Sunday, December 27, 2009

Running Blog #58: My first 21K an LSD

One of my wishlist for this season is to be able to do a long distance run.
Obviously a lot of us have difficulty squeezing a run session in the hectic demands of the christmas season....so even if I am keeping my finger cross at the back of mind the conquer corregidor event will be my last run or my last long distance run.
Then allergic pharyngitis hit me just like any other virus would weaken its victim.
After the fun and challenge of Corregidor my weekly mileage wane to an average of 6Km or once a week training =(

Yesterday we went to Panicuason hotspring for an R&R and we discovered that the ascent to Panicuason from San Felipe is fairly simple, easy and perhaps we can do an LSD....so last night we set it a date- LSD in Naga City =)

So this morning we head off at 5:30 AM- it was close to cancellation because I have barely sleep with my nonstop coughing....I am so disturbed by this allergic pharyngitis I feel like am asthmatic.
We did a 10.5K ascent and then go back another 10.5, we started from Bgy San Felipe Zone 6 and headed off to Km 451...I am not sure if it is Panicuason already (I can't wait to download my garmin)- I nearly kissed the kilometer marker as it was so difficult running in a continuous ascent- at km 8 I almost fell to my knees....then at km 10.5 my mantra is...."think positive wag kang aayaw!" yah...good thing I was running with my husband, he keeps me sane and keeps on motivating me to continue and complete the 21K exercise....it would do us good and help find justice in completing my first race for half marathon come February- run for the dolphins.

So on our way back we had pitstop for water. I was wondering why the cough reflex is often turned off while running-maybe next time I'll ask the good doctor how is that possible.
Then at km 18, my husband got hungry - that he bought himself kropek and some more water. Isn't it crazy....I bet the hungry feeling during corregidor race was authentic...it is not side stitch nor hallucination or sort of craving it was pure hunger. I was lucky this morning I was wearing a compression tights my abs even compressed that makes me think that hunger doesn't even come close to my imagination =)
Before we run I only had half banana and some water- the weather is cold so the first 5K was like a walk in the park.....the feeling is too different at km 19 to 21....exhaustion, the sun gets under my skin.

My run today introduce me to the beast of long distance run....I guess they were right as you increase your distance the game is more mental than it is physical. The physical preparedness is given but the mental ability to keep on going and beating the time is different.
I know in 2010 I will be running more distance....I will be more fit but should be more mentally prepared.

Today, I didn't hit the S40's time during the run for whale shark- my magic number should be 2:45 instead I finish roughly 2:49:53....I need to train better. Hello 2010....maybe I am in for more surprise I have 42K left to complete my 700K journey.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Run for the dolphins

Thanks to thebullrunner and Takbo.ph for posting the update of Condura Run 2010.



Last year I was suppose to run for the whale sharks --> but over sleeping is really my problem during race day. I didn't make it.


So far, I have already improved in waking up early- in fact the last few races I had - I was already on time ( I mean not on time for a gunstart but on time to allow some stretching and bladder break).


For details of this exciting event click here for the official site.



To make sure that my 21K debut will earn decent enough finish time- I consulted runners world for the quick 8-week training plan (I used my NB result as baseline).

Good luck to all the runners and Merry Christmas!




Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Isolation

December is the busiest time of the year....and getting a vacation is uhmmmm blessing.
Yes- for me my one week sick leave is a blessing in disguise. Really? Somehow, because finally I find again time to visit the blogsphere, facebook and other internet friendly sites....get to read again the book I was itching to finish and help make review materials for the kids.

But the sore eyes and sore throat combo is making me freak- of course I don't want my kids gettin the virus- so in the end I am in total isolation and Alcohol and Handsanitizer were my best bud.

The good news is my running doctor (ENT) advised me that I can still run. Well, I even discovered that neck up minor illnesses usually are OKd to run hmmm with exceptions maybe of dental extraction or migraine attacks.
But honestly since my doctor allowed me to run....I haven't done my drills.....ehem ehem because I had hard time sleeping with the bothersome pharyngitis grrrr!....

Tomorrow, I will try again and see if I can manage an easy run. Otherwise, I have to make up with the lost time or suffer on the d day.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Photo Blog #15: Puerto Princesa


On our way back home



Halloween night


Butterfly farm at Sta Monica


Bakers Hill Photo Ops


Crocs from crocodile farm

All photos were taken by my Nokia6300 phone- no edits. Most of the photos were taken by hubby and I'm too lazy to cross post here those that were already posted in FB.

Accommodation: Lola Itang, this is highly recommended- clean and cheap.

Day#1 -Oct 29 we arrived 1120H

Activities: City Tour- of course we don't have a tour guide, we opted to rent a tricycle that would take us to the various points of the city (including the cathedral).


I had a chance to run along the baywalk which totaled 5K- I was a little bored running the 500 m stretch.

We dined at Kalui- a very nice resto (which requires reservation hmmmm good thing were small family- hubby was able to nudge the manager to get us through).

Well the resto is famous for barefoot dining- you have to leave your shoes or slippers at the entrance.
 The food were really great. The wheatgrass with palawan honey is a must try drinks.



Day#2 -Oct 30 we woke up early....hubby and I sealed it with a kiss. Because it was our 11th wedding anniversary.

Spend the day island hopping at the honda bay (this was spelled hunda bay-which is which? am not sure about it). Again, we head off without a tour guide- this is to minimize expense and to get to know the locales better and interact with them. We find our way by commuting through a jeepney ride to Sta Lourdes.

The order of our island hopping visit is Pambato - which is really a fun filled snorkeling area. Then there is Luli -nothing much. But the island is interesting because the island is not visible during high tide (So Luli is for lulubog lilitaw)....reminds me of the famous Ms Universe pageant response on a question how many island does the Philippines have...."High tide or low tide?". Then there is starfish island- the starfish here are with hard shells, rich in calcium carbonate structure compared to the soft starfish we see in the beaches of Batangas. Afterwards we went to the famous snake island were we had our lunch a yummy grilled "Talakitok" and steamed crabs....I didn't know that two adults and two pre-schooler can consume 1.5kg of each viand harharhar....after lunch we had fun snorkeling the fish would go near over a pinch of bread...amazing. Our last stop is the Pandan island- in this place our boatman took us to a snorkeling site where I saw nemo's home the anemone....hmmm the clownfish isn't a funny fish, they were terretorial.

Before we knew it...it was almost four o clock time to go home.

Our way to the hotel was a little exciting- tricycle rent is really expensive so we end up walking the 1 km stretch from Honda bay to the main road hehehe so we can be a regular passenger (no tricycle offering their rental services)....I was telling my hubby if we could run 10K-why can't we walk the 1km? =) sometimes my responses could still be influenced by my running activities- maybe I'm crazy.

It was less than an hour ride to Puerto Princesa main city- so our next stop is the market...we purchased some cheap dried fish and nuts (kasoy!).

Dinner is at Bilao't Palayok- the resto is also good....but I realized we could have had our Anniv dinner instead to Kalui. But anyways, I enjoyed the exclusivity of the place- Kalui is usually jam packed....a lot of people wanted to partake the sumptous food it has to offer.

We were too tired that getting to bed and having a good night sleep was a wonderful luxury.

Day #3- Oct 31-We woke up early because we have in mind a swift run before going back home in Cavite. 8 AM is our supposed check in time.
But then the news of typhoon Santi in Manila glued as to our seat as we started watching tv to get updates....whoa! can't be another Ondoy.
Then the long wait is over- flight cancellation were announced-so we have to stay for another day.
Hubby immediately went to the airport to have our tickets reschedule the following day.
While hubby is away- had my breakfast with the kid....oh no! there were no more plans....I was thinking why not try the underground river. So while hubby is rescheduling our ticket, I was calling him to check out how we can proceed with the underground river.
Unfortunately, hubby was back 9:30AM which is already impossible to go to the underground river.
Sigh! Instead we went to the famous hot spring- we were sure it was good for our aching muscle. I noticed that the owners of hotspring were koreans. We were so early for that hotbath, it was only 2 PM.
Hubby loves hot bath so he and the kids enjoyed it. While I decided to examine the korean garden and the other pools.
At 4 PM we decided to go back to the hostel....but on downtown, we became curios about the vietnamese noodle- hmmm since the vietnamese refugee is not there anymore.....we find this noodle house exciting- they call it Pham Chao Long. Well the bread taste good, the Chao Long is a rice noodle the soup is quite sweet in blend.....hmmm maybe we Bicolanos are comfortable with spicy - my verdict it taste good but still nothing beats my favorite Loglog or Kinalas.
At dinner time we tried chooks to go- it's like Andok's- roasted chicken is their specialty, we took some stroll on the city plaza....oh the singing contest was just concluded....we didn't catch a glimpse of it. Their plaza is well built. Our attention was caught by the long lines of voters registering for the comelec hmmm this reminds us that its the final day to register.
Our Puerto Princesa visit is great! Adventure-filled and most of all value for money hahahaha....the airfare is cheap....everything was just economical- which is our target everytime we took a vacay-less spending.

Monday, December 7, 2009

I came I saw and I conquer Corregidor!



When I first heard about the corregidor 10 mile challenge - It was like hmmmm exciting, my first out of town run. The registration price? Not bad considering its an out of town trip with lunch and well organizing a run doesn't come free.

From day1 after our registration- I have no drive to beat a previous record of 2:01 in a 10 mile challenge. First because the previous 10 mile is short of 1K, second- the corregidor 10 mile challenge will happen a bit sunny already as it will start at 8am, and lastly because the corregidor 10 mile challenge will introduce me to what "Fartlek" really means-I mean beyond words I want my muscle to comprehend what this fartlek is all about.

So my game plan is to consider this my long run, which is part of my training program for my first 21K. And at the end of the run- ask myself if I am now prepared for a half marathon.

The hype of corregidor 10 mi challenge is really heightened. At the office we couldn't help talking about it....we were anticipating it, were excited about it and a little nervous- most of us haven't been to Corregidor, this is an unfamiliar territory for us.

Pre-race went on smoothly. We had our usual pre-race breakfast, egg, milo, sandwich. Then left home by around 4 AM. There were no hustles during parking- we waited our M/V SC. Everything is in accordance to the plan. The place is indeed for the runners alone. While on board the MV SC- the sun cruises staff offered the tour of Corregidor. We have our name listed but apparently we realized that we could be wasted to enjoy the tour so we hold our payment- and of course hubby was a little grumpy because he left his mighty weapon SLR nyahahaha. Before we docked I had one more sandwich and milo energy bar- feeling just enough food for the run.

We went to the baggage area- we were told that you can select from the available area allocated, there were no specific assignments - we were just told that someone is deployed to look after our baggages- we have no choice but to believe....and without a doubt- there were no reported lost baggage among our group and the nearby guys and gals who happens to bring their latest gadget in photograpy(at least within our area, I haven't confirmed in another tent).

We were told that the race will start at 8 AM- getting to Malinta tunnel was a short ride, I actually realized maybe we should have walked to Malinta as warm up instead of having a ride to that oh so cool tranvia buses. Also, there were some runners who weren't able to claim their singlet in Manila- which resulted delays in gun start. I bet it was more than 30 minutes delayed- at lot of us get bored. It was funny that a lot of runners (including myself) were impatient to have the gun start and most of the runners have to device various means like jump shots, photo ops etc to keep us busy some holler and demand that we start na. People were so bored-a lot of us were probably thinking of a terrible sun exposure. Maybe, the organizer could have added the usual stretching rituals to comoflague the late start hehehe.

at the starting line (the other end of malinta tunnel)


At the gunstart- my garmin lost signal. I have no choice, I have to run while trying to get a good signal and I guess I lost 600 m in the process- this is the lacking distance in my garmin....hmmm the downhill immediately turn into a major assault uphill waaaah! I thought I trained- but it was not enough....in less than 2Km I started my walk breaks....I cannot endure running the 45 degree assault because all the muscle group- calf, hams, glutes and abs worked up and I might cramp before the end of the race sigh! I realized that I have not done fartlek in the course of my running life and today- I learned how it felt- how the muscles worked....my mind was busy appreciating both nature, the historical time capsule probably recorded in each tree and on how my body works while uphill and heading downhill....then I also get busy smiling everytime I chance upon runner/photographer. Hmmmm....I guess most runner did not aim for PR- instead wanted to discover the surprise that Corregidor has to offer.
My training is not enough.....I need to find a fartlek training ground before my half marathon, it would make me strong.

Occasionally I would do people watching- I realized there were lots of couples running....hmmmm romantic running huh! With the cool breeze from the sea and some historical significant I am sure it was a nice conversation piece....an element for romance....very conducive for the singles huh! As for me, my husband speed up determine to do sub 2hrs.

Then came km 8- I was feeling the side stitch then I started walking and short running then I regretted having one more sandwich before the ship docked. Could it be the sandwich???

Then at km 10 it dawned upon me that I was actually hungry I drunk all my gatorade and water from my hydration belt and in every station I started grabbing water....waaah! I didn't know you could get hungry while running. Then I started to picture the pack lunch, the granola bar and all the food left in my backpack....waaaah! I felt like an animal running to catch its prey.

So at the final trail run I was running non-stop because I needed food at the finish line...my garmin registered 2:05 but I guess its more than that my guesstimate is 2:10- 2:14 finish time.

After reaching the finishline I hurriedly went to the hydration station- they were giving away water, granola bar from growers, TBR magazine, myra e moisturizer and ph-care. Whew! The taste of the growers granola bar felt so good in my mouth, then hubby picked up our lunch because I was so hungry already. My attention is all to my food and I didn't noticed that the short program ended.

Then the stage was swarmed with photo ops for some 750 runners- catching a nice photo souvenir in this adventure race. Wow! Everyone just needed a photo shot with the stage.

The long wait for the 5:30 departure was agonizing (knowing that we still need to work on the kids assignment at home). Some runners spend it availing the corregidor tour- we opted not to join aside from the fact that I was so wasted and our camera batt is already drained....instead of spending 250 pesos on the tour we bought the commemorative shirt of Conquer Corregidor.

my favorite group shot with the RunAdic

RunAdic tranvia shot courtesy of Edick

group pix at the finish line courtesy of Edick

So we spend the long wait taking a nap, some more walking like were in the park.

The zipline is indeed exciting (we've tried it from another place)? But we decided maybe next time in Corregidor.

thoughts....then before we knew it- 5:00 PM the tranvia started shuttling us back to the dock to board for Manila.

Overall- it was a great adventure from registration to the race. Maybe next time there should be more activities to cope up with the lull moments or an option to be able to go home early say 2:30 PM, I guess it's already enough time to freshen up and complete the photo ops. Whatever reason there is for the long wait to go back home still, I say this is one of the best race I had so far...hubby got his target of sub 2, I completed the race injury-free and so it is for my friends.
Probably this is my last race for the year. I'll just have more training runs left for my first half-marathon and future races for 2010.
Looking back- for this year 2009 my top five races are:
  1. Conquer Corregidor
  2. Time is Running: Run Rio
  3. NB Power Run
  4. Adidas King of the Road
  5. Milo Manila elimination and the Happy Run

I missed the Mizuno and Condura race- I'll keep up hopefully this coming year I'll be able to join and see what's unique on this races.

Now for final question- am I in for the half-marathon? Yes. And I will train. My heart says yes, but the body has to cope up with the ardous requirement of a half marathon. And I hope to have a strong finish.


post race photo ops




Sunday, November 29, 2009

Patience....Patience....Patience

Patience is a virtue....and I do not have.

I characterize myself as a very impatient person. Well, though impatient I am not the type who would have tantrums or misdemeanor during an "impatient" stage, I would always try to deviate my attention so I won't focus on time and distance (not necessarily running related).

Since I become a mother- I have made a decision to try patience a chance in my databank of virtue.
During my practice run- I have developed small amount of patience as I patiently wait for my second wind to kick in. I have developed my patience to endure some pains to get through distance- even thirst, I have patiently look forward for water station so I can have some water to sip in.

Today- I was surprised that I'll have another Pateince 101.

The much awaited New Balance Power Run was held this morning....I knew patience is what I need to endure the pains of my right big toe- according to google I am having Turf Toe- sigh!
Also, I decided not to wear the very revealing NB singlet-I didn't had the chance to have it repaired. The thought of a PR is not even in my mind- because since Friday- I had a hard time breathing during practice run. In fact, I can feel that not enough oxygen gets to my lungs and to my heart. Yesterday, we went to Tagaytay- to help me breath a fresher air- but it did not help either....so I decided that I will run and stop when difficulty in breathing is felt...and this is my overall strategy.

We were early this time- so hubby and I had a chance to do a 500 m slow jog warm up before getting to starting line.

My first 3K was devastating- I was gasping for air, but I can feel in my arms that its windy. I was wondering why I am not even perspiring....and was wonderin why there is not a sufficient air for me. Stopping at the first water station was a bad idea- so on my next stop back to the same station after I had my u-turn I grab more water and had it pour on my head. I continued a slow run then stopped in between because I felt like I am suffocating....in fact at Km 6 or somewhere along 5th ave before I crossed Lawton I knew one of the runners noticed my plight- he asked me if I was fine...I said yes- my pride just won't let an ambulance take me back to the finishline and be forever labeled DNF in this race....maybe not today...maybe there is a more serious reason for DNF- but not today. So I decided to take on the uphill with my baby steps and for the rest of it...I didn't care if there is air or not in my lungs I only care to run and occasionally my body would ask me to stop and wait for some air to kick in....in fact I managed to have some fun at that short distance in Mc Kinley hill where I tried taking my baby steps further after the u-turn....but had to stop on the final ascent on my way back to the finish line- when I'm feeling OK I would run again.....Luckily at Km 9- a sudden push kicks in-if that is the second wind- well thank goodness as it never wane....gotta believe it I still managed to finish a decent time of 1:02:02 breaking my previous record - unfortunately, according to garmin it is a little short of 500 m, garmin registered only a 9.52K distance...good thing we did a 500 m warm up so I am still able to complete my required training of 10K.
While in the line grabbing my medal, banana, water and sports drink- I realized had I not stopped on the course I probably made it to sub 60.

I feel tired and didn't bother to look around- I don't even know if there is a finisher certificate- I got a medal anyway. My mind was actually racing to another possibility- a relaxing visit to my favorite beach destination- Anawangin Zambales.
So hubby and I hopped on the car- leave the parking lot immediately....then about 200 m away from the parking lot he has to stop.

Tarannnnn! The clutch wont get through.....I am afraid of the implication- I don't know how to handle or manage a car....I am even a poor driver. Hubby checked on the hood and some fluid- when he got back he told me "Be PATIENT! We will run at a very low speed or on first gear and have no provision to stop because if I put on a break the engine will die and restarting is difficult."
I have no choice....actually I have hehehe he kiddingly told me that I can commute, call a taxi cab and go home or run along side the car and have an LSD wahahaha- this is tempting, but my right big toe is a little swollen.

So the longest ride from the fort to our house happened today- we totaled one hour and thirty minutes- as if we are on a heavily traffic jam situation.

So I have another dose of my lessons in patience...as we traverse the road, we still come across some 21K runners as we cross the 5th avenue towards Mc Kinley Road to EDSA- one guy was really angry because we wont stop even if we were running low....before the intersection I was already shouting at the marshall that we can't stop....but one of the 21K runner was furios- I can only symphatize with him, and as runners we were also ashamed of what happened- but our car condition is really something that we were still trying to learn as it was our first 1K after hubby tried on the first gear trick (which he tried to get through while the engine is dead- starting the engine at first gear is really very difficult and it requires certain foot dexterity to kick the car running).

The ride was full of silence- I was praying that none of the MMDA officer stop us or offered to have the car towed because somehow we are affecting the traffic....we ride it on full hazard signal and occasionally we would do hand signal among the fellow motorists.
I was saying my prayer- I can't leave my husband in that sticky situation, I still probably can help him in any way possible.
I was observing my husband while we are on our first gear journey wehehehe....I can't help but admire his coolness. He was cool about it- he was focused and God! he can even throw some joke...while I am just a passenger and yet I am silently restless....my mind is racing on all possibilities that might happen if suddenly he needs to put on the break or if an MMDA official stopped us and give us some violation- I am not even aware if low speed vehicles in an express way is a violation -sigh! my breathing is really very irregular....I can sense that I could have a heart attack anytime.

But everytime I look at my husband- I can see him very serene and just focused on the road. He can even engaged in a conversation with me post race topic (like he's next goal is gonna be sub-50), as if nothing is wrong.....waaaaah! why????? If I am the driver, I probably would park the vehicle on the side- wait for a towing company and call a cab to go home then arrange a mechanic to work on it.
There were several occasion that we have to stop- and luckily the engine didn't die- and then he was ecstatic when the gear gets through the 2nd gear.
At times that he stopped and the engine died- he will calmly restart the car as if...everything is normal.
Sigh! I was in totally awe on how he keeps his cool....I wish God showered me the same kind of coolness and patience.
Then I was thinking- even at a very slow speed we did it...we were home safe. This gives me a little glimpse of what half marathon would be like maybe even corregidor.

Hmmmm....our anawangin escapade will not happen as the car have to be repaired by tomorrow...and today maybe I'll just iced my swollen toe.

P.S. No photos- my photograper is on the run, which I bet he probably registered sub 60! Wohooo!

Friday, November 27, 2009

My christmas wish

I am a little sluggish today....I feel tired during this morning run at the island cove.

I made a mistake of taking a run in an empty stomach....I thought too much food yesterday would be OK to burn and not adding small amount of food before run (thinking about reserve energy =))- but I was wrong. At km 6, I felt like collapsing- good thing my husband passed by and he got me gatorade and granola bar. Afterwards, I managed to complete my 11K run as planned....but I ended up really sluggish and thirsty all day. Plus, I have this constant nagging pain in my right big toe hrrrr.


This afternoon, after two long years of an expired passport- finally I got myself time for a renewal...I was not in the mood - I feel so thirsty all throughout the course. After the appearance in DFA we headed to RUNNR- I was excited to get myself a tights- yes! the CWX stabilyx....actually I am planning to use this not only for running but for climb as well. To my surprise- they ran out of stocks for my size....waaaah! I was planning to wear it for the Corregidor 10 mile challenge-but it looks like it wont be there. Instead I got my son a running shirt that is to compensate for the gas bwehehehe.



So while waiting for my alarms for the pills and other vitmamins- I decided to hop on the blogsphere.....and what did I found in thebullrunner? LOL! The secondwind christmas registry. Wow! It was a very nice idea- but then I wonder who could be my santa?!? My generous sister is still out of the country and will be home until next year (maybe she'll bring me home some?); My friends- oh! I have barely rich friends and I doubt if they'll even bother hahaha; My husband- I really hate to ask him, but I hope he get to read this (sigh! but he rarely visits).


In between my thoughts- imagining my wonderful gifts, I am also searching about this pain in my big toe.....this link explains it's....Turf Toe. I started having a slight discomfort in my right big toe when I was trying to switch to forefoot strike. Then lately when I started training back with my Mizuno the discomfort became pronounced- I wanted to give Mizuno wave precision a decent retirement....so before it finally put to storage- I want to beat it with training and Corregidor....but now I realized- it is now one year old.....hhmmmm I guess I am back to my wish list.


So here are my wish list.....it just networks with my needs -running and non-running related and maybe I can update later:

  1. A new running shoes - to replace good ol' buddy wave precision.
  2. A stabilyx- that will take me longer and higher (ehem...means more mountain ranges in the coming year).
  3. A maipo- climb shoes....so I can play more with river trek.
  4. A new backpack hmmmm
  5. A mini notebook-ehem....pink would be nice at least lenovo.
  6. A colorful running shorts that comes in yellow, orange, red, pink etc etc
  7. A colorful running shirt that matches with wish list #6.
  8. A nice abs - a waistline of 25 in would do (whahahaha- this comes with a hard workout! because am not gonna give up my 2 cups of rice)
  9. A long distance run...a real one during December (wahahaha despite the party fever every friday!)
  10. A nice beach party in December! Maybe...Anawangin- I shall return? Or Atulayan an overnight adventure?
  11. A bull market in December so I can spend every winnings in item 1-10!
  12. An ill-free and injury-free holiday for my family and the rest of the running community!


What a nice thoughts to cap off the day!
Good night!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Running Blog #57: Timex Run




Great morning! Great Run!
Timex Run is one of the best race I had so far.
I have no complaint.....maybe except for the fact that I never got a solo pix with Piolo (LOL!).



The water station is longer this time (compared to the previous races) and 100 plus is indeed a plus!

I actually stopped on almost all the water station and had no problem grabbing one.


It was also pretty exciting that at the last water station there were sexy ladies cheering and giving high fives -well why not so I high five with them too! I guess its not only the guy runner that they intend to hi-five LOL!

The weather is great! I had fun running and had not stopped in any point of Buendia flyover....sounds like a great improvement for me. But in reality, I can't stop because my calf muscle is painful- I had a severe cramps yesterday afternoon while resting after I did some calf muscle massage in my foam roller. It was like a jolt and I felt some contractions in my right lower leg (calf to be exact)....Timex run immediately entered my mind- I was even thinking of quitting maybe a DNS as option....but who can I resist the idea of running and chasing Piolo LOL!

So what I did yesterday is to ice my calf muscle, elevate it for 30 minutes and have some walking at the nearby mall LOL! When I got back home I had loads of banana and one tablet of glucosamine chondroitin. Before bed time I even tried PACMAN's Alaxan FR (nagkapilipilit na muscle lang yan LOL!).

When I woke up this morning- I had a stinging muscle....I was praying so hard that it will not stucked. I had a MILO energy bar, one banana, half wheat bread with peanut butter and sip of gatorade- then I had two glasses of water. We arrived at the fort having a full stomach feeling....this makes me think again of possible side stitch and waaaah the dreaded calf cramps......but I try to be positive by thinking aboutPapa P LOL and the idea of fun run with my friends Kathy and Benet. When I checked in the starting line I tried looking around for Benet and Kathy- this run was supposed to be our trio run or birthday run2....months back we planned to run this race with Kathy who just got back from Singapore...and she happens to be my original running buddy in GBP.
But there is just about 4000 runners to scan faces with. So...after going back and forth and bumping from runners of familiar faces I decided to stop my search operation and proceeded just in front of the stage....still looking around but not succesful enough to find my friends- well I left my phone so I have no other means but to check on faces. Sigh! Why didn't I SMS them last night....waaaah! I was so busy trying to neutralize my painful calf.


Then came the gunstart. Luckily I have not feel any pains even if I have not stretched enough. Then at crusin speed- all the pain is gone. I attacked buendia flyover with my baby steps....I do not intend to walk. Along the flyover I saw Ani de Leon- the ironwoman, high five with Randy, chanced upon Christy and had a short talk, then at Gil Puyat.....there.....I saw Papa P - I gave him a wave and he return back a handsome smile......wow....I thought I'm gonna faint right there on my track LOL!




Then next stop is another water station before the U-turn and after few more steps I got another water and 100 plus. Going back to the flyover was a little bit of challenge. Uphill would mean more stress on my calf muscles but luckily I did not stop on my way back to the stretch of buendia flyover....guess what? I actually stopped and had walk breaks at Km 9- huhuhu I can't resist the idea of stopping and checking why my calf won't cramps even if my feet starts having needle pricking sensation. I checked on garmin and it's almost 1:00+....I decided to pick up myself and started running again on my most possible top speed- yet I can't managed to gain more speed....I almost quit and almost try another walk break but the sight of the finishline tells me I am almost there. I did a sprint and my final glance at the time is 1:03:55. Whoa!...I have broken my personal record. And did I even hear my name mentioned by the host as I reached the finishline?

After the run I looked around for water- but what I found is the tent for 10K lootbags- without the line....wow! isn't it great. Then I wander around and fall in line again to the photovendo it was just 6:48 AM- it was really cool because you get a printed copy of your finish line pix- something to post in my cube.


I'd say that the timex run is one of the best organized run by Coach Rio.



I didn't found my friend. I did not even chance upon them at the U turn.



After roaming around, having my pix and almost stalking Papa P LOL! When he passed right in front of me while I was striking a pose for my souvenir pix (see photo below- how hubby captured me screaming LOL!) and a lot of people flocked on him. My hubby thought Papa P was sticky because I got lost when he passed by LOL!


I have to be contented with this pix- double Papa P

At the parking lot, I learned that Benet was sick and as for Kathy well...she made it but I learned about it when I was already home =(

Today is my scheduled long run based on my training plan I am still right on track.

Ciao!

Monday, November 9, 2009

Running Blog #56: Philippine International Marathon

I learned about the November 8 race way back October- I just thought that it was just another fun run to raise fund for the Pasig River. I have no idea about the race, who is gonna sponsor etc....on a day to day basis I get updates from TV courtesy of shuttle bus, forwarded emails and eventually it was out in a blog with a lot more specific.

I seriously considered joining PIM:Pasig River after KOTR.
I registered together with the previously owned (or still partly owned) Lopez company, so I didn't went through the horrors of the registration and race kit claiming that I have read through various blog. But I suspect that the person who handle the claiming of our race packets experience the same.

During the race day- as usual we woke up late...in fact I thought it was another DNS hahaha.
But waking up at 4:30 and coming from Bacoor is a little advantage. So for this race I only had a banana and few sips of gatorade then we drove off to Roxas Blvd- we parked about 10m away from the starting line and the emcee is already calling all 10K runners. So we went straight to the starting line without our numbers hmmmm like bandit? Yap, because we have not get our race packet from the nice guy who claimed it for us- so we waited just near the check in. Luckily 10 minutes before gunstart our race bib arrived- I decided to wear the singlet on top of my running shirt....even if its too hot. Hmmm no choice I don't want something in my hand while running.

My race plan is to just run and enjoy the idea that this run is for the clean up drive of Pasig River. There were lots of personalities I saw at the starting line- from various industries and well people watching is a little exciting.

This race was a feel good run....occasionaly I would chase my husband when he is out of sight hehehe this is my trick to figure out if I can run faster hehehe (promise no other reason am not a jealous type he can enjoy watching running babes nyahahaha) when I least expected a performance level, I didn't realize am gonna bring out my best foot forward -yes because that day I did a PR- a difference of less than 3 minutes against my previous performance. Somehow maybe just maybe I indeed experienced the second wind or chasing hubby is a good technique.
Ciao!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Running Blog #55: And finally 500K....

After being inspired by the 1000KM club of the baldrunner last December 08- I started monitoring my mileage....then I discovered ticker factory at takbo.ph- I logged my run on the ticker factory and finally it took me more than ten months to hit a mileage of 500 Km.
On the average this is equivalent only to 10-12 km per week total runs.
But of course in reality there were many weeks that I have not run.

My minimum distance run in a week is 5 Km and the longest distance or mileage I had in a week is 35Km. The range is quite big- it depends upon my motivation =)

It felt good that finally I got numbers to think about - if this is work, this will serve as a very good baseline data to help improve my metrics.

But then this is running....my metric is simple to run and always run....and the mileage will follow. Besides, I find it as a recreational activity rather than competitive.

I hope to complete the next 500K at a better time may be eight months hehehe.
With so many race event on the list-I am certainly on board to hold a better finish time on my next 500K mileage...and maybe its time to follow smartcoach training plan or maybe attend a running clinic (i wish i wish) =)

Monday, October 12, 2009

Running Blog #54: Hoping to hit that 500K soon

I feel good today- I was able to do a practice run even if it's just 5K.
What made me happy is the fact that I clocked 33:39- I believe this is the fastest I made lately....I even forgot that I could do 29:30 (hehehe I can't even claim that it's sub-30).
But anyway, for several months I was stucked in between range of 35-40 min finish time for 5K.
Today's run gave me hope that I could do better.

As I reflect on my running activities I realized that it has bring so much to me.
I didn't expect that this could give me so much happiness....probably happiness is an understatement- bliss! that's it.
Now I have to run 60K more mileage to complete my 1st ever recorded 500K- then another 500K I hope should take lesser time.

Actually when I started charting mileage since Jan 09- I thought completing the 1000K will be as simple as completing within a year....but I was wrong- Imagine it's already the 10th month of 09 and I am still approaching to 500K. This however does not despair me. It rather give me chance to analyze what has been the past 10 months.
Well, I was trying to balance between being a mother, an employee and of course trying to find the best in me....

I'd like to believe that I probably fall in love into this sport so much...that I could try to find time to express myself to it.....yah!
I think love without expression is not love- it's just idea.

But just like any lover- I am not perfect. My discipline dwindle and I got bad days too.
Sigh! And my ever patient lover does not complaint...but would show me when I spend lesser time running---I became slower, prone to injury and of course a lot of walk breaks during race day.
Ahhhhh.....it's easy to run it's simple just put on your shoes and there you go...it becomes complicated as you develop that relationship of loving the sport because you try to spend more time with it while balancing other aspect of your life.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Running Blog #53 Rescue Run



Last Saturday we treat the kids to the rescue run.

They know that the run was intended to help the kids affected by the flood of typhoon Ondoy (of course that is how we told them so they can relate).

It was a lot of fun....unlike the looney tunes run- this time Matti and I were the last to hit the finish line.
We got the chance to meet with the bull runner- but failed to had photo ops- because the kids were too tired after the run and we were in a hurry to squeezed their monthly check up with the pulmo doctor Nep.
P.S. All photos courtesy of my dilapilated K610i.


Thanks to the 3K marshall for taking this shot- sorry I forgot to ask her name.



Sunday, October 4, 2009

Running Blog #52: My first 10 mile race

I am happy today at the thought that I have completed/finished the race of 5th Octoberun Festival. I am a finisher of 16K my time is not a PR time but I was happy I was able to run a distance of 15K (this is based from Garmin). This is my first time to run this distance. In fact, this is the farthest that I have run in my running history.

The weather was fine it felt good. But there is certain sadness in this event - it was supposed to be festive....but I guess who would want to be in festive mode when most of our brothers and sisters are striving the aftermath of the typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng. The country is in the state of calamity- it was in the news yesterday.
As I run this morning- I dedicate the run to those who have survived and recovering from the aftermath of Ondoy.

For several weeks, I have not run because of bad weather and some responsibilities at home- but it did not stop me from coming today. The 15K is equivalent to 2 or 3 days of practice run....I guess this is the beauty of joining long distance races -of course the race should not compensate the missed run....because if you missed your training you ended up beaten like me. I have to do a lot of walk breaks, suffer over pronation, felt what its like to have fallen arches and well there's just a lot of pain when trying to run faster.
I have a fair share of lessons learned in running -there is no short cut. It's finite if you wanted to go 6 or faster you have to be consistent with the tempo and speed runs. The fartlek will help survive the hills...its suicidal for me to go into the range speed of 6 up without training so I stayed at 8.

In my wildest dreams I wanted to do 21K and 42K at least performing within the curfew hours.
This is to gauge my baseline- eventually I'll try to find my PRs.

Todays run is about hope-when the sun shone while I was on the road....I felt sudden relief....glad to see the sun.
I know there is hope for my fellowmen and for me as recreational runner. I thank God for the opportunity to be able to run again. All the pains were humbling- I know a lot out there is probably in need of care and treatment- these thoughts keep me going and before I know it....I hit the finishline.

P.S. No photos, unfortunately there is no photovendo this time.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Running Blog #51: 405Km and counting slow......

This afternoon is really different from my previous training or as I call it practice run.
I started out with two of my colleague and then they speed up, I cope up, eventually I was alone and managed to conquer 5K at a decent time of 35mins.

I have been slowing down in terms speed and mileage when the calendar jolted a lot of rainy days....most of the runner/blogger I have been visiting or stalking (hehehe) have been running regularly despite heavy rains (or even with injury). I have very few memories of running in the rain...its fun but I always think twice during weekends....like the LSD with Takbo.ph where eventually I lost to cold feet the opportunity to run the LSD and meet the nice people of this group.

Todays run is particularly different....I have to relinquish all the stress of my daily routines....I was working round a clock over the weekend after our home was flooded (I mean the clean up). Yes I have my share of story but I was humbled by what I see everyday in the news....I can't imagine metro manila will suffer this bad. I used to live in the typhoon capital Bicol region....we were used by this flood....I have grown up knowing that preparation is really the key to succeed the angst of nature and live tomorrow like the typhoon was just a thing to conquer by waried soul.

While running alone the hilly part of GBP.....I try to attacked the hills like I haven't seen my friend for the longest period of time...that is how I feel about running. Last Saturday I woke up early morn with the hope to run but the heavy rain stopped me...I just couldn't leave the door.

I have mixed emotion today, the tragic events- life in general and how much running influence much of my everyday lessons.....as I run today, I have listed several important lessons from this tragedy:
  1. The wrath of nature must be acknowledge- its there already, something that we have to live up because the influential personalities have not done their part.
  2. The wrath of nature will not subside any soon as most of us are irresponsible citizens who can never take responsibility even with their own garbage.
  3. That whatever you throw will come back at greater scale.
  4. That being prepared will help us survive upcoming probable chaos (this is scary I am being negative - I really feel like doin an FMEA hehehe).
  5. That gaining life skill would be a key to survive. Like learning how to swim, rock or wall climbing or rapelling, or having BMC(?)
  6. That being physically fit will help propel needed energy or strength in times of extreme condition.
  7. That running regularly will help realize item #6 (still related?)

The other day- I was even telling my husband maybe we should do some drills, so we can assess how well we can respond in this type of emergency situation. Hahaha he gave a laugh. But I was serious- just like in any ship or any company who perform emergency drills to ensure that lives are spared.

Yes it sounds absurd- but if it works for institution maybe it could also in the basic unit of our community- the family. This is how the paranoid OC thinks while running (my apology).

Sigh! Good night may God and His legions of Angels always watch over our brothers and sisters in peril and those who continue to serve and faithful to Him.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Running Blog #49: Looney Tunes Active Run with the family

Running is one of the best influence I had with hubby.

On my birthday few months back- I wished that this influence will be extended to my children.

We occasionally run together in island cove and MOA with the kids- but they never run a race....so when we heard i mean read about looney tunes fun run (of course courtesy of the bull runner) we immediately signed up.

We have to prep the kids, we have to wake up early, they have to run 3K which we haven't tried in any of our practice run....then our action plan on what to do if they utter the word "Ayoko na!" (Surrender! nyahahahaha).
My husband and I agreed that they should finish the race on foot- not that we can't carry them hehehe (I think I can managed- my technical bag sometimes really weight a lot during climb...so I guess I should be able to carry anyone of them).

Come race day.....

Sometimes planning helps but execution is more important.
Sigh! We woke up late!And yet......we arrive MOA like 10 minutes before the gun start.
Great for a pre race photo ops.
L-R: Benet (ofcmate), Ash(her daughter), TJ, Me & Matti




Matti & Daddy

My daughter is surprisingly game (d sya nag inarte hahaha).

At gun start she was excited to run.....yeah she run like she's gonna get a medal.

My son on the other hand (who is consistently game and sporty) was a little grumpy....he wanted to walk and wont run hahaha.

TJ and I paced while Matti and Daddy took a long walk.

TJ is very competitive -she positively respond to my chant "go! TJ go! Tj go!"


She would occasionaly ask for water and had her walk breaks and then soon....Daddy and Matti is out of sight.

After 2 kms the dreaded.....

TJ: Mommy Ayoko na!

Mommy: Are you sure? If I carry you to the finishline- you have no certificate and finisher shirt. (sad face).
TJ: Hmmmmm (facial expression: bad idea).
Mommy: So lika na- karga na kita!

TJ: Lets walk na lang muna ha. Sakit na paa ko eh!

Mommy: OK!

So we continue to walk and would jog in between to break the boredom waaaaah! the longest 1 km of my life.

Last 500 m- TJ spotted Daddy & Matti ~250 m away from us.
TJ asked me to wait for them (sweet!)

Then, TJ told me "Mom! I missed them." - then before I could even respond she ran back and meet Matti with wide arms (cheesy! sigh We didn't caught this on cam).

So after the kiss! The two looked like they haven't seen each other for age (hahaha)

Matti came to me then told me that we run fast....and he did.

Wise little boy! In the end our finish time record showed he finished first then me, then Daddy and TJ came last.

Boy! I didn't told them about the numbers (as this might be a constant cause of discord!)....but TJ believed she raced good and she was ahead of Matti =P

I thank God for this moment....because one of my birthday wish was granted....there is really a good timing for everything.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

A peek on the Iron Man 70.3

I had to come home to CamSur last thursday night to visit my mom.
It was great that she was ok when I arrived home.

Come sunday, I had the opportunity to watch a few stint of IronMan 70.3.


I was already at CWC when it gunstarted for the leg1- which is the swimming event.


I was fortunate to see the great athletes did their swim.....it was a whole new experience, it was far different from the swimming event you watch on olympic pools-where each athlete gets their respective lane, I was like seeing a marathon in the water.


The bike park was something....it was a display of expensive and most advance bike in the field- I can't imagine how much all these bike costs....I'm sure its millions =)


When the first athlete gets out of water to run on another lake for the last leg of their swim- I got a chance to see Coach Rio who is gonna race for the relay under his timex runrio team. We had a short chit chat as he doesn't know me personally but of course I know him because most of the races I joined was organized by his company.


After an hour of roaming around the heat without bottled drinking water, I decided to leave- I was a little sad because I didn't catch a glimpse to my favorite athletes like Sen Pia Cayteano, Leica Carpo, Carina Dayondon (everest summitter) and the rest of the Filipino elites. But I know in my heart that these elites will do their best for the country.


On our way to the parking lot- I have been photographing those ahead of the pack and is already on their bike. Then I get tired because the subject were very dynamic....am not a very good photograper. Alas! in a blink of an eye.....the athletic senator passed me huhuhu didn't get a chance to steal a photo shot.


Anyways, being an spectator in the Iron Man 70.3 is a great experience. But I guess not only for me but for the province of CamSur. The good governor did great job in developing our province as a hub for extreme sport- I am not sure of the data yet but according to some hearsay- our provice got the highest tourist visitor for the fiscal year.


No doubt about that- CWC, Caramoan and all other great places to drop by in the beautiful Bicolandia is a surely adventure packed.



When I got home in Cavite I decided to check on the stats and official time. Wow! Congratulations to Team Timex-RunRio for bringing home the 1st place in the team category, the good senator for being the 149th finisher and 2nd in her age category, Carina Dayondon 143rd finisher and 5th in her age category, Leica Carpo- 6th in her age category and the rest of the Filipino elite, you may check on the results by clicking here. Bozzone and Bentley topped the triathlon event.



My only pix during the ironman 70.3 nah! and its overexposed waaaah!

Behind me were the great athletes doin their swim leg (of course they were not even visible bwahahaha! below is the closest I can get)


The bike park

This is the closest I get (so the shoes and their essentials were placed next to their bike :-) )






Monday, August 17, 2009

Running Blog #48: Running Date at Kenny's OPEN URBANITE RUN

The urbanite run was my first night run.
I usually run after office but it only goes as late as 7:00 pm.
Running at 8:45 pm was totally a whole new experience.

It was actually a running date with hubby- we decided to run together on his first 10K.
And we decided to keep pace, it was dark and it feels better knowing your running side by side with someone you know. I regretted not bringing my headlamp.

It was a great run, there were plenty of water and sport drinks, marshalls were present and the course is indeed challenging. I particularly enjoyed the challenge of McKinley Hill and the very humid weather. It becomes uncomfortable specially because I also have a period.
I thought I'm gonna faint at the finishline.

Even if that run is my slowest PR in 10K- I had a joy knowing that I finished the race. It was a wonderful experience...it made me a little stronger and made me rethink about my training =)

One setback though is that hubby and I have no pix together- I was the only one who gets pix at the photovendo (He was on my left unfortunately photovendo captured someone on my right. Sigh!).



Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Running Blog #47: Run for Cory

Last night I saw the Bull Runner's call to run for Cory, it was an invitation in behalf of the iamninoy steering committee.
I heed the call to run for Cory but not in Alabang.
Yes, my husband and I with our friend Pearl ran along the island cove in our yellow shirt, of course I wore my iamninoy shirt.

For several days ...I try to ignore the feelings.... I couldn't watch TV because I don't want to breakdown in tears.....but what can I do the whole nation is sad and crying for we have lost a gem. We lost someone who sparked the spirit of patriotism. We lost an icon.
So this morning after our 1 km run for some reason the rain poured....then I allowed myself to cry.

I have no close encounter with the former president...the best memory I had with her is during the 1986 EDSA revolution- at that time...I know that the demonstrations were genuine...were never staged...people come because they believed. Unlike today, I don't know what become of our country.
As I run this morning...I realized that maybe asking what has become of our country is a lame excuse. I realized that to make it better it must start from within. And the greatest lesson I had from her is that we are special, we can make a difference in our simple contributions. Our country never runs out of great people, of great potentials, we may have differences in political opinions at the end of the day we all intend to make things better because we owe it to God and our forefathers...maybe this is the reason why Ninoy once said "The Filipino people is worth dying for."

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Memory Lane

This last two weeks is zero mileage.
I felt really bad! But what can I do...I can't run huhuhu the weather, the fever, the kids also having fever huhuhu even if I registered 10K for the urbanite run....I haven't had any mileage in two weeks. I guess I have to contain myself training for the last 13 days.

So today I decided to climb the attic to give a little push to my sweat glands and check on some things like the leaking roof, pests etc.
But instead I caught sight of the box......tadan! my memory lane.

I remember I was newly wed when my mom shipped that box to me.
Her main reason, I wouldn't want it thrown away...Gosh! That was startling 11 years back.

So today....I decided to open it.
Like pandora's box....it contained a lot of junk and ideas....so many loose papers.
Loose write ups that didn't get to publish....I was even thinking of creating a blog to post my archives - collection of poetry and short story....but its just too time consuming.
There were even...our old paper organ trailblazers (which I was member of the staff during highschool days), the democrats (college), the torch....oh! and I saw a mixed up blue and gold from AdeNU- I bet that was my sister's.

Then there were even penfriends in my highschool days...hahaha....when the email is a thing of the future and snail mail is the IN means to communicate.

I realized that I love to write....not necessarily a good writer but I love expressing my thoughts so even my academic notes in college days...there were silly notes about feelings, about growing up, uncertainty etc.

Now the memory lane reminded me just how much I hated mathematics....my integral calculus notebook is filled with mixed emotion and perplexity on how I took up an engineering course....it's all written in there and it was so funny.

This poem which I written around 1994- struck me....I don't know about the motivation or what I was feeling when I wrote it.
As I was contemplating about it today I realized that it seems I saw the artwork in my dellusional state when I gave birth to my first born.


Saga

Daily battle,
wit and fits.
People live and die,
as time passes by.
Memoirs are there
standing by!

Constant changes,
like a song that fades....
cry of a newly born babe,
endless generation
never to stop!
await....SAGA

Sigh! I still doesn't want to throw it away...I never get to sort everything...I took a few sketch from our artist back then- and am planning to scan it.
I guess some great memories
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Saturday, July 25, 2009

Low mileage....no runs.....just thinking about running.

For this week...the only running mileage I recorded is the 5K run last Wed?
I can't manage to squeezed running in my schedule.
There is just a lot of things to do.....and TJ's high fever recur over Friday..another episode of 40 deg C temperature. Sigh!

I don't understand why running everyday makes me feel good.
Yet not running at all I feel sad =(....I even have backaches!
Maybe running just became an integral part of my life...it's like food....I feel weak without run.

To perk up my mood- I check on the results of run for home. The last race I was in....and there were pictures too.

....presenting my latest recruit....his official time is 28:1 (gun start) and 27:57 (net, timing chip) for 5K category. Yep, my husband is also into running now. This is his second race. This means my photographer is now on the run too!


Sunday, July 19, 2009

Running Blog #46: RUN FOR HOME



What a day!
Probably as of this writing many bloggers and runners found their way home after the very first RUN FOR HOME. The event was organized by Finishline and sponsored by GLOBE and Ayala Land with Habitat for Humanity as beneficiary.

As usual right after finishing our run, hubby and I sneaked out immediately and went home. This time we need to be home fast because our nanny's gonna be out for her day-off.

So while most runners are probably having reunion hehehe- I was already home washing the dishes =)


This morning race is full of surprises. Yeah.
Some of my first time experiences in this race.

  1. This is the first race that we arrived early in the venue...Thanks to my hubby who is also racing for 5K we managed to wake up early. Btw, he did great a PR of 23 minutes (unofficial time) hehehe according to him his target is actually sub 20...honestly I am sure he can do better than his MILO time. He is better in shape and in sports. I guess it was easy for him to shift into running....he's got a lot of sprinting exposure in softball =)
  2. This is my first race that I get to meet with Benet, a colleague from ADI. And I even got to meet her brother and in-laws. They were all running in 5K.
  3. This is my first race with my AdiTempo...well the reason I was using this shoes is because- I thought it's gonna rain...hehehe last thursday it was soaked in the rain though the shoes is already dry hehehe I don't want my mizuno getting wet.
  4. This is the first race where I got a lot of blisters waaah! what's in the shoes?
  5. This is the first race where I got to wear my iamninoy shirt. And there were number of us wearing it....my singlet is quite big for me.
  6. This is the race where I did people watching....admiring fellow runners of all ages, shapes and status. I didn't know people watching is fun.
  7. This is my first hand experience with the electronic timing chip....cool! There is no need to fall in line to have the barcode collected (Yah! High tech!).The electronic timing chip will record accurately based on the time I crossed the starting line...passed the 5K slot and as I crossed the finishline. According to the leaflet distributed after the run- official result will be available by July 23.
  8. This is my 10K run that I regretted having my hydration belt. Boy! There were lots of water in the station.
  9. This is the first time I saw a newton shoes in real life hehehe...I saw a guy running ahead of me...he is wearing Newton. Got caught my attention with the lugs in the forefoot looks familiar....Yah! But what really perplexed me is that...did I saw the rubber on the heel side of the sole flapping? Or was it just my imagination?
  10. This is my first race where I didn't get a practice run throughout the week. (Unlike the MILO event, I was dragged by my husband the day before the race for a practice run in island cove hehehe).This run surprised me I ended up at 1:10:00 based from my Garmin- perhaps my official time will be near my MILO time....bwhahahaha. I just can't believe it...I was thinking I'll hit a little under 1:30 maybe 1:29:30 nyahahaha.

I am trying to recall my run throughout my race period with the help of Garmin Connect- and I realized that I started hard. I guess this is the reason for a high %HR.
In fact, when I started traversing the Kalayaan flyover I noticed a different rhythm in my heart beat (and a little chest pain which bugs me since the other night). So upon seeing the first water station I decided to stop take a 100 plus and water hehehe even if I have one in my hydration belt- I felt it would be good to take a stop (my first wall hehehe).
Then to take away my mind from the chest pain...hell it was barely 2 km...am endangering to DNF (Did not finish!).
I decided to have fun...I did people watching during my traverse to Kalayaan fly over we met the 21K runners they were running on the other lane back to Fort. I saw the fast runners and the popular personalities in the blogsphere. The first one I saw is the Bald Runner- yeah! This man never ceased to radiate inspiration- he's like the walk the talk in the running community or like a father figure of all the local runners.
Then later I thought I saw Leica Carpo- the Pinay Boston marathoner who did a sub 4. I am not sure though because I have seen her only in pictures...I was star strucked...she is so fit-I'd say fat-free...the sight of her slowed me down. If I have a pen and a paper I'll probably request for an authographed. OMG she was fast.
Then after a few meters I saw Randy a colleague in ADI of course we exchange our Hi and Hello loudly...it help me breathe out! Then Anthony Pangilinan, the celebrity trainer...I didn't bother to call him because am not sure if he remembers me anyway (he was our trainer in a company sponsored training High Impact Presentation- he's great!). Told you, I did people watchin hahaha then I saw the tri-athlete senator Pia Cayetano....I was amazed that Randy was ahead of her...I am not just sure if he sustained until the finish line hehehe. Then the journalist and former Congressman Gilbert Remulla was also in the 21K wow! Sir...if you come across my blog, this is my personal message to you: I hope you'll be able to conceive a run race in our province...to radiate a more positive presence amongst your constituents...I know you are a very influential person in our province =)...I hope you bring home some race =)
Then after awhile....I saw my favorite blogger in the blogsphere - who else but the Bull Runner. Boy! I can't help but wave my hello and she gladly return my greetings....oh! am sorry if somehow I bothered your concentration. =)
I was hoping to see other runner/blogger like the TRN and other guys from Takbo.ph but unfortunately....I didn't see the familiar soul in the forum....well I do see some wearing a Takbo.ph singlet but they were not familiar faces (am not sure I saw their pix in the forum) and besides I'm kinda far from them to wave a hand hehehe.
Imagine....I was people watching like for more than 3 kms which really slowed me down but I don't regret it....I am actually motivated to see all those 21K runners watch them run while I am also running my race....I know it would be my next category hehehe- am not kidding I hope to run the 21K before the year ends (so help me God.).
Then back to my own race, I was far from getting to the 5K u-turn slot when I saw my watch I am already timing at 30:00 waaaah! then another wall...Whew! there is no more plastic band... I really love this electronic timing chip. I walked through in that red mat instead of running through it hehehe ...I guess that is where the sensor resides.

Running back to the Fort after the 5K was pretty difficult nyahahaha another uphill to the Kalayaan flyover...I managed it with my baby steps....but guess what I was desperate that I hit another wall....hmmm then I saw a pacer from the PINOY ULTRARUNNERS- I paced with the guy...I was actually thinking of requesting him to pace with me to the finish line but then I was shy enough to ask for help hehehe but my calves were already complaining and guess what the blisters.....waaaa. Now it dawned upon me that everytime I run with my AdiTEMPO am having blisters and I regretted that I wore it this morning instead of my Mizuno...no offense to the AdiTempo fans but personally Mizuno Wave Precision is my best racing shoes ever hehehe.

The last 2 km of my run is agonizing...then another wall with just 500 m away to the finish line. Sigh! And no more sprinting to the finishline. After my run- didn't got a chance to people watch anymore- I don't have the luxury of time...I guess I missed Coach Rio, the rest of the RunAdic gang and oh my I think I didn't see the JAZA =(

About the race and my bizarre mind....I face the wall....it made me stop and walk and not once but four times. Whoa! I have to stop and walk to stabilize my heart rate.
I blame it on my Garmin because the average heart rate in display is always at 92% in fact there was a time on my last 4 km that my average heart rate is at 99%...whew! what was that? Probably lack of training- hmph! blame it on the bad weather....hahaha am not whining nor finding excuses of not running in good shape. But I realize- that my garmin's display was average! Duh! I check out my MILO race and compare it with this morning and found out that my heart rate during the MILO race is much stable compared to this morning....I guess the theory of having a lack of practice is correct.


Hmmmm I guess I faced the wall- so I can bang my head and made me realized that I have the responsibility to be fit before the race....I can feel that I am almost in the brink of cramps on the last leg of my race. My feet feels numb and my calves were a little painful. Sigh!
I learned my lesson this morning. The dreaded the DNF (Did not finish) is at the back of my mind....I want to finish every race that I join (though DNS -Did not show, is another story)....and as much as possible I don't want a medic....this is my personal conviction that is why I am a little anxious this morning.But thanks heavenly I ended well with a little pain in my calves.

Finally, this week my mileage is 10K this morning race....and the long wait is over....officially I have completed my first 300K for the year. Hmmmm it reminds me also that since hubby's bday is on July 24 and we have no other runs scheduled...maybe this morning run is gonna be a dedication to his bday and the upcoming practice run...hopefully nice weather!

Ciao.

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Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Running Blog #45...my video

Yes....I have a running video nyahahaha during the 33rd MILO Marathon-Manila elimination.
This video is courtesy of John - Benet's hubby. Thank you! Tenchu!
By the way, John is also an Adtrek member from batch 1 =)

So can you spot me in this short roll? hehehe


Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Running Blog #44: ...letting go

We started this week letting go of tasks and funfilled activities because TJ got sick. I have to be the full time mom that she needs - and take running set aside. I think the whole week I am letting go of practice run....
Sigh! I will forego any chance to run the pave of Gateway Business Park or of that Island Cove.

I decided that for the rest of the week I am not running....I am keeping my running shoes for awhile.
Another sigh! I am testing myself....what it's like to let go? I always hold onto this addiction.
I am letting go of practice run and holding on the idea that I can run again on Sunday.
Hoooray! and this will happen during the Run for Home- A run for a cause to help build home for the Habitat for Humanity project.
Running in this event would not only help me meet my mileage requirement to complete my first 300K but the cause is something that me and my husband wanted to support.

I thought my MILO 10K last Jul 5 is a good start for my 10K races- my official time is 1:09:31.
It would have been a good idea to take a PR but then I realized some things need to take it course as Lao Tzu says "The world is ruled by letting things take their course. It cannot be ruled by interfering."

Come sunday....it would be another practice run- not to take any personal record....but to surprise myself of any possible outcome.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Running Blog #43: ...in the rain

Last thursday I was desperate to complete at least 7K practice run....in my mind- I am gonna complete a 300K mileage if I'll be able to do at least 7K.

So even if I can see nimbu clouds after office I decided to go to GT SRC for a much needed mileage.


I did simple stretching the V stretch on a corner wall- learned from my PT session (during my semi frozen shoulder therapy). I realized that I wanted to do at least one hour of workout- so off the gym I headed to my imaginary starting line infront of the BDO facade in front of Wilkins factory.

The breeze is great...I have no hydration belt because I intend to do an easy 7K run.

After 1.5K deng! here comes the rain......I thought I saw the japanese guy running behind me he was fast enough to run ahead of me my pacing is about 7:05 min/km. It's okay...I have already tamed myself....when I was new to running I would tend to run after whoever run past me in GBP hehehe (that's for fun and challenge...of course they usually didn't know that I was huffing and puffingly running after them) . But now I realized I needed to train my body - whoever is running out there is non of my business and running after them is not anymore in my gameplan during training. My game plan is to execute my training plan.



So it was raining I was thinking I could turn right the next corner right after the metrolab and go back to SRC or continue running.
I saw the japanese guy have no intention to turn right at the corner...so I am not the only one running in the rain. Nice! I decided I can continue with the drizzles .....it was a little difficult because the water drips into my eyes though I can manage to wipe it off. So I continue running in the rain until I didn't see the guy as I approached the next corner near EPSON hehehe- I have no choice am running alone in the rain......until I reached Telford and well I was drenched.
And of course the security guard of each factory that I passed gives me a look shaking their head-now I am branded addict hehehe.
So this is the first time I ran in the rain of GBP...I am not sure if there will be next time...unless another soul is willing to take the plunge running with me in the rain =)

Getting home is another story....but I can't wait to log in my mileage.....to my dismay! I am still short of 10K to grab my first 300K for the year....waaaaah!