Milo 21k 2019: Betterer

Run CTL: 23
Weight: 168 lbs


Milo Manila has been one of my panata races for several years now, with keen interest on the 21k distance.

The sub-2:30 cutoff has always been a good challenge yearly to see how my fitness is in meeting this goal.

The 2019 version of this race proved to be successful for this 46 year old wannabe endurance athlete.

The race started at 3.30am on the dot (as punctual as all RunRio races are), with me having some difficulty reaching the start line as there were preliminary checks prior to entering the starting corral (which the organizers eventually let go seeing that there's still a long line and that the race was a few minutes from starting).

To cut it short, I was able to meet my target 7:00/km pace except for two instances:

• One was at the start, when I had to walk 200m to the start line when the gun was fired. Lap 1 clocked 7:30+.
• And the other was when the traffic marshals had to prioritize vehicle traffic over us (paying customers, hehe) for about 30secs. Another 7:30 lap.

Gels taken at the start, km 6, and 12. Half a banana at km18. I think this, along with my training, kept me from bonking (compared to last year's version when I started to feel sluggish as early as km 13).

What kept me motivated were the ballooned pacers, particularly the 2:30 guy who I managed to keep at bay (side note: he may have finished outside 2:30 as he couldn't see coming after I crossed the finish line).

Yes, my very few readers (hehe), I was able to meet the sub-2:30 time limit.

Garmin time: 2:28:42.

Official chip time: 2:26:47.

I managed to beat my 2018 Milo21k by 2 minutes! 😀

Really happy with my outcome for this race as I was able to train (somewhat) well coming into race day. I guess if I keep my focus on meeting my (self-) prescribed workouts, I will be ok when the gun goes off.

That and managing my food intake, hehe.

What's next? Well, it's another panata race: the BikeKing SCTEX duathlon on Sep. 8.

See ya! :)

#RoadToMilo 21k Update

Just dropping by for a quick update on my training for the upcoming July-28 Milo 21k in Manila.

Training has been doing just a little below alright, with key long runs done these past 2 Sundays (a 16k last week and an 18k this morning). Comparing my long runs leading to Milo this year vs 2018, I am better off now as I only managed to do one 16k long run last year as my longest before the race. This should be a big confidence booster coming in 2 weeks before the race.

What bothers me is how I am in terms of meeting my target sub-2:30 pace. I know that I have the endurance, but the pace to go under 2:30? Hmmm, this is a bit of a worry that I need to address on this taper period.

I will have to do more race-pace workouts to get my body familiar with this type of efforts ---on longer periods--- so as not to be shocked come race day.

I'm still biking, mostly indoors, via the Trainerroad Low Volume Sweet Spot program. It's a good complement to my weekly runs to keep my endurance levels high with less impact to my body and at the same time keeps my bike form/fitness in check.

But priority is still with my runs so I am ok to skip the ride for the day if it means more rest for me in time for the next run workout.

After Milo, I'm still dilly-dallying on whether to sign up for another BikeKing Dua (6-60-4) or try my luck on a small scaled tri. The latter could be a challenge as I've NEVER done any workout for the swim....

...ever. 😀