Dead frogs and a watermelon.

Bebeng's fury trickled down to a drizzle and woke me up on Tuesday morning. The lure of running in cool weather was all I could think of when I laced up and set out for an easy 10k run. I opted to run the 1.6km stretch near the village (my very own loop) than going to higher ground for the uphills - less I wanted to be runnernapped.

I had a feeling I would be the only runner on the road that day because it was still a bit chilly and foggy at 6am and I bet everyone was still in dreamland, kissing frogs. Speaking of frogs, I met a couple of them on the road. Some were already flat out on their backs like drunken fools and some had the misfortune of being run over by a vehicle. On my second loop up, a small, green and orange, thin frog tried to hop away when I passed by. Thanks for the company guys, at least there was something to keep my mind off a bit. I kept thinking where the bikers were. Usually, there's already a pack of them going uphill during that time and it was already late - 630 am. There was just the usual folks on pedicabs with their wares, some locals in motorcycles on their way to work (oops, dead frog with huge stomach), and a few kids scavenging on a pile of waste near the other end of my loop (yes dearies, I'm owning it).

On my last loop, I continued to a jog on the way down to the market to buy something to eat. I bought 3 pcs of tomatoes, 1 saba, 2 pharmaton capsules and 1 watermelon which was staring at me with a huge Buy Me tag on it. I was planning to walk all the way back to the village to cool down and didn't realize how heavy the watermelon was when the weight was unbearable at 50 meters. So, imagine me lifting the watermelon on the other hand, eating the saba on the other and walking back to a whole 1.3km stretch back to the house. Stupid me had to think of carrying it in front as if I'm carrying a baby. Then, putting it on my shoulder, then carrying it by the sides again. Repeat. All the way home...

When at last, I got home and devoured rice, veggies, and spam and of course, slices of the watermelon. On my second slice, I was telling yaya Vi how I took the watermelon home by walking for 1.3kms after a 10k run. All she had to say, "in the province, we had to carry what we bought from the market, carrying 2 baskets for 2kms and going uphill for another 2kms to the nearest tricycle ride." Aaahh...I'm not worthy!..

It's Hamster Time!

Weeks in the hospital kept me from the asphalt for a very long time - longer than my QCIM half mary, which was my worst time ever at 3:34. I knew I had to do something about the lull or my thighs and core area will grow celluloids and I will turn into a pear! The old man is now back at home and recuperating. It was a real miracle that Papa overcame the ICU episode and hopefully he will recover soon. I have been telling him to get back on his feet so he can run with me. I told him that he should be running with the other 70-year olds in the pack, he just gave me a thoughful look - he must be wondering what I'm talking about.

So, it's back to square one for me. It is always safe to take it slowly - just like anything else that you do on a first time. Although technically, this is not my first time to train. This week (April 25) is the first week back to training and Monday found me on the treadmill for 30 minutes. I must make sure the pounds whittle away before I can pound on the road again. On Tuesday evening, I did another 30 minutes plus 100 leg exercises and 2 push ups - yup, you read it right - two! Last night (Wednesday), I did another 30 minute treadmill workout.

Now, I'm wondering why my weight is at 140 this morning! Maybe it was the soda and halo-halo galore. Or the mini nestle coffee cups in the morning that I gulp down more than twice. Or the cheesesticks. Whatever it was, I am 15 pounds heavier now and I must do something about it! Some say the weighing scale is a good motivation to start trimming down and running is the best and cheapest way to do it. So tonight, I hit the oval again and ran off those kilos away, covering 12 rounds and a 400m walk. It's hamster time!...