"At least the rain has stopped." I thought to myself as we began what was sure to be a grueling morning. 14 Pinoy Ultra Runners and guest runners, plus 35+ kms from Elisco in Pateros to Quirino Grandstand and then back to the ABS-CBN compound, all for the benefit of the Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig foundation and their fund-raising marathon.
Whoops! Spoke to soon! A few minutes after we started in the pre-dawn darkness, the rain started to pour, 1st a few light droplets then heavy pouring rain which would then stop and bless us with cloudy but shower-less weather.
That was pretty much the story of our run.
Daylight began to break around the time we crossed under C-5 on JP Rizal and we had our first glance of the muddy, dirty, fast flowing Pasig river. I distinctly remember this spot in the race, because as we passed the Manila Water Office, a very cute girl rolled down her car window and cheered us on! Go! Go! Go! And go we did, to another 30+ kilometers!
Around the 13 or 14 kilometer mark, because of the intermittent rain, I started to get "hot spots"between my toes, oh shit, I can afford to get blisters! I have a duathlon coming up!
To be honest, I really wasn't planning to do the whole distance because I was planning to preserve my legs for the aforementioned duathlon.
"Should I quit now?" I thought to myself.
"And the whole world know you could hack it? I think not" Myself quickly retorted back.
Bruised feet will heal, broken egos do not!
Fine! I'll make it all the way to Quirino and then call it a day! I'll deal with the blisters if and when they become a problem.
However I did make one concession to my feet and decided to significantly drop my pace. It seemed to do the trick as soon the "hot spots" went away. I am happy to report that although I did have a few small blisters between my toes, as I write this, they have already healed and I should be more than ready by the race on Sunday!
I can't remember much about the rest of the run and the route, I spent of of it ticking off the kilometers by taking to fellow PUR members JoSaw, who entertained us with he stories of the infamous UMTD rce she just got back from, and team principal Neville Manaois, who just plain entertained us!
Right around the time we got pass the Ayala Bridge nearing Quirino, I up my pace a bit because I saw the group ahead of me. Being friends and rivals, I didn't want them to drop me before the finish so I decided to bridge the gap to them.
At this point, Carlo, who was part of our support crew during the 1st part of the run, decided to join me and we quickly made our way to the group ahead and we finished the 1st part of the run at Quirino together!
After the picture taking and as project leader Don Ubaldo and Team Principal Neville Manaois got interviewed by the press. I scarfed down some hot taho and corn on the cob and proceeded to make my
french exit.
I quickly changed in the van as the runners began to make their way out of Quirino and to ABS-CBN.
I was now on the other side of the van so to speak! Taking pictures, handing out drinks and trying to cheer the remaining runners on.
Most importantly, and this thought hit me during a sudden downpour, I was now high and dry in the van!
Hmmm, I could get used to this, maybe I should hang up the running shoes and take up support crewing full time! All the adventure! None of the pain!
Hehe! Naahhh, but the thought did cross my mind.
Anyway, long story short, the rest of them made their way to ABS-CBN, while we did our best to support them the whole way.
There, we had a short ceremony, hydrated and changed then made our way to Mr Kebab for a much deserved lunch!
Mmmmm, Mr Kebab!
Special Thanks to:
R.O.X and TNF
CBRE
and of course, Second Wind!
