on running with eyeglasses

Thank you for waking me up today with that overseas call (I know calls like that are expensive and I am uncertain when I will hear from you again so I have to make the most of our conversation ^^,). I was still in a dreamy state but I have to shake myself after we got cut off because my brother is already knocking, telling me it's also time for me, for us to run.  He just don't know how thankful I am for his being "push-y" especially nowadays that my bones are lazy.


For a couple of days now I have been running with my eyeglasses on at the crack of dawn. My eyes have been involuntary twitching this past week...I don't know if it's because of stress ('coz i have been thinking about a lot of things) or because i have been reading a lot again and it's been a while since I have worn my eyeglasses or simply because I am tired. Does that happen to you, too? I still get surprised when my eyes or its lids suddenly twitch. What do you do when that happens?

During the warm up walk-run, having your eyeglasses is just okay but when you've gone a long distance already or when you do sprints with a brother that runs thrice as fast as you do...it kinda bothers you and affects your performance. When you begin to sweat and when it starts to trickle down your forehead your eyeglasses behind your ears slips and you have to fix it from time to time...ahhhh what a bother! I am contemplating on having contact lens. The last time I did, I remember how long and how hard it takes for me to put it my lenses on. Laser surgery (LASIK or PRK) uhmmm...not for now. I'm a bit afraid from the word itself...LASER. SURGERY. That's without the cost which I have heard is at least Php15,000. I know it would be a great relief  going through that but I'm fine with my eyeglasses for now, except when i run. My eyeglasses did a great job of correcting my nearsightedness and alleviate my sufferings from dizziness, headache, squinting and blurred images due to my astigmatism. I have not yet worn my eyeglasses during an actual marathon and i wonder how am I going to do when that happens. Can anyone suggest a better option or solution for runners with eye "condition"?

My distress over the upcoming Condura Skyway Marathon

I know this is a marathon worth spending and it’s something I’ve look forward too since I started running for marathons last year but at the  moment I just don’t know how to go about with it. I want to run 21km for this. Previously, the slots ran out already for 21km so my friend go for 42 while I am still hanging where to get my registration since I went into a series of unfortunate events around the last quarter of 2010 and am just starting to pick up this month from that situation. Last night, I’ve checked the website and the 3km category is already close and that due to insistent public demand they’ve open 21km additional slots on a first come first serve basis. That means if you can pay online via credit card you can hold your slot for the next 3 days and just go to Greenbelt 3 to claim your race kit (the drifit shirt and the finisher’s medal (if you finish) will be mailed 2 months later though) My, my…my time is running out. I registered for 16km-that would hold ‘til Jan16, If I don’t pay by then…goodbye 16km…goodbye Condura Skyway Marathon 2011…see you next year…again. I am still hoping that I’ll be able to do 21km (either I get lucky going on site and still having slots or miraculously knowing someone with a credit card that would cover for my registration for now, which by the way, is way too expensive than the original price). This is by far, the most expensive marathon I’ll ever be in terms of registration if in any case I’m able to register. First, I have to find funding. Then when that’s settled I could revise my training plan for the next 3 weeks. Wish me luck today!

Our Bullrun experience (PSE Bullrun: Takbo Para sa Ekonomiya)

This is my first run for 2011 and it has been a good one for me. 

I did 10km with my friend Rein and Chris on an average pace and we timed 1hr:14mins:11secs finish (Chris ran faster than the 2 of us). It was Chris and Rein’s first 10km run. It was a good one because we have to go through Kalayaan Flyover’s variation going to Makati and back. It’s the same route for Adidas KOTR last year but that one I wasn’t able to appreciate these things. Back then, I just want to get over the race because Marr doesn’t want me too since I just came from being sick. The bullheaded me still ran that day because I’m thinking about the expensive registration and it was my motto not to miss a race if there’s no life and death reason that would prevent me from doing so…besides I was too excited to join KOTR…only to be disappointed at the end. That’s a different story though.

Going back to this day. 

Before the weekend, we heard an unexpected news about my friend’s old friend/loved one. I was hesitant to go as I don’t know how to comfort or help him with what he’s going through. I texted him and told him that if he doesn’t want to go that would be okay but he said he needs this run more. We agreed to meet along the hi-way at 4am.  I was already there by then for the fear of not being picked up as my mom only gave me P50 that day (which I was not able to spend and returned to her when I got back home later that morning. She doesn’t want me to go because she said it’s unnecessary expense, though she knows and understand that I love to run so with the situation she left me find my own means, thankfully I have friends ^^, ). At 5am were on our way to The Fort stopping by at a Shell gas station, we saw the 16km runners going to the flyover already. Rein and I went ahead of Chris as he still has to park the car. We hurried to the starting line only to find out that 10km runners went off already so we have to wait for 5km to start as we were stuck in the middle of them. We agreed to just separate from the bunch on the crossroads and watch out for those markers. Our goal is to take the run slow as it has been a long time since we last ran and it’s Rein’s first 10km so I paced him and check from time to time with him if our pace is just right. I gave him pointers for running as he is already leaving for Angola the next day and promised to regularly run there so we could go on marathons again when he come back on September. I was talking from start to finish. We set goals like getting past this runner with a red singlet or the one with a blue one and it was fun as we noisily exhale and say “excuse me!” along the way. We observe the runners in front of us and those way ahead of us while keeping an eye just in case we see Chris along the way. Chris caught up with us around the 7^th km and the three of us finished the race together.

The only disappointing part on this run is the lack of cones that identifies our path and the markers (like every km so you’ll know if you’re nearing the end ;)). There are also water stations that do not have cups or where Gatorade is still being mixed and you’re left on your own to cup your own drink. Some marshalls are not familiar with the instructions or they seem to be at lost when you ask them where to go but apart from that, everything went well. Some cheerers along the way really make us smile and Runner’s runner photographers are very accommodating. The finisher’s kit isn’t as generous as the previous ones I heard they give out (with finisher’s shirt and cap), but that’s okay. At least they have certificates along with Century Corned Tuna, a banana and Gatorade in this cute blue pouch. We saw Tessa Prieto, Pia Cayetano, and Christine Jacobs during the post race event but as we don’t have our cam with us, we were not able to have our pictures with them. Luckily, we had a picture with Runner’s runner KB at the Start/Finish line and hopefully, we still have some pictures from Maria’s Album (c/o RR also) once she’s able to upload the pics from Kalayaan Flyover.

Rein said that he likes this better than the first 2 runs we were into and that even if we’ve run 10km today, it isn’t as tiring as the previous ones. Chris agreed too and so do I. I wasn’t too keen about my time or PR here. I just want to keep my word, that I’ll run with my friend from start to finish (which by the way is my first time to pace and do). It feels great! At the end of it, we we’re blessed to have a drizzle of rain which for me is a good sign-a sign of hope, of life and of everything new. The rain reminded me the very reason why I love running and that’s basically to feel good and have fun.

Chris, Me, and Rein after crossing the finish line...thanks to KB from Runner's runner for this pic ^_^.

Marathon, love life and heartaches

I was going through my running notes and I’ve realized that this is the first time I’ve pace for somebody in an actual race and ran the race side by side with someone from start to finish. The feeling was amazing ! ganun pala yun. I’ve paced for my friends but only on our practice runs. Magaan pala sa pakiramdam at kahit pa may mga bagay bagay na pwedeng makapagpabadtrip sayo sa takbo (gaya ng pagkaubos ng baso at inumin for you pagdating sa hydration station) queber lang, enjoy pa din. So I texted him and kid about it. 

Ikaw pala ang first ko, ito pala yung first time kong mag pace at ma experience na tumakbo ng may kasabay from start to finish…(hahaha, panu ba yan,yung mga first daw never dies) nyek! E bakit may mga first ako na limot ko na? tignan natin…mahirap kasi pag ganun, baka hindi mo na maappreciate yung mga dadating pa at next runs.

natuwa talaga ako sa run natin kanina. The best. Di ko naramdaman yung pagod. Ngayon ko lang naramdaman yung sakit, buong legs ko. (I would not apologize for that ha kasi part talaga yan…that’s why we train. Ang tanong, will you still run in spite of the pain? knowing that this is what you have to go through.)

Honestly, pati yung pain na eenjoy ko rin talaga. Ang sarap sarap. (weird mo friend! Di ko magets…hahaha.ano, masokista?)

Pero actually ganun din yung pakiramdam ko-masakit na masarap, when I ran my 1^st and 2^nd 10km. paano ba naman magkasunod na araw yun, inulan yung una na sunset run pa, then trail run naman yung pangalawa na we’re up na after a few hours (as in after 2-3 hours) of sleep kasi we have to leave Fort  at 3am going to Nuvali. The following day ko na naramdaman yung sakit. 3 days akong sinisinat at iika ika nun pero sobrang saya ko kahit nahihirapan ako hahaha.na nagawa ko yun.na kaya ko pala! (exact word) massage lang, alaxan FR at stretching,mawawala din yan.

Naisip ko how similar some experiences could be when you’re running, when you’re in love, and when you deal with heartaches.

In running, you warm up and prep up. Then after sometime you join a race or a marathon, finish it and gets your certificate of finish, a finishers medal and your freebies. Along the run, may uphill at downhill, steep na slope, baku-bakong daan, patag, magagandang tanawin sa palid, mga nakakalitong ruta. Minsan gawa ng kulang na training or oxygen sa sytema, nakakabigat ng katawan, ng dibdib, o pwedeng ma experience  ang side stitch at injury gaya ng twist at cramps or arch problem.

Pag in-love ka, you go through the rigorous regimen of prepping up for a date. You go out and later on, kayo na. (Yes! Sa wakas!) Within the course of the relationship, may mga times na masaya, di pagkakaunawaan, may highs & lows, may mga pagsubok na dadaanan na pwedeng mapagtagumpayan at maalpasan o kaya naman makapagdulot ng sugat sa puso.

Sa UP Diliman, may tinatawag na heartbreak hill, sa Corregidor  naman may dinadaanang halos 70+ degrees na slope. Sinusubok nito hindi lang ang physical na aspeto ng isang mananakbo kundni maging ang kayang mental na kapasidad na manatili sa pagtakbo. Pwede kang tumuloy, kahit pagud-na pagod ka na at hingal na hingal ka na o kung nanaisin mo naman eh huminto na lang.

Sa relationship, may mga ganitong point din. Minsan nga hindi lang nag physical na aspeto ng pagkatao mo ang sinusubok (puyatan, lakaran), pati yung mga pinaniniwalaan mo at isip mo (kung magyi-yield ka ba sa gusto n’ya or you’ll stood your ground), lahat lahat sa iyo (oo, pati finances mo).Pag nasaktan ka o napagod pwede kang magpatuloy (by then ipagtatayo ka na ng rebulto at tatawaging martir o tanga) o kung ayaw mo na, tigil na, hanggang dun na lang, tapos na.

Ganun pa man, sino ba naming sa atin ang hindi kinilig sa first love? (^_^). Akala mo nun, yun nay un only to find out after some season na gaya ng maraming kuwentong narinig at napanuod, magkakahiwalay din kayo. Some are just meant to be the first but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll be the last. Sabin ng iba, First love never dies daw. Not always true. Ako nga maraming first na limot na. Hindi naman kasi lahat ng first may impact. Saka parang ang hirap nun kung yung first mo never dies. Paano pag hindi na nga nag work? Paano ka maka pag move on?

Ganun din sa pagtakbo. Excited ka but after joining a number of races you get to see what a good running event and yung mga disappointing. There will be trails, race route and marathon that leaves an impact to you and those na wala lang. If you keep on dwelling on the negative points of the event, you’ll realized as well na you’re only keeping yourself from appreciating other aspects of the race or in the future, kung yung mga positive naman,baka mahirapan kang maka appreciate ng future race kasi you always have this comparison at the back of your mind (unfair).

Kung dumating ang time ng heartache…you have the choice to keep on loving or to succumb into oblivion and melancholy. Just remember that help could be just around the corner though, like the following ones:

Massage= people who helps you through the experience you’re going through

Alaxan FR= quick fix gaya ng mga activities na makakapag divert say o (i.e., running, learning arts and crafts, boxing or any other physical and violent sports (hehehe), out of town trip, magpakasubsob sa work o kumain ng kumain)

Stretching= always stretch yourself to other people, na makaramdam at maki mingle…go through a time of mending by associating. Eventually, you’ll gain back yung pace mo sa life at mag normalize din ang lahat (in running, it could be your breathing, BP, cholestrerol, brain chemicals, etc.)

At the end of it all, be it in marathon or loving, everything is personal and is up to YOU. You are still the one accountable for your own progress and growth as a runner, as a lover as a person. YOU are in charge and still, the one who will make the decision on which way to go.

(01/09/2011)

Going the distance … the longer distance.

Be it in life, in running or in a relationship, going the distance requires courage and preparation... a lot of preparation that needs to be coupled with patience, tenacity, and endurance. Courage- for there might be unfamiliar paths to thread upon, unfamiliar things, character or traits that didn’t show up before that may come up along the way and patience to deal with all of these. To endure and to keep on moving even at times when you don’t want to go on, one has to have tenacity to remain on track. Enduring hardship (like waking up early or having the patience to wait) is a discipline which will later on bring the fruit of one’s labor. The motivation will always starts from within one’s own self and losing that “will to finish” the distance, then you lose sight of the end and all the joys that could possibly come from it.  As my sister said, “Life has a lot of “huhus” but God will keep pouring on “hahas” so keep your sight on focus and pray, always pray…because when all else fails, He will be the one who will carry you through it all and He will be the one who will remain”.

Running under the rain

I love running in the rain.

This is one unexpected rainy afternoon. Me and my running buddy- Olive, went to ULTRA for our usual after shift run. The skies were dark already but we thought it’s just because it’s already past 4pm. We did our warm up and got started with our walk-run-slow pace when the cool wind started to blew. We look at each other and we have the same thought in our mind-looks like it’s going to rain. We smiled and thought, “The heck! Let’s just keep running and experience it. It’s been a while since we bathe in the rain anyway”. We we’re laughing at our craziness, and the rain poured harder as if it wanted to envelope us with such joy and thrill we are experiencing that time. We ran faster as if we’re racing with the raindrops, laughing at the same time, when the guard whistled at us and told us to stop and take shelter. We did as we saw other runners already stopped. We've talked about how we could prevent getting sick (like taking Bioflu right away, doubling our in-take of vitamin C for the next days and drinking lots of water, and taking a lukewarm bath when we get home) since we wouldn’t want to miss work and have people talking. When the rain stopped, we did our cool down stretch, headed to the den, changed our clothes and got ready to go home. 

My ultimate high from running in the rain is when you run with your friends. It brings back lot of happy memories from my childhood…when we used to wait for the rain to pour harder, find which neighbor has a great gutter to shower from, form mud city, do paper boat race at our handmade canals  and sling mud at each other . When I run alone, I get to think more. I get to admire the green-ness of the surrounding. Everything felt so alive around me. I am amazed how God takes care of us by sending rain to make sure that we will have ample supply of water so we’ll not be thirsty, so the land will not be that dry to produce food for us and how even an abandoned plant is really not that abandoned because God still looks after its welfare. When I’m on my pace already and have covered some distance, I feel light and not that tired as I normally do, and when you start to feel your sweat and the raindrops dripping from your skin at the same time, its unexplainable exhilarating… It just feels great!

 

By any chance I miss the opportunity to do this on one rainy afternoon…oh well, I always tell myself there’s always the next rainy day.

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.