Since I was a kid, I've always loved the freedom of running. I may not be one of the fastest runners in school, but I don't lag behind so much. I am more of a sprinter actually. I can do short bursts of runs. It is only the middle of last year that I tried long distance running. Well, 5K is already long distance for someone who is used to short bursts of speed and who has had a knee injury a decade ago. It was that knee injury that actually made me stop running for a while.
Going back to running, what's the craziest thing I've done to boost my run?
Prior to my first organized 5K run, we had a company conference somewhere in a resort in Batangas. Very timely since I've missed running and doing that on the beach is something that I really love. I woke up at 4:30 am, all my colleagues still asleep. Since this will be my first run in quite a long time, I did the Chen Style Basic 18 moves routine as warm up together with some stretching. I had plenty of time to do that since I didn't want to run while it was still that dark. When I saw the first rays of sun appearing, I took off my slippers, rolled up my jogging pants and started my jog. I just loved the feel of the sand underneath my feet, the breeze blowing on my face...it was heaven...a perfect way to get back to running. The slow run soon turned into a faster pace. Whoooeee! I was on a roll!
It was a few minutes after that I heard the nasty barks and growls as I was passing by one of the rest houses along the beach. Now, before I proceed, let me tell you that I'm also afraid of dogs. I've never been bitten yet, and I don't intend to try that one out. Some people also say that when a dog starts to chase you, you have to stop moving, whether you're running or walking and then crouch low or sit. Is that true? I never waited to find out.
To my horror, the dogs were not on a leash! Panic sometimes makes one's reason fly out the window. If only I had my slippers on, I would have something to throw out to the two dogs that were then sprinting towards me. Hell, I started to run, thinking I got 2 longer legs and they got 4 shorties. Who in her right mind would think that she can outran savage beasts? (They're already savage beasts for a city girl like me hehehe). It was a pretty crazy run, like I was running for dear life. In a sense, I am. And the dogs were probably thinking I was guilty of attempting to trespass the private property.
As I was sprinting towards our cabin, aside from glancing back at the dogs, I still kept looking everywhere along the sand for sticks, shells or whatever I could throw but there's nothing, just endless sand. After some time, the barking seemed to get farther and then I just found myself in front of our cabin. One of my colleagues who was an early riser saw me and was laughing hard when I told him why I was running like hell.
The side stitch was awful...and yet, I found myself laughing at my stupidity, bad timing, but mostly because my life was spared. The beasts, apparently were not that focused on getting a chunk of me but they just merely wanted to drive away what they thought was an intruder.
Fast forward, a couple of months after that incident, since I am living in the asphalt jungle, I needed a good pair of running shoes, minus the dogs. I grew up knowing only Adidas as the brand for running shoes, so normally, I'd invest on one to get back on gear. A month after getting this pair and after breaking in the new shoes, I joined the 36th Milo Marathon. You know Milo for the green singlets so I got me a pair with green laces....see?
Now while it may be quite a challenge to really test and boost your speed by pitting against unfriendly animals, it's best to just practice your run without endangering your life. Practice, and good running gear will go a long way. So, it isn't a surprise that I am all excited about the new Adidas Energy Boost.
Fast forward, a couple of months after that incident, since I am living in the asphalt jungle, I needed a good pair of running shoes, minus the dogs. I grew up knowing only Adidas as the brand for running shoes, so normally, I'd invest on one to get back on gear. A month after getting this pair and after breaking in the new shoes, I joined the 36th Milo Marathon. You know Milo for the green singlets so I got me a pair with green laces....see?
Taken after the 36th Milo Marathon Finals last Dec 2012 |
Now while it may be quite a challenge to really test and boost your speed by pitting against unfriendly animals, it's best to just practice your run without endangering your life. Practice, and good running gear will go a long way. So, it isn't a surprise that I am all excited about the new Adidas Energy Boost.
www.adidasboost.com |
According to the press release, what sets this apart from others (even my own Adidas shoes hehehe) is the proprietary cushioning technology that boosts running performance due to the revolutionary technology that promotes continuous energy return. You can read more of the details right HERE.
I wouldn't mind that kind of upgrade and my feet are itching to try the new Adidas Energy Boost. But please, don't invent something for the dogs lol!
I wouldn't mind that kind of upgrade and my feet are itching to try the new Adidas Energy Boost. But please, don't invent something for the dogs lol!
HI sis! I really love your passion for running and fitness as a whole. It really is nice to see our life gets more meaningful when we follow our own passions :) Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteA Chance To Win 10k from SULIT!
Ooh, I would love to get those shoes! I use my old Asics, and seriously, I think I got kalyo na on the side of my feet! (paano ba ako tumabko lol). I am trying to save, though, kaya later alligator muna ang peg. btw, good luck on your nuffnang entry.
ReplyDeleteParang masarap isuot ah. Even if I don't run, it should be comfy for walking when traveling. -jellybelly
ReplyDeleteEverytime I read your blog, I always tell myself that I wanted to be like you, physically active and a health enthusiast! But my busy life is always taking out my time. Glad that despite that, I'm still having a normal body weight and size. (lol). I just try to be more cautious though with the foods I eat. Hopefully when I have my vacation next month, I could ask my husband to go for jogging at an oval nearby.
ReplyDeletelooks like a good shoes for running. recently got my running shoes but would love to have this also.
ReplyDeleteI read about the Adidas Energy Boost contest at Nuffnang, and you know what the person that came into my mind is you Ms. Aileen. I really am looking forward for your entry kasi you're the only blogger I have known that loves running so much, and it's here na nga. hehehe goodluck to you! Sana you'll will and also if you win they will choose one of your reader to win GC too. Para may shoes na rin ako for running.. hehehe..
ReplyDeleteI bought fila shoe when I decided to jog-walk.. i used it for more than a week know its on the box again as I am lazy to jog.. I hope to get back soon.... Singlemom Reviews
ReplyDeleteI wish I can buy a new Adidas shoe not just for running, but for my basketball games as well. I love to buy Adidas shoes of D Rose.
ReplyDeleteHahaha laughed at the part where the dogs appeared! Running is better done with the right shoes, actually. Otherwise your feet and even ankle would hurt.
ReplyDeletei was laughing about the dogs part. anyway, how i wish i can have a determination and discipline like you to lead a better and healthy living life.
ReplyDeleteI actually thought of joining but i have nothing to share. I regretted that because I never heeded to Aileen's encouragement about running. My lose! I hope you win, Aileen!
ReplyDeleteWhat a story... WoW! Good thing you outpaced them... I don't know about sitting down when chased; I won't. :-)
ReplyDeleteI almost didn't join....but last Saturday, I just had the urge to write about this, whether I win or not. The compulsive-writer attack lol! Good idea bout the GC January. Hope they're reading this hehehe.
ReplyDeleteThat would be fun! Wish we have an oval nearby. As it is, we have to go to Luneta or CCP pa....because where I live, aside from the smog, there are dogs running about and I don't want to go through that scary running thing again.
ReplyDeleteYes, imagine the cushioning...parang you're just bouncing around. :-)
ReplyDeleteSo true sis. My love for running has been rekindled....I stopped for so long kasi due to the injury.
ReplyDeleteI have bunion sa left foot hehehe. I don't know how I got it, but it's there already before I started running again. Must be the added weight of previous years. It used to hurt when I was just beginning to run again. Okay na sya now.
ReplyDeleteBut if I was wearing my rubber shoes then, I probably wouldn't think of throwing those at the dogs hehehe. I'd choose to run faster na lang instead of letting the dogs chew my precious running shoes lol!
ReplyDeletePlus, running fast could save your life lol!
ReplyDeleteI didn't stop to put that theory to the test. My instincts told me to run for life.
ReplyDeleteWay to go A for your Nuffnang entry, I also hope you win . By golly if somebody would gift me a pair of this Addidas shoes I 'll make sure it will cry for mercy everytime I wear it. Overusage of it will be such an understatement as I am killer when it comes to durable, not to mention pricely shoes. Lol !
ReplyDeleteLOL - careful na lang next time where you go running ;))
ReplyDeleteI wish I have the willpower and determination that you have Aileen, then I'm sure I can outrun all dogs that will chase me too. haha! :-)
ReplyDeleteHahaha! What a funny story. Whenever you run in a marathon, do you envision yourself in front of two dogs who had an overdose of Milo drinks?
ReplyDeleteNot really...I try to think of happy thoughts lol!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness! Good thing you're a fast runner. I'd never in my life would be able to outrun any dog. I'm also terribly afraid of them! Anyway, I do hope you'd get to try the new Adidas. :)
ReplyDeleteyou must be a fast runner to have outrun the dogs. hehehe funny story though.
ReplyDeleteI have never been chased by dogs but It will surely bring out the runner in me! Totoo that practice is neccesary before running. The last time I jogged ( take note of jog) without warm up or any pre- running practice,hingal kabayo ako.
ReplyDeleteHi there! Nice post, very engaging. It's like I'm reading or watching a suspense movie, I wouldn't know what will happen until it happens! Why? Because my heart was like beating fast while I was reading the part about the dogs chasing you. I was actually hoping you'd write that you made it back into your cabin in time. And you did! Thanks for sharing! :-)
ReplyDeleteI got quite a scare actually and as I was running, I was saying "Oh my God! Oh my God!" I could just imagine how I must have looked. Thank God my legs went on autopilot mode and did not freeze up lol!
ReplyDeleteHmmm. I like that running on the beach barefooted. You can't run fast I guess but it's the feeling that's a real pleasure.
ReplyDeleteYou can't run fast on dry sand because it sinks your feet deeper and you have to control balance. So you got to have dogs chasing you to really run fast lol! Kidding aside, you can run fast on the beach where the sand is wet. That part is compact and hardened a bit and you can really have a good sprint.
ReplyDeleteGanun din ako sa first Milo Marathon...I didn't think I could finish the race eh
ReplyDeleteEither that or I'm just terribly scared of them lol!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post! Did your knee injury come as a result from running? I absolutely love running and did cross country for years, but got scared away from all the stories of the negative effects that running has on your joints.
ReplyDeleteI didn't get the knee injury from running...it's more of a careless move. I was sitting on a ledge, with legs crossed, much like how you would sit on a floor. I stood up abruptly and a muscle on my left knee felt like it was pulled, but it also felt like it twisted a bit. I could walk but I had to limp for 2 weeks after that. I pulled that muscle again when I was in Tai ji class...but that didn't stop me. I just wear knee support but only when I feel the need to use that.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of sports-related injuries actually. That is why proper form, warm-ups, and cool downs should never be ignored. We always go back to the basics.
That was a funny experience too. Good luck to both of us.
ReplyDeleteGoodluck sis. I want to win a shoes for run but I can't even make a post since I haven't attended any run yet. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteI would have froze in fear of the dog, haha!
ReplyDeleteMinsan masarap bumili ng new shoes to signify a new start at being serious with fitness goals. Pero natuto na ko, gagamitin ko muna to tatters ang shoes ko para maniwala na ko sa sarili ko hehe :)
Haha. Nadala ako sa kwneto mo sis. Takot din ako sa dog so I can just imagine how fast you run. Hehe. Love this post.
ReplyDeleteMommy Maye2
It is true that you need to sit down when dogs are about to chase you. They will think that you are picking up stones.
ReplyDeletelooks like this boost material is comfortable to use in running, have you buy for yourself, i bet it is expensive noh?
ReplyDeleteour neighbors particularly the old ones told the kids in our neighborhood that if a dog chases them, duraan daw nila and the dog will stop haha
ReplyDeleteI know that a good shoes helps you to run good too. It doesn't have to be expensive but must suit your feet.
ReplyDelete