November | 2011

from last year's Pasuquin to Pagudpud race

a. For the record, last October 9, 2011, my mileage (or kilometerage) finally reached 3,000 kilometers since I started in November 2008. 2009 totalled 110 kms while 2010 tallied at 931.45 kms. 2011 (when I became more religious in recording my road runs & training) reached more than 2,000 kms. and still counting. It happened at our favorite route – the Marikina to Timberland road. It was memorable since Dave and I brought in fellow Boringers Bong Bernadez, CJ Paran and Keshia Fule. The fellowship and sharing was memorable and the weather was just ideal.

3,000 kms and counting...

terra band power with Coach Jim & Edwin

b. Last Oct. 10, I enrolled at the Milo APEX Running School at the QC Circle and I haven’t looked back since. It features a lot of useful lectures, run drills and strengthening exercises under celebrity coach Jim Saret (one charismatic and most helpful being). We have 2-3 hour sessions every Monday & Wednesday followed by our Sat. long runs at the UP which can extend out into Marikina and maybe Rizal. It’s another world of runners, both newbies and semi-veterans like me. Perhaps, it’s the speed runs and recovery drills that jolted me out of my comfort zone. It’s been almost a month and I’m learning to embrace it. Hopefully, this would help me with my NB PowerRun today. (I think it did)…I had less walk breaks and was able to sustain continuous running.

soaked & smiling at the final 100 meters into the finish line...

The NB PowerRun 2011 was another first for me. The race at Bonifacio Global City had a rainy start, only diminishing in the final 10 kms for me. I had second thoughts of running this one since I’ve been nursing a cold for a week now but my CDO ultrarun raincoat in the first 5 kms when I was still shivery did wonders and I was able to sustain the continuous run (pacing with Boringer Kokoy in the first 10 kms.). The best thing was: I was able to embrace the rains and make it work to my advantage. Btw, my 21 km time was a 2:07 and my 25 kms. clocked at 2:32.

c. Fellow Boringer Toel (that’s Leo Tugade) signed me up for this November 20’s Aquathlon in Alabang. It features a 5-km run followed by a 300-m swim, culminating in a 1.5-km dash. I’ve just returned to Georgetown for my swim routines hoping to shorten my time for the 300-m laps. Unfortunately, the total immersion technique isn’t really ideal for swim sprints plus all that water entering my nasal cavities and sinuses is enough to result in days of dripping nose and coughing. How this will all turn out on judgement day is up to the gods above…

this is not total immersion...(taken during my first Aquathlon last May)

d. November would be hell month for me. I plan to peak in my total weekly mileage at the last week and eventually taper down when December enters. The last month usually signals the time when clinic works become hectic, gathering and parties abound and my brother Eric and his family from New Zealand will be dropping over. I’m hoping to maintain my Milo APEX schedule up to the 1st week of December, long runs on Sundays and perform satisfactorily during the QC International Marathon (Dec. 4), MILO Marathon Finals (Dec. 18) and hopefully, the Rizal Day Run (Dec. 30). January would be a more relaxed month before BDM 160 (Jan. 28-29) happens. Maybe minor training runs and the Fat Ass (Jan. 7-8).

On top of Hong Kong (mid-level)

Oceanpark aviary walk in NB 760

While everyone was slugging it out on endless roads and trails during the long weekend, I was negotiating (along with my sister and niece) the narrow alleys, swanky malls and street markets of Hong Kong. While I missed out on the weekend long runs (back to back if I had my way), all the walking and wandering continuously for 4 days seem to have made up for my broken training schedule. Plus, I experienced the highs and wonder of discovering new and wonderful discoveries along the way.

great architecture at the HK International Airport

a taste of Hong Kong carinderia

For the record, all that walking (I missed out on making that run along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront early in the morning since I usually settled at 11:30 pm) was courtesy of my first official running shoes, the NB 760 and I was comfy throughout.

temples of commerce at every turn

When Disneyland gets sinister...

Two days were already pre-set with tours of the city (where they try to sell you everything from jewelry to cookies), Disneyland and Oceanpark. Not really the itinerary I’m inclined to take but for a change, it was a breeze moving from one destination to the next without worrying what direction or transportation to take or where on earth was that Lonely Planet book. Until you realize that they need to gather all the rest of the Pinoy tourists from the other side of the city before getting to the main site.

the parade comes to town...

as cute as it gets...

Disneyland in Hong Kong is as disneyfied as you can get with all the foliage and tree trimmed and shaped to topiary perfection, all the structures feestoned and perfectly painted candy-colored to the hilt and one can’t help feeling of being in the happiest place on earth. We brought along Elise whose turning 7 so we were obliged to accompany her through the rounds of all the fun rides like the Flying Dumbo and Swirling Madhatter Cups, “adventures” that mesmerized and excited us when we had our turn 32 years ago in Anaheim. More interesting were the stage shows like the Golden Mickeys and the Philharmagic which featured live performances (I’m a sucker for some of the Disney tunes), shifting sets and even 4D effects like spraying water and blowing wind.

Flying Dumbo ride.

too much of a good thing...?

Perhaps, one of the ordeal I survived was riding that boat of “It’s a Small World” where one goes through continent upon continent of singing dolls (of the same song in various languages and instrumentations). This was thankfully tempered by the River Cruise and their rollercoaster ride, ‘Space Mountain’, which didn’t disappoint. We were quite fortunate to have come on a Halloween weekend coz all that ‘wholesomeness’ was balanced of by Tim Burton’s kooky, dark characters from ‘A Nightmare Before Christmas’ leading the glow-in-the-dark parade. Along with all the scary characters (in full costume regalia) scattered all over the place, Disneyland suddenly became more hauntingly bizarre than dream fantasy. Now this is my kind of place.

water works at the River Cruise ride...

darkness falls across Disneyland...

Yessss! this was in Disneyland

the entrance at night (reminiscent of a cathedral gelatin)

The next day, we were off to the mountain resort of Oceanpark which is divided into the Headland (upper part) and the Lowland (lower part). We took the cable car (a thrill in itself) going up and tried to take on all the exciting rides like the 3 rollercoasters, log ride and the jungle ride. Unfortunately, Elise didn’t qualify so we ended up riding the ferris wheel which was less exciting (and soooo slow) than the Pinoy ‘perya’ version. I tried the flying swing and got some jolt of adrenaline. Sorry, the dolphin and seal lion shows were quite lame which is just fine because you know the creatures are not that maltreated as in the olden days.

dolphin & seal show...

across hills and mountains...

the giant aquarium: just a preview

The lower part offered better options with their aviary walk, giant & red pandas and numerous aquariums featuring the gargantuan Chinese Sturgeon fish and the colorful and amazing jellyfishes from all over. But perhaps, the highlight was the main aquarium featuring some of the largest and colorful aquatic creatures from all over the world like the cuttlefish, seahorses (and leafy sea dragons), manta rays and sharks with the floor to ceiling aquarium showing them in their full natural glory.

nope this isn't a painting (it's the real thing, baby)

Elise among her jellyfriends

my silhouette among moon jellies...

the amazing giant aquarium (floor to ceiling delight)

I want this in my bedroom!

We had to leave by 6 pm to head off to the waterfront just in time for the Symphony of Lights along Hong Kong harbor where buildings from both sides of the water spewed out laser and neon lights to the sound of orchestral music. Just awe-inspiring. It was a fitting climax for a great get away.

detailed interiors of the HK museum...

one grand, memorable light & sound show...

a sweeping view of Hong Kong harbor

In between these tours were a lot of shopping, eating and just wandering here and there. It’s a great way to relax while still doing a lot of walking. Now it’s back to reality and to real life, but with renewed vigor and vitality.