C25K Program Jan01

C25K Program

I know we are all great in bed especially if it means SLEEPING ALL DAY! I have not trained for ages now, and my running life is basically nonexistent. So, here is a link I found for those who would want to try running for the first time, or for those who feel like it would be their first time to run after several lifetimes of sleeping, working, and the habitual overdose of unhealthy meals! Here it is at Cool Running. Better yet, you can install an app to your smart phone if you follow this link: http://www.active.com/mobile/c25k.  ...

Intervals Nov04

Intervals

According to Wikipedia, “Interval training is a type of discontinuous physical training that involves a series of low- to high-intensity exercise workouts interspersed with rest or relief periods. The high-intensity periods are typically at or close to anaerobic exercise, while the recovery periods may involve either complete rest or activity of lower intensity. Interval training can refer to organization of any cardiovascular workout (e.g. cycling, running, rowing, etc.), and is prominent in many sports’ training. It is a technique particularly employed by runners, but athletes from several backgrounds have been known to use this type of training.” Last Sunday, I was able to attain my fastest training 10k pace.  You see, when I train, I don’t usually do tempo runs because I believe that the only time you should exert maximum effort is on race day.         I used to believe that the ideal training pace should be relaxed and effortless – that was until I was forced to train seriously last March for a corporate running event. Interval training isn’t easy, and in fact I dreaded it .. my friend Isko (who acted as the team coach) would push us to our limits. There should be no excuses, well maybe if you are close to having a heart attack – so it is imperative that you should have yourself checked first by a doctor because this type of training is not meant for people with health problems. It would even reach the point when me and my team mates would secretly curse him – not in his face tho coz he was way bigger than us and could easily beat the living daylights out of us, hehehe As they say – no pain , no gain – it paid off....

LSD, anyone ? Oct28

LSD, anyone ?

  According to Wikipedia, “Long slow distance (LSD) is a form of aerobic endurance training in running and cycling. Physiological adaptations to LSD training include improved cardiovascular function, improved thermoregulatory function, improved mitochondrial energy production, increased oxidative capacity of skeletal muscle, and increased utilization of fat for fuel. Ernst van Aaken, a German physician and coach, is generally recognized as the founder of the long slow distance method of endurance training.” The same article also mentions that “a typical 5k runner might consider 8 to 10 miles of LSD, while a marathoner might run 20 or more miles. LSD runs are typically done at an easy pace, 1–3 minutes per mile slower than a runner’s 10k pace.” I chose this topic because I have been running for a while now but haven’t actually realized how long should a run must be for it to be considered an LSD. I remembered last year when having breakfast with ultra runner friends (I mean running friends who are way stronger than me) when comments were made about some people bragging in social media that they just did a long 15k run. They said that they just don’t get it , because 15k isn’t really that long. In their opinion a long run should at least have a minimum distance of around 26 to 30km. I would like to think that distance is relative to one’s fitness level – some may consider 15k long , some people may consider it short. Whatever the distance maybe, as long as you are reasonably tired after it , then that maybe long enough for you.    We call this our “easy” loop – not because the terrain is easy (actually the terrain is more difficult) but because it is easier for...

Black Dog Oct20

Black Dog

Yesterday, I got this in the mail ….   I wasn’t supposed to buy it yet but it went on sale – and since my 405 is on its way to GPS heaven, well … I decided to treat myself. So this morning,  we tested it and ran a short and easy 22km run in my new favorite running path – from Meadowbank to Sydney Olympic park. Nothing really special about this run – it was just to test  the new GPS device. I also used my old heart rate monitor and paired it with the new watch.  It was warm this morning, it reminded me of the weather back home – I miss those moments when I could run long distances even on the weekdays. It seems that my heart rate isn’t as high as I  expected it to be – which is a good sign. One of the advantages of this unit is that it has a large screen – you can see everything you want without waiting for the screen to refresh. Running distances of 20km and above is exhilarating – it makes you realize that life is good – I don’t know if it’s the endorphins – or runner’s high or whatever you call it.   My friend Ian told me that it is called Sculling – something I would never have learned if I didn’t run today. See – running can be educational too   Keep on running fellas !      ...

New Post Jun07

New Post

Sometimes during your runs .. you see things that you just want to hold on to forever. Well, this post is not about that. It is about pictures I have taken recently. Hehehe    Sunrise from the bay   I don`t know what is happening here .. but it seems that the tug boat is trying to pull the entire island of Luzon into the Spratlys. Oh by the way, recently I have been also trying to run without my Zensah leg compression sleeves. I have been using them ever since my shin was injured while training for last year’s edition of BDM 102.     I love them, but I guess I couldn’t be too dependent on them.  ...