I really don't know what title should I give to this post. XD but it has something to do with running.

Christmas

• Christmas is over. So there. Kinda boring for me. I hope everybody else enjoyed this day. Is it just me or somebody out there is also thinking that the days before Christmas are more exiting than the actual event? I'm really not sure.

Running

• Oh, I ran 8 km last Christmas. It was so cold! I am enjoying my run. If it's not because of the blister that is starting to get painful, I could've run more the 8k that day. Maybe someone up there punished me and said, "dude, cmon! it's my son's birthday! Are you serious? running? today? you don't have any other plans? something much cooler than running? Don't you have a life? Go to church you crazy ass!" 
• I've already signed up for 2 running events for 2010. I think it's a good way to stay focused. In my quest to go for a sub 50 10k run, I signed up for a 21k run on febuary. Now, I've been running longer than the usual and I'm planning to go back with the drills on January 2010.
  
  
• It's confirmed. I'm hooked with running. After getting my self a Nike Triax C3 w/HRM, I bought a New Balance hydration belt. I was originally planning to buy a Nathan HB but Runnr ran out of stock. I checked Planet Sports though and they still have a stock in Greenhills. But why will I go to Greenhills on a holiday season?
  
  So, I got my NBHB in NB Shang. It's cheaper by the way! 1500++, 4 170 ml flask. I already tested it and I find it comfortable to use. I think I got everything I need for running long distances so far. Hopefully, I will not want to get a running tights yet. Great Haile is not using tights anyway.
  
  
• I've shop for new trainings already. I'll try to apply them in January when my schedule is better.
  
  
• I got a copy of Runner's World January 2010. Thanks Mark!

Cross Training

• After several months, I was able to visit my trainer in Muay Thai in Las Pinas. After all the runs that I participated, I'm quite curious if I still have my form and endurance during the punch-mitts exercises. Kuya Joel is a beast! I told him to go easy on me since I didn't have regular training. Guess what, he gave me the same old stuff. Results? I was able to carry on. I think running has contributed to my endurance. After 3 minutes, my gasp for air is just similar when I try to sprint for 200m in the track. I also felt that my legs are not buckling down. He said that my form is still there, but my kicks were kinda different than before. No, it didn't become stronger unfortunately, it was slower. I think I should at least have 1 session every week by next year or 1 every 2 weeks depending on my schedule.

I miss badminton...

-Sid

It's almost 2010

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all!

It was a great year! Although there are many challenges, I am thankful to the Lord that I was able to carry on! Woohoo! Thanks to you!

2010 will be my year. Yeah baby! I'm positive! no doubt! This is what the Law of Attraction has taught me. Positive thinking. Circumstances are sometimes uncontrollable but you can manage it. Just be positive.

For next year, I've already signed up for 2 marathons, a 10k in January and a 21k on February. I still have no  plans yet if I'll be joining any muay thai tournament or badminton but for sure, I will be including these sports to my regimen.

Merry Christmas!

Philstar Christmas Celebrity Run 2009

I just got back from the Philstar Christmas Celebrity Run 2009 held at Bonifacio High Street grounds.


Christmas is just around the corner. On the way there, I had a hard time getting a cab because a lot of people partied last night and they're just going home by 5 am. I left my place at 4:45 am and it took me 45 minutes more to get a cab. Crap.


On the way there, I thought it's gonna be a smooth travel but them MMDAs are creating a foot-bridge in C5 along Kalayaan Ave which created a bottle neck for the vehicles. Sh*t, I'm almost late. By the time I arrived in the venue, the 21k runners are already waiting for the gun start.


There are a lot of runners. It's gonna be a busy race. I never had a chance to warm up but I made sure that I still did my stretching. I tag along with Mark and Marvie.


This is my final 5k race. I was planning to beat my 5k PR for the last time but that plan never happened because I wasn't able to position myself somewhere near the front area. So I said to my self, I'm so pogi it hurts! lol~ I'll just run and see what happens.


It looks like a pretty organized race at the start. There's an Emcee and she's a DJ from Wave 89.1. I forgot her name but I believe that she hosted the New Balance last time. So the countdown began and everyone was getting ready. I think everyone is excited. No doubt.


Experience.


I feel good whenever I pass a lot of runners because I can see my improvement. Whenever I see someone walking, I can't help but reminisce my first time of running a 5k. Silently, I was saying to them that they can do it if they will not stop or give up. Now I'm in a level where I can afford to not walk and push strongly. I can see how I level up in this sport. I was thanking God for giving me a strong heart and determination. I can see that my uphill running outside Ultra (St. Martin and St Paul) are paying off. Since Mckinley doesn't have a very steep hill, I was able to attack it without any problem. Then I can easily recover during the downhill.


Every new run, there's a new experience and it leads to more learning. I should not stop from learning, and so do you! As I move one feet at a time, I am trying to think what should I try to improve next time. This is something that makes me look forward to my next running experience. Should I do more hill? Should I do more endurance? These questions I ask myself.


Issue?


As I pass the 3km mark, I noticed that there's a group of runners who stopped and I don't know if they're complaining about something. I heard 1 guy who said, "sa MOA na lang tayo tumakbo next time, walang kwenta to!" Hmm, I think there was a confusion with the 3k route and 5k. I think what was wrong here is they're giving the arm band in the water station several hundred meters away before the U-turn slot for the 5 k runners. So it seems like other people went back earlier. Technically, they really didn't finish the 5k route. So it seems that there's a disorganization of things.


So you know, this is really what make things wrong. Who do the organizers care about? Is it the runners? Or their sponsors? As a runner, when I run, I want a safe road with sufficient, alert ushers to guide you. I want to make sure that I'm running the right course and I can know how long have I run so far. I want sufficient water stations where I can rehydrate. I didn't join for the freebies and give aways. Runner's safety should be the top priority. So there.


To wrap things up, there's a lot of things I want to be thankful. I am looking forward for a stronger and longer run next year. I hope that all learned from their personal experiences. I hope that every organizers learned from their experiences and make more exciting and more enjoyable and safer runs next year.


Merry Christmas and a Happy New year to all!


(I just registered for PSE Bull Run. I'll be starting the year with a 10k run. :) )


-Sid

Know what you're trying to accomplish. Go in with a purpose.

What an inspiring message. I got this while watching the instructional disc that comes along with my new Nike Triax C3.

Yeah, I think this is already an old model. The acknowledgement in the video still acknowledges Macromedia (my former team) which is already bought by Adobe (my newer-former company). The video dates back to 2004!

Why did I bought an old model anyway? It comes with a Chronograph, a digital time a HRM and a Big Discount. 'nuf said.

So before getting the chance to watch the video, I already used the watch and the HRM to test it. Boy I was so excited to run wearing a HRM. Before, I really don't get it why people uses HRM. Then as I started running, I eventually learned its purpose. So there you go, I'm a HRM user now. Wisdom comes after a new experience.

Going back to the topic, let me break it down to you according to what I've learned in the video.

1. At First, just see what numbers you get. Because maybe your numbers really are specific to you.


When I first tested my HRM in the treadmill several days ago, and since this is the first time that I am using a heart rate monitor, I am curious with my numbers. I'm curious about my heartbeat when I'm running at a speed of 7,8,9,10,10.5,11 and12 then inclines. What's cool about that is the treadmill detects that I'm wearing a HRM and it flashes my BPM (beat per minute). Cool (while drooling at the treadmill's monitor). So I realize what numbers I get when I hit a specific pace. (Running is becoming interesting with these gadgets huh?).

Having a monitor gives you a different angle of view with your training. Before, when I'm running on a theadmill, I only focus on the distance that I accomplished for a certain period of time and then try to beat that next time. Then it gets boring after sometime. So that's when #2 hit me.

2. Know what you're trying to accomplish. Go in with a purpose.


What am I trying to accomplish again? Why am I running? What's my original goal? Why should I train hard?


These are the questions that I come up with after watching the video. Like Badminton and Muay Thai, I think running is also my sport because...


1. It helps me build endurance that will be beneficial to the other sports that I play.
2. It will help me lose weight.
3. It will make me healthy as long a I don't run to stress my self. I remember that I'm running to feel good, not to get stressed.
4. I want to train hard because I don't want to be branded as a casual runner. Like I want to be on top of the Fad Pyramid of running. (Ego? lol~)
5. I want to become a strong runner and eventually finish a full marathon under 4 hours. (woohoo! goal setting).


So there. I know that I have other reasons but I think that this are the important one.


Purpose.


I contemplated about this word. Did I ever ran for a personal purpose. Like why am I running uphill when I can choose to ran on an even road. Purpose, I want to build my endurance and it will help me make my strides stronger. Same goes with the other exercises and drills that I'm doing. One of my simple achievement is I am not talking a walk anymore when I reach the uphill part of Julia Vargas coming from Lanuza drive. Before, I hate it when I reach this area during my jogs. It fucking hurts in the legs! But now, it's easy. I even targeted to run an additional uphill in St Pauli in the duration of the run. I think some of the efforts that I'm doing is paying off. Those stair climbs that I curses sometimes when I was in Ultra paid off. Same with the drills that I'm doing alone in the track. They all paid off really nice.


This is just the beginning. I'm yet in the 3rd week of my program. Still a long way to run. I'm kinda wondering who will I become after I finished my training. That day will come not too long from now.


As I go along the way, just like in a RPG, I'm slowly gaining experience. I'm leveling up. I'm getting stronger. It's a game. I love games. I take games seriously. For me, running is one of the games I am playing in my life. Therefore, I take running seriously.


Just the other night, I felt good after finishing 6.5 km of jogging. What's good about the run is that I'm still ok after the round. Had 2 hills, the dreaded St Martin and then St Paul. I was able to sprint for 15 seconds then rest for 30 sec. I was shouting "aerobic endurance!" while sprinting up. (Good thing that there's no too many people around at 5 in the morning. :) )


See, I don't even know if this post has an essence again. Hahaha. I can't always focus on the main topic! Fuck me. I want to share a lot of things, sometimes I find it hard what to share next.


At least I shared my purpose. :) Later I'll do 10 x 400m again. I want to know if I can beat my 47 secs in the track. :) I will include a purpose this time and that it to train my mind to do quality runs when I'm already tired. :)


Good morning.


-Sid

Getting stronger

A wise friend said to me once. "In order to be strong, you need to get strong NOT to look strong."

I think he's right. In the world of running, I realize that there are no shortcuts. It's the same with the other sports. It's not a video game. There's no cheat. You have to train hard, give your heart, be intelligent, and always get inspired.

In my opinion, these are some important factors in becoming a successful athlete. Whoa! I'm talking BIG! Athlete level. Good luck for me. Lol~ But why not. We all know the Adidas tag line, "impossible is nothing." Yeah it may be hard, but not impossible.Why should we dream of reaching the sky when we can dream of reaching the stars? You know what I'm saying? I'm already 27 years old and It's already hard for me to compete with the younger people out there. Also there are those guys who've already reached the pinnacle of running. But I think it's not bad to do you best. I mean, yeah running can be consider as a fad today just like badminton several years ago, but if you acquired that "heart" that other excellent runners have, then why not compete and do your best? I am always competitive. I don't want to belong to the median who just consider running as a hobby, or some other casual reasons. I want to take it seriously. Bring it to the next level. Let me see how far can I take myself.

Just earlier, I'm in the gym doing some strength training for my legs. Sometimes, I'm telling my self that I'm crazy because I'm pushing myself so hard, like I'm coaching myself. I know it's fun to train with a group. But when a group is not available and you're all by yourself, isn't it good to be able to push yourself too? Look what I did earlier then you decide. For me, I think it's not enough because I'm still conscious of the time.

1. 30 mins I jog barefooted in the thread mill and used an incline of 2-4%, I did this because I want to make my feet stronger and to prevent injuries. I remember the days when I run barefooted in muay thai but that's another strory.
2. Jump ropes barefooted 3 sets of 3 mins. 1 minute break in between.
3. Bulgarian leg exercise. I forgot the real term but it's like doing squats with one leg at a time then your other leg is resting behind a chair.I guess runners out there get what I'm describing. I did a variation of this my holding different weights. Thanks to Orly for suggesting me to twist my body while  holding the dumbell.
4. Lunges lunges lunges.
5. Step up. Like this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS-yX_cy7Tc. but holding 20 pounds for hand.
6. Core workout. See Ridgeline fitness in you tube.
7. Dips.
8. Squat to dumbell shoulder press.
9. Ab workout.

So these is all that I have squeezed in 2 hours and I think it's not enough. But as I have said earlier, I need to be intelligent as well to not over train since I just ran 9.2 km yesterday. I might get a hard time sleeping and I don't want my shift tonight to suffer. 

I'll still check my personal workout to see how long should I run tomorrow. I might do some hills because I'm starting to consider my VO2 max. See! I'm learning some running jargons. :) For now I have to rest and keep my self inspired. Someday, I want to see how I progress in running by the help of this blog. We'll see how it'll all go. So help me God. :)

-Sid

Week02Day02,04 & Ateneo Big Blue 150 Run

Just got home from a 5km run in Ateneo. I was glad that I made it to the top 150 although I'm not really satisfied with my run. I wasn't able to go for a sub 25 but I finished at 26 mins again. Congratulation to the organizers of the race!

I got a good form at the start of the run but my fault is not drinking water in the 2nd water station. I didn't realize that climbing up the flyover twice will dry up my throat, and as a result, I slowed down for a bit to the point that I walked for about 20 seconds. It's adrenaline that pushed me to finish the race because I don't want too many runners to get ahead of me. In the end, I was still able to finish th 5km race without any injury.

The stair running that I'm doing in ultra helped. I notice that my stride becomes longer (for a bit) and my legs are more stable. I guess I just need to learn how to strategically drink next time. I was able to complete my running schedule for tuesday and thursday but I still lacked some kilometers for yesterday and today. Tomorrow, instead of having a restday, I will need to run for 26 laps again in ultra just like the last time. It's holiday season so I can't avoid to attend some gatherings and offset my training.

What I realized is aside from doing stair running in Ultra's bleachers, I will need to go out somewhere in St. Paul pasig and run the hills there over and over. I will have to force my self to love running in hills. I also saw a good spot for hill running near green meadows, I think I can run there if I need to do long runs. But I will have to buy a hydration belt this time because I think it's more comfortable to run with the belt versus holding the bottle in my hand.

Since I run in the evening, I think I need to look for my dri fit jacket because I don't feel comfortable running when cold. I feel like my body is not sweating at all. Thus, I can't exert more speed. I tried wearing my sauna suit but the feeling is different since it traps the swear and makes my hand wet.

I still have 1 5km run left for this year. And I still have 2 weeks to get stronger and faster for that last race. I hope that I will be able to get a sub 25 for the last run. Hopefully I will be able to do it.