"on a shoestring"

It’s hard to sacrifice something. especially when you want it badly and you do it everyday- like a habit. But there are things in life that you really have to sacrifice in order to meet your goal. Actually, sacrifice is inevitable in our daily life. We sacrifice sleep to finish our deadlines, night-outs to save some money, don’t buy something in order to save up for something better. Some call sacrifice a delayed gratification. I think runners have to delay gratification in order to achieve- and achieve greater heights.



Why do you have to get out of the party before 11pm so you can wake up early the next day for a long run? Why do you skip Saturday booze nights because you have to get a PR on tomorrow’s race? Or if you are like me, I started drinking just water during lunch break instead of softdrinks. And go with chicken rather than the pork barbeque. You might not believe me but I sacrificed running everyday, as I run 5-6 times a week before I started serious training. Now I am more focused on doing my half marathon training which dictates only 3 times of run a week and rest in between runs.

I have tried this during my first half marathon and I’m very happy with the result- a 2:03 for a first-timer. My aim was just to finish the race at 2:30 and have a finishers’ medal and shirt but because of much sacrifice I was able to have a very decent time, if it wasn’t for muscle cramps on the 20th kilometer I could have made it a sub 2:00. Sorry for a little bit of bragging.

I just cannot imagine I was able to do 21k since I started joining races December of 2009. Yes, I am a newbie runner. I can still hear my gasping for air when I run more than 5k. Now, with much confidence and discipline I am targeting a sub 2:00 half marathon time. Of course an injury-free and enjoyable run. We will see if “the more the sacrifice, the better the result” will stand the test and give me a better PR (Personal Record). Come Sunday, March 7 (Sunday), I will run the Unilab Run Together for Wellness at The Fort. I think I am more inspired right now as I have my favorite number on my race bib- 0021.

The Century Tuna Superbods Run 2010 was spectacular and gigantic!I am very happy to finish my first half marathon.  I am thrilled to part of the 11,344 runners and placed 357th among 1,187 male and female 21K runners. Only 10 female runners outrun me and I’m on the top 30%. A decent time of 2:03:18 makes me smile forever. This was the longest distance I run, I have great confidence that I can finish this even though my previous long runs were just 16 kilometers.

Special Mention: I want to thank Sweeney (she run 5k), my good friend and a great motivator for taking pictures of me. This is my first photo ops after the race. I hope to run with you sometime. Let’s invite Mitch next time so we can have photographer.

It’s also my first time to use a cap, a pair of sunglasses, a hydration belt during an actual race, and a timing chip.

Pre-race: 4- Registration is accessible to everyone and the singlet, race map, bib number, timing chip is given during the registration.

Hydration Station: 5- Long tables with lots of water and Gatorade. The Superbods models were smiling as they pass the drinks. I feel refreshed after every gulp. Thanks for the Hammer gel during Km13.

Singlet: 4- This is my favorite singlet now. I wore it again yesterday during my recovery run. Design is great- not that flashy.

Course: 4- The first 5 kilometers was dark because there was not enough floodlights. The runner at my back fell and wasn’t able to stand, good thing he was assisted by a marshal, I think this was Km6. Good thing that there are kilometer marker which is kinda encouraging. I love the serenity at Heritage Park.

Finisher’s Medal: 5- The big medal got my tiredness away, as I wore my medal I was very proud of myself for finishing the race without injury.

Restrooms: 5- This is the first time I saw a race with change areas. There are restrooms along the route so you will not be apprehended by the MMDA.haha

Others: Marshall- 4; Traffic-3; Spectators-4; Scenery-4; Fair-5 

Over-all Rating: 4.5

I guess I’m a running addict. I will run 21k again on March 7. I hope to beat my personal record!

TRAINING
training for me is very, very serious thing. here’s the list of some things i stopped because of running: eating pork, sleeping late at night, drinking softdrinks, chicken skin (and proven) and junk food. and of course things that i exchange for those: more protein in my diet, meaning eating taho for breakfast, drinking lots of gatorade (i  consume 4.5 liters of gatorade every week), waking up early to run, munching lots of nuts during break times, weekly long run (8-16k), logging my running distance and many more (333kilometers from dec2009-feb2010).


SO WHY DO I RUN?
i run because its a way of escape and a form of healing. there are two ways that give us anxiety, the failures of the past and the uncertainties of the future. and since i cant run away from the future i would run away from the past- the hurts, the mess, hang-ups and pain. this would mean running into a future bright and new. a new day is dawning, hope is at hand. running therefore becomes spiritual in the sense that we tell to ourselves (literally and figuratively) that we cannot do something in the past but we can approach our future with optimism and hope. its leaving the past, learning from it and striding forward for a better tomorrow. we ought not to run along the roads that hurt us or if we do, we retrace our steps with caution not repeating the failures we did before.

running has healed me, it has been an escape. an escape but a willing return to face the real world with more courage and a renewed spirit. the adrenaline rush, the healthy lifestyle, the discipline are just freebies for a sports that has been of great help in my personal life.


c’mon, run with me. let’s run away…