Rock and Run (Rain and Run?)

Here it is. The most memorable race I've ever attended. Yeah, everybody knows (well at least here in Manila) that this race got a downpour (of rain). Didn't expect that my first rainy run would be here.

Here's another run event where I had lack of training and preparation (the first one was End Hunger: Walk the World 2010). This is due to lack of time management.

We met in front of Casino Filipino, Paranaque around 4PM. There were 7 of us. Around 4:30-4:45PM the group were already there. This is the first time we arrived in an event this early! So we had the luxury of time to deposit our bags, take some pictures, walk around, warm up and stretch. Not our usual stuff. Hehehe. Oh, and another first, we were standing on the frontrow for our category in which we usually stay at the middle row.

Forty minutes prior to the gunstart, we already saw the clouds coming joined by lightning. We were actually betting while in transit if it's gonna rain or not. I vouched that it'll rain. In a few minutes there was rain! And most runners, including us, were looking for a shade to hide. Apparently, the rain was so hard and we were soaked in an instant. So, we went back on the road and just enjoyed the rain just like taking a bath. We attempted to take a "wetlook" picture. Unfortunately that camera is still in recovery stage. :( Sadly, it died on us after that shot. :(

People were so excited to run so at around 6PM, it started. You can feel the runners' excitement. Mind you, it's still raining. It felt like the drops are pricking your face and every breath felt like your jumping in a pool. The rain water keeps on entering your nostrils. We didn't feel so thirsty though because it felt really cold during the race. We can even just stick our tongue out and capture the rain for us to drink. Hehehehe. It was my first time to pee as well during the race. Hehehehe. Probably due to the temperature. Got really confused during the run. Bad visibility of the area (because of the downpour), there were flooded areas that you should be able to spot ahead or else you'll plunge in it, so many cars, etc.

I already conditioned my mind that this will be my train run. Can't achieve PR here. For one, the weather made my shoes heavy, felt cold, didn't train at all. To my surprise, upon reaching the last turn, I already saw the finish line and just paced a little faster in a constant manner. Until I clocked in, I was 2 mins faster than my previous run!!!! That was amazing! Well, I could have done sub-30 if I did train. But what the heck, it's still something! PR again! Hahahaha.

Saw some aNR Alabang peeps there as well as some FB running friends and one of my HS friends from Imma (Harold).

It was an advantage when aNR Alabang shared to us what they learned from the Running Clinic: form, the arm swing, and of course the pacing. I really followed the pacing during the run. Thank you guys for that knowledge! It was really helpful.

Here are some pics:

at the meeting place - Precious, where are you?

we were early!

after the race. some were wearing new clothes. some were walking along BHS in commando (that includes me) - we really have to change clothes!

Starbucks after dinner. Didn't have time to take pictures during dinner. We were busy sharing what had happened before, during and after. The hot Chai tea that I got felt really good and warm albeit the squishy and cold shoes that I'm wearing.

Event: Rock and Run
Location: Bonifacio High Street (BHS)
Distance: 5K
Time: 00:32:35 (previous 00:34:48) PR!!!

See you at the races!