The day I conquered 25 kms

The Anticipation
The brain has difficulty comprehending events it hasn't yet experienced.
I've never ran 25 kms in my life so I don't have any idea how it feels like.

The brain copes by using "memories" as reference and "imagining" what the future experience will be like. The results are often inaccurate.
I've ran a couple of 10 kms races in the past. Going by this theory, I simple recall how I felt at the end of my 10 km races and multiply it by a factor 2.5 (since 25 km = 2.5 x 10 km), then I'd get a rough idea how 25 km feels like. It's worth a try since I wasn't getting enough sleep a few days leading up to the race. I also thought of other interesting formulas.
- pain factor = 10 km race pain x 2.5
- probability of cramping during the race = 0% + (stubbornness not to stop at an aid station + reluctance to wear my fuelbelt)
- probability of vomiting during the race = 100% - (will power not to be embarrassed + commitment to swallowing back vomit)
- probability of withdrawing from the race = 100% - (thoughts that people chubbier than I am will finish + shame factor if I don't finish)

In the end, all of my formulas would prove to be very accurate except for the first one. The revised equation is shown below:
- pain factor = 10 km race pain x 2.5 x number of times you thought to yourself, "Why the hell am I doing this?"

But enough of my attempts to sound like an intelligent schmuck. It's time for some empathic storytelling.

I intended to sleep early the night before the race. I figured I needed about 6 - 7 hours of sleep. That meant I had to hit the sack at around 7 pm for me to wake up at 2 am (the race starts at 5:30 am). The extra time was for getting ready, picking up Maui and driving to the race. Man, I haven't gone to bed at 7 pm since... since... crap since I was a baby. Nevertheless, after preparing and testing my wardrobe (I have a stupid looking shot of myself with my running attire later) and having a snack (noodles), I went to bed. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. An hour later and I was still awake in bed staring at the ceiling. I can't sleep. I wonder why. Could it be that large mug of coffee I had with my noodles? It can't be since the coffee was decaf, or was it? I made a mental note to myself to test the coffee after the race. What was I to do? I can't call up Maui since we already said our sweet goodnights and she is probably fast asleep by now. I look around and found my computer. I fired it up and decided to get in a session of Icewind Dale II. Gamers know that the RPGs are the most time consuming games around. Non-gamers don't know about that fact (but you do now). Yes, Icewind Dale was a certified time eater. Next to Baldur's Gate II, IWD 2 is the best form of time travel man has invented so far (it only goes forward to the future sad to say). When I finished creating my party for the game, it was already 10pm! So much for sleeping early but thanks to the game, I fell fast asleep as soon as I hit the pillow.

Talk about getting excited before the big day. This is me the night before trying to do a running man impression. Might have worked except for the stupid look on my face. It actually looks like I'm running to the dinner table.

The Race
My dad, Maui and I arrived at the venue a little past 4 am. It took us a while to find the place. Normally you would head to a large assembly of people but the fort was for the most part deserted. Ten minutes and a talk with a security guard later, we found the place. What follows is a detailed account of the events as I remember them.

Ok this is a better shot of me in gear before the race.


Ooooo, 'em runners are wearing astronaut shoes!!!


Most guys with astronaut shoes. The guy on the far right takes it to the extreme with his astronaut cap!!!


A shot of me with my dad.

Race start minus 15 minutes
I put on my secondary gear. This includes my Rudy Project Jak sunglasses (I had these fitted with transparent prescription lenses), Fuelbelt and a hairband (to get the hair out of my eyes). I decided to ditch the fuelbelt to save on weight. From here on, I would be relying on the aid stations for fluid replenishment.

Race start minus 5 minutes
Maui takes my picture and she wished me good luck. It was more than enough fuel to get me through the race =)

Dalawang Jolli Hotdog po manong. This is the starting area ten minutes before the start.


Me and my beautiful inspiration!!! In case you're wondering, yes that's a headband I'm wearing (to keep my hair out of my face) with the price tag still on.


Taken shortly before the start. The big guy at the center is I think the New Balance boss from New Zealand.

Race start minus 2 minutes
Looking around I could see all sorts of runners. In the span of a minute, I tried my best to categorize them.
- senior veteran runners - Aside from their age, you can pick them out as the ones wearing minimal non-nonsense gear. None of those expensive oakley shades, fancy fuelbelts or shoes with the latest anti-pronation devices. These guys have been through a lot and know what really matters in a long-distance race. Oh and also, you can pick them out by their shoe brands. Most of them wear the time and tested brands such as Brooks and Saucony.

- the fancy wannabes - These guys run in expensive gyms or at country clubs. They sport the latest and most expensive gear (GPS watches, Nike shoes with blinding colors, too-much fancy apparel). Some will finish, most will withdraw.

- the fancy "for-reals" - These guys run in expensive gyms or at country clubs. They are dead serious about the sport and have had more than adequate training. Cool gear and cool outfits.

- the first timers - They would be the ones chugging down a lot of water or chatting excitedly before the race. This would either be their first or nthrace (where n is less than 5).

- the casual runner - They don't really stand out aside from the fact that they don't fit in any other categories.

0 minutes
We're off!!! I wave to Maui as I pass by the start line. She takes a picture. What the hell am I thinking joining a 25 km race. I brace myself for the long haul and eventual pain. The race was staggered start. The 25 km runners started first. The 10 and 5 km runners started 15 minutes after to avoid crowding.


Go!!! That's me in the yellow circle running past the starting point.

5 - 12 minutes
I find my pace group moving along at 5:30 to 5:45 to a kilometer. We run along the Kalayaan flyover into Buendia (Gil Puyat). Legs feel fine. Not even panting. I notice that the sky is not getting any brighter as the sun begins its ascent. I spot the 5 km race turnover

15 - 20 minutes
Still along Buendia. I've trekked the length of Buendia before but not on foot. I spot familiar landmarks such as the Pacific Star building and GT Tower. Trouble begins as I feel something tightening on the front outside of my right knee. I pray that this is not the Iliotibial band syndrome I had just 3 days ago. If this got worse, my race is virtually over. I drop out of my pace group and join a couple running at 6:00 to a kilometer. I gave a cup of water at an aid station and sip half and gave the empty cup the proverbial "runners toss out to the sidewalk."

15 - 20 minutes
Right leg is really tightening up. I discover that if I lengthen my stride, the pain is not as bad. I do so knowing that altering my stride would have severe payback as the race went on. Notice some people on the side streets cheering us on.

22 - 25 minutes
I spot the 10 km turnover. I was really tempted to take it and convert my 25 km race to just 10 km. I did not give in. I'd reap my punishment soon.

25 - 30 minutes
I spot Mr. Buenavista with a pace/time van behind him going the opposite direction. I cheer him on. Man, that guy is sure fast. We reach the 25 km turnover. This is not the half-point of the race but merely the 1st of 3 turnarounds. What the hell am I doing in this race.

40 - 50 minutes
My right leg is in pain. I start limping. I decide to pull over to the sidewalk and do so leg side stretches to calm whatever was tightening up. Crap this is my iliotibial band again as the pain is familiar. I stretch for 2 minutes and head out again. The pain is still there but not as much.

55 minutes
It starts raining. This would serve as a good distraction from the pain in my leg. I focus on complaining to myself about the rain and the wet weather. I almost forget about my knee pain. I join a 10 km group on the way back to the fort.

1 hour
We reach the fort but we don't take that left turn to the finish. Instead we head straight into the bowels of Fort Bonifacio. This is going to be a loooooong run. Rain slows to a drizzle. I slow down to wipe myself down. Bad move as my Rudy Project starts to fog. I ran for 5 minutes half-blind.

1 hour 15 minutes
This is the start of the pain. My legs start to feel heavy. I start to feel a slight side stitch building. My left shoulder starts aching. What the hell am I doing in this race. I notice a lot of soldiers cheering us on. I join another pace group to help me along.

1 hour 30 minutes
Pain in my right leg is still there and I nearly stopped when it let out a sharp pain. How long can I keep ignoring that bugger? My left leg is starting to fatigue from all compensation it's doing for my bum right leg. I grab a cup of water at an aid station. I didn't know that the next aid station would be 30 minutes along. I begin to think about food.

1 hour 32 minutes
We take the 2nd turnaround. I notice several runners eating bananas, downing energy gels and chomping on chocolate bar. What do I have? Notice but saliva and regret for not bringing my fuelbelt. I suck. I notice some runners stopping at sari-sari stores to buy ensaymada and softdrinks. I have no money with me. Would the tinderas give me free food and a drink if I beg? Sounds like an option. I think about Maui waiting at the finish.

1 hour 40 minutes
Legs feel like lead now. I have a hard time maintaining my pace and drop to almost 7 minute to a kms. My left heel starts to ache. This is the longest I've ever run. At this rate, I would completely shut down at the 2 hour mark. Where is that damn aid station??? A couple of runners going back tell us that the 3rd and last turnaround is close.

1 hour 41 minutes
He said "it's really close" but where is the turnaround? A minute sometimes feels like eternity in a long-distance race. A guy passes me and says "easy pace lang pare para makatapos." I remember him as someone I passed an hour ago. I run alongside him for pacing

1 hour 45 minutes
I reach an aid station and my pace partner asks if I have food to eat. I said no. "Ito o, iyo na yan." He gives me half of this energy gel. I thank him and grab two cups of water from the aid station. The gel was chocolate flavored. It tasted like food from heaven and the water I washed it down with tasted like the finest red wine. Hopefully this would last me for the next 30 minutes.

1 hour 55 minutes
I reach the 3rd and last turnaround. My whole body is in pain now. I let out an expletive, "PUT****** ITO!!!" What the hell am I doing in this race. I run alongside a runner wearing basketball sneakers. I start to feel a cramp on both my calves. I almost panic. This would surely end my race if allowed to fully cramp. I won't cramp this close to the finish. I stop and give my calves a stretching. I think about Maui again.

2 hours
Surprisingly, instead of shutting down, I find my 2nd wind. My gait was smoother and I'm breathing easier. The pain is still there but my brain has created enough chemicals to effectively suppress it.

2 hours 15 minutes
I run with a manong. We chat and I feel better. He tells me about the marathons he has run. I ask him if the finish is near. He says 2 kms. It was a white lie to boost my spirits. The finish is 4 kms away. A girl passes us and asks about the distance to the finish. Crap, she looks as fresh. How come she doesn't look tired??? That is so unfair.

2 hours 25 minutes
Mr. Manong drops off. I start running at pace with an old gentleman. He looks over 50 and runs with a serene look on his face. He tells me that he's 52 and has been running all his life. He tells me about all the races I should join like the Pasig River and Milo marathon. We leave the military infrastructures of Fort Bonifacio and spot the building of the fort. The sky starts to clear.

2 hours 30 minutes
Two other runners join us. A quiet guy wearing glasses and a guy wearing a Botak sando with the name "Joel" printed on the back. My spirits rise and fall along with the road.

2 hours 35 minutes
We spot the last turn to the finish and our pace quickens.

2 hours 40 minutes
We make the turn. I start to smile. A small girl passes our group. I frown.

2 hours 41 minutes
We make the turn. I look around for my dad and Maui. I see my Dad and he waves.

2 hours 41minutes 43 seconds
FINISH!!! I stop and start to fell dizzy. I jog a bit near the start/finish area.

2 hours 43 - 50 miuntes
I see Maui!!! What a sight!!! I forget all about the pain. She gives me a towel. I know that she has a very bad migraine and had a hard time just standing up but she came to see me finish regardless. I love her so much. We take a couple of pictures.

2 hours 55 minutes
I change my shirt and replenish my fluids. I have Maui get back in the car to lie down. What a day!!! I look around and smile. I did it!!! All 25 kilometers of it.

3 hours
We leave for breakfast and for Maui's checkup. Until the next race. A marathon perhaps.

My finishing time was 2 hours, 41 minutes and 43 seconds. This shot proves that it took me 4 minutes and 25 seconds to walk next to the finish line, pose and get my picture taken.


Dad I think our orange juice is spoiled. It turned purple!!!


A shot of the awarding ceremonies. I didn't stay long as I had to run to get a better reward. Breakfast!!!!


A shot of the start/finish line.


A post-race shot. All sorts of different runners sharing the race experience.


These shoes served me well. New Balance 765's, my favorite running shoe.