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 »

January 10, 2010: Mark the date for the Mizuno Running Expo and the start of the registration for the Mizuno Infinity Run. There will also be a Running Sale with discounts shooting up to 80% off. All these exciting events happening from 10am to 7pm at the BMG Centre, Magallanes Commercial Center, Makati.

The Mizuno Running Expo will feature top running athletes such as Olympian Henry Dagmil, SEA games athlete Neil Ducusin, distinguished running coaches Ige Lopez, Patrick Joson and Peter Gonzales, renowned race organizer Rudy Biscocho and other known personalities in the running community.

These experts will help expo participants understand more about the competitive running form, proper hydration and nutrition, latest technology and gear, and other vital information to help them get the most out of their running season.

April 11, 2010: Mizuno Infinity Race – the country’s first-ever race bannering a challenge to runners to “Beat Your Own Time.” Registration is at 400 pesos for the 5/10K and 450 pesos for the 15K. You can register for the Mizuno Infinity Run at the following Mizuno stores: Boni High Street, Megamall, Festival Mall, Mall of Asia, Trinoma and Magallanes.

Watch out for the launch of Creation 11 – the official shoe for the Mizuno Infinity Race. Runners will get their race packets for free upon purchase of Creation 11. This is on top of the generous freebies that Mizuno and partner sponsors have prepared.

The Mizuno Infinity Run Expo is made possible in cooperation with Oakley and Gatorade. Its partners include Mail and More, Suunto, and Manila Water. Master Sports Corporation also thanks the following sponsors: Doctor J, Derm Plus Sunblock, Citgo, and BMG Solar and media partners RunnerSpeak, Run Radio on NU 107, Men’s Health and Women’s Health.

Please visit www.mizuno.ph or call 757-3160 loc 515 for more details.

I joined this race for the following reasons:

1. To run inside Camp Aguinaldo - national headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
2. To “race” a 32km route. This will help me finally end my own speculation that I totally suck at longer distances over 21km. My target for this race is a sub 3:30 (a very conservative target time based from a 1:56 finish time - 21km Philstar run), if I finish the race beyond this target time then I know I can’t be trusted at 42km.
3. To run with fellow hard-core runners. As 32km run is something not all newbie runners will try to participate, I was expecting a small crowd. But when I got in there, there were more or less 300 runners that show up, a very respectable crowd for a very long run.
4. To burn excess calories gained from previous days eating binge. I lost 19lbs according to the official result of BLC (Biggest Loser Competition-takbo.ph edition 3rd prize winner), but after the competition I gained more than 6 lbs already. I hope joining this race will give me a head start to runing longer distances as part of my regular habit for next year.
5. To commemorate the 113th Death Anniversary of our National Hero, Dr Jose Rizal. He was 35 years old when he was executed. I really wish BR made this a 35km run instead *laughs*
6. To experience a BR organized race and join a boodle fight! BaldRunner is like a running authority here in this country. When he speaks, everybody listens. I just thought I should experience a run organized by him to see if he can “walk the talk”. Read the rest of this entry »