Run United Philippines Marathon 2014

Run United Philippines Marathon
Oct 5 2014 21k  MOA, Pasay City 4:00 a.m.
3:47 due to injury

MY PRECIOUS, A PRODUCT OF BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS

SELFIE WITH MEDAL

SELFIE CORNER

Finishers Shirt & Loot Bag full of medicines

SINGLET

RACE BIB

One of my dreams was to participate in a Run United Run, not necessarily the three runs, I cant afford it, but at least 1 run. Last year I booked a flight for Run United 2 when I saw the schedule. Unfortunately  months after, I saw the venue was changed to Roxas Blvd. I didnt know back then that Roxas Blvd is just near MOA. So I decided to not register. Fortunately I was able to get a refund for the plane trip from Cebu Pacific.
Now last August, I saw someone post the RUPM 2014 at facebook.  I wanted to register so after a day of sleeping on it, I was able to register for 21k. The 21k slot gets filled up easily so its better to make your mind up fast. Then I booked at Cebu Pacific for my plane ticket and reserved at Kabayan for my overnight trip. 3 Weeks before the event,  I was feeling under the weather. I thought I was getting better after a week, but after the RedCross bloodletting, i got worse. I took medicine but i wasnt feeling any better. On the first week of Oct, I was feeling a bit better, then my period came on Thursday Oct 2, 2014. At least my nose wasnt running and I occasionaly cough.
The day finally came after weeks of preparation. I was worried because I only got to run a 6k and 12 k last September since palpak ang Danao Run registration. Also the constant rains in the afternoon prevents me from training. But I've run 21 about ten times, I have to trust  my 2 years worth of running. I'm also in luck because Oct 6 is declared a holiday, i have one day to rest.
The day came, Oct 4. I woke up at 4:30 to prepare and went out at 6:00 a.m. to get a taxi. Good thing I found one right away.  The boarding was delayed for about 10 minutes. When I arrived at Manila, it was really sunny. One new thing I found out at NAIA 3, there's an ongoing renovation and  MRT/LRT/Baclaran pujs are no longer allowed to park or stop in front of the airport. Meaning, its gonna be along walk if you want to ride a jeep.

rm 548 kabayan pasay

I arrived at Kabayan at about 10 am, fortunately there was a clean room available so I got room 548 and paid for my bill. I ate at chowking, went back again to my room, arranged transpo at the hotel for the run then off to Mall of Asia for 4 hours of browsing and searching for the venue of  starting line.

Landmarks near Starting Line

Oh there you are Diokno Drive

The searching for Diokno drive was hard, I started at the middle, then at seaside, going back to smx then to the other end. Finally I found a guard who knows where the location is. Well I can see the tents being set up so It was kinda obvious. Clue: near E-com 2/prism plaza. Then I went back to the mall, bought socks, jacket and food (go nuts donuts and wendys burger, waffle). I went to the puj waiting area and went inside the first in line going to lrt/mrt. Unfortunately the route was slightly different and I had to go to the footbridge going to lrt, then go up higher at the ladder again. Then it started to rain. I decided to drop by the supermarket to buy water and a garbage bag. Even with an umbrella, I was still a bit wet. I really wasnt that hungry so I just ate the waffle, a bit of donuts and 2 bites of burger. Good thing my throat didnt get sore with all the sweet food. I watched a bit of tv, then wash my face (it was too cold for a shower) then tried to sleep. Good thing i was able to sleep (unlike in Talisay), it got a bit cold though. I really wish Kabayan would give me an extra pillow. I heard my alarm then started to get ready. I put on plastic inside my shoe just in case but the rain already stopped so I just removed it. The driver for my transpo didnt know where the venue is so I tried to guide him. But the road was closed (as expected) so he dropped  somewhere near E-com1 and I walked to the baggage area. BTW, the baggage area location is different. There's a separate venue for the starting line, finish line for 42 &21k.  I heard there were 5000 runners for 21k and there will be 2 waves. I was in the first one. I didnt have time to warm up so I prepared my usual gear, same as in Bohol. They were showing other stuff but I cant see the screen. Then the countdown began, then we were off. We were starting so slowly because of the number of runners. I remember at about near km 1, it was dark, the road was wet but I was jogging slowly as usual. One minute I was happily jogging, then the next second  my face is on the ground. 
One thing i realized is that my face was "ngiwi". I though the jacket  or my teeth was loosened. Two persons helped me up, i didnt get to thank  them coz I was in a state of shock. I took my hankie to wipe my face, then I saw blood. I was so scared my nose was bleeding.  I walk slowly, looking for a medic. I tried not to panic and keep on putting pressure near my nose.  It took so long  to find help so I just jogged again until I saw the water station and the first ambulance.  The people there were obviously werent prepared. They had to look for a flashlight. Everything is in boxes, it was dark.

 It took 20 minutes (estimated only) for the whole treatment.  I was worried that I would be left behind. They gave me ice for my face  then I was jogging again. I was looking around when I realized I was in Roxas Blvd. Ang lapit lang pala. I saw Manila Bay and the familiar rizal  park. The ice I was holding melted, my face was a bit painful, I can feel  my skin exposed. Everytime I can find cold water, I splash it on my face. So there i was, walking, slow jog, short sprint for the next 19 kilometers. I was feeling okey, just afraid of falling again. I saw CCP, Star City and MBC. My  sunglasses worth P600, supposed to be shock proof broke the second time it fell.THe lense just fell off  grrhhh.  I keep looking at the time, I'm delayed for about 25 minutes. When I saw seaside, i knew I still have 3-4km, the longest in my entire life. I saw Rio near the 21k finish line. There were also photographers so I probably have my picture taken, woopie. Then there I was 3 hours 47 minutes at the finish line. The lady who gave me  the medal was worried when she saw my face so she escorted me to the medic tent.


A doctor was there and I was advised  for observation for 48 hours. The treatment was short, no ice this time. Aftewhich, I went out to get my loot bag/finishers shirt then browsed to other tents looking for freebies. Thats why I dont want to run 42k, I want my freebies.

At 9:00 am, I went back to kabayan and hurriedly changed to get my breakfast.

BAND AID ONLY

WITH BANDAGES

I bought medicine and bandages to cover my wounds. Then packed up my stuff, went to get a PUJ. I keep seeing the bus at the airport, maybe i'll check that out next time. My flight was delayed so I wasnt able to get to church. I just went straight home, unpacked and washed my gear. Thats it. My RUPM 2014 experience. What has this experience taught me. Well maybe I should not go back to MOA. Not in the next 3 years. I dont think I'm ready for AWUM. This experience really shook me up.  I may take a break

 Thanks to the 2 runners who helped me when I fell. Also thanks to the medics. Next time, please be ready with your stuff esp. the flashlight.