The Biggest Loser

Having kid/s is not an excuse to be careless about gaining weight nor being fresh from reviewing the notorious bar examination.

Those were my alibis whenever somebody noticed the bigger Lilet they saw a few months ago.  My weight hit its heaviest at 75 kilograms.

Look at those huge thighs!!!

I've tried a lot of ways to lose those plenty of unwanted fats....from doing yoga to different kinds of diet.  Obviously, those did not work.

Late September this year, our corporate admin officer announced that there would be a contest among those who wanted to be fit!  Called after the hit show, "The Biggest Loser'' targets those who are fed up of starving themselves and binge eating after.

We had our initial weighing in and mine was a little over 70 kilograms.  I've been doing some dieting for the past few months so somehow I already lost some weight.  Just imagine eating either mixed fruits or greens only during lunch during on workweeks!

Then, finally, after a lot of attempts to venture into joining races, I decided to become a runner... LegallyfabrunnR is born!

Fast forward to December, venue: Somerset Hotel in Makati and it was time to announce the winner for the biggest loser...

I did not win....hu hu hu!  I lost to Theresa for barely 0.2kg.  I should have had my hair cut first before the final weighing in.  Yeah..prizes are really amazing - big amount of cash + overnight stay at New World Hotel (with buffet breakfast) and airfare ticket for 2 to anywhere in the Philippines.  Sayang talaga!

But then, I may not have won but I am still happy for having discovered running.  Now, even without any prize at stake I will  run!  Look we have just paid today P1,200 to run for the Condura Skyway Marathon.  Quite pricey, right?  But they will be giving away medals for the finishers.  Look at these...

Here's my nice singlet shirt...

Let's go and run for the mangroves!!

Simbang Gabi

Three more days and my attendance to "simbang gabi" will be perfect (again, for the nth time)!

"Simbang Gabi" (translated literally : night mass) or more popularly known as Misa de Gallo is a devotional nine-day series of masses practised by most Catholics in anticipation of Christmas (from December 16 to 24).  Traditionally, masses are held at dawn but during the 1990s, anticipated night masses at night started, I guess to encourage more to attend especially those who found it hard to wake up very early in the morning.  I still remember when I was growing up (elementary and high school days), waking up was really a sacrifice wiith cooler mornings and very early ringing of bells (around 3:45). I usually slept after the mass upon reaching home.  Not only that, there were times when even during the mass I fell asleep.  This usually happened when I went to mass directly from a party!

Simbang Gabi  (like running!) is a sure-fire formula for family bonding.  Last year, my daughter Dani and I were able to complete the series. Actually, Dani had asked a special favor and God granted it. It made her a  believer for novena masses, like me (remember my Run Pray Love entry). I don't know what the girls were asking this year, but I guess they relate to their studies.  Surprisingly, the girls were not that hard to wake up!

Last Saturday, we're supposed to join "The Long Run" under TBR's Dream Marathon at Nuvali.  But, due to conflict in mass schedule, we did not go.  Also, Tuesdays are usually for short runs.  Again, we did not run yesterday. Yes, it's an easy choice - God above all things!!

The soon-to-become so popular running venue!

It's a good thing that yesterday was the last day of the girls' school....their christmas party!! They have a two-week Christmas break.  Of course, they're very, very happy!!

Readying for her school Christmas party!

Showing off her new shoes...so dainty!

This morning we were able to run...of course, after the mass.  But we had to cut it short from 6.5k to 4k due to time constraints - I have an office to run (corporate slave!).  Anyway, life is not only about running.  I run to make the body given by God healthy.  In this way, I glorify God!

How about you?  Did you run or attend simbang gabi?  Wish you did both!!!

First 10K race with Milo

Undoubtedly, MILO is one of the most popular races being held in the Philippines.  Last Sunday, thousands arrived at the Mall of Asia to participate on the 35th Milo Marathon Finals.  Of course, only those who qualified during the prior elimination races done on major cities all throughout the country can participate in the full marathon (42K).  For 3k, 5k, 10k and 21k races, anyone can register and run.

We signed up for 10k.  Well, it's time to level up after running two 5K races (adidas king of the road and SGV First Step Race), right?  Part of the race kit is a sheet containing running tips by Coach Jim Saret.  Tips such what to do the night before the race, food and hydration, pacing, injury and even post race considerations.  Fantastic!!

The most striking tip I read was regarding toenails.  What?  Yes, toenails.  Of course, we knew it already.  We have to regularly trim our toenails.  But, I brought it to the next level.  I had a foot spa at Justine Barbara while waiting for my girls do their Kumon.  Not just a regular spa, mind you, but an executive  foot spa. No, it's not a spa for executives (I'm not one, I'm just a corporate slave!).  I think the difference between a regular and executive spa lies on the additional foot products that they do apply (for a steep difference of P100 pesos in the price!).

Anyway, so I'm running my first 10K race with Milo not just with trimmed toenails but also with softened callus sliced off from the sole of my feet.  Hubby, an avid fan of barefoot running, actually discouraged me to do so for it will lessen my cushion daw.  But, I don't have a pretty feet so it's actually a regular ritual for me.

We woke up ahead of the alarm clock (it was set at 3:30 am).  Hubby was quite excited and couldn't sleep well.  Left home at 4 am and on our drive to Mall of Asia, we ate one boiled banana each.  We arrived at around 5am, gun time for 21K runners.  Our gun time was at 5:30, same time with the 5K and 3K runners but they will have a separate start/finish line and different route, which is a good thing since lots of them would certainly walk and it would be discouraging (I mean, it will have a parrot effect on me coz I like to imitate them and walk!)

3K and 5K runners have different start/finish lines!

We were off at exactly 5:30 am after Coach Rio bade us good luck!  It was truly a well-organized race.  With hydration sites at every 1.5 kilometers (wow!) and some sprinklers put up (very nice!).

10K was a long run...I forced myself to enjoy the views, especially when I passed by Manila de Bay along Roxas Boulevard.  The first three kilometers as well as the last three kilometers were easy.  What's hard was the middle 4-7 kilometers.  It was hard especially when you saw some 10K runners already done with the U-turn at 5K mark (located at Pedro Gil).  The U-turn spot seems to be so far away.  I kept on racing with a barefoot runner wearing Vibram Fivefingers.  Sometimes, he was ahead of me but often times I was.

The once famous baywalk along Roxas boulevard

Upon reaching the 4K mark, I was in need of a portalet.  I knew that there will be one along Roxas Boulevard.  Alas, at the U-turn, there was indeed not only but two.  So I took my pee break and lost the competitive barefoot runner.  I totally forgot about him until I resumed racing and ran past him at around 7K mark.  Oh my, he was already walking!!!

I finished the race at 1 hour, 22 minutes and 3 seconds.  Cut-off time was 1.5 hours.

This was actually my motivation not to walk no matter how tired my legs were.

Only those who made the 1.5 hours cut-off time were give this finisher's certificate for 10K

Proud 10K finisher!!!

As for my feet, the executive foot spa did not work.  I could feel that my two big toe nails were on the verge of dying (okay, that was exaggeration, they were only about to pass out!!!).  I guess, it was no longer a problem about trimming toenails or having foot spa before a run or race.  It's about having a running shoes which will make your feet happy despite a long arduous task ahead (task=long run).

So, I decided to retire my Puma running shoes and bought a new one - K-swiss Kwicky Blade Light (could no longer wait for Santa!)

My new running shoes!!!

I had a break in run this morning and true to its name, my K-swiss are really light.  I bet they are also quick should my running pace had been a little bit faster!!!  Oh well, happy feet = happy fabulous run =)))

Letter to Running Santa

Dear Santa,

I heard you fired Rudolph and has decided to run instead in delivering your gifts.  That's awesome.  You can start counting 3-6 months from now and that big belly of yours will surely disappear =D

Anyway, with the fast-approaching Christmas, i know you're so busy checking your list, reading it twice and finding out who's naughty or nice...I just want to let you know that I've been mostly N-I-C-E this year.

Don't ask me though if hubby has been nice but definitely my two kids have been a little bit naughty.  It seems they don't run out of any thing to fight on making me a grumpy mom sometimes.  But, anyway, as I've said I've been mostly nice this year - I cut a lot of my shopping spree, I reduced my intake of junk foods, I did my share of giving (in my little special way) and best of all, I pursued RUNNING!

Hence, for my wish list this season, allow me to provide you with my shameless rundown *blushing*:

1.  Waist bag.  You can choose either -

Mizuno Bottle Waist Pouch

or

Nathan Speed 2 Waistpack

I will be needing this soon as I'm now planning to advance from 10K to 16K or half marathon.  Really!!!!

2. Watch with GPS.  This is my all-time wish....

Garmin Forerunner 310XT

It went on sale a week ago at Amazon, but sadly they don't ship to the Philippines!  Alternatively, you can get me a cheaper alternative like this one...

Soleus GPS 1.0

My hubby has this watch but in green.  He got it from somebody who loves him a lot.  Who else but the FABrunner!

3.  Any book by John "The Penguin" Bingham, except Running for Mortals.

My addiction to running even shows on what books I read.  I'm struggling to finish Games of Thrones (just halfway through but no longer advancing!) but I've already finished two running books (Born to Run and The Runner's Body).   Two new books I ordered from Amazon just arrived this morning - Running for Mortals and What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Murakami.

 4.  Brand new shoes... K-Swiss versus Asics

Kwikky Blade-Light

GT 2160

           or


       





I actually like K-swiss more though GT-2160 was recently named best shoe in the world for 2011.

5.  And finally, an alternative to running shoes... Vibram Five-Fingers!

Bikila

I've been contemplating on running barefoot but not entirely sans a protective gear for my feet.  This will do I guess!

There, my dearest St. Nicholas, you can now choose what to give me this Christmas.  By the way, my shoe size is 8 inches (but sometimes 7.5).

Looking forward to that awesome gift and keep running!

Lovelots,

LegallyfabrunnR


REFLECTIONS (through Fr. Anton):  3 Major temptations during Christmas (1).  Santa without Christ is relativism; (2) Christmas tree without belen is materialism; (3) Saying 'happy holidays' instead of "merry Christmas" is secularism.  So make sure to always include Jesus in your Christmas.  HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!