my Men's Health Urbanathlon 2013 experience

Men's Health Urbanathlon is one of the most awaited races of the year. It is the signature event of the Men's Health magazine. One of the races that carries the most exciting and challenging obstacles in an urban setting. This year, the 2013 event was held on September 29 at the SM Mall of Asia.

Pre Race

Last year, I missed this annual event since I was assigned onshore. I attempted to join the edition in New York but it was too challenging and it required a group to join so I passed and waited for this year's event. Unfortunately, this year was scheduled on the taper week before the RUPM so I opted for the shortest distance, 5km (which turned out to be a blessing in disguise).

Also, I have been pretty much lazy for the last 2 weeks. My only run was a 6 km maintenance run on the Friday before the race weekend.

Actual Race

On these days, the cold weather would make you choose to sleep longer and skip workouts. It was evident as the first texts/messages I got on the way to the venue was from Rolly and CJ saying they weren't able to wake up to their alarm clocks. I almost did the same but I was itching to do something active as I skipped runs in the last few weeks due to the weather.

I arrived at the staring line at around 5:30 am only to find out that my wave had just started. Without any warm up, I started running. Excited to be running again, I was happy to run a steady pace. The first obstacle was the network. We were to climb a net up, over and down a truck like structure. Then, we went back to running to the next obstacle, the container van had us jumping and climbing over a muddy van. Climbing up wasn't easy. You had to jump to reach the next level. It was also in this obstacle that my shoes got muddy. :(

Then, I continued running to the tire obstacle. Last time, I attempted this kind of obstacle I almost fell flat to my face so I took this one tire at a time. Then, there was the tower. I was expecting that the tower wasn't part of the 5km route so I was surprised to find out that it was the next obstacle. The marshals was more lenient to us 5km running I only had to climb up one knot and it was fine. I still have mixed feelings over that 'coz part of me know I could go up all 4 knots at the same time I don't wanna. Then, it was a run towards the scaffolding maze where we had to go through a series of pipes. Then, the monkey bars where I slipped twice. But the marshals didn't had me repeat so yey!

The last mile had us conquering the runner's wall which was okay to get up but difficult to jump down. I think my brain bounced when I jumped down that 8 feet wall. The marshals was quick to assist so I was sure to be safe. Less than 5 kilometers later, I was done. My garmin says I did this year's race at 38 minutes. Then, I was off to get my finisher's stuff. But lo and behold, the last obstacle was a surprise one. The baggage counter which I will expound on later.

Post Race

I met some of my friends from the PEx Running Club on the activity venue and we celebrated our finish with the booths at the event area. We had breakfast right after claiming our stuff.

Race Review

I guess one big thing the Men's Health team should do is to perfect their plans before taking in more challenges or even try to get a team who could execute it so they could concentrate on some signature part of the event. The race route was short for all categories especially the 21km category who was short 3 kms. I think they incorporated too much loops and the clueless marshals in that area just failed to correct runners who were already confused. Most of the marshals was helpful especially in the obstacle area but I think they are too lenient for this event. I appreciate it but part of me thinks I could have done more if they were stricter. Hydration was also too little for the amount of participants who joined.

The baggage counter was a disaster. Most participants was complaining that it was the hardest obstacle of the race. The attendants just put the bag over each other without any organization so come the time the participants claimed their bags they didn't know which bag is whose. I was in the front of the line but they could find my bag so I decided to skip the line and wait until the crowd clears. When the people broke the barrier and were claiming their bags without the attendants help, we had to get our bags since they might be stolen.

8th obstacle: Baggage Claim

The obstacles was challenging and the queues are not that long due to the waves. Despite some of the problems in the way, I would still join the next edition at 5 km pa din!

Congrats to Men's Health and to all the finishers!

Garmin Log: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/382757375

Men’s Health Urbanathlon 2013: Most Challenging Race to Date!

Press Release

The country’s first obstacle laden course is back, and this time, with bigger and more challenging obstacles! Men’s Health Urbanathlon 2013 saw around 3,000 participants who took on the challenge and conquered Men’s Health Philippines’ toughest race. This unique event combines the rigors of a run with the tough nature of traversing numerous obstacles in an urban setting.

“We always want to take things a step further. And the 2013 Men’s Health Urbanathlon is a prime example. We have new obstacles and have improved the classic ones,” says Men’s Health Philippines editor-in-chief Peejo Pilar.

Now on its 7^th year, Men’s Health Urbanathlon challenged Urbanathletes with its staples such as the scaffolding maze, the 8x40 container van, and “The Wall”, wherein you need all your upper and lower body strength to conquer this 8-foot beast; as well as, with the new obstacles this year, “The Network” a net challenge going over a bus and “The Tower”, a 12-foot high rope climb to the bell on top.

The SM Mall of Asia Grounds turned into a race venue and fitness camp combined as Urbanathletes aimed to conquer every challenge along the way and make it to the finish line.

“We hope that first-timers and hardcore runners enjoyed this year’s Men’s Health Urbanathlon. And of course, we’re excited to learn, upgrade, and make the 2014 Men’s Health Urbanathlon even bigger and better!,” exclaims Peejo.

The Men’s Health Urbanathlon and Festival is co-presented by Century Tuna, Gatorade, Bo Athletics, with major sponsors Bridgestone, Emperador Light, and Schick, with minor sponsors Havaianas, The Athlete’s Foot, Nivea Men, and special thanks to Merrell.

Men’s Heath Philippines features Joseph Marco on its October issue cover, which is available in all leading bookstores and newsstands nationwide. You can also like Men’s Health Philippines on Facebook via www.facebook.com/menshealthphilippines, or follow us on Twitter at @menshealthph. You may also visit Summit Newsstand (www.summitnewsstand.com.ph/mens-health) to subscribe.

Men's Health Urbanathlon 2013 (Race Details)

One of the most awaited and unique races in the city is coming, Men's Health Urbanathlon 2013 is the signature international event of Men's Health that combines the elements of a traditional road race with rigorous obstacles.

Men's Health Urbanathlon 2013

September 29, 2013

SM Mall of Asia

5k/10k/21k

Registration Details:

Period: August 1, 2013 to September 25

Onsite Registration at all 360 Fitness Club Branches (Makati, Ortigas, QC); Gold Gym Alabang and R.O.X.

Fees: P850 - 5k; P900 - 10k; 950 - 21k

Race inclusions:

Singlet Design

Bandana

Actual Bandana and Singlet taken using my camera phone

Finisher's Cap:

Cap Design

Actual Cap taken using my camera phone

Race Routes:

The Toughest Men’s Health Urbanathlon yet happens in October

Press Release

The Philippine edition of Men’s Health, the largest men’s lifestyle magazine, will hold its annual Men’s Health Urbanathlon & Festival event on Sunday, October 14 at SM Mall of Asia from 5:00am – 10:00am. Celebrity host, Rovilson Fernandez, will be at the helm of the event.

On its 6^th staging, the country’s original obstacle laden race is expected to be significantly tougher, bigger and more intense this time around. Designed to test the urbanathlete’s fitness level, the event now has a 21km distance aside from the usual 5km and 10km categories.

The city-based, multi-disciplinary race requires more than just perfect running form as this also tests the racer’s endurance to withstand a mix of 7 uniquely engineered obstacles that all increases in difficulty in each race categories. Such obstacles involve Monkey & Parallel bars, Steeple chase & modified tires, Container vans, Wall climb, Vertical climb, Scaffolding maze and Military hurdles.

Registration for the Men’s Health Urbanathlon begins on August 22 and ends October 8, 2012. The registration fee for the race is P750.00 for the 5km and 10km distances and P850.00 for the 21km distance. Registration centers are located at 360° Fitness Club Makati & Ortigas, Gold’s Gym Alabang & Katipunan and at ROX, BGC. At the event, each participant will be given a complete racing kit including their urbanathlon singlet, race bib, drink stub from Gatorade, food stub from Century Tuna. Race finishers will get Finishers medal with Men’s Health lanyard, Finishers certificate, Urbanathlete shirt and Urbanathlon drawstring bag.

This year’s Men’s Health Urbanathlon & Festival 2012 is made possible by Century Tuna and Gatorade. Special thanks to major sponsors, Bo’ athletics; Cataflam; Emperador Light; Havaianas; Suunto; Minor sponsors, Banana Boat and Schick and media partners, 99.5 RT and Magic 89.9.

For more information about the upcoming Men’s Health Urbanathlon & Festival 2012, grab a copy of the July issue of Men’s Health with actor Gerald Anderson on the cover. Men’s Health is available in newsstands, bookstores and supermarkets nationwide.  For more of Men’s Health online become a fan on Facebook via Facebook.com/menshealthphilippines and follow them on Twitter via Twitter.com/menshealthph.

360 Fitness Club Challenge: Things I get myself into

After my first urbanathlon finish, I went on a whim and tried the 360 Fitness Club Challenge. The challenge entailed an inidividual to do a circuit with a 12 lb kettlebell. Since the rest of our running buddies are still on the road, I said to myself, "Why not?" and signed up for the challenge.

 Unsuspecting Victim

The challenge

The challenge included 50 kettlebell swings, 25 squat-shoulder press combo on each side and 20 one sided squats. It looked easy but it really wasn't. Kettle bell swings were easy at the beginning but towards the end I could feel my body giving up. Then, I had to do the squat - shoulder press combo. I couldn't even control the kettle bell on the position the trainer told me to do. At the right side, I completed the 25 reps with the last 10 reps extremely wiggly. On the left side, I could only do 10 reps. Then I rested a lot and the trainer was already helping me to raise the kettle bell to a shoulder press. That was my limit.

 Kettle bell swings are not easy at all

More Swings you do that harder it becomes

To end the torture, I was finished 20 one sided squats. At that time, I was thinking about joining a gym again. Apparently, not following a regimen hadn't improved my muscles so at that time, I decided to join 360 Fitness Club by next year. I got vouchers from FTX and MAP so I have myself covered in attending gyms for the next 3 months.

 Resting at the combo

Struggling at that shoulder press

Trainer is already helping me

Come February though, I have to join a gym on the top of my list is 360 Fitness Club.