Posts Tagged with: "Running"

First the BAD NEWS: Manila wasn’t chosen as one of the 25 cities where the Nike Human Race would be held. The lucky 25 are: 

1. Austin
2. Bogotá
3. Buenos Aires
4. Caracas
5. Chicago
6. Istanbul
7. London
8. Los Angeles
9. Lima
10. Madrid
11. Melbourne
12. Mexico City
13. Munich
14. New York
15. Paris
16. Quito
17. Rome
18. São Paulo
19. Seoul
20. Shanghai
21. Singapore
22. Taipei
23. Tokyo
24. Warsaw
25. Vancouver

But, the GOOD NEWS for us Pinoys is this: we can still join the Nike Human Race without booking a flight to nos. 1 to 25 above.  One can join the race by joining VIRTUALLY.

All you have to do is track your run with a Nike+ Sport Kit or Nike+ Sport Band (yes, you can only join the Nike+ Virtual Race if you have the Nike+ kit or band) then sync your run to nikeplus.com.ph. You can run anywhere at any time of the day starting 12:00am until 11:59pm on August 31.  Just run a total of 10k throughout the day to contribute to the global mileage on August 31, 2008.

Now even BETTER NEWS for Nike+ members: A little birdie told me (okay, it’s Coach Rio) that Nike Philippines is organizing a local Nike+ Virtual Race to be held on the same day, 08.31.08, to gather all Nike+ members to run together instead of having to run alone. Coach Rio emphasizes it will NOT be an official race, hence registration is free. However, it will definitely feel like one with prizes for top placers, race bibs, water stations, raffle prizes (drool drool), and more. They’re still deciding on the course: Bonifacio High Street or U.P.  Details to follow.  

– Pining for a new Nike+ Sport Band?  TBR is giving out 5 Nike+ Sport Bands to lucky readers. –

And, more GOOD NEWS…or perhaps the BEST NEWS for you guys: I will be giving away 5 new Nike+ Sport Bands (retail price of P3,295) in the days leading up to the race on August 31.  I’m still brainstorming how to give these out to deserving runners but let me warn you: it will not be easy.  More on this in future posts.

Nike celebrates runners and their sport while uniting athletes all over the globe through the world’s largest running event. On 08.31.08, join a million runners worldwide for a 10k event like no other at the Nike+ Human Race. By combining Nike’s digital running world with the physical, the Nike+ Human Race is open to anyone, anywhere.

Besides running the Nike+ Human Race physically in any of the 25 host cities, participants can choose to take part in the virtual race. This means you can run anywhere at any time of the day starting 12:00am until 11:59pm on August 31, track your run with a Nike+ Sport Kit or Nike+ Sport Band, then sync your run to nikeplus.com.ph. Just run a total of 10k throughout the day to contribute to the global mileage on August 31, 2008.

Furthermore, Vote With Your Feet (VWYF) allows all virtual runners to log their miles from the day they register themselves on the website. Once the participant signs up for the virtual race, he can choose one of the three global charities to donate to. The cumulative miles run for the individual charities will result in what the allocation of Nike’s contribution will be among the three charities September 1, 2008.

VIRTUAL RACE FAQs

Why did Nike decide to organize this event?
Simply put, Nike is celebrating runners and their sport. This is going to be the World’s Largest Running Event and provide a global connection point for every athlete. By using tools that Nike created like Nike+ and the Nike+ SportBand, people can now participate from anywhere: a country road, an urban sidewalk or at one of the 25 designated Nike+ Human Race cities.

If I’m not running in a Nike+ Human Race city, can I still join the Human Race?
Anyone that registers for the Nike+ Human Race can participate. If you’re not running at the host city, you can participate through the virtual race. By registering for the race at nikeplus.com.ph, runners can simply run from their home, track their run with Nike+ iPod or Nike+ SportBand, then log their miles and contribute to the global mileage occurring simultaneously on 08.31.08.

How can I sign up for the virtual race?

Participants merely have to register for it here to join the virtual race with Nike+

Step 1: Ensure that you have a Nike+ SportKit or Nike+ SportBand to track your miles. Both can be purchased from any Nike retail outlets.

Step 2: Select to join the race with Nike+

Step 3: Train for race day with Nike+

Step 4: Race and sync your 10k run on 31.8.2008

What is the difference between the physical and virtual race?

Difference 1: The physical race requires you to be present at any of the 25 cities worldwide on 31^st August 2008, closest to the Philippines is in Singapore. The virtual race on the other hand requires you to run anywhere, anytime, before 11:59pm on August 31, 2008.

Difference 2: The physical race requires a registration fee, depending on your respective category and city. The virtual race requires no entry fee.

Difference 3: The physical race participants will run with a ChampionChip device whereas all virtual runners simply need to log their miles with a Nike+ SportKit or Nike+ SportBand.

If I signed up for the virtual race, do I have to complete the 10KM?

Yes. You have to run a 10K or more on August 31 for you to be count in the Human Race. You can run in blocks, like 5KM/5KM or 2KM/3KM/5KM, as long as your total is at least 10K.

What benefits do I stand to enjoy as a virtual race participant?

Virtual race participants get to enjoy:

– A Nike+ Finisher Bracelet for the first 250 Filipino participants to log their 10km on to www.nikeplus.com.ph by 11:59pm at August 31, 2008.

– 15% off* on purchase of a Nike+ SportBand or Nike+ Kit. (I may be giving out 10 discount coupons I’ll confirm this later.)

*At selected Nike retail stores only. Offer is valid until August 30, 2008.

How do I contribute to charity by running the virtual race?

Once you join the race as a Nike+ participant, all the distance loaded via Nike+ prior to and on the race day will be tracked. Vote With Your Feet (VWYF) allows all virtual runners to log their miles from the day they register themselves on the website. Once the participant signs up for the virtual race, he can choose one of the three global charities to donate to. The cumulative miles run for the individual charities will result in what the apportionment of Nike’s contribution will be amongst the three charities.

What if I would like to donate to charity?

Virtual racers can also make direct money donations to charities using the Nike+ Pledge Tool.

Bricks, in the triathlon world, is defined as training in two disciplines during one workout: bike/run, swim/bike, or run/bike.  Most triathletes practice bike/run as their brick workout with minimal interruption in between as if they were in a real race.

It was Sen. Pia Cayetano who first introduced me to bricks when I interviewed her for my Runner’s Interview (a portion of my blog that I think I should resurrect).  Running was the only thing on my mind then.  No way would I have guessed that, in less than a year from that time, I would be having my own mini brick session today.

This morning, Annie and I met at the same time and place for our usual Saturday run.  But, this time, we were going to bike.  She arrived late and so did I.  Both of us were distracted: she was pumping air in her tires, I was tightening my helmet, then I too had to pump air.  Aaaaah!  We agreed that life was so much easier when we would just jump out of our cars and run.  “Tara, takbo nalang tayo?” she joked.

Off we went on our bikes, er, well I used my hubby’s mountain bike.  Annie used her racer and led the way.  It was a smooth ride through the rolling hills of village roads, most of which we were very familiar with since it was our regular long run route.  Yes, it was enjoyable but half the time I was wishing I was running instead.  I believe Annie felt the same.  “Annie, gaano ka tagal tayo dito?” I asked.  “30 minutes?” she replied.  “Then, let’s run?” I said with a smile.  

After 27 minutes and 8 kms, we parked our bikes and wobbled our way into running.  (They say they call it “bricks” because your legs feel like bricks when you get out of your bike and start to run—so true. It’s great that they didn’t call it “poop” because that’s what seems to be stuck up your butt once you get out of your bike and attempt to run.)  

Just as we were about to start, we bumped into Patrick C. again (this was the 3rd time I saw him that morning) as he ended his 15k run.  The three of us running freaks spoke about our undying love for running and how nothing—nope, not even biking—could compare with the adrenaline rush it gave. 

Annie and I ran easy for just 3.5 kms, a distance that was all too short for this running buddy of mine but was just right for my slowly recovering shins.  We were able to chat again as we always do and laugh out loud in the middle of the road as if it was our own.  Oh, how I missed those days!

My first brick session was short—just a little over an hour—but it was a great start (considering it was unplanned!) I was ecstatic over the intense workout I got from both disciplines combined since an easy run or a short bike trip just didn’t do it for me the past few weeks.  Oh, I think I’m going to be doing this regularly from now on.  Uhm, I’ve actually penciled it into my training journal already.

I know.  The title is so cheesy it makes you want to puke in your running shoes.  I almost did after I typed that in.  But, how else can I write about the positive impact running has had on my marriage without getting all sentimental and baduy?!

Loyal readers know that I had, for the longest time, been praying that the hubby join me in my running crusade.  I had never planned for an all-out offensive with him.  My strategy was to inundate him with interesting and exciting running stories, show off my well-toned arms and legs (which haven’t revealed themselves to me at the moment), and simply wait and see if he would take up the sport on his own.

Lo and behold, he did!  Slowly but surely, he worked his way up to 5ks, first on the treadmill then the road over the past few months.  He then joined his 1st 5k race, the Mizuno Infinity Run, and a couple more after that.  On days when he doesn’t play golf (his great love—second to me, of course), he runs instead.  A month ago, he purchased his Garmin 405 (which was technically my birthday gift to him) and last week, he got a mountain bike (which is way cooler than my hand-me-down).  The hubby is getting serious about this—and I can only sit back and admire the new running/ biking obsessed fiend I’ve created…kidding!

Who would’ve known that—aside from the many health benefits of running and biking—we would receive another bonus: a happier marriage.  It’s not like we weren’t happy to begin with.  But, running certainly has added more color and excitement to our married life and has given us yet another passion to share.  

It’s fine if we don’t go on dinner dates often.  And he doesn’t give me flowers on Valentine’s Day.  And he doesn’t call me every waking minute to say he loves me (I wouldn’t want that anyway!)

I’m much happier with the fact that, last weekend, we ran an easy 5k together and had breakfast before the kids woke up.

I love it when I ask the hubby “What was your pace?” and he’ll answer with a number, not a blank stare. That we can pore over our own Garmins for minutes (it’s not just me anymore) and share the same amazement at these wonderfully crafted little watches (although my 305 is still better than his).  That we enter a sports store together equally ecstatic over our greatest active wear finds.

Our next date?  A bike trip to the gas station to put air in our tires—I’d choose that over dinner at Greenbelt, anytime!

Running is one of the most affordable sports there is.  No need for special gear or equipment such as a swimsuit and goggles, bike and helmet, skis, ball, racket, etc.  One can indulge in the sport with the clothes on his back and the shoes on his feet—or, in rare cases, no shoes at all.  

Conversely, running can be an expensive sport, especially for insane people who obsess over the latest gear.  I am living proof of that statement.  

Since I started running, I have “invested” (the aforementioned word works wonders for the shopping conscience) in a watch, running shoes, singlets and shorts, ipod, caps, running socks, water bottle carrier, coaching and therapy fees, and more.  I thought I needed nothing more…until a couple of days ago.

I met affable and down-to-earth Titus Cruz, distributor of Optic Nerve shades in the country, who basically reminded me through his presence that I could use a pair of shades to keep my already singkit eyes from shrinking even more when the sun hits me.

– Titus of Optic Nerve –

Titus came into our meeting carrying bags of sunglasses in various shapes, colors, and sizes.  Optic Nerve shades, he explained, are sports shades that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. (Perfect for me because, at my injured state, I really can’t afford to lose another leg!)  And, based on what I saw, the shades have attractive designs and are high-quality products.  

I sifted through dozens of models and declared, after a long 30 minutes, that it was a toss up between “Threat” and “Revolt.”  I ended up choosing both.  

Driving home from The Fort, I wore “Threat” in the car—complete with stickers and tags on—and declared that I liked it.  Mind you, my two kids agreed that I looked like a cool mama too.  I have yet to test them training outdoors but you can expect to read TBR’s Optic Nerve review pretty soon.

For more information, you may contact Titus Cruz at 0917.812.0308 or email tyts77@yahoo.com.  Check out Optic Nerve sports shades at their site.

I wish I told you how ecstatic I was over my first ever mountain bike ride last Sunday where my Garmin got his first taste of a biking event and registered it at 40 min for 9km.  Or, how my first Ashtanga yoga session last Wednesday completely blew me away and gave me a peek into the spiritual side of yoga which I am all too excited to explore.  Or, how foolish I felt for thinking that the pool would be open yesterday, a holiday, so instead of doing 50-meter laps, I found myself swimming with my children complete with lifesavers and noodle floats at my in-laws little pool.

No, I couldn’t bring myself to tell you about last week’s little details because it had nothing to do with running.  This is, after all, a running blog.  

Truth be told, running and I haven’t been in good terms lately.  I have been furious with him since the day I learned about the shin splints.  I yelled at him from across the room (making sure my kids couldn’t hear) “After all that I’ve given to you—my heart and my soul—you give me runner’s knee and now this shin problem?!  What kind of a person are you?  Are you even human?!”  To which, he replies “Of course, I’m inhuman.  I’m a sport, dummy.”  Such disrespect!  I couldn’t take the cruelty so I packed my gym bags and took off.  (Okay, now you know why this post is entitled LQ.  Ang baduy ko, I know!  This is what happens when I don’t run.)  I haven’t seen him for a full two weeks—16 days, to be exact—since my last run. Despite therapy sessions, the lumps on my shins haven’t disappeared and continue to bother me at every step.

Since then, I have moved on.  I’ve been getting my cardio workouts from the elliptical trainer at the gym, swimming, and biking.  (Sadly though, none of these will ever compare to the workout that running gave me.  I am still gaining weight despite all these other cardio activities…grrr.)  I also have at least two sessions of either bikram yoga, ashtanga yoga (my new love), or yogilates each week.

When I recover from my shin splints (don’t ask me when because this is taking a lot longer than I expected), I’m sure I’ll be the one knocking on the door of running screaming “Let me in!  You’ve been a jerk but I love you anyway!”  

While I’m injured, please be patient with me as this “running blog” will feature posts that will discuss more of my cross training activities than actual running.  If there’s one good thing that has come out of these injuries, it is that it’s pushing me to become a triathlete ahead of schedule!