Run for Home Globe-Ayala City Run Report

TRB Review: Run For Home Globe Ayala Land City Run

Overall Rating (10 highest): 8

Organizer: Finish Line

THUMBS UP:

– New 21k course. One of the rare times Ayala Ave. was closed for runners.
– First time the disposable timing chip was used (and hopefully not the last.)
– Very organized and ontime race start.
– Adequate drinking stations with ample supply of 100 Plus and bottled mineral water (this was my experience. I heard of other runners who fell in line just to get a sip.)
– Portalets along the half marathon route.
– Presence of marshals all throughout the route.
– Complete race packet.
– Comprehensive race website, which included a forum, running blog links, pixlink (race day photos), and more.
– Free Photovendo photos (coming within the next few days).
– Race result analysis (coming soon too)

BETTER JOB NEXT TIME

– Limited kilometer markers for 21k.
– Crowded race packet redemption (first day).
– Sloppy online registration system.
– Lack of explanation on use of timing chip for beginners. Confusing directions on attaching the chip to the shoe.
– Slightly delayed race results considering a timing chip was used.

Awesome race. I had serious concerns about the ability of Globe and Finish Line to fulfill their lofty promises for this event, but truth be told, this race surpassed my expectations. With 6,400 registered runners for this race, a great number of problems could have arisen due to the sheer number of participants. However, the race went smoothly with minor flaws, mostly in pre-race preparations, at that.  Congratulations to Globe and Finish Line for pulling off a race that raised the bar for local races.

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OFF TO A BAD START

– Assembly area post-race –

The Run for Home race started ominously for me. Less than a few hundred meters into the 21km run, my Garmin Forerunner 305 decided to die on me. (It’s been very naughty ever since I toyed with the idea of getting a Polar RS800CX or Garmin 310XT) Good thing I had backup: Nike+ Sportsband on the other wrist and JunC, my run buddy, with his Garmin as substitute pace setter!

Shortly after my Garmin’s demise, right before the Buendia flyover ascent, I felt the need to run to the little girls’ room. How embarrassing that I had to go this early in the game, but when I spotted a handful of male runners running towards the bushes, I threw caution to the wind and rushed towards the Chowking restroom. In a snap, I was out the door and ready to rejoin JunC and the rest of the half marathoners.

BLESSING IN DISGUISE

After the Buendia flyover, it was smooth-sailing for me. Running “blindly” without my Garmin and “deaf” without my ipod allowed me to enjoy every single minute of the race. JunC would periodically announce our pace—that we were going much faster than our planned easy, training pace of 6:30 min/km—but I would always reply with a reassuring nod, or a short rationalization, such as “It’s okay. We need buffer for the Buendia ascent.” I cannot count how many times Jun answered back “Remember, we still have Bayani Road after.”

Almost all 21km went by in a blur, like a dream, really. Surprisingly, I felt strong all throughout the entire run. There was no instance when I felt exhausted or parched nor did I feel any hint of pain in my legs. Even the climb back up Buendia towards Bonifacio—where I always find myself rolling down the flyover wishing the race would soon end—didn’t cause any major difficulty. I didn’t know what I did differently for this race: Was it a good night’s rest? Hammer espresso? Or, pure adrenaline that kept me feeling so great the entire time? All I know is that it was the way I would’ve wanted any of my long runs to play out: no injuries, no weariness, no boredom. Sure, no PR either, but that really wasn’t my goal for this particular race.

PR IF I DIDN’T P(EE)

We ended the entire 20.92km (according to JunC’s garmin) with an unofficial time of 2:09, average pace 6:13. My uncalibrated Nike+ Sportsband registered 22.46km at 5:50 pace.

It occurred to me shortly after the run that at 2:09, I would’ve broken my Singapore Half Marathon time of 2:08 had I not stopped for a pee break. Annoying thought, isn’t it? So, I spent the past couple of days reminding myself over and over and over again: It was a training run. You didn’t plan on breaking your PR. Training run. Forget PR. Training run. Forget PR…

One minute. Sheesh. Next time, can someone just remind me to run to the bathroom thrice before the race starts?

– with Armand and TBR Magazine. TBR Magazine (July-Sep 09) was distributed on race packet redemption day and race day. Hope you got a copy! –

– with Hector of Second Wind, Armand, Jun, Coach Rio, Mikey, Neville of Pinoy Ultra Runners, and hubby –

– with Cristy, Nora, Johnny, Mariel, Annie, hubby, Jay, and Vener –

– with Toby of Runnr, Jun, Annie, Mari (who broke his 21k PR at 1:29!), Lester, Kim, Jonel and Mariel –

– with Mark, Annie, Jun, Tiffin, Nicole of Runnr, Mariel and hubby –

– Met Karen Davila and gave her copies of TBR Mag, of course! –

– Head-to-toe unplanned matching outfit with Mariel. Maybe we’re the Solemates?! –

– with the hubby who ran 10k –

– with Jun & Mariel (Solemates), sorely missed Annie girl fresh from Singapore, and the hubby –