Tag: Project Donate A Shoe

Running Shoes Mileage

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Running, Running Shoes9 Comments

According to a former elite runner and now a coach of famous US elite runners, a runner should change his/her shoes every 500 miles or 800 kilometers of distance covered. If a runner exceeds this distance, he/she is inviting injury that could stop or completely destroy one’s training schedule to a particular running event.

Sometimes, it is very hard for us to decide to buy a new running shoes even if the physical appearance of the “old” shoe is still almost new. But one should think that it is better to prevent oneself from being injured instead of paying more in order to cure one’s injury. “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure”. Spending 4-8 Thousand Pesos of a brand-new running shoes is better and cheaper than being cured by medicines, physical therapists, or surgery.

I am sure your old shoes will still be useful if you give them to your household helpers and their families or better yet donate them to my project—Donate-A-Shoe. Those runners who can not afford to buy a brand new running shoes will be happy to receive them.

My ASICS Gel-Cumulus 8 is about to be separated from me soon which I bought last December 2006 at Phidippides Running Store in Encino, California. I used this shoes for 4 months in preparation for the 2008 Pasig River Marathon last February 2008 and was able to finish the said marathon with this shoes to include half-marathon, 15K and 10K races. This shoes had done a splendid job and still looks very new. Whoever will get this shoes (with my signature on the insoles) will be happy to own one of the “Bald Runner’s Running Shoes”.

Update: Project Donate A Shoe (June ’08)

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Running, Sports Program9 Comments

The Project Donate A Shoe is now under the auspices of the “Bald Runner’s Events” which is now a duly registered entity which has a license to operate from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Capt Ferdie Espejo came up with a new tarpaulin background of our booth, which you see in the background on all the pictures taken. Captain Espejo will be my frontman and associate in this understaking.

Last Sunday, we have launced also our Project Donate A Shirt, which will become as a repository of all donated old, used, and new Finisher’s T-shirts, from runners which in turn to be donated to families residing on Gawad Kalinga (GK) communities in Metro Manila and to other victims of disasters and calamities in the country. 

Hereunder are some of the pictures of our good donors and recipients of these projects. Continue reading “Update: Project Donate A Shoe (June ’08)” →

Robin Petrini & Donate A Shoe

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Running, Sports Program1 Comment

Last Thursday morning, Captain Ferdie Espejo sent me a text message informing me that a box of about one cubic foot arrived at the office of the DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap at Camp Aguinaldo where the sender is a certain Robin Petrini, Head Coach, Softball Team of Pennsylvania State University, USA. I instructed Capt Espejo to open the box and he informed me that it contained four (4) pairs of slightly used running shoes.

Coach Robin Petrini sent three (3) pairs of Saucony Running Shoes and one (1) pair of Nike shoes for the Project Donate A Shoe.

My immediate instinct after I got the information that somebody from the USA sent a box full of shoes was to “google” the name of Robin Petrini. Look what I’ve found!

Coach Robin, thank you very much for your support. I hope I will be able to personally thank you for your effort of sending such shoes to the Philippines. May God bless you always. 

Project Donate A Shoe @ 2008 Doc Fit Run

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Running, Sports ProgramLeave a comment

25 May 2008 @ UP Diliman Campus

After I finished the 2008 Doc Fit 10K Run, I was approached by Councilor Doray Delarmente of Quezon City and she introduced herself to me. I had known beforehand in her blog that she is also a passionate runner and had been very serious in improving her finish time in every road race that she participated. She is also a regular visitor of this blog and writes good comments about my posts. We had a brief conversation and asked her about her father who had been with me in the same office where I was assigned when I was a Captain. After some photo-ops with her, she told me that she is donating some pairs of running shoes to the Project Donate A Shoe. Councilor Doray donated four (4) Nike running shoes. It was nice of her to support this project of mine. Thanks, Councilor Doray! I hope you are now proudly wearing the “ONE” wristband that I gave you.

A guy who just completed the 10K run also approached me at the vicinity of the Project Donate A Shoe booth and gave me two (2) pairs of Adidas running shoes. He introduced himself as Jay who did not want to be known by his complete name and did not want also to have a photo-ops with me. Anyway, he is married and presently working at Banco De Oro at Ayala Branch. In my brief conversation with him, he told me that he found out about this Project from one of the Janitors in their office. The janitor, according to him, runs from Bulacan to Makati City, to their office, on a daily basis and he was a recipient of one of the donated shoes through this Project. Wow! I have to know and meet this janitor and donate more shoes to him! Jay, thank you very much for your support and please proudly wear the “ONE” wristband that I gave you.

At present, a total of 44 pairs of running shoes had been donated from our “kind-hearted” runners; 34 pairs had been distributed to our “less-fortunate” runners and 10 pairs are “on hand” for distribution. Our booth will be available at the Sta Lucia Mall 10-Mile Run on 08 June 2008. For particulars and immediate contact with my staff, please visit/click the “Project Donate A Shoe” Page. 

Update: Project Donate A Shoe

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Running2 Comments

22 May 2008

Immediately after the 2nd Champion Run at the Marikina Riverbanks last 11 May 2008, my friend, Graciano “Totoy” Santos of Happy Feet Running Club donated his New Balance Racing Shoe to the Project Donate A Shoe. His shoes was immediately donated and accepted by Marcial Quisay.

To Totoy, thanks for supporting this project! Mabuhay ka!

Last Sunday, 18 May 2008, after the Market! Market! 5-Mile Run, four (4) pairs of the donated shoes were distributed and received by the following runners: Roque Legaspi; Fritz Gerald Perez; Rey Antoque (Mizuno Track Shoes); and Jun Villarta.

There were no donors during the said road race.

At present, the Project was able to collect a total of 38 running shoes and was able to distribute 34 of these to recipients. Four (4) pairs of running shoes are on hand.

With regards to the “barefoot running kids”, I am still waiting for the arrival of Mr Rudy Biscocho from the United States as he is the one who is in possession of the list of participants in the 4th Global City Run. We could only identify these kids through their bib/race numbers. For the past days, I’ve been going around to some of the sports stores to canvass the price of running shoes for these kids. Hopefully, I will be able to get discount prices for these shoes.  As soon as I identify these kids, they will be contacted and appropriate arrangements will be made for these kids to be given their brand-new running shoes. I was informed lately that these kids are from the province of Laguna.

The Project Donate A Shoe Booth will be available at the UP Campus during the DocFit Run this Sunday.

I hope to see you this Sunday. Happy running!

Project Donate A Shoe @ Runnex@25

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Running2 Comments

Captain Ferdie Espejo reported to me that a total of five (5) shoes were donated by the following donors during the conduct of RUNNEX@25 Run at UP Diliman Campus yesterday morning:

1) Annalene M Bautista (“Annalene’s Story)—3 pairs of running shoes

2) Ralph Salvador—1 pair of running shoes

3) Cecil Morella—1 pair of running shoes

On the other hand, six (6) of the donated running shoes were received by the following runners:

1) Jun Ocol

2) Dennis Magtaha aka “Zorro”

3) Adrian Benitez

4) A. C. Tambar

5) Conrad Conde

6) Andrico S Mahilum

Hereunder are the pictures taken with the donors and recipients at the Project Donate A Shoe booth:

This is Ralph Salvador who donated one pair of running shoes. Ralph told me that he finished the 94K Weekend Marathon held last 20 April 2008 at the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway. Thanks, Ralph for supporting the project.

Cecil Morella, the tallest among us, donated his NB shoes which he used to finish his first full marathon, half-marathon, and other road races where he improved at one race at a time. He said that he hopes that his shoes will be given to somebody whose feet is wide as his. In Ilocano term, he described his feet as “Narakab” which brough laughter to my brother and myself. Thanks, Cecil for supporting this project! 

We always see him in almost all the road races in Metro Manila and we fondly call him “Zorro”. He is Dennis Magtaha and he approached our booth and my staff replaced his old and worn-out shoes. 

This is the old running shoes of “Zorro” which was replaced with one of the donated shoes. Note that he used a “big safety pin” to hold on with the torn parts of his shoes. This is “Zorro’s Safety Pin” Solution while the others would use the “Band-Aid Solution”. In my personal and honest opinion, the old shoes of Zorro symbolizes the Sports Program of the Country and we are using a “Safety Pin” to solve, develop, and improve our Sports Program for us to attain the elusive first “Olympic Gold Medal”.

A pose with Zorro and another runner (Bib # 8662) who received donated shoes at the Project Donate A Shoe Booth.

So far, the Project Donate A Shoe had collected 37 pairs of running shoes and distributed 29 . We still have in our possession 8 pairs of shoes for distribution which will be on display in our booth in Marikina this coming Sunday. To all the donors, thank you very much for supporting the project and you were able to make our runners happy and enjoy the sports of running.

We Have To Do Something About This

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, RunningLeave a comment

Lemuel, my nephew, who intends to be a medical doctor and a professional photographer with his Nikon Digital Camera, is a regular participant in weekly road races in Metro Manila, not as a runner, but a photographer. Knowing that I am actively involved in the Project Donate A Shoe to help other runners, he took some pictures of kids/children who participated in the 3K Fun Run during the 4th Bonifacio Global City/ANTA Run last 20 April 2008 at the Bonifacio High Street, The Fort.

I am posting some of the pictures taken by Lemuel as a reminder that something has to be done to help and develop these kids to their fullest potentials as runners and athletes in the future. I think our government’s sports program should start with these kids and through running. From these kids who are exposed to physical activity like running/jogging, we can develop our future boxers, basketball players, soccer players, cyclists, volleyball players, tennins players, and other sports you can think of. Let us help these kids!

You are looking at kids joining a 3K Fun Run during the 4th Bonifacio Global City Run last 20 April 2008 at The Fort. They were not wearing any running shoes.

Despite having a handicap of not having a running shoes, you can still see on the faces of these kids their desire to compete and finish the race.

Another group of “barefoot kid runners” about to reach the finish line of the 3K Fun Run. These kids have the “running form” and determination to finish the race but they lack the very basic necessity for a runner, a running shoes, that would protect their feet from the ground.

Look at the contrasting sight of runners, “old” runners with comfortable running shoes and very young runners without any running shoes!

Our country is not a part of Africa or considered as a poor country where most of the people are not wearing any shoes. These pictures showing kids running without any shoes shows the ignorance, lack of guidance and support from the parents. However, we can not blame much on the parents if they could not afford to buy their kids the necessary equipment for running even if their kids are gifted with the natural-born talent to run and excel in it. Who is to be blamed on this? The parents? the government and its sports program? the schools? the private corporate world? the politicians? the local government officials administering them in their places of residence? the non-government organizations? or us who just pretend that we did not see such reality in our midst and ignore the problem and do nothing about it.

I have started the Project Donate A Shoe where runners could donate their old shoes to the less-privileged runners who run with “old, tattered, and worn-out” running shoes and it is becoming a very successful “advocacy”. However, Project Shoes For Kids is entirely different as the only way to help these kids is to buy a new pair of running shoes fitted for them. However, if there are old shoes in the lockers and storage rooms of families with kids who have grown up, such shoes will be a good option for these “barefoot kids”.

Let us help these “barefoot running kids” and inspire them to love sports and running.

“Mysterious Smiling Mr Romy”

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Running2 Comments

After finishing the Global City/ANTA 10 K Run this morning, I spent more time at the Project Donate A Shoe Booth to meet runners who posted their comments in my blog, most especially to Annalene who made a comment about the “barefoot” runner. I was able to meet Annalene, her husband, and her daughter and we had some picture taking and brief conversation about running.

From having a “barefoot” runner on the eyes of Annalene, I was able to have a glance from a distance the smile of “Mr Romy” who donated three bagful of running shoes which contained seven (7) pairs of still reliable running/workout shoes. I was trying to call his attention and make him sign some papers or give him the white “ONE” wristband or have a pose with him and my staff for documentation needed in the project but he just smiled, waved his hands and turned his back away from the booth without any word.

Whoever you are, Mr Romy, you are also a mysterious guy who has a “big heart” to those who are in need. I respect you for being “mysterious” and for being the most benevolent runner and donor to this project. I will never forget your smile even if you were wearing a sunglass this morning. Thank you very much and rest assured that your donation will benefit to our less-privileged runners. More blessings to you!

Project Donate A Shoe @ 4th Global City Run

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Running2 Comments

6:00 AM 20 April 2008

Last week, few days before the 4th Bonifacio Global City Run, Captain Ferdie Espejo met with KC Joaquin of Mizuno Sports Stores regarding our Project Donate A Shoe. The Bull Runner sent me an e-mail informing me that Mizuno is supporting our project through KC Joaquin and I immediately directed Captain Espejo to coordinate and meet KC. As a result, KC Joaquin donated four (4) pairs of Mizuno running shoes to include a track shoes.

Last Sunday morning after the 4th Global City Run, an additional twelve (12) pairs of running/workout shoes were received by my staff. The following were the donors:

The “Mysterious Smiling Mr Romy”—7 assorted running/workout shoes

Don Fernando Zobel de Ayala—1 Nike Running shoes

Lester & Margarette Choayap—1 Running Shoes

Mariano “Jun” Cruz—1 Running Shoes

Victor E Lim—2 Running Shoes

The following seven (7) runners with “old, tattered and worn-out” running shoes received the donated running shoes:

Henry Labis                        Ranulfo Aya

Felecio Sabas                     Elmer Morales

John Tino                           Andy Cabrera

Jayson Romel Luib

Mr John Tino, a runner from Pasay City, got the NIKE running shoes donated by Don Fernando Zobel.

At present, we have in our possession nine (9) donated running shoes which we hope to be given in the next road race in Metro Manila.

Once again, to those donors who gave their running shoes to this worthy project to help other runners, thank you very much for your support and concern to our less-fortunate runners. You inspire us to help others and encourage others to love the sports of running and be physically fit. May God bless you always.

Mens Sana In Corpore Sano.

Four (4) shoes at the front row were some of the seven (7) shoes that “Mr Romy” gave to support the Project Donate A Shoe.

Mizuno Running Shoes donated by KC Joaquin of Mizuno and other shoes from the other donors during the 4th Bonifacio Global City Run.

He Did It Again!

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, RunningLeave a comment

He usually arrives at the Assembly Area at least thirty minutes before the start of the race. He makes his usual stretching exercises and have a brief slow jog along the streets near the starting area. At least, fifteen minutes before the scheduled start of the race, he checks-in at the Starting Area and stays at the middle of the pack, at least, 7-10 meters away from starting line.

Everybody notices him with his towering height and a mixture of black and silver hair. He wears his sunglasses. He has a stern face, relaxed, silent, his sight focused infront towards the direction of the race and slightly moves and shakes his legs while waiting for the starting gun to fire.

Once the race starts, he is fast to get into his position along the road and he is really a fast runner. I’ve been observing him from the back and I could hardly cope up with his pace or gain a lesser distance from him. In my estimate, he runs with an average pace of 4:15-4:25 minutes per kilometer. He could easily finish the 10K run in 42-43 minutes.

At the age of 48, he is an outstanding triathlete and marathoner competing in other countries and read in the newspapers that he finished the New York Marathon and other prestigious endurance events worldwide.

After the last Condura 10K Run, I saw him approached the Project Donate A Shoe Booth and immediately removed his running shoes, ASICS, and donated to us, signed some documents, had a picture with us, gave him the white “ONE” wristband, and left the booth walking with his running socks!

Last Sunday morning, after crossing the finish line of the 4th Bonifacio Global City 10K Run, he again approached the Project Donate A Shoe Booth and removed his running shoes from his feet, a NIKE running shoes this time, signed some documents and left the booth with his running socks…again!

As he finished the race ahead of me because of his faster pace, I was not able to meet him at the booth.

As an expression of my thanks to an Icon in the Business/Corporate World in the country and the whole world, my Snappy Salute and deepest appreciation to Don Fernando Zobel de Ayala for donating his running shoes again. You really inspire us to pursue our project and be able to help our less-fotunate runners. Thanks and More Power to You!