Unilab Run United 1 2014 Race Recap

I only have one thing in mind for joining the RU1 2014 – establish a new 21K PR.

My fastest 21K was last 2009 at 2:06. I moved up to training for 42K distances after that and never ran faster than 2:06 for a 21K. This year, I decided to renew my quest for speed over endurance.

My 21K Training

I started training right after new year. I used the training plan for a sub-2 hour half marathon from Runner’s World. It was based on the principle of Run Less, Run Faster.

At first, I doubt if it will be effective. The pace for LSDs is only at 6:33 min/km. That is slower than the required half marathon pace of 5:45 min/km. Sometimes, I’d go for a 6:00 min/km in some LSDs. However, I would feel very tired that the other training days get affected. I realized it is better to stay at 6:30 during LSDs and simply stick to the plan.

The tough part of the training are the speed intervals. I tought I’d pass out in some days. At its peak, I need to run 5:15 min/km. Since I prefer a run-walk interval during a race, it means I need to run 4:45 min/km to compensate for the walk phase. It’s crazy.

But I learned to love speed sessions. I feel I was getting faster and getting more comfortable with the speed.

The Race Plan

Unlike previous RU races, I really woke up early and positioned near the front of the first wave. I know there will be many 21K runners and being in front helps me avoid weaving through the crowd.

I still prefer the run-walk method to finish the race. My ideal pace should be 5:45 min/km to finish the 21.1K at 1:59:30. This means my run phase is at 5:15 for 5 minutes and then I’d walk for 1 minute.

I wanted to run lightly too. So I only brought 2 water flasks despite a capacity of 3. I wore a lightweight Newton Distance S. I even bought new running shorts that are shorter than my usual running shorts.

I wanted little distractions too. So no selfie shots for me while running on the route. My hydration belt is also loaded to hopefully avoid most of the water stations.

Race Mode

The race started at 4:00 AM. The weather was good and everybody was in good vibes. The first 5 kilometers were full of runners running abreast. It was after we passed the 5KM mark that the runners were spaced apart already.

The route was simple and great for chasing a PR. The roads around SM MoA are flat and most of Roxas Boulevard is flast as well. The only hills will be the two flyovers – EDSA flyover and Buendia flyover. However, we have to pass by these flyovers twice.

Keeping up my pace at the flyover was difficult. By the time I reached the 4th “hill” I felt tired already. My knees were doing ok but my heart rate is too high for me to sustain.

I have noticed my pace to have drop to 5:20 min/km already by the time we reached Luneta Park for the turnaround.  I am losing 5 seconds more in every kilometer.  I need to catch up.

The Final Five

I was trying to assess my chances of getting to a sub-2. I know I am within my goal of beating my PR. I can simply drop my pace to 5:30 and still make a personal best. It was the easy way.

But I refused to slow down.  To keep myself motivated for a sub-2, I look for runners to chase upon. One after the other, I’d try to catch up with those in front of me. It worked, as always. 😀

By the time we run pass the CCP Complex, I realized I still got a chance a sub-2. At the final kilometer, I skipped the walk pace to save time. As I reached the finish line, I kept looking at the clock. It’s 1:59 and still ticking.  Few seconds left to make it at sub-2.

Seconds Too Late

The problem with relying on the GPS watch it that it can be wrong. My watch kept me at the right pace for the entire time. But it registered a distance of 21.3KM. It’s 200 meters off the course distance. As a result, my finish time is at 2:00:13. I’m 13 seconds more than a sub-2.

So near, yet so far. 😀

My Best 21K Yet

Nonetheless, RU1 2014 is #mybest21K. It has been my mantra during my training and keep on posting it in social media.

The 13 seconds will haunt me for a long time. I would still tell myself, I should have pushed a little harder in that last kilometer. Or I should have skipped one more water station that could save me those 13 seconds.

But I did exceed myself and there will be another 21K that I can call my best. It doesn’t end here.  I will come back for the Unilab Run United 2015.