redemption - that's what i felt as i went past the 12mi marker. for i know that even if i had to walk the last mile to the finish, it would still be in under 2 hrs. redemption - from my abysmal performance in the
vbhm08 event just 3 wks ago. and with that, a reward the moment i hit the finish line mat - 1:51:42 - a personal record.
i decided to do
this event for several reasons: (one) because i just wanted to run again after vbhm. (two) because it's close - just an hour drive from home. (three) because i would score an extra
medal for running this, plus vbhm. (four) because i really wanted to run again.
packet pickup was not as easy and convenient as vbhm. i would say the participants were pampered in vbhm, with free and ample parking, spacious and sponsor-filled expo, lots of freebies. in pdr, i had to pay for my parking, 5 blocks away, after going from one-way street to another trying to find a metered spot close to the expo. and the expo was crowded. at one point, i told myself that this is the first and last i'm doing this event.
i felt ok came race day. i set my mind not to go fast the first quarter to half of the course, to just do it on a steady and moderate pace until i get into a rhythm i could keep throughout the course. and somehow i managed to keep a pace i was comfortable with till the end of the course. the course was flat overall, but with some sections where the road banks to the right or left and you have to find the right spot to run so as not to affect your stride. it was scenic, and peaceful (yes, peaceful). they said it's a rock-n-roll event, with plenty of bands playing along the course, but i think i've only noticed three or four bands. it turned out ok for me because i had a peaceful run, focused only on the road ahead (and always happy to see the next marker). i also did not put on my shuffle, which helped (i think) because i was able to listen to and control my breathing. as promised, there were plenty of fluid stations, plus powerbar gels on the 8mi mark. i had my own sports drink in my
hydration belt so i didn't have to stop at every station to hydrate. plus i had some endurolytes, where i had 2 at the start, 2 at the 10k mark, and 1 at the 10mi mark.
overall, the race-day experience overshadowed the packet-pickup experience, and i might do this again next year (plus vbhm09).
btw, this event coincides with the other events i always wanted to do: (one) hillier than thou, (two) pumpkin patch pedal. and i chose this one over the others. hopefully, next year they will fall on different dates.
- #7704
- mizuno wave creation 8
- garmin forerunner 305
- nathan speed 2
redemption - that's what i felt as i went past the 12mi marker. for i know that even if i had to walk the last mile to the finish, it would still be in under 2 hrs. redemption - from my abysmal performance in the vbhm08 event just 3 wks ago. and with that, a reward the moment i hit the finish line mat - 1:51:42 - a personal record.
i decided to do this event for several reasons: (one) because i just wanted to run again after vbhm. (two) because it's close - just an hour drive from home. (three) because i would score an extra medal for running this, plus vbhm. (four) because i really wanted to run again.
packet pickup was not as easy and convenient as vbhm. i would say the participants were pampered in vbhm, with free and ample parking, spacious and sponsor-filled expo, lots of freebies. in pdr, i had to pay for my parking, 5 blocks away, after going from one-way street to another trying to find a metered spot close to the expo. and the expo was crowded. at one point, i told myself that this is the first and last i'm doing this event.
i felt ok came race day. i set my mind not to go fast the first quarter to half of the course, to just do it on a steady and moderate pace until i get into a rhythm i could keep throughout the course. and somehow i managed to keep a pace i was comfortable with till the end of the course. the course was flat overall, but with some sections where the road banks to the right or left and you have to find the right spot to run so as not to affect your stride. it was scenic, and peaceful (yes, peaceful). they said it's a rock-n-roll event, with plenty of bands playing along the course, but i think i've only noticed three or four bands. it turned out ok for me because i had a peaceful run, focused only on the road ahead (and always happy to see the next marker). i also did not put on my shuffle, which helped (i think) because i was able to listen to and control my breathing. as promised, there were plenty of fluid stations, plus powerbar gels on the 8mi mark. i had my own sports drink in my hydration belt so i didn't have to stop at every station to hydrate. plus i had some endurolytes, where i had 2 at the start, 2 at the 10k mark, and 1 at the 10mi mark.
overall, the race-day experience overshadowed the packet-pickup experience, and i might do this again next year (plus vbhm09).
btw, this event coincides with the other events i always wanted to do: (one) hillier than thou, (two) pumpkin patch pedal. and i chose this one over the others. hopefully, next year they will fall on different dates.
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