Tapots on the Run

Milo Cebu Leg 2013

2013-09-23T19:31:00.002+08:00

After a very busy August (work, work-related travel, crazy personal predicaments and what not), I learned that the Milo Cebu Leg will be held in September instead of October here in Cebu.

I wasn't prepared but a colleague or two persuaded me to sign up for the half marathon.

So after my attempt of cramming a 21k training in less than a month, I showed up scared and unusually quiet at the starting line of the September 22 2012 Milo Cebu Race. I found four guys from work and decided to position behind them (because I know they've trained real hard and I didn't want them to see me plodding at the beginning of the race).

A bling!

To make the story short, I finished but was the last among those from work who ran the 21k.

But surprise, surprise! I got myself a finishers' medal supposedly given only to those who finished at 2 hours and 30 minutes or less! I finished at 2 and 40 but they extended the cut off!

God must have heard my plea that I qualify for the Milo medal. I prayed to Him at kilometer 18 or so after I heard from those running with me that we couldn't make it to the cut off.

Oh, I almost puked few meters before the finish line! And when the race marshal handed me the heavy brass bling suspended in the Milo-green ribbon, I got sentimental that I almost sobbed while looking for familiar faces. Good thing I had my shades on.

Thanks to those who egged me on to sign up, to those who pushed me to work out those legs(especially on lazy days), and most of all to dear God for answering my prayer. Next time I'll ask for something much bigger. ;)

A PR

A review of my past 21ks shows I got myself a personal best this time:

Cebu City Marathon 2011 ---> 2:53
Cebu City Marathon 2012 ---> 2:49
Dumaguete Adventure Marathon ---> 3:09 (a really tough one as we run on trail paths, steep uphills and crazy downhills even passed a creek with huge boulders)
Milo Cebu Leg 2013 ---> 2:40

Yeeha!

Here I Go Again...

2013-09-19T12:16:00.002+08:00

Signing up for a half marathon without the needed training.

I cannot just cram my workout in the last few days leading to the race so instead I just find other ways to put a little dose of inspiration to this lazy girl. So here's some:

Read about how to train the brain for arduous physical tasks like a half marathon. Yeah there is an article about it somewhere.
Add new songs (to surprise me) to my running playlist.
Look into new running gear that I can strut in. Because when you're too tired to run or jog, you just walk like the road is a ramp where you model your new running clothes.
Buy me some energy bars, gels or sport beans. As if that helps!

Good luck to me this Sunday!

Jealous? Who?

2013-03-09T20:28:00.000+08:00

Running is such a jealous sport. You got to set time for it, love it both in fun and lazy periods, devote time to it and spoil it every now and then (e.g., pay expensive registration fees for select races, an expensive gear or two yearly, etc.).

If you ignore it for some time, set it aside for more worthy pursuits, or just make it last in your priorities; it haunts you with jeans that won't fit, a bulging tummy, love handles that previously did not exist. It gets even.

It lets you pay for the times you ignored it. You suddenly have extra expenses for medicines for the trip(s) to the doctor, you swipe your card more than the usual for the new set of clothes because your favorite shirts are too tight for comfort.

I should know because I'm paying for it now.

Sorry, dear Running. I'll try to make it up to you. I promise.

Not My Typical Bantayan-Sta. Fe Run

2012-04-07T12:18:00.008+08:00

Road running has become part of my things-to-do when I visit my island hometown, Bantayan. Last Friday was the fourth (I am not really sure, could be fifth) of those road runs but it wasn’t the typical, uneventful 10k jog to the beach area.

This time I was with Momi, Alex and Kuya Juko. Before we covered a kilometer of a warm-up walk from home, the guys decided to speed up to a run while I was left hiking with Mom. But when I saw the steep incline to Combado, I told her I’ll jog the part and just run back for her. I suck at uphills so I wanted to conquer that ascent bad. Instead of agreeing to my plan, Mom told me to proceed and not go back for her since she is stopping by her vegetable garden anyway. She'll just join us at the beach later, she added.

So off I went, way behind the brightly-clad guys. Yes, Alex and Kuya J were wearing bright running shirts as if they were off to a pictorial or some major race that attract photographers. Little did they know that it'll be yours truly who'll be in an impromptu photo shoot.

Running the first few kilometers wasn't so fun as I didn’t feel the usual coolness of the morning air. Also, the heaviness from previous days overeating slowed me down. So I kept my mind entertained with something else: counting road kills (yep, a bit icky but it took off my mind from early exhaustion and thirst). I found at least 10 flattened frogs in various state of decomposition. No snakes this time.

As I was just feeling the start of the heaviness in my arms and legs, I saw someone inside a speeding tricycle wave at me. It was Momi. Oh, well, I guess I'll be the last one to reach our pretend finish line. As soon as the three-wheeled vehicle faded into the distance, a shiny Strada pickup truck slowed down beside me. Driver's window slowly rolled down to reveal a cousin: Joel. After he learned that the brother was way ahead of me, he sped up. But less than a hundred meters, he suddenly stopped. When I was near his truck, he got out toting his camera. I was about to burst out laughing as soon as I knew what he's up to. But before I could manage a snicker, he comfortably positioned himself in the road and shoot, clicked, snapped.

"I hope my hair isn't a mess, I hope I don't look pale, I hope my stride looks nice," the vain part of me thought while I tried my best to smile. This is one of those moments that smiling is as complicated as tying your shoe laces while in the middle of the race.

After that, he and his truck zoomed ahead and once more stopped to take more shots of the struggling Tapots. A road in Sta. Fe in a Good Friday morning is far from deserted so I was taken out of my comfort zone. Imagine cars and trikes passing by, locals and cows staring at you. Okay, maybe just one cow... But I wanted to have a good running shot to show off later so I tried my best to smile. I had a bit of inspiration too from the thought that the guys would be jealous of my little luck (they’re quite camera hoggers themselves).

Now, I have to get a copy of the photos as evidence. :-)

-------------------

Edit: Photos here:

I'm not too fond of posing for solo shots so here's an awkward smile for the camera.

Here, I'm probably thinking: I hope my stride will look good in the picture. :D

Getting the hang of it.

Because I don't know what else to do, I raised my hands to give the V signs. :P

Off to Talisay, Sta. Fe.

Finally met up with the guys. BTW, this is the beachfront area of La Bebe's house.

Who can resist those clear-blue waters? I can't.

Being ahead of the run/race isn’t always where the fun is, no?

Oh, and after I met up with the guys and Momi in Sta. Fe, and after a group shot or two, I took off my running shoes and socks for a post-run swim in the clear waters. Wow, the cold water was such a welcome relief especially to the stiff legs. I'll be including the swim-after-run part in my To-Do's when I'm back in the island.

Race Pot Money to Top Lucky Runners

2011-07-23T14:23:00.008+08:00

Except for little prizes raffled off after a race, non-elite runners like me and tons of others (e.g., novices, running because his doctor says he should, joining races because everyone is, those just wanting to counter calorie intakes during the week, etc.) would be too lucky to bag top prizes in running competitions. Well unless all top runners are somewhere else like in some major race with much bigger prizes or where only a handful attended because of the date and the weather (which reminds me I have been lucky once and bagged the top 3 spot).

Anyway, Google reader showed me a blog introducing a fun alternative to the usual give-the-pot-money-to-the-elites. If you're too lazy to click the link to read the entire post, I'll summarize the idea into two items:

a new award allocation format
you could be real slow but you can still win the pot money

I bet my favorite pair of running socks that this wouldn't get the top runners and their handlers' nod. They would certainly be unhappy and argue to the lines of, "Where's the competition in that?! Now what would motivate one to run fast now? 1#^&$h+)x!"

But for slowpokes like us, that kind of race would be exciting.

Now how to get this idea to race organizers... Hmnnn...

D.E.A.R. Friday

2011-05-06T15:03:00.004+08:00

Clad in our workout clothes and trusty running shoes, we slowly gathered at the parking lot area of Teradyne Cebu, 5:00 p.m. of April 8. Dubbed as D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Run) Friday, it was the first in a series of activities planned out by the group TERunners, the company’s new running and walking club. I didn’t know what to expect but I sure was a bit anxious early on when I saw only about five people in the assembly area. “With this number, it will just be like running alone,” or so I thought.

Angelica Joson (from UltraFlex-Miata) and company suggested the once-a-week activity during the club’s second meeting. Everyone who heard the idea got so excited that they can’t wait to launch it right away. And so the group agreed to start the run the very Friday after that meeting.

The plan was to group into two--one for the runners and the other for beginners and walkers. But the early birds seemed to be comprised of those who can’t wait to dash out of the gate and run around MEPZ 2. So we decided we’ll just go as one group for that first meeting.

While waiting for someone to take the lead for the warm-up exercises, I saw the attendance gradually increasing with more Teradyners proceeding to the area. BRS-VTD’s Lourence Alemania, one of the club representatives, made sure that everything was set from the sketch board for drawing the run route to the attendance sheet for tracking active members. For the warm-up exercises, he also gamely took charge (at least that’s what I thought) with participants who now numbered around 15.

“I had mixed emotions—nervous, shy, and excited—since that was the first time that I had to lead an exercise in front of such number of people” he later shared.

“I’ll lead the warm-up next week,” Rowena Retuerte of Marketing promised. I told Lourence I could also lead the walkers group if they show up next Friday. For the running bunch, I’m sure the current pack leader would be glad to see volunteers too.

With excited smiles, 20 or so TERunners set out and run on a clear afternoon for two 2.5-kilometer laps in MEPZ 2. Led by avid runner Leopoldo Arias (Nextest), we proceeded at conversational pace. But we did not really worry about pace as the goal was just to cover the entire distance.

“Walk if you should, dash if you could, or just jog and chat like most of us are doing,” Pol said. “For those just starting out, we advise run-walk intervals.”

The run was already in full swing when more familiar faces, in wide grins, came to catch up and join us. Some cheerfully walked and chatted to cover the remaining distance.

PSG’s Juanito Serrano felt one lap is enough for starters. “I did not know that I had it in me, until it was out of me... my breath!” Juan quipped.

After two laps, majority of the attendees slowly trickled back into the Teradyne compound and congregated for the stretching exercises. I think I wouldn’t have finished the entire 4.5 kilometers if I was doing it alone because I would have been easily bored going the same route minus the chitchats and personal cheering squad.

“It was fun,” Angelica said. “It was a great way to meet people who like running as much as I do.”

I agree; it was great. Actually, it was more fun than solo running where my mind easily wanders off to ice-cold, calorie-laden drinks and to the cafeteria’s humba (braised pork belly). Now, TERunners just have to keep us feeling great every week and maybe those with high cholesterol levels like me won’t need medication at all.

TERunners is created, among others, to promote and encourage running and walking to employees as means to get fit, and, at the same time, have fun along the journey to better health and fitness. Aside from D.E.A.R. Friday, the group is planning to hold running clinics for participants to learn the basics and principles of training in running. For walkers, the group sees doing hikes and treks. Members and non-members are welcome to join the activities.

This Blog Hasn't Died

2011-04-13T12:28:00.003+08:00

Nope. The blogger is just busy working on... work! Definitely still running. Even running with people from work and getting involved in creating a running group with people from work. I'll tell you more about it in a separate post.

Gotta ~~run~~ work!

My CCM 2011 Story

2011-01-20T16:17:00.009+08:00

I am jubilant, no—ecstatic! I finished my first 21k! I remember I felt the urge to dance as I approached the finish line but a marathoner beat me to it with a rain dance.

Ahh, it was that savory feeling of facing your fears and overcoming it.

I had been afraid. The panicking started two weeks before the race. To say that I was not prepared for the Cebu City Marathon 2011 is an understatement. And to think I had so much time to train.

At CCM 2010, I was supposed to run my first 21k but had to settle for 5k because of an injury. Back then, I thought that meant more training time for 2011. I aimed not just to finish but for a strong finish, a goal that became too ambitious for someone who has started to make procrastination a habit. Before I knew it, 2010 was almost over. And at a time of Christmas parties, get-togethers, buffets, it was easy to ignore your running shoes.

The last time I laced up and run was early November, a 12k where I got dizzy and took lengthy walk breaks. By late December, the 21k felt so daunting that I thought of quitting. I even had a good excuse like going to the dentist for that long-overdue tooth extraction.

But the running community has its way of letting out the crazy in me. People I run with at work didn't think twice about proceeding with the race, sans preparation. I didn't want to be left behind so I tagged along at race kit-distribution. As I lined up for my kit, I sensed the excitement from race participants--faces beaming, talking incessantly about running. The level of energy made me want to show off my green race bib to quietly broadcast that I'm part of this amazing, happy community. And just like that, I was far from the scaredy-cat I was.

On race day, I didn't mind the little droplets of rain. I was excited; and as I can observe when the race began, the spectators, street dancers, and fellow runners were, too. It was a huge party and I was having a ball.

There were moments when my legs got too heavy but the festive Sinulog beat pumped me back the energy to plod, jog, and run again. At the last 3km, it felt like each foot was chained to a medieval metal ball. But motivational quotes along the way and a cousin, who suddenly showed up in a motorcycle to encourage me, brought back a spring on my step. Before I knew it, I was propelling towards the finish line! It was exhilarating. Anyone would want to dance for joy at the moment.

I shouldn’t be too happy with an almost 3-hour finish but I am so thrilled for not allowing my fear to overwhelm me. But I know better now. Next time, I will be prepared and continue the goal of a strong finish.

my wish list

2010-10-30T18:01:00.004+08:00

Since this is a running blog, I'll start my wish list with what I will be needing (and am fancying) because of this vice.

another pair of running shoes. because my adizero needs company. and i need a spare as i'll be doing more mileage than usual. the adidas supernova adapt looks good.
a garmin. haven't i lusted over this long enough?
and the accessories of course:

hydration belt
visor
headband
socks
track jacket
duffel bag to put all those stuff in.

Now outside running, here's what I hope to receive:

suitcase.maybe i'm over my backpack days. uhm, nah, i guess i just can't pack light on some trips. preferably in easy-to-spot-on-luggage-carousel colors (e.g., red, orange, or green).
silver earrings. studs or small hoops. because i'm low-key like that.
sunblock. because we've got lots of sun on this side of the world.
scents. from lotions to body sprays. nothing too strong. i like fragrances reminding me of cucumbers, seas, and someone just fresh from the shower. bath & body works is nice.
spa/salon gift certificate. someone who's been working too hard deserves lotsa pampering.
a vacation. hello relatives from san pablo and sg, hello friends from leyte and dumaguete! i need a sponsor for board and lodging. fare, too. :)
gym membership. ha! who'd have thought i would want to be in one. i just love the outdoors. but now with all these threats of typhoon and all, i realized how convenient gyms can be.
wallet. mine is getting too shabby. something in some funky color so it won't get lost in the mess inside my bag. you can also include cash. =)
kindle.
discovery channel magazine subscription.
jackets in denim or just something i can use to cover up when i'm too dressed-up for a jeepney or trike commute. these look cute:

That's all for now folks. Now don't tell me I didn't give you a clue what I want for Christmas.Or as pasalubong when you dear relatives abroad come over for a vacation. Hehe.

Registered for my first 21k!

2010-10-28T15:19:00.004+08:00

Oh dear God, help! I have finally registered for my first 21k. Where else...but through the streets and colors of Cebu this January 9!

Aaack, just the thought of it makes me uneasy and anxious (think 10 times the worry when preparing for a major job interview). I need all the luck I can get. Training, too. But I just learned I need a tooth extracted soon so that's missing a lot of training days. Boo hoo.

What's Grander Than...

2010-07-14T20:31:00.004+08:00

What's grander than finally convincing my brother to regularly lace up and run?

When he has become so enthused in the activity that he keeps me updated of his weekly mileage (and I can't help but compare it to mine). Maybe I'll lag way behind him in the next race; maybe he'll look so lean the next time I see him that I'll think I was the couch potato. I start to worry.

Now I've got another reason to continue pounding the pavement.

And they say worrying is bad for you.

Rundae Photos (2nd batch)

2010-05-22T11:00:00.001+08:00

For easy uploading, I compressed the photos. I can give you a copy of the orig. If you ask nicely. :)

Rundaue Shots (batch 1)

2010-05-21T20:29:00.011+08:00

I had a not-so-grand experience the last time I run the CICC-Cansaga bridge route, so instead of donning my Adizero Tempo, I took my Panasonic Lumix prosumer to the Rundaue.

Click, click, click. I had to compress the photos so it wouldn't take me forever to upload.

Braving 10ks

2010-05-16T19:00:00.008+08:00

I have run a couple of 10k in road runs with Tera buddies. The joining of 10k races, however, started in the 2nd quarter this year--about a year after I signed up in my first fun run. Yeah, I'm a late bloomer.

GLLR 2010

I chose the Great Lapu-lapu Run as my first 10k because of the timing chip. The mini transponder doesn't lie so more accurate time. Race results are published on the web too, and fast! (I can brag all about it if I got a good time. Hehe.)

I was all set for the event but come race day, I left my mp3 player and cap. No problem, I borrowed Lex's player. And I'll just be fine with my sunglasses... Not! The sun was unbearably harsh that day and worse, the race started late. Good thing, there were numerous water stations (excuses for my walk breaks!); Gatorade drinks were abundant too. Still, I walked more than I should. Oh well. I tried. Hard. Hard enough to get me a 1:06:03 finish time (1:05:58 chip time) for my first 10k! Yeba!

28th among 140+ women...:P

fun, fun, fun!

celebrity sighting!

3rd Mandaue Run
I felt it was more than a 10k what with the toxic smell that we 10k participants sniffed at the first turn (which I still continued to breathe in a couple of kms after), drought (water stations run out of supply), and the extreme Cebu heat and humidity. I didn't get to check my time but the finishers' list had me at 12th place in the women's 10k. I should have been ecstatic but I don't know, I felt so out of shape. I had lengthy walks and was so out of breath that I decided right there that I'm going back to running just 5k races. With throat itching for something cold to drink and eyes seeing McDonalad's pancakes, I hurriedly left the venue. After a bit of picture-taking of course...

with Glyn

Good Friday, Good Run

2010-04-06T15:03:00.005+08:00

Holy week, long vacation, Bantayan Island beckoned.

More than a month before the religious festival, I knew semana santa would be the perfect time to conquer the Sta. Fe-Bantayan route--I will have me some company (planned to drag along running buddies) and I got more than a couple of days (the family would not be happy if I just visit for a day or two and yet still sneak in time for running).

Lex and Pol were as excited as I am. I decided to have it on Good Friday so the brother and sister in law can join (they will arrive a day before). When we picked them up from the pier on Maundy Thursday, the bro hinted his preference for trail running(he brought trail-specific shoes). No, thank you, my shoes are dirty enough. His wife, Anne, didn't bring her pair so maybe she could just drive behind us and provide the needed hydration, I jokingly suggested.

Early morning Friday, I got the sleepy "diliiiiii" reply from Kuya when I told him it's time to don those running shoes. Tsk3x, enough for the planning.

I and Lex met Pol as we were walking from the town plaza towards Brgy. Ticad. We were officially off and running as soon as we stepped on that bridge fronting the old movie house.

Except for the flattened-out frogs, snakes, and other roadkill, I am loving the change in scenery; no other joggers/runners, just a few trisikads and tricycles.

We were halfway past the cemetery when we saw a man bolting out of Village. He donned the same running singlet I had on--that of the recent Citigym fun run. Pol sprinted and overtook the guy who did not hesitate to join us to Sta. Fe.

To make the long story short, I made it the around10 kilometer (just the boys' estimate considering the time) of cemented road in one piece. Enough with estimates, I have to have a Garmin! One hour and seven minutes without walk and water breaks. Not bad, eh? It was our new friend's (Ronald or Roland?) first time to run for about an hour, too.

Next time, we should try the more scenic Okoy route--Kuya's suggestion but of course we took it to mean that he won't be joining us. He seems to enjoy more the planning and suggesting. But I'm not giving up on him. =)

see you at the races...

2010-03-25T15:01:00.003+08:00

no blog posts for how many days now? hmmn, i'm not even bothering to count...

life's been a bit overwhelming lately so i'm not beating my brains out for little things like calculating the number of days i haven't updated this blog, or list upcoming races to update the race calendar (right).

so just excuse my absence here.

i still run though. i need to. it helps me keep my mind and body from nearing shut down mode.

now, i couldn't even take the trouble to include a photo showing i still pound the pavement.

oh well.

still...see you at the races! i will show up at this sunday's citirun.

p.s. i won a pair of socks @ that running clinic sponsored by runnr. i thought i was lucky until i heard they called out jun's name. he won the polar watch.

Kasadya Race

2010-01-26T15:41:00.013+08:00

I signed up for the Kasadya Fun Run because almost everyone at the office (well, at least in that little circle of Teradyne runners) said they will register. And also, I’ve been feeling sluggish after the Cebu City marathon; I needed another reason to sweat it out.

Tera tira?

The week before the race, I was only able to do one MEPZ2 afternoon run, which upped my worry that I’ll be racing on Sunday with walk breaks. I was already sauntering after the third kilometer! A man in a bicycle even greeted me with, “Ug nganong galakaw naman ka?”

Oh well, good luck to me at the Kasadya Race! Jun, Lex and Pol signed up for the 10k while I joined the rest of the Teradyne guys in the 5k, which category was exclusive for MEPZ employees.

At race day, our group was closely huddled near the front of the pack while waiting for the starting gun. So first 100 meters, we still caught sight of each other--except for Pol who zoomed away, and Vin and Kyaw who seemed to fly over the 5k route.

After the 1st km, I noticed Lex was not in his best shape (read: I have to slow down so he could keep up). When I noticed him reducing speed for the first water station, I sped up. But you know how guys are, they don’t want to be outrun by a girl. So he hurried up and later kept my pace. We parted at corner Banawa and V. Rama roads where the 5k and 10k routes separated.

It was at that corner (2.5k) that I grabbed a plastic cup from the water station. I gulped half of the water and poured the remaining half on my head, while I slowed down to a walk. I noticed the road getting lonelier, with the long gap between me and the runners before me. Still, I continued to take walk breaks, albeit brief, when I felt too breathless to enjoy the run. In the 3rd km, I managed to overtake a couple of guys but surrendered on trying to lessen the gap between me and the last female participant ahead of me. Upon approaching the 4th km, a familiar face (I later remembered her as one of those older women who always placed in races when the younger ones aren’t in town) shouted to me a jumble of words, with “third” as the only word I could make out. I’d like to think what she said was, “Third ka kung apsan to nimong baye sa unahan!”

I told my out-of-breath self I’ll be fine with fourth and just continue with my pace. After overtaking a male runner or two, I noticed that I’m approaching yellow flags signaling the turn before the finish line. And I thought I have to run at least 300 meters more! I decided to step up my pace until I noticed a girl ahead of me, walking as she made her turn. Whooaaa, it couldn’t be! Very much energized (and excited), Tapots whooshed to the finish line, smiling, big teeth and all.

It still remains a mystery to me why the girl continued with her stroll, not seeming to care that I am overtaking her. She gave me the podium finish that I never expected. Gee, thanks!

kadako'g ngisi sa uban... =D

And I got me new 5k PR, at 28.47. A kasadya race indeed!

running = endorphins = happiness

mcdo treat ;-)

CCM Photos

2010-01-22T13:56:00.013+08:00

Bloghopping led me to more photos. Lookie!

Estan Cabigas' photo gallery (mostly shots of 42k participants)

Reel Runner's CCM Memoirs

Cebu Sports Blog' CCM Photo Albums: 1, 2,3

Giovanni Salahog's FB Album

The Race That Made Us Proud

2010-01-20T15:57:00.007+08:00

The Jan. 10, 2010 Cebu City Marathon has left me proud as a peacock, what with all the glowing reviews it gained. I may not be part of the organizing group that worked very hard (Kudos to Cebu Executive Runners Club for a job well done) to make the event a huge success, but I am a Cebuano and we Cebuanos are a proud lot. We take pride in our own, from the various achievements of fellow Sugbuanons to our very own dialect. Cebuanos are proud being Cebuanos.

And so imagine my delight when Jaymie Pizzaro a.k.a. The Bull Runner gave the Cebu Marathon five TBR medals (excellent!).

“[T]he best local race I have ever joined. The organizers of Cebu Marathon got everything right from the carbo loading party to the awarding program,” she said. But my favorite was what she mentioned about us Cebuanos:

The one thing that stood out in this race, which contributed most to its success but didn’t cost a cent, were the people. The warmth and hospitality of the organizers and Cebuano runners were felt all throughout. Spectators lined the roads and cheered enthusiastically. It didn’t feel like another big corporate-sponsored racing event, but a run to celebrate Cebu, its people, and its culture.

Ahhhh, ain’t she sweet?

Aside from TBR, a number of running personalities and runner-bloggers agreed the race wasn’t that bad, to put it mildly.

Bald Runner

[T]he Cebu City Marathon was an outstanding road race that surpassed my expectations. From registration, distribution of race packets, carboloading party, race proper, up to the awarding ceremonies and the immediate posting of the official results, everything was “perfect”.

Amado L. Castro, Jr

[T]he manner the race was held has earned itself the rank right on top of the best if not the very best of any race events in the Philippines.

Drum and Run

It is by far the best road race I have participated in and is now my benchmark for future races to come.

Forefoot

For many points, the Cebu Marathon topped the charts.

Sheer Will

[I]t was a great race. A shoe-in for the Best Philippine Race of 2010 unless others up their ante.

Running Fatboy

Thanks to the organizers for making this a very good event. There were ample marshals, signs, and lots and lots of water. For your first year at doing this race, I can safely say that this was a SUCCESS!!!

Gingerbread Man

[I]t's one of my finest racing experiences ever, and you have got to try it next year.

Ani de Leon

This should totally be an annual event!!!!

Janine

The Cebu Marathon experience was simply awesome!

U-huh, I scoured the web for those plus a little help from Google Alerts.

Speaking of pride, I can't help but boast about my 29.03 in the 5k. A PR after a long running break! Yeba! Now I shouldn't feel a wee bit of a wimp for not taking a stab at the half marathon. There's always the next CCM. ;-)

Next post will be photos from the race.

December in Photos

2010-01-02T18:25:00.004+08:00

I hope this post will make up for at least a couple of entries I should have made in December. The month of eating and parties leaves one slothful but to run addicts like me, there's no excuse not to don those running shoes and pound the road. I begged off from long runs though and wasn't faithful to my regular run schedule what with my aching right foot (see prior post). OK, I'm lazy too. So instead of a lengthy entry, the December post will mostly be photos with those little captions. =)

After the office Christmas party, I went to

Cebu Sports Club for the Midnight Run.

I loved the cool, sunless race! Until next year.

Since the boys decided to push through with their
21k plan, they continued with the training, which
included a 14k road run. I joined them, not in the run,
but in the breakfast @ IT Park. Pol later decided
to register for the full marathon.

Feeling guilty with all the Christmas feasting,
I managed to do a quick morning run in my island hometown.

I felt the familiar pain in my right foot after the
Combado run, warning me to give my feet more rest or else...
The feet didn't just get the relaxation they needed,
the nails also got painted to the color of the season.

With the break, I felt fat and slow. So, I talked my parents to
bring me somewhere I can spend time with my other love--swimming.
They drove me to Sugar Beach. Ahhh, I miss Bantayan already.

aaargh #*$%##s#!

2009-12-07T14:54:00.008+08:00

I hate to say it but it maybe buh-bye to the half marathon this January for me. I have already skipped a huge chunk of my 21k training program and even ended a chow-filled week without running. It's doctor's advice--not the eating but the not pounding the pavement.

Before the visit to an Orthopedic Surgeon, I was already walking with a noticeable limp caused by a pain I felt on my right foot (yep, that part highlighted in the image below). image swiped from runnersworld.com

I dismissed the discomfort thinking the pain, like I had in my knee, will just go away (the knee started to hurt when I experimented with my running form but got alright after I went back to how I was doing it before I read materials and viewed videos about running). The injured foot, however, did not feel its normal self after a few days; it got even worse that friends and officemates readily noticed my uneven walking.

I can run or jog or walk real fast without that nagging pain but once I rest, especially with knees bent for some time (e.g., commuting in a cramped van), the first few steps would be difficult. A visit to the office clinic brought about the trip to an Ortho, which doctor I just chose from a list accredited by our healthcare insurance provider. As mentioned above, the appointment with the doctor brought me the refrain-from-running advice. I also had my right foot X-rayed, which X-ray showed nothing really wrong with my right foot. Now I'm taking expensive medicines and feeling heavy for not running in a week filled with parties.

I'm going to run tomorrow. Sssh, don't tell my doctor. I'll just be taking it easy anyway. And oh, my right foot doesn't hurt now. Really...

MIA

2009-11-25T12:37:00.007+08:00

Yeah, Missing In (blogging)Action for almost a month now. I don't seem to have the time for writing or blogging anymore. But the running I'm not skipping. Well, not unless when it's heavily raining (and I'm wearing new shoes), or when traveling won't give me enough time to run.

So what have I been up to?

October-November Break

The week before All Soul's day brought me to my island home town. But the vacation didn't deter me from sticking to my running program. First day of my leisurely time away from work had me waking up very early for a five km. Getting up way before the sun is up when there’s no work is a no-no for me, so hearing the alarm clock was a little too painful. With the change in scenery, however, I very much enjoyed the run. What with the clean, tree-lined road free from the scores of tricycles that roam around town later in the day. I can still remember the exhilarating effect of the fresh province air occasionally combined with the smell of freshly cooked anok (puto in Cebuano). I noticed that I and Lex were the only runners/joggers that day. I thought I saw one runner sprinting around the town plaza until I noticed he was on his slippers and looked like he just run because of some emergency. So the road all to ourselves! Wheeeee! Next time, we're bringing Jun and Pol here for the 10km (or is it 8km?) run to Sta. Fe. And maybe Bel, another Bantayanon, will have some heavy breakfast ready for the trying-hard runners. Hehe.

After Bantayan, I went to the running buddy's hometown. There, we didn't have the time to visit their sports oval nor do a quick road run. As was the usual All Saints' Day, we camped late afternoon until morning at the cemetery where most of the people are hanging out. The following day we visited relatives (both dead and alive) outside the city.

When I got back to Cebu, I made up for those missed runs with Sunday long runs in Lahug and after-work runs in MEPZ 2.

November Races

I participated in the MEPZ 5k Fun Run (where Pol said I will have a chance in placing if I am religious in my training) and Brgy. Lahug's Mad Run for wellness.

I was 12th in the MEPZ Run female category, which made me think I should have started fast like Jun, Lex and Pol did. I had sore knees the previous week so I was taking it easy in the huge downward slope early in the race leg.There was something wrong with the race's timing device (i.e., top ten finishers had clock-in times of between 14-20 minutes) that I didn't bother to check my race time. Or maybe it wasn't really 5k? Hmmn, I need a Garmin.

Last Nov. 22, I participated in the 2nd MAD Run's 6k while Jun, Lex, and Pol ran the 12k. Bel failed to attend with her tummy problems. My clock-in time was 38 minutes.
I already signed up for the Seminary Fund Run this 29th. There's a MEPZ category; wish me luck!

Crazy, but...

2009-10-28T16:49:00.002+08:00

I, Jun, and Lex, have started training for a half marathon. Yep, you read that right: 21 kilometers for the Jan. 10, 2010 Cebu Marathon. Crazy. Well, at least for me because it seems my running buddies are so welcome to the idea.

I won't register for the 21k, leave that to the guys, I kept telling myself. I believe the half marathon is too early for someone like me, someone who doesn't always enjoy the running as much as when I'm finishing it (or at the point when endorphins kick in). But I guess there's no harm in adhering to the training program. And maybe come registration time, I will catch from the two the madness that is the 21k. So when that happens, I come prepared.

Anyways, according to the program, long runs are set on Sundays; first of which was just this 25th. We took the road from Jun's place in Pusok, LLC, all the way to the Mactan Shrine. I love the route, especially the generous view of the sea. The trees that lined up the clean asphalt road also gave abundant shade to us that came unprepared for the harsh rays of the sun. Lessons learned for that first Sunday include:

Be on time. Or earlier. Running in the heat is not that fun.
Don't carry anything bulky including a bottle of water (yeah, I'm a dork). There are plenty of stores selling the bottled H20 even early a.m.
Bring small bills (the sound of loose change is too annoying) to buy the hydration or what have you.
Put on a generous amount of sunblock.

Runnr Goes to Cebu!

2009-10-19T13:42:00.009+08:00

Wheeeeeee! Runnr will open a store in Cebu!

Looking forward to this:

this:

and more foot candies:

Target opening date is said to be on Nov. 13 at Ayala's new Active Zone.

Good news for us, bad news for our wallets.
I bet my wish and/or shop list will get a bit lengthier.

The Quest for the New Running Shoes

2009-10-16T15:31:00.010+08:00

Determined to get my deserving feet new running shoes, I went in search for that perfect pair. First week of October, I scoured every sport-apparel shops in Cebu's major malls.

The plan was first to look for what pleases my eye, then try it on for comfort. If the footwear doesn't pass the "look" test, it won't go to the "comfort" test. If the pair clears both, I still won't buy it right away. I'll do more research online and read reviews so I'd really know if it's perfect for my type of feet--If we only have running specialty stores with knowledgeable salespersons, I would have skipped this part (Edit: see next post).

Finding the pair was easy because only one cleared the look and comfort tests: Adidas Adizero Tempo. Okay, others were too pricey for me or maybe I did not look hard enough. The Adizero Tempo that I found at Toby's Sporting House (SM North Wing Branch) came with a discount. They're beautiful, and very light too. Just the right colors and my legs looked longer in them. Hehe. After liking what I read from my research, I knew I had to get them.

With my birthday drawing to a near, Mom (after some parayeg) agreed to buy the pair as a gift to me. Yeeeha! But when she learned of the price, she settled to pay for just the 2/3. Oh well, I need to have the Adi so what's 1/3 anyway.

Days before the purchase, I already had nightmares. One dream was of me going back to Toby's and finding that my size isn't available anymore. Tsk3x, bad sign.

I came back to Toby's afternoon of Oct. 10, hopping to the shop with excitement. Lex tagged along. Imagine my shock when the footwear I dreamed about wasn't on display anymore. "We pulled out the stock," the salesperson announced. I was like "Oh sh*t, not another crazy nightmare." Only it wasn't a dream and what I actually mumbled was something like "Uh, OK maybe they have it at another store." I remembered seeing the same pair at SM's sporting goods department but I remembered it looked old.

At this time, big bro Juk arrived so the three of us trooped to the department store while I fervently prayed they still have a pair my size. I was so relieved to see the exact model and color I wanted, my size too. I was more than glad really. I was ecstatic! A little problem though: it was for men, or so the salespeople insisted. But it looked very much similar as the one displayed at Toby's women's running shoes section! Oh well... So what if they're for men, they look too pretty for a man's feet and they felt great on mine. And so to make the story short, I decided (after a bit of jogging and walking around the store) that the pair would be my new running shoes.

BTW, the SM Adidas staff was great; I was super pampered, I felt like a celebrity. Or maybe it was Lex's doing. He made up a story of me winning a silver medal in a recent race. "Just 20 seconds behind the champion!" I heard him telling the staff, who later asked for my name and the issue of the local paper that supposedly had a photo of me plus an interview. What a crazy, shoe-hunting adventure that was.

Goodbye nightmares. Hello Adi!