aaargh #*$%##s#!

I hate to say it but it maybe buh-bye to the half marathon this January for me. I have already skipped a huge chunk of my 21k training program and even ended a chow-filled week without running. It's doctor's advice--not the eating but the not pounding the pavement.

Before the visit to an Orthopedic Surgeon, I was already walking with a noticeable limp caused by a pain I felt on my right foot (yep, that part highlighted in the image below). image swiped from runnersworld.com

I dismissed the discomfort thinking the pain, like I had in my knee, will just go away (the knee started to hurt when I experimented with my running form but got alright after I went back to how I was doing it before I read materials and viewed videos about running). The injured foot, however, did not feel its normal self after a few days; it got even worse that friends and officemates readily noticed my uneven walking.

I can run or jog or walk real fast without that nagging pain but once I rest, especially with knees bent for some time (e.g., commuting in a cramped van), the first few steps would be difficult. A visit to the office clinic brought about the trip to an Ortho, which doctor I just chose from a list accredited by our healthcare insurance provider. As mentioned above, the appointment with the doctor brought me the refrain-from-running advice. I also had my right foot X-rayed, which X-ray showed nothing really wrong with my right foot. Now I'm taking expensive medicines and feeling heavy for not running in a week filled with parties.

I'm going to run tomorrow. Sssh, don't tell my doctor. I'll just be taking it easy anyway. And oh, my right foot doesn't hurt now. Really...

MIA

Yeah, Missing In (blogging)Action for almost a month now. I don't seem to have the time for writing or blogging anymore. But the running I'm not skipping. Well, not unless when it's heavily raining (and I'm wearing new shoes), or when traveling won't give me enough time to run.

So what have I been up to?

October-November Break

The week before All Soul's day brought me to my island home town. But the vacation didn't deter me from sticking to my running program. First day of my leisurely time away from work had me waking up very early for a five km. Getting up way before the sun is up when there’s no work is a no-no for me, so hearing the alarm clock was a little too painful. With the change in scenery, however, I very much enjoyed the run. What with the clean, tree-lined road free from the scores of tricycles that roam around town later in the day. I can still remember the exhilarating effect of the fresh province air occasionally combined with the smell of freshly cooked anok (puto in Cebuano). I noticed that I and Lex were the only runners/joggers that day. I thought I saw one runner sprinting around the town plaza until I noticed he was on his slippers and looked like he just run because of some emergency. So the road all to ourselves! Wheeeee! Next time, we're bringing Jun and Pol here for the 10km (or is it 8km?) run to Sta. Fe. And maybe Bel, another Bantayanon, will have some heavy breakfast ready for the trying-hard runners. Hehe.

After Bantayan, I went to the running buddy's hometown. There, we didn't have the time to visit their sports oval nor do a quick road run. As was the usual All Saints' Day, we camped late afternoon until morning at the cemetery where most of the people are hanging out. The following day we visited relatives (both dead and alive) outside the city.

When I got back to Cebu, I made up for those missed runs with Sunday long runs in Lahug and after-work runs in MEPZ 2.

November Races

I participated in the MEPZ 5k Fun Run (where Pol said I will have a chance in placing if I am religious in my training) and Brgy. Lahug's Mad Run for wellness.

I was 12th in the MEPZ Run female category, which made me think I should have started fast like Jun, Lex and Pol did. I had sore knees the previous week so I was taking it easy in the huge downward slope early in the race leg.There was something wrong with the race's timing device (i.e., top ten finishers had clock-in times of between 14-20 minutes) that I didn't bother to check my race time. Or maybe it wasn't really 5k? Hmmn, I need a Garmin.

Last Nov. 22, I participated in the 2nd MAD Run's 6k while Jun, Lex, and Pol ran the 12k. Bel failed to attend with her tummy problems. My clock-in time was 38 minutes.
I already signed up for the Seminary Fund Run this 29th. There's a MEPZ category; wish me luck!

Crazy, but...

I, Jun, and Lex, have started training for a half marathon. Yep, you read that right: 21 kilometers for the Jan. 10, 2010 Cebu Marathon. Crazy. Well, at least for me because it seems my running buddies are so welcome to the idea.

I won't register for the 21k, leave that to the guys, I kept telling myself. I believe the half marathon is too early for someone like me, someone who doesn't always enjoy the running as much as when I'm finishing it (or at the point when endorphins kick in). But I guess there's no harm in adhering to the training program. And maybe come registration time, I will catch from the two the madness that is the 21k. So when that happens, I come prepared.

Anyways, according to the program, long runs are set on Sundays; first of which was just this 25th. We took the road from Jun's place in Pusok, LLC, all the way to the Mactan Shrine. I love the route, especially the generous view of the sea. The trees that lined up the clean asphalt road also gave abundant shade to us that came unprepared for the harsh rays of the sun. Lessons learned for that first Sunday include:

• Be on time. Or earlier. Running in the heat is not that fun.
• Don't carry anything bulky including a bottle of water (yeah, I'm a dork). There are plenty of stores selling the bottled H20 even early a.m.
• Bring small bills (the sound of loose change is too annoying) to buy the hydration or what have you.
• Put on a generous amount of sunblock.

Runnr Goes to Cebu!

Wheeeeeee! Runnr will open a store in Cebu!



Looking forward to this:


this:


and more foot candies:



Target opening date is said to be on Nov. 13 at Ayala's new Active Zone.

Good news for us, bad news for our wallets.
I bet my wish and/or shop list will get a bit lengthier.

The Quest for the New Running Shoes

Determined to get my deserving feet new running shoes, I went in search for that perfect pair. First week of October, I scoured every sport-apparel shops in Cebu's major malls.

The plan was first to look for what pleases my eye, then try it on for comfort. If the footwear doesn't pass the "look" test, it won't go to the "comfort" test. If the pair clears both, I still won't buy it right away. I'll do more research online and read reviews so I'd really know if it's perfect for my type of feet--If we only have running specialty stores with knowledgeable salespersons, I would have skipped this part (Edit: see next post).

Finding the pair was easy because only one cleared the look and comfort tests: Adidas Adizero Tempo. Okay, others were too pricey for me or maybe I did not look hard enough. The Adizero Tempo that I found at Toby's Sporting House (SM North Wing Branch) came with a discount. They're beautiful, and very light too. Just the right colors and my legs looked longer in them. Hehe. After liking what I read from my research, I knew I had to get them.

With my birthday drawing to a near, Mom (after some parayeg) agreed to buy the pair as a gift to me. Yeeeha! But when she learned of the price, she settled to pay for just the 2/3. Oh well, I need to have the Adi so what's 1/3 anyway.

Days before the purchase, I already had nightmares. One dream was of me going back to Toby's and finding that my size isn't available anymore. Tsk3x, bad sign.

I came back to Toby's afternoon of Oct. 10, hopping to the shop with excitement. Lex tagged along. Imagine my shock when the footwear I dreamed about wasn't on display anymore. "We pulled out the stock," the salesperson announced. I was like "Oh sh*t, not another crazy nightmare." Only it wasn't a dream and what I actually mumbled was something like "Uh, OK maybe they have it at another store." I remembered seeing the same pair at SM's sporting goods department but I remembered it looked old.

At this time, big bro Juk arrived so the three of us trooped to the department store while I fervently prayed they still have a pair my size. I was so relieved to see the exact model and color I wanted, my size too. I was more than glad really. I was ecstatic! A little problem though: it was for men, or so the salespeople insisted. But it looked very much similar as the one displayed at Toby's women's running shoes section! Oh well... So what if they're for men, they look too pretty for a man's feet and they felt great on mine. And so to make the story short, I decided (after a bit of jogging and walking around the store) that the pair would be my new running shoes.

BTW, the SM Adidas staff was great; I was super pampered, I felt like a celebrity. Or maybe it was Lex's doing. He made up a story of me winning a silver medal in a recent race. "Just 20 seconds behind the champion!" I heard him telling the staff, who later asked for my name and the issue of the local paper that supposedly had a photo of me plus an interview. What a crazy, shoe-hunting adventure that was.

Goodbye nightmares. Hello Adi!

Time to Give my Merrells a Break

After the first running clinic (CERC has conducted two so far), I knew I had to get me new running shoes. My Merrell pair (for trail running) is way overworked. I don't know how many miles I've run, walked, trekked and climbed in them but I'm sure they have exceeded the mileage that necessitates the need for me to replace them. A check of my photo albums says I scaled Mt. Talinis middle of 2005, which climb is the reason behind the shoe purchase. Whoaaa, four years old!

Gotta get me a new pair! Gotta buy, gotta buy.

"To avoid running injuries!" I can still remember a speaker's warning in that first CERC clinic.

Gotta buy, gotta buy!

With almost five years in use, the pair should have been so worn out now but you gotta give credit to Merrell for durability.

Right now those black, gray with a touch of red footwear stills feel super comfortable but you know you ought to listen to the pros.

Gotta buy, gotta buy!

And a new sleek and stylish pair wouldn't hurt. Well, except my wallet.

Gotta get me a new pair. Gotta find a donor, a sponsor, a good heart! ;-)


And so begins my search for the perfect pair...

Tapots Milestone: 6k Without Walk Intervals

Yeah, non-stop run, albeit at a steady slow trot, for about six kilometers at the Mactan Export Processing 2. Or at least that's what Google Earth tells me.



Four 1.49km laps equal almost 6km... I hope I do that in the next race (God willing, I'll run a race this Sunday).

I guess the trick was just the taking it slow. But I don't find that easy during race time. When the starting gun fires, I can't help but speed away...then slow down at the 3rd kilometer...then start with the walking intervals. Oh well, wish me luck.

Who'd Have Thought...

My First 6K

I wasn't too excited to join the 6th World Heart Day Fun Run because it doesn't have a 5k category. The September 27 race, organized by the Phil. Heart Association Cebu Chapter, only included a 3k, 6k, and a 10k. Here's something that many don't know: I haven't jog/run throughout an entire 5k race. Ever. I've joined five 5ks, in each of which I always have walking intervals. So, why would I want to enlist in a 6k when I haven't entirely run a 5k? That's what your running buddies do to you. If everyone has signed in, you don't want to be left in the sidelines.

Must Have Been the Weather

Typhoon Ondoy gave Cebu City a morning with skies very dark with clouds, like it's about to pour. It did not, bestowing us instead with what I think is a very ideal weather for a run--very windy and a tad bit cool. At times there were really strong gusts of wind, successfully overturning the race organizer's tent. It tried many times to blow away my cap, too.

With that kind of weather, running wasn't much of a chore (I still took the usual walking breaks though). The group (this group should have a name soon. hmmnn…) agreed that we cannot have fared better if the Cebu sun was her usual bright self. So I guess it must have been Sunday's terrific atmospheric condition that had me and Jun surviving our first 6k albeit we didn't come prepared (rainy days = curling up and eating more). Lex also thinks it was the dandy weather that made him feel like the 10k was a 6k (he signed up for 6k but mistakenly run with the 10k runners).

The race course wasn't bad either--the road almost all to ourselves and the uphill was fun (overpass near Ayala). Bel should have signed up for the 6k but with recurring side stitches, she opted for the 3k.

What Do You Know?

Did I do great? A clock in time of 38 minutes and I-forgot-how-many seconds isn't. But if a great finish means finishing fifth in the 6K MEPZ women's category, hell yeah, I did!

Tapots hides behind the blur. Shy daw siya.

Who’d have thought? But maybe there were only five women from MEPZ who signed up. Hehe. But that’s an accomplishment still. I deserve a reward. Perhaps, a new pair of running shoes? Hmmnn, I hope mom reads this... ;-)

note to self: come up with a wish list soon (birthday and Christmas).

6th World Heart Day Fun Run Photos

Photos courtesy of Ryz, who I can't seem to persuade to join us in pounding the pavement. But I hope she comes to more of the races so we can have more pretty pictures. Thanks, Ryz. Until next photo shoot. :))

The Sept. 19 Clinic

To say that I enjoyed the clinic is an understatement. There was never a dull moment during the session, not just because most of us had our caffeine fix from the free-flowing coffee in that Casino Español conference room. Aside from making me a tad more informed about running (and then some), the speakers and their stories amazed and inspired me. The guest speakers are a funny lot, too. I was always laughing on my seat especially when they mentioned of running-newbie boo boos that I’m guilty of and gave honestly blunt answers to serious questions (e.g., sun block, where exactly is the wall, etc.).

So what did I learn from the clinic that I haven’t learned from my own research? Hmmnnn…. Here’s what I can get just off the top of my head:

• --run your own pace
• --a marathon is a killer
• --if you really don't want to get injured, don't run
• --most running injuries are difficult to pronounce and spell
• --the invisible wall; which, sometimes, you’ll be better off not knowing
• --Cebu motorists aren’t runners' best friends
• --the wife can outrun the husband
• --some men don't wear briefs when running
• --in addition to water breaks, some runners have sun block breaks
• --a well-known dermatologist in Cebu doesn't wear sun block
• --you don't need sun block when you run at 2:30 a.m
  
• --I need a new pair of running shoes
• --best seats next clinic are those near the coffee maker :D
• --carbo-loading party is an awesome idea

I told you it was fun. Props to CERC for organizing it.

Signed Up for Tomorrow's Running Clinic

I don't think I can join a marathon by January but I bet I will be inspired by the clinic's speakers to someday enlist in one. I'm glad that Jun wanted to attend the clinic, too, so I have me some fun company.


Note to self: bring your camera.

My Third 5k

I guess it was Lex who was so determined to sign up for another 5k that he had me checking upcoming Cebu races barely a month after the last fun run. We later chose Rock N' Run because of the venue (Cebu International Convention Center), which means new race route (at least for us) and not too far for commute. The free concert after the race was also something to be excited about.

The race didn't live up to it's name though because of the weather. Early morning of August 16, I woke up to very dark skies and heavy rains. I didn't want to go to CICC thinking the race won't push through. But the other two thought better (from four, we were down to three--me, Lex, and Jun--as Lot got busy with her studies). The rain canceled the concert but not the fun run. The race would have been aptly named Rain N' Run instead.

When we arrived at the venue, there were just a few runners--barely 200 in my estimate. Like those who chose to stay home, I didn't want the run to push through. Even if the heavy raining transformed to just slight drizzle, I felt my shoe wouldn't survive the slippery pavement. And with big puddles everywhere, motorists could just splash/spray us.

The race organizer suggested postponement of the activity but the rest of the runners were not happy with the idea. I later caught on with the excitement especially when I saw race participants dressed as Madonna, Elvis, and the Incredible Hulk. With the Rock N' Run theme, I understand the two coiffed up as music icons but I don't get it why the raging green comic book monster was there too. Nevertheless, the guy with the green body paint had the most fans what with his big biceps and dressed only in short denim shorts, frayed at the hem. If the heavy rain came back during the run, he sure would turn back to Dr. Bruce Banner in a girl's shorts.

I couldn't recall my clock in time for that 5k but I can still vividly remember the fun amid the sweat and drizzle. And how the green guy was so far behind me in the race. I guess too much muscle could really slow you down.

My Second 5k

I run my second 5k during the 33rd National Milo Cebu City Elimination run. I can still clearly remember that July 5 morning, when Jones Ave. was painted with Milo green from the participants' shirts. A part of me wanted to be a photographer, instead of one of the runners, to capture that sea of green (my favorite color, btw). Speaking of photos, we were only able to take pictures after the run, when our group of four headed to IT park for breakfast.

Click3x.Yeah, someone has her shirt on backwards. :D

My First 5k Run

On the day to honor moms, I, along with a bunch of people from work, woke up early to join a run for mother earth. So it was on May 10, 2009, that I braved my first five kilometer run. Okay, make that 5k of run, trot, and walk.

Most of us in the group were first timers, which made me confident to register in the race. I wasn't too brave to sport comfy short shorts though so I just settled for my boring black sweat pants. I guess I didn't want to look like I'm trying too hard lest I won't finish the entire length of the race. But I did and I was so proud of the feat because two of our guys opted to do a short cut.

On a sad side note, Rex, my running buddy at work and part of our earth-run group, was shot dead in a senseless killing about a week after the run. Like me, he got afflicted by the running virus and had planned to train himself to someday join a marathon or two or more... I want to believe he still joins us now as we continue our pursuit of that dream.

What Made Me Start to Run

Before loving the activity, someone or something must have inspired me to start to run. Hmmnnn... I'll try to remember.

Maybe it was Bobby who got hooked to jogging/running that brought me to the Cebu City Sports Complex, or what is popularly known here as the Abellana Oval. Bob and I belonged to a barkada we fondly name as the Bulldogs. He frequented Abellana at the time because he didn't have a job (read: tambay). Almost every afternoon, he was there--it was just a 15-minute walk from his house anyway. At that time, almost everyone in the barkada has either got married, were into serious relationships, busy with their own new set of friends, or just always out of town, leaving the two of us to make do with each others' company. Among other activities, it was hanging out at the oval that was least costly and yet most fun. He later met running addicts and joined them in fun runs. I believe I was far from ready to join him then so I just supported him in his races. He quit running after he got hitched (what is it with getting married?). Now he is a pudgy bulldog with a puppy in tow.

Even without the jogging buddy, I came back to the oval because of outdoor activities. I once belonged to an outdoor group, which favorite meeting place was the same oval. Members gather there mostly for the planning of upcoming treks or climbs. To prepare for those activities, members are advised to jog or run so maybe that explains why we prefer meeting there. The members of the group later split leaving me with a big backpack without new adventures.

And yet I came back to the track to run.

Maybe I kept running just because the oval was just a ride away from home.

It doesn't matter now though. I am far from any rubberized sports oval (Lapu-lapu City should build one soon!) and have learned to run almost anywhere as long as there's a hard, stable enough surface.

So maybe it wasn't the oval. Perhaps it's the high I feel after the run, the endorphin rush; the health benefits just a bonus. Maybe it's the beautiful and interesting people in the running community (they're a happy bunch!). I also find the activity to be the best de-stresser and escape from tensions at work and at home.

Hmmnnn, maybe all of the above.

Why Do I...

...Run?

I run because I need the exercise. I always have a voracious appetite so I must be active to maintain a healthy weight, fit into my favorite jeans, and keep me away from threats of clogged arteries, heart disease and what-not.

I run because I can. I don't have to go far to find a clean swimming pool (my first love is swimming), I can run without going to a gym or a sports oval, and can do it without company. Heck, I can even run barefoot.

It's not an expensive sport. Well, until after you get yourself a training coach, buy yourself every new running-specific accessory available on the rack, lust over the highly-rated (and the priciest!) pair of running shoes, and treat yourself to all-you-can-eat food after finishing a run.

...Blog?

Why not?