An Ode to October Running

I started running for a cause. Now, I run just because.

It’s official. A year has gone by and I’m still up —in what I still deem an ungodly hour— and running marathons. Who would’ve thought that a passing "trip lang" to a childhood activity would lead to hundreds of kilometers and endless hours of anything and everything running. A big thank you to my sister, who (probably) initially just ran to humor me, more than looking at it as a competitive venue on physical and mental prowess (not to mention the promise of a Heaven 'N Eggs breakfast after the race). To date, she has recently graduated to 10K runs and is currently co-founding their company running club(?!) Naks!; To the converted- It's absolutely, positively adddictive, right?; To my non-runner friends who have endured my constant chatter on races, paces, Km’s, uphills, yadda-yadda-yadda… And yes, I am on a perpetual vigil to steer more people to the Light Side. Post-run early mornings in Tiananmen are definitely more fun (guiltless calories!) than post-gimmick early mornings. ;) Hahaha.

{Last year's Takbo! Breast Friends 2007-
The race that launched a thousand steps.}

October 2007— I rekindled my relationship with running marathons (or rather 3K Fun Runs from grade school until high school) after feeling the monotony of hitting the gym. It just wasn't enough for me anymore. Semi-retired from football (I do miss it though), and not quite as addicted to badminton, I just wanted to see if I still had that fight left in me. A quick search in the internet (Thanks to The Bull Runner's List of Races) led me to the Soroptomists' (Ortigas) Takbo! Breast Friends (2007) run. It was a 5 Km run, but what drew me to it was that it was also a fund raiser for a good cause. My sister was easy enough to convince. Breakfast jokes aside, we both really felt good that we were contributing to charity.

The 5 Km Ultra-C5 route was challenging alright. In a word: Uphill. Ugh. I wasn't expecting much, I just wanted to see how far I could push myself. And push I did. The concept of pacing was alien to me. I ran my lungs out. As soon as I reached the finished line, I really, really, really wanted to vomit. As I had my much needed glass of water at the finish line, I still really, really, really wanted to vomit. As I lined up for the complimentary Milo and Spanish Bread, I still really, really, really wanted to vomit. I didn't, by the way. But it was as if I wanted to throw up the extreme exhaustion that I felt. Thus my light bulb moment in the importance of pacing. (Ya think??!!)

Really, I wasn't expecting much, so it was quite the pleasant surprise to learn that I had managed to squeeze into the 10th place of the Women's Division. That was more than enough of a boost to make me check the schedule for the next run, and the next run, and the next... Oh, and besides, I really, really, really did have a lot of fun!

October 2008— Nowhere to go but Half and up, up, up!!! Another running milestone on October, my first shot at a half marathon. (Good luck to us, RFB. May we live to have breakfast with the rest of our running gang. hahaha. You being in the Kota chapter though.)

++++++++
Breast Cancer Run 2008

(Yay! It's my anniversary run.)


WHAT: Takbo! Breast Friends (5Km/10Km)
WHEN: 5 October 2008 (6 am)
WHERE: Ultra, Pasig City

Entry fee is P200. For more details, contact Emeline at 0922-8948728 or check out: http://runningfatboy.blogspot.com/2008/09/takbo-breast-friend-october-5-2008.html

The Endorphin Effect

After almost two weeks of not lacing up my running shoes, I finally got the chance to burn those pent up (or more aptly, spent) energy at the gym last weekend. I was only able to log 8 Kms, a small feat, considering I should be training for longer runs in time for KOTR or New Balance's half marathon. For now, I'm still undecided if it's a 10 or 21 Km in the Adidas run. Nevertheless, this was one of my enjoyable runs. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder.

I started with an easy pace then proceeded with bursts of 1-minute speed intervals, during which I probably hit my peak, or as some would say, the runner's high*. So, what usually happens during a runner's high anyway?

I guess the feeling differs for every person. Me? I may just have this teeny, tiny tendency of smiling myself silly while running alone, as was recently discovered when a total stranger, just a few machines away from me, smiled and waved back. Okaaaay, wha-? Oh God, did he just think I was hitting on him?!! In which I was suddenly aware that I did feel the corners of my mouth curve into a nice, big smile beforehand. Come to think of it, I vaguely remember a semi-laugh escape my lips as I exhaled. I couldn't help it, it just came naturally. As if my face wasn't red enough from the run— How em-ba-ras-sing!

Blame it on the rush of endorphins to my head, which was magnified by the Samba-themed playlist plugged into my ears; which made me think of lazy afternoons by the beach; which made me think of tanning oils and beads of sweat; which made me think of luscious, icy mango margaritas... You get the drift.

At the end of the day, I'm simply ecstatic that I got to run AND learn that I had a few pick-up tricks hidden up my sleeve that might just actually work! ;)


*Runner's High. Said to resemble a feeling of intense euphoria, these biochemicals in the brain are released and could actually alter an athlete’s mood. These chemicals are called endorphins, the brain’s naturally occurring opiates.

Vacation in A Cup

What's the day going to be like when you...

• wake up via the sound of howling winds and the promise of yet another wet, wet, wet day
• are caught in the crossfire between a Golden Retriever, a Mini Dachschund and an Aspin (the politically correct Asong Pinoy formerly known as Askal/Crossbreed/Mutt)
• drop, break a plate and splatter Bistek Tagalog all over yourself

If you, like me, have pretty much enough leaves to spare, you make a quick decision to forego a potentially disastrous day and take an impromptu vacation leave (assuming you don't have deadlines to meet. Thank God, I finished mine yesterday).

To those who can't, take the next best thing- A vacation in a cup!

Short of sounding like a Lipton walking advert, the milk + tea combination really does relax you. I should know, I just had one yesterday. I'm having another one today, thanks to this: http://promos.k2ia.com/lipton.php

Check it out. Print it out. Step out (it's practically in every corner of the metro). And just simply zone out.

Have a blissful day, people!

Cafe Scientifique: Caffeine for the Cranium

{Beans are brewed in Cafe Scientifique}

Something good is brewing in Manila, and it doesn't smell like your usual coffee. If caffeine and conversations are your thing, then you should definitely try going to a Cafe Scientifique session. More like informal gatherings than school-like lectures, this movement started in cafes in UK, and are now being held in bars, restaurants, or any place outside the traditional four corners of the classroom. Intrigued by the featured topic, "Can Passion be Brewed?", I had my first taste of the forum at Kape Isla in Serendra yesterday.

I wasn't really sure what to expect when I got there, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that free coffee and snacks would be served upon registration. I've been to Kape Isla a few times before, and I've always liked their concept of featuring different coffee brands from around the Philippines. The cafe was just as cozy, albeit a little too dark for my taste. The seats were arranged ala lecture style to face the speaker.

The open forum started with Dr. Emi Liwag, a cognitive scientist, giving a short introduction on how we (people/Pinoys) perceive passion. Pretty soon, the audience were actively participating as well. Some pleasantly inquisitive (or as one commented, safe in a gray area) and some a little more passionately than others. The afternoon was spent listening to people of different personalities and professions contribute their tw0-cents worth. As Mitzi Borromeo, Cafe Scientifique's facilitator would say, "There's no such thing as a stupid question". A melting of the minds. It was interesting, enlightening, and clearly too engaging to fit into a mere 1-hour (maybe a bit more) session. Unfortunately, my question was posed too early in the program (it was to be tackled in the second part, until time eventually ran out), so it wasn't discussed as in-depth as I would've liked. Context clues were inferred from other viewpoints though. So, all good. More than enough insights to keep me awake at night. The other culprit would probably be Kape Isla's yummy and STRONG iced coffee (with a slight hint of chocolate)- just the way I like it.

Some of the passionate minds I met over coffee talk: Marge, an industrial designer who is involved in The Mind Museum. Coolness!; Eric, an architect with a secret passion. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. But do remember us little people when you make it big; Ging, an events moderator who is passionate about teaching kids how to really, really read good (Sorry, I couldn't help injecting a little Zoolander humor... It's really, really amazing what she does though.)

Oh, and my two-centavo question: Where does passion stop and obsession begin?

Two cents, anyone?

Download Nike+ Sportmusic

{www.nikeplus.com}

As a reward to those who joined the Human Race, downloadable workout music and training programs are available in nikeplus.com.

My First 10K
Designed with new 10K runners in mind, this training mix combines some of the best Latin-Alternative music, including songs from the Pinker Tones, Ceu and Nortec Collective, with coaching by Jay Blahnik to get you ready to race.

http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/?l=music_downloads,10K

Treadmill Workout
This 30 minute mix specifically combats the monotony of running on a treadmill by mixing energetic music, world-class caoching by Jay Blahnik, challenging inclines and speed changes to keep you engaged while you continue to train for any 10K after the Nike+ Human Race.

http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/?l=music_downloads,treadmill

10K Quickrun
This training mix helps you prep for the Nike+ Human Race, or any 10K, on days you don't have time for a full workout. Spend 20 minutes with fitness trainer Jay Blahnik and give your legs and lungs an effective, energizing workout.

http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/?l=music_downloads,quickrun

Disclaimer: I have yet to try these workouts, so do check back after some time to see my review. OR if you happen to have tried these out, let me know how it went for you. So far, I'm loving the "My First 10K" Samba-licious playlist.