My First 21k at the Condura Run 2010

My first 21-kilometer run was my slowest among my other runs (mapped or unmapped with the Blackberry Sportypal Application). I was happy though, I was able to finish it at a sub 3-hour continuous pace run with a Blackberry smacked at my buttocks and a hydration belt. It’s my first and farthest run since I got sick due to allergic cough at the 2nd week of January and thank God for still being able to run before Condura.

I have to admit, my training wasn’t fit for a 21k run but for a 10k run only before the event. I was thinking of doing alternate runs and walks for the 21k but I went for a slower but continuous and controlled pace for Condura. All that mattered to me was to finish my 21k run and finish it in good shape too…LOL. Here’s my share of what the Condura 21k run was for me. I’ll separate it into 3km checkpoints:

3km (Fort Bonifacio Crossing the Buendia Flyover down all the way to Makati):

My average pace was 6.4km/hr which was pretty slow from the rest of my usual runs when I started. I took my time in warming up and feeling that heat on my body as I was saving it for our first major incline at the Buendia Flyover. It was still like a bottleneck, we were just so many crossing that flyover. To my disappointment the Buendia Flyover was somewhat pitch black at that time and I was asking myself: Where did all the lights go?

6km (Buendia Avenue- Ayala Avenue near Makati Medical Center Intersection)

I picked up my pace from an average of 6.4km/hr to 8.3km/hr, which is my usual pace in my 5k night runs after work in Fort Bonifacio. And no, I didn’t feel or want to go to Makati Medical Center already when I passed that area.  It was okay to run in Makati because we’re running flat…Well, not really flat as the concrete road leans to the sidewalk a bit. I took my first sip from my hydration belt there  in Makati and went on so as not to be a nuisance to early motorists in Baranggay Bel-Air and Malugay. There were lots of hydration stations which was good but I just didn’t like the etiquette of some runners throwing their cups everywhere. I fell a victim of such incident that a fellow runner accidentally threw his water on my right shoe and for a moment I lost my pace.

9km (Senator Gil Puyat Avenue-Skyway Turnaround at Villamor Airbase)

There was a short bottleneck when I finally reached the end of Makati and took the little road near the PNR Buendia Station just to enter the Skyway. When I saw everything from that moment on, that’s when everything did sink in to me what the Condura Run was about- Conquering the Skyway. I picked up my average pace to 8.9km/hr and still maintained my breathing while I took some sips from my hydration belt when I felt my body was heating up. I also consumed one full pack of Honey Stinger Gels at different increments. I had 2 packs of Hydrogels in my belt during the run and consuming them did really help.

12km (Reaching the Skyway Turnaround)

I felt such excitement when I finally reached the turnaround of the Skyway. There was a hydration station and a truck dispensing water..I had a free shower! Haha, for a moment that was fun but I had to wear that red string around my neck already and move on. For the next minutes, I ran with an average pace of 8.1km/hr.

15km (Skyway Turnaround- Up to the Area of the Skyway Intersecting EDSA)

I maintained a pace of 7.9km/hr. From that point it was a race against the rising of the sun. As much as how cool it was up there on the Skyway, I wanted to run back to Fort Bonifacio before the sun heats up. And while I was running, I encountered a runner getting a sprain and another runner assisted him. Kudos to that good runner who helped another one in need.

18km (Skyway Exit – Ayala Avenue near Makati Medical Center Intersection)

I still maintained a pace of 7.9km/hr and coming back to Makati with lots of shade was a joy. I also got an ice cold sponge just after crossing Caltex Malugay and passed through a lane of people offering humongous bananas. There were just plenty of bananas thrown over the streets of Makati. I didn’t take one because the last time I had a banana during a run I felt like pooping..LOL. And again, I didn’t feel like I wanted to check-in at the Makati Medical Center even if I was so wet from another instant shower from the water truck…hehe

21k and beyond (Ayala Ave-Buendia Flyover-Fort Bonifacio)

My Blackberry’s GPS reported that the 21k mark was at the bottom of the Buendia Flyover before coming back to Fort Bonifacio. It was already hot that time and there was just too much glare on the flyover and just upon entering Fort Bonifacio with the wet road from the hydration station. I met some runner friends before finishing the last 700meters. Thanks to Alvin for handing me one of his unconsumed hydration belt canisters! ^_^ At last! I conquered my first 21k run! Wheee. I never thought I would conquer a run as long as that for 2:49mins. Haha, my 10-mile Corregidor Run (see my I Came I Saw I Conquered Corregidor post) was better though, now I just want to join next year’s Condura Run to beat my first 21k time! ^_^

So there! That’s my first 21k at the Condura Run 2010. If you ran the Condura 2010 also, how was it? Did you also enjoy it?