RockenRun: Hooked on Asphalt

Last Sunday, I joined this 42km event in Nueva Vizcaya, the highlight of which was to summit Mt. Ugo. It was a refreshing change of pace from the usual weekend spent in Metro Manila.

If you would ask me, the 9 hour trip was worth it : everything is clean- the trails especially.  It’s as if the farther you are from the Metro, the nearer you are to paradise.

Course Map

This is the first time I have seen a tree like this in Luzon

This is the view from the starting line. Can you imagine how cold it is in the summit ?

Let's get ready to rumble

View from the trail at sunrise

What else can I say ?

Henry having a hard time accepting we have to pass this route twice. This is where we got lost earlier

The summit, finally! For a brief moment, the sun decided to show itself.

Finished! ... Excited for my next trail

This one is perfect. The route wasn’t so difficult, the trails are 90% runnable even when wet. For the aid stations, they contain exactly what a trail runner needs : softdrinks, natural spring water from the mountain itself, bread, chocolate, biscuits and electrolyte drinks.

Well, too bad .. bandits aren't allowed in this race. Maybe next time, they should register early

As with any adrenaline related activity, equipment and apparel are important. I don’t think I would have enjoyed the run as much if i had used any other shoe. This is my first time to use lightweight shoes in an actual race – and the thing is ,  I haven’t actually ran in this pair before.  So imagine how happy I am when instead of giving me problems , it actually gave me my best trail run experience yet. The traction on this shoe is superb, even in wet trails! New Balance 101 is  simply the best!

Trail shoes come and go. This one left a lasting impression on me - lightweight and sturdy.

Training

About  a month ago, the Company I work for decided to join Corporate Games Manila 2012 and I was part of the running team.  So the interval training we did also helped in my performance for this race. I think running also on hilly roads while I was in Sydney (thanks cuz for letting me stay in your house) also helped strengthen my legs a bit for the 1KM assualt to the summit.

The 20k route

Kudos to Frontrunner Magazine for this event!

42 km, running, trail running 42 km, marathon, running, trail running

Milo Marathon

Last week, I joined the Milo Marathon and finished it in 5 hours 14 minutes. Milo Marathon is one of “the” running events in the country.  Being able to join it this year is a first for me, since this is my 1st official Milo Marathon. For the past 2 years, i only joined the half-mary event due to injuries.

Although the route is the same as the previous years, this year was a bit different since  the starting / finish line was moved from the Quirino Grandstand to the Mall of Asia and the routes for the shorter distances (3/5/10k) were changed -  i think this was to prevent the fun runners from consuming all the hydration fluids near the finish line.

This proved to be effective since this is the first time I experienced still being able to hydrate  near the finish line. Kudos to Milo and Runrio!

Running in the rain

It is the rainy season again and almost all my running shoes are wet. Drying them is a pain. So here is a little tip to make it a bit easier:

• Remove the insole of your shoes
• Wash your shoes
• Let it drip for a while
• Put paper in your shoes (an entire page of your broadsheet would do)
• Replace the paper whenever necessary

The logic behind it is to let the paper absorb the water from your shoes. When I do it, it usually takes a day before my shoes dry up.

Oh by the way, i heard that body glide isn’t as effective in the rain. Is this true ? It’s a good thing that i have always used petroleum jelly.

Asics Gel Kayano 15

The thing about new running shoes is that after a month, it isn’t so new anymore.

Rainy Thoughts

Running in the rain is nostalgic. This is the only time when you can find solace during your running workouts.
The only other people you see around are of the same mindset as you – no noisy joggers , no noisy walkers, no unecessary frills.
It is like each drop of rain restores the strength you had just lost, the sea breeze  likened to a towel that wipes away the pain.

I walk alone ….

42 km, training marathon, Milo, running, training

Half a year ago, I have decided to indulge myself with work as a Production Director, something I can do aside from being a Web Designer while working at home. I used to walk at least an hour a day, and workout when I have the time. Sad thing is, I got too busy and I ended up with no workout at all (not even walking) before independence day. I decided to “runstart” my routine by joining the Milo run this year. I did not, however, literally mean it to be exactly like that!

Left the house at almost 5am and hailed a cab that only brought us to 2KM from the starting line (Roxas Boulevard had already been closed) and my brother’s 21KM race starts at 0530H. I was able to record a video of him, the last of the runners, trying to put his knee support (if I’m not mistaken) in place because he’s forgotten to fix it while in the cab. He shows up at 00:43 below

Also recorded the live band playing an upbeat tune for the remaining runners:

It felt like I was in the MRT while trying to get into the starting line for the 5KM run. Not only was it too crowded, but people actually had to stop and wait (yes, that included me!). Monster Magnet’s song was just perfect for my ears at this time so I tried singing to it a bit just to keep myself calm. When I got to the starting line…oh, what fun. Haha saw Mr. Zorro The Runner greeting everyone with a red flag (ser…ano bang nakalagay sa bandila mong hawak? sorry hindi ko makita hehehe).

Even shot a video of him waving the flag haha…fangirl? Nah, just channeling my energy into something good instead of getting pissed at the starting line at so early in the morning

During the race, I attempted to run a little, but could not get past groups of teenagers who crowded the side of the boulevard where we were at. I could see others walking along the service road already. Before the turnaround, saw the guy below. Astig ka, ser!

Near the finish line…

Took about 5 minutes to get through, had to wait until the tags from our bibs have been given to the one in-charge. Someone even announced that the cut-off for the 5KM run is finished and no one is allowed to enter anymore. Haha, imagine that. I actually made it there by walking 80% of the time.

At the finish line, I checked out the area and got my cup of Milo.

Kids were practicing for the cheerleading competition.

Went home ahead and got some shuteye, then kuya and I had Chowking’s Halo-Halo after lunch.

Thinking back to the past couple of years I’ve joined Milo runs, I realized that the best part in running 10KM races is when I get past 2.5KM (where “walkers” head back because we’d have more space where running was actually possible hehe). This time, I think the best part was I finished a 5KM “walk” before the cut-off after not having any kind of exercise for more than 6 months. That’s a luxury not often fulfilled by people of my lifestyle. Next best thing was singing and listening to the most perfect song by Monster Magnet, on loop in my player that time: SPACE! LORD! MOTHER…!

running 5KM, manila, marathon, Milo, monster magnet, roxas boulevard, running, space lord

Marathoners Before a Run

Pictures in the van going to Subic before dropping by Nike Factory Outlet.

Adobo for Lunch

The new pairs from Nike! Woohooooo!

On The Road to Floridablanca – Starting Line for the Subic Marathon!

Vehicles Keep Left, Runners Keep Right

Read more…

42 km, international 42 km, international, marathon, running, subic