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C O N N E C T W I T H T A K B O . P H

What Running Can Learn From Boxing and Billiards

Written by ManokanRunner
Tuesday, 01 September 2009

Page 3 of 3

I need a Hero!

Having said the importance of a superstar to sustain running, it is now important that we give the superstar status to those who deserves them and I mean to the elite athletes.

Here are some ideas:

Bloggers should provide more news and information about the elite athletes. We need to expose them in our blogs and make them be more familiar to our readers. We have prestigious marathons next month. Include their names in your blog or add a small section to mention the winners in your post. Add some pictures too to help me be familiarized with them.
The government should support our elite athletes so they can join in international events to gain more competitive exposure. Locally, we have several Kenyans coming for the marathons next month. I hope they are ready to face our best runners.
More coaches to focus in developing elite athletes from schools, colleges and universities.
TV shows or film producers should make a movie starring an elite runner. Part of the registration fee in races is a free ticket to watch the movie. Just like boxing and billiard, running will benefit a lot from local movies and shows with running as its theme. I'm not kidding although this sounds a bit extreme.

Let us all be part in making running more than just a craze. Let's have more Filipinos discover this healthy lifestyle.

Up Next in the Series: What can Running learn from Basketball. Basketball is the most popular sport in the country. Can running be as popular? How?

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Last update: 29-09-2009 13:28

Users' Comments (34)

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Posted by nuttybunny4, on 29-09-2009 08:16, , Registered

Jinoe Gavan is the country's running superstar!!! :D

Posted by Midnight Runner, on 29-09-2009 12:43, , Registered

With or without superstars, running is here to stay. It will lose momentum for sure -- but by that time, there would be more than enough people who will be joining races and that because of the internet and other media like you mentioned blogging --- there will be people who will be into the sport. From a marketing point too, it is easily one of the easiest ways to raise funds too for organizations -- making it a very popular choice for people to hold races. But ultimately, I think we should make it a goal to strive for an Olympic Gold. That should be our main motivation for the community.

Posted by miler_jeremy22, on 29-09-2009 20:07, , Registered

I agree on international exposure... Fund n sponsor them Because the best races produce best times... And Philippines is not a record setting area geographically to produce national records... heat, humidity, climate and seasons... That means places colder than most areas in the philippines... I mean we to put them elite athletes on colder climate area to compete and beat national records whether it be 800m or upto a full 42-k marathon. Let's put it this way... them athletes need Baguio City's weather and temperature but at Sea level... They won't overheat fast... they'll produce best times...

Posted by Gingerbreadman, on 29-09-2009 20:56, , Registered

I actually enjoyed this writeup Boss J. Very very good points you made here. So bloggers,better listen up! Oooops I'm one of them :P

Posted by reinier6666, on 30-09-2009 00:14, , Registered

BOXING and BILLARD became popular because of the "superstars" or elite sportsmen produced by the sport. Without them the sports would have not heen popular. On the other hand RUNNING achieved polularity not because it has produced first elite or superstars of world class caliber. The secret is INDIVIDUAL SATISFACTION and IDENTITY with the sport. Once you try it the satisfaction and personal achievement is IMMEDIATE and does not require a hero. The hero becomes the person of whatever motivation and goal he has set for himself. How to sustain the craze KEEP THE HERO IN US EXCITED. Good Races?

Posted by Midnight Runner, on 30-09-2009 03:07, , Registered

Perhaps it is time that I also share what I learn thru running. For those interested, just visited my blog midnightpencil.wordpress.com

Other than that, don't you think that the Philippines is actually the best place to become an Olympic champion? All the challenges like humidity and heat are all here. I heard that running during winter is actually and relatively easy. Thus, if we get people to train and become champions here, getting the gold at the Olympics can be attained. Alas, even our elite runners don't have "discipline" in certain areas of their lives. Hay....

Posted by junarsl, on 30-09-2009 03:48, , Registered

its nice that we have a forum or somewhat group promoting running here in the phils...i hope all the hardships will paid off... how i wish that this takbo.ph will have a regular meeting every month to. promote and increased the running population of metro manila and nearby provinces...wherein pipol/runners of all sorts, get to meet and greet...talk all day, exchange views...its like creating TAKBO.PH as a nationwide running club with different chapters in provinces...then pushing for a national convention or a national open for running...were runners all over the phils...meet and compete

Posted by beabear, on 30-09-2009 05:34, , Registered

J, I vote YOU as the Philippines running superstar! Seriously!

(just please don't get into showbiz :p medyo anti-showbiz ako eh :p

we have prominent runners like FZA and the former CEO of P&G and the CEO of Alaska. and I respect them as athletes and responsible citizens all in their own right.

I think thats what a sport needs. a role model. an idol. a responsible citizen. a good sport (physically and mentally).

i still think it's you :)

*naks*! ;)

Posted by beabear, on 30-09-2009 05:42, , Registered

REALLY REALLY NICE ARTICLE!

One idea that cropped up - a weekly running feature in a or more than 1, major broadsheet (kase magazines meron na eh - and broadsheets have, well, broader reach)

Posted by jepjep1086, on 30-09-2009 05:44, , Registered

running is sorely lacking in superstars. we really need them. they give the philippines instant recognition. they put us in the road map. they also become role models for other aspiring athletes not only to excel in the sport but to get a ticket to a better life as in the case for most kenyan runners, as well as for philippine boxers and billiard players.

let us not be lured into a false sense of pride and security. the current boom in running is just a minuscule portion of the experience of our more advanced regional counterparts.

Posted by RunningShield, on 30-09-2009 06:40, , Registered

[b]Very good write up. Frankly i don’t like people comparing running as the new badminton or calling it as a fad only. I think people who say this are the “gaya gaya puto maya crowd” they come and go and they get burned out fast and only run with friends but at the end of the day they will hang up there running shoes and switch to another sports for the “NORM”. They do not know the real meaning of a long distance runner. Running is NOT and i repeat NOT a SPORT but a way of life. Only a few will remain and this runners are the real runners. Ive been running for 29 years and enjoyed my runs every time. I always enjoyed the peace and quiet time. It was always a new adventure for me when i go for my daily run. Runners are very lucky now, they have access to dozens of running stores and you have over 200 races a year. Back then we only had 3 or 4 races a year and 1 running store “ BOTAK”
MY ONLY ADVICE IS IF YOU WANT TO MAKE RUNNNG LAST FOREVER. THE RUNNER HAS TO ENJOY RUNNING BECAUSE RUNNING IS HIM AND IS A RUNNER.
Patrick concepcion / runningshield
runningshield@yahoo.com[/b]

Posted by joe_belo_357, on 30-09-2009 08:23, , Registered

My thoughts...to sustain, and even increase the interest in running, key here would be the road races... FROM THE SCHOOLS: Inter-school or inter-collegiate races (10k/21k) with full backing/funding of the schools ala-NCAA/UAAP; FOR AGE-GROUPERS at the City/Provincial/Regional Level, backed by corporate sponsors; then there should be 2 or three MAJOR EVENTS each year which attract the most sponsors, biggest prizes, and even give-aways (like what we see in golf tournaments) for all finishers..

I DONT AGREE with the notion that we already have a RUNNING BOOM....but we can get there!

Posted by miler_jeremy22, on 30-09-2009 09:58, , Registered

to midnight runner... hello, I share something common with you. Run off the night! hahahaha... But concerning humidity... and all the challenges and what potential Phils has for Olympics... training here is good kasi nga it is possible that mas mataas ang stress threshold natin relating sa weather, humidity and temp... But if competition naman, questionnable pa. Our elite runners need to break records constantly to be able to be at parr with the int'l standard... And speaking of records, we are decades behind. we need breakers to increase popularity of running in elite or non elite level...

Posted by miler_jeremy22, on 30-09-2009 10:02, , Registered

And oo nga pala, ung best times natin sa marathon... 2 hours 28 minutes xx seconds- to- 2 hours 18 minutes 44 seconds (eduardo buenavista RP record) hehehe.... Sa international elite, babae ang gumagawa... Sa non-elite, once a Business manager run 2 hours 28:35 minutes sa Boston Marathon last 2003, Ung time ng non-elite is Championship time na sa RP... I'm not pessimistic. And sa 5-k, mga corporate people, doctors and atty sa ibang lugar, tumatakbo ng 16 minutes, 17 minutes and so... mas enjoy kung mas mabilis, u really push kasi harder. Ang sa akin lang, hindi naman sarcasm but awareness lang

Posted by miler_jeremy22, on 30-09-2009 10:08, , Registered

Eto rin, isang situation... ang Armed Forces of the Philippines lang ang nag-ooperate ng professional running club... Sundalo mga runners natin, n knowing the fact that kapag kelangan sila other than running, is a strain... Buenavista was almost suspended by the Air Force because he missed Back to Basic training which is routine in the military every other year for promotion purposes. Kailangan pang aregluhin ng civilian bosses ni Buenavista at ng PAF ang issue kasi nga as RP team excused daw ang mga sundalo... We need a full-professional athlete to do the records... And foreign advisers...

Posted by miler_jeremy22, on 30-09-2009 10:13, , Registered

I am not putting down our bosses, either we hire advisers, preferably American/ European coach and scientist... OR Former African Runners to teach us the way. Kasi nga wala tayong other professional running club other than the Armed Forces... Kasi if civilian professional running club... mas corporate sponsorships, allowance and training society and program regardless wat place ka galing... and they can send you to places like Kenya or Ethiopia sa East Africa, Atlas mountains sa Morocco, or sa High altitude ng China at japan. kasi training group mo is other nationality, forces to adapt s kanla

Posted by miler_jeremy22, on 30-09-2009 10:17, , Registered

Ang altitude training is a key factor sa performance, mas efficient gumamit ang katawan ng oxygen, mas mataas ang lactate threshold due to training stresses sa altitude... Eto ngayon, may Baguio naman tayo ah... Dun na lang... right? BUT... Baguio is only 1.5km= 5000ft above sea level... Kenyan, Ethiopian Highlands are 3.2-km above sea level= 12,000ft. Same sa China mountains at Japanese Alps, Include the Atlas mountains in Morocco and Algeria... malaking difference un. and walang corruptions sa professional running clubs. Look at other places... focused ang coaches sa training ng athletes

Posted by miler_jeremy22, on 30-09-2009 10:22, , Registered

Add mammoth lakes in US, 12,000ft un... Pyrenees Mountains sa France... Or we can do it the communist way... Ang Vietnam mabilis mag improve performance nila... China is World Class, Communist sila... Russia is a Democracy now, pero culture nila communist, Japan din, Bushido life nila... stric sila, let's do it their way... Critics would say Filipino 4 Filipino, but now, to improve and make superstars we need sacrifices... Vietnam is really an alarming force sa track... babae nila is almost world class na...

Posted by RunningDiva, on 01-10-2009 01:11, , Registered

I agree with what Running Shield said over here. Running is a way of life, must be a part of life. It's not just getting a PR or establishing a record. It's a lifetime commitment. Running to me is more than just joining races or just blogging about my running experiences. Running is a way of life!

Posted by zixednatz, on 01-10-2009 02:32, , Registered

If we want our running as a sport to reach higher levels of world class competitiveness, I think we should support the team baldrunner http:// teambaldrunner.wordpress.com

They have a nice team of talented young elite runners there.

As for the superstar status, Jinoe Gavan is the Champion!!!

Posted by kampuger, on 01-10-2009 11:50, , Registered

Very nice article! There is a big risk that this "craze" might end soon (IMHO):

- Races are too frequent. Almost every week may running event
- Price -> habang tumatagal nagiging expensive yung race (i.e. KOTR in which last year P350 siya ngayon P500 na!)
- Race Course -> for frequent runners who join races, most of the races use the same course. Pinoys are always looking for something new

Posted by baldrunner, on 01-10-2009 12:31, , Registered

nice post. there is only one running distance project in the country right now which is the elite team bald runner which i organized last june 2008 and i am the one training, feeding, supporting and managing them. i have strict rules and discipline to be followed and that's the reason why i had to relieve/remove athletes not within the required standards. it is easy to say that these athletes should train here and there and expose to international competitions but if i tell you the "bottomline" of expenditure needed, you would be shocked! so, if you want to help promote running, help my team!

Posted by baldrunner, on 01-10-2009 13:08, , Registered

pls visit the blogsite of elite team bald runner at www.teambaldrunner.wordpress.c om

Posted by miler_jeremy22, on 01-10-2009 15:47, , Registered

Bald Runner is the boss! The Point is we need all sorts of corporate, individual, and national backings to run this training camp... The reality is that what I have written above concerning training camps is overwhelmingly expensive... Sort of, we need to dig deep among all of us, patriots, tax payers, business people and experts in certain fields... to gather resources. We will all one day realize this effort!!!

Posted by miler_jeremy22, on 01-10-2009 15:52, , Registered

Hehehe... nandyan sa Baldrunner Distance Project Pala si Alquin? Cool... I remember him in 2007 National PRISAA Ilo-ilo. hihihi. wala lang, Naalala ko lang po.=)

Posted by zixednatz, on 01-10-2009 20:37, , Registered

Yehey! Ayan na si Sir Jovie! Their team has a noble dream of raising our Country's Running Competitiveness, perhaps even winning a gold medal in the Olympics. I read somewhere that Brooks Running in the US refuses to believe in the theory that Kenyan have superior running genes. I think we should also believe in ourselves. Dati, di ko rin ma imagine a Filipino being a world class boxer, kasi superior mga black genes. Pero ngayon Pacman's the #1, and he'll beat Mayweather. Who knows, baka meron ding young runner in TeamBaldRunner who will beat Kenenisa Bekele someday :-)

Posted by zixednatz, on 01-10-2009 20:44, , Registered

miler_jeremy22, dami mong alam sa running community natin, talagang running fan ka bro! :-)

Posted by miler_jeremy22, on 02-10-2009 07:38, , Registered

Si Sir jovie pala ung boss ng Baldrunner? I mean ung... nevermind. Nakita ko ung FB account niya. Jovie po pala... may I add in facebook? I might drop by sa Baldrunner Distance Project one day. Actually, that elite running community gave me a sense of pride and awareness na meron talagang gustong magstrive for excellence... Saludo ako sa inyo.=)

Posted by dgterunner, on 03-10-2009 01:26, , Registered

This is good! In 2003,i started putting-up running clinic (not scientific) & mini-mini events (3k,5k) to encourage kids into running & eat pandesal after the run. I considered myself "trying-hard event organizer", my point is to keep them running. We meet regularly at 6am at Quezon park (Sunday) and put-up monthly races awarding bags of Rice. The first Milo elimination was February 2006 and my kids run 3k & 5k ended up only 2 runners got in the top 10. Recently, all got placers and also their Father & Mother. Running will stay coz we are creating a running culture. This kids are champions!!

Posted by zixednatz, on 03-10-2009 03:56, , Registered

I like what Sir Patrick said about running, "THE RUNNER HAS TO ENJOY RUNNING BECAUSE RUNNING IS HIM AND IS A RUNNER." I think that's the essence of our sport (or way of life), we often don't need to care about other people's race times, just run for running's sake. Even if we do not have Elite World class runners, I don't think it would stop us real runners from doing our daily runs and personal races. I started and loved running when it captured my curiosity of human endurance limits and its ability to improve, not because some Filipino runner won an olympic medal or local race.

Posted by 5KRunner, on 03-10-2009 04:14, , Registered

@Running shield - Sir I haven't met you personally but I admire your dedication to running and I agree with your inputs.
~~
At a personal level I take running as a lifestyle- in fact I limit joining races to once a month and that is to measure my improvements and meet with fellow runners.
I have decided that with or without race I have to continue running because it gives me joy and sense of fulfillment.
P.S. I probably would not have join races had I not come across the bullrunner and takbo.ph blog - and thank you guys!

I wish you all the best!

Posted by jerbats, on 03-10-2009 12:58, , Registered

More than aiming for greater goals for the Philippine running community, I think if more people discover for themselves the benefits and satisfaction that running brings, running would be here to stay. I believe that in time, we will be able to produce home-grown runners who could match their foreign counterparts.

Posted by RandMcnally, on 08-10-2009 13:55, , Registered

I somewhat disagree with the boxing part. The reason why it's currently booming right now is that there's more access to boxing gyms compared to few years ago. Thanks to the Elordes, they have started up more boxing gyms and made it more accessible. I box at Elorde and I bet more than half there don't really care about boxing superstars. More than half of the gym goers are women in their 30s who don't really watch boxing that much. We never had a drought of superstars in boxing (though, admittedly, Manny might be the biggest Filipino boxing superstar of all time). Just my opinion though.

Posted by mgrace, on 08-10-2009 19:31, , Registered

Nice write up, Sir. I think that having no particular "face" for running like Boxing or Billiards can be considered as a good indication. This means that it is booming because of the sport itself and the popularity of a “Superstar”. This is a good sign that it can stay that way for a long time.

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