I only ran 4 races last year, all 5k’s. It was nice to note that all those 4 races had entirely different race routes: the Takbo Para Sa Kalikasan at Roxas Blvd, Runnex @ 25 at UP Diliman, KOTR around Bonifacio High Street, and Unicef’s A Walk on the Child Side at McKinley Hills. For 2009, well, at first I wanted to join 1 race per month but eventually thought it’ll be better if I just choose what I’ll join wisely.

The Fee. See, if I join 1 race per month, it’ll amount to Php 3000 Php 3600 for the year, assuming that the usual Metro Manila race now costs Php250 Php300 (well, trending shows this will be new average.). For Php 3k Php 3,6, I’m thinking I can just add it over in an investment of a good sport’s watch (well, someone already gave me one on my 25th birthday. tee hee).

The Route. If it were just basically the same route, different street turns here, or a couple of uphills and downhills there, I’ll most probably would not join that race. If I feel like it, I might probably grab the race map though and run the same race course some other time. Or if it were a non-fundraising run, I’d probably go as a bandit runner.

A bandit runner is just a person who is just too cheap to pay for the race. ) I’m not sure how the race organizers here handle bandit runners though, I might have to read up first before I try it out. But if it were safe to do just that, I wouldn’t go to far as to grabbing a drink at the water stations for one. The singlet/finisher shirt, first aid support, race bib, water/sports drink during the race, and all other post race freebies are off limits to a bandit runner, of course.

The Cause. It should be a fund-raising run. I’d join if it were for a good cause. If it were an anniversary running event thing of some group, I’ll just leave the actual members to join that race. If I feel like there’ll be a lot of hunks joining the race, I would consider that too. )

I am still up for that first go on the 10k race though. I should start training for that soon. And of course, I’m still pondering on that birthday run (well, no birthday run for me this year.).

Running for me in 2008 has been fun. I’m still not crazy for it but I do treasure the alone time during the actual running and good over-all feeling it gives after that 30-60 minute run.

How about you? What are your running plans this year?