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Not too many people knew that, during the Nike Clinic at Ultra last night, the fastest Pinoy runner at the recently held NYC Marathon was in their midst. No surprise, because this guy silently arrived with just a couple of his friends, clad in the most unassuming attire one could choose: a white shirt and black shorts, and disappeared into the small crowd of runners.

His name is Mike Mesina and I interviewed him via email soon after he ran his 3:12 NYC Marathon, missing the Boston qualifications by just a minute and a half. (Click here for full interview.)  And, last night, I had the pleasure of finally meeting him as he chose to run in Ultra before leaving for NY the following day.

Funny that when first saw each other it was like seeing an old friend.  He’s a simple, friendly, down-to-earth, and painfully modest guy considering his speedy legs.  Upon meeting him, one would even think he’s a newbie runner.  He didn’t brag about his time nor his runs abroad, and  neither did I see him show off his talent for speed at the track. In fact, when Coach Jo-Ar told him he’d be in Group A (the fastest of the bunch), he even seemed embarrassed.

I hoped we could run together (with me probably crawling and panting meters behind him) but, with my knee pain, I thought I’d bore him death with my ultra slow pace.  I sure hope he enjoyed last night’s clinic and his brief time with the Pinoy runners.

Mike, keep in touch.  As I said, I hope we can run again in the future—whether it’s in New York or Manila—even for just a few minutes before you leave me eating your dust 🙂

Thanks to Wilbert for the photo!

For the past 30 years of my life, I have known only one way to tie my shoelaces.  My mother passed this knowledge unto me, as her mother had passed it on to her and so on and so forth.

It was very simple, really.  She taught me to tie a ribbon, then to knot the two “bunny ears” once again to avoid them from coming untied in school or the playground.  It was ugly, but it did it’s job well.  

Then, it happened.  In the January 2009 issue of Runner’s World, I came upon an article (Knot Perfect) that woke me up to the awful truth: I had been tying my shoelaces the wrong way for practically my entire life.  That there was a much better and prettier alternative to the double knot. That, in my naivete, I had also taught my son the wrong way to lace up.

However, there was a light at the end of the tunnel.  The article provided step-by-step instructions for the Reef Knot: the recommended way to lace up using a balanced knot that would hold throughout a run. I realized soon enough that it was not too late to relearn the lacing system and move forward.

I sat down on my stool in the bathroom and tried the knot. It was amazing! Just subtle changes in my old lacing ways created a completely different ribbon, one that was tight and perfect. Better yet, after running 10km that day, it remained secure and strong!

That same day, I showed the article to hubby. And, within the week, I taught my son how to do it. Mom, you’re next!

This morning’s run with the hubby in Bonifacio Global City was a BAD one on so many counts:

1) Attack of the Mountain Bikers. Where did they all come from? There were over 50 mountain bikers circling the BHS loop when we arrived. There were double the usual number of runners, but we were still outnumbered by the biking peeps. Hubby and I decided to leave the loop and run the roads behind S&R, near British School instead.

2) Early Breakfast. Early into the run, I was chatting with hubby when something—was it a baby fly or a tiny rock?—flew into my mouth and slid down my throat! I attempted to cough it out, but to no avail. Took a big gulp of water to flush it down. Eew.

3) The Bratty Knee. The dry needling last Thursday completely healed my minor shin splints. But, as expected, the Runner’s Knee continued to rear its ugly head. My PT had told me that the knee would only recover through my own efforts (read: strengthening exercises) and with time. So, at 8km, I slowed down and eventually stopped.

4) No Sweat. No, I don’t mean the run was easy. I literally mean, I didn’t sweat at all! It was so cool and breezy this morning that my sweat glands kicked up their feet and slept through the run. I felt like I didn’t even work out.

5) PMS. Nothing is ever fine nor positive for a woman who is PMS-ing. To tell you the truth, I may be exaggerating with Nos. 1 to 4 because my hubby seemed completely satisfied with his run (although that may be due to the fact that he didn’t swallow a rock nor suffer any injuries.)

Good thing I found this video on youtube to cheer me up.  It’s called THE DAY AFTER THE MARATHON, a commercial from the Flora London Marathon…

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-hCuYjvw2I]

If you haven’t heard about Drew Arellano’s Happy Run, then you must’ve been hiding under a rock.  This run, I think, is one of those that you just don’t want to miss. 

Why?

1) It’s for a good cause.  ALL proceeds will go to building the annex of the Bagong Tanyag Elementary School in Taguig.  Anything for kids and education!

2) There’s a 15k.  They sure know how to make runners happy.  Woohoo!  (I hope I can run this by then.)  Click here for race route.  Time to get ’em legs ready for another McKinley Hill ascent!

3) It’s going to be well-organized.  If it’s organized by Coach Rio, then runners can be confident about the race.  When a runner/triathlete, such as Drew Arellano, is behind the event, even better.

4) It’s all about passion and spreading the love (peace, man!)  This is a welcome change to the usual serious and competitive races we’re all accustomed to (although, of course, you can go all out and race to win too.)  I can already picture the fun and festive atmosphere of this race. (Drew mentioned to me last year that he planned on having dancers and bands at certain points. Is this pushing through?  I hope so!)

See you there!

WHEN: January 25 (Drew’s birthday)
WHERE: Near NBC Tent, Bonifacio Global City
DISTANCE: 3k (costume jog/ family walk), 5k and 15k 
ORGANIZER: Rio Dela Cruz (703.1736/ 0906.314.3807) 
REGISTRATION: P250 early reg at ROX, BHS; P500 onsite (includes DRI-FIT singlet)
PARTICIPANTS: Limited to 2,500

Click here to visit their cool site!

I was on that patient’s bed for a full 50 minutes this morning, lying flat on my stomach while squeezing a poor pillow to death, with my eyes shut tight for fear that I’d dash out the door once I saw those needles.  Either I’m crazy or I’m a masochist, I thought.  No one forced me to call my PT, Aspi, last night to schedule yet another intense dry needling session this morning.  But, here I was, ready to succumb to the pain because I knew it worked wonders for my shin splints before.  So, I told myself, No, you’re not crazy.  You’re just willing to do anything to run pain-free again.

According to this site, DRY NEEDLING “utilises a solid, filament needle, as is used in the practice of acupuncture, and relies on the stimulation of specific reactions in the target tissue for its therapeutic effect.”  

Based on my experience with dry needling, a big needle is basically inserted directly into the target area (e.g., tight muscle or lump) and, if inserted at the perfect spot, the patient will feel a twitch or almost like an electric current pass through the body; that’s how you know the tight muscle was hit.  The needle is inserted one at a time into different areas that the therapist determines is tight.

This is definitely not acupuncture.  Acupuncture uses smaller needles, which cause little or no pain, and is inserted all at once in different parts of the body from head to toe.  The needles are left there for a good 30 minutes while one rests, or even sleeps in complete bliss.

In Moro Lorenzo Sports Center, Aspi is the only therapist I know who does dry needling.  When he left in June to finish his studies in Australia, I was in a state of panic.  I visited three other doctors who did acupuncture hoping that it would be similar to dry needling.  Nope, I didn’t find anyone who offered dry needling, much less heard of it in Metro Manila.  You can imagine my relief (okay, that’s an understatement because I was literally jumping for joy) when I heard that Aspi was back in town.  Better yet, he’s based here again!

So, back to my story…As I lay on the bed, Aspi poked at my left lower leg in search of the tight muscles around the shins and calves, which gave me minor problems during the past few runs.  As soon as he spotted tightness in the muscles, he’d count aloud “1…2…3” and I’d feel the needle dig into my skin.  Most of the time, it would feel like an injection, just an ant bite, but others were slightly more painful, as in mahapdi.  Aspi would then move the needle from side to side waiting for that muscle to twitch.  How does this feel?  Uh, like nothing, only like someone is twisting and squeezing your muscles from the inside, which is why some PBA players have shed a tear or two during these sessions. If the muscles did twitch, Aspi would see the movement under my skin or feel it with his fingers on my leg, or he would just listen to me shout “Ouch!” and he would know it worked.  Then, he’d move to another area and do the same thing all over again.

Again, we did this for a full 50 minutes this morning.  It was painful, sweat-inducing, and tiring.  I could barely walk to the restroom or to the parking lot.  Now, my entire left calf is sore and painful.  But, I would do this again in an instant.  Why?  Because it’s what worked for me.  I predict that I’ll be back into my training program as soon as the soreness disappears.

NOTE:  I hope I didn’t scare you with my detailed account.  I wouldn’t have said it any other way as I don’t want to sugar-coat it or make it sound less painful than it really is (flashback of my pregnant self thinking that my baby’s delivery would be smooth and easy: NOT!  I wanted to ask my Mom, who gave birth to 7 kids, why didn’t you tell me?!)  

ANOTHER NOTE: While this may have worked for me, it may not work for you.  I think it’s the greatest secret of the universe, but my therapists say it’s not the antidote to all tight muscles.  Old-fashioned stretching, strengthening, and drills should be continued.