I have no idea what kind of prayer the organizer of Mizuno Infinity Run 09 invoked, but it certainly worked like a charm. For my readers abroad, its been raining with very strong wind here in Manila from Monday to Saturday. Add to that our weather bureau announcing there would be three straight rainy mornings starting Thursday, we were all gearing up for a rainy race just like Earth Run last Sunday. But as luck would have, Sunday became a very hot and sunny day we all had to endure and conquer. God must be on the side of Mr. Biscocho!

So I picked up Rodel and his brother in Bacoor and parked my car near R.O.X around 4:50am. A couple of takbo.ph guys were already there wearing their signature takbo.ph singlets. We stayed at ROX, chatted, stretched and had some photos taken (yeah we Pinoys are picture crazy). I also saw coach Rio instructing a foreign looking guy which turned out to be Mr. Fernando Zobel de Ayala and upon checking the color of his bib, i realized he’s running 15k too (Update: he finished the race at 1:19!!)! I ran half-kilometer to warm up and immediately noticed tight muscles on my legs. This could be the result of my lack of training the previous days, with last Sunday’s Earth Run being my last run! I ended up massaging my legs to relieve and free up tight leg muscles and next thing I know,its already 5 minutes before the race starts. Just like your typical Biscocho organized race, it started at exactly 5:30am (although some bloggers complain it started 5 minutes earlier).

The first 5 kilometers were easy. Although I felt tight leg muscles, they disappeared after running for a kilometer. I stayed true to my plan by running comfortably albeit a little faster than what I’ve planned. The next 5 kilometers was a struggle already, I was no longer surprised why my leg felt so tired easily, probably the result of having no runs at all. Jinoe catched up with me and we ran together for few meters until I have to tell him that he can go ahead of me. I tried to cheer up all guys I personally knew within the takbo.ph circle by calling out their names. If I see them wearing their ipods, I just wave my hands to greet them. The next 5 kilometers was the toughest part of the race. I felt like I was just dragging my legs and my focus this time is to finish the race not going beyond 1:40.

The starting road going to Kalayaan flyover is where I have to tell my mind to focus on the race. I remember Doc Lyndon near that part of the road and upon nearing him, I said to my self to attack the hill. And off I ran the uphill without stopping until I have to slow down near the topmost section of the road…and stop. I stopped for 5 seconds and suddenly, a macho in his 40’s gently reminded me “guwapo wag kang hihinto, hinay hinay lang, pagpababa na road, hatawin mo na”. In English, “Don’t stop looking for love, It can be found In the strangest places”. OK just kidding, he was telling me not to completely stop, to continue running slowly but when downhill comes, run normally. And so I followed his words of wisdom and ran away from him as far as I can. Lesson learned: follow experienced runners, you’ll never go wrong with them. Hehehehe!

Upon reaching the road near the Finish area, I was looking at the clock and noticed that that the time was 1:39:02 seconds. As my target was not to go beyond 1:40, I ran faster and overtook 8 runners to ensure that I won’t missed my target. Finally, I finished the race 1:39:35 seconds (update: it was 1:42 according to race organizer!), hopefully the race result will show identical time

Regarding the race, here are my observations:

1. Water stations : There were actually two tables available for some water stations if my memory served me right. One table would serve Gatorade and few meters away, COLD water in plastic cups. I’m very particular of this aspect in every race I joined and I’m happy to say the race organizer did this one so well. Cups are already filled with cold water/gatorade, I don’t remember passing a water station where I have to wait for the water guy to fill it up. I’m not surprised why majority of the runners in this race left their hydration belt at home.

2. Marshalls were easily identifiable via their race uniform. Without asking them, they would tell you which road to go. I remember almost running towards a 10k road (I joined 15k race) when a marshall quickly reminded me of my mistake. I believe they were all well instructed and very pro-active. There were also police in uniforms to ensure our security.

3. Kilometer markers are available.

4. No pacers available unlike last Sunday’s Earth Run. If this is available, this could be an almost perfect race!

5. I’m not really looking forward for any loots or give-aways, but the finisher’s singlet is a good idea. At the back of the singlet is displayed “1.10.10″ and we were all surprised to know later that this race is actually a time-trial race and whatever our finish time for this race, it will be compared againts our time on next year’s Mizuno race.

Lessons learned:

1. My testing with negative split for this particular race reveals that I’m not for it. With finish time of 1:42 last 16km and this race (15km) 1:39, my pace was obviously slower. The lack of training probably has something to do with it but from my observation, I already run out of steam and energy in the last section of the race. Positive split might be ideal for me.

2. I noticed that fast runners are slim, I got to lose 15lbs to reach my optimal running weight!

3. Respect the race by training for it if you want a decent time.

Here are other pictures.

Que with Jinoe in one of his funny moments

See you guys next year for another Mizuno race!

I just came from Mizuno Store and registered for Mizuno Infinity 09. Following BaldRunner’s advice to know first the race organizer before joining any race, I asked the Mizuno attendant on who’s going to organize the race. She told me Rudy Biscocho (the same guy who organized Condura) will head this one and so I hope this will be a well organized race. My idea of the  best (Condura) and worst (Paa-Tibayan) race has been defined after attending those 2 races. And so knowing that Rudy B. will head this one, I registered for 15k and paid php 350. All I got is my race packet with the finisher’s singlet to be given upon finishing the race.

Information about the race can be found here:

Mizuno Infinity Run 2009
http://mizuno.ph/index.php/news/sport_entry/infinity_run_2009/

However, upon checking their website I noticed that not all info are displayed in the “information and Instruction” section as compared to the race packet I received. For those who haven’t registered yet, here are the missing info from the website:

- Bags Check-in Service will be located at the assembly area near the start/finish area. Only one item per person will be accepted
- Portable toilets will be provided at the assembly area, seperate for men and women
- Race bibs must be worn in fornt, at the center of th erunner’s shirt or singlet. the bibs must be worn througout the entire race. Do not fold or crumple the race bib
- Water stations are located at the start and every two (2) kilometers on the race route
- Upon crossing the finish line, you will be timed and directed to a chute where the bar code tag of your race bib wil be removed. Finisher’s certificate and shirt will be given at the end of the chute.
- Ambulances and medical staff will be preesnt on the site. If you are experiencing difficulties, please inform the nearest marshal, race staff or water station

The first thing I’m going to check out on this race is the “water station every 2 kilometers” promise. I’m now thinking if bringing a hydration belt will be necessary. What do you think?

See you guys at Mizuno Infinity Run 09 race!