Running, MtBiking and the Woman’s Legs

I started with gym training in late 2005, joined runs/races on the early part of 2006 and got into serious running and mtbiking on the latter part of 2007. For some girls these activities will be a no-no because of their fear of getting bigger thighs and legs.

But hey, my thighs and legs were even bigger when I was a 20+ pounds overweight woman having a sedentary lifestyle.

my legs and thighs - better than before!

Why, do you say, am I blogging about it? Because my dear friends, I have heard in such different instances and just earlier today have accidentally eavesdropped in a conversation while i was riding the elevator some girls’ fear of developing bigger thighs and/or legs from running and or gym training.

This is a MYTH. Don’t let this myth prevent you from experiencing what the outdoor has to offer you and what good benefits exercising/running/biking will bring to you.

Sayang naman. For me, it was the other way around pa nga. I like my thighs and legs more now. And what’s best, my “almost-flat-b*tt” from the past have now developed into something more acceptable. Ei, yep! I have a “shapier” behind! Makes me appreciate wearing pants/jeans more than ever.

Now, do I hear girls planning on hitting the roads to either run or bike? Don’t just take my word for it.  Try it, see for yourself, enjoy and reap all the benefits these outdoor activities has in-store for you. Go girls! 😉

Asian Hospital’s RUNEW

It was supposedly my first 15K run but it turned out to be my first DNF (Did Not Finish)!

I was a good 20 minutes late for the 15k run but I was still egged on by Coach Rio to start and try running the 15k. I did but while I was running, I was debating with my inner self on whether to continue with the 15k or just finish the 5k. I know I can finish it but mentally I was in shambles already. I was rattled from being super late and I lost my focus on the run. I was trying to pysche myself to concentrate and just continue with my pace which I think is still acceptable (I am on a race with myself, I do not have to worry about the others ahead or behind me). But then the thought of just running the 5k still persists. Despite of it I still continued with the 15k route, ignoring the 5k first turnaround point which separates the 5k and 15k runners. But then I made the mistake of turning left back to McKinley instead of running straight ahead of Lawton going to Bayani Road enroute to the Heritage Park. That was either bogak me ruling my feet or that was my inner self winning over my desire to try and finish the 15k. I did not attempt to correct the mistake anymore and proceeded running to the 5k chute but did not check-in to the finish anymore. Hmmm…

Having finished early, I proceeded to getting my camera to satisfy myself with just taking photos of my friends who were running the 15k. Oh and I thought about my best bud Pol whom I registered for his 15k also. I tagged Zinnia along to Bayani Road and there we took photos of our runner friends. When Pol arrived, I ran with him until he reached his first 15k finish. Pol said that the 15k route was good but was really challenging. Hay, i was really inggit. Oh well, next time I guess…

At the finish, runners were treated with a lot of freebies which is getting common to all Runrio races. There were loot bags (filled with alcohol, face towel and canned juice drink), Men’s Health Magazines, bottled water and not to forget the free photo from PhotoVendo. We ended up having a good buffet brunch courtesy of Coach Rio who gave us the tickets for it (Thanks a bunch Coach!). DNF or not, the Runew race was again a well-organized race by the Runrio team. And in fairness, Coach Rio seems to be getting the knack of organizing spectacular races – he doesn’t look stressed anymore despite the lack of sleep. What’s best, his smile is readily plastered on his face for all to see. Congrats Coach Rio and the rest of the group. Back to training I will be this time for the Condura 21k.

Enjoy viewing the pics!

that's me at the Runew stage

Zinnia!

with Pinoy Ultra Runner Hector and Z

with Bday Boy Mikey - Happy Bday BK! 🙂

the super fast Mark P

Jay - Prometheus Cometh

Mon - Happy Feet

Bobby - the Blog Clogger (hehe!)

Roselle

Inspiring! They took on the 15k just like a walk in the park!

Sir Ipe of Happy Feet

Queenie and Jinoe of Takbo.ph

our favorite ULTRA classmate Boy

Nike Running Clinic classmate

Pol running to his first 15k finish

Bobby and Jay

with Pastor Ernie of PMTB

Pol and Deo P of PMTB

Photographer on the Run - Ben Chan

RC of PhotoVendo

at the Buffet Brunch with girl runners and boy mtbikers

group pic with Coach Rio

with triathlete and chef Kaye Lopez

Coach Rio and Kaye

The Condura Run ’09 – Skyway Run For The Whale Sharks

It is all systems-go now for the much-anticipated Condura Run 2009. Registration already opened yesterday at varying registration centers and the spanking website, where all details regarding the March 22, 2009 scheduled race can be found is now up and accessible. Click here to visit the site.

Condura Run 2009 website

The following are some of the pertinent race details:

4 Races: 1 Event

3km Fun Run
5km Discovery Run
10km Challenge
21km Half-marathon to the Skyway

WHEN: SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2009

TIME:

·21km Half-Marathon – 5:30 AM
·10km – 6:00 AM
·5km  – 6:00 AM
·3km  – 6:00 AM 

We encourage you to come 30 minutes before the race.

WHERE: 28th Street, Bonifacio Global Open Grounds, Taguig City (near NBC Tent)

Sign up for the race and get 10% discount on Nike items.

Registered runners will get the cool collectible Condura Run for the Whale Sharks T-Shirt, certificates, and giveaways from Vitwater, Sunkist, Selecta, and Swift.

Certificates and cash prizes await the top 3 male and female finishers of each race category.

Finishers of the 21km half-marathon will get the special finisher’s medal.

REGISTRATION DETAILS

REGISTRATION STARTS ON FEBRUARY 16 UNTIL MARCH 16.

FEE:
300 pesos for the 3km Fun Run, 5km Discovery Run, and 10km Challenge
500 pesos for the 21 km Half-Marathon

Race Pack includes: race bib and the cool collectible Condura Run Whale Shark T-Shirt.

IMPORTANT: You need to wear the race bib in order for you to run during race day.

CENTERS:

Makati
Concepcion Industries Inc. Bldg. (beside Zuellig across Ospital ng Makati) 308 Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City
Tel: (02) 391-0980
Fax: (02) 818-3078
Mobile: 0928-5207066
Email: info@condurarun.com
Look for Vic, Mich or Alex.

Greenhills
51 Annapolis Street, Greenhilla, San Juan (near National Bookstore)
Telefax: 727-9987
Mobile: 0918-9158536
Look for Rudy Biscocho.

Participating Nike Stores:
·Bonifacio High Street, The Fort
·Glorietta 4
·Greenbelt 3
·Trinoma
·Robinson’s Ermita
·Festival Mall Alabang

THIS IS IT GUYS!!! 🙂

*Thanks to Patrick C. for the information. 🙂

The La Mesa Trail

It was the day after Valentine’s Day where I find myself travelling with my buddy enroute to the La Mesa Nature Reserve for a supposedly All Girls’ Bike Ride of  the PMTB Babes, as we are collectively called at the PinoyMtBikers forum.  I was nervous and excited at the same time – having not met most of the girls who are joining and moreso, I don’t have any idea what the La Mesa Trail has in store for us.

umm, this one is different from the Eco Park ha...

But girls will be girls. It doesn’t matter if our mtbiking skills are not all at the same level. With just the same interests and/or love for the sport and convenient amount of chika, the initial ice will in an instant be melted. That’s how it was for us yesterday. Picture a large number of girls, dressed up (prettily at that) for a mtbike trail ride converging at the La Mesa Trail head outnumbering the men who came despite the event being an “all-girls ride”. 

that's our group 🙂

Oh but we forgive the PMTB boys for “event-crashing”. In hindsight, the ride was partly successful because they were there to provide the much appreciated support – “teachers”, sweepers, photogs, “pushers”, medics, inspiration and comic relief.  Thanks guys, hugs to all of you (ooops, with the consent of your wives and/or girlfriends huh! lol!) 🙂

the boys will always be boys

We entered the trail in two groups with me being part of the second which started a few minutes before nine o’clock a.m. And whoa! I never thought that such eden still exists in the heart of Metro Manila. The La Mesa Nature Reserve is such a great gift of nature. I have never been to anything like it before. I really had fun tackling the trail – with lots of rolling hills, ascents and descents. I can now say that a big chunk of my fear of speed during downhill rides were taken away by this experience. I have gained additional confidence in my mtbike handling skills too. If only I can also improve on my endurance. Hmm…

The ride was capped by a picnic lunch wherein food was overflowing. In the end, everybody came home tired but happy, ecstatic and extremely satisfied. I think the hubbies and boyfriends got their well-deserved hugs and kisses because of this. 😉

Thank yous are of course in order… Thank you first of all to Art for allowing me to join this ride. Maybe he realized that I so wanted to be in it that no matter how worried he is, he gave me his nod. 😉 Thank you to Karen for spearheading this ride, to Ann for coordinating with the La Mesa peeps. To Ate Vi for staying with me when I had the silly cramps. To Pol for being the friend that he is. I wouldn’t be able to make it to the ride if not for him. And lastly, to all the girls and boys of PMTB who were there yesterday. I had so much fun being with all of you peeps. Cheers!

Let these pics give you a peek of our wonderful experience:

 

warm-up daw muna ako...

pose muna while waiting

pose-pose-pose!

group pic ng girls

the support crew, thanks a lot guys!

pic ng group 2 sa trail head

inside the trail

at our first pitstop

stop muna kami before taking on the long uphill... buwelo muna!

regroup muna, groups 1 and 2

girls picture ulet!

papatalo ba ang boys?

pitstop sa lake

sa lake - boys version

inday and ike sa la mesa

padyak na ulit

in action kuno...

on our last pitstop kung saan si ann e may lakas pang magtinikling! 🙂

palabas na ng trail, done na kaya all smiles na!

Looking Back – Takbo Para Sa Kalikasan

Sometime in the latter part of the year 2005, I embarked on what is to be a life-changing journey into fitness and health. An overweight lady at 135 lbs just suddenly found her way into the a gym, signing-up for a mere 20-session program hoping to see if this decision is one that will be something worth pursuing and keeping. I heard a lot of negative remarks, “doom-sayers” even, giving me a target period on when I will start giving-up and live the “easier life” again. But now, four years after, I must say that I have hopefully proved them wrong because whatever happened then may have been history but one that is something that I joyfully,proudly look back on every once in a while.

Now, having heard that there is a scheduled race on March 8, 2009 entitled Takbo Para Sa Kalikasan (Year 10 na pala), i again take a trip down memory lane. 🙂

that's me in 2006 with my Gym PT - Chinggoy and another gym-mate

On February 11, 2009 it will be exactly three years since I first tried joining foot races. It was on Takbo Para Sa Kalikasan Year 7 when I had my first 5km race. I was still on gym training then, but reached a plateau on my weight loss program. My Personal Trainor encouraged me to join them in running. I was hesitant but I eventually obliged, thinking that I will have to try it if it will help me reach my goal. I remembered practicing for the 5km run as if my life depended on it. Oh and come race day, I felt so good I finished it (my time then was something over 40 minutes, hehe) and enjoyed it. I enjoyed it so much that the following Sunday thereafter, I also signed up for the next race. And the races thereafter.

Takbo Para Sa Kalikasan Year 10

So now, on March 8, 2009, I am hoping to run again in the Takbo Para Sa Kalikasan. This time it will be a different me than the one who joined three years ago. I am not talking about being faster or better (although I ceertainly hope that I am!), it is just that I have more appreciation of running as a sport now and moreso, appreciation of what I am capable of achieving in it.

Registration is now open for the said race for a minimal fee of PHP 150. For further details, you can check out the DZMM website.