One “Run-less” Night

When people see a group of runners converge in a venue, they expect a race in the offing right? But then, tonight was an entirely different story. Because when not in running mode, these runners also have the same penchant for other things – eat, chat, take and pose for a lot of pictures.

Almost 30 of us went and met each other for a Pre-Christmas get-together dinner at the Itallianni’s Restaurant at Bonifacio High Street, The Fort. Oh, we did miss a lot of other personalities who unfortunately were not able to come but still it was really a nice opportunity to be able to finally meet the other runners I usually regularly bump into during races and/or training and of course, be with runner friends and enjoy their presence all at the same time.

And since a lot of runner bloggers are present at dinner, expect most if not all to give their own account of what has been an enjoyable evening. For my part, let me post some of the nice pictures I have taken and a link to the complete album. I was in awe at the number of runners I have seen tonight that I just merrily took snaps of everyone at will.

Ei guys, I really had fun tonight with all of you. It as if I won the mini-”lotto”. Lol! Hope to be able to attend more of this next time. Special thanks to Taki for the Xmas gift.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!

View the complete album here.

jay, jaymie, me, coach rio and junc

clockwise from left: jay, doray, dindo, rio, aljo, junc and jaymie

the girls with rio

with runner bloggers some of whom i have met only for the first time

our group pic (parang class picture!)

bayaran na!

we found it hard to go home bec of the non-stop chat!

Philippine International Marathon 2009 UPDATE

As per Patrick Concepcion, the Philippine International Marathon schedule is moved from Feb. 22, 2009 to March 8, 2009. This is because ABS-CBN suggested that the date be moved to end of March to allow for longer preparation but Patrick and PATAFA suggested to move at an earlier schedule since it will be hot towards end of March to early April thus resulting to a March 8 date.

The race will now have a 42k run relay and will be combined with the Takbo Para sa Kalikasan race. More updates will follow so watch out for it.

Incidentally, I have already updated this site’s List of Running Races separating the 2009 events from the 2008 runs. Click here to view the list.

Run Rio Organized Races for Qtr 1 of 2009

For the coming year 2009, runew your life, be fit and happy just by participating in three cause-oriented races scheduled from the months of January to March. All runs btw is being organized by ace-race organizer and coach, Rio dela Cruz.

So go ahead, read on for the details and mark your calendars.

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January 25, 2009
THE HAPPY RUN
3km, 5km and 15km
NBC Tent, The Fort

run and be happy

The Happy Run is Drew Arellano’s “baby” which is being held once a year and intended to generate funds for a good cause. This year there will be a 3K walk for families and costumed participants, a 5K and a 15K race for those looking to run their first race for the year!

It will be held at Fort Bonifacio on January 25, 2008. Registration and other details will be posted as soon as they are available.  

~*~

March 1, 2009
2nd DOCFIT RUN
5km and 10km (MD and Non MD category)
UP theater UP Diliman, QC

This race is a yearly event and is part of the Philippine Heart Association’s advocacy program. There are separate race categories created for Medical Doctors and NON-Medical Doctors for this race. And just like last year’s DOCFIT run event, race venue will be at the UP Diliman.

More details will be posted here as they become available.  

~*~

March 8, 2009
RUNew (ASIAN Hospital)
5km, 10km and 15km
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig

The run is a project of the Asian Hospital again for a very good cause. Watch out for the details as these become available.

My Therapy Session #2

This morning I had my second session for what is to be called my Focus Intercare Treatment Module at Intercare. The program aims to correct my back and shin problems. I had sessions with Dra. Dizon for Passive Physical Therapy and Dr. Camara for my Chiropractic treatment. I also had Myotherapy which was handled by a Physical Therapist. The ISmart treatment is to be done once per week only so I never saw any of the stainless metal instruments that I was originally dreading. I will be having it on next week’s session instead.

Basically my treatments for today where almost a spa experience such that it involves a couple of massage sessions albeit on a more intense level. The myotherapy in fact was, as explained by the PT, a “deep-penetrating” massage that is less intense than the ISmart but still harder many times over than the usual hard massage. I have been advised that feelings of soreness may be felt a day or two after the session. On the other hand, I have been loving the hot packs sessions (I had three of these today, two separate instances for my legs and one for my back) because of the soothing feeling that the heat generates to my legs and back. And finally, I also liked my Chiropratic session not only because of Dr. Camara’s warm smile (ang cute! hehe!) but also because the realignment that he did made me feel lighter or better yet as the PT said, “brand new”.

Oh and during my CMT (chiro session), Dr. Camara asked me if I have been to a Chiropractic Center before for treatments. And being the kulit person that I am, I so so wanted to answer in Lonerunner fashion – “Nope Doc. I am a Chiropractic Virgin“. Hehe. But i decided to just reply with a plain and simple “No” for fear that the doctor might be shocked with my answer and thus result to him accidentally breaking my bones.

During our session, Dr. Camara explained to me how each part of the body can contribute to better running performance. Hmmm, encouraging! Best of all, when he is about to leave I was able to finally ask my dreaded question – “Ummm Doc, I have one last question pala… Even while undergoing therapy, can I still continue with my running training and/or running per se?”. He said, “Yeah, you can” matter of factly. I wanted to hug everyone in the center after that conversation. Haha!

After today, I still have four sessions to go for my module. Hopefully I won’ be needing any more after these. The sessions will be a varied combination of the following treatments : Chiropractic, Passive Physical Therapy, ISmart Technique, Myotherapy and one final Rehab Consult. Hopefully I will be able to finish all as scheduled and that it will yield the best results.

Sweetest of all, I will finally be back on training by Tuesday next week. See you classmates!

P.S. : I won’t be able to run at the UP Ictus race on Sunday anymore because I was not able to prepare for it (been absent from training for more than a week already) and also because I was not able to register. So I guess my last official run for the year will have to be the UNICEF 5k.

*sorry, no pictures this time…

And the Verdict is…

…”Hindi pa.”

That was the reply that Dr. Martin Camara, Chiropractic Specialist and Clinical Director of Intercare Healthcare Systems gave me when I asked him my final question when I came to see him for a consult this morning. And what is the million-dollar question? Hmm… Let me share you my story…

Good friend Aljo and I went to the Intercare Center along Kalayaan Ave. in Makati this morning for me to have my first consultation and for Aljo to continue with his own session. We had Dr. Camara as our attending chiropractor.

During the consultation, Dr. Camara asked me questions regarding my running activities and the pain I have been feeling. He asked me to point to the area where I feel the most pain. He explained to me that this may have been caused by scar tissues which may have adhered to the muscles on my shins. These can restrict or limit the muscles’ movements which can eventually lead to pain. Then came the sweetest word of all – “I can help you.”.

For this first therapy session, I was initially given the “hot packs” treatment wherein towel packs with silica gel were put on my legs and covered with several layers of towels/blankets. For about 15 minutes, i felt relieved with the heat that comes from the packs. After this, an attendant massaged both of my legs in preparation to the ISmart session.

enjoying my hot packs moment

The ISmart, does not feel good as it sounds. Waaaaahhhh! It is painful! You see there are these metal medical instruments which the good-looking doctor used in a manner that looks like he is scraping something from my legs. Imagine a painful shin, which hurts with just even a tap, being “scraped” by a metal instrument repeatedly. As he explains, it is meant to loosen or remove the scar tissues or loosen the muscles that hardened. But you know what, no matter how painful it is, and no matter how “red” my skin has become due to the pressure, the pain in my shins are not there anymore. No more pain, none, nada. As i type this blog, my shins/legs are as good as ever. But then I know that one session cannot correct everything at once.

these are the patented medical instruments used during my session

Dr. Martin Camara told me towards the end of the session that I will be scheduled for another and that a therapy program will be presented to me. I am due to come back on Friday morning for consultation, therapy and realigning. Yep, you read it right – realigning. Doc said that I can think of a chiropractor as an architect. One who will restructure my body so that I can feel better and “make me run more effectively”.

Which led me to ask my final question for the day – “Are these Shin splints?”. And with a smile, he gave me that meaningful answer that lifted my hopes up.

I will be off from training for at least this week and might not be able to run on Sunday’s UP ICTUS Run. But then, I know that patience will be my key towards my total improvement. But then again, the good doctor hasn’t ordered me to stop running yet. Unless he does so on Friday. I will then cross the bridge when i get there.