This is a weekly post on my training for Virgin London Marathon on April 21, 2013. Like I always say: The marathon is the icing on the cake; it’s the journey leading up to the race that I absolutely love. Thank you to Unilab Active Health for the trip and to Timex Philippines and UK for the slot.

NO. OF WEEKS TO LONDON MARATHON: 5 WEEKS

After I ran my required 32km LSD last Sunday during Run United 1, I woke up on Monday feeling all revved up for the week of training to come.  Raaawr!  Give me more, Coach.  Give me more!

Monday is a rest day (wherein I do Bikram Yoga because Coach says that doesn’t count heehee), but I always check my program online at Training Peaks to mentally prepare for the workouts and to plan my schedule for the rest of the week.  I looked through the week’s workload and, for the first time since January, it was empty.  Coach Andy didn’t fill it in.

The Coach, who is one of the most OC people I know, rarely ever fails to punch in my program for the week.  Either this crazy Coach of mine impulsively decided to bike for 48 hours and skipped all his work over the weekend OR he accidentally missed working on my program because of his rising clientele of athletes who wish to suffer under him (Naks!)   Immediately, I sent him an SMS reminding him to fill it in.

His reply: “Relax…”

What the?!!  What is that supposed to mean?!!  How does one relax when I have no clue what my body and I are up against for the rest of the week?!  There’s no time to relax!  London is a mere 5 weeks away!

Then, another text message came in: “This is a recovery week.  Eat your greens and get a lot of sleep.  Gradual build up by Friday  to Sunday. 21k hill repeats.”

Oh.  There’s the punchline.  Almost like an epiphany, everything made sense.  He was saving my legs for the tough workouts at the end of the week.

With that, I popped the cork off of a wine bottle I’d been saving for years, toasted to three long days of forced rest, and danced like there’s no tomorrow…NOT!  In truth, I spent the next three days meeting work deadlines, tutoring my daughter for exams, rushing off to meetings, squeezing in a secret swim on Tuesday (ssshhh!), and endlessly complaining why I felt even weaker than days when I kill myself during workouts.  (I know, I know, I’ve completely gone nuts just like all you other triathletes reading this!)

By Thursday, my calendar had been filled in with run and bike workouts.  I was back to training and, somewhere around my 3rd set of pushups and catching my breath, I wondered why I was even whining about rest days.  I may be screaming for more rest by next week when the Coach increases my mileage.  Gulp.

“You’ve got to have the mental toughness and confidence in yourself where you believe that you can take those days off and you can recover and you can run great. A lot of what we see in athletes that just train all the time and never give themselves adequate recovery is often portrayed as toughness. What I’ve realized over the years is it really is a weakness. It’s an insecurity that you’re not good enough to recover like other athletes: I’m not good enough to do that; I need to keep training; I can’t take time off; I can’t take easy days.”

-Alberto Salazar

As is the tradition of TBR Dream Marathon, after the race, I post anecdotes about the marathon that I receive in my Inbox from our new marathoners. My inbox gets inundated with stories of triumph, love, gratitude, passion, and empowerment that it’s too much of a waste if only I read it. Through this series of stories (one every week for the next couple of months), may you all be inspired to run a marathon or dream big in your own lives.

TBR DREAMERS 2013: Efren & Vangie Gregorio
Bib Nos. 322 & 323
By Efren Gregorio

I’m a MILO 42K finisher with traumatic experience and once said to myself “I will not repeat this insanity, ever.” And in my wife’s case, she cannot hide her fear to go the full distance. But when I heard from a colleague (a TBR alumni) about TBR and started visiting its blog, I said to myself “we will join this running family.” Unfortunately, we missed the 2012 batch and I started to lose hope. Luckily, during RU1 last July 2012, I chanced upon Jaymie (I don’t know if she can recall it) at a water station in front of PICC and I said: “Hi Jaymie, good morning! I and my wife wanted to join your Dream Marathon but we don’t know how.” She replied: “Yes sir we will be glad to welcome both of you” and she whispered “Just visit my blog and I will have an announcement, MAYBE in September. Okay sir, let’s run to the finish line.” True to her words, in September we were able to register but not without a hitch and I know everybody in batch 2013 knows what that hitch is all about. Ha ha ha!

Our preparation started like this, from all Bull Circles and Bull Sessions we attended, we eagerly and enthusiastically absorbed every pieces of advice from coaches Lit, Jun and the two Jims (Lafferty and Saret). From doctors who explained the relation of medicine during training and, to avoid injuries and life threatening illnesses that a marathoner can get. And from other TBR alums who shares their experiences and spares some tips to all next dreamers wannabe. So, when the penultimate D-Day came (February 24, 2013) we’re ready!

We could say that our TBR Dream Marathon is a once-in-a-life-time and unforgettable experience in our running career. Only in this foot race that we didn’t feel the atmosphere of competition and time pressure but rather feels like participating in a big family gathering wherein all participants are all familiar faces. During the race we are overwhelmed by the support of TBR organization, like the never-ending supplies of everything a runner could want and more. You name it, over-flowing water and Gatorade in 3 flavors, the expensive GU Power Gel, salt supplement in capsule that when you missed it a piece or two of Chippy will be offered for the pickings, chocolates, gummy bears, oranges, apples, bananas, massage, singing bands and many more. But the most “supply” we can say that you can’t buy is the unselfish and dedicated expression of TBR’s motto: “pay it forward” by the TBR Alumnae. A heart-felt thanks to Joseph Nebrida and Philip of Batch 2012 who paced my wife and her co-running pace during the last part of the second loop. Also thanks to Craig Logan (Batch 2010) for his gummy bears. Ha ha ha!

– Efren running steady-


– Vangie all smiles! –

We knew from the beginning that our family will be there to support us. We also knew about the Dream Bus wherein our family will be carried to the running course. But we didn’t know the real effect of that encounter with our family during those times when you feel down and out of strength and suddenly seeing our son 10 feet away giving me a power bar, OMG! I want to cry! For both of us, it is like a second wind and that we wanted to finish strong. But the most memorable and incomparable one is when we crossed the finish line. Yes our two sons were there, but my brother? My two eldest sisters and my nephew with his wife in tow were there too? Inside of me it’s just a BIG BIG WOW! On my wife’s part she didn’t expected them too to be there, and to add more tearful feeling, she and my sisters had this indescribable friction that is very normal and standard to every Filipino family, that when she crossed the finish line she was hugged, kissed and congratulated by her long lost in-laws. Whew that is the most nerve wreaking feeling we savored on that D-Day! After all was said and done (the greetings, the picture takings and congratulatory words), it was known that our eldest son was the culprit to all these beautiful happenings. He said he used the FB and the text medium. Ang galing!

– Efren flashes his TBRDM medal –

Now as both alumnae (naks!), we learned also to respect not just other runners but also the course’s conditions and its landscape offerings. TBR, you really made us wiser as a runner and instill in our minds that nothing is impossible if you really do it the right way.

Again, to Jaymie and the TBR Dream Team THANK YOU for the journey!

A few weeks back, adidas launched the adidas Energy Boost in an intimate press gathering. Adrien Semblat, head of Marketing for adidas Philippines, introduced us to their newest shoe.

– adidas Energy Boost –

– Adrien Semblat, head of Marketing for adidas Philippines, talks about adidas shoes –

ABOUT THE SHOE: ADIDAS ENERGY BOOST

adidas Energy Boost is the new running shoe with revolutionary cushioning technology that provides the highest energy return in the industry.

The foundation of the ENERGY BOOST™ innovation is centred on proprietary cushioning material, BOOST™, that allows the runner to feel a continuous energy return. The revolutionary technology allows small energy capsules in the soles to store and unleash energy more efficiently with every stride.

Holding its performance in almost any condition the exclusive BOOST™ material has been proven to be three times more temperature-resistant than standard EVA material, thus providing a more consistent and comfortable run.

The adidas ENERGY BOOST™ innovation goes beyond the revolutionary midsole technology. The upper on the ENERGY BOOST™ features adidas Techfit technology, which provides optimal comfort and support to the entire foot while in motion.

Additional features include a special mid-foot support frame, an extended TORSION® system to minimise roll for more stability, adiwear outsole to reduce wear in key soles areas and an external heel counter to maximise the heel fit and comfort. The adidas ENERGY BOOST™ is miCoach compatible.

OUR TEST RUN

adidas provided each of us with our own pair of adidas Energy Boost with our names, literally, written on it (well, on the box at least!) along with adidas apparel for a quick test run around Track 30th, just across the newly opened adidas store in Two Parkade, Bonifacio High Street.

– The new adidas Energy Boost –

– Right before our test run –

– Runners testing the shoe –

– with Vima Mendoza of Kulit Runner, Isabelle Daza, Tessa Prieto-Valdez and Lara Parpan of Women’s Health –

MY FIRST IMPRESSION

For transparency, I’ve only used the shoe during the test run and I have yet to take it for a longer run. I usually give shoe reviews for shoes I’ve run over 15k in. Having said that, here’s my initial impression of the shoe:

– Bouncy and responsive. The selling point of this shoe is its responsiveness because of its new Boost technology (the bubble look in the sole that looks like styrofoam) and I must say that I agree.  With every step, the shoe does feel bouncy but still close to the ground.  Now, I can’t tell if the whole concept about energy is for real, but it sure does feel like it!

– Comfort.  The shoe feels snug because of the Techfit material of the upper; it fits like a glove.  I love shoes like this so this was a plus for me.  Mental note to wear this only on sunny days since rain will get your socks and shoes soaked.

– Light.  This shoe is very light.  In my vocabulary that also means fast.

– Iffy about stability.  adidas says the Torsion system will help for stability, but I do need to test this first.  Upon seeing the shoe, I would say it looks like it’s more for the efficient neutral runner.

– Pricey. P7,995 is on the higher end of the price range for run shoes.

I hope to give a more thorough review of this shoe when I’ve used it for longer runs after my marathon.

WHERE TO BUY

adidas ENERGY BOOST™ retails at PHP7995 and is currently available only at adidas, Two Parkade, Bonifacio High Street. Only 200 pairs available in the Philippines.

Who’s joining Salomon Xtrail Run 2013 this coming weekend in Hamilo Coast? I wish I could’ve, but when it’s close to marathon day, I usually shy away from trail runs to avoid any untoward incidents.  Paranoid, I know, but better to be safe than sorry!  I hope to join this next year though!

For those who are joining or those who interested in trail running (Me! Me!), here are trail gear recommended by our friends from Salomon:

TRAIL FOOTWEAR

Trail running shoes protect feet and toes from trauma, better than road running shoes. Whether it’s rock, soil, grass, dirt or concrete, they provide better traction on different surfaces. They also dry much faster than road shoes.

TRAIL CLOTHING

Trail Running clothes should be lightweight, breathable and quick-drying. More importantly, they must be comfortable.

HYDRATION GEAR

Proper Hydration is essential in trail running. Runners become dehydrated much quicker in altitude, requiring them to carry their hydration needs. Choose from waistpacks, hydration belts, hydration backpacks or handhelds.

COMPRESSION GEAR

Compressions are apparel that keeps the muscles warm to prevent muscle strain and fatigue, and wick sweat away from the body to prevent chafing and rashes. Through the recent years, compression gear has proven itself to enhance athletic performance. Compression tights, tanks, shorts, etc are used to reduce the time taken for muscles to repair themselves.

Have fun at the trails!

Hope you can make it to the Success Summit! I’ll be a speaker!

Event: Success Summit
Date: May 10, 2013
Time: 9AM to 5PM
Venue: Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati

SPEAKERS:

Raymond Aaron
– North America’s No. 1 Success Coach; New York Times Top Ten Best-Selling Author
– Topic:  “Successful by Choice”

Norman Black
– Former CBA, NBA and PBA Player
– Multi-titled Champion Coach
– Topic:  “Developing a Blueprint for Success”

Alex Araneta
– Chief Catalyst of Catalyst 360
– SMI-Certified Sales Trainer & Keynote Speaker
– Topic: “True Picture of Success”

Jim Lafferty
– Former CEO of Coca-Cola Nigeria and Procter & Gamble Philippines
– Topic: “Creating your own Personal Brand”

Rose Fres-Fausto
– Author of “Raising Pinoy Boys”
– Philstar.com Columnist
– Topic: “Preparing Yourself for Financial Success”

Jaymie Pizarro
– a.k.a. The Bull Runner; Renowned blogger, Graphic Artist
– Topic:  “Turning Passion and Purpose into Profit”

Ging Igual
– TalentSmart U.S. EQ Trainer
– Topic:  “Managing the Soft Side of Business with E.Q.”