Our small group of 10 brave and intrepid runners from Pacita Laguna arrived in the assembly time at around 4:40am. We are at the mercy of our driver Jun and my companions were: Henry, Jeff, Rigo, Phillip, Conrad, Amading, Vic, Willy and Jt.
At the starting line, I saw and conversed very briefly with the High Altitude and run unltd, then the superb Baldrunner greeted me and reminded me to get my race packet etc. for the Bataan 102k, Bugobugo was also there and we shook hands as a gesture of respect.
I started this race running with the baldrunner and Bugobugo..I’m with their company until the first 13 minutes of my race and then when I heard that my heart rate monitor watch “beeps”, I looked and I saw that it’s already 237, (that’s too high and it’s very alarming!) and so I decided to slow down a little bit. I’m now conscious with the data on my watch, for after running 32-37 more minutes, the heart rate was still over 220. What’s wrong with my watch?Am I running too fast and my heart needed some relaxation? Or I just ignore it and be with the Baldrunner again? I prayed and asked for the Lord’s guidance. I heeded the first choice, I need to relax and when my heart rate recovered at the normal rate, I’m almost at the turn around (10.5 kms) on top of the Skyway, but I knew Baldrunner and his company were already some 2-3 kilometers ahead of me and it’s almost impossible for me to catch them up.
I increased my speed and overtook some runners, the likes of “the foreignrunner” whom I have a brief chat, and the “Runningshield” whom I greeted.
Approaching the last 4 kms of the race and I’m now at the peak of running when I suddenly experienced some burning sensation on my left foot. Ohhhh, I have blisters! I got this when I bathed-in at a firetruck at the skyway and my shoes got wet, and water penetrated inside, affecting my socks, causing blisters.
I reached the finish line with a time of 1 hour 54 minutes and 49 seconds. Some of the data based on my HRM watch were: in zone 1.24, average hour 178, peak hour 237, minimum hour 118, total calories 1,849, I was not able to beat my time target though of 1 hour and 45 minutes but indeed, it was a nice race!
There were two factors that affected the result of this race other than those I mentioned:
1. My “long-bike” yesterday of 2 hours and 35 minutes which I discussed in one of my post here yesterday. Approaching the last 2 kms, I have this cramps and can’t get my last kick. I knew it was the result of that.
2. Insufficient sleep. I went to bed at 9:05 pm and got-up at 12:30am. I have to cook and eat a light meal first before we leave at 3:30am.
However, The race was well coordinated…water was abundant and placed at the strategic areas, the starting time was followed, markers were posted, runners were jolly, freebies were given, medal was impressive, marshalls wearing singlets and very attentive and the route so spectacular and magnificent.
What more can I say? Ahhhh…those musicians, they set up the tune and awaken the mood of each runners…that was awesome! And those two firetrucks which sprinkled water to our already tired and weary bodies-they were heaven sent! (minus the blisters).
I’m giving this race a 100% rating! ( two thumbs up!)
Mr. Biscocho and the rest of your team, you did it once again. Congratulations!!!
Here are some memories of this event in the viewpoint of runnerforchrist:
Arriving too early…with Jeff and Amading.
taking this pic before the race…
this pic was taken some 2 minutes after I reached the finish line…
Henry…the fastest in my group with a time of 1 hour 37 minutes.
Amading at the finish line.
Me at the finish line and this Skyway Run was my 53rd racing events with the time of 1 hour 54 minutes and 49 seconds.
I’m so thankful for our God for giving me the strength to finish this race without any injury…that was indeed a big blessing already!
God bless you and see you at Bataan 102!
“Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day!” -2 Corinthians 4:16
runnerforchrist 
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