The Last Kilometer Seem to Be the Longest

After making it to the 1:05 time for a 10K at the NutriBar Hip 2B Fit Fun Run, I had been off from running for two weeks. And just as I expect it, after running another 10K at Takbo.ph Runfest: Celebrate Running, I ended with a 1:13:19 finish time... and an aching left knee.

I woke up at the moment when thunder and rain is pouring back in my hometown. In that instant, I am already on hesitation to go to BHS and join the fun run. Fortunately, the rain stopped. Thus, I prepared myself and set to go.

We (CaptainRunner - my angel and ChickenLegs) arrived at the venue early. We had spotted a number of runners doing their warm up runs - and we did not. We just joined the warm up exercise headed by KikayRunner. And then we hear the gunstart.

I tried to start strong by pacing with my angel. We had run the first kilometer after 6 minutes. I told him that we're too fast, that we need to slow down. Whenever he stop for a walk break, I continue to jog for he can walk real fast (I cannot pace with him when walking). Then after a while, I left him and continue with my own pace.

I spotted Jeric, JP, Lee, and Che of my adiNation Ortigas family before the 4K marker. Running with your friends could really give you a push to run, run, and run. Reaching the 4K marker, my watch registered 26 minutes. Not bad. I had a new 5K PR when I reached the 5K marker with just 33 minutes of elapsed time. At this moment, Maan spotted me.

For every turn around, I could always spot my angel. And that gives me more energy ♥.

Marshals and volunteers scattered along the race route greeted us with warm 'Good Mornings' and cheers. But, in my thoughts, I say, "It would be nicer if they would greet us with our names (the ones printed on our singlets)". Surprisingly, a marshal does just what I thought. He cheered, "Go Ma'am Madelin!" Really, that painted a smile on my face Ü.

On my way to the finish line, a marshal told us that we only got 3 more kilometers to go. My watch registered around 50 minutes. I thought, I can still make it at 1:10. Off I go. I spotted the 1KM marker on my way back. I thought that meant I'm 1 kilometer away from the finish line; and my watch is at 58 minutes. I thought I could still make it to 1:05 given I will not stop running.

A marshal told us that we were less than a kilometer before the finish line. Hence, I continue to run - and refrain from stopping. Just when I thought 10K runners would already turn left toward the finish, we were still pointed to go straight ahead. On the second marker, it still disappointed me for we still are pointed to go straight ahead. That last stretch (I guess I had mistakenly thought that the 1KM marker would be the same as the would-be 9KM marker) seem to be the longest for me. I even felt the pain in my left knee - the same pain that I felt back when I run my first 10K.

Seeing the finish line seem to be a medication for my aching knee. I tried to overtook a male runner, then slowdown. Then he'll try to overtook me and slowdown too. It continued to another sequence until he sprinted toward the finish. LOL! This male runner does not want me to beat him.

The post race event is a thumbs up! Powerade and bottled water were handed to finishers aside from the ION and Enervon HP chocolate drink. Loot bags were also provided. Entertainment was handled by Argo.

But our post post race event is even better. My angel treated us at Conti's TriNoMa as part of his birthday celebration. More so, Sir Rene already handed my Ms. Freebie, yey!

At the finish line with AnPaul, CaptainRunner, and Mommy Nora

I hate you RunningAtom for ruining my perfect profile picture, grrr..

The adiNation Ortigas and Six30 Group inone

Look at our bib numbers :)

Finally, Ms. Freebie looks real good on me. Thanks Sir Rene!

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Race Name: Takbo.ph Runfest: Celebrate Running
Race Distance: 10K
Official Rank: 754/1187
Official Time: 1:13:19
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