RUN FOR YOUR HEART

Last Sunday, February 12, 2012, I got to join a fun run in Legaspi City called “Run for Your Heart”.  It was organized by the Bicol Road Runners Club.  Distances were 5 kms and 16 kms.

Registering for the Run for Your Heart at the Pacific Mall

Like all of the running events I have joined in Legaspi City, thus far, this fun run proved to be a surprising adventure.  While  Ridge Run in March 2011 and Mayon Trail Run in October 2011 surprised me with  challenging terrain, this fun run surprised me with the kind of weather condition we would be running in.  I mean, normally we don’t expect stormy rains during a February fun run,  but   the brave and game participants of the “Run for Your Heart” were drenched by blinding rain from start to finish.

Don’t get me wrong.  I do enjoy very much running in Legaspi City.  For one, the Mayon Volcano scenery  is spectacular.  More importantly, the runners are friendly and hospitable.  At the starting area in Penaranda Park, in front of the St. Gregory Church, I got to converse with several Bicolano runners prior to the race, and they never made me feel that  I am a stranger.  I saw and got to talk to familiar faces like   Mario Maglinao,  Mau Gines  and  Missy Hilario.  But I also got to meet new faces .  Two of them were Doris Alcazar and Cherry Palles, both officers of the Bicol Road Runners Club. Small world indeed because I found out that Doris is a relative from Iriga City.  Another one I got to meet is Myn Sta. Ana who was running her first 16-km race.  

With Doris Alcazar, president of the Bicol Road Runners Club

With Missy Hilario, Councilor  of Sto. Domingo

With Mario Maglinao, winner of the 16-km race

Mau Gines with friends --- Elvie and Joy

With Myn Sta. Ana, one of the organizers of Cagsawa Trail Run scheduled for February 26

 

A lot of talking and happiness even before the start of the race.  And as it turns out, even the actual 16-km race had a lot to offer.  From start at past 6 a.m. to finish of past 8 a.m. for me, it was raining a lot.  Good thing, I was wearing my Asics Cumulus 13 and this running shoe did not disappoint me.  While running on the many uphill and downhill portions of the race, I never felt afraid that I would slide and fall.  

The uphill and downhill portions of the race gave way to the relatively flat and newly-built Legaspi Boulevard.  But this did not mean that the race would be less exciting.  Running along the Legaspi Boulevard on that Sunday morning was a thrill because you were running with rough waves by your right side and the rains seemed to get stronger at that stage.  The challenge for this race was not the lack of water but the abundance of water.  Running in a heavy rain was like being subjected to a water torture where a runner had to work hard at having his mouth closed so that the water would not come in. 

Wet and unpaved road portion makes for an exciting fun run in the rain

Running in the blinding rain along Legaspi Boulevard

   

The end of the Legaspi Boulevard is the Embarcadero de Legaspi and from there the remaining portion of the race passed thru the national road back to the start/finish area in Penaranda Park.  It was still raining and the rain spurred me on to have a strong finish.

About to cross the finish line

My time in this 16-km is 2 hours 9 minutes.  Good, I think , for being the 3^rd to the last among the 35 finishers of the 16-km race.   Provincial runners are hospitable and friendly but this does not mean that they are any less competitive. Plus, my time is indeed very slow.  But that is the way it is and that is the way  I like it.  Even if I wanted to go fast, I really could not go fast as it would mean more muscle pain and cramps for me.  But running slow has its benefits.  By running slow, I get to enjoy the scenery more.  By running slow, I get to converse and make friends with fellow runners.  By running slow, I get to enjoy more the run.  I am happy being a penguin.

The top 3 finishers of the 16-km race are as follow:

1.       Mario Maglinao -      56 minutes

2.       Martin Balaybo -       1 hour 1 minute

3.       Miguel Caritas  -       1 hour 2 minutes

The top 3 finishers of the 5-km race (75 finishers) are as follow:

1.       Johnfred Abenir -    18 minutes 5 seconds

2.       Marino Lagyap   -    18 minutes 12 seconds

3.       Ernie Payong      -    18 minutes 29 seconds

Top 3 finishers of the 16-km race with Bicol Road Runners Club officers

Congratulations to the Bicol Road Runners Club on an  exciting fun run – Run for Your Heart! Good luck to the Bicol Road Runners Club on their future running events, including the  March 31, 2012 fun run and fun ride in Legaspi City in observance of Earth Hour.