28:42

Yesterday i finished the Fifth Third River Bank Run 5k in 28:42.

Apropos that it was raining the whole time, as it was a disappointing finish that capped an  unfortunate series of interconnected circumstances.

I had been wanting to do the 25k, but because of my skiing mishap two months ago (which completely demolished my training schedule), had to shoot for doing the 10k instead.

In trying to get back into my groove after being cleared by my Orthopedic surgeon, i developed horrible left Achilles pain (i'm going to call it "Achilles tendinitis" for lack of a better term, even though i think it kind of implies that i'm more of an athlete than i really am) which limited my ability to rack up the miles.  It still hurts after every run, and consequently i haven't even hit 10 miles per week.

At least i finished under 30 minutes at a semi-decent pace of 9:15, which i consider to be more of a consolation prize (for context, my PR is 27:09).  It looks like i still have a fitness base to work from, but what kills me is the idea that i could have done the whole 25k at an even faster pace had i not been sidetracked.  Or at least set a new PR, maybe even under 25 minutes (wouldn't that be something!).

Bah.  Although i am given to introspection, i only allow myself a few minutes for self-pity.  At least i've run one of the Fifth Third races, which i've always wanted to do but have never found the time to.  And this Achilles pain definitely needs to be dealt with decisively so i can finish that elusive sub-4 marathon this year.  Onward!

Ethnocentric

Part of the job description of raising Adrian to be a good Filipino citizen is enculturation; that is, to raise him with a Filipino mindset.  Of course, he is both Filipino and American, but i think the American worldview will permeate his (along with everyone else's) consciousness regardless of anything we do (that's also a political comment, but i will end there).

There are times when it feels like a losing battle, but there are also times when the Pinoy in him shines through, such as the time we were browsing through the magazines in Barnes and Noble and i quizzed him about who was on the cover of "Famous Monsters of Filmland."

 

"Anak, sino yun? (My son, who is that?)"

The answer, of course, is "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named," aka "the Dark Lord," aka Lord Voldemort.

My Filipino son's answer?  After a second's consideration: "ZUMA!"

 

The immortal Max Laurel playing the title role in "Zuma" (1985).

Zing!