Goodbye Ultra Busy Days

Busy Mode
My mind and my patience take a beating on weekdays at work and my body and muscles take a beating on weeknights for trainings.  It goes to ultra busy mode on the merry month of March.  Annual report rush is one of the events that keeps me at the office at times up to midnight and at the same time, I still try to have meaningful workouts as I was able to sneak in my duathlon debut this month.  I'll always be a busy person and even if you take work out of the equation, I still have tons of to dos in my ultra busy life.
I'm probably one of the best when it comes to time management and the worst in room management.  While I am capable of finishing the annual report and preparing and crossing the finish line for my first duathlon, it's the little things that is left unaccomplished like cleaning my room, buying my food supplies, and all those little chores. Yet despite being ultra busy, I did have one hell of a month with my birthday celebration extending until yesterday at Sambokojin, my first out-of-town camp and of course, finishing my first duathlon.
Finer Side
After all those sleep shortened nights, I get to start catching up and re-shifting my body clock to training mode.  The Annual Report is printing and it'll be the first time to finish it without going to Taipei to check on the proofs.  Everything was done online. Not as efficient as expected but the bottom line is the work is done and I just have an AGM to finish and it's anything goes from there on.  April should be a  lot more exciting with me joining a high altitude, a zombie and beach runs.
As summer heats in the Philippines, I can fill my weekends effortlessly and am probably booked til end of May and none of these even involve work.  Weekend has either been training or more training but with those out of town runs, it's definitely more fun in the Philippines.
First Stop
At my first stop and came at an impulse was a trip back to 88 Hot Springs in Laguna.  I figured my battle-weary muscles could benefit from the volcanic hot springs waters.  After this, I should be all set for my final build up for Baguio 21K.
Hello April!!!

Cool as Ice... Cream

The summer heat has come and so does all the craving for ice cream and here comes Magnum with its rich rich chocolatey taste that comes in Classic, Almond and Chocolate Truffles flavor.  While it's newly launched in the Philippines, it isn't new to me as I've tried it already in some of my foreign trips.  If you love chocolates then Magnum is for you.  I'm more into the fruity flavors so there are several ice creams I prefer than Magnum.

Melona, the popular ice cream from Korea, is available in several fruity flavors that ranges from melon, strawberry, banana, mango and lime.  It's a soft ice cream on a stick which has a fruity taste and just the right amount of sweets. It's not a new brand but it has now a broader distribution base compared to limited Korean supermarkets before.  I was able to buy one in S&R, Rustans and Rockwell and the mini stop in Dela Costa.

Whenever I shop at S&R, I look forward to their pizza and their ice cream, Blue Bunny.  My partiality to blue bunny brand is it does have some unique flavors, I once tried a bubble gum flavor that had an actual gum within the ice cream.  Then there's the pistachio, choco mint and strawberry flavors that is such a delight to my sweet tooth.

Simply Amici(ng).  Cara Mia is now the brand carried by the Amici Ice Cream which probably among the first to introduce Gelato or italian ice cream in the market or at least in my own consciousness.  Gelato have less fatty content which is healthier than the regular ice cream.  People actually flocked to Don Bosco before just for their ice cream and now with Caramia, they have become more available and expanded their product line to other dessert based ice cream.  I just love the rich taste of their different flavors.

Golden spoon capitalizes on having non fat and low fat Yogurt.  It's guilt-free as we somehow associate ice creams with something that can make us fat but Yogurt is an healthier alternative.  I do love that they also have some different flavors like espresso which is practically a combination of your dessert and your much needed afternoon shot of caffeine and some fruity variant like banana and strawberry.

One of my favorites is the ice cream you get to buy in the streets of Singapore that cost S$1.  They have unique flavors like ripple, peppermint, honeydew and others and is packaged with a slice of multicolored bread or wafer.  Now, that's an ice cream sandwich.  I somehow end up eating several flavors every time I  pass by Orchard or Raffles Place in Singapore.

Of course, the list could go on but I'd leave it at that as I'd rather be cooling down with ice cream rather than writing about it.  By the way, my favorite ice cream ever since I was a kid was the Orange flavor twin popsies. =>

It's All in the Mind

Bonifacio Global City

Even if I've been in Manila for over 10 years now, I always felt that there were limited places to go to that doesn't involve eating at a fancy restaurant, shopping and hanging out in a mall or watching a movie.  So when there are new attractions in town, I immediately try to visit the place and check it out.  Bonifacio Global City have several new upgrades.  There's a new section of the high street and also a park nearby the area... and just recently, they opened the Mind Museum.
The Mind Museum

The Mind Museum (http://www.themindmuseum.org/) is conveniently located at Rizal Drive near Burgos Circle and it's 12,500 square meters of pure Science.  It's everything under the sun and even beyond it... A. K. A. the universe.  It's divided into several sections from exhibit on tiny atoms, to the history of living things, to the vast technological developments, to the Earth's history to the vast scopes of the universe.  There's also a science in the park just outside the museum which could be a playing while learning experience for kids.  It would be much better to experience the mind museum in the flesh and is definitely highly recommended for students.  Seeing a lot of the different fields of science through the mind museum sure beats reading those voluminous textbook.
My Favorites

There's a place where you can actually capture your shadow.  So do those crazy poses for the shadow to be captured.

A feel of outer space.  The milky way galaxy is just nearby.

The world in the palm of your hands.
Those tiny depiction of the dinosaurs... and...
Stan, the 40-Foot high T-Rex
The Mind Museum is open from Tues day to Sunday from 9 Am to 9Pm and is located at:
2/F Bonifacio Technology Center
31st Street Corner 2nd Avenue
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Ticket Prices Ranges from P150 for teachers and Public School Students, P450 for Private School Students and P600 for adults.

Things I Look Forward To

Time and Worry
The reason why I'm not able to post any updates on my site is that I'm short of time and I'm overflowing with worries.  I've been down to eat-sleep-work-train routine for the past week and the good part about it is that I'm starting to build a bit of a momentum.  I'm always at my best when times are challenging.  Despite being good in time management, I'm caught wanting to have more time in my hand to do all the stuff that I want to do.  I guess, time does move on even if you're in an interlude so stop dreaming and start getting things done for me.
It's also intense that we're against the clock in the annual report rush.  I still don't have a clear picture on how to meet the deadline but all I know is that anything's possible.  If the past has taught me one thing is that if you give it your best shot, someway or somehow things will fall into place.  It's never easy but a task completed is a reward in itself.  Victory or success is sweetened by adversity so rather than digging endless reasons to fail, just do the task at hand and you'll have a better shot at getting what you want.
Staying positive despite all that weigh you down is the challenge.  Situations change, tough times come and at times, you just can't catch a break but it's your mindset that spells the difference between a whiner and a winner.  I'd rather not dwell on the worries of the moment but look forward on things that's yet to come.
My First Duathlon

Based on my first training camp, I'm a bit raw for my first duathlon.  The run speed and endurance is there but I've got lots more sufferfest to endure before a decent finish in the bike leg but this one is just for the feel of a duathlon event.  I may not be able to have a strong finish here but this would definitely keep me motivated in becoming better at it.  It's been baby steps for me when it comes to bike training and after this, it's time to get on the next level. 6K Run, 30K Bike and 3K Run.  That's all the number that's in my mind now.  It'll be exciting to just get back on racing grounds after more than a month away from it.
My First Official Run in Baguio

My Bad! That's not actually a running shot but running 5,000 feet above sea level would feel like flying.  I've been running since mid-2010 but this is just the first time I would actually be joining a run in my hometown and it's 21K worth of hills and mountain to climb.  It'll be interesting to reach PMA by foot coming from Burnham Park.  I have downgraded my expectations on this run as I've lost so much steam after being sick two weeks ago and injured a week ago.  One expectation though that never change is that I'll have fun going through the terrain and the distance.
My First Run with Zombies

Oops that's not an actual Zombie but what's the difference if you get caught, you're dead meat.  Ever since the zombie outbreak has been heard of I've been sold on the idea of joining.  It's gonna be interesting on protecting 3 lives on a 5K route infested by Zombies.  Oh wait, wouldn't it be more interesting to run as a Zombie.  Let's see but in case I ran as a human, I hope I join the last wave as I'm sure all the zombies should be exhausted by then.
My First Beach Run

Running in the fine white sands of Boracay with the sun just starting to rise would be a splendid experience and lucky me, I'm assigned to cover the event and join in the 10K run.  I just wonder what my color scheme would be after all this runs and a beach run but it's summer in the Philippines and there's no other place I'd prefer to spend my summer.  Being tan at this time of the year is just synonymous to having fun.
My First Out of the Country Trip for the Year

This is a bit odd that I get to start my travels on the fourth month of the year but I want to reduce my travel load and focus more on training and balancing my time here.  I am looking forward to this trip as I get see friends in Singapore I get to see only once or twice a year.  Then again, I still need to finish the annual report before I get to look into that date.  Seeing old friends just keep me excited.
I'd cut my things to look forward to at that as I might have already fully booked my summer this early into the year.  I'm also in the thought process of having a long out of the country vacation but that I have to plan after my busy days are over.  It's gonna be exciting and did I mention, Season 2 for Team Total Fitness is yet to come. I just can't wait for that...

My 34th

Overwhelmed

I'm overwhelmed with the overflowing greetings that came days before and until March 9 and even days that followed.  I really look forward to my birthday each year and even if the fanfare or the celebration gets downgraded by the year, it still is my favorite time of the year.  It was great to have so many people from different circle take time to greet you on your birthday.

Early Morning Sufferfest

I woke up with over 50 unread messages and posts already.  I started my day with an early morning sufferfest going through the revolver workout.  It was refreshing to have the good kind of pain to get you started on your birthday and the messages continued to come in during the day.  I probably spent a large chunk of the day replying to everyone's greetings. Birthday lunch with treasury team and Jing at Max's. Pizza for the office in the afternoon.  It's an eat and eat a lot day.  Maybe I should have loaded another session of sufferfest in the morning.

Sambokojin Dinner

I had my pre-birthday treat at Nanbantei with AGSB friends Grace and Alpha last Wednesday and Lunch at Sugarhouse with another AGSB friend April on Thursday but the biggest of the bash was at Sambokojin with Team Total Fitness.  It was an eat all you can, cook all you want Japanese barbeque at Sambokojin in Edsa.  Team Total Fitness came in full force sans few who had some reasons to miss the event.  I always like the cook and barbeque style of dining.  It does add comfort that whatever we eat today will be burned the hard way tomorrow in a training camp.  Great food + Great Company = Great Birthday.

Team Total Fitness Training Camp

Time to burn all those calories loaded in Team Total Fitness and Coach Andy Leuterio's Swim, Bike and Run Camp at Tagaytay International Convention Center.  I watched the swim part as I'm here more for the bike and run part.  I had a different bike route from the rest of the Team as they are going for a 60Km high elevation climb while I would be joining Mario in an easier route in Amadeo Area.

I hit a major road block going to the 7th kilometer via my first flat tire.  What a bummer? I just couldn't catch a break lately. Two weeks ago, I was down with flu. Last week I had pain on my quads. Now, a flat tire.  I guess part of training is your body and machine failing.  After my tire was repaired, we continued with a 20-kilometer ride with the last 13 kilometers spent climbing.  End result, I was able to complete the bike leg though I did notice a lot of weak spots to work on - heat management, leg strength and endurance.

"Having weak spots does not make you a weak person, not doing anything about it, does."

It's back to development of my bike skills and leg strength as I have a long way to go when it comes to cycling.  Up next was a 5K run in the oval at TICC.  First 2 of 12 laps felt difficult as I was still feeling the fatigue from the bike part but got my second wind on the 3rd lap and went on to finish the 12 laps at a pace between 6-6:30 per minute pace.  There it was, my first brick workout.  A lot of pain, a lot of weak spots to work on but it was a good start.  What a way to celebrate a birthday.

Back to Manila

After lunch and chilling a bit at Starbucks in Tagaytay, it was back to Manila and my sister pulled me for another treat... Bulalo at nearby Batangus... Oh well, the celebration hasn't ended yet.  It's another 365 days to plot out the next one.

My Birthday Wish

For some reason, i can't think of a good birthday wish.  Somehow, I feel that of the things I want, it's either I already have or it's something I can work for.  The year I had was a good one.  I had been able to do things, I never though I could have done before. I was able to pursue some passions that I thought was a thing of the past.  It wasn't always easy but it always was a great journey.  I guess whatever life throws at you is just experience and it does not become a bad experience unless you refuse to learn from it.

Thanks to everyone who made my day and my 33rd year a great one and I'm looking forward that you'd still be an integral part of my 34th.  All the greetings are much appreciated. Cheers!!!

SRI Phils Powered Team Total Fitness

 

Photo courtesy of PhilipBF

One of the benefits of Team Total Fitness is that we get to tap most of the wide range of products Sports Resources Inc.  (SRI Phils) has to offer. SRI distributes various sports, recreation and outdoor sports products.   A lot of the products they offer was helpful during our trainings and our races.

Published January - February 2012 Issue of Total Fitness Magazine

One of the new items SRI Phils distributes in the market is CEP.  I tested the product for Total Fitness Magazine and the all sport sleeves has been a constant gear for all of my long runs and key races.  Compression technology helps in regulating blood circulation and stabilizes the muscles.   It does help you in chasing those elusive personal records in races as you get to dwell more on the running and worry less about muscle strain or fatigue.

Brooks is the official apparel partner of Team Total Fitness.  Their running apparels fuses in lightweight, innovative fabrics and designs that provides more comfort to runners.  When you're running for an hour or more, it pays to feel comfortable with what you wear and Brooks apparel provides that for our team.  Not to mention the 'pogi' points that comes with their innovative designs.

As you attempt running at faster speed or longer distance, you'll take whatever help you get.  A key ingredient that influences that is balance.  This is where i-pure energy bracelets comes in to play.  From proper balance comes energy and additional strength to continue thriving on the latter part of the race.

It does get annoying when you have your shoelace loose and have to stop just to tie them back.  This is one of the reasons that all my running shoes uses Xtenex as a shoe lace.  Xtenex uses elastic laces that fits in the eyelets or your shoes and uses elastic beadds to lock in to the shoes.  Now, you can just slid your feet in your shoes and run.

Then they have all the products that ranges from extreme to technical sports , health and fitness, outdoor sports, recreational sports, lifestyle and water sports. SRI Phils can be accessed at their website:  (http://www.sriphils.com/index.php?route=common/home).

March Attack

"It's always great to set a day to appreciate life!!!"

The Cons
March isn't always the easiest month for me.  It's the time of year, when we chase 100+ pages worth of annual report and trust me, there's never an easy way getting over this hump even if I've been preparing this type of report all of my professional life.  I've always said that Accounting is such an insecure profession with the new pronouncements and amendments in the standards year in and year out. OK, maybe I should make use of a more dynamic word like evolving.  As the pages grew thicker, the number of users who do understand the report become fewer.  It's time to adopt a new accounting principle, the principle of Simplicity.

Simple hasn't been what my life is all about the past few weeks with the annual rush for the full year financial announcements which finally was over two days ago.  I did try to fit in my usual training routine in the middle of all the overtimes and the end result was I was down with flu during crunch time.  Everybody has there limits and I've reached mine so for a change I took a half day leave just for rest today.  I should take a week off just to clean my garage... err, I meant my room.

The Pros

Even if there would be a million reasons not to like this month, I'll still love it for one significant reason... It's my birth month.  And I'm turning a year older (nah?) in a weeks time.  Not much fanfare as it used to be.  Not much celebration either.  Hopefully, not much expenditure either.  It's still great to just look back at the day you were born.  It's a celebration whether you spend it with so many people or a select few.  This topic is reserved for another time (wink).

The Things I Look Forward to
Topping the list of the things to look forward to is my first duathlon event. Unless there would be a scheduling conflict or another wave of busy spell, it's a GO.  With the several interruptions in trainings, I'm not even sure if I'm ready to go but it's gonna be fun to try and try hard to finish my first duathlon event.  Either way if I DNF, it's also a first.  Let experience be my teacher.

It's also the start of summer.  Vacations and weekend camps are in the pipeline and by the end of the month, it's gonna be all systems go.   Here I come #itsmorefuninthephilippines!!!  Racing and vacation would start blending in. Even I'm missing my time in the racing ground, training has been fun and hectic.    There's a glut in races after Condura and towards the middle of March, there will be more races to choose from.

Then there's a time in the month after I'm able to give the final go signal in the printing of the annual report.   It's a signal of the end of my busy days and the start of the time I can with a clear conscience consider my other professional options.  It's gonna be difficult but I'll get there and it'll all happen before this month ends.

TTFN!!!