“Why Do You Run” Contest Winners
Yes, you read that right. WinnerS! It’s KikayRunner.com’s 2nd anniversary tomorrow, so I decided to pick two winners for my “Why Do You Run” contest. Up for grabs for the winners is ONE FREE REGISTRATION each to any local race from February to June 2012. So, are you ready to see who won? Drum roll please… Continue reading »
Todo na Todo Responde Run
We usually think smaller races aren’t as well-organized as the larger ones backed by huge marketing budgets, but I’m really glad I participated in last Saturday’s Todo Responde Run. Aside from benefiting two worthy causes (Sendong victims and Baby Raphael), it also showed what the running community can do in a very short amount of time by working together. Todo na todo talaga!
Todo Responde Run
Ask Kikay Runner: How I Train
Posted in Ask Kikay Runner, Blog, FYI
This is a new section on my blog where I answer questions people ask me. If you have any questions for future Ask Kikay Runner entries, contact me!
Every few months someone drops me a message in my Facebook profile asking how I train. Presumably it’s so they can do likewise and maybe get the same results or improvements I’ve experienced as a runner. I usually respond with some generic information about the kind of mileage I have when I’m not building mileage and intensity for a 42K.
photo from Ironman Phil
I undertake a lot of training by myself (the so-called “secret training”) because I have unusual liberty with my time, being a TV host and group fitness instructor. Also, believe it or not, most of my hours of training don’t occur on the road or the track! So I don’t think I’m the typical runner who uses running as her main means of keeping fit.
In any case, this is the secret behind the cardio fitness, body awareness, flexibility, and core strength I use for running. I get them from teaching two group fitness programs, BODYJAM and BODYBALANCE.
BODYJAM
BODYJAM™ is the cardio workout where you are free to enjoy the sensation of dance. An addictive fusion of the latest dance styles and hottest new sounds puts the emphasis as much on having fun as on breaking a sweat. Funky instructors teach you to move with attitude through this 55-minute class. So grab a friend, get front and center, and get high on the feeling of dance. — Les Mills BODYJAM™
Why Do You Run?
Why do I run? I’ve asked myself that several times throughout the year, but even more so in the last seven days while I’ve been fasting along with my church, Victory. We do this every year and I’ve always used it as a time to reflect on what I’ve done in the past year and my motivation to continue doing things from then. The fasting helps me reassess my relationship with God, with family and friends, with work, and with material things. In 2010 this website KikayRunner.com was inspired and created after such a fasting period and it’s been a blessing ever since. So it makes sense to dig deep into what motivates me to run.
Is it for personal fulfillment? Is it to inspire others? Is it for public accolade and recognition? Is it for God’s glory? Answering these questions at times throughout the year gives me a reality check and brings me back down to earth whenever I start losing my grasp on why I do what I do and start focusing on merely doing it (which makes it a soulless exercise).
I’ve heard that the running boom is somewhat losing steam; perhaps it’s caused by bandwagoners beginning to ask themselves why they run races and spend so much time, money, and thought life on it.
If you’re still running, ask yourself the question: why do you run? You can post your answer here below, or leave a link to your own blog entry if you think it needs more space. After seven days, I will select the most well-thought out answer and will award the writer ONE FREE REGISTRATION to any local race from February to June 2012.
Hope to hear from you!
Todo Responde Run: Race for Sendong Victims and Baby Raphael
I knew there was a reason I haven’t yet registered for the Go Natural Run (although registration is still open for it). Turns out, this weekend there’s a fun run for the benefit of Typhoon Sendong victims and baby Raphael Carlos Bautista. The TODO RESPONDE RUN will be held on January 14, 2012 (Saturday). Organizers promise 100% of the registration fee will go directly to the beneficiaries on race day itself — now that’s a first!
Registration started on January 6, 2012 at the following sites:
- R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street
- A Runner’s Circle (ARC) Unit H, Aloha Hotel, Roxas Boulevard, Cor. Quirino Ave.
- RUNNR Alabang Town Center
Donations in kind will also be accepted at the registration sites. To donate in cash, visit EatPrayRun.org.
Let’s take a closer look at the beneficiaries: Continue reading »
My Favorite Things
Since I don’t have any races to discuss (my next one is supposed to be Go Natural, but I haven’t registered yet oops!), I just want to write about some things that have been making my heart go boom-badoom-boom-boom-badoom-boom bass, SUPER BASS! (Admit it. You sang along.)
TeamPH Shirts
Brought to you by the same nutty minds that created Diliman Republic, TeamPH apparel is meant “strictly for runners, swimmers, cyclists, and triathletes” basically because only runners, swimmers, cyclists, and triathletes will understand some of the in-jokes printed on these shirts. My friend Jenny’s Tito Monchi sent me these two fun shirts last October. I’m sure some of you will recognize the “New York Marathon” shirt from Jaymie‘s mention on her blog. The light blue one is my favorite, though. What I like about these statement shirts is the breathable cotton-Lycra blend they’re made of so I never feel too warm wearing them.
2011: I’m Here to Stay
Charles Dickens began his famous novel A Tale of Two Cities with these words: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” The year 2011 has felt that way for me. There’s a clear demarcation between my peak performance period in the first half of the year, and the slump that followed after my harrowing elbow dislocation.
But I’m not going away any time soon. I’m still head-over-heels nuts about running, even returning to action at the Takbo.ph Runfest barely two weeks after getting my arm out of its sling. Two weeks after that, I decided to take on the run leg of the Camsur Ironman 70.3 without any training, which was stupid, I know, but people in love can be foolhardy.
Though this slow body has been frustrating at times, I know I’m getting back into shape. The speed is coming back, culminating in my first 10K in six months to be run within 50 minutes at the Sunpiology Run. Endurance has taken a hit and I won’t be ready for a marathon soon (yup, I’m backing out of Condura this year), but just like how I began in 2009 and continued in 2010, it will all come again eventually.
I’m glad I was able to participate in so many races nonetheless, especially those for a cause. I ran two destination races, the Greenfields Clean Air Run and the Camsur Marathon, which both benefited environmental efforts. The TAKBO.ph Nightfest, Avon Race to 125,000 Kisses, and 500-Smile Run raised funds for physically challenged children, breast cancer patients, and cleft palate surgery candidates, respectively.
Then there were those races I joined just because they seemed like fun. I always have a blast at the events Summit Media mounts, and the Women’s Health Athena Run and Men’s Health All-Terrain Race didn’t disappoint. Since I had missed the first Run BGC last year, I made it a point to do this year’s Run BGC. The Adobo Run After Dark gave me opportunity to run in costume for the first time!
I was able to experience the entire Run United/RunRio Trilogy (RU1, RU2, RU3) although I didn’t get to do the Afroman distance this year. The biggest surprise for me this year came at Run United 3, when I took home my first (and will probably be my only) 21K race podium medal. So despite RU3 being one tough race to run, it’s my favorite of the year.
Last year I said I wanted to do more triathlon events with Team Endure, and I did: the Speedo NAGT Subic mini-sprint, the Subic Bay International Triathlon sprint, and the Animo Sprint Triathlon. Leveling up to longer distances had to wait ’til next year, though (the elbow dislocation sent me into triathlon offseason early). But I’m not in a hurry; just like joining my first marathon, I’ll take my time.
This year’s experiences showed me you can never plan everything down to the smallest detail. The unexpected happens and you’ve just got to roll with it. So it can be the best of times and the worst of times; what matters is how you respond to it. I’m really thankful that by God’s grace I was able to “count it all joy”.
For 2012, I want to run another marathon (perhaps the Run United Philippine Marathon that Unilab and Coach Rio are planning), finally accomplish being the biker in a long distance triathlon relay, win first place in a 10K, and do a race overseas. Hey, if you’re going to dream, dream big, right?
One thing’s for sure about next year though: I’ll still be around, running my heart out.
