Takbo.ph Carbo Loading Party and stuff

One of the most anticipated and well-attended party of the year, the Takbo.ph Carboloading Party! Lots of freebies, plenty of food (help yourself to second serving if you're so inclined), great crowd and familiar faces. Here's putting in a good word for all takbo.ph crew. Jinoe and the rest of the team did a great job organizing this affair, well-done guys! Couldn't ask for more :-)

Well... except for one thing really...

What I was really hoping for in this event was seeing the takbo.ph's gorgeous website models doing an inspirational song-and-dance number, to something like a "Eye of the Tiger" that'll get us pump for the 21K race. That my friends would have been pakking awesome! (Actually, "Total Eclipsed of the Heart" would have more awesomer, but that's just me. And in case you're wondering whatever happen to that banner pic, the admin has since replace it).

Anyways, what we got was pretty boy Mark Nelson gracing the event (but san his dynamic duo, hmmm... you think something going on with those two?) Oh well, can't have them 'em all y'know. Hey Jinoe, next time... maybe...?

On the bright side, my running idol, the man himself, the Baldrunner! was there to give a speech. Boys and girls, when I'm older and wiser 50 years from now, I'd also want to look this cool in a casual body-hugging, hip long-sleeve shirt and jeans. People, this ain't the the grandpa of your Mom and Dad's generation.

Of course, this is same man who stole my date a few weeks ago (yes people, he just happen to ask the same girl out, easy as you please, while I sweat blood to fit in to her schedule). Not that I'm complaining really, since I got the most caring and ever so thoughtful "... let's do it another time gene..." evar!

*sigh*

Yes, my gentle, caring anonymous dear readers, in the perfect world of boy-meets-girl-and-date-happily-ever-after, some poor boy got his heart broken and carved into pieces and dating has never been the same.

Have fun and see you all in the race!

Pics from the party (taken from meekrunner's blog, mucho gracias!)

Finally, meeting the lovely Ms Anna and her better-half plus another fellow runner. Lakay, nu maminsan manin! kita-kits at the race.

Some of the loveliest running wives! Now Craig, if you don't mind, you're in the pic.


With the other runner-bloggers.

New Year and Resolution!

Ho ho ho! 2009 is here, time for your fav wish list/new year's resolution. As usual, I have accumulated quite a list (most of them being freshly recycled from last years' old resolutions) hmm... pero teka teka the problem with starting with a bang is that you're most likely to end up with a thud. So what I'll do is just list down the most 'manageable' resolution, nothing fancy or overly imaginative and just stick to it come hell or high tide.

• Run 3x a week using the FIRST method
  
• Do a marathon in 2009 (two if I can do the above consistently)
• Blog more (5 or more post a month)
  
• 2009 is flat out going to rock!
  

There, it shouldn't be that difficult for a serial procrastinator jologs from the block like myself.

Happy New Year and Happy Running Everyone! See you all at the races!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Mga Kapatid!

Wishing you all Happy Holidays. May you have a joyous and meaningful celebration.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everyone!

Christmas Get-Together with Running Friends/Bloggers

Last Monday was the get-together of the many runner-friends-blogger folks at Italianni's. Great food, great conversations, great fun, and great people! Since pictures can speak for themselves, here are the pics (mostly stolen from Wilbert, thanks bro! :-).


Vimz, Jaymie, Doray, Tiffin, Jaimie, Abby, Gigi, Que, Rio, Jun, Jinoe, Hector, Vener, Taki, Vince, Gene, Dingdong, Ben, Jay, Dindo, Bard, Philip, Vina, Bro J, Mark, Wilbert, Mesh, Mikey, Aljo



With Mesh, Gigi, Jinoe, Que and Taki


Two of the lovely ladies at the dinner party.


With Taki.


With Philip and his wife.


I'm a Ninja, I'm there somewhere.

Dinner out with other runner bloggers

Clockwise: Jaymie (Bullrunner), Dindo (RunningDATcom), Wayne (SFrunner), Doray (Doralicious), yours truly, Erik (Run4Change), Bards (BananaRunning), Jay (Prometheus Cometh)


Clockwise: Marga (Changeling Child) Jaymie (Bullrunner), Dindo (RunningDATcom), Wayne (SFrunner), Doray (Doralicious), Jay (Prometheus Cometh), yours truly, Erik (Run4Change), Bards (BananaRunning)

This was last Monday night, dinner out with Wayne (who's visiting Manila) and other runner bloggers at Centro restaurant in Greenbelt 4. Great time to swap stories with other bloggers, even got to talked to one of the local running scene's icon, The Bullrunner (or at least for the whole 12 seconds for us to say hi and hello's :-)). Except for Bards, first time to meet everyone and like Wayne said, great group of people. Food was also great, except for the vivacious Doralicious and I, everyone kinda restraint themselves from the mouth-watering and sinfully delicious but smokin hot deadly Crispy Pata. Hey Ms Doray, next time extra serving tayo plus sizzling pork at chicharon! No SURRENDER! Matira matibay at walang hypertensions!

Hey Greenbelt is really nice, last time I was there was like 3 or 4 years ago, now I barely recognized the place. It's really setup more like the malls in States and Australia, where it's more open air and outdoorsy. Very saucy, very posh, hardly any traces hoi polloi-ness (definitely not place to rub elbows with tiange at pawisin crowd, I'm super-jologs talaga PERO DI BALE, takbo naman ako bukas sa New Balance 25K race hehe :-) See you there people!

Gettin Garmin

Mga Kapatid,
(Brothers and sisters in running)

I've been grappling with some hard choices, share naman your love, thoughts and 2 cents.

After my run at Adidas KOTR, I've finally decided to splurge on those GPS gadgets for a well-earned, well-deserved Garmin. My Timex Ironman watch has served me well for the longest time but after my 21K, just doesn't cut it anymore :-( So I've done my Garmin homework, checked specs and the reviews and have narrowed down my choices to either Garmin 305 or 405.

Garmin Forerunner 305 gets the job done for what I need in GPS, namely, track my long distance run, and as importantly, it's within my budget. That said, Garmin 305 is pretty much at the end of it's product life cycle (it's a great product mind you, but in dire need of an upgrade in both form and function). This is a GPS watch that in a year or so would probably sport the 'retro' look (it does now, but hey, it's just me :-)). But since it covers my two major checkpoints, it does make sense to choose to 305.

Garmin Forerunner 405? How the heck do people afford this watch? It's retail price is effin ridiculous! If I ever buy this watch I'd be sorely piss if I don't look suave or gwapo wearing it (hehe kidding!) at very least my running karma should be huge if I ever get this one! Ironshoes mentioned something about 405 acting up when used in the rain, so I can't even use it at the pool like my trusty old Timex. But it does have it's points and this baby absolutely rock! Or as Borat would say, "Beri nice!"

So now I'm in impasse, the wise thing to do is get the 305, no fuss, no muss. Garmin 405? Well, I could try holding up a bank, or go into politics or sell my soul... or just forget about it and just die each day longing, every time some babe with with 405 and great legs in short shorts pass me on the road.

I have to finalize it soon, mga kapatid, 'appreciate it if you can share naman your love, affection, and thoughts on Garmin. Something I could mull over and tossed in my brain while on the run ... if only those ridiculously expensive 405 comes with those gorgeous salesladies, life choices wouldn't be so difficult.

Things that work for my running

Gentile readers beware, this a long post! Making up for almost 3 weeks of hiatus. Here's to being back and proud in the blogging scene!

So been tied-up last few weeks, life happens and life-interrupted, so to speak :-) You know how it is, between life, work, running and blogging, something has to give. If only time-management is one of my strong suit, life would be a well-ordered bliss. But life being what it is, I'll just pine for a genie who'll magically solve all my personal challenges, help me see the light in spending time in Quadrant II (as defined to be important but not urgent activities) be time-management savvy guy and make me into a brooding-chick-magnet-rich-guy-who-ran-marathon-on-weekends (and superhero too if it's not too much to ask).

Anyways, being that I'm out for a while, thought I'd post long one. So I'm about to go for my first 21k race, and after 7 races and 6 months of semi-consistent running, I reckon I must be doing something right to consider it and make the attempt. So I thought I'd write down some of the things (and whatnot) that works for me and races I've been. Some of it are well-documented in other publications, some I've garnered in the course of my running. Obviously, it's not a one-size-fits-all list unless of course, you're my long lost twin.

That said, here's some of things in my list.

- Stretching before and after my run. This is something I'm fanatical about, especially on my long runs. If there's one thing I can credit for my being injury-free, it's being resolute in my warm-ups and cool-downs. And this is where all those asanas from my Ashtanga and Bikram days paid off. Incorporating those pose in my stretches made me into a more fluid, flexible, caring, thoughtful, loving, considerate runner that I am.

- Cross-training. I only run 3x a week at most. The rest of week I either go to the gym or go to the pool. Probably should go back to yoga (Ashtanga or Bikram) but not not those yoga-lite they have at the gym. I prefer Bikram but in Manila where it's already humid, might be an overkill. (I probably should post this separately but I wonder what women here in Manila wear in Bikram sessions, you know, conservative society that we are. I swear, you gotta be gay or saint or just someone of pure mind and heart not to check out those ladies 'sportswear' and still think yoga. Yep, I always wear my "sophisticated, world-weary, been there, done that, seen those, kunwari deadma" mien to those sessions.

- Over-hydrate a few hours before the race. Downside of course is that I had to pee like a horse before the race, but over-hydration has work wonders for me and more than made up for the downside. I get more mileage in my runs because [1] I don't have to stop at water station and [2] thirst being energy sponge, staying hydrated longer gives you additional boost. (I think I can still get away without water/fuel belt on my 21k).

- Carbo loading a day or two before the race. Conventional wisdom says it's a good thing. But this doesn't really work for me. Carbo loading before the race day actually makes feel bloated, bulging and sluggish on race day. I found out that eating light a day or two before the race and go slightly hungry (empty stomach really) on race day works better for me. During the race, I just wait for the adrenalin-rush to kick-in to sustain my run. All those endorphin in the brain makes you impervious to small inconvenience. Besides, slight hunger pangs never killed anyone (as far as I'm aware of). This is not to say I don't carbo load or pig out, I do but after. Bear in mind that there's downside to it and I do think it's generally not a good thing, but since I normally have light breakfast anyways (just tea and toast normally) it's not really a stretch for me to have light dinner and skip breakfast altogether before the race (except for bananas).

- Jostle for a position at the starting line. This doesn't really serve you unless got a decent shot at finishing in top 10. Last few races I've been into, I'm always jostling for position in front... yeah well a lot it did good to me. The difference in time between me and the top 10 runner is still a good 30 minutes away. So I don't know why I even try to elbow my way up front. The only thing I succeeded doing when jostling for a position is to force runners behind me expend precious energy to go around me and overtake and that seems unsportsman-like. If you're not running professionally or competitively, give way to others.

- Running sans any Ipod/mp3/listening paraphernalia. This works for me. I'm sure music strap on your ears have its benefits, I just don't get the same kick out of them. I like running free and eu naturelle and don't need the background music to enhance the experience. Strapping your ipod, your reason being for running just isn't apparent. Besides, it's a good time to spend some (quality) time with your self and psyche. It's the closest thing to meditation for me, I don't wish to mar with it with some pop or rock music piped-in to my head. I'd feel like running zombie if I have those to power my runs.

A wise man once said, "I am runner because I know what effort feels like...", among the many things he meant, I think this one of them. If not, well... life. Hehe, of course it's just me :-) I had to put that in so I sound deeply profound and philosophical, so what follows doesn't sound too inane... I have this really crazy idea (something that came to me while running) that a runner who couldn't run for 30 minutes or so without his ipod, couldn't or wouldn't be able to stand himself for a company. I'm crazy, I know :-)

- Running in treadmill or inside a village. Yeah, this doesn't work for me. For treadmill, I think this is true for every runner. For running inside the village, it beats running in treadmill of course... but barely. Running in a place that's devoid of trees or foliage just feel claustrophobic. Just my hyper imagination of course :-) but I would rather drive 15-20 minutes to the Fort than do my runs in a green-less, maze-like concrete-fence enclosure we call villages (that is if I weren't so doggone lazy to drive).

- Going barefoot when doing my cool down. Now this is fun! This was something I've picked up while I was in Australia, where it wasn't uncommon to see barefoot runners in race events. First time I saw it, I thought they were loco, but after a quick google, found out that there's some sense in it (for one thing, I'm stronger runner for it) and that it's not some loco, extreme sport. So tried it, felt good and so now am convert to the cause. Hallelujah beybe! So now after my long runs and it still not too late in the morning and I don't look too conspicuous (medyo mahiyain din naman tayo eh), I'll take off my shoes and do a 1k trot. It's not as crazy as it sounds (google it), but it's still hard core, so it's not for the faint of heart. And if you have one those feet that sweat profusely or gave off those sickly sweet smell, you'll be thankful that you tried it.

So if you ever bump into some Abebe Bikila-wannabe, coco-loco dude running barefoot early morning at the Fort trying not to look to conspicuous, that's me and my iron blisters :-)

Actually, there's still a couple on my list but they're the more mundane things, and this post is already way too long and I already spent half-day writing it :-)

People You Meet While Running

Heads-up! Shameless plug below :-)

I was cooling down after my run at the Fort yesterday when this fine old gentleman flag me and said 'Hello'. Normally, I'd be the first to say "morning" or nod if I happen to catch the eye of the other runner before going on with my run. But this gentlemen, for whatever reason walks up to me and very friendly, very nicely said (in Tagalog) "It's a fine day, and looks like you had your good run for today young man". Hehehe, of course I got a kick out of that one. I feel young, yes. I'm young at heart, yes. Boyish perhaps. But middle age and 36 years of age, I'm hardly a young man :-) But bless his heart.

Then we got to talking for a while. It turns out that this fine old gentlemen is a 75 years old retired Captain A. Bajar of Philippine National Police. At 75, Sir Bajar is still strong for his age, full of zest (he did approach a total strange to strike a conversation) and still of sharp mind. We got to talking about running, and how at his age he is diligent with his exercise and other stuff that now escape me. But one thing he was keen to tell me was his house at Bonifacio. He happen to mentioned that he has 237 sqm house and lot with a clean title that he is trying to sell. Since I'm pretty clueless on real states, I just responded with what seem appropriate for the occasion "Good luck Sir! and hope you find buyer for your house". Now if you're wondering if this is some sort of civic service, it is :-)

So if you're curious about Retired Capt A. Bajar, you can contact him at +63 2 881 0312. And if you happen to know this fine gentlemen, tell him I said 'Hello!', hope to bump into him again in the future.

Running with Mizuno Run Club

When I went to register for the Mizuno Run a few weeks back, the staff at the store told that me they also have a running club that meets every other Thursday, and to come and check it out. And so I did last night. It was good.

They got a good mix of runners there, plenty of beginners, serious runners and runners in-between. Probably 20-30 people there, good crowd. They also provide free Rush water drink. The main guy (didn't catch his name) had the group running 5 half loops around Bonifacio High Street. For the more serious runner, it's the whole block. Tried to pace with these guys but sort of fell behind after the second full loop. After that I sorta took it easy, it's supposed to be my recovery run from last Sunday, after all.

One of the more popular blogger in the local running scene was there. I was going to say hi, fanboy and all, but got cold feet (she look gorgeous in person :-) so just played it cool and look surreptitiously here and there. But I did chat with a couple of the veteran runners there.

Hey, you know what's the word is on the street... the second placer Annie (forgot her surname and her name wasn't in 15k_Female_Results.pdf I've downloaded) was in good stead to be first place in the 15K race division but was overtaken by the eventual first place finisher down the stretch. Rumor mill was a buzz that there was 'short cut' taken which accounted for the fresh legs in the last few kms. There was plenty of the veteran runners who was vouching that they run with Annie all through out the course and was quite surprise by a runner coming out of nowhere to overtake. Oh well, you know rumors, juicy stuff and high on entertainment value, but really counterproductive :-)

Hello World!

My foray to brave new world of blogging!

By and large, this will be running-theme blog, I'll also post some of the technical stuff I do (open-source, Python, techie stuff unrelated to) sort of reference material for me, but for most part, this will be about my running and how to keep myself motivated. I procrastinate a lot :-( so blogging seems like a good idea.

I run mostly outdoor (or used to) but this year I just sort of became lazy, nowadays I mostly just go to the gym, use the treadmill once every two weeks. Sad indeed. But then a stroke of fate, my sister saw an ad for the Market! Market! Fun Run. Long story short, I run at the event and got back my groove for running outdoors. At the time, blogging was still farthest from my mind, but I kept trying to think of a way to keep me motivated, I was afraid that I might slide back to my old ways of putting things off if I can't come up with something that will keep me running religiously. Then while trying to google for the next race, I chance upon a couple of local blogs on running, I thought they were hip, savvy, and cool. And then voilà, why not blog? But then, I don't know a thing about blogging, and my writing experience is mostly limited to work emails, so I'm thinking... I'm nuts. Ahh, but I do love to run (love conquers all diba, hehe) and it can't be all that bad and I may not be up to any award-winning blogs but I'm sure it could be learn/develop. So I thought, just give it a go and see how it goes, blogging sound like a killer idea, it would be a shame not to give it a try. And so here's to wonderful world of blogging, may the force be with me :-)

Here's the run that started it all, with my nephew CJ.