Close call in the skies…

Last Thursday, my parents and my brother left for the US to attend an Orthopedic convention in Las Vegas. Saturday morning, my sister wakes me up and seemed somewhat distressed.

M: Eric! Can you check what flight Mom and Paps are on?
E: Ok.. Why?
M: Check NW2 if that’s the flight they were on.. Search the internet, google it. Some sort of accident happened and over 30 people were reported to be injured.”

I opened my Dad’s email and did confirm that they were on that Manila-Narita-Los Angeles flight aboard NW2. I was starting to get anxious. I searched the internet and this article came up [INQUIRER.NET].  What struck me was this part of the news report: “Among the most seriously injured were three Filipinos — two men and a woman – Jiji national news agency reported, quoting local police”.  I think my heart skipped a beat since I know my parents always sit in the exit row (my dad has long legs and wants more room to be comfortable, especially for long flights). I didnt want to tell my sister since she might get ever more worried since she has been trying to get in touch with my parents and brother since she found out about what happened thru the news.

I didn’t really know what to do but pray that nothing bad happened to them. Over 45 passengers were injured and around 20 were seriously injured, most of whom needed to be brought immediately to the hospital. Others were thrown out of their seats and hit their head on the ceiling. 

A few hours later, I get a message from my brother thru facebook. Whew! They were safe… thank God!

Earlier today, my sister visited the house and told me that she got an email from my dad and brother. Apparently, they were the “saviors on board NW2″ This was my dad’s email…

Dear Melissa,

You should be very proud of us, me and Rich. We were the only doctors on board and we were the ones who attended to all the casualties, more than 20 in all. There was a big airport pocket that jolted the plane an hour before landing and this caused the passengers to hit their heads on the ceiling and young children flying in the air and landing on the floor. Most had cervical spine injuries. One was so injured that he had spinal shock and transient paralysis. Rich did some improvised cervical braces (PGH style) as temporary measures, since they did not have cervical collars in the plane. Some patients had scalp laceration, contusions, backspasms etc. We attended to all patients until the plane landed in Narita. We then gave instructions to the paramedics and advised them on the extent of injuries, telling then which patients need to be transported first to the hospital. All NWA staff were all praising us for our good deed. Your Mom was so proud of us. The reward was 5000 miles rewards to each of us, and then Rich and Mom were again upgraded to business class all way to LA. We were all seated together in Row 9 E F and J. It was a very fulfilling trip. Sayang, in all the confusion I forgot to give the camera to your Mom…sana na video nya kaming attending to all the patients who we laid down on the floor.

Tonight we watched the Laker-Hornets game at the Staples Center. I drove the car of your tito Berio. The Lakers won in overtime.! We will be meeting with Nani, Sarah and your Tita Lulu this weekend. So long for now. Keep in touch. Kisses to the boys!!

DAD

After reading their email, I felt so proud of both my Dad and brother I didn’t have to be worried after all.

Vertical Run?

This video clip reminds me of the Vertical Run held in Makati City Hall last year… I wanted to join but it coincided with another event I had already registered for. I wonder if they’ll do it again?

Getting there…

I’m really happy that I’ve got people encouraging me to get back to training… and their prodding has been working! Well, aside from the fact that I also feel I need it considering that I’ve gained some weight back, lost muscle, and suffer from muscle memory loss (if there is such a term).

Slowly but surely…

Slowly, but surely… I’ll get there AGAIN and hopefully, go beyond what I’ve already accomplished. I slumped back to over an hr for my 10k… I’m giving myself several weeks to get back into shape. Slowly but surely will be my goal… also, I’m waiting for my shoes to arrive.

Bringing back good habits…

I used to have good habits… until I stopped running. Ironic thing was the fact that I’d eat anything I wanted and console myself with the idea, “Ok lang yan, I’ll burn it anyway…” but this was the time I stopped running. So much for sabotaging myself. It was also around this time that I got back to drinking… more of binge drinking. Not just my usual “Jack Coke” but beer also.

So I’m also brining back my good habits of eating carbs in the morning, protein for lunch and greens or light foods in the evening. I should AGAIN stay away from fatty foods, and limit my servings, if not take out, pork and beef. I should focus more on chicken and fish, more helpings of fruits and veggies. No more chocolates, sugar-rich foods, Krispy Kreme dougnuts, hi-calorie junk food as McDonalds, KFC, Yellow Cab Pizza or coffee from Starbucks. I’m also sticking to grilled and steamed foods, and lessening fried foods (argh!).

The hardest thing to do is to stay away from alcohol… I enjoy drinking, and I do a whole lot of it. But I guess I’ll have to settle for red wine, the healthier alternative.

Back on track, almost…

Well, I’ve been running for the past two weeks already, almost every day if possible. However, I still feel I’m unworthy of going back to ULTRA to train. I mean, I know no one really cares, but I’ve told myself that I only deserve to go back after I get back to the conditioning I was in when I was peaking. So until that time comes, I veering away from ULTRA. I’ll concentrate first on building up my endurance.

I’ve found alternative venues where I can train. I’ve been doing 800s, 400s and 200s in an improvised “track oval” and I’ve also managed to log in some decent recovery runs. In fact, I’ve been doing some hill training. Hopefully all of these pay off.

Keeping my eyes on my goals…

I’ve lost sight of my initial goals but this time around, I think I will be able to see them through.

Goal# 1 – do a sub-50 for 10k
Goal #2 – finish my first 21k
Goal # 3 – reach my ideal running weight of 150lbs

With all that in mind… the Passion Runner plans to make a comeback!

Running Mob

I wonder if these kind of pranks can be done here… Laugh trip!

Men’s Health Miracle Run 2

After the sucessful Men’s Health Urbanathlon held in UP Diliman last November 16, Run For Change brings Men’s Health back on campus with their MIRACLE RUN this coming March 29. This is one event you surely musn’t miss! Read on…

The Men’s Health 10,000km Miracle Run is a unique event that will gather all sorts of runners—those who run to compete or simply those who want to push their limits. This time, they’re all running for those who can’t. 

Be part of this unique running event where finishing first or last doesn’t matter at all. 

Be one of more than 1,000 runners who will run a 10km. course (OR a cumulative total distance of 10,000 km.) for the benefit of those who can’t. 

[DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM]

Registration fee: P350 / individual
Registration starts March 16, 2009 

REGISTRATION SITES
Summit Media
6/F Robinsons Cybergate 3, Pioneer St., Mandaluyong City 

R.O.X.
Bonifacio High Street
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 

R.O.C.
U.P. Bahay ng Alumni
U.P. Diliman 

 

Claiming of Race kits will begin on March 16, 2009 at:
Summit Media
7/F Robinsons Cybergate 3, Pioneer St., Mandaluyong City 

Rules and Regulations

 

• Total race distance is 10km (5km course x 2 laps)
• 10km. runners will run the course twice (2 laps)
• Team members will run one at a time, with each member running 1 lap each
• Team members will exchange places at the Team Transition Area
• The first team members will be released the same time as the 10km participants, while the second team members will await their partners at the Team Transition Area

Hydration stations

• There will be 4 hydration stations throughout the course

Other reminders

• The race will begin at exactly 6:00am
• Onsite registration will be from 4:30am to 5:30am ONLY
• Onsite claiming of race kits will be from 4:00am to 5:30am ONLY
• Have fun

MORE DETAILS AT THE MEN’S HEALTH WEBSITE.

What is the best shoe for me?

I think my Adi has gone past it’s natural life… It no longer provides the support that I need. After runnuing close to 700km on it, I think it has to retire. So around last October, I got myself the Nike+ Equalon 3 as a gift for myself. They look good, but I can’t really say they feel or fit as good. Perhaps it’s because they’re a half size bigger than my normal shoe size. [NOTE: Nike does not carry half sizes after 11, so I was constrained to buy size 12 instead of my usual 11.5]. My tip for you is to get the one that fits just right, not too big, not too small… that’s why they created half sizes. An inch really goes a long way, especially if you are looking into running fast (speed) or running long (distance).

Recently, I came across a site that went on sale and their shoes go for about $50 for a pair of AISICS… Imagine that! It’s only less than P2,500 for a pair of AISICS when they normally go for P6,000-8,000. They may be an old model, if I’m just going to use them for regular training runs, I guess I can do away with an old model.

Of course, before making an impulsive decision and ordering online, I decided to check out the reviews on the shoe I was eyeing. It’s the AISICS GT-2130. 

I also passed by Runner’s World and sought help from their SHOE FINDER. I came across words like cushioning, stability, motion-control. They seem like perfectly ordinary and straight-forward words, but I’m guessing there is a more technical definition and distinction between them. Sooo… I ask Hector Yuzon (aka the Second Wind) for his take on the matter, being a “sports geek”. I tell you, this guy knows a lot about shoes, sports wear and apparel, as well as other sporting accessories.

And so… what is the difference between CONDITIONING, STABILITY and MOTION CONTROL?  These were his answers…

Cushioning Shoes – are built around the main idea of ‘how can we make this shoe comfortable’ - so what this means is that they focus on the kinds of foam to insert, considering how thick the sockliner should be, and still factoring in that the shoe should still be light enough for long distance runs.

Stability Shoes – are built around the idea of ‘how can we help our over pronators more comfortably’.  So what this means is that, they pay more attention on the medial part of the shoe.

Personally, I’m more fascinated in stability shoes over any other kind of running shoe.  Researchers constantly want to better their stability shoes.  And from a brand standpoint, mas astig if you can boast of “we have the best stability shoes” – I mean, to brag about this, means you really did your homework, and of course, this is what runners look for: authentic, and alam nila na they had the runners’ best interest in mind.

Stability vs. motion control 

They are basically the same. its more technical when you say ‘motion control shoes‘ meaning, this type of shoe is more technical; parang yung air equalon – aside from having a stability post, it has a thermo plastic urethane (TPU) support which extends from the medial side to eh midfoot.

whereas if you just term it as a stability shoe, basically what comes to mind are those shoes that have stability posting, or those shoe that have a more firm foam for support to control the rate of over pronation, example would be NB 749, 769, air span 6, mizuno elixir.

HECTORS LAST ADVICE: eric, before you buy your new shoes, try mo lahat for the best fit.  You owe yourself that.  and then decide

Thanks Hector for the help!

the verdict – Deltan Run

 

 

[singlepic id=739 w=120 h=90 float=left] I wasn’t expecting great results… I was kidding my companions, “idadaan na lang sa porma” … and I wasn’t talking about form! Hahaha! My major concern was that I haven’t had any serious training prior to the race but a few runs the weeks. No speed training, no nothing.

Another concern was that I was thinking of using my Optic Nerve sunglasses for the first time. I wasn’t sure if they were going to fog or not and if they’d be more of a distraction rather than an aid. Luckily they didn’t fog up and also provided better clarity (I used a different lens. More on these shades in futures posts).

I woke up at 4:30, had breakfast and left my house at around 5:45. Got to UP by 6:15 in time to claim my race kit. The race started at around 6:45 or so… I was supposed to do some warm up but before I knew, the race was about to start.

Of we went. The route was reverse of the usual UP route… We started between MassCom and Music, then turned right into Magsaysay Road, right into the road between Romulo Hall and Law then right again into the academic Oval. We made one full turn then turned left upon reaching Vinzons, then right into Quirino Street (behind the College of Education). We continued down the road until we hit the new Office of the University Registrar and back into the Acad Oval. We turned into Univ. Ave. to make a quick u-turn upon reaching the first corner. It was two laps for those taking 10k. It was an “easier” route considering there were more downhills than uphills.

My first 5km was good… then *BAM* my leg decided to sleep. Haha! Do you know that feeling when your entire leg falls asleep and you can’t move it? Well, that’s what happened to my right leg. I dunno if my shoes were too tight or what, but for over 1.5km from Music going to the front of Eng’g, my leg was asleep, making it more difficult for me to run. My companions has already left me behind… [Congrats to Atty. Patrick Ty on doing a PR with finishing in under an hour].

From that moment on, I decided, “WHAT THE HECK! Enjoy…”

As I was on my last 1.5km, I heard a familiar voice calling me from behind… It was Jay aka Prometheus Cometh and Vener aka RunUnltd. (Urgh… I didn’t want to be recognized, thus the visor and shades. My speed is embarassing). We chatted for about 150m… I was telling them I was preparing for my comeback… they on the other hand were doing their long run. (I think they’re preparing for the bataan? Or perhaps the condura race). Anyway, we parted ways as I was about to do my last stretch.

I tried to push on to no avail. My legs could not muster enough energy to speed up, but at least the right one wasn’t asleep anymore. I couldn’t find Atty’s Patrick and Peter anymore. I guess they had finished already.

When I reached Quezon Hall and was about to do the last 400m, I forced myself to let ‘er rip! I didn’t care anymore whether my legs were asleep or were hurting or what. Then suddenly I could hear the words of Coach John and Coach Rio in my ears… “strong finish!“

I crossed the line with a time of 1:03. Bad for a person who already did a sub-54 already but good enough for a “newbie” or as Cathy would put it, a “returnee”.

Regardless, I enjoyed the race and had fun. The run was an intimate run with a little over 200 participants. After the race, we had breakfast at our Restaurant of Choice (ROC). [pun intended]

[singlepic id=737 w=320 h=240 float=center]
[with good friend Kata]

’til the next race!

PS. Thanks to Coach Rio for the jersey… hehe