Posts Tagged with: "Running"

Exercise ban my foot. Last week, I told you all about how I was enjoying the R&R after Singapore Marathon, how the down time made me feel like I was happily “floating” along with life.

Well, it’s been 6 days of 0 physical activity and I’m floating all right; I feel like blubber on the underside of the whale, or that film of fat that climbs up on the surface of a deadly Bulalo bowl.

The past week, I’ve gained over 2 lbs. doing absolutely nothing. I can barely breathe in my favorite jeans and my cheeks have gotten all puffy. I’ve turned all cranky and angry, almost Scrooge-like in nature. My kids love it though since Mom has turned into Frosty the Snow-woman practically overnight.

Who was that woman who finished a full marathon just 8 days ago? I have no clue. Hopefully, with the Dentist giving a one-day advanced go signal to start running again (I twisted his arm just a few minutes ago to allow me already), I get to find that woman soon. For now, Frosty has a scheduled 10k run in the afternoon to burn off all the fat.

Are you all set for Conquer Corregidor?  I wish you all 750 runners the best!  Don’t forget your cameras!  Here’s the last press release from the organizer before the big day…

The die is cast. While the breeze cools with the passing days, the day of reckoning is approaching when the isle of Corregidor scorches as zealous contenders for Conquer Corregidor lay their claim to racing glory. All 750 race slots have been filled up, with 100-plus guests and supporters all set to rally the contenders for Conquer Corregidor. Now, less than a week to go before the salvo of Corregidor takes place, participants are down the homestretch in their preparation for what could be their last race of the year which may prove to be the hardest. And hard it is, as the race will take place in the hallowed grounds of an island known as the Rock of Gibraltar of the East. Harder, as the race course is comprised of a punishing hybrid of paved and trail routes and all the primeval elements will be in their fullest magnitude. Hardest, as the race takes on the distinction of a memorial run to honor the heroic legacy of our gallant predecessors and all participants take a shot of being distinguished as one of the conquerors of Corregidor.

Presented by Hypehouse Production Company in cooperation with Sun Cruises and in partnership with Activelink, Takbo.ph, thebullrunner.com, RunRadio @ NU107, Second Wind Running Store, and ROX, with the support of Mama Sita’s, Myra E, Pure ‘N Fresh, and pH Care, Conquer Corregidor may prove to be the ultimate touchstone for daring runners to measure their speed, endurance, and grit. Set to fire off on December 6, Conquer Corregidor is expected to thrill, surprise, and challenge, all at the same time the 750-strong contenders, to prove once and for all their mettle in the running arena. While the race contenders, valiant in their own right, attempt to outrun and outlast the daunting 10-mile challenge and set new norm for personal achievement, they all share a common thread. One history. One goal. Conquer Corregidor!

NOTE ON SUN CRUISES FERRY DEPARTURE SCHEDULE FOR CORREGIDOR:

Overnight:

• Departs CCP dock, Dec. 5, 11 a.m.
• Departs Corregidor, Dec. 6, 2:30 p.m.

Daytrip:

• Departs CCP dock, Dec. 6, 5:30 a.m.
• Departs Corregidor, Dec. 6, 5:30 p.m.

Registration at Secondwind Running Store is now open, not for a race, but for Christmas gifts! Even better, right?

Secondwind Running Store introduces its CHRISTMAS REGISTRY! Sign up now and choose from a wide selection of running shoes, apparels and accessories.

Mechanics:

– Go to your nearest Secondwind branch and choose running products.

– Provide a list of gift choices, as well as the name and contact information of the people (Santa) you expect to receive the gifts from.

– Team Secondwind will notify your chosen Santa and present them with your Christmas list

– Your Santa can now visit any of Secondwind stores to view and purchase the items in your Christmas list

For inquiries, contact: mktg@secondwindrunningstore.com

Now for the important question: Who wants to be my Santa?  Ew, that doesn’t sound too good.

Secondwind Quezon City
88 Maginhawa St., Teachers Village. Q.C,
Telephone: 7992089

Secondwind Pasig City
E-Prime Area, Unit03A,  Ortigas Home Depot,
#1Dona Julia Vargas Ave., Barangay Ugong. Pasig City
Telephone: 9140283

A good number of my running friends are in a daze this week.  They can’t focus on anything else but this Sunday’s big event.  After months of logging in the miles, training is over and it is nearly time for the final performance on July 5: The Milo Marathon.  

One friend, a soon-to-be first time marathoner said that “he will never feel completely ready for the marathon.”  Another running friend who has 2 or 3 marathons under his belt, ran 16k last Sunday morning and spent the afternoon touring his support crew (just one driver) around the full 42km course.  A third friend is carefully planning his nutrition and hydration plan, computing how often he’ll hydrate and take his Hammer gels.

I didn’t register for Milo as I’m hopelessly and inextricably in love with my long, slow training runs lately.  I’m enjoying the quiet time, away from the nervous breaths and sweaty palms of the sometimes maddening racing crowd. The relaxed pace gives me time to enjoy the run in its purest form without focusing on pace or distance, but just going by the sound of my feet landing on the ground. Aaah, while I run easy on Sunday, I shall be with my Milo Marathon friends in spirit.

To everyone running Milo, especially those anonymously mentioned above (haha), I wish for strong legs, boundless energy, and cool and cloudy skies. Break a leg…just not your knees!

Click here to visit the Milo Marathon website.

* Photo used was taken from Milo site.

If there’s one good thing that arose from the ITBS injury it would be this: the freedom to shift from motion-control to neutral shoes. Yeah baby!

The good news came straight out of my doctor’s mouth a couple of weeks ago. It was the same doctor who ordered me, early last year, to use Spenco insoles and, later on, switch to motion-control shoes to correct my overpronating flat-feet.

You know, it’s bad enough to discover that you are a flat-footed runner because you will face issues that those fortunate, biomechanically efficient runners will never have to contend with. But, the worst thing about it is the lack of motion-control shoes locally. (Is it because we flat-footed Filipino runners are a rare breed?)  Mizuno does not sell motion-control shoes, Nike only sells the Nike Zoom Elite 4 for motion-control for women (correct me if I”m wrong), and Asics does not have the Gel Evolution 4 here. Adidas offered the Adistar Control 4 so I made the big purchase. The Adistar Control 4 was what I wore last year, including New Balance 25k and Singapore Half, with my Spenco insoles inside.

So, the doctor did order me to shift to neutral shoes and put a halt to wearing spenco. Woohoo!

The moment I found out, visions of various running shoes in all colors, models, and brands flashed before my eyes. I finally get to wear some of the shoes that have been gathering dust in my closet! And, when it’s time to go shoe shopping again, I get to choose from the wide variety of handsome, fast-looking, neutral shoes displayed on the shelves!  

Oh god, I better get back on the road soon. My feet are itching for some neutrals already…