If you’re a long distance runner looking for some inspiration, whether beginner or a veteran, this film is a must-see. I could tell you more about it, but the trailer will probably do a better job. I’ve included a description from the creators and Youtube links below so you can watch The Spirit of the Marathon online. Trust me, it’s well worth your time.
Film trailer of “The Spirit of the Marathon”
Our bodies can only store that much nutrients, and if you run a marathon, some of those tend to get depleted before you reach the finish line. That’s where energy gels come in, to give you a boost and help keep you going ’til the end. There’s just one major problem: energy gels can be quite expensive.
I’ve been able to survive my two half-marathons without depending on them, but I don’t know if I can finish a full without some form of energy booster, especially since I’m so thin and get tired easily to begin with. Looking around for prices, I saw an ad on Sulit about Agave Chocolate Energy Gel. It sells for P75 per 29.5g pack. Ouch. If you buy a box of 24 (708g total), it costs P1,500 or P62.5 per pack. Still expensive, since you’ll need to consume several during a race, and much more during training.
There are heavenly bodies, and then there are heavenly bodies. Running regularly enhances your chances of seeing both. As an avid stargazer, I love training when it’s dark because I can see the stars and have the moon illuminate my path. It has become my ritual to look up and around while doing my warm-up exercises and sometimes even during my run. Of course, I can only do this if I have a clear view of the sky and I’m running on good roads without any traffic, preferably an enclosed track for safety.
When conditions are good, I try to see if I can guess the constellations and spot the nearby planets. After I get home, I look them up in a star chart to see if I got them right. Wanna do some stargazing yourself? I got you covered. Below are screencaps from Stellarium showing some of the most easy-to-find “star clusters” at this time of the year. Click the pictures to view a larger size and see the details.
This is it, folks!
The MILO Marathon has always been one of the most anticipated local running events because of its history, the big cash prizes, and the challenge posed by having strict qualifying times. The 2011 schedule has just been released so mark your calendars, everyone!
This year marks its 35th edition, featuring 17 elimination races and one final race on December 11. It kicks off on July 3 in Laoag while the Manila Elimination Leg is on July 31. That should give people plenty of time to prepare. I’m sure every serious runner out there is eager to join and qualify for the Finals.
The business mantra “measure so you can improve” applies equally well to running. There’s nothing like real-time feedback on your speed and distance to keep you focused. You’ll know day after day how many miles you’ve added and how many minutes you’ve shaved off of your previous pace. This instant gratification is a great morale booster that will keep you coming back for more.
The Runt Runner 