Body Cramping 21K Panagbenga Run

It had been more than two years since I last joined a fun run. More than two years since I almost made into the top ten finishers of my last running event. To be exact, two years and six months had passed since my first race experience. I'd been inactive with running during this time due to time constraints with my ROTC class during Sundays, which is when most of the running events are scheduled.

A Festival of Flowers and Running

Come February 2000, the famous Flower Festival or Panagbenga Festival in Baguio is attracting numerous visitors from all over the country. The Flower Festival Foundation Inc. announced a running event as part of the City's Panagbenga celebration which is already in it's 5th year. My blood and my excitement spiked upon hearing it; I can join once again since ROTC class is now over.

At the registration office, I asked for a registration for the 5-kilometer distance, but they told me there would be no 5-kilometer race, so I opted for the 10 kilometer. But then again, the 10-kilometers wasn't on the running distance list either, only 21-kilometers was available. I knew my current capacity, and I knew that I wouldn't be able to run 21-kilometer, so I just headed home with regret that I still wouldn't be able to join a half-marathon.

But...

Come event day, I still went to the venue to check out the runners who participated. I also brought along what should have been my attire if I was able to register. There were a lot of participants. Most of them were, as normal it is for runners -- are slim bodied; some had bigger quads, some had longer legs, and so on. There were even more and much older runners who joined, already in their 45-55 of range. They amazed me so much!

I was then sitting at the edge of Melvin Jones grandstand when a tall man of my age as asked if registration for the race was still available. I accompanied him to the registration area and told him that I was also interested in joining, but I was afraid my body might give up due to the long distance of the race.

The guy had the same concern as me but he still registered. At the same time, he insisted and forced me to register and join too (like we were close?) since it was a once-in-a-lifetime event to try such distance. Since I also had my running clothes, I opted to register too while the guy was already warming himself up.

The Race Begins

There were still around 15 minutes left before the race began, I immediately stretched, kicking in the air, swinging my legs back and front and side-to-side until I felt that my blood has already warmed up enough. I kept my eye out for the tall guy who insisted me to join. I made him my target competitor for this race.

As the race begins, and having learned from my past experiences, I just ran at a slower pace, jogging as if I was just in a park. I saw the tall guy ran past beyond me and lo, his strides were lengthful compared to mine. I told to myself that later on, I would still be able to catch up to him.

The route was from Burnham park to Loakan Rd., and a few more kilometers past the last gate of Camp John Hay, we turned left to an unfamiliar road and place. Luckily there were still a lot of trees and the air was so fresh. I haven't kept track anymore of the time or distance anymore because of the unfamiliarity of the place. But still, I could keep up with a lot of runners, even overtaking a group of PMA'ers who also joined the event.

The Final Push

A few more minutes later, with distance covered still unknown, we turned a sharp right onto a road with an almost +60 degrees incline. That road lead us to Wright Parke where we again went straight up going to the Mansion House, and up to Mine's View. Now I had an idea of the last remaining kilometer stretch, and I knew I could finish the race because it was already much nearer.

Upon reaching the water station at Gibraltar road, my stomach still felt full water from the previous water station, but my mouth was dry. So I grabbed two cups of water, drank half of one cup, while I poured the water from the other cup onto my head. It was a refreshing feeling, having cold water flowing down to my body.

But then, that cold water wasn't a refreshment after all. I was already a few meters away from the Good Shepherd Convent when I suddenly felt little cramps on my quads. I stretched it, hoping that it would become okay. It relaxed the muscles for a few more steps, but then my whole left leg cramped this time. I was now running with full force and stride only from my right leg. It hurt so much every time I force my left leg to step. I kept on enduring while telling myself that I could do it. I was silently commanding both of my legs, literally, to give me more steps so I could reach the finish line.

The Unexpected Halt

Now getting near the rotunda of Wright Park, I saw an ambulance parking beside the public elementary school (forgot the name). I walked casually so the people in the ambulance wouldn't notice that I was already having a hard time running.

But it couldn't be helped, I was still dragging my left leg because it would hurt whenever I forced it to step normally as it should. Then one of the medics asked me if I needed help. I immediately responded to them with a big "YES' upon seeing the ambulance's chairs (whew!).

While sitting in the ambulance, the cramping had subsided, but the medic no longer allowed me to rejoin the runners since I had already sat and rested.

When the last runner came over our location, the ambulance started moving slowly while following him -- an old man in his late 50's or early 60's.

On the finish line, I wasn't able to get my Finisher's T-shirt because of the incident. My only souvenir was the Certificate of Appreciation sponsored and printed by Informatics Computer Institute Baguio. Then I saw the tall guy; he was so happy that he finished the course, and have his Baguio Flower Festival 21K T-shirt for a souvenir.

Personal Race Profile:
Event: Baguio Flower Festival 21K Run

Distance: 21 km.
Personal Time: 1:48:00
Rank: loser (last and was immobilized)

Race Info:
When: February 27, 2000.
Where: Burnham Park, Baguio City
Event: 1st Flower Festival Marathon