Just a few issues regarding my stint in the Run United Philippine Marathon -
- I didn't study the map, staging area and route, prior to race
- I arrived in the staging area, Just In Time
- Didn't get to do my pre-race rituals
- Had to dodge all those runners in the starting line for me to get to my pace
- I accidentally deleted ALL my run data in my Soleus
The night before the run, my wife asked me what time I would wake up. Told her I'll be up by 3:00am, as I have to leave house by 4:00am to make it at MOA by 5:00am, as gun start was at 5:30am. She said if she were me, she'd rather sleep! Well, I'm used to her saying this whenever I wake up early to run. But my mistake - I listened to her! I woke up 3:45am, left house 4:30am and got to the parking lot by 5:15am! The roads were closed as it was for use by the 21k and 42k runners. Talk about hectic, I had to stretch while jogging to the staging area! But as I got down the parking lot, its a maze! too many people walking in different directions. Since I didn't manage to study the map, i had to walk around finding the staging area. Until I found it.
I got in place almost at the back of the crowd. With not enough time to do my rituals - stretching, bladder break, internalize. Gun start! I had to dodge the runners ahead of me, it was a slow jog until i manage to reach the starting line, took at least 2 minutes, I think. After that, still a slow jog while I dodge runners for me to get a clear path to run.
On km 2, I did have my own pace. Crowd has a comfortable space then. I managed to run 5k under 32 minutes - not bad, but I'm starting to feel tired. I think it was the dry air that day, I don't know, I didn't check the weather. I did found my "marker" until the end of km 6. She was ahead of me from km 3. But left her behind by km 7
On km 7, I did get tired. I was walking some parts, saw my pace at 7mins++. I knew I won't get past my 1:03 PR. But 1:05 is still possible. So I held on.
On km 8, after the drinking station, i decided to give it a burst, just as I have practiced on my previous run. I managed to run 5:00 for 500m. and stayed on the easy pace to recover for the next 500m.
On km 9, I did my burst again, but only managed to run 400m. Had to jog again, and did a burst again for 300m. But after that, cramps! I had to walk a few meters. When I was able to read the clock ahead, saw that it was at 1:07, so I gave it my fullest, and ended up clocking at 1:05:46.
I really pushed myself on this, and I'm disappointed that I gave in to tiredness on mid-run. It was supposed to be programmed! With a few bursts to improve the few km. 
So after picking up my so-so finisher's kit (yeah, it consists of a few tablets, a blue messenger bag - but with nice material), after doing my post-race rituals. I was reviewing my per kilometer run when I accidentally pressed the delete button - I did not panic, and decided to press the "view" button. Alas! It was also a button to confirm delete. :( So there, I don't have any info on how I did, couldn't use it as reference to improve on my next run. Good thing I managed to take a pic of the summary above, more or less, it validates some of my claims here. :)
I was impressed by the 21k and 42k runners, and their medal! Yes, it looks like a plate! hehe! More than the medal, I admire them for being able to do it. I'm aiming for that 21k!
Overall, I'm happy that I managed to finish the race. But also a bit disappointed in me as I was at fault for the pre-race issues I had. I guess it did have an effect on my performance. Lesson learned again. With that, my photo isn't as proud as it should be.
Update - Race Analysis:
