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

08 March 2008

I arrived in Manila this morning confident that my officers, staff, and the different Special Service Unit representatives of the Major Services of the Armed Forces of the Phuilippnes have prepared the things that are needed in the conduct of the event. In my personal conversations with them, they assured me that there will be enough water stations along the way and water cups & water supply in every station.

As of this writing, we expect a total of 1,200 runners for the half-marathon and 5K run. Out of this, at least 500 runners will be running the half-marathon distance while an estimated of 700 runners will be running the 5K race. The Half-Marathon will start at 5:30 AM while the 5K race will start at 6:00 AM.

Water stations will be positioned at the start/finish line; at the turn-around point for the 5K run (near Bonifacio Naval Station, along Lawton Avenue); at vicinity Essensa, The Fort ; and at vicinity International School (near the 21K turn-around point). The Major Service Bands will be prepositioned at the vicinity of these water stations to provide music to the participants. The famous Philippine Marines Drum and Bugle Corps will display their marching drills while playing their musical instruments before the awarding ceremony.

In the Half-Marathon race, there will be medals awarded to the top five in each age category for the men and ladies and cash awards will be given to the top three overall of the men and ladies. In the 5K race, top three in the men & ladies overall will be awarded with cash prizes.

At the finish line, each finisher will receive their “Certificate of Achievement” and the packed breakfast food (boiled banana, hard-boiled egg, bottled water & pandesal).

I just finished signing 1,200 pieces of “Certificate of Achievement” for the finishers in tomorrow’s race.

My strategy? Stay relaxed and maintain a good running form and be able to finish the race in two hours and ten minutes (2:10:00).

Good luck and see you at the Starting Line.