February 29, 2008 | 12:00am
Getting injured is probable an athlete’s worst nightmare, but they still go back for more. Cebu Executive Runners Club founding member Dr. Abe Manlawe once fell from an 80-foot ravine during a climbing expedition and broke several bones. But did he stop? After a year he was back scaling the mountains. Dr. Vic Verallo and John Pages broke their jaws on separate cycling accidents, but are still seen on the streets today. In my case, I had as assortment of injuries in my over 40 years in sports. I suffered first degree burns during a car rally when my radiator burst as I was opening the hood of my race car. An elbow in a basketball game almost detached my eye sockets while also losing two front teeth courtesy of karate kick during a tournament. Lately, a torn ligament on my right knee has prevented me from joining a competitive run for the past six months. So you could just imagine my frustration seeing people pounding the pavement in a race. It also kept me at home when several members of the CERC went to Hong Kong recently to run in the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon.
THERAPY
But the knee is slowly healing thanks to Dr. Renald Ramiro who sent me to Abigail Garcia for a two-week therapy on my back and knee. I’m recovering fast due to the tender touch of two physical therapists Meluz Flores and Joy who vowed to make my knee ready for my projected participation in the Pattaya International Marathon in Thailand on June 15. My cousin Dr. Jimmy Galvez-Tan, former health secretary during President Fidel Ramos’ term told me to come to Manila if my knee doesn’t improve. Jimmy suggested that he perform acupuncture which I believe will really help. But as I said my therapists are doing a good job. Starting next week I’ll be in pool for a hydro therapy, the same procedure I did when I first torn a ligament 7 years ago. It was the same treatment Michael Jordan did in 1984 when he injured his leg, and if everything else fails, one-legged triathlete Rudy Fernandez said, “ipaputol mo na Raf para duha na ta”.
WELCOME! HK RUNNERS
Last Thursday, Dr. Vic Verallo, another founding member of CERC tendered a welcome and thanksgiving party at Sug-angan Restaurant. It was a two-in-one celebration. First, the party was for the success of the Mizuno Shell Sinulog Marathon that was organized by the club. Second, for the success of the club members and all Cebuano runners who ran in the Hong Kong Marathon. Although Dr. Yong Larrazabal (who was also at the party with Dr. Peter Mancao) was the fastest at 2:19, Vic was the most improved, breasting the tape in 4.34. Jesse a veteran of the Tucson Marathon in Arizona, USA clocked 4:46, Ted Tecson timed 4:44 while Meyrick Jacalan registered 4:50. Dr. Albert Santos timed 5:25. Sergs Amora could have improved his time had he not waited for Dr. Nicole Chua, both finished in 5:29 together with Dr. Peter Mancao. But wait a minute, Peter was supposed to run in the 21K. Well, Peter said he decided to run in the 42K when Dr. Pons Del Prado skipped the half marathon due to a back injury. Peter also made the cut off of 5:30 despite stopping several times to assist John Pages who suffered cramps. Speaking of John, we conducted a post mortem on why he didn’t finish the race. First, John didn’t train on the hills (Banawa could have been perfect). Then he didn’t do a warm up besides not wearing tights. John also started fast covering 30 kilometers on an average 1.00 minute flat. John could have run 1:10 or 1:15 per 10 kilometers. John also didn’t drink a lot of water thinking he was not thirsty (as in thirsty ha) not the fruit juice business. Meaning he was getting dehydrated without knowing it and lastly, he didn’t bring his coach named Raffy who almost changed his name to Tom. Good thing the City Registrar disapproved it. Anyway, job well done guys!
Note: Registration to the Holiday Gym & Spa Health Run is now ongoing at the PSC office at the Cebu City Sports Center and at the Holiday Gym & Spa at Banilad. Entry forms are also available at Casa Ilongga Robinsons Place Cebu.
