Category: Jogging

My First Ultramarathon Race: Bulldog 50K

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Races, Running30 Comments

Recap of the Bulldog 50K Ultra Trail Run in Malibu Creek State Park, Calabasas, California, USA (23 August 2008)

I registered to participate in this ultra trail run on the 2nd week of July after I arrived in Los Angeles, California to experience what it takes to run an ultramarathon, a running event which is longer than a marathon. My son paid $ 70.00 for the registration fee through his bank’s debit card and my application was accepted immediately.

I ran through the route of the race for two times except for the actual last 3 kilometers of the trail that connects the Corral Canyon/Backbone Trail to the Malibu Creek State Park, which is the Tapia Trail, instead, I had to run along the side of the Las Virgenes Road facing the incoming traffic.

In my first practice run in this route (25K-loop) with my son, my GF 305 registered a total ascent of 4,593.6 feet (1,392 meters) not including the last steep hill between Tapia Park and Malibu Creek State Park, and a total descent of 4,217.4 feet (1,278 meters). After running the whole distance of the Bulldog 50K Ultra Trail Run, I expect to run run twice the figures above as my total ascent & descent distances. The race started at an elevation of 600 feet (182 meters) and reached the highest peak of 2,528 feet (766 meters) at the end of Bulldog & Corral Canyon Trails. And I have to run through the peaks and the trails twice under the heat of the sun!

Continue reading “My First Ultramarathon Race: Bulldog 50K” →

5 Days Before Bulldog 50K Ultra Trail Run

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Runners' Training, Running5 Comments

Last Monday afternoon, I did a speed run around the neighborhood covering at least two blocks and this session was an impulsive action on my part just to test if I still have some speed on my legs. It had been months that I did not have this kind of speed drill due to the fact that I concentrated much on my endurance for the San Francisco Marathon and lately, for my first ultramarathon trail run this Saturday. The streets in the neighborhood is relatively flat with some ascending portions and I thought I could make some sprints along the sidewalk. And I did!

One loop has an average distance of 850 meters as my GF 305 registers 845 to 870 meters on those repetition runs I did. I was surprised to see that I averaged 4:30 minutes per kilometer on my pace for the whole speed session. I did eight (8) repetitions of the loop with at least 200-300-meter recovery runs in between reps. I was happy and surprised that I still have that speed with my legs and I guess, I am becoming faster with my average speed. Continue reading “5 Days Before Bulldog 50K Ultra Trail Run” →

Fargo Street & Los Angeles Pinoy Ultra Runners

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Runners' Training, Running2 Comments

Ben Gaetos aka “benwah” made a comment on this blog giving me encouraging words and tips on my preparations for my first 50K ultra trail run next Saturday in the Malibu Creek State Park. Benwah is an accomplished ultramarathon runner together with Carmela Layson and E-Rod aka “Habang Tumatakbo”, successfully finishing almost all the popular ultra trail runs in California. Lately, Carmela Layson won in her age category as Female Champion in the Mt Disappointment 80K/80M Trail Run last 09 August 2008 at the Angeles National Forest/San Gabriel Mountains where Jorge Pacheco (Champion of 2008 Badwater) won as the Champion in the 80-Mile race.

These three Pinoy Ultramarathon runners living in the Los Angeles area will be running the famous Angeles Crest 100-Mile Endurance Trail Run which will be held on 13 September 2008. Continue reading “Fargo Street & Los Angeles Pinoy Ultra Runners” →

Marathon & Beyond

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Runners' Training, Running, UltramarathonLeave a comment

On my first week here in the United States (last July 12-19), I visited the new Barnes & Noble Store at the new Americana Mall in Glendale and bought the magazine-book, “Marathon & Beyond”. It is being published bimonthly and I was able to buy the July/August issue which costs me $ 6.95+tax.

It was my first time to see such running magazine in a book form. It was worth buying. The articles are very informative for beginners and advance runners as they are focused to marathon and ultramarathon races.

I realized later that the magazine has a website at www.marathonandbeyond.com. At the website, the article about Ryan Hall’s Training and transformation into a Marathoner and ultimately becoming the top athlete in the US Olympic Marathon Team in the 2008 Beijing is offered free and I am highly recommending for the runners to read. There are other articles in the Editor’s Choice portion where lots of information, tips and experiences from marathon & ultramarathon runners could be easily accessed as a source of inspiration and motivation to other runners. These articles were published in the past copies of the said magazine-book.

Happy Reading & Happy Running!

“Think Time, Not Distance”

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Runners' Training, Running, Trail Running, UltramarathonLeave a comment

6:47 PM 11 August 2008 (Silverlake & Echo Parks)

The advise of elite runners in ultramarathon trail running is to think of the time of one’s duration to finish the distance but not the distance of the course. Since the terrain of the trail will be more challenging and the elevations will be higher, the pace from my ordinary road runs will be greatly reduced.

The duration of one’s time in trail running will include lots of brisk walking in steep uphill routes; slower pace on narrow trails good for one person; uneven road due to the presence of protruding roots and rocks along the way, the intense heat of the sun, and the time at stop-overs in food/drink & medical stations for replenishments. Continue reading ““Think Time, Not Distance”” →

Visit At Phidippides Running Center

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, RunningLeave a comment

I asked my daughter, Jovelle to bring me to the Phidippides Running Center in Encino, California without any plans of buying any running apparel or accessories. This store was where I bought my ASICS Gel-Cumulus 8 and my lumbar Nathan Water Belt last December 2006. This is the only running store in the Los Angeles area where you can buy everything or anything about running to include accessories.

There are ASICS running apparels but the store don’t have my size. I tried their Brooks running apparel but their sizes are big. There were at least five customers who were inside the store and constantly being attended by their staff. A lady staff approached me and offered to help me but I told her that I am still thinking what to buy in the said store. My daughter is a known customer in the said store and she had some conversation with one of the lady staff. A tall Singaporean guy was there also looking at the running apparels and I heard him telling to the sales staff that he is training for the Singapore Marathon this December. Continue reading “Visit At Phidippides Running Center” →

Conversation With My Son

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Runners' Training, Running10 Comments

After John Paul picked me up at the Malibu Creek State Park last Saturday noon, I started telling him about my early prediction for the 2008 Philippine Olympic Team of not being able to win or bring home our first Gold Olympic Medal. This was the details of the conversation:

John Paul: Dad, why does the Philippines give so much attention/importance and reward for the Filipino athletes to win and bring home a Gold Medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games?

Bald Runner: We don’t have any gold medal yet and it is for the country’s national pride. Continue reading “Conversation With My Son” →

Day #3: P90X (Shoulders & Arms; Ab Ripper X)

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Runners' Training, RunningLeave a comment

I prepared two 10-lb dumbbells, a chair and a mat for this session of exercises which is concentrated on the shoulders, arms and the abdominal muscles.

My workout started with the usual light cardio warm-up exercises and stretching exercises like marching in place, running in place, jumping jacks and arm raises. It was followed by stretching on the neck, shoulders, arms, and chest muscles.

I used a lighter weight to cope up with the tempo of the demonstrators but I had to do more repetitions in the process. The whole Shoulder & Arms workout consists of twelve (12) exercises but they are divided into four (4) segments with 3 exercises. Each segment is repeated twice. Basically, the exercises were concentrated on the lifting of the dumbbells above the head; from the sides of the body to the shoulders; dumbbell arms’ flexion/curls and extension exercises for the biceps and the triceps of the arms; and dumbbell flys (seated and standing). Continue reading “Day #3: P90X (Shoulders & Arms; Ab Ripper X)” →

“You Made It…Good Job”

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Runners' Training, Running2 Comments

7:48 PM 09 August 2008 at Malibu Creek State Park (Bulldog Trail)

After we arrived in Los Angeles from San Francisco, I told my son that I will be running again the Bulldog Trail at Malibu Creek State Park next Saturday (09 August 2008) and will try to simulate the racing condition by starting earlier in the morning. I requested him to bring me to the said park and just drop me there to be fetched at lunch time.

Almost one week after finishing the San Francisco Marathon, I was back at the Bulldog Trail. After preparing for my things (water, electrolytes, GUs, and protein bars) and eating a light breakfast, we left the house at 7:00 AM and due to the traffic at Highway 10 West and at the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), we reached the park at 7:45 AM. I started my run immediately after getting out of the car.

I could see that there were hikers and runners about to start and preparing their gears at the vast parking area. The temperature was already at high 60s and the sky was clear without any clouds and I could feel that the temperature is about to get higher.

As I started my run, I planned to start slowly as I was using a 2.1-liter CamelBak Hydration (additional 5-6 pounds of weight) and thought of  running the 25K loop twice if I still have time before my son’s schedule to pick me up at the entrance of the park. Continue reading ““You Made It…Good Job”” →

The High Price Of Raising An Olympian

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Runners' Training, Running6 Comments

Money, Money, Money is the number One problem of our Philippine Sports in developing or raising an Olympian which is absolutely true to other athletes of other countries. Funding is translated for the payment of the Coaches, Clothing/Athletic Apparel, Housing or Accommodation, Food & Nutrition, Travel & Exposures to International Games, Insurance & Medical Needs, Family Support (if the athlete has a wife & kids), Sport Facility Fees and Membership to Fitness Clubs/Gyms, and Sports Biomechanics and Sports Psychology Support.

I have yet to find out a news article that says how much did the PSC or POC or the National Sports Associations spent for each of the 15 Filipino Olympians to the 2008 Beijing Olympics during their training and preparation for the 2008 Bejing Olympics. If not, maybe, asking how much our swimmer Miguel Molina spent for his training for the 2008 Olympics out of his family financial resources. Continue reading “The High Price Of Raising An Olympian” →