Category: Insights

On The Road

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Running8 Comments

Practically, I was on the sea and on the road of Negros Island the whole day yesterday. It was a very tiring day for me travelling from Iloilo City by fastcraft to Bacolod City after breakfast and travelling all the way to Tanjay, Negros Oriental, crossing the Mabinay Mountains, and finally reaching the Municipality of Siaton, Negros Oriental where my farthest Battalion in southern Negros is located.

I visited a Brigade Headquarters in Tanjay and had lunch and had a chance to talk to my officers and men, bidding them farewell from the service. In Siaton, I was able to talk to the officers and men of a Battalion for more than 30 minutes, congratulating them for a job well done in dismantling the Guerrilla Front of the insurgents in Bohol Province and encouraging them to do the same for the province of Negros Oriental before the end of this year. Due to their diligence and patience to work with the local government officials, tourism is now thriving and in progress in Bohol surpassing the tourism in Cebu. I can categorically say that tourists are now safe in Bohol. Bohol is one of the best destinations for tourists.

From Siaton back to Bacolod City was a long trip. Departing from Siaton at 3:30PM, and after a dinner-stop at Kabankalan, Negros Occidental, we were able to reach Bacolod City at 11:00PM.

There was no run for the day and it was a tiring one for travelling by land almost the whole day.

I immediately went to bed and planned to have an early morning run tomorrow in Bacolod City.

Critique: Runnex@25

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Races, Running2 Comments

So far, this is one of the most organized road race that I had joined/participated since I started and revived my running since November of last year. I was impressed due to the following reasons:

1) Road Race Organizer and a Runner—This is the advantage of being a runner and at the same time the road race organizer. A road organizer must be able to act or fill in the shoes of a runner for him to know the needs and feelings/things in the mind of a runner while he/she is running a race. Coach Rio knows all of these and I really appreciate what he is doing to improve or upgrade the level of road competition management in the country. How I wish more of these kind of road races, properly advertised and known, be brought to the awareness of our neighboring countries and make them part of the tourism program of the goverment. Has anybody thought of having a road race in those many “festivals” that we conduct in almost all the provinces in the country? 

2) Publication of “Reliable” Official Results—I really salute and commend Coach Rio for the very fast publication of the results few hours after the race. I guess, that was at least 12 hours after the race. I emphasized the word “reliable” because there was no discrepancy from the readings I got from the digital clock at the side of the finish line and the readings from my GF 305 when I crossed the line and as compared from the published official results. I know this will be later improved once we will be using an individual “timing chip” making the results faster to be published.

3) Registration & Race Packets—The registration is very efficient and the race packet is complete. At last, I have a finisher’s singlet for the race that is well-fitted on me. And the design is very nice.

4) Punctual Time of Start—I am very particular and observant on time. I am a punctual person and it had been a habit to be in the place of activity at least 30 minutes before the scheduled activity. The race started on time and the staggered system of releasing the 10K runners from the other distance-runners made the road race very orderly.

5) Nice Venue for Running—UP Diliman Campus is a perfect place for running because of the asphalt/smooth concreted roads and shades brought by the century-old trees. But what I don’t like in the campus are those weekend joggers/runners and cyclists who mix with the road racers and sometimes run counter with the flow or direction of the road race. During this race, I nearly bumped a mother and child running on the opposite direction towards my direction on the last curve towards the finish line. Sometimes other runners would pass over me and try to distract my concentration on the last hundred meters from the finish line only to find out later that such runner is not a registered runner in the race but a weekend runner!

6) Excellent Service Support System—What can I say? From portalets to water stations, from marshalls to security police and guards and other basic needs to a runner were there. Except for the absence of kilometer markings and lots of trash bins/bags for the empty water bottles and other trash that were littered on the sidewalk and lawns of the UP Campus.

On the negative side, the distance in the 10K run was not accurate but the discrepancy was very minimal. I hope this will be corrected with some minor adjustments.

Overall Rating—99.9%

Congratulations to Coach Rio!

Lessons Learned @ 4th Bonifacio Global City Run

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Races, Running4 Comments

1) I will always stick with my GF 305—It seems that the timimg system available in the country is already old and unreliable which I think had been the technology since I started running in the early 1980s. It would be better for me to concentrate my time with what I read in my GF 305 watch. I hope the RFID technology will be able to catch up with the race organizers soon.

2) Even-Pace Strategy—So far, I had a nice result by following this race strategy. I did not force myself to run hard and fast in the first half of the race but instead run conservatively and picking up my pace if I felt comfortable of doing so. I just have to control myself and be relaxed once the race starts.

3) “To Look or Not To Look”—I purposely forced myself not to look at my GF 305 during the race until I was on my last 400-500 meters from the finish line. Had I looked at my watch on the halfway point, I could had increased my pace if my avarage pace was not on the planned targetted pace. However, I was glad that I was within the average pace all through out the course.

4) Stay Focused—I started to have a “negative” thoughts when I thought the lead runners were taking a different route as compared to what I’ve seen in the route map and what I had conditioned in my mind as the actual route. It took some time before this negative thing was flushed out of my mind. I was glad I had my MP3 and had some music to relax my mind. 

5) “Start the Conversation” & “Always Smile”—Mark told me at the Starting Area that most of the runners know me as the Bald Runner but they were just shy to approach or greet me. I was glad I started a conversation with a couple, Lester & Margarette, who were standing beside me before the race started. Next time, I have to check-in early at the Starting Area and make some conversations with the other runners and approach them with a friendly “smile”.

6) Recovery and Tapering—I guess, I need to follow this basic principle of recovery and tapering. There is a need to rest and recover for some days and let the running muscles, blood vessels, heart and the lungs to relax and heal due to excessive use. I hope that by tapering I will become stronger and faster in future road races.

7) New Outfit—This is becoming a habit—to dress well and be a “running fashion model” in every road race. This is one way of getting even with those faster guys who have full hair on their heads!

Bald Runner’s Charity Fund

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Running6 Comments

29 April 2008

Today, I am starting my Charity Fund where I will commit part of my “retirement money” to every kilometer that I run in my practices or workouts as well as in my road races/competition runs. Based from my “1,000 Km Club”, I will be paying to the Charity Fund Twenty Five Pesos (P 25.00) for every kilometer that I register and this is retroactive from the day I started logging my runs in this “1,000K Club”

Starting with the 4th Bonifacio Global City Run last 20 April 2008 and for that matter, in every road race that I participate in the future, I will be paying/contributing to the Charity Fund an amount of Fifty Pesos (P 50.00) for every kilometer.

As of today, the Charity Fund has the following total cash amount taken from the following:

a) “1,000 Km Club”—397 kms X P 25.00 = P 9,925.00

b) 4th Global City Run—10 X P 50.00 = P 500.00

c) Total Amount Available From Charity Fund—P 10,425.00

The Bald Runner’s Charity Fund will be initially used to buy running shoes for the “barefoot kids” shown in the pictures I posted during the 4th Bonifacio Global City Run at The Fort Last 20 April 2008.

I will see to it that these kids will be identified through their race bibs and my staff will try to trace them and someday we will be able to bring them to a sports store to buy a pair of running shoes for them.

If there are interested person/s who would like to contribute to this charity fund, please leave a comment to this post. Other runners are also encouraged to start their own “system” or “ways” to raise money to support these “barefoot kids” and other “causes” where our help is badly needed. 

Lessons Learned: “On Your Mark” Run

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Races, Running3 Comments

13 April 2008 @ The Fort

1) Nathan Water Belt—I made the right decision to bring my Nathan Water Belt with me even if it was a mid-distance run where I could drink at least twice along the way or not drink at all. But I learned my lesson not to fill up much water to my water jug as I only drank one-half of my water jug. Next time, my water jug will have at least 1/3 part full of water just enough for the 10K distance. Serving bottled water in water stations sometimes is not advisable as only small portion of the water is being ingested by the runner and the rest is being used to douse his head or sometimes being held by the runner while he is running as the water is considered as the “runner’s fuel” that could not be thrown away.

2) Race Strategy—The adrenaline at the start of the race gives me the tendency to run a faster pace than the pace being planned. The plan to have a slower pace at the first 5 kilometers and a faster 2nd five kilometers ( a negative split) was not followed as I ran faster in the 1st five kilometers than the last one. This had been my problem in my past road races. Although I had been getting a better PR time every time I join a road race, I really wanted to have a stronger and faster pace on the last 3 kilometers of a 10K race. Maybe, I will try the “even pace” strategy on my next race and find out which one is the better race strategy.  Continue reading “Lessons Learned: “On Your Mark” Run” →

He Did It Again!

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, RunningLeave a comment

He usually arrives at the Assembly Area at least thirty minutes before the start of the race. He makes his usual stretching exercises and have a brief slow jog along the streets near the starting area. At least, fifteen minutes before the scheduled start of the race, he checks-in at the Starting Area and stays at the middle of the pack, at least, 7-10 meters away from starting line.

Everybody notices him with his towering height and a mixture of black and silver hair. He wears his sunglasses. He has a stern face, relaxed, silent, his sight focused infront towards the direction of the race and slightly moves and shakes his legs while waiting for the starting gun to fire.

Once the race starts, he is fast to get into his position along the road and he is really a fast runner. I’ve been observing him from the back and I could hardly cope up with his pace or gain a lesser distance from him. In my estimate, he runs with an average pace of 4:15-4:25 minutes per kilometer. He could easily finish the 10K run in 42-43 minutes.

At the age of 48, he is an outstanding triathlete and marathoner competing in other countries and read in the newspapers that he finished the New York Marathon and other prestigious endurance events worldwide.

After the last Condura 10K Run, I saw him approached the Project Donate A Shoe Booth and immediately removed his running shoes, ASICS, and donated to us, signed some documents, had a picture with us, gave him the white “ONE” wristband, and left the booth walking with his running socks!

Last Sunday morning, after crossing the finish line of the 4th Bonifacio Global City 10K Run, he again approached the Project Donate A Shoe Booth and removed his running shoes from his feet, a NIKE running shoes this time, signed some documents and left the booth with his running socks…again!

As he finished the race ahead of me because of his faster pace, I was not able to meet him at the booth.

As an expression of my thanks to an Icon in the Business/Corporate World in the country and the whole world, my Snappy Salute and deepest appreciation to Don Fernando Zobel de Ayala for donating his running shoes again. You really inspire us to pursue our project and be able to help our less-fotunate runners. Thanks and More Power to You! 

“Runners For Others” (R4O)

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Running1 Comment

While browsing on the Internet last night, I came across an article written by Mr Butch Jimenez with Inquirer.net regarding well-known personalities in the corporate world who are “passionate” runners and triathletes. Most notable about this group of corporate executives who call themselves as “Run For Others” (R4O) running group is their goal to raise money to provide 10,000 kids with 10,000 running/rubber shoes for the year 2008.

Please read this article.

The Bald Runner supports this goal of the R4O. I hope more runners will contribute to this effort.

 

Critique: On Your Mark Run

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Races, Running3 Comments

1) Where is the Best Position of a Race Stage?—In the past races where I participated, I always make a point to observe the position of the Race Stage. The Race Stage is the place where the Emcee for the race is located, where an invocation by a prayer leader would be visible, or the lead singer for the National Anthem is positioned, or where the guest speaker would speak and where the starting gun would be fired. During the OYM Race, the stage was located at the back of the runners or the far rear portion of the starting area. I had observed that most of the runners were facing the road after/beyond the starting line while the invocation and singing of the National Anthem were done and not towards the stage. There were no gun burst being fired at the start of the race but a simple voice command of “GO” from the EMCEE and later the blowing of a horn when the lead runners were at least 50 meters away from the starting line. I suggest that the best position for the race stage should be at the right or left side of the road immediately before the starting line so that the runners at the starting/assembly area would be slightly turning his body, right or left, to face the race stage.

2) Race Distance—It becomes suspicious or doubtful when a runner improves his/her PR time shaving off more minutes from his/her expected target time, most especially in 5K & 10 K road races. When I crossed the finish line, I was surprised to see my time of 45:33 minutes and I could not believed it because I was expecting a time of about 48:00 minutes. Later, when I was uploading my data from my GF 305 to my laptop, I was surprised to see that the distance registered in my watch was 9.45 kilometers. I conclude that the actual distance of the 10K race must had been shorter because I had been experiencing +12 to +20 meters additional variance reading with my GF 305. I measured a distance of 400 meters inside the camp with a meter tape but when using my GF 305 on the said distance, my watch registers 410-418 meters. Race organizers must be thorough on this aspect because almost all the runners are expecting to have a better time in their road races. Each runner’s finish time is the best “feedback”  to validate if his/her past training & preparations are really working, thus giving him/her the drive and motivation to excel some more. A PR time in a questionable distance is not a “good news” to be proud of.

3) Starting Time—The race started at least 2 minutes before the scheduled start time which was 6:00 AM. But it became confusing when the organizers released the 10K and the 5K runners at the same time. The organizers should had released the 10K runners first of at least 10 minutes lead time from the 5K runners. Miraclecello is suggesting to “compartmentalize” the runners depending on their respective pace or race time finish at the starting area—the elite runners at the front; 4-5 min-pace runners next to the elite and so forth; and the slower runners at the back. The 5K runners should be positioned at the far rear of the assembly/starting area. I can still recall that there were marathon races in the 1980s in Manila where the race organizers did this “segregation” thing and we had then a very orderly start.

4) Race Timer/Clock—The race timer/digital clock at the Finish Line was very small whose readings could not be recognizable at a distance. I could sense that the digital clock was not working properly as it registered “20:00 minutes” reading when I was approaching the finish line. To the race organizers, I am giving a “tip” where you can rent or borrow a bigger digital clock—our DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Running Club, Inc has one (1) which I bought when I was the Camp Commander of Camp Aguinaldo and Major Rod Turno is the contact person if you want to use this digital clock. There is also one (1) digital clock from the Philippine Army which can be rented/borrowed with Captain Ferdie Espejo as the contact person. Additionally, I am still wondering when will the race organizers introduce the “runner’s chip” to every runner.

5) Road Marshalls—it was obvious that there was a lack of road marshalls and traffic enforcers during the run as many of the 5K runners were lost along the way and to their turn-around point. The road marshalls and the “givers” of strings were not in their proper location of the 10K turn-around point. They were at least 300 meters short from the exact turn-around point. I guess, there is a need for a “dry-run or rehearsals” to these road marshalls & traffic enforcers a day before the race day to establish locations of kilometer markers, turn-around points, position of string “givers”, and water stations.

5) Where Were The “Stars” & “Mga Kapuso”?—“The Loony Runner” and the other runners were complaining where in the hell were the “stars” of GMA TV and Q TV. Almost all the runners and runners blogs were expecting the participation of the popular TV Stars of the said network. Personally, I become corny and “bakya” sometimes and the reason I joined this particular race was that I was expecting to have a pose or have a glance at “Marimar” or have a brief conversation with my friend, Susan Enriquez of GMA News.

6) Race Giveaways and Water Stations—On the positive side, I like their “giveaways”, most especially the “bag” which could be used as my running/golf shoe bag. The finisher’s T-shirt is nice also. The water stations were well-positioned and with enough supply of “bottled” water. This race is one of the few races where the organizers used bottled water in their water stations.

7) Kilometer Markings—There were kilometer markings along the route but it could had been better if the organizers had placed at least a kilometer marking in every kilometer.

8) Running For A Cause—It is really very fulfilling to run and at the same time help somebody who is in need. I hope the Women’s Crisis Center was able to attain their goal/objective in conducting this road race. This is my first time to hear or know the existence of such Center and the Bald Runner is here to support its cause.

Overall Rating—I am giving a rating of 85% on this race. If not for the short distance of the 10K and the absence of the “Stars” of GMA & Q TV, I could have given this race a perfect grade of 100%.

Annalene’s Story

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Running8 Comments

I am posting the comment/story from Annalene which she sent yesterday morning in one of the comments to my post on “Pictures: On Your Mark 10K Run”.

hi bald runner! congrats for finishing the 10k oym run with better time!

i am a frequent visitor of your blog but too shy to introduce myself (maybe in the global run this Sunday i will approach you) but with what i witnessed yesterday in the Bayani Run in MOA, i think i need to… (we joined that race instead of the OYM because Bayani was announced ahead of time).

BTW, going back to the real purpose for posting this, i noticed that there was this guy (i was not able to get his name) running without shoes. He joined and finished the 10k run with his bare feet. Initially, i reacted that maybe that is his style to be noticed.

After the race, while waiting for our certificates, i saw him in front of the church trying to get something….. well, he got his package wrapped in plastic bag, it was his pair of shoes, not for running but a totally dilapidated, torn rubber shoes with holes on the sides. He wore it without socks either.

My daughter approached him and even congratulated him to ignite a conversation but he left in haste.

Maybe, just maybe if i will spot him again… i will try to get his name and contact number and refer to your project donate a shoe.

Your project can really help less fortunate runners like him…

Annalene, thanks for sending this comment and observation on some of our fellow runners who are less-fortunate to buy and use a better running shoe. I am a “tough-hearted” guy but after reading your story, I was shocked and sad..and I could feel the pain and discomfort the “barefoot runner” had to endure in running the 10K distance. Would you believe I nearly shed some tears from my eyes after reading your story? Your story really inspires me to pursue this Project: Donate A Shoe with more attention and vigor.

I have to meet you this Sunday at The Fort. I’ll be at the Project Donate A Shoe Booth after the race.

To my fellow runners and visitors of this blog, if ever you can spot any runner in barefoot or wearing old and torn running shoes. please lead them to our “booth” or get their “race number/s” so that we can trace them through their addresses and find ways to provide these runners with better running shoes.

On the other hand, to those fellow runners who are more blessed and have old shoes in their cabinets/lockers, I am encouraging you to donate them as more of our countrymen need the things you don’t use as these become “brittle” and rotten if they are not being used regularly.

I Reduced My Weight But…

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Running1 Comment

For the past two months, I was able to reduce my weight but I had observed that there were some pains on my right foot, most especially on the “corn”/hardening of the skin that developed on the rear end of my right foot. The “corn” grew through the years since I’ve been in the military due to the wearing of my military combat boots. I thought the pain was a foot injury brought about my running which I get more comfort when wearing running shoes which has stability control on the heels. I thought I had Achilles tendonitis. I had to take some day rests for the pain to subside but I found out later that the pain disappears after stretching and warm-up jog for 5-8 minutes.

Two weeks ago, a day after the Mizuno Infinty 15K Run, one of the joints at the base of my right big toe became swollen and painful. I went to Cebu with a swollen toe joint but I can managed the pain and walked straight with my combat boots on. On my second day in Cebu, I’ve observed that the pain became more severe and painful. I recalled that I ate a lot of red meat and lechon the night before in a dinner tendered by the Commander of the Central Command, AFP.

On the next two days of my stay in Cebu, I shifted to seafoods and vegetables on my diet. I was surprised to observe that the pain on my right foot disappeared and the swelling subsided. Immediately, I browsed the Internet and researched on “gout and arthritis”. Based from my readings and symptoms, I got gout and arthritis! Accordingly, my sudden reduction of weight and too much intake of foods high in uric acid and fatty foods were instrumental in my “on and off” pains and swelling with my right foot. 

For almost two weeks, I’ve been strictly taking in foods rich in fibers, carbohydrates, seafoods, and chicken. As a result of “no pork, no beef, and no legumes/beans” intake on my diet, the swelling and pain on my right foot had disappeared. Goodbye, pinapaitan, dinuguan, chicharon bulaklak, “bagnet”, longganiza, lechon, sisig…and San Miguel Beer!