What I Ran For at the Rizal Run

Sesquicentennial what?

I prepared an all-OPM play list that lets me begin in a controlled pace: Up Dharma Down and Taken by Cars. Then the play list lines up local rock superlatives like Franco and Wolfgang to blast through my brains during a run that honors the 150th of National Hero Jose Rizal. Dragging songs to the new play list, my blood pumped and endorphins started to ooze with the distortion and guitar riffs. It will be a perfectly flat race route, and the starting line is walking-distance from my house so I will enjoy a home-court advantage in Roxas Boulevard. I've had several servings of spectacular sunsets here, many of them while running along baywalk.

The 16k distance is a step below from the 21k races I’ve previously joined, but its good preparation for my next shot at my sub-2 hour 21k goal this November. While I’m not in serious training, I’m in a good enough condition to finish 16k in 1.5 hours. I just had every reason to run my first organized of the year.

There’s been a great deal of grinding pressure at work with a launch of a new account and client visits so I could use some pavement-pounding to run these worries away to oblivion, at least for a while. And before the run begins, the yearning is just as thrilling.

It also develops before going into full blast, like how molecules begin to boil in a kettle. That’s how excitement built up in the 16k coral in front of the landmark Rizal Monument. On the way to the starting line, you hear the snare drums from a University Cheering squad. Before gun time, the National Anthem is sang, the National Historical Commissioner speaks, and everybody goes for a last- minute muscle stretch. This is a relatively-simpler organized run, as there weren’t any fireworks or fancy laser-light shows at the starting line, but it had enough good fuel to rev up the runners.

I run alone, but sometimes you get sentimental about sharing this happiness. It’s similar to how you wish someone else read a good book you’ve read. I thought of my brother who works overseas, in Bahrain. He also runs, and I would have loved to run this race with him.

Pink and blue 5.30 am skies, the proximity of the sea, boulevards that are closed for your convenience, and an equally excited crowd reminded me of why runners give up Saturday night-outs to wake up for a Sunday morning run. Having run mostly on afternoons, I almost forgot how good the early-mornings feel.


I executed a conservative game plan. I didn’t push or try to pass other runners, but made sure I ran between a 5’30 to 5’45 per km pace. With that, I finished within a minute of my 1:30 goal. Towards the end, I felt like I had so much strength left. . I was sprinting towards the finish line and I was probably running a 4’00/km pace towards that stretch. I should’ve ran more with what they call “pure guts” and worked harder. I realized, this time I was enjoying myself more than working hard on a race.

At the finish line, an usher in Filipiniana costume puts a medal around my neck.

I never bother to line up for those loot bags. I walked towards the Rizal Monument and did my post-run stretch. It's a symbolic bow, this stretch. And this one, for Rizal, in front of guarded monument. We've read your work, put your face in coins and t-shirts, and now we've ran for you. Happy Birthday!

After the stretch, I went home immediately.

I’ll be in time for breakfast with my wife and kid. I’ll get some chocolate milk at a convenience score. I read from somewhere that it’s an awesome drink to mend these muscles. Man, I’m still high and giddy. It’s still a long road ahead and I plan on enjoying myself.