A one-live cat’s life

It has been a busy month and i fail to write updates on my blog.

Weekend March 28-29

Had lunch on the around the corner neighbor new cafe called “Grapes” at Balmain shores.  Just a few steps from my flat.  Ordered pasta (carbo-loading for the Sunday race) which was beautiful.
Went towatchDuplicity at Greater Union at George Street using up my last promo tickets.  Good movie and unexpected twist in the end.

Waking up on my regular Sunday race and did the SriChinmoy Race at Centennial Park.

Planned to go to LePerouse after, but did a stop-over and good picnic at Little Bay.  Then went to Le Perouse and watched a a reptile show after which proceeded to do some sunbasking.  The day was filled with eating ice cream and coffee!

Blue bottle jelly fish

Weekend Apr-4-5

Was working evening shifts as well with my regular day shift lately and Friday was one of the days.  I am glad it is my Taper week before the marathon and no races for the next weekends.  Had sleeped in.

Sunday was the start of the end of Day-light savings and my body clock was still set on the dayloght savings.  Woke up early, had breakfast at Bowan’s bakery walked to and from the house which is crossing the Iron cover bridge maybe which is a kilometer away.  This is where the Woodstock Runners cafe stop after te Saturday runs this is located at Drummoyne.  they absolutely serve the bestest! muffins iv’e ever tasted and good coffee.

Then shopped for fishing rods that we plan to use on Easter weekend.  I bought my first rod, a beginner’s female pink fishing rod.

Went to little Bay, even it was already cold from autumn winds hoping could go snorkling.  It was really cold I tried to snorkle but it was too cold for me even with my rashies.

And on the way home, guess what? found a Filo grocery.  I was told that its already 20 years in that location!  It was Pinoy frenzie food shopping, well for mixes anyway.  Bought sinigang, adobo, karekcare, and palabok mix! So with a hot and spicy nagaraya and salted red eggs.   The red eggs was for dinner and it was not as good as the original red eggs.

Went to chruch and attended the palm Sunday at St. Patrick at Grosvenor road, Sydney.  Palm Sunday was celebrated differently, compared to palms being sold at church doors with very arty and crafted designs, the church gave us palms at the end of the mass which were cut nicely and simply straight from a palm plant.

Tuesday as a gift for having my anniversary, I took myself to te dentist, yea if you think im crazy for thinking it as a gift! I maxed out my 2000AUD dental care! altho they did numb my left side mouth and driven those drills like thousan f1 drivers running around my mouth, I think they are the best Dentists I have been to in my life, seriuosly! The fish tank, and the entertainment where you watch MTVs with the headphones while they treat you. It is so cool.  And it is just at the building where I work so convinient!  I went to Pyrmont Dental Health.

This Sunday also commemorates my anniversary of coming to Sydney as a transfer location on my work.  I remember I left Philippines April 4 and arrived in Sydney, twas an overcasti day i was tired and waking up the following day which was end of Daylight savings, and it was raining.

Its going to be Easter weekend 4 day holiday and be going up central coast to fish, relax maybe to the beach if its not too cold.  its a week more before my first marathon event.

Happy Easter everyone!

What’s new? You’ll will hear me again saying i did not have enough runs last week because I do not have a life, and work did own my life. So i was hesitant for joining in the 16KM race having been an absentee for a long run (14KM++ x 2) a week I thought it would be punishing my body for something its not used to.

But then again, what’s new? It’s a stubborn leo talking! I did register myself for 16KMs for the Sri Chimnoy Race at the Iron Cove, its held in my domain so its a good reason to go.

Saturday morning, 4th weekend of missing out the Woodstock Saturday run, after a fun Halloween party on a Friday, I thought I also had leg work out there standing long hours and dancing till morning, means waking up late and no run and should rest before the 16KMs tomorrow. It was like battling a Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde convincing myself I should not go for a run, not even a slow run. I decided to

go cycle at the gym and do a “swim.” Good swimmers in the pool I backed out, so just 8KMs at the bike. I was bit not sure how I will go on the race since its going to be my first 16KM race. I’ll just follow my motto: “finish the race, no walking.”

6am, set my alarm, woke up at 630am, got ready, geared up (after checking the temperature outdoor 3 x if its warm or windy as clouds in Sydney can always deceive you if I should wear the long sleeved uniform or my singlet). I figured out there would be no baggage counters, so i got into my singlet, placed a Gu in my legging’s pocket, cash and keys plus one endura gel in my hand. After wich, I did my stretching and By 715am I was already out of the flat and just jogged to the event as my warm up.

No Woodstockians in sight, so i got my bib and signed the waiver. After a couple of minutes Brendan arrived then came 12 more. Kerry, Dot, John, Greg, Martin, Mark M, Mark O, Thalia, Belinda, Peter, Linda, (and um sorry Mr. Woodstock-i-forgot-your-name)!

Around 2 minutes after 8, the race started off with the 16KM runners first, followed by the 8KMs and 4KMs. Very perfect running condition, not windy, not chilly, not humid, not hot, cloudy not sunny! The route is majorly flat with few sections of few meters of inclines. I did try to pace with Thalia but oh boy, maybe quarter of the 1st kilometer I gave up! She was running fast, so I let go from her.

Photo Borrowed SriChimnoy race Photo Album. No Stopping!! @ the forground: Mark resting while pacing with me, we were trying to catch Thalia, Mark did.

First loop, I was told by Brendan 5th place. I got confused of what he meant, grab the fifth place, or I was running on 5th place. But as runners coming back from turnaround, I was counting the runners and I was at the 6th Place, so I understood what he was saying. But not long after that, another lady just caught up and managed to overtake the the female I was trying to catch. That pushed me to be 8th (female). I was pushing really harder to get her position but she was a bit few meters form me that in the second loop my legs are complaining and I was I trying to think should I Gu or not, which i did not.

During the race, knowing the bay area, its popular for runners, walkers, dog walker/runners, so it makes it easier if you are just cruising along you will not get worried getting cutoff as you can always just run with the runners. Speaking of which, i did encounter 2 undesirable incidents. A mother pushing a pram towards me! so I was not pleased, 2nd is a unmindful dog owner who was wrestling with his dog to stay at the grass, just crossed my path with him holding the leash and the dog! I almost tripped over! It took out my momentum, so a Sydney Striders male runner saw the opportunity and took advantage of that.

I still can see Thalia’s back and the lady who overtook me so I am still doing okey. Loop 2 was tough as my legs and my glutes are already complaining, which the brain over ruled and brain told me to breath normally and relax.

Two more kilometers and i forced to pace faster, seeing the finish chute and the banderitas tried to sprint, finishing 8th in my age category (50 and below). Too bad only Top 7 finishers gets awarded. Good thing, this motivates me to do better next time. I was happy that i was able to try more or less pace at 5 on a longer run in 10KMs. Performance wise it was better than of my 14KMs and 12KMs pace.

Learned that, if there is someone faster than you and try to put her as your goal you get pushed to run faster, otherwise you tend to slack (its like someone who is pacing you and pushing you harder). Not getting a place is good, that means wanting to get one next time.

It was fun having the Woodstock cheering for you at the end, that alone is very rewarding (and they were even thinking i made it to top 7).. lol! Greg, John, Martin, Brendan, Kerry, Linda and Thalia placed in the race, half of the club did place in the race, how cool is that?

Race wise, enough water stations, well marked paths in every two or three kilometer and the free pancakes, watermelon, oranges and bananas.

the woodies!(Dot, Mark,Me-enjoying the pancakes, Mark) and backdrop is the 7th Female and the 1st Female

Event: Sri Chimnoy Race Series, Iron Cove
Distance: 16KM
Time: 1:20:29 - 8th (u 50)

Results:
4KM
8KM
16KM

The event commenced with a coffee at Grumpy’s with the Woostockians.

Sri Chimnoy Race Series, next race at NSW will be at the Centennial Park, Cross Country( 21KM, 7KM, 4KM), November 23, 2008.

As listed in my might-run-races, I have been contemplating if I would be running any of the fun runs this Sunday. Eyeing on Maroubra Fun Run, since this is the most accessible run, I was convincing myself to already register. But, it has been a tough week for me at work s i was having doubt.

It has been 2 weeks of 24/7 on call support an 3 consecutive days that have been working at least 18 hours, my body started to be on strike. Missing and forgetting Woodstock runs on Wednesday morning, Friday morning and the Club’s Saturday run. The Saturday even was a plan to get a longer run before joining which I was meaning to run and run longer before the 9Km one in Balmain, My physical body just can not get up. Frustrating, but what can I do.

Then on Friday morning, John sent me an email he is going to do the fun run, which confirmed myself to do the 8KM, after convincing myself to join even on a late start of 930 and temperature forecast at 29 degrees. Yes, I already have been mindful of the temperature as the heat from last Sunday is too hot for me. (Humid hot in Manila is very different in stinging hot sun rays).

Anyway, on Sunday, I did get up at 715, quick shower, had coffee, banana and a chocolate cookie, sugar loading, that is how i call it. A few stretching and by 757, John was already at my area. We drove to Maroubra ariving 30 minutes past 8am and so we are early by an hour even it it means registering on the day.

As explained by John, this fun run is similar to the one in Gladesville, a fun run sponsored by the Rotary Club, and does includes a fair.

And he was right. Race starts with at least 5 meter parade with the bagpipe band then they fire the gun. Just like the race in Brighton, narrow start, with all the 4km walkers and runners starting with the 8KM runners at the same time. I needed to struggle and run off-road. On the first left, you can see a hill. So what’s with this hills on a Rotary run?! :p. Was not super hill, tolerable not until you turn left and keep turning left the Hills seem to get steeper and bigger. that just made me puff and huff. Near the 8km runabout, you can hear the bagpipes and is a very steep downhill, that there is no way you can fly and take advantage of the hill as it steep and just end up knocking yourself over. Better to finish the race bruise free I told myself. I psyched myself that I still can do another round of those hills.

I tried my best to run as same pace as my first lap. I think i did slow down a bit on the hills, nearly giving up wanting to walk, but I just did not. The heat was hotter and all you can think is to get the race over and done with! 2 ladies caught up with me when it is nearly 500 meters away from the chute, although i did over took 3 people ahead of me initially nearing the finish. 3 meters from the chute I heard John called my name, yey! I finished the race without walking.

The organizers had a bit of a challenge sorting out the results as it was their first time to use the timing chips. Where the results came in by almost midnight the same day. The race I say is very well organized, maybe just lacking a few marshals directing and stopping the vehicles passing through and people cutting through the routes. Two water stops for an 8km race is enough. What I did like is at the finish chutes, marshals assist in taking off the chip, enough chairs where the runners can sit and take their chips off and marshals escorting runners out of the finish chute which prevented runners from crowding in the chute which usually happen in all races. Aside from that is the October fest mood, beer, food stalls, clothes, jewelry and handicraft stalls, camel ride , jumping castle and trampoline after the race made the event very festive.

John and I left the event after learning that the awarding will happen by 12 noon which is too late and John is 2nd on his age category.

For myself, Not bad that I was aiming to finish at 40 minutes more or less but the hills would have made it more difficult. BUT! I made it at 40.16 minutes chip time. Still 16 seconds over my target, I am happy, I really feel I made big improvements on speed compared 6/7 months ago and even with feeling a bit of arthritic pain on my left leg since my long run last Thursday.

Event: Maroubra Fun Run
Location: Maroubra, NSW, Australia
Distance: 8KM
Gun time: 40.34
Chip time:40.16

Results
8KM Run
4Km Run
4KM walk

What is orienteering?

From Wikipedia, Orienteering is a family of sports that require navigational skills using a map and compass, usually in combination with point to point racing, in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain. Participants are given a map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they use to find control points. Originally a training exercise in land navigation for military officers, orienteering has developed many variations. Among these, the oldest and the one with the most “starts” per year[citation needed] is foot orienteering. For purposes of this article, foot orienteering serves as a point of departure for discussion of all other variations.

I was intrigued by what sport it is, as one of our Woodstock mates: Barry Cole, sent an email regarding the sport which is on this summer. It is a series of orienteering events in New South Wales region starting this spring till the end of summer.

So the event is called Sydney Summer Series.

The event is timed at least to run at 45 minutes having different checkpoints you need to go to. It requires or practices your navigational skills, physical speed and your quick mental capability on logistics. There are number of checkpoints the organizers scatter around the event area and whoever finishes or completes the search in the shortest time wins. Although the tallying is done for the first 12 highest events.

It runs every Wednesday most of the time, and started last October 8 at McMahons Point.

I thought it would be interesting to join, as it will be a variety of my running routine outdoors. I thought of like the “Amazing Race” kind of thing, and or I those activities I have had when I was in high school during summer Science camps.

I meant to joint the initial one BUT since AGAIN every time I tell myself I am going home early from work, work just keeps me too late at work. Anyway, I was able to join the 2nd one.

I posted the event in the Couchsurfing community, as someone might be interested to join me. A few did want to join but not sure of what time they finish at work. This second event i am glad that Marcusof Germany from New Zealand (haha yes it is confusing ) joined me.

Marcus loves biking and running. If i have lost at max 14 kilos, he lost 30 kilos from running. He did his first and only running race last Sydney Running festival. And guess what? he did a Marathon! Crazy isn’t it? No short distance races and broke a spine 4 months ago from a bike race,although he told me he at least do 80KMs a week.

Anyway Marcus and I, were first timers so we did not know how it is done. We need to go the shortest way to go to all checkpoints. In this event there are 30 checkpoints scattered in the area of Iron cove. So we were given a card where we can write and the map and the hint where the check points are. So we learned that check points are little buckets with the check point number and a letter pair written on the bucket bottom that we have to write on the boxes on our card as when we get to the mission.

We started at 1711 deciding to go first to the farthest and finding the nearest last. It was very different to running races as you have o cross streets with cars and you need to be careful, sprint to where the checkpoints are, stop and write, then think the next which target to go next. We finished all 30 checkpoints in 1 hour and 10 minutes. So we get deductions as our time was past 45 minutes. We finished at 1821. It is not like in a running race where you get to see the results immediately, every check point have different scores, which makes the result calculation more difficult.

The Iron Cove results are shownhere.

It was indeed a good activity. And i think it is good to do it with someone, someone who is keen in finishing the “race” as fast and efficient as how you want it to be. Still, again it is very subjective.
I still would join the other events as long as time permits and the location is accessible.

October 8, 2008, I decided to enter the Brighton Beachside Dash fun run on the 12th of October. So I entered the 10 KM run.

This was to be the 1st time this event has been run. One reason I entered was because the entry fee went towards raising funds for vital medical research by the St George Medical Research Foundation. Where The registration fees and pledges from the sponsors raised will be used in the search for a cure for diseases such as cancer, arthritis and childhood diabetes.

I set my alarm for quarter to 6 as I was being picked up by John whom I was hitching a ride with. I checked Google weather for the climate. Should I wear leggings or shorts? Sure enough, Sunday is warmer than Saturday so I put on shorts and the bra top Dottie gave me (Thanks Dot!). By 6:27, John was already ringing me as he was waiting for me on the road. We drove to the west and we reached Rockdale/Le Brighton area 15 minutes past 7. We had a quick pit stop at Mackas and grabbed some cappuccinos.

Once at the event area, we saw the Woodstockians Dottie, Kerry, and Brendan. At the Finish shoot, we met Kerry’s daughter, Bridget and her friend.

I was aiming for at least 50 mins. as it said it was a flat course. The race had more than enough water stations too. They used the St. George Bank Dragon mascots as pacers, so the challenge was about catching as many dragons as you could whilst running.

After a while, the gun was fired and off we went (after some confusion where the starting line was!). I stayed a bit farther from the front as I was scared of getting involved in a stampede by the fast runners, so i stayed 4 rows behind them. That was a big mistake! About 100-150 meters from the start the path became narrow and so I thought it was going to slow my time down this is what I told myself. I tried to carefully pass through the runners. Slowly I was able to ease myself through the crowd,yet still it was narrow as we needed to stay on the right as the fast runners were coming past on the left. About 12 minutes after, the first runner was already heading towards the finish and 7 runners after him, I saw Brendan, as I was expecting he would be emerging from the top 10, and i was waiting for John, whom i saw probably after 5 minutes or a little less. As we ran farther, the heat of the sun was getting warmer. I mean HOTTER. It stings that again, I am not very used to it. It was depleting all my energy.

I stopped at two water stops, jogging through them.At the 6KM mark I felt a stitch developing which made it difficult to breathe. I told myself to keep on running but I just couldn’t soI briskly walked for 30 seconds trying to stabilise my breathing and the pain, which went away a little bit so I tried to catch up with the lady wearing a France marathon shirt whom I was pacing off earlier. I knew she was faster than me though. Yet at least I could still see her meters away from me so I am fine. I reckon the water stop and walk would have taken around more than half a minute due to that, I was expecting a time of 51 minutes.

It was difficult to decide when to begin my sprint to the finish shoot, I saw the 2Km marker and I knew that is still far and will take at least 10 minutes more to run that far. I was already tired, but at last I saw the blue inflatable finish shoot. I just paced through it faster than normal as I was not able to sprint, I am not sure why (was I tired?). Finally, I finished it. The route was fairly flat except for 1 zigzag turnaround going up to the road level “uphill” for not more than 3 meters, and two additional inclined foot path to the road level from the beach walk.

I was surprised that I finished with a pleasing time of 48.59 minutes, despite the slow start, two water jog stops and a 30 minute brisk walk. Wow! It was definitely a PB for me. I am happy. Brendan, 3rd age category, John, 2nd Age category and me did PBs.

We watched the 5KM fun run/walk start and the first runners coming in to the finish. Then we headed to the awards ceremony where they had mistakenly got our ages mixed up making me 10 years older and a 9th place in the age category! Eventually, they got that sorted out.. It was unfortunate for Brendan as he was supposed to get a Mizuno voucher, he got a socks and cap in exchange because of the mistake from the organizer :-/. John just let his prize go and we left.

Someone asked me what my time was, and I said “um I don’t know,”and he said, “Why don’t you wear a watch when you run?” um, not really :D. Wow I think that is sometimes good that you just enjoy the run and forget about pressuring yourself, I think I have enough pressure from work. This race, no gels, no energy drinks just the coffee and water woohoo!

The event was co-sponsored by, Rockdale Council, Ramsay Health Care, Adcorp, SSR and Mizuno.

Event: Brighton Beachside Dash
Location: Brighton Le Sands, Rockdale
Distance: 10Km
Time: 48:59 (PB) - 10th Age Category (u30)

Results:

5KM
10KM

Its September 21 and i am doing my first 21 kms, half marathon, in my running life in the Blackmore’s Sydney Marathon Running Festival I can remember myself saying last year, I will be coming back to Sydney to do the half. And i did. I did not plan for it, but it seem like i was fated to do the half on this event as I am really meant to be in Sydney on this date.

I arrived at the same time almost all of the runners doing the half marathon arrived, so it was busy going through the gates. Finishing my energy drink as i realized i only have 2 GUs left that i had to reserve during the run, which i stuck on my shorts pocket.

Then, I started looking first for my Woodstock mates, but unfortunately unable to find them. Did another stretching routine and queued on the portaloos. Was standing there for 15 minutes! Too many people. Just i got out from it its 1 minute before the gun start, few seconds just took off my long sleeved top ready for the baggage trucks, i heard the gun start!hurrying i placed my waist bag on the bag provided and literally chuck it so fast in the truck that i cant remember if i did knot the bag twice or once and i was worried. Anyway I did run at the start shoot i am glad to hear the announcer saying that it would be a few meters walk until the runners start running ahead as there are quite a lot of participants for the half marathon. The Half starts earliest amongst the 4 events on this race day.

I am glad i was not really the last runner to start so i did my slow pace as b3n suggested at 6km/hr. Although i intended not to wear my watch i did guage myself if i was running too fast or slow. As I remembered Stephen, of Woodstock, told me that the toughest is the uphill from Millers point park going up the Australian landmark Sydney bridge. I did it slow, pacing with other runners and still end up panting.

As we are bout to pass the old Pyrmont Bridge road, i realized my sunnies is not on my head! i did lost my sunnies while taking off my top! there goes one of my only favorite sunglasses! So that took out my focus. Anyway i did continue running as when we arrived Norton Road, the sun is already up and it is getting really HOT not warm and not humid. That’s the point when we saw the elite runners doing there turn about. Led by a Kenyan runner. I was doing well, although there were a quite few hills, which i tried to concentrate on. Short steady steps.

It is when we arrived at Sussex street, i started to psychologically give up! As i remember this route whenever i do my weekend training long runs from Rozelle to the city, as this is where my legs always start to hurt. Well i was alternately doing a jog and a run trying to keep up. Marking the the runners i was trying to keep up with. Well i did stop in the water stations except two, where one was too overcrowded. Took 3 GUs (took 1 from one of the water stations). I think i had too much liquid as i can feel my stomach having reflux that i wanted to barf so i slowed my pace as i don’t want to embarass myself. Aside from that, I saw a number of runners fainting! I do not want to be carried off the stretcher with thousands of crowd watching! There were no more markers after the 38th(Full Marathon) Marker so the effort of my brain doing the calculation of the distance did take off my mind i was already exhausted, which is good. I can see the Opera house in about 1 Km. I did gauge i can sprint to the finish yet. Arriving the opera house, I did sprint but just like what happened last year, i almost choked and barfed! I slowed down coughed but still continued running. 50 more meters i told myself to just run as fast as i could. Reaching the shoot at clock time 1:54:xx. I was pleased with my time as i was trying to gauge i was going to run it at 2 hours for my first half. Not much pain but i was tired. Lungs was tired, legs were not.

Reached the baggage area, and yes as i expected my bag is missing! i stood there for 10 minutes and i would have guessed it was misplaced. My ATM, my phone, my camera and my change clothes!! Well i can not afford to loose more things after loosing my sunnies i told myself. Thankfully before i started to panick, one of the volunteers did handed me my baggage and everything is there, well minus my sunnies- boohoo!

After the race

Japanese elite half marathon runners

I handed my timing chip and disappointed to receive a keyring medallion compared to what i got last year which was really a medal and the registration is even more dearer than of last year. So i did line up for all the freebies as i thought the registration fee was a rip-off. I also did register to receive my time through SMS, i was notified i did the race at 1:53:02 hours. I did not see any of my Woodie mates so i decided to just wait and watch at the finish shoot to await Martin Amy, one of our Woodie mates doing the Full marathon with a sub 3 goal. Had a few of our mates who were not running the even waiting for him and to cheer for him for support at the Norton-city west link at the 32km marker. I was told by John he just crossed it around 915am so he prolly be making his goal at sub 3. He did arrive the shoot at 2:55:59, very focused and not looking tired with full on Woodstock colors. Congratulations Martin Amy!

Congratulations too to all the Woodstock runners to did the run, well run :). Good work for all the volunteers at the water stations. Thank you as well for the well wishes and the cheerers for keeping the runner’s spirits up. The event was participated by 25, 300 runners for the four events. Full Marathon, Half marathon, 9KM Bridge Run and the 4KM family fun run and is participated by 960 international runners.

The event did have enough water station, enough energy drink, GUs and Jelly beans. (although, ive heard that in the marathon if you were at the pace of 5 hours plus, there would be not enough water for you to hydrate on.)

After which we proceeded after midday at Martin’s crib for drinks and bar-b. Next year? don’t know, if the weather is as hot as yesterday, I am not sure if i would be running the full marathon.

Photos by Marathon-Photos

Distance: 21.0975km
Chip Time: 1:53:02
Clock Time: 1:54:59

Kenya’s Julius Maritim who won the 2008 Blackmores Marathon for the fourth year in a row with a time of 02:19:01, breaking his own record

Yes, I did finally decide to do the half marathon 2 weeks ago for the Sydney Blackmore’s Marathon Running Festival, a day before the event organizers raised the registration fee for non-early birds. I chose running a half over 1) staying in Singapore for holidays and watch the 1st ever F1 night race 2) take days off and go home to Philippines for a week. The Sydney Bridge Run is on September 21, 2008 with walker and runners for the 9kms, and a half and a full marathon.

Unprepared, if that’s how i will call it. Cramming! I have been lazy the past two weeks when I registered, no long runs longer than 20KMs and to top on that is traveling to Singapore meaning i might be stuck at the Hotel gym, for shorter limited time. Although fortunately i was able to fit 3 runs outdoors and 1 run at the treadmill during the business trip.

recap:
Sunday: 10KM Race
Monday: 10KM Singapore (5xpark)

Tuesday: 4KM Treadmill, Singapore
Wednesday: 7KM Singapore

Thursday: Rest
Friday: 7KM Singapore (with colleague KweeChuan @ Alexandra towards the canopy walk and no idea it was up hill!, although it was )
Total pw:38KMs

It will be my first half marathon. So i am nervous, unpsyched and worried i might be too tired to run because of my trip. To add that, flying do get you dehydrated. I did only drank 1 cup red wine as it is health and kept on drinking water in the flight. Always asking for two cups instead of default 1. Lucky it was pasta for tea so i was also starting to carbo load aside from the chicken rice i have been having on that week!

Race packets needed to be picked up from that week, but i am in Singapore, so i asked my roomie to pick it up for me.Thanks Aileen! It did include my bib, magazine and information phamplet and my chip.

Arriving “home” past 7pmish of 20th of September at home from a trip from Singapore (I’ve done this before, going home for a weekend to race but for 10KMs not half!!) and on my way home I rang John as I arranged to pick up my Woodstock Cap. So I dropped my bags off and literally jogging to John’s place to get the cap so i get enough rest after. Why the cap? I decided to wear both colors of my club back my home country Philippines, h@ppy feet, and my Oz running club Woodstock. (Thanks John and Dot for arranging this for me!) I headed home with a box of pizza for dinner (carbo and high calorie loading).

Slept 1130pm, booked a cab for 510am of the 21st. Set my alarm at 420am.

I did have good rest but not enough sleep, since my body is still running at Singapore time and 420 means 220am. Finally got up by 435am. Had my shower, changed to my gear and did some good stretching. Cab arrived on time and reached the starting line 30 minutes before the race start at 620am. Continued on Part 2.

I am flying to Singapore today, next week is a compulsiveness entry for my first ever half marathon and our running club Woodstock Running Club is co-sponsoring the Bridge to Bridge Run in Gladsville

Barry Cole, has been coordinating this fun run since back and been encouraging the club members to participate either run or marshal. I would have been happy to do the marshaling but since i do have a flight to catch, i decided to do the 10KM run.

The night before this run, 2 consecutive nights actually, went out with a friend Stephanie for her birthday celebration and did a bit of dehydration and carbo-loading (boozing from beer but not getting drunk). I am really bad, but you always need to balance your life! I am not a pro-runner you know ;-).

Anyway, left Steph’s party this morning at 1.30ish am got enough sleep. But waking up with dark skies contrary to the 27 degrees nice weather yesterday! Looking at my balcony it was raining. John and I were suppose to go together to the run but i sent him an sms if he is going as it was raining. He says he is. Still looking at the window, i do feel bad for Barry as he was organizing this like months ahead and the weather is ruining it. I thought of going to support his cause (and as part of the registration also goes to our club). On the other hand, I did not want my running shoes getting sloppy and wet as i planned to bring my New Balance to Singapore and use my Nike for my half. So i prayed, and asked for signs should i go or not? 1. If the rain stops a bit i should go 2. If i do have 15 dollars on my wallet (not aware after going out not withdrawing enough last night not knowing how much cash i have) then i should go. Well both of the signs were positive it was 5 past 8! and i should be going!

So it is raining i though it is not wise to wear long sleeved shirt as its going to be cold and wet so i decided to go with my singlet and my skins. Put lots of petroleum jelly on my arms to keep me warm. grabbed my jumper, change of clothes, gu, and a banana and took a cab.

Im glad to see a lot of Woodstock members both running and doing the marshal. At 9, the weather is not getting any better as it is starting to drizzle again. Oh well it waas not too cold it was okey so it is all good. The course has been designed by Barry and he kept on telling us it is a tough hard run, with stairs and hills! Well indeed i did find out it was a hard run! A lot of hills, never ending hills! I am glad to have seen woodstock club members at the top of the hill cheering, but just the first 300 m was a hill and have gotten all your energy and i end up panting. Swear, the hills! A bit of a bush run, and stairs with puring falls from the rain. It was a very different experience. My first 10Km actually since i arrived oz, my first raining race. I though i was the last as i never hear anyone from my back anymore and you can see marshals walking towards the finish so i do have a feeling anyway to have finish the race at 56 mins because of the so-heard hills.

Well i made it, i saw the bay, Woodstock cheering you is a good feeling to just go sprint. Hard run, hard race that’s what i can just say about it!

Event: Bridge to Bridge Run
Distance: 10KM
Time: 51.07 mins
i was told that in my gender-categoryPlace: 3rd

Almost all of the Woodstock runners who participated the run placed on the fun run. Congratulations!

results

my running logs for the week

Sunday:10.7 KM; Treadmill
Monday:7.58 KM; treadmill
Tuesday:7 Km; Bayrun
Wednesday: 7Km; Bayrun
Thursday: 7.37 Km treadmill
Friday: rest
Saturday: 16KM; Rozelle Bay-Bayrun

I’m off to Singapore and goodluck on my cramming for the half the day i get back from Singapore. Prolly i will just take it easy its my first half so (excuses.. excuses)!!

Just like any of my races, I was looking forward to this run, well i call it still a race. Unlike in the Philippines if my schedule permits i run races every week. But since i am very immobile that races are not really near each other i have limited chances of joining races lately, just like when i missed the pub to pub race.

Anyway, the Handicap run is a quarterly run the Woodstock running club hold for its club members and interested visitors. Its a friendly 7 KM competition amongst the members around the bay. The rule is nominate your estimated time and should be able to keep up with that time, staggered start so everybody finishes at the same time. And whoever finishes the line wins. If you finish your run more than a minute of your nominated time you are disqualified in winning any prize.

From that week, i only had 3 runs and missed 3 days of running because i was feeling not well for having fever. I wasnt really feeling well but i did want to run and i feel i am going to feel more sick if i don’t run. So i went. I emailed our current committee leader Colin Townsend my time prior to the race even before i was feeling sick, estimated it at 35 mins. But then i am not feeling well and i was having doubts of finishing it at 5min/km. Still pushed through with my nominated time. So this is my first Handicap with the group eversince i joined them last June.

I was running well not until in the middle of the route i felt sicking feverish and stomach pain! which slowed me down. i told myself to keep on running as i will finish the route, thinking it would be 2 minutes more of my estimate. their were 5 of us in this group, and three of my mates went ahead of me, Daniel, Rick, and Dierdre whom i went ahead of before them! So i say if Jeff goes ahead of me im doomed! (exaggeration!)

Seeing the Iron cove bridge i know its just a few more meters to the finish. Still able to see Rick and Dierdre’s back i finished seconds after them. To my surprise i did well. 34.58. 2 seconds lesser of my estimate. Not bad! Although i did not win any movie ticket or wine, i am happy. Since this is my first Handicap with the group i get 15 points.

My mates are really fast! (attached are the results). What’s good after the Handicap run the club holds free barbi breakfast for the members and is open to whoever is interested to join at Brett park . We had sausages and buns, cake, bananas and licorice. It was yum! And after which we went to the Bower’s bakery, where the group usually go after the Saturday runs.

Event: Woodstock Running Club Handicap run
Distance: 7KM
Where: Bay Run
Time: 34.58

===
Lately Runlogs

Week 34
Friday: 10KM - threadmill

Week 35
Sunday: 14KM - bayrunx2
Monday: 7KM - Bayrun
Tuesday: 10.4 KM threadmill
Saturday: 7KM Handicap run

Week 35
Tuesday: 10.4 Km - Threadmill, Glenwaverly, Victoria
Saturday: Balmain Shores - 9Km
… ive been missing my runs! and i registered myself for a half marathon! uh-oh! its difficult to juggle work(ing until late to early mornings), travel and running