Don’t be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try.
This ran through my mind as I received an email confirming my slot for Kerry Sports Manila Vertical Run which happened more than a week ago. What did I get myself into?
Ever since I tried running January of this year, I’ve been more open-minded to try new things even though it scares the hell out of me. Jeff of Pinoy Fitness who has always been supportive of me was the one who encouraged me to join the race.
I picked up my race kit the day before the race. As usual I wasn’t able to sleep well the night before. I know I’m not the only one who feels anxious whenever something big or new is about to happen, right? 🙂
Woke up early even though gun start for my wave is at 10:45. I know right? I was a bundle of nerves that morning.
I was freezing the moment we arrived Shangri-La Fort. Imagine my heart beating a bit faster, my hands stone cold and my mind racing. Anxiety attack! Waiting for two hours is excruciating. It was the longest two hours of my life. I wanted it over and done with.
Good thing I was with Jeff & Ria. I met Ria through Jeff and thankfully we were in the same wave. 
While waiting I keep on telling Jeff & Ria that I am scared as sh%t thinking I might not even finish the race. After much thinking and wondering and anticipating, it was our time. When Jeff mentioned that the race could be finished under 20 minutes and the fastest one was around 6 minutes. I was like “Are you kidding me? 59 floors in 6 minutes! I’d be lucky to finish it and not die!” This was all I could think of.
I snapped this photo of Ria & I thirty seconds before our race! Hahahaha.
I just want to finish the race no matter what my time is. I tried training for it a few weeks ago in our building’s fire exit and 10 stories pa lang, I was panting like crazy! My heart rate was at 200 & I was having a hard time pacing. Huhuhuhuhu. So I was really dreading the race!
15 floors in and I was surprised that I was still okay.
On the 30th floor I feel like I needed to catch my breath already.
When I checked my BPM it was at 183. So I slowed down and took deeper breaths.
On the 40th floor, I was reminded to take it easy. Took a few sips of water, managed my breathing and continued my way up.
I think the most challenging part of the race is setting my mind that the last level is 59 only to realize we started on L2 so technically there’s two more floors, 60 & PH. Hahahuhu.
A few more steps and I cross the finish line!
Ngiting tagumpay! (smile of success) Thanks Pinoy Fitness for these photos.
A few minutes after conquering my first ever vertical run and I still can’t believe I did it.
YES!
Thanks for snapping this photo, Ria!
With hot momma, Ina Raymundo who also finished the race.
That feeling you get after finishing something you thought you couldn’t do is something else I tell ya. All my fears, my doubts about myself immediately gone after crossing the finish line.
While waiting for the elevator here’s a selfwe of everyone who queued along with us. 🙂 Congratulations everyone!
Climbed 59 floors in under 15 minutes. Not the best time but for me it’s already an accomplishment! I was expecting I’d finish in 20 minutes or more. Instead of doing the usual sprint up a flight of stairs, I took two steps at a time and managed my heart rate by pacing and taking it slow when I feel like I need to.
Overall, I was very happy with my very first vertical run. It’s a nerve-wracking experience that I would do again. 🙂 Thank you Kerry Sports Manila for letting me be part of this year’s vertical run. Thanks also to my brother from another mother, Jeff for always pushing and encouraging me to try new things!
Watch the video Pinoy Fitness made to see what it’s like to do a vertical run! 🙂
Would you run a vertical race? 🙂
Oh wow! Great effort, congrats. I know what you mean about the pre-event nerves, they never seem to get better. Running is a funny thing – there seems to be a constant love/hate relationship with it, lol. Have you continued running? 🙂 xk ps. how did you recover from this challenge??