UNILAB Run United for Wellness

My Running Diary:

1. Adidas King of the Road 2009 - October 25, 2009 : 0:48:59
   
2. A Run for the Pasig River - November 8, 2009
   
3. Time is Running, The 2009 Timex Run - November 15, 2009 : 0:43:49/0:41:23
   
4. Men's Health Urbanathlon and Festival 2009 - November 22, 2009 : 0:53:50
   
5. New Balance Power Run, Raising Hope 2009 - November 29, 2009 (Bandit) : 0:38:19
   
6. 1^st Catholic Ministry to Deaf People Yes Run 2009 - December 6, 2009 : 0:42:25 (unofficial)
   
7. Pioneer Mighty Bond Mighty Run 2009 - December 13, 2009 : 0:38:13 (unofficial)
8. PhilStar.com Christmas Celebrity Run 2009 - December 20, 2009 (chaos)
9. PSE Bull Run 2010 : Takbo Para sa Ekonomiya - January 17, 2010 : 0:36:23
10. Condura Run 2010 - Run for the Dolphins - February 7, 2010 : 0:33:18 (unofficial) 0:37:00 (official)
11. Century Superbods Run 2010: RunRio Trilogy Leg 1 - February 21, 2010 : 0:49:10 / 0:39:35
12. UNILAB Run United for Wellness - March 7, 2010 : 1:22:32
    

My last run was the Century Superbods Run. And eventhough UNILAB Run United for Wellness is my very first 10K race, I never had my training [and I don't even got to ride my stationary bike for a long time now]. Nevertheless, I am confident that we can make it in less than 1 hour and a half. I just told my girl that we can make it 100% for we still got the feeling of Purefoods Championship, ha ha.

A pose before the gun start

We had a quick stretching courtesy of Fitness First people before the actual race began. I know it is not sufficient, but it still helped. And then the count down begins. After less than 1.5hours, we found ourselves in the finish line with smiling faces, all sweat, but fulfilled [and not tired at all]. See? Confidence really is a factor in completing long distance races.

Okay, as what I've done last race, I won't be story-telling my race experience per sé; but would be having a general review of the race.

• The start of the race was all fun with the stretching as lead by the Fitness First people [though it was for a very short period of time]. The race route was displayed in animation before the gun start. [Although it could have been more awesome if they've got fireworks too. Okay, that's luxury!]
• KM markers were sufficient, if not abundant. They were strategically positioned and is printed in long/tall boards to be seen by everyone. And I believe they were successful here [together with the sufficient marshals], for our LostRunner is never lost and had even ranked 25^th overall for 10K race category.
• Marshals are equipped with proper knowledge with respect to the race route.
• Hydration booths are abundant. And the volunteers were kind enough to hand us the cups of water. There were also garbage cans along [though most runners failed to drop the cups there, tsk tsk tsk]. Only, there is no hydration booth at the Finish. But Coach Rio already explained the matter in his open letter.
  
• State of the art technology for the timing chip plus seeing my name on the screen as I cross the finish line. That was awesome!
• No long queue for redemption of loot bags. Surprisingly, the bag [not just an ordinary loot bag] has a finisher's shirt inside with the category printed on it. I love the shirt. Thanks to UNILAB.
  
• A wide village that has loads of stuff, prizes, and fun to enjoy. Although I haven't availed of all the events, I sure see that many runners enjoyed the Wellness Village.

The program started a bit late, I can already feel the heat of the sun; and I also need to go to attend the Sunday Service back in Bocaue, Bulacan. So, we bid goodbye as the cheering squad were performing their stunts.

All-in-all. It was a great event. I have to rate it 9.5 stars. The 0.5 star goes to the banana, LOL! There were no bananas provided during or after the race [or we just failed to see them].

Congrats RunRio, FinishLine, and UNILAB! Race well organized! Will surely join an event that will be spearheaded by you guys.