"on a shoestring"

Note: Pictures will be published on the next post. Maybe the race story in pictures.

This particular road race is somewhat different and unforgettable for a lot of reasons. This is also my come back race after 2 weeks of zero running due to my left knee injury. Anyway, I want to share with you why it was an unforgettable one for 3 first-time reasons.


1.  It was my first time to run in Baguio City. Talk about high altitude running without enough time to adjust on the weather. That’s crazy for someone coming out from a bad left knee injury. I arrived at Baguio Saturday noon (I came for a planning retreat and running a race was just a bonus, perfect timing!) and I don’t have a decent sleep. Knowing that the route would be a series of uphills and downhills, I was very cautious to run especially the downhills as not to put much impact on the knees. Good thing that my knees didn’t react that much after the race. It was supposed to be 10K but when Craig measured it with the motorbike, it was 13K. Can you just imagine those first timer running 10K? It was 13K, an additional 3K uphills. Still, I’m thankful I finished the 13K run happy. The banner on the side of Justin’s stroller was a reminder for me to not give up especially on the hills. It says, “KAYA MO YAN…with CHRIST!” (to know more on Justin, please continue reading).



2. It was my first time to run with a “team.” I run with Team Logan. To some who do not know who Team Logan is, they are composed of American couples Craig & Michelle with their 9-year old son, Justin. Craig and Michelle take turns to push Justin on his stroller because Justin has a cerebral palsy. You can check out FrontRunner June 2010 edition for more of their story (only available in the Phils, pp.22-25). It was like Team Hoyt. I first met them during the The Bull Runner Dream Marathon and when they learned that I’m coming up to Baguio for a retreat they told me that there is a race during the weekend. Craig was generous enough to register for me. Initially, I just wanted to run 5K (because I’m afraid my knee would react as I’m not that fully recovered) but he encouraged me to run 10K with them. I took the challenge and just hope that I would finish the race injury-free.
It was unforgettable because during the run, praise and worship songs are playing in Justin’s stroller, it was a spiritual thing for me, just in time for my weekend retreat at Baguio. Also, I was able to reflect on Craig and Michelle’s love for Justin. It reminded me of how I was loved by God too! I was comparing this couples’ love for Justin with God’s love for me. Awe-inspiring!
I enjoyed and was pumped up on having the opportunity to push Justin’s stroller a lot of times during the race most especially on uphills as Craig just did 10K training run earlier the day as he is training for PAU Pagudpod 65K. 
I was inspired by the smile that Justin gives whenever we get faster. Seeing lots of people cheering us along the way. Finally, it was great to run with this Team because you appreciate running more- the camaraderie, the joy, the push, the ‘high,’ the sweet serenity it gives you, the joy of crossing the finish line with lots of people cheering and clapping because you just did something impossible for others to do. It was a great encouragement for me and I believe to a lot of runners and watchers in the event too. A reminder that my limitations are set only by myself.
Oh by the way, if you are curious on our finish time, we did that 13K at 1:25 (6:32/km. pace).


3. It was my first time to join a race with a P50 registration fee. Its way too cheap with a race t-shirt and a Globe simcard. Thanks Craig for sponsoring the registration fee. Of course, cheap registration fee means only a handful of marshals, dangerous route ‘coz the roads are not close to traffic, 2 water stations which eventually run out of water after the turn around point, no race results, no freebies or loot bags. But as always, the thing that really keeps you coming back on the races are not the freebies but the friends and runners you met along the way. The experience only runners understand and cherish.


I got a lot of pictures during the race and awarding ceremony. I will post those this week, a race review through pictures. So be sure to visit back.




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