A one-live cat's life

Blackmore's Sydney Running Festival Recap

September 23, one of the highlights of my business trip to Sydney is the Sydney Bridge Run.  Prior the event i already was able to contact a running mate KellyAnne from CouchSurfing.  Race starts at 830 GMT+10, waking up at 555am meeting up with KellyAnne at Central station to Milson's point where the race starts.

Braving the the cold draft from the harbour at 14-16 degrees before 830 we dropped our bags at the collecting trucks, wearing just my singlet and my running shorts, my usual outfit in a humid day in Manila ... i have to stand up with what i've decided to wear.  I thought that the energy drink i was drinking while waiting for the race is being consumed by my body to make myself warmer.

The Race started under the bridge, on a hilly climb.  Gun starts minutes after 830 race started with slow pace with ten thousands of runners just for the 9KM route. The most joined event. 

Pictures from l-r: queue to the portable toilets, Kellyanne before the race, Me before the race, Start line

At the start of the bridge I was already trying to catch my breath as expected with the cold dry air i wasn't used to.  Trying to check on my pace. Conscious and would like to take some pics for my happy feet friends of the race but i couldnt just make one.  No Gatorade stop as i was expecting just 3 water station stops, i guess the isotonic drink and power Gu was just for the half and full kilometer run.

Anyway, the last 10 meters i started to sprint, but my body reaction to take in more air made me felt like i was to puke because of the air temperature destroyed my momentum, anyway, i was happy i crossed the finish line and i wasnt the last. 

After the race we met up with another CouchSurfing friend Dunstan who hosted carbo loading dinner of home made organic pasta the night before our race.  We had some good talk over breakfast, alongside his brief swimming lesson session coaching experience.

Pictures from l-r: Dunstan and KellyAnne (finished 00:43:38 ahead of me), japanese runners on their kimono Arts Gallery on the foreground, recovery booth; dechipping booth.

I had a wonderful experience in this 1st race abroad i joined.  Hope i would do it again next year, who knows :).

Final results

Distance: 9KM
Time: 46.55 (best PR so far)
9KM Results
Sydney Marathon Website

Aerial view of the race, pic borrowed from Warren Clarke Photography

VR # 4

Had to wake early and it was a good timing to choose 630 to run in Sydney as it is the VR time back at home in Philippines at 430. :)

I was having second thoughts if i should run at the thread mill or outside i went out first to check if its too cold for me as I just slipped on shorts and shirt and my running shoes.  Not too bad, not raining, its not drafty. So i went back and wore my contacts, walked down the hotel front did my stretching at the park near the harbor.  Not much joggers as in the night time but still lots of them.  Since i was near the harbor, it slowly become too windy, still i find myself catching my breath with the cold dry air. i am not sure how i would go on Sunday's 9KM run. the temperature is just right but the air really troubles me.  One reason i always opted to stay inmanila than in Baguio during cold weather as my asthma attacks on cold weather.

Anyway, below is my route, variation of asphalt, cobalt stone and the board walks.  With 45 degree uphill and downhill.

Route VR 4
Distance: 12.1482 KM
Time: 630-730 GMT+10

2007 Blackmores Sydney Running Festival

Prayers has been answered my Visa processing has been expedited after some hassle bugging and pressuring our agency to process my Visa to Oz for work, as I wasn't able to process it earlier as I was in Singapore with my passport! a week earlier.  So i was looking for possible running events while i would be there and possible routes i can do my practice runs. yes again, talk about running addiction :p.

I was ecstatic to see that there was a running even on September 23, second Sunday while I am there! Oh friends and my family look it seem like that i would be going there for the running event, and not my work assignment haha.. but well i am looking forward to this opportunity.  I just registered myself today online. Just for the 9KM but it would be a good experience running on a different environment and climate! let's see. I am excited :D

Run the Bridge

VR # 3

VR # 3
When: September 6, 2007
Distance: 9.3153 KM

Virtual run route number 3

Filipino-Muslim Run for Peace

When: September 9, 2007
Where: Raja Sulaiman Park, Roxas Blvd,Manila
Highlight: Actor Robin Padilla was there to grace the event, and yea he ran too

h@ppy feet Participants: Mon, Ben, Jaymie(12th for 10KM women), Vanggie, Roselle, Tisha, Totoy, Renz, Smith, Pen, Mark, Robin, Sam, Rey, me

My PR: 50.49 Mins (1.24 mins less my last 10KM)
Distance: 10KM
Rank: 14th

Orchard run before i left

Talk about being a running addict, a night before my flight back to the Philippines i wanted to try the running route i got from the health club at Marriot Hotel.

I was ecstatic to see they actually have a printed cardboard of a running route from the hotel and back for 5KM and 10KM.

Marriot - orchard route

Woke up late but still managed to run from 7 to past 8 for the 10KM route.  Well talk about being a female and not checking the other main streets and plain relying on the cardboard, i end up doing my own route AGAIN!

Distance: 11.8107

Singapore practice run