The Bangkok Standard Chartered Marathon

Yes, I went to Bangkok, Thailand on the 14th of November, but I did not run the Bangkok Marathon on November 23. That I want to make it clear.

This is my story.

Before I got hooked on running, I have another passion, it is the quest for adventure and the unknown. On July of 2006, I embarked on a journey to travel every province of the Philippines, document my travel and take a photo of the 79 provincial capitols (now, there are already 81 of them) and whatever sight my eyes can lay upon. It was surely an experience of a lifetime. My goal, to be the first ordinary person to travel the whole of the Philippines and have proof of it. You can read all about it in my travel blog http://www.thelaidbacktraveller.blogspot.com/.

Where does that lead me?

Last August, before my first run (the KOTR), I booked a flight to Bangkok, Thailand, just an early Christmas present from me to me. To experience a culture and a landscape that is not familiar. While walking around Bangkok with my backpack, I chanced upon a poster of a couple running. It was a poster of the Bangkok Standard Chartered Marathon. Too bad, it was slated on the 23rd of November and by that time, I'm already back in Manila running at the UNICEF's Run at McKinley Hill. So I thought that I will not leave Bangkok unless I had my photo taken with the small billboard as my background. Just so to put my sights on running there next year.

Unfortunately, it was not a very busy place, there were no people walking around, and so I waited, and waited, and waited. Patience does pay off. Finally, after I don't know how long, a man came and waited for a bus. Using my charm and my fingers, I asked him to take my photo and he obliged. And I asked him without saying a word (sign language lang). And so here it is......

The regrettable thing is that I wasn't able to ask the name of the man who took this photo. So, to you heaven sent, whoever you are, Khob khun Krab (thank you in Thai).

Now I have one thing to look forward to next year, it will surely be one my running goals in 2009 to run in the Bangkok Marathon. So, I need to look at its schedule first defore booking a flight there, and hopefully, the political crisis by then is already over.

Long Overdue...tales from the OctoberRun

This article is long overdue. Blame on the demanding schedules (work, birthdays of friends, and visit to the Memorial Park), including the recently concluded VSO Run, and most likely, writer’s block. Ok, Iam guilty as charged. Last Sunday was the second week since the Octoberun at the Fort and it is now November, thus Iam compelled to write something about the experiences on that eventful day, since that I’ve already written an article on the VSO Bahaginan’s Run. I will be doing injustice to the OctoberRun if I pass this one out.

Looking back, I realized that the Octoberun was my third race in October, not bad, since I just started joining these runs starting with the Adidas KOTR. There were no big expectations to start with, just finish the race and if ever that I will better my PB, good, if not, we’ll there are other races. It was a very relaxed mood. And I came much prepared compared to the previous runs. Though the training were very much the same (running three rounds of the UP oval every other night), when I said prepared, I meant preparedness with the other necessities, like to bring my nephews (Bikoy and Paolo) together with their mother (Bembet) with me so that I will have a photographer (which I missed in the BOTAK run) and let them experience the very lively atmosphere on the race day, and hope that they will be inspired by it and go into running also. Too bad though that my running-mate cousin (Ate Nora) and my auntie (Ate Ella) were not able to make it to the run because my niece (Eia) had a chicken pox the night before, and they need to take care of her (family first).

Start of the Run

I positioned myself on the sidelines to watch the start of the 10K run, though I don’t know anybody there, I felt the urge of cheering them on, at the same time, clicking my camera just for the sheer pleasure of it. After the sound of the gun, off they went, and I then squeezed myself to the front part of the pack of 5K runners, it was easy because of my thin frame.

A funny thing happened before the start of the 5K. The announcer said that it is just 1 minute more before the start of the 5k, then suddenly, we heard the starting gun, devoid of any other thoughts, we started running. The situation helped us a lot to relax, for we were all smiling when we started the race.

Going through McKinley Hill, it was really tough, good thing there were water stations positioned strategically. Though I’m having a hard time drinking from the cup while running, I was forced to walk a little bit to drink some needed liquid. Then I promised myself to get a hydration belt in the next race so as not to inconvenience me.

The run was great, I knew that I was in the front pack, for in front of me were just a handful of people, and when I glance at the back, there was a road full of runners, and after the u-turn, I saw even more runners on their way. This inspired me to go ahead, knowing that Iam running a faster pace.

Upon reaching the final 1.5 kilometer mark, I knew that the light at the end of the tunnel is getting nearer, so I psyched myself and went on the final curve to the finish line.

There I was met by my two nephews and my sister. It was a great feeling to sprint to the finish line, as I was with a faster runner, a faster lady runner.

I finished the race knowing that I did well, and it felt good. So good that I even stayed for a while to look around for familiar faces and cheer on the other finishers, especially the one with a baby stroller. It was truly a great day.

About to Leave

When we were about to leave to have our breakfast, I heard the announcer called on my name to go to the registration booth to verify my age. This means only one thing I thought, that I was one of the faster runners in my age group. For lack of a better word, that feeling was true. Until now, I couldn’t describe what I felt then, it was a mixture of happiness, excitement, I became very emotional, thankful, and even panic (please don’t ask me for I don’t know why).

As it turned out, I was the 4th fastest in my age group and my official time became my Personal Best. My official time was 25:56 and I was 44th overall (thanks to www.takbo.ph for the official results). This day, the number 4 was really very significant for me, adding to my age-group placement and my overall ranking, my bib number was 1441. Here’s hoping that one day, I’ll be able to get a bib numbered one.

No Great Expectations...VSO Bahaginan Run

Doing something for the sheer enjoyment of it is really very rewarding. Aside from enjoying what you are doing (at your own time and accord of course), you also get to open yourself to many possibilities that might just come your way.

Such is the experience last Sunday on the VSO Bahaginan Run.

Went to the Fort with my nephews (Bikoy and Paolo) and my sister (Bembet), who have been with me for the past two runs, starting with the OctobeRun Festival last October 26 (which, incidentally, until now, I haven’t finished my post). Was supposed to meet my cousin Ate Nora before the race, but with so many people and arriving at the venue minutes before the start of the 15K run, it was hopeless.

And so, I warmed up a bit and readied myself for the 5K run. The 15K run was first, then came the 10K runners, and finally, our turn. I squeezed myself about 2 meters from the front line (a lesson I learned from the past races), heard the gun and off we went.

The route was really challenging, with several uphill roads, I got really very tired upon reaching the U-turn slot at the 2.5K mark. By now, Iam really very wet from perspiration, good thing I just got a Hydration Belt the night before (for Iam having a really tough time drinking from a cup while running). About 500 or so meters after the U-turn, I saw my Ate Nora, and cheered her up, though I know that she doesn’t really need some cheering up, for I know that she can really make it.

I continued to run at a very relaxed pace, and even managed to smile at the person taking photos in the middle of the road. Then, after seeing the main pack of runners, I realized that I may be on the top 50, then I relaxed a bit, because by this time, my feet are really feeling tired from the uphill climb. Good thing there were downhill parts as well, and with a little help from a very dear friend named gravity, I just sped through the downhill part, such a great friend I have.

Upon reaching the final turn, and seeing the finish line, my spirits were once again elated, and I continued to move with ease, until the finish line.

Looking back at the race, I noticed that there were enough water stations strategically located through the course of the run, a very good thing for the runners. And at the starting point, the time interval between the 15K, 10K, and the 5K runs were just as well coordinated. Congratulations to the organizers.

After the Run

Immediately after the run, I rehydrated myself with the free rush bottle and water from my hydration belt. Did the cool down while looking for my nephews and sister. I then waited for Ate Nora at the finish line and continued to sheer her on.

It really pays to stay after the run, for aside from people watching (the energy is just amazing), the usual photo op (which I think is a must), hoping for a miracle that your bib number might be called (though that is really far fetched), buying sports shirts and shorts at a bargain price, and you just might get a pleasant surprise or two along the way.

In my case, the pleasant surprise came by the name of Chris Aquino (no, not the lady that you get to see on TV), Christian Aquino, a friend back in UP. He walked pass me and heard my name, when I turned, we’ll surprise-surprise, it was him. We chatted for a while, took a photo with the camera of Ate Nora, and off we went.

with Chris Aquino, a friend from UP
(he told me Jun Catacutan was there also but was not able to see him, probably on the next run)

Now, I have new recruits for the cause of running, my two nephews, who pledged that they will be running also, and my sister, who in time, might be able to finish her first 5K run.

the future running family of Bembet, Bikoy and Paolo

Here’s hoping for more great experiences ahead.

This just came in, my official time for this particular race is 27:05, yes, slower than my OctoberRun time which was my PB, but at least, I reached two goals in this VSO Bahaginan Run: (1) I finished the race without walking, and (2) My name is on the first page of the 5K male official results (47th over-all).

Many thanks to Bro. J for sending Ate Nora these photos towards the finish. Really grateful.

Ciao

i guess i was really focused on the finish line . Thanks Bro. J for the photos.

(need to hold my belt because it's a size bigger, need to gain more weight i guess)

a few meters more...................wew!!!!!

my great cousin, about to cross the finish line, ahead of the Navy Team, great!!!

(photo courtesy of Bro. J)

after getting the certificate, a must-have photo

with my sister, Bembet and nephew, Paolo