RockenRun: Hooked on Asphalt

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

350 for 15K Distance of Mizuno's Infinity Run 2009

“Gasping for Air” – That is the first thought that comes into mind whenever I would think of this year’s Mizuno Infinity race. I have unexpectedly went beyond my comfortable pace as I was 2 minutes late and was desperately trying to position myself in the middle pack.

It didn’t also help that I have been doing overtime work for the past 4 months (read: zero training). However, things got slightly better as we descended the Kalayaan flyover on our way to the NAPOLCOM building. I was feeling refreshed, being able to establish my position, I ran at a comfortable pace.

The run was generally safe and hassle free. Law enforcement and the easily identifiable marshals did their job well in holding off the ill-tempered drivers.

I thought that I was going to DNF when I suddenly felt light-headed after we crossed Dian Street. I had to stop running and as what I always read in Sir Jovie’s blog – I listened to my body. I drank some Gatorade from my hand held bottle and took in some Sports Beans. After a minute or so, I started feeling better and decided to jog.

The high point of the race for me was when I realized that we were already at the turn-around point in Bautista Street – ha! just a few more meters from the LRT station and I would be home. =) In fact, I was really tempted to DNF and take the train home were it not for the parked car in BHS.

The idea of having ran half of the race course probably boosted my morale to push myself once more and before I realized it, I was already at the turn-around point of the 10k runners . I particularly had difficulty running through this part of the course since my “momentum” was “blocked” by the slower 10k runners/walkers.

It was at that point that I felt weak again. The feeling persisted from Paseo de Roxas until the foot of the Kalayaan flyover. I have always detested this part of the route. My knees were so weak that I had to walk/jog until we descended towards the Fort.

I regained my will to run again when I thought we would be already making the left turn to the finish line. I was surprised to find out that we still had to go straight and make a U-turn before going to the finish line. I did my best not to walk so I jogged until I reached the last 80 meters or so and sprinted.

I was able to finish at 1:39 in my watch. I was 2 minutes late so the official time should be 1:41 or so I thought – when I checked the race results, it stated that I finished at around 1:44.

At the Finish Line

This wasn’t a strong finish for me as I have just recently finished a 10-mile run at 1:41. This has me worried since it has all been downhill since my Condura half. I have already accepted the fact that I won’t be running my first full marathon with Milo. I would instead settle for another 21k run. The only problem is the 2.5 hours cut-off : at the rate I am going, I’ll probably finish 21k in 3 hours (hehehe) – a far cry from my Condura half.

Falling In Line

And then there it was – the silver lining (I think). The Mizuno surprise was awesome – they would be giving awards for runners who would participate in next year’s Mizuno race and have a significant improvement on their PRs!

Free Starbucks Beverage

The mood at last Sunday’s race was generally festive: free starbucks coffee, a giant Mizuno shoe, lots of photo-ops for various running groups including the SM runners who won a group award, Takbo.ph and the I am Ninoy Runners.

Getting Their Award

I think races should be done this way: singlets should only be given to finishers-just like in the old days.

Wave Creation 9

The only thing that wasn’t good about this race (and I don’t think I would be the only one who would be complaining about this) is the good old fashioned “balde” system.

As I’ve said before – nobody’s perfect. I still consider this as one of the better organized races in the Metro.

More pictures found in RockEnRun’s Flickr Account for this run! Check it out here.

At the Free Starbucks Beverage Area

running, The Fort nbc tent, running, The Fort

The Fort, Taguig
June 7, 2009

I woke up this morning remembering the last Mizuno run I participated in last year, and realized…haha! I ran 10KM there and I’m still running the same distance today.

I’ve always believed that when you want to do something…the trick is to always believe. That’s what got me going for awhile now, but this time, I know the sequel to that is: consistency is the key.

Race started at around 6:00am and as usual, I got to open the race kit in the car already, after waking up from a 3-hour nap. Yes, a nap. I usually sleep light before a race…and it’s only usually before a race that I do get to sleep.

Mizuno - Infinity Run Time Trials 2009: 10K Race

The killer word: Kalayaan! It never occurred to me that such a liberating word could actually trigger something traumatic from the past. Haha. The first time I joined an event with this route was in Adidas King of The Road in 2008. The words that came out of my mouth after: NEVER AGAIN will I join any race passing through this flyover. Then again, if you’re the type to never check the map online before having yourself registered for a kit…then never say never Botak was the second for me passing through Kalayaan (some of my so-called-rantings can be found somewhere in this so-called-blog har de har har) and my only reaction: I shook my head and wished I’ve put sunblock on.

So I decided to not complain and just finish the race as soon as I can. I got to the turn-around point at about 00:34– beating my personal time for previous 5K races, but a little after that, I think I had what they call a “side stitch”. Yes, I can feel the hard-boiled egg I swallowed at around 0430H trying to be digested and this was the part I wished I brought a sports drink (being the stubborn and youngest of us and not wanting to carry anything while running). I could have screamed at myself for that — but thought better of it because that took a lot of energy. Besides, I wouldn’t wanna amuse people while they see me doing a “monologue” like what my brother, Bolt, is so good at. Haha!

Then came the Kalayaan Flyover…never have I loved Coppertone. Although, like what I’ve been thinking on the last Botak race, I would prefer putting on a nice tanning lotion next time a 10km route was made this way again. At least, I’d have a nice orangey-brown glow without having to go to the beach

I reached the “3KM left” sign, and I looked at my watch and saw that an hour hasn’t passed yet. I actually convinced myself that if I ran the remaining distance, I could bring my PR to somewhere between 1:10 to 1:20. Okay, so that part was a bit delusional, so I just started walking

There was an aid station after the flyover and I don’t remember myself crossing to the other side to get water. I should make it a habit to be “self-contained” … meaning I should really listen to what my brother tells me to do: that includes SLEEP and TRAIN more (yezzur!)

I was walking and jogging for the rest of the distance left to cover and sprinted near the finish line. The only irritating part was when I got to the tight area where the ropes on each side of the walkway could only occupy one runner at a time (a little after the finish line) was that a guy was pleasantly taking his time (yes the redundancy of the words used in this sentence aims to imply just that) in walking to where the girl (who gets the race tags) is. Wow…seriously? What’s wrong with him?

Starbucks Gift Certificate - Ultimate Coffee Break

So by the time I got to the Gatorade station and they had absolutely no bottle to give to us, I was more than infuriated…well, a little. Patience is what I have tons of, but I did not mean to ask the woman in a bit of a raised voice where the water station is, so I apologize for that Gotta love the free Starbucks treat and of course, the overflowing cups of water! Woohoo!

Mizuno's Not-So-Bigger-Than-Life "Wave Creation 9"

So I said to myself I’m never gonna progress to anything higher than 10k unless I finish it in less than an hour. Wrong, Bolt said. Endurance comes first before speed so if I want to finish fast and finish strong, I should run more than that. Fine, then. Everybody say it with me: never settle

More pictures of other runners and people at our RockEnRun Flicker Site for Mizuno – Infinity Run Time Trials 2009: 10K Race.

I did not have any music gear this morning cos I thought it was gonna rain but had the song below running through my head! Listen up for all you Coheed and Cambria fans reading this. Enjoy

From Mizuno: 1:19:38 (time) and 7:58 (pace)

MySpace Playlist at MixPod.com

10 km, The Fort 10 km, infinity run, mizuno

IE8 | 8 Miles

I remember last year when a runner colleague of mine reported for work with colds. He told me that he got it from participating in  a road race the day before. He quipped : “You see the race pushed thru even if it was raining like hell”.

Back then, I couldn’t understand why would someone do such a thing.

Last Sunday, I got my answer.

I woke up at 5:00 am – “I’m gonna be late!” (I thought the race would start at 5:30)

I asked myself, now why would I want to run today ? I have a deadline and I still need to report to work later and it’s raining outside-I would just end up getting wet … then I realized that even if it wasn’t raining ,  i’d get wet anyway, and besides … I haven’t experienced how it feels to run in the rain yet.

The way I see it, if there will be only a few runners today, then I would have a better chance of winning that laptop. Before I knew it, I was already in the parking area near the starting line of the IE8 race.

This is a well-organized race : THis is the first time that I saw sponges in a short distance race. There were  lots of food and even cheer leaders in the aid-station .. talk about feeling like a pro! But wait … that’s not all: they even gave out coke in the last aid-station at the foot of the Kalayaan flyover!

I finished running 13.4Km (I was also suprised at the distance) at 1:23 on my watch. My shoes were wet but what the hell, nothing beats running in the rain!

In a nut-shell, I would give the organizer of this race very high grades!

Hmmm...where?

Too bad tho, I didn’t win the laptop. I wonder when Microsoft will launch IE9 ?

IE8 Banner

Photo-Ops after the race

10 km, 10 miles, running, Taguig, The Fort 10 km, 10 miles, running, The Fort

After what I have experienced with the previous race, I didn’t  have high expectations for this race. I woke up at around 4 and arrived at  Market! Market!  at around 5 am.

It was the usual race day . I wore my shoes in the parking area and did some stretching; got in the mall to use the rest room and there I was,  waiting for the 10 miler to start.

For the first time after a couple of races, this race started on time (thank God). The only other race which I could remember that started on time was the Condura 21k.

Most races should be organized like this one:

• It started on time
• Lots of road marshals (so that no one gets lost)
• Lots of cold water (and cups)
• Powerade at the finish line

I reached the finish line with a time of 1:41 (unofficial). It’s really difficult to set PRs if you don’t train-I’m just thankful that I still get the chance to run on weekends.

Congratulations to the organizer for making this such a happy running experience for me.

10 miles, 16 km, Market! Market!, running, Taguig, The Fort 10 miles, 16 km, running, Taguig, The Fort

Running is addictive … once you start, you just want to keep on increasing your dose. I remembered running my first race which was a 10k during last year’s VSO held at the fort.  After a few 10ks I ran my 1^st 15k during Asian Hospital’s Run New and then my 1^st half-marathon which was the Condura Race.

I was actually planning back then on making Botak my first full marathon. Lucky for me, I had so many deadlines at work that I had to forego of that plan and instead registered for the half-marathon.  Had I been stubborn and pushed through with it, last Sunday’s run would have been a very painful memory.

Me and my friend Ian weren’t expecting PRs for this race as I didn’t have enough time to train (my weekly mileage went  down from 38 to 0 after pacing for our friend Isko in BDM 102) and Ian is under the weather. So, we decided to aim for a finish somewhere between 2:15 and 2:30.

We were able to finish it with 2:29:29 on my watch.

Observations :

• There was a water truck in the Kalayaan flyover.  Sweet!
• Excellent singlets. I don’t  wear singlets anymore but I have to make an exception in this case.
• Lots of Gatorade at the finish line.
• There was also an awesome band at the finish line.
• The race started late.  It started at 6:00 am. Starting a 21k race during the summer months in the Philippines is not cool (literally).
• There were not enough water cups in the aid stations ; luckily I brought a disposable hand-held water bottle with me which I conveniently refilled whenever I reach an aid station.
• Since this race involves a lot of “turn-arounds”; they should have added road marshals as I was almost side-swiped by a passenger jeep along Kalayaan Avenue on our way to Rockwell.

I know that It is  difficult  to  organize a full marathon so I won’t make a big deal about the inconveniences  I experienced in the half-marathon race, instead I would like to encourage Botak to improve their  service  for their next long distance race.

I hope that next time, no one gets lost

21 km, Botak, running, Taguig, The Fort 21 km, Botak, nbc tent, Paatibayan, running, The Fort

After almost half a year and four months of no physical activity due to my foot injury, I’m back.

At some point, my foot did start to hurt but whenever I asked myself the question: do I stop? The answer has to be NO.

I’m gonna have to update this entry again later, but I thought it would be fun to post some of the other things I enjoyed after the race…

Find out how Kuya Eugene and Kuya Ian (being a bit “under the weather”
cos of flu) finished their half marathon. Har de har har

Music definitely played a large part in making me a bit more relaxed while I waited for them at the finish line! One of the hosts was right…it’s like Woodstock in a race event. I can’t remember who the musicians were but they definitely kicked ass playing their instruments! Definitely loved the one below. Kudos!

10 km, Botak, Taguig, The Fort 10 km, Botak, Paabilisan, running, Taguig, The Fort

I started running in November 2008 and until now, I haven’t had a sub 60 PR – so I thought maybe I might be doing something wrong. I knew I had to reinvent myself:

* Shave my head
* Wear short shorts
* Wear Nike running shirt (with a lightning design, it made me feel like I was Bolt) – “Bolt, Zoom Zoom!”
* Wear my Adidas adiZero (it’s supposed to be the World’s fastest shoe, hehe)

Last Sunday’s Step up quarter marathon, sponsored by GMA Network, is one of the few better-organized races. I really appreciate the kilometer markings (since I don’t have a GF305). It enabled me to maintain my pace and helped me achieve my PR. They gave bottled water in the aid stations and they even gave out two finisher t-shirts when they ran out of bags! The only negative news that I’ve heard of was the long queue at the finish line of the 5k. This reminds me of what happened during this year’s PSE bull run. Oh well, nobody’s perfect.

My next race would be the Botak half-marathon scheduled 2 weeks from now. This would be my 2nd half-marathon in six months, the first being the Condura half. I would have run the Greenfiled race but it was way too far.

Too bad though, because I won’t be able to use the same running shoes, I would need to use my Asics on the half mary. Let’s see if the formula still works. Hehe!

Some of you might suggest that it must be the training. Well, I trained a bit before the Condura half and then stopped. The next running experience I had was when we paced my friend Isko during the Bataan 102. That was my first

time to walk/jog for more than 6 hours, under the baking heat of the Bataan sun! After that, I had to stop training due to my work schedule. So let me tell you, it’s not the training. It is having your head shaved, which enabled me to lose some weight, thereby making me lighter, haha!

By the way, my PR is 55:12 (unofficial) – not so fast but at least it is sub-60. Finally!

10 km, Taguig, The Fort GMA, GMA Network, Step Up

Slept at ma house (cos I usually sleepover either at Jo’s or at Irene’s) and woke up at almost 4am (cos the alarm did not work and I was supposed to be up by 3!). Took a bath and changed in 20 mins! Texted Jo I was on her way to her house and hailed a cab. It turned out that I texted her first before her phone started to alarm. So much for being early (haha!)

Crazy Grace - 16km: Vanity early in the morning! Haha!

We got there around 0515H and people were already stretching and jogging about as warm-up. Irene was not late (yeyy! we all gettin better at bein on time!) and waited while ma officemate changed into the jersey I brought.

It was my first 16km run (not 12, not 15!) and I was so scared I would have an asthma attack, especially because I don’t run and jog during weekdays. I did not train for this, but it turned out to be okay. We made good time (almost 1 hour and 50 mins — 10-15 mins just getting lost because we did not know where to turn and some of the marshals telling us to head back when we’ve only ran around 10km!).

Ladies after the 16km run!

One wrong thing I did was to pour water on my head when I felt like I couldn’t breathe because it started to get hot even if it just rained. Irene got mad at me (eeeks!) and told me not to do it again (yes ma’am!)

The ladies and ma officemate!

Saw a schoolmate of mine and we took pictures. Great, great day! McDonald’s for breakfast (haha!) just couldn’t resist those hash browns (ugh!!)

Wit ma schoolmate!

It was something really different: it was an achievement for me. Irene kept telling me she was so proud I was able to keep up with their pacing even if I lacked training (although they sort of slowed down after 15km because I started to feel dizzy! much love!) We started to sprint near the finish line! Weehoo!

Thanks to Teddy for waiting at the finish line for us after running 5 km!

16 km, One La Salle, running, Taguig, The Fort 16 km, la salle