3 Milestones

Today, June 12, 2010, Filipinos celebrate the 112th Independence Day of the Philippines. The weekend also coincides my last long run in preparation for the 34th National Milo Marathon scheduled on July 4, 2010.

Rizal Monument

Together with fellow Takbo.ph friends (Rodel, Ronald, Christian, Cyrus, Allen, Mar, Rafa, Bong, Vic, and Doc Art), we met in Km 0 Luneta at 11PM to run to any point going to Tagaytay. Edwin and Rania joined us when we reached Buendia.

Photo ops before take-off

Rodel, Ronald, Christian, Cyrus, Allen, Mar, Rafa, Bong, Vic, and Me

The 1st 15 kms was a bit easy, but I'm feeling a bit sleepy (perhaps due to the lack of sleep the day before the run). Good thing the group decided for a quick stop over in Jollibee Bacoor.

The next 10kms was tough. Running along Emilio Aguinaldo Highway made us deal with the pitch black darkness, uneven roads, and lights of speeding buses, trucks, jeeps, and cars.

When we reached Imus, Rafa suggested that we wait for the dawn and continue our run along Daang Hari towards our village. I obliged and knew that the distance would just be enough for me to cover my 43 to 45 km long run training plan for the day.

Allen going off road

Christian running the trails

Rafa also trying the trails

I'm really loving the trails since last week
(hmmmnnn... a trail race brewing soon?)

Break of dawn

At this point, I'm already feeling my pinky toes are developing blisters, and my right knee is starting to get sore. But I just got to complete my training plan.

What I love about this run is that Christian, Rafa and I were about to achieve something, that served as our motivation to continue the fight and finish. We stick it out and came out victorious.

Milestone # 1
Christian achieving his 1st 1000kms at Km 30

Milestone # 2
Rafa running his 1st unofficial Marathon Distance

Milestone # 3
I achieved my 2nd 1000kms at Km 43.9

Click here for the Garmin recap of our run (sorry, I was so happy I forgot to press 'stop' when I finished my run at km 43.9 hehehe).