The picture below may not be the exact brand or apperance that the P & G Runners were using during last Sunday’s MILO 42K Elimination Race. However, I would like to show to my readers how this kind of spray looks like. I really don’t know if such spray is already available in the country. If you happen to see one, buy one and try to spray on your cramping legs during your long runs or marathon/ultramarathon race. Good luck!
Buff Headwear @ MILO 42K Elimination Race/July 5, 2009: Part 2
It is the brand of a piece of cloth being used by ultra trail runners and runners/athletes participating in multi-stage races in the desert and snow.
I bought two of this which are made of High UV ray protection “Coolmax” material and could be used in tropical countries like ours. In the MILO 42K Elimination Race, I used the blue colored Buff for testing in this particular race, thereby, replacing the bandanas and the bandana with crystals to cool off my nape. I used the Buff as depicted in the following pictures:
It can be used also as a baclava, ala-ninja cover to the face, a pirate’s cap, ear muff, hairband, wrist wrap and a bonnet. If I am not mistaken, I saw Albert Salazar aka Run2dmoon and Jael Wenceslao of Team Baldrunner-Professional Group wearing this kind of headgear in their marathon races and “runabouts” in Metro Manila.
I bought the said item at REI Store in Monrovia/Arcadia, California for $ 28.95 + tax.
Unfortunately, this Buff did not make me faster in this particular 42K race. But certainly, I look “cool & hip” using it.
Mr James Lafferty, CEO of P & G Philippines immediately contacted me through my cellphone as soon as he read my post in this blog about the incident that happened to me during my run at the MILO 42K Elimination Race last Sunday and he asked me to publish his response about the said incident. He refreshed my memory by telling me that we briefly met in one of the road races in the past. Anyway, I gave him my word that I am going to publish his response immediately as soon as I receive it. And the following is his response:
My name is Jim Lafferty, and I am the “CEO” mentioned in today’s posts concerning volunteers at the Milo Marathon, and the P&G support team. I am presently in the midst of retiring as CEO of P&G Philippines, but I was a participant yesterday in the Milo Marathon with my 18 year old daughter, and have been a driving force in establishing running as a pillar of our corporate fitness program for our employees wellness. And, whilst I am not the world’s most talented runner by any means, I have completed over 25 different international marathons over the years, and my whole family is passionate about running. My wife has also completed 25+ marathons as well as multiple ultramarathons including 2x the Comrades in South Africa. And my 3 eldest children have all competed multiple marathons. I am also a physiologist, prior athletics coach and even today I volunteer coach at Ateneo. So like you sir, marathoning is in our blood!
There has clearly been a great deal of angst concerning the P&G support during the Milo Marathon, so I wanted to provide some perspective to shed further light on the reality of the situation..
At the end of the day, leadership means accepting responsibility. It is unfair to place any blame on the Milo organizers. I can tell you the team at Nestle are world class, they care about putting on a good event, and they are dedicated to the sport and the country. They only wanted to help a large team from P&G, that’s all, to help expand the allure of running to more people. It is also unfair to blame a young employee, who was only trying to do what they felt was right and protect the interests of their fellow employees. The failure was one of a consistent communication message and I take responsibility for these isolated events. I am truly sorry, and I can assure you that this will not happen again.
I would ask that all of the devotees to the outstanding Baldrunner site please not “throw the baby out with the bathwater” and allow this one incident to sour their views. Yes, in this case we made a mistake and we shall make amends for it in the future. But there is also much to celebrate. A company taking a lead with its employees to promote actively the great sport of running and a healthy lifestyle. Investing in health. And to many, many runners where we did indeed help.
Thank you and keep up the great work.
J.M. Lafferty
CEO, P&G Phils (Ret)
“100 Years from now, it won’t matter what my job title was, how much $ I earned, the size of my house, or if I drove a BMW. Yet, the world may be a different place because I was important in the life of a child”
P.S.
I did not mention “CEO” in my post, however, it was mentioned by one of the commentors in this blog. Eventually, this will make a closure of the said incident with the hope that we should start initiating the act of “volunteerism” to our runners, most especially in marathon and longer distance races.
My sincerest thanks to Mr Lafferty for taking immediate action on the said incident. “Sir, your apology is accepted!”
MILO Marathon Elimination/July 5, 2009: Part I
After running the Los Angeles Marathon last May 25, my experience with the “volunteers” along the route were memorable and worth emulating. I know that Captain Amado Castro, Jr aka Reinier 6666, who participated in the said marathon, was also impressed by the cooperation of the people/residents along the route to help with the needs of the runners—by offering cups filled with water, sports drinks, and even beer; and some would offer massage and food to anybody running in the said marathon. I know that this was the reason why Mr Castro initiated a team-up with Jinoe Gavan and the takbo.ph people to put up an Aid Station as Volunteers to support the 100K and 50K runners of BOTAK 100K Paa-tibayan Race last weekend. Their Aid Station was open to every runner in that race.
In this morning’s MILO Marathon Elimination Race, I have observed a lot of Aid Stations along the way in addition to the usual Water & Gatorade Stations provided by the MILO Race Organizer. However, these Aid Stations were there solely to support the members of their respective running clubs or teams. There is no problem with that but I think, if we “volunteer” to support some runners, we better start supporting every runner in a marathon. Anyway, what is the worth of a small cup of water or sports drinks offered to a runner who is not a member of your running team?
Okey, I have this bad experience this morning during the race. Infront of the Southern Police District (PNP) Headquarters, there was this booth with ladies who were standing infront of a table with Salonpas Spray canisters. Since I have some of these Salonpas Sprays (bought for me by my son, John), I know them at a distance. And the fact that these Salonpas Sprays were used by “volunteers” during the Los Angeles Marathon to runners who were having some muscle cramps on their legs, I knew that these sprays are very effective. At this point (along Lawton Avenue), I was starting to have some cramps and at a distance, it was a relief for me to see these sprays at the said booth. As soon I got to the table, I got hold one of the canisters and while I was about to use it, one of the ladies grabbed the said spray from my hand. Another runner was also trying to get hold of the other canister but another lady grabbed the said spray away from the other runner. I said, “Why don’t you allow us to use your spray?” “Is the spray for every runner?” And one the ladies said that the sprays were reserved for the use of the “P & G” runners. Well, I saw a tarpualin signage on the back of the ladies with the markings, “P & G”. Is this translated to “Procter & Gamble”? The other runner who joined me to the said booth was very angry and I was trying to control my temper, too! The other runner suggested me to publish a post in my blog about the said incident. Well, that was already in my mind before the other runner uttered his suggestion.
So, if any of the “P & G” runners will be reading this post, I am already announcing in this blog that I will be putting up an Aid Station purposely to share my two canisters of Salonpas Spray to every runner in the next Marathon Race. As for the other “volunteers”, can you start offering your “goods” to other runners, too?
The Bald Runner’s “Project Donate A Shoe” Booth will be available at the Start/Finish Area at the vicinity of the Quirino Grandstand this coming Sunday. Donated shoes from Joe Matias of A Runners Circle Running Specialty Store in Los Angeles, California; Ultrarunners Ben Gaetos/Carmela Layson of Los Angeles, California; Mark Robinson of Nottinghamshire, England; and from the members of the Team Bald Runner-Professional Group will be distributed to runners with old, tattered, worn-out and dilapidated running shoes. It should be noted that only runners will be entertained in this activity.
At the same time, donors will be welcomed to visit the booth and the Bald Runner will be there to accept their shoe donations, to include Finisher’s T-Shirts for the Project “Donate A Shirt”.
See you at the Start/Finish Line of the MILO Marathon Eliminations this Sunday! Good luck!
My major road races for this year started with my participation in the 1st BDM 102K Ultramarathon Race last April 5, followed by the BOTAK 42K Paa-tibayan Race last May 10, and lately, my first participation in the Los Angeles Marathon last May 25.
My finish times for the BOTAK 42K and 2009 Los Angeles Marathon were 4:35:10 hours and 4:07:33 hours, respectively. These times were far from my last year’s MILO Marathon Finals time of 3:48:32 hours.
After the Los Angeles Marathon, my training had been reduced to easy runs and tempo runs. My mileage went down and I tried to rest and recover for the month of June after reading accounts of elite athletes on how they train by following the principle of “periodization”.
Although the main objective in my participation to this Sunday’s MILO Marathon Elimination Race is for me to finish with a time of below 4 hours to be able to qualify for the MILO Marathon Finals, it will be a difficult task knowing the humid and hot weather condition in the country. Nevertheless, joining the MILO Marathon Finals in October will not be possible because of conflict in schedule for more important races to join. But at the back of my mind, the target will always be to finish in sub-4 hours in this race.
This Sunday’s Milo Marathon will serve as a “diagnostic test” for another training program and plan for me to run another marathon race before the end of this year.
To all the MILO Marathon runners this Sunday, my Best Wishes & Good Luck to everybody!
To all the “first-timers”, “Don’t Quit”!!!!
Note: Don’t forget to have your deep-muscle massage today!!!
This is how the Kenyans see why they are winning in most of the Marathon and other long distance Races worldwide. This is the very same attitude I want to impart to the elite runners who are under the Team Bald Runner with the hope of improving their performance in long distance running.
I am presently reading the book, “More Fire: How To Run The Kenyan Way” by Toby Tanser which is a continuation of his first book, “Train Hard, Win Easy”, his first book on Kenyan running. In the concluding portion of the book, the author listed 15 ways to adopt a Kenyan Training Method. And here is the list as copied from the book.
1. Injury Prevention—They say the best way to avoid a spear is to stand out of range; this applies to running. Kenyans are excellent at resting up if a possible injury pain is noticed. Do not let that pain get too near you.
2. Simplicity—Kenyan running is very organic, which in itself is the very essence of the sport. Simple methods are executed with imposing intensity. They are focused and concentrated in their running and they could not afford any distractions. It simply means that they have no time for cellphones, Internet browsing, listening to Ipods, or watching the TV or even going to Malls or social parties. They just simply run and train!
3. Group Training—The power of the group never ceases to be underplayed in improving performance.
4. Diet—Try to eat three meals a day. Kenyans rarely eat between meals and seldom have desserts.
5. Don’t look for perfection—Kenyan athletes do not get down or disappointed after a bad performance or session. Being out there and trying, means you are a winner and trains hard again and that is the Kenyan Way.
6. Don’t add up your weekly mileage—Most Kenyans only know their mileage as a need to satisfy Western journalists. The ethic of the focus is to concentrate on the given day.
7. Choose one coach, or training plan, and stick to it. If you chase one chicken, you stand a better chance of catching it than running after two. Kenyans are very good at getting one 12-week program.
8. Block training—The Kenyans use block work with non-active rest periods. Some call this “periodization”. The Kenyans train for a specific race or series of races. After a series of races, the Kenyans then stops running completely. It can be from 2-3 weeks, to one month or more, but the difference is that during this time the athlete does virtually no training; not even cross-training to keep in shape.
9. Don’t push the body when tired—There is always another day.
10. Run off-road—Running on hard surfaces kills the speed and the natural spring of the legs. 90% of their running workouts are done on off-road at an altitude of 2,000 meters.
11. Be optimistic—If you never kick the ball, you will not score a goal. Kenyans are extremely positive individuals.
12. The secret of Kenyan mechanics appears to be in the foot—Kenyans have very strong ankles, with spring-like qualities that allow the body to bound along with an almost jump-like momentum.
13. Kenyans tend to lean toward a lightweight, flexible shoe—If you break your arm, after a month in a cast the arm is weak; hence if the foot is put inside a rigid shoe that does not allow each and every muscle in the foot to work, these muscles become weak.
14. Run to improve running—There is no need to go to the gym or do some cross-training, Kenyans do their running workouts 2-3 times a day.
15. “Nothing comes easy” is another slogan of Kenyan running, but what is achieved by pushing your own limits is life’s richest reward. To collapse out on the roads with blood in your shoes knowing you gave it your best shot is reward beyond words…
I am not telling everybody to follow this list but knowing how these world-class elite athletes train, this list would answer the “why & how” the Kenyans are consistent Champions in long distance running events worldwide.
2nd GIG Run & BOTAK 100K Paa-Tibayan @ UP Diliman Campus/28 June 2009
Yes, there were too many runners and joggers…and even walkers and bikers at the UP Diliman Campus last Sunday, 28 June 2009. Aside from the fact that there were two major road races (2nd GIG Run & BOTAK 100K) during the day, UP Diliman Campus is becoming a favorite workout place for runners, joggers, walkers, and bikers during Saturdays and Sundays.
This is a good sign that more people are into physical activities and engage themselves into an active lifestyle. If only most of our populace are into any kind of physical activity, we could be resistant to any kind of disease, being healthy & strong, relieve the stress we encountered for the past days and even to the point of having a positive attitude in life.
Last Sunday, I joined the 2nd GIG Run as a part of my personal commitment to support the advocacy of the UP Mountaineering Club to plant trees at Angat & Ipo Dams. If not for the “balding” mountains & hills that surround the said dams, the Philippine Army Detachment providing security to the said installations would had never been “washed away” as a result of excessive water from rainfalls during one of the typhoons. Such incident resulted to the “missing in action” of one of the soldiers up to the present. It is suspected that the soldier got drowned and washed away by the strong current of water coming from the dam. Joining this race is my yearly commitment to honor the “MIA” soldier who happens to be under my Command when I was the Brigade Commander in Central Luzon.
The race started at exactly 6:00 AM for the 10K runners and after a few minutes, the 5K runners started their race. The route for the 10K consisted of two loops arounf the major streets of UP Campus which were very familiar to me. The race was uneventful for the first loop but I became slower on the second loop because of the vehicular traffic as well as the presence of so many runners, walkers, joggers, and bikers along the route who are not part of the road race. The traffic condition was compounded with the slower participants of the 5K runners. Aside from the traffic, I felt my body was sluggish because of “jetlag” and sudden change of environment & temperature.
My first loop was timed at 23+ minutes and I tried my best to maintain my pace with the target of finishing the race in 47-48 minutes but due to the reasons above, I finally finished the race in 49:04 minutes (based from my GF 305). It was a slow finish but I was happy to be back to the local running community and be able to talk to the usual runner-bloggers and got to meet the new ones.
After the awarding ceremony of the GIG Run, I had a chance to visit the Start/Finish Area of the BOTAK 100K Ultramarathon Race and I was able to talk to Christian Alacar and Neville Manaois, the Race Organizer & Race Director, respectively, and to some of the early finishers of the 100K race and newly-arrived 50K finishers.
I observed that the conduct of the Ultra race was a very successful one. This is a good sign that ultra distance running is getting a headway in the country. It is a matter of time that more of this kind of event will be conducted on a regular basis. My congratulations to the finishers of the 100K & 50K for being qualified to be called as “ultra runners” and to the BOTAK management for their untiring commitment to promote ultra running in the country.
It was already about 10:00 AM when I finally left the UP Campus and there were still a lot runners & joggers along the major streets of the campus. I was all smiles when I left the campus knowing that more and more people are into running. How I wish that all people must be united to run or jog in order to provide themselves a venue or activity to be involved in an active lifestyle and relieve themselves from stress, thereby making them more healthy despite of what is happening around us.
More power to the runners!!!
I happened to “virtually” meet Rick Gaston through the blogsite of Ronnie aka Runner For Christ in his Comment section and later started to read his blogsite at Blogger, only to find out that he is a “hardore” and the “best” Pinoy ultra trail runner guy residing in California. I started making comments in his blog and later, we started reading each other’s blog and leaving comments in every post published.
Knowing my advocacies in running, we continued to communicate through e-mails and I was happy to receive a news of his willingness to help other runners in the country. He immediately sent a boxful of finisher’s t-shirts, jackets, runner’s apparel, runner’s caps and ultrarunning magazines. Most of the shirts are still brand-new.
Rick, in his latest ultrarunning competition, he finished the San Diego 100-Mile Endurance Run last 6-7 June 2009 with a record time of 20:00:25 hours, missing at least 25 seconds for a sub-20 hours, placing him 6th Overall out of 82 Finishers. He also finished the Miwok 100K Run in 46th overall among 260+ finishers which was held on the first Saturday of May 2009 on a rainy and wet condition. Rick has also been active as volunteer/pacer/crew to new ultra runners and ultra races in the Pacific Coast Trail Events in Northern California.
In the box he sent, he enclosed a personal letter and copies of Ultrarunning Magazine. I am going to publish in this post the letter he sent to me.
Greetings Sir Jovie
I’m glad to be able to donate these items for you. My mother has politely declined to receive any more race gears so I’ve been collecting shirts, jackets and other pieces of gear for the last 3-4 years. I’ve been successful in giving some away but not all.
The Lord has outfitted me with all that I need to be successful in this sport and I am thankful and more than willing to share the extras. I race 10-12 events a year and I volunteer to just about as many, as you can imagine I tend to accumulate stuff. I don’t donate used shoes however because when I’m done with them the bottom are tattered and ruined from the trail. I am also a pronator and wear out the outer edges, thereby changing the mechanics of the shoe which would alter the way someone walks or runs and possibly cause them injury.
Again thanks for the opportunity to donate these items. I’m happy to be able to donate clothing to another ultra-marathoner’s foundation. Besides being a capable runner yourself, you are a great ambassadoe and mentor for the sport. One who is constantly spreading the good news about running, participating in workshops, run clinics, offering critical analysis of the races and their organizers in Manila, a sponsor of running teams and a race director of an ultra-marathon. I wish you and your family further success in this great sport.
Sincerely,
Rick Gaston
Hereunder are the pictures of the box and some of the items sent by Rick Gaston.
Bald Runner 
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