The Doc Fit Finish Line

After 3 weeks of hard training, this week was my recovery week which meant less mileage and less workouts, but with a month to go before the Condura Run, I wanted to test my fitness levels and the Doc Fit 10 km race would provide the perfect opportunity. Based on my training runs, I knew I could do better than the 2009 PSE Bull Run’s 10 km time of 48:54, but I kept my target time to myself to avoid being disappointed in case I didn’t make it.

Unlike long run mornings, a 10km race took less time to ready myself and my gear. I didn’t need to eat as much breakfast nor did I need to prepare as much fluids for my hydration kit. Since I woke up early ( out of habit and excitement I guess), I took my time and even managed to surf the net while having my peanut butter sandwich and banana. I was originally planning to run in a technical T-shirt but with the warmer weather, I changed to a racing singlet. By the time I left the house, it was almost 5 a.m..

I got to UP at 5:15 a.m., plenty of time to look for Coach JoAr and get my race bib from him, do a 2km warm up run, stretch, and do some drills before the race. While waiting for my race bib, I saw Coach Rio harassed as usual, trying to make sure all runners have a good experience today. I also bumped into Amado, my early morning ULTRA partner and chatted with Doc Joe / The Loonyrunner who was looking for another podium finish after last week’s RuNEW 10 km 1st place finish. With 28 minutes to go until the 10km race ( according to the emcee), I began the routine we were taught at the Nike Running Clinic speed sessions. After a hurried stretching and drill session, I was in the starter’s area with less than 5 minutes to go. I was a little nervous but I had to push those thoughts away as the gun went off.

At the first kilometer, there is a a short downhill stretch and there is a tendency to jackrabbit the start but the past few races have taught me that it is going downhill where you pass the most runners so I let my legs take me as fast it could. However, the road evened out then inclined gradually towards Palma Hall and I end up with a 4:15 for the first kilometer. I was feeling tight as if I lacked stretching and I hoped that I would settle down and relax as the race progressed. I tried to maintain an even 4:40 as we went around the campus, but the uphill climb to the police station slowed me down to 5:00. I wanted to be conservative so that I would have something left for a finishing kick. When I made that final turn towards the finish line, I knew I was going to finish with a new PR but I had no idea what time it would be. As the timer came into view, I saw that I was still below 46 minutes and that gave me the extra energy to sprint the last 200 meters.

I crossed the finish line at 45:41 (official). It would be my best finish ever eclipsing my previous PR of 46:53 in the 2006 Adidas King of the Road. It was a great feeling knowing all the work and waking up early to train was paying off. I searched for Coach Rio who had guided and trained me since the Nike Clinic started in November to thank him and let him know that we are on track to hit my target time this coming Condura Half Marathon. If I had not said it enough at the time, thank you very much Coach!

Runners Lining Up for Their Freebies

 

The Race Organizers Hard at Work

 

Running Doctors, Dingdong and Joe with Returning Runner, Eric

Vener, Me, Roselle, and Raymund

The Man Who Made This Race and My Race Possible : Coach Rio de la Cruz

 I dedicate this race to Amiel Alcantara who passed away last February 24, 2009 in a tragic car accident at the Ateneo Grade School and to his family.