My intention on why I joined this race was to familiarize myself the first part of the route, test my hydration/nutrition strategy, test my apparel and test if I could survive a 50km on “chillax pace” mode with very few walks if possible. Based from previous “race” performance (30km Rizal Day Run) of 3:06, I thought I could easily finish this race in 6-7 hours including walk breaks.
As we’ve been told that the first 7km would all be uphills, my strategy was to run it at a very comfortable pace. Take note that Sir Jovie gave us a hint that we can walk the entire 7km, but I guess very few really did that, and that includes me. I ran most part of the entire 7km route, patting myself on the back each time I overtake a runner. Alas this “thrill” would likely to be short-lived as I would suffer in the latter part of the race. Soon after, Tina (the only runner who chicked me last Rizal Day Run, and chicked me in this race and ended up being the fastest women in this test run) would join me and together we were able to run 22km using her 20:5 (20 minutes continuous run followed by 5 minutes walk) then shifted to 30:5 strategy. I stopped several times to hydrate (I perspire ALOT) and also stopped twice to stretch my left knees. I must admit I felt like a pain in the ass for Tina as she only stopped whenever I stopped. Twice she even offered her own handheld bottle for me during the time we were running together. God knows how embarrased I must have felt when I realize I couldn’t keep up with her anymore. As we were approaching km23, I sent her a text message to continue her run. It was a good thing Glen and another runner was around to keep her company. Now I’m on my own and have to deal with my issue.
I finally gave up on km32 as the pain on my left knee was starting to get worst. I have a huge respect for this “test run” and I could not bear the idea of walking the remaining 18km even though I still have 3 hours and 45 minutes left and I felt I could still do a sub 8 hours. However, I don’t want to make my injury worst and so when my support vehicle reached me, I finally removed my sunglass and my cap and happily announced to Angel and Capt. Tere that I will be joining them…to support other runners.
One of my “issues” when I run is that my ITB on my left knee would hurt when I stop to walk or run very slow. I usually would encounter this during LSDs or during my own run from dasma to tagaytay. I would simply ignore it as the pain would just disappear after each LSD session. I didn’t encounter this on my last 3 races (New Balance, Celebrity Run, Rizal Day) as I ran these races for PR.
I shall meet with Coach Salazar tomorrow for a nice deep tissue massage on my left knee to ease the pain and ask for some tips to avoid the pain. Any former ITB sufferers here, please comment!
Now what’s my plan? I will try not to run for one week. Yep, an impossiblity that I should really consider this time. I strongly believe my case is just “minor” and so I hope to join this midnight run (12am-6am) that sir Jonel cooked up weeks ago.
I would like to thank Gail and Captain Tere for the support vehicle, you guys did the Lord’s work for us thank you! I wanna thank Angel Henson for his volunteer work to do the driving for us, although I was really fearful for my life every time you overtake several vehicles along the way. I wanna thank as well Marga, Capt Tere,Carina,Angel and Gail for the support you offered to us. They were the ones who kept asking us during the entire run if we need anything else. Your dedication will never be wasted and I hope to be one of the support guys for you in the future. I love you guys!
Related posts:
Anton
on Jan 24th, 2010
@ 11:53 pm:
Last Friday I went to Med City to have my left knees check up. I just found out that the pain I’ve experiencing is an ITBS (I thought it was runners knee). My Doctor asks how I train, last races I’ve joined and heart rate every time I run. I ask my doctor what will be the best med for this and he simply reply…. “Listen to your body, You have to train smart, rest more, just maintain zone 2 HR. don’t push your self to much. Don’t let your ego eat you.” Actually he has a point; I’ve been pushing my self to much by joining almost all the 21k races and trying to set a PR all the time. I thought my body can recover that fast. Bottom line is I think we have to plan ahead with our training plans and don’t break it, eat well and rest well. Our sport requires physical and mental preparation and the goal that was set can’t be reach over night. Its ironic… doing nothing can make you run faster and make your muscles and bones stronger, that’s why every time I sleep during lunch breaks I call it “Business Meeting”. Hehe! Take it easy.
jonel
on Jan 25th, 2010
@ 12:29 am:
there will be better days my friend.take it easy.keep the faith. you can do it, one small step at a time.
my hc teammate enrico tocol can give you advices on how to deal with your pain and how to possibly avoid it.send him an email message.look it up sa column niya sa fr mag.
JOHN RAMBO
on Jan 25th, 2010
@ 1:07 am:
hahahaa…sanay ako sa ganun Sam, part ako nang dynamic test sa brand new vehicle sa work ko, so safe naman…welcome, kakapagod magdrive at mag-assist sa BDM talaga, pagdating ko haws, bagsak ako sa kama.
Bryan
on Jan 25th, 2010
@ 2:19 am:
Yikes! I think resting for a few days is the best option, dude. Get well & good luck on Condura!
dhenztm
on Jan 25th, 2010
@ 4:11 am:
If it makes you feel any better, Tina finished ahead of me by about 5 minutes
I hope we had enough lessons with this Test Run to survive D-Day which is 52K more than the test run. Until then I hope you recover fast!
Amado L. Castro, Jr.
on Jan 25th, 2010
@ 1:17 pm:
Dear Sam - Do see Coach Salazar he can help you a lot on your ITB and I hope that you get well soon.
admin
on Jan 25th, 2010
@ 2:37 pm:
Hi Sir Amado!
Yeah I met him hours ago, he beat my left leg real hard*laughs* I do hope it will help and my recovery will be fast.
admin
on Jan 25th, 2010
@ 2:37 pm:
yeah I know Tina kicks our ass. thanks Dhenz, I do hope I recover fast
admin
on Jan 25th, 2010
@ 2:37 pm:
Yeah that’s exactly what im gonna do. rest rest rest…
admin
on Jan 25th, 2010
@ 2:38 pm:
oo grabe ka. next time magvolunteer nko magdrive heheehhe
admin
on Jan 25th, 2010
@ 2:38 pm:
Boss Jonel,
Thanks for the update. Yeah i shall contact him one of these days. I just had a session with coach salazar, I hope I did it right. See you!
admin
on Jan 25th, 2010
@ 2:40 pm:
Yo muscle man!
Agree with you. I think i upped my mileage too soon. I reached 102km mileage last week, after coming from a week of having only 10km. I’m now resting and hopefully, I will recover soon.
Luis Arcangel
on Jan 25th, 2010
@ 11:58 pm:
Hey Sam! Don’t sweat it bud, we all have days like this. Remember when you guys supported me when ITBS struck me down at Run for Home? Just rest it. It took me a month of nearly total rest to fully recover, I am hoping your version isn’t that severe. Bawi na lang on the big day itself
p.s. From what I heard, there is nothing “nice” about Coach Salazar’s famous ITB massage :p
admin
on Jan 26th, 2010
@ 4:58 am:
Hi Luis!
Yeah there’s nothing nice about it. Coach acted like a sado-masochist that day but I hope all the pain I endured that day will help me recover fast. As of now, I all I got is swollen left leg with patches of red all over hahahaha..but I’m feeling good.
See you! Weather weather nga lang hehehe
tigerboy
on Jan 27th, 2010
@ 12:43 am:
Rest and recover Sam !!! and we will see you on the midnight run (if possible)…