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Run For P.E.A.C.E.

This being my 4th race we—my hubby, son, and I—have got our pre-race preparation down pat. For a 6 am race like yesterday’s Run For P.E.A.C.E., we planned on arriving at 5:30 am, which meant that I would wake up at 4:30 am, followed by hubby at 4:40, then son at 5:00. We would be out of the house by 5:15 to arrive at the venue on time. As expected, that is exactly what took place yesterday morning.

The gods must have been bored to death by our predictability though because, as soon as the race started, there were a few surprises—pleasant and err not so pleasant—that were thrown my way.

(1) The route was changed! I signed up for the 10k, despite coming from a Batangas business trip the day before, on the premise that the route would be easy and flat as the race organizers had initially presented in their map. It was deja vu for me then when, after running around Libingan ng mga Bayani we were led to make a right turn towards C5. A right?! No way, I thought, because that would lead us all down the hill towards C5, which would have meant that we would take a u-turn and climb back up again! It was the Champion Race all over again—aaaaah!

(2) I’ve made a lot of running friends. I still remember my very first race vividly. I forced (uhm, I think “persuaded” sounds much better) my husband to accompany me for fear of looking like a lonesome loser waiting for the race to start. Fast forward to yesterday and I was pleasantly surprised to meet a few runners I’ve been in touch with online—Mon, Smith, Joms, and Tisha of H@ppy Feet Runners, Hitme64, and Renz. Of course, familiar faces like Mayi and Jamike—the coolest athletic couple ever who I have the pleasure to train with every now and then—were there too.

With The Lopas

- with Jamike and Mayi (who finished 10th) –

For the first time, I ran side by side with someone all throughout the race. Joms kept me entertained for a full hour with whatever he could dish out about anything under the sun. Well, there was certainly a lot for us to chat about since this was the first time we had ever really met (excluding the quick photo op in the Champion Race.)

(3) No pain! After struggling through a week of knee pain, I was paranoid about hurting my knee all over again. In fact, I was 80% sure that I would hear my knee clicking again after the race. But, nope—I felt no soreness, no pain, no snapping, no nothing—could it be that I’m getting stronger? Hmmm…it’s probably because I didn’t push too hard during this race.

(4) I broke my PR. Yup, I came in at 1:00:24, 33 seconds faster than my previous 10k. What surprises me though is that I broke it at all. I certainly did not give this race my best. For some reason, my mind wasn’t all that into it. I think I got turned off with the start of the race when we had to literally walk/jog our way out of the mass of runners in the narrow road leading to the cemetery.

Finish Line

- Running towards the finish line -

With Anton

- My little boy and I after the race. He’s pooped after his 3k -

(5) I placed 6th! Honestly, I don’t know if this is a surprise or a joke! Me, 6th place? 10 minutes after the race, as I was chatting away and taking photos, my hubby asks me about the piece of paper in my hand. I tell him it’s nothing—a man handed it over to me when I reached the finish line. When I take a look at it closely it says “6th Female.” Wooohooo! My time wasn’t all that great, but hey it feels awesome to discover that I was the 6th fastest woman in the 10k. Now, that was a surprise for you too, wasn’t it?

6th Place

- Who would have thought an index card could bring me so much joy? –

Posted on 06.11.07 to 02 Race Reports. Tags: , , , , , . Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 12 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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12 Responses to “Run For P.E.A.C.E.”

  1. Congratulations, Jaymie! I knew you’d make it to the top 10. By the way, I love your running attire. Don’t they have a separate recognition for this particular category? Those who finished with grace and poise? If there’s one, I’m sure you’ll land in top 3!

    Nora del Rosario said on Jun 11 07 at 11:57 PM Reply

  2. hey, jamie. great finish, eh? placing 6th, that’s awesome! you should be very happy, and on top of getting a new pr too. i bet you would’ve come in under a minute had they not changed the course on you.

    pretty cool that you got to meet and run with h@ppy feet runners too.

    hey, is that an astring-o-sol bottle you’re holding towards the finish? :)

    E-Rod said on Jun 12 07 at 4:05 AM Reply

  3. ei congrats!! if i didn’t join you for a couple of minutes… baka naging 5th placer ka pa! hehe.

    i checked your blogs, oo nga it was your first time to wear pink! hehe. my apologies, na associate na kita kse sa pink because of your site theme. :) glad to have finally met you and the rest of the H@ppy Feet runners!

    takbo pinay!

    renz said on Jun 12 07 at 9:19 AM Reply

  4. Hey nora, thanks! How was the birthday celebration? :)

    E-Rod, thanks! I carried a large water bottle all throughout the run and kept my AOS bottle in my pocket as backup. (Isn’t it obvious I was traumatized by the lack of water in the previous race?) I didn’t even get to use my trusty ol’ AOS bottle. If I did, my bladder would’ve exploded! :)

    bullrunner said on Jun 12 07 at 9:31 AM Reply

  5. well for starters, you beat me by a horse’s stride…there’s no catching up on you…you’re absolutely the better runner hand’s down…my only regret is that I couldn’t find you at the opening bell and run with you as I had said before…well maybe next time…

    at least i finally got to meet you up close and personal but i still can’t find a clue why you’d want to be called the bull runner?

    and hey, i text too much…no worry, enough of that from me for now…:D

    hitme64 said on Jun 12 07 at 10:25 AM Reply

  6. Hitme, yeah, forgot to answer that on your blog.

    Bull Runner—born on cinco de mayo, I’m a bull-headed taurean (is that redundant?) who is obsessed with all things running. Quite simple eh?

    Yup next time! I might have work the day before Adidas so I’m still not sure if I can make it. Argh.

    bullrunner said on Jun 12 07 at 2:05 PM Reply

  7. wow jaymie! you’re a real hardcore! finishing 6th and beating PRs at a not-so-into run?! woot!woot!

    eto, eto tlga namiss ko of not being able to get back to manila for the run…meeting people like you whose passion is utterly unbelievable!!

    and mind you, the photo taken after the run with your fine lad…it was as if exhaustion has not come to your system during the dash eh? all smiles and too vibrant! :-)

    congrats to the certified bullrunner! cheers!

    banggigay said on Jun 12 07 at 4:04 PM Reply

  8. Thanks banggigay! Like so many other runners, I just get more hyper after a run. You should’ve seen me later in the day. Non-stop yakking and shopping haha :)

    bullrunner said on Jun 12 07 at 7:11 PM Reply

  9. Hey Jaymie,

    Just wanted to say am enjoying your blog so much! Haha almost makes me want to run… ALMOST ok?

    Talk to you soon!

    Benz Rana said on Jun 12 07 at 11:01 PM Reply

  10. Hey! So honored to be featured in your blog-haha. I was so proud placing 10th that I held the card close to my heart. You on the other hand, you look like you’re used to it.

    Thanks for calling us the coolest athletic couple. Come to think of it, am I athletic or just scared to gain weight?

    At the rate you’re going, you will finish 10k in less than 1 hr in your next run.

    Mayi said on Jun 13 07 at 8:54 AM Reply

  11. Benz, thanks! Were it not for john—my blog mentor—I wouldn’t have been able to set this up! How many more posts will it take to convince you to run? hehe

    Mayi, had I known you held your card that way I would have too! Of course I was proud to be 6th—I don’t think it will happen ever again! haha

    bullrunner said on Jun 13 07 at 9:04 AM Reply

  12. wow! galing naman! i admire your persistence and your skill. congratulations!

    toni said on Jun 18 07 at 8:17 AM Reply

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