If you happen to drive along the streets of The Fort, from BHS to Rizal Drive to the Buendia flyover and along Buendia Avenue - from Paseo to Malugay streets on a Sunday morning, I suggest that you bring a big bag of PATIENCE and HIGH SPIRITS with you and you will thank me for it. I know it’s not easy to be perky in the morning, especially on a Sunday when you have a long list of errands on your dashboard and the wife is on an earsplitting banter with the dog and the kids at the back of the car.
Due to the recent high levels of addiction to running, these streets are generally closed for a Sunday race or marathon where hundreds to thousands of health conscious runners are participating. It is unfortunate though that for some of us, we consider closing these streets for a marathon (or for a rally, perhaps - but that's another story waiting to be blogged) a hassle or even a waste of time. Unlike some spectators, who by the way cheer on the runners - not only during last Sunday’s run but in previous races as well, most motorists have yet to understand why we like to run on the asphalt and not on the sidewalk or on the pavement.
Besides the bag, what else can you do to keep your sanity until the green light?
-Honk to the tune of ‘Beat it’ and wave to the runners
-Pump up your car’s volume and call out to the runners to increase their momentum
-Get out of the car, dance, and give out a loud cheer for the runners as they go by
-Join in and RUN – away!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Run for Home: Easy Like Sunday Morning
Locked and Loaded
Before the caffeine hit the spot, I loaded up on Texas Roadhouse Grill’s Pork Steak and Classic Savory’s Classic Combo – that would make you think that I was doing a 42k. Nah, just celebrating - plus it was one of those stormy weekends that you just can’t get enough of the carbs.
Classic Chicken at Savory
Yummy Pork Steak at Texas Roadhouse Grill - just love 'em carboloading
Arrived at exactly 4:45 am on Sunday morning and was shocked to see that there's no one parked in front of the jump-off area. It turned out that they're reserved for the VIPs. By the time the engine was turned off, I saw an unbelievably enormous number of 21k runners off to an early start at exactly 5am - I thought I was already late and these were all 10k runners. At 5:30, the 10k runners totaled to around 1,500. Bumped into Jerry (highaltitude.com) before the 10k gun-off. When he asked my friend and I how our pace was like, I went: 'don't ask - we're very slow'. Sorry, Jerry - I doubt I'll be able to catch up with your pace :) My pace was an easy one - didn't rush off with the rest but finished off the Buendia flyover with no walk breaks - woohoo! But when I reached the Jaguar showroom, I had side stitches and had to slow down and walk. After a minute, I set off again until the turnaround. Got another side stitch but no numbness, so I continued on the run/jog/walk routine until the finish line - where I didn't sprint off like I used to. Unofficial time clocked in at 1:25.
Much ado about the VIPs
V - ast. This is what the parking space in front of the jump-off looked like. There were a lot of parking spots and no one was parked in it. Did the VIPs WALK to the race? Or maybe the cars were used as support vehicles?
I – nstant. The ChampionChip did not provide the on-the-spot, immediate, after-the-race results as promised. Did the imaginary rain destroy the magnetic field? Were the chips designed for another race? Did we tie it correctly? Are the results disposable as the chips? Uh-oh…hope not, because this is the first time I did not bring my Timex watch.
Looks like I got it right coz it didn't fall off :)
P - ossibilities. This race opened up possible innovations for upcoming races (organizers – hear ye, hear ye). Consider designing a new or different route for the 10k or even the 16k. Test run on those chips and we’ll all experience better technologies for every race. I kinda like the AS on the Buendia flyover – can we have more of these plus the markers?
In toto, I give this run a 6 rating. It has innovation for the race route, a timing chip and enough liquids to last a 42k. But, they lost 4 points for the instant race results - which is in fact, one of the big time reasons why I joined this run.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Are you a green runner?
Before you get the wrong ideas, let me make myself clear. A green runner is someone who stays healthy by running and helps Mother Earth healthy by taking care of her.
Go ahead and check out if you are:
--- I bike or run from home to my office and back
(that is, if you don’t live in Bulacan and work in Makati)
--- I handwash my dri-fit gear and hang them dry
--- I donate my old shoes to the baldrunner (www.baldrunner.com) and to other recycling groups
--- I don't leave my bibs or turnaround strings lying around afterwards
--- I bring my own hydration liquid
--- I avoid using the plastic cups in the AS and throw them on the streets
--- I join eco-friendly and environment-conscious races
--- I run/bike/walk to every race
--- I keep off the grass and stay on the asphalt
greenfaze.com
Go ahead and check out if you are:
--- I bike or run from home to my office and back
(that is, if you don’t live in Bulacan and work in Makati)
--- I handwash my dri-fit gear and hang them dry
--- I donate my old shoes to the baldrunner (www.baldrunner.com) and to other recycling groups
--- I don't leave my bibs or turnaround strings lying around afterwards
--- I bring my own hydration liquid
--- I avoid using the plastic cups in the AS and throw them on the streets
--- I join eco-friendly and environment-conscious races
--- I run/bike/walk to every race
--- I keep off the grass and stay on the asphalt
greenfaze.com
How to prepare for a race
Bet I'm not the only one. One wears a favorite dri-fit orange shirt (which he used when he met his PR at a 21k, didn't feel any leg pain, and felt really good afterwards). Another makes sure that she wears her Adidas climacool white cap - which she believes keeps her maintain a sub sixty for every 10k. Still another gulps down caffeine an hour before a race to keep her on her toes during an entire 10miler. And yet another wears Nike Elite Running Socks everytime he wants to finish an Ultra. Whatever the reason, there would always be that hope that we would achieve a certain running goal if we keep on doing this or wearing that or keeping this or taking that.
I decided to gulp down on caffeine the day before Globe's Run for Home and it was not my usual tall, mocha, hot at Starbucks but I tried Canada's Blenz Coffee Iced Cafe Mocha because I want my adrenalin pumping for the next day race. It was only at 2am, three hours before the race, that I realized I made a mistake. It worked for the Starbucks before, but the sheeps ran out on me this time.
the culprit
So, I guess every runner better keep these pointers in mind before each race:
1. Erroneous beliefs will not make you faster or keep you pumped up during a race. But what the heck, we all have our own misleading notions for everything we do.
2. If you want to get a good night’s sleep before a very important race, leave the coffee to the call center agents the night before. If you’re a caffeine addict, go ahead and spend another P150 for that Venti afterwards - it's your P150 anyway.
3. Never increase your distance if you have not started on a training program yet. Call on the Baldrunner (www.baldrunner.com) for a free running clinic and a good training program.
4. If you want a parking spot during the race, arrive early.
5. Bring your own hydration liquid. So you won't have to complain of diarrhea afterwards.
6. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day – but if you don’t want an appendectomy, a whole egg, or a banana, or two slices of wheat bread and Gatorade will do. Take your pick.
7. Tie your shoelaces correctly. Read www.runnersworld.com for the proper way.
8. Early morning toxins must be released to avoid discomfort.
9. You want to stay healthy and run? Lucky strikes will not do you any good. And that goes for the alcohol load the night before.
10. Stretch those muscles but don’t keep them too warmed up.
I decided to gulp down on caffeine the day before Globe's Run for Home and it was not my usual tall, mocha, hot at Starbucks but I tried Canada's Blenz Coffee Iced Cafe Mocha because I want my adrenalin pumping for the next day race. It was only at 2am, three hours before the race, that I realized I made a mistake. It worked for the Starbucks before, but the sheeps ran out on me this time.
the culprit
So, I guess every runner better keep these pointers in mind before each race:
1. Erroneous beliefs will not make you faster or keep you pumped up during a race. But what the heck, we all have our own misleading notions for everything we do.
2. If you want to get a good night’s sleep before a very important race, leave the coffee to the call center agents the night before. If you’re a caffeine addict, go ahead and spend another P150 for that Venti afterwards - it's your P150 anyway.
3. Never increase your distance if you have not started on a training program yet. Call on the Baldrunner (www.baldrunner.com) for a free running clinic and a good training program.
4. If you want a parking spot during the race, arrive early.
5. Bring your own hydration liquid. So you won't have to complain of diarrhea afterwards.
6. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day – but if you don’t want an appendectomy, a whole egg, or a banana, or two slices of wheat bread and Gatorade will do. Take your pick.
7. Tie your shoelaces correctly. Read www.runnersworld.com for the proper way.
8. Early morning toxins must be released to avoid discomfort.
9. You want to stay healthy and run? Lucky strikes will not do you any good. And that goes for the alcohol load the night before.
10. Stretch those muscles but don’t keep them too warmed up.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Desserts after Milo
They say we always try to find a 'diversion' from a recent depressing situation or happening in our lives. Some would eat a dark chocolate cake, some would watch a movie, some would shop (till they drop), some would pig out, some would blog - no really! Ok, I must admit I've done some of these...haha!
As for me, after a disappointing 10k run during Milo I was fortunate to receive a call from my balikbayan Tito and the new cousins, who invited me to Tagaytay Highlands right after Milo. And I totally forgot all about my very disappointing run.
Food for thought:Stressed when spelled backwards is Desserts
Can you see those cloud formations?
Hmmm...race you?
Nah...didn't swim nor rode in those cable cars - but the kids did :)
As for me, after a disappointing 10k run during Milo I was fortunate to receive a call from my balikbayan Tito and the new cousins, who invited me to Tagaytay Highlands right after Milo. And I totally forgot all about my very disappointing run.
Food for thought:Stressed when spelled backwards is Desserts
Can you see those cloud formations?
Hmmm...race you?
Nah...didn't swim nor rode in those cable cars - but the kids did :)
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Milo Marathon: I wasn't ready
With zero sleep and training before the Milo Marathon, it's no wonder that I spent half of the race walking. But before I get to that, let me recall my very first Milo experience...
When I got to Kilometer 0 at 4:45 am last July 5, the 42km runners had just raced off in a rainbow of reflectors. They left behind a very festive crowd of onlookers, runners-in-waiting, supporters, taho vendors, a group of little Buenavista hopefuls, and green men and women. I remember the last time I was in Roxas Blvd at dawn. My friends and I were working on our Investigative Journalism project - the state of the flesh trade in Luneta. But that's another blog entry in progress...so moving on...
The race started on time - after a national anthem, a prayer, and welcome remarks from Chairman Bayani Fernando and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. The first two kilometers were fine and I kept holding on to my mantra "you've done this route before, you can do it!" but I slowed down as soon as I saw the 5km turnaround - "i can't! i really can't!". And before I got to the flyover, I was already walking. My fingers were numb and everything I see was distorted - like a Vincent Van Gogh painting. Damn! I will never make it to the 1:30 cut-off. I walked/run/walked/run until I got to the turnaround and berated myself for registering for a 10km...girl, you're stubborn as a bull. But someone else was talking to me - you have to finish this race and you must do so before the cut off time! But then again, I might have already been delirious.
The numbness reached my lips and my right arm and I was a bit dizzy when I got to Km 0. It was already 1:25 on my watch, 500 meters more and I will finish this race. Sprinting to the finish at 1:30 left me more dazed, dehydrated and still numb everywhere. The thought that I finished the race within the cut-off time (official time is 1:27) is more than enough consolation for a poor run. But, I really have to train and sleep more or I will never finish my next 10k.
A Van Gogh - courtesy of the net
When I got to Kilometer 0 at 4:45 am last July 5, the 42km runners had just raced off in a rainbow of reflectors. They left behind a very festive crowd of onlookers, runners-in-waiting, supporters, taho vendors, a group of little Buenavista hopefuls, and green men and women. I remember the last time I was in Roxas Blvd at dawn. My friends and I were working on our Investigative Journalism project - the state of the flesh trade in Luneta. But that's another blog entry in progress...so moving on...
The race started on time - after a national anthem, a prayer, and welcome remarks from Chairman Bayani Fernando and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. The first two kilometers were fine and I kept holding on to my mantra "you've done this route before, you can do it!" but I slowed down as soon as I saw the 5km turnaround - "i can't! i really can't!". And before I got to the flyover, I was already walking. My fingers were numb and everything I see was distorted - like a Vincent Van Gogh painting. Damn! I will never make it to the 1:30 cut-off. I walked/run/walked/run until I got to the turnaround and berated myself for registering for a 10km...girl, you're stubborn as a bull. But someone else was talking to me - you have to finish this race and you must do so before the cut off time! But then again, I might have already been delirious.
The numbness reached my lips and my right arm and I was a bit dizzy when I got to Km 0. It was already 1:25 on my watch, 500 meters more and I will finish this race. Sprinting to the finish at 1:30 left me more dazed, dehydrated and still numb everywhere. The thought that I finished the race within the cut-off time (official time is 1:27) is more than enough consolation for a poor run. But, I really have to train and sleep more or I will never finish my next 10k.
A Van Gogh - courtesy of the net
Monday, June 15, 2009
3 Days of Freedom (from work, that is)
Day 1
I dropped by Botak in EDSA Kamuning last June 12 and registered. It’s been a long time since I’ve been here – I think it was in 1989 when my classmates and I were looking for jerseys for the school's volleyball team. I was accommodated right away by Mark and ultrarunner Ian Alacar, project director of the Botak run on June 28, was there too to entertain my questions. The 5 mile run will start from UP Diliman’s Yilnan Road going out to Commonwealth Avenue. A quick turn right at Robinson’s Supermarket and Mercury Drugstore will lead runners to the Old Balara Road. It’s a short uphill and then a steady run towards Tumana gate. Then everybody goes back to Commonwealth and back to Yilnan Road. Ian said this will be the first time that the two lanes of Commonwealth will be closed for a race. And this will be my first time to run it - can't wait!
Day 2
While everyone was at the trail run in San Mateo, I decided to do a long easy run from MOA to Luneta Park (which I later learned is Kilometer 0) and back to Home Depot Macapagal with Rockenrun. Started at 5:30 am and paced at 8/km, it was quite a cool morning and the breeze helped me a lot in maintaining my pace and consistently running that stretch. Even had ‘small McKinley hills’ at the Film Center and the PICC where we ran up and down the driveways. We bumped into a lot of runners wearing different race singlets and I find myself thinking – looks like everyone’s getting ready for a long race! A lady in Mizuno singlet, a man in Earth Run, a couple of guys in Milo and another guy in Botak. After a quick meal at Jollibee Home Depot, we dropped by Rizal Stadium and checked out the Oval Track and the swimming pool - hmmmm, I like!
Day 3
Rest Day! My thighs were killing me after that long run and I found it difficult to go up and down the stairs so I pigged out on pasta (my personal reward for finishing almost 13km on a consistent pace - that is, no walk breaks! Hehe).
I dropped by Botak in EDSA Kamuning last June 12 and registered. It’s been a long time since I’ve been here – I think it was in 1989 when my classmates and I were looking for jerseys for the school's volleyball team. I was accommodated right away by Mark and ultrarunner Ian Alacar, project director of the Botak run on June 28, was there too to entertain my questions. The 5 mile run will start from UP Diliman’s Yilnan Road going out to Commonwealth Avenue. A quick turn right at Robinson’s Supermarket and Mercury Drugstore will lead runners to the Old Balara Road. It’s a short uphill and then a steady run towards Tumana gate. Then everybody goes back to Commonwealth and back to Yilnan Road. Ian said this will be the first time that the two lanes of Commonwealth will be closed for a race. And this will be my first time to run it - can't wait!
Day 2
While everyone was at the trail run in San Mateo, I decided to do a long easy run from MOA to Luneta Park (which I later learned is Kilometer 0) and back to Home Depot Macapagal with Rockenrun. Started at 5:30 am and paced at 8/km, it was quite a cool morning and the breeze helped me a lot in maintaining my pace and consistently running that stretch. Even had ‘small McKinley hills’ at the Film Center and the PICC where we ran up and down the driveways. We bumped into a lot of runners wearing different race singlets and I find myself thinking – looks like everyone’s getting ready for a long race! A lady in Mizuno singlet, a man in Earth Run, a couple of guys in Milo and another guy in Botak. After a quick meal at Jollibee Home Depot, we dropped by Rizal Stadium and checked out the Oval Track and the swimming pool - hmmmm, I like!
Day 3
Rest Day! My thighs were killing me after that long run and I found it difficult to go up and down the stairs so I pigged out on pasta (my personal reward for finishing almost 13km on a consistent pace - that is, no walk breaks! Hehe).
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
IE8…I came…I conquered
(My first 8mile...)
Imagine that - the rain didn't hamper my recent addiction, but the thought of how far the race I have registered to this time gave me apprehensions. I knew I would be running (or walking) on thin ice when I noticed that almost all 8milers were seasoned runners! "What the hell were you thinking?", “You haven’t even trained for this!” repeatedly banged, whacked, knocked, pounded my head. Unfortunately for me, I was wearing a Kevlar helmet. Besides, I need to break-in my new pair of NBs…hehehe. It’s now or never – anyway it’s just a few kilometers after 10 km and I was able to finish a 10km trail run just last weekend. So, it wouldn’t hurt to go an extra mile, so to speak. Ha! Spoke too soon.
My new pair: New Balance Acteva
At the 6:00 am gun-off, I took off faster than my usual pace and tried to keep up with the runners. Bad move - I was already huffing before I made the turn to the Kalayaan flyover. At this point, I had to thank the rain for keeping me from dehydrating but I had to do a mixture of run/walk until I reached Makati Avenue. My watch read 30:49 when the traffic officer at Makati Avenue stopped us because traffic was getting heavy on both sides and he had to let them pass – great! Jogging in place to keep the momentum, we resumed after two minutes and I tried to keep up with my target (or targets, as I keep on losing each one of them every time...hahaha, that’s how slow I was!)
When I reached the Makati post office, I tried to look for the turnaround and noticed that the runners before me were still running far off in the distance. Uh-oh…looks like I won’t make it to my target time! Past the Pasong Tamo intersection, a runner in pastel green overtook me and I tried to keep up with her pace until I reached the turnaround at the railway station. I wasn’t worried that I might slip from the rain puddles near the rails (not with the new shoes! hehe) and ran until the next aid station - which was just a few meters from the turnaround. Drinking water and walking for the next block, I noticed that I lost my new target (again!) - the runner in pastel green.
On my way back to Makati Avenue, I noticed a lot of spongebobs in pink, blue and white colors blocking my path. Looks like the runners before me had a blast with the water sponges. I made it near the Kalayaan flyover at 1:18 and was surprised to see the AS here offering Coke! I sipped some to give me my much-needed sugar boost and was still working on the run/walk pace and keeping up with new targets along the way until I reached the finish line at 1:46 (unofficial).
After drinking more water at the finish line, I felt a shooting pain on my right foot, just near the thumb area. But of course, this didn’t deter me from waiting for my bib number to be called for the laptop raffle and taking pictures. But when I reached home, I knew I had to do something to remove the pain. I tried all means of relief – ice, stretching, rest, massage, biting, cursing, chanting…to no avail. Looks like it’s the doctor’s appointment next week then, that is, after the Mizuno Infinity Run – haha!
Still trying to figure out how I finished my longest race so far (while promising to myself that I will finish a few 10kms first before another 8 mile race), I learned that I actually ran 13.4 kilometers! (thanks takbo.ph for the info) - imagine that!
My 1 year old niece, Candice, wearing the IE8 finisher shirt - my son thought it looks better on her
Imagine that - the rain didn't hamper my recent addiction, but the thought of how far the race I have registered to this time gave me apprehensions. I knew I would be running (or walking) on thin ice when I noticed that almost all 8milers were seasoned runners! "What the hell were you thinking?", “You haven’t even trained for this!” repeatedly banged, whacked, knocked, pounded my head. Unfortunately for me, I was wearing a Kevlar helmet. Besides, I need to break-in my new pair of NBs…hehehe. It’s now or never – anyway it’s just a few kilometers after 10 km and I was able to finish a 10km trail run just last weekend. So, it wouldn’t hurt to go an extra mile, so to speak. Ha! Spoke too soon.
My new pair: New Balance Acteva
At the 6:00 am gun-off, I took off faster than my usual pace and tried to keep up with the runners. Bad move - I was already huffing before I made the turn to the Kalayaan flyover. At this point, I had to thank the rain for keeping me from dehydrating but I had to do a mixture of run/walk until I reached Makati Avenue. My watch read 30:49 when the traffic officer at Makati Avenue stopped us because traffic was getting heavy on both sides and he had to let them pass – great! Jogging in place to keep the momentum, we resumed after two minutes and I tried to keep up with my target (or targets, as I keep on losing each one of them every time...hahaha, that’s how slow I was!)
When I reached the Makati post office, I tried to look for the turnaround and noticed that the runners before me were still running far off in the distance. Uh-oh…looks like I won’t make it to my target time! Past the Pasong Tamo intersection, a runner in pastel green overtook me and I tried to keep up with her pace until I reached the turnaround at the railway station. I wasn’t worried that I might slip from the rain puddles near the rails (not with the new shoes! hehe) and ran until the next aid station - which was just a few meters from the turnaround. Drinking water and walking for the next block, I noticed that I lost my new target (again!) - the runner in pastel green.
On my way back to Makati Avenue, I noticed a lot of spongebobs in pink, blue and white colors blocking my path. Looks like the runners before me had a blast with the water sponges. I made it near the Kalayaan flyover at 1:18 and was surprised to see the AS here offering Coke! I sipped some to give me my much-needed sugar boost and was still working on the run/walk pace and keeping up with new targets along the way until I reached the finish line at 1:46 (unofficial).
After drinking more water at the finish line, I felt a shooting pain on my right foot, just near the thumb area. But of course, this didn’t deter me from waiting for my bib number to be called for the laptop raffle and taking pictures. But when I reached home, I knew I had to do something to remove the pain. I tried all means of relief – ice, stretching, rest, massage, biting, cursing, chanting…to no avail. Looks like it’s the doctor’s appointment next week then, that is, after the Mizuno Infinity Run – haha!
Still trying to figure out how I finished my longest race so far (while promising to myself that I will finish a few 10kms first before another 8 mile race), I learned that I actually ran 13.4 kilometers! (thanks takbo.ph for the info) - imagine that!
My 1 year old niece, Candice, wearing the IE8 finisher shirt - my son thought it looks better on her
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