PBA Run with the Fans

Last Saturday, I did something new, participate in 2 races at the same day.

At the start, I was expecting that a lot of PBA Players would join the longer distances as they had did in the past, sadly, the ongoing PBA Schedule and the tightrace for the quarters at the standings prevented them from doing so. There are still quite a number of them, albeit at the 3k category. I was also hoping some Powerade tigers players to show up, but sadly only a few coaches showed up. In fairness, Barako Bull, Meralco and BGK had quite a delegation.

After the preparations, the marshals told us via a huddle on how to take the race route. It felt like a basketball huddle. We were supposed to do 2 laps on the 5k in a very Hilly route for a complete 10k. When the gun started, my pace was ok, only a few walks in the uphill.With powerade as a sponsor, there were plenty of hydration, I only needed 2 of my 4 hydration bottles.

During the later half of the run, the participants from the shorter distances finally began to show up, so do the players. So do the players, apparently only the H-Bomb took the race seriously, placing 4th in the 3k category.  Most of the players were in race support mode though. Giving high fives and cups.

After 2 laps, I finally ended the race. A bit slow because of the hills but I have to leave something more for the run later that afternoon The route was challenging but it really felt longer than 10k.

 

The medal could've used more work, but an award/ recognition of any sort, especially from the PBA is always a welcome addition. 

What Speed Limit?

The second race of the year, I registered for this event as early as after last year's Christmas. 

The route was pretty simple, we run around  the ADMU compound, go out to Katipunan all the way to green meadows, passing by 2 hills and one underpass while were at it. 

A week ago, during the cybph games at admu, we tried jogging around the admu compound  to get a feel of the area. From the college courts, to the SEC walk up to Moro Lorenzo. I was expecting about the same, but to my surprise, as the race started, there were some steep hills deep inside the campus, around 20 minutes or so, we were finally out on Katipunan. Granted there were some fumes but the new scenery was worth it. Credits as well for the early start that prevented us runners for having a longer time under the sun.

Before the race, I set a goal that I'd be gunning for 1:45-1:50, my previous best was at 2:00:50 from the 2011 run for integrity. I had to ensure that I'd be passing half of the race within one hour.  I passed the U turn slot at green meadows at 1:05 plenty of time to spare. Fatigue finally caught up on the second half of the run, with the sun shining and hills shoving the way.

Near the Ateneo gates, I was a bit disappointed that people were still circling the Blue Eagle gym before crossing the finish line. Turns out it was just from Ateneo's grade school division run aptly titled takbluehan. As I saw that we don't need to make the loop around Blue Eagle gym, I sprinted along the finish line .

A 15k PR!  at 1:50:35 though  the result wierdly showed a time of 1:51:35, what matters most is the time on my watch. After which they gave out the medals and finisher's shirt.

Bow Down to the King!

Just finished the 16.8k distance of KOTR yesterday (I did not use the singlet because I did not like the color). I finally got my 12 medal goal for the year. But since there's still more than 2 months left, I signed for 3 more races (2 of them half Marathons).

The good points of the race

-Hydration
-Marshalls
-Route
- UP Cheerios

The bad points of the race

-Initial offer of credit card / online transaction exclusive payment
-Inability to Select preffered Singlet color (Dumb Move)

Fine!

 

The Second Finex run experience was quite  far from my expectations. Good thing they gave out medals the size of 5 peso coins.

Run Rizal

My Second 16k and my second 16k with an hour of sleep!

Diamond Blue

Yesterday, I finished the Ateneo Blue Diamond Race, for my 9th medal of the year (2011 target=12 medals) It now hangs beside my La Salle Greentennial half marathon medal :p

There were a some issues in regards to Hydration, good thing I had my Hydration Belt with me. With sponsors backing out due to the bad weather, there were only a few freebies given. But that is not important since a medal, certificate and those beneficiaries happy would be enough for participating. Besides, why settle from some freebies that you're going to consume for a day, for a week or some stuff that would not fit you anyway? A finisher's medal would still be there reminding you of participating in this good cause and would last for generations.

Run United 2 Experience

 

I had a 14 minute Guntime and 9 Minute Chip time 21k PR improvement at Unilab Run United 2. A bit surprising since I didn't have that much practice but Vitamins and rest paid its results.

Happy Independence Day

What better way to celebrate our Independence day than finishing the independence day run.

Integrity Medal

My first 15 k was a bit tiring but it was well worth it.

Greentennial

SJCS Run For Fun Race For Place