Pain Pain Go Away

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"Agay!" Marathon Foodie gets help from running friends Madelyn Carter, who placed 2nd, and sleepless call center agent Paul Zafico who placed 5th. Congrats Guys!(Photo courtesy of John Mark Lim Causin)

Pain has a purpose. -Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno

In all of Cebu’s road races, only CDU’s University Run can manage to gather more than 3,000 participants. Never mind that many of the kids (students of Cebu Doctor’s University) were there for extra credit. The more important thing is that young people are exposed to the great sport of running and hopefully take up the sport more seriously someday, even without prodding from a PE teacher.


Because the University Run is one designed and organized by prominent Cebuano runners – Dr. Yong Larrazabal and Dr. Peter Mancao, the Marathon Foodie had high expectations, and they did not disappoint.


The Start/ Finish Area with the Turtle Runners Club


The start and finish area was big and expansive occupying all four-lanes of the road fronting CDU campus in Mandaue City. This is important when you have more than 3,000 runners and participants. However, the organizers missed the inclusion of a holding and check-in area, which delayed the start of the race.

The organizers also provided a courtesy booth where runners could leave their things. For those who did not know about this, the courtesy booth was located near the CDU swimming pool and was ably manned by student volunteers. The Marathon Foodie thinks that all organizers should include this in their race plan and logistics.


The water stations did not run out of water and cups and there were student volunteers who not only handed out the cups to runners, but cheered enthusiastically as well. One thing about the volunteers at the water stations though, they were sometimes in the way, standing on the runner’s path. This is dangerous to both the volunteer and the runner. I guess the volunteers needed to be briefed to just stand at the side of the road and not in the middle of it, when handing out water.

There was food at the finish line. (Yey!)

Cesar Montano, Sunshine Cruz and Donna Cruz made the University Run a star-studded event, but it was the Atan Guardo Runners who stole the show and “brought the house down” (even though we were outdoors). Wearing their Cory tribute singlets and short-short running shorts, Guardo led a cast of all-male runners in a surprise dance number – Nobody But You by the Wonder Girls. (Click here to see video)

Just like in the Run for Sight Series, the organizers used the same two loops of 5-kilometer asphalt roads. The race course was flat, fast and free from vehicular traffic. It was so fast in fact that many runners broke their PR’s. In fact, the Marathon Foodie clocked 59:58 despite running with an injured foot. This was my fastest 10K run, my best time being 1:01. There were concerns about the race course being a bit short – Garmin wearers noted a deficit of 200 to 500 meters, which confused the Marathon Foodie since this has never been an issue in the previous Run for Sight Series which has been using the same route for five months now. I

In any case, this should not diminish the effort of the runners and the organizers, although the organizers should address this.

Frankly, the Run for Sight Series and the University Run distinguish itself for being two of the regular running events in Cebu where runners (especially the new ones) can be assured that the organizers truly care for the welfare of runners. Maybe because Drs. Yong and Peter are runners too and they know exactly what it feels like on the road. Congratulations to the organizers and Joel Baring who directed the technical aspect of the race.

Marathon Foodie and Drum and Run a.k.a Carlo Serrano of Takbo.ph meet Donna Cruz for the first time. Donna placed 3rd while Carlo recorded his first sub 60 finish in a 10K race (57 mins).

The 4th University Run will always be memorable for me, not because I finished 10K below sixty minutes for the first time, but because of its valuable lessons about pain and foolhardiness.

For about a month prior to race day, I’ve been bothered by a nagging pain between the heel and arch of my right foot. I would later learn this to be plantar fasciitis. I ignored the pain and told no one about it. I thought, I needed to hit my mileage goal for the week and will run even in pain if I have to. I just adjusted my stride and form in order to hide the fact that I was running in pain.

Then on Thursday prior to the race, while Coach Precing and I were doing intervals at the track, the pain transferred to my forefoot. The pain was sharp, like a hammer striking my right forefoot every time I hit the track. Suddenly, there was no hiding the pain. Not only were my strides much shorter, I also limped when I walked.

The track workout was cut-short and Coach had explicit orders for me to rest the foot and if possible, skip the University Run. But I told myself I was strong and can deal with all kinds of pain. Besides, I really really wanted to run 10K below 60 minutes. And so against Coach Precing’s advice, I still ran the University Run.

In the morning of Sunday, the Marathon Foodie took 500 mg Ponstan SF, which dulled the pain a bit, but did not totally eliminate it. The hammer strike on my forefoot was no longer as sharp as it was on Thursday, but my heart was beating fast, not from exertion but from fear. Each time my right foot struck the pavement I had this graphic imagination of my running shoes exploding with my ligaments and bones on the right foot smashed to smithereens.

Throughout the race the Marathon Foodie ran and did not walk. While I was resigned on not breaking my PR, I was also determined not to DNF, even if I had a perfect excuse for dropping out of the race. But it was such a slow and agonizing run. All the while I was kicking myself for not taking the day off. After the race, the Marathon Foodie could hardly walk and hobbled to and from work like an old lady on Monday and Tuesday.

Pain has a purpose. It is often a signal that something is wrong. "The key is to have a sense of when the pain is just soreness or a signal of something more serious. Good indicators that something isn't right include a sharp, localized pain that doesn't improve as your run progresses, and any ache that alters your running form," says Kara Goucher, the current rising star of American marathon running.

Mary Valero, Arlene Acuna, Cattski Espina and Marathon Foodie.

I know runners try to run even while in pain, hoping that it would just magically go away. But for new runners who have very limited experience with injury, ignoring the pain may lead to more serious injuries. What we can do is try to understand what caused the pain and seek (professional) help if you have to.

The Marathon Foodie learned that resting for a day or two or even a week from running is not a mortal sin. Training schedules are not set in stone. A week or two off is much better than not being able to run for three months because of an injury.

It was such a foolish decision to run while injured. Although I hit my target of running below sixty minutes, it still felt hollow because I was not one hundred percent on race day. Who was I trying to impress anyway? I know I will pay dearly for this. I just hope it won't cost me my dreams of finishing the QCIM or SCHKM.

Next stop: Cebu Doctors Rehab Med Dept.

P.S. Congratulations to Dr. Raymund Reel Bontol a.k.a. Reel Running for placing 3rd in the Doctor's 10K Division and to Abby Ponce for shaving 8 minutes from her previous record at the Run for Sight. It's not the Lunarglides Abs! Thanks to Drum and Run for the Photographs.

Confessions of a Late Bloomer

On 19^th July 2009, St. Theresa’s College Alumnae Association (STAA) hosted a fun run – a first in this convent school’s history.

My alma mater was never known for its sports program. In fact, we only had soccer-baseball, softball and volleyball once a year during intramurals.

Now it makes me wonder why, despite having such a spacious campus in uptown Cebu City, the ICM nuns never thought of having tennis, running or swimming as part of a convent girl’s sports training. This is ironic since STC has through the years taken pride in molding strong Christian women leaders.

A strong sports program would have honed discipline and competitiveness among the convent girls and running would have been a good outlet for those who could not make the cut in the team sports.

I remember how I desperately wanted to be a part of the soccer-baseball team but could not make the cut. Perhaps it was because I was way too thin then and because I was not friends with the girls on the team. Or maybe because I was so T-H as in trying hard, and T-H, in any generation, is never cool in high school.

I tried to ingratiate myself by begging my dad to buy a professional-grade leather soccer ball. I thought maybe they would finally let me in the soccer team with my shiny new Mikasa.

Fat chance.

Despite the new ball, the Marathon Foodie, then a gung-ho wannabe soccer player was to be left out of sports for the rest of her growing-up years at STC.

But fifteen (15) years after high school graduation, the Marathon Foodie (H.S. ’94, Coll. ’98) came back with a vengeance and what a homecoming it was. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

At five in the morning of Sunday, my sister Arlene (H.S. ’95) and best friend Mary Valero (H.S. ‘94, Coll. ’98) car-pooled to the race venue. Like true blue Theresians we complained, in so many words, about the regulation singlets (the way we always complained about the regulation blue and white uniforms in high school and College) and how unflattering and huge it made us all look.

Mary decided to chuck it altogether after she was given the wrong size, while I decided to debut the Marathon Foodie’s new signature race look -- running skirt and matching shirt. Arlene, who never got into any kind of trouble in high school, was the only one who stuck it out with the singlet.

Until the last minute I was undecided whether to run in the 5K open and compete with the pros like Mary Grace Delos Santos or run the 3K category and compete with STC alumnae and the current crop of high school and college Theresians. I decided to run the 3K because there was absolutely no way that the Marathon Foodie could win over Mary Grace Delos Santos and I desperately wanted to win!

Unsure whether I chose the right battle, I surveyed the 3K runners and did not see Millet Chiongbian nor Perl Jacalan. Triathlete Amale Mendezona-Jopson was running in the 5K category so I felt relieved. Then I realized that the biggest threat to my dreams of a podium finish would come from the much younger contenders – girls 16 to 25 years old. Girls who were lighter, faster, healthier and probably have yet to have their hearts broken. I told my BFF Mary that I suddenly felt so old. She then asked -- “Why, did you come here to win?” The Marathon Foodie replied – “Absolutely.”

The starting gun for the 3K run went off and true enough, the younger girls sprinted so fast that they managed to cover 100 meters even with just 5 seconds into the race. As I navigated towards the first of four hills of the 3K route (in front of National Bookstore on Mango Ave.), I saw a dozen girls 200 meters ahead of me and I felt crushed. There was no way I could beat them. But you know what the cliché says – it ain’t over till it’s over.

Madelyn Carter, the back to back champion of the Cebu leg of the Milo 21K, met me at the Caltex Station across Jollibee Mango. The week before, Madz promised to be my pacer at the STC run. She said she needed to do her recovery jog before plunging into serious training the following week. So Madz Carter’s slow jog was my racing pace! Harhar!

For long distance runners, the problem with running a 3K is this – it doesn’t give you the luxury of starting slow and steady. After the first 800 meters, it should be a fast run all the way to the finish if you want to win the race.

Madz and I overtook a runner at Fuente Osmena. It was a good sign. When we reached the public library I could see the bunch of young girls making a right turn at the Capitol towards Escario. To narrow the gap between myself and the bunch of runners ahead of us, Madz and I did maximum bursts of 50 meter sprints and steady runs of 25 meters.

We ran this way until we reached Maxwell Hotel on Escario Street. Then we saw the bunch of girls stopping by the water station across Grand Hotel, we sprinted past them and never looked back. Another three girls were panting their way up the hill across the Camputhaw Brgy. Hall – the 2^nd of four inclines in the race. The girls were visibly spent and there was still a mile to go.

One by one we overtook the girls who were either slowing down to a jog or were just walking from sheer exhaustion. Madz and I were still running strong. I was drooling from exertion on both sides of the mouth but I did not even bother to wipe the spit. I had to win this race no matter what.

The 3^rd hill, which was the most difficult incline of the 3K route was the one in front of Iglesia Ni Kristo. Although it was just 600 meters from the finish line, this hill prevented us from sprinting to the finish. At last there was no one else in front of me except Elmer Bartolo who was going to be the first male in the 5K category.

Madz and I made our way up the last hill up STC’s Mango gate driveway. I saw the finish line and I couldn’t hear anything else except the race marshal telling me to go to the left shute for the 3K.

I won the race. First place in the 3K STC category. Even if I had decided to run and compete in the 3K open I would have placed second which isn’t bad either. But I wanted to take home the champion’s trophy not the runner’s up.

What did I learn today?

First, it takes more than brute force to win a race. In order to win, it also takes savvy, strategy, technique and an intimate familiarity with your own limitations as a runner – a wisdom that can only be gained from hours and hours spent running on the road.

Second, I learned that it is both lonely and eerily quiet at the front of the pack. Apart from Madelyn’s prompting for me to run faster, there was no other sound. There was no other runner to say hello to and cheer on. A single-minded pursuit to win against a pack of competitors can be a lonely endeavor.

Third, and not least of all, I realized that as a kid I may not have had the chance to play sports even if I desperately wanted to because I did not belong; but as an adult, I have proven that age, health, time and monetary considerations are no barriers to the pursuit of the great sport running. I know I should have started when I was much younger and more limber, but just like in real life, true love can be found sometimes so late in the game.

I could not possibly do a review about the organizers handling of the race logistics and marshaling. One of the true tests of a well organized race is how the organizers deal with the runners and walkers at the end of the pack for they are the usual victims of water stations running out of water or intersection marshals that are missing in action.

From my own perspective, it was a good race. Not only did I win, I also got to spend the morning with my sister Arlene a new convert to running, my BFF Mary and the famous Cattski Espina (Coll. ’97) of the band Cattski.

We were laughing and reminiscing and celebrating our individual victories of finishing yet another race.

Suddenly we were young again, even for just a day.

Photo credit: The photo of Marathon Foodie with Madelyn Carter is by Amper Campana. It appeared in the July 20, 2009 issue of Sun Star Daily Cebu. Thanks to Sun Star Editor and fellow runner Max Limpag for allowing me to grab this photo from FB