Off to Boracay

Puka Beach, July 2007

I hope the rain lets up, so I can get a few runs in.

500mi Club

Ran 500 miles in 6 months, incredible! I never thought that I'd be a runner. Here's to many more years of running.

Having both the iPod Nike+ sports kit and the Garmin, I don't know how to efficiently track my miles. Do I use the Nike+ or the Garmin? I think for now, I'll continue using the Nike+ for all runs, and the Garmin only for outdoor runs. Just so I accrue miles on both the Nike+ and Runner+ sites. AND, on top of that, log both runs in Runners World. Overkill, I know.

La vida Hong Kong

What a trip! The last time I was in Hong Kong was in the mid 1990s. I don't remember much of it, maybe because I travelled with my family. But for sure I had a great time. This trip however, I hung out with a couple of cousins and a friend. We had fantastic meals and pre/after dinner drinks at swanky places. Took a few good photographs of Victoria Peak, Stanley Market, central HK, and other places. I was able to get only one run in but it was at the Four Seasons' gym on a state-of-the-art treadmill overlooking the Kowloon harbour ~ life can't get any better.

I also broke down and bought the most coveted "toy" on my wish list, an iPod Touch. I blame it on a cousin who was taking too long in an electronics shop. How I'm justifying this expense is that I didn't have to pay for accommodations. Yeah, right...

As good as it was, I missed the main reason for this trip ~ the Federer/Sampras exhibition game! Arrrgh!!! I can't blame anyone but myself. On any given day, 3 hours would be more than enough travel time to get to Macau from HK. When I got to the terminal, I qued up for the very long line. 10-15 minutes later, the board showed that the next available ferry will be in 2.5 hours. Which didn't leave me enough time to meet a friend (who had my ticket) at the Venetian before the game. What makes it worse, is that I missed Sampras' win over Federer. Oh well, que sera sera.

DINING / COCKTAILS at:
- Yun Fu 43-55 Wyndham St, Central HK ~ roast duck, braised green bamboo shoots; amazing buddha lined staircase with swanky modern/asian interior
- Feather Boa 38 Staunton St, SoHo HK ~ yummy chocolate strawberry daiquiris; parissiene bordello like interior; for members only
- Cafe Deco Victoria Peak HK ~ really good pizza w parma ham, arugula & black truffle oil, awesome view of HK skyline
- Aqua Roma 29+30 Floors, One Peking Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon ~ to die for squab w foie gras & roasted fig; uber chic, amazing HK harbor and city view
- Insomnia 38-44 D'Aguilar St, Central HK ~ good Filipino band, super packed, expat crowd
- Azure LFK Tower 33 Wyndham St, Central HK ~ drinks atop LFK Hotel, stunning views
- Yan Toh Heen InterContinental Hotel 18 Salisbury Rd, Kowloon ~ omg, I don't think I've had better Peking Duck ever. The fat is skimmed off the skin right in front of you, for a "healthier" and guilt-free dining experience.
- XTC Gelato LFK area (and all over HK) ~ wow, it's good, good, good! too many exotic flavors to choose from.

Another friend leaving

Today was my last session with my personal trainer. She's leaving for New York next week to try things out there, at least for the next six months. We've been meeting twice a week since July and I will miss her. She was a great motivator and with her gone, I'm sure I won't be going to the gym much.

For now, I'm not planning to continue with my strength training. Maybe after the marathon...

Fuel Belt

Ran with a friend today. We started at 5:15am, in the pouring rain! Wore a rain resistant jacket which wasn't very resistant at all. I'd like a light, breathable rain jacket for times like this! Hmmn, maybe they'll have good sales in Hong Kong.

Used the Fuel Belt for the first time. I loaded up the flasks with 3 waters & 1 gatorade, which I finished by the end of the run. The Fuel Belt is comfortable but a bit bulky ~ because of the four flasks, I had to stick my elbows out a bit. Midway through the run, the belt kept hiking up my waist instead of staying snug at my hips. (My fault though. I've read several reviews to order up a size, so I did. Plus I've lost more than an inch or so around my hips :-)) But, I can deal with that, rather than running without water.

Getting better with the hills, I ran all the way up Ultra and St. Pauls without stopping and dying! My legs are getting stronger each day, and I no longer walk like a man after a hard workout. :-) Now I just have to add a little bit of speedwork training...

Summary of today's run:
Miles: 6.69
Pace: 11:46
Time: 1hr18min



Now to pack and let my running shoes dry.

Ultra oval closed until Dec 5th

Argh! I was going to test Garmin's lap feature this morning, but the track is closed to "joggers." Why? Because the field is being used for soccer practice. This is the fourth time I've been there that the track is closed for some reason or another. Oh well, I guess I saved P29, ha ha. I ended up doing a quick run around the grounds of Ultra instead.

Here's a look at my short run...

Training Sched Week 5

This week's training schedule:

MON:: Swim
TUE:: Easy 3mi
WED:: Quality 7mi
THU:: Rest (travel day)
FRI:: Quality 6mi
SAT:: Easy 4mi
SUN:: Long 9mi
TOTAL:: 29mi

I'll be traveling again in a few days so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I follow through with my training this week. Going to Hong Kong, mainly to watch Federer and Sampras play an exhibition game and also to catch up with some friends. I'll be back next Monday only to leave again on Thursday for Boracay.

CURRENTLY
Playing:: around with Garmin watch
Searching:: for HK running trails

Recap of week 4's training:
MON:: Rest
TUE:: Easy 5.22mi
WED:: Easy 2.93mi
THU:: Interval 6.77mi
FRI:: Swimming 40min
SAT:: Pace 4.72mi
SUN:: Long 12.85mi
TOTAL:: 32.49mi

A pigout weekend

Last weekend was all about eating and training.
FRI:: Horizon Lounge & Milky Way :: Swimming
SAT:: Shang Palace :: 4.72 miles
SUN:: Silks :: 12.85 miles - my longest run to date

Considering the amount of food I ate over the weekend, my weight remains the same. According to my Polar HRM, I expended 1775 calories during my long run yesterday - WOW! Per my Nike+ Sports Kit, I only used up 1173 cal. Hmmn, that's such a huge difference, who to believe???

My long run of 12.85mi took me around Green Meadows, Valle Verde and Ultra then used the treadmill for the last 5mi. I didn't make it to Katipunan because of a couple scary looking dogs on Temple Rd so I did a quick U-ey :-( Except for the dogs and a few minor hills, it wasn't that bad of a run.



The thing about running early in the morning is that most places are closed and it's hard to find a place that sells water. I was so thirsty that my heart jumped with joy to see a Jollibee at the end of Green Meadows Ave. Thanks Jollibee for the free glass of water! My next water break was approx 30 minutes later at Ultra. At that point I was cross eyed and knock kneed that I almost gave up on the run. That's when I decided to head back home and run on the treadmill instead. While I drowned myself with water. Let me tell you, it's not easy to run when you're bloated with water either.

It's a good thing I met up with my cousin Wendy and Brian, her fiance, later that night. They brought me my new toys, a Fuel Belt and a Garmin Forerunner 305 which I'd been eagerly anticipating for months. I am a happy runner gone to heaven! Thanks to you guys, I'll no longer be thirsty during my long runs.


Mom, Brian, Wendy, Jim, Dad, me, Tita Diana @ Silks

8 girl cousins = a room full of happy people

Getting together with cousins always make me happy. We don't get together as much as we used to but when we do, all hell breaks loose. Of course, the wine and cheese offerings were enjoyed by everyone, which I suspect contributed to quite a few headaches this morning :-) Thank god we were tucked away in an out of the way conf room at the Horizon Lounge in Makati Shang. Even so, our ruckus could be heard all the way outside to the main reception.


rinn, trin, trix, ri

It's raining HARD

Planned to do an early 6mi quality run outside today, but I woke to the sound of unrelenting rain. I've ran in the rain before, and I loved every moment of it. I was almost tempted to brave the rain, but decided against it. The run would have ruined my new shoes and possibly injure myself. So it was back to the treadmill.

Running gingerly

TUE:: Ran 5.22mi with my brand new pair of Triax running shoes. I'm NOT liking it at all! I hope it's just a matter of getting used to it. I felt a constant dull pain on my right shin during the run and would briefly disappear only if I ran at a faster pace. The problem may be due to the Triax being a half size larger than my old Motos... Although the Triax is cushiony, which I like, I feel it lacks the support I need and seems a bit heavy.

WED:: Ran 2.93mi. Back to the Motos today, no shin problems at all. Hmmmn, could a shoe really affect your run that much?!?

Currently

reading:: The Rough Guide to Hong Kong & Macau
reading:: The Athlete's Way by Christopher Bergland
listening:: to Ingrid Michaelson's "The Way I Am"
watching:: season one of Brothers & Sisters
tweaking:: my Beijing pictures
awaiting:: my new running toys

social life:: close to zero. If it has nothing to do with running, I decline most invites that come my way. I'm either too tired to go out or in bed by 10pm for an early run the next day. I'm not complaining. I had a vague idea that in training for a marathon, I would have to pass on a LOT of things. That's not to say I've been hitting my weekly mileage goals, but close enough.

Facebook

Despite ignoring a handful invites, I broke down and joined Facebook. Just to see what the fuss was all about. I still don't get it, but I did receive an email from a friend in Turkey. How cool is that?!?

Training Sched Week 4

MON: Swimming
TUE: Easy 3mi
WED: Quality 6mi
THU: Easy 3mi
FRI: Rest
SAT: Pace 6mi
SUN: Long 12mi
TOTAL: 30mi

Week 3 Recap

MON: 5.9mi in Beijing
TUE: Rest
WED: 6.66mi
THU: 6.44mi
FRI: Rest
SAT: 6.89mi in Baguio
SUN: 2.6mi in Baguio
TOTAL: 28.49mi

Last Monday, I ran around the perimeter of the Forbidden Palace in Beijing. It was nice and cold, I hardly broke a sweat, but my knees never seemed to warm up. Wed and Thur were treadmill runs back in Manila, and my last two runs were done in Baguio. I was hoping to do my 11mi long run last Saturday, but darn it, those Baguio hills were pure torture and I cut the run short :-(

New running shoes

My less than 6mo old shoe, a Nike Air+ Moto, is about to be retired. It only has 425+ miles, yet it has lost that bit of springiness and support :-(

I tried the Mizuno Wave Creation 8s and love the way they feel on me. BUT, having several friends who work for Nike, they won't approve of me wear any other brand but theirs. So when I learned that Nike has a promotion going on right now, I rushed to the store. For every Nike+ shoe you buy, they will give you a sports kit for the iPod Nano for free.

Sadly, they didn't have the Nike Vomero+ 2 in my size, so I ended up with the Nike Air Structure Triax+ 10. Hope that works for me... Otherwise, I'll end up getting a 2nd pair of shoes, the Mizunos. Bad for my financials, but a good thing for my feet. :-)

The Colors of Beijing

stunning sights, local cuisine overload, unbelievable smog, bargain shopping, an assault to all senses... i was able to fit in four runs for a total of 16+ miles :-)