Compression Leg Sleeves : Why do I need them?

I remember when I started running (the accidental 10K run), 500m to the finish line I felt my muscle cramps at the back of your lower leg. I started to skip and run just to reach the finish line. It lasted a few minutes and then I was fine. I did some stretching to ease the pain. On my next run, I did finish the 10K race without any hiccups but while walking back to the parking lot, the sudden pain stopped me at the side street and it was too painful to talk. I had to stop at the sidewalk and stretched my leg. When I came home. I had ice pack all over my legs.

So aside from proper training, how do I avoid having muscle cramps? Compression Technology is the answer. And as a serious runner you have to really invest in either a compression tights to leg sleeves. So in my first 21Km run, It was a good decision to bought a Compression Tights (from New Balance, priced at P1,950) and it made a lot difference in my long distance run. I did not feel any muscle cramps at all.

So yes, I do recommend them. I also want to get a compression leg sleeve but those in store are really expensive. So I seeked the advise of one of my running idols, The Bull Runner herself, Jaymie Pizarro. In one of her instagram posts, she was wearing a compression sleeve so I ask which is a good brand. As they are really expensive. Jaymie said:

" I wouldn't recommend buying cheap brands. I would go for  Zensah, Compressport, 2XU or CWX. Pricey but you are paying for the compression technology." 

And so as I search for these compression leg sleeves (there are available online too) I found Zensah at Runnr Store in BGC (priced at P1,995) and pick out the xs/s as this fits those in the height that ranges from 5'3" and below.

Wore it for the first time in Coron during our runcation

Training for TBR Bream Marathon 2016.. 23 weeks to go

Before I got into serious running, I thought that running is the most less expensive sports because you only need the road and a rubber shoes. But no... to be safe and injury free in this sport, you need to invest, know your feet (get a free gait analysis) and know your body. As for me, I've invested on Stability Shoes (for training and race day), compression tights, compression leg sleeves, dryfit and anti-chafing shirts, sports bra and a good pair of socks. Not to mention other essential accessories to runners like cap, hydration belt and a Garmin watch. But all these were acquired on a budget and had been carefully saved for...for those practical runners, go and shop during sale season or visit our secret shop (the Surplus Shop).

Happy Shopping :)

xoxo,

S

Coron Palawan Scrapbook: Day 4

Its our last day in Coron and we feel that its so ‘bitin’. This 4 days 3 nights (technically 3 days as the arrival and the departure takes 2 half days already) is not enough! I think if you plan to visit Coron and want to really make it worth your while, I thing 7 days would be just right. We still have not yet visited the island of Cullion, did not do the Safari Tour and the Ship wreck Tour. More reasons to visit again :)

Buying pasalubong and tour of the city made eaaasy with these tricyles

Our last day in Coron was spent on another city tour but this time with the purpose of seeing the city for the last time and buying ‘pasalubong’ for our family and friends. Our first stop was the Public Market. Where in we bought the special Danggit (specially marinated in vinegar and garlic) that I tasted at the Coron Westown Resort Café. There’s a big pack which is worth Php 400 pesos and a smaller pack sold for P100 each.

on board a Tricycle on our way to the Public Market near the port

Next stop was the Cashew as Palawan is know to have a plantation of cashew. Our tricycle driver brought us to Coron Harvest, a small store where they sold baked cashew and garlic roasted cashew. Apparently famous Pinoy actors has come to visit the place, including Kris Aquino, Solenn Heussaff and Isabel Daza and I assumed bought some of these nuts. They sold their cashews in P100, P200 and P300 per pack.

Baked cashew, the healthy nut. They also have adobo flavor which is fried. But I like the natural nut taste of cashew.

Of course a souvenir shirt is a must but not for us but for our little guy who was left in Manila with Grandma because he cannot miss 2 days of school. Our tricycle driver brought us to Majuka as the Island souvenir store is closed on Sundays (which most restaurants and establishments are close as well). There we bought him a Coron Shirt for P140 and a P60 refrigerator magnet to commemorate our trip to Coron.

Green Mango Shake and Buko Lychee Shake

After which we head back to the hotel to check out and leave again for lunch. We were suppose to eat at Santino’s Grill but it was close on Sundays so we ended up eating at Balinsasayaw Restorant. Food was okay. Not a 4 star but maybe a 3. We ordered their Balinsasayaw Special which is a seafood in read sweet and spicy sauce, lechon kawali and enchaladang talong.

my husband so hungry

After lunch, it started to rain so we just went back to the hotel to wait for our transfer to airport and chill.


Here are some of my Coron Tips for the DIY Travelers out there:


1. Take the earliest flight possible so you can still do a city tour when you arrive. What to do in the City Tour?

a. Take the 700+ steps going to the peak of Mt. Tapyas. I recommend to go there around 4pm or 4:30pm depending on how fast you can reach the peak- so you can catch its great sunset and a good view of the islands surrounding the island.

b. Head to Maquinit Hot Spring after Mt. Tapyas. The hot spring will surely relax your tired and sore muscles from going up and down Mt. Tapyas.


2. Get all the brochure that you can find at the arrival area of the airport. Pick the best island tour and adventure that suits your budget and book it once you have decided where you want to go.

a. The Malcapuya Island Tour and the Ultimate adventure Tour provided by JY Travel and Tours were great. Ask for our Tour Guides Charlie or Bert (they are the best and funny too!) Bert did our jumpshot photo shoot in Smith Beach and CYC Beach.

b. Do not talk to sales reps or 3rd party travel and tours as we have a bad experience. ( we were not booked on the original tour that we chose so we end up paying 500 pesos more for each pax.

3. Be aware of the Tricycle fare so you won’t be shortchanged.

a. One way per person is Php30- going to the city proper.

b. Hire the Tricycle going to Mt. Tapyas or anywhere in the city as an exclusive transport –P300/max 4 passengers

c. Hire the Tricycle going to Mt. Tapyas and to Maquinit Hotsprints and back to hotel – P400/max of 4 passengers

4. Bring Snorkelling gears and aqua shoes as there are lots of island that you can snorkel but need to be careful of dangerous marine creatures like stone fish, gelly fish, sea urchin etc.

5. Bring insect repellant when you decide to go to Kayangan Lake.

6. When in Kayangan lake, enter the small cave for photo op.

7. Some Restaurants are closed on Sundays (Santion’s Grill, singugba sa balay etc) so make sure to visit them on weekdays

Hope these tips help you enjoy your Coron stay as much as we did :)

leaving on a CEB Plane

Bye for now Coron, Palawan see you next time

XOXO,

S

Coron, Palawan Scrapbook: Day 3

Our third day in Coron started great, we finally woke up early and was able to get our butts off the bed and run. On the day we arrived, hubby noticed a sign 200 meters from our hotel that Joggers and hikers are welcome. Which was great because I brought with me 3 pairs of socks, 3 sport bras, 2 shorts and 2 leggings and 3 running shirt for the whole 4 days trip. (which I realized, I just needed 1 pair coz we are too lazy and tired to get up early). I did not finish my 5km planned run because the shorts I was wearing was chaffing the already chaffed thighs. I told hubby that its time to go back to the hotel to get some breakfast because its already 7am and we’ll be picked up by our tour guides by 8am.

The Fernvale Subdivision is open for joggers and hikers

Running with a view and a bit of uphill and downhill route too.

At breakfast I had the best tasting danggit so far in my entire life (better than those from Cebu). And vowed to get some home for mom. And so I was waiting at the hotel café and checking my watch and its already 8:18am, we should have been picked up by now. At 8:30am I told hubby to call the agent that we spoke to. Adrian was furious and ask me to talk to the lady on the other line because we were not booked for the Tour A which was want because its cheap (PhP 1,000 for 5 destinations already).Oh shit! was what my brain was saying, this I not happening to us, this will ruin the whole trip if we won’t go on tour today, there will be no other time anymore as we are leaving tomorrow.

So I spoke to the person on the other line. I want to shout at her and tell her why she didn’t book us at that tour since she was the one who suggested that we get the Tour A on a Saturday instead of last Friday. But its useless because she won’t be able to squeeze us into that tour. Told her instead that we need to go to Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon and she should give us a tour that include these two destinations. She said there is still a slot for the ultimate tour which includes those 2 destinations including 5 more Islands, the Siete Picados, Skeleton Ship Wreck, Smith Beach, CYC Beach. But is 500 pesos more expensive. I decided to just get on with it so as not to ruin this vacation. Didn’t negotiate anymore as its already getting late and it will just waste more time if I do so. We were picked up after 15 minutes and took us to the port.

When we arrived to the port, I saw a couple waiting and the boat and when hubby asked the tour guide if its just the four of us, I heard he said yes. Oh no! But they seemed to be nice people. So once I stepped into the boat, I flashed my awkward smile and said HI! And they introduced themselves as Lester and Joanne. After the introduction from our side. We were discussing about the events the led us together: They were about to leave already when they were advised that another guests will be joining their ultimate tour (that’s us!) They also were waiting for their rented aqua shoes that they recommended I too should get. So I did. But the one thing that I did not rent is the snorkel because I had trouble breathing through my mouth yesterday so I decided that I will not snorkel.  Before leaving the port I got to know a bit about the couple (Joanne was so happy when she learned that I also don’t know how to swim) I think she was relieved that she’s not alone in this battle to learn how to swim. Lester was a Nurse by education but a Sales person by profession. Which I too can relate as I said that I used to be in Sales before moving to customer service….

Anyway enough of that… Lets just summarize the happenings that day with these wonderful photos by us and by our tour guide Bert (JY Travel and Tours).

First destination was Siete Picados which compose of 7 islets where we did our snorkeling around the largest islet. Since me and Joanne does not know how to swim, our guide Bert pulled the lifesaver so we can move around the islets. Unfortunately no pictures here.

Second destination is the famous Kayangan Lake. Kayangan is a Tagbanau term for entrance. Entrance to all other lakes. It has a brackish water, a combination of 70% fresh water, and 30% salt water. It serves as the cleanest and greenest lake in the Philippines. We also entered a tiny opening to a small cave when we were swimming on the lake. Unfortunately, we didn't get a good photo while we were inside. I guess you should go to Kayangan to see it for your self.

entering the Kayangan Lake

The Kayangan Lake

And hubby took the first plunge to the cleanest lake in the Philippines.

Clear water everywhere. And lime stones everywhere. How amazing is our God?

Our Couples Tour with Joanne and Lester

The obligatory Kayangan Lake view Shot for all visitors. 10 years to 10 years more!

When you search Coron Palawan in Google, you'll see a lot of this famous shot.
A postcard worthy image taken by our guide Kuya Gilbert

The trek going to and from the lake

Lunch time at Kayangan Lake. Seafood galore!

Third Destination is the Twin Lagoon. I think this is my favorite spot of all destination as there were less people that Kayangan lake and It was low tide when we got there so we were able to pass through the opening to the lagoon under the limestones. Anyone who wish to swim in these lagoons (which I highly recommend you do) will be able to experience changes in the water temperature or known as Thermo Cline. As the water becomes deeper, the temperature increases and becomes warmer due to linestone deposit at the sea bed. Sometimes the water becomes cool and sometimes the water becomes warm because this is where the salt water and fresh water meets.

entering the Twin Lagoon

Did you know that the limestone increases 1 inch in hight every 100 years?
How old do you think these lime stones are if they are this tall?

Enjoying our Lagoon Swim.. no Brooke Shields here or Leo DiCaprio (it could have been great though)

That small opening at the back is the entrance to the Twin Lagoon

Our 4th Destination is the Skeleton Wreck, Where you can see from the boat the fishes and the skeleton of a Japanese boat covered by corals. We enjoyed snorkeling here because the fishes were big and they are too close to us like there are so happy to see us and play with us.

view from the boat. You can see a part of the ship wreck on the right covered with corals.

off to our next destination

The 5th Destination is the Smith Beach-- we were the only ones in the beach and I took the time here to give in to the call of nature haha!

We had this beach all to ourselves... The Smith Beach

Having fun with one of our guides who photo bombed our shot

Another Jump Shot courtesy of our tour guide, Gilbert

Off to the next island... so how do I get to open this Buko (Coconut) Shell?

So this is what scattered rain showers looks like...

Our Sixth destination was at the CYC Beach (Coron Youth Club) where we did another round of snorkeling and saw lots of sea urchins and tiny fishes and clams. We were greeted by 3 guard dogs that were guarding the  beach.

The Welcoming Committee

CYC Beach

This is how we fight.. after several tries.. i still can't lift my leg.

Fighting Jump Shot Failed!

Lets just do a jump shot minus the fighting haha!

Me and my husband agreed that this was a fun tour. We enjoyed it way better than yesterday because, We get to do more snorkeling, more trekking, the islands that we visited were unique and not all sun and sand. It was really an adventure for the both of us. Also it will not be fun if it was not because of Lester and Joanne, I know we will have fun on our own, but its nice to share a new experience with another great couple   as they are both easy to get along with. Not to mention we had a great tour guide who swam with us, patiently pulled the butter nut donut lifesaver so that me and Joanne can get from 1 place to another. And took great photos of our jumpshots.

We had great memories here in Coron and as we settle down for the night. I Thank God for the unexpected turn of events from good to disappointing to wonderful. Now i truly believe that our plans is no match to God's plan for us. And His plans are way way better than ours.

Good Night from Coron.

xoxo,

S

Tip for the day:

1. Confirm your tour booking the day before it is scheduled to make sure that there is no misunderstanding and not waste time and avoid paying for more than what you have budgeted for the tour/trip.

2. I recommend JY Travel and Tour island hopping/adventure packages and ask for Bert to be your guide (or Charlie) 0920.5532361/ 0920.5531710. You may also contact our guide Bert directly at number 0999.4941877

3. Bring water proof camera or under water cameras so you can take pictures without worrying  to damage you camera or phones. If you don't have one. Buy one of those water proof bags where you can put your phones, cameras and cash.

Coron, Palawan Scrapbook: Day 2

It’s our first day of island hopping and we booked the services of a guided tour from JY Travel and Tours to bring us to different island beaches in Coron, Palawan. It was a fun day out in the sun and we are lucky that the group of people who joined us in that same tour are of the same age group (more or less) and everyone were friendly and no one was acting like a primadonna. One (of group of 5 friends) was even an avid user of the services that my company provide, another couple were foodie and travelers like us, a solo traveler and 4 other friends who are a bit more younger than us and 2 Chinese ladies. Once all aboard our boat, our guide Charlie gave us the standard reminders on how to take care of ourselves by showing us the photos of sea creatures that we need to watch out for as well as reminders on how to take care of the island and environment. It is indeed a shared responsibility of the visitor and the locals.

My words may not be enough to give justice to the beauty of the islands that we visited. So I’ll just share with you the photos that I have taken …

On board the boat waiting for the rest of the tourist.

about 30 minutes after we left the port, one of the boys  caught a fish...

The lucky Garfield fish that was caught. photo op with Cindy, visiting Palawan from China

Our first stop for the island hopping is the Island across Two Seasons, and exclusive resort island which I heard for P100,000 a night, you can get your own butler and exclusive use of its facilities.

Since we don't have that amount of cash, 
we just stayed on the other side of the island to do some snorkeling.

The hubby is all smile  after his 30 minutes of snorkeling in the island

This is how clear the water is. You can see some small and medium size fishes near the shore. One yellow and white striped fish keeps on biting my legs... seems like they like the taste of the sunblock on my legs.

Our next stop was at the Banana Island, according to our guide, its called as such not because the island is shaped like a banana fruit but its shaped is like the banana leaf. We stayed here for almost 2 hours for lunch and some R&R. Hubby did another snorkeling but I took a dip at the cool clear water and enjoyed the view and the sun. 

The view from Banana Island. That's our boat right there.

The cabana where we had lunch with the group.

An amazing view while enjoying our lunch prepared by the crew

While waiting for lunch to be served, saw this tire swing at the side of our cabana and memories of childhood came rushing in. I just had to try it and get a swing.

This is Lunch!!

Picture before digging in!

I love an uncrowded island. Its just so peacefully beautiful

seems like we have the island all to ourselves

Time to leave Banana Island and head to the Main Event of our Island hopping.

Dubbed as one of the most beautiful island beach in Coron with its clear water and white powdery sand, The Malcapuya Island will soon be developed by a famous resort developer. And I'm glad to be able to experience this island before it becomes exclusive to paying customers.

We did a little bit to trek going to the beach of Malcapuya since boats are not allowed to park at the shore of the beach. Unfortunately, even if visitors pay P200 per pax, maintenance and proper disposal of trash are not observed.

Almost paradise....

                         

And there it is...

Malcapuya Island Jump Shot, our tour guide has mastered taking this shot

The view from Malcapuya Island 

Whenever there's a hammock, you'll see me there just enjoying the view and the sound of the waves...Besides, its 3 o'clock in the afternoon and the sun is in its unforgiving state of heat. 

View from the top

Time for some dip in the water before heading back to the port

Our tour guide was extra generous with our time. We should have been back in the port by 5pm but we already left Malcapuya Island shortly before 5pm and the sun was setting while en route back to Coron Island.

The Tour Group on the way back to Coron...

We had so much fun and what an experience, aside from the beautiful islands that I have left my foot prints in the sand, It was the new friends that we have gain along the way was the highlight. So if you are planning to take tour around Coron, Look out for JY Travel & Tours and ask for Charlie as your guide…They take great jump shots too haha!

xoxo,

S

Tips of the day:

1. Sunblock can be delicious to fishes so be careful as their teeth can be a bit sharp even the small fishes. If I were you, don't put sunblock on your legs.

2. There are usually sari-sari store in the Island that we visited where you can buy some softdrinks, water and some light snacks and junk food. It might be expensive so its better to bring some within you and share!

3. The Tour has a pick-up from hotel arrangement but once the tour is over, you need to take a tricycle on your own back to your hotel, depends on the distance of your Hotel from the port. For us, since Coron Westown Resort is far from the port almost near the airport, we paid P60.00 (30 pesos per pax)