Run United 21km + NB Power Run

Initially I was challenging myself to train for a sub2 half-marathon but I realized along the way that it was a little too ambitious, at least at this point.  I still want to be able to do that but I'm afraid it's not going to be that easy and now is just too soon.  So, I came to this race with just one goal in mind: to finish better than my 21km PR - 2:32 (at Goldilocks Anniversary run, in 2011).  And I did, I I was able to finish at 2:28 which is 4 minutes faster than my PR, at Goldilocks... and 6 minutes faster than the last half-marathon at Condura Skyway just this year. 

For this race, I ran with Dan, a friend of a friend.  I just asked Sharl, my co-teacher, if her running friend is doing RU3.  She said yes and I said, can we run together (since he was also running alone).  So we did and it I think helped both parties a lot.  For him, it was helpful to run with someone who had a GPS watch so his pace could be consistent.  For me, it helped to know he was sort of depending on my to pace him and make sure he wouldn't go too fast, slow, etc.  Although we agreed to start together, we were both okay if either of us ended up leaving the other.  

Dan and I finished strong ;)

I was worried for this run because I skipped 2 weekends of long runs after the last I did which was only 19km.  Thank God for His mercy that allowed me to set a new PR! Dan and I ran together until about 17kms when the gap between the two of us just kept getting bigger and bigger... When I saw that I just had to run 3kms more, I decided to speed it up a bit.  Met Dan at the finish line, 4 minutes after I crossed.  Considering his last long run was only 10kms, not bad.  I was happy to set a PR and he was also happy he didn't cramp up (as was the case in RU2) and also set a PR.  

So I thought I was done running long for now, I decided I would register for only 10KM for New Balance PowerRun.  But when I got to their Shangri-la branch, I was told that they had run out of 10KM race kits! What to do.  They asked other branches and I was told that it was still available in some (but not branches convenient for me to go to, proximity-wise).  While at the NB store, I bumped into some friends who sort of cajoled me into doing 25km nalang.  When it comes to running, mabilis lang ako mapilit.  Hence, 25km it is.  Dan also registered so I won't have to run it alone ;) It's going to be in the Fort so I'm going to have to anticipate those hills! :S

Was planning on only 12kms tomorrow but since I registered for this run... I think I will have to increase that.  Lalalalala.

The things I get myself into.  #fortheloveofrunning

Crazy August

Have I seriously not written anything in a month?! August has been extremely busy.

Two bridal showers
...both from 6:00 PM until the next day - but of course I only stayed until the night! Cinderella ang peg ;)

One of two showers I attended this month.  Obviously the theme was The Great Gatsby ;)

I'm no fashionista so I get so stressed out with themed/costume parties, thank God for friends willing to lend me stuff!

CRUZ-MA NUPTIALS, the 2nd in our barkada of 12!

Girlfriends of over 10 years! <3 ...and the boys :)

Bride is the one in the center, in her beautiful Edwin Tan gown, turned short dress.
(One Esplanade)

Adrienne, my BFF who is home from New York (but leaving tomorrow, I cry) // Dianne // me in a gown made by a co-teacher/co-ICAN, Mia Syson <3

Eating out almost every weekend :O
...with the barkada since 3 of my friends based abroad were home for the said wedding.

Here's our first brunch with Aids who just arrived the night before ;) 

(Cafe Breton, Podium Mall)

Long runs.  
I've ran up to 16KMs already, 2 more weekends and my legs will be ready for the October 6 half-marathon! As for finishing it sub 2, that's another story.

Trying to lose more of the weight I put on in the pregnancy.  

September 2012 and August 2013

A difference of about 30-40 lbs.

I'm still about 10-15 lbs away from my goal.  I told myself, I will only register for Condura Skyway (42km) 2014 if I reach my goal weight by the time registration starts! Ughh how much time do I have? Maybe 1-2 months? :|

Checking papers, exams and finalizing grades
Of course, doing the teacher work I dread.  I mean, I love being in the classroom but the checking just takes so much time! Because I teach religion/Christian Life, most of our assessments are in essay form and handling 7 sections is not an easy feat! That's about 40students x 7sections = 280 papers to check! :p Phew.  And I am writing this entry because as of present time, I'm done with all papers to check and grades to finish! Praise God.

So, yes, life has been busy but it's been good.  Had some super duper stressful moments but never without God's Grace, so I survived.  But still...

I'm so glad August is over.

Milo 10km

This post is a little late but I just have to post this! I did my 2012-2013 PR for 10km in this run!!! HOORAY.

For this run, I wasn't with my usual running girls Van and Les (actually it's been awhile since we all ran together, haha).  Instead, I ran with Mishi who was kind enough to register for me.  We met up in the parking lot across SMX and walked to the starting line at around 4:45AM.  Gun start was at 5:00AM so, no rush.  For this run, I was targeting a time of 1:10 since my last 10KM in UP (just a week ago) was at 1:13.  So I thought shaving off 3 minutes would be an attainable goal.  I ran the first KM super relaxed (now I realize I could have ran it a bit faster to finish at a better time.  Yabang ba, haha) and sped up a bit at 3KM and kept going a little faster as each KM progressed.  I stopped to drink Gatorade at 5KM and then water at 7KM.  After that second water break, I tried to run a bit faster and went for a 5:45mins/KM at 8.5KM.  All that for a total time of 1:07! 6 minutes faster than the week before... and 3 minutes faster than the time I thought it would take for me to finish! :) :) :)

Praise God! Next race is not until RU3 so until then, it's train, train, train for me to get to that Sub2 goal!

Toby's Garage Sale

I've read about status updates on the Toby's garage sale in the past but never really had the chance to go.  Yesterday, I was chatting with co-teacher (and former teacher, hehe) Kat and she was raving about the sale.  She got to buy sneakers for only P1,200 (forgot the brand, though).  She specifically urged me to go because there were a lot of running shoes/apparel.  I had no idea where it was but her instructions seemed simple enough so Greg (driver) and I went this morning.

Seeing the photos on Toby's Facebook page, I just couldn't resist.
These were the photos that excited me:

 

(All photos above from the said FB page)

So anyway, I went during lunch time today to make sure there wouldn't be a lot of people.  It was still quite packed, though not enough people na tatamarin na ako mag shop.  I went mainly for the Moving Comfort sports bras since that was the only thing I needed.  HOWEVER, I could not resist the Brooks running shoes which were 65% off! What a steal, right? 

Para sa akin ata talaga ito, last pair in my size! For only P978.00! Original price at P2,700+.  Will use it for a relaxing run tomorrow to break in them.

My Moving Comfort bras at 50% off! If you're a girl runner, you should know that quality sports bras are just as important as running shoes! ;)

I also got a Brooks singlet at P340.00.  Other items I would have bought too if I had an endless budget: (1) another pair of Asics (good friend Van's Gel Nimbus (I think) was being sold at just P3,500 (I think she bought it at P7,500?)! (2) Vibram for 'wala lang' at P1,200 (3) Arena goggles (3) one-piece swimsuit

I just didn't want to spend that much today, plus didn't reaaaally need a new pair of shoes.  Hindi ko lang talaga natiis yung Brooks kasi sobrang mura! But the guard did say they would have another sale in 4 months... hmmm.  Maybe then? HAHA. 

Oh, to add to my shopping, the husband bought me new socks! ;) Not from the garage sale though.  These were bought in Nike Greenhills but ALSO on sale from P295.00 to P220+.

So, that's it for today's shopping.  And I'm probably also done for another few months (until the next Toby's sale?).  Funny how I have to think fashion buys over and over and over again... and how I don't mind wearing the same blouses and jeans twenty million times.  But when it comes to running (and Liam, of course but that's a given)? No second thoughts needed.  

Oh, the things I prioritize.  Hehe.

PS Will treat today's purchases as my reward for running my first 10km since TBRDM at 1:13, average pace 7:30/km (no walking/water break).  Still a lot of work to do to get to my 21km @ 2:00 but I think it's a good start.  Ready for Milo next weekend! :D

RUPM 2013: October 6

I was browsing through the Pinoy Fitness website when I saw that there was an announcement on RUPM 2013! It will be on October 6, 2013, less than 3 months away and will be held in MOA.  I posted on Facebook that my goal is to finish 21km in 2 hours for that specific run and so, I must follow through.  Although I am excited about this new goal, I am also butt-scared about not being able to do it.  I have been consistently consulting CA who has been so patient with my questions, hehe and my spinning instructor in the gym who also runs (but prefers biking more).  They, of course, both say the same thing, I have to get used to running faster and for a longer period of time.

So, this is my battle plan... Mondays, I run for 1 hour straight, and see what distance I get.  Wednesdays, I work on my speed and so I do intervals in the gym (running at about treadmill speed of 9-11, 12 if I can, that's 6:40-5:40 min/km) and Saturdays, long runs.  So far, for 2 runs, I did the intervals and could only do speed of 10 :( 3-1 for an hour, 3 minutes run and 1 minute walk (a 10 is about 6 mins/km).  I will start with the long run of 10KMs this Saturday since Les and I agreed to run in UP.  I haven't been there in a while so I'm looking forward to that ;) Plus, I registered for Milo 10KM (next Sunday already) so I have to prepare for that.  Originally aiming for sub-1 there but, I don't know since I haven't really ran for more than 7KM.  HAHAHA, so dead.

More info on RUPM 2013 here and to register, here's the link!

28 Before 28!

I always like writing down goals and planning my life.  It gives me a certain sense of direction.  I don't ALWAYS follow through with my goals but I think it still makes a difference writing it down on paper (or in this case, blogging about it).  So, as I turn 28 by the end of this year, I thought of writing down 28 must-do's!

Health & Fitness:
1.  Try rock climbing
2.  Be able to have more defined and less flabby arms
3.  Get to 130 lbs.
4.  Finish a sub 00:30 5km
5.  Finish a sub 01:00 10km
6.  Finish a sub 02:00 21km
7.  Do yoga on a regular basis - even just at home
8.  Learn to do away with soda.  Coke Zero, particularly
9.  Remove fast food from my diet (particularly McDonald's, KFC, Jollibee)
10.  Get a massage at least once a month

For Enlightenment and Knowledge:
11.  Finish reading Mere Christianity by CS Lewis
12.  Finish reading Born to Run by Christopher McDougall
13.  Finish reading Why We Run by Robin Harvie
14.  Finish reading You On A Diet by Dr. Roizen and Dr. Oz
15.  Finish reading The Secret by Rhona Byrne
16.  Finish checking students' papers on time

For Fun:
17.  Try at least 5 restaurants (none in mind so far, any suggestions?)
18.  Go on an overnight trip - just us 3, or just H and I
19.  Bring Liam to Manila Ocean Park ;)
20.  Teach Liam to refer to me as MAMA and H as PAPA

For Beauty and Wellness:
21.  Get a super short bob (I've always wanted one, but I told myself I only will when I'm thin enough to get away with baring my face)
22.  Get manicure, pedicure and foot spa
23.  Get the habit of: cleanse, tone and moisturize
24.  Learn to put on eyeliner and eyeshadow.  Basically learn to put on own make-up!

For My Prayer Life:
25.  Get back the habit of praying the rosary daily
26.  Devote prayer time every single night - even just a few minutes a night will do
27.  Read the Bible on a regular basis

For Others:
28.  Save enough to be able to donate to a big amount to our annual Christmas party here at home with the help and their family members.

Back to Running

For the past month or so, I haven't really been running and it was only last week that I started running again.  I don't run with Coach Alvin (CA) anymore but he still remains to be my most influential running friend ;) So I still text him my split times, total times, pace, etc.  Since I haven't ran in a while, I expected to run with the average pace of about 8:00-8:30/km but I'm surprised that I did better! I think about a month ago, I finished 5KMs by myself at 42:00! Since then, I took healthy eating to a whole new level, joined spinning and boot camp classes religiously so I guess those helped me gain strength I could use when running.

Last Monday, I finished 5KMs in 34:57! 

L1 - 7:31

L2 - 7:21

L3 - 7:04

L4 - 6:51

L5 - 6:08

Of course, I kept hearing CA's voice telling me that my last KM should always be the fastest! Not bad, right?

Yesterday, Wednesday, I told myself I'd do 7KMs.  Not focusing on fast but just wanted to run longer. So even if it was initially raining, I still did.  I finished in 50:00 with an average pace of 7:01/km.  

L1 - 7:26

L2 - 7:23

L3 - 7:21

L4 - 7:18

L5 - 6:57

L6 - 7:07 (Medyo napagod ata at this point)

L7 - 6:26

Average pace - 7:08 ;)...CA says I should have ran faster, but to me, okay na! At least for now! 

I'm not really training for any race, just really want to run FAST.  Goal is a 10KM under 1 hour.  Maybe in a month's time? :p