Archive for March, 2013

This begins a weekly post (or more if I’m giddy) on my training for London Marathon happening on April 21, 2013.  Like I always say: The marathon is the icing on the cake; it’s the journey leading up to the race that I absolutely love. Thank you to Unilab Active Health for the trip and to Timex for the registration.

COUNTDOWN TO LONDON: 6 WEEKS TO GO

Say what?! 6 weeks?

– London Marathon. Photo: www.manchesterrag.com –

It seems like only yesterday when I told you about how lucky I was to have my best cousin’s wedding and the London Marathon just two days apart.  Then, I told you how much luckier I was to have been given a slot in the marathon by Timex.  Then, the good ol’ peeps from Unilab Active Health committed to sponsor my trip.  And, the best news of all, the entire family will be coming with me!

I am blessed.  And, I am oh-so grateful, too.

KILLER TRIATHLON + MARATHON TRAINING

With all these blessings that seem to have fallen from the sky and straight into my lap, I committed to giving it my best (read: killing myself in training). So, I started on my triathlon program with Coach Andy Leuterio as early as the 2nd week of the New Year and never looked back.

This is entirely new for me.  Training for a marathon as a triathlete.  The program will train me for two A races: London Marathon in April and Ironman 70.3 Cebu in August.  The Coach initially said it was a challenge for him to prepare this program as 42ks aren’t really recommended within a long-course tri season.  Marathon training will compromise my bike and swim training around 8 weeks before the marathon, and then there’s another month after before I fully recover. For a moment, I gasped in panic when I learned this.  Then, I raised one eyebrow, clenched my fists and pounded them hard on the table, and declared: “Pfffft. I can do both.  Let’s go London!”  Then, I fell back into the couch, popped a handful of Cheetos into my mouth, thinking:  “What the hell am I getting myself into? I am so dead.”

The good news? I’m still alive.  And, I’m actually enjoying the training!  I’m trying my best to maximize each workout and balance my workouts with the rest of my life without going insane.

What have I loved so far about the marathon/triathlon training?

1) Keeps injuries at bay – You all know I’m injury prone because of my flat-feet.  But, since I can cross train with biking, swimming, and Bikram yoga, I can workout without stressing my knees, ITB, and feet too much from running.

2) Variety – I enjoy waking up to each day knowing you’ll do something different. Don’t get me wrong. I love running the most, but the variety of each day makes the week more colorful.

3) Weight loss – I dropped a full 10 lbs already.  I’m exactly at my goal weight.  And, I reached it while eating sensibly (e.g., no strict unreasonable diets, but everything in moderation.)

4) Allows for balance – I always said that while running and triathlon are important to me, I would never let it take over my life; after all, it isn’t my life.  I love how this program can fit seamlessly into my schedule with treadmill and trainer workouts that can be done in an hour or two.

5) Progress – Modesty aside, I seriously think the program is working for me.  I’ve never felt fitter and healthier in my entire life.  As one of my good friends would say while nudging my shoulder in disbelief: “Woooo choooz!” but, seriously, I do feel strong and steady and it’s an awesome feeling.  (I bet my Coach is in tears now.)

TO PR OR NOT TO PR AT LONDON…

Yes, that is the question.  And, honestly, I don’t have an answer.

After eight marathons, majority of them abroad, I’ve learned that everything—from fitness level, weight, weather, sleep, diet, gear, traffic, race organization, hydration, shoes, down to how much petroleum jelly you put in between your toes—must all come together and work perfectly on that single day of the race.

All I know is that I’m working hard and I’ll give it my best.  Cliche I know, but that’s really what this running and tri business is all about, right?  Now, now, I better not hear anyone saying “Woooo chooooz.”

“It’s not records I chase, it’s self improvement.  And that cannot be done by taking it easy.”

– Chrissie Wellington

Hi there! I’m still alive!

My wifi at home, on the other hand, died eight days ago (yes, every single day counts!) and I’m currently waiting for it to resurrect.  That explains why I’ve been absent online the past week.  Save for a few days of successful blogging thanks to my Sun Broadband Pocket Wifi (which I endorse sincerely because, well, it just works!), I’ve spent most of the past week living more of my real than virtual life…and, I must say, it’s been damn good.

You must know that ever since this blog was born in May 2007, there hasn’t been more than two days when I haven’t logged in to it.  You must know that once registration opens each year for TBR Dream Marathon (which has been running for the past 4 years), the next six months of my life is dedicated to ensuring everything goes smoothly for each runner.  And, you must know, that for a mother with two school-aged children, any kind of work on top of the work we have as mothers, really stretches us to our limits; good thing we mommies are unbreakable. tsk tsk.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not complaining about the work. I love my work!  But, I did realize how important a break, no matter how short, is important for everyone.  Whether you’re an athlete, a blogger, or a mom (hey, I’m all of the above!), you’ve got to sometimes STOP and smell the flowers.  I did.  And I smelled home-baked cookies, popcorn from the microwave, and the fire burning from my son’s birthday candles.   Aaah, life!

Here’s bits and pieces of what happened the past week…

1) My boy turns 12! It’s his last year before he becomes a teenager.  Where did the time go?!  You don’t know how many times I hugged him this week feigning tears saying: “I don’t have a baby boy anymore! Please don’t turn into a moody teenager!”  Seriously though, I’m proud about how this little boy of mine has grown up to be such a smart, kind, and cheerful soon-to-be adult. I’m also excited about his plans to get into triathlon this summer.  This mommy’s subtle influencing has worked! Woot!

– He asked for three things on his 12th birthday: PS3, ice cream cake, and steak. Done, done, and done! –

2) Sisterhood of the Suffering Shivs is born.  There are serious rides, fun rides, and then there are rides with Tessa Prieto-Valdes.  Tessa is a fun, positive, and hilarious person who just knows how to celebrate life.  I think we all should learn a thing or two from her, especially when we’re taking life too seriously.  Our Saturday ride in Nuvali was peppered with pictorials, screams (especially during the ascents!), and laughter.

– Her bike is pretty. Mine is gwapo.  I love both Shivs! –

– with my teammates from Unilab Active Health Mike Vaca and Jake de Guzman, Jun Cruz, myself and Tessa –

Hey, it wasn’t too bad that we bumped into Erwan Heusaff at Starbucks before we called it a day.

– with Erwan Heusaff (The Fat Kid Inside) after his brick –

3) Passion becomes profitable.  In anything I’ve done, from graphic design to Baby Sign Language to TheBullRunner.com, I jumped into it simply because I loved it.  I still look back and wonder how this tiny blog changed my life and affected others, but I feel blessed to have been given the opportunity to do so.

My co-founder for TBR Dream Marathon, Jim Lafferty, wrote an article about me yesterday on Philstar.  (Thanks again Jim for the oh-so kind words!)

Click here to read the full article: WHEN PASSION TURNS PROFITABLE by James Michael Lafferty, The Philippine Star

I was also invited to be a forum speaker at the GoNegosyo 5th Filipina Entreprenurship Summit last Friday.

– with my sister, Janice of Mommy Mundo, and childhood friend, Krie Lopez of Messy Bessy, who were both speakers too –

This quote from Frederick Buechner is one that explains how I feel about what I’m doing today: “The place God chose for you is the intersection where your greatest joy and the world’s greatest need meet.”

To celebrate Rebisco 50 years, Batch 88 of Xavier School (from which I have a friend who asked me to post this haha!) is organizing a run in BGC on April 7, 2013. Distances are 3k, 5k,and 10k. The 5 and 10k runners get an X sports band with their names and emergency contact details engraved.  Cool!

There is online registration at www.rebiscorun.com or at Chris Sports Brances (SM North Edsa, Megamall, MOA, Glorietta, Festival Mall) and at Fitness & Athletics (9th Ave cor 28th Street BGC).