I had the best short run Tuesday night on the treadmill at the gym. I started doing 5.5 mph, feeling that the usual 5.3 was too slow. It must be the heel up running- quick touches on the ground meant a faster pace. I felt I could have run much faster, and no pain! It was bliss. I met one of the run coaches while stretching, and she told me about this cardio program at the gym, and that there was a free trial that evening. So I stopped my run and did the cardio workout- essentially this was zone training. I still felt good. So much so that after that, I went again on the treadmill. The total for the night was 4.5 miles.
That night, I got this email saying that my old gym run club was running on treadmills in the morning. Since I haven't joined them for 2 weeks, I thought this was a good way of showing my face again. So off to the gym at 6 AM, and we did interval training on treadmills. This was not as good as my run the night before. Maybe I overdid it, with back-to-back runs, but there was some shin and calf pain. I ran 3.5 miles total, and almost got my daughter late for school. I also went up to 7 mph speeds, and my HR even hit 180 bpm! So yeah, maybe I overdid it.
The rest of the day was fine- I could walk, but I certainly felt something in the left shin the whole day. Massage helped, but I decided to skip Taekwondo just in case. I do feel good about doing 9 miles already, and it's only Wednesday. So now I am thinking of swimming or biking tomorrow, time permitting.
So what about the title of this post? The cardio training, if I sign up for it, costs $499 for 12 sessions! And I thought running was one of the cheapest sports! All I want is to finish a marathon- I've got good shoes, a training program, a HR monitor, friends to do long runs with- I say that should be enough. But, nothing is simple...
I am also looking at a FuelBelt for Saturday's 14 miler. The 4-bottle Helium (8 oz. each) look good, and felt good at the store, and has nice reviews, but it is $49.95. Again, nothing is simple... The older version- the Endurance is cheaper at $36, but the Helium seems to be more comfortable. I do know that I don't like the 6-bottle ones- the middle bottles hit my arms, and I would have to change my personal trainer-certified *perfect* arm form. This is one where I probably have to cough up the cash- so see you in a new FuelBelt?
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Life with a Mac
For the first time in weeks, Taekwondo was not painful. Of course, I still didn't try hitting the bags, but at least the running and other excercises did not hurt as much. I planned on running close to midnight yesterday, but it just didn't happen. Instead, I spent maybe 3 hours trying to get Mail in Mac OSX to work with my work IMAP.
For more than a week, I haven't been able to use Mail- I was using my university's web mail app. Now that web-based email was just not my cup of tea- too clunky, and I never really wanted to learn the thing. I have been using Eudora for more than 9 years, and then Thunderbird for the last 2 years. I was determined to use Mail (and all the Mac apps I can use), and it should work. But, of course, the basic instructions in my university's webpages were not complete. So, given an unresponsive computer support unit (they were goning to learn the Mac, too, I guess), I fiddled with this thing. I must have spent more than 4 hours total on configuring it- and around midnight, I got it to work! So now, I am one of the 2or 3 people in my whole department who use Mail.
So I am in the minority. I sometimes feel like a trailblazer, but mostly, I feel left on my own. Sure, there is the Mac store in town, but it seems switching from a PC has too many hassles. Sort of like running. There's the time needed, and now that I'm running on a trail 30 min away, and the miles are increasing, a run is more like a 4.5 hour affair (wake up at 5:40, get back by 10). It will only get worse - a 20 mile run is about 4 hours. Then there's the 'being alone' part. You wake up, put on your shoes, and head off. It's an individual sport. You may meet all these other runners on the road, but in the end, it's your legs, your miles. I don't mind it. I am doing it for GK, I am doing it for me. It all blends in nicely. I feel good about myself, my family, having a Mac, driving a hybrid car, having a water solar water heater. Now if only I can get my office cleaned...
For more than a week, I haven't been able to use Mail- I was using my university's web mail app. Now that web-based email was just not my cup of tea- too clunky, and I never really wanted to learn the thing. I have been using Eudora for more than 9 years, and then Thunderbird for the last 2 years. I was determined to use Mail (and all the Mac apps I can use), and it should work. But, of course, the basic instructions in my university's webpages were not complete. So, given an unresponsive computer support unit (they were goning to learn the Mac, too, I guess), I fiddled with this thing. I must have spent more than 4 hours total on configuring it- and around midnight, I got it to work! So now, I am one of the 2or 3 people in my whole department who use Mail.
So I am in the minority. I sometimes feel like a trailblazer, but mostly, I feel left on my own. Sure, there is the Mac store in town, but it seems switching from a PC has too many hassles. Sort of like running. There's the time needed, and now that I'm running on a trail 30 min away, and the miles are increasing, a run is more like a 4.5 hour affair (wake up at 5:40, get back by 10). It will only get worse - a 20 mile run is about 4 hours. Then there's the 'being alone' part. You wake up, put on your shoes, and head off. It's an individual sport. You may meet all these other runners on the road, but in the end, it's your legs, your miles. I don't mind it. I am doing it for GK, I am doing it for me. It all blends in nicely. I feel good about myself, my family, having a Mac, driving a hybrid car, having a water solar water heater. Now if only I can get my office cleaned...
Saturday, August 25, 2007
You learn balance, you do good karate
They showed "The Karate Kid" on TV today. It's one of those movies you have seen a hundred times, but you still watch it. Maybe because Pat Morita has the best lines of any stereotypical old Japanese sensei- he is Gandalf, Dumbledore, and Miyagi the apartment super/mystic martial arts guru with the sense of humor. So he had this whole message about "balance".
Daniel-san- learn balance! You learn balance, you do good karate. First, learn balance!
It seems like balance is a good word for runners. Not just the physical inner-ear, stay-on-your-feet thing, but also mental balance, and the balance between overtraining and not pushing enough. It's the balance between my left gastroc muscles and my shins. I've finally figured out that if I don't adequately stretch my calves, my shins will hurt. It's the balance between continuing the run despite the pain in your knees, versus worrying about busting your knees and ending all chances of running that marathon in November. This is where I am now.
Last week was a good week- great long run, and awesome short runs during the week. This week was a bust. Got a little sick early in the week and missed a Monday run, then just plain too much work in the office to get any time to run. When I ran on the treadmill on Thursday night, I had to stop after 0.5 miles because of knee pain. I had to be content with biking on a gym machine for 20 minutes. So entering the Sat long run, I had exactly 0.5 miles for the week. Well, the long run started late, and it was Code Orange today - hot (105 deg F) and humid. Ed A. and I ran for 6.5 miles, and when I got to the car, I decided not to do another loop. Maybe that was the right thing to do - it was late, the sun was up, it was hot and sticky. Or maybe I should have pushed.
I wasn't sure what to do. I now feel behind- only 7 miles this week, and I am thinking of going for 6 miles tomorrow, just to feel better about myself. But is that too much? Where is the balance?
It sems to me that training for a marathon is about reaching new heights of fitness, muscle strength, endurance. But the path is not linear, and progress is not always continuous. Maybe it is about hitting a new steady-state, a higher plane each week, while still maintaining balance. Balance between stressing the legs and knees, and giving them enough time to adjust.
So maybe I'll run tomorrow and count it as miles for the week. Maybe I'm babying these knees too much. Or maybe I'm this close to wrecking my knees? Time for some balance, Daniel-san. Will let you know.
Daniel-san- learn balance! You learn balance, you do good karate. First, learn balance!
It seems like balance is a good word for runners. Not just the physical inner-ear, stay-on-your-feet thing, but also mental balance, and the balance between overtraining and not pushing enough. It's the balance between my left gastroc muscles and my shins. I've finally figured out that if I don't adequately stretch my calves, my shins will hurt. It's the balance between continuing the run despite the pain in your knees, versus worrying about busting your knees and ending all chances of running that marathon in November. This is where I am now.
Last week was a good week- great long run, and awesome short runs during the week. This week was a bust. Got a little sick early in the week and missed a Monday run, then just plain too much work in the office to get any time to run. When I ran on the treadmill on Thursday night, I had to stop after 0.5 miles because of knee pain. I had to be content with biking on a gym machine for 20 minutes. So entering the Sat long run, I had exactly 0.5 miles for the week. Well, the long run started late, and it was Code Orange today - hot (105 deg F) and humid. Ed A. and I ran for 6.5 miles, and when I got to the car, I decided not to do another loop. Maybe that was the right thing to do - it was late, the sun was up, it was hot and sticky. Or maybe I should have pushed.
I wasn't sure what to do. I now feel behind- only 7 miles this week, and I am thinking of going for 6 miles tomorrow, just to feel better about myself. But is that too much? Where is the balance?
It sems to me that training for a marathon is about reaching new heights of fitness, muscle strength, endurance. But the path is not linear, and progress is not always continuous. Maybe it is about hitting a new steady-state, a higher plane each week, while still maintaining balance. Balance between stressing the legs and knees, and giving them enough time to adjust.
So maybe I'll run tomorrow and count it as miles for the week. Maybe I'm babying these knees too much. Or maybe I'm this close to wrecking my knees? Time for some balance, Daniel-san. Will let you know.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Changes
I haven't posted for a few days. It has been hectic- the start of a new semester, switching over to a Mac from a laptop PC, new students arriving, etc. Meetings run from morning to late in the afternoon, and I have even missed eating lunches.
I also haven't run since Saturday. My knees felt weak on Monday, then I think I was sick Tuesday, slightly sick and uber-busy on Wednesday. I plan to run in the gym later tonight. I am hoping this is a start-of-the semester thing, and I will get back to running twice during the week. It seems sitting down for long periods is worse than running- my knees hurt when I finally stand up! I also have to report a blister on my right second toe- but I am not sure if it from my running shoes or from my "business" shoes. I have stopped wearing sandals to school, since I am now teaching. Perhaps my feet have gotten bigger?
I also haven't run since Saturday. My knees felt weak on Monday, then I think I was sick Tuesday, slightly sick and uber-busy on Wednesday. I plan to run in the gym later tonight. I am hoping this is a start-of-the semester thing, and I will get back to running twice during the week. It seems sitting down for long periods is worse than running- my knees hurt when I finally stand up! I also have to report a blister on my right second toe- but I am not sure if it from my running shoes or from my "business" shoes. I have stopped wearing sandals to school, since I am now teaching. Perhaps my feet have gotten bigger?
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Now I know why it's the City of Oaks!
I had to add up the miles Jeff and I ran today at Umstead Park- it was 10.4 miles of trail. We hadn't planned the route, so we just sort of decided to go from the Graylyn entrance all the way to Reedy Creek. Well, we got to the Reedy Creek gate, and we felt we would be shortchanged if we just ran back, so we decided to go past Graylyn trail and continue on Reedy Creek trail, past airport overlook, and about halfway to the West Gate. Jeff remarked that he couldn't believe we were starting to think that Umstead was too small...
The nice thing about running back from Reedy Creek to Graylyn was that this is the route the marathon will take. So having a good run on it was satisfying- we had met the enemy, and we could take him! The run was also longer than I had planned, and my weekly mileage was 4+3.5+10.4 = about 18 miles. This is a big jump from last week's 13 miles, and every book I've read said keep the weekly increases below 10%, but it felt good. I really felt good the whole time- there was the last hill where my HR went up to 174 per minute, and I had to stop and walk, but otherwise, everything felt great. I started to feel something in my left knee, and I have on (8 hours later) a knee brace, but I am walking straight. Nothing like the pain after the 14-miler 3 weeks ago. I thnk the new run form (heel up) is helping with my knees, and running on the trail and treadmill definitely helps. Now I have to decide if I will ever train on concrete or asphalt! I think I can train on the treadmill and in Umstead until November.
Running on trails has its unique characters- (1) you have to worry about water, (2) you meet all these other trail runners, (3) you have to contend with bikes (I haven't seen a single horse yet), and (4) you have to improvise when faced with "discharge" issues. On (1), Jeff brought a water belt for $36- it carries 6 small bottles, and I and Mia actually drank 2 of them! Mia and Anetta played water girls again, coming back to us on their bikes every 2 miles. It worked, until I and Mia used up our water, and I felt I needed gatorade. So in the last 4 miles, I drank some of Jeff's supply. It turns out there are no water stops anywhere on our route. On (2), we met a lot of runners today, it seems everybody started training for the City of Oaks marathon! Among the memorable ones- a pack of highschool girls who were so fit and lean, I felt so old :) Especially when they blew by us (doing our 11:30 pace). I told Jeff we should be prepared for lots of people passing us during the actual marathon. I am hoping I can pass at least one, so I won't be last :)
On (3), some of the bikes were going fast and kicking up a lot of dust. I think on actual marathon day, I will be breathing a lot of dust (see 2 above). On (4), well we're on a trail, you need to go, so you basically go off the trail and find a nice old tree, look up and down the trail to see if any women are coming, and you discharge some of that water you chugged. So now I figured why they call this the City of Oaks marathon- all these oaks serving as cover and as recipient of liquid during this drought :)
I probably ran faster than usual- the heel up running forces me to keep ground contact very short. And I feel good knowing I'm back to 10+ miles, and 18 miles per week. Next week, the target for the long run is 12-14 miles, and maybe 20 mpw.
The nice thing about running back from Reedy Creek to Graylyn was that this is the route the marathon will take. So having a good run on it was satisfying- we had met the enemy, and we could take him! The run was also longer than I had planned, and my weekly mileage was 4+3.5+10.4 = about 18 miles. This is a big jump from last week's 13 miles, and every book I've read said keep the weekly increases below 10%, but it felt good. I really felt good the whole time- there was the last hill where my HR went up to 174 per minute, and I had to stop and walk, but otherwise, everything felt great. I started to feel something in my left knee, and I have on (8 hours later) a knee brace, but I am walking straight. Nothing like the pain after the 14-miler 3 weeks ago. I thnk the new run form (heel up) is helping with my knees, and running on the trail and treadmill definitely helps. Now I have to decide if I will ever train on concrete or asphalt! I think I can train on the treadmill and in Umstead until November.
Running on trails has its unique characters- (1) you have to worry about water, (2) you meet all these other trail runners, (3) you have to contend with bikes (I haven't seen a single horse yet), and (4) you have to improvise when faced with "discharge" issues. On (1), Jeff brought a water belt for $36- it carries 6 small bottles, and I and Mia actually drank 2 of them! Mia and Anetta played water girls again, coming back to us on their bikes every 2 miles. It worked, until I and Mia used up our water, and I felt I needed gatorade. So in the last 4 miles, I drank some of Jeff's supply. It turns out there are no water stops anywhere on our route. On (2), we met a lot of runners today, it seems everybody started training for the City of Oaks marathon! Among the memorable ones- a pack of highschool girls who were so fit and lean, I felt so old :) Especially when they blew by us (doing our 11:30 pace). I told Jeff we should be prepared for lots of people passing us during the actual marathon. I am hoping I can pass at least one, so I won't be last :)
On (3), some of the bikes were going fast and kicking up a lot of dust. I think on actual marathon day, I will be breathing a lot of dust (see 2 above). On (4), well we're on a trail, you need to go, so you basically go off the trail and find a nice old tree, look up and down the trail to see if any women are coming, and you discharge some of that water you chugged. So now I figured why they call this the City of Oaks marathon- all these oaks serving as cover and as recipient of liquid during this drought :)
I probably ran faster than usual- the heel up running forces me to keep ground contact very short. And I feel good knowing I'm back to 10+ miles, and 18 miles per week. Next week, the target for the long run is 12-14 miles, and maybe 20 mpw.
Keeping on
I ran 3.5 miles last night (Thursday) on the treadmill. There was no other time available except at 10 PM, so I went to the gym. Just a few people around- maybe less than 12. I ran the first 20 min at 11:15/mile pace. Then I did 10 min run/1 min walk after that. I figured 3.5 was a good place to stop. The left calf had some pain the first 0.6 miles, but it went away. My average HR was 150 bpm. A little too high, since I spent 50% of the time out of the 115-155 bpm zone. Anyway, it felt good.
For some reason, I haven't gotten used to earphones and an MP3 player. I just watch the TV screens (1 HS football game, 1 news show, and 1 music video show) simultaneously. The music at the gym is usually pretty good, and I just have to keep time.
Today (Friday), I had some pain in the left leg-kinda like shin splints, upper leg. I tried massaging it, but it looks weird massaging your leg at work. Anyway, today was one meeting after another from 11 AM to 4:30 PM. I actually didn't have time for lunch. So I had a big dinner at a friend's house- the kids practiced a Filipino dance (tinikling) and watched HS Musical 2. Tomorrow we go to the trail again for maybe 8 or 9 miles.
For some reason, I haven't gotten used to earphones and an MP3 player. I just watch the TV screens (1 HS football game, 1 news show, and 1 music video show) simultaneously. The music at the gym is usually pretty good, and I just have to keep time.
Today (Friday), I had some pain in the left leg-kinda like shin splints, upper leg. I tried massaging it, but it looks weird massaging your leg at work. Anyway, today was one meeting after another from 11 AM to 4:30 PM. I actually didn't have time for lunch. So I had a big dinner at a friend's house- the kids practiced a Filipino dance (tinikling) and watched HS Musical 2. Tomorrow we go to the trail again for maybe 8 or 9 miles.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Reminders amid the busy-ness
Today was a blur. Going to the office with 13-year old and 3-year old in tow, finishing edits on a manuscript, meeting new graduate students, meeting with existing grad students about research, arranging faculty meetings, dropping off one kid at the dentist's, picking up another kid, and then coming back to the dentist's - that was the whole day. I planned on taking the kids to the pool in the evening to unwind (and maybe swim a few laps), but the pool was closed for chemical treatment. So we went back home, changed, then decided to come back to the gym so the 7-year old can go rock-climbing. Today was a blur.
But amid the busy-ness, I was reminded many times of the value of being in the moment. By that, I mean total concentration on just the thing at the moment. A major part of this was having Mireya beside me the whole day. When you have to make sure a 3-year old is not bored and satisfied, and when you are interrupted many times, you just have to pay attention. So I didn't feel stressed out. There are lots of funny moments with little kids. It was also good to spend time with my son at the climbing wall. I was belayer, and he enjoyed it, though he hasn't made it to any top yet. So all in all, this day was fine- I got to do some of the things I had to do at the office, and I did spend some time with my kids.
Another reminder was a phone call to a friend of my sister's whom I met last year in the Philippines. Their son Jack has a rare genetic disease called Fanconi Anemia, and they have been trying to raise funds for his bone marrow transplant to give him his best chance of living a long normal life. They were supposed to attend this camp in Maine for kids with FA, but they missed it, because Jack had to be hospitalized several times while in Los Angeles, where they stopped over at his grandparents' house. Imagine being in a foreign country, with no medical insurance, with a kid with a life-threatening disease. They have spent a lot, and will probably spend more, as Jack undergoes more blood transfusions and needs more medicine.
These are the reminders that amid our busy-ness, there are more important things going on in the world. There are parents praying and doing their best to keep their children alive. In the end, these are the things that matter. Kiss your children tonight, tell them you love them. Be reminded of what life is about.
To learn more about Jack Simbulan's brave fight against FA, and to help the Simbulans, please visit www.savejacksimbulan.blogspot.com
But amid the busy-ness, I was reminded many times of the value of being in the moment. By that, I mean total concentration on just the thing at the moment. A major part of this was having Mireya beside me the whole day. When you have to make sure a 3-year old is not bored and satisfied, and when you are interrupted many times, you just have to pay attention. So I didn't feel stressed out. There are lots of funny moments with little kids. It was also good to spend time with my son at the climbing wall. I was belayer, and he enjoyed it, though he hasn't made it to any top yet. So all in all, this day was fine- I got to do some of the things I had to do at the office, and I did spend some time with my kids.
Another reminder was a phone call to a friend of my sister's whom I met last year in the Philippines. Their son Jack has a rare genetic disease called Fanconi Anemia, and they have been trying to raise funds for his bone marrow transplant to give him his best chance of living a long normal life. They were supposed to attend this camp in Maine for kids with FA, but they missed it, because Jack had to be hospitalized several times while in Los Angeles, where they stopped over at his grandparents' house. Imagine being in a foreign country, with no medical insurance, with a kid with a life-threatening disease. They have spent a lot, and will probably spend more, as Jack undergoes more blood transfusions and needs more medicine.
These are the reminders that amid our busy-ness, there are more important things going on in the world. There are parents praying and doing their best to keep their children alive. In the end, these are the things that matter. Kiss your children tonight, tell them you love them. Be reminded of what life is about.
To learn more about Jack Simbulan's brave fight against FA, and to help the Simbulans, please visit www.savejacksimbulan.blogspot.com
Monday, August 13, 2007
Making progress
This morning I skipped my gym run club's run and went solo on the treadmill. I ran 4 miles on 10 min run/1 min walk (5.3 mph/3.3 mph). The calf pain in the left leg went away after 0.5 miles. I ran pretty much pain-free the whole way! the key is really making time for stretching before the run. However, my HR was somewhat higher this morning. The overall average was 151, and I was in my target zome of 120-155 only for 20 min out of the 45 min I was on the treadmill. My HR at "steady-state" running was mostly in the 161 range. I wouldn't have noticed without the HR monitor, though. I felt fine the whole way. Also, my HR went back down to below 138 quickly during the walk breaks. So does this mean I am recovering faster? I wonder if there is any additional stress on the heart with this up-and-down rate going on? Anyway, I am happy with the run, and I feel good- no aches 4 hours after the run. I feel I am making progress.
On the heel up type of running- I tried it and I think I may be getting the hang of it. It may have contributed to the fact I don't have any knee or calf pain. It does force me a little to lean forward (just a little). It helped to have mirror on the side wall- I could watch my form while running.
On the heel up type of running- I tried it and I think I may be getting the hang of it. It may have contributed to the fact I don't have any knee or calf pain. It does force me a little to lean forward (just a little). It helped to have mirror on the side wall- I could watch my form while running.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Going home
First the running info- no run today, it's rest day. I may run tomorrow with my old gym run club. Or else just run in the morning on the treadmill. Either way, I hope to do 4 miles.
On to the title of this post...For the past few days, I have been thinking about coming home to the Philippines. This is something I have thought about for the past 15 years, of course, but recently I received two emails: one from a high school batchmate, who relayed the sentiments of a former teacher in high school. The other one was from a high school batchmate. The former teacher lamented the fact that Phil. science and technology is still so backward, despite all the money invested in special science high schools. She was disappointed that all these science graduates end up abroad, and their training and skills do not benefit the Philippines. The batchmate opined that if there are no opportunities in the Philippines, we should be making these opportunities.
I have studied the phenomenon of brain drain for a long time, as well as the more general phenomenon now called the Filipino diaspora. Public policy of course is different from personal decision-making, but some perspective can be gained from country-wide data. These data include the estimated 8 million Filipinos abroad (10% of the population), and the $11 Billion that overseas workers remit back to the country (around 12% of GDP). Indeed, without these overseas workers, the Philippine economy will take tremendous hit. Many families are kept out of poverty because of a relative or two who send back money. It is also clear that there are not enough jobs to absorb these overseas workers. With unemployment at 19%, these folks will join the ranks of the unemployed, or at least take over jobs from those currently employed.
But perhaps these overall numbers do not or should not apply to the most skilled and educated of these overseas workers. For indeed, if the best and the brightest all get up and leave, what will happen to the country? But what would it take to make the best and brightest come back? Certainly jobs that will pay the equivalent of what these folks earn abroad will be hard to find. But perhaps there are positions that, while not paying as much, would be meaningful enough, challenging enough, and important enough that it would appeal to these balikbayans. The challenge for balikbayans is finding these positions (I'm not really sure that "making opportunities", whatever that means, will always work). The challenge for the government, and those in the Philippines is welcoming these balikbayans, and not making them feel unwanted. Too often the attitude of those left behind is one of disdain. Some of us who are abroad want to contribute, and are trying to find ways how...
More on this in future posts...
On to the title of this post...For the past few days, I have been thinking about coming home to the Philippines. This is something I have thought about for the past 15 years, of course, but recently I received two emails: one from a high school batchmate, who relayed the sentiments of a former teacher in high school. The other one was from a high school batchmate. The former teacher lamented the fact that Phil. science and technology is still so backward, despite all the money invested in special science high schools. She was disappointed that all these science graduates end up abroad, and their training and skills do not benefit the Philippines. The batchmate opined that if there are no opportunities in the Philippines, we should be making these opportunities.
I have studied the phenomenon of brain drain for a long time, as well as the more general phenomenon now called the Filipino diaspora. Public policy of course is different from personal decision-making, but some perspective can be gained from country-wide data. These data include the estimated 8 million Filipinos abroad (10% of the population), and the $11 Billion that overseas workers remit back to the country (around 12% of GDP). Indeed, without these overseas workers, the Philippine economy will take tremendous hit. Many families are kept out of poverty because of a relative or two who send back money. It is also clear that there are not enough jobs to absorb these overseas workers. With unemployment at 19%, these folks will join the ranks of the unemployed, or at least take over jobs from those currently employed.
But perhaps these overall numbers do not or should not apply to the most skilled and educated of these overseas workers. For indeed, if the best and the brightest all get up and leave, what will happen to the country? But what would it take to make the best and brightest come back? Certainly jobs that will pay the equivalent of what these folks earn abroad will be hard to find. But perhaps there are positions that, while not paying as much, would be meaningful enough, challenging enough, and important enough that it would appeal to these balikbayans. The challenge for balikbayans is finding these positions (I'm not really sure that "making opportunities", whatever that means, will always work). The challenge for the government, and those in the Philippines is welcoming these balikbayans, and not making them feel unwanted. Too often the attitude of those left behind is one of disdain. Some of us who are abroad want to contribute, and are trying to find ways how...
More on this in future posts...
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Happy trails
This morning, Jeff and I ran about 7 miles at the Umstead State Park. We started at the Graylyn Rd entrance, then from the Graylyn trail to the Reedy Creek Trail, to the N Turkey Trail, then back to the cars at Graylyn. My daughter Mia and Jeff's daughter Anetta biked ahead of us, coming back every 2-3 miles to give us their water bottles. Those two are training for a teen's triathlon in September (150 m swim, 4.5 mile bike ride, and 1.5 mile run), and probably rode a total of 8-9 miles.
The trail itself was nice sand and gravel, although one trail had rough gravel and deep ruts. The way back on N Turkey was full of hills, and long steep ones too! This was a new route for us, and we didn't know what to expect- almost everyone else was doing it the other way! But since we didn't know what was coming, we just went up each hill as it came along- in a way this was better psychologically. The short hills at Lake Pine had became sort of dreadful, as you knew they were coming.
I did well during the first 4 miles. We did 10 min run, 1 min walk. But the hills got my HR up to a max of 174, and I had to tell Jeff to do 5 min/1 min to allow my HR to come down. My HR monitor kept beeping- I guess the thing was set for zone training up to only 155 bpm. So in the end, I had to shut down th timer to stop it beeping. If I knew how to work it (if I read the manual!), I could set the max HR higher, while running. But it was too tiring to set it while trying to trek uphill. Anywa, average HR was 136.
The good news is that my legs held up, although I felt it a little in the knees. A few hours after the run, the knees hurt a little, but I think it's almost gone now. I should have iced it for longer..oh well. The new Asics Gel Kayano shoes held up nicely. I tried hard to strike heel up, midfoot first. Still learning it, but I think I can do it. I did run noticeably faster when I concentrate on form, since at high gait speed and very quick contact with the ground, the body moves forward fast. The bad news is that on trails, we can't rely on our daghters always being there. So I need to get a belt to carry small bottles of water. I also have to be conscious of carb reloading. I felt weak up those hills- I could have used a Clif bar or gu.
Running on trails is the way to go. It' easier on the knees and legs since it's softer. Lots of runners at Umstead too- looks like everyone was training for the City of Oaks. I will shoot for 9 to 10 miles next weekend, and do treadmills during the week. For a first run on trails, this was not bad. And I am glad to get back on the game and rebuild those long runs. So my mileage this week is 4+2+7 = 13 miles. Next week, it should be around 16 mles.
The trail itself was nice sand and gravel, although one trail had rough gravel and deep ruts. The way back on N Turkey was full of hills, and long steep ones too! This was a new route for us, and we didn't know what to expect- almost everyone else was doing it the other way! But since we didn't know what was coming, we just went up each hill as it came along- in a way this was better psychologically. The short hills at Lake Pine had became sort of dreadful, as you knew they were coming.
I did well during the first 4 miles. We did 10 min run, 1 min walk. But the hills got my HR up to a max of 174, and I had to tell Jeff to do 5 min/1 min to allow my HR to come down. My HR monitor kept beeping- I guess the thing was set for zone training up to only 155 bpm. So in the end, I had to shut down th timer to stop it beeping. If I knew how to work it (if I read the manual!), I could set the max HR higher, while running. But it was too tiring to set it while trying to trek uphill. Anywa, average HR was 136.
The good news is that my legs held up, although I felt it a little in the knees. A few hours after the run, the knees hurt a little, but I think it's almost gone now. I should have iced it for longer..oh well. The new Asics Gel Kayano shoes held up nicely. I tried hard to strike heel up, midfoot first. Still learning it, but I think I can do it. I did run noticeably faster when I concentrate on form, since at high gait speed and very quick contact with the ground, the body moves forward fast. The bad news is that on trails, we can't rely on our daghters always being there. So I need to get a belt to carry small bottles of water. I also have to be conscious of carb reloading. I felt weak up those hills- I could have used a Clif bar or gu.
Running on trails is the way to go. It' easier on the knees and legs since it's softer. Lots of runners at Umstead too- looks like everyone was training for the City of Oaks. I will shoot for 9 to 10 miles next weekend, and do treadmills during the week. For a first run on trails, this was not bad. And I am glad to get back on the game and rebuild those long runs. So my mileage this week is 4+2+7 = 13 miles. Next week, it should be around 16 mles.
Potter and soul
I know this is supposed to be about running and GK, and I know I should be in bed, resting for tomorrow's long run (actually, in 5 hours), but we just got back from watching Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The book itself is dark, and I personally think it would be challenging to make a great movie out of it. But this movie failed to live up to expectations. I actually think the movie is bad. Badly executed, badly directed. The magic of the first four movies is gone, and I think the problem is that the director never "got" the magic of HP in the first place.
Remember when you first saw quidditch in the first movie? Or Hogwarts? Even the train station? Well, all that magic is gone. We are left with a movie with no storytelling soul. Characters reduced to caricatures, pretty mediocre CGI effects, nothing new to discover in this movie: no emotion, no "wow" moments, not even a cohesive plot. It's all about friendship and love? In the end, the movie showed neither. Sorry, but we have to call it as it is- the worst HP movie ever.
Which brings us back to soul. How do we get it- in a movie, in anything we do? I'm not sure, but I think it's about being part of the journey- breathing it, living it, experiencing it. I just don't think the director experienced HP the way serious fans do. And without that personal experience, there is no magic, there is no soul.
Remember when you first saw quidditch in the first movie? Or Hogwarts? Even the train station? Well, all that magic is gone. We are left with a movie with no storytelling soul. Characters reduced to caricatures, pretty mediocre CGI effects, nothing new to discover in this movie: no emotion, no "wow" moments, not even a cohesive plot. It's all about friendship and love? In the end, the movie showed neither. Sorry, but we have to call it as it is- the worst HP movie ever.
Which brings us back to soul. How do we get it- in a movie, in anything we do? I'm not sure, but I think it's about being part of the journey- breathing it, living it, experiencing it. I just don't think the director experienced HP the way serious fans do. And without that personal experience, there is no magic, there is no soul.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Reconnecting
I was supposed to do 4-6 miles today, but somehow, the day ended without me ever getting to the gym. It's too hot to run outside, so the gym or the treadmill at home are the only options. Between meetings at work, trying to finish a research report, and driving the kids to piano, I just lost track of the day.
But mostly, I spent a lot of time emailing people. My highschool email group as well as a college org email group are both burning with posts. People were coming out of the woodwork to post- pretty cool. I spent some time reconnecting with friends from long ago. And of course, I learned some new things- both about my legs and about what people thought...
The calves need to be stretched after 30 min of sitting down. For some reason, the knee is also acting up. Maybe my legs are just restless- they knew today was supposed to be a run day. Oh well, I'll try tomorrow. I'll probably just go for 2 or 3 miles, since it's supposed to be a rest day before Saturday's long run. I need to find some trails we can run on Saturday.
But mostly, I spent a lot of time emailing people. My highschool email group as well as a college org email group are both burning with posts. People were coming out of the woodwork to post- pretty cool. I spent some time reconnecting with friends from long ago. And of course, I learned some new things- both about my legs and about what people thought...
The calves need to be stretched after 30 min of sitting down. For some reason, the knee is also acting up. Maybe my legs are just restless- they knew today was supposed to be a run day. Oh well, I'll try tomorrow. I'll probably just go for 2 or 3 miles, since it's supposed to be a rest day before Saturday's long run. I need to find some trails we can run on Saturday.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Veggie Tales
I didn't run today, just Taekwondo in the evening. It's too hot to run outside anyway- it was 102 deg C in the afternoon, with a heat index of 110! I was stretching the whole day, mostly my calves. Taekwondo was more bearable this time, maybe because I didn't kick the bag. I worked mostly on form and hook kicks. My left calf is still tight, even with stretching all the time...
We watched a Veggie Tales video today while having dinner. The title was "The Sumo of the Opera". Well, the whole lesson was on perseverance. The cucumber (Larry) had to train hard and finish - he had a match with Apollo the big potato. All the time, I was thinking of finishing, continuing the training. "You can't just give up, you've got to finish what you start", and "Keep on keeping on!". Well, that's my new mantra, courtesy of Veggie tales- "keep on keeping on!" After all, this is for GK!
We watched a Veggie Tales video today while having dinner. The title was "The Sumo of the Opera". Well, the whole lesson was on perseverance. The cucumber (Larry) had to train hard and finish - he had a match with Apollo the big potato. All the time, I was thinking of finishing, continuing the training. "You can't just give up, you've got to finish what you start", and "Keep on keeping on!". Well, that's my new mantra, courtesy of Veggie tales- "keep on keeping on!" After all, this is for GK!
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Form and function
This morning I went to see a personal trainer to look at my biomechanics. If it feels like I've been to the gym every day, it's because I have, since Saturday...Anyway, my wife had a $35 gift card, so the 1-hour consult cost me $44. The results? First the good news- my arm form is almost perfect, and I keep my ear, hip and feet alignment pretty well. I have a little bounce (just a little), and my gait speed needs to go to 90 per minute from 84 per minute. I can do with a slightly smaller stride. The bad news? I need to run on my midfoot, with my heel up. Apparently this is the new way of running efficiently, heel up. Well, it easier said than done. It seems to put more pain on my left calf, and I still can't get the hang of it. Geesh, this is going to be tough to learn... I also was introduced to a machine for calf training, as well as the other kind of treadmill, and also core training. I think I'll try it out this week and see how it goes.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Good to be back
Well, today I ran 4 miles on the treadmill. It felt good- I ran 2.5 miles then ran/walked the rest at 5 min/1 min intervals. Run pace was 11:15, walk was 3.7 mph. There was the pain in the soleus at the beginning, but it went away. I also did the body-age test at the gym, and I was measured, prodded, pinched- and finally, was told my "age". This 38 year-old has a 35 year-old body! Woohoo! I'm just glad to be back from shin splints. The key for me is stretching- before and after. Hopefully, I can be back to doing long runs- I was at 14 miles 2 weeks ago, but now have to build up again. I am shooting for 8 miles this weekend. Tomorrow, I am going for a 1 hour consult on biomechanics- I think my run form contributes to the injuries. It's $79, but I think it will be well spent, plus I still have the $35 gift card...
I also did Taekwondo today, and boy did things get rough! My hips and feet were hurting. I am starting to think that Taekwondo is not the best X-training for running a marathon. But I don't want to give it up yet.. Maybe after I test for my blue belt in 2 months?
I also did Taekwondo today, and boy did things get rough! My hips and feet were hurting. I am starting to think that Taekwondo is not the best X-training for running a marathon. But I don't want to give it up yet.. Maybe after I test for my blue belt in 2 months?
Sunday, August 5, 2007
GK is hope, Part 2
For us, the greatest proof was what we saw on the ground, in the Philippines. My daughter Mia and I joined the 2006 Bayanihan Build in Quirino Province. We worked for one week alongside the beneficiary families in building their homes. We dug foundations, poured concrete, made partitions, painted walls. We saw firsthand the bayanihan spirit that building a community evokes. We shared stories of struggle and hope with the families. And we saw the hope that a home brings to a poor family.
And that is the first cornerstone of GK- providing a colorful, decent home one family at a time, one village at a time. For $1500, you can build a small house- 16 ft by 12 ft, made of hollowblocks and concrete, with a real roof, doors, windows. To us this might be small space, but to these families, this is the first time they will have a home. But it is not the house itself that builds the community- it is the working together among neighbors, among the kapitbahayan, that builds the community spirit. This removes the violence and anger- for how can you be angry at your neighbor- he built your house, and you built his. This is the start of moving away from the slum mentality- in one year or less, there is no crime, no violence in GK communities. If you give people a shot at a decent, clean life, they will want to stay that way. In the process, since they were involved with building, the fathers get a culture of “work”, and they become empowered as fathers again- providers and protectors of their family. We shared stories of broken fathers, made whole by the dignity of work in building his family’s shelter.
And that’s where it starts. You also build in the community a school, you provide funds for a qualified preschool teacher, so the kids are in school and not in the streets. You have a program for elementary school-age children (SIBOL), and a program for teens (SIGA). These children will never be slum children again, we have many stories fo former squatters getting college educations. Thus you break the cycle of poverty.
Then you have a livelihood component- Gawad Kabuhayan. This can be site-specific, but example projects include handicrafts, plant nurseries and gardening, vegetable gardening, a fertilizer facility, food (longanisa/tocino) industry, eco-tourism. This makes the village sustainable. Then you have a health component – Gawad Kalusugan- supported by volunteer medical professionals from the Phil and abroad. You focus on eradicating waterborne diseases, immunizations, eradicating TB, providing good health practices. An you have continuous lessons and support for the Kapitbahayan association. You build a real, working community of people so they see each other as a community, uplifting their situations together. You build this for communities of at least 30 houses, and you get the impact of scale. Hindi tingi-tingi. Then you replicate it across the country, and set a big, audacious goal of GK 777- 700,000 homes in 7,000 communities, in 7 years. And you say to each other, kaya natin iyan. It can be done. We saw it in Baseco, Tondo – 3000 homes in what as formerly the heart of violence and gangs among squatters.
Here in North Carolina, we started in 2005, and with the help of our brothers and sisters in Charlotte, the Triad, Asheville, and even SC, we were able to build a village of 30 homes. That is the village we visited in Quirino province. In 2006, once again, the people of NC rose to the challenge, and we were able to fund the Village of the Carolinas II, to be built in Naga City. This year, we are going to rise up to the challenge, and build not just one, but several villages. And we can do it.
It started with a dream, but now it is reality. The dream has become the dream of hundreds of thousands of volunteers in the Philippines and abroad, and we saw this when we were there. People like you and me who may have given up on government, are buying into this dream, and dedicating their lives so we can lift the Philippines from a third world country into a model for development. It is happening- the miracle of GK, that has been recognized by the Phil. Government, by governments in Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, that has been recognized with awards and citations.
But let us not forget that it is powered by love. The volunteers that we met- young college graduates, old folks, balikbayans, showing their love for God and country in this unique way- they were finding a deeper purpose in life because of GK. They have internalized the meaning of “less for self, more for others, enough for all”.
So if you look at GK with our minds – we cannot argue with the results. We can see how effective the approach is. If we look with our hearts, how can we not be touched by this patriotism and love. We say bayan, bayani, bayanihan.
I invite all of you to learn more about GK at www.gawadkalinga.org. We can all be heroes for our country and for the poorest of the poor. GK 777, Kasali tayo diyan!
And that is the first cornerstone of GK- providing a colorful, decent home one family at a time, one village at a time. For $1500, you can build a small house- 16 ft by 12 ft, made of hollowblocks and concrete, with a real roof, doors, windows. To us this might be small space, but to these families, this is the first time they will have a home. But it is not the house itself that builds the community- it is the working together among neighbors, among the kapitbahayan, that builds the community spirit. This removes the violence and anger- for how can you be angry at your neighbor- he built your house, and you built his. This is the start of moving away from the slum mentality- in one year or less, there is no crime, no violence in GK communities. If you give people a shot at a decent, clean life, they will want to stay that way. In the process, since they were involved with building, the fathers get a culture of “work”, and they become empowered as fathers again- providers and protectors of their family. We shared stories of broken fathers, made whole by the dignity of work in building his family’s shelter.
And that’s where it starts. You also build in the community a school, you provide funds for a qualified preschool teacher, so the kids are in school and not in the streets. You have a program for elementary school-age children (SIBOL), and a program for teens (SIGA). These children will never be slum children again, we have many stories fo former squatters getting college educations. Thus you break the cycle of poverty.
Then you have a livelihood component- Gawad Kabuhayan. This can be site-specific, but example projects include handicrafts, plant nurseries and gardening, vegetable gardening, a fertilizer facility, food (longanisa/tocino) industry, eco-tourism. This makes the village sustainable. Then you have a health component – Gawad Kalusugan- supported by volunteer medical professionals from the Phil and abroad. You focus on eradicating waterborne diseases, immunizations, eradicating TB, providing good health practices. An you have continuous lessons and support for the Kapitbahayan association. You build a real, working community of people so they see each other as a community, uplifting their situations together. You build this for communities of at least 30 houses, and you get the impact of scale. Hindi tingi-tingi. Then you replicate it across the country, and set a big, audacious goal of GK 777- 700,000 homes in 7,000 communities, in 7 years. And you say to each other, kaya natin iyan. It can be done. We saw it in Baseco, Tondo – 3000 homes in what as formerly the heart of violence and gangs among squatters.
Here in North Carolina, we started in 2005, and with the help of our brothers and sisters in Charlotte, the Triad, Asheville, and even SC, we were able to build a village of 30 homes. That is the village we visited in Quirino province. In 2006, once again, the people of NC rose to the challenge, and we were able to fund the Village of the Carolinas II, to be built in Naga City. This year, we are going to rise up to the challenge, and build not just one, but several villages. And we can do it.
It started with a dream, but now it is reality. The dream has become the dream of hundreds of thousands of volunteers in the Philippines and abroad, and we saw this when we were there. People like you and me who may have given up on government, are buying into this dream, and dedicating their lives so we can lift the Philippines from a third world country into a model for development. It is happening- the miracle of GK, that has been recognized by the Phil. Government, by governments in Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, that has been recognized with awards and citations.
But let us not forget that it is powered by love. The volunteers that we met- young college graduates, old folks, balikbayans, showing their love for God and country in this unique way- they were finding a deeper purpose in life because of GK. They have internalized the meaning of “less for self, more for others, enough for all”.
So if you look at GK with our minds – we cannot argue with the results. We can see how effective the approach is. If we look with our hearts, how can we not be touched by this patriotism and love. We say bayan, bayani, bayanihan.
I invite all of you to learn more about GK at www.gawadkalinga.org. We can all be heroes for our country and for the poorest of the poor. GK 777, Kasali tayo diyan!
About GK
Below is the text of the little speech I gave at the two screenings of the GK Movie "Paraiso" in Cary, NC.
Good afternoon. Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat.
Once in your life, you become part of something that is bigger than anything you’ve ever experienced. Two years ago, my wife Bembe literally stumbled onto this organization called Gawad Kalinga. On her highschool batch email list, a former classmate mentioned GK. When she first mentioned it to me, I was skeptical. We probably all have experiences with charities and non-profits that have good intentions but are not effective and do not make a difference. Because of these experiences, we are sometimes skeptical, even suspicious.
But we soon found out that GK is different. The language was different. This is not a charity, this is a movement. The vision is not addressing only one issue- it is grand – transforming our motherland, the Philippines, from a third world country with slums to a country with pride, dignity- one home, one community, at a time. And the manner in which this is being done is different. This is not a charity concerned only with raising funds to give to the poor, this is work guided by love for others, where the poor are involved in helping themselves and their neighbor, where the process of transformation is as important as the results. And because of this approach, the results are phenomenal- more than 20,000 new homes in more than 1,000 communities in almost all provinces in the Philippines, from the northern tip of Luzon to the southern provinces in Muslim Mindanao. What is different with GK? Why is it that this movement started by CFC in the late 1990s has become such a sweeping movement with hundreds of thousands of volunteers, all dedicated and giving their time, talents, and treasures? Anong kakaiba sa Gawad Kalinga?
The answer is simple: GK is an expression of the greatest force in the world- LOVE. The work of GK is the expression of our love for neighbor, as we are called, as Christians, as Filipinos, to do. It is the expression of our core beliefs as humans: human dignity, respect, the belief that we are on this earth not only for ourselves but for each other. This was very powerful stuff. Most of us will probably say- that’s all well and good, but show me the proof. Show me that this is not just a flash in the pan, ningas cogon, some front for someone with other intentions. We have over the years, as Filipinos, become used to this.
But GK is different, because the message is true, and witnessed by many heroes who have dedicated their time, efforts, their lives for the cause of the poor. There is Dylan Wilk, with not a drop of Filipino blood, who turned away from a life of leisure and riches, and found his life’s work in GK. There are heroes like Rose Cabrera, who walked away from 6-figure salaries in the US, to dedicate her life to GK. There are three stories of love and hope that we will see today.
Good afternoon. Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat.
Once in your life, you become part of something that is bigger than anything you’ve ever experienced. Two years ago, my wife Bembe literally stumbled onto this organization called Gawad Kalinga. On her highschool batch email list, a former classmate mentioned GK. When she first mentioned it to me, I was skeptical. We probably all have experiences with charities and non-profits that have good intentions but are not effective and do not make a difference. Because of these experiences, we are sometimes skeptical, even suspicious.
But we soon found out that GK is different. The language was different. This is not a charity, this is a movement. The vision is not addressing only one issue- it is grand – transforming our motherland, the Philippines, from a third world country with slums to a country with pride, dignity- one home, one community, at a time. And the manner in which this is being done is different. This is not a charity concerned only with raising funds to give to the poor, this is work guided by love for others, where the poor are involved in helping themselves and their neighbor, where the process of transformation is as important as the results. And because of this approach, the results are phenomenal- more than 20,000 new homes in more than 1,000 communities in almost all provinces in the Philippines, from the northern tip of Luzon to the southern provinces in Muslim Mindanao. What is different with GK? Why is it that this movement started by CFC in the late 1990s has become such a sweeping movement with hundreds of thousands of volunteers, all dedicated and giving their time, talents, and treasures? Anong kakaiba sa Gawad Kalinga?
The answer is simple: GK is an expression of the greatest force in the world- LOVE. The work of GK is the expression of our love for neighbor, as we are called, as Christians, as Filipinos, to do. It is the expression of our core beliefs as humans: human dignity, respect, the belief that we are on this earth not only for ourselves but for each other. This was very powerful stuff. Most of us will probably say- that’s all well and good, but show me the proof. Show me that this is not just a flash in the pan, ningas cogon, some front for someone with other intentions. We have over the years, as Filipinos, become used to this.
But GK is different, because the message is true, and witnessed by many heroes who have dedicated their time, efforts, their lives for the cause of the poor. There is Dylan Wilk, with not a drop of Filipino blood, who turned away from a life of leisure and riches, and found his life’s work in GK. There are heroes like Rose Cabrera, who walked away from 6-figure salaries in the US, to dedicate her life to GK. There are three stories of love and hope that we will see today.
Getting to 26.2
I actually started training in May, using the Jeff Galloway method. This is a run0-walk strategy ( I have settled on 5 min of run/1 min walk). The idea is to rest your leg muscles (when you walk, you use different muscles in a different way) so that they don't tire as easily as continuous running. So you get stronger over time, and actually can pick up the pace in the last few miles! Or at least survive...The method works, and thousands have finished marathons because of the Galloway method.
Well, two weeks ago, I was up to 14 miles in my long run- the long run is the weekend run that you try to improve each time, so that around 3 weeks before the marathon date, you have actually run 24 to 26 miles at one time. I was proud to finish 14 miles (in 3 hours), never mind that I could only half-walk after that. My knees hurt, and my calves hurt. A few days later, after running with my gym run club, I had shin splints in my left leg. I guess I have to talk a little about all the little and not-so-little pains I've gone through in a separate post.
Anyway, I decided to stop running for a little bit, until the shin splints went away. I biked in between, but it wasn't enough to raise my heart rate to the target zone. But I was glad to feel that I hadn't lost all of my endurance. Yesterday was the first time I went running again- after a full 10 days of no running. My wife and kids all saw how cranky I became since I couldn't run (well, I also had a writing deadline at work- a book chapter on wastewater treatment). I did just 2.5 miles on the treadmill at the gym, but it felt great! Relatively pain-free. I stopped when I felt a little bit of pain in the calves. But I felt so good when I started, I forgot to do my 1 min walk after 5 min. I was running for 20 min before I remembered! Anyway, I feel like I am back. Now, I just have to ramp up slowly...
The starting line
Well, we're off and running!
I started this blog to serve as my running log as I train for my very first marathon. On Nov. 4, 2007, I hope to be at the starting line of the City of Oaks Marathon (www.cityofoaksmarathon.com). I am training so I can run/walk/crawl 26.2 miles. All the books I've read say only 1% of all people has done this- complete a marathon. Well, I like my odds already :)
I am running to raise awareness and advocate for Gawad Kalinga- a national movement in the Philippines that is transforming the nation. My wife and I became volunteers for GK in 2005, and the ANCOP-GK (Answering the Cry of the Poor) team of volunteers in North Carolina has managed to help raise funds for 2 GK Villages already! (More on this later). I have committed to become a member of the GK Hero's Run Team- committed to raising funds for at least 1 house ($1500). We have about 10 people running for GK in the Raleigh-Durham area in NC. So this blog is to share my thoughts about GK, as well as sharing my thoughts (and pains) during the training.
Glad to have you along for the ride!
I started this blog to serve as my running log as I train for my very first marathon. On Nov. 4, 2007, I hope to be at the starting line of the City of Oaks Marathon (www.cityofoaksmarathon.com). I am training so I can run/walk/crawl 26.2 miles. All the books I've read say only 1% of all people has done this- complete a marathon. Well, I like my odds already :)
I am running to raise awareness and advocate for Gawad Kalinga- a national movement in the Philippines that is transforming the nation. My wife and I became volunteers for GK in 2005, and the ANCOP-GK (Answering the Cry of the Poor) team of volunteers in North Carolina has managed to help raise funds for 2 GK Villages already! (More on this later). I have committed to become a member of the GK Hero's Run Team- committed to raising funds for at least 1 house ($1500). We have about 10 people running for GK in the Raleigh-Durham area in NC. So this blog is to share my thoughts about GK, as well as sharing my thoughts (and pains) during the training.
Glad to have you along for the ride!
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