NB... What a horrible and unenjoyable race

I am sure I have your attention now. You see, everytime I opened a blog, I read how wonderfull the race was. I thought if I do the same I stand a chance of people just scanning through my blog as well. So, there you go, I cought you and now that you read this far no need to stop as I am not going to blog this time on how wonderfull the race was as we all know by now it was more than great, instead I will compliment some and thank others:

Firstly to two guys that helped me set up a good time -

Jerry, thanks for the pacing, it was bad luck though that you struggle to run and drink water as I am sure you would have overtaken me at the finnish.

I dont know how many bloggers know him and I am not sure how to spell his name and maybe someone can correct me in the comments and I will change it but it was Boyet, the training mngr at Gold's gym in Greenhills. Sinabi ko sa inyo kaya ko iyan sa tulong ninyo. He met me after app. 10km's and ran with me and sometimes in front of me the whole time. It is clear he know a lot about running as he knew when I will need encouragement.

Baldrunner for always giving me at least one tip when I see him.

Jaymie, for your enthusiasm in the sport of running and promoting it the way you do in the Philippines - keep that smile girl, it can take you far.

Ben for your photos and for your, Joms and Rio's friendship. After meeting you I understood the context of the Tagalog word "pare" the first time they tried to explain it to me.

Tanya from happy feet to keep inviting me to functions and being hospitible even though I could not make it the last time.

Jun C for all the photos you take of me and encouraging me during each run.

For great informative web pages about running and races here in the Philippines eg. takbo.ph etc.

Happy feet peeps that just put that extra umph in the running world and make the socials even so much better - Thanks Mon

Felipe for the encouraging words all the times.

Annie for keeping me pushing forward as I think you are on my heals all the time and boy you get closer every time.

As Jerry said, the guy at 8km of the NB race that gave such nice remarks other than "Hi Joe" as we white people are know here in the Philippines (glad my name is not realy Joe as I would thought I was a celebrity). I saw a white guy once with a shirt that had on the back "Hindi Joe ang pangalan ko" maybe it will be worth it to get a running shirt like that?!?

Thanks New Balance

Everyone that made an effort to speak to me or to make me feel welcome in your country, I solute you all, also the new runners at each race and people breaking their PR's - great stuff. I see it a privelage to be in this wonderfull country of all of you and share races with you guys. Keep fit and keep up the running. So if I did not mention your name, believe me your impact is noted and appreciated. If you ever just spoke to me and I did not mention yur name, please forgive me as it is hard if you are standing out in a country to remember all the new people introduced to you.

Lastly I would like to mention, if going to Clark and looking for a hotel, we stayed at the maharajah. It is a great hotel if you decide to stay in the new rooms. Opt for them as they dont offer them to the families. We were able to get a double occupance room (two double beds) for our family as we have three small kids and they easily fit on a double bed but they did not want us to stay there. The family room they offered us is more expensive but not the same quality, the new rooms are much better. They allowed us to stay in the new room with the two double beds after we told them we are willing to give up the extra money we paid for the family room as we thought the new room is better value for money anyway. So if you stay there, ask for the new rooms. Other than that it was great staying there as the staff is super friendly.

I found these great pics on other blogs and thanks for all of yu that took them and send them to me. Here they are - salute to all of you and God bless.

Before the start with Bullrunner and my running partner Jerrie and some others.

I thought she was going to sing the national anthem.. I could not believe it that I won third place in my age group.

With my new found running friend Jerrie

After about 10km I was told, Jerrie and Boyet, the fitness manager at our gym, Gold's gym in Greenhils.