Run United1 21km

Still on a running high as I was finally able to beat my PR in this race! So far, my fastest 21km was last December when I did Milo Marathon Finals.  I was pressured then because of the 2:30 cut off so I really tried to run fast.  In January, I did 7/11 21km but finished slower at 2:26.  But yesterday... I finished at... drum roll please... 2:18!!!

If you know me, you would also know that I am all sorts of slow.  I used to run 5KMs at 45minutes (when I started running again after the baby).  My longest half-marathon, I finished 3hours at QCIM December 2012.  So this is just crazy fast for me.  And I did not even feel a hint of being tired or spent the entire race (maybe except for the last KM when I had to push a little harder and run faster).  

What's my secret? Definitely doing speed intervals in the gym.  I really made it a point to run intervals at least once a week to make sure that my legs got used to running faster.  The importance of speed intervals is something I've known of since time immemorial, of course Alvin always kept making me kulit about this but I guess I've just recently (maybe this school year) been interested in running faster, not just longer.  

Back to the race, of course this is RunRio organized so you expect nothing but the best - more than enough hydration stations with both cold water and Gatorade, well-lit roads (very much needed as gun start was at 4AM) and easy claiming of Finisher's Shirt.  This is what I call money well-spent.  

So, what did I do differently before and during this race, which may have helped in gaining a new PR?

1) I bought new earphones, finally invested in a good (and expensive) pair of Yurbuds! True to it's promise, I never had to worry about it falling off ;)

2) Ran the last KM with a friend (hubby's officemate) who I bumped into.  I told him to run faster and pull me alongside him so we could finish strong together!

3) Warmed up with a 5-minute run.  I NEVER warm up before a race.  I think that's why I usually start the first few KMs really slow at about 7:30-8:00/km.  This time I started with 7:00/km!

4) Took 2 GU Roctane gels (one at 11KMs and another at 17KMs).  I normally just take the regular one but also invested on Roctane ones which were double the price, worth it!

5) Did not do a long run a weekend before the race, instead did an hour long of intervals on the treadmill.  Coach Carlo who I met through Gold's Gym (he's a traithlete and a 1:29 half-marathoner) told me that doing a long run a weekend before the race will just slow me down.  Anyway I did 20KMs already 2 weekends before the race so that should be enough.  

6) Did speed and hill intervals on the gym 1-2x a week for the past 5 weeks! 

7) Religiously did bootcamp classes weekly so I could work on my legs (doing endless squats, lunges, burpees, box jumps, etc.)

8) Lost 5pounds by replacing dinner with smoothies.  I'd put in an assortment of fruits and veggies in the blender and spin away.  I only ate dinner when I was running early morning the next day.

I don't know which one exactly worked but I guess it's a combination of all those and just the sheer drive and passion to be better and stronger.  I'm still aiming at a sub2 half-marathon.  I'm in no rush, just taking it one race after the other.  Hopefully, I will be able to achieve that by the end of this year. 

Thank You Lord, for this new achievement! 

No Speed Limit 21km

Late Post: Run happened February 9, 2014

It took me so long to finally write this post because I was too upset to do so, haha! Did not have the gana to write about it.  But anyway, it's been over a month already and since I want to write about the Run United1 experience, I HAVE to write about this first, haha!

No Speed Limit is a benefit run by an Ateneo organization, SPEED.  Basically, it's a socially-oriented organization that allows the students exposure to underprivileged special children (I hope I got it right, this is what I remember from my college days).  In 2012, I did this run but joined only the 3km distance as I was 7months pregnant and mostly of course, walked the distance.  In 2013, they scheduled it on the same date as Chinese New Year so that ruled out my chances of joining (unless I blow my father's top).  So, this year, I told myself I have to join the run! At least to help the many former students I have who are now part of SPEED.  I signed up quite early (through a former student, Meg) that I was I think one of the first 3 registrants for the 21km distance, haha.  Excited, much.  I was looking forward to running along Marcos Highway as I have never done so.

I was surprised to see that gunstart for the half-marathon was at 5AM! Given that I more or less finish a 21km distance at around 2 hours and 30 minutes, that would mean finishing at 7:30AM which is already quite hot! Anyway, couldn't do anything.  I was on my own (as I always am these days at races) waiting for gun start to commence when it just wouldn't! I was already annoyed at the 5AM gunstart so it did not help that they started about 20minutes later.  Again, what can I do?

We started running around the Ateneo campus.  From Henry Lee Irwin theater towards the High School, then out to Katipunan passing through Bellarmine Hall and then Gate 3.  So far, so good.  Hydration stations were enough although they only served water.  No problemo.  We ran out to Katipunan then went up Katipunan flyover.  We made a u-turn somewhere along it going towards Sta. Clara Church then to Marcos Highway - it was a fun downhill which only meant one thing.  We would have to go up that in an hour or two.

I'm not very familiar with Marcos Highway so I just followed everyone else.  Passed SM Marikina, Sta. Lucia East Mall (I know only until here) then u-turned back.  We passed the same route going back and looking at my watch, I thought, if we (I don't remember the actual distances/digits anymore) run back the exact same route, it won't be 21KMs.  Unless we go around Ateneo again when we get in for the last few KMs.  As we entered Ateneo, I've never been this upset to see the finish line! :)) Normally it was a such a relief to see the finish arc.  Not this time.  So I sped up to the finish line,  got my medal, checked my watch again and there you have it - not even 18KMs.  I walked around and chatted up the others who also had GPS watches and they confirmed that the race was indeed short of about 3KMs.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to appear mayabang but I felt a little cheated.  We paid P900 for a race that didn't offer anything but water, started late and even did not measure 21KMs :( I get that it's for charity so fine, I don't mind so much that hydration stations only offered water, but sana naman umabot ng 21KM.  

I finished with a time of 1hour57minutes which is pretty good with an average speed of, if I'm not mistaken, 6:48.  I think I would have PR-ed for a half-marathon if the distance was completed.  Sayang. Thinking about it now, sana pala I ran the missing KMs inside Ateneo so I could record a PR ;)

ANYWAY, I tried looking for some SPEED members who were former students to give my complaints, I mean, feedback to and then decided to just shrug it off.  1 ) It is student-organized.  They have classes, due dates, reports, projects...and are not being paid for the work they do. It is completely volunteer-work... on top of their academics.  2) Proceeds go to the needs of special children so will just focus on that 3) At least I got a nice photo for it (just don't mind my hair) - see below.

I just hope they try to make things better next year :)