It’s my 3rd Year Running Anniversary.  I started last Feb 26, 2006 during the 2nd International Pasig Marathon at the Fort.

I was the perfect clueless newbie.  I wore the wrong shoes.  I was wearing a jogging pants.  I was wearing a cotton shirt.  That is how I started.

Below is a repost from my first running blog ever.  It was still in Friendster.  I cant find the pictures anymore.

== oOo ==

1646.  That’s my number when I participated in the 2nd International Pasig Marathon last Feb 26, 2006.  Add to it another thousand and that could be my place in the competition.

Ive been planning to join a marathon.  I had my chance during Sportsfest at school but I never joined it thinking that I can never reach the finish line after a 10K run.  It has been a challenge and I was glad when I received an invitation to join the Pasig Marathon.  Its my chance to meet that challenge.

This is a yearly event sponsored by the Clean and Green foundation.  Usually held on the last Sunday of February, the race is a long 42km from Intramuros to Fort Bonifacio passing by the historic Pasig river.  There are also races for the less ambitious ones like 3km, 5km and 10km at the Fort Bonifacio.  I know I can do the 5km so I decided to take the 10km instead.

The race started at 6am at Adidas Camp Fort Bonifacio.  There were almost a thousand runners who participated in the 10km.  A prize of 10,000 pesos goes to the 1st placer.  When gun sets off the start of the race, I was suddenly afraid of the stampede of runners moving forward at a faster pace that I could catch up.  In less than 5 seconds, I gave up my chance on the prize and concentrated on finishing the race.  Surviving the race would be a more accurate goal.

I wasnt at the tail of the race.  I was somewhere in the middle sharing the spot with members of running clubs, women and gray-haired men.  It makes me proud whenever I would overtake other runners, especially those with t-shirts that are labeled “Finisher” which they got from other marathons.  Hahaha!!!  But it also discouraged me to see a young kid ahead of me.  I tried to catch up but it was clear he has the advantage.  Being overtaken by women is both happy and sad.  Sad because my ego is pierced.  Happy because the view is better from behind.  It motivates me to maintain a safe distance.

At last I was on the 5km mark where I would receive a green lace and make a u-turn back to the starting line.  I jogged all the way to the 5km mark without stopping or walking.  I reached it at exactly 30 mins and 30.1348796211565123489853 seconds.  My calculations are based on the position of the sun at that time.  By noting the latitude and the azimuth angle plus the lateral displacement from the starting line, able to come up with an accurate figure.  If you don’t believe me, then do it yourself!

The run gave me a lot of learning and experience in running.  I learned that there are running clubs that regularly train for such events.  I learned that jogging shorts are more comfortable and a lot sexier than jogging pants.  I learned that drinking cups along the way have real drinking water and not just to pour it on your head since it was obvious all the runners haven’t taken a bath yet.  I learned not to pour the cup hard on your head because it may contain ice.

Finally, I was near the finish line.  I was so happy to see the big word “Finish”.  I started to run faster to get a good time at the end of the race.  I don’t expect it to be below 1 hour since I started to walk a couple of times on the final half of the race.  But I was able to complete the race in 1 hour, 5 minutes and 42.69269236134618632415243321874613264 seconds.  Same calculation method was employed here.  So maybe next time I will target it to be below 1 hour.

As you can see, I approached the finish line without any sign of fatigue, struggle or hardship.  It was as if Im used to this kind of thing.  Haha!  I can even bet that I can run a few kilometers more.

Next year, I’ll be joining the marathon again.  And maybe some other races this year.  I heard there is a least one every month at different locations.