Nike Running Clinic

It was my second time to attend the Nike Running Clinic. I willed myself to brave the traffic last night so that I could join the runners in Bonifacio High Street. Well, I was not disappointed.

We had our first two rounds (big) from the Nike Park, encircling the whole high street. Of course, the slow runner that I am, I got late for the warm up stretches. No regrets. I met a coach who politely explained to me why I feel pain in my quads and knees.. because I was overweight. Hehe, as if I didn't know that...then he gave me tips on how to develop speed. Thank you, Coach (I have yet to know your name).

We were about 16 students, and I never spoke to any of them (I am shy, you know). But the stretches, the experiences we shared in the difficulties of the drills made me bond with them. No words spoken, only the feeling of frustration taken lightly. One challenging drill was running with your knees hip level. The uncoordinated woman in me could not find any rhythm in crossing the line with knees up, feet flexed, and arms moving like a bicycle. I found myself totally challenged.

Since it was my second time to join, I knew better than to wear shorts. I wore a pair of mid calf jogging pants, which made me more relaxed and less conscious of what I didn't want the world to see.

The last 4 small rounds were hard for me. I had to walk 30% of the way, since my legs were overused. The drizzle was also getting more pervasive. After my 4th round (6th to the advanced who even finished before I did... can you imagine me scratching my head?), we stretched some more and cooled down. Then we called it a night.

I called it a lovely night...:)

Finishing Last

I joined the Auto Review 10 k Run last Sunday. Little did I know it was going to so memorable.

First off, I didn't estimate the difficulty of Mc Kinley Hill. Shocks, the first two km were challenging already, and the second they said go, I knew I was going to be the last....

It was a slow run for me, since I do not practice sprints (yes, I know I should). I was getting tense seeing everybody in the other side while I was still making a u turn..

But I chose to let it go and have fun. Until I encountered a fellow runner (male), who cheated by making a short cut... Well, the last one to finish and all, I said to myself I would have to do this fair and square.

When we got out of the Heritage Park, the heat was scorching. I just smiled at the marshalls, they all probably thought I was so super slow, but I really didn't care. What mattered was that I was going to finish it.

I had two policemen behind me, and a marshall accompanying me to the last kilometer. They were really patient with me (it was my race after all). And when I got back, my goodness. They announced me as the LAST RUNNER!! I just had to be a good sport and took my cap off in acknowledgement. I knew someone was still behind me, but I was "lucky" enough to pronounced the last man standing....

My official time was around 1:35, well, others (even my husband) found it embarrassing, but I thought it was a special experience. And I know I have to look at it this way, so that I can make y runs much better. I don't want to get humiliated, angry, or engage in self pity. No room for that s#*t. I'm just glad I experienced that kind of fanfare...:)

ADD, Oh You Know Me!

I really don't know how my husband can love me. Really. Before we got married (in 2006, far, far away in the island of Mactan), we had been together for almost 10 years. Yes, breakups here and there. Arguments, etc. etc. But really, I find myself wondering why the hell he could stand me?

No, this isn't my love diary and all. It's just a point I am trying to drive at. You see, I was never diagnosed to have ADD. But I feel it in my heart that I do. The signs are all there, even screaming at your face. I have all my things scattered, and even these objects laying on my big table have a wide range of topics, from my MA in Reading, to my new found hobby or business which is embellishments, to sewing, to being (or wanting to be) a fashion artist, to running. Shocks. Sometimes even I cannot find the right path. And obviously, I cannot be led to salvation.

I've now noticed about myself that I start things with a high level of enthusiasm. Example? Law school, Sped, Reading, Tutorial. In hobbies? Sewing, now embellishing. In sports? Badminton, boxing, swimming, and now running. I cannot stay loyal to one. And I hate it that down the line, I cannot master anything. Any thing.

It's really a shame. I feel that in the middle of my striving hard to reach my goals, I give up, or I lose interest. And I cannot find it in my physiological makeup to find the strength to maintain whatever interest. Oh well...

That's why my MA is important to me. I do need to finish something you know. I am about to be done with my practicum, and it's the thesis that I just cannot hurdle. I am really, praying so mighty hard to finish it. Not only for my title, but also to remind myself that despite this difficulty I know I have, I can overcome it.

Well, good luck to me....