Down and Dirty at the New Balance Trail Run

I remember celebrating Valentine's day here at Nuvali earlier this year, and here I was back again on Father's day running the trails once more. 

This would be my second time doing a trail run and I have never been more excited. The idea of running through a forest of trees, methodically maneuvering through slippery rocks, and of course running through a river is my kind of FUN.

Coming into the race, I was very eager to get it started. I think I was excited being back with nature again. It's very different running the trails. The pavement is softer, the air is cleaner, the environment cooler, it kinda makes me think why we don't run here more often? 

While warming up I noticed a few personalities in the crowd. One of them was the "afro man" himself (although I think he's been trimming it lately, not as poofy as it used to be) coach Rio, there were also a few kenyans who go into it (kenyans on trail runs too?? Wuhow!) and of course the ANR Alabang peeps. 

As the race started, we were shocked cause all of us were facing north when the race route was actually to the south! It was the funniest thing ever since people started running one way and we were in awe that it was starting already.

The route we had was a very enjoyable one to say the least. It was filled with dirt tracks, steep descents, river crossings, and grass lands. If trail was what you wanted, trail is what you get! I even slipped on the descent to the river, but none the less I made sure I slipped in the "coolest" way possible. "Para astig parin, diba?" lol

Overall I would say that the experience of this race was a big 5/5. But in terms of event management I felt that a few other things should have been taken cared of:

• colder post race refreshments
• at least one more water station (they only had 2 all through out the 15km route)
• lack of ample size of finisher shirts

But hey why let that ruin your day right? I was still all good vibes after the race cause the endorphins kept kicking my brain cells into overdrive. So thanks again to New Balance and Nuvali for providing us with such a great event!

Oh and here's a shout to all the gaurds and race marshals through out the trail, the nicest people I have ever met! Almost everyone of them greets you a gooooood morning!!

15km Mizuno Infinity Run - Winning a Race Against Myself

Races and even running is always said to be a fight against yourself. You are not running against other runners, not your friends, nor your family, but your running against the man in the mirror.

This was the main idea behind the race presented by Mizuno Infinity Run "beat your time". It was an annual event and runners were challenged to beat their old time from the past year and showcase how much better they have become.

This event not only tests the physical capacity of a runner, but also his mental discipline. The mental aspect of running for me is the harder discipline to overcome because self-doubt always gets the best of me. I'm a firm believer that the mind controls everything, so if the mind is willing then the body will follow. Although, I may have the words down, but I still need more experience and practice to live this saying.

On to the race.

Gun start for the 15km race changed from 6:00am to 5:30 am. I honestly did not know there was a change til last night when a good soul posted it on facebook. If it were not for him I would have been late for the race. I think that the organizers should have found a better way to inform runners that there was a change in time. It wasn't even posted on the Mizuno website or anything, tsk tsk..

The race route for this run started at "The Fort" and made its way through Makati and all the way past SLEX. Then the turn around is in the middle of Buendia Ave in Manila. The route was fairly easier compared to the 15km route in Globe since this was mostly flat.

My goal for this run was to beat my old time of 1hr 26min 32sec

As the race started, I ran my heart out for the first 1km and finally paced myself after. I sometimes ask myself if there is some sort of strategy to this running thing. Do I pace for the first few km and then run my heart out? What is it? Well, I actually had no idea. My only rule was, keep on running! =)

-later though my therapist told me about doing tempo in the first 10km and then doing intervals to finish it off, *bwaaahahahaha!* im excited to try that next time-

Too bad I didn't know about it earlier cause I could have used this for the hell I just went through in this race.

The first 7km were no good. No good at all. I was huffing and puffing through the route. I was barely in that "zone" you get when you run. Everything was heavy and my feet were acting up with some sort of "hot" pain.

After this I felt it again. That need to walk. I couldn't help but sneak in a few 10-15 second walk breaks to ease the pain and let my lungs take a deeper breath. Thankfully they helped better this time and I was able to easily come back to my pace and keep running.

Everything was going fine until I hit 14km into the race. So near but yet so far right? Well, it doesn't get anymore ironic than that. I suddenly felt pain on the side of my stomach which made it hard to breath. I wanted to keep running but the pain kept pulling me back. At this point I put one arm to squeeze it while I kept on going. I managed to ease the pain for about a few meters but the pain kept coming back.

I was barely 500 meters from the finish line. At this point I prayed, I asked God to help me. And well believe it or not in that instant the pain left me. Not only that I felt lighter and I was able to pick my pace back up. On my way to the finish line, I must have passed 10 runners in that short distance. It was one miracle which came in the perfect time.

I finished the race in 1hr 19min 16sec

So am I happy? Hell yeah I'm happy! But not contented. I still know I can do better. I know there is still a lot of room to improve on and I will work even harder to get those improvements ready for the next 15km race. Til next time, later!

Pictures from the Mizuno Infinity Run 2010 can be viewed here:

Life Runner - Multiply

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