09 March 2008
That is my unofficial time of finish in this morning’s 7th DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Half-Marathon which started at 6:00AM at the Grandstand of Villamor Air Base, the Headquarters of the Philippine Air Force. It was supposed to start at 5:30 AM but due to the presence of late registrants, we gave at least 30 minutes delay to accommodate more of the runners for the Half-Marathon Race. After the Opening Prayers and Warm-Up exercises, the Half-Marathon started at eactly 6:00 AM with almost 600 hundred runners. The 5K race started thirty minutes after the 21K race had left the starting area.
I was able to talk to “Totoy” Santos, MiracleCello, and other runners/bloggers at the starting area. I was surprised to see an unprecedented number of runners from the civilian sector to include some foreigners (no Kenyans this time). I’ve seen a lot of runners who ran the 2008 Pasig River Marathon two weeks ago and the Condura 10K Run last week. I consider them as the real weekend “warriors” on road racing/running.
Runners would run along the streets inside Villamor Air Base for the first 1.5 kilometers before going out of the camp along Villamor Road leading the runners towards Fort Bonifacio area. I maintained an average pace of 5:15 minutes per kilometer for the first half of the race, drinking much water along the way in every two kilometers. I had to make my “pit (pee) stop” at Lawton Avenue before reaching Essensa in one of the big electric posts at Kilometer # 6. I was glad there were lots of bougainvilla plants to cover me..ha!ha!ha! I have to catch up with the other runners who left me with a good 50-meter distance, finally overtaking them at the uphill portion on the road beside Essensa.
Running alone at the vicinity Essensa, which was Kilometer # 6 with a pace of 5:13 minutes per kilometer.
Running with some of the participants at vicinity Market! Market on our way to the 10.5K turning-point and the sun was about to shine on us.
I just maintained my pace all the way to the turning-point at the back of the S & R Store at the The Fort. I was really bit worried about the rising sun that runners could see once we are going back to the Market! Market! area. I thought it would bring more heat and discomfort to the runners but when we reached Lawton Avenue, the sunlight was already on our backs.
I had the chance to pick-up some runners along the way and join them to maintain and later increase my pace. These guys are really good and consistent with their pacing.
On my way back to the finish line at the vicinity Serendra.
Upon reaching the last 4-Km marker, I knew I could break two hours barrier to finish the race. I was accompanied from Essensa by MSgt Illut, a legend of the early marathon races in the ’70s, and Capt Ferdie Espejo, my “lead man” in making sure that the race is well-planned and well-organized, up to the finish line. Thank you, guys! You have done a wonderful job!
Finishing the Half-Marathon in 1:47:16 is my best PR time so far.
Congratulations to all the participants and finishers of the Half-Marathon & 5K Race! See you in the next road races.
The following were the data taken from my GF 305:
Total Distance—20.98 kms Time—1:47:16 Hrs
Average Pace—5:15 mins/km Average Speed—11.4 kms/hr
Maximum Speed—14.4 kms/hr Total Calories—1,507 calories
Average HR—167 bpm Maximum HR—174 bpm
Total Ascent—592 meters Total Descent—595 meters
Bald Runner 
Awesome time Sir! And many thanks to the Fort Striders pacers who you deployed as well, specifically Allan B.
One good thing about being new to the sport is that each new effort that you put in almost always yields a PB. This one was a full 14mins inside my only other 21K.
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I really need to have a buddy on bike and take some photos of me while I’m running. Sir, It was nice to see you again this morning. Congratulations for brand new PR!
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congratulations on a well organized race! sir, i’d just like to request permission to download one of the pics you have here so i can post it in my friendster account. many thanks
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miracle, nice talking to you this morning & thanks for participating in our running event. yes, it takes time to improve but you need to plan, practice, & learn some lessons on your races.
ben, thanks! yes, you need somebody to document your running events. it’s nice to see yourself if you are really having a nice running form.
loony, thanks for joining our race. you have my approval to download any of the pictures i’ve posted. see you in the next road races.
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Congratulations – Congratulation on your performance. It’s great to see Illut doing well!
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m8parco, thanks!..Msgt Illut is still strong!
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Congratulations Bald Runner – for a well-organized race and a brand-new PR for a half-marathon.
I am one of the runners/bloggers who greeted you and had a short chat with you before the start of the race. This is my first half-marathon, and I think I did well with an unofficial time of 1:39:53, though I just started my watch on the first turn after the starting line (that was before exiting the gate of the PAF Grandstand).
It was really nice that you put up a half-marathon race, because most of the road races here are 5k and 10K. This race was really a good chance for us, regular 10K runners, to improve to a longer distance race. As for me, this further motivates me to continue my training towards running my first full-marathon.
My small group of runners is looking forward to your next event. More power to your blog site and more PRs to come. GOD BLESS.
Nolan
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nolan, yes, i remember you at the starting area when you called my attention. congratulations, too for an impressive run. thanks for the favorable comment about the race. we hope to conduct more of this half-marathon races in the future and you really inspire us to excel in our road race events. keep on visiting my blog!
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MR. BALD RUNNER
Congratulations to you and your staff for organizing such a wonderful event!…
That was my second race and I think I’m doing great. I almost opted to join the race as one of my runningmates warn me of high milage run that I took because they know I still have a slightly bad left ankle after PMPR. I think I finnished the race just a minute ahead of you. My target was running consistenly for 5 min/km pace but I ran a little longer. My time is close to 1 and 46 with no injuries and the pain in my ankle just gone after a few minutes on the race. One thing I love with the race is the addition of brass band on some point. I think they can really alleviate runners and makes them feel relax. And at the finnish line there is a retro band playing Beatles songs. Well that gave me an idea of the age of the organizers… haha… I thank you all for having such and inspiring event done… More power!
gene
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gene, thanks for the positive comment. you inspire us to be better in our next races. the phil air force “guys” did a very commendable job with the rest of the officers & men of the AFP & the staff of gintong pangarap-marathon. i m glad you are improving in your running without any body injury. yes, music inspires us to do our best and I am glad you like our brass bands. everybody loves the Beatles and we are about to reach our “second childhood”..ha!ha!ha!..keep on running & see you in future road races.
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Hi sir! I’ve stumbled upon your blog and I frequently see you at the races.
I hope it’s okay to ask for your opinion about your Garmin GPS watch. I’m planning on getting one (probably a cheaper version though. hehe.)
Does it work properly on hilly routes? and on areas that have somewhat dense foliage? And where did you purchase it? I’m concerned about the service if I need to purchase it abroad.
Thank you for your time sir!
–Don
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Great weather, lots of water, great race! I got a new PR of 1:53 (unofficial). : ) I was just aiming for a sub 2 before it started. Now the new goal is 1:45.
I looked for you sir but you were dressing up as I was told. When the program started, we had to leave already. 2 of my friends were wasted as it was their first 21 km.
Sir, we were not able to get our running singlet and certificate of completion. Do we just go to Captain Espejo?
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you can order garmins through the local distributor. that’s how i got mine, and no complaints so far! You can email marnavcopi@yahoo.com for more details.
hope you do set-up more half marathon races… it was one great experience running in one. more power… and thanks for the pic!
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Thanks! Really? No problems with GPS reception and hilly terrain?
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don, my daughter bought my GF 305 in the US and brought it here when she had her vacation last month. i have no problem using it in the mountains & forested areas in jamindan, capiz. garmin brought down the price of GF 305 because of the introduction of GF 405. anyway, you’ll enjoy using the GF 305.
mark, pls contact capt ferdie espejo for your finisher’s t-shirt and certificate. however, due to the increase in the number of runners/finishers, these items will be available before the end of this week.
loonyrunner, we intend to have another half-marathon on the 3rd quarter of this year. thanks again for joining our race.
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Hi King,
Great job with the half-marathon! That’s fast. You always have the most amazing photos–thanks for posting.
Quicksilver
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Thanks for the info!
And I’m looking forward to the next half-marathon! I had a blast last sunday 🙂 Godspeed!
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quicksilver, thanks. i hope i could run faster in my next race.
ron, we are planning for that next half-marathon already. i hope you can try the Mizuno Infinity 15K run, too. keep on running
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Yes, I will definitely join the Mizuno race. I’ll introduce myself when I see you there! Thanks Sir!
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