Archive for August, 2011

What’s the best part of the marathon for you?

The common answer is, of course, the finish line. Words cannot explain the fulfillment one feels after running the long and arduous 42.195 kilometers of a marathon.  Other runners will answer the start or perhaps midway when they encountered a helping hand, a discovery of their inner strength, or simply feeling second wind when they were about to give up.

My answer? What I love most about the marathon is the training.  I love that raw, nervous feeling in your heart when you’ve found the perfect marathon training program, as you sign up for the race, or just day dream about the marathon.  I love waking up in the wee hours of the morning to meet friends for a long run, half of which will be done in the dark before the world awakes.  I love crossing out each run feeling like I deserve a medal for pushing myself hard each and every single time.  I love feeling fit and light and strong during the months leading up to the race and, even more, seeing how my body changes, how muscles suddenly pop out of nowhere, and the weight melts away.  Truth to tell, I love the journey—every single part of it, including sweat, tears, and pain—more than the destination itself.  The race is just icing on the cake.

Tomorrow, training officially begins for New York City Marathon 2011.  The program I’m using is from the FIRST program pulled out from the book Run Less, Run Faster (available at Runnr).  I am so ready!

– My marathon folder holds all my training programs from the past. It has my Nike Hood to Coast, Singapore 2009, Condura, HK, NYCM 2010, and now NYCM 2011 program. On the left is inspiration provided by Little Miss Bull Runner –

The sun was covered by clouds today, but it was bright and happy at Sun Cell’s Fun Run at Bonifacio Global City this morning.  With the huge set up, the Sun Fun Run looked like a major race that was just as well-organized (or even better) than other public races, but this was actually a corporate affair.  It was part of Sun’s annual sports fest for its over 5,000 employees.  Wow, they sure know how to keep their people fit and healthy!

– with serious runners from Sun Cell: Charles Lim, Business Unit head, and Ricky Pena, SVP for Postpaid Marketing –

I was fortunate enough to be invited to join the run this morning.  I ran 5k since I’m also running the NBA Fit 21k tomorrow.  According to my Garmin, I ran 5km at 5.23 min/km finishing at 27 mins 18 seconds.  It was the first time I ran fast after being injured for 2 months…and boy did I love it!

After the race, I made new friends from Sun (and tried to convince two of them to join TBR Dream 2012) and then led the oath taking for the start of Sun’s Sports Fest.  Thanks to Sun for the opportunity to be part of their event!

I was in my own little world wondering when I’ll ever join and finish a sprint triathlon—there’s none anytime soon and the Speedo NAGT in October conflicts with my sched—when I heard about the Timex 226 Bohol Triathlon in Anda, Bohol. I was floored.

Isn’t it amazing how our local races just keep improving and, uhm, testing our limits? (Well, not really MY limits for Timex 226 because mine would be Timex 22 without the 6 only. Hah!) And, isn’t it fantastic that companies like Timex continue to support local races and promote endurance sports in the community? Awesome.

Anyhow, just in case you’re dreaming of joining the Timex 226 in December or in the future, you may want to join this talk on Saturday, August 6, 2011, from 2 to 6PM at Kabisera.  Speakers are good friends Coach Dan and Ani Brown and Harvie de Baron. I’ll be there just to say hi after the event.

Do I ever dream of finishing distances like this?  Perhaps when my kids don’t need me hanging around too often!

Last Sunday morning, I woke up at 3 AM to the sound of rain dropping heavily on our rooftop. My first thought: Poor Milo Marathoners. I couldn’t imagine running a 42k for over 4 hours under heavy rain with soaked socks and raisin-like feet.

Having said that, running a distance less than a full in the rain is a completely different story. Running in the rain is an experience that I always look forward to because 1) I get to wear my favorite bright pink Nike Storm Fly running jacket (shallow I know!) 2) I don’t feel as tired running in cool weather, and 3) I feel like a kid again playing under the rain!

Well I wasn’t running Milo this year due to my recovery from injury, but I did get up early for a rainy 15k run with birthday boy, good friend, and certified Chi Running instructor, Lit Onrubia, and friends Ton, Quenby, and Leah.  The entire run was fun and smooth (my foot injury was gone!) despite the wet roads.

We ended our fun run with Lit’s birthday breakfast hosted by Tessa at her home.  A breakfast buffet table welcomed us—bacon, eggs, tocino, bagels, cheese, and coffee!—along with a birthday breakfast setting complete with little cookies as giveaways.  More of Lit’s running friends showed up to celebrate and enjoy the breakfast feast.

The biggest surprise of the morning was Tessa making a grand entrance in full costume with a chocolate cake in hand.  We sang, we ate, and we talked all throughout the perfect, rainy Sunday morning.

– Tessa and Lit –

– Perfect pic. We’re all looking at the wrong camera except for Tessa. L to R standing: myself, Lara, Tessa, Quenby, Ton, Arnel, Leah. Seated: Lit and Leana  –

Congratulations to all Milo Marathoners! Happy Birthday again, Lit!

So our 30 day challenge ended two days ago. How did you fare?

As for my 30 days, I was eating properly probably 90% of the time. Admittedly, there were times when I couldn’t resist temptation or I just completely forgot about my commitment to eat properly.  Whoops. (Apologies for failing to remind you too since life got busy busy busy. I know you know that this was a commitment to yourself that you were responsible for anyway!) But, I also remembered not to be too hard on myself. That 90% of the time I was being good and that already made a huge difference in my health. That life also was meant to be lived and celebrated and that included tasting—not fully indulging—in some of the not so healthy stuff every once in a while.

While I congratulate all of us for reaching 30 days—did you?!—I also would like to remind you that the 30 days was only the beginning. Shouldn’t we all live healthier lives, uhm, forever?

Let’s try the TBR 30 again next time.  Maybe closer to Christmas.  By this time, I’ll try to get more support and help from friends.  Until then!