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Blogs > lemonrock > peace be with u


lemonrock 68M
103 posts
7/5/2008 9:15 pm

Last Read:
7/6/2008 6:23 am
“Manila Half-Marathon Challenge”


“Manila Half-Marathon Challenge”

Although my alarm clock rang at four in the morning, I was so lazy to get up to set it again to ring at five. Still undecided whether to get up or remain asleep, I finally stood and dressed for my morning run. My plan this Sunday was to run at the “Manila Half-Marathon Challenge” which would start from the Quirino Grand Stand at Rizal Park. This is one of the activities of Araw ng Maynila, that had to be postponed because of Typhoon Frank.

Late for the starting line, I joined the race in Harrison Plaza,Vito Cruz, tagged as the 3 kilometer mark. I would run as a “BANDIDO,” the term for those runners who are not officially registered in the race. I talked to some of the runners who said they were flagged down at 5:30 a.m. Touring Manila, with all the vehicles beside me, and seeing the garbage sprawled all over the sidewalks, with even a dead cat on the gutter, and inhaling all the smoke coming from the speeding vehicles, I ironically thought, “WOW! This is FUN!!”

At the six-kilometer mark at Quirino Ave. approaching Taft Ave., one of the runners blurted out to me that they had already consumed 34 minutes, and telling me to proceed to Pandacan. Clueless about the detailed route, I just followed the group. We turned right at the flyover of Pandacan., where there was a nice view of the Pandacan Depo. In the middle of the flyover we turned back, and right again to Quirino Ave. going to Nagtahan Bridge.

At the top of that bridge, the 11 km. mark, I noticed a brown Toyota Innova. Its driver was waiting with a bottle of mineral water in his hand. I thought, “Here’s another big time runner with his alalays.” As we descended the Nagtahan Bridge, all the other runners in front of us were on the way up to the flyover, I uttered,”Cool!”

When I reached Gov. Forbes, traffic was heavy because of the race and, to my pleasant surprise, the famous Bald Runner was beside me. I just said “Hello!” to him, Gen. Narcise, and the brown Toyota I had described earlier was unknowingly to me, his car. As I turned right to Tayuman St., I saw some spectators on the sidewalk who may have been wondering who these runners were. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them thought we were crazy, gasping for breath and sweating for what? To nun-runners, ignorant of the satisfaction that running a marathon can bring, running may be just a waste of time and effort.

I was surprised when I reached Jose Abad Santos Avenue, the 16k mark, that despite almost losing my bearing and feeling very tired with my legs heavier and my feet hurting, I just kept on going. Not quitting is in my blood.

When I passed Jones Bridge and saw the sign “18k mark.” I thought, “ Wow 3km. more to go and I can rest!” As I passed this race’s checkpoints in Delpan Rotonda, one of the lady marshalls, yelled, “GO! TAY, GO!” I smiled. I can’t hide my age after all.

Finally! I reached the Rizal Park flagpole at 7:34 a.m. I walked 3 kilometers from Rizal Park to CCP in Vito Cruz as my cool down. What a fun run!

My next run, on Sunday, July 13, 2008, will be sponsored by the De La Salle alumni. The venue will be at The Fort. See you there!


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