Mission Accomplished!

When I first went to Mindoro early february, I promise myself that I would return again before leaving the Philippines. During my first visit, my friend’s mom told me about a young native Mangyan who ran a half marathon bare footed during the Abra de Ilog town fiesta in October 2008. Inspired by the said story, I decided to come back and donate my New Balance shoe as to encourage him to keep running. Not only I return to donate my shoe, but also with a strong determination to run 30km in preparation for May 10 Paa- TiBayan Takbo 42-k.

My plan to return back to Mindoro came true upon hearing the news that it was free from typhoon.  Early friday, we quickly packed our bags and made our way to the Batangas peir to catch the 3pm Ship bound for Abra de Ilog. As I journeyed to the said island, I already saw myself running. I was praying that the weather would be good on Sunday as I planned to have my long distance run from Barangay Cabacao to Barangay Balansay (24k) and back to Mamburao town (6k).

Sunday came and the weather was perfect for my long distance adventure run. Having my friend escorting me on her dad’s motorbike, we were heading to Mamburao slowly. I need at least 3 hours running which equivalent to 30k if I were to maintain my marathon pace of 6:05mins. I started with an easy slow pace but as I get into my running form, I can’t help myself but to speed up. My goal is to run 3 hours covering 30k. But, it seems that the feeling is good to maintain an average pace between 5:30 – 5:55mins. So, instead of focusing to complete a 3 hour run, my attention then was to complete a 30k.

To make it short, I completed the 30k  but not in 3 hours. Suprisingly, my time was 2 hrs 49mins. By then, both my legs were stiffed. This was not a good sign as it would lead to muslce cramps. I quickly stretch both my legs and walk for few meters to get away from the normal routine. My senses later informed me that I need to get Alaxan. Without wasting time, I went to a nearby drug store to get some of those pain reliever. It helps! Reaching at my friend’s house, I indulge myself with bananas and at the same time continue to keep my body hydrated. This run helps me to better prepare and expect the worst for this coming sunday’s marathon.   

Watching out for dogs! I was making sure that I wasn’t ambush. Sometimes these dogs will come out of no where and gives you a shock!   

Heading towards Mamburao Town. It was a cloudy morning. I passed the Mamburao river.  

I made my U turn at the 400k mark. this was after a 24 k run. 6k more back to Mamburao.

Going back to Mamburao. My legs are stiffed by this time. I was running out of water so I slower my pace. I completed the 30k run unexpected time of 2 hrs 50mins but with stiffed legs. Not a good sign! But glad I experienced it here which helped me to better prepare for this sunday’s marathon.

 This is the highlight of the event. One of main reason to return back to Mindoro is to keep my promise to donate my shoe to Milan- The native Mangyan who won the half marathon during the Abra de Ilog Town fiesta last October. He completed the said race within 1 hr 40mins bare footed. No proper training plus running bare footed is something! I believe if he only had proper training and the right shoes, he can perform better and achieve more. I also donated some of my running clothes to him. Hope that this small donation inspire him to continue to run and win the next fiesta run.