Posts Tagged with: "recovery"

After running Tokyo Marathon and Osaka Marathon in two consecutive years, I completely fell head over heels in love with Japan. So, when I heard about Regetta Canoe, a unique and modern Japanese footwear brand inspired by the traditional Japanese clog or Geta, I definitely wanted to give their shoes a try. The shoes are lifestyle shoes, but it’s an added bonus that it is recommend for runners since it helps with recovery after long runs. (more…)

We all know how crucial it is for runners to choose and use the proper running shoe for our foot type. But, a large number of runners fail to give importance to the shoe they use when they’re NOT running. Believe it or not, your favorite office shoe, heels, or flipflops, can make (or break you) at your next race.

A few months back, I was lucky enough to learn about Telic. Telic is a new sports recovery sandal which aims to provide comfort and maximum energy absorption to ease joint pain after strenuous activities. It doesn’t only absorb shock, but it actually has a “bounce back” effect. It also has a light heel rock which reduces the pressure on the foot and provides good arch support. (more…)

“Laspag!” In English, it means exhausted or worn out. “Laspag” is a word commonly heard in the running and triathlon world after a grueling workout that leaves the athlete feeling completely spent. You may presume that the said endurance athlete would opt to collapse in bed after the workout gorging on food, but some will be forced to proceed to the office, others will play with their children when they get home, and for some completely insane ones (and believe you me, there are many!), they will workout AGAIN later in the day. (I know, I was once of them. Heehee!)

Personally, I’ve used the word “laspag” often because, well, I feel it quite often too. I feel exhausted after long workouts or even shorts ones where I push extra hard. I also feel tired after races where I give my all. Now, if I had nothing to do the following day, I wouldn’t worry about a thing. But, really, when does a working-running mom like me ever have downtime? So, to make sure that I fully recover from a tough workout, I do the following:

1- If it’s not too hot out, for long runs, I wear compression tights or calf sleeves. These aid in blood circulation and muscle recovery. My favorites are CW-X for compression tights and Zensah for compression sleeves.

2- I take Enervon HP within 45 minutes after a long run or ride. (I even took some with me to Berlin and drank it right after the marathon!) I like Enervon HP because, well, it’s chocolate hehe. Second, it offers the perfect combination of 3:1 carbohydrate to protein ratio that’s important for muscle tissue repair and recovery.

For long workouts, I usually have a bottle of cold water in my Spider bottle packed in my cooler. This bottle has a container to hold the Enervon HP powder plus a mixer for easy blending. Super cool!

Spider Bottle is available at Chris Sports, Secondwind, and Sabak.  The Spider Mini2go (seen above) is Php990.  They also have a mini (no container) for Php500.

3- I raise my legs for around 15 minutes when I get home. Sometimes I fall asleep while I do this LOL.

4- If I feel any aches or pains, I ice the area for 10 minutes.

5- I eat clean food for the rest of the day to aid in recovery.

6- I drink tons of water throughout the day.

7- I train easy the following day. Always make sure that your program allows for hard-easy days so that you allow your body to recover from a hard training day.

8- I get a massage every Sunday evening.  I chose that day because I usually have my long runs or races on Sunday.

That’s basically what I’ve been doing the past couple of years to avoid laspag attacks. So, when Enervon HP asked me to be their endorser and record a radio ad for them I said “Yes” without batting an eyelash (then, I got nervous and warned them that I get bulol sometimes and I have a nasal voice LOL!) Have you heard it already? Lemme know what you think. Please be kind haha.

It’s DAY 2 of our TBR CINCO DE MAYO Contest!  Read why we’re celebrating and giving away all these prizes on this LINK, then come and have fun with us!

What can you win: 1 pair of TELIC FLIPFLOP, 1 pair of TELIC SLIDE 

Telic footwear is perfect for an active and sporty lifestyle. After a long day of demanding workout and sports activities,  Telic recovery sandals will help you get back on your feet and hit the ground running.

Telic is an excellent sports recovery sandal. It has maximum energy absorption and return to ease joint pain after strenuous activities.  A light heel rock off-loads heel pressure and accentuates the arch support.

How many winners?  Two (2) winners each win one (1) pair Telic recovery sandals

– Telic Flipflop (color of prize may vary from photo) –

– Telic Slide (color of prize may vary from photo) –

HOW TO JOIN?

1) Follow The Bull Runner on Twitter

2) Follow The Bull Runner on Instagram

3) Like The Bull Runner Page on Facebook

4) Post a comment on this blogpost with the answer to this question:

WHY DO YOU RUN? 

Answer must be strictly be in 1 TO 5 WORDS only.  If you use more than 5 words you will automatically be disqualified.

Also include:

– your Name
– Name used in Twitter and FB
– Shoe size
– Gender

HOW CAN I WIN?

• Deadline for submission of entries: Friday, May 2, 2014 at 8:59 p.m.
• All entries submitted within this period complying with directions above will be evaluated by TBR.  10 entries will be shortlisted (I expect to have a hard time choosing among all your answers.  I’m such a softie!) and these entries will then be will be eligible for a raffle to be conducted by TBR via random.org.  There will only be two winners.
• All entries will be moderated and will be approved upon closing of the contest.
• Only one entry per runner. Submission of more than one entry leads to disqualification.
• Winner will be announced on the bottom of this blogpost as an update and will be advised via email on how to claim the prize.  Winner must claim the prize at the venue advised by TBR.  TBR will not ship prizes to provinces or abroad.

May the best runner win!

UPDATE: Congratulations to the winners!  Gryf Olfindo wins 1 Telic Flipflop and Leo Tugade wins 1 Telic Slide!  Please expect an email from me on how to claim your prize. Thank you to everyone for participating!

Since I arrived from New York, I’ve been stuck in brain (and leg) freeze mode.

More than a couple of times, I’ve had to peel myself out of bed in the morning.  That’s despite the hour long nap I’ve been having lately, which has gone mandatory to keep me from dozing off by 7 PM!  I go about my daily business at half the pace I used to, slowly sipping that cup of coffee, gingerly leafing through the morning papers, and dropping and fetching the kids as if I didn’t have a truckload of work waiting for me in my Inbox.

Notice the blog? I haven’t had anything substantial pop into my mind except cool contests!  (Insert apology for the delay in my NYC Race Report. I’m working on it!)  I’m worse than a kid who gulped down a large Slurpee in one sitting; I’ve had brain freeze for over a week and that’s without even having a taste of Slurpee (Mountain Dew’s my fave by the way.) Yikes!

I’ve even turned into a freakin’ girly girl.  My friends will laugh.  My pre-NY self detested parlors and, if I had to step into one, I would tell the stylist at what time he had to be done; deadline was usually an hour.  But, since I’ve arrived, I’ve spent a combined total of four hours in the parlor, not including the one hour tomorrow when I plan to indulge in another mani/pedi.

Ack. I’ve fallen into full-on relaxation and recovery mode.  Something I believe I haven’t done in—uhm—five years, perhaps?  I must admit, I’m loving it for the moment (one deserves to relax every once in a while), but, at the same time, I’m freaking out!  This is not me and I’m dying to crawl out of this hole.  Yes, I call it a hole!

This new R&R body is so annoyingly uncooperative.  I swam with Bic and Adel last week and struggled to reach 1k when 2k was my norm.  I could barely hit a set of 20 crunches at the gym when I used to do 30 with ease.  And, during last Sunday’s Run United where I ran 15km, I mistakenly u-turned along with the 10k runners and when the marshall called my attention, I yelled to Jun “Aaaw man!” hoping I could’ve just headed back towards the finish line earlier.

Call this jetlag, withdrawal symptoms from New York, extended vacation mode, or pure laziness.  Whatever. I’m just hoping it ends and that it ends soon because California International Marathon is just around the corner on December 4.  My mind is racing with excitement and conjuring up visions of how strong I’ll be during the marathon after running 42k at New York.  But, as of now, the body is revolting.

So, for now, I’m giving in to my body and allowing it to rest if it really needs it. I put it through a 42km so I guess it deserves a little break and, okay, a little spoiling.  I’m observing every niggle of discomfort or twitch of a muscle, making sure it is well hydrated and nourished, and giving it everything it asks for in preparation for the next marathon.  What?  A 1.5 hour massage tonight?  Fine. What the body asks for, the body gets. Who am I to complain?