Flood

We (my housemate and I) survived typhoon Ondoy. Thank God. Last Saturday, we braved the flooded streets just to get out of our house. Water reached our bedroom so we need to take refuge in another place.

I'm praying for my fellowmen who still suffering due to the wrath of the Ondoy.

Crocs Prepair...to run

I'm done with the Crocs Prepair....to run. I have a mixed feeling about this race. Let me weigh the joys and the pains of this event:

The joys:

• New route, new place

• I get to run with old house mate in college and officemates
• A PR of 38 minutes, 5 minutes less of my 43 minutes during the Urbanite
• Running in the rain
• No injured knee tendon after the run
• Finishing the 5k distance
  

The pains:

• I felt I walked more and run less
• Running in the rain; there was a moment strong rain entered my nostril
• I'm a bit disappointed with the freebies
• Did I just expect a lot about the healthy and hearty breakfast? Cereals were served. Not so satisfying.

Anyhow, I love the experience. I have proven that no one can really put boundaries when it comes to running. :D

I Need Pain

Finally! The sun is up!

That's my route for today, a distance of almost 5kms.

Last stop would be Megamall to register a friend for the Crocs race and have a delicious dinner at El Pollo Loco.


"Running is a mental sport...and we're all insane!"
Learn to run when feeling the pain: then push harder.

Downpour

This is sad. I have not run for five days because of the strong rain. I can't seem to find a way to start the week 2 of my training. Crocs Prepair..to run is on Sunday. How I wish the rain would stop tomorrow.

If all else fails, I might run in the rain. XD

Running is real and relatively simple…but it ain't easy.

--Mark Will-Weber

Training Week 1

There are several races happening on the 13th of September:
-Makiling Challenge
-Ayala Eco Dash
-Crocs Prepair to Run

Among the three races, I finally decided to join the third one for the reason that it offers a new route. (Mall of Asia that is) It seems to be pretty exciting. But I'm still waiting til next week to register since I have no money yet (hehe!)

Good thing is I have roughly two weeks to train. Last Tuesday, I covered around 5km at Ortigas. Unfortunately, it was sort of walk and run because the streets were so busy, I can't run that smoothly.

For today, I'm running a 6km distance. (See the map above) It's gonna end at the laundry shop near our place so I can pick up my clothes as well. Talk about multitasking.

"Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day. It asks you, 'Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?'"
- Peter Maher, Irish-Canadian Olympian and sub-2:12 marathoner

The Results Are In

The race results of the Kenny Roger's Urbanite Run was released yesterday. Here's a glimpse of my run last Sunday. It took me 43 minutes to finish the 5km race. And got the 231st rank!

It's so nice to join races with micro chip because you can check on your stats afterward. However, the drawback is the costly registration fee. But yeah, it doesn't matter when you see the results online.

Til the next run, I'll train more to get sub40 or less. :D

Under the Night Sky

Kenny Rogers Urbanite Run - 08/15/09

Facts about this one-of-a-kind run:

-This happens to be my first 5k run. I prepared for two weeks and finally got a decent pair of running shoes.

-I was frustrated because I forgot to bring my camera during the event. I almost went back home just to have this event documented. Good thing my friend brought his digicam.

-While the commentator was doing the countdown for the 5k run, I was rushing from Krispy Kreme. (hehe! late carbo loading)

-I successfully completed my 5k run but failed to see the time I stepped on the finish line. I was blinded by the lights. (amf!)

-I got to pose for the class pictures of the Takbo.ph people.

-My right knee became swollen after the race. Too bad. Time for RICE method.

-A hug and kiss from someone special after the race is one of the best things in the world.

Running in the Rain

I run around Boni yesterday with Takbo.ph peeps. (that's bryan, mccoy, jaycee, yours truly, loren and alan)

PR of 10+K, improved endurance and fun in the rain.

More runs to come. A week and few more days to train for the Urbanite.

*thanks bryan rivera for the photo

Gone running

A new chapter shall begin.
I decided to conquer the pavements of the city.
Stay tuned.

Urban escape

Last weekend, I left the city to find bliss in the mountain.

We start our hike at about past 7pm (That's after an hour of waiting for people and almost 3 hours of travel). It was a night trek. Oh yes! We braved the mountain trail with flashlights to guide our way. I was with a mountaineering group composed of six men and three women. So we kept on walking for an hour; not just walk but climb a bit.

After an hour of walking (plus aching leg muscles, and almost running out of breath), we finally reach the summit. Being swept away by the cold mountain breeze made me feel so refresh!

We set up camp which turned out to be fun because people can’t make up their mind on where to position their tents. It was like in a comedy film where the actors kept on transferring the couch from one place to another and that’s all happening while in fast-forward mode. (I have to explain all that.)

Then, it was time for socials (the mountaineering term for hanging out). We cooked and ate dinner. We feasted on adobo and corned beef. And of course, socials would not be complete with booze. We had gin and lime. You can really feel the gin burning your chest because of the cold breeze.

After a while, it was lights off on the camp.

I was greeted with the cool breeze and breath-taking views the morning after. Amazing sights! We ate tuna and dried fish for breakfast. Then, it was time for camwhoring! We went to the highest point and click our cameras away.
We descended the mountain at around 9am. Going down was easier though you have to be careful because the pull of gravity is hard to resist. (That’s too scientific. Amf.)
It took us about only 45 minutes to go down. And we were off to the beach! Nothing beats the urge to plunge into the water after an overnight of just wet towels to keep you clean.

We had grilled chicken for lunch, and the ever-present corned beef. Then, we enjoyed the sea and the sun. By 4pm, we bid farewell to Batangas.

What a memorable way to jumpstart the summer! Til the next adventure!

PS. Too bad, I got the date on my digicam all wrong.

You're getting married?!

Here I am, working overtime so I can be absent for work on Friday. It's my cousin's wedding on Friday and I was picked to be one of the bridesmaids. I'm quite excited for the reasons that I'm going to wear something fabulous and I'll get my hair done. Let's include with this excitement the fact that my cousin, who happens to have a sort of complicated love life, is finally settling down.

Since it's the month of heart (I just assumed that February is that month, hello Valentine's!) and I'm hearing wedding bells, I'll talk about marriage.

What's with marriage?

Let's start with the thinking that it is the union of two people committed with each other...Two people who promised that they'll love and cherish each other til death.

I seemed to sound sarcastic but really I have nothing against getting married. I, myself, wishes to get married someday...with the right person hopefully.

I just observed that people nowadays are giving less importance to marriage. This is just my opinion. In a situation where the woman find out she's pregnant, her family hurriedly pushes her to get married to her boyfriend. I know they also have their own reasons why they want them to get married. My point is, why not get married at your own desire?

This is a long discussion, I know. Just want to voice out my simple thoughts.

A few more minutes and I'm out here.

Can't wait to see the person I hope to walk the aisle with someday.

Sidewalks are not enough

I had this song on loop almost the entire day yesterday at imeem. The song is comprised of amazing lyrics and simple tune. Entitled Chasing Pavements by Welsh jazz and soul singer Adele.

I've made up my mind,
Don't need to think it over,
If I'm wrong I am right,
Don't need to look no further,
This ain't lust,
I know this is love but,

If I tell the world,
I'll never say enough,
Cause it was not said to you,
And that's exactly what I need to do,
If I'm in love with you,

Should I give up,
Or should I just keep chasing pavements?
Even if it leads nowhere,
Or would it be a waste?
Even If I knew my place should I leave it there?
Should I give up,
Or should I just keep chasing pavements?
Even if it leads nowhere

I'd build myself up,
And fly around in circles,
Waiting as my heart drops,
And my back begins to tingle
Finally could this be it

Should I give up,
Or should I just keep chasing pavements?
Even if it leads nowhere,
Or would it be a waste?
Even If I knew my place should I leave it there?
Should I give up,
Or should I just keep chasing pavements?
Even if it leads nowhere

Should I give up,
Or should I just keep chasing pavements?
Even if it leads nowhere,
Or would it be a waste?
Even If I knew my place should I leave it there?
Should I give up,
Or should I just keep on chasing pavements?
Should I just keep on chasing pavements?

Should I give up,
Or should I just keep chasing pavements?
Even if it leads nowhere,
Or would it be a waste?
Even If I knew my place should I leave it there?
Should I give up,
Or should I just keep chasing pavements?
Even if it leads nowhere

So why bother posting the lyrics of this song?
Because definitely that's the same situation where I am right now.
Yeah, chasing my own pavements but believing that it will lead to something.

25

There has been a fad happening on Facebook where you have to list down 25 things about you then you have to choose 25 friends who'll do the same. I'll follow the trend but with a little twist.

For a change, let me do that 25 I-believe-I'm-amazing list here at blogspot. Yeah fine, that's not a big change but at least I tried to somehow make it different. (agree?)

So, here is it. Hold on tight. (As if this is mind-blowing and you really care, but I know you care.)

1. I have been wearing my braces for 4 years already.
2. I love movie, movie dates, and movie sites. (Anything that has to do with movies)
3. I wear flip flop even when I go to work or to church.
4. I never get tired of going to SM Megamall after work with my officemates.
5. I love sitting near the window in public utility buses.
6. My cooking skills are terrible. But I know how to fry and microwave food. (whew!)
7. I have six piercings on my ear; three piercings on each ear.
8. My hair is naturally color brown.
9. I eat a lot but I don’t get fat.
10. I love to eat at Jollibee.
11. I have allergic rhinitis which causes me to sneeze every morning.
12. I’m fond of wearing skinny jeans.
13. There are times when I can’t leave the house without putting on blush on.
14. I love cocktails and liquors. (Alcoholic tendencies. Hehe)
15. I’m currently on the act to eliminate my lung-infesting habit.
16. I hate my small fingernails.
17. I hate my feet. (Aargh. Flat-footed.)
18. I love reading books from thrift stores.
19. I’m fond of watching crime stories. I’m interested on how they solve the case and knowing the criminal’s motive. Wooh.
21. I want to travel around Asia.
22. I want to develop more my skills as a web writer. Ehem.
22. I’m into rock music. Not hardcore but more on alternative.
23. I’m a couch potato. I can watch three TV shows simultaneously.
24. I used to fear writing. I’m so afraid to commit mistakes on grammar and tenses.
25. I’m glad to overcome that fear. I want to write. I’m free to write.

I'm not tagging anyone here at blogspot because obviously I can't do that. Make your own 25 things as well. You'll learn a lot about yourself.

What's with the Ox?

This is my first entry for the year. Oh yeah!

I've been inviting people to view my blog but then I wasn't able to update this site regularly. Sorry for that.

What's up with 2009? Hmmmm, let me think about that...

I'm waiting to become a regular employee here in my company, barely a month to go.

And then, I'm attending my graduation this coming April. Finally! The chance of marching onstage and receiving my diploma.

Also, I have been dying to own a laptop to pursue freelance writing to earn extra income.

Those are the things that will make my 2009 already memorable.

Lastly, for something that makes me blush this year, I realized that I found love with someone who does not wear Vans.