School of Run

I am republishing this post which I accidentally deleted. the original post was first published on the 24th of May 2014. 

In September 2010, my life was about to change completely.

Milo Philippines, in collaboration with APEX (Advance Performance Enhancement Training) founder, Coach Jim Saret and Bonifacio Global City, decided to launch a new running school. Being the pilot season for this running programme, they offered it for free! It was well-received and over 200 people signed up for its first offering. Each aspirant was given the freedom to choose which specific program they want to join depending on the race distance they want to finish, either for the first time or within a shorter time namely, 5K, 10KM beginner, 10KM advanced, 21KM beginner, 21KM advanced and 42KM. The Milo APEX Running School will run through about 12 weeks and ends just in time for the Milo Marathon races.

The Milo APEX Running clinic was first launched in September 2010

Each group has a pair of dedicated coaches, all of whom are among the fastest elite runners in the Philippines. Coach Jim Saret designed the overall program and each coach will guide their respective groups through the exercises with varying difficulties, again, depending on which group you were a part of.

This group of elite runners in the Philippines formed the coaching team with Coach Jim Saret (4th from left) at the helm

I originally signed up for this to get proper training and avoid developing injuries just because I didn't know what I was doing. I wanted to keep active, and since I didn't need to pay anything for the education, I was more than willing to try it out. Joining races or getting competitive about racing didn't even enter my mind until much later.

Finding the Right Spot 

I initially joined the 5KM group thinking that since I was a beginner in running, that I should take it slow first. After the first session, I requested to be moved to the 10KM beginner group. After the 2nd session, I requested to be moved again to the 10KM advanced group, to join a couple of friends who I

signed up with. I didn't realize that being a former active athlete, I needed more intensive challenges to keep me interested in and excited about the program. I finally found the challenge I was looking for in the 10KM advanced group and stayed put for the rest of the season.

First session. Learning the basics from warm-ups, stretches and cool-downs

The training programme was very well-rounded. We meet 3 times a week. On Tuesdays, we do light exercises and a recovery run. Thursdays bring more intense workouts that have our hearts pumping to almost bursting at the end of the night. On these week nights, we were introduced to several exercise routines including circuit training, H.I.I.T, TRX, Kettle Bell, and yes, even Yoga!

On Saturday mornings, we do our long runs. Sundays are reserved so that people are encouraged to join races around the metro and check if the running clinic has helped them improve their performance or not.

Let the Races Begin

I ran my first race in October 2010 on a whim. My friend sent me a message the night before asking if I was interested to join her in a 10KM she and her husband registered in. Her husband can't make it so I can use his race bib during the race. I immediately said OK and at 4:30 am the next day (because of the hot and humid weather in Manila, races start really early) we met at the starting line. My unofficial time was 1hr4min, which wasn't really bad for a first race. And it won't be the last race I'll be running either.

My first race ever at the Adidas KOTR in October 2010. Standing out in a borrowed yellow singlet that's too large for me, looking unsure, anxious and worried.

Training with the same group of people on a regular basis, you can't help but form new friendships. I was having a blast in my group, and I was having fun with the people I've met and run with, loving their quirks and how we just gel together. We ran several other races together so that we can watch out for each other, and see if all the training we've been getting is helping us improve at all. 

My first running family: the 10K Advanced group! Season 1

The Culminating Event

All seasons of the Milo APEX Running Clinic culminates in either the Milo Marathon Eliminations in July or the Milo Marathon Finals in December. We join the corresponding event according to the group we belong to. This is the final test to prove that we've become better, stronger and faster runners. During the first season, we joined the 34th Milo Marathon Finals in December 2010. The only expectation is that we finish strong. It was an exciting day, and everyone is experiencing different levels of anxiety. I guess at the back of our minds, we knew that the outcome of the race would tell us about the fate of the running programme, and at the time we all knew we wanted this to go on as long as it can.

I only slept an hour that night. My nerves got the best of me and I couldn't relax in bed. I kept thinking of the things that I need to remember to bring for the race and kept worrying that I will forget something. I decided to get up an hour earlier than I planned than stay lying in bed fidgeting. I went to meet my friend at her place so that we can go to the race venue together. Once there, we looked for our group so we can warm up at the same time and find our places at the start line. A little before 6am, with the sun starting to rise over the horizon, we were off!

Fifty-eight minutes later, I crossed the finish line, and was met by a lady who put on a red lace around my neck. I asked what it was for but I was just told to go to the Winners' tent to get validated and briefed. My friend was given the same instructions too. Later on, we got confirmation that we made it to the top 10 women finishers! Woot! What a treat! I'm definitely a bonafide runner now, and a competitive one at that! We went up the podium, received our medals and cash prizes and went back to look for our groupmates and coaches to tell them about the awesome news.

The outcome was a delightful surprise, and a wonderful finish to the first season of the Milo APEX Running Clinic.

Graduation Day at the 34th Milo Finals. Finished 10th place for the Female Category in the 10KM race!

After the First Season

While waiting for confirmation if there's going to be a next season or not and when it will start, our group met with our coaches on a regular basis to continue our training. We were all hooked! We kept the same training schedule (Tues, Thurs and Sat) and joined races together as much as we could. 

I was head over heels and couldn't get enough of the sport. I had a natural knack for it and I discovered that I can be really good at it if I only train consistently. 

I'm a happy runner at the Run United Leg 1

Milo APEX Running School Season 2 

We were elated to hear that Season 2 is pushing through. It's no longer free, but they're asking for a very small token fee for 3 months' worth of training. I saw a lot of familiar faces when the clinic resumed, and also met new folks. I joined the 21KM beginner group this time, to prove if running longer distances is going to bore me or not. If it does, I'll go back to running shorter distances. 

21KM Beginner group Season 2

Well, I didn't get bored. I welcomed the challenge of staying on the road for more than an hour just to finish a race. I've gone beyond testing the limits of my body to finding out how much stress my mind can cope with. The training got tougher, the sessions ran longer. 

At the 35th Milo Marathon Eliminations, the culminating event for Season 2, I ran my first 21KM race. It remains to be my fastest one to-date. I remember that I was still recovering from the flu, but decided to run the race anyway. The rain was pouring when we arrived at the race venue and we were soaked through several minutes before the race even began. I just wanted the race to be over so I can go back to bed. Along the course, to keep myself distracted and entertained, I started counting how many other female runners were in front of me. After a few minutes, I realized that I was actually coming in 6th! If i keep my pace, I'd be able to get up the podium again! 

Halfway through the race, I started feeling pain on the left side of my knee (I will later on discover that I have ITBS), but I kept on going, trying to manage the pain while trying to keep a steady pace. I started to lag behind, but I kept counting. Three 3KM out from the finish line, I was at 9th place, and I my feet were starting to drag. I noticed that another female runner with the same bib colour was closing in on me, so with all the energy left in me (thank goodness for the banana 2 drink stations back), I pushed it. And push it I did and I crossed the finish line just a few seconds before the other lady. 

I was standing on the podium once again later that day, receiving a medal and I felt really proud of myself. I was going through a lot that day, but I still finished! 

Podium finish at the 35th Milo Elimination Race. Placed 9th in the Female Category of the 21KM event 

After the 21KM race with the coaches!

Season 3 and Beyond!

After that Milo Race, I took time out for a couple of weeks to recover and try to deal with the ITBS that surfaced during the race. It was a little bit heartbreaking that just because of a group of tight muscles, I couldn't perform my best during my training sessions and for several running events I joined after.

Nonetheless, I still signed up for season 3, and a couple more after that. It was during season 3 that I decided to sign up and prepare for my first full marathon (a story I will write about in another post).

My work also required me to travel several times so I missed out on most of Seasons 4 and 5. Despite that, I joined the sessions that I could, and ran the Milo races in 2012 and 2013.

Milo APEX Running 42KM group Season 4

After Season 5, a couple of friends and I decided that it was time to pursue a more personalized training regimen with another coach.

The women of the 42KM group Season 5

42KM group Season 5

The Milo APEX Running school is still going on and has just completed its 8th season. I treasure everything I've learned from Coach Jim and all the other coaches I was able to work with. Everything I know about running, I learned first from them and I wouldn't be dreaming big about running if not for them. The running clinic will always have a very special place in my heart for as long as there's a road to run on.