For
me, one can't call himself/herself a full-fledged runner unless he/she runs for a full
marathon (42.195km).
Well, running a marathon was not my
goal when I started joining organized road races in the middle of last year. My
first salvo running was a 10K run. My goal then was simply to get rid of my
excess body fats in preparation for a five-month course which actually started
on 15 Aug and ended on 16 Dec 2011. However, as I have continued joining fun
runs/road races, I have developed a feeling of wanting more to test my limits.
Hence, the idea of joining a marathon crossed my mind.
To prepare
myself for this ultimate goal, early this year, I have participated in the PSE
Bull Run 2012 last 08 January where I logged about 01:47:17 in the supposedly
21K (short of 800m based on GPS of my friends). Anyway, I was glad to get sub-2
to this event.
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PSE Bull Run 2012 21K Results
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To prepare this
marathon, I was thinking of running from my house going to my office which is
about 30km away. That plan never materializes due to inevitable circumstances
and self-initiated reasons. What I did for my preparation was simply to
run a 5K or 10K twice a week for 30mins to 1 hr period. Though there are
times of the week where there is no run at all.
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| The Running Pilot and his wife (courtesy of Sir Iking) |
Since the actual run would start on the eve (12am) of 05 Feb, I have planned
also to rest the whole afternoon, a day before. Again, this did not also
materialize due to exigency of the service where in we have to make overtime
works to meet deadlines.
To cut the story short, I have arrived early at the start area where I met some
of my friends who are also bloggers - The Running Pilot with his lovely wife
and Runner's Toe with Pinoy Fitness (PF) peeps.
The event was very electrifying. There was a remote controlled chopper with an
attached video camera that hovers approximately 300 ft above ground level (AGL). We were informed
that due to the hugeness of the event, the organizers have employed four (4)
emcees, one at the mock up stage, one at the starting line, one at the finish line and the last one at the send-off line.
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| PF peeps taken by Runner's Toe |
The 42K runners were grouped into four waves (Wave A to D). While
observing how the Wave A and B runners started, I began to formulate my plan on
how to finish this event. My goal time for this run is to get sub 4:30 minutes.
To realize this, my initial plan was just to run at my own relax mode pace
until the "half mary" (21K) mark and then run to the finish line in a
5:30min per kilometer pace. However, I violated this strategy. I can't bear the
thought being over-taken by older than me and even lady runners, that's why, I
have increased my tempo a little bit higher which lead me to overtake a number
of runners. This technique paid me dearly because at the 23K mark, my both legs
began to develop cramps. For this, I stopped running at 24K mark and began to
walk for about 300m and stretched my legs. That stretching somewhat helped my
recovery so I started to run again. This time, I ran a bit slower and accepted
the fact the other runners were just stronger and faster than me. Every
hydration station leading to the finish line after the 25K mark, I stopped and
drink at least two glasses of water. Then I run again, walk again and run
again.
When I saw the 36K mark, I was thinking to run at a faster mode for the last
5K, say 5:00min/km pace. And, that's what I did. I began to run like hell at
37K mark going to the finish line and had overtaken a number of runners who had
previously overtaken me. But at 41K mark, I stopped again because I couldn't
bear the muscle pain in my left leg. For this, I made some stretching and
wished that I bring with me some pain relievers i.e. efficascent oil or omega
pain killer. When I felt okay, I ran as fast as I can for the last one kilometer
up to the finish line. I was able to overtake two runners and was overtaken by
a faster runner 50m away to the finish line. Upon finishing the race, I raised
my both hands and look at the sky and said HWWAHHHH! I made it. I was given a
bottle of Summit mineral water and 100plus energy drink and was told to proceed
at the staging area to claim my medal and loot bag.
Based on the Official Results, I ranked 301st out of the registered 1, 610
42K runners. Not bad for my FM debut.
Even though I
was not able to get my goal time of sub 4:30:xx, I'm
still happy and felt contented for the simple reason that I was able to conquer my limits. Besides, I was able to add new circle of friends.
In this run, "I have started slow and finished strong". My rookie mistake here was when I increased my running tempo just to catch up those runners who have overtaken me. Nevertheless, running a marathon for a novice like me is worth gratifying. I am now proud to say now
that I am a full-pledged runner.
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| with
Cariz aka Runlover at the baggage area |
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| With
Runiacs, runlover and Daniel of PF |
