Official Result for Milo Marathon Finals and Photos

Official Results are out and my stopwatch was pretty accurate. Based on my chip time, I registered 1:10:44. Here is a screenshot of my performance.

At first, I was hesitant to post it here since my results were not that fabulous but I still opted to do so since I know I will get better. I want to record honestly how I perform in each race I join.

The presence of Photovendo was also an addition to this year's final. I was lucky to have several photos and here are some which I could share. Mostly, these are the photos which I did not look stupid. I am placing some captions on what I am probably thinking that time.

"This is it, I can do this!"

"Breath in, breath out"

"Walang magulo! Pagod ako!!!"

Me dancing Boom Boom Pow... hahaha

My Milo Marathon National Finals 2009 Experience

The culminating activity of the Milo Marathon was held yesterday morning at the Quirino Grandstand. All 42K runners from the regional races who were able to make the cut-off time of 4:00 (I think) qualified to be part of the Milo Marathon National Finals. I woke up at around 5AM for this race and was glad that I no longer need to travel as my house is just a couple of blocks away from Luneta. I walked to the venue and arrived at 5:55. Enroute to Luneta, I passed by a convenience store to fill up one of my hydration bottles with a Gatorade. It was my first time to use my belt for a race and I was quite excited and feel professional altogether. Upon arriving at the venue, I saw that the start line was already filled with runners waiting for the gun start. And at 6AM, Mayor Alfredo Lim fired the gun and we're off to go.

Since the timing chip was used for this race, the start is like a bottle neck. The mat we need to cross was quite small and everybody waited for their turn to go about. I instantly started my running after I passed through the mat. I was pacing comfortably and was eyeing for someone I could pace (this is my new habit; pacing with someone I don't know. haha!). I saw this lady in mid-rib and I thought she is someone whom I could follow. Primarily because I think she is a pro and she could be easily distinguished from the green crowd. I did just that but at about 3K, I bid farewell to my pacer (who doesn't know I am pacing her) as I sarted to walk in preparation for the overpass we are about to reach. After a minute or so, I ran back and was able to climb the Buendia flyover without any problems. Walked a little at the top and resumed running downhill. I was very comfortable and was very happy with the first part of my run. I looked at my timer watch and saw that I clocked only 20 minutes in and I told myself that I am doing very well. I continued my running until I reached the turning point at Le Pavillion. I was then looking for a new pacer and I saw this guy clad in blue top. I immediately paced with him but after sometime I told myself that I could go faster. I did just that and overtook the guy. I was computing my time as I really wanted to get a new PR for this run. I was still at best when I started to feel tired. I decided to walk from Quirino to Rajah Sulayman. At this point, the blue guy passed me. I told myself that if I walk that distance, I will run the remainder to the finishline. I walked and immediately gained my running pace from Rajah Sulayman till UN Avenue. At this point, I was able to overtake again the blue guy and told myself, I should finish before him. I stopped running through UN Avenue to Kalaw as I was trying to strengthen my systems to finish strong.

Upon traversing the street of Kalaw, I ran and finished the course. Finishing ahead of the blue guy. I checked my timer and I clocked 1:10. I was a little disappointed since my best 10K PR is 1:09. But then, if I compare my previous Milo record with my new one, it is indeed a BIG improvement. My record in the July 5, Manila Eliminations was 1:26 and now I got it down to 1:10, therefore, a 16 minute diferrence is a great improvement. I still have to see though the official times as to be posted by Milo.

I am happy and fulfilled that I did this. Even though this time, I was running alone, I enjoyed it and maximized it to the fullest.

Photo below is a sample of how Milo Marthon is filled with Green Runners (photo taken from the net)

The next three weeks..

My next three weeks will be full. I am scheduled (and have signed up, READ: paid already) for the following races:


October 11, 2009 Milo Marathon Finals 10K
October 18, 2009 QC International Marathon 21K
Ocotber 25, 2009 Adidas King of the Road 10K






I am excited as hell for all the events for several reasons. For Milo, this will give me a gauge on how much I have improved since this is the first 10K (and first run) that I did. For the QCIM, I am excited as well because its my first half marathon. I even bought a Nathan for this run. For the Adidas, I really like the singlet. Good enough reason to make me happy and excited about the run. I hope I'll get good times this October. I guess I haven't trained that hard but for sure at least my other efforts will show. See you in these runs!

It's been so long...

I was bad these couple of weeks. I did not continuously ran. I did not follow my training. I just ran whenever I fell like running.

Now, I have to change. I am officially signed up for the Milo Marathon (10K) on October 11, 2009 and QCIM (21K) on October 18, 2009. I have to complete at least most of my trainings to be able to do good in these races. I ran tonight, will run on Thursday and will do good on Sunday for the Milo. This is what I am chanting right now.

I bought a Nathan Speed 2

As what I have said in my previous post, I have decided already to run my first 21K. And one of my pact to myself is that, if I decide to run more than 10K, I will buy myself a hydration belt. I did just that through careful research. I asked around some folks in takbo.ph (through a thread)on what to buy. Most of them endorsed the Nathan Speed as it can hold 1.5/2/4 flasks. It is ideal for different types of runners. I also considered buying the new Nike hydration belt but decided otherwise as it is more expensive and harder to find.

I was suppose to purchase my Nathan in Runnr but was not able to visit the store immediately since I do not have a ride going there. I checked some stores in Glorietta during our lunch time but was not able to find a Nathan. I checked online stores and found out that there is a stock at Toby's Park Square. I then decided to purchase one the following day. I was so excited when lunch time came, I rushed to Toby's. I asked the sales lady to give me a sample of the Speed 2 and Speed 4. Tried both on and decided on which one to get. As I am not the type who prefers to drink a lot during a run, thus I went for the Speed 2. It has 2-10oz flask where I can carry water on the other and a sport drink on another. There is also a small pocket which can hold my cellphone, keys and cash. It was perfect and I decided to get the large size in yellow and gray which costs Php 1,295.00.

The same night I bought my Speed 2, I decided to take it for a test run. I used both flask with 3/4 water and strapped it to myself. During the first steps, I find it too bouncy and checked if it can be minimized if I decide to fasten it better. I did just that and it worked. I also placed it somewhere in my mid-section to limit it bouncing against my butt. It worked and I feel like a total pro. My only comment was, I should have went for a medium.

All-in-all, I can say that Nathan Speed 2 is the most ideal hydration belt for me. It serves my requirements and needs in running and above everything else, it is also stylish.