My Thoughts on New Balance Power Race held at The Fort - Nov 29
1. It was my intention to “race” this event to see if my previous back to back marathon would make me a faster, stronger runner or none at all. Luis invited me to a “group pace”, I asked for their target finish time, he said “sub 1:40″. Fine, maybe the “hatak” factor might help me at least improve my time. The group consisted of Patt, Luis,Jix,Mark and Marvin. Somehow I thought I was in the wrong group.
2. When 21km race started, I was expecting some sort of a countdown then a gunshot to signify the beginning of the race. Nada, all I heard was two shots of torotot (hornpipe) sound. Runners were laughing as they started their run. Who ever invented that idea was probably laughing on his own that morning.
3. Everything started smoothly, I noticed I seem to be the only runner from the group slowing down at all water stations to take water and then I would play catch up with them to sync with their pace. I always wonder how come I cannot survive more than 5km without water, these guys can probably run for 10km without water, me I cannot. damn it..
4. Wilson caught up with us near Net One Center and greeted us. This guy was amazingly fast. I fell into temptation to leave my pace group and pace with Wilson for few meters. But I cannot manage his speed, I found myself grasping for air. I slowed down and returned to my group’s pace. That guy must be telling himself “…Sam..marami ka pang bigas na kakainin”.
5. Along Lawton Avenue, I slowed down again to get water from the available water station. Extribe did a nice job of providing very long tables with bottled water and isotonic drinks. But I really hope race organizers stop using carbonated power drinks for races. Its not for everyone. I find myself pooping 5 times after the race because of the hammer gel-carbonated power drinks combo.
6. After conquering Bayani Road, the next road to conquer was Mc Kinley Hills. I remember Extribe did mention they have a surprise for us. This could be it, a punishment for 21km runners. They probably selected all the toughest road in this area of Taguig and made us runners “enjoy” it. I did enjoy it, but my legs didn’t.
7. In this area I caught up with Jix, pace with him for a few meters. And left him on my way up back to Lawton Avenue then to the Fort.
8. It was at this race I specifically “run the tangents”. For newbies, a tangent is a straight line that just touches a curve. It doesn’t intersect the curve, and it doesn’t miss the curve. When a race-course is measured and certified, the course follows the tangents to the curves, and by running those tangents, you run the measured distance. If you don’t run the tangents, you run a longer distance. I want to thank Natz for this piece of advice. Though I heard a runner say “daya nitong gagong to ah“. He ate my dust.
9. According to my jologs watch, I finished this race at 2:00:44 seconds-pretty much the same result from Extribe website. After the race, Doc Marv was joking I could have hit sub 2 hours if I didn’t walk some parts of the run. I could only agree with him. Sayang. However, this is still a 4 minute improvement from my 21km “race” I got from Eco-dash. I wonder how many runners were able to beat their PR for the 21km category.
10. So going back at #1, I did improve and manage to come up stronger and faster after 2 marathon races.
The next day, I decided to do a recovery run by running under the sun from Dasma to Alabang Town Center. At one point, I did rest and hang out with a couple of bikers and they asked me if I could join them in their usual bike activities. They informed me they “only” travel by 100km during weekends, but I told them I don’t own a bike yet that could last 100km. Some of them laugh. I invited them to join a 102km Ultramarathon race next year. They all turned serious…and I laugh. I then proceed with my run and I noticed I began to run faster than usual.
Picture from BaldRunner.
- Me in compression cap. I look butt ugly. Will wear visor next time.
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wilson
on Dec 1st, 2009
@ 7:18 pm:
MAN, i agree with number 2, that gun start really was a letdown. Natawa ako sa #8, seriously though running the tangent is very important in steep courses. Practically did that all race long in Baguio months ago.
gerard
on Dec 2nd, 2009
@ 4:15 am:
Spot on on number 8.
the shortest path between two points is a straight line but you must not cheat. (ang labo ata nun ah.)
Great recap Sam. Great job on keeping up with the monsters! someday someday, i’ll be as fast as you guys!
Luis Arcangel
on Dec 2nd, 2009
@ 6:34 am:
Wohooo nice Sam
We had a very strong 10k, kaya even if the hills killed us, we had enough of a cushion. Extribe did a very good job with this once again, instant results pa. 44 seconds na lang! 
See you on the 13th?
admin
on Dec 2nd, 2009
@ 12:13 pm:
Hi Wilson,
Yeah I ran all tangents big time last Sunday. Twas crazy hearing other runners complain though hahahaha.
admin
on Dec 2nd, 2009
@ 12:14 pm:
We will wait for your time to improve so you can join us. I actually wasnt able to keep up with them hahahha. I think only Luis and Patt ended up running together.
admin
on Dec 2nd, 2009
@ 12:16 pm:
Yeah our first 10k was crazy but i thought it was manageable, I think we can beat Piolo’s 10km record pretty soon, though I would like to beat it same route he ran for fairness sakes*laughs*. I’ll check my sched pa regarding 13th.
Thanks again for the push or “hatak” factor. The first 10k was crazy, fun and I hope we can do it again in the future.
Alfred / El Kyoshi
on Dec 4th, 2009
@ 9:51 am:
Congrats Sam!
With a difficult route, a 4 minute improvement is no mean feat!
Hope to join you in one of your future long runs
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