Running Run United 1

Earlier I ran the first Run United series for the year 2013, Start and Finish line was at the Mall of Asia Seaside blvd. And again, I was disappointed but it was an okay kind of disappointment. It drives me to improve more.

Why I got disappointed? Well, of course, I did not make my PR and it was way past my average time. All because I did not test the shoe laces I was going to use for the race. It made my feet, shin and knee hurt while running. After wearing it in the morning, I knew it was going to be burdensome, it was very tight and I did not find time to rearrange and loosen the shoe laces.

As we started, I tried starting up slow but I plan to eventually gain my pace on the fifth km. Unfortunately, my bigger right foot is already screaming with pain. It affects my shins and I could not run properly. So I stopped and tried to loosen the laces, but it did not help. It's still tight. So I moved on but I remained on my more or less than 8mins/km pace. Just to keep everything safe.

I felt strong after the 17th km. The race didn't feel a drag. I was already thinking of marathons and imagining if this were it, I think I can finish it. But, as I was approaching the 18th, I felt every bad thing I was not hoping for on a run. My stomach feels funny and hungry, my knees, foot and shins are aching. So, I have to slow down some more.

Because if this, I ended up more than my average run. One of the slowest. I know I can finish it better and faster but I think this lesson will drive me to be better on he next race. I have to target a PR on the next one.

Anyway, as expected RunRio did a good job in organizing the race. There were too many runners though and there were congested areas where I can already smell smoke from the vehicles. But all-in-all, given everything the race has - sufficient hydration, good 21k route (this route does not have an uphill or downhill - this is certainly a race to remember. Most of the people I knew made their PR), good finisher's area, etc, so I guess I would do it again. Me and my friends are all thinking of the afroman distance (32k) on the next Run United, I'm like errrr... will I survive it? Let's see.

Let the training begin again. heehee..

Me and friends after the run

Shoe Laces and other things

So, I have told you about my problem with my shoe laces how it magically unties itself a couple of times during my runs. Thanks to my dog, Odin, I hope this problem is halfway solved.

Well - and I am saying this to you with a big sigh - I came home one day and saw one shoe on the floor with its shoelaces partially destroyed. It is a big wonder to me why he only destroys strings, my bra string, bag string, paper bag string, etc. I have been aware of this and took away every thing that is destroyable away from him, at least.

Since I have an upcoming race this Sunday for the Run United 1 race, I decided to get a new pair of shoelaces. I went to the mall and there's one shoe lace that caught my eye. Coincidentally, it has the same color as my old shoelace (Mind you, my shoelaces are hot pink as in HOT AND SCREAMING pink). These are short laces that doesn't need any tying (thank God because I think I suck at that). They are a bit expensive 800php, but are on sale so I got it at around 500php (that's around 12USD). Yes, still expensive but I am hoping I get to use it for a long time.

I haven't taken my shoes for a test run since I have put it in yesterday. But I am hoping it does wonders. I'll let you know on my next blog. :)

My new laces, it has the same color no? 

Destroyed

And you look so innocent and cute now Odin huh? 

I have been too "magastos" (extravagant/spending too many moolahs) no? i realized that I have been into shopping frenzy lately. Over the past two weeks, I have bought myself two running books, two sports bra, one running shirt and this. I am also considering registering on my April and May race (yes, unfortunately I haven't have any April race yet but I have found it, and I am already excited to register hopefully by tomorrow).

Oh well, I want to take my running to the next level and I am hoping these things (especially the shoelaces) could help me in running efficiently and motivate me to be a better runner.

New Books! Yay excited!

Yes, it is! Thanks to Kikay Runner for the discount! :) 

Half Runner Half Ninja

Let me tell you a secret. I have told this to some friends but I don't want to keep this anymore so let me share this one out. I am a half ninja. How you may say?

You see, when I was young, I was addicted to Japanese Anime. And I've always wanted to learn any martial arts. I was also addicted to Jackie Chan films (which was Chinese but who cares, it's still martial arts! :D) so I added learning any martial art on my list of skills on my bucket list. Add the fact that I really really wanna kick ass.

I was eyeing on either Wushu or Tapondo - since I am seeing a visible dojo along EDSA Cubao. But, when I was assigned at Makati for an assignment, I saw a dojo along the street my hotel was at. It was an Aikido dojo. I told my college friend about this she was thrilled, then I called to check how it goes, the owner was kind enough to explain how it is and we can try it, if we don't like it, we can always back off.

So we both attended our first session, we didn't get to do the drills first but we were taught how to do the basics - mostly rolling. My body got sore for days after the first session. I loved it. I returned for more, but I was afraid of some drills that I only committed to once a week session. I also got the courage to go alone since my friend already left the country to work at Singapore.

Then, I got bitten by a dog and went into a slump, I did not attend for a while - about 6 mos. When I returned, there were new faces and the people I started with were already carrying blue belts. I was not getting any of the drills properly, and the sensei is already asking me to level up. So, I decided to attend more, I am currently attending twice a week.

As I watched a fellow student on his 3rd Kyu (Kyu - Level/Grade of belt) exams, I was already getting how every drill is named. At that time, I thought, I am half ready, my form and footwork sucked though. I waited for two months more, then asked to have my first exam.

I usually stress myself over something so trivial such as this. And, I don't like being in front of so many people, so, I got scared before this exam. I tried memorizing everything but it seems I can never be ready. At the day of the exam, I sucked at footwork, but still passed it since I did the drills right (haha I think).

From this point on, I thought what I wanna do with this skill. I still haven't internalized the skills and I still sucked on my footwork. But in every session I attend, I get to learn more not only the skills but more about myself. My fears - falling, to be injured, meeting new people - and the things that need to improved - my pose, I tend to slouch and I carry on with this when I do the drills.

All-in-all, this does not only teach me how to be a ninja girl but it also improves me in little ways bit-by-bit. I love it, I will always look forward to attend and I hope I get to wear the black kata someday.

Me with the Fudoshin Aikido dojo team and the Guangzhou team

Running the Skyway again

Just earlier, the Condura Skyway Marathon event for the year 2013 commenced. I ran the 21k category and this was my first half mary for the year.

Last year, I also participated in the Condura Skyway Marathon, I ran the 10k category. After all that happened, I told myself not to run this race again. Oh well, I was wrong, I ran it again. Why I hated it before? It is because of the race's early gunstart. Up to this race, it's still the thing I hated about it. Good thing about starting early is that you get to finish before the heat from the sun creeps up. You also get to home earlier than expected.

Since I started with what I don't like in this race, may I start it with it. I dislike that it was on Alabang. I know, where else Skyway could start but on Alabang. But, on my side of the city, the venue is verry far. I haven't got any sleep before the event. I slept the whole day though, but I didn't get any night sleep. Me and my friends opted to commute rather than to sleep somewhere near the place. Because of the commute, we were able to arrive to the venue more than an hour before the gun start. We were able to do some minor stretches and used the loo a couple of times.

Of course, I liked that this was Skyway we're running into. You don't get any chance to run this highway but to join this event. Skyway is such a stunner. It has minor uphills and downhills but it's straight, you can make your PR here. It is also the common pick for first time marathoners. I think it is because of the gun start time, and also the route.

One of my motivation was the route, the other was the organizers. Since I already ran the race last year, I knew this was going to be an organized race. And honestly, I love organized races. Organized meaning enough hydration, marshalls, cool finisher's area (with freebies), and most of the racers would not be lost and scramble during and after the race. I love that before our gunstart, there were fireworks and racers were divided into waves, so that we all would not crowd in a certain area (I think weehee).

Fireworks Woohoo!

hello wave G peeps

starting line

In terms of my running experience though, I have learned something knew about myself in this race. On start of the race, I can certainly sprint all the way thru the third km (this is based on my Nike + Running GPS, see below). Then, I can do tempo runs all the way to 15kms. What's weird though is that after the 15th km, I started feeling wobbly. My back hurts (due to a yoga exercise I did the day before) and I think I was going to faint. So, I slowed down, I can beat my PR but I wanted to live so I did it. I was normally doing the 15km long run during the weekend, so I think, this happened because my body is already used to the distance, but after it, I was dead meat. I tried using GU but it felt more funny. I think I was already palpitating, I think this was the effect of taking GU along with 100 plus (which I will never ever do again). I got scared during running, I was already light headed. I was just focusing on finishing the race alive. I thought I really was going to faint. But when I got to the finish line I knew I was safe.

Nike + running view of how I ran (see below) I slowed down towards the end

It was just hard to go home after this because we transferred buses three times and it took us an hour before the bus left the Metropolis station. I slept all the way to make amends with my sleep debt. My friends also slept on the way, we no longer have the energy to talk. I love the tiredness this race gave to me, I knew I could do better. But every race is a chance to improve, so I'll get the PR next time. :)

All-in-all. I loved this race. I may repeat it again, but I will be sleeping more before the event and probably no more yoga the day before. Let me share some pictures of me during the event.

me and my friends before the race

met my officemate and ex officemate, we're on the same wave!

me and my PEx Running Club peeps!

First Fun Run Whack

I remember the first time I joined a fun run.... and it was whack I tell you.

I joined the Yamaha Run for the heroes last July 2011 due to our office's enthusiasm in running. Yes, I was peer pressured! I did not really want to join the "bandwagon" but the doctor wanted me to already lose the weight (I think I was about 80kg at that time or less). So, to push myself, I signed up for a 5k run.

Yes, 5km was my first fun run. Me and my office mate Ame signed up for this category. I remember the excruciating pain of waking up on the wee hour of the day just to run and punish myself. Ha-ha, you read it right, I saw running before as a punishment to myself. I did not find any joy in running. I thought it was just a fad. And I hate fads. Seriously, as much as I can, I will stay away from fad.

Gunstart and everyone ran, me and Ame ran for a few meters. And I did not run anymore. Hahaha. Yes, I walked. I told Ame that we should just walk and let them run, she insists that we should run but I insisted that we shouldn't. We walked the whole course for about 57 mins.

Now looking back, I can only laugh at myself. I ran with my father before, but I walked when my mind tells me to give up. I never knew that I can beat that little voice inside my head and go further. I should never underestimate myself, no one will believe me better than myself.

It's good to look back, just to check how far I have gone, how passionate I have become and how I have changed because of these. If I were to sign for a 5k again now, I will run the whole of it with glee and of course, less than 57 mins. (average time is about 35mins ~ yuck still slow hehe but hey it's improving! ^_^)

me with my officemates - yeah the jeepney driver towel is uso guys!

fatty me and ame

Running Cavitex via 7-eleven Run 800

I know it has been 6 months since the original race but me thinks I should give this race a try. Since, I've heard it is hard to get the refund, so I just did the race. I made it my first run for the year, since, this will be a new route - Cavitex or the Cavite Express Way.

Cavitex Toll, there are even planes nearby, I wish I've taken them

This is supposed to be my second 16k for 2012, but it has been rescheduled and I think it was worth the wait. Why was it worth the wait? Let me enumerate the good things:

1. Of course, it's Cavitex! I've been on the look out for new roads to run (see my blog post - Running Where) and this road is just as exciting. It's flat - at least for 16k route - and it has some good views to share. The view of the wide road, sea and landing planes and of course, the people busy at the port while we are all busy running. I am enjoying every meter of it. It's not even that polluted, I thought that the smell of the sea combined with the smell of smoke coming from vehicles passing will be a problem, but it didn't. Cavitex is now off my roads to run list. (Let me scream - OH YEAAAH! Woot woot!)

2. Hydration stations are everywhere! Stupid me brought myself a Gatorade during the race, and there were free Gatorades everywhere. How ironic? But hey! at least it just gave me the reason not to stop the whole 16 kilometers. But this is a good thing, hydration is really REALLY important for all racers.

3. I think, at least for me, the race was organized properly. Of course, they failed having the race on time, but they made up by having an organized starting line. Warm ups were led by Noelle de Guzman or Ms. Kikay Runner. The starting line was far from the entrance, just enough to have it as your warm up run, (I am almost late so I ran to the starting line that's why I think this way. hehe. Biased!) but I think it's because everything is logistically arranged - baggage counter is near the starting line, the foodie/freebie booths are at the entrance, etc. So, I think the race organizers redeemed themselves on this.

4. Plus factor was, of course, the freebies! We all love freebies. After the race, there were free Gatorade, Pocari Sweat, Selecta Ice Cream, Century Tuna, Women's/Men's Health Mag, Runner's Mag, etc. I think everything that is being sold by 7-11 was present on the race event. After all these, I totally forgot what they did already! (Hello Giddy Abi, the bloated girl after a 16k race! Haha!)

What I did not like on this race though was just one thing, there were unlit parts of the road on the start of the race. I hate running in the dark, so I slowed down on these parts. But this only happened on the break of dawn though, of course, given my slow pace, I finished the race at almost 2 hrs (1:55 hr to be exact) and the sun was already up at that time so, it was no biggie.

All-in-all this race was a success and I'm glad I chose it as my first race for 2013. Next stop 21k Skyway!

Me with my fellow PEX Runners  :)

 

Take a picture of me, I'm running!

Most people would love to have their picture taken, I admit, I am not one of them. I would love to take pictures but taking a picture of myself is REALLY HARD. Even if I posed, I look awkward. And for me, it is unacceptable and it's something I could give a day's laugh.

In fun run events here in the Philippines, there are photographers around who would take pictures of willing and unwilling subjects alike. I am not really an eye candy for photographers and I admit, it's hard looking for pictures of mine in a run. It's frustrating actually, I know I don't like having my picture taken, but I am curious how I look like on a run. And after a day of picture searching, these are what I have found out:

It shows that I am having a hard time running. I know that it is hard, but hello face you don't have to show it! 

QCIM, my longest 21k - Commonwealth is too darn hard eh? 

I think this is already at the finish line and I was like thanking God that it's all over. 

I have a habit of running with right arm down, almost all my pictures on the 2012 Milo National Finals album showed it. 

Right arm down, you can look at the other pictures and it's still down.. weird no? 

I have lost weight

Not that a lot though, I think I am 65kgs when this was taken, but it's good to look back. :)

I still have fats on my face

at Milo Marathon Finals, yeah I need to do some face exercises

at Ku Ikaika Marathon, the fudge, fat cheeks might've been heavy that my eyeballs are starting to fallout. Jeez/

I have this serious face mode turned on, on every race. 

I don't know, maybe I was thinking too deeply

Or just too engrossed in a song... 

When I pose, I give this awkward peace sign, I don't know any other pose. Sorry. 

Yes, no sweat, I am walking. Awkward peace sign y'áll

But there are days that the peace sign works and I have to give credit that I really look cute (this is not effortless, I wish it weren't though, good job people who can still look cute while running). 

Ku Ikaika Marathon, I am tired here but hey, I am enjoying this

And yeah, I posed! This is the first time! Yay me!

 And there are moments too that I love that were taken,

This was when I saw the gun time, this was my first sub 2:30 baby!

I even shouted along with the people because I am eligible for the medal Yay!

We were laughing on this photo because me and my friend Mavic finished the race in about 5 hrs! haha! This is how happy I am seeing the finish line. 

And I already told you how hard it is to find me in a race, it's like I am invisible can you find me in the crowd (just like Where's Wally! heehee)

I don't know why they even bothered posting this , but I love my legs here. :)

If you have good eyes, you'll see me and my eye haha

And of course, there are pictures that I really do look nice and I have to add another tab just for them. Hahaha!

Cute peace sign at Tetra Pak Run, must have been the effect of Coco Quench

Another successful cute peace sign pose! Excited to get the finish line goodies! 

Credits to Running Photographers, iRunners, Tsinelas Photographer, Pinoy Fitness, Photovendo, Active Moments and Run United for the pictures. I hope I get to have more pictures this coming 2013! Woot!