Archive for December, 2008

Where is it: My Christmas Wish List?  I’ve been so busy with work, the kids, dinners, workouts and shopping that I’ve realized just now that I haven’t sat down to think about what I want for Christmas, which is only a week away! (Gasp!)  So, here I go, typing as I think about everything I wish to receive:  (Listen up, hubby!)

1. A bike:  It seems that my months of hinting have fallen on deaf ears as I still don’t see a bike in the garage, so here I am spelling it out for the dearest hubby to read.  I want a B-I-K-E.  If it doesn’t fit into the budget this December, then I will patiently wait.  Do not get me jewelry, clothes, shoes, or a bag because I will wrap them up and give them to relatives next year.  This bull will only accept a bike for Christmas.
2. An injury-free holiday.  Christmas break—just like sem break and summer—is a mommy-driver’s time off!  It’s the season for full-blast, no holds barred, elite-level, wow-look-at-my-toned-legs type of training.  I’m hoping that when school ends for my kids this Friday, my knees are ready for the long runs I’ve been dreaming of.
3. Lots of massage.  Isn’t this long holiday break heaven?  I plan to spend every waking minute of this break at home getting a full body massage with extra loving care on my tight ITBs. Massage from my acupuncturist would be great too.
4. Secret project success.  So, I’ve been head-over-heels busy because I’ve been cooking up a project that has everything to do with running.  My wish is that when I launch in January 2009, it comes out as I had envisioned it—or better.  (Sorry, I can’t divulge any details as of the moment.  If I do, I would have to burn your running shoes and kill you.)  

Such a short list!  I thought it would be so much longer.  Well, it doesn’t take too much to make this bull happy.

When there are no more races to attend for the rest of the year and Christmas is just a blink away, what do runners do so they don’t miss each other too much?  They plan for a Runner’s Christmas Get Together so that they have a reason to meet again and chat about…what else?…running and races.

Last night, a big bunch of us left our running gear at home and dressed up for dinner at Italiannis, Bonifacio High Street.  It was an evening of non-stop eating, talking, laughing, and posing for photos.  Yes, runners do know how to have fun beyond the road, too!

– Class Picture –

– Bards (Banana Running), Coach Rio, Dingdong (RunMD), Dindo (RunningDATcom), and Mesh (MyIronShoes) –

– Vince, Vimz, Ben, BroJ (JRunning), Coach Rio, and Vener (Run Unltd.) –

– Vina, Doray (Doralicious), Mark, Mikey, Tiffin, Vimz (KulitRunner), Aljo, Philip (Foreign Runner) –

I’m so relieved the weekend is over.  

To make a long, dreary, dreadful weekend story short, I learned—during what should have been an easy 5k run at Nike Run Clinic last Friday—that my knee still needs more time to recover.  (Note that I do not use the word “injury” as I’m fairly optimistic that I’ll be out and running again after a few days.  Crossing my fingers!  Cross yours for me too.  And, I hope my acupuncturist is doing the same.)

So, I had to pass on the Mizuno-Fuego Sunset race last Saturday.  Boo hoo.  And, the entire family took a trip to the mall instead where my little girl kept saying “I thought we were going to play in the sand today.” while the other one complained “So, I bought a whole can of Pringles last week for nothing?!”

As if I didn’t have enough reason to feel depressed, nature plays a cruel joke on me.  What’s the worst thing you can do to a woman when she’s down?  You make her feel fat and ugly.  I got my monthly period accompanied by stomach pains that Saturday.  So, as much as I tried to find comfort in Christmas shopping, I felt weak and tired all throughout the weekend.

Aaah, I’m glad it’s Monday already; it’s a fresh start.  I looked in the mirror this morning and I’d like to believe I don’t look like the evil witch that I was last Saturday.  As of this morning, I’m not brooding over the injury nor the missed runs anymore; at least, I’m trying my best not to do so.  I’m fairly optimistic that I’ll recover from this brief setback in no time as I’m a veteran when it comes to my runner’s knee; I pretty much know what my body needs to get back on track asap.  

Hope you have a great week.  Mine will definitely be better than the weekend.

Aaah, I felt exhilarated as I passed through the 21km finishing chute.  An overwhelming feeling of pride, a strong sense of achievement, and a warm fuzzy feeling of relief swept over me.  I was limping, but I didn’t feel injured nor broken inside.  

Around me, runners were walking about, lining up for mineral water, or busy untying their laces to remove the champion chip and claim their medals. Race marshalls were everywhere, clearing the area and directing runners towards the meeting area.  

I was alone in a sea of unfamiliar faces.  No hubby to welcome me with a bottle of water and a quick photo op nor friends to high-five or congratulate.  Why, I even missed the usual small talk with fellow Pinoy runners after a long race, where one usually shakes the other’s hand, says a quick “Ang lakas mo” and parts ways.  This only convinced me even more that my first marathon would not be abroad, but in Manila (or Clark?) where all out Pinoy support and camaraderie may be more important than a high-tech, well-officiated race.

I returned the chip, claimed my first half-marathon medal, and limped my way towards the exit in silence.  There, I was instantly greeted by the Pinoy support I was searching for.  Coach Rio stood right in front of me with the Philippine flag behind him.  CatA, a fellow runner who moved to Singapore a couple of months ago, cheerily greeted me with a hug and lots of talk.  More and more Pinoy runners started arriving from the race: some were familiar faces, such as pacemate Jun, Mark and Tiffin, and Dra. Doray, while others I had only met, like Dra. Laura.  There was non-stop talking, laughing, and…uhm…picture-taking (how Pinoy, diba?!)

As the others chatted, Jun and I went around the booth area to claim free 100Plus, bananas, Nature Valley granola bars, inflatable balloons and whistles for the kids and a bunch of other treats.  We even witnessed the awarding of the top 3 winners of the Women’s Marathon and joined the crowd in cheering for these three strong and speedy ladies.  

Pretty soon, we headed back to the hotel where Annie would meet us after a few minutes.  It was a long, slow walk back as I was tired and limping; however, it was even longer for Annie who walked alone (and got lost for 30 minutes) after her full marathon!  Ayayay!

Annie and I spent the rest of the hours laughing and exchanging stories about the race as we lay in our beds, clad only in hotel robes, unable to move a single limb.  We missed the breakfast with Mark and Tiffin and only headed down for a meal at a late 2pm.  Soon after that, it was time to shop again!

We left Singapore early the following day with sore muscles, tired legs, and tons of stories to tell.  Running and racing abroad was an amazing, unforgettable experience; one that I hope to do every year from now on…if only I won the lotto.

– Jun, Coach Rio, Aljo and Annie checking in for our flight back home –

* Photos courtesy of Coach Rio and Dra. Doray

On December 5, Annie and I rushed to NAIA Terminal 3 amid the heavy Friday evening traffic to discover that we should’ve gone to Terminal 3 instead.  That incident, we laughed, was a sign of things to come for the entire Singapore trip.

We landed in Singapore a little past midnight on Saturday, Dec. 6. We were dead tired, but we were up and about that Saturday morning, along with pacemate, JunC, who volunteered to be our bodyguard, navigator, kargador, photographer, confidante, and friend, to:

1) Pick up our race packets (race bib, bag, champion chip, flyers and free samples) at the Expo Convention and Exhibition Center…

which took less than 10 minutes due to excellent set up and organization…

2) Shop around at the Sports & Fitness Expo at the exit of the registration area…

where Annie bought 2XU calf guards and a race belt, Jun got a cap, and…

poor TBR just browsed around and tested items…

– TBR feigning interest in Newtons. I’m just too afraid to try these on my flat feet –

3) Shop at pre-determined areas such as IKEA, Nike, Asics, Adidas, and uhm…that’s about it. (Sorry, no pics available as our photographer, JunC, had his hands tied carrying two comforters I purchased for the kiddos)

4) Eat-and-Run Carbo loading dinner at Kim’s sister’s house near our favorite Paragon Mall. (Thank you again Kim!)

We made the big mistake of tiring ourselves the day before the race. We were pooped—and we worried that it would affect our performance.

Fortunately for me, I dozed off by 9:30pm.  My roomie, Annie, hardly got any shuteye as she stressed over her marathon, but she ran sub-4. Poor JunC slept for only 3 hours and probably paid the price for it when he cramped during the race.  

Lesson learned: Next race abroad, arrive 2 or 3 days in advance.

Next post: Post Race