15K VSO run and a 5K treadmill run. How am I going to complete a 25K run with just this training?
My journey towards conquering my first 25K run started Saturday afternoon. I arrived at our meeting place – Shell McKinley-EDSA at around 3PM. Mon, Bobby and Sensei John were already there and just waiting for Sir Ipe to arrive. We will be staying overnight at Tanya’s house in Tarlac which is just some 20-30 mintues away from Clark. A few minutes later Gene and Wayne arrived and I learned that they will be going with us and have dinner at Tanya’s house. It was a fun sight to see everybody in Tanya’s house – Doc Gigi, Mon, Bobby, Sir Ipe, Sensei John, Que, Jinoe, Roselle, Gene and Wayne. We were treated with native dishes – bringhe, caldereta, stuffed frogs, fried hito, ensalada with calamay for dessert. We had the usual chikahan over a cup (cups?) of coffee before calling it a night around 11PM.
The following morning, everybody was up early and we were off to Clark by 4:30AM. We arrived that the race site past 5AM and got our RFID chip. The race started late. Entering the starting pen, I saw familiar faces – Jay, JunC, Jaymie, Jonel, Joe, Philip, Bards (finally!), Vener, Mark and Dindo. I told Dindo that I would try to pace with him even though I know that he would be pacing a 6:00 mins/kms with Jaymie and JunC. Bahala na si Batman!
Running with a buddy/group definitely gives you a morale boost. Dindo, me and Jinoe were running most of the entire race together. We were just behind Jaymie and JunC on the first half of the race. Mark P and Joe stayed with us on the first few kilometers. At the 16K, Dindo decided to take a break. It was me and Jinoe running the next kilometer but this time I already am feeling a bit tired. I was running 2 kilometers all by myself and would did 2 short walk breaks. I even tried to pace with Charles (schlagger returns) but I was too tired keep up with him. It was at this point that I thought of quitting – the body is still willing but the mind is weak. Dindo eventually caught up with me and we continued to pace each other. He gave me a GU when I told him I feeling a bit dizzy. We managed to survive the uphills of the ruins and began a much faster pace on the last 4 kms. With less than 3 kms, Dindo told me he needed a break. I pushed myself on the remaining kilometers and was greatful for the cheers and encouragements from Ben and then from Jonel. I increased my pace and forgot about the pains as I saw the red inflatable Start/Finish mark I finished with my first 25K and longest run with a time of 2:42.
me and dindo. see coach rio's hair
I am very much satisfied with my time as my 15K split was 3 minutes faster than my VSO time and my 21K split was way much faster than my 2:33 in Adidas KOTR. Salamat uli Dindo for pacing and pushing me and for the GU. Thanks also to Jinoe and to Jaymie and JunC for the 6:00 pace.
After the race, I get to chat with the Happy Feet group and other runners and of course do the usual photo-ops (more photos at my mutiply site – http://ibetlacbay.multiply.com). I had a chance to meet Johnny Sy (at the start of the race), Jerry (high altitude), Ibanrunner and Annie who won her age category. I also also lined up for the photo booth for post race photo-op. I really liked my photo souvenir and I plan to put it in my office cube together with my finishers medal. 
New Balance Power Race is definitely one of the best races for 2008!
Dindo, Vener, RJ, Jay, me, Jun, Jaymie
Happy Feet!
souvenir photo
While Gene, Wayne and I were heading back to Manila, I got a call from our volleyball team captain. He asked my if I could make it to our 3:15PM game to avoid a possible default. Since this is our last game for the elimination round and we don’t want to lose the top spot, I agreed but told him not to expect too much coz I’m still tired and haven’t recovered yet. During the warm-up, I was surprise to hit most of the sets and told my captain – “kaya ko pa. pwede pa akong pamalo”. In the end, I played for 2 sets, made 4 kills and we won the game.
