Almost but not quite

While waiting for the official result, thought of posting this blog while it’s still fresh from my memory.

I finished my 3^rd Milo Marathon 21K yesterday but failed to accomplish my aimed sub-2 finish on KAI sandals.

 
Last week, I hesitated on the idea of running the whole route on sandals.  Not just because it might rain on the race day but also because I have never practiced running more than 15K on KAI.   

So when I bought my pair of running shoes, I was thinking of breaking it in on the next day.   It did go well except that I had a blister on 3^rd finger of my right foot.  That factored much in my decision: Rain or Shine I will be running on my sandal.
 
A night before the run, it was raining non-stop.  Instead of getting discouraged, I focused on things I have control of.  I had my carbo-loading, , had my hair done, placed my race bib on the shirt that I be wearing and lastly, slept earlier than usual.

courtesy of Linggam Mastuh!!!

 
Race day!!!

Luckily, the rain stopped.  I had a cup of coffee to have a squeaky-clean bowel. JJJ  Arrived at the race venue with my wife and brother half an hour before gun time.  I still had time to stretch my resting muscles and to warm up.  I started faster that my usual 1^stK of my practice.  I instantly realized that water from the damp road started to get in between the sole of my right foot and the sandal.  This distracted me but I kept my composure and kept on going.  At the 2^nd water station, I had to ask for a tissue paper from the marshals to wipe off my wet foot.  However, I was still getting uncomfortable and was thinking on buying a rag but I only have a 100-piso bill which might take time if the seller don’t have a change.  Luckily, I spied a medic station in Mabolo area.  How could this guy be of help to me?.  Before the turning point I finally figured out that a gauze cloth would be possible.  So when I reached that station again, I wasted no time and asked him for a gauze cloth He might find out that I’ll be using it just to wipe off my foot.  That was just a band aid solution that went perfectly useful.  The water still keep on going in but at least I could easily wipe them off without wasting so much time.

 10K (BTC area)

I overheard a guy saying that they were already 1 hr and  2 mins on the race.  If I won’t increase my pace I would surely miss the 2 hour plan.  By this time, I was thinking of doing negative split.  So I increased my pace.  When I reach the 1^st half of the route, I was feeling much better and lighter but did not know how long I could keep up the faster pace.

 More uphills

If you’re familiar with the route, you won’t be happy with the odds.  You’re trying to beat the time but here comes the uphills from TESDA going to Lahug Baranggay Hall.  That’s a 2KM stretch.  But again, walking or slowing down was not an option.

 FINISH LINE

I did pass more than 200 runners from the time that I did the negative split.  But then I failed to achieve my goal of a sub-2 finish.  I clocked at an unofficial time of 2:07 hrs (we’re at the last pack so I am expectin a faster time than this).  IT WAS CLOSE BUT NOT QUITE.  Until next Milo Marathon 21K.

 

34th Milo Marathon Cebu Elim               :               2:15:42

35th Milo Marathon Cebu Elim              :               2:17:10
36th Milo Marathon Cebu Elim              :               2:05:??