My First 32KM Run and the Wall That Almost Stopped Me

What kind of excitement wakes you up before the alarm even has a chance to do its job?

At 1:23 a.m., I was wide awake. Not scrolling. Not panicking. Just staring at the ceiling, waiting for the alarm set for 2:00 a.m. We had assembly at 3:00 a.m., and my body seemed to know something big was coming. I could not tell if it was excitement or nerves. Maybe it was both, tangled together in that quiet hotel room where sleep no longer mattered.

This was not just another race. This was Great Run Clark – Ascend: The Synergy Run, organized by JCIR Events Management and described as Clark’s most scenic and powerful route. More importantly, it was the longest distance I had ever attempted. Thirty two kilometers. A number that felt abstract during training and suddenly very real in the dark hours before race day.

Lying there, waiting for the alarm, I kept telling myself the same thing. This is just another run. Control the pace. Respect the distance. Fuel on time. Do not think too far ahead. But deep down, I knew this race would ask for more than just strong legs. It would ask for patience, honesty, and a willingness to keep going even when the body starts negotiating.

This is the story of how that morning unfolded.

TL;DR / Quick Summary

• Woke up before the alarm, caught between excitement and nerves
• First ever attempt at a 32KM race
• Strategy focused on pacing and using downhills early
• Faced physical and mental challenges in the final uphill stretch
• Finished strong despite setbacks and fatigue

In this article, you will learn exactly how my first 32KM race unfolded, from pre race nerves to the final sprint. By the end, you will understand what worked, what failed, and what it truly feels like to push beyond a familiar distance.

The Quiet Hours Before the Start

Race mornings have a certain silence that feels heavier than usual. By 2:00 a.m., we were up, prepping calmly, almost mechanically. Running gear on. Gels and food checked. Nothing forgotten. These small rituals help steady the mind when the distance ahead feels intimidating.

When we arrived at the parking lot near the starting line, something immediately felt different. There were very few runners lined up for the 32KM category. We were used to the buzz and crowds of 21KM races, the noise and shared nervous energy. This felt quieter. Smaller. More intimate.

At first, it was surprising. Then it made sense. This was the longest distance offered. Fewer people were willing to sign up, fewer people were willing to test themselves this way. That realization made the distance feel heavier, but also more personal.

We parked close, did a light warm up, and that was when we saw familiar faces. Gen and Jay. Jay was also running the 32KM, while Gen was set for the 10KM. Jay looked genuinely surprised when he realized I was running the same distance. He wished us luck, did a few warm up drills, and mentally shifted into race mode.

Gen stayed behind, and we caught up briefly. Those few minutes of normal conversation helped ground everything.

When Nervousness Finally Shows Up

The moment the hosts announced that the race was about to start, the nerves arrived in full force. Not panic, but a quiet tightening in the chest. That voice that asks if you really trained enough.

I reminded myself of the plan. This is just another race. Keep the pace steady. Respect fueling intervals. Do not rush. The route would start with manageable terrain, including a continuous downhill after a short uphill. The real challenge would come later, especially the infamous wall, known by runners as PADER.

Once we started, everything settled. My body found its rhythm. The pace I hoped for held steady. Mid race, I was genuinely surprised by how agile and light I felt. There was bounce in my stride. The training had done its job.

Then at the 23KM mark, my running watch stopped.

I noticed too late. The disappointment hit immediately. No recorded longest run. No clean Strava PR. It sounds trivial, but when you work toward a milestone, those records matter. I kept going and tracked the rest on my phone, but the frustration lingered longer than I wanted it to.

Key Takeaways

• Nervousness peaks right before the start
• Trusting your training makes a real difference
• Small technical failures can affect morale more than expected

When the Course Tests More Than Your Legs

One real frustration during the race was the lack of marshals at critical turns. Twice, I had to slow down and wait for other runners just to confirm where the route went. When you are running long distance, your sense of direction fades. You rely on signs, cones, and people to guide you.

That hesitation costs momentum. It breaks focus. Organizers need to understand that runners are not sightseeing. They are conserving energy and mental clarity.

The strategy was clear. Push earlier kilometers and take advantage of the downhills. That part worked. But with around 7KM to go, the course turned unforgiving. The continuous uphill arrived, and suddenly running was no longer an option.

No matter how hard I tried, my legs would not respond. They felt like lead. I walked when I had to, recovered, then ran again. Over and over. Then came the pain in my left foot. Sharp, persistent, like a pebble trapped inside my shoe. Every step reminded me of it.

By the last 3KM, I was mostly walking. It was humbling. Frustrating. Honest.

Key Takeaways

• Clear course guidance is critical in long races
• Early strategy can pay off later
• Perseverance often means accepting slower movement

The Final Push and the Finish Line

Then I saw the orange cones.

They pointed clearly toward the finish line, and something inside me switched back on. The pain was still there. The fatigue had not disappeared. But excitement overpowered everything else. I ran. I sprinted. Every remaining bit of energy poured into those final meters.

Misty was there, waiting, phone raised, capturing the moment. I crossed the line smiling, exhausted, and overwhelmed in the best way.

I had just finished my first 32KM run.

Not perfect. Not painless. But deeply earned.

Key Takeaways

• Visual cues can reignite motivation
• The finish line brings emotional release
• First milestones are never flawless, and that is the point

The wall will always show up. The real win is learning how you respond when it does.