February 10, 2013, 20 days before D-Day. Elvin, Tope and myself with Ralph, JC and Sir Ted as our support crew, headed out to Abucay, Bataan to participate in the BDM102 test run. The test run was supposed to familiarize the runners with the BDM102 route. Unfortunateley, we had other activities when the first test run was held so we saw to it that we needed to participate in this one.
So there we were, 6am in the morning prepping up for the 52km run. Unlike any other fun runs, the atmosphere was a bit quiet. There were only a handful of runners. And with BR out of the country, it was Madame who was the official RD.
In the hours leading up to the start, I was uncertain how would I run. Should I practice my 4:1 Intervals, shall I take it slow or shall I go stupid and hunt for a PR.
The time passed and it was already 7am, the official start of the test run, Madame said some reminders then counted us off.
3,2,1.... the test run started... said a short silent prayer which I normally do, then off I went.
Km 0 - 12 (BDM Km post 50 - 62)
Upon hearing the word go, I made up my mind. I would be running all the way at a pace a bit faster than what I plan for the race day. I was just keeping my own pace, passing runners as I go. Upon reaching the first km, I was surprised that I was leading. I didn't mind my place and kept on running as planned, after all this was just a test run.
My plan was to hydrate every 1.5km, by the first 5km, I passed our support vehicle, my bottles were still half full, and decided to make my first stop at the 10th km. It turned out that this would be a mistake I have to deal with for the next support area will be at the 12th km.
Km 13 - 33 (BDM Km post 63 - 83)
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| Taken at km 5 |
Km 13 - 33 (BDM Km post 63 - 83)
After leaving the support vehicle, I resumed with my planned pace. This part of the route would be very lonesome. I was all alone. To entertain myself and keep my mind off the route, I thought of other things, Life, Love, Where to eat after, what to do after, as corny as it sounds, I thought of these all just to keep my sanity. The next support station would come to me at the 20th km, had some food intake then continued my run.
As the run progressed so did the heat of the sun. I was entering the so called "Microwave Route" of Dinalupihan. At this time I was still wearing a visor, it turned out that the visor gave less protection because it is still open. As the heat got worse, I felt my scalp drying up. So upon the next support station (which came to me at km 27) I changed the visor for a cap.
As I continued my planned pace, I knew something would go wrong. The support vehicle did not come along at every 5 km as planned (but I do not blame them, they tried very hard to support 3 runners) as much as I avoided it, dehydration, my old enemy, caught up with me again. To compensate, I slowed my pace dramatically to save energy and not to burn myself.
At the 33rd km was a fork, left would mean to continue on the main highway, and right would mean to go to the town center of Lubao which was the correct way. I studied the route but failed to see that there was another fork immediately after that. As I have learned, I must go right. WRONG! I had run about 200-300m when I looked back. There were people calling me, I knew right there that I had made a wrong turn, I hurried back to the correct route. This was also the part where Rex caught up to me.
Km 34-45 (BDM Km post 84 - 95)
I tried to pace with Rex, and was doing well until the next support station (which came to me at km 35). I told him to go on ahead with his pace. At this support station, I ate some spaghetti as planned for fuel.
I continued along with my run, with the heat of the sun bearing down, I often doused myself with cold water. This part of the route was also very lonesome and would drive you mad especially if you have no runners in sight.
But another blunder, at km 39, I looked at my watch. It stopped, then I remembered that I forgot to delete all the other data on it. I was frustrated with myself. At the next support station (which came to me at km 45) I ditched the watch and run by feel.
Km 46-52 (BDM Km post 96 - 102)
As I went along, I tried to count down on the remaining BDM post, 96, 97, 98. If it could drive someone mad counting down these post at the state I am at the moment, what would happen on March 3. I tried not to think about that and continued on.
At the last support station (which came to me at km 99). I refilled up fast. Only 3 km more to go. And upon passing the BDM Km 101 post, I decided to run a bit faster, I was already sprinting, I even passed the provincial capitol. BIG MISTAKE! As I was running, It felt like I was already running more than a km, it was the time I asked one of the kalesa drivers where was the old railway station. It was directly infront of the provincial capitol. So I turned around and ran toward the correct route.
And then finally after 6:16:52, I finished. My time would have gone sub 6 hours if haven't got lost.
The funny thing is, madam scolded me. She told me not to go as fast as I did on March.
I managed to finish second on that test run, but it really didn't matter to me. It was just a test run. It was just to familiarize ourselves with the route. The heat training was also good.
So when March 2 comes, I know, I will be prepared.
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Thank you Ralph for the photos
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