Running the Bull once again

I started the year 2009 by running the PSE Bull Run and logged my fastest 10K run, a surprising 60 min finish time. It could have been for the record but the inefficiency of the race organizer put it all to waste. I was not listed in the official race result. For whatever reason, no one knows until now. I was between my two cousins when we reached the finish line and they were both registered except me. Anyway, past is past, even though my 2009 running experience started with a mess, It was completed and ended with wonderful experiences. The 32K Rizal Day Run was a great year ender race.

This year, I will be running the Bull again but this time with Swthrt. I am not aiming for a sub 60 finish. All I wanted is to start this year with a bullish run. See you at the starting line!

Bullish run at the PSE Bull Run

The PSE Bull Run was my first race for the year. I knew many commented on the good and bad points of the race but I chose to write more on my performance. Swthrt and I arrived at the assembly area at around 5:00 am. We parked our car at The Fort Parking lot fronting the assembly area and then began our pre-race rituals. We both had a bar of Trailmix for breakfast. My personal goal on this race was to hit or even break the 60min barrier for my 10K. I felt strong that day even with a few hours of sleep. It’s probably my adrenaline pumping up and getting excited for the race. We positioned ourselves to our respective race category. I checked-in with the 10K runners while baby went to the assembly area for the 5K event. As the race started, I tried to pace my run so as not to burn me out in the early part. I already felt dryness on my throat at the start maybe because of the cold weather. The good thing is that there were sufficient water stations. I also felt a little pain on my calf but it did not bother me that much because I knew it will disappear after sometime as my body begins to warm up. After the first water station, I felt better and continued to maintain a good pace. I reached the first turn around without any problem. Running along Bayani Road was a bit harder because of the vehicles trying to outrun runners. I observed that marshals were not effective in controlling the motorists in the area. It was along Bayani Road that my cousins caught up with me and we ran together keeping pace with each other. I reached the C5 turn around point at 32:03 min. I was already thinking of running faster to reach my sub-1 hour goal. It was a good thing that Kuya Hector, also with the speed training of Team Baldrunner, and Alwyn ran strong that day. I was able to keep pace with them. Upon reaching the Lawton Avenue, I felt a slight pain on my lower back. Fatigue is starting to set in. I’m beginning to drop my shoulders and felt of having a side stitch. I tried to adjust my running form so as not to have that side stitch attack. I was still at pace with Kuya Hector and have passed several runners. Honestly, it was a good feeling to know that you can still push it even at this point. As we reached Essensa, I asked Kuya Hector if we could still hit the 60min time. We picked-up our pace and as we reached the finish line my time registered 59:59 min. burying my 1:05 previous PR. Though it’s unofficial, I knew I have improved my performance. It was truly a bullish run. I Praise God for protecting us from any injury and the strength to run. Thanks to the speed training with Team Baldrunner. Thank you to our coaches, Captain Coach Ferdie Espejo and Coach Sid Salazar. More PRs during the next race. Hehe.

At the finish line, I was told that Swthrt also got her new PR of 34:05 min for the 5K. She got an almost equal 17:04 and 17:01 min split.

Singlets still not available

My first race of the year will be on Sunday. Our group in the office faxed our accomplished registration forms for the PSE Bull Run last Friday to avail of the regular rate. We were allowed to pay and pick-up our race kits last Tuesday because they told us that it will be available by then. When I arrived at the PSE office in Ortigas Center I was told that singlets are still not available. There were several runners already complaining on non-availability of the singlets upon registration because this would mean that they have to return back for it. One runner told me that it was his third time to return for the singlet and have spent 120 pesos just for the parking fee alone. I know the PSE has only hired the services of a race organizer but this might put PSE in jeopardy. Surely, they wouldn’t want their names tainted with the issue of not being prepared and well-organized in holding such an event. It was a good thing that the person receiving our registration forms were kind and apologetic about the whole thing. He told me that the number of registrants have already reached 4,000. If this is true then this will be a big race come Sunday. Even then, they should have prepared for this turn-out. This was their 5th year of having such an event. They could have estimated the number of runners who will be joining based on the previous races. Or maybe it was not their fault after all. Or maybe they can attribute it to the significant increase of runners joining races for the past few months. If so, then this is really a good sign that more and more people are practicing a healthy lifestyle, spending time to exercise and run. I just hope that in the succeeding road races, organizers will be more prepared. As of this time, I was just informed that singlets are not yet available. See you runners on Sunday and keep on running!