I just ran what I think will be the last run for 2009 with my wife. I ran 6.6K (3 rounds in UP) in 39:05. Not as fast as I was hoping, but I think it was the best workout I've had in quite a long time. It was a very challenging run because I was able to push both my heart and my legs. And given the circumstances, I think this was a fitting run to end the year.
As I look back at 2009, I can see that I've made a lot of headway in running this year. In 2010, I'll be paying a lot of attention to my weekly distance. I hope to increase it to around 70K by the latter part of the year to prepare myself for a full marathon by the end of the year. To accomplish this, I intend to follow a program so I'm looking around for one that will match my work and family schedules. Let me know if you can help me out with the program. I'd really appreciate it.
Anyway, 2010 looks exciting. I'm looking forward to bigger and better races, new PRs and new running friends. Happy New Year Everybody!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Christmas Season Cough
Back in grade school, I would usually be absent for a week at the start of the school year (around June) and in December due to asthma. It was explained to me that the changing weather triggered my asthma attacks. 20 years later, after supposedly outgrowing my asthma, I find myself wheezing and coughing again. As the this season is also a time of reunions and some drinking, I've delayed taking any medicine for it to allow myself to indulge and enjoy.
The only thing that got me taking my meds and abstaining from alcohol is my running. That's because I'm just so itching to run again that I'm now willing to do almost anything to go back to waking up early in the morning to run in the dark where one can see a glowing sky and feel the cool wind against the face.
The only thing that got me taking my meds and abstaining from alcohol is my running. That's because I'm just so itching to run again that I'm now willing to do almost anything to go back to waking up early in the morning to run in the dark where one can see a glowing sky and feel the cool wind against the face.
Monday, December 14, 2009
New Balance Power Race 2009
This was one tough race. I should have known that any race passing through McKinley Hill would be really challenging. One thing I did differently in this race is that I brought a bottle of Gatorade with me. Because of this, I was able to run through the first two water stations. But then, in the end, I ended up struggling through McKinley Hill. I had to take it slow on the hilly portions to keep myself from getting cramps and injuring my knees. Anyway, I finished with a time of 2:14:54.
I went to the race with a friend, but we weren't able to take any pictures because I left my camera. We tried to line up for the free race pictures but the line was so long and we weren't able to stand the heat of the then bright sun. In the end, we decided to leave the place to look for breakfast.
Anyway, all I can really say about this race was that it was one really tough one. I think it was my toughest one so far. But then, I finished it and it felt great!
I went to the race with a friend, but we weren't able to take any pictures because I left my camera. We tried to line up for the free race pictures but the line was so long and we weren't able to stand the heat of the then bright sun. In the end, we decided to leave the place to look for breakfast.
Anyway, all I can really say about this race was that it was one really tough one. I think it was my toughest one so far. But then, I finished it and it felt great!
What a Week!
Last week was some week. Let me see now... Here are the things that happened last week:
1. My wife and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary.
2. My team finally put together and submitted the report we were working on.
3. The data I was waiting for finally arrived so I was able to work on other things as well.
4. My colleagues and I practiced for our Christmas Party presentation almost every lunch break and sometimes after work. We also painted our props.
5. I realized that I wasn't as healthy as I thought I was.
6. I realized a whole lot of other things about my life and relationships.
Amidst all of this, I realized it's been a week since my last run.
1. My wife and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary.
2. My team finally put together and submitted the report we were working on.
3. The data I was waiting for finally arrived so I was able to work on other things as well.
4. My colleagues and I practiced for our Christmas Party presentation almost every lunch break and sometimes after work. We also painted our props.
5. I realized that I wasn't as healthy as I thought I was.
6. I realized a whole lot of other things about my life and relationships.
Amidst all of this, I realized it's been a week since my last run.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Timex Run
I wasn't very confident about beating my Adidas KOTR time of 2:11 at the Timex Run because I got sick the weekend right before it. During the race, I actually had to stop and walk a few times on the inclined areas to conserve my strength. I was actually surprised to find out that I finished the race with a time of 2:09:38 despite the challenging route and my numerous walk breaks. Maybe I was running faster than I was used to.
In my opinion, the race in general was one of the best this year. Here are some reasons why I think so:
1. The water stations, which were placed in the middle of the road, had abundant water cups and enough 100 Plus cups.
2. The race packets were distributed early with the bib and timing chip placed in a sealed plastic bag.
3. There were many kilometers markers to help us pace ourselves.
4. Finishers were given free towels, 100 Plus and Summit Water drinks, Coffee, Nesvita and loot bags containing Nature Valley Granola Bars, more drinks, a finisher's shirt and a ball pen.
5. Results were released the day after the race.
6. The Runpix Race Analysis and Photovendo Pictures were added bonuses to an already great race.
7. There was overall festive atmosphere at the race venue.
8. My wife seemed to have a great time at the race.
I only wish the finisher's medal had the name and date of the race on it to make it a distinct souvenir for the race.
All in all, it was still one of the best this year. I hope the coming races can match up to this one. Congratulations to the organizers!
In my opinion, the race in general was one of the best this year. Here are some reasons why I think so:
1. The water stations, which were placed in the middle of the road, had abundant water cups and enough 100 Plus cups.
2. The race packets were distributed early with the bib and timing chip placed in a sealed plastic bag.
3. There were many kilometers markers to help us pace ourselves.
4. Finishers were given free towels, 100 Plus and Summit Water drinks, Coffee, Nesvita and loot bags containing Nature Valley Granola Bars, more drinks, a finisher's shirt and a ball pen.
5. Results were released the day after the race.
6. The Runpix Race Analysis and Photovendo Pictures were added bonuses to an already great race.
7. There was overall festive atmosphere at the race venue.
8. My wife seemed to have a great time at the race.
I only wish the finisher's medal had the name and date of the race on it to make it a distinct souvenir for the race.
All in all, it was still one of the best this year. I hope the coming races can match up to this one. Congratulations to the organizers!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Adidas KOTR, A Milestone Race
The Adidas KOTR 2008 was the first race I ever joined. It was a simple race with a good quality singlet. Back then, I went alone and left right after the race. It was right after this race that I began to take running seriously. While I do admit that I may have been somewhat unprepared for the race, I was quite disappointed with my 1 hour, 13 minute 10k performance. That was last year.
This year, I suggested the Adidas KOTR to my wife as her first race given my experience last year. I just wanted her to have a great time running so that she would be hooked as well. One day, while in Bonifacio High Street, while looking at running shoes at RUNNR, we decided to register.
I found it strange that the we weren't able to get our race kits immediately. We were told that claiming of race kits would be during the Adidas Shoe Expo at the Megatrade Hall of Megamall. I thought it would be a minor inconvenience, but then I figured it would be alright to look around. We decided to claim our kits just as Megamall opened. I thought we could easily go in, claim the kits and get out quickly. Just imagine the horror of having to wait in line for 2 hours just to claim a race kit. My son got so tired that he fell asleep as I was carrying him. Somehow, the system they devised to distribute the kits was not working.
The 21k race itself was great. The course was challenging and there were enough water stations. Best of all, I finished with a time of 2:11:18, a new PR! When I asked my wife about her race, she said that she wanted to file a protest. What?!? She then explained that although we don't have gadgets that measure distance, she felt that the route was much longer than 5k. At first I thought it may be possible for the route to be slightly longer than planned. I was later on surprised to find out that other runners were also complaining about the distance. Some even said their Garmins measured a distance of 6.45k instead of 5k. Hmmm...
It took more than a week before the results were released. Interestingly, the results were released in Facebook. Too bad if you didn't have an account. I was quite disappointed that only the results for the 21k runners seemed reliable. I heard a number of complaints from 5k and 10k runners that the results were far from what they were expecting. In some cases, many runners shared the same finish times. In many other cases, runners couldn't find their names nor their bib numbers. Perhaps somebody can explain to us why this is so.
In the end, I just wanted a great experience for my wife. For myself, I wanted to celebrate the past year in running by joining the same race that started it all. For the Adidas KOTR organizers, I hope you listen to the feedback and take steps to address them.
This year, I suggested the Adidas KOTR to my wife as her first race given my experience last year. I just wanted her to have a great time running so that she would be hooked as well. One day, while in Bonifacio High Street, while looking at running shoes at RUNNR, we decided to register.
I found it strange that the we weren't able to get our race kits immediately. We were told that claiming of race kits would be during the Adidas Shoe Expo at the Megatrade Hall of Megamall. I thought it would be a minor inconvenience, but then I figured it would be alright to look around. We decided to claim our kits just as Megamall opened. I thought we could easily go in, claim the kits and get out quickly. Just imagine the horror of having to wait in line for 2 hours just to claim a race kit. My son got so tired that he fell asleep as I was carrying him. Somehow, the system they devised to distribute the kits was not working.
The 21k race itself was great. The course was challenging and there were enough water stations. Best of all, I finished with a time of 2:11:18, a new PR! When I asked my wife about her race, she said that she wanted to file a protest. What?!? She then explained that although we don't have gadgets that measure distance, she felt that the route was much longer than 5k. At first I thought it may be possible for the route to be slightly longer than planned. I was later on surprised to find out that other runners were also complaining about the distance. Some even said their Garmins measured a distance of 6.45k instead of 5k. Hmmm...
It took more than a week before the results were released. Interestingly, the results were released in Facebook. Too bad if you didn't have an account. I was quite disappointed that only the results for the 21k runners seemed reliable. I heard a number of complaints from 5k and 10k runners that the results were far from what they were expecting. In some cases, many runners shared the same finish times. In many other cases, runners couldn't find their names nor their bib numbers. Perhaps somebody can explain to us why this is so.
In the end, I just wanted a great experience for my wife. For myself, I wanted to celebrate the past year in running by joining the same race that started it all. For the Adidas KOTR organizers, I hope you listen to the feedback and take steps to address them.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Through the Streets of Quezon City
After all the preparation and controversy (Don't ask!), the Quezon City International Marathon has passed, and although I can't explain the great experience of running through the streets of Quezon City, I can at least try.
I wasn't really expecting to do well in this race. I just wanted to force myself to do the distance since I was originally preparing for the 21k of the Adidas KOTR. I was quite happy to cross the finish line at 2 hours 15 minutes with just some soreness in my legs. Below are my unofficial results from the Runnex website.
Perhaps the best image I will take from this race was the view of Commonwealth as we turned the corner from University Avenue in the U.P. Campus at around 5:25 A.M. All of a sudden the road widens to around 8 to 10 lanes and it's free from traffic.Overall, the race was well organized and there were many friendly and familiar faces. I hope they do this again next year. To the race organizers, please come up with traffic advisories. It was hard to talk about the race to people who were too angry about the traffic it caused.
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