Confusion and Desperation…..

Looking at my right knee, I couldn’t see anything wrong. Yeah the muscles felt hard but definitely not sore, or at least that was what I would like to think. After doing some stretches again, proceeding with walk-run strategy, I figured out there was no way I could continue it as the pain every time I bend my knee was unbearable. I sent a frantic text message to Dhenz and asked him if I could still finish the race within cut-off time even if I walk the remaining distance, the reply several minutes later was “yeah I think so.”

Ronnie finally caught up with me and I told him of my predicament. He shared that he suffered the same fate last Subic International Marathon, he finished the entire 42km of it, albeit walking almost 38km. He left me several minutes later and I kept on thinking what he had just said. I was left on my own, with no one to talk to while pondering the idea of doing an “ultrawalkathon”. Soon enough, runners were starting to overtake me which just added another demoralizing effect on my being. Hoping that my right knee might finally cooperate after almost an hour of walk, I tried running again. The result was unsatisfactory, the right knee won’t bend and I thought quitting.
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Upon reaching km50 : Wow I’ve just covered 50km in less than 7 hours, and I still have lots of energy left. This is going to be one bad ass race of mine!

Upon continuing the race from km50 after a long breakfast: My right knee hurts! I can’t bend my right knee! Immediately sent a text message to group mate Dhenz: Can I still finish the race within cut-off time if I just walk the remaining route?

The Street Party

Dhenz, Tina and I reached km0 post around 9:25pm. Upon reaching the area, I noticed the place was in very joyful fiesta-like atmosphere. We greeted fellow runners or “warriors” and had some photo-ops with other runners as well. As usual, the usual “KMO picture post” was never missed. (photos by Brandon Losario)
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As I’ve mentioned from my previous blog post, the plan was to run this race at chillax pace and even considered taking up a role of being an “unofficial” sweeper role for 42km runners. Alas, that didn’t happen and as soon as the gun start was fired, I found myself running at my usual 21km pace mode.

As I didn’t bring my hydration belt for this race, I stopped on all water stations and also did some ITB stretching, checking my watch from time to time to ensure I don’t spend more than 15 seconds doing it (adik mode). As I wore the other bib at my back with my name and blog URL on it, I would hear the following from other runners as I passed them one by one:

Sam, kamusta na injury mo?
Uy si RunningNinja nagparamdam!
Go Ninja go ninja go!
Sam, nice to see you back!
Pare si Ninja habulin nten!

The last made me ran faster, to which they followed me for more than 3km until they gave up. I finished the first 10km in 56 minutes and I thought, if my injury will not pop-up and cramps will not bother me, my evil plan of 4:15 will be a piece of cake.
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So.. is that statement true? Got this statement from Natz as he gave me some tips dealing with ITB. It got me pondering for a few minutes.

There are two arguments to this statement..

1. Agreeing on that it will make you stronger…
So more experiences throughout life may hurt you more and more… and when in the process of getting hurt, you are somehow less vulnerable every time it hits… It makes you more aware of life, and you can learn from your mistake and avoid’em next time around, but that doesnt mean that you will get hurt less… but it does make you stronger and ready to fight it faster. Been there, done this, done that! So really… lots of bad experiences in life does make you stronger…. IF it doesn’t kill you first

2. Disagreeing on that it will make you stronger…
Say that some people get into an injury (eg. ITB) and then are left disabled for life! Not just injury, but also some diseases too… Take dementia for example. A person’s mental state will deteriorate… translation = it is affecting the mental state but doesn’t really kill you.. and even when trying to fight it… you are not getting any stronger!! Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »