Run Nurse Run!

42 Races: A Virtual Running App

2018-07-21T01:36:00.002-07:00

I've neglected this blog for far too long. I guess it's time for a comeback.

After running 4 marathons and countless short runs and a handful of half-mary, I'm still pretty much the Running Nurse sans the posts. I have taken a rest on joining races but I still do run in my free time. I guess running would always be a big part of me.

I also discovered an application that allows you to join races VIRTUALLY.

For someone like me who lives in the desert (figuratively speaking haha!) and too lazy to prep and travel just so to join races, this is something that is very convenient and economical. Of course, you still have to pay race fee though there are some races that are free, it cuts off unnecessary expenses. You would receive a medal too and would be shipped to your address (How cool is that?).

Simply download 42 Race on your App Store or you could get it on Google Play, register for an account and make sure to put on your exact Home Address (for the medal shipping!).

Find a virtual race that you want to join. You can join and run anywhere around the world.

For me, I use my Strava to track my runs and sync it on the 42 Races app. There is also an option to manually submit a run but I haven't tried it yet.

After the race closes and you submitted your run, you would receive a Badge on your 42 race mobile app complete with a Ranking Report. Your medal would be shipped to your address and you'll receive it 2-4 weeks after race completion.

These medals are way too cool!

This isn't a sponsored post but I just want to share with you cool things about running that I discovered along the way. So, if you find yourself registering for one of their races, comment on this post or share some photos.

Happy Running!

2015-07-12T12:52:00.002-07:00

Have you ever felt so tired with life in general that you just don't care whether you wake up the next day or not?

Well, today is one of those days...

101

2014-01-11T06:55:00.000-08:00

> He likes it when you are a happy/positive person. > He likes that you know how to cook at least. > He wants you to be clean and organized at home. > He's not into brightly colored clothes. Tone it down a little. > Don't be too feminine. He doesn't like that. > Make him coffee or tea when he's at home and put it on his favorite harley davidson tumbler. > When he's tired give him a massage without him telling you so. > When he's on the phone, try to be as silent as you can possibly be. He is serious when it comes to work. > When at a public place, don't get mad when he isn't affectionate. He'll warm off after a while, he'd drape his arms around you. > Learn to love karting. > He love cars: beetle, bimmer, land rover. > Squeeze his hand while he's driving. > He's into riding bikes. Allow him to go and ride. He would usually lost track of the time. Don't worry, he'd come back to you. > Encourage him to exercise and be fit. > He is a kid deep inside, it's okay to unleash the inner kid in you and infect him once in a while. > Don't speak about the mundane things in life. He doesn't care about tiny details. > Be sure to balance your time with him and your friends. > No gay lingo please. > When eating out, order water instead of sodas. > Be quick on ordering when dining out. > When sleeping, be sure you are facing him or better yet, lay on top of him with your head on his chest. > Don't take too long fixing yourself when going out, he doesn't like to be kept on waiting. He would love you just the same. > He could be too hot tempered at times and say things that would really hurt (that goes to people at work too), be understanding and remind him to take it easy. > He'd be too busy at work. Don't be jealous. > Be supportive with his work and be involved. > He snores too loud when he sleeps especially when he's tired. Keep those earplugs handy. > When he gets mad at you, just hug Him tight. > Shopping should be brief.
> What he likes most with his girl: someone who knows about his business. An architect, an ID, project manager is preferable. > He would love you too much but be prepared when he had a change of heart... It would come unexpectedly. Be prepare to let go as much as you were prepared to love him forever. > Never let your family get too involved. It would be harder moving on...

Run United 3 2012: Conquering The Afroman Distance

2012-09-17T13:48:00.000-07:00

My first attempt to do the Afroman distance.

And this is my story...

Assembly Time: 0230 am

Gun Start: 0300 am

It is with too much trepidation and excitement that I head over the starting line of the Run United 3 32K category at the 28th St. of BGC albeit the rain that never shows any sign of stopping. Up until now I can still feel the soreness in my legs but it’s the kind of pain that reminds you of your triumph over something as big a challenge such as running a long distance like this. Although it’s not yet a marathon distance, it is such a bittersweet, humbling experience for me.

There were an estimate of 3000 32K registered runners during the Unilab Run United 3 and despite the heavy downpour, those 3000 runners did not waver on their desire to conquer the distance.

My brother was my sole companion/cheerer/photographer during the race. We made it just on time for the assembly time of 0230. I was overwhelmed by the big crowd of runners, exhilarated even. Imagine my joy upon seeing a sea of running enthusiasts!

**Now that I am working (and running) in Riyadh, a big crowd for a race consists merely of 150 runners. So when I saw that the Run United 3 will be held in time for my vacation leave, I asked my brother to immediately sign me in for the said race.

I was determined to run rain or shine. I only had my hydration belt, a regular waterproof watch and my running shoes in tow bearing in mind that I will just enjoy the moment and run in a pace I am comfortable with. With 30 minutes before gun time, I had just enough time to do my warm-up and down on my energy gel before joining the throng of runners--most of them are like me, 1st timers for the said distance.

When the gun starts, I reminded myself to run slow for the 1st 10 minutes. I don’t want to start fast and deplete my energy before I even finished the race. Eventually, I picked up my pace and settled in on my rhythm. The rain gets heavier as the distance gets longer. We were all soaking wet up to our knickers and my pace is getting slower due to my already soaked getting-heavy-by-the-minute running shoes but I did not waver on my goal to finish the afroman distance. Psyching myself that I will finish the race no matter what, placing one foot in front of the other and repeating this mantra: “just keep running, keep on running” (just like Dory on the animation “Finding Nemo”) on my mind, helped me to push my limit and continue running.

When I passed by the 16 km mark, I checked my watch and noted that I’ve been running for about 1:55 hour. I’ve been running too slowly so I picked up my speed a little bit. It is on kilometre 20 (an estimation since I don’t have a gps on hand) that I started feeling a bit sore on my thighs but I continued nonetheless. By this time, I stopped or slowed down on every hydration station that I passed by even if I have my hydration belt with me, either to grab a banana, a sponge, a sports drink to refill my already depleted canteen or just to walk and stretch my already aching calves and thighs.

I finished the race with an unofficial time of 03:59, 1 minute before my self-imposed cut-off of 4 hours. It was such a joyous moment for me. I was beaming with pride and grinning from ear to ear when I was able to cross the finish line and for a moment, I was teary eyed!

I saw this on Runner’s World's facebook wall:

“You can feel sore tomorrow or you can feel sorry tomorrow. You Choose.”

I choose the former.

No regrets.

My Bucket List

2012-08-01T09:37:00.002-07:00

My Bucket List written on my iPhone's Notes

105 days ago (to be exact), I made a list of things I wanted to do in my life time before well, I "kick the bucket". I don't know if I would be able to do all these things but I am certainly hoping that I would.

So here goes…

1. Travel one country alone. This would belong in my "do-it-later" list since financial wise, I am not yet ready.

2. Conquer Heights. I am thinking of Sky Diving or Bunjee Jumping. Knee-buckling eh?

3. Tour one European Country. Or more.

4. Let's go Batanes! This is a local province in the Philippines that I would want to visit someday.

5. Randomly have a feeding program for street children. This I'm thinking to do really soon…

6. Shop til you Drop! I have to get rich soon! Haha

7. To finish a Marathon. I'm still practicing though. I still need to work on my endurance.

8. Attend a Woodstock Concert. 2019 would be the 50th year of the 1st Woodstock concert and I am really, really hoping it would push through.

9. Scuba Diving with Sharks. I still need to work on my courage…

10. Learn how to surf. I tried 2 times already but still…

11. To be a Photo pro.

12. To own a house by the beach.

13. To climb 10 mountains in my lifetime. 9 more to go...

14. Learn 1 foreign language.

15. To donate to a good cause.

16. Travel on a Cruise Ship.

17. Climb the steps to Macchu Picchu.

18. To do an ultra-marathon. Would be my dream…

30 Things Every Woman Should Know About Running

2012-08-01T07:43:00.000-07:00

***(This is a repost from an article in Runner's World, 2002)

Knowledge is power, in running as in any other pursuit. The more you know about training, nutrition and health, the better you’ll be at getting the most from your running, whether that means fitness, weight loss, great race performances or just plain fun. In this article, you’ll find loads of useful information to help you reach your goals.

These facts and tips cover health, psychology, weight loss, pregnancy and motherhood, training, racing and more. Some apply to all runners, but most address the specific needs of women. You may find things you already know, but we’re sure you’ll discover new ideas that can help you to become the runner you want to be.

1. Running is a state of mind. The only thing that determines your success, or lack of success, is the way you think about your running. If it works for you – if it relieves stress, burns calories, gives you time to yourself, enhances your self-esteem – then it doesn’t matter what any other person or any stopwatch says about your running.

2. For female runners, controlled anaerobic training – intervals, hill reps, fartlek training – may lead to gains in strength and speed similar to those produced by steroids, but without the noxious side effects. Why? High-intensity anaerobic running is one of the most potent stimulators of natural human growth hormones – those that contribute to stronger muscles and, ultimately, enhanced performance.

3. Running with headphones outdoors is a safety hazard in more ways than one. You won’t be able to hear cars, cyclists or someone approaching who intends to do you harm. Attackers will always pick a victim who looks vulnerable. When you have headphones on, that means you.

4. Fast running burns more calories than slow running, but slow running burns more calories than just about any other activity. In short, nothing will help you to lose weight, and then keep it off, the way running does.

5. Doctors consider that moderate exercise during a normal pregnancy is completely safe for the baby. Running should cause no problems in the first trimester and it should be fine for most people in the second trimester. Few women would run in their final three months, however. The most important precaution is to avoid getting overheated; a core body temperature above 101°F could increase the risk of birth defects. So make sure you’re staying cool enough, and if in doubt, take your temperature after a run. If it’s over 100°F, you’re probably overdoing it. Also, skip that post-run soak in a hot bath.

6. You don’t have to be the competitive type to enter a race every now and then. You’ll find that lots of other racers aren’t overly competitive, either. They’re out there because it’s fun and social, and it motivates them to keep on running.

7. Women generally have narrower feet than men, so when you’re buying running shoes, your best bet will probably be a pair designed specifically for women. But everyone’s different; if your feet are wide, you may actually feel more comfortable in shoes designed for men. The bottom line: buy the shoe that fits your feet. If there is any question – or if you suffer blisters or injuries because of ill-fitting shoes – consult a podiatrist who specialises in treating runners.

8. An American study found that running women produce a less potent form of oestrogen than their sedentary counterparts. As a result, female runners cut by half their risks of developing breast and uterine cancer, and by two thirds their risk of contracting the form of diabetes that most commonly plagues women.

9. Having another woman or a group of women to run with on a regular basis will help to keep you motivated and ensure your safety. It’s also a lot more fun than running alone. Women runners become more than training partners; they’re confidantes, counsellors and coaches, too.

10. Women who run for weight control may lose perspective on what is an appropriate body size. A recent survey of thousands of women found that while 44 per cent of respondents were overweight, 73 per cent thought they were.

11. Unfortunately, men and women will never be equals in the urination department. Men are in and out of public toilets in a flash, while women stand in long, slow queues. And when it comes to running, men enjoy the ultimate convenience. But a female runner doesn’t have to be a prisoner of her anatomy. Simply find a private place behind a tree or dense shrubbery, squat and pull the lining of your shorts over to one side. Just beware of using unfamiliar leaves as toilet paper.

12. The two minerals that women runners need to pay the most attention to are calcium and iron. (Iron is especially important for menstruating women.) Good sources of calcium are dairy products, dark leafy vegetables, broccoli, canned sardines and salmon, while foods high in iron include liver, fortified dry cereals, beef and spinach.

13. Note: women who train intensively, have been pregnant in the past two years or consume fewer than 2500 calories a day should get more than routine blood tests for iron status, since these test only for anaemia, the final stage of iron deficiency. Instead, ask for more revealing tests, including those for serum ferritin, transferrin saturation and total iron-building capacity.

14. Running with a dog gives you the best of both worlds – you get to run alone, but with a friend. A dog is both a faithful companion who will go anywhere, any time, and a loyal guardian who’ll discourage anyone from harming you. The optimal running dog is medium-sized, with a bloodline bred for endurance. An easy rule of thumb: hunting breeds make the best runners.

15. There’s no need to miss a run or a race just because you’re having your period. If you’re suffering from cramps, running will often alleviate the pain, thanks to the release during exercise of pain-relieving chemicals called endorphins. Speedwork and hill sessions can be especially effective. To guard against leakage, try using a tampon and a towel for extra protection.

16. Running helps to produce healthy skin. According to dermatologists, running stimulates circulation, transports nutrients and flushes out waste products. All of this leads to a reduction in subcutaneous fat, making skin clearer and facial features more distinct.

17. It may not be much consolation, but men are sometimes verbally harassed and occasionally threatened on the run, just as women are. Be sensible when you run, but don’t let insignificant taunting limit your freedom.

18. If you run so much that your periods become light or non-existent, you may be endangering your bones. Amenorrhoea (lack of a monthly period) means that little or no oestrogen, essential for the replacement of bone minerals, is circulating in your body. Amenhorroeic women can stop, but not reverse, the damage by taking oestrogen and getting plenty of calcium. If your periods are infrequent or absent, consult a gynaecologist, preferably one sensitive to the needs of runners.

19. If you were a regular runner before you became pregnant, you might have a bigger baby – good news, since, up to a point, larger infants tend to be stronger and weather physical adversity better. Researchers in the US found that women who burned up to 1000 calories per week through exercise gave birth to babies weighing five per cent more than the offspring of inactive mums. Those who burned 2000 calories per week delivered babies weighing 10 per cent more.

20. Women who run alone should take precautions. Leave a note at home stating when you left, where you’ll be running and when you expect to return. Carry a personal attack alarm. Stick to well-populated areas, and don’t always run the same predictable route. Avoid running at night and don’t wear jewellery. Pay attention to your surroundings. Carry identification, but include only your name and an emergency phone number.

21. No matter what your size, it’s a good idea to wear a sports bra when you run. By controlling breast motion, it will make you feel more comfortable. Look for one that stretches horizontally but not vertically. Most importantly, try before you buy. A sports bra should fit snugly, yet not feel too constrictive. Run or jump on the spot to see if it gives you the support you need.

22. If you ran early in your pregnancy, you might want to try switching to a lower-impact exercise during the latter stages and after delivery. Because of the release of the hormone relaxin during pregnancy, some ligaments and tendons might soften. This will make you more vulnerable to injury, especially around your pelvis. Walking, swimming, stationary cycling and aquarunning (you’ll be even more buoyant than usual) are good choices.

23. Trying to lose fat by eating less and less and running more and more doesn’t work. The more you exercise and the less you eat, the more likely your body is to ‘hibernate’. That is, you’ll conserve calories and thwart your efforts to lose fat. The better bet is to exercise reasonably and increase your food intake early in the day to fuel your training. Eat breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack. Then eat lightly at dinner and afterwards.

24. Morning is the best time for women to run, for lots of reasons. First, it’s the safest time; statistics show that women are more likely to be attacked late in the day. Second, studies have shown that morning exercisers are more likely to stick with it, because what you do first thing gets done. Third, it saves you a round of dressing, undressing and showering at lunchtime or later. Fourth, it gives you a feeling of accomplishment, which is a great mental and physical start to the day.

25. Exploring your competitive side can offer benefits beyond running. Racing can help you tap into a goal-setting, assertive and self-disciplined side of your personality. Channelled correctly, these attributes can boost your success in other parts of your life, such as in the workplace.

26. ‘That time of the month’ (or even the few days preceding it) is not the time when women run their worst. The hardest time for women to run fast is about a week before menstruation begins (a week after ovulation). That’s when levels of the key hormone progesterone peak, inducing a much-higher-than-normal breathing rate during exercise. The excess ventilation tends to make running feel more difficult.

27. Just because you’re married and have young children and a job doesn’t mean you don’t have time to run. Running is time-efficient and the best stress-reducer on the market. You need this time. Taking it for yourself (by letting your husband baby-sit while you run, for instance) will benefit the whole family.

28. Babies dislike the taste of post- exercise breast milk, which is high in lactic acid and imparts a sour flavour. One study found that nursing mums who logged 35 minutes on the treadmill had to cope with grimacing, reluctant infants if they nursed too soon afterwards. Researchers recommend that you either collect milk for later feeding, or breast-feed before running.

29. Women sweat less than men. However, contrary to popular belief, women dissipate heat as well as men. The reason: women are smaller and have a higher body-surface-to-volume ratio, which means that although their evaporative cooling is less efficient, they need less of it to achieve the same result. Nonetheless, be sure to drink plenty of water (until your urine runs clear) to offset the effects of sweating and prevent dehydration.

30. While no one has ever proved the old theory that women are better marathoners than men (because they have more body fat to burn), you never hear anyone argue the opposite. Men tend to use their strength to push ahead in short races, but this can backfire in a marathon. Women seem perfectly content to find a comfort zone and stay there. This makes them ideally suited for the marathon – the ultimate keep-your-cool and keep-your-pace distance. So why not be bold and set your sights on a marathon?

2012-07-09T12:16:00.001-07:00

"Running strips me off of all my inhibitions. For a moment, it gives me a carefree attitude. No worries. No woes. It's just me and the ground where I run and everything else is a blur…"

Tour de Trail 2010, MacRitchie's Reservoir, Singapore

Running Procrastination

2012-06-14T04:46:00.000-07:00

I've been procrastinating too much from my running. I've only been running once or twice a week. So this time, I forced myself to get up from my cozy bed at 5 am to run. But guess what? I procrastinated some more. I drank my coffee like a queen, put on my running outfit like a zombie, stretch a bit and found myself in the running track at 6. By this time, the Saudi sun is beating hard on my skin. Nevertheless, I was able to finish my running workout for the day with a slightly tanned complexion---and YES! I never put on sunblock or any lotion with sun protection factor.

Do you find yourself feeling lazy from your workout too?

Here are simple tips (and when I say simple, it really is simple!) on how to stop procrastinating when you should have been running your butt off in the morning:

Sleep early the night before your run. 8 hours of sleep is enough to make you feel rejuvenated and well-rested before a morning run.

Set your alarm at least an hour before your intended time to run to allow for morning rituals and preparation.

Keep your alarm clock at least a meter away from your bed so you have to get up to turn it off. Maximum volume would be better so that you don't have an excuse of not hearing it go off. And please! Don't ever think of going back to bed. =)

Washing your face or taking a bath will help to wake yourself up.

A light breakfast like a cold cereal with fruits, a glass of orange juice or a granola bar will help you fuel your body before a run. If you prefer not to eat early in the morning try a glass of orange juice, a smoothie or sports drink instead. After a night of sleep, your body might be partially depleted of fluids, and when you exercise, fluid is lost through sweat.

Even if you do not feel like running force yourself to do it, after another 10 minutes you'll love it and wonder why you didn't want to run.

Click this link to view my running work out this morning on Adidas micoach.

Full Marathon this 2012--- an item to cross in my bucket list

2012-04-18T11:18:00.000-07:00

With my work as a nurse, it's hard for me to follow a strict marathon training schedule---YES. I AM PREPARING FOR A MARATHON. It's one of the things I want to cross out on my bucket list this year. *fingers crossed!

Training for a Marathon is difficult especially when your work demands rigorous physical activities most of the time--- running from one patient to another to attend on their needs, preparing for their medication and giving them on time, doing vitals and if you're having a bad hair day, responding to a CODE. After a work's day you'll find yourself bone tired from all the work and find yourself skipping on your scheduled workout. To make things worse, if you are working in a country such as Saudi Arabia, you will not be able to run outside in your regular running clothes especially if you are a woman. Remember, women here wear Abaya, a black outer garment that looks more like a black cloak to keep women's figure and faces hidden especially from males unrelated to them by blood or marriage. Lucky for me, my housing compound has a 1 km running path. I still can run even if I'd just go round and round… It's better than to have none.

It's good that there are running sites that I can look into the net (Runner's World is such a big help!). From there, I pick some tips and suggestions on how to prepare and train for any run. Be it a 5k, a Pikermi or a Full Mary. I try to follow their tips on good nutrition, proper hydration, shoes & gears, cross training and exercises that may help in my training and in preventing injury while training.

For those Running Nurses who were able to do a full Mary, what are your suggestions and tips for me? Feel free to post. It would be my pleasure and it will surely be a very big HELP.

Help me cross out one item in my bucket list! =)

"In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that."

-Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon Co-founder

Korean Palace

2012-03-10T10:27:00.000-08:00

Part of my pre-birthday celebration was dining at Korean Palace (Bee Won) located at Takhasussi Road near Euromarche.

My roommate suggested this place since she was a patron of the resto when its location was still along King Fahd Road.

The food, serving and the service is fantastic. Even the cost of each dish is not that pricey.

Let the photos speak for itself:

Eating at a Korean resto is not complete without trying Jjampong- a spicy seafood noodle soup. One mistake we made was asking for it to be extra spicy (though the 3 of us hail from Bicolandia). Tulo uhog to the max ang emote!

Bulgogi Dolsot Jungshik- Soy bean sprout and vegetable and marinated sauteed beef, served with side dish, rice, spiced soy sauce and topped with egg. The taste is more like bibimbap.

U.S. Beef Kalbigooi- Beef short ribs broiled on a sizzling plate. Tender and cooked to a T

A dine out in an Asian resto is not complete without a sauteed mixed vegetables as a part of the course.

A variety of side dishes is served before the start of the meal. From the famous Kimchi, pickled cucumbers to bean sprouts and steamed squash.

We asked for some service tea which really is good. What I did was squeezed the kiat kiat (see photo below) on the tea which was given after the course. I actually asked for more!

Kiat Kiat or Mandarin Orange- tiny as they are, they're actually sweet and delicious! Its tiny profile is accentuated by my silver bangle ( a gift to self that I can't help to show off! hahaha!)

The Birthday Girl- Moi

The Birthday girl with the owner

These Masks hanging above the wall near the counter is used during the Mask festival that fall on the Autumn season. The owner said that a part of a tradition in the southern part of Korea is that after the men harvested their crops, they would drink until they get drunk and would put on masks and dance as freely as they want. Sometimes they would wear these masks to perform and it gave them the opportunity to mock those in authority without them giving their identity.

30 going on 13

2012-03-09T12:12:00.000-08:00

These days I am confused.

I want the time to fly fast when I'm at work but at the end of the day I want it to move so slow.

The reason being that…

In two days' time another year will be added to my age. I will be turning 30. Yes. It's inevitable but thinking about it makes me cringe at my seat. I would always think in an animated way that the day I will turn 30 I will turn into an aged lady. Wrinkles would line up my forehead, crow's feet will appear on my eyes, a few strands (or maybe a lot!) of gray hair will show on my crown, bones will get brittle and joints would turn stiff.

Contrary to the movie 13 going on 30, I would like it to be the other way around. If I could just relive the days of my youth I would want to trade a day or few…

The days wherein the biggest dilemma you are facing is when you forgot to make the assignment your teacher had given you the day before, petty quarrels between you and your best friend, household chores you didn't do because you were busy playing outside with the neighbors, white lies you have to concoct just to avoid a great old scolding from your mom…

The days you collect stationeries (Sanrio would be preferable) and trade them with your friends, owning a Jansport bag or a trapper keeper is a must, owning Doc Martens shoes is a fad, listening to Gin Blossoms, Cranberries, Eraserheads makes you feel cool, dancing to Backstreet boys or even Hansons were all the rave...

Oh how I missed the carefree days of my youth! But then again, looking back on those days I was wishing it to be the other way around.

Yes, I am an adult now. Hell! I've been an adult a very long time ago but when you're in your 20's you don't think about it that much. But when you already lived 3 decades of your lifetime you feel you're too old. Or maybe it's just me thinking that way…

But nevertheless, I am thankful for those 29 years and 363 wonderful days of my life. Every struggle, every triumph, every smile and worries, every flaw and mistakes, even the love lost and gained along the way helped to mold me as to what I am today. I may not be perfect--- I'm way too far from being one but those imperfections served as a reminder for me to improve and prove myself which I hope would always be for the better.

Every year I always have the same wish.

HEALTH- a healthy life for me and my family.

WEALTH- financial wealth and to be abundant with true friends and people who cares and I care about.

LOVE- that our family will continue to love one another, that I would continue to love all the things I do and the things I believe in and most specially, SELF-LOVE (thanks by the way Whitney Houston!).

And like any beauty queen (though I'm a far cry from being one), I wish for

WORLD PEACE!

Pagbiyan nyo na ko. Magbe-Birthday na naman ako eh! =p

Aubergine Parmigiana Pasta

2012-03-02T11:43:00.000-08:00

My very own Aubergine Parmigiana Pasta

Every Friday, my coworkers (including their family) and I, usually held a sports fest of some sort. We would play tennis, badminton and our newest craze which is the Frisbee. Some of the girls would walk around the walking path for 5 laps or would run if the weather permits.

After that we will enjoy a potluck meal. Today, Amang, as we fondly call the husband of our colleague at work cooked for us kare-kare, ginataang bilo bilo and a sponge cake. Another co-worker baked for us brownies and another one took charge of cooking rice.

Earlier in the morning, I was thinking of doing another PACHAM (patsamba) that I could bring for our little gathering. The fridge is like a jungle of edible things that doesn't match up for any decent dish. Or so I think. I am not a good cook but there are some dishes that I have perfected cooking but you'll get tired of it if I were your friend and that is what I always prepare for you to eat.

My eyes zeroed in on the large aubergines (or eggplants as we fondly called it) lying in the bottom drawer of the fridge. A light bulb flashes above my head so to speak.

I would like to share with you my own version of Aubergine Parmigiana Pasta--- the way I cooked it today with the ingredients that I only have in my fridge and in my cupboard.

Earlier on the day I post a picture of it in FB and some friends were asking for the recipe so I decided to make it as a food blog. This version of mine is actually a cross between an Aubergine Parmigiana and a tomato based pasta. So, here it is!

You'll need:

3 large aubergines, thinly sliced

Fusilli pasta (400 grams)

2-3 cans of Peeled Tomato (400 grams)

2 packs of grated Mozzarella cheese (200 grams)

Grated Parmesan cheese

1 can tuna in vegetable oil or the hot & spicy one

Olive oil

Small can of all-purpose cream (optional)

1 bulb of garlic, minced

1 medium sized red onion, minced

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1/4 cup of chopped parsley

Dried or Fresh Basil leaves

2 tsp sugar

Salt & Pepper to taste

How To Do It:

Ø Bring water into a boil. Add 2 tbsp. of cooking oil & a dash of salt. Add on the fusilli (I prefer penne better, but it's what I have on my cupboard). Lessen the cooking time that is written on the packet instruction for at least 4 minutes. You don't want your pasta to be over-cooked after baking it.

Ø Place the aubergine slices in a colander, sprinkle with a little salt evenly, let stand for 15 minutes. Rinse under cold running water and pat dry on a paper towel.

Ø Pre-heat the oven on 350 F. On a non-stick baking sheet place on the aubergines and brush the top with olive oil and bake for 10-15 minutes or until soft.

Ø Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat 3 tbsp. of olive oil in a pan. Add on the garlic & onion. Slowly add on the red bell pepper, dried basil, mushroom, can of tuna & chopped parsley while stirring occasionally. Add on the canned tomatoes, sugar and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil & let simmer for about 10 minutes. Add on the all-purpose cream while stirring or you can skip it all together.

Ø Add the fusilli to the sauce and mix evenly.

Ø Grease a baking pan and pour on the pasta. Sprinkle a generous amount of grated mozzarella cheese. Place on top the aubergines. Sprinkle a generous amount of parmesan cheese and top it with mozzarella cheese.

Ø Bake it for about 15-20 minutes or until its golden brown or bubbling.

Enjoy!

Calaguas Island Experience

2012-02-24T12:31:00.002-08:00

Mahabang Buhangin--- a view from the top of the hill.

During my 6 weeks vacay in the Philippines, one place I had to re-visit was Calaguas Island located at Vinzons, Camarines Norte.

The first time I've been to this majestic island was on 2010. I hailed from Camarines Sur, Bicol but I have no idea that a secluded island somewhere in Vinzons, Camarines Norte will take away my breath if not for my colleague at work who ask me to join her on her Calaguas trip.

On both occasions I have availed the package tour of Mr. Melvic Brinas- the man who I may say place Calaguas Island in the list of places to visit in the Philippines.

Back in 2010, I have to pay only Php 3,000 for the whole package. After 2 years, a package tour costs Php 3,200--- a very reasonable price for a tour package I may say. The package includes a round trip ticket from Manila-Daet and vice versa, Boat transfers and buffet meals. Tents are provided and set up upon arrival.

Going There

From Cubao Bus station, we took the Amihan Bus provided by the organizer going to Daet proper. From Daet proper, the bus took us to the pier where a 2 hours boat ride will lead us to Mahabang Buhangin--- one of the islands from the Calaguas group of island. Brace yourself from the big waves during the 2 hours boat ride that will leave you soaking wet so better keep your valuables in a sealed and water proof pouch or bag. That is why big plastic bags are provided too for all your belongings.

Mahabang Buhangin

Mahabang Buhangin will take your breath away. From its white sand, pristine beach, rolling hills and peaceful atmosphere, it's the perfect get away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. It's the best way too to be at peace with yourself and to commune with nature.

A photo of our camp. The tents will serve as our home for our over night camp.

A photo taken from my 2010 Calaguas Island Adventure

What to Expect

There is no electricity in the island so better be prepared by having all your electronics fully charged before going to the island. Spare batteries are a must-have for shutter bugs. There is no signal for cellular phones unless you climb the hill nearby which is by the way a nice way to view the island from above. Bring mosquito repellant to protect yourself from mosquito and other insect bites.

For more info regarding the island and to avail of the tour package, click this link below:

http://calaguas-melvic.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Calaguas-Island/324859017743

2012-02-17T11:26:00.000-08:00

This is my longest hiatus from blogging to date.

Aside from going to vacay for 6 weeks (which kept me really busy), I've been lazy lately to do some writing. I had lots to share--- adventures and road trips I had during my stay in the Philippines but as soon as I get back here, work sucks the life out of me plus TEMPLE RUN kept my fingers busy (aside from putting me at risk for CTS!) haha!

I want to get back on track… Guys, do you have any suggestions for me?

Hmmm?

10 Miler for the Riyadh Road Runners

2011-11-25T07:49:00.001-08:00

I had my 3rd run for the Riyadh Road Runners this morning at the ROC compound. It was a 10 mile run complete with uphill and downhill routes. Gun start was at 8:00 am and the weather was really cold that I had to run with my jacket on.

I conditioned myself that I will finish the run even if it means I will be the last to cross the finish line. Luckily there were others who finished behind me.

I was able to manage to get myself lost in one of the streets. I turned right in one of the roads and ran straight ahead. When I noticed that there were no arrow signs on either side of the road, I re-routed from where I came and realized I missed the orange cone where I should have U-turned. By the time I came on the right track, 3 runners were able to run ahead of me, putting me way way behind the pack.

Anyways, I finished the run in 1 hour and 37 minutes (unofficial). A job well done for me given the fact that during the RunRio Trilogy Leg 3: Unilab Run United 2 (in the Philippines) I finished my 15 kilometer run at 1 hour and 44 minutes.

The early finishers were clapping and cheering loudly for each runner who was able to cross the finish line.

As usual, a hearty breakfast was our way of ending our running event! =)

The Pinoy Runners!

Posing for the camera in between post-race stretching.

Running with the Riyadh Road Runners

2011-11-21T09:57:00.001-08:00

It's my 9th month here in the kingdom and one of my goals (aside from my nursing job here) is to be able to continue to run races. The first few months I've been here, I searched for running communities or groups here in Riyadh where I could join and be able to continue with my running and lo! I have stumbled upon Riyadh Road Runners through the net.

Riyadh Road Runners is a non-profit club that is made up of both social and competitive runners that was formed 30 years ago. Expatriates in Riyadh that is in search of organized running activities are very much welcome to join.

The Running season for 2011 kicked off last September and will end on April 2012 (Races are held every 2 weeks). Since the weather here is Dry Cold and Dry Hot, there are no running events organized during the summer season.

I have only been able to join 2 of their races since most of the time I have work, but I've come to enjoy running with the RRR members. And like most runners I've met in the road (in the Philippines, Singapore and here in Riyadh), people here are courteous and would even shout some word of encouragement as you run. And boy! They run like Kenyans too! Most of them are very fast runners and an average runner like me would always find myself behind the pack. Nevertheless, I would enjoy the runs and ends up wanting for more. The next run would be a 10 miler on November 25. I hope I could keep up with them!

For those who are interested to inquire regarding how to join the races of Riyadh Road Runners, e-mail them at:

roadrunners_runnermembers@yahoo.com

Or visit their site at:

http://riyadhroadrunners.com

WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS

2011-11-15T09:34:00.001-08:00

Today's one of those days I feel so down... there were series of small but unfortunate incidents that just get out of hand and made me feel like crap. I'm old enough to be a cry baby and to think that I'm at work when I did just that. It sooo ain't cool...

I'd say, I'd blame it on my hormones.... it's such a lame excuse but what the heck.

But nevertheless, the "show" must go on. There's still WORK to do. There are still patients that needs to be taken care of... Their burden is much BIGGER than mine. Who am I to complain?

I'll just force myself to believe in this:

"What doesn't Kill You, Makes You Stronger"

And so I hope...

THE TERRY FOX CHARITY RUN RIYADH 2011

2011-10-16T13:34:00.000-07:00

I was honored to join the Terry Fox Run held here in Riyadh last October 15, 2011. A lot of expats showed their support for the Charity Run plus the members of the Riyadh Road Runners were having their 10 km run at the same time and place. Too bad, we weren't able to register for the RRR. Maybe we'll do on their next run. =)

Terry Fox during his Marathon of Hope

A brief history though. Terry Fox Run is an annual charity run that was named in honor of Canadian amputee runner Terry Fox. He was a distance runner and basketball player during his high school and was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 1977. His right leg was amputated and was required to wear an artificial leg. He then went on with his chemotherapy and found the time he spent in the British Columbia Cancer Control Agency facility difficult as he watched fellow cancer patients suffer and die from the disease. Fox ended his treatment with a new purpose. He then attempted to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research at age 21. So even after his death on the year 1981, people around the globe still held an annual charity run in commemoration of Terry Fox and his cause.

It was a sunny Friday morning during the Terry Fox Run. Running with me are my colleagues at work, Mae and Marian and my roommate, Tita Sol. We were early since we don't know on what to expect. We had to undergo strict security measures before entering the compound and had to verify our registration before the run.

Though it is only a fun run (with no bibs and timing chips), we were really excited to run with fellow running enthusiasts. It is the first time here in the kingdom that I saw a huge crowd wearing their Nikes, Adidas, Newtons, New Balance, Asics and Sauconys all at the same time (The last fun run I joined, we were less than 30 in number. hehe…)! During the run, we were only competing with ourselves and beating our PR--- a fun run indeed!

There was also a breakfast buffet served after the run--- the more reason we have to run faster! Haha! And a raffle in which I won a complimentary breakfast invitation for 2 at La Cucina Restaurant located at Al Faisaliah Hotel (Oh di ba, Sosyalan!).

The runners! =) RN : Running Nurses represent!

Waiting for the run to start. I guess I was doing some warm ups when this photo was taken

Running on my Bikila earned me an interview from a Canadian girl and some look of astonishment from the kiddos!

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

2011-09-26T12:45:00.000-07:00

Breaking Dawn Part 1 Theatrical Trailer

The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for the Part 1 of Breaking Dawn (the fourth installment on the Twilight Saga) was officially released. I know some of you are really excited about this. I for one am dying to hear the songs included in the OST but for now, all I can share is the list.

1. The Joy Formidable: END TAPES

2. Angus and Julia Stone: LOVE WILL TAKE YOU

3. Bruno Mars: IT WILL RAIN

4. Sleeping at Last: TURNING PAGE

5. The Features: From Now On

6. Christina Perri: A Thousand Years

7. Theophilus London: NEIGHBORS

8. The Belle Brigade: I DIDN'T MEAN IT

9. Noisettes: SISTER ROSETTA (2011 VERSION)

10. Cider Sky: NORTHERN LIGHTS

11. Iron & Wine: FLIGHTLESS BIRD, AMERICAN MOUTH (WEDDING VERSION)

12. Imperial Mammoth: REQUIEM ON WATER

13. Aqualung & Lucy Schwartz: COLD

14. Mia Maestro: LLOVERA

15. Carter Burwell: LOVE DEATH BIRTH

I was expecting a song from Muse in the soundtrack (Newborn maybe) and from Paramore too. I love Bruno Mars…but on the playlist of Breaking Dawn? I don't know… Let's see… =)

FARTLEK RUNNING

2011-09-19T11:58:00.000-07:00

I was out for my running workout today. And part of my workout was to do a fartlek.

Nope. I did not fart while I was doing it! haha!

But what is Fartlek anyway?

Fartlek, which means "speed play" in Swedish is a form of interval training that can be effective in improving your speed and endurance. Fartlek running involves varying your pace throughout your run, alternating between fast run and slow jogs. It differs from traditional interval training in that it is unstructured; intensity and/or speed can be varied and work-rest intervals can be based on how the body feels.

Most fartlek sessions last a minimum of 45 minutes and can vary from aerobic walking to anaerobic sprinting. Fartlek training is generally associated with running but can include almost any kind of exercise.

Here is an example of a Fartlek Session that I have read in Runner's World:

Block Party:

In your city, neighborhood, or office park, use blocks as your "track." You can go around the block or do an out-and-back. Start at a slow pace for five to 10 steps, then gradually increase the pace for 20 to 50 steps, then run at race pace (but not all-out) for one full block. Start with two or three fartlek segments and build to six. Walk for one or two minutes between each faster section.

Running Landmark:

Pick a telephone pole, mailbox, stop sign, or anything up ahead and run to it. You can choose one item (all telephone poles, for example) or multiple landmarks to create varying lengths of speed segments. In each segment, gradually pick up the pace until you're running fast but not all out. For the last 20 steps, hold the pace, but focus on relaxing your body and allowing momentum to take over. Walk or jog for half the distance of your repeat, then spot your next landmark and take off again. Continue for a total of 10 to 15 minutes, before running an easy five to 10 minutes to cool down.

Fartlek training puts a little extra stress on your system, eventually leading to faster speeds and improving your anaerobic threshold.

Amore Italian Cuisine--- Mi Amore!

2011-09-11T12:25:00.000-07:00

Last September 7, I treated my Mom for her 56th Birthday at Amore Italian Cuisine, an Italian resto along Thalia St. here in Riyadh. It's actually my first time there and only found out about the resto by searching it online. There were good reviews about the resto on TripAdvisor so I was thinking to myself then maybe it was worth a try.

Upon entering the resto the first thing you would notice would be the red brick oven that hides the Male section of the restaurant. The family section is located at the 2nd floor. I asked the waiter what is his recommended dish since I told him I'll be treating my Mom because it's her birthday.

We settled for:

Rigatoni Alla Genovese

Rigatoni pasta with caramelized onion and shredded meat served in a parmesan cheese basket.

Frutti di Mare

Pizza with mixed seafood, fresh mozzarella and fresh tomato.

For our dessert, I asked Kuya Joseph, the waiter, who is a kabayan by the way for his opinion on what to order. When I told him I would get exactly what he choose for us, he whispered to me saying: "Tapos lagyan natin ng happy birthday!" I immediately agreed on his suggestion. This is his recommend:

Profitteroles Norvegese (the other one, i forgot the name!)

Cream puff stuffed with ice cream and hot chocolate fudge & Vanilla Ice cream.

After a while, as I was chatting with my Mom, the lights suddenly went off. And we suddenly heard voices singing the Happy Birthday song. It turns out, 3 of the waiters (2 kabayans and 1 from a foreign land) had conspired (conspired talaga eh no? hahaha!) to make my mom's birthday a special one without me telling them to do so. I was even left speechless! (Ako may birthday teh?! hehe...) They've done very well on plating the dessert and as Kuya Joseph promised, there was a Happy Birthday message written on the plate with matching candle light pa! hehehe... The local patrons even clapped their hands after the waiter finished singing and some of them greeted my mom a happy birthday (some even peeked out of their booths with smiling faces). =)

All in all, Amore Italian Cuisine is something I would recommend my friends to try out. The ambiance is good. The family section has an open space for families who want to dine out without being confined in small booths (***usually, resto here has booths for family dining since Saudi women are very private). But then, the booths are not that confined and has a nice interior. The bread and breadsticks for starters tastes good. The food I ordered is very much Italian indeed and passed my standard of Italian taste. hehehe... =D

A BIG plus factor is the service they give their patrons. I hope it wasn't only during that time. I wish when I go back there (even on a plain day). I would receive the same service I have during my Mom's birthday.

At dahil pinasaya niyo kami ng Mommy ko, I'll give this resto 5 stars! ***wink!

A fitness challenge with a twist---Hejaz Railway Fitness Challenge

2011-09-04T13:51:00.000-07:00

After a week of no run, I'm baaaack! Yes, I'm back to my running workout. I have been following a personal running workout at Adidas miCoach site for over a month now and I kept a log of my workout history on that site too. I also downloaded the Adidas miCoach application on my iphone and I used it on my running workouts by way of GPS (Global Positioning System). GPS enables your speed, distance, calories and location data when using miCoach mobile outdoors as it works best when you have a clear view of the sky (with matching voice coaching too!).

sample running workout

Today is ALSO the start of the fitness challenge that was organized by the Nursing Department of the hospital that I'm working with.

The Hejaz Railway fitness challenge is an 8 weeks fitness challenge designed to promote a healthier lifestyle and nurture teamwork within the different nursing discipline. Each team is comprised of 4 members and the objective of the challenge is to complete 1,302 kilometers---YES! You read it right. We had to accomplish a total of 1,302 kilometers for the 8 weeks or 41 kilometers each member for a week in 8 weeks' time which is equivalent to the total distance of the Hejaz Railway that ran from Damascus to Medina! A big challenge eh? Imagine my dismay upon knowing about it. By that time, my head nurse had already signed me in on the challenge and just informed me when he already submitted my name (same goes with my other teammates). hahaha!

I was a bit relieved upon knowing the mechanics of the challenge was that a certain exercise or activity has a corresponding number of kilometers--- which means, we don't really need to run the whole 1,302 kilometers! Whew!

Anyways, here is some of the sample Kilometer-earning Activities:

Sit-ups/Crunches 100= 1 km

Abs training 15 mins= 1 km

Hash/Hike 1 km= 2 kms

Push-ups 40= 1 km

Pull-ups 5= 1 km

Run/Jog 1 km=3 km

Walk 1 km=1 km

Swimming 1 km (40 lengths)=4 km

Sports (Tennis, Soccer etc) 30 mins of play=1 km

Pilates/Yoga 30 min= 2 km

Aerobics 1 hour= 4 km

Weight training 30 mins of activity=2 km

Stepper/Elliptical 15 min= 1 km

Cycling 1 km= 1 km

So I guess I have to stick on what I do best---RUNNING! Even if I run only 5 kilometers on alternating days (3-4 times a week) I would meet the 41 km/week challenge! Plus, bonus kilometer is added if you accomplished the bonus points given weekly (this week's bonus point is: 2 pieces of fruit per day for the entire week is equivalent to 2 bonus kilometers).

So there, I have 2 purposes for my running workout. I will keep a log of my workout in my Adidas miCoach application because I wanted to be as honest as I can be on my workout challenge since they said that they wouldn't provide us with the GPS enabled sports watch ( I am not sure about this) until next week. It's also a good thing that the challenge is not a "Biggest-Loser-kind-of" challenge because I'm pretty sure I will be of no use for my team since I don't loose weight even if I run 10 kilometers a day (I got stuck on my 47-48 kgs weight with or without training).

Anyway, today I logged in 6.1 kilometers---which is equivalent to 18 kilometers for the fitness challenge. A nice way to start the week! Hopefully I would be able to blog my everyday fitness challenge (if time permits!).

Wish me luck and the rest of my team for this Hejaz Railway Fitness Challenge! =D

AL-KHOBAR GETAWAY!

2011-09-03T12:36:00.000-07:00

We had our weekend getaway last August 31 to September 2. Our destination: AL-KHOBAR!

It's my first out-of-town trip so I guess I was way too excited for the trip. As usual, I over-packed again. I always bring with me extra clothes. Who knows what might come up during the trip that needs dressing up! hahaha! I thought I was the ultimate mother packer but two of my colleagues have bigger luggage---enough clothes to last them for a week! hehehe…=D

It took us roughly 6 hours to reach Al-Khobar. And in between the road trip I would fall into sleep and wake up feeling sore then fall asleep again… We had one stop-over to have our dinner and to empty our bladder and we're back on the road again. We reach our destination at around 11 in the evening and having hyper-active colleagues, rest wasn't a part of their vocabulary. And being the Pinoy that we are, Videoke session is our way of relaxing. =)

Off we went to Baher Villas in the morning. In Riyadh, all we got to swim on is our compound's pool so everybody was stoked on having to swim on the beach! Entrance fee: SR 75.

Baher Villas is a resort that they said were off limits to Saudis. Maybe that is why most expats came here to swim, to have a bit of privacy away from the disapproving looks of Saudi men. You can even wear your bikini if you like.

Even if it's too hot to swim, we cannot contain ourselves not to have a dip on the beach. IT'S THE SOLE PURPOSE OF OUR AL-KHOBAR TRIP ANYWAY. hehe… The resort also has 4 small pools for the children and adults alike so that if you find it too hot to go for a swim on the beach, pool dipping would be a good alternative. There is also a mini restaurant to order food from and enough changing rooms for the resort patrons.

The beach wasn't that exceptional, but hey! Who are we to complain? As long as there is Sea, Sun and Sand, we'll be having fun! =D

The wall that keeps Baher Villas private

ROXY IS ♥!

2011-09-03T10:32:00.000-07:00

After a few weeks of blogging hiatus, I'm back! Sorry guys. I'm feeling a bit lazy here. =)

Anyways, I've been to the Faisaliyah Mall last week. Actually it's my first time there (I know I'm such a loser! Hahaha!), and lo! I found a Quicksilver store on the 3rd floor which is by the way, the home of Roxy and DC shoes too!

One of my favorite brand is Roxy. I'm a beach lover (though not a good swimmer) and when I need beach-related stuff, I buy at Roxy. I like Billabong and RipCurl too! I am not even a surfer girl. I tried surfing once in Bagasbas beach in Camarines Norte but I can't even keep my balance for 10 seconds! Hahaha! Maybe, I'll try to put it in my Bucket list--- LEARN HOW TO SURF! =)

I feast my eyes on the Roxy swimwears, beach dresses, slippers, caps, bags and other accessories that are found in the Quicksilver store. I fought the urge to buy because at this point in time, I don't really need to buy beach related stuff since I still had one and beach tripping here would be occasional.

Instead, I get myself this:

a casual shoulder bag and a luggage =) I guess I'm getting ready to go home in the Philippines! =)

These is how the store looks like in Faisaliyah Mall:

store's facade

Quicksilver is for men
while:

Roxy is for women

My Roxy ♥♥♥!

Roxy swimwear from Singapore; The rest from Quicksilver-Roxy store in Trinoma, Philippines (level 2)

My New VFF! Vibram FiveFingers Bikila

2011-08-19T11:31:00.000-07:00

This week, I received a package from the Phil that I have been long waiting for… my new VFF! That's right. It's my new bestfriend!---My Vibram FiveFingers Bikila.

VFF Bikila in Magenta/Orange/Grey Colorway

I know it should have been the other way around. I should have been the one sending package to the Philippines. hehe! But since running isn't much a trend here in the KSA, it's frustrating to find proper running shoes (even in Sports shops) especially because I am a woman and women here don't actually run outdoors (except for a few expats away from prying eyes...). I haven't seen a single soul in her Abaya running in a nearby park. And there are a few places to run here without worrying about your safety. Lucky for me, I live in a compound with a 1 kilometer jogging path.

Why did I choose a Vibram FiveFingers Bikila, you might ask?

I'm fond of minimalist shoes. I started by running on a pair of Nike free (one of my favorites by the way) then with my now 2 months old Adizero Ace 3 (I would cramped after kilometer 3 but eventually run without issues later). Then I wanted to go more "barefoot" so I decided that I wanted to get myself a new running shoe.

Last March, my brother asked me for a pair of Bikila for his 27th birthday. And because he liked it much and because of the positive reviews I heard, I decided to get myself one. wink!*

My Vibram FiveFingers Bikila comes in a Magenta/Orange/Grey colorway. Of course! I still want my VFF to be girly. hehe…

A brief background though: VFF Bikila is the first model among the VFFs that is designed to specifically promote a more natural, healthier and more efficient forefoot strike. It is also created for a more natural running experience. The model was also named after the Ethiopian Olympic champion and world record holder Abebe Bikila who, during the Olympic Marathon held in Rome ran barefoot after finding that his team-issued shoes hurt his feet.

Anyway, I've been running with my VFF Bikila for almost a week now and the only injury (if you could call it that) I had is a blister I got during "breaking in" my new shoes. I ran without my five finger socks just to feel and experience my brand new Bikila and ran 5 kilometers in 33 minutes. haha! After that is a smooth and injury-free run. I know it's too early to tell, but I sooo love my Bikila (my shoe review will come after a month). I know it's not for everyone but it's definitely for me! =D

My pretty Bikila and my ugly feet! haha!