And some things I can do without training…

Bee tagged a photo of me from today’s race and it made me laugh out loud when I saw the previous pics in the stock.Thanks Bee!

A long, long time ago, I wrote a post on looking fierce when you cross the finish line. Read about it here. Checked the photos and some you need to work on your finish line look. Bawal ang Hargdo Versoza!

I always plaster on a happy smile when I cross the finish line for:
1. Vanity – Last thing I want to see (again) after a hard race is a photo of me gasping for air or worse looking defeated or worst looking like I wanted to punch out the lights of the runner overtaking me. (Did. Caught. Busted. True story.)

2. Posterity – when I look back at the race, I want to remember first how great it felt to triumph over the distance. Whether I walked, crawled or ran, crossing the finish line is always magical to me.

3. Extra omph – for me flashing a smile and triumphant look connects my synapses just right to give me extra power and strength for the last few meters before the finish line. Secret weapon.

LIKE Takbo.ph on Facebook and checkout if they snapped your photo at the Natgeo Run 2013. Click here for the photos.

Natgeo Run 2013: Level 3 – Complete!

Level 1 – Wake up and peel self off from bed
This is an ongoing theme for me. Running is not the biggest challenge. It’s actually getting up and heading out for a run. I’m really having problems finding the motivation and drive to just lace up and go. I’ve never won an early debate with myself on the merits of morning runs until today. Woohoo!

Level 2 – get to the finish line on time
I won the debate, yes, but it actually took me over 30 minutes to convince myself that I need to do this race.

I can’t flake on Dingdong again but he’ll race naman even if I don’t show. NatGeo will be a great race, yeah and pati naman race x, y and z was good and I didnt go din. Sayang naman, this could be the start or I could start on May 1 para start of the month…blah-blah-blah

After over 30mins, fitness triumphed over laziness. But it’s 3:45am na. I quickly prepared – shower, change, tape – and was out the door in 40 mins.

I got to the starting line on time!

Level 3 – Just do it, RUN!
And pretty soon, all systems go!

FACT: I had a plan for this race. I will walk-run it to the finish using my
week 2 C25K program. I will just go the distance. Speed will come later. I finished in 1h28min. Strong! I prolly could have pushed a bit more but it was so hot, I decided to play it safe.

I was so pleased that I even managed to overtake a few runners/walkers on the last stretch to the finish line. Tired but very happy.

FORM: I didn’t watch my form really well today. I just kept putting one foot in front of the other. At times, I did find extra power to go a bit faster. Pity I forgot to charge the Garmin so I have no km-split data. Next time.

FEEL: Mainit. It was so hot I was sweating before the first turn around. I just kept pouring water over my head, face and arms to keep cool. Overall, I feel great.

*********BONUS : Overheard at the Natgeo Run 2013*********

1. “Good morning runners.” – cheerful greeting from a lot of the marshals
Thank you marshals! I needed that. I made sure to return all the greetings as well. Pity most of the runners never made the effort to acknowledge them. Promise, calling out a greeting, putting up a hand to wave or even smiling back makes running a lot easier. Distracts you from the pain and suffering hehe

2. “I ran this race 2 years ago. I ran the 3K. – heard 2x, same person.
Somebody needs a better scriptwriter or prepare better. The first time he said it, he added pa, “not sure if I was registered …” Wait I take it back 3x pala, same line during the launch.

3. ” … ??? percent over 6 months” – dude talking to a dudette walking downhill somewhere after Mckinley …
Downhill. Walking. ‘Nuff said.

4. “Tatay…” – a 20s something faint call out to her father who was about 2 meters ahead.
The dad immediately turned, concern written all over his face. Amazing how the power of one word and how in tune the father was to his daughter.

*********Last 2 hirit…*********
Hirit No. 1: Congrats Dingdong, woohoo 52mins.
Hirit No. 2:Thanks to the uber nice runner who gave me one of her safety pins. I lost 3 safety pins somewhere between my house and the starting line. Lady runner kindly gave me one of her pins. Hope she had a great race as well.

Now time for some zzzzzzz….

April 10: 7k-ish

Yesterday, I was one of the lucky ladies invited to be among the first to experience freedom of movement in an exclusive all-female session with the Nike Free 5.0. That was a really great session. Check out my next post.

Wednesday was another run day so after weavin’ and groovin’ with the girls, I still needed to log in a few kms. I could have gone round and round and up and down BGC but that’s a bit boring so I just decided to reverse my usual route and run home.

DISTANCE : 7k and a bit. Can’t be certain how far I really went coz Garmin froze and died and as I only had 26% battery left I decided to just use my interval app. I wasn’t sure if I had enough juice for interval and runmeter. However, I’m certain it’s over 7kms coz I started before my usual end point.

FACT : If I turn off 3G, I only need 6%. batt to run for an 1hr using my interval app with music.

FORM : Horrible. I ran home so I had a a drawstring backpack. It kept bouncing so I had to hold the straps which meant my arm movement was restricted, my shoulders tensed and my pace much slower.

FEEL : Legs felt a bit tired. I think they were still in shock from dancing. But this was really an easier run coz it was downhill. Oh and there was that lovely late breeze again.

It wasn’t too hot out but I still lost a lot of fluids. 2lbs worth of water. I’ve never recorded that much water loss. I was a bit freaked so II was rehydrating the whole day today.

Overall, I feel great. 14kms++ this week and counting. Oh and one more run and I can finally move to Week2 of the program. I’ve been stuck in C25K Week 1 for a year now, time to level up.

1st Long Run for 2013 : Run for 10

You have probably seen the cinema ad for this advocacy. Two kids – the class president and the class clown – flipping a 10peso coin. TEN Moves! is a campaign to raise enough resources to build 10,000 classrooms in public schools all over the Philippines. This run is extra special as proceeds will be directed to building classrooms in typhoon Pablo affected areas, such as Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental.

This race will be at my playground so it’s very convenient. I checked the race route, yipee! we won’t be going round and round Ayala Triangle Garden. This so much better than what I had planned. Plus, it will be the perfect way to kick-off my 2013 long runs.

Run for 10 is a fun run organized by and for the benefit of The Entire Nation (TEN) Moves!, a social mobilization campaign of Bayanihang Pampaaralan which aims to raise enough resources to help build 10,000 classrooms in public schools all over the Philippines.

Proceeds of the run for will be directed to building classrooms in typhoon Pablo affected areas, such as Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental.

It will be held on January 13, 2013, at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City, and will be organized simultaneously in 10 other provinces in the Philippines, namely Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Legazpi, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zamboanga, and Zamboanga Sibugay.

For further inquiries, please contact the TEN Moves Secretariat at (632) 752-1061 or email info@tenmoves.org. You can also add them on Facebook at facebook.com/TENMoves or follow us on Twitter through twitter.com/TEN_Moves.

Registration forms are available at The T-Shirt Project branches in Market! Market!, Trinoma, and at the 2nd floor of Glorietta 2. For your convenience, click here to download the registration form here, then please print, fill out, and give to any of the registration centers.

racing tips for turtles

Sometimes it is not only about completing the distance
Sometimes it is more than not being the last runner in the race route
At some point pride will kick in
And when that happens being in page 258 of 259 is not good enough

Are you in the triple digit page number of 2012 Nike We Run Manila? (Check your official race results here: NIKE WE RUN MANILA) Do you want to improve your ranking next year?

Here are some tips that you can try to help you improve your ranking. We may not be fast but we can run smart. Based on my computations, if you follow the tips below you could move up by at least 6 pages (assuming 48 names per page.)

1. Bring your own water. Fellow slowpokes are more likely to stop at water stations.
Assumption : 10 runners per water station x 4 water stations = overtake at least 40 runners

2. Don’t stop, rest, slow down or walk after the turnaround point. The turnaround point is a big race milestone. The typical mind game runners play is to bargain for a bit of rest after a turnaroundpoint. It will be very tempting to join them. Don’t! Delay your walk break. Overtake some runners first.
Assumption : overtake at least 50 runners

3. Run the straights. The shortest distance between 2 points is a straight line. When you see a curve, don’t follow it. Find the straight line that will take you across.
Assumption : overtake at least 15 runners

4. Plan your race. Study the race route. Plan your pace. Plan your walk/run ratio and stick to it. Some of our runners are not really that slow. They just start out too fast and run out of gas after the first 3 kilometers. They will pass you at the start. It’s okay. With consistent pacing and smart racing know-how, you will overtake them when it matters the most.
Assumption : overtake at least 100 runners

5. Do your number 1s and 2s before the race.It is better to queue at the portalets before the race. The race clock is not yet ticking; it won’t affect your ranking.
Assumption : overtake at least 10 runners

6. NEVER, EVER position yourself near the front. It could destroy you. Keeping up with the faster runners will shred your legs and demolish your morale. Better to position yourself near runners who will likely run the same pace. Plus going out too fast will cause your muscles to fatigue quicker. Refer to no.4.
Assumption : overtake at least 40 runners

7. Keep an eye for easy pickings. These runners might really be strong runners but for reasons known only to them, they set themselves up as target. Keep an eye out for the following and overtake them:
– that guy with the DSLR
– that HHWWPSSP ( holding hands while walking pa-swing swing pa) couple. Easy x2 runners
– anyone who stops to take a photo every kilometer marker
– that barkada blocking the race route and walking shoulder to shoulder
Assumption : overtake at least 30 runners

8. If you must take a picture, keep it to a miminum. Refer to number 7, don’t be a target. You are racing.
Assumption : 15 runners can overtake you

9. Smile. Might not help you overtake runners but it could make you feel better.

Approx number of runners you can overtake:
– If you don’t take pictures = 300 runners
– If you take pictures = 285 runner

10. And then of course, best tip ever … Train! 100% guaranteed way to bump up your ranking. I like the training programs I saw in one website. Click here to check it out and see you next year.

before i run

Every now and then I suffer from plantar fasciitis. When it hits, I have to tiptoe around in the morning until everything loosens up. I so hate it when it hits in the middle of a run. It feels like running with a golf ball under my arch. Stretching helps a lot but since my plantar fascia problem is partly due to my high arches have to say that taping has helped me manage my plantar fascia problems. I never run now without taping.

I’ve browsed a few sites and saw several ways to do it. The picture above shows the taping style that works for me. I suggest you try the various ways, take it for a run and modify as needed. I find that the options available online uses too much tape and too restricting.

Oh and I just use LP tape; it’s cheaper and softer. If you browse for taping techniques, you might see a post by a guy who used duct tape. I tried that, too. Duct tape is a bit stiff and you will need to put carefully to avoid blisters. And be warned, it will be a bit hard to take off.

Happy running!

Starting line, where art thou?

13,700 runners, woohoo! I was not really surprised when we couldn’t find the starting line. The theory of following the flow of people didn’t work for us kasi 500 of us queued up somewhere … and it was not going to the starting line. Haha! Good thing one of the security staff directed us to the right place.

After a long shuffle, we finally crossed the starting line 16mins after the gunstart. I had a great run. Hot but it went according to my plan and I’m pleased. Crossed in 1:28. Happiness!

Thanks NikePh. And extra love to Trina and Jandric for taking care of us.

* * *

Official Press Release
More than 13,000 runners of Nike We Run Race energizes the streets of Manila
Filipino runners blaze trails in the 2012 race edition to advance global running movement

PHILIPPINES, 2 December 2012 – More than 13,000 runners took to the streets of the city of Pasay early this morning to run in the Nike We Run MNL 10K race. The annual event presented runners with the unique opportunity to be a part of the global We Run race movement, forging a new global community of 395,500 runners from 32 cities through Nike’s most connected race series with innovative Nike+ technology.

Mia Constantino crossed the Nike We Run MNL 10K finish line first in the Under-24 female category, with a timing of 52 minutes and 29 seconds. Mia placed second in the 2011 edition of Nike We Run MNL 10K and she gleefully shares her experience this year as truly memorable. “I have finally gotten over the hump!” exclaimed Mia. Second place winner Clarisse Francesca Yeung who completed with a time of 55 minutes shared the same sentiments, and said, “I feel so proud to be part of this race which places Philippines on the map of this global running movement.”

Leading the men’s under-24 category is Immanuel Camino, clocking in 33 minutes and 30 seconds. Immanuel has prepared well for this run – undergoing speed and long run trainings twice a day, every week. “I feel so happy and proud with this achievement. At last, I am coming home with an award!” shared Immanuel. “It is a great opportunity to be part of this race that gathers the Filipino youth. It feels so great to be part of this movement.”

This year, runners gathered at the Mall of Asia grounds activity area for the race flag off at 5:30am and crossed the finish line at Seaside Boulevard set against the remarkable view of Manila Bay. Runners paced themselves along the urban commercial scenery past landmarks such as the SMX Convention Center, SM Bay City Arena and Belle Casino among others.

At the Nike We Run MNL 10K Race Village located at the corner of Seaside Boulevard and Bayshore Avenue, runners connected with each other and celebrated their running achievements. All finishers received a Finisher’s Tee to commemorate their running achievement. Participants and supporters were treated to popular local music acts such as Never The Strangers, Chicosci and Sponge Cola, making the Nike We Run MNL 10K a celebration of music and running.

“We are thrilled to bring the Nike We Run race back to the Philippines, and were overwhelmed with the tremendous support shown by its local running community. Witnessing a wave of more than 13,000 runners stretched across Seaside Boulevard is remarkable knowing that Filipinos, especially the youth, are committed to an active lifestyle. With our innovations and the Nike+ running community, we hope that the Filipino runners continue motivating and inspiring each other to be the best runners they can be,” shared Sanjay Gangopadhyay, Marketing Director of Nike South East Asia.

Nike Philippines donated to the Apl.de.Ap Foundation (AdAF) in partnership with the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF) for their We Can Be Anything education advocacy campaign for the Filipino youth.

The Nike We Run race series is Nike’s most connected race series yet with innovative Nike+ technology. The race series kicked off on September 1 in Prague, Czech Republic, and will conclude on December 15 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Runners can also stay connected on the Nike Running Philippines Facebook community: http://www.facebook.com/NikeRunningPH or on Twitter via @NikePH.

swimming with lizards, running with monkeys

Teluk Burau, Langkawi. It was still dark at 6am so I waited until 7am before I headed out for a short jog. It rained last night so it was very cool.

I wasn’t planning on a hard run. I just wanted to explore and burn a bit of my PenangIndulgence. Penang food is soooo delish!

The road was very quiet. Every now and then I’d see a motorbike or a car. It was so quiet, I wasn’t surprised to see a monkey or two. Yup, monkeys. Big monkeys, big like a one year old baby. Sooo cute.

And so I ran and walked on a tree lined road. And then I saw more monkeys, not planet of the apes many but definitely barangay of the apes many. They were on the roadside and on the trees. I was starting to get a bit scared. Some were a bit territorial and started hissing. Maybe they were calling out, “Good morning!”, but since I don’t speak monkey and I could definitely see fangs I decided to run a bit faster and crossed to the other side of the road.

Monkeys aside, it was a good 45min walk/run. I will definitely go out again tomorrow but will choose the road to the left of the resort. More hilly but less monkey.

I guess being from the city, I get freaked a bit more with monkeys. You see where I usually run, I watch out for a different species. I know how to avoid trouble from the two-legged kind out to steal from you or just drunk and being silly.

What about the lizard, you ask?

Yesterday, after merienda we decided to go for a short swim. 5mins in the pool, we saw some of the guests taking pictures near the edge of the pool. Curious! I wondered what they were so excited about. And then I saw a head, 2 legs, long scaly body, 2 more legs and a very long tail! Lizard!!! Big one. Paddle-paddle-swim-swim! It was a 4-5ft monitor lizard out for an afternoon swim.

Way too much wildlife for me!

I didn’t bring a camera when I ran, but in case you are doubting my monkey business. Check out my next door neighbors.

Fretting? Run!

As I walked home yesterday, “Oh no! No! No! No!” kept echoing in my head.

A series of unfortunate events unfolded yesterday and it could potentially go Boom! today. I could not do anything about it at 7pm. I needed to wait it out.

I had dinner and settled to watch The Voice. Seeing Adam Levine could and should calm me down, right?

“Oh no! No! No! No!”

I tried to read.

“Oh no! No! No! No!”

I turned off the lights. I will just sleep this off.

“Oh no! No! No! No!”

I got up and laced up. I figured the best way to deal with this frantic vibe is to tire myself out. Run and crash. I went to my favorite route. It’s well lit and lotsa runners. With every lap, I drowned out all the “OhNos! with music and the sound of my feet hitting the pavement. Pretty soon I settled into a calm pace. I’ve outrun the OhNos!

After an hour, I headed home and as expected, crashed!

Happy ending. Today, the OhNos, became an OhWell and then eventually an OhYes!!! Plus, I was able put in a good hour of run.

So if you have a day like mine, stop fretting and run.

refashioned singlet

I’m forever complaining about singlets giving me a bad case of chafing. I never wear them but when you register for a race, you get them whether you like them or not.

Lightbulb! Can singlets be optional? Less xx pesos on reg fee if you pass on the singlet?

Back to the project, I’ve donated most of my singlets but there are some that I can’t let go.Senti singlets. I’ve decided to refashion one of them into a bag.
Materials: 1 – SentiSinglet, scissors, pins and extra fabric for handles.
Step 1: Cut the shoulder seams. Step 2: Cut out straps from fabric. Width of strap is same as width of shoulder seam. Length is up to you. Long or short handles? I opted for shorter ones. Ignore the rope. I was going to use it to reinforce the handles but turns out I didn’t need them.

Step 3: Pin the straps to the singlet. Right side to right side. Notice that I’m connecting the front with the handle. This will give you a bigger bag opening.Step 4: Time to sew. Piece together the handle and shoulder seam of the singlet. Handstitching will work, too.Step 5: Flip and reinforce. Flip the handle and sew to around and across to reinforce the handle. When you’re done, you should have something like the picture below.Step 6: Finish the handle by sewing the two edges of the handle together. I used a jersey fabric that didn’t need serging. If you’re using a fabric that will unravel, then you will need to edge or fold it in.Ta-da! One side done! Repeat step 1-6.Step 7: Sew the bottom of the singlet close. Almost there… You can stop here or you can do an extra step to make the bag more roomy. Step 8: Fold the bottom of the bag. Line up the bottom and side seams. This sounds more complicated than it really is. Just copy how I’ve folded it. Mark 3inches from the tip down the 2 sides. Connect the 2 points and sew along that line.The bottom should look like this after you do step 8.And here’s my new bag! I’m ready to go shopping.