(crazy) Day 15: staggered 12-mile long run [part 1]

I knew it was going to be a crazy day when I learned that I'm running 12 miles. And that I have a fun run on the same day. And that we're having our dragonboat training NOT on our usual place.


And it was crazier when I woke up and heard thunder rumbling. I peered out through my window, and I saw a couple flashes. Lightning. Eeek! Not a good omen.
Day 15 was my 12-mile run, or 19.32 kilometers, in our sub 4-hour training plan for the upcoming SCMS 2010.

The (not-so-fun) Fun Run

We hauled our asses to Expo MRT Station where we queued up for a free shuttle to the starting line. It was already 7:45 when the bus started rolling. 

And then, more bad luck. The bus captain, I think, took the wrong exit. We were heading towards the city. I didn't understand his conversation as it was in Chinese. But we made a U-turn somewhere at the East Coast Parkway, some 15 kilometers away from the venue, and headed back. We arrived at the venue around 8:20. The flag-off time for the 6-km Fun Run was 8:15. Sigh, we were late.
It was raining, still. They gave out disposable raincoats while we were in line to hand our respective bags to the crew in mini-trucks. These mini-trucks serve as baggage check-ins. It was actually a cool idea, to have the start and finish points at different areas. No running around a looped route. 

Kadiri. Ang basa-basa na, ang itim-itim ko pa.

Click below to

Day 5: 9 miles long run, under the sun (late post)

So this is already day 5 (22 Aug 2010) of my training. A 9-mile long run under the scorching, Singaporean sun.

Geographically, Singapore is hotter than manila. Singapore is nearer to the earth's equator. Thus, hotter. But this doesn't hold true as cities in the inner part of Manila like Mandaluyong, Makati and Quezon felt like I was inside a baker's oven in April 2010 when I was there.

Anyway, I wasn't able to get up early that morning, so I had to choose between running before or after, my dragon boat training for my Sunday long run. I obviously chose the former.

I started my run a little before one in the afternoon. The Bedok Reservoir Park has a 5-Kilometer loop around the fresh water reservoir. Perfect if you're doing a 9-mile run (14.48 kilometers), as you'll do 3 loops. My run started just fine as the route had a good amount of shade. The reservoir has its share of eye candy that weekend too. Some canoe-polo sports competition is being held in one part. At the middle of the 5km loop, there was the lack or absence of shade and trees. I was under the mercy of the scorching sun for at least a kilometer. Alas, I found a shaded area outside the loop, so I continued my run there instead. And since I diverted from the loop, I had to climb up this hill with a manageable 10-30° incline. It was manageable, but at noon time, my heart was racing at 60-90beats a minute. I felt like my heart was about to explode.

I finished the loop but I had to do it two more times. Thank God I managed to finished my run.

I had to hydrate regularly to avoid heatstroke. There were a few drinking fountains along the route. I gobbled up water every 20-30 minutes. I had to splash water on my body, my head and especially and my nape. As the insides of our body heat up while doing exercise, running under the heat of the sun is very dangerous.

Heatstroke can lead to death. As what happened to Remus Fuentes (RIP) last Milo Marathon in Manila. Even widely popular and well organized marathons like the recent Standard Chartered Marathon in Kuala Lumpur, another fellow runner met a tragic incident. Runners must remember to hydrate before, during and after a run, especially if one runs in hot, humid city like Manila or Singapore.

Tip: Did you know that running cool water on your wrist (where your pulse is) cools your body down faster?

Happy Birthday @OutedNarnian

I suddenly woke up, very early Saturday morning. I couldn't get back to sleep. I wondered why... Then I remembered, it is:

  NARNIAN's BIRTHDAY!!!

 
Happy Birthday Guuurl!

I love you girl, and will be always rooting furr you, whereevur you urr! Heart-hugs!

Image editing apps thanks to Hello Kitty Camera and TuzkiSnap

Post script.

Narnian is my sorta-best friend forever already. I bet he doesn't know it. If that's the case, then it's a one-way BFF thing. More on that later.
 

When I went home to Manila last April, I asked him to join me in Body Pump class, a Les Mills fitness class I follow religiously. After the class we were to go for Kaya breakfast at the nearby Kopi Roti along Ayala corner Buendia in Makati. As we're about to take our shower (not together and scrub each other's back, silly!) I noticed that he was carrying a toilet-and-bath basket. This plastic basket is usually seen with kids staying at a student's dormitory. It was what you carry to a communal bathroom, with your products. It was packed to the brim with his pampaganda. I asked him if he brings it every day to the gym when taking a shower, and he said, "Yes, of course."


To make the story short, I knew I had to help Narnian. As his one-way BFF, it's my duty and responsibility for his to take care of what others perceive of him. My now 24-year old buddy shouldn't be seen with a T&B basket. So as a big Sizzzter, I bought him this.

 
Take a sec to decipher.

Click on the READ MORE to know what I got Narnian 

Sorry na!

...For being AWOL in my blogging duties. I'll be posting my older entries first so I can get back on track.





Photo Credits to JaneLee20.wordpress.com

Day 03: another 4 easy miles + thoughts on treadmill running

If you know me as a friend or runner, or at least have followed my blog for some time, you might have realized that I don't like treadmills.

Hate it. Abhor it. Loathe it. Despise it... NOT really! *puppy eyes*

What I mean is I'm just the type of runner who doesn't want to run while staying on the same space for an extended period of time. I prefer the sunny (or sometimes cloudy, drizzling, or wet) outdoors. I don't know if you also do, but I feel this satisfying sensation when my feet pounds the pure asphalt on some roads. I just don't like monotony.

I don't enjoy watching TV shows while at the treadmill. I had an incident once, back in Manila, where I almost slid out of the conveyor belt! What happened was, my attention was caught in this show. I didn't know that I was slowly slipping backwards. I realized it as soon as my feet felt the roller at the end. Close call! And more recently, at FF-One George Street, I was hooked on this skateboarding challenge I was seeing on ESPN. The show is being televised to my left. Little did I know, I was also moving towards the left of the machine. In a split second, my left foot hit the immovable deck. I jerked for a bit, and (THANK GOD!) I didn't lose my footing. I regained my balance and composure. I acted as if nothing happened.

But deep inside, I felt so scared. I could have fallen down/off. I could have lost my pearly whites. Worse, I could have damaged this baby-face of mine. :-P

Recently, Mike Tyson's daughter died from a treadmill accident. Scary!

Yes, running on the treadmill is easier as there's no wind resistance to slow you down. The assistance of the belt propels you to move forward and just staying in place. You have a smoother run since there's no change in terrain, and no man/animal/car/building or inanimate object blocking your way. The treadmill is also good for overweight runners and those with knee issues, as the machine is padded and softer than the road.

One just has to beat the monotony on treadmill running. You and your friend can run side by side. Motivate each other, provide some distraction. If you're alone, try an interval workout. Warm up for 5 minutes and follow it with fast and easy segments. Increase your speed by 30-50 percent for two minutes, and then go back to your comfortable pace. Do this for 4-6 sets. If this isn't your thing, try circuit training. Again, warm up for 5 minutes. Step out of the treadmill and do some strength training general exercises for a set or two. Example, do push-ups and squats. Run again for another 5 minutes, followed by some lunges and crunches.

Anyway, the bottom line of this post is I ran for 4 miles at the treadmill today during lunch break 'coz I wasn't able to wake up early. And that has been my 3^rd day of training today.

Enjoy your weekend folks!


Thanks Stock Photo for the image!