New Balance Power Race 2009: Another Tough 21K

Whenever there is McKinley Hill in the race route, I know I’d be in for a tough run.  Previously, I could easily conquer it without stopping for a 10K or 15 route.  But this time, the New Balance Power Race gives us the hill at 21K.  Last year, NB Power Race was held at Clark.  This year, they are bringing it back again at The Fort.  But there won’t be any 25K since it is hard to find a good route at The Fort for that distance.  So they are offering a 21K instead and the 5K/10K side events.

Quennie and I slept late.  We watched the rerun of the CNN Heroes of Year awarding ceremonies where Efren Penaflorida of Cavite bagged the top awards for his Kariton classrooms.  As a result, I was feeling sleepy and “tamad” as I walked towards the starting line.  I met fellow Condura 42K aspirants, BongZ, Ellen and Joyce, running the race as part of their practice run.  They should be running a 27K today so they are adding 6K more after the race.  I wanted to run a 36K but my feet needs some rest after feeling some pain since last Friday.  We agreed on a 6:30 pace.

Familiar with a little twist

The Fort is such a familiar run.  I am sleepy and now I’m bored.  But each race is unique with the people joining it.  I get to see “Ultimate” running the 10K barefoot again.  We get to witness a runner getting mad with a taxi driver who came to close to him at the intersection.  A fight was brewing but good thing he kept his cool and just kept on running.  “Itakbo mo na lang yan,” was one advice to him as he got back on the route.  I also get to see friend and fellow bloggers chasing their PRs to end the race with a new story to tell.

The 6:30 pace was not followed.  We ended up running as fast as 6:00.  At the Bayani Road, I begged to walk and allowed them to go ahead.  I took my time to drink at the water station and gather some energy to tackle the uphills going back to Lawton Drive.  I was able to catch up with BongZ.  The two ladies, Ellen and Joyce, was still fast ahead.

I was sleepy and bored but when I got inside McKinley Hill, my body suddenly realized I have a race to finish.  I tried to take the hills a bit seriously by running strong on the uphills and recover during the downhills.  It was 3K more to go.  BongZ was ahead and this time I was running beside Isko of Team Hardcore until we reached the finishline.

Finished at last

It was a difficult 21K.  I wonder if those who were planning for another PR were able to make it.  In my case, I finished 2:20 minutes.  Quennie did a 10K.  She on taper but ready for her 2nd 21K in Singapore on Sunday.  I told her to take it easy.  I expect her to finish at around 1:10 or later but her pacers Marvs and Bryan run with her for a 1:05 finish.  Haaay… she never listens to me.  She insist that it was an easy pace.

The run was simple.  Nothing fancy but it was efficiently executed.  All the basics were there.  Considering a race with 7,000 runners, this is well organized.  The finishers area was festive.  The two bananas at the finish line was a treat.  Plus some chocolates and sports drink.  There were plenty of booths but I only visited the New Balance booth and was drolling over the new models.  Quennie is already looking at the blue NB905 and I’m staring at the NB1906.  The NB905 will be available by next month while the NB1906 will be available for next year.

My only complain is the 21K medal looks the same as last year.  Only a slight difference.  And again, you can’t distinguish the medals if they are for 21K or a 10K.

What’s in store for next year from New Balance

Next year, the Power Run will become the Premiere run as New Balance takes the race back to Clark n September 26, 2010.  Their previous announcement sound exciting as they will bring in quality singlets for the run plus the 25K and 15K again.  Other distances will follow.  And who knows, maybe a possible 42K.

More Photos by Argo at Flickr