Merry Christmas!

To all who visited this site, to friends, colleagues, and fellow runners, MERRY CHRISTMAS!
May you have all the blessings you have wished for this christmas and through the coming year!

See you on the road!!!

Disaster Run sa Kabundukan: WORST RACE OF THE YEAR

This was a long anticipated run for us. Aside from being part of the DENR family which we advocate the protection of the environment and conservation of our natural resources, we were previously told about the hilly course of the race. So our team registered for this event ready for the challenge. After taking a break after the Adidas King of the Road, I finally decided to join being my last race for this year.

I woke up early and expected long hours of traveling as the race was located in San Jose, Rodriguez, Rizal. We leave from the office at exactly 4:00 am but to our dismay as the organizers never put up any marker to the location, we only found the place through the residents we asked along the way.

As we entered the oval, there were only few runners who attended the event and several of them were the elite ones from the Team Bald Runner and a few who we recognized from afar. We spotted Phillip aka The Foreign Runner and Bald Runner who registered for the 21K event. Tolits, IceOne, Ross and I were originally registered for the 10K event but we changed for the 5K event due to lack of preparation. I was afraid that my right knee would not cooperate again.

I started my run with a very slow pace together with Ice One and we increased gradually until the second kilometer. But to my dismay, my nike+ sportsband collapsed. IceOne continued to pace me until my right knee began to complain so I told him to continue without me and I will just meet him at the finish line. I ran alone and that started all the bulls^*(&%^ts that happened to me during the entire race. The route was almost flat but the roads were congested with motorists. Runners were told to run at the sides of the streets and those fu&%^%^in’ tricycle drivers kept on shouting at runners with offensive words. They were so barbaric at the runners. We were running while inhaling smokes from the vehicles. I also got lost because the marshals didn’t even know where to direct us the right route for the 3K, 5K, 10K, and 21K. Water stations were not also found and it’s a good thing that I hydrated myself with a bottle of Gatorade before the race. Lost runners complained to the marshals but they instead lead us the road to hell. My vote for the worst and the most unorganized race of the year definitely goes to this race…Runners… how do you rate this race?

Why do you run?

Why do you run? We have our own reasons why we run. But whatever the reason is, we just simply love running...

This is an article i've read from running.about.com by Christine Luff and I want to share this with you... If none in these 10 items the reason why you run, then what is your own reason?

10 REASONS TO START RUNNING

1. Running improves your health

One of the biggest benefits of running is that it's good for your health. Running is an excellent way to strengthen the heart and ensure the efficient flow of blood and oxygen throughout the body, which helps decrease your risk of a heart attack. Exercise, combined with maintaining a healthy weight, is one of the best ways to naturally reduce your blood pressure if it's above normal. If you have high cholesterol, running can also help keep it in check. Running also improves your immune system, so your body functions are more effective and efficient at fighting off germs. Running and other weight-bearing exercises increase bone density, which can fend off osteoporosis.

2. You can lose weight

Many people start running to lose some extra pounds. As one of the most vigorous exercises out there, running is an extremely efficient way to burn calories and lose weight. If you're already at a healthy weight, running can help you maintain it. Just make sure you don't think running gives you a license to eat anything you want. The basic rule of weight loss — that you must burn (through life functions and exercise) more calories than you take in — still applies to runners.

3. You can run for a cause

Running can also be used as a way to contribute to society as a whole. Many races benefit charities, and some charities offer race training in exchange for fund-raising. Running for something that's bigger than you is a great way to stay motivated to keep training and can make your races even more meaningful and fulfilling.

4. You can meet new people through running

Some runners enjoy the quiet and solitude of running on their own, but other runners see running time as social opportunities. Finding a running buddy or running with a group is a great way to develop a sense of community. You can set goals and accomplish them together. In addition, having a regular running buddy or running group is a great way to stay motivated to run.
Some runners also share advice and motivation with other runners in online forums. You can meet other people who share your obsession with running, celebrate your triumphs and help you overcome your obstacles.

5. You can experience something new and different

Running is a great way to expand your horizons and break away from the daily grind. The sport gives people the opportunity to explore areas of their own community or new locations, experience new physical sensations and run places they may not normally see.

6. You can train for a specific goal

Some people hate to exercise just for the sake of exercising, but with running, though, you can train for races, from 5Ks to marathons and beyond. Training for a race gives you a specific goal to work toward, which can definitely help improve your motivation to run.

7. Running improves your energy levels

When you're feeling sluggish or tired, running is a great way to boost your energy. Runners who run in the morning report that they have improved energy levels during the day. Combining running with a healthful diet will help improve your energy levels even more.

8. Running will help you feel good about yourself

Regular runners report an increase in their confidence and self-esteem, and the self-esteem benefits of running are increased if you set a specific goal, such as running a marathon, and accomplish it.

9. Running is versatile and inexpensive

Running requires very little equipment, and it can be done almost anywhere. All you need is a good pair of shoes, and you can head out your door to go for a run. From city sidewalks to wooded trails, there are plenty of places for runners to explore — at no cost. If you travel a lot, it's easy to pack your running shoes and run while you're on the road.

10. Running can help with stress relief

Running— as with many forms of exercise — is a great cure for stress, emotional strain and even mild depression. Research has shown that healthy adults who exercise regularly are generally happier than those who don't.

10.19.08 Botak Paa-Bilisan Road Race Series: taking pictures during recovery

Lito Saberola seems floating in Cloud9 few meters before reaching the finish line.

IceOne in his final push, then after crossing the finish line...

BroJ in his best running form. Not bad for a 1:06 10K.

Adidas KOTR: Endurance to finish

not even an aching knee can stop me to finish this race!

"impossible is nothing..."

Adidas KOTR 10.11.2008: Determination keeps me going

I have been thinking of not joining this much-anticipated race even if I registered early because of my knee injury, but my inner self is thinking otherwise. Prior to the said race I was injured due to my speed workout in MKH two weeks ago. Sh_t happens! Especially for us runners who wanted to run too fast and too soon. I applied cryotheraphy and never run again hoping that my injury will be gone. It worked! as I thought.

The Adidas KOTR 2008 was one huge race. Thousands of runners joined the 5K, 10K and 21K events. IceOne and I arrived at the event just on time and we separated immediately as he was registered for the 5K while I am bound for the 10K. As I entered the long queue of the check-in area, I saw my officemate and running buddy Bro J. We positioned ourselves in the middle part of the assembly area and after a few minutes the starting gun fired. I started with a very slow pace, I paid attention to my right knee. I told Bro J to just go on his pace and will just meet him at the finish line. I felt good in the early kilometers so I increased my pace gradually. It was a smooth ride until hitting the 7.5K. My injured knee started to ache and I was already in the brink of quitting. I slowed down until I reached the top of Buendia flyover. I was tempted to walk but I was thankful that I borrowed my son’s iPod. It helped a lot and it kept me going. I have also been praying to just let me finish this race and I promised to take a break until the end of this month, have myself checked by an orthopedic specialist so I can resume on November. I am satisfied with my unofficial time of 1:12:28. God gave me the chance to finish the race. I know even if I felt bad, I have to fulfill what I promised. I will not register for the two upcoming race events to be able to recover.

I learned a lot from this experience. Determination, trust and will power are the key to finish what you have started. Injury is not a hindrance for you to be able to finish the race.

See you on the road!

with IceOne

My XT

I’m better in running and tending to my kids’ needs than in composing articles… For a working mom like me, it’s so hard to fit my schedule altogether. The early hours of the day is usually devoted to household chores before preparing to go to work. I can only fit my running workouts in the afternoon, jogging home after work. Since our house is only about 2.5 kilometers from our office, this is enough distance to satisfy my running needs. Of course I have to run first inside our office grounds before hitting the road home. In that way, I can save datung to buy a running shoes in time my present pair of shoes worn out. Hehehe. Saturday, is a different day. After a longer run in the morning, I have to undergo cross-training. This is where I can workout my upper body. I have to chisel my biceps and triceps. I also have to strengthen my core muscles. The abs and shoulders will likewise be fortified. I love my cross training. Bye the way, time to end this post. It’s Friday and I forgot to buy a Tide Bar for my cross-training. Yes! 5 piso na lang kada putol. Bye….