I Am in the Magic List of TBR Dream Marathon II!!!

Woohoo! I made it to the magic list of TBR Dream Marathon II set for March 2011. And now, training begins. I am dead set to finish a marathon before I get pregnant. My running routine is slowly going back to normal. Marriage preps are well underway and there is time again to run three times a week. I completed 6.6km in my last three runs. I finished in 48:06, 48:15 and 45:59 minutes. Next week, I'm targeting on averaging 30km a week in preparation for the Adidas KOTR where I plan to run 21km again. It's all good! I am so back! My left knee is again experiencing some pains but I can take it easy for a while. The more important thing is that I am just soooo back!

TBR Dream Marathon II March 20, 2011!!!

I just registered. This is the life!!!

http://thebullrunner.com/2010/09/16/2nd-tbr-dream-marathon-register-now/

Back at One

It's been very hectic for the longest time now that running had to take a back seat for a while, and I mean a long while. We wanted to make time for it but it was really difficult squeezing it on our schedule. We have work in the day and night time was usually dedicated to running. For the past few weeks however, our after work hours were spent doing things for the wedding and the apartment. Though we registered for the Rexona Run, we had to say bye-bye to the P600 registration fee we paid for it because we were not able to join. Aside from the fact that we were not able to practice prior to the run, we were also working late the night before the event transferring stuff from the old to the new apartment.

The result: I gained 5 lbs. Huwaaaaat????

This is definitely a bad time to gain weight! I have 5 months left to run like there's no tomorrow and fit perfectly in that pristine white gown!

Last night, I put my foot down. Literally. At the UP oval. And started to run again. It became more like jogging because I could not get my groove back. I was having side stitches when I tried to increase my speed. I finished two rounds in 32 minutes. It was a dismal time but my aching body was my boss. I was having a hard time with my breathing all throughout and my legs felt stiff.

I am definitely out of shape. Back at one. But I'm setting my eyes on another 21k run at the Adidas KOTR this October. Cross fingers!

5K Recovery Run @ End Hunger: Walk the World Philippines 2010

My legs terribly ached after completing my very first 21k at the Nature Valley last week that even if I know I should do a recovery run, I didn't. And then here came my sister inviting me to join her run 5K at the End Hunger: Walk the World Philippines 2010 Run last June 6, 2010. I thought this was the perfect cool down running I was looking for, albeit a week too late after Nature Valley. It was fun though! It really did not feel like much of a recovery run because I aimed for a sub-30. On my watch, I timed 29:01 although I bet the official results will be off by a few seconds because I was not in front of the starting line.

This run brought back a lot of memories. It made me remember my very first Mizuno Rush to Infinity Run last 2008. Those were the days when the registration fees were not yet that steep. I remember only paying P150 back then. We were not given singlets but we had finisher's shirts. Back in those days, running 5K seemed like forever. It was torture to complete it without walking or stopping for a water break.

It has been a while and it's good to run 5k again. Maybe this is one reason also that I did not hesitate to join when my sister invited me. But I promised myself that I will not do a leisure run. Instead, I will aim to beat my PR. And I did, so it's all good. :)

The Grand Race to Forever

Six months from now I'll be joining the biggest race of my life. I call it the Grand Race to Forever where the journey will be long and seemingly endless. The route will be filled with uphills and downhills but I will see it to the very end. I will be living my dream and there will be no stopping until my last breath. Because there is no other race I want to conquer but this. There can be no race sweeter than this.

Yes folks, I'm getting married! It is a mix of emotions. I'm excited yet anxious of the big responsibilities entailed to a lifelong commitment. It is a brand new path governed by unfamiliar roads but I'm confident that my partner will guide me. As we embark on this race together, there will be no guarantees that it will be easy. The only guarantee is that we will have each other to help us on our feet always and keep the spirit of the grand race alive and kicking in our hearts. For that alone, I am at peace that this challenging journey ahead can be conquered.

We were the typical couple who went out for movie, dinner and coffee to get to know each other. But on top of that, running also played a big role in our beginnings. I would invite him to join me in my regular Sunday runs in UP. It was the time when badminton was still the sports craze in Manila and UP was not yet flocked with runners. He could not even complete a round of 2.2km back then. I would finish 2 rounds at the oval while he waited for me.

That was more than three years ago. Last Sunday, we finished our first ever half-marathon race. We have come a long way and I'm proud of him for having gone this far. I am absolutely overwhelmed by the thought.

It would not have been possible if we did not believe in each other. I am also thankful to friends and family who cheer for us and wish us good luck. Their love and support help us overcome whatever emotional blisters come our way. Our journey together is made more meaningful because of them.

We will be celebrating our third anniversary next week. We will tie the knot early next year. This will be a very momentous and defining chapter for both of us. My singlet will be stunning. Impeccably white, flowing and beaded! Can you imagine? :)