Run for Japan

Distance: 10K
Time: 1 hour 6 minutes (including 6 minutes of being treated for cramps)
Date: April 17, 2011
Pace: 6:35 minutes per kilometer


Running this one was a last minute decision but it always seem cool when Greentennial holds their run with the throngs of photographers and innovative gimmicks.  I promised myself to run easy for the duration of course but I guess there's something about races that brings out the best in me so still went at it and was able to maintain a stable pace during the race.

Everything seemed well until I hit the 9.5K mark as I moved towards the hydration truck, something was amiss and ouch, it was a mild case of cramps in my left calf muscle and I ended up seated in the sidelines assisted by photographers and medics just to relax the muscle and as it stabilized a bit, I asked the medic if it was ok if I can walk towards the finish line so I won't be DNF and I got the clearance and just walk of the last 500K.  A near sub60 thwarted by cramps but I guess having the courage to finish despite the odds is prize as sweet as a sub60 time.  It's also a first that I had cramps on an actual run.  Thanks to Greentennial Photographers and Medics for lending the hand when I had cramps.  It was a well organized run for a good cause and well attended.

Running is reflective of life's challenges, things go wrong, sometimes you have to stop, sometimes you have to slow down, sometimes you fall but you'll always have to finish and finishing strong is very ideal. =>

Nat Geo Earth Day Run

Distance: 10K
Time: 1 Hour 1 Minute
Date: April 10, 2011
Pace: 6:05 minutes per kilometer

I was a last minute entrance as I was hoping against hope to find a way to be able to go home and join the Baguio Run.  I had to come from my cousin's wedding and a day's tour in Subic before race day so I was really not in good shape for this one but a run is a run and anyway, I do have to make my 10k for the day so might as well do it in an actual race.

The venue was the familiar Fort terrain and with over 10,000 participants, it was quite crowded but still tried to put in some effort to be able to find some free area to run.  I was able to do good first few kilometers before I ran out of steam in the middle kilometers but was able to recover towards the finish.  At the end it was still a good time of 1 hour and 1 minute though I think I could have done a lot better if not for the fatigue but I guess, it was my best effort given the energy level that I have.  There was also very few water station in the opening kilometers but it's good I have my trusty water bottle.

It was still a good fun run and I guess it isn't fun if you don't give it your full effort so am happy to add another race in my list and I'm looking forward to PR breaking races and this time, I'll come in at full energy.

Hyundai Run

Distance 10K (Actual 10.4K)
Time: 1 hour 4 minutes
Date: April 2, 2011
Pace: 6:15 minutes per kilometer

It's quite an appeal when a run, complete with singlet, bib and d-tag is offered free so this had me interested and so was 30,000 other runners.  The group was divided in 8 waves, 3 for 10K and 5 for 5K.  With that volume of runners, the event was moved to the Quirino Grandstand, where other high volume runs is being held.  Just seeing the queue for the free race kits, you'll know that this would be a crowded run.

I was part of the second wave and decided to just on a steady pace all throughout as you can't really accelerate that much given the number of runners and somehow, applied a different strategy by running the complete course at a steady and consistent pace instead of my usual run-walk-run which has worked in the past for me.  Thanks to my new k-swiss quicky blade light, I was able to go on and on until the finish line and it didn't appear as a chore though you can only accelerate as much.  At the finish line, it was a strong 1:04 and I didn't feel to stressed out by the pace.

It was also nice to see the Manila Bay as a backdrop to the run.  I hope that I can generate more speed in this new strategy but there'll be more runs... more trainings... so there'll still be a lot of improvements to come.