I know I haven’t been doing my race reports lately! So SLAACK! don’t worry at least I wasn’t slacking off from the running 
. That’s still a good thing.
Anyway before I update and go back on the recent races even from last year, I’ve been wanting to write about a piece yesterday about people hating runners.
Oh not just that, a year ago I was cut to see a comment saying in someone’s blog, “you do not have to post your time and place and rub it in, how you went on your race.” Who knows who’s that for, but I was cut. But I shouldn’t care and get affected if it isn’t true. But it is true. I post my race accomplishments AND failures. I can not imagine why some people drag you down. Is it jealousy?
Then last Friday, I was talking to Tez and he says’ whoa, you did a lot of workout today, talking about my boot-camp session. And he jokingly said I do not need to brag what workout I’ve done. I know he is just joking, but it wasn’t even meant to brag and tell people I am better than you! All the FB posts I write was meant to inspire and get people moving. I’m little, I’m short, I was sickly, I am/was a foreigner in another country I can do things that makes me happy. If I can do it, I know other people can too.
Now its not just even that, I read other bloggers, non-runners hating runners, people hating cyclists, running-shoe wearers hating barefoot runners, Crossfit enthusiasts hating belittling runners, or elite runners hating hobby runners. This haters say we do not have to wear how much kilometers we’ve done on the number plates, on shirts, on bumper or car stickers, etc.
I was first affected reading one of the blogs but I am not really stressing about it. So why am I writing about it, because it is just sad why people hate so much. Why can’t they just say “good on you, do what makes you happy.” Or maybe shut up? Because the people doing fitness is not killing the hater in anyway whenever they are doing their fitness so why do people have to make big fuss about it? Why can’t other people let other people be and more open minded and not judgmental. It’s not bragging if one can back it up, if he is really good on that so let him be, be happy for him/her.
You do not have to hate the fitness enthusiasts. If you are sick reading our blogs, our status messages, the message is not intended for you. The audience is meant for other fitness enthusiasts. We have freedom to choose, and we choose to be fit and healthy. If you choose not to live healthy, then shut up and don’t drag other people down to where you are.
You do not even know some of this runners/athlete’s story. Some of them were ex-drug addicts, ex-heavy smokers, abused etc, and the running,cycling, swimming was an activity that healed them and they are so happy everyday to share other people their happiness. Yea fine, okey its freedom of speech you can complain about our status messages, our race reports, and yes same with me, its freedom of speech that I can write what makes me happy, I do not see how my write-ups can affect one negatively? Again we do not have any right to judge some and think someone as “attention whore” or a brag.
And I opt not to refer to the blogs of the haters because their negativity is not worth sharing.
I leave you with something, my mom always reminds me always when I was younger, “A tree gets stoned so much because it bears so much fruit.” (Ang punong hitik sa bunga ay laging binabato).
Thank you 2011 – Hello 2012!
I know I havent posted all my race reports for 2011 yet, but I got caught up with the time and 2011 is almost over or it already over back in my 2nd home in Sydney, I’d like to do my year-end recap.
In 2011 there are lots of things i am thankful and appreciative of in terms of my fitness.
This is also a excerpt from my Letter from the Editor I wrote for the Woodstock Runner’s Newsletter, the Rundown.
- I have learned a lot of things in my running life, aside from being quicker, attitude has changed
- Less does not mean more. On 2010 I run 4-5 times a week, while this year I have only been running 3 to 4 times a week
- Lowering my expectations. I don’t stress and get frustrated too much anymore when I don’t finish the race on a time I wanted. I have missed few races but I was not worried about it.
- Cross Training. In between training runs, I’ve been doing boxing, weights, swimming, yoga, circuit and boot camp which helped my core and gained upper body strength. If my legs get tired and can’t go on anymore, can’t believe the wonders of having a stronger upper body helps you cross the finish line
-Discovering the nutritional diet that works for me. From a result of leaving my energy gels by accident on one of the half-marathon race, I discovered I can go the distance without it. From that time on I can survive running longer runs, as long as I ate carbohydrates and protein and hydrate properly before a long run. I have not been drinking energy drinks at all anymore before races!
-Change of scenery. I discovered the fun in running the trail. I maybe slower in times, but the satisfaction of being closer to the nature is “relaxing” compared to running on the roads.
- Its not all about the legs and speed. Joining adventure races reminds me that running is just part of a race. Using your brain, your upper body strength, having fun, and using your other skills also is important.
- Minimalist footwear works for me. Years after experimenting what shoes works for me, although I overpronate and I am prescribed to have orthotics, I went back looking for the shoes that I was comfortable and injury free years ago, incorporating the use of mimicking running barefoot seem to have strengthened my Achilles and calves. So did it changed my running form and strides.
Highlights
- I started my New Year’s running life with a Half Marathon in my home country – Philippines in Cebu, and I’ve done Halves for 2011, which I am happy. I decided not to run a Marathon in 2011.
- 38 races
- 8 Half Marathon
- 25 Kms is my longest race
- New race terrains/ discipline – Trail, adventure race, improved my softsand running
- No major injuries
- Learned to love and embrace to commute to work by running
- 15 total PBs and course PBs
- broke my 4, 5, 7, 8, 10- Kms, City2Surf, Soft Sand Personal and my Half-Marathon records
- Personal – my Permanent Residency status in Australia!!
Lowlights
- minor injury on right foot
- 1 DNS due to flat tire
- Personal. Grandma father’s side’s death 
Lola Taleng, you will be missed!!
For 2012 I wish for the following
- No injury
- To be healthy and fit and stronger
- To inspire more people to be healthier and fitter
- Be better in other discipline I just learned – Soft Sand and Trail running, Boxing, Crossfit and Yoga. And be better Road races.
- onelifecat takes off and be better again on 2012
- Personal – Healthy family members and people I care about, to always keep a job, and have balanced and healthy lifestyle, be rich in loved ones, health, friends, in treasure and lots of positive energy and able to travel – O/S work and leisure, and locally in Oz.
I realized that not all we read in books and prescribed by sports doctors is best for you. What works for one does not apply to all.
I wish that the wisdom I learned from running this year helps me more grow better as a runner in the continuing year, and I wish everyone the same.
I wish everybody a Prosperous New Year !!
Bring it on 2012!!!
Woodstock Handicap series culmination ’11
The Handicap culmination has been moved a weekend later because there were races were on the same Saturday.
Friday night is me and Tez’ going out night if we’re not too exhausted from work. And this is one of the days, we went out had some drinks and relaxed. Had too few not too many just enough to relax and make me lazy. But I was determined to go run the alcohol off the following weekend. Besides its the last Handicap for the year and I am on 2nd/3rd place point for the series.
So that saturday, ,I was lazy did not want to wake up but I have to! I drove to the Brett Park andfound no parking!!! And I went around the block 3 times and the time I nominated was 33 minutes and they were already off . I am so late.
I finally got a parking and run 200+meters to the start and that was my warm up! I had to start with the quickest Barney! Sarah who is as quick as me was also late and just started 5 minutes before us. I was told to just run the same time as Barney. Stuff it i said with the time as long as I finish and burn calories I told myself.
Of course there is no way I can run as quick as Barney. However i can see Sarah from afar maybe a kilometer away. If at least I can catch Sarah and just tail her. Slowly I worked my way to Sarah’s speed, and Did have few more energy and passed her. There was no one I can remember after that, can’t see anyone, Barney was away, So i was running on my own as quickly as I can. I did stop twice for water making sure Sarah does not pass me.
And I did finish. 52 seconds slower than my nominated time, but I am happy. Still the quickest female for that Saturday. But looks like I wont be in the top 3 for the series’s best of 3 out of the 4 races.
Location: Bay Run
Distance: 7KM
Time: 33:52
Bare Creek Run: Quicker than I thought
I have been so much slack this year blogging writing about my race reports/training runs.
I don’t know why. But that does mean I have been slack in my runs.
So I am back. This is months late but I will write about it.
This Sunday, the race option is Fisher’s ghost or Bare Creek Trail Run. We have a tight schedule too. We were invited by Angela to join them on a lunch cruise on that Sunday so I needed to choose an option so we don’t miss the lunch Cruise.
Also the night before, it was Barney’s, a woodie mate, who is going back to London, drink nights before him and his wife Claire go home to UK. So I was weighing about fun and the the race after. I can not remember but that Friday too we had a big night out, so I decided to just do the hardedr different run – Bare Creek Trail run.
Why? Gives me an excuse I can be slower – because its a new course for me, a race I haven’t tried, and its a trail run, So I was going to run it for fun. Oh and its nearer to home and I’d have enough time to shower and head to the lunch committment we did not want to miss!
Also, another consideration of the race, this was ran by Elmarie last year and she has been bragging how fun it was and the Woodies should run next year. So its worth a try! Although a little part of me wanted to do the Fisher’s ghost for the reason of the team competition, but no one but Dot, John and Jeff only registered for that race an still would not be enough for us to qualify as a team.
Race day. Got to – had toregister on the day. Did my pre-race stuff, then saw Elmarie! Who just came back from injury. She won the women’s last year.
Tez decided to drive me and come with me, sent me to the start line. We were briefed that there will be 2 KM downhill and uphill. There will be no water stations as we will be running in a National Park. I was wearing my Vibram FF Komodos and brought my Adidas carry bottle, hoping it will last me for the 10KMs.
Elmarie was worried about my choice of footwear, she said there are sharp rocks and its pretty rugged. Uh-oh, so I told her I will just take it real slow on those bit.
So off we go. Sure it was downhill on VERY rough course. Elmarie was right. Sharp stone and rocks, on clay slippery soil. The trail is more uneven due to erosion caused by water flowing in the ground. Gee I can feel the rocks in my feet! I just had to take it slow. There were small creeks from small falls along the path. Number of them actually that you have to hop or run accross or around it. I was already getting worried going back thinking about that descent at start we had to climb up. Along the course it was up and down up and down.
Hilly. It was actually a popular race and technical i can not remember much of my competitors. Hmm maybe one of that very fit mascular lady in Virgin Fitness singlet and a lady who was in neon adidas singlet. They were ahead of me and very strong. Although at the last 7ish KM i was surprised to pass miss neon singlet lady. I was actually enjoying the run, I was not worried about my finish time. I told Tez I will be back around 1 hour and 20 minutes. I am very new to trail run you see.
Alas, we are almost back and can see the road now. The finish is about/around 200-300 m of pavement, uphill. Steep. I never walked in the bush, but looking at how steep and tired I was now I did consider walking and I did, but made sure to run and keep my position. I thought I had a strong finish at the end and I am happy I finished it. Also, was more than happy, I finished the race quicker than I thought at: 55:40!! Photos are not yet up but
Location: Garrigal National Park, St. Ives
Distance: 10KM
Time: 55:40, 4th AgeCat
I’m home to run: Run4Change ’12
Last race for the year of 2011.
My yearly going hometo my country as well.
4 days after my arrival, 4 days after a run in Singapore.
Mon of Happy Feet, no fail, registered me. I was there early. It was a drizzly morning. Not sure, not much show up. Maybe because of the Corregidor Half Marathon? No idea.
A “hilly” route. That reason why it is held in McKinnley hills. the location speaks for itself. As usual I did not know how I’d go with the run after a travel, jet lag, humidity, I will just have to run and try to enjoy it.
Got a big Medal and a loot bag full of goodies! run4Change is a charity supporting youth less fortunate in schools.
Mon Domingo and Gillego at Happy feet Tent
It was better than I can remember from the last year I’vedone it, NOT – from the second half. I was on position 3 for ladies the first 2 KMs, and was not sure after that If there was someone in front of me. I just kept on Running and running and mentally spoke myself into not walking, even how slow I would go today, no walking!! Guess what?? Surprisingly, I took the 1st female overall, not that quick – not much elites around except for “Bhabes” who came seconds after me, who complained about not enough sleep and Miss Calma who came third. How did I beat this ladies? I do not know, I was just following them years ago!! – Call that Runner’s high. They pushed me in some way!
Location: Mckinnley Hills, Taguig, Philippines
Distance: 10Km
Time: 49:35 1st F’Oall/10thOall, Course PB
Sri Chinmoy Centennial Park – Course PB
Can not remember much of the run due to late post!
I’ve ran with my Nike frees instead of VFF. Got course PB
Location: Sri Chinmoy Centennial Park
Distance: 14Km
Time: 1:11 7thFU50, course PB
Balmain Fun Run
Definitely knew this is one of the hardest run, course wise, and the timing with the weather. Did it once on the 5Km course.
I think I felt better than last year, although I have to walk and drink on the half way mark, I made sure I woudl run better after the drink stop.
Course PB!
To the finish shoot
Yikes look at that quads!
With the Woodies
Location: Callan Park, Rozelle
Distance: 5Km
Time: 23:18 1st F20-39, course PB
