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Yakult Race

The Yakult 10-miler. A must-run race for me. As early as May, I had set my eyes on this 16km race as the best distance for me to challenge my body before aiming for a half-marathon. I was going to join this. I had to partake of this. Unfortunately, due to my moody knee (one day he’s fine, the next his injured) my one chance to join Yakult this year was shattered. Unwilling to pass up this race, I registered for the 5km instead.

I arrived at the CCP Complex at 5:10 a.m., way too early for a 6 a.m. run and a 5km at that. Frankly, I wasn’t too enthusiastic about this 5km run, but after skipping Milo and Animo, I desperately needed to feed my hunger for a road race.

So, there I was, half awake (or half asleep) chatting with friends from Happy Feet, Mon, Ben, Joms, and Aljo, and meeting Oknoy and Jan for the first time. I was definitely keeping an eye out for Monica who had registered for me. (Thanks again, Monica!) Wait a minute, where were all the Happy Feet women anyway?

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- Renz, Ben, Coach Rio, and Joms –

By the time I found Monica and received my race packet, I only had 10 minutes before the gun was fired. It was only a few minutes before we started running that friends pointed out I had a 16km bib on. Oh no, please no. Yes, they agreed in chorus. After two past races where I was listed as MALE in the final results due to registration errors, I was pretty much resigned to the fact that this would be the third race where I would again not be officially listed correctly. Oh well, at least I would definitely be 1st place for 16km with a time below 30 minutes. Hah!

Once we started, I went out too fast. I remember glancing at my pace and seeing a number 4 as the first digit, so after making a left along Roxas Boulevard, I came to my senses and slowed down a wee bit. I ran a hard yet comfy 5 to 5:15 min/km pace which I was sure I could maintain all throughout with enough energy to perhaps speed up the last few meters.

At around 2 km, I found myself running behind a tall, medium-built man who stood out from the crowd despite the low profile he tried to keep. At first I thought he was a foreigner. Then, it hit me like a thunderbolt…or more like a blessing from the god of all things running. By golly, it was no other than Fernando Zobel in the flesh! Little ol’ me was running behind my highschool (or more like working girl) crush of all crushes!

Mind you, I am a happily married woman who is fiercely loyal to the hubby, but a dash of wholesome infatuation over Fernando on the side makes life more meaningful, right? Now, I’m not one of those girls who shrieks and sighs over her crushes. That is way too childish for The Bull Runner. I simply let out a little “Oh my god! It’s him!” deep inside, blushed a little bit, then proceeded to attempt to outrun this crush of mine. I failed miserably. This man stayed fast and focused and would not let me “chick” him. Way to go, Fernando!

To be honest with you, that encounter was the highlight of my run. When Fernando left me behind after the 2.5 km turnaround, I basically maintained a steady pace with an almost tipsy smile on my face. My knee didn’t bother me at all, probably due to the distraction or inspiration that Fernando so generously provided.

I ended the run at 26.04 mins. According to the official results which I received just now (thanks Patrick!), I actually came in 5th! This calls for two Yahoos! One “Yahoo!” for 5th place. Another “Yahoo!” for Yakult actually counting me in despite my wrong race bib. Oh, one “Yeeehah” for running alongside Fernando.

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Posted on 12.10.07 to 02 Race Reports. Tags: , , . Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 15 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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15 Responses to “Yakult Race”

  1. Sweet race and no problems with the knee. So those guys in the picture, they all look fast, long shorts or short short. They have that skinny, road runner physique. Hmmm…running next to crushes, sordid no?:)

    rick430 said on Dec 10 07 at 12:28 PM Reply

  2. Was here! I found out abuot this site from my uncle, great stuff! my first marathon! did 5k like you, stopped at 33.49 (took off 3 mins cause the 16k went first). Will be doing the dec 16 one with a bigger group!

    See ya sunday! :)

    vohne said on Dec 10 07 at 2:02 PM Reply

  3. OMG! Fernando Zobel!!! I wish I ran in this race as if naman I can run alongside him at my current pace that would be impossible so better sana if I waited there at the finish line kahit photo op lang super happy na! hehe

    Mary715 said on Dec 10 07 at 2:54 PM Reply

  4. Hey congratulations for getting the 5th place position. :)

    taki said on Dec 10 07 at 2:56 PM Reply

  5. Strong finish miss jaymie! Train and rest now, for on Sunday we will be TEAM INJURED FAST RUNNERS!!!! :)

    ben said on Dec 10 07 at 3:43 PM Reply

  6. hi jaymie. i was there and saw you but you were busy talking to someone (perhaps that was when y ou were getting your race bib). great finish considering the knee situation. hope they get better for your longer runs. where can i get a copy of the yakult race results? it was generally a good event but i noticed that after the second turn at quirino there were fewer water stations.

    Tina said on Dec 10 07 at 5:01 PM Reply

  7. Congratulations 5th placer… Nice one… Discovered your site from a friend… Double nice… I ran the 16k, parang pwede ang half for me… very nice site. best regards

    fatmarathoner said on Dec 10 07 at 6:07 PM Reply

  8. Nice run and congratulations! See you this Sunday at the 6th DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Marathon Team Relay. For your info, it’s final, we are going to conduct the 7th DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Half-Marathon Race on the 17th of February 2008.

    jovie75 said on Dec 10 07 at 7:01 PM Reply

  9. hi br, seem to have read somewhere that it’ll take around 5 years to reach one’s potential. wonder what your times will be like then. you’re doing great!

    roadrat said on Dec 10 07 at 7:12 PM Reply

  10. Enhorabuena!!!

    ( NO that was not Fernando Zobel…although we have the same amount of white hair but thats about it) Nice meeting you. It was through your blog that I came to know the Happy Feet Family. YOu have been chalking those 5ks lately………Good Luck to the JJB relay trio (Joms, Jaymie and Ben) in the DND race…………remember me guys, when you are in paradise….

    Hope you can join our Christmas tabing ilog party this Sunday 16 December…………………GO easy with the knees!!!!

    oknoy said on Dec 10 07 at 8:17 PM Reply

  11. Congrats! for winning 5th place, looks like the hunger for a race have made u ran faster :)

    TRF said on Dec 11 07 at 8:30 AM Reply

  12. Did the Organizer already post the result of the Yakult race? Where can I find it? Thank you.

    Nolan said on Dec 11 07 at 1:30 PM Reply

  13. Hi there br, came across your site thru philmug… I’ve gleefully introduced running to my brother and one other friend a couple of months ago, and now they’re outrunning me like crazy. So, aside from sharing a new love all together, we’ve also become avid, lurking readers of your blog heehee. Was there at Yakult too, had a great time. Congrats on your 5th place :D

    Black Sigil said on Dec 11 07 at 2:00 PM Reply

  14. wow! jaymie! ok, let’s talk about the sweeter deal (relative to seeing the crush of all crushes’)
    …sub 30 for 16k and 26.04 at that!!! grabe! your speed almost remained constant throughout the stretch! parang di ka napapagod mare! congrats!

    and, where are the other HF women runners??

    banggigay said on Dec 13 07 at 6:21 PM Reply

  15. awww!5k @ 26.04! anovah?! jaymie, i really need to run again dont you think?! hahaah!

    banggigay said on Dec 13 07 at 6:48 PM Reply

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