6:26 AM 10 May 2008

*** I posted this story early Sunday morning but it got lost while WordPress was having its “Service Maintenance”.

It was Saturday and in my training and preparation for a road race, I usually do not run on the day before the day of the race. However, this day was an exception as I finally decided to take a long run in order to slowly increase my mileage for the week. I started my run at the vicinity of the old Gate 1 of Fort Bonifacio and took the road that leads to the International School and Market! Market!. From South of Market (SOMA), I proceeded to the US Cemetery Circle and made two rounds around it before going towards Lawton Avenue. I turned right at the newly-completed Robinson’s Condo and proceeded towards Essensa and then to Pacific Plaza. I passed by McDonalds and then to Jollibee-St Luke’s Hospital and took the road at the back of Price Smart and back to where I started. This is an extended 1st loop of the 4th Global City Run. I registered a distance of 7 kilometers at this point.

I did another loop which was the smaller loop of the 4th Global City Run and while I was to complete one round of the Bonifacio High Street (BHS) big loop, I met Bards aka Banana Running and Harry. At this point, my GF 305 registered 13.4 kilometers. We ran together for one round of the big loop and Bards asked if I joined the Active Fitness Fun Run which was held that morning. Later, we talked about building foundation/base in running to prevent injuries, Bards’ new Newton Running shoes, and incoming road races to join. When we were about to complete one round, somebody shouted/greeted me from a moving car along the road. It was Annalene (“Annalene’sStory”)! I was trying to recall her name and wanted to shout at her, too but I was distracted by the music I was hearing in my MP3 and the conversation I was having with Bards. Anyway, I just waved my hands to Annalene to acknowledge her greetings.

After running one big loop at BHS with Bards & Harry, they decided to call it a day and proceeded to the parking area. it was nice running while talking to Bards& Harry. I did another round along the big loop and decided to stop and visit the Active Fitness Expo Booths. I met Taki & friends inside the Expo and we talked about shoes, running kits, and “1,000 Km Club” and later we had some picture-taking. Taki & friends participated in the Active Fitness Fun Run.

From the Expo Booth, I resumed my running towards MC Home Depot and then turn left towards Jollibee and then left towards McDonalds/One McKinley. It was too hot already and just maintained my jogging along Lawton Avenue and later reached my quarters at Fort Bonifacio. The following data registered in my GF 305:

Distance—18.0 kms             Time—1:48:15 hours

Average Pace—6:10 mins/km      Average Speed—9.8 kms/hr

Maximum Speed—19 kms/hr      Total Calories—1,253 cal

Average HR—153 bpm                 Maximum HR—164 bpm

Total Ascent—905 meters           Total Descent—890 meters

Music—Bob Marley; Bon Jovi; Dave Matthews Band

Running Shoes—ASICS Gel-Kayano 13