I’ve been very busy last week I forgot to post some stuff on my blog due to my full-time work at a software company, my online raket that I started just last week and another outsourcing business I’m currently working on. To relieve all the stress, I signed up for this race (21km) as part of my tempo-run but also to double-check the condition of my right-knee on longer distances. Sad to say, but I still encountered a sharp pain on the lateral side of my right knee which forced me to utilize more of my left leg and in doing so, caused cramps on my left calf and slowed me down considerably from km 16 up to the finish line. I finished the race based on my timer at 2h:08min+.

Here’s my review of the race:

Positive:
1. Well marshalled race.One marshall even greeted me good morning which is a rarity in race events here.
2. Enough hydration station (water and electrolyte being served).
3. Race started on time

Negative:
1. Lack of kilometer markers.I do believe this is one of those MUST in road races here in the Philippines. All I saw from the entire 21km route were U-turn markers

2. No ribbon in the first U-turn in Ayala area.I remember I overheard one runner on our way to Ayala asking a friend of his (who was already on his way back to Kalayaan flyover) if there were ribbons being given. His friend replied “No” and as expected, this runner (and another friend of his) did a short-cut by crossing to the other lane going back to Kalayaan flyover. I wish I’d restrained myself that morning but my mouth seems to have a brain on its own that I blurted out “Hoy kapal ng mukha nyo!to these runners.

3. Long line to claim your freebies.Yes, I want to see the value of my registration fee, pinapatulan ko din to minsan! I hope race organizers would be more efficient in giving away freebies/lootbags after runners cross the finish line. I believe the last time I saw this being implemented was last yr when I first joined a road race (5km-Condura) where the lootbag was given right after crossing the line. The line was too long I didn’t bother to claim my freebies. Later it was announced that the next Earth Run will feature a 42km. I don’t expect marathon finishers to fall in line for several minutes to claim their rightful freebies after running for several hours! This system must go.

4. Ok this one is probably just me. But I really don’t like the taste of that bitter-sweet energy drink they gave.

Overall I like the way this race was organized except for those minor issues above. Later after the race, there was an announcement that a 42km distance will be featured next yr. This is something I look forward to in the future.

As of this writing, results according to the race organizer (adevents.com.ph) will be available on Wednesday.

For Mizuno Infinity Run 2010 race results, here they are:

For 5km: click 5k-results
For 10km: click 10k-results
For 15km: click 15k-results

Yeah you’ll not see me in the race results. I unintentionally ended up running as bandit. I started running about 20 meters from start line and end in the same spot, finished the race in 1:21:04, I just treated it as a tempo run. Thank God I’m back.

If you’re one of those guys who heard Rudy Biscocho regarding a new timing system being tested by elite atheletes last Sunday, its called the Bib Tag Timing system.  Basically, it includes a disposable timing bib number.  As runners cross the finish line, a chip in the bib number will record their time.  Unlike Champion chip where you have to attach the timing device on your shoes (and remove it aftewards),  the bib is the timing device! According to sir Rudy, it was imported from the Netherlands and it was being tested  last Sunday by the account manager of MyLaps, the manufacturer.  They ordered three systems for use in future events.  Hopefully it should be fully operational by June. Basically, the system uses chips that are directly attached to the bib no. It has high accuracy detection and eliminates a lot of post race handling by organizers.
This kind of system will be used in the Boston Marathon as well.

I just hope this will be as good as Champion chip but not as expensive. If Rudy can introduce this to all his running events and still charge below php500 (I’m actually will be happier if less than php300), this will be a good development in our running community.

Please go to Globe Run For Home 2010 website to see the result.

The Kenyans ruled 21km and 15km races (male).  I understand they’re robbing off potential income for some of our elite athletes but I guess they also help in such a way they “level-up” our own athletes abilities. I just hope that in the future, these Kenyans be allowed to run in “International” races only (e.g SIM, PIM, Condura etc).

I ran in the Globe Run For Home race yesterday. I was not suppose to join this race at all, hence the race bib I got was not registered under my name. I plan to make this my comeback race, with the real intention of beating my previous 21km PR of 1.56 from Phil Star Celebrity Run. I must admit I felt confident on this race, I did some serious speed session 1 week after my 102km BDM race.  Yes folks, one week after running an ultramarathon I was already hitting the oval at 5am doing my intervals. To make matters worst, I did some speed runs in a treadmill a few hours before this race for that MiCoach device.  Think about careless. I didn’t win, but got that signature glow in the dark yellow Adidas singlet  for free

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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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