Now this is a post that is looooong overdue! I’ve just been so busy with school work that I have not found the time to post my comments about the race. This is also the reason why I broke down the posts in to three parts so that the visitors of this site would not have to wait long. With Rush to Infinity coming up, I ought to write this already or else I’ll have a backlog.

Now, before I start, I’d like to share my sentiments on giving comments about races and events. First, it is only now that I realize, after working with Coach Rio, that handling a race event is much more difficult than it seems. Of course there are things that are very predictable, but then again, there are other factors that you will have to consider such as the weather, the number of participants that show up, the sponsors and the things that they commit to doing. Other things such as water stations, marshalls, race results, equipment, ambulance, distance markers, etc can all be prepared ahead of time.

Second, no one is forcing any of us to race. If we have a lot of complaints prior to joining a race such as singlets, unaccessibility of registration booths, registration fee, accuracy of the distance, drink sponsors (ie. Rush, Pocari Sweat, etc), we always have the option not to run. I mean, if we just have so many things about a race that we don’t like… then why are we registering for it anyway? If we have a lot of complaints post-race, we can always give feedback to the organizers so that they can improve, not just to rant. If we didn’t like how the race was conducted, then it is as simple as not going back to any of their events.

Anyway, going back to my recap of the Fuego-Mizuno run conducted last June 15 at Club Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas.

1. The race had a small number of participants. I think there were only around 80 runners. When I asked the organizer why this was so, they had mentioned that it was only targeted for the club members and their endorsed guests, as well as other invitees of the organizers and/or sponsors.

2. There were a good number of water stations. I think I counted 4, if I’m not mistaken. They were ideally spread out every 2.5km. The only thing I wish they would do for future races is to use small dixie cups instead of large plastic cups since most runners don’t really drink an entire glass. Either way, they can always get two. For those who are running, the objective is to rehydrate yourself in quickest possible time and not really to quench you thirst. Large plastic cups that are filled to the brim usually get wasted and they are harder to drink from. I agree with Banana Running when she wrote that the water stations were friendly.

3. The route should be well thought of and planned. Take this for example. The initial route (left) said that for the 10k runners, they would have to make 2 rounds of the 2 loops. In the final route, they just made us do 2 rounds of the first loop and one round of the second loop. All along I thought that we were doing both loops twice that why I was very much surprised when I got to the finish line. I was conserving energy since I thought I had a long way to go, only to find out that I had already finished the race. I was actually frustrated with my performance since I knew that I could have definitely done better. I mean, I was jogging to the finish line. I mean, who jogs to the finish line??

Secondly, they had changed the route altogether. Instead of passing through the lower beach club via Long Beach Drive, they decided to change the route the night before and just made it go through the main road of the Club. I mean, this is ok since it made the course much easier. Perhaps, I’d rather that right before they let the runners go, they need to inform and again, right before the gun shot, remind the runners of the route, especially if there are any changes from the original race map. If they were going to make changes, they were better off not giving any race maps altogether.

4.  Despite the changes in the route, the course was great. The view of the beach was fantastic and the weather was also just right. It wasn’t too hot, though I wish it were colder.

5. The race markers were a big confusing. I didn’t know whether they were for the 3k, 5k or 10k runners. There was this sign that goes, “3km left!” ok… that either means I’ve ran 2k (for the 3k), 3k (for 5k) or 7k (for the 10k). It was really confusing so I paid no attention to any of them… thus my mistake of not realizing that I was at the finish line already. Even the other road signs were too small. We were not sure of where to turn.

6. I enjoyed the breakfast buffet right after. Maybe race organizers should consider having a breakfast buffet after the race or thay they should have concessionaires around so that the participants have the option to eat right after the race instead of going elsewhere. Having concessionaires also at the race site might be good for those who did not have the time to have breakfast before the race. Maybe lugaw, arroz caldo or even fruits would suffice pre-race. It’s also not a good idea to run on a full stomach.

7. I will cherish my medal. Haha! For one, it’s the first medal I ever got from a race. I mean certificates are nice, but usually, they end up getting wet with sweat or lost or crumpled. What the organizers at the Subic International Marathon did was practical. The certificates were placed wrapped in individual plastic covers. Also, it might be better to have the runners line up to pick them up instead of distributing them as they cross the finish line.

8. A pre- or post- race event would also be good. The awarding ceremonies were short but I guess they couldn’t pro-long it anyway. Maybe a short program of sorts or a mixer or photo-ops would be interesting.

As regards my own performance…

> I didn’t drink! Haha! Congrats to me… I think this is one of the few races that I did not drink the day or night before, not even the Friday prior to the race. I guess it helped me perform better.

> Don’t stop running. I’d have to admit. There were parts of the race that I found myself walking the hills. NO matter what happens, don’t walk. Who cares if the person in front of you decided to walk, it’s an opportunity to pass him, not to walk also and continue being behind him! And who cares also if the person behind you is far behind… all the more to go further and improve your lead. That’s what happened to me. Since the guy I was trailing started to walk, I’d end up walking too thinking that it was alright and that the hills might really be that bad. BIG MISTAKE. l also kept on looking behind me. WRONG WRONG WRONG.

>I managed not to drink at every water station. What I do is I drink only after the 5km mark. I don’t want to waste my time drinking when my body doesn’t need it yet. However, for this race, I think I drank more. The course was really hilly… hehe!

My time was around 1:10 or something like that. It was really slow compared to my last time of 57 mins something. I knew I could have done better but I didn’t. Perhaps next time.

I’m actually looking forward to Fuego-Mizuno II. One of the organizers said that they might try to do one this August. Hopefully, they do. I want to conquer those hills!