After 5 months of observing the runners and walkers at the ULTRA Oval Track, I had to do something to inform those who do not know the unwritten etiquette in using the oval track. In short, I became the Oval Track Marshall for tonight at the ULTRA.
Yes, I need to become an asshole tonight just to inform those slow runners and walkers who are using Lane 1. As soon as we started our “speed” session for our one hour of 85% Lactate Threshold as our “menu” for this night’s training, I started shouting those who are walking on Lane 1; tapping their shoulders to walk or jog on the outer lanes if their pace are slow as I tried to pass them; telling them that there is an etiquette in using the oval track; and sometimes telling them that if I pass them on my rounds, it means that they are slow runners. Sometimes, I became rude to those joggers/walkers who would insist on going back to Lane 1 even if they have a slow pace.
I have observed that those whom I’ve shouted were using their Ipods. Most of the walkers/joggers do not know such etiquette in using the oval track. After 2-3 laps of consistently warning those slow runner/walkers who are using Lane 1, my run was no longer distracted and Lane 1 was clear for me up to the time I finished my one hour of running. How I wish this will be the start of better use of the Oval Track where Lane 1 or 2 would be clear for the faster runners.
As I finished my run, I smelled that somebody was smoking. Yes, my sense of smell is very sensitive to the smoke of a cigarette which I got when I started my runnng in the 80s! I looked up at the Grandstand to see 2 gentlemen in their barong shirts smiling at me while I was shouting at them that the ULTRA Compound is a “No Smoking Area”. I don’t care if these people are VIPs but the big sign is there at the Grandstand that the place is a “No Smoking Area”. I have to call the attention of the Security Guard and I was supported by one of the audience (wearing a Barong Shirt) who together with the Security Guard approached the 2 men whom I’ve observed to be smoking. The 2 gentlemen had to put off their cigarettes.
My coaches and other running coaches in the oval track had been telling their runners to abide by the unwritten etiquette in using the oval track but there are still runners/walkers who do not know about this. I told my runners and coaches that effective tonight I will be the Oval Track Marshall whenever I have my running workout in the said place. As I left the Oval Track, I told the lone Security Guard that I will help her in the implementaton of the proper use of the oval track and to see to it that the “No Smoking” policy shall be followed.
As they say, don’t just wait for something to happen, do it and make things happen!
Bald Runner 
There is a new sheriff in town! We should get you a badge.
Regards Mark & Tiffin
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hehehe! thanks, mark & tiffin. i think being the bald runner is enough for a “badge” to implement some order and discipline in the oval track.
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Hi BR,
I enjoyed reading your last two posts. Good for you! At the high school track we practice in, the public is “encouraged” to use lanes 4-6 (there is an actual sign that states this). Our fast runners pass on lane 3, and everyone else stay on lanes 4-6. Works really well.
You could create you’re own sign and bring it to the oval every time your group runs there. It might say “Keep left lanes clear. Slower runners to the right”. I think it will work.
QuickSilver
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qs, the people here are quite different from the populace you have there. your people knows the meaning and applies properly the word/term “road courtesy”. i will bet my two balls if the people here knows the meaning of such word…hehehe! seriously, this is what i like in blogging, i could immediately post and send my message to everybody and at the same time get positive feedbacks from my readers. thanks, qs for the suggestion. i will immediately have my staff order a tarpaulin for the appropriate signage to remind the slower runners/walkers to take the outer lanes.
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Sir Jovie,
Kudos to you! I have been wanting to be ‘rude’ myself.
In the Marikina oval, there are signs which ‘separate’ lanes 1,2,3 from the outer lanes. I sure hope they do the same in Ultra. Doing speedwork is becoming a mix of running, plyometrics and patintero.
I’ve always wanted a singlet with a “LAKAD LUNETA —>” or “LAKAD LUNETA KEEP RIGHT” :
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javy, thanks for the comment. don’t worry, we’ll do something about this and continously inform those “ignorant” joggers/walkers on the proper use of the oval track. see you soon at the ULTRA.
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Let’s call the MMDA and ask them to put a screen barricade for each lane and a big NEON sign above each lane.
Salute to Sir Jovie for having the courage to make things right! You’re not the a$$h0l3 but the runners and those dang smokers.
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hehehe! thanks, albert. i wish i could apply for the position of MMDA chief if BF will run for president. actually, that’s my dream! hehehe! i’ll try my best to be at the ULTRA every night just to make sure that the oval track will be used properly.
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I agree with Qsilver u can maybe bring a sign so that slower runners would be informed. Nice job, sir! 🙂
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smith, that will be done. i’ll have my staff order a tarpaulin for that. thanks
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Sir Jovie thank you for being “rude.” Hope these will teach casual walkers/joggers to be sensitive with others using the facility. As for those smokers that’s really a disrespectful act to everyone in the area, smoker or non-smoker.
I think now we can call you Chief 🙂
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hehehe..i like that! but just simply call me BR or Sir Jovie
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A few things:
I see that you mean well and it is very much appreciated especially by those serious in their track training like yourself and some other runners, but I honestly think that not yelling at them was still an option and that it could still have driven your point across.
Those slower runners/walkers at ULTRA are new to the sport, I’d surmise. I think we should be more patient with them. Besides, aren’t we all paying for the track? For different paces, yes, but haven’t you ever thought that you might have scared them away from pursuing the sport we love?
Persuasion is more effective than force. We want to encourage people to run, not scare them off.
Re: the smokers, it really is uncouth to smoke in the area especially that there is a NO SMOKING sign. However, I think you could’ve just gently went up to them and told them “Look, it’s not a smoking area. See the sign?” I know you didn’t want to stop running but I honestly think that yelling out loud was still uncalled for. You don’t fight uncouth with uncouth.
Just my two cents.
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marga, nice point and i respect your comment. five months of observaton and nothing is happening despite repeated request to the lone security guard to instill discipline and orderliness at the oval track is too long for me to wait for much improvement. if these people don’t practice “common sense” and simple courtesy on the oval track then we have to inform them the “hard” or “soft” way. what is important is that i was able to deliver a “no-nonsense” message to the slow runners/walkers on lane 1 and those smokers last night. scaring those slow runners? i don’t think so! i’ve have to shout at people who were running/jogging at a slow pace & those leisurely walking while using their Ipods. by the way, have you done something about this problem whenever you are doing your speed runs at the ULTRA Oval Track? bottomline, at least, i’ve done something (whether it is the right way or not) to instill disciplne and orderliness in the use of the oval track.
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Sherrif Jovie, I think they’re the assh0l3ss, not you…
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Sir Jovie,
I am avid reader of your blog, and this is my first time to comment. All I can say is that I look up to you. You have been my “idol”. I “wish” I can be like you when i get to your age.
People in the track should be aware that the oval track was created for running and not walking! Our number of ovals in the country are only limited, and the ULTRA oval is the only decent one. Perhaps it’s time that you do something about it sir. Only fast runners should be allowed in lanes 1 and 2, I do agree, and slow runners/walkers should be on the last 3 lanes. You are the only one who has the power to do this sir, you are the most respected runner in the community, and it’s best that you do something about it.
Thank you so much for your concern.
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boy, don’t worry, we’ll try our best to educate and inform the users of the oval track..i am comng up with a tarpaulin signage to this effect and hopefully have it displayed by tomorrow afternoon.
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transitionzero, you are quite an angel!
if i read what BR wrote correctly, he yelled because some runners were wearing ipod so the option not to yell would not be effective. i am not in defense for BR because i don’t run on ULTRA anyway (not that i don’t care) but your two cent is well noted for the stress of the training could blind us of kinder options to put order into things. maturity and sensitivity to others is another big sign that should be placed in the track. (if they ever read signs and follow) otherwise, another @$$h0l3 will be shouting again. fellow runners watch your temper…not good for the heart.
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albert, thanks for the comment. don’t worry, ordered a tarpaulin to remind the users of the oval on the proper use of it as quicksilver had suggested.
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Can’t we just get along the track oval? If somebody shouted at me for clogging the lane since I am slow, I’ll get pissed-off. Aren’t we being elitist for saying that the inner lane is for reserved for fast runners only? And lastly, what running etiquette are you talking about sir? Isn’t shouting at people bad etiquette in general? Just asking.
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most of the people i had to shout at were using their Ipods. whatever, when i had my workout tonight at the ULTRA, there was a great improvement as Lane 1 was clear for the faster runners.
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Hi BR,
Just a follow-up, you’re definitely right about the cultural sensibilities being different. I thought about it when I first responded. But you know, we can hope that people everywhere will do the right thing when confronted by such universal issues as courtesy and pakikisama (the act of getting along). Hope I’m using the right word there.
{{And we shouldn’t have to worry about betting our you-know-what. He he.}}
Have a great day,
QuickSilver
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qs, thanks. i actually followed your suggestion and ordered a tarpaulin as a signage for the slower runners & walkers to clear the inner lanes. i hope the signage will be displayed tomorrow during our speed session.
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Hello BR!
Kudos to you! You have what it takes to make things right (and you use them, too) 😉
I think that it is each person’s responsibility to know the rules, etiquette in every activity (sports, otherwise) they perform [i.e. Having/driving a car (and paying for Road User’s Tax & Driver’s License) doesn’t give you permission to be a road hog or park anywhere you want]
To add to what PositiveSplit said, the signs that separate the lanes at the Marikina Sports Park oval are literally on the track. I wish that Common Sense, Manners and Right Conduct be taught (more) in school
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rayabe, nice point and thanks for your comment.
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i am one of those you poked and told to my face that I am a slow runner. i was running at lane 2 not because i am ignorant of the ethics at the oval but because i have no other lanes to run to – there were a lot of people at the oval and the walkers are there at the outer lanes also. being a peace-loving person and not one that makes a big fuss out of nothing, me and my companion moved to the third lane after being admonished by you. luckily i was not shouted upon by your person because if you did, i would have not moved even a finger to transfer lanes. you are not my father, you are not my boss and you never did anything that can make me look up to you and make me quiver with the sound of your raised voice. next time you do the marshalling at the oval, maybe it will be good to be cool. as it is, you do not own the ULTRA and being the baldrunner that you say you are doesn’t change a thing. You are just for me a retired general who loves to run and hell is good at it, a blogger and what else? all these labels doesn’t even mean anything to majority of those at the oval last night.” with all due respect sir, nakakasawa na lang po parating mabasa na kayo si baldrunner and because of that things must happen your way. nakakauta na.running is just a small facet of our life. it should be fun and clean and worry-free moreso, yamot free. takbo lang ng takbo! cheers!
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olivia, i respect your comment but please don’t be personal as you don’t know me well and how i sacrificed to serve the country and people being a former member of the armed forces of the philippines. moreso, you don’t really know what it takes to earn the rank of a two-star general. you might be seeing me running everyday at the ULTRA but you really don’t know what i am capable of even if i am already retired. please be careful with your words. if you hate the baldrunner, so be it. i am not forcing you to read my blog. the internet is open to everybody. running is fun when we practice decency, self-discipline, common sense and show some courtesy to other runners using the oval track. by the way, i remember your face! hehehe!
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someone has to do something.. everyone is a spectator.. according to the science of it, if there are more people, people tend to wait for others thinking that “there are lots of people anyways. Someone will do that.” One just has to act. I’m sure they know the rules they’re just being a******s..
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aldz, thanks for the comment. i think it’s been a long time that i did not see you. regards
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Even as far as 5 years or even a year ago when i wasn’t running seriously – I have always assumed that in a track oval, the 1st to 2nd lanes be used for the faster runners and the slower runners move to the 3rd lane and up, and even until now when i started running competitively last October 08 – nothing has convinced me otherwise that this assumption is false, in fact this belief has been further strengthened.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is not elitist that the inner lanes be reserved but rather an unwritten rule of professional track etiquette that this be used for the faster runners as they are competing against a certain time for performance improvement unlike the joggers and walkers. Can’t wait to see the tarpaulin tomorrow. =)
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Greetings Sir Jovie,
I salute you, hats off to you!!!! You go tell them.. BALDRUNNER is the King!! Respect.. -Kevin
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P.S. Irritated na pala sa kakabasa sa Blog niyo, pero Basa pa din ng Basa..Well what can you do “YOU’RE THAT POPULAR!!!” They either hate you or love you.. its a love/ hate thing.. Our loyalty and respect to you Sir. -Kevin&Dess
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for wrong things to flounder all the more, all it takes for it to happen is for a single person to do nothing but sit idly, watch the world go round, count the days go by and wait for the guava fruit ot fall by itself into his gaping mouth.
ever wondered why our beloved pilipinas has lagged so much behind its asian neighbors? it has become a cliche,it sucks to hear this line.it hurts but it is the truth.just look around and see for yourself where we all are.on the roads and sidewalks,there is no discipline.trash here and there.polluted rivers,reckless drivers,corrupt officials.i could blabber all night long and i may never stop about our society’s ills.i have seen it with my eyes-the slow decay of my beloved pilipinas.take a look yourself and it won’t take you too far away and long to see what i mean.
dura lex,sed lex.the law is hard but it is the law.not even real nor, worst,feigned ignorance is an excuse to break the law.
my way is a song.but it should not be our way of living too.what’s a little shove here and a little push there and a gentle reminder from someone anyway to remind us that we are breaking some rules.
peace to all runners.there is hope.yes ,we can too.and it starts by taking to heart what the law/rule says.it won’t hurt to follow the rules,does it?i am not a saint nor pretending to be one.i have sowed my wild oats too and learned my lessons the hard way.
now break the rules should you insist but be ready to suffer for the consequences and take it like a real man should.
change,we naturally resist.but i hope,change for the better,we must not resist.
sinabi na ngang bawal umihi dito,bawal magtapon ng basura,no u-turn, pumila ng maayos, no parking,no unloading/loading,no smoking.simple rules and yet brazenly broken every single day,……get it?
i call it ultramarathon violation-24 hours a day,7 days a week,30 days a month,365 days a year-nonstop-wanna bet?
where has our discipline gone?
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Hi Baldrunner Sir,
I also run at the ULTRA and always notice these things, and thank you for doing something about this. However, I think it is more prudent if you just coordinated with the ULTRA management first and not rely on your plea or request the lone security guard to implement the said “track rules or etiquette”. And if after sometime and they still haven’t done something about it, now, you can “raise your voice” to make a point and ask these people again to do something about it. We, as taxpayers pay for their salary and they should be doing their job.
By doing what you’ve just done, people might think you’re arrogant, being a former high ranking official of the military. I, as a reader of your blog is alarmed by your statement in response to olivia’s comment.
“you don’t really know what it takes to earn the rank of a two-star general. you might be seeing me running everyday at the ULTRA but you really don’t know what i am capable of even if i am already retired”, and “by the way, i remember your face!”
What are you trying to imply, Sir? You’re considered as an “idol” of so many runners and they emulate you, from your training regimen to the way you dress-up during races/runs. I’m sure you won’t be too happy to see a soldier/follower being arrogant and shouting at people for not knowing such things. I’m sure as a 2star General and as a leader, you very well know how to lead by example.
If some people are wearing ipods or mp3 players, maybe it would be more proper to tap them in the shoulder to get their attention, and say it to them in a nice way with a smile. Haven’t you noticed how most people react positively to a request or an order if it’s done with a smile?
I agree with bugobugo on the “dura lex, sed lex” thing, but this doesn’t mean that we can put the law in our own hands. If that’s the case, then we all have a right to kill all the high ranking officials of this government for being involved in corruption and other crimes because the people in the judiciary doesn’t do anything about it. C’mon guys, we’re not “vigilantes”, let’s leave it all up to the authorities.
It’s true that sometimes, in order for things to be done, we should step-up and do what is right, but, in a proper and respectful way and in accordance with the LAW. “RESPECT begets RESPECT!”. And I guess, you yourself Sir wouldn’t want to be known in the running community as the “Baldrunner: The Asshole Track Marshall”.
This is just to help calm down everything Sir, i’m sure that during the time that you did this, your emotions just got the better of you. Please continue to inspire and encourage other people to try and love the sport, and let us all help one another make it a wonderful one.
CHEERS!
p.s.
Kudos to the tarps Sir, hope you’ll leave them at the track oval so that it will continue to inform all the users be it “walkers, newbies, intermediate, hardcore, etc”.
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Hello,
I am that rarity called ‘recreational runner’ and I rarely do intervals or fartleks but you are correct in proper order of lane use in “running tracks’ as far as runners are concerned. Unfortunately when I started running I did not know this and it took me a while and an ‘instructions hand-out’ to figure this one. I never ran in the OVAL in Manila but in Florida, where I am based, running clubs are given days or schedules and arrangements for use of tracks. Maybe you can make arrangements with the ULTRA of OVAL management to allot certain days of the week and certain times of days exclusively for your runners’ club? It is really dangerous when you mix slow runners and walkers and fast runners in races and training. There is the risk of hitting one another or getting trampled or pushed over. Running also produces lots of adrenaline and yeah, the rush can make some people scream and yell. And this may appear rudeness to some runners. And you run the risk of fights and brawls.
Since running seems to be catching more in Manila, it is probably important to encourage the creation of more facilities or venues or safe routes to accommodate every type of runner. I rarely join elite runners’ groups here because I am always way behind the group and realizing and accepting this, I now continue my own training by myself with my Ipod on any park or road I choose to run on.
All of us aren’t meant to run on race tracks. All of us can not be elite runners. All of us can not do fartleks and intervals. All of us can’t just be recreational runners. Each of us, as runners, have specific strengths and limits. Maybe we can develop into something better than what we are now but lets accept our limits at this stage of our running. I mostly run on my treadmill and on my own in the parks and yet manage 27 min for 5ks and 2:20s for half marathons. I never ran in a race track except once. I really don’t feel the need to.
What is important is to provide space for those who have the potential to improve. The BR team is training for speed and competition and it would be unfair to them to block their paths just to ‘democratize’ running lanes. Running is fundamentally a sports activity in a ‘survival of the fittest’ mode. Either you’re good or you’re out. An elite runner (and how we need elite sportsmen in our country!) is not an ordinary runner.
I hope running as a sport will signal the emergence of the Filipino athlete. And for those who are offended by BR yelling to bring order in a chaotic situation, that is, I think, much better than having an injured runner out of the chaos. Athletes will always yell, we all know that, especially coaches, so, we need to get used to that. They need to release the adrenaline, you know.
Anyway, please lets become real sportsmen here. We may yell at each other during the training but we often kiss and make up afterwards. All in the name of our love for our sports.
Peace to y’all.
Alex
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To those who feel offended and/or have other suggestions on what has been done by BR, give you suggestion and IMPLEMENT it. WE all agree that there is a PROBLEM and definitely there is a SOLUTION to it and the most difficult part is IMPLEMENTATION. Let us all contribute our share instead of just voicing ideas. Other than the style of BR, if any of you out there have a better one then, please be a “marshall” yourself we need eachother. But, do something rather nothing at all. To BR, for having the guts to initiate, I proud of you!
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yes sir,
hopefully i will be able to join some runs soon.
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To all who are judging BR, shame on you guys.
BR’s giving our sport the promotion, support, and the leadership it badly needs.
What if BR gets fed-up of these assholes and then suddenly leaves the sport?
Is there anybody else out there could replace him?
I don’t think so…
Please show the man the respect he deserves.
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I cannot fathom how some people cannot understand the point.
This has nothing to do with preferential treatment for faster runners, but everything to do with the safety of all.
This is not like blocking 2 lanes of EDSA for the APEC summit leaders to have their own road. This is simply leaving the leftmost lane open for those who wish to overtake.
Clearing up the inner lanes will benefit not only the faster runners, but everyone in general, since it will help avoid accidents.
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Hi all,
So many things have been said already. Please allow me to blow the whistle. 🙂 Let’s just all remember the lesson and get along. It’s the love month.
Peace and Love be at Ultra!
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this only shows that it only takes only one but one spark to start a fire.
kung hindi ikaw o ako,sino? at kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa?
show some loving dude and dudettes.it is the love month for crying out loud.
see you on the road boys and girls! this is something we all love.and you know what i mean.
awat na mga kapatid.
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Runners, LETS MAKE LAPS NOT WAR. 🙂
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hi tio,
i empathize with you. i would like to believe that the placement of the traffic cones between lanes 3 & 4 at the marcos stadium was due to my insistence to make exclusive lanes for fast runners (thanks to your write up on oval etiquette sometime ago). now i am an asshole too, reminding laoagenos that there are serious runners among us doing speedworks and tempos to improve our running times and can’t afford to mess a speed session just because an ignorant walker/slow runner is in lane 1. however, i try as much as possible to be a very very polite asshole, hehe.
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doc, i am glad you are doing your part to inform the people in laoag city on the proper use of the oval track. keep up the good work!
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