Fifteen minutes. That's what I set as my sanity break. Armed only with my BlackBerry, a BB Max connection, and a resolve to carve out the most out of life, I typed away at the micro keypad.
My calves are still a bit tight from the 25Km running I did last Sunday during the Chevrolet New Balance Power Run. I woke up early this time, but hard rains greeted the break of dawn. I have two choices: to avoid the rains and gamble on an afternoon run, or brave the cold, wet weather and embrace my aversion to it.
It was cold alright. Goodness, if at this temperature I am already chilling, what shall befall me when I ran in Macau? And how do I expect to finish a dream marathon in New York someday?
Two kilometers into the run I had to take walk breaks. I was still not properly warmed up. I ran when I could, and walked when I needed to. But I was falling behind. Way behind. I got my groove back only at around km11. At that time, I remembered why I wore a 2008 NB singlet emblazoned with Love Running More on front, and 25K on the back. I was hoping for magic. On that race, I finally fell in love with running, and although I had an average finish time there of 3:07, the last 5kms of that race remains my best ever 5K running experience.
I slowly caught up. Every kilometer or two I would overtake a couple of runners. I am way behind my original target time, but I plodded on. I said to myself, I will try to re-create the magic I experienced in Clark in 2008 in the last 5kms of this edition. Back then, I overtook 40 people net in my love-filled rush to the finish.
I started counting at km 20. The first 3-5 were extremely difficult, but I soldiered on. This time around, I wouldn't overtake on speed. I would have to do it on sheer tenacity. It gets better, Rico, always. A new view on work, a rekindled chance at love, new friendships made. It always gets better. You just have to endure.
I finished 5 minutes before cut-off time at 3:40. My career worst in this distance is 3:45 when I was still a stupid, stubborn, cramping newbie. I finished with a sprint and with no injuries. I overtook 70 people net in the process. I woke up, ran and finsihed. It could only get better.
5 comments:
great to see u on the road. Congrats Rico!
Thanks Roelle. It was a pleasant surprise to see you on the road. See you around!
wow running in Macau! now that's a blog entry i'll be anticipating. congrats on your NB run finish!
Thanks deemenrunner. The Macau race is just an excuse to get out of the country. Haha!
Good luck in Macau, Rico! I just visited your blog after months of not checking it. I'm in a running rut myself and promised to be more active in 2012.
Take care in Macau! If you're not as luck in the race, baka you'll be luckier in the casinos! Altho of course you'd rather be lucky in the race! Take care!
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