Year: 2008

Mt Wilson’s Trail Hike & Run

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Running, Trail Running5 Comments

10:20 AM 01 September 2008 at the Mt Wilson’s Trail

Being the US Labor Day on this day and “no-work” day, my son just thought of asking me if I want to go on trail hiking at The San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles. I said, “Yes” and we were out of the house at 9:45 AM with our trail running kit, energy bars & GUs, and our respective Camelbaks.

We took the I-210 and went to the direction of Pasadena, exited at Baldwin Street and went North towards the town of Sierra Made, California. We parked our car at Mira Monte Street fronting the Mt Wilson Trail Park.

At exactly 10:20 AM, we started our trail hike at an asphalted road that exits from Mira Monte Street and to a narrow dirt trail road towards the peak of Mt Wilson with the general direction going North. As we entered the dirt trail, we started to meet hikers who were just going down from the trail. The trail starts at an elevation of 970 feet and the peak of the mountain reaches to an altitude of 5,650 feet. The altitude of the mountain is higher than the altitude of PMA in Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City which is 5,000 ft. Continue reading “Mt Wilson’s Trail Hike & Run” →

Motivation On Running

On By kingofpotsIn Books, Insights, Jogging, RunningLeave a comment

The following excerpt was taken from the book, 50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days–and How You Too Can Achieve Super Endurance! by Dean Karnazes on page 156:

“The key to keeping your passion for running strong over the long haul is to ensure that it remains a journey and never becomes a routine. Lots of runners, myself included, use running to test and redefine various physical and mental limits, which brings endless fulfillment. Others pursue intellectual development through running, learning ever more about the art and science of effective running, how nutrition affects performance, and so forth. The possibilities are endless. The only wrong to move is to miss out on all of them and make running something it’s not: boring. Because the simple act of putting one foot infront of the other and moving forward at an accelerated rate can be one of life’s greatest–and simplest–pleasures”

BR’s Recipe: Tofu With Bok Choy

On By kingofpotsIn Pictures, Running2 Comments

Ingredients:

Cooking Oil                          Soy Sauce

Garlic                                    Tofu (Cut in Bite pieces)

Onions                                  Bok Choy (Small Pechay)

Oyster Sauce                         Green Onions

Instructions:

1. Heat up Wok with Cooking Oil

2. Place garlic and cook until brown

3. Cook Onions

4. Place and Mix Tofu with Garlic & Onions & Green Onions Continue reading “BR’s Recipe: Tofu With Bok Choy” →

Birthday Run

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Runners' Training, Running2 Comments

11:00 AM 31 August 2008 at Silverlake Water Reservoir

My son, John, invited me for a noon run to celebrate his birthday on this day. So, we went to the Silverlake Water Reservoir and did a 10K run at noontime with temperature in the mid-90s.

One round of the reservoir registered a distance of 3.5 kilometers in my GF 305. We did three (3) rounds and we had a very fast pace on our first and last rounds with 5:00-5:30-minute per km pace. It was an “inverted” tempo run!

Yes, Father and Son are both Crazy!!!

“Runabout” In Downtown, LA

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Running5 Comments

1:08 PM 28 August 2008 at Downtown, Los Angeles

I had a two and half hours of “runabout” along the streets of Downtown, Los Angeles going to the different prominent buildings and structures, pausing in traffic lights to wait for the pedestrian lights to go and places where I pose to take my pictures. Basically, I was alternately running and jogging along the streets. Bringing only my TNF E-50 Hand-held Water Jug, Ipod Nano and Digital Camera, I was off in the house after lunch.

Running along Beverly Boulevard which turns out to be 1st Street towards Downtown was already a challenge with an uphill run of about 150 meters! Once at the peak, I was standing infront of the door of the Walt Disney Concert Hall along Grand Avenue and ran downhill towards Figueroa Boulevard. I spent some of my time running in the different streets near and surrounding the City Hall before going back again to Figueroa Blvd. Continue reading ““Runabout” In Downtown, LA” →

My (New) Newton Shoes

On By kingofpotsIn Pictures, Running, Running Shoes7 Comments

For finishing my first ultramarathon race (50K), I ordered my new Newton Running Shoes as my reward and it arrived after 6 days.

Instead of buying the new NIKE Lunar Trainer Shoes, I chose this!

We’ll see what this “Lamborghini” would do to my running…

“100K Challenge”

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Runners' Training, Running9 Comments

Do you want to take the “100K Challenge”?

This will test if you are ready for your tempo runs, speed runs on the oval track, hill workouts, and long steady runs (with “surges” along the way or fast pace at the last 10 kilometers of your long run or long runs at race pace). If you successfully pass this challenge without any injuries, it means that you have developed the endurance and strong leg muscles necessary for a marathon with the end result of attaining your desired finish time.

You can do this with your treadmill machine or along the paved road which is relatively flat. Do the scheduled runs as instructed so that you can recover in between morning and afternoon/evening workouts. You should do the challenge from Monday to Thursday so that you can rest and recover for the rest of the week.

Monday—5K (AM) + 10K (PM) = 15K

Tuesday—10K (AM) + 15K (PM) = 25K

Wednesday—15K (AM) + 20K (PM) = 35K

Thursday—25K

Total = 100K

All Runs should be at moderate (10% less your race pace) or near your Race Pace. Make a log/journal of this challenge and you should be able to get your average pace per kilometer after running 100K.

If you think you are not ready, then don’t do it. But if you want to try, go for it!

Good luck!

“Know “Why” You Are Doing…

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Running2 Comments

WHAT You Are Doing!” This is the “bottomline” statement in all the writings and speeches of the famous Arthur Lydiard on Distance Running.

If you have a training schedule or running program being followed (strictly) and given to you by your coach or you are just following a training schedule you got from Runner’s World Magazine’s Smart Coach/other magazines and running books, you should be able to know the reason “why” you are doing your long steady runs, tempo runs, speed “track” runs, hill workouts, and related running drills within a certain period or phase of your training towards your race day.

If your “coach” can give you the answers of “why” you are doing such in your running workouts and if you think you know the answer (if you are coaching yourself), then, most likely you will be able to attain your desired goal on race day.

Good luck!

Lessons Learned: Bulldog 50K Ultra Trail Run

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Races, Running, Trail Running, Ultramarathon3 Comments

1) Intelligence (“Know The Enemy”)—I had the chance to run through the 22K distance (except the last 3K) for each loop of the trail run distance on two occassions; my first time one month before race day and the second time two weeks before the race day. These practice runs along the trail route starting at 9:30 AM and 7:30 AM on each run gave me the needed knowledge and information as to the overall profile and condition of the route. Through these practice runs, I was able to gain confidence and finally plan for my race strategy. Running through the trail route gave me 50% chance of finishing the race.

2) Do Your Homework—I had to make a research on the Internet and from books and magazines available in order to get as much information I could about running an ultramarathon. The book “The Ultramarathon Man” by Dean Karnazes had greatly influenced me to take my body what it feels to experience and finish the ultramarathon.  Printed magazines on Ultra Trail Running and books about ultramarathon had also helped me by reading the experiences of ultramarathoners who were just like anybody else—they started too as beginners. “Tips” and words of encouragement from my blog visitors (Ben Gaetos aka Benwah, Quicksilver, and Eric aka Habang Tumatakbo) were very helpful. Thanks to these ultra friends! Continue reading “Lessons Learned: Bulldog 50K Ultra Trail Run” →

“Walkabout” In 7:30 Hours

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Running, Trail Running, Ultramarathon8 Comments

“Walkabout” is an Australian term where their aborigines would “go walkabout” at the age of thirteen in the wilderness for a period of six months as a rite of passage and for them to be able to trace the pathways of their ancestors.

“Walkabout” is also a term being used by ultramarathoners as part of their cross-training where they walk for miles and hours during the day or night.

Dean Karnazes changed the term to “runabout” where one has to run and alternately walk and then run again for the whole day and night or on a 12-hour period basis or shorter. When going on a “walkabout” or “runabout”, one has to bring some cash/credit card/ID and compact backpack where you can store windbreaker, dry shirt, socks, and cellphone. Continue reading ““Walkabout” In 7:30 Hours” →