It was my most painful race yet, but sweet at the same time. I had to be content with the thought that I have to wake up early for a race that I didn't train enough for. I have been busy lately with website project from my previous employer, and is almost close with a new project from the same client. The thought of DNFing crossed my mind, but having one DNFed in my race history (I think) is enough. So, I had to sucked it up, I have to set aside my pride, and has to face the truth that I might not be able to finish the race with a new PR.
Erick woke me up 45minutes past 3AM, and both of us were on the rush, thinking that we have to face traffic going to Quezon City Hall, but praise God because there was none. The parking lot was full of cars that we immediately went to the starting line after getting our things. I wanted to watch the gun start of the 42K runners, since our good friend and teamate Marga Baula is there. But because we woke up late, the 42K runners were already gone, we just made our way to the pack of excited 21K runners. I even saw my childhood (super)crush Jeffrey Hidalgo, I have a notebook way back in highschool with his pictures, new clippings and everything that has his face. :D
I actually don't know if we started on time since I don't have a watch with me. I think there were more than a thousand of runners and as soon as the gun was fired signaling the start of the race I was fighting my way to reach the timing chip mat. After one kilometer I was able to get my groove, I get to run consistently without stopping, but not for long.
My right leg started cramping as early as kilometer 7, I opted to walk and stretch a bit so that the pain would go away. Yet as soon as I started running again, it was a cramp attack from my left leg, so walked I did. I think it was a kilometer 8 when I saw and met (personally) Carrey Reyno which I 'am thankful for. I get to have a running and walking buddy which made the whole race easier. I was not really aiming for any PR so I just cherished the thought that I get to run once again in Commonwealth Avenue formerly known as Don Mariano Marcos Avenue which was once knew as one of the deadliest road in the Philippines.
What do you do when hunger strikes you while on a race? I begged a marshall to share his Piatos with me, I asked for a free sample of nachos with Nestle Carbonara cream as a dipping inside UP campus which by the way taste very good. And so I thank you all, the Lord will repay you for your goodness. :)
These food along with my GU power gel, Viva mineral water and Powerade from the water station fueled me in this race. And kudos to the organizer, I was well hydrated, almost all station had cold Viva mineral water and Powerade for me and all the runners. And most of all, thank you Lord for once again protecting me and giving me the strength physically and mentally to finish this race, all glory is Yours alone!
I finish my most painful race (yet) and it was memorable! :D
Would do my best in my next race and I 'am psyched for it, training starts next week. :D
Let! Congrats!! We're the same, kulang sa training! But we did it! We finished!! (despite the pain!) Parang di ka naman in pain, happing-hapi ka pa when we saw each other during and after the run! Humingi ka talaga from the marshall?? Hahaha! And naki-free taste ka din??!! Haha! Cute naman ng site mo, meron snow pa!! =)
ReplyDeleteHyper talaga ako after ng race, parang lalong dumami ang powers ko. Yun din comment ni erick sa akin, siya daw after ng race pagod na pagod na ako daw parang walang nangyari. Sabi ko try mo manganak, tingnan ko lang kung hindi siya magka power.
ReplyDeleteoo, kinapalan ko na mukha ko, humingi talaga ako kasi baka sa sobrang gutom ko mahilo ako. meron talagang feature na snow ang wordpress kaya nilagay ko. congratz ulit sa inyo ni neil, see you this friday. :)