Last week, I made a post with the goal to start my training for the Bataan Death March Tribute Ultramarathon with a toatal mileage of 50-60 kilometers. I exceeded my target goal and I was able to run a total distance of 71.39 kilometers or 44.62 miles. I had three (3) long runs to include the Milo Half-Marathon last Sunday; one tempo run; and one brief speed run. Overall, I did not encounter any soreness on my legs.

I was able to rest on Tuesday and Saturday and had a Massage session for one & half hours (my first time for this duration) which I think is better than the usual one-hour massage session I was getting for the past months.

One of the basic rules in training is not to be able “to cast your training schedule in a stone”. There should be flexibility in the way you train in running. Most of the training programs available in “open sources” advocate three (3) basic elements—speed runs/”fartlek; tempo runs; and long steady runs—in every week’s schedule. Most of the time, these set-up becomes boring and repetitive. A runner must be able to incorporate cross-training exercises or sports events or supplementary weight training that will contribute to the strengthening of leg muscles. Yoga, Pilates, Plyometrics, Core Exercises, Hill Training and other Speed Drills will be beneficial to one’s training.

Every runner should remember the following—1) There is no “miracle pill” or “shortcut” for you to run faster. It takes time ( I mean, years!) and patience to build that endurance base for you to run faster; 2) For a runner to have a faster time, he has to train and run faster! (However, this is considered with caution as one must have that endurance and strength or else you will be “courting injuries”); 3) Always “listen to your body”. If you feel something is wrong with any part of your body while running, stop, walk and rest.