PSE Bull Run 2014: A 21k Sub-1:50 At Last!

I vowed revenge after my first ever DNF at the 2013 edition of PSE Bull Run. 2014's really shaping up to be my year for running; I shattered my long standing 21k PR from Milo Finals 2011 (1:51:08) with a 1:48:07 at PSE Bull Run 2014! I still can't believe it, but my recent ultramarathon definitely increased my endurance and speed.

Registration Process:
I find the reg process quite weird - I registered online via the SM Tickets website. I thought that was it after I made the credit card payment. But no. After reading my confirmation email, it turned out I just received a claim voucher, which I should print and bring along with me to an SM Cinema branch, to get my race kit claim stub. That claim stub, I should bring with me during race kit claiming period. Quite a hassle if you ask me.

The REAL Race Kit Claim Stub

The Race:

The route was quite tough, with the usual Kalayaan flyover and the dreaded hilly part of Lawton Avenue. Actually, I didn't know what to expect of the race. I knew I was on recovery mode post-LU2TA, but at the back of my mind I wanted a strong finish. The race had a number of running teams vying for the fastest group category. The speed of competing runners will be contagious.

PSE Bull Run 2014 21k race map

I initially paced with Syril during the early part of the race, though he went ahead as I could not catch up with his usual "fast start" pace. I usually "warm-up" after the first 3 to 5 kilometers.

Me and Prof Syril - Photo courtesy of We Run For Good Health

Feeling strong and in good race condition, I picked up my pace. The weather's cool and it's not that crowded. Again that little voice inside my head is saying it's a good day for a PR. My Soleus GPS watch no longer locks a signal so I can't even monitor the distance nor my pace. I just had to keep running and hope for the best.

Action shot courtesy of Red Knight

With a 4am race start, I was surprised to approach the finish line with the sun not even fully up, which only means one thing - I finished fast. And ecstatic I was as I saw the timer displaying 1:48! My dream sub-1:50 finally became a reality! A recovery 21k run turned 21k personal best! TYL!

Post-Race:
I had some time to stroll around with still a few people at the race village. Grabbed my lootbag (with the finisher medal inside), and then went back to my car to change and get my camera. After my usual social media update, I walked back to the race village for the usual meet-up with friends. And so let's go on with the photos:

Actor Joem Bascon spotted! He ran in the 16km category.

With the winning members of the fastest team category - The PowerPuff Boys! Idols!

With officemate, photographer and runner friend Lem

Of course, I had to take a photo with Runningshield Patrick Concepcion. He's nursing an injury so he's not on race mode (But still fast!)

With Team Alpha1 / Team Beta2 teammate Barefootdaves

Surrounded by Team Titans members

With my running buddy Ryan (What the hell happened to my medal here?!)

With Vincent, who ran LU2TA 60km as well

With Speedy Titan Rolly and Prof Syril

Post-race breakfast with Team Titans - Rolly, Hazielle, Paul, Ryan (Mother Lily all the way back center)

Lesson learned: A DNF in a race should never dishearten anyone. You can try again and come back stronger.

1 hour, 48 minutes, 7 seconds. Yes, I'm a bull.

Kudos to Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc for staging the race's 10th edition.

(Rainy) Sole Racing

Slowly getting my blog backlogs done.

I had the opportunity again to run in the second leg of the Safeguard-2XU Sole Racing series, this time moving to a new race location - SM Mall of Asia, last 18th of August. It had the same setup as the first leg - a race kit claiming expo which doubles as the race village come race day.

August 16-17: Race Kit Claiming

I was one of the first (excited) people who came to SM Mall of Asia's Music Hall to claim my kit and my fellow blogger friends'. I was so early, some of the booths were still being prepared the time I arrived. As usual, claiming was hassle-free, the staff were very friendly and approachable, and they even took time to counter-check each of the contents of the race kits in front of whoever's claiming them. I had the chance to have a quick chat with Runrio's Ally Lim before heading out, carrying 4 heavy race kit bags back to my car - mine, CJ's, Thirdy's and Rolly's.  

Race Kit Claiming at SM Mall of Asia's Music Hall

Race Kit Contents

August 18: Race Day
Race day is red and black day! Having joined Leg 1, I had the 2XU calf compressions. This leg, they gave away the 2XU sunvisor. I also purchased my third pair of Thorlos running socks (Thorlos 84N), the model which guarantees maximum cushioning, and I'm so excited to test run it on this event.

Red and Black! Alpha-mode ON!

Assembly time was 3am, with gun start slated at 4am. It was drizzling that early Sunday morning but nothing could stop runners from enjoying a good 21km race.

With fellow early bird Patrick "Runningshield" Concepcion

Met my favorite running couple Wes and Mish - they're part of the Six:30 Loveliest Team, competing in the Fastest Team Challenge

The 21km race route was mostly flat - a perfect PR course!

I had my usual target of a sub-2 half marathon, but with the flat course, I was hoping a sub-1:55. But alas, by the time runners reached the 6 to 7KM mark at Roxas Boulevard, it rained! Not just your ordinary rain, but a rain so hard visibility was low. I had races before where it rained but not like this. Surprisingly, I enjoyed it. It was a perfect reason to skip hydration stations and keep on running. I was a bit concerned though that with wet shoes and wet socks, the dreaded blisters would come next. Fortunately, I was wearing Thorlos, and it delivered as expected - no blisters whatsoever!

Half-way point. Wet as hell!

The race, with its limited participants (a thousand runners), is as intimate as it could get. That for me is the best feature of Sole Racing. It's also a venue wherein you could see mostly seasoned runners participating, so you'll get the adrenaline rush to go faster.

Before the final right turn at Seaside Drive

Almost at the finish! Tired. Wrong running form. Haha!

Yay, I managed to still do a sub-2! 1:59:48 to be exact, haha! Amid the heavy and wet shoes, I'm contented with my results and still consider it an achievement. Of course, post-race is the time to meet runner friends and take snaps.

With Thirdy, Rolly and Coach Mherlz

With Team Alpha1 teammate Bry FFS

With Wesley, JP, Rolly and Gilbert - the fast bunch

We stayed for the awarding ceremonies and the raffle. Thirdy was one lucky guy, winning a Timex watch in the raffle. I had no doubt Six:30 Loveliest Team would bag the Fastest Team Challenge award. When they went on stage to receive their trophy, I was a bit envious. I wish my running team's still active. But everyone has their valid reasons to be on a hiatus so it's no big deal. I'm just emo. Hehe!

With Rikki, Rolly, Mommy Vimz and Thirdy

Six:30 Loveliest - Fastest Team Challenge Winners! Congratulations!

Post-race breakfast at Chowking with the usual suspects

I placed 128th out of 825 21km finishers. Since the results released were based on gun time, I plugged in the data at MS Excel and created my version based on chip time. Haha, excel geek. I then posted below image on FB, including results from celebrities and runner friends.

Consistently doing a sub-2 weee!

Leg 3 is on October 27 at Nuvali! Surprise, surprise!

Slimmerun 2013: What? No Water?!

It's normal for runners to complain if race events only offer water and not energy drinks. This time it's different. Slimmerun 2013 did not have any water on the hydration stations. Vitwater (that pink variant) was offered instead (take note: warm Vitwater). On a particularly hot summer day wherein runners are used to pouring cold water on their heads to lower their body temperature, it was tough for me to adjust to new hydration and water-less stations. To add insult to injury, when I asked one of the marshals manning the hydration station if there's any water available, I got the response "Tubig din po yan." I just continued running since I might regret what comes out next on my mouth. Haha!

Flashback a bit, I registered for Slimmerun since it's one of the only few races this May that offered 21k. RU2 is just around the corner and I needed mileage badly. I was hesitant because there's not much hype on this event, with very poor marketing and a very late publication of the race route. If you read comments on blogs and social media sites requesting for race information, zero response was received from the organizers.

Desperate for mileage, Slimmerun is a go. Plan is to complete 25k - pre-race of 4k and race 21k. I brought my hydration bottle with me just to be sure.

Met Sir Patrick Concepcion (a.k.a Runningshield) early at the parking area. He thought it was an early gun start.

Another confusing part of the race is its 21k route. Instead of the usual routes covering 21k straightforward, the Slimmerun has a section wherein you need to do a loop. It was weird, and mentally challenging - as you near the finish area, you need to take a u-turn and go back to Bonifacio High Street, then re-trace the path you took going to the finish line. Saw a lot of confused runners due to this and there might have been runners who made a shortcut accidentally if they missed the crucial turns.

The weird 21k race route

Some other race observations and feedback:
- Hydration station between the 14km-15km mark ran out of Vitwater at the early part of the race. It was a busy section of the route as all categories are passing by so Vitwater supply at that area should have been planned better. At this part, I just gave up on my attempt to even get a decent time on the race as I was afraid of getting dehydrated. I slowed down and alternated walks until the next hydration station which was another kilometer or two.
- Since there were really no announcements made by the organizers if there will be finisher medals, shirts or loot bags in store for runners, it was bit of a surprise when 21k runners were greeted at the finish line with a medal and a loot bag. I guess it's a plus (shrugs).
- From a runner I follow in Twitter: @jpnavarrete Slimmers is all biceps, and no brains. Worst run ever!
- From a runner friend Mark Labit: He posted a picture in Facebook with the following caption: "Expired freebie in a recently concluded fun run." A box of C-Lium Fiber in the loot bag had an expiration date of January 2012. Wow!

Almost at the finish!

Still managed to smile at the finish line.

With Ms Mars of Pinoyfitness

With barefoot runner Loyce

Well, I'm still thankful I was able to log 25 kilometers today. A pre-race 4km (28:24) and a disappointing 21km (2:09:02), totaling 25 kilometers (2:37:26).

Slimmer's World International and Slimmerun, you better shape up next year or else you're gonna lose more runners! (As if today's race had lots, hehe!)

My Top 10 Favorite Blog Posts

When I was just new to running (and I haven't even started blogging my own race experiences), one of the things I like doing is blog-hopping. Read an article, check out a blogger's blog roll, and keep on clicking links to the different runner blog sites. I particularly like reading race experiences, and there are just some bloggers who write so effectively that I almost feel I was with them.

I listed my top 10 favorite blog posts below (I have more favorites though), with links to their original articles, which I'm sure you'll enjoy reading too.

10. Run Adobo King
Top 10 Random Putik Moments @ Merrell Adventure Run 2012
http://runadoboking.wordpress.com/2012/06/09/top-10-random-putik-moments-merrell-adventure-run-2012/
- Such a fun blog post of CJ and fellow Pinoy Exchange members retelling his muddy experience in the Merrell Run! Best part: the shower photo.

9. By Sheer Will

IronWill (First of Two Parts)

http://sheerwill.blogspot.com/2010/08/ironwill-first-of-two-parts.html

- One of my favorite bloggers, his writing style just amuses me. This post tells Enrico Villanueva's Cobra 70.3 Ironman journey. I'm not into multi-sport, but this post has drawn me into CamSur experience.

8. Running Fatboy
Bataan Death March Ultramarathon 2013 Edition
http://runningfatboy.blogspot.com/2013/03/bataan-death-march-ultramarathon-2013.html
- Dennis might have been DQed on the recent BDM 102 for not meeting the 17-hour cutoff, but I salute him for still finishing what he started. Next year, he'll have his revenge.

7. Kulit Runner

Measurement of a Celebrity

http://kulitrunner.wordpress.com/2010/03/21/measurement-of-a-celebrity/

- I read this post when I was still a running newbie. Coach Rio eventually became a name everyone knew in the running community. Mommy Vimz enumerated the signs on Coach Rio's new celebrity status.

6. Pambansang Legs
Payola Incorporated
http://pambansanglegs.wordpress.com/2012/01/18/payola-incorporated/
- I remember the term "payola" being frequently mentioned by bloggers when I first got invited on running event launches. Eman wrote his sentiments on bloggers being accused of being paid just to attend.

5. Running Free Manila

Before You Lead You Must Follow, How To Be A Pacer

http://runningfreemanila.com/2013/03/18/before-you-lead-you-must-follow-how-to-be-a-pacer/

- I can so relate to Allan's observations on being a race pacer. I've paced a number of runners already so this post by RFM became one of my instant favorites.

4. The Bull Runner
Thank You!
http://thebullrunner.com/2010/05/thank-you/
- Jaymie Pizarro's post on the first ever TBR Dream Marathon. This inspired me to join and register for the 2011 edition, wherein I wasn't able to run due to a 3-month business trip. TBRDM became a sought-after event for marathon virgins and second-timers.

3. Life Begins at 50

Living the Dream in Nuvali (TBR Dream Marathon in Pictures)

http://norberta.blogspot.com/2010/05/living-dream-in-nuvali-tbr-dream.html

- A very inspiring post from Nora, a mom on her 50s - she did the marathon on TBRDM 2010. She did her 2nd marathon in TBRDM 2012, and I personally witnessed her "dancing queen" moment when she passed by one of the support stations. I'm her fan!

2. Runningshield
Tokyo Marathon 2012
http://runningshield.blogspot.com/2012/03/tokyo-marathon-2012.html
- My running idol, Patrick Concepcion, did the Tokyo Marathon last 2012. This post inspired me to push my luck this 2013 and run in one of the best marathon destinations in the world.

1. takbo.ph

Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon: My 2nd Full Marathon

http://www.takbo.ph/2010/03/standard-chartered-hong-kong-marathon-my-2nd-full-marathon/

- Jinoe's blow-by-blow account of his Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon experience. By the time I got to reading the part when he was sprinting to make it to the cut-off, I was literally gasping for air. That's how effective his post was.

Thank God for bloggers who inspire!

Safeguard-2XU Sole Racing: The Bomb!

With the running boom nowadays, its very difficult to be part of a race where you wouldn't push, shove and squeeze your way through a sheer number of runners. Runrio's Sole Racing last April 21 is one of the few intimate races every runner dreams of.

April 19 - Race Kit Claiming

The 3-day race kit claiming event happened at 9th avenue, Bonifacio Global City. The claiming was quick and well-organized; took me not more than 5 minutes to get my hands on the tote bag containing my race bib, hydration bottle, 2XU calf compressions and some goodies from Safeguard.

Race kit claiming tent at 9th avenue

Well-organized booths and friendly staff

The race kit contents

April 21 - Race Day

With an early 4am gun start, I was at the venue before 3am to get a good parking slot. I had time to warm-up and meet with fellow bloggers and runner friends. Noticed a lot of security and bouncers at the assembly area. With the recent Boston Marathon bombing, I expected security measures will be increased. There were even a number of security personnel with accompanying bomb-sniffing dogs! Marshals were strictly checking runners' race bibs and if they're carrying a hydration bottle with them.

As expected, a lot of photographers were walking around and documenting the event through their cameras. We were camera-ready, of course.

Photo courtesy of Phillip BF: Run Adobo King, Thirdy Lopez, Deemen Runner, Speedy Titan

After the national anthem and a short prayer, runners were then briefed on the race route, which made good use of BGC's streets before heading out to Buendia flyover then back. The route was quite a challenge due to its many turns.

The 21k race route

As we were sent off, I couldn't help but complain on how humid it was. HUMID. I was sweating like there's no tomorrow but I was feeling great. I had my hydration bottle on my left hand, trying from time to time to switch it to the right but for some weird reason, I prefer to hold it with my left hand. Rolly and I were pacing each other at the first few kilometers of the race, but I was eventually on my own the latter part.

Photo taken by Phillip BF while we were all running: Sweaty me!

The best part of the race is how clean the race route is all throughout. There were no wasted hydration cups on the street. Hydration stations were manned by marshals carrying pitchers (of water and Gatorade) and runners just had to refill their bottles. Marshals were even kind enough to pour water on runners' heads to cool them down as they pass the hydration stations.

I kept a constant pace and my strategy was I would not look at my GPS watch and just surprise myself at KM20.

At the Buendia flyover. On my way back. 

With 3 kilometers left, Runningshield Patrick Concepcion passed by with his usual negative split pace. He made me eat dust again. Haha!

Upon seeing the KM20 marker, I looked at my watch and it registered 1:53. I can do a sub-2! Yay! I took it easy since I knew whatever happens, I can bag that sub-2.

Almost at the finish line!

I crossed the finish line with an official chip time of 1:58:54.

Another great thing about this race is how intimate it was. With only a thousand runners in attendance and only one race category of 21km, it was easy to bump into a familiar face every once in a while. And I only have the photos below as proof of how many friends I met during that day.

With Vener Roldan and Sir Patrick Concepcion

With Zoot Runner of the Day JP and Rolly 

With Loyce and Thirdy

With my running idol Patrick "Runningshield" Concepcion

With the man who conceptualized this race - Coach Rio!

With Sir Rene "Jazz Runner" and Bee "Kamote Runner"

With Barefoot Daves

Doing the superposition with running couple Tey and Earl

With beauty queen Miriam Quiambao

The Quartet is complete again!

With Mommy Vimz "Kulitrunner" and Allan "Running Free Manila"

We had our post-race breakfast at Banapple Market Market.

At Banapple

2 days later, official race results were released. I ranked 97th among 977 runners, which translates to top 9.9% overall. Happy with my results!

Leg 2 of Sole Racing happens on the 18th of August.