Injuries

Down but not Out! – Running wounded at the Adidas KOTR

Posted on by runningbeyondair

“Pain is temporary.  It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place.  If I quit, however, it lasts forever” – Lance Armstrong

Last night, I read to Emilee that quote from Lance Armstrong.  She must have uttered those words yesterday during the Adidas KOTR.

Thousands of runners, both from the 10k and 21k race, converged along the stretch of Buendia Ave from the Kalayaan Fly-over downramp up to Reposo St.  Approaching the Kalayaan Fly-over when Emilee was on her way back to The Fort, she accidentally twisted her right ankle.  She was down for a while but managed to get up with the help of those kind-hearted runners near her. 

With bruises on both knees and a sprained right ankle, Ems continued her run until she reached km#12.  She almost thought of going back and quit.  But being a fighter, she took a right turn going up 5th avenue.  I saw her at the Bayani Road when I was on my way back to Lawton Ave.  All she said was “I’m okay”.

I immediately got back to the 5th Ave after I crossed the finish line.  I saw her running as she makes the turn on the 26th street.  She didn’t mind the pains on her bruised knees – and later on her right ankle – to finish the race beaming with PRIDE and HONOR.

Congratulations Mom!  I’m so proud of you!!!

 

note: our deep appreciation for those unnamed runners who helped Ems and the Red Cross team who attended to her at the Finish Line.

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A lot of firsts at the Run For Home

Posted on by runningbeyondair

After days of heavy rains, we were blessed today by God with a good weather.  Really good for running.  Maybe because a lot of runners are doing it for a worthy cause.

How Far?

How Far?

How Far? Well, Ems and I ran 21kms to help Habitat for Humanity and the Sagip Ilog Pasig project of ABS-CBN.  We hope that the 2x 21kms will result to 42 pcs of hollow blocks or 42 liters of paint.   There were a lot of first for me and Ems during this race.  First time to:
  • Experience using timing chips and stepping on the chip sensors;
  • Run along Ayala Avenue, Paseo de Roxas, and Makati Avenue;
  • See a lot drivers step out of their cars and plead to the MAPSA guys to let them pass (along the Paseo de Roxas intersection);
  • See a VIP Parking reservation at BHS (this is disappointing!);
  • Run without taking any Energy Gels (all natural this time);
  • Complete a 21k run without cramps (usually between km#15-16);
  • Drink 100plus (a cold one taste good);
  • Run along Bayani Road;
  • Use my Nike 5.0 for a half marathon;
  • Finish the race without experiencing shin splints (must be the shoes);
  • Reach the finish line without a finishers chute (after all the hype of the race, reaching the finish line was boring);
  • Missed the hyrdration station at the finish line (was there any?);
  • Have the Medical Station far from the Finish Line (it should be near it!);
  • For Ems, it was her first time to run with a knee support (she had a sprained knee after the Milo 21k);
  • It was also her first time to run with an injury (talking about passion!);
  • And it was my first time to finish ahead of Ems =)

We covered the first 10k of the race in 1:07 hrs.  This was also a milestone for us.  Our strategy was to have negative splits with a start pace of 7mins/km and with walk breaks as we approach each water station.  We reached the km16 mark in 1:40hrs.  From here, we took longer walks as Ems was already feeling the pain on her left knee. 

As we crossed the finished line, my unofficial time read 2:42hours.  Ems came in 2 minutes after with our running mate Romel in tow (he was suffering from leg cramps).  This was a big improvement from my last 21k where I finished 2:50hours.

Finishing our 3rd Half Marathon of the year - WOW!

Finishing our 3rd Half Marathon of the year - WOW!

Post note:

The number of runners in Atlas Copco are growing:

L-R: Mel, Romel, Dennis, Mark, Hector, Williard, and Me

L-R: Mel, Romel, Dennis, Mark, Hector, Williard, and Me

When injuries become a blessing

Posted on by runningbeyondair

May 17, 2009 – I “partially” listened to my doctor’s advice to rest my calves for one month.  Partially?  Yes, I decided not to join a long Sunday run last week.  My last run was the ATC Southern Run held last 03 May 2009.  But, during the two week rest, I had a couple of tempo runs, power walks, and strenthening exercises for my calves (strong calves will prevent injuries in my shins).

Indeed, these injuries have become a blessing. First, I had a chance to correct my running form and run at a consistent tempo.  And because of the injury, I trained for a 7:00 – 7:30mins/km pace.  Second, I was able to strengthen my calf muscles with the shin lifts exercises and the squats.  And lastly, I missed to experience the Botak race last 10 May 2009.

You read it right, I read from a lot of runner bloggers and heard the personal experience of some friends how unorganized was the Botak Paa-tibayan race.  Good for me!  If I was cleared to run, I will also be one of those runners complaining.  Sometimes, injuries are really a blessing.

Still, I cannot resist the urge to join the weekend road races.  So me and Emilee signed up for the Market! Market! Power Miler.  But, we decided to join the 5-mile run instead of the 10-miler which was our original plan.  This was my “test run” after two weeks of “rehab”. (note: our friends were suprised to learn that we “downgraded” to a shorter race.)

My objective is to run continuously and consistently at a pace of 7:00-7:30mins/km (or 11:30-12:00mins/mile).  No pressures for me, I was able to maintain that slow and easy jog pace – not wanting to stress those shins again.  The target of finishing in 56 mins was the “stars” for me.  I missed the stars and settled for the “moon” in 60 mins.  And this was the first time (since 2008) that I was able to run the whole race (this made me happier!).

As for the race, it was 95% well organized! The remaining 5% was for the kilometer (or mile) markers.  But who cares of the mile markers if the race have a lot of well-manned water stations with those precious water cups.

Overall, I enjoyed the 5-miler with a stronger shins and calves. I’m now looking forward to the 8-miler run in the next two weeks!

Me and Emilee - an unusually early finish (5-miles lang kasi)

Me and Emilee - an unusually early finish (5-miles lang kasi)

On shin splints and running the ATC Southern Race

Posted on by runningbeyondair

May 3, 2009 – This is my first race after my doctor told me to rest from “competitive” running for one month. What?!  I can’t believe that she advised me to rest.  After months of having the on and off pain in my shin, my doctor finally confirmed that I was having Shin Splints.  It was a choice between resting for a month so I can continue running again or just continue running until the injury worsens and retire early from running. Now, minutes after I walked out of her clinic, I was telling myself: “did I made the right decision to go for a check-up?”

Yes, it was a good decision to see my doctor and hear her advise.  But, the challenge was how I will adjust to her advise.  Since Thursday evening, I was prescribed to take Naproxen – it was not in my thoughts that I will be taking that med earlier than expected.  Emilee and I had some exchange of thoughts (some of our friends got involved too) on what to do (because, I was reasoning, I might be so depressed of being sidelined that I am tempted to munch and munch again… he he he, good argument).

So, the plan were (1) continue running but I should be slower than my (slow) average pace of 6:00 – 6:30 mins/km, (2) if I will be doing my easy jogs, I should be running on asphalted roads, and lastly (3) we shall be decreasing our easy jogs and the Sunday races that we will join.

Fast forward to the ATC Southern race:

We were expecting a good race course today knowing that the route will pass thru the Ayala Alabang Village.  It will be a challenging one since there are plenty uphill and downhill roads inside the village.  Though the race start a bit late to accomodate the on-site registrants, it didn’t bother the runners since it was cloudy and the race routes were shady – courtesy of those decades old Acacia Trees.

Runners of the ATC Southern Race

Runners of the ATC Southern Race

On to the race, we had a fast start.  I felt I was doing less than 6:00mins/km.  I only realized that I was going fast when some of the seasoned runners are starting to overtake me when I slowed down.  At the km#5 hydration station, I saw that my time was 27minutes+.  It was at this point that I decided to really slowdown, worried that the microfractures (as the doctor told me) would aggravate.  My target was to have a pace between 7:00-7:30mins/km (and not faster).

With my pride starting to win the mental battle of speeding up or slowing down, I managed to finish the race at 1hour, 11minutes, and 20 seconds as my official time (hey, when I crossed the finish line, the timer read 1hour, 10 minutes, and 43 seconds).  It was a good finish for me who’s been advised to take it slowly (I think, I did not).

The official race results were out already as early as 7:30am

The official race results were out already as early as 7:30am

Overall, the race course was well planned.  The marshalls were helpful.  The hydration stations, well, they were helpful except for the last station where they ran out of plastic cups – still they were very apologetic.  Hey, the weather cooperated too!  By the way, this was the first race where the results were published before the program ended (this was super fast) – it was pinned on those lamp post.

For the benefit of the SOS Children's Village

For the benefit of the SOS Children's Village

Running for a good cause

Running for a good cause

Of course, running for a very good cause is a milestone for me and Emilee.  From what I know, the registration fee of PhP 150.00 goes directly to the SOS Children’s Village.  Kudos to Alabang Town Center (the major sponsor and organizer of this run)!

Me and Emilee

Me and Emilee

Hopefully, I will be able to recover in time for the 10-miler of the Market!Market! Power Miler Run on May 17.