Run for Home with Swthrt

Much has been said about the pros and cons of a successful but intriguing Run for Home race. I also have my two cents of comments but would rather save it for another posting. Today, I want to focus on Swthrt’s quest in finishing her first ever half marathon. Since we registered for the 21k category for this event, Swthrt had ask me for the nth time if she could really do it. And again and again, I would give her the assurance that she could do it and finish a half marathon. Last Sunday was the proof that she really can.

with Mesh at the starting line

Even with a late night sleep before the race, we woke up at 3:15 am for the big event. We got ready for the D day and forced ourselves to eat breakfast (which we do not normally do in a race) of rolled oats with milk. We then left home at around 4:00am and arrived at the venue 15 minutes later. To my surprise, the parking area where we usually park was reserved for Globe VIPs ( I’m sure other bloggers have their hot posts regarding this issue) and so we parked somewhere else. We finally get ready for the race at around 4:30 and met with bloggers/friends at the starting line. It was my first time to meet in person, Johnny Sy and Sir Ipe (Kinderdorf). It was quite unusual not to have our race numbers check-in by marshals because of the use of timing chips. The starting gun was fired on time with the runners running smoothly as they cross the mat sensor at the starting line. It was also a good start for me and Swthrt.

Fast and Furious

In our run together in a race, I would normally let Swthrt run in her comfortable pace at the start. I would constantly remind her to keep it and not be pulled by the fast runners. It was an easy run at the start and we reached the Kalayaan flyover without a hitch. It was Swthrt’s first taste of the Kalayaan flyover and she ran it with ease. It was a different experience for her. We continued to run at Buendia Ave. with short stops at hydration stations along the way. We refrained from drinking the carbonated sports drinks provided by a sponsor because we find it hard to run with air-filled stomach. Anyway, we brought our own sports drinks (you know?) to compliment the water provided at the hydration stations. We had a great run along Ayala Ave. We have always enjoyed running a new route to break the monotony of running a common route. This is probably the reason why we have not run a race held in UP. It happens to be our training ground during weekends. Along Paseo de Roxas and Makati Ave, we started to see familiar faces making their way back to Bonifacio. I would either give a high five sign, clap or cheer and shout their names (if I still have the energy) to give encouragement on them. As we make our way back to Bonifacio, pains on the shin and calves begun to set in on Swthrt and walk breaks became frequent. A runner approached me and kindly offered to take a picture of me and Swthrt while running. Unfortunately, the battery of my camera was already low. Anyway, to give our gratitude, we keep pace with him along Buendia and had a few chat with him. It was nice meeting you Raul. I have been regularly checking on Swthrt and offered sports beans and drinks as we continued our run going to Kalayaan flyover. Upon reaching the top of Kalayaan flyover, it's time to have a break, we have Kitkat, hehehe. The pain on her shin continued to persist and there was also stiffness in the calf muscles. Walk break intervals became shorter. At one point somewhere near McDonalds, Swthrt had to walk and we heard a voice from a lady runner shouting "Come on runner in green, i have been following you since this morning. Don't stop now...."'It became a challenge and a pressure on Swthrt's part. I even teased her that she's now a real runner being targeted by other runners,hehehe. Swthrt continued to run and tried to focus on the remaining kilometers of the race. The cheers from other runners like Mesh and Mama Ting whom we met along the way surely gave Swthrt the needed encouragement. We even ran along with Hector (of Second Wind), who's a pacer at 7:30min/k along Lawton Ave.. The last kilometer seems to be the longest kilometer for Swthrt but the sight of the finish line as we make the final turn gave the needed boost to run and finish strong with the time of 2:47:+ (unofficial). The official results will be out by July 23 to be published at the Globe website as stated in the flyers given after the race. Congratulations Swthrt! I love you and I am very proud of you!

With Christy, photo by Johnny after the race