Adidas KOTR 2009

Gunstart, in front of Serendra.

Pardon me but this is a long overdue post. The Adidas King of the Road (KOTR) 2009 was held early morning last Sunday at The Fort. The weather was great! The sky was clear and no sign of rain. The sun was up early, so I think I got sunburned a little.

We got to the venue exactly 10 minutes before the start. Armed with just my SE W995, my Ipod with Nike+, and some cash in my teeny tiny pocket (no bag!), I ran my second 10k. According to Sandra, there were more than seven thousand 10k runners that day. Wow. I felt lost in a sea of neon yellow-clad runners. I was able to capture snapshots as I run since I was carrying my phone. No need to remind me to buy that Nike belt bag once it’s available again. And no need to remind me that maybe we just need a car already. Coz we know.

Anyway back to the KOTR. The route was a little different. We ran along Buendia flyover crossing EDSA going to Makati Avenue. The road was closed to traffic. It was awesome! I couldn’t stop looking around taking all the views. Also, I saw a Kenyan who I think finished first for the 21k leg. By the time we got to Makati Avenue, motorists were frantically honking and shouting already, trying to cross the road.

By the time we got to the turnaround point at Mapuá Makati, I was already exhausted. Good thing the water station there had banana slices to energize us up. I kept on thinking that I had to finish this. Keeping my walk breaks at a minimum and my pace steady but strong.

At the turnaround point at Mapua Makati.

By the time I got back to the flyover, almost everyone was walking already. On my 7^th kilometer, I’m already very very tired. But no, I have to finish. And I have to beat my last time. So I kept on telling myself that.

Runners behind me at the Buendia flyover. See those guys? Eat my dust. Hehe.

Until I saw the finish line, ah finally! I am proud to say that I finished at 1:18! Two minutes better than my first 10k! I was feeling so elated looking at my watch, knowing that I beat myself. Ivan’s first 10k was better with a PR of 1:02. Wow. I can’t beat that…

Not much freebies at the finish line though. We got a bottle of Gatorade, a certificate, bananas, and some got their breakfast - pandesal and coffee.

We saw coach Rio there, busy promoting his Timex Run {November 15, 2009}. This reminds me; I haven’t registered to that race yet and made a mental note to drop by Timex already.

Coach Rio, flanked by Sandra and I.

Ivan’s friend, Patrick, a new runner, was there too. I think the running community continues to grow at a very fast pace, which is good. If not for the expensive registration fees, I think there could be thousands more runners on the road. I hope our next government will include building sports in their political policies…

Only the four of us ran this day. Patrick, Ivan, me and Sandra.

We ended the race with, yet again, a big breakfast at McDonald’s. It was a very tiring but equally fun race. But I think it would have been funner {wait, is there such a word?! but you get it right?} had there been more freebies.

See you runners at the Philippine International Marathon!

from 5 to 10

With our newest recruit, Mane.

After joining a number of 5k-6k races in a span of 4 or so months, I finally succumbed into the world of 10k runners. Yep, I joined the Quezon City International Marathon last Sunday on its 10k category. My first ever 10k race. Until now, I still couldn’t believe I actually finished the whole 10k…

It was still dark when we arrived at the venue, the Quezon Memorial Circle. The marathon already started by then, as well as the half-marathon. It was our turn already. I was feeling a bit nervous at the same time, as excited. I am not sure if I can actually finish 10k within the same pace as my 5k runs. It has been a month since my last race, the RotaRun. And I only managed to run a 3k the weekend before. No training at all.

By the gun start at the QC Circle, I made sure my Nike watch and my Ipod Nano capture my time as accurately, even if we are using a running chip. I noticed there weren't many 10k runners as compared to other races held at The Fort. Most are either professional athletes (the prizes are quite big after all, with the winner as big as P300,000 for the marathon event) or those who are from this city. The original 10k route should have included the UP acad oval, then Commonwealth Avenue up to the Iglesia ni Cristo turnaround then entering the UP Ayalaland Technohub before finishing at the QC Circle. But for some reason, our route was changed to just along Commonwealth Avenue, with one lane actually closed to traffic that time.

As we traverse the widest street in the Philippines, I kept looking ahead into the distance. It seemed most of the 10k runners are ahead of me, especially that I started slow. But I never looked back. I just looked ahead and thought; just finishing the race is good enough for me.

After 27 minutes of running, I finally started to walk and rest my aching legs and knees. Hey that’s a feat already since I can only manage to run 15 minutes of nonstop running on my previous races. Then as I passed by the 4k marker, I was like “WTF, it has been only 4k? Why do I feel like I’ve been running forever already?!” But I kept on, as I should. Gulping enough water and the provided 100 Plus every water stop. And wondering why the heck my Ipod Nano is not updating me on my distance. As the minutes passed, I can see that the other runners are way ahead of me already. But this will not deter me, especially that every time a Kenyan passed by, my energy revs up. Feeling so inspired to finish the race. Good thing the weather was great – cool and cloudy. I was actually elated when I finally saw the turnaround point at Diliman Prep School. Every km I finish, it seemed my pace is slowing down until after I passed by Tandang Sora. That was the time several Kenyans passed by, finishing their marathons. Since my attention is somehow diverted, my exhaustion by some means vanished. Not to mention the throbbing pain I’m feeling on my right foot. When I reached the finish line, I remember smiling. Feeling so genuinely happy that I finished the race; that I exceeded my expectations from myself. Glancing at the time at the official Timex timer and at my watch, finishing at 1:22 is something I can say is a big achievement already. But there is still room for improvement, a big one.

Post-race, we took advantage of all the freebies – a Nike Human Race pouch (this is for 10k runners only), lots of 100 Plus, Nature Valley bars, Nescafe Fit coffee, Salonpas (gosh I needed lots of this), and a photo at Runnerspeak. After eating breakfast at Tropical Hut, we took photos at the provided backdrop. The program hasn’t ended by the time we left at past 9am.

Jenny & Ryan, my forever running buddies.

This race is probably the best race I’ve attended yet. Maybe because of the perfect weather, or the flat road route, or getting my PR, or the Nike pouch. Whatever reason it is, blister and all, I can say that 10k is not that hard after all.

King of the Road, here we come.

10,000 hits

Wow, I cannot believe my blog has reached 10,000 {documented} hits since I started monitoring it {thru a widget} back in December 2007. I officially started blogging in July 2007.

A BIG thanks to all the readers out there! And hope to see and "feel" you here more in the future. Once I get my internet connection stable, I plan to post more soon.

the day I finally "die"

I have been dying, I repeat, dying, to have an electronic die-cutting machine for like for-e-ver!

And now, I finally did it. I finally hit checkout all the way to the end. And I felt so excited I couldn’t wait for it to arrive! It will be my Christmas gift to myself. Waiting will be an agony since I have to wait for the balikbayan box from my cousin (to save loads of shipping, I availed a free shipping to a U.S. address) to arrive in December. I have contemplated hard enough if I was going to buy an MM Slice, especially that they came up with a pink one. But whenever I see what Nichol Magouirk can do with a Quickutz Silhouette, I thought hers is better in the long run. Plus, the MM Slice gets really expensive whenever you buy design cards.

I compared the prices of an MM Slice and a Quickutz Silhouette from an online store.

Pink MM Slice - $190 (of course, if I will buy this, I gotta have the pink one)
Slice design cards - $109 for 4 (I wanted more than 4 design cards, but if I will buy these, I will have to stick to just 4)

Silhouette SD - $189 (I think this price is for a promo period only, plus free shipping)
Designs for purchase – by piece (I have no idea how much each but at least you get to buy per piece)

See the difference?

At least with a Silhouette, you can choose each design you purchase unlike with the Slice machine where you get stuck with all the designs in one design card even if you only liked a few of its designs.

So I finally decided to buy a Quickutz Silhouette instead! =) Yey! Can’t wait for December! I may have to hold all hoarding by 2010. Sigh.
For a complete side-by-side comparison of the Silhouette and Cricut, go here.

we love to eat

Ivan and I love to eat out. Choosing where to eat is always a dilemma. But eventually, we choose the one that we haven't tried together yet. In this layout (photo taken in January 2008), was the first time we ate at Mexicali together. And we loved it! Though I am not sure about other Mexican joints, but we always end up there whenever we're craving for anything Mexican.

As you can see, the photos are really old. I was still 5lbs lighter! And Ivan was 10lbs heavier! I hate that we are now cutting down on our chow time.

It took me a lot of time doing this layout mainly because of the painting of the chipboard letters. I love that they are wide enough to hold those smaller Basic Grey alpha stickers. Wish I had more time to scrap...

scrapbooking magazines for sale

Some magazines that I need to unload my bookcase of. Memory Makers Magazines from 2006-2007 issues and some Paper Crafts magazines - 2007 issues that cost me originally at P100 or more. Selling them at P60 each only, or P100 for two. Please leave a comment here with your email to reserve and I'll contact you asap. We can also meet at the Scrapfest on August 29, this Saturday if you're coming.

December 2007

June/July 2007 - SOLD

October 2007

April/May 2007

February 2007

November/December 2007 - SOLD

October 2007- SOLD

July 2007- SOLD

August 2007

June 2007

May 2007 - SOLD

March 2007 - SOLD

January 2007 - SOLD

February 2007

Memory Makers Magazine Special Issue Simple and Savvy - Winter 2006 - SOLD

December 2006 - SOLD

Thanks for looking!

scrapbooking books for sale

I am selling a few of my scrapbooking books to give way to new ones. I bought them from National Bookstore sometime in early 2008 or late 2007. They are a great guide especially to those who are just starting out in this hobby. These three cost me more or less than P1k each at the time I bought them. I am selling them at a very low price now. I can meet you at the Scrapfest on August 29 if you're coming. If not, you may email me at scrapgurl14 at gmail dot com to either meet up or arrange shipping. I'll give you 50% off for shipping too. Leave a comment here to reserve.

Now, here are the books.

501 Great Scrapbook Page Ideas from Memory Makers - P500. Click here for details from Amazon. This is a great book and layout-packed. Lots of technique ideas and layouts to scraplift.

Family and Friends Scrapbook Pages from Memory Makers- P350. Click here for details from Amazon. This is a great book and gives lots of ideas for scrapbooking the important persons in our lives, our friends and family. There are dedicated chapters for babies, granparents, siblings, aunts, etc. you get the picture.

Quick & Easy Scrapbook Styles from Memory Makers - P600. Click here for details from Amazon. Now this is the best from the bunch. It defines different scrapbooking styles and will help you define yours and then eventually work on it. Scrap styles include sassy, graphic, grunge, romantic, etc. Lots of layouts from celebrity scrapbookers in the US.

cheap thrills

Nothing gets me in the mood to scrap more than new supplies. And cheap ones to boot. After more than a month without any new goodies, I feel so inspired yesterday after dropping by a local bookstore. And they are cheap ones too! Those chipboard alphas (stripped) cost 115 bucks only. The colored one costs 145 bucks. It sure looks so alike the Pressed Petals chipboard alpha, hmmm. And those memory pouches are soooo cute! I can put in some memorabilia that are hard to adhere on paper. I am so itching to scrap already!

Go visit AAS at NBS now!

Botak Paatibayan 5 miler

We went to the Botak Paatibayan 10-mile and 5-mile run at U.P. yesterday morning. Ivan ran the 5-miler alone since my wound still hasn’t fully healed yet. I stayed on the sidelines. Boohoo. I was supposed to run the 5-miler (8km) too. I think it would have been a great way to check if I can do the 10k already. I’m actually planning on running 10k on the Nike Human Race on October 24th. I think it is the race of the year (for me only, of course). And I think it’s about time I go for the 10k, don’t you think?


The run started on time. Weather was great and the sun rose extra early. I was half thankful I did not run coz I would have been sunburned by now. One negative thing I noted was the late giving out of the bar codes (to record your time) that should have been attached on the bib number in the first place. I sure hope they got everyone covered since they were just handing those out right before the run and on the finish line. The course was to take one lap on the oval and another bigger lap outside the oval.

Ivan’s time was 43:57. Not bad for a first-time 5-miler. There were very few runners as compared to most runs I’ve attended maybe because of the distances since usually, it’s the 5k that has the most number of runners. And since 8k is a bit heavy on most beginners, there was a very few turnout. That was too bad coz the loot bag was really nice. It included a Men’s Health Magazine (back-issue only), some chips, and Hershey’s chocolates (minis). Freebies were a lot too. There were Gatorade, Growers and NutriBar, Salonpas (with free massage!), Dermplus sunblock lotion sachet, and a lot of food supplements. We did not stay on for the event proper anymore. I believe there was a Street Mile Challenge at 10am.

I am really hoping to be in good shape this coming run on Sunday at The Fort. I miss running already. Plus, I have a feeling I may have gained a pound or two for all the sitting and the lying down I did to nurse my wound. Darn it.

Urbanite Run

The much-awaited event was a huge success. It was definitely one festive night of sweating and chatting with friends and spotting celebrities. I was so excited for this event because for one, it is a unique experience since this was my first night run and second, Ivan ran with me. Well, not ran with me as in side by side with me coz he really made me eat dust.



I thought he's gonna win first prize on the 5k category. But since it's his first run, let's forgive him for finishing at 31:10 only. That was really fast for my 39:09 finish but snail slow for the winner's 16:07 finish. Better train harder next time. Hehe.



One of the best thing about this run is the running chip we get to wear. There's an analysis of your race results. I wish every run has this.



Oh and I scraped my knee for falling down near the finish line. Remind me not to sprint {really fast} when it's dark and there's a hump on the road ahead that you might not see. Now I'm limping and not sure if I can run 5 mi on Sunday at U.P. Huhu...

The event was hosted by Marc Nelson and Paula Taylor. It lasted for about 4 hours only. And they thought we'd stay on for the Tribo Manila show til 4am. Runners ain't gimik people, I guess. We saw a lot of celebs there like Maricar Reyes {Ivan and I saw Hayden Kho earlier at Nike BHS prior to the run, hehe}, Dyan Castillejo, Sen. Pia Cayetano {I have a photo with her! forgot to upload}, Rovilson Fernandez, and some say Ehra Madrigal was there too. And I could only imagine the number of celebrities on the August 30 run organized by GMA Network.

Loot bags contain Viva water, Coke zero, Powerade, Trailmix, and t-shirt or towel depending on your luck. We didn't stay for the post-run show anymore and headed to McDonald's for a late dinner.

This was definitely one memorable run, what with my abrasion and all. But I am not one to look forward to a night run anytime soon.