whateverria

Sorry blogger...

but i'm now transferring to tumblr. just because.

This is a nice habit, writing about the day before it ends. Even though, I guess, I'll be saying the same things. :P

So, third day's the charm, and it's a Sunday so there are some nice extras. Started the day with a morning race, with running buddy and fellow bar aspirant Jam. I bested my 10k record, great way to start the day. Then a quick breakfast, cool shower and an hour's nap before I started studying.

I discovered Brand's essence of chicken, have been taking it since yesterday and I noticed that I focused for longer hours, much like the effect of gingko biloba (I'm a sucker for supplements with no proven therapeutic effects). Now, how would I describe its taste? A bit like sebo (as in cold bulalo soup) with chicken broth cubes' after taste. I prefer to take it with a big glass of cold water. And ice, to prevent nausea. haha.

My room is outfitted for studying now, problem still is the bed which looks inviting every break time. The solution is just to threaten myself every urge of crawling unto the covers. But I still napped once despite that. A reasonable quick nap.

Bar Chronicles: Nothing Like the First

The month of March was tortuous (and tortious?). I had to rest for 2 weeks from running, accompanied by sessions with the physical therapist, but that rest time was extended to a (gulp) more than a month (i lost count). The final, final exams spanned 3 weeks of my final year in law school and therefore i had limited my running too, and then the last exam was immediately succeeded by a 4-day trip. Wow. that was a really long break.

Yesterday I found myself walking the final 500 meters of a 4.4k run. Ugh. And so now, I vow to inject a running sched in my bar study sched.

Anyway, today I started reviewing because I realized that my revised schedule will not give me adequate time. In a state of panic, I revised my schedule for a third time and found out that I can only have two readings. gulp.

So today was the first of many days of review. I found it daunting, hard, and eq-depleting. But I sustained it and am happy. Tomorrow is another day and I hope it would be less and less straining.

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

Upcoming Race Events: Condura Run for Dolphins, Century Super Bods

January was not a good month for me. First, I wasn't able to join any race. The circumstances differ. PSE Bull Run: can't find a registration booth. Jan 31 races: well, the main reason is i'm prohibited from running (injured!), the other reason is, not interested.

February should be a good month. I have 2 hearings on the line...boo....but I also have 2 races to look forward too. Yey!

FEBRUARY 7: CONDURA RUN FOR DOLPHINS
The first question is if I'd be hard headed enough. After overcoming that, the next question is how long it will take me. I'm having funny thoughts...malas yata ako sa Condura?! Last year, I was injured while running it, this year I was injured training for it. I peak at the wrong time it seems...Maybe I should target an earlier race, December perhaps. Anyway, everyone is talking about this race. Potentially the best race of the year. If the doctor permits, this would be my 21k debut. Hopeful that I could because the route traverses the Skyway. :)

FEBRUARY 21: CENTURY SUPER BODS
This is my back up plan in case a 21k on Feb 7 is prohibited. If you check out the 21k route, it would make you dizzy! Lots of turns. It would be impossible for me to remember lest i draw a map on my arm. Hopefully the logistics will be as fine as other RunRio races I've ran. The icing on the cake is Derek Ramsey in short shorts. :D In the event that I can run both Condura and this, I might opt for a shorter distance.

So many contingencies...arte.

First bike "commute"; Throng of runners make UP an unenjoyable bike route

I only had to traverse a small amount of road to get to UP so I decided not to bring my bike in my car which is very tedious (bike rack set up, lock, etc) so off I went from our home to UP. The scariest part was cp garcia: a long road with surprise elements. Going there, the surprise element was broken glass.

I was early so no cars yet at that time and I enjoyed the cool january breeze. I also enjoyed the acad oval without the throng of runners. Later on as the sky brightened, so did the people thicken. Nakakainit ng ulo. Seriously, there's no place which is biker-friendly now, even in UP. Although today is a car-less day, the runners are everywhere and so un-careful. Who runs side by side in 4 files? With blaring music in their earphones?

*Photo by: Inigo Rudio (newskoday.net46.net/sipat/likemotherlikechild.jpg)
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Running Injury No. 2: Shin Splints

Running Injury No. 1 was hamstring tendinitis (read about it in my multiply acct), a knee injury which was caused by a sudden spike in physical activity after around 3 years of dormancy, plus the tendons have been weakened by 8 years of taekwondo varsity training previous to that. In short, overuse and misuse.

After that I became careful: warm up and stretch first, cutting short the distance when there's some unusual pain, etc. Last week I felt pain brewing again, this time in the shin (See related entry). Didn't ignore it this time around so I did the RICE method and even bought Zensah leg sleeves from Second Wind, J.Vargas Ave. This morning I went to see our family orthopedic surgeon (haha) and confirmed that it was shin splints indeed, but to rule out stress fractures, I should rest for one week first. What a drag....:(

But on the bright side, I could still cross train but constrained to activities which are not stressful to the shin muscles (bike for example). I guess I can use the elliptical at the gym, or take out the bike (at night?). Anyway, the goal is to keep the endurance up until this subsides. Good luck. Doctor says, in the future, don't run so much hills (guilty) and stretch more before and after a work out (guilty). Happy resting!

Brewing an injury

My left shin has been experiencing minor pain the last four runs. The last run, it wouldn't go away until i've ran 3k at an easy pace (7:30), wherein previously it goes away after 15 mins of the same pace (1.5 to 2k). I'm getting worried because this week and next week i'm supposed to peak on the mileage but had to restrain some 10kms and speed drills because i don't want to run Condura with an injury. (As advised by every running book or site, the right way to treat this is to completely stop running.)

Anyway, the game plan is, next week i'll have to restrain on mileage too but a must-do is a 2.5 hours long run to be confident on race day. What a drag...But that's subject to the results of my doctor's check up. Could it be shin splints or stress fractures? Abangan...

Taping techniques:

KT technique: click here

Point of pain technique:

Its been a while...

Since the last time i posted I ran 216k and rode 61k, including Botak Paa-bilisan (15k) and SCSM (10k).

I bought a bike too, so i can pursue my triathlon dreams and redeem the effing slow sprint time. I named it/her barbie girl, because its bar tape is barbie pink, plus the pedals are keo elles, girly girly.

Bought some gear along the way like fuel belt, 2xu elite compression tights, a pair of sporty shades (which matches my helmet) and newton lady isaac (to replace the nb which just retired)...you see, i motivate myself by buying stuff. So far, they work...especially the newton shoes.

I keep track of my training using dailymile.com now, which is why i seldom write here, and also because I am in the process of writing a legal research paper...too much writing might be bad for me.

And lastly, I've been increasing weekly mileage since xmas vacation. Training for what? My first 21k in Condura. Target time, secret. Haha. But i'm not expecting a good time, nutrition and sleep deprived, and was set back one week due to an asthma attack a week ago. The legs are becoming stronger but I'm not so sure if i can maintain a good pace for more than 2 hours. Also, I'm constraining myself to one race per month because by racing it means I should miss a sunday bar review session. That's the boring life of a bar candidate.

Well, that's all for now. Until Condura. :)

P.S. This entry is boring because I'm too lazy to frill it up.

My favorite pair just retired... :(

NB 1025. After 300k, this great find has to rest now. The shoe is not available here in Manila....so this is sad. They were very dependable during most of my training runs and some races. Significantly saved my knees (used it while I was heeling from hamstring tendonitis).

The heel part was abused and reduced 'til half of the "N" (in "Ndurance", under "ABZORB"). Kudos to New Balance for a great shoe.

I'm thinking of replacing it with another NB (1063 perhaps?) or try the lunarglide from nike. Or, a highend shoe (newton trainer or asics) but in any case, December ang next buying time since i still have an adidas and an asics here, although the former is a race shoe (not for long distance training) and the latter tinitipid ko (ie, races only). Haha!.

I can't believe 6 months lang life span sa akin ng running shoes...ang gastosss.

Garmin outwits Nike

Nike doesn't produce lace adaptors for its own products so "less smart" shoppers would be fooled that you need to own a nike shoe which has its own socket inside the sole.

Well...

http://gear.runnersworld.com/2009/08/garmins-new-forerunners.html

"Finally, Garmin quietly released a tiny new shoe pod that slips into the midsole socket of Nike Plus shoes. So, if you're running in a pair of Nikes you have the option of wearing the foot pod inside the shoe or attaching it to the laces. The new foot pod works with all the Forerunner watches including the new GPS-less FR60. While it's perfect for treadmill training and other instances when the GPS doesn't receive a signal, it also supplements the info gathered by the GPS over the course of an outdoor run by tracking your cadence, or stride rate, which is a useful gauge of running efficiency."

But I'm a Suunto user......so...:-|

Pag day-op ni inday...October 10Ks: Milo, QCIM, Nike

Honestly, it's so depressing that school has to be this long..and now that sembreak has transformed into a wish rather than a required concession, all hope has faded. I've been robbed of time. :( Well anyway, life goes on...and we can always whine about everything once in a while. >:D

As I've mentioned before, training runs on spare time began to decrease since the start of the semester, and altogether halted come October because of the awful weather, and well, academic demands became a little heavier (the last real training was post-Ondoy :O). But October was THE race month, and I will just have to make do, even without the regular runs. Sinong duwag?...Fayyyyt!

MILO 10K. My first Roxas Blvd. race. It was funny to be there very early in the morning, running without the Utopia/Blue Tips clutched in my hand or breakfast for a sis taking the bar. Haha! I didn't know that Km 0 to traders hotel is just less than 3k.

The crowd consists mostly highschool kids running as a requirement for the 5k. Actually, I doubt if i could call it running....Kids were so funny, reklamo to the max, pagod na daw sila. Reminds me of me....

It took me too long to reach the finish line, 3 mins off of my (already reasonable) target time. This is what I get from keeping out of the road. The course was relatively easy - a flat first 3k then a flyover and flat road again, then back. Well, the race was pretty uneventful except for the fact that the sun came out too early and my stomach was turning at km 8...probably because of the water.

...which reminds me of the days when I still qualified for the Milo Little Olympics (Taekwondo) where I avoided free Milo drinks for notoriously causing stomach troubles to fellow competitiors. :P

QCIM 10K. My post- bday race! And post-nego finals exam. Another first race, this time in Commonwealth. I did a training run here prior to the UP Law Tri, but this was a lot better because I was running IN THE MIDDLE of Commonwealth Ave, which I deliberately did because...well, how often can you do that? I mean, without getting ran over and without inhaling black smoke...:/ I understand that a lot of people got irritated with some roads closed, but they just wouldn't understand the joy of it.

Anyway, although the week before I promised to bring my own water, I wasn't able to because I only had a minute (literally) 'til gun start when I arrived...so yes, I had a great warm up that race.

The race map said the route will take us to UP but it was changed to just running a straight 5k out Commonwealth then back to QC Circle. At 2.3k, my footpod died on me and I had to rely on instinct for pacing. The course was the easiest 10k, even easier than UP. It only had 2 minor hills while the rest is flat... or it seems flat...because it grows slowly daw. At the 5k marker I was surprised to see that my time was right on the dot. But alas, i didn't have enough for a negative split so i just endured at the same relative pace. In any case, I was glad to finish a little below the desired time, but I definitely realized the need for training because I really had to push the last 2k.

I spotted Ronald at around km 7 in the middle of the road filming for his new show and got a high five and some air time...haha. Tito Ron was hosting the pre-awarding program. (Someone else was hosting daw, sana kumuha nalang ng totoong artista hindi yung feeling artista, no offense mr. d.....>:D sorry I just had to say that.) JJ ran his first half marathon while Charles and Roy ran their first full marathon. Congrats :) Registered for the nike human race, and was excited to get my shirt. :)

NIKE HUMAN RACE 10K (SUBIC INT'L MARATHON)...FULL OF SURPRISES! I had just hurdled 2 exams and was just so eager to escape a while from this frantic law school scene that I didn't even think of canceling, even though the CTA digests deadline was moved three days earlier. Luckily, I can sleep in the car going there and i have my globe tattoo, which did not give up on me in effectively zero-rated Subic (yes, i love tax 2).

After dropping off Charles and Roy for their much awaited full marathon (and way before they were forcibly dehydrated. grrr) I got ready and went to the venue early to pick up my shirt. A cool shirt indeed B-). The crew was really friendly although they were most of the time lost (because I was the one answering the queries of random people waiting in line) and then made new friends while we were all waiting for our shirts.

The place had no indication that a nike race is about to begin, save for an announcement 5 minutes prior...and then 1.5 minutes prior. Talk about surprise!

Ran the first 3k with Kathy and Bards who were doing recovery runs and invited me to stay with them for a relaxed pace run. At km 2 was a surprise hill. (Surprise ulit!) All was going fine until i realized that the surprise hill will not end at all. The road was curving to the right so I had no inkling of how steep the next kms would be. We were steadily climbing and at some point the calves could just not take it and I had to slow down (haha! walang hill training!) and walk the last km to the turnaround point.

I replenished my fuel belt with pocari sweat at the drinks station (the last I ever saw) and then sped downhill, to slow down yet again when the flat roads came back. Finished in not so swell a time. I learned that the course was longer than 10k (by 1k according to finish line stretch friend, by .5k according to some bloggers), but even discounting the excess meters, 1:22 was a bad 10k time. Anyway, this by far is the toughest 10k race I've ran. But nonetheless, it was one of the funnest races I've joined. Except of course for the fact that THERE WAS NO WATER.

Three hours later, after a nice rest (and a couple of CTA digests), went back to Remy Field to catch the happy runners cross the finish line. Well done babe. :)

....Surprise again! Since my nike+ wasn't calibrated, I registered 12.2k instead of just 10k and fooled nikerunning.com that I ran a 1:06 10k haha.

So, while we were in Subic, we had a chance to see Zoobic. Didn't get to see the talent show though.

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After running all these 10Ks with zero training, I am now psyching myself for redemption. Plus I'm feeling that I'm gaining my weight back, all the more reason I should get back in my shoes. Next month starts early bar review and a 20 unit semester...but I promise a 21k sometime soon (or at least a 15k again hehe....). :)

No-race September Sundays and delayed road test reports

It's official. I was not able to register for any race this September. It was out of negligence actually, I was hoping for New Balance but out of character I waited for this week, only to find out that it was already closed. Ok, it was kind of not meant to be.

Nonetheless, I'm happy that i'm still able to catch up on kilometers in between tasks. Next on the agenda is to catch up on sleep too.

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A delayed review on some recently procured gear mostly used in last month's UP Law Tri:

(1) CW-X Tri-Shorts

This brand is very popular among runners, now that it became available in Runnr (Bonifacio High Street, Fort). Its hottest product are the running tights which come in variation depending on your preferred support area.

Cw-x technology incorporates kinesio-taping techniques which is why aside from having compression properties, it also has support properties for specific target areas. The tri-shorts particularly has support for lower abs, lower back, quads and hip flexors, and aside from that it has integrated padding (for the bike part). These features made it a little heavy after the swim part, it retained more water than expected for tri-shorts. But then again, that is the trade-off for added support and if you're that focused, you won't notice it much.

(2) Zoot TRIfit Racerback

"Born in Kona" as it advertises, Zoot apparel are specifically made for triathletes to eliminate the need for changing and/or adding other garments during transition. Top-and-bottom combinations are available for those who are not so keen with the one piece trisuits (for easy bathroom moments prior to and after the race...or even during). This particular top has side pockets to stash gels, bars etc. Quick dry like it promises. My mom bought for me during their US trip. I'm not so sure if it's available in local bike shops but a lot are using this brand, maybe it is.

(3) Asics Gel Cumulus 11

I'm very happy with this purchase. I alternate this shoe with my NB 1025 (which was my favorite prior to this) for 10-15k sessions. It comes in pink! It's a neutral cushioning shoe, a lighter version of Nimbus 11. Highly recommended.

(4) Yankz Bungee Lacing System

Also from mom's US trip, I don't know if this is available here. This eliminates tying shoes, whether for triathlon purposes or just out of laziness. It looks cool and very adjustable. The downside though is it's not meant to accommodate my foot pod.

UP Law Tri 08302009

When I signed up for this, the only thought I had is that this might be the best idea I had or the worst. Up until now, several days after, I do not know the answer to that question. Haha. Scheduled right smack in the middle of midterms season, amidst ola and all other endeavors which eat up my free days, and considering the fact that I gradually decreased training time since my fit and fab summer, it was a recipe for disaster.

Actually, the reckoning point was some days prior to registration, I did a practice swim leg, and the time would determine whether or not i would shell out 1500 for registration. If it's less than 30 mins, proceed. If not, back out. So I guess we all know what happened then.

Early registration. An early bird, not exactly because of the discounted registration fee (because actually, there was no discount for the triathlon) but for reinforcement of training. But that didn't work. In August, I did a measely 60k total of running, roughly 8 swimming sessions and just 2 bike sessions. Haha.

Race Day. Woke up early to watch the fun run and waterstations, some administrative work and boom...7:30 na pala, have to set up my transition area.

750m Swim. Pretty uneventful, haha. 5 laps, 3 sets. The UP swimming pool is quite humbling. Sana the alumni would raise funds for its improvement. The UP Varsity Swimming Team does well in the UAAP, champions even during my college days so they deserve nice training facilities. As I've said, the dirtiest i've swam in by far with just one meter of visibility...actually, not even. Just armslength. But come to think of it, open water swims are in even murkier water. I could have reduced my time by raising myself from the end of the pool, but no..., I wanted to conserve the energy in my arms so i opted to use the rails...and anyway, the triceps are not like they used to be anymore. :P

T1. I anticipated a little and brought shoes to the pool so it was a quick trip back to the transition area. However, it took me so long to take off from there...disorganized thoughts and wet skin is not compatible with a fast t1. I may have reached 5 minutes. Haha.

20k Bike. This was tough to finish. I was using a nice fast road bike c/o Charles but I'm not that good a biker and, like the triceps, the quads aren't as they were before. That was 8 rounds of the course (acad oval plus a portion of university ave.) ...counterclockwise!!! The original route was clockwise which means just one challenging part: that hike from eng'g to econ. In this case, the uphill started from quezon hall up until educ. by the 4th round I could feel my quads complaining. Nang matapos, all I could think of is "hay salamat natapos din."

T2. They made us dismount around 100m (or more) from the transition area. As I could not run with a bike nor bring a bike on my back, I just walked. And like before, it took me 10 years to take off, even though I rehearsed it in my head while biking: isabit ang bike, drink, gel, saltstick, wear socks, shoes, tie hair, drink again. Probably 5 minutes again, not counting the walk from the dismount. Kupad! parang pupunta lang ng mall...

5k Run. Finally, the last leg. Heart rate was still 70-80%, not too tired although the calves are a little stiff from the biking. I have done that route and I knew that I could do it in 30 minutes or 35 at most, but all I could think about is I don't want to get cramps and not finish...ayun naglakad. I regret not pushing myself at this point, after doing so for the past 2 legs. But then again, pwede na considering I've done worse times, and kailangang pangatawanan ang pagiging maarte. At the last 100 meters I savored the festive environment: mommy was noisy as usual cheering like she was in a softball field watching danielle and dennise, a band was playing on the left, law school friends were likewise cheering in chorus (i remember dan, res and sop particularly), the biker that almost ran over me (hindi kasi nakikinig sa marshall haha), the friendly lifesize chocolate bar and kisses waving at me, and before I knew it, tapos na pala, nagcross na ako ng finish line.

So that's the story. I probably placed last but I have a medal still. No.1 ata ito sa student category...hehe. Next time, i will be conscious of transition time and will truly run. But for now, ie September and until i acquire my own bike, training muna at takbo.

I would like to congratulate my watergirls at university avenue for winning the best waterstation award. :)

Urbanite 15k 081509

My Saturday was big day. In the morning, I had a class (SPIT) where I had to give a kick-ass recitation in redemption of my 2 previous bad ones. In the afternoon, group pics for the yearbook. And of course in the evening, my first 15k and my first night race.

Meal Planning. I never thought it would be an issue planning how i would eat until the day before. I remembered, unlike sunday morning races where I could sleep and digest an unplanned heavy dinner still, the same would not hold true this time. So for the dinner 1 night before, I went for carbs and rai supported me by having the exact same meal hehe. Breakfast was nonexistent, as usual during cramming mornings :( but i was able to grab a bottle of gatorade. Lunch with charles at kimono ken, in just the right quantity, ie, not as gluttonous as we are used too haha. A trail mix bar right before the race too. I should've gotten a banana instead had i known i what would happen later. But a nice strategy. I didn't feel heavy or bloated nor hungry.

Off we go. My first thought: ANG DILIM! Especially

at Bayani road where there were some potholes.

Oddly, I enjoyed the Heritage Park. It was calm. Quiet. Peaceful?...Probably because everyone did not dare disturb the place. Haha. Oh, except for this guy who kept saying "awoooooo".

My foot pod was accurate up until 11k...guess where that is...deym Mckinley Hills. My short strides fooled my foot pod into adding 2k more than its actual distance..the stretch seemed to never end (!). I walked some uphill parts going back to the entrance.

Finish line. Crossed the finish line with 2:09 at the clock. Haha! Made the mistake too that I stopped immediately without cooling down. True enough I got cramps on my left calf while I was lining up for my finisher's certificate. And from then on I wasn't in a bright mood, didn't feel like taking pictures nor answering questions for an interview (haha!). Because Ronald asked me if they could have a short interview with me for their show (Autoreview) but I volunteered Charles instead. I forgot to take a picture of him (sorry) because my calf was extremely painful at the time, i had to walk around. Sorry too Ronald, I'm ordinarily accommodating and you know that. Haha. Anyway, there's always next time.

Road test: Fuel Belt Slim Pocket Race Number Belt and Hammer Gel. First time to use the belt in a race. Bib was well secured and i'm happy that my shirts would have a break from safety pin punctures, which really is more painful for me than for the shirts. It can double as car key pocket during training runs. I just slide the pocket side to the back. The race belt has gel carriers at the sides, a total of 10! Maybe some guy out there would find them useful. I brought some, just two, but i placed them inside the pocket so naturally the weight was not well distributed. I should've placed them in the carriers.

It was my first time also to use Hammer Gel, tropical and raspberry flavors. I think I should've brought just one, I consumed the second one just so i won't be carrying it around anymore and because it was so yummy hehe. Effective? Maybe...essentially they're caffeine shots in compact and easy to consume form, more runner-friendly (unlike Lipovitan and Red Bull which I used during taek competitions).

ETC. I wanted a breezy outfit so i wore wore my nike tank and running shorts. I forgot that the reflectors fell off my shorts a long time ago. Minor chafing too. :(. Next time, don't forget the petroleum jelly.

Also, while waiting for the gun, I challenged Charles to count how many are wearing this ensemble: i am ninoy shirt, cwx full tights, newtons/lunarglides. I don't understand this pauso. It's like running's gossip girl.

Longer distance? So now that I know I can finish a 15k in not so bad a time (although really off my target because im so competitive, hehehe) I think I should run more of those. Half marathon? Soon, but not too soon.

Now I we move on to Aug 30 preps. Swimming and biking here we go.

What troubles me about tom's night run

parking lot problems (whether or not they're safe, and whether or not space is adequate for everyone)
will car drivers be cautious
mumu at the heritage park....awwoooooo
no one will see if my face turns blue...haha
angry runners...proliferating by the second (jeez people, there are a lot of other things to rant about)
how to eat (heavy bfast or heavy lunch? definitely no dinner until after.)
black singlet on a night run? (bad idea i think, although i don't wear them anyway).
seeing people i don't want to see (bitter? hehe)
will i need to bring my own hydration
and most important of all, how i will take nice pictures...haha.

(Under)Training for my first Tri

I'm actually realizing that signing up for both a 15k run and a sprint tri 2 weeks apart is a very bad idea. I've never done both.

On one hand, I'm enjoying the break from the monotony of building mileage (and photocopied pages). But on the other hand, I inevitably undertrain for EVERY event, given my limited time within an academic week.

Almost a month ago I've started my tri training. Self-designed, after reading numerous resources online and on print. I am positive I can finish both, I'm confident with my endurance. But in decent time? That's another question.

I started swimming again 3 weeks ago, the last time was...umm...high school? Haha. That's almost a decade ago. As a sprinter back in gradeschool summer swimming days, I was never acquainted with endurance freestyle technique, ie, the two-beat-kick freestyle (as opposed to the six-beat). I was trying it out, but I conceded that it would take more than a few weeks of practice to get it right...in short, I have to stick to my old technique for this sprint tri and later on develop into a more efficient style. I might need to get a coach to fine tune my strokes too. In the meantime, youtube helps alot in my training. I average on 23 minutes for a 750m swim. Best times in the playing field reach 8-10 minutes. But at least I have the assurance that I will survive it and have more than enough fuel for the remaining events.

As to biking, again, my last time was highschool. And although I had the shifting lesson already at that time, I never really tried to use it (coz I didn't understand it then hehe). All I did was pedal pedal pedal. Last Sunday, Charles gave me that lesson again...glad to say that the same brain could now process and digest that info (thanks to 6 years of driving manual with the civic, and to lawschool for instant info absorption drills aka cramming). It was fun, and I can't wait to get my own one. Will I survive 20k? That's the question.

Running...of course I will finish 5k. Once, I tried a swim-run-- legs fatigue, not so much. Even done it in a good pace. However, when I tried a bike-run (stationary bike), it was hard to keep target pace, calves were knotting and I was constantly wary of getting cramps there. Scary. Yes, it was on a stationary bike, mechanics are different. But still...

As regards the 15k on Saturday... as I've said, never done it. On training days, yes but all easy paced (and I mean really easy). I really don't have a game plan except keep a 7-7:30 mpk as much as possible and walk (or drop down on the road and crawl) if something hurts. Hopefully, I would not resort to that because otherwise, what's going to hurt is my pride. Nyok. :P BTW, the race route would pass by Heritage Park. Heritage during the night...scaryyyy.

But nonetheless I'm enjoying training for these races...and I'm starting to lose pounds despite the less volume as compared to bright summer carefree days :D (finally). It keeps me happy. I am perfectly aware that I'm indeed undertraining, because I would have wanted a steady 6-7 hours a week schedule. But what can I do, this is all which I can squeeze in. And again, I am more than happy to be able to still be active despite a hectic law school semester, a far cry from lethargic, melodramatic girl I was. Haha. Vomit.