Highlands-Mizuno: A Run at The Village

I was looking for a speed workout run. I got an adventure worthy of a tale. 

The race was held in an exclusive subdivision entrenched in the midst of the high altitude hills of Tagaytay. I would not have expected the grandeur and majesty of this village which is bounded by farm lands, hills and mountains. It was a place built for only the upper tier of society. The view of the Taal Lake and the infamous volcano was just truly breathtaking. Just an entrance to this wonder world was worth what I paid for the 5-kilometer race I just joined. Half kidding (just to drive a point). Hey, the place was just marvelous. The cool and windy atmosphere of Tagaytay and the picturesque view of the Taal Volcano from this exclusive village were truly an experience worthy of a comeback.

Back Track

Three nights away from this fun run, I suffered a painful left ankle sprain from playing basketball. It was so painful that I could not lift myself to stand, nor sit, and I had to be carried away from the playing court assisted by about three fellow ball players.

It was really my worst fear coming into reality. I was so devastated thinking that I would miss the chance to participate in this upcoming Tagaytay race event. I had already invited Nerissa to go with me and watch my race. It will only be her second time to watch me participate in a fun run.

Friday morning, the ankle swelled as huge as half a tennis ball. This was despite the immediate RICE treatment (rest, ice, compression and elevation). I could barely walk and had to rely on my right leg for support. Nerissa asked if we would still go the race on Sunday. I answered yes and I was really desperately hoping for the ankle sprain to heal just in time. I promised her I would be able to race.

Bail Out?

But every time I would feel how painful the sprain is, I would seriously consider dropping out from the race. Just let it heal and recover. It would be foolish to run in pain and risk aggravating the injury with the Milo marathon just about two months away. I was doubtful I would recover fast enough.

I would not want to miss my very first race in my own province of Cavite. I love to win a running shoes for Nerissa and start convincing her to run. I dream of coaching her and letting her experience the thrills and joy of running as I do. I also want to prove to myself that my very first sub-20 minutes 5-kilometer finish time was no fluke. With these things floating in my head, I could not help but blame myself for playing basketball. I am prone to a left ankle sprain since it has not fully stabilized when I sprained it a few months back just before the Centena 5k race.

I was mad at myself. I had no business playing basketball the week of an important race!

Saturday, I rested all day. Iced the left ankle. Flew a kite on the rooftop together with my brother, a 6-month old nephew, my sister, father and my sister-in-law. Our kite has a hawk design complete with claws, eyes, beak and wide mighty wings of course. With its black and red color, it was so visible on the sky and our neighboring children shouted in glee while watching the kite soar (andnosedive) from above.

I ate dinner early and was lying in bed by 9 in the evening for the following day's race.

But would I be alright? I just planned on running based on the feel of my left ankle. If it hurts, I walk. If it feels fine, then I can try to compete. You already know how I love to run a race and chase right? Boy I do love to race and compete!

Race Day

My phone woke me up at 3:20 in the morning. I was both sleepy and excited. Yeah, these feelings can really be mixed together. I swear.

The view of the outside world from my room window was still dominantly dark and only the yellowish dim lights from a lamp post on the street made the cemented road somewhat visible. I called Nerissa on the phone to wake her up. Then I went down to the kitchen to prepare a cup of strong coffee and took a quick bath after.

My extra clothes were all prepared in a small backpack. I also had my race bib and singlet prepared as well as my phone and wallet. We will just commute to Tagaytay Highlands. From our house to Silang Plaza, where Nerissa and I will meet, was about 3 kilometers. There was no available transportation from our Barangay to Silang at 4 in the morning. I carried the bag on my back and started to jog at an easy pace all the way to the Plaza. Everyone else at home was still sleeping like a log. I ran a three kilometer warm up with a plain white T-shirt and a jogging pants over my Botak running shorts. The road was all dark and tranquil. Only the dogs knew there was a stranger running on the streets when the sun was still sleeping with the rest of the neighborhood at the comforts of their beds.

By 4:20 am, I have reached Silang proper by foot. I stopped to buy a few pieces of hot pan de sal and a 12-oz bottle of Sprite. It was still 20 minutes before 4:40 am, my scheduled meeting time with my girlfriend. This would just be the second time that she will watch me participate in a race. My debut marathon run at the Philippine International Marathon in Manila was the first. Instantly, this is a special race for me because of her presence. Admittedly, I wanted to win the 5K race so I could give her a pair of running shoes. She really is a big motivation and a source of strength and added morale boost.

We rode a passenger jeep to Olivarez Tagaytay. I started to freeze in the cool winds and the low temperature. I have already changed clothes and wore my green race singlet after the three kilometer run. She was wearing a jacket. Seeing me freezing to death with my singlet made her chuckle a bit but let me hugged her for warmth till we reach Olivarez.

When we reached Olivarez, it was already past 5am. Not wanting any more delays, I opted to go for a P100.00 special tricycle ride up to Tagaytay Highlands. The alternative was a P15.00 per passenger on a jeep which was still waiting to be full and would not go inside the Highlands. I thought the tricycle would save us time and would be able to drive us all the way to the starting line.

The first tricycle that we requested for a ride had some technical problems and its engine would not start. The driver had to ask another tricycle to bring us to Highlands. Inside the second trike, I continued to freeze against the cool winds. Happily, Nerissa was there for a warm hug till the Highlands.

We were dropped off just in front of the gate - some 12 kilometers away from the race and just only few meters from the highway where the jeep would pass. So not only did we pay more for the trike, we also end up worrying how we would get to the starting line on time. The time reads 5:30. Just 40 minutes away from gun start. I was starting to lose my nerve.

At the gate, with the security guards, we were informed that no public transportation was allowed. Not even a taxi. Only the service vans from the real estate corporation would bring us to the race venue. It was all nice if not for the remaining time left before the race start.

I walked away from the guardhouse into the grasslands to view the wonderful Taal lake from atop. But with the time ticking, I could not appreciate how exclusive and grand this mansion-like place is.

It was about 5:45 when a half-full service jeep arrived. The security guards requested the driver to bring us inside since we have been waiting for several minutes and the service van was still busy somewhere else. All 9 of us, six were to participate in the race, happily hopped inside and were very thankful that we finally have a chance to come to the race just in time.

The steep slopes and the dangerous S-curves along the way made me hold on to the iron bars inside the jeep for safety. I thought the super steep road would be perfect for an uphill training. But then the jeep continued to go down the steep hills for several minutes that I had to change my mind about that training run. This would kill my legs that I'll be crawling uphill much like a boneless python. I would never reach the top of this uphill standing on both legs! I thought smiling to myself.

After a few minutes, we were dropped off and instructed to wait for the service van. Not again! It's almost 6am. We would miss the race. We were all sitting on a long bench made of wood under a huge waiting shed. There were several employees also waiting for their service vehicles. I was starting to be anxious waiting for any sort of transportation to be able to participate on the race. I was asked to wear a shirt over my singlet. The management does not allow sleeveless shirts inside Highlands. (I could not argue that I was to participate in a race since it was freezing cold. But hey! We are suppose to run so what do you expect us to wear? Sweaters?)

The impatient coach of a young lady runner spoke angrily to the security guard who was in charge of the people's transportation inside the enormous facility. I heard him say "If we missed the race.. you would have to give us a refund!!! We paid P500 each." He is the coach of Maria Angelica Gajulen, a very young lady runner who eventually won the ladies 5K race in 24 minutes.

A few minutes later, a gray service van arrived. Finally. I was able to breathe relaxed and normal. It is inadvisable to start a race anxiously and uneasy, so I tried to relax as best as I could and just enjoy the scenic view of Taal and the pine trees and the beautiful buildings and houses inside the area. The lady guard at the entrance gate said the race would be held 12 kilometers away. If I was a part of a corporation owning this huge territory, I would be filthy rich. Wouldn't I? And I thought a piece of land in Tagaytay already cost a fortune. Just imagine how much the entire Highlands costs.

Knowing that we might arrive at the starting line a little late, I already removed my jogging pants while I was inside the van. I also pinned the race bib into my green singlet. Darwin Lim, an elite runner who just won the Earth Run 2010 Half Marathon, also removed his jogging pants and so did some of the other runners in the van with us.

Here Comes the Race

I did not expect a lot of runners to participate in this minor fun run event in Tagaytay. There were about 400 runners participating in the 3/5/10K race distances. I opted to run the 5K distance since the 10K includes a 5Km run along trails. I am no trail runner.. and with a sprained ankle? I'm happy to run 5.

By six in the morning, when the 10K race was scheduled to start, the organizers were still busy accepting registrants for the event. I took the time to go to a comfort room, a hundred meters and more away from the starting line. The cool winds and the time it took us to reach the venue have already frozen my body even if I had a 3-kilometer warm up run a few hours ago. Jogging to and from the comfort room and back to starting line, I began to feel the usual race atmosphere. I am no longer tensed and anxious or worried. I was all pumped up. I came to have fun and compete. I wanted to show Nerissa how much I have improved since I started racing late 2008. If I win this one, I would win her a pair of running shoes. We would be running together very soon. And I would very much love to see her run especially with a pair of shoes coming from the results of all my hard work and determination to run. I want to win badly. (The sprained ankle was truly untimely frustrating!)

The 5K race route runs through the exclusive subdivision inside the Midlands. We came all the way from the top (Highlands) and so it was really fitting to call this place 'Midlands.' I assumed the Lowlands would have to be the Taal Lake which we could see entirely from that point.

I smiled, waved goodbye and started to walk towards the starting line. There were 150+ runners who participated in the 5K distance and so I was not too worried to be starting at the middle rows. But since this would just be a 5K race, I decided to start on the second row to quickly lock into my race pace. I would love to have a new 5K personal best after the 19:25 minutes I recorded two months ago.

Off we go! I pressed the Lap button of my Triax Fury and excitedly started to race. Alas! I was trapped in the middle when the runners cramped at the first immediate corner after the starting line.

The runners all rushed with lots of energy at the starting line. Knowing most would settle into their own paces a few minutes thereafter and that most would be unable to sustain the energy they had from gun start, I did not panic. Just let the runners in front move and then run later at the leftmost side for a free lane devoid of congestion. Besides, I really have no idea where we were running.

Later on in the race, there were no marshals to guide us where to turn. A biker leads the fastest runner to the correct route and then everyone else follows. At Saratoga Drive, two hundred meters into the race, I started to chase the fastest runners and tried my best to keep the biker in my view. From the thick rushing runners at the start, the runners quickly turned thin and the spaces in between widens. Eleven, seven, six, five, four.. I was counting the runners in front of me. Thankfully, the sprained left ankle was not giving me any sort of problems. It was all well and fighting.

An uphill quickly meets us just a few hundred meters into Saratoga Drive. The biker in front stood on the bike and forcefully started to move the pedal. It was a hint how hard the long ascent will be. I focused on strong patient strides uphill and I did pass two more runners. Only two runners remained ahead of me after the uphill climb along Saratoga.

On the next left turn, the road was flat and easy. I stayed on the left side knowing another left turn was coming. The top runner was just a few meters away from Regie, an elite runner who have won multiple local races. Regie won 3rd place on the Globe Run for Home 2010 Half Marathon.

I was ten meters away from the top two runners and was keenly observing their running form, strides and strategy from behind. So noticeable was how often Regie is turning his head behind and sizing up all the other runners in the field. He was probably looking if there was anyone else who could compete with him. He was even holding his right abdomen and wasn't really focused on running fast. I was panting and breathing deep and he was still so relaxed and running easy. He was content to run behind the leading runner. Up until the 2KM marker, he was continuously looking at his back for a possible threat.

6:19 minutes. This was the time I had on my running watch at the 2KM mark in Knoxville. Am I running too fast? I can't run this fast. I haven't run this fast (3:10 min/km?). I might still be sleeping and this is just a wonderful dream! It can't be.

Then we entered Plantation Hills Drive where we caught up with lots of 10K runners. The biker was about fifty meters away and I could feel that Regie and the top runner were starting to furiously fight for the top place.

The downhill descent in Plantation Hills helped me relax and breathe a little slower.

A 10K black runner (Kenyan?) was running to our direction. Wow! He even went this far in Tagaytay to participate in a local race? Later on, Nerissa told me that this runner speaks Tagalog fluently and I did see him chatting and staying together with our faster local athletes after the race. He did not win on the 10K race which had five runners finishing 10 kilometers well under 32 minutes.

3:53 minutes. This is the time it took me to run the 3rd kilometer of the race. The steep downhill ride at Lavender road going to Cinnamon Road felt great. It was a roller coaster ride and I did try to run as fast as I could going down with the help of gravity. I could not help but go all the way down! Then just like a coaster ride, a steep uphill meets me right after reaching the lowest part of the downhill. Then the blue 3KM marker meets us at the Coriander road. A hydration station was at the corner of Coriander and Vanilla roads but I resisted the urge and ran nonstop.
 
Then we're back to the steep hills of Lavender. Again, I went all the way down as fast as I could on the downhill and strongly and slowly ascended the steep uphill. A longer and less inclined slope of the Plantation Hills Drive soon followed. With all the rolling ups and downs we had on this route, my legs started to complain. But I can't slow down. I can no longer see Regie and the biker in front of us. I am at solo third and continuously watching the shadow projected on my left if any other runner was fast approaching from behind. There wasn't any ever since the ascend from the Saratoga Drive but I kept on telling myself that at any given moment, I would be overtaken if I ever start relaxing. So I kept on pushing hard. It's just a short race Jayson, keep running strong!

4:23 minutes. This is my time on the fourth kilometer. I did take a breather to finish the race strong. The uphills did affect my speed and my legs were really getting heavier with each passing minute.

Now we were just a kilometer away from the finish line. The final corner will lead us to Greenlands Avenue and from there, it's just a few hundred meters left from the finish line. Looking up, the finish arc was already visible from the Plantation Hills. I did say looking up! Meaning it would still be an uphill climb to reach the finish line. What a leg buster of a route!

Like a Snakes and Ladders game though, it is still pretty much ups and downs and lefts and rights until we finally reach the finish line. I don't know how many more corners we had to go through. And I must not keep thinking how long.. I just have to go and run hard till it's finally over.

At the last few hundred meters at Greenlands Avenue, I wanted to sprint. PR! PR! PR!

My tired legs did not want to. I can't sprint. My legs were not listening to my commands. Probably it was all due to the difficult rolling hills that I just endured. So I just ran steadily and fast without my favorite sprint to the finish line.

About twenty meters away when I have caught up with more 10K runners, I really did want to sprint. Again, my legs would not listen to me. I never looked from behind but I knew the 3rd place finish was already in the bag so I cruised my way to the finish line.

2:55 minutes. Unbelievable. But that was my final kilometer time. I finished the 5K race in 17:32 minutes! I really could not believe it. I refuse to believe it. I know the distance was just way short.

Con-gratssss-ulations!!! said the race emcee upon seeing me reached the finish line.

Orange cones separated the 3/5/10K lanes near the finish. A man standing in front right after the finish line took my barcode number. I then proceeded to the Gatorade table where a kind lady with a smiling face gave me a bottle of the refreshing sports drink.

Reunited with Nerissa, I happily reported my winning finish. I came to her with three fingers up to signal I finished third.

She told me that she was hoping for me to finish first but then she saw a different runner approached the finish. And then some seconds later another different runner arrived at the finish line. And then she was all too happy to see me came in third.

She had much bigger expectations than I had. She truly believed in me. I was glad she was there on another milestone in my young running career. I wish we could have a lot more winning moments like this one.

Brunch at Saratoga

The finish line started to get crowded with all the finishers waiting for all the other runners to finish their races and for the raffle draws and the awarding to commence. When the emcee got tired of pleading for all the finishers to vacate the finish area and make room for the arriving finishers, she told us all to go to Saratoga Cafe for the served breakfast.

Another uphill climb to get there though. Thankfully it's no longer part of the race. We can leisurely walk and admire the beauty of the place. Nerissa was a little unhappy that I have forgotten to bring the digital camera. There was a playground there with six swings and three of which were of giant timber where two to three people could sit and swing. It was a hanging tsubibo.

When we arrived at the Cafe. I was surprised to see the dining tables all decorated and prepared like it was a wedding reception or a debut party. From up above the Cafe hill, the view of the surrounding place, the houses, gardens, farms, playground, Taal, trees and mountain tops the moving golf carts and everything else was simply awesome. Just fantastic. It was a wonder world hidden in the middle of nowhere.

I enjoyed the fresh fruits consisting of a slice of watermelon, banana and a chunk of pineapple. They also had sandwiches, plentiful servings of pasta and iced tea. A Mizuno white finisher T-shirt with the word FINISHER printed at the upper back and NEVER SETTLE on the lower back was given to all race participants.

Authentic Mizuno T-shirts, underwater digital cameras, three Mizuno running shoes, socks, bags and caps were raffled off. There were only about 400 runners and most went home with a raffle prize. The P450.00 registration fee was all worth it. A nice green singlet, food and drinks, a finisher shirt and an exclusive beautiful place to race? Every cent was well worth it. My only complaints would be the race distance accuracy, the transportation difficulty for runners without their own cars and later on the winners' prizes.

Awarding.. My Second Podium of the Year
Finally, a well-deserved step on an actual podium. I have been awake by 3:20 in the morning and it was already 10am when the awarding started. Majority of the runners have already started to leave the place after the raffle draws and only about thirty to forty people were left to witness the awarding ceremonies.

5K Run Results

Number Bib Number Finishing Time Surname First Name
1 340 00:15:40:765 LUMAWAG REGIE
2 400 00:15:43:047 SANTOS REY
3 300 00:15:50:750 DEUNA JAYSON

The finish times were way off. I know I finished it in 17:32 minutes. The official timer read 22:xx minutes when I reached the finish line. It started 5 minutes after the 10K runners were sent off.

I was awarded with a beautiful transparent winner's medal with the 3rd Place printed on it. My winning prizes include P300.00 cash, a P500.00 Highlands gift certificate and a P1000.00 Mizuno gift certificate. I think so highly of the Highlands and was bedazzled and amazed by its riches. But for them to be giving away a meager P300.00 and just a gift certificate for the winners is just stingy and cheap. An old runner joked his Mizuno cap from the raffle draw was worth more than what I got.

I think my medal was priceless. But I thought I could treat Nerissa and myself with a pizza after finishing third. With a meager 300 pesos, I will not be able to.

Again, we had to wait for the service van to get ourselves back to the entrance gate of Highlands. The impatient coach of Maria Angelica started to go nuts once again and Darwin Lim was complaining about the P1000.00 he received from being the 10K trail run Champion. He did receive a Mizuno running shoes of his choice for being the top winner in the Men's 10K category. I could not blame him though, he is an elite professional runner who is accustomed to winning major prizes from local races.

While waiting, I talked with the Fuentes running family. Three of them came to the event from General Trias, Cavite. The father ran with her daughter, Donna, and guided her for a 26-minute second place finish in the Ladies 5K category. His son just watched and waited for them at the finish line. He said he is no longer running to compete because of his age but was a triathlete during his heyday. Triathlon was his forte but with expensive registration fees amounting to P1000.00 and more these days, he is now content to run with her young daughter. He told me that back then, race fees only amount to P50.00 and triathlons were just P150.00 to P250.00.

Nerissa was all tired after waiting for the van for several hours. It was almost 12 noon when the van brought us back to the entrance gate and I believe we were the last runners to leave Highlands. I promised her of a pizza celebration if I do win in this race. Very much appreciative of her efforts and support for me that day, we did not skip the promised pizza (despite the meager 300 cash prize). And I hugged her all day till 10 in the evening when I had to go back home and report this tale to my dear family.

A 10-Mile Chase (with the Musketeers, a Black Knight and more)

One Life. One Planet.

I love that phrase. Kind of gives me the importance of preserving the Earth as it is. There is only one Earth that gives us life. Can we at least value it? Joining a race celebrating our sole planet does not make a huge difference. But at least I did spend a few hours to pay my homage and gratitude to our dear mother Earth. One planet indeed. Let's help preserve and protect what we've got. It's our only chance of survival. And for generations yet to be born to live, experience and enjoy this planet as we know it today.

Earth Run 10-Mile

Training Schedule Review: For the first 11 weeks of 2010, I trained for speed. My goals for this period included a sub-20 5K and sub-40 10K. The speed training just concluded on the Globe Run for Home 2010 10K race last March. For the next 15 weeks, I will train for endurance leading to the Manila Milo Marathon this July. My goals are to qualify for the Milo Finals and start preparing to qualify for the Boston Marathon 2011. This means I will have to clock in 3:10 - 3:20 hours to close in on my Boston Dream.

Welcome to my fourth week of marathon training. Going into this week of training, I have logged 77, 72 and 35-kilometer weeks for the first three weeks. The Bolinao vacation gave me a break on my marathon training and so I was only able to run 35 kilometers on that week. The Earth Run is scheduled on the Sunday of my fourth training week. I joined the 16K distance to determine how my marathon training is going. Am I able to develop the endurance I need to sustain a target 4:30 minute/kilometer marathon? I know am ready for a 16K long distance race. I am not so sure how fast I could race it.

Race Strategy: Much like a bowling ball building its speed and momentum as it approaches to strike the pins on the other end, I planned to start slowly and lock into my race pace creating my own momentum before I launch an attack chase against the front runners.  Slow start. Overtake the runners in front trying to gain momentum. Then attack the faster runners from behind. Chase.

Why start slowly at the middle of the pack? Would it not cost me precious seconds trying to get out of the crowded starting lane? I thought the mental strength boosted by being able to overtake lots of people at the start would be much helpful for me in the much longer 16-kilometer race distance. That boost would then eventually help me run faster and lock into my target race pace. And then as I lock into that pace, I would be very much focused to be in attack mode. I was hoping the additional mental boost would not be as physically taxing as trying to sprint at the start.

I was wishful I would be riding in a fast momentum to be able to launch a challenge against the fast runners in front. And because I started much slower than they did, I would have the greater amount of energy to sustain an attack from behind. I would be using my competitive spirit to attain a sub 1:10-hour 10-Mile finish time.

(Following Image is from rickthegreat.files.wordpress.com)

Momentum Builder: As I try to dodge, evade and out speed the runners in front of me at the starting line.. I was slowly reaching my steady race pace. It was amazingly inspiring to overtake tens of runners with about four forefoot strikes or so from the start. I was stepping on the gas and just kept on the leftmost side of the rushing pack of runners to create a fast lane for myself. It felt much better than trying to keep up with the elite runners at the get go.

Against the elite, I have so little chance.  Probably a chance as little as nothing. Against the average runners, I have a better chance to take over and build my momentum. Running is a tough combination of physical and mental set of challenges. I decided to strengthen the mental side first. This strategy best suited my mental state in this 16-kilometer race as I don’t have any confidence if I could hold my 5K or even my 10K pace throughout the course of the race.

The strategy was working perfectly. I only had little problems like when a guy spitted on the leftmost side of the road thinking no other runner was running on his left. I almost caught a spitfire right there. Then there was a stretch where I could not go anywhere but just walk slowly in front as we were jammed waiting for all the front runners to create a space for us at the back rows. I would not have been trapped if I positioned myself at the front. These little problems were the price that I had to pay for my confidence-building strategy.

The Bowling Alley: When I did have my way and slowly starting to lock into my 4:10 minute per kilometer pace, I felt I could go all the way riding in that terrific momentum. Going up the Kalayaan flyover into Makati City, I found myself catching up with the three fastest ladies on the 16K category. They were only about fifty meters ahead now.

I pictured myself as a fast rolling bowling ball trying to push down all those pins in front. Will it be a strike out? Or will I drop down the canal part of the bowling lane and hit nothing? Either way, it will be time to launch my attack soon. I already have all the momentum I wanted to build.

Taking over runners while climbing up the Kalayaan felt like the running gods were smiling at me. Later in this tale, I would tell my new found knowledge about this dreaded monster of a flyover. I think I have unlocked its secrets and have now fully established the weak and strong points of the Kalayaan flyover climb and how a runner can take advantage of them. I used to fear this flyover ever since last year’s races going through it. Now, no more. It only has a hard part and the other parts were just more of a façade. The Kalayaan, my friends, is absolutely beatable.

At the foot of the flyover and now in Makati City, I started to see the fastest 16K runners already on their way back to The Fort. 21K runners wore violet race bibs. 16K runners had green ones. There were 12 faster male runners and two more just in front me. I was 15th. Right after my U-turn in Paseo de Roxas in Makati, my hunt began.

Look ahead. Who seems to be vulnerable to an attack? Who stands out as a target? Who can be seen easily among runners packed closely together? If I see one, then he’s locked as the next target. The race just became my 10-Mile chase.

(Following Image is from www.buzzine.com)

Ladies, Not this Time!: Going for my last climb up the Kalayaan flyover, about three ladies and three more male runners were all running close together. I still remember the fastest lady of them all. She is a consistent winner on local races.

I was so focused on the chase that I almost forgot I am running against the dreaded monster of Makati – the Kalayaan. Its toughest challenge was its first 100 meters going from its foot in Makati going to The Fort. After this tough climb, runners would be pretty much worry-free on the flats, some tolerable ascends and then the downhill descend back to The Fort. That’s the secret of this monster – it only has one deadly bullet in its arsenal. If we could be strong enough to face the challenge of the first 100 meters from Makati, we have already conquered Kalayaan! Atop this flyover after those steep 100-meter climb lies flats, much easier ascends and downhills going to The Fort.

Sometimes, I do tend to overestimate the burden of running this flyover. Now it’s over. I already owned it. It has no power over me whatsoever from here on. All I need to do is remember to attack patiently coming from its foot from Makati. The rest of this flyover is just a mental scare and nothing more. If I have trained and ran on some ordinary uphill ascends, Kalayaan flyover is not much of a threat to me.

And then after my mental victory over the flyover, I faced the challenge of the two fastest ladies running the 16K category. I was pretty much on attack mode and the two happened to be resilient enough to face my challenge. Pretty tough ladies these two!

Then I remembered how two ladies from the Globe 2010 10K race have beaten me. How they made me eat the dusts of their feet and left me wobbling and trailing on desperation and fatigue on that flyover. My competitive ego wanted revenge. You girls have already left me behind in most of the races I’ve joined. But your victories over me are about to end. Not this time ladies. I am sorry to take over. I do have 12 more men to catch.

And so I was happy and relieved to conquer one of my previous conquerors atop the flyover. Until I got thirsty to momentarily stop for a drink. Every time I stopped on the hydration stations, the two girls would run ahead of me. Then I got to chase them again. After beating the two while going up to Lawton Avenue, I would then stop to drink or pour some water over my head. Then two would knock me off again and leave me trailing behind.

To finally get my victory over them and create a comfortable distance away from their resilient challenge, I skipped the next hydration station and sped up. There await three PNPA police students (Three Musketeers) running in a pack. In front of me was also a guy wearing black shorts, black singlet and a blazing red Nike shoes. Let’s call him the Black Knight. He has been just a little ahead of me and was one of my candidate targets since the flyover climb to The Fort.

The Black Knight would catch and overtake the Three Musketeers on our way to the flat roads of Lawton Avenue. There are a lot more runners with us now as we were catching up with the 21K runners already. My chase would have to go through the Three Musketeers. If successful, I would have overtaken most of the 16K runners except 9. I would be in the Top 10. Let's keep chasing.

(Three Musketeers from atangledweb.squarespace.com)

The Three Musketeers: Three PNPA police students were still running fast and out of my reach since I saw them ahead of me from the Kalayaan flyover going back to The Fort. I hoped to catch them later on.

That ‘later on’ stage was all set when I have pulled away from the lady runners.

I assumed that these students were always running every morning thus having sufficient endurance to keep on running. Morning jogs must have been the usual routine for these students just as our military cadets and soldiers. Even so, I believed my training schedule is just as tough and as often as theirs. I also assumed that they do not have Tempo training runs on their schedules. So even if they can endure long distance running, somewhere along the race they would be tired of running fast and would have to slow down. Hopefully, they would tire earlier than I would.

At Lawton Avenue, after the uphill climbs on 5th Avenue, our Black Knight had just overtaken the Three Musketeers. I sensed that fatigue was already creeping up on this group of runners. One of the three, the one on the middle, was even swinging both his hands together from left to right. He must have been tired of swinging his hands forwards and backwards. About a few seconds after the Black Knight took over the three, I made my own attack from behind.

We had to be extra careful on Lawton Avenue. The roads were not closed exclusively for the runners and there were not too many marshals to protect us from the speeding vehicles.

I had an energy surge running at Lawton Avenue, my second wind after toughing out the Kalayaan flyover and ascending the hills of 5th Avenue going to Lawton. I was chanting Left-Right, Left-Right, Left (common cadence chant while marching with the college C.A.T troop) to force faster strides and to focus on sustaining my current pace. The surge I believe was also because of my familiarity with the Lawton-Bayani Roads – this is the route I ran for my first half marathon race! I was so motivated in racing the Rota Half Marathon in this same route in preparation for my first marathon run. As I get too motivated and energized, I was getting nearer and nearer to the Three Musketeers.

Sensing their fatigue, I happily conquered the musketeers and went on to my next visible target – The Black Knight.

(The Black Knight from photobucket.com)

The Black Knight: He wore black running shorts and a black singlet. He lifts his back foot high enough to propel himself forward even faster. I still can’t do this running technique. He was efficiently fast. He also had thickly muscled thighs and calves. He would be the hardest runner for me to chase on this 10-Mile race.

Uphill climbs did not end on Lawton, the Bayani road still offered some challenges to our tiring legs. I did feel my thighs slowly getting tired and heavy after all the climbs we’ve done. But knowing that the Bayani part of the race is the last line of up hills that we need to conquer, I just kept on chasing and going after the Black Knight.

The stronger I get and the faster I run, this Black Knight was not getting any closer than about 25 meters ahead of me. But thanks to him, I was holding my fast pace for the longest time since I’ve seen him on the Kalayaan flyover. Without the motivation driven by wanting to keep up with this guy, I don’t think I would be able to keep up with my 4:10 min/km pace. He was pushing me to try harder. To be at my limits just to keep up with him. To go all out and try to catch him. If I could just catch this guy. Just catch him.  Just try to go conquer this Black Knight.

After the U-turn at Bayani Road, it was just me against him on the wide open road going back to Lawton. The 25-meter separation was getting closer and closer. I was faster going downhills. And when I was just a meter away from him, I decided to just stay behind and let his body cover me from drag of the wind. At the same time, I was trying to breathe and recover from all my efforts of chasing him.

While running relaxed about a meter behind him, I noticed his blazing red Nike shoes. Then I stared at my glowing orange Mizuno. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s Nike versus the Mizuno. Who are you picking? Hehehe. Then I made my move, ran to his right side and tried to overtake him.

He noticed my surge and he ran faster to cover my move. I loved it. We were racing against each other while going down Bayani Road. The Black Knight refused to surrender.

I’ve been chasing him forever in this race, I would have to unleash my sprinting speed now to beat him. Would it be wise to use it at this stage of the race? It is still 4 or 5 kilometers more before we get to the finish line.

Heck.. I want to beat the Black Knight badly. I will be sprinting ahead and conquer him now. Surge! Surge! Surge!

Still, he would not let me go away and leave him behind. The moment I landed my foot ahead of his, he came back surging faster. Oh my, I would not let you go ahead of me no more. I dashed stronger with the strength of my quadriceps to pull ahead.

I finally conquered the Black Knight. Yehey! Yehey!!

The he came back surging and eagerly wanting to take his position back. No mister! This is already mine. I surged again and again and then again until I can’t sense him from behind any longer.

I then reached Lawton Avenue. I was so pumped up and I was so thirsty and tired by then. I have been chasing since gun start.

The Real Intention: When I chase the lady runners, the slower runners at the starting line, the three musketeers and the black knight, I did not intend to compare myself against them and feel better when I do beat them or feel weak when I cannot keep up with them.

Yes, racing is a competition. It’s a sport. It acknowledges the fastest runners on the field and rewards them for their excellence.

But my real intention in trying to chase and run faster than the runners ahead of the pack is mainly to keep up with my target race pace. I will always thank these guys for motivating me to push myself to my limits. Without their struggles to run fast and their resistance to my chase, my race would have been much slower and less fun.

Oops.. I am Crashing Down Real Quick: Back to my chase tale, I happened to be absolutely happy about my efforts to have successfully chased all my targets. The Black Knight was the last. I would not be able to chase the others. I was contented to be at the top 10 already.

Just when I relaxed and tried to cruise my way back to 5th Avenue, the Black Knight came from behind and passed me by. Feeling almost gassed out and tired, I tried to hang on and run behind him. Just hang on and try to stay on the race. Hopefully, a third wind might just come and help me bring back to my chasing game.

None of a third wind came. I was getting more and more winded. I might have forced myself too much as I suffered from side-stitch on the right side of my abdomen. Oh no.. I am now crashing down and fading quickly out of my target finish time.

3 more kilometers to go, can I pull a 1:10-hour 10-Mile finish?

At the next water station in Lawton Avenue, I stopped, drank a cup of water, walked and then thought what to do next. To race or to take it easy?

Just Try to Hang On: Knowing that the route will be all flats and downhills until the finish line, I decided to jog slowly until I rid off of the aching side-stitch. Hang on, only a few kilometers left. I’ve actually done well up to this point, I just need to keep up and try to forget fatigue.

Looking at the determined faces of the other runners climbing their way from 5th Avenue to Lawton, I know I cannot give up. These runners still have much more kilometers to run than me and their not stopping to reach it, so why would I stop?

Runners on wheelchairs came to mind. They are not quitting their fight to the finish. I do have a healthy set of legs. I have no reason to give up. Then I saw a father pushing his son stricken with cerebral palsy on a wheel chair running towards my direction. He inspired me to push myself further and go finish this race strong. His determination to run with his son on a 10-Mile race motivated me to hang on and fight.

 After I signaled a thumbs-up to this inspiring tandem, I looked ahead and saw the Black Knight pulling so far away from me. I felt I don’t have the strength I need to battle back but what the heck. Let’s do give him a good fight.

A PR Finish: After my hydration stop and a few seconds of walking, I tried to get back to running and finish the race strong. The downhill slopes to 5th Avenue helped my cause. I was steadily surging back to my race pace and found the Black Knight still within my reach.

Reaching the 25th street of The Fort, I stride harder and really wanted to come closer behind the Black Knight and also finish under 1:10 hours. At this part of the route, the 3K and 5K runners have already converged with us. The running lanes were crowded by the convergence of runners from all categories going towards the same finish line.

I swung my hands a lot quicker and let my thighs explode with more power in each stride. I was hoping to inch closer and chase the Black Knight before we approach the last corner toward the finish line. I could already see the Finish Arc from 26th street and it was raising my adrenaline to much higher levels. We were about to finish this race.

I was thinking to sprint all the way from the corner of 28th street until the finish line. But when we have reached that corner, we were instructed to continue to run along 11th Avenue towards the 32nd Avenue. We were running away from the finish line.

The extra stretch made me lose my focus and feel how tired I am at that point. With only about twenty meters away from me, I suddenly felt that I would no longer be able to chase the Black Knight. At the U-turn point just before 32nd street, I was just crawling my way towards the end of this race.

Finally, on 28th street and on the last corner of my 16-kilometer race, we head towards the Finish Line. With all of my last remaining energy, probably extended by the energy drink I consumed while climbing up the hills of the 5th Avenue towards Lawton, I sprinted as fast as I could to reach the Finish Line.

I was so thrilled to have seen the TIMER read 1:37:xx hours. The 16K race started exactly 30 minutes after the TIMER started for the 21K race. That means I am within my 1:10 target finish time.

I wanted to reach the arc just before the TIMER reads 1:38 hours but I was a little short. I finished the race in 1:08:15 hours.

My 16K race was a success. I was able to carry a 4:15 min/km pace for 16 long kilometers. I will need to run the Milo Marathon with a 4:30 min/km pace to qualify for Boston.

What’s Next: My fifth week is a mileage cut-off week. It is designated as my recovery week after the first four weeks of marathon training. So I have the luxury to go all out last Sunday's Earth Run knowing I do have a relatively easier week coming. I will also be joining a 5K race on my fifth week - the Mizuno-Highlands Fun Run in Tagaytay City. It's just a short 5K race and I would be using it as a speed workout run. It should be lots of fun running on the cool and windy atmosphere of Tagaytay as opposed to the warm and intense heat of the Metropolitan Manila.

After Tagaytay, I would be seriously building up for the marathon for another four weeks. Sadly, I will have to miss the race events scheduled on this period. This is to concentrate on training for the marathon. On schedule, I should log 81-88 kilometers of weekly mileages for these endurance-building weeks. They include 27-31 kilometers of Sunday long runs. Pretty tough weeks to look forward to. And they should whip me into tip-top marathon running shape.

Another cut-off week will follow (the 10th week) before I do run two of my toughest weeks on my marathon training schedule. Milo Marathon is already fast approaching.

Running Mini Clinic in Bolinao Pangasinan

In this blog, we take a break from running on the road. Instead, we share our running knowledge and experience on a stage. Recently, I took a little step towards motivating myself and other people to take up running as a cardio exercise and a sport. I spoke about the sport I love and shared the passion I have about running and racing. The experience did raise my passionate spirit and boosted my desire to accomplish much more in the world of running.

Last Saturday night, I was given a chance by my colleagues to give a 15-minute talk about running and marathon. It was on the second night of our company outing at Punta Riviera Resort in Bolinao, Pangasinan.

I took the chance to hone my public speaking skills which is one of my weak spots. I prefer writing long stories than speaking a few sentences in front of an audience. I have a low voice which is not what you need for a public speech. But it was a great experience sharing my running knowledge to my office buddies. The talk also served to intensify my love for running.
 
I did talk a lot. I needed twice the allotted time to wrap up 9 of my prepared slides:

The running drills demonstration warmed me a up a bit and made me talk a lot more than I expected. Just sharing the fun and the knowledge. At the same time, let that knowledge and fun truly applies on actual road racing. Hopefully, I can walk the talk ('run the talk' is more like it) on my future races.

Here are some pictures of our Bolinao weekend vacation (April 9th - 11th, 2010).

These Bolinao Outing photos were courtesy of Drei, My, Katre, Leizl, Cha, Felix and Athan of Digi Software, Philippines. Thank you guys.

Training for the Milo Marathon

Milo Marathon is the prestigious local marathon with a 5-hour cut off and a 4-hour qualifying time for the Finals. Naturally, it is the common Pinoy marathoner's dream. Just to be one of the so few qualifiers to run the Milo Finals would be a great running achievement. It's more like a Pinoy lawyer passing the Bar Exams. It's difficult. It's prestigious. It's an honor to be a Milo marathon finalist.

I missed it last year.

The qualifying leg was held July 2009 and back then I was only running a 56-minute 10Km race. When the Finals was held last October 2009, I have only completed a half marathon. It wasn't until November 2009 when I was able to run and complete a full marathon.

I will take the challenge this year.

The grandeur, glory, beauty and beast of the marathon are no easier things to describe and explain as running the marathon itself. Ever wonder why so many runners aspire of the marathoner tag attached to their names? And why is it once a marathoner always a marathoner? Why marathoners know how hard and difficult it is to run a marathon and yet keep coming back?

The time I become a marathoner by reaching the Finish Line of the Philippine International Marathon last November of 2009, I knew right then that I would be coming back for more. Only stronger, faster, more durable and more experienced. Experiencing how it was to run the historic marathon distance almost left me teary-eyed and emotional. I clenched both my fists and wanted to scream out loud. I have conquered it. I belong to the revered group of runners who endured and finished a marathon.

I am a marathoner. 

And I will not cease to be one. I will take the journey over and over as long as I could without regards to age. For as long as I could – this is my treaty with the marathon. Like a father-son relationship, it cannot be broken. At the Finish Line of my first marathon, that treaty was etched in my heart and fused with my passion as a runner.

For four furious hours, I endured. Though harmed and hurt. I was suffering, grimacing and almost wanting an easy escape for my bad right knee. Aside from the demanding long distance of running, I had to endure with my right knee that does not want to do any more running. The physical side was badly hurting and could hardly cope with the marathon. But as I have learned the hard way, the physical side is only a part of a much bigger marathon equation. The mental, emotional and spiritual sides of the marathon play a huge part. And those other sides kept me going. Toughness is not all about our physical capabilities. Lucky me. I was able to hang on.

This time around though, I plan to strengthen the physical side and equip it accordingly. I do not intend to hurt my knees again just for the love of the marathon. And that’s just one of the goals -- no injuries. 

The mental side also wants to prove that the toughness it displayed on the first go was no fluke. 

And so we proceed with the Pandesal Adventures – the Milo Marathon Eliminations.


Chapter 3.1 My Milo Marathon Training Schedule

For fifteen full weeks I would train my physical side to meet the demands of the marathon distance. Endurance will be my priority. This is after spending 11 weeks on speed training for the 5 and 10 kilometer race distances. The speed part of my training was productive. I have ran the 5K distance under 20 minutes. I placed 6th and 3rd on two successive 10Km races. The sprint runs and the interval training runs bore sweet fruits. So far my running season is going on the right directions without derails. I love how my plans translate into actions and results. So far so sweet.

From the Globe Run for Home race last March 21, I reckoned that my speed endurance is lacking. On the middle parts of that 10Km race, I slowed down significantly at about 20-30 seconds per kilometer. To avoid such slow downs on longer distances and to keep a fast steady pace, I have to improve my speed endurance.

The 15 weeks of training will not deal with speed improvements. No more intervals. Longer easy runs and much longer long runs populate my training calendar. Endurance is the priority. I will run 5 times a week. Sundays are allotted for long runs of 21-35 kilometers. Much of my weekly mileage base will be coming from 12-14 kilometers of easy runs to be done 3-4 times a week.

The first two weeks will be dedicated exclusively for longer easy runs and longer long runs. This 2-week start obviously aims to increase my endurance and prepare me for the longer distances of training later on and also for the long distance races.

On the third and fourth weeks, I will slowly incorporate Tempo training runs into the schedule. Tempo training will pretty much tell if my speed endurance is improving or not. I will be doing 15 kilometer Tempos during these weeks. I will then finish the 4th training week by joining the Earth Run on April 18th. I will race for 16 kilometers. Hopefully, I will be able to run it under 1:10 hours (under 4:20 min/km pace).

The fifth week is for rest and recovery. I will cut my mileage down and let my body recover from the hard stamina-building phase of my marathon training. Then on the following weeks, I would be running longer distances again hoping to increase my stamina further.

And that’s the plan.

Will you be running a marathon soon? Or are you a marathoner? I intend to make Chapter 3 be as much help to future marathon runners and those who aims to qualify for the Milo Finals. Please do provide your inputs in the comments section or in the marathon polls section of this blog. Thank you.

First Week

I started my marathon training last March 22. Just a day after my Globe Run for Home 2010 10K race. I did my leg strength training routine consisting of ankle and calf raises, lunges and half squats using two 19-pound dumbbells. Three times a week, I do strength training targeting the major muscle groups: legs, chest, back, arms and shoulders. I do about eight exercises each strength training day performed in three sets. The first set would be 8 repetitions for warm up. The next set would be 12 repetitions for maximum effort and the last set would be 10 repetitions for each exercise for maintenance.

I hope to continue with my strength training routines and continue to build strength and power. I also hope to tone my muscles as I do lose a lot of weight while running heavy mileage for a marathon. I do not want to be too thin and I do like to have a nice looking upper body, well toned arms and more powerful set of legs.

For the first week of my Milo marathon training, I was able to log three strength training sessions. Legs training on the first Tuesday, chest and back strength training on Wednesday and then arms and shoulders strength training on the Saturday.

I also incorporate Core Drills on my training schedule. I hope to log about two to three core drills sessions each week leading to the marathon race. Core training develops the core muscles that holds the upper body while running. A strong core is required for long distance running to keep me in my good running form all throughout the four-hour marathon run. It helps me avoid lower back pains caused by poor running form like crouching and the likes.

My core drills includes three sets of sit-ups (upper abs), bicycle crunches (obliques) and leg raises (lower abs). I can do 30-40 repetitions of sit-ups per set, 30-40 bicycles per set and 15-20 leg raises per set. I would then conclude the core sessions with a one to two minutes of the plank exercise.

For my running schedule, I would have 5 running sessions per week consisting of 3 easy runs, a tempo run and a Sunday long run. However for the first two weeks of my 15-week schedule, I decided to train myself exclusively for longer runs to improve my stamina. I would only have 14-kilometer easy runs and a 21-kilometer long run. Tempo runs will only appear starting on the third week of my schedule. Speed work and interval training would not be included. I am happy with my current speed and hopes to carry it over much longer distances.

Plans sometimes does not materialize. For my first week of training though, I did everything that was scheduled. I finished the four 14K easy runs and the 21K long run.

• Tuesday Morning 14K Easy - Done in 1:03:49 hours (4:34 pace)
• Tuesday Evening 14K Easy - Done in 1:04:21 (4:36)
• Thursday 14K Easy - Done in 1:04:34 (4:37)
• Friday 14K Easy - Done in 1:08:26 (4:54)
• Sunday 21K Long - Done in 1:55:00 hours (5:29 pace)

 
Second Week

The second week of my marathon training was not as successful as the first. I struggle against the varying temperatures of my changing environments. It is too cold in the office with the air conditioning while it was too hot outside. After staying about 9 hours in the office, I would go out to Velazquez Park for my scheduled easy run. Unable to cope with the temperature changes, I was bogged down by a slight fever and had to stop my 14K run with only 9K of that distance covered.

I would then miss my evening run and the Thursday morning run because of the slight fever. Of the scheduled 42 kilometers on three easy runs, I was only able to run 9.

Then the Holy Week, a four-day vacation starting on a Thursday. I had the opportunity to make up for my mileage shortage as I recovered from the fever. I planned to run 3 successive mornings starting on Good Friday.


3 Half Marathons in 3 Days

During the Christian Holidays called Holy Week, it is not uncommon for Christians to do sacrifices to commemorate the hardships and trials that Jesus Christ underwent in that Holy Week. It is a week to remember the Lord Jesus Christ’s death on the cross and the day he came back to life (Easter Sunday).

The holidays started on Thursday. Office works were rushed until Wednesday, and then I was off to pack my used clothes and head back to my province of Cavite. Most of those dirty, smelly and sweat-ridden clothes were from my running shorts and singlets. Though not as much as the previous week, as I only had spent three days in Makati as compared to the usual five.

Looking at my marathon training schedule, I need about more than 60 kilometers more of running mileage for the week. As a sacrifice for the Holy Week and for the love of running, I decided to go for a wild three half marathon runs in three consecutive days. On the dawns of Good Friday, Black Saturday and Easter Sunday, I would be running 21 kilometers of cement, asphalt and grassy rocky roads each day. That’s a whopping 63 kilometers of mileage in just three days.

To make it bearable and much more enjoyable, I decided to bring a digital camera and a hydration belt on the 3-day runs. I don’t bring hydration belts on long runs. I see it more of a burden than a relief. I don’t like the extra weight and I don’t like the discomfort it gives on my waist. The constant movement of the liquid, the liquid container and the belt on my lower back also irritate me a bit.  I really don’t like those belts. The only positives I can say about it are the extra pocket it provides and the cooling comfort of the water poured atop my head against the heat of the morning sun. I put my money, chocolate bar and digital camera on the belt pocket.

Taking photographs of the roads, the trees, vehicles, houses, farms, people, landmarks and kilometer posts along the route is also an unusual running task for me. Again, it has much to do with the extra weight that I have to carry. With these long runs and picture-taking, I loved it. Though the photographs I have taken may not be that lovely.

The photo shoots have given me a reasonable excuse to run much slower than my usual long run pace. While the training schedule calls for around 5 minute per kilometer pace, there were kilometers where I spent 7 to 8 minutes. And I didn’t mind. I just shoot.

 
Waking Up for a Morning Long Run

Waking up after 5 in the morning is just as tough as running the scheduled long run. It’s a hard battle. Do I stay in bed or do I wake up and get ready for my run? I end up hitting the snooze button about two or three times before I could finally convince my sleepy self to wake up for the run.

I do sleep with my running clothes if it’s a scheduled run on the following morning. This cuts a few minutes off my running preparation time. Time which is actually spent for sleeping a few minutes more before I finally get myself up for running.

The hydration bottles have been filled with water. I do have two bottles on the belt. A big bottle that can contain a little less than a liter of liquid and a small one with about ten sips capacity and is easily detachable from the belt. I use the big one for a full hydration stop and the small one just to pour water on top of my head or a quick sip while running on the roads.
 
The digital camera has also been placed on the hydration belt pocket as well as a Choco Mucho chocolate bar. I prefer the violet choco bar than the blue white-chocolate bar or the caramel coated chocolate flavor. Why chocolates? It’s more of a mental bribe really. Almost everybody loves chocolates. They kind of give quick satisfaction. It’s a delight to the mouth and a mental boost. The extra calories and the carbohydrates and energy content are just secondary reasons.

At the house kitchen, I will prepare a cup of coffee with a few spoons of rice mixed with it. Just to have something in my stomach before a two to three hour run on the road. Sometimes, I would be lucky to find a few pieces of bread on the kitchen.

Then it is time for a few stretches before I head out of the door of our house. This is it, another long run in the making. I would strap the belt around my waist and head off.

 
Feet against the Road
 
From our house to Silang proper and its main road is almost 3 kilometers. From the main road to Emilio Aguinaldo National Highway is about a kilometer. I would have ran 4 kilometers when I reach the 45th kilometer post on the Aguinaldo Highway. For this half marathon long run, I will go and take the up hills and treacherous inclines going up to the direction of Tagaytay City until I reach the 49th kilometer post (Total of 8 kilometers).

On the 49th kilometer, I have already gone 8 kilometers. Time to go back to kilometer 45th for another 4 (Toal of 12 kilometers now). From here, I will run the Aguinaldo Highway instead of going back to Silang proper. This part of Aguinaldo is locally known as the Silang Bypass Road. I will run this road until I reach the Welcome To Silang Arc just before the 41st kilometer post.

From the Welcome arc, I would go and run back to the part of Silang road I entered on my 3rd kilometer of this half marathon run. The Silang Bypass Road back to Barangay Pasipit  roundabout is more than 6 kilometers (Total of 18 kilometers). From Barangay Pasipit, I will head back home which is almost 3 kilometers away (Total of 21 kilometers).

Going out of the house, I would push down the Start Lap button of my Nike Triax Fury running watch. I am no longer sleepy and I feel totally focused and excited about the morning’s adventure on the road.

The feet adventures begin.

The first 3 kilometers to Silang proper would be on a harder cement road. Excitement, fresh legs and the downhill roads leading to Barangay Pasipit would all combine to a relatively fast 5:00 min/km long run pace. I would be greeted with smiles and Good Mornings by my neighbors and friends on the early break of dawn. My energy and excitement rises up to the brink and I can feel my legs almost resembling a dynamic piston. I feel like my people’s positive response to my chosen morning activity gives me much more energy than what I can store and generate. It almost is a transfer of spiritual energy, perhaps a positive aura coming from their smiles and support.

Then comes the realization that this would be a testing and grueling long run. After a kilometer of pure excitement and energy, I would be going out of our barangay. The Welcome Balite 1st arc on our narrow cemented road waves its goodbye. The lonely feeling creeps in. The heavier legs make their complaints to the brain. The mind focuses on the long road ahead. I would still be at a fast easy pace for it is all downhills until I reach Barangay Pasipit going up the Silang main roads.

The fast easy pace would soon slow down going up the Pasipit uphill which is the steepest climb of this half marathon route. By this point, I have fully embraced my duties as a dedicated runner on the road. That no matter how tough and how long the journey ends I will keep going. This is what I do. This is me. These are my sacrifices as well as my pleasures. I am a runner.

I do inspire and motivate myself when running really does not appear to be that much enjoyable. Going up a steep hill is a true leg buster. I feel a zombie grabbing my thighs down. Of course that zombie does exist. Gravity pulls you down so hard while you try to go climb a hill. But instead of walking and giving up to that grabbing force, I just tell myself to climb up slowly but forcefully. Let gravity knows it’s not just him who plays a role in nature. I do too. And my role includes defying gravity to reach my goal. So I am not about to give up. This is what I do. I run. You pull me all the way down all you like. I’m going to push through.

And then those dogs.

Uphill climbs are just one of my many concerns while running. And while running uphill does help strengthen my running legs, my concern with a dog bite is not anywhere near as productive. I am not afraid of dogs. I am afraid of dog bites. Dogs make for a very good pets and friends. They protect your territory. As a runner, I kind of go close to those protected territories. And so some dogs feel threaten. They bark out loud to announce their presence. I am not a welcome stranger.

Often times, I just try to avoid the side where a free untied dog is. And I run slower trying my best not to cause any sudden alarm to these protectors. They stare at me and I glance at them. Can I pass in peace? My expected response is for these dogs to do absolutely nothing. Just for them to stay as is. Else, I just walk and stare back at them.

So far, I’ve never been bitten. But there’s always the first time so I’m just being careful. I love dogs. Not so much when they aren’t mine.

The main road of Silang, Cavite will then greet me. We’ve been acquainted. I’ve been running here for more than a year now. At this point, so much more vehicles and traffic show up. The sun has awaken and I am all warmed up and starting to sweat. The cemented road bids goodbye and its asphalt kin greets welcome. My journey has just begun.

Shown on the picture is the Emilio Aguinaldo Highway just in front of the Balinsasayaw Restaurant. This is my entrance point to the Aguinaldo Highway coming from my house up to the Silang main roads.

It is no easy task to go North towards Tagaytay City. It is all uphill after uphill after uphill. Thankfully, there are a lot of trees on the road and the fresh windy morning breeze welcomes my courageous ascend.

To Batangas? My mind did wonder if someday I can be brave and strong enough to cross Tagaytay and beyond to Batangas (in one of its beautiful beaches)by foot. Someday I might when I'm ready.

Some more pictures of the Emilio Aguinaldo Highway:

I would stop to take pictures and would inevitably slow down. My pace with the photo shoots were down to 7 minute per kilometer. It's alright though, at least I have some road pictures to show you in this blog.

Then I would slowly reach my turn around point. For this half marathon long run, I would only go as far the 49th kilometer post of the Aguinaldo Highway. It also marks the 8th kilometer of my run.

I am now at the right side of the road as I go back to the 45th kilometer post. These yellow bricks planted on every kilometer of the National Highway serves as my markers during my long run in the province of Cavite.

This is my favorite tree on Aguinaldo Highway. It is my half marathon turn around point standing opposite the 49th kilometer post. Upon reaching this huge tree, I would stand with my back leaning against its trunk as I get the Choco Mucho chocolate bar from my hydration belt. A reward for having reached this far and an energizer and a bribe to go run some 13 kilometers more.

The Emerald Garden. There is a church inside and more trees and green grassed lawns. Had I happened not to be running, I would go inside and take more pictures. See if its really a good idea to make the place my wedding site. Hehehe. 

I placed the camera inside the rock and clicked on the digicam for a photo.

Now I am back to the 45th kilometer post of the National Highway. This time though, I am not going back to Silang Poblacion main road. I would be running through the Silang Bypass road to add 6 more kilometers before I head home.

Plants and flowers go for sale in this part of the highway. Notice also the election campaign banners posted at the trees. The colorful plants and flowers underneath the converging trees are one of my favorite road sceneries of my half marathon route. 

I would finish my three half marathons in three consecutive days of the Holy Week in ordinary finish times of 2:16:27, 2:04:55 and 1:57:54 hours respectively. I should have taken pictures of coffee and pineapple farms along the road with cows, carabaos and chickens on them. Don't ask me to take pictures of dogs though. Until next blog. ;)