Archive for November, 2012

I woke up this morning to news that the New York City Marathon was cancelled.  Instantly, I heaved a huge sigh of relief.

Just the night before, there was much controversy over the decision of NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and New York City Marathon Director Mary Wittenberg to proceed with the race despite the devastation in New York City brought upon by Superstorm Sandy.  That decision was met with a huge public uproar.  Some called Bloomberg and Wittenberg greedy and insensitive.  Some said the marathon would be a symbol of resilience and would help raise millions of dollars for the victims.  The issue caused heated debates all over the world—even between me and a friend!  By this morning, Bloomberg reversed the move and cancelled the marathon. (You can read more about it HERE or HERE.)

– New York City Marathon 2010 –

The NYC Marathon is a race that’s close to my heart having run it both in 2010 and 2011.  It is, for me, one of the best marathons ever because the entire city comes out to celebrate the marathon.  It is the people of New York, all two million of them that come out to cheer, that make the marathon extra special. I have a few friends who flew into race it this year and I was thrilled for them.   But, after Superstorm Sandy and witnessing its destruction upon New York, I questioned how the race could push through when there was so much suffering.

I felt that it was simply wrong to have people running a marathon through a city that was still grieving over the losses of the storm.  I just couldn’t imagine starting the race at Staten Island where twenty people lost their lives to Sandy, or drinking water from the hydration stations when many don’t even have water yet, or running through the boroughs of New York with people cheering when many are still shedding tears over their losses.

I sympathize with the runners who saved their hard-earned money for a trip to NY, trained for months, and made other sacrifices all for the marathon only to find out so close to race day that it was cancelled. It sucks.  It could’ve been handled better.

If I had signed up for this race, I too would’ve shed a tear or two for all my wasted efforts and cash.  But, I’d probably quickly dry my eyes and remember that, in the greater scheme of things, I didn’t lose much compared to the victims of the storm.  At the end of the day, it’s just 42.195km.  There will always be another race—even another NYCM—to run.

If you’re one of the 47,000 runners registered for NYCM, click on race2recover for one way you can help.

If you’re looking for alternative races to NYC Marathon, Adam Howitt of WalkJogRun compiled a list of alternative marathons that are scheduled for the remainder of the year. check out WalkJogRun.Net

Around 12,000 runners gathered for one of the most anticipated races in the country, the Run United Philippine Marathon with distances of 500m, 3k, 5k, 10k, 21k, and 42k.  The event was part of the Run United series by Unilab Active Health organized by RunRio. It was the first time the race offered a marathon with thousands of runners eager to join the inaugural 42k.

I participated in the 21k event which, for me, was very well organized in terms of hydration stations, including bonuses of sponges and bananas, road marshals and traffic enforcers, portalets, kilometer signs, Finisher’s loot bag (love the messenger bag!) medal (a humongous one at that), and post-race activity area.  The route—a fast 21k course from Bonifacio High Street to SM Mall of Asia—was the same as other Run United Half Marathon events, which one can either think of as redundant (What? The same route again?!) or challenging (Do I beat my past Run United 21k times?)

Perhaps the only things I noted that needed improvement in the 21k course were these: 1) The need for more floodlights near the end of Buendia and 2) High traffic until Buendia Flyover.  While the latter is a minor issue, I only hope that if or when the 21k event increases (3,000 runners in this race if I’m not mistaken), the organizers consider wave starts to reduce traffic in the narrow Bonifacio Global City areas.  That way, we can at least aim for a PR without having to weave through a sea of runners.

As for the inaugural Run United Philippine Marathon, I did hear from friends that hydration ran out for the last 10k of the race. I’m sure organizers are ensuring that this won’t happen again.

TAMING THE BULL

Not a lot of people know that I initially planned on running the inaugural Run United Philippine Marathon.  Fresh from Berlin Marathon, I had the bright idea of joining Run United’s first 42km almost as soon as I stepped on Philippine soil.  Three reasons: 1) I found myself goal-less. Gasp, what do I work for now?! I thought in panic. 2) I was bored. Y..a..w..n.. and, last but not the least, 3) How cool would it be to run the first Run United Philippine Marathon?!  I had visions of myself 50 years from now telling tales of this inaugural marathon to my grandchildren as I sat on my rocking chair barely able to lift my head with the oh-so heavy gargantuan medal around my neck.

Then, I recalled how I got injured immediately after running New York City Marathon then California International Marathon just a month apart last year.  Was I stupid enough to let this happen to me again?  So, two weeks before race day, finally being smart about my running, I opted to run the half marathon instead.

SORE THROAT? SO WHAT?

I stood in the assembly area with running buddy Lit who I basically bullied into running fast with me for the day.  No breaking PRs because we definitely lacked speed training.  But, hey, no kwento pace either because we had more than enough of that the past months.  As agreed, we were to push hard for as long as we could.

Just one problem: I woke up with a cold. My throat was itchy and my nose runny the night before.  I committed to try my best equipped with what I needed the most: five pieces of Kleenex rolled up and tucked neatly into my Spibelt arm sleeve.  Hah!

The first 15k went, well, fast.  We ran mostly below 6 min pace and we knew we could sustain it. But, ooooh boy, things soon changed after we crossed the 15km mark.

RUNNING ON FUMES

It was no surprise that I was starting to tire out.  In truth, it was just as I had expected with the lack of training. Starting from 15k onwards, I struggled to keep the pace.  I stopped at every station to hydrate, pour water on my face and arms, take a long deep breath followed by a loud grumble, then plod on forward.

Lit suggested we slowed down.  I nodded my head in a daze, then thought: No way. I’ve gone this far. I can suffer some more.

And so, I zoned out pushing my legs to maintain the pace I committed to. In my mind, I reminded myself that the pain was temporary and it would soon end. Just a few more minutes.  Just a few more kilometers. I could do it.  Keep the pace.

BULLISH AWAKENING

It was probably at around 18k when a lady runner runs by my side at Roxas Boulevard.  She chats me up at a time when I could hardly even breathe.  “Ganda naman ng pace mo. Sabay tayo ha.”  I nod my head unable to speak. I think it was pretty obvious in my face that I was dying, but for some reason she chose to chat even more. “21k ka?”  For her, I managed to mumble a “Oo.”  She says a couple more things and repeats the same question: “21k ka?”  On better days (or maybe when I’m not trying to survive the last 3kms of a race I didn’t train for!), I’m usually a nice person.  But, at that moment, I replied “Uh huh” again while thinking: I don’t need this crap now.  Get the hell outta here!

I lose her at a station.  Thank. You. Lord.

Unbeknownst to me, Lit overheard the lady runner and her friends saying that they would run along with us, then leave us behind at the last few meters of the race.  Lit then told me: “Save a little then let’s take these guys at the finish.”  Unaware of their devious plan, I replied to Lit: “I don’t think I can do it. I’m running on fumes.”

At the last few meters, true enough, the lady runner and her friends were ahead of us by a few meters. Lit could’ve overtaken them (he actually did, but had to slow down to wait for me), but I definitely couldn’t.  I was pushing as hard as I could.

We crossed the finish line unofficially at 2:04 according to my Garmin. I was ecstatic.  We finished ahead of our target and without training.  Imagine what we could do if we trained harder!  Perhaps I can target beating my half marathon PR again soon!  Goodbye boredom. Hello speed!

– Happy to be running fast again. Photo: Tong Pascua Photography –

After the race, I learned about the “secret devious plan” of that lady and her friends.  Are you kidding me?!  Had I known about this, I would’ve pushed 10x harder if only to send two special messages to that group: 1) Never ever talk loud enough for your targets to hear your plans.  It doesn’t only spoil your scheme, but it’s also quite rude! 2) I’ll get you in the next race, baby! Tsk tsk.

The bull is back.  Raaawr.  I mean: Rrooor snort snort.

– Breakfast at Sentro with my running buddies! Congrats to Tatang Jun for finishing the Run United Philippine Marathon! –

– At home, Li’l Miss Bull Runner says she could hardly lift her head with the 21k medal around her neck –

5 schools…4 distances…1 historic run…

For the first time ever, High School Batch 1988 from 5 schools – Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), La Salle Green Hills (LSGH), Maryknoll College (MC), St. Scholastica’s College (SSC) and Xavier School ( XS)– have banded together to create an event that underscores their commitment towards a united, healthy community in our city.

A Portion of the proceeds of the Run shall be given to support the “Kariton Klasrum” of Efren Penaflorida.

Also, to commemorate the Silver Jubilee Anniversary of Batch 1988, all distances have an extra 0.88 km added on. Aimed at providing whole families a healthy activity to share and to encourage people new to running.

Event: United Colors of 88
Date : Saturday, November 10, 2012, 4:30am
Venue : Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig City
Participants: OPEN to the PUBLIC

Distances / Fees:

• 3.88K = P500
• 5.88K = P600
• 10.88K = P700
• 21.88K = P800

Special Categories:

• 10.88K Vibram Five Fingers Barefoot
• 21.88K Vibram Five Fingers Barefoot

Registration Centers:

• MIZUNO – Eastwood / Trinoma / Galleria / Shangrila / ATC /
• Bonifacio High Street
• SECOND WIND – Greenhills G-Strip / Ortigas Home Depot /
• Teacher’s Village
• A RUNNER’S CIRCLE – Roxas Blvd., Manila