“People think running is just about getting out there, but it’s all of the other factors—sleep, proper nutrition, and cross training—that allow you to get the most out of the sport.”

– Deena Kastor

I have a confession to make, Deena. The only time I take cross-training seriously is when I am injured.  Do you think that’s why I am, uhm, always injured?

Injury has been a major curse in my running life, but I’ve realized—just as I was writing this—that it’s been a blessing as well.  The curse of the runner’s knee forced me to take up TI last year (which started a whole new love affair with swimming) and now, with the respite from running, I tried spinning. 

Yesterday morning, Jun and I joined Annie’s spinning class at Fitness First.  Jun, my running buddy, and I accepted Annie’s invitation as we our both currently suffering from knee injuries.  

Cycling is a great alternative to running as it develops lower body strength without the hard impact on the knee.  Experts say that cycling works out your leg muscles even more thoroughly than running since the quads and calves are strengthened with every pedal rotation.

Spinning is a great alternative for those who wish to bike, but don’t have bikes yet (ehem).  It’s also safer and easily accessible to the gym rats.  

For Jun and I, we also thought it would be fun to watch Annie transform from our crazy, barok friend into serious instructor in a snap. We thought we would get a good laugh out of it (although, by the end of the class, I think it was Annie who got the last laugh!)

By the time I arrived, the class was already warming up.  I stepped into the spinning room, all four walls in black with the milky way galaxy painted on them, as if to remind me that I was venturing into uncharted territory.  I hopped unto the bike beside Jun’s and—3…2…1—blast off!  I started pedalling away!

The first 5 minutes were easy.  Just a warm-up.  The rest of the 55 minutes were excruciating.  Whatever mountain it was we were climbing, it sure was high, and long, and not for newbie bikers like me!  

The first spinning instructor guided us through the first half of the workout.  There was never a dull moment as we increased and decreased tension and speed at varied intervals.  The music was loud and intense so it helped to keep me pedaling on despite the weary leg muscles.  More than once, I could feel my heart pumping and, had it not been for those recovery portions, it would have leapt out of my chest.  By 30 minutes, I was beat. I thought my poor ol’ running legs couldn’t take any more.

Then, as we continued spinning, Annie steps out for a couple of minutes and returns with a CD in hand.  She puts it on and takes over from the first instructor.  Suddenly, she’s not the Annie that I know.  This Annie raises her arms up and commands the class to step it up.  Drenched in sweat as we all are, she raises her arms up in a fury and pushes us to climb that steep hill, pedal faster, or go up to standing position.  Gawd, who is this alien Annie and what did she do with my friend?!

We ended the session with the first instructor taking us through the cool down and Annie leading the stretches.  Needless to say, I survived the whole out-of-this-world experience.  It was tough on the quads (something my patella needs for realignment), it was utterly exhausting (my type of workout), it was humbling (just because you’ve run long distances, it doesn’t mean your legs are strong) and it was fun (although not as enjoyable as a run).

I’ve decided to add spinning to my list of cross training activities.  Hopefully, I get to practice it not only when I’m injured, but even when I’ve fully recovered already.  This would make Deena and that alien Annie proud!

Let it be known that on the 24th of October in the year 2009, a major running event shall take place (as whispered to me by Coach Rio.)  What it is, where it shall be, and who will be present cannot be disclosed as of the moment.

TO RUNNERS:  Mark the date on your running journals.  Make sure you are 1) in town, 2) injure-free, and 3) in peak performance.

TO RACE ORGANIZERS: Please avoid scheduling a race on this day to ensure that the running community can participate as one, and not be forced to choose between two events yet again.  

Feel free to guess what this event will be.  But, whether you get it right or not, I’m not telling…er…unless you deliver Skins compression tights to my door 🙂

Just when I thought I could start training again, I was struck by a slight fever, achy bones, and a tummy ache yesterday.  I spent the entire day in bed consumed by an overall feeling of blahness, thinking about 1) the near perfect weather for swimming, 2) missed gym visit that day, 3) downgrading my 15k Happy Run registration to a 5k (arggh, I hate the idea, but I think a sick, recently-injured runner like me has got to bite the bullet and accept her sad fate), and last but not the least, 4) how Rustom (or Bebe Gandanghari) was able to gain his/her new waif-like figure in three months time through Pilates!

Yes, I know, I had too much idle time on my hands yesterday.  Thanks to Tylenol, I’m feeling much better now.  Today is still rest/ recovery day.  Hopefully, I’m strong enough for a short run and yoga tomorrow.

It was The Bull Run yesterday and this bull missed it.  

No whining nor complaining from me though.  This 2009, the brand new bull is choosing her races wisely.  And, this Bull Run, despite winning best race name in my book (heehee), was one that I knew I could skip with a smile.  

You see, by now, I already know that there are only two types of races in the country:

1. Races you absolutely cannot miss such as Adidas King of the Road or New Balance
2. Typical, garden variety road races that you can pass up because they’ll have the exact type of race next weekend, only in a different name  

For me, The Bull Run fell under Category 2.  With news of inconvenient registration procedures, I could barely muster up the energy to pick up a pen and fill in a reg form.  Besides, my knee and I decided to rest and strengthen instead in hopes that I can run an easy 15k at next week’s Happy Run.

So, while most runners were at the not-so-very-well-organized PSE Bull Run (little birdies told me), I was out in the polo field running easy on oooh-la-la soft, green grass.  My knees loved it so much that they didn’t complain at all, not a whimper.  It was the first time I ran completely pain-free since Singapore Half!  Woohoo!  Now, that’s what I call a great Bull Run!

Word is going around that the much-awaited Philippine Marathon targeted for March 8 will be postponed to November.  No confirmation yet from the organizers but the source is pretty credible.

The news has left many Pinoy runners in confusion and frustration.  Quite a large number of runners have raked in the miles feeling ready for the ultimate performance on March 8.  Suddenly, there’s no goal to work for.  

With the postponement of the only scheduled local marathon for the 1st half of the year, what’s a Pinoy runner to do?  Here are my suggestions:

1. Run Hong Kong, Feb 8.  There’s onsite registration for foreigners.  Read Ronnie’s comment here.
2. Run Sundown in Singapore, May 30.
3. Run Phuket, June 14.  
4. Focus training for a strong Condura Skyway Half Marathon while deciding on the next marathon goal.
5. Continue to build mileage with 4Q 2009 Marathon in mind: QC in Oct, Phil. Marathon in Nov., or Clark in Dec.  Click here for race scheds.