Faster than Feria, almost

 

What a joke.  Alright, that was Feria’s signal no. 2..   

(Uh-oh, not that I had wanted it give us a strong blow, but having grown up in Bicol, that is soo NOT a signal-No.-2-as-we-normally-have-it-in-Bicol.  And it’s not so bad a thing too that I skipped a half-sure failure in a quiz scheduled yesterday, as our prof decided to cancel our class.  Sometimes oftentimes I just get lucky.)

While checking on the TV news last night (and t’was typhoon Feria being discussed by the newsguy on a weirdly peaceful rainless night), my housemate, Dree gave this funny comment: 

‘Ano nga ulit running speed mo?  Ano ba naman yan si Feria e mukhang mas mabilis ka pa d’yan eh..’

At that time, I didn’t catch it to be that funny as I was busy munching on a piece of cake.  This morning, while riding a cab I caught more clearly the windspeed specs of typhoon Feria:  15kph. 

Not so fast, I thought.  Actually quite too slow, I thought further.

So arriving at the office, the topic of chitchat was still Feria.  From the 29th floor, we peeked from the glass window and saw just slight drizzle.  Amid the chitchat, I mindlessly muttered an angas joke (recalling to mind that Feria blows at only 15kph):

‘You know, Feria’s slow..  It said in the news 15 km per hour lang daw speed nya.. Mas mabilis pa nga ako dun eh, hahaha!’

Man that threw my officemate off her seat!  She kept laughing and laughing, and then it dawned on me that yeah, that was a funny statement.

But no, I am Not faster than Feria.  She is slow, yes, but I can’t (yet?-or-EVER) muster enough prowess to stage a sub-60 time for a 15k. 

At least not in my waking time.  Hahaha.

 

Something new in UP

 

(..well, at least for me.)

It’s a brand new stuff in my UP running routine.

We tried running this route (first time for me! )  last Saturday  –>

It’s a certified ‘winner’ route, but for sure not anything new to other frequent UP campus runners who one day in their lives got some tummyache due to UP-Acad-oval-overdose, so off they went exploring the outer streets in UP. 

This 7km route takes you to the outer borders of the UP campus, going out to C.P. Garcia (that connects Philcoa and Katips) passing by the mysterious and now-bigger Math kingdom (Hi, my ex-college!), back inward to pass by the Executive House and UPDP office, then along the U Ave. stretch..   (I should stop this.  You may check the map above.  As I always say, pictures give better blah-blahs.)

Oh, one more interesting note -  it passes by the famous HeartBreak hill.  And I went crazy and egged on my running buddies to race me on the uphill.  Only one obliged.  And even outran me.  Hahaha.

I hope the Heartbreak hill portion becomes a staple part of the route for UP races.  Or..  I’m also thinking Not..

OK I’ll shut up and Run

 

If only dreaming equates to doing..  I would have easily logged in my 500th-kilometer running mileage by now. 

These are the times I’d gamely take another runner’s slap on my face, for my apparent talking-more-than-doing on my supposed get-back-on-training-mode-ASAP- plan..  These are the times I could get crazy enough to pinch my ear and scold myself, ’Just shut up and RUN, now.’

So..  alright.  I’ll shut up now.

…

But children and students of the world, hear this:   SCHOOL, isn’t good for running.  Nah.

 

***

Even as I suffer from running mileage malnutrition, I still (apparently) enjoy some fringe benefits from having the reputation of a ‘runner’  –>

(Cathletic eats a lot and eats frequently – at least 6x a day!, and she doesn’t hide it -  not from her friends, not from her officemates, not from anyone.  Not humungously ‘a lot’, but very OFTEN.)

New officemate begins to notice C has been munching again, when it’s barely an hour after lunch break.  And C isn’t oblivious of the fact that she might be scandalizing new officemate of her eating habit.  So yesterday PM..

C:  (While munching, turns to N.O. with the bag of chips)  Would you like some?

N.O.:  Hehe, no thanks, I’m still full.

C:  Are you getting surprised?  You always see me eating, hehe..

N.O.:  OO NGA.

The guy answered straightly.  And man I wasn’t prepared for that so-honest reply, haha.  I would have expected something like, ‘Di naman’ -  but surely a ‘Di kaya’ reply is one flat out big lie.

But then he redeemed himself by adding,

N.O.:   That should be okay.  Di ba kasi runner ka daw.  I mean, I hear from some people here that you run.  It must be your metabolism..

C:  Ah,.. umm.. di naman

I wish I could tell him there’s no connection there, at all.  I’ve always had an appetite like this.  Weirdly, it’s got nothing to do with my running.  But that’s a fine excuse you’ve put forward for me. 

At least I don’t need to be explaining on something I couldn’t explain myself.  Hehe.

Ultimatum expired

 

I gave myself a two-week ultimatum to get settled with this new work-school setup, and then get back to regular training. 

(Not only did my running slack off, but many things as well, ahem, like stuffing this personal sports diary.  What was there to write about anyway, except for tales on how to rush to my evening classes straight from work, and how to fake a smile to dampen my profs’ presumed irritation over my 30-minute tardiness.  Man it’s no less one kind of sports activity I tell you.)

I haven’t been completely run-less anyway.  I managed to squeeze in some weekend long runs and.. uhm, that’s about it I think.  Okay, okay, pathetic Cathletic.  (And they even rhyme, geesh.)

Last Friday (my last run to date, yikes!), I was able to finish 3 laps of the Acad oval and I felt my calves react the day after.  Hmm, I missed the feeling, hahaha.  Sunday came and I had planned of joining the Takbo guys for a group LSD (a.k.a. bandit run at the PTAA race) and I overslept.  Hmm, I missed the run and I missed the people. 

So have I adjusted yet to this new work-school setup?  Heck no, and only heaven knows if I ever will -  but there’s ONLY one thing I’m sure of:  

The Two-Week Ultimatum Has Expired. 

And this entitles me to lace up my shoes and hit the road more often, again.  

Instead of availing the KOM run adventure offer, I buried my face on our BA201 problem sets.  Now I’m eyeing on the Botak 100K on the 28th, and yes this one shall be for real.  A 10-miler, yum yum. 

Choosing Trail Runners

 

Cathletic’s status:    Drooling over this..

(More details at Takbo.ph)

..which made me read up on this  – - >

(Taken from http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/trail+runners.html )

Choosing Trail Runners

Running fast over a mountain trail—leaping, jumping over roots and rocks. In these moments gravity slides away and you soar through the air.

Assuming, of course, you have the proper shoes. Slip or trip and the dream suddenly crashes to the ground.

Quick Read

1  Your running style and the terrain you most often cover determine the trail shoe you choose.
2  Think traction, support and protection when evaluating your shoe.
3  Fit, of course, is also important. Trail running shoes should fit a bit more snugly than road shoes.

Understanding the Trail Runner
Since soft cushioning can lead to a turned ankle, most good trail runners depend on fairly stiff midsoles (dual- or triple-density EVA foam). The outsoles are rugged, (made from carbon or blown rubber, or a combination of both), and feature aggressive tread patterns.

Uppers are usually water-resistant and made from durable synthetic leather or nylon mesh materials. Toe-rands ward off rocks. Additional protection is usually provided by molded nylon flex plates in the forefoot (look for flex grooves in the forefoot outsole to enhance natural flex).

Support is also important and is delivered to trail runners by burly medial supports and beefy heel counters. The lacing system is generally advanced, offering a variety of means to get a snug fit.

Know Thy Feet
Three important factors to consider when making your choice are the size, shape and mechanics of your feet.

Foot size
You probably already know your shoe size. If you’re not exactly sure or if one foot is larger than the other, it’s best to have your feet measured with a Brannock device. (That’s the flat metal thing with sliders that measure the length and width plus the toe-to-ball length of the foot.)

Foot shape
Next you need to know the shape of your foot. Do you have high arches? Are you flat-footed? Do you have a “normal” shape foot? (If so, you are in the minority!) Here’s a simple way to find out. As you get out of the tub or shower, or step out of a pool, take a look at the footprint you leave on the bathmat or cement. The width of your footprint will suggest the shape of your arch and the way your foot moves as you run. Generally speaking, the wider and straighter the footprint, the lower your arch is. A very narrow, curved footprint (or one in which the ball and heel are not even connected) suggests a high arch. Somewhere in between these two is that so-called “normal” foot.

Running mechanics
Foot shape is closely related to its movement as you walk or run. Typically, as your foot strikes the ground heel first, it rolls slightly inward, flattening the arch to cushion the force. This inward movement is called pronation. Next, your foot rolls slightly to the outside, stiffening up and creating a springboard that propels the next step. The outward motion is known as supination.

Many people experience different levels of these sideways motions as they run. Many over-pronate, meaning that their feet are overly flexible and roll too far to the inside. This is commonly, although not always, true of people with low arches. These folks need extra support and motion control.

Some runners supinate (more commonly referred to in the footwear world as under-pronating).  This means they run on the outside edges of their feet, which in turn don’t absorb much shock as they land. This is frequently the result of inflexible feet and high arches. The preferred shoe for this type of runner offers plenty of cushioning and flexibility. But how do you determine what sideways motion your foot makes? The answer is probably in your closet.

If you own a pair of “experienced” running shoes, check the wear pattern on the soles to see whether you over- or under-pronate or if your foot motion is normal. If the wear is centralized to the ball of the foot and a small portion of the heel, you have a normal amount of foot movement. Over-pronation is identified by wear patterns along the inside edges, while under-pronation is marked by wear along the outer edges.

Where You Run
Most trail runners have soft, grasping outsoles that wear quickly on pavement. They are perfect, however, for mountainous trails where you’ll encounter steep angles, tight turns, and areas where a soft step is followed by a hard impact. Some shoes have outsoles more suited to dry trails while others are better for mud and goop.

Groomed Trail or Fire Road—Look for good traction, cushioning and stability.

Rocky Trails—Look for good forefoot protection, toe-rand, heel counter, dual density EVA midsole, aggressive tread.

Road and Trail—Look for a shoe with extra cushioning (gel or air) combined with good traction and a stable midsole, usually with dual-density EVA foam.

Slop, Mud and Rain—Think waterproof/breathable liners, water-resistant or wicking uppers. Spandex Lycra- and Gore-Tex®-type laminates are most often seen in these shoes. Also, look for a very aggressive tread with wide-spaced lugs to shed mud. Rather than cushioning, go for stability.

Dry conditions—Moisture-wicking shoes are key. You can go with extra cushioning, but keep in mind the trail type on which you commonly run.

The Shoe That Fits
In trail shoes look for a very secure fit in the heel and arch but with a bit more room in the toe. The way you tie your shoes can help in this area—keep the laces somewhat loose at the bottom and tight at the top of the foot. Trail runners should have a high scree collar around the ankles but a low heel tab at the top of the heel—the better to run down hills. Partially curve-lasted shoes typically provide the best fit for trail running.

*** 

Wow.  If I get myself a nice trail runner, I might just show up at KOM.  

My regular road shoes survived Camaya’s trail run -  and even earned my first podium finish for me (hahaha!)  -  but that trusty NB pair, while still in good shape, is screaming that I try to look after him better, what after ending up soggy battered from the past weekend’s mad wet run. 

(Cathletic counts with her fingers)  –>  And I just realize that trusty NB is eight months old now!!  And man it’s been everywhere, literally everywhere.  Wow.  Some really trusty pair..

 

The Complainant

 

For some reason, I just don’t like 1) people who likes to complain, and 2) myself having to be in the shoe of the complainant.   I hate it, I hate it..   because I’ve long regarded complaining as a waste of energy. 

Being the peudo economist that I am, I hate wastage, of anything but moreso of time and positive energy.

It’s been more than four days since I emailed Autoreview and sent an SMS to a friend of mine who’s helping out to fix their website, about the missing results of my brother.  I got confirmation from both that it was to be acted on.  But until now, NADA.

So I patiently waited.

But yesterday my brother asked me again if his results are there yet.  (Yup, the boy is kind and sweet but don’t abuse him -  he deserves to know his official finish time for heaven’s sake!)

So I thought it won’t hurt if I call them up to ask if they have my brother’s results yet.   

So I went, “Hello, I’d just like to inquire about the missing results..”

“Oh are you Cathy?”,  the lady on the phone interrupted. 

HAHAHAHA!! 

Make no mistake about it -   It’s my first time to make a successful call on the complaint, so it’s not like I’ve been pestering them.  Apparently they read their emails are acting on my complaint, BUT rather slow. 

Autoreview guys, aside from LSD there’s what you call sprint.  Try it.

Mad Wet Running

 

Had a mad wet run last night -  lunattack it was!   One wild run yeah. 

We started the run a little past 7PM already.  Running buddies were hesitant as it had been raining heavily outside since 4 o’clock as far as I can recall. 

But if you know me, you’d know I had not one bit of hesitation in my mind.  Ever the rational thinker, what I programmed myself to do I do, come hailstorms or fires (well, except it’s really, really, badly NOT possible). 

This is one more thing that I like in running, or in sports in general -  it trains your mind to think straight and squash the emo part where it’s not needed. 

You see, addict as you may be, you must admit that overall there abound more reasons NOT to run, than to run –   things such as 1) cold morning breeze and laziness, 2) heat when it’s sunny outside, 2) wet hassles/cold when it’s raining, 3) injury, 4) dogs chasing you, 5) no nice running route nearby, 6) still-wet running shoes/ battered shoes, 7) no time, and blah-blahs.

These things are so REAL that at one defining moment in your life as a runner (naks!) you just need to admit it that in truth:   “World, I can’t find a logical reason why I run”  and why I-still-run-even-when-  it’s storming/ it’s blazing hot/my shoes are in terrible condition/I have colds now/ four dogs are chasing me (!!)/ knees are acting up/ etceteras. 

(Okay, I know I just contradicted myself several times in this post.  Rational one goes Mad Running?  All wrong.  Philo prof takes back my grade, hahaha.)

One of my training buddies would always yell at me asking if I’m up to it to continue my training, thinking I didn’t look like I was in the right mood for it.  My constant reply (yelling back) would be this:

“You don’t need moods in running.  You just do it.” 

Afterall there’s some wisdom in that Nike tagline, hehehe.   Artificial-sounding as that may seem to you, man I mean it by heart when I say ‘You just do it’.

So last night we just did it -  ran wildly amidst heavy downpour.   There were three of us MPG buddies and on our last lap, our conversation topic went, “Do you think the pasta will be ready when we get home?”   Hahaha. 

The cook was happy (or was she?).  T’was bottoms up.