Run that by me again?

Registered for KOTR yesterday and the first question I asked was, “available na ba ang race kit?” (is the race kit available?). The guy behind the counter explained that it can be claimed during the Adidas Running Expo on October 17 or 18 at Megatrade Hall. Ok. Cool, a running expo – now, that’s new.

"Sample singlet lang po ang nasa amin” (we only have the sample singlets) Ok. Tried them on, nice fabric, bright yellow. Extra small size – check (wow, running is helping me shed off pounds). While he entertained the guy in front of me who also registered, I read through the registration details. It turned out that there is a particular time slot when you can claim your kits, 21k from 10am to 1pm, 10k from 1 to 4pm, and 5k from 4-7pm. Great. I have to go through the Megamall weekend traffic (both vehicular and pedestrian) and then I have to make sure I am there on my timeslot. I have to do this on the 17th since there’s another race the next day....oops, I haven't registered for that one yet. Crap. Imagine the longest claim area from the Hall down to EDSA come Oct 17. Now, that’s a box-office hit!

This is the first time I registered for KOTR. To be honest, I just want to have one of those singlets (loser! haha!) that they’re giving away and be part of this year’s Adidas run.



The reason I registered early is to avoid what happened last year – they ran out (pun intended) of race kits. It seems that I have to avoid registering in races – it’s getting a bit of a habit, right? Nah, taking on the road all by myself is half as much fun as joining the others on the asphalt. Takbo na!

Road marks to Baler

view of sabang beach from ermita hill

Flashback
When I was asked to accompany my colleague to Baler, Aurora, I did not hesitate - even if we're going back to Manila one day before Rotarun. It has been years since I set foot on my mother’s hometown and I was wondering when I can visit again. I was, in fact, more than excited and was itching to get a chance to run the Surfing City of the North, or hike up the numerous mountain trails, or surf at Sabang Beach. I haven’t tried surfing yet though and didn’t have much time to trek, so I MUST run instead.

Ran around BHS Thursday night and went home around 11pm, which gave me only less than 4 hours of sleep before I headed off to Marcos Highway to meet the crew for our 6am call time.

Odometer Set
The runner in me had to ask the driver to reset the odometer when we reached EDSA so I have an idea how far it is from EDSA to Alfonso, Castaneda, Nueva Vizcaya (our first stop), then from there to Baler. It’s a 7 hour drive to Baler from Manila, roughing out the very narrow roads of Pantabangan. Then on to the winding roads of the Sierra Madre. Before we reached Nueva Ecija, we coursed through SCTEX and I was reminded of the SIM on October 24, where some runner friends will be joining. I opted to support them though - as I still don't have the guts (nor the stamina) to run the whole 42k stretch.







Alfonso, Castaneda, Nueva Vizcaya
By 11a.m., we were already parking at Alfonso, Castaneda. 3 hours after our meeting, we head off to Maria Aurora, Baler. I was told that it’s only 7kms from Alfonso to Baler…hmmm…I can be there in less than an hour. Not wanting to get lost along the way though (or be kidnapped by NPAs - ulk!), I decided to run the next morning instead.



3 hours after, we were gorging on ginataang alimango at a cottage near Sabang Beach. Checked in at Bahia de Baler for the night and promised myself to run early the next morning. Got the chance as early as 4am (because we need to leave by 7am) but only got as far as the loop in front of the resort - the beachfront was too dark :(

Even so, it was a good thing I got the chance to leave the desk and smell the flowers. Next stop? My father's hometown - Ilocos Norte!




caught some runners before we left,i swear to come back for this

Gremlins Unleashed!

As soon as the 10k starting gun was fired off, a crazy lot of runners took off under a heavy downpour. At the turn to 32nd St., the downpour got heavier and it was here that I noticed the runners have suddenly multiplied and were frolicking on both sides! There was even this one boy who would tap the water puddles off each cement dividers along the street up to the intersection, where the 3k turnaround was! He was having so much fun that I couldn’t help but smile.


Gizmo – the cute and cuddly Gremlin (that is, before you pour water over him)*

Others were still complaining of the cold, while some were kidding around about forgetting their ‘kapotes’ and umbrellas, and still others would be stepping on every puddle on the road and making sure it splashes right back at them. Everyone was caught up in the rain frenzy and it was just the right diversion I was looking for to keep me from concentrating too much on how my arms were swinging, on my stride and pace, and on my breathing. I managed to reach the Kalayaan flyover but I had to slow down when I reached the uphill. After less than a minute, I picked up the pace, this time focusing on the road ahead and once in a while acknowledging some of the 21k runners who were already on their way to the Fort. I wanted to stop at the end of the flyover towards Buendia, but this sign made me think twice…


ROGER THAT!

And so I kept on running, albeit at a slower pace, until I reached Paseo drive. At this point, there were runners in front of me who were already turning left to Paseo a few meters before the intersection. Hmm…that doesn't seem right. Not wanting to cheat on myself, I continued on until the intersection, where a marshall was standing, and waited because the traffic enforcer already waved the motorists to cross. As soon as the enforcer stopped them, I moved on. However, I had to slow down again because the middle finger on my right hand was numb already. Took two sips of Gatorade and shook off the numbness – which eventually wore off before I reached Ayala Avenue. This part of the course was exhilirating as this was my first time to run on this road - and on wet shoes at that! Fast forward and en route back to the flyover, where I did a mixture of run, walk, and jog while keeping tabs of targets. I managed a good finish of 1:16 (unofficial) – better than my last 10k finish of 1:27 (at Mckinley) and my last 10k finish of 1:24 (at the Kalayaan flyover). Yes! *dance of joy*!

*Now that they have been set free, it's no wonder why there will be thousands more runners in the races to come…rain or shine!

Training Day

Been a hamster for a couple of days already and its psychological effect is wearing me down. Because of Labuyo and Maring, I haven’t had the chance to hit the asphalt lately…until yesterday.

Yesterday was, in fact, my ‘training day’. Since I had to treat the boys out for a post birthday chomp, I figured why not run along with them at BHS and treat them to pizza afterwards. It was Isko’s regular Thursday night run at the Fort and he has been asking me to come along. So this time, I did - fear notwithstanding (what am I up against? – an ultramarathoner who is not going to let me stop no matter what I say or complain about – well, at least he tried – peace Isko! – masarap naman Italianni’s diba?)

Before I decided, he made sure I was ready. His exact words were: kailangan ko dedication at commitment at ready ka dapat sa mga “encouraging” words na maririning sa akin…Encouraging words, hmmm...I only have one… ;)

The gameplan:
A run around BHS covering the 1.20km loop for five times, equivalent to more than 5kms (according to Ian’s “Garmin” measurement – Ian, I didn’t notice your Garmin…hehe)

The real thing:
After the first loop, we did some stretching exercises focusing on the mid foot and hamstrings. And then we’re off again for the 2nd loop. During this time, Isko would notice my arms and would tell me to swing them back and not to cross them in front. “Relax mo shoulders mo, swing mo arms mo sa side na parang may sinisiko ka sa likod...dapat ang kamay hindi nakasara…open mo lang, tapos parang may hawak ka na pick (pick? – I was thinking here…ummmm…pick, like for the guitar? Anyway, no time to ask questions, the coach is serious – I must be serious). Moving on, I mean, running on…

Every now and then, he would ask me questions on how I run and what I am doing before I feel the numbness, at what kilometer, did I sprint before that? Have I been walking already before it happened? And then I felt it – the side stitch. He told me to stretch my arms up, palms up, to release the pressure on the core. He said I need to build strength on my core muscles – noted.

And then he asked me to sprint – ulk! Spirit unwilling, I did so for 70% of one side of the loop. Afterwards, I was breathing heavily. I asked Isko if we can already stop – wrong move. He made me run for another loop - although at a slower pace this time. We stopped for a while to do some breathing exercises – inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale, five times – I think the carbon in my lungs shoot up to a critical level last night. After two more loops, we did some muscle strengthening exercises and a number of drills – which I believe was the most difficult part of the program.

While improving my running performance is top priority now, I was advised to visit the MD first before I proceed with the program. Now, I have two lab requests in my hand – one, for a serum potassium level test and another for a CBC. While waiting for the results, I’ll keep a steady pace for this Sunday’s run -- just to be on the safe side.

Thumbs U.P.!

It was just one of those days when I just want to run - without a care in the world. (I didn't even notice my time when I finished the race*) The UP grounds that morning provided a very laid back atmosphere. The breeze was just right, the trees were enough to set the mood, ample aid stations, marshalls were everywhere, no frills, new and challenging route, and just a good number of fellow runners and friends enjoying a great morning run and blending in with the usual Sunday bunch.

Botak did a good job. Need I say more?

after changing, took shot of some of the runners before the finish line...






and a few post photo ops...

with college classmate and Inquirer sports desk editor Romina Austria


with Ian Alacar and the rest of the pack

*Looks like I really had a swell time. Just saw my official time> 0:57 - better than my last 5 mile of 1:08. But my name got lost under the male list - didn't think I was as fast as my bros :)

In a blink of an eye

Speedsters are one in a million. Although the Olympics have recorded quite a few, there's so much power to be able to run a 200 meter dash in 20 seconds. These ‘Flash’ clones are so fast that you won’t even have enough time to jaw-drop. An international magazine recently featured six of the world’s fastest sprinters. Theirs are an amazing feat (I guess, I'm not the only one on research mode). Let’s see how they fared.

1.Usain Bolt – by far the fastest among the lot. Usain recorded 19.30 seconds on a 200-m mark at 23 years old! And he claims he loaded on chicken nuggets in Beijing….hmmm, interesting.

2.Carl Lewis – earning his gold medal for nine times, set the 100-m world record at 9.92 in 1988 and 9.86 in 1991! Whew!

3.Michael Johnson – albeit just 2 seconds slower than Bolt, some publicized him as the world’s fastest in 1996.

4.Ben Johnson – despite a positive steroid test, clocked in at 9.79 in 1988.

5.Jesse Owens – who once outraced a horse, also held the long-jump record for 25 years.

6.Charley Paddock – whose idea of a carboload is a sherry and raw egg, trailblazed a 100-meter dash at 10.4 seconds in 1921.

But like they say, sprinters and runners are different. The former goes for speed, while the latter for endurance. Well, what do you think?






Sources: Time; scienceblogs.com