Adidas King of the Road, 11 October 2008

Impossible is Nothing …

I Run for Fun …

Run for Your Heart …

These are just but some of the runners’ personal battle cries I’ve seen on runners’ race bibs…

Three years have passed since the first time I ran the Adidas King of the Road race. This time it will be for the half marathon event. Probably accidental. Perhaps a mistake. Or destiny. I only intended to run the 10k event, however, singlets as well as race bibs ran out and the only events available are 5k and 21k. Betcha by golly wow!! I registered for 21k. Bahala na…

Weeks before the event, I couldn’t sleep. Asking myself many times over and over whether I did the right thing or am I ready to run that distance. No answer. Bahala na…

Three days before the race, I experienced hyper acidity. A condition in the stomach which I usually experience when I am worried. Almost backed out from this race.

The day before the race received a sad news back home. An aunt, my mother’s elder sister, died. I debated whether to run or not to run. I finally decided that I am going to run, finish the race and dedicate it to my Aunt.

Race day…

Arrived at the Fort right on time. Did some stretching exercises with the help of Coach John. Thanks to him for telling me, “just treat the run as one of your practice runs and enjoy it.” No pressure. Just enjoy it! After he said it, I felt fine.

Wilbert, a fellow Happy Feet and a choirmate, arrived later. Just in the nick of time to do some stretching exercises before the race. Just like me it will be his first half marathon. At the starting line, saw some familiar faces… Rivka, John Ting, Bobby, and two runners whom I\’ve met during the Run for Hope at Rockwell. I also had the chance of meeting the \”farmer\” (I forgot his name!) winner of the North Face 100k Trail Run this year.

Map of the 21k Route

It was me, Wilbert, John Ting and Bobby who were pacing from start up to the first turn around point near Buendia railway South Expressway. Nearing Makati Avenue, John Ting started a running game where one takes turn to run ahead of the other runner. Bobby gamely refused to join. Then Sensei John Ting and Bobby decided to breakaway. Wilbert followed after the Buendia flyover. That left me on my own now.

Running towards Heritage Park, I just psyched myself that it is only a practice run. Saw some runners coming out from that route and I thought it\’s pretty near. I huge mistake. It was a bit far from Lawton. And there was no more water available at the corner of Lawton. What left were blocks of ice. Desperately, done with the second turn around point, upon reaching the waterless station, one of the runners threw a big block of the ice on the sidewalk so that some of us can get a piece to cool ourselves. The sun was really burning hot! Then off I go, wiping my face with the ice I was holding while running. Then I saw one of the coaches, Ruel, who gave me some water. He urged me to run faster. Slave driver! (I thought with a smile…)

What kept me going until finish line is due to the support of our coaches Rio (power gel), Jo-ar (Gatorade), Ruel (water, Gatorade, bike), Jessie (presence), John (stretching exercises), Sard and Jessie (their presence)and that nagging thought that this run is for my Aunt and family back home. With the remaining strength in me, I sprinted the last few meters towards the finish line.

I made it!

I did my first half marathon King of the Road race with no walking and no injury!

Our Coach Rio

Happy Feet Finishers

With the Winners, HF Ka Totoy and Coach Jessie

Oops! One more pose…

Photo ops with Happy Feeters and coaches followed and we celebrated the feat with buffet breakfast at Paul Calvin\’s Deli.

As an afterthought, I hail those who have made it in this run particularly the Happy Feet fellas.

Visit runningDATcom for race results (5k, 10k, 21k) and cool stats interpretation!