recovery and Century Tuna Superbods 2010

This is by far, the biggest running event of the year. No doubt. Kudos to Coach Rio for doing his best to make this event successful. It's nice to meet the other Takbo.ph members and sir Mike (ms Julie's fiance). Everything seems to be fine about the race except for the early gun start and some half wit race marshalls who doesn't know how to give proper directions to the runners. I'll give this a 7/10.

Before the start of the race, I was hanging around with Timmy, Ms Carina, Ms Noelle, Ms Z, and Ms Julie with her fiance sir Mike and their choreographer. The gun start was too early for the 21km run so we thought that it's just a test. Then when we heard the second gun, we thought that it's just the 21k who's starting as we see it in the huge LCD screen. Too much of our surprise, it's already the 10k and the 21k did start on the first gun fire. So we tried to squeeze our way to the front to get out of the 5km horde. When we we're able to get out, we're already at the tail of the 10km dragon. I was able to run along with Noelle up to the 2nd km only. I slowly drifted away because this lady is one speedster. I tried to concentrate so hard with my run that I am not looking to the person in front of me. I thought that this will just make me more tired. So I raise my head up for a bit and I realize that it's a more comfortable position rather than looking down. I was able to maintain a 5:30 - 6:00 pace after the first 2 km. Passing each runners, I was able to maintain this for about 5 km. The walks when I approach a water station helps a lot. This is the first time that I tried this. I was able to relax my muscle for a bit and then go back to my pace again. I was picturing out the track in Ultra and how I run around it. I think it helped to (muscle memory?). I was able to boost some more when Vertek and Sen Pia's entourage pass through, I gave everything at this point to see if I can at least do a sub 60. When I saw the time from the screen, it just 53 minutes. It's a possible PR. So I sprinted the last 300 m to get a 53:33 on my timer. I still need to wait for the official results from the timing chip though. Hurrah!

++++

I just woke up from a 6 hour sleep after the event early this morning. As I was lying in my mat, I was having this thought that my body and spirit is communicating with each other. We think about a lot of things. And this time, I  randomly thought how it looks like when your body and spirit had a dialog with each other.

+++++

Spirit: Hey, you have a new PR! Rejoice. :) You should thank me for pushing you all through out the race.
Body: I know right. But I took a lot of beating from it dammit. You know damn right that I shoud've taken this one lightly because I'm still recovering from the the tooth extraction.

Spirit: F*ckin' weakling.

Body: Shut up. My left thigh hurts big time.

Spirit: That's because you're not that strong yet. You ate Noelle's dust after 2 km. Haha.

Body: I know right. But still I didn't give up and you saw that I pushed it hard too! And I made a lot of slow runners eat my dust.

Spirit: Don't boast about it. You'll not be able to do that without me. That time when you saw Vertek pass ahead of you leaving the Kenyans behind, I gave you a boost there but you didn't sustained it. And then When Sen Pia Cayetano's entourage pass, I did my best to boost you so you can run along with them. Then when the time is almost near, I gave my everything to give you a final boost and hit that PR! It's worth the beating is it not?

Spirit: So don't brag about it too much. You still have a long way to go buddy. Marami ka pang kakaining bigas!

Body: I know right fag. What should I do then?

Spirit: Get stronger. Impress Ms Running more just like how you impressed Ms Badminton and the brutal Ms Muay Thai before. Just try to recall how we made it through their challenges.

Body: Yeah, I'm the one who always take the beating. Because I'm weaker than you. 

Spirit: I crumble down too you stupid ass. Can't you remember the times when I can't push you anymore? When I'm the one sending you thoughts that it's time to give up? So don't say that I'm stronger that you are.

Body: So how come it still looks like we didn't give up at all?

Spirit: Uhm well, it's because Heart is always there to back us up. When we're so down and we're being pummeled and beaten by Mr Challenges, Heart is always there to the rescue. Heart fights Mr Challenge and never give up regardless how big Mr Challenge becomes. Heart always pull us back and help us to push forward.

Body: Oh...

Spirit: Oh my face! That's 4 sentences of explanation and you'll just say oh. 

Body: Oh.. Ok then..

Spirit: (Batok)

Spirit: I think you've already recovered. Heart and I planned on something.

Body: What is it?

Spirit: You want to get stronger right?

Body: Of course

Spirit: You want to hit those PRs more often and finish each races strongly right?

Body: You hit it.

Spirit: Ok, then you'll get a beating.

Body: Wait. what? What do you mean?

Spirit: I'm a show you some tough love.

Body: F*cker.

Spirit: It's for you. This time, the three of us needs to work together more often. We need each other.

Body: You think I can do it?

Spirit: Of course. But it's not going to be easy this time. It's be hard that you will have to puke.

Body: ***gulp***

Brain: Hey can I interrupt? Why are you guys doing this? This is torture!

Spirit: Shut up! Don't release negative  thoughts. We're on a special project and you'll get benefited to ass wipe.

Brain: (left the room)

Spirit: This is for you buddy. Ms Running will definitely love you back when we do this. Heart loves her already so we need to do something about it.

Body: What if I can't make it?

Spirit: You will. You'll have incentives ;-)

Body: Oh I love incentives!

Spirit: I'm sure you do. But we'll try not to spend to much because Ms Running love simple guys.

Body: Hmm.. I'm still aching.

Spirit: Get a lot of rest tonight. For tomorrow, you'll start to get the beating.

Body: Bring it on! But You should still control it ha, Mr Work is demanding sometimes. I can't afford to lose Him.

Spirit: Why are you gay?

Body: F*ck you! You know I'm not, but without him, then you can't give the beating. Haha. Remember dude, he provides the funds

Spirit: yeah, I forgot about that. Tsk

Body: Goodnight!

**Body left the room**

Spirit: Heart you still lurking there?

Heart: Yep, what's up?

Spirit: Just want to say thanks

Heart: np...

Spirit: Ok gtg

Heart: (y) aight

***Spirit left the room***

+++++++

Schizo no? hahaha.... Well I still have a long way to go and I need this 3 working it out together so I can get more stronger. So help me God.

-Sid

A running love letter

Hi there!

I really don't know how to start this letter but let me give you a background of how I am before our paths have crossed. It was 2 years ago when our friends Jyn and Pongs invited us to participate in one of your so many events. At first I thought you're just like the other sports out there. A fad. It took me a year before I participated in another event. That's the second time we met. I know that you already exist but I have no idea how popular are you.

During the time that my first love is Badminton, all I know is that you're just a part of our warm up. You're not too relevant. Badminton and I bonded for the longest time. We still meet occasionally. She's still the same old sport that requires me to be quick. She's still tricky sometimes with her shots. Still the same high maintenance sport that I always enjoy. But then our relationship slowly faded because she never wanted us to play alone. She always want me to tag along some friend. I cannot have an intimate time with her.So you see, my options are limited. As much as I wanted to become creative, she won't allow it unless I'm with 3 or more people.

2 years ago, I met a new girl who came from Thailand. She's the more violent type which caught my attention for several months, like the prior, we still meet each other sometimes. What I liked about this one is she's challenging. She wants me to prove a lot to her. She wants me to be like her. Violent. But that's not me. I mean, we jive sometimes specially when I'm fired up and she wants to put up a spar. There are some instances that she can't hold back that she wants me to go home with a concussion. I remember this event when she wanted me to prove that I really liked her. She had me joined one of her tournaments and she wanted me to win. Unfortunately, I didn't. I thought she'll get disappointed but not. She didn't gave up on me. I did. I realized that we're not meant to go on forever because she might shorten my life because of her violence. I know that you're also there when I train. Just like the first one, you're there again, but I still didn't recognize you because you're just there at the back, just a support.

Last year, I attended one of your events, I did another 5k. Just like the first event which I totally didn't give a damn, I run the event even though I made small walk breaks. Well, I have to admit that although we are seeing each other in my previous sports, I never ran 5 km  as part of my warm up. I think that this is the longest time we're together. I remember that it's when I crossed the finish line that I realize that you're pretty interesting. I can still remember that day. It was a cold and rainy Sunday morning. I didn't find it cute because I got soaked in rain water, I had colds when I got home. (You think it's funny?) And then I started to like you more when Julius and Kirby decided that we join another event. You gave us a 10km run this time. You need to know that I never back down on a challenge. That's why we got the chance to know each other more. You  know what I liked about you. You're simple, you're straight forward, and you're challenging. When you say 10km then it's 10km but you have to admit that some of your organizers sucks at measuring distances! ha!

I really enjoyed the time that we bonded together. Just you and me. I liked it when you don't ask for so many conditions just to be with you. (Unlike that Badminton biatch.. shh don't tell her I told you that she's a batch ;))  I liked it when we bond under the bright moonlight, or when you toast me under mid day sun. I liked it when you bring me to different places. I liked it that you make me feel a better person. I like it when you humbled me with your half marathon. I really didn't expect that you can go that far or farther than that. And I didn't expect that I can also go that far. You really amaze me. I'm thankful that buddy(body) can still cope with your challenges. Just bring it on! I think I'm enjoying your company.

I know we'll bond more. I like the fact that you don't change, but I do. I know that I'll be better. I hope I can conquer more of your challenges. I got to say that I've been thinking of you everyday. I think I already love you. There! You finally know it! damn! You think I'm too fast? We've not been together for a year long yet no? But I can already say the words.

What can I say? we're together almost everyday. You're the first thing that comes into my mind every Sunday morning. Some things have already changed. Like some of the "required" things to do become "wants" already. I want you to know that you inspire me and thank you for that. Thank you for the time you spend with me when I need to solve some problems in life. You always give me the chance to think clearly. So I guess I will end my letter here for now. You made me tired after doing those drills in the oval. I got to sleep now so we can bond some more on the next day. You know, buddy needs rest too or I might not be able to see you.  I'll talk to him also. I need to say some words of encouragement to him so he'll always be strong. So bye for now. I'm happy that we met. There are so many things that I still want to say and share with you but buddy wants to sleep now. Happy valentines!

Sid