Yesterday, February 15,2009, I witnessed my first live cycling event in Tagaytay City. Headed by Tagaytay City Mayor and PhilCycling President, Bambol Tolentino, the Pista Ng Pag-Ibig (Feast of Love) is done every year.
I was reminded of my first running event (the Makati City Hall Vertical Race). I was wearing jogging pants and a shirt. I was surrounded by bronze skinned runners showing off their massive, well-toned legs through their 'ultra-short' shorts. I was watching several runners warming up. I was intimitated!
I didn't join this cycling event - which was also an event where they take the top 10 junior finishers and train them for a cycling event in Singapore - but I was really intimidated! I just stood/sat scanning the human powered machines zooming past, while cyclists were warming up, trying to identify their equipment and taking mental notes of their riding techniques and form. I fed my mind on the pretty eye candies - frames, wheelsets, components. I, ofcourse, rode my bike to the place. I am proud of my bike, don't get me wrong! But that time, I didn't associate myself with my bike as I wasn't dressed to match my bike. I also watched as some people approached my bike and admiring it! Haha.. the pride of the builder!! ..but I didn't mention that it belonged to me. (how pathetic!)
The event also included a 160km ride. As the race started, I watched these cyclists starting strong! I wondered how they could keep up that pace when they had to ride 160kms. Maybe it seemed strong to me, when to these steel legged superhumans, it was just another joy ride. I was awakened to the world of cycling and how much more I have to train!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
A pedal away
My road towards a triathlon is now just a pedal away. I've spent a couple of months building up a road bike. The process took more than that considering the time it took to scout for parts & prices and to research about proper bike fit.
Finally, I've managed to complete a machine. Completely bought (except for handle bars & calipers) from Cycle Art in Quiapo, Manila. This shop has probably the best customer service around. I've been to other bike shops in the area and none came close to the friendliness of the people at Cycle Art.
Specifications:
Frameset: Kinesis KT415 TT SPF
Wheelset: Shimano WH-R550
Shifters: Shimano Sora STI, 9 speed
Front Derailleur: Shimano Sora
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Sora
Crank: Shimano Sora 50/34
Cassette: Shimano Tiagra 12-23, 9speed
Handlebars: MOB
Stem: FSA
Headset: Kinesis (manufactured for Cane Creek)
Breakset: Shimano Sora
The bike weighs a total of 20lbs which I consider incredibly light compared to bikes I have previously ridden.
I built this bike up and fine-tuned the shifting and the stack and reach and was finally able to ride it a week after I finished assembling it. Last Sunday, February 8, 2009 was the day I took it on it's first 40km trip. I also took it for hill training last night.
I would like to especially thank Desiree of Cycle Art for being so helpful and accomodating.
If you wish to contact Cycle Art:
I'm still not abandoning ol faithful. The bike I started training on:
Finally, I've managed to complete a machine. Completely bought (except for handle bars & calipers) from Cycle Art in Quiapo, Manila. This shop has probably the best customer service around. I've been to other bike shops in the area and none came close to the friendliness of the people at Cycle Art.
Specifications:
Frameset: Kinesis KT415 TT SPF
Wheelset: Shimano WH-R550
Shifters: Shimano Sora STI, 9 speed
Front Derailleur: Shimano Sora
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Sora
Crank: Shimano Sora 50/34
Cassette: Shimano Tiagra 12-23, 9speed
Handlebars: MOB
Stem: FSA
Headset: Kinesis (manufactured for Cane Creek)
Breakset: Shimano Sora
The bike weighs a total of 20lbs which I consider incredibly light compared to bikes I have previously ridden.
The Kinesis kt415 has a TT (time trial) geometry with a seat angle of 76 degrees. It came with fork and seat post. I am planning to buy clip-on aero bars and transform this bike into a tri bike. For now it will remain a road bike with tri geometry. All components are Shimano Sora except the Cassette and I'm also planning to upgrade these to 105. But not now. I was on a budget and the real investment I made was on the frameset.
I built this bike up and fine-tuned the shifting and the stack and reach and was finally able to ride it a week after I finished assembling it. Last Sunday, February 8, 2009 was the day I took it on it's first 40km trip. I also took it for hill training last night.
I would like to especially thank Desiree of Cycle Art for being so helpful and accomodating.
If you wish to contact Cycle Art:
Cycle Art Mktg. Quiapo, Manila
Mobile: +639177951122
I'm still not abandoning ol faithful. The bike I started training on:
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Bomb?! ..Oh...
There a lot of things that can freak a crowd out and cause total chaos. One of which is a bomb threat. Imagine you are in a mall full of people when someone shouts "BOMB!!" and runs!! What do you think happen? Ahh.. Stampede!!
In the Philippines, and probably most anywhere in the world, joking about bombs isn't the funniest joke. Specially in airports. You could get caught, jailed, fined, then jailed again...ok, maybe not. I had a similar experience just recently. Not in an airport, nothing was funny (until I noticed), no one was jailed.
I traveled to Quiapo, Manila to purchase the lacking parts of my bicycle project. I was traveling with my friend RJ, who was also scouting for bike parts. On our way home, we decided to take the LRT. Train stations, in the Philippines at least, have security guards checking the contents of your bags. I was carrying a bag where I put my goodies. Approaching the security guard's desk I unzipped my bag and opened it. She (the security guard) was checking the contents. She found something and was gesturing - asking what it was. It was my bike handpump that I forgot to remove from my bag. "Bomba po!", I said. She let me pass.
Then, it dawned on me!! What the hell was that?! Did I just tell a security guard it was a BOMB? I was laughing to myself. I innocently answered her question saying that it was a hand pump! You see in the Philippines a pump is bomba, same filipino word for bomb. I was aware of the rules about making fun with bombs and such. I was glad I wasn't apprehended. It could have been serious!
Well, earlier, we were on the train and took out my water bottle to drink. While drinking, I tilted my head up and saw the sign saying "No Drinking!" My, my, me! I hurriedly put my water bottle away.
In the Philippines, and probably most anywhere in the world, joking about bombs isn't the funniest joke. Specially in airports. You could get caught, jailed, fined, then jailed again...ok, maybe not. I had a similar experience just recently. Not in an airport, nothing was funny (until I noticed), no one was jailed.
I traveled to Quiapo, Manila to purchase the lacking parts of my bicycle project. I was traveling with my friend RJ, who was also scouting for bike parts. On our way home, we decided to take the LRT. Train stations, in the Philippines at least, have security guards checking the contents of your bags. I was carrying a bag where I put my goodies. Approaching the security guard's desk I unzipped my bag and opened it. She (the security guard) was checking the contents. She found something and was gesturing - asking what it was. It was my bike handpump that I forgot to remove from my bag. "Bomba po!", I said. She let me pass.
Then, it dawned on me!! What the hell was that?! Did I just tell a security guard it was a BOMB? I was laughing to myself. I innocently answered her question saying that it was a hand pump! You see in the Philippines a pump is bomba, same filipino word for bomb. I was aware of the rules about making fun with bombs and such. I was glad I wasn't apprehended. It could have been serious!
Well, earlier, we were on the train and took out my water bottle to drink. While drinking, I tilted my head up and saw the sign saying "No Drinking!" My, my, me! I hurriedly put my water bottle away.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Happy New Year!!!
- Gong Xi Fa Chai!! Just in time for the Chinese New Year!! I just got this picture from RJ (thefirstgrader.blogspot.com) last night.
- This picture was taken in Tarak Ridge last year, December. If you notice I was kneeling down. The winds were so strong that standing for this pic was difficult.
- I believe this year is the year of the Ox which is also the year I was born (1985). I am expecting a lot this year. I will also expect to work hard on training which I've already started.
My 2009 Goals:
I have several goals for the year 2009. Some of them are goals carried over from 2008. Here are some of them.
1. Finish a Marathon - This was a goal that I had last year which I didn't get to do. Running and finishing 42kms is definitely a goal this year. I was excited about the Philippine Marathon which was supposed to happen on March 8 but was moved. This gives me ample time to train. All marathons are scheduled at the later part of the year. A half marathon - The Cordura Half Marathon - will be held on March 22.
2. Become a Triathlete - I've been bitten by the bug. And now I'm in the triathlon fever. I've started training to be a triathlete this year. My goal is to finish an olympic distance triathlon (1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run) but in any case a sprint distance will do.. nothing below that. Triathlon training could be really tough. I have to find time to train all three sports during the week. And without a lap pool near by, I ride 14kms to Adventist University of the Philippines to swim, then ride 14kms home. So far, training is going along fine. I haven't really cut down on running as I also have to train for a marathon.
So what have I done so far to see that this goals are met?
- I have been more serious with training. I've also found out that cross training like cycling could improve endurance during the run. Just recently, I finished third in a local short-distance run we had.
- I am building a road bike. Almost complete. I plan to complete it by next month. The frame is of time trial geometry (76 deg. of seat angle). I've been using a mountain bike (MTB) on the road for training which isn't really the use for it. I plan to start piling in more miles with my TT bike. I'll post a pic of the bike when it's complete. ^^
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
My Takes on the TNF Thrill of the Trail
First of all, this post wasn't supposed to come first this year. There was supposed to be a Happy New Year's post, a New Year's resolutions post, a "what-I-did-til-now" post, and another post. But right now, those will come after this.
If you want to read about the TNF Thrill of the Trail, read it from my friend's blog - HighAltitude.
I'm posting to pour out my disappointments of not being able to join this run! Well, not a fault on my part mind you. I was looking for a way to register for this run.
After hearing about this run last year from Jerry, I've been looking forward to it. I went to TNF-MOA to get my trail shoes fixed and asked them about the registration - this was 2 weeks after I heard about it. And guess what - they said the registration was closed!! Well, they had a poster of the run for all to see, and here I was hearing that the registration was closed! I was disappointed wondering how this race closed registration so soon?!
Then I remembered the complications in last year's TNF run, how, despite closing of registration, they allowed on site registration and it messed up the results. I thought it was fair that only a certain number of people be allowed for this run. But still, I was disappointed.
Forgetting about it, it came back when Jerry mentioned it a few weeks ago, then discussing with my friend RJ about not being able to register, I found out that he had the same issue. It was worse though because he - some one who won 3rd in his age category - didn't get a chance to register!!! Why isn't a placer given special privileges in this kind of thing? I, too, ran in the TNF100 20k and did pretty well finishing at 2:01:xx.. Then, topping this off, hearing that joining a running workshop, a week before the race, gives you the opportunity to register!! It is just NOT FAIR!! Well, I heard that the registration was done on an invitational kind of thing. But still!! I don't think you should deny people their right to experience the thrill of the trail. And this is after you advertise it to the public..
Hopefully I will get to run in the next trail run. Congratulations to all who ran this race. Congrats to Jerry for finishing 7th overall.
Note: I heard that the Philippine Marathon will be postponed. I hope it will not. I'm training for this run, and having this kind of news just puts me off my rhythm.
If you want to read about the TNF Thrill of the Trail, read it from my friend's blog - HighAltitude.
I'm posting to pour out my disappointments of not being able to join this run! Well, not a fault on my part mind you. I was looking for a way to register for this run.
After hearing about this run last year from Jerry, I've been looking forward to it. I went to TNF-MOA to get my trail shoes fixed and asked them about the registration - this was 2 weeks after I heard about it. And guess what - they said the registration was closed!! Well, they had a poster of the run for all to see, and here I was hearing that the registration was closed! I was disappointed wondering how this race closed registration so soon?!
Then I remembered the complications in last year's TNF run, how, despite closing of registration, they allowed on site registration and it messed up the results. I thought it was fair that only a certain number of people be allowed for this run. But still, I was disappointed.
Forgetting about it, it came back when Jerry mentioned it a few weeks ago, then discussing with my friend RJ about not being able to register, I found out that he had the same issue. It was worse though because he - some one who won 3rd in his age category - didn't get a chance to register!!! Why isn't a placer given special privileges in this kind of thing? I, too, ran in the TNF100 20k and did pretty well finishing at 2:01:xx.. Then, topping this off, hearing that joining a running workshop, a week before the race, gives you the opportunity to register!! It is just NOT FAIR!! Well, I heard that the registration was done on an invitational kind of thing. But still!! I don't think you should deny people their right to experience the thrill of the trail. And this is after you advertise it to the public..
Hopefully I will get to run in the next trail run. Congratulations to all who ran this race. Congrats to Jerry for finishing 7th overall.
Note: I heard that the Philippine Marathon will be postponed. I hope it will not. I'm training for this run, and having this kind of news just puts me off my rhythm.
Monday, December 15, 2008
breaking free..not quite yet
Even though my right ankle is still feeling a little unstable after three weeks now due to a sprain, I've been feeling uneasy about not being able to train so I decided - not to run - but accompany my dad on a bicycle ride.
Waking up early, we started on our way at 0630 on a cold Sunday morning. My dad has been cycling alot going on long rides every Sunday. Sometimes with friends. Today, it was only me and him. Since he was the veteran on the road I let him take the lead. I also bike alot but not in long distances the farthest distance being 28km (AIIAS - AUP - AIIAS via Pook). We were both riding mountain bikes and our route went up via the Aguinaldo hi-way to the Tagaytay rotonda. Turning left and down the Tagaytay-Balibago road we had to take some inside road because we weren't wearing helmets.( Reminder: Tagaytay City is strict on helmets.) Somewhere past the market, we turned left again passing a road going down back to Silang passing Brgy. Punong Bunga - a road similar to the back road I usually run. This road we passed connects to my back road route which I am familiar with. This time I took the lead. Turning right before the bridge, I took my dad off-road for a while. This are what mountain bikes are supposed to be for. They were not meant for the road!
We took the off-road road slowly since there were mud puddles everywhere and we didn't really plan on getting ourselves dirty. Exiting the dirt road, we came to a road connecting Silang and Lumil through Pook. Then, turning left again, we went down and up the creek and were on our way back home.
Reaching home, I felt like the bike ride wasn't enough. Sure we went about 30km but I didn't really felt like it was enough. Maybe just me. I decided to take this as an opportunity to train transition. Leaving my bike at home I hit the road once more. Instantly, I felt the pain on my ankle. Being stubborn, I just kept going. Running the road up to AIIAS running two rounds and back home for a total of around 6km. It was around 9 in the morning. Good enough it wasn't that hot.
This was a good start! Freedom is sweet but not yet. Not with a bad ankle...that could get worse if I'm not careful. I'll be doing this again next Sunday and probably more Sundays after next. Next Sunday I'll be aiming for the Olympic Triathlon length for the bike and run legs (40km bike - 10km run).
Waking up early, we started on our way at 0630 on a cold Sunday morning. My dad has been cycling alot going on long rides every Sunday. Sometimes with friends. Today, it was only me and him. Since he was the veteran on the road I let him take the lead. I also bike alot but not in long distances the farthest distance being 28km (AIIAS - AUP - AIIAS via Pook). We were both riding mountain bikes and our route went up via the Aguinaldo hi-way to the Tagaytay rotonda. Turning left and down the Tagaytay-Balibago road we had to take some inside road because we weren't wearing helmets.( Reminder: Tagaytay City is strict on helmets.) Somewhere past the market, we turned left again passing a road going down back to Silang passing Brgy. Punong Bunga - a road similar to the back road I usually run. This road we passed connects to my back road route which I am familiar with. This time I took the lead. Turning right before the bridge, I took my dad off-road for a while. This are what mountain bikes are supposed to be for. They were not meant for the road!
We took the off-road road slowly since there were mud puddles everywhere and we didn't really plan on getting ourselves dirty. Exiting the dirt road, we came to a road connecting Silang and Lumil through Pook. Then, turning left again, we went down and up the creek and were on our way back home.
Reaching home, I felt like the bike ride wasn't enough. Sure we went about 30km but I didn't really felt like it was enough. Maybe just me. I decided to take this as an opportunity to train transition. Leaving my bike at home I hit the road once more. Instantly, I felt the pain on my ankle. Being stubborn, I just kept going. Running the road up to AIIAS running two rounds and back home for a total of around 6km. It was around 9 in the morning. Good enough it wasn't that hot.
This was a good start! Freedom is sweet but not yet. Not with a bad ankle...that could get worse if I'm not careful. I'll be doing this again next Sunday and probably more Sundays after next. Next Sunday I'll be aiming for the Olympic Triathlon length for the bike and run legs (40km bike - 10km run).
Monday, December 8, 2008
..the Key ..?
So I haven't written anything for about a month now. I have lost all passion of updating my blog; lost passion of running. I mentioned about losing my passion of blogging to sir Wayne when I met him at the Kabahaginan FUNdraising run back in November... by the way, sir Wayne, it was nice meeting you.
So what have I been to since then? Nothing. I've gone to sleep. The question is WHY? Well, that's a question I couldn't find the answer to. Similar to me stopping from tricking. I know a backflip is fairly simple-just a jump and a tuck-but somehow I just lost the feeling to even try one. Well this is after my broken arm. It's past a year now since the insident and almost a year since the cast has been removed. I haven't been back to tricking full blast since. Again, the question is WHY? And again, it's a question a couldn't find an answer to. I just couldn't get what is so scary about a backflip (there isn't) specially when I got it on my own will.
I don't want to waste my time searching for the answer of why I lost my passion on things. Not long ago, I was introduced to running and ran in an event almost every month. I would hit the road with the Ibanrunner and High Altitude or alone. What was it that drove me?
Recently, I've picked up on parkour training. It's really hard work but freedom has it's price. You gotta work hard to be able to move freely- not being bound by any obstacles. What drove me to pick up on this? Since I started, it's been hard training - strength training, technical training - sometimes going for a whole 8 hours ending with a sore body. But was is it that made me go on despite the pain?
The question I wanted to answer was how to get it back? How do I get back the desire for the things I once desired up to the point of breaking an arm? How do I once again rekindle the fire that once burned bright?
The key is to have the desire to get back to it. I know I want to get back to running so that's where it all starts again. I remember trying to motivate others who lost their motivation to train parkour. I remember mentioning that this is why parkour is a discipline - because you gotta keep pushing when you feel like giving up; that this was a mental part of parkour training. Now that I am faced by a similar situation from a different perspective, I ought to be able to get myself back on track.
What have I done about it? When I feel like I need motivation, I go back to the things that started it all. I watch videos, read testimonies, talk to passionate people, read articles and think. I just read the blog of Ani de Leon, the first resident Filipino to qualify for and conquer Kona (the ultimate Ironman). Reading this just sparked my dormant desire for the triathlon. So long have I been eyeing the Ironman, maybe I won't get there, but the desire to train has returned.
So what now? I'll get back to training! ...but after my ankle heals. ^^ I haven't run in a month and two weeks ago, when I decided to run, I sprain my ankle...in a basketball game. Luckily, it wasn't as bad as it could've been it didn't even swell. But feeling the tear when it happened, I've decided to rest it. Then last night, I twisted it twice again!! Last in another basketball game! STUPID!!! Now I'm really going to wait for it to heal or it's going to become chronic.
So is there a universal key to RE-motivating? The answer is yes - The WANT to RE-motivate yourself. :)
So what have I been to since then? Nothing. I've gone to sleep. The question is WHY? Well, that's a question I couldn't find the answer to. Similar to me stopping from tricking. I know a backflip is fairly simple-just a jump and a tuck-but somehow I just lost the feeling to even try one. Well this is after my broken arm. It's past a year now since the insident and almost a year since the cast has been removed. I haven't been back to tricking full blast since. Again, the question is WHY? And again, it's a question a couldn't find an answer to. I just couldn't get what is so scary about a backflip (there isn't) specially when I got it on my own will.
I don't want to waste my time searching for the answer of why I lost my passion on things. Not long ago, I was introduced to running and ran in an event almost every month. I would hit the road with the Ibanrunner and High Altitude or alone. What was it that drove me?
Recently, I've picked up on parkour training. It's really hard work but freedom has it's price. You gotta work hard to be able to move freely- not being bound by any obstacles. What drove me to pick up on this? Since I started, it's been hard training - strength training, technical training - sometimes going for a whole 8 hours ending with a sore body. But was is it that made me go on despite the pain?
The question I wanted to answer was how to get it back? How do I get back the desire for the things I once desired up to the point of breaking an arm? How do I once again rekindle the fire that once burned bright?
The key is to have the desire to get back to it. I know I want to get back to running so that's where it all starts again. I remember trying to motivate others who lost their motivation to train parkour. I remember mentioning that this is why parkour is a discipline - because you gotta keep pushing when you feel like giving up; that this was a mental part of parkour training. Now that I am faced by a similar situation from a different perspective, I ought to be able to get myself back on track.
What have I done about it? When I feel like I need motivation, I go back to the things that started it all. I watch videos, read testimonies, talk to passionate people, read articles and think. I just read the blog of Ani de Leon, the first resident Filipino to qualify for and conquer Kona (the ultimate Ironman). Reading this just sparked my dormant desire for the triathlon. So long have I been eyeing the Ironman, maybe I won't get there, but the desire to train has returned.
So what now? I'll get back to training! ...but after my ankle heals. ^^ I haven't run in a month and two weeks ago, when I decided to run, I sprain my ankle...in a basketball game. Luckily, it wasn't as bad as it could've been it didn't even swell. But feeling the tear when it happened, I've decided to rest it. Then last night, I twisted it twice again!! Last in another basketball game! STUPID!!! Now I'm really going to wait for it to heal or it's going to become chronic.
So is there a universal key to RE-motivating? The answer is yes - The WANT to RE-motivate yourself. :)
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