The IronBaby Running Experience

Runniversary!

My First 3k Run!

Time flies so fast, I did not even realize I was running for a year and I want to share how it all started.
It all started, with an email blast from the company that they will sponsor a run for a cause which was "Run for the Pasig River" which will be held on November 11, 2011. My workmates were discussing if they would join, and I overheard the discussion that and my crush was joining. I wanted to impress her so I said that I would like to join too. I was browsing through the registration form which was included in the email and saw that there were 3k, 5k and 10k categories. My ego was tingling since the ladies would go for 5k, I opted for the 10k category.

That weekend I went to the mall to look for a running shoe, at that time I had no idea that there are different running shoes. I just picked the budget-friendly one and which looks good. And that is how I met Ashe, my Nike Relentless.

Race day comes and I was so excited, and was staggered on the number of participants for the event was. I just did some common stretching techniques which P.E. teachers would teach. I was about in the latter part of the pack when my ego took over again. I asked myself "Is this all you got, every runner is passing by and you're already left behind". It was a bad finish, I was catching my breath and my legs were shaking. I went straight home and slept for half-a-day and when I woke up, my legs were sore and numb, I cant even walk, I had to borrow my grandma's cane to help me walk. (That's what I got for being arrogant).

I was embarrassed, I was even saying "10k only, thats easy" and I am not able to walk after running. After recovering from the crippling run, I started to jog regularly and registered for consecutive 10k runs since I won't let 10k get the best out of me. I even went extremely crazy on my first month of running, where I registered for a 10k morning run and a 15k afternoon run on the same day, and a 10k run on the next day. What was I thinking back then, 3 consecutive races in 2 days? The second run was quite painful and the third one was extremely painful already. This did not happen again, I learned my lesson :).

But again since I was overjoyed that I can run, I signed up for my first marathon(42.125k, which will fall on my 3rd month of running) right after completing running spree. I had to train so I signed up for my first 16k for the 2nd week of January, and my first 21k on the 3rd week, and a taper of 16k on the 4th week, and finally my first marathon on the 1st week of February.

Yes, I know I was stupid! I was enjoying my running spree. But I had my lesson on my marathon. Summary can be found here.

I was crippled and was back with the walking stick for about a month, and had my second half marathon as a recovery run which was held in Baguio. After that run I was enlightened to try trail running.

My first trail run was extremely difficult, when I crossed the finish line the organizers were already packing. I had my second trail run after a month, and it was quite easier since I already learned on how and what do to in the trail.

I ran more races until I met coach Belle, an elite Filipina athlete who competes with locally and internationally. I learned a lot of things and she suggested that I should take breaks, that I should not always go for those long distances.

So I tried my first ever 3k run and luckily I grabbed the the first place. I also tagged some friends to join and that was their first time to join a running event. Now they are now experiencing the joy I am experiencing. They are now very active in running which makes me very happy.

First Timers

And that my friends is my first year of running. Hopefully I would see you running around too :)