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....

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.....

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?

2016 is ON!

2016 training has been good so far as I have managed to get back to the 40 TSS level. It's still a far cry from my 'kundisyon' days when I peaked at 70 TSS. Things that have aided me since the start of the year:

1. Boxing. I signed up with the nearby Penalosa Boxing gym at a good rate. A 1 hour session costs 200.00 for members and 300.00 for non members. The workout gives a good burn and fun too as I try my dorkiest best to imitate Pacquiao. It's a good cross training from my usual runs and rides.

2. Nuvali. Although not often (yet), Saturday mornings are reserved for brief rides at Nuvali. A good 2 hour ride there at moderate to tempo intensities gives me around 150 to 180 TSS.

3. Myfitnesspal. Yup, back to calorie counting to aid me in getting back in racing shape. Losing weight is tough, especially with the extra 10lbs I gained last year. So I hope to religiously log my calorie intake and burn daily to make me conscious of what I eat.

That's all for now. Just trying out this Blogaway Android app which should help me blog more often.

Now go train!

Race Review: BGC Cycle Philippines 2015 (40km Challenge)

THE GOOD:

1. Accurate race distance (40km)
2. Sufficient marshals
3. Great race org c/o Sunrise

FOR IMPROVEMENT:

1. None that I could think of at the moment.

MY RACE:

I wasn't expecting a good time on this one as I was 10lbs heavier than last year. Training has been so-so as well but I had more hill trainings this year compared to 2014.

At the end of numerous pushes on the flats at 100% FTP and keeping it in control on the Buendia flyover (twice), I finished at 1:20 (Garmin time) which was only about a minute or so slower than the Alaska race in MOA last May.

The cycling gods were generous.

Still, lots of improvement as I close my cycling season this 2015. Hoping for better race results next year as my 1:13 PR on 40km cycling races still stands.

Happy with my race time!