Pasig all the way
I didn’t think that I would be able to complete my 2nd attempt at a full marathon. The night before the run, I wasn’t feeling well – I had to take paracetamol before I slept. I also took another dose when I woke up at 2 am on the race day itself. In fact, I still was a bit hesitant to join the race when we reached the starting area at the KM 0 mark at the Quirino Grandstand.
The event, having one of the network giants as a major sponsor, started with a lot of fanfare (or should I say spot lights and cameras plus a noisy emcee). The mood in the starting line was fun, I especially enjoyed watching the performance of the Philippine Marines band.
True to the Biscocho tradition, the race started at 4:28 am ( 2 minutes before the scheduled gun-off). The three of us started a bit slow with Isko slowly picking up the pace to which Ian and I followed. We were going so fast that at around 5kms, I slowed my pace down to around 6 mpk. There was after all still 37 kms left to run.
The water stations didn’t run out of water – thank God I didn’t get dehydrated at my first attempt to run 42kms during the daytime.
As for the route, I doubt that anyone would get lost this year as there were directional signs and marshals along the entire route. Besides, If I get lost, all I had to do was to follow the scent of the river – after all, this race has Pasig written all over it.
I started walking around the Guadalupe area, I think my legs aren’t as strong as the other runners; it has been only 2 weeks after I have finished my first 42km. While I was walking / jogging near the Pioneer area, I saw Sir Jovie (aka The Baldrunner) walking … this came as a surprise to me because I know that he is a strong runner – I was later informed by his staff that he has an injury in his left leg – but as a true warrior, he still finished the entire 42km.
After receiving hydration from Team Bald Runner support staff (Thanks a lot!). I went on my way … I was able to run a bit on the downhill area of Pasig (thanks Coach Isko, I was able to apply our “downhill” run in this area).
When I reached the C5 area, I was happy to see that the Pasig Traffic enforcers themselves acted as barricades in order to secure the area where runners are supposed to run.
As I entered the Fort area, I started to feel hungry already. It was all psychological at this point. The heat of the sun, the feeling that my feet would burst from my running shoes and the longing for food.
Seeing the Takbo.ph people at the bottom of the Kalayaan flyover also helped me in the “psychological” department – at that point, even the slightest words of encouragement can go a long way. After all, there were still 10 kms left, I was thinking, I could easily cover that distance in less than an hour (that was if I haven’t covered 32kms already!).
It is true what they say about the last 4kms of a marathon – it will be the longest 4kms of your life!
I was able to finish this race in 5 hours 50 mins – not as good as my marathon finish 2 weeks ago but hey – in spite of my complaints while running it – I enjoyed it!
Condura 2010 – here I come!
