Even if my Garmin Forerunner 305 has Interval Workout
feature which up to now I don’t really even know how it is operated, I still
bought a Gymboss which I could easily clip on my running shorts or gym workout
pants or just simply place it on a table or any part of the room if I want to
use it.
While I was visiting the ARC Store in Manila last April, I
was trying to look for a pedometer or any gadget that would count my steps/cadence
while walking/hiking or running. Instead of looking for one, my eyes caught the
colorful Gymboss gadget displayed on one of the walls of the store. I
immediately lifted one of the units and tried to read the instructions on how
to use it.
Such visit in the said store ended buying a silver colored
Gymboss with a price of P 1,275.00. You might be surprised why I bought this
small gadget impulsively and without any hesitation.
An Exact Replica of my GYMBOSS
The main reason why I bought the Gymboss was to use it in my
“Tabata” workouts for push-ups, sit-ups, strengthening workouts (yoga and
pilates) and dumdbell exercises at home.
Anyone can easily operate the Gymboss by selecting the
times/periods involved in my Tabata workouts to include the time of the
exercise, time of rest in-between exercise, the number of frequency, and the
selection whether you prefer a beep sound or vibration mode for the start and
end of every interval.
To give you an example of what I’ve been doing in my Tabata
workouts—I set the Gymboss for a duration of 40 seconds for me to do any kind
of exercise (push-ups, sit-ups, yoga/pilates pose, or strengthening exercises
using the dumdbell or any weight machine) and then set one-half of the duration
of my exercise as my rest interval which is 20 seconds. As a minimum of set of
intervals, I set 20 times which take exactly 20 minutes to do one set or cycle
of my exercises. In between intervals, the Gymboss would beep to warn the user
that it is the end/start of an interval period.
For almost three months, I’ve been using the Gymboss
purposely for my Tabata workouts and later for my daily 10-minute squat workout.
But it can be used also for running and cycling.
In running, one can use it for speed interval workouts at
the oval track and also with the Jeff Galloway method of running where one
could set the period of running and walking on interval mode.
GYMBOSS For Jeff Galloway's Running Method
In cycling, the Gymboss can be used in interval workouts in
actual road cycling and on stationary bike if you want spinning workouts.
I highly recommend GYMBOSS to any endurance athlete.
Hopefully, ARC Manila has still stock available for everybody interested to own
this gadget.
Do you prepare and train for a particular race during this supposed “running season” in the country?
Are runners and race organizers observe this supposed to be “running season” in the country?
If your answer to these questions is NO, then, we have to find out what is the appropriate “running season” for the country.
In countries where they have four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—they usually start their running season during spring time up to the end of autumn. Runners usually recover during winter time when it is hard and cold to be running with sleet and snow on the roads and trails. They usually recover, re-charge, rest, or do indoor cross-training activities just to maintain a physically fit body. So, if you observe the race schedules of popular marathon races in these countries, they are scheduled from the end of spring up to the end of autumn (Ex. Boston Marathon in April and New York City Marathon on the 1st week of November). The same is true with the popular mountain trail endurance runs and the more extreme running events (Ex. Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run on the last weekend of June and Badwater Ultramarathon on the 2nd week of July).
In the Philippines, we have only two distinct seasons–wet and dry seasons, which means that we have 6 months of wet/rainy season and another 6 months of dry/hot season. Rainy season starts in the month of June and ends on the last week of November and the Dry season starts in December and ends on the last week of May.
If you think that the 6 months of the dry season would be the appropriate “running season” for the country, you could be slightly wrong. The first 3 months (December, January, and February) are the coldest months of the year but it is followed with the very hot months of March, April, and May where Race Organizers should start their races very early in the morning.
So, based on my observation, the appropriate “running season” for the country would be the period from the first week of December up to the last week of February.
If you are a smart runner, you have to follow a “running season” where all your training and preparations are geared and focused to races (marathon, half-marathon and ultra runs) scheduled in the months of December, January, and February. Make the other scheduled races in the remaining months as part of your your training and evaluation workouts. Also, make the first three months of the rainy season (June, July, & August) as your rest & recovery months or start of your aerobic endurance phase.
On the financial side, if you are preparing for a certain race on the suggested “running season”, you will be saving a lot of unnecessary registration fees to unnecessary weekend races which are not part of your training and evaluation program for a certain race. Be smart, be simple and focused to a particular race where your target goal is realistic and attainable.
This is just a personal advise and please feel free to make your own suggestions through your comments on your thoughts about our country’s “running season”.
Respect and Loyalty. These are the two basic words that explain why I decided to run this 3rd edition of this running event which commemorates the 3rd Anniversary of Takbo.ph. Takbo.ph had been the No. 1 Running resource here in the country and it is very instrumental in spreading the awareness of long distance running to everybody. Takbo.ph had done a wonderful job for the past 3 years. Thanks to Jinoe & Quennie Gavan and to the rest of the Takbo.ph members for their dedication to running.
My attendance to this event could not be possible without the help of Jonel/FrontRunner Magazine who reacted to my call for a Race Packet as I was not able to register for this race due to my long stay abroad. Thanks, Jonel and I know already whom to call if ever I decide to run shorter races in the future.
BR as Patagonia Model
At 4:55 AM, I was already at the Starting area and I observed the usual festive mood in road races done in Metro Manila. I think the last race that I joined with this kind of atmosphere was the Condura Marathon last February. I just smiled and try to compare the simplicity of my ultra races and to the rest of the road races that are done in the city. However, it is a must to have such festive mood to give justice to all the corporate sponsors that supported the event and at the same time “prep” the runners before the start of the race.
After almost 5 months of absence in road races in Metro Manila, old and new runners would greet me that would end up for photo-ops. It was nice to see friends whom I’ve been running with for the past 3-4 years. I was able to observe that there are new faces in running in different forms and sizes. This is a good indication that more of our countrymen are getting aware of adhering to a healthy lifestyle through long distance running.
My attendance to this race, aside from being seen and meeting old and new friends, was purposely used as my formal “comeback” run after recovering from an injury. It was also my intension to use the 16K race as my slow long distance run as part of my new training.
Easy Running
My new training program (on experimentation) is basically based on my Heart Rate Monitor (heart’s beats per minute). The goal is to be able to maintain an Average Heart Rate of 132-142 beats per minute during the run in order to develop my aerobic endurance base. Translating this to my average running pace, it is very, very, slow that I would end up brisk walking in some segments of the course.
The race started on time and I was at the back of the whole pack once all the runners cleared the starting line. I was wearing two watches: Garmin Forerunner 305 on my left wrist and a Timex Watch with Heart Rate Monitor on my right wrist. My heart rate started at 122 bpm and gradually increased up to 135 bpm. During the run, I kept on glancing on my right wrist just to be sure that my heart rate monitor will not spike to 160 bpm.
By strictly observing my HR throughout the race, I was able to observe all the things that were going on, from the front/lead runners all the way to the last runners! Through the different turn-around points, I was able to greet and see more runners which I’ve never done before in my previous races. I guess, my new training brought me another view and perspective on how to observe the conduct of races and at the same time being seen by everybody.
BR with Barefoot Runner
Another aspect that resulted in this race was the fact that I had a lot of conversations with new runners at the back of the pack whose main purpose in joining the race was to be able to finish it. I came to realize that I was also a runner trying to inspire and motivate people at the back to finish the race, not through my posts in this blog, but also in “action” in road races! This another definition of running as fun!
Having Fun With The "Bald Runners" of Team Kamote
Special mention goes to Team Kamote Runners who were with me at the back of the whole pack. This team is awesome and a happy group that they run and finish together as a group/team. I enjoyed staying with this group from Km 8-12! See you in my ultra races!
A road race is not successful without the volunteers. I am happy to note that the ultra runners from the 1st generation of Takbo.ph members were in full force as volunteers along the way as marshals, cheerers, and photographers. Guys, you are the best!
Having Fun With Runners At The Back of the Pack
Who cares about the finish time and PR for the race if you are following a new training program that would result to an injury-free running career for the years to come? But for the record, I crossed the finish line in 2:34+ hours (my GF time) with a bonus of 500+ meters. Yes, I was able to maintain an average heart rate of 132-142 bpm throughout the race and I really enjoyed the company of runners as well as the volunteers.
Based from my GF data and consistent to my new training, I usually cover 6.22 kilometers every hour with an average HR of 142 bpm. Translated to ultra run pace, you can easily finish a 100-mile endurance within the cut off time of 30-32 hours if you have the patience to follow this kind of new training. However, due to the heat and humidity in the country, I could run and walk slower at 5.66 kilometers per hour and still maintaining my average HR at 132-142 bpm.
This is the reason why I discovered a formula for the most relaxing cut-off time in my ultra races. Divide 5.66 kilometers by the distance of the race and you have your prescribed cut-off time!
Congratulations to Takbo.ph for another successful event! Happy 3rd Year Anniversary!
See you on the roads and trails!
(Note: Whoever posted the pictures above at FB, my special thanks to you, guys!)
After a brief period at the Finish Area of the 2011 Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run and after an overnight stay at Rocklin, California, I decided to travel to Las Vegas, Nevada on the following day. My car’s GPS guided me for a 9-hour driving from North to South along Highway 99 and ultimately arriving at The Strip just in time for dinner.
Senator Frank Drilon & BR @ TUMI Store (Premium Outlet), Las Vegas
There are only two (2) things that I like to do in Las Vegas—Shopping and Eating. Since I am not fond of gambling (due to lack of money! hehehe!), I’d rather spend my money to some of my new line of running apparel and hiking needs. Well, my favorite places to shop are the Premium Outlets in key cities where I visit. For Las Vegas, it has two (2) Premium Outlets, one is located on the North side of The Strip and the other one is at the Southern end of the same Strip. Aside from having all the branded stores in one place, the prices of items are discounted and far cheaper than the goods you buy in Shopping Malls.
The North Premium Outlet had just opened at 10:00 AM and I was with my wife going around the shops. Just for curiosity, I entered the TUMI Store to find out the Sale Price of my TUMI Backpack which I bought from Rustan’s three years ago. Well, for a discounted price at an Outlet Store, the same backpack sells at $285.00 (exclusive of 7.5% sales tax). Not bad.
As I looked around the store, I saw a popular face and figure in Philippine Politics and boldly said something to get the attention of the person. The conversation went this way:
Bald Runner: Senator, Kumusta po? (How are you?)
Senator Drilon: (Surprised to hear a Tagalog words in Las Vegas) Ha? Mabuti naman.
BR: Nasa recess ba ngayon ang Senate, Senator?
SD: Ah..Oo
BR: E, di bale walang Senate Investigation ngayon sa atin?
SD: (Smiling) Wala!…Taga-rito ka ba?
BR: Hindi po. Pareho tayong nagbabakasyon dito! (Of course, I was smiling, too!) I came here to watch the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Trail Run in Auburn, California.
SD: (With facial expression of being confused to hear strange words from me which are non-political terms) Ahhhh…
BR: Sir, this is an extreme sports event in running on mountain trails which I want to introduce in our country. By the way, I am Retired General Jovie Narcise of the Philippine Army and now the President of the Philippine Association of Ultrarunners, our national sports federation on ultrarunning.
SD: (Looking at me intently from foot to head) When did you retire and what was your last post/designation?
BR: Senator, I retired from the active military service in May 2008 at the age of 56 and I had been promoting running and other long endurance runs as part of healthy lifestyle and well-being among our countrymen for the past 4 years. My last assignment was in your province/region as the Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army based in Jamindan, Capiz (Panay Island) for almost 1 1/2 years.
SD: That’s nice to hear.
BR: By the way, Senator, I have with me my wife who is a Registered Nurse in California (pointing my open palm to my wife who was holding my digital camera).
SD: (Smiling at my wife) Kumusta po kayo?
My wife just smiled and nodded at the good Senator.
BR: Sir, would you mind if my wife would take a picture of us here inside the TUMI Store?
SD: Yes, of course!
BR: Sir, once I get back to Manila, I will pay a courtesy call to you in your office at the Senate and present a copy of the said picture as a proof that we met here in Las Vegas. Maybe, I will have the opportunity to brief you about my advocacies in order to promote wellness and healthy lifestyle to our people through running and other endurance sports. I hope the good Senator will be able to support such advocacies and sports events.
SD: Yes, by all means! You can visit me anytime.
BR: Thank you very much, Senator!
The photo-ops was done and I gave Senator Drilon my personal Call Card. And later asked the Senator for us to leave the store ahead of him.
On a personal note, I was wearing a linen short pants with a Zion National Park Souvenir Shirt and driving shoes. Maybe, the good Senator was surprised to see a retired General wearing a casual wear appropriate for a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Las Vegas.
Well, the Bald Runner knows how to blend with the crowd!
Now that I am back in Metro Manila, it’s time to print the picture above and set an appointment with the good Senator!
The following is the Official Result of the PAU Fort Magsaysay 60K Ultra Road Race from Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City to Dingalan, Aurora on July 16, 2011.
One hour before the first runner to arrive at the Finish Line of the 2011 Western States 100-Mile Endurance Race, I was already on the gallery/grandstand area of the Placer High School Oval Track which is a few feet away from the finish arc. Volunteers for the race were mixed with lots of spectators whom I believed were family, friends, and other ultra runners from all over the neighboring States in USA and from other countries around the world.
As soon as the Emcee, John Medinger, publisher & editor-in-chief of Ultrarunning Magazine, announced that Kilian Jornet was a few meters aways from the entrance of the Oval Track, I purposely went down to the sides of the Finish Arc and positioned myself on the left side of the gallery.
I was standing on the gallery and on my left was a guy who was wearing a Hawaiian Shirt and denim pants. There was no way that I could see his frontal appearance as we were standing side by side. As soon as Kilian Jornet crossed the Finish Line, I must have said something about the physical description of the Champion. In my recollection, I might have said, “He’s small as an ultrarunner”! And then the guy on my left said something and our conversation started.
I will mention him in our conversation as the Hawaiian Guy and our conversation went this way. (Actually, he did almost all the talking and I could hardly comprehend/understand some lines that he said. I hope I can accurately relate what transpired in that brief talk with this guy).
Hawaiian Guy: Kilian Jornet is a kind and sweet person. We had been “twitting” with each other months before this race. I knew what he went through in his training and preparation.
Bald Runner: He’s too small and light to be an ultrarunner. He came prepared for this year!
HG: Kilian Jornet is a honest man and he was very transparent on his preparations towards this prestigious event.
BR: Yes, I’ve seen his Kilian Quest Videos in the Internet and he is really good. And he has the full support of Salomon.
Our conversation was interrupted with the announcements of the Emcee and some moments of taking some pictures of the Champion. As the second runner, Mike Wolfe, crossed the finish line, we continued our conversation.
The guy kept on talking about the challenges and the hardships that the elite and the average runners had gone through in their training and most of all, to come up with their respective goal in finishing the race on hand. I just kept nodding my head and sending the message to the guy that I understood all the things that he was teling me.
And suddenly, I’ve asked the following questions:
BR: Did you have the chance to participate in this race? Are you waiting for a particular runner to arrive at the Finish Line?
HG: I finished this race for THREE times! And this is the only time I came to be an spectator in this race for the past 22 years. I was the CHAMPION in the 1989 Edition and my name is Mark Brotherton! This is the old WS 100 Belt Buckle that I won as the Champion then. (Showing me his BIG Champion SILVER WS100 Belt Buckle as he turned his body to his right!)
BR: Ohhh…Wow!!! Awesome!!! (Surprised with BIG eyes!!!) I am Jovie and I am from Manila, Philippines. This is my first time to watch this event and see the terrain of the route. I came here to run for MIWOK 100 but I was injured and I extended my stay here to see the real action of the top ultra trail runners in this event.
Mark Brotherton: Very nice! I have friends who are Filipinos and they are the “best” Registered Nurses in the whole world. As a Medical Doctor, I’ve worked with them. They are kind, loyal and industrious. Do you have plans of participating in this race in the future?
BR: Thanks for that nice compliment to our nurses. Well…I hope I am still strong to finish a 100-mile run in 30 hours with my age of 60 years old by next year. I have to qualify first. I have to improve my 50-mile finish time.
MB: You can finish it. Just prepare and train for it. Wait…I think there is a famous ultramarathon race in the Philippines which I discovered while I was browsing the Internet 2-3 nights ago. I think…it’s the BATAAN DEATH MARCH!!!!
BR: (Surprised…Smiling…with both Eyes wide-open!) Oh, yes…we have that race in the Philippines and I am the Creator and Race Director of the said event and we had this year’s 3rd edition last March. This year, we did the first BDM 100-Mile Run where the finish line is the very same place where the POWs Concentration Camp was located in Camp ODonnell, Tarlac.
MB: Wow! It’s a honor to meet you!
BR: It’s my pleasure also to meet and talk to a Legend and Champion of the Western States 100!
MB: We have to look where Kilian Jornet is right now and I have to meet him.
BR: OK, I have to look for my wife, too! And then try to have a picture with Kilian.
As we were going on a separate direction, Mark said something which I could vaguely understand…but there were words which I could understand.
Mark Brotherton: Jovie, thanks for the conversation. I hope you will not say I am “Mr GAGO” if you relate this story to your friends.
Bald Runner: No! I will not do that! Bye..Thanks! (At the back of my mind, I was thinking that Mark B must be fluent in Tagalog as he is associated with Filipino nurses in the hospital. Well, I just said to myself…if there is “LADY GAGA”, why not for a “GENTLEMAN GAGO” as a name of a male singer? hahaha! I am sure, he should be a Pinoy!)
As soon as I was back at the Hotel, I immediately opened my laptop and browsed the Internet to find out more about Mark Brotherton. This is what the results are: 1985 WS 100; 1987 WS 100; and 1989 WS 100.
As the Champion in the 1989 edition of the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Race, his finish time was 16:53:39 hours. In this year’s edition, his time would land on the 13th position which is still considered as solid, heroic, fast, and strong finish.
He is now one of my “friends” on Facebook and we exchange “comments” with one another. I know he will be the first one who will read this post as soon as I publish it.
With his permission, I am posting some of his pictures that I “grabbed” from his Profile at Facebook.
Janelle & Mark Brotherton (Note: The Hawaiian Shirt & WS100 Silver Buckle)WS 100 Champion Mark Brotherton In Action
Yes, he is also sporting a “Bald” look!!!
This confirms my theory (again??) that “Bald Runners” are the best Ultra Runners!!!! (Joke!)
If you are familiar or have a GPS gadget in your car or in your iPhone/Android Apps (not in your Garmin Forerunner watch), you would know about the word.
Once you set your destination on the said GPS and push the button “GO”, you are “locked” to the said place and the GPS will do the rest for you by taking the fastest route (or sometimes, the less traffic route) and it will lead you exactly to your destination. However, if you miss a street or a turn, a voice of a lady would be be audible and you would hear the word, “recalculating”!
The word, Recalculating, will warn you that your GPS will correct your mistake and finally, bring you on course to your destination.
At this point in my running career as an average runner, I am on a “recalculating” mode after missing a “turn” or missing an “exit” along the highway. In long distance running, those “missed turns and exits” could be similar to mistakes in training; injury; plateau in competition; wrong choice of running shoes and apparel; wrong coach; wrong attitude; wrong company of running friends; wrong goals/objectives; boredom; wrong values; wrong choice of races; wrong focus; or simply, wrong choice of living the life!
So, “recalculating” mode would mean to me as rest and recovery; change in training; change in one’s strategy in racing, nutrition & hydration; changes in Race Directing; changing in one’s attitude; changing one’s values; changing one’s outlook in life; or simply said, completely “overhaul” of what I’ve learned and doing before. Recalculating is Changing!
With my running and preparation for my next race, I have embarked on a different approach which I’ve been doing for the past one week. This kind of training will take me at least 3 months to determine and test if it is working for me. I hope that the duration of 3 months would completely bring back my aerobic endurance base. I really need PATIENCE in this kind of training.
Give me three (3) months before I could post in this blog if I am improving or not. Knowing that running is an experiment of one, I hope this kind of training approach and philosophy will guide me towards more years of living and be able to fulfill my “dreams and bucket list” in running. (Note: It does not mean that I will be out from blogging from those 3 months!)
Let us find time to think and ponder on the quotation below:
“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself”—-Tolstoy
Just like in any sport, technology is coming into play as an edge over your opponent or competitor. In endurance sports like long distance running/ultra marathon runs, technology plays on the runner’s kit (shoes and apparel), nutrition, and hydration. This is in addition with the technology devoted on the running form and body/physical structure of the runner; and other training-related “ways and means” in order to win in a certain race.
In the newly-concluded Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, interest had been focused on the training/preparation and the equipment/kit & nutrition that the Champion, Kilian Jornet, had used during the race. On the training/preparation, we all know that Kilian Jornet had been all around Europe and the world, so to speak, since his 3rd finish in last year’s Western States 100 to compete in ultra trail races and documenting his “Kilian Quest” as sponsored by Salomon. Last May, 5 weeks before the WS 100, he won and registered a course record for the TNF 100K in Australia.
Kilian's Shorts & Shirt (A close-up with my picture with him reveals its Gel pockets) Source: Competitor.com
In his attire during this year’s WS 100, we was wearing a loose “muscle shirt-type” upper attire which is colored white and combined with a loose trail shorts which has an inseam of about 3-4 inches. But if you noticed closely the upper white portion of his shorts, you could see a belt-type pocket all-around his waist where you can see GU Gels in it. It appears that the belt/waist portion of the shorts is lined-up with secret pockets where the runner can store/carry gels or powdered electrolytes. Wearing loose apparel was a way to solve the the hot temperature on the canyons along the route of the race.
I did not see Kilian using a hydration bottle when he reached the Placer Oval Track. He was not holding anything during his last 300 meters to the finish line. However, in his pre-interviews, he stated that Salomon had made a special hand glove water bottles for him which he can hold while running. Kilian was a victim of lack of hydration and electrolytes on the last quarter part of last year’s WS 100 as he experience muscle cramps. As you can see in his first attempt in the WS 100, he was not holding or wearing a hydration system during the race.
In an article at Competitor.com, the hand glove bottles were featured as shown below:
Hand Gloves With Water Bottles & Food Bars (Source: Competitor.com)
As for the running shoes, he used the lightest Salomon Trail Shoes which is considered as a prototype to be tested in the said race.
Salomon Trail Shoes (Source: Competitor.com)
And he was running without any socks!!!
Looking at the physical structure of Kilian, he was very light in weight. His height could be 5 feet and 6 inches with a weight of about 130-135 pounds. Using the lightest apparel and equipment and proper nutrition and hydration, could result to a well-trained and prepared athlete for the Championship in this race.
Of course, he has the Salomon Team on his “back and sides” to fully support and finance him just to be able to win the most prestigious 100-Mile Trail Run in Northern America.
This is an example and mark of what we call, “Sports Excellence”.
If you are wondering at what age he started to be trained and his exploits in the past, you can read his story and other related topics about him at www.kilianjornet.cat.
On the latest interview of Kilian Jornet after his win in the WS 100, you can read about his insights here at Running Times.
There were three reasons why I went to the US. First, to join/participate in the 2011 Miwok 100K Ultra Trail Run in Marin Headlands where I ended as one of the Volunteers. Second, to make a recon on the route and watch the top finishers of the prestigious 2011 Western States 100-Mile Endurance Race. And, third, to have a rest and vacation from running. It is a blessing in disguise that I was injured last March during my adventure from from “West to East”.
Looking Like A Lost Tourist At Foresthill
Last weekend, I drove from Los Angeles to Foresthill, California and later to Auburn’s Placer High School Oval Track where the finish line of the Western States 100-Mile Race is located. The distance I’ve traveled was about 450 miles which took me for about 10 hours to include my pit stops along the way. After not being able to locate the exact location of the Foresthill High School where one of the Aid Stations was located, I opted to finally wait at the Finish Line.
While Waiting At The Finish Line
After one hour of waiting, the 1st runner arrived and it was Spain’s Kilian Jornet in 15:34:23 hours. He was followed by Mike Wolfe after 4-5 minutes and then Nick Clark, Jez Bragg, and Tsuyoshi Kaburaki of Japan. I left the place after Kaburaki finished the race.
After Crossing The Finish Line, Kilian Turned Around To the Cheering Crowd
While Kilian Jornet was interviewed by the Race Director Greg Soderlund, I had a chance to have a conversation with a nice guy who was standing beside me on the gallery. I was surprised to know that he was the Champion runner in the 1989 Western States edition! I guess, we talked for about 30 minutes that I forgot to track down Kilian Jornet with the crowd. My conversation with this interesting guy will be reserved in a dedicated post in this blog.
Finally, I tried to locate Kilian by trying to find his support team’s vehicle at the parking lot and I thought I missed the opportunity to talk and have a picture with him. But I was surprised to find out that he was still inside the perimeter of the oval track. I was able to track him as he came out from the bathroom!
If I am 145 lbs, Kilian Must Be 135 lbs!!!
I talked to him and wished him with a big congratulations! And he replied positively and he was smiling. We had a brief conversation and he was still fresh and looked like he did not run for the past 15 1/2 hours for a distance of 100 miles in the mountain trails. I requested for a picture with him and he was very cooperative. We talked briefly after the shots and other people from the audience requested also for some pictures with him before he left the oval track compound.
Let me describe how he ran the last 50 yards to the finish line. He started to brisk walk and had “high fives” with the audience on the right side of the oval track. He was also congratulated with handshakes with the people before the finish line. After those handshakes and “high fives”, he simply walked and crossed the Finish Line and turned around and raised his hands towards the cheering audience on the track and on the grandstand. He was smiling and he was looking fresh!
Another Picture With The 2011 Western States 100-Mile Run Champion
After standing on the weighing scale to get his weight, he was awarded with his medal and congratulated by the Race Director. Immediately, he was interviewed by the RD and his answers were heard by the crowd. He was simply a humble and happy guy!
Looking at him within a distance of 5-7 meters, I could see that he is as tall or short like my elite runners with Team Bald Runner. It appears that the has the same size/built and height with Alquin Bolivar and Alley Quisay. I have the notion that our size as Asian has the potential to train and excel in this kind of race. Knowing that Kilian is considered as the youngest winner in this race at the age of 23 years old, it defies the odds that ultra runners are best when they are more matured or older in age.
As he left the oval track’s compound towards his support vehicle, I could see that he was walking normally without any sign of limping.
It was an amazing sight of a young, strong, and fast ultra mountain trail runner.
If you have read the book of Dean Karnazes, Ultramarathon Man, you would know that on the last Saturday of June of every year, the prestigious Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run from Squaw Valley, California near Lake Tahoe to Auburn, California is being conducted and lots of ultra trail running enthusiasts and runners are glued on the webcast and latest running news sources just to be able to know the activities before, during and after the run.
WS 100 Logo
A final count of 415 participants will be at the starting line as the race would start at 5:00 AM of Saturday. These participants had been picked up/selected through lottery as applicants should be qualified from their past ultra trail races in 100K, 50-mile, and 100-mile races. To give you an example of one of the qualifying standards to apply in this race, you must be able to finish a 50-mile trail run in less than 11 hours! However, if you are qualified in one of the qualifying races, it does not mean that you will be accepted as you have to go through the selection process which is called lottery.
The race has an international flavor and coverage as 52 of the runners are represented from 25 countries. It is worthy to note that there are 2 from China; 2 from Japan; 1 from South Korea and another 1 from Singapore. I would say that in two to three years, a local Filipino ultra runner would be able to qualify and participate in this prestigious 100-mile ultra trail race.
The race’s prestige goes with the price of joining it. The registration fee is $ 375.00 which is paid up front when you apply. However, if you are not selected in the lottery, your payment will not be charged in your credit card. Coming from the Philippines to join this race will entail a lot of fortune! I just hope that one of the outdoor brands or sports stores in the country would be able to sponsor one runner to represent the country in this prestigious trail running event.
So, if you browse the internet on the different blogs of ultra runners and other ultra running resources online, you would feel the hype and concentrated interest on this race. Foremost topic now is to who will win the men’s and/or women’s race. The 2010 edition of the race is still the “most talked” about event in the ultra trail running history as three of the top ultra trail runners in the world (Kilian Jornet of Spain, Anton Krupicka, and Geoff Roes) battled it out for the top finisher in the race. The race resulted in the breaking of the previous record time by Geoff Roes (Champion) and Anton Krupicka with a time of 15:07:04 hours and 15:13:52 hours, respectively.
My prediction is that Geoff Roes will get the top honors, followed by Kilian Jornet of Spain, Ian Sharman of Great Britain, Nick Clark of Great Britain, Hal Koerner (WS 2009 & 2007 Champion), Dave Mackey, and Mike Wolfe, in that order.
As for the ladies, I am predicting Ellie Greenwood for the Lady Champion, followed by Nikki Kimball, Anita Ortiz, Aliza Lapierre, Pam Smith (2011 Miwok 100 Champion), and the following lady runners—Tracy Garneau, Amy Sproston, Meghan Arbogast, and ARC’s Maggie Beach.
As for most of the runners, their aim is to get the Western States 100-Mile Silver Belt Buckle for finishing in 24 hours or less. And the rest would aim to finish the race within the cut-off time of 30 hours and bring home the Bronze Belt Buckle.
WS 100 Silver Buckle
You can google the names of the above elite runners to find out their training, strategy, and expectations on the said race. If you want to know more about the activities in this race, you can visit the event’s website at http://ws100.com
In a related ultra running event, there is a multi-day stage “Run Across America Race” that started last Sunday, June 19, 2011 in Huntington Beach, Los Angeles, California and it will end in New York in 70 days, covering a distance of 3,200+ miles. There are 16 participants in this race and I am reading the blog of one of the participants, James Adams from Great Britain, about his daily experiences along the route and the race. If you are interested to read his blog, you can click Running And Stuff (RAM) on my Blogroll.
I am surprised that this Race is very organized and well-planned. There is a Race Organizer Group that really administer and supervise the runners as they progress through the race. I am going to attach this year’s LA-NY Roadbook to prove that a registration fee of $ 6,500 is worth the experience if you are interested in this kind of road race. However, the race’s Racebook compilation of detailed directions and maps is already a treasure to keep! I hope my Pinoy Ultra Runners who have plans of doing their Run Across America would be happy to have a copy of this Roadbook as their reference.
If ever some of the Pinoys who pronounced and relayed to us that they ran across America (in the past) would read this post, I would ask them (again!) to show us their detailed directions, maps of route they have taken, and their daily stories and experiences on the road. If you happen to know them, please relay this information.
Bald Runner 
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