"on a shoestring"

“It’s elevating and humbling at the same time. Running along a beach at sunrise with no other footprints in the sand, you realize the vastness of creation, your own insignificant space in the plan, how tiny you really are, your own creatureliness and how much you owe to the supreme body, the God that brought all this beauty and harmony into being.” -Sister Marion Irvine, 2:51 PR and 1984 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier

Whenever I find myself in a new place especially a new beach, I will make sure that I find time to run (even if I didn’t bring my running shoes). And run, I did! This time in the historic Lingayen beach, Pangasinan.

After about a kilometer of walking from the President’s Hotel in Lingayen Pangasinan towards the beach, I did some stretching and warm up. I was amped to run so I did some 2K warm-up.

Warm up (used my 10-sec timer)

Read more…

Barefoot Running in Dahican Beach

As I said in my previous post, I was away for 16-days backpacking Mindanao and during those 16-day journey I just ran thrice. Boo! I should have ran in the 10 provinces I set my feet on.

Anyway, I managed to run twice at Dahican White Beach, Mati City, Davao Oriental.

The morning run was one of a kind. The beach was unspoiled, the sea breeze uplifting and the sun welcoming. It was bliss at every stride and all endorphins in my body was flowing like crazy. It was like I was transported in another dimension. How I miss this feeling. My feet was just smiling as they were connected to the ground I’m treading.

BLISS at every stride.

Since I don’t have a Garmin, I just estimated the coastline and I think its about a mile long. I did 4 sets of run. What a perfect way to start my Skimboarding day!

Running Stats:

Date of Run: June 16, 2011 (Thursday)

Route: Dahican Beach (back-and-forth twice)

Distance covered: 6.2 Kilometers

Pros: The beach was unspoiled. I was the only one running and local fishermen were smiling whenever I pass by them. The sand was very fine and the sea breeze was invigorating. The morning sunshine is just starting to kiss the earth.

Cons: NONE whatsoever!

Time: 45:04 (7:16/km)

Temperature: 24°C

Running Apparel: No singlet, no socks, no shoes, just a boxer brief & Billabong board shorts

Looks like barefoot running is the "in" thing nowadays as a lot of shoe manufacturers are turning on barefoot shoes.

Now Merrell debuts the 1st and free Barefoot Running Training and Education iPhone Application-

iPhone Training Program Takes Runners from Traditional Running to Barefoot Running Form in Forty Days

Continuing to focus on the importance of proper running form and technique with its launch of its barefoot shoes, Merrell introduces the first-ever barefoot running training and education application for the iPhone. The free and fun application takes enthusiasts on a forty day adventure into the world of barefoot form. From posture tips, body alignment and barefoot walking, the ultimate challenge for barefoot newbies will end with a 1.5 mile barefoot run. Barefoot enthusiasts are invited to download the free application and start the barefoot challenge at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/go-barefoot.This app dovetails with Merrell’s Bareform Training Technique that incorporates proper running form, body strengthening and a flexibility regime for top condition training. For further information on technique, training and form of barefoot adventure visit Merrell’s comprehensive barefoot education site www.merrell.com/barefoot.

Click the photo to watch a short video of the Merrell Barefoot- Correct Running Form

 

“Our forty day training and education app is built to help those that want to start barefoot running and adventure in a safe, fun and easy way,” said Craig Throne, vice president of global marketing at Merrell. “An added bonus are iTunes mixes that allow people to literally run to the beat of their own feet by matching foot landing with a 180 beat per minute cadence of natural form running. We hope all of the educational and training tools we build will emphasize the fun of barefoot adventure and getting outside for people of all athletic abilities.”

Note: The Merrell Barefoot Collection will be available soon in the Philippines. For now, you can download the free application.

Let’s go barefoot, Merrell Style!

Merrell® is a brand within the Outdoor Group, a division of Wolverine World Wide, Inc. Merrell believes in encouraging everyone to get outside, be active and have fun.

1 mile = 1.6 kilometers

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” -Confucius

1,000 Mile Club

Okay, so I have done a MILEStone last December 14- I have officially ran 1,000 miles (or 1,600 kilometers) since I started to log my runs beginning of the year 2010 (I started running seriously December 2009). If you are lazy about logging your runs, make it one of your New Year’s resolution and you will be surprise to see progress (even regress) in training, speed, agility and endurance. Do I have to say “and gain more running friends too?”

DailyMile (share your training with friends and stay motivated)

C’mon! Cut some slack and register to DailyMile. This is not only for runners but also for multi-sport athletes or just plain adrenaline junkie like you and me. Very easy to use and you can log your workouts along with the weather condition, effort and photos too! But wait, this post is not about  DailyMile, right? But I’m so much thankful to it, because its like Facebook for runners.

Here’s how my workouts look like as of December 22, 2010 10:30am:

2010 Workouts courtesy of DailyMile

Notice the spike up on April because I’m training for my first Marathon that month, and it was my peak month. Then come June, where my mileage is at its slowest (not including December) because I got an injury. Gladly I was able to come back and I’m happy with the progression from August to October, then probably my worst training (or none) month is December where all I did was to pigout and carbo-load hiding it with the words “OFF-SEASON” as if I’m an elite runner. Okay, you can laugh now! hahahahahahaha

Anatomy of 1,000miles

So you where thinking how long a 1,000 miles is?

To have a better perspective, it like starting from the northernmost island of the Philippines to the southernmost tip of Mindanao.

Virtually, I have ran the Philippines from North to South! Hoorah!! Same distance if you will travel from Manila to Ho Chih Minh City, Vietnam or if you are more familiar with USA, its approximately the distance from New York City to Florida.

Sa totoong buhay (In real life), you may ask, ” Where did you ran those miles?”

I would say, I usually run in my hometown, Los Banos, Laguna particularly in UPLB where the weather is colder than Manila and the routes are diverse- I can have hills in the morning and the track oval in the afternoon, paved roads on weekdays and mountain trail on weekends. But wait, there’s more! I had my longest in Nuvali, Sta.Rosa City (my first ever marathon) and most races are in the Fort.

Here are my running places:

Boracay. Ran here twice, one nirvanic and the second one rave!

Wawa Dam, Montalban, Rizal. After, I felt I was “kawawa” because of the bruises and blisters, see the trails of Wawa dam.

Siargao Island, Mindanao. Ran barefoot on a virgin beach and it was freeing!

Cebu City. Didn’t know where particularly but I managed to ran somewhere in Cebu City before my flight back to Manila.

Baguio City. One of the most memorable races I joined because I was running with Team Logan, it was also a race comeback after suffering from a knee injury. It was a blast! Again, thanks for the healthy breakfast!

Lipa City. I ran in a Restricted Area aka Airbase Runway. This will not happen again.

CamSur, Bicol. Fortunately, I was able to run the CamSur Marathon, 21K (broke my 21K PR) with my friend Reylynne giving me her race kit, Team Logan tagged me to go with them and Estan offering a couch.

Corregidor Island. Thanks to CIHM organizers and Takbo.ph for this awesome running experience. It’s hard to run in the 1:30pm heat much more if you just eaten buffet lunch. Some pictures of the Corregidor test run. More test runs to come?

Western Visayas Series. You have read about my roadXtrail adventures at Mambukal Resort; my short but “Sweet” Run in La Carlota City; my ala-Baywatch Run at Roxas City; and finally another run in Boracay.

Subic, Pampanga. Then I ran another trail, it was the most diverse trail I ever experienced. Thanks to Salomon for the über challenging race.

El Nido, Palawan. Yes, but not that much, more of sprints on the lovely Ipil Beach.

Los Banos. Lastly, I experienced another rave run, what they call “runner’s high” back in my playground when I ran in 12midnight. Nothing freaky and the experience was priceless!

Dami noh? Konti palang yan compared to my international marathoner slash marathon maniac Scientist Runner who runs marathons like everywhere in the world.

On Shoes…

Oh, I have used 4 shoes during these runs. 3 I bought and one sponsored.

Nike Slat. My first ever running shoes, still a jogger when I bought it on 2008 and continued to use until it died a natural death, January of 2010. RIP. I got injured here, maybe because of too much abuse, sorry swoosh. Status: RIP

Adidas Adizero Ace. Bought this on sale and used it on my very first half-marathon and had a proud finish during the last 10K of my marathon (I changed shoes at kilometer 32, thanks Ms.Nao for helping me change shoes and singlet- the memories). One negative thing, it gave my dead toe-nails everytime I use it beyond 18 kilometers, maybe because of the narrow tip. Still, I love the simple design and very light-weight. Status: Retired!

New Balance MR92. Bought on sale too! My fave shoes, so far! I have used this shoes in most races and in the out-of-town runs I did. I so much loooooove this shoes because it didn’t give me any injury. Sad thing is, he is about to retire as well. Hope I can still find another pair as its already phased out. Status: About to Retire.

VFF Sprint (I named her Sienna). Had this during the VFF launch, at first I was having problems with it because its painful but them our love story, errr running story is bound to a happy ending (not yet). I’m using her not only in running but more so on my travels. I love Sienna because I can bring her anywhere and of her all-around use. I use her on my trainings, while snorkling, while walking on the beach, and practically anywhere. Oh btw, Sienna and me did a sub-Piolow run (46:20) at the Resort’s World fun run. Woot Woot! Thanks again BarefootWear Inc. Status: In a relationship (and growing).

I have yet to experience Mizuno, Asics, Brooks and my dream shoes- Saucony Kinvara. I hope the good Santa Claus aka marketing manager can read this. My running fund is already depleted because of my incessant travels this 2010. I do accept Christmas gifts even if its late. Btw, I’m size 10, nuetral and lightweight. Thank you very much in advance!

On Running Groups…

Takbo.ph runners. Thanks for supporting the Heritage Run. More free runs this 2011!

Alabang Runners. Thank you for being Ohana, I miss you guys! Special greeting to Ms.Nao, Madz, Adelle, Deng, Rach, Teh, Cindy & Saul, Rainier, Banjo, Eman, Karl (who gave me a very nice idea!), Sir Leo, Jojo, Mond, Ambow and the Balbons and the rest of ANR! Hope to run with you soon.

MacRunners Sports Inc. My running team in Los Banos, you guys are blazin’ fast! Thanks for the company and the motivation to run faster and longer.

Want your 1,000 miles too?

Let me remind you of what Confucius said in the opening quote!

Cheers for another year of running! Here’s to another 1,000 miles this 2011! Let’s try to run from Mindanao back to the northernmost Philippines island. Come, run with me!

Before I end this post, let me share my Christmas greeting poster to you my dear reader:

Here’s to more years of running! Thank you!

Best Friends Forever? Nahhh! For Vibram Five Fingers, it means BareFoot Fun!

Just look at the benefits of running barefoot:

We have all been born barefoot. A long time ago, people have lived and survived without using protective footwear.   But, today, because of technology and the many changes it brought, wearing shoes became an essential part of life. But beyond all the protection and the style shoes provide, we seem to have forgotten the significant benefits and sense of freedom being barefoot brings.

VFF Sprint

Shoes were first invented thousands of years ago—way back when people used to live in caves. Back then, they used animal hides and leather laces to protect their feet from the rough terrain. Millennia passed and the concept of shoes evolved in countless ways from its design, material, and even its uses. It became a necessity to shod oneself. However, no matter how things change, most people still prefer to do a lot of things barefoot. It is all because being barefoot is very comfortable. But, aside from the unrivaled relaxation being barefoot brings, it also has a considerable number of benefits, not just to the feet, but the body as a whole.

VFF Classic

Doing activities barefoot brings a lot of advantages to the body’s flexibility and mobility. It allows people to exercise, stretch, relax, and strengthen muscles they normally don’t get to use when wearing shoes. Barefoot running also corrects the way people run—making them land on the balls of their feet—as compared to wearing rubber shoes which gives the tendency to land on the heels first. Landing on the heels of the feet releases more pressure and shock to legs and knees. Doing things barefoot also improves range of motion in ankles, feet, and toes because of movements that are more natural and free. It also heightens body awareness since the body has the sense of being freer than being shod. Balance and motion agility are also developed because doing things barefoot further stimulates the neurons and nerves that are essential to lower body movement. And because there are no heels to torture the foot heel and the ankle, it enhances natural posture and the alignment of the spine. And, most especially, it is much easier to relax and stretch after a workout if someone is barefoot.

VFF (Keep Sock On) KSO

Numerous runners have been hitting the tracks without any shoes on because the benefits of running barefoot have long been supported by scientific research, coaches, and athletes who’ve offered ample evidence that training without shoes allows you to run faster and further with fewer injuries. Motion studies demonstrate that when running barefoot, one naturally lands on the forefoot, directly below the center of gravity. This results in optimum balance, increased stability, less impact, and greater propulsion.

Indeed, undertaking activities barefoot has a lot of benefits and advantages for the body. However, the feet—most especially those of the more active people—need to be protected from the many possibilities of injury. That is why some footwear are developed to mimic the feel and freedom of being barefoot. A good example would be the Vibram Five Fingers which is a proof that many people prefer to do things barefoot. With a slot for each of the toes, it actually gives all the freedom and feel of wearing no shoes on.

So, are you still looking for your BFF? Try VFF!

You can drop by their store at Rockwell, Level R1 Bridgeway in PowerPlant Mall. Or you can call (02) 513-1449 or e-mail marketing@barefootwearinc.com

VFF Philippines Website: www.barefootwearinc.com