Running Pink Run 2013

Last time I ran a race was last June 2013, and I skipped Milo Manila Eliminations due to lack of training. So, when I saw this, and encouraged a friend of mine to join this race with me, I ran a race again.

Good thing this race was staged at UP Diliman, which was near our home. And it's still inexpensive! Despite the fact the it's for cancer, I also needed to run a long run - for the marathon training. 

One thing races never fail at is starting early and on time. This was no exception, and I did not consider I don't have my bib with me (because my good friend, Ate MJ, registered the race for me) and I came 5mins late. So we both started out late.

Before coming in the starting line, we are both planning to do a 6mins run and one min walk, just to try the run-walk interval. So, after everything has been plastered on me, the bib, the shoe thingy and my own belt, we took off.

The 16k route will take you 7.5 rounds at UP academic oval, so on our first round, it went okay. But on the fifth round, I felt my previous injury reeling in, I've had a badminton injury last tournament where in my upper right leg feels iffy. I could not keep up and the one minute stops make me feel it more. So I let Ms Mj run and then I walked for about 500 m. Then, I returned to my own way of running, put my headphones on, then ran all the way to the finish line.

Finished at 2:16, lame time I know, but it was okay. I did not practice, just got well from a flu and I guess I wasn't in the mood. But it's okay. The whole race was okay, there were a lot of photographers, there were few racers, hydration was verrry sufficient.

This is the first race I've used my Fushia pink shoes on and I think I'm not going to use it on the marathon. But I am going to weigh it in first, do some more running just to check. 

Me and Running buddy Ate MJ during this race

All smiles

Earphone Crazy Pop

I left my iPod with the earphones connected on my bed one day, take note that I am just leaving to get to the loo. Then, when I came back, I was surprised to see the dog munching my pink candy colored headset and made it look like this..

Much to my dismay, to myself, to the dog and to the whole situation, the earphones, obviously, can no longer be used. 

Probably, this is my 3rd earphone for the year. I started the year with the Panasonic (which was about a thousand bucks) then mellowed with a Pioneer, for about 700 Php. Then, this one, the Audiophile one with the same color as my new running shoes. The first and third one were destroyed care of my doggie, Odin, then the other was defective. Stupid me, I did not keep the receipt so I just bought a new one.

So come payday, I decided to get one, again. Of course, I plan to splurge again, on earphones, since, I am a fan of high quality sounds care of my uncle who' I grew up with. I would love to hear an extra bass and good noise cancellation on it. Since, I use it for work and for my runs, sometimes in commute as well, since I am not the type who would like to disappear in the crowd and my iPod would do that for me. Anyway, I kept that explanation for too long, so, I searched at running shops and all of them are selling the expensive Yurbuds. The sales talk really would make me lean towards buying it, but, instead, I've kept my money inside my pocket or wallet. It is advantageous to get it, but not at this time, I guess. But, come February, I might get one, if and only if this new one is not yet broken. 

I came across the Coloud Pop Headphones. I saw this first when I came to ROX (Recreational Outdoor Exchange at Bonifacio High Street) along with the Yurbuds. It looks cute and pop-y, I did not want to get it the first time i saw it because it was way out of my budget (which was around 300-500php, this costs 895Php and it is already on Sale mind you). Also, one of the reasons I did not want to get it was the microphone. It has a built in mic that I thought I was never going to use, since I will only be using it for running.

But, when I came to the mall and made some serious earphone searching. I reconsidered getting it. Why? Because, first and foremost, it looks cute, sound quality is between better to best (my criteria for getting earphones really was cuteness AND sound quality. I don't compromise, I should get both) and the mic was okay to use too (for my SoundCloud account - yea, lol I sing too, now you know). I can also use it as a headset to my phone, so it will be convenient. 

I may have a lot of reasons why I am splurging on this one but based on the review I've read (and it's only one LOL - you may read it here in this link ) it is quite good and practical given its price and design. So I say yay for this purchase! I just hope I don't just leave it anywhere for the dog to mangle on. 

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! ^_^