Mt Maculot Night Trek- Anyone?

I have a low mileage this week in running....again it's the weather that's been hindering me to run in the rain.
I know many runners can handle running in the rain- but I avoid it as much as possible....specially these past days the panic of AH1N1 virus, my back ache- i won't risk.
I am seriously considering having a treadmill. Sigh! but what is the joy of running in treadmill?

Good thing I have a scheduled night trek in Mt Maculot tonight with them....this will be my cross training for the week.

Missing Running so much =(

Today's stock market is very exciting.
The swings were great several stocks that I have been monitoring were uptrend- I felt like am in the bull market again.

I realized this is exactly how I felt when I am running- there is a volt of electricity in every inch of my nerve hmmm I really missed running- it has been five days since my last run. Actually, I cannot run because of a monthly period- had dysmenorrhea and I thought I am running out of blood. Sigh!

After the stock trading today, a quick lunch and sending the kids to preschool....I headed to my physiatrist.
Finally, I find time to get back to my doctor.

I told my doctor about how much I have been running since I completed my therapy for my knees.
Then I told her about the numbness in my feet after a long run which I fear may be realetd to tarsal tunnel syndrome. She checked on my feet and she told me am OK- including my knees. But she reminded me to continue my intake of glucosamine chondrotin.
However, the nodules in my back is still a worrisome- as it always recur. Stress is the usual rootcause of this nodules. I guess this somewhat affect my running- my shoulder becomes loose and after a few days the muscles becomes tight.
I will be again on therapy to prick out the nodules.

If I am lucky maybe I can go back to my early morning run tomorrow. I wish I could.

Running blog #4: 112508 Unicef "Walk on a child's side" Race result

Yesterday I received the race result courtesy of Carly one of the running enthusiast in ADI.
Here is the link,
http://runrio.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/unicef_5k_female.pdf

I can't believe it....I was the 99th finisher on the 5K overall and 15th finisher on women. Wow! I was just amazed by this performance....I just hope this can be replicated on my practice runs.

Running blog #3: 112308 Unicef's walk on the child's side

I woke up late for this morning UNICEF's Fun Run (I was suppose to wake up 3:50 AM but heard the alarm at 4:15). I had a quick breakfast- a huge slice of papaya, 2 wheat bread and warm water. We leave home by 4:50 AM just in time to pick up Eric & Red, friends from Adtrek (our mountaineering club).

The fun run was held at the McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. We were at the Fort around 5:35 AM....but because the Cavitenos aren't so familiar with the area- we were like finding our way to the starting line for more than 15 minutes....we were lost. Thanks to the guards roaming around the Fort for direction....we found our way.

The race dubbed as "Walk on the child's side" gun started at 6:00 AM, the 10K started first then after 5 minutes the 5K followed. My bib number is 1162. I lost track of my friends because I went into bladder break 5 minutes before the 5K run, the portalet is not enough as n oted on the long lines of runners taking turns for the much needed unload....so when I was back, the gun is ready to fire. I didn't see the rest of the Adtrekkers.

Because of the number of participants the 5K route was reversed...the McKinley hill run was a great challenge...it reminded me of the JAE-Metrolab-PEZA phase of my regular practice run in GBP. There were plenty of water on the pitstop :-) - I didn't know a soul in the packed that I was in.....so all I have to do is really run as much as I could. I had to do brisk walk during really steep uphill in the upper mckinley.

Running for a cause is a great dose for my soul...while running, my mind races back home to my children. I know they are bit privilege than the children that is being aided by Unicef. We left the kids asleep....and as I run to the finish line, I can imagine they probably are awake by that time....I finished by 30 minutes and probably 30 seconds am not sure with the (seconds)....average pace of 06:06 or more.

At the finish line, I was just so thirsty that I just grabbed bottled water and the RUSH sport drink...thanks to the organizer-they have this kind of stuff to quench our thirst.

As I looked around and I noticed there were lots of kids and there's this huge jumpin station (inflatables) around. I regretted not having my children in this event. I didn't know that at 7 AM- there is a walkathon where you can walk or run with your kids (I didn't check this details, I thought the title is not literal. I thought it's some kind of a liner about the Unicef's advocacy....maybe next time I should ask.).

On our way to the parking lot we saw Karylle (Zsa zsa Padilla's daughter) and Coach Rio. By the way, Coach Rio is the race director of this event.




On my way to the finish line.



Me, Coach Rio, Eric and Red (from Adtrek)

Running blog #2: 111908 Practice Run

It's been two weeks since I purchased my new running buddy- Mizuno running shoes.
Yesterday's practice run didn't earn me my much needed mileage. Since I switched to my new shoes I have been feeling certain pain on my lower leg, is it the so called shin splint?
I could not figure out what's causing the pain -is it the shoes or my increasing intensity....By the way, since the new shoes I have been running ~ 7-8 K around ADGT (two weeks now or a total of 4 practice run). The designated route for my practice run in Gateway Business Park (GBP)usually start in front of the BDO Bank, then passing Unilever 1st gate, JAE, right turn towards Metrolab where the sudden ascent start, Haeus, Steinel, PEZA, EPSON, Sanyo now Telford, Enomoto, Maxim, right turn to WDC, back to JAE/Unilever and cool down at the BDO front facade then a slow jog arround ADGT perimeter. Someday if I have time I'll check out google earth for the approximate distance....the 7-8K distance is just a deductive approximation. Maybe I can also post the map of GBP my run route.

Yesterday's practice run was fun....I really thought its not gonna happen because it was raining the whole afternoon. There were drizzles at 5:15PM, my running peers' and I decided to go ahead after our nice stretch....we needed it after a heavy lunch-courtesy of farewell blowout for Flor (imagine we ate 3Kg of Calamares- and we were all but 8 person nyahahaha).

Running with peers' really cool. There was macho (dave) on the leading pace, eric, al and myself. We started infront of BDO, Wilkins, Unilever, JAE, Metrolab, then we felt that its really gonna rain so we decided a right turn passing Wilkins back to BDO then ADGT SRC. That was a whooping 10 minutes for 1.5K, that is approximately 6:46 pace.

After the run we headed back to the gym, I really felt the run wasn't enough...I needed mileage....I was muteering my prayers....asking God to help me with the weather....I have to commune with the earth by running. After 2 sets of abs crunching I ask my peers if still willing to have a practice run outside- seems the rain ebbed away...they gladly agreed. Well who wouldn't, It's like our "Takbo para kay Flor" that didn't materialize few weeks back. So everyone is just game about the idea. Hmmmm besides Al is with us.

We took the ADGT SRC gate as the starting point, then ADGT front, WDC, turn left to Maxim, turn left again to EPSON then we were suppose to turn left back to SRC but the guys decided to proceed with the Metrolab direction, JAE then back to SRC....approximately that is 2.5K....we totalled approximately 4K practice run vs my 8-10K target. Well that's good enough than not running at all. We lost track of the time- we didn't know how well we did it or what is our pace. But we ended fine. I did some leg work out, leg curl, leg extension, ham string extension etc. for my cool down...and some silly discussion with the usual crowd of ADGT SRC gym...my work out ended by 18:45H. It was great! My total time investment, 1 hr & 45 min- enough to suck out all my stress.

Running Blog#1

Why do I run thee?
(Adapting the fave romantic line "why do I love thee?", translating this poem is like saying "why do I run you"....yah...why do i run over pavement, grass, asphalt etc etc....)


Let me count the ways.

When I run- I feel free.
Freedom from stress, freedom from everyday cares.

When I run- I feel like I am a child again...carefree.
Happy, strong and healthy.

When I run I can see everything with awe....
I thank God I am part of His universe.
I can see the beauty of His hands painted in every hue.

I can run as much and gasp for air till the next uphill.
When I run- I feel the burning desire, anger ebbs away.....




5/19/08

Today was a revelation.I ran another 6km jog-run phase. It was exhilirating, I have beaten my previous record.
While running the trail of JAE I can smell the aroma of the grass. It was very refreshing for my soul. For the past 2 days we were disturbed by the storm that hit the northern part of luzon. The environment today was very clean, as if nature took its bathe denouncing all that is unnecessary.

I looked up the sky- it was a blue horizon, clear and sunny. The birds were chirping flying across the electric lines. I feel so happy, God allowed me to see this wonderful scene. The simplicity of this moment feeds my soul. I felt close to nature, felt close to God.
As I run, striding through the uphill road to PEZA, I continue to pray saying my grace to the Almighty. In between my course, my mind is playing on a scene - visualizing my sin, seeing the things I need to improve upon myself, and feeling grateful for all the good things that happened to me. I try to run fast- God gave me speed....there were no lumps in my throat, which I usually had in the past as I approached the SANYO plant that houses Telford. God has given me more strength today.

I thank God, I realized how much He loved me.
I looked back I realized that there were many chance that the devil had the opportunity to snatch my soul- yet God stand in the way, He didn't let me go astray. Then it dawned upon me- God have never lost touch of me. In the many facets of life- God has been the center of my life be it at work, finance, fitness, friendship,and family life. I just knew He provides everything just as He gave me safety today. I continued to run and had before me a vision of how I became conscious of the decision to offer everything to God. I was reminded that it was a pact, it happened when He had given me my heart's desire, my children were the manifestation of His love for me.
I will forever be grateful for the Lord has asked me to be the caregiver of these children. Their names are my dedication and description of my faith to Him. I have surrender myself completely when I had TJ as if it was not enough He blessed me his two angels- the just one and the gift. I can feel the earth before my feet- I realized running is some kind of penance. It is my way of appreciating the body that the Lord has given me. Allowing to function every muscle, vein, and nerve. I am awed by the strength that I have gained since I started running. Now I had a much better appreciation of how powerful my creator is....in my mind I have composed the most beautiful poem.....just as I jot down this feelings I couldn't remember much of my prayer details.But my mind aches for the pleasantness of sleep, I gazed unto the bed how comforting is it to lay down and havea my much needed sleep after a long day.
I guess those prayers won't get written....I know God knows i'll utter a much better prayer everytime I run. He will continue to bless me with good weather, so I can commune with Him.
I say my final prayer today. Thank you my Lord for this revelation, You have revealed to me a wonderful insight. Thank you. Amen!

JAM~

P.S. The content of this blog was originally written last Apr 2008, the write again additional thoughts May 2008. For some reason I wasn't able to hit the publish button.
By the way, the photo was taken Oct 2008- told you the "publish post" button was hit only recently. :-)

Continuous improvement as a way of life!

As a quality engineer- I am an advocate of continuous improvement. I have been working now for 11 years and this has been my credo at work.

Lately, I realize this same credo is applicable in my personal life- including fitness, the mindset for continuous improvement is very important.


For the past year - everyone is just telling me how much I have gained weight, its unbearable to hear constant question if I am pregnant- because I have fatty belly. I know I am not obese and its not supposed to be a problem because my BMI is still within the normal range. But I realized that the bulk of my fat goes to my tummy and that makes me look like I am pregnant. Aside from the fact that I have already 2 kids- well I'd like to think that some of this fats are post pregnancy.


Whew! and honestly its quite difficult finding the right clothes in my closet. Every morning its a battle of finding the right clothes and being on time to our shuttle bus. Getting dressed for work is just time consuming. I have to fit everything and see myself in the mirror and wonder "I really look like 3 months pregnant!". This repetitive chaos- made me realize getting big isn't really advantageous. Then on my 30th birthday, something hit me- I decided to apply my working credo in my personal life. I realize I have to improve myself, I know its not a big deal because I am not obese- but getting off the fatty stuff off my tummy would surely improve my self-esteem. In my mind, people will stop asking if I am pregnant.

I tried going to gym, I read a book about yoga and I started to select real healthy food.


The first four months pave no significant impact. But I know I was underway to losing weight and celebrate.


Well I guess I was right about it - after 7 months I lost 10 pounds. I feel great, my size used to be large now I am on the medium size fit. I feel happy about it.


So now I'm on my way to shed off 10 pounds more- to allow me do the full headstand. I guess I can only claim myself as yogic once I am able to perform headstand.

Ciao!