News: Race Against Raze (March 18, 2012)

Philippine Institute of Quezon City Alumni Association and Pep Squad Events and Marketing Services, Inc. are organizing a fun run entitled “Race Against Raze” on March 18, 2012 at the Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

The event aims to promote fitness and wellness among participants, as well as to increase the awareness of fire safety and prevention. Part of the proceeds of the event will go to the following beneficiaries:

Philippines Children Medical Center PIQCAA Scholarship Fund

“Child NeuroScience Center”

Because of the popularity of running events, we are expecting 3000-5000 runners to participate in 3K, 5K, 10K, and 16K races. The event will be attended by the school’s alumni, faculty, distinguished guests, and running enthusiasts.

Registration Areas are as follows:

On Site Registrations (Feb 13, 2012 - March 11, 2012)

ROX - Bonifacio High Street
Royal Sporting House - Glorietta 4/ Ali Mall
A Runner's Circle - Roxas Blvd
Reebok - Festival Mall/ Megamall/ Trinoma
Pep Squad Office

On Line Registrations (Feb 06, 2012 - March 11, 2012)
www.pepsquadevents.com



Singlet Design


Sample Singlet


Aside from the singlets, there will be finisher medals for all 16km finishers and for first 100 finishers for 3km, 5km and 10km categories. Certificates will be given out to all finishers regardless of race category.

Discovery Channel's Vertical Run 2012 - Race Review

The Vertical Marathon was a unique race in that rather than just running on the roads, you have to run up a building as well (hence the word Vertical).

I first thought that the building was the 6-storey parking building inside McKinley Hills as 10km runners ran up the different parking levels before reaching the roof top, where they would then cross to the opposite side and run down again and out of the building. After this was the standard race route which was out McKinley Hills and towards Bayani Road via Lawton Avenue for the U Turn back to McKinley Hills for the finish line.

My Garmin measured the distance at 9.9km when I neared the clock tower but for some reason there was a marshal standing in the middle of the road. It was none other than SecondWind’s main man Hector Y. and he was directing 10km runners to turn right instead of running straight to the finish line (lucky 5km runners who are allowed to go straight).

When I turned right on the small street, I saw nothing on the road ahead. It was just a dead end with a high building on its left side. Then, I saw some runners coming out of that building to get some bottled water from the marshals. And I knew what we runners had to go through before the finish line. This was the Vertical part of the race and not the 6-level parking building. That was just a teaser for this 19-storey building!

Oh man! So I ran inside the building and down the ramp leading to the basement parking level where another marshal directed me to the fire exit stairways and I started my ascent up the building. By this time my Garmin couldn’t track the satellite signal anymore and stopped at slightly above 10km. I climbed the floors, holding onto the handrails and using it for pulling myself up and for additional support. It was a tiring workout and I felt my knees working overtime for this. But it was satisfying as well especially when I reached the 19^th floor, got out from the stairways, and was immediately instructed to go down the stairway next to it.

Going down was easier but being out of breath from the hard climb, I was a little bit disoriented as I headed down the building. But pretty soon, it was over and I jogged to the final meters to the finish line.

The finisher shirt was pretty nice as was from Regatta Inc. and featured four shirt designs and colors for a runner to choose from. I got some free stuff too at the various booths near the finish line (vitamins and instant coffee sachets and deodorants). Race results came out the same day (although it was arranged by gun time and not by chip time).

All in all, this was a unique and fun race to join for those people who are used to the regular road race and are looking for new challenges and a different kind of experience.

2012 Vertical Marathon Conquered!

Gun Time: 1:23:36 (surprised that race had started some 6+ minutes ago when I got there)

Chip Time: 1:16:55

(Should have checked the race map before running the race)

Marathon # 6 - Hong Kong Marathon 2012

I'm glad to say that I finished the Hong Kong marathon below its cut-off time of 6 hours and brought home the very nice finisher medal. But this wasn't something I just ran on a whim. It took a few months of training by doing a combination of speedwork, tempo runs and long (but not easy) runs.

When I first wanted to run this race, I wasn't sure whether to do the Half Marathon (21km) or the Full Marathon (42.2km). The reason being is that I have been running the half marathon distance for quite some time but my finish times usually range from 2:45 to 2:55 and in most of these races, I'm tired and spent when I finish them.

This being Hong Kong, the organizers implemented a very strict cut off time of 3 hours for the half marathon and 6 hours for the full marathon. Given the hard time I finish a regular 21km race and how hilly this course is known for, I was scared to even do the 21km distance as there was just a 5 -15 minute leeway from my normal finish time, and that's for races that didn't have a lot of hills!

So I sent a text message to Alvin to see if he could train me again. To note, the last time he trained me, which was way back in 2009, I was able to get fast and lower my first marathon time of 6:30++ to a time of 4:52++ for my second marathon! But I was thinner and faster back then. Now, I'm just all fats! Haha!

Alvin was all for it and asked me my goal. I simply replied, "to go home with a finisher medal". Then, I asked Alvin whether I should just do the half marathon distance and he to train me for a 2:30 finish time. He said no and that I should go all out for the full marathon. I was skeptic and kept insisting that it would be hard as the cut-off time was just my 21km race pace (and a burnt out one) and this was double that distance AND on a hilly course.

But since he already committed himself to train me, I signed up for the 42km distance and hoped to be strong enough to finish it within 6 hours.

That was back in late August 2010, and our few runs together had me just running at my normal pace and Alvin observing me. He basically saw me burn out (again) in a 21km distance by walking at 15km mark and walking every time we would climb a hill. I would take a lot of liquids and just feel exhausted. Alvin reduced my long run mileages and we would run that faster. We would also run in Ultra's Oval Track and do some 200 meters and 400 meters loops around it. On Thursdays, we would do a tempo runs and just keep increasing the distance. Weekends were reserved for long runs or sometimes, a fast 10km (vomit mode).

But along the way, I got sick (and got hit by shingles on a separate time). I got tired of running too. And I was hitting the wall again. So he re-assessed me and I did some changes in my eating habits (ate more!) and did some core work (push ups, sit ups, kettle bells, etc.). And I got better and faster..

After a few months time, it was finally the Hong Kong trip! As I left for the airport with Per, Alvin's last text message to me was "You are ready!"

With all that training, I can confidently say, "Yes, I am!"


RACE DAY!


Our nice budget hotel was just 200 meters from the starting line so it was quite easy for us to get to the starting line. As the elite runners would have their race first 15 minutes before we had ours, I, along with other runners, were in the waiting zone of Nathan Road.

This was a point to point race with the finish line being on the other side of Hong Kong at Causeway Bay so Per had to travel later to head to the finish line.


Last minute stretching for this RUNNING FATBOY!


Let's Get Ready to RUMMMMBBLLE !


A final goodbye to my wife. I shall see you later at lunch time!

Race started promptly at 7:15am..

The race course was a very hilly one so for those people thinking of joining this event, you need to incorporate a lot of hill training to be prepared for it. From Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, runners would head out to West Kowloon Highway and to the very long and hilly (but very nice and grand as well) Stonecutter's Bridge after which, we headed inside Nam Wan tunnel, where there is no GPS signal. But the tunnel is short and soon after we exited it, the next steep bridge comes into view: Tsing Ma Bridge. Thankfully, we didn't have to run it the entire way and turned back at one point as we headed to the third bridge, Ting Kau bridge. It was on Tsing Ma Bridge that the first cut-off was imposed at 9:30am and where I first saw runners heading back.

As I crossed the first check point area, I mentally crossed it off my list... one check point done, four more to go! The next one was at 20km mark with a cut-off time of 2:55.

The big yellow double decker buses were a motivation tool for me to go faster. I DO NOT WANT TO RIDE THESE BUSES!!! These buses would pass us by along the route and I could see the runners inside, looking at us. Some were sad while others were eating and being comfortable that they can now rest.

Tsing Ma Bridge was quite long too and by the time I was done with it, I was feeling a little bit tired already. Luckily, there were enough water here and they also had a local energy drink given out to runners. I also took my second GU gel at this point and headed out to Cheung Tsing Tunnel, which was very long (I think more than 1 kilometer). During that time, I was running blind as I didn't know the pace I was running as my Garmin didn't work inside tunnels. I checked off the second check point as I got out of the tunnel.

Halfway done (and I was still feeling good)! Temperature ranged from 17 -20 degrees Celsius, good enough for me!

At 28km (I think), we got mixed with the half marathoners and it became especially difficult for me as roads became more congested and I had to do more weaving. It was also affecting me as I saw a lot of people walking and I wanted to walk with them! But I kept going and kept running and saw some Pinoys running too.

The final tunnel was the longest one there is (I think at 2km maybe?) and this tunnel was the one connecting Kowloon Island and Hong Kong Island. Again, the Garmin didn't work inside so I had to run based on feeling. It was hard to run inside too as there was no air. By this point, there were a lot of runners cramping and stopping at the side to massage their legs. A lot of walkers too. It was difficult and tiring and where were the bananas and chocolates that were indicated in the runner's guide but I still failed to see?

I took another GU at this point, losing track of the pieces I have taken already but comforted with the fact that I still have at least 1 more in my belt.

As I (finally) finished running inside Western Harbour Tunnel and got outside again, I saw that we had to run upward on a flyover!

It was disheartening to see another uphill battle and I felt my legs tensing and tired already. It was at this point that I decided to walk a bit to loosen my tight legs. I was exhausted and felt I was far from the finish line. This was around 35 -37km. I took my last GU gel and ran again. Still no bananas in sight and I was running on empty!

I ran on Central, on Admiralty, along Wan Chai as I slowly but surely neared Causeway Bay. I can't wait to finish! I can't wait to see Per!

Inside Causeway Bay, I ran towards Victoria Park. My Garmin watch moved slowly toward the 5-hour mark and I knew I would not make it. I saw Per at the sidelines cheering for me and excited that I am well. I was glad to see her too and ran slowly towards the finish line.

I kept looking at my Garmin and saw that it had reached 42.2km and I was at 4:59:10 but the finish line wasn't there yet! Darn! I had second thoughts of stopping the Garmin watch there and just walking the remaining distance but felt that that wasn't fair! I can't honestly say I did a sub-5 marathon when I haven't crossed the finish line yet!

I reached the 5 hour mark and the finish line was still far off. Oh well!

I finally crossed the finish line at a time of 5:02:17 (gun time 5:04:17) with a distance of 42.6km. I have achieved my target pace of 7:06 for a sub-5 hour finish time but I hadn't anticipate the longer distance here. It must have been all the weaving I had done.

Still, I'm very happy with my finish time for this very hilly course and even with that, it was my 2nd fastest marathon (out of 6) and that's saying a lot! I did not beat my 4:52 time but at that time (as already mentioned), I was thinner and faster and it was on a very flat course.

I wouldn't have been able to finish this race without proper training and without Alvin to coach me. By myself, I would most likely be one of the people inside the yellow bus, or I wouldn't even have considered running this long distance.

Again, I'm grateful for two people for being able to finish this race - Alvin for his patience and skills in training me and for putting up with all my whining (and there were a lot of them!) and for his very hands on coaching style (texting every day too in terms of how I felt, what I ate, etc.). He was able to make me cut down my 21km time from 2:45 to a time of 2:25 and do a sub 1 hour 10km (TWICE!).

I'm also grateful for my wife Per for her understanding and giving me all the time I need to be ready for this race! She was my back up coach for those days I'm too lazy to do some core work or when Alvin wasn't available to train me on a running day.

They ran this race with me on this day and were equally proud of my achievements!

Of course, none of this would have been possible without God by my side. He took away my injury and my pain. He took away my anxiety and self-doubt and showed me the way... to the finish line.

To God Be the Glory!


Now for the pictures from the race...



As I was running my race, Per had a different race of her own - weaving through the thousands of spectators to get a good spot of me near the finish line... and carrying my heavy duty red bag (which had my extra clothes) the entire time!


Some unique costumes during the race:

Shark Attack!

Strong in the Force they are!

Where I saw Per at Causeway Bay for the final part (yes, forefoot running!).


XTEP is now the sponsor for this event (they made the race shirts). Whatever happened to New Balance? Still, good quality shirts XTEP!


HK Marathon Finisher!


GLORY!
Official Mascots??

I loved running on this green mat! So soft for my tired feet!



The following day - where the race all began! Surreal feeling that I had just finished this race (and doing two marathons in two weeks!)

ABSOLUTE RUNNER! And proud of it!


Race Results:

Gun Time: 5:04:17

Chip Time: 5:02:17

10km Time: 1:14:15

21.1km Time: 2:32:35

30km Time: 3:35:17

Overall Position: 2,093/ 4,501 (for my race category only)

Hong Kong Marathon Expo

When I received my acceptance letter a few weeks back, it showed the place, date and time as to where and when I should collect my race kit. The venue was held at Victoria Park, Causeway Bay which is also the finish line for the Hong Kong Marathon.

As my race kit collection time was scheduled from 4:00 - 5:00pm on February 3rd, Per and I decided to go to Causeway Bay early to do some eating and shopping in that area.

It was a long walk inside the park just to get to the far end where the expo was (found out that getting off Tin Hang MTR Station was shorter to the expo than Causeway Bay MTR Station).



There were signs in the park pointing us to the right directions and we saw some Pinoys who have already collected their race kits.

Setting up of the finish line area..




The race kit collection area was manned by student volunteers and getting my stuff just took 5 minutes. That was basically it for the "expo". There were no exhibits, no booths selling shoes, GU gel, etc. Nothing except for this. I was expecting more but that was fine as already bought some running shoes in Hong Kong anyway.

As for the race kit, I am glad to say that the souvenir shirt fits me perfectly! There was also a souvenir medallion found inside the bag that had a very huge dragon around it. A perfect Year of the Dragon Gift to myself! There was also a Runner's handbook, a souvenir booklet, the race bib and timing chip (which also doubles as an additional souvenir).



What they lack in their "expo", they more than made up for it in their race kits.

Hong Kong Marathon here we go!!!

5 Things to Worry About HK Marathon

1. CUT-OFF TIME:

Unlike in the Philippines where we don't usually have a cut off time for long races (21km and 42km races) or if we do, there is usually some leniency from race organizers to allow the runners to keep on going BEYOND the cut off time, the Hong Kong Marathon has a cut off time and it is strictly enforced.

The cut off time isn't just for the finish line but it is also situated in different parts of the course. That means that you can't go too slow at the start and make up for lost time at the second part because you may not even reach the second part before the net comes up. Yes, the net!!!
A net is put up across the road as a barricade, once the cut off time is reached and runners who arrived after the net is put up on the road are NOT ALLOWED to continue and must board the shuttle bus all the way to the finish line!

That means no finisher medals and no names in the official results! This is the worst fear among runners joining this race (and rightly so)!


2. HILLS, HILLS AND MORE HILLS

Running a marathon within a prescribed cut off time is hard enough. What more if the course is 90% hilly?! From what I read in another blog, it was uphill the first 40km! Many consider this as Asia's hardest marathon! Too bad I found out about this ONLY after I registered and paid for my entry fee!


3. HYDRATION AREAS

As a runner in the Philippines, I am used to seeing a water station every 2.5km. For me, that is the perfect distance to re-hydrate and replenish lost liquids. This applies for 10km, 21km and 42km road races with 21km and 42km races even giving out bananas and sports gel mid-way.

So, it was a shock to me when I found out that the Hong Kong Marathon has hydration areas every 5km only! And although there would be sports drinks, and even some food at the second part of the course, its distance is still 5km from each other! And that's a long distance especially after you have been running for more than 3-4 hours and feel the thirst already!

So, cut-off time, hills and water stations every 5km mark only...

Why am I joining this race again?


4. HOT (MIDDAY SUN) N COLD (WEATHER)!

Tune in now for the Katy Perry song of the same name! Finished? Now, resume reading...

For the full marathon, the gun start is at 7:15am so if you are aiming to finish below the cut-off time, you should be able to cross the finish line before 1:15pm. Yes, right in the middle of midday heat! There could be a possible sun burnt skin afterwards so put on your sunblock lotions before the race starts.

Not sure how shaded the run course would be but as it is passing by different city bridges, I don't expect much shade there. The heat is my own personal Kryptonite in any road race. Much harder for me here given reason #3!

But maybe, this is a better approach as temperature in Hong Kong during this time ranges from 10 -15 degrees Celsius! Cold weather takes a longer time for your muscles to warm up and harder for you to move.

To summarize, it will be a freezing, chilly start but a sun burnt finish with a strict cut-off time, on a hilly route and with limited hydration areas! Did I miss anything?


5. 70,000 RUNNERS = CROWDED ROAD!




You are just one of 70,000 runners sharing the same road. I don't know the % of 42km runners here but I am sure it would still be quite crowded running this race. Expect additional energy to be wasted in weaving and getting around people and longer lines at the hydration areas. Expect to overtake some people and to be overtaken by a lot of people.


So, it's a mix weather race with a strict cut-off time, on a hilly route, with limited hydration areas and with 69,999 other runners.

What more can I say except:




BRING IT... ON !!!!


LUKE 1:37 - For nothing is impossible with GOD !

Subic Marathon 2012 - Part 2

The Subic International Marathon had the 10km, 21km and 42km events for January 22, 2012 (Sunday) and the 3km and 5km events for January 21, 2012 (Saturday).

For the full marathon, the registration fee was quite affordable at just Php 800. Of course, once you factor in other items such as gas, lodging, toll fees, etc, then it becomes expensive too. Haha!

The race kit includes the official Subic Marathon singlet, bib number and guidelines for the race (such as race map, rules & regulations, etc). Since I registered late, I didn’t get the singlet size that I wanted but luckily, it fits Per perfectly!

Our hotel (Poca o Poca Hotel) was just a few hundred meters away from Remy Field and we did an ocular the night before on the starting line, just to be sure we won’t get lost on the race day. My carbo-loading dinner was done at the very delicious and very cheap Xtremely Xpresso Café, which was also near our hotel and near the race venue. They served big portions of pasta and pizza and the place was crowded when we got there (but we were still lucky enough to get a table).

RACE DAY

On race day, Per drove me to the starting line, leaving the baby and yaya at the hotel to sleep some more. This was our daughter’s first out of town trip so it was also a milestone for her!

Since we got there early, Per decided to stay a bit and see the event being set up. It was kind of a scary feeling being there as everyone was fit and slim! Oh man, I hope I didn’t join a marathon where only elite runners were part of it!

One of the fast runners we saw was RunUnlimited Vener!

The starting line was held inside the oval track and once the race was on, we had to run 200 meters around it before leaving the area.

One last photo taken by Per! Thanks!

The course was quite straightforward: out Remy Field and pass Subic Bay Yacht Club and Pure Gold before turning right here. Then straight all the way to Ocean Adventure for the U Turn back to Remy Field (with a minor detour in between). (It was only after finishing the race did I realize how far Ocean Adventure was from main Subic area – 20km!)

As is usually the case, I started the race slow and at the very back of the pack (I think there was just one guy behind me and he seemed to be in his 50s!) but I didn’t care. The important thing was to finish this race strong and not burn out mid-way. So, it was slowly and surely for me.

What I didn’t expect was how hilly this race was! It has got to be the hilliest long route that I ran in my life! So many uphill climbs! And it doesn’t seem to end. Once the road leveled off and flattened again, it would just last for a few 100 meters before we had to climb again. It was tiring and that worked hard on my knees and calves! Luckily, Coach Alvin incorporated some hill training in our weekly workouts and that helped a lot in this route! But even with the training that we did together, the hills here were just too much and there were instances (to my frustration) that I had to stop running and just walk on the road to catch my breath again. But I caught up with some runners and that motivated me to start running again, albeit at a slower pace.

In between, I would pray and talk to God, thanking Him, praising Him, and worshipping Him. I would thank Him as I cross each KM mark, knowing that I had to run one less to reach my goal.

The water stations were ample in this race, being placed every 1.5km and there were Pocari Sweat drink stations too. The weather was nice and chilly so these were things that helped us get through this. Of course, the nature scenery with its ample trees, bats flying overhead, the ocean to the right of us, etc. made me appreciate the works of God more and I was glad to be running this race and seeing all of His creations before me. Who needs to listen to an IPod when you can just listen to nature around you?

I took my first GU gel at 12km and my second at 17km. By that time I was nearing Ocean Adventure and seeing a lot of runners heading back already. A lot of strong military guys were part of the pack going back. Of course, Kenyans were at the front again as is usually the case when they join any local race. Vener was part of the front pack as well!

There were bananas and crackers being offered at 19km, along with the usual water and Pocari Sweat drinks and I ate a banana before going off again. It was here that I first saw Barefoot Daves and we were both surprised and happy to see each other in this race. We shook hands and wished each other good luck before we separated again.

I ran downhill to Ocean Adventure and to the beach area for the U turn back to Remy Field. Walked for a few seconds here to enjoy the ocean view and see the various marshals cheering the runners. Halfway done! 21km more to go!

There were some hills here as I climbed again from Ocean Adventure and did some run-walk strategies. A guy ran with me and told me that it will be downhill soon after. I didn’t quite believe him as there was another hill in front of me! So we both ran-walked it till we reached the top and I saw a bit of a descent. It was here that I ran again, sprinting and enjoying the speed. I figured that I might as well sprint now and make up for some lost time and try to bring my pace lower. At that time, my average pace was close to 8 minutes per kilometer and with the run, I was able to bring it down to 7:45 before another hill emerged. This was really a difficult race!

But I can’t complain as just being part of this race was an awesome experience. Pretty soon, the road started descending and I went running again but not as fast as the first time as I was already tired. But I was able to bring the pace further down. More good news: I was feeling strong!

I crossed the 32km mark and just kept going. From that moment on, that was the farthest distance I ran for the past two years! What a wonderful feeling! Praise God!

So I kept going even with the sun out already and little shades available. I kept thinking to myself, “I am going back to see my family!” and that motivated me to run more and walk less.

Slowly, little by little I closed the distance between me and the finish line. I went pass the airport again. I went pass the car dealership area, pass the Yacht Club and pass the Pure Gold store. It was the final stretch but I was tired too.

I walked again and stopped at various water stations to drink or to pour water on my head. But I kept going and just looked at the time.

I told my wife that I should cross the finish time between 10:00am and 10:30am so it would be great if she was there with Dani. So it was my fault when I crossed the finish line at 9:45am and didn’t see her (she came at exactly 10:00am and I was able to meet her at the parking lot).

I got my finisher medal and bonus finisher dog tag and walked a bit inside the Oval Track to loosen my legs. There were no loot bags given out but I didn’t mind it as for me the important thing were the ample hydration stations inside the route and the finisher medal (of course).

From my usual 2:45 – 2:55 half marathon finish times doing races by myself just a few months back to a 5:08:53 full marathon finish time, I owe A LOT to Alvin for training me and getting me into shape!

I wouldn’t have thought this finish time would even be possible!!! My goal back then was for Alvin to train me for a sub-6 finish time. This definitely goes above and beyond a sub-6 finish time for an IMPROMPTU MARATHON! A VERY BIG THANKS TO COACH ALVIN FOR MAKING ME GO THE DISTANCE AGAIN! (I guess all those vomit-mode speedwork and interval training works!)

Thanks also to Per, who never complained in any of my training runs! Without a supportive wife, I don’t think doing a marathon would even cross my mind as a lot of time and effort goes into it. Training for a marathon has to be 100% committed!

Thanks to Extribe too for making this a very nice and memorable race that I have nothing to complain about. This would surely go down as one of my best races EVER - Negative split and a strong finish! (Having a 2nd best PR for a full marathon doesn't hurt too!)

A very big thanks to God too for making me enjoy running and racing again and for giving me this wonderful Blessing! It is through this race that I was intimate with Him and I hope to continue that intimacy all year round and throughout my life.

TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!

The family finally arrives! Yay!
Two for the price of one!
(Obviously) very happy with my race!

...ALWAYS!
BLING BLING!

SUBIC MARATHON- Finisher!

I never thought I would type these words out...at least not until after February 6th. But sometimes, things happen for a reason. Just like my last marathon nearly two years ago, I felt a strong Divine Intervention for me to join this race category.

It’s really weird how things turn out. This was supposed to be my last long run before Hong Kong (actually as Hong Kong was just two weeks away, I thought it should be my taper mode). But Coach Alvin said I should try and do a 35-km long run that Sunday and to look for a race that would help me. The only thing I found was the Timex Run, which had 16-km as its longest distance. So even with this category, I still had to run 19-km to complete my long run! And running alone for this distance was never my thing… I would get bored, I would burn out, I would hate running, I would feel bad, etc etc etc. Solitary running is good for me but usually at just 10-km max! Anything beyond that would ruin my day!

Alvin and I kept switching plans on what to do for this weekend: do we run together in BGC, do we go to Subic together and run that same day, do we spend the night in Subic and run the race the next day? I was apprehensive with this distance as having hit the wall in both my 32km races (RunRio 3^rd leg and Rizal Day Run). What more with a distance of 42km?

So I consulted my better half to see what she thinks too. I was expecting her to tell me to run in BGC and just do the required distance (35-km). I was surprised to see how supportive she was and even suggested that we all go there as a family and spend the night in Subic. What? I couldn’t believe my ears! She was okay with me running the full marathon distance two weeks before my full marathon distance race?

With both Alvin and Per agreeing to my idea for the weekend, there was nothing else for me to do but sign up for the race and book our hotel room.

It was after I got my race kit and showed it to Per that she realized that I was doing a full marathon! All that time, she thought that Subic had a very odd 35-km race!!!! Well, I definitely took that as a sign from God. If there was no resistance from these two people, then HE wants me to run this race.

I was afraid that this might be considered as overtraining. I was worried about recurring shoulder pain and Plantar Fasciitis. I was worried about “hitting the wall” early on and wanting to quit. I was worried about the hilly route of this race.

I wasn’t even ready physically as just got well from a virus I got somewhere and the last run Alvin and I did just three days before was a slow and steady 10-km, to which I vomited six times during and after the run!!

But I also remembered one of my favorite biblical verse:

1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

So I prayed for a strong and safe finish, for a strong run, for a happy run. I continued praying and vowed to myself that I would use this race to talk to God and have an intimate conversation with Him during that time. Our very own quiet time: Just me, God and the long road!

But first, we had to drive three hours to Subic on a Saturday afternoon, check in at our hotel and settle in…

To Be Continued...