Half-Marathon Happiness at Run United 1 :)

I was really planning on running the 10K at Run United 1 on March 4, 2012. Well, when I saw the medal for the 21K finisher and how it would volt-in with the other medals you can get by finishing the long distance run for each Run United leg – well, it was the 21K for me.

I didn’t want to wake up too early for the 21K, so I parked at BGC and was there with my best girl, Jaimie at 3:45AM. Not too early and not too late. We went straight to the baggage buses and deposited our small bags with some change of clothes that we can pick up when we reach the finish line at Mall of Asia.

Run United 1

I was literally flabbergasted, with the number of runners in BGC. If I didn’t know it, it looked like there was another race event at BGC altogether. We opted to jump in the pit for wave B, hanged out in front of Riovana before it was our turn to go.

: Bib number 4000 and 3999. They did not register at the same time! What a coincidence

Wave B waiting to be unleashed.

I bought a couple of Honey Stinger energy gels and my iPhone for the whole run. No iPods. And set my Garmin to just show me the time. No pressure for this one and just want to revel in running from Bonifacio Global City, Taguig to Mall of Asia, Pasay City. This was my first point-to-point run. And taking pictures and looking around was my priority.

Going up Kalayaan Fly over

The sight GOING UP and the sheer number of runners on the Kalayaan flyover was surreal. And to think we were already part of wave B of the 21K. It was dark in some parts and we all had to be careful that we don’t sprain or hurt ourself this early in the run.

The water station right at the end of the flyover looked like a hurricane passed it. The first table gave in, but the water attendants still gave out water as much as they can. Powerade was as abundant as water in the whole route.

Going left to Roxas Blvd. from Buendia Avenue

Ultramarathoner and good friend Rod, pushed and kept me at pace all the way. The road on Buendia was also dark and there were angry motorists as usual. Our apologies if we might have ruined your early Sunday morning!

From Buendia, we turned left under the Roxas Blvd-Pasay flyover and went towards Baclaran. I thought the U-turn will be nearer Coastal road, but was just a few kilometers from the flyover. I don’t remember exactly where, but I remember the bananas that were still ample at the two water stations at that time.

On the Roxas Blvd. - Pasay Flyover

Life was still A okay at the U-turn right in front of Luneta. Even got a shot of Coach Rio who still obliged to having his picture taken, in the midst of overseeing it all.

Run United 1

I felt myself getting hungry and needing to go use the bathroom somewhere in kilometer 14-16. I persevered and thought I’d take an energy gel when I reach the water station in CCP.

Just 2K before my first gel. Hindi pa naman ganun ka-gutom.

When I saw CCP and Aliw theatre, I know the hardest part of the 21K is yet to come. Not in my best shape right now, but I know how my body reacts at this distances – so I was a bit prepared. After chugging down a Gintsing flavored Honey stinger, I needed a bathroom fast!

A mix of joggers and Run United 1 runners

I ran straight to Jollibee, hoping that I can use the bathroom – but it was still closed. I sucked it up and just ran anyway. And then in just a few meters, there it was! Clean portalets! Just in the nick of time! I let Rod go ahead without me.

So near and yet so far!

When I got back on the road and saw this sign, I though: just 2 more kilometers and you can EAT! I took it easy and was enjoying a powerade when Jinoe of Takbo.ph showed up from behind, and teased me as usual. It was nice to see old familiar faces in big races such as this one.

Run United 1

And then the next thing you know is the finish line was already there! It was definitely a different experience running from one city to another in one running event.

: Taken just after I crossed the Finish line

I humbly bowed and accepted the 21K medal from one of the marshalls at the end of the Finish line. It was a great way to start a Sunday, and I was tired – but not wasted. It was a wonderful feeling I have to say. I even saw a high school school mate after the finish! She and her hubby ran their first ever 5K race, no other than in Run United 1 – and they are based in Singapore!

Badette and I. Fresh from the race. Hindi nga lang fresh and face

Finished my 21K in 2:33:++ by my Garmin. Here are some photos from after the run. Hope you enjoyed the run as much as I did. Here are more outtakes right after my run: