Push and Pull: Heavy Runner Treads Lightly on the Speed Trail

The marathon euphoria for Sheer Will (SW) has now faded into blissful memory. He now sets his sights on a very special race (Kenny's Urbanite Run), where this time he intends to maximize the use of the ChampionChip and RunPix systems. SW has had this love affair with the 10K and he hopes to finally break the sub-60 minute physical and psychological barrier. So while most of his friends will be doing the short distances at chill pace (SW's usual pace of choice), SW will be doing race pace this time.

So how does one shift from a marathon pace of 7min/km to a 10K pace of sub-6min/km in a month's time? By sheer will, of course, and tons of help from friends and The Supreme Coach. If SW hopes to shave off 5 minutes from his personal best, he does need a lot of will, luck and help.

The Plan

Push and pull sum it up. Push one's limits slowly and steadily, but pull back before reaching one's breaking point.

SW thought pushing pace is hard. It turns out it is actually easy. It is pulling back that is harder. Hitting a pace of sub-6min/km is doable, moreso if one has already experienced running inspired and seemingly effortlessly at 5:30min/km during races while marvelling at elite runners on their way back from the turnaround. Having developed cardio-vascular endurance from swimming and long-distance running, SW simply has to train his running legs to bear the pounding that higher speeds rquire. That can be as simple as increasing the speed level on the treadmill where SW chooses to do speed training. He can actually hit 10kph, 11 or even 12, but he knows true suffering begins the moment he presses the Stop button. SW sometimes wishes he can simply run like hell, run his heart out, or run till he almost blacks out from exhaustion. SW wishes it is that simple - that is all about heart and will - for he had loads of these. But his legs will tell him it is not as simple as that. There is a process, and it is called training, not running your heart out.

Physical training is nothing but the deliberate and tactical application of stress plus the necessary recuperation and strengthening of muscles in response to the load factor. SW knows that 10kph means 2-3 days recovery period and 30 minutes of muscle stretching, that 11kph implies 3-4 days recovery and an hour of stretching, that 12kph can mean loss of form resulting in plantar fasciitis or shin splints, and anything beyond will only be worse. So when does he pull off the speed trigger?

Sheer Will learns that graduated increase in pace does not mean license to run every day at graduated pace. It means to graduate to a higher pace only when the muscles have recovered from the last stress load. He now asks himself: If I run today at my muscle condition, do I actually gain something in terms of speed, power or endurance? Or am I just racking up mileage for my run ticker, hoping to reward myself with a t-shirt or gadget, and digging a grave for my ominous running career in the process?

Sheer Will knows it is fun to run with friends in the outdoors but he holes himself up inside the gym, on the treadmill, ekeing out happiness from 3-5K tempo runs or 10K intervals. He pulls himself away from the merry company and off the road because the treadmill is less stressful on his legs. The increased speed on the mill is enough beating for the moment. He needs to rack up speed but recover fast at the same time. Hopefully before the race he will have come up to the desired speed and recovered fully enough to hit the road for tempo runs.

The Goal

While the sub-60 time is a nice goal to have, Sheer Will knows enough that obsession with numbers can be counterproductive. He trains for a sub-60 but actually aims for a higher goal. He knows he will never have the times of the best runners, but he can always aspire for what all great athletes have: a mastery of oneself, including knowing when to push or pull.

Deliciously Healthy Memories

Trading stories over lunch

Three young male teachers of Poveda where boisterously chatting at Kenny Roger's Galleria, lunchtime at the first week of classes.

Teacher 1: Pare, I asked this pretty student of mine to define Economics. Her face was so angelic and her accent so charming I completely did not hear what she said. I paused stupidly - completely mesmerized - for probably 10 seconds after she finished. Dyahe pare.

Teacher 2. Di ka pa ba sanay sa magagandang estudyante, pare? Why, our students can be commercial models!

Teacher 3. Basta alam ko crush ako ng mga estudyante ko. Ako yata ang pinaka-gwapo sa ating tatlo.

Teacher 1 and 2: Ulol !

-o-

Bonding over Food

Poveda teacher 1 could no longer stand the onslaugth of bright and beautiful high school students so he decided to enter a commercial bank. Clueless in the ways of the private, corporate world, he tried to observe the ways of his co-employees. One time a female colleague invited him to join her barkda for after office dinner at Kenny's. Over ribs, corn and carrots, and loads of office gossip and banter, a long-lasting friendship was formed.

-o-

In love with Ribs

Makati yuppie and Diliman girl have known each other since graduate school. They hit it off immediately, but their friendship soured when the guy began to court the girl. The girl would suddenly evade the guy, who was perplexed. Three years after they would reconnect - over roasted ribs at Kenny Roger's Galleria. Kenny's would later be their default place for pre-movie dinner dates.

-o-

Comfort muffins

The Makati yuppie suddenly found himself working in Ortigas and staying in a condo in Shaw. On nights when work was stressful or rains were heavy, he would seek comfort in those luscious corn muffins of Kenny Roger's along Shaw Boulevard, devoured along with roast chicken or ribs.

-o-

Pasta Perfect

The stress of corporate world has eaten into yuppie. He decided to run again, soon becoming a runner-blogger. In one carbo-loading party, runner-blogger-cum-party host finally got the chance to have pasta dinner while Kenny Roger's endorser Marc Nelson poses for pictures with runner fans. He was hungry, yes, but it was best pasta with meatballs he had for a long time. He would have wanted to devour more pasta but he had to go back to being event host and gamemaster.

-o-

The Sweetest Thing

Sometime before he resumed running yuppie was dragged by his officemate to a different kind of wedding practice. In lieu of giving wedding souvenirs, the couple decided to throw a party and give donation to an orphanage. There yuppie would taste Pasta Filippini - the sweet, home-cooked, catsup-laden spaghetti that evokes memories of children's parties and rural fiestas. Yuppie loved it not only for its simple sweetness, but for all the good intentions and memories that go with it.

Yuppie thought it would be a boring Saturday afternoon event. But faced with all those beaming kids, dressed in their best clothes and all eager for affection, it was a Saturday well spent after all. The kids and their caretakers would later thank the couple and their volunteer friends. In his heart, volunteer yuppie thanked the kids more.

-o-

The Loyal Supporter

Kenny's partnered with takbo.ph to bring us a 250-runner strong carbo-loading party,

feeding us and subsidizing our singlets and party venue.

In the party we tried to bring running icons and bloggers together

-o-

Time has come to celebrate what we have become

From fat, hypertensive try-athlete (Sep 2008)

...to slimmer, healthier marathoner (July 2009)

Growing from this: Takbo.ph at the UP Ictus Run (Dec 2008)

To this: Takbo.ph at the Globe Run for Home (July 2009)

Time to Create New Memories

As we Eat. Help. Run

For Php600 pesos,

I get to Eat my comfort foods,

Donate funds to kids of Hands On Manila and the 57:75 Movement,

and Run the distance of my choice (5k, 10K and 15K), night-time!

Visit Kenny's and takbo.ph for details of the run

Kenny's Urbanite Run

For Deliciously Healthy Memories

Home is Where Heart Is

Catching my breath after a strong finish

(photo taken by Pepsi using Argo's cam)

(RUNNR singlet given by Team Logan)

Being with family

It was not the timing chip. I have raced with a timing chip twice already. While I usually like the excitement of big races, I signed up for Run For Home primarily to be with friends. Specifically, to see Neil and Mike, key Milo support group volunteers, run their first half-marathon. I would later learn that other friends were also taking the 21k plunge for the first time – Carina, Vic, among others.

Up to the race start I had no clear race goal.

Do I race for a PR? I could already run short distances 2 weeks after my first marathon but I still had reservation about racing longer distance.

Do I pace a newbie? There are a couple of newbie-friends, but either they already have a pacer or their strategy/running style differs from mine.

Or do I pace with a friend for a relaxed run? Most of my friends happen to be faster than me even when doing a steady run.

Growing within the family

So there I was inside the 21K corral surrounded by friends but not knowing with whom to run. The newbies were already happy in their pace group while the faster ones were always raring to speed up from race start. I guessed I would just run my usual race - run at my steady aerobic pace of 7min/km. Hopefully, I would last long enough to finish the half-marathon at this pace. If I managed to maintain this pace, I might even improve my personal record.

Along the way I would meet acquaintances, chat with a few, and steadily greet or wave at friends. I was doing all these while cruising at my pace. The good things about being with your running family/community were that you were allowed to run on your own, explore the world, meet other people, push your limits if you want to, go for PR if you are up to it.

So run for fun or PR I did. If my recovering muscles would yield me a PR, that would be great. But whatever would happen, I would have fun - watching runners, running on the normally car-choked roads of the Makati business district, enjoying the weather, and rejoicing in the simple fact that I could still run a steady pace and long distance.

Rico happily running for Home (photo by Run Unlimited Vener)

With the exception of the uphill climb over the flyover and the climb back from Bayani road, I pretty much kept within the 7min/km pace despite my planned walk breaks at aid stations and steep inclines. After greeting running friends for most of 18kms and finally seeing the last familiar face come my way, I realized a 2:30 time might be far-fetched but a new PR was still within reach. So I took stock of remaining energy I had left and accelerated. My Garmin record would later tell show me how I accelerated the last few kilometers, and how for the last 500m I was hitting a pace of sub-5min/km! I could recall with fondness that last 500m sprint. It reminded me of my New Balance Powerrace finish in Clark. Your heart and mind leaping with joy in the fact that you were still running strong toward the finish, even overtaking a couple of runners, and of how that rush to the finish line seemed to be an affirmation not only of your love for running, but also the rediscovery of our innate ability to run.

I finished 2:32:51 according to my Garmin, almost 2 minutes of my Greenfields unofficial time of 2:34:27. I was happy with my easy run and my strong finish. I was happier with the thought that a sub2:30 was just a full muscle recovery away.

Waiting for family

Yes I was happy with my new PR but I was happier for the scenes I witnessed and was part of after my race completion. After a quick exchange of greetings at the finish line and a few minutes cool down, I retraced my strides and headed back to the direction of Neil and his pace group/mates. I would see and cheer loudly first-timer Carina looking very strong just a few meters from the finish line, Doc Roy very jolly as always, very pleasant running couple Eric and Ems, and a few hundred meters away there would Neil, Tita Caloy, their pacer Mar and impromptu cheerer Macoy. Neil and his group would actually reach the finish line ahead of me as I was also cooling down myself.

The Gingerbreadman Luis and Super Bong Yu being cheered by the crowds
as they triumphantly return from the Battle of (Half) Marathon
(Photo by Edu Fabian)

I was on my way back to the finish line when I saw Doc Lyndon calmly saying he would just get some oxygen. As he was closely followed by his sister and he looked alright, I figured he would just get an inhaler. Back on the finish line I heard about BongZ about asking about Luis, whom we all saw suffering from injury on the road. I told BongZ injured Luis was actually accompanied by Bong Yu, who patiently paced with him for a good number of kilometers to the finish, but it was still good idea to check on them. Only then did I remember Marvin. When I last saw him at abt km 18 he said he was still ok but it dawned on me just then that he was way behind his pace group and running alone. We asked someone to call Bong Z to also check on Marvin along the way. Doc Topher and I also made our way back to make sure. A few hundred meters before the finish line we saw Luis and Marvin with friends/supporters. It was a good thing Florence was able to go ahead to check on his childhood friend Marvin. Luis and Marvin were greeted by friends like brothers, even heroes, as everyone cheered as they crossed the finish line. Their takbo.ph friends saved them from not only from a possible DNF, but also from greater injury or mishap.

Before Luis, Marvin and company reached the finish line I noticed a familiar figure seated in the ambulance. Doc Lyndon who seemed ok a while back was actually inhaling oxygen from the ambulance and was surrounded by his family. With a history of asthma, lack of rest and minor flu that day, the good doctor registered an elevated heart rate during the race and had to slow down for this heart and breathing to stabilize. On hindsight he said he might have made a mistake doing the run under his physical condition at that time. But no one would have noticed that he was having a difficult run for he valiantly finished his race.

I was reminded of my Botak dehydration experience. I knew I was feeling different and remembered conveying to friends that I wanted to drink and eat something, but my friends would later tell me that they did not know how serious my situation was. Maybe I did not communicate well enough; maybe it was my pride causing me to hesitate to ask for more help. But one lesson I got from that, and all this pacing and being paced experience, is that to ask help is not to inconvenience a friend. It is to seal a bond of friendship.

I am glad to be a part of a community of runners who care. In their midst, one truly feels at home.

The family that runs together, takes photos together (photo by Edu Fabian)

First-timer Ponders on the Marathon

The road to marathon is paved with good intentions, but it can littered with bitter lessons. Here are the things I learned as a newbie traversing that road:

1. Lure of marathon. There is certainly romance (melodrama) in the legend of Pheidippides, a Greek messenger being sent from the town of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated in the Battle of Marathon, and dying on the spot after conveying the message. In fact, Robert Browning even made a poem entitled "Pheidippides," melding into popular culture the legend. In recent times one hears of stories of runners crawling or at the brink of collapse towards the finish line, of grown men and women crying at the end of 42.195kms, and marathoners testifying that the distance changed their life perspectives.

I must admit was lured by the romance as well. I knew that the marathon would have a profound effect on me. Months before my first marathon - in long runs and races - I would play in my mind how my marathon ought to be. I wanted my marathon dream to end with me sprinting towards the finish line and with a big smile on my face. I wanted to end my marathon like a Greek or Roman hero coming home from a battle, not a messenger on the verge of collapse. I suppose that is why the Quirino Grandstand was perfect marathon finish venue for me: in many ways it is like the Grecian amphitheater or Roman coliseum.

2. Romanticizing the distance. We runners tend to be lured by lore of marathon, so much that we forget that romance alone cannot bring us to the finish line. The dream must be backed by preparation. Not many people realize that. In fact, when newbie runners develop cramps or are forced to walk at later stage in the run, they view that as noble suffering or sacrifice, and not a result of inadequate training. And when they triumph over that suffering or sacrifice, they consider it a triumph of the human spirit, not the correction of the human folly that it really is - that of coming to battle ill-prepared.

I was such a runner myself. Twice, on the mistaken notion that mind always triumphs over matter, I signed up for 25K race only to develop cramps and be forced to walk. I did finish - beyond cut-off time. Yes it was a triumph of will - of stubborn will and nothing else. Certainly not a triumph I am proud of.

In my opinion, the true triumph of the human spirit is exhibited by dedicated athletes who live on the edge and push the limits of their physical capabilities. When they hurt or suffer, it is not for lack of dedication or discipline, it is for attempting to come closer to their true potential, to bring honor to family or country, and to promote the sport they love. When they do triumph, the rest of mankind rejoices in the victory, for they show everyone that individuals can be bigger than what they think they are.

3. Respecting the distance. It is said that while many are lured by the romance of the marathon, few actually respect the distance. Some sign up for the marathon with the mantra: "Bahala na si Batman". I could get away with running the 10K lacking sleep or recovering from a hangover. I managed to finish a 21k coming from an injury and with only two instances of 10k practice runs. I managed to finish within cut-off time a 25K race - without walking nor experiencing cramps, and with just a month to peak and taper. But I would not recommend that 25k training plan.

I have always imagined my short and long runs from the onset as all preparatory to my marathon, but my formal marathon training plan was just two months after doing a series of 21Ks. I somehow managed to pull through, but on hindsight, I should have had at least 3 months of training, preferably 6 months had I not been injured. I should have allocated more time for very long runs (30kms up), more intense speed intervals, and for recovery days these hard training activities entail.

4. The Wall. In it purest form, The Wall "is the appropriately-named term used to describe an event which happens to many marathon runners when they have crossed a point in the race where they have no more glycogen reserves and when hypoglycaemia ensues. At this point the body, having run out of fuel, starts using fat reserves as a fuel source, much to the detriment of a runner's performance." (Reference)

Fortunately for me, I did not hit the wall. I suppose because I love to eat, even during a run. In all of my long training runs I realized that so long as I take food & drink breaks, I felt I could run for hours. More often than not, I ended my long runs at 3-4hrs not because I could no longer run, but because I had to go elsewhere. I do have a life apart from running :-). I have learned that energy gels can upset my stomach on first use, that they could give me a sugar high that induces me to daydream and slowdown, that sweet choco bars drive me through highs and lows, and that complex carbohydrates (like the 2 packs of hopia cubes I consumed on my marathon) are the best source of even and continuous nourishment. I suppose like the ultramarathoners eventually getting weary of energy gels, I prefer real food.

In my opinion, another wall exists. This Brick Wall exists only for those who do not respect the distance, or those who came to the race proud or ill-prepared. The brick wall manifests itself usually in the form of leg cramps. These cramps can arise from the the belief that "I am a fast 10K/21k runner; surely I can nail down a marathon" or "The half-marathons I have done should suffice for my long run." I am reminded by a quote I see on Wilson's blog:

Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want something badly enough. They are there to keep out the other people. - Randy Pausch ( 1960-2008 )

5. The importance of the long run. I made it a point to run at least 32km during my training. Km32 or mile 20 is said to be that point where the body's glycogen stores are depleted rendering the marathoner susceptible to the Wall. I had no intention of meeting the Wall on race day so I ran pass it during training. I also did not want to meet the Brick Wall and the only way for me to avoid it was to subject my body to the slow agony and tedium of running 32km and beyond. My body must know how it felt to run that long - to feel the agony during training, recover and get stronger because of it, and cruise through the distance on race day. I managed to do one 32K and one 35K. I would have wanted to do more long runs - preferably reaching 37K or even 40K, but I lacked time to build up to these distances and recover from the stress they inflict on the muscles.

6. Marathon is in the pacing. One thing I like about the marathon distance is that it plays up to my strength. I am a slow runner but I know how to pace myself. Experience has taught me to be more aware of my capabilities and developed in me the discipline to stick to my pace plan. The marathon is tricky. Run faster than ideal in the early stage and you will most likely suffer from cramps or fade sharply towards the end. Run too slow and you will end up prolonging your suffering on the road. My trick was to find that aerobic pace that allows me to run fast enough, at an even pace, without the dreaded lactic acid build-up. In my case, that aerobic pace is roughly 7min/km - a little slower than my 10K personal best, a little faster than my 21k PB, the average pace for my fast/slow interval work-out, and the pace at which I did my long tempo runs.

I did toy with the idea of setting my target aerobic pace (marathon pace) a little faster at 6:30 or 6:45min/km. I could comfortably run 10k at those paces anyway. But I knew the kind of endurance I have is just slow endurance. I still do not have enough tempo runs to build up speed endurance. My instincts warned me that if I go any faster in the first half, I would surely suffer in the second half of the marathon. I was glad I followed my instincts and pace plan.

7. Pace decay. If a runner is not used to a particular long distance, he will inevitably slow down as he completes the distance. Sounds common sensical, right? I learned this first hand during my 32K and 35K LSDs. I would start deliberately slow at 8min/km, sustain this for 21-25km, then sharply dip in pace to an excruciatingly slow 9min/km. The dip was sharp and dramatic - about a full minute from my starting pace. And I was not even running fast! I call this phenomenon pace decay. Decay ensues simply because the body is not used to running that long. I suppose pace decay was the body's deliberate and conservative way of coping with this venture into distances unknown. It could also be that the body's present ability to absorb wear and tear extends only to that point where pace decay begins. The phenomenon of pace decay only highlights the need to do more long runs.

To postpone the onset of pace decay, I decided to take planned short walk-breaks every aid station throughout the marathon. Following Galloway's philosophy, I would use the short (100m) walks as recovery periods. I was able to sustain pace past km21 and decelerate the pace decline.

On actual race day I experienced the full-minute decay in pace beginning around 25k. What was interesting was that the decay was from 7min/km to 8min/km. The conclusion I drew from this was that full recovery from a prior exposure to an unfamiliar distance - even if ran at slow pace - gave the body enough confidence to tackle the same distance at faster pace.

8. Physical and mental taper. With my limited training time, I only managed to have a one-week taper. It was a short, drastic taper - something I do not recommend. On hindsight I think two-weeks would have been better. My short taper period had me anxious whether I have rested and recovered enough. I tried to make up with the shortness of the taper by the drastic cut in mileage - with me barely running in the last week and focusing instead on stretching, self-massage and adequate sleep.

Mental tapering is normally not given as much attention as the physical taper. For me, the mental taper is more important. One must come to the race with excitement and anticipation, free from doubt and anxiety. In my case I was lucky to have stumbled into an elaborate marathon psychological plan. I knew the odds against me was high, so I conscripted the universe to work with me. I tried hard to be good for my maiden marathon. I organized long runs, paced a friend, volunteered in aid station and coordinated a marathon support group. I helped generate a pandemic of marathon goodwill. That same goodwill would help me run my marathon.

The night before the race I learned to let go of all my worries. On race day I had my plan, my God and my friends by my side.

Running Away from Home

I was looking forward to running the 21k in the Globe-Ayala Land Run for Home. It will be my major race after doing my first marathon. I was interested to know if in two weeks I would be well enough to run a half-marathon, and if running a marathon would actually help me run better the shorter distances. The event has all the trappings and excitement of a major race, but more than these, I was excited for a couple of friends who have decided to do this for their first half-marathon.

I heard about the initial difficulties in the early part of the registration period but I was expecting they would have been ironed out when I went to the Globe business center this morning to finally register. I had the choice of registering with the business center or Fitness First, but I opted to register with the former thinking that for Php300 I would be registered in a race and get Php80 worth of Unlitxt.

I was misinformed. I spent more than Php80 of my time trying to tell the service clerk that the form clearly says Php300 cash-out for post-paid subscriber, with me thinking that Php80 worth of unlitxt is embedded in the cash-out. I was told that the actual cost would actually be Php380, for I would also automatically be billed for a service I do not exactly want nor need. That detail was not in the form but was in the website I eventually learned after walking out of the business center.

I would also learn from the Globe website that the race pricing scheme varies, that while the scheme may promote their business interests, it sends a different signal for a loyal, old-time mobile post-paid subscriber like me. Current pre-paid subscribers gets the cheapest rate, followed by the new prepaid subscriber, then the post-paid and Platinum subscribers.

Promo options:

I’m not a Globe subscriber but I want to avail of the promo package

Promo Bundle 1: Globe Prepaid SIM P45.00, P300.00 load with UNLI ALL DAY P80.00 (P345.00)

I’m an existing Globe Prepaid subscriber and I want to avail of the promo package

Promo Bundle 2: P300.00 load with UNLI ALL DAY P80.00(P300.00)

I’m an existing Globe Postpaid subscriber and I want to avail of the promo package

Promo Bundle 3: P300.00 Registration Fee, UNLI ALL DAY for P80.00 charged to MSF (P300.00)

I’m an existing Globe Platinum subscriber and I want to avail of the promo package

Promo Bundle 4: P300.00 Registration Fee, UNLI ALL DAY for P80.00 charged to MSF (P300.00)

I’m not interested in any of the promo. I will pay the normal rate(P500 for 3k-10k or P700 for 21k).

Note: Online registrations will be charged an additional 13%. This additional charge will be used to cover the processing of your application form and payment. Upon registering, you should receive an email confirmation within 24 hours.

I had already spent a good deal of time and energy trying to register for this race. But in the end, I opted to cancel my registration and get back my Php300. For Php80 difference I walked out of a race. Eighty-pesos will not even buy me a cup of Starbucks coffee. I know Globe heavily subsidized the use of timing chips for this race, but why differentiate among runners/subscribers? Why discriminate against post-paid customers? In my 12 years as a subscriber, I never felt so unwanted.

Maybe I will just pace some friends, in whose company I feel at home.

-o-

I am still Smarting from this Globe marketing/pricing scheme. So I decided to do the next best thing: (Don't get mad,) get even!

I registered using a friend's prepaid number. I paid Php300. I get to give prepaid load to a friend, I get to race, I get to support my friends, and I intend to get all the freebies I can lay my hands on race day.

Running on Faith (Final Half)

Bayani Road was named for a reason. On this long, sloping stretch Rico would see a line of runners struggling to be heroes of their personal running sagas. On his way down the road of heroism Rico would see his training buddy Bong Yu already on his way back. Buddy was doing great, smiling and cheering his friend to "Push, Push." Rico smiled. If there was another runner whom he wanted to do well on this marathon apart from himself, it was his buddy Bong. They probably met in the Condura run when both ran their first half-marathon, but Rico remembered Bong when the latter gave his Gatorade bottle just when Rico was about to black-out from dehydration after their Botak half-marathon. Funny how friendship can be sealed with a bottle of Gatorade. From then on, Rico would often jokingly tell Bong, "I still owe you a bottle of Gatorade."

On Bayani Road Rico would catch up with takbo.ph friend Steven. Rico asked the latter, "Are you ok? Would you like some Gatorade?" Steven took a sip, and Rico and pacer Migz went ahead. It was at this heroic road when Rico felt just how lucky a virgin marathoner he was. On this road where people were valiantly suffering for their sport, friend Migz was beside him - even holding a Gatorade bottle for him and a requested pack of hopia cubes. Initially Rico was hesitant to accept the offer of help of holding his stuff, but his personal experience of paying it forward taught him that acceptance of help brings joy to the giver. Those are the rules of paying it forward - to accept and enjoy the experience so one is inclined to give to the next. And this run was not Rico's run alone anyway. He was running for himself, his pacer and his friends. He was not competing for any time nor prize. The prize sought was the shared collective experience.

On the uphill climb back to Lawton Avenue Rico heard his phone ringing. Who the hell would be calling him at such an hour (probably 7:30am)? The man was in the thick of his marathon! It was Luis trying to cheer his friend and checking on him. Rico paced Luis just last week on the last 5kms of the latter's first (50K) ultramarathon. With labored breathing because of the incline, Rico happily reported that at about km26/27 he was still on track on meeting the 5 hr cut-off. Luis would call again at Rico's last 5 kms. Pacing by phone - that was the new way of returning the favor :-)

The climb back from Bayani Road did sap some of Rico's energy, just like with all the runners. Rico would still follow his strategy of taking short recovery walks along very steep inclines and aid stations. He would somehow still catch up wtih a few runners, but clearly runners were already feeling the heat and fatigue. Here he would catch up with Rod with whom he would alternately pull one another till the end of Buendia Avenue. What sustained Rico's spirit though was the anticipation of meeting his takbo.ph friends at km 32 prior to attacking the flyover.

Finally he saw them - the takbo.ph support volunteers. He remembered getting a Gatorade bottle from Pepsi/Girly, who was pretty sight in red garb just like many of the volunteers. The cheers and mere presence of the takbo.ph group invigorated him. He felt strong and inspired that he had to proceed and run before the energy dissipated.

Atop the flover Rico and Migz were conversing. 

Migz: The view from here is spectacular.

Rico: Yeah, it is. Amazing!

Migz: How are you feeling?

Rico: Except for a very slight pain in my right mid-foot, I am doing ok.

Migz: How would you like to run the last 10 or so kilometers?

Rico pondered for moments. At this point he knew he could finish the marathon. At this crossroad he was wondering how he wanted to finish it. He looked at the time, distance and pace on his Garmin. If he ran the last 10K the way he runs the usual 10K race, he might still make it to the 5 hr cut-off time. But he knew he was not running a 10K fresh. He knew that he will inevitably slow down towards the end. He was actually surprised that his legs were still holding up at this point. The last 10K of his last 35K LSD just 1.5 weeks ago was sheer will at its best. It was achingly slow (sub 8-9min/km), with his shins shouting bursts of protest in the eerie silence of the deserted Boni High Street. That agonizing finish was not the way he want to finish his debut marathon. He deserved something better, and so did his supporters.

Rico wanted this run for himself. To prove to himself that he could push his limits if really wanted. And push he did. During training, he ran longer and faster subject only to his body's ability to recover. That he was still running at that point in the marathon was all the proof he needed. Rico also wanted this run for others. To run well for those who think they can't and to run well for all those volunteers and donors. To go for broke by sprinting the rest of the kilometers is to gamble the gains of the first 32kms. Rico wanted to remember this run with him finishing strong and with a big smile on his face.

Rico: Migz, I hope to do a steady, relaxed run till the finish. Just run with me please.

Migz: This is your race man. You can finish it the way you want it.

For most of Buendia Avenue, Rico and friend Migz run steadily. Rod with pacer Pat on bike would join them every now and then. Without saying much, Rod was pulling forward Rico who was trying to do the same to Rod. Pat and Migz were big help in stopping traffic for Rod and Rico. Rico remembered his recent Baguio half-marathon race, where he realized that the bike patrol could be a runner's best friend on the road.

Towards the end of Buendia Rico saw figures in red. He ran towards the vision like a moth to a lamp. Before he reached the figures he was welcomed by a cloud of mist, thanks to enthusiastic volunteer Brian and non-runner friend Francis. Former golf buddy and still current gulp buddy Francis was supposed to be Rico's lone private support for his maiden marathon. Little did Rico foresee that a support group would grow like this and that his buddy Francis would have the time of his life spraying mist, cheering and watching the human drama of runners unfold. Rico felt good to see not only his best bud but also the takbo.ph people cheering wildly for runners like they were rockstars. The cold towel given by Marga was a balm for Rico's overheated head and face. These people showed why they are the best support group in the city. Take a bow friends.

The last 4kms along Roxas Boulevard was the hardest part. The sun was shining brightly at that time and the breeze from the bay was salty and hot. If pacer Migz was already feeling the heat, what more Rico who had been running close to 5 hrs now? But Rico kept on running, pausing only at water stations as planned. He kept searching for the landmark that was Manila Hotel. Finally he was at kilometer zero. Never was the last few hundred meters of a race felt so long and slow. Not that he was melting like candle. It was just that he wanted the race to end so he could celebrate his achievement sooner.

Finally he veered away from Roxas Boulevard and entered the park compound. Migz was telling Rico that he would run ahead and wait from that last corner before the finish line. For a moment, Rico was confused. Why leave, Migz? You are my pacer. Share with me this triumphant moment. But Rico finally understood his friend. Migz wanted Rico to have his solitary shot at glory. But before Migz vanished at the corner Rico called him once more. He shouted his name and gave him a salute.

After his salute Rico made his last turn and saw the finish line. Looming large ahead just about 100m were the finish line and the race clock. No, not yet, Rico's mind screamed. He did not want the race to end just yet. Normally Rico would sprint the last few hundred meters of every single race. Finish strong he would often say. This time around Rico took his sweet time to the finish. In those last few meters and minutes he asked himself. Have I done what I came here to do? 

Has he run with the best? Yes, not only has he run with the city's best runners, he also ran with the best of friends and supporters.

Was he able to meet the Competitor and the Athlete within him? Yes he discovered what true competition is and appreciated his maturity and discipline as an athlete?

Has he reached the stage of a Runner? Not only has he become a Runner in a fuller sense, he has become a better person in the process.

Satisfied with the answers, Rico sprinted the last few meters with heart leaping with joy.

In cloud 9 for finishing his first marathon in 5hrs 16mins
Photo by Marvin Opulencia

Veteran marathoner Vener told Rico that the latter would cry as he crossed the finish line. But Happy Rico was wiping perspiration, not tears, from his eyes as he stood for a photo at the finish line. Rico was misty-eyed only when he was about to finish this blog entry. Vener told Rico that when the latter crosses the finish line, his life would change forever. The change actually happened earlier for Rico. It happened that moment he threw away his reticence to push and made his marathon a race not only for athletic achivement, but also for personal growth.

To everyone who was part of my journey, my eternal gratitude is yours.

I share my finisher's medal with you all.

To God be the Glory.

Running on Faith (First Half)

Rico was surprisingly calm on race morning. This demeanor was a far cry from previous days’ worries about having adequate taper, and his anxiety in seeing that the support group details are adequately addressed. The secret lied in one bible verse shared by a newbie in the takbo.ph forum. It turns out this is the favorite verse of marathoner Ryan Hall:

Isaiah 40:31

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength
The will soar on wings like eagles
They will run and not grow weary
They will walk and not be faint.

Just the Friday before Rico was on a delicate balance. He was overwhelmed both by the outpouring of support by volunteers and donors, and by the task of collecting and distributing all donations for the support group. There was also the Carbo-loading Party to worry about. Personally he would be content to just have a support group on race day, but for many runners doing their first half-marathon or full marathon, a CLP would make the experience more memorable. By grace of God it did turn out to be special, not to mention hilarious. The presence of many runners and supporters, the impromptu picture-taking by groups of runners/supporters, those hand signals for support over which the people all had laughs, and the simple prayer towards the end made it a CLP to remember. Not bad at all for something finalized just days before.

Impromptu CLP at The Old Spaghetti House (photo by Marvin Opulencia)

That CLP reminded Rico that sometimes you just have to let go. That you need not fuss over every little detail. That at times, the impromptu works better than the planned. That a little spontaneity could make the difference. That when you have done your best to train and work out a support plan, all one needs to have is faith in the plan.

It was faith that Rico brought to the starting line. Faith that he had done his part and whatever he might be lacking would be filled in by his friends and his God. Rico knew his capabilities. He knew that while he could muster the courage to push his training further, he might not have enough time to recover. He knew he invested enough time running: that the more than 5hrs he spent pounding the road to do a 32K or a 35K run till the lonely hours of midnight at the Fort, and the grueling tempo runs he did in Ortigas and Alabang with friends would be enough to bring him close to his goal of finishing near the cut-off time of 5 hrs.

Faith would bridge the gap he comforted himself. On race day he knew he would not be running alone. He knew that the pressure of completing the marathon on such a daunting cut-off time could blow the lid off a virgin marathoner like himself. He knew that to rely on his abilities alone could make him boastful if he succeeded, and insecure if he failed. He remembered his oblation run (offering run) last December during the UP Ictus Run. He remembered he could have pushed himself to break his mythical sub-60 barrier for a 10K, but he choked. In the middle of the run he realized he was running not for UP as he proclaimed, but for himself so he could banner a sub-60 PR. At that time he could not remember why he was crying as we wrote his race account. Now he knew: he cried because the oblation run he offered was clothed with pretense. He could have offered something better.

For his marathon Rico promised to offer something better. Whereas before his plan was to finish a marathon, work on his 10K PR and then try to give something back to the running community, he decided to pay if forward by helping a friend with his ultramarathon and joining the takbo.ph-Reinier Pacific aid station for the Botak Ultra. It was part of the marathon purification process he reasoned out. Whereas before he privately planned his personal support for his first marathon, he eventually joined the suggestion for an unofficial Milo support group. Support coordination was hard and frustrating at times, but the hard work and faith that an all-volunteer support group could work paid off in the end. It was hard to get volunteers and donations initially, but eventually the Filipino’s innate bayanihan (community heroism) prevailed. Volunteers and donors came in droves. It was overwhelming. It was heart-warming. In those few weeks, days prior to the race, new friends were made and old ones were strengthened.

It was this warm-fuzzy feeling that Rico hoped to muster during race day. Rico knew that if he ran only for himself, he might not be inclined to work harder. To slack off when many had take pains to support you and others is to be shameless and thick-skinned. He particularly wanted to run well for the likes of Mike, Neil and RJ, average Juans like himself – all taking major roles in the support group planning and execution. Rico thought that if he could do this, these friends would soon muster the courage to do the same. Rico sensed that something big was happening and that he wanted to be part of it. Here was a chance to inspire and be inspired. He wanted to be part of this divine script called Milo Marathon. To play a major part. The only thing holding him back was this Greek sense of hubris – an overweening pride often resulting in fatal retribution. He prayed that he be used in this morality play but let no sense of personal importance go into his head. Many a Greek hero suffered because of hubris. Rico did not want the same fate.

For his maiden marathon, Rico enlisted the help of others. It was humbling for him to ask for help but he did. The pursuit of one is the pursuit of all, he said. Rico would run this marathon for himself, for his friends, and for his God. And when he would run, he would run with all of them in spirit. There was no way he could do this alone. The odds were too great against his favor. But with Him miracles happen. When he does well, it will be the victory of everyone and not of him alone. If he fails, it is hopefully not because of hubris, but because it was part of the divine script.

He started the race with new friend Aries beside him. A fellow marathon virgin, Aries was one of the many kind souls who donated drinks for runners. A cold, slow starter, Rico was not used to have someone running beside him in the early part of a race. Almost all of his friends would zoom away from the start. Rico’s “defense mechanism” during this phase is to go into a dream zone until he eventually warms up. But Aries kept him from sliding into dream zone, and actually made him ran at the planned pace of a little below 7/km. Thanks, man. The two men paced each other for 7-8kms until the first turnaround near the NAIA road.

Sufficiently warmed up, Rico was rearing to pick up pace after the turnaround. He slowly overtook a few runners. Here was the part where he exhibited his maturity and discipline as an “athlete”. The marathon is all about pacing, the athlete in him said. You can go to as fast as 6:30min/km, but save most of your energy for the harder second half of the race. Run light, with even breathing and power emanating from the quadriceps. Follow your strategy of taking short walks every aid station. Lactic acid must not build up. You would thank yourself for diligently following your plan later on.

Rico was very excited as he exited Roxas Boulevard and entered Buendia. He ran faster in anticipation of friends waiting at the support station at km12. At last he would savor the support of the group of which he was also a part. He was so inspired and running strongly that he totally forgot the aid signals he suggested the previous night and almost forgot to get a Gatorade. Snapping out from his dreamy state, he called for Gatorade from alert Rachel and shouted back that there were just 2-3 takbo.ph runners behind him.

The run along Buendia avenue was a steady one. Rico would find himself pacing just behind a presumed triathlete (he was wearing a club tri-suit) and a couple of meters more from an ultramarathoner. He was steadily running at or better than 7min/km. By this time he had developed the planned habit of taking a short walk while drinking from aid stations. He would be nibbling on the hopia cubes along the way and would finish the cube before a water station. He would walk and eat as he brisk walked the Kalayaan Flyover climb.

At the downhill part of the Flyover Rico would meet one of his takbo.ph friends. Rico was both happy to catch up with him and worried at the same time. This friend is known for his fast starts. He was having stomach trouble, so Rico told him about the official portalets and public rest rooms along the way. The competitor in Rico wanted to zoom past this friend; the runner in him prevailed and he ran beside long enough to have a photo taken with him and for the friend to go to a nearby rest room.

Sam and Rico at the foot of the Kalayaan Flyover (courtesy of photorunner Josiah)

At the foot of the Flyover was Rico’s other group of supporter friends. He was glad to see pacer Migz who would soon join him at km21, as well as the volunteers of that station led by Mike. He felt stronger once more seeing his friends. He proceeded to the Fort to conquer the rest of the kilometers.

It was starting to get warm when Rico reached the Fort Strip. On minor ascents he would take short walks to conserve energy and recover. It was on the relatively flat Lawton Avenue that Rico began to pick up pace again. Here he would see more of the elite runners coming back and live his dream of running with the best. Inspired he ran a bit faster. It was also at this point where it began to rain. This was the exact point where hard rain came down upon them running friends one soakin' wet LSD. Rico remembered how fun that was and smiled. He took the rain as God’s blessing. He gave it at the precise moment his body was heating up.

At km21 near McKinley Hills he met Migz, volunteer pacer, and Josiah, who wanted to run along. Rico smiled: he just finished 21kms at 2:30 hrs – his best time ever for that distance. He was running well, with no pains, and surrounded by running buddies. What more could a marathoner ask?

Josiah and Migz waiting for Rico at km 21 (photo by Mike Antigua)

It was at the midpoint of the marathon that Rico would thank his diligent self for following the pace plan. From km 21-28 he would catch up with and pass by friends. He caught up with Ziggy who had been suffering from runner’s knee injury. Josiah offered to accompany Ziggy. Rico told Ziggy before he moved on: Remember Isaiah 40:31: (“those who hoped in the Lord will renew their strength…”). As he ran past some runners Rico wondered: Is this what competition is? To overtake fellow runners and friends? Rico refused to accept this. Competition is to run with the best, and to inspire and be inspired in the process. So every runner-friend he passed he greeted with a smile from within – a smile hoping to say that they could pull one another to the finish. That the runner moving ahead does so not to leave the others behind, but to show the way and inspire others to follow.

Isaiah 40:31

But those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.