New Shoes, Same Issue

So I broke in my new shoes today (NB 880v2 - see previous post), yay, right? NOT.  Well, in terms of how it feels when I run, I don't really see any significant difference..? I do appreciate how much more room my toes have.  The pair I have now is much bigger - thanks to pregnancy, my feet got bigger and I don't think it's going to get any smaller.

Anyway, reason why it's not a yay is because... I still got blisters (considered posting a photo but maybe that's too nasty).  I was hoping it was my Mizuno pair that was giving me the blisters, I guess not? CA suggested not wearing socks next time - I'll try next week.  Definitely not trying something new for this weekend's half-marathon.

Speaking of something new, I tried an energy gel today! Had one before my run with CA and well, I did feel a surge of energy at around 3kms! Although CA does not approve of energy gels, I think I might have to have one or two this Sunday, still thinking about it.  Not sure if it's entirely psychological - I remember last year when I did my first half-marathon, I didn't need any gel or even a hydration belt! But, yes, I will not compare my now-self to my last year-self.  I'm less prepared now and carrying on more weight.  According to CA, I always screw up my long runs - by screw up he means: (1) I don't run the entire distance and (2) I only finished 17 last Sunday (instead of the 20 I was supposed to do).

As for my blisters, will definitely load up on petroleum jelly for the half-marathon! We'll see how that goes.

Run BGC

...or more like Walk BGC.  I don't know if I'm just being a brat or overly maarte but I really am not proud of this run! The only saving grace? I didn't pay for it, thanks to CA's blogger friend.  Or, maybe I would have had more willpower if I actually paid for it? Here are the reasons why I thought I sucked at it:

1) I walked so much! In fairness to myself, I ran until 10kms and right about that time there was a steep uphill so I didn't bother running it anymore.  I was so not prepared for this uphills! The minute I saw so much people ahead of me I knew it had to be downhill kaya kitang-kita ko sila!

2) I think I ran too fast at the beginning.  Not having a GPS watch, I just normally base my pace on the Nike Running app (pretty helpful).  Usually, I end the first km at around 8:00 or 8:30 but yesterday I think it was 7:20? Why am I so much faster? All thanks (or no thanks, haha) to Van who Les and I ran with! She's a much faster runner but did say she was going to run this slow.  Anyway, I think that added to me getting tired...?

3) CA says I walked not really because I was tired, but mostly because I wanted to walk.  I think I was mentally weak yesterday because I was coughing and was on Day 2 of my period :( I wanted to cry when I got my period Friday but decided to be grateful instead that it won't be around anymore this weekend for QCIM! :p

4) I was so slow so at around 12kms, it was so hot na! I didn't wear my cap, but had it in my bag.  Stupid :))

I was supposed to run an additional 6kms with CA and his friends (who are now my friends too, hahaha) after but did not finish :( Thanks to my girly problems (which I do not want to elaborate on here), I only managed an additional 2.  

My Shoes! :((

Of all the things to forget on Runday Wednesday, I forgot my shooooes! :(( I'm just grateful that I live close to school, close enough to have it brought! Above is a photo of my current shoe, Mizuno Wave Creation and I think it's high time I buy a new one! Still thinking of which one to get but here are my options: 

New Balance 880v2 

OR

Asics Gel Cumulus 14 

These are so brands out there that it sometimes gets confusing! Someone advised me to go to Riovana or Runnr to have my feet analyzed so I could get proper shoes but I'm just too lazy to do that.  The ones I have now just came from CA's list of recommendations.  I just know I need shoes that are comfy and cushioned so I could hopefully stop having those nasty blisters! 

I love my Mizuno's for the support and stability it gives but I think the problem with it is it's not cushioned enough, but it's been with me for over a year and I've made so many memories with it... 

My half-marathon

A couple of 10kms and my best 10km at that!

Those horrible long runs with CA

My one and only run when I was pregnant! 

:) Never thought I'd actually have emotional attachments to a pair of shoes! Anyway, I hope to be able to purchase my new pair this December so I'll have January to use it and get used to it too, in preparation for the big marathon!

Chill Weekend

Leslie and I did our week's LSD in the UP Academic Oval (see photo) - finished a total of 18kms, but was dying at 15 so had to walk-run the remaining and I think I just used the last km. to cool down.  Hence, just brisk walked it.

It was my first time to run there (Leslie's 3rd, I think) and boy did I enjoy it! We got there at around 5:30AM and the place was almost deserted.  People started flocking in at around 7AM, but did not get too crowded to run decently.  I think that I will frequent the oval for my LSDs.  Much nearer than BHS and a better route for me than the Greenhills area.

Yay for my weekend discovery! Speaking of weekend, I loved the past weekend! It was both relaxing and productive! :) Started the weekend with that LSD in UP, then went home and prepared for Liam's check-up.  So glad that he finally grew 3cms taller and gained 400grams! Inspite of the fact that he's no longer breastfed, I cannot thank God enough for allowing Liam to be such a healthy, happy baby boy.  To date, he has never gotten sick, no fever, cough and colds (except for the ones that come when he cries).  I was initially worried/insecure about his weight - I was thinking, why can't I have a cute, chubby baby boy? Am I feeding him wrong? But then, I realized that it has nothing at all to do with being healthy! As a matter of fact, he can do so much more since he's slim - he can now prop himself up and stand by his playpen! The doctor says that other chubbier babies do this only at 10 months.

Anyway, enough about my mommy raves! Went home for lunch after and spent the rest of the afternoon with the baby <3 Since Breaking Dawn 2 was already showing, husband decided to take me out on a date :) Heard mass, went to dinner at his favorite - Arya, and watched the movie.

Sunday was even more relaxing, as I just mostly spent it at home, save for the morning trip to Trinoma where I had to buy Liam pajamas at Mothercare.

Ahh, love lazy/chill/relaxing weekends spent NOT doing school work! Hoping there'll be more to come! :)

Late Post: NB PowerRun

Photo with my favorite running girls, Van and Les at Pancake House, BHS

Les and I ran the 10km while Van was brave enough to join the 25km race.  Good job to her, she finished in 3:09! :) Les and I got better times for our 10km but not significantly.  For me:

KOTR (September 30) - 1:22

RUPM (October 28) - 1:16

PowerRun (November 10) - 1:15

Just a minute faster.  Though if you're one who joins races regularly, I think you would agree with me that 1 minute is not JUST a minute! It actually takes a lot of will power and strength to shave off that 1 minute.  My PR for a 10km was about 1:06 so I'm hoping that I will still get to that one day.   Deadline for that? December 2012.   

Tomorrow, Les and I are supposed to run in UP for this week's LSD.  The plan is to finish 18kms, no matter how slow! HAHA.  We'll see about that.  To prep for Run BGC's 15km, I REALLY have to do tomorrow's LSD.  In addition, am running 21km (YES, 21KM!!!) in 3 weeks!!! Who's scared!? ME.  

It's a first for me to run along Commonwealth, QC Circle, UP area so I'm horrified, actually.  I just feel like I NEED to force myself to finish a 21km as part of my training for TBRDM.  I just really hope I survive this in 3 hours.  

Before QCIM, I have to survive a shorter distance.  15km for: 

That's next Sunday! I hope I'm not killing myself joining runs left and right.  I'm particularly scared for the half-marathon since I feel like I trained harder and more diligently the last time I did a half-marathon (my first, actually).  Well, I have a couple more weeks to make sure I am prepared for the run.  

As for now, my main concern is following through with tomorrow's goal distance of 18km.