Cebu Marathon’s FrontRunner Clinic tomorrow

To the thousands of Cebuanos into this latest sports craze, I suggest you attend the lecture. It’s free. It’s to be delivered by two experts. It’s timely for those preparing for the Cebu City Marathon on Jan. 9, 2011. It’s informative. It’s tomorrow. Yes, that’s Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Active Zone of the Ayala Center Cebu.

Jonel Mendoza is the first speaker. The owner/editor-in-chief of FrontRunner Magazine, Jonel is a runner. He is not, however, your ordinary 3K leisurely jogger. He’s an ultra-marathon man who’s finished the 102-kilometer Bataan Death March twice. Jonel is also the organizer of the 50K (read below) from Mt. Manunggal to Cebu City. His lecture tomorrow: “How To Train Properly For A Marathon.” Perfect for everyone joining the 21K or 42K this Sinulog.

Enrico Tocol I have yet to meet. But his credentials—like Jonel, he finished the 102K Bataan Run two times—are impressive. He’s a professional coach of Gold’s Gym in Makati City. His subject matter tomorrow: “Strength Training and Conditioning For Runners.” Expect a well-built, muscular man for this topic on muscle development.

Don’t miss it: “I Am A FrontRunner” Running Clinic from 6 to 8 p.m. tomorrow at the Ayala Center. See you there!

ULTRA. In running, there are 3Ks, 10Ks and 42Ks. Anything beyond that? It’s called the Ultramarathon and two mornings from now, it will both be joyous and painful for the runners. First, the suffering: it’s the 1st Cebu 50K Ultramarathon from Balamban to the Cebu Provincial Capitol. How agonizing can it get: steep climbs that torture your lungs and downhill slopes that will stab the knees. To the 185 ultramarathoners that include Dr. Vic Verallo, Max Limpag, Roy and Dr. Rosan Trani, Steve Ferraren, Jun Remo and more—good luck and enjoy… the pain.

On Sunday, it’s the 5th Seminary Fund Run. This is memorable for me. It was this 5K distance that was my first-ever—back in 2007. Those interested can still register at Toby’s SM.

TENNIS. The “fifth Grand Slam,” it’s called. Official name: the ATP World Tour Finals. It’s when the top eight men’s players smash lobs and volley winners in London. That’s terrific. What’s bad is this: no TV coverage for us, the Filipino tennis fans. This 2010, we had the four majors of tennis shown live—but none of the ATP Masters Series events. Sayang. In London, with Roger Federer 2-0 thus far in the round-robin games and Rafa Nadal 1-0, are we about to witness another monumental No.2 vs. No.1 finale? We hope so.

ASIAN GAMES. It happens only once every four years but, given its no-show, it feels as if it doesn’t exist. The Asian Games, now held in Guangzhou, China, started last week. Has it? I didn’t know. I didn’t hear. This is another case of sayang. Held in-between the Olympics, this is the mightiest sporting event of our continent of nearly 4,000,000,000 people. The Asian Games is supposed to be HUGE. “Supposed to be,” because there’s no TV coverage. Why? I don’t know why. But shouldn’t we get to watch our Filipino athletes? Cheer for them in Cebu while they’re in China? But we can’t? This is outrageous.

LEBACLE? The Miami Heat were booed during their embarrassing 93-77 loss to the Indiana Pacers. What happened? Where are The Three Kings—Bosh, LeBron, Dwayne? Their record is a dismal 8-6. NBA champs? How about NBA chumps! Maybe what’s needed is a Miami change: Pat Riley as head coach.

BOB. Said Mr. Arum on the global power of Manny Pacquiao: “That’s one of the achievements we can take credit for — taking a non-American and crossing him over. Can we do more? Yeah. Nobody would have dreamed that you could take a fighter from the Phils. and make him into an iconic American star and we’ve been able to do that.”

M & M. Manny beat Morales. He beat Miguel. He defeated Margarito. Who are Manny’s challengers in 2011? Either of these men: Marquez… Mosley… Martinez… Mayweather. Haven’t you noticed a pattern? Regardless of enemy in an “M & M,” Manny will earn lots of M: money.