PREPARATION
I have figured since this is no easy feat. I have to prepare my body to endure and last 21kms long, but how? I increased my days of running and maintained my Sat Badminton but i skipped Aikido. Why? I don't want to injure any single ligament on my body, so, I have to stay away from injury.
Anyway, my normal week would consist of two 1hr runs and 1 badminton saturday then 1 aikido training. I skipped Aikido then decided to increase my running days. So two weeks before the run, I ran, Sun, Mon, Wed and Fri, skipped the sat badninton then ran on Sun. On my Friday and Sunday run, I decided to increase the mileage to 10k. Last run before the vig day was on a Wed, which recorded my fastest 10k yet, 1:11.
Saturday, I went to play badminton for about 4hrs, this is just to warm my body before the race then went home to sleep early and ate a hearty dinner then the next day, I ate half a sandwich of cream cheese then brought my chocs along with me.
WHY SHOULD I NOT RUN THE RACE?
1. I have colds.
Days before the race, Tuesday, I was striken by allergy. I am allergic to dust and the cat (yes my own cat - but thus depends upon my situation). Since, we just newly transferred to this new place, my body could not adapt to it right away. Thus, allergies came about. I started feeling sniffly on Tuesday, then came the colds.
2. 2nd day of my Menstrual period
So I have colds until Sunday, then i just finished my last pill of the month, meaning I will have my period any day of the week. It came around Saturday, then I bought this ultra thin pads to make it through the badminton and race day.
3. There was a typhoon
Karen, the typhoon, was said to e here days before. I did not know it will last until Sunday. I don't want to run in te pouring rain, really, especially with my napkin and colds, I don't want to make my feeling any worse.
WHY SHOULD I RUN?
But given these three, I still ran. Why? Because, I think I am prepared for this race. And I wanted to know whether I can do it or not. If I didn't run, it will be something that I will regret for the rest of my life.
RACE EVENT
The day before, I went to play badminton. Then, decided to have a cream cheese (if possible bagel) sandwich in the morning. Took a lot of gatorade, had my sumptuous dinner (my favorite corn beef - Purefoods and lotsa rice). Slept well, I slept after badminton practice then woke up around 9pm then ate dinner then slept again then woke at 130am.
I think I'm ready. But it was raining, so I took a cab to MOA, so that I can catch up with my friend's 3am meeting but he got too excited and left early. I was 5mins late, got too frantic. Forgot to leave my other phone and held too much food in my hand (ritter sport and cream o).
I thought of my half sandwich and snicker breakfast while on the shuttle to the starting line, I wish it's enough. Me and my two friends met up at the Riovanna store then, went to the crowd where the other 21k runners are.
I think it's a blessing that it rained, my body won't get too exhausted by the heat. So, since I already trained myself in the rain I gained a little confidence. Then the gun fired and we all went running.
THOUGHTS WHILE RUNNING
As I have figured out during my mini runs, music keeps me going. As long as the music/song is something that wakes me up it just drives me to keep running. Well, this is also true for my work. I love having it on my ears, it gives me focus.
So that's one, it was a rainy day. And I really thought of walking, I thought of walking after the 16th kilometer. But I changed my mind after feeling that I can still do it. I checked my watch and estimated that I can finish the race after 40mins (I am slow, I estimated if I was right I am still running at 8kms/hr). So I just enjoyed the music and made the surroundings as my motivation since I know I am already nearing MOA, the finish line.
As I was reaching the finish line, I saw this man running with his two daughters despite the rain. I then remembered one scene from my childhood where me, my father and my sister jogged in the rain. It was theday we went to this house, the one that we are living now. It was also raining, that day, I can only remember him. I am too tired but I will still push thru, I cried when I remembered, I knew he was with me. I tried not to cry some more but when the iPod played You'll be in my heart, the tears shed again. It's because I was only 5 meters away from the finish line and it is encouraging to know he's just with me all the time and I know he's so proud of me upon finishing it strong.
I also cried because I never thought I could do it, I never imagined myself running for 21kms for more than 2hrs but there I was. There was also more that drove me to do it. My heart would never be as strong if not for you, you know who u are, thanks for everything. I can never say this to you in person but I know you'll get this message. This race is also for you, for us, for moving on. :)
I think I will be running long distances from here on. I love the freebies, especially the finisher's shirt. I guess the experience is more challenging and more fun than 10kms.
Cheers for more runs and longer distances!
