I Want to Run!: Haide Acuna

Showing posts with label Haide Acuna. Show all posts

Monday, October 18, 2010

First Unofficial Full Marathon and Beyond!

*First Unofficial Full Marathon and Beyond! 46.15 km 10:31 13:40 pace

Katol and Phalangging's longest run so far. The weather cooperated from the start of the run at around 4:40am till about 10am. We conquered the run from JY Square to Balamban proper with 17 uphills and downhills. Not to mention the 5-km Killer Downhill.

CERC members headed by Sir Ken Casquejo and Sir Raffy Uytiepo shared their water and sweet corn along the way. Doc Alex Junia also gave ice cold bottled water. They were on their way back to Cebu. Bumped with Ultra-Marathoner Atty. Haide Acuna at KM30 -- she ran from Balamban to Cebu.

Caught up with some Ungo Friends at the Columbia Masters Duathlon at KM33. Doc King2x and Adz glad gave their Gatorade while Belle, Coleen and Ace also gave cookies. We slowly trod some more uphills and downhills.

After reaching KM40, I was already in pain. My left phalanges are so painful while my right calf was like being pinched with 100 needles.

After seeing the 45-kilometer marker, I already had mixed emotions. My legs are so tired and weary. Water is scarce and the sun is still up. I was literally limping while walking at the last 5kms of the run. I was really tempted to ride the habal-habal as the drivers signaled if we are going to ride to Balamban.

I can't imagine myself running more than 10 freakin' hours! But after today's run I can definitely say that I can finish CCM 2011!

Special thanx to Doc Willie, Mommy Twinkle of DepEd, Gabby of Cebu Daily News, Alex, William, TTB Eric, RH Runners Rico and Creas, April and Ate Cora. Tito and 2 other runners went back to Cebu earlier in the run as they have engagements in the afternoon.

TTB Sighting: Wonder Colili covering the Duathlon event.

What can I say? Pain is temporary! Pride is Forever!

See slideshow of photos in my PicasaWeb: Balaman LSD

*A repost from my dailymile.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

WE MADE IT!

Our first 21K was a blast! Inspite of the pain that I'm suffering since Thursday, Nikia and I finally endured our first half-mary this morning at the 34th National Milo Marathon Cebu Eliminations.

Ang Milo Medal, bow!

The weather was great that early morning. Nikia and I were pacing with Jaymarl and Weng of Accenture Running Club on the first few kilometers. And the first 8K was just perfectly fine - pacing was good and hydration is abundant. Ungo supporters like Dan and Bikik and Louie were there to give us extra water and Gatorade. Tito and wife Irene as well as Axle and Richelle were there to take pictures and motivated us. I also had the chance to pace with Coleen on a few kilometers. Sir Jerry Chua and Popoy also paced with me for a few kilometers. I also saw Team Yellow Jersey’s Manny Camacho and his running mate.

Coach Jobert & Friend, Emily and Jay

The grueling part was the run to SRP - it was sooooooo freakin' HOT! After the turning point just a few hundred meters in Sugbu, I was able to catch up with Utramarathoner Atty. Haide Acuna. Aside from the fact that I was star-struck (as always!), I was still able to ask her the distance and she gladly said, "13.8 na! Gamay nalang! And it's less than 2hours pa!". So I decided to pace with her and she reminded me of the distance every 500 meters and motivating me to continue with the pace. Until we reached KM15 and she said, "6K nalang! You can do it!" That motivated me to push further. I also saw Micke Sumampong just a few meters away from me.

Pam with running mates

But the heat has vaporized all my energy so I had to walk and run and walk and run. Jack of ARC says he had cramps already. I also felt the pain again with my left calf. Atty. Haide sped off and my mind was telling me to just stop and just walk and think of not finishing the race. But after enduring the SRP route, I finally came to my senses again to finish the run. The waterboys also helped in refreshing my body – though all wet but at least refreshing!

Doc King2, Adz and Agatha

The last 3kms was the deciding factor. I looked at my watch and it’s just a few minutes away from the cut-off time. I had to push it. Fellow Ungo Runners shouted at me and motivated me to finish the race. On the last 100meters, Master Ungo Max Limpag gave me a 1-minute hand signal and encouraged me to rush until the finish line. I can feel goose pumps when the spectators, race officials, and some guards at the back entrance cheered at me.

Alas! A sight to behold! The finish line was just a few meters away. Coach Boying Milan at the sidelines says I can make it! I looked at the clock and I saw 1 hour and 30mins. Finally, I stepped on the mat at the finish line with 1:30:17. This is an unofficial time as we will still wait for the official results from Milo.

Milo snapshots

Much has been said but finishing my first half-marathon is one of the best things that happen to my life. And I’ve got a lot of people to thank for: to my family who always supported me all the way; Aijeigh who also ran with me in some occasions and even though she wasn’t at the finish line, she will always be in my heart; to the Ungo Runners headed by Max Limpag – they have been an inspiration!; the members of Team Tyts Bogdo or TTB and RH Runners – for all the motivations; members of Dailymile Team – for creating this running social site wherein we can track our mileage and training – a very big help in pushing for more miles; to the Dailymilers for the friendship, the fun, the endless postings of motivations – you guys are amazing! Special mention to Doc Porfie Amboang and Doc King2x Perez for assisting me when I so pale and almost fainted after the race. Thank you!

Of course, to Jah who gave me the strength and presence of mind to endure the pain and the heat; and for giving me the courage and the will to finish the race.

For the complete album, please see this link and click on the slideshow.

“But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Monday, June 28, 2010

Photoblog: the Planet Sports Run experience

Since I’m a nocturnal (I work at 12midnight till 9 in the morning), I wasn’t able to participate in the Planet Sports Run. So I decided to let Nikia take some rest and brought Mikaela instead to take some photos with me. Mikaela is my Nikon D70s DSLR camera. And yes! while Nikia has her own running blog, Mikaela has her own photoblog as well -- A Tribute to Mikaela

Mikaela took photos of runners and spectators alike. We then decided to write a photo story and post it in Nikia’s page. In this post, you’ll see different kinds of runners (and I created their own moniker. peace!).

So, one day at Planet Earth... runners converged at the starting line..

ok.. mag-exercise tayo tuwing umaga. tuwing umaga, tuwing uamaga...

Runners! Ready! Set.....

Go!!!

of course, the competitive runners are always up front....

and the rest follows...

so we wait...

and this cute kid is waiting too...

the Running Kiddos- early finishers of the 3K race... and they're KIDS!!!
darn, they're fast!

Simon Liosaboi (left) first to arrive (as expected!) in the 10K race. and the one on the right was one of the first finishers in the 5K race. very fast too!