My First Ever Fun Run with 7-11

The alarm was set, the clothes laid out, we simply don't want to be late because... it was our very first fun run! The 7-11 Run 800.

The 7-11 Run 800

This event was organized by 7-11, which poster I saw by chance when I was buying something at their store. I'm not a health buff, I frown on the mention of exercise, and I love junk foods and things that have cholesterol and calories, but when I saw a picture of my mom and myself taken just this January where I was the matronly-looking one because I was chubbier, I vowed that I would, should, get into the groove of sweating out those pounds. And the one fun and less boring way to do it is to run.

So, I immediately went online and registered myself, my hunky health-buff hubby and my already petite sister. I got us into the 3K beginners' race which cost us P350.00 each that comes with a pair singlets and bib with timing chips and safety pins.

Our Runner's Kits

On day of the run, January 17, 2013, Sunday, all three of us woke up real early, jumped into the shower (one by one, of course), and sped off to Aseana Business Park in Pasay City near SM MOA. The main area was pushed back from the road and I thought the starting point was somewhere near the church so we got a lost a bit getting there. But eventually, we discovered that it's the strip where the McDonalds is so we parked our car across the DFA bldg. and took off on foot towards the starting point.

Being first timers, we didn't know what to expect. So, we were simply amazed and giddy to see so many booths that are giving away free samples of energy drinks, crackers, healthy juices, breads, etc. I even saw the mascot of Knick Knacks whom we had a photo taken with (what? he's part of our childhood!).

My sister and I with the Knick Knacks Clown

  Anyway, back to business. We proceeded to the starting point and met with Mam Dey and Rod, whom I urged to join us and who were more than glad to do so. While waiting for our category to start, we took some group shots as souvenir for this very memorable day.

Left to Right: Yen, Dey, Me & Rod

And we kept waiting, and waiting, and waiting. Our race was delayed. We were getting restless, all 5 of us, while the sun got higher and hotter. And then finally, our group was called to do our warm-ups. Leg raise here, stretching there, and we are ready to run!!!

For the first few strides, we were waiting for one another, cheering on each other that we can do this, that we can finish this before the time's up in 30 minutes. But we got bored, especially my hubby who run ahead of us. We just decided to ignore each other until we meet again, which we did at the water station, all sweaty and panting :)

Thirst-quenching Ice-cold Pocari Sweat to Hydrate

Hubby by then was way ahead of us, he was already making his way to the finish line.

Finish Line Here He Comes

We finally got the u-turn point of our 3K where all of us, except Hubby, met. And of course, picture picture!!!

And because of all those pictures taken where I had to stop, I finally crossed the finish line with an official time of 31m02s and the 754th place. The Hubby had 21m24s at 137th place, Yen had 27m16s at 484th place and Rod at 31m01s at 753rd place. So among the group, I was the most kulelat :( But it was really not that important to me. What matters is that I finished the 3K, I had fun, poured buckets of sweat, I enjoyed every moment of it, got lots of pictures out of it (hahaha), and I got my goodie bag!

Like it was that hard :)

 On the way back to our car, we passed by all these booths and since I was already famished (we didn't eat anything before the race, which I've read somewhere is wrong), we stopped by all of them that has no impossibly-long lines.  What we got were some Selecta Ice Cream sticks, bottles of Pocari Sweat and donuts from Mister Donuts.

Freebies!!!

As the sun rose higher in the sky, people scattered towards their cars and head home to their beds or dining tables. As for us, my Hubby and I stopped by a carinderia to have brunch (yes, we had rice), then head home to get a few shut-eyes.

At the end of the day, though the run was not that long, it was an accomplishment for me. I trained for it for weeks and I even bought a pair of running shoes for this. Well, actually, Hubby bought it for me as a birthday gift :)



So, does this mean that this is not the end of my new-found love? It's definitely a... yes!!! I'm actually looking for the next fun run event and I plan to run 5K next. Good luck with that!

Thanks for reading and have a good one, guys!