Running Easter Egg in Saving Sally Film

Any of you caught the "indie" MMFF this year? If you did, and this movie happened to be Saving Sally, then you probably saw a familiar character zooming in and out the screen.

Oh, yes, the beloved masked running man from U.P. (or rather, a character in his likeness) was one of the Easter eggs in the movie. How cool is that?!?! :) 

Click here for more Saving Sally factoids!

Oh, and Happy New Year!!! :) 

Happy Sunday! ;)

From running through colors in Manila to calmness on the mat... Happy Sunday, everyone! ;) 

This little yogi was today's early bird at Beyond Yoga, SM Mall of Asia. So happy that a yoga studio finally opened in my neck of the woods. 

Namaste. 

Facebook Memories & Mark Zuckerberg's "A Year of Running" Challenge

I like how Facebook has this "Share a Memory" feature which takes you back to the posts of yesteryears. This morning, this photo popped up in my news feed...

This was from the Condura Run way back in 2010(?), I think. It's a nice memory, especially since it kinda bummed me out that I didn't get to join this year (because I'd like to think I'm such a Condura loyalist. haha). It was my cousin's wedding the night before, and we stayed up merrymaking until the wee hours of the morning. So, family (and sleep!) trumped running.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

On that note, have you heard about Mark Zuckerberg's, yes, the founder of Facebook, running challenge? It's 365 miles in 1 year, or basically a mile a day. 

Add yourself to the group "A Year of Running" on Facebook. This is a pretty attainable goal for newbies and a fun community to take part in for seasoned runners. Check it out!

A Year of Running

https://www.facebook.com/groups/954704787945183/

Are you up for the challenge?

I love seeing the different places people run in on different countries. From a leisurely run around a mundane neighborhood, from urban jungles to the real ones, it's just cool to see how people from all around the world are connected via running. Everyone has good and bad running days. Everyone needs a push every now and then. Everyone is just out on a run. How fun. ;)

Oh my, now that's an awesome running backdrop!

I feel ya! It's like you're running in UK too.

From running in urban jungles to trail running in jungle jungles... Just wow. 

Happy 2016 High

Breakfast Break

Happy New Year, dear readers! Hope 2016 has been treating you well so far. 

Just sharing a snapshot of my breakfast date in between staying fit.

6:00 A.M.- Went out for a 5K run. (I actually did 6K, so yay! for the additional kilometer. haha. I could have run more, but the sun was out, and I forgot to put on sunscreen.)

7:00 A.M.- Enjoyed the cool, post-Christmas air while (im)patiently waiting for Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to open for breakfast (I'm staaaarving!!!)

8:01 A.M.- I'm the first customer! ;) Managed to squeeze in a bit of work while waiting for my yoga class to start too!

9:00 A.M.- Sweaty vinyasa session. Oh, how my bones creaked, but, oh, so invigorating! 

I am loving this abundance of endorphins!

In fact, I'm in such a freakishly good mood that I wanna spread this fitness-high. I think I'll come up with a blog giveaway to kick-start someone else's 2016 too. Whaddya think? ;) Stay tuned! 

Hole-y Running Trivia, Batman! (or How To Run Blister-Free)

Have you ever wondered what those extra holes in your running shoes are for? Well, get ready to be mindblown! Apparently, with just a flick of the wrist to make a loop or two, you get to run blister-free! Check the video [below] out to see how. I haven't tried it yet (mainly because I haven't had blisters from running for a while), but do let me know how it works for you! :)

Saturday Mornings

Saturday morning long run with this crazy bunch! Weather was great (considering that we started out late)-- nice and cloudy. We ran around BGC area, and used the convenient locations of Starbucks branches as water stations. Haha. Thumbs up to these runner-friendly establishments! Our run ended a bit earlier since it started drizzling. Although it was a pretty cool way to cap off our morning workout. 

How about you? How was your run today? ;)

Paces & Places: Cliff Running

Paces & Places: 6:28 A.M. Cliff Running on Sumilon Island in Oslob, Cebu

And just as I'm gazing into the beauty and awesomeness of Mother Nature. The perfect soundtrack pops into my head. Right on cue...

"Edge Of The Ocean"

Ivy

There's a place I dream about 
Where the sun never goes out. 
And the sky is deep and blue. 
Won't you take me there with you. 

Ohhh, we can begin again. 
Shed our skin, let the sun shine in. 
At the edge of the ocean 
We can start over again. 

There's a world I've always known 
Somewhere far away from home. 
When I close my eyes I see 
All the space and mystery. 

Ohhh, we can begin again. 
Shed our skin, let the sun shine in. 
At the edge of the ocean 
We can start over again.

Life is good. :)

Why Rest? Just Run.

Spotted on the interweb.

Clever piece of outdoor advertising.

A public service from your friendly neighborhood, Nike. ;)

(Credits?)

Look Who Made It To Runner's World Magazine...

Look who made it to Runner's World Magazine (Philippines)! It's my running buddies Dennis (A.K.A. Running Fatboy) and Per! 

They ran the Disney Marathon in Florida, USA. That's one of my dream marathons to run. Dear Universe, now that I've crossed the Angkor Wat marathon off my list (Thank you!), can I start planning my next destination run? *wink, wink* ;)

Wreck It Ralph with Running Fatboy & Wife

Runner's World PH July-Sept 2014

Lucky Rabbit Shirt

What's up, Doc?
Lucky Wabbit Shirts at the T2K Ultramarathon 50K

In the spirit of today's occasion...

A shout out to my lucky rabbit shirt! I love it so much (it's so soft and cool and frickin' neon!) that I had to start preserving it. So I got a sibling for it before I completely wear it down. ;) haha

Happy Easter, everyone!!! 

Left to Right: Neon Lime Dri-fit Shirt from Nike; "Speedbumps" Red Vaporskin Techwear Shirt from 2ndSkin, a Malaysian sports lifestyle brand (I bought it online. Check them out!)

Yamashita Happens

Has this ever happened to you? 

Pocket Money. Literally!
click to enlarge

One time, I found 1,800 Baht in the secret pockets of my surf shorts... 2 years after my trip to Thailand! All that time I kept thinking where I spent my money on, when all I splurged on was parasailing. So much for my accounting skills. :P

If I go through all the pockets and shoes in my closet, I'd probably amass enough fortune to buy a new pair of running shoes. haha

Hope your day will be filled with awesome surprises too! ;)

Care For A Smile? :)

Simple things and small gestures mean a lot. 

This is a shout-out to all those who have donated their time, effort, resources, and prayers to the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda. Every little thing counts.

To those who wish to do more, check out these "runs for a cause" that's happening tomorrow.

P.S. Nice ad. ;)

Just Chillin'

Knees Under Repair

Just chillin'. 

Will blog soon. :)

The Stuff Scars are Made Of

A colleague and I were talking about a campaign we had to come up with- something about how tablets, mobile phones, and online games are replacing traditional childhood toys and games. We were stumped! Mainly because we probably refused to believe that this is how the new generation perceives fun.

Scars are a scarcity nowadays. And I'm not quite sure it's a good thing. I had countless scars throughout my childhood (and even as I grew into adulthood. haha). From stitches on my chin, to knees that resembled a tocino, every scar held a memory.

It reminded me of days spent running on the grass while dribbling a football with my teammates; Falling UP the stairs while playing cops & robbers with my siblings; Tripping over my two left feet, and laughing about it.

Scars, to me, meant getting off my butt and ACTUALLY MOVING. Experiencing. Living.

I wear my scars with pride.

Well, maybe except on days when I'm all dolled up in a mini skirt. ;)

Here's a throwback of my collection of scars. From the good, the bad, and the fugly (funny-ugly). What's your scar story?

Goal!

The GOOD Scar
1. Blocking a goal from the other team
2. Winning a bet jumping over a hurdle (I was 8. My younger brother bet me I couldn't jump over a counter chain at the supermarket. I did. My prize was six bloody stitches and a lesson in determination... and humility).
3. Rescuing an old lady from being hit by a train (Just kidding! I made that super hero story up.)

Canine Crime Scene
*Sorry for the graphic content. It wasn't as bad as it looks.

The BAD Scar
1. Getting a bad burn from firecrackers
2. Spilling newly boiled water on my thighs (NEVER transfer boiling water to a glass pitcher EVER. Let it cool down first.)
3. Being a casualty from two warring dogs (Even my dogs have scars. :( ~sigh~)

Kris Kross' Jump!

The FUGLY Scar
1. Falling UP the stairs while playing cops & robbers
2. Sliding down the school corridor while dancing to Kris Kross'  Jump! on a rainy day (Am I revealing what era I came from with this blog post?)
3. Tripping over my two left feet AFTER a run (See blog post here.)

I Eat Stairs for Lunch

I haven't been running. There are too many excuses. But when an opportunity arises for some L.I.T.E. training*, one should always take that extra step...

Why, hello there, old friends. I shall see you all again soon! ;)

*More on this next time!

Would You Wear This Out on a Run?

{Would you be caught dead wearing this out on a run?} 
(Or anywhere else for that matter...)

I'm a shorts girl. 

Friends' attempts in converting me to compression pants simply fall on deaf ears.

Clingy outfits suffocate me. I like the warmth of the sun beating down on my legs. I like the burst of cool air when I speed up after giving my overheated legs a sprinkling on the water stations. I even enjoy the back splashes when running through puddles!

I'm a shorts girl through and through.

But this pair... this pair is just awesome!!!

And if you're thinking you won't be able to wear this outside, then you're just not joining the right races (e.g. Halloween Run, Outbreak Manila, to name a few).

So, who's with me? ;)

Join the Running Revolution with Adidas Energy Boost

{Aaaaahhh, Godzilla Monstah!!!}
{Of course, in my head, he looked much more terrifying than this. 
I had an unlimited budget for SFX (special effects).}

Running is a mind game. 

We all know that. 

I don't even remember how many times I've tried to trick myself into finishing a run when every muscle in my body just wants to give up and quit. 

There are the usual suspects in boosting a run. Of course, the number one not-so-secret thing to do is train. The next thing is to arm yourself with the proper equipment like running shoes. Other alternative ways I've tried include having a running mantra, pumping up with magic grass (not THAT kind of grass!), and getting other runners to spill the beans on how to run 60 flights of stairs in 60 seconds.

But the craziest mind game I play that makes running way more fun and gives me that added energy boost is the Godzilla run.

You see, I have this recurring dream (3x already) that I'm being chased down by Godzilla! I start off just driving in town (which looks vaguely like Manhattan) when this gigantic monster starts to chase after us (Us, being me and Matthew Broderick. He was my passenger.). Then I remember thinking it would be faster if I just get on foot and run! So I do. I run as fast as I can, then eventually grow wings and fly over an indoor giant wave pool! Crazy.

Believe me, when you're on the last few, excruciating kilometers and just want to speed up and finish, this visualization works. Plus, starring in that little movie in your mind makes it way more enjoyable. I even have a soundtrack for the chase scene!

But since not everyone gets "high" on shots of wheatgrass while watching an HBO movie starring a giant lizard (haha. I'm KIDDING, okay?), then it's a safe bet to just go with a good pair of running shoes. ;)

Adidas just came out with a new boost for your runs. Aptly called Boost, this innovative shoe is centered on propriety cushioning material that allows the runner to feel a continuous energy return. The revolutionary technology allows small energy capsules in the soles to store and unleash energy more efficiently with every stride. Think of it as a springboard where every step you make feels like you're being catapulted off the ground. 

Additional features include a special mid foot frame, an extended Torsion system to minimize roll for more stability, adiwear outsole to reduce wear in key areas, and an external heel counter to maximize heel fit and comfort. Plus, it's compatible with the Adidas miCoach system too!

Now that the secret is out, you can head off to an Adidas store and check it out. Or you can reserve a pair right away via www.adidasboost.com.

MOVIE CREDITS:

Godzilla as Himself

Matthew Broderick as The Passenger

[Insert Your Name Here] as Driver/Runner/Giant Japanese Lizard's Dinner

Core Essentials (Electrolux HUSH Happier at Home)

{Core Essentials}
{Set Up for the Day}

There are marathons- the 42K kind, and there are marathons- the DVD kind. And since I just finished the former (read about it here), I think I'll be indulging in the latter one today. :)

Weekends just vegging out at home is something I've been looking forward to lately. Maybe it's the long hours spent in the office that you just terribly miss your home furniture, or maybe it's ~gasp!~ the ageing thing. haha. Nevertheless, bumming around in front of the TV doesn't mean you can't be productive, right?

So, how to be productive while watching TV? Work the core! No sense getting a guilt trip over the spoonfuls of Cookie Butter I've been downing since I woke up this morning, eh?

{DVD Marathon Buddy}

Why, hello, core ball and yoga mat! And hello... dust bunnies??? Looks like I'll be needing a housekeeping intermission before starting the program. Haaay, dirty workout place, hassle ka sa earth.

So much for spring cleaning though. I had to stop vacuuming because the noise cancelled out my first agenda (watching DVDs. haha). Not to mention how my "boss" kept giving me evil glances and running around barking because he hates the loud noise from the vacuum cleaner. I really need to get one of those silent vacuums (for science geeks, pun not intended). I hear Electrolux came out with the noiseless and eco-friendly, UltraSilencer Green. Hmm, I must put that on my Dear Universe wishlist!

{Imp, my favorite permanent fixture, hates loud noise!}

{Electrolux UltraSilencer Green}

Dear Universe, 

My inner domestic goddess NEEDS this vacuum cleaner. Why? Let me count the ways. 

1. It's silent yet deadly (on annoying dust bunnies!)

2. It's eco-friendly (it consumes less energy and is made from recycled plastic)

3. It's so sleek and designed really well.

4. I have a dog AND wall to wall carpeting AND a need to multi-task (Is it just me, or does the weekends seem to be getting shorter?)

Oh, and Universe, since we're on the topic, can you throw in the Electrolux PowerMix blender as well? I think my Cookie Butter addiction needs a healthier sidekick. Soy fruit smoothies, anyone? ;) 

{Electrolux PowerMix Silent Blender}

If you want to know more about these mean, clean and green machines, check out Electrolux Philippines' Official Website, Facebook, and Twitter accounts. 

Now, back to my eyeball... umm, abs roll exercises. ;)

Have a healthy weekend, guys! 

It's Skyway or the Highway

#4.A.M. #Makati #runningbuddies #longrun

Finally managed to squeeze in a long run. Yay! The weather was perfect. Cool, breezy, cloudy, with a sprinkling of a split-second shower. Tagged along with Dennis & Per, who's training for her first marathon- in Disneyland- on January 2013, and a couple other runners, Val and Mary, who will also be running their first marathons via The Bull Runner's Dream Marathon. Good luck, guys!!!

Meanwhile, I'm happy to start my first official training run for the upcoming Condura Skyway Marathon 2013. Marathon #3, baby! Woo-hoo!!! I know a month (40 days as of today) is a bit of a short notice to train for a full marathon, especially after a long hiatus, but I was feeling quite confident that I could do it.

First of all, since I haven't been consistently running, I've been eating healthier and consciously being more active in mundane tasks. Having coffee break at the office meant walking a whole kilometer to the nearest cafe just to get a cup o' Joe. And that's knowing I have a month's stash of 3-in-1s (I'm not a coffee snob) in my desk drawer.

Secondly, we all know how the Condura 42K slots sold like hotcakes soon as it went up. It was 42K or nothing for me at the Condura Run, so I wasn't expecting to join after learning it's been sold out already. But then slots opened up again just as I was in Greenbelt. Talk about being at the right place at the right time! I say this was meant to be, because my sister was just at the Condura registration area during lunch time, and there were no more 42K slots available anymore. I was in the area that same evening, and casually asked if they still had 42K slots. Surprise, surprise, they were just delivered a handful of bibs a few minutes ago. I'm taking that as a sign from the Universe. I was meant to run the Sky. ;)

To everyone running Condura, see you guys soon!

Apparently, Running is a Handful

Because it rained today, I ended up staying home and spring cleaning (in December. haha). Lo and behold, what do I find-- a very big YIKES! in my running "career", that's what! 

I'm sure most of you keep track of your runs by keeping your race bibs as souvenirs, right? Well, I keep all my race bibs neatly tucked away in an envelope, chronologically filed (and fat) per year since 2008. So, today, I just realized that I only have 5 -FIVE!!!- measly running bibs in my 2012 envelope. Oh no. I can't believe I can count all my races with one hand. That's approximately 1 race every 2 months. 

Wha???

I knew my day job and weekend job kept me pretty busy this year, and we all know that running takes time and commitment, but wha???

:(

P.S. Technically, I joined a total of 6 races (Whoop-dee-do...), but I'd rather not file away my awesome Nike WeRunMNL10K 2012 race bib/shirt just yet. ;)

P.P.S. I think I need to start working on my 2013 running resolution list now.