My Way of Living:
giveaway

One good thing to keep true to your heart, and in your mind, whether you are a shiny bright newbie, or a established blogger with lots of experience, is your personal blogging boundaries.
What one blogger considers to be a open field, might be oversharing to another. Those lines should be clear in your mind, and be refreshed every now and again on your journey.
Sometimes a incident will occur, or you will read something that you might consider a little too revealing in blogging and it will make you sit up and pay attention.
That’s good.
Boundaries are a good thing, we haven’t just fallen off of the turnip truck, we know in our hearts how much we want to share. It’s those moments of recognition that define our boundaries.

Blog post boundaries:
Sharing facts about yourself doesn’t mean that you need to tell all, unless you want to, and you feel comfortable with that.
I’m paraphrasing a comment left by Meredith on my post “Blogging as yourself” that resonates so true to my heart.
“That doesn't mean you have to tell everyone your deep dark secrets, just be true to yourself.”
Sometimes when we start to blog, it’s tempting to share more then we are would like to in order to be popular. To get those extra comments, gather in more readers. Figure out where you stand on this, and build that fence, if you decide to move it, think before you do, it’s a choice you should make because you feel comfortable, not desperate. The comments will come, the readers will find you, it’s going to take time, and being too out there is not going to give you the kind of people you want to share your village with.
Once it’s on the internet, it’s out there forever. Who wants to be deleting blog posts later about a problem when it’s all over, or the situation has changed. This of course is a matter of personal preference, but I am suggesting that you decide how comfortable you are with sharing before you post anything too personal.

Offers, and giveaways:
When you have been blogging for awhile that first offer of a prize for a giveaway can sound very appealing. Wow, they like my blog, they want to sponsor a give away, on my little blog? It might suddenly feel like you’ve made the big time, and you may have caught the eye of a legitimate sponsor, if so, that’s good.
But don’t be too quick to respond yes, until you have thought through what the implications are, and if the offer is only going to result in free advertising for them. I’ve seen multiple inexperienced bloggers accept conditions that are only benefiting the companies and their products, because the rosy glow of being picked overshadowed the reality of what they were giving away for free.
I get offers from different sponsors, some are legitimate, and others just want me to write a post highlighting their products for free. You’re the reader of this blog, why should I waste your time, and mine on a product, or review of something I haven’t even tried, held in my hand, or looked over?
It’s my brand, my blog, and my reputation at stake here, I pick and choose the sponsors I promote with great care.
To me that’s one boundary I won’t cross, and I have no problem telling potential sponsors the truth, don’t treat me like I’ve just fallen off of the turnip truck.

The time you spend blogging:
You’ve been blogging for some time, and while it’s a great to see the comments roll in you’ve been feverishly working on new projects, and posts to the extent that you are ignoring family, and friends. Decide for yourself how many times you will post, and how important blogging is in your life. I’ve gone from posting once a week, to posting every day, and now I post 3 times a week. This works for me, and it might change, but I am happy with where I am now.
Blog on,

You know that [tongue in cheek] bandwagon, the one it seems everyone has seemed to jump on at times… oh not not me, not you.
The trends that seem to pop up overnight like a bad case of fairy mushrooms in your otherwise perfectly manicured green front lawn. [I don’t have one, so please don’t point fingers at that analogy, a PMGFL that is, not the fairy rings, have lots of those].
The ones that seem to have more staying power then a bad smell in the kitchen when company is coming by any minute? Yes those trends…
Well I’m glad that they are either gone, going, or on their way out. Thank goodness.

Bad, and/or going away:
Chevron stripes:Sigh, enough said, especially when they show up as blog backgrounds… crossed eyes anyone? That was one bandwagon that was running out of control when it started to show up on Pinterest as duck tape festooned shower curtains made of painters drop cloths.
Snow on blogs:A lovely mock snowstorm, extremely effective at causing your eyes to follow the specks repeatedly down and across the screen until you could no longer see the words. And I’ve heard that they caused loading problems and have been linked to viruses.
Massive giveaways to get followers: Contest open only to US residents… include every one or don’t bother at all.
Jumping through hoops to enter said give away: If I wanted to “like” you on Facebook, pin your blog post, and tell 15 of my closest friends about your giveaway I would do that, coercing me to do so just to get one more entry really isn’t nice.
Icons that move: Maybe I’m just getting older seasoned, but those moving icons that precede comments are driving me batty. I find text small enough without a symbol blinking on and off in my peripheral view distracting my poor train of thought.
Word verification: Can’t, won’t, don’t care if they switch it up with numbers… one try maybe if you are new and don’t know about this, and then I am so out of there. I’ve not been able to comment on a few really lovely and well written blogs because of word verification.
Side bar awards: A lovely idea that has seen it’s time come and go, isn’t life cluttered enough already.

Now here’s the good stuff
Shiny new bloggers: It’s so nice to meet new bloggers, those enthusiastic comments are so welcome, and make us seasoned bloggers jump for joy, everyone likes to share in the fun. And if you need help just ask we love to give advice, some of it is even good.
Tribes, and villages: Yes it truly does take a village to write a blog, the comments left by everyone had me floating on air… I do so appreciate you reading my blog, and being in my village.
Helpful bloggers: When you have a problem, who you going call? Blog busters… those wonderful bloggers who if they don’t have the answer will try to figure it out for you, we all need those kind of bloggers in our village.
And to those bloggers who are always coming up with great tutorials, and tips for the rest of us, go bloggers!
All the new gadgets and hacks to come: It’s always fun to find a new gadget to add to your blog, or a new way of doing something, thank you to all who help us out and keep our blogs looking shiny and bright.

That’s just a small list, and I am sure that you will have some loves and dislikes to add yourself in your comment.
Meanwhile keep on blogging!

Last night I was invited to attend the presser for the 2011 Condura Skyway Marathon, and the good news was that the venue only changed around ten times (was actually holding on to see if it would somehow be shifted to Ortigas) Smirk. That notwithstanding,the cream of the crap of the blagging community was there, good times. That also pretty much means that you would have about 20 or so entries on the same event. So to save you the aggravation of sifting through mundane information you already probably know (because you have that unique ability to open their website) I'll just show you the highlights of the night. In bullets. Wooot.

• Nice touch to have every introduce themselves and add their blog URL before we started. When the mic was passed to Abby, was half expecting her to drop her wonderful site www.abbyjocson.com on everybody. She got shy though. I know her real blog, but I ain't telling.

• If you haven't noticed, they rebranded the entire thing by calling it the Condura Skyway Marathon, in a bid to have the race positioned as one of the premier marathon events in the 2011 Asian marathon calendar. I've ran every Condura race since 2008 ( the first one as a very fat mann) and have borne witness to its exponential growth. It used to be the MUST race every year. And the funny thing is, despite the glut of races that abound, it still continues to be.

• Calories gained from eating at presser : 1,000. Calories burned from writing this article : 1.5

• With Condura head honcho/overall nice guy Patrick Concepcion unavailable to make it to the presser, brother Ton Concepcion ( the other half of the Condura dynamic duo) was there to play host to us. While Patcon is a familiar figure at races, Ton is somehow more elusive. On a nice guy scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, he rates a 10. Quite the amiable guy, makes a heck of a difference when the people behind an event are pure runners at heart.

Let's run for em' dolphins

• Team behind Condura 2011 - Rio De La Cruz and the SME Ironman 70.3 team. Oooh fancy.

• As you probably know by now, this race isn't cheap, with 42k maxing out at P1,250 if I'm not mistaken. 21k is at P1,150. Now, you've probably whined about it on some thread on Takbo.ph or amongst your buddies (everybody is griping about prices nowadays). Now, here's the score. First off, if there were such a thing as a premium road race here in the Philippines, then this would be it. It has long been the gold standard for races, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Second, this is the only race in the country that passes through the Skyway. Do you have any idea how many gazillions the Skyway people charge for its use? Ultimately it's still a business, and at the very least you don't want to lose your shirt. If only to make the experience a more value-added one, it's freebies galore. For those competing in the marathon and pikermi distances, there's a 100 plus loot bag, Coors light beer, and an RFM Lootbag. Additional giveaways from Nature's Valley, Century Tuna, Cenovis Joint Guard, Lactacyd, Ponds and Clear. Also, everybody gets a big Hershey's bar upon registration. Yum

Kassy and Abby going gaga over Hershey's

• Everyone's using a D-Tag nowadays, this race is no exception. Suffice to say, have we seen the last of the timing chip?

• Condura's proprietary E-reg system allows anybody with a credit card to register from well, anywhere. I registered the same way for Powerman Malaysia. Of course, this pretty much opens the race to international participants. Cool stuff.

• There are two start lines (Ayala or BGC )and one finish line (BGC), which makes for less hassles with runner traffic. The 10, 16, and 21km categories will be releases in waves of 500 to avoid chaos.

• Oh yeah, I forgot. There's a new, 16k category for those who find 10k's boring but are still antsy for a 21k. But of course, you knew that already.

• As was last year, everyone gets a medal. Shorter categories get a fun 2 incher while the full marathon gets a badass 3 inch one. I want one.

• The onsite registration was a breeze and a joy to be part of. I think the whole process (of course depending on how fast you type) was over in less than 5 minutes. World-class stuff. We had the privilege of taking first crack at it, and the fact that you type in your own name means you can only blame yourself this time for your misspelled name in the results.

Roselle and Bards having fun with onsite reg More or less, those are the salient details for this blockbuster race. If you want to know more details that aren't here, just google my esteemed colleagues, I am not as industrious as them in posting hard details. I'll leave you with a short clip from the presser, which only took me an hour to upload. ISP Bonanza moment. Cheers everyone!

Add caption Now isn’t that the cutest gate you have ever seen, when my toes and hands finally warm up, I am going back to take a photo of it covered in snow, there is a small gathering of snow around the ground, but it’s not enough yet.
Snow means that the plants are protected from the deep freeze chill that has settled in way too early here. I’m not complaining, I’m just hoping that the snow and cold means more sun, and light… camera and I are impatient.

The house smells like gingerbread, and there is nothing warmer and more inviting then the smell of home baking when you greet company at the door.
And decorating gingerbread – um people is fun too.
I need to make a candy run in order to find some decor for these cute little cookies… so far none of them are iced, but I am hopeful that they will last long enough to be done.
This is a great recipe for either chewy, or crispy GB men… crispy if you leave them in too long while you are on the phone, like I did. And the scraps roll back into cookies nicely, which makes them a great recipe for kids to play with, over and over. I used fresh ginger root in mine, instead of the crystalized, and powdered… be sure to use a micro plane if you do that if you don’t want hairy GB men, um women, um… people. Want the recipe email me: muddybootdreams[at]gmail.com and I will send it to you.

And I have been meaning to mention for a while, these gorgeously crafted reusable gift bags that I won from Cristal’s Etsy shop, Dapple Design Shop giveaway. This is a great idea for reducing your Christmas wrap, and waste.
Mine are so cute… I keep wanting to use them for myself. Here’s a gift for you, Jane, oh thank you Jane, and here’s a gift for you Jane.
That way they are always at my house, and I can keep looking at them…
If you get a chance, drop by Cristal’s shop, she has the cutest stuff, and there is still time to get it before Christmas.
To be honest, I’m still wavering on this posting stuff… no I was not unhappy, it’s just that I can’t seem to post regularly right now, we all go through that. I used to write a blog post each, and every day… it was fun, then I switched to 3 times a week, and now even that seems too much some days, it’s the late night deadlines I am imposing on myself that make it harder to create, and there’s a lot going on at Christmas.
I’m thinking about twice a week for the Christmas season… I need to blog, I miss you guys, and it encourages me to keep taking those photos despite the darker days. And while I don’t really like keeping to a schedule, it’s better for me to do it that way, I’ll figure out the days, and let you know. Thank you so much for the support and your kind comments despite my ahem… whinging.
Meanwhile I am baking up some more cookies, making a list, checking it twice… I know who’s naughty, Bootsie knocked his cat dishes off of the counter, and broke them, this morning at 5 am. Guess who’s off of Santa’s good list, Boo Boo, you are getting the dog treats instead of cat treaties.

• Hey hey hey. I told you I'd come up with the weekly update! Just keeping my end of the bargain. Thanks for all the support guys and gals, traffic to the site just shot up 120% over the past two weeks. Much love, very grateful and let's keep it coming.

• The survey on the middle part of our home page was asking you all what was the biggest impediment to you taking up multisport. 41% of the responses said they didn't know how to swim, while 39% said they thought road bikes were too expensive. The swim part is workable, I could hook you up with my coach (who handles several of us at Endure Multisport) for "friendly" rates if you want to conquer your fear of the water for starters. As for the expensive road bike, its either you take out that long overdue SSS salary loan or just do it the old fashioned way. Which is to spend like a hermit all year to save a little, wait until 13th month pay kicks in, then combine the two to buy your precious road bike. Of course, while that would mean you won't be buying anyone anything for Christmas, just keep on staring at your bike to cover for the grief you'll be receiving.
  

Swimming doesn't have to be this hard.

• In the weeks leading up to Powerman Malaysia, I was already feeling iffy. Probably the long grind of a deathly hectic season was getting to me. A three-week long fever? Okay that's odd. Coughing up blood? Freaky stuff. As much as I abhor hospitals and try to avoid them at all costs, this was too creepy to just let pass. After about four hours spent in an isolation room, thankfully my fears of pneumonia or tuberculosis were unfounded. I was diagnosed with chronic pharyngitis, there was a tear in my throat that relegated me to sick leave for a week. What's the implication of all this? I was planning to go for an intensive 21 day "pahabol" training for the NAGT season ending triathlon at UP Los Banos. Now that's seven days gone, I feel like a fat slob, and my fitness level has all but evaporated. Good luck for the next 14 days.
  

Fat slob days are here again

• We've been blessed to enjoy the continued support of race organizers, and I try to share this with our readers as much as I can. Thanks to everyone who participated in our Mcdonalds and Vertical Marathon contests, hope you had fun at the races. Will keep you posted for more fun giveaways as they come.

Happy winner Mark. Congratulations!

• I'm happy to see a lot of people "leveling up" by the unprecedented number of entries to a 32k race during the last Unilab Rio gig. Let me make this bold prediction : We'll see a record number of marathon entrants in the 2011 season, and we'll also see a record number of too-much-too-soon knee injuries. Take it from the guy who did a 50k ultramarathon before he even did a full marathon.
  

• It's Christmas party season. Xmas Party = food. Food = Tubby fat. Tubby fat = slower you. Xmas party = bad. But then again, it's Christmas so screw it lol.
  

• I'm going to start a new cycle of the highly touted P90x workout tomorrow if only in a lame attempt to get in shape to curb the aforementioned Christmas fat . I already completed the 90-day program before, hard as heck but never felt better. You should give it a go. I'm not saying I have a bootleg copy, but I MAY possibly know someone who does. (slow-motion wink)

Just 90 days baby!

• If you haven't read that "open letter", my trusty 305 is in dire straits. Who's giving me a 310xt for Christmas?

• In the unlikely (asa) event that no one gives me one for Christmas, what's a better deal ? A new Ultegra groupset (cycling/multisport people help out) or that 310XT? Sob.
  

Sob. Yum.

• Is it just me or is that picture above ginormous?
  

• Was looking forward to run the Resorts World race this morning, but got too stressed from some bike mishaps yesterday. Sorry Jinoe and Que, I couldn't get out of bed. How was it anyway? Feedback from those who ran it!
  

• What did happen to me ? After pretty much hassle free riding for several months, I suffered my first two flat tires yesterday (thanks to WRT vet Emil for helping me out) on a Antipolo-Laguna route, got my chain dislodged twice and nearly got run over by one of them counterflowing cars (About two inches from disaster.Karma will hunt you down my friend) The coup de grace was when I was inadvertently left behind, and I got extremely lost, traversing the very long and very congested commuter route (Binangonan, Angono, etc) instead of the scenic Antipolo route. Was also forced to walk my bike more than 5k amidst the madness, impossible to bike in bumper to bumper traffic. I think I worried my teammates (and Ultramarathoner Abby)to death as I had no money, little water and no cellphone. Touched that they waited for me though. Not my day. The next one will be better. Still a career high 152k ride, unfathomable a couple of months ago.

• BDM 151 (or 160?) watch : 90% running, 10% not running.
  

• I was driving home when I saw the formerly world-famous Tito Caloy, who's now enjoying his retirement from his storied running career. Keeping a low profile, he has opted to concentrate on his competitive drinking. His bpm (bottles per minute) pace had dropped when he started running, so now he's concentrating on training for the 2011 Philippine Drinking League season. He says hi to everyone who actually remembers him, and that he's available for personal appearances for your Christmas parties. Just text 0917- 8- TCALOY for details.
  

Rare appearance by the legend.
Have a good running week folks :)

Just came in the mail, unique and definitely lung busting race. The last time something similar was organized, if I remember correctly runners were running up and down the Enterprise Tower in Ayala. This time, Discovery Channel and Bonifacio Global City are putting up a 5o and 100 floor races at the E-Services Tower this Saturday at the Fort.

In order to ensure that no one drops dead from exhaustion, they even put in quirky rules like those joining the 100 floor race must have sub-40 times for the guys and sub 50 for the girls. Good luck in finding sub-elite runners willing to blow their quads over 100 floors for P25,000.
and a chance to win a car :P

Anyway, if this race strikes your fancy I have two free race kits for you guys. This is a "contest", although I'm usually terrible with these things. So if you have nothing better to do on Saturday and would like a freebie race, here are the mechanics :

1. Follow me on Twitter.
2. Add me on Facebook ( if you haven't already) :3. Leave a comment on this post telling me you've done the above, and tell us what you think is the most challenging aspect of racing up a building.

4. In the event that this contest sucks out and no one joins, first two people who post win. Or I can sell these kits on the street takatak boys style.

5. I'll notify you by Facebook or Twitter if you won, and we can discuss how you can pry them away from me. (that's why you need to add or follow me.)

Deadline is Thursday 9 pm. That's all! Good luck!

Juicy freebie kits.
Here are some more details on the race, if you don't know it already.

Run Details:
1. After the horn is blown, runners starting at Rizal Drive (the street fronting the Bonifacio e-Services Building) turn right to 3rd Street and then turn left to enter the building from the parking entrance up to the 1st floor ramp. (distance: 160 meters)
2. Runners will run up to the 9th floor using the ramp throughout. (distance: 1,090 meters) At the 9th floor they proceed to the stairwell and negotiate the stairs up to 25th floor where their split times are taken before they go in the opposite stairwell. (distance: 300 steps + 37 meters)
3. Overtaking shall be on the right side when going up the stairs.
4. Runners will run down 25 floors (distance: 407 steps) and go out to the lobby, then get out of the building (distance:15 meters)
5. At the street fronting the building (Rizal Drive), runners turn right to 30th Street and upon reaching the first corner, turn left to Third Street and run a stretch of the Third Avenue and turn left for the finish.(distance: 300 meters)
6. Overtaking shall be on the left side when going down the stairs.
7. FOR SAFETY PURPOSES: NO LIQUID SHALL BE ALLOWED INSIDE THE STAIRWELL. THE WATER STATIONS WILL BE LOCATED AT THE START AND FINISH AREAS ONLY. However, the Century runners may take water at the corner of the Rizal Drive and 3rd Street going into their second half of the run.
8. There will be three medical stations: at 1) 9th floor, 2) 25th floor and 3) finish area. There will be two ambulances: at 1) 9th floor and 2) opposite side of the entrance to the parking area of the Bonifacio e-Services Building.
9. Runners’ times will be flashed at the finish. But the top 3 winners in both men’s and women’s divisions of the half-century and century run will be officially declared only after the last runner has crossed the finish line.
10. From time to time, the progressive ranking of the runners (the top three runners after the first heat and the subsequent heat) shall be announced.
11. Finisher’s medal and other giveaways can be picked up near the stage at the parking lot in front of the building.

Well it seems we have a new neighbour, he’s noisy, messy, and smelly. And I have the feeling that using the old fish fertilizer trick on him isn’t going to scare him away. That might even keep him around too much. He isn’t a picky eater, and he’s a scavenger. Some people know them as Masked Bandits. We call him a Raccoon. We were hanging out on the deck yesterday afternoon when Boo pounced on something, and headed straight for the open patio door. It was a good thing that Gar noticed him, I was busy repotting a new acquisition of a red maple tree, and my mind was elsewhere. At the last second Gar managed to catch hold of our evasive black beauty with his squeaking bounty in his mouth. Yes, Boo had caught a mouse, and he had managed to do it all by himself. Although at first Gar did say that the mouse most likely marched in front of the Boo, laid it’s self down and died, but I knew better. Boo the proud hunter was praised for his vermin catching skills, and the poor dead mouse was quickly dispatched to the compost pile that lurks on the edge of our deck. Life went on, and the afternoon passed. Later we were sitting inside and noticed that the Boo had perked right up. He headed out the door at a dash, and curious I followed. There at the compost pile was this raccoon, munching on the mouse. The neighbour’s cats were only 3 feet from it wondering what the animal was doing, and Boo showed no fear, but seemed inquisitive. This certainly called for the immediate use of the water hose, but even that wouldn’t scare our new neighbour away.

I vote for eviction, but that might be hard to do. This guy seems determined to stay. The pics are not the best, it was a little dark under the Rhodies, but I wanted to show you just how big and dangerous this guy is. So if you have any [nice] suggestions on how to evict him, please let me know!! If you haven’t already, don’t forget to enter the giveaway from Ramsign, you can find that post here. It’s on until Saturday, May 28th 2011.