Monthly Archives: July 2009

Running: Bordering on Stupidity

Posted on by dimsumandsiomai
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A lot was at stake. I haven’t ran for the past two days and the idle time hasn’t been kind, lest, fortunate, to my body. For one, I am slowly gaining back the water weight that I always brag about losing. Every morning, after a good night’s sleep from a run, I always weigh myself and the results always manage to put a smile on my face. Second, not running for the past two days has been detrimental to my endurance and my “training plan” for the ever nearing Subic International Marathon that I plan to join this October. I should be running at least 40 kilometers a week. The idle time last weekend resulted in me not reaching my weekly average.

I should be running again. I should be running again. I should be running again.

I said it three times just as hard and determined as Dorothy would say when she really yearned to go home back to Kansas. I was getting ready to jog and head out of the house when I realized I didn’t have my hydration belt with me. Having the belt with me was crucial. It was a reason for me not to go home. I could always run five kilometers with out any hydration but for safety’s sake, I need water in my system. Not having that hydration belt would have meant that I would need to go home after the gruelling five kilometers to drink and recuperate. Going home to get water wouldn’t be the best of options for me though as the “I’m too lazy to run again” bug would bite right in the ass and render me glued to the floor. That wouldn’t be a nice sight.

I left my hydration belt in the condominium. The condominium was in Eastwood City. I lived in Marikina, Cinco Hermanos Subdivision to be exact. The distance from the two was just a mere 30 minutes in travel time.

What went on in my mind for the next 30 seconds would have been the biggest mistake I would have made if ever something bad happened to me. I thought to myself. I can run 30 minutes straight without stopping. I can run fast. I’ve been training for it. I bet I can make it to Eastwood just before it gets to late to get my hydration belt, fill it up at 711, and then run back to Marikina for a very easy yet dangerous one hour run. It was getting late. It was almost 8 pm and I should leave for Eastwood I want wanted to get back in one piece by 9 pm.

Running along Major Dizon in Marikina was a sweat. But it was dark. I was hard to see where I was going. I felt like I was going to hit a tree. Thank you Marides C. Fernando for making the streets for Marikina walkable. I made a right to head of to the Riverbanks road the led to Libis. Passing by the banks for the river was a welcome change except for the stray thoughts of being mugged. I reached Libis and a multitude of cars welcomed me. It was better than being mugged. I got to the condominium in exactly 30 minutes. My guesstimate was correct for once.

Went up, got my hydration belt, filled it up at 711, and went back home, the same way. Eastwood was my turn around point if you wanted to put in racing terms. Going back was easier. I knew what I was facing so I was a little bit more complacent of my surroundings. Got back ahead of schedule and managed to do negative splits. Got back at my house after 27 minutes. The fear of getting mugged must have pushed me even more.

It was getting late.

Run Radio Airs Tomorrow Night!

Posted on by dimsumandsiomai
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Run Radio: Fridays at NU 107.5

Run Radio: Fridays at NU 107.5

I’ve been listening to NU 107 since forever and I can say with utmost confidence that they always bring something new to the table. The great music that they play everyday is always part of my daily commute to and from work. When I travel late, I get to catch their radio shows; shows that always offer something informative.

I really loved NU for making Counterflow happen. Counterflow is a show dedicated to cars and motoring and just about everything else. The guys are funny, Franciso Blanco, Allan Ranch, and James Deakin are always a joy to listen to. They’re easy to listen to. Every time I get to catch the show, I get to learn something new. Informative, funny, smart, everything you’ll ever want in a radio show. No rants, gags or jokes, or overly balloon headed DJ’s in this show unlike this radio show. What’s great about Counterflow is that the show never got old. I believe they also got high awards for being the most listened to radio show.

Tomorrow night, NU will be airing a new show, Run Radio. I’ve been hearing the show’s previews on the station a lot lately and I can’t help but get excited for the first show. I hope they’ll offer the same kind of fun and learning that Counterflow offers. I hope they get high awards like Counterflow. The show will be hosted by Jaymie Pizaro and Jay Nacino, both influential and knowledgeable runners in the community. Here’s to hoping they’ll be a big success like Counterflow.

Check out the full press release here at thebullrunner.com. Catch the show tomorrow and every friday night, 9 – 10 pm. For sure, I’ll be one of their first texters welcoming them to the airwaves.

Globe – Run for Home Race Results

Posted on by dimsumandsiomai
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After 4 days of waiting, the results from the Globe – Run for Home fun run are finally out. Check here for my race report.

results1

Out of the 931 runners that finished, I placed 691. In my age group, I placed 98th. I am in desperate need of improvement. There are so many areas to improve. I was doing positive splits all through out; meaning, I was getting slower as I was getting closer to the finish line. I need to do more long runs so that I can maintain my pace more. I need to build up more mileage.

results2 I’ve ran 4 21 kilometer races already and I have been constantly finishing at around 2 hours 30 minutes area. Consistent if you must say but needs a lot of imporvement. Runners from my age group and runners older than me finished way ahead of me. I need to train more. If you want to check out your own results, go to http://www.runpix.info/mna09/ge.php and search for your name or your bib number.

run for home

Photo courtesy of www.photovendo.ph

Running: Globe – Run For Home

Posted on by dimsumandsiomai
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I am at home because I ran for home at the Globe: Run for Home last Sunday. Funny that the race was for the benefit of Habitat for Humanity and that me running the race last weekend has forced me to stay at my natural Habitat which is my home. I’m staying at home not only because the race has opened my eyes as to how important my home is; not only because I took today as a vacation leave from work; it is mostly because my calves feel like they’re being clawed at and crushed by a thousand crabs every time I take a step. My legs are tired. They hurt. I got a big bloody blister on my right foot (don’t click if you are queasy). My legs are in so much pain right now.

Pain in inevitable. Suffering is optional. – Haruki Murakami

I live by those words. Tagging along like a shadow with long distance running is pain. And with that pain is suffering which you could chose to affect you and bring you down. I do the complete opposite. I love the pain. I love feeling the aching muscles on my calves every time I take a step. Call me crazy and masochistic but this me me looking at the glass half full. This me taking it to the man and showing that I can do it. I can do the extreme and take the pain. Pain feels good. It’s my assurance that I ran my heart out.

Run for Home last Sunday could very well be the most organized race I ever ran. Race registration was easy as pie when I came to Runnr and registered. It was quick and fast and effortless. Race pack distribution was fast too. I went at the first day of distribution and there were tents set up at Nike Bonifacio High Street to give out the packs.

The race started out on time. It was a different atmosphere running with the timing chip on. The race was incredibly fun for me save for the fact the I still wasn’t able to set a new PR. Two weeks ago, I was aiming to finish under 2 hours and 30 minutes. I came so close to making it but there was 50 seconds separating me and my goal. Last Sunday, I came to the race hoping to set a new personal record. I came close last time and last Sunday seemed like I did worse.

My finish time last Sunday was 2 hours 32 minutes. Back to training for me and a lot of it I must do If I plan to do the Subic Internation Marathon this October.