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I am a Bicolano by birth and choice. By any standards, I am a slow runner but I like it that way. I look at running as a healthy and exciting way to make a difference. Together with my fellow runners from our family, school, office, and the community, we use running to give back.

SAFEGUARD 2XU INTERNATIONAL HALF MARATHON LEG 1: Likes & Dislike


   Likes:

1. The Claiming of Packets two days before the actual run of April 21, 2013 was hassle-free with a festive atmosphere. Plus  Zoot and 2XU were selling items at discounted price. This was a case of good “foreplay.”




2. Going green with BYOB. “Bring Your Own Bottle” was a big hit with many of the runners as it made us guilt-free.

  3.The people manning the water stations were extra friendly and proactive in helping us runners with our hydration and cooling needs.

   4.Good action shots of our running. Thanks to all those running photographers, specially runLittleking.




Dislike:

1.Despite all the pluses, I could not fathom yet why there was an empty feeling when, after crossing the finish line, I was informed by the race staff that there were no finisher medal or finisher shirt to be had by all.  I know there were no announcements from the organizers about these finisher stuffs, which are staple in other half marathons.  But the press release from this race encouraged, even pushed, participants to go better their finisher times, going for a sub-3 hour half marathon.  With such a challenge, isn’t it natural and right to expect a  reward that distinguishes those that succeeded from those that did not. The works of Dr. Ivan Pavlov, an awardee in Medicine (1904), on classical conditioning  loom in my mind.

I guess the leading minds behind  Safeguard 2XU Sole Racing envision this to be a different kind of racing. I guess I am not yet ready for that change. I still go for the old school   reward of medals and shirts.



2 comments:

WJ said...

i bet you have finally nursed your "hurt" heart, thus this article, bp. hahahahahaha. i just do hope the organizers will address your "dislike" part in their leg 2.

i have said my piece and i, too, will wait and see. :-)

BP said...

Thanks WJ. I must admit I was "fatigued" by this race. Healing is not yet done 100 percent but this is nearing completion.