"on a shoestring"

The Unusual Pre-Run

So this is my usual night run at UPLB grounds. I usually start 6:30pm but this time I started 7pm. Running would start by buying my usual drink- Gatorade. As usual I brought with me P23 for a 22oz. at 711, SU Bldg.(20)  as usual they have the grape flavor. My run was unusual because when I’m about to pay the teller told me that Gatorade is now P25- It was affected by inflation- too bad, same with the rising registration fees of the races. No choice but to get the smaller 16oz. cup. which is P20. Putting twist to it which made it unusual you have to pick a color of the cup that you want to use (I think this is one of the geniuses they thought of this election season)- Green for Gibo, red for Erap, Yellow for Noynoy, etc. But my choice is the orange cup for Manny (not Pacquiao) Villar. I noticed that the UPLB students like the color green (does this mean they love La Salle?). Anyway, I just thought that maybe I was the only one who chose the orange one- ‘coz the masses cannot afford a bit pricey items from 711. But googling about this marketing genius I saw this:

Since I already had my stretching exercise at home while watching American Idol (I saw Ellen D at the show, is she a main stay already?) I started to run on my usual route- starting off in front of the Baker Hall(25) where MacRunners congregate along the Upper and Lower Grounds.

The Upper Grounds is 800M

Upper and Lower Grounds combined would be 1.2K

A loop to both would have me 2K, a nice warm up run.

I guess I’m now ready for my 3K tempo. If you have run at UPLB you would be familiar with what MacRunners and Trantados call the Campus Run which is 3K.

This is my usual route during my night runs

Some famous landmarks saw during the Tempo Run:

• Baker Hall (25)
• Carillion Tower (26)
• Fertility Tree (26)
• Engineering Dept (22)
• St. Therese Chapel (5)
• UP Main Gate (1,2)
• Main Library (16)
• DL Umali Hall (14)

That was unusually fast for me but not fast enough if I would target a sub-25 5K race this Saturday. Anyway, I have to rest now. So I had my cool down walk and run inside the lower grounds(26) where footballers play during day time. It was cool and serene as I try to plan for my 5K race. It’s just sweet to feel the vibe, admire the hugeness of the fertility tree, the sweetness of lovers taking some rest on the grass and the frogs hopping freely. It was a nice and fun run tonight- yes it is usual but since i blogged about it- its unusual. I think one of my favorite runs as I focus not only on my training but those things around me.

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.

Joining a marathon tailored-fit for me is a good news. So I wasted no time and sent a reservation.

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.

Freebies: 4- 1 can of chili corned tuna, 1 Nature Valley granola bar,  1 bottle ot Gatorade, and a healthy breakfast- big banana, tuna pandesal, tuna sandwich & tuna salad made my day. I was so hungry that I also ate the salad of my friend Sweeney.

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

Now, I want to run on the 2nd Leg of RunRio Trilogy- I guess because I just want to collect the medals and finisher’s shirt. but I’m still apprehensive on the expensive registration fee. I guess I have to convince my sister again to pay for my registration.

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