Clark Full Marathon 2014

As I write this, my entire body is sore as just 36 hours ago I joined and completed the very first Clark Animo Full Marathon.   In previous years, the organizers have staged 10km and 21km races but this was the first time they decided to step out of their comfort zones and do a full marathon distance.  This will be their 5th time hosting a race.  So how did they fare?  Read on..

Per and I drove to Clark on a Friday morning as I wanted this to be an out of town trip.  We booked a room at Holiday Inn hotel in Mimosa, which was super convenient as it was just walking distance to the Starting Line.  No more parking stress when we can just walk there.  Plus I could wake up at a later time given the proximity of the hotel to the race venue.

That Friday, we exited Angeles and headed to Marquee Mall for yummy (and heavy) lunch at Xtremely Xpresso Cafe.  It was in this mall that I also claimed my race kit at ROX.  Inside the race kit was an official race shirt, race bib (which had a detachable 20% coupon for all New Balance footwear! Can you say "Shoe Reward?"), the map of the race, and terms and conditions of the event.

Saturday was spent relaxing some more as we watched a movie at SM Clark, had lunch at C's Italian Restaurant and dinner at a korean restaurant in Korea Town.  Then we headed back to the hotel to rest for the reminder of the night.

The gun start for the 42km race on Sunday morning was at 3:30AM, and we were there at around 3:20AM, good enough for some last minute stretching and toilet break.  Per accompanied me to the Starting Line and took some pictures there.

To be on a safe side, I decided to bring a bottle of ISO 100 with me as wasn't sure what was included in their water stations aside from... well, water!  I chose this as can easily be disposed when I don't want it anymore vs. my own water bottle which I had to keep during the entire duration of the race.  I also packed 7 GU gels to be used at every 7km and one extra one in case of emergency.

At 3:30AM, there was a nice firework display in front of us and when that ended, our race started.  Almost immediately, everyone was running fast!  I literally became the LAST runner here and pretty soon, an ambulance was trailing behind me.  This continued for the next 2km!  There were moments I felt tightness in my legs and wanted to stretch or walk them off as opposed to running but with the pressure of being the last runner AND having the sweeper car right behind you, well that made me continue running instead.  

"Was I really going out this slow?", I started pondering.  By this time, the next runner in front of me was about 400-500m away!  I looked at my Garmin watch and saw that my pace was around 7:30-7:45 per kilometer.  If anything, I was going out too fast!  

"Aha!  That is what they were doing!  Eventually, they will slow down and walk and I will come up from behind and overtake them!", I arrogantly thought to myself.  Sadly this did not happen on the 3km or even at the 4km mark.  I was STILL the last runner and I was STILL being followed by the sweeper ambulance.

What is worse is that my distance to the next runner seems to be getting wider too!  What is going on? My next km pace was at 7:27 and that was still too slow for these runners.  I decided not to chase them anymore and to settle at my normal pace.  This was, after all, a full marathon and it was dangerous to go all out at the beginning of the race.  Hopefully my luck would change later on.

Around 4km mark, the ambulance left me and went straight to the next runner.  Was I even too slow for them?  I really didn't understand anymore!  Boo!

Then a group of cyclists sped along and one slowed down and biked next to me.  "What time did you start?", he inquired.  "3:30AM", I answered back thinking he was just making conversations.  But he didn't leave my side.

I looked at him and saw he was wearing a biker's helmet and traffic aide vest and then I knew. 

 "Are you a marshal?", I asked him.  To which he said yes.  So, I had my own escort for this race!  Sigh!

But at least I had someone to talk to so it wouldn't be that boring.  We had small conversations and he stuck with me.  At 8km, there were two runners in front of me and I slowly overtook them.  I expected the bike marshal to go with them but he stayed with me.  Maybe he was enjoying my company too. Haha!

Our route took us from the starting line to Clark's Main Gate (where SM Clark is located) for the U Turn back to where we started as route brought us next to the back of Fontana and on a long stretch of road to another Toll Gate.  A U Turn will be made there and a short detour along the Sacobra Bridge as runners will race toward the finish line but not before hitting Clark's own version of "Heartbreak Hil

It was at the Main Gate where I had a chance to overtake two more runners but later on when I walked at a water station, they came and overtook me again.  Sigh, last runner syndrome indeed!

Near the Starting Line, we merged with 10km runners and ran with them for the next 5km before they made their U Turn back while we kept going straight.  It was lonely on the road again till I noticed the 21km runners heading back too.  All this time, we didn't see any 42km runners which was strange as a Kenyan was the one leading it and it was more than an hour already.  I then realized that our route won't be the same with the 10km or 21km runners.

The bike marshal biked next to me most of the way.  The only times he would bike ahead of me was when he needed to go to the toilet or because it was an uphill climb and he had a hard time biking at my pace.  But then he would wait till I got there and bike with me again.  Pretty awesome!

At Sacobra Bridge, I was able to surpass more runners as they walked in this exposed area.  The sun was dampening our spirits around this time but the view was beautiful and distracting at the least.  I was now at 32- 33km mark when I ran on the bridge.  With a quick toilet break at the guard house at the end of the bridge, I continued on.

I was tired and just wanted it to end. Haha!  By that time, I was down to my last two GU gels and had finished my ISO 100 drink at 28km mark.  The water stations here were ample enough and they offered Gatorade drinks too.  There were two banana stations and the latter stations also had Sprite and Royal so that was a welcome treat.  And ALL the drinks were COLD, which I really appreciated.

Then it was down to the last 8km, but it wasn't going to be an easy one as we had to conquer the Hill first.  But after that was done, it was smooth sailing as it was downhill to flat to the finish line.  I tried to maximize this opportunity and go faster but my feet were hurting and sore already.  I continued running as we passed by Holiday Inn Hotel and I knew that we were near. 

One final right turn was made before I saw the finish line.

Yes, I did it.  PRAISE GOD for letting me cross the finish line safe and sound!  

To Him Be All The Glory!

Congrats to all the finishers and to the organizers for a well executed race.  I am glad to be part of your first Marathon event.

Thanks also to my "support" crew AKA bike marshal.  I bet he is as happy as I am that I crossed the finish line so he can rest too! Hahaha.

My time of 5:30++ wasn't that bad but in Clark, it's one of the bottom!  Very humbling experience. :)

And this was the reason I joined this race in the first place!  ANIMO LA SALLE!! My first La Sallian Marathon Finisher Medal!

Thank You God!!!

03/13/13 Update:  Results are out for this race.  Based on the 42km results, there are a total of 140 finishers for this distance, and I place 106th here for a ranking % of 76% and a time of 5:38:20... not bad considering my situation early in the race :P

2nd Animo Run, Clark - 21km Distance

Flashback to November 18, 2008 - it was my first run in Clark via New Balance 25km. At that time, it was my longest distance and I did it together with Janine (her longest distance as well). There were 14 of us in the group and I was able to invite all but two of them to do a fun run (ranging from 5km to 10km). We had a great time there and I vowed to return again to Clark for another road race...

More details on that race can be found here: New Balance Power Race

2009 - the New Balance Race returned but this time, it was held in Fort Bonifacio instead of Clark. The reason is that there were more runners in Metro Manila who had access to Fort Bonifacio than that of Clark. No 25km race but they did have the 21km race, which I did there. The finisher medal was quite similar to the one held in Clark a year ago..

2010 - No New Balance Race (either in Clark or in Fort Bonifacio). They moved the date to March/April 2011 but it seems it won't push through again.

2011 - Saw in my email that there was a race to be held in Clark with a 21km distance. But it was at the same day as RunRio Leg 01 and this one had finisher medals for all 21km finishers. And I looooveeee these shiny shiny things!

A quick email to the race organizer of the Clark race (2nd Animo Run) revealed that there were also finisher medals for all 21km finishers for this race. Being a La Sallian, I coveted the Animo Run medal more than the RunRio series and set to work to invite the same group of people as that of 2008.

It was basically the same people with a few additions/ subtractions in the group bringing our total to 13 people (from 14 for 2008). Whereas in 2008 only two people didn't run a race, in 2011, only two WILL run a race! I guess my powers of persuasion only works for out-of -town trips and not out-of-town runs! Boo!!!

But I was still excited for this race - for the new scenery, for the new route, to face the famous "Wall" of Clark, and to get another finisher medal (God willing) that would serve as both my 2nd La Salle medal (both done on La Salle's 100th Year Anniversary) and my 2nd Clark finisher medal. But I was scared too as the only running I did for the entire week was one short 5.6km easy run on Friday night (two days before the half marathon). Not enough training indeed for this RUNNING FATBOY! Good thing the 3.5 hours cut off time should be more than enough for me to complete my Half Marathon.


RACE DAY!

I woke up at 4:00am, ate half a sandwich, got dressed and met Jeanne at Holiday Inn's lobby at 5:10am. There was ample time as the race venue (Clark Parade Grounds) was just a 5-minute drive from hotel. Unfortunately, the way to the parking area (via hotel's back entrance) and to my car was closed and I had to jog around the hotel just to get to it. Oh well, I needed to warm up anyway.

I made it to the Parade Grounds in time and saw that there were only a few of us doing the 21km race. We did the opening prayer, sang the Alma Mater song, and I heard the opening remarks (which included a description of the race route). Then the fireworks were launched into the sky (just to make sure that everybody was awake and ready for the race). And the gun was fired at 5:50am (20 minutes past the scheduled gun start but I didn't care as I enjoyed the atmosphere in the morning).

I was at the back part of the race as I didn't want to risk burning out too quickly for something I didn't even train for! Right then, we went up to a series of hills as we headed to Fontana area. So this was the "Wall" of Clark! Good thing the weather cooperated nicely and it was really great to run where there were hardly any cars or jeepneys around. I could really smell the fresh air there!

There were ample signs to make sure the runners won't get lost and one strategically placed timing mat at the 5km mark (so that 21km runners would hit it twice - at the 5km and 16km mark). Route was very basic as it just keeps going straight for most of the way until we make a turning point on the 10 - 11 km mark and receive a straw necklace from the marshals as proof that we made it to that area. Going back was hard as I was tired already, the sun was burning us as there were a few trees on the wide open road, and I was feeling the hunger pangs. But I kept going as I played a mental game of counting the number of steps I make before taking a walking break. I stopped at every water station (at every 2km marks), had two bananas, two half cups of sports drink and used two of my three GUs.

Running back from the 11km mark, I was able to overtake some male/female runners who looked to be more tired than I am. Special mention goes to two of these runners, who just irritated the hell out of me.

The first guy was walking when I neared him and when I overtook him, he would start running by my side the entire time and singing! There were no other runners at that time except the two of us and when I stopped running and walked instead, he would do the exact same thing! Arghhh! So I would run off again, and he would do the same thing again. What are you? My shadow???? And I would stop to walk and he would do the exact same thing. All the while singing just to prove that he wasn't really tired but wanted to follow my pace.

Ordinarily, I wouldn't mind this especially if I got to talking to another runner but this just felt... weird! And the space between us was really really small. It was a really wide road but why stick so close to me when there wasn't anybody else running in this area right now? Was I emitting some sort of smell that attracted you to me? Arrgghh! Well, that kinda motivated me to run again and not take a walk break until this dude would tire out and leave me be. And he did... he stopped to walk while I continued running but the funny thing was that he was still singing when I left him. Good riddance Shadow Guy!

Then there's runner #2. Yes, I saw him way ahead of me and walking. It was around the 17km area. And when I got near him, he would sprint away from me, look back and start walking again. I was running at a steady pace so when the time came when I was by his side again, he would run off again at a fast pace. So this guy was a complete opposite to runner #1 but it seems he was using me as a gauge on when to run and when to walk and I didn't like that one bit. I mean, why wait when I am by your side before you take off again? Well, this went on for a while until he basically gave up on it and I passed him too. Goodbye Mr. Competitive!

For the most part, I would yo-yo against a lot of runners: there was a couple doing the Galloway method, there were two girls running together, another couple wearing white compression socks, running at a steady pace and to whom I was using as my motivation as well (girl had QCIM white singlet on), and a nice girl whom I exchanged some words with (and to my big surprise recognized my blog... awwww shucks!).

Yes, I use people as targets and they use me as their targets too so that's a normal thing. We use what we can to cross the finish line, but please don't be too obvious (like the two male runners) and give importance to one's personal space too!

The final stretch of the race was all downhill, which was perfect for one's aching muscles. I crossed the finish line at 2:39++, beating my Condura 21km time and giving me a new 2011 21km PR.

Yahoo!!!!

Congrats to all runners who joined this race.





Road to the Finish Line


Animo La Salle!!!



Jeanne (who did the 10km race) and I having fun after the race. All of our other friends were still sleeping at the hotel!


21km race conquered!

Loved my bib number and loved my finisher medal!

Added bonuses: Singlet's XXL size fits me! It's rare that even a XXL race singlet would fit me these days so this was a definite bonus for me.

The race bib also included a "20% off on all NB items" coupon at Marquee mall and I used it to buy myself a new pair of shoes (NB 1226 in new gold color scheme) that same day. Call it a reward for completing a half marathon. :)

Overall it was a great run and hopefully there would be more half marathons in Clark so that more people could experience what I did that day. Great job to the race organizers!

New Balance Power Race RESULTS!

Wow, in just a few days, results are up already. Its arranged by bib number instead of finish time and still unofficial but it's already there for your viewing pleasure/ displeasure!

Check out http://www.extribe.com.ph/

Congrats to everyone who joined this race.

Keep on Running!

New Balance Power Race - Day 2

The 25KM New Balance Power Race will be the farthest I have ever run. So there is a fear on whether I can finish this at a good time or suffer in the race like I did at my first half marathon experience in Borneo a month ago. Joining me in this journey will be Janine+ in her first 25KM run too. In the 10Km category will be Per and Jeanne.

We got here about 5:15AM and had enough time for the 25KM race which had a minor delay and started around 5:45AM. 10KM runners started their race about 10 minutes after the 25KM race.

It was raining a little bit when we got to the starting point so there were some questions on whether we should wear our IPODS and Nike+ Sportsband for this race given their non- water proof qualities. We decided to still wear them and good thing too as rain was light enough and didn't last that long. The weather was quite good and cool all the way so that helped a lot for the first timers (read: me) doing a run here.

Every 2KM or so, there is a water station and bottles are handed out to each runner. No fear of dehydration whatsoever. The KM markers are put in correctly with pretty cool slogans from New Balance such as: XOXO Running, Running is your Best Friend with Benefits, Love/Hate Running, Running Misses you, etc. so that was a welcome distraction from torture of running. Hehe.

The landscape at Clark was pretty awesome too as we went through a lot of green fields (with carabaos), outside Fontana Resort and our course was covered with trees for the shade we crave. There were some uphill climbs as well but manageable as not too inclined.

For my own run, I started really slow. I was at the end of the pack when the race began but didn't really care because of the chip timer and didn't want to tire myself out at the first half. As I headed to the 12.5km marker, I saw a lot of runners heading back already. Vener was there and gave me a thumbs up, Runner Jun who was saying not to run too fast as there will be uphill climbs going back, Rio who gave me a high five, Baldrunner and Bullrunner with their running groups and Jinoe of Takbo.ph who seems to be having a good time as he was smiling when I saw him.

It was a slow jog up to the halfway mark to which I started running faster a little bit. I was quite happy in that the only times I stopped to walk were at the water stations. This being my first 25km run, it automatically becomes a Personal Record so I didn't focus on the fast race mode and just concentrated on finishing this race.

My target time was at 3 hour 15 minutes so I was happy that I finished at 3:03:26 (according to my Garmin) with distance of 25.13 km. What really made my day was that I did not feel tired at all so I was smiling once I neared the finish line. It was also the first time I took a Powergel at mid-point (courtesy of my sister) so that must have helped as well.

No blisters and chafing for me post-race but my shoulders were in pain after surpassing the 12.5km. Problem could have been my running form and I hope to get more information on this in the Nike Training programs to which I registered for.

Janine, Per, Gigay and Jeanne all did well in their respective runs. Unfortunately, Kervin who registered for the 10km race couldn't join due to a small ankle sprain. But he was still game to wake up early and join us as our unofficial photographer and his pictures (see below) are FANTASTIC! Big Thanks Kerv! Our best running photos yet!!!

New Balance Power Race - Day 1

November 15-16, 2008 will go down in our memories as a very busy weekend due to the sport of running. There were three different races to be held on these two days. First was the 5km race on November 15 at 4:00PM and then the 10km and 25km events to be held the next day.

There were 14 of us in the group for this out of town trip. Out of the 14 people, 8 will do the 5km run (most of them their first time), 2 will do the 10km run, and 2 will do the 25km run. We used 3 cars to go here and there was hardly any traffic as we left Metro Manila around 10am. With me in the car are Janine, Per, Kervin and Jeanne and our I.T for that day were as follows:

9:50AM - leave for Manila to Clark
11:30AM - head for SM Clark for lunch (ended up at Gerry's Grill and did some carbo loading)
12:40PM - Watch Madagascar 2! Its theme song "I like to Move It" makes for a great running song, don't you think?
2:30PM - head for Pure Gold Duty Free for some food shopping
3:30PM - check in at Clarkton Hotel
4:20PM - meet the rest of the group at Clark Parade Ground for their 5km race.

Due to lack of time, we weren't able to go to Clarkton Hotel and went directly to Parade Grounds from Duty Free. At that time, we expected the race to end (as start time was scheduled at 4:00PM) but it hadn't even begun yet. Delay had something to do with the big red START balloon needing more air. At least we got to see our friends at starting point as race started around 4:30 - 4:40PM.

I also met Vener here who was supporting his wife Christy as she does her 5km race.

While waiting for the 5km runners to finish, Janine, Vener and I went to the registration office to get our timing chips for our own race the next day. No lines here and they were quite fast in giving us the chips which were attached to ankle wraps.

For the first time, I was part of the cheering group and had a great time watching my friends as they head over to the finish line. Too bad most of the pictures I took were blurred but it was nice to shout my friends' names and to cheer them on. All of them had a good time and they got a lot of freebies from the race which includes chocolate bars, bananas, magazines, and a New Balance yellow band.


The 5km cheering squad! We have our own races the next day too..

Running ahead of the 5km runners. Will go for the gold medal! Haha

The Running Banana in his running shoes.

Blanche was the first to finish in our group for her first 5km race.

Nikki followed by Minerva as they head to the finish line.

5km runners group picture

The complete 5km runners group picture! Good job guys! Hope to see you in future runs.