Archive for July, 2010

Talk about perfect timing. I had fever a few days ago and I’ve been coughing endlessly (and loudly) all week. With the nebulizer in my mouth last night, I easily computed the amount of hours I worked out all week: ZERO.

To think I was overly thrilled about NYC Marathon Training starting this week.

To think Secondwind‘s Boy’s vs Girl’s Challenge kicked off last Monday, too. (This is a distance challenge initiated by Secondwind Running store where 10 girls, including myself, will win compete against 10 boys, for the longest distance run in a specific period of time. These poor boys don’t know what they are up against, I tell you.)

To think bestest running buddy, Annie, arrived from Singapore last Friday. Since last week, we had planned on running to our hearts content together. I’ve missed her terribly and I’m hoping we can cover our favorite course tomorrow, just as we always did before.

There’s only one B word to express my feelings right now: Bummed.

Okay, maybe another one: Bitin.

TBR RACE REVIEW: DASMARINAS RUN

DETAILS: 18 July 2010, Dasmarinas Village, Makati City

RATING:

THUMBS UP:

• small community affair
• nice secure and safe route
• kilometer markers
• delightful post race freebies and raffle

BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME:

• some hydration stations only had Pocari Sweat, no water
• lack of directional signs caused some 5k runners to lose their way

The Dasma Run was a small and simple community affair that was well-attended by around 1,000 runners, mostly familiar faces in the running scene. As expected, the route was peaceful and secure as it toured runners along the rolling hills of South Forbes and North Forbes and the flat and fast course of Dasmarinas Village. It was an enjoyable race for many with race flaws being minor and forgiveable.

Another must run race for me next year.

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SICK SENSE

Nothing is more embarrassing than coughing your way through a 10k race. That’s what I did last Sunday when I managed to survive the run through South Forbes, North Forbes, and Dasmarinas Village.

I didn’t realize how bad my cough was until I spoke with a couple of runners friends at the race start. Two of them mentioned “Are you sick?” I waved off the cough thinking all would be well. After all, I ran five times the past week without any hitches.

The race started off without much fanfare. Before we knew it, hubby and I had run through the starting line arc both realizing that we hadn’t switched on our Garmins yet. Aaaack!

RACE MODE

I was in full race mode. These asphalted roads were familiar to me, and I knew that my hill training was much more challenging than the rolling hills in these villages. I ran at a fast clip and hubby stayed by my side all along. (Hubby has gotten a lot faster and I’m nervous that he’s going to be overtaking me soon!)

As my new Sennheiser earphones is my fave gear of the month these days, I took the ipod with me, something I haven’t done in a while. I wore the earphones but didn’t turn on the ipod until I needed a blast of energy from the sounds.

After around 3k, hubby stopped at a hydration station and advised me to go ahead. I switched the ipod on to hear Kings of Leon. Perfect…and I pushed forward.

THE BUNNY HOP

Upon entering North Forbes village, the nightmare began. Suddenly, a small ball of phlegm felt like it had lodged itself in my esophagus (if your squeamish this is where you should stop reading) and refused to be expelled. I was coughing every 30 seconds in a futile attempt to clear my throat, but to no avail.

Instead of running, I felt like I was doing a bunny hop. Each cough was so strong, my body would lunge forward forcing me to skip higher on one leg. Gawd. More than anything, it was embarrassing. Not only did I have the most unique stride among all the runners, but I was the noisiest too. I felt sorry for the runners around me having to run to the rhythm of my cough beat. Ehem, ehem, ehem…pause…ehem ehem ehem.

ALL THE WAY TO THE FINISH

I did the bunny hop all the way until the end of the race running from one village to the next. It was a struggle, especially on the ascents, but despite the suffering, I actually had fun! (I know, I know, I’m crazy.)

I finished 10.4k at 56:28 min with an average pace of 5:26 min/km.

LESSON LEARNED

Little boys and girls, please do not do what I did last Sunday.  Due to my foolishness (and bullheaded-ness), my cough worsened by the following day.  I got fever last night and I’m slowly recovering today.  What a way to start Week One of NYC Marathon Training!  Not to worry, I’ll bounce back in no time.

Week One: July 19 to 25, 2010. Bring out the balloons and throw out the confetti!  This is Week One of my NYC Marathon Training.  I have been waiting for this week…for weeks!

Two months ago, I only had 2 marathon training programs to choose from: F.I.R.S.T. program which I’ve tried and tested in my past marathons (and has worked very well for me, thank you), or the Runners World: Break 4 or Bust program I spotted in it’s July issue.  (I subscribe to RW US via Bookazine so I get my copies over a month early at only P250.  What a steal!)

– I usually care for all my RW issues with much love, but this one is dog-eared because I take it wherever I go –

I chose the Runner’s World Program for two reasons:

1. I felt ready to upgrade my weekly run sessions from 3x of FIRST to 5x with RW.  (If I start feeling any knee pain though, I may consider reducing to 4x a week.  We’ll see…)
2. Break 4 or Bust!  What a heading for a marathon program.  The title gripped me, made me fall into a sub-4 running dream, and got me all excited about working for a wonderfully thrilling challenge.

I love this feeling—like I’m riding on the wave of a brand new adventure.  Truth be told, I enjoy training for the marathon more than running the marathon itself!  It’s going to be an awesome 16-week ride, guys and girls!

There’s a very well-written article on “How to Avoid Pitfalls of Long-Distance Running” by Romina Austria on Philippine Daily Inquirer today.  Click HERE to read the full article.

The article comes on the heels of the recent death of Remus Fuentes who passed away after the Milo Marathon.  It provides us with a glimpse of Remus, a runner and family man, like many of us and what exactly happened on the day he collapsed.  It also presents the side of Milo and its organizer, Rudy Biscocho.  More than that, it offers tips on proper training and how to avoid heatstroke.

As I said in an earlier post when I wrote about Remus (click HERE), I feel that the best response many of us can give at this point is to listen to our bodies and practice caution in our own runs. While it is the race organizer’s role to provide adequate support and medical assistance, it is also our responsibility as runners to train properly for the race.

If you are an experienced runner help spread the word about proper training and racing, especially to the beginners.  Let’s encourage people to run, but to do so at their own pace and to build their mileage gradually.  It took me months before I had the courage to run a 10k, and it took me longer to run the 21k.  Nowadays, it’s quite frightening to hear about newbies signing up for a 21k for their first event when they’ve never even run 5k (nor do they know how long 5k is!)

Yes, there’s a running boom.  Yes, we love it that more people are getting fit and healthy through running.  But, as I told a friend last year: We have to be careful that we don’t have a boom in injuries or worse fatalities.  This is a wake up call not just for organizers but for runners as well.

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Just one comment about Rudy Biscocho’s claim in the article.   Mr. Biscocho said: “There was a hydration station (water or Gatorade) around every one kilometer of the 21K race path for a total of 13 water stations…”

I have deep respect for Mr. Biscocho as one of the leading race organizers in our country.  But, Sir, while there were stations at the last 3km of the 21k course, there was absolutely no water left to serve when I and several runners passed it.

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These other articles may interest you:

• Remus Story as told by his Father – Pinoy Fitness
• Tips on Running Races Safely from the Experts – TBR

TBR RACE REVIEW: ROBINSONS SUPERMARKET FIT & FUN WELLNESS BUDDY RUN 2010

DETAILS: Sunday, 11 July 2010, Bonifacio High Street
ORGANIZER: ExTribe

RATING: Excellent race! Highly recommended!

THUMBS UP:

• unique concept
• pleasant marshals that greet you with a smile and a “good morning!”
• clean and simple route
• ample water stations
• kilometer markers and directional signs
• huge lootbag
• relatively small race, but positive and happy vibe

BETTER JOB NEXT TIME:

• merging of 5k and 10k at the last kilometer toward the finish caused delay for some 10k due to walkers at 5k
• vehicles along the I.S./British School area
• long race name. Kidding! Okay, I’m not. It’s like 4 race names in one

For the 3rd time, Robinsons and ExTribe staged a near perfect event with the Robinson’s Fit & Fun Wellness Buddy Run.

The buddy concept in itself is enough reason to join. It makes the solo sport of running open to teamwork and cooperation. Add to that the seamless race organization and you’ve got a winner.

Organizers fulfilled basic requirements for a race: clean, simple route with marshals and signs to direct the way and ample water stations for hydration. But, they went over and beyond that with the little things: marshals were extraordinarily pleasant and courteous greeting us with “good morning!” along the way, lootbags were humongous and heavy, and the overall ambiance of the race was that of a small community event where anyone and everyone was happy.

This race is on my must-run race list of each year. Better register early next year. I predict slots will disappear faster than you can find a buddy!

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Hubby and I decided to run the first 3k at 6 min pace and the rest at sub 6. That was the plan. But, as always, when the race starts, adrenaline takes over and plans are thrown out the window.

With the foot traffic preventing us from running side-by-side, hubby went ahead. I told him to just dictate the pace and I’d be right behind. Lo and behold, the hubby, who is usually conservative with his pace, suddenly sped away, climbing up on sidewalks, sweeping past other runners, and leaving me heaving and panting in the background. I checked my watch to find his pace at 5:15 to 5:30. So much for plans, I thought, as I struggled to catch my breath.

– On the way to Beundia with my buddy/hubby-

– Full speed ahead –

SUB-6 ALL THE WAY

It turns out that we could go faster than we thought. We ran the entire 10km course at 5:30 to 5:45 pace, except for the challenging Buendia flyover.

Hubby and I hardly exchanged words, except for our favorite two words at that time: “Water break.” I know, I know, we’re so romantic!

TO PR OR NOT

At around 7k, I checked my Garmin to find we were doing pretty well. I asked hubby what his PR was and he replied “56.” I advised him: “If we maintain our pace, we could just break your PR today. Are you game?” I don’t recall him answering, but for me, silence was consent. Off we went!

By the time we reached Forbes Town, hubby saw the water station ahead across McDonalds. He said “Water break there.” I replied: “If you stop, say goodbye to your PR.” He looked at me and obviously decided to stave off his thirst in favor of a PR. I smiled with approval feeling like a coach. Then, I freaked out.

Alarm bells started ringing in my ear as thoughts of heatstroke and dehydration entered my mind, especially with the incident at Milo Marathon. No. No. NO. I asked hubby to just stop and take a drink instead.

We took a sip. Walked a bit. Then, plodded forward.

NEW PR…AS A COUPLE

We crossed the finish line at 58.27 mins, it was our PR as a couple.  Er, well, we only had last year’s 10k Robinson’s Buddy Run to compare it with. We beat our time by…drumroll please…a whopping 2 seconds!!!  Our average pace was 5:35 min/km for 10.4 km.

Next year, we shall plan our strategy a full month in advance and hopefully win the grand prize so we can fly off for our 2nd honeymoon for free…in our dreams!

– Nice bumping into TBR Dream Marathoners: Jonathan, Hec, Hubby, Bic, Bob, Mai, and Mayen –

– Hubby, partners Edward & Coach John who bagged 2nd Place, and Jun –

– New running flight attendant friends! They look so mowdel-ly while I’m dripping in sweat –

– Hubby with Kraft Running Club members who finished their first 5k. Congrats! –

– Coach friends: Coach John and Coach Roel –

And, of course, we can’t skip my favorite part of this run: opening the loot!

They came in heavy grocery bags…

which revealed nice reusable canvass totes…

and all these goodies inside!

I love it! Thank you Robinsons Supermarket for giving me a great Sunday run and saving me a trip to the grocery. Until next year!

Race photos courtesy of Jun Cruz (The Solemates)