2nd Year Running Anniversary, new 5K PR
Today is my 2nd year anniversary of consistent running (except for the ITBS, which should lessen it to 1.5years) and have celebrated it with a new 5K PR in the Phil Star Celebrity Run. I was aiming to beat Luis aka Gingerbreadrunning’s time of 22’50”. Why? Because he used to be a really slower runner than me and then all of a sudden he’s broken my 5K PR of 23minutes. He’s currently chasing his idol Piolo Pascual’s 10K time of 47’50”, so I though why not chase Luis’ 5K time.
For the past 3 weeks I was able to successfully start a solid 5K program that involved 6 to 8×400meter intervals and some tough 35minute tempo runs, and a long run of 9miles. Last just last week I was able to run a total of 30miles (48Kms). This week I had a mild fever, probably due to overtraining, but recovered quickly 2days before the race. So I decided to monitor my progress with this race, and maybe adjust some of my training pace and volume depending on this progress.
I warmed-up with 1.5mile jog around BHS before the race, and when I was done, I was at the back of the 5K crowd when the gun started. I therefore didn’t have good position like I used to, and had to struggle going to the starting line and started my watch. Because of the huge crowd, I had to run to the sidewalk and sprinted to overtake a lot of runners. When I felt the lactic acid burn, I realized I needed to calm down and go into my planned pace.
The whole race my body seems to have improved a lot since starting the speedwork and tempo run programs. I had a few side stitches but they went out quickly when I changed my breathing pattern. My knees didn’t have any problem going downhill, and ran them as fast as I could but still reserving my energy for the final uphill. The turnaround felt a little too far, and my split showed 11minutes at the turnaround point, so I figured a 22minute 5K. On the way back, it felt tough going uphill, had to go through a lot of slower 10K runners, and then I’ve decided to run on the “island” of McKinley road. Finally, my lungs were all burning for the last 1.5kms, felt tempted to give up but kept telling myself to enjoy the pain. Enjoy the pain. After all, this was what 5K running is all about, running as fast as we could until we’re breathless with our lungs and legs burning, knowing it would be all over soon. The downhill straightway to the finishline was easy, I believe I reached the finishline at 23 or 24minutes, but the garmin showed 5.21Kms. I knew the organizers messed-up again.
5K to 5.21K. Organizers failed to properly place the U-turn, a common problem in races.
So I calculated my 5K split, and it was 22′30″, new PR for me, considering the course wasn’t flat at all, and it was tougher because of the extra distance.
Then I used the Garmin to Excel technique to better analyze in Full HD 1080 (just kidding) my new 5K PR, here are the results:
In comparison, here’s my first jogging 2years ago when I decided I should run again. Just an easy relaxed run.
Finally, here are the photos of the Celebrity Run:
Beth receiving jogging headband from Yahoo!
Celebrities Rico and Vener showing some holiday spirit.
Some of my officemate newbie runners
my ex-officemates
Beth, the most beautiful 21K Celebrity runner enjoying her new ipod nano.
Ronnie, a celebrity runner for Christ
Celebrity Idol Sherwin Batobara
Bull Runner, arguably the most famous celebrity in the race.
Luis aka Gingerbread finishing a sub-i2runner 21K
Bryan, the Biggest Loser Winner, finishing a sub2hour 21K
Sam taking an easy jogging finish after running a fast sub2hour 21K
Comments (18)
Sub-GBM down, Sub-Natz down!
We’re just so happy to see you back on the road again my friend, parang ang tagal mo nawala. At least you can run at about 90-95% already, I hope the ITBS is gone for good! Lakas ni Beth ah! 
Congratssss!
Thanks idol. Congrats for the subi2runner 21K! I’m no longer going to chase you in that distance, you’ve really improved yourself years ahead of schedule. I hope you break you idol Piolo’s 10K someday. But watch-out, he could also be improving and maybe run a sub45min 10K someday!
Thanks for the pic natz.
My next target after a sub-Piolo is do a sub-Natz for 5k nman hehehehe. Sub-Sam sounds ugly though…
hahaha didn’t know may unofficial photovendo pala at the finish.
thanks, natz.
wow! you’re so techie about the garmin details na!
ganyan siguro talaga pag matagal nang halimaw. hehe
Congrats for the Sub-GBM PR!
I like the Garmin Full HD analysis. hehehe
Sam, bring it on! Try natin minsan mag fast 5K ulit. Hehehe.
Bryan, syempre I enjoy taking pictures of running takbo.ph, kahit camera phone lang.
Neil, thanks, idea natin ni Patrick yang Garmin to Excel Full HD analysis! Hehehe. Apir!!!
Congrats Natz!!!
P. S. Happy Runnerversary
Hi Natz, congrats on the 5K PB! What’s the next challenge? I’m running Dubai Marathon next month, Haile’s going for the World Record again at that race! I’m well underprepared again so just joining for fun not going for the World Record this time haha!
PS Happy Christmas to you and Beth ! Hope to chat with you soon on messenger / shoutbox.
congrats on your new 5K PR & happy 2nd year anniversary.
congratulations and more years of running to come. make running a way of life
Hi Alfred, Thanks! Runnerversary is a new word! hehehe. Too bad I wasn’t able to talk to you much yesterday.
Hi Dermot, Merry Christmas to you and to your family too! Yes we should chat again, how about in Facebook? I am still training for the 5K, I’m aiming the sub-20min for 2010. Not sure if I could do it, I hope I can and I’ll do my best. This is one of the races I’m using to see if I’m improving. Got to work on the fast intervals, and keep the mileage high. How, good luck to your Dubai marathon, I believe you’ll do great, maybe 3:15 or 3:30 this time? I hope you’ll meet Haile before and after he breaks his record. But he’s getting older, so he’s a real inspiration to us aging runners.
Sir Jovie, Thank you and I hope to break a lot more 5K PR’s next year. Nice chatting with you yesterday. Hope your calf would heal soon so you’ll continue inspiring us with your running
Sir Patrick, Thanks! I hope to continue running like you’ve done for 3decades and still look 3decades younger
Astig kayong lahat! Congratulations!
Congrats Natz on your running anniversary and new PR! Hmmm I don’t think I’ll enjoy my 5K races with you and GBM around hahaha
Thanks Dennis! Of course you will still enjoy 5K’s you’re faster than us!
Hi Pojie, thanks!
Congrats Natz. Dami celebrity runners sa Celeb Run. Haha
Thanks. Yup, isa ka na dun! Hehehe.