Lessons Learned: 12MN-6AM/Midnight To Sunrise Run

Lessons Learned: 12MN-6AM/Midnight To Sunrise Run

1) Sleep Before the Run—I admit I was not able to sleep in the afternoon and early evening of Saturday, although I planned and forced myself to sleep and lie on my bed. But the excitement of running my first midnight to sunrise/6-Hour run made me awake thinking of how I would be able to last the run during the time where I am used to be sleeping and snoring soundly. The last few hours before going to the assembly area were used in thinking all the detailed preparations for the run from the running attire to what I was going to use for my hydration pack and the food to take. It was only in this run where I did not write a list of things to prepare. In almost all my races, I prepare a checklist and have each item checked if it is already in my bag or already worn them on my body.

2) Ultra Running Needs A Lot Of Logistics—For this particular run, I did not bring my support system. I depended much to my hydration pack with water and cash to buy food and other needs in open convenience stores. I was fully concentrated in running that I forgot to take or buy any sports energy drinks and brought along with me my GU ROCTANE sports gel which had been very effective to me in my long runs. After eating a Jollibee Spaghetti & Yam Burger at the 21-Km point, I forgot to drink any sports drinks and just drank water every time I completed two loops of the 4.25K-loop at the MOA grounds. I really appreciate the other runners who brought their own vehicles with their coolers filled with bottled drinks & water and bananas. Guys, thanks for sharing me your “baon”.

3) Slow Start, Strong Finish—I need to discipline myself on this one. I have the tendency to pick up the pace when I am running with somebody on my sides. Norio Tanaka, a Japanese married to a Filipina, is a very fast and strong runner at the age of 61 and he just had his angioplasty last November 2008. Norio had been with me for at least two loops and he ran very strong. Charlie Chua was also strong and the rest of the members of the Team Bald Runner and Power Runners. The presence of these runners made me ran faster to catch up with Ralph and Albert who were steadily maintaining a pace of 5:20 minutes per kilometer. But in the end, my pace became slower as I tried to observe my body and leg muscles if there are any aches, pains, and soreness while running within the 32 to 38 kilometer distance. With 15 minutes remaining before the deadline at 6:00AM, I decided to brisk walk for one loop as my cool-down exercise. Next time, I need to start slow and preserve my energy for more strength on the last phase of an ultra run event. I will let the faster runners get ahead of me with the thought of catching them on the last segment of the run.

4) Running Apparel—I anticipated that the running weather would be cooler and windy at the Seaside area and that was the reason why I wore a NIKE with semi-turtle necked collar & long-sleeved shirt. The shirt kept me warm throughout the run even if it was completely wet and damped with my sweat. I really liked the shirt because it maintained my body temperature and I did not feel any coldness even if the wind would blow towards my body. However, the shirt produced some rashes on my armpits and on the inner parts of my upper arms. I need to apply Body Glide on my upper arms if I will be using this running shirt again. The ASICS Gel-Kinsei 2 gave me the much-needed comfort to my feet during the 6-hour run and I did not have any blisters or soreness on my legs.

5) Always Think That This Was Supposed To Be a Group Run—The Midnight To Sunrise Run was supposed to be an easy, slow, practice, and group run. Initially, it was a very relaxing run on our way to Luneta Park and back to Blue Wave where people along the way would be surprised to see us running along Roxas Boulevard. However, when we started running around the MOA grounds, it was already a test of endurance and sometimes, a test of speed among the runners. I am guilty of that kind of tendency of running faster or picking up the pace when running side by side with somebody. Whenever this happens, the strategy in finishing an ultramarathon event is always in jeopardy and I hate this to be happening. This was supposed to be a group run where everybody would be talking and sharing experiences with one another. I hope that such runs would be more time to know more about us and be able to think of ideas for better running performance and plans for our future “crazy” running events.

6) “No Retreat, No Surrender”—Running an ultramarathon event is not an easy walk in the park. Finishing an ultra running event is something you could be proud of because not everybody could run as “crazy” and strong as you are. This is where you will test the limit of your endurance and mental attitude. So, don’t ask yourself, why you are running an ultramarathon event whenever you are preparing for it because the answer of the “why” is that we are all “natural-born runners”. Ben Gaetos mentioned that ultramarathon is running in a “dark world” because of its purity and simplicity as one could imagine a lonely runner treading its way in the middle of a mountain trail or forest in the middle of the night as he/she spends more hours running/walking before reaching his destination. The other point is that running under the heat of the sun will somehow make us darker in complexion. In short, ultra runners don’t “whine”, they just run to fnish the race and have fun!

To: Albert aka Run2Dmoon, I will see to it that I will finally award your “1,000-Km Club” Finisher’s T-shirt the next time we see each other. Due to my excitement to join your workout, I forgot to bring your T-Shirt.