Here I Go Again...

Signing up for a half marathon without the needed training.

I cannot just cram my workout in the last few days leading to the race so instead I just find other ways to put a little dose of inspiration to this lazy girl. So here's some:

1. Read about how to train the brain for arduous physical tasks like a half marathon. Yeah there is an article about it somewhere. 
2. Add new songs (to surprise me) to my running playlist.
3. Look into new running gear that I can strut in. Because when you're too tired to run or jog, you just walk like the road is a ramp where you model your new running clothes. 
4.  Buy me some energy bars, gels or sport beans. As if that helps!

Good luck to me this Sunday!

Jealous? Who?

Running is such a jealous sport. You got to set time for it, love it both in fun and lazy periods, devote time to it and spoil it every now and then (e.g., pay expensive registration fees for select races, an expensive gear or two yearly, etc.).

If you ignore it for some time, set it aside for more worthy pursuits, or just make it last in your priorities; it haunts you with jeans that won't fit, a bulging tummy, love handles that previously did not exist. It gets even. 

It lets you pay for the times you ignored it.  You suddenly have extra expenses for medicines for the trip(s)  to the doctor, you swipe your card more than the usual for the new set of clothes because your favorite shirts are too tight for comfort.  

I should know because I'm paying for it now.

Sorry, dear Running. I'll try to make it up to you. I promise.

This Blog Hasn't Died

Nope. The blogger is just busy working on... work! Definitely still running. Even running with people from work and getting involved in creating a running group with people from work. I'll tell you more about it in a separate post. 

Gotta run work!

What's Grander Than...

What's grander than finally convincing my brother to regularly lace up and run?

When he has become so enthused in the activity that he keeps me updated of his weekly mileage (and I can't help but compare it to mine).  Maybe I'll lag way behind him in the next race; maybe he'll look so lean the next time I see him that I'll think I was the couch potato. I start to worry.

Now I've got another reason to continue pounding the pavement.

And they say worrying is bad for you.

Good Friday, Good Run

Holy week, long vacation, Bantayan Island beckoned.

More than a month before the religious festival, I knew semana santa would be the perfect time to conquer the Sta. Fe-Bantayan route--I will have me some company (planned to drag along running buddies) and I got more than a couple of days (the family would not be happy if I just visit for a day or two and yet still sneak in time for running).

Lex and Pol were as excited as I am. I decided to have it on Good Friday so the brother and sister in law can join (they will arrive a day before). When we picked them up from the pier on Maundy Thursday, the bro hinted his preference for trail running(he brought trail-specific shoes). No, thank you, my shoes are dirty enough. His wife, Anne, didn't bring her pair so maybe she could just drive behind us and provide the needed hydration, I jokingly suggested.

Early morning Friday, I got the sleepy "diliiiiii" reply from Kuya when I told him it's time to don those running shoes. Tsk3x, enough for the planning.

I and Lex met Pol as we were walking from the town plaza towards Brgy. Ticad. We were officially off and running as soon as we stepped on that bridge fronting the old movie house.

Except for the flattened-out frogs, snakes, and other roadkill, I am loving the change in scenery; no other joggers/runners, just a few trisikads and tricycles.

We were halfway past the cemetery when we saw a man bolting out of Village. He donned the same running singlet I had on--that of the recent Citigym fun run. Pol sprinted and overtook the guy who did not hesitate to join us to Sta. Fe.

To make the long story short, I made it the around10 kilometer (just the boys' estimate considering the time) of cemented road in one piece. Enough with estimates, I have to have a Garmin! One hour and seven minutes without walk and water breaks. Not bad, eh? It was our new friend's (Ronald or Roland?) first time to run for about an hour, too.

Next time, we should try the more scenic Okoy route--Kuya's suggestion but of course we took it to mean that he won't be joining us. He seems to enjoy more the planning and suggesting. But I'm not giving up on him. =)

see you at the races...

no blog posts for how many days now? hmmn, i'm not even bothering to count...

life's been a bit overwhelming lately so i'm not beating my brains out for little things like calculating the number of days i haven't updated this blog, or list upcoming races to update the race calendar (right).

so just excuse my absence here.

i still run though. i need to. it helps me keep my mind and body from nearing shut down mode.

now, i couldn't even take the trouble to include a photo showing i still pound the pavement.

oh well.

still...see you at the races! i will show up at this sunday's citirun.

p.s. i won a pair of socks @ that running clinic sponsored by runnr. i thought i was lucky until i heard they called out jun's name. he won the polar watch.

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...

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?