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.

Inquirer 25 for 25 Run

Distance: 10K
Time: 59 minutes 56 Seconds (Sub60)
Date: February 27, 2011
Pace: 5:59 minutes / kilometer

The week that came before this day was real tough.  Stuck in board meeting preparations, recovering from cough and colds and struggling during training with the low energy left after a long day's work but the flat surfaces of the Fort was such a tempting opportunity to hit a new PR or finish Sub60.  Zoomed to a 5 minutes per kilometer pace at gun start which I held for almost 3 kilometers.  Finish the first 5K in less than 30 minutes so just had to endure another 5 kilometers and I have a shot at sub60 so I just kept on pushing myself.  Each time I wanted to rest, I'd slow down and count to 4 and run again.  After all the pushing,  I had an adrenalin rush as I saw that the clock was still within an hour from gun start so dashed as hard as I can towards the finish line and the end result, 59:56.  My very first sub60.

I started training with a goal of finishing a 10K run in an hour and I am so happy that the time has come to achieve such feat after months of training. Now to learn to do this consistently as this is only the beginning.

Last Man Running

Distance: 10K
Time: 1 hour 2 minutes
Date: February 20, 2011
Pace: 6:12 minutes / kilometer

This is my second race in McKinley and the place is known for its tough inclines and that it happens in the start of the race.  I had another disadvantage of having a running nose, some cough and a stressful week but those can be taken aside once they hit the go button.  The first 3 kilometers of the Last Man Running was the toughest leg with the inclines going to C5 and the uphill climb going out of upper McKinley and the rest was mostly flats and downhills except for the climb back from Bayani Road.  It's always a challenging course at McKinley but it's a good thing that we spend at least a day of our training here.  Coasted in the last 2 kilometers and finished strong at 1 hour and 2 minutes just a few seconds above my Personal Record but since this is a longer course so may have been faster in this run than my PR.

It was also amazing to witness runners going at it for the title of the last man running, which could go as long as 7-8 hours of continuous running at a fast pace.  That's how passionate people can be at running.  Well, passion is a fuel that keeps people going and going even beyond pre-conceived limits.  I'm just a shade above sub 60 but I know it's still a lot of hard training to go.

Condura Skyway Marathon

Distance: 10K
Time: 1 hour 4 minutes
Date: February 6, 2011
Pace: 6:24 minutes / kilometer

The race started in Ayala Triangle towards the Skyway and back to Buendia going towards the Fort.   This race required two major uphill climb one at the skyway and the next at Kalayaan Flyover.  I was so excited for this run and as the race started it is on.  Sub30 again for first 5K including the climb at the Skyway and the road back to Buendia.  At the 5K mark, I got tempted by free bananas at the booth and my body reacted differently as an energy boost I expected turned out to give me a heavier tummy resulting to a struggle for the next 3 kilometers.  It was still at a fast pace but the effort put into each step was heavier.  At kilometer 8, I recovered and put in a decent pace before going into a crowded finish line.  I still was able to complete the run at a decent pace. No new PRs but given that this is slightly a longer course per my Garmin, I guess I'll take my time and my lesson to avoid anything that can make a stomach heavy during the run.

When running a race you get to run against thousands of runner but the biggest competition you have within a race is yourself.  Even as I finished as part of the top 10% of the 10K finishers, I still wanted a better time and that would be something I'll have to work for.

Greentennial Run

Distance: 15K
Time: 1 hour 38 minutes
Date: January 23, 2010
Pace: 6:32 / kilometer

Tried out 15K this time more of a training run but still did go at a fast pace.  Sub30 for first 5K which included a run towards the Kalayaan Flyover all the way to Ayala via Buendia.  After the 7K mark decided to just maintain a 7 minute per kilometer pace since the distance is longer than what I used to.  The end result still a very decent finish for this distance even if I had to ran with an anklet on both feet to protect my brittle heel.  Hydration station was overflowing, photographers from every corner and they even had a water-delivery truck giving a shower to cool down a bit from all the effort and the heat.

Testing myself over a longer distance was a success and maybe in the very near future, I will test myself again at a much longer distance.  This was never my goal at the start of the training but I guess possibilities are limitless.

Subic International Marathon

Distance: 10K
Time: 1 hour 1 minute
Date: January 9, 2011
Pace: 6:10 minutes / kilometers

Hello 2011!!!  Hello first international marathon!!! Hello first out of town run!!!

My first run for 2011 was spent in Subic. A better scenery, a fresher air and running alongside well trained policemen was a great motivation so this had me running at a faster and more consistent pace.  A run around the bay was really refreshing.  I reached 5K mark sub30.  My first sub30!!!  I just continued running a good pace and at the end of the run, I was just a minute above my sub6o goal and a new PR.  I can smell sub60 just around the corner.  I was running with Plantar Fasciitis injury but screw the injury once it heats up it's all systems go.  Pre-race preps was ok as we had a nice carbo-loading dinner in front of Subic Bay and had a good sleep before the run and post-run treat of ribs at Texas Joe was excellent.

Seeing that sub60 was so near had me thinking how much I had improved from the first time I joined a run. The training was a success and having great friends to run with always helps.  I know sub60 will come soon and I'll definitely train hard for shaving that minute away.

Run for Change

Distance: 10K
Time: 1 hour 6 minutes
Date: December 19, 2010
Pace: 6:36 minutes / kilometers

This was my first run at McKinley and it was another uphill run. I was sleep-deprived for this run having less than 3 hours sleep but the adrenalin rush should keep me awake for this race.  It was a challenging run as you had to start the climb as early as the 200 meter mark so no time to warm up but you'll have to deal with what the race gives you and so I did.  I ran full speed ahead despite the uphill terrain. The good part with uphill runs is what goes up, must go down so you can coast during downhill parts of the runs. With a slightly later gun start, the sun was up early so heat was another factor but at the end of it all, a new PR, 1 minute off my previous time and considering this was an uphill terrain, It felt great.

I took this race since I wanted to have a last run before the Christmas and I took this more of a training run than a real run but I think when your running with thousands of runners, it gets you pushing a lot harder than you used to and gives you a much better results.