Nikosi Mc Leish of RBTT Bank goes for his 4th straight CariFin title in the male CariFin Cross Country 3 lap event with Crystal Ann Awai of GHL striving for her 2nd straight win in the 2 lap female event on June 06, 2010.

This, the 19^th Edition of this event, with the main objective of promoting a healthier, more active lifestyle and generating closer relationships among the staff of the financial services sector.

It takes place at Sevilla Golf Course, Brechin Castle, Couva with participating Financial institutions Republic Bank, RBTT Bank, Central Bank, First Citizens, GHL, Grace Kennedy, Intercommercial Bank, DIC and CITI.

Mc Leish, if he succeeds in his quest for his 4th straight win this year would join the only other two past winners, namely Lander Rodney and Curtis Cox who were able to attain that mark or title.

Crystal Ann Awai aims to make it her 2nd win in row and stamp her authority in this running space.

The female race is carded to be the first of the two cross country races with the projected start timebeing 3.15 p.m. The male race takes off after at 4.45 p.m. A big turnout is expected based on the recently concluded Urban Challenge event participation.

CBTT Nicola Robinson lifts CariFin Aerobic Title

Nicola Robinson

Nicola Robinson of Central Bank was the last person standing after a little more than one hour in the CariFin Aerobics Burnout. After a close encounter with last year winner Mumtaz Amarali of RBL the judges give the nod to Robinson. Over 100 participants started in this the final event of the 4 part series of the CariFin Urban Challenge – Aerobics Burnout. This took place on Wednesday May 12, 2010 at the Central Bank plaza and started at 5.15 p.m.

The crowd which consisted of a large number of home based CBTT fans erupted in ecstatic jubilation as Robinson was the last person left on the floor. This win for CBTT continued the good run of success that CBTT have been enjoying in the female category by picking up top 3 placings and a victory in the previous running Urban Challenge running events through the in-form Esla Anthony.

Mumtaz Amarali was no walk-over in the “Plaza” as she was coming into this final event of the Urban Challenge with a win in probably the toughest of the 3 running events – The Green Mile.  Amarali pulled off the 1^st win of her CariFin career as a runner over the much fancied Crystal Ann Awia of GHL – the most celebrated runner of last year and Esla Anthony the winner of the One Lap Savannah.

In the end the CariFin Aerobics Burnout was a fine display of physical endurance and prowess from the full slate of over 100 participants who started to the final 5 that represented the crème de la crème of fitness in the industry. This shows the potential and the level of excellence that exist among our ranks.

The top 6 places in the events in ascending order were, 6^th Shirifa Baskh, 5^th Krystle Gomez of RBL, 4^th Filomi Marcano of First Citizens, 3^rd went to Esla Anthony CBTT, 2^nd Mumtaz Amarali of RBL and Nicola Robinson of CBTT took 1^st place. In the male category Ryan Pierre of GHL took 1^st place.

Should we have a category for bigger size people?

To do well in CariFin and in particular the urban is not an easy challenge. It not like when we just start 19 years ago and the naturally talented or you happen to be involved in the sport of running or aerobics you would win and maybe dominate. CariFin Urban challenge has an appeal and attraction that have cause participants to move from the casual position of weekend warriors or the off and on kind of participants to adopt a strict regimen of discipline, in sometimes year round activities.

This is a point we must recognize and we must reward the people who make the effort who improve, who come up to you and say, “I am going to train and come back and surprise you next year.”

That is the power of an event that has survived over the years to try to serve the needs of the staff of the participating institutions. That is mainly about staff satisfaction. When a staff member does well within the categories we have establish we recognize and honour these people through our various media. We give them a prize, a token, the recognition of an interview via, newsletter, blog, video or audio. At least we create a space for them to have and give them a bit of bragging rights among friends and colleagues.

It all about staff satisfaction, it’s all about recognition. This year I have seen a number of participants taking part in CariFin Urban Challenge that suggest to me as I have suggested to committee that we should have a criteria or category for people of certain weight. In triathlon they have the cydale category… The Biggest Loser competition have brought to our attention the need to create a space for big people to compete to be a part of everyday competition to give them a chance to challenge themselves, a chance to set goals to lose some weight. And this category could be very exciting and fun.

We should of work to put in place this category to cater for our bigger friends. This would of help us to help then in ways we have not dream of as yet. But firstly the participants this year who wish to get involved in this category would have to have their weight taken prior to the start of the series like at the one Lap Savannah. And the best of say the participants over 185 for the women and over 200 lbs for the men would qualify for a prize structure.

The weight registered this year would of being used to determine “the biggest loser” for next year.
What do you think should we introduce such a category? Do you think we could help or have a part to play in weight loss process of people in the financial services sector by offer this opportunity, categories for people to compete but at the end of the day we would be creating another categories of stars and winners just as or bigger than our overall or age-group categories. It gets my vote. What do you say? I see this having other spin offs and it look good. What is your opinion?  I would really like to hear you’re your take on this as we try to meet the needs of the levels of participants in the industry.

For one I will like to offer some special prizes for this special group of tryers.

Nikosi credits year round training for his progress in CariFin.

It’s not magic, it’s no difficult formula, it’s a simple mantra, “Just do it!”
Put on a jersey, running short and go out and train”. With this clear uncluttered way forward, it’s a simple road to running success for Nikosi Mc Leish. It’s the difference between him and next guy in CariFin. By making it so simple, a rule to follow the complexities and excuses to make the first step out the door is handled. It’s just the other motivational aspect that is needed for the actual workout and there is where a coach comes in, there is where Team Evolution Distance Project and coach Richard Jones comes in to make the workout matter, to put quality and quantity if needed into a day’s program.

Mc Leish is now more confident and self assured because it’s not an off and on relationship he has with running. It’s not a “three months” before CariFin thing.

It’s being there and dealing with whatever issues that may pop up, from the physical injury or the psychological aspect of fear and doubt.

Mc Leish is sharp and analytical in his approach to running, finding some of the best resources on the internet. He checks out the latest running results, looks at the races on youtube and other sites, follows his favorite runners, checks out their exploits (His Facebook middle name is Martin Lel)and he keeps himself motivated.

He’s into running tech gadgets and on a run, you may sure to see him with his Garmin sports watch – GPS-enabled personal trainer, wireless heart rate monitor, multisport, high-sensitivity receiver, courses feature, for advanced workouts.

Probably this is the appropriate time for some of us to take stock of ourselves and see how implementing or adopting a few of Mc Leish’s ideas as we develop into better runners or fitness enthusiast. It’s no point wondering in the wilderness of mediocrity and border line performance when a simple consistent approach may do wonders to turn your fitness life around into a more meaningful adventure.

Mc Leish 3 outta 3!

Awai storms back to take the hill!

Nikosi Mc Leish

Mc Leish makes it 3 out of three while lowering the time significantly further by one minute and two seconds, moving from time of 13.13 in 2009 to 12.09 this year.

After placing 3^rd in the One Lap Savannah and 7^th in the Green Mile in the two previous CariFin Urban Challenge races, Awai storms back to take Chancellor Hill, showing courage and strength of character in the process.

CariFin Chancellor Challenge – the third and final running event of the four part CariFin Games 2010 Urban Challenge, an inter financial services event promoting health and fitness, camaraderie and friendship among the staff of the financial institutions.  The race started close to the Horticultural Society at 5.15 pm – a two mile distance to the top of the hill.

In the male category it was more of the same with Nikosi Mc Leish taking to the front and separating himself from the pack with gradual distance. There were no challengers in sight as he reached the ¾ way mark in his mind was only the thought of crossing the finish line in a new PR.

This being Mc Leish’s last CariFin Urban Challenge, this is what he had to say, “It was a

Crystal Ann Awai

very emotional time, knowing I would not be participating in the Urban Challenge again.”

Ian Gibbs and John Donaldson of GHL and Grace Kennedy respectively who sometimes train together and are running mates, their combined forces did not work to hold off a hard advancing Mark Thomas of Republic Bank as he crested the hill to hold on to 2^nd pace in 13.50 . Thomas finished one better than his green mile position where he finished 3^rd behind Ian Gibbs and doing two places better than the One Lap savannah where he finished behind Gibbs and Donaldson both for 4^th place.  For this event Gibbs finished 3^rd in four seconds behind Thomas in 13.54 and Donaldson filled fourth spot in 14.17. Robert Sharpe of Republic Bank finished in 5^th place a time of 15.22.

Crystal-Ann Awai of GHL stormed back from two defeats in the CariFin Urban Challenge series to set a PR in the Chancellor Challenge. In 2009 the first time we did this event she won in 18.24 and this year she pushed the winning mark to 17.40 a 44 second improvement.

Salisha Julien of RBTT Bank – the debutant manage to settle behind Awai in a respectable 17.55, followed by Esla Anthony , the One Lap winner in 18.23 who was also tied with GHL’s Candace Rollock and last week’s winner Mumtaz Amarali only managed 18.50 to hold on to 5^th place.

In the walking race the winners remained the same Hollis Granville of GHL and Hazel Tywang-Maharaj of RBTT Bank finished in 20.44 and 23.40 respectively.

The next event of CariFin Urban challenge is the Aerobics Burnout which takes place at Central Bank Plaza on Wednesday May 12, 2010 at 5.00 p.m.

For the results – Running and Walking

For Chancellor Pictures Click Here

Look pictures in slide show – Click Here

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKVuXyw6810[/youtube]

Hi this is feedback Friday I am giving you the opportunity to tell what you think we should be doing. I am all ears.

It’s Friday and I am really excited as we move on to event number two, however, before I get too far ahead of myself, I want to thank everyone for coming out and doing their part in making the first event an overwhelming success.  The participation figures have reached a new high, you could feel the excitement in the air and the enthusiasm as the various colours and logos displayed produced a kaleidoscope.  It is heartwarming to see members of the financial services sector out in their running gear in the cool evening in the ambiance of the setting sun, challenging their fellow competitors and most importantly themselves, as each push to improve on their times.

I want us to hold it together as we move forward to stage two I want to encourage teams to continue training together building the team spirit and lift the level of fitness among your peers as we make this another memorable year of competition.

The women are holding strong, as they are all closely bunched together so anyone could win.  As the weeks roll along we will have to wait and see what would happen as this could open up the competition and make for a very interesting count down to the final.

The men continue to be an area that requires some encouragement and motivation as Nikosi seems to be pulling further away from the chasing pack.  The expected rivalry or challenge from the young FC runner didn’t seem to materialize and fizzle into thin air.  The hope is to have a more competitive showing in the male category by closing the gap…meaning the first place should not positioned two finish times ahead of the second place.

In light of the competitive nature of these events, we want to remind all participants of the true spirit of CariFin – fun, fitness and friendship.

I thank all the teams for coming out and a special mention to RBTT, RBL and First Citizens who have register over 100 participants, we are more than please for the big part you all are playing to the growth of this event and thanks to their team leaders who see the need to go out and market the event among their staff.

Thanks again and enjoy your weekend.

10 Things you should know about the CariFin Urban Challenge 2010 & CariFin in General

1. Both running and walking categories are catered for in the Games to try and encourage greater participation
2. The 3 running events would be categorized together.   So we would be able to assume the top 10 runners of the Urban Challenge. Points gathered here would be projected to the cross country for a top 10 ranking of runners in the Games.
3. This leaves the aerobics winner to be selected from the Aerobic Burnout and establish the best aerobics person in the financial sector.
4. The person who amasses the most points for the running events and Aerobics are declared as the Urban Champions.
5. The top 10 Finishers male and female in the Urban Challenge receive special finishers medals
6. At each of the Urban Challenge the top three finishers both runners and walkers would be recognized via a short medal distribution ceremony and photo session
7. We are looking for the team that makes the most noise, possess the personality and energy to be describe as the most (Energetic Team)
8. We are hunting for the Biggest Team of the Challenge the points would be taken to the Cricket, Football and All Fours and Family Day.
9. We are looking, hunting for the team leader who would lead the biggest Team to the Urban Challenge, the Cricket, Football & All Fours and family Day.
10. For the Family Fun Day we have Adult Novelty events with fun team things like Tug – of – War, Dance off – Teams would be asked to choose a Michael Jackson song and do a dance routine to it – the best routine wins, the kids have their kids park with lots of fun things including video games, There are running and walking events for all categories or level of fitness. Not to forget Ms. CariFin – the greatest crowd puller on the day.

Beat your 2009 time. It’s all about you!

CariFin is all about you the individual taking personal responsibility for your own level of fitness and personal well-being through these events. The Urban Challenge is meant to be… warm – up events to get the individual participants to an appreciable level of fitness where they could take on the uneven terrain at Sevilla golf course. The men have to run 3 laps and the women 2. This is why the 4 events making up the Urban Challenge is important as it offers a way for you to gauge your level of progress and fitness as we prepare for the big event at Sevilla.

The Urban Challenge is all about you the individual managing where you want to be on the totem pole of inter-financial fitness ranking. You may check your 2009 race times by visiting the website - Odysseytiming results page and see what time you did last year. Based on this information you decide what you want your 2010 target will be. As an example, you could decide on what time you want to accomplish for the One Lap Savannah after checking out your 2009 result and set a reasonable target for 2010 and, then you may, design a schedule to take you to that mark come Wednesday April 21, 2010. Make every effort to keep that schedule.

It is imperative to include long runs in your schedule to build a stamina base; it should also have interval, hill, strength and tempo training included. Keep up to date, read more about the sport, check out sites like Runner’s World, see what the international champions are doing in terms of performance. Some other website you should be checking is the IAAF site for all their previews and reviews as well as result and tips. Let’s Run is another site to book mark for results, interviews and video. In your planning get hold of a schedule of local events, check out the local Road Runners or Odesseytiming website. Additionally, run some of the road races, do some hikes for stamina, do some beach running, join a gym or do some weight training. Make sure you mark the date of your own institution road race if it usually organizes one.

The idea I am getting at is to keep on challenging yourself as it is not necessarily about winning or beating the next person but it is about you improving on your last attempt.  It is all about what you want and how much effort and time you want to spend on your own fitness. Note, at about this time, you would realize that mental focusing and mental preparation are important to set yourself apart from the next person who is just running for running sake. It is all about you so we expect to see your time improve over that of last year’s.

You are smart and intelligent and understand how these things work!

Okay guys, it was nice communicating with you, give me a call any time you want to discuss any topic (487 9487) or email me at wayneroberts445@gmail.com . I will be looking to see what level of improvement we have this year.

Good Luck!!