"on a shoestring"

This is my fastest 21K finish and I just walked!

How would I explain that…

So I went to Iloilo (from Manila) for the Run United Iloilo 21K. I even stopped partying at 1am so I can still take a nap before the gunstart only to find out that the race was cancelled.

Oh oh…

STARTING LINE:

 

 

FINISH LINE:

 

 

I’m so sad… But I understand their reason, the winds are so strong it trampled everything in Iloilo Sports Complex. They say its for our own safety…

I just hope that Run United Bacolod would have a nice weather.

 

 

Here’s what I read from Sir Boy Ramos from Unilab Active Health and RunRio (via takbo.ph):

Dear Ilo-ilo runners, we from Unilab Activehealth and Runrio Inc. regret to inform you that today’s (Oct2) RunUnited Iloilo event is CANCELLED. This is due to the fact that the hard rainfall and strong winds pose great risk to both kids and adult runners. We have gone through tremendous lengths to prepare for this event but we have decided to prioritize the safety of the runners. Kindly await for the rescheduled event date of RunUnited Ilo-Ilo. Thank you for your understanding.

 

 

The 2^nd leg of RUNRIO Trilogy was a success in all areas. I can’t imagine how you guys can manage the 14,000 runners plus families and friends in one eventful morning. hats-off!

Thanks to Unilab’s commitment for an active lifestyle- people from all walks of life and all ages come together united not only to run but to bond in the Active Health village after the race.

 

 

Positive Notes:

-Long lines of water and Powerade.

-Cold sponges and banana was superb. The sponges became my bestfriend and helped me a lot during times of over-heating.

-Active Health Village. Each kiosk was a box office hit.

-Lotsa freebies and activities post-race.

-Medics, marshals and photographers are all over the area.

-Kilometer markers were a big help especially for runners without Garmin.

 

Some Wishes:

-I hope that they would bring back the waves (21K, 10K, 5K, 3K) at the starting line. I was surprised when the countdown for the half-marathoners’ ended; it seemed like the runners are not moving, only to find out that there are 5K and 10K runners even if they are to run some minutes after.

-Route was a bit crowded at the first 2 kilometers. Maybe because there are about 3,00 (if I heard the announcement right ) 21K-ers and the route was full of u-turns. It was hard to accelerate but of course this is still manageable. I miss the Heritage route though.

 

A SWEET 21K FINISH

Patience at Kms.0-5

It was still dark and accelerating was a bit hard as I share the road with more than 3,000 runners. I need to be patient and conserve energy. I don’t mind others who are over-taking me. I was glad to stay on the 6:00-6:10/km pace.

Perseverance at Kms. 6-10

I can now feel the tiredness at this time but I always psychologize my body and muscles by thinking of nice thoughts and smiling. I need to continue with the pace. I also did some fast walking as I near water stations to rest my muscles.

 

Trailing Behind Rovilson Fernandez at Kms. 11-16

I want to thank Rovilson for the steady pace he has from the moment I saw him running at Km.11 til Km.16. He was really fast even with his heavy body built. I have to admit that I was having a hard time keeping at his pace but was still persevering to just go with it. I know that if I stayed on that pace I would finish less than 2:01.

 

Faster pace from Km.17-20.5

After I ate the banana around Km 15 I was feeling great. Trying to enjoy the rest of the run and smiling when I feel tired, that helped a lot. I was a bit worried because I forgot to bring some Hammer gels, I supposed to take one at Km.14. Good thing, I had a high-quality diet the past weeks coupled with perfect sleep. I think that helped me to run faster. I always check my running form as I have the tendency to heel-strike when tired.

I was accelerating during these times as I have budgeted my energy well. Always telling myself that I can do it.

 

All-out at the last 500meters

My training includes an all-out finish, teaching my muscles to add more speed at the last few meters and running as fast I can at the last 200meters. This I apply at the last few seconds of this run. I believe people saw me sprinting, giving my best to finish at sub-2hours. And yes, I reached the finish line at exactly 2:00:01, it’s still sub-2 because I remember crossing the starting line after 2minutes gunstart.

 

 

 

1:57:41. Oh yes, that was a sweet finish, the finisher’s medal was a relief. I re-rehydrated and ate everything I can find from the give-aways.

 

 

 

 

Post-race food trip at Mercato centrale.

I joined the Snail Runners as we talk about each of our experiences. It was a fun time to be re-UNITED with my running group. Thanks Sir Jess (Lipad) for the ride till Alabang. Sayang ‘di natuloy yung treat ni Mauie sa Manong’s. hahaha Thanks Sir Toel and the rest of the crews! I still await the photos.hahahaha

 

RACE RESULTS CAN NOW BE VIEWED: RUN UNITED 2 2011, Runrio Trilogy 2

OFFICIAL PHOTOS will be available soon…

“Running is free, racing is not.”

I really can’t imagine myself paying Php210 for every kilometer I ran but this is how one of the leading sports brands wants to do.

Okay, so let this blog be short and sweet.

 

 

I’m not against Runrio and I’m not against Adidas Philippines. I’m a supporter of Coach Rio and his races. I also buy Adidas shoes and apparels.

I write this because I’m kinda disturbed on how runners are reacting to every single race available in the country. Saying proudly, “Price is not an issue!” “We can afford it and we want it so what?”

But I know of some runners who would borrow money just to register to some races. How come?

And so I think that registering for a 5K race (however hyped it is) for Php1,050 is too much for me. It’s just me. I can’t imagine myself paying Php210/kilometer I ran.

If you can afford it, then go! Just be ready for the following years, I will not be surprised if we see a registration fee of Php3,000 or Php4,000. Well, Only time will tell.

 

Two Alternatives:

So you have Php 1,050?

Option 1: Buy an Adidas singlet, hindi nyo pa po kapareho ang libo-libong runners na may KOTR singlet. May sukli pa po yung Php1,050 nyo. Takbuhin nyo yung route ng 5K sa BGC, i-time nyo po yung sarili nyo, pareho lang po yun.

Option 2: Register po kayo sa CamSur Marathon, Runrio race din po yan. Php850 lang ang marathon distance, 42K. May sukli pa po kayong Php200, dagdagan nyo po ng Php500 may pamasahe napo kayo papunta ng Naga.

Come Back Race

It was a rainy run for my “come back” race after months of traveling. I was gunning for a sub-50 but finished at 50:35, more than 3 minutes slower than my 10K personal best. But I am already contended because I don’t have the proper training for this. Right now my leg muscles are still painful, like it was shot.

 

 

 

Here are some of my thoughts on the race:

Positive Notes

• On-time gunstart
• Organized claiming of race packet even for the on-site registrants
• New 10K route
• Nice singlet material
• Knowledgeable marshals
• Long tables for the water stations and Gatorade being given to runners along the way
• Orderly claiming of finisher’s kit/loot bag
• Lotsa Gatorade at the finish line
• Got a BK, Energen drink, Alaska milk sampling and H&S shampoo
• Fast results, I got my time and ranking the day itself
• Bonus: the cold weather and some rain showers were helpful for my body temp.

 

Things to improve

• Gatorade booth was a disaster especially when other runners get more than 1 bottle. I even saw some non-runners hoard 3-4 bottles of Gatorade.
• I noticed that nearing the finish line the surface is uneven, it’s like rubbles. I wasn’t able to do my finishing kick

 

Over-all it was a great and organized race. Kudos to the Runrio Team, Air 21 and NBA Fit. Until the next year!

 

Race Results can be viewed now: BAZUMedia NBA Fit Run Results

Photos can be viewed: http://www.nba.com/philippines/

 

Nice to see the JazzRunner at the finish line, Letsky Runner and the Barefooter.

 

 

Until the next race- Run United 2011 Manila Leg on August 21, let’s do some half-mary.

Thanks Lestsky Runner for the 3 photos!

So I will be running at BGC again, yes… I actually miss the roads of Bonifacio High Street and the thought of meeting friends after the race gets me amped and super excited.

And so I want to than RUNRIO, NBA FIT and AIR21 for making this one possible.

 

 

I’m excited to shake the hands of Coach Erik Spoelstra. Yes, the Head Coach of Miami Heat, which I’m a fan! Yes, he will be there and I will try to run with him, the reason why I chose to run the 10K distance. How I wish I can keep up with his pace as I don’t have regular runs lately. Let’s see.

 

Anyway, online registration is now open via RunRio or Runner’s Runner.

But you can always register in-store:

*RUNNR Store, BHS – Bldg. B3, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
*Toby’s Arena, Shangri-la Mall – Shangri-La Plaza Mall,  Shaw Blvd., EDSA
*Planet Sports, Glorietta – 2F Glorietta 3, Makati City
*Planet Sports, Trinoma – 2nd level, Trinoma cor. North EDSA, Quezon City
*The Athlete’s Foot, ATC – Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa City
*The Athlete’s Foot, Galleria – 3F Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Pasig City

 

Reg fee is a little bit cheaper bec 21K don’t have a finisher’s medal and shirt:

Entry Fee:  3k – PhP 400 / 5k – PhP 500/ 10k – PhP 500 / 21k – PhP 600

Gunstart: 3K- 5:50am; 5K- 5:40am; 10K- 5:20am; 21K-5:00am

 

Important Note: A centralized three-day singlet claiming activity will be held on August 4, 5 and 6 at the NBA Fit – Air21 Activity Area which will be at the space covered by the corners of 7th Avenue, 28th Avenue, 9th Avenue and 26th Avenue of the Bonifacio Global City.

 

Btw, I love to wear the nice singlet:

 

See you on the road! 10K