Superbods Run - Running Cold and Cough

With advent of summer and the sudden change of weather from cold to hot, it was regrettable that I have gotten my first flu for the year. Since Wednesday, I have been nursing a slight fever progressing to heavy and runny nose with unbearable cough. Knowing that the Century Tuna Superbods Run will be on Sunday 21Feb10, I stepped up on my medication and skipped with my workout runs for Friday and Saturday.

Saturday night, my cold and cough barely subsided that I had my doubts if I shall be able to run on Sunday. Nighttime, my wife was insistent that I should not run fearing that my condition would get worst. At 4am at the sound of my alarm, I immediately rose from bed and started "singing" to pretend that I was feeling well, however, as much as I was trying to conceal my real condition, I can not help by cough at times with interval of sneezing. Bottom line, I do not thing I really fooled my wife of my real condition. My mind was still fix on running the 21k, but with a self imposed condition that should I feel bad at any time during the race, I will stop and discontinue the race.

4:20am I was already in queue parking my van. The first thing I noticed was that there were a lot of cars already parked with still a long queue of vehicles heading to the different parking areas. This mean only one thing, a well attended race event. Thinking that the scheduled gun start for the 21k was still at 5:20am I was taking my time going to the starting line. Once at the starting line what immediately gotten my attention was the starting line stage (there where other stages) with a huge LCD screen. There were also two (2) LCD screens on the side of the starting arc. It was a great sight, signs of a great and successful event.

It was already inside the holding pen, when Coach Rio was within my area, I congratulated Coach Rio for a very impressive and amazing structures, stages, tents and layout of the race venue. Coach Rio was all smiles who was still nervous (according to him) hoping that the event will be a great success.

It was at this point that the MC announced that the event has generated more than 11,000+ runners. I did not remember what was the exact breakdown for each race category, but, it was a definite RECORD in the local race scene. We have really gone a long way in short time. Hopefully it continues and become more of a way of life rather than a fad. A common complaint in the running community is that entry fee for race events are getting more expensive. This is a correct observation, but, good things cost money. It is then on the individual to select his/her race. For me, what is important is that my hard earned money paid as entry fee should commensurate to the service delivered. However, I still do join P200 race, but, expectation and intentions are different.

A presentation of the 21k route was done on the two (2) LCD screen at the starting arc and was very informative and exciting giving each runner a foresight of what is in stored for them. After completion of the video presentation, the countdown for the start of the race was made. Ops, all along I thought that the race was to start at 5:20am.

At 5:09am the starting gun was sounded.

What I have seen along the route are all positive marks, hydration station are well manned providing water and Gatorade (as a side attraction you good looking gals and guys models of Century Tuna assisting, on these hydration station a portalet is provided in all station, on dark unlighted areas, a portable self contained generator lighting were temporarily installed, distance markers were well positioned (and of exact measurement at that), race category directional signs were prominent. There were sufficient marshals, but, as I have noticed on races in Metro Manila, no matter how many marshals you place, there will always be those irate, arrogant, and impatient drivers you encounter on intersections who insist on doing their own thing either crossing the path of runners or sounding their car horns intermittently. I just hope that such irresponsible actions will not result one of these days to a road rage accident on a race event. I guess it really is difficult to educate local motorist.

02h 39m 19s after I completed the 21k. I was glad that even with the runny nose and cough I was able to complete the race. The raw gross details of my run was recorded as follows;

Then it was time to queue for the finisher's shirt, medal and loot bag. There was a different line for each race category. Considering the great number of participants, the queue for each event was long, really long, just like a snake. It took me a good 30 minutes from end to end of the line. It was at this point that socialising with fellow runners was taken advantage of to while away the time.

On my way to my van, I came across the group of Takbo.ph and was happy to have a group picture.

To all the runners that participated, I hope you had a nice time. To Coach Rio and his group CONGRATULATIONS. You have again raised the bar for all race organizers.

As I arrived home, I do not know for whatever reason, but, I started coughing! You could just imaging what my wife told me! I leave it to your imagination. I am grounded from today.