Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Is my ACL gone?

As advised by my ortho, I've undergone the torture of that deafening Magnetic Resonance Imagery (MRI) machine 2 months ago only to find out that I have an ACL. I religiously finished 12 continuous sessions of therapy just to avoid surgery. Nope, I’m not afraid of surgical operations because I already had 3, from trigger thumb, appendectomy and the removal of my gallbladder. What I am afraid of, is the risk of not being able to run again so I opted for rehabilitation. I rested from running for almost 3 months, neither jogging or brisk walking until yesterday when a runner friend and officemate assembled an agility/speed ladder used for plyometrics. We tested it during our athletics period. I loved the feeling of sweat running down my face again. I kept my attention to my injured right knee. Well, at least it cooperated, just a bit uneasy as I was worried that it will hurt again. I tried it for several minutes and the feeling of uneasiness was gone. My knee never bothered me… for now. Is my ACL gone?

This Sunday’s race will be my sort of test run again. I did not register for the race but I am planning to pace IceOne as he was registered for that said event. I will run as a bandit…I hope this time I can finish it pain free so I can say goodbye to my ever reliable knee brace. " No running during an injury is not a sign of slowing down, but a sign of wisdom." See you on the next road race...

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Who's the REAL ZORRO?

If you are a frequent Sunday racer here in the Metro, you will know the country's Running Zorro I am talking about. I don't actually know his name but his costumes and hmm smell is worth remembering. I am collecting different pictures of Zorro with other runners and plans to post them here in the future. If you don't mind, you can send them to me through my e-mail add just for fun.

Monday, March 30, 2009

NAMRIA in the grandest running event for women

The NAMRIA running club joined the grandest running event for women on March 29, 2009, the Pinay In Action held at the SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City hosted by Senator Pia Cayetano. Being sidelined by a knee injury, I was tasked to be the official photographer of the day. Here are some of my photos:
at the starting line


the women contingent of our office
A shot before the fire off
Lorie with her sister-officemate and our Deputy Administrator Linda Papa.
The Senator with her daughters before the finish line.
BroJ and swthrt; Xenia
Spice girls of NAMRIA
Meekrunner
running Nats, IceOne and Norman
The Spice Boys of NAMRIA
A family affair

with our Head Executive Assistant Georgia Ventura

with friends Baby a.k.a swthrt and Leng

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Takbo Para Sa Kalikasan 10: A Test Run




I joined the takbo para sa kalikasan last Sunday March 8 to test my injured right knee. My Ortho previously diagnosed it with "miniscus tear" or torn cartilage but the MRI result showed that my knee has an ACL or commonly known as anterior cruciate ligament. The ACL according to Wikipedia is the most commonly injured knee ligament and is commonly experienced by athletes. The ACL is often torn during sudden dislocation, torsion, or hyperextension of the knee. Swelling that is usually attributed to bleeding from the tear may cause pressure and some discomfort, but the torn ligament itself rarely causes much pain. Due to the lack of severe pain, I was advised to refrain from running while I am undergoing therapy sessions and that is the worst news that I heard since I went to my doctor’s clinic. I have undergone four sessions with my PT and it lessened the pain so I decided to test it without my doctor’s knowledge.

During the race day, I thought I was ready to take chances so I woke up early a bit anxious that my knee would cooperate. IceOne and I positioned ourselves in the middle of the pack, stretched after a minute of brisk walking as our warm up. We started with a very slow pace until I suddenly felt the urge to pee because of the bottle of Gatorade I’ve downed before leaving home. I was fortunate enough to find a clean public CR on the route at the Roxas Boulevard. My plan was not to beat my PR but just to finish the race pain-free and I was glad IceOne paced me. My knee never complained until I reached the 3rd kilometer. The pain recurred the rest of the race. That was the time I walked and told myself that I won’t run again until my knee is ready.

with IceOne

with my officemates






Monday, February 16, 2009

My best gift on Valentine's Day

Among my three kids, Jag is probably the most under-rated and most under-estimated. Compared to his two younger sisters, they are at par when it comes to academics. Though Jag is only an average student, he seemed to excel in other fields. Actually, he was running a sub-50 min. 10K when he was a 6th grader, a frustrated rapeller, a good basketball player, and an aspiring Rakista. Last Valentine's Day was a great manifestation of his other God-given talent. After their school's Foundation Day program, I was surprised when my only son handed me a yellow rose and two medals. He was the champion in the poster-making contest, and bested in Chess beating even those fourth year students. That was a great surprise son. You made me prouder even more. I love you...








Thursday, February 12, 2009

I CAN'T RUN!!!

I can't run!!! This is probably the worst news that a runner would hear... My ortho found out that my right knee isn't just an ordinary runner's injury. It's called "miniscus tear" or torn cartilage. He found out that it was due to my sudden increase of mileage and overtraining (?!), and aging... I am having sessions right now with a Physical Therapist three times a week and to be scheduled for MRI. Through MRI, it will be decided if my knee would undergo surgery or just plain therapy. The sad news is if I will unfortunately undergo such hiwa, I will wait another three to six months before I can start again to train or join races. Probably I would be 30 pounds heavier that time. Sorry me.
This is an article i've read just recently and I think it will fit to our busy schedules being working (injured) moms. We can do this work out at home while tending to the needs of our demanding kids. :-D
TRY THESE EXCERCISES: ( i'm going to try these too...hehe!)
Upper-Body Workout
The upper body is a notoriously weak area for most women but it's also an area that responds quickly and beautifully to strength training. Follow these 6 exercises to renew upper body strength.
By Selene Yeager

Shoulder Press
Sit on the ball. Start with dumbbells at shoulder height, palms facing out. Press the dumbbells straight up overhead. Pause, and lower weights back to shoulder height. Don't arch your back while doing this exercise.
Tones: Shoulders, triceps


Back Flye
Sit on the edge of the ball, feet together, a dumbbell in each hand. Keeping your back flat, bend forward at the waist, letting arms hang down on either side of legs. Squeeze shoulder blades and raise the weights out to the sides until parallel to the floor. Pause, then lower weights to the starting position.

Tones: Upper back muscles



Triceps Press Back
Sit on your stability ball. Hold the dumbbells in front of you with your arms bent at 90-degree angles, elbows at your sides. Keeping your back straight, bend slightly from the hips. Straighten both arms and extend the weights behind you, turning palms up toward the ceiling once arms are fully extended. Pause, then return to start.
Tones: Triceps

Biceps Curl
Sit on the ball. Hold dumbbells down at sides, palms facing out. Keeping elbows at sides, lift the dumbbells up to your shoulders. Pause, and then lower.

Tones: Biceps

Chest Press
Lie back on the exercise ball (start on your back on the floor if this is too difficult). Hold the dumbbells straight up over your chest so their ends face each other and your palms face the ceiling. Lower arms so your elbows point toward the floor and the weights are even with your chest. Press arms back to the start.

Tones: Chest, triceps

Bent-Over Row
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, back straight, and knees slightly bent. Hold a dumbbell in each hand. Keeping your back straight, bend 90 degrees from the waist and allow arms to hang down toward the floor, palms facing legs. Squeeze shoulder blades together and bend elbows, raising the dumbbells up to either side of your torso. Pause, and lower back to the starting position.

Tones: Back, biceps

Work Out Your Core Muscles
Your core consists of the collection of muscles around your midsection that, when strong enough, supports your body in almost everything it does.

Basic Crunch
Sit on the ball with your feet flat on the floor, then carefully lean back and roll yourself along the ball until it nests in the small of your back. Touch your hands lightly behind your ears and slowly lift your upper body off the ball, contracting your stomach muscles to their fullest. Hold for a second (longer as it gets easier), then lower back down and repeat.

Core benefit: Flat, firm abs





Side Pillar Bridge
Lie on your left side. Bend your left arm so your forearm is extended in front of you as shown. Press into your left arm and lift your torso off the floor. Your upper body should form a straight line from your hips to your shoulders. Place your right hand on your hip. Hold 5 to 10 seconds. Lower to starting position. Complete a full set, then switch to the other side.

Core benefit: Svelte sides

Physio Ball T
Lie facedown on your stability ball so that your back is flat and your chest is off the ball. (If balance is a problem, you can anchor your feet against a wall.) Extend your arms straight in front of you toward the floor, palms facing up. Pull your shoulder blades in toward your spine and lift and extend your arms to the sides to create a T with your torso. Pause, then lower your body back to start.

Core benefit: Pretty posture


Ball Hip Lift
Lie on your back with hands behind your head and hook the ball with your legs so it's nestled between heels and hamstrings. Contract your abs and lift the ball off the floor, rolling your pelvis off the floor and tucking your knees toward your chest. Keep your navel pulled toward your spine throughout the move. Pause; then slowly lower your legs back to the starting position.

Core benefit: No more lower belly pooch


T-Pose
Stand with your arms extended, palms down. Tighten your abs and lift your right foot off the floor and slightly behind you. Bend forward and extend your right leg behind you until your upper body is parallel to the floor. Your body should form a T. Pause, then lower to the starting position. Alternate legs for a complete set to each side.

Core benefit: Improved balance and flexibility

Thursday, February 5, 2009

All Women's Run on Women's Month

I've just received an advisory from:


Pinay In Action 2009

Attention: ALL WOMEN

Pinay In Action Annual All Women’s Run

Date: March 29, 2009 (Sunday)Venue: Mall of Asia grounds, Pasay City


The Pinay In Action Team led by Senator Pia S. Cayetano is jumpstarting the year with a number of exciting activities and is inviting everyone to join.

To mark the International Women’s Month of March, women of all ages and from all walks of life will be making a different kind of statement for empowerment at the country’s biggest and only all women’s run.

Pinay In Action, now on its fourth year, is inviting women to join the annual advocacy run which aims to continuously empower women by promoting their rights and health. Men who support the event’s objectives may also join but will not be eligible for the awards and prizes at stake.
This year’s event will also showcase booths on women’s rights, empowerment, health and wellness.