Stop Log

I joined PEx Running club for the reason that I really wanna be inspired to run more. They have this kilometer run log thread where in we may log in our mileage for the day then add up to the total mileage done by the group. This is for fun though, so I joined this thread and I religiously log in my miles BEFORE.

Yeah, BEFORE. What the fudge happened to me? I checked my Nike and found out that I only ran thrice for July (add one for my 4km SG run) and then 2 runs for August. Depression really got me out of running.

I came back to the site again when the president tagged me on Facebook saying that I was one of the top mileage posters.  I thought, I have to fight the slot. As per checking, I was the second one, next to the president. And as I posted earlier my previous (from April to present) and recent runs, I think I already surpassrd him. 

I can't make depression get this part of me, I love running and I signed up for a marathon to make meself run more and of course I wanna be in shape. 

Okay so, since Sept is already here, I promise myself to log more miles to PEx, Daily Mile and Nike. I will be starting the training this month so I am darn excited. 

Target for Sept, at least 80kms. Let's see. Cheerio! 

Note

Just in case you weren't informed, I had a bout with depression last July to early August. It made me make stupid decisions that I don't really feel sorry doing but it was stupid and it just took my sanity downtown. I have found out, thru the internet and not yet confirmed, that I may have cyclothymia. I will be seeking help soon. 

Thinspiration

This is Jeon Ji Hyun, she is known as the My Sassy Girl. I used her photo as an avatar at a forum site I have been lurking at for years. And I used her avatar for a year or so, this is after I have watched My Sassy Girl for the nth time.

I have thought of this now, since I have been uninspired lately, I need to have a benchmark as to whom do I wanna be after all of the hardwork I have been doing. And, I so came to Ms. Jeon Ji Hyun's photos.

She is currently modelling for Reebok and man, I really really wanna have her body - flat abs and small waist, firm arms and legs. I know, I am waaaay far from her as of now, but I need to inspire myself. So to inspire myself, I am posting these ad pictures from Reebok that I took from the internet (credits to the owners of all pictures).

Now, I wanna get some Reebok stuff to inspire me more. LOL. I have to have this body before I do the marathon! :D

First step to 42

Yes. I have decided to do the inevitable 42km run or what we call THE MARATHON. I have been following Miss Bullrunner or Jaymie Pizzaro (site: www.thebullrunner.com) for some time now and I have been inspired with her blogs and stories and her marathon event the TBR Dream Marathon.

The Bull Runner Dream Marathon caters to first and second time marathoners, I have been skeptic in joining this before because it's waaayy too expensive. (Normal marathon runs would fare about 500 - 1000php but this one is around 3200php) Most runners would save the money for another run, but as I followed Ms Bullrunner site regarding this event, it seems that the experience was worth the pay. I think it was more than what most of them paid for.

Registration started last Friday, Aug 9, 2013 and I made sure I was in front of the pc at around noon because only the first 800 (now 900) people who registers only gets the slot on this. So, I made sure I have a slot, I patiently waited at the office even if it was a holiday. (Ha-ha) 

So, come 12nn, I registered myself and a friend for a slot(whom I thought I could not register but I successfully did) The waiting time killed the sanity out of me, it was like waiting for the board exam results, but thankfully come Monday night, I saw my name on the list of successful registrants I was ecstatic and scared.

Ecstatic or excited because this was something to look forward to. Amidst everything that's happening in my life, this is the only thing that will make me go running again. As I said, distance inspires me, and to conquer 42kms is a challenge, and it's exciting to train again. I am now fidgeting on the day they will be giving me the training plan. I'm just too excited to start.

Scared because the distance is something new to me, and it's normal to be scared (I think). But being scared only fuels me to go forth and conquer it. I love it, I love imagining myself on the finish line kissing the TBR Dream Marathon medal. I love the feeling it gives me. 

Training starts on Sept 2013, and run will commence on Feb 16, 2013. I will try to chronicle everything new and everything effective. I hope this helps you too. 

The email that confirms it all, I should start training already. :)

Running Run United 2 2013

I just ran the Run United 2 for 2013 earlier. Of course, I took on the 21k distance and I ran slower than my average but I've never felt better.

Well, I was expecting to come back on my normal average time of 2:40 but I did not push for it. I just came back from injury and I did not really train for this. In short, I wasn't prepared. 

I think I ran my normal 6-8 km/hr pace until the 14th. It was a hot and humid day. And, I kept staying on the hydration stations to drink and splash myself with water. My tummy felt funny at 12th, I didn't wanna finish my Gatorade at that time but still I did, so that I won't have anything on my hands. 

I walked at 14th then ran my lazy girl pace (which is now 9:00 km/hr.. Yeah, I know it is slower). Then walked again somewhere between 17th and 18th. Then, hydrated myself some more, then walked on the 20 to 20.5 then ran up to the end.

What I realized on this race is that I can still come back to running even after I've walked. I was afraid I might experience what I've felt on the Nat Geo Run. Wherein, I was not able to come back to running after drinking too much water at the 12th km hydration station. Also, I came back to the feeling of drag (wherein you count the kms you pass by as you run... Dreadful, dreary and awful feeling really), I thought I was okay last week but it seems that I wasn't. 

So this only means one thing, I have to come back to training again. I just had my go signal from the doctor yesterday. I can run again, with precautions (if possible, she advised me to wear knee supports particularly the one with patella support). I will continue whatever I have been doing with additional miles/kms per week. And do what I am planning to do on the next days. 

I think I'm being too hard on myself when I think that what I've been doing is not enough. I know I can still push it further but I forgave myself today because I know this isn't the day to do it. I will be gunning to beat my PR on the Milo Manila Elims on July so this is the start of my training. I hope all goes well. 

Me and my running buddies. Tired but smiling. Credit to Ms Mj for this photo.

Bouncing back

Earlier, I just came from clinic to make a follow up on my knee condition. I was happy leaving the place because the doctor advised me that I am already okay, I just have to take extra care of my knees.

So, what have I been doing lately before this day? 

1. I have mentioned that I am still running, but not as often as before (I can log 30kms a week) but now gradually I am coming back and I noticed a bit faster than before. This is because I've added something to my workouts.

2. Made weekly target exercises to tone parts of my body. I don't know if it works but it feels good. And I know, I have to strengthen my legs and core muscles in order for me to lessen the injury.

3. Stretches, as recommended by the book, Run Less, Run Faster from Runner's World. It feels good too so, I am doing it.

4. Studied Chi Running. I read in a blog, that this running style/form helped him endure his knee injury. But I admit I am still in the process of studying it. I think it helped in making me run a bit faster.. I think. I wish I am doing it right. 

5. Swimming. But not regularly, I will try to make it my weekly habit including biking (I will be getting the bike hopefully by June 2013). 

I think I will be adding some modality exercise I've made during therapy and also as I've mentioned in number five, I will also add biking as my cross training thingy. I guess weekends will be as busy as ever, this injury just opened a lot of possibilities for me and I am just beginning to grab every opportunity that goes along with it. 

Tomorrow, I will be running my second Run United for the year. I will be going for the 21km distance and I hope I don't disappoint myself. I won't go to beat my personal record but I will try running it in less than 2:40. 

I wish. Let's see. Cheers to me bouncing back! ^_^

Walkathon at Nat Geo Earth Day Run 2013

The doctor said I have ITBS and knee sprain, the verdict was to rest for two weeks then try running for about 30mins if it does not hurt, keep running (or something like that.. hehe.. ) if it hurts, try the 10min run and 5min walk. I learned the run exercise a day before the Nat Geo Earth Day Run 2013.

Yes, it wasn't a go sign from the doctor to run this race. I ran because I am losing this fight with my knee injury and I don't wanna baby it anymore.

my legs before going home to our province. It was all tapered up

As usual, I came early for this race. One of the not-so-okay was the long line for the baggage counter, I almost wished I didn't bring any bag. It was for our good though, since there were bomb sniffing dogs to check whether we are carrying explosives or not. This got me scared, one dog smelled my bag for too long, he even tried getting his nose inside. Erggg.. There were no bombs, and no food either, just my change of clothes.

So, I came to the starting line feeling scared because I might not run the same way again. I ran at a pace of almost 7 mins per km on the first three kms then 8 mins per km up to the 8th km. Then, it was the Buendia overpass so I slowed down then maintained 8 up to the 12th. After drinking my hydration on the 12th, my knee injury was starting to make it's presence known. I tried doing the Chi Running but I think I still lack the know how on successfully executing it. That was when I started walking.

Can't run, so we go walk walk walk walk

I thought I was going to walk for a while then run again but the knee pain was still there when I tried. Add also the fact that my momentum was already destroyed, I resigned to the fact that I could not run again. The sun was already out and it was really hot. I wanted to go to the finish line already. My motivation was to just finish the race and get the finisher's shirt, so I went on.

I was able to finish the race after 3hrs and 18 mins, my slowest ever. I did not even bother checking it, until now. It was a lame time. It's one of those things I did not dream of having, my target before was not to have a 3hr run on my belt but here it is. Oh well, it's either this will be the start of all my lame races or the momentum for the best times to come. Let's see. 

My run analysis from Strider.ph

Obviously, it was sad that I have to walk. It was defeat on my point of view, but I thought, if I keep running I might not run my first marathon, my first triathlon, and Run United 2. I will let defeat win this time, I really have to get better. 

I am still on therapy and I will be practicing how to do the Chi Running to lessen whatever injury I may be having. I hope I can fully run on the Run United 2 Event, if not there, I will be setting my PR on the Milo Manila Eliminations. 

As for the race, the organizer, Event king did a so-so performance, they gave the runners a killer challenging route, hydration was sufficient, but I did not see any energy drinks though. I love the singlet and the finisher's shirt.I hate the organization on the baggage counter though, I think it could be improved. 

I think I am lacking enthusiasm. I wish I can win it back. Oh well.  

Running at Subic

We recently held our annual Team building for our teeny weeny team of 15 (good job and kudos to Dennis Imperial, by far this is the best and the most fun we've had for the last 5 years) and since it is days before the Nat Geo run, one of our colleagues suggested that we run at the place where the Team Building will be held.

This year, it was decided to be held at Kamana Sanctuary at Subic, Zambales. I did not know of this place until I looked at the map. Me and my father first went here without the resort, this was a public beach called the Nabasan Beach and now owners of Kamana already bought the whole area. It was good that my colleague, Mike chose this place because it was secluded and it had a pool (I am doing this weekly swimming thingy so this is an advantage).

Kamana Beach Front, with Jelly Fish signs

The resort, enticing much no? 

As I drove the hilux to our destination, the road and the view gave me the inspiration to run the next day. It was nature, and the roads were made of asphalt. I am definitely excited! Scenic landscapes really get me going on running.

When we arrived, we swam and did volleyball and then the next day, as agreed, I woke up early, to brave the road from Nabasan beach to the highway. Good thing, two of my colleagues kept their word and ran with me. They paced me and I was the gps girl, we planned to run 10k that day. I am the key that will
lead them to the 5th km mark. (Haha reason not to leave me! hahaha)

At 545am we rolled, I was able to keep up with them on the first km, but as soon as I heard my breathing (which was from my understanding gasping already for air, panicky, out of rhythm) I wore my headset to focus more. I tried not to talk but these are my colleagues and they don't have any headset on them so I tried keeping up.

What I call pahirap path, everything is uphill up to the 

Before the fourth km, I walked, this is because I can feel my knee sprain/pain/injury already. It was uphill, super, uphill and I couldn't keep up so I let the other two run at it. I walked at their backs. As soon as we reach the intersection, we all decided to go south. Then we ran altogether with me at the middle. The final 2km stretch was the killer, it was a 70 degree uphill(I think), I could no longer keep up. I let them go and run it, and then I walked for a couple of mins. As soon as the downhill was at sight, I ran to keep up with them.

After the 5th km mark, which was near Morong gate already, I was able to keep up with them until the end. Good thing, my knees were slight undamaged but my right shin and calf had this irritating pain that kept me soothing it the whole day so that I can run the next day.

My Subic Running buddies, and I thought I was not going to make it with them haha

The next day, I ran alone, I tried running the path we all did the other day, but, there was a monkey who blocked my way. I am afraid it might bite or do something with me, so, I did not push thru. I just ran at the nearby empty lot area, which was about 600m in length, not bad so I ran. Bad thing though, my knee injury is starting to make its presence known during the whole run. So I only ran 5kms that day then made up by swimming.

The little dot at the middle was the monkey, I wanna come closer but it may do harm and we don't want any harm don't we?

                     

My alternative running area - the open field, I just ran around

After this experience, I remembered I liked running on different places. I think being on foot on certain places makes you explore the place more and it is the same here. And it is the first time I ran with buddies who actually ran with me. I really liked this experience. Every once and a while it is good to have some buddies to run in a beautiful place. 

All-in-all the team building was a big break for our group and for myself too. I get to realize some things about my colleagues that made me appreciate them more. Sometimes, it is necessary for some people to have breaks in their life to check what's missing and what needs to be done in order for us to fill in whatever gap that exists.