Sunday, March 21

Globe Run for Home 15km

The Globe Run for Home was my first 15km race. I have been training for it for the last few months since it was a pit stop on my way to the first 21km race which I will be doing on May 30.

We were there early at 4 a.m. since we didn't want parking to be an issue for us. I was running this race with my brother Rex and my sister in law Pam.

My plan for this race was simple. Just RUN IT! I've recently come off an injury and have just been cleared to run. My therapist though told me to take it easy on this one, so I did.


The 15km race started at exactly 5:30 A.M. Honestly I was barely even pumped to do the run. I was still yawning and I didn't feel that fire I usually have, especially on a race. Oh well, here we go!

The run started out quite alright. I started in the middle pack so that I wouldn't be tempted to run fast. The route started at Ayala Ave and made its way towards The Fort. The first 5km went by fine. There wasn't any pain, my pacing was good, and my endurance felt sky high.

Once we reached Fort it became HELL for me. Fort is a very hilly place, especially the route we had onto the cemetery. If I would have one weakness, hills would be it. I barely get to train on them so once I see them on the race it just gives a total shock to my body.

Right up til 10km my body was able to push through. But after that, it went all haywire on me. I felt like a big weight was put on me. My legs were heavy, my shoulders were shrugging, and I couldn't stop looking at my watch to see how much further.

It was as if, my body had given up. It didn't want to run anymore, it was telling me stop but I told him we gotta do this and we gotta do this now. I kept pushing as far as I could, but the finish line doesn't seem to get any closer.

Finally, at 11km I gave out. I had to walk. Arrrr.... Crap I can't believe that happen, but it did.
"Ok, I have this one rule, and its
NEVER WALK IN RACE."
I always had this rule ever since my first race. I just never wanted to. It feels weird and it feels like that just means you shouldn't be running that mileage if you can't handle it. Well that's just me.

Going back, after about 10 seconds I started running again and was able to do another km before I had to stop and walk again for another few seconds. It was really weird, it seemed my body was doing everything to make me stop running. It even gave me cramps on my jaw! I couldn't open my mouth for a while cause when ever I do, it cramps up.

I finished with a time of 1hr 26min 32sec

This actually isn't that bad a time, and well this was my first 15km. I just knew though I could have done better. After pondering for a while, I've actually come up with the conclusion that the reasons why all this happen to me today was because I was very unprepared days before the race.
- I didn't "carbo load" even just a little for the past 3 days. Yesterday I didn't eat for 6 hours straight, there is barely any thing left in me
- No proper mileage run this week due to my injury
- Inadequate sleep

Honestly, at first I actually felt bad cause not walking was something that I felt defined me. That was my "forever goal" in any race, and well now I failed.

Now though I realized this is a learning process, running is a very long journey and I have yet to even chip the tip of iceberg. Both success and failure will come, what defines us is how we respond to these things.

Now I have a new goal! "never walk, AGAIN" =)

Globe Run for Home Experience: 4/5

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