- The Marching Band. They also had another band onstage. This was one festive and lively race. Or was I just charged up with excitement? –

Certainly, this was not your typical small running event. It was a team relay race with each of the 3 members in one team—2 male and 1 female—covering 7 kms from Navy Village to the turnaround point inside Libingan ng mga Bayani to complete the total 21km course. Each runner wore his bib number ending in A, B, or C to identify him/her as the first, second, or third in his team.

Our team, Team Injured Fast Runners—composed of Happy Feet members Ben, Joms, and myself—was among the 94 teams that signed up for this event. Each of us wore battle scars due to obsessive running: Ben is recovering from shin splints, Joms from knee problems, and me…aahh do I have to tell you again? But, the three of us believed we could still outrun the civilian (read: not military) competition and yes, oh yes, we had a pretty good chance of winning.

- Team Injured Fast Runners supports the fight against AIDS. Thanks to our sponsor Doc Oknoy! –

Assembly time started at 5 a.m. with the race starting at 6 a.m. Joms was our A runner, followed by me, while Ben would carry the heavy burden of being the last runner who would have to run as fast as light to bring our team to possible victory.

When I arrived, Joms was already in the starting line along with all the other A runners. Before I could even bid my team mate “Godspeed!”(literally), he was off. Together with the other B & C runners, Ben, Jo-Ar, his running coach, and I waited in anticipation for the A runners to come back, especially Joms of course!

We waited…and waited…and waited. I thought a relay could be pretty slow since there was a lot of waiting to be done before you could actually participate in the race. Then, things changed…

The first A runner was spotted from afar returning from his 7k journey. Wild cheering from the crowd filled the air! Everyone was charged up and raring to run! More and more A runners started coming back and the scene was an organized chaos where A runners would swiftly turnover the rope necklace to the B runners without a second to waste. Everything was going by so fast, one could hardly have time to breathe.

- Relay team mates making the quick switch –

As for me, I morphed into a bundle of nerves. As I waited behind the starting line along with the other B runners, I felt worry, pressure, and anxiety creeping into my psyche. But, this was certainly overpowered by the thrill and excitement I was getting from this fast-paced race.

Suddenly, I could see Joms running downhill towards the finish line. Ack, it was my turn! I looked towards my right and saw Ben and Jo-Ar cheering with excitement. Oh yeah, I couldn’t wait to run!

I grabbed the rope from Joms, put it around my neck, and headed out towards the start of my 7km run. At that point, all pacing and negative split ideas were erased from my memory. The adrenaline rush must’ve gotten the better of me. In a couple of minutes, I checked my Garmin to discover I was running at my fastest pace ever: 3:46 min/km. Crazy!

After climbing uphill out of Navy Village, I slowed my pace to a 4:45 to 5 and maintained it at that level until the 3km mark. By the time I reached the Libingan ng Bayani turnaround point, I was exhausted. Normally, I would have slacked off a bit and ease up on the pace since I only have myself to answer to. But, I couldn’t just slow down at this point. I owed it to my team mates to give it my best shot.

So, tired and weary, I pushed myself further. It certainly didn’t help that the way back was mostly uphill climbs, but once I passed that, the last 2km were a lot more manageable. It also helped that Joms and Jo-Ar ran alongside me for support. As I neared the finish line, I spotted Ben and quickly handed him the 2 ropes with barely any time to wish him luck.

I ended my 7k run at 35.28 mins. I was a little bit disappointed with my time, but Joms was quick to remind me that everyone’s time had slowed due to the rolling hills.

After some waiting, Ben came in to complete our relay race. He suffered stomach cramps as early as 5k into the course but forced himself to run despite the pain. Ouch!

- Ben in pain as he nears the finish line –

The final results? Team Injured Fast Runners won 3rd place in the civilian category!!! We were the 23rd team among 94 teams. Go, Team Injured Fast Runners! Hopefully next year we can scrap “injured” from our name already!

– Accepting our medal as 3rd place winners -

– Posing with Jujet de Asis (he and his team mates were the champions for Army category) and other runners -

- Happy Feet pose. If only Joms didn’t wear his Mommy Milkshake shirt! –

Training begins NOW.

—————————————————

Every Friday afternoon, Annie and I exchange the routinary SMS message: “Run tomorrow? Same time, same place?” And, almost always, the other will send a customary reply of “Yes. See ya!”

For the past six months, Annie and I have been enjoying our Saturday runs together. Saturday mornings is reserved exclusively for our long runs; it is the time where we can run without distractions from work or family. Children have no school nor homework. And, at least for me, the hubby is out longer than I am playing golf.

- Training in Alabang with Annie and Coach B (June 2007) -

Ours is a friendship built on running. I met Annie after I invited an acquaintance to join Coach B’s running clinic; that friend took Annie along. When the running clinic ended, it was only Annie and I who found ourselves committed to continue training on our own.

Annie, a mother of two girls, is a Fitness First and stotts pilates instructor. Between the two of us, she is by far the stronger, faster, and more experienced runner. She has been running for over three years and has joined more races than I can count. During our runs, we can talk about a wide range of topics ranging from motherhood to shopping, but our discussion will always, always go back to running. It is what binds us together.

- Adidas KOTR with Annie and her friend (July 2007) -

So, it came as no surprise that when I told Annie about my plans of joining the Pasig Marathon, she instantly decided to join too. When we got over our initial excitement (which lasted for over five minutes), we informally discussed our strategy. She suggested using Hal Higdon’s marathon program while I recommended Jeff Galloway’s (She won here. I’m now using Higdon’s Novice II program while she’s using Intermediate I). We also agreed, quite happily, that we would transform our 10 to 15k Saturday runs into our once-a-week long runs. “Annie,” I begged her, “we seriously have to slow down from now on” because, as I’ve experienced many a times, Annie does not know the meaning of slow or tired. “Yes,” she adds, “we also have to force ourselves to take walking breaks now” something we always fought against in the past.

As I write this, I am building a mental checklist of other things I must discuss with Annie as we try to add more science and strategy to our runs. These have something to do with 1) starting earlier so the sun doesn’t beat down on us, 2) stock piling on power gels since water won’t do for us anymore, and 3) planning the races we intend to join so that they can work seamlessly with our program.

Suddenly, my personal goal has turned into a dream I can share with a friend. While running a marathon is still an individual conquest, I take comfort in knowing that I can share the same hardships and triumphs, pains and joys, and hills and troughs with someone who doesn’t need to stop and ask me “Why must you put yourself through this?” She just gets it. And, should the time come during the marathon that my legs turn to lead and I want to give up at 30 km, I know that Annie will be there pushing and urging me to move forward…just as I will do for her.

Good luck to us Annie!

Oct 21 Sunday: Raising Hope, Powerplant Mall. This is a fund-raising activitiy of Planet Sports for the Carewell Community Foundation which supports cancer patients. It is a fun run from 6 am to 8 am with no prescribed distance. Course will be the inner lane of Power Plant Mall. Call Maan of Planet Sports (898.1933) for details. Registration onsite only. Click here to download registration form.

Oct 21 Sunday: 4th BaRUNgay Fun Run, Concepcion Uno Marikina City. Run will be from 5 am to 6 am. Registration fee P100. Call Boy Francisco/Poly Guadamar (948.6454).

Oct 27 Saturday: Run For Love, The Gawad Kalinga Marathon Philippines. Adidas will donate all funds to the planned local Adi Dassler development projects with Gawad Kalinga. Race is 5k/10k near SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City. Registration fee P250. Registration forms will be available in GK offices, selected Adidas concept shops and with RACE c/o Thelma Biscocho (727.9987)

Nov 11 Sunday: New Balance Power Race 10k/25k, Clark Freeport Zone. Registration fee P300. Call Mr. Biscocho (727.9987). Registration has been extended to Oct. 21, Sunday. Interested participants may register at Planet Sports Rockwell branch or on Raising Hope race day on October 21, 2007.

Nov 18 Sunday: Milo National Finals. Call Mr. Biscocho (727.9987)

Nov 25 Sunday: 5th Animo Run 5k/10k, IMAX Parking Area of SM Mall of Asia. 10k P200. Proceeds will go to the Red Cross. Registration starts October 21, 2007 and will end 5:30 am race day. Participants can register at G/F Enrique Razon Sports Complex of DLSU, Vito Cruz, Manila or online. For info, call Edmar (0917.6191821) or visit this.

The race was relatively small with majority of the runners being “marinos” (hence the race name “Go Marino Go”) donning their bright yellow race singlets that almost jolted me out of my dazed and confused state. We arrived around 15 minutes before the race started, which gave me just enough time to look for Ben who had our race bibs. (Thanks again Ben for signing us all up!) After pinning my bib, I rushed to the registration booth to change my race distance, but gave up after seeing the chaos there. (I decided to just stop at 5k with my 10k bib. ) My son’s nose started to bleed so I pointed out the medical booth to my hubby so they could treat him there. Realizing the immediate need to pee, I headed for the nearest portalet in a mad rush to clear my bladder before running. Could there be anything else to surprise me?! I jog towards the portalet and—much to my horror—the gun was fired! Ack, I joined the hundreds of runners in the race and prayed to God my bladder would cooperate!

Where do I run?! That’s what I was thinking as I squeezed my way through the massive crowd of “marinos” who ran with their bodies practically intertwined. I followed the path other runners took which was the other side of the street. Oooh, in here, the road was flat and spacious and mesmerizing (my new race playlist with Maroon 5 and Fall Out Boy may have helped to get me enthralled). I ran freely and enjoyed every minute of it. I pushed hard because I knew I could sustain it for 5k no matter how tired my body was. Tired? Wait a minute. Who was exhausted and weak again? Nope, that wasn’t me. Now, I felt strong and I was revved up. In fact, I wanted to run the entire 10k instead. Too bad I told hubby it would be a short run for me.

So, the 5k was quick and short and fun. Actually, it wasn’t a 5k but a 5.86k according to my Nike+. I came in at 4th place as listed by the race organizer at around 27 minutes.

I usually stop my watch and Nike+ automatically after I end the race, but this time, I had no time to even think about it as I was bombarded with complaints from another runner. He argued with the race organizer about my place since I was registered for a 10k. I was so happy that I said in tagalog “Hey man, it’s fine with me. You can have 4th place. I’m not here to compete really.” Caught up in his own anger, he didn’t hear a word I said. I returned the #4 Tag to the race organizer, but he gave it back to me saying I could keep it and they would still count me as 4th. Oh well, whatever decision they made was fine with me.

Right after the run, I headed for the bathroom and did my own business. (Of course, I praised my little bladder for being very well behaved but I told her never to pull that stunt on me before a race. Would you believe she disprespectfully replied “Well, you shouldn’t have gobbled down all that Gatorade in the first place?!) I chatted with H@ppy Feet members and searched for my hubby and son who were nowhere in sight. I did see Jujet de Asis and congratulated him for placing first in 5k. His time was 17 minutes. (I think if I chat long enough with him and train with him at every Mizuno Run Club then his speed may rub off on me. I’ll tell you in a couple of weeks if it works.)

My hubby, son, and I left before photos were taken, medals were awarded, and stories about the race were exchanged with fellow runners. But, you couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. I was just glad I ran and I didn’t hide under the sheets that morning.

Since joining Happy Feet, I have never gone to a race alone. We register together, agree to meet near the baggage counter of every race, and end the race with anecdotes of our own race experiences. Oh, of course, we take our requisite Happy Feet photo before parting ways. Most of the Happy Feet (usually the single ones which are the majority) share their post-race meals together after each run. I have yet to join an after-run gimmick as the mommy in me holds Sundays as sacred family days for just me, my hubby, and the kids.

Here are photos of our fast-growing Happy Feet group from the recently held Fil-Mus Run For Peace. The photos are courtesy of Ben, Photographer on The Run, who is our official photographer and stylist (yeah, we need one especially after a long, sweat-inducing race!) By the way, Ben has a new 10k PR of 43:01 min. Congratulations again, Ben!

If you wish to join Happy Feet, you must meet the following conditions:

1. You must have an obsessive love for running.
2. You must post as many senseless messages in our e-group as you possibly can.
3. You must be willing to read many a senseless message in your inbox — without deleting them.
4. You must laugh at all of Mon’s jokes… you will meet him later on if you sign in.
5. You must agree to pose for each photo op as required by Photographer Ben and put on a happy face despite the fatigue from a long run.

Should you be interested in joining Happy Feet, just click here.

If you need more incentive to join us (aside from my lovely speech above), check out our soon-to-arrive uniforms…(Oh, we will just look so cool in them, don’t you think?)

1) Go to my archives and read the past 4 weeks’ entries on Wednesday (VR Run Invites) and Thursdays (VR Run Reports).

2) Scroll down and read the brief definition.

3) Don’t read anything here and just make sure you run on Thursday (tomorrow) at 4:30 am Manila Time.

During the Virtual Run, a group of runners run “together” at the same time wherever they may be in the world. Anyone can join!

DATE: 23 August 2007, Thursday (Manila Time)
TIME: 4:30 A.M. (Manila Time)
DISTANCE: 10 km/ 6 miles (or whatever you wish)
RUNNERS/ COURSE: (I’ll update this as more people join up)

Previous runners have been:

1. E-Rod – Newport Beach, USA
2. HitMe – Quezon City, Philippines
3. Banggi – Manila, Philippines
4. Ben – Manila to Makati, Philippines
5. Renz – Metro Manila, Philippines
6. Marga – Parañaque, Philippines
7. Caloy – Davao, Philippines
8. TRF – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
9. Steph – San Diego, USA
10. Gretchen – Truckee, USA
11. Mary – Paranaque, Philippines
12. Caloy – Davao, Philippines
13. Chaia – Makati, Philippines
14. Rick – San Francisco, USA
15. Nora – England
16. The Bull Runner – Parañaque, Philippines

Are you in?

- This is what was parked in the Assembly Area. Sure way to beat your PR! –

At 6:00 a.m., I arrived at the assembly area in Villamor Airbase with the mindset that I was absolutely NOT going to race; I was going to run at a moderate pace and enjoy watching other runners huff and puff around me. I got the shock of my life when I learned that the 10k was called off. We were all running a 5k! Okay, what could I do then but employ Plan B…which was… uhm… to run as fast as I could.

By 6:15 a.m. I found myself doing—do not laugh—morning exercises alongside Anton and all the other runners at the grandstand. After jumping jacks, stretches, and jumping jacks again, we lined up at the starting line and we were off by 6:30 a.m.

Wow, I got off to a way too quick start. I was panting by 0.3 km… how pathetic! Less than a half kilometer into the run, Lance Armstrong tells me that my pace was 4.37 min/km—a pace that I knew I could not maintain unless I hitched a ride on a tricycle on the way back. I slowed down a wee bit to 4.50 min/km and maintained this pace except for times when I climbed hills (ooh, these were challenging little hills that I will be cursing until I hit the sack tonight!) and when I tried to leave competition behind.

The entire time, I set my eyes on chasing down one woman before me. Let’s call her Dark Horse because she ran with her hair down donning an all black outfit (No no no, she didn’t look like a horse! Such evil minds!) I knew there were just a handful of us women in the front pack but I had no high hopes of making it as first (perhaps only in my dreams) so my sole mission was to have this woman eat my dust. After seemingly endless attempts to catch up with her, I finally succeed and leave her behind. Aah, the sweet taste of victory! Before I can even raise my arms up in triumph, she blows in with a vengeance. Gosh, I must have made her terribly mad. She runs at breakneck speed like a raging bull… er that’s me… so perhaps like a zipping zebra or charging cheetah or… you get the point. I never ever catch up with her again.

I reach the finish line a few steps behind Dark Horse at 32.55 min. A very reliable source tells me (okay, it’s just my Nike+) that the distance was not 5k but around 6.8 km! (I don’t have the exact distance because I forgot to end my workout.) I came in at 5th place in the Women’s Category.

- Top 10 Men and Women. We all look so ecstatic, don’t you think? -

Before the awarding, I congratulate Dark Horse and learn that she has been running for 10 years. She says she’s much better at 42 kms. Oooh god, I won’t even go there. I learn too that she has a more approachable name, Daisy.

I leave the race with more than when I arrived. On one arm, I carry my prizes (a Petron bag and Unilever products) and, on the other, my free food (bread, water, banana, and a hard-boiled egg). I gained a few more running friends (Hi Odie, it was nice to meet you!) And, I carry a renewed sense of peace and calmness. I am not overly excited about my placing 5th nor am I glum about it. I was just happy to be running. Period.

- Happy day for Happy Feet. All women won: Me 5th, Chaia 9th (not in pic), Roselle 17th (2nd from left). From Right: Anton, Ben, and his friend -

– After the race, runners enjoy the free snacks -

Every Thursday, for the past couple of weeks, I’ve joined a group of runners all over the world who have agreed to run a certain distance at the same time no matter where we are located in the world. It’s what we call our Virtual Training Run.

The Virtual Training Run is open to runners of every age, nationality, size, weight, or fitness level. So, you—yes you!—may just leave a note below to tell me that you’re running with us tomorrow and you’ll be a part of our growing Virtual Running group. C’mon, join us and we assure you that you’ll have a lot of fun!

DATE: 16 August 2007, Thursday (Manila Time)/ 15 August 2007, Wednesday (US Pacific Time)
TIME: 4:30 A.M. (Manila Time)/ 1:30 P.M. (US Pacific Time)
DISTANCE: 10 km/ 6 miles (or whatever you wish)
RUNNERS/ COURSE: (I’ll update this as more people join up)

1. HitMe – Quezon City, Philippines
2. Banggi – Manila, Philippines
3. Ben – Manila to Makati, Philippines
4. Renz – Metro Manila, Philippines
5. Marga – Paranaque, Philippines
6. TRF – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
7. Steph – San Diego, USA
8. Gretchen – Truckee, USA
9. E-Rod – Newport Beach, USA
10. Jaymie – Alabang, Philippines

To Manila Runners, I hope we can run tomorrow despite the gloomy weather. Click here for PAGASA’s Real-Time weather forecast.

Once again, let us pray for Egay to leave us by tomorrow. After your prayer, chant this 20 times while lifting your arms up and down, eating a banana, and running in a small circle slightly below race pace (preferably when your boss is not looking):

Egay Egay, go away

Come again on a non-running day

Virtual Runners want to play.

DATE: 9 August 2007, Thursday (Manila Time)
TIME: 4:30 A.M. (Manila Time)
DISTANCE: 10 km/ 6 miles (or whatever you wish)
RUNNERS/ COURSE: (I’ll update this as more people join up)

1. E-Rod – Newport Beach, USA
2. HitMe – Quezon City, Philippines
3. Banggi – Manila, Philippines
4. Ben – Manila to Makati, Philippines
5. Renz – Metro Manila, Philippines
6. Marga – Paranaque, Philippines
7. Steph – San Diego, USA
8. Gretchen – Seattle, USA
9. TRF – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
10. Jaymie – Alabang, Philippines

To Manila runners, let’s join hands in prayer for the storm to stop and the sun to shine brightly tomorrow morning. Otherwise, it will be a treadmill run for most of us. For me, that just points to a slow pace and sore knees. Ack!

Sign in if you want to join…