5:57 AM 13 April 2008
The On Your Mark 10K and 5K races started at the same time at The Fort barely two minutes before 6:00 AM. As planned, I was wearing an all-new runner’s kit with my newly-broke in ASICS Gel-Kinsei 2 (“top of the line” on ASICS Running Shoes which I bought early last month) and my MP3.
I am using my bulky but reliable Sony Vaio Clip Earphone with my “cheap” Samsung MP3. My new IPod Classic (barely one month old) is now for repair because it got wet from my sweat while I was running in Jamindan. It is covered with one year warranty but the Apple Store here in the country would make me pay for the repairs & replacement of battery. I’ll just wait till I will visit the USA and send it to Apple for the immdediate replacement of my unit.
After donating four of my running shoes, I am now using one brand of running shoes which is ASICS. I bought this ASICS Gel-Kinsei 2 after having some pains on the rear end of my right foot. This shoes made me run better and it gives me stability on my heels. This is the first time that I used it in a road race after using it during my running workouts for the past four weeks.
For the first five kilometers of the race, I did not check my GF 305 for I knew I was comfortably running with my training pace of about 5:00 minutes per kilometer. A few meters from the 6-Km point, I was tempted to look at my watch and I saw that my elapsed time was 27:35 minutes and I was surprised that I was running a faster pace as planned. I tried to pick-up my pace and make some “speed play/fartlek” on the last 4 kilometers but my pace would make my breathing harder and I resort to coughing as if I am going to “throw-up”. This is a warning sign that I have to “listen to my body” and slightly relaxed my pace and concentrated on my running form.
On the last 3 kilometers, it was a test of endurance and “mind over body”. The music on my MP3 helped a lot to relax my mind and inspired me to run harder. It was “Bob Marley’s Greatest Hits” who was my companion entire the course. Some runners would overtake me on the last two kilometers but I just maintained my fastest pace that my body was capable of. All the runners that overtook me were at least 20 or 20 + years younger than me and that’s fine with me. On this part of the race, I was not fighting with the other runners but I was fighting with my own self.
I knew I could reach the finish line in less than 48:00 minutes based from the readings I got from my GF 305. I did a little sprint on the last 500 meters and I was in the company of Gabriela Calma, who beat me last Mizuno 15K Run and Rene from Gold’s Gym.
As I crossed the finish line, the clock at the finish line had a different reading which I deduced that something went wrong with the race clock. So, I stopped my GF 305 and saw that I finished the race in 45:33 minutes! It was only when I was uploading my data from my watch to my PC that I noticed that the distance registered was less than 10 kilometers. The distance was short by almost 600 meters!
This is a picture after crossing the finish line. I was surprised with my time and I thought I improved a lot. I was using my Nathan Water Belt and I did not want to be holding those bottled water available in every water station along the way, while I was running.
Well, whether it is short or not, I can see that I was able to improve my time even if I will add 2:30 minutes to my unofficial finish time. The following data were taken from my GF 305:
Time—45:33 mins Distance—9.45 kilometers
Average Pace—4:52 mins/km Average Speed—12.3 kms/hour
Maximum Speed—17.4 kms/hr Total Calories—692 cal
Average HR—168 bpm Maximum HR—172
Total Ascent—208 meters Total Descent—202 meters
To all the runners in this morning’s race, congratulations! Keep on running!
I will post the other pictures in my post tomorrow.
Bald Runner 
I saw you this morning BR. I was running with a friend and her trainer. We also got a good workout as she came in strong and finished 3rd for the ladies 10km. As usual, I couldn’t find you afterwards. : )
The race is shorter than 10km as our average pace per km (based on garmin) computes to a different finishing time. Nonetheless, I totally agree with you bringing your own hydration belt.
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Btw, a good headset (water resistant, sweat resistant) is the Sennheiser PMX 70 Sport Headphone. Its been reviewed well online and by Runners World. Its a wrap around as well but fits very well. Its available locally (Villman Megamall, SM Appliance Center) at only 2,750 (more or less). I used to wear a pioneer wrap around with my 2nd gen ipod shuffle but it eventually broke down due to the sweat build up every run. Only downside (for some) is that its only available in green. But hey, Im ok with that.
I only use music when I run alone. But usually just have my headset wrapped around my neck if Im running with the group. Nothing beats some chit chat while running.
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hi baldrunner,
just like in the mizuno race, i saw you during the run but did not get to meet you afterwards. at any rate, i was able to go the shoe donation booth and met capt. espejo. thank you for the “one” wristband. like you, i also suspected that the run was short of 10K, because i couldn’t believe my finish time. thank you for setting the record straight.
i also want to thank all the runners who joined the on your mark race this morning. God knows the beneficiary, Womens Crisis Center, needs all the help it can get.
Levy
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Bald Runner, you looked so cool in your new loot! I was trying to guess the music you were playing–foo fighters, linkin park, or some other rock band…yun pala reggae ka ngayon!
Congrats with your PR…even if the course was short!
Are you joining Global run next week?
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mark, i guess you beat me this time. i am little frustrated with the organizers for not measuring the course accurately. i don’t have any problems with my earphone being wet w/ my perspiration. i had “destroyed” one Ipod Nano and my latest IPod Classic because of excessive sweating. for the meantime, i’ll settle with my “cheap and reliable” Samsung MP3
levy, thanks also for your support to the project “donate a shoe”. i just got an information that a recipient was happy to have your shoes this morning. i hope you like and always wear the “one” wristband.
ms jaymie, thanks. nice to have seen you with your hubby along the route. yes, i am a fan of bob marley. i will be joining the 4th global city 10K run this sunday. hope to see you there.
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BR,
I wish I did but I wasnt registered. : ) It was part of our long run that turned out to be the 1st tempo run of the week. We just had one yesterday but I guess saturday is technically the last day of the week. I’ve been tagging along with a friend of mine who’s training for the marathon this August. I’ll show you the sennheiser pmx 70 next time, magugustuhan mo po ito for sure.
Its hard to imagine how a course cannot be measured accurately in this day and age. Its one of the basic requirements organizers must accomplish. See you this Sunday!
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mark, thanks for the headset info. i am sure you will be faster next time that you run in a road race. don’t forget the lydiard’s way. yup! see you on sunday.
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my garmin registered the distance to be 9.3km… the only 10km race I’ve joined so far that measured exactly 10km was the pasig run (last feb), which was a PATAFA event. Run organizers should maybe coordinate with PATAFA so distances during races could be accurately measured. Still, it was a well organized run… kahit na medyo bitin 🙂 keep on running!
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I give them high marks for the well-stocked water stations, but there were not enough marshals I’m afraid. The people who handed out the purple strings were also placed in the wrong spot, standing beside the Serendra/Market! Market! roundabout, instead of beyond the actual turnaround point further down, so of course that was an open invitation to take a shortcut! Those who did easily gained 10 metres I believe. I rounded the marker just the same, just to stay honest to myself.
In front of the Embassy, there were only two marshals playing traffic police for more than a thousand runners, including the 5K people who had to make a right turn. I also saw a few 5K lost souls tracking back from the Public Safety College area, although maybe it was equally their fault for failing to reconnoiter or at least read the route map.
Maybe the decision to start the two races simultaneously that headed out in approximately the same direction was ill-advised, and so with the instructions to keep all the 5K runners at the back. I’m sure it destroyed the rhythm of the elite runners among them, having to run the maze of 10K beginners on 10-12mins/K race strategies (the 10K curfew was a generous 2hrs). Maybe local race organisers should start compartmentalising the start areas like in marathons abroad and require the runners to stay in the sections that are designated according to pace, i.e. 6mins/K runners, 3mins/K, 9mins/K, etc.
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Br,
I hope our sched will include this Sunday’s race. I just tag along with their marathon training sched. If not, we’ll either be in Libingan or in Antipolo for our 3hr run.
Thanks for previously mentioning Lydiard. Even though he has passed, his training and running methodology still lives on. I’ve been able to apply some of his tips. For more info, here’s a pdf link http://www.fitnesssports.com/lyd_clinic_guide/Arthur%20Lydiard.pdf
Im still getting to familiarize myself with Jack Daniels and his Vdot chart for training. (Daniel’s Running Formula – available at Fully Booked) Another great reference is Lore of Running 4th Ed. The book is quite massive and difficult to lug around. Mukhang pang med student. hehehe Im just in chapter 2 though, got it last week at Amazon. Fully Booked might carry it as I was told. Both of these books were recommended by a friend who does professional coaching to elite athletes (multi sport, canoe kayak , running) in Canada.
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Btw, great Nike Singlet huh! I have the same one, wore it the day we met at Mizunog este Mizuno pala. Tough to get my size as they carry asian sizes here so that makes me XXL. (43 in chest) Too bad Nike doesn’t carry too much running tops (my size) and shorts (one with pocket at the back). Also styles are very limited. I tried to look at NB but just find the prices a bit high. Asics apparel are very nice, stylish as well. Wala nga lang dito.
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tlr, that’s true, the race is short based from the GF 305 readings. i am glad you are improving in your time in every road race you compete. see you this sunday at The Fort.
cecil, we have the same observations..they lack marshalls, the start time of the 10K race should had been ahead by 10-15 minutes from the 5K race start, kilometer markings were confusing to the 10K & 5K runners, wrong position/placement of the 10K turn-around, and be able to compartment runners at the starting area based from their goal time of finish or pace. it will take time before our runners will follow the “compartment system”.
mark, i’ll try to see the book you are recommending. good luck on your marathon training. yup, we have the same Nike singlet & bought it at Nike Store at Ayala Center, Cebu last week. i might order an ASICS runners kit from my kids in the US. see you on sunday at The Fort
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