10 Things I Am Thankful For

There are many things that we are thankful for the year 2010. For some, it could be for good health, good business, good education, prosperous year, great career, or even having a great relationship. Let me thank some things that happened to me in the year 2010 especially in this sport that we all love - RUNNING!

Here are my 10 things that I am thankful for:

my first race

1. CCM 01-10-10 - this was my first race. Kumpare Kirk Milan invited me in September 2009, I wasn't able to join one race for that year. But luck is on my side. I was able to ran the first ever Cebu City Marahon in its 5K race. Since then, I was hooked! CCM 01-09-11 will be my Runniversary and will ran my very first Full Marathon! 

2. 19 Races for 2010 - Yes! I have completed 19 races for this year. I actually signed up for more than that but I missed Run for IT, Run for the Footure, Hearts Run, MO Plus Run and RunRio Leg 3 due to time constraints and family emergency. But all in all, I've finished all 19 races (16 of these races are held in Cebu City, one at the Fort Bonifacio in Metro Manila, one in Danao, Bohol and another one in Dumaguete City) were done with sweat and tears and had my personal bests at that!

Ungo runners after the CDU 5th University Run

3. A Shoe Story: Running with Nikia - this is my blog which I started last May 2010. The blog title came up when I had my new shoes -- New Balance 749; got it from a friend a few days before the SRP Sundown Run and named her Nikia which means "people of victory".

 4. Ungo - I am very thankful for my Ungo family. These runners have been very helpful and motivating all the way. I first joined last April and been active for a few months till I was into that Friday night running hiatus due to schedule constraints. Last August, I was able to run each Friday with this group. The Friday Night Runs from SunStar to IT Park is keeps us Ungo Runners bond together. Thanx to Max Limpag and the Ungo family for welcoming me.

5. Dailymile - I joined dailymile last April and since then, I was addicted to it. I already deactivated  my Facebook page but now I am logging my miles in dailymile. Met new friends from here and abroad thru this social networking site for athletes and runners like me. Thank you DMers!

me at the Milo 21K

6. Two Pikermis - Yes! I've ran two half-marathons this year. My first was during the 34th Milo Marathon Cebu Eliminations last September 05. My second was last October during the CitiGym Halloween Run. I beat my personal best and I am thankful I was able to pace with Agz the whole race. 

7. VFFs - I purchased my first Vibram Five Fingers (KSO Flow) last August and since then I was hooked to being a minimalist runner. I still use Nikia (NB 749) during transition running but most of my runs are with Phalangging (name I coined to my VFF. Thanx to Doc King2x Perez and Jacob Ong). I also purchased a second pair of VFFs (KSO Trek) and named him Spock (name courtesy of Doc Ling2x Abella). I will be running with Spock this CCM 2011.

TTB after the CitiGym Halloween Half Marathon

8. TeamTytsBogdo - ah! my ever fun-loving TTB family! Who can forget this group emerged because of the love for running tights! Well, I got two tights now and I got a TTB family to motivate me every single run! Thank you TTB!

9. Unofficial Full Marathon and Beyond - I had the courage to finish 46.15 kms from JY Square to Balamban with my fellow Ungo runners. This was my longest run so far and I was running with Phalangging. Yes, on VFFs! See story here.

@KM34 marker in Danao

10. 34K Birthday Run - Since I wasn't able to join the RunRio Leg 3 32K Run with my fellow TTB mates in Manila due to Dad's hospital confinement, I opted to ran from Cebu City to Danao City for 34 kilometers -- that's 1KM per year of my existence. Next year, I will do it again. Of course, adding 1KM!

"Sayang ang Miles" - as quoted by TTB mate Eric Agaton, sayang jud ang miles! From my first 5K race in 01-10-10 up to this afternoon's year-ender run, I was able to run a distance of 838.52 kilometers. Since I joined Dailymile in April, I was able to log 804 kilometers. 

These are just 10 things that I am thankful for. I know there are still lots to thank for but I'll just keep it this way. But most of all, I am thankful that the Lord gave me the strength and the courage to finish all the races, all the training runs, for all the blessings, the pains, the sores, the heat, the friends, the love, the spirit, the faith. Without Him, I am nothing. Thank you Lord!

Thank you all! May each of us be blessed with good health as we enter a new year. All the best for 2011!

It's Taper Time!

With about three weeks before the Cebu City Marathon, every runner who is training for this running event should be starting in their tapering week. 

Last Saturday, when I was responding to Wayne Plymale's questions for his runner feature blog, a lady asked if I am joining the running clinic at the Active Zone in Ayala. She actually noticed that I was wearing my VFF KSO Trek. I gladly said yes to her. She then introduced herself as Marie Calica, the editor in chief of Runners' World Philippines. 

With Marie was Beth Siojo, a mult-awarded triathlete, a serial marathoner, and a columnist of Runners' World Philippines. Beth shared to us that the final three weeks are the most important weeks in any marathon program. 

Here are some tips that I learned from her discussion:

• stick with the same running schedule but  decrease total mileage from last week by at least 20 percent
• take in a lot of protein
• buy the shoes you plan to wear in the marathon, and wear them on most of your runs until race day
• on the day before the race, jog around 3K to take the edge off your pent-up energy so you'll sleep better that night
• do carbo-loading in the last 3 days before the race 
• be sure to prepare your race outfit, shoes, timing chip, number, bag and map to the start are set out the night before the race day
• eat light at least 2 hours before the race, such as oatmeal or a banana

I can't recall the others things anymore. But at least I get to learn some from the expert. :-)

On another note, we celebrated the birthday of fellow Ungo runner Adrian Catingub with a 33K run. That was our last LSD prior to taper week. We ran from Consolacion to Catmon and finished off with good food and beach time.

Birthday Run with Adz (guy beside the KM33 marker)

Well, it's Taper Time indeed. But goodluck to all this Christmas season. Lots of food and carbs await us but just remember to eat light and burn those calories.

Birthday Run

I really wanted to ran on my birthday.... and to ran  1 kilometer per year of my life. 

I was invited by fellow TTB members for the RunRio Leg 3 November 21 and ran 32K at that. I said to myself that this race will be very timely as I will turn 34 by the day before the race. But to back track, I was supposed to go home to Dumaguete and ran at the Dumaguete City 3/4 Marathon. Anyhow, I was fully prepared for the RunRio 32K run. But luck isn't on my side as my Dad was confined at the hospital a day before my birthday. His blood pressure shoot up. So there I was throwing away the excitement of running for the 2nd time in Manila.

But I realized that family comes first. Of course I had to take care of my Dad and I decided not to join RunRio and gave my race bib and D-Tag to RH Runner Daryl Igot. Later I knew it was fellow Ungo Runner April Dagandan who ran for my race number (thanx April!). So yeah! Family always should come first!

And while all of my TTB running mates were excited in their Manila trip, I was at the hospital to take care of my Dad. But the itchiness of my feet prevailed as I decided to ran on my birthday as my dad was resting at the hospital. He actually knew first hand that that was my goal that day. So I decided to use Nikia and ran on my birthday!

Katol @ pan break

What made it more special is that I was able to ran with friends who supported me in my birthday run. I ran with Agz from KM0 to Consolacion while Doc King2x and Adz waited for us. We had a short pan break at Julies and ran again. We were heading North and hoping to reach the KM34 mark in time for lunch. 

Doc King2x & Agz at Km17

Adz decided to be our support crew along with his cute dog. The 3 of us ran and did some "find the kilometer marker" game. It was basically a very relaxed run -- lots of walk breaks, re-hydration, chi (ka) running and buko juice break. We are even laughed our asses off when we see signs of food like lechon or local delicacies. We can't help but envy and feel hungry!

Each kilometer marker was an achievement for us as we slowly paced on the road amidst the dust, the heat and some reckless drivers of vehicles passing by. But inspite of all these, I was determined to finish the run and grab hold of the KM34 marker.

Most of the time, we are just goofing ourselves and take photos when we reach a significant marker. Adz gladly waited for us every 2kms to offer water. He was indeed a big help.

Doc King2x @ buko juice break -- Adz giving water to sweetyms Dockie

Reaching the Goal

The last 2 kilometers was very sloooooow as we are already dragging ourselves. I felt slight pain in my right big toe already. I said to myself that someday I will say goodbye to my big toe. My left big toe said goodbye to me when I conquered the 46.15kms ran from JY to Balamban last September.

I was so excited to see the KM32 marker. Inspite of he heat, we were still able to smile to get a photo of ourselves. And we know that the last 2 kms will be another achievement for us. And of course, we can't help but getting hungrier as we pass by some food stands.

Seeing the KM34 marker past Danao City was a sight to behold. I can't explain the exact feeling at that very moment. All I can think of is how happy I am to reach my goal that day and I am very happy to achieve it with my friends. 

Happy Birthday to me!

A very yummy lunch awaited us at the fish port. A nice treat to ourselves. The long run paid off. My birthday run was a success. 

Thank you to Agz and Doc King2x and Adz for their warm support during my birthday run. Another tick off in my bucket list. Another personal achievement. 

Thank you Lord for giving me more life to my years and more years to my life. 

I turned 34 years old last November 20, 2010. I figured... my age is just a number. :-)

NEXT STOP: Adrian Catingub's 33KM Birthday Run on December 19, 2010

Birthday Run

Today is a good day. With so many blessings in her life, Dr. Cecille "QueenBogdo" Milan celebrated her birthday with a run. Members of the TeamTytsBogdo donned their official singlet and ran with their, well... tights! 

TeamTytsBogdo with QueenBogdo Doc Tata (in white singlet)

Doc Tata got her wish for everyone in the team to run on her special day. The route was about 10K and the weather cooperated throughout the run. Present during the run were RH Brothers Chard and Chill, Eric Bogdonator, Pastor Jack, Christian (nice bike bro!), Superman Doc Izzy, Abi Glamorosa, Wonder Colili, Cadjing, Benjchz and Kalbogdo. RH1 paced with her wife Ivy (how sweet!) while Axl and Richelle joined the group when we reach McDo at Fuente. Coach Boying was the photobogdo for the day. :-)

Saw some runner friends during the run. Jaymarl Padreganda of ARC had his early Pikermi today. Elite Pam Juday also had her quad zip code run this morning. Hanep!

Of course, the run won't be complete without some funny moments courtesy of Pastor Jack and foodie courtesy of Doc Tata. The moron from Baybay really tastes good. Thanx to Doc Tata and Boying's mom for bringing home some delicacy. :-)

So cheers to you Doc Tata! May Jah bless you and keep you. May you have more years to run and more runs for your years ahead. Happy Birthday!

By the way, I can't help but laugh everytime you say "Gorilla Feet!" at me and Phalangging! :-)

So who's next?

More pics courtesy of Coach Boying:

TTB Rules!