Takbo.PH Runfest

Distance: 16K
Time: 1 hour 47 minutes
Date: July 24, 2011
Pace: 6:40 per kilometers

The first time I saw the race course, I got scared seeing that you have to take an uphill climb from Fort to McKinley area and then you have to go through the full length of Bayani Road until C5 then another uphill climb in McKinley until C5 area before you get to descend on the road to the finish line at the Fort.  I didn't set my expectations high with my last race more than a month ago and that I'm considering this more of a training run than a race on the other hand, I'm also using it as a gauge if all the long runs I did for the month has been effective.  Somehow, I felt more relax with this race since it would be my first time running 16K. As long as I finish, I get to have a personal record.  I went for shorts, total fitness tri-singlet, 2xU compression socks and my trusty Kwicky Blade Light.

It's always a different feel when you are in an actual race compared to when you are training.  There's that adrenalin rush coming from running as part of a crowd and running to beat your time.  There were pre-run exercises conducted by the organizers/sponsors and then the official gun start and there I was running in a race again after more than a month of being away.  I started at a very fast but still relaxed pace taking advantage of the flats from high street area until international school area. Surprisingly, I went at a steady pace for the first 10 kilometers of the race which includes the uphill climb from 5th Avenue and Lawton and the full length of Bayani Road and back.  Approaching McKinley on the way back, I cruised on downhills, went steady on the slight inclines and preserved my energy on the steep inclines.  Got past McKinley on the 14th Kilometer mark back. It was a slight incline back to Lawton for KM 15 and cruised downhill in 5th Ave all the way to the finish line and time was 1:47 for about 16.2 kilometers (Actual Mileage). A very decent and strong finish for my first 16K.

The course was a nice one.  It felt like running two races, one in the Fort Area and another one in McKinley.  While it had uphill terrains, you still get an equivalent share of downhills where you can recover your momentum from being slowed down by the hills.  Water station was sufficient.  There were kilometer markers.  There were a lot of photographers.  Race marshals were encouraging runners to keep on going.  On a personal note, I'm really happy with my performance for this one.  I was in control of my pace the whole time and was able to pace myself well for the full 16K of this run.  I'm glad all the hill work and long runs has paid dividends and the struggle I had in my last few runs was no more.  I'm upbeat to get back to train and get better.

Extra Kilometers: Post race: there was no official timing result for this run as the organizers timing partner had computer glitches.  A big boo to technology.  Despite me wanting badly to know how I'd fared against the field in this race, I'll have to settle for me surpassing my own expectation for the run.  After all, you're main competition in races like this is yourself. 

Reebok Run

Distance: 10K
Time: 1 hour 8 minutes
Date: June 4, 2011
Pace: 6:48 minutes per kilometer

I consider this race as more of training than an actual race as I'm now slowly shaking off my sluggishness and really didn't set much of a goal this time.   I did like the route for this one as it is relatively simple compared to the previous runs though there was a time I stopped a while since they modified the race course from the one in the race maps.  Surprisingly, this had an earlier than advertised gun start but no complains from me since the earlier the race starts, the sooner I finish and the longer I can run without worrying about the heat.  There was ample water station and the loot bag had free drinks and a reebok cap.

I started the race at a fast pace testing how far I can sustain the pace and that I guess it lasted for the first quarter of the race including the uphill climb to Kalayaan flyover after which I decided to just go at a steady pace.  I knew I haven't build up enough stamina to go all out for a 10K.  Later in the race, the heat was now on and this time I came prepared with my visor and shades so the heat was not much of a burden this time.  I boosted the speed meter in the last kilometer once more to have a strong finish.

Overall, I think this was a good race even if its far from my PR form as I ran at a steady pace except for a few weak kilometers and was able to push myself enough but of course, I'd like to get back the speed and stamina I once had.  I know I can get back to the form and there's only one way to attain that, working hard consistently.  I need to push myself harder and longer.

Brooks Run Happy

Distance: 15K
Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Date: May 22, 2011
Pace: 7 minutes per kilometer

I didn't have high expectation on my performance for this race as I was a struggling and sluggish lately but I did have a goal to finish the race injury free given that my last race had me suffering cramps.  What I didn't expect was the late gun start, the unorganized water station and the scorching heat.  Just imagine having to endure the heat of the sun and as you approach the water station you had to queue just to get cups and water. Oh well, I need to get used to the heat wave that has been so evident even on training runs.

The runners was agitated at the late gun start since in a 15K run you'd like to run as much as you can before the sun is up.  After the gun start, I was able to run a decent pace for the first few kilometers before I felt my left calves stiffen a bit so had to slow down a bit.  The sun was up ad scorching as early as the 2K mark so it was a real difficult running for someone used to running early and at night.  It made the course feel a lot longer and tougher.

Finished finally at 1:45 mark. Decent enough but not something to crow about as this time pales in comparison to my previous 15K run but I did finish this race injury-free and this should go a long way in boosting my confidence to push harder without the fear of injury and running under this condition is such a nice and tough training.  When things don't go your way, you can simply call them lessons and this was a tough one so I guess that's something to be happy... =>

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.

Globe Run For Home

Distance: 15K
Time: 1 hour 38 minutes
Date: March 27, 2011
Pace: 6:32 minutes per kilometer

I was a bit worried about this race since I've missed a significant amount of my training after a business trip in Taiwan and 15K was not really under my comfort zone.  I've missed running a race for a month though I was still training in between so it was a GO for this one.  I really didn't know what would be a good strategy for this one either I go at full effort or maybe just sustain a 7 minutes per kilometer pace.

Full speed ahead from the get go and was able to sustain a sub 6 minutes per kilometer for the first 5 to 6 kilometers and went ahead to finish a strong 10K and from then on I knew I have to conserve my energy for the last 5K as I usually do on my long training, I alternated a strong kilometer and a steady one until I reached the finish line but not without a scare.  Going to the last 200 meters, I felt a cramp in my right calf muscle but with the finish line so close and it was a choice of walking the final 200 meter or still go at it.  I just took the risk and knowing that if I get cramps near the finish line, I can crawl my way to the finish line.  Fortunately, it went well and the time was 1:38.

I'm quite happy with this run since I can now sustain the sub 6 minutes per kilometer longer and with the distance measuring 15.2 kilometers, this was a new PR for 15K.  15K is still a work in progress but I'll be glad to cross this distance every now and then and of course, I would be shooting for a longer distance soon.