- Little bulls at the hotel -

– On the shuttle along Sentosa beachfront -

– Walking by waterfront at Sentosa right in front of Universal Studios -

- All set for our nth luge ride -

My only homework during this trip was a 15k fast-paced run. Saturday, I got up at 5:30AM for a 6:00AM run. I was all dressed and laced up only to discover that it was dark outside. Why didn’t anyone tell me that the sun rises at 7:00AM in Singapore?!

After a brief nap (in my run clothes), I left the hotel room at 7:00AM and took a 10 minute leisurely walk to the beachfront, which as advised by the friendly Pinoy staff at the Festive Hotel’s Front Desk, would be a great place to run.

- From hotel lobby to Festive Walk -

– Window shopping before the run! -

- Inspiration for the run. Mwah mwah! -

– Walked from here up to the Merlion then down to Siloso Beach. Fine, if you wanna be all hardcore about this, then you could run up the steps of the escalator too ala Rocky -

By the beach front, I decided to start my run at the Luge ticket office. Nearby were McDonalds, restrooms, and entrance to the beach.

- Luge and Skyride entrance. My starting point. And the kids’ favorite ride -


- That’s the ifly building -

- With the open water, flat roads for biking and swimming, this is a triathlete’s paradise.  I saw a triathlete training here under the intense 12nn heat!  Actually, I saw more than what I had hoped for. He was wearing way too tight speedos during the run heehee -

- Look! They have a jogging path which I only saw at the end of the trip. Check this out if or when you get there! -

I ran around 1km towards the right passing Siloso Beach. The roads were flat and faaaast. Would’ve loved to go faster if I wasn’t suffering in the heat too much.

- Loved the roads…but I was suffering in the heat and humidity. Who’s dumb enough to run at 7AM?!  Okay. No comment -

– Bikes for rent! I was tempted to rent one, but the Shiv at home might have gotten jealous -

I made a u-turn at the rotunda at the end. You’ll find a 7-11 there so bring extra money for hydration if you wish.

If you go farther down, you’ll see Shangri La resort and you even have the option of running the other roads in that area.  I opted not to explore that area because, um, it looked like a long, steep climb.

- Here’s where I made u turn. If you go past this area, you’ll see Shangri La and more roads to run -

– Entrance to Shangri la right in front of Underwater Adventure -

After the u turn, I headed back towards the Luge and went farther down passing other beaches such as Palawan beach. This left side of the road offers a longer route, but the same fast and flat roads. I enjoyed running here.  There were squirrels and peacocks for some entertainment, too!

After 7k, I felt that I couldn’t take the humidity anymore and decided to cut my run short. Out of guilt (and perhaps way too much eating the day before), I ran again a couple of days after covering 10k worth of intervals on the hotel treadmill. (Warning: there’s no TV in front of the treadmill so make sure you bring an iPod.)

I’m now back at Manila exhausted from the trip (that’s what happens when you have two little bull kids) and I must admit I’m not quite back into full training mode. As if that matters, because, in an hour, I should hop on my bike trainer and, by this afternoon, I should jump into the pool for a swim. Back to reality for this bull!

On Saturday, my birthday, I biked 48km and swam 1km.

The following day, my plan was to run for 2 hours or around 20km.

My friends and I (we now call ourselves Team Berlin because we’re all signed up for Berlin Marathon on Sept. 30) decided to skip our regular morning long run and switch this into a “Night Run.” A friend-who-shall-not-be-named conceptualized this idea after suffering the intense heat during a 24km run the previous week and then enjoying the cool evening air on weekday run a couple of days after. So, he thought: Why not run on a Sunday evening instead?! We all thought it was a great idea.

So, I met them at 6 PM. We bumped into Tessa Prieto-Valdes who found out it was my birthday weekend and ran into her house and came out again wearing a birthday cake headband atop her head just for me. (That is probably one of the sweetest and silliest things anyone has ever done for me on my birthday.)

Who said it would be cooler on a Sunday evening again? Even with the sun gone, it was as hot and humid as hell. There was no wind, not even a slight breeze. For all of 5 minutes, it drizzled and there was hope of rain pouring on us, then it quickly disappeared.

The last 5km was slow and painful. We all had run longer distances than this in the past, but why was it so difficult this evening?!  Oh, maybe because it was hotter than usual.  Maybe because our bodies were not as fresh as they are during a morning run.  Or, maybe because some of us had lunch as our last meal.  For whatever reasons, the fact was we were all craaawling.  When we ended the run, we were hoping that the restaurant where we were to dine for my birthday treat could simply deliver their pizza to us.

Anyway, we did make it to the pizza place. We had panizzas and pasta over talk on running, LMFAO, Subit, and, of course, the bad evening idea that we will probably never repeat again. We ended the night with the best way one does after running in intense heat. We treated ourselves to a scoop of gelato each. I would’ve wanted 5 more scoops of the peanut butter ice cream I devoured, but maybe I’ll reserve that for 37 years old or 50km, whatever comes first.

—————————

Thanks to everyone who made the birthday weekend extra special. Received some awesome gifts from loved ones.  One of my favorites was from TBR Jr.  He kept on bugging me the entire week to buy him a box of silver paper clips.  Turns out, it was for my own birthday surprise: a bull made of paper clips!

When we arrived at Evoliving Center, the parking lot was packed with bikers. No surprise that there were a lot of us today since it was a wonderful day for a ride.

- Me and Maricel Pangilinan. Anthony in the background busy tweeting -

– Fernando, Jun Cruz, Ton Gatmaitan, and Jake de Guzman -

– Team Tribe’s Ariel Arriola, TBRDM alumni and NYCM 2011 Finishers Gene Tamesis and Rico Manuel -

As we prepared to take off, my new boyfriend, the Shiv, and I got a little bit jittery as we’re still in the getting-to-know-you stage. I’m still adjusting to him and vice versa. (Wow, this Shiv of mine is pretty popular. So many people, mostly middle-aged men want to see or touch him. Good thing I’m not the jealous type. tsk tsk.)

Thankfully, the entire ride was smooth and safe for me despite my worries. It was actually an easy, fun, and scenic bike ride throughout Nuvali. The steep ascents were nerve wracking, but conquering them for the first time on a bike was an amazing experience. For a moment, I actually felt like I was “taming” the Shiv just as Coach Andy Leuterio had advised that I would.

We ran a quick 20 minute run under the intense heat. Half the time I was wondering why I put myself through all this, but a little part of me enjoyed all the suffering. Perfect way to commemorate Labor day I think!

Through the years, we’ve gone our separate ways. We don’t get too communicate as much because we all have our own families and others live abroad now. But, it’s nice to know that there’s still some things that a number of us have in common, specifically running.

Here’s a picture of Nich and Rico taken yesterday after they crossed the finish line of Big Sur Marathon.  Congrats guys!

As I progressed as a runner, I preferred thin rather than thick socks to avoid blisters. I learned that it’s not really running shoes that cause blisters, but the socks. Hence, choosing the right pair of socks for us runners is just as important as choosing the appropriate shoe for our foot type.

Last month, Thorlo provided me with Thorlo Experia Socks for testing. I was flabbergasted. I hadn’t really thought of using Thorlos again since I knew them to be thick and hot. But, these Experia socks were thin in most areas and provided extra padding in places that need extra cushioning.

I ran 12k this morning using the Thorlo Experia socks and my Nike Pegasus 28. Here’s my review about Thorlo Experia Socks.

PROS:
- Comfortable fit. I’ve never felt socks more comfortable than Thorlos. I felt like I was walking on clouds.
- Extra padding at the right places. The additional padding are on areas where runners need it most: where our heel strikes and at the balls of our feet. There’s even padding for my bunions! (Thank. You. Lord.)
- Uses coolmax. This means that it uses technical fabric that is moisture-wicking and it will prevent blistering.
- Breathable. Despite the padding, the entire sock is made of thinner material which allows for ventilation. Perfect for the summer heat.
- Lightweight. The socks don’t feel heavy even with the extra padding. Should it get soaked in rain water, the thin material won’t make the socks too heavy as well.
- Attractive colors. I like the bright colors. A welcome change from my white or black socks.

- Extra padding at the ball of the foot -

– Extra padding at the heel -

CONS:
- A bit pricey at P799.75. I haven’t tested the durability of the product, but if it lasts as long as my Thorlos from college then perhaps it’s worth the premium cost if you can afford it.
- If you prefer thin, barely-there running socks, then this may not be for you. While the material is thin and comfy, I’ve tried other brands that have been thinner.

Thorlos are available at the following outlets:
A Runner’s Circle (Roxas Boulevard)
Planet Sports (Trinoma, Rockwell, Shangrila, Newport, Alabang Town Center)
Riovana (BGC, Katipunan)
ROX (BGC)
RUNNR (BGC)
Rustans (Gateway, Makati, Shangrila, Alabang Town Center)
Secondwind Running Store (Ortigas, Greenhills, Matimtiman, QC)
Sports Warehouse (Mamplasan)
The Athletes Foot (Galleria, Glorietta, Alabang Town Center)
Tobys (Alabang Town Center)

There’s an article entitled “Best of Running”…

Aaaaw, TBR made it to the list of Most Popular Local Running Blogs.  Thanks RW Philippines and those who mentioned TBR, especially those who unfailingly continue to read about all the crazy stuff I get myself into. Congrats to Bald Runner and Jinoe and Que of Takbo.ph too.

Oh, and if you do get your hands on a copy, don’t forget to read this hilarious article of Lit Onrubia, another crazy runner who ran Condura Marathon even if he was sick. Hats off to RW illustrator who gave us all a good laugh with this red-nosed caricature of our friend talking into his phone haha!…

- with Coach Norman Pascual and his triathletes. Thanks for accommodating me! -

Plan was to swim 1.6km at Dungaree and bike 40km. I wanted to be home before dinner with the kiddos, so we opted to skip the 5k run.  (Yes, the life of a wannabe triathlete mommy comes with a lot of “tough” decisions.)

Much to my surprise, the open water swim was a pleasant experience. I loved loved loved every minute of it.  I enjoyed it so much that I don’t want to swim in a pool anymore. Hah!

When it came to the bike, I was nervous from the onset.  It was only the second day that I took the Shiv out on the road and, as I’ve learned the past week, riding this tri bike is completely different from my roadie.  (Just mention the word “aerobars” and I start sweating!) At the back of my head, I knew I needed to improve on my handling skills before I road the hills of Subic with the boys.  So, as I was climbing the first hill and wondering how the hell I was gonna descend them later on without killing myself, I chose to stay safe and I headed back.

When I got back to Manila, I felt so bad about the bike that I headed for the gym and ran my frustrations away. 7k intervals.  Aaaah, nothing like a run to wash all the worries away!

I received a new product called POWERbreathe for testing.

- POWERbreathe -

– Upon opening the flap -

- Inside the box -

- Back -

Here’s some information provided by the local distributor of POWERbreathe:

Why should you exercise your breathing muscles?

The lungs aren’t a muscle, they rely on the muscles surrounding them for their expansion and contraction. It’s this supporting structure that you need to strengthen and condition in order to appreciate proper, full breathing.

Why is it beneficial to take fuller breaths?

Lung size varies from person to person, so there are natural limits to lung capacity, however you can influence the total lung capacity that you actually use; your vital capacity.
When you breathe all the air out from your lungs, what’s left is called residual volume, or ‘stale air’, and it remains in your lungs. Too much of this is unhealthy.

By using POWERbreathe to exercise your breathing muscles, you’ll be strengthening your lungs’ supporting structure and improving your vital capacity, the usable portion of your lungs.

This not only benefits athletes because they are maximizing their ability to breathe. This in turn makes their training or exercise feel easier and they are able to train for longer with a lower sense of effort, increasing their fitness, and ultimately sports performance.

What are the benefits of POWERbreathe?

POWERbreathe is said to improve Swimming, Cycling & Running Performance:

- Accelerated recovery during repeated sprints by up to 7%
- Increased swimming performance by up to 3.5%
- Improved cycling time trial performance by 4.6% – equivalent to slashing – 3-minutes off a 40k time trial
- Enabled participants to cycle for 33% longer and with lower sense of effort
- Improved inspiratory muscle strength by 31.2%
- Improved inspiratory muscle endurance by 27.8%
- Reduced whole body effort during exercise

TBR REVIEW

I tested the POWERbreathe Plus Medium Variable Resistance. I use it twice a day, once in the morning upon waking then at night before sleeping.

At its maximum level, Level 10, I feel like I could use a little more resistance to feel like I’m actually working out my lungs. Perhaps I should’ve tried the Heavy model.

I’ve been using it intermittently for over a week.  I do feel stronger, but, to be frank, I can’t attribute this solely to POWERbreathe because I’ve also been swimming and biking more.  I will say that, at the right resistance, it definitely feels like you are exercising your lungs and I will not be surprised to feel its short- and long-term benefits down the road.

It’s a bit pricey.  But, for those who are serious about gaining a competitive edge, then this may be a good investment.

ABOUT POWERBREATHE

There are three resistance levels for POWERbreathe.

1) Light Variable Resistance (Wellness) model: For those who are restricted by shortness of breath, either due to respiratory illness or advancing age.
2) Medium Variable Resistance (Fitness) model: For those who are moderately fit and lead an active lifestyle but would like to push themselves that bit further.
3) Heavy Variable Resistance (Sports) model: For elite athletes and people who are in top physical condition but who want an edge on the competition.

The SRP for all models are Php 3,500. Each unit has 10 levels of adjustment.

For inquiries:
Facebook: AzioneSports
Email kikoreta@gmail.com

The hubby couldn’t make it due to work, but the new BF and the trainer surely couldn’t be left behind. (Bulls suffer heavily from separation anxiety especially when it comes to new training gear.) Plan was to ride 40km on the trainer on Friday evening and Saturday morning.

As we loaded the car, I realized the bike wouldn’t fit. I also packed my running clothes, Nike Frees, goggles, and swim cap for my swim. Aaack I had to prioritize the items we were taking with us! So, I chose to bring a smaller electric fan and left one pillow behind. I wondered how my mom would fit into the car when we picked her up later in the day, but, hey, anything to ensure training continues through a vacation, right?

We made it to the beach only for me to find out that I left the skewer for the bike to fit into the trainer. Aaaargh! I wasn’t able to bike, but I did have a good morning run by the shore before everyone woke up on Saturday. Right after, I had a comfy 1km open water swim with my older brother.

- 7am. After my relaxing run by the shore -

What a great way to spend a not-so-lazy weekend at the beach! As for my date with the Shiv, we’ll catch up tonight and tomorrow.

- with the kiddos -

- Jay, Vina, Philip, me, Jun, and Levy -

Several years ago, Philip, who hails from South Africa, would tease us about running Comrades Marathon.  Now, looking fit in his Ironman 70.3 shirt, he bugged us about joining Ironman in his hometown 3 years from now. We’ll see, Philip, we’ll see.

Read their old running blogs here: (Guys, can you please update them? I miss reading these!)

> Jay – Prometheus Cometh
> Levy – Happy Hour
> Philip – Foreign Runner
> Jun – The Solemates