THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE

Now I know how he felt, going against a mountain waaay bigger than him.

I also went against the mountain yesterday for my 15k run.

It was tough as it was going uphill and it's my first time to run a long distance on that road too. Call it a baptism of fire as I really didn't know what to expect.

When the going gets tough, go sight-seeing! (and take pictures! hahaha)

Some of the scenes in my 15K route:











I wasn't able to take a picture of my 7.5k route marker though, which was a bright electric blue neighborhood water pump which the locals use for their water.

What was nice about the route up was it followed the side of the mountain, which had a mid sized stream running beside it. Since it rained the past couple of days, the stream had more water than usual. There were times I could hear it even if I couldn't see it. At certain parts of the route, if you peeked over the side of the ravine, there would be people down there washing their clothes and making chika. My friend told me that on really rainy days, you can actually go through this stream with a kayak (ala white water adventure).

As I went up, the houses got fewer and fewer until it was just foliage all around me. This was when thoughts of the Blair Witch came to mind and I hightailed back down to civilization.

Finished 15k in 2 hours (which I personally think took too long, but hey c'mon, for someone not used to running up a hill and being my first time in doing this route , it's not bad right?)

Endorphins weren't enough to keep me awake as I crashed and slept the whole day, Maybe waking up for a few hours to eat and work a bit before sleeping again.

Coach B! I did it! And finally broke that dry spell...till the next run!

ITS NOW OR NEVER

Okay, I have to tell you a secret...shhh don't tell okay?
Coach B, you'll kill me I know but I haven't exactly been faithful to my training runs (eep!)

Let me recall circa 21-k half marathon in Subic, the T2 were at a loss after that because it was like... what's next? Not having a race to train for means not having a goal to reach. Not having a goal to reach means what do I do during training runs? Okay so yes, I've said it countless times that I will do a simulcast in December for that full marathon... but the thing is, it's not real to me... no matter how hard I pretend that it is, it's just not the same. =( I have to get out of this mindset I know, and I have to do it fast or else I might get stuck. It's like quicksand you know? The more I fight it, the more I sink into it...so I need to slowly, ever so slowly ease out of it.

So what do I do? Maybe start with a plan... and carry it through to get me out of this training stump. I hate not being able to finish something I've started, and that includes having a plan and not being able to follow through on it.

I've tried to muster enough courage to venture out to do at least a decent long run to no avail. I have a 15k plan tomorrow, and hope my training buddy doesn't flake on me yet again... but I promised myself this, training buddy or no training buddy, I will run that 15 k. There, I've said it, will do it. IN the event my body is found on a roadside, I have my trusty roadID to ensure I'm not a Jane DOe. Will bring my water, have my Polar strapped on, Phone for emergencies, money (for taho or Gatorade in case I am about to crash) and snacks.

Wish me luck!

JUST RUN

There are days I just want to run so bad that I will brave stray, rabid, mean dogs and bad weather. Today is one of them.

Attempted to run despite the clouds threatening to pour down water any minute now. And it did. Did the 4 k loop with J but had to backtrack as the route we needed to pass (which meant going under a bridge) was unpassable because of the presence of water, thus currents too. On sunny days, we could easily cross it as it was dry and full of gravel... but not today.

So running/walking under the dark reddish sky, we then did our last kilometer, quietly contemplating our lack of foresight. It started getting dark, the only light coming from a sliver of the setting sun on the horizon. And then darkness. Almost immediately the crickets started to sing, signalling the end of the day. The route back was not well lit, as lamp posts were far in between, and we had yet to reach the cement road that meant we were near civilization aka the village that we had to cross to get back to our starting point.

We got back all right, and I'm glad I didn't have to run alone today.