The 33rd was my 1st

When I was a kid, seeing it being advertised on television and prints made me think it would be nice to join one. I never thought it would actually happen.

July 5, 2009 was the date.Two months since my last race. I registered for the half marathon which had a fairly decent route. I only had 30 days to train but I am satisfied with the result. Not exeptional but I was happy enough to have experienced it. The race was well organized. We were not running alongside speeding vehicles and water stations were everywhere (not to mention the unforgetable water spray from our ever reliable Takbo.ph support group->seriously, many many thanks). I look at Milo Marathons as the mother of marathons in the Philippines (at least in my opinion). My only frustration is that I was sick days before. Had a bad flu. I had to take some meds because I certainly didn't wanna miss it.

Will the 33rd be my last?...Certainly not.

Tips for Noobs! - How to Start Running?

Wether you want to lose weight, rehabilitate, or simply have fun with friends, running can certainly be your thing.

At first I didn't know where and how to begin. Based on what I heard, it's the best activity if you want to lose weight. That's reason why I got into it in the first place. I had no idea I'll be hooked the way I am right now.

I know a lot of people who want to do it but don't know where to start. I would like to encourage as many people as I can to start running, not just because it can help one stay or be fit but because it's so much fun specially when you have become part of a group sharing the same passion and drive. That's when it becomes more than a fitness regimen, it becomes a habit, an activity you will look forward to, an activity that will take you out of your normal routine/s thus allowing you to rejuvinate physically and mentally.

So how do you start running?
Experts say, aside from its unimaginable benefits on your cardiovascular health and weightloss , the activity also allows your body to produce a powerful anti-aging element known as the Human Growth Hormone (It's not that I need it! haha...). It also improves your bone health helping you avoid bone related diseases in your later life.

Running is a simple activity, it can be complicated if you want it to, but as long as you know how to listen to your body, then it will be as easy as learning the alphabet.

Here are few tips to get you started:

Invest in proper gears. Perhaps, the only initial investment you need to make is a good pair of shoes. You don't have to buy the top of the line because sometimes it may not even work for you. Ask the store rep. to help you choose the right shoes depending on your foot type. It's important to ensure that your shoes will provide sufficient cushioning to protect your back and lower limbs from injury.
Warm up and stretch.These two are sometimes taken for granted but I don't know any fitness expert who will not stress out how important these are. Pre-running stretches are not always encouraged though, considering the controversies of wether its really beneficial or the opposite, but warming up such as a 5-10 minute walk is always advised. Stretching after running is also highly recommended in order to relax your muscles, lower your heart rate in a gradual manner, and eliminate excess lactic acid from your bloodstream which, studies show, may turn into "concrete" or worse if left to linger in your system.
Focus on your breathing. Use it as your guide when running. It should not feel too hard and should still allow you to carry on a conversation, otherwise you may be working out too much or not working out hard enough to get benefits.
Develop a reasonable schedule. Make sure it will allow you to develop the habit.
Start Slow. Listen to your body. It should not feel painful in any way. If it does, you might be doing it too fast or too frequently. You should feel stronger and "tired" in a nice way (not exchausted or faint) after every run.
Increase distance and speed gradually. Be patient! Don't make drastic advancement or else you are just inviting injuries.
Run with a partner/group. This should make the activity more fun unless they are not that serious enough to make it a habit as well.
Schecule rest days. This will allow your body to rejuvinate making you stronger as you go on.
Join a running group. Doing so will bring you to the "bigger" world of running. It will also allow you to learn from each other and at the same time make friends that will be more than willing to support you when your'e not at your best and cheer for you whenever you achieve something great.

Again, I am sharing this because I want to convince as many as I can to have fun the way I am having fun right now. See you on the road!!!

"Sabi nila, nag-mamadali lang daw ang tumatakbo. Sabi ko naman,,, Oh Eh ANO NGAYON!"



Source : http://www.lifemojo.com/lifestyle/how-to-start-running-638869

Treadmill Running vs. Outdoor Running

In a tropical country such as ours, these options are usually thought about. Considering the fact that rainshowers are common here in the Philippines, not to mention the several tropical depressions wherein sometimes the alphabet is not enough to name them all, running enthusiast have always had ways of satisfying their "addiction".

I started running outdoors three years ago. Nothing can match the cool morning breeze and the sight of the Sun finding its way up the skies ......but it was summer then. Three or four months later, the rainy season came in. I find it hard to wake up early in the morning whenever its raining. I also feel quite uncomfortable when my feet are soaked and my wet hair is all over my face. Doing it once in a while may be fun but since I run 4-6 times a week, getting soaked often may have negative effects on me healthwise.

I signed up in a nearby gym and began to train on a Treadmill. It was boring at first but thanks to my trusty little MP3 player, I was able to get on with it as I enjoy some nice music that stimulates my senses. Having to wake up a bit later, around 7 am instead of the usual 5 am also made the habit much easier to cope up with. After 8 weeks of continous Treadmill run, I began to miss running outdoors. I got worried because I thought running indoors may have caused me to be slower but I was wrong. I felt just as great but I did miss the Sun, the wind, and the feeling of letting my entire being experience the dynamism of the Earth.

Trainingwise, I didn't really feel the difference but "Funwise", I 'd rather run outdoors.

Now here goes the real comparison. Starting with the disadvantages of Tradmill Running versus Outdoor Running, first is the cost. A good quality Treadmill would normally require you to spend around Php 25,000 compared to almost nothing when you run outdoors. Second is the space required at home since most of these machines are bulky. Last would be lack of fresh air which is good for the lungs. When it comes to the advantages, being able to run anytime and any weather is a strong one. Personal safety is also an issue. Thirdly, most Treadmills have better shock absorption since they are professionally designed to absorb shocks running can give thus it is better for your joints. In addition, some people would love to show off their nice shape and form on the streets but some would rather run in private not worrying about what they are wearing or how much they weigh.

Running on a treadmill may seem easier physically because the ground is being pulled underneath your feet and there's no wind resistance. Running outdoor demands more from your body because you're propelling your body forward stride for stride.You can better simulate outdoor running by setting your treadmill at 1% incline. Mentally, you may also have a tougher time dealing with the monotony of the treadmill. Moreover, if you're training for road race, try to run outdoors as much as you can. It's even better if you run on the exact race route to maximize your training.

The bottomline is, if you could run outside then run outside, I can guarantee it to be more fun, if you can't, then take the Treadmill....what's important is KEEP ON RUNNING!

"I always loved running...it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs." -Jesse Owens

Sources:

http://www.fitwatch.com/weight-loss/treadmill-running-versus-outdoor-running-331.html

http://running.about.com/od/treadmillrunning/f/treadmillrun.htm

Treadmill Image Source : http://www.bodycraft.com/

How it all began...Losing 90 lbs! (Vol. I Chap.I)

My Unceasing Journey to Solstice
Vol. I - The "Lean" Revelation


This is the first among four articles(or "chapters"-a more book writer wannabe term, haha!) that I will be posting hoping to inspire as many as my "humble" self can :), showing how life (or should I say calories) have been unkind to me and how it redeemed itself by allowing me to cherish every minute of my life as a runner. I shall begin with my weightloss, to how I've come to be a part of Takbo.ph, a group playing a big role in terms of how I now appreciate the outdoors, to my ultimate goal of Balance and Wellness.


I trust the process of life to bring me my highest good.



Chapter I of IV

How It All Began


Last May 3, 2009, Takbo.ph launched its 2008 Yearbook. A compilation of several articles about running and how it changed the lives of many. From the weekend athlete who found friends to
share the same passion with, to a hardcore runner whose more than willing to share the wonders of running, this yearbook is indeed a
masterpiece that accounts momentous events of a year that was as well as a preview of how running can even be more exciting in the years to come.

Among all the articles in the yearbook, there is one which I am really proud to be a part of.... the "Before and After"(Page 22).


It was year 2006, around March, My sister went home from a flight and brought a really nice shirt that is, unfortunately, half my size. It was when I realized that I am slightly overweight. Indeed I was!!! Not just overweight but Obese :) At 5'9.5" and 265 lbs, I should not be more than 177 lbs.... Thanks to the shirt, finally, a realization.
I told myself,I mean the shirt, "I am going to wear you someday!".

Everybody knows what to do,,, eat right, exercise, sleep early, drink eight glasses of water daily, eat more vegetables and fruits...blah blah blah... I knew it too!!!. Even while I was in elementary (have been overweight since, or should I say obese!), I knew about these things. It was just damn hard to follow. First, how can you ever watch your calorie intake when your Mum makes the best "Bicol Express", or when you have a sister who can make a superb "Korean Beef Stew" even with her eyes closed (she learned
this from my Mum :) ), not to mention her "Herbed" fried fish that is sooooo good it will make you sleep (literally). How about a Dad who loves sweets in every form, (I think....no!... I'm sure, I got my sweet tooth from him).

One morning, I woke up and finally decided to hit the outdoors and run. However at over 90 lbs in excess, it was just too difficult so I started out walking. In a matter of 4 weeks, I began running intermittently wherein I'll walk 2 mins then run 5mins. Something like that, didn't really use a timer. I usually wake up at around 5:30 or 6 am, head to the Ynares Center in Antipolo (my hometown), walk a bit (some sort of a warm-up), run/walk for 45 to 60 mins, cool down and that's it. I did it 6 times a week.
On Sundays, I usually stay home. I call it my "Feast Day", I do anything I want and the most exciting part...I eat everything as much as I want. I only take in complex carbo and some protein the rest of the week.
After about 3 months, I began to really lose weight. It was those around me who noticed it. The more I became inspired. In a
matter of 6 months, I just found myself running straight 45 mins to an hour depending on my speed. Didn't really measured it because I did not know it was possible... :) Stuff like "Garmin" and "Suunto" were aliens to me during that time.
Around April of 2007, more than a year after that "waking up one morning" thing, I almost kissed the weighing scale because finally, I'm within my normal weight range. I weighed 175 lbs.[no fancy pills or anything, just Vitmain C, E, Mineral drops and some starvation hahaha! (what's normal for some is starvation for me because I'm not used to eating "normal" servings)] By then, I was already into "Muay Thai". I began to do my stuff (Running and Muay Thai) in a nearby Gym
(If there's one thing I grew tired of in the entire process, its having to wake up very early...and so the Gym subscription :) ). As much as I want to join one of those posh fitness center, from where I live, the nearest one would be around 35-40 mins away. It's something I'm sure I'll get tired of and besides, it's not just something you do, it has to be a habbit. I became a member of the Muay Association of the Philippines. I lost a few more pounds and went down to 165. I really enjoyed the sport from which I owe most of the endurance/stamina that I now have.
I still gain weight once in a while, around 5-10 lbs (usually after holidays) but I manage to lose it in a matter of 1-2 weeks.
Now, It has been almost 3 years, thanks to the "nice shirt", I managed to keep my desired weight. I now enjoy the outdoors. Being physically active made me experience real fun and excitement specially when I run out in the morning Sun.




BTW : I didn't get to wear the shirt 'coz it went out of style :)



To download/view Takbo.ph 2008 Yearbook visit www.takbo.ph

in the AYER!!! Airspeed Runs for a Cause

It was my first race in MOA and I must say that it's a nice track specially for those who want nothing but a nice smooth run minus the challenge of uphills and breathtaking views.


The race started on time which is a good thing, except for me who arrived at the venue quite late :). I had to excuse myself to get to the starting line because the 5k runners are already in position. I am to run 10k :). When I reached the front, I was a bit hesitant to start running because I was embarrassed to take on the spotlight of shame for coming in late, having to run all by myself with the entire mob of 5k runners behind me, but what the heck, I've got a lot of catching up to do and so I ran...minus the gunshot.
The track was not that tough so I managed to run faster. I had to stop for a few sec at every turn to ask the marshals for directions because I was all alone, looking like a lost ant lacking of Pheromones wondering where the rest of the gang may have turned.

After the first loop, I was able to catch up with the tail of the pack and was relived that I am finally running amongst those wearing the same bib color as mine :).


I reached the finish line at 1:07:09 (not a 10k PR for me, ofcourse!), my official time after having to start just two minutes before the gunshot fired for the 5k runners.
Overall, the race was well organized, as expected of a "Rio Race", and fun (specially the "Taho" session after the run with "Takbo" peeps).










Original Photographs by Argonaut, Luis "Gingerbreadman", Karlo (http://karlosports.wordpress.com/ ) & Edufabian.

Men's Health Miracle Run

It's 6:20 and the race has not started. My only concern was that if it will start late, the Sun might get too high before we reach the finish line. Thank God UP's got a lot of trees aside from the fact that the Sun was a bit bleary that nice sunday morne.
If not for the late start & lack of dinking cups, it would have been a pretty good race. Nevertheless, It was great to run for a good cause. The race was for the benefit of Tahanang Walang Hagdan.
Good for me because I think I did a sub-60(yet to be confirmed as soon as the official results are out). It was my target. Definitely a PR. 'Tis my first 10K...haha :).
I hope to do well next time though. I think I underestimated the distance after finishing the Condura Half Mary. I started out a bit faster than I'm supposed to. I got very excited which is the reason why I began to feel exhausted after reaching the 5km mark. I was struggling althroughout the last 5 kilometers. My legs started to feel pain an I began to breathe heavily. As soon as the finish line was on sight, I tried to run faster but because I started to hallucinate :), it felt as if I am not getting anywhere near the mark. I seemed to have remained where I'm at :). The next thing I remember was when someone ripped-off the barcode thingy from my bib and that's it!-- :)













Photographs by :
Argonaut
The Photorunner
The Sweeper

The Black Candy Welcomes SUMMER!!!

It's officially Summer!...I think.... Although it's raining as I write this article,,,I don't care,,, IT'S SUMMMMMER!...and I am luvvvvvvin' it!!! So here is my blog's season header.

Though short in actuality (barely two months), it's that part of the year that is anticipated by a lot of people next to the Christmas Season.

For most runners, this is the best time to run. If you could just imagine watching the Sun find its way up, slowly turning the entire city into a sea of glistening gold making everything in sight vivid and breathtaking. Ofcourse you also get to see it once in a while, even during the rainy season, but I noticed that it's more brilliant during summer.

Experts say that it's not good to expose your skin under the sun between 10 am to 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Come to think of it, after the prescribed deprivation, you will only have, more or less, two hours left to enjoy this magnificent gift.

Don't waste summer hushing yourself up. Go out and have fun! Remember, darker skin is in...(if that bothers you).

The North Face 100

I AM CERTAINLY JOINING THIS!!! :)


Excerpts from the TNF100 website :

---With the success of the inaugural TNF100 last year and pump-primed by the maiden leg of the TNF Thrill of the Trail, this year's TNF100 Phlippines will bring greater challenges to those who will dare to discover the extent of human endurance.

Set in the great plains of Luzon, trail runners will discover that varied terrain and unexpected descents and climbs still await them in Sacobia, now termed as “The Next Frontier”.

Multiple river crossings, running in Lahar, canopied trails and more await those who will go the distance, endure the trail and test their limits!---

prelude to the skyway

Our group (Takbo.ph forum members) had our LSD Run (Long Slow Distance) last March 8. It was one of the forum's most attended LSD since there were more than sixty of us. Most of us ran 21 kilometers in preparation for the upcoming Condura Race which will be held on March 22. It took us almost 3 hours to finish the track which went all the way from ROX in Bonifacio High Street all the way to McKinley Hill then back. Our group (2nd Pacers) had to take a few more rounds all the way to the British School to complete the 21 kilometers. Our pace was very relaxed (thanks to our cool pacer, Sir Pojie )since it was just meant to familiarize ourselves (specially those who will be joining a half marathon for the first time such as me) on how a 21 km. route feels like. As expected, the Sun went up faster (since summer is fast approaching...yihee!) thus making the run a bit more difficult. It's a good thing though because we are also expecting the same come the race on the 22nd. I really had a great time with these peeps knowing we all share the same passion.















BTW, Thanks to my fellas whom I grabbed these photos from (as watermarked)...
I'll try to bring my own cam next time :)