21 Kilometers, 16 Roadkills, 1 Clean Run (Greenfield Clean Air Run 2011)

{Running Fatboy and Me- Gasping for air while attempting to give an easy post-21K smile for the camera.

Di halata that we're dying inside 'no? ;)}

{Thanks for the pics, Running Atom!}

Hello, Greenfield. We meet again.

No, there's no animosity involved with running in Greenfield. Quite the contrary. My first run in Greenfield (some 2 years back) was memorable in so many ways. It would be my first time riding the provided shuttle that would take us from Greenfield EDSA all the way to Greenfield Sta. Rosa, Laguna. The run was hard, but what made me panic was losing a running buddy (nothing dramatic in the end-- just a dedicated runner that lost his way post-race) and missing the shuttle bus that would take us back to good ol' Manila.

This year, although skipping the shuttle this time, would be no different. I remembered my last Greenfield route to be hot, hard, and long, so it was a blessing that the looming summer showers provided a cool breeze during the run. Picturesque fields and wide desolate roads as the backdrop was a welcome change to the urban streescape of Manila races. Really, traveling to Sta. Rosa for that dose of fresh, clean air alone was definitely worth it.

The race was well organized (by RunRio), with an abundance of road marshals in almost every turn (so you can be sure that no one would be getting lost this time). Coach Rio himself was riding around in a motorcycle (or was it a scooter?) cheering the runners on too! With the terrific weather and the ample hydration stations, I'm guessing no one could use the heat as an excuse for a less than stellar run.

I had my earphones plugged to my ears, but it conked out on me at the 12k point of the race. Still, it wasn't such a bad thing, since the silence made me appreciate this race more and feel one with nature. In fact, nature was the one thing that kept me company during my long run, as I played a game of "Spotted" and mentally ticked off the number of dead animal carcasses I passed by on the road (I know, it's morbid. But I had to keep my eyes peeled for them since I didn't want to hear the squish of frogs, rats, or some poor woodland creature under my running shoes). I'm just glad that I had an enjoyable, leisurely run that I NEVER once felt like roadkill.

I'll be seeing you again, Greenfield. It was good, as always. ;)

 {Yay, 21K!}

{Heya, Bloggerunners!}

Back to Basics (Greentennial Half Marathon 2011)

{Official Snaps by Pocari Sweat}

{Check out the collection of Km markers from my half mary.}

I dub this race as my "things of semi-first". I say semi because the last time I did a half marathon was almost a year and a half ago already. Yikes! I didn't realize I slacked off from running long distances for so long now. I consciously took it easy after my back to back full marathons, so when life got a little bit busier, I didn't even notice how fast it zipped by.

The Greentenial Half Marathon was held in Aseana City, near the Mall of Asia complex. This being my turf (I live and work within the vicinity), I was expecting the usual MOA route.

Since it had just rained the night before, the weather was still a little nippy. A good thing, since the heatwave (even without the sun) has made doing anything unbearable lately. Coupled with the sea breeze, the 21K leg was off to a pretty good start.

One nice thing I really enjoy with long runs is how you start off ahead while it's still dark. No matter how many times you've seen the sunrise, it's still as amazing as ever. Last Sunday's backdrop was painted orange, pink, and purple. Aseana City was slowly becoming a favorite running venue every passing minute.

A regular MOA complex runner, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a new route via the Greentenial race. A bit off the beaten track, the 21K route took us to what I'd like to call "the secret garden". A rotunda just beside the PICC had lush greeneries that made you forget you were in the city. I'll be sure to add that to my usual MOA route from this point on.

We were lucky to have good running weather during the first half of the run. Ample water stations and road showers were also available as the sun started to beat down on us. It was tempting to go under the water, but with an ipod plugged into my ear, it would just lead to a disastrous outcome. And seeing that I was still immensely enjoying Bruno Mars lazily crooning to my run, I just chose to sweat it out. The banana breakfast and moist towelette was a great follow up though. Those I welcomed with open arms.

By the last part of the run, I could feel my calves start to cramp up. I finished the race with an average time, but for someone who has been quite the veteran in half marys, this was below average in comparison. Oh well. Still an enjoyable run through and through.

I can't wait for my next half marathon (in Nuvali for Greenfield Run)...

Condura: A Run Through

It's that time of the year again, when a runner would feel extra guilty for that second helping of lechon. When a runner would feel a twinge of guilt when a holiday salu-salo would win over an evening run. Yep, the 2011 Condura run is coming to town! And everyone is starting to get ready for it (if not already). I'm still undecided if I want to do a half marathon or 16K run. But I'm leaning towards the 16K, just so I can "complete" my set.

Condura Skyway Marathon 2010- 42K
I wasn't able to blog about my follow up full marathon (A.K.A Cebu Marathon Redemption Run), but the most memorable moment was when I was running on top of the Skyway as the sun was rising over the horizon, just as my iPod started playing Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles. It was a moment I memorized for life. I still feel a sense of awe everytime I go through that highway.

{Full Mary #2}

Condura Run 2009- 21K
This year was a milestone in the running community. It was the first time that the Skyway would be open to runners! Read all about my Condura 2009 half marathon experience here.

{Not just another half marathon.}

Condura Run 2008- 10K

One of the best runs ever! I haven't started blogging, and running wasn't the "It" sport yet, but I still remember every enjoyable bit of this Condura event and pegging it on my race MUSTS list!

{10K Fun Run for a Cause}

Okay, Okay, I Take It Back

Yay, I get to eat tuna again! haha. I'm taking back my rant. This little runner is now one happy camper. ;) Good luck to everyone running at the Unilab Run tomorrow!

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My Race Analysis

{Click to enlarge}

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One of the reasons why I ran the 21K at the Century Tuna Run is so that I get to compare it with last year's Globe run analysis. The analysis: Improved (see Net). Then I'm hoping for a "third time's the charm" on the upcoming Globe Run for Home 2010.

This Lent, I Am Giving Up Tuna (Century Tuna Superbods Run 2010)

The race results for the 11,000 packed, Century Tuna Superbods Run is now out! Check your run results here.

How official is official?
I started my run at 5:33 a.m. (my watch). I ended at 7:48 a.m. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that just 2:15 hours? Then how come my official result is 2:42? That's 30 freakin' minutes! Way too big. Granted that I got there a bit late (the 21K gun time was 5:20). Then I heard that they started the runs earlier than the printed time. That's fine, timing chip technology will record the race time accurately anyway, right? But 30 minutes??? Did the chip timer start as soon as the gun went off? Or maybe it automatically defaults to the gun time as soon as you step on the mat (serves all you gimikero late comers right. The joke's on me then. hehe)? No, right? So... why???

I'm so bummed. That was a really good run for me. It would've been nice to see it immortalized in PDF form.

UPDATE: Official race analysis here. =)

Keeping It Real (Run For Home)

My Race Analysis

{Click on image to see a bigger view}


PhotoVendo Moment

"Huwaaaat??!! Hindi parin tapos???"
- janine, upon reaching the 20K mark and realizing that there's still a WHOLE block to run. hahaha. Ang sungit!

{Raw emotions caught on camera. Can you feel the anguish?}
{The finish line was so close, yet so far away.}

Video Finish (Run For Home)

Guilty as charged. Yes, I'm one of those who sped up whenever the magic mat was present. haha. Here I am (the girl in red shorts) sprinting to the finish line on my nth wind.



How's my form?
Did I land on my mid-foot?
Analyze me.
Oh drat. It's too small to see.

"L" is for... (Condura Run)

{More photos from Run Unltd. Thanks, Vener!}

Late!

I have no excuse. I was in bed by 10.30, but had a hard time waking up and kept pushing the snooze button on my alarm. I guess all those late nights and 24/7 deliveries finally took a toll on me. Wrong timing! Argh~ It was torture to see all the 21K runners speeding past us, while I was still stuck at the traffic light (the loooongest ever) of 5th and 32nd, trying to kick myself within the confines of the car.

Leading the Pack
...of 10K runners, that is! I got a kick out of seeing the first 10K runners looking back to check out their competition-- me! haha. I'm sure they must be thanking their lucky stars that I was wearing a bright yellow race bib instead of the blue one.

Looking Up
I was off to a good start and feeling pumped up. I was even able to catch up to a half marathon runner as I neared the railroad track. Things are indeed looking up. The Skyway is right ahead...

Lifted Running
The Skyway route was great! I was initially thinking of backing out and just running with the 10K runners for a PR, but then realized that I might never get the chance to run on the Skyway again. I'm glad I did. It was such an experience.

Ligo
I loved the spray from the water truck. A much needed boost for the tired runners. I could feel my mouth curving into a wide, playing-under-the-rain kind of smile as I passed underneath the cool shower. Too bad I just went through it once, I was looking forward to my run back from the 21K turnaround, when I saw the truck drive by me. Aww...

Lady Gaga
I had the Skyway to myself and couldn't resist. And Lady Gaga kept telling me to "Just Dance". So I did. Hundreds of runners ran on the Skyway, but how many can say that they danced on it? For a few seconds there, I was Lady Mukhang Gaga. It was liberating. ;)

Lone Runner Lagging
I hit the wall at 14K. Probably because I forgot to pace myself the first half-- again! Oh, the pressure of catching up. I have to remember that sometimes running is a solitary sport. Funny how I run to lose myself in my own little world, but then always felt comfort when running alongside other people.

Lonely at the Top
The Buendia flyover (going back) was the hardest part for me. It was when everything simply crashed down. The exhaustion, the dejection, the annoyance (at myself), the piled up stress, the self-pity, the loneliness... Haaay~ And to think just a (few?) minutes earlier, I was feeling on top of the world.

Lifeguard
Spotted: Running Fatboy, with a water bottle on hand, who ran back the route to look for me (while adding miles to his marathon training). Thanks for seeing me to the finish line in one piece (There were times when I thought I'd swerve into incoming cars. All I could see were dots). You just gotta love 'em friends!

Lost Loot
I lost my loot bag. Boo. And I was so looking forward to the pink Vitwater inside too. Good thing my sister managed to get a copy of The Bullrunner Magazine as well as Men's Health (David Beckham!!!).

Lauriat
Chowking lauriat breakfast hits the spot. Especially if you have it with a halo-halo on the side. I had to make myself feel better. hehe.

To the Condura Race organizers: "L" for Lovin' it! A job well done. To think last year's run was one of the best ones, you definitely outdid yourselves. See you next year!

{Staying afloat at 21K}

{Mermaids}

{Back to Running}

Attack of the Half Marathon Virgin

After getting over the initial nervousness of almost not getting a race kit, I converted my energy into half marathon race jitters. With training runs of below 16K under my belt, I felt unsure if this half marathon attempt was way over my head. I mean, I knew I'd eventually finish whether by running or walking, but to actually finish in a decent time? Now that was the question.

I finished my first half marathon with a whole 2 minutes shaved off my estimated 2 1/2 hours! Not too shabby for a first timer, I think.

It was the perfect weather to run. The sun was bright, but thankfully not burning. The breeze was cool and a welcome running companion.

I had a good run (if I do say so myself) on the first half. Largely because I latched on to the training Pinoy Ultra Runners like a leech. I am so thankful they took me under their wing (Thanks again- Hector, Neville, Jeremy, Kiko... did I miss anyone?). Hopefully I get to multi-task (run/breathe/laugh/talk/blood-suck) in the future. Baby steps.

Around the halfway mark, I had to loosen my suckers and look for a new host. Luckily, I spotted a familiar head in the crowd and stealthily kept pace with Coach Rio. After a few kilometers though, I had to let go again. I'm afraid they were just too fast for me.

The last few miles were steady and calculated. Teeth unbared and claws retracted. It wasn't a defeat, but merely a recovery of sorts. I'm a little bit learned and hungry for more. Until the next half marathon (That would be the New Balance 25K in Clark).

{They come out at the crack of dawn.}

{The battle is almost over.}

{The last kilometer was the hardest!}

{Swag-sucking}

{Fierce Contender, Blogger Schlagger}

{Jinides literally sitting this run out as the 10K race kits were quickly usurped.}