Thursday, February 25, 2016

Race Report: New Manila Run 2016

The good:


  1. Venue was 1km away from my house.
  2. Challenging route with numerous climbs

For improvement:
  1. Late start. The 10k race started 10mins vs the published gun time
  2. Inaccurate distance for the 10k race (9.74km only as per my Garmin)

MY RACE:

I set the target for my 10k race at 1:05, or 6:30/km average pace. I knew the area well (as it is in my neighborhood) but I knew I was out of shape so 6:30/km was just right.

I jogged from my house to the starting line which was a little over a kilometer ---a good warmup.

As I readied myself a few meters from the start, I felt good. Good to be racing again after a long while (my last race involving a run being the Bike King Duathlon last Sept 2015). 

The weather was good. The 10k runners were not that many for such a small local race, probably 200 or 250 in all (which made it easier for the "runners" to move about to get a better pace).

When the count down from 10 to 1 started, adrenalin started pumping in.

Suddenly, the thought of having a better time than 1:05 played in my head.

  • km1 - 6:22/km. Felt good at the start, but still managed to hold the reigns near my 6:30 target
  • km2 - 6:08/km. Downhill and flat. Good for a faster pace.
  • km3 - 6:25/km. There was a short uphill but managed to do well. HR was rising (max'ed at 167) so I had to manage my efforts here.
  • km4 - 6:09/km. Flat section. 
  • km5 - 6:15/km. Lap with a gradual climb. HR was at 168 peak. Still holding.
After the 1st 5km I was at about 31:16 total or at 6:16/km average pace. As I was still in control and no signs of bonking, I went on. It was a good thing that I was targeting to chase these two lady triathletes, with one wearing a pink sports bra that became my rabbit if you will. They were both running well and relaxed which made me want to keep up with them, albeit being around 50-100m in front of me.

It was the dog and the rabbit from then on.

  • km6 - 6:17
  • km7 - 6:10
  • km8 - 6:25
  • km9 - 6:22
HR max was at 170 from km6 to 9, with me trying to keep up with the pink rabbit. I started to worry around km8, with thoughts of taking a walk breather but I managed to close that drawer in my head. I ran but my pace started to go off from the 6:10 I logged in km7.

  • km10 - 5:56/km (0.74km distance)
Gave my all on the last lap with HR max at 172. Race goal beaten (pace wise).

Finish time as per my Garmin: 1:00:54 or 6:15/km average pace. If the distance were 10kms, my finish time would've been 1:02:30 ----still better than my 1:05 original target.

I still need a lot of work (speedwork, tempo runs to be exact), and lose the excess weight (probably 10-12 lbs overweight right now) to be back in my optimal racing condition.

But until my next race, I'll celebrate this one as a "good" comeback race result. Not a sub60 that I was able to do years back, but still a good start to a hopeful 2016 racing season.


I need another 10k race....


Saturday, February 13, 2016

Time To Race

I finally found the motivation to register for my 1st race in a looong while via the 10k event of The New Manila Run.

It's a convenient race for me as the venue is in my neighborhood, where the hilly route is oh so familiar.

Not expecting a sub-60 on this one as my primary objective would be to see where I am in terms of form and fitness, with the result determining my season goals for this year, i.e. a full mary on July or simply tackle halves and duas instead.

We'll see.....


Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Everest Calling

As of today, Feb2, it is 179 days until July 31, 2016.

July 31 is the announced date for the 40th edition of the Milo Marathon Manila Eliminations.

I am now 42 years old.

42 at 42.

Has a nice ring to it.

Shall we climb the mountain again?