Running My First 32K Race at the 7-Eleven Run

I’ve always love the trails and I consider myself a trail girly, but recently, I discovered a newfound love for road running. After months of squeezing in runs after work, I finally decided to sign up for my first official race—the 7-Eleven Run. My initial plan was to go for the 21K half marathon, but by the time I registered, the slots were already full. That left me with two options: 32K or a full marathon (42K).

At first, I hesitated. Running 32K sounded very challenging specially for somebody who is new to road running. But then I thought about my hiking experience—I can cover 20 kilometers on inclines and still felt okay afterward. That gave me the confidence to take the leap. So, I signed up.

I registered along with my friends, though we were in different categories. Most of them chose the 16K, one went for the 21K, and just two of us committed to the 32K. The race was set for February 2, and we had about three months to train. But, with the holiday season in between—filled with festive feasts and a lot of cheat days—training wasn’t exactly smooth. I spent half of December in my province, where the unpredictable weather and holiday celebrations made it challenging to stay consistent. I only managed to run three times, with my longest run being just 14K.

When January came, we got back on track, making sure to run at least three times a week after work. Our training consisted mostly of easy runs—ranging from 5K to 10K—depending on how we felt each day. It was a mix of jogging, walking, and occasional sprints, though, honestly, we walked more than we ran most days. I only did one long slow distance (LSD) run a week before race day, covering 22K. However, I made up for it with frequent weekend hikes.

Then came race day.

I was ecstatic.

It was my first official race, and I had no idea what to expect. But standing at the starting line, surrounded by hundreds of runners and an energetic crowd cheering us on, made my adrenaline spike. The excitement took over—I wasn’t even thinking about the distance or the numerous U-turns on the course. I just focused on my rhythm, my breathing, and my music.

Credits to Motus Photo for the perfect shot

The cutoff time for the 32K race was six hours, but my personal goal was to finish within five. I’m not the fastest runner, but as they say, only a small percentage of people actually commit to running and signing up for races. Whether you’re fast or a beginner, just showing up already makes you special.

The race wasn’t without its challenges. By the 27th kilometer, fatigue started creeping in. My feet ached, I know that blisters has already started to form, and my legs chafed from my running shorts. Every step felt heavier, but I refused to stop. I reminded myself why I started this journey in the first place—I wanted to finish strong.

Finally, as I neared the finish line, I felt that sense of fulfillment over me. That moment made me realize why I fell in love with running—it’s a sport where everyone wins. Regardless of pace, every runner reaches the finish line and get a medal. Some may get there faster, but in the end, we all make it.

Running teaches you that it’s always you vs. you. No one can stop you from achieving your goals. You can rest if you need to—but I hope you never quit.

In the end, I was able to reach my personal goal and finish at 4hrs and 48mins (unofficial) A big win for me.