races
Thoughts on My Two Months Into Running
10 Jun 2009 07:35 PM
If you’re a runner who happened to chance upon this
blog, remember that this is a newbie talking, so feel
free to post your
comments/corrections/reactions/opinions.
1. Strength training works! In my case it has helped me a lot in running. All those squats, deadlifts and lunges help when pushing off the ground. In my experience, as I improved in my strength training for my legs, I’d also require less effort to maintain a faster speed at a longer time. Exercises that strengthen the core (abdominal muscles, obliques) help maintain a good form throughout running. They also keep the body from twisting when powering up hills or speeding down hills. I’d like to think my strength training played a huge role in my strong finishes, and getting that extra kick as the finish line is near. Can strength exercises reduce the risk of injury? Studies say so, but I can only speak for myself after a few more months into this.
Take note, I say “strength training” and not “bodybuilding”. Strength training does build some muscle, but the name itself implies a focus on building strength, not trying to bulk up and look like Arnold Schwarzenegger. I’m pretty sure I can beat that guy in the 5k, what with all that muscle weight slowing him down.
2. I have yet to find my best stride/footstrike.
3. I’ve set goals for the 5k because I wanted to take baby steps in endurance running. Training for the 5k (or for a best 5k) requires less mileage than training for the longer distances, or the marathon. But it certainly does not require less effort! The difficult part of the training is doing the sprint and tempo workouts.
4. I haven’t decided yet what I will train for next, after my 5k PR attempts.
5. I love it!
- - - - - - - - -
Mizuno Infinity 5k race results are posted here. I got in at 64th place out of 994 runners, 7th among the females. I didn’t realize there were that many 5k runners that day! I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. The 5k still remains the most popular race distance because it is beginner-friendly, and yet many elite athletes like to challenge themselves with it. Other runners use the 5k for speed work when training for longer distances.
Won’t you like to sign up for a 5k race today? Click here for a list of running events in the Philippines.
1. Strength training works! In my case it has helped me a lot in running. All those squats, deadlifts and lunges help when pushing off the ground. In my experience, as I improved in my strength training for my legs, I’d also require less effort to maintain a faster speed at a longer time. Exercises that strengthen the core (abdominal muscles, obliques) help maintain a good form throughout running. They also keep the body from twisting when powering up hills or speeding down hills. I’d like to think my strength training played a huge role in my strong finishes, and getting that extra kick as the finish line is near. Can strength exercises reduce the risk of injury? Studies say so, but I can only speak for myself after a few more months into this.
Take note, I say “strength training” and not “bodybuilding”. Strength training does build some muscle, but the name itself implies a focus on building strength, not trying to bulk up and look like Arnold Schwarzenegger. I’m pretty sure I can beat that guy in the 5k, what with all that muscle weight slowing him down.
2. I have yet to find my best stride/footstrike.
3. I’ve set goals for the 5k because I wanted to take baby steps in endurance running. Training for the 5k (or for a best 5k) requires less mileage than training for the longer distances, or the marathon. But it certainly does not require less effort! The difficult part of the training is doing the sprint and tempo workouts.
4. I haven’t decided yet what I will train for next, after my 5k PR attempts.
5. I love it!
- - - - - - - - -
Mizuno Infinity 5k race results are posted here. I got in at 64th place out of 994 runners, 7th among the females. I didn’t realize there were that many 5k runners that day! I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. The 5k still remains the most popular race distance because it is beginner-friendly, and yet many elite athletes like to challenge themselves with it. Other runners use the 5k for speed work when training for longer distances.
Won’t you like to sign up for a 5k race today? Click here for a list of running events in the Philippines.
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Race List
27 Jun 2010 11:31 PM
Here’s my race list. I’ll update it no matter how
dismal some results may be, he he.
June 27, 2010 Lactacyd All-Women Run Relay -10k - my best 10k so far
VENUE: McKinley Hills
TOTAL TIME: 00:57:47
AVERAGE PACE: 5:48 min/km
April 18, 2010 Powerade Sprint Duathlon 6k run - 30k bike - 3k run
VENUE: Filinvest Corporate City
SPLITS: No official time recorded
TOTAL TIME: 2:22:24
Cramps galore! Maybe the 2-hour sleep the night before had something to do with it. (came from FILharmoniKA’s concert with Richard Bamping, and dinner/drinks after)
----------------------------
February 7, 2010 Condura Run - 21k
VENUE: The Fort, to Skyway and back
TOTAL TIME: 2:21:17
AVERAGE PACE: 6:44 min/km
My first 21k! Would like to do it again.
----------------------------
September 20, 2009 Powerade Sprint Duathlon 7k run - 32k bike - 3.5k run
VENUE: Macapagal area
Run1: 0:41:42 (including transition 1)
Bike: 1:30:05 (including transition 2)
Run 2: 0:25:08
Total: 2:36:55
----------------------------
September 13, 2009 Ayala Eco-Dash - 10k
VENUE: The Fort
TIME: 1:03:44
AVERAGE MINS PER KM: 6:23
----------------------------
August 8, 2009: UP Run (forgot the name) - 5k
VENUE: UP Academic Oval
TIME: 27:30 (no official time)
AVERAGE MINS PER KM: 6:22
My first race using the Chi Running techniques I’ve been practicing. The coach warned that run times will really be slower during the next few weeks, or maybe months.
----------------------------
June 7, 2009: Mizuno Infinity Run (surprise time trial) - my best 5k so far
VENUE: The Fort
OFFICIAL TIME: 25:50
AVERAGE MINS PER KM: 5:10
----------------------------
May 31, 2009: Earth Run - 16k
VENUE: McKinley Hlll
OFFICIAL TIME: 1:42:31
AVERAGE MINS PER KM: 6:24
- This was supposed to be a “long easy run” but I decided to push myself anyway. A difficult route that had lots of uphills and downhills.
------------------------------
May 17, 2009: Market! Market! Power Miler Year 2 - 8k (5miles)
VENUE: Market! Market!, The Fort
OFFICIAL TIME: 00:53:44
AVERAGE MINS PER KM: 6:43
- Another “long run” where I didn’t push myself much.. at last, I was able to sleep more than four hours before the race!
-------------------------------
May 10, 2009: Botak Paa-tibayan Run - 10k
VENUE: The Fort. Passed a flyover across Edsa, going to Buendia, then back
OFFICIAL TIME: 1:06:38
AVERAGE MINS PER KM: 6:39
- Planned to do a “long run” here, in keeping with my 5k program.
-------------------------------
May 3, 2009: Southern Race - 5k
VENUE: Alabang Town Center, Ayala Alabang Village
OFFICIAL TIME: 00:34:21
MINS PER KM: 6:52
- Just aimed for a tempo run here. There were some inclines in this run.
-----------------------------
April 19, 2009: Greenfield City Run - 5k
VENUE: Greenfield City, Sta. Rosa
OFFICIAL TIME: 00:34:47
MINS. PER KM: 6:57
- I pushed myself harder in this race than the first one as I was aiming for a sub-30. I wonder why I was slower here? Maybe the ground wasn’t as level as it appeared. Or maybe it was because of lack of sleep. Also, I might need to revise my training schedule and activities. I loved this race though, nice scenery.
----------------------------------
April 5, 2009: Airspeed Runs For a Cause - 5k
VENUE: Around Mall of Asia
OFFICIAL TIME: 00:32:27
MINS. PER KM: 6:29
- My first, no pressure. I just aimed to finish.. so I was happy about my time.
June 27, 2010 Lactacyd All-Women Run Relay -10k - my best 10k so far
VENUE: McKinley Hills
TOTAL TIME: 00:57:47
AVERAGE PACE: 5:48 min/km
April 18, 2010 Powerade Sprint Duathlon 6k run - 30k bike - 3k run
VENUE: Filinvest Corporate City
SPLITS: No official time recorded
TOTAL TIME: 2:22:24
Cramps galore! Maybe the 2-hour sleep the night before had something to do with it. (came from FILharmoniKA’s concert with Richard Bamping, and dinner/drinks after)
----------------------------
February 7, 2010 Condura Run - 21k
VENUE: The Fort, to Skyway and back
TOTAL TIME: 2:21:17
AVERAGE PACE: 6:44 min/km
My first 21k! Would like to do it again.
----------------------------
September 20, 2009 Powerade Sprint Duathlon 7k run - 32k bike - 3.5k run
VENUE: Macapagal area
Run1: 0:41:42 (including transition 1)
Bike: 1:30:05 (including transition 2)
Run 2: 0:25:08
Total: 2:36:55
----------------------------
September 13, 2009 Ayala Eco-Dash - 10k
VENUE: The Fort
TIME: 1:03:44
AVERAGE MINS PER KM: 6:23
----------------------------
August 8, 2009: UP Run (forgot the name) - 5k
VENUE: UP Academic Oval
TIME: 27:30 (no official time)
AVERAGE MINS PER KM: 6:22
My first race using the Chi Running techniques I’ve been practicing. The coach warned that run times will really be slower during the next few weeks, or maybe months.
----------------------------
June 7, 2009: Mizuno Infinity Run (surprise time trial) - my best 5k so far
VENUE: The Fort
OFFICIAL TIME: 25:50
AVERAGE MINS PER KM: 5:10
----------------------------
May 31, 2009: Earth Run - 16k
VENUE: McKinley Hlll
OFFICIAL TIME: 1:42:31
AVERAGE MINS PER KM: 6:24
- This was supposed to be a “long easy run” but I decided to push myself anyway. A difficult route that had lots of uphills and downhills.
------------------------------
May 17, 2009: Market! Market! Power Miler Year 2 - 8k (5miles)
VENUE: Market! Market!, The Fort
OFFICIAL TIME: 00:53:44
AVERAGE MINS PER KM: 6:43
- Another “long run” where I didn’t push myself much.. at last, I was able to sleep more than four hours before the race!
-------------------------------
May 10, 2009: Botak Paa-tibayan Run - 10k
VENUE: The Fort. Passed a flyover across Edsa, going to Buendia, then back
OFFICIAL TIME: 1:06:38
AVERAGE MINS PER KM: 6:39
- Planned to do a “long run” here, in keeping with my 5k program.
-------------------------------
May 3, 2009: Southern Race - 5k
VENUE: Alabang Town Center, Ayala Alabang Village
OFFICIAL TIME: 00:34:21
MINS PER KM: 6:52
- Just aimed for a tempo run here. There were some inclines in this run.
-----------------------------
April 19, 2009: Greenfield City Run - 5k
VENUE: Greenfield City, Sta. Rosa
OFFICIAL TIME: 00:34:47
MINS. PER KM: 6:57
- I pushed myself harder in this race than the first one as I was aiming for a sub-30. I wonder why I was slower here? Maybe the ground wasn’t as level as it appeared. Or maybe it was because of lack of sleep. Also, I might need to revise my training schedule and activities. I loved this race though, nice scenery.
----------------------------------
April 5, 2009: Airspeed Runs For a Cause - 5k
VENUE: Around Mall of Asia
OFFICIAL TIME: 00:32:27
MINS. PER KM: 6:29
- My first, no pressure. I just aimed to finish.. so I was happy about my time.