Expect The Unexpected

Wednesday, November 27, 2013 ||

Last November 24, 2013 (Sunday), I attended my first ever fun run with the theme 'Be RICEponsible!' as part of the celebration of the National Rice Awareness Month. I learned about the event when one of my fb friends shared the pubmat of the National Year of Rice 2013 fanpage. I got interested especially after knowing that the venue was the UP Acad Oval which was near and seeing the relatively low prices which were Php 150 for the 2km run and Php 250 for the 5km run. I registered for the 2km run. I went alone since no one could come with me. I was hesitant at first but I took it as an 'adventure' and credited it as an experience. Besides, the proceeds of the event would go to the Yolanda victims and it was my little way of helping them. This was the 2nd benefit event I attended, the first being the Zumba Bayanihan last November 22 at the UP CHK Gym.

The main event was scheduled at 5am but we had to be there by 4am for the registration and race kit distribution. I asked my dad to give me a ride since it was so early and scary to commute despite the fast traffic. And it was less hassle for me but not for my dad because he needed to wake up early for me. Lmao. I slept early and woke up at around 1am. I decided not to sleep anymore because I'd be groggy if I did.

I got there 15 minutes after 4. A lot of people were there already. I fell in line to register and when it was my turn, the lady told me to pay first which was separate from the registration. And so I went to the payment booth. There was a label but no one was there to accommodate us. In fact, there was not even a table to do the transaction. I was like... what was the purpose of the label and separate tent for the payment process if no one was even there to handle transactions. That was when I started to be pissed off (discreetly). After a random lady from the staff attended us, I went back to the registration line (ugh) for my bar code to be scanned. After minutes of waiting and still few persons away, the person in charge, after recognizing me, took my receipt and handed it back to me. I didn't know what she did since she just returned it to me without saying a word. I had to wait again before I got impatient and asked if everything was already settled when she took my receipt and she said yes. I was irritated so badly because she didn't even notify me that I'm already registered. Had I known that, I could've lined up for the race kits instead of wasting time there. Another thing was that she was so slow in the reg process and it looked like as if she didn't know what she was doing. As a consequence of this, the line for the race kits was so long. The race should have started at 5am but was delayed to 6am. I was still at the line when the hosts were announcing the race would start in 10 minutes. I wasn't alone. Many were complaining about the sluggish process. They planned to start the race despite many were still not finished with the reg process. Good thing I got my race kit at the last minute.

The race kit consisted of a baller and a dry fit shirt. The design is very simple but not plain and I like it. My bib number was 2407. There was no singlet included. Guess how I took a photo of my bib number haha! Selfie without the actual face! That'll do.

Of course I needed to put my bag in the baggage counter. Obviously, I couldn't freakin' run with a bag on my back! Haha!

One of the hosts of the event. I'm pretty sure I've heard him somewhere... I can't lay a finger on it though.

During the race, I thought I was doing well until I gasped for air. I got so tired easily unlike when I was younger. I wanted to win the rice 'cause of the cash prize (P3,000) but after seeing that many were ahead of me, I kinda gave up on that goal. Lol. I just enjoyed the experience and I did. I finished approximately after 17 minutes if I remember it right. At least I didn't finish last. I wonder who did. That would be depressing for that person. *evil laugh*

After the race proper, we had free food! And guess what it was. Yes you got that right. RICE! Haha. There's no denying that their rice was stomach worthy most especially being hungry throughout the event. Like they say, "Hunger is the best spice."

Oh and look! Zorro was there also. Some of the runners took pictures with him. I was pretty sure that some people who were not from UP found Zorro weird. Well he is but that's normal for us who know of him.

Aside from the cash prize, packs of rice were given as prizes to the top 50 runners of each category. Unfortunately, I wasn't mentioned. Lol.

Just a random shot. It's amazing how natural lighting do wonders. Sunlight is the best source of light even in terms of photography.

People had the chance to write anything in the freedom wall. And see what I wrote. Lol. I forgot about the date. I thought November was the 10th month. Oh God, I have an ugly penmanship.

And here is a proof that I really participated in the fun run. I should include this in my resume! :)) T'was a fun experience despite losing and waking up early in the morning. I was able to exercise and at the same time help the victims of the typhoon. Overall, I'd give this a 7 out of 10. More fun run, please? XD

Labels: be riceponsible, first time, fun run, rice, thoughts

breathed easy at

2:07 AM