Training Sched Week 2

will hopefully look something like this...

MON: Easy 3mi
TUE: Speedwork 5mi
WED: Easy 5mi
THU: TRAVEL
FRI: Easy 5mi
SAT: Pace 5mi
SUN: Long 7m
TOTAL: 30mi

Just as I’m getting serious with my marathon training, it will be difficult to keep the momentum going due to upcoming trips. As much as I love traveling and vacations, the next few trips will be done somewhat reluctantly. I need to find time and some interesting routes to run while away.

Travel Schedule:
Nov 1-6: Beijing
Nov 8-11: Baguio
Nov 22-26: Hong Kong
Nov 30-Dec 2: Dumaguete
Dec 27-Jan 1: Macau

U.P. 10K Route

can't remember exactly where I swiped this map from, but I believe it's from some U.P. Mountaineering member's blog.

Week 1 Recap

MON: Strength 1hr; Yoga 1.5hrs
TUE: Easy 4.17mi, 11:30pa
WED: Interval 3.13mi, 10:32pa
THU: Tempo 5mi, 10:49pa
FRI: Rest
SAT: Pace 5mi, 10:42pa
SUN: Long 9.95m, 11:23pa (longest run to date!)
TOTAL: 27.25mi

Today's long 9.95mi run was done around the U.P. oval. Grabbed a cab at 5:15am and headed to the university to run with J and Doc A. We started out fast at a 9:28pa. This being my first time running with them, I didn't want to hold them back. So by mile 5, I urged them to go ahead without me while I run at a much slower pace. Them being the gentlemen they are, said no, so we settled to a more manageable pace of 10:45. It took me 1h53m to circle the outer oval 6.5 times at an average pace of 11:23. Not bad... I completed last week's long 8mi run on the treadmill at an 11:55pa. It was encouraging to hear J say that I've got good form and strides, and more importantly that I will do quite well in the marathon. Not bad for someone who only started running this June, eh?

Except for the expensive cab ride (P130!), it's so much nicer running in U.P than in Ortigas. On Sundays, streets circling the oval are closed to vehicles, there are lots of trees, a big oval you can circle over and over, and lots of runners and bikers to check out. ;-) There were several running groups out there training for the New Balance half marathon to be held in Subic in a couple of weeks. The Runnex group had over 30 members in tow, WOW! That's the way to do train.

During the run, my Polar HRM froze on me 15 minutes into the run, ARGH, so I'm not sure how well I did. I did okay though, as I could have continued on for a couple more miles. Time to seriously consider getting the Garmin Forerunner 305 sooner rather than later. :-D

On to another subject...
A few more days until the October Runner+ challenge is over. I should wait for the challenge to end before posting the final results. But when I logged on today, I was ecstatic to note that I'm currently in 2nd place! Can you feel my giddyness?!?

A little princess comes to visit

and sleep.

... can't figure out how to rotate this photo.

Lunch w CG

Just got back from a lunch with CG at Santi's Deli. It was so nice to be able to catch up with her, it's just been too long... A lot has happened since I saw her three weeks ago, all of it good things, and I'm glad it's happening to her. I'm crossing my fingers that the man from Spain is the "one" and that all will fall into place. You give us hope, CG.

I got giddy hearing her stories. In a way, the rush I get from running is similar to spending time with someone you're attracted to, during the early stages. BUT without the insecurities of is he or is he not feeling the same way about me as I do him. Anyway, since I'm without the "one," I'm glad I have running as an outlet, a low maintenance substitute to being in love.

Finally reached the top 10 Nike+ spot in distance

in the Philippines! YEAH, I've been working long and hard for what I once thought an unattainable goal. Climbing up the ladder will get even more difficult as the top 9 are serious runners. Well, it helps that I'm training for a marathon, as I'm building on my weekly miles by over the recommended 10%.



THURS RUN: I had a grueling tempo run yesterday. I had hoped to sustain a constant treadmill speed of 5.9 during miles 1-4, but I struggled and my right eye started to twitch. I took that as a sign to slow down, which I did by lowering the treadmill speed by to 5.7. :-(

0-1mi / trsp 4.6 / 12:13pa
1-2mi / trsp 5.9 / 10:29pa
2-3mi / trsp 5.9 / 9:49pa
3-4mi / trsp 5.7 / 10:06pa
4-5mi / trsp 4.7 / 11:30pa

NOTE: trsp = treadmill speed

Pace Calculator

based on the 5K race I ran on Oct. 7th, the Soroptimist Takbo Breast Friends. Calculations taken from the McMillanRunning.com site.



Based on this calculation, it predicts that I will finish the Pasig Marathon in 5:12:17. Huh, so much for finishing under 4hrs!

This is my goal...

Running in puddles

I slept over my sister's place last night. I don't mind because I get to see her kids and that means I get to run around her village in peace... no distractions, no need to give way to motor vehicles, no queueing up for the treadmill.

So, early this morning, I headed out the door and ran around the village. In the rain. How liberating. I felt like a kid let out for the first time enjoying raindrops on my face. I continued on. So what if I get sick, there's no way I'll DNF this run! This road is mine.

MON: Strength training, 1hr. Yoga, 1.5hrs.

TUE: Easy village run
4.17mi
11:30pa
386 cal (iPod)
491 cal / 30% fat (Polar)
Max HR 100% (what the #*@!, this was an easy run!)
Avg HR 83%

Training Sched Week 1

This week's training schedule:

MON: X - strength, yoga
TUE: Easy 3mi
WED: Tempo 5mi
THU: Easy 3mi
FRI: Rest
SAT: Pace 5mi
SUN: Long 9m
TOTAL: 25mi

I woke up yesterday, weighed myself, wow, 121lbs!!! How can that be, I've been consciously eating mounds of rice and anything and whatever comes my way?!?

SUN RUN: Did an easy long run on the treadmill last night. It took me 1hr40min to complete 8.42mi. I jogged pretty much the entire time except for four minutes right before the 4mi mark. During the latter part of the run, around 6mi or so, I experienced a bit of discomfort on the upper left thigh area, just below the hip. Hmm, this is new to me. I expected to be much more sore today, but not so. Summary of yesterday's long run:

8.42 miles
11:55 pace
778 cal (ipod) /
1109 cal, 35% fat (hrm)
79% avg hr
90% max hr

Morning run around Ortigas

I planned to start my early run before 6am, but I woke up at 6:05am :-( After a quick application of sunblock, attaching various gadgets on self and wolfing a banana, I was out the door by 6:20am.

ROUTE: One round around UAP, I saw about 5 joggers out there, yey, I'm not alone. Then ran through Tektite, ADB, Topaz, Ruby, Emerald (a mini food carinderia market going on), Garnet, Sapphire, then down to Julia Vargas, through Rodriguez-Lanuza, up St Martin, around Ultra, then back home.

All in all, a total of 5.51miles at a very slow pace of 11:27/mi.

Training for my first marathon

So. Yesterday, after reading The Bull Runner's blog, I am inspired to run the Pasig Marathon.

Huh, I've only run one race so far, Soroptomists Takbo Breast Friend, a 5K, earlier this month. I ran slower than hoped, 32:03, but I placed 6th in Women's. Oh, the smile pasted on my face that day! I swear, the afterglow lingered for days.

Whatever possessed me, but I am committed to running the Pasig Marathon this coming February 2008.

Training tools:
Hal Higdon's Marathon The Ultimate Training and Racing Guide
iPod Nano with Nike+ sensor
Polar F11 Heart Rate Monitor
MapMyRun.com

Wish List:
Garmin Forerunner 305
Fuel Belt Helium 4
a new pair of running shoes (150 miles left on my Nike Moto)

Here starts my four month journey towards my first marathon.