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?