Morning Runs at UPD

This has been my training ground.

I started running during my college years, that semester that I shifted from being a BioChem Educ Major to Health Ed-Psych.it was a big turn-around for me and I started living within the campus again. I ran every afternoon to relieve the stress from not graduating on time and from having a heavy academic load to catch up while at the same time, I’ve also worked as a research assistant and student assistant to support myself (this was the start of my Curacha day) and my studies. I made it a point to run an hour every afternoon, every after work so as to unwind and recharge before I study again in the evening. There was a time I became bulimic for the fear of being fat in spite of my small frame and for having a crush who’s having a crush with somebody who’s petite and skinny only to realized that no matter what I do, I’ll never be that petite or skinny because my bones are big and my body build is like this. Running made me appreciate myself more and it helps me sort out my thoughts and feelings, the things and experiences I have experience throughout the day, even how the lecture or my acads is going. Thanks to Ace, he was my dormate who painstakingly took me under his wing during those afternoon runs. He introduced me to the mountaineer’s route in the campus, made me run uphill and thread even on the heartbreak hill, and to watch over what I eat. He taught me to do the warm up and cool down stretches, and to always, ALWAYS HAVE A STRONG FINISH (which I keep in mind even to these days) in a race or even just to cap your run. I didn’t notice that this has become part of my daily routine and I feel like missing something when I was not able to jog for a day.

Leaving the campus, having a breakdown and being on medication, then switching jobs and residence put my running on rest as well. But not for that long…I guess when it’s in you, it will always be there, and it stays. You may not be engaged on it for a time but the passion doesn’t die down, it remains and is buried deep down inside of you waiting to grow and go out again.

I’ve meet people at F1 who runs and then one meeting led to another and the cycle begins once more. We’ve decided to run in UP one morning and it’s like homecoming for me. It’s been awhile since I was on campus and it’s been awhile since I’ve run here. We agreed to meet around 6:30a.m and I woke up early today and ran at the park already when I headed to Diliman to run with them. Some we’re not able to come because they’re coming from the shift but it went okay with Shural heading us. I heard we’re going to have a running club at work and it made me feel more ecstatic. I am excited to be a part of it and to learn more about running. I am looking forward to run with friends and to share not just the habit, my passion but the entire experience of being a part of a marathon, more so running for a cause.

Juni, Shural, Minette and me lounging at UP College of Music parking lo after our run

Today, I’ve learned from Shural about stride, Chi Running, how you run in synch with the gravity, lolo/matander run, less noise=better footing=not so tiring, having a conversation while running, how important hydration and preparation for running marathons, sports drink(Gatorade, Pocari, 100Plus and how it differs from plain water), running shoes, running clinics, calories from what we eat, PR (personal record), PB (personal best), pace (like 1km=7mins), posture (not slouching) and how important mind set is for a runner especially if you’re going to run long distance. Whew! That’s a lot for one run…I wonder what I’ll learn next time.^^

For now, I am just enjoying the run and I am just glad to be back.

My First Official Marathon Run in 2010

Yesterday’s Chase the Sun Neutrogena Run was my first official marathon this year.

We gathered at the starting line at 5:25 a.m. for the group warm up stretching exercise and got ready for the 5km gun start at 5:55, exactly just as the sun was rising in the east. It was a beautiful summer Sunday to chase the sun.

Approaching my 2^nd kilometer, I thought I would not last this one because it’s been a while since I’ve run long distance. In those instances that I’ve wanted to walk, I settle for a slow-brisk walk-stride as I approach and leave the water station. I was advised by my coach to keep my pace and not fully stop when the urge to do so comes, to prevent having cramps. I am 5km Runner 2516. My chip time registered a 35mins:48 seconds finish. Whew! Not bad for a start.

I have braved this one…my first one…alone. I thought my friend would be able to accompany me but he was racing in Nuvali for another event. In result, I only have a number of pictures on this event and was not able to enjoy the post race gathering. =( I guess what’s more important more than the pictures and the freebies is that I was able to gauge myself in an actual race. I’ve learn about stride as I run with other runners, my own pace, my endurance, about myself as a runner. I was able to have such confidence to approach other people to have my photo taken for documentation and talk about the run with other runners in line as we get our finisher’s kit. Marathon could also build one’s socialization skills.^^,

I have definitely enjoyed this one and am looking forward for the trail run next month! ^_^