University Run

I haven’t toed the starting line nor crossed the finish line for almost a year now. But, if I’m to continue to write about running, I should maintain my street cred and start to run again.

With the line-up of races happening every weekend, choosing a race to stage a comeback should be easy. But I feel that my first race since giving birth to Vera should be more than just a comeback, it should also be a nostalgic homecoming of sorts. Like starting where it all began.

For many weekend warriors, their love affair with running started at Dr. Yong Larrazabal’s and Run for Sight Foundation’s annual University Run, which became a monthly Run for Sight series just so Cebu’s growing running community could put to the test their newly acquired endurance and running technique.

Back then, we were content with running loops covering 5K or 10K on dusty reclamation area roads surrounding the Cebu Doctor’s University campus.

It’s been a long way since those dusty jaunts along Larrazabal avenue at the reclamation area. Now on its 8th year, Run for Sight rolls out UR8 which poses a three-bridge challenge in the 25K category and a two-bridge challenge in the 13K category.

If you’d rather not take on the uphill and downhill challenge of crossing two or three bridges, you can always run the flat race course of the 6K and 3K fun runs, but where’s the fun in that?

Runners in the 13K category will have to cross the 1st Mandaue-Mactan Bridge and the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, while the 25K runners will have to cross both bridges plus the Cansaga Bay Bridge in Consolacion. There will be no cut-off time for 13K runners, but contenders in the 25K category must finish the race in 3 hours 30 minutes or better. Both 25K and 13K runners who cross the finishline will get a finisher’s medal.

UR8 will be on Sunday, August 25. The gun time for 25K is at 4 a.m. while 13K runners will be released at 4:15 a.m. The 6K fun run starts at 5:15 a.m. while 3K runners will start their race at 5:30 a.m.

To register, visit the New Run For Sight Office at Cebu Doctors Hospital from Monday to Friday 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

CUC 100 Leg 3

It’s 10 days to go before the CUC 100 Leg 3 – the last of a series of 100K ultramarathon races organized by the Cebu Ultrarunners Club.

On this 3rd leg, runners will start at the Family Park in Poblacion, Tabuelan town and end at the Family Park in Talamban, Cebu City. The route will be the hardest and most challenging of the series with runners expected to navigate through the undulating Transcentral Highway including the soul-crushing and hellish climb in Cansomoroy, Balamban.

With 10 days to go, any run more than 10 kilometers will only hurt you on race day. Now is the time to rest, taper and review your race plan and logistics.

100K Ultramarathon Tips:

-Make a race plan. Know it by heart, but be prepared to adjust and adapt to actual race day conditions.

-Make a checklist of everything you need on race day. Pack days ahead of the race.

-Clip your toenails. Buff your feet and toes a week before the race. Get to know your feet intimately. Know the hot zones or blister prone areas. Practice taping those areas with Leukoplast.

-When you do get blisters remember this 3-step first aid: Step 1: prick the blister with a sterile needle. Step 2: super glue the loose skin. Step 3: Tape with Leukoplast.

-Rest well before the race. Sleep at least 8 hours before race day, 12 hours if you can.

-Pokka (Black Coffee) and Vicks inhaler will keep you awake if you’re sleepy.

-Be prepared to answer the call of nature even where there’s no bathroom.

-Stay positive, even when your body hurts everywhere. Do not whine or compare your pace with the runners who outrun you. It saps your energy. Think happy thoughts.

-Listen to your body. Live to race another day.

-Ditch the MP3 and run on the LEFT side of the road ALWAYS.

-Be kind to your knees. Glide on sandy sidewalk, run on grass when there’s grass.

-Conserve your energy. Running fast in the 1st half is the surest way to bonk.