Yakult 26th 10 Miler Run

I just came from a run! :) Right now, I'm recovering. My legs hurt, but I feel great still.

This run is a run of many firsts for me, during this run, I, for the first time: 

(a) ran for 10 miles/16 kilometers, my longest distance so far; 

(b) ran alone (because my running buddy Ana Banana was taken away from me by her firm, huhu. :'( I'm still not giving up on you, buddy! <3);

(c) ran straight for around 20 minutes (I usually do just 5 to 10 and then walk); 

(d) ran through a flyover/upward and downward slope (I usually just walk through these);

(e) actually ate some breakfast before running (it helps!); and

(f) chafed myself (first one to guess where wins a prize, lol).

So yea, I'm feeling pretty good about those firsts now, except the last one. :| As the title of this post says, I joined the Yakut 26th 10 Miler Run. This is step 2 of me and my running buddy's goal of doing 21k by the end of this year. :D

Let me just say that this is the most organized run I have joined so far. But I guess it should be, since it's been around for 26 years already. Isn't that awesome? I got to be part of something which started when I was just about 2 years old. :)

I registered for this run pretty early, I think about 2 months ago. The registration fee is only Php500.00 for the 16k, which is pretty cheap. I guess it's because they don't give out finisher's medals. :|

Kit inclusions

For Php500.00, I got a singlet, a race bib, and instructions. The ad also said that I will get a finisher shirt and a bottle of Yakut after I finish the run.

Race Bib - Front

Race Bib - Back

This race bib is quite different from the ones I used during my previous runs. The back had a form wherein I could write my emergency information. It also had a built-in chip. I like how they went about this, very efficient and clean. :)

Instructions

I also liked how they had a no-fuss, straight-to-the-point set of instructions and guidelines for runners. Sometime after they gave these away, though, the organizers announced that the gun start will start a bit earlier, because of an event that will be held in Manila, which we had to avoid. I do hope everyone got to see this announcement before the race.

Route Map

I got to the event about twenty minutes before the start. Some people were already assembling by the start line.

The Start Line

Giant Yakult.

My fellow 10-milers. Huhu, I have no friends. Haha.

Before starting the race, there was a mini-program, Where Kuya Kim led us in prayer, and gave a weather forecast. It was pretty hot that day, 28 degrees actual temperature; 30 degrees heat index, which, according to Kuya Kim, factors in the humidity. He also gave us a tip: "Mas mabagal, mas mainit. Kaya bilisan ninyo!" So scientific, I know. :))

A blurred picture of Kuya Kim.

I loved the route for this run, because it didn't have many turns. It was a bit challenging tough, because we had to go through 2 flyovers twice, so that's 4 upslopes. Whew! And oh, the organizers did a last minute announcement, but it was no biggie. Because of that Manila event, we had to go counter-clockwise instead of clockwise.

Anti-cheating rope thingies.

They gave us these rope thingies at the route turns. I guess this is so they know we didn't cheat and make a shortcut.

I loved how they put more than the usual distance markers. I think I saw markers for 2k, 3k, 5k, 7k, 9k, 10k, 13k, and 14k. I don't know if its's just me, but seeing these markers as I went along the route gave me extra motivation to keep on going. :)

Also, they had about 6 water/Pocari stations, which is also more stations than what I've seen in the other runs I've attended. This helped me a lot, especially because I didn't bring my own water. 

I felt so triumphant when I finally finished. :D

After crossing the finish line, I was immediately handed my finisher shirt and freebies. Seriously organizing people, good job! :)

My Finisher Shirt and freebies, consisting of a bottle of Yakut and a surprise bottle of Pocari Sweat.

Booths and finishers.

The stage.

Giant Yakult again.

Since I was alone, I didn't hang around after finishing my run. (I know. I really should make new running friends :|).

According to Strava, I finished my run in 2 hours, 15 minutes, and 0.06 seconds. I'm not sure if this is good time but I'm super happy about it :D :D :D

My time according to Strava.

I'm excited to find out what my official time is! Will post it as soon as it's up. :)

Finisher Selfie with my precious little bottle of Yakult! <3

As I've said before, runs are fun! They give you a goal to work towards to, and give you that boost of confidence and sense of achievement after you finish a run. Also, it's not that hard to do. All you need are running shoes, and the ability to put one foot in front of the other, and so on. :D

So friends, let's run! :) :) :) My next goal is to do 21k. Join me? :D


Be happy!

<3 Missy.

Shameless Plug: My SoundCloud

I think I've mentioned before that I love to sing. For as long as I could remember, I've enjoyed just humming a tune, or even belting out a song, sometimes at random, which is weird, I know. Hehe.

I love to sing-a, about the moon-a and uh June-a and the spring-a...

It's just my ultimate stress-reliever. I've joined singing groups, I love doing videoke, my mom even let me take voice lessons at some point. 

However, I find it weird when I hear myself. I think everyone does, especially considering we sound a bit different in our heads than from outside.

Nevertheless, in the interest of trying to get better at singing, I've started to record myself. I've also signed up for SoundCloud. Posting covers of songs gives me that extra motivation to improve.

I'm pretty new to it but I am very excited about it. :D

Here's my latest upload:  https://soundcloud.com/andrea-monica-valle-gonzales/tadhana-cover

Be happy!

<3 Missy

Quick Step by Marc Devon (QSMD Manila)

Anyone who knows me also knows that I love to sing, and somehow, through the years, I have grown comfortable with singing. 

Not many people know that I've always also wanted to dance, only I'm so scared of trying it. I'm just so awkward in general that the thought of using my body to express myself just irks me. Even now as I'm writing this, I feel awkward. Also, legit dancers just scare me, because they look so cool and all, and I don't. Hehe. 

Anyway, I've always wanted to conquer my fear of dancing, and so I got excited when I saw that two of my elementary school friends, Frawnel and Ira, were taking a dance class in Makati. I haven't met with these two in such a long long time, so it was perfect. I get to re-connect with my friends, conquer my fear, and have my friends there for me. :D I set up a date with them right after one of their classes.

Re-connecting with Ira and Frawnel.

It was over a fried chicken dinner that they told me all about QSMD Manila. QSMD stands for Quick Step by Marc Devon. Marc Devon is a former member of the very prestigious G-Force dance group, which regularly performs in ABS-CBN shows. 

Mr. Marc Devon. I know. He even looks better in person.

And so my friends told me about QSMD Manila's next event then, which, was a charity event. "I Dance I Give: A Dance for a Cause!!." How could I say no to that? 

I was super nervous about it that I kept bugging my friends with questions like how it would be like, or if only legit dancers are allowed there, or what I should wear. They would just laugh at me and tell me to just enjoy the thing.

I did. :D

Me and my friends were a bit late that first day, and the beginners class had already started. The song was Anaconda by Nicki Minaj. There were about six lines of people, with about ten people per line. We all faced the mirror. In front was of course, the teacher. He would teach the choreo to us, step by step. After a step, he would ask us to do it, as a group, then per line, then he teaches another step, until eventually, we learn the whole choreo.

I of course felt very very conscious at first, but, I quickly got over it, because the class was super quick as well. Meaning, if I didn't pay attention for a split second, I would be lost, although the teacher welcomed questions. The fast pace was a good thing, because it didn't give me much time to think about how awkward I felt, or to look at what the others were doing.

At the end of the routine, we were all told to go sit in front, then people were called in groups to perform in the middle. This was nerve-wracking at first, but surprisingly, the people there were all very supportive, even to non-dancers like myself. :)

It went on like this for the other two classes (the intermediate and advanced classes). But of course, the choreo became more and more complex. I remember thinking and even saying out loud many times that learning the steps was one of the most difficult things I have ever done in my entire life :)) And I've been through a lot, learning-wise.

Needless to say, I made many mistakes. However, I also made many new friends :)

The teacher also calls us after the end of each class to take a group picture. The one below is my favorite group picture so far. :))

BAGSAK.

I enjoyed so much that I courageously signed up for another class..

Our teacher's birthday class :D

:)

"Team Bully"

Yes. We love taking groufies.

And another. I even brought my good friend boyfie Harmy with me! :D

Me and mah boyfie Harmy <3

A very bad screencap of a video of me and Harmy.

In fact, me and my friends are going to another class this Saturday. :D Maybe you'd want to join us?

And oh, if you're not doing much this June, and would like to be part of something awesome, why not join their dance video shoot? :D I am still thinking about it though..

You can learn more about QSMD Manila here: http://www.facebook.com/QSMDMANILA?fref=ts

Be happy!

<3 Missy