I have to break the monotony of the “West To East” Adventure Run by publishing this post.
It is time to check and update your running mileage!
I thought of this idea on the first week of February of this year. And I ordered at least 3 samples of purple-colored T-shirts and have them printed as shown on the picture below.
It's Time To Get To The Next Level!!!
My elite athletes and staff like what came out of the said idea. And I like it, too!
For you to have a piece of this, the mechanics still the same with that of the 1,000-Km Club where you could count the number of kilometers you have logged in your training and in your road & trail races, whether you are a runner, duathlete, triathlete, or a walker! Finish and be able to log 3,000 kilometers and the t-shirt is yours!
There is a catch though, each T-shirt will cost you P 250.00 each where a portion of it will go to the training fund of the Elite Team Bald Runner. Every T-Shirt being awarded will be a great help for us to raise funds in order to send at least two (2) of our Elite BR members to compete in the 2012 IAU Asian 100K Ultra Marathon Championship Race in Jeju Island, South Korea. Thanks for your support!
On of my readers asked me if I am using a Sunscreen Lotion during my run. Unfortunately, I did not bring my 10.8 Fluid Ounce plastic bottle of Hawaiian Tropic SPF 50 Plus Sunscreen Lotion. I had some bad experiences when I use such lotion. At one time during my practice runs, the sunscreen lotion I applied on my head, forehead and face got mixed with my sweat and some got into my eyes. You could just imagine the pain that it brought to my eyes that I was temporarily blind during the run. I had to look for water and soap to rinse my face and head in order to remove the sunscreen lotion and then washed my eyes with clean water. Another experience happened again when I was playing golf. A mixture of perspiration and sunscreen lotion got into my eyes after driving the golf ball from the tee mound. From there, I was distracted from my game and end up going home.
"Stripes" of a Long Distance Runner
The “stripes” I got from the heat of the sun will be finally gone in a few days with the help of lotion and the powers of Papaya Soap!
I really do not know the effects of the sunlight on my skin as I grow older and as I continue running under the heat of the sun. I would end up like the skin of my friend Wayne Plymale or Jeff Galloway but it would be a honor to have a skin like them. One of these days, I will try to see Mang Victor Ting’s skin to find out what is in store for my skin in the future.
The burned skin on my legs due to the heat of the sun are already peeling off and I have some patches of white dead skin combined with my actual dark brown colored skin. I hope these burned skin will peel off soon faster!
Left Lower Quads Have Swollen After The 4th Day
My swollen left lower quads had gone back to its normal state/size and condition. After 6 days of rest and recovery, the swelling and pain are gone! I had to apply daily dose of Ice Bag Treatment (20-30 minutes), elevation with my legs when I sleep, one Alaxan FR every day, complete diet and constant hydration, and lots of Salonpas Patches before going to bed! No massage and stretching had been done yet to my leg muscles. (The picture above was taken on the night after I completed my adventure run!)
I am still on a rest and recovery mode but many things are already playing in my mind about ultra running (and marathon races) here and abroad. See you on the roads and trails soon!
For those who have recovered already from the BDM Races, I hope to see you at the 1st Mt Mayon 360 Degrees 50-Mile Endurance Run. This is the first PAU-sanctioned road race for the year. If you want to earn your points for the most coveted “PAU Runner of the Year” (PROY) Award, you have to join this run! See you in Legazpi City this coming weekend!
10:30 AM March 21, 2011/Laur, NE to Dingalan Bay, Aurora
Laur, Nueva Ecija is a small town where the National Highway does not pass on its Poblacion or center of the town. If you are travelling towards Gabaldon, NE, you could barely see the town as you need to turn left from a corner where the only Petron Gasoline Station is located. There are no common or popular commercial establishment or popular fastfood restaurants in the place. There was only one place where it serves cooked food and this was the place where I had my brunch with my team. The food was simple—sinigang na bangus, pork adobo, sauteed meat, and rice with fresh banana. The food serves its purpose as my source of energy for the day.
Viands For Brunch @ Laur, NE
I was on a relaxed mood after I finished my brunch and took my time to reach Km Post #145 which is only less than one kilometer away from the Poblacion. I knew that this will be my last day of my adventure run and very confident that I will reach my destination without any “issues” or accidents along the road. I just have to maintain the things that I’ve done for the past days and I let my body on “automatic” mode once I start my run. It was at the Kilometer Post where I wear my ASICS Gel-LyteRacer and my Gray DryMax Running Socks. After wearing and checking the accessories I need to wear, I started my run with a simple prayer and sign of a cross, a ritual I’ve never missed to do every time I start my run.
Trying To Vizualize Dingalan Bay Behind The Mountains
I am not a stranger in this place as it was part of my Area of Operations (AOR) when I was a Brigade Commander of the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army. I always visit Gabaldon and Dingalan because it was our Advanced Command Post (ACP) whenever we had combat and civil-military operations in the mountainous and forested areas of these two towns. But times have changed since then. The roads are now cemented and well-built with the proper drainage and structured concrete bridges. More houses had been built along the Highway. There are already elementary and high schools built in most of the more populated barangays. And there are newly constructed and developed garden and water resorts in the area.
I was assigned in these areas for 2 years and 4 months. What I like with Gabaldon are their Onions! Gabaldon is considered as the Onion Capital of the Country. They cultivate and produce the white and the red onions. There were times when the price of these onions would go down to P 5.00 per kilo and a bagful (20 kilos) would only cost P 100.00! I usually bring some of these onions (in bags of 20 kilos) to Manila and give them as a gift to my friends, peers, relatives, superiors, and subordinates. Well, after a few days, they complain to me that they smell like onions already! On the other hand, the more smart traders/businessmen from Visayas and Mindanao would buy these onions when the price is low and have them transported to their “refrigirated” warehouses so that the freshness of the onions will be maintained even after months of being stored. And then sell them when they supply is low. It’s a good business!
My Reliable Patagonia Long-Sleeve Capilene Shirt & NIKE Running Shorts
On my last day of my run, I opted to use my ever reliable Patagonia Capilene White Long-Sleeved Shirt. This is the same shirt that I used in last year’s Marin Headlands 50-Mile Train Run. It is not tight but it gives me a comfortable feeling when I run. As for the running shorts, I used a NIKE running shorts which I bought (at a discounted price) in a NIKE Store at the Caltex Gasoline Station along the NLEX. The running shorts is nice and comfortable that I did not have “issues” on my upper inner legs and crotches. I was already confident that I really did not need the Adidas Tech Fit Compression Short for this particular leg of my adventure run. I wanted to appear in my pictures as a traditional runner! The DryMax Trail Socks is thicker than the ordinary running socks and it fits well to my ASICS Gel-LyterRacer. I have no worries if my socks will be wet from the water that I pour on my neck and head, and perspiration from my body that goes down to my legs. I knew these socks will not give me any problems with blisters.
@ Bato Ferry Bridge in Laur, NE
As soon as I started my run, the places that I passed and looked forward became familiar as I recall those times when I usually pass along this road going to Gabaldon and Dingalan. The scenery of the place is really amazing. This is the place where you could see clean and crystal clear flowing water on rivers. I’ve never seen such kind and condition of water on rivers that I passed in the provinces of Pangasinan and Tarlac. The mountains and hills are also amazing to behold. Although most of these mountains lack those thick forested areas, their size, formation and the different colors from their vegetation could give refreshing feeling to the eyes. How I wish these hills and mountains have trails where runners could walk and run. I hope to return to these places and talk to the locals and get more information about the trails on these mountains.
Running Towards The Mountains of Gabaldon, NE
I have observed that the road is clean from Laur to Gabaldon. I did not see any trash or unnecessary wastes along the road. Even when I reached the Poblacion of Gabaldon, I did not see any trash along the road. But what I’ve observed was that there are parts of the mountains which are burned. Burning the grass on the mountains had been an annual practice of the people thereat. The burning of the grass is a way for the grass to re-grow and the new grass growth is a good food or feed for the cattle in the area.
Another View of the River & Mountains From Bato Ferry Bridge Clean Air, Clean Road, Clean River & Beautiful SceneryEntering The Boundary of Gabaldon, NE (Take Note of The Onions On Top of the Arc)The Road & Scenery To Gabaldon, NE
I have to maintain my nutrition strategy during the run. I usually take a meal before my daily run as it gives me the necessary energy to last me for 1 1/2 to 2 hours and I don’t ingest any sports gel. I maintain my hydration strategy by drinking a sip of water evey two kilometers where my support have “leap frogged” ahead of me. This is repeated up to the time I reach 1 1/2 hours of running. After this, I drink one-half bottle of Sports Drinks and every 1 1/2 hours thereafter. If I feel hungry, I take those Nature Valley Sports Bar and/or Chips Ahoy Cookies. If there are fresh fruits, like banana or mangoes. I take them when I feel hungry.
Walking On Uphills
As for my running & walking strategy, I dropped using the Galloway Method of following a run-walk ratio religiously. I simply followed my ritual of running along the descending and flat portions of the road and simply brisk walking on the ascending portions of the road. However, I tried my best to quicken my average pace during the run. The counting of strides was still religiously followed most especially during those times when the heat of the sun and the cement were very challenging. The counting kept my sanity during the run. Of course, there are times also that I pray when I feel that I was exhausted.
Another Uphill AheadOnions Being Harvested Along The Side of the Road
In one of the legs/days of this adventure run, I tried a run strategy where I have to run hard on the early hours and sustain whatever strength I have left in my body in the later hours of the day. To be specific, I have to run 8 kilometers for the first hour; 7 kilometers for the second hour; 6 kilometers for the 3rd hour; and then maintain 5 kilometers for the 4th and succeeding hours until I end the run for the day. So, if I am going to run for 8 hours for the day, I would be able to finish at least 46 kilometers for the day. Nice run strategy but it really puts pressure on me. If not for the swelling of my left quads and the pain that goes with it, it would have been doable.
Red Onions Ready To Be Transported/Sold @ P28 Per Kilo
Due to my predicament after the Camiling-La Paz Leg, I maintained an average pace of 5 kilometers per hour but it became slower when I reached the uphills of Fort Magsaysay-Laur-Gabaldon-Dingalan areas. Although I was able to recover on the last two legs of this run, I did not think of taking the risk of increasing my pace on a tempo run mode but maintaining the LSD mode would be the nice decision for this adventure run. The goal is to finish this adventure run where I can still stand up and walk on my own and drive the support vehicle back to Metro Manila.
Another Version of "Marin Headlands" In Gabaldon, NE
For so many times, I’ve taken pictures of mountains that resemble the mountains in Marin Headlands in San Francisco, California in almost all the places that I passed through. I know for sure that that there are trails on these mountains and they could be used for trail running events in the future. I know for sure that once upon a time, these trails had been used by the insurgents and military patrols at the height of the government’s efforts to thwart the spread of insurgency in the country. Sometimes, I would think that trail running in some of the mountains in the country would drive away those insurgents to higher mountains and more forested areas. However, on the places that I passed through, these mountains are already cleared from the insurgents.
Crossing The Dupinga Bridge Where A River Resort Is Located
The challenge now is to find out the trails inside the Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation Area. This would be the best place to conduct an ultra trail running event in the future. I’ve been thinking about this while I was running through the places at Fort Magsaysay the previous day. It is doable and runners would be excited to experience an ultra trail run on a regular basis within the year.
The Entrance of the Resort Where I Slept Overnight
I was also thinking during my run to purposely travel from Manila up to Fort Magsaysay by taking the NLEX-SCETX-La Paz-Zaragoza-Santa Rosa-Fort Magsaysay Route to find out the travel time. Before the SCETX was constructed, the route to Fort Magsaysay would pass along the busy eastern towns of Bulacan and the southern towns of Nueva Ecija. Before, it takes 3 1/2 to 4 hours to reach Fort Magsaysay from Manila even if I take the shortcut route from Gapan, Nueva Ecija to the Southern Gate of Fort Magsaysay through Papaya, Nueva Ecija. I would say and suspect that Fort Magsaysay could be reached in 2 1/2 hours by taking the new route. I will try to prove if my suspicion is right in the coming days.
The Road After Leaving The Town of Gabaldon, NE
It was uneventful that I was able to reach the Poblacion of Gabaldon, NE. This town is the location of the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology. I had my pictures taken infront of Resort 8 where we stayed overnight before this day’s run. From that point, I had 5 more kilometers to the Poblacion of Gabaldon.
More Uphill Climbs On The Road Between Gabaldon & Dingalan
The road from Gabaldon to Dingalan has a distance of 12 kilometers. When I was still assigned in this place, the road was a dirt road with big boulders/stones protruding from the ground. Ordinary cars and vehicles would not be able to reach Dingalan because of the steep roads and slippery and muddy road. It was only those with 4-wheel drive transmission vehicles that could reach Dingalan from Gabaldon. But from what I was seeing during my run, the place had completely changed because of the first class highway where any kind of vehicle would be able to reach Dingalan
One of Those Flat Portions of the Road On Top Of The Mountain
Dingalan is the southern most town of Aurora Province and you need to travel through Nueva Ecija in order to reach the capital of Aurora which is Baler. Dingalan Bay is being planned to be the eastern seaport of the country and this could be the reason why the government constructed the SCETX as it would connect it to Subic Bay Freeport. A high-speed highway from Dingalan Bay to Subic Bay Freeport would cut the travel time of goods/materials from the Pacific Ocean to South China Sea or vice-versa, instead of the transport ships coming from the Pacific Ocean to go all the way south to the tip of Bicol region and finally going northwest to Manila Bay.
I am About To Touch The CloudsDestination Is Getting Nearer!
Dingalan Bay had been the source of Yellow Fin and Blue Marlin Tunas. When I was assigned in this area, a kilo of these fresh fish cost only P 45-50.00. My officers would buy by bulk (minimum of 10 kilos) and had the meat of the fish packaged and frozen into sashimi cuts. Whenever we have visitors from our Higher Headquarters and from our Operating Units, they were surprised when we serve them with sashimi with Wasabe Paste and Kikkoman Soy Sauce. I hope that those fresh catch tunas are still cheap at present.
Getting Colder In The Late Afternoon!A Brief Stop To Appreciate The SceneryFinally A Glimpse Of Dingalan Bay (Pacific Ocean) In AuroraPoblacion Dingalan & Pacific Ocean At Dusk
My "Last Downhill Run" In This Adventure Run
It was already dark when I reached the last kilometer post. After the usual photo-ops, I ran another 600 meters towards the Dingalan Beach. The Dingalan Beach within the edge of the Poblacion is full of black stones while the neighboring barangay farther south has a beach with black/dark sand. After a picture pose at the Dingalan Beach, I grabbed my Nathan Bottle that I carried throughout the Adventure Run on my Nathan Hydration Belt where the Salt Water from Bolinao Beach was placed and contained.
The Last Kilometer Post In My Adventure Run
Finally, at 6:20 PM, I slowly poured the Salt Water from the South China Sea to the waves of the Pacific Ocen. Mission accomplished. I was able to finish this “West To East” Adventure Run.
Finally Pouring The Saltwater From The South China Sea To The Pacific Ocean
We tried to look for a place to rest overnight along Dingalan Beach but because it was dark along the main road that goes to the Beach Resorts, I decided to go back to Gabaldon’s Stone 8 Resort for the night. However, as we left the Poblacion of Dingalan, we dropped by a restaurant/resort on top of a mountain which is 3 kilometers away and along the highway. The establishment is called Gina’s Place. The place don’t have any display of cooked food but we were advised to order the food we want. I ordered Sinigang Na Yellow Fin Tuna and Broiled Blue Marlin. It was worth the wait as the tunas cooked were fresh.
After our dinner, we were back to Stone 8 Resort. It is time to rest and recover.
Data/Information For the Day’s Run:
Weather: Hot but it got cooler in the later part in the afternoon and in higher elevation
10:30 AM March 20, 2011/Santa Rosa to Laur, Nueva Ecija
The last time that I passed along the Santa Rosa to Fort Magsayay Road was in the mid-part of 2004 when I was a Brigade Commander of the 702nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division with my Headquarters located in Barangay Calaanan, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. The road was not yet paved/asphalted as most of it was a narrow dirt road. This road is the most direct route to Fort Magsaysay from the Maharlika Highway in Santa Rosa and I take this route as a short cut to avoid the traffic of vehicles in Cabanatuan City. The road has a distance of 20 kilometers where both sides are open with rice fields and dry lands which were planted with mango trees as you approach to the military reservation of Fort Magsaysay.
Looking Forward To The East
Fort Magsaysay is the biggest military camp in the country which consists of hundreds of thousands of hectares from the eastern portions of Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija up to the seashore of the Pacific Ocean. The area is so vast that the military could not guard the reservation from informal settlers; kaingin farmers; and other kinds of squatters. Even if various types of military training are being conducted in these areas ranging from artillery fires, tank manuevers and combat fires, military exercises with other allied armed forces in Asia and the USA, and other kinds of special operations, those unscrupulous illegal settlers are still there to claim a portion of the military reservation. It is sad that the military reservation is now shrinking.
I am Starting To Sweat Few Kms From Start
When I was the Camp Commander of Camp Aguinaldo, I had a chance to play a round of golf with the Speaker of the House of the Representatives then and he asked me what is my solution for the unabated military adventurism of young officers to topple whoever is in power in the government. I told him that my idea is not a solution but it is a firm message that AFP Officers and Soldiers who are involved in this kind of military adventurism should be punished severely. I told the politician that it is about time to establish a State Penitentiary (outside Metro Manila) with a Military Prison Facility at the middle part of the Fort Magsaysay Reservation Area! And let these prisoners develop the area as homestead where they can produce and cultivate food and herd some domesticated animals and be away and out of reach from the media. The politician liked my idea and it ended there.
The Color of my Shirt is Becoming Darker
I expected that today’s run will be the most challenging stage due to the hotter temperature of Nueva Ecija and the looming hills/mountains that I am going to traverse as I progress towards my destination. I was informed by some of the officers assigned in Fort Magsaysay that there is already a short cut route from Fort Magsaysay that goes all the way to Laur, Nueva Ecija that traverses the mountains east of Fort Magsaysay. And the road has an estimated distance of 64 kilometers from Fort Magsaysay to the town of Dingalan, Aurora.
Ahhh...Brgy Liwayway, The Heat, The Clouds and The Mountains
The flat, wide and hot road from Santa Rosa to Fort Magsaysay was already a challenge as I started my run at 10:30 AM. From where I started, I estimated that I still have at least 81 Kilometers to my destination and covering one-half of the distance was already enough for my day’s run. I started my run from where I stopped the previous night. I was still using the Adidas Tech Fit Compression Shorts and with my Gray NIKE Compression Shirt. I decided not to use my arm sleeves as I would like to see my perspiration simply dry up from my skin while I was running. I prepared for my Ice Bandana to cool off my neck and nape and my Buff to cover my face. The ritual for hydration was still there and my strategy for my pacing but every time that I have my pit stop, I have to pour cold water on my head making my running cap wet/damp while running. This was the first time that I did such ritual of pouring cold water on my head and nape every time I take a sip of water from my support vehicle. Since I did not bring sponge, this ritual gave me a refresh feeling every two kilometers.
Nice Mango Orchard On My Left & Still Looking Good
The pain on my knee/left quads was tolerable and I have to make some adjustments with my footwork. The ASICS Gel- LyteRacer DS was very nice and comfortable to my feet as they are light with the much-needed cushion. I decided to use this shoe throughout the run after my bad experience with my Adidas Adizero Mana on my 4th day leg.
Finally Entering the Fort Magsaysay TerritoryThe Fort's Cantonment Area Is Still Far From This Place
As I got nearer to the boundary of the Fort Magsaysay reservation, the road started to ascend but I knew it was runable but I opted to conserve my strength by brisk walking through the uphills and resume running on the downhill parts. As I reached the intersection of the road that goes to the Gate 1 (Main Gate) of Fort Magsaysay, trucks that carry US Armed Forces mobility assets and other equipment were still passing me and saw them entering the premises of the camp. I concluded that with the volume and number of trucks that passed me for the past two days, this military exercise would be involving a lot of troops and administrative personnel!
The Last Wide Truck To Pass Me & Approaching A New Crossroad!
As I crossed the Bangad-Fort Magsaysay Road, I could see in front of me a newly constructed and newly-opened highway that goes way up to the mountains of Fort Magsaysay. The peak that I am going to reach was still vivid in my mind. It was the same “impact area” or location of our target when our basic infantry class had our hands-on firing of the 105-mm Howitzer Artillery pieces. Yes, those were the days when we were trained to request for an artillery fires by following some “structured” steps so that the one who is adjusting and pulling the trigger of the artillery piece would be able to land the artillery ammunition/rounds accurately to where the target is.
My Entry To The Newly-Opened Fort Magsaysay-Laur Shortcut HighwayStill Enjoying The Scenery of the PlaceStill Counting On My Strides...Hydration Strategy MaintainedQuick Lunch At This Place
After running at least 3 kilometers from the crossing/entrance of this new highway, I dropped by a roadside eatery, the only eatery before going up the peak of the mountain. It’s called Big Joe’s Eatery and I immediately asked for the viand available for lunch. They have Sinampalokan Na Manok which was the viand with a soup/broth for the day and I ordered two orders. The taste of a home-coke viand is heaven, moreso, if you are running a multi-day stage run! They simply call the place “Tanawan” which is the common name they give to a place at the foot or mid-part of a mountain as you go to the peak. While I was eating, a white Lexus Car stopped at the place and the occupants also took their lunch thereat! What? These people could be locals, I thought. But when they were finished with their lunch, they asked how far is Santa Rosa is from the place. A-ha! They are also first-timers like me on this road!
Started Running Again After Lunch...The Mountain Pass Is On The Left Side of the Mountain!
The road leading to the peak of the mountain was very challenging and the temperature of the day was so hot that I have to be supported every 500 meters. Definitely, this is the hardest leg of my adventure run. If the ascending portions are very challenging, the descending parts are much more challenging. I have to control my footsteps on the steep descending portions as I don’t want more pain and swelling of my left quads and knee. I took light and short strides on these downhill portions as I was careful with any untoward incident or issues on my leg muscles. I don’t want to do any foolish thing that may cause any untoward accident to happen with barely 50 kilometers away from my destination as I wanted to finish this adventure run. It could be funny to see me running on those descending portions as I could visualize myself to be running very erect with my back straight up as I control my footsteps/stride.
I Like The Heat From the Sun & The RoadWalking Backwards Along Steep Sections of the Road
I admit I walked on those steep ascending portions of the route that leads to the peak of the mountain. Sometimes, I tried to walk backwards just to relieve the pressure on my quads and knees as my calf muscles are the ones that are working and being stretched. There was no point on attempting to jog along these parts of the road. I feel much comfort that I was able to see a military detachment on top of the mountain where you can see Cabanatuan City on the west and the Sierra Madre Mountains on the east. Aside from providing security in the area, the military is also reforesting the place with young trees. There is also a road side eatery where food and refreshments are available and I could see some Nipa Huts which you could rent for P 50.00 per hour to enjoy the view of the place!
The View of Santa Rosa & Cabanatuan City On The BackgroundA Nipa Hut On Top of the MountainAaahhh...Trying To Reach The Peak
As I passed the peak of the mountain, I knew it will be a roller-coaster run/jog/walk up to the crossing on the old road/highway that goes to the small town of Laur, Nueva Ecija. The eastern side of the mountain is more developed and more populated as I could see some mango orchards and cultivated fields on the side of the mountain. There are also groups of houses (they call itself as “puroks”) which I assume are also illegal settlers. But most of all, I really wonder who owns those mango orchards whose trees are already bearing fruits that nearly touch the ground. I hope these mango orchards are under the administration of the military units stationed in Fort Magsaysay!
What??? Another higher peak hidden?My Reward For Reaching The Top of the Mountain!Mountains At The Background Are My DestinationRoller-Coaster Run On The Eastern Side of the MountainRunning Beside A Mango Orchard
I told to myself that I have to reach the crossing towards Laur before it becomes dark. With consistent pacing and following my hydration and nutrition strategy, I could see already in a distance the vehicles that are travelling along the Laur-Gabaldon Road and it gave me the satisfaction that I still have one more day to go before I finally reach my destination.
Too Much Salt From My Sweat Even Without Taking Any Salt TabletsAnother "Marin Headlands" Version In Laur, NE?Tired & Exhausted But Still Having Fun!Getting Nearer to the Crossing in the Old Highway
As soon as I reached the crossing, I found out that I was able to cover a distance of 41 Kilometers since I started my run from Santa Rosa but I wanted to reach the Km Post 0 that is located in the Poblacion of Laur. I instructed my support crew that I have to complete at least 42 kilometers and I need one more kilometer to run. So, while I was running along the Laur-Gabaldon Road, in a few meters, I saw a Km Post that says that there are 4 kilometers more to go before reaching the town of Laur. I decided to continue my run with my support vehicle providing me with the illumination I needed. The road was not busy and it was already dark. I comfortably maintained my strides with the objective of reaching Laur and be able to run a distance of 45 kilometers for the day. As we got nearer to Km Post 0, we were able to pass by a store that serves hot mami and I decided to stop and take some hot noodle soup.
Finally Arriving At The Crossing of the Old National Highway to LaurRunning In The Dark Towards Laur, NE
We actually want to ask some information from the locals about the nearest resort where we can stay overnight and the store was the best place where we can inquire about such information. As we were eating our noodle soup, I started the conversation with the owner and after some exchange of questions and answers, we decided to take a look at the said resort that the owner of the store had recommended. However, I still need to run and reach Km Post 0 of Laur, Nueva Ecija. I was surprised that the Km Post is only 150 meters away from the Store!
Eating Chicken Mami In Laur
I stopped my run officially for the day on the said Km Post. I need to rest but the place where we are going to check-in for the night is still 18 kilometers away towards Gabaldon. It took us only few minutes to reach the place aboard our support vehicle. Although the place is not well lighted, we did not mind as we need a place where we can take a shower, wash some clothes, and sleep overnight. Unfortunately, there is no Wi-Fi Connection! However, I am sure that once there will be sunlight the following morning, the place will emerge as a beautiful place to rest and stay!
Last Kilometer Post For The Day...36-37K To Go!
I was able to cover a distance of 45 Kilometers from the Starting Point in Santa Rosa up to Laur, Nueva Ecija. This leg is the hardest day in my adventure run due to the hot temperature in Fort Magsaysay and its immediate environs and the challenge of the steep inclines going to the mountain pass. The steep descending portions were also a challenge on my part because of my swollen quads but I was comforted with the nice scenery that my eyes could see all around me. These places and scenery are priceless!
We stayed overnight in a resort which is called Stone 8 Resort which 5 kilometers away from the Poblacion of Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija.
Some of the data/information on this day’s run:
Weather: Very, very hot along the Santa Rosa-Fort Magsaysay-Mountain Pass Road.
Distance Covered For The Day: 45 Kilometers
Time of Actual Running: 8 hours
Average Pace: 4-5 Kilometers Per Hour
Running Apparel: Adidas Tech Fit Compression Shorts; NIKE Compression Shirt; Adidas Running Cap; NIKE Black Soccer Socks; Ice Bandana; Buff; Sunglasses by Ray-Ban & Oakley
Running Shoe: ASICS Gel-LyteRacer
Expenses:
Lunch @ Old Joe’s Eatery (good for 2 persons)—P 120.00
Hot Mami @ Laur (good for two persons)—P 46.00
Total Expenses For The Day—P 166.00
Total Number of Kilometers (After 6 Days)—252 Kilometers
12:45 PM March 19, 2011/SCTEX Exit/Entry in La Paz, Tarlac to Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija
I got good signs that I would be able to continue my run on the 5th day when I saw my swollen left quadriceps had reduced in size and the pain I felt could be tolerable when I woke up in the morning with 9 hours of sleep. It did not matter if I was going to start at noon time for my day’s run as long as I can push my body to run a distance and bring myself nearer to my place of destination.
I was glad that I brought my Adidas Tech Fit Compression Shorts which has those shiny straps that are positioned on the buttocks & hamstring areas and connecting to my quadriceps muscle. The shiny strap has a way to compress and hold my muscles on the areas it covers and it relieves pain on such areas. I was lucky to have brought such compression shorts which I don’t normally wear on my training and road races. It was a blessing that I brought such compression shorts!
After taking my shower after I woke up, I tried the shorts and it perfectly solved my problem about my quads—the swollen portion is pressed by the strap and it minimizes the pain that I could feel every time I lift me left foot from the ground. At this point, I know I could reach my destination with the plan to use this compression all the way to the beach of Dingalan Bay.
After we checked-out from the hotel, we have to travel 35 kilometers from Cabanatuan City back to La Paz, Tarlac but along the way, we decided to take it easy for the day and observe how my swollen quads would react for the day’s run. In Zaragoza, Nueve Ecija (the first town of Nueva Ecija from Tarlac Province) and the town next to La Paz, Tarlac, we stopped by in one of the road side eateries which had been there for the past 40 years serving broiled catfish (hito) to people passing such area. These catfish are freshly caught and cooked as the place is surrounded with river and marshland.
Early Lunch @ Eva's Restaurant (Broiled Hito, Fried Pork Liempo, and...)Beef Bulalo @ Eva's Restaurant (La Paz-Zaragoza Boundary)
We had our early lunch at 11:00 AM at the Eva’s Eatery which located near the Zaragoza Bridge (there is a lot of bridges though in Zaragoza in between La Paz and Santa Rosa). As we entered the place made of bamboo, wood, nipa hut, and concrete floor, I observed that the place is clean and had improved a lot since my last visit here when I was still a Lieutenant/Captain. The Inihaw Na Hito and broiled Pla-pla wrapped on an aluminum foil are still the favorite dishes in the place. We ordered Bulalo, Inihaw Na Hito, and Fried Pork Liempo and the food was great. We stayed in the place longer as we had planned as more customers entered the establishment. There was this group of motorbikers who stopped for lunch, two families in two separate commuter vans also joined, a middle-age couple, individuals, and seemingly businessmen and travellers passing along the said road.
After lunch, I prepared myself inside the restaurant by wearing my running shoes and arm sleeves and I knew that my trip to the starting point will be a short one. I started the run at 12:45 Noon after the usual photo-ops. It was hot but I was used to it already. At this time, I was wearing the “A Runner’s Circle” (BOA USA) Technical Shirt from Joe Matias, Raul, and Perkins of the said Specialty Running Store. I know, wearing this shirt is some sort of advertising the place and most of the people at the Eva’s Eatery were able to see my shirt, moreso, on all the places that I have passed along the way. It was a way to give back the favour of what ARC Manila had supported to the Elite Team Bald Runner, BDM and PAU Races. Thanks, guys! You are doing great to serve the running community of the country. Please continue helping others!
@ The SCETX Exit/Entry in La Paz, Tarlac
I was glad my swollen left quads are holding up with the continuous pounding of my left foot on the road. I tried to shift my “more dominant” running leg to my right leg/foot and tried to run with my left leg with a very light touch on the ground. The counting of strides was still there and the “drill” on the road was followed religiously without let-up. Everything that I was doing on the road was already automatic and the support crew was already expert on providing me everything that I needed.
On The Road To Santa Rosa, Nueva EcijaRunning Alone On The RoadEntering The Province of Nueva Ecija
Along the La Paz-Zaragoza-Santa Rosa Road, I was consistently passed by wide trucks that carry US Marines’ mobility equipment, generators, and water treatment facility which I suspect to be proceeding to Fort Magsaysay. There must be a Joint Military Exercises which is about to be conducted with the US Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines inside the vast areas of Fort Magsaysay. Even if I was running on the right side of the road, these wide trucks really give some space as they passed me. The trucking company has good and disciplined drivers.
Passing On Those Parked Trucks Carrying US Armed Forces AssetsPassing Trucks Giving Me Space On The RoadResting While Having Some Photo-Ops With The RicefieldsI Love The Pain and The Scenery Along The Road
I passed by the Eva’s Eatery and had some photo-ops outside of the place. The traffic of vehicle on the Nueva Ecija side is lesser as compared with the Tarlac side. The road from Zaragoza to Santa Rosa is bounded with vast ricefields on both sides and it was refreshing to see the colors of green and yellow as most of them have already grains on it. The rice will be ready for harvest in a few weeks’ time.
Signs That I Was Near The Poblacion of Santa Rosa Running As I Crossed The Santa Rosa BridgeAnd Then Walking Up To The End of the BridgeFinished 30K At This Point But I Need To Run Some More!
Since this day’s run is for me to observe the condition of my swollen quads, I made it a point that this is my recovery run. I decided to cover a distance of 32 kilometers. Once I crossed the Santa Rosa Bridge, I was able to complete 30 kilometers. I needed to run another 2 kilometers and crossed the Maharlika Highway as the road leads me to Fort Magsaysay.
It was already dark when I reached the last kilometer post for the day. My swollen quads had passed the test and they have maintained its present condition. The pain was still there but it was tolerable. A longer sleep/rest will surely do the trick for me to be ready again for the next day’s run. The Adidas Tech Fit Compression Shorts did its job to hold my leg muscles during this recovery run lasting for 5 ½ hours actual time of running. I highly recommend this kind of compression shorts for those who are ultra runners and planning to do their multi-day adventure runs in the future. I decided to have it washed immediately and have it as my running shorts for the next day!
Continued To Run, Passing Along the Santa Rosa Public MarketFinally, Sitting On Top Of the Last Kilometer Post of the Day!
My dinner was in one of the road side eateries in Cabanatuan City with Sinigang Na Baboy, Lechon Paksiw, and our left-over of our Bulalo from the Eva’s Restaurant in the La Paz-Zaragoza boundary. After the dinner, we had to go back to the Hotel where we stayed the previous day because of its Wi-Fi Connection and clean rooms.
I did not had my swollen quads massaged but placed an Ice Bag to it for a duration of 30 minutes and then apply a thin layer of Omega Pain Killer and I took one capsule of Alaxan FR before going to bed.
So far, I’ve completed a distance of 207 kilometers after 5 days of running from the beach of Bolinao, Pangasinan. I knew I would be running another 70+ kilometers until I would reach my destination. I had mixed emotions before going to bed as I knew the places I will be passing along will be bounded with mountains and the roads offer more steep inclinations and therefore, will be more challenging on my part. There is only one way to think about the challenges for the next days—think positive!
Some of the additional data/information on this day’s run:
Weather: Very hot but becoming colder during night time.
Distance Covered For the Day: 32 Kilometers
Duration of Actual Running: 5 ½ Hours
Average Pace: 5-6 Kilometers Per Hour
Running Apparel: A Runner’s Circle (BOA USA) Shirt; Adidas Tech Fit Compression Shorts; Adidas White Soccer Socks; Headsweat Running Cap; Local Buff; Arm Sleeves; Nathan Hydration Belt; and Sunglasses by Ray-Ban
Running Shoes: ASICS Gel-LyteRacer
Expenses:
Dinner (Previous Day)—P 450.00
Early Lunch @ Eva’s Restaurant with Softdrinks—P 640.00
Hotel Accommodation—P 900.00
Dinner @ Cabanatuan City Roadside Eatery—P 160.00
Gasoline @ Cabanatuan City—P 1,000.00
Total Expenses For The Day—P 3,150.00
Total Distance Covered (After 5 Days)—207 Kilometers
9:45 AM March 18, 2011/From Camiling, Tarlac to SCTEX Entry/Exit in La Paz, Tarlac
I was able to sleep for 9 hours at the Royal Blue Hotel in Camiling, Tarlac and it was really a sound sleep. I felt energized again for the day’s run from Camiling, Tarlac up to the Kilometer Post where I could decide to stop to end the day’s run. The plan was to run leisurely without thinking of the number of kilometers that I have to finish for the day. I also started not to follow the Galloway Ratio of Run-Walk. I just simply ran an average pace of 7:30 to 8:00 minutes per kilometer and take a brief walk few meters before reaching my support vehicle. However, I maintained my ritual of walking the uphills and running through the downhills. My brief pit stops would last from 2-4 minutes and checking my blog through my laptop would last up to 15 minutes. And eating in those carinderias/road side eateries would last me for a stop/rest of 20 minutes!
After the usual “drill” upon waking up from bed, my team was ready leave the hotel for a brief breakfast at Jollibee. After breakfast, I was brought to the last kilometer post where stopped the previous night for the regular photo-ops as a part of the starting regimen of every daily run. I started my run at 9:45 AM.
@ Camiling, Tarlac: Start of the 4th Day
It seems that Camiling, Tarlac is the “melting” pot of the western portion of Tarlac Province. Once you pass along the commercial district of the town, you could see the slow movement of vehicles due to traffic. There was a parade of vehicles advertising some sort of Hog’s Feeds and a new business establishment for farm needs and supplies. It is also the crossroad of vehicles going to the central towns of Pangasinan and the western towns, too! So, vehicles and mass transport/buses coming from Manila and from the Western & Central Pangasinan would converge in this town. Due to the heavy traffic of the main road, I had to walk for about 2 kilometers on the sidewalk trying to observe the people, the vehicles, and the environment. It is good to see 2 PNP personnel manning the crucial intersection to see to it that the traffic is done in orderly manner. All the vehicles are moving but with a crawling speed, at least, all the vehicles are moving.
Running On The Gravel Sides of the Road
After two kilometers of walking and another right turn towards Tarlac City, I started my jog as I met a lot of vehicles coming from the opposite direction. The usual ritual during the previous run was followed—drink water every 2 kilometers where my support have advanced; drink sports drinks every 1 ½ hours; and eat solid food during my longer duration of pit stops. Just like in the previous days, I see to it that I have to urinate at least every hour and observe how my body is perspiring. Since yesterday, I opted not to take any Tylenol tablets to ease the pain on my running legs.
The road from Camiling to Sta Ignacia, the next town, and towards Tarlac City is famous for those rolling and long ascending and descending slopes that I have to force myself to walk on those ascending portions and run through the descending parts. It was a repetitive process to be doing this to preserve the strength of my leg muscles. On those walking breaks on the ascending portions, I would also count my strides just to be able to have a continuous rhythm and pace throughout those inclined portion. Although I was still on the right side of the road, I would go to the shoulders when I have my walking breaks. But on those descending parts of the road, I have to continue my running on the paved portion of the road. If there is white-line paint on the edge of the road, then this is the place where I have to land my foot during running. Those white lines are surprisingly rubberized that it has some bounce on my running shoes. There were lots of ascending and descending parts of the road for today’s run.
Leaving The Town of Camiling, TarlacRunning Alone On The Road...Again!
At Barangay Nambalan in Sta Ignacia, Tarlac, in front of one of those High School compounds, I passed by a group of students who were walking towards the direction where I was going. As I passed them, I waved my hands at them and they cheered at me and they were shouting words of encouragement. After 300 meters ahead, my support vehicle was waiting for me. While the group of students were walking behind me, I stopped at the support vehicle and started to have my “ritual”—drink and sit on my stool. As I was sitting and resting, the group of students reached me and one of them said,
Student: Uncle, adda met gayam napintas a lugan mo. Apay nga agtar-taray ka? (Uncle, you have a nice car and why are you still running?)
BR: Exercise ko lang daytoy! (I am doing this as a part of my exercise)
Student: Uncle, Ban-banogem lang dayta bag-bagim! (Uncle, you are just punishing yourself!)
BR: (Silent. No words to think of)
The student is smart and he has a point! After that conversation, I was already thinking of stopping my adventure run and go home to have my rest. But as a “warrior” I don’t want to be distracted in accomplishing the mission that I have set to myself.
Time To Eat...Shaded Road With Acacia TreesNice Road & Back Of A RunnerTime To Eat...Again!Time To Update My Blog...On the RoadEntering The Boundary of Tarlac City
I resumed my run and running and walking through the ascending and descending portions of the road that leads to Tarlac City. Later, I was already entering the city limits of Tarlac. The Aquino Bridge is the target to cross and I am already within the Commercial Center of Tarlac City! But something is bothering me on my feet. It seems that my feet are burning and I could feel that they are getting hot and had expanded. With one kilometer to go before the Aquino Bridge, I decided to stop by my support vehicle and changed my socks and running shoes. I opted to use the Adidas Adizero Mana for the day but it was my first time to feel such burning sensation and expansion of my feet after running with it for about 32 kilometers. I was using my ASICS running socks which I’ve been using for my long runs but I knew it was the shoes that was causing the problem. I immediately changed my socks with the local PUMA running socks which are thicker and used the always reliable stability-cushion properties of my ASICS Gel-Kayano 14 shoes.
Starting To Feel The Traffic In The City
After changing my shoes and socks, I was back on the road, crossing the Aquino Bridge, walking along the commercial district of Tarlac City and later I was already entering the road that goes to La Paz, Tarlac and to the SCETX Entry/Exit. As I was running along the La Paz-Sta Rosa Road, I felt I was hungry and decided to stop in one of the Carinderia/Turo-Turo Eateries. I ate a big bowl of Bulalo Mami/Noodle Soup with Ice Cold Coke. The simple meal energized me and I resumed my running.
It was already getting dark and the main task at hand was to reach the SCTEX entry/exit where I’ve decided to end the day’s run. I think I walked on the last 3 kilometers because of the heavy traffic on the said road, the dark sidewalk, and most of all, those gravel filled sidewalk where the foot hurts when I step on those big and small stones!
Last Kilometer Post For The Day
Finally, I reached my target, SCETX! At this point, I was already thinking of ending the adventure run and head towards Metro Manila. For today’s run, I was able to cover a distance of 45 Kilometers and in a Total of 175 kilometers in 4 days. I could feel that there was some pain on the mid foot portion of my left foot and my left knee was also in pain. After changing to drier clothes, I decided to look for a place where we could sleep with a Wi-Fi connection and I was back on my mission.
At La Paz, Tarlac"s SCETX Entry/Exit
After eating my dinner, checking in a cheap hotel with Wi-Fi Connection in Cabanatuan City, and taking a shower, I observed that the lower portion of my left quadriceps had swollen. I thought it was my left knee that expanded in size but as I compared it with my right leg, I could see and feel that it was my lower left portion of my quads (it connects to the knee) that have been bloated and had some pain when it is pressed by the thumb. It was my first time to experience this and I knew that I got it from those descending roads in Sta Ignacia and Tarlac City. I would say this is the description of ultra trail runners of what they call as “fried quads”. There is no panic! I told my support crew, Marlon, to put some ice in my ice bag and have it strapped on the swollen part of my quads and then to massage it lightly with Omega Pain Killer. And lastly, to remind me to take one Alaxan FR capsule before I go to sleep.
After 9-10 hours of sleep, the swollen quads had reduced its size and there was no more pain that I could feel on my quads. It’s a “Go” again for the 5th Day!
Some data/information during the day’s run:
Weather: Still hot but there are some places that were shaded with trees.
Distance: 45 Kilometers
Duration of Run: 9 Hours (due to more walking on the last 3 kilometers)
Average Pace: 5 KPH
Running Apparel: Team BR Technical Shirt; Adidas Adizero Running Shorts; ASICS Running Socks & PUMA Spots Socks; Local Buff; Headsweat Running Cap; Sunglasses by Ray-Ban & Oakley
8:45 AM March 17, 2011/From Brgy Socony, Bugallon, Pangasinan to Camiling, Tarlac
It was not too hard to look for a place to stay overnight. Just ask from the local folks and they will tell you where to go. After my run the previous day, I walked in one of the Carinderia’s on the side of the road. I asked for some Sinigang and they have Sinigang Na Baboy. I was surprised that they are serving Sinigang Na Native Na Baboy as seen from the black skin of the chopped meat of the broth. After 5 hours of running, the taste of a hot meal is simply amazing, coupled with an ice-cold Coke!
About 200 meters away from the Carinderia is a Traveller’s Inn called ACRO and from a distant sight, it seemed like one of those motels in Metro Manila. I really don’t care about the place as long as there is an air-con room with soft mattress with pillows and blanket and a shower room, the place is already perfect. Of course, the parking area is adjacent to the room and I was surprised that the room is clean and don’t have the smell of a cigarette smoke. The caretaker said that I have to pay P450.00 for a 12-hour stay and have to pay once I will leave the area. Great! It’s cheap as compared to the places where I spent overnight for the past two nights!
The “drill” was very fast once I entered the air-con room—undress my running apparel, enter the bathroom, take a cold shower first and then later rinse the soap with the hot water, dry up with the towel, brush my teeth, and change to something that is made of cotton and open the laptop computer to upload the pictures taken from my digital camera.
If I have time, I browse the Internet and check on my blog. Since the place has no Wi-Fi Connection, it is hard for me to make a post and upload some pictures in my blog using my SmartBro Internet Connection. What I do is write a post through MS Word as a document which I could save in my files. Once I reach a place where there is a Wi-Fi connection, that is the time I compose my blogpost by mixing the post I made through MS Word and uploading the pictures from my Computer. It is really fast if I am connected with an establishment with a Wi-Fi Connection.
@ The Starting Post For the 3rd Day Run (Brgy Socony, Bugallon, Pangasinan)
I started my run as early as 8:45 AM from the Km Post #357 and I was already on the Carlos P Romulo Highway that goes all the way to Tarlac City, 75 kilometers away! A hundred meters from the Crossing of Barangay Socony, I could feel already the Strong Winds meeting me. It was hard to run with this kind of situation. It seems someone is pulling me back as I progressed gaining few inches on the ground from my running. This was the feeling and the challenge of the environment until I reached the boundary of Camiling, Tarlac.
Strong Headwinds From Start To FinishRunning Alone @ Carlos Romulo Highway
Almost all the parts of the Highway are flat and wide. Most of the sidewalk/shoulder is cemented/paved as I have an extra space where I could run if there are wide and big trucks on my back and on my front which are about to overtake slower vehicles. Running along the highway is uneventful except for those strong headwind. My pace and strides are okey that I have to follow what I’ve been reading on the blogs of other Ultrarunners. Actually, I’ve been using this technique since I’ve started running long distances—counting on my strides from 1-100 and repeating again..and again..and again, until it becomes my running “mantra” up to the time I take my rest or pit stop.
Trying To Chase The Philippine Version of Ford Motors Another "Marin Headlands" in Bugallon, Pangasinan?Trying To Duck From The Strong Headwind!
Counting the strides, instead of having attached to wires on your ears, is a better way for me to be motivated to run in long distances. Researches would say that for a runner to maintain a good form in running, he/she should maintain a good and consistent average stride pace/count. The research would say that an average of 80 strides per minute in long distance runs would be a good pace. However, more of the runners and scientists would prefer to maintain 90 strides per minute. So, on my run along the Romulo Highway, I tried to apply both, the 80 & 90 strides per minute. After running for about an hour and counting on my strides, I found out that I could sustain 90 strides per minute on flat/level parts of the highway while I could do as low as 85 strides per minute if the road is on a rolling terrain! So, for the rest of the way, I didn’t mind about the strong headwind as I consistently counted on my strides per minute. On the average, I could count 8 sets of 90 strides every time I could cover the distance between two kilometer posts! As my left hand is holding my stopwatch, my other hand’s fingers are counting on the number of sets of strides I’ve gone through!
@ Mangatarem, Pangasinan's Catholic ChurchOne of Those Rest Moments In Waiting Shed Along The
The road side Billboards of a certain garden and water resort in Mangatarem, Pangasinan was simply enticing that I have to stop for a late lunch! The attraction is that it has a Wi-Fi Connection! That was great! The place is called Dandan’s Resort which is located 2 kilometers off the Romulo Highway. On our way to the resort, as we followed the directional arrows, we got lost! Somebody changed the location of the directional signs which we found out later from the people within the barangay.
We ordered food to eat for our late lunch. It took some time before the food was ready but I did not bother me at all as I was busy uploading my pictures to one of my blog posts. The Internet was fast that I was able to upload a lot of pictures needed to be shown to my readers. The food consisted of Sinigang Na Bangus, Deep-Fried Na Liempo, Calamares and Chopseuy. The food was nice and I took time to eat almost everything. I was satisfied with the performance of their Wi-Fi connection. `After almost 2 hours of pit stop at the said resort, we were back to National Highway and started where I left.
Leaving The Boundary of Pangasinan!
Soon enough, I was already crossing the boundary of Pangasinan and Tarlac and I had my picture taken from the billboard of the Governor of Pangasinan, Hon Amado Espino Jr, who is also a Cavalier, Graduate of PMA Class of 1972. Governor Espino and Bani Mayor Navarro are both classmates and members of PMA Class of 1972. We belong to the same Company in the Academy, the “Charlie” Company! Actually, I am close with these two gentlemen! If they knew I was having my running adventure in their place, I am sure my running schedule will be put into a lot of adjustments and the Provincial PNP elements would escort me along the road with the proper local media coverage. I really don’t want that to happen. I did not want so much attention along the road.
...And Finally In The Province of Tarlac
San Clemente is the first town of Tarlac and the Poblacion’s commercial district is not impressive. It was already dark but I made up my mind to complete my run up to Camiling, Tarlac where I could see on my way to Bolinao that the place had improved tremendously and progressively for the past years. They have Jollibee & Chowking, signs that the place is economically progressive and stable. I tried to use my handheld Mini-Mag Light to light up my way but after a few minutes, the light simply died down. Since it was night time and I still have 5 kilometers to go, I asked my support vehicle to “shadow” me so that I can use the light coming from the vehicle’s headlamps. As the traffic is so light between San Clemente and Camiling, nobody from the vehicles behind us complained. Cool! The strong illumination created by my support vehicle made me run faster and consistently counted my strides by sets of 90.
2 Kilometers From Camiling, Tarlac
As soon as I reached the Km Post at the Poblacion of Camiling, I had my usual last photo-ops for the day. Next thing to do was to proceed to Jollibee for my dinner. After a quick dinner, I ended sleeping in one of the clean and cheap rooms of the United Royal Hotel, located 500 meters from the last Kilometer Post of the day. Unfortunately, the place does not have a Wi-Fi connection but the signal from my Smart Bro started to become faster in its connection to the Internet. I went to bed at 10:45 PM for my 8-9 hours of rest/sleep overnight!
@ The Last Kilometer Post For The Day In Camiling, Tarlac
Other data/information for the day:
Weather: Very hot with Strong Headwinds from Bugallon, Pangasinan to Camiling, Tarlac
12:45 PM March 16, 2011/Barangay Seselangen, Sual to Barangay Socony/Crossing, Bugallon, Pangasinan
I started my adventure run for the 2nd day at 12:45 PM/Noon. You can just imagine what it is like to start your run at this time of the day. I did not have to worry because I prepared for this kind of situation for the past weeks that I had my “heat” training at the Remy Field Oval Track and the roads inside the Subic Freeport.
For the 2nd day, I need to make some adjustments with my attire. I have to use the regular running shorts so that people along the way would not have the impression that I lost my bike or make myself as the center of attraction among the younger and older women along the road. I believe that Pangasinan is famous for cyclists that spectators think that if an athlete uses a compression shorts, he/she is a cyclist. I used my old reliable ASICS shorts with a red-colored ASICS technical shirt which have the latest technology of a sports shirt. My running cap (by Headsweats) was the one that I used in my first BDM 102 Race in 2009 which has a cover on the nape portion. As seen on my pictures, the cape on the back keeps on waving and flying because of the headwind I met during the run. The inexpensive NIKE soccer socks was transformed to a running socks with calf sleeves, all in one! And I like them. The feeling when you use this kind of socks is the same with using those expensive calf sleeves! In order to have a lighter stride, I used my ASICS Gel-LyteRacer which is a Racing Shoe with Stability. I was also using those cheap arm sleeves to cover my arms from the heat of the sun and they work pretty well.
More Efficient & Better Attire For The Heat & Hills Starting Point For The Day
After the usual photo-ops from the starting line’s last kilometer post on the previous day, I started my run slowly, trying to warm-up my legs and my body. I usually do not have stretching exercises before starting my daily runs for the Adventure Run.
"Sel-lang" in Ilocano Means Crotch (Singit)"Marin Headlands" in Sual, Pangasinan?The Flat Road Before The Hills
Although it was hot, I was meeting a strong headwind as I approached the mountains/hills of Sual, Pangasinan. There were lots of rolling terrain before I started my climb towards the ever-famous Sual Zigzag Road where the only restaurants in the place were located in the 70’s and 80’s. On top of the Zigzag Road, you could see the Sual Cove with the South China Sea. Without any problems, I was able to reach the peak and the distance of Poblacion Sual is reduced to only 2 kilometers and I was able to cover 9 kilometers from the place where I started. Those were tough 9 kilometers towards this place.
Running On The Right Side
On this day’s run, I decided to run on the right side of the road with me travelling with the traffic. It got some relief from my left knee as I was able to balance my foot strike on the ground. I felt more comfort on my legs when running on this side of the road. I guess, this is a major adjustment that I did in this run. I was also very accessible to my support vehicle which would be waiting for me every 2 kilometers.
On this day, I also carried a small plastic bottle filled with water on my right palm which was also comfortable as I was used to carrying those Ultimate Direction Hand-held Water Bottle.
Slowly But Gaining Some DistanceRunning On The White LineRoller-Coaster Road Going To Sual, PangasinanDownhill Portion of the RoadHot But With Light HeadwindTowards The Highest PeakWeird Name of a BridgeFrom the Sual Zigzag Road Peak Towards The PoblacionGoing Down...Down...Racing With A Motorcycle?REST With The Chair!Why go to Cebu City when Danggit is available in Sual, Pangasinan? LOL!
While passing along the Poblacion of Sual, I was able to inspect the stores that sell dried fish and fresh fruits. My crew was able to buy some of those ripe mangoes. I was surprised that most of the stores sell Danggit which is the dried fish famous from Cebu City. I really do not know if they are cheaper here but it costs P 450.00 per kilo. After running for 2 kilometers from the Poblacion of Sual, what was infront of me was the place where I stayed overnight, Covelandia Beach Resort. The place occupies a lot of space as seen from the road I was running through!
Aaahhh...The Joy of Running!Eating Fresh Ripe Pangasinan Mangoes!Jogging With High School Kids Who Were Going Home
A few kilometers more and I was able to reach the Poblacion of Labrador. There was traffic on the main road as most of the high school students were leaving the school and going back to their homes. While having my walking breaks, I started some conversation with the kids and it was relaxing! As I resumed my run, some of the kids joined me in my jogging and they were laughing and having fun. After a few meters, the kids stopped and it was timely that I was near my support vehicle. I had the chance to have some photo-ops with these kids.
A Pose With My "Pacers" & Future RunnersUYONG in Ilocano means "CRAZY"
The road from Labrador to the next town of Bugallon is clear from so much traffic of vehicles. I am lucky to observe if there is one vehicle that I meet or pass me within the span of 5 minutes. As I looked around, I could see the sea on the left and the mountains on my right with rice fields. It was refreshing to see the things around me. After crossing so many small bridges and waving to people milling around on the corner of the streets, I was on the road with some kids on their bicycle trying to escort on the right side of the road.
Nice Background!30 Kilometers Done For The DayLast Km Post For The Day
I finished my run at 5:45 PM at Barangay Socony/Crossing, Bugallon, Pangasinan. I was able to cover a distance of 30 kilometers. After the photo-ops at the Kilometer Post, I entered in one of the carinderias and ate my early dinner of sinigang na native na baboy! Wow! The food and broth were great!
Duration of Running: 5 Hours
Distance: 30 Kilometers
Average Pace: 6 Kilometers Per Hour
Weather: Sunny & Hot with Light Headwind
Food & Water Nutrition: No Change from the Previous Day
Running Apparel: ASICS Shorts & Technical Shirt; NIKE Football Socks; Ice Bandana; Headsweats Runner’s Cap; Sunglass by Ray-Ban; Local Arms Sleeves
Shoes: ASICS Gel-Lyteracer
Tylenol Tablet: None
Expenses:
Hotel Accommodation @ Covelandia—-P 2,500.00
Food (Dinner & Breakfast)—P 1,300.oo
Fresh Fuits (Mangoes)—P 100.00
Ice—P 50.00
Gasoline—P 1,000.00
Dinner @ Carinderia—P 150.00
Total Expenses For The Day: P 5,100.00
(Note: Covelandia Beach Resort has NO Wi-Fi Connection!)
Covelandia Beach Resort in Labrador, Pangasinan is located 13 kilometers way ahead from the place where I stopped on my first day of my running adventure. You have to pass by the Poblacion of Sual, Pangasinan before reaching this place. If you are coming from Manila/Dagupan/Lingayen, you can reach this place before reaching Sual, Pangasinan.
It was already 6:45 PM of Tuesday when we entered the Beach Resort and it was already dark. I could only see the lighted portions of the place and what was important was for me to take a cold shower, change my clothes and have my dinner. Of course, the place is more expensive than Mang Ador’s Place (Cocos Beach Resort) in Barangay Ilog Malino, Patar Road, Bolinao due to the first class amenities and ambiance of the place. Overnight stay cost us P 2,500 for the De Luxe Room with BIG beds and nice pillows, linens and towels!
The plan was to maximize our stay here up to check-out time at 12:00 Noon the following day and just relax in the cottages and restaurant near the beach area. We did exactly what we planned to do—took shower, slept for 10 hours, have dinner and breakfast, and relaxed at the restaurant/beach cottages of the resort. We spent P1,300 for the food we ate here.
At exactly 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, we left the place and proceeded back to Barangay Seselangen, Sual, Pangasinan for the start of my second day of running adventure. At 12:45 PM, I was back on the road!
@ Covelandia, Labrador, Pangasinan Nipa Huts/CottagesMore Nipa Huts & CottagesKids' Swimming PoolMain Swimming Pool & Water SlidesDe Luxe Rooms @ The ResortCoffee Shop, Parking Lot, & Administration Building (Left to Right)Relaxing at the RestaurantBreakfast With Coffee...and......Pancakes as Dessert!
1st Day: March 15, 2011 (Bolinao Beach to Barangay Seselangen, Sual, Pangasinan)
I had my lunch, rest and sleep at the Caltex Station in Barangay Banog Norte, Bani, Pangasinan. I found out later from the owner that the place is called Prima Vista. The place has a restaurant, nice garden, Nipa Huts, clean Rest Rooms, and Gasoline Station. I had a brief conversation with husband-wife owner of the place. And they are nice and hospitable and they are both graduates from the Colleges in Baguio City. I told them that I am also a graduate from Baguio City and had been assigned in the area in the late 70s and early 80s, and then later as part of my Area of Operations in the 2003-2004 when I was a Brigade Commander. Now that I am retired, I am revisiting the area by running from Bolinao up to Mangatarem, Pangasinan. They wished me good luck. These guys are great, too!
Sinigang na Malaga & Mountain Dew (The "Nectar" of Ultrarunners)
At 2:45 PM of Tuesday, I left Prima Vista to resume my run towards Alaminos, Pangasinan which is 10 kilometers away. Those 10
Leaving The Boundary of Bani, Pangasinan
kilometers were hard on my left knee because the pain was still there but I maintained my Galloway ratio of 20:5 on the level/flat parts of the road but had to disrupt the ratio whenever the road goes uphill. I had to force myself to brisk walk on uphill portions of the road whether it is runable, steep, or medium-steep grade.
Uphill Terrain Going To Poblacion Alaminos
In one of my walking breaks as I was about 2 kilometers to Alaminos, I saw a lady wearing a t-shirt with the print—“Vote Maki Pulido!” I approached the lady who was watering a garden in front of their house and asked what elective position did Maki Pulido had ran during the elections. Unfortunately, the lady did not know Maki Pulido! After 200 meters, I met an old lady carrying a 2-3 year old kid and tried to ask the same question. Yes, I got the answers I needed. The lad said that Maki Pulido ran for Councilor of Alaminos, Pangasinan but she lost! If you don’t know Maki Pulido, you are not watching GMA TV7 News! There is no need for much explanation as this is not a post on politics but I am glad she did not win! No wonder I could not see her anymore with GMA TV7 News! (Note: After a brief research, Maki Pulido ran for a seat in the House of Representatives as Congresswoman but she lost. She is now back as a journalist of the GMA TV7’s Reporter’s Notebook.)
I Need To Rest...@ The Poblacion of AlaminosDo your Mathematics!
After 1 ½ hours, I was able to reach the Poblacion of Alaminos and there was traffic on the main thoroughfare, Quezon Street, with vehicles as well as pedestrians who are students coming from the different schools at the center of the town. Those high school girls were giggling whenever they see me approaching them and I was surprised to know what could be the reason why they are laughing at me. Some bystanders would ask me where is my bicycle is and why I am not riding on it. Hmmm. I concluded that most of the people in Pangasinan identify a cyclist if he is using a compression/biking shorts! And those girls were giggling because they might think that I lost my bicycle and I caught them looking on my crotch area! Well, it could be the latter observation why these young girls were laughing at me.
I walked the stretch of 2 kilometers which is the whole stretch of Alaminos’ business area along Quezon Street. I tried to run and jog while there was still pain on my left knee but he pain was still tolerable. At this point, I was able to cover a distance of 50 kilometers but the surrounding was still bright and I wanted to be on the road until it was totally dark. My final goal was to reach the Poblacion of Sual which was 16 kilometers away! I made my rough calculation and it would not be possible to be running in the dark as I approached the zigzag road before Sual’s Poblacion. I tried my best to run, shuffle and walk until I could feel exhaustion on my body and tried to observe the pain on my left knee.
@The Boundary of Sual & Alaminos...I Remember My Friends In Legazpi CityTrying To Relax & Hiding My Exhaustion
Before sunset sets in, I decided to end my run for the day at Km Post #327, 11 kilometers away from Poblacion of Sual. My left knee needed some rest and we still need to look for a place where we could sleep. With the recommendation of the owners of Prima Vista, Covelandia Beach Resort was the place to look for a rest overnight!
Last Km Post For The Day @ Brgy SESELANGEN, Sual, Pangasinan
I was able to cover a distance of 55 kilometers with almost 9 hours of actual time with my feet on the ground. It was a nice run as a part of my training for endurance and heat training. My left knee was able to hold on due to my regular intake of Tylenol Tablet 500-mg every 3-4 hours. (Note: I took only 3 tablets for the whole day!) My water hydration every 2 kilometers; Gatorade Drinks every 1 ½ hours; and constant intake of solid foods were perfect for my nutrition and “feeding” of my body. I made sure also to urinate at least once every hour during the run. My salt intake for the 1st day came from the Pork Adobo and Sinaing Na Tulingan (cooked with salt, pork fat and dried kamias fruits) I ate for dinner at the COCOS Beach Resort. These foods were part of our “baon” for the running adventure.
After dinner at the Covelandia Beach Resort and a massage from my support crew, Marlon, I was already sleeping soundly at 9:45 PM.
The following are some of data during the 1st day of the run:
Weather: Cold in the morning with breeze; Sunny & Hot at mid-day and getting cold in the late afternoon. Low at 26 degrees Celcius to High at 36 degrees Celcius.
Average Pace: 6 kilometers per hour (kph)
Shoes: ASICS Gel-Kanbarra 4
Socks: Black Puma Sports Socks (Applied ASICS “Chafe Free” Creme Courtesy of A Runner’s Circle (ARC) Store
Apparel: Under Armour Compression Shirt; New Balance Compression Shorts; Fort Ilocandia Golf Course Cotton Golf Cap; Ray-Ban Sunglass; Nathan Hydration Belt with Salt Water from Bolinao Beach & Bandana
Expenses:
Beach Resort Accommodation—-P 1,850.00
Gasoline (From Manila)———— 2,000.00
Lunch w/ Drinks @ Prima Vista——–800.00
Gasoline (From Bolinao-Sual)—– 1,300.00
Ice—————————————- 100.00
Total————————————- P 6,050.00
Another post will be published about the place called, “Covelandia Beach Resort”
Bald Runner 
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