Tag Archives: Smart Subic International Marathon

Running: Smart SIM – My First Marathon

Posted on by dimsumandsiomai
4

It could have been just any other run last Saturday but it wasn’t. It could have been just any other road race last Saturday but it wasn’t. It could have been any other distance last Saturday but it wasn’t. It could have been just any other day but it wasn’t.

I remember telling myself a exactly a year ago that I would run a marathon after a year. It was a crazy idea that just popped into my head when I was just getting back into running. I never actually thought that I would be able to do it in a year but I tried to prepare for it. I trained for it. I ran a lot for it. I joined road races left and right just to force myself to run. Fast forward a year of running and I’ve got countless 10 kilometer runs and a couple of half marathons under my belt. I’ve gone through two pairs of shoes already with just about a measly 600 kilometers of total mileage on my poor poor feet. I’ve gotten a permanent blister on my right foot that just gets bigger and bigger every time I run (It’s a good thing I finally found the right pair of socks for me).

Looking back to last Saturday, running the marathon over SCTEX was the perfect way of capping of a year’s worth of running. A full marathon to put that exclamation point on the phrase ‘I’m a runner’.

I ran the race with Tito Bong, my girlfriend’s father and I couldn’t have done it without him. Tricia was always with me in my big runs and she cheered us on as we rode the bus that will drop us off in the middle of SCTEX.
20091024-DSC_1073

It was a long bus ride that almost took half an hour. I was scared. I was worried that I would not be able to finish the run. I have never ran more than 21 kilometers in my life and I could not imagine myself running more than that. We arrived at Florida Blanca exit an hour and thirty minutes early. That could very well have been the longest wait of my life. I felt anxious. It was a good thing some of the Takbo.ph guys were already there to somehow ease the agonizing wait.

The run finally started at exactly 4:30 pm. A lot of excited runners blazed through the first two or three kilometers. Tito Bong and I ran easy. We ran slow and steady. We had a long way to go and running out of fuel towards the end because you started too fast wasn’t part of our plan. As I recall, we ran at a very easy pace of 7-8 minutes per kilometer. It wasn’t blazing fast but it wasn’t slow either. It was just right. It was great chatting with Craig and Rico up until around kilometer 15. Rico had his plan of 1 minute walks at every aid station which eventually made us go ahead of him. Craig eventually blazed pass us. He was strong. We were about a kilometer apart. It was an agonizing 10 more kilometers up to kilometer 25. It was a slow steady climb up SCTEX.

I started having trouble at around kilometer 30. I started feeling numbness on my toes which eventually forced me to walk it off. It meant that my heart was having a hard time pumping blood already and I need to take a break. Going up the long climbs towards the exit of SCTEX and into Subic area was the hardest. It was long and slow. Steady pace was what Tito Bong advised as he counted off our cadence. Going down hill at Tipo was a blast. It was a long slide of about 5 or 6 kilometers that really helped me get a lot of rest. Hearing the cheers of the Takbo.ph support group at kilometer 34 made me lose all that tired feeling in me.

20091024-DSC_1168

I sprinted to the finish.

Tito Bong and I finally reached the bottom of Tipo and we were finally with in two kilometers of the finish line. It was all good from there. As soon as I entered Remy field, I waved to Tricia and with that little strength left in me, I sprinted to the finish clocking in at 5 hours 49 minutes Funny thing was that just as a started to sprint, Tito Bong told me that ‘Let’s do this together’ but I left him. I felt bad but he was happy for me for finishing the race and not quitting on him.

20091024-DSC_1173 Thank you Tito Bong for running with me. I could not have done this without you! It was a great way to celebrate the eve of your birthday too. The ice cold Pocari Sweat at the finish line felt like an ice cold beer on hot summer day.

20091026-DSC_1179

At last, I have finished my first marathon. What’s next? More runs of course!

More photos after the jump!

Continue reading →

Running: Cramming is Not the Way To Go

Posted on by dimsumandsiomai
5

It may not be always the best approach but it looks like I am cramming yet again. I did this a lot when I was still in school. I’d always start a 500-word essay just a night before it is to be submitted. I would only start studying for a final exam just 30 minutes before heading off to school. On most occasions, if you’re not an Albert Einstein, you will surely get mediocre results. It’s sad to think that I have reduced myself to mediocrity when I was still studying when I could have, with the right amount of motivation and skill, been more. With the right amount of effort and participation on my part, I could have done better in school and could have finished with some honors. Sadly, I was happy being mediocre. I was happy living on the sidelines. I was happy not being excellent and perfect in what I do.

What is even harder to fathom is that 4 years after leaving school, graduating, and getting a job, I am still happy with being mediocre. To top it off, there are still instances where I cram my way out of simplest of things when I could have prepared for them earlier. I have no one else to blame but myself for not being able to get out of this mediocrity. I have no one else to burn at the stake but myself when things don’t go as planned.

Things don’t always go as planned but it’s how you react to the unforeseen circumstances that make it or break it for you. 2 months ago, I signed up to run a marathon. It is a run that will be 42 kilometers long and with my current training back then, I would not be able to finish the distance. With 2 months to go before race day, I told myself that I would prepare for the run. Prepare for it I did but the last 4 weeks was the hardest. I was sidelined for two weeks because of the storms that hit the country. I saw myself crawling in my last 16 kilometer run. I saw myself gasping for breath in my last long run after that two week long break.

With only 12 more days until race day, I am yet again forced to cram training into my legs and thighs. I never learn. I could not blame the rains for not being able to run because I could have ran indoors on a treadmill. I could have done some cross training to keep my endurance up. I have no one else to blame but myself for being in this kind of conditioning with just 12 days before the race. Training needs to be stepped up. Training needs to be done.

Here I am again, with 4 years under my belt, cramming my way to mediocrity: cramming my way to build my endurance, cramming my way to rack up some mileage.

My whole life has been about mediocrity. My whole life has been about being on the sidelines. My whole life has been about just being at par. Let this run be my last crack at cramming and being mediocre. I will finish the 42 kilometers strong and never be mediocre ever again.

Running: When Will I Learn?

Posted on by dimsumandsiomai
Reply

I have been in this kind of situation countless times. I have been in this kind of problem before. I never learn. I never see it coming. I always end up committing the same mistake over and over again. Here’s how the viscous vicious A.W.F.U.L. cycle goes.

The Aim. It starts out ever so easy with a simple goal in mind: finish a sub60 10k, finish my first half marathon, finish a 10 miler. No matter what the goal is, big or small, I start out with a goal in mind and I want to reach that goal. The current goal right now is the Smart Subic International Marathon. I will conquer the 42 kilometers by hook or by crook. The pavement will bow to me, as if they weren’t already kissing my feet.

The Will. I start out strong. I start out with a training plan. I start out determined with red eyes. As soon as I have that goal in mind, I instantly have the will to condition myself to complete it. As soon as I said that I will join the Smart Subic International Marathon, I instantly told myself that I will train a lot and run a lot for it. 42 kilometers is no short distance and it’s not like a 5 kilometer race where you can let yourself out from the start. As I’ve said before, running is a mind game too and I must train my and will myself to run.

The Force. I have the Aim, the Will, now I have the Force. It may sound kitschy and cliché but that’s what really under the hood. A great big force that will drive and push me to train and condition myself for my goal. It is at this point of the cycle that I have the most energy and determination.

The Ugly. Just as I had the most force and energy in the previous stage of the cycle, I am faced with the Ugly. I am faced with a big hindrance to my goal. It has been a lot of things but a lot of times the ugly is myself. There was a time that I had so much of the Force in me that I got too complacent and trained less. There was a time where I would just slack off and be too easy on my trainings. I was the ugly a lot back then and I could not blame anybody but myself. I’ve in this situation a lot of times but never have I seen myself overcoming the stage of becoming the Ugly. As race day for the Smart Subic International Marathon draws near, there are only two choices that face me right now, rant or pant. It’s either a rant like a little kid that didn’t get what he wanted when he opened his gift on Christmas morning, or pant like a pug while I strive to gain more mileage for the run. Here’s to hoping I pant more.

The last and final stage of the cycle is The Laughter. I end the cycle with a big happy 12 year old girl scout giggle. Things haven’t always ended as how I’ve planned it but I sure did have fun getting there. How will my Smart Subic International Marathon end? Will it end with me crawling or sprinting to the finish? Will it end with me rolling down like I’m looking for my missing piece? What ever the outcome will be on October 24, one thing is for certain, I will end it with a big happy 12 ear old girl scout giggle. Not this kind of girl scout though so some of you guys might get disappointed. It will certainly be not like this one, sorry my dear P’s. Maybe more like this one but with a big smile.

See you guys at race day. Bring your game faces because I will surely bring mine.

Running: St Martin, Have Mercy on Our Soles

Posted on by dimsumandsiomai
5

It was Thursday last week and I had to rack up some very needed mileage for my Smart SIM training. I also needed to do some training runs for the upcoming Rota Run the coming Sunday. What better way to train than to join some Takbo.ph peeps in their LSD.

I have heard a lot about the famous Liempo Run. It was a gathering of tremendous running talent and skill. It was a gathering of the greatest athletes that ever set foot upon the Philippines’ running soil. It was a gathering of friends that were on set on a common goal. A second Liempo run was due and it was about time I shed my overly introverted skin and joined a Takbo.ph gathering.

It was a Thursday and I left early for work to make it to Mcdonald’s Pearl Drive by 6:30 pm. It was a very easy drive and I got there with 30 minutes to spare. I was early. I went to Mcdonald’s and saw a lone runner sitting by the smoking area. I humbly introduced myself and later on found out that I met the very generous Pio and the famous coach Mar. Not long after, more runner started coming in. Much to my dismay and disappointment, I couldn’t remember all their names but rest easy that you guys made a big impact on the running experience and I will cherish it forever (How cheesy can you get?).

Luis came and the suddenly invited me and Win for a warmup. We did a loop around UA and P. It was a very easy warmup but that was only until Luis said “Tempo Run”. As soon as we ended the first loop, we sprinted the second one. Fast. Very very fast. I couldn’t keep up with the two. Win and Luis literally made me eat their dust. I was left behind. I tried my best to keep up. I finished the 1 kilometer loop at around 4:45. Respectable was what Luis and Winlar said. Compared to Win’s sub 4 and Luis’ 4:15, would you call that respectable? I bet they were just being “kind”.

“Napasubo ata ako dito.”

Was what I messaged my girlfriend after I was able to catch my breath. I hope I could keep up with these monsters. On our way back from our warmup, we were greeted with the rest of the runners. As soon as everybody was ready, we made our way out into the streets. We were waiting in front of Rico’s car and it felt like everybody was waiting for something. A prayer perhaps?

“Have mercy on our soles.”

Was what I prayed to myself as a looked up into the sky. I also hoped for some rain. A little rain never hurt and a lot really felt good.

The run started out easy and fun. We made our way to Julia Vargas. We went down the road to make our way to Tiendisitas where we met up with one more runner whose name still evades me like that green mushroom that Mario suddenly crosses path with making him lose track of what he was really doing and then eventually making him stumble and fumble on the level probably losing a life because he was too greedy for trying to catch that elusive hallucinogen.

As soon as we were complete, we started our run back up Julia Vargas. We made a left at Lanuza and then made our way up St. Martin street. It was a long uphill that would put butterflies in the stomachs of even the most experienced runners. I almost hurled when I saw the steep uphill but the aroma of sisig from Aysees helped keep the spaghetti lunch in. One by one we sprinted to the top of St Martin.

“Have mercy on Our Soles.”

Was what I kept on whispering to the departed Saint but our prayers weren’t really answered. The first climb was the hardest. I have passed St. Martin before but always slowed down for the fear that I wouldn’t be able to make it back home. Luis, Winlar, Coach and the others were real monsters going up the hill. It was a long incline and they made it look real easy. What coach made look really easy was going down hill. From his perfect forefoot strike, we would switch to heel strike going down. He made sure his knees were straight so that the impact would be absorbed by his ankles. Sweet and tender grace was what you would notice as coach showed us how easy the technique was. Fumbling fools was what we looked like trying to imitate him.

With 3 climbs up St Martin down the books and we made our way back to Pearl Drive to cap the run off with the famous Liempo from Chiggy’s. I wasn’t able to join the celebration because I had to report to the higher power. Albeit missing the celebration, I was greeted with a pair of donuts from Krispy Kreme and a very much awaited game. Skipping the Liempo celebration was kind of worth it. Thank you my love!

Thank you guys for a very fun Liempo Run. I am still a Liempo run virgin because I wasn’t able to feast at chiggy’s, please don’t hesitate to invite me again!

Running: My Arrogance Got the Best of Me

Posted on by dimsumandsiomai
7

Last week, Monday, I got home pretty early from work. I went down my car as soon as I parked it in from of my house. As soon as I got in my house, I changed into my running clothes. I donned my newly claimed Smart SIM singlet just for kicks. The fit was excellent. The fabric was soft and the singlet felt very airy. I love it. It’s what singlets are supposed to be; light, soft, airy, and easy to move in. Went down to put on my shoes. My NB758′s were sidelined because they were still wet from the previous AAV LSD that I did. I had to settle with my supposed to be retired NB 769′s. I shouldn’t be running much in those kicks anymore. They were stability shoes that I didn’t really need because I was an under pronator.

I set out to do a nice easy 10 kilometer run that night but I ended up stopping at around kilometer 3. The run started out pretty good and like how most easy runs are supposed to, easy. There was a slight breeze that kept me cool. The net like fabric of the SIM singlet not only felt light but felt cool as well. The wind blowing away at my face and at my back made me feel like I was as swift as a gazelle running for dear life because a big grizzly saber tooth lion was right at it tail. I was half way into my first kilometer when I saw other runner going around the village. With that added confidence that I was a swift gazelle, I upped my pace so as not be pawned by the other runners. They were pacing quite fast and I didn’t want them to think I was a slouch that was all show with his SIM singlet and hydration belt and no game. That could very well be that cockiest deed I have ever done in my running career. It was just a casual jog, I had nothing to lose but I still wanted to up my pace. I wasn’t in a race where the fast pace was needed. I just wanted to show off my running speed to those casual joggers.

If I had a Garmin, my guesstimated speed of 5:30 minutes per kilometer would not have been far off from the GPS’s reading. It was a pace way beyond my capabilities but I still tried to maintain it. I ran the pace for about 3 kilometers. I ran the 3 kilometers at a fast pace with the wrong shoes. I landed a lot more on the outside part of my feet which was practically wrong. I was running and landing on the outside part of my feet for 3 kilometers at a fast pace that was really beyond my capacity. I was pushing my legs over their limit. I stopped when as soon as I finished kilometer 3.

The outer sides of my feet felt like they were burning because of all the impact they absorbed. Feet aren’t built to land on their sides. My shins felt like they were going to snap. I had to stop. I had to rest.

Ever since Monday, I haven’t been able to run properly. I attempted to run the next day but stopped after 2 kilometers. I attempted to run again on Wednesday but my shin splints were still there. I rested Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I ran yesterday with a slight hint of pain on my shins. The pain was still there but it wasn’t as bad as the previous runs. My legs are getting better but they are still injured. I ran this morning but the pain was still there.

I need to rest. I need to ice my shins. Maybe taping them will help? Any tips? I must get back in to training if I want to finish good in Smart SIM.