Running is not my forte. I never thought of trying this event until my friend tells me that running best help her sustain difficult climbs. Giving it second thoughts, why not try? All my friends are into it so do I. Since they are always into such event, Bingkat also is proposing for us to run the NatGeo 2016. I am thinking of running just the short distance while all of them will surely be running the 21Km distance.
My Training (on my own)
In February 2016, I am starting my training with the help of Maan. She sends me a training plan that can guide me on how to train for long distance runs. At first, I am hesitant to do it. Even running my first 100 meters is a struggle. I can barely do it straight and it’s like I am fainting when doing so.
What I am doing is, the very first 100 meters I will see to it that I can run it straight then the succeeding ones will be a combination of run and walk. I am doing it until I am done with my first 3K.
Believe me, this is what I am doing for training:
- First Week: 2 runs of 3K distance and a weekend run of 5K
- Second Week: 2 runs of 5K distance and a weekend run of 10K
- Third Week: 2 runs of 8K distance and a weekend run of 15K
- Fourth Week: 2 runs of 10K distance and a weekend run of 21K
I am happy that after a month of training, I am able to run my first 21Km distance on my own. My struggles and body pains when training are so worth it when achieving my goal of running that distance.
Pre-run preparation
I only have 2 not so long runs weeks before the actual run. 10km each run is the longest distance I am doing at the UP Diliman Oval. When training at the oval, you cannot take that out from your mind that you will sometimes envy those who run faster than you. I am feeling insecure I admit.
It will be my first run and we are not going to wear our official singlet. We do color-coding. One purpose is for easy identification when browsing for race photos. I will be wearing orange, yellow for Mia, pink for Maan, green for Bing and blue for Elvin. And by the way, we are naming ourselves “Team Homebuddies”.
As part of the pre-race preparation is the one they are calling “carbo-loading”. Actually I have no idea on what to do, I am just asking my friends. The day before the race, Maan and Mia will be sleeping at my place. I am cooking pasta and chicken for our pre-race meal. Since the venue is at BGC, we are going to pick-up Bing and Elvin at Robinsons Galeria at 1 am since the gun start is at 3am.
April 17, 2016
This is going to be my running debut. My first to run 21km on the road together with friends and it should be remarkable. At the parking area in BGC (Bonifacio Global City), there are several runners already doing their routines. For us, we are still fixing ourselves. So funny that I don’t even know how to put my D-Tag on my shoe. When done, we head to the race village to look for a portalet.
Since it’s my first to join such organized running event, I am amazed on the number of participants in attendance. We are running the 21km distance and it is that plenty of runners, how much more if we are going to add the 42km, 10km and 5km participants? It so amazing to know how people respond to such event invites, those who are willing to pay the price and to run the distance. This must be passion. Am I into it already? I guess not.
Meddling with the crowd, we are joining them do the warm-ups. Since it’s my first, I am observing a lot and it’s so impressive. This is really the actual scene on the race venue. If I feel insecure seeing the runners at the UP Diliman Oval, at the race venue it’s like I am nothing just by seeing runners in full gears. Wow!
Few minutes before gun start; the official program opens with a Prayer. Few talks and announcements are made and by the way, we are divided by waves. The send-off is by waves to not crowding the road. Our team is on Wave D. This is when I understand what “waves” means in running.
As per original plan, we will be running individually except for Bing and Elvin. When at the race village, Mia’s phone is left at the car so she asks me if we can go together for her to run with a distance and pace app. This only means that either Mia will be slowing down her pace or I to catch the faster pace of Mia. Oh well, I also have no choice but to run with her since this is my first time and it’s good to have a running buddy.
At 3:20, wave D is set to go. It’s my first time to run the road at BGC. As first-timer, I am observing other runners. Most of us are excited to run and if there’s a chance to advance other runners, we are doing it. Comes the first hydration station, Mia asks me if I want to drink then we run towards the table and pick a glass of water. After sipping my water, we run the road again.
While running, Mia is giving me some running tips and inputs. When you run, just focus on your normal pace and as much as possible you will run all the way. This will help you conserve energy while sustaining the distance. She tells me also that when I will start with fast pace, eventually I cannot maintain it all throughout and I will easily get exhausted. I believe she’s right because it’s my first time to run all the way until KM8.
After Km8, we start to introduce short walks in between kilometers. I think she notices me panting and catching my breath while running. Honestly, I have no idea on how long the 21km distance because I am training on a 5Km loop and running it 4 times. Just the running time is long but I cannot figure out the distance. It’s just when I hit the roads here in Manila that I realize the distance.
When doing the flyover, we simply walk going up to conserve energy and a relax pace when running downwards. She explains to me that doing so will still preserve energy than doing sprints on downhill. I carefully listens to her tips since she has already gone to full marathon, do core trainings with Milo APEX; so basically, they are taught on proper discipline in running.
The route for NatGeo 2016 is from BGC going to Makati/Buendia via flyover, making a U-turn at SLEX then run all the way back to BGC then taking right to McKinley Hill towards Fort Bonifacio Gate 3, making a U-turn at C5 then finally running back to the finish line at the Megaworld Development at McKinley.
This is the best part when running at BGC, the rolling hills. I do not train on this terrain, I only run on flat grounds. Bingkat is not a fan of this too, that while we register, she’s always telling us that she doesn’t want to run in BGC. It’s true, it’s exhausting but do we have a choice?
Our challenge does not end at BGC. There’s more at Gate 3. You know that we are few kilometers to finish line, our energy levels are now depleting and we still are doing the rolling hills. This is such a challenge. Oh well, we can’t help but pose at the KM18 marker.
If at the start we are running, this time we are more into walking. My legs are already tired and I can feel the pain all over my body. At the last kilometer, I have cramps in my legs, both legs. Good thing this is not the type of cramps that you can no longer walk. Here, I still manage to make my steps and walk. I am just observing the pain, when out, I run a bit.
I think the cause of my cramps is when I run faster on a downhill. This thing triggers my leg muscles to harden. I am trying to do stretching and I think it doesn’t help. I just continue running on very slow pace until the finish line.
Running towards the finish line is a challenge. I am feeling the pain in my legs yet I need to pretend everything’s fine in front of a running photographer. It’s my first time to finish an official half marathon race and it should be this incredible. Running towards the finish line is also this exciting. I am feeling awesome finishing successfully the distance.
At the finish line, Maan surprises us there. Actually, in every U-turn, Mia and I are always looking for Maan, Bing and Elvin. Just at the C5 U-turn that we did not see Maan. We are thinking that she is following us and to our surprise, she’s already at the finish line when we arrive.
Oh by the way, we have our own banner. Caloy, Maan’s boyfriend, brings it at the finish line. When all of us cross the finish line, we all have a group photo with our colorful singlet and medals. Then we change to our finisher’s shirt and pose again. A breakfast treat is awaiting us at Max’s Harbour Centre.
This debut run of mine is a life changer to me. I always doubt myself not to finish this distance because I believe it so. By giving myself a chance to redeem my confidence, I am truly grateful of ever trying to push myself to the limit. Wearing my medal is such an honor. If I let myself continue to believe that I can’t do these things, I will also continue to envy and wonder if I can do it too.
Thanks to my Team Homebuddies for being very supportive to me. This run is my first yet they make it a lot memorable to me, really a life changing activity.
Location: Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Run Date: April 17, 2016
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