Run United 2012 Leg 1 - Race Day Review & Pics

This morning, the Run United leg 1 for 2012 Trilogy happened at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City. But for the 21K runners, the starting point was at the Riovana store in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

For this run, I was set to pace Doc Gracielle and help her out to achieve a new 21K PR. Also, Rain will be joining our group.

With Doc Gracielle & Ton Ramos at starting line

At BGC, we were joined by Doc Gracielle's friend, Ton Ramos in our warm-up routine up to the gunstart. But as we proceed to Kalayaan Flyover, he was isolated in our group.

The group at MOA

All through out the race, I paced Doc Gracielle while Rain became on and off in our group as she suffered some calf muscle discomfort. Initially we aimed for sub 2hours run but in the end we settle for a 2:10-2:11 unofficial finish time. Still a new PR for Doc Gracielle. Congrats Doc!!!

The race was very good in terms of hydration, electrolytes drink (Powerade) was overflowing, I counted more Powerade stations than water stations at the 21K route. Plus the bananas were first offered at the 7km mark and more bananas at the Rizal Park hydration stations. A great improvement for the organizers. Runrio really redeemed itself from the doomsday RU3 2011 performance.

But still there were some glitch of the race performance as finishers kit for 21K runners were reported to have been stolen resulting to some or many of the runners not being able to get their loots. 

At least, for us we were able to get our own loots and medals! A new and different 21K medal this time, as it will be a part of the medal puzzle if you complete this year's Trilogy.

With Doc Gracille and Glenn

For more race day pics, please click HERE. More photo links will be updated upon availability.

For Race Analysis, please click HERE. For complete Race Results, click HERE.

See you on the road guys!

Condura Skyway Marathon 2012 - Race Day Pics and Review

Last Saturday midnight, February 04, 2012, the first midnight race in the country was held at the Condura Skyway Marathon 2012. The event venue was at Filinvest Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

For the 42K or full marathon event, the race route covered five (5) cities from Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Taguig, Pasay and Makati. And having the Skyway for runners only once a year is indeed a great race event aside from running in the first organized midnight run!

Also ran the Skyway for fellow runners Shiela & Rona

Due to the far venue, I opted to be more early in going to the venue, and as early birds, I was the first to buy a Pinoy Fitness singlet at their booth, at the photo above is Michael, a fellow PF peep. During my first full marathon, I wore a PF Tech shirt, this time around a new PF singlet :-)

Before wave D gunstart with PF peeps

Condura also implemented wave starts, the same as last year. Since I registered late, my race bib was already at 42K wave D, or the last wave. But it was all okay because I have a lot of Pinoy Fitness peeps with me. Above photo includes Joebert, Chona, Gerald, Jared, Grace and some fellow runners :-)

Still energetic at around 15K mark

At the first half of the marathon course, Joebert, Edrick, Daniel, Jared, Grace and I maintained our pace group and had some time taking photos. The above photo was taken by Edrick. But as we progressed I observed that there were so few hydration that offered 100 plus or the partner electrolyte drink. This was a thumbs down for the organizers as I have counted only four station with 100 plus all through-out the 42K route.

Obviously at 27Km mark :-)

Approaching the 30K mark, a fellow runner, Gilbert joined our pace group which was already trimmed down to Joebert, Daniel and me. Jared and Edrick made their advance break-away and Grace slowed down.And after reaching 30K plus distance, we already felt the fatigue and cramps. It was good that for the first time I brought a superscent oil and also my ever medicine buddy- mefenamic acid (pain killer).

At around 33K mark, I had my wall which made me felt so tired and just wanted to walk. But I was determined to push myself though our target of finishing sub 5H was already not possible. That time, I made a break away to my pace group and made a solo run for the remaining kilometers until the finish line. My unofficial finish time is 5:30 - 5:35, I was so tired that I forget to check on the clock upon crossing the finish line :-(

After crossing the finish line

It was also great to meet new peeps in the running community like Gilbert from Laguna who joined us in our pace group until the past 32K mark, Randy Miranda, a fellow PF and OK OK runner, Rain Eloriaga and not to forget Doc Gracielle Daya, friend of my wife whom I failed to meet during Run United 2. Nice meeting you guys!

With Doc Gracielle. Credits to her camera :-)

All in all the race was great! In summary, here's the good and bad based in my observation for the full marathon event.

Good:
1.Conquered 5 cities in just one race
2. New route and utilized the whole stretched of the Skyway from Muntinlupa to Makati
3. First midnight run in the country (so were pioneer!)
4. Overflowing Summit water
5. Festive mode with the fireworks
6. Wide event area (that you need to really walk around just to get your medal and baggage)
7. Wave start avoided congestion (but for 42K runners of around 1,700 only, do we really need it?)
8. Post-race massage treat for 42K runners (but I think there should be more tents)

Bad:
1. Only four station with 100 plus drink (long distance runners need electrolytes, not just water). Most runners also did not like 100 plus, as it tasted bad. Powerade or Pocari would be better, but Gatorade would be best!
2. Only one banana station at km20, no more, no less (the DOLE bananas are also not that ripe). QCIM3 only got 1 station but runners passed by that station twice, for Condura it's only at u-turn # 2 at NAIA toll and no return.
3. There should be a dedicated Photo booth or loots for 42K. Running that distance then you need to que again to get your photo taken is a torture (that's why I do not have photo booth pics on my 1st FM also on my 2nd FM at Condura).

Well, that's all for now. Congratulations everyone! Stay safe, run happy, live life!

Photo links:

Runners Toe - click HERE.
Pinoy Fitness - click HERE.
Kewl Runnings - click HERE.
Condura FB Page - click HERE.
Activemoments - click HERE.

More photo links will be added upon availability.

Runrio Trilogy 2011 Leg 2: Run United 2 - Race Day Pics

The staging of the Run United leg 2 happened this morning, August 21, 2011 at Bonifacio Global City. More than 14, 000 runners in different race categories showed up and joined the most attendance Runrio organized race so far!

Of course, I am one of those runners, having my seventh (7th) 21K run this year, adrenaline rush still lingers my body, though with less preparations and too much toxicity at work and school and life in general, I still managed to finished below my slowest 21K time.

Based in the Bazu Sports results, my finished time is 2:17:44 which is below my 2:18 slowest time set during my first 21K run last February at Condura Skyway Marathon.

Sharing some race and post-race pics here, more pictures available in my FB Account or click HERE.

Before gun start for 21K

Along Buendia Avenue

At the Finish Line, few moments upon crossing

With the Finisher Shirt and Medal

Photo ops, model to be? :-)

Til next race guys!

35th National Milo Marathon Manila Leg - Race Day Pics

It's almost 2 days after the 35th National Milo Marathon Manila leg which was held last Sunday, July 31, 2011 at the Mall of Asia grounds. This is the time that my leg, foot and body pains appear but all was part of the challenge and fun of being a runner.

This 35th National Milo Marathon Manila leg was a rainy one, and it was my first rainy 21K run. It was great to run in the rain, no worries for heat stroke, just still rehydrate to replenish the body fluids. The negative side is the wet shoes and wet socks which eventually will give you blisters.

As the official results at the Bazu Sports indicated, I finished at 2:17 hours which is around my regular 21K time but I got confused with the timers at the finish line which indicated a different time when I crossed the line. But anyway, its the experience that counts not the time :-)

And I am happy to meet new peeps in the running community like Miss Gracie, Miss Pam and Doc Minnie among others. Thanks and nice meeting you guys!

Running peeps, photo taken by Ms. Gracie

Photo finish! Taken by Miss Rexie

For more race day pics, please visit my FB page or click HERE.

See you on the road guys!