My Running (& other Stuff) Journal: Agosto 2015

August 30 2015 Island City Mall

2:00 a.m. 42K 9 hours 25 minutes (unofficial)

Stayed at Panda Tea Garden Suites

Weather: Humid at dawn, full moon; Hotness during the day.

2 Years ago I promised myself not to do a 42k and I will only run 21k for out of Cebu venues. Well, last June 2015, I changed my my mind. When I saw the starting venue is at Tagbilaran City and the gun start is 2 a.m. For BIM 2015, I asked myself, why not? Consider this medal as a b-day gift to myself. So I registered thru race.ph, paid the registration fee, then booked a room in Panda Tea Garden Suites. I have more than a month to train, easy peasy. Gosh, How wrong I was. During the month of June, I joined 3 fun runs as part of the training. Unfortunately on the month of July, there wasnt much fun runs to join so I decided to just jog on Sundays, and swim on Saturdays. Then I got sick, which is normal when my period is near plus rains on July which prevented me to run.

I realized my body wasnt ready for long distance run when I joined the UR10 25k last August 23, 2015. I got tired easily, less than halfway of the route, I was walking more than running. I was already having second thoughts. Shall I join the 42k with this unprepared body? Bahala na, hinay hinay nalang hangtud mahuman. So I packed my bags, said a lot of prayers then travelled to Bohol via Oceanjet (again) 8:00 trip. After arrival, I road a trike (fare P30) to get to ICM. ICM is the biggest mall in Bohol. After getting my race pack, I went window shopping, browsed thru the shops then bought some stuff. The hotel was just near the mall but still I rode a trike because of my bags. Checking in was not a problem, my room was the only 1 available that time. Thanks Estelle. I went in the room then the first thing I asked the porter is to turn on the TV because I want to watch Eat Bulaga. Yey! Aldub fever hehe. After EB, I went back to ICM to familiarize the way, then bought some supplies. I forgot to bring my toothbrush and Omega...grrrr

I had a hard time sleeping so I busied myself posting twitter stuff to help in the Aldub hastag MaidenHeaven to reach the 3M status. Seriously, I needed a distraction so this helped me calm my nerves. After I prepared all my running stuff, I tried to sleep again, at least I slept 2 hours. Then I woke up at 11 p.m. I realized I forgot to take a bath earlier....grrrr … Since it was too cold to take a shower, I just washed my face and legs then got ready for my running gear. This time I decided not to use my backpack. I used my blue belt bag and placed 2 small water bottles, 4small chocolates, 1 lipovitan, shades, hanky etc. I brought my pink arm sleeves but decided not to wear them because it was too humid.

I arrived at the starting line before 1 a.m. I was just sitting on the stairs, thinking, singing, creating scenarios of the meeting of the aldub.. Sorry, I just cant get the aldub fever out of my mind, I really need to distract my brain because the thought of running 42k really scared me.

The gun start started on time. Based on my calculation, there are about 200 runners in the 42k. Lots of tagalog speaking runners. My thoughts that time is that I'm gonna be the last finisher again. I met 2 runners from Cebu who greeted me during the run. Hi guys! My pace was slow, I was aiming to reach the 21 turnaround point before the 21k runners reach me. After 7 kilometers, I reached the Dauis bridge, I was the only one on the road. Thats okey, running on a bridge and looking at the sea is really soothing. The playlist on my mind was “ I'll never go far away from you” from the movie One more chance. It was really humid and my shirt and jogging pants was already wet with sweat. I really appreciate the distance signage every 2k. It really helped me a lot in my planning. I stopped in every water station to get water and to give myself a splash. My plan for this run was not to stop. Resting for me is to continue walking. I have to reach the turning point before 6 a.m. The route to panglao is familiar to me because I ran the route last year. I'm so glad I reached the goal, in 4 yours I was already 4k after the turning point. I can see the sun starting to rise. I was dreading the heat. Initially, I was the 3rd to the last runner. Then the supposedly last runner, went passed me after 4 kilometers. He was from Bacolod and according to him, he arrived 3 a.m. and had no sleep. So there I was, slow jog, then walk, slow jog again. Then I passed by other runners who are resting. Omygosh, I am no longer the second to the last runner. Whatta joy..Just keep on doing the slowjog slash walk. Honestly, I dont feel much pain on my feet but I do feel tired. I keep thinking to myself, Where's the bridge? When I reach the bridge, I will walk the rest of the way. I keep following this girl in blue because I dont know the route going back to ICM after the bridge, I dont know where to turn. It was really hot when I reached the bridge. I feel my arms getting hot and red. I just keep dousing myself with water, ice, foam, whatever I can use. The last 10k was really the toughest for me. I keep telling myself, this will be your last 42k, so just keep going on. You can do this. When I saw the ICM mall, I felt so much joy in my heart. Finally the finish line is so near. I can do this. Finally, I have another 42k medal in my collection. My body is tired and weak but its so worth it. Thank You Lord. Congratulation Bohol Runners Club. I had a great time. I just wish next time the gunstart is 12 midnight so the runners can avoid the heat. But this is it for me, my last Bohol run. Where's the next out of Cebu run? I havent decided yet.

Snacks: 1 bread with corned beef filling, 1 banana, 1 pocari, boiled egg and water.

Meals on the road: bbq, hotdog, bread, pocari

Note to myself: Terminal fee Cebu P25, Tagbilaran P15. Had to drink 1 Alaxas FR before going on a trip to Cebu because of the pain

I forgot to take a picture on my finishers shirt. But here are the pics I took