PhilHealth: Post Run Update

Philhealth run is my first 5K organized run this year. I must say that after taking a long break from running, I'm not really in my top running condition. I was aiming for a less than 35 minutes run but having had not much practice, I finished at 45 minutes and 37 seconds. Still a slow runner. The time may not have improved but I must say I am still a better runner than my first 5K run. I was out of breath back then and experienced the beginnings of cramps and aching bunion, but not this time. I have better stamina, lungs and heart took the exertion well, and my legs and knees were not groaning in pain during the run. I also paid better attention to my running form, always checking if I am still running at the correct posture and proper foot landing. I also practiced deep breathing even while running, and I guess that helped to sustain me. 

5K runners at gun start (top left) and after the U-turn (bottom left)
After the run (photos on right)

Next step would be to work up on my speed.  Aside from setting a personal best by beating my own record, running faster would also be beneficial.  I'd be able to get some freebies too lol!  Seems like the faster runners were able to snag free shirts, medicines, loot bags and what have-you's in the various sponsors' booths.  What did I get?  Just a cup of black coffee and old issue of Health Beat magazine.  Woops!  The coffee was probably a bad idea after a long run but I just couldn't resist the aroma wafting towards my nostrils.  Anyway, no harm done, I guess.  I've had taho before that, since I was already hungry.  We thought there were free food and loot bags for ALL runners.  We read that somewhere in the website.  It turns out that it's only while supplies last, so it's like a hunter's thing years ago when you have to run fast or you won't have anything for dinner.  I still wish they had something left for us slow runners.  I hope race organizers would toss us some bananas next time hahaha!

Oh well, after our refreshing cups of taho and coffee, here we are, all smiles for the photos.  We don't look that hungry or tired, do we?

Us girls in our OVERSIZED singlets (I had to sew my singlet for a better fit)

Walking along the many booths, something caught my attention...err not the daydreaming guy but the FAME Inc. booth.  I was actually excited to go see what's in the booth that I hurriedly went there, leaving my companions behind. 

Booths!

I was also hoping that I might chance upon seeing a good friend there, a writer whom I met online, but she wasn't there.  It could have been our first meet up had she been there, but anyway, I just bought the latest issue of ZenHealth magazine.  It sells for PhP 100 but I got it at a discounted price of PhP 80.  I thought that was already quite a steal but to my surprise, they handed me 3 more copies of various magazines from the same publishing company.  They were back issues, but not too old copies and I was just so thrilled I had to text my friend to tell her about my loot!  She was supposed to be at the booth but for some reasons she wasn't able to come.  Too bad, but I suppose I also don't look quite presentable what with all those sweat still dripping from my hair hahaha!  

Latest issue of ZenHealth magazine that I got for a discounted price

My freebies!

Okay, so I didn't go home totally empty-handed after all.  Our next stop?  Probably the Run United on March 17 or the OFW run on March 24. See you there!

P.S.  To the PhilHealth race organizers, I have a little suggestion regarding the singlets.  The design is awesome, BUT they are way, way too oversized.  We ordered small sizes but to our  BIG surprise, the small size is actually equivalent to XL size.  Pinoys are not that big, right?  Just an after thought for you to consider on your next events.  Hopefully too, you would also consider giving food and loot bag stubs so all runners will get something, if indeed food and freebies is for everyone.  Thank you.