2012: The Year I decided To Run

This year 2012 I've decided to join fun runs, i didnt research to prepare for it , just went in blindly. I made some mistakes, learned new stuff thats why  i need to write things down to remind myself.
First of all,  last Nov2011, may blood test showed i have high cholesterol and the school doctor advised me to either take some pills or shape up meaning diet and exercise. Of course i chose the latter. I must admit i was depressed in hearing my results.I've been walking at ccsc during weekends since 2009 and its been years since i eat oatmeals for breakfast (which i hate) . All the effort for nothing. so i waited, then i saw the tarpaulin of UP High Fun Run 2 scheduled on June 10. After so much thinking, i registered 3 days before the event for 3K. I wasnt prepared, in fact i only ran 3 laps at ccsc and declared myself ready. Big Mistake No. 1- Do not run the day before the event. Mistake no. 2, easy on the warm up, dont overdo it, stretching is good. My time was under 40 minutes and i walked most of the way ..bohooo..
Review of UP High Alumni Fun Run: No free bottled water (boooo!) but you can get food as many times as you want. so far its the only fun run that offered bananas and unlimited ham hehe. There's separate time for each category.  No bag counter ( i dont mind this one since  i work there so i just changed inside the office). Raffle prizes are picked in advance and there's no cash prize for the winners.  There were lots of runners there so i guess it was succesful.  They issue certificates. Since i'm scared of going out of the house at dawn, it took a lot of prayers before i went out of the door. Mistake no. 3, ride the pedicab next time to crown regency to get a taxi..wohooo..
Will I join UP High Fun Run next year: Yup, panata ko na iyan. kung naa pay 12 K,  i will join this one next year.
2nd Fun Run: Mapre  Insular Go Run for Road Safety:  July 1  2012 Ayala Terraces 3K
After my pathetic performance in my first run, i had three weeks to prepare for this. I did some research and decided to run 3 times a week, 2 times during week days. I tried to run on  Wednesday but i had difficult time getting a PUJ, so i had to ride twice, 14D then 06B. After that, its Tuesdays and Thursdays na, i'm so glad up to 8pm ang courtesy booth sa CCSC. So far  wala pa koy experience nga nauubusan sila ug space, thank God. There are lots of runners at CCSC at night at may hataw pa. Music really helps me during a run esp. 80's disco music. One time nag-taligsik, nag-dala kug payong while walking one lap.  Mauna pirmi kuyaw sa jogging, if the weather cooperates.
What happened on July 1.  Konting rainshowers during the whole run, I was debating with myself if i would bring an umbrella. Since the gunstart is 5:30, 4:45 am nako nigawas, it took only 15 minutes ride to ayala terraces. Since Mapre was inviting public school elementary students, daghang tawo, badlungon pa gyud ang mga bata.
Review: Strict sa food, this time you get the food once lang. Nay hotdog, bread, chips and pocari. There was a bag counter but i didnt bring my bag so nauga na lang ag singot.  Naa pud CR but i  dont know where it is. I ran the whole 3 K, layo pa ang turning point my throat was really parched. I tried to swallow but it just keep getting worse, pero nakaya lang gyud nako, i just had to cough sometimes. I was surprised since i survived 10 laps at the ccsc without water, i dont know what happened. There was only 1 clock so i dont know my time. they have separate refreshment lines for 3k, and other categories
Lessons Learned: Prehydrate before the run. Eat some skyflakes 2 hours before the run. Dont shout, carefull sa pag-inum ug cold water basin ubhon.
Will I join the Mapre Run next Year:  ahhh NO, unless gamay ra ang sked sa fun runs located sa cebu city
New Balance 10 K series: 5K July 8 2012
Now I have more experience, so I  was able to finish it in 47 minutes bisan first time sa 5K, oks lang..no. 132  out of 235 females. No certificates issued but there was a photobooth. They gave us a bag which contained 1 meat roll, 2 chips, rainbow colored shoelaces. They gave us 1 bottle of pocari and 1 viva. There was another long line which i later learned is the photobooth.I was eating my snacks while waiting for my turn. One bad thing that happened was I took the wrong bag after my picture was taken. I was able to return it to the real owner when i realized  minutes after that my picture was in that bag..grrrr... ang ending, i had my picture  taken again. The photobooth was already closing pero i was able to get my new pic. They said they will upload it in facebook..yeah right, they uploaded only 120 pics..figures...
Comments: Mahal ang registration fee P450.00 but the shirt is nice , the food is not.1 meatroll was not really filling to the stomach.
Will I join NB Again: ahhhh NO, unless wala nay laing  alternative. Pero I'm not gonna have my picture taken again... NO cerfificates btw.
I've registered 3 more fun runs (6K, 5k and 10K) I'll post my experience here later.  I'm still thinking about the Red Cross to be held at Sumilon Road. I explored that area, I'll go back there next weekend. They have 4k, 8k and 16 K. di ko pwede sa 4K, but I'm not sure if I'm ready for 8k. still thinking.
I was hoping to join the smart-pldt 10 miler pero postponed man way klaro.  MILO is oct, sure na yan, wala palay registration sa cebu
There's a new ordinance passed last February limiting the no. of fun runs and increasing the fees, ang resulta, less fun runs scheduled in cebu city. some are held na in mandaue and in provinces.
Tips I learned:
1. tell someone if you have a scheduled fun run. i dont like telling my mom so i just write it down. akong giingnan ang akong ginugos ug silingan. sad to say, wala koy support from my mom (disappointed but not suprised)
2. prepare 1 P50 peso bill, 2 P20, 2 10 peso coins and some loose change for puj ride, dont bring much. i also bring my old prc ID  just in case
3. rest the whole day before the event, SLEEP (although i get less sleep coz i get nervous)
4. run 3 times a week.
5. prepare your gear the day before. I use my soen sports bra for fun runs only. less bounce sa chest, i like it. as much as possible, dont wear anything flashy. wear a cheap watch. familiarize the route.
6. Most important. PRAY! I asked my inaanak to pray for me. hope he keeps his promise.
Right now i'm planning to buy a small flashlight and bring a bag next time.
Plans for next year:
12 K (haha ambisyosa)
will i join a running club?.. still thinking. there used to be a call for a running club in our barangay. i tried to google it pero wala gyud sila sa official list. there's a club sa istorya.net
join the cebu city marathon 2012 (kung naay 5 or 10 k) held 1 week before sinulog. I heard good things about it.
i hope and pray that i would continue running, that its not just a phase. I keep praying for no rains during my run. what will happen if it rains during a fun run, i really dont know, i guess i just make ligo na lang he he. I also pray for my safety since kadlawn man intawn. thanks for the sikad and taxi drivers who are out there, apil na ang security guard nga nagbantay sa 3 houses among subdivision, ayaw katulog undong hehe. i bring my rosary everytime i join the fun run, it keeps me calm.I hope i can join the big fun runs, mayta dili sa mandaue ang venue...fingers crossed