New Balance Powerrun 2012 - perfect!

11/11 - all these ones will have to be added another 1 - one hour that is for my 10k run!  Yes! my Soleus GPS finally gave me 60 minutes for 10k distance (or 59:58 to be more accurate, haha!)  I was looking at my watch as it was reaching 10k, and for that I did not focus on the finish line ahead (total distance that appeared was 10.43k)

Here's a breakdown of the per km pace with a short description of what I was thinking about per km (good thing I didn't fiddle with the watch now):

1km - 5'48 - was almost in the front of the pack, smooth start
2km - 5'31
3km - 5'57 - 1st 3k k I was running with Solenn, she's fast
4km - 6'08 - she slowed down, I slowed down but still went ahead of her
5km - 6'00 - ate a little Honeystinger gel
6km - 6'19
7km - 5'53 - had to increase pace to compensate previous 3k
8km - 5'55
9km - 5'54 - ate a little Honeystinger gel w/ powerade (is this the culprit?)
10km - 6'36 - had the side-stitch in the middle of 9k, but still went for it
.43km - 2'44

It was amazing how I can manage to run like that for the duration, pre-race preps as follows:

1. 1 bowl monggo porridge
2. 2 breads with Cheese
3. 1/4 Honeystinger gel with a sip of Gatorade

I also had enough time to do my pre-race rituals this time.  Its a good thing Roxas Boulevard was not closed that morning.

It was hard to believe that I managed to run within 60 minutes for 10k!  As the usual pace i have during practice runs is above 6 mins per km.  I guess my speed training did bear its fruit.  Also the hydration and fuel I had before and during my run probably helped a bit.

Running at the pace I feel my feet was in the process of getting blisters; and I feel its because of the pace, I was wearing the thin Nike socks with my usual Adidas running shoes.  Everything was constant except for the pace.

Strides were managed when I notice it and when I'm feeling tired, and it was evident that I run better on correct strides (1-3km; 7-8km).

It was meant for me - XS! :)

Secondly, I won the raffle!  Yes, hard to believe as I'm not lucky on this area, but my bib number was called.  Its a New Balance shirt worth P2,195 - not bad at all.  Although my prizes was called in between a Timex watch and a Devant LCD TV.  A little more luck and I could've won one of those, haha!  But I'm still thankful.

Immediately after the run, i felt blisters in my feet.  Actually during the run itself, its imminent, but I still went for it.  Today, I feel it more in my leather office shoes.  Anyway, yesterday we went out, and my wife bought me a set of new New Balance Minimus Road Zero.  At last, I got them.  It indeed was a long time to get them, but its good as I get to buy them at a discount (There are a few new Minimus designs coming out now.  I found the blue/silver ones is now out, but with a P500 price difference, I just went with the red.  Awesome fit, its the same size as I buy my regular shoes, and looks like it really could be worn without socks.  But since I'm feeling blisters right now, I might still wear socks - just have to buy the right one.

Knowing that I won a good shirt, deciding to buy was easier.

Didn't arrive late for the race, getting a new personal best, winning the raffle, getting a dedicated running shoe, I would say that the New Balance Powerrun 2012 was a perfect run for me.  This just makes me want to go out and train again for the next run. :)

Going for 21k... Really?

Its the last day of the work week again.  I'm excited for Sunday's New Balance Powerrun at  BGC!  I'm going for 10k again, and I'm hoping that I could beat or meet my PB of 1:03.

This week i did a 6k and 4k run this Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.  I was hoping that I would be able to do 7k distance on the latter, but stomach problems got me that morning whole day.  I had to crap at one of the gas stations in the middle of my run! :( What's with the 7k?  Well I've been thinking about my training runs and how I have not been improving on it that much.  So I've decided to challenge myself into training for 21k with little modifications:

http://www.runnersworld.co.za/training/beginners/half-marathon-training-programme/

I'm hyped about this training plan, although I put in 21k Milo on December 9 (this would be the 36th Milo Marathon National Finals), I haven't registered yet.  I still feel like running in a Milo event may not be the best for a first timer.  And I'm still looking to run a 16k race prior to doing 21k.

I think this is doable, but my concern on running more than my usual 5k runs is time - I really have to get up early, as after 5k, hunger gets me.  Although thinking about it now, it might only be in my mind, and that I may still have enough stores to run for at least an hour (I have to find this article I read).

That's my problem - its hard for me to train longer as it will require less sleep for me.  And I value sleep hours highly.  Its great if i could be able to sleep early to compensate waking up early - but its playtime for my Charlie, so I won't sacrifice it too. 

If i really can't do it, I may have to spread it - limit my work-day runs to 6k to 7k and just go for the long mileage on weekend.  It might take longer to get my peak, but its better than limiting myself to 10k runs (and i'm looking for an excuse to buy myself a pair of NB Minimus Road, hehe!)