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Earth Day Run shirt

That’s my rank in my first race, the Earth Day Run 2010 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) last Sunday 18 April with the official time at 36:58 and I’m not just happy with it. It’s too far and quite forgettable. So so. In the doldrums, so to speak. But on the bright side, it is a challenge for me to do better the next time.

Browsing through the list of 5K finishers, I’m just amazed at how these people run! First was Jujet de Asis who clocked in at 16:40 (!) followed with a 5 second difference by Gerald Sabal. What do these guys eat for breakfast? How do they train? That kept me thinking. Going down the list, I looked for my name. First page flipped. Second, third… and still no number 1811 until I reached page 10. Blas, who paced me, was just a number ahead.

By the way, how do they rank runners? There were no timing chips. When we arrived at the finish line, we have to fall in line as they collected the detachable bar code. While I was also clocking my run, it came out as 35 minutes, 53 seconds.

Anyway, with that out of the way, I will continue with my couch-to-5k running plan, now on its 7th week and focus on endurance.

GALLERY images here

Photo gallery from this morning’s Earth Day Run 2010 is now online with 84 images have been uploaded. Even if I ran, my first such race ever since I started with this addiction, ahem, I was still able to photograph. By the way, to get your copy, just click on the photo and right click.

Enjoy the images. These are also available in Fit and Run Facebook fan page.

Me just tired and sweating after having finished the Earth Day Run 2010 at 5K

There’s just something different when one joins the race and for my first organized run ever, the Earth Day Run 2010 of NatGeo Channel at the MOA early this morning, it was kind of a mixed experience.

One, being in a sea of runners, there’s this feeling of a collective coming together for a purpose to make a difference for the environment (this is an advocacy run that benefits DAtE) through our common endeavor, running. Two, there’s this jostling for space and pace, outrunning others or being outrun, skipping obstacles like slow runners, road markers and the occasional stops at the water station. But overall, it was pleasant.

I’m used to run alone or when in small groups during the ungo runs in Cebu but this time, its something that you can’t just forget. Once we passed the start arch, there’s this exhilarating kind of feeling while finding ones pace and way. Exhilaration gives way to evading those infront who just suddenly slows down or walk and snaking through narrow passes between individuals. But once I was into my run, others just became a blur and enjoyed it even though its tiring and have to walk a few meters.

My friends, Blas paced me while giving tips and encouragement all throughout the route which was indeed helpful and Ryan, who took some photos. Before the run, I did want to finish within 35 minutes or below but exceeded my target with 53 seconds.

Now, I’m looking forward to my next race but will continue to train to build endurance.

My first race shirt. It's an NGC, baby!

Come 18 April, there will be two races happening in Metro Manila: Earth Run at The Fort organized by Adevents Manila and Earth Day Run 2010 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) by the National Geographic Channel (NGC) in anticipation of the actual Earth Day that falls on 22 April. I opted for the latter’s 5K. And why?

#1 Earth Run will benefit Greenpeace and Earth Day Run 2010′s beneficiary is Design Against the Elements (DAtE). While I have nothing against Greenpeace, at this time, I believe more in Illac Diaz’s project, even if the registration cost, at P600 for the 5KM is a bit high.

What happened to us when Ondoy hit is something that we have to be prepared for in the coming years. There should be concrete action and we can’t just keep on depending on donors’s aid and DAtE’s objectives fit the bill for me. Besides, if this project is successful, it is possible to implement it in other areas, other countries.

A disclaimer, I photographed for one of Diaz’s events related to this project.

My race kit for the 5KM. I'm runner 1811

#2 This will be my first race ever since I started running last month. I want to make it memorable and significant. Run for a cause, run for an advocacy. Isn’t this worthwhile? It will be something that I can look back and say,

The first time I ever joined an organized run, I did it for Mother Earth in 2010 and I ran for a project that I believed in!

In one of Illac’s photo albums, I commented following his question:

it’s running for the idea. it’s running because its a sport that i want to do and i’m just starting. it’s running for that technical shirt. it’s running because i believe in the project that looks beyond the “now.” all these in one venue.

What are you waiting for? Registration for the Earth Day Run at the MOA has been extended until 15 April. Register at the Nike outlet in Bonifacio High Street or Timex shops at SM North EDSA and MOA. Or you might register online at the NatGeo Run website.