I wasn’t really so sure if I want to join this race or not. I lack practice and I know you have to prepare for a half or full marathon. But I did the 15k Mizuno twice (and survived) so I was thinking what is 6 more kilometers, right?
After my Daang-Hari biking session last saturday morning, I asked Tsi to accompany me to San Andres Sports Complex to sign-up. No turning back now as I paid for the PhP200 registration fee and picked a nice bib number — 400. Gusto ko sana 300 like the movie kaso wala naman akong abs so pass na lang.
How did I fare in this run? What were my thoughts?
I only had two strategies for the race. One is to let me cousin be my bike support (naks) and do a negative split to conserve energy. Ayaw kong tumirik in the middle of the race if I run my normal 10k pace and see a DNF (did not finish) mark on the race results because I couldn’t continue anymore due to exhaustion.
The upside of running slow and being literally at the back of the pack is that you get 1 or 2 race marshalls accompanying you courtesy of the fantastic, wonderful, amazing Binondo Riders. Nakakahiya lang minsan because they make sure they stop traffic at intersections just so you could pass by. Would love to run fast at intersections but if I do that all the time my heart rate will shoot up and I’ll get tired easily. I also met a father who decided to tag along during the race. I guess he noticed I was sooo slow he could easily match my pace. Being last wasn’t tough because Tsi, my bike support was with me along with Tito Joe (yes nagshare na kami ng life stories ni daddy bandit he he) and our Binondo Biker marshall/s.
Some runners started late, way past the gun start because I saw them pass by in a blurr! I’m proud of our running community, everyone greets you. So even if they are running at a fast pace, they’d say hi. I reply that “I will just meet you at the finish line“. 🙂
Water girls and boys are already waiting at the side of the road to hand you water. I read from a book that “you should always receive graciously“. So never ako tumanggi ng water! Maski naka camelbak si Tsi. He he.
Even the volunteers who hand you the colored straw markers are very supportive. They always say “kaya nyo yan!” or “9 kilometers na lang!”. I remember a kid when we were already exiting pandacan shouted “good job ate!“. That put a smile on my face.
When I reached the 10km mark as I approach Nagtahan bridge, I told Tito Joe that I’m going to increase my pace a little bit. That is also the time he decided to go home. He wasn’t really going to complete the race because the farthest he has done is a 12km race in UP. I think he walked home or rode a jeep to Abad Santos after that.
Along UST/Forbes going to Tayuman, I lost my race marshalls because I wasn’t the last person anymore. So with only Tsi with me, it somehow became a free for all. Rude drivers seem to enjoy coming near you or overtaking you!
I wanted to sprint to the finish line but I couldn’t anymore. My heart rate was at its max already and I’m not going to lose sleep with a few minutes added to my finish time.
I finished at about 2:24 based on my polar but my official time is probably 2:25 or 2:26. Also my polar registered 20.6 kms, short of 400 meters!
I am overjoyed with my finish time. I did a negative split, my first 10k was 1hr 16mins and the last 11k is 1hr 8 mins. Tsi provided morale support plus she was able to bike those manila roads at a leisurely pace! The Binondo Riders, Tito Joe, water boys and race volunteers made this a memorable and well organized race for me.
Met some runners at the finish line who encouraged us to try the Milo Marathon this August 3. I asked the guy, Rolly, what is his best marathon time and it was 3:08. Aaay ang bilis. Will go for the Singapore Standard Chartered Marathon in December na lang. At least have half a year of prep.
Just as we are about to leave, one of the volunteers approached me to tell me that he remembers me. Wow sikat pala ako. 🙂 Only to be embarrassed because he said he remembers me kasi ako raw yung huli na may kasamang hagad! Ha ha ha! Still…I finished the 2008 Manila Half- Marathon!
Next race is the La Salle Run this sunday!
PHOTOS
With Tito Joe and one of our two marshalls from Binondo Bikers
Smile naman maski pagod!
Almost there! I went down the 3k chute! Hilo na eh.
Yipee I got my certificate! Blank nga lang.
What would I do without my favorite cousin Tsi?
With one of our two marshalls from Binondo Bikers. Hinanap talaga namin sya so that we can thank him.
The other marshall is the one between Tsi and myself kaso kailangan dapat silang lahat nasa picture daw. It was hilarous!
LAKBO! -- RunPinayRun's Battlecry 