Month: February 2010

First Day

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Running, Ultramarathon13 Comments

1. Today is the first day of my “adventure run” from Manila to Baguio City. I started at Km Post #10, which almost one kilometer away from the Bonifacio Monument in Calocan City, at 6:20 AM. I started late in the morning purposely to have a clear view of the road and the environment while I started my run.

"Adventure Run" Dedicated To The Team Bald Runner

2. After a few kilometers, I was approaching the City of Valenzuela. At first, I was running against the traffic but because of the sunlight and the heat of the sun, I transfered to the other side of the road, taking advantage of the shade provided by the buildings along the road. The city streets are dirty and dusty. The traffic along the McArthur Highway was too slow because of the jeeps and cargo trucks. Almost all the restaurants and bars along the road are named after the late General Douglas McArthur!

3. The City of Meycauyan, Bulacan came next and the streets are far cleaner than the streets of Valenzuela City. All the drainage covers along the sidewalk were properly marked with “Project of Mayor Win”. Nice project and projection on the accomplishment of the City Mayor!

Drainage Cover @ Meycauayan, Bulacan

4. What reminds me of Marilao, Bulacan is the SM Mall which I had the chance to drop by at the said establishment when I was still a Brigade Commander in Central Luzon, six years ago. At this point, the road became wider and the traffic was no longer busy.

@ Marilao, Bulacan Infront of SM

5. I had my late breakfast at McDonalds in Bocaue. I ordered burger with pancake and hot chocolate. I rested here for one hour and read the daily newspaper. No worthy news to read. Everything was about politics and the national election/presidentiables blah, blah, & blah!

6. Almost all the electric posts along the way are full with posters of candidates for the president and local government officials. I’ve noticed that you see the faces of the candidates with their “best smiles” in their campaign billboards and posters but in reality when you meet them in person, you seldom see them in their “campaign smile”.

A Welcome Banner in Guiguinto, Bulacan

7. In Bocaue, Bulacan, I’ve noticed that the game of Jueteng is prevalent. In one of the street corners, I saw a collector of bets accepting money from one of the bystanders.

8. So far, these are my expenses and consumption:

Gasoline—-P 1,500.00 (Full tank which will last up to Baguio City)

Gatorade—2 Bottles—P 32.00

Water For Drinking—2 Liters—P 30.00

Breakfast @ McDonalds—P 150.00

One Pack of SkyFlakes—P 5.00

Cloud Nine (2 Bite Sizes)—P 3.00

Lunch @ Malolos, Bulacan with Softdrinks—P 100.00

9. For this morning run, I was wearing an Under Armour Runner’s Cap, one ala-Buff by Armando Caruso (P 69.00) as my head sweatband, NIKE White Long-sleeved shirt, NIKE Compression Shorts, ASICS Gel-Kinsei 2 with Hane’s Athletic Socks. On my left wristband is my GF 305 while my right wristband is my GF 405. The GF 305 tells me the elapsed time and distance while my GF 405 tells me the actual time of the day. My hydration is my old and trusted Nathan (SOB) Hydration Belt.

10. I ran through the following places along McArthur Highway: Valenzuela, Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, and Guiguinto, all of the province of Bulacan.

11. I just had my lunch and I am now resting while singing the Karaoke in one of the retaurants here in Malolos, Bulacan. I will resume my run later this afternoon.

Run For The Dolphins

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Pictures, Running9 Comments

Condura Skyway Marathon: February 7, 2010

I’ve never missed the Condura Run since the time such road race was conceptualized by Patrick and Ton Concepcion and you can consider me as an avid fan and supporter of this run. Even if I was injured last November’s Pasig Marathon and sidelined for almost six weeks of no running workouts, Condura Run was scheduled as my first Marathon Run for the year.

The Cebu City Half-Marathon last January 10 and the Midnight to Sunrise Run for the BDM 102 participants last January 31 were my “training runs” in preparation for the Condura Marathon. I set my mind that the objective of this run was to be able to finish it in less than 5 hours or better, in less than 4 hours & 30 minutes. Condura Marathon is my preparatory run for my incoming “adventure run”.

I checked-in at the coral area 20 minutes before 4:00 AM and I was able to meet the BDM 102 “veterans”; the “usual” faces in marathon races; Officers & Enlisted Personnel in the AFP; the “newbies”; and brothers Patrick and Ton Concepcion. Actually, it was my first time to meet Ton in person after so many exchanges of e-mails as I tried to impart some of my insights about the Condura run few months ago. I greeted most of the runners, smiled, and wish everybody good luck for the run.

First thing that I admire in this race is the punctuality of the gun start! The race started at exactly 4:00 AM after a brief “fireworks”. My plan was to maintain a pace of 6:00 minutes per kilometer for the whole run and expected to finish the race in 4:15 hours.

1st Marathon For the Year!

The second thing that I like in this race is the challenge of the race course. Everybody who finished the marathon would agree that the course is far more challenging than the race course of marathons outside the country. I think the Condura course is more challenging than the San Francisco Marathon! The course will always be in the minds and the “main topic” in the sharing of stories among the marathon finishers. The uphill climb towards the Camp Villamor/NAIA 3 Exit of the Skyway was the “killer” in this course!

The Face of a Road Warrior

The first time that I glanced my GF 305 is when I reached the 10K mark and I found out that my time was 1:02 hours. My 10K run was slower than what I’ve planned by 2 minutes but it did not bother me as I maintained my even pace. When I reached the 20K mark, my time was already 2:01+ hours and I was able to pick-up my pace. However, once I hit the turn-around at the Skyway, I made my pace faster and I was passing one runner from another.

On My Last 2 Kilometers

It was funny that whenever I join a runner or a group of runners, somebody always asked me what was my prevailing pace and I immediately told them that the pace was 5:45 minutes per kilometer (as what I saw on my watch)! But I became guilty of not telling them the accurate pace when I came to realize that after uploading the data from GF 305, my average pace on my way back at the Skyway was a blistering 5:05 minutes per kilometer!  

The third thing that I like in this race is the abundance of Water/Sports Drinks Station and long tables full of water cups. I am just happy that, slowly, the quality of races are getting better with regards to the basic support for the runners. I can consider the influence of the runner-bloggers as the main reason for this improvement. The Race Organizers and Sponsors are already “listening” and “reacting” to the basic needs of the paying runners! As for the Condura Run, they did a wonderful job on this matter. I hope they will remove those unnecessary guys who are handing those cups to the passing runners. It would be better to just simply leave those cups with water on the table and let the runners approach the table and grab their own water. With regards to Sports Drinks, I am a Gatorade-user and I am not used to Carbonated Sports Drinks during the run and so I was not able to drink the 100 Plus Sports Drinks offered at the Aid Station.

Passion, Patience, Focus & Determination (Photo Courtesy of Jaja Galvez-Suarez)

At the 30K mark, my GF 305 registered a time of 3:00 hours flat and I was happy! No cramps, no issues, no pain, and no problem about my support. I stopped briefly to eat my instant oatmeal, fresh banana, and hard-boiled eggs as these will serve as my “fuel” for the last 12 kilometers of the run.

The last 10 kilometers was a long steady run pace with my Elite Team Bald Runner who finished their respective races. My Elite Team Bald Runner lone entry for the Marathon Race, Elmer Sabal, won 1st Runner-Up with a Cash Prize of P 40,000. Other members of the Elite Team; Alquin Bolivar won 1st Runner-Up, Alley Quisay won 2nd Runner-Up, and Crifrankreadel Indapan won the 3rd Runner-Up for the Half-Marathon; and Cora Salcedo won 2nd Runner-Up in the 5K Race, Women’s Category. My Elite Team had improved a lot since I transfered their “training camp” in the Sierra Madre Mountains.

@ Kalayaan Flyover Towrads The Fort

Due to the heat of the sun, I slowed down and there was no reason to speed up my pace on the last 5 kilometers. I have to preserve my body and not to exert a lot of effort on this part of the course. I need to recover quickly after this Marathon race and be able to prepare for my “adventure run” which I intend to start in the coming days.

I finished the Condura Marathon in 4:17:12 hours (Official Time) with an average pace of 6:08 minutes per kilometer and average heart rate of 153 beats per minute. I finished #130 out of 593 finishers. I ranked #11 for the runners 50+ years old. I was able to attain my objective for this race and ready to embark on my “adventure run”.

@ The Finish Line With Macky aka Gleeman's Tale (Photo Courtesy of Macky)

To those who experienced their “first” marathon, congratulations for finishing the race, most especially to those who were trained under our running clinic and BR’s “speed training” at the ULTRA Oval Track. Our coaches, elite athletes, and staff are proud of your accomplishment. 

Lastly, my congratulations to Patrick & Ton Concepcion, Condura, sponsors and to all the volunteers for a great job!

Go Slow

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Running3 Comments

Yes, I am going to run the Condura Marathon at a slow pace! Hopefully, I could finish the distance in less than 5 hours or better yet, in less than 4:30 hours. There is nothing to prove this time as my mind is fixed to enjoy the experience and be a part in the history of the first Condura Marathon.

My last Marathon Race was the Pasig River Marathon last November 8 and I got injured before the halfway. Despite the injury, I finished the race in sub-6 hours barely walking more than one-half of the course. Practically, I only have 6 weeks preparation for this race where my training was geared on my recovery and trying to regain the strength of my legs.

I have no pressure at all for this race. I know the “drill”. I know the limits of my body endurance and I can easily “listen to my body”. My last long run was in last Sunday’s Midnight to Sunrise Run with the 2nd BDM102 participants at the UP Loop where I was able to run almost 43 kilometers with brief “pit stops” and water breaks. And for the past days, I’ve been tapering and controlling my urge to run farther.

The Condura Marathon will be my preparatory run for my incoming “adventure run” from Manila to Baguio City. I hope I could recover fast so that I can start my run immediately.

The PMA Alumni Homecoming Week is fast approaching. Most of the alumni will be going to Fort Gregorio del Pilar in Baguio City where all the classes of the Academy will be honored by the cadets. While the rest of my classmates and my Co-Cavaliers will be riding in the comfort of their Vans, SUVs, and cars, I will be running & walking all the way to Baguio City!

The adventure run is not a “popularity gimmick” or a charity “gimmick”. I just want to prove that I can record or “journalize” such event in this blog on near “real-time” with the advent of the wireless Internet connection using my old notebook, digital camera and my GF 305 watch.  I will post my location, my experience/story, and pictures on the course. It means that publishing my post in this blog will be my “rest/break” during the run.

I published my proposed schedule in my previous post but it will just serve as my “guide”. I might run further than the scheduled number of kilometers for the day. Do not think or have the impression that I will be running the whole day. The plan is to run early in the morning, rest at the middle of the day and then run again late in the afternoon. I might also incorporate an evening run in one of the days of my run.

I don’t mind if my friends and readers will join me in one of the “legs” of my run as long as they bring their support system with them. Or maybe, it would be better if they run with me and leave their support for the run.

Let me take this opportunity to thank those who sent me words of support and for those who made their “pledges” to support this “adventure run”. For those who are interested to send their “pledges” of support for this run, please send your e-mail at jovie75@hotmail.com.

See you at the Condura Run!

(Note: Don’t forget your Immodium)

Prizes @ Condura Run

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Races, RunningLeave a comment

Good luck to those who are aiming for the podium finish!

See you at the Starting Line!!!

(Source: www.condurarun.com)

34th MILO Marathon Schedule

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Marathon Race, Runners' Training, Running, Sports Program10 Comments

This is it! This is the most prestigious marathon race in the country which everybody should prepare!

I received the list of schedule from Mr Andrew Neri of MILO/Nestle, Philippines yesterday and I tried to analyze their race schedule for this year. And the following are my observations:

1. The opening “salvo” for the 34th MILO Marathon will be the conduct of elimination race in Metro Manila on July 4, 2010. And every month, there will be a scheduled elimination race.

2. There will be only one elimination race for the month of August which will be held in Davao City. I wonder why MILO scheduled only one race for this month. I would suspect it is the month of CAMSUR’s Ironman Philippines activities (?).

3. Last year, there were 27 races to include the Finals and the elimination races. This year, MILO/Nestle, Phils reduced the number of races to 18. I suspect that less races means more “improvements” in this year’s Elimination & Final Races.

4. The early announcement of this year’s schedule is very commendable as runners would be able to have enought time to consider their training cycle and focus their preparation for the Metro Manila Marathon Elimination on July 4, 2010. A 5-month preparation or training cycle geared to qualify and have a finish time of sub-4 hours for this race is an ideal length of period to attain such goal.

5. It is not impossible if MILO/Nestle, Phils will double the cash prize for the Champions in the Final Marathon this year. A Cash Prize of P 150,000 for the Men’s and Women’s Champion and a Free Trip to a Prestigious International Marathon Race in the US would be a “quantum leap” in the development of running excellence in the country. I’ve been suggesting this idea before with the people of MILO and bring back the “glory” of MILO Champions when Champions would participate in the Boston Marathon and other international races as part of their prize. (Sa palagay ko ay wala ng mag-TNT sa Amerika ngayon basta bantayan natin ang atleta!!!)

6. Lesser races this year would mean better monitoring of runners during the conduct of races, most especially in Metro Manila. Reports of “cheating” during the Metro Manila Marathon Elimination Race had been an issue among runners as well as bloggers. I hope this bad practice will be finally eradicated in this year’s races. RFID timing devices should be a “must” to such a race with qualifying times.

7. Five (5) months to train for the Marathon Elimination Race in Metro Manila and another five (5) months to prepare for the Final Marathon Race on December 12, 2010 is a good and well-balanced spacing in between two training cycle for the marathon race. Whoever thought of this spacing of races is really a competitive runner! Thanks, Mr Dennis A and the MILO/Nestle marathon team!

Runners, what are you waiting for? It’s time to go back to the drawing board for your training program for the MILO Marathon this coming July 4! Good luck to everybody!

Adventure Run

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Places to Run, Practice Runs, Running, Ultramarathon28 Comments

Adventure run is a multi-day/stage run from Point A to Point B. For this particular run, there will be no deadline as to the number of days and hours I will cover the distance. This will be my first adventure run as a runner. It will serve as my training/preparation for another adventure run in the future. It is also a way to test and show to other runners on how to document an adventure run in the Internet through this blog and other social network platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

There had been reported adventure runs in the past but I am not satisfied with the way they document their daily activities. In this age of fast information through the Internet, Mobile phones and GPS access, any runner would immediately send feedback or share his/her experience on a daily basis, if not, on “real-time”. So, I am doing this adventure run to prove that any runner who plans to involve himself in this kind of event could easily show to his readers what transpired during the day or night that he/she was running on the road.

The adventure run will be a travel by foot from Manila (Monumento in Caloocan City) to Baguio City, an estimated distance of of 250 kilometers or 156 miles, and this will be a multi-day stage run with the plan to run at least one full marathon distance a day or more. And the following are the proposed legs/stages for the said run:

1st Day—Monumento, Caloocan City to Calumpit, Bulacan—45K

2nd Day—Calumpit, Bulacan to Mabalacat, Pampanga—42K

3rd Day—Mabalacat, Pampanga to Tarlac City—30K

4th Day—Tarlac City to Urdaneta, Pangasinan—53K

5th Day—Urdaneta, Pangasinan to Baguio City (via Kennon Road)—74K

I will be using five (5) pairs of running shoes and ten (10) sets of running apparel. I hope to use my CW-X compression tights on my last leg to Baguio City. I will be supported with only one vehicle.

I will be hydrating myself with water and Gatorade every 2.5 to 3 kilometers and ingesting some solid foods every 12-15 kilometers. I admit, I will have “walking breaks” along the way.

My running time schedule will vary during the day or night. I might run early in the morning and then run again in the late afternoon. However, during my brief rests and “pit stops”, I should be able to make a post on this blog and upload my pictures through my wireless Internet connection by Smart & Globe. Aside from regular posts in this blog, I will also make entries to my Twitter account. I expect that my last leg will be a whole day running event!

I will be sleeping in pension houses/apartelle/hotel in key cities/municipalities along the way.

Why am I doing this? Because if you want to accomplish a running adventure, you must be honest and transparent!!!