Living in the Now

Thursday, 10 October 2013  |  Bullish Insights

Since I started running in 2006, I always had a goal race to train for. I was the veritable rabbit chasing after the carrot at the end of a stick, which never really ran out of carrots. From my first 5k, the next marathon, or a 70.3, I always needed a specific, tangible target in the long term to get me to swim, bike, or run every morning.

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– Racing back in 2007 before the running boom of Manila hit. Check out my P100 shorts from SM! –

The past couple of months, things changed.

After Ironman 70.3 Cebu last August, I knew, without a doubt, that I needed a respite from racing. It wasn’t so much the physical aspect of training that I got tired of, but it was the mental part. After years of training for the next big race, I suddenly felt spent constantly chasing after a goal in the far future. I just wanted to live in the now.

LIVING AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE

Don’t get me wrong. I haven’t transformed into a couch potato. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. I still train like a triathlete. I swim, bike, or run six days a week as if I was training for a triathlon. On two of those days, I have double workouts. I also join runs such as the recent Run United Philippine Marathon 21k. But no race or workout is taken too seriously. I really just want to run free. (No pun intended.)

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– Running with friends in the South –

Without a goal in mind, I get out there everyday eager to workout for no other reason but this: Because I love it. Gone are the days when I wake up in the morning dreading a 100km bike ride and wishing I were with my kids instead or running intervals on the track because I needed to break a PR for the next race.

Each day I train because I love pushing my body to perform and seeing my progress in a skill or in endurance. I train because it makes me feel fit, strong, and powerful and that spills out to all other aspects of my life. I train because, quite simply, I enjoy every freaking minute of it. No pressure, no negative thoughts. All passion. It’s really about living an active lifestyle, day in, day out.

MORE TIME FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE

This new frame of mind has given me more time to think, conceptualize, and create. While I let go of a racing goal, I set new goals for myself in other aspects of my life. It’s when I took a step back that I gained more focus on my entire life.

SwimCamp
– Relaxing at Pico de Loro –

I’ve gone back to school studying to be a Health Coach. I’m setting up a new project, which I hope to launch by the start of the year. I’ve had more time to improve on existing projects. And, I’ve gone back to illustrating again.

Perhaps the best effect of this off-season for me is this: It’s given me a time to breathe. The past months, I’ve been able to slow down a bit and enjoy the little things.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Within the next few weeks, my training for Tokyo Marathon on February 23, 2014 shall commence. Yes, I’ll have a new running goal to target, but I’m taking it on with a renewed spirit.

I always knew that the goal-less phase in my life would be temporary because, well, I was just born kinda competitive and driven. But, I tell you; the past 2 to 3 months’ break is just what I needed to get hungry and excited again. I’m looking forward to training and running those LSD’s for Tokyo.

For now, allow me to enjoy the last few weeks of goal-less workouts. It’s the most fun I’ve had in ages.

Top 10 Rainy Day Running Gear

Sunday, 15 September 2013  |  Gear + Gadgets

For us runners, we will run come hell or high water (okay, maybe not too high for flood water!) This would mean that many of us (this writer included) run despite heavy rains that slam on the roads.  As long as our safety isn’t compromised, a long run under the rain can turn you into a child again stomping on puddles and being free to roam and play.

To make your rainy run, fun and enjoyable, here are my top 10 running gear for rainy days:  (Warning to Men: These are all my personal run gear so sorry if most of the items are women-specific.)

1) Berghaus Jacket

FAVE FEATURES: I would use this during a run under a light drizzle. It has a unique zipper on the arm to hold an ipod/mp3 player. Material is lightweight. The look is stylish and feminine.

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2) Nike Womens Cyclone Vapour Running Jacket

FAVE FEATURES: This Nike jacket is designed to move along with you while you run.  The textured dots inside aren’t just for aesthetics; they create space between the jacket and your skin to reduce cling. There’s an adjustable cord both at the hood and the lower hem should you run against wind.  It is lightweight and water resistant.  See the internal pocket on the left side?  You can fold the jacket in for easy storing.

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3) Nike Epic Run Shorts and Nike 

FAVE FEATURES: While these aren’t necessarily rain-specific, I like wearing them most especially when it rains because the fit remains the same even when soaked in rain water unlike loose shorts that tend to cling when wet.  The Nike Epic Run shorts (black in the middle) has 2 internal drop-in pockets to carry gels, keys, mp3 player, or cash.  The other 2 shorts (grey and blue) fit very well and provide good comfort.

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4) Otterbox Armor Series

FAVE FEATURES: It’s shockproof, dustproof, and waterproof! This keeps your phone safe even when it rains. Actually, even if you submerge it in water.

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5) Garmin Forerunner 310XT

FAVE FEATURES: Garmin’s triathlon watch is water-resistant. It can be used for swimming so it’s obviously safe to use under the rain. Should it get dark out, tap it to turn on the backlight.

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6) KSwiss K-Ruuz 1.5 Shoes

FAVE FEATURES: The K-Swiss K-Ruuz 1.5 is K-Swiss’ lightest racing flat. It uses K-Swiss’ unique ION-mask hydro-phobic technology which is designed to repel water. It also has drainage holes underneath the shoe to keep your feet dry. It has limited cushioning and a bit of support so I would use this only for short runs. The shoe below is the 2012 model for women.

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– KSwiss K-Ruuz 1.5 2012 version for Women –

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7) Otterbox Waterproof Series

FAVE FEATURES: This air tight container keeps its contents dry and protected. For the Otterbox 2000 Series seen below, you can fit your iphone, ipod, passport/license, cash, and more. There are other available sizes for these. You can also check out the Otterbox Pursuit Series which are updated versions of mine below.

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8) Adidas Handheld Hydration Bottle

FAVE FEATURES: This handheld hydration bottle from adidas can’t possibly slip off your hands due to its design. It’s also lightweight and easy to drink from even while on the run.

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9) 2XU Cap

FAVE FEATURES: The material of this cap is water resistant, lightweight, and breathable.

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10) Petroleum Jelly

FAVE FEATURES: Keeps your skin chafe-free and blister-free. Apply this liberally on your chest area in the perimeters of your sports bra if you’re a woman, at the edges of your shorts, and even on your toes to avoid blisters from soaked socks and shoes. Never leave home without this!

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10 Tips on Running Safe

Tuesday, 10 September 2013  |  Running + Triathlon

By now you’ve heard of the disturbing and saddening murder of Kae Davantes, an account manager at McCann World Philippines who was allegedly kidnapped at Bonifacio Global City and whose body was later discovered in Cavite.  My heart goes out to her family and friends.

The news has shaken most of us who didn’t even know her personally because it hits close to home.  I heard that she studied in my alma mater for Highschool.  She works at an ad agency that many of us are familiar with.  And, scariest of all, she was abducted in an area that many of us frequently visit and run in.

This alerts us all, especially women, to be observant and cautious at all times.

Below are 10 tips on running safe around the metro:

1 – Choose a safe route.  This is common sense.  Choose a course that is secure and safe from bad elements.  You don’t want to be running in an area that is known to have pickpockets or even construction workers making catcalls at you.  You also don’t want to spend the entire time evading cars or buses that may sideswipe you.  I know you want to be adventurous, but there’s a fine line between adventure and suicide.

2 – Run against traffic.  Run on the side of the road against the traffic to ensure drivers see you coming.  This is a basic but I still see runners who run the wrong way.

3 – Be visible.  It’s always safer to run during broad daylight, but some of you have no choice but to run after work.  Make sure to wear bright colored tops.  Even better if you can wear tops with reflective portions to ensure you are visible to oncoming cars. I know New Balance and Nike have these.  You can also purchase reflective vests for even greater visibility.  Mine is from Nike.

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– New Balance top. Bright color and has a reflective band on the shoulder –

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– Nike reflective vest for night running –

4 – Bring an ID.  Always carry identification with you.  You can carry your ID with you or wear a road ID bracelet on your wrist or on your shoes.  I have two MJ46 iD bands. One conveniently sits on the laces of my shoe and another is a wrist band. These contain my name and husband’s cellphone should there be any emergency.

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– MJ46 iD Band –

5 – Leave valuables at home.  Again, common sense.  You don’t need your diamond earrings and gold bracelets during a run unless you’re Lady Gaga.  But then again, if you do wear all your jewelry while running, we might as well call you “gaga.” Heehee.

6 – Run with friends.  It’s best to run with a buddy or a group.  This reduces your chances of being a target for any criminal.  Should you encounter any medical emergency from lightheadedness to  pain in the chest, you also have friends to help.  If this isn’t possible, then at least take your mobile phone with you.

7 – Use your MP3 wisely.  Many of us love our music during our run, but use your ipod and MP3 wisely.  Make sure you hear cars, cyclists, or even “askals” chasing after you.

8 – Carry emergency money with you.  You’ll never know when you may need cash during a run or a race.  I tuck P100 to P200 in a small plastic pouch under my insoles in my shoes whenever I run.  I’ve used this to purchase an emergency bottle of Gatorade when I was dying of thirst at BGC during a training run and also to pay for a taxi when I DNF’d at Rexona Run due to awful blisters.  Hey, don’t laugh, they were painful!  Point is, you’ll never know when you need the money so always bring!

9 – Bring pepper spray.  If you must run alone at night, consider carrying pepper spray in your pocket.  I got mine at R.O.X.

10 – Be smart.  Most of us runners think that we are invincible from injury or harm.  Guess what, we’re not.  Trust your instincts and know when you should quit a run or run in the opposite direction.  Be smart about your running and always take the safer, more conservative route when it comes to your safety.

Run safe, people!

Zeus.ph: Shop Online for Running & Sports Gear

Monday, 9 September 2013  |  Gear + Gadgets

Shopping for running and sports gear has just gotten easier with Zeus.ph.  Zeus.ph is an online sports store offering running gear primarily from brands such as Nike and Asics.  They also offer products from Riovana such as Zensah and Unilab Active Health for its merchandise.  For non-runners, they also offer other sportswear and gear such as Molten, Nike Golf, Pacsports (Golf) and Aloha Boardsports (Action Sports).

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MY ONLINE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

I shopped for my new running gear right in the comfort of my own bed last Thursday evening.  I enjoyed the user-friendly and easy to navigate site of Zeus.ph.

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Products are first categorized by gender/age (Men, Women, Kids) then by sports (Basketball, Running, Sportswear, Golf, Training, Football and Active Health merchandise).  Each product has an image and product details.  To purchase, you simply click on the specifics such as quantity and size and Add to Cart.  When done with shopping, you simply view your cart and fill in details of payment and it’s done.

The following day, I received a call from Zeus.ph confirming the sizing of a Nike toddler’s shoe I ordered for my godson.  I confirmed the size and they reassured me the delivery would be on time.  By that afternoon, I  received all the products exactly as I had ordered them. The entire experience was convenient, quick, and easy!  Not very different from shopping online in Amazon.

Zeus
– Got shoes for my son and godson, bags for me, and a golf umbrella –

MY REVIEW

PROS:

  • User friendly, easy to navigate website
  • Clear images of products at various positions
  • Great customer service
  • Secure site
  • Quick and on time delivery

CONS

  • Lack of products online – It’s such a great website. I hope they offer a wider variety of running and sports products such as more running shoes and run attire.  They should cover more brands as well.  They can even sell Energy Gels like GU or Hammer in bulk since most runners purchase these regularly in stores.

SHOP NOW

Website: www.zeus.ph
Instagram: zeusph

Why Do You Race?

Thursday, 15 August 2013  |  Bullish Insights

I’ve always been a goal-oriented person. The promise of achieving something big and impossible in the future motivates me each day to get up and work, work, work.

Since I picked up running in 2006, I used races to drive me to train day in, day out.  It was also a good test of my progress, a great opportunity to keep in touch with fellow runners and, for races abroad, a fantastic way to experience the world.  Since 2006, there has never been a period of time wherein I didn’t have an A-race to aim for.  I found that targetting 2 marathons per year with a training period of 4 months could have me training almost the entire year with just a few months off to allow my body and mind to recover.  It was— and probably still is—the perfect recipe, at least for me, to stay fit, maintain focus, and, last but not the least, keep me happy.

Last month, I dusted off an old book from our shelves and started reading it again.  It’s The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, a book I highly recommend. It basically reminds you to live in the NOW.  To leave regrets of the past behind or not to worry about the future.  To make the present moment the primary focus of your life.

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In one portion, Tolle writes: “Are you always trying to get somewhere other than where you are?  Is most of your doing just a means to an end?  Are you always focused on becoming, achieving, and attaining, or alternatively chasing some new thrill or pleasure?”

This got me thinking about all my past races. Is this why I race?  Have I been living my life in the future by always aiming for the next marathon?  And, I wondered:  Can I possibly just enjoy running without a goal to work for?

After training for Ironman 70.3 Cebu for 7 months and completing it a couple of weeks ago, for the first time in my life, I woke up the next day with absolutely no A-race to train for.  (Usually, I have the next goal in mind  even before I finish the previous race!)  For the past 2 weeks, I’ve been running, biking, and swimming at my own pace and distance without having to worry about a future event.  And, surprise surprise, I’m absolutely loving it!

Truth be told, I don’t think I can last long being goal-less though.  That’s just the way I’m built, I guess.  Knowing myself, I’ll be scouring the web for a marathon to get me all excited again.  Perhaps this has less to do with the need to “chase some new thrill” and more about being inspired and motivated.  I think training for a marathon in particular gives structure to my days and weeks leading up to the race and that kind of focus subsequently spills over to the rest of my life.  It’s just one of the many gifts of the marathon.

What I can say is that I did pick up some wonderful lessons from this book. I realized that sometimes it’s not bad to give yourself a break from goals and to just enjoy the present moment.  Enjoy every single run for what it is without focusing too much on how it should improve your performance for your race.  Take a deep breath, put one step in front of the other, and just savor the experience.  It’s not the destination, but the journey.  More importantly, I learned while it’s great to have a vision of a better, stronger you in the future, it’s far more important to remember that you are good, strong, and happy where you are right now.

How about you?  Why do you race?