La Mesa Holy Week Plan

Holy week is one of my favorite holidays of the year. This is because it (and NO OTHER REASONS mind you) allows me to have 4 days off from work, usually I would just sleep and watch tv all day but this time I have set my eyes on going to La Mesa Eco Park.

Why La Mesa? Since I swam last week at F1 hotel where we stayed for almost a week, I tried swimming the pool on the last day for about 45mins. It was satisfying! I love swimming, of course I love running too but doing swimming for my regular workout would do me soooo good. And since La Mesa Eco park is soo near, and I called earlier and the lady said they were open from tomorrow to Sunday what more could I ask for? Gooodie right???

In addition to my plans to speed up or at least make me a stronger runner, I would love to have this one added as one of my cross training exercise (yes, along with my regular Aikido session). I am already envisioning my weekends and I am excited really. (Yes, obviously)

This coming holy week, I'll try to squeeze in two runs and swim in this area. Since, I am still recovering from a knee injury I will do an easy run then this. Since it's about 5 kms from home, maybe I can run to and from the area.

I hope I will be able to find time to do this on the four days of holiday. I know I'll find time. Wish me luck.

BTW, below are the pictures that will maybe excite you to go there as well. :)

lap pool of La Mesa Eco Park (picture courtesy of http://everydaybananas.arkiteksara.com)

La Mesa Eco Park Trails - (photo courtesy of Visitpinas.com)

Killer Stairs! seriously, I've been there. Will try this when I get there (courtesy of mayniladailyphoto.blogspot.com)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Eyes on Run.ph

Recently saw Ms Bullrunner's Blog regarding the newly made Run.ph site. I have to admit it isss sooo COOL! I love it.

Even if I am at work (I am currently pissed with the things that is happening around here and this just made me smile), I immediately logged every run that I have been and will be running in the coming days. I admit, I am addicted to these things.

I love it's simple design AND it has no ads on it. I love it, you will be more focused on the details about your runs and you can also find running skeds here. How really really cool! I am so elated now. I wish at home so that I can explore this. BTW, according to Ms Bullrunner, it also has an iPhone app so I'll try to navigate around it as well.

Run.ph site - with the run list page

With my Run Log book

I really haven't navigated it around. But, I will be tinkering around it this coming holidays. I'm shooo excited :)

Frustrated. Frustrations. Focus. Plan.

It is obvious that I get frustrated when I run slower than my average. Actually, I just realized now that I am frustrated because there are people who are just blessed with the speed, and I hate this pity feeling that I have with myself when I've known the training they have done.

Who are these people? Genetically blessed people who don't run that often and still get faster speeds than me. I know I should remember not to compare but I personally love this sport, why do they go faster? And i run as often and my speed just wouldn't budge a bit higher than my average.

It is frustrating seriously, I am reaching a plateau where I can run and then not feel. the difference anymore. I recently bought two new books to feed this frustration.

Usually, if it is this long, I'd give up already. Given my schedule, my family, my social life and everything, I really could just drop this thing off. It's not working.

Well, there's still this little voice saying "no, don't give up". A friend told me, don't mind them, and this book I am reading is saying the same. I wanted to cry because of this frustration and I feel like I am doing what I can but it's never enough and I hate that feeling. It's enough to just make me quit.

I am currently writing this, because I don't want to quit. Seriously. But I wanted to improve so baaaad, but I don't know if I am doing it right. I am losing motivation to attain it.

Anyway, I will try to put these negative feelings aside and lay out plans to make me improve. What are these things?

1. Follow a training plan - So, I bought two books, and the first one had a feasible training plan for 16weeks (I think) and I'll try to do it religiously, again, try. I did it for the first week and I felt different, I just can't do the tempo run but I will still try and try and try until I get it right.

2. Lose weight - I admit, I've gained weight, (about 64kgs again) so, I have to return to 60 kg in order for me to run faster with less impact on my thighs and feet.

3. Increase my core strength - Yes, I have been telling this a couple of times but I could only do these core exercises on weekends. It seems, it doesn't work. So, I'll try to squeeze in some of these during weekdays.

4. Run by myself - or if it is with someone. He/she should be willing to help. This is to not compare myself with others, I repeat, I am frustrated with myself because of these "blessed" people. I have to accept everything but still train hard in order for me to gain the glory of having to beat my fuckin PR.

5. Swim or Bike - I love doing these two better than running I tell ya. I just couldn't find a place and a bike to do this. I swam earlier and I loved it. As I was reading these books, they are recommending both sports for cross training. I love running mind you, and I wanted it to work by doing other things that I love to make running work better for me.

I want to run for the love of it not because of competition. I just couldn't help it sometimes, but I have to always remind myself why I am running. I just hate seeing their faces when they learn my time, and they know how often I run and yet, it just doesn't show on the day of the race. I hate it seriously. That is why I thought of item number 4.

But you know, you can't prevent them from running these races, they will always be there. I want to just get past this and focus. This frustration usually feeds the little motivation I have left and train some more. I also thought by principle, if the same things happen (my running time), it means I am not doing anything new and we have to make some differences in what we do in order for me to improve.

I feel a bit better now. I guess being at peace with yourself by writing does wonders to one's sanity. I hope I really really get better in terms of performance, and I hope I stay focused in making that possible.

Good night.

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!