Bull Run 2010

Running on this year’s edition of the Bull Run was not on our list until we learned that our friend Chiqui will be running her first official race in this event. Chiqui has been running with us for quite some time inside UP Diliman campus during weekends. We have been encouraging her to join races and feel the excitement of being one of the participants. Anyway, because of previous hesitation, we registered late and was not able to register for the 5K (our intention was to join Chiqui) and instead for the 10K. It was good to know that Chiqui will be accompanied by her officemates, so we just have to meet after the race.

Long run before the race
Another reason for the hesitation to register on this race was because it will be the schedule of my last long run as part of training for the Condura Run 42K. So instead of having our long run on Sunday, we did it on Saturday, the day before the Bull Run race. Swthrt and I went to Bonifacio High Street at around 5:30am and were set to run the New Balance 21K route. I told Swthrt that after doing the 21K she may opt to wait for me at Honda Cars Global while I will add more mileage to complete my target goal of at least 35K. It was a good run up until we turned right at McKinley Hills where I felt a severe pain on my left knee going downhill. The pain became more persistent and intense as we continued our run and just finish our workout at BHS. I decided not complete my target. I might jeopardize my first try on the full marathon come February. When we reached home I immediately put ice on my left knee (cold compress).

The race
Come Sunday morning, I felt better with my knee but there was still pain. Swthrt and I agreed on running the race at an easy pace so as not to aggravate my knee pain. We started the race easily with pain on my left knee. The pain stayed up to about 2 km where I found my rhythm. The pain subsided until we finished the race in 1:09:+. We were happy about the race. It was well organized. Chiqui seemed to enjoy her first race and we have a nice and easy 10K run. I don’t know if others have used this course but it was also a new race course for us. We were also glad to see Anna (meekrunner) and her family, Jonel (Bugobugo) and other friends after the race. But the best of it all was I got my Baldie finisher medal in the 32K Rizal Day Run and a copy of the maiden issue of “Front Runner”. Congratulations Jonel on your new baby! More power to the magazine!

How far can we go running?

When I haven’t entertain yet the thought of running a marathon two years ago, I seldom notice people running on the streets. When I started running in the summer of 2008, I noticed more and more warm bodies are running during early mornings while on my way to the office. Nowadays, more people are hooked into running. I noticed a significant increase in the number of runners in Fort Bonifacio (particularly in BHS) and UP Campus Diliman doing their regular trainings. In the latter part of 2008, Swthrt and I attended a running clinic conducted by Team Bald Runner in ULTRA track oval which was held during night time. These places are frequented by runners for safety and security purposes. Most of these are runner-friendly places, well- lighted, and ideal for doing a training run. Before, people used to run in the early morning, but today, you can see runners training at night. There was even a race held at night last year.

Last night, Swthrt and I were on our way to Pier 2 to pick up our household help who spent a vacation in Bacolod. To our surprise and envy, we saw runners doing training in the busy streets of the metro. One was along Ortigas near Santolan Rd, the other one at E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave. near Christ the King Church at around 6:30 in the evening. What was more surprising on our way home was to see the last runner at around 9:00 in the evening along Gilmore St. in New Manila. Running has really become the “craze” today but how far can we go in running? Do we just run anywhere, or on places where more runners converge as I previously mentioned? Do we run alone or with a buddy? Do we run on the road or trails? No matter what your answers are, we share the same passion… the love of running.

Swthrt running at night at UPD acdemic oval.

Run for the Dolphins

The Condura Run for the Whale Sharks was my first 21k race. It was a race I will never forget. This year’s edition of the Condura Run which will be for the Dolphins will be another first for me. Yes! I will be running my first full marathon this February. Let’s go the distance! See you there!

Running the Bull once again

I started the year 2009 by running the PSE Bull Run and logged my fastest 10K run, a surprising 60 min finish time. It could have been for the record but the inefficiency of the race organizer put it all to waste. I was not listed in the official race result. For whatever reason, no one knows until now. I was between my two cousins when we reached the finish line and they were both registered except me. Anyway, past is past, even though my 2009 running experience started with a mess, It was completed and ended with wonderful experiences. The 32K Rizal Day Run was a great year ender race.

This year, I will be running the Bull again but this time with Swthrt. I am not aiming for a sub 60 finish. All I wanted is to start this year with a bullish run. See you at the starting line!

First weekend run for the year

Wanting to start the year right and staying fit, Swthrt and I had our first weekend run at UPD. Last Sunday, we arrived at Abelardo Hall parking area a few minutes before 6:00am and it was still dark. We decided on running at the academic oval only (late last year, we have been trying different route inside the UP campus) since we will be meeting with our friend, Chiqui later. We already did 2 rounds of the oval before being joined by Chiqui. We have been pushing her to try joining races for quite some time. We were able to accomplish our 10K easy run goal for the day.

It was also nice to see friends like Vener and the Solemates, Jun and Mariel. Keep on running!

How I faired with my 2009 running goals

Looking back at my running goals for 2009, I must say that I have attained much of it. Here are my 2009 goals then:

To run a Half Marathon (doing a full will be a great bonus) - I have run several half marathons, including the 21K of 33rdMilo Elimination Race NCR leg which I beat the cut-off time of 2:30. Though I was secretly targeting QCIM to be my first full marathon race, I beg off due to lack of training. I don’t want to mess up on my very first marathon.

To set new PRs in 10K (at sub 60min), 16K and 21K - I have a 60min finish time at the 2009 PSE Bull Run but I was dismayed as I was not listed in the official race result. I have set new PRs on some of the race distances though. I hope to improve more on this area.

To run 10K races together with Swthrt and set new MR(Mutual Record) – This I have successfully accomplished and enjoyed every moment of it. Since Swthrt started to join races in 2008, we did not only run 10K races in 2009 but we have also finished several 21K races together and set MRs as Swthrt got stronger in her runs. We also had long runs together and recorded as far as 29K before the year ends.

To reduce more weight (to my ideal BMI or at least close to it) – This still belongs to my wish list. Though I have many runs log for the year, I think I have more food intake than calories burned especially at the end of the year, hehehe. For this one, I must really watch on what I eat.

To be consistent in trainings – consistency is what I will still strive for in this coming year. I am not rationalizing but as a parent we have concerns other than our runs. Hopefully, Swthrt and I can find ways and means to squeeze in a more regular training schedule for this coming year. There will be great races for this year and we surely don’t want to miss it much less have a poor performance on these races.

For the year 2010, I just want to have great, awesome, wonderful, happy running experiences with running friends but most especially with Swthrt.

Keep on running in 2010!

Rizal Day Run

Like most of the runners who participated in this event, this formed part of the preparation for the coming marathon races (Cebu Marathon and Condura Run). It is official that I will be running my first full marathon this coming February.

Before the race

Days before this race, I was trying to prepare myself mentally knowing that this will be my longest run since I started running. Our December 26 long run of 29 Km in Batangas gave a big boost to me that I can do a 30+K long run. The night before the race, the excitement became high that I couldn’t sleep. I woke up early and forced myself to take some breakfast because I knew that it will be a long and tiring run ahead. Swthrt also prepared as she will be coming with me to give moral support. It was still dark when we arrived at Camp Aguinaldo. We met with friends who will also be running the race.

The Race

After the opening ceremony, Bald Runner fired the starting gun that sent runners to a good start. Bearing in mind that I will run this race on my own pace,

I purposely positioned myself away from fast runners that might drag me to their fast pace. I went off to a comfortable pace. I run solo until I heard a familiar voice greeting me, It was Vener (Run Unlimited).

Pictures courtesy of Brando (http://acebalasador.multiply.com/photos/album)

It was at this point that he ran with me. We had a good chat while running. He continuously encourages and motivates me to run. Vener is one of the runners whom I look up. Idol nga ng marami! I was really elated as I was paced by my idol. I told him to go on his target pace as I might be dragging him down but he opted to stay with me. He gave tips in running a marathon. As we reached the front of the grandstand, Xty ran with us on our second loop. After 1 hour and 10 minutes of running, we reached the first water station and took on our first GU. No kitkat breaks at this race. I was practicing with GU as I planned to use it on my first marathon. Upon reaching the grandstand again, Xty stayed with Swthrt while Vener and I continued our run. We had our fruit intake provided on the second water station of our third loop. It was also at our third loop that I was having walk breaks. Vener pushed me to run some more every time I asked for a walk break. I was also complaining of a sore leg muscles, stomach cramps, tiredness and he would teased me that those were all alibis, hehehe. He would tell me that we were running for more than 8Kms and that cramps never really came, hahaha. He must have known that I can do it, which was why he kept on pushing me. I felt really blessed that I had someone who encouraged me at that point. I told Vener that if only I was alone, I must have walked a longer distance than we did. We were also happy to see our wives patiently waiting for us and cheering us every time we reached the front of the grandstand. The cheers from other runners we saw along the route also helped me to keep on running. We took our second GU pack on our third loop before finally finishing the race in 03:51. Bald Runner personally issued the certificates and congratulated the finishers. Everyone have a good run. It was a great race and another fulfilling long run for me.

Congratulations BR and to the Team Bald Runner! It was a well organized race. Hope to have more of this kind of race.