I surprised myself with a 5:43 pace/km!
25 minutes of nonstop running from the Sun Star office to Ayala Center Cebu during the 7th ungo run, a Holy Wednesday (31 March) was quite a big surprise for me! But better still, when I calculated my pace/km for the entire length end to end until Banilad Town Center (BTC), a total distance of 6.92 KM, I had the shock of my life: 5:43!
These ungo runs are good for me!
Ever since that 26 March ungo event (the 6th) the previous week, I was breaking personal records that I have while following the running plan which I started 2 March. Not only was this my fastest so far, it was also my longest distance. There were some struggles but generally, it was a wonderful night run that was quite manageable. It also helped that Charles, and later, Teddy, paced me from Jollibee Gorordo all the way to BTC.
Looking back, I credit it to my competitiveness as well as the running plan I was following. It’s fun with other runners and trying to challenge oneself of “beating” some can do wonders. I also strictly followed a constant speed in all my runs, conserved energy unlike what I did when I first joined my fellow ungo, and, I think, the couch-to-5k plan was gradually making my body adopt to this routine. All these while a small knapsack with my DSLR camera with an ultrawide lens, a shirt, wallet, cellphones and a small water bottle strapped at my back.
I really didn’t expect these developments and all the more motivated me to do running as a sport. If I will do this right, I might prove myself capable of doing greater things in the future. With fingers crossed and keeping up with my training.
Similar Posts:
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- Wrapping up my first week of couch-to-5k running plan
- I ran with the Ungo Runners last Friday!
- 6th Ungo Friday night run photo gallery

Estan Cabigas is a multiawarded blogger, freelance photographer and a newbie runner based in Makati City, the Philippines. A true blue Cebuano, he makes stunning images and meaningful photo stories. He has writtten for CNN Go and his photograph published in the May 2010 issue of the National Geographic Magazine.
I'm Estan Cabigas, a freelance photographer blogger and traveler. I just started to seriously run last 2 March 2010 and for the past few months, I've improved greatly in my running as well as lost pounds in the process. I'm gunning for a full marathon by 2011. I shoot races as well.

My flagellant image is Editor's Choice in the National Geographic Magazine May 2010 issue.
