Bundok-bundokan

Naalala ko noon, sinabi sa akin ni Philip (Foreign Runner), na kung gusto ko daw bumilis sa pagtakbo ay malaki ang maitutulong ng mga ‘intervals’.  Maaari daw ako magsimula ng 200m intervals at pahaba ng pahaba kada linggo hanggang sa umabot ng 1.6k o one mile ang bawat interval.  Apat na beses gagawin itong mga interval tapos ang pahinga ay kalahati ng distansya.

Kilala niyo naman ako, bukod sa pasaway, tamad din ako 🙂  Isang beses ko lang ginawa yang payo ni Philip na one-mile intervals tapos hindi ko na muling inulit.  Ayaw ko talaga ng intervals.  Sa totoo lang, nakakabagot siya.  Marahil ito rin ang dahilan kung bakit di na ako gaanong nagpupunta ng track oval para mag-ensayo.  Nahihilo lang ako kung paikot-ikot ang takbo 😦

Bilang kapalit, imbis na mga intervals sa track oval, tumatakbo na lang ako sa amin.  May ruta akong nabuo na 10k, 12k o kaya 15k.  Merong patag o kung nais ang konting challenge ay nakakaabot din ng McKinley Hills.  Depende sa gising, namimili ako kung anong gagawin sa mga yon.  Yan na ang ‘speedwork’ ko.  Pinayuhan din ako nina Monica noon at sumang-ayon din naman si kaibigang Javy na malaki din daw maitutulong sa pagtakbo kung maglaan ako ng isang araw para sa ‘hill repeats’. Haaaayyyy.  Ayan na naman ang katagang ‘repeats’……ibang salita pero ang ibig sabihin din ay ‘intervals’ di ba?

Bilang paghahanda noon sa WRT, ginagawa ko ang ‘hill repeats’ sa kalsada doon sa pagitan ng ULTRA at Valle Verde CC.  Makunat ang ahon dito.  May sukat na 400 metro mula sa baba.  Nakakasunog ng baga dahil diretso ang ahon.  Alam kong di ako magtatagal sa triathlon kung sa ULTRA ako mag-eensayo ng ‘hill repeats’.

Sabi nila, minsan may mga bagay na nasa harap mo na pero di mo lang napapansin.  Ngayong umaga, natuklasan ko na yung tinatakbo kong 10k na ruta ay may magandang ‘hill’ pala.  Kung ‘hill repeats’ ang pag-uusapan, puwede ngang ulit-ulitin dito.  Mula sa ibaba hanggang gate, may distansya siya na 1.6k (one mile) 🙂  Ang maganda dito, hindi naman siya diretsong ahon tulad sa ULTRA.  May mga ilang bahagi na patag…pero sandali lang yon, tapos ahon na uli.  Sa katunayan, marami din akong nakikitang siklista na dito nag-eensayo ng kanilang ‘hill repeats’.

Unang ahon, di ko maikubli ang tuwa ko kaya kahit walang warm-up, sumugod ako.  Siyempre, gitna pa lang, sunog na ang baga ko 🙂  Pero nakarating pa rin naman sa gate tapos pahinga ang pababa.

Pangalawang ahon, medyo nakukuha ko na ang ritmo at ang sigla sa bawat hakbang.  Mas mabilis ng 2 segundo sa unang ahon.

Pangatlong ahon, may grupong tumatakbo kaya ginawa ko silang ‘target’ para hamunin ang sarili ko.  Masuka-suka na ako nang naabutan ko sila bago dumating ng gate :O  Pero natuwa ako dahil ito ang pinakamabilis na ‘interval’ sa ganoong distansya.  Dinaig pa yung oras ko sa patag na daan noong unang kong ginawa itong ‘mile intervals 🙂  Sensya na, nakakatuwa lang malaman na kahit papaano ay nag-iimprove pa rin.

Pangapat na ahon, balik sa dating ritmo.  Parehas ang oras doon sa unang ahon.

Marami ang nagsasabi na ang susi para lumakas sa triathlon ay ‘consistency’.  Di ako nakaramdam ng bagot dahil unang beses ko lang naman ginawa ito.  Pero sana malagpasan ko nga ang bagot at katamaran sakaling maramdaman ko siya sa mga susunod na linggo.  Sana nga talaga magawa ko ito ng tuloy-tuloy kada linggo 🙂  Ang sarap kasi ng pakiramdam pagkatapos 🙂

Tagay naman diyan!!!!  Good Luck doon sa mga tatakbo sa Century Superbods Run.  Pakibati na lang si Derek Ramsey para sa akin.

Running Blind (Also Wet) at Eco Dash

Incessant rains at the Metro this past week.  Still, I was looking forward to the Eco Dash, if only to escape the monotony of my usual long-run routes.  Got to the race venue at around 4:30am since the race pack stated that the half-marathon was supposed to begin at 5am.  But an announcement was made that the start of the race will be pushed to 5:30 given the inclement weather.  No worries.  It was a cold morning and the sun was not about to make any appearance that day.

At the starting line, I saw Gerard and Norman and we talked about the latest re: Whiterock.  Also saw quite a number of the Polo Tri peeps who were racing that morning.  I did notice however that there wasn’t the usual crowd of runners at the venue.  Perhaps on account of another race at MOA or maybe the rains discouraged some participants.  At any rate, I was still conversing with Gerard and Norman when the starting gun suddenly went off.  And off we go…

I don’t know if I had mentioned before that I do not wear my HRM anymore during trainings and/or races – and I found it liberating.  I’m no longer a slave to numbers and a gadget telling me whether I’m giving enough of an effort 🙂  Recently, the stopwatch I had been using this past year and a half got damaged.  So, I borrowed my son’s stopwatch.  Guess what happened next?  That watch too conked out.  The sporting gods must be telling me something….So, for the Eco Dash Run, I ran naked 🙂  Well, blind actually.  No HRM to tell me what zone I am in and no stopwatch to tell my time.  And as it turned out, the race did not have the usual kilometer markings to inform the runners about the distance covered at a particular point.  If the whole point about of ecology and saving Mother Earth is simplicity and going back to basics, it might as well apply to running as well 🙂

A few kilometers into the race, I found myself pacing with my former relay teammate at Whiterock, Dionne.  Actually, I didn’t realize it was her until we were making our way to Glorietta.  Too bad she got her Ipod with her, would have wanted to chat and catch up on what’s been happening with her since Whiterock.  I don’t know, I just tend to be wary of people who wear Ipods, it’s like flashing a “Do Not Disturb” sign to us friendly dudes 🙂  Uy, friendly daw o, hahaha….

Anyway, my plan for this race was to try to maintain proper running form and technique as taught by Coach Jomak.  So, I was consciously telling my body throughout the race to push the knee forward while trying to imagine a tiny hurdle in front of me so as to incorporate a bit of a skip in every stride.  Also, the rolling terrain at the Fort is all too familiar by now, so the plan was to conserve enough energy to attack the hills and coast during the downhill portions.  Yup, no shuffling this time 🙂

Well, I don’t know if I maintained the proper form but I was quite happy with the effort I gave at every incline 🙂  Weather was just perfect, even with the occasional downpour.  I won’t be surprised if a number of runners set a personal best at Eco Dash.  There were ample gatorade/water stations throughout the route.  Remember my initial observation about the low turnout for this race?  I’m glad I was wrong about that one when I saw a huge pack of 10 and 5K runners as I made my way back to the Fort and onto Bayani Road 🙂  It was quite a good turnout after all considering the weather.  I hope it banishes the myth that one gets sick running in the rain 🙂

Norman tapped my behind and zoomed past me just before the McKinley intersection.  I tried to psych him out by sprinting past him immediately 🙂  But Norman was running a strong and solid pace and soon enough, he was out of sight.  I decided to pick up the pace after the McKinley intersection and held whatever pace I was on till the finish 🙂  Didn’t see any big clock/timer on display at the finish, so it really was a blind run from the start 🙂 Thus, I don’t know what my finishing time was.  I was informed later on that there indeed was a timer at the right side of the finish line banner.  Oh well….

There wasn’t much of a queue for the Gatorade drink at the finish and I was thankful for that.  Didn’t bother to line up anymore for the freebies.  I was just so happy to run the entire distance again after the disappointing walk/stroll at Camsur.  Eco Dash Run was a no frills race that lived up to its billing.  Simple, back-to-basics run invigorated with a shower from the heavens.

Cheers!

Run like a Robot

The Garmin is such a fascinating toy that I’m willing to be its guinea pig for the race this Sunday.  With Garmin’s help, I’d like to check my fitness level and see if I can do a steady 5:30 min/km pace throughout the 25K distance 🙂  Uphill/Downhill, steady 5:30.  Wish me luck.

PMI Recap (Through the eyes of an official timer)

In a previous post, I wrote that I was looking forward to the PMI run as it will be my first time to run at UP. Well, my first race at UP will have to wait since I was assigned to be an official timer for the PMI Run that was held last Sunday 🙂 

I was already at UP around 4am.  Saw Thumbie and his group setting up the starting line  near the belltower.  A lot of runners were expected that day, mostly PMI students, so instead of racing, members of Team PMI were called upon to act as race marshalls.  Mike and I were assigned to be the official timers of the 3K run.  Knowing how some runners can become so anal about their times, it didn’t take too long for me to realize the seriousness of the task at hand.  Popo instructed me on what buttons to press on the timer, while Mike agreed to take on the task of listing the race numbers as the runners come across the finish line.  It may appear simple on the outside, but I was really worried about possible controversies that may arise should we foul up on our jobs.  Of course, it didn’t help that being assigned to the 3K run means having the most runners on our watch.  

The race started promptly at 6am.  10k runners were sent out first, followed by the 5k runners and 3k runners at 5 minute intervals.  After about 11 minutes, I could already see the first 3k runner coming towards the finish line.  Wow, that’s a less than 4min/km pace!!! For the 3K run, awards will be given to the top 5 male and female finishers.  So, Mike and I just had to make sure those top 5 winners are in order. The first 5 finishers were male and it was a good thing there were no ‘photo finishes’ nor were there runners bunched up in groups as they crossed the finish line.  The top 5 female finishers soon followed and the pressure on us timers pretty much tapered off after that 🙂 Whew…. It was a blast seeing the elite runners come across the finish line.  For instance, Buenavista did a 30min something pace for his 10k run!!! The skies were overcast and it was the perfect weather for setting personal bests 🙂  I’m sure a lot of runners were able to establish personal records during the run.  Big Cheers to all of you 🙂

Now, just a few not-so-good observations through the eyes of a race official, naks:  

•  After the run, there were some controversies surrounding the age-group winners of our more “senior” runners.  Apparently, some runners lied about their age.  Some were even overheard to have suggested to just divide the prize amongst themselves.  Tsk, tsk, tsk.  I was told this always happens in almost all of the races around the Metro 😦  
• Some runners also had the gall to steal boxes of Powerade drinks after the race 😦 

At any rate, I think it was good race all around 🙂  No frills, free siopao 🙂  Was able to talk a bit with Coach Rio who was all excited about the plans/races he has in store for all of us till the end of the year and early next year.  I’m particularly excited about the UNICEF run he mentioned, but I’d rather Coach Rio be the one to tell you the details in his blog 🙂  I’m just glad there’s someone like him doing all he can to make running accessible and fun for all 🙂  Till the next race then….whether as a participant or a marshall.  

Cheers!

PMI Run

Looking forward to this run on the 21st of September.  It will be my first time to run at UP.  

Cheers!

“PMI … Proudly 60! … Run”

21 September 2008, 6:00am

UP Diliman Campus

 

For the benefit of the PMI Manila and Quezon City Libraries,

And in support of the various projects of

the Team PMI Multisports and the U.P. Mountaineers 

 

 

REGISTRATION FEES (inclusive of a race singlet and number):

·        P250.00 (non-PMI)

·        P180 (PMI – proof required such as school / company ID)    

  

DISTANCE AND PRIZES

·        10K (OPEN)

 

MEN	WOMEN
1st: P10,000 and medal 2nd:P7,000 and medal 3rd: P5,000 and medal 4th: P3,000 and medal 5th: P2,000 and medal	1st: P10,000 and medal 2nd:P7,000 and medal 3rd: P5,000 and medal 4th: P3,000 and medal 5th: P2,000 and medal

 

 

·        10K AGE GROUP (MEN AND WOMEN)

15 and BELOW; 16 to 20; 21 to 25; 26 to 30; 31 to 35; 36 to 39; 40 to 45; 46 to 50; 50 to 55; and 56 and ABOVE

 

1^st: P1,500 and medal

2^nd: P1,000 and medal

3^rd: P500 and medal

 

·        5K (EXCLUSIVE FOR PMI STUDENTS & FACULTY/EMPLOYEES ONLY)

 

MEN	WOMEN
1st: P5,000 and trophy/medal 2nd:P3,000 and trophy/medal 3rd: P2,000 and trophy/medal 4th: P1,000 and trophy/medal 5th: P500 and trophy/medal	1st: P5,000 and trophy/medal 2nd:P3,000 and trophy/medal 3rd: P2,000 and trophy/medal 4th: P1,000 and trophy/medal 5th: P500 and trophy/medal

 

 

·        3K (EXCLUSIVE FOR PMI STUDENTS & FACULTY/EMPLOYEES ONLY)

 

MEN	WOMEN
1st: P3,000 and trophy/medal 2nd:P2,000 and trophy/medal 3rd: P1,000 and trophy/medal 4th: P800 and trophy/medal 5th: P500 and trophy/medal	1st: P3,000 and trophy/medal 2nd:P2,000 and trophy/medal 3rd: P1,000 and trophy/medal 4th: P800 and trophy/medal 5th: P500 and trophy/medal

 

 

FOR REGISTRATION AND RACE INQUIRIES, PLS. CONTACT:

·        Thumbie O. Remigio: 0916-3858322 / thumbieremigio@yahoo.com

·        Bernz Varona: 0917-8344425

 

REGISTRATION SITES

·        The UP Bikers Tambayan beside the kiosk near the UP Diliman AS parking lot and in front of the Faculty Center. Look for Christian: 0919-5116929

·        The Office of the President, PMI Colleges, Manila. Look for Jenny: 0917-8288001

·        Or deposit your registration fee at BPI acct no. 3150-0035-62 with acct name Sabino Czar Manglicmot then fax your deposit slip and registration form to telephone no. 9222649

 

 

Stand Proud! You are Part of the PMI Legacy!

The Human Race Bandit

It was my first time to run as a bandit in a race.  Just thought that I ditch the sportsband in solidarity with runners who do not own any Nike+ stuff.  Besides, I just looove the Mizuno route and I just couldn’t let this race pass Nike or no Nike.  Sundays are brick days for me and a change of scenery is always refreshing just like it was during the Miracle Run 2 weeks ago.  

Had trouble sleeping, so I finally got up at around quarter to 4am to bike.  Unlike the Miracle Run where I biked after the race, this time I got to bike before the run.  It was still dark outside so I set up my indoor trainer and biked for 45 minutes.  Finished at around 4:30 am.  And after fixing my stuff, it was off to McKinley Hill.  

Was dressed like a true bandit in an all-black ensemble, well, except for my shoes which was navy blue 🙂 All the more to take advantage of the darkness that surrounded the race site when I got there at around 5am, hehe.  It didn’t take long for the sun to rise though and I had to content myself lurking just in front of the McKinley Convention Center as I observed the various official racers prepping their Nike+ stuff and warming-up for the race.  Minutes before the start, Annie Agoncillo took the lead in helping the participants stretch and warm-up for the race that was about to start.  I read in Marga’s blog that Annie collapsed at some point during the race, but she’s OK now.  In hindsight, I thought it may be probably due, in part, to what I thought was a pretty high-energy warm-up routine.  I didn’t actually witness what she did (was in lurk mode, bandit remember?), but from what I was hearing, the warm-up consisted of an aerobic routine before the actual stretching exercises.  I remember getting tired just hearing how they went about their warm-up 🙂  

Race promptly started at 6am and it seemed to me like there was only a hundred or so runners at the start. Also saw fellow bandits lurking behind the ‘prison bars’ (railings) beside the starting line waiting for the signal to start.  Once the signal was given, I let a few seconds pass  before breaking out from ‘prison’ and joining the Human Race.  Well, the course was basically the very same Mizuno 15K route minus 5 kms., of course, except that we started right at the heart of the dreaded McKinley Hill.  So you could probably imagine how my heart rate shot up in the first few minutes of the race.  Tried to maintain my pace, using shorter but faster steps up the hill and thinking that for every uphill, there’s always a downhill 🙂  

Right before the turn to Bayani Road, I saw Dingdong (RunMD) run past me and I said, “Go Dingdong!”  I got no response from him and it appears that the Ipod was the culprit 🙂  Pressed the button of my watch to get my 5km split and saw that I did 24:49.  There goes another chance at a negative split because I know that the time was a bit too fast for me.  The run inside Heritage Park is always pleasant.  And I was touched that those manning the water stations even offered a bandit like me (seeing that I obviously had no race bib) refreshments and bananas 🙂  Of course, I could only offer them my thanks as I thought it wrong to partake of refreshments offered at a race where I was not an official participant.  Besides, taking drinks and eating bananas would only slow me down.  This bandit is going for a sub-50!!! hahaha 🙂  

Inside Heritage Park, I introduced myself to Javy Olives (triathlete) and paced with him for a few kms.  All this time, I was really laboring and thought it must be my lack of sleep and creeping heat  that is catching up with me.  At the 6 and 7 km mark, a glance at my watch revealed that I was already doing a little over 5 minutes/km. and I knew sub-50 would have to wait for another day/race 😦  But it’s all good, there were no dagger looks that were thrown this bandit throughout the race.  At least, that’s from what I can see as I refused to make eye-contact with the runners being the guilty bandit that I am 🙂 

Was able to manage a sprint towards the finish, only because it was downhill once I entered McKinley Hill again 🙂  Sprinted towards the chute reserved for bandits as the one for the official racers had a photographer waiting for them.  A bandit should never get his photograph taken 🙂  Eventually finished with an unofficial time of 52:45.  I saw Coach Rio at the finish, gave him a high-5 and muttered an out-of-breath congratulations for organizing a good race that was enjoyed by everyone, I think, Nike users and bandits alike 🙂  

I made my way through the booths and I finally met Prometheus Cometh and RunMD who was kind enough to offer me his bottle of Rush.  But I had to decline once again for the same reasons stated above. Would have wanted to stay on and chat with the fellow bloggers but I had to say my hi/hellos/goodbyes quickly since there was a school function for my son later on that morning.  Also saw Norman Pascual (Herbalife/Fort Striders) as I made my way to the car for my much-needed refreshments.  

I know there was a little bit of controversy surrounding this race.  But just the same, I joined it because bottom line, I just liked to go out and run, my personal feelings against NIKE be damned  🙂  Also, race organizers like Coach Rio needs all the support and encouragement from the community because it’s no joke to organize a race.  I’ve seen it upclose with my friends from SALIGAN who organized Run 4 Ur Life that was held at UP 2 weeks ago.  Us runners move from one race to the next week after week, but did you know SALIGAN is still accounting for the expenses for a race that was held 2 weeks ago?  Not to mention the weeks of preparation leading to the staging of the actual race itself.  So there.  

On that note, I would like to congratulate Coach Rio, PC and all those involved in yesterday’s race for staging a successful Human Race in Manila.  I guess I also speak for the bandits when I say thank you for making us feel welcome even though we didn’t have any NIKE sportkits, etc.  Some of us even placed in yesterday’s race with a cool number at that: 666 🙂  (Please check official results at runrio.com)  

As for NIKE, sorry, but I still won’t buy any of your stuff…..Only because I cannot afford it and would much rather win them as freebies 🙂  But if it’s OK with you, I’d still run the races you sponsor 🙂  Make that, I’d still run them even if it’s not OK with you….I’ll just be a bandit again 🙂  

Finally, here are stats of yesterday’s brick workout for those interested (although I don’t think it’s considered a brick anymore in light of the lag time between the bike and the run):  

Indoor Bike:  45 minutes        AHR: 123

Transition: 1 hour 25 minutes

Run: 52:45          AHR: 158 (first 5K); 166 (last 5K, so that’s how a tempo run should feel like)  

Cheers!

On the 31st of August…..Just Do It

Ok, this will be my last post on the Nike Human Race.  I’d like to share with you an email/comment that was posted by The Bullrunner on the reasons behind the staging of the Human Race in Manila:

Hey levy, I think this is what Nike was afraid of in organizing a local race. They didn’t want the Pinoys to feel that they were locking out all those who didn’t have Nike+ kits. That’s why Coach Rio kept reiterating the fact that this Nike physical race in Manila was not an official race but more of a gathering for all the Pinoys who signed up for the virtual worldwide run. Since all these Pinoy virtual runners would be running their own 10km anyway, they thought of just gathering them together in one place.

I’m not a Nike endorser. And I do agree running should be open to everyone. I do know Nike didn’t want all the others to feel left out too that’s why they gave those discount coupons and free sportsbands. That’s also why I thought it was a good idea to allow people to win the kits and give them a chance to join. It’s more of a service to the readers.

Don’t you think it’s about time I make my peace with Nike?  In light of the Bullrunner’s explanation, I wish to extend my apologies to all those who may have been offended/slighted with my “The Outsider and Nike” post earlier.  But I hope you do understand where I was coming from.  In any case, I think Coach Rio should be commended for organizing a race to bring together all the Nike users even though Manila wasn’t selected an official city.  I mean can you name me another non-official city where they’re gonna organize something that Coach Rio is doing?…..  That’s what I thought.  Bottom line, I think what unites us all is our common love and passion for running and I think that should transcend anything and everything.  I mean, iilan lang tayo sa running community mag-aaway away pa tayo?   In the movie “Field of Dreams”, a line there goes “if you build it, they will come…”  Well, guys and gals, Coach Rio has built it.  So, on the 31st of August, go out and JUST DO IT!!!

Cheers!

Miracle Run Recap

Lots of races happening today.  There’s Bayani Run at Marikina.  Run 4 ur Life at UP.  Off-Road Duathlon at Lucban, Quezon and Miracle Run at the Fort.  Truth be told, I had mixed feelings joining the Miracle Run. The NGO that I used to work with is sponsoring Run 4 ur Life at UP.  Thing is, I registered for Miracle Run the day before I heard about the run in UP 😦  As a compromise, I bought the ‘run 4 ur life’ singlet and wore the same for this morning’s race 🙂  Now on to the recap:

Got to the venue at around 5:15 am, because I still didn’t have the race packet with me.  Registration was a breeze as there was no line and I was able to get the shirt and my number at once.  Did some stretching and a few warm up runs.  Got to see Jojo (Sunkist Trihard) and Pierre (schoolmate) as well as Jake (schoolmate) who I’m glad to see is on the comeback trail after his injury.  Go Jake! Looking forward to seeing you in the triathlon races till the end of the year!  Was planning to bike for an hour after the 10K run so this will constitute as my Brick workout for this week.  Boom Gonzales was the emcee. There were the usual welcome speeches from the Editor of Mens Health as well as the Executive Director from Kapuso Foundation explaining the mechanics of how the sponsors will donate P200 for every 10K finisher and P400 for every team that finishes the race as well.  It was close to starting time already and didn’t feel like there were a thousand runners at the start line 😦  

Like it said in the flyer, race started promptly at 630am.  Was hoping for an earlier start but if I were to do Whiterock in the future, might as well get used to running under the sun 🙂  As the run began, was trying to focus on my form.  Trying to get rid of my ‘hunchback’ pose so I was really conscious of holding my chin up and squeezing an imaginary egg behind my back 🙂  At the same time, I was also advised to incorporate a bit of a ‘skip/jump’ in every stride to make my run easier/faster, so I was trying to do that as well.  The route took us around Serendra towards Japanese school and then make a turnaround back to the main road towards S and R.  Upon reaching S and R, runners would then take a left turn at Fifth Avenue (I think) and then another left towards the ‘start/finish’ line.  One loop is 5K, so us individual 10k runners had to do 2 loops.  I remember glancing at my watch after the first 5k and saw that I was running at about a 5 min/km pace.  I remember Loonyrunner in his blog saying something about doing a negative split and I was wondering If I should make a go for it.  I tried but I kept thinking that I still have to bike after so there goes my goal of a negative split.  There were at least 4 water stations  in the race and they were handing out gatorade bottles to the runners!  It’s good that the sponsors are quite generous in giving gatorade but then the sad reality is runners would only take a sip and then throw the bottle away.  I just thought it would have been better if they give cups of gatorade instead to prevent wastage.  At any rate,  I avoided stopping at the water stations so as not to break the rhythm I was maintaining.  It’s all about rhythm 🙂 Another good thing about the race were the kilometer markers which I failed to notice during my first loop. At about the 7km mark, I remember glancing at my watch again which showed (34+minutes) and once again at the 9km mark (45:02+minutes) and realized that doing a sub-50 may be within reach.  Tried to pick up my pace but I knew I was only maintaing what I’ve been doing thus far 🙂  Don’t know what happened but I knew I breached the 50 min. mark way before the finish line.  I was surprised to see though that when I made my turn to the finish line it was still 49:40++ and counting.  Even then, try as I might I got past the finish past 50 min.  My unofficial time based on my watch was 51:19.  I was happy though because I was aiming for a 50 to 52 finish.  Sub-50 is just gravy 🙂  It will have to wait at a more opportune time, hehehe.    

At the finish, they had this kilometers counter adding up 10km every time a runner crosses the finish line.  Thought it provided a nice touch.  When I finished there were already 500kms thereabouts on the board.  I sure hope we reach the goal of 10,000kms for this run.  Got a gatorade at the finish.  Unfortunately, didn’t have time to linger as this is ‘brick’ day for me.  BTW, during races I don’t bring the heart monitor anymore and just go by how I feel.  Had I brought it, the HRM would have registered in the high 150s to 160s during the run.  In RunMD’s blog, he presented a table of the HR percentages of an easy to hard workout.  According to said table, my HR is still within aerobic stage.  Damn that table 🙂 I was already panting and breathing hard, hahaha 🙂  Sure felt like I was already at V02 max 🙂   

15:03 lapsed between finishing the race, freshening up a bit, getting into the car, driving home and setting up the bike.  Biked for an hour and did around 29.4km.  Was already bonking at around the 18km mark, so I just eased up on the gears in order to finish the required 1 hour bike ride.   Here are stats of the brick day:

Time: 51:19   Distance 10K run

Transition: 15:03

Time: 1:00  Distance 29.4k bike

Total: 2:06:23.

Congratulations to all those who ran the Miracle Run with me this morning.  Thank you very much to the organizers and all those who were involved in this Miracle Run.  I hope Kapuso Foundation was able to reach the P200,000 goal.  Here’s to more runs-for-a-cause in the future.  

Cheers!

Mizuno Rush to Infinity Run Part 2

Ran 15K during last Sunday’s Race.  Finished 1:21:40.  I did 1:23:03 during the first rendition of the Mizuno race last March.  Many have expressed their disappointment with the conduct of these races (i.e. lack of water in Mizuno 1 and inaccurate finishing times in Mizuno 2), but mistakes do happen and the race organizer, Coach Rio, has already apologized.  Thus, I shall quote the favorite line of the GMA administration since 2005, “Let’s move on” shall we?