Running Blog #61: 2012 Race and Training or vice versa

I have no company as of this writing....that's why for the longest period of time...here I am blogging.
          "Kiddos and hubby went out to watch the sound of music musicale, a production from their school."

So I better blog fast because before I knew it they're probably home and there's not much time left.

Funny, running blog #61- seems like it's my 61st run....well, I used to blog about my training and races because I express better in this blog. Talking about running to non-running people is kinda difficult. So I ended up blogging about it.

Things have changed....this year on December will marked my 5th year as a runner or jogger as other preferred to be called. I have evolved into a snail runner. I don't regret failing to train, not getting to the starting line and sometimes well I admit it not training at all.
There are a lot of things to do. I thought when the kids started going to school, I'll have my free time. I'll get better training times, I'll get good PRs.
Sigh, but I was wrong....totally wrong. Because as they grew up, list of things to do just pile up.
Plus they have their own interest to pursue.
My little lady is into singing and my little handsome young man is into swimming and sometimes acting.
These children are so precious that I realized....my world revolves around them. Good thing I still have a job on the side.
But even if I'm working, they're still there at the back of my mind.....just like my old computer. where a program is working while inactive...it's just behind the active stuff.

Did I say that this is running blog #61?
Oh yeah! So the good news is...even if me is too busy with juggling a day time job as salary person and mothering...I still get my steals...yes (drum roll please!)I steal training time.
I was able to decipher patterns when the kids would likely to have a quiz or assignments.
And when they do have assignments or quizzes....I steal a RuNCH....you heard it right. I run during lunch time. And I don't care if I'm a sweaty smellin' mammal after that. But I need to snatch that 30 minutes running time at the treadmill or outside.
Well there are days that I don't run lunch...but do pre-dinner run lol! When the kids can manage their assignment which I try to convince over the phone, me & hubby get to a pre-dinner run.
And on weekends when we don't get to wake up early....we run just anytime of the day.

The results are pretty much okay...we were not able to gun any PR. But were able to sustain a long run.
This year our first race for the year is the 16km Timex run (oh! with the so papable Piolo!) and today I am blessed with a pretty strong finish for the 21K with condura skyway marathon.
   Plus, not so running related,  I am out with my maintenance medication. The doctor agreed to take out some.
   Life is great...you just have to whine sometimes and later, think about how to resolve a problem...just like any math problems lol! There's always a solution.

Isn't it great! I am often running....literally running for everything the kids schedule, family thing, oh domestic work is just amplified with so much details that it's comparable to running a business. Just thinking about it makes me tired.

I can't have a nice well planned training but get to squeezed in some action in my boring life.
Now I know why some people don't get married and doesn't want a child.....because it's a never ending responsibility. iPity them....iPity myself sometimes.
But the truth is my children and my husband are what matters most in my life.
They are so precious that I try to make myself a better me.
We all do have options, try to look at it in a different perspective (it happens too with photography hahaha composition 101).

I realized I missed blogging....maybe I should steal some blogging time too.

This year's race pix

Hubby's souvenir pose during Timex Run, we were in a  hurry to go home

My souvenir pix with Time Run

Rovilson & Hubby-we were behind him at the 21k redemption booth for the medals

The medal for 21k runners

Photo ops with Rovilson- I was a little shy to ask him lol!

Hubby's doodle on the condura's mangrove wall (something we didn't do last year) 

Post script: (Quite a length I know!)
Well, suddenly I remember last year condura marathon. I did 42Km. I did it even if I have a fever, I ended up lethargic and injured with ITBS. Two weeks before the race I had flu, I cannot forego a marathon. The rest is history. For some reason, that story stayed in my draft box for more than a year now lol!

Here are some of my condura run last 2011. Photos I grabbed from marathon-photos.com

Today's race was great. I salute the Concepcion brothers for making this race possible.
But I missed Takbo.ph booth- since 2010 (my first taste of skyway run), they have a booth at Buendia before runners get to skyway (both 21k & 42k runners passes in this station). I don't know if they still have the support booth for 42k runners. It's just that I missed them. It's different passing that booth....you get a dose of motivation, banana, water and electorlytes and even free spray of efficascent oil lol! for those cramps.

Change is just probably inevitable. Congratulations to all the finishers and see you on the road!

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.

Hello 2011

This write up is a little too late for welcoming 2011.
But then, it has stayed in my draft for so long.
We have been very busy since the nanny ran away....it almost cost me to losing a job, etc.....
The good  news is I found a new one....a better one and as usual were starting a relationship ....i just hope she stayed with us because the kids liked her and that is so important.
Whew! God has it's way to give you pleasant surprises....and that is how I try to look what is in store for me this 2011.

2010 looks like a wonderful running year.
This is the year I celebrated my 3rd year in running.
I am so proud I did a couple of marathon, several half marathon, some 10k, 5k and 3K.
I finished my first 1000 km after more than a year of trying.
And yet I feel guilty...because I know I logged a little less compared on my first year in running.
I missed those days when I just laced up and run...run nonstop, run fast and careless about the time.
I guess when were getting old....time is the most precious resource that we have.
Well, I guess I'm jaded and growing old.

To summarize the learnings I had:

1. Quality over quantity. I know that long distance run and piling mileage helps on the endurance of any runner....but then my 2010 runs prove otherwise. I ran at lesser mileage yet I managed to run a marathon. I guess the key is the quality of my training runs.
2. Running just like learning is a continuous process. Not because I ran a marathon makes me a guru or a better runner to the other gals or guys....I have to train further and get to know myself better. It is through training run that you will get to know yourself better....quantity over quality.....make every training run a session to learn something- about your body, about your needs, the clothes you wear and your responses to weather.And it requires training to become a competent coach or a resource person (on the subject matter).
3. Running is such a selfish sport....if you run fast  and then failed to train in two weeks....you cannot replicate your previous performance. You have to continuously train aerobically or anaerobically to keep fit. I noticed, I always put that as a note on my dailymile. However, we cannot deny that there is a different kind of vigor when you resumed training after days of rest. 
4. Our human body is very powerful....it can adopt to a certain level of stresses. The key is to introduce it progressively.
5. I read it several times that the bladder shutdowns when you start running. But it's not true for everyone.....perhaps specially for women with children. Sigh! my QCIM result could have been better if I give in to my urged :D At least, now I know what it's like...so chances are I'll never wait on that next station.
6. Trying on men shoes because your size is not available on the women's is such a bad idea. I remember I wanted an Adizero tempo but the largest size for women is 9 (I am typically size 10 for running shoes). The sales guys lured me to get men's size 8 (which according to him is equivalent to women's size 10)....I regret it the whole year....I  gave it a chance but is always a disaster. Lesson learned:Never let the sales guys sweet talk you that there is no difference. Well, there is....now I know that women have narrower heel than men.
7. My shoe size is 10....I tried 9.5 because I love the color of that shoes. I actually survived it with dead toenails :D Lesson, stick on size 10.
8. In running, men and women becomes equal......it does not necessarily mean that the last finisher always comes from our gender :D
9. There are fewer jerks in the running community :D we are such a happy group of people....perhaps because of runner's high.
10. Running is the best way to combat stress....yeah, there were days that we are mocked. Hmmm but heres what goes to my mind when I catch them....those who mocked at me intakes a lot of gas in their belly such a fart idea hehehe.

Moving forward.... here are some of my 2011 outlook:

1. Practice a little about barefoot running....assess what it's like. Besides our ancestors ran barefoot during their time....why should I shy away from this?
2. Buy only what is essential. I admit I was disappointed with my GF405 and I do not intend to replace it with any other GPS watch (or as I call it disposable watch). Instead, I am now looking for a solar watch that could record my run time. The GF405 was expensive for a 17 months usage....not to mention the effects to environment. Our gadget should be durable enough to prevent waste. There is just too much garbage in this world....and adding our throw away gadget won't help....someday it would be very difficult to run if our world is too polluted.
3. I am still perplexed with my blood chemistry. Anyways, despite disappointing results I will continue my choice of diet- complex carbo, high fiber, lean and white meat for protein. To explain a little my total cholesterol is elevated sigh! and to think my weight is 118 lbs.
4. See a doctor....work up with an endocrinologists to find answer on the perplexing blood chemistry.
5. Embrace ageing....I am turning 34 this June....feeling oldie because the kids are growing so fast. But getting stronger like a teenager. Yes, I want to cope up with my kids hyperactivity :D

I was surprised to see this in my inbox today.....see I ran less managed to finish a marathon. I'm sure a lot of you can do better.

Celebrating Christmas on the road (and not running :P)

Days before Christmas our nanny ran away.
We had to report it on our baranggay because her things were still in our house.
I wonder what the reason is....but the closest is she is getting married and it's immediate (according to her text messages because she even refused to receive my call) for some reason I still cannot fathom.
My relationship with the nanny is OK (though her employment period is still short at 2 months).
I see no problem until she didn't come home on the 19th and the rest is history.
I had no choice but take a leave of absence until the last working day of the year.

On the 24th after my blood extraction, we decided to hit the south road to CamSur.
We leave home a little late and so we were still on the road during Christmas eve.
How lonely, I thought....the kids were still clueless about it.
As we passed by the roads of Quezon province....I realized that running away from the metro on Christmas eve is some kind of an experience.
While the rest of metro manila and other progressive province is preparing for noche buena with busy glittery lights and some fireworks. In some province, Christmas just passed. I cannot help it...I message it in my FB. Lucky are those who were able to celebrate Christmas with their family.
There were gasoline station manned by their staff....their Christmas must have been lonely away from family (to service an unusual traveler like us).

And so we arrived at my parent's house about 1AM to greet them with a grin and Merry Christmas! My mom was surprised that we daunted to drive all the way from home to Camsur in the unlikely date.
We slept at around 3AM only to wake up at 9 AM for Christmas lunch and attend a mass in the afternoon.

Post mass pix at porta mariae

Naga Metropolitan Cathedral-life size belen

mantis, kungfu panda and tigress :D

Glorien 93 Maogmang nagtiripon

Ang orolay na pag tiripon kang highschool batch 93 pig punan Enero pa sana kang taon na ini.
Nahiling ko na sa Facebook na pirmi ining hot topic.
Alagad ako personal kung aram na garo dae ako sigurado nin huni ta kadakol sanang dalagan ang maarabot.

Nag abot ang Pebrero nabaretaan ko ang Camsur International Marathon.
Sabi ko sa sadiri ko dae ko ini papalagpason.
Kang nagkahilingan ngani kami ni Coach Rio- pig sabi ko saiya, tibaad ang first full marathon ko igde sa CIM ko guibohon.

Alagad ang mga pangyayari dae ko namalayan nag Mayo, duman ako nabunyagan kang full marathon na ini.

Garo nang-gad dae na ako makaka atindir kang tiripon na ini. Medyo namumundo ako.
Ta sa memorya ko basta may sinabing tiripon elementary man o highschool batch, pirmi akong yaon.
Pig isip ko pa kung papalagpason ko ini.
Mala ta naka isip akong mag litik duwang semana bago ang aldao kang tiripon.

Nahurophuropan ko na.....kadakol man ning marathon na masurunod pa....ining mga ka-batch ko kang elementary tsaka highschool- sinda ang mga amigo asin amiga ko na haloy ko nang biristo. Kung susumahon si elementary classmate may 27 yrs, si highschool 20 years and counting . Sinda na pig turing ko na garo mga tugang...sinda na mga nakaiba ko nin marhay asin an pundasyon kang "friendship" na ini mayong halo ni ano mang interes...kundi purong pagkamoot asin pagkamagturugang na pig tadhana kang panahon.

Naguiromdoman ko ang elementary sagkod highschool batch ko sa UNC garong haros mayong pinag-iba. Ini por dahil kadaklan sa mga kaklase ko kang elementary sa UNC man guiraray nag highschool. Kaya ngani pag may tiripon na nababareta sa batch na ini interesado akong mag iba, ta para sako sinda an saro sa mga haraluyon ko nang kabistado, amigo asin amiga.

Orogmahon gabos, nagbabarayle, ano ini Senior night in jeans? hehehe

sa picture na ini narumduman ko si pirmi pig sabi sa mga party kadto "Raise the roof!"

Kang pag abot kang aldao na pig takda kang samuyang maogmang tiripon garong kulang ang panahon.
Grabe dae pondong ngakngak, iristorya, ngirit igde- duman, picturan na dae matapos tapos ini an sakuyang naobserbahan. Pati ngani ako nag pondo kang nawaran nin baterya.

Pig sabi ni Cloyd na dakul sa mga ka-batch an may mga marhay na buhay ang nag heras kan saindang "blessing". Marhay na salamat sainda, por dahil dyan naging mas magayon ining pambihirang pagtiripon kang mga uragong batch 93 (lol!).
Dae man dapat pag lingawan na ang tiripon dae kuta madadagos kung bako por dahil sa mahigos na pag organisar kang mga uragon na ka-batchmate na nakabase sa naga.  Arog ki cloyd (mahigoson ka pre),  nong nong, luna, cora etc...hay kadakol sanang pangaran na dae ko na masaro saro....ang masabi ko lang urgulyo ko sinda gabos.

ining hirilingan na ini pag mate ko mayong gayong nag liwat sa mga lalawugon dawa ngane 17 yrs na poon kang kami nag gradwar nin highschool lol!

siguro mga sampulong taon pa may mahirira na.

Ining da moobs na ini an ebidensya na mayong nag hera sa batch 93 hehehe

Naoogma ako na ang mga amiga asin amigo dawa haloy na dae naghirilingan...mayo nin aralanganan...iyo man guiraray....napasuhay lang kang panahon....maogma ini. Laom ko na ang mga masunod na tiripon ma bunga nin mas marhay asin pusog na iribahan.

ining duwang ini sampulong taon ko dae nahiling...nag aragom kami na dae nagkabararetaan...tano daw?
mayo lang. nagkasuruhayan lang.

c neri saka c nono- mga kaklase poon elementary...c nono ngane hanggang college
grabeh!

Where does running take you?

Run...run....run!

Today a lot of people are enjoying Cam Sur running their full or half marathon...there are short-distance events either that make it cool too.

I haven't been running for the past weeks...but so committed to get back to training hopefully for another full marathon.

Honestly, I am delayed preparing. But something motivates me to take up another marathon. And I promise to get back better after my brother's wedding.

Kassy, one of my batchmates in TBR Dream Marathon takes her running adventure to the next level.
On December 5, 2010, she will be running full marathon in Standard Chartered Singapore event for the Maple Tree foundation. Click here for details.

After learning about this...I feel excited for Kassy because not all people do this act of kindness.

I really admire her effort in doing her passion and helping others at the same time. I wish a lot of us could the same. This is humongous job. I can imagine how difficult is the legwork organizing this kind of activities.
I could extend however small contributions to Kassy and take my running a little further. So hubby and I decided to contribute 1 peso per km of our mileage for the year for Kassy's cause.

Kassy can monitor our pledges' progress through dailymile. Amount corresponding to accumulated mileage will be sent to Kassy on Nov 15.

This is one of my fave pix of Kassy during our last TBR DM grabbed from her FB.

How about you? Would you like to spare 1 peso per km of your running mileage? We can help Kassy raised the target amount for the foundation.  Click here for details.

See you guys on the road!

Forgotten piece

Very few of my friends would know that I love to doodle (thats what I call about my write ups and drawings).
Some of my doodling resulted in fiddling write-up or figures....nothing serious.
Maybe I doodle a lot on idle times because I can't keep on sitting down....

During my pregnancy years....it was my toughest....I have to go on bed rest.
But those memories were left to oblivion....I remember after giving birth (both children)- I have to go on rehab to fix my frozen shoulders. I am glad I surpassed it.

Now, I am again on the tough times....no nanny to take care of the kids, no helper for the household chore. Ugh! well, though I can handle it...it's terrible to juggle work, work at home, and lotsa household chores....talk about multi-tasking.
I thank God I experienced the marathon, the long runs....because it gives me a different view of how to tackle difficult times. I have high hopes that soon I can return to running....and do another marathon before the year ends.

Last weekend...my daughter and I came up with some bonding time....and went doodling (again for me), I was goofing with my daughter while letting the hours passed... and here is my favorite result:

My daughter's attempt in watercolor.

I draw this food group to describe to my daughter what we call "Go" food or the carbo, in oil pastel.

I also showed my daughter about my doodles while she was in my womb (on bed rest)...and this is my favorite.

Charcoal- this one caught my attention, I have forgotten about this.

The idle times (I mean being left at home without option hehehe feels like house arrest)....were sometimes good for the soul to reconnect lost pieces of us- like that artwork above, which I have forgotten. Hmmm actually I am completely lost with the charcoal hehehe. Well doodling maybe isn't my personal legend.

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.

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!