Airports & Running Around The Country

24 05 2013

For the past weeks, I have been outside of Metro Manila traveling from one airport to another. I usually take Cebu Pacific and PAL Express flights as I could get promotional prices for these local flight carriers. By taking these carriers, one has to use the new Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3

Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (Google Pictures)

Let me tell my readers my observations about the airports that I’ve used in my travels to the Visayas and Mindanao for the past weeks.

On the first week of this month, May, I went to Bacolod City to coordinate with the conduct of the 1st Negros Occidental 73K Ultra Marathon Race among the Provincial Government and the AFP units in the area. Since I was using the Cebu Pacific flight, I had to check-in at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 for its first flight for the day, arriving thereat at 4:30 AM. I usually take a taxi ride from my place in Manila to the airport.

Long Line of Passengers Before The Entrance of the terminal

Long Line of Passengers Before The Entrance of the Terminal (Google Pictures)

The usual sight is always there—long lines of passengers trying to enter the airport even if there are two entrances at the Departure Area where the X-ray machines & metal detectors are located. I think there is something WRONG here. Why do you have to place an X-Ray machine & metal detectors for the passengers and baggage just at the entrance of the airport? In my trips abroad, I don’t see any X-Ray machines/Metal Detectors for passengers and baggage right at the entrance of the terminal/airport. Most of these X-Ray machines are located inside the airport or at the terminal’s lobby or sometimes, each of the airlines have their own X-Ray machine and personnel operating such equipment.

The air conditioning system inside the airport/terminal was not working. I thought it was just a temporary situation when I went to Bacolod City but on my next trip to Mindanao after one week, the air conditional system was still not working. For a new airport, it is surprising why its air conditioning system is not working. I really don’t know the reason why the airport authority and its management are allowing this thing to happen. It is summer time and it is annoying to be perspiring inside the airport while standing in line in front of the check-in personnel. Are they minimizing the cost of electricity? Is the management incompetent that they don’t care about the welfare of their customers?

I am glad that the bus that ferries passengers from the terminal to the plane are air-conditioned ones as it gives comfort to the passengers once they leave the terminal.

I am not complaining if there is NO free Wi-Fi in the airport. I am still the conservative type of passenger waiting for boarding at the airport reading a book or a magazine. You can count with your fingers among hundreds of passengers at the boarding area on those passengers reading a “printed” book (hardbound or paperback). What you see now are passengers using their SmartPhones to take pictures and update their Facebook account/s. Some just simply play games on their phones and iPad/Mini-iPads but sometimes I could see people who read books on their iBooks & Nooks!

In Bacolod City, the new airport in Silay, Negros Occidental is very nice but it is very far from Bacolod City. I have only one complaint though. The air conditioning system was not working at the arrival area. Since my “contact” in the area was able to fetch me with a vehicle, I was not able to experience what it is like to commute from the Silay Airport to Bacolod City. I hope there are vans, UV Express, and taxis available at the airport for the tourists and other arriving passengers.

New Bacolod-Silay Airport (Google Pictures)

New Bacolod-Silay Airport (Google Pictures)

In Kalibo Airport, there is no change since I had my last trip here five (5) years ago. With additional international and local flights, the boarding area and the air conditioning system are still the same and I could hardly feel the cold air with the jam-packed passengers waiting for their respective flight. Although there is a second floor in the terminal area, the space is filled with stores, cafe and convenience stores. The passengers who don’t have seats at the boarding area have to go to the 2nd floor to wait for their boarding calls. There is a need to improve and expand the terminal with the increasing number of local and international flights due to the increasing number of tourists and visitors to Boracay Island.

Kalibo Airport (Google Pictures)

Kalibo Airport (Google Pictures)

Entrance To The New Kalibo International Airport (Google Pictures)

Entrance To The New Kalibo International Airport (Google Pictures)

At the Lumbia Airport of Cagayan De Oro City (Misamis Oriental), it is still the same airport that I’ve been going through while I was still in the active military service. It was raining when the plane touched down and my shoes were wet when the rain created a small flooding at the tarmac as I approached the terminal. The baggage carousel is still the same small one where one has to wait for a longer time for the baggage to reach the carousel. The boarding area is still the same where some of the passengers would stand to wait if there are two flights about to take-off in few minutes between each other. Although I was in the comfort of the VIP Room at the departure area, the rest of the passengers were contended with the weak air conditioning.

Lumbia Airport, Cagayan De Oro (Google Pictures)

Lumbia Airport, Cagayan De Oro (Google Pictures)

Airports are supposed to be the “mirror-image” of the place where the airport is located. However, it does not mean that the airport terminal should be warm, hot and humid like our climate but at least, it should be comfortable to everybody. There should be enough space, seats, and a reliable working air conditioning system so that passengers would not be perspiring/sweating while waiting in line in flight counters. It is very frustrating to see passengers sitting and lying on the floor to sleep inside the terminal.

The airport authority and management should not be trying to save power/energy to run those air conditioning system because each of the passenger is paying a terminal fee to address such cost to include maintenance, security, and toiletries in comfort rooms. Aside from its collection of terminal fees, the Airports have an appropriated budget for their Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses under the Department of Transportation and Communications. If I am not mistaken our International Airports in Metro Manila are the top clients of MERALCO (Manila Electric Company). (I am just wondering if our NAIA Terminals are up to date in the payment of their electric bills to MERALCO!)

Here comes the worst part if you are arriving in one of the Airport Terminals in Metro Manila. There are NO Bus Lines or Bus Transportation Lines that pick-up arriving passengers in front of the Terminals! Before when we had only ONE Airport Terminal, we had the so-called California Bus Lines and Love Bus which would pass along the airport’s terminal and whose route would go along the Metro Manila’s main streets and cities. Once you reach a Commercial District or City within Metro Manila, that’s the time you flagged down a Taxi and the driver would bring you to your final destination.

Airport (Yellow) Taxi (Google Images)

Airport (Yellow) Taxi (Google Images)

Those travel arrangements from the airport once you arrive in Manila are gone now. At present, it is either you get the services of a Rental Car, Airport Taxi, or from a regular Taxi. Obviously, the Airport Taxi (cars painted in yellow) is very expensive. I don’t use such transport service for obvious reason. If you intend to use the services of a regular Taxi (mostly colored/painted white), you should be smart and practical. It is suggested that you proceed to the Departure Area and make an Exit thereat and try to flag down those taxis that just dropped incoming passengers at the terminal. The drivers will not be choosy as they need a passenger once they leave the airport instead of nothing. Problem arises when you take the last flight inbound to Manila if you are coming from local destinations. Obviously, most of these last flights would arrive at the terminal at the same time and it would result to a longer line of passengers waiting for the regular taxi to arrive. Patience is needed in this kind of situation.

For those foreigners who would like to join our ultra races in the provinces (Luzon area) and choose to arrive in one of the airports/terminals in Metro Manila, Car Rental is the best option. But be careful. Be careful with those “fake” and/or “off duty” MMDA traffic enforcers as they might be attracted with the color of your skin and un-Filipino facial features. These notorious “fake” and/or “off duty” traffic enforcers would flag you down as you leave the Car Rental or a few blocks away and tell you that you can’t drive in our country without a Philippines Driver’s License. That is not true! You can use your country’s Driver’s License for a 30-day stay in the Philippines. If the traffic enforcer does not believe you, tell him that you are a friend of “Bald Runner” (Retired Major General Jovenal Narcise of the Philippine Army). If he still does not release you, then prepare to haggle for the amount of money you have to give for his coffee/snacks.

If he releases you after giving him some cash, then I would say, “Welcome to the Gates of Hell”.

Evidence (Facebook Images)

Evidence (Facebook Images)


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Race Report: 2013 TNF 100 Phil (Part 1)

22 04 2013

I did not finish this race and I declared myself as Did Not Finish at Km 55. But as I promised in my past post where I mentioned my purpose in joining the race, I am here to make a Race Report and officially make a journal of what transpired before, during and after the race.

Start of Training & Preparation

I’ve never joined a TNF100 Phil event for the past five years but I have sponsored and sent my Elite Team Bald Runner to join the yearly event. Except for last year which was the first TNF 100 in Benguet-Baguio area, my elite runners had won the Team as well as the Individual Championship Awards.

Now, it is my turn to join this race as part of my preparation and training for another event. And since February of this year, I started to build-up my mileage and I enjoyed my “peak bagging” activities but these runs were less than the half-marathon distances.

The following significant races or runs were part of the mileage build-up for this race:

  1. Bandit 50K Trail Run In Simi Valley, California on February 16, 2013 where I finished in 8:07+ hours
  2. 2013 BDM 102: Ran the first 50K in 8:20+ hours as the 50K Cut-Off Marshal.
  3. Siquijor 75K Run last March 2013 where I was able to register a time of 13:23+ hours
  4. Mt Ugo Trail 42K Marathon where I finished the race in 8:23+ hours

I was logging at least 10-12 kilometers every day and I had my trail runs on weekends that would last up to 6 hours.

For the months of March and April (2 weeks), I went up to Baguio City for five (5) times to recon the race route with ultra running friends. These recon activities were purely hiking in nature and some picture taking on what will be expected along the race route. On these recon hikes, I was able to test my nutrition, hydration, apparel, and race strategy depending on the terrain of a certain portion of the route.

Except for the portion where past runners would call the “mossy area” and the downhill route from Barangay Alang to the Bridal Veil or Aid Station #5 (AS5), I had already a familiarity of what to expect once I will be in the race. This part or portion of the course covers an estimated distance of 20 kilometers. The remaining 80 kilometers were part of my recon hikes on those days and weekends that I went up to Baguio City.

 Tripping Accident

In the middle of March and two weeks before the Mt Ugo 42K Trail Marathon, I had a tripping accident which happened after running 14 kilometers of trails in the mountain of Bataan. It was already in the early evening and I was using my old headlight. I was already running on a paved road when I accidentally tripped a water hose  laid across the road which was covered with a wood. I was not able to retain my balance and my right knee hit the ground first, my right arm was used to prevent my upper body from dropping to the ground but my arm collapsed and my head went crushing on the cemented road. I had 3 scrape wounds on my right knee and at least 3 scrape abrasions on the right side of my head.

I was able to recover immediately from the fall and tried to stand with the help of one of my elite runners who was with me in the run. We had to take a break by dropping by one of the “sari-sari” stores at the foot of the mountain and took a Coca-Cola drink and some biscuits as food. After 10 minutes of rest, together with my elite runner, we continued our run for the last 6 kilometers until we reached our training base camp.

On the following day, I could barely walked because of the infection brought by the wounds. For almost 2 weeks prior to the Mt Ugo Trail Marathon, I did not have any running workouts. However, I still managed to join the race in Kayapa, Nueva Ecija despite my lack of specific preparation for the race and the presence of pain on my right knee as a result of the tripping accident.

Shit Happens!

Shit Happens!

Not On My Face!

Not On My Face!

Another Tripping Accident!

I really could not explain. Am I really getting old or something up above is telling me to stop running or am I simply hard-headed and crazy? Another tripping accident happened again barely one week to go before Race Day for the 2013 TNF 100. It happened during a night run where I was testing my new Headlight and new HOKA shoes. My right foot stepped on a shallow hole and my shoes front end hit the edge of the hole and it took away my balance. The healing wounds on my first tripping accident were the ones that hit the ground but I was able to use my right hand to prevent my whole upper body to hit the pavement. Yes, there was blood again on my legs and I was limping when I reached my place.

I still managed to have my last recon hike, one week before race day, despite my limp on my right leg. The last recon hike would cover the first 30K of the race on a Saturday and the last 25K on the following day, Sunday.

Race Strategy

Since I am not confident on my running capability for the race because of the lack of long runs, tempo runs, and speed runs due to injuries brought about my tripping accidents, my target for the race was to try my best to finish within the cut-off time of 30 hours by following these time targets: (Note: Please refer to my previous post on the location of these places I am going to mention here. Thanks.)

Start To AS3 (Ampucao)—-Finish In 6 Hours

AS3 To AS5 (Camp 1/Bridal Veil)—-Finish In 6 Hours

AS5 To Cabuyao—-Finish In 9 Hours

Cabuyao To Camp 6—-Finish In 3 Hours

Camp 6 To Finish—-5-6 Hours

My estimates were based from the recon hikes that I’ve conducted. Except for the portion, AS3 To AS5, I know where I could run and jog and be able to shave off some of my time of running.

In my recon hikes, I had at least 12 hours of getting lost on the first 30K of the course and I knew that if I could run at least 5 kilometers every hour, I could reach Ampucao in 6 Hours. From Bridal Veil to Cabuyao, it took me almost 8 hours on pure hiking with rests. From Cabuyao To Camp 6, it took me 2:45 Hours during the day and I am confident to jog on the flatter trails with 3+ Hours as time to finish the portion. My recon hike from Camp 6 to the Finish Line (without those additional mileage inside the Camp John Hay Area) took me almost 4 Hours.

I took the risk of not knowing about the terrain in the “mossy forest” and the road from Barangay Alang to Camp 1/Bridal Veil due to the following reasons: (1) The trail inside the “mossy forest” was not yet available during those days when I had my recon hikes. The trail was newly cleaned few days before the race. (2) No available past runner/s or “guide” for the said part of the route join me in my attempted recon hike in the said place.

This part of the course proved to be my “waterloo” during the race but there are other more significant factors that simply sapped my strength during the race.

The bottomline of the Race Strategy was to run/jog the flatter sections, do power walking/hiking on the uphills, and keep the knees and quads from hurting on the downhills. I had to use my trekking poles to the maximum in order to be consistent on my pace.

Nutrition Strategy

Take a meal before the race and I did take a full breakfast meal of fried eggs, fried SPAM, and rice with coffee.

Eat while on power walking and never stop in-between AS just to eat. Ingest something that is solid every two hours. Eat while walking! At the AS, if you want to eat, make it fast and then take something to eat while on the road

Hydration Strategy

Drink if you think you are sweating a lot. Drink while chewing your food. If there are sources of water along the route, drink 1/2 full of hydration bottle and then fill up your bottles before resuming the race. Drink alternately with Gatorade. Drink Gatorade by sips or in small amount. Never fill the water bottle to the rim.

Running Apparel

I bought my Helios/La Sportiva Shoes while I was in the USA last February for the sake of trying this Italian running shoe brand. I used them in my peak bagging workouts while I was in Los Angeles and like them. I appreciated more of its capabilities when I used them in my recon hikes most especially on the Cabuyao To Camp 6 route. While the rest of group on the hike were tripping and sliding as we went downhill, I did not experience any misstep, sliding or tripping. The structure of the sole was simply amazing as they really “gripped” on the ground and the pavement. I immediately decided to choose these shoes for the race. Drymax socks were used instead of my Eddie Bauer socks.

Helios By La Sportiva

Helios By La Sportiva

In anticipation for moderate rain during race, I used my long-sleeved Patagonia baselayer which is colored dark green. (I had a light Poncho that weighs a garbage bag tucked in one of my hydration pockets, in case of rains.) The shirt is light and could easily dry up if it becomes wet with my perspiration or by the rain. I used a Salomon EXO compression tight shorts because of its high waist line and pockets. The compression feeling on its waist portion was perfect pressure applied on my core. It also served as an absorbent for my sweat from my upper body and prevented my feet and socks to be wet during the run. On top of the compression shorts, I used my black Patagonia Trail Shorts which have 5 pockets (two at the front; two at the back; and one zippered pocket on the right upper side behind the shorts). My cellphone (IPhone4) & reading glass were on my right front pocket; trail mix food was on my left front pocket; cereal, Gatorade powder and fruit bars were evenly distributed on the pockets behind my shorts.

Although I did not use my Salomon S LAB Hydration System during my recon hikes, I opted to use it because it has a whistle (mandatory equipment), string to tie my trekking poles, and lots of zippered pockets. My rain jacket was thinly folded inside the hydration compartment where the 1.5 liter bladder is supposed to be located. (I removed the 1.5 liter bladder and water hose to lessen the load and have more space for my trail food). My Nike reflectorized vest was thinly folded on the left zippered pocket while a light poncho was also folded on the right zippered pocket together with capsules of Pharmaton. Some trail foods were also stashed in the zippered back pocket of my hydration system. My lighting systems (old and new ones) from Black Diamond were stashed on the pockets of the hydration system.

I used calf sleeves from Zhensa for whatever it can do to my calf muscles, protect my exposed legs to small shrubs and sharp leaves of grasses, and absorb whatever sweat coming from my legs. I used some gaiters to prevent debris and small rocks from getting inside my shoes and they perfectly functioned well for the race.

I used also my favorite Buff placed on my neck to absorb my sweat coming from my head & used it to cover my nape from the heat of the sun and used an Under Armour Skull Cap on the early part of the race which fit well with the straps of my Black Diamond headlight. It also absorbed a lot of my sweat from my head. To anticipate the heat of the sun after I reached AS3, I switched to my Patagonia Legionnaires Cap.

Headlight System

I used the latest Black Diamond’s ICON Headlamp which I bought in the USA last February and I was satisfied with its performance. It has separate battery case that can accommodate 4 AA batteries. It has a long wire and heavier in weight but the illumination was perfect for night running. It brought so much confidence in me to run in the dark through its illumination and life/power expectancy from its batteries. The separate battery pack was perfectly stowed on the main compartment of my Salomon Hydration Pack. I have another old Black Diamond headlamp in my pack just in case of any contingency.

Lastly, I brought some strips of band-aids and antiseptic as my first -aid kit which was placed in the pocket where my poncho was located.

End of Part 1. Race Briefing & Race Proper to follow. Pictures To Be Inserted Later.

2013 TNF 100 Race Route

2013 TNF 100 Race Route


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Fear Of Darkness

2 04 2013

You always hear the usual greetings, “ Welcome to the Dark World of Ultra Running”, when you finish an ultra race. The way I understand the greetings or statement is that an ultra runner needs to run and finish the race at all cost with his/her strength within the prescribed cut-off time which can last till night time or till the next day. It also means that an ultra runner should also come into reality that running in darkness is part and parcel of being an ultra runner.

As I progressed from 50K distance to 100+kilometer distance races and in my personal experiences in my multi-day adventure runs, I learned to appreciate running at nighttime or in darkness. It came to a point that I have to train and run more kilometers in my training during nighttime. Slowly, I am starting to appreciate the meaning of the said greetings.

In the ultra races that I organize and direct, most especially on the 100-miler distances, like the BDM 160 and TD100, I observed that runners have the fear of darkness, moreso, when they have almost completed one half of the course. This is where I received information of runners of declaring themselves as DNF in the race.

Despite the completeness of lighting equipment of the runners, the fear of running in the darkness comes into their minds. What could be the reason why runners have the tendency to quit the race when darkness comes? If you ask me, I really don’t know why!

Some runners are afraid of dogs on the streets and trails during nighttime and I could understand their predicament. But based from stories from ultra runners, running in darkness alone saps the strength and mental fortitude of an ultra runner. Could it be that this observaton is only applicable to Pinoy ultra runners? I personally don’t believe so. I firmly believe that Pinoy ultra runners are brave to run in darkness.

So, how do we deal with the fear of darkness in ultra running?

In my experience as past military commander, darkness is always a friend of the troops. Soldiers move silently under the cover of darkness in order to “surprise” the enemy and ultimately, defeating them. Some runners also adopt such stealth tactics in ultra races when they put-off their headlights to “surprise” their targets as they get nearer and pass them. Always think that darkness is your constant ally during the run. Don’t believe on ghosts or vampires roaming around you waiting to strike you. There are no such things or creatures! If somebody appears in darkness and it is moving, most likely, it is a human being like you or an animal roaming around the place.

In this age of high technology, there are lighting equipment, i.e. headlamps and hand-held flashlights which have high and powerful illumination with lesser use of power/batteries. There are also batteries which can give extended period of constancy for the illumination needed for these headlamps. Get these “high-tech” headlamps and flashlights and use them in your night runs. It is advisable to use them during your training runs in order to find out for yourself if the advertised capabilities of these equipment are true or not. Never use “new” lighting equipment on race day. And bring extra batteries for your headlamps and flashlights. For better illumination on the course, use both your headlamp and hand-held flashlight. The headlamp is focused on the road/trail (where the feet are leading to) and the hand-held flashlight is directed on a wider-angle in front of you covering both sides of the road/trail.

Most of the time, fear of darkness is attributed or caused by human beings or animals you meet on the course of your run. In my experience, I usually wave my hand and start a conversation by greeting the individual with the usual “Good Evening” or saying, “We are in a middle of a “Fun Run” or “I am jogging to this place and I started from this place”. Always start the conversation and try to look them on their faces. But most of all, simply smile at them and show on your face that you are having fun and enjoying the run. As for stray dogs, simply walk and observe the movement of the dogs. Directing the light of your flashlight to the face of the barking dogs could also “stun” them temporarily.

Gaining 100% confidence running in darkness is through running the course on nighttime. If the course is not available or accessible, you can find a place that resembles the elevation or terrain of the course. Try running alone on this course using your headlamp and/or flashlight not once but as many as you can. Repetition of such workout during nighttime conditions the mind to be relaxed and focused.

Sometimes, having a “buddy” who trains with you could also give confidence and solve your problem of the fear of darkness. Get somebody who would be your pacer or somebody who have the same pace and strength as with you. But you must be always prepared for the “worst” scenario if your “buddy” declares himself as DNF. Get somebody as your “reserve” pacer or “buddy” or wait for another runner to pass you and stick with the said runner as you continue your run. Make that runner as your “point man” along the course.

If you are preparing for a 100K or 100-mile trail ultra marathon, running at nighttime should be your friend and ally.

Next topic…Fear Of Coldness…soon!

@Mt Ugo Trail Marathon

@Mt Ugo Trail Marathon (Photo Courtesy of Darkroom Running Photographers)


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3rd BRENT Run

27 03 2013

There are so many reasons why I joined this running event. Let me enumerate some.

1. Baguio City is the place where I started running seriously, in the early months of 1970. Being a college student of the University of the Philippines in Baguio and just passed the entry to the prestigious Philippine Military Academy, running had been part of my treatment for what the doctor had suggested to strengthen my weak lungs and heart. I was then 17 years old.

DSCN0722

2. BRENT Run is organized and directed by very good friends who have passion in running. A week prior to the event, I was with Jingle Melanie Ku Marquez, the Race Organizer and Jonel Mendoza, the Race Director of the event, in a hiking trek to the TNF 100 route along the PHILEX Ridge in Barangay Ampucao, Itogon, Benguet. It was during our hike that the invitation to run the event was offered and I immediately accepted it. Thanks, Melanie & Jonel!

3. First time to enter and see BRENT School Campus. I have stayed for so long in Baguio City as a College Student, Cadet of PMA, Officer assigned in Region 1 from 1978-1983 and then PMA in 1986-1988 but I never had a change to glimpse at the said school. The Pink Sisters Convent is the farthest establishment that I’ve reached on the road that leads to the school campus. The campus has trails around its compound!

Starting Line Of The 7K Run

Starting Line Of The 7K Run

4. Find out how it feels to run shorter races after doing some ultras, trail runs, and peak bagging feats. I opted to run the 7K race and find out how my body would react to the altitude and the terrain. The plan was to run the race without walking, except while approaching the water stations to take a sip of water. I was glad I was able to stick to the plan and jogged on the uphills and tested my knees and quads on the downhills.

At The Back Of The Pack

At The Back Of The Pack (Benj Termulo, Michael Lafuente, BR, Henry Laron)

5. Running with ultra friends and having fun. Saturday, the day before the event, five of us (BR, Benj Termulo, Judge Henry Laron, Michael Lafuente, and Bong Alindada) had a hike from the Bridal Veil Falls in Camp 1, Tuba, Benguet (along Kennon Road) to Mt Kabuyao along the so-called Andolor Trail and peak bagging Mt Santo Tomas with an elevation of 2,245 meters above sea level, the highest peak in Baguio City. It took us 9 1/2 hours to finish the distance of 22 Kilometers. The group expected to make the BRENT Run as a recovery run for our tired legs!

At The Back Of The Pack

At The Back Of The Pack

6. But wait, it was also a “warm-up” run for another hike up to the mountains. After the run, we were scheduled to continue our mountain hike to the other side of Baguio City which is the so-called PHILEX Ridge. We were joined by another ultra runner from Manila, Ronnel Go, who opted to join the 22K race. After waiting for Ronnel Go to cross the finish line, we already enjoyed the breakfast food as part of the “loot” of the race and we were prepared for the next adventure hike. We finished our hike along the PHILEX Ridge in almost 5 hours!

Last One Kilometer To The Finish Line

Last One Kilometer To The Finish Line (1 Kilometer Trail)

7. Getting back to the “basics” of road racing. It was nice going back to experience how it feels to be a “newbie” runner to join in a very simple set-up for a running event. Melanie and Jonel made the event so very simple yet fulfilling for the participants. Very orderly race for the safety of the runners and nice breakfast treat for all the finishers. But what makes it more memorable was for us to meet and gain more friends from Baguio City. What I appreciate most is the seriousness  of the runners that I could hardly heard any complaints or “whine” or curse about running on those steep uphills along the course. Runners in Baguio City really love those challenging hills and inclines!

Good Job!

Good Job! (Ronnel Go)

8. Training Run for a Bigger Event. I finished the 7K Run in 52+ minutes and I take that result as my gauge for my future race within the area/region. Since the bigger event is an ultra race, making it within the range of 4-5 kilometers per hour as average speed for the event would be a nice goal.

If you ask me if I am going back for the next edition of this race, I would say “Yes”!

Congratulations to all the Finishers, to Melanie and Jonel, and to the whole Team of BRENT Run!


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Siquijor 360-Degree Run

20 03 2013

While I was the Division Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, I had two chances to visit the island of Siquijor. First was when I called courtesy calls to the Provincial Governor of Negros Oriental and the Catholic Bishop of Dumaguete City. After my calls, I had a one-day trip to the island of Siquijor but never had a chance to visit other places except its capital town, Siquijor.

The 2nd time was when a newly-designated Chief of Staff of the AFP was honored by the Local Government of the Island being a native of the province. I was the Military Host for the Military Honors given to the former AFP Chief Staff General Alexander Yano and it was a chance for me to get around the island with the Provincial Governor and Guest of Honor. I can still remember that the whole party stayed in a beach resort being operated and owned by the local government which is located at the northeastern end of the island.

The Port Of Siquijor

The Port Of Siquijor

Five years after that last visit, I decided to visit the island purposely to run around its circumferential road where all the municipalities would be visited. There was no intricate plan whatsoever except for the purchase of a round trip plane ticket to and from Dumaguete City. My visit and run was a low-key activity as I did not bother to call the running clubs in Dumaguete City and my contacts in the military.

While I was on a ferry boat to the island, I decided to call the Philippine Army’s Brigade Commander in the area and asked for some assistance in the island who would suggest a place to stay and where I could rent a multi-cab as my support vehicle. In a few minutes and exchanges of text messages, my arrival, stay, and itinerary in the island were all set and arranged.

After Coordination With The Office of the Governor

After Coordination With The Office of the Governor

As soon as I got out from the ferry boat, a police vehicle with 3 police personnel were at the pier waiting for me. The tallest among them is an Officer, Police Inspector Vincent Paul Dumaguing, who is the designated Operations Officer of the Provincial PNP Command. He hails from Davao City and a graduate of the PNP Academy.

I told Police Inspector Dumaguing about my purpose in the island and he was happy and excited to know it. His relatives happen to be runners, ultrarunners at that, in Davao City. He said that his relatives had been planning to run around the island if their schedule would permit and he was laughing because the honor for them to be the first runners to run around the island would not be given to them.

I requested that I should be brought first to the Provincial Governor or to any of the Local Government Official present in the Provincial Capitol for my courtesy call. It was unfortunate that the Governor was out of the province. But I was able to talk and explain my purpose for my stay and visit to the Provincial Tourism Officer who happens to be a lady. She was excited to hear and amazed that I would be running around the island on the following day after my arrival. I told her also of my plan to bring ultrarunners from around the country in the next few months for them to experience also what I’ve seen around the island. The lady promised to me that she will relay my plan and intention of conducting a running event to the Provincial Governor.

Replica Manor @ P850 A Day

Replica Manor @ P850 A Day

P/Inspector Dumaguing knows those cheap places to stay as I requested him for a “homestay” type of accommodation. Although there is No Wi-Fi connection, you can’t go wrong with a P850 a day for an air-conditioned room which is near to the beach and the owner can cook any fresh food that you can buy from the fishermen around or from the public market. After I settled in my room, the owner of a multi-cab came knocking on my door and we made the deal fro me to rent his vehicle.

Later in the afternoon, I went to the public market to buy my water, soda drinks and food to bring during my run. The police car was my utility vehicle on my first day with P/Inspector Dumaguing as my guide. After coming from the public market, I made a briefing to P/Inspector Dumaguing about my schedule for the run. Time of Start was 4:00 AM at the Francis of Assisi Church Bell Tower which happens to be the Start Area of the Fun Runs being held in the island. My target time to finish was 12 hours for the 75K distance around the island.

A Pose Before The Run With My PNP Escorts

A Pose Before The Run With My PNP Escorts

I was fetched by the driver of the multi-cab at 3:30 AM and was brought to the starting area which is 2+ kilometers away. I was surprised to see P/Inspector Dumaguing with four (4) other Police Personnel in their athletic uniform telling me that they will join me in my run! Of course, they will do some relay as they wanted me to run with at least one of them as my guide/pacer or safety runner. I really appreciate their gesture to accompany me during the course of my running.

Four of us started from the starting area at about 4:00 AM and it was still dark. I was wearing my headlight but I observed that there is a motorcycle on the back of us giving us more illumination of the road ahead through its headlight. It was a slow and easy run from the start from Siquijor (The Capital Town of the Province) and the next town to hit was the Municipality of San Juan!

On Our Way To San Juan

On Our Way To San Juan

San Juan is 10 kilometers away from Siquijor as we run the island in a counter-clockwise direction. San Juan is famous for its many beach resorts as the paved road is just a few meters from the shoreline. This town as compared to the other towns in the island is so blessed because of the abundance of water, from the ground, from the streams, and from the shore. The course is flat on this section and we can feel the cool breeze coming from the sea as we ran. Almost all the Resorts and Diving Spots are located on this town.

A Pose Infront Of The San Juan Police Headquarters (PO1 Emperado, PO1 Cordova, P/Inspector Dumaguing, PO1 Caulawon, PO1 Suan)

A Pose Infront Of The San Juan Police Headquarters (PO1 Emperado, PO1 Cordova, P/Inspector Dumaguing, PO1 Caulawon, PO1 Suan)

We stopped at the Municipal Hall of San Juan and we got inside the Municipal Police Station and I was introduced by P/Inspector Dumaguing to all the Police on duty. I found out later that P/Inspector Dumaguing sent a Flash Message to all the Municipal Police Stations that a “Running General” from the AFP will be running around the island on that day and he will drop by in their offices! Wow! It appears that I will some sort of inspecting their respective police stations for a surprise visit!

The next town is Lazi. This is where uphills and downhills would start but the scenery is becoming better because you have the sea on your right and the vegetation and hills on your left plus it was already daytime! I have to stop at the famous Enchanted Balite Tree which is believed to be more than 100 years old where its roots would be the source of fresh and cold water. This place is a famous tourist spot because of the clear water enclosed in a pond and the magnificent view of the huge tree’s trunk and roots!

From San Juan To Lazi

From San Juan To Lazi

The Elevation Started To Go Up Towards Lazi

The Elevation Started To Go Up Towards Lazi

Siquijor 360 087

I was able to stop by the Lazi Church and the famous Convent which happens to be the biggest in the entire country. After dropping by the Police Station, I was met by a person riding in tandem on a motorcycle. The person was Retired Captain (equivalent to Colonel) Monte in the Philippine Navy who is a native of Lazi and presently having his vacation as Balikbayan as he now resides in Las Vegas, Nevada with his family. I think we had a conversation lasting for about 15 minutes and he really knew me as a runner because we were classmates in one of the Senior Military Schooling/Courses when I was then a Lieutenant Colonel. Of course, he remembers that I was always the #1 in the Physical Fitness Test for the said Course.

Very Prominent Ads Every Before Town. It's The Town's Boundary Line

Very Prominent Ads Every Before Town. It’s The Town’s Boundary Line

From Lazi, the next town is Maria. This is the more scenic than Lazi and the route is getting more exciting in terms of variety of elevation and the scenery. As I was running farther, the scenery was getinng more beautiful!

Maria is the location of the Provincial Government’s Beach Resort, called the Salagdoong Beach Resort, which is located in a vegetated/forested area and beach. The Resort is located 3 kilometers from the National Highway. I stopped running at the road that leads to the Resort from the Highway and rode at the multi-cab just to see and have a picture of the place. I’ve stayed in this place overnight at the Hotel Agripino when I was in the company of General Yano when he was the Chief of Staff of the AFP.

Swim & Wade On The Beach Every Time You Stop!

Swim & Wade On The Beach Every Time You Stop!

At the Salagdoong Beach Resort, we shared with the members of the PNP the simple packed lunch that I’ve prepared for the run. The food was enough for us to continue the adventure run as we had a chance to eat some snacks/bite foods from the sari-sari stores along the Highway.

I resumed my running from the point where I’ve stopped along the National Highway. At this point, the PNP personnel were already tired and they had to relieve themselves one by one but one of them maintained as my pacer/companion.

@ The Salagdoong Beach Resort In Maria, Siquijor

@ The Salagdoong Beach Resort In Maria, Siquijor

The beach scenery was simply amazing and I was tempted to stop and simply ran towards to the beach and dip my feet and body to the sea water. But I didn’t want to waste my time as I had to finish the run within 12 hours.

The next town is Enrique Villanueva. As practiced in other towns, I had to drop by the Police Station and meet the Chief of Police. The Chief of Police while he was in his car, was able to pass us from the area of Lazi. He could not believe that I was continouosly running and walking from Siquijor up to his municipality. The town’s poblacion is located near the beach/seacoast and from this place, you could see the islands of Bohol and Cebu.

Infront Of The Enrique Villanueva's Poblacion & Municipal Hall

Infront Of The Enrique Villanueva’s Poblacion & Municipal Hall

After a brief talk with the Chief of Police of Enrique Villanueva, I continued my run and walk as the elevation profile started to be rolling in nature, again! I knew in a matter of time, I would be entering the last town of the island which is Larena. Larena was the first capital town of the province when it was promulgated in 1971, however, after a year, the capital town was transfred to Siquijor.

Finally, On The Boundary Of The Last Town, Larena

Finally, On The Boundary Of The Last Town, Larena

Larena has also a lot of Beach Resorts to offer as I saw from the different Ads posted along the highway a few kilometers before I reached its Poblacion. Larena is a populated town which is considered as a commercial town with its seaport where most of the RO-RO and other freight ships would arrive and leave the place. I told PNP Inspector Dumaguing not to drop by the PNP Municipal Office anymore as I decided to continue my run in order to meet my target time of 12 hours to reach the finish line in Siquijor.

Getting Nearer To The Boundary Of Siquijor

Getting Nearer To The Boundary Of Siquijor

From Larena, a distance of about 10 kilometers separates me from reaching the place where I started. I really enjoyed the view of the town as I could see another uphill climb from a distance as I left its Poblacion. On my right would be the nice view of the sea with lots of mangrove and a highway with limited number of vehicles plying on it. I could see a lot of motorcyle-riding people including women as if they own the whole highway.

Slowly and surely, I was inching my way towards the Poblacion of Siquijor. My Police escorts were happy that my adventure run is about to be finished and we were expecting and talking of what to order and eat at the place where I was staying once I crossed the finish line.

Finally, On My Last 10K!

Finally, On My Last 10K!

I finally reached the place where I started at 4:30 PM, which means that it took me 14:30 hours to run around the island province of Siquijor, to include my rests and visit at the Salagdoong Beach Resort in Maria. As I was being transported to the place where I was staying, I’ve finally decided that I would conduct an Ultrarunning Event in this island as soon as possible. And by the way, the distance recorded in my Garmin Watch was exactly 75 Kilometers!

My Snappy Salute To These Fine Ladies & Gentlemen Of The PNP Siquijor

My Snappy Salute To These Fine Ladies & Gentlemen Of The PNP Siquijor

As a final note, I would like to thank the following PNP Personnel of the PNP Siquijor Command who patiently ran, walked, paced, and shared stories and laughter/fun in this memorable adventure run:

PNP Inspector Vincent Paul Dumaguing

PNP PO1 Jude June Emperado

PNP PO1 Bener Cordova

PO1 Flora Suan

PO1 Chessa Pearl Caulawon

This is my first Adventure Run for the year of 2013. See you in Siquijor soon!

I Will Be Back!

I Will Be Back!


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Picture Of The Week #15

18 03 2013

At "The Rock", Philex Ridge, Barangay Ampucao, Itogon, Benguet

At “The Rock”, Philex Ridge, Barangay Ampucao, Itogon, Benguet


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Cairns

21 02 2013

You can “google” the word if you want to know what the word means. These are stone or rocks being compiled or grouped together to form a certain structure. They are mostly made by men on top of mountains or hills or in a certain part of a trail. The cairns could be seen as a pile of stones and rocks or simply some formations of rocks or stones.

In the history of making cairns, there are so many meanings and purposes why people would make these structures. From one continent to another, their purposes are varied. Some are simply markers to signify that you are at the peak of the mountain/hill. Some would point to a certain direction; some would symbolize as a mark of honor to somebody; or some would simply wish good luck for one’s trip or hike in the mountains.

I am not sure if we practice on making cairns in our country. In my peak bagging activities last year, I haven’t seen any cairns on the peaks of the mountains that I visited. I think I might as well start the said practice of making cairns on the peak that I bagged or visited. Well, it takes some extra effort to collect such stones or rocks within the area of the peak of the mountain but the effort is worth if the purpose is well meant and comes from the heart.

So, I’ve started making some cairns on the peaks of hills and mountains that I’ve visited for the past days and weeks. These cairns had been dedicated to special friends in the ultra running community to wish them good luck in their present condition. Miguel De Alba is supposed to join the 2013 BDM 160 Ultra last January but due to an accident during the “test run” last December, he is now recuperating from a broken bone in his right leg. I have dedicated the cairns that I’ve made in one of the peaks of the Verdugo Mountains in Glendale, California and at the peak of Mt Lukens in Arcadia, California.

Cairns @ One of the Peaks at the Verdugo Mountains For Miguel De Alba

Cairn @ One of the Peaks at the Verdugo Mountains For Miguel De Alba

Cairns @ The Peak of Mt Lukens For Miguel De Alba

Cairn @ The Peak of Mt Lukens For Miguel De Alba

In my visit to the Echo Mountain in Pasadena, California, I made a cairn for my good friend, Andre Blumberg of Hongkong, as a symbol of appreciation to the selfless support to my elite ultra runners for their participation to the Vibram Hongkong 100K Trail Run for the past two years. It is also my way of wishing him good luck for his participation in the 2013 Ultra Running Grand Slam in the United States.

Cairns @ The Peak of Echo Mountain (Pasadena, CA) For Andre Blumberg

Cairn @ The Peak of Echo Mountain (Pasadena, CA) For Andre Blumberg

Another View of the Cairn For Andre Blumberg

Another View of the Cairn For Andre Blumberg

If ever you will be visiting on these places where I made some cairns for these gentlemen, you are requested to add more more rocks into them.

As I continue in my peak bagging feats, I will be making more cairns and feature their pictures in this blog. Their purpose will be to honor the “gods” of the mountain for them to keep us away from harm and danger and at the same time wish good luck to our hike/trek on the said mountain. And if you happen to see these cairns, you are enjoined to add more rocks into them.

See you on the mountain trails and peaks in the coming days, weeks and months!


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Thirst Threshold

9 02 2013

Or it would mean or simply understood as my personal Thirst Tolerance. It is the point where I could no longer tolerate my body not to be able to drink any fluid during a running workout. Beyond this period, I would start to slow down and walk, or sometimes becomes dizzy.

I had been doing this kind of experiment for the past weeks. I’ve done it during daytime and at night time and compared what my body would react during these times and conditions of the day.

Why am I doing this? It is a part of my training for my future adventure runs and hopefully, significantly will reduce the weight of fluid I would carry during these runs. Lighter weight being carried during the run would mean a fresher body that would last for more distance during a certain period of time.

It would also determine my training plan if I need to bring a hydration bottle or system in a workout whether it is a 30-minute recovery run or an hour of daily runs.

As a result of my experimentation, I would last up to 1 hour and 45 minutes without any fluid intake where my workouts would start at 10:00 AM up to Noon time. This is the maximum length of my workout where I could no longer sustain my pace without having to drink water or sports drinks. On average, I would cover a distance of 13.5-14 kilometers for the same period.

On night time, I usually do my experiment starting at 10:00 PM and I’ve observed that I could extend my thirst tolerance/threshold up to 2 hours. Beyond that, I would start to drag my feet and become slower in my pace. On average, I would cover a distance of 17-18 kilometers or slower because of the night/dark environment even if I am using a headlight.

However, before I start these experiment workouts, I must be able to drink at least 2 glasses of water and eat some snacks of fruits, bread, or left-over foods in the refrigerator.

In some clinical studies, it would show that adults over the age of 50 years have higher thirst threshold than the younger ones. It shows also that elder persons have lower water daily intakes of water than the younger ones. But for an elder active person like me, I think I have higher water daily intakes than the younger runners.

I am not telling you to do this kind of experiment in your running workouts. Always remember that, running is an experiment of one. What might be good for me might not be good for you!

Keep on running!

(Note: Don’t ask me how many glasses of water that I would drink every time I finished these workouts!)


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“Train As You Race”

12 01 2013

In Special Units in the military, you always hear their mantra as, “Train As You Fight”. Among elite runners, their mantra should be “Train As You Race”.

In order to have a quick look and observation on the training & preparation of Gerald Sabal and Marcelo Bautista for the 2013 Vibram Hongkong 100K Trail Run in Baguio City, I have to personally see for myself how their training was on-going with regards to their acclimatization to cold weather environment, altitude training, and feedback about their training program & workout. I went up to Baguio City and see the progress of their training. I had a chance to join in one of their daily workouts.

On my first day in Baguio City, I treated them to a lunch and it was there that I was able to give my instructions about their schedule of training; suggested running route in the city and its environs; and gave them their running apparel/kits and their nutrition needs, courtesy of Andre Blumberg who brought the items from Hongkong to Manila during his participation in the latest edition of the TD 100 Ultramarathon Race.

Gerald, Girlene (Wife of Gerald) & Marcelo @ Good Taste, Baguio City

Gerald, Girlene (Wife of Gerald) & Marcelo @ Good Taste, Baguio City

Gerald and Marcelo were instructed to use the Hammer Perpetuum as their source of nutritional needs during the race in order to minimize spent time in stopping in every Aid Station for their food intake. And they should be used to be taking such food mixture/supplement every time they have their daily workouts until it becomes natural for them during the actual race. I clearly explained to the two runners on how to mix the Hammer Powder with water in their hydration bottles and how the mixture is being consumed during the run.

I asked them to run with me all the way to the peak of Mount Santo Tomas on the following day and be able to start using the Hammer mixture as their food intake during the run. We started at 4:00 AM when the temperature in Baguio City was at its coldest at the Marcos Highway & entry to the Green Valley Subdivision. It was still dark and we were able to use our headlights and hand-held flashlight. The two runners were using their respective Salomon S-Lab 5-Liter Hydration Pack where one bottle is full of Hammer Mixture and the other bottle was full of water. As for me, I brought a single bottle of Simple Hydration filled with water and no gels or Power Bars.

Danin Marcelo Gerald 083

At sunrise, we were already at the peak of Mt Cabuyao and it was cold and windy. We pushed, jogged and brisk-walked, for another 4 kilometers until we reached the peak of Mount Santo Tomas. Before we reached the peak of Mt Santo Tomas, I felt all my fingers were already numbed and could hardly clench my fist because of the cold temperature. The wind had become stronger, producing a distinct loud sound within the surroundings. Marcelo told me that it is always cold and windy as one approaches the top of Mt Santo Tomas. We end up on the building structures and antennae on the peak of the mountain and we had some picture taking moments.

At The Peak Of Mt Santo Tomas (2,250 MASL)

At The Peak Of Mt Santo Tomas (2,250 MASL)

After a few minutes, we started our descent towards Mt Cabuyao but my fingers were still numbed and hard! It was an easy jog in going back to Mt Cabuyao. From Mt Cabuyao, I took some pictures of the two elite runners going down towards Marcos Highway.

My run to the peak of Mount Cabuyao and Mount Santo Tomas officially started my next season of “peak bagging” feats. It is a “short” but long 24K run but it took me 4 hours & 20 minutes for the said workout.

After the workout, I had another chance to get feedback from my runners. They told me that they like the Hammer Mixture and they did not have any stomach issues. I instructed them to use it every time they have their workout until they taper down before the event.

For one of their long runs before tapering, I told them to run the Baguio City-Ambuklao Dam-Baguio City route and be able to use the Hammer Mix during the duration of their run. They were able to follow my instruction and they were able to finish the course in 7+ hours! The feedback was that they liked the Hammer Mix and they did not have any stomach issues.

A good teamwork developed between the two runners for the three weeks that they have trained together in Baguio City. The two shared their strengths and weaknesses and I could see that both runners respect each other. Practically, both runners lived together in one place during the duration of their training.

I can’t consider myself as their Coach & Manager but I think I am a “facilitator” and a “father-figure” to them with regards to their training and preparation for the “Big Dance” in Hongkong. Sometimes, I would still act as a Military Commander & General to them just to stress and give importance to what I am telling them. However, the bottom line of what I’ve been telling them is all about Discipline& Being Focused to their Goal! And impressed on them the mantra, “Train As You Race”!

As these two runners are tapering for the running event and preparing for their departure to Hongkong in one week’s time, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the runners, local & international, who contributed financial support to these two runners and to Andre Blumberg of Hongkong who is the Principal Sponsor for our Pinoy Elite Runners to the 2013 Vibram Hongkong 100K Trail Run. Thank you very much!


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After 42 Years

7 01 2013

It was on April 1, 1970, April Fool’s Day, when my life completely changed and I was then about to turn to the age of 18 years old.  I entered the Philippine Military Academy, leaving my ambition to become a doctor from the University of the Philippines, to become a future officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

During the first two months of “Beast Barracks” (soldier’s training from civilian life), all of us would wake up every morning to run in formation for 5 kilometers or 30+ minutes after we have done repetitions of the “Army Dozen” Exercises. (Note: You can google “Army Dozen” Exercises to find out how the workout is done). I did not have any problems with those early morning exercise routines during the early months of my cadet hood.

However, there is a very famous running loop inside Fort Gregorio del Pilar/Philippine Military Academy Compound in Loakan, Baguio City which starts at the Sun Dial/Fountain that goes south to the Jurado Hall or swimming pool area and goes north passing through the left side of the Borromeo Field/Grandstand passing by the Kitchen of the Cadet’s Mess Hall and following the road that goes to the Gate of the Camp and then going back to Melchor Hall by passing the Nakar Hall, Chapel, PMA Hospital and then back to the Sun Dial/Fountain. We were told when we were cadets that the loop has a distance of 5 Kilometers.

When I was a “plebe” (first year cadet/fourth classman), I was a member of our Company’s Cross Country Running Team and we would run that loop every other day and that would serve as our training for the incoming Cross Country Event in our Cadet’s Intramurals. I did not have any records on how fast I could complete the loop during my cadet days. For three years as an upperclass cadet, I’ve been running on the said loop on a regular basis, at least, three times a week.

I would run through the loop almost everyday when I was already a Major when I was assigned as a Tactical Officer and a member of the Academy Staff in the mid-80s but I would not recall how fast I could run the said loop. I would neither dare to run the same loop for the second time in a single workout. I would rather choose to run longer by going out of the Gate of the Camp towards the direction going to City Proper and then back to the Camp or simply run and go back to my quarters at the Navy Base in Baguio City after office hours!

Last month, I was able to go to Baguio City to monitor the progress of the training/preparation of Marcelo & Gerald with regards to their participation in the incoming 2013 Vibram Hongkong 100K Trail Run. I stayed at Nakar Hall, inside PMA Compound, during the duration of my stay in Baguio City. On my first day in the camp, I tried to reminisce those days when I was a cadet and an officer assigned at the PMA by running along the 5-Kilometer Loop.

I started my run in front of the Nakar Hall and went to the direction going to the Chapel and descended towards the Officers Quarters Lane and turned right towards the road that leads to the back of the new Academy Administration Building. I went to the “Slope” and had my picture taken with Mt Santo Tomas-Mt Cabuyao Range as my background by one of the cadets who took his time and attempts to guess what PMA Class I belong. From Jurado Hall, it was an easy run to the Gate of the Camp and I did not have any walking breaks as I “attacked” the once dreaded “Cardiac Hill” where the monument of General Del Pilar is located. As I finished in front of the Nakar Hall, my Garmin Watch would register a distance of 4.88 Kilometers! I was surprised! The loop lacks some meters to make it a 5K distance even if I took an extra distance by taking the road that goes to the back of the new Administration Building.

At "The Slope" With Mts. Santo Tomas & Cabuyao As Background

At “The Slope” With Mts. Santo Tomas & Cabuyao As Background

I was not happy with the result of my run. I need to find an extra distance to make the loop as 5K distance. So, I started to run again by taking the same direction with my first loop. Before I reached Jurado Hall, I decided to go down to the PMA Shooting/Firing Range which is located behind Jurado Hall. It is a descending road all the way to the shooting range and I knew I would be forced to have my walking breaks as I go back to Jurado Hall. But on the contrary, I managed to continuously jog all the way back in front of Jurado Hall. I was breathing heavily and I was surprised of what I’ve done!

I continued my run to the Gate of the Camp and then completing my second loop in front of the Nakar Hall. I got what I wanted as I registered a 5K distance for my 2nd loop plus some hundreds of meters as bonus. I ran an extra one kilometer plus some extra meters for my cool-down run to complete a distance of 12 kilometers as my total mileage for the day.

I have proven three (3) important things in this run. First, the PMA 5K Loop is not accurate as I found later that it was measured on those days by the kilometer reading/odometer of one of the vehicles of the Command. Second, it was my first time to experience running two loops inside PMA in a relax mode where I registered a time of 1:20+ hours for the 12K workout. Third, I may not be as fast as I was a cadet or a Major on this loop but I could be as strong and even a smarter runner at the age of 60 years old!

Hopefully, I would be back again to the hallowed grounds of my Alma Mater every year to run more 5K loops and be able to reminisce those days of cadethood and service to the country.


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