I arrived at the Mizuno Infinity Run at the Fort together with Maclan Matthew ‘pak cik’ (my running buddy from Malaysian) at around 5:30am. Ivy Macainan was there already at the starting line. It seems that she was waiting for our arrival. Well, Ivy was alone by this time. Unfortunately, Leo Oracion couldn’t able to join this race. In fact, he was supposed to join triathlon in Davao but he got knock down by flu. Pare Leo, that’s a signal for you. Get some rest.
Ok, back to Mizuno Infinity Run. Ivy greeted us while we were approaching the starting line area and help me deposited my bag while I immediately proceed to their counter to check in. Shortly after that, i found my self in the midst of the crowds of runners waiting the start gun. I managed my self to be in the front pack and do some (but certainly not enough) warm ups and stretching before the race started.
6.00am… bang!!! In a blink of an eye, we were off. At the first curve, i’m surprise that ivy was in front of me. I know her pace and i know she is running too fast at that time and that’s too early for her to do that since we’re just start running. So i send her a signal to slow down a bit and save energy.
I don’t usually drink after 30minutes runs. But that morning, i feel something different physiologically. My breath was a bit hard and that’s not usual. I realize that it is the cause of my lack of training. To be very honest, i’ve been skipping my training for quite sometimes. And prior to the race, i had only two sessions of 30 and 40 minutes runs. I felt so sorry for that. There was a thought running on my mind whether i could finish the race or not… applying the formula from George Sheehan, "Listen to your Body", I think i’m still ok. Just feel the pain…
and disasters happens…
On that morning, i discover while i’m running, that there are two different races using the same route, Mizuno and from Army (they were wearing black and white with their typical hair cut). There was a route when runners emerged and run together. After 8k, i’m in the front pack already and there were few runners in front of me. There were quite many runners from army run with me and i kinda following their pace. The last thing that i remember, there was a junction where army took right and i’m following them. I can’t remember exactly how many minutes nor km’s i run with them. I come to realize that i’m already lost was when i enter a stadium with the finish line from Pocary Sweat. I notice that that’s not my finish line and somebody shout at me, "hey mizuno, bakid nandidto ka?" Man, I got lost!!!! The good thing was the route of Mizuno is just near their stadium so i immediately run to that street by asking the guard how to get out from this compound.
I was able to took over many runners trying to catch up my missing minutes although i know it will not put me back to my first place before got lost. Yeah, i was grumbling all the way to the finish line.
Again, i come to realize that there is the lack of marshals on the course. In many junctions there was no marshals who directs runner where to go. And i believe i was not alone who got lost.
On the last u-turn at McKinley (9k) route start to go uphills and there is no water available. That was the race where i found many runners walk and walk (this is not usual for 10k, 15k or 21k. 42k is exception). The thing is there was no water from McKinley to the finish line. Not only that, by the time we reach the finish line, there was no literally water available for runners. They have water but we have to but for it. WHAT!???!!!!
I was not the only one who complain about this. If you take a look at thebullrunner.com you will find complains from runners about Mizuno Infinity Run 08.
No Water…
No Pin…
No Age Category…
No Certificate…
After the race, Ivy, Maclan and I went to Mizuno office headquarter in Magalanes and leave our complains there. One lady whom we met there said that they are not aware that the runners will reach 2000 in number. Well, that’s not an excuse, i suppose…
Mizuno is a great brand. However, Mizuno Inifinity Run 08 was not infinity run for me. Tombs down for Mizuno…
Ivy, on the other hand, was successfully applied fartlek technique. According to coolrunning.com fartlek is a form of road running or cross country running in which the
runner, usually solo, varies the pace significantly during the run. It
is usually regarded as an advanced training technique, for the experienced
runner who has been using interval training to develop speed and to raise
the anaerobic threshold.
In short, fartlek is speed play where runner run fast in a certain minutes and slow run again. I haven’t try this technique personally although i knew that it helps improve speed.
Ivy was told me at the beginning of the race that she was not in good condition. She got a mild flu and i can notice it from her voice
. However, despite of this poor condition, she was able to finish the race comfortably.
Ivy was aware of my mood =) due to the poor race that morning. So (again) she invites us for breakfast at Swiss Inn restaurant. Yeah, we had a great breakfast and conversation there. Good luck for your Mt. Island Peak expedition…
Having said all these, I would say that Mizuno Infinity Run 08, 15k category, was a run to remember. "This was Mizuno’s first race and it can only get better next time.
Hopefully, all race organizers learn from this experience to give us
runners a race that is well-organized—or better yet, one that is at par
with races abroad" as thebullrunner.com says.
My consolation is they have a very nice finisher t-shirt.
Mizuno Infinity Run 08 - Run 100%
for making my injury is solved. 
