jewel’s Neighborhood

Alexander: "Mighty Runner"

HERE is a confession of a first-time runner.

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One day I would like to run with you, Alex!

top.ten.ma.ra.thon.quotes: before.the.pasig.river.2009.run

Before.

1.) “Mamamatay sya.” (He is going to die.) –a running coach

2.) “Only crazy people do that.” --Anonymous

3.) “He is just going to cause traffic.” --a running coach

4.) “Kahmown bro! You can do it!!!...Prove them wrong!” –from a fellow self-assurance* guy (Did I say Michael Paderes?)

5.) “Remember, the only voice who will tell you to stop is yourself, and you don't have to listen to it.” –Geraldine Santiago (the first fastest Filipina Ironman**)

6.) “It will be painful, but pain is temporary, quitting is forever.” –Geraldine Santiago

7.) “Let me run alongside with you during the last 10-15k, instead of me running in the other race tomorrow.” –Ver Guevara, former 4-time marathoner from church.

8.) “They say that the thing that’ll help you finish the last 10-15k is not brute strength or talent…it’s the heart.” –Ver Guevara.

9.) “That would be my ‘Ilokano’*** heart!” –Ferdie Cabiling

10.) “Why are you doing this (marathon)? –Judy Cabiling (a toughie question from a loving wife.)

*"self-assurance" of 'StrengthFinder 2.0'

**"Ironman" - the toughest official global Triathlon race.

***"Ilokano" - a 'tribe'; a people group in the northern province of the Philippines; which is, I think, the direct descendants of the Kenyans; that explains the skin color. Whatever happened to the 'running' genes? Lost in translation. Huh?

Pasig River Marathon plug

San Diego Run

My fist time to run by the beach: Carlbad, San Diego. A pretty

San Diego, CA, USA

good 11.65k run. Monday morning of October 12, 2009.

Thanks for taking the picture, Paolo.

The Fire, the Form, the Face: On To The Finish Line.

The fire, the form, the face, the finish line.

GRATEFUL TO BE PART of the first ever night race done at The Fort Bonifacio area.

The Kenny’s Urbanite 15k Run.

Here’s the result:

NAME:     Ferdinand L. Cabiling
EVENT:    Urbanite 15Km Run
DATE:    Saturday, 15 August 2009
BIB/DIV:     2853 / M 40-49
TIME:    1h:34m:23s (gun) / 1h:34m:19s (net)

Not bad for a comeback. I only had a solid two weeks of preparation.

This is a good excuse to get going for the November marathon.

I hope to improve gradually but surely.

Here are the running shots.

ENJOY!

Back To 10k Running 1k At A Time

The young professionals of the Victory Ortigas church, headed by Dr Jojo Rivera, are into this "Biggest Loser" campaign called, Vite Club. Losing weight for the next three months.

It was so serious, they have to take the 'before and after' profile of each participant. I went in first because I have to head back home.

I found out that my heart rate was still like that of an athlete, but my blood pressure was out of whack. I guess it has something to do with my salty Ilocano 'diet'. So I decided to alter my eating habit and see what will happen. Highly considering looking for a cardiologist. Besides I am already above 40.

a campaign

And go back to my regular 10k running, 1k at a time.

A Serene San Juanico Bridge Run: “I Shall Return!”

Tacloban City, Leyte is fast becoming one of the highly urbanized cities in the Philippine Islands. I call this city a ‘Gateway City’.

San Juanico, Bridge

The first team of Spaniards led by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 came to Rajah Kolambu in Limasawa Island, Southern Leyte. The start of the 377 years of colonization of the Philippines.

The San Juanico Bridge is very significant because it connected these two islands, Samar and Leyte, the first to be named, Las Islas Filipinas (after King Philip II of Spain) by Ruy Lopez de Villalobos in 1543. The name would later be given to the entire archipelago.

And of course, the fulfillment of the promise made by General Douglas McArthur during the World War II, “I shall return!” happened here.

In preparation for the Grand opening of the Robinsons mall in the city (June 11, 2009), Mayor Alfred Romualdez and his wife Kristina had a dinner, a night before the opening, with the Gokongweis' (one of the five brothers and his wife, Lance, Frederick, Robina and company) plus the Former mayor Bejo Romualdez, his dad. Alfred thought of inviting me as well since I was in town. It was an interesting dinner.

Early the next morning, one the mayor’s drivers accompanied me up to the foot of the famous San Juanico Bridge. From there, I run in a cool, wet, a bit drizzling, overlooking the sea, the islands, a lone fisherman on a boat. While running, I greeted the man on the bangka, and he waved back. The bridge is about 2.16 kilometers. So I crossed it four times.

This run was the most serene run I had ever experience. Amazingly beautiful.

I have nothing to say but “I Shall Return!”

June 11, 2009, 5:55AM
Time                   59’39”
Pace         6:29 min/km
Distance           9.19km

STRENGTH Training

I had the chance, or I mean the luxury, of having a strength trainer for almost two months late last year.

Strength_training

Here are reasons why we have to get ourselves subjected to strength training.

NEEDED ENDURANCE. Marathon is not a joke. To sustain oneself to such a task, reserved power is needed. I felt it this morning when I tried running for 13k. It was a smooth run. It pays to sacrifice in the gym.

LESS INJURY. By strengthening the small muscles, you get to minimize possible injuries.

QUICK RECOVERY. Should you get injured, a lifestyle of training will make you, not just hasten recovery, develop stronger muscles.

MUST MUSCLES. Necessary for flexibility in running, for burning fats, for establishing right form and posture.

These are my few observations regarding strength training.

I Have Conquered The Road!

Hotelvida_map

On our way to Clark for a family vacation, I have noticed the road from McArthur Highway cor Shell near S.M. Clark to Fontana Villas just along M.A. Roxas Highway. A very excellent route for a run. I told Judy, while driving, that I might run on that road. Well, Judy gave me her usual encouragement-filled response, “Ang arte mo naman.”

Early morning the next day, I decided to do it. From 5108 A3 Atlanta Rd., Fontana Villas straight up to Shell. What made it a little bit exciting was the rain during the entire first hour. When it was pouring a little harder, I took shelter in a gas station. I did some stretching. But when the rain would not let up, I just went on and braved the rain. I was thinking, “It either this is hard core running, or just plain stupidity.” While in the rain, I came across a senior citizen running too. So I thought I am all right after all.

Good, easy run despite of a discomfort on the right side of my hip. I hope its not an injury. Well, two blisters (one on each foot) in a run like that, is pretty normal, at least for me.

Result:
April 02, 2009, 5:51 AM
Time: 2:16’ 18”
Pace: 11:20 min/mile
Distance: 12.01 miles

Condura Half Marathon: What A Race!

1st 21k race

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WHAT IS THE DIFFERRENCE between the 21k of practice and the 21k of the race? ADRENALIN!

In practice, I usually end up finishing half marathon in 2 hours and 45 minutes. In this morning’s race? 2 hours and 2 minutes!

I have been preparing myself for this the last month. Properly hydrating myself the last week. Progressive running every other day. Keeping watch of my food intake. Trying to do cross training. Enough sleep. Up until the day before the run.

I decided to drink milk chocolate. Bad. Late afternoon before the race, I was having diarrhea. Which means, dehydration. So the night before, I was trying to drink more H2O to catch up. I went around the village with my entire family as our usual ritual and stopped by the fountain where the fish are. Quarter before nine, I was asleep. Then woke up around 11:30 PM.

Then another problem. I couldn’t go back to sleep! I was totally psyched up about the race! I keep on thinking of finishing the race in two hours. That I should not let up. I should not let go. Then by around 3 AM I was able to catch a little sleep then woke up at 5 AM! The race for 21k is suppose to be 5:30! I was driving like crazy going to the Fort while fixing my self. By 5:15, I couldn’t find a parking space. Cars everywhere. I knew the sound of the gun would be heard in few minutes. Found a slot in an open lot. That means no parking ticket. Whew. When I reached the starting assembly, I couldn’t see the gate for the 21k runners. I saw the 5k, the 10k, but no 21k! Then someone said that the 10k gate is the same with the 21k. Now, you imagine the crowd at this time. Men, you could smell the adrenaline. David Bonifacio was on his spot. Just as I found a spot to settle in myself, I heard the gun shot…

While running, I got to see Junn Besana. We run together for almost half of the race. Then Arnel Vismonte with his usual self. No bib number, because he was unregistered. No running gadgets. He brought with him his loud running sigh! You know he is around because you’ll hear it even a mile away.

Running on the Skyway is the high for me. When do you get to run on a skyway? I saw three to four familiar faces, but I couldn't say hi. Every one was concentrating on the run. I saw a quote during the run that I decide to meditate on:

“I run not to add days to my life, but I run to add life to my days.”

The last few meters were the hardest for me. I felt like I didn't have anymore energy to give. I just want to stop. I was feeling a bit dizzy this time. Then the finish line! I did my best to run fast on the last stretch. Saw the time:2:02. Once again, I dedicate this run to my son, John Philip.

Will I run again? You bet. I hope this time…

In a full (42k) MARATHON.