Okay, this is the last time I’m posting about the Mizuno Infinity race.  I have other races to think about 🙂

Just in case you didn’t see this, it was posted by Miraclecello in my comments section (thanks Miraclecello!) and was later emailed to me by Mizuno.   According to KC Joaquin, they intend to organize another race soon to make up for the last race.

It’s time to forgive, forget and run.  This next race will definitely be overflowing with water!

_______________________________________________________

31 March 2008

To All the Participants of the Mizuno Infinity Run,

Together with the race organizers and Rush (our beverage sponsor), please accept our sincerest apologies for the inadequate supply of drinking water during the event. There is no excuse for this serious oversight.

Thank you very much for all the feedback. I will personally make sure that the proper actions will be taken to avoid any future mishaps.

Sincerely,

Jose Paolo M. Cagalingan
General Manager
Master Sports Corporation – Mizuno
_____________________________________

5th Flr. BMG Centre
Paseo de Magallanes Commercial Center
Makati City, 1232

T: (632) 757.3160
F: (632) 757.3161
M: (63920) 928.5759
pcagalingan@mizuno.ph

For Mizuno Infinity Run race results, click here.

I spent over 10 minutes searching for my name only to find out that I’m #256, nameless, and a male.  Just perfect since my time was terrible anyway. It’s actually 32.17 here—slightly faster than my Garmin time!

Congratulation to my running buddy, Annie Agoncillo, for coming in 4th in the Women’s category at 15k with an incredible time of 1:06! Woohoo!

Last night, I checked this blog to find quite a number of negative comments regarding the organization of the Mizuno race—from registration to the lack of water stations—and with a range of emotions from simply disappointed to infuriated.

Personally, I was oblivious to the water problem as I didn’t feel the need to stop at any water station during my 5k run. However, I did encounter these:

CONS:
1. difficulty registering my husband for the 5k run
2. no pins for my hubby’s race bib
3. more than usual vehicles on the road due to late race time of 6:30am

In fairness, there were good things too…

PROS:
1. 5k race was 5.07km on my Garmin. They finally got it right this time—not perfect but close enough right?
2. nice singlet for men…but no sizes and too transparent for us women 🙁
3. 5k started on time
4. They make the best shoes and leggings…oh right, that’s not about the race

It was obvious to me that Mizuno and the race organizer worked hard to make this race as successful as it could be. But, obviously, a lot of things went wrong.

This was Mizuno’s first race and it can only get better next time. Hopefully, all race organizers learn from this experience to give us runners a race that is well-organized—or better yet, one that is at par with races abroad. Sigh.

What did YOU think about the Mizuno Infinity Run?

I arrived at the Mizuno Infinity Run at the Fort at around 6:15 am. Just in time to make a quick stop at the portalet (to see poop staring back at me from the hole! Blech!), teach hubby how my Nike kit worked, and do some (but certainly not enough) warm ups and stretching before the race started. In a blink of an eye, we were off.

This was one mad, hungry, chaotic, crowd. (Or have I just been away from races for too long?) I felt somewhat lost and confused in the traffic of 5k runners. Despite this, I stuck to my plan of maintaining a steady (read: boring) pace of 6:30 thereabouts. The hubby had the ipod on (so much for my dreams of marital bonding while running!) and he suffered pain behind his knee at around 2km, so soon after we crossed McKinley we parted ways.

Running alone, I focused on my form: landing on my midfoot, putting more power on my left leg, lifting my knees a bit higher, and tucking my tummy in. Going downhill, I would intentionally slow down to avoid aggravating my runner’s knee. I busied myself watching others—especially the elite who were returning from their 15ks on the opposite side of the road. Awesome! Sure, I wanted to run faster or outpace others, but I had to stick to what I knew was right. Well, I was “good” until the last half kilometer. I increased my pace to a 5 to 5:30 and slowed down again just before hitting the finish line.

According to my Garmin, my time was 33.42 for 5.07km. Ave pace was 6:39/km. Nothing to be proud of, but hey no pain so I’m a happy camper. Hubby came in, tired but happy, a few minutes after. I think I’ve just made a new recruit!

It’s Mizuno’s Infinity Run tomorrow. And, unlike past races, I am completely unprepared.

I signed up for 5k tomorrow (the longest distance I’ve ran for the past two months as proven in my expanding waistline) and I laugh at myself for feeling all jittery just thinking about it. Will my knee cooperate? Will I have to walk? And, last but not the least, will I be able to resist the temptation of racing when I promised myself I’d run a slow, easy pace?

Truth be told, I was concerned about the last question as I was leaning towards a “No.” I worried about the fact that this bull-headed runner would glare at faster runners in the middle of the race, scratch her hoofs down on the ground, and with a loud, violent grunt yell “To hell with it. Bahala na yung tuhod!” And run as fast as I could.

Fortunately, the hubby came to the rescue. Almost like a night in shining armor (aw, how romantic), he accepts my invitation to run his first 5k with me and, by default, gained the respectable position of being my pacer. With him by my side, I’m certain I’ll run this one at a slow, steady pace making sure that the hubby enjoys the experience so that he turns into a running addict like me! (If this doesn’t one work, I’ll try hypnotism next)

Today, instead of my usual pre-race prep day wherein I rest, eat well, and sleep early for tomorrow’s race, I am doing quite the opposite. I’m working in the morning, playing golf (first time on the fairway) this afternoon, and watching Horton with the kids in the evening. Wish me luck tomorrow. (Insert nervous laugh here)

For those who haven’t seen the race route, here it is. (Thanks Mark for emailing) See you all tomorrow!