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Weekend Review

Last Saturday I participated in our village's fund raising run. Woke up late but still managed to arrive at exactly 5AM in the gym. Apparently there was no sign of a race to be held there. I thought of running on my own now and after 3 kilometers, I saw the organizers gathering outside the gym. I decided to stop and asked if the event is still on and they said yes. After some briefing and lots of waiting, the race started at 6:05 AM (it should be 5AM). The sun was a little too harsh that day and showed his face that early.

They said it was a 3-K run, but based on the route (and my research) it would be around 5K. Even my new friend, Jenny, a regular runner in our village confirmed of the distance.

Only around 40 participated. Most of them walked the route and couldn't keep up. To my estimate, only 15 ran. I finished 7th.

The top 3 guys were really fast. They finished the race at 13 mins, 15 mins, and 17 mins. I thought of how age can really affect your performance. These guys, by the way, were at their early teenage years.

I was happy to be running for the benefit of our Youth Council and looking forward for similar events. The priest who organized the race also asked for our assistance next time. That's probably an opening event for the simbang gabi this December.

Also, I feel like I'm having a flu. I have this sore throat, runny nose, and slight fever. Not this time, not during KOTR! Please!

Anticipating Weekend

The week's almost done and I'm excited to join a fund raising run this weekend in our village. It's for the benefit of the youth organization of our parish.

They showed me the route during registration and said it was 3K. But according to my research, it's almost 5K.

I'm clueless if this is a race or not, or should I say would there be podium finishers.

The route map also showed only one water station. I need to bring my own then.

What's cool about it is that it's close to my house, a good 13 mins walk only. So a gunstart of 5AM would not be a problem.

Also hoping for make another long run this Sunday. A 15-K run would do.

See you there!

Indian Run

A very tiring drill for me. This not only improves your speed but your stamina and endurance as well.

Definition:

An indian run is when a team jogs in a single file line around a playing field field. It begins when the last person in line sprints to the front. When that person gets there, the next person at the end of the line sprints to the front of the line. This continues as the line jogs around the field.

(definition courtesy of Urban Dictionary)

Weekend Review

October 2, 2010, Saturday

Plan: Long run (21.5 K)
Route: SM Bicutan to Bonifacio High Street (BHS) and back

Part of my preparation for my first Pikermi would be doing a long run - at least simulate a 21-K. So I plotted a route in dailymile (DM) and also from the suggestion of one runner, Jerry S., I tried on mapping a route that would start from SM Bicutan to BHS and back.

I attempted several times to do this alone, but I just feel lazy and afraid to push through with the plan. Perhaps I was nervous to not being able to finish. So I invited some running friends (Deng and Noel) to join me conquer the route.

SM Bicutan

We all met at our starting point, did stretching, and off we went at 6PM. The weather was cold and I think perfect for the long run (I wished it doesn't rain).

Made strategic pit stops prior to this day but unfortunately we had to stop several times on the first 3 kilometers and make sure every one is doing fine.

On reaching Sales bridge, we already saw the skyscrapers of Makati and that means we are near BHS! But I know that was just the start of the challenge.

Upon entering Fort Bonifacio, we were faced with mostly uphill and uneven roads. The sun already showed his face upon us but was still shy and decided to hide in the clouds once in a while.

We reached BHS and we settled there for a while, went to the bathroom, freshened up a bit, I did a little stretching and made sure my legs aren't angry at me yet.

Bonifacio High Street

We were on our way back and we decided to refill our hydration bottles at 711 in McKinley. At the 18.32-K mark, it started to rain so we had to find a shade and wait. After a few minutes, we just decided to ride a cab and go home since there were no signs that the rain would stop.

McKinley Hill

What I learned from this long run:

• Start early. I think it would be better to start around 5AM.
• Bring energy gels. Thanks to Deng for buying me Hammer gels last Friday. I think it did help a lot to battle stress, gain energy, push more, and have a fast recovery.
• In doing long runs, I do it best with buddies.
• No MP3s.
• Last but not the least I realized that my trainings/preparations were all worth it. Well, haven't tried it on actual race, but I guess if not because of the rain at the 18.32-K mark, I can still survive the remaining 2+ K with enough energy to go even further.

October 3, 2010, Sunday

Did a 5K 'recovery run' and a 10K leisure bike in the afternoon. At the same time registered for our village's run called "Takbo para kay Maria." It is for the benefit of the Youth Ministry in our Parish. The registration fee was fairly cheap. This is not a race. So, I guess, I just have to run at my "kwentuhan" pace and enjoy. I'm not sure though how big the event is. All I know is we will receive a shirt at the finish line. They said the distance is only 3K. But upon checking it on DM, I think the route would be around 4-5K (the OC in me again).

4 Steps to Run the Stress Off

I know for a fact that nearly all of us are suffering from stress, most are work related. I can relate to that. Here's a good read to relieve us from stress through running. Hope you find it helpful.

4 Steps to Run the Stress Off

See you at the races!

Now I am Anxious

Yes, you've read it right. I am anxious. Why?

1. KOTR - I'm doing 21K here. I still have one month to prepare, 2 - 3 weeks left to train.
2. TBR Dream Marathon - Yaiks, 42.195 K! This is for next year though, March 2011.

I'm more affected with KOTR. I know I can finish the race. But the fact that I'm going to face a new distance makes me kinda nervous (for lack of better term). I've been training for this, I've been building my endurance for this. But every time I can't run 3-4 times a week, because of work, weather, etc., I feel like I'm going to fail my first Pikermi. Crazy? Yes, I admit I get paranoid. :D

After Pikermi comes Marathon. My first marathon. At least I still have 4 to 5 months to prepare and hopefully I won't feel this way come March.

See you!