Project “Donate A Shoe”

On March 31, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Running, Running Shoes5 Comments

This concept or project of donating my old running but still reliable running shoes and encouraging others runners to donate their old shoes was born out from my observations of seeing young and senior runners participating in weekend road races, most especially in the 2008 Pasig River International Marathon last February 2008, who were seen with tattered and worn-out running shoes, walking and limping on the side of the road. So, I decided to post the pictures of my old running shoes to let the other runners know if they are in need of my old shoes or share the information to other runners and maybe, ultimately, make my offer reach to the needy ones. The comments of The Bull Runner, Banana Running, Quick Silver Runner, Mark, Cecil/Miraclecello, Benov, Datc, and others from that post inspired me to push through with this project through the help of my Officers & Staff of the DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Running Club, Inc. And I am glad that this project was later endorsed by these bloggers in their respective posts.

As promised in my succeeding post (Collection Point), my staff was able to set-up a “Collection/Distribution” Booth for this project at the Mizuno Infinity Run. Initially, I donated four running shoes and the following “good-hearted runners” shared their old shoes, too:

1) Don Fernando Zobel—He removed his running shoes, ASICS GT-2110, and donated them to the project

2) Bards Bathan aka Banana Running—Gave her Mizuno Wave Inspire 3.0

3) Mesh Villanueva—Gave an Adidas Adizero

4) Duane Santos and Eric Pasion–NIKE Max-Air

5) Jenny and Ninoy Leyran—Two (2) New Balance Shoes: NB 614 & Abzorb 900

6) Mark Bata—Three pairs of running shoes: Nike Air; Adidas Torsion; and Adidas CC Cushion

In total, my staff was able to collect thirteen (13) pairs of running shoes! Six (6) of these were given to the following recipients:

1) John Cervantes

2) Nonito Ubay

3) Genevieve De La Pena

4) Claudio Enero Jr.

5) Eduardo Medina

6) Vicente Polinan

Three (3) of my old shoes were taken by three among the recipients. The remaining shoes (7 shoes) will be brought to the next road race next weekend for display/distribution to qualified recipients.

Genevieve De La Pena got my Nike Air Max.

This is how a “tattered and worn-out” running shoes looks like which the owner exchanged with a better one after using it in the Mizuno 10K Run.

This might be the lightest and most ventilated running shoe in the world whose owner does not even know the importance of support, stability, torsion control, and comfort that the latest running shoes provide to the legs and body.

These are some of the donated shoes. The ASICS GT-2110 at the right was the running shoes of Don Fernando Zobel.

One of the recipients of the donated running shoes trying his size with his “new” running shoes.

This project will continue as long as there are road races and we will make that our “Collection/Distribution” Booth will be a permanent fixture in all of the future road races in Metro Manila.

To all the donors and “future” donors to this project, thank you very much! We wish you more blessings and successes in your life!

D-Day: Mizuno Infinity 15K Run

On March 30, 2008March 30, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Races, Running, Running Shoes16 Comments

30 March 2008 (6:00 AM-7:16 AM)

I arrived at the Parking Area near the Assembly Area of the Mizuno Infinity Run at 5:10 AM and immediately had my stretching exercises and warm-up jogging. I saw to it that I had to drink water and force my urine to get out from my urinary tract system before going inside the check-in area. It took me about thirty minutes to warm-up while making sure that my officers from the DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap had arrived and put up their booth for the BaldRunner’s “Donate A Running Shoe” Project. I was glad that my staff had arrived on time and I gave them four of my old shoes for donation.

Before the start and as soon as I entered the starting area, many runners had greeted me, most of whom are my visitors/readers of my blog. Guys, thanks for your comments and visits!

The 15K Run started at exactly 6:00 AM with the other runners in the 10K and 5K races to start after 15 minutes. The 5K was scheduled to start at 6:30 AM. As expected my 1st kilometer was a slow one, finishing in 5:44 minutes. But my time was a very slow pace from my planned time to finish every kilometer. I had to pick-up the pace when I was already at the Bayani Road. After almost two-kilometer run inside the Heritage Park, the hills before the Bayani Road, at Lawton Avenue, and at the McKinley Hill areas slowed down all the runners. The worst was, once the runners reached Lawton Avenue after coming from Bayani Road, they were already facing the heat of the sun.

Running at 3-Km point along the Bayani Road before I threw water to the driver of a black Nissan Patrol who was about to cut us from an intersection. I met Mark at this point after the said incident.

It is fun to run when there are lots of runners around you, the more you have to increase your pace!

At this point, going to Km. 8, I just left the Heritage Park and about to run uphill towards Gate 3 of Fort Bonifacio.

At the uphill portion going to Gate 3 of Fort Bonifacio and Bayani Road

I started to pick up again my pace after successfully ascending from the McKinley Hill area and reached back to Lawton Avenue. At this point, I had only 2 kilometers to go before the finish line. I joined the pace of a lady runner in pink and a soldier from Camp Aguinaldo. At the last turn before the Finish Line, I saw the digital clock registered 1:16:00 hours. I just maintained a quick pace and was able to cross the finish line in 1:16:27 hours, my unofficial finish time for the 15K race.

I picked-up my pace after leaving McKinley Hill area. The motorbike rider who escorted me from Heritage Park to the Finish Line was one of my personal drivers & member of my security detail when I was then the Camp Commander of Fort Bonifacio.

A picture with the lady runner in pink who set the pace along Lawton Avenue and a soldier from GHQ, Camp Aguinaldo following us. This was the first time I saw this lady in a weekend race. She is strong and I am sure she placed one of the top five among the ladies.

At the finish line with a time of 1:16:27 hours as I read from the digital timer/clock, my unofficial finish time.

After finishing the race, I immediately went to the booth where my staff established my Project “Donate A Shoe”. I found out that three of my old running shoes were already given to the less fortunate runners. Later, Don Fernando Zobel of Ayala Land Inc. approached the booth and asked where he can donate his shoes. And I and my staff answered, “Here, sir!”. He immediately removed the running shoes he was wearing, an ASICS GT-2110, and donated them to us. We let him signed some forms and took some pictures of him and myself. He left our booth walking with only his socks on. Thanks, Don Fernando! We salute you!

Runners looking at the array of donated shoes infront of Bald Runner’s Project “Donate A Shoe” booth being supervised by Major Rod Turno and Capt Ferdie Espejo of the DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Running Club, Inc.

Don Fernando Zobel signing the Deed of Donation for his running shoes he was wearing that he donated. I gave him a “ONE” Wristband which he accepted.

Many of my officers/enlisted personnel and dependents in the Philippine Army, my brother, members of the Happy Feet Runners Club, Fairview Running Club, Takie, Mark, Jomes, the BullRunner, jhun & wife, rene & doc from Gold’s Gym and others whom I forgot their names approached our “booth” and had good words about our project. We had some picture-taking, too!

A pose with the members of the Happy Feet Running Club. Guys, you look great!

A pose with my brother & wife who joined the 5K run. At far right is Colonel Oscar Lopez of the Philippine Army who is also a passionate long distance runner & joined/finished the 15K run in sub-1:30:00 hours.

A pose with Takie and the most popular The Bull Runner among the Running Bloggers!

One of the senior runners who received my New Balance 902 Performance Running Shoes showing his old shoes which he used in the 15K run!

Training Journal (17-23 March 2008)

On March 29, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Practice Runs, RunningLeave a comment

17 March 2008—Hill Workout & “Fartlek” Run/15.3 kilometers or 9.56 miles in Jamindan

19 March 2008—Mile “Tempo” Run/7.5 kilometers or 4.68 miles in Jamindan

20 March 2008—AM Run–Long Run/12.21 kilometers or 7.63 miles in Jamindan

20 March 2008—PM Run–Long Run/10.02 kilometers or 6.26 miles in Jamindan

22 March 2008—Long Slow Distance Run/21.07 kilometers or 13.17 miles in Jamindan

23 March 2008—Speed Run (5 X 400 meter) 6.8 kilometers or 4.25 miles in Jamindan

Total Distance Covered—72.9 kilometers or 45.56 miles

Last Two Bibs; Route & Last Run

On March 29, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Practice Runs, Races, RunningLeave a comment

27 March 2008

I registered personally at the Mizuno Store at Bonifacio High Street Mall after lunch today. The staff at the store told me that I am getting the second to the last bib for the 15K run. In one minute, I got out of the store and I am officially registered to run the 15K. While I was filling up my registration form, another guy entered the room and he got the last bib.

While looking at the zeroxed copy of the route, it confirmed the information I got from my officer yesterday. While I was going back to attend the closing ceremony of the seminar which I attended, I planned already to have my last practice run for the week before the race day on some portions of the route after the seminar.

Glancing at the course, the 15K route will be a hard one with so many hills along the way. My target of finishing the race in 1:15:00 hours would be a hard task and I could force my body to its limits. Well, mentally, that is still the target/objective but in reality, a 1:17:00 to 1:18:00 hours would be a decent time to finish the 15K run.

The strategy is to divide the course in three 5K runs. First 5K will be with a comfortable pace; the second 5K will be a faster one and the last 5K will be covered at a 2-mile run pace. The hilly portions will be at Bayani Road after the PA Golf Course; from the Heritage Park to Bayani Road; from the Golf Course along the Bayani Road up to the back of the Philippine Army Grandstand; McKinley Hills area; and the Essensa road. The difficulty on these hilly portions should be countered while running along the downhill portions of the route, which means that I have to increase my pace on the descending portions. The McKinley Hill part in going back to Lawton Avenue towards the finish line will be the “Killer Hill” in this race!

At 6:00 PM, I was already having my stretching exercises. I started from running workout from my quarters towards the Libingan ng mga Bayani, running along the outermost roads inside the park; went out and ran towards Heritage Park and C-5 Highway and back to Bayani Road; ran along Lawton Avenue towards McKinley Hill and was able to reach C-5 exit; and made a fast run in going up the last hill towards Lawton. From Gate 1 of Fort Bonifacio, I had my cool-down run towards my quarters.

My last practice run was a slow one but I was able to run in 1:29:03 hours with an estimated distance covered of 15 kilometers. I used my Timex Watch w/ HR Monitor with a 150-160 bpm and 1,060 total calories burned.

D-4 Day: Mizuno Infinity 15K Run

On March 28, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Practice Runs, Races, RunningLeave a comment

26 March 2008 (8:32 PM-9:25PM)

I’ve been in Manila for the 6th Philippine Army Physical Fitness Test Challenge yesterday and for today and tomorrow, I am attending a seminar/meeting among the Commanders of the Philippine Army. On Friday, I will also attend the 111th Founding Anniversary of the Philippine Army in a Military Parade and Awarding Ceremonies.

While attending a dinner with the Commanders, one of the officers from the Headquarters Philippine Army who is also a weekend runner told me that he had registered already for the Mizuno Infinity 15K Run. Well, I told him that I have yet to register in one of the Mizuno Stores in Makati with the thought that I’ll be registering at the Boifacio High Street Mall. I asked the officer about the route and he told me the general route of the 15K Run. He told me that route covers Lawton Avenue, Bayani Road, Heritage Park, Mckinley Hill Area and The Fort area.

After dinner, I immediately changed to my running attire and had a “run through” or course familiarization on the hilly portions of the course. Actually, it was not a course familiarization but a review on the route as I am familiar on most of the portions of the route. I did “fartlek” runs on the flat/plain portions and hill “bounding” exercises on the ascending portions of the route. I also practiced “belly breathing” on the hilly portions.

The following data were registered in my GF 305:

Distance—8.63 kms Time—48:39 mins

Average Pace—5:38 mins/km Average Speed—10.6 km/hr

Maximum Speed—13.6 km/hr Total Calories—634 cal

Average HR—160 bpm Maximum HR—170 bpm

Total Ascent—324 meters Total Descent—357 meters

Running Shoes—ASICS Gel-Kinsei 2

“ONE” Wristband

On March 27, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Running3 Comments

One year ago today, I started giving this “white” rubber wristband to my officers and to a selected number of my troops who were directly involved in armed firefight/encounter with the armed insurgents in Central and Western Visayas. I even gave this wristband to the Governors and local government officials; to the Catholic Church’s Bishops; members of the media; and friends of the Command. The Governors of Aklan and Iloilo are wearing proudly this “ONE” Wristband up to the present.

In December 2006, during my visit to my family in Los Angeles, my daughter gave me this wristband, explaining to me that there was a Music/Rock Concert that was held in Los Angeles where most of the celebrities, VIPs, and Hollywood Stars were wearing this white “ONE” wristband and wearing this kind of wristband was the “in-thing” that time. Unknowingly, such wristband is a symbol of an advocacy to solve poverty and make poverty a history.

I used this “white” wristband to explain to the recipient that wearing it is a symbol that he /she is committed to support our mission to solve insurgency as solving poverty greatly affects the overall improvement and maintenance of peace and order in the area.

I’ve been wearing this “ONE” Wristband for one year and you could see it in my pictures in all my road races. I’ve been wearing this wristband with my military uniform, too!

The famous “American Idol” finalists and judges last year were wearing this “ONE” Wristband as they sponsored a support/aid to the poor communities in Africa. During the last Senatorial Elections here in the country last year, the opposition senatorial candidates used this “white wristband” as part of their campaign’s platform, but after the elections, they changed this wristband to a better looking and more expensive bracelets. And the worst is, you seldom hear them “trying” to help solve the problem of poverty. Please correct me if I am wrong on this observation.

Anyway, I still have 100 pieces of this “ONE” wristband (Made in USA) and I am giving a piece of this to every donor of an old/used running shoes. These wristbands will be available for the first 100 donors. I will be the one who will personally give this wristband.

I hope to see you at the Mizuno Infinity Run.

6th Army Physical Fitness Test Challenge

On March 25, 2008March 25, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Races, Running8 Comments

25 March 2008 (5:00 AM-7:00 AM)

Last night, I took the last flight from Iloilo City to Manila just to be able to participate in the 6th Army Physical Fitness Test Challenge, being the author/originator of this event which started in 2000. For unknown reasons, this event was not conducted in 2006 & 2007 PA Anniversary. I am glad that the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, Lt Gen Alexander Yano revived this event as he is an athlete and lover of sports. One of his priorities as soon as he assumed the leadership of the Philippine Army was to enhance the physical fitness of the soldiers and improve the physical fitness facilities and equipment in every Division/Command nationwide. My Division/Command in the Western Visayas is recipient of this program.

General Yano sent me a text message last night at 11:00 PM, which I read when I woke up at 4:15 AM this morning, telling that he revived the conduct of the Army Physical Fitness Test. It is subtle message that he is personally attending the event. He knew that I was responsible in the creation of this pysical fitness event and he was inviting me to join.

When I arrived at the Philippine Army Grandstand at 5:00 AM, two sets/groups of participants (25 persons per set) had already finished their Push-Ups and Sit-Ups events. I was surprised that my registration form was prepared already and all I had to do was to pin my race number/bib. I joined the third set/group together with my brother, Maj General Samuel Narcise, the Inspector General of the Philippine Army, and some of the Officers and Enlisted Personnel.

A pose with my brother before the start of the 6th Philippine Army Physical Fitness test Challenge.

We started with the Push-Ups event for a time limit of 2 minutes only. I did 65 repetitions in 2 minutes!

Starting position…Once the Umpire says “GO”, you have to stretch/kick your legs to the back.

And down with your body and legs to the ground as one..the fist of the “counter” (one who counts your repetitions) must be touching your breast to count as one repetition. The upper arms should be in line with your back when going down.

You can rest only in this position with your body still straight…but I did not rest and I did 65 repetitions continuously.

After almost 5 minutes of rest after the Push-Ups event, we were led to the next station for the Sit-Ups. This is the starting position. The guy holding my feet pressing them to the ground with the help of his knees is the one who counts your repetitions.

In order to count in a repetition, the whole back of the body should be touching the ground. I did a very fast repetitions on this event. I counted mentally up to 70 repetitions but the “counter” only counted 62! I guess, my counting was faster than his counting. No complaints though!

The Sit-Ups event has a time limit of 2 minutes also. This is the only allowed resting position but it is suggested that there should be no rest while doing this exercise as you will lose your momentum. On record, I finished 62 repetitions!

Our group started in the 2-mile run…with my brother and the officers and men of the Philippine Army..

After finishing the 2nd round/lap…

Finishing the 2-mile run after 3 laps…Remember always, Don’t forget to smile once you pass the finish line. I finished in 14:56 minutes for the 2-mile run (3.2 kilometers). The following data were taken from GF 305:

Distance—3.25 kms Time—14.56 minutes

Average Pace—4:36 mins/km Average Speed—13.0 kms/hr

Maximum Speed—15.8 kms/hr Total Calories—239 cal

Average HR—165 bpm Maximum HR—169 bpm

Lt General Yano, the Commanding General of the Philippine Army (at the center), ran the 2-mile run with the last group of particpants. My brother and I joined him during the run and he finished in 18:21 minutes!

As a result of the 6th Philippine Army Physical Fitness Test Challenge, I was awarded with a Medal as the Champion in the Executive Category (which means, 50 & above years of age!). Not bad for a Major General of the AFP, retiring in 52 days from the service. My brother was also awarded with the 2nd Runner-Up Medal in the same category.

Total Distance Covered—7.5 kilometers (to include one lap of cool-down jogging). It was a nice tapering workout in preparation for my next road race on Sunday.

Running Shoes—ASICS GEL Kinsei-2

I hope to see you at the Mizuno Infinity 15K Run this Sunday!…And don’t forget to bring your old shoes for donation!

D-7 Day: Mizuno Infinity 15K Run

On March 24, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Practice Runs, Races, Runners' Training, Running3 Comments

23 March 2008

Happy Easter to Everybody!

I was supposed to spend my Holy Week in Boracay and stay in our Cottage which is located in Station 0 ( I coined the name because our place is way up north of Station 1) together with my “security detail” bringing with me my books, RW Magazines, and my laptop. However, I changed my mind with the thought of preparing for the next road race which is the Mizuno Infinity 15K Run next Sunday within the hills & mountains of Jamindan. I thought that running along the beachfront of Boracay is not productive as my preparation even if I decided to run along the fairways of Fairways & Bluewater Golf Course or even run the hills of Boracay Island. The 2-mile route inside my camp was a better option plus the fact that I could be easily identified in Boracay as one of the tourists there. I am more rested here in the camp than travelling for almost 3 1/2 hours to Boracay by land and my soldiers in Boracay might be concentrating on my security rather than protecting and securing the tourists visiting in the island. And I don’t want this thing to happen.

Building-up my strength and endurance in the hills/mountains of Jamindan was part of my preparation for the Mizuno Run. I want to improve my time in the 15K with the plan to run at an average pace of 4:50-4:58 minutes per kilometer in order to finish the 15K run in 1:15:00 hours or below. Not knowing on the details of the route, I concentrated my training on my hill workouts in order to prepare for the “worst”. If the route of the race will be at The Fort Area, I am confident that I can maintain my pace with those gradual ascending portions in the area.

Having woke up early this morning to attend the Easter Sunday activities at 5:00 AM at the camp & attending the mass after the “Salubong” at the Camp’s Chapel, I opted to have my run late in the afternoon and confident that there will be no rain today. I started my running workout with stretching and later made my warm-up with brisk walking and slow jogging for about 1.6 kilometers along the 2-mile route. I am supposed to have my endurance run which is a regular run with a distance of 10 kilometers but I finally decided to have a “speed play” within the 400-meter distance flat area along the route. I did 5 repetitions of the “400-meter intervals” with 400-meter slow jog in between speed repeats. The following were the data taken from my GF 305 every lap:

#1) Distance—416.33 meters Time—1:47 mins

Average Pace—4:18 mins/km Average Speed—13.9 kms/hr

Maximum Speed—16.4 kms/hr Total Calories—26 cal

Average HR—134 bpm Maximum HR—153 bpm

Total Ascent—6 meters Total Descent—19 meters

#2) Distance—413.16 meters Time—1:44 mins

Average Pace—4:12 mins/km Average Speed—14.3 kms/hr

Maximum Speed—15.6 kms/hr Total Calories—27 cal

Average HR—151 bpm Maximum HR—161 bpm

Total Ascent—7 meters Total Descent—11 meters

#3) Distance—436.97 meters Time—1:38 mins

Average Pace—3:44 mins/km Average Speed—16 kms/hr

Maximum Speed—19.2 kms/hr Total Calories—28 cal

Average HR—148 bpm Maximum HR—163 bpm

Total Ascent—7 meters Total Descent—13 meters

#4) Distance—438.73 meters Time—1:41 mins

Average Pace—3:51 mins/km Average Speed—15.5 kms/hr

Maximum Speed—18.8 kms/hr Total Calories—29 cal

Average HR—152 bpm Maximum HR—164 bpm

Total Ascent—8 meters Total Descent—14 meters

#5) Distance—432.57 meters Time—1:56 mins

Average Pace—4:28 mins/km Average Speed—13.4 kms/hr

Maximum Speed—15.8 kms/hr Total Calories—29 cal

Average HR—151 bpm Maximum HR—159 bpm

Total Ascent—8 meters Total Descent—11 meters

Cool-Down Jogging for 1.2 kilometers (3 X 400 meters) and then had my post-stretching exercises.

Running Shoes—ASICS Gel-1120

Music—Linkin Park/Laura Fygi

Total Distance Covered—6.8 kilometers or 4.25 miles

Black Saturday Run

On March 23, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Practice Runs, RunningLeave a comment

22 March 2008 (5:13 PM- 7:15 PM)

There had been no rains in Jamindan for the past 5 days and the weather today is fine and there are no clouds in the sky. I started my run while the sun was about to set and disappear from the ridge of the highest mountain in the camp and stopped my running workout when the moon has risen on the eastern horizon. Checking on my wall calendat, I found out that today/tonight is Full Moon. It was a nice sight seeing the moon beaming its light on some portions of the camp’s streets where the lighted street lights are not yet available. I started to slow down with my pace when the surroundings became dark but I need to finish at least two hours of running for today’s workout.

I am well rested today and I planned to have my running workout this morning but I became lazy to wake up early as planned. I had additional one hour of sleep after I cancelled my morning workout. After breakfast, I acted on administrative papers and read reports coming from my units under me. I also read back issues of RW Magazine and the book written by Alvin & Heidi Toffler, “Revolutionary Wealth”. I also watched some movies from Star Movies-TV Channel and the 2nd Round of the PGA Puerto Rico Golf Tournament at Solar Sports. After one hour sleep after watching the movie, “The Gods Must Be Crazy”, I started to prepare for my afternoon run.

The following were the data taken from my GF 305:

Distance—20.10 kms Time—2:01:22 hrs

Average Pace—6:02 mins/km Average Speed—9.9 km/hr

Maximum Speed—14.8 km/hr Total Calories—1,483 cal

Average HR—148 bpm Maximum HR—161 bpm

Total Ascent—660 meters Total Descent—668 meters

Warm-Up—410 meters Cool-Down—560 meters

Running Shoes—ASICS Gel-1120

Music—Matchbox Twenty & Led Zeppelin’s Mothership.

It was nice to hear “Stairway to Heaven” while I was having my cool-down jogging & brisk walking!

Total Distance Covered—21.07 kms or 13.17 miles