Mizuno Infinity Run: Conquered the Hills!

 Results out now at http://mizunorunclub.yehey.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=20  

Truth be told, I was a bit apprehensive about this race. I had a late Friday evening that ended early Saturday morning. I have also been averaging 5 hours sleep only this past week. I was worried that I would have a hard time keeping my HR in check due to lack of sleep.

To compensate, I slept at 11pm and set my alarm at 4:30am. At 5:30, I was with T2 at BHS. I was uppity-up hyper by this time. I have decided to focus on the challenging course and enjoy the race. I was ready to run my own race. I know that the rolling terrain would be daunting but fun and I kept reminding myself that I have run the course several times and I was ready for it.

After checking in, we made sure that we were with the 15K group. We did not want a repeat of Condura where we ended up behind the 5K runners.

5..4..3..2..1..go! Ngork! My polar’s pace view was set at kph and not min/km. This would normally upset me … I really have to learn to run unplugged. However, I remembered that Mizuno said that they will have km markers, so I decided to sharpen my math skills and just mentally compute my km splits.

Pretty soon we were approaching Bayani Road, the jeepneys were as scary as I expected. I was very relieved not to spot an askal.

Up Bayani Road and down towards C5. The route inside the cemetery was good. Sadly, this is where I started to notice that the aid stations have ran out of water. At one aid station, a marshall handed us ice to help us cool down. Salamat po, nothing like an ice bath during a hard race. However, this got me very worried as I knew that the runners behind me won’t have water or even ice. I was really glad that I ran with my fuel belt.

Up towards Bayani Road again, I saw a group in white shirt/black shorts. They were in a different race. Later, I found out that a friend got confused during the race and joined the route of this black/white runners. Sayang Ken! Bawi na lang sa next race.

And then its HH time, I was worried about this part of the race. I knew that the hill was steep but my mindset was … one time big time lang yan and then the rest would be easy. Whats one hill, right? Ha! Famous last words, after descending Mckinley Hill, Harry passed and gestured how the next hill would roll and how steep it is. What?!? I thought that the turn around would be at the Blue Leaf turnoff.

Two hills later I was panting but still running. I just kept focused. Running 10faststeps and 10slowsteps up every hill. I was tempted to join the runners walking the hills. I gave myself a mental shake and just set my sight on runners who are still running and tried to block off those who have started walk.

Seeing the inspiring slogans printed in the singlets of the other runners helped. My favorites were: Milo’s … Keep on Running, Runnex’s … Dig Deep Down and FAME’s … Go Marino Go. Hehehe kahit di naman ako Marino. Go! Go! Go!

When I finally managed to return to Lawton Ave., I realized that I was 1:20mins in the race and only have 2 kms to go. Hmmm…if I kept my pace I have a chance to finish within 1:30ish. The first System of a Down song in my playlist started playing also. Wee! Hyperdrive to the finish and every step in time to the beat of SoaD.

I crossed the finish line in 1:34:20something. I ran and conquered the hills!

Harry was at the finish line, he finished the 15K in 1:20, bow! I saw Des and Gabby at the finish. They ran 5K and finished in 32mins. Power couple, congrats! They told me that Erskine and Grethel who also ran 5K finished at around 40mins. Congrats on your first race friends! Beni, Mesh and Tin soon followed soon after Kristine and Kathy also crossed the finish line. Great race T2, sa uulitin! 

After freshening up, Mesh and I headed towards Baldrunner’s booth to donate our shoes. Run on shoes, sana mapunta kayo sa really really fast runners. Baldrunner’s Donate a Shoe project will continue in the other road races. You still have a chance to donate your old shoes.

Raves. (1) The route was so challenging and exciting that sige na nga Im willing to overlook the way traffic was managed and the jeepney that caught me by surprise at Bayani Road. Im sure you guys tried your best … next time ha lets try a little harder. (2)Best finisher’s shirt I’ve ever had sana lang may sizes. (3) Special thanks to the Marshall inside the cemetery who handed me the ice, it really helped.

and Rants. (1) You ran out of water at the aid stations and didnt have water at the finish tsk tsk tsk! I had a fuel belt with me so I was okay but I was really worried about my friends who ran the 5K. A good number 5K runners are likely to be newbies and would need the water more than the seasoned/intermediate runners of 10/15K.  (2) and banana at Km7, why?! It would have been better placed at the finish line.

Update: 20080401 Mizuno sent an email to its participants.

To All the Participants of the Mizuno Infinity Run:Together with the race organizers and Rush (our beverage sponsor),please accept our sincerest apologies for the inadequate supply of drinking water during the event. There is no excuse for this serious oversight. Thank you very much for all the feedback. I will personally make sure that the proper actions will be taken to avoid any future mishaps.