2 hours.

The amount of sleep I had before this race. It was a rainy night and I was expecting a rainy race. I woke up around 2am, had a small breakfast, changed into my running gear and I looked into my watch, it was already 2:30am. Travel time from Dasma city to MOA is only 30 minute, I reached MOA parking lot around 3am. I frantically texted Beep Beep of Team Reebok to inform him that I’m already in the area (he had my race kit). “Beep, wer na u? Hir na me!” After a couple of text messages, we were still confused where to meet. He was saying he was near a parking lot, but there were several parking lots in MOA*laughs*, he said he was near the entrance of main activity area, but I ended up waiting near the exit area which I originally thought was the entrance. I finally called him and we were able to meet after 10 minutes.

It was raining cats and dogs at that time, I finally boarded the bus and reached BGC around 4am. Right in my mind, I thought its gonna be a good race for me, as I usually do good whenever it rains.  Race started exactly around 4:30am. I think I started to ran too fast. I planned a positive split for this one as I target a sub-2(heck the last time I did a sub 2 was last year pa!)  And then I realized, I didn’t have my usual electrolyte capsules and I thought that cramps would soon hit me really hard. I was ignoring that fact, my alternative was to drink the race provided electrolyte (Powerade) at 2 cups every aid station. As I’ve attended several Rio races before, I knew hydration is never going to be a problem. True enough, there were long tables with water and electrolytes for all runners. Although I noticed that some were not cold, but this is OK, it was raining that day and the heat of the summer is no longer going to be a problem.

I walked all the uphills. I think this is the first race I intentionally walked all hills. I did this to prevent forcing my calves/quads and to prevent cramps. I like to think I was doing good in the first 15km. However as I hit the 16km mark, cramps started to prop up on my calves. The worst part was in the last 600 meters when I ended up lying flat on my back, hitting the cement road ass first. The funny part how that happened was this….as I was jogging slowly, I saw those huge bubbles with irregular size. I love bubbles you know. Every now and then, I would buy those chemical powder that I can put in a pale of water and make gigantic bubbles. I usually do this thing during my relatives children party. It was fun really, it gave me a temporary escape from reality, seeing those kids smile and have real fun. Anyway, going back to the last 600 meters story, I saw this huge bubbles coming my way. Being a kid at heart, you know what I did? I actually jump to burst that bubble while saying in my head “...ok this one is mine!“. I jumped and I failed to burst that bubble and you know what happened when I hit the ground with both feet, my feet was in forefoot position, and it triggered massive amount of f-ing cramps on my calves and the next time I said in my head was “...ok Iscrewed). I was not able to maintain a standing position as my calves gave up on me, so I fell back with my ass first. Few concerned runners passed by and helped me. So they massage my calves, straightened my legs but it didn’t help. At that time, I was not really lying on my back, I was in sitting position (parang indian sit pero di nka-crossed leg). A very concerned individual asked me to relax and asked me to lie on my back. Why I submitted to his suggestion was beyond me, but I did lie on my back. I also closed my eyes for few seconds and next thing I know, they left me alone lying on my back. Good thing that ultramarathoner-team boring Gab and a friend saw me and helped me with my predicament. They massaged my calves, and helped me stand-up. I walked and jog the last 80 meters on my way to finish line.

To be honest, I was laughing my ass out because of what just happened. I wish somebody from race photographers were able to have a photo of my lying on my back on one side on the road. It took me a few seconds to get back my bearing when the lady finally gave me my medal.

I went to the media tent upon the advice of Titanium Runner. I was given a food stub while listening to Kitchie Nadal rocking my world. I usually don’t stay after the race, but this time I did kse Kitchie Nadal and Barbie was there. Pero more than that, the bass guitarist was one awesome dude. FYI, I used to play bass guitar with my band and I can determine how good a bassist is based from how he play his notes, his style, techniques etc. At one point, I went near the stage to ask the bass guitarist what’s the brand he was using…he was playing an FB bass guitar that cost more than 200k*laughs*.

Overall, despite the embarrassing and funny moment, I enjoyed this race especially the concert. I learned a lot from this run and I know I’m going to improve and finally do a sub-2 for 21km once again.

See you on the next Unilab run!! Rock On!!!