A Walk To The Podium (Again!)

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Races, Running

Race Report: 25th RUNNEX Executive Classic 10K Run @ UP Campus

This famous race among professionals and executives was my second race last year after resuming my running career after years of not joining road races and running long distances. It was my first time then to run inside the UP Campus and I planned to improve my time from the 2007 Animo Run held at Mall of Asia with a time of 55+ minutes for the 10K race. In last year’s RUNNEX Executive 10K Run, my Casio Watch registered a time of 52:07 minutes and placed No. 22 overall. I did not win any award or raffle gift after the race.

Last month, I requested my staff to register me for this year’s 25th RUNNEX Executive 10K Run with the thought of improving my last year’s finish time for the 10K distance and at least, have a chance to be called to the stage for the podium honors. After those “progression” runs and speed runs at the ULTRA Oval Track, I know I could attain my objectives for this race. I wanted also to surpass my 100% effort (as a result of my speed’s “diagnostic” test run) which is translated to 4:51 mins/km pace in this road race.

dsc04743

With Amado aka reineir6666, the Race Walker who is slated to compete in a 12-Hour Race Walking Event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this coming 13-14 December 2008. His training included daily 2-hour intense race walking at the ULTRA Oval Track and weekend road races in Metro Manila. Good luck, Amado! 

I arrived at the UP Campus at 5:35AM and I started to have my warm-up and stretching. A group of runners from the Fairview Running Club called my attention and requested some photo-ops with me while I was having my warm-up. It was nice to see these runners who had been serious in their training and always present in almost all the races in and outside Metro Manila. I also had a chance to meet, chat, and have some photo-ops with Amado, the Race Walker; Annalene aka The Meek Runner and her husband. After some announcements and information about the UP Campus and about the route of the race, the National Anthem was played and we were warned that the race would start in 5 minutes.

dsc047501

At the Start Area, I was beside Totoy Santos who was one of the top 10 finishers of the 10K race.

As scheduled, the 10K race started at 6:30AM and the other lesser distance runs started later after few minutes. As soon as the gun went off, I immediately took my running space and started to maintain my 100% effort pace only to find out that my GF 305 was registering a faster pace. My pace became faster at 4:28 mins/km on the 2nd kilometer and I felt comfortable. Runners who overtook me on the 1st kilometer slowed down and I just maintained my pace with the thought of not slowing down less than my 100% effort speed. My 100% effort is pegged at 4:51 mins/km and I don’t want to be slower than this pace during the race.

dsc04763

I was about to finish the 1st 5-K loop at this point with a pace of 4:29 mins/km

As the race progresses and the 10K runners would run twice in a 5K-loop, my GF 305 registered a time of 23:00+ after the 1st loop and I was confident that I could improve my 10K finish time and maintain a pace faster than my 100% effort. Two runners from the 34-44 yrs old age category passed me before the Km-6 mark and I tried to keep pace with them up to the finish.

dsc04770

This picture was blurred as my pace was faster than the shutter of the camera!

A day before the race, I went to the UP Campus to run one loop of the race and I was surprised to see my GF 305 registered a distance of 5.12 kms and from there I expected that the distance of 10K race would be longer. True enough, I finished the race in 48:27 minutes for the distance of  10.24 kms (GF 305 data) and placed No. 15 overall. However, after deducting my time in running the excess of 240 meters, I could have finished with a time of 47:19 minutes! Comparing from my last year’s results—finish time of 52:07 and placing No. 22 overall—this road race resulted to a faster time, shaving my time by 3:40 minutes and placing among the top 20 overall finisher.

Looking at the data registered by my GF 305, I finished the race with an average pace of 4:44 mins/km which had surpassed my 100% speed effort of 4:51 mins/km and minimum/maximum Heart Rate of 158/170 bpm. I think Coach Ferdie should give me another “diagnostic speed test” for a new finish time goal. 

dsc048061

A pose at the stage/podium as Champion in my age category with Mr Disini, the President of the RUNNEX Club

To top it all, I won as the Champion (again!) in my age category and earned another walk to the stage for the podium honors and a Champion’s Medal.

18 thoughts on “A Walk To The Podium (Again!)”

  1. rbpops's avatar rbpops

    Hi. I’ve been an avid reader of your blog for quite sometime now and I’d like to thank you for being such an inspiration to myself and am sure others like me, who are currently into running. I was one of those runners you mentioned who passed you earlier this morning at about the halfway mark :). It was amusing to see myself in your photo (I’m the one in the dark blue tank). Anyway, hope to see you (and meet you) in future races, and maybe your speed training sessions so I can get added pointers from you and your staff.

    Like

    Reply
  2. b2bwayne's avatar sfrunner

    Congratulations Sir Jovie on the Podium Finish! The post was great and even the photos! It appeared that on one of them, both of your feet are off the ground! A 47+ 10K! Please take care. It was great to see Totoy and Roselle do well also.

    Like

    Reply

  3. Congratulations Jovie! Are you making it now a regular thing for Podium Finishes? I agree have Coach Ferdie evaluate you for an updated diagnostic speed test and 2009 will have more medals for you.Congratulations!

    Like

    Reply
  5. markfb's avatar markfb

    4:44 in UP is fast! Congrats BR, post a pic of the medal please. : )
    We missed you at the 10 miler. When the guys said you were at UP, I knew what you were after. Hope to get a medal soon (Matagal hintay sa Cat. C, hehe)

    Like

    Reply
  8. miraclecello's avatar miraclecello

    Hmm, 10.24K eh? I will take 1:21 off my own time then. Great to see you again BR, you and the colonel. Please alert us if you have a link to the official results.

    Like

    Reply
  9. anna's avatar annalenemb

    Hello BR,

    Congrats!!! Sayang if not for dream match e di sana na witness namin ang awarding nyo… you really deserved that medal…congrats again. Btw, the kids are now excited to train with your team, i hope you can arrange even a day in the South… See you again.

    Like

    Reply
  14. nvllanora1975's avatar nvllanora1975

    Congratulation on your podium finish, BR! Ang dami mo na talagang nilalampasan once you established your pace in the race. Also, it’s really nice to read (and learn!) from your strategy, and from your actual account of the race – VERY HELPFUL!
    Nice talking with you on the line to the giveaways 🙂 You’re very nice Sir, you were even the one who greeted me first. As I told you, I only ran the 5K in this particular race, because of a hurting right knee. Good results though, I also stepped up to the podium, 7th place overall male!
    See you on next year’s races, Sir. More power to your blog.

    Like

    Reply
  15. quicksilverrunner's avatar quicksilverrunner

    Congratulations Champ!

    I enjoyed reading your report, BR. Yes, you need another diagnostics test. You are a running rabbit! By the way, your shades make you look like you mean business. A good look for you!

    What’s next? From SFrunner’s post, did I read it right that you will be at Los Angeles in May 2009? I was hoping I can sign up as an informal member of Team Bald Runner and run LA with your colours. Whaddayathink?

    Have a great day,

    QS

    Like

    Reply
  16. quicksilverrunner's avatar quicksilverrunner

    Oh by the way BR,

    If you can show the Philippine flag on your Team BaldRunner shirts, that would be a good advert for Philippine running.

    I wish I had one for the Las Vegas marathon, after Manny Pacquiao’s one-sided victory. Philippine pride was amazing yesterday!

    QS

    Like

    Reply

Leave a reply to rbpops Cancel reply