When the love of your life pushes you to re-boot your run workout, you just say, “as you wish.”
So, tonight I put on my shorts and old Asics, got on my feet, stepped out the door, and went around twice.
Can’t believe I stopped doing this for a long time.
This is how that turned out:
Image
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Posted: February 20, 2013 in Opinions, Personal, running. Adidas. Mizuno. Asics. training. Music. Nike. Shoe review. Nutrition. running gear. Races. Garmin.
Tags: academic oval, Asics, running, workout
Was going through my old digital files earlier and found this set of writings that recalled those days about 2-3 years ago when I was knee-deep into running. Yeah, I know I need to get back on the road real soon. Tried to do it this year and even attempted to train for a full marathon. But something in this old body of mine gave way and caused me to stop for a full three weeks, thereby missing out on the mileage accrual needed in pursuit of a 42-km run.
Anyway, I came across this list of commandments by and for runners that used to circulate between running friends a couple of years ago. They all hold true, and its a matter of discipline and hard work to follow these commandments religiously.
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53 RUNNERS COMMANDMENTS
1. Do not be a whiner. Nobody likes a whiner, not even other whiners.
2. Walking out the door is often the toughest part of a run.
3. Do not make running your life. Make it part of your life.
4. During group training runs, do not let anyone run alone.
5. Keep promises, especially ones made to yourself.
6. When doing group runs, start on time no matter who is missing.
7. The faster you are the less you should talk about your times.
8. Keep a quarter in your pocket. One day you will need to call for a ride.
9.Do not compare yourself to other runners.
10. All runners are equal, some are just faster than others.
11. Keep in mind that the later in the day it gets, the more likely it is that you will not run.
12. For a change of pace, get driven out and then run back.
13. If it was easy, everybody would be a runner.
14. When standing in starting lines, remind yourself how fortunate you are to be there.
15. Getting out of shape is much easier than getting into shape.
16. A bad day of running still beats a good day at work.
17. Talk like a runner. Singlets are worn on warm days. Tank tops are worn to the beach.
18. Do not talk about your running injuries. People do not want to hear about your sore knee or black toe.
19. Do not always run alone.
20. Do not always run with people.
21. Approach running as if the quality of your life depended on it.
22. No matter how slow you run it is still faster than someone sitting on a couch.
23. Keep in mind that the harder you run during training, the luckier you will get during racing.
24. Races are not just for those who can run fast.
25. There are no shortcuts to running excellence.
26. The best runs sometimes come on days when you did not feel like running.
27. Be modest after a race, especially if you have reason to brag.
28. If you say, Let us run this race together, then you must stay with that person no matter how slow.
29. Think twice before agreeing to run with someone during a race.
30. There is nothing boring about running. There are, however, boring people who run.
31. Look at hills as opportunities to pass people.
32. Distance running is like cod liver oil. At first it makes you feel awful, then it makes you feel better.
33. Never throw away the instructions to your running watch.
34. Do not try to outrun dogs.
35. Do not trust runners who show up at races claiming to be tired, out of shape, or not feeling well.
36. Do not wait for perfect weather. If you do, you will not run very often.
37. When tempted to stop being a runner, make a list of the reasons you started.
38. Never run alongside very old or very young racers. They get all of the applause.
39. Without goals, training has no purpose.
40. During training runs, let the slowest runner in the group set the pace.
41. The first year in a new age group offers the best opportunity for trophies.
42. Go for broke, but be prepared to be broken.
43. Spend more time running on the roads than sitting on the couch.
44. Make progress in your training, but progress at your own rate.
45. Winning means different things to different people.
46. Unless you make your living as a runner, do not take running too seriously.
47. Runners who never fail are runners who never try anything great.
48. Never tell a runner that he or she does not look good in tights.
49. Never confuse the Ben-Gay tube with the toothpaste tube.
50. Never apologize for doing the best you can.
51. Preventing running injuries is easier than curing them.
52. Running is simple. Do not make it complicated.
53. Running is always enjoyable. Sometimes, though, the joy does not come until the end of the run.
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After reading through this list again, maybe it is high time I get my ass off the couch and hit the road. There’s no other way.
My kids gifted me with a car on Father’s Day!
Yep, you read it right!
It’s a spanking new, bright orange Ford Mustang GT… at 1/60 scale though!
Waking up to a cool, drizzly Sunday morning, I had planned to hit the road running. I was already downstairs, limbering up while my Garmin GPS was syncing with the satellite. But the steady rainshower dampened my mood, convincing me to go back up to our flat and just ditch any plans of running.
It turned out to be a good idea.
My daughters were already up by then, and, after I got changed out of my running attire, they surprised me with a greeting card and a gift — the orange Mustang!
It was a double surprise coz the reason the car was orange was because it was a Reese’s Ford Mustang GT scale model that they bought at the Hershey’s store in Chicago during our U.S. trip last month!
They knew I loved cars, all kinds. Plus, they also knew that I absolutely love Reese’s Pieces! So they thought it was a good idea to find the two things I love in one gift!
Reese's Ford Mustang GT 1:60 scale
Good thing I cancelled my run. I can always do that tomorrow. Father’s Day comes but once a year!
Cheers!
Not-so-grouchy at Greentennial Run
Posted: March 13, 2011 in Events, Opinions, Personal, Race Reports, running. Adidas. Mizuno. Asics. training. Music. Nike. Shoe review. Nutrition. running gear. Races. Garmin.A long-delayed post on my 15km run at the 2011 Greentennial Run at The Fort, last January 23, 2011.
Here’s a photo of me at the finish line, taken by somebody who volunteered to take photos during the race. Sorry I can’t remember from which FB photo album I got this photo. And thanks!
The Finish!
Can you see me smiling?!
And here’s my race results:
Half a Marathon Away
Posted: December 5, 2010 in Events, Opinions, Race Reports, running. Adidas. Mizuno. Asics. training. Music. Nike. Shoe review. Nutrition. running gear. Races. Garmin.I ran 21km at the 2nd Quezon City International Marathon last Sunday, and I must say, for one who hasn’t joined an organized race since April 2010, it was a great experience to be out there once again, enjoying the crowd, the ambiance and the long distance.
My race bib and singlet for QCIM2
My training for this race wasn’t completely on-schedule. I think I may have fallen short of my mileage. Nevertheless, the main point of joining was to have fun and enjoy, and finish in one piece.
The route was very simple: Take-off from Philcoa, then go into UP for a round at the academic oval, then off to Commonwealth Ave. all the way down the turnaround point. On the way back meant another round in UP before heading home to the Finish at Philcoa.
I wore my new Adizero Ace for this race, and thankfully, it held up despite the minimal cushioning. Maybe I stretched it a bit coz I did feel some soreness in my knees after the kilomter 15 thereabouts.
Running with RJ, who coincidentally had a similar color combination Adizeros, was great, and we made sure we didn’t push strong early on. He did a real even pace, quite steady and rhythmic, which I tried to follow. It was a good, even pace two-thirds of the race. I just had to fall back a couple of times to catch my breath and rest my sore calves. I guess my lack of mileage showed in the second half of the 21km.
My race ended right near the UP School of Economics on the way back. That was were my Garmin said it was already 21km, with a reading of 2:55. When that happened, I said to myself, “ok, my race is over.”
And then I just walked most of the way out of UP after catching up with Neil, RJ, who were my pacers in my first-ever 21km at last year’s Timex Run. Coincidentally, my finish time was almost the same. They both also started walking once they hit 21km.
Like some other runners, I got dejected when I noticed the disparity in the km markers along the route compared to my Garmin reading. To be off by 2km halfway through means a really longer second half.
So I didn’t push anymore. I signed up to do 21km, and that’s what I did. The last 2.2km back to the “showbiz” Finish line was just a cool down, but we jogged a bit on the way there para kunwari we were still in good shape.
That's me and RJ on Commonwealth. Grouchy meets Steady. Photo grabbed from The Greentennial Run Facebook page.
It turned out that the 21km route measured a distance of 22.3km! I didn’t bother taking note of my finish time coz at that point, it didn’t really matter anyway. In true grouchy fashion, I could care less.
Overall, the 2nd QCIM can probably considered a huge success, with the large turnout of runners and a bunch of Kenyans winning almost all the top spots, as usual. Everyone was over-hydrated with water and Powerade. The only downside was the overlong 21km route that ironically was PATAFA-certified. IMHO, last year’s QCIM was definitely more festive.
This race reminded me why I didn’t particularly enjoy running long distances. Its all about pain. Sweet pain. And its great to bring home a medal after all that.
My off-season has now started, but come January, will just focus on the shorter distances, like 5km and 10km.
I was telling RJ that shorter races are better: racing flats look nicer, you don’t have to wake up too early for races, you don’t look too wasted at the finish, the reg fee is cheaper, the girls are cuter, and you can still walk properly for the rest of the day.
Here's what I got after running 21km and then some.
Adiknation in U.P.
Posted: November 12, 2010 in Events, Opinions, running. Adidas. Mizuno. Asics. training. Music. Nike. Shoe review. Nutrition. running gear. Races. Garmin.After numerous requests and demands from QC-based runners, the Adidas Adination of Runners (aNR) finally relented and opened up another group based in U.P. Diliman campus last Tuesday, November 9.
The running lifestyle isn’t really alien to the UP community, as anyone who has spent weekend mornings around the UP Academic Oval will attest. So it was with much anticipation that the first ever aNR session began that wet Tuesday night in front of the UP Theater, with over 100 runners of all shapes, sizes and grouchiness (that’s mostly me) in attendance!
Now, Quezon City folk can be counted as part of this aNR addiction already sweeping four regular venues all over the Metro, namely in Bonifacio Hight Street, Ayala Triangle Makati, Ortigas and Ayala Alabang.
It was the first time I ever joined an aNR event, so I didn’t know what to expect. I barely made it to UP by 7pm, after about an hour spent in traffic coming from Makati. But it didn’t make me too grouchy to enjoy the drills and run session.
I managed to run around the oval twice, without walking, which is a big surprise to me! I guess all those mid-day runs during Sunday paid off. I felt I was doing better time in the cool, dark night.
My only gripe was that it was way too dark. Maybe the organizers should have preselected a well-lit spot from where to conduct the drills and briefing sessions. I could hardly see Coach Jojo Macalintal when he was talking about good form, nutrition and other running tips.
The drills conducted by triathlete Monica Torres were ok. I mean, I didn’t really do them that much. I didn’t want to tire myself before the actual run. And that’s just me.
Overall, I believe it was a great debut for Adination in UP. Save for the fact that I missed out on the Adidas loot bags that were being given away just because I didn’t have my aNR Passport yet!
I mean, c’mon! I went to Adidas Trinoma the Sunday before and the guy there said they had just run out of registration forms and passports. How can I get a passport if its not available in the duly designation registration centers? It wasn’t feasible for me to go to another Adidas store in another city just to register. I hardly have enough time to run, much more go to the mall.
Sure, its not a big deal. Just a few of us runners weren’t able to get lootbags coz we didn’t have our passport. But would it have been a big stretch to just give it anyway, since we were already there and we did do the prescribed run for the night?
I’m sure Adidas will learn their lesson after this. They should realize that they’ve got a hugely popular event unfolding, and moreso now on its second stage after a very successful first run in the four regular venues.
Part of this success should be duly attributed to the trainors/instructors/organizers (mostly the people behind Takbo.ph and its members) who ensure that the run sessions happen as scheduled. They understand what runners need and want. And what runners don’t want is getting the runaround.
Judging from the huge turnout of running addicts that night — thus “adiknation” — Adidas ought to put more thought on how to properly execute this program in a venue like UP, which has always been a runner’s haven.
Making it a wee bit more efficient, organized and exciting isn’t really impossible. Like what Adidas’ tagline says, impossible is nothing.
Join aNR UP every Tuesday beginning at 6:30pm in front of UP Theater. Training tips, running advice and other info are free. Bring your own hydration as none of the soda vendors and magtataho are around at that time of night.
More Time to Refresh Your Gear!
Posted: November 3, 2010 in Opinions, Promos, running. Adidas. Mizuno. Asics. training. Music. Nike. Shoe review. Nutrition. running gear. Races. Garmin.
Just got word that the Refresh Your Gear promo from Adidas has been extended to November 14, from the previous October 31, 2010!
This is great news for all those who can’t seem to make up their mind about this promo.
I mean, what athletic shoe can you sacrifice for this? In my grouchy opinion, it doesn’t really matter!
Scavenge through your shoe cabinet, or your brother’s shoe rack, heck, try to go inside you neighbor’s house to search for an old (pwede rin new) pair of athletic shoes, just so you have something to trade in at Adidas! Well, okay, you don’t have follow my last suggestion.
A deal like this only comes once a year. I know, coz I got one last year for my wife. I sacrificed my old Anta all-around shoe to get her an Adizero Ace, a pretty good deal since the Anta never really was a good running shoe. I think I got plantar fascitis when I was using that.
Anyway, when I told a friend about this promo, he said he’ll just go to Greenhills tiangge and buy one of those imitation athletic shoes that cost under P1,000. Then he’ll trade them in for a new pair of Adidas shoes to enjoy the P1,000 or P500 discount. That’s not a bad idea, you know.
Well, I didn’t follow his advice. Instead, I found an old pair of Adidas Rekord (Originals) and used that as my sacrificial lamb.
I actually didn’t have plans of getting a new pair of running shoes. So far this year, I already bought two pairs of running shoes and one pair for trail running (which I use for weekends, but not to run in trails.)
Anyhoo, this “Refresh Your Gear” thing of Adidas got me thinking that I might as well get a new one now instead of waiting for next year. And good timing, too, coz my Asics Gel 1140 (bought last May) are showing signs of wear and tear.
So, we went to the Adidas Store at Shangri-La Plaza mall and picked out my new pair of kicks. I chose the latest iteration of the Adizero Ace since my first Aces (the salmon pink and yellow miAdidas pair that I got a year ago) really felt great to run with, but I never really ran a race with them. I only used them for mall-dates, or parties, and other “pang-porma” events.
The only thing I grouched about was the fact that the sole easily wore out. Obviously, since the Adizero is in the category of racing flats, the soles would be on the thinner/lighter side.
Fresh out of the box!
Its a shame to be stepping with these soles!
Nevertheless, the Adizero Aces seemed like something I can enjoy running with, especially during races! (Yeah, right, that is if I’ll ever join one anytime soon!)
So for those of you still hemming and hawing whether to claim this offer or not, keep on being wishy-washy. Just like when you procrastinate before signing up for an upcoming race. You won’t know what you missed till you miss it!
And THEN you’ll have something to complain about!
Call me “magastos” or puro porma lang, I don’t care. This is one deal that’s just too hard to ignore!
*Find out more about Adidas’ Refresh You Gear offer by visiting any Adidas Store, or try not to be too lazy and just Google it.
Grouchyrunner 