Who'd Have Thought...

My First 6K

I wasn't too excited to join the 6th World Heart Day Fun Run because it doesn't have a 5k category. The September 27 race, organized by the Phil. Heart Association Cebu Chapter, only included a 3k, 6k, and a 10k. Here's something that many don't know: I haven't jog/run throughout an entire 5k race. Ever. I've joined five 5ks, in each of which I always have walking intervals. So, why would I want to enlist in a 6k when I haven't entirely run a 5k? That's what your running buddies do to you. If everyone has signed in, you don't want to be left in the sidelines.

Must Have Been the Weather

Typhoon Ondoy gave Cebu City a morning with skies very dark with clouds, like it's about to pour. It did not, bestowing us instead with what I think is a very ideal weather for a run--very windy and a tad bit cool. At times there were really strong gusts of wind, successfully overturning the race organizer's tent. It tried many times to blow away my cap, too.

With that kind of weather, running wasn't much of a chore (I still took the usual walking breaks though). The group (this group should have a name soon. hmmnn…) agreed that we cannot have fared better if the Cebu sun was her usual bright self. So I guess it must have been Sunday's terrific atmospheric condition that had me and Jun surviving our first 6k albeit we didn't come prepared (rainy days = curling up and eating more). Lex also thinks it was the dandy weather that made him feel like the 10k was a 6k (he signed up for 6k but mistakenly run with the 10k runners).

The race course wasn't bad either--the road almost all to ourselves and the uphill was fun (overpass near Ayala). Bel should have signed up for the 6k but with recurring side stitches, she opted for the 3k.

What Do You Know?

Did I do great? A clock in time of 38 minutes and I-forgot-how-many seconds isn't. But if a great finish means finishing fifth in the 6K MEPZ women's category, hell yeah, I did!

Tapots hides behind the blur. Shy daw siya.

Who’d have thought? But maybe there were only five women from MEPZ who signed up. Hehe. But that’s an accomplishment still. I deserve a reward. Perhaps, a new pair of running shoes? Hmmnn, I hope mom reads this... ;-)

note to self: come up with a wish list soon (birthday and Christmas).

6th World Heart Day Fun Run Photos

Photos courtesy of Ryz, who I can't seem to persuade to join us in pounding the pavement. But I hope she comes to more of the races so we can have more pretty pictures. Thanks, Ryz. Until next photo shoot. :))

My Third 5k

I guess it was Lex who was so determined to sign up for another 5k that he had me checking upcoming Cebu races barely a month after the last fun run. We later chose Rock N' Run because of the venue (Cebu International Convention Center), which means new race route (at least for us) and not too far for commute. The free concert after the race was also something to be excited about.

The race didn't live up to it's name though because of the weather. Early morning of August 16, I woke up to very dark skies and heavy rains. I didn't want to go to CICC thinking the race won't push through. But the other two thought better (from four, we were down to three--me, Lex, and Jun--as Lot got busy with her studies). The rain canceled the concert but not the fun run. The race would have been aptly named Rain N' Run instead.

When we arrived at the venue, there were just a few runners--barely 200 in my estimate. Like those who chose to stay home, I didn't want the run to push through. Even if the heavy raining transformed to just slight drizzle, I felt my shoe wouldn't survive the slippery pavement. And with big puddles everywhere, motorists could just splash/spray us.

The race organizer suggested postponement of the activity but the rest of the runners were not happy with the idea. I later caught on with the excitement especially when I saw race participants dressed as Madonna, Elvis, and the Incredible Hulk. With the Rock N' Run theme, I understand the two coiffed up as music icons but I don't get it why the raging green comic book monster was there too. Nevertheless, the guy with the green body paint had the most fans what with his big biceps and dressed only in short denim shorts, frayed at the hem. If the heavy rain came back during the run, he sure would turn back to Dr. Bruce Banner in a girl's shorts.

I couldn't recall my clock in time for that 5k but I can still vividly remember the fun amid the sweat and drizzle. And how the green guy was so far behind me in the race. I guess too much muscle could really slow you down.