Showing posts with label Team Boring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Team Boring. Show all posts

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Efficient!

After finishing the fun run last Saturday and a quick breakfast, the team (well at least 4 of us + a potential member) decided to drop by at this specialty running store.

It was our first time to go there. And we decided not to tell that we are part of Team Boring, as we don't want any special treatment (as if meron ganon).

So after looking at the gears, a conversation with the person manning (PM) the store and one of the core (C) ensued. And it goes a little something like this... (parang rap lang ah).

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C: boss, parehas lang ba yung racer shoes ng BROOKS and ASICS?
PM: (angas mode) parehas lang. new model lang yung BROOKS. pero di ko suggest yung ASICS lalo na kung di ka pa efficient runner.
RR: ???
C: ano'ng ibig sabihin ng efficient?
RR: (good follow-up question)
PM: efficient, yung naka 42 na. matagal na natakbo.
RR: (sobrang efficient pala kami? ayos!)

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And all along I thought that to be an efficient runner, one should have good:
(taken from http://www.usatriathlon.org/news/2008/11/26/tri-training-tips-five-ways-to-become-a-more-efficient-runner/8139)


1. Stride length and stride rate
The most common inefficiency in the average runner is over striding. This is typically visible by a heavy heel strike and a low stride rate. The target stride rate for most age group runners is between 88-90 foot strikes per minute (how many times one foot hits the ground per minute). By targeting this rate, (or higher) athletes will often shorten their stride to become more efficient and lessen strain on their joints.

2. Foot strike
Foot strike is very closely related to stride length and rate. The optimal foot strike is mid foot or in some cases forefoot. A heel strike is the runner’s way of putting on the brakes. This is also very hard on hip and knee joints.

3. Arm movement
Arms are an essential part of running. They provide balance and often, additional power. Keep arms close to the body, elbows bent about 90 degrees, and do not cross the center line of the body. Keep movements “quit” and relaxed.

4. Body position
Forward lean or lack thereof can play a major part in efficiency. The best general thought to have while focusing on body position is: "run tall.” This means run with your head high, looking 15-30 feet in front of you. Run erect with your shoulders back and arms at your side. (remember #3) A slight forward lean of about 5-6 degrees is often optimal to assist in proper foot strike and cadence.

5. Shoes
Yes, shoes! This is one of the most often overlooked yet essential aspects of running well. Many foot shapes, gait types, and stride techniques require many different types of shoes. Buy your shoes from a reputable running specific store that will analyze your foot along with your run technique to offer an optimum shoe.

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Okay... now let's talk about in being an efficient sales person.

I have been exposed in sales for almost all my life. At isa sa mga natutunan ko ay...

"Hindi ka dapat mas maangas sa taong gusto mo bentahan."

o-ha! ang angas!



Master: e baka naman ayaw ni kuya mag benta?
RR: oo nga naman... x_X

Monday, February 28, 2011

Not Meant To Be (my BDM 160 Ultramarathon experience)

February 25
My wife woke me around 6AM. She thought that I will be traveling to Bataan early for the BDM 160 race.
Prepared my things for the race. Double checked everything (so I thought).
Reached Bataan around 5PM.

February 26
I FORGOT MY TEAM BORING SHIRT!!!!! x_X
Taped my feet as I planned to not wear socks... (bad move)

Km 0
As usual, Team Boring was early at the starting line.

Having a grand time with the same faces we met last year at the BDM 102.


Forgot to stretch!!!
Race started at 5:45AM. The halimaws went for it...
Me, Poj, Doc T, Gab, & Doc Abe paced with the rest of the runners who maintained a slow pace.

Around Km4
Tapes at the back of my foot started to fall off. Doc T, told me that it's already bleeding.

Around Km10
Re-taped my foot. Wore socks. Called up my wife to update.
Drank Gatorade blue. Tried to put cap back on... my cellphone... =p

Km20-Km49
Did not rest long at pit stops. Grabbed cups of fruit cocktail and continued to run/walk.

Km50
Still strong at this stage. Team was on time based on our agreed pace.
Ate, hydrated & charged my Garmin.


Re-taped my foot. Sir Jovie, asked me if I was alright. And I said I'm still good.
Did not changed shoes,socks & shirt.
Team took off again at the 8th hour of the race.

Km60
Felt muscle strain on my left foot. Rested for a bit while the rest of the team took off.
Edwin suggested that I change shoes. I lost 30mins during this rest.

Km65
Medics were behind me. I asked if I was the last runner and they said yes.

Km66
Another runner passed by me. So much for being the last runner.

Km69
Got Gatorade from the support. But after a few meters, the pain from my left foot became unbearable.

Thoughts popped up...
Me1: "I know I can do this..."
Me2: "Yes, but you could die."
Me3: "Wag naman die."
Me4: "O sya, sige lumpo lang."
Me5: "Di ako pwede malumpo, kailangan ko pumasok sa office bukas."
Me6: "Ayos! So ano desisyon mo? Malumpo, mamatay, o makapasok sa office bukas?"
Me7: "Next year ko na babalikan yang Buckle na yan..."
Me8: "Di mo na sinagot yung tanong..."

So with that... I signaled the medics that I'm quitting the race.

Texted Cindy to inform Sir Jovie that I DNF'd at Km69.

Did I cry at Km69? Hell no!

Sa ibang kilometer na ko umiyak! =p

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

2nd BDM 102 - Pagtatapos

Note: Overdue for almost a year. Lost my notes for this piece but since it's BDM season again, I thought that this will be the best time to finish this story.

Click here to read Part 1- The Birth


Click here to read Part 2 - Extra Push

I'll try my best to recall what transpired during the race... here goes...


KM0 - KM7
Team Boring (Me, Gab, Pojie, Doc T) agreed to walk the first 7K of the race.

Was tempted to at least jog when runners started to pass us one-by-one.

KM8
Reached our first stop to hydrate. Re-assessed the plan. So far, so good. Requested the support to do stops on KM11, KM15 and KM20.

Along KM21 & KM22
Received a text from Jet that he was running alone. This I think is where the KM markers were off.

Run ahead from the group to check on Jet but wasn't able to catch up on him.

KM30
Reached the support. Marky informed me that Jet already has a company so I did not try to catch up. I instead waited for the others to arrive.


KM50
Felt blisters on both feet. Removed my compression tights, but I did not change my socks nor my shoes as I don't want to tamper the blisters.



KM60-79
Called up my wife. Told her that I only need to walk/run a marathon (42K) to finish the race.
Tried to eat rice. But it just tasted bland. Got a massage from Marky instead.
I think this was also where Doc T's support came. (Doc, correct me if I'm wrong)
Got a text from Marga (who was in Japan that time) that Sam stopped somewhere in KM72 because of cramps. Tried to look for Sam, but no luck.
Sam suddenly appeared and he was hobbling badly.

Me, Doc T & Sam

Along KM80-89
Garmin died on me. Good thing I was wearing my other watch.
Doc T who was with me that time kept on asking me if we can still make it.
With barely 4 hours left before cut-off, and 20+KMS more to conquer, we started to compute.
We computed that if we do a 6km per hour walk in 4 hours, we can still make it.



KM90-101
My body wants to quit. I was in the verge of crying, quitting.
But I have to finish this... I can't go home to my kid without the medal and trophy.
Doc T was lagging behind. I told the support to tell Doc T to just follow me.
Marga called up and asked how are we.
I don't know if I was hallucinating, but I saw two kilometer posts with the same KM reading.
I was already dragging my feet. My blisters were burning. I wanted to cry but no tears fell.





20 or so meters before Finish line...
As I turned left, a Marshall shouted, "20 METERS NA LANG SIR!!!".
So I went for it, I made a mad dash towards the finish line. Trying to control my tears... and when I touched the finish line I loudly wept.

panget moments...

I made it!!! I made it!!! I made it!!!

Got my medal & trophy from Sir Jovie

And this... this... you'll also get after finishing the race...

those are blisters... and they are huge!
di ako nananakot! ^_^


Friday, March 12, 2010

2nd BDM 102 - Part 2 (Extra Push)

March 6, 2010

We finally arrived at the very posh Villa Imperial. Tried to get some shuteye. But wasn't really able to sleep. I just laid there while trying to keep my mind off with the impending race.

At 6PM, Doc T, Poj, Gab and I went to the nearest church to ask God for guidance and strength for us to finish the race.

Then some photo-ops back at Villa Imperial...


By 8:30PM, we were on our way to KM0 in Mariveles Bataan.

Before our group went down from our vehicle at KM0, Mar and Marky offered prayers for all the participants.

The atmosphere was festive at KM0. I had goose bumps looking at the mix of participants and support crews. It was overwhelming...

big bee staring... scary...

Team Boring!!! Woot!!!

takbo.ph peeps!!!
thanks to
Mark Castillo
and
Brando Losaria
for the pics!!!



While waiting for the race to start, I just felt that something was missing.

Flashlight, check... Garmin, check... Timex watch, check... RoadID, check... Race bib, check...

Weird... I have everything I need for the race.

30 minutes before the gun start, I called up my wife to check on the kids. Then she gave the phone to my youngest, Justin.

Me: Hey... bat gising ka pa?
Justin: Dad, tatakbo ka?
Me: Yup... mag-sleep ka na.
Justin: May medal?
Me: Meron medal...
Justin: Yehey!!! May medal ulit ako!!!

All of a sudden, I felt complete... I felt ready.

That was the one thing missing, that one extra push from Justin.

Something to fuel me to finish this race...

'to be continued...

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

2nd BDM 102 - Part 1 (The Birth)

March 2, 2010
  • CLP / BDM Support meeting @ North Park, Market Market
  • Doc T was problematic because suddenly they have no support vehicle for the race
  • Doc T's problem was solved as we welcomed and embraced him to our group
The atmosphere was very festive and the participants were very enthusiastic.

see??? enthusiastic kami... =D
(standing: me, pojie, gab)
(sitting: argo, jet, vic partially hidden)
thanks to Doc Marvs for this pic
  • Moved to next door TOSH for a more serious meeting with our group
  • 2 bottles was the order of the Doctor for the night! Hindi pwede uminom si Jet!!!

March 4, 2010
  • BDM 102 CLP & Final Briefing @ Camp Aguinaldo, QC.
  • Original bib # 133 was mistakenly given to someone else. Got a favorite number instead.

thanks to Marky for this pic
  • Went to Rob Galleria after to meet with the group again. You just can't have too many meetings...

March 5, 2010
  • Went with Vic to get the support vehicle
  • Went to grocery to buy additional supplies for the race
March 6, 2010
  • Woke up 5AM to buy ice and stack gatorade, water, pocari
  • Picked-up Gab, Cindy, Pojie, Marky
  • Waited for Vic @ McDo Muñoz
  • Still waiting for Vic @ McDo Muñoz
  • still waiting....
  • and waiting...
  • finally....
  • Picked-up Doc T from his house in Bulacan
Since the travel was loooooonnnnnggggg. The group exchanged stories about the race; the preparation, the hydration, the people. That's how 'bored' we were.

And so... Team Boring was born...

Ang haba noh??? Yun lang pala dahilan kung bakit may Team Boring???

'to be continued...