Here Goes

I've been running (and spinning) pain-free for the past two and a half weeks. Actually, I still experience stiffness from time to time but it's quickly solved after a good stretch. As far as I'm concerned, stiffness I can handle.

Now that I'm ok (or at least I think I'm ok), I believe it's time to get back to more serious training. Last week, I started training sessions again with my running coach, Joar. Last week was a fairly light session. Good workout, nothing fancy, still no pain. I believe though that today will be much different. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Going through a rigorous session with Joar and coming out of it pain-free will be such a milestone.

In addition, on Friday, I start my TI swim training with friends Joel Gironella, Miguel and Jaymie Pizarro under coach Nonoy Basa. I'm mixed feelings. I'm excited and anxious at the same time. Don't know how I'll do. I was never a strong swimmer and always struggled with it the most on Tri events. But I'm desperate. I need to be taught how to swim more efficiently and hopefully enjoy my it more. So let's see.

I'm glad though that I'm doing these things. I see it as progress and I like that. I go by what my friend Javy Olives (Tri'n Hard) told me, "jump in head first...bahala na". So I'm taking your advice Javy. Here goes...hopefully something. Hahahaha

Build Endurance! Build Schools! I am a Hero! IamNinoy!

A month and a half ago my brothers (Rapa and Jim) and I were discussing how we can further the spirit of the IamNinoy Campaign. IamNinoy aims to foster and nurture a new breed of heroes among the youth through simple selfless acts. Heroes in a big way or in a small way but more importantly in their own new way.

Together with my friends, Jake de Guzman and Drew Arellano, we brainstormed an idea to turn runners into “heroes”. And with the help of my wife Mayi and our other good friend Jaymie (TBR), LITERALLY A LOT OF HELP, we formally launched during the Condura Skyway run.

This is the IamNinoy Runners.



Who are we?

“iamninoy Runners” is a group of professional and amateur runners affiliated with the iamninoy movement. Coming from all walks of life, iamninoy Runners field participants to regular running events—and occasionally mount races of their own—to raise funds for a worthy cause.

Slide Show Photos courtesy of PHOTOVENDO

Why do we run?

iamninoy Runners want to help address the deterioration of the Philippines’ educational system. For this purpose, the group has aligned with the 57-75 Movement, a private-sector-led initiative that aims to reverse the education crisis through focused interventions and school-community action, toward system-wide performance improvements.

How do we help?

iamninoy Runners seek out institutions and individuals who can sponsor their participation in races. These sponsors commit funds, which are in turn donated to pilot projects of the 57-75 Movement. All pledges and donations will be posted on this site.

Do we accept new members?

Definitely. Joining iamninoy Runners is simple: register through this site, and pay a one-time fee of P500 as your investment in the cause. In exchange, we will gift you with an exclusive iamninoy Runners shirt, our official uniform/jersey for all running events.



Join us!!! Be a Hero!!!

Racing to Update My Posts

It's been a while since my last post. Much has happened since. So this is my attempt to recap my continuing roller-coaster ride.

1. I did find a quick fix. And its effect or the relief it brought disappeared just as quick. Bwahahahaha.

2. I surrendered to the fact that there maybe no other solution to my hamstring problems except for plain old rest. But after a week, I got tired of resting (what a contradiction!) and was back on the road. I had a week of pain free short runs. Hooorayyyy!!! But when I started to push my speed a bit...I'm pushed back to the reality. Oh well.

3. I found a new freind in "Makisig". Makisig is my new spin bike which I got through my good friend Jake de Guzman. Jake also happens to be the one who introduced me to the punishing and fulfilling world of triathlon. Thanks Jake for both!



Spinning has been a good, pain-free alternative workout. Great also as a recovery workout in between long runs and intervals.

4. Having been too bothered by my hamstrings, I barely even noticed that I've completely recovered from my heel spurs. I think, no, I believe it was all the stretching and weights that did it. So, I'm planning to do the same for my hamstrings. I guess there really are no shortcuts. What am I talking about? I knew that! Tigas ulo lang. Hay naku.

5. I was "re-introduced" by my friend Drew Arellano to NIKE. I've had bad experiences with NIKE shoes (personal horror stories) and as a result have been loyal to other brands such as Mizuno, Adidas, and New Balance.



Drew convinced me to try a particular pair from Nike -- the Zoom Start, a light-weight cushoning shoe. Don't know what compelled me to buy. Perhaps its Drew's salesmanship. Hahaha. I ran with it, OUT-OF-THE-BOX, for 20K and have to admit that I was impressed.



The shoe had a nice, snug, comfortable fit and provided a light and soft ride throughout the long run. No blisters, chafing, dead toe nails, and pain in my feet and knees. Good shoe. Thanks Drew!!!

6. I also did three weeks of long run routines (15 to 20 K) to prepare for the 21K Condura Skyway run. Have had good and bad runs but can say that more have leaned towards the good.


Was relatively pain free nearing race day and have had an average time of 2hrs10. Good enough for me as long as I don't get hurt. But race day turned out to be a BAD run day! I think I ran faster than I should on the 1st half of the race. I clocked 51 mins on the first 10k and felt sudden intense shooting pain in my hamstrings past the 11th. From there, I walked and ran, and walked and jogged my way to the finish line. I was in pain but I was still HAPPY. My time, 2hrs25. Ok na din.

Photo courtesy of Rapa Lopa

7. Also during the Condura, together with 46 other runners, we launched the IamNinoy Runners Movement. I so happy and blessed to have had a chance to meet, run, and band together with a group of such selfless people. Thanks for joining our cause everyone.



Photo courtesy of theBullrunner

More about, IamNinoy Runners in my next post.

Looking for a Quick Fix

Last week, I tried to do some recovery runs to ease myself back to my usual training routine. I strained my hamstrings quite bad in the Happy Run and I wanted to quickly recuperate and start my training with Coach Joar.

On my first run, I just wanted to do an easy, 30-minute run. I started with a slow jog and immediately experienced some stiffness in my right hamstring. I thought, “Oh no!” But after about a kilometer into my run, my legs started to loosen up and the discomfort disappeared. As usual, impatience crept in and I started picking up my pace. In the end, my planned slow easy run became a 28-minute 5.5 km rolling hills run. And naturally, I felt the effects the following day. Payback!

So, I rested a day and tried to do a more controlled run on a treadmill. I figured, on a treadmill, I can watch over my speed and ensure that keep a steadier pace. Of course, boredom set in and I started messing with the speed of the treadmill turning my supposed easy run into an interval workout. Bad idea! After the 2nd interval, my hamstrings started to hurt that I could not regulate my stride. I decided to stop after 20 minutes and just give more time to stretch. But my hamstrings hurt so bad that I couldn’t even stretch. I felt pain and discomfort even as I sat while driving. That afternoon, I went to see Dr. George. He told me my hamstrings were so tight and he asked the therapists to do METS on me to align my pelvis and do release massage on my hamstrings. I walked out of the clinic relieved and pain free. I decided, I’ll rest over the weekend to give myself more time to recover.

Today, 4 days later, I decided to do a test run. And although the pain was not as intense, the stiffness was still there and at certain points in my run was shooting down to my shin. I could not shake it off.

This persistent hamstring problem is really irritating. I feel it’s impeding my progress and I’d give anything for a quick fix. HELP!!!

The Happy Runner

Yesterday, I had a great time participating in Drew Arellano’s Happy Run.

There’s nothing like running in a perfectly organized race. Congrats to Drew, Coach Rio and their team.

It was a great feeling being back in a race. The mixed feelings of anxiety and excitement give me such a high. It was nice to see old friends and meet new ones. I was also pleasantly surprised to see so many people running nowadays. I've also noticed that people perform at higher level and that there are more quality runners than before.


Picture courtesy of theBullrunner

I was extremely happy with my 15K time (1:30:46). It was a good comfortable run. And although it’s far from my old personal best, it’s what I can do now and I’m happy with it. :)

I also found myself running with a different race attitude. Before, I’d mark people throughout the race, do my best to out run them and move on to my next target. Yesterday, I chose people and used them as pace partners (especially on climbs). This way is definitely more fun!!!

I was especially proud to see my wife, Mayi, toughing out her ankle injury and still able clock in a good time. I usually pace her during long runs so I was worried about her running alone. Plus I also knew she was running injured. Seeing her in good form, going uphill on McKinley Hill, brought a smile to my face. Great job Mayi!!!

One bummer though were my hamstrings. They really hurt!!! They hurt during the race and was rather intense when I got home. But after a massage and a dose of a muscle relaxant plus an anti-inflammatory, I felt better. Not ok, but better.

Still, all things considered, I’d have to say Sunday's race was worth sacrificing Saturday night drinks. Hahahaha.

Happy Run : )

Calling all my runner friends!!! Mark this date -- Jan 25, 2009 -- Sunday!!! I know you're going to run anyway that weekend. Either it's your routine run or you're just trying to sweat off the alcohol from the previous night. So why not run for a good cause?! Join Drew Arellano's Happy Run. Register at ROX at Bonifacio High Street or get more details at the HappyRun website.

Tara!!! Takbo na kahit pilay pilay pa!!! Hahahaha

What Excuse Could You Possibly Have?