Season of Love

Wow!  It's been more than three months since my last entry!  Time indeed flies when one's preoccupied with so many things.   But it's never too late to revive the blog. And what better way to start the 2011 blog calendar on a February than to have a (drum roll please) --vday special!

Vday surprise from (in alpahbetical order) Anna, Bavs, Ms. Dana, and Sir Gene.  Thanks for the love! 

Slowly but Surely, I Hope

I injured my right knee last May as I trained for my first 10K race. Come the day of the race, my right knee was still injured. Although I was lucky to finish the race, I do not want to experience the same kind of physical pain—not to mention the anxiety of the moment—in my future races.

As I prepare for the Adidas KOTR run on the 24th, I was able to evaluate my training habits  in light of what happened last May and tried to correct the training don’ts that I employed. Looking back, my first 10k run taught me that there are things one cannot rush—and that includes preparing for a race. It is just that I sometimes get too excited in trying out something new that I overlook constraints that matter.

By Stuff No One Told Me
For more illustrations, click this.

Let me share with you some techniques that I have learned (the hard way!) from my previous race experience. It has been over a month of training, and so far the following methods are delivering results—no signs of my previous right knee condition with prolonged jogging (i.e. 50 minutes of non-stop running, the longest so far).

1. Long Hiatus – I had to refrain from running/jogging for over three months to give my right knee sufficient time to recuperate.

2. Warm Up – My pre-injury warm up routine includes the five/ten-minute walk and not-over-two-minutes stretching exercises, if it happens (I skip doing stretches whenever I wake up a few minutes late). After the injury, a serious warm up routine is now obligatory. I also adjust the warm up routine depending on the target mileage/jogging time on schedule.

3. Light and Slow – There is a need to resist the tendency to speed up when the adrenalin rush kicks in (it is usually at the start of the jog for me). Sometimes I do not realize how fast/slow I am going, especially when I am jogging  alone. After the injury, I have learned to pay attention to my body and to adjust my movements accordingly.  This technique also best applies to uphill routes.

4. Stick to Schedule – When I started to train for the KOTR run, I followed the five-minute-run-on-week-one routine—pattered after Sir Gene’s Recovery Attempts from ITBS—that has a weekly five-minute progression for the succeeding weeks of training. Although I had to modify my weekly progression after a month, the incremental change is based on how my body is catching up; what is important is that the weekly increase is not  too drastic. The difficult part comes at the end of the running session, because one might feel that the body could still handle a few more rounds/minutes but one has to stop nevertheless. The other difficult part is foregoing other running opportunities scheduled before the race.

5. Cool Down – The temptation to change clothes, prop the legs up, eat, and bathe is so strong after a long run. This is why before the injury, cool down meant walking for not more than five minutes before heading straight home. Only recently have I incorporated proper cool down into my routine, which includes a ten-minute walk and stretching exercises. This probably explains why I no longer feel dizzy and sore after a run.

6. Change of Route – There are two uphill routes in our neighborhood. When I trained for my first 10K run, I always took the one that has a steeper and longer uphill route for two reasons: it is a longer route and I feel safer—home owners wake up early in that side of the neighborhood. This route, being the more challenging one,  must be avoided without due preparation. During the first five weeks of my (KOTR) training, I managed to avoid the longer route. It was only last week when I was forced to take the longer route—thanks to the dog that greeted me on my usual route as I was warming up. The next time I take the longer route, I just have to make sure that my steps are light and slow.

7. Gait Adjustment – I still do the impromptu remedy that I discovered during the Nature Valley run. This technique eliminates the need for new shoes and knee band.

You're Only a Day Away

 

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3: 22-23

Vintage Comeback and Style

I attended the talk titled Fashion 911 yesterday given by my friend Esther. The talk had three main parts--vintage comeback, must-haves, and look for less. The talk is an update of the Do You Want to Be Stylish? Have You Found Your Personal Style workshop for students and young professionals held last November.

The Speaker: Esther Ong

The talk started off with a description of vintage style followed by a brief background on the eras that defined vintage style as we know it today. The speaker gave examples as to how socio-political events then influenced style and fashion. For instance, floral prints and earth-tone colors were typical of the hippie culture that advocated back-to-nature way of life. The puffed/padded sleeves symbolize women prowess that has its roots in women rights movements that consequently empowered women over the years.

The background on puffed/padded sleeves reminded me of Lady Gaga. It all makes sense now.

Esther stressed that the contemporary vintage look is the current fashion trade. Boutiques such Top Shop, Zara, and Mango have incorporated the vintage designs into their pieces. Aside from floral prints and puffed/padded sleeves, vintage style must-haves include brown belts, sailor/nautical/navy designs (i.e. stripes), and denim, among others.

The speaker shared practical advice on achieving a vintage look for a fraction of the original designer price. The tips were useful, since Esther was able to name establishments to visit and which brands to look for. Her personal favorite is SM department store, because of its up-to-date collections and quality items. The basic technique is to take advantage of price differentials by finding chic but inexpensive alternatives.

Identical beadwork design from Zara (left) and a department store-bought top (right)

Congrats, sis!

Stubborn Dry Cough

It was early last year when I first started to have allergic reactions to dust, smoke, and certain scents (i.e. cologne/perfume and chemicals/solvents). The allergy cough went on for months, because I delayed checkup. You see, I don’t like checkups for two reasons: I don’t like going to hospitals, because the sight of sick people—especially the older ones—depresses me; and I don’t like taking medicines, because I have reservations about western medicine. I always preferred doing it the natural way—fluids, rest, natural sources of vitamins. When my parents finally succeeded in talking me into seeing a doctor, the coughing was healed after a week of treatment.

Lately, I’ve been coughing again—the same kind I had last year. Once again I tried to avoid checkup for reasons stated above. However, after two painful months, I had to come to terms with reality that no amount fluids, rest, and vitamin intake could cure it; especially because I commute to work and the air pollution in Metro Manila is really bad (the early morning/late afternoon Ortigas skyline view from my area would attest to that).

And so I caved. Besides, last year’s treatment was effective.

My first appointment with the (same) doctor was last July 17. The doctor prescribed medication for allergy/asthma and antibiotics (since the day before I caught a cold). I was also advised to sleep early and avoid stress. The follow-up checkup was last Saturday, wherein I learned that the coughing is caused by asthma. Aside from what the doctor prescribed the last time (sans the antibiotics and cough syrup), he also prescribed inhaler, which I refuse to take because I fear that the side effects would do more harm than good. Antihistamine et al. should do it for me, at least for one more week.

Checkup 1 Medication

For the one-week challenge, I resolve to: take my vitamins and medicine on time; sleep early; avoid cold drinks/food; avoid sweets; avoid strenuous activities.

Intramuros

Raewyn invited me to join her and Migs (her classmate in photography workshop) in a photo shoot in Intramuros last Sunday. I was excited to go, because the last time I went there is when I was still in college to take pictures and jot down notes for a school project. I remember that I enjoyed the trip then, although visiting Intramuros this time for leisure and leisure alone is more fun.

Intramuros 1

Intramuros 2

This photo shoot is different for two reasons: It is my first time to take pictures of someone willing to pose for me (with concept, props, and make-up); and it is my first time to ‘model’ for someone. I was really impressed by the talent of my three models--Raewyn, Lee, and Migs. I felt like working with pros--they were willing to follow my directions, not to mention their ability to smize and pose. Meanwhile, I was uncomfortable in front of the camera. I just could not pull off a serious or candid orchestrated look. Perhaps it is because smiling is my reflex response in front of the cameral; and I prefer spontaneity during pictorials.

Raewyn 1

Raewyn 2

Raewyn 3

Raewyn 4

Lee 1

Lee 2

Lee 3

Lee 4

Me - By Lee

Street Fighter-inspired fight scene

Lee and Migs

I enjoy being with fellow hobbyist, because it is always a learning experience. Some of their inputs and perspective are not something you can learn from books and tutorials. Their eagerness to try something new inspires me.

Running the Good Run

I ran my first 10 K today at the Nature Valley Run; and by God grace I finished it.

I arrived at Global City early (I was there before 4 AM). I had time to do some serious stretching in hopes of reducing my chances of triggering my knee condition during the course of the race. The stretching served its purpose, because I was feeling great before the race started. I was wide awake and energized. The patella band that Memots lent me was also a source of comfort. I was quite convinced that my right knee would not be a problem.

My knee condition was the source of my apprehension towards joining the Nature Valley Run. I have been having trouble with my right knee for three weeks. The pain recurs after the first 15 to 30 minutes of jogging/running. It usually starts with a dull knee discomfort, which progresses into a sharp, unbearable pain in a matter of minutes. When that happens, I usually have no choice but to stop, because my right knee weakens.

Things went smoothly during the first 1.5 kilometers. Things were going as planned--I started well and was able to maintain my pace. My target time was still in sight until 10 minutes had elapsed when the reality of my condition started to set in. Once again, it started out as a slight knee discomfort. I did not want to entertain the idea that what I was feeling was that knee pain, and so I tried to ignore it. I was able to sustain my pace for about five minutes until I had to stop. The pain was more intense than the usual right knee discomforts that I have had. I stopped three or four times to adjust the patella band to no avail. After five minutes of having difficulty walking, I removed the band (it was too tight). At that point I felt panic and sadness. I still had eight kilometers more to go.

As I laboriously relocated myself to the sidewalk, what came to mind were Sir Gene’s words regarding my knee condition. He told me that if it were ITBS, I might not finish the race. The pain was such that I was convinced that it must be ITBS. After five minutes the pain was still intense. I still could not lift my right knee. As I struggled to walk, other runners overtook me. I started to feel that I was already at the bottom tail of the pack. Sir Gene’s warning regarding the possibility of not being able to finish the race started to sink in. PR was no longer a concern. I just had to make it through. Not finishing the race was not an option. This is my first 10K race, the one that I had been preparing for, I thought. Besides, there were no marshals in sight, and so I took it as a go signal to continue.

I tried tricks in order to provide temporary relief to my right knee. It included massaging, stretching, and flexing the knee--all of which did not work. I knew that I had reached the limits of my physical strength after the first 15 minutes of the run. I prayed for healing and asked God to increase my pain tolerance, which He granted. Thankfully, I remembered what Sir Gene mentioned--one of the probable causes of ITBS is the running gait. I suspect mine tends to tilt inwards, and so I made a conscious effort to adjust my gait to tilt outwards. During the first few steps, the pangs of the injury still had not left my knee. I continued with the makeshift therapy however painful it was, because it was the only technique that allowed me to move my right knee. I just had to make sure that my right steps were quick and light.

After finishing the third kilometer, my right knee started to improve. I could still feel the pain, but it was bearable. I was still limping, but it was no longer that apparent; my right knee had adjusted and could support my weight. I then started to slowly regain and maintain my pace. I had to be much careful though, in order not to trigger another round of intense pain. I also had to stop at almost every water station in order to allow my right knee to recuperate even for a while.

The sight of the finish line excited me. All of a sudden it was as if my right knee were perfectly fine. I was able to increase my pace and I was smiling for the cameras. When I crossed the finish line after an hour and fifteen minutes of running, walking, and limping, I was overjoyed and thankful. I was so close to not finishing the race, but God’s grace enabled me.

Happy to see the finish line

Last few meters

Obligatory solo pic by the route map

Nat Geo moment with Raewyn

***The pictures are from Raewyn and Photovendo.