The ING New York Marathon Expo

Went at the first day of the expo. People were mostly foreigners as the real New Yorkers are still at work.

So far, this is the best race packet distribution and expo that I have been to. Hopefully, we could have something like this in Manila.

PS. Will come back on Saturday with my friends so they can have a feel of the marathon themselves. And, to bribe them to make posters for me. HAHAHA.

Javits Center

At the entrance of the Expo

Picture muna bago pumasok sa Expo

Collection of race packets for Marathoners

At the official station where they hold interviews from experienced and professional runners

After the race packet, here is the expo where you can purchase marathon goodies

Inside the actual expo

Giant route map

Asics booth. Here, you can have your 10minute video taken and will be shown in Times Square (?)

Poland Sprin water. Official water of the marathon giving free photos which you can download online. Amazing.

Going home with my marathon bag + a lot of free stuff!

The goodie bag contents + some expo freebies

I'm In, We're In..... In New York

I am finally in New York. Been in the US since Saturday and have been seeing relatives, sights and everything. From places and places, you can see random Marathon good lucks and posters and it keeps me excited. Today, I am claiming my marathon kit at the Javits Center. *excited* Hope to see fellow Pinoys there!

Conquering New York

Of course, when you are bound to run New York, I cannot help but wonder "What will I wear for the NY Marathon?". After months and months of choices, I finalized everything and came down with this (see below). Spot me in the news!!!

Current song: Empire State of Mind

What happened to me? August 27-October 20

I intently tried not to post anything here in my blog for the past 2 months. The reason being, I do not want to pre-empt my preparations for my New York Marathon. Now that I am almost there, I am happy to share what have happened in those 2 intensive months of training.

During the last part of August and early September, our LSDs outside Manila were back-to-back. I have been travelling everywhere just to run - Subic, Clark, Cavite, Tagaytay, and Batangas. I would wake up at 2AM on a Sunday, where I will receive a text message from my friends "nasan ka na?". I would then reply, "papuntang McKinley". Then the inevitable "tatakbo ka nanaman???".

Those two months were gruelling. I don't see my friends that often and haven't been out for a long time. Although I was able to manage one gimik night (during the Camsur marathon of my running friends), it was enought to get me energized to run the next Sundays. In total for those 7 Sundays, I was able to manage 3 LSDs with distances of 34K, 32K and 30K. I am very confident that I will be able to at least run New York.

What now? Just tapering. Running easy 5Ks and 10Ks. Pero I will be racing Adidas to my official attempt for a Sub-1. I think I did sub-1 during Southridge but will not be able to confirm as my Garmin died - battery lang naman hehe. October 30 is the DAY. I'm flying then will be running.

See you in New York - concrete jungles where dreams are made of...

It really is ON!

I had scheduled my Visa interview for the US earlier this month but due to some "concerns" I had to move it on a later date. So, last Wednesday, I finally had my interview for my US visa. It was a very long process yet I didn't mind that I actually waited for two and a half hours just to be interviewed in three minutes.

My day started at 6:30AM as I needed to be one hour early for my 7:30AM interview. I did all the necessary waiting in line, waiting into the pavillion and waiting for my number to be called. Phones and other electronic devices are not allowed within the US embassy premises hence, I was literally doing nothing. Just staring at other applicants and deciding on my mind if this person or that person will be approved or denied. For the first part of the process, my documents were checked by a Filipino where he was telling me that I did my application rightfully except that I did not give my middle name. This made me confused as the application did not have any blank for the middle name. I just kept mum and agreed with him - a lesson I learned from Nicolette Henson, to not argue with anybody. He then let me get inside the actual interview area where I had to do my finger scanning. Being the person I am, I have this habit of reading a lot of posters and reminders. I read all the instructions on how to finger scan and did pretty amazing. I just did everything in one try and was very fast compared to the others, who I see did it for three times or more.

Waited again for my number to be called and then the number 2113 flashed on Window#5. I went to the window and learned that my interviewer was a young male consul. This is the part where my heart started pounding and I actually felt fear. The interview started immediately with the expected first question: What are you going to do in the US? With my "interview skills" I answered in all courage, "I am running the New York Marathon". Then some follow up questions such as, when is the marathon, how many have I finished prior to this one and then thats it about the marathon. He then moved on asking me about my work, my family, where will I stay and who will finance my travel. I answered everything in the most confident and as honest as it should be. Then after a couple of minutes, without providing any document or whatsoever, he just mumed, "Approved". I was in total shock and, pretty excited.

Turned around, walked back to the pavillion and discussed my delivery details with Air 21.

Now, I have a VISA. I am really running the New York Marathon and I am really going to travel to the US. Thanks to everyone who have encouraged me to go and push myself to really do this. From my supportive officemates and boss, friends (here and in the US), my Bald Runner gang and most especially to Nicolette Henson and Garyjohn Rivera for all the coaching and briefing for my interview.

New York, here I come! (OK fine, include San Francisco and probably DC and baka Houston) haha!!!