6 Seconds Better

I was awakened by a call from my cousin, only to realize that I’m already a few minutes late for my 9^th run – The Pioneer Mighty Bond Mighty Run 2009 that will benefit Bantay Bata 163. Upon checking on my phone, she already got 2 missed calls. I must have slept soundly. I immediately get up, heat my sinampalukang manok, wake up my angel, took a bath, and set myself to go. I missed the ES Transport bus. I had waited a couple more minutes before another bus stop by. I am already worried that I might be late. But to kill time, I made my stretching. Cutting the story short, I was not late, I was just in time. Thank God!

I was excited to run for it’ll be my second time at UP Diliman. I wanted to beat the time I had last Sunday, or even beat my best time in the New Balance Power Run, Raising Hope. At the gun start, I let my angel go ahead of me. I told him that I’ll practice pacing so that I won’t tire out in the last stretch of the 5K. But as I endure the route, I felt like grasping for air. My legs still can go further, but my lungs need more oxygen. That’s when I realized that I don’t need practice my pacing, I badly need breathing exercise. As I was able to catch my angel, he handed me Powerade for hydration, but I said no for I am having a hard time swallowing – still because of my breathing. After being able to rest my lungs for a while, I am back in shape. But in the remaining 1.5-2K, my left knee is aching. I am limping-running, and I fear that I might fall. But the fighting spirit within me – to beat my record – becomes more dominant. Holding my angel’s hand provided me relief that I can finish the remaining distance. Unofficially, I had beaten my best time with thinly 6 seconds. But that 6 seconds would already cover a considerable meter. As I cross the finish line, I had seen that the official time is 0:38:13.

Right after crossing the FINISH line.

Unlike the 1st CMDP Yes Run 2009, there were a number of sponsors in this event. In fact, prizes were overflowing; my co-Strathlete, RunningPoy, won an Accel Sports Bottle worth PhP249.75. Unfortunately for the rest of us, we were not able to win any. Nonetheless, we were able to have a photo opp with Anthony Suntay and former MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando.

RunningPoy

TsuperRunner and Son Quiel, MinnieRunner, Anthony Suntay, RunningAtom, RunningPoy, CaptainRunner, BanditRunner

RunningPoy, Bayani Fernando, MinnieRunner, RunningAtom, Bandit Runner's sister, CaptainRunner

Our run won’t be complete without the picture taking, and here’s a sample of me and my angel’s pre-nuptial photo (wearing singlets, LOL!).

Can you imagine an entourage wearing singlets and running rather than walking down the aisle? LOL!

Next run: The PhilStar Christmas Celebrity Run at Fort Bonifacio. Will I be able to make another record? Another 6 Seconds Better? We'll see.