OctobeRUN 16km (Oct 4, '09) - Post Race

It has been a while since I last joined a race where I targeted a specific pace or time to finish the race. The last was in the Milo Half Marathon last July but I got burned out and walked at the last part. Since that event, races I've done were mostly to enjoy the scenery, to run with Per or to be a part of the weekend's long run.



But then Alvin decided that I should finish this race with a time target of 6:20 min/km and then run 5km more at same pace to complete the 21km distance. I was supposed to do a 32km long run so this was a welcome escape from doing the extra mileage but I didn't know how hard this was going to be for me as well.



I hoped for no rain coming from the terrible attack of the Typhoon a week ago. Good thing the Super typhoon did not hit Metro Manila as was expected and the race was still a GO! Per and I got to the venue by 5:15AM. This was the race where a lot of us merged into one category. The 10km runners had no choice but to do the 16km distance. Same thing with the 21km runners. It was the first time that Nat, Dave, Neil, Per, Stella and myself all started at the same time for the same race distance but all with different goals.



The crowd wasn't as huge as expected but that was just fine with me. Race started on time and I followed the pace of my sister, thinking it is attainable. It's not. After a few km, I slowed down and got left behind. Still, I was able to maintain my target pace and have allowance in case I get tired.

It was a Positive Split (and that's not a good thing) and I had to take a GU at halfway point as getting tired and hungry. That kept me going. Luckily, weather was nice that morning with no rain and sun coming out at a later time. There were ample water stations and I made sure to stop at each one (sometimes even getting two cups).

I crossed the finish line at a time of 1:36:16 with an average pace of 6:20min/km. Unfortunately, distance was short by 800meters with total course at 15.2km. But I was happy I achieved my target pace.

Ran additional 6km with Jason at below 7 min/km pace. It's really hard to run again once you've crossed the finish line but it's something that needs to be done. So now it's back to running long and running fast for this Running FATBOY!

Race pacers for 5 min, 6 min, 7 min and 8 min per km

Copying the balloon

Won the raffle prize. First time for this Running Fat boy. Woohoo!!!