I’m sure that not everybody knows that Condura Race for Tubbataha was my first race for 2008 and only my second since I started running. It would be awesome if I could participate again now that the race is bigger and better.
So, while my friends in Manila are doing the 21K at Condura Run on March 22 for the whale sharks
I will be running 21K at Mercer Island Rotary Half Marathon for colon cancer awareness. 
Kitakits sa finish line and don’t forget to take pictures!
Can’t wait for my new toy.
Travelling all the way from the east coast to west coast
It will be at my doorstep on March 3 just in time for March 15.
Excited na ako!
So after last Saturday’s run at Green Lake, I went to one of the known running store here Super Jock ‘n Jill. Actually I had two agenda for going to Super Jock n Jill – to get a new pair of shoes and to register for my first race here!
Entering the store, I immediately saw the registration booth for St. Patrick’s Day Dash. St. Patrick’s Day Dash is a yearly event in downtown Seattle to celebrate the arrival of spring and the “Irish in us all”. It will be held on March 15 and the course is 3 3/4 mile. After filling up the form I was asked by the guy maning the booth on which wave will I be participating. Two waves are timed – Green Wave for racers and Red Wave for runners/joggers. Still wearing my “new running gear”, I asked back how fast are the participants in Green Wave. He smiled and replied you should sign-up for Green Wave. And so I did!
Now that there is no turning back on what I had signed up for, I turned my attention to the running shoes on display. Immediately one of the store attendants asked if I needed some help. I told him I am interested in getting a new pair of shoes. He asked me to run to the door so he could see how I run and make recommendations. Upon returning, he noticed something is wrong with my right foot and I told him about my plantar fasciitis. He left and cameback with four boxes of shoes.
long sleeve shirt, race bib and timing chip
He asked me to try first a Nike Pegasus and an Asics and take them for a spin outside! I could not believe that they would actually ask a customer to take the shoes out and do a test drive errr run. Talk about customer service! I ran a few meters on a short hill outside the store and came back with favorable results towards the Asics. He asked me to compare a Mizuno shoe which I liked compared with the Asics. And finally, I tried on Brooks GTS 8 which I loved because it provided the right fit and cushioning to my heel. I went home happy not only with my upcoming race but also with my new running shoes.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 8
After last week’s shopping, I was eager to “break-in” my new gear this week. The temperature today will be in low 40s and the sun will show up in the afternoon according to weather.com. Yey!
I had hotsilog for brunch and left my apartment at 11:30 AM to catch the bus going to Green Lake Park. The bus ride took almost an hour (including waiting for transfers) but I didn’t mind. I was able to see another side of Seattle. The view on the Aurora Ave bridge is very beautiful- you can see Lake Union and downtown Seattle. There are several bus stops around Green Lake but I chose the one in NE 71st Ave & Woodlawn Ave where the sports stores are located. The perfect place to do my ”cool down”.
The path along Green Lake is asphalt and has a yellow line in the middle to divide the users of the path. The right side is for “feet” – runners, joggers and walkers while the left side is for “wheels” – roller blades and bikes. You can go any direction you want but I went running counter-clockwise.
I figured I could do 2 rounds first and see if I could still add one more. I was prepared gear wise this time and was comfortably running at 5:30 – 5:40 pace on the first round. I was already breaking a sweat after the 1st kilometer. There were a lot of people on the path but most of them are walking so once in a while you have to zigzag your way around them. Those running look serious/experienced runners as they were running faster than my pace. There was even a lady running in the opposite direction wearing an “IronMan” top.
After one round, I took a short break to stretch and to take a sip. My second round is nothing much different than the first except this time, I tried to enjoy the view. Green Lake Park really offers good running path and view.
Here are the pictures I took after completing 9 kms.
It was suppose to be another running adventure weekend for me but turned out to be a move in and setup as I have just found my own apartment. My Saturday started at Ikea and Walmart buying stuff – sofa bed, table, chairs, pots and pans, grocery, etc. to make my apartment liveable. I was up all night trying to assemble my table and sofa bed and fixing up my place.
Sunday morning was church day. Instead of going to a nearby church, I decided to head to downtown and hear mass at St. James Cathedral. It was very cold and cloudy and was not conducive to running. After mass and lunch at a downtown mall, I started my way to find Sound Sports store.
As I do not have all the running gear to be able to run in this very cold weather, I searched the Runner’s World website for running stores in Seattle. Sound Sports was one of the nearby stores from my place. After 10 minutes of walking, I found the store along Madison St. and lo and behold, all apparels are on 30% off! It was just a small store but offered all the running gear you can imagine. The store attendants were courteous and helpful. 
I got a Brooks jacket, Asics gloves, Sugoi running tights, Ultimate Direction hydration belt and Nathan Nike Ipod shoe pouch. I left the store with a big smile on my face. Now I can’t wait to put on these gears and start running again.
The store also has brochures on the next running events in Seattle - St. Patrick’s Day Dash on March 15 and Mercer Island Rotary Half Marathon on March 22. I’m likely to join both events.
First, a lesson in geography – Seattle is not a flat land but is composed of hills. My apartment is on top of Beacon Hill about 5 minutes from downtown Seattle. The destination for my first Seattle run – Lake Washington, is approximately 5 kms from my apartment and is after Mt. Baker which is another hill.
Beacon Hill
Today’s weather is overcast and very cold. Wardrobe: upper – Nike fleece jacket on top of Mizuno Infinity Run shirt on top of Nike singlet. lower – Nike compression shorts and NB shorts. Talk about layering!
I started my run around 3PM. Part one is going down Beacon Hill and then going up Mt. Baker. I had no problems on the downhill but the uphill climb was very exhaustive. I have already done several Antipolo run but this is by far the steepest climb I did. But the climb is rewarding as the view of Lake Washington is breathtaking.
View of Lake Washington
It is another downhill through to Colman Park to reach Lake Washington. Colman Park as a beautiful trail leading to Lake Washington. I rested a while and enjoyed the beautiful scenery before heading back home.
Start of trail in Colman Park
Trail to Lake Washington
Lake Washington
Ducks
I am running again! By the way, the actual temperature when I did my run is 37F. I hope next time the sun would show up but knowing Seattle it is always overcast.
It has been almost 2 weeks since my last run. Tomorrow I will brave the cold 40s temperature and log my first run here in Seattle. I am itching to run and I am really, really excited.
| Rookie Runner … on 4th OctobeRun Festival | |
 | Gigi on US Half Marathon |
 | Wayne on US Half Marathon |
 | dennis on US Half Marathon |
 | m8parco on US Half Marathon |
 | ibetlacbay on Two |
| dennis on Two |
| ibetlacbay on Out Sick |
| m8parco on Out Sick |
| ibetlacbay on Out Sick |
