Category: Insights

Race Cancelled!

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Practice Runs, Running, Ultramarathon3 Comments

The BDM 160 5-Man Relay Race which is supposed to take place as a replacement for the past BDM “Test Runs” is hereby CANCELLED. This event is supposed to be conducted on December 3-4, 2011 which exclusively open to registered runners for the 2012 BDM Races. Due to requests from new runners of the 2012 BDM 160 and 102 races, I have decided to bring back those yearly “test runs” for recon and adaptation purposes.

Each “test run” will cover a distance of 50 kilometers. Runners have the option to bring their support crew and support vehicle. If a runner has not yet finalized his/her support system, I will allow runners to be self-supported provided they bring along their respective hydration system. Self-supported runners are encouraged to bring some cash as they could easily buy their needs on convenience stores along the route. As in the past, each runner will be provided with Race Bib and their respective finish time will be officially registered/recorded. The registration fee for each runner is Five Hundred Pesos (P 500.00) which will defray the cost in the coordination on matters pertaining to security and medical/ambulance assistance.

Every “test run” has its objective of knowing the course and trying to adapt one’s body to the conditions of the environment. Each “test run” will be conducted on the very same time that participants would  run each segment of the course during the actual race. Having said that, the first “test run” from Km Post #00 to Km Post 50 will be done on night time (from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM the following day); the second “test run” from Km Post #50 to Km Post 102 will be done from 7:00 AM up to 4:00 PM. And the last “test run” from Km Post #102 to the Finish Line in Capas National Shrine (for BDM 160 runners) will be done from 5:00 PM up to 2:00 AM the following day. Each of these “test runs” will have a cut-off time of NINE HOURS (9 hours).

Since most of the 2012 BDM 160 runners are already “veterans” (except for a few runners), the last “test run” will not be a mandatory one. I urge the new ones on this course to find time to recon the place (last 58K) on their own and ask the finishers last year to guide them or provide extra instructions on the directions.

The Schedule for the “Test Runs” will be the following:

1st Test Run (Km #00-Km #50)—January 14, 2012

2nd Test Run (Km #50-Km #102)—February 11, 2012

By the way, these “test runs” will be open to everybody. If you are not registered for the 2012 BDM Races, you can join and make it as your training run. However, make sure that you are officially registered for the “test run”. We will not allow “bandits” on these “test runs”.

Registration to these “test runs” will be at the “A Runners Circle Store” Manila. However, we will allow “On Site” Registration, provided you are at the Starting Area at least One Hour before the Start Time. If you intend to register on site, please make your slot/s reserved by sending me a message at my e-mail address—jovie75@hotmail.com or send me a Private Message/post a message on my Wall at Facebook. Registration at ARC Store starts on January 2, 2012.

Good luck!

“The Way”: The Movie

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Movies, Pictures, Places to Run, Running, Trail Running, Travel, Ultramarathon4 Comments

My interest in watching the movie, “The Way”, came from the pilgrimage-experience of Father Picx Picardal which he blogged on a regularl basis last year while walking & jogging (in barefoot and sandals) along the El Camino De Santiago (The Way of St James) from the French border town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to the city of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The route covers a distance of more than 800 kilometers along the Pyrenees Mountains. In 35 days, he reached his destination. His journal/diary about his pilgrimage is clearly explained & described in his blog. 

It was in April this year that I was able to discover in the Internet that there is movie produced/filmed about the El Camino De Santiago by Emilio Estevez with his father, Martin Sheen as the lead actor. My research would lead me to more advertisements and websites about the movie with no definite date yet when the movie will be released in the local theaters. Finally, on the first week of October, the movie, “The Way”, started to be shown in selected theaters in the United States.

Movie: "The Way"

I watched the movie on its third week of showing and I considered it as one of the best drama movies I’ve seen in the past 20 years. I don’t need to tell the synopsis of the movie and it is up for my readers to watch the movie when the time it will be released in the local theaters in the Philippines. If you have watched it already on DVD, then it is something that it should be a part of your collection of movies.

Now you ask me, why do I have to feature it in my blog? I was inspired by the movie and the diary of Father Picx Picardal that I’ve placed it in my “Bucket List”. This could be my greatest “adventure run” throughout my entire life.

With The Final Movie Poster In Theaters

It’s time to meet Father Picx Picardal in person to discuss on the details of my plan.

Buen Camino!!!

1st Philippine Olympic Gold Medalist

On By kingofpotsIn Alternate Sports, Alternate Sports To Running, Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Practice Runs, Runners' Training, Running, Travel, Ultramarathon2 Comments

In a 6-hour “runabout” in Los Angeles, I was able to discover that the first Olympic Gold Medalist in both platform and sprinboard diving events in one Olympic Games is a Filipina, whose father is a Filipino and mother from England, born in San Francisco, California on December 31, 1924. She was almost 24 years old when she won the two Gold Medals in the 1948 London Olympic Games.  Her name is Victoria Manalo Draves and she is 5′ 1″ in height. She died last year at the age of 85 due to pancreatic cancer and I could not remember if her death was featured in the local newspapers.

Victoria Manalo Draves With Samie Lee (South Korean-American) (From Google Images)

I discovered her name written on a big mural inside a Public Park along Beverly Boulevard & Union Street in Los Angeles, California. It led me to research about her on the Internet.

A Public Park With A Mural Depicting the History of Filipinos In America
The Lady With The Gold Medal

The following links have lots of information about her life, training, and inspiration she shared as one of the public parks in San Franciso, California was named after her.

http://www.asianweek.com/2010/04/28/the-triumph-of-victoria-manalo-draves/http://youoffendmeyouoffendmyfamily.com/olympic-gold-offender-victoria-manalo-draves/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/30/sports/olympics/30draves.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1321819333-1U9qzxjSeRS/3lJA03nWZghttp://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OralHistory/OHdraves.indd.pdf

Technically, her feat was not considered as part of the Philippine Sports Annals as she represented the USA Team, However, for having her roots and blood as a Filipina, it would inspire us to develop our potentials in water sports, most especially to diving. It is a shame on our part that this Filipina Lady is not fully well-known in our country. Correct me if I am wrong.

Do we have a separate sports federation for diving? I guess, it could be a part and under the PASA. PASA? Did it deliver for Gold harvest in the 26th SEA Games?

Review: Hoka One One Bondi B

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Practice Runs, Runners' Training, Running, Running Shoes, Trail Running, UltramarathonLeave a comment

It has been awhile that I posted a shoe review for the past months. So, this new pair of shoes that hit the market early this year is making a lot of “noise” in the Internet among ultra trail runners. This is the reason why I was able to know beforehand about the existence of this “weird-looking” running shoes.

HOKA ONE ONE Bondi B

Two of the top US ultra trail runners, Dave Mackey and Karl Meltzer, had been using this kind of shoes in their runs and races as they are the primary and top endorsers of this shoes even if these shoes were invented and conceptualized by two French ultrarunners. These guys had been winning their races using these shoes. I’ve seen with my own eyes how Dave Mackey ran and glided on those shoes during this year’s MIWOK 100K Trail Run in Marin Headlands which he won easily from other top US ultra runners. Looking at Dave Mackey (with a height of more than 6 feet), the Hoka One One looks like an ordinary trail shoes and it is not noticeable as a clunky & thick soled shoes.

My observation brought an interest to have one of this pair of shoes just to find out what is special in them as each of them carry a higher price as compared with other trail shoes. The initial price was $ 179+ which has almost the same level price with the ASICS’ top end Gel-Kinsei series. However, the price has now gone down to $ 159+ as per my latest research in the Internet.

Last June, a simple question to the ARC Los Angeles owner, Joe Matias, if their store carry such shoes led me to have a new pair of Hoka One One Bondi B. He even posted on Facebook that the Bald Runner is ready to experience a “Time To Fly” with the new pair of shoes with the appropriate pictures. Thanks, Joe!

First thing that I’ve observed when I tried to wear them was that their sizing is one-half size smaller. Which means that if I am size 9 1/2 in my regualr running shoes, I should have ordered size 10 for the Hoka One One. I tried to compensate this little issue by using thinner running socks. Second, I found the shoe string to be bulky as it uses those stiff round-type shoe laces which tend to put more pressure on the top of my feet when I tie my shoes tightly. I changed the shoe laces with those flat and lighter shoe laces and I observed a great improvement on the comfortability of the shoes.

For one month, I’ve used them everyday in my runs along the paved streets and they are very soft to the feet because of the thick and spongy sole. It was very comfortable to run with as I was recovering from my knee injury. The pain on my left knee would go away as soon as I ran with them. The spongy and bouncy feeling as my feet hit the ground is totally different from using my other running shoes.

I tried to use them in my trail runs and the shoes forced me to run at a faster speed and pace on the downhill which I was trying to avoid and minimize because I was still recovering from my knee injury. If only I was not being safety and conservative conscious on my trail workouts, I could have experienced the full potentials of this shoes in my downhill runs which most of the users have liked about using them.

However, I would reveal that the thick sole gave some problems with the way I run. Since I am a “shuffler” who could barely lift my knees during my “push-off” at a higher level, my tendency is to trip with the shoes on the ground. It does not happen all the time but there are times that my rythym would be disturbed. Sometimes, my leading shoes would hit the other one when my legs are showing that they are getting tired and weary.

Shoes More Noticeable With Average-Height Runners

I used them during my WC 200 run lately and they were nice shoes to start with my daily runs but after 30+ kilometers, I have to use the thinner-soled shoes for faster leg turn-overs. I am not saying that these shoes are not light, they are lighter than the ASICS Gel-Kayano & Kinsei but they simply don’t suit to my style of running on paved roads.

My Hoka One One, for the meantime, is being used as my recovery workout shoes and it is still waiting to be used in an ultra trail run or in a road race.

Now, if you ask me if I am recommending this one for you. Of course! Get one pair of this shoe and experience what is like to wear a different one and be a standout from the rest. Just take note of the shoe sizing and the price. I really don’t know yet if they are available in the local running stores. However, I’ll give you a tip. Ask Raul, Perkins, and Mario of ARC Manila if you can have it ordered from Joe Matias of ARC Los Angeles. I know Joe will give you a nice deal on these shoes.

Dream Race

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Pictures, Races, Running, Sports Program, Ultramarathon3 Comments

I was surprised when Jael Wenceslao, one of the 1st BDM 160 Finishers, posted a picture on Facebook a portion of one of the pages of the latest edition of the Runners World Magazine Philippine Edition. Since I have not seen the actual page or have with me a copy of the said magazine, my information was based from the status posted by Jael.

BDM Ultramarathon: Dream Race

It appears that a survey was conducted by the Magazine to Pinoy Runners and the result showed that the BDM Ultramarathon ranked with the two most prestigious Marathon Races in the World—Boston & New York City Marathon.

I was overwhelmed with joy and at the same time worried that my vision to make this race as the “Comrades Ultra Marathon” in Asia is coming to reality at a faster pace as compared from my personal conservative expectations. I could not imagine how the race would look like when you have at least 500 runners or more in it. As of now, the race takes its form by increment and maintains to be a road race by invitation only.

As an expression of gratitude and a way of giving back to the community, most especially to all the endurance athletes in the country, I am offering FREE ENTRY to all PINOY FINISHERS of the 2011 KONA IRONMAN to the 2012 Edition of the BDM 102K. In addition, PINOY FINISHERS in the 2011 TNF Ultra Marathon Mont Blanc 100-Mile Run; ultra runners former PNP Director Samuel Tucay (Ret.), Fr. Robert Reyes, Cesar Guarin, Joy Roxas, and Fr Picx Picardal will be invited also for free entry in the said event.

If you think you are considered as one of the TOP 5 Pinoy Runner-Bloggers, please contact me as I might as well give you a FREE ENTRY to the 2012 BDM 102K which will be held on March 3-4, 2012.

Thanks for your support. Let us make BDM Races known throughout the world!

Bataan Death March (BDM) is in the Philippines and not in any other country!

WC 200: 2nd Attempt (2nd Day)

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Running, Travel, UltramarathonLeave a comment

September 22, 2011: From Botolan to Santa Cruz, Zambales

After 4.5 hours of sleep at the Circles Inn in Botolan, Zambales, I had my shower and ready for the second day of my run. My team and I went to the commercial center of Iba, Zambales and chose Mang Inasal for our brunch.

One for the customers talked to me (seeing my ARC Los Angeles shirt) and she is apparently a United States’ resident who was born in Iba, Zambales and is the owner of one of the Beach Resorts which is situated at least 2-3 kilometers north of the Poblacion. After our brunch, we went back to the place where I stopped at the vicinity of Poblacion Botolan, Zambales. After some preparation for my hydration and food, I finally started my run at 11:00 AM and the weather was cloudy with a 100% chance of rains later in the day.

It Rained On My First 5K For The Day

After covering a distance of 6 kilometers, I was already at the center of Iba, Zambales, the capital town of the province. There was a portion where there is one way street for vehicles going to the north as well as those going to the opposite direction. I took the road where vehicles going to the North would usually take. It was uneventful as I was able to cover another 3-4 kilometers away from the town.

Slept For 1 1/2 Hours After Taking In Some Food

I really didn’t know what hit me as it started to rain/drizzle and started to feel weak. I took a rest in one of the waiting sheds along the road and asked my crew to serve me some solid foods and Ensure Drinks. However, after drinking the Ensure Drinks, I felt sleepy and just laid down  on my back.

I woke up after 1 ½ hours and started to eat some solid foods. Even it was noisy due to the sounds of the passing tricycles, I was able to have the much-desired rest. I immediately prepared myself to continue my run. I was aware that from this place I will have to encounter some hilly portions along the route.

The plan for the day was to cover as much as many kilometers for the day until the night and the following morning.

Looking Fresh After The Sleep

It was already at 5:00 PM when I was approaching the next town, Palauig, most especially near the Headquarters of the 24th
Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army. Having arranged beforehand about my run through their Area of Responsibility, I knew that the Battalion Commander will provide me with security personnel in civilian attire along the route. This part of the route was mountainous and for security reasons, there is a need to be cautious about the place.

Approaching The 24th IB Headquarters In Palauig, Zambales

After passing the highest peak in the said town, I had another “pit stop” before running through the night. I had to choose to stop infront of the Iglesia Ni Kristo churches along the way because it is well-lighted and the personnel/guards on their gates were very accommodating. We plugged on their electric outlets for the needed heating of our water in our electric thermos. The INK Church and its people in Palauig, Zambales were great!

On The Road Towards Masinloc, Zambales

At first, there were two motorcycle-riding intelligence personnel of the Philippine Army who gave me the security along the way through the night who would alternately switched from one position to another—one is pre-positioned at least one kilometer ahead and one is at least on my back at a seeing distance. These guys pretended to be like locals and they tried to be discrete on their locations and actions. It was fine with me as long as I have somebody to secure my movement during the night.

At midnight, these two personnel were changed with two personnel with a single motorcycle and they did what they were tasked. After an hour of running, I asked them to join me in my “pit stop” and shared my food (coffee and sandwich) to them. Conversations with them on my “pit stops” gave me more information about the place and its people.

"Pit Stop" Infront of the Iglesia Ni Kristo's Church In Masinloc, Zambales

The mountains and hills of Palauig and Masinloc of Zambales were not noticed as I was running in the dark but I had to “power walk” on those inclines and jog/run on the descending portions of the route. These places are a “must” for cyclists to train and see the beauty of the province. The town of Candelaria was uneventful as the route started to level off until I reached the town of Santa Cruz, Zambales.

At 5:30 AM on the following day, I reached the Poblacion of Santa Cruz, Zambales, the last town of the province and decided to have a rest/break. I was able to run a distance of 66+ kilometers on my second day. For the two days that I’ve been running, I was able to cover a distance of 141 kilometers.

Not being able to look for a decent place to stay within the town, I had to drive all the way to Alaminos, Pangasinan, 60 kilometers away, for the much-needed rest.

To be continued.

Finish Time Formula For 100K Run

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Running, UltramarathonLeave a comment

Last April of this year, I was able to read an article in one of the ultrarunning resources in the Internet. I am sorry for not being able to write the particular source of this item.

This is the formula for one’s expected Finish Time in a 100-K road or trail race. I am not sure of the accuracy of this formula but I’ve tried to use this formula after I’ve finished the 1st edition of the Bataan Death March 102 Ultramarathon Race and it seemed to be accurate.

As a reference, there is no harm if you can use this formula in your training/preparation for the BDM 102 or in any running event that covers the said distance. Try it.

100-Km Race Time Finish (in Minutes) = 1,085.6 – 36.26 X (training speed in km/hour) – 1.43 X (weeekly training volume in km/week) + 2.50 X (age in years)

To give an example of this formula, let us assume some data. If your training speed is 6 kilometers per hour, multiply it by 36.26 and the result is 217.56. If your weekly training volume is 70 kilometers per week, multiply it by 1.43 and the result is 100.1. If your age is 60 years old, multiply it by 2.50 and the result is 150. You subtract 217.56 & 100.1 from 1,085.6 and from the result, you have to add 150. The result is 917.94 in minutes. Round it off to 918 and divide it by 60 and the result is 15.3 hours which is translated to 15 hours & 18 minutes.

I hope this simple formula will guide you in your training for your future races in the 100K and beyond distances.

Good luck!

The Running Sartorialist

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Runner's Fashion/Attire, Runners Accessories, Running, Running Shoes, Sports Program3 Comments

This is not a joke but it is nice to start something new. Starting on my fifth year, I will be featuring pictures of me in my running attire and who knows other runners will be featured in this blog in their favorite “running kits”, too!

Very Loose and Relaxed Attire Good For 5K

Running Cap by ASICS

Sunglass by Oakley (Asian Fit)

White T-shirt From A Runner’s Circle (Los Angeles)

ADIDAS Soccer Shorts (without panty-liner, no pockets and very light!)

Running Socks by Drymax

Shoes: ASICS Gel-LyteRacer (Japan)

Watches: TIMEX With HR Monitor & Garmin Forerunner 305

You have to excuse me for being an amateur in my picture as this was taken from the self-timer of my old Canon IXUS Digital Camera with the backyard of our house in Los Angeles. I hope things will improve on the quality of the pictures to be published in the future posts.

Yes, this is a copycat of the popular “The Sartorialist” which is now considered as a multi-million dollar worth fashion blog in the Internet. I am not saying that this blog will be after the concept of showing pictures of runners with the ultimate purpose of raising some money. But who knows? This could be another option where one can raise funds to support our elite runners for international exposure. There is only one way to find out but to start and take the first step, so to speak!

Next time, the published pictures will just be pictures without any description. And there will be NO make-up or “photoshop” refinement of each picture. The more you are messed up with your sweat, the better!

If you can not make it with speed, finish your race and flaunt your nice running apparel!

Who will be the next model? You can  make a comment in this post if you are interested.

Good luck to those who will be joining the 2012 New York City Marathon this Sunday! Run Happy!

Going On My Fifth (5th) Year

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Races, Runners' Training, Running, Running Shoes, Sports Program5 Comments

I started this blog on October 25, 2007 by publishing four (4) posts in one day! These were stories I could think of while I was a Commander in one of the Philippine Army Divisions in the Western Visayas and had initially inspired me to resume my running on a regular basis.

It was a time when there was a running event within one or two month’s time in the whole country!

It was the time when The Bull Runner was the only local regular running blog in the country. And she was ahead by 5 months! Why not a blog coming from an old, average and competitive male runner who could hardly remember his past marathon race accomplishments? Slowly but surely, Bald Runner started to be known.

And everything now is history.

Bald Runner

So, what will you expect in the years to come?

This blog will remain to be simple as it started in the beginning. Everything is purely on running. It will continuously inspire others to start to engage themselves in any kind of endurance or physical activity that will improve their health and well-being. It will promote adhering to healthy lifestyle for everybody. It would never dare to touch on political, social, and economic matters as this is the expertise of others out there who have job descriptions to implement as part of the mission of their respective organization.

Sharing one’s running workouts and training. In my early years of blogging and up to this time, I’ve shared to my readers my training and other information I’ve discovered from other sources. I’ve experimented on them and made my own conclusion on each of these, from training, form, nutrition, hydration and apparel. Since I have the time to browse on the Internet, I might as well share my “discoveries” to everybody. However, in the end, Dr. George Sheehan’s words that “running is an experiment of one” still holds true!

My personal opinion on observations on running will always be part of this blog but I will limit them to road and trail races that I participate. This will serve as my personal reference if ever I would join again in their future editions.

Reviews on running apparel and shoes will always be a part of this blog and I had been lagging behind on this aspect. In a sense, I believe that there is truth on what they say as “Sports Fashion” in Running. If you can’t make it in speed, do it in your fashion statement!

More ultra marathon and adventure runs. Yes, there will be more to come to challenge myself and for everybody, whether in roads and trails. Sufferings and pains are the things that ultra runners would love to experience and keep them from looking for more. Just ask your average ultra runner how it feels to finish one, he or she will tell you that will be their last one but after a week, he/she will be looking for the schedule of the next ultra event. Amazing people! Not only that, it is becoming apparent that joining an ultra will be cheaper than joining a marathon race!

Transparency? It is a standard practice for a runner-blogger to post a picture (in action) in his story if he/she relates his/her story and experience in finishing a race. It is a must! So that you are sending the message that you are a credible runner. Nothing more, nothing less. I really don’t mind the finish time, just show us that you are running.

Lately, there had been media releases about runners who are doing adventure runs throughout the country (Philippines) and other parts of the world and they are very commendable in terms of their respective advocacy they are promoting. Very nice indeed but I need to see their daily stories and I could not wait for their books or journals to be published months or years after they finished their respective feats. Is it hard for them to blog their daily runs? It still boggles my mind as these runners are good writers and professionals, too! In short, if I can do it in my local adventure runs, they can do it, too!

Keep on sending elite athletes to international ultra races in the years to come will be one of the major tasks and primary advocacy of this blog. Surprisingly, I have received only two of my readers in this blog who e-mailed me to support such endeavor. And in my Facebook status about my post on “Good Samaritan”, my ultra friends who are based abroad were the ones who responded to my call. Thanks for your support. I know that majority of those who kept their silence on my post will be willing to give their share once I will send them my “letter of request” and I might as well thank them for their support in advance.

Simplicity, Transparency, Sharing, Persistence, Credibility, Compassion, and Challenge are the words to live by in this blog.

Thanks for your visits and comments!

Sleeping On Post

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Pictures, Runners' Training, Running, Ultramarathon1 Comment

In the military, if you are caught “sleeping on post” during a guard duty, you will face a “military court martial” and if you are found guilty, it means the end of your military career.

Well, this is how an ultrarunner looks like when he is “sleeping on post” during an adventure run…and during those times when he misses his regular posts in this blog (joke!). The picture below says it all!

Sleeping In One of the Road Sheds In Iba, Zambales

To be continued…