RockenRun: Hooked on Asphalt

At the starting line of last week’s  “A  G.O.O.D.  Run”, I was asked by one of the big bosses where I work from if the emecees get paid . I said I think so . He then said that may we should organize our own race  so that we can reap the benfits of the current running boom in our country ; I said we should think of a great name for our race ….

I think it has almost been two years since I last joined a 10k race; the reason for which is practicality: I needed to do long back to back weekend runs – and of course the cost. 

I joined this one because we have been sponsored by one of our office’s Principals – they would pay 500 bucks : this means that I only had to pay 100 bucks to join the race.

Another reason is that  I haven’t ran in almost 1 month due to my injury (my therapist advised against joining this race) – running this race would be a welcome against the monotony of staying indoors during the weekends.

What they say about being “de-trained” is true – I had a hard time finsihing this race – the panting was so heavy that I had to to take walk breaks all through out the course – not that I am complaining, after all I can’t run as fast as I want to due to my injury.

I finished this race with a chip time of 63 minutes.

On another note, I have just recently acquired a pair of lock laces which I used on my Asics GT 2140.

Let’s see how this one goes …

10 km, The Fort 10 km, running, The Fort

Prologue

I was hoping this year, I would go full circle : from being a pacer during the 1st Bataan Death March Ultramarthon, support crew driver last year and finally a finisher.

Well, what can I say ? Just like all those who have hoped to finish their first 102km race , I stood at the starting line happy that finally all these months of hardships are coming to an end as the realization of owning my first ever BDM trophy draws near – only to find out later that it wasn’t meant to be.

Preparation
Perhaps anybody who would run their first 102 km race will really seriously train months ahead for it – I followed the schedule , I did my best to gain mileage – no rain nor spells of sleepiness would get in my way to train; I figured that I should also train for sleeplessness since the race would start late in the evening and eventually end late in the afternoon.

I even joined endurance activities  like  “THE” fat-ass and joined midnight runs of ultra runner friends who were preparing for their  1st BDM 100 miler – not even supernatural manifestations stopped me then.
Every week was ultra distance weekend for me as training required me to run an ultra marathon distance every weekend.

For the mental part, I already had a goal- I was dead set on finishing it  the earliest time possible: I have already strategized how to handle the first  7 kilometers as well as the rolling terrain of the first 20+ kilometers.

Everything was planned  :  from my apparel, my running shoes, my first aid kit , my food and hydration up to how long it should take me to reach Abucay, my pace until I reach KM 80 and how to struggle with the last 22k.

For recovery : I tapered and slept well before the race.

Support Crew

I couldn’t wish for a better support crew, I had two ultra-runners (isko Lapira and Rico Cabusao) who had just finished their 100 miler a week before and of course : “The Manager”.

They were perfect – in spite of all my complaints, they were all there to help with the best of their abilities.

Setbacks

I was a bit feverish before the start of  last year’s Rizal Day 32k run, but since I was already in Camp Aguinaldo, I decided to run anyway thinking that it might just be one of those days. When I got home that afternoon, I already had flu – the weird part is that I only feel like this during the afternoon,  so on the third day, I had myself checked. Luckily it wasn’t dengue. However,  I ended up with pneumonitis  and had to rest for about a week – just in time for Fat Ass.

That was what I could consider a minor setback, what followed that was a deal breaker which I didn’t realize until it was too late: 3 weeks before race day,  I was supposed  to complete a 40km training run, everything was fine for the first 35 km  – until I felt a stinging pain in  my left ankle up to my  shin.

The worst part is instead of calling it a day,  I limped all the way until I reached the house.   I put  ice over it and thought that everything was ok.

Two days after that, we walked around 2 kms near the office during lunch break  – it was supposed to be the beginning of heat training as I decided to run during  lunch break a few days after that.

Everything was fine until around the time I got back to the office : my shin was painful again.

I had my leg massaged and rested for about  a week before running again. This time ,I have drastically cut my mileage and speed – they were just slow jogs.

A week before the race, I was the designated driver of the support vehicle for Isko’s 100 miler. During the course of which, I felt a lingering pain in the same injured area – I bandaged it and everything seemed to be fine.

With that, I rested for the entire week.

Race Day

We arrived at Jollibee Mariveles at 5 pm – we were all relaxed. Dinner was two servings of steamed rice and fried chicken.

I wasn’t  as  nervous  as I expected to be at the starting line, in fact I was enjoying the party atmosphere. I was hoping that the shin support that I am wearing would be able to perform well .

As expected with all of BR’s races, there were no frills – after the simple starting ceremony, everybody was on their way to get their trophy.

Hoping not to aggravate my shin, I walked the steep uphills of the 1st 6 kms and ran the downhill part – I was so relaxed and felt strong during the first 20+ kilometers – I had no complaints, everything was perfect : the support crew , the weather , and best of all – no pain.

Manifestation

At around the 32 km marker, I had slight hints of how things were going to be during the latter part of the race :  the pain on my left shin had started to appear again.  I would stop from time to time in order to  relax my leg and then run again.

I have noticed that while I am running, the pain would disappear – it was during the walk breaks that the pain would hit me worst.

Abucay

I have reached Abucay  in  a little over 8 hours. I stayed there for around 7 mins : in that short span of time my crew have assisted me in changing my attire as well as my running shoes. By this time I have also removed the shin support on my right leg  (but didn’t remove the one on my left due to the pain) as I won’t be needing it anymore since the remaining part of the route is flat. To my surprise, I still feel strong  – I don’t know if this was due to tapering,  the training  or the run walk breaks.

I was so hyped up at this point that I was sure that I could reach the 80 Km mark in 12 hours.

52.

I brisk walked for about 50 meters after leaving the halfway point due to the pain – I was hoping I could use the same strategy I have used for the last 18km – run off the pain.

By the time I reached Km 52 I realized that it won’t work anymore : the pain doesn’t disappear when I run anymore.
This was the time I felt my dream slowly slipping away :  so much that at km 55, I was already calling it quits. My crew did everything to keep me going -they rubbed all kinds of pain killers on the injured part  – but the pain won’t  go away.

The moral support was overwhelming: I can say that they did everything to keep me going. I even received very supportive sms from other ultra runner friends : George, Jonel, Jomar, Arman, Abet, Jeff.

At this point, I had toilet issues as well as overwhelming pain issues : I sat and watched the other runners overtake me until I reached the point when I met Erwin of Team Boring who was also injured – we traversed the fire roads of the route until we reached Km 77.

Reality check

My support crew noticed that it took us one hour to travel from km 76 to km 77. They calculated that at the rate we are going, it would take us around 6 hours to reach KM post 102 -  way beyond the cut-off time .

At this point , we all decided to call it quits : my first ever official DNF.

Erwin pushed on and reached the finish line with a time of 22+ hours.

Moral

Of course I am disappointed – who wouldn’t be?
During the first part of the run I repeated a part of the lyrics of the song Hellrider by Sabaton  in my mind over and over again :

“If it is too hard, then you are too weak – you are in our way”

However, I came to realize that I wasn’t that weak. Sure I felt agonizing pain, but that was just that. There were also blisters – but they were minimal compared to the number of blisters which usually punish  me.

Although apparently, I am not mentally tough as I thought I am – I ‘ll need to work on this more.

Diagnosis

After almost two weeks of not being able to walk properly without using my shin support ( I wear them to work) I had myself checked at the Philippine Orthopedic Institute – and here is the official word : I have shin splints.
I am scheduled for therapy 3 x a week for four weeks. Now, the problem is this: with my hectic work schedule, will the office allow me to attend all PT sessions ?

Ergo

BDM is a runner’s race. I’ll be back next year to set the record straight. *gulp*

100 km, Bataan Death March, Philippine Association of Ultra Runners, Ultra Marathon 100 km, running

I can still remember the time when I first listened to new wave music, I was a freshman in high school then. It was one of those mundane afternoons where I was scanning the frequency modulation band for relaxing music to listen to while solving Algebra problems.

That moment  had  rippled through my life – the attitude, the rock and roll lifestyle and most of all the music – finally, an alternative to the jokes from the supposedly number one pop radio station at the time.

The last few days of their broadcast were great  : Zach and Joey in the morning (in the afternoon and in cyberspace) and Tom Lupton’s eulogy to mention a few, brought back happy  memories from 23 years ago.

Thank you NU 107 for rocking this runner’s life.

Uncategorized falling, free, manila, NU 107, philippines, running, tom petty, tom petty and the heartbreakers

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.

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!

running, training long run, long slow distance, running

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

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.

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

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 hope that I can break it in before this Sunday’s Globe run for home

running, shoes running, shoes

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 .

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

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

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.

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.

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

 

Good luck to all the participants of the Cebu Marathon!

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

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