RunningAtom

It was another year of Salomon's famous road to mountain-trail crossover running, and I am once again delighted that I got to join challenging trail runs such as this. Albeit I only managed to get on shorter 12K distance compared to my last years' 24K, the route did not fail to squeeze out my sweat from every pores of my body.

A few minutes before our category's gunstart, I was able to do some warm-up drills, enough to wake-up my still sleeping blood. When the gun started at 5:30 AM, most of the participants were excited to take off not knowing that the flat road will soon ascend turning right after just around 100-meters from the starting line. In the middle of the ascending road was already a scenic view overlooking almost the entire Hamilo community. Having known some of the route from our previous test run, I opted to just powerwalk and sometimes jog the uphill roads as I know there will be more surprising and challenging routes that we have not covered during the said test run.

photo by RJKnight Runner

The first few kilometers was an out-and-back two-lane road, and reaching a few hundred meters away from the starting line, the merged 12K and 24K runners turned left towards the beach front where sharp and some slippery ocean rocks, stones and sands abound. From the seaside going to the view deck, the route that we have traversed towards the mountain island wasn't part of our test run, and here the course became technical with loose soil and gravel, partially uprooted trees, and single-lane half-lane ascending trail tracks.

I was following the tandem runners Gado and Aga (blind runner) going up and not one among those who are also trailing behind me can overtake as one wrong step might lead to a demise of falling down from the tracks. Step, twist, and duck -- the only thing that each of us can do. Reaching the top at about 90-masl, it was already going down to the view deck and here Gado and Aga was able to speed up again.

Turning around from the view deck, the succeeding route going up from this first island towards its highest point of 115-masl, then off for the same elevation drop towards the shoreline for a short seaside beach run.

Seaside running (photo courtesy to Runaholic)

The second mountain was yet another surprise with its more daring and challenging and winding ascend and almost more technical. Aside from the loose soil and gravel, single lane tracks, and partially uprooted trees, the inclines and declines are much steep than the first mountain that we have conquered. There was also a deep trail gap where it was then connected with bridge made from tree branches, and a rope on one of the descent while the ascent almost seemed endless. I rested for quite a few times, and every step going up was a penitence. With my quads already getting sore, I aided my body holding my legs just above the knees and pushing it in each step that I make.

After making it to the second mountain, the 24K runners turned left on a road going to their last mountain run where the communication tower is, and where the almost 90-degrees incline awaits them. While for us the 12K runners, we were lucky that that's the end of our early penitence as the next and final route was just an 800-meters of flat road.

Finally reaching the finish line, I heard the Emcee/Event host calling out my blogname (RunningAtom) announcing that I finished as 15th for the 12K category. The result showed 18 though! In contrast, I expected to have finished a 12K trail route for just 1-hour and 30-minutes, but then I realized that not all trails were created equal, and that's where the beauty of trail running is -- the unexpected surprises!

After the race, it's time for a refreshing and sun-warming bath at the pristine beach of Hamilo Coast.

The water is so clear and... friendly? Variety of fishes abound at the seashore*

Special thanks goes to Ms. Laira and Primer Group Inc., Salomon Phils., to the PhilSky Runners, and to Costa Del Hamilo for successfully staging this awesome and challenging course!

with Kuya Totoy, Ms. Laira, Christine, and CJ*

Race Profile:
Distance: 12 km.
Official Time: 1:44:19
Official Ranking: 18th out of 246 finishers

Race Info:
When: Mar. 23, 2013.
Where: Pico De Loro Hamilo Coast, Nasugbu, Batangas
Event: Salomon x-Trail Run 2013

with other runners, bloggers, and the mamaws Wilnar and Totoy

with Ms. Mars of PinoyFitness and celebrity-mamaw mountain runner, Rovilson*

at the PhilSky booth with PhilSky runners Ms. Mia, Carlo, Charina, and Carlo*

*Photos courtesy to Roy Agsunod, the only officemate who's also getting into trail running. He finished his own 12K race here, a warm-up for the Merrell Adventure Run 2013.

The Chaser

Imagine a bike ride along the heaven-bound roads of the Cordilleras with their welcoming villages and communities, overseeing the stunning views of pine-tree lined mountain ranges, fresh breeze of air, flowing rivers, and nerve-wracking deep gorges along the sides. Also take into account the distance of 65-km combined concrete and trail mountaineous course; a lung-busting, quad-burning ride on a 1,636-masl climb over a winding road ascent; a 1,751-masl elevation drop with wheel-dragging cliffs on the side; and last but not the least -- the steep concrete downhill that should've been easy to navigate should it have not been made slippery and muddy from the recent rainshower, all of which covering a total of 3,329-masl elevation!

That was the epic ride that I, together with almost 500 other mountain bike enthusiasts experienced last Saturday, May 4, 2013 during the 4th year of Globe's Cordillera Challenge -- a yearly ride with a yearly campaign of raising funds for Cordillera Conservation Trust (CCT) for the establishment of nursery seedlings for the reforestation of the surrounding Cordillera mountains.

According to Ms. Trixie of Globe, this year's ride was less technical compared to the previous year's 17-km ride with three (3) stop stations. Even without a first-hand experience nor idea about the previous year's route, I could agree that this route was absolutely less technical as only about more than 20% of the route was on a rough trail. Yet in contrast, the challenge was higher and longer! Not all of the descent was a smooth ride, the ascents were not easy either, and despite the great views along the course, I wasn't even able to indulge my eyes on the beauty of nature, the view of Ambuklao dam from the mountains, and the greeneries on the opposite mountain ranges, both during the climbs and descents.

Going down towards Ambuklao Dam (photo from Padyak.ph)

The first 1,751-masl elevation loss over an 18-km rough descent seemed endless while my butt bounces together with the bike and my arms vibrates along with the handlebar from the gravity-pulling loose gravel of the trail road. The dizzying sharp curves made me realize that I have to pay attention on the course every second, and in every turn. This was an almost hard-lesson learned when my bike almost went straight to the cliff should the road wasn't wide enough for me to make a turn. Everything happened for just about 5-seconds, when I can no longer contain the urge to take a glance on the views of the opposite mountains and down the gorge on the left side of the trail.

Auto-snapped wrong turn

It only took less than 2-seconds of stolen glance, afterwhich, it's almost too late for me to notice the sharp right-turn, and my balance no longer allowed me to make the maneuver. I was going straight and the only control I have on the bike is to either go forward and fall from the cliff, or make a full left turn and stop. I was able to pull the bike to the left side of the road, and thankfully it was wide enough for such turn and luckily also, the other biker trailing behind on the leftmost side was able to stop before he could collide with me, or who knows what might've happened next!

Ambuklao Reservoir

From that descent came Ambuklao Dam into full view, it wasn't as big as I've imagined, but looking up from where we came from, it was already a triumphant entry of making it down from that 18-km descent. After taking some photos, we're off for a smooth descent. Going out from Ambuklao dam's bridge, the second climb of 6km with 404-masl elevation began on concrete two-way lane leaving Brgy. Ambuklao and towards Brgy. Adonot. I made a complete stop here to eat some chocolate cookies and jellies.

Not long after, the third and longest ascent began as we reached the Nueva Vizcaya-Baguio road. The signage says it was only an 8-km distance with 921-m climb and max. grade of +27.4% (that I don't understand). Eight kilometers will be around 55-minutes if I run it by foot, but on bike estimate it would take me around 1-hour and 15-minutes to finish this roadway to heaven. But dang, it was as endless as the first 18-km descent! The uphill seems infinite couple it with the unnoticeable heat of the sun. My arms got sun-burned without me noticing, thanks to the still cool breeze of air.

Nueva Vizcaya-Baguio road

If I could still remember it right, there were a lot of steep climbs with sharp curves. My bike was already on the lightest gear, moving only at around 6 to 7-kph speed. The inner competitive in me kept telling me to "push". And I did "pushed" myself and the bike literally quite a few times, of which I can only manage to move at 4.5-kph speed by doing so. If in running it was my legs that easily gets tired, biking on this route made me breathe like a tired dog!

After almost I think more than 2-hours of climbing, we reached the top, but not the top-most yet as there were still some short descents and ascents of 5++ kms each. The final course going back to Tublay was all downhill on either a slippery concrete road covered in mud, or slippery mud covered in wet mud! And it was here where I had my "semplang" moment at a sharp right-turn due to the just finished rain that made the already slippery cemented road much more slippery. The next biker behind me also slid and fell down.

Finally coming out to Halsema highway, I felt my whole body shaking not because of excitement for the nearing finish line, but due to the combined fatigue and hunger. I still have my choco biscuits and jellies with me but my body was already asking for a heavier meal -- rice, lots of rice! Surprisingly, and thankfully, the people of Tublay prepared an endless, eat-all-you kanin, eat-all-you ulam, and eat-all-you vegetable salad! I wasn't expecting that biking a distance of 65-km would take me more than 8-hours, but it was all paid off after the two servings of sumptuous meal!

Through this event, Globe Bridging Communities was able to raise Php 1 million from the combined registration fees and individual donations. Establishment of the 30 seedling nurseries for the year becomes possible from this awesome bike ride. These seedlings will be taken cared and nursed by chosen schools of CCT until it is ready for re-planting and rebuilding of the forest-reserves of the Cordillera region -- where my hometown is!

Special mention and gratitude to Noelle De Guzman (KikayRunner) for giving me the opportunity to join this epic ride for an epic cause, to Sir Rob, Ms. Tina and Ms. Trixie of Globe for your support and the memory-cherishing bike ride experience!

The Globe Cordillera Challenge 4 Route

Ambuklao Dam

That heat of the sun wasn't exhausting, but skin-burning

That road below, was where we came from. About 3/4 of the climb is done!

After finishing the sumptuous meal (no finish line photo as I head straight towards where the food was)

The sumptuous meal

Watch one of the videos I took on that exciting downhill portion going to Ambuklao Dam:

Here's another racekit raffle for a fun run brought to us by PepSquad Events happening on the 16th of June 2013, and this time, it will be a trail run at Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna. What's more exciting is that your beloved pets will also get a chance to be back and running with nature at the 1K Run with Pet category. Special awards also awaits the young, the old, the weird/best costume, the face of the day, and the biggest delegation -- awards that are staple of PepSquad Events.

This fun trail run will be for the benefit of Hero Foundation and I Love Santa Rosa Foundation.

More on race details are available at Aktibo Ka Ba?

The raffle will start at 12:00 AM later (May 2, 2013) for the three (3) race-kits that are up for grabs. You get to choose your own category by carefully following the simple and friendly mechanics indicated on the rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This raffle will end on May 7 at 11:59 PM, and winners will be announced within 48 hours, so keep posted afterwards.

Good luck Trail Runners! ;)

How do you like the idea of having a green and tree-lined trails inside a modern metro and central business district that is highly accessible from varying destinations? A close-to garden city, nature-inspired urban hub where you and your family can spend any day for a great family bonding coupled with peace of mind that everybody is safe with round-the-clock security, away from dangerous motor vehicles and its pollutants, and with ease of movement as you run or bike along the lush landscapes?


Previously known as Filinvest Corporate City, this fully integrated Urban development, self-contained community has been revitalized to become a home not only to Corporations, but also to the growing needs of having a breathing and living city where everyone could enjoy a multi-dimensional and cosmopolitan lifestyle -- live, work, and play! Sporting a total land area of 244 hectares 10-km away from NAIA and 30-mins away from Makati, this Urban haven away from the noise of the city is highly accessible from various access roads such as SLEX, Alabang-Zapote Rd., Old National Highway, Skyway, Daanghari, and West Service Road.


Filinvest City inspires fresh perspectives with their becoming of a Garden City that provides open spaces for a healthy, and refreshing lifestyle for an al fresco fun and action. I have experienced this respite from the stress of the urban jungle when Filinvest City invited us for a short trail run along the tree-lined pathways at the Promenade, landscape views of the green belt, and garden patches of the trail route. Being a modern Urban community, it is an awe to see how Filinvest (together with other biking organizations) were able to rehabilitate and conserve an area where its Residents can experience being close to nature without going out and farther from home. A round of run or bike in the morning can give you the fresh air to energize your whole day, or in the afternoon to refresh your tired body and stressed eyes.



This 2013, one of Filinvest's biggest thrust is to make them the Metro's Events destination where one may enjoy various activities for different lifestyles. Inspiring an outdoor fun, one lane of the major thoroughfare around Commerce, Corporate, Parkway, and Filinvest avenues will be closed to public every Sunday from 5:00 AM to 10:00 AM. This move is their Carless Sundays effort to better serve the already existing running and biking community and make this population even larger.


Another part of their effort to promote healthy and green lifestyle is a regular afternoon of Instructional Running Clinic for those who want to start running or living a healthy lifestyle beginning on the 11th of May 2013.

Also to celebrate the joint efforts of the community in rehabilitating the newly-expanded 9-km biking/running trails, Filinvest City and the Executive Off-road Racing Association (EXO) will host a Cross-country race on the 18th of May 2013. This event will be supported by the Primer Group of brands (ROX and Columbia).

Believing that summer is a celebration of the outdoors, their main summer event will held on the 26th of May 2013. Partnering with a Men's consumer brand, Filinvest City is claiming the position as an off-road sporting venue in the middle of the city by hosting the XTerra Mud Run, the previous Putik Pare but with added obstacle stations to make the run more exciting.


For more information on Filinvest City’s special events, call 846-0278 loc 7093, visit www.filinvestcity.com and follow them on Facebook: FC.inspiringpossibilities

Last Thursday (18th April 2013), Fonterra Brands Philippines - the maker of Anlene, Anchor, and Anmum, launched a new development into their leading bone nutrition milk product. Already known as the expert in bone nutrition with a range of high calcium milk formulated especially to support our optimal bone health, Anlene yet delivers more to also provide preventive measures for the degenerating joint health as we age and as a result of the natural daily wear and tear.

The interactive product launch of the Anlene Total, hosted by Marc Nelson and Ms. Issa Litton, was held at Beyond Yoga Studio of Il Terrazo Bldg. in Tomas Morato, Quezon City. Joining them who answered the questions of invited audience and attendees were Dr. Francis Altarejos (Vice Chairman, Phil. Board of Orthopaedics);
Ms. Mary Louise Liao (Asst. Brand Manager of Anlene); and Ms. Angela Pablo (Nutrition Manager of Fonterra Brands Phils.). The program started with light workouts headed by Mr. Mark Wood (Master Fitness Trainer in California, USA) to demonstrate how our daily activities put pressure and present damage to the bones and specially to our joints. The workouts were aimed to see how well the participants can move, rotate, and lift their own weights by doing squats, lunges, non-weighted deadlifts, and sidewards arm rotation.

Following the light workout was the demonstration of anti-gravity Yoga by some of the Beyond Yoga instructors, and which at the culmination, the attendees were also given the chance to try it for themselves.

The participants doing squats

All these workouts shows how important having a lubricated and well-functioning joints is. As we all know, our joints provide the lubrication between two adjoining bones. However, the joint cartilage which protects the ends of our bones can degenerate and wear out which causes stiffness and restricts our movement. Sure, our body produces the lubrication needed but its ability to do so is reduced as we age.

Anlene Total is the first and the only milk that is now fortified with the building blocks of our cartilage -- Glucosamine, and with twice as much calcium than regular milk. The combination of nano-Calcium and Glucosamine in Anlene Total helps to maintain and protect not only our bones but also to fortify the cartilage in our joints as well! This comes as great news to us who have an active lifestyle, to those living a normal day-to-day life, and even to the sedentary ones who by the way, are also very much prone to Osteoarthritis.

Mr. Mark Wood doing the anti-gravity Yoga

Aside from the two essential nutrients for our bone and joints, Anlene Total is a low-fat powdered milk product, added with Vitamins A, B-Complex, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D which helps our body absorb calcium, Protein, and other Minerals such as Magnesium, Iron, Selenium, Manganese, Potassium, and Zinc -- all of which are essential for a well functioning body.

Yoga instructor showing one of the hardest pose

Marc Nelson trying to execute the same

Ms. Issa Litton going upside down

My Take:

Being a runner, our joints are as important to us as much as our feet, and time will come that we might already feel the effects of the thousands of shocks and vibrations absorbed in our knees and hips.

I have already been diagnosed with arthritis and uric acid deposits in my knee joints back in 2010. And for me to not experience the pain and prevent it from further aggravation, I have been prescribed with Glucosamine and Chondoitrin. Now it's a great relief that I can already enjoy both the bone and joint fortification with Anlene Total's unique combination of Glucosamine and nano-Calcium in one milk without taking thise capsuled-medicines.

Follow Anlene Total on Twitter and like their Facebook fanpage.

That's how I ran at last Sunday's BDO Race for Life - I was literally running towards the finish line, gasping for my dear life. What I did here, should not be how you should run...

Prior to the race, I did not have even a short or quick-training, my last run was March 23, 15-days ago before this event.

Before the race, me and together with my friends who also joined the 3K race, did not even bother to have a quick warm-up or stretching exercises.

Since I was only running the 3K and I was targeting to finish within 13-minutes, I decided to run my best race pace effort...

• Lap/kilometer 1 - 3'52", I was doing fine, was breathing hard but I can catch up.
• Lap/kilometer 2 - 4'55", Slowed down a bit due to side-stitch, walked at km 1.5 to hydrate and breathe. Quads started to feel sore.
• Lap/kilometer 3 - 5'39", Walked from 2.1-km up to 2.6-km since the side-stitch was worsening. I was breathing hard, head was heavy, becoming dizzy, and having chest pains. Countered it with hard blows of breathing while my right arm is raised upward to relax my sides.
• Finish Line - The chest pain was gone, my pulse rate and breathing was recovering, but the side-stitch was still there. More than 3-hours have passed and still, we did not even made a cool-down exercise or stretching to release the stress on our muscles.

The muscle soreness lingered for three more days and the pain that the side-stitch left on my abdomen stayed for two days, the overall fatigue I experienced was like a 10K race effort.

Despite all of these, I am happy with the outcome and with how I managed to finish this long-road to 3K =) Best of all, I enjoyed the race because my housemates, my brother, and my friends were also there. This was my 5th 3K race of all time, and though I haven't broke any of my 3K-PRs before (not even my finish time during the 2010 BDO Race for Life), the moment was still great. The bonding and camaraderie before and after the race was priceless.

Photo by: WithoutLimits.ph

Special Thanks to Blas (Titanium Runner), WithoutLimits and BDO for my race entry.

Race Profile:
Distance: 3 km.
Official Time: 00:14:27
Official Ranking: 15th out of 1,314 overall 3k runners

Race Info:
When: Apr. 7, 2013.
Where: MOA, Seaside Blvd.
Event: BDO Race for Life 2013

Alvin's first race in the Metro

DJ Chloe (Mellow 94.7), Jasmine (CEO, MasterWorks), and DJ Kitchie Daldal (iFM 93.9)

Old-runner friends Mina, Irish, and Anna

with the ever joyful tandem hosts DJ Chloe Sir Boy Ramos "Running Host"

with the ever-gorgeous Ms. Diana Zubiri

with Coach Rommel Ballester

with Mr. TJ Jimenez of Team Soleus

And the winner is...... oopppss!

And the winners are........

Before anything else, I want to thank everyone who joined the racekit giveaway for the Takbo Para sa Kabataang Pinoy raffle contest. There were a lot of entries, a lot who joined and aspired to win a racekit, and fortunately, the Organizers are so generous to give four (4) racekits for this event. So without further ado, the lucky entries who won the racekits as randomly picked by RaffleCopter are the following:

3K Racekit:

1. Quino Ramos
2. Melchor Bustamante Borja

6K Racekit:

1. Jhay Ramones
2. Richard Loresca

I will send you an e-mail for the procedures on how to claim your race packet as soon as I get the Organizer's confirmation, so stay close and keep in touch. Please also be reminded that this race will be held on the 16th of April (4:30 PM) at Liwasang Ullalim in CCP grounds.

Congratulations again and to everyone who joined and wasn't lucky this time, just stay put 'coz there will be more surprises to be raffled off to you my avid readers... SOON!

Diadora Philippines through its Marketing firm Royal Sporting House (RSH), announces the arrival of two of its innovative running shoes that has been engineered with exclusive Diadora technology that will help improve your running performance. Check them out below:

Diadora N-2100

N-2100, Net Breathing System(TM) and Waterproof membrane

Designed for highly skilled and Professional runners

Ultra-light structure with extremely flexible low profile on the metatarsal area ideal for quick workouts or for highly skilled and ambitious professional marathon runners. Most of the sole's surface is composed of a super breathable protective network in synthetic fiber and a special breathable and waterproof membrane. It improves performance by increasing concentration, endurance and precision.

Details:

• Upper: Nylon air mesh and Supreltech. Lasting board in air mesh Lining with special anti-bacteria treatment.
• Outsole: Blown Flexoft Rubber in the front area. Special Duratech 5000 wearproof compound in the heel area.
• Midsole: Moulded Elastom E.V.A. foam. Double Action² in the heel area.
• Arch support: Removable anatomical in mesh water repellent and breathable. Elastom E.V.A. foam antishock perforated and breathable.

SRP: Php 4,695.00

Diadora N-6100

N-6100, Designed for both daily and occasional runners

An innovative shoe that combines Diadora technology with excellent cushioning, allowing the foot to transfer excess heat outward thanks to the innovative and exclusive NET Breathing System(TM). It improves performance by increasing concentration, endurance and precision.

The majority of the sole's surface is composed of a super breathable protective network in synthetic fiber and a special breathable and waterproof membrane. Designed for runners with neutral support seeking cushioning and flexibility in just 270 grams.

Details:

• Upper: Nylon air mesh and Supreltech. Lasting board in Elastom E.V.A. Lining with special anti-bacteria treatment.
• Outsole: Blown Flexoft Rubber in the front area. Special Duratech 5000 wearproof compound in the heel area.
• Midsole: Moulded Elastom E.V.A. foam. Double Action² in the heel area. C.C.B.. Axeler Wi-5 Propulsion.
• Arch support: Removable anatomical in mesh water repellent and breathable and shock-absorbing Elastom E.V.A. foam antishock perforated and breathable.

SRP: Php 4,695.00

Diadora Running shoes and apparels are available at the following Stores:

1. Royal Sporting House Festival Mall
2. Royal Sporting House Alimall
3. Royal Sporting House Recto
4. Royal Sporting House Ermita
5. Royal Sporting House Pampanga
6. Royal Sporing House Lipa
7. Royal Sporting House Cebu
8. The Shoe Shop Rockwell
9. The Shoe Shop Alabang Town Center
10. The Shoe Shop Marque Mall

Are you one of the runners who could only get a time to train in the afternoons? What if you could also race on a Weekday afternoon at the CCP grounds, while at the same time help raise funds for the God's Special Children Foundation?

On Tuesday, 4:30 PM on 16th of April 2013, the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) will be holding their 50th annual convention, and with this, they are also opening their annual fun run for those who would like to be one with them for this special occasion. The fun run will feature a 500-m dash for both kids and adults, 3K and 6K distance categories. Good distance enough to trigger your racing muscles on a not so usual racing day!

Before proceeding to the raffle mechanics, you may want to read about the Race Details from Aktibo Ka Ba?


Four (4) race kits are up for grabs for those who would like to try their racing best on a Weekday afternoon from either a 3K or a 6K category. So, just follow the following mechanics here at RaffleCopter and who knows, we'll meet at the event and race it out together:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This raffle contest will end on April 7 at 11:59 PM, and winners will be announced within 48 hours, so keep posted afterwards.

Good luck Runners! ;)

Back when I have just started with outdoor activities like mountaineering and running, it never came to my mind that keeping an emergency contact information handy with me would be very important until a news about a runner who died in a prestigious Marathon broke out. It made me think that what if in some instance (I don’t want to think about dying), I tripped and bit my tongue that made me unable to speak, or due to drunkenness I fell asleep while running, or worse bumped my head and got a sudden amnesia? How am I supposed to know who I am? And how would the people, police, military, the medics, or even the Philippine President who might be trying to help me would know who am I or who to contact for the bill settlement in hospital (seriously!)?

After that much thinking, it was fortunate that some emergency accessories came out that got the attention of many such as an ID bracelet with a metallic face plate where the contact information will be engraved. Aesthetically, it looked good, functionally, it was also great. Unfortunately though, it didn’t appeal much to me because of its high pricing and I really don’t like the permanent engraving of contact information of any of our household to something that would be easily available for prying eyes. Another thing that concerns me is that we are never sure of how long are we going to keep the telephone/mobile number that we have. Sure there is an available replacement ID plate, but it also cost almost the same as buying a new one.

There’s also this one which I already forgot the name that offers a centralized database where the emergency information can be retrieved by just sending an SMS keyword to a portal number. That’s innovative but, impractical in some situations where there’s no good cellular signal.

My personal ICE card, used by my Son

Emergency information at the back

I thought about other alternatives to find a cheaper solution such as a dog tag (though I’m not a dog), or military tag (not a military either) that serves as a necklace but I don’t like it swinging on my neck while I’m running or dangling when climbing on trees as it could accidentally choke me. I even thought of designing my own “Atom-ICE card” that can be used as discount card from sport stores at the same time (haven’t pushed through with this though) but the one that I sticked with is a ziplocked-ID (ID wrapped in ziplock plastics) such as either my Philippine Red Cross membership card, HMO card, Club membership ID card, or PhilHealth card. I alternate which I bring along in my running short’s pocket or in my waist pouch until the prints of most of these cards faded or got defaced due to the repeated sweat, water, and other elemental exposures.

That pouch dangling at the left side of my waist is where I put my IDs

Almost dilapidated ID cards I bring along while running

Then a week ago, I received an ID on Me personal ID bracelet from Mr. Doms Pantaleon – owner and distributor of ID on Me Philippines. At first I thought it was just like the metal ID bracelet but upon checking their website, I was immediately impressed with the idea of replaceable and much cheaper version of information inserts made with Tyvek®, the same material used for race bibs that is both durable and water-resistant.

The ID on Me bracelet comes with four (4) pieces of Tyvek® inserts designed to be foldable with up to maximum six (6) lines where you can write important information details (mainly three (3) lines on the front and extra three (3) lines at the back). A sharpie® ultra fine point marker (sold separately) can be used for writing but any permanent marker can also be used, mine was written only with a local brand (HBW) black ballpoint pen.

The ID On Me Identification bracelet

The wristband is elastic and soft and won’t cause irritation on the skin. It is also adjustable and would fit wrist or ankle sizes of 4.5” to 7.5” in circumference. I just don’t know if how many water and sun’s heat exposure until the wristband will become bacon.

Three (3) extra Tyvek inserts comes with the package

For the past few days since I received the ID on Me, I always wear it whether I’m in the office, out for a run, a swim on the ocean (last Saturday after the Salomon RoadxTrail run) and even on last night’s biking under the heavy rain. On these two instances that I was wearing the ID On Me while dripping wet, I’m impressed that the water didn’t even get inside the compartment, that’s a great combination of having a water-resistant Tyvek® inserts and waterproof compartment at the same time.

ID on Me while working

In summary, here’re my thoughts about the ID On Me:

Pros:

1. Durable and water-resistant Tyvek® inserts
2. Replaceable and updateable Tyvek® inserts
3. Adjustable and replaceable wristband
4. Since the wristband is replaceable, the lid can also be replaced
5. Can be attached to shoelace (just remove the wristband)
6. Critical information always available yet secured from prying eyes
7. Relatively fair cost (SRP at Php 599.00 for bracelet, Php 450.00 for pendant)
8. Lightweight and comfortable to wear just like a stylish accessory
9. More lid colors to choose from
10. Waterproof compartment with gasket compression

Cons:

1. Lid difficult to open (this could also be categorized as pro) and close
2. Tyvek® insert can easily fall off when the lid is open (I secured mine by gluing the other end to the compartment)

Nice to Have:

1. It could have been made better if a reflectorized strip is embedded for easy visibility in dark places
2. Alert notice could have been much noticeable if it was marked on the front face instead on the underside

Overall, ID On Me is a great option for anyone, and even for your lovely pets. It provides an easy way to put and update your emergency information without engraving or sending those information to unsecured services. That’s vital information always on hand!

For more information about ID on Me, check out the ID on Me Philippines website or follow their Twitter account.

Watch the video of ID On Me's water proof test: