First Fun Run Whack

I remember the first time I joined a fun run.... and it was whack I tell you.

I joined the Yamaha Run for the heroes last July 2011 due to our office's enthusiasm in running. Yes, I was peer pressured! I did not really want to join the "bandwagon" but the doctor wanted me to already lose the weight (I think I was about 80kg at that time or less). So, to push myself, I signed up for a 5k run.

Yes, 5km was my first fun run. Me and my office mate Ame signed up for this category. I remember the excruciating pain of waking up on the wee hour of the day just to run and punish myself. Ha-ha, you read it right, I saw running before as a punishment to myself. I did not find any joy in running. I thought it was just a fad. And I hate fads. Seriously, as much as I can, I will stay away from fad.

Gunstart and everyone ran, me and Ame ran for a few meters. And I did not run anymore. Hahaha. Yes, I walked. I told Ame that we should just walk and let them run, she insists that we should run but I insisted that we shouldn't. We walked the whole course for about 57 mins.

Now looking back, I can only laugh at myself. I ran with my father before, but I walked when my mind tells me to give up. I never knew that I can beat that little voice inside my head and go further. I should never underestimate myself, no one will believe me better than myself.

It's good to look back, just to check how far I have gone, how passionate I have become and how I have changed because of these. If I were to sign for a 5k again now, I will run the whole of it with glee and of course, less than 57 mins. (average time is about 35mins ~ yuck still slow hehe but hey it's improving! ^_^)

me with my officemates - yeah the jeepney driver towel is uso guys!

fatty me and ame

Running Cavitex via 7-eleven Run 800

I know it has been 6 months since the original race but me thinks I should give this race a try. Since, I've heard it is hard to get the refund, so I just did the race. I made it my first run for the year, since, this will be a new route - Cavitex or the Cavite Express Way.

Cavitex Toll, there are even planes nearby, I wish I've taken them

This is supposed to be my second 16k for 2012, but it has been rescheduled and I think it was worth the wait. Why was it worth the wait? Let me enumerate the good things:

1. Of course, it's Cavitex! I've been on the look out for new roads to run (see my blog post - Running Where) and this road is just as exciting. It's flat - at least for 16k route - and it has some good views to share. The view of the wide road, sea and landing planes and of course, the people busy at the port while we are all busy running. I am enjoying every meter of it. It's not even that polluted, I thought that the smell of the sea combined with the smell of smoke coming from vehicles passing will be a problem, but it didn't. Cavitex is now off my roads to run list. (Let me scream - OH YEAAAH! Woot woot!)

2. Hydration stations are everywhere! Stupid me brought myself a Gatorade during the race, and there were free Gatorades everywhere. How ironic? But hey! at least it just gave me the reason not to stop the whole 16 kilometers. But this is a good thing, hydration is really REALLY important for all racers.

3. I think, at least for me, the race was organized properly. Of course, they failed having the race on time, but they made up by having an organized starting line. Warm ups were led by Noelle de Guzman or Ms. Kikay Runner. The starting line was far from the entrance, just enough to have it as your warm up run, (I am almost late so I ran to the starting line that's why I think this way. hehe. Biased!) but I think it's because everything is logistically arranged - baggage counter is near the starting line, the foodie/freebie booths are at the entrance, etc. So, I think the race organizers redeemed themselves on this.

4. Plus factor was, of course, the freebies! We all love freebies. After the race, there were free Gatorade, Pocari Sweat, Selecta Ice Cream, Century Tuna, Women's/Men's Health Mag, Runner's Mag, etc. I think everything that is being sold by 7-11 was present on the race event. After all these, I totally forgot what they did already! (Hello Giddy Abi, the bloated girl after a 16k race! Haha!)

What I did not like on this race though was just one thing, there were unlit parts of the road on the start of the race. I hate running in the dark, so I slowed down on these parts. But this only happened on the break of dawn though, of course, given my slow pace, I finished the race at almost 2 hrs (1:55 hr to be exact) and the sun was already up at that time so, it was no biggie.

All-in-all this race was a success and I'm glad I chose it as my first race for 2013. Next stop 21k Skyway!

Me with my fellow PEX Runners  :)

 

Take a picture of me, I'm running!

Most people would love to have their picture taken, I admit, I am not one of them. I would love to take pictures but taking a picture of myself is REALLY HARD. Even if I posed, I look awkward. And for me, it is unacceptable and it's something I could give a day's laugh.

In fun run events here in the Philippines, there are photographers around who would take pictures of willing and unwilling subjects alike. I am not really an eye candy for photographers and I admit, it's hard looking for pictures of mine in a run. It's frustrating actually, I know I don't like having my picture taken, but I am curious how I look like on a run. And after a day of picture searching, these are what I have found out:

It shows that I am having a hard time running. I know that it is hard, but hello face you don't have to show it! 

QCIM, my longest 21k - Commonwealth is too darn hard eh? 

I think this is already at the finish line and I was like thanking God that it's all over. 

I have a habit of running with right arm down, almost all my pictures on the 2012 Milo National Finals album showed it. 

Right arm down, you can look at the other pictures and it's still down.. weird no? 

I have lost weight

Not that a lot though, I think I am 65kgs when this was taken, but it's good to look back. :)

I still have fats on my face

at Milo Marathon Finals, yeah I need to do some face exercises

at Ku Ikaika Marathon, the fudge, fat cheeks might've been heavy that my eyeballs are starting to fallout. Jeez/

I have this serious face mode turned on, on every race. 

I don't know, maybe I was thinking too deeply

Or just too engrossed in a song... 

When I pose, I give this awkward peace sign, I don't know any other pose. Sorry. 

Yes, no sweat, I am walking. Awkward peace sign y'áll

But there are days that the peace sign works and I have to give credit that I really look cute (this is not effortless, I wish it weren't though, good job people who can still look cute while running). 

Ku Ikaika Marathon, I am tired here but hey, I am enjoying this

And yeah, I posed! This is the first time! Yay me!

 And there are moments too that I love that were taken,

This was when I saw the gun time, this was my first sub 2:30 baby!

I even shouted along with the people because I am eligible for the medal Yay!

We were laughing on this photo because me and my friend Mavic finished the race in about 5 hrs! haha! This is how happy I am seeing the finish line. 

And I already told you how hard it is to find me in a race, it's like I am invisible can you find me in the crowd (just like Where's Wally! heehee)

I don't know why they even bothered posting this , but I love my legs here. :)

If you have good eyes, you'll see me and my eye haha

And of course, there are pictures that I really do look nice and I have to add another tab just for them. Hahaha!

Cute peace sign at Tetra Pak Run, must have been the effect of Coco Quench

Another successful cute peace sign pose! Excited to get the finish line goodies! 

Credits to Running Photographers, iRunners, Tsinelas Photographer, Pinoy Fitness, Photovendo, Active Moments and Run United for the pictures. I hope I get to have more pictures this coming 2013! Woot!