My first 10k run

Excitement, jitters, apprehension, fun, joy, thrill.

I experienced all these last Sunday when I ran my first 10K race during the Queen City Footrace.

I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep Saturday night. After preparing my running gears, I tried to close my eyes and sleep. For whatever reason I just couldn’t sleep!

The alarm clock started to chime at 4:15 am. I wasted a few more minutes on the bed before finally getting up to hit the shower. The cold morning bath shook me from slumber. I quickly dried up then put on my shorts, t-shirt and socks.

I fixed myself a sandwich, took some bite and then brushed my teeth. Oh man, I was ready to go.

I whispered to my wife that I’m leaving and she just nodded. The clock reads 4:45.

My “tukayo” Raffy Uytiepo was at the starting line and helped me with my race number.

I started stretching when I heard the starting gun off! In the confusion at the starting line, I lost sight of Raffy but found him later. We ran together for a few kilometers then he told me to go ahead.

That’s when I got apprehensive. It was my first 10K run! What if I hit the wall early? What if my hamstring gives? What if I’ll develop blisters on my feet because I was wearing a new pair of running shoes?

However, I continued running.

I caught up with Jess Taborada, president of the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC), but when they picked up pace. I didn’t follow, they were too fast.

It was along Jones when I got my first taste of water: the two glasses tasted so refreshingly cool!

When I turned right from Robinsons, I saw some runners in front of me. I thought I know one of them so I quickened my pace and joined them. One of them was Arman, a friend, from our airsoft team, Yawcoy.

I decided to leave Arman to test my hamstring on the uphill portion of Mango Avenue. I reached flatter roads at Park Place and didn’t feel anything.

It was beginning to be fun! I passed more runners before making a u-turn in front of the Capitol and then tried to run faster as I reached Fuente Osmeña. This time, I was cruising! My hamstring seems to be okay; my feet are still fine: no blisters; no nothing.

I joined a couple after making a u-turn along B. Rodriguez and coasted along with them as we ran towards Colon Street.

From a distance, the spires of the Basilica del Sto. Niño, were hazy. However, as the three of us kept our stride, the spires became clearer! After turning right at Plaza Independencia and another right towards the City Hall, I could feel the adrenalin rush! There’s the finish line! Wow, I just ran my first 10K race and survived!

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I would like to thank Jess Taborada for helping me find a good pair of running shoes. Thanks as well to Raffy Uytiepo for coaxing me to run. Lastly, thanks to Dr. Renald Peter T. Ramiro for his offer to look at my hamstring. God willing, I’ll be joining the ABS-CBN 10K Run on June 22.

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