QCIM Plan A to B to C…then back to A

The QCIM is supposed to be my third half marathon. I got everything set for the NB 21K, aiming for a 2:15 PR and then Ondoy came…..

There were so many Ondoy and Pepeng stories to share (running and non-running stuff) yet I wasn’t able to blog (I wrote but didn’t get to post any)…..After the typhoon, my running training plan got all wiped out. (No, I wasn’t affected at all.) The rescue & relief operations activities coupled with deadlines for a community project plus regular work stuff demand ate up so much time including my regular sleeping time. Excuses! Excuses! Excuses!

And so, a week before the QCIM, like a student about to take her finals, I started to cram. (Jobaqs who is running his first full marathon joined me) Plan A- This will be a come back run for me, no PR, just a fun half mary with no injury to shake my lazy self and bring me back to my running world.

On Sunday morning at 430am, entering the starting line just felt so ecstatic, seeing & feeling the race mood again. Jobaqs, Kuya Raoul and John Q are already off to run their first marathon (too bad I missed their take off). I met with Mark at the starting line whose excitement for his first half mary is just so contagious. Said a short prayer for an injury free run for me & the other runners (esp for the 3 marathoners), then we’re off.

With Plan A in mind, i started slow…After Kilometer 1, it changed to Plan B- beating my 2:27 record for my first 21K-Plan B now!…then at Kilometer 3, I met and had a brief chat with Doray (who wouldn’t miss her red shirt?) who’s finishing at 2:15 & hmmmm I am pacing with the 2:15 pacers. Might as well do it! -Plan C it is!

Until kilometer 16, I was running behind the female 2:15 pacer and ahead of the 2nd pacer. Plan C was working just fine! But before reaching Philcoa, they overtook me already. At that time, my pace was already down to 7:32 and my feet felt like I was wearing a shoes two-size smaller. (What could possibly be wrong?). I still feel strong though, no cramps and legs were fine. I feel like removing my shoes (it really feels soooo hot, like I was walking on burning coal). I still tried to continue. At that point, I was already running with RunningDiva (pacer for 2:30). Fine, I will pace with them. So, I am now with Plan B. At some point, before reaching the turnaround point between SM North & Trinoma, the pacers were all ahead of me. I tried to catch up with them and maintained a 7:03 pace until….uh, oh OMG! we are still turning right at Trinoma. My feet already shouting, “I wanna get out of this shoes!” My mind all of sudden got in a state of shock (no, not really)….I walked for a few seconds. Fine, change of route, I’ll do it!

Exactly from that point onwards, my pace went down to 8:30, to 9:00 then 9:14….I knew I can still finish stronger than my first. But my mind tells me not to, my feet couldn’t breathe anymore, my body says that I’m still good. 2 vs 1. No, back to plan C! I ran, walk, ran, walk…and finished at 2:33 (2:34 official—har har har….I paused longer before I stepped on the mat at the finish line). —- I thought it was Fashion Week already and that was the red carpet.

My take home for this race:

• Sleep is so important (& why am I blogging at this time – blame it on the coffee I had for dinner, promise this is the last time) —– I had two weeks of no sleep since Ondoy
• Be consistent and stick to your training plans….whatever it takes…(no more excuse slips!)
• Stick to your plan during the race—– I had plan A, went to Plan B and got excited with Plan C….and ended again with Plan A. I should have just maintained a pace
• I probably need to research on why my feet felt that way 16th K onwards. Could it be the shoes? Argggghhh I checked on my Newtons and the lugs on the forefoot are almost flat. Weird huh! I’ll find out why.
• I might need to buy a new running shoes…..

It was a good, good race…and definitely an experience I’m glad I didn’t miss.

And I got a finishers medal!!!! Thanks be to God!

21K Finishers-Who wouldn't love joining the race with Bessie?

Classmate Jobaqs-Cramming 101!Congrats on your first Marathon!

Class Picture-the Finishers of QCIM 101 with Mr. Congeniality-Kuya Raoul

Running with the Kenyan Runners- why not?

Finally had the chance to meet Team Logan and had some chats.

Glad that I was injury free, still had the energy to go home to my hometown in Baras and distribute school supplies plus slippers to some 600 affected kids.

P.S. Other than a finishers medal, I got one souvenir to last a lifetime-Half of my left toenails finally said Goodbye! And I have to keep stock of dark polish from now on…

Running Empty and a Perfect Recharge

Thursday was reserved for a long run before Sunday’s NB 21K race.  Was glad that Jobaqs’ sched was free so I got company.

Started the day relaxed, drooling on my sisters’ good finds from her Guam trip.  Bags, Shoes, Watch…ohhh, so great a morning.  Just one meeting in the afternoon and I’m off to run.  After checking emails and several phone calls, all of a sudden, my destiny changed (yup, exag!).  I had to run to three meetings in 3 different places, ending in Makati without a car.  Thanks to my sis, I got to use her car for my Makati trip.  So from 12 noon, I went off running from one meeting to another, with my run at night in mind.  i said ‘no thanks, i’m good’  to all the food offered during my meetings (hoping it ends soon) but said yes to a sip of expensive wine.

Ending my last meeting at 5:30, I was expecting to arrive on time….and I was so so wrong! vehicular accidents, unexpected traffic, etc, me adjusting driving a sedan, etc, etc…whew! arrived at Ultra at past 8.  jobaqs is almost done…hayyy.  So I tried to join him in his cool down for 30minutes continuous running.

Great! I was maintaining a pace of 5:54-6:00 still.  At 2km, I realized, I got no water .  My last sip of water was about 4 hours ago and of liquid was a glass of wine at 5pm.  My last food intake was at lunch, Chinese food at the office.  My last relaxed mode was at 11am.

After 2km, I just had to stop. I know I can still push myself, but I know have to stop or else…………….

Got a perfect excuse, my friend Benette is already waiting for me at the resto to discuss some artworks for our project, then I packed!

Apparently, the night was planned for a surprise get-together pahabol dinner for me by my friends from our project.  Benette and Jobaqs were the perpetrators.  Congratulations guys! This is the first time I didn’t mess up plans for a surprise for me.  It was a good dinner, a bit of project brainstorming and good laughs…and the mere presence of bros and sis from the community was enough to put me back to relax mode.  Ended at 12 midnight.

It has been a busy birthday week for me, trying to juggle work demands, demands of a project and parties/dinner invitations for me, and my run schedule.  And it almost caused me to be totally empty of what I really needed, what I need to run better (for real and for reel):

• A good and healthy and on time food intake
• Proper mood for training – trying to squeeze it in, it has became a task to accomplish
• Proper hydration

Good thing that moments like last night happened, enough to remind me of these things.  As I ended the day yesterday, I realized I didn’t even get to change my shirt (next time pls warn me of any surprises so I can retouch and I don’t smell)….and moreso, I realized I need to reflect on the words I heard during the mass on my bday

flashback…Hope, Pray and Don’t Worry.

And this will be my theme for this Sunday’s New Balance Run.  Its my second 21K race after Globe’s Run for Home.  And I will….

Hope – for a better PR

Pray – that I finish injury free

Worry Not – just run!

And lastly, I have two days left to ensure that I wont run empty.

My disappointed GF305

I got my GF 305 about 3 weeks ago…which means I should have logged at least 75 k run (with an average weekly target of 25K )….As soon as I got it, blogged that this would make me run better.

For so, so many reasons, I have 10k total run logged in my garmin.

Sept 5 – Total of 5K at an average of 6:22/k pace

Sept 16-Total of 4.77K at an average of 6:59/k pace.

Not that I didn’t run, I did (probably about 60% of my weekly target) but I just seem to forget I have one. And that includes my race last Sunday where I finished at 59 min (My sub 60 goal for 2009-checked! way to go sub 50)

I can hear my GF 305 shout to me: dude, I’m meant for longer distance…use me please!!! (my two-5k logged in a span of 3 weeks is definitely an insult to its existence and its many functionalities)

So to my GF305-be patient with me okay…will hit the road later, yes, in a while, then this Sunday….and consistently the coming days.

CONSISTENCY – that would be my goal for the coming weeks. And my prayer for the coming weeks would include God’s protection of my running schedule.

P.S.

I’ve changed a bit though. During my first weeks into running, I would always be conscious on how my tops and shorts, shoes and socks are matched. And would end up going home if I’ve packed the wrong tops with the wrong shorts. Last night, I found out that all my four tops in the car doesnt match my lone pair of shorts in my running gear box. Yet I did run, with a brown shorts, purple cotton tops, blue razor, no pony tails and yellow shoes. Big trade off for me, see, I’m really getting serious with my running.

Though, it probably contributed to my poor pace of 6:59. Conscious of my so unmatched attire. I could imagine Niki, my sister’s assistant designer raising his eyebrows on me.

Sleepless in the Rain at Eco-dash

Looking at the race calendar, September is indeed a busy month for Running. And like the race calendar, this would probably be the busiest month for me. Work has been blessed with new accounts and its the production month for a project I am part of, a commemorative coffee table book.

Also, I registered for 21K in NB and I am aiming for a 2:15 PR (from a 2:27 in Run For Home-my first 21K). So, how do I fit in training scheds and all the demands of my other activities.

Somethings got to give? And its not running, its not work, its not the project. I have to give up my perception. Yes, I am not a superwoman. “I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me”

I decided to run at eco-dash 10K and rota-run again for 10K, set PR during this runs and run an extra 5k after each race. This will force me to train and squeeze in runs in my busy scheds.

For the last few days though, I’ve been going to bed at 2am, including Saturday night. It was unplanned but course of events required us to work till about 3am. I decided not to run and just show up to bessie (he registered for me and I promised to run with him).

After exactly an hour of sleep, I was up and rushing. At 515 am, I arrived at the parking and met up Bessie. I was in an uber slow motion mode, still yawning. Yet when I got inside the coral, all the laziness in my body disappeared.

I was planning to run slower than my pace. After the first 250m though, everything was back to my original plan. I was running at a consistent pace of 6 with no walk breaks. I tried to hydrate myself in each water station (i wonder if its still water or its the rain in those cups or a mixture of both). Approaching the Kalayaan flyover, I was so glad to see that I can still see the starting point of the faster runners. (of course, the podium finishers are probably changing and refreshing themselves already at the finish line).

I checked in at 59….a new PR. (My last personal best time was 1:04.) The rain and my lack of sleep combined works! *

*Rain kept me cool and spared me from additional energy loss from the sun’s heat. The lack of sleep made me run faster so I can go back to bed.

I thank God for the strength! Indeed, he is making me a superwoman.

At the last 100m, I said a short prayer. Lord, I offer this run for our project…Still a work in progress, but I Know God would put this into completion.

Now, this will make me run the race better!

Its my birthday month. I already have in mind a long wish list for my sisters and friends(a birthday wish list wish extends as christmas wish list at times, but that’s fine)

So when the ‘ber’ month started, I planned to start reciting my wishes to my sisters. However, on that same day, Bald Runner posted a blog on GF 305 and that he has 8pcs for sale…Hmmm, is it a sign?

I have been contemplating on getting one. And my friend, Dar has been prodding me with wall post and PM in facebook to get one since he just ordered one. I thought, there’s 8 units available so I can probably decide by the end of the week. Then Dar posted a comment on my status in FB status which says “i’m happy” -” you’ll be happier with a GF305″. Fine!Fine! Fine! I’ll text BR and reserve one. Lo and behold! I got the last unit. So, to the 9th person to reserve, I’m so sorry Its really meant for me. Thanks Dar! Thanks Bald Runner!

So, I got it today. (Thanks BR, it was even delivered to my office. Wow!)

I am so tempted to toy with it as soon as I got back to the office, I had to stop myself as I have tons of to do’s on my desk still. As of now, I am charging it. Tomorrow will be the learning session. Sunday will be its debut with me on the road.

Upon seeing it, my sister said,” Wow, you’re an addict” I just said and tried my luck. Yeah, I really need it. Can I reimburse this as my bday gift? hehehe…

Yes, I would need it for the ff:

• LSDs-We normally would run longer during weekends. At times, Jobaqs would measure before the run thru google our planned distance but when we get lost, there goes the measurement. Going thru google again to check is a bit burdensome. At times after running a new route, I try to drive along same route just to measure how far we’ve run. See! This would help me save on gas and help save mother earth as well (OA na!).
• This would monitor my heart rate-Hmmm haven’t thought about this. Let’s see and explore. So far my health is A+. But I would need it and its better if I am able to measure, right?
• It would let me compete against my previous workouts: I can compare my pace and heart rate to past performance over the same run
• Each workout is stored in memory so I can review and analyze the data and see how I’ve improved over time

Bottomline, this would really help me improve on my runs. I hope so! Will see and share it soon.

Now, here is the next item I bought for myself this September:

Its actually not a wish list. Its in my needs list. My bible is already all torn out. I got it a decade ago, imagine that! And second, I left it in Baras. So for the longest time, I have been sharing bible with Mimi (I did ask permission, right?) or using the old red bible at home. This is the same version as my old one but I like the color coding on the sides. See, its so nice and new and fresh and yada yada yada….I guess there’s no need to justify this purchase anyway, this explains it all:

2 Timothy 3:16-17

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.” -

With these two gifts I got for myself, I know, I am equipped to “Run the Good Race” , Run it Better and Strive to be Better. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

P.s. Sisters, Bestees, Friends-I still got a long wish list….I can make a gift registry at Runnr. har.har.har

Seriously, your prayers would be the best gift for me! PM for specific intentions.

Smash & Run-finally a race with Bestees & Bessie

Since day one of my running addiction, i have been convincing my bestees* to join in my runs. At first it was for my personal motives (i need buddies to run with), then, it was purified (naks!). 1) running has made me lose weight (yes, i have excess fats also!); 2)its a good stress reliever after a long day working; 3) fitness is important especially when you are more than x decades already…i could come up with a long list, but this post might be too long already.

after xx months, finally, they are starting to feel the addiction that i have…they even run without me on weekends and registered in race without me convincing them to. welcome to the world of running bestees!

Smash & Run in Greenhills….

Donna registered us for the Smash & Run (she works at Sun Cell) last Sunday. I initially planned to join the Dean’s Cup but since this is a new route and its nearer to my place less the hassle of registration, why not?

The race was a good one. I enjoyed running the route I used to drive to everyday. There were enough marshalls and water stations. (no sports drinks though, good thing I took sports beans before gun start). There were a few loots to take home, not so much inside but the yellow bag was nice to pose with (obviously shown in our pics).

I reached the finish line for 10K at 1:04. I was hoping to finally hit a sub 60 but it didn’t happen. Anyway this is still my personal best time for 10K, 7minutes better than my the UP PTAA. I got to train more for a sub one hour next time.

Overall, it was a good run to meet my weekly milleage and to test if I’ve improved. I guess I did!

after the run...my new fave-nike tops and adidas compression tights

Bestee Anne (minus Rhea)

Mark "Bessie" ** and Me - the 10k runners & upcoming Sun image models

3kers- Bestees Donna and Anne with Eggie (Anne's Bro) and GF Pau

*Bestees-stands for best friends. Its so high school, yes! we actually have some good reasons for using the term but that might get us into trouble posting it here.

**Bessie-Bessie is Anne’s officemate and a good friend of my designer friends Yako, Jona and Veejay. He has a story behind the name Bessie but its for him to share in his blog. hehehe…Its really a fun run, running with him!

Yes, I will half mary! And I did!

I coordinated our registration for Globe’s Run For Home last July 18. Michi, Jobaqs and Jopeng are all running half marathon.

That means, I’ll be by myself at the starting line for 10K. It took me weeks to decide if I will take the challenge to run a half mary or run 10K. I was praying someone else will join who can pace with me.  Lo and behold! Jopeng texted that Kuya Raoul was joining.   I took it as a confirmation and registered for my first 21K.

I planned to pace with Kuya Raoul. (it didn’t happen though, we didn’t see each other at the starting line so I ran by myself and I saw him a couple of xx minutes after me at the finish line)

My goal was to finish at less than 3 hours, at least 2:45. And I did! My firs 21K was done at 2:27. (2:30 official time) Not bad for a first time, they say. My competitive self says, yes, but I’ll aim for sub 2 next time. (okay, sub 2:15, that’s more realistic).

Kuya Raoul at the Finish Line

excess notes:

I had one day (my first day of training) of training with the Team Bald Runner before the race. Coach Titus asked me to run 5×400 with 2 minutes rest in between. I think I averaged 4:30(?). With my time, they gave me a moral booster that I could finish. They advised me to run at my pace. Probably finish at 1:18, the first 10K and run faster at the last 11K.

Gerald (or Elmer-i’m poor with names and they look alike,they’re brothers) told me to try bringing a gel or beans with me and take it at least 15 minutes after since I shared with them I get hungry at around 8k.

During the run, I reached 5 K at 28 min. I guess I was running faster than my pace for the first 3K (I was one of the last to check-in at the starting line so I had to run fast to catch up). I took the beans before 5K.  (Hmmm, I’m almost at 10k and I’m not feeling hungry, no cramps, no side stitches. I guess the beans did it!)

My goal is to finish so I slowed down and reach 10k at 1:07. I started to slow down at the Buendia flyover where the runners of 10K are making a u-turn. I saw Dodgie (doing his first 10K), and then Bert appeared (doing 10k also). He paced with me at the flyover. Answered prayers! If not for him, I probably walked the flyover all the way down. I let him go ahead going down as I don’t want to lose my energy, I still have 8K to go.

Going towards Lawton Ave, the 5k runners are just so many and there are so many walkers as well, I started to feel like walking.  At around 15k, one male runner was walking also and chatted with me. “Hey, we only have 6k to go. Its 3k going towards Bayani Road then going back.” So, we started to run again and paced with him. Thanks for the small chats. It encouraged me to push further.

I saw Jopeng and Michi already on their way back…konti na lang daw (woooh but it was hilly!)

Seeing the last turning point, I couldn’t help but pray in thanksgiving. Now, this is really konti na lang, as in!

On the last water station, I grabbed one cup. I was planning to run all the way and run it faster at that time, but was surprised its a carbonated sports drink. I felt a little ill, felt like throwing up. Good thing, I was able to control it and psyched myself to forget it. At the last turn, I couldn’t believe it. I am going to finish and its sub 1:30 still in my watch. And I did! I really did! I really did! Yey! Yey!

(BTW, this post is a month and half late)

Naku, I remember, every 5K, I offered one prayer of things I would start doing more…(more time in prayers, in scriptures, in service)….have I been faithful after a month or so? Posting this in a blog reminds me again. I have finished my first 21k race but I am still running the race set before me, and I will persevere.

My New Baby

I love my running shoes. It’s a Christmas gift from my sister last year. At that time, my request was for her to get me something that’s either a light yellow or blue so I can easily match with whatever I am wearing for my runs.

Adidas Alexia

A few months of running, I realized color doesn’t matter.  Running shoes is a more than color and style, as in more than that!

Three weeks before my first 21K I’ve decided to get myself a new running shoes. So I went to The Fort with Niki and Mimi. They went to VMV for facial, I went to Runnr. After a series of gait analysis and footprint scan and after trying on all the shoes that matches my foot type and my shoe size….I bought this one, just in time for coffee with Niki to cap his birthday R&R.  Imagine, we spent the same time for facial and shoe analysis!

Newton Women's Performance Stability Trainers-Motion

I have to agree with some of Bald Runner’s review on the shoes. But he posted it a few days after my purchase (hayy). As BR Shared, I felt the same way too.  At some point though on the 16th kilometer of my first half marathon, I felt tightness on my calves. (it could be the shoes or could be my lack of preparation for such).

After a week or so though, I feel I have adjusted already with the shoes.

I just got disappointed last week when I was washing it seeing a few stitches on the sides already giving up. Its just on the aesthetics part of the shoes, but something priced as such should have been subjected to really good quality control. Jinoe’s review at Takbo.ph. mentioned about the poor workmanship of his Newtons

Newtons shoes are available at Runnr Store, Bldg B3 Bonifacio High Street, Taguig. Visit their website at www.runnr.com.ph. If you are not buying Newtons, go visit them. I love going there and buying running gears, the staff are really nice and friendly. (Julius and hmmm forgot his name-the one wearing glasses).

Training with the Team Bald Runner

Other than LSD and race on weekends, the recommended training for me includes speed training, intervals, tempo, yasso…etc. etc.….I have been downloading several training plans but never really followed them (for a week or two maybe).

I knew I have to be with a group who really knows this craft. Google has been helpful defining each new running term for me but I guess I am just so lazy to process each one, the more I read, the more confused I get.

Months back, Bald Runner recommended I go and see Coach Titus for their trainings at ULTRA. He was in the US then and was chatting with him thru Facebook. But schedules never cleared for me on Tuesdays so it was not until the Tuesday, July 14 before my first 21K that I got started. From then on, Tuesdays have been sacred for me for my drills at Ultra with Team Bald Runner. (Errr I’ve missed some, probably about twice already).

Other than getting the right training, doing it right and doing it with a group, I also learn something new about running every meeting from Coach Titus and other members of Team Bald Runner.

I have to confess, I still am not strictly following the drills I have to follow on non-training days at Ultra. But hey, from my last 10K last mid June 2009, I already cut down seven minutes from my finish time. I’m aiming for a better PR for a 21K in September, so note to self: TRAIN!

Running Buddies for LSDs-unofficially the JRC of Lingkod

During the UP PTAA Run, we all thought of aiming for a full marathon by 2010. Yes, that will be months from now. But that means we have to start increasing our weekly mileage and regularizing our trainings.

So with Jobaqs as our ‘unofficial’ president, we tried to run as many LSDs together. We invited other brothers and sisters from our community, Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon to join us.

Who wouldn’t love running with the group?

• Jobaqs prepares a route, for beginners and for advanced. And we always start each LSD with a brief prayer and stretching.

Jobaqs - briefing us on the race route, stretching and leading the prayers before we start. What else can we ask for? Jobaqs for president!

• Jobaqs, Jopeng and Michi are all faster runners than me, yet, they adjust their pace for me. With that, I am forced to stretch myself in each run so as not to bore them at the corners when they have to wait for me.

Michi and Jopeng waiting for everyone at the turns

• When some newbies join us, one of the brothers takes turn to run with them and ensure their safety. So if you are new to running, no worries!  Join us!  Yes, even if you are not with Lingkod, you are most welcome.

• There is a fellowship to look forward to after each run, over shake at UP Shopping Center, Mcdo or Rodics, Bos coffee, Pancake house, etc.

The best LSD I would say was our run in Antipolo. All my running buddies will be at a retreat for that weekend. So I joined the retreat to be able to join the run in Antipolo.

God surprised me that weekend! I went home so blessed, recharged and renewed (with a bonus from God, opportunity to run at the hills of Antipolo with my brothers and sisters).  The Lord used my addiction to running to bless me in this retreat.