Is there a word like “Breach of Publicity”? I know, there is such word like “Breach of Promise” or “Breach of Contract”.
In today’s GLOBE RUN FOR HOME, the members of the Team Bald Runner and other elite runners who won in the top rankings in the 21K, 10K and 5K races were not able to receive their cash prizes, trophies, medals, and supposed to be TIMEX Watches.
It was published that the cash prizes for the 21K Run are P 15,000; P 10,000; and P 5,000 for the First, Second, and Third Finishers, respectively. For the 10K Run—P 10,000 for the First Finisher; P 7, 500 for the 2nd Finisher; and P 5,000 for the 3rd Finisher. As for the 5K run, the Cash Prize ranges from P 5,000 to P 2,000 for the Top Three Finishers.
These cash prizes were supposed to be received by the winners during the awarding ceremony after the road race. But the Race Organizer did not give any of the published prizes to the winners as they were only called to proceed to the stage. And that was it! No medals, trophies, and even those prepared TIMEX Watches for the winners were not given.
A certain Christine Aguilar from Globe Telecom instructed the winners to proceed to the GLOBE Office at GLOBE TOWER on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 to get their cash prizes. This is not the usual norm in awarding of prizes for road races. Prizes are supposed to be given immediately after the race. These elite athletes are busy on their training during weekdays and they have to shell-out some money for their fares in going to the GLOBE office and back to their homes. The fact is that these athletes are in dire need of money. So, you can just imagine the frustration on the faces of these athletes as they go back to their homes after the race’s awarding ceremony.
Due to the forest fires at the Los Angeles National Forest last November, the Inaugural Pasadena Marathon was cancelled and later postponed to March 22, 2009 after the Los Angeles Marathon was re-scheduled to May 25, 2009.
My son, John, started to train for the Pasadena Marathon when he had his visit in the country last 20 January 2009 and Coach Ferdie was able to give him his training schedule for the said marathon.
This morning, I received an e-mail from my daughter, Jovelle, and informed me about their performance. I was surprised that John got injured during the race as it was raining. He was able to finish the marathon but had to walk with limp up to the finish line. He finished in 5:37:49 hours. On the other hand, my daughter, Jovelle, opted to run the Half-Marathon and she was happy to inform me that she improved her time when we ran together during the 2006 Inaugural City of Angels Half-Marathon. She got a time in the Pasadena Marathon in 2:11:49 hours.
To my running kids, congratulations for being a part of the historic Pasadena Marathon and for finishing your respective race despite the injury of John.
The following are the details of their performance for the race:
Marathon
Runner Details
Bib: 1511 Name: John Paul Narcise Gender: M
Age: 30
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Race Results
Overall: 1132 out of 1486
Men: 809 out of 985
M 30-34: 100 out of 118
Age/Grade: 36.98% Place: 1337
Finish: 5:37:49 Pace: 12:54
Tag Time: 5:37:49
Gun Time: 6:05:07
Half Marathon
Runner Details
Bib: 4636 Name: Jovelle Narcise Gender: F
Age: 29
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Race Results
Overall: 1048 out of 2890
Women: 360 out of 1609
F 25-29: 72 out of 237
Age/Grade: 49.95% Place: 1127
Finish: 2:11:49 Pace: 10:04
Tag Time: 2:11:49
Gun Time: 2:39:08
This is the most anticipated race of the year and the race organizers warned all the runners to arrive early at the assembly area on race day because of the heavy traffic brought about by the record number of registered runners. I had to go to bed early last night and I was soundly sleeping at 8:00 PM. I woke up at 3:45 AM and did my “drill of preparation” and I was out from my place before 4:30 AM. After a few minutes, I was already at The Fort and immediately did my warm-up jog until I was about to perspire, had my stretching exercises while greeting other people/runners who would pass by. I was surprised to see Patrick Concepcion aka The Running Shield, the Race Organizer doing also his jogging on the same place where I was having my stretching. We had a short conversation and personally congratulated him for a very successful race because of the positive response from the runners. I found out that the total number of runners reached up to 6,500+ with 1,200+ runners joining the half-marathon race. It was nice talking to him after so many months that I haven’t seen him in road races, however, we are always in contact with regular exchanges of SMS on matters pertaining about running.
I met George aka Fuerza Armada of NAMRIA and he was proud to introduce a dozen of runners who came all the way from Vigan, Ilocos Sur to participate in the said run. I introduced these runners to Patrick and he was happy and surprised that runners who came from a place which is 400 kilometers north of Metro Manila would join his run and support its noble cause. I wonder how many more of these runners who came all the way from Visayas and Mindanao. This is a gauge and indication of the present popularity of long distance running in the country. I am happy, too, because all of these runners admitted that they are regular readers and visitors of this blog. I am flattered when the runners I met along the way would call me “Idol”.
Five minutes before the start of the race, I entered the 21K corral and it was “jampacked” with a lot of runners that I tried to inch my way to the front of the runners. This is where I met the Hardcore Group & Team Bald Runner-Professional Group. It was nice to see Philip aka Foreign Runner (where have you been?), Jerry Karundeng aka High Altitude (with his luminous green shirt), Jonel aka Bugobugo85 (the “wingman”), Arman aka Pinoy Mafiosi, Mari of PLDT, Mark & Charlie, Jay Lee aka Fashion Guru, the Power Runners, and the Bataan 102 Warriors led by Atty Jeffrey Abenina & Jun Lapira aka David Goggins. I was in the company of Hardcore & Crazy Runners at the Starting Area and I consider them as the “coolest & most relaxed” runners before the start of a race.
In the true tradition of Rudy Biscocho’s road races, the race started not on time but it started two minutes before the announced start of the race. After the playing of the National Anthem & delivery of messages from the Race Organizers and Race Director, the race started without funfare and I was in the company of Jonel as we tried to look for our space on the first kilometer of the race.
Staying at the front of the corral before the starting gun is fired is a nice part of tactics in races because you can maintain your running space and average pace immediately. I conditioned myself to be slow on the first kilometer. From the starting area, the runners go all the way to Serendra and turned right at the 26th Avenue towards the old McDonalds. Before reaching the One McKinley Place Building, I was already about to have finished the first kilometer. The first kilometer was very slow but I was able to pass/overtake some of the runners.
Km #1 Split Time—5:16 minutes
I knew I was too slow on the first kilometer after looking at my watch. I wanted at least to have a pace not to exceed the 5:00-minute pace for the said race. I started to increase my pace as I passed the old McDonald and all the way to the Jollibee. Jonel and I were able to overtake more runners. As we got nearer to the Jollibee, we were able to catch up with Philip aka Foreign Runner. We were surprised to see Philip with an slower pace as he was our top runner during our speed training sessions three months ago. He is telling the truth afterall that he does have any training/running workouts for the past months. As we reached the area fronting the Shell Gasoline Station and about to enter the Kalayaan Flyover, we are ending the 2nd kilometer mark.
Km #2 Split Time—4:42 minutes
The uphill climb at the Kalayaan Flyover made me shift to my faster stride frequency with shorter stride length and lighter with my footstrike. At this time, the route was already wide for the runners and we are in the company with more of the Bataan 102 Boys. The rolling terrain of the Kalayaan Flyover made us run faster as the downhill part would force us to lengthen our strides. Before going down towards Buendia Blvd, we were able to complete 3 kilometers of the race.
Km #3 Split Time—4:42 minutes
As we reached Buendia, we maintained our pace but some of the runners would overtake us. We would make them as our “targets” to overtake along the way and just waiting for them to show signs of slowing down before we take the necessary action and increase our pace. I always remind Jonel of our average pace by shouting the time with the thought that I should not slow down and breach the 5:00-minute pace. As we reached the crossing of Buendia and Makati Avenue, it marked the end of Kilometer #4.
Km #4 Split Time—4:42 minutes
At this time, I became observant along the way. I was trying to recall if I have seen any Kilometer Markings along the side of the road from the time I left the Starting Area. I knew, the 10K turnaround is about to be reached after running for almost 20 minutes. While looking around for markers, I continouosly looked at my watch and tell to everybody the average pace. Suddenly, we reached the 10K turnaround and it signified that we were able to run a distance of 5 Kilometers. We were approaching RCBC Plaza at this point.
Km #5 Split Time—4:40 minutes
At the RCBC Plaza, I knew we are about to reach the Ayala Avenue Crossing and the slight downhill along Buendia had ended. After passing the crossing, this part of Buendia was already flat and it was just a matter of time before we reached the entrance to the Skyway. The runners were directed by the Road Marshal to shift to the left side of Buendia after running for some time on the right side of the road. This was a warning to us that we are getting nearer to the Osmena Avenue/South Expressway and before turning left towards the approach towards the Skyway. 500 meters from the Railroad tracks marked the end of Kilometer 6.
Km #6 Split Time—4:36 minutes
After running for about 500 meters, we were led to a small street that would avoid us from running the elevated railroad tracks and we turned left. As we turned left, we could see the approach of the Skyway, which is the left side. I tried to increase my pace and prepared myself for the rolling terrain of the Skyway. After running for about 200 meters, I was running along the approach of the Skyway. It was a nice sight to see the straight direction of the Skyway. But it was a challenge to see a higher elevation along the route. The first 300 meters of the Skyway marked the end of Kilometer 7.
Km #7 Split Time—4:35 minutes
Running along the Skyway was an unforgettable experience being my first time to see it as I never used this elevated highway since it was contructed in the early 90’s. I concentrated looking at the runners far ahead of us and it was too wide for the 1,200 runners who participated in the half-marathon. There was that portion that went uphill and I thought it slowed me down. Water stations were abundant along the Skyway and the people manning them were helpful in extending their hands with the water cups to the passing runners. I was still at the Skyway at the end of Kilometer 8.
Km #8 Split Time—4:57 minutes
As I got nearer to the highest point of the Skyway, I knew I was getting slower. I tried to be light on my footstrike and saw to it that I would drink water in every water station. The end of Kilometer 9 would end at the point on top of the Magallanes Interchange/Flyover. This was the highest point of the Skyway. Jonel started to increase his pace and left me after the water station at the peak of the route.
Km #9 Split Time—5:02 minutes
At this point, the lead runners would be on their way back to where we entered the Skyway. Except for Eduardo “Vertek” Buenavista, the other 3 runners at the lead pack were members of the Elite Team Bald Runner. I had to cheer them as they met me along the way. I tried to increase my pace by lifting my knees some more from the ground as I had my sight at the turnaround point.
Km #10 Split Time—4:47 minutes
I took my GU Roctane at this point and drank water from the bottled wated stucked on my back with my compression shorts. I was the only one at the turnaround point and immediately got my string. As I was going back to Buendia, I would see the runners who were on my back and about to reach the turnaround point. This was where I started to hear shouts of “Bald Runner”, “BR”, “General”, “Sir Jovie” and “Mr Bald Runner” from the runners at my left side. Of course, I had to acknowledge these people by shouting something that would encourage them and sometimes, mentioning their names and giving them “high five” as I extend my hand to them. Guys, thanks for those greetings! I can not afford to be a “snub” to everybody. It was okey if I got slower by half of a second by doing all of these things! It was part of having fun running along the Skyway!
Km #11 Split Time—4:48 minutes
At Kilometer 12, I was still at the Skyway. More people would greet me from the incoming runners.
Km #12 Split Time—4:53 minutes
At Kilometer 13, I was still at the Skyway but the runners on the left side of the road were the slower ones already. I was going downhill and I knew I was going faster.
Km #13 Split Time—4:42 minutes
I tried to maintain my average pace as I have overtaken more of the runners while I was at the Skyway.
Km #14 Split Time—4:43 minutes
In about 500 meters, I knew I was about to end my first and only experience to run along the Skyway and I was back running along Buendia Avenue.
Km #15 Split Time—4:56 minutes
I tried to increase my average pace but fatigue was starting to creep to my legs but I knew I can still manage to maintain my pace towards the finish line. At this point, I could see more runners who were starting to walk and I encouraged them to jog all the way to the finish line.
Km #16 Split Time—4:51 minutes
Crossing the Ayala Avenue along Buendia was the start of a slight uphill and I knew my average pace will become slower. I tried to maintain my pace and at least, make my pace faster but the uphill climb was really a challenge. After passing the Makati Avenue marked the end of Kilometer 17.
Km #17 Split Time—5:02 minutes
The last uphill climb was the Kalayaan Flyover and I was in the company of the slower runners in the 10K race. I had to pass these runners and tried to run faster and avoided the crowd but the steep flyover would slow me down some more. Halfway along the Kalayaan Flyover marked the end of Kilometer 18.
Km #18 Split time—5:23 minutes
I tried to increase my pace as I passed the 10K runners who were still at the Kalayaan Flyover. It was already downhill towards the end of the Flyover and I could see the Shell Gasoline Station. Upon reaching the Shell Station, it marked the end of Kilometer 19.
Km #19 Split Time—4:55 minutes
It was a matter of time before reaching the Finish Line and I was confident that I would be able to improve my time from my past Half-Marathon Race at the Patakbo Sa Kabundukan last December. As I reached 26th Avenue, I knew it was an slight uphill climb towards Serendra. I knew I was feeling fatigued and I could already feel the effects of the sun. I had my last drink of water and tried to increase my pace at the end of Kilometer 20.
Km #20 Split Time—5:22 minutes
Near the Finish LineTrying to Squeeze With the Lesser Distance Runners
At this point, my time was at 1:38+ hours and I just cruised along knowing that I could break my last Half-Marathon time. The road marshals kept on signalling the 21K runners to enter the lane where the 10K runners were crowded but I insisted on running on the left lane. It brought a little disturbance and distraction to the faster runners along the 26th Avenue when the 21K runners were trying to compete for space on the said lane. It was a nice sight to see the digital clock at the Finish Line with the readings of 1:42+ hours as I got nearer to it.
Km #21 Split Time—4:58 minutes
I finally finished the Half-Marathon race, according to my GF 305, in 1:43:08 hours with an average pace of 4:53 minutes per kilometer. Not bad. I improved my time from my previous Half-Marathon time in the 2008 Patakbo Sa Kabundukan by 2:32 minutes. I might not be able to attain the average speed of 4:48 mins per kilometer as a result of my speed training but I am still satisfied with my time despite my preparations for the Bataan 102K.
The conduct of the race was outstanding and I consider this race as the biggest race so far for the past two years since running became a popular sports in the country. This is a proof that we are in the 2nd “boom” of running popularity in the country since in the late ’70s. Congratulations to Condura/Patrick & Ton Concepcion for their “vision” in promoting road races in the country. The efficiency and experience of Mr Rudy Biscocho as the Race Director was also contributory for the success of the race.
Overall Rating of the Race—98%
The Members of AGTARAY Running Club of Vigan, Ilocos SurBR with Patrick Concepcion & Wife
I was able to meet more runners as I delayed my departure from my parking area. The Bataan 102 “Warriors” would like to get their race packets from me & my staff after the Condura Run and I waited for them as they had another 7-8 kilometers of extended running workout. More people and runners would have their pictures taken and I was surprised that Patrick came back for some photo-ops with his wife. I took this opportunity to personally congratulate him for raising the “standards” in road racing in the country.
The Condura Run was something for the “books” of running in the country because of its unique route and the efficiency & experience of the Race Director and its staff. The 2009 Condura Run, so far, is the Best! As for theparticipants, whether you are a fun runner or competitive one, congratulations to those who finished their respective race and to those who have attained their PRs in this road race!
I just had my 30-minute “active recovery” run at the Mall Of Asia (MOA) during the BDO Walk For Life 3K & 6K Walk/Run Event. On my way to MOA, I tried to look at the portion of the Skyway where the Condura Half-Marathon Run will take its route. I observed that once a runner reaches the Skyway level from the Buendia side, it will be an uphill climb up to the Magallanes Flyover and slightly going down on the way to the turn-around point. It should be noted that the height of the Skyway is higher than the ordinary flyovers that we have in Metro Manila.
I’ve never tried to use the Skyway in my life and the sight of the Skyway as I passed under it on my way to MOA and back to Makati made me nervous and not excited afterall. It looks like I will be running towards the peak of a big hill! I hope my hill runs, hill repeats and “stair” drills for the past days will be enough to prepare me for the challenge of running the Skyway portion of the race. I hope also that I will be able to implement my race strategy and at least, improve my finish time for the Half-Marathon.
As part of the BR’s Speed Training at the ULTRA Oval Track, each member who is joining a weekend road race must be able to run 75% of the road distance he/she has to race at Best Effort or 100%-110% Lactate Threshold at least two (2) days before race day. This is followed with a 30-minute slow jog, we call as “active recovery” run, at 70% of one’s Best Effort or Lactate Threshold on the day before the race. And every runner must be relaxed, stretched, fully-massaged, hydrated, and carbo-loaded on the day before the race. Each runner is advised to sleep early on the night before the race, at least, an 8-hour of sleep is the ideal sleep duration. The speed workout two days before the race, which is a “must”, and the 30-minute “active recovery” run on the day before the race are the “secret” weapons of those runners attending the Team BR’s speed training. This is the reason why our runners keep on improving their PR best times in every race they participate. Prediction #1—Team BR members will again register another record in their PRs in this race! I suggest, you keep in pace with these runners or make them as your “targets” and for sure, you will get a PR, too!
We usually do this speed workout on Friday afternoon but because of the invitation of Jinoe aka Manokan Express/takbo.ph and my intention to join his Carboloading Party with other runners joining the Condura Run this evening, I scheduled my speed training earlier this morning. I arrived at the ULTRA Oval Track at 5:40 AM and I saw Mari of Team Bald Runner (Professional Group) about to finish his 75% speed run and Amado aka Reinier 6666 who is also about to finish his racewalking workout. After a warm-up jog around the track for 3 laps and stretching, I started my 15.75 Km run at my Best Effort. Last week, as my preparation for the “Run For Your Lives” 10K Run, I did a 7.5 Km run and I finished it with an average speed of 4:33 minutes. As a result of the race last Sunday, I registered the same average speed with that of my speed run two days before the race despite those hills inside McKinley Hill Area. After running for 15.75 kms this morning, my GF 305 registered a time of 1:14+ hours with an average pace of 4:48 minutes per kilometer. Basing from this result, I am sure I will be able to improve my time for the Condura Run from that of last December’s Patakbo Sa Kabundukan Half-Marathon where I finished in 1:45:40 hours with an average pace of 4:56 minutes per kilometer. Prediction #2-–Using my past speed runs’ average pace with the results of the actual road race, which are the same, I could see another improvement of my finish time in the Condura Run with the hope that I could sustain the average pace of 4:48 minutes per kilometer. So, I will be happy if you will make me as your “target” in this race but if you will be faster and intend to be infront of me, I’ll be happy also to consider you as my “target”!
On race strategy for the Half-Marathon. There are only three (3) options to select—you could be very fast on the first half (10K) and try to hang on up to finish and become slower in the last half; or you could be conservative on the first half (10K) with slower pace and increasing your pace on the last half up to the finish line; or lastly, maintain an even pace from the start up to the finish. Depending on your training/preparation and the level of competitive condition of your body, you can select one of these options stated.
Now, let us go with my race strategy for the race. In my past speed runs and 10K road races, I have the tendency to be very fast on the first half of the race and try to hang on with a slightly slower pace up to the finish line. The culprit for this kind of strategy is my tendency not to be observant on the data registered on my GF 305 watch. Simply said, I don’t look at my watch not until I start to slow down on the 2nd half of the race. However, in longer races, like in 15K, 20K, Half-Marathon, 25K, and Marathon races, I have the tendency to be conservative on the 1st half of the race and try to maintain a pre-programmed average pace by constantly looking at my watch every kilometer, making sure that I would not be running at a slower pace. If I still have the strength on the 2nd half, I try to increase my pace and attain 110% Total Effort. This race strategy had been very effective for me in road races with distances of more than 10K. So, if you see me running at an average pace of 5:00 minutes per kilometer on the 1st few kilometers of the race and you would pass/overtake me, it is okey with me because I have to maintain my race strategy.
Let us consider the terrain of the route, on the first half, the first uphill is the Kalayaan Flyover going to Buendia/Gil Puyat and then at the uphill-approach towards the Skyway. On the second half, the uphill portion of the route starts from the crossing Ayala Avenue all the way to the Kalayaan Flyover. This is what I will do to conquer these uphill climbs along the route. After running a conservative pace for about 1 1/2 kilometers, the Kalayaan Flyover will be there infront of me. I’ll just take an average pace of 5:00-5:15 minutes per kilometer going up the flyover and making sure to increase my pace from its peak and going down along Buendia and maitain a “cruising pace” of 4:50-minute per kilometer up to the approach of the Skyway. Going up to the Skyway would slow me down to 5:20 pace and I would be able to bring back my “cruising pace” of 4:45-4:50 pace along the Skyway. The big problem now will be the slight and gradual increase of uphill from crossing Ayala to the Kalayaan Flyover. I am sure this will slow down my pace plus the fact that the sun will start to rise on the horizon. I should be able to maintain my average pace below the 5:00-minute pace while running along this part of the route. From the downhill portion of the Kalayaan Flyover to the Finish Line would be a easy run for me and for everybody.
Instead of using my NIKE Lunaracer, I’ll consider using my Newtons for this race. My tight compression shorts and Bataan 102 Race Shirt will be my running attire for this race. I am expecting that more of the Bataan 102 “Warriors” will be wearing their race shirts during this run. I need to take one (1) GU Roctane before the start of the race and take another one at the halfway turn-around point. This, more expensive sports gel, works well with me since I started using it in my last year’s San Francisco Marathon and my ultramarathon distance runs. I need to hydrate myself every water station and I am confident that I will not be wearing my hydraton belt on this race. I know, the Race Organizers (Patrick & Ton Concepcion) and the Race Director (Rudy Biscocho) are “perfectionists” on the safety and welfare of the participants in this road race. I know that the runners will not be “sandwiched” with any vehicle along the route because the route of the race will be entirely closed from any vehicular traffic. In summary, Abundant water + No vehicles along race route = More focused running by the participants. Prediction #3—So far, this will be the best Half-Marathon and Road Race for this year and runners would compare this event to other road races in the past and in the future.
Did I miss anything? If there is none, then, I am wishing everybody…Good luck, have fun, and be sure to wake up early and be at the starting line before 5:00 AM on Sunday. See you at the Starting Line!
Team Bald Runner Isidro Vildosola won as the Champion in the The North Face’s 20K Thrill of the Trail last Sunday in Nasugbo, Batangas. Because of the disqualification of the 2nd, 3rd & 4th finishers for not wearing a single TNF item/attire, the number 5th runner and Team Bald Runner member, Mayo Rodriguez, won the 1st Runner-Up. Finishing 3rd Runner-Up was another Team Bald Runner member, Jerry Kurendeng aka High Altitude. Due to the limited number of runners accepted for the trail run, the Team Bald Runner was not able to field its women runners and it made Cecil Morella aka Miracello very happy in telling me the breaking news that his AMCI lady climbers swept the ladies overall top podium finishes. Congratulations to the Team Bald Runner and AMCI Mountaineers! (Note: Jerry Kurendeng and Mayo Rodriguez are presently attending the “speed training” sessions with the Team Bald Runner who both improved their respective PR best times in the said trail run)
On the 2009 PSE Bull Run, the following members of Team Bald Runner won in their respective categories:
10K Men
Alley Quisay—1st Runner-Up (Overall)
Elmer Sabal—-2nd Runner-Up (Overall)
Reynaldo De Los Reyes—7th Place, Overall
Cris Sabal—11th Place, Overall
10K Women
Ailene Tolentino—Champion
Marecil Maquilan—1st Runner-Up
Anna Vargas—2nd Runner-Up
5K Men
Gerald Sabal—1st Runner-Up (Overall)
Bernardo Desamito—3rd Runner-Up (Overall)
Jujet De Asis—5th Place, Overall
Rey Antoque—16th Place, Overall
Last Saturday, 17 January, Rene Desoyo of Team Bald Runner won 1st Runner-Up in the Mizuno-Asia Miles Sinulog Festival Half-Marathon held in Mactan City, Cebu
(Note: For more pictures at the TNF Thrill of the Trail, please visit www.highaltitude.wordpress.com) and for pictures at the 2009 Sinulog Half-Marathon, please visit Cebu Sports Blog.
Better late than never. Due to persistent demand from the “hardcores” and “concerned” runners, I am going to post the pictures in the last “Patakbo sa Kabundukan” 21K Run last December 21, 2008, the last road race for the year.
At the Starting Line with Philip aka Foreign Runner stands out from the rest of the runners before the start of the race.
I was with Coach Salazar, Lester, and Jonel aka Bugobugo85 from the start to Km-10 point
I was with Lester at the Km-12 mark but he left me when we reached Km-17 point with his blisterng pace.
Jonel and George after coming from the turn-around point near Wawa Dam
MarkFB with his Vibram-5 (Barefoot Running Shoes) was ahead of us from the start up to Km-15 point
Group picture after the awarding ceremony with the members of Team Bald Runner. These guys are really “hardcores”!
The pictures, the scenery, and most of the awards were taken by the elite members of Team Bald Runner but I still evaluate this run as “the worst road race for the year 2008”.
Yes, on this day (26 Dec 08), you have 100 days before the Inaugural Bataan Death March 102K Ultramarathon Race!
I attended the Friday session of our “speed” training, barely two days before last Sunday’s Patakbo sa Kabundukan. After the usual warm-up easy run around the oval track for four laps and almost 40-minute stretching and drill runs supervised by Coach Salazar, we had a 5-minute rest for water break and personal necessities.
All the participants in the “speed” training were surprised to hear from Coach Espejo what we had to do. We were told to run 75% of the distance we had to run for the Sunday’s race with our best effort or race pace. The rest of the students did not have any race to participate for the coming Sunday but they opted to run 75% for an imaginary 10K race. Since I was scheduled to participate in the Patakbo Sa Kabundukan’s 21K Run, I had to run 15.75K with my best effort.
According to Coach Espejo, the reason why we had to this kind of speed training two days before race day was to simulate what the body would do and expect during race day. However, he advised us to follow it up with another 30-minute active recovery run on the day before the race at 70% effort.
On that Friday evening workout, I ended doing 16.25K with an average pace of 4:45 mins/km for the 1st 10 kilometers and slowed down to an average of 5:00 mins/km for the next 5 kilometers and later picked up my pace on the last kilometer at 4:50 mins/km. Overall, I had an average pace of 4:54 mins/km. The speed run training culminated with a one lap walking and stretching exercises.
After this Friday evening workout, I realized that my “speed endurance” was only good for 10 kilometers. I was not surprised about my assessment on my endurance because after I finished the MILO National Finals Marathon, my training were geared towards two successive 10K road races and most of my runs were active recovery runs after the Marathon Race and I never had any running workout for a distance more than 10 kilometers.
After assessing my endurance capability with the said speed workout, I formulated my race strategy for the Sunday’s 21K run—I had to slow down with my average pace on the 1st 5K and slowly increasing the pace on the 6th to 11thK, and race on my best up to 110% effort for the last 10 kilometers. If not for those jeepneys, tricycles, & garbage trucks along the route and lack of road marshalls, I could had made a better time on my last 10 kilometers. I experienced my first “negative split” in a half-marathon distance in this road race.
So, one of the “secrets” in our speed training is already out for other competitive runners to try and follow—run 75% of the race distance you have to compete two days before race day with your best effort (100%) and follow it up with a 30-minute active recovery run at your 70% effort a day before race day. This should be done if the road race for Sunday is a half-marathon and lesser distance road runs.
The following pictures were taken at the Bald Runner’s Donate A Shoe Booth at the Finish Line (Luneta Park/Quirino Grandstand Area) of the Araw ng Maynila Half-Marathon Race on 06 July 2008:
From left side, Charlie (running & rowing mate of Mark FB); DelQ (runner from Los Angeles who had a brief vacation in Laoag City & Manila & he was scheduled to leave for LAX last night); Bald Runner; The Loony Runner; Mark FB; and IbanRunner.
We had this second take as the first pose was taken against the light/sun. Charlie and Mark FB were late for the Half-Marathon start and opted to run the 10K race. DelQ is a member of a running club in Los Angeles and he promised to donate some running shoes from his club members.
A pose with Joms of Happy Feet Runners (far left) and Patrick Concepcion aka Running Shield (on my right) ; the famous Doknoy (#305) & Don Ubaldo (#398) on my left side. Hey, I am surrounded with the fast and famous runners of Happy Feet!
As I was walking towards my parked vehicle, Sherwyn, the runner on my left, called my attention as the Bald Runner and I asked them for a pose. These runners are members of the Tutuban Running Club. They told me that my name was announced few minutes before the Half-Marathon started.
As promised in one of my comments, I distributed a Bald Runner’s sticker to each of the runner-blogger who visited/dropped by the booth. My booth had become the official meeting place of the runner-bloggers after road races in Metro Manila.
I was informed by Captain Espejo that some runners donated finisher’s t-shirts after the race. To those who donated these t-shirts, thank you very much!
Bald Runner 
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