I finished the 15K run in 2 hours and 18 minutes. I was included in the last 30 finishers when my goal was to finish it in 2 hours. Not that I didn't prepare for it because I did. I had my trial 15Ks twice before the run. But the thing is, I made a very bad mistake of drinking Mocha Java before the run with whip cream and all!! I'm sure you guys can already guess what happened. :)
That was really bad judgement on my part. I got to the venue by 7:30 pm I think. The last food intake I had was lunch time. I thought that I might run out of energy during the run with the gun starting at 8:15 pm so I decided to grab something before the run. I can't remember what made me get that Mocha Java.. the Php 50.00 discount??? Hehe.. the price I had to pay for that Php 50.00 off.. Here's what happened:
(1) I started off anxious and nervous because it was my first 15K;
(2) I ran with a buddy to whom I'm very thankful. We had an agreement that he will pace me for this race. He did more than that, he kept the sanity I had left for the last 3kms of the race. If not for him, I would have taken a cab to the finish line;
(3) Started the race with a pace of 8 minutes per kilometer. The idea is to conserve my energy and finish the race strong;
(4) 0 km to 12 km went a-ok... although I can really feel the distance of the 15K... when I saw that we were going inside McKinley Hill my jaw literally dropped but then I really felt I won't have any major problem with it except that I will have to slacken the pace even more..
(5) 12.1 km I felt my tummy started to grumble and eventually it started to ache pretty bad. I knew I had to go to the restroom to relieve myself but I just couldn't. I wanted to finish the race first otherwise I will finish last.
(6) Boy, it was really hard to run when your tummy is aching so I had to walk 2km or so. My running bud was nice enough to get the hydration belt from me just to lessen the pressure..
(7) I ran the remaining 1 km to the finish line. And..... as if I didn't have enough running I ran all the way to the restroom.. I picked the restroom of the joint where I bought the drink from because I felt they deserved it...no offense really... I was just grouchy that time..
(8) Relieved I went back to the finish line, apologized to my running bud cum running coach and scowled all the way home..
I was embarassed and disappointed. I regret having that Mocha Java. I felt that all the preparations I did went to waste because of that drink. My running bud tried to lift my spirits up saying that there are other races but I wanted to do a 2-hour on this particular race. I felt like not running anymore.. but then after two days I ran again... Hehe...
I registered again for the 15K today for the Rotarun. Next time I know better. Lessons learned:
(1) Mocha Java and Gatorade don't mix;
(2) Don't get too excited along the run because it will upset your stomach. Relax and just enjoy the run ( I think I got too excited when I saw the 12km mark );
(3) Not all runs will be good ones... there will be bad runs ... don't scowl but just run again...
(4) From my running bud: The important thing is I finished... not a DNF...
Looking forward to Rotarun.. and then Octoberun for 16K and a half by November... I'm registered for the half in Singapore for which I am preparing...
