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in greater heights: a post marathon madness

After surviving the NatGeo Earth Day Run last week, I am trying something new. Let’s just say this is my kind of cross training if you will. 

On May 09, I will embark on a new journey that will shake my legs (no doubt) and my back and will stretch my lungs...scheduled to meet in Cubao at the Victory Liner bus station bound for Baguio, and from there, the adventure begins...

Photo credits to: sidetrip.blogspot.com

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the LONG shot: how I broke my marathon PR

I am not an elite runner, nor a hardcore marathoner either. I am just an average Juan who happened to find running as a means to outrun his fatty liver. Yes, my enthusiasm for running races [mostly fun runs] sprang from the need to literally change my lifestyle...and that is another story altogether. :)

The story began at the registration. After Condura (Skyway Marathon), I have no plans of signing another “death note”, not in the very near future! I went to Toby’s in Shangri-La Plaza to register for the 21K race. I was conveniently informed by the plastered announcement atop the registration terminals that there were no available singlets for both the 21K and 42K categories. So I was disappointed to a point that I really did not bother to ask questions. I took my leave and decided to head home. The runner in me could not let the issue go. It was nagging in my head and tugging my heart...Between Toby’s Arena in the north (SM North EDSA) and the south (Mall of Asia), MoA was more convenient.  I was dragged by my running feet to board the bus going to MoA. 

Deception Point

I was waiting in line outside Toby’s Arena where the humid air was brushing my chocolate brown skin when I was asked what category I was registering for, because apparently, their singlets are not enough. I said I was going for a 21K race.  Right there and then I was told that there wasn't any available. The desperate me could not take no for an answer and the next statement came out before I can even consider it. I just found my fingers pounding the keys in front of the terminal with that 42K form.  After paying the hansom prize, I was handed the envelope with just the race bib. Then I was informed to check back for singlet availability and was given a number.  Sooo, I came all the way from Mandaluyong (Shangri-La) to MoA to be fried on the same cooking oil (crazy analogy!)! Since I was already signed up, I was left without a choice but to mentally kick their asses for the deception.  Walking home thinking ahead...these were the thoughts swimming in my confused self - I just came from a full marathon over a month ago and now, in less than 27 days, I am dipping my pair of feet in a 42Km race. 

One Step at a Time

I got trapped on that registration fail...I have no other choice but to leverage on the resources I have: the lean season at work, the little amount of time I have after work and that two full marathon experiences I have in the last six months. Every day has to be a sort of race day...even on training rest days, I think of the right food to take and to keep away from alcohol (which brought me to the reason why I started my running madness). After a series of city running comprising of routes along Filmore St (Makati), Dian, Dayap to Gil Puyat Avenue all the way along Roxas Boulevard up to SM MoA.  I had to change route every so often so as not to get bored running around circuits. 

Race Day: The day I broke my PR (Personal Best)

April 26, 2015 - 2AM - I was at the starting line with just the right kind of stretching and some warming up.  With the weather being so warm, I doesn’t take long to get warmed up (LOL). 

I was kind of doubtful when I started running...but I feel empowered at the same time. I felt the bounce and there was minimal impact on my knees...I was running comfortably, just the right pace for my level (being 179 lbs heavy). It was not that bad! I was cruising’ along Roxas Boulevard after surpassing the hills called Buendia and EDSA(twice) flyovers. My right leg, which doesn't usually complain in a long run started to get that locking sensation. It was not until I reached the length of 5th Avenue in BGC that I really felt the most pain and that “giving up” pull...the physical challenge has now transitioned to the mental, where more than the legs, you have to endure the temptation to just stop and give up. When I reached Upper Mckinley I realized that the last U-Turn wasn’t until Bayani Road! I’ve seen fellow runners taking some rest by the water stops and heard some cursing to ease the pain and survive.After taking that last turn, I relaxed a bit but still had that worry because Mr. Sun is beginning to shine so bright! 

Traversing the length of Gil Puyat Avenue back to MoA grounds, I was battling the blister feel.  I had that strong feeling that the pricking sensation was due to a blister (a huge one)! It was annoying more than it was painful. At the intersections, I am more than willing to sprint just to cross and while I am at it, sprint more to cover distance in a shorter time.  With Mr. Sun radiating the summer feel, I am very much thankful to the shades of the trees lining one of Makati City’s main roads.

Six (Km) more! I am well aware of how challenging Mr. Sun can be! He made it a point that I mind him! My right calf was burning! Not from pain but from the summer rays! Then I recalled missing that spot when dabbing my chocolate-y skin some sun block! 

I usually run alone.  I can never get friends to join me in this kind of madness. Maybe I just can’t make them understand.  Anyway, I was on a stop under the Gil Puyat LRT station when the nice police officer manning the traffic encouraged me to push...”ilang kilometers na lang, sir! Kaya nyo yan!” and held his hand up for a high-five! And in a moment I had that go-getter attitude and sprinted across the intersections when Mr. Police Office signaled.  

When I reached MoA grounds, it became chaos! The route was littered with people waiting for the grand mall’s opening. What kind of irked me was the route not really jiving with my GPS! I was at the front of the main atrium and my watch reads 42.++Kilometers and the way the road was going, it’s going to be longer than a kilometer more before the finish line! 

The Finish line

My watch read 43.80 Km when I stopped it at the finish line. My first thought was...”I’m hungry as a bear”...It was not until I was home and had a shower that I realized I was 22 minutes better than the last two marathons I have ever joined. It wasn't a podium finish, not even a decent one for a seasoned runner but it certainly is a monumental improvement in my records...

With less than a month training and just over 2 months from my last marathon, running this third in the last six months with a crammed up training is me taking a very long shot at finishing...truly, a marathon is more than a physical game...it is rather a mental challenge...

"A marathoner is a marathoner regardless of time. Virtually everyone who tries the marathon has put in training over months, and it is that exercise and that commitment, physical and mental, that gives meaning to the medal, not just the day’s effort, be it fast or slow.  It's all in conquering the challenge." - Mary Wittenberg, President, New York Road Runners Club

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RestdayThursday

It has been a very productive week so far since Sunday’s long run. I am getting the hang of it…getting back in shape is a task!

Anyway, after some good morning run and occasional sprints it’s time to get my legs some rest…keeps them in good shape allowing them go recover…

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Because of pressing circumstances that pushed me to sign yet another death note after surviving the last (Condura Skyway Marathon), I am pressed to pick up on my training rituals. There was a need for timing and intensity and to keep a bit of balance with restdays to avoid injury. So here I am, reviewing the basics and aligning it to my experiences.

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circumstance speaks

And so circumstance decided...I wasn't planning on venturing into a full mary this April shortly after the Condura Skyway Marathon. But faith or circumstance, however you wanna call it doesn't want to agree with my decision. I've been to Toby's Arena in Edsa Shangri-la and was greeted with that sad news... Decided to ditch the race as originally planned but I really cannot live with a month without running a race. So my eager pair of feet dragged my butt to Toby's Arena at SM Mall of Asia... Tada! Confronted by another death trap! No more singlet for the half mary...and now, here I am, queueing for a full mary registration...

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Hunting

not for anything alive or any game for that matter.  I am just hunting for any proof that I raced yesterday...LOL

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The Intern: challenge me more

With the growing stress at work, I keep getting side tracked from the Mission 150! What have I gotten myself into? This Internship...asking more...what am I supposed to do? I need more time...err more energy to stay up and get my ass on the work out mode. Today, I missed another workout day because I couldn't keep my eyelids up.

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Weakness:cheat day

Last night, I woke up late...hence, an hour late in the office. My ever understanding manager let me slide by adjusting my schedule...therefore, I went out at 7am. With a late logout, I missed my run. To top off the epic training fail, temptation got the best of me. I had a cup of hazelnut macchiato. :(

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Stop! Feel and listen to your legs

I woke up feeling a bit of the happy pain from yesterday’s long run. It’s still early but the sun’s already up. I decided that this nagging happy pain would feel normal when I lace up.

After almost 3km of pounding the concrete, I felt that familiar pain. It’s not the happy pain. It’s more like the one that made me stop running altogether last December.

The pain was screaming “STOP”. I immediately went to a jog and then walk keeping myself alert on what my left shin would say…it’s not shin split on the left! Noooo!!! My right just recovered from it!

Panic had the best of me as I have Run United 1 scheduled next Sunday! I made a decision to keep the activity going by just walking a few more and then resting…parking my Doraemon and hydrating before hitting the shower.

One thing I don’t want to happen is ignoring what my legs are telling me. It happend to me and I am not letting it spoil my 2015 season. Running isn’t just a leg sport it’s an activity that requires a human orchestra that you have to conduct. There’re a whole lot of body parts that needs to work in harmony…

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I got it alright! But not this year! Missed it this year because I ran for a hero ^_^

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17++ Km today

I wasn’t really planning on a long run. I just needed something to preoccupy my sleepless mind. My pair of feet got giddy when they crossed Ayala Avenue.

A bit of a circuit around the closed patch of greenery in the middle of the concrete jungle and I ventured out towards Makati Avenue and around the Ayala Center.

Following a road out of familiarity, I ended up at the Legaspi Park where I jogged with some hot and athletic personalies that got me going for more before heading back to the Ayala Triangle park.

A few more circuits with some good view (if you know what I mean) and I headed towards Buendia to head home. To myh luck, this morning was CFA’s Financial Fitness Run where a portion of the Sen Gil Puyat Ave was part of the race route. And because the race is almost closing, I thankfully used the remainder of the track to safely traverse a few kilometers towards home…

17.something! My watch displayed and I didn’t realize I did had fun this morning!

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Because sleep is out of reach

I tossed and turned... Turned off technology like I normally do when I am trying to sleep on a workday...but today is Sunday! No work...nothing to worry about when Mr. Sun retreats...and I can't seam to find sleep. It's 4 in the morning. Just tied the garbage bag and ready to be picked up. I put on my dri-fit shirt, my run shorts and BlueLuna...warming up.

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Rest Day Too early go get on a restday…on the other hand, I have pounded the ground for a whole lot this week. A little break from the leg work and a little work on the core today.

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This is me trying to get to the finishline

Ayun! Muntik nang di makita sa dilim! #haRUNa #beforethefinishline #crazymad #poundtheground #tabachingchingrunner #chRUNicles #takbukay #runningislove #run2getfit (at Blue Bay Walk)

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On to Day 2 of my Mission 150. Today's partners: *BlueLuna (LunarGlide Shield) *Adidas shorts *Run United 1 2013 finisher shirt *Soleus 1 *Shuffle It feels great to sweat like a pig and run like 'tis the end of the world! The adrenaline, the rush and the view...LOL

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Mission 150

It’s nice to be back! it really feels good making my fats cry. Like I can see their river of tears flowing out my bald head and my whole body soaking my shirt wet!

After the year-end madness of open enrollment, we are finally relaxing at work with minimal workload so I bade goodbye to all the extra hours in the office. Going home on the dot (honda) buys me some time either to hit the gym or take my pair(s) of shoes to a pavement-pounding spree!

My next race is not due until March 8. ‘Til then, I need to get that scale to read 150!

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In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that.

Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder