My First KOTR: Impossible is Nothing

The ADIDAS King Of The Road last Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008 is a record of firsts for me:

1. It's my first race inside the Fort.

2. It's my first time to finally meet Johnny Sy.

3. It's my first time to win in the 5k race (in my age category)

Sure, I know where the Fort is. You just enter Forbes Park and you'll end up there.

Problem is, I've been there 5 times, and for the 5x I went to the Fort, I got lost 10x!

Even though I had with me the race map (courtesy of Jinoe), I still couldn't figure out where the starting line was. I had to ask a couple of guards for directions where in the world was KOTR.

Ate Ella and I arrived at the Fort @5:10AM. I was confident we had enough time to meet the 21k runners and have our pictures taken. I was wrong. We were following a snake-like queue of cars trying to get inside the parking lot. By the time we positioned the car, it was already 5:35AM. I almost broke into tears to have missed the 21k runner bloggers.

My cousin Jun Muego whom I convinced to run with me was already at the 5k entrance when we got there. We managed to sneak a picture in spite of the many runners around the area



After the picture taking, I decided to join the line of female runners for the use of the portalet. Then out of nowhere, I suddenly heard someone mention my lovely name and there in front of me stood a tall, gorgeous kind of guy who introduced himself as Johnny. I screamed "Johnny?" but he was in a hurry to go to his car. Told me he'll catch with me later.

When I learned that there's a different entrance for the 10k runners, my heart sank (again). That meant I will miss Jaymie, the Happy Feet and the other 10k runner bloggers. My primary purpose for joining the KOTR was to meet you guys.

I also didn't see any 5k runner blogger but Johnny Sy and I were meant to meet that day. When I saw Johnny again with Dante and Mama Ting, I requested Ate Ella to take our picture. She's quite far and didn't know how to use the Zoom so here's the memorable pose:



Then I said good luck to Johnny and reminded him that our priority was to run injury-free.

As in other races, one cannot really run at the sound of the gun. It took a while before we could normally pace ourselves. I was behind Johnny all along but he wasn't aware of it. It's my first time to run in the Fort and I didn't know where to turn right or left. I just followed Johnny.

Unlike in the Manila Half Marathon Challenge where markers were visible, there were no markers in the KOTR. I absolutely had no idea whether we already ran 1k or 2k. And I wasn't sure whether I was running too fast or too slow. That's when I ran beside Johnny and asked him if he knew our pace. He told me he didn't know. His only goal was to finish the race.

I wanted very much to run with Johnny but had to catch up with my cousin who joined the race for the first time. Promised him I'll run side by side with him.

It's so ironic that I didn't get thirsty during the Manila Half Marathon Challenge but there was overflowing water anywhere and everywhere. Whereas in the KOTR, my throat dried up during the race but there was not a single water station in sight!

When I was given the pink straw in one of the turns, I presumed it was the 2.5k mark. I looked at my watch and learned I was already running for 20 mins. Oh no! I had to run faster! Otherwise, I'll finish the race at a horrifying time of 40 mins.

I ran faster--though very difficult because my throat was craving for water. I saw an old man ahead of me. That inspired me to run even faster. I asked him how old he was. He told me he was 71! That's it. Surely, I could run faster than a 71-year old man . . . I'm only 50!

With all the strength left inside my almost dehydrated body, I headed for the finish line with the crowd as my guide. I glanced at the time on top and it read 31:45. Was that good or bad? I didn't know for sure.

Joe, the loonyrunner answered my troubled question. He posted a comment in my previous blog that he heard my name being called as winner in my age category! It's a pity Ate Ella and I left right after the race because of family obligations. It was my chance to experience a moment of fame and I missed it. But as the saying goes, family comes first.

I talked with Mr. B this morning and he confirmed that I did win in my age category. Tomorrow, I'll take a trip to Greenhills and claim my prize.

Impossible is indeed nothing.


One last picture with Ate Ella and Jun. You're looking at the future 5k winner in the 60 - above age category. Yes folks, Ate Ella will be joining the OctobeRun Festival this Oct. 26. And Jun, my cousin who ran for the first time finished at 29:27. Most likely to win in future races.

Problem Solved!

I finally got hold of the much-desired KOTR singlet but here's the catch:

1. The neckline squeezes my neck with the near possibility of choking myself to death.

2. The armhole is too large which could still accommodate 2 arms of another runner.

3. The bottom part is extremely tight which is actually not a problem if you're Angelina Jolie.

The moment I got home, I tried several shirts (13 to be exact) that I could wear as undershirt for the lovable singlet.

The upper part will do. I only have to get rid of the white piping around the neckline so I could have room to breath.

As for the lower part, I could just cut it crosswise right below my breast so I can breath and run freely.

Then I read Dasher's comment that she was given a male singlet. Hmm . . . why didn't I think of that? It may not be too late. With just one phone call, I learned that I could exchange my singlet for a male singlet. Wasting no time, I rushed back to MOA and did just that.

I am ecstatic because all I have to do now is wear a shirt under my new singlet.

Problem solved.

If the Singlet Fits

I spent every minute of my free time yesterday calling the ADIDAS outlets near our place to check if the new batch of KOTR registration forms/bibs/singlets has already arrived.

The guy from RACE Office informed me that at 11:00 AM, he already dispatched the delivery of KOTR materials to Trinoma, Gateway, Megamall and MOA. Sorry, Festival Mall was not included. But when I called MOA, delivery didn't reach them yet. Jaja was kind enough to ask my name so she could reserve a race bib and singlet for me. I assured her that I would definitely go there after I bring my children home from school.

But things don't always happen as planned.

When I fetched Gio, he requested that I bring him back to KUMON to resume his Mathematics tutorial. I wanted to fly to MOA but I couldn't refuse my child--my favorite son.

We just dropped Ate Ella and Eia at home and off we went to KUMON Center at Pamplona Road.

By the time we left for MOA, we were both starved. Decided to eat at Blue Wave to satisfy our hunger. We ordered one P99 combo meal at Pizza Hut. He took care of the spaghetti and root beer while I enjoyed the Caesar's salad with fresh ground pepper. It was our shortest meal time ever. Gio pointed out that it was 7:11 when we left Blue Wave.

Parked the car beside SMX Convention Center. Ran to Adidas Outlet. Looked for Jaja but she already left. But she managed to reserve a KOTR race bib and singlet for me.

After 4 days of wondering and wandering , I am now officially entered as 5k runner with race bib # 9721! The long wait is finally over.

Never mind if I don't have a race map inside my kit. I'll just go around the Fort and go where the crowd is and follow the signs where I should run. This is my very first race in this area and I don't have the faintest idea what road goes where.

But I was given a complimentary running magazine which is really awesome!

And the singlet. Aaahhh . . . The singlet of my dreams--if only it would fit my svelte figure as Gene Ordanza aptly described it hah hah ...

With the singlet hanging loose on top and hugging uncomfortably at the bottom, the question now remain: Will I or will I not wear my KOTR singlet on race day?

Of course I will.

I only need to add 1 inch of flesh on my breast, discard 2 inches of flab around my waist and trim 3 inches off my pear-shaped hips. And I still have 10 days to do all these!

No prob. (Sigh)

How about you? Will you be wearing your precious singlet on race day?

Where Art Thou KOTR?

How can a beautiful start end in a tragedy?

Woke up at 5 AM this morning to try a new workout. Got out at 5:37 AM and headed for the park. Then I did the following to spice up my old, boring routine:

1. Run 800 m. at 4 mins. 35 secs.
2. Jog/walk 400 m.
3. Run 800 m. at 4 mins. 43 secs.
4. Jog/walk 400 m.
5. Run 800 m. at 4 mins. 35 secs.
6. Jog/walk 400 m.

When I came home, I stretched and did some strengthening exercises (following the advise of Gigi, the fitmommy) using dumb bells, crunch ball and resistance band.

I was sooh hungry after that I almost ate the whole daing na bangus for breakfast!

I then took a quick shower and went to MAKRO. Upon returning home, left again to bring my daughter Eia to her ophthalmologist who unfortunately called that he couldn't make it.

Took early lunch @ 11:30 AM. At 12:30 PM, we were again on the road on our way to my dentist friend for Eia's consultation. His clinic is near Rockwell so I thought our trip would be "killing two birds with one stone". Adidas Rockwell is one of the registration outlets for the much-awaited KOTR.

Couldn't contain my excitement when I approached the sales lady and proudly told her that I would be registering for KOTR. My big smile disappeared and turned into frown when she announced that the only race bib and singlet left were for 21k! But she was kind enough to give me a registration form and calling card so I could check if and when there will be new set of race bibs and singlets.

When I saw at the back of the form that Adidas Mall Of Asia and Festival Mall are also participating outlets, I decided that we drop by MOA before going home to Philamlife Village, Las Pinas City.

I was keeping all my fingers crossed while traversing from National Book Store (where I left Ate Ella and Eia) to the Adidas outlet located at the farthest end of the mall.

Much to my dismay, I got the same information that the only available race bib and singlet were for 21k. I went home broken-hearted but hang on to my last hope that I could still register at Festival Mall.

I immediately contacted Adidas Festival Mall when we got home but guess what--they don't have anything left. Not even for 21k!

How about you? Are you fortunate enough to register for KOTR?

End of a 5-Year Love Affair

A year after I left my husband, I purposely dived into a serious relationship.

It was smooth as silk as I have planned. All because I have applied my secret formula of tender loving care. The gentle strokes here and there, the regular soothing massage, the scheduled dates to add color--to name a few.

Some of my friends thought that I was too old to start a new relationship while others expressed that it actually made me look younger than ever.

Well, I knew that I couldn't please everybody all the time so I just continued to enjoy my new-found love.

For five consecutive years I nurtured this beautiful relationship with all the love I could possibly give.

Then faster than a wink of an eye, it was gone.

With just one simple miscommunication, the only thing that made me feel like a beauty queen suddenly walked out of my life.

I had no premonition whatsoever that it will die sooner than I expected.

Want to know what happened?

My instruction to the hairdresser was to layer my waist-length hair to lessen the bulk. Much to my astonishment, she cut my hair before I could even scream "DON'T".

My beloved hair which I took care for five long years met its untimely demise right before my very eyes and I couldn't do anything to save it.

I wanted to cry but I couldn't.

Strange, but I didn't feel any pain anymore. Could it be that my heart turned into stone after what I've been through? I guess not. I'd like to think that I didn't get angry because my hair will still grow to whatever length that I want.

But for now, I have to settle for this:

My First 7k Run

After a series of bouts with the agonizing discomforts of the big "M" (you know--that inevitable biological transformation common to women reaching 49-51 years of age), I conditioned myself to run my first 7k today--no matter what.

A fine weather greeted me this morning, boosting my energy to fulfill my resolution. I was all set to run after I bring Gio to school but Eia's Science assignment forced me to postpone my run in the afternoon. We had to look for 5 different kinds of leaves, flowers and fruits. And we had to introduce each one of them to my daughter with Down Syndrome!

By mid day, the weather drastically changed-- courtesy of storm Marce. It didn't bother me though, 'coz I could still run inside the basketball court. No problem, really.

As soon as Eia entered the car when I fetched her from school she excitedly asked me "Mama, you will run in the basketball court?" I smiled at her and told her yes. Deep inside, I was so proud of my daughter who was very observant of what's happening around her. She already deduced that because it was raining, I had to run inside the basketball court so I won't be wet.

While I was changing to my running outfit, I heard someone say "Didn't you run under the pouring rain in the Milo Race? C'mon, do it again. Make your first 7k run truly memorable".

And so, with my jacket and favorite Nike blue cap I bravely faced the wrath of Marce.

After 1 round, I noticed I was all alone inside the park (it seemed I was the only running addict inside Philamlife Village). I decided to go outside and run around the park instead. Although I was the only one running, I didn't feel alone because vehicles would pass by me every now and then. I just hope those people who've seen me wouldn't assume that I just escaped from the Mental Hospital!

With all the rain drops, sweat and tears rolled into one, I made it through the storm--my first 7k run!

Ouch!

According to David Styles:

"The idea behind training for a marathon is to condition your muscles and body to be ready for the race. This includes decreasing your resting heart rate and conditioning your muscles and respiratory system to function in the most efficient manner possible.

To do this you should schedule your training sessions to allow your body to push to it's limits whilst at the same time allowing it enough recovery time between sessions.

The typical training system should include two rest days, two shorter runs, one semi-long run, a cross-training day and one long run per week and should look something similar to this basic program:

Monday: Rest day
Tuesday: Short run
Wednesday: Semi-long run
Thursday: Short run
Friday: Rest day
Saturday: Cross-training
Sunday: Long run

This is the most efficient way to get your body into peak condition without running yourself into the ground."


As I have written in my post "Proud to be an Addict", I run 4X a week, sometimes 2X a day, in an attempt to adhere to this basic training program. It didn't take too long for my age to interfere. This program may be applicable for most runners but I learned that it's simply not advisable for runners who are just beginning to train at age 50. I had to revise the program if my goal is to run until age 100. My body just gave in at the rate I was going.

And so, my revised program is as follows:

Sunday: Long Run
Monday: Rest Day (walk/jump rope/bike/stairs,etc.)
Tuesday: Tennis
Wednesday: Short run, Strength Train
Thursday: Tennis
Friday: Semi-Long Run
Saturday: Strength Train

I don't particularly know what caused the pain and discomfort in my body (as if it's not obvious that it is my age!) but starting this week, I will limit my runs to only 3X/wk. If needed, I will also limit my tennis to only once a week and replace it with some lesser strenuous exercises (after all, the basic program calls for 2 rest days).

How about you? Do you follow a strict training program? Are you comfortable with it?