run!

For those who need to look seriously busy at work.

I warn you. It is addicting.

sandwich sunday (OctobeRun Festival)

Sandwich sunday. That’s what it was. The plan was  to sandwich a 10K race in-between a 10K warm up and a 12K cool down for a grand total of 32K. What happened was slightly different.  In the end, with all the kilometer additions and subtraction before 7am, I felt like a 7 year old taking (and failing) a math quiz.

The first was a ~3K warm up with RunMD– just back from his most recent globetrotting adventure. We did this run around the Bonifacio Ridge area because as early as 4:45 am the BHS loop was already filling up with people coming in for the OctobeRun festival. I took this opportunity to let him regale me with stories of his trip to Europe. Halfway through that run, I wanted to be in Europe.

3K warmer-upper still with RunMD, Vix and JM and Barracuda Gene.
By around 5:10 am RunMD and I started making our way back to BHS because I knew I needed to open the rolling locker (my car) so my friends could dump their stuff in it.  It was another 3K loop but this time we stayed close to the starting area of the race.

10K OctobeRun…This run took forever to start. After about 10 minutes of standing around making small talk, I started feeling antsy. I wanted to get the hell out of there and on the road. Mostly because my stomach had started growling. The sun was up and I was getting hungry. And I still had 26K to cover!  I found myself craving for pizza! I started wondering if I could actually order it in.

The speed limit posted at Lawton is at 40KPH.  I was definitely way, way  below that. No problem there. But so were the poor cars stuck in traffic. Now, why would anyone still insist on driving through Lawton early Sunday mornings? I’d stay away from Lawton, McKinley and Bayani Road between 6-8am on Sundays. I’d even be wary on Saturdays since it now seems to be the favorite route for weekend races.

It was a slow and steady run. I could read everything that was written in the back of everyone’s singlets… even the really small prints and logos.

I caught myself wondering if Loonyrunner had rocket boosters hidden inside his hydration pack as I watched him zoom his way up the pack.

I watched with admiration and even envied the running form of the 5K Elites as they overtook us while we were making our way up the first incline of the race.

I briefly wondered if I  should climb up the pedestrian overpass over Bayani road and take a picture of the race from there. It would certainly offer a different vantage point of the race.

Then I cheered the 10K elites as they came running back after the turnaround. The lead guy was way ahead of the pack.

I eavesdropped on all the stories being shared by the other people in the group I ended up with.  Some of the stories being passed around were actually hilarious.

Then it was time to do the wave for Fernando Orange. Apparently the man could stop to re-tie his laces, drink some water, slow jog and still run a sub 50 10K.  He must have apprenticed with Superman.

Then I moved aside to give way to Baldrunner and his entourage running back up Heritage Road. Hmmm… another one of those runners with rocket boosters.

And then finally, finally, I hit the turnaround. I took a few pictures of 1000KM girl and then it was time to pick up  my pace a bit. I still had a long way to go before breakfast. It was really starting to get to me.

I made it back to the finish line after about an hour. Maybe a lot more. It certainly felt like it. I just wanted some really cold water to drink. Just before I hit the finish line, my favorite part of the race happened.  I didn’t know it then but BroJ actually snapped my picture at the finish line! Now, I’ve been wanting a running picture. Mostly because I’m been wondering what kind of a nose job I really need to have done on my face. Well, not really. I’ve just wanted a picture for show and tell with Daddee-oh who will be celebrating his 60th birthday very soon.  And now I have a  running picture. Thank you very much BroJ from the very sole of my iron shoes!

13K long, chatty run with Barracuda and the invisible RunMD
RunMD went through a portal somewhere in Lawton! Well, that’s what I thought at first. He was just there with us and then he was gone. I found out later that all the European goodies he had been enjoying this past month went and attacked his legs! Sorry RunMD! I just got so used to you with your really fast legs. I actually thought you went in search of the sun again while Barracuda and I were set on running in the shade.

So, it was just Barracuda and Moi left to enjoy the route. And since I was in a particularly chatty mood, the poor man was left to listen to all my aimless chatter. It was a good run. We did the hills, we went through the flats, I even yelled out a hello to the brown goats I saw munching away in McKinley hills. Then it was time for the gang to get together and enjoy a good hearty breakfast.  I was still 3K short but I didn’t care at that point. Paul Calvin’s at the fort took care of my grumbling tummy. A slow swim and a lengthy stay in the jacuzzi took care of my miserable legs.

Was it a fun run Sunday? Yes! The company was topnotch and in spite of the delay in the start of the run, the race organization was pretty darn good.  The road marshals were great, water came aplenty. I even got a mineral water cold shower on the road after the turnaround!

From now on though, I’ll limit my Sunday sandwiches to the peanut butter and jelly varieties. Sandwich runs just require too much math, too much thinking, too much planning. The timing has got to be spot on. Otherwise, you end up with a stop and go run that consumes a lot of time and patience.  And I’m simply not built with a lot of those to spare…

the case against purple

“It’s because you are wearing purple!” Batgirl points this out in a very even tone after my most recent breakfast misadventure.

It’s 6 weeks to go before our first marathon and as we get closer to the date more and more of our superstitious quirks are coming into play.   Well, it’s mostly Batgirl’s quirks.

“My quirks, as you call them, are supported by empirical data.” Batgirl tells me this in a very matter of fact manner. I’m beginning to think there is some truth to what she says.

Someone stole my breakfast at McDonald’s today. Actually, he just started eating the food off my tray at the same time I was busy putting that same food, the one that  I had ordered and paid for, in my mouth. It was quite bizarre. Mcdonald’s was packed. There were more than a hundred people inside that place. I don’t know why he picked me.

I couldn’t really see him since he was bent over with his face very close to the food. And he was big and leaning very closely. What I had was a view of his back and his elbow. He just started picking food off my styrobox using my fork and my spoon that he had so gently removed from my hands a few seconds earlier. I was too stunned to react. He was facing Batgirl. Even Batgirl who was sitting across me had this confused look on her face. At first I thought the boy was a friend teasing me. Then I thought, he was a relative or a nephew or maybe he was one of my godsons…It was simply too weird.

Wordlessly I point to the foodnapper’s back.  At around that same time Batgirl realizes that I have no idea who this person is who is eating my food! Batgirl and I then start talking to each other inside our heads. And just so there isn’t any possibility that she would misread my mind, I start talking in the same way the 7/11 sales clerk talk. I don’t really know who started this whole trend. But they are the ones who like stating the obvious. You give them 100 pesos. They tell you “Ma’m I’ve received 100 pesos.”

So I say, “Batgirl, the man is eating MY breakfast.” She replies, “I noticed.”

We then raise our hands simultaneously to call the guard’s attention. After some waving, the guard finally looks our way. Since Batgirl has her back to him, I am the one he looks at.  Apparently the guards in McDonald’s are trained to be very friendly… but not very alert or smart. The guard then smiles and waves back at me. I have to fix my gaze at him and send urgent sonic thoughts out. “Hello, Mr. Security Guard, I am not being friendly. This man is eating my breakfast!”

Finally the security guard comes over to intervene…

Batgirl has this thing about the color purple. She thinks it attracts bad luck. Purple to Batgirl is like Kryptonite to Superman. It just causes a whole world of pain.

I’m really not all that superstitious. But this week has truly been a series of mishaps and misadventures. And somehow the color purple did always seem to be involved. This morning I was wearing a purple singlet. During the long run incident when I had a tussle with the kissing bandit/ thief I was also wearing my purple Adidas shirt.

As a rule, encounters with weirdos belong in Batgirl’s department. Even CalamityJoy pointed this out.  Now we’ve all been friends for close to 20 million years. We’ve known each other through thick (~150lbs) and thin (~118lbs). We’ve accepted, forgiven, even embraced each other’s quirks. We’ve just never really shared them. At least, not until now.

Lucky in love, unlucky in parking…

Now that charm applies to me. Let’s just say that I’ve never been in want of a  parking space. Even if you send me to a packed lot and there’s a long queue of cars waiting for space, that single available slot will be mine. Seriously. It’s never been a problem. Luck in love? Oh well, luck in parking is far more practical a charm, anyway.

Perhaps because Batgirl and I spend a lot of time together in play and in marathon training, the universe is confusing our auras.

So, just in case, I’ve decided to stay off purple stuff for now. At least, until the universe gets it all sorted out.

And just to set things straight…

Bad luck and mishaps and misadventures involving Tuesdays and purples and weirdos are in Batgirl’s department.

Parking luck, bad hair Fridays, faceplant weekends…Mine! Definitely All Mine.

Now to get back into training…

sole to soul 3: one year and counting…

August was my run birthday month. I’ve yet to lay claim to it. There is a rule in my family that says you cannot claim anything unless you’ve reasoned out and announced 1. Why you need it, or more importantly, 2. What you’ve learned from it. Which is why although I am already in my 30s I can only lay claim to the wisdom of a 6 year old.

• Running towards something is often a lot easier and more relaxing than running away from something (or SOMEONE!)

This is the reason why I will never run with the bulls in Pamplona in spite of  a relative’s dare. She is someone who shares my crazy genes. I’m not going to tell you it’s my mother because well, that would be true.  I’d have to say it’s one of the few  dares I’ve actually turned down. Of course when she said it it was more in the context of “Why don’t you just go run in Pamplona? They would definitely appreciate your horns better there!”

• Be brave but be not stupid…

No need to overthink a run but, at least, think.

There are guys who simply put on their running shoes and can go out and run all night. I am definitely not one of those guys. I respect the road and plan my long runs. I need to have my run gear ready the night before because my capacity to organize anything is seriously diminished in the early mornings.  Preparing the night before also allows for that smooth transition from the dark and cold quiet comfort of my bedroom to the dark and hot and humid and noisy street below.

I also work out what I plan to eat the day before and on the morning of the run. I used to survive on a scoop of Cherry Garcia ice cream before a run (It’s milk with fruit and sugar! Of course It’s healthy!) With the longer distances, I need to plan things a little better. And now it’s test run time for the marathon. I tend to love surprises but I certainly don’t want too many on that day.

I also never had much respect nor patience for creams and sunblocks.  I do now. Especially since I’ve found the outline of my mizuno shorts sun-tattoed on my thighs once too often! The sun can be really harsh. And it can be a killer!

• What is in-front of me is my problem. Who or what is behind me (as long as it is not a chunk of metal bent on running me over) is someone else’s.

Sometimes you bring your best self to a run and everything turns out well. And sometimes you bring your best self to a run and still Anarch rules!  Every run is different. No matter how familiar the route or how often you’ve run the distance. Sometimes, things simply will not go according to plan. When these things happen, I acknowledge it and I simply let go AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I leave all my misgivings at the curb. Regret is a waste of good energy. And it can mess up a run real bad, real quick.

• Running long distances for me is more than mind over matter. It is mind over dark matter.

Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. It is visible and known. Dark matter is something else altogether. Most astronomers believe it is there. They suspect it holds the universe together. But it can’t be seen and it can’t be measured except by its reflection on known objects.

42.2KM is still not real to me in my head. I know what 32KM feels like but 33KM, 35KM, 40KM? It’s still not real. But I am getting there. But I also know that the farthest distance I will  run while training is 35KM. Anything beyond that will be dark matter on the day of the marathon. I know it’s there. I just need to believe I can finish it and go the entire distance.

You simply need to have faith. Beyond what you know, is the unknown. If your mind can bridge that gap, then you are well on your way to your finish line.  It’s really all up to you. But first, believe! And then crawl, if you so desire.

• You do not just face your fears; you need to name your demons.

One of the rules of magic require that you know the true name of your enemy. Running has reminded me of that. (Yes, I’ve been reading way too much sci-fi and fantasy!)  I need to name my demons because only then will I have power over them. Only them am I able to put my head back into the race, learn to pace myself better, enjoy the journey and let the finish line take care of itself.

Hills are one of my demons. Not running up hills. I’m gotten pretty good at that. It’s running downhill. I have to rely less on sheer willpower and strength. I know all about pushing and pulling. But I have an issue with letting go and allowing the forces in this universe to take over.  Running downhill requires letting go. Gravity is actually helping you out. Momentum is there to keep you going. But you need to use these forces wisely. You let go too much and you are on your way to a rough tumble. You hold back too much and you cause yourself problems. If you land too hard because you are exerting way too much control then it becomes a painful experience all around. I’ve messed up my hips and knees big time this way. I needed to understand that not everything is achievable through power. Sometimes, it takes finesse. Sometimes, it takes grace. Almost always, it will require patience.

• Smile and the guard at the gate will let you through…most of the time

Some people like the hustle and bustle of the city streets. It’s not for me. I seek out the quiet when I run. And in a city with no parks, the closest thing I have are the cemeteries and the gated subdivisions. Unfortunately, getting access to these areas can be a bit difficult.

I find that more than anything else, a smile is a good facilitator. Of course, knowing someone who actually lives in that village also helps! Knowing someone who is dead and buried at the cemetery can help too but best to bring some flowers along so you look far more convincing.

• The best routes are always the ones shared with friends.
  

No doubt about it.

Well there you go. This is the third and final installment. Now I’m finally ready to claim my year…

Sole to Soul 1 and 2 are here and here.

Here be the dragon (MY KOTR RUN)

The dragon in my sight had a serpentine body with a long, slender tail and neck. Black were its scales, covered in soot, smelling of a potent mix of smoke and oil and gasoline. The most bewitching part of its body were its enormous, almost translucent, gossamer wings running from its shoulders to the middle of its tail. But these wings were only visible under the most powerful combination of lighting and magical incantations “impossible is nothing!” This dragon has deep-set eyes, eyes the same color as the sun now burning its way up the sky lit with bright amber flames. The dragon in my sight was laying in quiet slumber though that was about to change as the sound of a thousand thundering feet echoed ever nearer. Mine, clad in yellow running shoes, was in the middle of that pack. A thousand road warriors all fired up and ready for that morning’s battle. A fight to conquer the dragon that snaked it’s way across our city’s main highway. A dragon that on an ordinary day would simply be known by its non-magical name: The Buendia Flyover.

My plan for running the 21K Adidas King of The Road was simple and straightforward. It concerned a split. No I’m not talking about those negative splits serious runners would throw in during casual conversations. I was actually set on a positive split. A positive split of the brain, that is.

The Buendia Flyover was my own personal dragon. It got the best of me the last time I went in battle with it at the CONDURA RACE. On the day of the KOTR race I was out seeking redemption. I wasn’t off to slay a dragon though. I simply wanted to tame it, hopefully, befriend it.

The race started six minutes earlier than I had negotiated with the universe. Mr. Soulcrusher, my Garmin 405, says we were off at 5:24am. It caught me unawares. So much so that I was actually in a kneeling position when I heard the crack of the gun and people behind me started pushing forward. I wasn’t kneeling down in prayer though, although I probably should have been. I was actually quite busy trying to bring two sleepy Polar foot pods to life. One was attached to SexyBac’s shoes. The other one to Vix. My T2 running mates were both running their first 21Ks. Well, I started feeling the surge so I jumped back up. Vix then wordlessly points out  a gorgeous man in orange. I see her grin and follow her hand. And I hear violins. Well, I don’t but I do see My Fernando. And he was definitely mine for a split second before he disappeared with the throng!

Oh well, time to run the race. I focus on making my way up the 21K pack. I wanted to be good and settled and calm before making that initial run up the Buendia flyover incline. I was still right in the middle of the pack. And I was having a difficult time finding my rhythm. My mouth also felt unusually dry. That was quiet strange because I must have downed almost half liter of water before going into the starting corral. I realized then that my dry palate was not because of thirst. I was simply nervous.

The last time I did this route I was with Runtintin, Batgirl, and Vix. We were in a 10K race.This time it was just plain old me. At least you are going to get your picture taken at the finish line by Batgirl, I tell myself. This thought cheers me up a bit.

So I wet my dry lips with my tongue and then bite hard into it to bring some color out. One does not want to look pale and weak when one is about to confront the enemy! Thereafter, I also take a few deep breaths and just before that first incline of the flyover, I catch a sight of a patch of orange sky sandwiched in between two buildings. And that’s when I stopped worrying and started having fun. And just like that I was finally committed to the race.

Well not quite.

The run up wasn’t all that bad. As soon as I hit the top of the flyover, I see three men standing in a row with their backs towards me. They were all facing out towards the EDSA highway and the great beyond.  In my head I start hearing the theme song from the movie “The Titanic” playing. And for a split second there I wait for them to throw their hands out (Well, of course, they need to zip it up or tie it up, or knot it up first. And hello I am talking about the shorts!) and then shout “I’m the King of the World!” or should that be “the road?” Whatever!  But they take their time in marking their territory and pretty soon the men and that odor are way behind me. Hmmm…men definitely have it so much easier in that department!

I cruise through the Flyover and start running down Buendia. Soon enough I find myself in a conversation with pleasant older gentleman. Yes, of course, I am running a 21K race! I was making good time too. At that point I only had 16Kms of road left for chitchat. He tells me that his best 10K time was 46 minutes. Then he asks me what my best 10K time was. I mull over this for a while and then tell him that it was set at 32 minutes two weeks ago.  That’s when I hit my 6KM sweet soy taho pit stop! That’s definitely one of my best times in a 10K run!  I don’t know why he gave me such a strange look.

So we keep running and bantering all the way up and down Buendia.  I spy a number of my running buds and cheer them on. Mighty M flew past and then there was Chuchay swiftly following in her wake. MukhangGuilty (MG) was late but he soon caught up with our pack at the Ayala/Buendia Intersection. MG, the invincible man, actually sliced through traffic while around 15 of us watched from the sidelines. A female cop had stopped us and had let the cars go down Ayala. So there we were waiting to cross and from the corner of my eye, I see MG crisscrossing his way through the line of impatient cars. “Woohoo! Way to go MG!” I shout. This gets the other mostly male runners excited. And they start their own traffic rebellion. I slide in through with them.

Soon enough it’s time to go back up the flyover. It went by in a blur. I’d found some other company up that stretch. One guy even asked me for a number. A number concerning time. Of course I couldn’t give it to him. But I did manage to tell him what time sunset that day would be.  I have a watch which tells me my average pace, my current pace, my lap pace, when sunset is, when sunrise will be etc. Hell, it even tells me I have a heart. Or at least something that beats inside my chest.  Just don’t ask for the time, please. My watch doesn’t do time! Sorry.

It was a good run up and then down and then up and then down again.  By the time I make it to the bottom the pleasant older gentleman was nowhere in sight.  And I still had 11K more to go!  So I run through Rizal, Lawton, and Bayani road with eyes half open and nostrils flaring. I hope it wasn’t too scary a sight. The half closed eyes part happened whenever I would see a jeepney belching out black smoke on the road.  It’s a familiar route and hence a relatively easier run for me. Also a lot quieter.

Mr. SoulCrusher (my Garmin) says I completed the distance of 20.7KM in 2:04:22. That’s around 3 minutes faster than my last 21K that was actually just a 19.6K! So all in all, it was a good run. I’ve tamed my dragon and even made some new acquaintances along the way. Not bad for two hours of fun.

And then there is that issue about the nice picture waiting for me at the finish line!! Just before that final turn, I refocus on looking fierce and proud. And then I force the tired legs to run strong to the finish line. On my way in, I keep scanning the crowd. Where the hell is Batgirl positioned?  Has she got a cloak of invisibility on? Do I look left or right??? I almost trip over my own feet in my excitement.  I’m grinning like a cheshire cat now, ready for my picture…

Goshdarnit Batgirl! You are officially fired as a photographer! Next race, you are simply going to have to run with us again. It’s more fun that way and we missed you. Everyone inside my head concurs!   There was no one to count as I made my way up that incline. Nice pictures of Kuya though!

Well, the other pictures and the much better race recaps are all there——>at that blogroll. I saw most of manila’s running bloggers in that race.   I’m sure they’ve managed to piece together a more coherent story. As far as I’m concerned that run, dragon and all, was simply pure, consistent, expected bliss!