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. ^^

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.

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).

..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. :)

After a Few Weeks as a Workaholic

Finally, the few weeks of all work has ended. Now comes the milder, more usual loads of work. After more than two weeks of no (serious) running (my last run: Batulao), I decided to go on a long run last Sunday. My last run was more than a week ago. And I wouldn't even call it a run. More like jog-walk with a ratio of 1mile jog:1mile walk. Not good.

Starting at 053o Sunday morning, me and my friend RJ went on a 25km long run. The first 15kms, going round the usual route passing a back road to the Tagaytay City rotunda, were no problem except for a few stitches that I was expecting. At the rotunda, we turned back north, heading down the Aguinaldo hi-way back to Silang (11km). I started feeling exhaustion settling in less than 5km later. My plan was to run until my legs give and it seemed really close now. I was determined to push some more. Downhills are somewhat difficult in their own way. The pounding of your feet and the energy you use for control contribute to the overall difficulty. I got to the point were I could only run a few hundred meters and go back to a walk. We did one last push toward the AIIAS campus (some 250m). I was really out by now it was even an effort to go on walking. We finished the run in 2hrs 56mins.

Last time I ran this same route (except all the way down to Silang which is around 27km) it took me only 2hrs 40mins. And here I was 2kms short and all ready out. Since we were already out of water, we walked to the library for a drink. My plan of going home on foot was really far from my mind now since I just felt like sitting down. I decided to pass by Auntie Beth and Ate Jenn before heading home (by jeep now), fortunately today was Auntie Beth's birthday and they were eating breakfast (nearly 9 in the morning). The gave a plate of macaroni cooked like spaghetti, i guess, siopao, and a banana. I actually just asked for a banana and got away with a meal!! haha. after talking a bit and eating, I said farewell and walked out the door. I felt renewed. Must have been the food. I scratched the "jeepney" idea and continued home on foot. Now I know the feeling of renewed energy during a run. It will come in handy one day.

Since I'm back to my regular schedule, I've decided to step up my training. In the few weeks that I was stuck with work, with no time to train, I got out of shape so fast. At least maintenance training is required. I will work with 25kms every Sunday for my long runs. Maybe cycling now and then. And stepping up with my parkour technical training too.

A Few Weeks as a Workaholic

I've been stuck with work the past days.  Staying in the office til the late nights (latest at 11+ PM), I do nothing the whole day but (1 1/2) wake up, (2)eat, (3)go to work, (2)eat, (3)work, (2)eat, (1)sleep. On a daily cycle. 3 basic activities.

So far, I haven't had anytime for training in anything.  But I try to fit in a few pushups when I can, some muscle ups, run around a bit (jog around that is).

I'm literally tired.  To keep me going, I say to myself, "I am an endurance athlete.  I train Parkour. I have a strong mind."  It does keep me going.

Well, what is the use of a strong mind with a week body? Well, if the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, you've got an issue.  You can get yourself seriously injured by not having enough physical capacity for a certain task.  Also, it takes half the time to lose shape than to get in shape.

I would think I AM out of shape and I seriously need to get back to training.  After a few weeks as a workaholic.

Batulao Run 2 - Keep Exploring

Photos: Group Pics

Photos taken by Mr. Tripod

(Top) At one of the peaks of Mt. Batulao, Nasugbu

(Bottom) In front of Evercrest Clubhouse

Waking up at around 6am Sunday morning (Sept. 2, 2008), I started preparing for what was to be a "trail" exploration. I went to bed at around midnight after arriving from a swimming trip from Calamba but I was ready to run. I was the last person to arrive at the meeting point and Baldrunner's car was waiting at the side of the hi-way in front of AIIAS. Jerry (HighAltitude) & RJ were already there. We rode all the way to Evercrest, Nasugbu were we were going to start our run.

Our planned trail was to take one loop around the TNF100 10km and traverse Mt. Batulao. The weather was pretty cooperative as we started at around 0800. Cloudy sky, a refreshing breeze, light drizzles -- it was perfect. The trail was quite muddy but nothing compared to the TNF. We were making good progress til after the bridge. We must have missed a turn somewhere because we started heading down again to a second bridge. I didn't remember a metal bridge during a TNF and the path leading down to that bridge was insane!! Anyways, with the words of Baldrunner, quoting The North Face slogan, he said "Just keep exploring!" So we went on. We managed to follow a path leading to the national hi-way and started on the road back to Evercrest. That was around 10kms.

It started drizzling before we got to Evercrest and started pouring when we got there, so we took cover under the front of the Evercrest Club, took pics and chatted. After the rain stopped, we decided to continue to towards Batulao. The trail was also muddy that way. The clouds started coming down onto the mountain and completely covered it. We stopped for a while at the jumpoff for some buko.

While at the buko stop, some mountaineers approached from the peak. Around 30 of them. After the bukostop, we decided to make for the peak. The peak was still covered with clouds, and judging by the weather, it wouldn't be safe to assault the summit. We stopped at two peaks before Camp 8 and were quite satisfied already so we made our way back down.

It started getting hot since it was around lunch time and I just had a peanut butter sandwich before leaving home. We headed back to AIIAS and had a session of carbo-reloading with baked potatoes together with BR & his company.

We missed Ibanrunner in this run. He had to finish some class requirements. Hopefully he'll get to join us the next time around.