Posts Tagged with: "Singapore"

In a couple of minutes, I’ll be packing for Singapore. Hubby and I take the earliest flight out tomorrow morning and head back to Manila Sunday evening. The kids will enjoy a 2-night slumber party at the Grandparents’ with their cousins (so hopefully they don’t even miss us!)

How am I feeling? Excited and Nervous with a capital N. My heart skips a beat when I think of the full marathon, but my palms also get all sweaty and I forget to breathe for a couple of seconds when I think of my knee.

Just a couple of days ago, I felt minor knee pain and some tightness in the ITB, same ol’ injuries that have plagued me whenever I train long and hard.  I have been stressing over it for what feels like a year (when it’s really just been less than 48 hours).  My poor hubby is probably even more anxious as he’ll have to hear about all this on the 3-hour flight tomorrow.

Despite my concerns, I’m trying to stay optimistic.  Happy thoughts! Positive thinking!  Think: light and loose muscles! (A friend says if I think my ITB is tight, they’ll get even tighter!)  I remind myself that I’ve been here before, I’m a fighter, and I’m smart enough to know what provides relief: foam rolling, stretching, and ice on the knee thrice a day. Laugh all you want, but I’ve even been talking to my ITB, begging the muscles to give me a break, while I gingerly massage them with my hands. Tonight, I’ll spare them no mercy; I’ll give them a deep tissue massage and hopefully get them out of my life for good, or at least for the next few days. If all this doesn’t work, then…uhm…I am seriously screwed on race day. Pray for me, will you?

As I’ve said, I’ve got to pack for my first official marathon. Check out my next post on what to pack for a race abroad.

For quick updates on my Singapore trip (in case I don’t have time to blog), follow me on (click on the link below):

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Two months to go. Or 8 weeks. Or exactly 60 days.

Yes, I’ve got 60 days to go before I run my first full marathon: The Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon on Dec. 6, 2009. You didn’t know I signed up, did you?

Truth is, I registered way back in August for the Singapore Half Marathon eyeing Subic International Marathon for my first full. Then, I changed my mind (or more like cowered in fear of the tough concrete and high elevation of SCTex) so I downgraded my Subic distance to half instead and set my sights on Singapore for the full 42.195km.

Phew, I am excited, to say the least. But, I’m also nervous and overly paranoid about re-injury.

For those of you who don’t know, injury has hit me the past two times I dreamed of doing a marathon: Runner’s Knee around November 2007 then ITBS December 2008. Both times I was aiming for a February full marathon.  

It’s cliche to say that the setbacks only made me stronger. But, it is absolutely true. It didn’t just make me a stronger runner, it made me a smarter one, too.

I can look back at those two dreadful periods in my running life (tissue, please) and tell you in all honesty that I am glad I experienced them all: the seemingly endless search for the magic cure and the perfect shoe, long hours at yoga and the gym wishing I was on the road instead, missed runs, and sleepless nights pondering when I could run again. All these and more gave me the knowledge and experience to know that my body wasn’t ready to take on a full at 2008 or early 2009, that it is much wiser to wait for the right time than to rush weak legs into an event they are not primed for, that a bull (no matter how stubborn) can learn patience to become a better, stronger runner.

I started training a month ago, but when I think of it, I actually began training a full two years back when the contagious bug that is the marathon entered my bloodstream.

I’m hoping you catch the virus, too (if you haven’t got it yet). So, this begins my “Marathon Diary” (M.D.) series from now until Marathon Day (hey, it’s M.D., too!), December 6. I’ll share with you bits and pieces (or even long tales) about my marathon training, the people who will support me along the way, the gear that will help me achieve it, and any marathon thoughts that come to mind (I’m sure there will be many.) Until then…

What an amazing experience!  I’m limping, I’m tired, and I missed my family terribly but I am still on cloud nine over the Singapore Marathon.  

I finished with an official time of 2:08, 196th out of 3,044 female runners in the half marathon category.  Not something to do cartwheels over, but considering my knee gave me hell starting at Km8 until the finish, I’m pretty proud of myself for surviving one of the toughest physical and mental challenges I’ve ever undergone.

Big congratulations to my Singapore roomie, Annie, who broke her marathon PR with  an official time of 3:59, she was 67th out of 1,998 female runners.  

Congrats to Coach Rio who finished 1:24  for his half marathon, which placed him at 12th for the men’s category and 3rd in his age category.  Galing!

I promise to write more tomorrow—as soon as I get down from this Singapore high…

* Photo courtesy of Red Sports

It’s been a crazy week. I felt like I was doing everything at 5k race pace hoping to accomplish as many things as possible before leaving for Singapore tonight.  That should explain why I barely had the time to tell you how I excited I am about this trip, which brings with it a lot of “firsts”…

First time in Singapore.  

First half marathon.

First race abroad. (Woohoo!  And, I hope there will be many more to come.  Hint hint to the hubby!)

First trip out of town without the hubby and kids. (Hubby will be fine as his 2nd wife will keep him company over the weekend; I’m talking about golf, by the way.  The kids will be well cared for by hubby and yaya.  Honestly, I think I’m more anxious than they are.)

First getaway with Annie.  (My best running buddy and I have finally done it!  We’re leaving our regular running route and our family to run abroad.  Yes, that’s how much we love to run.)

Hopefully, my left knee behaves itself and allows me to enjoy this “trip of many firsts.”  I shall leave you now to get ready for the trip.  Wish us all Pinoys luck!  Be back on Monday!

To Pinoys running in Singapore: Let’s have a post-race breakfast at the basement of Funan, G/F at Yakun Kaya stall.  Mark P mentioned they have a foodcourt and usually some stalls are open by 9:00 am.

Mark P, I hope it’s alright that I invited the rest of the world to what was supposed to be a romantic meal between you and Tiffin.

As mentioned, Nike will be giving out free Nike attire and shoes to Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon runners who were able to register with Coach Rio. 

Click here to confirm if you’re on the list.  

According to Coach Rio, you may have registered with him, but due to lack of available sizes for singlets and shoes, your name may not be included in the final list.  Shorts won’t be given out anymore too.

If you’re listed, as I am (woohoo!), you may pick up your items from Coach Rio at Ultra, 6 to 9am and 5 to 9pm, until Thursday.  See you in Singapore!