My 1st Half-Marathon in my 1st Milo

FRIDAY
I'm already in my Milo mode, singing "I'm getting ready, getting ready..." on my mind the whole day at work.

After work, I planned to go home, get my car (color-coding) and head to the carbo-loading party of takbo.ph in the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. While on my way home, I remembered it was Nikka's birthday. I called her for my wishes, and ended up being invited to a simple gathering. My plan got busted, but I enjoyed spending the night with my friends, singing our hearts out to familiar tunes with a guitar, sharing food, drinks, stories, and laughter. Went home and slept at 2AM.

SATURDAY
I woke up 10AM. I planned to stay at home, watch TV, read books, surf the internet, eat, and chat with Dad. No serious physical and/or mental activity. No sleeping in the afternoon too, to ensure that I sleep early in the evening.

I'm almost successful. Not! I forgot to calibrate my newly arrived Suunto Foot Pod! At 4PM, I took it for a spin, running easy 2k inside our village.

I then bought some bananas and cheese spread for my breakfast. Ate dinner at 5PM, took a bath, prepared my running gear and nutrition, and went to bed at 7PM.

Had a hard time sleeping. Was too excited, I guess for the very big day. I remembered I felt exactly the same the night before my first 5k last March in Condura. And my phone keeps on receiving various SMS/text messages from my friends. I think I fell totally asleep around 9PM.

SUNDAY
My alarm went off at 2:45AM. I prayed, and ate 2 cheese sandwiches, 2 bananas and cold Milo for breakfast. I'm singing "Great things start from small beginnings..." while in the bathroom. I then lubricated with petroleum jelly my inner thighs and biceps, wore my running shorts, dry-fit socks, hrm, Phiten air, Livestrong band, Crocs, and Milo singlet.

I slid my running shoes, exchange clothes, race belt, bib number, and towel inside my bag.

Nicky, Henry, and I planned to go to Luneta together, thinking that we might have a hard time looking for a safe car park place. Nicky and I drove to Henry's, and left our cars in his place. Wow! This will be the 1st time I'm going to a running event in a very relaxed and comfortable mode.

2km away from Henry's place, I remembered I left my running cap at the backseat of my car. Darn!

We arrived in Luneta around 4:30AM. We parked infront of a building that is well-lighted and with a security guard (thanks Manong!). We took our time for our final preparations, wearing our shoes and other running gears.

We brisked walked towards the assembly area as warm up. Upon reaching the assembly area, we looked for the portable urinals. Nothing! I guess we're just so excited not to see it, and we resolved our bladder issues by loving nature hehehe =)

While in the assembly area, I met Bro J and was generous to invite us for some pictures (thanks Bro J!). I also met Ms. Cristy (wife of Vener/RunUnltd) and Craig Logan. I also saw the 21k runners of takbo.ph, but was too shy to approach them. I guess my emotions are just unbalanced at that time, mixing feelings of excitement, fear, and joy. Perhaps, I also felt a bit guilty, not being able to attend the carbo-loading party last Friday.

After some warm-up exercises led by the organizers, the start gun went-off early than the 5:30AM schedule. I simply planned to keep a 7min/km pace, just to meet the 2:30:00 cut-off time. I forgot about the negative split thing. My plan also includes eating two Jelly Bean sports beans every kilometer, and finish 1 pack every hour, and hydrate every 15 minutes.

I was successful up to 16km. My legs are still strong, but I feel like I'm running out of gas. I'm beginning to feel exhausted. I was too focused on keeping a steady pace the whole time, I forgot about my heart rate. I realized I was running 85 to 90% of my HRmax for almost 2 hours already.

At this point too, my dri-fit socks aren't dry anymore. I perspired a lot, and perhaps the water shower in Buendia could have aggravated the case. Need to switch to another plan, quick!

I then remembered the Galloway walk/run strategy, modified it a bit, taking a 2 minute walk break every km thereafter, then resume running to the next kilometer. At this point, my mind is already playing tricks on me, but I stayed focused, and remembered the lesson from the scene in the Disney-Pixar film "Cars": it doesn't matter how you finish the race, just finish it! Patiently, I walked, ran, walked, ran, and walked again, and ran again, very very tired and I'm beginning to feel my feet starting to blister.

While walking, fellow runner motivated me: "Bok, malapit na! Masarap ang feeling pagdating sa finish line." I praise and thank God for sending angels for affirmation.

Alleluia! I finished my 1st half marathon and crossed the finish line in 2:35:32 (unofficial, based on my Suunto HRM). It was like getting out of hell and cherishing the victory in heaven when I received my certificate, Gatorade, banana, and Milo loot bag.

Nicky, Henry, and I became instant celebrities, as students from New Era University interviewed us as we do our recovery stretching.

On our way to line up for free Milo, 42k finisher Vener/RunUnltd recognized me and I was so proud to shake his hand, and introduced him to my friends. We were also blessed to be invited for some pictures. Thanks Mr. Vener!

I also met and congratulated my friend Mari Javier for finishing another marathon since being serious about running last October 2008.

Before going home, Nicky remembered that I have my cellphone with me in my pouch. Hahaha! And so, we finally took our pictures at the finish line.



We then went to Jollibee-Santana Grove in Sucat to meet our friends who ran 10k and 5k, for our recovery meals.

I learned so many lessons in my 1st half marathon. In my next run: I'll never forget to bring my cap, I'll be more courageous and introduce myself to new friends, I'll negative split, I'll never forget to put powder in my socks, I'll keep my shoes away from the water shower, etc etc etc.

Oh boy, what a day! Praise God! Praise God!

Here's my stats:
Post Script:
Our Make Love Run campaign was able to raise P7,350 pledges for the benefit of the detainees in the medium security compound of the New Bilibid Prisons. You may deposit your pledge to BDO S/A 6340002985 Elvie Elumbaring. Please text Nicky 0916-2454034 / 0923-4899211 upon deposit. Thank you for making love run!