Mizuno Infinity Run 2008

I am back to running last Sunday and what can I say, it was a torture.

We started at the NBC tent in Fort Bonifacio at exactly 6:00 am and I spotted Senator Pia Cayetano upfront. She is a familiar personality in running events so it is not a surprise to see her. I ignored her and focused on a game plan so I could finish the race. My last run was the Takbo para sa Ilog Pasig last February.



The game plan was to start very slow for the first 5 km, then increase the pace after the tenth kilometer. Unfortunately, as runners passed by me, I started to increase my pace too. I am deviating from the plan and I started to hope for the best.

The Fort Bonifacio running route was very familiar to me. I know where the uphill and downhill are located. When we reached the turnaround for 10 km at the end of Bayani Road, I saw runners entering the Heritage Park. I am a little excited about it since this would be the first time I would enter the park.



I heard that it has a good view. I was expecting that we would consume the second 5 kilometers inside the park. So I thought after this it would be easy already. I did not change my pacing here in anticipation of the uphill outside.



When we got out of the park, the 10 km runners joined us. This is uphill so almost everyone slowed down. On this part of the route, I would always run on the grassy sidewalk because it lessens the impact on my feet. Along the way, I spotted a group or runners helping an elder man. I think the man was unconscious.

After Bayani Road, I am beginning to realize that I would complete the race in less than 1.5 hours. It is still uphill but I am feeling confident. I could build my pace when I reach the last 2 km. However, as we turn to pass by McHinley Hills I saw the running marshal pointing runners to turn right. I started to curse because I did not expect this. I thought the Heritage Park was enough.

I dreaded this course. It was really a rolling terrain. Towards the end of the road before the turnaround, there was a very steep downhill.



I could not just let the gravity pull me downward because I could easily fell. My shin was already feeling the impact of the route and there are still two uphill waiting for me.

It was easy after McHinley. There was a drinking station near Essensa and I decided to grab an energy drink. For the first time also, I slowed down to a walk so I could finish the whole bottle. The drink served its purpose that I was reenergized and started to run again. I even increased my pace until the finish line. I clocked 1 hour 34 minutes.

My time is not good. I am clocking sub-one hour in 10 km races. I would have expected under an hour and a half. However, the terrain slowed me down and I lack preparation for the race. Generally however, it was a challenge that I got through.