A Negative Split for My Milo Marathon Bacolod 2012

Posted On October 17, 2012

I finished another Milo Marathon in Bacolod last Sunday. I never planned for this event but it just so happened that I was in Bacolod to attend a wedding in the afternoon. So why not run a half marathon in the morning.

The Start

The race starts at the New Government Center. This is the new running center in Bacolod. Previously, most running events are held at the Bacolod Provincial Lagoon. The Bacolod Government Center is a nice place to start the run. It glows at night and serves as a perfect backdrop for the race.

It rained hard prior to the race. But when I arrived at the venue, the rain slowed down. However, it did not stop there.

There are more 21K runners this time. I got the meet old acquintances before the gun start and had a quick photo session.

21K Runners all ready for the gun start.

More runners at the starting line.

Where’s Your Daddy

My father accompanied me to the race.  He was the only one who woke up early.  He wanted to be my support crew for the race and plans to join me in the route with the car.  Unfortunately, the first kilometers of road where closed and he was not able to join me in the route.

I was supposed to give him my jacket, camera pouch and other unnecessary things at the route. Since, papa was not able to enter the route, I ended up running with some excess baggage.  The jacket was useful though.  It kept my camera dry when it was raining.

Anyway, papa was useful when I completed the race.  He took my photos at the finish line. Thanks Pa.

The Route

The route is pretty straight forward with very few turns. The 21K runners would run towards Brgy. Alangilan and back to the starting line. I thought it was a flat course. But Mike told me it is a gradual ascend to the turn around point.

Since the race started early at 4:30 AM, the route was pitch dark during the early part of the race. It can be a bit spooky if you are not used to seeing sugarcanes towering above you on both sides of the roads.

The area is very quiet with few vehicles to cut you in front or the sides. That is why this route is preferred for longer distances. I like it.

Who turned off the lights?

A water shower along the route. Cooooold!!!

A Negative Split

For 21K and 42K, I always do the run/walk method. I would run for 5 minutes and then walk for 1 minute. To target a sub-2:30 half marathon, I need to run at a 6:30 pace or faster during the run interval.  Then I can walk at any speed as long as I don’t stop. Last Sunday, I decided to run faster.

At the first half of the race, I was running conservatively between a 6:10-6:30 pace. It was an uphill course indeed. Even if it was just a gradual incline but it was slowing me down as I was getting near the turn around point.

The good thing about an uphill is that there’s the downhill on the next part.

After the turn around point, I grabbed a GU at 11K and at 16K. I guess it worked well for me. The GU plus the downhill run back to the finish line propelled me to run at a 5:30 pace. I still walk every after five minutes but the faster run interval made my second half of the run faster than the first half. A great negative split.  I finished at 2 hours 16 minutes based on my watch. My fastest 21K for the year.

I hope can run a negative split again for my next full marathon at the PryceGas Marathon in CDO this December.

At the turn around point.

Milo Marathon 2012 Bacolod completed in 2:16.

Rain Rain Rain

The rain was crazy during the marathon.  It would rain hard. Then stop.  Then rain again harder than the previous.  Thus, it was flooded at the wrong places. Of all places to be submerged in water, it was the finish line.  Therefore, I assume that all finishers went home with their shoes all wet.

And bad news, the mat the reads the timing chip at the finish line was completely submerged.  The official results may have been compromised but this unforeseen event.  I always bring my watch during a run so I still get to know my finish time in case there’s problem with the official time.

The finish line was flooded!!! Everybody get home wet.

The Equalizer

I always say that running is a good excuse to eat a lot.  After the race, I went back to the hotel and had 2 servings of their breakfast buffet.  But, I made sure I got some fruits to make a balanced meal.  😀

I didn’t get to eat a decent lunch since we were busy making the preparations for the wedding.  Gab was the ring bearer.

Then, there was the reception for dinner where I only ate one serving from the buffet table.  I won’t tell you how big the plate was and I made two trips for the dessert cakes.

The Aftermath

What I like about the run/walk method is that I don’t get injuries after a half marathon or even a full marathon.  Thus, my body didn’t felt it was abused.  There was no soreness at all.  However, I was getting sleepy in the afternoon.  So instead of going straight to the reception, I had a 30 minute snooze first.

It was the first time I used a GU for the race.  I think I will take it again in my next races.

Milo Marathon Bacolod turned out great for me.  A strong and rainy finish.  I love the route and the downhill towards the finish gave me a negative split.  Next stop will be the Milo Marathon Davao next month.  See you Davao. 😀

Here are more photos from the race.

Bacolod Government Center glows for the runners.

Bacolod Government Center Interior – A Runner’s Hangout

Starting line of the Milo Marathon Bacolod

21K Runners getting ready

With Coach Frank just before the race.

With Andrew Neri of Milo/Nestle at the finish line.

Runners for the medal in the 2:30 pace group

Milo participants towards the finish line.

A cool down snack anyone?