…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.

…night before the “fun run”…

I’m sure the CarboLoading Party yesterday, turned out great. I wasn’t there for reasons only known to me. Though, I knew that Ms. Haide Acuna ( aka Marathon Foodie) delivered an inspirational message to all the runners gathered there ( this fact I gleaned from her FB status) and the movie “Spirit of the Marathon” was on.

Running a marathon has always been the sought after goal of any runner, veteran and newbie, alike. Of this, I can understand. I, myself has start entertaining the idea of running in one, hopefully.

As of now, I am still at the stage where I’m carefully threading along the way. I would love to gradually go farther than the usual 5K or supposedly “fun run”.

Tomorrow, I will be out there again. I am looking forward to it, kind of.

Joy prepared this for me ( I’m a zilch when it comes to cooking)

So, I was thinking, I’d treat myself to some  nice carb-loaded dinner ( not that I’ll need that much carbs for a fun run) Besides, I already have all the carbs under my, um, tummy.

I’ll try to sneak an extra hour of shuteye tonight so I will not wake up cranky come morning.

See you at the starting line.

Wobble on Panda.

…chasing dust…

To say I am thrilled is an understatement. Yes, I’m way too excited that I had a hard time going to sleep last night. I intended to be in deep slumber at nine but unfortunately, I was only able to do so, minutes past ten. For this week, I had only run twice, last Tuesday and this morning. I now realized that my decision to settle for 5K is right. There’s  no way I can tackle the 21K without ample preparation under my belt.

Every time I go through the motions of getting ready for my run, it fells like I’m just doing it out of rote. It’s only when I step outside that I feel conscious of myself, moving. I guess when this happens, I’m just too sleepy yet. ( Yeah right, whatever)

I went back to the track this morning. I ran for more than 30 minutes. My legs hurt for the first few laps. Bit by bit, they loosened up and I was able to run at a comfortable pace. I was very slow that it  felt like I was not moving at all. My pace bored me. So I tried to speed  things up, only to stop after a few meters because I was already out of breath.

After I had enough of the track, I headed back home. I had still my earphones on while walking so I am a bit oblivious to the world outside me ( only a bit though because I can still hear the annoying honk of every jeepney that passed by me)

another reward I’m always down with

When I got home and after I changed into some dry clothes, I iced my leg. It felt sore a little. I have to go up and down the stairs very slowly.

I’m happy I was able to run this morning. I can now at least have an idea as to how I will fare come this Sunday.

To all of you running the full and half marathon in the CCM, good luck guys.

And to all of us running for fun, what else can we do but….HAVE FUN.

Wobble on Panda.

…running for fun…

I’m not the type of person who gets comfy when around a lot of people. I guess that’s what lure me into running because for the most part, you are just really alone out there. With my foray into this sport, I never thought that I could be this “involved” as I am right now. Sure, I am skittish in a crowd, but the feeling I get during the time when the starting gun is about to fire is exhilarating. I mean,  all the excitement and anticipation radiated from all the runners around me is enough to keep me all rev up.

I started running “seriously” six months ago, after I joined my first 5K race in the Milo Marathon. Let us say, I am hooked. I joined several 5K races and one 10K after that. And during that time, I have been entertaining the thought of, one day,  running at least one marathon before I reached 40. As it turned out, my daily activities were not properly geared to attain that goal. I got sidetrack and only run sporadically.

The Cebu City Marathon this coming Sunday caused a lot of hype in the running community. And not only here in Cebu but from other places, as well. If I have trained genuinely then, I would have opted to sign up for the 21K. I was even thinking of running in it. I agonized for two weeks while I was back home over deciding between the 5K or the 21K. In the end, I decided on the 5K, for obvious reasons. Never mind my bruised, slowly emerging “running ego”. I don’t want to miss this event so rather than sulking for not making it to the half, I settled for the “fun run”.( I just don’t get it, why 5K  is always dubbed as such).

After two months of not racing on the road, I will be back again. And for the other upcoming races, hopefully. And perhaps, in the longer distances ( God willing).

Wobble on Panda.

…better than none…

this helps too

After my two weeks stay at home, my runs were sporadic. Sure, I planned what I will be doing when I’m home but like all my plans before, it did not pan out as I expected. I attended the last three days of Simbang Gabi there and it was very tasking to force myself awake as early as 2 AM for three days straight. I know it was not a valid excuse to be a slacker when it comes to my running.

Anyhow, I managed to run for the five days that I was there, of course, not in succession. Besides, the weather did not help during the last two days of the month.

I came back to Cebu last Sunday. I was beat during the trip and fall asleep the entire afternoon. I thought again of going out yesterday morning, to run and even set my alarm. Eventually, I just hit the snooze button and went back to sleep.

So last night, I took to bed early. I was awake before my alarm went off, which is a good thing. I miss the cold shower back home. I dressed then made myself a cup of coffee. Minutes later, I was walking towards Abellana. Two men ran past me ( I’m pretty sure they are runners.) Then I saw another one across the street, he had on a Milo singlet.

The incident I had during my last visit to the track was not forgotten so I tried to be more careful this time. If someone will try to dip in their hands in my bag, they are in  for a huge disappointment.

After a few stretches ( mostly shoulder rolls), I started running, slowly, I may add. I intended to log at least 3 miles for this morning. And I did. I only stopped for water breaks. I walked for two laps afterward. My legs were burning after I stopped. It was still a bit dark when I head back home.

Again, I was rewarded with a clear view of the early morning sky. And I will always be thankful for that.

Wobble on Panda.