Altra TIMP Trail - Be Seen in the Dark

I had my pair of lovely turquoise blue colored Altra TIMP Trail last year, but  I said I will reserve it for bigger race. I still have my favorite Altra Superior anyway. Until last weekend I decided to make this my partner in the trail. 

A right choice. With Cordillera Mountain Ultra's  hard packed trails, some rocky and rooty parts and paved road on the last part, the maximum cushioning of this shoes protected my aching left mid sole foot from my previous long  race.

I was just bouncing back and fort and flying on the 15km downhill part not noticing any pain that has been bothering me the past few days. The GaiterTrap™ hook-and-loop tabs provided attachment points for gaiters protecting my feet  from the pebbles and soil. That gave me less hassle in clearing my shoes from discomfort.

The weight-balanced from front to back with a 0mm heel-to-toe drop of this shoes encouraged low-impact landing most especially on the downhill parts plus the wide toe box allowed my  toes to spread naturally and move freely avoiding blisters on my feet.

The grippy rubber outer soles that comes with 4mm lugs and a trail rudder for mowing down all kinds of rough terrain was really perfect on the rocky parts of the trail.

And when it was just too hot and I just kept on pouring water on myself, the drainage holes in uppers help shed out excess water. I still have to test this on river crossings but it was already perfect at that moment.

And most of all, this pair  just gives me joy every time I looked down into it, I can see it glows in the dark, the 360° reflectivity helps keep me visible in the dark. Isn't that lovely?

 

 

39th Milo Marathon 2015 - Manila Leg

Success is a state of mind. If you want success, start thinking of yourself as a success. - Unknown

I'd like to think my race this morning was a success. It may not be my best time on a full marathon and I may  not made it to my qualifying time for the finals, yet I put my very best in every inch of the race despite my condition and I am happy with the result. I am happy I decided to gave it a chance. I performed so much better from my previous full marathon last March. But of course I really wished I qualified. 

Photo credit to Miga Dyna.

As oppose to my fear last night and contemplating if  will go for it or not, almost the entire part of the race I felt good, ofcourse with constant checking of how my body is doing while counting the distance. I kept a good pace with the company of Miss Gia at the back. I moved within my target time on the first 30km despite the fact that I had to stop at the portalet few meters before km22, my upset stomach needed to be unloaded. I speed up my pace after and still catched up with Miss Gi. I slowed down at km30 and still has 45minutes left at km37. The weather as perfect,  kept a good pace which surprised myself with how well I ran.  I kept a positive mind and prayed hard that I can make it within cut off time.

Got surprise at the last 2km though with lots of U-turn, it could have been nice if they put the additional 2km distance going to Luneta, but the bottom line is, I still did not qualify. I know, I should train more next time. 

Coquinone, Rev3, Tailwind and 2 PowerGels brought me up to the finish line.

As a rule, whatever you will use on race day, make sure you had used it and tested it in your trainings and preparations prior to the race. From your running gear: shoes, socks, shirt, shorts, tank top, underwear, headwear. More so with your nutrition: hydration and food on the race.

Just like my quest of improving my speed since I started running, my nutrition and hydration has become a major challenge as I count the years that I get myself into the sport. I develop acid reflux as I add ultra races on my list, one of the major challenge in any of my races. This time since I suffer from gastro intestinal pain since Thursday evening and my condition made a slow progress of healing until yesterday, it was a puzzle for me on what nutrition to take. I used Coquinone, Rev3 and Tailwind in my past races, which I thought of using it as my main source of energy and nutrition this time. I brought PowerGel as back up but not so sure if I will use it for it might worsen the condition of my stomach, and gummy mixed fruits. Only taking water at the aid stations, the Tailwind and PowerGel sustained me all through out. I took 2 capsules of Coquinone 2 hours before the race, usually I took 3 on ultra races, and 1 sachet of Rev3 which usually I took another sachet as I count the days on my race.    And it worked for me. I did not feel nauseous  and felt energized all through out.

Tip: Always bring wet ones and lose bills. You'll never know when to use it.

Altra Torin and Feeture Socks - Perfect Pair

I am not saying this because I am an Ambassador of Altra but because it worked for me. The big toe box really helped me with my blister concern in the past. Torin model is not perfect, the insole is slippery especially when it starts to get wet in my previous training runs, most likely because of the rubber on the  inner side. What I did? Improvised. I used the insole of my Altra Lone Peak and it fits well. No blisters no dead toe nails on this race.

I guess having these two combined with my manual time monitoring  as I progress on the race (as I do not have watch that monitor my pace - manual calculation of my time made my mind occupied but it could have helped probably if I had the watch and monitor my pace - just a thought) made up what I got for today: 4:49:22 (unofficial) 

It was nice to run with friends that I know of for years and happy to gain new friends along the way (two Malaysian and one Japanese who came just for this race). Congratulations to all the finishers, my snappy salute  to all the qualifiers most especially to those that I know and train with in preparation for this race. I make them my inspiration to train harder in preparation for the next race. Kami na ang susunod na mag qualify. For now I will remain part of Team Malabo. 

A race powered by: Prince MultiSports Sunvisor, Ash Be Nimble Top and shorts, MWM Headwear, Altra Torin Shoes and Feetures Socks, Coquinone, Rev3, TailWind and PowerGel.

Happy feet with happy soul. I thank God for an injured free race and the strength all through out the race. On to the next adventure.

Back to Basic - A Very Good Reminder

With my coming long race, I was left with no other chance but just this weekend to do my long run. Quite a tough choice, had  my Valentine dinner with some good friends who really wish I will  let go of my long run the following day. My heart wish I can stay with them as well, but really need to go. Half hearted I left Antipolo late giving me less than 2 hours of sleep before my Sunday long run. I just have to do this otherwise I will suffer running my long race two weeks from now. I am not expecting any PB but just want a decent finish.

Honestly, I haven't been clocking good runs the past 2 months, no decent and solid training runs and only come back to serious runs over a month ago. The announcement of an LSD from KFC Airport Road to Palace in the Sky Tagaytay via Emelio Aguinaldo Highway gave me an interest to join. I know it is an uphill route but I thought I will definitely survive on this. I just want to run that long no matter what my time will be.

Photo courtesy of Noel Ko

A change of starting line at Bamboo Organ I cause a little delay, thanks to my running mates for waiting for me, my fault I did not check the thread of comments. As we start the run, most of the time I was at the back of the group, there was only 4 of us, until we reached 19km. I felt ok despite my little push to keep up with the group. One of our running mate joined us (Dabull) coming from a 10km road race.  He decided to stay at the back as sweeper. I push a little faster until the first pit stop,  at Lugawan. Hungry. Been longing for the food and cold drinks. A bowl of lugaw with beef tapa and hard boiled egg plus 1 bottle of mountain dew. That energized me.

As we resume with our run, I was already at the back next to Dabull. Probably bothered with my running form, he finally said, with my stride, cadence, and form, I am consuming so much energy. He corrected me by a reminder of how it should be done: smaller faster strike while lifting each leg a little higher,  upright torso leaning a little forward, breath in from navel to chest and breath out synchronized to my stride, keeping in mind the one 2 three count. I know this before but when I am faced with so much pressure to perform better and faster all the more I go back to my original form.

After few minutes, I felt comfortable with my pace, feel lighter and more faster in speed. It is working. Still with Dabull at my back giving reminder on my form I continue on, his first suggestion of Galloway of 10minute run and a minute walk I did not follow most of the time. Hard headed student. But after some time I realized, a minute stop will break the routine and will give me the habit of consciously getting back to the right form. And I like it.

Aside from all the pep talks that Dagull give while we are on the move, he also takes time to teach me  on what to do while on pit stop, a little stretching on the legs and arms and sometimes do little massage on my thigh and calves. That really felt great.

Aside from the physical form, what I also like on this run is the company of Noel who is so concern with food and hydration. Thanks to him, we all are oblige to stop, drink, eat, hydrate, and rest. That I also was able to practice here. Lugaw, hard boiled egg, fudge bar, chips, halo halo and a lot of soda. (I know my liver is complaining as it is not used to soda anymore, thanks to Hepasil, I will just cleanse and detox for a healthy liver despite all the unhealthy drinks - soda, energy drinks, gels.)

The most awaited monument of Ninoy at  the Rotonda in Tagaytay may seemed to be taking forever especially on the slowly uphill route and the sun already comes out from an overcast morning,  I finished with a smile on my face. I learned a lot from this run. I gained my mileage for the week, but not only that, I also was reminded of how I should be able to maximize my energy in running by applying the right form and also taking the right food and liquid at a proper time. Thank you Ayala Triads, you all are the best.

 

Photo courtesy of Xenon Walde
This is what I missed in exchange of my LSD, the Pinto Museum

But its ok. There will always be next time for Pinto, thankful for being  rewarded with the beautiful view of
Taal Lake at the end of our long run

And a good Bulalo at Mahogany Market as our meal right after the run. Yumminess.