compared to them. Im so glad that Kuya Brian and Kuya Zaldy were very patient in pacing me. I truly appreciate their efforts to run side by side with me until the Kilometer 19 mark in Imus, Cavite.

The Team Kamote Runners was founded because of the takbo.ph runfest where they volunteered as marshalls, and since then they've kept the friendship and the love burning. They are a strong running group. Not only in terms of physical strength but their personal relationship with each other is indeed much stronger that their legs. Even if it was my first time to meet them then, I have been observing them. They were very compassionate in taking care of each other, assisting each other and caring for the needs of one another. Even to someone like me who is not a part of their team, they never made me feel any different. I feel so loved by them. Since then, I always wanted to be with them, on running events and even on bonding moments.

Yes, they got me at one “hello!”. Since then I never let go. I fell in love with them. So when they asked me if I want to be a part of the Team I have no answer in mind but “YES!”.

That was one of the happiest moments ever! I feel like I have found a new love, a love that will care for me, a love that will keep me, the love that will make me happy. I dont feel like Im a team mate, I feel like Im family.

 The TKR Ladies!

 

A celebration after the Condura Skyway Marathon

As a new member of the Team Kamote Runners, I swore to keep and cherish the group as my own. I am now inspired to train more and work hard to keep up with their strength. I will be a one sweet baby “kamote” that will always be there for them and the rest of the runners. I want them to be proud of me.

 

TKR spells L-O-V-E!

My sweet life with the Team Kamote Runners has just begun, and I am looking forward to spending the rest of my sweet life running with them, until my last finish line...

Good Vibes and Sweet Running everyone! ^_^

Smart Broadband Offer is Sweetly Irresistible!

Last March 19, I went to my broadband provider to request for a disconnection since I am not using it anymore. The personnel told me that I can do this, provided I pay the remaining balance of my account. Since I don't have spare cash with me that day, I asked him if I can do the transaction tomorrow. He said I can so I went home.

Surprisingly, when I got back to the same place yesterday, the personnel told me I cannot pursue with the disconnection of my broadband. What? I was so pissed off. I told them I've been a subscriber since 2009 and holding period lasts only for a year. He told me he can't be of help and I should just pay for the month dues until November, and that's the only time I can request for a termination.

I went ballistic. After all that effort all I get is a cold answer from the personnel? And to think I was a loyal subscriber for two years they can't even offer a good assistance? I am so disappointed.

So, after the horrible experience, I decided to switch to a new broadband provider.

I was browsing through some sites then I came across SMART BROADBAND.

SmartBro is offering this promo to all Canopy and Wimax new subscribers! Each new account gets free one month subscription, an HP printer and a Smart Gold Lite subscription for six (6) months! How sweet is that?

Promo is open to all new paid and activated accounts for:

-Smart Bro Canopy Plan 999

-Smart Bro Wimax Plan 999

-Smart Bro Wimax Plan 1995

Subscribers who sign up and connect with these packages within promo duration are entitled to the following freebies:

-Free Bro subscription for one (1) month effective on the

-24th month Free HP All-In-One (Print/Copy/Scan) Printer

-Free Gold Lite SIM under Plan 300 for six (6) months

Subscriber must submit the following documentary requirements:

-Fully accomplished and signed Service Application Form (SAF)

-Proof of Identification

-Terms and Conditions

*Promo is from March 4 to June 4, 2011.

Per DTI NCR Permit No. 1871, series of 2011

click here for more info http://smart.com.ph/bro

Here's a video you might wanna watch. It gets a lot interesting here!

Yes, I admit, I am a facebook addict and I love writing my experiences here in my blog. As a blogger who always wants to share my experiences as a Diabetic Runner, I always need to get connected to the internet. Given my new job as a Marketing Assitant, I also need to get connected even at home so I can do my market research. I've heard lots of good feedback from friends that Smart Bro is indeed fast and stable when it comes to connection, I even tried it out from my friend and I can say I am impressed

So, having all these freebies and knowing that its from a trusted company, what else is stopping you from getting one? I am getting mine as well. Come on! SUBSCRIBE NOW! ^_^

Good Vibes and Sweet Running! ^_^

The G.O.O.D. Run is a Sweet Run!

Last Tuesday, March 8, 2011, I had the privilege of attending a Bloggers Conference of a RunRio Inc. organized race entitled "AACE's The G.O.O.D. Run" (Goiter, Obesity, Osteoporosis, Diabetes). Before this, I am already aware of this run because as you know, I am Diabetic.

A brief background about AACE...

AACE-Philippine Chapter

The mission of the AACE-Philippine Chapter is to empower Filipino patients to achieve optimum endocrine health through the practice of leading edge, proactive, ethical and cost-effective medicine. The AACE- Philippine Chapter is the third international chapter of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) and the first in Southeast Asia.

“AACE is a professional medical organization with more than 6,000 members in the United States and 91 other countries. Founded in 1991, AACE is dedicated to the optimal care of patients with endocrine problems. AACE initiatives inform the public about endocrine disorders. AACE also conducts continuing education programs for clinical endocrinologists, physicians whose advanced, specialized training enables them to be experts in the care of endocrine disease, such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, growth hormone deficiency, osteoporosis, cholesterol disorders, hypertension and obesity.”

For further information, visit the AACE-PC website at http://www.aacephil.com or the AACE web site at http://www.aace.com.

So, what makes this run different? Well, besides the blood sugar check, bone mass screening, blood pressure and other medical procedures that will be conducted for free, obviously, the proponents are Doctors and not to mention, the cause is indeed very attractive to the likes of me, and to add to the excitement, it has RunRio Inc. mark!

Race Categories: 3km- Php500 / 5km- Php600 / 10km- Php600

Race kit includes: Bib Number, Singlet

Registration until March 20, check the ff stores:
•RUNNR – G/F Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City (12nn – 8pm,Tel # 4031787)
•R.O.X. – Level 2 R.O.X. Bldg. Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City (1pm–8pm, Tel # 8564638)
•Toby’s SM Mall of Asia – G/F Entertainment Mall, Roxas Blvd., Manila (12nn–8pm, Tel # 556-0445)
•Planet Sports Glorietta – 2F Glorietta 3, Makati City (12nn – 8pm, Tel # 8177896)
•Planet Sports Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa City (12nn – 8pm, Tel# 8422886)
•Planet Sports Trinoma – 2nd level, Trinoma cor. North EDSA, Quezon City (12nn – 8pm, Tel# 9167451)
•The Athlete’s Foot Robinsons Galleria – 3F Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Pasig City (12nn – 8pm, Tel# 6363162)

I am always eager to support runs that is made for a good cause, but this one is even better! I encourage every runners to please support this run for the benefit of our future generation's awareness on Endocrine diseases and maybe someday, the eradication of Diabetes in the Philippines and in the whole world!

Oh by the way, I'll be running 10K here, and I would love to see you run on this race as well! See you on the road!

Good Vibes and Sweet Running everyone! ^_^

The Bitter-Sweet Changes in my Life

Ever so often I use to write about running in this blog, but this time, I just wanna share what's going on in my life right now.

For the past 12 years of my life as a Diabetic, I am now tenured on how to decipher if my blood sugar levels are rising high or falling low. I must admit that most of the time I don't use my blood sugar monitor because of the expensive test strip (30php for 1 strip, good for 1 testing, and you can only buy a box with 25pcs. the least) and for a student like me, it's really not practical. I'd rather spend the money on my medications.

But recently, because of the hypoglycemia attacks I had when I did my Sunday LSD's I decided to work up again with a Doctor. Yes, I haven't seen a Doctor for almost 2 years and I am the only one adjusting my insulin dose according to how I feel. I know its very dangerous and I discourage anyone from practicing it. I am just lucky I haven't got any serious complications from self-medicating.

So, I went to Makati Medical Center and ofcourse I expect that the Doctor will be so shocked about the news I spilled out to her. She immediately sent me for laboratory examinations to check if there is a major complications or anything that we have to focus on when we go through the medication process.

The laboratory took 5 vials of blood from me, which I assume is around 250cc of blood serum for the test they were going to do. The next day, I got my result...
 

The result showed a very healthy person, but I wasn't like this before. I used to have sugar and ketones in my urine. I also experienced my underwear being infested by ants in the laudry basket.

I remebered last year, I got this result when I just woke up. A fasting blood sugar of 365!

 

I was immediately rushed to the hospital. Doctors are very much worried. Everyone in the state of panic. Me, I just kept my cool. I don't feel anything strange at all so I don't worry.

 I was even doing my thesis on the hospital bed while I was confined because I have a scheduled defense on that week.

But now, everything seems to be better for my health, and recently, we just moved to a bigger, better home. I already got my own room! It's so messy so I won't post pictures of it yet. I'll make a gallery of my race bibs on the wall, just like what I saw in A Runner's Circle Store in Quirino Ave. To add to that, just before I graduate from school this March, I already have a job at Hinge Inquirer Philippines. I even got an interview with Radyo Inquirer 990AM and was featured at inquirer.net written by Ms. Fe Zamora!

 

You can find the original article HERE 

Last Wednesday, when I came back to the hospital for my check-up, my Doctor was so happy with the result of my Blood Sugar Monitoring...

 

So now, from Insulin Levemir 40-40 AM-PM shots, I am now using Humalog Mix 22-18 AM-PM shots, 

that's gonna be like half off my previous dosage! ^_^

            My blood sugar result before I hit on the pizza and drinks at ARC Kapihan last Feb 25.

I should be happy about the good things that is happening, but there's also things that is quite bothering me nowadays. There's a huge problem that I am facing at school, as a Student Leader. But knowing that I have done my best and the accusations are not true, I am confident that soon the truth will come out, and I can clear my name that I have been taking care of eversince. I also lost some friends along the way. It's very hard but I cannot do anything but accept the fact that some people come and go into our lives for a particular reason, and for whatever it is, I just trust that it's God's will to happen. I trust everything to him.

Which also reminds me, March is my running anniversary. My first year of running and taking it as my sport and now, my way to unwind and get closer to my own self. I want to celebrate it by contributing to the best of my ability to the running community. I want to get my advocacy going, to encourage more people, especially those Diabetics and others with health concerns to run and take charge of their health, and to prevent or if possible, eradicate Diabetes in the Philippines and in the whole world!

I will celebrating it by having my anniversary run on Sunday, March 6, 2011 at the Run United Leg 1. I'm planning to hit a target PR of 1:10 in the 10K category but moreover, I just wanna have fun on this event. If you see me, don't hesitate to say hi and we can also take pictures along the race! ^_^

Change is sweet, but sometimes it can also be bitter. It's just a matter on how we will embrace it and how we will react to it. Attitude plays an important part in people, especially when someone or something, moved their cheese.

Good Vibes to everyone! Sweet Running! ^_^

PDI Run and the Sweet Media Exposure

February 27, 2011 - The Philippine Daily Inquirer celebrated their 25th Anniversary by organizing a run at BHS entitled "Inquirer's 25 for 25, The Philippine Daily Inquirer's 25h Anniversary Run" and since Multisport Philippines is the sponsor of my Tri Team (Philippine Diabetic Athletes), we supported this event.

I even promoted this run to some of the aNR Groups (adiNation of Runners) because I believe in the cause, for the benefit of the Inquirer Newsboy Foundation and the Children of the victims of the Maguindanao Massacre, and I called it "Visita aNR".

My Singlet and my Bib, I didn't wore the Singlet because I'll wear my Trisuit! ^_^

I just came from a tedious day in Tagaytay then went back to Manila the same night just to support the PDI Run. I haven't got a decent sleep since theres a lot of clutter in the house, we will be moving to a new home the next day, and I was so tired but despite the feeling I still managed to wake up early to prepare for my 10K race.

When I arrived at the venue, there are already some runners lurking around. I also saw some friends and familiar faces like Sir Edwin Soriano a.k.a. Bhoy Runner's Runner who was there to take photos of the event, the Team Kamote Runners and many more. Ofcourse, I saw my teammates wearing the same suit as I do. We plan to make a statement on this run.

From left: Sir Eric Bergara, Me, Carlo Chua and Sir Monching Romano

 

Yoga Stretching

At around 5:30AM, the relay race started and after around 10 minutes the 10K race which I was a part of started.

I had my camera with me all along. I was busy taking pictures of interesting things that I see, from different runners like Ms. Tessa Prieto-Valdez, to kids, to dogs, to my runner friends, to my teammates and even the hydration stations and marshalls.

Ms. Tessa Prieto-Valdez with her pacers

The route is good, not the usual 10K that I always do around BGC because we passed around the newly made road going to Gate 1 Kalayaan Avenue. The hydration stations are well placed, the kilometer marks are huge enough to see. Though the turns are quite confusing, I appreciate the Marshalls who were very energetic enough to guide us on where to go next. I also liked the presence of Bhoy's Runners Runner photographers who took pictures of me and the other runners while on the race. I even saw and greeted my good friend and my idol, Daves Espia a.k.a. Barefoot Daves while he was doing his LSD. I was so happy to see him, it added spirit in me.

After finishing my 10K, I was so surprised to even hit a new PR! 1 minute off my previous, and I was not even trying that hard, I was always stopping to take photos around the route. It made me happier!

The sports drink was available at a station beyond the finish line. I was able to get one bottle of cold water and one bottle of Powerade but its not cold. Oh well, at least I got one.

Loot bags contains a Multisport Magazine, some discount coupons, Yoga gym invites and a box of low fat margarine. I also got a granola bar at one of the booths.

I didn't went home immediately since I waited for the Team Kamote Runners relay race to finish. I was cheering for them along the way. I also watched the awarding ceremony and took a glimpse at the booths of K-Swiss and Mizuno with my good friend Dondie. I also visited Mercato Centrale and grabbed a bottle of my favorite Yogurt but this time, it's Raspberry for a change.

What can I say about this run? Well, overall it is a commendable event, and I really enjoyed it a lot.

After the race I read a write up about me published on inquirer.net by Ms. Fe Zamora, and afterwards an interview at Radyo Inquirer 990AM followed. The radio announcers admires my advocacy in running and asked me about how to start off with running. It was a very overwhelming experience! The write up can be found HERE.

Here are some pictures from my camera:

 

Sweet photo of me and Kuya KB Runner! ^_^

 Point and shoot courtesy of Mr. Jpeg Mendoza

 

  

From left: Chaley, Ruth Ann, Me, a runner friend and Sir Noah at the finish line!

with Sweet Dondie!

 

 The women winners!

 TKR's 5 Men Relay Team

Thank you very much to Ms. Ivy Ramos, the event coordinator. Ms. Doris Bermudez, the Operations Manager of Hinge Inquirer, Ms. Fe Zamora of inquirer.net for the nice write up. To the hosts at the Radyo Inquirer 990AM radio show, to Mr. Edwin Soriano and the Bhoy Runner's Runners photographers, and most especially, to Mr. Paul Vincent Bermudez, The President of Hinge Inquirer for always being very supportive of my cause.

Thanks also to all the runners who supported this event for a good cause.

Kudos to the Philippine Daily Inquirer Team and Happy 25th Anniversary! More Power!

Sweet Running and Good Vibes to Everyone! ^_^