After numerous requests and demands from QC-based runners, the Adidas Adination of Runners (aNR) finally relented and opened up another group based in U.P. Diliman campus last Tuesday, November 9.
The running lifestyle isn’t really alien to the UP community, as anyone who has spent weekend mornings around the UP Academic Oval will attest. So it was with much anticipation that the first ever aNR session began that wet Tuesday night in front of the UP Theater, with over 100 runners of all shapes, sizes and grouchiness (that’s mostly me) in attendance!
Now, Quezon City folk can be counted as part of this aNR addiction already sweeping four regular venues all over the Metro, namely in Bonifacio Hight Street, Ayala Triangle Makati, Ortigas and Ayala Alabang.
It was the first time I ever joined an aNR event, so I didn’t know what to expect. I barely made it to UP by 7pm, after about an hour spent in traffic coming from Makati. But it didn’t make me too grouchy to enjoy the drills and run session.
I managed to run around the oval twice, without walking, which is a big surprise to me! I guess all those mid-day runs during Sunday paid off. I felt I was doing better time in the cool, dark night.
My only gripe was that it was way too dark. Maybe the organizers should have preselected a well-lit spot from where to conduct the drills and briefing sessions. I could hardly see Coach Jojo Macalintal when he was talking about good form, nutrition and other running tips.
The drills conducted by triathlete Monica Torres were ok. I mean, I didn’t really do them that much. I didn’t want to tire myself before the actual run. And that’s just me.
Overall, I believe it was a great debut for Adination in UP. Save for the fact that I missed out on the Adidas loot bags that were being given away just because I didn’t have my aNR Passport yet!
I mean, c’mon! I went to Adidas Trinoma the Sunday before and the guy there said they had just run out of registration forms and passports. How can I get a passport if its not available in the duly designation registration centers? It wasn’t feasible for me to go to another Adidas store in another city just to register. I hardly have enough time to run, much more go to the mall.
Sure, its not a big deal. Just a few of us runners weren’t able to get lootbags coz we didn’t have our passport. But would it have been a big stretch to just give it anyway, since we were already there and we did do the prescribed run for the night?
I’m sure Adidas will learn their lesson after this. They should realize that they’ve got a hugely popular event unfolding, and moreso now on its second stage after a very successful first run in the four regular venues.
Part of this success should be duly attributed to the trainors/instructors/organizers (mostly the people behind Takbo.ph and its members) who ensure that the run sessions happen as scheduled. They understand what runners need and want. And what runners don’t want is getting the runaround.
Judging from the huge turnout of running addicts that night — thus “adiknation” — Adidas ought to put more thought on how to properly execute this program in a venue like UP, which has always been a runner’s haven.
Making it a wee bit more efficient, organized and exciting isn’t really impossible. Like what Adidas’ tagline says, impossible is nothing.
Join aNR UP every Tuesday beginning at 6:30pm in front of UP Theater. Training tips, running advice and other info are free. Bring your own hydration as none of the soda vendors and magtataho are around at that time of night.
Grouchyrunner 