Personal Best January (Part 1)

RACE: 1st Sinulog Fun Run

LOCATION: CSSC Track Oval

DATE: January 2, 2011 5:00-8:00 AM

RACE CATEGORY: 5K

TIME: 31:13:08 (My Time)

My very first race of the new year was the day after the New Year's Day, January 2. This was the Sinulog Fun Run to kick off the festivities of the feast of Señor Sto. Niño de Cebu (Child Jesus). It was rather a short race, only 5 kilometers. The route of the race is actually the route that is used in the Sinulog Grand Parade this coming Sunday, January 16. 

For this race, I was paced by my father, who last paced me in the Pinay in Action (PIA) last March 2010. My father pushes me to the brink that I will either cough or about to puke, but that's how he is. He likes me to push myself. That's the reason why we argue, but in the end he'll always win!

The first 2 kilometers was about running uphill to Imus Road away from the burgeoning crowd of students. We even overtook our city mayor once we got out of the track oval. But we greeted him as a sign of respect, though.

On the third kilometer, I took a very brief, as in 10 seconds of walk, then my father barked not to stop running/jogging, so pushed jog. Then, it's up to the rolling hills of Mango Ave. (also known as Gen. Maxilom Ave.). Oh, the hills were alive. I kept a steady pace, then run up to the hills.


On the last kilometer, I was literally running. I was already coughing, but I said to myself, "It's almost the finish line, run like you are chased by a pack of rabid dogs!". So when I crossed the finish line, I checked my watch, whoa, a personal best 5k! 


I am looking forward to run more 5Ks this year to break this PB. Hopefully next time, it will be a sub 30! 


Oh, my high school batch mates and I had a mini reunion. We even "modeled" for a sardines brand, as requested by the girl on their booth. The sardines brand was one of the sponsors. Sad to say, we did not ask where they posted the photos.


Hey, I'm on TV. One of my uncles watched the broadcast of the local evening news the Monday after, and saw me ran past the mayor! He even told his beer buddies about my exploits. Does this means that I am already a celebrity? Hahahahahahaha!

 Review:

It was a fairly well run race. There were marshals along the route, ample water station, and post race food and drinks. It was a turn off that they used the water from the fire hydrant as our "drinking water". We had foreigners and balik-bayans who joined the race, like Jappy and her friend Michelle. 

This race saved me from purchasing my "annual" Sinulog t-shirt. Instead of singlet, they gave away a t-shirt from local manufacturers, Kulas!