Knumb Knees

I can't feel my knees.

Was it the rounds I ran in Ultra last night?

Or was it the Mexican bean soup I had for dinner?

Ultra Running
Last night, Ultra was a runner's study hall packed with people cramming for the upcoming Condura Race this Sunday (Yep, guilty as charged). I ran with my friend, Allen, who would be running her first 10K. I spotted other familiar faces as well: Coach Rio and his team (Go Nike Clinic coaches!); crazy marathoner Iah, who was training with The Bald Runner team; and marathon buddy Dave, who would be running the half marathon.

I ran for 40 minutes, and did a little speedwork for 10 minutes. Admittedly, I kind of took it easy after last month's Cebu Marathon. This 2nd full mary was an idea I toyed with, but didn't really think I'd actually sign up for. But was I that out of shape that my body is now complaining after being on standby mode for a while? Does the lack of long runs really have much bearing, even after a recent 42K? My mind says no, but my knees say otherwise. Hmm... who do I believe? Stubborn head or dumb, numb knees?

Jalapeno Craving
After the training session in Ultra, we met up with other friends to have a "light" dinner at the cozy Mexican place, Jalapeno, in Ortigas Home Depot. (Ooh, you know what else is in Ortigas Home Depot? Second Wind Running Store. I finally dropped off my race bib to post on their racing wall. Check out The Wall. It's so cool!) I was craving for Jalapeno's gooey Baked Jalapeno Cheese Nachos and super yummy Vegetarian Burritos (which doesn't seem vegetarian at all!). My mouth is watering already. I ordered the Mexican Bean Soup as appetizer first. It was good, but now that my knees are hurting, and I wonder if the beans (from the soup and burritos) did me any good at all. I actually don't have gout though...

So, what's with the sudden pain in my knees? Was it too much running (40 minutes is hardly much compared to the 5++ hours on Sunday), too much Mexican beans, or {gasp!} purely psychological because of the looming race on the Skyway? (My first Skyway Run last year was disastrous. Ugh!)

Hmm....

A Do-Over

Cebu, I love you.

But you made me cheat on something important to me.

Then again, it's not you, it's me. I am only human. And apparently, a carnivorous one, at that.

Remember Project V (is for Veggie!)?

I was doing so well. I was feeling so healthy. And after 42 kilometers and 3 letters (C-n-T. Yes, that famous lechon place), I am now back to ZERO!

Ever since that fateful day when I ate that plateful of crispy, fatty lechon, I've been sneaking in a few bites of meat again after.

Last night, my friend asked me over dinner, "So, how's your vegetarian thing going?"

Um... I paused, sheepishly swallowing that sliver of grilled wagyu beef hanging out my mouth, "I kinda cheated..."

So, now I'm back to zero. And I have this heavy feeling in my gut. Yep, guilt, my friends, can also make you fat.


I took the Pledge to Be Veg for 30 Days. And since I said it out loud, now have to carry it through. No excuses. Universe, please help me.

Wee Steps to Marathon-hood

A wise running guru once said, "It is better to be over prepared than under prepared".
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I admit, I do feel a little bit under prepared for the upcoming Cebu Marathon this Sunday...
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Brisk Walk Here, There and Everywhere
For most of November and December, I haven't been running as regularly as I should have been. A busy work schedule and social obligations made me squeeze in as much "training" in my everyday routine as I possibly could. I brisk walked everywhere! It's a far cry from running, but at least it was enough to make me work up tiny beads of sweat.

Project V (is for Veggie!)
A few months back, my friend Gabby and I watched the screening of Earthlings, a docu-movie about animal cruelty. Save for the day after Christmas, when our cook prepared lechon paksiw, and the day after New Year, when my brother made the yummiest, cheesiest beef lasagna, I'm proud to say that for 40+ days now, I've been 98% meat-free!

I've been protein-loading with tofu, eggs, and fish instead. At first I was worried that turning pesco-vegetarian (no birds or mammals) would not give me the needed energy and nutrients to run, but it turns out that Ultramarathoner Hector, had also started that diet. That's a good sign, I think.

I don't feel thinner, but I do feel a lot lighter and healthier- body and soul.

Operation Hydration

During my 21K (tapering) training run last weekend, I met Paolo, who conquered his first marathon with a triumphant finish, but with horror stories on the 30th kilometer. It was bloody scary. Apparently, if you don't have any more water to give out, blood would be the next obvious choice. Yikes!

His words of wisdom: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

So, goodbye to that extra cup of coffee everyday. I've been investing in buko juice, nature's version of Gatorade instead. I also bought a bunch of my marathon needs in Second Wind Running Store last week. Included, is a SaltStick capsule, that should replenish the lost electrolytes during the run (More on this after I road test it on D-day).

Practice Maximum Lung Capacity

My dog, Imp, has been misbehaving more than ever lately. I'd scream 'til my lungs hurt everytime he'd get into a fight with my brother's dog. Baaaad doggies.

So there you go. My wee steps in preparation for my first marathon. It will never take the place of actually getting off your ass and doing training runs, but do you think it makes sense? Do you think it would make an iota of a difference? Do you think it's stupid (I know it SOUNDS stupid, but maybe...)? Do you have any more tips I can cram in less than a week? Let me know what you think. We can compare notes on Monday. ;)