Archive for September, 2007

I could not wait to run. Work had been weighing down on me for the past week or so (hence the lack of posts…and worse runs!) so I blocked Thursday evening as a “must run” on my planner. When the rain started pouring in the afternoon, I prayed to God He’d make it stop if only from 7 to 8 that evening. He heard me alright. It was clear skies by the time I arrived at Bonifacio High Street.

As always, Coach Ige briefed us before we sped off. The elite runners would run the larger laps around High Street, while beginners and intermediate runners would take the inner circle. Before I knew it, we were going our separate ways. Goodbye Elite Runners, I thought, I shall only see your dust from hereon!

Coach Ige led our group with Marga and I by his side. He announced the plan for that night: a progressive run of 8 laps; we would run at an easy pace for the first 2 laps, increase pace for the next 2 laps, and run race pace for the last 4 laps. Wooohooo! This was definitely my idea of fun!

During the first lap, Coach Ige corrected my form. He said I was moving my upper body too much. (That was a big surprise as I thought I only did that when I listened to Maroon 5 on my ipod!) Secondly, he said I should stick my pelvis out. “Huh? Like how,” I asked? He answered, “Just imagine you have a coin up your butt.” Oh, okay! If I had a P10 coin, I would’ve done it for real if only to get the perfect running form…NOT!

It was smooth running for the first 4 laps along with Coach Ige. Marga had slowed down after suffering from side stitches. Before the 2nd half of the run, Coach Ige bid me farewell with one last direction: “Remember: race pace. Do not slow down.” Yes, sir! Like a good little soldier, I took his commands to heart and went as fast as possible as I watched him speed up leaving me by my lonesome. Then, from out of nowhere, Renz appeared. I told him between breaths “You’re late. 8 laps. Last 4: race pace.” And, with that, we ran with barely any words between us.

I finished at 9 laps (8.3 km) in 46 mins at 5:34 min/km. Aaaw, a little bit slow but I forgave myself as I was still feeling the exhaustion from work and lack of sleep. After chatting with friends, Ben and Marga (Renz was still running), meeting Gelo and Cris anew (Drew where were you?), and meeting Raymond for the first time, I headed home and greeted my mac “I’m back. Where did we end?”

– with Gelo and Cris –

– with Photographer Ben and Marga –

– All kinds of runners meet at Mizuno Run Club –

The Southridge Walk/Run For Fun has been postponed to October 6, 2007, Saturday due to Typhoon Hanna.

You are invited to the Southridge Family Walk/Run For Fun this coming Sunday, September 30, 2007, at Hillsborough Subdivision. This is a fundraising activity for the playground project of the school. Kids can walk/run 1k while adults can join the 3k event.

Registration will open at 6 a.m. at Southridge School. Take-off time is at 6:30 a.m. Registration fee is P250. Payments are now accepted at the Southridge Business Office but there will also be onsite registration.

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My son and I were looking forward to joining this. During last Sunday’s Fame Run, he completed the 3k; running 1k and walking 2k, so I knew my Little Bullrunner was all set to win the bike ((that’s just one of the many prizes which include Nike GCs and cash) for the children’s category (Proud mama eh?!) Unfortunately, by the evening of the Fame Run, he already had high fever and cough. He only recovered last night, which he insists is early enough to allow him to run again on Sunday. I think not.

I wonder where my son got his stubborness about running.

I woke up for the Fame Run last Sunday feeling utterly depleted. My eyes refused to open and I felt like a ton of bricks lay on top of my legs. This came as no surprise as I had been pulling all nighters for work the past couple of days. For the first time, I contemplated skipping a race, but I knew I would hit myself on the head for that decision later. I decided to cut my run from 10k to 5k instead. So, in true zombie-like fashion, I got myself dressed, woke my hubby and son up (they were joining the 3k) and found myself on the road headed for Mall of Asia. There was a light drizzle on the way there, but fortunately the sky was clear by the time we set foot in the assembly area.

The race was relatively small with majority of the runners being “marinos” (hence the race name “Go Marino Go”) donning their bright yellow race singlets that almost jolted me out of my dazed and confused state. We arrived around 15 minutes before the race started, which gave me just enough time to look for Ben who had our race bibs. (Thanks again Ben for signing us all up!) After pinning my bib, I rushed to the registration booth to change my race distance, but gave up after seeing the chaos there. (I decided to just stop at 5k with my 10k bib. ) My son’s nose started to bleed so I pointed out the medical booth to my hubby so they could treat him there. Realizing the immediate need to pee, I headed for the nearest portalet in a mad rush to clear my bladder before running. Could there be anything else to surprise me?! I jog towards the portalet and—much to my horror—the gun was fired! Ack, I joined the hundreds of runners in the race and prayed to God my bladder would cooperate!

Where do I run?! That’s what I was thinking as I squeezed my way through the massive crowd of “marinos” who ran with their bodies practically intertwined. I followed the path other runners took which was the other side of the street. Oooh, in here, the road was flat and spacious and mesmerizing (my new race playlist with Maroon 5 and Fall Out Boy may have helped to get me enthralled). I ran freely and enjoyed every minute of it. I pushed hard because I knew I could sustain it for 5k no matter how tired my body was. Tired? Wait a minute. Who was exhausted and weak again? Nope, that wasn’t me. Now, I felt strong and I was revved up. In fact, I wanted to run the entire 10k instead. Too bad I told hubby it would be a short run for me.

So, the 5k was quick and short and fun. Actually, it wasn’t a 5k but a 5.86k according to my Nike+. I came in at 4th place as listed by the race organizer at around 27 minutes.

I usually stop my watch and Nike+ automatically after I end the race, but this time, I had no time to even think about it as I was bombarded with complaints from another runner. He argued with the race organizer about my place since I was registered for a 10k. I was so happy that I said in tagalog “Hey man, it’s fine with me. You can have 4th place. I’m not here to compete really.” Caught up in his own anger, he didn’t hear a word I said. I returned the #4 Tag to the race organizer, but he gave it back to me saying I could keep it and they would still count me as 4th. Oh well, whatever decision they made was fine with me.

Right after the run, I headed for the bathroom and did my own business. (Of course, I praised my little bladder for being very well behaved but I told her never to pull that stunt on me before a race. Would you believe she disprespectfully replied “Well, you shouldn’t have gobbled down all that Gatorade in the first place?!) I chatted with H@ppy Feet members and searched for my hubby and son who were nowhere in sight. I did see Jujet de Asis and congratulated him for placing first in 5k. His time was 17 minutes. (I think if I chat long enough with him and train with him at every Mizuno Run Club then his speed may rub off on me. I’ll tell you in a couple of weeks if it works.)

My hubby, son, and I left before photos were taken, medals were awarded, and stories about the race were exchanged with fellow runners. But, you couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. I was just glad I ran and I didn’t hide under the sheets that morning.

Not too long ago they were my best running buddies. I could depend on one as I would a Coach; he would tell me if I was running too fast or too slow or if I should run a little farther or stop for the day. The other friend would make long runs feel shorter by keeping me entertained all throughout the run. The three of us were a team. We were inseparable.

Until one day, they both betrayed me. It was during the Run To Bring Hope that they stabbed me in the back, took my heart and stomped on it till I was numb, and left with no explanation nor apologies for their cruel actions. Why did they do this to me? I stood at the end of the finish line with a new PR feeling victorious yet alone.

Who were these running buddies?

My ipod Nano and Nike+ Sports Kit. Er, who did you think?

Some of you know the story. After running my best 10 km race ever during the Run To Bring Hope, I pressed on the Nano to end the workout only to realize it had hung on me. Worse, when it finally shut off 30 minutes later, I learned that it did not record the entire run. The jerk. I cursed it for over a week. He retaliated by hanging three more times; each time when I ran over 10 km. Crazy fart. So, I exiled the Nano and his partner in crime, the Nike+ Sports Kit, to Power Mac in Greenbelt almost a month ago. Dumb fools. (Can you tell I was pretty calm about all this?)

A couple of weeks later, I called Power Mac and asked how my ex-buddies were faring. The technician said they did not hang on him. The evil hypocrites, I thought. I informed him that they only show their bad side when you take them out for a 10 km run. Caught unaware the technician replied “Er, maam, we uhm don’t have running shoes so uhm since we noted that there is an intermittent hanging while browsing your ipod and connection problems with the sports kit, we will replace both items.”

Woohoo! Just what I had hoped for! Good riddance to those two traitors!

Last Monday, I purchased new flowers, cleaned our home, and bought a cake to welcome my new running buddies. (Okay, I’m exaggerating, but I did do my best to make them feel welcome by washing the little pouch they would be living in.) It was a bit difficult for me in the beginning as seeing these two brought back all the hurt from the ex-friends who looked identical to them, but after a few minutes, I knew these were new and improved running buddies.

So far, so good. I’ve run thrice with my new ipod and sports kit and I hope this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship—no skipping nor hanging please!

To Power Mac Greenbelt, I commend you for the excellent service provided by your personnel from the receiving station to the technician to the SMS message informing me of my items being ready for pick up. Keep up the great work!