This is one of the most influential books on running that I have read. It has literally change my concept on running in a revolutionary manner.
I am now a student of the art of running, I have invested considerable amount of time in reading about the pose method of running, I live you could say on their running forum, I search the forum for answer to question that I may have about running. I have seen my running improved, in terms of less injuries, being able to run faster and longer.
I must say because of this book, the forum and the video and also there are tons of video on their video blogs that show you how to practically perform the drills or explain and demonstrate complex concepts about the pose method of running or running technique in general.
I must say that this concept and book has saved my running life and added that joy back to my running that I had as a youth, running and catching balls of walls, running in the morning mist and evening sunset.
I recommend this book to all runners, explore the concepts in this book and see it make sense and see it change or revolutionize your running forever.
No Race in February.
Wayne's Friday Rant - (Carnival Friday - 16, 02, 2007)
For the month of February no road races are scheduled. A whole month without any races and I am already experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
Anyway that just gives us runners more time to get some much needed mileage under our belt or work on specific areas of our technique.
I enjoy covering the road races for my blog. (I am a blogger!)
I guess you feel and accept the fact that you are a blogger for real when there is that incessant desire to write and express yourself, rant and rave.
I don’t know if I enjoy covering (video taping and writing about it) more or just participating in road races. (Of course I can run and still write, but can’t run and video tape at the same time.
I guess it part of the ethos which is to give something back to this great sport that has brought me so much personal joy and satisfaction. To see others learn to run and experience the benefits of improved personal energy and mental acuity.
Probably I should add at this point, “We need people with particular marketing and media skills to come forward and make this CariFin event, the dynamic and compelling event it is meant to be.”
In an era where the internet offers small entities like CariFin an opportunity to get their message out to a large segment of the community via the ubiquitous video which is on many places like Youtube and Metacafe for free. Email newsletters have such a high rate of success in keeping your public informed. If you don’t have a web presence through a blog and or a website, you are not serious about your business.
So I am making a clarion call to everyone reading this blog posting, including the aspiring young writers, people who understand video and how it works on the net, are familiar with Windows XP, Windows Movie Maker, Adobe Premiere and Adobe Photoshop. In fact anyone who has an idea or wants to lend a hand in an event which has been existing for fourteen years and serving the people of the financial services sector, please email me and say how your skills or ability could help take CariFin 2007 to the level of success we envision.
I love putting up those little five minutes video on Youtube and on this blog
I will have to wait on Odyssey Fun 5K on Sunday March 11, 2007 and I will be looking for a sub 18 timing which is a six minutes per mile pace.
What is going on with race organization in Trinidad and Tobago? It is really sad to know that no official schedule of the road races in Trinidad and Tobago could be found anywhere. Road Runners of Trinidad and Tobago are probably the number one racing club, don’t have one organized. Allan Babulal and his Athletics Central and Chin A Sang of DREAM do not have one.
When you speak to the event owners like P.S.A., (PSA 5K) – they are like, “what race oh … that is still far away”. Talk to City of Port of Spain it is the same attitude, “It is part of a health week, when is the health week around that time is the race.”
You check south – you think those boys down south know what they are doing, but yuh get the shock of your life …. “Well it is part of the Borough Day celebration …. I think it held on the Saturday.”
Like what the hell is going on here. You mean to say that the people responsible for hosting various road races in Trinidad and Tobago don’t have this thing at heart.
What is pathetic and sad is the fact that a proper schedule for road racing is not available up to February and no serious attempt is being made to put it together. When all is that is needed is for someone to sit down and call the race owners and list it, based on the events that went in the previous year.
Also many of the races held in Trinidad are conducted by DREAM, Road Runners or Athletic Central on behalf of race owners.
The rest, committees or PR department of companies sees about those things.
You will think that the leadership of Athletic Central and Road Runners would work that out and put a schedule out.
Jason Gooding Odessey is making a good attempt on his website to have a schedule up also the NAAA has organize a schedule and the Triathlon organization also.
The Queen’s Park Savannah
The Queen’s Park Savannah is packed with people walking, jogging or just liming around the Savannah.
Just imagine last Wednesday (07/02/07) I went for a run around the Savannah, I say I will make a little three or four laps (1 lap is 2.28mls).
To my great surprise as soon as I started to run – who will hail me out?
“You going easy boy?” (CariFin champ 06) Richard Jones shouted out to me as he passed by with two of his running buddies. They were doing at least 6 – 5.45 minutes per mile. Try as I may I could not keep up with that pace, as I was just warming up. I drifted back and they went ahead by 100 meters and continued with that momentum.
But what I want to bring to your attention is the fact that there was so much people walking, running, jogging, liming, or just plain standing and talking and some just occupying the walk-way around the Savannah impeding the pathway of the faster runners to the point that Richard and his crew and myself who was trailing them had a hard time swerving in and out and around pedestrians as we ran. Thank God for agility and good reflexes as it turn out to be a fun thing to change directions from time to time.
I was into the second lap, still trailing Richard Jones and his crew with a lag of about 100 meters or so, only to see them turn, jogging in the opposite direction towards me; apparently they had completed their run. I continued on running in and out of pedestrians avoiding collision.
The Queen’s Park Savannah is packed with people who are trying to get fit and lose some weight for Carnival. Nestle had a fitness program with music and instructors for those who like aerobics.
I was on my third lap running faster, my new Nike Free 5.0 really gave me the kind of interaction and freedom I needed to move. I came down to what I am sure was a sub six minutes pace and I was loving it.
I was feeling the speed, as the breeze whizzed pass my ears, my legs turning over about 180 times per minutes, concentrating on technique, that sensation falling and pulling my foot from the ground to the rhythm of 123, 123, and 123.
Down the incline opposite to Citibank and FCB on the East side of the Savannah and feeling gravity carry me faster and further almost sprinting to the end of run opposite Memorial Park entrance. Ah what a run!
Richard Jones blast CLICO 5K
Richard Jones left nothing to chance as he blast the flat and fast 5K CLICO course in a brisk 15.39. The CariFin Champion and UTC employee finished 1.5 minutes ahead of the second finisher.
The race started rather late in the morning by most morning race standards, but being part of the CLICO marathon it was started at 8.00 am to coincide with the ending of the 5.30 am marathon.
This would allow the 5K event to share in the glorious atmosphere of the ending of a marathon and add its own flavor and buzz to the mix as each great race does.
The 5K, according to newspaper reports had approximately 1,700 runners. The race started alongside the Hasely Crawford National Stadium and proceeded south to the traffic lights, and left onto Wrightson Road. The race turned left on Colville Street and then on to Aripita Avenue, veered left to De Verteuil Street and onwards to the Hasely Crawford National Stadium and into the marathon tunnel to make one lap around the Mondo track.
In the lead was Richard Jones in a time of 15.39 almost 30 seconds, actually looking at ease and making running look so effortless and fun. He actually seems to relish each stride as he sails forward taking himself further away from the second place runner and closer to the finish line.
In second place was Jules La rode in 16.09 followed in third place was Elvis Turner in 16.32.
In the women category the woman prevailing was Shermaine Lasaldo, following her was Samantha Shukla and the third place found Kerticha John
My new running shoes
Hey, I have a new pair of running shoes and gosh, it feels so good! It lets me reach out and touch the ground, to interact in a way I guess it was meant to be. Feeling that freedom, that freedom to run, to move, to touch and go with timing and precision and I love it.
O.K I will tell you the name of the shoe- it’s the Nike Free 5.0. Not that it is free - but it gives me the freedom to lace up my shoes and run all over God’s earth. I find that offers to me so much freedom to explore, to see more of my space, to be active, to interact with the ground in a special way as I move along.
I have been wanting a shoe like this for a very long time. I have been running so much more since I have these shoes, it unbelievable.
These shoes are based on the premise: that legs not shoes, are the best shock absorbers. That is, when you land on you are your forefoot, instead of your heel and paw back.
Actually, my Nike Free 5.0 looks more like a slipper than a sneaker. It is based on the bare-is-best concept and leans more to the idea that barefoot-style running is best for keeping healthy feet.
Surprisingly Nike sees the sense in running “shoeless.” Just one year after releasing the most structured shoes ever –
the Air Max 2004, with airbags and motion-control footbridge – the company has changed tack by offering the Nike Free 5.0, a shoe it claims will “re-revolutionize” running by enabling people to run as if they were barefoot.
In my Nike Free 5.0 my feet feel like they are getting a workout with every step. This reminds me that a stronger, healthier foot means less chance of injury.
I must thank Richard Jones for selling me these shoes; he brought in some running shoes because a lot of people he knows can’t easily get good quality running shoes at the running shoes stores in Trinidad. At a most reasonable prize I must say too.
Thanks Richie!!
Now you have me running fast too.
Wendy D’arbasie
Wendy D’arbasie has been running for thirteen years and is an employee of Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago.
Wendy has participated in CariFin and has been very successful.
Her latest success in CariFin includes the Urban Challenge (four events) Female Champion and 2nd place in CariFin cross country at Sevilla golf course on Sunday April 30, 2006.
She has done the T&T CLICO marathon on two occasions 1995 and 1996. She more enjoys the shorter half marathon distance having taken part in UWI ½ in 2005 and 2006.
Wendy has participated in all CariFin Urban Challenge and cross country events from 1992.
Wendy is a perfect example of what we are about in CariFin.
Providing an avenue for people to set goals and participate in a premiere event that offers cash prizes and other valuable incentives that are comparable with other events of that caliber, prestige and significance on the running calendar.
In turn producing stars and some times even Legends based on the individual personal talent and achievement.
In the end this is what we feel proud about, people participating in the event over the years and adopting that healthy, active, lifestyle and taking personal responsibility for their health and fitness.
Wendy has personified these values and continues to live and active lifestyle.
In 2007 so far she has done the following events:
1. TTUTA 10 K in 56.14
2. CLICO 5 K
All the best Wendy in your running for 2007 and may this be the year in which you excel.
Karen Dowden has been working with RBTT Bank for over 33 years. She is an ardent sports/fitness person who does aerobics twice a week and tries to run three times a week. She also likes to swim and has recently been having fun dragon boat racing. She is very passionate about her running and can be seen on evenings running in and around the Queen’s Park Savannah, Botanic Gardens, Maraval and back to her home in St. Ann’s. She is a big fan of CariFin and seldom misses a race.
Karen has benefited from sports by being able to maintain good health and almost ideal weight. Running offers her time to be with herself or actively socialize with family, friends and co-workers. Karen is the kind of person who, if she sees someone going wrong and thinks she could make a contribution, will come up to you and say, “I think if you try this or that or if you do it this way it would be much better”
It’s that kind of sharing and unselfish attitude that has made me take notice of Karen. Karen has the kind of personality and outlook on life that CariFin tries to foster and promote.
CariFin tries to encourage individuals to recognize their role and responsibility to maintain their personal health and fitness and to take positive and committed steps towards this objective.
This one of the main goals and or objectives of having CariFin, where we use the excitement, passion and fun of sports to keep people motivated from what may sometimes be a some what boring affair.
Just the thought of knowing that the inter financial sector has an annual event in March - May that gives you a good opportunity to show your skills, with the added benefit that only individuals who work in the financial industry can compete against you.
You have the time to shine on stage… The CariFin Stage… To show your worth … To etched your name into the annals of CariFin history.
Let wish Karen all the best in her training.
I think it is incumbent on us the organizers of CariFin to seek out persons in the financial services sector who do invest their time and effort to live and active lifestyle.
To basically find out what they do and what is their motivation, because this is the underlying principle of what CariFin is all about – (promoting health and fitness).
This will give us the opportunity to feature what people do for fun, relaxation and to renew their energy.
It is important to see who subscribes to this way of life.
What I will like to see happened is that we feature a few of these persons from various institutions every month and at the end decide a CariFin personality of the month.
We will offer a sponsor the opportunity to get involve and sponsor some prizes for this category.
I will like to have this going by people emailing and voting for their personality of the month.
So feel free to email me and say who you like as the CariFin Personality of the month.
You can find me at wayrob@tstt.net.tt or wayneroberts445@gmail.com
My Rant,
I heard it said in a number of quarters that CariFin needs to be a bigger event, and I agree. But more importantly I see CariFin playing a distinct role in helping people/staff of the financial services sector develop and maintain an active healthy lifestyle.
Research has shown that for people to adopt lifestyle changes, they must be involved consistently in that activity or discipline for at least three months.
We hope as people get involved in our Urban Challenge (four warm-up events) and the actual cross country event that the philosophy or idea will help shape and change their habit from sedentary to a more active lifestyle.
When we see big events like the Scotiabank Women Against Breast Cancer 5K, (2500–3000 participants) you may naturally ask yourself where are these runners at the other road races. Does this event alone drive the point home – of personal responsibility to ones health?
Do the participants of these events see the need to continue running/walking on a consistent basis after this event? Do we see these same individuals in their work place encouraging others to exercise with them on mornings or evenings? Do we see small groups from various financial institutions get together for group runs on Saturdays/Sundays? Do they hike, cycle, do they swim? Also, is management supporting, or financing these leaders and groups as they move forward to participate in more sporting and fitness activities.
The CariFin way is for individuals who enjoy sports, who live an active lifestyle, who understand the statement – “The greatest thing in life is to pass on to others what one has learnt for oneself,” to start up some initiative within their work area, within their institution. There by spreading the joy of running, or encouraging the pursuit of an active healthy life.
These kinds of individuals have been successful in bringing big teams to the CariFin events, especially at Sevilla golf course on the Big Day. Not just those who are the big athletes, but the good group organizers – (the unofficial leaders) who have the following.
Then let us remember the strong and influential marketing department who understands the importance of an event like CariFin, which has been serving the financial community for more than 14 years.
Who could forget the Legend – Nicholas Day of RBTT who would lead a contingent to CariFin, and also trained others to perform at a higher level. What about Vicki John of CITIBANK, who would bring a team of 45 plus on CariFin Day. The name Derek Stoute of Eastern Credit Union brought his team, bus, tent, drinks and rhythm section (Laventile Rhythm Section) following in his footsteps was Mrs. Eleanor Logie. Jason Fournillier of Intercommercial, who brought an institution which many said were not the outdoor type.
CariFin most improved participants in 2006
CariFin has always pride itself on the influence it has on altering or changing personal lifestyle from a sedentary to a more active one.
We have seen people who were just beginners at running or had never run before and see those same runners blossom into formidable performers.
It is important to have all the bells and whistles, all the fun and camaraderie, bringing teams and people together – but the thing that separate CariFin from others events is that nurturing, caring element that the Urban Challenge brings. The fact that we do, certain things in a certain way which clearly influences as well as motivate the individual to make a change in his personal life to add activity and exercise in their weekly schedule.
CariFin has recognized individuals who have persisted in their training and thus improved their performance from year to year.
This is based on their performance in the first event of the Urban Challenge. The One Lap Savannah (Queen’s Park Savannah), this is because it has a more consistent measurement (2.28 miles) than the varying measurement of the other events.
This category reflects the kind of consistency, passion and commitment that we hope participants in CariFin will adopt as they take responsibility for their own fitness and health.
The fact is that this event is open to the staff of the financial services sector; give participants a better chance of winning or placing in the top ten or age group or other special categories. Any way all finishers receive tokens and medals for finishing the event
Winners are recognize and honored at the prize giving ceremony, feature on websites and blog, in the news papers, radio and television and other media.
Here at CariFin we have done interviews with present winners of the major categories.
We have started a Legends Series that pays tribute to persons who have won the champion title for three or more times in row. (Check our website – www.carifinonline.com).
Every year we do a post card using the stars of that year.
The winners of the most improved for 2006 are!!!!
Men
Mr. Clem Jubrajsingh of RBTT made a massive leap in his performance this year of a whopping 10.36 minutes on his 2005 time… from 29.28 to 18.52. He received the "Most Improved" trophy sponsored by Woodford Café the number one Restaurant which is situated at No. 62, Tragarete Road, Newtown (622 -2233)
Krishendath Roopchand of
Republic Bank is so consistent year after year in his participate in CariFin, be it Urban Challenge or CariFin Cross Country. And with everything that you are consistent in you get better so we notice he did 26.1 in 2005 and posted 22.42 in 2006 a 3.29 minutes improvement.
Suresh Supersad
2 minutes.
Women
The biggest mover in terms of times/improvement in the women category was
Angel Barkley of Republic Bank; she did an improvement of 3.28 minutes to take the most improve athlete of CariFin 2006… She receive a trophy sponsored by Woodford Café the number one Restaurant which is situated at No. 62, Tragarete Road, Newtown (622 -2233)
In second place was Mumtaz
Amarali a long standing supporter and participant of CariFin she did 21.55 in 2005 and bettered it in 2006 by doing 19.25 and improvement of 2.30. Mumtaz went on to win for the first time the CariFin Burnout Title which took place at central Bank third floor on Wednesday April 18, 2006. In 2005 she copped the first prize in the first ever Ms. CariFin contest at our Cross Country and Family Day.
In third we have from Central Bank IT Department Susan Spicer improving by a time of 2.27. In 2005 she did 21.13 and 18.46 in 2006. She is a consistent runner doing half marathon and 5K throughout the year.
