Memorable races

QCIM; 12/04/2011
21k

One of my best memorable race was the QCIM 2010. It was my first full marathon that I think I have trained for. My training back then was just to have a weekly mileage of atleast 45kms. From that time I still don’t know how tempo and speed training are. But still I clocked in 4:08 and I was very happy about it(Still currently my full mary PR). This year’s QCIM, I planned to start our “Project Sub2″ to our other TA1 teammates. This is hitting sub2hour for 21k distances. As i’m not fit to do any PR and even running a marathon, helping other members would be more meaningful.

At the starting line

Congrats to you hitting sub2! You know who you are. Haha! Others got new PRs but wasn’t able to hit sub2. One collapsed, haha. Joke! We’ll keep on trying guys. I also congratulate one of our teammate for finishing his 1st full marathon.

Post race meal

MILO FINALS; 12/11/2011
21k

Some races are hard to forget, and that’s the Milo races. Last Milo Elims 2010 was my first full marathon, I really enjoyed it and after finishing that race I told myself that I will qualify someday! That someday was this year. I trained really hard for it but unfortunately I didn’t. Found myself DNF in the most important race for me. I kept on telling myself to move on, but it is really dificult actually. Milo finals came and I envy those qualifiers running the full this year. Well for me, I’ll just be running 21k at the side.Few meters to the finishline

I finished 1:51:19 and somehow happy because of the same teammate who hit the sub2 a week before was able to run with me and even beat me by 5 seconds. Congrats buddy for a new strong PR! We also drop by at PinoyFitness Christmas Party afterwards. Thanks Jeff, Ms Mars and PF peeps for the very warm welcome!!!

I like this(parang paparazzi mode lol)

It would still be a long weekend as we headed to Jesy’s Mansion at Bulacan. Food, wine, food, beers and food… Yeah boy!

Kanpai!

RUN HARD, PARTY HARDER! That’s TA1 for sure… I would probably call it a year. This would be my last race for 2011. I’ll be on a 2 week vacation but make sure to still run and train!
’til next year… Whew!

Afroman and the Hill

2 big races would be my main attractions for this month of November.

Unilab Run (Runrio Leg 3)
November 13, 2011 @ MOA
32k

Last year’s Afroman Leg 3 was a blast and I clocked in at 2:51:50. I was on a full marathon training that time and I run that race just on tempo pace. With lack of training, I might not finish it at sub 3 hours even giving all i’ve got.

Pre race with Team

And it was. The humidity at MOA grounds gave me a hard time to breathe and as soon as we reach the 22nd km mark, the sun was up and it was too hot. From the stretch of Roxas boulevard and Magsaysay road down to the seaside avenue was a total oven toaster experience for me. Finished it 3:16:45 and way too newbie compared to last year. haha!

I still deserve a breakfast right?

Nathan Ridge Run
November 20, 2011 @ tagaytay
21k

The Afroman distance was only a warm up as few of my teammates dare to run this expected mountainous race. It was my first time to run at Tagaytay and I was thinking that I have finished Baguio run at sub2 and this might just be a replica of it. So I knew it was no biggie.

Alpha1 daredevils

NOT again! I should’ve prepared for this race. In kilometer order, the race route was composed of Uphill-downhill-rolling hills-mega down hill and MEGA uphill! It was really insane!

This is no camera trick

At km 16-19 where the mega uphill was, I remember sitting down for 1-2mins because I can nnot even sustain to walk(i’m weakling). This happened 3 times. haha! Finished it 2:35:17. It was uncomparable to Baguio run! It was the hardest race i’ve joined but nevertheless the best so far. I felt like I ran a full marathon!

Nathan Survivors

Post race meal at Leslies

I gained few percent body fats on that meal. Haha. This caused me not to run and hit the gym for a WEEK! Need to double time this December!

’til the next races…

My OctobeRuns 2011

My battle against fat continues and so as my running escapades! Last October was a fun-filled race month as I registered at 4 race events. It was really hard maintaining your running fitness level as you try to lower down your body fat at the same time. Fortunately, I’m getting used to it somehow and it doesn’t seem to affect my running that much compared to last month (September). Let me recall the recent races I’ve joined…

October Running Festival @ BGC
October 9, 2011
21k group event
We have an entry to the 21k group category in which one will be running 21k each. The fastest average time will be this year’s Octoberun group champ. Some of our running friends joined our flock and together Alpha1 MAX team was formed for this event alone. 25 brave souls, one team, one goal… to be this year’s champ. But as newbies to the running world, we were dominated by a group of respected veteran elites and our team was 2 min shy from them. It was a huge gap. We placed 2nd based on the average time but because of unfortunate reasons, it was not official. This day was memorable as I certainly learned a lot. It made me more mature on the other aspects proving speed alone won’t get you to the top. Congrats to this year’s Octoberun Champ! I finished 1:43:27, faster than my target time on a diet mode.

Some Alpha 1  of Team Alpha 1 MAX

Nike We Run Manila @ BGC
October 15, 2011
10k
I was still depressed with the previous race and the only thing that can make me feel better is to run fast. I’m always excited to run an event on race mode rather than just on training. Given the Nike freak that I am, no doubt I am definitely running this on race mode. Goal again was simple, to run as fast as I could for 10kms! I’ve already done a 45min 10k during a tempo training run and thought of beating that would be simple? NOT. The race started at 5pm and it never came to my mind that it would be humid and hot. I finished 25th place at 00:47:39. Not bad for a sub-Piolo finish.

Pic was found after thorough digging. haha!

KOTR @ BGC
October 23, 2011
21k
Then here goes Nike’s anti-sequel race event, the Adidas King of the Road. I ran this with my Takbo.ph shirt as a support for Takbo.ph. An easy and consistent pace was the plan and a sub 1:50 finish would do. Finished it at 1:49:42. Good medium run.

FFS takbo.ph mode

Adobo Run @ Aseana
October 29, 2011
15k
This was not an ordinary night race. You might have probably seen superheroes, vampires, ghosts, anghel na naka brief lng(nakita niyo ba to?lol.) and some non-human runners running around Aseana. These were runners in their unique costumes celebrating halloween. It was my first time to join a halloween race and with no idea what to wear, I thought of just using my newly bought pinoyfitness tech shirt. The route would go around 3 loops so I psyched myself just to finish 3 5ks at 24mins each, good enough to beat my current 15k pr of 1:12:19 during the Greentennial run. It was a cool night and with a flat terrain I’m hoping to finish it at sub 1:10:00. After 1 loop, I checked my garmin and the reading was only 4.5kms. I was really hoping that there would be extended route beyond the loops at the last stretch but unfortunately there was none. I suddenly slowed down at the final bend knowing that it would be a very short 15k and not so good for a PR. Finished it 1:05:17 with only 13.5kms on my Garmin. Anyway, it was still a fun event. Trick or treat!

Kulitrunner, Ms Mars, Kb, Mish and FFS pinoyfitness mode

So those are my October Running escapades with good and not-so-good memories. Well, that’s history and I’m just looking forward this November. I can see a line up of very challenging events!

’til the next races.

On diet and running

During the Milo Training(April-July2011), I normally ate any foods I can imagine. From that time on I lost a couple of pounds but I gained lots of body fats! Weird right? It doesn’t mean that if you lose pounds, you are actually getting fitter. 2 months ago I went to the gym to check my body fat percentage and my reading was 17.1% body fat. So what happened to me was I lost pounds of muscles but gained body fats. Check out the chart below.

Where do you belong?

I was out of the “Fitness” classification that time and need to recover asap. I started my workout routine last August and just wanted to do it gradually. From those intense fat burning workouts and dieting, I started to insert those trainings one at a time and started a high fiber, high protein, low sodium, low sugar, low carbs diet… And after 2 months with the inspiration of Chris Hemsworth’s(Thor) body, I gained 2 kilos of muscles but reduce my body fat to 14.7%.

This is not me. God of Thunder at 6% body fat

I have long way to go before I would have a Godlike body. lol. I am happy with the results but it all took toll on my running abilities. With that kind of diet, I really felt weak at my past races. Dieting for the whole weekdays and didn’t do carbo loading, no gels, no salt and no sweets before, during and after each races. haha! Below were my past race events that you might have probably spotted me running sluggish at the almost rear end of the pack.

FS RUN September 11, 2011: I finished 16k at 1:27:14

TRRC Test Run September 17, 2011: I guided the runners finished their 5k mcknley hill test run. Unfortunately, I also led the stretching excercises(Thanks Billy, I have no choice).

AXN Run September 18, 2011: With an outstanding route but numerous flyovers at Ortigas, turtle finish time of 1:59:08.

Camsur Marathon September 25, 2011: The vacation turned adventure out-of-town with the team. This deserves a separate post. Finished at 1:48:57. My first sub 1:50 on a diet mode.

September was not just taking slow, It was also my first time to try my Wave Universe 4 Super race Flats from Mizuno. The lightest racing flats ever designed with only 3.90z! I was thinking of doing a short jog with them but as soon as I wore them to my feet, I felt the adrenaline and wanted to do a fast run! The shoes were like telling me “Take me for a Jog?!! Let’s burn some rubber mate!!!”. The shoes are posessed!!!

Pic of these speed devils after the run. I was exhausted but together, we have broken that 3:30 1 kilometer!

That’s all folks!

’til the next races…

August, recovery month

I still remember my last year’s post ‘What an August!’ where I did a recovery and fun month after my first full marathon at 34th Milo Marathon. That time, It was tend to recovery the physical aspects of a newbie runner from the challenges of a full mary race. This year’s month of August would be totally different as I tend to heal a much deeper wound from my DNF last 35th Milo Manila elims. Some of the things that kept me busy this month…

FUN RUNS

I was really pressured days before the milo event, not to mention during the race itself so I continue signing up for fun runs BUT goal was to enjoy with no target time. 

NBA FIT&FUN Aug6. A week after milo without running, finished it in 1:49:04. Pic taken with PinoyFitness friends.

HP run Aug6. After the NBA fun run at bgc, went straight to mckinley to cheer my Alpha1 teammates. Congrats who made it to the podium finish guys! Pic taken after the race.

Run United2 Aug21. My Birthday run, just enjoyed it. Finished 1:50:17. Pic1 was few meters to the finishline. Pic2 was taken after the race at Jollibee. Di ako nanlibre neto, nakatakas.

Earth run Aug28. My last race during this month of August. I was on a group where we got lost during the race and took us 300-400 meters to get back to the race route. I got lazy and decided to wait for Martian who was then pacing a friend. Finished 2:06:ish. Pic with some PinoyFitness peeps.

GIMIK NIGHTS!

Too much gels and sports drink?!! Time for some booz. Lol!

7th High with Team Alpha1. Pic1 where everyone is still in a good state of mind. Pic2 was the opposite. Lol. Details in between can’t be disclose. lol. Run hard, party harder!

*Other gimik nights would be out of running topic. haha!

CROSS TRAININGS

No training runs for the whole month aside from the fun runs. Did lots of cross trainings instead.

Group cycling class at the gym

Badminton with teammates

My first love.. Basketball!

NEW SHOES

My Komodo Sport. Newest version of the VIBRAM family of fivefingers and the most sporty look. Tried running with them on a few runs for just 7kms at 5:30 pace. After each runs, my calves were burning. lol.

My Wave Universe 4. It is the lightest race flats ever designed for Mizuno and I think for all brands. With just 3.9oz and a feather like upper mesh, it is built for pure speed! Haven’t tested them yet, review to follow.

So far so good, I enjoyed this month. My broken wings are healing fast and thrilled to spread them once again. This time, hoping to flap them harder as I seek to soar higher! As the season of Christmas starts, it’s time for me to get back to training.

’til the next race…

Broken wings (35th Milo Marathon)

When: July 31, 2011
Distance: 42.195kms
Result: DNF at 25km

I was on track at km 21 with my Garmin reading of 1:48:ish and I still have 1:57:ish to qualify. Legs were fresh, feeling good but something unexpected happened, I felt chafing on my inner thighs. I tried to ignore but it got worse and forced me to slow down. At that moment, It was hard for me to accept that I won’t be able to hit my goal or even finish it at sub-4 hours. As the pain burned up and I found myself slowing down even more, I knew even finishing it would be impossible. It was even HARDER to accept.

After jogging and walking for more than 2 KMs, I finally shut my wings and accepted that I won’t be going home with a medal from the most important race I’ve been training for months.

Need to heal these broken wings… and hoping to fly again…

Happy Birthday (Rexona Run 2011)

When: July 24, 2011
Distance: 21km
Training: Easy 21km(sub2hour pacer)

My last long run of my Milo training. At exactly 1 week from now, the much awaited Milo Marathon – Manila Eliminations will be held. As most of my teammates would be on a taper mode, I suggested to do an easy run and at the same time help runners achieve new PRs. We have then decided to run as group pacers(unofficially) for this event. Team Alpha1 will be separated into 2 groups(sub2:00 and sub2:30).

Before the race with my pacer bib

Armbanded leading sub2:30 group

I would be leading the 2:00 pacer group and the plan was to maintain a 5:40 pace consistently. Sounds simple and easy right? Running as group pacers would not be as easy at it seems. I noticed that we have different styles of running in terms of strategies. Some of us drank water so often, others sped up, others slowed down and would just catch up and others never stopped running (Eugene, ikaw to!). We were like messy pacers. haha!

Some shots during our pacer duties(c/o runner’s circle)

Different runners, different strategies and different styles but the good thing was we have set our mind on the same goal. At the end, everyone managed to hit a sub2:00 finish.

Sub2:00 Alpha pacer group

After 30minutes, the 2:30 Alpha pacer group arrived at the finish line except for Speedygiant because of a toe injury. Get well buddy!

sub2:30 Alpha pacer group

It was a successful unofficial pacer duty as a group. It was a first time effort and we promise to do it better next time. I hope we have helped other runners achieve their goals during the event. Congratulations!

Now comes the best part.. eating time!

At Gerry’s grill

This was also a very special day as we welcome our very own PurpleAlpha1′s day… Kathy, Happy Birthday!

Kathy blowing her cake (re-enactment)

1 week to go. Milo Elims… here we come!

’til the next race.

Taper Time (Buddy Run)

When: July 17, 2011
Distance: 10k
Training: 10km recovery after 28km tempo

After reaching my peak of 45kms last week, my next thing in mind was to recover actively. Decreasing my mileage would be one, decreasing the intensity and especially to relax my tiring mind as well.

Day before Buddy Run Race
Big lunch meal at Alexandre and a refreshing tea at Serenitea in the afternoon.

Team Meeting at Serenitea. Lol.

Kathy’s new love(wintermelon, no sinkers, 50% sugar level)

Race! Rolly VS Daves

Pre race training
I was up really early. I started running at 1:30am and wanted to finish it below my long tempo pace(5:45). This time it wasn’t raining not compared last week when I did my 45kms under the heavy rains. Those time, it somehow helped me finished my training run strong. For now’s training at around 18kms, I managed to maintain my pace of 5:45 but I felt the humidity and made me breathe hardly. After 2hours and 45mins, my garmin told me to stop with 28kms at my watch. That gave me an average pace of 5:53, It was not my target time but I think that would do. :p

Race Time
I have an hour to cool myself down. I did some stretching, hydrated a lot, changed into Alpha mode and meet with the Alpha’s.

W/ the usual pose(before gunstart)

With my Buddy

My buddy was having jitters as she haven’t run 10k for months. Our goal was to finish it alive(like we wanted to podium. lol). Our Team name… TEAM KATHY and Alalay. Off we go…

Can you spot us?

Kathy as her usual pace started easy and smooth. It was a consistent easy pace on our first few kilometers. I was really happy she wasn’t complaining at all and I really thought she was okay. By the time we reached the half way point, the mood was changed. lol.

Ready to jumpshot

I was really hungry as I was running for more than 4 hours already. I thought I can eat my breakfast at a certain time predicting it how have we gone on the first 5km. But when my buddy told me that “I’m tired and lazy to run.. can we just walk the last 5kms?”, that time I knew I won’t be able to eat soon. Lol. So we just walk-run-walk and enjoyed the race.

1 km to go

Yeah. The 9.00km was seen on my garmin at last. hehe! I really admired her motivation to finish it knowing she lacks training. We even keep up the pace on the last kilometer and increase the speed towards the finishline.

Her “ka-pace” daw (few hundred meters to the finishline)

We finished sub 1:40. haha! We’re not the last yahoo! But really, I’m proud of my buddy finishing it even she’s not on her best condition to run 10kms. Good Job Purple Alpha.

Joining the rest of the pack

With new team up buddies(BelgianBanana & SpeedyGiant)

Congrats guys on a strong finish and good job BelgianBanana on your comeback run! Taper Taper Taper… 2 weeks to go!

’til the next race…

1000kms (Yamaha Run)

When: July 3, 2011
Distance: 21km
Training: 42km

After the DNF phenomenon, I’ve missed a whole week of training and just substituted easy runs on my speedwork, tempo and long runs. I finally gained my strength and resumed my usual training 2 weeks ago(10th week of Milo training). As I approach my last month of training, I am getting closer to my peak. On this race day, I’ll be covering 42kms. Let’s go.

Pre-race
I’ll follow my usual route. From my place(Vito Cruz, Manila) –> CCP complex –> MOA C loop –> Buendia –> Ayala, Makati –> Lawton –> BGC. No interesting thing happened during my pre 21km run aside from the usual bullying of young gimikeros and gimikeras along seaside shouting “Jogging, Jogging” as you pass by. Haha. I also came across a running event in MOA( Ideal Vision Run). It was a very smooth 2hours, 10minutes and 39seconds of running.

Yamaha Race
I thought the gunstart was at 4:45am and only knew later that it was at 5:10am. I have almost 30minutes of resting time in between and it was bad news for me. I need to catch up on my 2nd part of the race but not pushing myself to exhaustion. I have a plan in mind to follow a certain pace for me to be able to hit my target pace for my 42km long run. Ready, set and go…

Taking it easy

The route was 600 meters longer, finished it at 2:04:17.

After finish

BUT!!! I just realized after the race that I need to finish the next 21km at 1:45 and not at 2hours for me to hit my target pace(including the 30min rest in between). I wasn’t really in my clear state of thinking that day and my computation was terrible. Is it the 3 bottles of Tanduay Ice from Friday’s night out? HANGOVER! Oh well, I need a lot of catching up to do.

Thankfully, I didn’t end up like this.

Had a big breakfast with the team, good reward for a long run. Congrats on a strong finish guys.

The Alpha 1 pose, Busog na

With Purple Alpha

After all the alcohol inside me were gone, my math skills came back. LOL. I now have 1000kms of registered events (total of 3200kms++ including training runs) on my belt. Yahoo!

Need to contact Mr. Baldrunner.

’til the next race.

1st DNF (IDPM)

When: June 12, 2011
Distance: 21km
Training: DNF at KM 7

I missed my tempo run this week due to flu. It’s been a moody climate these past few days and sudden change of temperature means bad things for us. So I rested instead and changed my planned 39km long run to a fast 21km run. Told myself that I won’t miss the Independence Day Half Marathon as a celebration of our independence. At that point, I was really thinking of breaking the 1:40 barrier for 21k.

Before the race

The 21k starting line

To break that, I need an average speed of 4:45 pace. So I started at 4:30 pace and was able to maintain it but as soon as I reach km 5, I was already tired and felt dizzy. I still pushed it a little thinking the dizziness might just go away but turned out to be worse. So there, I stopped at KM 7!

My first blood

It was a good call. I won’t have been able to log this post if I didn’t DNF that day. Lol. But seriously, I should’ve listened to my body and should have not ran in the first place.

Post Race Pics

The Alpha 1 pose

Kathy finished easy 5k

Musha3 or Kwicky Blade?

After the race, we saw Super Alpha 1 masters Chad and Natasha and gave us some advise on the upcoming Milo Marathon Race.

With the super masters

Recover fast FFS… Milo is just few weeks away.

’til the next race.