Tag Archives: half marathon

Heart and Sole

12 March 2012

14 Comments

I have a new bounce in my strides. A new spring in my legs. A new zing on my feet. No, I did not discover the fountain of youth. It’s just my new running shoes. It’s Nike Zoom Structure Triax +15. (I don’t know why the long name.) It’s all about the shoes, right?

I replaced my old beat-up Nike shoes as I have run it to the ground. Old and worn out running shoes can lose their stability, cushioning support, and shock absorbing ability, leading to increase stress to feet, legs and joints that may cause injury. The experts in running recommend that you replace your shoes after 300 to 400 miles of running. I believe my old sneakers have more mileage than that.

In my conservative estimation, I run at least 5 miles a week, when I am not seriously training, and up to 10 miles a week, maybe more, when I was preparing for the half marathon. So I could have run 300 miles in a year, easy. Thus my old running shoes was way due for a replacement since it was almost 3 years old, and has more mileage than what the gurus of running recommended.

Maybe I held on to my old running shoes for so long since I felt quite nostalgic about it. After all, it was in that shoes that I ran my first half marathon. And it even let me finish my second half marathon too. But it was time for it to retire.

It was not the first shoes though that I ran aground. When I was in second grade of elementary school, I had sneakers that I destroyed, literally, in less than a month. With all my running, jumping, climbing, and playing “sipa,” it broke open. The sole and the upper part separated as if my shoes was “smiling”, while my socks stick out of it like a tongue. My father got frustrated with me that he told me I needed shoes made out of iron, like a horseshoe.

my new Nike Zoom waiting to break out

My new Nike Zoom Structure Triax +15 (sorry, I can’t get over its long name) is not also the first sneakers that I got excited about. When I was about to enter Kindergarten, my parents bought me a new pair of shoes for school. It had rubber soles and rubber toe cap. The upper was colorful canvas with bright cartoon images printed on it. I love it so much I placed it near my pillow on my bed when I sleep at night. Maybe I should also put my new Nike shoes near my pillow when I sleep. On second thought, my wife would probably slap me with those shoes when I start snoring, so never mind.

A good pair of rubber shoes can be pricey, especially brand name shoes. It can be a status symbol too. My first sneakers with a famous brand was what George Estregan wore in his action movies, Adidas Hurricane. I think I was in high school then. Before that, all my sneakers were “no name” shoes, or at least not popular brand, like Nike, Converse, Puma and the like. But they work just the same. No-name and locally made shoes does not necessarily mean poor quality, for I would say Marikina-made shoes are good shoes.

For a long time I also dreamed of having hi-top or hi-cut basketball sneakers when I was much younger. I envy some of my friends that have them. But since it was so expensive, I did not even asked my parents to buy me one, for I know I can live without one, and besides my parents provided us with what we need. The only hi-top shoes I had during my school years was my “Ang Tibay” combat shoes which I used for Citizen Military Training (CMT) and Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC).  And yes, I sometimes played basketball even with those shoes on.

After running a few miles in my new Nike Zoom shoes, I felt great. My legs did not feel tired at all. My feet did not ache. Even my bunion did not ache. I wonder if these are the dream shoes that will run and finish my first ever full marathon. After all, it’s all in the shoes, right? Well, I wish it is that easy. For I would say it is more of determination rather than the shoes. More heart, than sole.

Now, I just need to buy that “determination” from the store. I hope it is on bargain.

Conference Run

28 October 2011

3 Comments

For the past 3 consecutive years I ran in the Des Moines Marathon, an event held in October every year. Before you faint in amazement, I want to clarify that I did not run the marathon course itself. For in that event, there was also the 5K run, the half marathon (21K), and the full marathon (42K).

During my first year of joining, I ran the 5K. It was actually my first ever road race. Though I run for exercise since I was very young, I never ran long distances before. Maybe 2 to 3 kilometer tops. I was more on doing sprint in my younger days. But after that run, I admit, I got hooked.

So on the following year, I did the half marathon. It took me a few months to train for it, but I did it. And I finished it with a respectable time (that means it did not take the whole day!) too.

Last year, I repeated the feat and ran the half marathon again. This built enough confidence that I wanted more. I felt then that I was ready to try the full marathon next time.

But not this year.

In fact, I did not even join the Des Moines Marathon event at all this time. I learned early this year, as I was planning my year-long schedule that I would not be able to join the run. There is an out-of-state annual physician’s conference this autumn that I just cannot pass, for the reason of where it is being held this year.

So to stay motivated and maintain shape and in good running condition, I did the next best thing. I joined a race in the city where I attended my conference. Though it was not a marathon nor even a half marathon.

I joined a 5K run in Honolulu. Yeah baby, in Hawaii!

Looks like Roxas Blvd, right? But's that's Honolulu harbor.

Here we go! To inhale the salted air. Do you notice the name of the run was “One Breath”? I think “Out of Breath,” at least for me, is more appropriate.

I'm somewhere in the back. I'm giving the other racers the head start.

If running has always this stunning view (I mean the ocean, not the lady doing the stretching), I really can get used to this.

The runner and the ocean.

What’s next? Boston marathon? I don’t think so. How about Boracay marathon (if ever there is such event)? That’s more like it.

Unfinished Race

7 June 2011

1 Comment

I was feeling the heat as I was running this morning. It was still early, but it was already hot and muggy. As I was sweating it out, I cannot shake out of my mind the young man I admitted over the weekend……

I was making my rounds in the ICU when I received a call from the Emergency Room physician. He had an unconscious patient in the Emergency department that needed to come to our ICU. Few moments later, the patient was brought up to our unit. My medical resident and I then came to examine him.

He was a 29-year-old muscular man.  He was comatose, stiff, intubated, and is on the ventilator.  He was febrile to 40 degree C (104 F). From the story I gathered, he was previously healthy, in fact too healthy, that he was a long distance runner. He was taking part in the annual “Dam to Dam,” which is a 20 kilometers run, basically a half-marathon. This was his 4th time to run this race, and he did trained for this event. However it was very hot and humid that day with temperature way above 90 degree F. I was told that he did fairly well through the race, but suddenly collapsed, literally a few yards from the finish line. Yes, he was that close in finishing the race.

He was unresponsive when he was brought to the emergency room, and with a temperature of above 41 degree C (106 F). He also had a seizure-like activity after he arrived in the hospital. He was intubated shortly and was placed on a life support machine. He was a picture of health one moment, but in short turn of events, he was fighting for his life.

Our patient had suffered exertional heat stroke. It is a life-threatening condition when the body temperature rises above 40 degree C, seen especially in young people like athletes or military recruits that are doing strenuous physical activity in a hot and humid condition.

runner with heat exhaustion

We tried aggressively to quickly bring his body temperature down by putting ice packs in the neck, axilla and groin area, spraying water in his body with strong fans blowing on him, doing ice water bladder lavage, and giving cold intravenous fluids. There is no specific treatment for this condition except rapidly cooling them and giving supportive care.

After examining our patient and giving directions regarding his management to my ICU team, I went out to the waiting room to talk with his family. I was met by his wife who was obviously distraught  and was very anxious, almost to the point of panic, which was understandable. She was crying, but was able to speak between sobs and gave me more history, as her friends tried to comfort her. Their 2-year-old daughter was merrily jumping, running and playing around the waiting room, oblivious to what was going on. She asked me directly if her husband would make it, and I quickly answered yes without hesitation to sound positive, even though in the back of my mind, I knew anything can happen.

The next day, our patient had not significantly improved, if not, even worse. Aside from remaining comatose and hooked to the ventilator, he was also showing signs of injuries to the kidneys, liver, muscles and vascular system (he was going into disseminated intravascular coagulation or DIC). These multi-organ failures can happen as complications from the heat stroke.

I met again with his wife, who was more composed this time. She asked me about the condition of her husband, the new developments and complications, the ongoing treatment, and how soon do we expect improvement. As I tried to answer her questions one by one, she was digesting and holding on to every word I said. She then asked me point blankly, what was the likelihood that her husband would die. I paused. This time, I then gave her the most honest answer I can give. I told her that according to the medical literature, the mortality rate ranges from 20 to as high as 60 -70 percent (yes, that high!) depending on how many organ failures are involved. That’s when she broke down again in tears and openly wept.

She excused herself and said that she will let their family members know so they can come and see him now, while they have their chance. How I wished I could have given her a better optimistic answer. But I couldn’t…….

As I approached our home street, finishing my  3-mile run this morning, I silently uttered a prayer of thanks for my safe and completed run. I also breathed a prayer for our young patient who was still languishing in our ICU, three days since the race and counting. With his young family and with his whole life ahead of him, I know we have to continue our efforts to keep him going. He has an unfinished race. And I don’t mean the half marathon.

Toughest Part of the Marathon

11 November 2010

2 Comments

I finished a half marathon this fall (my second), which gave me satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. However, after seeing Al Roker and Meredith Vieira of the Today’s show finished the recent New York City marathon, I am seriously considering trying the full marathon next time. Even Oprah finished the marathon few years back. If they can do it, surely I can do it too.

People asked me what is the toughest part of my run, and here is my answer……….

It may be difficult when you stand there at the starting line with all the thousands of runners, and all the jitters and excitement in the air, and you feel anxious before you start your formidable run……….

It surely may be tough when you are grueling on your 11th mile but you know you still have more miles to go while other runners pass by you and the spectators are witnessing your struggle……….

It may be really hard that you can finally see the finish line but your legs are so heavy that you can barely lift them and your body is numb from the pain, yet the cheers of the crowd makes you go on……….

Yes, these may be tough moments but they are nothing.

It is more difficult when it’s 5:30 in the morning, and its dark and cold outside, and your bed is warm and comfortable, and the race day is still 3 months away, and you fight yourself to get up and do your morning run……….

It is far more tough when you are huffing and puffing on your 7th mile while you are running alone in a deserted and lonely road, and you are battling if you will continue or just stop, during one of your training runs……….

It is most difficult when after a long trial run, you feel so exhausted, your body aches all over, and you cannot walk straight from cramps, and you start to question why do you even want to do this, and your resolve starts to fade……….

If you endure all of these, then when you step on the starting line on the day of the race, you have already finished the toughest part of your run.

Now, for the tougher question: Why do I want to run a marathon? Because I can!

I Did It!

17 October 2010

3 Comments

I did it! I finished the Des Moines half marathon today. And yes, I’m still walking, albeit barely. Here’s the mile by mile account of my run.

Starting Line: It was a chilly morning. It was in the low 40′s F, but the sun was shining. The starting line was crowded with people, it was like a street party with a band playing. There were about 5500 people that joined the marathon and the half-marathon. I was happy to know that I am not the only one crazy to run in this cold morning. At exactly 8 AM, we were released to run, however due to the number of people, it took me about 5 minutes after the race had started, before I could cross the starting line. That’s OK, I was giving them a lead start!

1st mile: No sweat at all, in fact I was still feeling cold. I was pacing myself. 12 more miles to go!

2nd mile: I started to warm up. I was feeling good still.

3rd mile: I passed a drinking station and got my first cup of water.

4th mile: I was feeling good about myself as I was maintaining a 10-minute-mile pace. I thought I can finish in 2 hours and 20 minutes which is within my goal of finishing under 2:30. I was barely on my 4th mile when a motorcade going in the other direction passed us by and directed us to stay on the right lane of the road. It was the leading pack of runners for the half marathon, already on their way back of the route! Are you kidding me? This was demoralizing.

5th mile: The lead woman runner of the half marathon passed me by going downstream while I’m still heading upstream. I guess I run like a girl? (I’m not chauvinistic, I’m just stating a fact.) Then I felt an urge. I cannot hold it anymore. I have to take a break. So I did. A restroom break that is.

6th mile: I was working on my 6th mile, when a kid, I don’t think he’s even 12, passed me by, going downstream already. Then shortly thereafter, a grandpa, I believe he’s in his late 60′s or early 70′s, passed me by. My status was deteriorating by the mile! Who’s going to pass me by next? I finally reached the halfway point: the official timer read 1:09.

7th mile: My pace was getting slower. The 2:20 (2 hours 20 minutes) pace runner whom I was trying to follow was getting farther and farther from my view. I let go of my goal of finishing under 2:30. I just want to finish the race at least the same day! The crowd, the singers, the drummers, the mascots on the side of the road, cheered me to go on.

8th mile: I passed the loop of the course and I was now going downstream. I passed by runners who are still going upstream. This infused some morale in me. I’m not the slowest after all. Then I passed a participant who was supported by 2 walking canes as he walked the course. If he is determined to finish despite of his limitations, I should too.

9th mile: I stopped for Gatorade and some Gummy bears. In my head, I can hear my son singing the Gummy Bear song.

10th mile: An ambulance stopped at the side of the road and loaded up a participant into a stretcher. I’m dying here, can you pick me up too?

11th mile: I was reduced into a walk for a few minutes. Now, my goal was just to finish this race, even if it’s not today!

12th mile: Another motorcade came from behind me. Following the motorcade was the lead runner of the Marathon. He already overtook me and he ran twice the distance I covered?!! (I later learned that his name is James Kirwa from Kenya. He finished the marathon in 2:14:20 which is a record time for the Des Moines marathon.) My legs were as heavy as lead, and my feet are aching, but I could smell the finish line, where food (more than just Gummy Bears and Gatorade) were waiting for me.

13th mile: A mile to go! I had renewed determination. There was no train to stop me in my track this time, like what had happened to me last year. The music, the band playing, the cheering crowd was getting louder and louder. I could see the finish line in the distance!

Finish Line: I finally did it! My official time was 2:23:58. (No! It’s not 2 days, 23 hours and 58 minutes! It’s 2 hours and 23 minutes, and 58 seconds.)

 

My Bib and Finisher Medal

 

Was it worth it? Every mile of it! Now, where the heck is the ibuprofen.

Nothing Stops Me. Except a Train.

12 September 2010

2 Comments

My training for the half marathon is now on high gear. Neither the heat, nor rain, nor flood, nor snow (snow? good thing there’s none yet at this time of year) can stop me now. Except maybe, the train. And that’s exactly what happened to me at the race here in Des Moines, last year.

During my first half marathon run last year, as I was rounding the last leg of the course, when I turned the corner for the last 400 meters, I was stopped on my track by a crossing train. I have to wait for about a minute or so before I can continue and finish the race. A minute of delay is nothing to me, but I felt bad for the leading runner for the marathon, an elite athlete, who was finishing the full marathon course at the same time I’m finishing my half marathon. (The full and the half marathon ends at the same finish line). He too was stopped by the train.

Simon Sawe from Kenya, was stopped by a train, but still able to finish first at the 2009 Des Moines Marathon. Photo courtesy of Des Moines Register.

Speaking of elite runners, I just cannot imagine how can they run a dizzying pace of 11-12 miles per hour (twice as fast as my pace) and sustain it for 26 miles. That’s a full pledge sprint speed to me! I tried running at 8 miles per hour and I cannot even sustain it for half a mile. I have so much respect for these amazing athletes.

I may not acquire the athletic prowess of those elite runners, but I can sure have the iron resolve to finish the race. For “The race is not always for the swift, but to those who keep on running” – Anonymous. And this is true in the race we called life. I believe that life is not a sprint, but more of a long distance run. We may falter, fall, or slow down to a crawl. But if we keep on going, we will reach our destination.

long, lonely road ahead

I know there’s only one way I can finish the race: to keep one foot in front of the other at a time. And that’s what I will do.

21K in 2M

16 August 2010

2 Comments

I am planning to participate again in the Des Moines half marathon (21 kilometers) this October. I confess, I have been slacking on my running (I always find reasons not too: it’s too cold, it’s too hot, I’m too tired, I’m too busy, I’m too lazy……). For the past 10 months, the longest I have run is 5K (and that’s far in between in occasion). Well, I have 2 more months to prepare for this.

Time to put on Hermes’ shoes of speed, Rocky’s unfading endurance, and my own iron determination. For a start, I ran 10K yesterday. Just don’t ask me how long it took me. Let’s just say I started when the sun was just rising, and finished before the sun sets.

Now I am aching for a foot massage.

Des Moines Marathon