R.O.X. Biggest Outdoor Sale

R.O.X. will be having their biggest outdoor sale starting on January 29, 2010! There will be massive discounts on your favorite outdoor brands... up to 70% off! Nice time to upgrade before the summer.

And did you know they have a wedding registry? Yep. It's the coolest thing. Keep that in mind, folks.

Images Fit For a Warrior

My good buddy Kaloy Yap is a man of many skills: he's an avid outdoorsman who has mastered the elements and can dive, ride, and climb among others. But what separates him from everyone else is his ability to capture stunning images during these adventures. Personally, he is the best action photographer I know and it matters not whether he's making images under the ocean or at the summit of a mountain; he knows how to capture not just a moment, but the subject's core. Take for instance the following images:

This is our friend Beda, riding up the mountains of San Mateo during one of our usual Sunday rides. Kaloy races ahead of everyone else to get in position for a shot that shows a person doing what he does, where he does it.

Pikermi?

A couple of days ago, I read this blog entry and it never really left my head. Apparently, the term "Pikermi" is becoming popular among runners as an alternative name for the half marathon. As you all most probably know by now, term "Marathon" comes from the legend of Pheidippides, a Greek messenger, who was sent from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to convey the message that the Persians have been defeated. The legend states that he ran the distance (42.195 kilometers or 26 miles and 365 yards) without stopping, and managed to exclaim "We have won" before collapsing and dying which is really fortunate because if he died before giving the message there'd be no legend and perhaps no modern-day marathons.

I bet your daddy's proud. Image via source

Warrior Wisdom: Born to Run

- From the book Born to Run

Pic of the Day: Into the curl

Remember this? Well, here's another one from the same person, shooting the same subject.

Into the curl, by milton1055

milton1055 writes:

The wife riding the chute at Bartlett's Wash. Moab, Utah.

Unbelievable. I want to go back to Utah for a visit.

Ironman: Now with GPS!

From BikeRumor.com:

For triathletes looking for a slim training watch that’s fully featured and plays friendly with all the latest ANT+ doodads, Timex has you covered.

That is a very pretty watch. Image via source.

The Ironman Global Trainer with GPS has a customizable four-section screen that lets you show the data you want, and hidden inside the thin body is a SiRFstarIII GPS module that’ll track your speed, pace and distance in real time. It’ll work with Timex heartrate and bicycle sensors as well as third-party ANT+ power meters.

It’ll be available in May for U.S. consumers and September for the rest of the globe.

--------------------
If I was training for an Ironman, I'd get this watch. But if I was the Ironman, well... *starts daydream sequence*

Extra Incentive

Here are photos of the finisher's shirt for 21K runners at Century Tuna Superbods Run. Niiice. I'm glad I decided to join this race.

For more information on the race, click here to see the write-up from Takbo.ph. See you at the starting line!

Gear Review: Cord Lock Light from Black Crater Gear

Cord Lock Light from Black Crater Gear
by Dabid Tajan

Dabid Tajan currently works as a Technical Rescue Technician / Emergency Medical Services for the Provincial Disaster Management Council of Bulacan. He is an all-round sportsman, and has made the great outdoors his office. Dabid uses his excellent communication skills and ability to relate to people of all ages while facilitating outdoor programs and training people on a variety of skills including first aid, rescue and ropemanship. Dabid also works for Bluewater Consultancy, helping small communities through various trainings and workshops.


Q: What is small, yellow, water resistant, lights up and saves lives?
A: The CORD LOCK LIGHT by Black Crater Gear!

The Cord Lock Light is one useful little bugger if I may say so. Operating on two (2) CR1220 Lithium button cell batteries (included with the purchase), it emits a light similar to “moonlight on a clear night” according to one website. It comes with three lighting modes – high, low, and strobe. Its design is water resistant, and it features a corrosion-proof stainless steel spring.

Pic of the Day: Arnulfo and Scott

Photo Credit: Luis Escobar

Arnulfo Quimare (left), a Tarahumara; and Scott Jurek--two of the best runners in the planet running side by side in the Copper Canyons.

If their names don't ring a bell, do a search and be amazed. You're welcome.

Baguio

It was poignant, ending the trip where it started. While both Cherie and I have been to Baguio numerous times in the past, it was the first time we were in the City of Pines together. Tired from the bus fiasco and the long trip, I wasn't looking forward to lugging a big rucksack around in search of a place to stay. Peak season not only brings exorbitant lodging fees but fully-booked hotels. Wanting to stay central, we walked around the periphery of Burnham Park and found home after getting lost in a dead-end alley and turning down rooms so depressing I expected to see a dementor perched on the ceiling.

From the outside, Burnham Hotel looked like a dingy old pub, with walls that could use a new coat and a big, dark wood door. But inside was a warm and welcoming area with walls covered in textile designed with patterns native to the region. We were instantly sold upon seeing the available room, one away from the noise of the street. There was a massive bed in the middle of the room with inviting thick blankets and comforters, and the decor was a fusion of native crafts and cozy country feel. (Double bed, cable TV, private bathroom with hot water - Php 1450) It was the most opulent room we stayed in for the trip, but well worth the cash for a great room in a prime location. As I was paying for our stay, the receptionist said "So, you're checking for two nights and check out will be... next year?" I laughed, she smiled. I think she had a crush on me.

Bontoc

This is a continuation of entries on Sagada: Getting There and Out and About.


Never mind the heat and the possibility of decapitation--riding on top of a jeepney (or "top load") is the best way to enjoy the awesome view while traveling from Sagada to Bontoc. The hour long ride (Php 40) meanders on the winding dirt road between the two towns, offering the same breath-taking sights on both sides of a road as precarious as any other in the mountain province. Not surprisingly, everyone else on top of the jeep was either a foreign or a local traveler. I guess riding top load loses its charm if you do it all the time. And you can't sleep.

These terraces greet travelers upon entering town

Cherie and I arrived at the busy-er town of Bontoc with bellies rumbling and with me in dire need of a shower (early morning run, straight to trekking, then hopped on the jeep), so we checked into Ridgebrook Hotel, which offers decent rooms with a double-bed, cable TV and private bathrooms with hot water at Php 800 a night. After Green House Inn at Sagada, it was a treat.

Decisions, Decisions

I think it was mainly the financial aspect of the decision which made me procrastinate. Having less disposable income than I used to when I was still working corporate, I suddenly became more selective of the races I join, and no longer kept up with my promise to join one race per month. Any race with a fee over Php 500 raised alarms, but this time, I just wanted to race again.

For the life of me I can't recall what happened today that made me compare side-by-side the official home pages of the two races I've been agonizing over: Condura Run and Century Tuna Superbods Run. I was really hesitant about running either of them because of the hefty (to me) fee of Php 750, but I'm also aware that Condura is one of the premiere running events in the country each year, and that Superbods is organized by Coach Rio De La Cruz; the same person behind Timex Run, which earned many accolades and impressed every single runner who joined the race. Obviously, I couldn't join both. Well I could, but I didn't want to.

Pic of the Day: Cliff Side

"Cliff Side" by milton1055

milton1055 writes:

The wife working in tight conditions. Location, the entrance to Eagle's Wing and the Free Lunch trails, Grand Junction, Colorado.

All I can say is WOW.

Gear Review: RQ3 Max Wear Gloves

RQ3 Max Wear Gloves
by Dabid Tajan

Dabid Tajan currently works as a Technical Rescue Technician / Emergency Medical Services for the Provincial Disaster Management Council of Bulacan. He is an all-round sportsman, and has made the great outdoors his office. Dabid uses his excellent communication skills and ability to relate to people of all ages while facilitating outdoor programs and training people on a variety of skills including first aid, rescue and ropemanship. Dabid also works for Bluewater Consultancy, helping small communities through various trainings and workshops.


Being involved in rope techniques and water search and rescue, I have literally decimated hundreds of gloves. I have searched high and low for a glove that will protect my hands and resist the wear and tear brought about by working with ropes, unseen sharp objects, prolonged water immersion and rough equipment handling. My search has ended, so it seems, with my recent discovery of the RQ3 Max-Wear Kevlar Glove.

RQ3 Max-Wear Glove: Image Credit

Warrior Wisdom: The Time Traveler's Wife

- Henry DeTamble, from The Time Traveler's Wife

PWW on TBR!

Let me start with the tweet. I sent this out when I checked my email this afternoon and found out that The Bull Runner, the person whose blog I've followed since I rediscovered running, sent me a message saying she visited the site and thinks that it's "cool." Her words, not mine. Actually, allow me to gloat a bit and place a screenshot of the email here.

Ask and you shall receive

Remember I wrote down holiday gift suggestions last year? Well, I have no idea who it is but an anonymous reader* sent me two items from my biking wishlist!

Out with the old: New full-finger bike gloves and grips

Look at that. Man, my old stuff was in a sorry state!

If you'd like to send me some gifts for no reason other than your munificence, check out the Pinoy Weekend Warrior Wishlists from the archive for some shopping inspiration. You don't need an occasion to give! And yes, I used "munificence" in this blog entry. PWW strives to enrich your life and your vocabulary.

*Of course I know who it is. It's my Tita Jo. I just said that it came from an anonymous reader to make it appear like I've got fans who love me enough to send me gifts. Wait. I guess I do. Thanks for the presents, Jo Girl!

Fighting Fire With Fire

I'm not a fan of this, but I don't find this very appealing either. Perhaps it's because I read this, and found myself agreeing, even after I wrote this.

Pigs can't fly but...

Source: The Oatmeal

Sagada: Out and About

The bus kicked up clouds of dust as it heaved itself along the final few kilometers of dirt road leading to the town of Sagada, forcing everyone else to close their windows. Soon people were peeling off their jackets and top layers and as we filed out of the oven-on-wheels, the sun was directly on top of us. While early mornings and evenings in the Mountain Province can bring the mercury down to temperatures that make your breath visible, the late morning and early afternoon will remind you that you're still in the tropics. However, the crisp air makes it bearable, pleasant even. With a 75-liter rucksack packed to the brim attached on my back (I'm the designated mule during trips so despite having mastered the art of packing light I never get to practice it unless traveling alone), the first task was finding a place to dwell in.

A crude sign on the road caught our attention: Green House Inn. Stone steps led to a small house behind a café and we booked a small room for two with a small bed for a small amount of money (Php 300 per night). With a wide grin and a voice filled with romance Cherie declared, "Now this is what I imagine when I think about backpacking." This was a full seven or eight hours before being rudely reminded that "backpacking" also often connotes paper-thin walls and boisterous large groups in the room right across yours. And did I mention the place was small? Seriously though, Green House Inn exuded charm and served its purpose. For the price and the location, I'd definitely recommend it. More cash for adventures. And food.

Sagada: Getting There

Hearing the words "Christmas Vacation" made me giddy with anticipation much like a third-grade student looking forward to two weeks of nothing but agawan-base and video games because thankfully this year, I had a lengthy stretch of free time over the holidays. At the end of 2008, I managed to fit in a brief, languorous two nights at nearby Anawangin Cove in between hectic deadlines. For 2009, despite plenty of adjustments only to go back to Plan A, Cherie and I took off for Sagada on Christmas evening, right after stuffing ourselves silly over family lunch.

Get on the Bus

Everyone dreads traveling during the holidays because of the horrendous traffic and the hassle of elbowing you way through hordes of people. Here's a tip: travel on the day of the big event itself (December 25, January 1). It's the days leading to Christmas or New Year when the bus terminals are packed and the traffic is bumper to bumper. Our travel time from Cubao to Baguio? Five and a half hours--and that's NOT via SCTEX. But this also caused a little flaw in our plan: we left Manila thinking we'd be in Baguio after 6-7 hours and in perfect time to head to the Dangwa Terminal to board a bus to Sagada. Instead, we were circling around the city in a cab, looking for a place to sleep in for a few hours (Summer Inn, Php 500 a night, basic but with a private bathroom).

If you're keeping tabs on the prices for this trip because you're planning to go up north I'll tell you the costs along the trip but you do the math at the end, deal? Take down notes because I'm not putting it in a nice little spreadsheet for you. Earn it by reading through, and remember that all prices are in pesos per person.

Warrior Wisdom: Steve Prefontaine

- Steve "Pre" Prefontaine

New Stuff

With the New Year comes new things. During the course of my short but very suh-weet vacation up in the mountains, I was playing around with thought of introducing some small but regular fixtures to Pinoy Weekend Warrior.

Warrior Wisdom - inspirational or thought-provoking quotes from other warriors, athletes, or anyone who has the ability to weave words together like artwork. Often I find that when the nagging voice inside my head starts telling me to quit or stop pushing, other peoples' words help me dig deep and go further, especially since most of the time I train by my lonesome. If you're already on the awkward stage of puberty, you might even discover quotes here to use on the "Favorite Motto" section of a slumbook.

Pic of the Day - apparently a picture paints a thousand words so it's potentially a thousand times more motivating. Unlike my personal Daily Photo Project, I will feature not just my images but mostly other people's photos, given it (a) evokes a weekend warrior-esque state of bliss and a natural high; (b) is aesthetically pleasing or at the very least, mildly interesting (obviously--and I'll be the judge of that); and (c) makes you want to break out of an office cubicle to do what the featured photo suggests. Also, just because "of the day" is included in the title does not guarantee that there will be an image uploaded each day. I learned how difficult that was from last year's project.

So there you go. Two new things to look out for here at PWW. But wait--there's more! Much like everything else in this site, Warrior Wisdom and Pic of the Day are both open to contributions. If you're as quotable as Melanie Marquez or can take photos like every other person in the street with a DSLR around their neck, send your words or images to pinoyweekendwarrior@gmail.com and let the world see what you've got.

Facebook Page Hates Cyclists

I'm not on Facebook. I don't have any specific reason why I choose to ignore all of the requests I receive on my email, but I think I've just found one: an idiotic page that encourages violence against cyclists.

The Facebook page There's a perfectly good path right next to the road you stupid cyclist! has a small number of posts but a disturbingly high population of fans (31, 514 as of writing). It matters not if this page was started as a joke or if the fans blindly joined the group--this is discrimination, no matter how you cut it.

If you're on Facebook, please do us cyclists a favor and click on "Report Page" to get this group removed from the networking site.

Thanks to BikeRumor.com for the information.

2010

Welcome to the starting line for 2010, everybody. Yours truly ended the year with a much-needed respite from the city, spending a few days in the Mountain Province, up north of the Philippines. Details and insights from the trip will be shared once I've breathed a bit and wrestled my thoughts to submission so I can arrange them into a coherent string.

The clean air and tranquility of the mountains provided for a perfect place to revisit the previous year. I've found plenty of reasons to be grateful, and one of the most salient was starting Pinoy Weekend Warrior. If you've been reading this site religiously since it first went live, thank you. If you haven't, what's the matter with you?!

My most fervent wish is for all of us to develop a deeper, more meaningful connection to the outdoors and to nature. That and more runs, rides, travels and discoveries in the upcoming year!

Happy New Year, Warriors!


Image via source