21K at Run United Philippine Marathon 2012

My wife and I became part of history last weekend (October 28) by joining the first Run United Philippine Marathon! OK, maybe just partly because we only did 21K. :)

The 21K route was the same one as Run United 2 which we had also completed last June. The experience was practically the same for us, although I did improve by almost 3 minutes at 2:49. [My wife? She slashed more than 20 minutes from her Run United 2 finish with a time of 2:54 (previously 3:17).]

One thing I'd like to highlight was that near the finish line, Coach Rio himself was manning the traffic. He was also shouting, "Less than a kilometer! Bawal na maglakad!" giving the exhausted runners a well-needed motivation and sudden burst of energy.

Race Kit Claimed! Run United 2 Race Expo

I feel the excitement all over again now that I finally have my newest race kit! Run United 2 - Are you ready for me? :D

I thought the the race kit claiming area was well organized. Although it might be too early to tell because it is only the first day after all, it appears they have sufficient counters to serve the running public. :P

The 21K race kit as promised included a belt bag which I'm sure many will want to use on race day. I myself am considering it because the start point and end point are different. [See the logic?]

You will see the race expo easily because it is the corner of 26th and 9th (and because you were most probably given a map when you registered). They had not finished setting up yet when I claimed my kit but I bet it will be swarming tomorrow with various running showcases and enthusiasts, so you better be there! :D

Anyway, it feels so great to be back! Aside from its being my come-back race, it is also my wife's first run as Mrs. Hugo! Oh, the goosebumps I had when the assistant handed me Tey's envelope labeled [Her Name] Hugo.

Back on My Feet - Run United 2 - 21K

My first registered race after my wedding is a 21K!

A few days after our wedding, my wife and I registered for Run United 2.

Although frankly the registration assistant at Toby's MOA was not very nice, it felt so good to be back that I shrugged it off immediately and started getting ready for my come-back race!

EARL: Very happy to be back | TEY: Happy as well, but a bit annoyed, when she had almost been registered for 10K.

My last race had been the Nike Run on October 15, a day before I proposed marriage to my then-girlfriend, now-wife Tey. :D

But anyway, here I am again! After a long "downtime", I'm nervous about this decision to go 21K. It sure feels like my first time again. Maybe I'll try the training I did for my first 21K.

I'll see you guys on the road again! But where's my watch?!

Run United 2011 - My Runaway Girlfriend

My girlfriend's stronger than me.

It took a while before I realized it. I guess it's not just my running that was slow that day.

Already done with my 10K, I was sitting at the curb, taking some pics, and waiting for Tey to complete her 21K. We had decided that I was to run 10K only because I have a shoot the night before.

I would say my 10K was ok. It's not that bad. If I compare it to my last 10K (Adidas KOTR), I did a little better. 1hr10 now compared to 1hr12. But compared to last year's Leg 1 (Century Tuna) or last year's Unilab 1, well, hmm, um.... Ok, next topic.


Runrio Leg 1 2010 (Century Tuna) : 1hr 8 mins
Unilab 1 2010 : 1 hr 2 mins
Adidas KOTR 2010 : 1 hr 12 mins
Runrio Leg 1 2011 (Unilab 1 2011) : 1 hr 10 mins


After running, I stretched and I claimed my finisher's kit and my bag from the baggage counter and proceeded to wait for Tey at the corner of 7th and 28th.

Tey finished her last 21K (Condura 2011) at around 3h8m but she was injured then. Her 21K before that (Unilab 2, 2010) was at 2h54. While I waiting, I took a few shots, like this one of Tessa.



I heard the announcer on the mic say "2hrs 30 mins! You can do it guys!" I thought I'd sit down for a while because Tey would still take 20 to 30 minutes.

But like a flash of lightning out of the clear blue sky, Tey suddenly, unexpectedly came running in front of me like she's chasing Piolo.

How did she do it? My fastest 21K is 2h52 and my 23k split in my last 32K will only put me at 2h45 tops.

I snapped out of my mathematical trance when I remembered that I was sitting there to take pictures of Tey.

Here I am trying to overtake Tey (Thanks to Peng Magbiro for this nice shot).



It was a great run for Tey. From 3 hours 8 minutes, she shaved off more than 30 minutes for an official time of 2 hours 34 minutes. No, it's not right to call that a shave. That's a 6-inch haircut plus blow dry.



Good job to my girlfriend! Last year, she did not even want to run. 3K was unimaginable. And now here she is - even stronger than I am. If she has a blog, I'll save it to my favorites, read it, and take down notes.

Here are some more pics from the event.

Ceelin Kids







Tey and Tessa




My fast and strong runner girlfriend Tey





Earl and Tey



...Superposition!

Run Rio Leg 3 : Unilab Run United 2

November 20-21, 2010 - Fort

And so I completed the Run Rio Trilogy for 2010! But it was not easy.

Day 1: My Girlfriend's First Time

Unilab Run United 2 is a two-day event. My girlfriend Tey wanted to run the 21K and I can see her determination in the way she trains and the way she shops! (She bought hydration belt, ankle supports, sports bra, socks, sun visor, sun block, and red lipstick).

When we found out it was a 2-day event, I told her she could do a 15K so that we would be there on the same day. But she refused. "Kaya nga nagttrain ako mabuti kasi gusto mag 21K," she said, days before we registered.

Her run was really good. She was expecting she would finish in 3hrs 30mins but she made it to the finish line in 2hrs 54mins (which is only ~2 minutes behind my first 21K)! Good job darling!





And because I was there in the event and I did not run, I had the chance to be like Photovendo - which I also found very heartwarming! People I don't know stop (or slow down a little) and smile at me for a nice photo op. It felt like we are one big happy running family!

(For those guys who ran on Day 1, you might see your picture here.)

Here are some shots that I took.


Donna


Running Couple


Post-Run Barkada Pic


Day 2: Defying Gravity

Tey and I decided that this will be our last running event for 2010. So I decided to end it with a bang! What better way to end it than going for the longest distance of the last of the Run Rio Trilogy?!

I felt prepared for this run. Whatever happens it's a new PR anyway. And I did a pretty good 22K training run the week before so I was a little confident. But at the same time, I was also very uneasy and nervous because once again I would be facing the Buendia Flyover.

I have never completed it from end to end before. It always felt unending and unforgiving. But this time I was determined to conquer this flyover.

I ran with Noel (Deemen Runner) and we had a good, steady start. A few kilometers before the flyover, I asked Noel if we could stop for a while because I had to do number 1 in the middle of the dark. :P

And then the flyover came somewhere beyond the 6K mark. This is it. The moment of truth. When we stepped on the flyover, I put my game face on and determined to complete this stretch of elevated asphalt.
Noel was very supportive because he giving me advice on how to do uphills.

It was still long and unforgiving. But I was stronger and more determined. Needless to say, I was able to kill it for the first time without stopping. :P

The next flat segment to Osmena is easier even with the angry motorists. And then at around the 14K+ mark, we were back at the flyover. This time however I was not as strong anymore. It felt like my right knee is going to break. This is where Noel and I got separated and he went on ahead.

But at the back of my head, I wanted to complete a no-stop flyover again and so I pushed myself. I did again really but I think it cost me a little bit of my good knee.

I kept going as much as I could but after the 21K mark, I thought I couldn't run anymore because of the knee pain. Even when I try to run, I was slower than the guys who are walking! So I decided to alternate run-walk more frequently with a somewhat odd timing.

Even with the pain, I knew I couldn't stop. Not then that I have already endured a lot. Not after all the training. Not after I saw the 26K mark - just 6 more kilometers to go!

I don't know if it was adrenaline or the very cold water I poured on my head but my runs (and walks) are now faster. I planned to sing "Don't Stop Believing" but I ended singing "Defying Gravity" instead. "I think I'll try defying gravity and you can't bring me down." :P

I was very excited to see the last turn and it's very much encouraging to see Tey (now the photovendo), Eugene, and Noel also cheering for me! "Konti na lang!"

And so, after 4hrs 48mins, I was able to finish my 32K run! Congrats to Rio, Unilab, and the rest of the team for another inspiring event!






Let me share some of Tey's shots from the event.

Kikay Runner


Iza and Hammer Nutrition


Eugene Yasay (2 hrs 49 mins!)


Mawawala ba si Jeffrey sa shots ni Tey?


Patrick "Running Shield" Concepcion


Team Logan


Noel Camarillo (Deemen Runner)


32K Finishers! (Earl, Eugene, Noel)


...and the Superposition!

Tey's Superposition (Day 1)

RunRio Triology Leg 3 Online Registration is Now Open!

RunRio 3 or Unilab 2? Put them together, you get 32! :P [Yeah whatever].



Anyway, the online registration is now open [as of September 2 as announced at runrio.com].

For you early birds, you can register here. I just found it a little weird that the payments are in dollars but I guess that's ok (because I won't register online :P).

Take note that this is going to be a 2-day event (November 20 - November 21) so plan accordingly.

My girlfriend intends to do her first half-mary at Leg 3 which is scheduled on Day 1. And as I have been targeting since Leg 1, I will be doing the 32k event which takes place on Day 2.

The plan? I wait for her on Day 1, she waits for me on Day 2! :P Anyway I still have a lot of time to rest after her 21k.

I'll see you guys there! :))