Photowalk 05.06.2012: Ateneo

Originally, I didn’t want to just post about my running adventures on this blog. Aside from running, I also have a passion for photography. My camera and I used to be inseparable – no matter how small the occasion, I would bring “Penny” with me. But for the same reason (MBA) my running became erratic last year, I also found myself taking less photos, or being lazy to take “Penny” with me. It got to the point where the power switch was stiff, and some of the latches weren’t very springy any more for lack of use.

Now that I’ve found time to run again, I also decided to find time to take photos again – and to post them here. Instead of jogging with my dad at Ateneo last Sunday, I spent an hour just revisiting some spots on campus, and taking a few snapshots. I definitely had a fun time on my photowalk. It’s been ages since I found myself lying on the ground or at some weird position just trying to get the angle just right for a photo. hahaha. When I edited the photos, I also experimented with some of the BW conversion settings on Lightroom (something I’ve meant to try for a while now).

P.S.
At the end of my walk, I noticed the switch was back to normal.

Poof! I’m back!!

I disappeared for a while back there. Things sort got loaded in March with grad school requirements, so even when I did have something to blog about, I ended up putting it off so much that it just felt irrelevant to write about. hahaha. Honestly, I should have been back here posting stuff after Holy Week.

What have I been up to these last two months?

As expected, I was hardly able to put much into running in March. However, the week before the TBR Dream Marathon, I made sure to put in some good mileage since I volunteered as a Dream Chaser this year. It had been the second time I actually volunteered as part of a support team. The first time was just earlier this year during the Bataan Death March (160 Km). Volunteering for both was a great experience. It felt good to be a part of helping others achieve their running dreams. As a plus, I got to meet a lot of new people

Dream Chaser Kikay Tent

In the weeks that followed, I got much busier as my third trimester in UP came to a close. Three weeks without any regular runs within the week drove me a bit run-crazy. During my final examination for Innovation, I actually used running as an analogy for innovation because I just wanted to run so much after my finals. hahaha.

During Holy Week, my family and I went to Daet, Camarines Norte – my mother’s home province. While I was there, I was determined to find some time to run there, even for a short while. While we were in Bagasbas beach, I found my opportunity. I think I spent more time running, than actually in the water. I actually got sunburnt because of that run. hahaha.

Running at Bagasbas Beach

Since then, I’ve managed to gradually build up my mileage during April. I got back to using the old intervals program I used. I plan to integrate it to the TBR marathon program from last year. My friend Carlito has been a great help these last couple of weeks. I always get a bit of extra mileage during the weekdays since he’s always up for a run no matter what the time (or temperature).

Past 3PM at the Ayala Triangle

What am I training for?

Well, I think I’ve mentioned before that I’m training for a marathon this year. It will only be my second marathon since the Dream Marathon. Come September this year, Team Cesar’s Salad will be at the CamSur International Marathon. But honestly, I want to run another marathon besides CamSur within the year. I don’t really see it as as something impossible given there are marathon events in October and December. I’m sure I’ll be encountering training difficulties again when the new school year begins. In order for me to reach my marathon goals this year, I’ll have to be more flexible, and train smarter!

Redemption! Return to the Skyway!!

Flashback: February 6, 2011. The Condura Skyway Marathon: Run For the Dolphins. I joined my very first half marathon. It was a rough start as I wasted some time walking along the route due to an upset stomach – it took a while before I found a place to empty my tank.

My first CSM, and first Half Marathon

The simplicity of the Skyway route is what contributes to it being PR territory. So I always had a bit of regret with my participation in last year’s event.  Months ago, when my training was at a low, I could only think of finishing a half marathon without cramps at Condura. But the new year ushered a renewed vigor in my training. So the day before the big day, I had already focused on a goal: beating my Condura Skyway Half Marathon 2011 record!

My first Subic run: SIM 2012

Feeling invincible on the downhills!

Subic International Marathon Official Race Results are out!!!! Yay!!!

My Replacement iPod: Coming Soon!!! with a Bonus!!!

Launch of the iPod Nano Replacement Program

Let’s take a quick break from all the race experiences XD Well, it’ll surely be quick since I haven’t posted my Subic International Marathon experience yet. Slow writing = Me. Annnyywaaayy… back on topic: my iPod is coming!!!

Just a little bit past lunch today, I got an SMS from Power Mac Center. The text message reads:

REPAIR UPDATE: The replacement iPod arrived. We are glad to inform you that Apple decided to replace your 1st Gen iPod Nano with a 6th Gen model. It will be scheduled for delivery to the Service Center where your original device was received. You will be notified when it’s available for pick up. Disclaimer: Please be advised that this model is applicable for this batch of replacement. Apple may decide to change the model for the succeeding batch of replacements.

from 6th Gen to 1st Gen in just over 9 weeks

YEEESSSS!!!! I’m getting an upgrade!!! After a little research, I was pleasantly surprised that they have been replacing the old 1st Gen units with 6th Gen (latest) units since December. Recall that I brought my old black 4GB 1st Generation iPod Nano to the Trinoma Power Mac Center last November 19, 2011.

Mine was black too, but was the 4GB model

Prior to 2010, it had been relegated to commuting duty – I just listened to music during the commute to and from work. I started getting a lot of use out of the unit in 2010 when I started exercising regularly after being prompted to after my knee operation. It wasn’t so bad, I was able to get about 4-6 hours out of it on full volume.

It’s an awesome upgrade! So, what are the changes from the 1st Generation to the 6th Generation iPod Nano anyway?
+larger screen:  from 176 x 132 to 240 x 240 pixels
+larger memory: from 4GB to 8GB (lowest model) capacity
+more onboard RAM: 32MB to 64MB (no idea if this really affects performance all that much)
+increased battery life: from 14 to 24 hours! (more than enough for LSDs)
+lighter weight: from 42.5g to 21.1g
+built-in pedometer (apparently no more need for the Nike+ receiver AND sensor)
+/-multi-touch, no clickwheel

Looks like my musical running buddy just got a whole lot better!! Can’t wait for Power Mac Center to tell me when it’s available for pick up..

Update: I emailed the Power Mac Center this afternoon to confirm that I had received their SMS. They replied that the SMS was a mistake, and that the unit is ready for pick up!

Running the Katipunan Universities

And no, this is not about the way the schools are managed. It’s about two runs that I joined in the last week. The Run with ME, which was held at the Ateneo de Manila University, and Miriam College’s Run Forest Run. This is actually a late post, as both runs occurred prior to the Go Natural Run. hahaha. Go figure why I managed to finish that post first XD

Finding the Zone at Go Natural Run

Go Natural Run: January 15, 2012

Joining the Go Natural Run wasn’t on my list of runs to join this year. Well, it just happens to be that I can’t resist a free race kit. hahaha. Thank you to my friend Carlito for the 21 Km race kit. He gave it to me after deciding that joining the BDM test run the night before the Go Natural Run was much better way to prepare for BDM.

Waking up on Sunday morning, my legs didn’t really feel all that fresh. The 3 Km sprint/run at Run Forest Run must have given my legs a bit of shock. Still, I looked forward to doing an LSD runs during the race. I arrived early at BGC with almost 30 minutes before gunstart. I decided to set my run-walk timer to 4:1-minute intervals seeing as it worked out pretty well last week during the Run with ME with Macky (Bicolano Penguin).

The Go Natural Run’s 21 Kilometer Route

The route had us winding in the BGC area. After a few kilometers, my legs still didn’t feel all that loose. All the uphills didn’t really help. Somewhere around 5 kilometers, I found some good momentum during an uphill – a big surprise. I took note of  my body’s movements: slight forward lean, lower legs moving more like a really fast walk (not lifting my knees too high), but knees bent to lower my center of gravity. Before I knew it, my breathing got faster, regular, but deeper breaths too. I found myself running strong on the uphills in BGC all the way to Buendia. It was only on the return along Buendia that I felt my legs start to feel heavier, so I slowed down to avoid cramping up. The only way to describe the feeling during the strong portion of the run was “being in the zone.” It felt great!! But I had to conserve my energy as I still had 5 kilometers to go before going up the flyover. I had timed eating during the run portion of Buendia (banana, Clif Shot gel, and another banana). I ran a slower but steady pace. By the flyover, I was behind 3 guys wearing the same shirt. It was a mental battle running behind the three of them. Why? because on the back of their shirt was written in capital letters: CRAMPS. Part of me was wishing they’d slow down so I didn’t have to see those words. Unfortunately, we were running at a close pace. I’d manage to pass them, but they’d get in front of me during my walk break. I just had to keep fighting that mental battle!!! XD

who wants to run while looking at CRAMPS the whole time??

During the last turn to the finish line, I started to hear Queen’s Love of My Life. I would have preferred a faster song like Don’t Stop Me Now, but I tried to sing along during that last stretch nonetheless XD. I never did shake those CRAMPS guys. I think I remember them crossing the finish line ahead of me.

On the way to the finish line

As I neared the finish line, a photographer ran up to take a photo of me. As if I wasn’t energized yet from hearing a Queen song. hehe. Getting a race photo always gives me an extra boost, so I kept going all the way to the finish line. Finishing the run felt amazing! I just stood there afterwards taking it in – I was just so happy because I just ran my 21 kilometers in 2:39 (finishing at 523rd out of 869). It was the first time I finished below 2:50 since running 2:19 in Goldilocks last year. This was exactly the kind of breakthrough I needed in my training. It was great way to start off RunRio’s first event of the year. Now I’m excited to run at Subic next weekend.

I wish I fixed my hair first XD

Race Pros/Cons:
+lots of hydration: water and Powerade
+lots of bananas (although it might have been because I ran faster, slower runners might have run out)
+comfy cotton finisher’s shirt (although others might have preferred a drifit technical shirt)
-same old 21 Km route (but it was different for 10 Km, they got to run up to Buendia)
-lack of photographers. I saw videocameras along the route, but did not notice the usual flurry of photographers that were at RunRio’s events.

Relevant links:
Official Race Results: 21Km, 10Km, 5Km, 3Km (looks like RunRio’s back to the old system Too bad, I kind of liked the individual runner race result profile format of BazuSports)
LeStSkY Runner Photography: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Angelo’s Photography: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Go Natural Facebook Page: 1
Spongebob Runner: 1, 2, 3