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You know you’re a runner when part of the excitement over an upcoming trip comes from the chance to run a new route, to give your feet the opportunity to experience something extraordinary.  Nothing will stop you, not a hectic itinerary, an injury, nor lack of sleep.  The vacation will be worthless without the run.

This was how I felt as I packed for my Baguio trip last Wednesday.  I couldn’t wait to run up the hills of Camp John Hay again.  But, at the same time, my excitement was mixed with much trepidation as (and I haven’t told you this yet) my heel was still bothering me from Condura.  My PT said it was almost tib-post tendonitis (almost being the operative word) and it was only a matter of time before I would be well enough to run again.  In the meantime, he wrapped my heel to my shin with kinesio tape to deload the muscle.  He allowed me to run but only if there was minimal pain.

THURSDAY MORNING

– View from our cottage –

Hubby and I woke up to a chilly Baguio morning, just perfect for a morning run.  Our cottage rested on top of a hill so getting down to the main road was a good downhill warm up.  He went ahead to run towards Camp John Hay, while I had to hold myself back and go for a long, boring warm up to make sure my heel was alright.  After 400m, I found myself inside Camp John Hay too.  As I walked up a steep hill just after the gate, I remembered the elite runners last year doing their hill training with their Coach.  How I wished I could do the same!  Grrrr!  As soon I reached the flat roads, I slowly increased my pace.  Less than a minute after, I slowed to a stop; the heel pain was back.  I walked my way back in a grumpy mood thinking Teacher’s Camp, here I come.

FRIDAY MORNING

If I couldn’t run, then I would turn to my second love, swimming.  By 6:30 a.m., I was at the pool of Baguio Country Club.  Just seeing their pool, which was heated by the way, completely erased my depression from the previous day.  I jumped into the lap pool and swam over 1000m.  I got lost in my thoughts and my happiness that I forgot to count. Then, I slid into the jacuzzi for 10 minutes of complete rest and relaxation. Heaven!

– Heated lap pool at Baguio Country Club –

– Jacuzzi by the lap pool –

SATURDAY MORNING

It was time for my second test run, this time at the track.  Hubby, my sister in law and her husband, and I went to the track oval at Teacher’s Camp.  There were around 20 runners—a mix of leisure runners, serious, and elite, judging from their appearance.  There was even a sheep who probably could outrun me! 

– Track oval at Teacher’s Camp –

– with hubby and the in laws –

– I hope they get this portion fixed –

The weather was perfect for speedwork, but of course, I had to be content with whatever easy run I could have.  I walked 2 rounds and gradually increased the pace.  After a series of walks and easy run intervals, I managed to run 600m without pain at around 6:30 pace!  Oooooh, it was enough to make me happy.  I quit at 3k with a smile.  Things were looking up.

Not content with a 3k run, I asked hubby to drop me at the club.  I put on my wet swimsuit  (have you ever tried sliding into a wet bathing suit on a cold day?  I did—and I don’t recommend it) and I jumped into the heated pool again.  The initial discomfort was a small price to pay for the great 1000m swim!

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

Due to my incessant yapping about the heated pool, the in laws and my kids had to see it for themselves.  So, by the same afternoon, I got into my wet swimsuit yet again and swam with my future triathletes (I’m crossing my fingers here!)

– Little Bull Runners hamming it up for the cam with their cousin –

Sure, the runs were bad, but time spent with family plus great swims made up for it. I figured the awful runs aren’t worth crying about; I’ll have another chance to run the hills of Camp John Hay again. In fact, I might just be up there again in a couple of weeks…

– Ready, set…go! –

Aaaah, back from a 5-day trip in the City of Pines.  It was supposed to be a vacation, but work beckoned so most of my mornings were simply bonding moments with my laptop looking out at the golfers from the verandah of Baguio Country Club.  The rest of the time was spent with family fulfilling all the kids’ wishes.

Nope, I didn’t abandon the blog.  I had actually posted twice, but with the changes going on behind the scenes, there are still some things we have to fix.  Anyway, I have a lot of stories to tell about my failed test run at Camp John Hay, my slightly fulfilling 3k run (with only slight pain) at the track of Teacher’s Camp, plus my oh-so blissful swims at the heated pool of Baguio Country Club.  Heaven!

How was your Holy Week? (We’re back to regular programming so feel free to comment!)

My web admin guy will do all sorts of techy stuff over the weekend to prepare for the TBR Blog revamp (currently fiddling with my fingers with a big grin on my face.)  So, starting 9 PM, please avoid posting comments since this will probably get lost in the world wide web and you’ll end up thinking of me as a snob.  (As if I’ve been able to reply to all your comments anyway with my crazy sched!  I apologize.  Promise I’ll try to get back to you as soon as I can.)

SHUTDOWN PERIOD:
Starts tonight, APRIL 3 (FRI) 9:00 PM
Ends on APRIL 5 (SUN) 9:00 PM

Have a great weekend, runners!

Two days to go for Bataan 102km Ultramarathon runners!  I have some friends who are signed up for the race and I am excited and anxious for them.  

Good luck to all those registered for the race, especially Bald Runner, Coach Jo-Ar, Coach Roel and Jessie Ano, Atty. Jon, Mark Bata, Charlie Chua, Jerry Karundeng, and last but not the least, my idol and good friend, Kim O’ Connell.  (I hope I didn’t miss anyone)  

Eat well.  Run safe.  And, share your stories when you get back!

The Second Wind Running Store, a specialty running shop co-owned by partners, Hector Yuzon and Neville Manaois, finally opened its doors to the public last March 28, 2009. Located in Teacher’s Village, near U.P. and Ateneo, this store, although small in size, is a big blessing to runners and students nearby.

Second Wind carries big name brands in running shoes such as Mizuno, Asics, and New Balance (Asics is currently on sale). They also sell apparel, hydration belts, Optic Nerve shades, Sports Beans, Accel gel and more.

The great thing about this store is that it is owned and managed by runners. Hector, who is a self-confessed shoe nerd and ex-Nike employee, and Neville, team principal of Pinoy Ultra Runners, can give you tips on choosing the right shoe for your foot and make wise recommendations on brands and models. Their extensive knowledge with running shoes doesn’t come from a company module, but from hands-on (or more like feet-on) experience during their own ultra runs. No clueless salesmen nor misdiagnosed feet here (both of which I experienced at local big brand stores.)

– Hector talks about his greatest love. No, not her!  I meant, shoes! –

– Neville playing cashier –

Second Wind also has a treadmill in the store to allow customers to test the shoe for a quick run.

– Jun runs with jeans to strengthen his legs.  PR in the next race! –

Pretty soon, they will offer gait analysis using a software imported from the U.S. to guide you when shopping for shoes.

– Can’t wait! –

Before you leave the store, you can even sign up to join the informal running group they’ve created. Meet up at the store and just run together for fun.

Beyond all that, after spending over three hours there yesterday, I would say that what I love most about the store is it’s atmosphere. It is all running in there. One wall was adorned with race bibs and medals from the most memorable races of runners (My Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon bib is there and Hector promised he’d give it back. Right, Hec?) while another wall has photos of Running Aid talks, Pinoy Ultra races, and favorite races. Everyone in the store were runners: a young runner from the U.P. track team zipped in and out of the store in between his road run and other Pinoy Ultra runners, Mikey and Dr. Paolo, dropped by for even more running talk.

– My favorite bib is Jeremy’s muddy TNF100 race bib (011) on the upper right –

Congratulations to The Second Wind Running Store and wishing you more success. I have a feeling that Second Wind will be like a Second Home for a lot of runners.

– See that ugly laugh? Told you we had fun –

– with Neville, Jun, Hec and Doc Pao –

WHERE:
88 Maginhawa St.
Teachers Village, QC
www.secondwindrunningstore.com

thesecondwind.multiply.com