Running Blog #60

I used to write about my training run.
Usually after I ran...I would write about it. It's like sending a letter to a friend and letting her know about what went through.
My last running blog pertaining to training was more than a year ago.
Somehow, after experiencing full marathon I got jaded. Blogging about my training lost appeal.
But today is different. i ran alone, without music and without pain....wohooo the best day of my life.
Also, today's training was filled with so many thoughts in the span of 1 hour and 21 minutes that took only a short distance of 10 km.

What goes through my mind needs some rewinding as I type on the keyboard :-)
Finally, I am able to stretch beyond 8K. I know I did it because I can feel His presence. It's like He was there...listening maybe mocking at me and my childish acts.

1. I thanked God because finally the last two Sunday service I saw the fulfillment of my heart. I finally saw my husband find it in his heart the presence of the Holy Spirit. My husband is not your typical catholic. I would like to think he go to church to fulfill a family activity and keep the relationship cemented. I have been praying for this since we got married....and finally I saw it in his eyes. I won't bring it up....maybe when he visits again this blog. My husband is a man of few words, the way he thinks remains a mystery. But I know as I stood up there and saw him finally recognizing what I was trying to tell him was a tremendous experience. Experiencing God in one's life is more than just an adventure....it's always wonderful for the soul. 
2. Another mystery of today's training is the drizzles stopped when I started running. I even forego my music because I thought it's gonna be a heavy rain....I remember, three years ago I would bet on the rain, it always stops on my training hour.
3. I was also reflecting about what kind of parent I am to my children.The times have been changing.... I want to impart to them a strong value that would not rocked on moments of despair. Is sending them to catholic school the right way? I guess I prefer the old school. I have never pampered my kids that much compared to this generation. They have no facebook account, they do not play PSP- I hand it to them to use the movie feature and allow them watch their favorite cartoon....this happens occasionally when we are on the car, they don't have cellphone. I believe these things comes with age and responsibility. I will eventually allow them at the right time. My kids activity is limited to running, swimming, singing, playing with traditional toys and studying. I want them to experience what kids are missing today. The other day, I was demonstrating to them how we were playing "chinese garter"....I still can do it, the highest point in my earlobes while standing upright. When I crossed the chinese garter my kids were totally amazed. They didn't see other kids playing it at school or even in our village. And while demonstrating it, I realized the reason why we have no obese playmates then. Because, the game is really ab tightening....kids then were skinny, lean some muscled specially those who worked on the farm. Kids today have all the luxury around them....I fear that someday, they will be too fragile to adopt to the ever changing world.
4. Ironman 70.3 Philippines....imagine I even dreamed of it this early morning that I was one of the spectator. Yesterday, as I was looking at the results, I can't believe the human strength can do. Pete Jacobs grabbed the title. I really admire those who braved it there....you guys/gals are such a tremendous inspiration to mere mortal like me. 
5. In two weeks, my pain is coming....my endometriosis have zero-in my cholesterol and thyroid. I resist taking medication....doctors insist I give another try. So last week I started on again with another medication. Hopefully, with lesser symptoms....as I feel like everyday I am on a roller coaster ride. Need to document again my food intake, my sleeping patterns and my mood swing...oh yes! even when I'm mad....I have to recognize if it's the hormone that's flaring up. As time passed, I realized that perhaps He was again sending me another mission or learning in this experience....perhaps, I've been too tied up on the process of curing that I forgot mercy and grace.

As I drifted in my thoughts, I realized I cannot run longer....it has to follow the prescribed increased mileage. I cannot go beyond 85% of my heart rate....I too I am fragile.

Running Blog #39: Another 10K practice run- getting better

Practice run today went smoothly- I run the 10K course continuosly and I noticed there was no need to sip water. The weather was perfect.

I took my sip of water after I completed my 10K workout.

I realized that my practice run today was a good hills training. Click here to check the route.

Running Blog #32: The 5K runner does a 10K practice run.

Yesterday, after five long days of rest…I decided to take a longer run.
I decided to take another 10K practice run- just to check if my performance is repeatable.

The practice run was tolerable- the first fifteen minutes was a little uneasy….maybe because I was running alone.

• My thoughts have been drifting elsewhere. The sight of the sunset reminds of my friend Kathy who is now in Singapore- then I remember one S40 leaving the country. Well, there were new ones….a lot from ADI is taking interest in running- I saw an email circulating about the earth run. Sadly, am not joining their group because I have already registered to IE8. Nevertheless, both funrun is for a good cause. I saw from the email that most were from groups of product and test engineering ….I suddenly missed the funrun with my ADTREK family- the last event we joined is the Happy Run.
  

The practice run was pain free. I guess, yesterday- everything is perfect. The weather , the stretch- I think I had a good warm up exercise (leg press, leg curl, few lifts), hamstring & quad stretch. My hydration is 150 ml Gatorade and 150 ml H2O.

My first sip is after the 5K mileage then succeeding sip is as needed- I didn’t stop while drinking water I just slowed down (it is possible!)….my goal is to really run all throughout the course- and I did it at rate of 1:13:34 against my previous record of 1:14:58, an improvement of 1:24 – this is a little improvement but the impact was better than my previous attempt where I did a run-walk-fast walk intervals. I think I am on my way to maintain my pace and have an injury-free practice runs.

I guess I’ll try another 10K on Thursday, my next goal is to be comfortable doing practice run on this distance…..but as early as now, I can see the problem of sustainability. Specially that the school year is fast approaching for my pre-schooler. =) Maybe, I’ll take on S40’s advise regarding 10K on races. But honestly, I love the rush of 5K fun run....and feels good to be on the league of average runners.

Running Blog #28: Breaking free from my comfort zone

Today I started another practice run alone.

Well there were hints that the S40 guys would want another fun run with me.... yah it would be a fun run but with less intensity...so I decided to run alone.

I am really decisive to break free from my comfort zone and tonight I run the uncharted distance of 10Km....my goal is not to run continuously but to do run -->brisk walk --> run to zone 7 and then sprint.

Sigh! I wasn't able to sprint....too bad my rib cage felt like falling apart.

I finished my 10K at 1:14:58, I did a lot of brisk walk. The 9 peaks in the graph below represents my slow....that's probably the time I was walking.

My first 4.9K I stopped to drink some water at SRC....after a week without training my throat is complaining. Then I run through the Bank Facade, to JAE and the uphill street then I continued running until I reached Telford for the second time....I decided to walk....fast walk my rib is complaining. Then every 10 m before the corners I would take a walk....then run....then walk....then run. Garmin was complaining because my training plan of a constant pace of 7.5 kph was never achieved- it kept on alarming.

True to it's marketing words....wearing Garmin Forerunner 405 is like having a virtual trainer.

But the best experience of all is seeing the bright sky with it's reddish sunset.

It reminds me again of my friend Kathy....whom I always run with during GBP practice running.

Hmmm.....the idea cookin' up about running to Sing is really inviting - this idea is in the cookin' yesterday.

Whoa! I praise God for the wonderful day today....got a cheap ticket for Palawan, a nice overflowing job (sigh!) but get it doin' right, and breaking free from my comfort zone.

Sometimes you just have to try and believe that you can make it....someone higher is watching over us and I suppose God would love to see us accomplish our goals and take it all on Him who knows better than our simple mind.

Running Blog #13: Another 10K Practice Run

Sigh! (Heavy breathing) Am still sooo alert after my practice run today.
Yes! I did a 10K PR with the macho man and the spidey gurl (I think from now on I'll refer to her in this code nyahahaha).

Macho man and I agreed to do a 10 K, actually 10.6K (5.3K, 1 lap of the infamous JAE Telford JAE route) or a total of 2 laps.
We began in our comfortable pace but the spidey gurl was a little anxious of the pain in her calf and shins....we were a little encouraging though macho man obviously wanted to make the most of this practice. Spidey gurl gave up after 1K.....was wonderin if she could make another fun race.

After the 3.6K route (near GT perimeter), I decided on a break- yes a bladder break, at that time my time is 22 minutes (21:47 to be exact). This was the first time I feel like peeing while running. So strange, I even thought that I probably had my period and tactlessly told macho man about it nyahahahaha. Anyways, he was like a brother to me so I wasn't a little shy about the idea.

It took me a 9 minute break (going back to the gym in a brisk walk)....Alas! when I went back to the starting line, I saw macho man and I ask him to run again with me for his 2nd lap to complete his 10K course....well me on the otherhand I am just getting an additional 5.3K to my 3.6K (that is 8.9K short of 1.1 K)....I was thinking about this while running-gee talk about doin some math while running, that's new to me hehehe.

Macho man and I run in our slow-fast pace, we took the 3K at 17 minutes and the 4K to 24 minutes....unfortunately, I gave up running after the 4K and decided to rest and do a brisk walk....thanks to my hydration belt- drinks is readily available.
I continued running to complete my 5.3K course but in between 15 m I have to really rest and walk....sigh! but I completed my 5.3K still running, after running past the bank establishments my time ended at 35 minutes. I decided to walk and run another 1.4K using the GT perimeter route. Yah! really sounds like addict....I can't just give up this practice run without the mileage, so I took another run that ended a 10 minute flat. Whoa! Total training time is 1 hour and 7 minutes plus the 9 minutes rest time, that was a total of 1 hour and 16 minutes or a pace of 7:06 min/km or 8.45 km/hr.

I guess 10K isn't so bad....I guess am starting to go away from my comfort zone- 'tis a good sign....I wish I could do both half and full marathon this year....and I'll begin with 10K. =)