I managed to sneak in a run this evening despite wanting to go home early. It was an easy 9 kilometer run from the office then down to Mckinley Hill and then back to BHS. I did that same run exactly a week ago and was pleasantly surprised that I was on track for a sub60 10k had I continued to run. 

The run this evening was a little bit faster. It could have been because the weather was a bit better. It could have been because I was wearing cooler clothes. It could have been a multitude of things that might have affected my run but I know one thing is for sure; the knowledge from PatJo’s coaching from last Monday helped. A mouthful of information was an understatement to all the concepts on POSE running that the team had learned that evening.

I must admit, a week will not be enough to see any significant change in my speed but I felt a little bit more efficient. I was toeing up much faster and running with a higher cadence. I felt less stress on my joints. I was more aware of my form too. 

I couldn’t keep up the faster turn over just yet because I run out of breath but with more practice, a time will come that I can be able to sustain the high cadence. 

When I started running, I looked up POSE/Chi running because I learned that they were one of the most efficient ways to run. Since I started running 3 years ago, I thought I was doing it right. The big ball of reality hit me hard last week and it took me to school. At this age, you really can still teach an old stubborn marsupial new tricks.

Here’s to hoping that I learn a lot more from coach.

After two years of owning, riding and modifying my old Fuji Roubaix 2.0, I finally decided to take the leap and get a better bike frame. Thanks to Tricia for making this possible!

Behold the Argon E80

It feels lighter and looks insanely better. I will slowly lower the stem as I ride it more and them eventually cut the excess on top. Slamming is the way to go! I rode a size 49 bike and Argon only had a 52 as its smallest size so I was a bit worried that this bike wouldn’t fit me well. My initial ride around the subdivision was good though. It felt lighter and it felt a lot easier to go up the climbs. I did an easy 90 minute spin on the trainer with the new bike and I think it fits me well. I will need to do a lot more tweaks though. Hoping for a long lasting relationship with this one!

Belated happy anniversary!

After a long hiatus from the road, I finally brought out my bike again. It deserved some good road time after its long hours on the trainer. I made my way to Aguinaldo to do a tri sim and it did not disappoint.

The pool was clean and I had it all to myself. It was no wonder that I’d be the only one there though; Who swims at 2 in the afternoon anyway?

I swam 1000 meters. It felt surprisingly easy at first. A thought that did not cross my mind because I haven’t had any pool time for over 1 week already. The first 500 felt fast and easy. The next 500 felt slow and sluggish. I thought I was doing well even with the reduced pool time but the last 500 felt a bit more sluggish than the first. The lack of chlorine time was catching up to me.

I finished the 1000 meters in about 19 minutes. Not bad for some reduced pool time. I’d add a minute or two to that time though because I was kicking off the wall too much in the last 500.

Next up was a 30 kilometer bike ride around Aguinaldo. Everybody knows I suck at the bike and I only have myself to blame for my lack of ability to keep a decent speed. I suck at narrating my bike ride but in summary, I mashed as hard as I could. I managed to finish the 30 kilometers in 67 minutes. Not bad. Could have been faster if I was the only one on the road.

I started running at around 3:40 in the afternoon. The sun was raging more than ever. With the passion of a thousand burning supernovas, the sun was staring me down. It was hard to keep a decent pace. The mixture of heat and jello legs were really slowing me down. I cut me run short and accepted defeat. There will be other days to run. That was a good 2 kilometer run to end the tri simulation.

What can I take away from all of this? One thing is for sure. I need to keep on training. I would bet my bike that even if the heat wasn’t as bad as when I started running, I would have still bonked. I am not a fast cyclist. I reached a milestone by almost doing a sub 60 30 kilometers. It felt alright but as soon as I started running, my legs were out of energy. I need to bike time to compensate my severe lack of talent.

Tonight marks the last day of the sweat challenge. I may have skipped a day but I am proud to say that the habit is back. A good swim awaits me tonight followed by a short run. I need that mileage for Condura.

Dimsum and Siomai 30 Days of Sweat Challenge Update:
Day 1: 80 Minute Spin at 80 RPM
Day 2: 30 Minute Run in the Morning. 45 Minute Spin and 15 Minute run in the evening.
Day 3: 4 Sets: 13 Bicep/Tricep Curls, 13 Plato Lifts, 40 crunches
Day 4: 60 Minute Spin
Day 5: 30 Minute Run. 80 Minute Spin.
Day 6: 2.5 Hour Fun Ride. Up – Ateneo – Up. 30 Minute Run
Day 7: 90 Minute Spin. 30 Minute Run.
Day 8: 30 Minute Run.
Day 9: 60 Minute Morning Run.
Day 10: 10 Minute Insanity Workout.
Day 11: 4 Kilometer run.
Day 12: Weight training
Day 13: 50 Minute Spin.
Day 14: 30 Minute Interval run. Weight training.
Day 15: 90 Minute Spin.
Day 16: 2500 Meter Swim.
Day 17: 60 Minute Spin.
Day 18: 2500 Meter Swim.
Day 19: 50 Minute Spin.
Day 20: 30 Minute Run
Day 21: Skipped a day!!!! T_T
Day 22: 150 Minute Spin to make up for yesterday
Day 23: 30 Minute Run. 2000 Meter Swim
Day 24: 2.5 Hour Spin
Day 25: 2500 Meter Swim
Day 26: 3k Run
Day 27: 6k Run
Day 28: 30 Minute Spin
Day 29: 1 Hour Spin. 30 Minute Run.

I blew it at day 21. Made up for it the next day. I think I’ll bike again for two hours tonight. Maybe three if I find a good show to watch.

Dimsum and Siomai 30 Days of Sweat Challenge Update:
Day 1: 80 Minute Spin at 80 RPM
Day 2: 30 Minute Run in the Morning. 45 Minute Spin and 15 Minute run in the evening.
Day 3: 4 Sets: 13 Bicep/Tricep Curls, 13 Plato Lifts, 40 crunches
Day 4: 60 Minute Spin
Day 5: 30 Minute Run. 80 Minute Spin.
Day 6: 2.5 Hour Fun Ride. Up – Ateneo – Up. 30 Minute Run
Day 7: 90 Minute Spin. 30 Minute Run.
Day 8: 30 Minute Run.
Day 9: 60 Minute Morning Run.
Day 10: 10 Minute Insanity Workout.
Day 11: 4 Kilometer run.
Day 12: Weight training
Day 13: 50 Minute Spin.
Day 14: 30 Minute Interval run. Weight training.
Day 15: 90 Minute Spin.
Day 16: 2500 Meter Swim.
Day 17: 60 Minute Spin.
Day 18: 2500 Meter Swim.
Day 19: 50 Minute Spin.
Day 20: 30 Minute Run
Day 21: Skipped a day!!!! T_T
Day 22: 150 Minute Spin to make up for yesterday
Day 23: 30 Minute Run. 2000 Meter Swim

I just made a lot of weird updates on my bike. It looks so unconventional now but I think it will do the job.

I moved the arms pads a bit closer to me. It feels a lot more comfortable now. I think I can manage a lower more aggressive drop. If I can manage to mount the aerobars under my handle bars, I think I can achieve that. I must slam them some more. My stem can’t be further slammed because it has reached the slam limit.

I butchered my handle bars. I wanted my bike to look like a tri-bike. I think it looks the part. A switch to proper brake levers and bar end shifters is in the horizon for me if I can manage to enjoy this look.

Behind me is an improvised tool kit. The clear bottle holds my tools and an extra inner tube. I also have that canister thing that is used for flats. Haven’t had the chance to use it yet in a race and I am hoping that I never get to. This looks so unorthodox. I should get a seat mounted rear bottle holder instead of this.

Dimsum and Siomai 30 Days of Sweat Challenge Update:
Day 1: 80 Minute Spin at 80 RPM
Day 2: 30 Minute Run in the Morning. 45 Minute Spin and 15 Minute run in the evening.
Day 3: 4 Sets: 13 Bicep/Tricep Curls, 13 Plato Lifts, 40 crunches
Day 4: 60 Minute Spin
Day 5: 30 Minute Run. 80 Minute Spin.
Day 6: 2.5 Hour Fun Ride. Up – Ateneo – Up. 30 Minute Run
Day 7: 90 Minute Spin. 30 Minute Run.
Day 8: 30 Minute Run.
Day 9: 60 Minute Morning Run.
Day 10: 10 Minute Insanity Workout.
Day 11: 4 Kilometer run.
Day 12: Weight training
Day 13: 50 Minute Spin.
Day 14: 30 Minute Interval run. Weight training.
Day 15: 90 Minute Spin.
Day 16: 2500 Meter Swim.
Day 17: 60 Minute Spin.
Day 18: 2500 Meter Swim.

I almost blew it at day 10. It was late and I didn’t have enough in me to go out for a run so I turned on the computer and did the first installment of the Insanity workout. I did not finish the Fitness Test. I was still a good sweat workout that left me sweaty with so much huffing and puffing.

Dimsum and Siomai 30 Days of Sweat Challenge Update:
Day 1: 80 Minute Spin at 80 RPM
Day 2: 30 Minute Run in the Morning. 45 Minute Spin and 15 Minute run in the evening.
Day 3: 4 Sets: 13 Bicep/Tricep Curls, 13 Plato Lifts, 40 crunches
Day 4: 60 Minute Spin
Day 5: 30 Minute Run. 80 Minute Spin.
Day 6: 2.5 Hour Fun Ride. Up – Ateneo – Up. 30 Minute Run
Day 7: 90 Minute Spin. 30 Minute Run.
Day 8: 30 Minute Run.
Day 9: 60 Minute Morning Run.
Day 10: 10 Minute Insanity Workout.
Day 11: 4 Kilometer run.
Day 12: Weight training
Day 13: 50 Minute Spin.
Day 14: 30 Minute Interval run. Weight training.

Still getting the hang of it. It should get easier after the tenth day.

Dimsum and Siomai 30 Days of Sweat Challenge Update:
Day 1: 80 Minute Spin at 80 RPM
Day 2: 30 Minute Run in the Morning. 45 Minute Spin and 15 Minute run in the evening.
Day 3: 4 Sets: 13 Bicep/Tricep Curls, 13 Plato Lifts, 40 crunches
Day 4: 60 Minute Spin
Day 5: 30 Minute Run. 80 Minute Spin.
Day 6: 2.5 Hour Fun Ride. Up – Ateneo – Up. 30 Minute Run
Day 7: 90 Minute Spin. 30 Minute Run.
Day 8: 30 Minute Run.
Day 9: 60 Minute Morning Run.

In other news, I got a new dog! Meet Donna Noble the black labrador.

I am slowly inching into the routine. I need to keep this up. I need to slowly inch my diet plan in as well. The holiday season eating frenzy is not helping though.

Dimsum and Siomai 30 Days of Sweat Challenge Update:
Day 1: 80 Minute Spin at 80 RPM
Day 2: 30 Minute Run in the Morning. 45 Minute Spin and 15 Minute run in the evening.
Day 3: 4 Sets: 13 Bicep/Tricep Curls, 13 Plato Lifts, 40 crunches
Day 4: 60 Minute Spin
Day 5: 30 Minute Run. 80 Minute Spin.
Day 6: 2.5 Hour Fun Ride. Up – Ateneo – Up. 30 Minute Run
Day 7: 90 Minute Spin. 30 Minute Run.

Bike punishment. Thing’s are starting to pick and I am content.

I want to get thin again but there is just so much other stuff to do right now. I need to set things straight. I need to plan out my time more properly. Workout today was OK but was completely negated by the over eating that I did again.

Dimsum and Siomai 30 Days of Sweat Challenge Update:
Day 1: 80 Minute Spin at 80 RPM
Day 2: 30 Minute Run in the Morning. 45 Minute Spin and 15 Minute run in the evening.
Day 3: 4 Sets: 13 Bicep/Tricep Curls, 13 Plato Lifts, 40 crunches
Day 4: 60 Minute Spin
Day 5: 30 Minute Run. 80 Minute Spin.