Marathon for Humanity (Phil Red Cross Cordova Chapter)

My 21k finishers medal

21K Nov 24, 2013 (originally Nov 10, 2013) 2:00 am

Hoops Dome Lapulapu city

3:13:56

Hoops Dome at LLC

Before the run, I was able to watch the movie Hunger Games: Catching Fire at SM City Cebu. I missed 15 minutes of the show but that was okey. I recommend it to all the readers of the book and non-readers who are into great stories (just watch the first movie). My 2 fave scenes 1. district 11 speech of katniss and 2. peeta and katniss “nobody needs me” beach scene

Now the reason I mentioned this is because replaying the fave scenes in my mind has helped get through the 21k run.

 Okey, here's the story. I reserved a room at GV Hotel LLC for overnight stay (note to myself: puj acacia-mercado then stop at julies), it was a small room at promo room rate of P475 with private cr/bath, tv and aircon that works like a refrigerator (turning on and off). The hotel provided a towel, 2 small soaps, 1 small pillow and blanket. The downside was they have no elevator and I was assigned at the fifth floor. Oh well, since I'm only paying P475, I shouldnt complain, at least its clean. There are some ants on the bed but I wasnt bitten.

My small room at GV hotel Lapulapu

Since the gun start was 2:00 am, I tried to sleep during the afternoon, but I just couldnt. So I prepared my gear, inserted the batteries of my flashlight and headlamp and prepared the stuff to bring on the run. I also set my cellphone alarm, then ate a little then took a shower. I was able to take a short nap before I woke up at the alarm past 12 midnight. I showered again, put on my gear then went down and sought assistance from the guard to get a pedicab, that costs P40 btw.

I arrived at Hoops dome before 1:00 am so I just wandered around, searching for the baggage counter then sat down and waited. Then the emcee called us for a warm up, I didnt like it, they made us dance but the steps are hard. So I just moved my legs & arms just to warm up. The PRC staff was also giving away whistles to use in case of emergency.

So after the warmup, the runners waited at the starting line, I think the estimated number of 21k runners is about 500-600, not bad. I turned on my blinkers so I wont forget, and then we're off. I'm so glad it stopped raining, it was raining really hard last saturday morning. The advantage of running at night is that the heat wont tire you easily. I was actually jogging most of the way and I didnt drink that much. There were so many areas that are not well lighted, good thing I had my headlamp. I think I would be scared if it werent for the presence of the other runners. I honestly dont know where I was going so I just followed the other runners. They werent offering any food or bananas in any stations, only water and they ran out of plastic glasses...tsk tsk. The roads are flat so I didnt have a hard time, in fact I was surprised when I saw turning point, I thought it was much farther. I ate my chocolate bar after the turning point to keep me going. What helped me get through it, it wasnt the scenery since there wasnt much to see, it was dark and its mostly residential area... The thing that distracted me were the scenes from the Hunger Games: Catching Fire...I love Peeta haha.. It just kept replaying in my head. One thing I didnt like was when I was 1.5k from the finish line. They were already releasing 3 and 6 k so I had I hard time running the roads since it was full of cars/pedicabs and runners. I think it cost me 2-3 minutes delay.

Things I received: finishers medal and shirt. Snacks hotdog, rice and bihon. Not bad for P700 registration fee. They were giving prizes for the raffle but I didnt finish it since the prize is a free massage..

Comments for improvements for next year: provide banana stations and make sure you dont run out of water or cups

I survived !

Picture taking in front of the finish line is a must in every run

Will I join next year's run... Right now my answer is no. My head hurts for 2 days becoz of lack of sleep but no regrets.I love joining runs for the red cross.