DREAM MARATHON '16 DIARY: THE FIRST BULL CIRCLE

The first Bull Circle happened last September 23, 2015, at St. Lukes Global City. Everyone had been so excited to meet each and everyone. Ours is actually a different story, we met at Subaru Run so we already have communication prior to the first circle and where #teamguttom founded so watch out for that hashtag. But nonetheless I'm still excited to meet the class of 2016.

I've been to BGC several times but honestly I still dunno how to get there except riding a taxi. I know where the highstreet is but other than that I am an idiot with the streets around Global City. Thankfully we have decided to meet first at the Ayala MRT with Butter, Sab, and Nikki. And latter is much familiar with the place and she toured us how to get there starting at the commuter bus and where to alight. We actually planned to meet early as I need to get tested with Gait Analysis at Runnr. I wanted to make sure if I am overpronated (which I am now after the test) and what is the best shoe to wear with long distance. So girls, I wanted to Thank You for joining me there. By the way, Gait Analysis is free at Runnr or even at Asics but I heard they're not really accommodated if you are not buying a shoe.

DIY TRAVEL GUIDE: SURIGAO DEL SUR (BISLIG CITY AND HINATUAN)

Surigao del Sur is part of CARAGA region and situated at the east coast of Mindanao facing the Pacific Ocean. Surigao has a lot to offer in terms of a must places to visit, however, the focus of this post is only for Hinatuan and Bislig City. We went there last July 2015 for a quick visit and my first time to set foot in Mindanao.

This do-it-yourself travel guide to Bislig City and Hinatuan is my personal version for a 4D/3N trip and kind of relaxed itinerary. It was my special day so I don't want to put things in rush. However though, you can search for several DIY tips on google. I'm sure some of the Pinoy Travel Bloggers have an article for you.

DREAM MARATHON '16 DIARY: OUR FIRST MINI MEET UP

The official registration of the TBR's 42k opened last August 7th, 2015. A week after, they have released the official and final list of participants which is only limited to 800 so everybody will be given proper attention. And I'm glad that I am part of that list after days of thinking of joining the full marathon.

And days counting, everyone picked up their official training shirt (so jealous here!! @@ ) and because I chose for delivery rather than pickup, I'll have to wait when it would start. I feel envy to those folks with a welcome kit already, they have something to use for the Subaru Marathon. We actually asked them to wear it so we can easily distinguish for our quick meet up after run.

SUBARU MARATHON 2015

Subaru has been running race events abroad and if I'm not mistaken it is their first time in the Philippines together with Runrio. This has been my fourth half marathon of the year after Run United 1 and 2 and Takbo.ph. Also, I'm not really a frequent runner but this time I get addicted (I guess). I have run two consecutive Sundays for the first time after EntrepRun and this one. Thanks to Deltek, my new employer that provide "run for reimbursement". As long as you are wearing the official shirt and they will pay it for you. It's a huge help for me and for the company.

Know More.

Do More.

Move More.

Although I'm not quite sure if I can finish this race, the previous Sunday was terrible, suffering for Plantar Fasciitis - one of the runner's common injuries that usually happens for flat-footed like me. I'm glad that my college mate who is also a runner joined me from start till the finish line. There were signs that in anytime the muscle will explode from somewhere under my feet but fortunately, it was a bit smooth. We had a slow yet continuous pace till the finish line.

ENTREPRUN: A RUN FOR SUCCESS

It is my first time to join an 18KM event or perhaps the first time in the Philippine races to have an 18 kilometer longest distance (I'm not quite sure with this though). AFFI (Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc.) supported this event together with Affinitea Brown Race as the event organizer. Actually my first time to run with Affinitea, I have tried with Runrio, Runtarantantan and Takbo.PH.

Huh, looks like everything as "first", how many times did I mentioned that word?

Anyway, I only had one 10KM training at the Ayala Triangle Gardens prior to this event, although I have a regular badminton practice twice a week so I guess that was a huge help completing this event. The route is pretty much familiar as I had few races before in MOA - Roxas Boulevard - Baclaran area but the start to finish route of EntrepRun is completely different. And as usual I stayed in my slow yet continuous pace.

DREAM MARATHON '16 DIARY: WHERE IT ALL BEGINS

Just so you know running is not new to me. I started doing it since 2012 at 5k distance and I barely know that time that running is one of the huge events in the metro. I stopped from there. It took me two years to join fun runs again. As I mentioned I didn't know that running is a huge activity in the speedy life of the city until I noticed that my facebook timeline has flooded with numerous posts about running every Sunday morning. Then a common friend invited me to run at 16k for FrancisM. And everything started from there, I have joined several running events and eventually signed up for half marathons. At the moment, I can't really count how many 21k medals I have at home but all I know it keeps on counting.

IN THE CRATER OF TAAL VOLCANO

Taal Volcano is the most visited volcano in the Philippines, one of the smallest in the world yet the most active. It is indeed small but incredibly terrible. I would say a dream come true for me to set foot in Taal Island and visited this famous site. Although coming here wasn't really expected but we had planned to hike that day.

We supposed to climb Mt. Pamitinan in Rizal, a twin day hike with Mt. Binacayan and a side trip to Wawa Dam. Apparently, there was a storm and continuous rain. But still I was pretty excited to go climb since I have been quiet for months. So to speak, the climb was cancelled right at the moment when I was at the meeting place. *It hurts!

I don't want to waste the day and the mindset was at rambling so I decided right at that moment to visit Taal Volcano. I've been dreaming visiting this place. And I guess that was the perfect day! I still invited them if they wish to come with me since the initial plan is already cancelled.

And when I arrived at the crater, Lo and Behold! The place is really amazing. There is a small island at the crater so somehow you call it "an island within a lake in an island within a lake in an island" or you can simply say an "islandception".

TINUY-AN FALLS OF BISLIG SURIGAO DEL SUR

Tinuy-an Falls is a pride of Bislig City, the Booming City by the Bay and it is an hour ride from Mangagoy, the centre for trade and industry. According to our guide and local tourism officer that we bumped with, this falls is the top pick tourist destination in Surigao del Sur. Enchanted River comes second. It is true enough and had no doubt, this is the widest waterfall in the Philippines that can be compared or actually dubbed as the Niagara Falls of the Philippines. Well as much as possible I don't feel like our own would stay under the umbrella of world's best. I believe every tourist spot has its unique characteristics and features.

I feel amazed when we arrived here right after Enchanted River. Although the water is not in full burst due to a dry season but still the pride and beauty is there. You shouldn't miss the Bamboo Rafting so you can feel how strong the blast of waters. Also, since it's a white water curtain that flows in three levels. There's a stair made of cement and steel bars with 99 steps (if I'm not mistaken) so you can visit the top view of this falls.

THE ENCHANTED RIVER OF HINATUAN SURIGAO DEL SUR

The Enchanted River is indeed enchanted. Honestly, this is the reason why I came here. I knew this place when I was in college, at first I thought it can be found somewhere around the world but not in the Philippines. And when I learned that it is actually in Mindanao then I promised myself that I should come here, if not today then at least before I die (eeesh)!. Then it was featured through a travel show that makes me really enthusiastic to visit this place. Now Enchanted River is making its name in the world. One of the top places to visit not just in Surigao del Sur but in Mindanao. 

It is situated in Brgy. Talisay in Hinatuan. There is a lot of stories about this place but whatever they are, all I know is this place is magical. A pure crystalline blue and green water that is mixed with sea water. And I heard that a lot of divers attempted to measure the depth of this magical river, even foreign divers visited this place for the probe but turned out failure. 

BISLIG CITY: THE BOOMING CITY BY THE BAY

Bislig City is situated at the easternmost part of Surigao del Sur. It is now making its name as one of the sought after destinations in the country. One of the spots that can be found here is the Tinuy-an Falls that is dubbed as the Niagara Falls of the Philippines. Bislig City has 24 Barangays, and Mangagoy is the biggest among others and it is the center of trade and industry. It's a "little city within a city" that's why if you are researching about this place you often read Mangagoy rather than Bislig. 

There is no really difference between the two, except Bislig is the City and Mangagoy is just one of the barangays. However, most of the inns and hostels and other establishments are situated in Mangagoy which makes this place the center for commerce. Therefore, if you are planning to visit here, you can just simply say Mangagoy instead of Bislig.