My First 10K Training Post-Training Analysis

So, how did I fare after taking a few more kilometers?

So, it's been three months since I started sighing in front of my first 10K training calendar. How did I fare?

Well, let's see. There were weeks where I wasn't able to run, and those weeks made me nervous.

There were days when all I wanted to do was to run - nothing else. Happiness was there in the road. I never wanted to stop.

There were days when I wanted to stay in bed for a few more minutes and miss my run.

I couldn't forget the week of my first 10K. That was the week when I realized what I had done - signing up for 10K. I almost wanted to tell myself, "What did I get myself into?" Add to that my mom's question, "Can you really do 10K?" Well, I don't know what happened, but when I told her, "I can. If I don't do it now, when will I do it?" everything just went on just fine up to the race day.

The first two months of the year brought me to new race routes - Coastal Road and Skyway.

So, what's my analysis? For a grade, I'm going to give myself an F for Fair.

I plan to start my training for my next 10K next week. I already have my sights on the better things that I wasn't able to do the last time.

And this time, there is no sighing in front of my 10K training calendar.

Just a wide smile.

Adidas bets on high-tech running shoe to catch up to rivals

Adidas hopes to lead the running sports gear area with their new high-tech running shoe. (image source: yahoo.com)

by Phil Wahba

Adidas AG on Wednesday introduced a running shoe with technical features it says could eventually make it a leader in an area of sports gear where it has lagged competitors.

At a splashy event in New York that included an appearance by four-time Berlin marathon winner Haile Gebrselassie, Adidas launched a running shoe with cushioning it calls Boost. The cushioning was developed with BASF SE and Adidas claims it gives runners a better bounce, lasts longer than the cushioning used in 95 percent of running shoes and is better able to withstand extreme weather.

The product is aimed squarely at serious runners, a market currently dominated by brands like Brooks, a unit of Berkshire Hathaway, New Balance and Asics, rather than people who just wear running shoes to get around.

Other companies also pushing hard to get a bigger foothold in the specialty running shoe market include VF Corp's The North Face and Under Armour.

But Adidas is betting that technology will help it win over runners notorious for their brand loyalty.

"We have a lot of really good running shoes but we haven't had that thing that really moves the needle," Patrick Nilsson, president of Adidas America told Reuters at the launch, estimating that Adidas was fourth or fifth in the U.S. specialty running shoes market.

"With this, we have a chance to go to the top over time."

Adidas is beginning the launch by introducing the shoes at its own stores, online and 100 specialty running stores such as Urban Athletics and Paragon in New York, staffing each on the weekend with an Adidas employee, before a broader roll-out.

The shoes will sell for $150 a pair, making them more expensive than rivals', but Nilsson said the technology warranted what he called a "premium" price.



Adidas bets on high-tech running shoe to catch up to rivals


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What do you think of the latest high-tech running shoes of Adidas? Will you buy this latest Adidas running shoes? Let us know by commenting!

Skyway Sunday

Courage, pace me.

Running in the Skyway have always lingered in my mind since I started running three years ago. The only time Skyway is open to humans (not in their car seat) happens only once a year, so why not grab the chance? Moreover, who would not want to run in the sky?

So in the middle of everything busyness last Christmas, I clicked on the 6K slot of the 2013 Condura Skyway Marathon website. I thought it was about time to experience running in the sky.

Two weeks before the 2013 Condura Skyway Marathon, I ran my first 10K. I thought I would only get to rest for three days. But then, it seems that I got too much running for a day (naumay in local term), I extended my rest for a week! A Zumba workout and 20-minute Thursday run last week made my running mojo back.







As always, I planned to finish the race safe and lucid. Although my 6K run in the 2013 Condura Skyway Marathon is lesser than my 10K run two weeks ago, I never took it less seriously. After all, running the Skyway is like running a hill.

I was just feeling great as I stepped on towards the Skyway for my 6K run. I never really pass this way every day, but I appreciated its beauty. The road is very flat on the 6K route. It could be one of those runs that you think that you're not in the sky - until you realized that the billboards nearer and the buildings are half its usual size.

To the Skyway, we charge!

The view from the sky.

I took this a few minutes before going to the 6K turn around.
Geesh, I need to pay the toll for the second time. :D

Being a part of the premier marathon event in the country, the Condura Skyway Marathon, was a great experience. The Condura Marathon village was very organized. Portalets were available in many areas (even in the Skyway!), many race officials and were ready to help especially in the Skyway, and water stations were at every 1.5 KM.

The smile of the Skyway conqueror. :)

What makes me feel better are the beneficiaries of my 6K run: Liter of Light, Bikes for the Philippines, I Can Serve Foundation, and Hero Foundation. Plus, I got 3 mangroves to be planted in Zamboanga Sibugay!

Finally, I can officially brag: I ran on the Skyway!

Me and my brother (who took all of my amazing photos today).
Thanks for waking up early, bro!

The Skyway Angels. So happy to see friends Dra. Madel Bugaoan  (center) and Brigette Javier  (right) .
They  ran 10K  today. Congrats!

Geesh, nobody told me the medal was not edible (LOL).

(Photos except in the Skyway were taken by Marc Raphael A. Peñaredondo.)

10K: Conquered!

"Right there, immortality! Take it, it's yours!" I remember Brad Pitt saying that in the movie Troy, as I made my way to the starting line.

After all the jitters and excitement, I MADE IT! 

But I'm jumping into what happened, right?


My mom and I were on our way to Aseana Blvd. by 4:30 AM today for my first 10K run at the 7-11 Run 800. Before we reached the Coastal Tollway, we saw the a Kenyan runner making his way for his 21K (I wondered if he paid a toll. Nah, just kidding). Followed closely by two more Kenyans. I had to remember that I need to close my mouth from a slight shock. My calculations that the first Kenyan runner will finish as soon as I started came true. They're just amazing.

Kikay Runner did the warm up for my 10K Advanced Wave. At 5:40 AM, we're off.

Running pass off the 5K mark was like freedom from the comfort zone. This was the first time that I never turned around on that mark.

Passing my way to the 5K U-turn. Not for me, this time. :)

On my way to Cavitex!

"Hark, daughters of the great Saint Paul!" I couldn't believe I'm looking at my high school alma mater at this view -  and I'm not in a vehicle!

I have traveled coastal road every day when I was in high school, then now since 2010 to and from my work in Manila. It was a great experience to run-walk in it.

Coastal Tollway 1K ahead!

Uh, wait a minute, these are way too far... :D

Coastal Tollway behind me. Another 5K to go!

I did walking most of the time, but I also followed a 30:30 run-walk interval, just like what I do during my training. No iPods for me, though! I enjoyed the morning breeze of the coastal road (it also included the smell of fish by the fisherman's wharf).

I made it to the finish line, safe and lucid, at an unofficial time of 1:45:07. Hey, not that bad! I made it! Woohoo!

A finisher! Woohoo! Here's the summary of what I ran. :)

The 7-11 Run 800 was very organized, with lots of water stations and friendly staff. It was definitely worth the wait after postponing the event twice last year (it was trash mayhem by the booth site, though).

It was so elating to finish a race that you worked hard for (a massive thank you to everyone who prayed for me!). One 10K down, four to go this year (or maybe 6?)!

Here's to another 10K - super soon!

10K jitters

"Can you really do 10K?"

That was my mom asking me a question a few hours ago after I handed the 7-11 Run 800 race kit that I got from the 7-11 store in Kalaw Street, Manila today.

Got my 7-11 Run 800 race kit today! Will I see you on Sunday?

As I write this, I only have a few days to go before my very first 10K run.

I immediately told her, "I can, I can, I can."
 
I don't know if what I said worked for me. Because one word comes to mind now: JITTERS.

I wasn't really joking: when I saw this part of the envelope kit, I got nervous. I'm really running 10K on Sunday! Aaaaahhhh!

I don't know if the jitters that I am having is the same as when I did my first 5K. But one thing's for sure: it's present again.

My training was not perfect. I lost a total of three weeks of runs. I think this is the main reason why I'm getting the jitters.

Well, I could always walk my runs. I am already telling myself that as always, I'm not going to rush. I'm going to enjoy my first 10K. I'm going to laugh at myself for bracing the cold of a January Sunday just to cross a part of Coastal Road.

Okay, that made me nervous again.

I think in every first that we do, we get nervous. No one is exempted. This is what I am feeling right now.

If you have a message for me on my last training week, do let me know. I'd love to hear from you.