Today marks the 7th day of no running. Unfortunately, that’s just the half of it. I still have seven more dull days to endure before I can try my legs again and see if the strained calf muscle on my left leg has healed, fully-recovered and wouldn’t hurt when I run. If there is still pain or discomfort after, well then… yes, I might be off of the track/ road/ grass/ dirt – again. I swear to you I’m pretty darn lucky in picking up injuries or reason/s to prevent me from running. Anyone want to trade their luck with mine? None? No one? Thought so. Oh well, the lady’s gotta try….
Un-eventful? Well not really (read that with a bit of sarcasm for full effect. lol) The weather seems to be feeling for me though that I am not missing a lot of things – that is except for…
- being unable to run with Maan while she did her Yassos last Thursday night (21 Oct) – and when she next does her Yassos and other speedwork (Hmm… should actually not be running ‘coz am supposed to time her… but, but… maybe even the last set? to push? errr… right, no can do)
- missing the KOTR event tomorrow
- passing the chance to try and beat my previous 10K time
- putting aside my marathon training (Week of 18th October should’ve been Week 1 based on my training program – the printed copy is gathering dust)
- miss Plyo-exercises with Run Rhymes on Tuesday; BR speed drills on Wednesday; aNR-Tiendesitas run on Friday; and though it’ll be out of the two-week coverage – running at Team Boring’s secret playground on Sunday… *sigh*
Not a lot, eh?
Oh well, enough of the drags and on to the fun part! Oh yes there is a fun part to this, or at least tried to make it not all so dull and gloomy and gray. Read on if not yet bored….
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16th October/ Saturday @ 0430H, Roxas Blvd, Manila. ARC Philippines Store Opening.
A Runner's Circle Philippines Store | Photo by The Argonaut
Received an invite for this on Friday night and planned to make it either a 5K walk-along-the-bay or a picture pace run. But well, let’s just say that “that was the plan.” And that was (?) my last (?) run.
I arrived at ARC at 0420H after a 15-minute cab ride from home and guess what?! I was the second to register. lol! I was asked by the manager if I participated in that first 70 pax to sign-up for a free shirt, and I said I didn’t coz the announcement didn’t appear on my FB wall. Oh well, just my luck – a different one this time – good one! Yes my (good) luck! Coz he gave me a free shirt though I wasn’t on the list!! And you gotta love the shirt, good quality and it is RED! Thank you ARC! Yes, momentarily swapped the Team CB for the red ARC shirt as we did the 5K Run.
Team CB at KM 0 with Team Boring's docT and Coach Pojie | Photo by The Argonaut
Fun, fun at ARC Philippines opening! | Photos by The Argonaut
Gotta say that it was a pretty organized run (albeit the longer route and distance we had to take, coz there was a confusion somewhere) – ARC Philippines had available hydration for all runners at KM 0, which was the mid/turn around point. More hydration, breakfast (bananas, boiled egg, sandwiches), and coffee was available and plentiful back at the store premises at the end of the run. There was a free talk from Coach Saturnino Salazar about the history of running in the country plus a Q&A, raffle of different prizes (got a free foot spa GC), shoes (3 pairs were given away!) and more! However, the dance show from Allan.RFM of six:30 was the highlight IMO, nothing beats that!
Lots of picture taking and fun! The ARC store boasts a good selection of items that runners would die for – from the selection of shoes, apparel, to nutrition, and other running essentials. They also have the Aetrex iStep Foot Scanning System –a foot scanning technology that could provide the following info and help in choosing the right shoe and fit: foot size, arch type and pressure points. Best part is… the scan is for free!
To watch out for: ARC said that they do plan to organize regular group runs that will traverse the Roxas Blvd area. This is something to look forward to. If the first group run they organized is to be used as peg, man! They know what they are doing and pushed almost all the correct buttons to put the FUN in group runs. Running in Manila catalyzed!
Team CB at ARC Philippines Opening | Photo by The Argonaut
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A Runner’s Circle (ARC) Philippines
Aloha Hotel, Unit H, 2150 Roxas Boulevard / Cor. Quirino Ave., Malate, Manila 1004
Tel/Fax: (632)567-iRun (4786)
E-mail: info@arunnerscircle.com.ph; steph@arunnerscircle.com.ph
Store Hours: Tuesday to Friday – 12nn-7pm/ Saturday & Sunday – 9am-5pm/ Monday – Closed
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17th October/ Sunday @ 0600H, Ayala Alabang Village. SPEEDO NAGT 5 Series 2010.
Here’s the deal, there was a schedule conflict here. I was supposed to join my BR-P team-mates on a 35K LSD from Tagaytay to Nasugbu on this day had it not been for the strained calf muscle, and the order from Helen’s friend and sports doctor Jojo (who I met last Wednesday/ 13th Oct). However, prior to the 35K LSD I’ve promised both Timmy and Rodel that I’d support and cheer as they do their first triathlon event. Torn I was, ‘til I had a chat with Rodel (you see, I was supposed to be already prepping for my mary and per program I need a 21K long run), and he agreed that I need to do the run for training and skip the tri event. But I guess things have a way of working out — met Jojo that Wednesday, he checked my right knee (which was declared good!) and the left calf muscle – declared – bad, and was ordered to not do the LSD. There.
TCB Triathletes! They inspired and made us proud!
It was all good though – I’ll miss the LSD but will be able to cheer on my Team CB! Yay! Still. 🙂
I was (tasked) photographer for the day, using Rodel’s camera fixed with the 200mm lens. I also brought along another DSLR (c/o Bilz) and a DSC-W35 /Sony Cybershot (c/o Wesley) – yes, wasn’t worried enough that we’d run out of frames or not capture every moment as our team-mates transition to becoming triathletes. Marvin also brought his DSLR, therefore it was pictures galore, we had them covered from all angles and places! Collectively, Bilz, Wesley and I were able to create five albums – from the pre- to post-race moments, mind you, those albums were only for Team CB, does not yet include the pics we took of friends/ CB friends/ and other acquaintances (reminds me… I’ve more uploading to do).
Team CB Represent! | Photo by Doc Art
The photos turned out good and we hopefully did not disappoint our team-mates with the shots. Else, it’ll be a total shame as those are precious, precious moments for Rodel, Julie, Cess, Karen, Timmy, and of course the rest of Team CB. One proud and inspiring moment! You guys make us uber proud!
Oh, also saw my BR-P team-mate Mari Javier at the event. Surprise, surprise, he finished 3rd in his category and 4th over-all! And he still asks why I wasn’t able to take an action pic of him? F.A.S.T. (aside from, I didn’t know he was there! lol)
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Hmm… I guess I don’t need to detail now how the rest of the no-running days went by ‘coz unless you want to know about how long I stayed up for the past days and how much sleep I was losing because of so and so and so… yes, got that, will not talk about it. It was and is probably a good thing that I currently have a two-week project at work, which requires me to closely monitor activities (well, not really on that side), reports and communications. That one keeps me busy and gets my mind off running.
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Not so Random Thought/s
It may be due to the low or lack of endorphins… but I’ve been pretty much pensive about how the running and everything else is going. Quite a few friends know about what I’ve been thinking about (a lot) and the cross-roads I’m at or approaching. They’re not happy about it, especially the one named Helen.
The next seven days will be crucial.
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Maan Catolos, you will finish T2N strong.
Yes I still dream of the dream… but the crossroad is still there.
The RUNblings of A Doll 