My Adidas KOTR 2013 Experience

After conquering Skyway, I found myself signing up for the 16.8K of the Adidas King of the Road 2013 last July 7, 2013. Another running bucket list entry crossed out. To run the Kalayaan Flyover and try to run this distance.

 

I must admit, I am a running enthusiast, but I am not the type who signs up in every run possible. I sign up for a run, which I feel meets my needs or self-challenge at that point in time. But as an enthusiast, I try my best to also train hard for the races I join.

 

The view going up the Kalayaan Flyover from the Gil Puyat

This is my first time to run this distance. I ran with my 2 long time friends, husband and wife, Mildred and Earl who also share the enthusiasm for running and met a new friend, Jeff. The goal for that we have in mind is just to finish the race and not for PR. Perfect interval pacing by Milds, I got to enjoy the run more. And I finished the race still with energy. Great advise as well given by Milds and Earl to bring energy gels. :)
 

  

 

Though I finished the race in more than 2 hours, I'm glad I did it. The blisters on my right foot and that ache on my left foot made it harder to really push hard in running, but it was really an experience that was worth it. Also a first time to experience both my legs cramping.

This was a fun day, since I get to enjoy a day of bonding with my friends on a different setting. I don't have very good photos while running. Haha! Thanks to Matt for meeting me this day and sharing the last kilometer with me. :p


With my friend Milds, who's really an inspiration. Doing a 21K again this coming month of Sept.

Overall, the race experience for me is okay. Nothing majorly disappointing or something. Pretty organized since I didn't stay for long to try the booths and line up for the other freebies. I didn't experience the hassle of getting my race kit since Matt got it for me. :p

Now looking for another race to sign up next. :)

Condura Skyway Marathon 2013

The day has come to conquer Skyway! We were training for it since November last year, and we are so ready! (Are we really? :p)

February 3, marked my second attempt to run a 10K and a first for my running buddies Teng and Paz. With no time to spare for warm up and stretching, since we're running late, we all went to the starting line already. A quick shake and jump and off we go!

Running at 5 in the morning actually feels very good. The air is still chilly and the surroundings dark. It gave me heightened senses. The first 3 kilometers are the hardest, because you need to go up the Skyway ramp (agad agad :p). The song Titanium was my jam for the first 5 kilometers, Daniel Kim's Pop Danthology Mash-Up Mix of 2012 for the next 3K and the Kelly Clarkson's "What Doesn't Kill You (Makes You Stronger) on the last 2 kilometers.

I have mixed emotions for the run going to the finish line. It was already going down the ramp, so gravity helped me there, but boy the last 2 kilometers, I was already getting tired and the finish line seemed to be going farther and farther away. And that last two turns into the finish, was a bit uphill; With burning legs and feeling a bit nauseous already, I pushed on. And seeing the timer, at 1:26, I was happy to see that I have beaten my first 10K record. :)

It was a thrill running the Skyway! You feel so high up and passing two toll gates on foot felt surreal. Though the course was relatively flat, I wouldn't say that this run is easy. It wasn't. Well, I think, no run is easy. But I truly enjoyed the Condura Run. This is my first time to join this run, and I was not disappointed.

With my long time barkada, husband and wife Earl and Milds, ran the 6K.

I was so impressed how organized the race was. The course is not at all crowded. They have thought of a very good strategy to avoid big crowds in the race course. They have a wave system that releases runners on a 2 minute interval each. They have 7 waves for each race category, from A-G.

Proud of my girlies Teng and Paz!

For the 10K category, we're part of Wave A. And the gunstart time intervals are spaced strategically as well. Imagine having the runners for the 42K full marathon start at 12mn. Wow! No wonder the Skyway was already closed at 10pm since the day before. We have also seen friends running, like Mervin, Mark and his girlfriend Ginger. We all met after the race to eat breakfast and catch up at Siningag Express. I was also able to meet up with long time friends, Milds and Earl who ran the 6K. It was indeed a good day, as we were also able to eat ice cream for breakfast. Haha! It's one of the many freebies at the Condura Village.

Happy finisher!

We enjoyed this run. The registration fee was so worth it. The medal is beautiful and the technical shirt that we used, was designed by Team Manila. And the experience of conquering the Skyway on foot is priceless. Plus, you get to do this for the environment, this year, this is for the Mangroves. So proud of Teng and Paz for finishing with a very good PR! Not bad for your first time. I know you want to join one again soon! I feel it!

Until the next run! I would want to run a 21K at the end of the year. Or 16K. :) Time to hit the gym/road tomorrow again.