RockEnRun: Hooked on Asphalt

I remembered my first Condura experience when I ran my first half-Mary in the Skyway last year – it was awesome! So, when this year’s edition of the said race was announced, I definitely had to register. You see, the half-mary last year was just that : half of the skyway, so I thought that it was a good idea that the Concepcion brothers included the full marathon event.

It has been a well documented observation in the  running community that organizing races has turned into a profitable business with some organizers more interested in making a quick buck rather than satisfying their participants. That is the reason why starting this year, I am choosing the races that I join (and being a bandit with the rest, hehehe). I know that quality has an expensive price tag that goes with it ; so even if I had hesitations in joining this race due to the expensive registration fee , I still joined the 42K event and I’m glad that I did.

Fireworks lit up a seemingly cold and tense morning where the 42K runners were preparing for the end of the countdown that would start the event. This is a refreshing scene compared to the usual Sunday morning race start.  Everybody was happy and excited to run!

The challenging but enjoyable part of the race started early on as we ran around the Fort area , claiming one ascent after another before we scaled the Kalayaan flyover towards Buendia – this part of the route was dark since the streets we traversed had no lamp posts on it.

The vertical path which was the Kalayaan flyover as well as the rest of the Makati area was well lit and lively with the presence of various bands along the route – I was particularly energized upon reaching the corner of Buendia and Pasong Tamo when the Philippine Army band played the theme song of the movie The Magnificent Seven –  I felt like Yul Brynner  riding his horse, hehehe!

Upon entering the skyway, I said to myself – “Finally!” and took the most challenging path of my asphalt loving career. The ambience on the skyway was cool, exciting and bright …. Did I say bright? I thought it was, but somebody turned off the lights! Running the skyway was reminiscent of running Lawton Avenue about an hour ago – dark!

When the sun  finally rose,  the view from up there was spectacular, it’s different when you’re running it compared to just driving through it.

When we reached the turn around point near the Bicutan exit, I felt a bit sad because this feeling of enlightenment is half-over. It  didn’t also help that there were  small specks of matter floating in the atmosphere which some runners have inhaled and worse – ingested.

Just as I thought that the challenging part was over comes the most difficult ascent of this race – Condura hill. Well, like what most runners did , I just simply walked this part and enjoyed the view, I even took some pictures while I was at it. The sun was already up at this time as I saw it took its toll on the band that was supposed to perform the lively music for us runners.

Then came the sign at the bottom of the skyway which read “Congratulations, you have conquered the skyway!”. At  least now, I can say that I have completely conquered it  compared to just half of it last year.

… and there it was , on my return trip I met the generous souls  of Takbo.PH and Reinier Pacific. The banana I got from them gave me a boost that I was able to run up to Makati  Avenue.

After the short lived energy burst,  I jogged /walked until the finish line. I finished the race in 5:46. 12 minutes slower compared to my first marathon.

All in all, this was a fun race : very unique and challenging route , water trucks, long water/hydration tables, sponges , fire works  and bands. Did I say it was a race? Oh, I thought it was a party .

Condura Village the day before the race

Along the Magallanes area

Blue skies ...

Condura Hill

Another view of Condura Hill

Near the Bicutan Exit

I don’t usually bring an mp3 player, but it sure would’ve been nice to listen to this while running :

42 km, The Fort, running 42 km, running, The Fort

When I started running about a year ago, I ran my first race using my old Nike cross trainers and it carried me smoothly thru 10 kilometers of pavement so I thought that maybe, there really was no need to buy running shoes; but  since it was an old pair, I decided to buy a new pair of running shoes anyway .

My first pair was the Adidas Adizero Mana, it worked well for me. In fact, I still have it with me and it almost looks brand new since I wasn’t able to use it that much since I immediately increased my mileage  so that I could run the Condura half-marathon a few months after.

While training for my first half marathon until I completed my first full marathon, I was using the Asics Gel Cumulus Eight – for me, this was the perfect pair, it carried me through new heights during the Condura half-marathon in the skyway, the dust of the 1st BDM 102 while we were pacing Isko and finally,  the cool asphalt layers of the SCTEX during my first marathon.

.. and just like any other pair of running shoes, it has already reached its maximum mileage. After 10 months of sweat and pain,  I have retired it after running the Subic International Marathon – a fitting end for a shoe so great.

Since we were in Subic at the time, we decided to drop by the Nike depot and there I found my new running partner – the Nike Structure Triax 12  (and it was on sale!) .

I was so excited with this pair, thinking it will outperform my old Asics.  So when it was time for the Pasig International Marathon, I put on this pair with much gusto – it felt good at first; but after around 25 kms of running , I felt a pain in my inner foot, just below my right ankle.

After the race, I ended up with a very big blister in that area of my foot – an area that used to be blister free. I thought it was because I haven’t  broken it completely yet. But after almost 300 kilometers of running, the blister machine is still at it.

Don’t get me wrong, I think the new pair is an excellent shoe, except for its blister-creation mechanism.

I wonder if there are any other Nike Triax users who has the same problem ?

Anyway, this is how I feel when running with Asics:

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

running, shoes, training running, shoes, training

As I sat in ROC (a cafe inside Bahay Ng Alumni in UP Diliman) with one of my best buds, Joanne Ignacio, I came across the upcoming event that’s happening on February 21, 2010: The Century Tuna Superbods Run!

I haven’t had any training and running in awhile, and what better way to start the year right? By training and being fit and healhty! Derek Ramsey will be there, together with the Century Tuna Bods Finalists. A photo booth will be installed and serve as a go-see for interested participants who want to qualify as one of the next Century Tuna image models! If you think you have what it takes, then join in on the race and have your picture taken as well!

Century Tuna Superbods Run 2010

There will also be fun and interesting activities after the race, only happening at The Fort, Global City, with 3km, 5km, 10km, and 21km distances to be covered. Don’t forget the date: February 21, 2010, and don’t forget the event: Century Tuna Superbods Run 2010!

RockEnRun would like to thank RunnerSpeak and Century Tuna for their bag of goodies! Watch them on Sunday, January 10, on QTV, at 1445H-1515H for details. Also, check out Nuffnang’s post for more details or visit Century Tuna’s Official Website!

Here’s a good 90’s beat to jumpstart my training in getting ready for this run:

The Fort, running, training 21 km, century, half-marathon, roc, runnerspeak, running, superbods, The Fort, tuna

When I first thought of registering for this year’s Milo finals, I had the simple intention of improving my 21k PR 

However, since I haven’t been able to train lately due to the bad weather brought about by the deluge as well as my very hectic work schedule, I still registered for the half marathon event but decided to run the last 32k of the marathon as a bandit.

I haven’t joined a race before as a bandit. Registering for the run made me feel less guilty (a half-bandit if you must, hehehe).

Isko told me that I must peak at around 30k to 35k before running  the entire 42km, with that, I agreed to meet him at the corner of Buendia and Roxas Boulevard along with his running group, the CAMANAVA runners (Jeff and Albert).

They were able to reach the said location at around 5:45 am. I ran with them at a pace of around 6:30 to 7.  At the corner of Pasong Tamo, the people from the takbo.ph booth were very generous – they gave us bananas, oranges and some even offered petroleum jelly; nothing really beats a booth manned by runners themselves.

I was also introduced to the Runner for Christ as we cruised along Buendia.  We were running as a group until we reached the Fort area – it was really easy to spot us, we were among the many groups running the 42k while wearing different category race bibs.
 
We went our separate ways when we reached Bayani road on our return trip to the Quirino grandstand, I personally, couldn’t keep up with the stronger CAMANAVA runners who decided to run a bit faster than their current pace (or is it because I slowed down ?)

At around 8:30 AM, the Kalayaan flyover was opened to vehicular traffic, I think 8:30 was the cut-off time. I was still in the middle of the flyover at this time. It was ok as I was already about 1 km from descending the flyover, a MAPSA patrol car escorted me at first but left at around the last 500 meters.

When I reached Paseo De Roxas, I decided to run/walk on the sidewalk as it was difficult running along the asphalted road as I might be sideswiped by vehicular traffic.

As I approached the Washington area, I decided to walk again until I reached Taft Avenue since the elevated side walks along this area made it very difficult for me to run.

Seeing the LRT along Taft Avenue made the entire run more difficult since I was only two train stations away from home; but I told myself that no matter how tired I get or no matter how hot it gets, I will definitely end this race at the finish line at the Quirino grandstand.

As I passed  by Taft Avenue, I have noticed that the lane dividers were still there, so I decided to run with my already “hardened” leg muscles in the temporary “runner’s lane”. I was surprised though as I was about to cross Leveriza St., there were about two jeepneys behind me ( in the runner’s lane) honking their horns! – oh well!

From this point, it was run/jog until  Ceaser overtook me along the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy.

When I crossed the finish line, everybody was there to congratulate me on my first 32km – so that’s how it feels. Sweet!

21 km, running, training 21 km, long slow distance, running

Last  year’s Fort Strider’s race was supposed to  be the first road race that I was going to participate in. I registered for the 10km but due to my hectic work schedule, I  wasn’t able to join.

As I have said before,  there are two important things for me in a road race : safety and hydration. The distance- well as long as it doesn’t exceed a kilometer then I’m a bit ok with it. I said a bit – sabi nga nila, di baleng sobra, wag lang kulang.

I was able to finish 15++ Km (instead of 10 miles) in 1:38.

Congratulations to the Fort Strider’s for a well organized race.

10 miles, The Fort, running running, The Fort

Training or practice is an important part of any endeavor one chooses, be it in the field of sports or not.

While BOTAK has once again redeemed itself from what happened in last May’s full marathon event, I have done the opposite and have continued on my downhill course.

Since this would be my first time to run in UP, I went to UP at around 5am because I am not familiar with the place, just like Ian, the last time I have been here was when I took the UPCAT a very long time ago.

I didn’t imagine that looking for a parking spot was difficult in UP (or maybe I was too early), I was also surprised that there were a lot of one way streets inside the campus.

Anyway, after a while I was able to find a parking spot and met up with running friends Isko and Ian. Isko told me that he had just ran from Trinoma to UP.

I also saw BDM veteran Jonel (bugobugo85) and Dhenz (runningpinoy).

The race started on time and there I was trying to cope with Isko and Ian’s “slow pace”. I don’t know what happened but after less than 30 minutes, I just suddenly felt weak.

Running, for me suddenly became a Herculean task. It seems that all those sleepless nights in the office is starting to take its toll on me.

The 10 mile race course will require us to run the same route 3 times. – that is ok with me since I was enjoying the large trees that were providing shade to the runners.

The only thing though, was that at the end of every loop, you will have to pass through the starting line where the mood is quite festive – after my 2nd loop I was really considering having my first DNF  so that I could  join the fanfare.

The only thing that pushed me to finish the race (at a slow pace) was this : “sayang yung binayaran ko kung di ko tatapusin” :) – that was my mantra during the entire third loop. I even tried to sprint at the last 200 meters but alas! – di matibay ang paa ko!

I finished my first UP race at 1:46.

Isko, Ian Alacar (Botak Race Director), The Roadmarker and SeaBiskwit

BR, TheRoadmarker and Iskozenegger

Finally

Iskozenegger

SeaBiskwit

Iskozenegger and running cousins Cesar (another BDM veteran) and Seabiskwit

Ian and Isko loading up after the race

Mmm ... sarap!

16 km, Botak, running 16 km, Botak, running

I checked  takbo.ph the day before in order to find out if there was going to be a MOA group run in memory of the late President Aquino, but I didn’t find any – I decided to run anyway.

So at around 6:00 am,  I was already geared up and waiting for the rain to stop or at least for the disturbance to “downgrade” itself to a drizzle – but everytime it does, it comes back again forceful than before.

I texted running friends Isko and Ian wondering if they would also run.

Isko was already running at The Fort with BR and the hardcores, while Ian was rowing.

The rain - as if the heavens were mourning for the loss of a great leader

By the time I decided to run in the rain (it’s difficult to dry your shoes in this weather) Ian texted me that he can join me in my MOA run.  So we parked our cars in Esplanade and off we went to enjoy an easy, relaxing, refreshing albeit wet  12k – a much needed run for both of us; and what is important is that we were able to pay tribute in our own little way to our former leader.

Thank you, President Aquino.

MySpace Playlist at MixPod.com

running running

4:17 AM – This can’t be right,  the last thing I remember was hitting the snooze button of my mobile phone’s alarm clock about an hour ago!

So off I hurriedly went to the starting line of Globe’s Run for Home  at the NBC tent. I thought that I wouldn’t make it on time because of the long queue towards the parking area behind ROX which was reserved for VIPs. It’s a good thing though that I have already installed the champion chip on my shoe the night before.

The Preparation
This part I like the most, like an obedient running student, I did my best  to consume a lot of carbs after getting my race packet from BHS last Friday.

I also ate more the night before :

 
You know, I think that I did this part so well that I have loaded enough carbs for an Ultramarathon. Ha!
Hmm … does it say in the manual that I really have to run in order to prepare for a half-marathon ?

Barely Making It

I can still remember running towards the starting line when the voice over the PA system is  telling the 21k runners  that the race is about to start in 45 seconds.
I was able to make it about 5 seconds before I heard the gun. It was about this time when I started my stretching routine. There were a lot of participants in this race that it really took time to dash from the starting line up to the entrance of the corral. For a minute there, I thought that this was the 5k race

Paligsahan ng Palakasan ng Busina

 What can I say ? It’s a race that started on time and the chirps produced by the timing chips were like  music to my ears. The route along Ayala Avenue .. fabulous ! I have worked in Makati for such a long time already but I don’t remember being able to run along the said road.

Hydration? There were enough 100 plus drinks to flood the entire city!  

As we were running through Paseo De Roxas, I have noticed a lot of drivers  who were blowing their horns as if there was a prize for the one with the biggest horn (pun intended). I have noticed that this behavior is so unlike those foreigners which I have encountered in previous races who instead of getting grumpy, would actually get out of their vehicles and cheer on the runners.
 

Hammer Time!

Nope that was not MC Hammer, that was me reaching for my 2nd  Hammer Gel sachet, but alas! I didn’t have it.  I have only brought 1 sachet with me for this race. It’s a good thing that I have brought a few bite size Cloud 9 bars with me. Even if it was not as effective as the gel, it helped me get through the race. There were times when I could’ve pushed harder but whenever I felt the onset of cramps, I would slow down … the nail could’ve used a hammer this time.

The Result

“Wow Hi-tech!” – That was my first reaction when I heard that timing chips will be used for this race but up to now, I am still waiting for the results to be published. Since timing chips are new in our country, maybe we should give the organizers time to adapt to this technology. I’m sure we will all be happy once the results come out. I finished my run at around 2:31 in my watch – no improvement compared to my Milo performance.

21 km, Taguig, The Fort, running 21 km, running, The Fort

My first run was with Joanne, Ava, and Irene in the PSE Bull Run back in January 2008. Never really trained for it…just woke up one day, went to the race and tried to finish it. Haha.

Gotta work on discipline tho, cos until now it seems that I’ve never really stopped doing that for a race. Ugh.

The trend in 2008 to present: running era with my ladies -> work-indulgence -> running-after-working-hours -> foot operation -> lsd-ing with my brother and his friends -> and yes, work indulgence again -> hospitalization a little more than a couple of weeks ago.

My training? Sleep whenever I can, and some positivity.

Tomorrow (or later…in a matter of minutes) would definitely be a reunion. The ladies will be there, some of my batchmates from college, my officemates, and my brother and his friends. Everyone will be joining in on the “chip” fun.

Quite a hectic schedule for me too. After the run, I’ll be meeting up with some of my friends back in college (whose wedding we’re currently coordinating), the son of my cousin’s birthday party in KFC (woot!), and head down south to watch Wanders (thanks to Miss AJZ and Mr. GV for the passes–yes, they gotta be in codes)!

I don’t mind if it rains tomorrow because I’ll be running again so tonight is with feel-good vibes, and I’ve been listening to Jamiroquai’s “Corner of the Earth”: “Little darlin’ don’t you see the sun is shining just for you, only today. If you hurry you can get a ray on you…”

Tomorrow is a long day, so I’ll start heading home now: to the direction of the bed for a little bit of sleep, and making sure all the alarms go off on time.

See yah

10 km, The Fort, running 10 km, globe, run for home, The Fort

There are billions of reasons why people run.

The one I find the funniest was what Joanne said after Adidas King of the Road 2008, when we ate this huge-ass servings of pancakes at Flapjacks without feeling guilty at all. “May nasunog na naman tayo eh, time to fill it up again.” Bwahahaha. I haven’t used that loveable lame excuse for a long time now.

A little before I got hospitalized (the blog entry about it is still a draft … as many of my entries imported here from my previous blog — http://soflypinay.wordpress.com), I have cut down on food. I’ve always thought that making me lighter would make me run faster (people who make lame reasons tend to have lame logic as well hahaha).

The melodramatic part is I’ve been cutting down on a lot of things as well. Cutting down communication with people I don’t want to be hanging out with: emotional vampires, parasites who cling for made-believe affection, and just plain lies. I could hold them all off by being indifferent with just the snap of my fingers but I knew I had to run all the pressure and stress off sometime.

Even the skies were gloomy. I would have gone for a run last night, had it not been raining, had I not been discharged from the hospital a little more than a week ago, and had it not been darker than the usual late nights I spend working on freelance projects.

The sun is out now and I’ve been listening to a very calming song since yesterday: Kaskade – Empty Streets. I’ve posted it below, and you will notice that it is as relaxing as a night you have envisioned to be, when suddenly nobody and nothing exists around you. The video could have been better if the vocalist just stood there singing while leaning on one of the buildings.

The song starts with this: “The city feels clean this time of night, and me walking home to clear my head, I know it came as no surprise.”

I prefer to run.

running, training running, training