Wednesday, February 08, 2012

My Full Marathon (FM) Debut - Condura Skyway Marathon 2012

          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. 
PSE Bull Run 2012 21K Results


  With this result and with my last year's running experiences, I felt ready to engage in a FM.
   Through Pinoy Fitness Forum I was able to know about this Condura Skyway Marathon (CSM) Run for the Mangroves. So, I registered at Riovana, Bonifacio Global City where the staff personnel placed me at Wave C.
     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. 
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.
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.


        My next goal is to run a 42K trail run/trail marathon. Like for instance, this link 1st Mt Ugo Trail Marathon.
with Cariz aka Runlover at the baggage area
With Runiacs, runlover and Daniel of PF

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