Staying Sane While Living

Nope. This is not a step-by-step instruction manual. It is what the title says. It is me feeling burnt out in life and work. Its me trying to weight things. Whether to stop, turn or go straight.



I am once again in a crossroad. If i stop, people behind me, the ones I hold dearly, will also have to stop and that is definitely not right. If I turn and go the other way, eventually, I would have to stop for awhile and ask for directions and then start from scratch again. Now if I go on and maintain status quo, life will remain the same for a long, long time.

See the problem is this...I want a better life for me and my family. I want my wife to live free from stress and responsibilities. I want my 2 boys to have good education and a good future ahead of them. The next question is, you guessed right, how? How the heck can I do that without robbing a bank or kidnapping a wealthy chekwa?! I thought of a lot of things and cut them down to 3 options.


1) Stop - quit my regular job, set up a new business from scratch. That means investing and borrowing money which i hate doing. If and when it clicks, I wont start earning at least after 5mos or so.


2) Turn - a career change. Which I dont know much of really. Heck, Ive been designing shit since birth and I just dont know what I'll be if im not what I am today, an artist.


3) Go - as the famous nike tagline goes..."Just do it." Apply for a Canadian Visa and fly your family there and live a new Canadian life. Alone. With no family and friends. Away from the Philippines. Live in isolation. Thats just sad.

So there. My choices, my calvary. Such are the things a family man must make. Life-changing decisions, with each one of them exists different opportunities and difficulties.

But you know what, in the end, I leave it all up to God. He will decide whichever is right for me and my family. He will take me to my dream. God knows. God cares. God loves. But until then, Imma' gon' keep runnin' and reach for the sky! Happy trails - run hard, run happy!


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My Thoughts Exactly

Am I ready for RU3?
In a scale of 1 to 10, Id say im 7.5.
My schedule for RU3 is a little crappy. Work is getting in the way, and also family affairs. But hopefully ill be a 10 come Oct 14 for my 711 run 800 at Cavitex. Im planning to shatter all my known records in that race. Ill be running a half mary as usual.



me with one of my tempo runs



10k at the FAME fun run

Missed the TBR Dream Marathon. I took it as a sign. Maybe 2012 is not the year for me to brave a full marathon. I badly want to make my 42k debut in TBR's Dream Marathon.

Definitely 2013.


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Run United 2 Race Review

I know.
Long overdue.
But still, I feel I still have to talk about this event.
At least before RU3 comes.
So here goes.
Let me take you back to that day, June 17, Sunday. This time I parked my car in BGC knowing how the shuttle system goes. It was drizzling, cold and windy. 21k runners were packed and came in waves. I think I was in the 3rd wave. While I was waiting for the waves 1 and 2 to start, I noticed a lot of runners climbing the barricade just so they can start right away. Mga pasaway! Lahat naman tayo makakatakbo. Anyway, from the get go I was anticipating all the adjustments made from RU1. And true to Runrio's promise they really took it to another level. Now, they lit up the kalayaan flyover for better visibility.








But while observing these things I was also focused in achieving my goal, which is to get a new RU 21k PR. After passing through Kalayaan flyover, reached the 10th km marker with a sub 1:00 time, so far so good. The marshals, together with the traffic enforcers did their best to control the traffic from buendia to taft, may mga makukulit lang na drivers talaga na ayaw magpaawat.




I was still feeling fine after turning left from buendia to roxas. I think that was the 15th km when I started feeling fatigue setting in. So I bust out my secret weapon, my counter fatigue-ant(?)...a thumb-sized pack of Nutella strapped in my race bib belt. Instead of buying chocolate flavored race gels, I had to use resources found in my home. Its cheap, mas masarap, fulfilling at wala pang nasasayang! It helped. Together with the bountiful bananas, water, energy drinks and sponges made available to us along the stretch of Roxas Blvd. But with these amenities came loads and loads of litter, I dont know who or what to blame in this part. As a runner, after drinking or consuming a banana, your first instinct is to throw whatever trash you have in a bin, but in the absence of a bin you've no choice but to throw it on the side of the road. I think organizers should deploy trash cans along that stretch so that the runners will be responsible enough to throw their kalats in the trash can. And also, before the race starts, the announcer should advise the runners about being responsible and the importance of cleanliness.












Goin back to the race, I was still occupied battling fatigue, soreness and the urge to walk more than a minute. I gave in at times, especially around the 18th to the 19th km. I had to save up on my energy so I still have enough in me to make it through the finish.












At the 20th km, I gradually poured in whatevers left of me, this guy that i was silently racing with did the same. Sadly, he was faster, stronger and I finished 3 minutes behind him. But I thank him for being there because I followed his pace at the last 4 kms so I think without our silent race I wouldnt have achieved a new PR of 2:12:15.




At the finish line, marshals were at hand to give you your well deserved 21k medal. And after that you get a congratulatory hi-five from your lovely wife and some of the coolest friends that you have. After that you redeem your loot bags and finishers shirt, have breakfast with friends, and this is when you stop and think. After every grueling, painstaking, leg-cramping 21km run, comes the medals, friends and loved ones. Just like in real life.
So till next time, run hard, run happy!
* oh, and big thanks to the photographers who were kind enough to wait, stand and share their photos to us.
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A Tale of Two Fun Runs

I join races or "fun runs" only once a month. Thats because I am a self-confessed cheapskate and I dont just waste money in joining runs. That is why I do my best to choose wisely. One perfect example is for the month of April, I had to choose between the Solar Earth Run and NatGeo's Earth Run. I listed the pro's and con's of each events below;

Solar Earth Run
Pros:
-really cheap registration fee for only P350 for early birds and P400 for regular registrants
-an "ok" singlet with good design and color scheme and a unique fabric to go along with it
-comes with a finishers medal and a loot bag
-correct me if Im wrong, I think all the proceeds will go directly to the beneficiaries

Cons:
-not so famous run as compared to the other one
-a typical 21km route-nothing new, nothing great
-if ever, it will be my first time to join this race and am still clueless how good/frequent hydration stations, marshalls. etc will be


NatGeo Earth Run
Pros:
-this was the first race Ive joined, this is where the running bug bit me
-more commercialized run
-basing from previous NatGeo runs, ok naman sila
-also has different singlets for different distances
-well organized registration sites in GB3
-the 21km route was pretty exciting because if ever, it will be my first time to run in Bayani road near McKinley Hills


Cons:
-pretty expensive registration fees
-no medals
-no loot bags

With all these listed down, I chose the cheaper one. Yes, its not that famous as the latter. Yes, Im clueless about the event. But somehow the price, the medal and the cause of the event made me say "go!".

April 15, 2012
4:45am
BHS

Come race day, there I was in the starting line with my hydration belt in tow just in case there is a lack of hydration stations. Bang! In no time, we were sent off. I can say I trained hard for this event. I had time to log in 4 20min tempo runs, 8 LSD runs and some hill runs here and there. My game plan was to stick to a pace of 6:30 at the first half of the race (which I think I did), then the next half would be a bit faster pace of 6:00 to 6:10 per kilometer. Come the 10th kilometer mark, I checked my Garmin to see my time and I got 1:01 (a new PR!). Knowing this, It got me more energized and pumped up for the next half and I was able to stick with my planned pace all through out. I finished with a new 21km personal record of 2:12:29! After two 21km runs I finally reached my goal of getting a better PR.

After the race, all I had was nothing but praises to the event organizers. They gave the runners ample hydration stations (wala nga lang energy drinks like Gatorade but I understand, considering the reg price and all), sufficient marshalls and kilometer markers, they even had bananas in some stations! I mean, hey! Now thats how a race should be! Mura, masaya, good cause, kumpleto, sulit! Kudos to the organizers and to the sponsors, you now have another avid supporter (not a brief!) of your running events.

After that, I had a call from my friend Jeck asking me to run with him at the NatGeo Earth Day Run happening the next Sunday. I said yes. I wanted to compare and see for myself. Although I didnt register for the event, I just wanted to see how it went (I told you, Im cheap!).

April 22, 2012
5:30 am
BHS

We were 2 minutes late from the gun start. I had my hydration belt with me just so I wont take any from the race event and from the runners, just the route (hehehe). I was "puyat" that day so I felt a little sluggish during the race. But it still didnt kept me from noticing the lack of hydration stations, the short tables that made runners bump each other just to have their water (some said its tap water). No bananas, no sponges, no loot bags, no medals. After the race I couldnt help feeling sorry for the runners who joined and spent 950 to 1150. They got robbed of their hard-earned money. In a way I was glad I joined Solar's run. It just goes to show that even goliath brands like NatGeo can be taken down by david-esque running events like Solar Earth Run by giving runners their bang for their buck. So next time, dear fellow runners, choose your races wisely, dont be fooled by their big names and commercial appeal, read, listen and ask first.

Until then, run hard, run safe, run happy!
:)

A Place Called STR

Twas the week-long vacation of 2012. Nothing special planned, just stayed in my in-laws house with the sinister plan of running in BGC the whole stay since they live right next to it. Well, it turned out I only got to run twice during the Holy Week. The first one was an easy 4km run with my wife, followed with a 20min tempo run, and second was an 8km run in and around BGC.

Having said that, I had the chance to drop by Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Me, my wife, together with my brother and sister-in-law, got to see the villages, the malls and the parks around it. From Greenfield City to Nuvali to Laguna Bel-air name it, weve been there. What really made me want to write this post was because of the outlet stores we visited in Laguna (or Paseo) Bel-Air. There were Speedos, Adidas, Mizunos and Nike outlets. But what really struck me was this Nike outlet store found along greenfield city in the back portion of the mall. I mean the prices were just crazy! Around 40 to 30% cheaper! The stocks might not be the latest ones but still. Imagine a Nike singlet priced around 1,600 in manila, there it was only 900+! And the running shorts were also 40% off! Even the shirts, jackets and shoes (including the lunarglide3) were on sale. And that was just for runners! I havent even checked the basketball section and the running stuffs for women. Unfortunately my mind was willing to purchase but the wallet was not. But I promise you this, I, theBoorunner, will be back with a vengeance and a fat wallet!

So, if ever you see yourself around these areas, remember my blogpost and do drop by the Nike outlet store for your running needs. But until then, keep on running, run hard, run happy!

*Apologies for not having any pics to show, I was so into the place that I forgot to snap some.


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Ran United (2)1

After all whats been said and done, here I am once again, adding fuel to the unstoppable blaze that is Run United 1 for the year 2012. Pardon me for being so late, work's got me all tied-up again.




21k Runners waiting for the gunstart.




Thats me before the race, all ready to go!

Anyway, RU1 is the 1st of the trilogy and 1st in a lot of ways: 1st ever to have BGC, Roxas Blvd. and MOA in one 21km route. Its the 1st to use SMS technology to inform runners of their official time. Its also the 1st to have medals on each leg and once completed, you could put them all together to form one gigantic medallion perfect for your memorabilia wall. And its the 1st to have free shuttle service from MOA to BGC and vice versa complete with police escorts to avoid delay. On to my story and how I hated my run and the result. Like the CSM last Feb, I was running ok in the first half but come 13th km my thigh muscles and calves started giving me cramps everytime I ran for more than 1km. So I had no choice but to run-walk upto the 17th km. After the 17th I started running with a slow pace until I reached the 18th km. I wanted to make up for lost time so I ran upto the finish line like there were zombies chasing me (uy, sounds like another run o!) I finished with a measly time of 2:32 according to the sms. A second slower than my last 21k! Yikes! After crossing the finish line I got my medal and immediately set out to get my free drinks and my loot bag together with my finishers shirt. But as I was claiming my shirt, the lady in the booth didnt bother to get the stub that I was giving her so after getting my shirt I was tempted to get another Medium sized shirt as pasalubong for my wife. Yes! I confess! I am one of those who took advantage of the situation. But I never thought that their stocks would be stolen and a lot of runners wont be getting theirs. Well anyway, karma wont just sit there and do nothing, after getting my massage,




and dipping my tired feet in ice cold water courtesy of the ULAH expo runners area, as I arrived in my house, tired and sleepy, I found out that Ive lost my Garmin heart rate monitor (there, happy now?!). I shouldve known better, sigh.
Enough of that, let me just run through some more of my comments;
- hydration were suffcient but the people manning the stations werent.
- bananas and sponges were also placed in strategic spots, you just have to dip those sponges some more to be able to serve its purpose.
- it was hard enough climbing the buendia flyover with thousands of runners, but having visibility issues is another, they shouldve placed more lights to improve runners visibility and avoid accidents.
- and also, while funny at times, but organizers should tell their bouncers or marshals to pee on designated portalets not on the walls or empty lots. BGC is too nice a place for others to just spray their pee on it. Come on now! 'Susginoo!
With that, Ill leave you with an apology and a reminder of the Golden Rule: "Do not do unto others what you want others do unto you." Yes, I've learned that the hard way after the race. (Hu-hu)
Till next time, happy trails!
Run hard, run happy!
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The Best Birthday Gift Ever

Last February 4 was my birthday. Also, my Mom was scheduled to arrive on the same date. I asked my sister (in the states) to buy me a Garmin Forerunner 210, as it'll be my birthday gift to myself. I told her that Ill pay her thru my Mom.





Once purchased, my sister sent me a pic of the watch which made me more excited to have it. On the day that my Mom arrived, she handed me the watch and told me not to pay her anymore since it was my birthday! I know right? Suh-weeet!! Right on time for the Skyway Marathon happening the next day!
Instantly I opened the box and one by one I checked whats inside it.





- 1 Forerunner 210 unit
- 1 usb charger clip
- 1 adaptor plug(for wall charging)
- 1 Garmin heart rate monitor with strap
- 1 cd software
- 1 startup manual

What I did next was familiarize myself with the watch thru the manual. And then I went thru the initial setup of the watch. I just answered all the questions and within a minute or two, it was set to go. Of course I had to fully charge it before the race the next day. Placing the unit in the clip charger was a bit challenging at first. You have to perfectly align the holes in the watch to the charger, if you see the Garmin logo and the battery life icon in the watch, it means the watch is charging properly. So the next day, race day, I attached the heart rate monitor to the strap then wore it just below my chest, instantly the watch detects it and will ask if you want to use it. Its best if you connect and locate satellites minutes before the gunstart since it took me at least a minute and a half for it to locate a satellite. Gunstart came and all I had to do was to press the start button to start the timer. There you'll see your distance, pace and time. Now if you press on the page/menu button, the fields in the display screen will change to distance, heart rate and pace. Another press of the button will take you to laps display then the time and date then back to distance, pace and time display. During the whole 21k run I couldnt help myself from looking at my watch. When I finally crossed the finish line, I just pressed on the start/stop button to stop the timer. Oh and dont forget to press the lap/reset button after every run to save and reset your previous run. Once I got home that day I quickly uploaded the saved info to their garmin connect website and voila! The complete details were staring in front of me.





Here's a sample of what youll see when you upload your run at garmin connect. Grabe, pati pagtawid mo ng street kuha niya!

I also wondered if its ok to use this gps watch on wet conditions. Upon checking on its manual and after reading some reviews on the internet, I found out that its pretty much ok to do so. One guy even took a shower with it just to check.

I havent found a name to call it yet but Im choosing between Barda and Gardo. I know for some its weird to name them but for me its normal, I give names to all my toys. To site an example, I call my car the Pogster Mobile, my laptop, Lappy. Kanya-kanyang trip lang diba?

So there you go, I guess i have to say goodbye to my Nike+ app now, since I wont be using it anymore, and hello to my new love, Barda (or Gardo)!


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Location:Alvir,Manila,Philippines