This morning, I was able to run almost 30 KM. I feel a sense of accomplishment- it has been almost 4 months since I have stopped running due to an ankle injury and work related training during Sundays. The only other long run that I completed before this was running 25km during the Milo half-marathon ( yup, i added loops before heading for the finish line).
It’s also my first time to run that distance alone ; you see running that long by yourself is very difficult. It’s a good thing that I brought my iPod with me to keep me entertained.
I had to take a different route for this run since MOA was filled by the participants of the Rexona Run.
Cones lined along Macapagal Avenue ...
This is the first time I ran this route alone ...
When I reached the Quirino Grandstand, I was looking for the mosaic containing President Cory's pictures but didn't find any ...
This is the distance I have covered upon reaching the Quirino Grandstand according to my GPS watch
It seems that I wasn’t the only one doing a long run this morning – I met Pat of Takbo.ph twice.
Upon reaching the 28th KM I suddenly felt weak,l then I remembered : I didn’t eat breakfast!
Almost 30 KM - I had to stop due to the heat; next week I'll try to start earlier
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…!
I used to remember when I complained a lot about not having enough water stations, but after the 2010 edition of Globe’s run for home, I think I should complain about having too many water stations ….. not!
Well, it almost was your typical 21Km run along the Makati – Global City area, except that this race started in Makati and ended in a different street in Makati.
It was fun being able to run under the greenbelt tunnel for the first time – a nice new route which you can’t run on a regular day.
No PR for this 21km run (some say it was 22+km, who cares ? as long as the distance is not less than what we paid for) . I finished it in 2:30 – I am still under the weather but I thought that since I paid for it, I might as well run it, hehehe.
These past few Sundays, I have been doing long runs – the last of which was joining my CAMANAVA runner friends Isko and Jomar prepare for the recently concluded 2010 edition of BDM 102. They did 52 Km while i did 30Km only.
It was after that when I realized that my Nike Triax would need replacement soon. After all, it is the only pair I have and after around 600 KM ….
So now, let me introduce you to my little friend (drumroll please) … The Asics Gel-Nimbus 10
I really like Asics GEL Technology
I hope that I can break it in before this Sunday’s Globe run for home
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 :
I was able to squeeze in a few runs after the Rizal Day run; but that was just they are – a few. So I decided to run around 10k today and 20k tomorrow.
I was supposed to do a single loop around MOA and then to CCP, knowing that the Black Nazarene was in Quirino grandstand and that there will be a lot of devotees there.
But then again, when I met Ian who was about to start his bike training, I changed my mind and eventually ended up going to the Quirino grandstand anyway.
I have been to the Quirino grandstand a lot of times before, but this is the only time that the atmosphere was so solemn.
Devotees on their way to the Quirino Grandstand - Most of them are barefoot
Mass
After running, I returned to MOA but ended up limping again, this was due to the blister on my left big toe. Since I didn’t anticipate a long distance run, I just used ordinary cotton sports socks when I should have used running socks instead. ( I only use them during races since they are a bit expensive).
The thing about running socks is that it provides proper cushioning (that is why they are left / right foot specific), it wicks away moisture and most importantly, they don’t have extra threads protruding near the toe area. – I think that was what caused the blister on my foot.
Nike Running Socks
Nike Elite Running Socks - No Show
Don’t get me wrong, ordinary cotton sports socks work for me for distances up to 10 miles.
I was about to call it quits after 20km but I ran (pun intended) into Ian (he is running this time, after 60km of bike training) who convinced me to do another 2km. He then treated me to some snacks before we ran our final kilometer together.
It would have been great if I could still accompany him for a few more kilometers but the blister won’t let up
All systems go for tonight's concert at the Mall of Asia
Ne-Yo's Poster at the entrance
Good luck to all the participants of the Cebu Marathon!
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:
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:
2009 was a good running year for me … I have joined a lot of races and have completed 2 full marathons before my 1st year running anniversary – a feat that I thought wasn’t possible due to the corporate-sponsored stress which was given to me for free.
.. and what better way to end it than to run two half marathons (NB and Philstar), an unplanned trail run and the Rizal day 32km run.
Hmm – I am at a loss for words. Last Sunday’s Timex half-marathon is perfect.
As I was driving around the Fort Global City area on my way to the parking lot, I have noticed the long tables filled with cups of water / sports drinks. I said to myself that finally, the organizers are listening to the runners – this must be a good sign!
I was aiming for a PR for this run, but as the race started, I was surprised that the race has
actually started, hehehe – you should be there, everybody just started running.
It was your typical 21km race route around the Fort and Buendia . The roads were closed and irate motorists giving us the finger – tssss! Do we have anger management classes in the Philippines ?
I was so excited in achieving a PR that I forgot to warm up – big mistake. After 4 kms, my 5:30 pace dropped to 6:00 and then 6:30. I got so tired that I realized after reading the official results that my pace for the last 2kms was around 8 to 9 mpk! I finished the race at 2:18 (chip time) – so much for a PR.
I was happy that at the finish line, we were treated like VIPs- we were given towels and awarded a medal ; but wait, that’s not all : there was free breakfast, lots of 100 plus / free coffee sachets and a loot bag that contains .. wait , let me see – an energy bar and wait, another bottle of 100 plus!
