Last weekend, I received an early Christmas gift from the self-proclaimed Project Tikboy. It was a gift I was already expecting because for the past few months I have done nothing but complain about the need for a new pair of running shoes. So lo and behold, my first ever racing shoes -- Adidas Adizero Mana 7.

I have yet to use this beauty. I was supposed to give it a try last Sunday but the bed weather got the best of me. Hopefully, sometime this week! I did a bit of research about the Mana 7. Sad to tell, however, that it's a bit hard to find reviews about this online. Perhaps because this is not the top of the line among the ranks of Adidas' running shoes. Not complaining here, just saying.

Honestly, I would have preferred to go for the Adios series (the one that uses Continental for its sole) but it was no longer available at the Adidas outlet. Sad. But the Mana 7 looked promising.

Like Adios, it's also part of the Adizero family, that features the use of lightweight materials to provide maximum breathability. The Mana series provide a forefoot running support, which I would be practicing for my training for my next half marathon, while providing heel support with its AdiPRENE technology.

But most of all, it only weighs 260 grams. It was so light I kept checking the box if the Adidas salesman really placed my pair of rubber shoes inside the box. Haha.

Self-proclaimed Project Tikboy also bought a pair of Mana 7 for himself. So, for the lack of a better term, we now have couple shoes. Sweet.

I asked the salesman if they have other available colors for the Mana 7 for women. He said in Filipino, "Pink looks fine on you ma'am." But I said, "It's too girly." He stared at me, probably confused. And Project Tikboy broke the awkward silence when he said, "She's not a girl." LOL.

I'm so excited to use it! Task completed.

Finally the result of the Nike We Run is out. Though I already know -- more or less -- how I fared in the race, nothing beats the joy of doing a screenshot of the official result and posting it here on my blog.

I must say that I am a bit disappointed that this is the only thing I found in the results page. You may access yours by clicking here.

The race used D-Tag for runners and it was hard to believe that the only thing I'll find here is my gun time and chip time. Last time I joined a race that used a D-Tag, which was during the third leg of this year's Run United, the results page had loads of geeky stuff I really loved. Check out my post here.

I hope that this is not the end of it. And that people are still working on our stats, not that mine is so good, but it's still my stats.

Other runners are also complaining that the ranking should have been based on the chip time, not the gun time. It is, they said in a web forum, unfair for those who were part of the second and third wave of the race. I must say that I agree with them.

But to be honest, it is hardly my concern. My take on this, and may I remind everyone that I am entitled to my own opinion,  is that I am not running to compete with others. First of all, I don't stand a chance. Secondly, I only need to beat my personal record. I don't need their official ranking. I just need to check my previous blog entries.

It wouldn't hurt, however, if I get my stats on the percentage of male runners I managed to leave behind. It gives me a sense of girl power. So please, please Nike people! Give us more stats!

Task completed.

Well, look who's back. But not in mint condition.

Photo is not mine. Courtesy of We Run for Good Health 

I must admit that I did not train for this run. It felt like -- hey, I already survived 21K why train for 10k? And of course I needed reminding that I was wrong during the race itself. I felt really really great during the first five kilometers. As soon as we hit the 5K marker, I checked my watch and could not believe my eyes because it said 35 minutes. That was one of my best 5K run, ever. I finished my first 5K run with 7-11 in 42 minutes.

But the next 5K turned horrible.

I was still doing relatively good until my seventh or eighth kilometer of the race. But I thought I would faint during my last kilometer. I thought I was going to die in my last 250 meters of the race. If there's anything I need to be thankful about is that Nike We Run is a buddy race and the self proclaimed Project Tikboy did not leave me during the entire race (even if he can).

With the self-proclaimed Project Tikboy.

As I have said, I admit that I did have time to prepare for the run. Three weeks ago, Typhoon Yolanda hit several provinces in the Visayas Region. And I volunteered to cover the aftermath of the storm. (There are no words to describe the devastation.) When I returned to Manila, I had to write the reports, among others, leaving me no chance to train for the race.

Another factor is that it was too hot during the race. While running, I could hear other runners complain of the humidity. I don't think I was hydrated enough for that kind of humidity. On normal days, I can run at UP Academic Oval for 11 kilometers without stopping, without the need for hydration in the middle of the run. But not last Sunday. I stopped twice during the run to refuel.

I also had difficulties with route. Though I appreciate that it was a new route and that the cheers of the children somehow rejuvenated me, many parts of the route was too narrow for the number of runners. We bumped on each other a lot. I was part of the second wave and a lot of participants started walking after a minute or so.

Enough said. It still boiled down to my lack of training. So to all my fellow running enthusiasts, please don't follow my footsteps. It's not a healthy one and it could even lead to a more serious situation, which, as of the moment, I don't even want to discuss.

Best 10K run so far

That being said, I must say that I'm still happy that I finished the 10K run in 1 hour 25 minutes. I am waiting for the official result and will post them here, of course.

Kudos to Nike for organizing the run. Too bad we did not join the after party. There were too many people and the humidity is not making the atmosphere any more favorable. Looking forward to my next run and I swear to the highest form of being that I would never join a marathon ever again without proper training.

For now, task completed.

Finally got to attend yoga with my friends. They have been inviting me to attend their sessions for nearly two months now but I would always have coverage or trips during Saturdays. Yesterday, I got a chance to join their practice. I borrowed Tey's extra mat since I haven't bought my own.

First of, yoga is not easy.

I've seen it on magazines and lifestyle shows. But I never realized how hard it was until the yoga session began. A few times, Tey went over to check on my wobbling legs and told me to straighten it. Oh boy, I was sweating profusely and I was so thankful that Tey lent me clothes. Otherwise, no one would want to sit next to me on my ride back home.

Goofing around with my new yoga mat

Secondly, it takes so much determination.

You really have to concentrate, breathe as you move. It was the first time in recent years that I listened that attentively. Last time was probably during my Radio Production class back in college, when the tone-deaf me was assigned to make a smooth fade from one music to another and Ms. Abanto, our professor, would call my attention and say, "too abrupt."

Since it was my first time and not yet that familiar with the poses, I would glimpse on how the others are faring and correct my posture if necessary. I also accidentally inhaled twice because I forgot to exhale. Haha.

The tree pose and the kawawa pose. Lols.

The next concern now is if doing yoga could help one lose weight. My web research tells me that yoga cannot burn as much calories compared to cardiovascular exercises such as running and even walking. The usual suspect -- WebMD -- tells me that a 150-pound person can burn 150 calories during a 30-minute yoga compared to 311 calories lost to walking at a speed of 3 mph.

But my take on this is that no matter how slow you go, you are still leaving behind everyone who would prefer the luxury of their couch, chips and movie marathon.

Besides, yoga is not just for weight loss. It's also for your mind's health. It takes you away from your stressful everyday routine. Though, to be honest, I have yet to experience that kind of tranquility. I was still distracted during my first yoga session -- too worried over my poses, too conscious when to inhale and exhale. Hopefully, I'll do much better in the coming days.

But what I really enjoyed was the feeling after the yoga session. It felt heavenly.

Today, on my way to the office, I dropped by at a nearby grocery store to buy my own yoga mat. I'm excited for the next session!

For now, task completed.

Days after I conquered my first half marathon race, it's still hard to believe how I managed to do it -- especially with little preparation I had. Just the other day, my running buddy Shiela posted on my Facebook wall a course map of the 21 K route and how she, too, could not believe how she managed to finish the race.

That's me before crossing the finish line

I finished my first 21 K run in 3 hours, 11 minutes. I don't think that's bad for a first timer, right? Here are some interesting facts I found at Runrio website. You can get the results of the third leg of the 2013 Run United Philippine Marathon here.

It's interesting to note that I was ahead of about 28 percent of men runners. That should count for something, right? Haha.

Shiela finished her first 21K race in 2 hours, 32 minutes. Now that's better! I'm sure that with more training she can finish the race in 2 hours.

Mike, or the self-proclaimed Project Tikboy, finished his first full marathon -- yes, that's 42 kilometers -- in 6 hours 15 minutes (chip time). I'm super proud of him! I know he can do a lot better next time because we swear to pour more time and dedication to our training in our next run.

Kudos also to Coach Rio and the rest of his team for the very very organized run. There's a reason why he is one of the most sought-after running event organizers. I saw it for myself in the two runs I participated under your Run Rio's watch. Woohoo!

Next year, I'm going to do a full marathon! For now, it's task completed.