Why couldn’t they have sent us decent race maps along with the race packet? Like many of you, I’ve been searching for the route map of Adidas King of The Road for days. For a race of this calibre, I think route maps are a given; runners shouldn’t have to go hunting for them.
Thanks to Jinoe of tabo.ph for posting the maps. Please click here to download race route at takbo.ph
By the way, these are just hand-drawn illustrations. But, at this point, who cares.
Once again, runners of all shapes, sizes, and experiences flocked to ROX last night for Running Aid 3 led by speakers Neville Manaois, team principal of Pinoy Ultra Runners, and Dr. Paolo Punsalan, Orthopedic Surgeon and member of Pinoy Ultra runners.
– The crowd keeps getting bigger –
– Neville Manaois discusses form –
As in Running Aid 2, Dr. Punsalan discussed proper form and technique. This time, however, Pinoy Ultra Runners effectively demonstrated gait and form using two treadmills on stage. Dr. Punsalan also provided free analysis for runners who wanted their running form critiqued in front of the audience’s discerning eyes.
I made the big mistake of showing up in full running gear as I had run 7k around Bonifacio High Street prior to the talk. Pinoy Ultra Runner Jeremy basically volunteered for me and pushed me onto the treadmill where I ran—much like an experimental hamster observed by scientists—while being interviewed by the good doctor about my form and previous injuries. Notice that I called him the “good doctor”; well, that’s because he didn’t have anything bad to say about my form. Phew, phew, pheeew!
– Trying not to make a fool of myself –
Neville Manaois covered a new topic: Troubleshooting, which was very informative as he discussed exactly what to do when little hitches such as cramps, sidestitches, etc. creep up during a run. I think I mentioned before that I enjoy Neville’s talks because most of his tips aren’t picked up from a book or the web but are gleaned from his experiences out there on the roads and trails.
Again, congratulations to Pinoy Ultra Runners for yet another successful gathering. More power to you guys.
– Members of the exclusive BWK society –
* All photos courtesy of Second Wind. Click here for more photos. Thanks Hector!
Running is the best medicine, at least in my world; laughter comes a close second. (Laughing during a long run—which is a habit that Annie and I practice on weekends—will probably make us live to 100.)
Yesterday, after complications arose from the operation of my ill relative that brought my entire family into stress and worry on Monday until the wee hours of Tuesday morning, I woke up exhausted from hospital duties with only a short break to care for the kids before I returned to the hospital again. I desperately needed to run; I knew it would relieve me of all my concerns albeit temporarily and give me strength to face yet another day of troubles.
So, like a crazed woman, I pushed my body to the limits by running under the intense 8:30 a.m. heat with barely 3 hours of sleep. I planned on running just 8km, enough to release a few pints of sweat along with the anxieties that were dragging me down. The first 2k was a challenge, but before long I found my rhythm and ran somberly through familiar roads.
When you run alone, there’s no escaping your thoughts, no escaping your own reality. Just as you can jot down your own bucket list, solve a problem, or create a new business while out on a run, you also come face-to-face with your anxieties, fears, and worst nightmares. As it turns out, all my worries started chasing me during this run. My initial reaction was like what most of you would’ve done, I ran away from them as fast as I could. In less than a kilometer, I was pooped.
Then, as I slowed down, I suddenly thought of visualizing my anxieties in words—being the graphic designer that I am, they were in Futura Bold, 48pt, all caps in case you wanted to know—and they popped up not in front of me like road blocks, but under my feet. I started stomping on words like FEAR, EGO, BILLS, and the biggest of them all, DEATH. This all occurred in a span of just a few minutes, but at the risk of sounding melodramatic and psycho, these things actually did work. Gone were the worries, replaced with a new sense of hope and optimism.
My relative did well during the operation last night. He surprised doctors—who told us to expect the worst—by staying strong during a 2nd operation even after suffering from a mild heart attack on Monday morning. He’s slowly recovering and we’re all keeping our fingers crossed.
So, yes, running is definitely therapeutic; I experienced that for myself yesterday. We might as well believe what those wise runners from old have said about the benefits of running on our health: A run a day keeps the doctor away and A mile of running is better than a pound of cure.
I know I promised myself that I wouldn’t be racing every weekend to avoid injury but, much like my kids in a candy store, I simply cannot resist.
One doesn’t skip a race as big as Adidas’ King of the Road nor does one miss a race on her home turf (as Patrick C. advised last week regarding Takbong May Yabang). A few days ago, my good friend Taki of Fort Striders sent a personal invitation to Octoberun Festival on the 26th.
Seems like I’m joining all of the above. (If you’re shaking your head now saying “This girl is going to get herself reinjured” then please say a short prayer for my shins and knees and zip your mouth. No disrespect intended.) I’ll do my best to run safe. Here’s my plan:
Oct 11: Adidas KOTR – 10k race pace
Oct 18: Takbong May Yabang – 10k training pace + 6k easy = 16km
Oct 26: Octoberun Festival – 10k training pace + 7k easy = 17km
Sheesh, I hope this works. For more info on the race, please see my List of Races.
Here’s more info on Octoberun Festival on the 26th. It should be fun and it’s for a good cause, so come and join…
The 4th Octoberun Festival at The Fort
Oh, I know a lot of runners out there who would want to join this one…
The North Face continues its campaign to bring runners to the trail as it supports the 1st ever Mayon Trail Run on October 19, 2008 at Legaspi, Albay. 18k of trail, lava gullies and unprecedented views of Mayon Volcano await athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who are willing to test their endurance and indulge their passion to Never Stop Exploring.
There will also be a 5k fun run and walk.
Call 0917-5588929 or visit website and The North Face shops nationwide for registration and details.
