My first 21K Run. At long last!

With sis, Orchid (right), and niece, Mhaio (left), after completing my first 21K | Photo courtesy of Orchid Saculles

I was so ecstatic when I crossed the Finish Line of the Nature Valley RUN 2010 (2nd leg of the RunRio Trilogy) last Sunday, May 30.  I should be.  I’ve waited long and hard for that moment. ‘Tis been almost 10 years since I started running and every single year I would aim to run my first half-marathon.  The spirit is gung ho but the flesh is lazy.

Too many excuses.  Work.  Illness. Work.  Injury.  Work.  Too many preparations, only to backslide or chicken out near the end.

Twenty one kilometers is no small feat, especially for someone who is sedentary and 40lb overweight.  The longest that I ever managed to do was 16 kilometers.  I’ve done it twice in the past 10 years.  Earlier this year I did 15 kilometers.

My celebration was short-lived, however.  The reality of the moment struck me like a speeding car on SCTEX.  I almost slept on the steering wheel in the 5-6km drive home from BGC to Merville right after the event.  And then I was sore all over for the next 3 days.  I can still feel the fatigue in my legs as I write this blog post 5 days since.

Managing to flash a smile to the cameras as I was approaching the Finish Line. | Photo courtesy of Orchid Saculles

Completing my first 21K resulted to a number of realizations and corresponding resolutions:

1. I should have ample practice before attempting another 21K run.  Ideally, I should be running 5-10 kilometers every other day for a full one month before a 21K.  I started practicing a mere 5 days before.  And I crammed my practice in 3 consecutive days, running 6, 12, and 10 kilometers, respectively.  I was too tired from my practice runs that I almost did not have any energy left for the real event.  I guess cramming is a hard habit for me to break.
2. I need a new pair of running shoes.  My present pair of Adidas cross-trainers has completed many a 10Km runs and I love it. It has served me well.  Why, I completed my first 21K run with it!  But if I plan to run more 21Ks (which I think I will) then I better get a new pair.  Past the 15K mark my toes were all blisters and it was an agonizing last 6 kilometers.  Perhaps now is the perfect “excuse” to buy my dream pair of running shoes:  Newton.  If only I can afford it.
3. I shouldn’t forget to bring a visor and shades (I did bring my visor but I forgot the shades).  I usually finish a 10K run at about an hour, give or take.  With the 10K starting gun usually fired at 6AM (or sometimes earlier) it is usually done and over with by 7AM.  Not so with a 21K.  Even at an earlier starting time of 5:00-5:15AM, the sun is surely way up there long before I reach the finish line.  The bright sunlight is not exactly a welcome treat when you are sweating profusely and your tongue is hanging halfway to your chest.
4. For the same reason as in (3), it may be a good idea to apply a thin layer of sunscreen lotion.
5. I shouldn’t forget to bring power gels/bars, and buy them way in advance.  I was desperately looking for some day before the run but without success.  I had to improvise and I ended up stuffing my shorts’ pockets with some Juicy Fruit chewing gums and Mentos candies.
6. I should have a long and restful sleep before the run.  Six hours at least.  I only had an hour of sleep before the event (perhaps I was too excited!) and it almost cost me my first 21K.  I had cramps in both legs and up to my buttocks.  It’s by sheer stroke of luck that I managed to finish the run before the cramps immobilized me.

Crossing the 21K Finish Line | Photo courtesy of Orchid Saculles

Share To Any

Related Posts:

• Runner 291