My favorite races so far (Part 2)

Top 3

Quezon City International Marathon

October 2009, Commonwealth, Quezon City

21K; 2:30

QCIM was my first half marathon, maybe one of my unforgettable long runs since I had it just two months after I got addicted to running. Like my first full marathon, I was also half hearted about jumping into the half marathon thinking it was too much, too soon. And like what I did when I registered for the Condura Marathon, I got myself in the 21K list while in trance, turned my back from the registration table to give no room for any second thought and started training. QCIM was my baptism in the running world. Although not my first race, since I joined GMA 7’s Tatakbo ka Ba and Rescue Run for Ondoy victims prior, my running friends said those were not like the usual races so I didn’t have any idea about how a “real” race goes.

I was extremely overwhelmed with the vast number of runners who joined the race. That was the first time I got introduced to that vibrant community of runners. I was smiling while walking towards the start line. What a sight! I relished in that dream world that I didn’t hear the gun start. I just learned that it was already fired when I felt being pushed by the runners behind me. That was it- the beginning of a dream. I knew it would be a long journey of so many firsts and it indeed was.

That was the first time I saw pacers, I didn’t know there was such a thing. I never imagined that there’d be bananas and cheerers along the way. I was so entertained by all these I didn’t realize I was getting close to the finish line. When I reached the finish, I almost cried. I could not contain the joy. I was too happy and proud I went home wearing my medal.

This year, I will pay tribute to that wonderful QCIM experience by doing a 42K.

Top 2

Conquer Corregidor

December 2009, Corregidor

16K; sub-2

I like history but not as much as my other friends. But even then, I had no second thoughts about joining the Conquer Corregidor run. The chance of going there and revisiting the Philippine history were enough for me to be willing to go through the challenging registration process. I took a half-day off just to be able to register and make arrangements for travel and accommodations. That’s how decided I was.

I fell in-love with the place the moment I set my eyes on it from the window of the ferry. Corregidor was oozing with freshness despite being filled with antiquity. I loved the space, the air and the thought that so much of my present were influenced by what occurred in that place. The day before the race, my friend and I joined the tour until late night and took pleasure in taking photos of the place.

With hundreds of runners waiting for the start at the Malinta Tunnel

And although we waited for almost an hour before the start, it was worth it. The route was amazing. We started at the Malinta tunnel and ran around the place where more historical artifacts were displayed. I knew that the road where I set my foot on was the same road many Filipino heroes walked on. While running and seeing the ruins, I was reflecting on where we are now as a nation until I reached those killer up hills when I began to lose my senses. The part that I loved the most was running beside the sea where the cold wind was gushing on my face. I couldn’t help but adore the God of creation. The entire course led me to worshipping the Lord whose beauty and goodness screams through his creation.

It was a heavenly experience that when I crossed the finish line, I wanted to run more which I’d probably do this year.

Top 1

The Bullrunner Dream Marathon

22 May 2010, Nuvali, Laguna

42K; 4:38

Everytime I’m asked about TBR DM, I'm always at a loss about where and how to start. The second I think about it, so many thoughts begin to cross my mind, I don’t know which one to say first. Sometimes when I talk about it, I notice myself not finishing my sentences because I jump from one thought to another so quickly. My tongue could not catch up with my brain which is filled with good and heartwarming memories. It always feels like it just happened yesterday.

IT'S THE BEST MARATHON! IT'S PERFECT! I don’t know how else to describe it. Every single moment before, during and after the race is still vivid. I can still hear Jaymie Pizarro (The Bullrunner) hosting the Bull Sessions, introducing the speakers, etc. I can still hear Neville of 2^nd Wind say “We run the marathon because it’s there.” I can still feel the excitement of joining our long runs. I can still feel that sense of family during the race when everyone was so engrossed in nothing but supporting each other in fulfilling each of our dreams together.

With Kuya Brian Ng and Kuya Lito Lopez at the finish line

The support that Jaymie and the rest of the team gave was fantastic. It was more than enough and beyond what we expected. I don’t think I will ever find another race with such kind of pampering.

Aside from the many lessons in running I gained from the TBR DM program, it was finding new friends that I will always thank it for.

I consider being in the first batch of the TBR DM a lifetime honor and pride, and I will pay it forward by volunteering to help the second batch.

Podium finish

The Fort Striders Run on 12 September 2010 will now find its place in the list of my memorable races since it’s the first time I experienced a podium finish. I placed 3^rd among the women in the 16K category with a 1:25 time.

But I wouldn’t have it without the generosity of my friends, Ate Dee and Ate Fides who invited and registered me to join the race. I had zero idea about it. I asked for information only the night before the race. That’s how unprepared I was.

That same night, an unexpected visitor came. It gladly brought along discomfort and abdominal pain that bugged me the entire race.

I honestly set a target for a PR but it has gone out the window when all these problems cropped up, not to mention that I was still feeling wasted from an official weeklong training workshop out of town.

Despite these, not joining did not cross my mind especially since I've always looked forward to long runs on a weekend. It was not the first time that I ran through pain so I thought I should just deal with it the way I dealt with the previous ones.

Pretending to be ok before the gun start

At the start line, there were reserved spaces for each pace. The ones who intended to run at four to five minute- pace were given the frontline. I stood between the five and six- min pace but was open to missing my target because of the pain.

When I heard the gun start, I ran. When I started running, all I was thinking was to push myself as fast as I could because I promised someone I’d give my best in that run. It may sound weird, but in most races, especially the long ones, I've tried to look for a motivation to keep me going. During the Globe Run for Home, for instance, what inspired me was the prayer for my mother who then was suspected of a serious disease. I dedicated that run for her. The Rescue Run of course was for the Ondoy victims, while the 2009 Adidas King of the Road was my run against corruption. They helped me psych myself to run faster. Yesterday, I imagined someone waiting for me at the finish line. That thought sustained me and eased the pain that tried so hard to stop me from finishing the entire distance.

While running, I would see people trying to tell me something. I couldn’t hear them since I had my ear phones. Later, I realized that they’re informing me that I was third among the female runners. But just like in the TBR Dream Marathon where I was being told along the way of my rank, I did not mind that so much. I appreciated the encouragement that people gave me but I’ve always promised myself not to make that my main motivation. It’s always been that, if I get it, well and good. If not, perfectly fine. The more important thing is giving my best to reach a goal. I also thought they’re mistaken and might have missed the other female runners ahead of me.

Ms. Michelle Estuar, top female finisher

I ran at my comfortable pace during the first five kilometers, pushed a little further in the next five and then slowed down because of abdominal pain at around Km12. When I thought of quitting, I just kept on thinking of that someone at the finish line and it did the trick.

What I did was took advantage of all the water stations to rest, walk for a few seconds and recharge. When I saw the 13K mark, I thought, I could push it a little more since I still had the energy (despite the pain) and wouldn’t have to run beyond the finish line anyway. But when I was approaching that open space where the sun seemed to have focused its rays on without the sight of any drinking station, I decided to slow down.

After that part and I got the chance to drink, I picked my pace and ran strong to the finish where the organizers told me that I was the third woman to finish. I still did not believe it until my name was called and was handed the trophy. Wohoo! ;)

First podium finish ;)

My favorite races so far (Part 1)

Top 6

Lactacyd Women Relay

June 2010, Bonifacio High Street

21K Relay. Team time: 1:49:42

My parts: 1^st leg (10K): 50:14; 4^th leg (3K): 12:16

With Team Runnex and Coach Rio before the race

The Lactacyd Women Run 2010 was my first relay. I ran with two friends, Dee Allas and Fides Reyes. We ranked 14th of 84 teams. Not bad! ;)

While all the other teams were composed of four runners, we were the only one of three, that’s why I had to run the first and last legs of the relay, 10K and 3k respectively.

It was a week before the 34^th Milo Marathon so I promised myself I would take it easy but the thought that there were people eagerly waiting for me at the finish line changed my plan. When I heard the gun start, I ran faster than my race pace. I noticed I was sprinting I had to remind myself of the upcoming marathon and slow down.

I enjoyed seeing runners in their amusing costumes. I loved it as well that the run was exclusively opened for women which gave me a sense of pride that women who are usually viewed to be the weaker gender could conquer a sport that needs power and strength. I liked the sight of women with so much determination in their eyes to finish fast and strong.

Since, there were only few runners around, I had the chance to savor the moment of running with the “demigods” in the running universe.

The atmosphere was light, fun and unique.

Top 5

Condura Marathon

7 February 2010, Skyway

42K; 5:36

The Condura Run 2010 was my first 42K that’s why it will always be one of my most memorable races. It was the first time I went through a rigid training that became the starting point of the many changes in my life. Condura was the talk of the town among runners months before the race.

Almost all runners in almost all running places were preparing for and looking forward to it.

The Condura Run is known for its unusual and challenging route that includes the Skyway. Passing the Skyway by foot doesn’t happen everyday and Condura was the only race that offered the privilege.

I wasn’t completely decided when I registered for Condura. I asked myself a million times if I was ready to run the full. I approached the registration booth, got the form, ticked the 42K box, paid and walked away. I thought I should do it that way so I’d be forced to train.

A week before, I almost backed out especially after hearing about The Bullrunner Dream Marathon program which was then exclusively offered to first time marathoners. Aside from that and lack of training, I thought I should postpone the 42K dream. I asked a few friends for advise and not one of them supported my apprehension.

A few days before, I lost my music player so I borrowed my friend’s i-pod which was huge and heavy. I took the risk of carrying it just to have a source of distraction from hearing me pant and amuse me in that more than 5-hr run. I had the heavy i-pod and enjoyed the music. It was worth it, I thought. But for some strange reasons, it went off at Km5. I tried to fix it but it just gave up on me so I had to carry it the whole time and as soon as I stepped on the finish line mat, it played again. Creepy!

The Skyway experience was ecstatic that until now everytime I see it, I’m brought to a sense of nostalgia.

The sight of runners from the Skyway was so motivating. I met a few runners along the way and had the chance of running with each of them for a few kilometers until either I ran faster or they left me behind. That time, I knew what 42K really meant and why many runners either dream of or dread the full marathon. The experience was incomparable and indescribable.

The last five kilometers was the longest five kilometers of my life. All discomfort and pain cropped up I started asking myself why I was doing it. No one asked me to do it and no law required a Filipino citizen to go through that. I couldn’t find any answer but just the fact that I wanted to do it. I loved the challenge and the fulfillment of finishing it.

When I crossed the finish line, I kind of lost my senses I did not notice my friends who cheered me. I was directed to get my medal and despite being aware that a medal would be given to finishers, I reacted so surprised about the news. I went to the booth where the medals were and while many were arguing why they couldn’t be given their medals because they’re stolen, I just left and went home.

I did not even check my finish time. I was in a state of shock until I got home. I called my housemate on my way home and asked her to meet me at our gate and prepare my slippers. When she picked up the phone, her first question was, “Ano?! Buhay ka pa?!”

To which I said, “I’m still alive. In fact, more alive than before.”

Top 4

The North Face Thrill of the Trail

14 February 2010, Nuvali, Laguna

22K; 2:45

TNF Thrill of the Trail promised a challenging, exciting, “life threatening” race and it certainly offered no less. I’ve always looked forward to trail runs. I even joined one of R.O.X.’s trail run clinics. So when I learned about TNF run, I immediately registered even if it was set a week after the Condura Run when I should be resting to recover.

Some were telling me to just do an 11K but I thought I should take advantage of the rare experience of running a trail. That’s aside from the fact that I had no one to run with in the 11K couple’s run. I registered for 22K and I was happy I did. Trails are a lot more challenging than road runs. The required running skill to avoid injury was different. I tried to enjoy the breath taking scenery while carefully watching each of my steps. I loved every part of the trail especially those two rivers that we crossed and the one where we had to hang in the rope to cross to the other side of the mountain that I had to let go of my beloved Gatorade. Sadly, my hip injury worsened after the run. Even then, I had no regrets I joined the race and still consider it one of my best runs.