It's been a good 3 weeks after the race that I got to write anything about this. Not that I expected much as I thought I would since this is a Runrio event.
I do not know if I have expected too much or I have been off the circuit long... is 3 1/2 months long :-) ?
I am trying to compare the 2010 Leg 3, where I also ran 10k, but conducted in BGC to this 2011 Leg 3. At that time, I was off 7 years and got pleasantly surprised, on the comeback, how much running has boomed and how organized they are already.
I ran other Runrio and non-Runrio races and came to the conclusion that Runrio events are better organized than most.
This year's Leg 3 was done in MOA, and as I came from that 100-day lay-off, did not expect to have a PR as training mileage was only a little less than 116k with only 1 hill training to boot. I went in aiming for a 54 min finish.
Well, I finished better than expected as the route was virtually flat, resulting in a sub-53 finish. Not too familiar with the route and vaguely remembering where the flyovers were, I thought I will have a hard time with the climbs. Unfounded it turned out, hence the a-little-bit-better-than-expected finish time.
As I finished early, I had time to visit or snoop on, by my count, 90% of the booths. I even had time to get my photo taken! I did not do this in 2010, so I can say I had more fun in the after-race this time.
I did not notice anything amiss and I was really surprised when I went to the usual forums afterwards and read on some not-so-pleasant feedback, highly unusual in a RunRio sponsored event. Some were downright nasty.
Most came off from the 21k/32k runners who felt they were on the short end of the stick on hydration, banana, photos(!, goodness), markers, timers. The usual tirade on other races but NOT in a RunRio event!
Now, the question that begs to be asked is: "Has Rio spoiled the runners or has his outfit stumbled on this one?"
As I am not privy to the exact plight of the long distance runners, not running the route, I can not truly assess it. But on a 10k runner's perspective, I did not see anything unusual. I have ran a couple of 21ks and have always brought my own hydration. The banana bonuses during the race are welcome but I do not go about demanding it be there. As far as timing on the turns are concerned, we had one for the 10k. There were photogs present but i do not dwell on photos much. I go for the results more (as we all should and foremost). The markers were sufficient along the route.dd
In that regard, I think Leg 3 was fine for me.
People have different expectations and priorities. If all of us would just go back to the basics of why we are running, I think we'll be better off every after a race.
But then again, that's just me.
I do not know if I have expected too much or I have been off the circuit long... is 3 1/2 months long :-) ?
I am trying to compare the 2010 Leg 3, where I also ran 10k, but conducted in BGC to this 2011 Leg 3. At that time, I was off 7 years and got pleasantly surprised, on the comeback, how much running has boomed and how organized they are already.
I ran other Runrio and non-Runrio races and came to the conclusion that Runrio events are better organized than most.
This year's Leg 3 was done in MOA, and as I came from that 100-day lay-off, did not expect to have a PR as training mileage was only a little less than 116k with only 1 hill training to boot. I went in aiming for a 54 min finish.
Well, I finished better than expected as the route was virtually flat, resulting in a sub-53 finish. Not too familiar with the route and vaguely remembering where the flyovers were, I thought I will have a hard time with the climbs. Unfounded it turned out, hence the a-little-bit-better-than-expected finish time.
As I finished early, I had time to visit or snoop on, by my count, 90% of the booths. I even had time to get my photo taken! I did not do this in 2010, so I can say I had more fun in the after-race this time.
I did not notice anything amiss and I was really surprised when I went to the usual forums afterwards and read on some not-so-pleasant feedback, highly unusual in a RunRio sponsored event. Some were downright nasty.
Most came off from the 21k/32k runners who felt they were on the short end of the stick on hydration, banana, photos(!, goodness), markers, timers. The usual tirade on other races but NOT in a RunRio event!
Now, the question that begs to be asked is: "Has Rio spoiled the runners or has his outfit stumbled on this one?"
As I am not privy to the exact plight of the long distance runners, not running the route, I can not truly assess it. But on a 10k runner's perspective, I did not see anything unusual. I have ran a couple of 21ks and have always brought my own hydration. The banana bonuses during the race are welcome but I do not go about demanding it be there. As far as timing on the turns are concerned, we had one for the 10k. There were photogs present but i do not dwell on photos much. I go for the results more (as we all should and foremost). The markers were sufficient along the route.dd
In that regard, I think Leg 3 was fine for me.
People have different expectations and priorities. If all of us would just go back to the basics of why we are running, I think we'll be better off every after a race.
But then again, that's just me.