Wow, has it been 10 years since the very first PSE Bull Run? How time flies!
I am not a big fan of this race but since it is in its 10th edition, I thought it would be nice to be a participant in this historic event.
Registration though wasn't an easy task as it would involve claiming the race kits at Philippine Stock Exchange in Ayala Avenue. Good thing I have some friends who joined this race and I had mine and Per's kits picked up (and also registered) by them. Thanks Denzell and Kath!
The 21km race had a gun start time of 4am, which was quite early for a half marathon event (is this the new normal now and not 5am anymore?). Luckily, we made it just in time for the countdown of the race (no more stretches or toilet breaks!).
Alvin decided (on a last minute) to accompany me for this race as he had 36km to do this day. I had 25km to do so this race was good for our long run. Per slept in the car as her 5km race would begin at 5:15am.
Alvin gave a simple request that we try to maintain a 7:30/km pace for the first 10km, to which I jokingly rebutted, "Sure, let's try it. But after the first 10km, we walk the last 11km?" I actually had no plans to race this but rather do a LSD (long, slow distance) but after Alvin posed that question, I was curious too at the speed that I could do this race.
I started off too fast (too excited?) but was able to control my pace as we ran around BGC before we headed out to Kalayaan Bridge and into Buendia Ave. I was surprised that I was able to run the entire flyover as can't remember the last time I did that (yes, I have become super slow) and kept at a constant pace throughout the race, even with its hilly route.
There was a banana station, some Pocari Sweat stations and water stations too. I had two GU Gels with me but ended up taking one at the 11km mark. The weather was nice and cold and the sun wasn't up yet by the time we finished the race.
There were two instances where I had to walk a bit as felt I was about to vomit. But other than that and the walks at the water stations, I was able to run constantly.
I finished the race with a total distance of 20.66km and an average pace of 7:30min/km! Woo hoo!
My finish time was at 2:35:04. PRAISE GOD for this great performance.
A new PR for 2014 is achieved as I ran 14 seconds faster per kilometer! I am now just 7 seconds away from my 21km PR pace for 2013...
Thank You God for this!
POST-RACE
At the finish line, I had to line up for a bit in order to get my loot bag, which is composed of a small enviro bag, a nice black finisher shirt and a finisher medal. Too bad the organizers didn't market this race enough for its 10th year and the medal was very simple. They could have made the medal bigger and better to commemorate this race. But the race itself was pretty organized!
Alvin and I ate at Mcdonalds before doing another 4km to complete my long run.
As for Per, well her car wasn't at the parking area so we assumed she went home after her race. We were right in that she went home but she wasn't able to run her 5km race as she fell asleep in the car and woke up at 5:50AM (35 minutes after her own gun start!) Out of frustrations and disappointment, she just went home :(
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