i was lying in bed at 4am, in full gear, waiting for my kuya to finish showering. to say i was getting anxious was to put it lightly. i hated getting to my races just in time or, god forbid, late. since i started running more than a year ago, every running event i join receives the same preparation i would do for a potential job interview of a lifetime. i never liked the feeling that i did not do enough to get ready. every time it fells like so, it dulls my senses and i end up wasting a lot of energy feeling troubled. i looked at time... our assembly time is 4:30. i won't make it.
4:10am and we just left home. i was quiet the entire time since i knew, in my bones, this race was going to be different. whether it would be for the good or the bad, that remains to be said, but the fact that i was having my "premonitions" already worried me. of all the runs i have had, Rio's runs by far, i find the hardest. despite me already being very familiar of the terrain at the Fort, the combination of the route used for Rio's races always take the most out of me. long flat stretches with lots of turns, followed by long inclines then more flat terrain often lead me exhausted to the point even my neck muscles feel like they're running. stopping more than what i allow myself (at every water station, ideally) is not uncommon.
we found parking pretty easily, and just in time as the lot filled up fast. i quickly got myself ready, donned my arm pouch containing my energy gel and checked if i had all my gear. i could hear the noise coming from the stage and started walking, briskly, towards the sounds. my efforts in preventing early dehydration has left me with a full bladder and i needed to evacuate it quick. kuya has the same feeling too as we beelined towards the row of portalets on the other side of the stage. as i neared it though, the emcee suddenly blared "21K runners, ready!!!" i quickly turned back, swore under my breath, and ran towards the gathering sea of runners, passing my kuya and flashing him my most disgruntled look.
a few seconds later, after i found a small clearing in the middle of tightly pack runners, the gun shot was fired, sending hundreds, if not, even a few thousand 21K racers forward. God help me, i silently prayed as i began accelerating and dreading what hurdle i will be meeting in the next 2 hours. i had my first hurdle no even 30mins down the race. just barely 5 kms in, fatigue began to set in. i had sped up too quickly while i tried to free myself of the dense middle pack and had wasted a lot of energy because of it. coupled with the tension of having a full bladder, all the focus i usually exercise at this part to regulate my pace got lost. the first water station solved my first problem as i spotted a portalet. the fatigue i was having however, that i had to manage, effectively i hoped.
the route was difficult as expected. long stretches of after long inclines. whatever energy i was trying to reserved for the flats all got used up during uphill climbs. i often found myself walking, hoping to gain back the time during my downhill runs. a quick survey of my tights showed i was salting already. i was loosing electrolytes fast, too fast for me to replenish them in time. my feet were burning as well from the friction. i would often pour water into my shoes, trying to cool them off, however, this only made my socks coarse and they soon began chaffing inside my shoe.
the distance markers came in trickles and the distance felt unattainably long. i was slowly feeling defeated, my mind already too weak to fight.
the last few kilometers felt the longest, and i desperately wanted the race to be over. i kept bargaining with myself, just a few more, just the next corner. i kept thinking to myself, this will be over soon, a few minutes more. a runner who zoomed past me broke me off from my day dream. he was bolting towards the finish line and i decided to give everything i had left to the run. i could only muster a jog. running past the finish line, i found myself almost wanting to scream. my heart was pounding, my head was hurting and my feet stung in protest. i was exhausted and disoriented. seeing narnian at the finish helped keep me sane as i really felt i was turning delusional.
over all, this race was by far the most painful. my time was however not as bad as i had hoped, though considering all the unfortunate events that led up to it, i now know i could have done better.
Showing posts with label run. Show all posts
Showing posts with label run. Show all posts
Monday, February 22, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
life and the run
this is not a post valentine's day post but... hehehehe, humahaba ang hair koh!
anyway...
barely a week left before the century run and i have not yet trained. my ankle is still giving me problems and to make matters, well, a bit more complicated, even the good ankle is starting to show signs of wear. the heel on both feet feel like they're completely deflated. i have resorted to wearing heel cushions even on normal days to relax them. my calves feel now like stone. sigh...
been reading this inspirational book by BART YASSO on running and how it changed his life. i brought the book with me to read on my commute to dagupan the other day and almost found myself tearing up with some of the things he wrote and discovered during his many runs. he said in marathoning, it's really not about the race, but it's the journey. he said so many people get obsessed with time and pace and pushing their limits, almost to the point of madness, that they often forget to acknowledge that in the end, what's really of value is how far you have reached, how far you have gone to get to this point. i related so much to that.
i think other than the physical benefits running has given me, more over, it offered me a lot of insight about life in general. often i would find myself talking with narnian and relate something about life to running. it's not really being over-dramatic, but i guess, when your mind is so focused on something, which is the case when you run, your mind becomes clear and things start to make sense. now, don't get me wrong. i'm no where NEAR of being an Olympic runner, heck, i had fernando zobel overtake me and had me eat his billion dollar dust during the last condura run, but the focus i think, is the same. i offer the same dedication, according to my measure, to the game.
the handover at work is almost complete. my uncle decided, now nearing his 50's, to transplant his entire household to canada, despite living a very comfortable life here. i can't really make a lot of sense to his rather risky move, but, his life, his decision. i have been working in the family business now for almost a year (i started march last year) and am slowly finding my groove. it has taken a while to slowly let go of a dream and embrace a new, more practical one, but it's happening. the other day, my aunt, who runs the business, told me while she was remarking on my uncle packing up and leaving, that now, since we were down 1 man, i can no longer resign. that was when things finally sunk in. i am now trying to make peace with my path.
upon my visit to my client in dagupan, he was showing me his house and talking to me about building a boutique hotel off the coast of pangasinan. he liked my work and was dreaming up of other things for the future. they all sounded very nice, but then, i always get things like this, nice, tempting projects, every time i reach a crossroad in my life. kuya once told me, life throws you distractions whenever you make a decision. they come to test your ground.
anyway...
barely a week left before the century run and i have not yet trained. my ankle is still giving me problems and to make matters, well, a bit more complicated, even the good ankle is starting to show signs of wear. the heel on both feet feel like they're completely deflated. i have resorted to wearing heel cushions even on normal days to relax them. my calves feel now like stone. sigh...
been reading this inspirational book by BART YASSO on running and how it changed his life. i brought the book with me to read on my commute to dagupan the other day and almost found myself tearing up with some of the things he wrote and discovered during his many runs. he said in marathoning, it's really not about the race, but it's the journey. he said so many people get obsessed with time and pace and pushing their limits, almost to the point of madness, that they often forget to acknowledge that in the end, what's really of value is how far you have reached, how far you have gone to get to this point. i related so much to that.
i think other than the physical benefits running has given me, more over, it offered me a lot of insight about life in general. often i would find myself talking with narnian and relate something about life to running. it's not really being over-dramatic, but i guess, when your mind is so focused on something, which is the case when you run, your mind becomes clear and things start to make sense. now, don't get me wrong. i'm no where NEAR of being an Olympic runner, heck, i had fernando zobel overtake me and had me eat his billion dollar dust during the last condura run, but the focus i think, is the same. i offer the same dedication, according to my measure, to the game.
* * * * *
the handover at work is almost complete. my uncle decided, now nearing his 50's, to transplant his entire household to canada, despite living a very comfortable life here. i can't really make a lot of sense to his rather risky move, but, his life, his decision. i have been working in the family business now for almost a year (i started march last year) and am slowly finding my groove. it has taken a while to slowly let go of a dream and embrace a new, more practical one, but it's happening. the other day, my aunt, who runs the business, told me while she was remarking on my uncle packing up and leaving, that now, since we were down 1 man, i can no longer resign. that was when things finally sunk in. i am now trying to make peace with my path.
upon my visit to my client in dagupan, he was showing me his house and talking to me about building a boutique hotel off the coast of pangasinan. he liked my work and was dreaming up of other things for the future. they all sounded very nice, but then, i always get things like this, nice, tempting projects, every time i reach a crossroad in my life. kuya once told me, life throws you distractions whenever you make a decision. they come to test your ground.
* * * * *
there is always that urge to stop running, most especially when you are already hurting all over and stopping is the most logical thing to do. as you get overtaken by more able-bodied men and women, clearly more fit and more suited in running than you, then the urge becomes even more powerful. why do you run? are you built to last this long? maybe you have ran enough? maybe this isn't for you? there is always an easier way. as you slow down to a jog, then to a trot, then to walking, you count to yourself 10 seconds. ten seconds for your brain to process, for your adrenaline to kick in, for your endorphins to start pumping, for you to realize, you have what it takes to finish. 10 seconds to remember you chose to run, and run to finish. not by a long shot to be the first or the best, but to finish, because you can and you worked hard so that you can. in the end, as you count your last second, you skip a step, slap your fatigued muscles and whisper to yourself, just a few kilometers more.... and you begin running again, the pain now a companion.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
things i do when i'm bored (2)
number 2: critique, hopefully, not needlessly.
CONDURA RUN 2010: RUN FOR THE DOLPHINS
it all began with a tinge of hesitation. P750 was a lot of money to shell out only to tire yourself for a run. however, considering you rarely get a chance to run the length of the skyway, it was a price i thought at that time, was worth to pay. i noticed there was no timing chip mentioned in the race description, and considering last year's race pack, i wasn't expecting anything spectacular either, i.e., a great singlet and lots of freebies. the kit pick up was scheduled about 2 months later, 3 days before the actual race itself.
race pick up wasn't too much of a hassle. i got mine on a thursday, the first day of kit distribution. i was expecting a mob of people but was pleasantly surprised to find none. early bird perks i guess. the venue for the pick up was changed a few days prior and the racers were informed via email. i reckon either people were taking their time or not a lot were informed of the change. anyway, im sure word of mouth will handle that. as expected, the race kit wasn't spectacular. quite disappointing actually since i could not help the feeling that organizers were starting to see the lucrativeness of these runs as they get more popular. friday comes along and i get a holler from narnian saying there's a problem with our bibs as some didn't have a bar code. now this was really sad. what was more sad was that this problem was only exclusive to the 21K and 42K runners. i checked my kit and surprise, surprise, mine too had none. a few email exchanges later with ton concepcion and i finally surrendered myself to the fates that be. the condura run this year was going to be interesting... hopefully not in a too bad of a way.
this was my first run for the year and my fourth 21K. i have been rather apprehensive about this race since i have been taking it easy on myself due to my injured ankle. there was also all of that excess weight packed in from all those holiday dinners. heavy and injured, i sincerely was not expecting to make good time. my focus was more to train again, as well as re-learn my pace as i haven't had the chance to do any trial runs. i want to run my first 42K this year and hope that condura would give me the gauge as to how much more i have to go and do.
so, race day. lots of people. couple of celebs. fireworks, blah, blah, blah. gun starts and BANG, people bolted towards the skyway. the race course was familiar as there's really not a lot of options for people to run in makati. i was taking my time, paying extra attention to how my ankle was cooperating. the first signs of pain and i will stop, i told myself. thankfully, i finished without any incident. the run was quite pleasant actually. the weather was cool and the air, not too polluted. we ran mostly in the dark. it caused a bit of concern for some since i read that there were runners who fell and got injured because of the low visibility. me, i think the dark helped a lot in keeping me running at a comfortable pace. i did notice though that the entire stretch of the kalayaan flyover, as well as the skyway was in total darkness. i don't know if the organizers were trying to save money by turning the lights off. i hope not though... but i think my guess is right. there were adequate water stations along the route, though i would have hoped there were also more energy drink stations. the banana station was funny since you get handed a WHOLE banana to chug down. good luck if you don't end up chocking! i got mine and broke it in two. i ate the half and threw the other half away. i learned later that the banana station wasn't even that of the condura run, but by a different organizer who donated the service.
i finished the race slightly slower than my usual time, but definitely faster than what i was expecting, at 1 hour and 56 mins. i got my finisher's medal and my free energy drink and water, the very anti-climactic freebies. i didn't bother wearing my medal as it was already flaking when i got it. i didn't want it corroding all over me. i guess i shouldn't complain too much since, at least, i got a medal. other finishers didn't. yes people.... THEY RAN OUT OF MEDALS.
kuya and i had breakfast after. he enjoyed his clubhouse sandwich while i enjoyed the visual feast of ogling at all the beautiful people these events attract. we left the fort at around 9am and saw that there were still runners running. these would tail end of the 42K pack. it was this time that we noticed, there were not that many race marshals on the road. pitiful.
overall, and as dejected as i write this critique, i am sad to say that i am quite disappointed with this race. it felt poorly organized considering the amount of time they had to prepare. the news said that they had a huge turnout of racer, around 8700 if i recall correctly. with that many people, the organizers should have been more vigilant in readying themselves. its seems though, they simply just banked on the skyway as the main feature and forgot all about the other things that make a race successful.
CONDURA RUN 2010: RUN FOR THE DOLPHINS
it all began with a tinge of hesitation. P750 was a lot of money to shell out only to tire yourself for a run. however, considering you rarely get a chance to run the length of the skyway, it was a price i thought at that time, was worth to pay. i noticed there was no timing chip mentioned in the race description, and considering last year's race pack, i wasn't expecting anything spectacular either, i.e., a great singlet and lots of freebies. the kit pick up was scheduled about 2 months later, 3 days before the actual race itself.
race pick up wasn't too much of a hassle. i got mine on a thursday, the first day of kit distribution. i was expecting a mob of people but was pleasantly surprised to find none. early bird perks i guess. the venue for the pick up was changed a few days prior and the racers were informed via email. i reckon either people were taking their time or not a lot were informed of the change. anyway, im sure word of mouth will handle that. as expected, the race kit wasn't spectacular. quite disappointing actually since i could not help the feeling that organizers were starting to see the lucrativeness of these runs as they get more popular. friday comes along and i get a holler from narnian saying there's a problem with our bibs as some didn't have a bar code. now this was really sad. what was more sad was that this problem was only exclusive to the 21K and 42K runners. i checked my kit and surprise, surprise, mine too had none. a few email exchanges later with ton concepcion and i finally surrendered myself to the fates that be. the condura run this year was going to be interesting... hopefully not in a too bad of a way.
this was my first run for the year and my fourth 21K. i have been rather apprehensive about this race since i have been taking it easy on myself due to my injured ankle. there was also all of that excess weight packed in from all those holiday dinners. heavy and injured, i sincerely was not expecting to make good time. my focus was more to train again, as well as re-learn my pace as i haven't had the chance to do any trial runs. i want to run my first 42K this year and hope that condura would give me the gauge as to how much more i have to go and do.
so, race day. lots of people. couple of celebs. fireworks, blah, blah, blah. gun starts and BANG, people bolted towards the skyway. the race course was familiar as there's really not a lot of options for people to run in makati. i was taking my time, paying extra attention to how my ankle was cooperating. the first signs of pain and i will stop, i told myself. thankfully, i finished without any incident. the run was quite pleasant actually. the weather was cool and the air, not too polluted. we ran mostly in the dark. it caused a bit of concern for some since i read that there were runners who fell and got injured because of the low visibility. me, i think the dark helped a lot in keeping me running at a comfortable pace. i did notice though that the entire stretch of the kalayaan flyover, as well as the skyway was in total darkness. i don't know if the organizers were trying to save money by turning the lights off. i hope not though... but i think my guess is right. there were adequate water stations along the route, though i would have hoped there were also more energy drink stations. the banana station was funny since you get handed a WHOLE banana to chug down. good luck if you don't end up chocking! i got mine and broke it in two. i ate the half and threw the other half away. i learned later that the banana station wasn't even that of the condura run, but by a different organizer who donated the service.
i finished the race slightly slower than my usual time, but definitely faster than what i was expecting, at 1 hour and 56 mins. i got my finisher's medal and my free energy drink and water, the very anti-climactic freebies. i didn't bother wearing my medal as it was already flaking when i got it. i didn't want it corroding all over me. i guess i shouldn't complain too much since, at least, i got a medal. other finishers didn't. yes people.... THEY RAN OUT OF MEDALS.
kuya and i had breakfast after. he enjoyed his clubhouse sandwich while i enjoyed the visual feast of ogling at all the beautiful people these events attract. we left the fort at around 9am and saw that there were still runners running. these would tail end of the 42K pack. it was this time that we noticed, there were not that many race marshals on the road. pitiful.
overall, and as dejected as i write this critique, i am sad to say that i am quite disappointed with this race. it felt poorly organized considering the amount of time they had to prepare. the news said that they had a huge turnout of racer, around 8700 if i recall correctly. with that many people, the organizers should have been more vigilant in readying themselves. its seems though, they simply just banked on the skyway as the main feature and forgot all about the other things that make a race successful.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
the standard chartered singapore marathon 2009
i couldn't believe i was actually doing it. i was falling in line at the gate to board the plane... to fly out to singapore to join my FIRST ever international marathon. to say i was excited would be an understatement. i kept telling my kuya and narnian (who was the main reason why i was "duped" into joining, hehehe) that i can't believe i'm flying to singapore just to run!!! people often jest that i'm a running addict and i have always been quick to dismiss their teases, but after this, well, i guess i am officially owning the brand!hi, i'm jamie, and i'm a running NUT!!!
in the plane, i could not help but notice the gazes i keep getting, particularly since i feel like the entire plane was full of runners and people were already sizing each other up as early as now. every passenger wearing running shoes was a suspect. every passenger wearing mizuno waves and a garmin watch was a definite give-away! come immigration with luggage in tow and you see all these serious faces emerge. kuya, narnian and i were definitely not alone. indeed, a lot from our flight were in singapore specifically for the race. i never felt so intimidated.
we were graciously greeted (with matching jumps for joy and tight-cheesy hugs) at changi airport by another running buddy, ian, the rainbow runner, who is now based in singapore. seeing him after all these months and running the marathon were the two main highlights of my entire trip.
the standard chartered singapore marathon is an annual event that has been attracting worldwide runners every year to the lion city. this year, there were around 50,000 registrants with 17,500 running the full marathon and 10,000 for the 21k. at first, i thought this was an exaggerated amount, surely there can't be THAT many people right? there really was THAT MANY PEOPLE. my kuya booked us at a very strategic hotel, just a block away from the esplanade bridge so it would be easy for us to get to the venue, and from our room, you could practically see the ENTIRE country lining up at the starting line. it was insane! i commented later that the most people i saw in a race here in manila was probably the condura run which only had around a few thousand participants. the amount of racers at this race made the condura run look pathetic. kudos for the singaporeans to keep things orderly still despite the immense numbers. runners lined up according to their expected time of finishing so that people dont scramble and push come gun start. leading the pack were the kenyans, as always :) how do i know all this? THE ENTIRE EVENT WAS ALSO BEING BROADCASTED ON LIVE TV!!!
the 21k run started an hour later, after the full marathoners. standing near the starting line, i had the weirdest cocktail of emotions, which i guess was normal. though interspersed with some dread, i was for the most part really happy. the weather was cool, the sky was clear, the energy was high as everyone was just excited to run. narnian and i bid each other good luck and awaited for the gun start. BANG!!! 10,000 runners from 40 different countries began inching forward. no pushing, i noticed, since we were wearing chips so there was no rush to start. THIS IS IT, i told myself. singapore, toured in sub 2 hours ( i hoped!) i began my run with a light jog, as i always do, taking great care not to shock my legs too much of the grueling task ahead. i can't really say i prepared that well for this race since days owing to singapore, i had been feeling rather ill. despite wanting to condition myself, i thought it was wiser to rest than to jeopardize my trip.
the first few kms i use to acclimate myself to the run. gross as it may sound, this is the only time i enjoy being drenched in sweat since the moisture keeps my clothes glued on to me like second skin. i managed to get myself new running tights a few days prior to the race and am now enjoying the full compressive support they offer (no laughing on my squeaky voice because of it!). i was trying to use narnian as my pacer since he tends to run more consistently than i, however, i quickly lost him in the sea of people. i was on my own again. i was running down the tips i had made for myself, a sort of mantra i had learned through the many runs i have joined. it's all about control more that speed. i had to be conscious not to waste my energy overtaking or accelerating. there will be opportunities for that later. a few kilometers later and the runners began to clearly get divided, the more serious runners emerged at the front, the leisure runners trailed behind. i quickly found the open spaces i like to situate myself into and with some overtaking, i managed to find my spot. this would be my space for the remaining third of the race.
the run, compared to the other 21k i have joined was pretty easy with lots of flat ground and gradual inclines. i recall cursing everytime i find myself along mckinley or bayani road when racing at the fort since the terrain there is just so hostile. here, everything was smooth. even the weather was cooperating. humidity however became a source of challenge as the day progressed. somewhere around my 17th km, i found myself practically gulping air because it felt so thick. i so wanted to do explosive breathing but felt embarrassed to do so since NO ONE seemed to be doing it (unlike here at home where ppl have screaming matches, hehehe). i had to content myself with brief coughs instead.
since the terrain was generally flat, i didn't stop as much, only doing so everytime i reach a water station. i would slow down to reach for 2 cups of water, one for me, another for my overheating shoes. i was hoping they would offer more energy drinks but that was only available at the latter parts of the course. no fruits for 21k runners as well. i guess according to international standards, we dont need it, hehehehehe.
my body had been pretty patient with me. no major complaints yet. no shortness of breath. no aching joints (yet) and no struggle to stop. that was, until i reached km 19. humidity reached the peak for the race and it was getting difficult to breath. i was slowing down as well since my feet felt like it was burning. i am now wearing anti-blister socks and though they free my feet from chaffing, they leave so much space in my shoes that my feet slip and slide inside, adding more friction. all the water (and sweat) that found themselves in my shoe helped cool it down but unfortunately added undue weight to them as well. i was also making lots of noise while running since my shoes now made loud squishing sounds with each step. people kept looking at me as if the noises i made were distracting them from their run. nakakahiya!
when i finally saw the marker for the last 2kms, i began to accelerate. by this time, we were joined by the 10km runners as well so i immediately found myself in a denser flock. whatever energy i had left, i was mentally shunting them all to my legs as i inched closer to the esplanade. i'm near the bridge, the finish is RIGHT THERE, i tried to psyche to myself. upon reaching the end of the bridge and seeing the starting point, i was greeted by the worst surprise, the bridge wasnt the finish line!!! we still had about 100 more meters to go. hahahaha, i literally though i got lost and heard my entire body scream in protest! what kind of sick joke is this?!!! where the F**K is that finish line. we made a turn at the Fullerton hotel and dashed towards the old city hall. FINALLY, someone cheered from the crowd "don't give up, one more curb and your there!" that was the on-switch for me. RUN, jamie RUN!!!!!! run like ZARA IS ON SALE!!!!!
the mad run to the finishmy official time, 1hr 52mins. finishing at 283rd place among 10,000, putting me at the upper 3% of the finishers. i feel sooooo proud!!!!! :)
i hope to run again next year! hopefully a 42km. also, masmarami na sana ang contingent from manila!!! what you say narnian, misterhubs, jaybeecc?!!! ian!!!! lets lets next year!!! rainbow runners, unite!!! :)
kuya and i, displaying our finisher's medalsFriday, November 27, 2009
the tao of the run
i arrived at UPD shortly after 7pm. i parked at the same spot i always park in, right in front of this building i never really bothered to learn the name of. i had always favored this spot for some reason. it was dark, semi-secluded, under the cover of the university's many gigantic trees. as i got out of my car, the heavens suddenly opened and it began to rain. "great timing" i mumbled, just when i BADLY needed to "do this". i decided to pass the time in the car and wait for the rain to let up. no amount of precipitation, unless of ONDOY-proportions, will stop me from having my run tonight, i determined.
"... feel free to join me tonight." i texted one, but didn't get a favorable reply.
"... wanna come with?". i messaged another, but never got a response.
"ei, are you joining me?" "i can't. my client just invited me to thanksgiving dinner." answered the third.
the rain stopped almost as suddenly as it started. i changed to my running gear and began my warm up jog, running in the opposite direction as everyone, like i always do. i took extra measure to control my pace, remembering that it was at UPD that i injured myself the last time. i paid attention to my foot placement (i should land on my mid foot. that my shin should be at least perpendicular to the ground. my heel shouldn't strike the pavement so much); my breathing (pacing was the key. i shouldn't hyperventilate and remember to take deep full breaths to stretch my intercostals to keep them from spasming); my running form (don't slouch. don't lean too far back either. i am an inverted pendulum. running should be automatic and effortless).
i tried to concentrate on the road, on the runners, on studying the technique of other joggers as they came, and as they went. i tried to soak in all this information, hoping that by overloading my brain, i can be made cerebral again, when my mind is at its strongest, and when my emotions are rendered insignificant.
running does this for me, i have learned. it makes "feeling" loneliness far more bearable.
"... feel free to join me tonight." i texted one, but didn't get a favorable reply.
"... wanna come with?". i messaged another, but never got a response.
"ei, are you joining me?" "i can't. my client just invited me to thanksgiving dinner." answered the third.
the rain stopped almost as suddenly as it started. i changed to my running gear and began my warm up jog, running in the opposite direction as everyone, like i always do. i took extra measure to control my pace, remembering that it was at UPD that i injured myself the last time. i paid attention to my foot placement (i should land on my mid foot. that my shin should be at least perpendicular to the ground. my heel shouldn't strike the pavement so much); my breathing (pacing was the key. i shouldn't hyperventilate and remember to take deep full breaths to stretch my intercostals to keep them from spasming); my running form (don't slouch. don't lean too far back either. i am an inverted pendulum. running should be automatic and effortless).
i tried to concentrate on the road, on the runners, on studying the technique of other joggers as they came, and as they went. i tried to soak in all this information, hoping that by overloading my brain, i can be made cerebral again, when my mind is at its strongest, and when my emotions are rendered insignificant.
running does this for me, i have learned. it makes "feeling" loneliness far more bearable.
Friday, November 20, 2009
TIMEX race, 2009
two and a half hours of dizzying scenes of chaos, heroism and catastrophe later, i found myself exhausted despite not having moved from my seat. this is what you get when you watch an action-packed film from the third to the front row of the cinema. i can't really complain, kuya's friend had to wrestle people for these tickets and seeing friends i haven't seen for a while is worth the vertigo and fatigue.
i had second thoughts of watching 2012 that saturday night actually. it would be the TIMEX race the next morning and thought that i would really need the rest. however, it bothered my conscience and the social butterfly in me that too many weekends of mine had already been laid to waste, not having seen friends because of (*cough* work *cough*) one reason or another. so against the psycho-running-freak in me, i went ahead to have my leisurely saturday night. kuya had suggested that i stay at makati with him so we would not be too pressed for time the next morning. truly, my last race, i got to the assembly point just at the nick of time. considering i like to acclimate myself, it need not be said that my anxiety level that day was very high!
TIMEX would be my second 21k run. why do i feel like this one will be quite different from the last? i couldn't shake the feeling off. though i wasn't as nervous anymore, there was still that feeling nagging within. 2012 ended near midnight. we bid our friends goodbye and kuya and i headed towards his flat. after all the necessary preparation for bed and the race, it was near 1am when we went to bed. 3hours of sleep. i wondered how this will affect my performance, hopefully not for the worse.
my alarm rang at 3:45 am. i got up. took a warm shower and donned on my gear. i decided to wear the singlet kuya bought for me and my nike compression tights. i really liked how the tights kept my legs warm and how they supported my legs from too much jiggling. the tights however didn't feel as snug as the first time i wore them. it could be a slacking of the elastic or i could have lost some more mass, either way, it got me a bit concerned. kuya and i departed at 4:30 and got to the fort not too long after. we arranged for a meeting point since we were joining different races, him a 10k run. after agreeing to meet at the gym, i went off to join the gather crowd of 21k runners. i was trying to look for narnian but could not spot him. i was hoping it would be nice to run with a friend and keep each other company. 21ks are LONG, with lots of boring stretches. being distracted with great company is always welcomed. however, i could not spot him (or his nadia auermann legs) anywhere. i later found out he got to the race late.
the starting time was a few seconds away and narnian no where to be found, i realized this race will be a long and lonely one. hunky papa piolo gave an opening prayer and a speech from coach rio later, papa P fired the gun shot, sending the wave of runners bolting forward. rather, sending all of us runners to run after the KENYAN leading the pack!!
as i did on my first 21K, i took my time running. i wanted to use the first few kilometers to find my resting rhythm and get all my muscles in tune. however, in the mad dash to break away from the crowd, i think i needlessly accelerated to much ans wasted valuable energy. mistake number one. a few kilometers down and i could feel that something was already amiss. i was beginning to fatigue and i could sense my heart was beating faster than my normal PR. lack of sleep, definitely, i thought. mistake number 2, and i wasn't even at the first U-turn. i had hoped that i could compensate by taking more stops and rehydrating as often as i could. i had hoped too that this race would have ample supply of bananas like my last race. sadly, it was only water and energy drinks for me. the frequent stopping also affected my run since u expend energy to stop, and expend more energy to gain back ur running speed. i didn't care though, i needed to listen what my body was telling me and right now, i needed to fuel up.
despite efforts of rehydrating as often as i could, i was sweating BUCKET LOADS. so much that my sweat could not evaporate fast enough, soaking my tights all the way to my socks. since my tights weren't as snug as well, it left ample room between the fabric and my skin to accomodate excess fluid, leading my legs to feel uncomfortably heavy. soon after, i noticed salt stains forming. this was not good i though. salt stains meant i was loosing electrolytes as well, then i did the math (pardon the geek). lack sleep + dehydration + electrolyte imbalance = cramps!!!!! my worse fear was looming its ugly head, this and the 10k mark was still a long distance away. it certainly dampened my spirit, but i'll get there when i get there, i thought.
i met the wave of 10k runners (with GORGEOUS papa P) not too long later as i was running back up the buendia overpass. i finally saw narnian, a few friends and kuya later. spotted carlo agassi as well but could care less about him. reaching the end of the hill, i saw tessa prieto-valdez ina cute pink number, cheering fellow races to not give up. seeing her adorableness, in FULL make-up made me forget for a brief moment that my body will soon give way. it happened sooner than expected actually.
essense, mckinly road. another long incline and my hip started to complain. my knee began to buckle and my heel hurt like hell. the life of my shoe decided to end while i was in the middle of my run, its advanced cushioning rendered useless as my feet pounded the pavement. the fatigue caused me to loose good form, resulting to undue stress on my legs, made worse for by my now uncooperative shoe. but i trudged on. no stopping now. cannot stop now... PHOTOGRAPHERS ABOUND!! curse you piolo and the starpower you bring! hehehehe.
lawton and bayani road were long flat stretches of uneven hard terrain. so long, i regretted not running with an ipod! there's nothing really more discouraging than to see endless stretches of road in front of you and realizing how much more you have to go. by this time, my right calf was already hinting it will be seizing soon as it would tighten occasionally, to which i would try to shake it off. it would relent, thankfully, probably responding to the surge of adrenaline triggered from my worry and panic. the course took a turn into the heritage park, to which we ran the entire perimeter, THE BIGGEST U-TURN EVER! it was a beautiful memorial park with lush, well manicured greens and a spectacular view of the fort. exiting the park, we were finally given our first banana! huhuhuhu. this won't do. i was tired. i was hungry. i and i had to make do with this pathetic little fruit. i gobbled the thing down as fast as i could and continued running, hoping i could replenish my electrolytes from another drinking station.
my calves finally had enough. they started seizing as i was running back lawton road leading to essensa. the intervals became shorter and i was bracing myself for the worse. my leg had salt stains all over and i knew my efforts to rehydrate were useless. i walked every time i felt a surge of pain, never allowing my muscles to cramp. as soon as i felt it was safe, i would jog again to recover the distance i lost. i know i really should not feel ashamed but i do. i could not help it when you see these runners run past by you, leisurely keeping their form and pace. looking almost impervious to fatigue while here you are, almost limping, defeated and exhausted. as soon as the essensa towers came to view and knowing the finish line was near, i began to run again, praying my legs would allow me to finish strong at least.
the final leg was the hardest. i guess my body realizing the race was almost finished, began to relax, adrenaline and endorphins began to run low. suddenly, my body began to hurt and i felt the full wave of my impending cramps, now in both legs. i stopped dead in my tracks, the pain, unimaginable! what made it worse, i only have about 1km to go. mustering all the psycho-running-freak that was left in me, i stretched my muscles to lengthen and relax, and made my made dash to the finish line. my legs continued to seize but i ran anyways, a few meters to go and it will be all over i said. in my head i was screaming. at the last moment, my body pumped me with the last bit of adrenaline to dull the pain.
the last leg. i tried to smile for the photogs, really, i TRIED.
passing the finish was emotional, exhilarating and euphoric. i wanted to MURDER someone!!!! i tried to look for a water shower, something they usually provide in runs to cool down but could not find any. my kuya spotted me soon after. just in time as i was was starting to feel faint. he gave me his energy drink and later accompanied me to get my loot bag.
overall, this race was to be my template for singapore. now at least i know what i need to prepare for that run. i was slower by 2 mins from my first 21K, finishing at 1 hour and 56mins. not bad considering what i had to go through.
2 more weeks to go and it the standard chartered marathon na!!! good luck to me!!!
i had second thoughts of watching 2012 that saturday night actually. it would be the TIMEX race the next morning and thought that i would really need the rest. however, it bothered my conscience and the social butterfly in me that too many weekends of mine had already been laid to waste, not having seen friends because of (*cough* work *cough*) one reason or another. so against the psycho-running-freak in me, i went ahead to have my leisurely saturday night. kuya had suggested that i stay at makati with him so we would not be too pressed for time the next morning. truly, my last race, i got to the assembly point just at the nick of time. considering i like to acclimate myself, it need not be said that my anxiety level that day was very high!
TIMEX would be my second 21k run. why do i feel like this one will be quite different from the last? i couldn't shake the feeling off. though i wasn't as nervous anymore, there was still that feeling nagging within. 2012 ended near midnight. we bid our friends goodbye and kuya and i headed towards his flat. after all the necessary preparation for bed and the race, it was near 1am when we went to bed. 3hours of sleep. i wondered how this will affect my performance, hopefully not for the worse.
my alarm rang at 3:45 am. i got up. took a warm shower and donned on my gear. i decided to wear the singlet kuya bought for me and my nike compression tights. i really liked how the tights kept my legs warm and how they supported my legs from too much jiggling. the tights however didn't feel as snug as the first time i wore them. it could be a slacking of the elastic or i could have lost some more mass, either way, it got me a bit concerned. kuya and i departed at 4:30 and got to the fort not too long after. we arranged for a meeting point since we were joining different races, him a 10k run. after agreeing to meet at the gym, i went off to join the gather crowd of 21k runners. i was trying to look for narnian but could not spot him. i was hoping it would be nice to run with a friend and keep each other company. 21ks are LONG, with lots of boring stretches. being distracted with great company is always welcomed. however, i could not spot him (or his nadia auermann legs) anywhere. i later found out he got to the race late.
the starting time was a few seconds away and narnian no where to be found, i realized this race will be a long and lonely one. hunky papa piolo gave an opening prayer and a speech from coach rio later, papa P fired the gun shot, sending the wave of runners bolting forward. rather, sending all of us runners to run after the KENYAN leading the pack!!
as i did on my first 21K, i took my time running. i wanted to use the first few kilometers to find my resting rhythm and get all my muscles in tune. however, in the mad dash to break away from the crowd, i think i needlessly accelerated to much ans wasted valuable energy. mistake number one. a few kilometers down and i could feel that something was already amiss. i was beginning to fatigue and i could sense my heart was beating faster than my normal PR. lack of sleep, definitely, i thought. mistake number 2, and i wasn't even at the first U-turn. i had hoped that i could compensate by taking more stops and rehydrating as often as i could. i had hoped too that this race would have ample supply of bananas like my last race. sadly, it was only water and energy drinks for me. the frequent stopping also affected my run since u expend energy to stop, and expend more energy to gain back ur running speed. i didn't care though, i needed to listen what my body was telling me and right now, i needed to fuel up.
despite efforts of rehydrating as often as i could, i was sweating BUCKET LOADS. so much that my sweat could not evaporate fast enough, soaking my tights all the way to my socks. since my tights weren't as snug as well, it left ample room between the fabric and my skin to accomodate excess fluid, leading my legs to feel uncomfortably heavy. soon after, i noticed salt stains forming. this was not good i though. salt stains meant i was loosing electrolytes as well, then i did the math (pardon the geek). lack sleep + dehydration + electrolyte imbalance = cramps!!!!! my worse fear was looming its ugly head, this and the 10k mark was still a long distance away. it certainly dampened my spirit, but i'll get there when i get there, i thought.
i met the wave of 10k runners (with GORGEOUS papa P) not too long later as i was running back up the buendia overpass. i finally saw narnian, a few friends and kuya later. spotted carlo agassi as well but could care less about him. reaching the end of the hill, i saw tessa prieto-valdez ina cute pink number, cheering fellow races to not give up. seeing her adorableness, in FULL make-up made me forget for a brief moment that my body will soon give way. it happened sooner than expected actually.
essense, mckinly road. another long incline and my hip started to complain. my knee began to buckle and my heel hurt like hell. the life of my shoe decided to end while i was in the middle of my run, its advanced cushioning rendered useless as my feet pounded the pavement. the fatigue caused me to loose good form, resulting to undue stress on my legs, made worse for by my now uncooperative shoe. but i trudged on. no stopping now. cannot stop now... PHOTOGRAPHERS ABOUND!! curse you piolo and the starpower you bring! hehehehe.
lawton and bayani road were long flat stretches of uneven hard terrain. so long, i regretted not running with an ipod! there's nothing really more discouraging than to see endless stretches of road in front of you and realizing how much more you have to go. by this time, my right calf was already hinting it will be seizing soon as it would tighten occasionally, to which i would try to shake it off. it would relent, thankfully, probably responding to the surge of adrenaline triggered from my worry and panic. the course took a turn into the heritage park, to which we ran the entire perimeter, THE BIGGEST U-TURN EVER! it was a beautiful memorial park with lush, well manicured greens and a spectacular view of the fort. exiting the park, we were finally given our first banana! huhuhuhu. this won't do. i was tired. i was hungry. i and i had to make do with this pathetic little fruit. i gobbled the thing down as fast as i could and continued running, hoping i could replenish my electrolytes from another drinking station.
my calves finally had enough. they started seizing as i was running back lawton road leading to essensa. the intervals became shorter and i was bracing myself for the worse. my leg had salt stains all over and i knew my efforts to rehydrate were useless. i walked every time i felt a surge of pain, never allowing my muscles to cramp. as soon as i felt it was safe, i would jog again to recover the distance i lost. i know i really should not feel ashamed but i do. i could not help it when you see these runners run past by you, leisurely keeping their form and pace. looking almost impervious to fatigue while here you are, almost limping, defeated and exhausted. as soon as the essensa towers came to view and knowing the finish line was near, i began to run again, praying my legs would allow me to finish strong at least.
the final leg was the hardest. i guess my body realizing the race was almost finished, began to relax, adrenaline and endorphins began to run low. suddenly, my body began to hurt and i felt the full wave of my impending cramps, now in both legs. i stopped dead in my tracks, the pain, unimaginable! what made it worse, i only have about 1km to go. mustering all the psycho-running-freak that was left in me, i stretched my muscles to lengthen and relax, and made my made dash to the finish line. my legs continued to seize but i ran anyways, a few meters to go and it will be all over i said. in my head i was screaming. at the last moment, my body pumped me with the last bit of adrenaline to dull the pain.
the last leg. i tried to smile for the photogs, really, i TRIED.overall, this race was to be my template for singapore. now at least i know what i need to prepare for that run. i was slower by 2 mins from my first 21K, finishing at 1 hour and 56mins. not bad considering what i had to go through.
2 more weeks to go and it the standard chartered marathon na!!! good luck to me!!!
Monday, October 26, 2009
adidas: king of the road 2009, 21km
it felt like it was my first race all over again. almost exactly a year ago, i joined my first marathon, running a 5km course. the race was Run for Life. they had it again this year but was set the day before the adidas marathon. despite wanting to have joined it, i could not since i had work that day. i recall back then, i could not sleep the entire night owing to nerves. i was awake as early as 3am and was already pacing around the house, half eager, half dreading the race that was about to come.
now, it was like deja vu as i found myself awake, yet again, at 3am for the adidas king of the road 2009, my first 21km run. i had never thought that i would reach this point this quick since my venture into long distance running, considering that not too many months ago, i found myself injured and limping in pain. i had developed sheer shins due to improper running as i trained and thought it was the end for this hobby. thankfully so, stubbornness and muay thai (yes... muay thai and all the kicking and bruises that came with it) helped me in my recovery. after a few months hiatus, i started running 5kms again, and then 10kms. i had also, by now, convinced my brother to take up running as well. now we join races together. the adidas race is his first 10km run.
to say that i was anxious is an understatement. i could not keep myself still the entire night prior, up until the start of the race. the dread of running a course that was more than double the course i last ran (10km eco-dash) kept lingering in my head. studying the race map, i could not imagine i would have enough stamina to finish such a long route considering i would most often than not be already exhausted at around the 9th km. thankfully so, i had a boost of support from a great friend and running bud, outednarnian (ON). this would be ON's 3rd 21km so i could not have found a better running bud. pacing was key and considering i have a propensity to speed up unconsciously, i really needed an "anchor" of some sort just to keep me from going roadrunner! it was also a great comfort to know that you are enduring something with a friend and feed off each other's support.
the countdown began and i gave myself a quiet prayer. i was really worried of getting injured since i really didn't feel i had trained enough. ON was also recovering from an injury himself, so i was concerned for him as well. one minute to go. this is it, there was no turning back. quitters never win. rio dela cruz (marathoner extraordinaire with an afro) turned around and gave both of us a nod. what an ego-boost that was, i thought, considering that i would be DYING in just a few hours from now. last 10 seconds. the runners were now bouncing as you could palpate the euphoria building up. BANG! the gun shot heralded hundreds of runners bolting forward like bunnies towards infinity!
i was running beside ON and tried to run according to his pace. he has ridiculously long legs so it was rather difficult to synchronize to his rhythm. my brontosaurus thighs were complaining that they could not keep up. i later then decided to just run slower than my pace and just keep visual track of him. the advice of this australian runner i met on my last race then came to mind. he said "running should be effortless and automatic, like walking". and so, i "walked". runners soon started zooming past me, young and old, male and female. the spaces between us started to increase and i could feel myself have the urge to run after them, but i did not. we were barely on the first few kilometers, i told myself, there will be more chances to catch up. i could not risk tiring this early. there was still a long way to go. a very LONG way.
a chunk of the course was familiar to me, around the fort, the kalayaan flyover, buendia. i have never ran past reposo though and as i crossed that intersection and found myself inching towards ayala avenue, i could not help but feel ecstatic. i have never RAN this far before. the lead runners were now coming back, headed by this kenyan (who won the QC marathon the week before). he was amazingly fast!!! i soon saw rio run by. again, he gave me a nod as he zoomed past me. ahead, i could see the first u-turn at buendia-osmena intersection. HOLY CRAP was i tired, 1/4 of the race down, and more to go. ON was 3 runners behind me, keeping his pace. i had not realized that i was running ahead of him already since i was looking at the road most of the time. i noticed i would accelerate when i focused on the runners so i had to stop doing that. running back to the fort felt shorter this time and surprisingly, after the U-turn, the fatigue went away. the endorphins kicked in i guess. as i approached the kalayaan flyover, i was greeted by the SEA of oncoming 10km runners. there were soooo many of them! so many, they took up almost the entire width of the course, leaving just a sliver for the 21k runners to course through.
entering back at the fort, we started heading towards the second part of the race, running towards mckinley. i recall ON mentioning how terrible this leg of the race was so i was bracing myself for the worst. he was not mistaken, the mckinley-bayani road leg was hard!!! long flat stretches, uneven roads, and long inclines soon took it's toll on my legs. i started feeling my knees hurt and my ankles began to feel sore. i began to get nervous. i was very much tired by this point as the climb back up the flyover exhausted me. i soon stopped and began to walk. i fought the urge to run after the people running past me again as i did not want to risk having fatigue set in. i knew i still had some juice left, i just needed to find it. i began running again, keeping my rests to my 10-20 second time frames. jog, don't run. don't speed. stay focused, i kept telling myself again and again. ON was no where in sight and i didn't really know where i was already. all my brain was telling me was "forward". soon, i found the lead runners running back. i anticipated the U-turn to come soon but didn't realize how much farther it was still. reaching this U-turn at the end of bayani road was the hardest for me. by this time, my body was on an uproar! my knees buckled a few times and my shoulders were starting to spasm. my ankles felt like i had lead weights strapped around them and my chest felt like it was going to explode. 15kms down.... 6 more to go.... 6 EFFING MORE!!!! ON soon appeared beside me, looking just as exhausted. he urged me not to stop since (apparently) we were doing great time. he exclaimed we could finish the race under 2 hours!!! with that idea in mind, despite the pain, i started picking up my pace again. this was the communal mantra, it seems, as the runners who would see ON and me slow down would urge us forward to finish under 2 hours! blame it on my sense of humor and maybe the endorphins, i kidded back at one of them that i had change with me to take the jeep back. my joke was received with some chuckling, the laughter helping distract me from the pain.
the fort soon appeared on the horizon again and ON and i were now running side by side. a few minutes later, the sound of the cheering crowd at the finish line could be heard. the group of 21km runners soon joined the stream of 5km runners as we all inched towards the finish line. ON and i decided to walk for a bit to gather energy for the final mad dash. we turned the corner at serendra and gave the race all the energy we had left. all the energy i had. all the emotion, all the thoughts, all the frustration, everything i had, i focus to one singular burst. it truly was a mad dash as i felt like a crazed driver running after someone who just clipped my car. the pain i had been feeling disappeared. the fatigue i had carried for almost 2 hours, gone. all i had was the vision of the ticking clock and seeing that i was going to run under it before the hour turns 2!
and i did. my unofficial time, 1 hour and 54 mins.
stopping after i crossed the finish line, i felt my entire body burn. i immediately went under the shower the race provided and cooled myself down. as i felt the cold water run down my clothes and soak into my shoes, i could not help but feel relieved and glad. i had overcome another hurdle. i did what i thought i could never do, and all the bad things i thought would happen didn't happen. getting out under the water spray, i started looking for ON. he crossed a fraction of a second after, his fastest time YET! i found him and we congratulated each other for a fantastic race. what happened after that is a bit blurry now since i think my brain walked out on me, hahahaha. all i can recall clearly was me congratulating him and then turn away to look for my kuya! (sorry ON if i came across as rude!!!! SORRY!!!).
i found my kuya by the stage. he had a great 10km run and was beaming with pride for how good his run went. he asked me how mine was and without batting an eyelash, i said "painful!" :) my dramatic self was on apparently and now needed to be validated. hahahahaha!
thank you LORD!!!! till the next 21km on november 15 for the timex run!!!!
now, it was like deja vu as i found myself awake, yet again, at 3am for the adidas king of the road 2009, my first 21km run. i had never thought that i would reach this point this quick since my venture into long distance running, considering that not too many months ago, i found myself injured and limping in pain. i had developed sheer shins due to improper running as i trained and thought it was the end for this hobby. thankfully so, stubbornness and muay thai (yes... muay thai and all the kicking and bruises that came with it) helped me in my recovery. after a few months hiatus, i started running 5kms again, and then 10kms. i had also, by now, convinced my brother to take up running as well. now we join races together. the adidas race is his first 10km run.
to say that i was anxious is an understatement. i could not keep myself still the entire night prior, up until the start of the race. the dread of running a course that was more than double the course i last ran (10km eco-dash) kept lingering in my head. studying the race map, i could not imagine i would have enough stamina to finish such a long route considering i would most often than not be already exhausted at around the 9th km. thankfully so, i had a boost of support from a great friend and running bud, outednarnian (ON). this would be ON's 3rd 21km so i could not have found a better running bud. pacing was key and considering i have a propensity to speed up unconsciously, i really needed an "anchor" of some sort just to keep me from going roadrunner! it was also a great comfort to know that you are enduring something with a friend and feed off each other's support.
the countdown began and i gave myself a quiet prayer. i was really worried of getting injured since i really didn't feel i had trained enough. ON was also recovering from an injury himself, so i was concerned for him as well. one minute to go. this is it, there was no turning back. quitters never win. rio dela cruz (marathoner extraordinaire with an afro) turned around and gave both of us a nod. what an ego-boost that was, i thought, considering that i would be DYING in just a few hours from now. last 10 seconds. the runners were now bouncing as you could palpate the euphoria building up. BANG! the gun shot heralded hundreds of runners bolting forward like bunnies towards infinity!
i was running beside ON and tried to run according to his pace. he has ridiculously long legs so it was rather difficult to synchronize to his rhythm. my brontosaurus thighs were complaining that they could not keep up. i later then decided to just run slower than my pace and just keep visual track of him. the advice of this australian runner i met on my last race then came to mind. he said "running should be effortless and automatic, like walking". and so, i "walked". runners soon started zooming past me, young and old, male and female. the spaces between us started to increase and i could feel myself have the urge to run after them, but i did not. we were barely on the first few kilometers, i told myself, there will be more chances to catch up. i could not risk tiring this early. there was still a long way to go. a very LONG way.
a chunk of the course was familiar to me, around the fort, the kalayaan flyover, buendia. i have never ran past reposo though and as i crossed that intersection and found myself inching towards ayala avenue, i could not help but feel ecstatic. i have never RAN this far before. the lead runners were now coming back, headed by this kenyan (who won the QC marathon the week before). he was amazingly fast!!! i soon saw rio run by. again, he gave me a nod as he zoomed past me. ahead, i could see the first u-turn at buendia-osmena intersection. HOLY CRAP was i tired, 1/4 of the race down, and more to go. ON was 3 runners behind me, keeping his pace. i had not realized that i was running ahead of him already since i was looking at the road most of the time. i noticed i would accelerate when i focused on the runners so i had to stop doing that. running back to the fort felt shorter this time and surprisingly, after the U-turn, the fatigue went away. the endorphins kicked in i guess. as i approached the kalayaan flyover, i was greeted by the SEA of oncoming 10km runners. there were soooo many of them! so many, they took up almost the entire width of the course, leaving just a sliver for the 21k runners to course through.
entering back at the fort, we started heading towards the second part of the race, running towards mckinley. i recall ON mentioning how terrible this leg of the race was so i was bracing myself for the worst. he was not mistaken, the mckinley-bayani road leg was hard!!! long flat stretches, uneven roads, and long inclines soon took it's toll on my legs. i started feeling my knees hurt and my ankles began to feel sore. i began to get nervous. i was very much tired by this point as the climb back up the flyover exhausted me. i soon stopped and began to walk. i fought the urge to run after the people running past me again as i did not want to risk having fatigue set in. i knew i still had some juice left, i just needed to find it. i began running again, keeping my rests to my 10-20 second time frames. jog, don't run. don't speed. stay focused, i kept telling myself again and again. ON was no where in sight and i didn't really know where i was already. all my brain was telling me was "forward". soon, i found the lead runners running back. i anticipated the U-turn to come soon but didn't realize how much farther it was still. reaching this U-turn at the end of bayani road was the hardest for me. by this time, my body was on an uproar! my knees buckled a few times and my shoulders were starting to spasm. my ankles felt like i had lead weights strapped around them and my chest felt like it was going to explode. 15kms down.... 6 more to go.... 6 EFFING MORE!!!! ON soon appeared beside me, looking just as exhausted. he urged me not to stop since (apparently) we were doing great time. he exclaimed we could finish the race under 2 hours!!! with that idea in mind, despite the pain, i started picking up my pace again. this was the communal mantra, it seems, as the runners who would see ON and me slow down would urge us forward to finish under 2 hours! blame it on my sense of humor and maybe the endorphins, i kidded back at one of them that i had change with me to take the jeep back. my joke was received with some chuckling, the laughter helping distract me from the pain.
the fort soon appeared on the horizon again and ON and i were now running side by side. a few minutes later, the sound of the cheering crowd at the finish line could be heard. the group of 21km runners soon joined the stream of 5km runners as we all inched towards the finish line. ON and i decided to walk for a bit to gather energy for the final mad dash. we turned the corner at serendra and gave the race all the energy we had left. all the energy i had. all the emotion, all the thoughts, all the frustration, everything i had, i focus to one singular burst. it truly was a mad dash as i felt like a crazed driver running after someone who just clipped my car. the pain i had been feeling disappeared. the fatigue i had carried for almost 2 hours, gone. all i had was the vision of the ticking clock and seeing that i was going to run under it before the hour turns 2!
and i did. my unofficial time, 1 hour and 54 mins.
stopping after i crossed the finish line, i felt my entire body burn. i immediately went under the shower the race provided and cooled myself down. as i felt the cold water run down my clothes and soak into my shoes, i could not help but feel relieved and glad. i had overcome another hurdle. i did what i thought i could never do, and all the bad things i thought would happen didn't happen. getting out under the water spray, i started looking for ON. he crossed a fraction of a second after, his fastest time YET! i found him and we congratulated each other for a fantastic race. what happened after that is a bit blurry now since i think my brain walked out on me, hahahaha. all i can recall clearly was me congratulating him and then turn away to look for my kuya! (sorry ON if i came across as rude!!!! SORRY!!!).
i found my kuya by the stage. he had a great 10km run and was beaming with pride for how good his run went. he asked me how mine was and without batting an eyelash, i said "painful!" :) my dramatic self was on apparently and now needed to be validated. hahahahaha!
thank you LORD!!!! till the next 21km on november 15 for the timex run!!!!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
run for home
dahil wala akong magawang iba...mom would often say to me in chinese "chia shiu pah!", which literally means "you're too full (of food)". it's a chinese idiom which means i think that i have nothing better to do.
o well...
better this than, shall we say, i get involved with vices, right?
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
my sunday
i got home pretty late that night. it was my cousin's last day in the country and i was trying to squeeze every last second i could get with him before he flies out the next morning. i waited for him at his house as he and my relatives went to church while i came from gym. the night's weather wasn't really in its bests of moods but that didn't really deter me. not long after i arrived at his house did they turn up as well. we talked like the next morning was just going to be another day and had a couple of laughs like we always do. in the end, reality sunk and as i begged off to go home and call it a night, i hugged him. i will miss him dearly and i thank the Lord that i could be so blessed to be related to such a great friend.
i got home near midnight already and it didn't matter to me too much that i was supposed to sleep early that night either since i had to wake up really early the next day. i had decided to accompany my kuya on his marathon and since he wanted to leave by 4am, i basically only had a few hours of sleep left. i set my alarm to 33oam and proceeded to make as much use of the time i have left. my kickboxing earlier that day had left me exhausted so, needless to say, sleeping was not a problem. i lost consciousnesses the moment my head came into contact with my pillow.
3am. head pounding still, i slowly got up to get ready. rain was pouring hard outside but despite that, it never occurred to me that races get cancelled. i texted my friend whom i knew were running, wishing them luck, as i proceeded to change. kuya was up and about already. by 430, we were out and driving steadily towards mckinley hill, to earth run.
this would be my first ever experience to be a spectator of a race. my long standing leg injury had left me unable to stand compressive forces on my leg, thereby putting my hopes for running on hold. i have to admit, i felt envious of the runners as the gathered on the starting point. i knew feeling of anxiety, mixed with excitement, charged with building adrenaline in anticipation of the race. i recall getting into such a high the moment fatigue sets in as you near your mark distance, the exhilaration of running with thousands of other people, the perfect feeling the moment you cross the finish line, irregardless of your time. all of that, i can now only force myself to recall as i stand now in the sidelines and keep an eye out for kuya for, i thought to myself, it is now his turn to experience the joy of running.
the starting gun went off and a flock of about a thousand charged forth into the awaiting trail, shimmering in the days rain, bracing itself of the onslaught of runners out to prove something, to the world and to themselves. the sight of the initial drove of people was beautiful. all those bodies, all that force working towards a similar goal was such a powerful sight to behold, it made me want to be a part of it more, but, alas, my fate had been determined.
in about a few minutes, the first of the finishers began to trickle in. the 3k runners started to come in first, then the 5k, and eventually the 16km. at about 30 mins to the race, the familiar sight to kuya and his friends finallybegan to emerged...
and man... were THEY tired! :) congrats again to all you guys! next time, i hope i can join you guys na!
i got home near midnight already and it didn't matter to me too much that i was supposed to sleep early that night either since i had to wake up really early the next day. i had decided to accompany my kuya on his marathon and since he wanted to leave by 4am, i basically only had a few hours of sleep left. i set my alarm to 33oam and proceeded to make as much use of the time i have left. my kickboxing earlier that day had left me exhausted so, needless to say, sleeping was not a problem. i lost consciousnesses the moment my head came into contact with my pillow.
3am. head pounding still, i slowly got up to get ready. rain was pouring hard outside but despite that, it never occurred to me that races get cancelled. i texted my friend whom i knew were running, wishing them luck, as i proceeded to change. kuya was up and about already. by 430, we were out and driving steadily towards mckinley hill, to earth run.
this would be my first ever experience to be a spectator of a race. my long standing leg injury had left me unable to stand compressive forces on my leg, thereby putting my hopes for running on hold. i have to admit, i felt envious of the runners as the gathered on the starting point. i knew feeling of anxiety, mixed with excitement, charged with building adrenaline in anticipation of the race. i recall getting into such a high the moment fatigue sets in as you near your mark distance, the exhilaration of running with thousands of other people, the perfect feeling the moment you cross the finish line, irregardless of your time. all of that, i can now only force myself to recall as i stand now in the sidelines and keep an eye out for kuya for, i thought to myself, it is now his turn to experience the joy of running.
the starting gun went off and a flock of about a thousand charged forth into the awaiting trail, shimmering in the days rain, bracing itself of the onslaught of runners out to prove something, to the world and to themselves. the sight of the initial drove of people was beautiful. all those bodies, all that force working towards a similar goal was such a powerful sight to behold, it made me want to be a part of it more, but, alas, my fate had been determined.
in about a few minutes, the first of the finishers began to trickle in. the 3k runners started to come in first, then the 5k, and eventually the 16km. at about 30 mins to the race, the familiar sight to kuya and his friends finallybegan to emerged...
and man... were THEY tired! :) congrats again to all you guys! next time, i hope i can join you guys na!
Friday, May 22, 2009
highlights
dear blog,
sorry for the neglect. you must feel absolutely livid with me right now for totally ignoring you this long. despite the many things that have been happening since my last entry, i am afraid i just could not find the time, nor the energy to write. work as you may well know (or not, since i really don't write about it) has practically taken up my days and since it's a family business, duties extend way beyond your standard (and humane) 9-5 hours. my social life is obviously suffering due to this shift in my routine but like a mantra we have in the business, everything comes with a price (even with discounts, the price is still high). i still have vestiges in my day to enjoy non-work related activities, or so i call them, like go the the hardware store and buy locks and tiles for my OTHER job, or enjoy a cup of java at 1am on a weekday while battling sleep and trying to have some QT with my folks. but i really shouldn't complain. work is only just work, and family will always be a bit more lenient than the typical slave-driving boss. i really shouldn't ask for more... SO. to appease you for my very unforgivable absence, dearest blog, allow me to give you a synopsis of the highlight of my days.
i was able to watch ANGELS & DEMONS last tuesday, miraculously considering how late i leave the office, at trinoma with the cousins. had a sinful dinner comprising of spinach and cheese penne with uber deadly granny smith apples and cream courtesy of my gourmand aunt before rushing to the mall to hopefully catch the second to the last screening. we arrived 15mins before the show. fell in line at probably the slowest ticket queue ever (i'm not exaggerating, it was ridiculously slow) and got to our seats just before they finished showing the trailers. the theater was packed despite it being a weekday. it was supposed to be a stress-free evening, enjoying a good movie; savoring still a good meal; in the company of cool family. stress free... that was, until the entire row behind us suddenly decided it was their God-given duty to give a point by point commentary on the movie, as the plot unfolds. NOT ONLY DID THEY COMMENT LOUDLY WITHOUT EVEN BOTHERING TO APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF THE WHISPER (which, in a movie house, i still would never encourage), THEY ALSO DECIDED IT BE THE PERFECT TIME TO GOSSIP AMONGST THEMSELVES WHEN A MEMBER OF THEIR "HERD" GOT THEIR ORDER FROM THE FOOD KIOSK WRONG AND WAS THREATENING TO "SUE" THEM FOR THE INCONVINIENCE THE CAUSED. i swear, sharp looks and "shush-es" could not quench their disrespect. a bazooka maybe, too bad i left mine in my other bag! these people had hides thick as the great wall of china and the conduct of nicaraguan howler monkeys... um, maybe not. i really shouldn't be so mean.... the howler monkeys don't deserve it. UGH!
notice currently that some young boys (and men who think that they're boys for that matter), in lieu probably of the latest hip hop craze that i really never bother myself with, wear these uber designed baseball caps and have them "float" on top of their heads. i mean float, since they don't really wear the caps, just have the lightly rest on top of their heads as if they have something large hidden underneath. this new manner of dress give these fellows an extra umph to the heights of their craniums, probably paying homage to the classy pouf madame marcos made vogue before, or even marie antoinette before that. anyways, though i really shouldn't comment on other people's fashion (or lack of it) sense, i have to draw the line if said sense becomes the major cause of me not enjoying my stress-free night. as if the row of turkeys sitting behind wasn't enough, we had to also contend with this moron who sat in front of us and his utterly inconsiderate cap. dude.... it's PITCH BLACK, no one will take notice if you have a bad hair day, or even if you have any hair to begin with since its, well.. its PITCH BLACK! also, the theater is the last place for one to try to look fashionable, unless it's a premier and if you're a celeb worth people's attention. now, since we are NOT at a premier and you are NOT a celeb, and that no one will give a rat's smelly ass that you are trying (desperately) to look cool since the theater is PITCH BLACK, explain to me why instead of robert langdon zipping in and out of rome, all i see is this mountain of a pain in the form of your cap in front of me? besides the fact that you are a moron?
explain here ..........................................................................................!!!!!!!!!!
we had a last supper of some sorts for my cousin, who is now back in the land of maple leaves, last wednesday at the cafe at ACE WATER SPA here along del monte. the food was so-so but the facilities of the place, after giving it a brief scan, i have to say is pretty impressive. the water spa of a european concept and according to my friend, is similar to this facility in bali wherein to go along a series of pools where jets of water massages you and practically, wash all your worries away. i wasn't able to try it out yet since i didn't have my swimming gear with me (you have to be in skin tight trunks, no shorts and shirt for the more discreet here) but i definitely wouldn't mind giving it a try in the future. most especially after that trinoma experience....
due to my utterly stubborn sheer shin, i am afraid i have to hang my running shoes for now and put my dreams of running a full marathon on hold. i have been suffering this sharp ache on my tibia for almost 2 months now and have done almost everything i know to get rid of it, from resting; taking anti-inflam meds; deep tissue massaging; even buying a new pair of shoes. unfortunately, like it's owner, it too doesn't know when to quit. so with the risks of suffering more serious injury if i choose to ignore the pain, i go on a marathon hiatus. my heart breaks when i see people run and my limbs now bear withdrawal symptoms of running long distances, but such is life. it was fun when it lasted.
so there you have it, blog. the few highlights of my days. the same ones i have not had the time to document since, like what i should be doing now as i write, i should be working.
really.... i should.
lovingly yours,
jamie, the polar bear
sorry for the neglect. you must feel absolutely livid with me right now for totally ignoring you this long. despite the many things that have been happening since my last entry, i am afraid i just could not find the time, nor the energy to write. work as you may well know (or not, since i really don't write about it) has practically taken up my days and since it's a family business, duties extend way beyond your standard (and humane) 9-5 hours. my social life is obviously suffering due to this shift in my routine but like a mantra we have in the business, everything comes with a price (even with discounts, the price is still high). i still have vestiges in my day to enjoy non-work related activities, or so i call them, like go the the hardware store and buy locks and tiles for my OTHER job, or enjoy a cup of java at 1am on a weekday while battling sleep and trying to have some QT with my folks. but i really shouldn't complain. work is only just work, and family will always be a bit more lenient than the typical slave-driving boss. i really shouldn't ask for more... SO. to appease you for my very unforgivable absence, dearest blog, allow me to give you a synopsis of the highlight of my days.
* * * * *
i was able to watch ANGELS & DEMONS last tuesday, miraculously considering how late i leave the office, at trinoma with the cousins. had a sinful dinner comprising of spinach and cheese penne with uber deadly granny smith apples and cream courtesy of my gourmand aunt before rushing to the mall to hopefully catch the second to the last screening. we arrived 15mins before the show. fell in line at probably the slowest ticket queue ever (i'm not exaggerating, it was ridiculously slow) and got to our seats just before they finished showing the trailers. the theater was packed despite it being a weekday. it was supposed to be a stress-free evening, enjoying a good movie; savoring still a good meal; in the company of cool family. stress free... that was, until the entire row behind us suddenly decided it was their God-given duty to give a point by point commentary on the movie, as the plot unfolds. NOT ONLY DID THEY COMMENT LOUDLY WITHOUT EVEN BOTHERING TO APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF THE WHISPER (which, in a movie house, i still would never encourage), THEY ALSO DECIDED IT BE THE PERFECT TIME TO GOSSIP AMONGST THEMSELVES WHEN A MEMBER OF THEIR "HERD" GOT THEIR ORDER FROM THE FOOD KIOSK WRONG AND WAS THREATENING TO "SUE" THEM FOR THE INCONVINIENCE THE CAUSED. i swear, sharp looks and "shush-es" could not quench their disrespect. a bazooka maybe, too bad i left mine in my other bag! these people had hides thick as the great wall of china and the conduct of nicaraguan howler monkeys... um, maybe not. i really shouldn't be so mean.... the howler monkeys don't deserve it. UGH!
* * * * *
notice currently that some young boys (and men who think that they're boys for that matter), in lieu probably of the latest hip hop craze that i really never bother myself with, wear these uber designed baseball caps and have them "float" on top of their heads. i mean float, since they don't really wear the caps, just have the lightly rest on top of their heads as if they have something large hidden underneath. this new manner of dress give these fellows an extra umph to the heights of their craniums, probably paying homage to the classy pouf madame marcos made vogue before, or even marie antoinette before that. anyways, though i really shouldn't comment on other people's fashion (or lack of it) sense, i have to draw the line if said sense becomes the major cause of me not enjoying my stress-free night. as if the row of turkeys sitting behind wasn't enough, we had to also contend with this moron who sat in front of us and his utterly inconsiderate cap. dude.... it's PITCH BLACK, no one will take notice if you have a bad hair day, or even if you have any hair to begin with since its, well.. its PITCH BLACK! also, the theater is the last place for one to try to look fashionable, unless it's a premier and if you're a celeb worth people's attention. now, since we are NOT at a premier and you are NOT a celeb, and that no one will give a rat's smelly ass that you are trying (desperately) to look cool since the theater is PITCH BLACK, explain to me why instead of robert langdon zipping in and out of rome, all i see is this mountain of a pain in the form of your cap in front of me? besides the fact that you are a moron?
explain here ..........................................................................................!!!!!!!!!!
* * * * *
we had a last supper of some sorts for my cousin, who is now back in the land of maple leaves, last wednesday at the cafe at ACE WATER SPA here along del monte. the food was so-so but the facilities of the place, after giving it a brief scan, i have to say is pretty impressive. the water spa of a european concept and according to my friend, is similar to this facility in bali wherein to go along a series of pools where jets of water massages you and practically, wash all your worries away. i wasn't able to try it out yet since i didn't have my swimming gear with me (you have to be in skin tight trunks, no shorts and shirt for the more discreet here) but i definitely wouldn't mind giving it a try in the future. most especially after that trinoma experience....
* * * * *
due to my utterly stubborn sheer shin, i am afraid i have to hang my running shoes for now and put my dreams of running a full marathon on hold. i have been suffering this sharp ache on my tibia for almost 2 months now and have done almost everything i know to get rid of it, from resting; taking anti-inflam meds; deep tissue massaging; even buying a new pair of shoes. unfortunately, like it's owner, it too doesn't know when to quit. so with the risks of suffering more serious injury if i choose to ignore the pain, i go on a marathon hiatus. my heart breaks when i see people run and my limbs now bear withdrawal symptoms of running long distances, but such is life. it was fun when it lasted.
* * * * *
since i now have no sport to challenge my endurance, i'm deciding to resurrect an old fascination of mine again, kickboxing. i had my first session of yaw-yan, or filipino kickboxing, last night at sarreal boxing gym here along banaue and almost died from my trainer. he was this short, lean, cut little bugger with the stamina of a bull! despite the fact that i couldn't understand him most of the time (he's a bit poor in giving uncoordinated people, like me, instructions) he was still able to have me do everything he wanted to knock the holy wind out of my lungs, that and probably half my weight in water since i was dripping wet by the end of our 2 hour, one-on-one session. did i mention this was my FIRST SESSION?!!! needless to say, i really did enjoy the workout. sure i was exhausted near to delirium, sure i was bruised and scratched and blistered from all that punching and kicking, sure i was wondering how i could get myself down 4 flights of stairs, sure i was apprehensive if i could manage to drive myself home, but the adrenaline and endorphin rush i was in was all worth it. can't wait to go back!so there you have it, blog. the few highlights of my days. the same ones i have not had the time to document since, like what i should be doing now as i write, i should be working.
really.... i should.
lovingly yours,
jamie, the polar bear
Sunday, March 22, 2009
condura run '09
this is my first ever 10K run and unlike my first 5K before, i didn't feel as anxious this time. i slept like a baby the night before and woke up fully refreshed at 3am.... the race was at 6.... and it only takes me about 30mins to drive to the fort. what can i say, i don't like to rush. but really, i did manage to get some sleep. i guess it helped that i now have a job with a fixed schedule, working as my family's auditor. when i say fixed, however, it means working non-stop from 9am to 7pm, mondays to saturdays. i most often come home dead tired at night. more so on days when i would come from my training runs around UP. thus, it's no surprise that i have no energy left in my system to even give a rat's ass over some fun-run for whale sharks!
i arrived at the fort at about 4:50am. narnian and i had planned of meeting up just so we could serve as each other's company before the race. he was running the 5K. i actually have some friends who were running the 3K and relatives on the 10K as well, but never got to find then until after the race. compared to the other races i have joined, this probably had the most people participating. the estimated registrants were about 7000 but i doubt all actually came. being a highly publicized event, there were a few celebrities around and in my attempts of stargazing, i was fortunate to able to spot a couple. i however wasn't so blown away by their star power, owing possibly to the fact that i was starting to feel nervous already. i hadn't been really training as hard as i wanted to for this race and i sincerely had doubts that i can actually finish the course. worse, in the days leading to the event, i gained a few pounds as well. extra pounds i sincerely do not need my joints to bear. but no point now of worrying... the race was about to begin.
the 10K runners would trail behind the 21K by about 30mins. i saw the pool of people who were running the 21K and wished i could be so fit to endure such a physical feat. from their looks, all of them were just itching to run... and their course was definitely something to look forward to. they would run up the skyway.
the starting shot went off for the 21K and the runners scrambled ahead to break free from the tight pack. the 10K then assembled in the starting line where they left. we were a good number of runners as well, a few hundred if i eyeballed correctly. by now, i should be stretching and getting myself warmed up but i was too distracted by having rovilson fernandez behind me to do so. though he was definitely quite a looker, i wasn't really lusting over the guy, just that he was now my motivation. rovilson.... you just became the lone person to keep me from giving up. just like how paolo bediones was on my first race :) do your job well. hehehehe.
the shot for us to begin running finally went off. the sun was already up, which worried me a bit since this meant we would be finishing under its scorching rays. the first part of the run required me breaking free from slower runners. though i don't mind starting slow and eventually pick up my pace, i get claustrophobic easily and would rather be in a pack where it's not too crowded... which unfortunately is WAYYY up front. i find myself zigzagging the first few minutes before finally settling at a comfortable position among more steady runners. by that time, we were already heading towards the kalayaan flyover. i recall driving along this route earlier today while getting myself to the venue and could not help myself to swear under my breath. this route is A KILLER!!! the climb was not steep but long... really long. it was the part of the race that i knew would tax me the most and as i climbed up the ramp... my fears were realized.
my calves were burning as it was all i relied on just to get me to more level plane. thankfully, my shin did not hurt during the race for if it did, then i am a goner for sure. by the time we reached buendia, the path became smoother and the ground, softer. it offered me a bit of rest from that trip along the flyover, very much needed i have to say. we u-turned at the reposo intersection and started heading back the same route we came. reaching reposo was the 5k mark and i didn't stop to rest, which meant i stuck to my pace. 5K onwards however was till unknown territory for me and i didn't know how much more i could endure before i burn out. the answer, at about kilometer 6. that was where i had to stop and walk a bit, just to catch my breath and feel blood rush into my legs.
i have to admit, i felt a tinge of defeat the moment i stopped to walk. i would have wanted to have lasted a bit longer but i was starting to feel faint and did not want to pass out. despite the feeling however, i knew couldn't give in now. i counted to 5 and began running again. i knew if i stopped too long, i would waste too much energy to gain inertia to run up to my speed again. there was still a very long way to go and i had achieved this much already to let it all go to waste. my shoulders were getting fatigued and my legs were in initial spasm. i shook off the strain fro my arms and tried to relax my stride. though my legs were not hurting, they were however loosing steam and could not propel me as much as i want them to anymore. the second trip up the flyover did them in and that was where i stopped the second time to walk again. i was alone then, just trailing behind the first wave of runners and in front of the oncoming onslaught from the second wave. i knew i had to avoid the second wave at all costs since loosing myself in that swarm would that i would not be able to gather the momentum i need anymore to finish. fighting fatigue, i began to pick up my pace again. as i descended towards the fort... rovilson, who was all this time behind me, passed me. @#$%@!& .... i said. there goes my motivation.... having me eat his amazing race dust! change of strategy... i decided to put my pride at stake, and for the next few minutes, it worked since i saw myself overtaking rovilson for a couple of meters. unfortunately, my body just was too tired and soon enough, i had to take my third stop. by now, my calves were as firm as stone and the balls of my foot are burning from friction with my shoes. i knew my toes were blistering inside my socks already as i could feel sharp points of pain on them. i sincerely wanted to give up. i saw how far i still had to go, about 3KM more and almost found myself scream out of exasperation. funny though, just when i was about to shout "PU**N* IN*.. ang layo pa!", this runner who just came off the flyover beat me to it by shouting "thank you, LORD!". of course, cursing now would just be soooo inappropriate. defeated in my race and my moment to express my loss, stolen by an over zealous runner.... i began running again.
that last leg of the run was probably the longest ever. i felt so tired and just out of it. i had probably used every bit of endorphin store i had in my body and my sole motivation for finishing fast and strong had already passed me. resolving myself now to the fact that i am alone in this, i decided to just gun for the finish. i took a deep breath and exhaled with a huff and began to increase my pace. after a few minutes, i was passing other runners and was squeezing my body already of every single drop of energy it still had left. the finish line finally appeared and i bolted towards it like crazed bull seeing red. my time... about 50:20mins, about a minute faster than my runs on the treadmill.
i wanted to die! i swear. i was drenched in sweat and my shirt and my shorts clung to me tight as water trickled down into my socks. i guess people were wondering where i swam since i probably looked like some chinese refugee who crossed the border! i got my freebies (lousy water and lousier energy drink.. i missed gatorade) and my certificate and headed straight to my car to change and freshen up.
as i walked, i wondered why the hell do people run and go through all this pain? really? what for? here i was, dripping wet, exhausted, sore, bruised (i sure) and for what? a print-out certificate and a bottle of water? as i contemplated on these life-changing questions while undressing, a 21K racer walked passed me. he gave me a brief glance which prompted me to stare at him as well. he was kinda cute actually, he looked even more appealing since he was dripping wet as well and quite lean as evidenced by how his attire also clung to him, revealing his silhouette . but what really caught my eye was what he was wearing... a medal. they gave medals to all who FINISHED the 21K. it did not matter if you walked at some parts or felt sucky because u could beat ur time.... what mattered was that you finished... and that you did not give up.
realizing this made me smile, at myself, not him ah! and made me decide.... 21K.... BRING IT ON!!!
but for now... rest muna ako! HAAAAYYYYSSSH!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
running the other way
taking the advice of my dear fellow runners, i decided to hit the UP oval again last night with a plan... run the opposite direction (the sarcastic bitch, ling ling, clapping while rolling her eyes in the background... shaddap woman!).
society had us programmed, by some reason to always deviate towards the right. truth be told, you see this factoid taken into great consideration in the layouts of most establishments, most obvious inside supermarkets wherein they put slow moving items, indeed, at the right, just so it would be the first things you see and thereby, first things you consider. such is the weird psychology we all have that when faced to run around a circular path, we do so do it counter clockwise. i have noticed this while on the my grandstand route, as well as in UP. though i am pretty sure the ground will not open to swallow me up due to my sacrilegious desire to go about things the other way, it still took me a good while to convince myself to stop at my tracks, deny my urges, turn around a full 180 and run against traffic. here are some of my observations while doing this unpopular feat:
1. firstly, the obvious. there are a lot of runners gearing towards you. some see you and actually give way. some are so oblivious due to fatigue i guess that you could have been a running blue whale and they would still smash into you.
2. the path is not easier when trekked the other way. true it felt more comfortable this time around since pressure got relieved from my right ankle (the path slops centrally toward the sunken garden, hence my right ankle carried most of my weight when running counterclockwise) but eventually, the left one starts to feel abused :) i find it is most comfortable to just run near the middle of the road rather than near the gutter.... word of advice, dear narnian.
3. while it is more comfortable running in the middle of the road, chances of you smashing into on coming jeepneys and cars are however, higher. this considering that a great number of jeepney drivers are legally blind and also legally stupid, and should thereby be exterminated for the good of mankind. also, since you run close to vehicles, the occasional chances you get "perfumed" in car exhaust are also at a high.
4. you apparently get a lot of stares from people you pass. you never really notice this when you run the same direction, that is unless you have eyes at the back of your head. but when running opposite everyone else... you definitely get a whole lot of eye contact. some brief, some the uber prolonged stalking variety. almost makes u wanna give them the finger, but also hoping you can run faster than them when you do....
5. thanks to lukayo... i now know that the oval is a good 2.2 km around and not the underestimated 1km. explains why i almost died at my third revolution and my pride felt crippled as i could was almost sure i was doomed come race day.
6. since i now run the other way and can see the faces of the people i run with... i think i'd like to run counter clockwise again... or just run at CCP again.... :) sorry... i have my moments of being shallow. hehehehe
7. since i still deviate towards the right, which is where the gutter is on the road when running clockwise... i have this constant fear of tipping over and fall into the sunken garden. it doesn't help me knowing that there are still trees and a sidewalk in between me and falling into the pit. i'm just irrational that ways...
8. there is this korean lady that jogs there nightly.... you notice here since, well, she's korean and that she runs funny... like she has a fruit held in between her legs or something.
9. i was running with a seasoned marathon runner. he kinda just popped out of nowhere and began trailing behind me. he stayed there for a good long while before he zoomed past me and had me eat his jogger dust. not wanting to get beaten so easily, i tried to increase my pace and regain my position, which i kept for a long while as well until my ankles said no more. sensing his victory, he dashed in front and left me in defeat. i then got into my car and drove past him :) so what if i play dirty... hahahahaha!
10. cars who drive with their headlights on hi-beam should be more conscientious of who or what they are beaming their lights on. trust me, since asphalt has a degree of reflectance, running towards a car on hi-beam is the worst thing you could face as a runner... well, maybe not the worst. running into the car head on and colliding with the dumb-ass would certainly trump being blinded by glare anytime.
so there... the race is this sunday already and i still haven't felt i have built up my stamina for it yet. hopefully in the next few days, i can get my groove in order and feel at least a bit confident that i'll survive come race day :)
good luck ot moi!!! :)
society had us programmed, by some reason to always deviate towards the right. truth be told, you see this factoid taken into great consideration in the layouts of most establishments, most obvious inside supermarkets wherein they put slow moving items, indeed, at the right, just so it would be the first things you see and thereby, first things you consider. such is the weird psychology we all have that when faced to run around a circular path, we do so do it counter clockwise. i have noticed this while on the my grandstand route, as well as in UP. though i am pretty sure the ground will not open to swallow me up due to my sacrilegious desire to go about things the other way, it still took me a good while to convince myself to stop at my tracks, deny my urges, turn around a full 180 and run against traffic. here are some of my observations while doing this unpopular feat:
1. firstly, the obvious. there are a lot of runners gearing towards you. some see you and actually give way. some are so oblivious due to fatigue i guess that you could have been a running blue whale and they would still smash into you.
2. the path is not easier when trekked the other way. true it felt more comfortable this time around since pressure got relieved from my right ankle (the path slops centrally toward the sunken garden, hence my right ankle carried most of my weight when running counterclockwise) but eventually, the left one starts to feel abused :) i find it is most comfortable to just run near the middle of the road rather than near the gutter.... word of advice, dear narnian.
3. while it is more comfortable running in the middle of the road, chances of you smashing into on coming jeepneys and cars are however, higher. this considering that a great number of jeepney drivers are legally blind and also legally stupid, and should thereby be exterminated for the good of mankind. also, since you run close to vehicles, the occasional chances you get "perfumed" in car exhaust are also at a high.
4. you apparently get a lot of stares from people you pass. you never really notice this when you run the same direction, that is unless you have eyes at the back of your head. but when running opposite everyone else... you definitely get a whole lot of eye contact. some brief, some the uber prolonged stalking variety. almost makes u wanna give them the finger, but also hoping you can run faster than them when you do....
5. thanks to lukayo... i now know that the oval is a good 2.2 km around and not the underestimated 1km. explains why i almost died at my third revolution and my pride felt crippled as i could was almost sure i was doomed come race day.
6. since i now run the other way and can see the faces of the people i run with... i think i'd like to run counter clockwise again... or just run at CCP again.... :) sorry... i have my moments of being shallow. hehehehe
7. since i still deviate towards the right, which is where the gutter is on the road when running clockwise... i have this constant fear of tipping over and fall into the sunken garden. it doesn't help me knowing that there are still trees and a sidewalk in between me and falling into the pit. i'm just irrational that ways...
8. there is this korean lady that jogs there nightly.... you notice here since, well, she's korean and that she runs funny... like she has a fruit held in between her legs or something.
9. i was running with a seasoned marathon runner. he kinda just popped out of nowhere and began trailing behind me. he stayed there for a good long while before he zoomed past me and had me eat his jogger dust. not wanting to get beaten so easily, i tried to increase my pace and regain my position, which i kept for a long while as well until my ankles said no more. sensing his victory, he dashed in front and left me in defeat. i then got into my car and drove past him :) so what if i play dirty... hahahahaha!
10. cars who drive with their headlights on hi-beam should be more conscientious of who or what they are beaming their lights on. trust me, since asphalt has a degree of reflectance, running towards a car on hi-beam is the worst thing you could face as a runner... well, maybe not the worst. running into the car head on and colliding with the dumb-ass would certainly trump being blinded by glare anytime.
so there... the race is this sunday already and i still haven't felt i have built up my stamina for it yet. hopefully in the next few days, i can get my groove in order and feel at least a bit confident that i'll survive come race day :)
good luck ot moi!!! :)
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
running at UP
i was contemplating whether or not i should go. it had been a long and busy day and considering i started my day early (5 freaking AM to be exact), i was having qualms whether or not i was actually pushing my limits... then again, marathons are ALL about pushing one's limits... so i still went, to UP DILIMAN.
it was my first time to run the UP oval. i decided to give it a try since i now work in QC and finish my day late. it's not really a long drive away and i desperately needed to train. though i miss my old route, running by the bay at early morning along roxas blvd., one has to learn to be flexible.
the UP oval was slippery when i ran since it had been raining the entire day. despite this though, there were still a lot of joggers running, proof that dedication superceeds everything! hehehe. dedication however did not prepare me for the unfamiliar terrain i had to contend with. slippery, dark, uneven and hilly, my ankles started complaining earlier than expected. a friend told me that 1 revolution around the oval was about a kilometer, that said, then i barely made 1 kilometer before i had to stop to rest my legs, much to my frustration. i tried running a few rounds more, hoping i could at least make 5K, but even if the spirit was willing, the flesh was, well, the flesh didn't really give a shit anymore! it wanted to stop and pulled the air-brakes on me prematurely. i only did a total of about 3km last night. my cadence was irregular, my foot was slapping rather loudly, which bothers me a lot since midfoot running is supposed to be silent, and i was constantly being nagged by my primadonna of an ankle.
i could have been fatigued already from the long day's work, of just re-adjusting to the new route, either way, i am hoping later would be a better run. i am sure the path will be dryer and that my legs would at least be less prissy now since they already had a foretaste of what is to come. besides... though my legs may be stubborn... my brain is more HARD headed.
wish me luck!
it was my first time to run the UP oval. i decided to give it a try since i now work in QC and finish my day late. it's not really a long drive away and i desperately needed to train. though i miss my old route, running by the bay at early morning along roxas blvd., one has to learn to be flexible.
the UP oval was slippery when i ran since it had been raining the entire day. despite this though, there were still a lot of joggers running, proof that dedication superceeds everything! hehehe. dedication however did not prepare me for the unfamiliar terrain i had to contend with. slippery, dark, uneven and hilly, my ankles started complaining earlier than expected. a friend told me that 1 revolution around the oval was about a kilometer, that said, then i barely made 1 kilometer before i had to stop to rest my legs, much to my frustration. i tried running a few rounds more, hoping i could at least make 5K, but even if the spirit was willing, the flesh was, well, the flesh didn't really give a shit anymore! it wanted to stop and pulled the air-brakes on me prematurely. i only did a total of about 3km last night. my cadence was irregular, my foot was slapping rather loudly, which bothers me a lot since midfoot running is supposed to be silent, and i was constantly being nagged by my primadonna of an ankle.
i could have been fatigued already from the long day's work, of just re-adjusting to the new route, either way, i am hoping later would be a better run. i am sure the path will be dryer and that my legs would at least be less prissy now since they already had a foretaste of what is to come. besides... though my legs may be stubborn... my brain is more HARD headed.
wish me luck!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
my 5K time
the results are out... my official time.... 24:38. what's even better... i finished ahead of that father daughter tandem! but what is best is finding out that pig-tailed squirt's name is THALIA!!!!!ah... no need for vengeance anymore. justice is served! :)
Monday, March 2, 2009
Botak Paabilisan '09!!
my day started at 4:00am. well, actually no, it started way earlier than that since, like how i was on my last marathon, i barely slept a wink due to nerves. i just got back from a food tour with friends the day prior and considering that i was so tired, it was still not enough to knock me out. not being able to rest for an endurance sport should really be a cause for concern, but quite frankly, i was the least bothered by it. i was actually more worried for my weight! a food tour means exercising gluttony and packing in unwanted pounds, pounds that i seriously cannot afford to pack in! i kinda tried to salvage my situation by going on an instant fast as i got home, which i eventually failed at since i recall gorging on a pack of instant noodles and a couple of bananas at around 1am! too hungry to think straight apparently. so with tummy full, mind racing and conscience disturbed because of my lack in will, i braced myself for my coming run.
i got to the venue at around 5am, much later than what i would consider comforting since i like getting to a place much earlier, say, 2 hours earlier. kuya was a prince to offer to drive me there and since i was still sleepless, who was i refuse a free ride? but then again, kuya hasn't had sleep himself either. o well! needless to say we got to fort bonifacio without any untoward incident.
maybe it was the insomnia taking over me but i was surprisingly unexcited with this race, considering this was a major event for the running year, as compared to the event i joined last november. sponsored by Botak, the race attracted many participants, newbies and professional runners alike, as well as many running teams. there was even this one guy who was in a zorro outfit walking about, proving something a cousin of mine once said that these events attract the weirdest of people.
i did my usual routine, warming up, stretching and most importantly... finding the loo. unlike the first race i joined, this one did not seem to have enough toilets made available. in fact, i think it was due to this that a lot were not able to start the race in time. the morning was exceptionally chilly that day and i guess it made a lot of people fall victim to their accursed pea-sized bladders. upon hearing the organizers give the heads up for the racers to file in the starting line, i decided to take my place. i wanted to get psyched since until that point, i was still craving for my bed... and a big bowl of noodles, hangovers from the binondo trip (kasi!!). people started to flood in, the 10K runners making their way to the front of the pack, us 5K races slowly being eased to the back. i have always wondered how the officials time the runners accurately if we all start at different spots with some being ahead and some, behind. a friend told me our official times all start at the same time since it was a pack race. that said, i HONESTLY didn't want to be cheated of my efforts. i may not run as fast as that super lean, mean running machine with the p*k p*k shorts but heck! my minutes still count. much to the ire of the 10K runners i bumped into, i tried to squeeze my way further near the starting line. satisfied with my position, i waited for the starting gun.
the gun fired at 6:15am and sent a frenzy of eager runners bolting ahead. i started slow. it was part strategy, since i wanted to conserve my energy for the long haul. partly, i also had no choice since the freaking runners in front of me were walking. WALKING!!! like in the mall! i quickly lost my patience and the "pakistani cab driver in desperate need of a pee" in me immediately kicked in! thank goodness i live in tondo and had all that practice weeding in and out of stupid tricycles, jeepneys and pedestrians. it took me a few minutes of maneuvering but i eventually got myself out of that gridlock and soon found myself in the company of serious runners. by this time, we were nearing the u-turn along Essensa. this was a downhill track, much to my delight since i wasted a lot of energy trying to loose those misplaced mall rats and needed to replenish my energy. it was a long slope down, which also meant, a very long slope up upon turning. thankfully so, i have calves of steel and found that i run better uphill. i guess i enjoyed the uphill run so much that i noticed that i was already very near the front of the pack. not wanting to sense victory this soon, i quickly dismissed my unfounded joy and focused back again to the run. there was still a long way ahead and the finish line was still no where in sight.
this route was rather unusual compared to my first race. for one, this had more slopes and longer stretches of level planes. i have found from my practices before that i waste a lot of energy changing speeds due to change in terrain. though gravity can help in the downhill runs and my calves can easily manage the uphill inclines, the real test comes when i find myself on flat ground since then, all that propels you forward is the strength of your will... unless you are also coincidentally aerodynamic! (hehehehe). this route also had weird turns and for me, poorly considered paths since i often found myself running alongside cars! endurance runners only think of one thing, running forward. for you to add traffic control into our task is not only insensitive, but dangerous as well since by now, our judgement is most probably compromised due to fatigue. because also of the weird path and the slopes, it was difficult for you to spot the finish line, thereby not being able to gauge how much farther you had to run and if you were doing good time. if you were i who does not wear a watch to keep track of your speed, then this really does pose a problem. thank goodness for faster runners.... as long as i can run alongside them, i thought, i was ok.
there were no celebrities this time who served as a threat for me to run faster, unfortunately. no cuties running in front of me either to chase. all i had to serve as motivation was this little girl who was running beside her dad. cute i thought. she was indeed fast and despite her age, quite competitive as well since as i slowly inched my way ahead of her, i distinctly heard her calling to her dad that i was coming. "punyemas tong bwisit na to ah! what are you two trying at? sabotage!!!??" needless to say, i was too tired to give a shit, more so give in to the taunts of this pig-tailed squirt. i kept my pace and throughout the remainder of the race, the squirt-dad tandem and i were on constant head to head, that was until we neared the finish line and they zoomed past ahead of me. i swear, if i were not as nice, i would have pulled on her pig-tails and would have loved to see her kiss concrete! (ehem...)
i crossed the finish line with the time at 24:33, almost a full minute faster than my last race, though it's not official yet. not bad i reckoned considering i didn't practice as much this time and was heavier to boot.
i certainly hope i would be more disciplined next time. how else will i survive running a 10k!? :) wohoo!!!
i got to the venue at around 5am, much later than what i would consider comforting since i like getting to a place much earlier, say, 2 hours earlier. kuya was a prince to offer to drive me there and since i was still sleepless, who was i refuse a free ride? but then again, kuya hasn't had sleep himself either. o well! needless to say we got to fort bonifacio without any untoward incident.
maybe it was the insomnia taking over me but i was surprisingly unexcited with this race, considering this was a major event for the running year, as compared to the event i joined last november. sponsored by Botak, the race attracted many participants, newbies and professional runners alike, as well as many running teams. there was even this one guy who was in a zorro outfit walking about, proving something a cousin of mine once said that these events attract the weirdest of people.
i did my usual routine, warming up, stretching and most importantly... finding the loo. unlike the first race i joined, this one did not seem to have enough toilets made available. in fact, i think it was due to this that a lot were not able to start the race in time. the morning was exceptionally chilly that day and i guess it made a lot of people fall victim to their accursed pea-sized bladders. upon hearing the organizers give the heads up for the racers to file in the starting line, i decided to take my place. i wanted to get psyched since until that point, i was still craving for my bed... and a big bowl of noodles, hangovers from the binondo trip (kasi!!). people started to flood in, the 10K runners making their way to the front of the pack, us 5K races slowly being eased to the back. i have always wondered how the officials time the runners accurately if we all start at different spots with some being ahead and some, behind. a friend told me our official times all start at the same time since it was a pack race. that said, i HONESTLY didn't want to be cheated of my efforts. i may not run as fast as that super lean, mean running machine with the p*k p*k shorts but heck! my minutes still count. much to the ire of the 10K runners i bumped into, i tried to squeeze my way further near the starting line. satisfied with my position, i waited for the starting gun.
the gun fired at 6:15am and sent a frenzy of eager runners bolting ahead. i started slow. it was part strategy, since i wanted to conserve my energy for the long haul. partly, i also had no choice since the freaking runners in front of me were walking. WALKING!!! like in the mall! i quickly lost my patience and the "pakistani cab driver in desperate need of a pee" in me immediately kicked in! thank goodness i live in tondo and had all that practice weeding in and out of stupid tricycles, jeepneys and pedestrians. it took me a few minutes of maneuvering but i eventually got myself out of that gridlock and soon found myself in the company of serious runners. by this time, we were nearing the u-turn along Essensa. this was a downhill track, much to my delight since i wasted a lot of energy trying to loose those misplaced mall rats and needed to replenish my energy. it was a long slope down, which also meant, a very long slope up upon turning. thankfully so, i have calves of steel and found that i run better uphill. i guess i enjoyed the uphill run so much that i noticed that i was already very near the front of the pack. not wanting to sense victory this soon, i quickly dismissed my unfounded joy and focused back again to the run. there was still a long way ahead and the finish line was still no where in sight.
this route was rather unusual compared to my first race. for one, this had more slopes and longer stretches of level planes. i have found from my practices before that i waste a lot of energy changing speeds due to change in terrain. though gravity can help in the downhill runs and my calves can easily manage the uphill inclines, the real test comes when i find myself on flat ground since then, all that propels you forward is the strength of your will... unless you are also coincidentally aerodynamic! (hehehehe). this route also had weird turns and for me, poorly considered paths since i often found myself running alongside cars! endurance runners only think of one thing, running forward. for you to add traffic control into our task is not only insensitive, but dangerous as well since by now, our judgement is most probably compromised due to fatigue. because also of the weird path and the slopes, it was difficult for you to spot the finish line, thereby not being able to gauge how much farther you had to run and if you were doing good time. if you were i who does not wear a watch to keep track of your speed, then this really does pose a problem. thank goodness for faster runners.... as long as i can run alongside them, i thought, i was ok.
there were no celebrities this time who served as a threat for me to run faster, unfortunately. no cuties running in front of me either to chase. all i had to serve as motivation was this little girl who was running beside her dad. cute i thought. she was indeed fast and despite her age, quite competitive as well since as i slowly inched my way ahead of her, i distinctly heard her calling to her dad that i was coming. "punyemas tong bwisit na to ah! what are you two trying at? sabotage!!!??" needless to say, i was too tired to give a shit, more so give in to the taunts of this pig-tailed squirt. i kept my pace and throughout the remainder of the race, the squirt-dad tandem and i were on constant head to head, that was until we neared the finish line and they zoomed past ahead of me. i swear, if i were not as nice, i would have pulled on her pig-tails and would have loved to see her kiss concrete! (ehem...)
i crossed the finish line with the time at 24:33, almost a full minute faster than my last race, though it's not official yet. not bad i reckoned considering i didn't practice as much this time and was heavier to boot.
i certainly hope i would be more disciplined next time. how else will i survive running a 10k!? :) wohoo!!!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
the run
i ran under the moonlight that one tuesday morning, the sun not yet peering over the horizon. under its eerie borrowed light, i paced myself, taking care not to exhaust all my energy as i trained, for i still had planed a long way ahead. the grandstand always looked majestic in the shadows, its monolithic facade only highlighted by the feeble glow of dim lamps situated across the street. it stood there, an art deco edifice to past grandeur, like a proud royal surveying its kingdom, Nebuchadnezzar praising over his Babylon before God struck him down.
i listened to myself, my feet, the regularity of them hitting the cold, hard pavement. the beat was almost hypnotic, coupled with the sound of my breathing, ushering me slowly into my zone. the runners beside me had already entered theirs and i had no desires to be left unmatched. they slowly started to fade as my concentration began to sharpen. in a matter of seconds, i was the only one left relevant. i was now alone with only the road in front of me as my sole companion. the path was smooth despite the irregularities of the asphalt. the course was familiar as i had ran it many times before. the feeling, however, was new, fresh, and strangely foreign. it had been months since i ran out in the open again and my body has already forgotten how it felt to be on the naked road.
this would be my first run for the year. it was imperative that i get myself used to running again as i have a race come month's end. though i have been training on the treadmill for a few weeks now, it was still best to get accustomed to actual race scenarios as this would prepare me more, both physically and mentally, for what i will actually face. there is also a certain rush i get when i find myself in the midst of fellow runners on the road. their energy, some, their determination for whatever ends it may be, somehow also becomes my own. it energizes me and i find myself running faster, running stronger. i can only hope they feed on mine as well, my payment for their service as my inspiration.
i strode with a heightened sense of awareness, making myself conscious of each muscle, ligament, joint and bone, taking care that they all work properly and synchronously to my every command. it was rather arduous as expected since i had foreseen i will be getting used to the new environment again. with each landing of my foot, it sent a shock wave up my leg to my ever complaining hip, which till today reminds me constantly how i had abused it on my previous race. thankfully so, its unrelenting nagging is always met by my unyielding stubbornness and it eventually gives in.
by that time, i would believe my body was now fully engaged as a machine. i was conserving energy and yet releasing them in bursts with each stride. my torso was rigid, my pelvis relaxed, my legs strong. past my landmarks i went, they served as my opponents, obstacles i had to conquer. tamaraws and carabaos, hero's obelisks and clock towers, they all stood in front of me, blocking me from my goal. round and round i ran, along the path, until fatigue started to set in. my muscles began to tense as the shocks were already pushing them to their limits. my brain was telling me to stop running, to rest, but i knew not to listen. not yet, this was a trick my mind would play. i was not truly exhausted yet for i knew my body well, my limits have not yet been reached. the pain was becoming more marked now, toxins slowly irritating my nerves. i felt my heart thump with a strong beat, my breathing heavy and deep, i was waiting for "it" to kick in and i knew succumbing to my body's pangs now would just rob me of that moment. my brain sensing i had no plans of relenting, it shot me with a dose of endorphins, immediately silencing my complaining members. i smiled as i felt my efforts were validated, my reward for my determination. i was now on my 4th kilometer and i bolted forward to "finish strong", as they say.
as i crossed my finish line and gradually decelerated to a halt, i could not help it but feel proud of my achievement. it was not much, i knew, for what is really 5 kilometers? but as a runner once told me, it's not really the distance that matters the most but how you condition your mind for indeed, marathons are not all about just harnessing the body. i have always thought my will was weak and have found that it was only in my morning runs do i exercise it. 5 kilometers down and my will is already singing praises. i wonder what more joy it would bring if i decide on the 10k next time.
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