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Panda Girl has moved to a new location, so if you are still inclined to read about her adventures while on the run, please click here .

Thanks guys.

…goodbye is the hardest word…

“Only those who risk going too far can know how far they can go.”

Since my unexpected venture into running, I stopped asking questions by the time I was three months into it. I’ve tried to reasoned with my procrastinating self to no avail. I indulged in talking myself out of going to bed early, the “runner” in me prevailed most of the time.

For the past few days I’ve been on a hiatus, sort of. And not because I’m tired of running. Some things came up that entailed putting off my runs temporarily. As it turned out, my previous visit to the track will be my last for this month and for the rest of the year.

I have read about upcoming races here in Cebu in the next few months. Too bad I will not be able to join in them. In a week’s time, I will bid farewell to this city. I’m sure I’m going to miss my early morning runs at the track and running on the streets during races.

On to the next running adventure in an entirely new place.

Wobble on Panda.

…I’m the second “captain” of my ship…

After almost two weeks of dilly-dallying, I finally muster enough resolve to drag myself out of bed this morning when my alarm buzz off. Yes, I went out for my usual morning run.

I take  time to take a shower then get dressed. It felt good to put on my shoes again. Much more so since it was just washed recently. It feels like I’m putting on a brand new pair. How’s that for motivation.

I was smiling to myself when I stepped on the track. Good thing it was dark. People might think I’m not of sound mind .  I looked around for a moment, taking in the somewhat familiar surrounding. I proceeded to my favorite spot and deposited my bag.

I’m too excited to get going that I forgo doing the same stretching routine that I usually do. After I clipped on my earphones and heard the intro of Black Eyed Peas’ “Meet Me Halfway”, I was off, running. I’m happy to be out there. Glad I did not let my laziness get the best of me. I started perspiring. The light morning breeze has a soothing effect.

At first, while I pushed my legs forward, I was not thinking of anything at all. I was just happy to be out again, after such a long time of hibernation. I get to look  at the sky again, littered with stars. There was some clouds present and I thought that it might rain. Fortunately, it did not.

I just realized that I can not turn my back on running, for good. For one, it’s only during this time, that I get to enjoy my time outside, alone. No pressure. And it is also during this time that I get to beat myself up and rise again. Not to mention the glorious morning sky.

Pain will always be there. I can’t take cover from it forever. Whether I choose to run or not, I will experience pain either way. Might just as well embrace it.

As for conjuring up excuses not to run, well, I’m guilty of that. They ranged from sleeping in because I switched off my alarm to fear of stray dogs I usually meet on the street ( so lame ).

My run this morning has shown me what I missed for all those days I stayed dormant. I’m back and hopefully, for a very long time.

Wobble on Panda.

…said I love you but I lied…

It has been nine days since my last jaunt to the track. I haven’t been running after that. I had my shoes cleaned and placed inside its box. Am I giving up running? Not really. And I’m not going to say that I’m taking a break. I had all the break I’d need.

For the past few days, I’m filled with trepidation and instead of finding solace in doing my runs, I opted to stay put.

Do I miss it?

I can not put into words  how much I miss my runs but still not enough, to make me act on it. I mean, I’m not doing anything about it. I remained impassive.

out of reach

It used to be that, I’m always filled with excitement and anticipation, looking forward to it. I exhausted myself into talking about  every single run I had. Now, there’s nothing much to say.

Whatever happen to “ I love running. “ and all sorts of declaration. I guess they are not enough to rouse me  from this temporary hitch I go myself into.

Anyway, I know I’m not going to turn my back on running. This is just a minor setback.

Sometimes, whether I like it or not, “shit happens” ( Forrest Gump).

Wobble on Panda.

…worth it …

I had a battle of wills this morning. When my alarm buzzed off, I just reached for it and turn it off. I lay still for a while and eventually fall back to sleep. Thirty minutes later, I woke up with a start. I stared at the dimness inside my room, which was partly illuminated by the light from a nearby lamp-post and the glittering lights of the nearby hotel. Part of me want to go back to sleep but then another part urged to move and get up. I conjured excuses in my mind to put off running for today. In the end, my sensible side won.

My left leg hurt a bit while I was walking toward the track. And it hurts more when I tried to walk fast so I slowed down and adjusted my gait.  I arrived at the track, fifteen minutes past four. After putting on my earphones and set my watch, I started running. The pain on my left leg was back and I tried to ignore it, after a few minutes, the pain was gone. Halfway through the first mile, my right calf felt tight and  hurts too. I decided to stop and stretched my legs. And had some water.

I begun to run again. Luckily, the tightness was gone and I was able to continue running without anymore discomfort. I always like to run on the track early in the morning since it’s not yet too crowded. Plus, the  heat is no concern though I perspire easily. I have yet to try running on the streets. Maybe one of these days, especially when the repairs of the track will start.

I learned something today. I’m not sure if I just noticed it now. I realized that when I set out to run, the first two miles seemed agonizingly slow to me. Sometimes, I felt like I’m drifting off somewhere. And not only “agonizingly slow”, it is  also during this time that I feel tired the most. Then toward my third mile, I feel great. Sure, I still feel tired but then I sensed that I can still go on. Eventually after four miles, I had to stop. I exceeded again my limit of three. And I started to chafe already.

While running on the track, I got  a very clear view of the moon. It looks very near. Too bad I was not able to snap a photo of it.

Anyway, I plodded back home, pleased with myself. I’m glad I did not give in to the temptation to sleep in. And it’s always a pleasure to be out early in the morning, at least to me.

Wobble on Panda.

…to go the “extra mile”…

level up and go the extra mile

It felt good to wake up with sunlight streaming through my window, for a change. Anyway, that was yesterday. I woke up way too late. Blame it on “Dirty Sexy Money”. I watched all the episodes of the two seasons in two days time. And I decided to slept in because I took one day off after Monday’s run.

This morning is another story. As always, I woke up at 3 AM. ( sounds like I’m doing a very, very, very long run ) I set my alarm earlier than what I’ve been used to because I’d want to be at the track  at 4 AM, at least. After I showered and dressed, I changed channels on the TV looking for something worthwhile to watch while I sipped my coffee. I got carried away and had a second cup.

After all my stuff were ready, I started for the track. The skies were cloudy and there was some slight winds. I could see the leaves rustled and branches of the nearby trees swayed in the wind. In my mind, I was praying that it will not rain. Thankfully, it did not.

I planned to  run only  for 3 miles, but then I got experimental again. Actually, I just want to find out if I can tough it out to go an extra mile. And while I huff and puff , I realized how challenging it is when I decided to go the axiomatic “extra mile”. My legs felt like dead weight already but I just hang on. Halfway through, I was about to give up and stop, but I just prodded on and completed another mile.

I always hear the saying ” Go the extra mile.” Doing something more that is expected from you. At some point in my life, I have applied this aphorism and somehow the thought that it is hard eludes me, until now. The outcome is unquantifiable except perhaps, the added mileage. Nevertheless, what matters most is what I learned from doing it.

Finally, PG has level up ( of course not from eating too much Greenwich pizza ) and will continue to go the extra mile, not only in running but also in the other aspect of her life, hopefully.

Wobble on Panda.

…hurrah for my first 6…

I stirred in my bed and looked around my room. It was still quite dark. I reached for my cellphone and squinted on the screen. I still have to wait  an hour before my alarm will buzz off. I tried to go back to sleep and find it impossible so I got up. I heard my stomach growling. Of all the time to be hungry. I made myself some instant cereal drink. As I was sipping it, I debated over taking a shower at once ( after I’m done drinking ) or wait for my alarm. After I washed the mug, I took a shower. It always felt good to be in one. I towel myself dry then dressed. I had my usual coffee and took time in imbibing it. I was thinking of having another cup then I remembered what I read about consuming so much caffeine.

At exactly four o’clock, I stepped outside and headed toward the track. Thankfully, there were no dog walkers around along the way. I was walking briskly to get there as quickly as possible.

After doing the routine stretching ( actually I just did some shoulder rolls), I was off running at once. I had an untarnished view of the dawn sky, filled with stars, in all its glittering glory. You see, this is the sort of thing that’s worth waking up early, aside from running, of course.

I had it in mind to just run for three miles which is what I have done for the past few days. But after three miles, I was still feeling okay. I continued running for another mile and then decided to add another one. After five miles, while I stopped to drink some  water, a thought suddenly come to me. Since I have egged myself to run six miles, why not try now?
Without giving myself a chance to change my mind, I went back to running and managed to shoot for another mile. I’m happy I did it. My legs were sore but then that’s part of the deal.

I had a very awesome run this morning. Add to the fact that I finally reached the distance that I was gradually aiming for.  Sure, I did not tackle the six miles in continuous running. I stopped at every mile but only to have a short walk break and a couple of gulps of water.

It seemed to me that finally, I’m now getting used  to  this thing called “running”. Never mind those previous months in which I eagerly throw myself in just to be called a “runner”. I met pain and all sorts of stuff but I suck it all up and hang on. And I realized that it’s a good thing  I did because I would have miss this “awesome” experience.

Wobble on Panda.

…run more…

I’m a bit disappointed with myself yesterday because I failed to rouse myself up at the set time. Yes, I overslept. I did not even hear my alarm went off. I must have been so dead to the world. I ‘m supposed to run.

This morning, fortunately, I was awake at once when the  alarm sounded. Though I was a bit disoriented at first, then I remembered that I will  head out. I took a shower in record time then gulped some coffee while I dressed. I set the alarm fifteen minutes early so I could be at the track at exactly four. I got there twelve minutes past four.

I’m glad that there was no rain this morning. I was walking very fast toward the track. Then I saw this woman walking with her dogs and that prompted me to walk even faster. A few meters ahead, I saw a man, also walking with his dogs. I walked faster even more. I tried to put as much distance from them. I had this scary thought- what if the leash will slip off their hands? I can’t imagine what will I do.

So much for my “encounter” on the street. After I put my bag at the usual spot, I started running at once. I had long since get rid of my usual one lap walking as my warm up. I was hoping to shoot for six miles but managed only five. Not bad for PG. It’s the longest distance I ran so far since I started running.

the first of the many more to come

I decided not to take a crack at making plans for my running anymore. I used to make plans but it just went down the drain. I want to look forward to my runs as something I’d enjoy doing ( no matter how painful it could be afterward). I don’t want it to be something that I “had” to do, per se. I told myself not get so work up to churn out the required mileage I consider fit.

Anyway, I had a great run this morning. But I was so hungry afterward that when I got home, I immediately munch on a banana and wash it down with water. I did some stretching then changed into dry clothes.

Till my next morning run.

Wobble on Panda.

…baby steps…

An hour before my alarm goes off, I was already wide awake. I lay in the dark for a moment. I turned my ear toward the window and true enough, I heard the distinct sound of rain. I propped myself up on my elbow and take a look outside. It was raining alright but then not hard enough to drench you. So I waited for  a few minutes. I tried to go back to sleep but it was futile. I switched on the TV to while away the time.

After a few minutes of staring at the mindless show on TV, I proceeded to take a shower. The water was particularly cold this morning but it was fine with me. I dressed then sipped my first cup of coffee. I realized that the rain has stopped so I decided to head out.

Walking toward the track, I noticed that the pavement was still wet. I watched out for puddles that I may step upon. When I got to the track, I thought it was totally deserted then gradually, I saw the usual walkers. The track was wet too. The stuff erected to served as a stage during last Sunday’s Sinulog celebration was still there.

I started running slowly, it almost feel like I’m just shuffling. The chilly air was most welcome. Halfway through my run, there was a slight breeze but then, that does not stop me from sweating profusely. My left foot felt funny after the first few steps, later on it felt fine. I continued on my run. I only stopped to take a swig of the 100 Plus drink, a leftover from the other Sunday’s  CCM. Of course, I still brought along water.

After the euphoria of the successful staging of the first ever marathon here in Cebu, I finally woken myself from the stupor I was into. Of course, not from anything serious. I was just feeling lethargic after I ran in the 5K race in the CCM. I had no idea what brought it on. On the other hand, I was happy reading other runners’ blog about their various stories during the CCM. I am dogged with the thought that, what if I was brave enough to run in the 21K, no matter how ill prepared I was. Well, that’s for another post, in the future, hopefully.

I know my running is somewhat a bit an “off and on kind of thing” for me. It’s not that I’m starting to feel bored with it or don’t want to do it anymore. I just feel the need to take things slowly or risk getting stressed out. I want to be able to head out to run and enjoy it. Somehow, tediously logging all those miles takes away the fun, for me, anyway. I’m not saying this is true for everybody.

Running is one activity ( apart from reading) that I get to enjoy, all by myself. I mean I could just head out and run. Though I’m still on the stage of mustering enough guts to head out on the streets for a change. The graph on my GF is pretty boring from all my runs on the track. So maybe one of these days, I may just try that.

Anyway, my run this morning took more than hour. I was hoping to catch the sky changed colors again but with no such luck. My shoes and even my socks looked like I’ve run on trails.

Still, I’m happy that I get go out again.

Wobble on Panda.

… Cebu City Marathon 01-10-10…

fireworks before the 21K gun start ( how cool is that )

and off they go

Sen. Pia Cayetano

eager 5K runners ( are you ready for this? )

we all got timed

Max, Marlen and Irene ( proud first-timer finishers in the 21K)

Gilbert Remulla

Team BaldRunner with Jack Jakosalem and Mayor Tommy OsmenÑa

Top 3 in the 42K Women’s DivisionHaide Acuna ( Marathon Foodie)

retired Army Major General Jovenal Narcise ( Bald Runner)

Top 3 in the 42K Men’s Division

won’t miss this for the world

with Joy, the photographer

photo op with David Kipsang

another happy spectator

Kudos to the race organizers, sponsors and all the people responsible for this event.