Finding the perfect running shoes -- perfect for you and your tight budget -- is one of the major concerns that first time runners usually encounter. I have heard enough excuses from friends and relatives who refuse to run with me because they find running shoes expensive.

Project Tikgirl lists apparel stores where you can get the cheapest pair of running shoes all year long. No need to wait for big mall chains to go on sale!

Note: Long-time runners can benefit from this post too, especially if you are looking for alternate running shoes that won't hurt your budget.

1. Factory outlet in Mamplasan

This is just a few minutes away from Mamplasan Exit of SLEX. If you are coming from Manila, you have to get to North Bound side and then take a left turn. It's not located along the road so it might be difficult to catch the road signs that lead to it. So pay attention to the right side of the road. 

We got lost when we first went there. But a security guard of a nearby establishment kindly pointed us how to get there. I am hoping that you'll find the same security guard. Lol. When in doubt, there is Google. 

Note: We went here because we were on our way to Batangas and it would be such a shame if we will not drop by. But if you are going here all the way from Manila just to buy a pair or two, kindly check the rest of the entry where I cited more accessible stores.

2. Nike Outlet in Sta. Ana Drive, Sun Valley Subd., Bicutan

If you are a Nike fan, they have 30 percent discount here. Sorry but I don't know how to get here again. We only went here once to buy Project Tikboy a pair of basketball shoes. Though we were able to get discount on the shoes, we can't say the same for the money we spent on gas. But if you are living in Las Pinas, Bicutan, Sucat area, I'm sure you'll find it good enough.

If my memory serves me right, they also have Asics here.

You can also try the Nike Outlet in Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

3. Adidas Outlet in Tutuban Mall

This is where I bought most of my rubber shoes. People often ask me if they are genuine Adidas shoes because they are from Tutuban in Divisoria. And, yes, it's a genuine Adidas outlet.  Here, you get 30 to 70 percent off from mall prices everyday not just on rubber shoes but all Adidas apparel. So that includes shoes, dri-fit shirts, jackets, pants, caps, among others. 

Last Christmas season, they had a Buy One Take One offer so me and self-proclaimed Project Tikboy bought our first couple shoes, the Mana 7. 

There's also an Adidas outlet store along C-5 Kalayaan. 

4. Fila running shoes

If you are not brand conscious, you can also try Fila's line of running shoes. I haven't tried it but if you are in a hurry and wanted to buy a pair so badly, I guess you can also give it a try. I don't know why but it's always on sale. I went to SM Harison in Pasay City last week and saw that it is still on sale. Price range is from P1,200 to P1,600.

They also have an outlet in Metropoint Mall in Pasay Rotanda. It's very accessible for LRT and MRT commuters.

5. Sports Warehouse in Waltermart, Roosevelt

If you don't have a particular brand in mind, one of our favorite apparel stores is the Sports Warehouse in Waltermart. Aside from the usual suspects Adidas and Nike, the store also offer a lot of other brands such as New Balance and Asics at a discounted price. 

Buying from outlet stores have its downside too. For one, you can't always find the exact shoes you are looking for. Consider yourself lucky if you get the exact one you are looking for. Others would say that these shoes are no longer in the prime condition but the ones I have listed above sell shoes that are still mint condition.

There are more factory outlets out there but those I have included in my list are places I have gone to and bought shoes from. For now, task completed.

Last Saturday, we chanced upon Manny Pacquiao during our badminton game at The Village Sports Club in BF Homes, Paranaque. 

Me and self-proclaimed Project Tikboy are big boxing fans so we grabbed the opportunity to have a photo taken with Pacquiao.

For now, task completed.

This is a long overdue blog post that I have been meaning to write since I attended the launch of Multisport's Running 101. During the event, Multisport EIC Patrick Joson asked us why we are into running.

To my surprise, I could not find the perfect words to describe how and why I decided to give it a chance.

I was never into sports. I think I've shared that in this blog time and again. During my high school days, I envied my classmates who were excused from our classes so they can play volleyball or badminton for school activities during intrams. But that envy did not progress into anything else -- like wanting to give it a try. I guess I only envied them because one of the perks was skipping classes.

My poor regards for engaging in sports continued and possibly worsened as time passed by.

During my second year in college, we were asked by our professor to sign up for the activity we wish to join for the intrams. Would you believe that I signed up to be part of the -- audience? Haha. So there I was, cheering for my classmates, eating in the gym's bleacher and having a good time.

It was my weight issue that alarmed me and pushed me to live a more active lifestyle. But I was lost. Since I do not know how to play any sports, I did not know where to begin. Until a roommate gave us free passes to a 5K race of 711 run back in 2012.

We trained hard for that 5K race. Everyday, me and my running buddy Shiela would wake up at 5:00 a.m. to jog at the CCP grounds. It was very difficult. I would run and then walk every 100 meters. But I eventually improved. Like a snail, I worked hard no matter how slow my progress was.

Running, after all, was a kind of sports that required the least hand-eye coordination. I don't need to hit a ball or go running after a shuttlecock. All I needed to do was to run, run and run. How can I possibly go wrong?

After crossing the finish line during my first ever 5K race, I was very ecstatic. I was tired but relaxed in a way. It was like getting a perfect score for an Algebra quiz and possibly even better. I was committed to experience that kind of "high" in the soonest possible time. And so I joined more races and trained harder.

One of the most obvious benefits of running is losing weight. But for that to take place, proper diet should accompany running. I committed the same mistake during my first few months of running. I used running as an excuse to eat more and I became heavier. So that's a big no-no.

Running also improved my sleeping habits. Though, too bad, I also have a hard time finishing my articles because as soon as the clock strikes 10 p.m., my eyes would start to droop. It also provided me a personal space and most of the time, while running, I get to go through my problems and think of possible solutions.

Here's a funny video I found this morning:


Running has become a big part of my life right now. Sometimes, I think I am crabbier whenever I don't get to run at least once a week, especially when I have a very tight schedule. I hope you'll find running as interesting as I do. 
For now, task completed.

It was a year ago when I began blogging what seems to be a decision of a lifetime. From being a couch potato, I worked hard all year to live a relatively healthier lifestyle. I say "relatively" because there were so many times when I failed and gave into the temptation of McDonald's. Hehe.

The photo at the left was taken during a coverage at Bacolod. And on the right was taken today, January 1, 2013.

It was running that took most of my time this 2013 because it was a physical activity that demanded the least eye-hand coordination. It is also the most budget-friendly. My first pair of Adidas rubber shoes, which was a complete steal because I bought it on sale, lasted for a year.

Me and my running buddies joined several 5K races before moving into 10K. But after my 16.8K run with Adidas, I decided to push myself harder when I trained and joined a half marathon during the last leg of the Run Rio's Run United Philippine Marathon.

In the last quarter of the year, I also got into yoga. I attended several community yoga sessions with Teacher Chaya. Though classes were temporarily stopped, I continue to practice at home, and, at times, in the office with my colleagues.

I was 140 pounds when I started my Project Tikgirl blog. A year later, and, not to mention that I ate a lot over the holidays, I am now 133 pounds. To be honest, I was a bit disappointed because I expected that I would be losing more than seven pounds.

So the task this 2014 is to work and train harder. Happy new year and cheers to a healthier 2014! For now, task completed.

This morning I attended the launch of Multisport's Running 101, a special edition for those who want to get started on running. Multisport is one of the magazines under the Hinge Inquirer Publications.

Running 101 is a magazine every newbie runner like me should get their hands on. It provides tips and training programs from no less than the likes of running and fitness coaches like Jay Valencia, Patrick Concepcion, Gerard Pizarras, Jaymie Pizarro (my idol, ehem), among others. 

Secondly, the tips I got so far are that practical one can give it a try the following day. I hate it whenever I read articles on running that sounds too idealistic or even dreamy. What every newbie runner like me wants are tips that are as easy as understanding go, slow down and stop. We don't want to spend more time trying to dissect these dreamy information than actually do it, right?

The write ups were written in a very inviting tone just like how they used to write articles on triathlon. I find their previous articles on triathlon very interesting even if I don't see myself doing it in the near future (I don't know how to swim.) 

Same goes for Running 101. It invites the readers to run because, as Multisport's editor-in-chief Patrick Joson puts it, not everyone can be a triathlete but everyone can run. 

Lastly, Multisport is for free. Unfortunately, I don't know where to get a copy because I usually get mine from The Village Country Club. (No, I am not a member but a friend is. Hihi). 

There are loads of points that Joson and other speakers raised this morning. And I'd be posting another blog entry for that. For now, I have to hit the road. Task completed.