Taking it slowly

Today was my first training day in ULTRA after being gone for two weeks. I sure miss the place, and of course the usual people I get to see. Instead of the usual morning training session at ULTRA, I had no choice but to go in the afternoon, because as expected… I DID NOT WAKE UP.

Taking it slow

I left the house around 3pm and headed straight to ULTRA. I tried calling up Coach Rio for my workout, but as usual… forever busy and preoccupied. So instead, I gave Coach John a call. He told me to take it easy since I was starting from scratch and since I was recovering. He said he’d meet up with me there at around 4pm. Since I was sure to get there earlier, I did the usual 2km warmup, stretching and a complete set of drills. Before I started with my drills, Coach John had showed up (thanks Coach, I appreciate you coming earlier than usual).

I was telling Coach John that I had been out for the past two weeks, and that I had alternately been doing weight training, with focus on doing squats to strengthen my quads and hamstrings and of course, did core exercises. I was telling him also that I had done 5k the night before at 26:32, describing how I was out of breath when it would normally be an easy run. He then told me to take it easy and not to push myself too much and that today, I’ll be doing fartlek… 10 laps or 4km… where I’d jog on the curves and run on the straight portions of the oval.

The Coaches Run Too

Coach was also telling me that his legs hurt and buttocks were sore, having run in Alabang last Saturday and doing a long run in Antipolo yesterday with Coach Rio and other runners. Well I told him, “nanalo ka naman ng first place sa Alabang eh” Yup, Coach John is a fast runner and as I’ve mentioned in previous posts, holds the Philippine Record for 800m.

Funny thing that the other Coaches at ULTRA were asking where I was and that they’ve been doing runs the past weekends. Coach Jo-Ar also mentioned that they did a long run in Antipolo. Too bad I would have joined, if not for my not feeling all that well yet and having an exam.

My Workout

Anyway, I did my 4.0km Fatlet with a total time of 26:32.59… Average lap (400m) was at 2:36 where I’d be jogging (recovering) in the turns and runnings/sprinting on the straight portions. I felt that I was really going at such a slow speed. Again, I had to remind myself that I was starting from scratch.

Hopefully, I’ll be back to “normal” again. And everyone is right… just enjoy running.

Great to be back!

After a grueling exam on income taxation, I decided to break my 2 week running hiatus. As soon as I got home, I put on my running gear and off I went. I started out with a slow 2km warmup jog. I was supposed to do it in 15 minutes but I guess my legs wanted to go a little bit faster and did it in 13. Normally, I’d already be dripping with sweat but not this time. I then proceeded with the normal stretches. I could feel a tingling in my left knee, I wonder what I was… but I was determined to do a 5k.

I started off fast, which I think wasn’t a bright idea so I eventually slowed down. I didn’t want to make this an easy run so I tried to push myself. I was trying to keep my shoulders down since Coach Rio always tells me that my shoulders are always tensed up. So I’d look at my shadow and tried to keep my form in check as much as possible. A lot of thoughts were running through my head. Law school, some people, some frustrations, some ideas…. all sorts. At the same time, I was trying to catch my breath the whole time. I felt my joints aching a bit, maybe due to inactivity for the past 2 weeks, but again, I was determined to push myself.

5k… I did it in 26:32.59. Not bad.

Coach Rio, I’ll be training tomorrow. Self-imposed penalty again of P500 if I don’t train. THE PASSION RUNNER IS BACK

Next week is definitely a new week.

Next week is definitely a new week and hopefully… something to look forward to. I’ve been out of commission for two weeks and I’m hoping my body has not forgetten how to run. I’m worried I’ll start from scratch, but I guess it would be for the better… re-learning everything.

Though for the past days that I haven’t been running, I’ve been doing core exercises. I hope it lessened any weight-gain that might have occured. Looking forward to seeing runners at Adidas

Next best thing…

12 days and counting. Well, I guess I can already run but I choose not to due to my clogged nose. At least it finally stopped running. Definitely next week, I’ll be training hard and most probably starting from scratch.

Since I couldn’t run, I’m doing the next best thing… running in my sleep. Or at least in my running gear while I sleep. I read in Runners World that it helps runners to be faster if they can visualize running faster. So with an effort to get into my subconscious the idea of running and running faster, I wore my race shorts and happy feet singlet.

Wonder if it will work. haha!

Recap of the past 10 days – SICK :(

It’s already been 10 days since I last ran… well, technically I ran 2 days ago but it was only for such a short period and I really can’t call it “running”. “Tried to run” would be more appropriate. I think I got a virus of some sort. I’ve been on antibiotics since Friday. So every morning, I take my vitamin C, multivitamins, and antibiotics, and on some days when I’m not feeling all that well, Tylenol or Advil.

Despite not being able to run, a lot has happened in the past 10 days. First, I got the I love your blog award from Bro. J. This was shortly followed by being nominated for the Best Single Post in the Sports category of the 2008 Philippine Blog Awards. The day after, I got my sponsorship for the Run for Change BIBs from Silog Express c/o Patrick Concepcion… and yesterday, I got an email from The Bald Runner wanting to collaborate with me on a project (stay tuned, hopefully the collaboration pushes thru). And yesterday, I entered my appearance as collaborating (student)-counsel in a case. I guess it’s been an an exciting 2 weeks…

Downside for the past 10 days (or nights) is that they’ve been almost sleepless. I end up sleeping at 3 or 4:30am with me tossing and turning. I’m just there lying in bed, my body tired but my mind very active. I think it would have been wise of me to just use that time to study instead of simply waiting for myself to fall asleep. I wonder if its due to the espresso shots or tea that I’ve been drinking. They must be too strong.

Later, when I get home, I’m running. I’ve made up my mind. I’ll take it slow. I’ll probably start off with 5k. If I’m still up for it, I’ll go for 10k. I’ll be joining the Adidas KOTR on October 11. Hopefully by then, I’ll be in back in shape. I feel that I’ve been gaining weight… haha! Hopefully not. Sayang pinagod ko the past few months.

Free NIKE Gear for Philippine Runners at 2008 Singapore Marathon (UPDATED)

Thank You for all those who sent their confirmation and BIB numbers. We will release the list of runners who will be given the NIKE singlet, shorts and shoes

All those confirmed for the 2008 Singapore Marathon:

Coach Rio de la Cruz will be giving you a set of Nike Singlet, Shorts and Rubber Shoes. Only 50 runners will be accommodated so hurry and email rio@runrio.com your confirmation details with race BIB # and singlet, shorts and shoe sizes.

Beaten by a nose

I decided to run today after being warned by Patrick not to enjoy “resting” too much and from Coach Rio who told me that I could run despite my colds. If my nose can run, might as well run with it… hehe!

So I went out of the house and did a 15min warm-up followed by my usual pre-run stretching. I was able to do 2 kms before I conked out… so I walked about a min and a half, did some 3 minutes running, then slowed down again to a walk for 3 minutes. This became the cycle until I finished approximately 5kms.

I was beaten by my nose which continued to run the entire time, non-stop… buti pa siya, di napagod.

I’ll try again tomorrow…