2016 Standard Chartered Hongkong Marathon: a race recap

Marathon ten weeks apart is something I would not dare myself doing
But my friend Annie was so persistent that I signed up the moment the registration opened last October.

Everything was squeezed in a very limited time…

the very little mileage after my November 1 New York marathon , the need to rest…...
... only started a few runs last December. …the cold December weather

Before I knew it...it was taper time. Felt like a student cramming for the exam!
My longest run was 30 k and I was hoping that the previous training would help carry me to the finish line.

My daughter was my travel er  shopping companion.

It was so rainy when we arrived last friday. Went straight to get my racekit at Victoria Park. No long lines though.

Met my best friend Annie and husband Raymund  the following day.

Caught up with stories better shared together than on phone. Tried my best not to shop around since marathon would be the following day.

However we looked for some raincoats to wear since the weather forecast said it would rain hard the following day.

At 6:45 AM I was standing among the thousands of marathon fanatics that braved the hard rainy weather. It was gun start and the rain got heavy. It was my first time to ran on raincoats n race caps.

Annie and I were together for the first 6 kilometers. We took pictures of the Tsing Ma bridge while we were dripping wet.

I ran on my own pace afterwards.
Battling a rainy condition was a real challenge for any runner. Sometimes I would take off my raincoat because it was suffocatingly hot especially at the first two tunnels and I was so careful not to slip on the wet and slippery roads.

Their water stations were ample. I like the palm size Watsons sports drink ready to sip which was refreshing.

It is true that the length of inclines on the bridges and tunnels were so long and  challenging. Most of the routes were at the highways so it was boring.  I felt bad that I didnt bring my headphones to ease the pain and silence along the way. It was raining during the first four hours of my run.


At km 32 I met  Raymond with daughter

Nicole and my daughter Nica . I changed my shoes as it was so wet. It felt good to ran on dry socks and shoes.

What I was worried throughout the run were the checkpoints almost every 8 kms. . I busied myself checking my garmin if I will pass in the designated time of the checkpoints.

At km 34  passing the third tunnel going to hongkong side I knew I nailed it. Though my feet were tired n wobbly I knew I can finish the marathon.

At the last checkpoint at 40.3 km I was 12 minutes ahead.
 The crowd at the Causewaybay helped me make it through the last kilometer.
I smiled at the photographers and waved at the spectators.

It was a refreshing sight to see the finish line. Got teary eyed because of this rare feat.
I was ecstatic to pass the blue carpet of the finish line at Victoria Park.
Not my best PR but truly an accomplishment because this was a back to back marathon.

I conquered HK Marathon!

A must-do to any runner!

Sto. Niño Hospital Christmas Merrymaking:THROUGH THE YEARS

If there's one thing everyone's looking forward this holiday season,

It is our annual Christmas Party.

Year after year, the excitement is escalating ....from the theme costume

'neon light ' ( twas so unique!)...

 ... to the 'fast and furious' rehearsals of each group ,

 exhausting their effort and time ,transforming themselves off their usual norm in order to give a fun- filled awesome whimsical performance!

...to the carnival of raffle prizes...dances..

fancy intricate facial make-ups...for real group chats....and much laughters!

It was truly a festive annual Christmas Party!

While everyone is serious at their hospital duties,

taking a break for this event  can be "crazy and funny"

at one point my mom got nostalgic remembering Sto Nino Hospital through the years...

reaching this 48th year is already a blessing...hopefully to reach future generations of our clan.

then raffles were given out, expecting a bigger surprise.

Thanks to all our pharma friends and my kuya Mayor Arnel who gave door prizes.

Candles were blown and wishes were in-mind as  I celebrate my pre-golden birthday!(whew).

Thanks for the birthday cake!

at last at around few minutes past 10 pm ...Winners were announced.

...all winners for me actually considering the efforts they've made plus the 'merry and happy' moments they brought bringing the house down!!

Congratulations to Group 3 for that "hilarious" and well chereographed number.

Truly a winner by making everybody laugh especially our OR nurse Ambet, ICU nurse Marvi ,

helper Michael and radtech Conrad!

..it was unanimous though, i think..

.thanks also to the judges who gamely participated and seriously computed the scores up to the hundredth percentile!

Again and again....Congratulations to Raymund for a job well done.

As for me, this annual SNH  christmas party was, is and will always be a part of my existence...not only as a mere expectator but as a living witness since childhood , for which I consider one of the legends  my parents  gave us through the years....

Thanks for the Christmas merrymaking!

New York Marathon 2015…a race recap.

Couldn't contain my excitement as I went to the ferry station by myself that would bring runners to the starting line at the Staten Island.

There I met my med school classmate and friend Dr Noel Almiron and Evelyn Rivera, both veteran New York Runners.

With them I found solace and my jitters lessened as we took our  ferry and bus ride . Before we knew it we were  at the foot of Verazzano bridge.  Security was tight as we made our way to our designated waiting area.
The weather was perfect that morning at 18 C.

I was overdressed because I dreaded the cold weather runners  experience previously.

So I threw them off at the bin for donation before the gunstart.

I was so overwhelmed  at the starting line as Frank Sinatras "New York New York"  was being played amidst the roaring and exciting crowds. There was a lot of energy and tons of people.

It was gun start. I felt a little nervous but the weather was fine  and it felt like it was a great day to run.

I kept my pace slow... up and down the 2 kms  Verrazano bridge. This was it!

Crowds from Brooklyn were shouting giving encouragement to runners.

I totally forgot that I was running because I was thrilled seeing one band played after the other on almost all streets that we pass.

 I took turns in reading the placards with words of comfort and funny quotes to keep us going.

Felt so lucky because the weather was perfect... that it was also sunny. I'm used to training in a hot weather so this was a real treat!

a lot of people lining the streets

Took a lot of "selfies" and gladly posed to the official photographers not minding my PR time to beat because I wanted to document that rare moment in my life when I felt a different level of frenzy and joy.

The run was not flat. It was in fact elevated in most area especially near the finish line.
But the uphill training I did before paid off. I think this marathon is perfect for  runners with some challenging parts but with a festive and supportive crowd to keep you going.

It was at this marathon that I enjoyed every minute rather than being totally consumed and exhausted.
Running through the beautiful trees with colourful autumn leaves under a bright blue sky was a sight to behold.

Surely got tired but never experienced wanting to give up during the run.

I knew I nailed it when we passed  by Queensborough bridge and my energy was still ecstatic.

Around 35 kms I got hungry and took some slices of oranges being offered by strangers. There was enough hydration stations along the way and a lot of volunteers. I was so careful not to slip on the floor with banana peels and paper cups.

I hardly used my  music walkman because I wanted to savor the sounds of enthusiatic crowds. Some even shouting my name from afar.

Felt envious as I saw most runners with their family and loved ones meet at certain areas then embrace, kiss and have their pictures taken.

I was in full blast of energy at the finish line.

Felt like freezing this happy moment in my life as I got the medal.

Though my husband was not waiting for me at the finish line the support he gave me during the training period was enough to keep me in high spirit.

It was so unbelievable to run ...and see the five boroughs of New York in one day …
and amazing to to able to finish this marathon.

thanks Ryan, Josie & Adea for the love n support!

And a new PR at 5'29" official time.

Finally…I conquered New York Marathon!

Im so grateful that I discovered the joy of running.

Will i ever do it again?


Yes!