Mckinley HELL: My first encounter

Wikipedia.org defines procrastination as a behavior that is characterized by the deferment of actions or tasks to a later time. Psychology researchers have 3 criteria to categorize procrastination - it must be counterproductive, needless, and delaying. Hmmm…in order for me to come up with a decision on whether to join the Kenny’s Open ’09 Urbanite Run, I did a pros and cons list and here’s what I got:

Must run because…
...it’s the year’s 1st night run in the urban ‘jungle’
...disposable timing chip – the very famous ChampionChip
...’eat’ stub that I can use until October 15
...might bump into Marc Nelson (hehe...now this one is just an ‘icing on the cake’)

Must not run because...
...Php600 registration fee
...I almost got sideswiped by a car once during a day run, what are the odds that I won’t during this run?
...My shut off time is near the gun start – pushing myself to my limits would not do any good.

The verdict?


Unfortunately, I never realized what was in store for me. Met with the pack as early as 7:45 just below a glaring spotlight. After exchanging nods, we checked out the crowd. There must have been more than 2,000 ‘dark knights’ that night – a very good turnout. After the 15k runners set off at 8:45, I blended in with the 10k, squeezed off an orange flavored hammer gel (a first for me) and waited for Marc Nelson’s gun off countdown – ha! looks like my sugar boost was too early.

Sprinted off at the start until I got wasted at only 3 kilometers – not a very good sign. By this time, I was hoping that the gel would give me my most needed energy, as promised. However, I had to slow down on an easy pace – because of the pain, dehydration, and hunger. Before I turned back to the HQ, I started walking. And just when I thought that I was already nearing the finish line, the marshals told us to turn right to Mckinley Hill.

This close encounter with Mckinley gave me the cramp on my left leg – another first. Still, I tried hard to run and jog before the turnaround – which was way downhill. Going back up to the last 2k cramped the right leg that I had to do a jog/walk again just so I could finish the race. I kept this cadence in my mind - “1 mile, no sweat. 2 mile, better yet…sound off!” all throughout the last kilometer. That is, right after I couldn't answer the 'big question on my forehead' - why am I running again? Finished the race, albeit 3 minutes slower than my last 10k - and I'm taking it out on the glaring spotlights at the finish line - hehe!


Angst?


With Jonel aka Bugobugo, Iskozenegger, Bolt, and Jerry aka Highaltitude