Road Warrior

Since I live near Marikina, I signed up for the 10K Fun Run at the Sports centre yesterday. Jun was supposed to be showing off his body at a beach resort in Quezon, but was stuck in the lab investigating suspected H1N1 cases.

I have been expecting this race to be a small one, with less participants than in other races. But since it will pass through the river banks, I thought the route was an interesting one.

I was a bit worried because I have been neglecting my running routine because of the almost daily afternoon rains.

The race took us to neighborhood streets, avoiding the main thoroughfare, passing through the Marikina bridge towards the river side, where the 10k and 5k started to separate. I thought the route resembled a maze, the map didn't make it appear so.

Halfway through the race, in the riverbanks, I unfortunately stepped on an uneven surface while navigating a sloping road, causing me to twist my ankle. I had to stop for a few minutes while grimacing in pain, I really thought that I might do a DNF, or the did-not-finish option, but I didn't want to be carried all the way to the finish line. So yes, feeling like a real road warrior, I pressed on. I can say that this race was the closest I had to crawling towards the finish line.

During the last 2 km stretch, the street became narrower and people were lined up on the streets, not necessarily to cheer but to gawk as well. I heard one woman point at me and said, "this one's a mestizo, he's all flushed and red."

So like a celebrity, I waved my right hand back at her in the style of Ms Universe.

I saw my friend Ike pushing a baby roller for the 5K. It was so cute, with the roller equipped with a small siren complete with red lights while his baby was enjoying the joy ride. I think I planted that idea in his head. While running in the oval, I once told him about one popular expat, Craig, who runs while pushing the roller/wheelchair of his paraplegic son.

Anyway, my right foot still hurts a bit and I walk with a slight limp. I hope I can still make it for next week's, ahem, half marathon event.