Chicago Marathon - Race Day Report

Absolutely Awesome!!!

A sign at the expo says it all

I finished 26.2 miles in 4 hours, 17 minutes and 20 seconds! time and splits

I didn't finish under 4 hours as planned but the experience more than made up for it! I don't know how else to describe the event. Think of the Chicago Marathon as a block party that stretches for 26 miles! The only difference is that you party during the first half and suffer (in a good runner type of way) all the way to the finish!

What was it like? Analogies are in order:
1. It's like a party without the hangover
2. It's like an eat-all-you-can buffet without the calories
3. It's like getting a paycheck without the doing work

How many ran? Oh just 40,000...

Uhm... I'm somewhere in the middle wearing a white shirt and blue shorts

Reporting...
6:30am - Parked my rental car more than a mile away from Grant Park at the Sterling Apartments at Kinzie and La Salle ($6 for the whole day - not bad). I could use the 1.5 mile walk to warmup since it was a bit cold (55 degrees F). At first I thought that it would be unwise to tire myself with a long walk but I soon realized that it was the perfect energizer. For every block I passed, I meet a runner or two walking to the marathon start. By the time I hit Michigan Avenue, I was walking with a group of no less than a 100 runners! All of them chatting excitedly, drinking coffee, comparing times and all sorts of runner talk. Some were surprised that I came alone.

Walking to the start

6:55am - We hit Grant Park. I've never seen so many people this early in the day. It took me 10 minutes to worm my way through to the starting area. Shed layers, tighten shoes, stretch, apply bodyglide, nibble on a cliff bar, drink a few gulps and presto! - I'm all set.

7:10am - I take a couple of pictures then deposit my stuff at gear check (much like a baggage depository).

7:30am - I line up at the porta-potties or portalets as they call it back home. I was warned that it would take 20 minutes or more to get to one. Shit, they were right!!!

7:50am - still in line...

7:52am - still in line...

7:53am - Ah yes! I get to piss. Success!!! I run to the starting pens.

The promised land of piss

7:55am - I spot my pace group (3:50) from the spectator area. Little did I know that there is a fence separating the runners. Crap!!! I climb over the fence (with the crowd helping me up and down).

7:57am - Made it!!! Adrenaline is flowing. I look around and everybody has their game face one. The US national anthem has just finished and everybody cheers! The atmosphere is fever pitch!

8:00am - The gun goes off! It takes my group 3 minutes to get to the start line. After that, I say a prayer and hold up a V-sign to the crowd. Here we go! left brain - Oh jeez... what am I doing here

Switching to miles...

1 to 3 miles - 9:00 pace. Slower than my planned pace as expected. I hold back. Speed kills. Crowd roars when we emerge from the tunnel going to Wacker. I decide to stick to the middle island along La Salle Avenue so the other runners will break the cold breeze. The sun shows itself for the first time.

4 to 6 miles - 9:00 pace still. I decide to hold this pace and see if I can do a negative split after the half. Getting nice and warm. I feel good. We pass a band playing as we pass Clark. Can't help but notice that the singer is a bit flat. Can't say I recognize the song they're playing but it helps me pick up the pace (I think). I pick out a runner and stick to her pace.

6 to 9 miles - 9:00 pace again. I never knew I was this consistent. Road narrows as we go through the Lincoln Park neighborhood. I have been consistently taking in Gatorade at every station. I switch to water after mile 8. I develop a catching technique where I grab the cup then spin around using the opposite foot as a pivot and continue running. It looks funny but I don't slow down as much. I get a few giggles from the aid station peeps doing this. I still feel good. I leave behind my pacer.

10 to 12 miles - First sign of trouble. My arches are starting to chafe against my socks. I then realize that I'm using new socks that are thinner and I didn't tighten my shoes enough. Crap! I decide to fix the problem after the half.

13 to 15 miles - I pass the half marker with a decent time. I find a place to tighten my shoes past all the crowd. Tying my shoelaces should be instinctive but my fingers wouldn't cooperate. Shit. I think my brain has shifted all of its processing power to my legs. I almost fall flat on my face trying to get back into the race. By mile 15 I feel my legs getting heavy. Uh oh... the suffering has started.

16 to 18 miles - Ouch ouch ouch! These three miles took soooo long. I need fuel. Contemplated grabbing somebody else's gel. Then I remembered that there is a powershots stop after the 17th mile marker. I grab 2 powershots. Took one and saved the other for later. It would serve as my stress ball until then. I found the person that paced me earlier. I see a runner stop and cry on the sidewalk. After 10 minutes I see more runners by the sidewalk stretching. I decide to walk during each aid station break after mile 17 so that I won't end up the same way. left brain - Just stop now and the pain will go away.

19 to 21 miles - More pain. Sun is out again. I look at my legs and it feels that they are detached from the rest of my body. I could feel my reserves running low. It feels like I'm running on fumes at mile 19. Luckily they start giving out bananas. A lot of 'em are brown and yucky from the heat but beggars can't be choosers. I start concentrating on finishing each mile rather than thinking about the distance left to the finish. Seeing the mile 20 marker was quite a relief. I distract my left brain with split computations. It works. Mile 21 appears miraculously fast. I was touched when a big runner in front of me on the verge of giving up was joined by his wife. She jogs alongside him and gives him a pep talk. It works. Big runner smiles and passes me.

22 to 24 miles - At this point I've given up on finishing under 4 hours. No big loss. This is a battle I need to win by finishing. No compromise. I smell warm beer. I almost downed a cup full of warm beer! Beer is good but it's crap when warm. We pass through China Town. It is loud. Too loud. Drums and gongs going off. I smell chinese food. left brain - Stop and grab some dimsum - right brain - SHUT UP!!!

25 miles to the finish - I close my eyes once past the 25 mile marker. I'm losing it. I need to dig down deep. I block out everything else and concentrate on the shoes of the runner ahead of me. Nothing else exists. Just me and them red and white shoes ahead of me. I break my trance at the 26th mile marker and attempt to see if I can spot the finish along Michigan. Nothing! Nada! Zip! The finish is not there. I then realize that the finish is not on Michigan but on Columbus! One right turn and a left will get me there. Crowd is very thick along Michigan. I let them in through my trance barrier. They get me going. We make a right turn to Roosevelt. What the f***? The bridge along Roosevelt is inclined! It's one final attempt to stop me. I desperately pump my arms to move along. I think I'm running but someone passes me doing a fast walk. Am I really just shuffling along? I don't care. We make a left. I see the finish. Legs hurt. Arms hurt. Tummy hurts. Heck even my hair hurts! Oh well. I raise one finger to the crowd as a thank you, pose for the camera and cross the line.
YES!!!
DONE!!!
DID IT!!!
BEEN THERE!!!
I FINISHED A MARATHON!!!

Hey camera! Over here!

A piece of metal for 26 miles of suffering

Stuff after the race
I get my medal and heat wrap, deposit my timing chip and grab a banana and water. I follow a friend's advice and pop 2 Tylenols and do a 10 minute stretch. I get my finisher photo and walk 1.5 miles back to my car. Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Lunch with myself at Singha. I order padthai and soup. All gone in 10 minutes to my server's amazement.

Chaos after the marathon

Good thing the free shirt is long-sleeved

Chicago Marathon

Time's a tickin'!!!

Sunday is D-Day. Deciding day whether my 6 months of training will pay off. I'm hoping for a sub 4 hour finish but I'm happy finishing nevertheless.

Counting down the hours, minutes and seconds till start

What am I saying???!!!

No! I'm definitely going for a sub 4 hour finish!!!

I got my checklist ready
1. Asic Gel Kayano XI - 2nd pair this year. Best running shoes ever!
2. white and gray Nike Dri-fit shirt
3. dark blue Reebok running shorts
4. some branded triathlon running socks i got in a bargain bin
5. Rudy Project Ekynox glasses - only because Jan Ullrich uses them
6. Assorted Cliff Bars
7. Fuelbelt loaded with a 16 oz. bottle

Crap if somebody stole everything, it would amount to a hefty sum. I thought running was supposed to be a cheap sport.

Bass desires

This bass line begs to be played

Recognize this?

It's been more than 6 months since I last played a musical instrument.
It's been more than a year since I strapped on my bass to play a band gig.
I think I'll go to a music store.
Might buy a new bass.
Might browse for "Wanted Bass Player" ads.
Maybe I need a break.
Maybe... maybe.

Chasing Bananas

Sunday. Chase some bananas (see ad below).

Bananarama!!!

I was trying to break two personal running records this week.
1. Run more than 45 miles total for a given week.
2. Run faster than 24:35 in a 5K race.

I ran 7 miles on Saturday to break the first one. I was a bit worried that a run before my 5K race on Sunday would slow me down. Nevertheless my inner voice say F*** it! Just go for it!.

7 miles, 1 Chipotle burrito and an ice bath later and I'm in bed all ready for my race.
But no.
Must read.
Must surf.
F*** it! Just go for it!.

You got to understand that when I read, I tend to read at least three books in one session. 50 pages of this, 10 pages of that and so on. I got cozy with:
1. Mystic River - yes it's already been made into a movie
2. 23 Days in July (Tour De France book featuring Lance Armstrong) - I'm not really an Armstrong fan but he sure inspires.
3. The Art and Science of Oracle Performance Tuning - the guy who wrote this is a co-worker.

100 pages later and it's 12 midnight. F*** it!. I have to get up at 5:30 to have enough time to get ready and get to the darn race tomorrow. Correction... TODAY! I then gave my inner voice a dose of it's own medicine. Sleep comes fast.

Alarm wakes me at 5:30 am. I hit off instead of snooze. Big mistake. Biological alarm wakes me at 7 am. F*** it!. I do the following in less than 20 minutes:
1. Brew coffee.
2. Print directions from mapquest.
3. Pack bag.
4. Put on running attire. Asics Kayanos for this race.
5. Look decent.
6. Contemplate kicking the printer for printing so slow (my fault).
7. Jump into the car

Car fuel gauge says its almost empty. F*** it! It will take me 8 minutes to head to a gas station and fill up! Hmmmmmm. I'm driving a Honda Civic. One of the most economical cars in the world! F*** it!. I'm driving straight to downtown!

45 miles later and I'm driving on fumes in San Francisco. I almost pissed on myself when the car stalled momentarily because of low fuel while I was on a 50 degree slope. Normally it'd be ok, but not today with an expensive looking Mercedes close to my tail.

Parked. Ran to venue. Registered. Portalet trip. Ran to the start line with 45 seconds to spare before the race started. Whoah!!! Nice race! Lots of people. Men dressed-up as bananas. Kids of all ages. Runners from various running clubs. Me and my Rudy Projects, Kayanos and Asics jacket (forgot to take it off).

I found myself panting on the 1-mile mark. One look at my watch and then I deduced that I was in trouble. Why you ask?
1. My watch read 6:25! That's way too fast for me on a 5K race!
2. I was loaded up on caffeine.
3. I'm getting warm and I have a jacket on.

Basically I committed the runner's sin of starting out to fast. Couldn't help it. I slowed down and carried my jacket but I was still panting like a dog in heat. Almost gave up at mile 2 if it not for my inner voice saying F*** it! Just go for it!.

5K later and I'm pleasantly happy with my time of 23:25. I didn't break 23 minutes but it was still a minute faster than my previous 5K four months ago.

Nice race. Lots of freebies. If I only had my girlfriend with me at the race, then it would have been a "perfect" day.

Banana Men

The finish

Back in the Training Groove

Four weeks before the Chicago Marathon and I think I'm back into my training groove. The downward spiral started right after my half-marathon (San Francisco). Lesson learned. Don't do a long race when training for a marathon.

Today's Sunday run:
18 miles - 2 hours and 41 minutes
Average of 6.72 miles per hour.

Not bad. I think I'll top-off with a 20-miler next week then start my taper.

27 days left.

Biking Around San Francisco

Kid called me up Friday asking what we can do for Saturday since it was the 4th of July weekend. Biking was the first thing that crossed my mind. 24 hours later and 2 friends more we found ourselves trying to do a Tour de San Francisco. Great day, great weather, great lunch in Chinatown and great drinks at Fridays (you can never get enough of a cold Sierra Nevada).

Biker Boys

Bridge Crossing

Ex-Accenture Boys

By the Shore

Monkeying around in San Francisco

See no evil. Hear no evil. Speak no evil. What the devil???

Running wet and cold in Rochester

I was itching to join a race in MN before I left. I read about a 5K race in a local free ad paper. That's how I found myself 80 miles south of the twin cities in Rochester. I usually join 10K races and above but never 5K. I considered it a sort of "testing the waters" kind of run. I haven't been doing a lot of interval training so I have no idea how I'd do. The weather that whole weekend in the midwest was cold and rainy. I haven't raced in such conditions so I have didn't know what to wear. I just bundled up in 4 layers of dri-fit fabric and ran. Suffice to say I was pleasantly surprised by the results.

If it weren't for the cold and the rain I would explored the city more. I just hung out at the Galleria (mini mall) and explored parts of the Mayo clinic. After buying a latte I headed back home. I just might go back and explore the trails on bike next time.

Link to the results page --> Rochester Track Club 5K results

Game On!!!

I had a blast at the Game On exhibit at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. These pictures speak for themselves (with the unavoidable caption of course).

Dune 2? I'll think about it.

Tennis anyone? An original Pong game cabinet.

Say pasta!

Aliens? Where?

Don't shoot!!!

Sucky Things

This sucks!!!

Blur

The last month has been a blur. I'm working in good 'ole Minneapolis but I'm leaving soon for the west coast Bay area. Work dictates which city I sleep in. I've never really unpacked which is kinda interesting since you get a very good sense of which clothes are useless. I don't mind the work but the moving around gets to you. Minneapolis has turned into a home away from home and now I have to move out again (repeat the process approximately 3 times a year). The city is an interesting mix of things that should be incompatible but somehow they work together. Only in Minneapolis I might say. It's hard to put into words but I can only think of the local "hotdish" as an analogy. Click here

Other stuff:
1. Went running around the sculpture garden next to the Walker Musuem. It made me miss Maui more. It would be really nice to have a stroll with her through the place.
2. Sold my GBA and bought a Sony PSP. It's around $249 but worth every cent. That blows my budget so I'm currently on super savings mode. I recently learned a hack that turns it into a web browser so that kinda ups it's usability.
3. Found my favorite running trail. I guess it's one of the things I'll miss the most if ever I move out. Click here
4. Thinking about my marathon 5 months from now. I think about it. Run. I think about it some more.
5. Been listening to a lot new music lately. New means "not in my mp3 player." Been listening to a lot of Joy Division, New Order and other bands recommended by a friend (The Shins, The New Pornographers and The Soviettes).
6. Thinking about having a taste of the local lutefisk. Ya, you betcha!

What New(s)?

CNN Headquarters - November 2002

Restless

Things are happening fast around me. I'm in a time bubble impervious to the passage of time. It's one of the perks and pitfalls of downtime. The good side side is called leisure, the flipside is called restlessness. I need work fast. I need to start running again.

Updates:
SAP is buying Retek - implications.
Russell is now working at Ross - Good news indeed! Quite funny working for the same client through another company.
My old laptop conked-out - In some ways in was forthcoming. Hopefully it's not yet permanently dead.
Books - Lucifer's Legacy by Frank Close (meaning of asymmetry). Neuromancer by William Gibson (great book).

I decided to post a random picture. Why? Like rests in a musical piece, sighs between troubled thoughts and pauses between bites, it facilitates comprehension. Also, I like cars specially the "monster killers." Cars that outperform those costing 10 times as much.

Subaru Impreza WRX STI? Nope. Nice try though.

Missing my Maui a lot.

Adjusted?

Most of "Me" is now in-synch, same timezone, intact. It's been a week and I think I'm back on solid ground. My driving has adjusted to US standards. I've talked with my employer regarding my schedule/job. My bank stuff is finally set up. Jet lag is almost gone. I still get the occasional "extended nap" syndrome where you wake up and feel like you slept the day away. I've been making the most of my time (I think) at my friend's apartment reading up on Retek stuff and doing an anime marathon. Neon Genesis Evangelion is the anime. Saw a couple of episodes in college but not the whole series. It's perplexing. Interesting. Engaging? Maybe. Watch it. You might like it. It borders on science and religion. The Japanese have a knack for obscure yet addicting plots. Add a dash of mecha design and a pinch of sexuality and you have a great series.

What to do this weekend? Not really sure. I have to run again. It's been a week since I last ran and it's driving me nuts. Must find a way. I'll check out my old apartment complex and see if the gym is open. Might also check out some running stores. Buy that new pair of Sauconies or New Balance. Maybe not. New shoe scent is addicting.

Saw an orange Subaru Impreza in a parking lot yesterday. Orange. Took a picture of it using my camera phone. The outside just doesn't give a hint of the monster inside. Cool. But orange?

Maui is attending our friend's wedding. I hope she has a good time. I miss her. I need to call her up this weekend. Just hearing her voice takes me back home.

Flickering thoughts

Jet lag. Your body and mind go in opposite directions. Body buddies up with inertia and stays horizontal, mind defies physics and flies in all directions. I reign in some of these "thought darts" and try to impose wordly sensibility. From 2am to 5am, it starts and ends. Some I forget, some remain like the aroma of last night's breakfast/dinner.

Cashiers
Did groceries last night. Cashier was chatty. Most of them are. Back home, everyone evokes "Don't talk to me and i won't bother you." It's comforting for us. Years ago I scrambled to answer the everyday "How are you?" of Americans. It was never meant to be answered with full-on thought. First out of the cortex will suffice, also known as "Good, how about you?"

Missing out
I feel a pang of sorrow for those who haven't experience the "joys of reading" a book. The internet only serves as a plain alternative. Web pages cater to those who want information quick. Direct to the point. Vanilla. Broth without the stock. All is news. None is a good read. It's the difference between a good movie and a bad one. The bad one evaporates as soon as you exit the double doors. The good one stays to fuel conversations.

I miss my Maui.

Displacement

I read somewhere that jet lag is like leaving your soul behind. Souls can't move that quickly so they get dragged behind and must be awaited. During the first few days it is still in transit behind the wake of your airplane. Until it arrives, you wander around displaced and confused much like looking through clouded spectacles in dim light trying to find the light switch.

So here I am in Chicago. Displaced. In a state between denial and acceptance.

It will be a couple of hours more until my soul arrives. My confusion will then be replaced by realization when I meet it in my slumber.

I miss my Maui.

Back to blogging

It's been a while. Instead of going into another convoluted rant, I decided to go simple.

5 things I'm looking forward to
- Valentine's Day at the beach with my girlfriend.
- Driving my own Mitsubishi Lan Evo VIII. Drift driving anyone?
- Playing Metal Gear Solid III.
- Getting my first paycheck in my new job.
- Joining my first marathon.

5 things I'm NOT looking forward to
- Leaving for the States and missing my girlfriend and family.
- Driving in snow.
- Leaving for the States and having to work again.
- Driving in freezing rain.
- Leaving for the States and seeing Mcdonalds everywhere.

5 things I didn't get done during my 3 months+ without work
- Improve my piano playing past the point of hunt and peck.
- Use the ear training course I bought for $100 two years ago!
- Organize my papers (tax, bills, personal data, etc). I've been putting this off for the past 2 years.
- Improve my driving. I'm still a clutch driver.
- Sell anything over bidshot.

5 things I got done during my 3 months+ without work
- Visited my dentist.
- Cleared up my face. Acne is related to dental decay.
- Had my Xbox modified!!!
- Started my own blog.
- Spent quality time with my girlfiend!

That's all for now. My mind is still trying to get started after a long run.

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.

Ocampo Family Garage Sale!!!

My girlfriend's family is having a garage sale. All readers of my blog are invited to come. It's at 46 Montilla Street, BF Home, Paranaque, Metro Manila. Indulge me in my little composition called The Garage Sale

Ah yes, the garage sale
Truly they aren't just for males
Spend some time to browse and look
Heck, who knows you might find a rare book

It's a place of wonder and surprises
Not to mention good stuff at darn cheap prices
So get off your butt you lazy bum
Go to the Ocampo garage sale and have some fun!!!

The sign says it all.



The garage sale before the opening. There is a lot more stuff now.



Exercise gear!!! You often saw these in informercials and from friends who never seem to use them. You have an inclined bench, a threadmill (folded up), a stepper, an "ab roller," an "ab flex" and another "ab-(place verb here)" thingee.



Shoes and shoeracks. Most of these have already been bought. Most of these are size 6.



Behind the scenes putting price tags on everything. From left to right: Tito Pete (Maui's dad who is partly cut-off), Elaine (Maui's cousin) and Tintin (Maui's sister).



Uhm, Koji (the cute guinea pig) is not for sale. I just wanted to include her picture hehehe.

Band desires

I've been suffering from band withdrawal for more than a year now. It was around August last year when I last played with a band. Nowadays, my bass is stowed away in a muggy corner of my room, my hands are not as nimble anymore and I'm still stuck listening to japanese pop. My mainstay band, Half-wishing, has been on hiatus since 2002 mainly due of the "realities of life" (Accenture slavery). Now I'm thinking of putting up a new band with my girlfriend. I'm thinking of starting a duo first and expanding it to accomodate anybody who wants to join. Obviuosly, I've also been playing the band name game. I currently have three names in mind.

1. Suicide Siopao - I knew a band called Suicide Siomai that played 80's pop songs but with a 90s poprock twist. So why not name a band after them but make it sound bigger (since a siopao is four times bigger than a siomai).

2. Killer Kalabasa - I'm looking for a name that sounds edgy with an touch of humor to it (including food references hehehe) and this name was the first that came up.

3. Sundried Tomatoes - Sounds a bit like Smashing Pumpkins. I like it because my girlfriend and I love sundried tomatoes with our pasta. This name might be the one.

Just for posterity, I included some band pictures.

The De La Salle University Chamber Ensemble (circa 1997). That's me on the upper left hugging my huge double bass.


Half-wishing during the CIO fashion show (December 2001). From left to right: Jomar Abesamis (rhythm guitar), me (low frequency device), Debbie Wong (vocals), John Evangelista (drums), Gwen Torres (vocals) and Mike Duff (lead guitar).


Another Half-wishing picture.


My Ibanez bass temporarily freed from storage.


The view down under.