Last Saturday was a hectic day. I went home after work and have myself for a nap to do my task for the day: to register for Adidas King of the Road 2010 (KOTR) and The Bull Runner Dream Marathon 2011 (TBR DM). I woke at exactly ten in the morning and prepared myself for the weekend task.
I went to Adidas Shangri-La for the Adidas King of the Road 2010. I went there the other day and the race kits for 21K category were completely gone and all the race kits were sold as early one in the afternoon that day. So I arrived and I saw some participants waiting for the arrival of the race kits since there are sold out. So I decided to go to Bonifacio High Street for the TBR DM registration and since Runnr Store is offering the registaration for KOTR. Since I'll be taking MRT going to Ayala, I decided to drop by Adidas Glorietta 3. I arrived there I saw the staff fixing the boxes for KOTR registration and asked again, Miss meron na ba kayong race kit for 21K? (Is there any available 21K race kit.?). The staff replied with a smile, "Sir, wait na lang kayo or balik for a hour kasi for inventory pa." (Sir, is not yet available since we're still on inventory for the race kit and if you could go back after an hour.) Geeeeee! I could see the apprehension of some participants there. Many were mad and some stayed outside to get the kit
So, I decided to go to Greenbelt 3 just few blocks away since I'm just in the vicinity. When I arrived in Adidas Greenbelt, no single customer is around and staff are just mingling each other and courteously greeted me. I went to the counter and ask the staff, "Kuya may 21K race kit pa ba kayo kasi pangatlo Adidas store na pinuntahan ko?" (Sir, do you a race kit for 21K since I've been to several Adidas stores and this the third one.) The staff replied with a friendly smile. "Meron po" (We have). I quickly opened my bag and got registration form and my aNR Passport anbd showed my ID and then I'm in. I'm officially in to the race for Adidas King of the Road 2010 on March 24, 2010. I'm runner number 10328. After the tiring race of looking for the race kit, I finally got mine and for free. I gave my aNR Passport which testifies my hard work and patience for thee aNR Ortigas Wednesday night running sessions. Task one accomplished.
Moving on, I went to BHS for the TBR DM 2011. I arrived there I saw a lot registration booths for other running events and further I saw TBR DM 2011's booth. They have the most humblest booth, no fancy tarpaulin with a celebrity endorsing. They have only a piece of bond paper and with a hand-written "TBR DM 2011." It's a small event with close to 400 first time full marathon runners but they have the most pampered event. They took pictures and handed to me my TBR card and welcome note from the organizer. I'm officially in to The Bull Runner Dream Marathon 2011 on March 20, 2011 in Nuvali, Laguna. I'm so excited for the bull sessions.
Mission accomplish for that day!
Congratulations to all CamSur International Marathon finishers last September 26, 2010 held CWC. Kudos to Drew Llanes, Leo Manalaysay and Bong Alindada! Go Team aNR Ortigas and Team CB.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The Bull Is About To Run
Earlier this morning, Drew from aNR Ortigas sent me a message in regard to the registration of The Bull Runner Dream Marathon or TBR. I was in the lounge of the gym and reading newspaper with my spinning class. upon reading the text of Drew, I felt ecstatic about it. TBR is really one my dream runs aside from New York City Marathon. I was telling my running mates that TBR is actually 70% sure and 30% unsure and they telling me to go for it. Thanks for the support guys from aNR Ortigas team.
TBR will be on March 20,2011 on Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Nuvali is vast land in Laguna developed by Ayala Land Premiere. Seeing the pictures of TBR last year made me feel excited with the event and plus there would training programs given. TBR is indeedly on my list for my 2011 runs. You can easily feel that you'll be pampered already from the registration to teh race day itself.
As they day goes by, my brain is telling me about TBR...TBR....TBR....can I make it.....I can....yes I can. so I headed to computer and signed up. The race is almost six from now, I need more time to dedicate myself for the training. Enough of lazy moments, just keep on running. Train harder and faster for better results.
After those moments to TBR. I decided to go to Shang for Cine Europa 2010. I usually read the synopsis of the movies that I will watch for foreign festivals but this time I didn't. I watched The Robber, produced by Germany and Austria. I fell in love in the movie because the lead character is a runner and robber a the same time. His training was in a treadmill in his prison cell and when he was given a parole, he continued to rob banks as his training and eventually won two full marathons. This somehow inspired me but not robbery thing.
To cap off my day, I begin to ask my family and friends for their support and they are very supportive for TBR. Now, I need my support group. So, interested parties, just leave you comments.
TBR will be on March 20,2011 on Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Nuvali is vast land in Laguna developed by Ayala Land Premiere. Seeing the pictures of TBR last year made me feel excited with the event and plus there would training programs given. TBR is indeedly on my list for my 2011 runs. You can easily feel that you'll be pampered already from the registration to teh race day itself.
As they day goes by, my brain is telling me about TBR...TBR....TBR....can I make it.....I can....yes I can. so I headed to computer and signed up. The race is almost six from now, I need more time to dedicate myself for the training. Enough of lazy moments, just keep on running. Train harder and faster for better results.
After those moments to TBR. I decided to go to Shang for Cine Europa 2010. I usually read the synopsis of the movies that I will watch for foreign festivals but this time I didn't. I watched The Robber, produced by Germany and Austria. I fell in love in the movie because the lead character is a runner and robber a the same time. His training was in a treadmill in his prison cell and when he was given a parole, he continued to rob banks as his training and eventually won two full marathons. This somehow inspired me but not robbery thing.
To cap off my day, I begin to ask my family and friends for their support and they are very supportive for TBR. Now, I need my support group. So, interested parties, just leave you comments.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
The Wall - Part 1
This write up would really have a lot of sequels. In running jargon, the wall is defined as a part of our run that we face extreme physical exhaustion like cramps, painful runner's knee or any body pain that could lead us to slow down a bit in the race or even quit the race. In my own crazy mind, I define the wall as a point were you get lazy, as in lazy as a fat pig. You don't want to do the training that you've plan to do. All you want is to doze off in the bed, eat junk and be a couch potato again and making your fitness level weak.
So, let start the ball rolling. I'm in the middle of the freaking cubicle nation. The other day, I was a bit envy that I saw couple of runners and a cyclist along my way going home. I could feel their bodily rhythm that I wanted to run as well but could not since I'm not my gear. So I decided to pack my running gear as I arrived home and excited to run next day since I haven't run for few days since I was so busy and got sick in flabby tummy.
The day came in, I headed to work with big brown back pack with my running gear. I started the with the usual routine. Lunch came in and as usual lunch time is the most awaited part of my day at work. Lunch is reward time, we get refresh ourselves. I chow down my self with laing, dumplings and rice. I felt sleepy afterwards. Sleepy and then I became a bit grumpy like a kid that wanted to sleep the entire day. A couple of hours, I decided myself not to run for today. I was stuck on the wall. A huge wall separated myself from excitement to ungodly routine.
The day ended again with zero mileage. I'm a bit pessimistic now if I could make it to my goals by next run. I'm a bit sad and bit mad to myself. I know that my enemy is truly myself and no one else. As I began my stubbornness, I took a deep breathe and closed my eyes and said to myself. This is enough. Don't procastrinate since I have a lot of time to do things. Life is short so make the most it. I guess I need a day off from running like lovers who needs to cool off.
I met my training's wall. So sad that didn't run.
So, let start the ball rolling. I'm in the middle of the freaking cubicle nation. The other day, I was a bit envy that I saw couple of runners and a cyclist along my way going home. I could feel their bodily rhythm that I wanted to run as well but could not since I'm not my gear. So I decided to pack my running gear as I arrived home and excited to run next day since I haven't run for few days since I was so busy and got sick in flabby tummy.
The day came in, I headed to work with big brown back pack with my running gear. I started the with the usual routine. Lunch came in and as usual lunch time is the most awaited part of my day at work. Lunch is reward time, we get refresh ourselves. I chow down my self with laing, dumplings and rice. I felt sleepy afterwards. Sleepy and then I became a bit grumpy like a kid that wanted to sleep the entire day. A couple of hours, I decided myself not to run for today. I was stuck on the wall. A huge wall separated myself from excitement to ungodly routine.
The day ended again with zero mileage. I'm a bit pessimistic now if I could make it to my goals by next run. I'm a bit sad and bit mad to myself. I know that my enemy is truly myself and no one else. As I began my stubbornness, I took a deep breathe and closed my eyes and said to myself. This is enough. Don't procastrinate since I have a lot of time to do things. Life is short so make the most it. I guess I need a day off from running like lovers who needs to cool off.
I met my training's wall. So sad that didn't run.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Yoga and Running
Recently, I haven't practiced yoga since I was too busy preparing my second 10K run for Takbo.ph run Fest. I really miss the slow breathing in and out in pramayanas, surya namaska and some asanas. My mind is joggled with the running events to come. In my training logs last month, no yoga classes was placed during circuit training, it's more of spinning classes which I shed 600-800 calories for 45 minutes indoor bike with different terrain and speed. It's more running. Now, I'm doing my training for my first half marathon by October 2010. Aside from the usual training that I have, now I'm incorporating yoga in training at least a week.
Yoga, specially the vinyasa and ashtanga forms are the ones who opened myself to the path of having healthy mind and body. then I started spinning the bikes and running in long distances. Since, I haven't practiced for a long time, I found myself searching for asanas designed for runners online and seeking advised from my flexible yogi.
As part of my self made yoga routine, starting it with proper centering thru breathing exercises and warming up thru sun salutations. Asanas focuses on leg and core work like warrior poses. Then followed by balance poses to for coordination of muscular reflexes and breathing. Adding also is spinal twist in different variations and sometimes inversions. The best part of the routine is pramayama for 10-15 minutes. I makes me feel rejuvenated after workout. The entire routine sometimes last for an hour including the meditations.
In yoga, I learn to manage the flow of each movements together with breathing and putting in my mind that everything will go through smoothly with flow. In running, I experienced the pain and sore of my legs and like yoga everything is in the mind. Staying in shape and sharp. Yoga is an exercise for mind to focus on breathing as we synchronize the movements, it strenghtens your ability to withstand difficult things specially doing balance poses for a longer time. Running is intense athletic exercise with test you endurance on how far you go and how combat the obstacles as you meet along the way. Lastly, yoga and running makes me feel happy and relaxed. Though it's a bit tiring but the feeling of exhaustion makes you more energized, sharp and active. Yoga and running really is rewarding no matter how hard it is, it gives you an extra kick afterwards. Yoga is unlocking the universe in you and running opens yourself to the explore the world and appreciate life.
Training time again, I hope that I could do more yoga and more longer runs with sustained energy at the end. I need to practice more, not to be perfect but rather be a better runner and to have a sound mind and body. In training, I stubble and stood up. Learn new things. No one could stop us from what we are doing each to become better.
Yoga, specially the vinyasa and ashtanga forms are the ones who opened myself to the path of having healthy mind and body. then I started spinning the bikes and running in long distances. Since, I haven't practiced for a long time, I found myself searching for asanas designed for runners online and seeking advised from my flexible yogi.
As part of my self made yoga routine, starting it with proper centering thru breathing exercises and warming up thru sun salutations. Asanas focuses on leg and core work like warrior poses. Then followed by balance poses to for coordination of muscular reflexes and breathing. Adding also is spinal twist in different variations and sometimes inversions. The best part of the routine is pramayama for 10-15 minutes. I makes me feel rejuvenated after workout. The entire routine sometimes last for an hour including the meditations.
In yoga, I learn to manage the flow of each movements together with breathing and putting in my mind that everything will go through smoothly with flow. In running, I experienced the pain and sore of my legs and like yoga everything is in the mind. Staying in shape and sharp. Yoga is an exercise for mind to focus on breathing as we synchronize the movements, it strenghtens your ability to withstand difficult things specially doing balance poses for a longer time. Running is intense athletic exercise with test you endurance on how far you go and how combat the obstacles as you meet along the way. Lastly, yoga and running makes me feel happy and relaxed. Though it's a bit tiring but the feeling of exhaustion makes you more energized, sharp and active. Yoga and running really is rewarding no matter how hard it is, it gives you an extra kick afterwards. Yoga is unlocking the universe in you and running opens yourself to the explore the world and appreciate life.
Training time again, I hope that I could do more yoga and more longer runs with sustained energy at the end. I need to practice more, not to be perfect but rather be a better runner and to have a sound mind and body. In training, I stubble and stood up. Learn new things. No one could stop us from what we are doing each to become better.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Back Track and Fast Track
7.25.2010
It's Sunday that day. I woke from a deep slumber in my cozy bed, went to bathroom, prepared myself and went to kitchen and grabbed something to fill my hungry belly with fuel for the race. Left home and took a cab to the Fort. Left the bag in baggage deposit. Went to the starting line. Jog, run, run, run, run, walk, drink, run, walk, run....Reached finish line within 58 mins and 51 secs!
Wow 58 mins and 51 secs! Sub-60! What happened? Its an achievement, nope a milestone. I really didn't expect that I made a minute less than the previous 10K run. All did is to run and apply what I learned from the training. The training paid off. Thanks aNR Ortigas people and to Kowtz Abby and Luis!
Fast Forward
Legs are now recovery from race, post race fatigue as what they say. I could now run. I'd loss almost 7lbs after a month. As reward to myself, a week off from running and spend time with a special friend but my legs is itching to run.
Exactly twelve weeks to prepare. It's now time for 21K for Adidas King of the Road 2010 (KOTR). Training time again. Time to build up endurance for longer run, train for speed and energy conservation for the body. Time to buy new running stuff. For KOTR 2010, goal set PR with a time 2 hours and 30 mins. This is a challenge for myself. The ultimate competitor on this is myself not the Kenyan runners, elite runners or running buddies. It's only myself.
See you in KOTR 2010
It's Sunday that day. I woke from a deep slumber in my cozy bed, went to bathroom, prepared myself and went to kitchen and grabbed something to fill my hungry belly with fuel for the race. Left home and took a cab to the Fort. Left the bag in baggage deposit. Went to the starting line. Jog, run, run, run, run, walk, drink, run, walk, run....Reached finish line within 58 mins and 51 secs!
Wow 58 mins and 51 secs! Sub-60! What happened? Its an achievement, nope a milestone. I really didn't expect that I made a minute less than the previous 10K run. All did is to run and apply what I learned from the training. The training paid off. Thanks aNR Ortigas people and to Kowtz Abby and Luis!
Fast Forward
Legs are now recovery from race, post race fatigue as what they say. I could now run. I'd loss almost 7lbs after a month. As reward to myself, a week off from running and spend time with a special friend but my legs is itching to run.
Exactly twelve weeks to prepare. It's now time for 21K for Adidas King of the Road 2010 (KOTR). Training time again. Time to build up endurance for longer run, train for speed and energy conservation for the body. Time to buy new running stuff. For KOTR 2010, goal set PR with a time 2 hours and 30 mins. This is a challenge for myself. The ultimate competitor on this is myself not the Kenyan runners, elite runners or running buddies. It's only myself.
See you in KOTR 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
21K LSD in the City
Running is more challenging where running in the middle of the fast paced vehicles, dogs running after you, inhaling the smoke from the vehicles and lastly running for your life. Last Wednesday on our aNR Ortigas Session 16 - 21K LSD, we braced ourselves to the most craziest running routes in the Metro that any runner would challenge themselves.
It all started with a kilometer of jog for warm up and we hit the road along Escriva and Pearl Drive. Things got crazy when were off to the main roads, we ran In Julia Vargas Ave, Pasig Boulevard, the deadly C-5 up to QC area and to the peaceful Green meadows Ave. So, had navigated two cities in the metro that night, Pasig and Quezon City.
Running to those roads is a bit challenging. The route has GBM's training ground and for me as well since I'm just near in the vicinity. That was a bit different compare to my Sunday runs. First, I wasn't able to run for a week and my legs were stressed out due to Les Mills' RPM 47. Then, I wasn't able to rest that much, I slept only three hours since I did some errands that day as well. So, powered up by a couple bars of granola crunch, bananas and Pocari sweat and Gatorade, I ran with my supportive group and coaches.
During the first few kilometers, energy was strong and I'm a bit worried how can I sustain the energy up to KM 21. A sudden law flash to mind, it's the elementary science law; the law of conservation of energy which states that energy may neither be created nor destroyed. Since it's a bit nosebleed to us all, I came to a conclusion that the more energy that I give out, the more that I give in as well. So I run freely and I made sure that I maximize my energy for that night.
Upon reaching KM 11, I felt my knee throbbing, runner's knee as they say. I still ran I made sure not to run fast but rather run slowly but surely. I listened to my body and I felt the pain and I said to myself that I need to be in pain for I am learning. As the old saying no pain no gain. During latter part, I'm a lot of intervals, run then walk the run and walk again. It's recovery. In recovery, my muscles needs to rest and recover and it's like a reward for myself.
On the end of day, I felt differently. I proved to myself that I can make it! Career high! I learned a lot of things on crazy night. Enjoy running and listen to myself more, when we need rest, recover, breathe in and out. Be cautious to the road, C5 is deadly, so be careful. Hydrate. Thanks GBM, Kowtz Abby and the gang. See you in the Takbo.ph Runfest.
 |
| aNR Ortigas Team photo credit from Luis Arcangel |
It all started with a kilometer of jog for warm up and we hit the road along Escriva and Pearl Drive. Things got crazy when were off to the main roads, we ran In Julia Vargas Ave, Pasig Boulevard, the deadly C-5 up to QC area and to the peaceful Green meadows Ave. So, had navigated two cities in the metro that night, Pasig and Quezon City.
Running to those roads is a bit challenging. The route has GBM's training ground and for me as well since I'm just near in the vicinity. That was a bit different compare to my Sunday runs. First, I wasn't able to run for a week and my legs were stressed out due to Les Mills' RPM 47. Then, I wasn't able to rest that much, I slept only three hours since I did some errands that day as well. So, powered up by a couple bars of granola crunch, bananas and Pocari sweat and Gatorade, I ran with my supportive group and coaches.
During the first few kilometers, energy was strong and I'm a bit worried how can I sustain the energy up to KM 21. A sudden law flash to mind, it's the elementary science law; the law of conservation of energy which states that energy may neither be created nor destroyed. Since it's a bit nosebleed to us all, I came to a conclusion that the more energy that I give out, the more that I give in as well. So I run freely and I made sure that I maximize my energy for that night.
Upon reaching KM 11, I felt my knee throbbing, runner's knee as they say. I still ran I made sure not to run fast but rather run slowly but surely. I listened to my body and I felt the pain and I said to myself that I need to be in pain for I am learning. As the old saying no pain no gain. During latter part, I'm a lot of intervals, run then walk the run and walk again. It's recovery. In recovery, my muscles needs to rest and recover and it's like a reward for myself.
On the end of day, I felt differently. I proved to myself that I can make it! Career high! I learned a lot of things on crazy night. Enjoy running and listen to myself more, when we need rest, recover, breathe in and out. Be cautious to the road, C5 is deadly, so be careful. Hydrate. Thanks GBM, Kowtz Abby and the gang. See you in the Takbo.ph Runfest.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Celebrate Running
It's almost eighteen days from now that I will for another competitive running event. It's Takbo.ph Runfest: Celebrate Running. I will run in challenging 10K race category. I was bit more excited on this event compare to other running events that I joined recently since it's an event of getting to know the people behind takbo.ph having code names only on the forum site. So it's an "eye bull" day.
In this past few days when the month started, I checked the traditional calendar on my room's wall and begin to count the days for the next run. A sudden idea came to my mind, why I am running, it's just an exhausting thing to do? What made my mind and body to run? As I tried to contemplate and meditate this mind boggling questions. I felt a sudden rush in my heartbeat, I felt that the speed of my breathe is getting faster and faster. I tried to calm myself in the middle of a chaotic mind and I began to slow down my inhalation and exhalation. After that 20 minutes, I found the answers. I began to enumerate the answers and I found the reasons why should I celebrate running.
To be fit in body and mind.
I've been running in the since I was kid as part of our day to day body actions. I ran as part of exercise a couple years in the boring thread mill and competitive running by late 2009. I was then near to 200 lbs back then and seven years ago I was 210 lbs. Now, after running, I'm pretty in shape with 170lbs and hopefully downsizing more.
During my first outdoor runs and competitive running events. I felt a sudden adrenalin rush in body. My whole body move and I felt that I have experienced my freedom from being inside a cage like an eagle that flew for the fist time in the wilderness. Running is a competitive sport and as a daily dose athletic endorphins, thus makes mentally focus on your game.There are times that I felt pain and wanted to surrender but staying focus the achieve my goal and to challenge myself to outdo makes me more energized to run.
Running is a solitary hobby. It allows you to learn and to discover yourself more in the midst of challenges. It sharpens your mind and protect you from sickness. It lengthens your life.
The love of running.
In running, I discovered love. There are lot of kinds of love. I'm not referring to mutual relationship but love in general. In running, we felt the support of our love ones and thus this brings us love. We sometimes misunderstood each other but we build a common denominator that brings us again. It's the passion in running make us in love no matter how tiring the sport is.
I really celebrate running. No matter what achieve on my every run it's a milestone already that I made. Though it's exhausting but still I can't get over you. It's my first love, running.
In this past few days when the month started, I checked the traditional calendar on my room's wall and begin to count the days for the next run. A sudden idea came to my mind, why I am running, it's just an exhausting thing to do? What made my mind and body to run? As I tried to contemplate and meditate this mind boggling questions. I felt a sudden rush in my heartbeat, I felt that the speed of my breathe is getting faster and faster. I tried to calm myself in the middle of a chaotic mind and I began to slow down my inhalation and exhalation. After that 20 minutes, I found the answers. I began to enumerate the answers and I found the reasons why should I celebrate running.
To be fit in body and mind.
I've been running in the since I was kid as part of our day to day body actions. I ran as part of exercise a couple years in the boring thread mill and competitive running by late 2009. I was then near to 200 lbs back then and seven years ago I was 210 lbs. Now, after running, I'm pretty in shape with 170lbs and hopefully downsizing more.
During my first outdoor runs and competitive running events. I felt a sudden adrenalin rush in body. My whole body move and I felt that I have experienced my freedom from being inside a cage like an eagle that flew for the fist time in the wilderness. Running is a competitive sport and as a daily dose athletic endorphins, thus makes mentally focus on your game.There are times that I felt pain and wanted to surrender but staying focus the achieve my goal and to challenge myself to outdo makes me more energized to run.
Running is a solitary hobby. It allows you to learn and to discover yourself more in the midst of challenges. It sharpens your mind and protect you from sickness. It lengthens your life.
The love of running.
In running, I discovered love. There are lot of kinds of love. I'm not referring to mutual relationship but love in general. In running, we felt the support of our love ones and thus this brings us love. We sometimes misunderstood each other but we build a common denominator that brings us again. It's the passion in running make us in love no matter how tiring the sport is.
I really celebrate running. No matter what achieve on my every run it's a milestone already that I made. Though it's exhausting but still I can't get over you. It's my first love, running.
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