Chicago Marathon - 3 WEEKS AWAY! *GASP*

Sorry it took so long for an update.  Had a little more fun with this one :)

Happy 4th Anniversary, Jaz!

 

Four years ago on August 26, 2006, I married my best friend.  Through countless of hours used on calling cards, overage minutes on cell phones, dialpad, video chat, emails, and IMs there was always something very special between me and Jaz.  Pure happiness.  I genuinely want to make her happy everyday.  I want her to smile and laugh and even cry with me.  It's definitely something I did not understand when we just started dating when I was 20, or even something I grew to understand through the six years we dated.  And I'm sure even now I still don't fully grasp it.  But I do know that I have seen love in her eyes since the first time we met.  And here we are, just a mere four years later, and I still want her to be happy.  I know relatively speaking, we've had it easy, and once we have children (NO ANNOUNCEMENTS YET) our love will grow even more.  But until we cross that bridge, I am not sure I fully understand that either.  So I am ok with not understanding it all...as long as I am not understanding it with her.

I love you Jaz!

15 miles...oh..dear...God

I decided to opt for the written post as opposed to the VLOG for this week's training update.

Saturday came.  I hadn't run in 10 days prior to the 15 miler.  The week prior, I felt like I may have tweaked my knee and/or achilles again.  They were just tightening up on me.  Plus Jaz and I were going to Florida for vacation, so I decided to take a little break, probably thru the weekend.  The weekend comes and goes, and they haven't healed completely.  So I extend it till when we get back...still tight.  Decided to just wait until all felt better.  And that day came on the Friday before the 15 miler.  Oh dear.  So here I am on Saturday, carrying some extra vacation Florida weight, not run a mile in 10 days, drank a lot of vacation Diet Cokes and Smoothies w/rum in it.  I knew that the run was going to be much more difficult than it should be.  And I was right.

Right away, my right knee was tight.  I normally don't worry too much about any nagging tightness because I know they normally work themselves out through the run.  And I was right.  4 miles in, and I felt looser, but my calves still felt tighter than I would like.  Now I drank water and gatorade the day before on Friday, but I found out later that maybe I needed to start hydrating even before then.  We hit the 1/2 way mark at about 8 miles and I was already fatigued.  The site coordinator was there too, and he even asked if I was ok.  I must have also LOOKED bad as I felt.  Oh yeah...and there were like A MILLION mosquitos out in the forest.  I was falling back considerably from our pace group.  Luckily, one of the group leaders decided to hang back with me.  For a bit I thought I was getting dehydrated, but I was ok.  At the 10 mile hydration stop was when thing started going downhill fast.  I almost cramped about 6 or 7 times.  So I had to stretch and walk each time.  It would almost happen one after the other.  Cramp....stretch....walk....start to run....cramp....repeat.  It SUCKED! By then a couple of other runners decided to walk with us as well.  Tim, Kim, and Michelle saved me that day.  I just couldn't go on, but they pushed me to finish.  In fact, they made it bearable.  They told stories and we laughed a lot.  So it was a good time in spite of the constant cramping and swarms of mosquitos.  Then finally after 3 hours and 45 minutes, we were done.  15 more miles on my shoes and 133 mosquito bites on my back, legs, and arms.

One of the faster runners in our pace group made this for me.  Isn't she sweet? Thanks Lisa!

Lesson: WATER WATER WATER! I need to shed some more weight so it will be easier on my joints, knees, ankles, achilles, etc. I am going to concentrate on my diet this week.  No junk food, no pop, good carbs and lean proteins.  And some strength training is necessary.  I have been majorly slacking in that department, and I think it is time for me to pick that up again.

Thank you again to Michelle, Tim, and Kim!  Without you I wouldn't have made it out of the forest and would have succumb to the mosquito villages.

VLOG 6 - 13 mile group run

VLOG 5 - 12 mile group run

Need to catch up some...

Don't mind the outdated VLOGS :)

I am humbled...

I sent my first emails out to my friends and family about supporting me for this marathon on March 17th of this year. I sent that out one day after the 13 year anniversary that my dad passed away. My initial goal to raise for the American Heart Association was $1500. Now here I am a little over 4 months later, and we have not only reached this goal, but exceeded it! I absolutely cannot believe the kindness and generosity my friends and family has displayed, and I wanted a chance to thank all of you who have supported me with these donations. What is crazy is that I know that there are still other donations coming in. I still have over 2 months to collect donations. If you are one of those who still want to donate, please visit my donation site: http://www.runningforjerry.org

Thank you all so much!

• Aiden Vigan
• Annie Pardilla
• Arthur Cacayuran
• Berdee Atanante
• Bert & Rose Aguinaldo
• Brian Schuch
• Chi Li
• Concepcion Jasmin
• Diane Zimmerman
• Eileen Luciano
• Freddy Oldenburg
• Haley Vigan
• Heather Kelley
• James Luciano
• Jason and Siou Pugsley
• Jaymie Miguel
• Jean Gavina
• Jeffery Heath
• Ken Litchfield
• Kristina Marinas
• Lourdes Rabara
• Maria Austria
• Maria Victoria (Baba)Jasmin
• Maria& Ferdinand Gueco
• Michael Potter
• Michele Yanong
• Remedios Jao
• Rick Manis
• RIKKI MISTRY
• Robert Mills
• Roberta Fuery
• Rodger Decilio
• Rodolfo Jao
• Rowena Cera
• Salavador Gueco
• Samuel Paschka
• Sharon Del Pilar-Feldman
• Steve Manio

The New Tumang - Elijah!

Welcome to the world Elijah!  Congrats to Erick, Abby, and little Annie for their new addition to the family!  And thank you for trusting me to be Elijah's Ninong!  I am so honored!

We went to see the new Tumang today.  On the way to the hospital I got an email from my boss to work on something since I am on-call.  What timing!  We stopped by my mom's so I could work for a bit, but as soon as I was done we were out the door!  Luckily we still got there with 15 minutes left in visiting hours!  I'm sure Jaz didn't appreciate the fast driving, but I had to see my godson!!

Here are some more pictures from today: Joe's Shutterfly Site

 

"Stages" performing at House of Blues!

I found out a couple weeks back that the singing group I used to sing with back 10 years ago (really has it been that long?) was asked to perform at show at the House of Blues.  Our group was called Stages.  Of course I was excited but then learned that the show was supposed to happen while Jaz and I were planning to go to Hawaii for vacation.  I was sad to turn down the offer, but I knew the guys would be just fine without me.

Well it turned out we are not going to Hawaii but Florida instead, and decided to cut our trip a little shorter.  So now I can make the show! I'm not sure of all the details yet to be honest, but House of Blues?  Pretty big deal to me.  I never performed in anything like that venue before, unless you count my Air Guitar performance at the United Center! Haha.  We will also be graced with quite a few talented artists around Chicago as well as Sway Penala who was from Season 5 of American Idol, but more well known as a member of Drop N Harmony in the Asian community back in the day. Those dudes can SANG!!

Here are the details about the show:

 

...and to give you an idea of what we sound like now....

 

Hope to see you there!

Congrats to Marisol and Marvin!

CONGRATS TO MARISOL AND MARVIN ON THEIR MARRIAGE!

Here's the link to all 100+ pictures from their wedding: Joe's Shutterfly Site

VLOG - Marathon Training Week 6

Training on vacation

It is week 6 of the 18 week marathon training program for this year's Chicago Marathon.  It also is the week that I had to really prove to myself how serious I really am with this training since I went to the Wisconsin Dells with my family all week.  I have yet to actually run all three runs during the week that I am supposed to be running up until now.  I normally get in one of the two 3 mile runs in, and then the longish run in as well, and then of course the long run during the weekend with the CARA group training.  This week I could have easily blown off the runs during the week and just been ready for the long run this weekend since it was a cutback week of 7 miles.  With the motivation of my two brothers, I have completed two of the three runs during the week and looking to finally hit that third run also tomorrow (later today).

It has been pretty humid here in the Dells, but I took it as an opportunity to get some heat training in too.  You never know what kind of weather will hit on October 10th this year!  I also took the opportunity to do a little bit of hill training today during my 5 mile run.  Just before the end of mile 2, I hit various levels of inclines and declines for the remainder of the distance.  Being back home, I normally just hit the same flat land.  This was a little tougher for me and I found myself huffing and puffing more than usual.  Again, I don't know what the conditions will be come race day, so I gotta have some different kinds of training out there as well.  We do our fair amount of steady incline/decline runs during our weekly long runs with CARA, but nothing like some of the hills I hit today.  It was hard work but also a nice change of pace too.  I kept thinking about my ankles and my achilles through these inclines, and it seemed to hold up, not pushing too hard off it.  I still do my proper stretching and extra cold shower after each run to cool off the body.  In addition we have been hitting the water parks everyday so I get a little more "swimming" in as well as a nice little hot tub session every now and again.  The sleeping has suffered a bit, and I just don't feel well rested in the morning.  It might be because of the small, not entirely comfortable bed we have been sleeping in the past few nights.  Also that night we hit the casino till 3:30 in the morning probably didn't help much either!  I know it definitely did not help my pocket!

Tomorrow (again, later today) I plan on running 3 miles, some of it with my oldest brother to finish strong this week to get into the 7 mile run on Saturday.  I can't believe I'll be a 1/3 of the way through this marathon training.  I will admit I am worried about next week's mileage of 3/6/3 during the week then 12mi long run on Saturday (GASP).  Remember, the mileage of the long run scheduled for next week is what did my achilles in a few months back.  I've been waiting for this distance for some time, so I can't wait to hit and then move on and up!

I plan on getting a VLOG out there again soon.  There are about 5 people who like them, so I gotta keep them happy! :)

Happy training!

Blogging from above

No I didn't die.  I am currently on a flight to Vegas for my cousin Rodell's wedding.  I am pretty excited about getting to see all of my relatives that I have not seen in a while. Obviously all of Rodell's brothers and sisters will be there.  I don't even know the last time I saw all NINE brothers and sisters together.  It must have been one of their weddings or something.  I have no idea who got married last...too many to keep up with!  I haven't seen Rodney, Rodger, or Jun in it seems like forever! It will be a great family reunion with TONS of pictures.  I brought my 75-300mm lens so I should get better than usual shots of the wedding.  When I am so far the normal lens doesn't help a lot.  I'd like to buy a new camera body, as this one just doesn't do all I would like, but that will have to wait until I strike it a little rich.

Chloe gave Jaz and I some good luck smurfs for our trip.  Legend has it that when Chloe had these smurfs in her bag at school, she got 100% on her test.  I like to think it was just that she was smart enough to earn that 100%, but I guess that lesson will have to be taught a little later on in life.  I will still bring them with me when I hit the tables, because quite honestly, I can use all the help I can get!

Now onto the important task at hand for the year: The Marathon!  Training has been going pretty well.  Take a look at the past couple of posts, I have some VLOGs up on youtube talking about some of the training, trials, and tribulations.  This weekend would mark the end of week 4 of the marathon training.  I will admit, I have not been doing as good with the runs I am supposed to be during the week as I had hoped.  I have only been doing two of the scheduled three runs during the week.  According to the schedule, I am supposed to run each day Tuesday-Thursday with varying and progressively increasing short runs and then Saturday I do my progressively increasing long runs (which I have been running with CARA).  This week was kind of screwy because of the vacation we had scheduled to Vegas.  I originally was going to run my long run as scheduled in Vegas on Saturday.  After checking the weather was going to be over 100 degrees, I quickly changed my mind.  I ended up running the long run today of 9 miles.  Problem is that I had a pretty good 3 mile run yesterday as well. Normally the long run is preceded by a rest day.  Since it was "only" 9 miles, I figured I could tough it out, and I did.  This run did make me want to scrap my Polar HRM and footpod though.  It just appears that the Polar is making me "faster" than I really think I am.  I am pretty sure it has to do with the fact my laces are diagonal on my new Asics Nimbus.  (Oh I didn't even take a picture of my new shoes!  Remind me to do that!)  Again...gotta strike it a little rich to score a Garmin. :)

The CARA group runs have been very helpful and motivating.  My normal pace is about 12 minutes per mile, but the slowest pace at the group is 11:30, so I have been running with that pace group.  It hasn't been so bad running a little faster, but I guess we will see what happens when we really turn up he mileage around 15 miles and such.  I'm dreading it, and looking forward to it at the same time.  I should really get that third run during the week, maybe that will help me out even more during the long runs.

Hey Tubby

Day 4 of my Marathon Training - VLOG

HAWKS WIN!

I will be the first to admit, I jumped on the bandwagon this year.  I started watching after the Olympics because I was so intrigued by USA Hockey.  I finally had the opportunity to watch the Blackhawks after years of being off of television.  I gotta admit, I jumped in on the right time! This championship means so much more to so many loyal fans of the Hawks, so my hat goes off to you all who have stuck with the Hawks all of these years!

Now who can give me a ride on Friday to the parade?! Haha...

Day 1 of my marathon training - VLOG style

So I decided to give video blogging a try.  I'll get the hang of it sooner or later, and try to not look around so much while talking.

On the other side of the finish line

Last week I did something I had never done at a race.  I watched.  Since my Achilles tendon was giving me problems a few weeks back, I decided to withdraw from the Soldier Field 10 mile race as well as the North Shore 1/2 Marathon.  It was definitely one of the hardest things to do, but after a lot of contemplation and asking for advice from various runners, I made my decision.  I did want to see how the Soldier Field 10 mile was all about so I went to watch it.

 

I went inside of the stadium and was just mesmerized by the entire setup of the race!  This shot above was a little over-exposed, but it is the winner of the race, finished a little over 50 minutes!  There was a sudden urge of jealously that overtook my mind.  I just wanted to be out there with all of the runners, but it wasn't my time.  I had run two 10 mile runs over the past month, so I know I was, at very least, capable of running this distance.  But to get to actually run a race would have been a great accomplishment.  I kept having to tell myself that this year is about the marathon, so this race was just supposed to be a stepping stone.  You can tell it was tearing me apart, so I decided to participate in the race in another way.  As a supportive spectator

I walked over to the 9 1/2 mile marker and started shouting out to passing runners clapping, cheering them on to push through the last 1/2 mile.  Some smiled, others hollered back, and some even waved.  In my last race at the Shamrock Shuffle, the crowd carried me through the last mile or so.  It was just so loud and I was giving high-fives to all of those lined up against the street.  I have to admit, being able to give them that support really does give me a new respect for all spectators of races.  

I saw my friend Rikki when he was passing the 9 1/2 mile marker.  So I walked over to the runner's exit from the field to meet up with him.  We had been meaning to run this race together, but he is just way too fast for me.  I wouldn't have been able to keep up with him at all!  I believe he finished just over 1 1/2 hours.

I also met up with my friend Christine (@cjleee) for a short period, although I didn't get a picture with her.  She has been one of my best motivators over this past few months and continue to push me through my Marathon training.  She is truly awesome!

While talking to Rikki, something happened that I have yet to witness in a race before.  They deemed the road conditions as EXTREME and suspended the race! I couldn't believe it! I sent a quick tweet to Fleet Feet to see what was going on, and sure enough that was the case.  I came to find out later that mile 7 was up to 94 degrees.  I would have to agree, that definitely falls under EXTREME conditions!

After meeting with Rikki I finally met some of the runner people I have been talking to on Twitter and DailyMile.  They of course wanted to take a picture with the EAS notification flag showing off the EXTREME conditions.  Don't they look like superheroes in this picture?

One of the funnier moments in the meet up was @mollyconway signing autographs.  She was the face of this year's Soldier Field 10 mile participant guide.  So of course some of the other runners had to get her John Hancock

We all ended up walking over to a tavern to have a post-run meal.  I was surrounded by nutritional meals like egg whites and wheat toast while I scarfed down a Reuben sandwich, which came out FIRST may I add. HAHA.  It was great listening to all of the discussions of running and stories of injuries and a few personal stories come out here and there.  This was my first ever "TWEET-UP", so I did more of the observing then the actual participating, like I normally would.  It's funny being introduced to people as my twitter name, which is actually making me think I may change my twitter name from @deekindotnet.

 

And yet another funny observation.  I know that I do it more often then some people I know, but I felt right at home when I saw people checking their phones, or updating their twitter status or something like that.  HAHA.  Now I know there are more people like me and I don't feel as bad!  We were actually concerned about a fellow Twitter/DailyMile runner who had not made it out to the tweetup: @JHeath.  He has had bad knee ITBS problems the past few weeks and he did not finish the Soldier Field 10 Mile like he wanted to.  Hope you feel better bud!

Overall it was probably one of the most fun I have had at any race.  Because of the people I cheered on and the people I met.  Definitely a great experience. I can't wait to get out there and run again!

If you would like to see ALL of the pictures I took at this day, check out my Shutterfly Album

Picture of the week - 6/6

I have three tickets against the Wolves, who wants them? I figured it would be a good time to share this particular picture it being the NBA Finals and the Bulls are looking to make some moves to get a big free agent name: Lebron? Bosh? Wade? This picture was taken in 2002 when Erick, me, Joe, Mike, and Marlon decided to go in on Bulls season tickets. In this picture we are at the restaurant formerly known as TOGO'S (I think it's a Dunkin Donuts now?).  We just finished our first Bulls ticket lottery, and are in negotiations to trade tickets to games.  A lot has happened in each of our lives since this picture: new jobs, marriage, kids, etc.  But still, every year we get together in early October to find out who got the Lakers game and who got the Clippers game.  I hope we continue this tradition for years and years to come.

Picture of the week - 5/30

Now Walk it by Yourself - This picture was taken last November (2009) by Santi at my 30th Birthday Mantillion Extravaganza.  Up until now, this is one of the best parties I've been to.  I wanted to go out big so I booked a hall (Lone Tree Manor) and threw a big party for 100 of my closest friends that included food, music, and entertainment.  This was the dancing portion of the night, and we were jamming to the "Cupid Shuffle".  It was a night to remember and I thank everyone who made that night so special!

Here's a LINK to all the pictures from that great night