Century Superbods Run 2010: The Forbidden Fruit

After Condura, I was left with only 9 toenails and an aching shin. But my body is used to battery (hello, 8 years of taekwondo) so i recovered quick. With a newborn toenail (hehe!) and an all better leg, the Sunday before Century Superbods was just perfect for my first long run post-Condura. 

...Oops...spoke too soon. After 12k, my inner ankle and shin was hurting a bit. Then on the next training run, I had to stop at 5k because the pain was getting worse. Uh-oh!

So basically, the Century Superbods Run was my forbidden fruit, not only because of the...umm...eye candies prancing around, but because I obviously needed to rest my feet.

Next Superbods run, bring rice for the ulam.

The original plan was to join the 10k even while wearing the yellow bib, but pride took over me and joined the 21k instead and just walk the rest when the pain becomes alarming. I promised to take my time. ...but then again, no flyover or skyway here...Hmmm. 

An hour or so later, there goes the 10k mark...That was the first time I asked myself why I was still running.

At 16k, it was still uneventful and the pain was still tolerable, at a level of discomfort merely. 

Fast forward to 18k. Maybe the reason why I couldn't remember anything eventful before this point is because the pain had started to become so terrible that it overwrote on all the good stuff which happened before. "OMFG. WHY DID I F***ING RUN TODAY? MY ANKLE WILL FALL OFF ANY TIME SOON." But, with 3k to go, who's pride could endure a DNF? And a look at the watch told me I can make a pr if I didn't walk. Pride: Nakamamatay.

Crossing the finish line at 2:37, it was a pr indeed. Still pathetic time though hehe. But the funny part comes: the ankle was now swelling and I had to seek medical help. Ice it at least. Oops, medic didn't have ice. great. And I had to spend 30 minutes lining up before I can really rest my legs. Oh well, Derek Ramsey and the yummy food made up for it. :)

I saw Grace, my taekwondo bud for the first time in months while I was limping along.

Thereafter, I was prescribed physical therapy for 3 weeks (at least). Obviously, no running for a while. I feel pain even just walking around at school and while doing the flexing exercises during PT. For now, I'd have to settle for swimming (hmm, I smell an aquathlon/sprint). Next week, I will have a sports taping tutorial. yey...hehe.

As a final note, I impart this wisdom: stay away from the forbidden fruit in whatever form.

No "Rent" for Me

I'm so sad I won't be able to watch Rent. February is too busy. I couldn't even plan for a decent Valentine's date or gift for that matter. :(

http://rentonfeb.blogspot.com/

Condura Run 2010: The First 21km Story

It was a few months ago that I decided on running a half marathon. At first I targeted a December race but the 21ks were scarce and...umm...the kms logged were likewise scarce. Hehe. The announcement came that Condura will be held on the February 7th and so, as it was a more feasible goal for me, I started running seriously come the last weeks of November. Too serious perhaps, as I injured myself with 2 weeks remaining, and hence an earlier, and longer, taper period.

At Sunday of T minus 2weeks, I was scheduled for a 16k long run. But the shin acted up so badly, even at a really easy pace at that! So I stopped at 15k. Next day, went to the doctor to hear what I already knew: Rest it for a week; next time don't run too much hills and stretch before and after!

Confidence dwindled as each day passed without running, so instead, I did everything I could to recover fast while maintaining endurance: leg sleeves compression, therapeutic massages (oh, it's a valid excuse!), anti-inflammatory medication and cross-training. I enjoyed it, actually. Thursday prior to Feb 7, did a final easy run just to boost the confidence, although there was still some minor pain.

That's the story of my training.

Fast forward to the Condura Run. The festive air was so encouraging, but all I could think of was I NEVER HAD THE CHANCE TO RUN BEYOND 15K. Oh Sh*t.... It had to boil down then to strategy just to finish. And with strategy (and faith....and sometimes, force, threats and intimidation...:P) i do accomplish some unexpected things. The strategy for this feat: music, hydration planning, compression and a pace chart. Haha! :O