More and more people are getting into running, in this day and age of weekly road runs. The need for a no-nonsense, scientific approach to training has become more urgent. After all, one cannot blindly join running events without preparation. Such lack of training can lead to injuries – and unnecessary medical expenses.
What makes HyperSports interesting (aside from the fact that it is run by my athletics friends!) is the quality of training it offers. With Ralph Soguilon (100m and 200m dash national record holder), Sheena Atilano (100m hurdles national record holder), Ninoy Marayag (2011 SEA Games bronze medalist) and Djundi Binas (former national level decathlete) at the helm, the weekend warrior is sure to pick-up loads of sporting knowledge.
According to HyperSports marketing manager Edmar Dionson, the weekly training sessions are still free of charge – for now. So if you want to experience elite-level athletics training, take part in Hypersports’ Get Fit 2012 campaign!
I’ve been wanting to join the weekly training sessions of HyperSports in Philsports (Ultra) the past few weeks. But due to my packed weekend schedule, I could not seem to find the time. I’ll definitely head out to Ultra after the four-day UAAP Track & Field meet is done and if we don’t have ABL games that day.
I just couldn’t say no to Rob Sargan, our former team captain. Even if the newly-launched A Runner’s Circle shop is in far-away Roxas Boulevard, I just had to see the flamboyant jack-of-all-trades in action.
I left the house at a little past 7 in the morning. Since it was Saturday, traffic was remarkably light, by Metro Manila standards at least. I got to Aloha Hotel by around 8:00 AM. By that time, the ceremonial 5k (one of the store guys revealed that they actually ran 6k!) was long since done with. I missed the street party-like atmosphere (according to the same store guy), as well as familiar faces in the likes of the current Ateneo Track & Field Team and 100m hurdle National Record holder Sheena Atilano, the poster girl of ARC Manila.
Since Rob was quite pre-occupied explaining the intricacies of shoe customization, pronation and running basics, I talked a bit to Kulitrunner (whom I met for the first time the previous night). It turned out that I missed The Bullrunner herself by a good ten minutes! I’ve been wanting to meet the Bullrunner for the longest time, since her blog was one of the main driving forces of my track & field comeback.
The store was attractively cozy. The predominantly red motif made me want to pick up my running shoes (spikes, actually) and start running (hurdling!). The shelves were stacked with Asics, Mizuno and Brooks running shoes. I was actually surprised to see the latter since the Brooks brand hasn’t gained a foothold in Philippine shores yet. As an Asics fan myself, I found the ARC shirts pretty attractive, if not catchy because of the fiery color scheme.
I wasn’t really keen on the specific model names of the running shoes. Since I’m at the cusp of my professional life, I make it a point to buy the cheapest big-name shoes possible. I rarely go beyond Php 2,500 beyond each pair of running shoes. Judging from the looks of those fancy footwear, I had a strong feeling that the prices go beyond Php 5,000 – way beyond my budget!
This is the first time I’ve been to a specialty running store. I buy all of my kicks from department stores, sports shops and outlet stores. The store attendants in the aforesaid places are barely knowledgeable about the products they sell (Who can blame them? Most are poorly-paid, under-employed contractuals). I do not go beyond asking whether a particular pair is a cross-trainer or a running shoe.
The guys behind ARC Manila are way different. I can sense the deep passion they have for running. I was particularly impressed by the breadth of Rob’s knowledge when it comes to choosing a shoe and explaining the basic biomechanics of running.
I’d love to see ARC Manila bring in track & field spikes and specialty compression/cycling shorts. The aforesaid items are rare commodities in local stores. I don’t mind coughing out much cash for the latest high-end Asics Lite-ning or those spunky-looking Adidas Techfit compression shorts.
Indeed, setting up the store at the heart of the real Manila does wonders for the ambiance. As a Makati office rat who lives in Quezon City, a rare trip to Roxas Boulevard is a highlight in itself.
I wish the best to Rob and to the ARC Manila shop. Godspeed!
Sheena Atilano, the Philippines’ premiere sprint hurdler, answers 10-for-10!
Atilano came into prominence in 2007, when she broke the legendary Elma Muros-Posadas‘ long-standing 100m hurdles record by one-one hundredth of a second, stopping the clock at 13.65s. Fresh from landing a podium finish in the tough 2010 Asian Grand Prix, Atilano is slated to compete in this year’s Asian Games in Guangzhou.
1.) How did you get started with track?
When i was in grade 6. I had the longest jump in our PE class at the same time merong track meet sa aming district tapos dinala ako dun ng teacher ko at pinasali and then nanalo ako, tutuloy na yun hanggang sa Palarong Pambansa. (There was this track meet in our district. My teacher made me compete in the long jump – and I won. I competed in the long jump in the Palarong Pambansa). I won gold in [the] long jump girls and [at] that time, Marestella Torres came in at 4th place!
2.) What’s the most memorable moment of your track career?
Siguro yung unang nag sub 14 ako at siyempre nung nagbreak ako ng national record :) (When I ran my first-ever Sub-14 race and when I broke the 100m hurdles record)
3.) What’s your life-long dream?
Life long dream? Ang yumaman. (To become rich) Siguro sa track career year lang ha, B standard. (In my track career, to reach the Olympic “B” standard of 13.11s).
4.) Let’s lighten up a bit! What would you rather wear and why? Short shorts or tights?
Long tights ba ‘to?..shorts shorts na lang. (Are we talking about long tights? I prefer short shorts!)
5.) If you could be a Glee cast member, who will you be? And what song will you sing?
Rachel! Don’t stop believing.
6.) How I Met Your Mother or F.R.I.E.N.D.S.?
FRIENDS kasi hindi ko pa napanuod yung How I Met Your Mother. (I’d choose FRIENDS since I haven’t seen How I Met Your Mother yet).
7.) What’s the best pump-up song of all time?
I’m not really into music eh. I like yung climb ni Miley [Cyrus]for my track career. (I like Miley Cyrus’ “Climb” for my track career).
8.) If you could spend the rest of your days at any place in the world, which would you choose?
?
hurdler49: Sheena answered with a question mark. Apparently, she’s living the dream right now!
9.) Name three things you just can’t live without.
Internet, money, family.
10.) Fill in the blanks: I’ll run an ultra marathon just to go out with _________.
Friends.
Thank you for answering, Sheena!
* Marestella Torres - Filipino long jump record holder at 6.68m. Two-time SEA Games gold medalist, winner of the 2009 Asian Championships.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and
written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly
prohibited.
Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is
given to hurdler49 with appropriate
and specific direction to the original content.
