Pictures @ Jeju Ultramarathon Race
Category: Jogging
Running Clinic @ Aboitiz (Times Square)
For two consecutive running clinics within a span of one week, the Elite Team Bald Runner conducted another running clinic to the personnel of Aboitiz Company whose offices are located at the Times Plaza Building at Taft Avenue corner United Nations Avenue in Manila last February 24, 2010. The running lecture started at 2:00 PM
As an introduction, Jerome Sese, the Chief HR of Aboitiz Company emphasized to the personnel the need to adhere to an active and physical lifestyle due to the prevalence of lifestyle sicknesses among its staff and personnel. In a briefing, he presented a graph on the percentage of illnesses of the people working with the company. Such illnesses include hypertension/high blood, arthritis, high BMI, asthma, and others. He stressed that it is highly recommended that each personnel of the company should engage themselves in physical activities like walking and jogging, and later to running with the goal to be healthy and reduce the “numbers” in their statistics.
Hopefully, with the conduct of such running clinics from the Team Bald Runner, Jerome stated that the company will formally organize its company’s running club where its members will be able to compete and participate in weekly road races in Metro Manila.
After the briefing of Jerome, he introduced me to the participants which was reported to be more than 50 personnel of the company. As usual, I presented a lecture with a presentation which lasted for one hour and thirty minutes. I brought with me some of my running shoes—from my trainers, racing flats, and my trail running shoes. I even showed to the participants samples of hydration system that I’ve been using in my training and road races for the past two years.
After the lecture and open forum, the whole team and participants were led to the roof top of the Times Plaza Building for the Actual Demonstration and Practical Exercises/Running Demonstration.
Coach Titus Salazar of Team Blad Runner explained and demonstrated to the participants the technical aspects of running from the proper stretching, running drills, running form & strides, up to the cool down exercises. All the participants were encouraged to do what the Coach was demonstrating to the crowd. The Elite Team Bald Runner athletes were there to demonstrate the proper way to do the running drills and perform the correct running form.
After about one hour and thirty minutes, the participants were able to learn how to stretch properly before and after their running workout. Running drills were fun to everybody. And running around the space the rooftop of the building can offer for about 15 to 20 minutes brought some perspiration to the runners even if the place was windy. After a short guidance and parting words from the Coach and from myself, my team was awarded with certificates and gifts from Aboitiz. Thanks, Aboitiz. We hope to be of service to your company and may your Running Team prosper and its members be good examples and models to your company.
The Elite Team Bald Runner is also scheduled to conduct another Running Clinic to another branch of the company and set of “newbie” runners in the future.
Planning Is Everything (Adventure Run)
In the military, planning is the most important aspect before the conduct of any operation or any activity. Being a former military officer, planning is already a part of my system. In every thing or activity that I do, there is a thorough planning involved as a guide for the execution of an operation or activity. Without any good planning, mistakes, errors and lapses occur every step of the way during the execution of your intended action or operation.
When I finally executed my “adventure run” from Monumento, Caloocan City to Baguio City, I prepared an operational plan for the said activity. In the military, every planner is guided by the letters S-M-E-A-C. These are five letters of each of the following words—Situation; Mission; Execution; Administration & Logistics; and Command & Control. In the said run, I used these words as my guide for my planning.
Situation guided me to find out the prevailing situation along the road from the starting point to the finish line. The weather, road condition, security and peace & order, pollution, noise, and traffic/density of vehicles along the road. Situation simply answered the question—who/which are my friends and enemies along the road? Mission is very simple, to run from point A to point B and be able to document the activity in near “real time” so that my readers could read and see what I did along the road as soon as I had a break or rest. Execution involved my schedule guide to run from Monumento, Caloocan City to Baguio City on a daily basis with an average of 50 kilometers covered within a day. This includes my strategy for my food & fluid intakes and the expected towns/cities where I would end my daily runs or take a mid-day break. Administration & Logistics would deal with my support system from my financial support up to my logistical support in terms of food, accommodation, gasoline, running attire, shoes, supply of ice, availability of Internet load to my SmartBro connection and what hydration system to use in every leg of the run. Command & Control would deal with Communications & Coordinating Instructons with my Support Crew/driver and the availability of access and signal to the Internet. during my “breaks” and rest over night (RON).
As I am used to be travelling to the North through the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) since it was constructed, I did not know what the old MacArthur Highway looks like nowadays. Pedestrians are not allowed along the NLEX and the only option is to run along the old MacArthur Highway. I had to recon the road/MacArthur Highway from Caloocan City up to Mabalacat, Pampanga for two times just to be sure of the exact road to take and to pinpoint towns/cities with convenience stores/fastfoods along the road. I had to make sure that my designated driver/support crew will not get lost along the road as there are tricky overpasses, road crossings and U-turns along the way. My support has to “leap frog” as far as 2 kilometers during daytime and at least 500 meters during nighttime. Driving through or travelling along the route is the best way to orient and find out the situation along the road as part of the planning process. Studying the route through maps is not enough!
In my execution of my plan, I was guided with the two most important Principles of War—Simplicity and Surprise. Simplicity means running alone. I was responsible for myself only. Surprise is exemplified when I did not warn or give any hint as to when I am going to start my adventure run. Nobody would believe that I was capable of starting this event a day after I finished the Condura Marathon. My security along the road was my most concern as I did not want to advertise this event. What was most important in this run is to be able to journalize or document my run through this blog/site on a near “real time” through my accounts and pictures.
I really don’t care if somebody in the future would run this distance in one day or two days. What I’ve proven here in this adventure run is that I could immediately inform my readers what transpired in my run immediately during my “breaks” or rest periods within the day or before I start another leg of my run. If you can run this distance in two or three days and then publish your account in your blog after you finish the whole adventure run, then that’s another view/perspective of the said experience.
Rest Over Night (RON) was the most important factor to be considered in order to have a rested and recovered body before the start of the next leg of the run. During the two occassions that I conducted an actual drive/recon up to Mabalacat, Pampanga, I pinpointed and planned to rest overnight (RON) at the MacArthur Hotel in San Fernando, Pampanga which is located along the highway. However, on the night I stopped my first leg, there was no available room and I opted to look for a hotel at the very center of San Fernando City. I was able to look for one but my standards for a decent sleeping facility/room was not met but I was able to rest/sleep for 7 hours.
On my second night, Mr Blue Pension in Capas, Tarlac was a perfect place to rest. The place has big rooms and I was able to use the Butane-fed Stove I brought to cook additional foods and prepare hot water for my instant oatmeal, coffee, and mami noodles.
On my third night, I checked in at Jijis Pension/Hotel in Carmen, Rosales, Pangasinan. There was a brownout that time but the electricity was restored after 20 minutes. The available room was cozy without any windows but the air-conditioner was perfect. I overslept in this hotel because of the lack of natural light coming from the outside but I was able to sleep the required 7 hours for the night.
On my last night along the road, I stayed at the Five Star Apartelle in Urdaneta, Pangasinan. So far, this was the best place where I had my rest overnight. The place is spacious and each unit has two bedrooms upstairs with laundry & drying areas on the first floor.
As for my meals, I was a loyal customer of Jollibee for the first two days. I had my lunch at Isdaan Restaurant in Gerona, Tarlac on my third day. I had my lunch and dinner at Matutina’s Restaurant in Urdaneta City on my fourth day. And had my breakfast at the Rivervue Restaurant at Saitan, Rosario, La Union.
I had a daly intake of Multi-Mineral & Vitamin tablet, Vitamin C, and Glucousamine. Before going to bed, I had to drink one glass of Ensure.
Lastly, I was protected by Mr Heckler & Mr Koch USP9 from Germany with their 19 powerful 9mm rounds and a spare of two magazines in case of extreme emergency. However, my daily prayers to the Lord had greatly protected me from any harm or injury.
For those who are intending to experience an adventure run, good luck and I hope you can document your experience on a near “real-time” on your blog or site. Always be safe on the road.
BDM 102 CLP & Final Briefing
An addition & improvement from last year’s edition of BDM 102 was conducted at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. A Carbo Loading Party and Final Briefing was held to meet the runners and support crews of the 2010 BDM 102. This activity was intended to distribute the race packet (race bib, instructions, & banner/tarpaulin) to the runners in order to lessen the administrative activities before the start of the race at Km 00 in Mariveles, Bataan. This activity started at 5:55PM, 5 minutes earlier than the scheduled time of 6:00PM.
The event was held at The Patio, AFP Officers Clubhouse in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. It started with an invocation from Ronnie De Lara aka RunnerFor Christ; Singing of the National Anthem; Carbo Loading Activity; and the presentation of the Final Briefing. There were some adjustments made on the Rules & Regulations and Critical Points along the route were explained and presented. However, these points along the route will be manned by Race Marshals.
It was not an All Pasta Carbo Loading Party as my brother, MajGen Samuel of the Light Armor Division of the Philippine Army who is also one of the runners, together with his son, Lemuel, donated two (2) big lechon for the party. I just hope all the participants were able to eat their share of the foods served last night.
All of the runners were excited to meet other participants of the race. Foreign runners mingled with the local runners and the “first-timers” for this race were all attentive to the briefing. I can see “strong determination” and “positive attitude” on the faces of the participants. I hope all the starters will be able to finish the race within the cut-off time of 18 hours considering the arrival of early summer in the country. I wish all the runners will have the best condition for them on the day of the race.
For those who were late in coming to the party, please don’t be late during the start of the race and during our Awarding & Get Together Party, few days after the race. As a reminder, the assembly time at the BDM Shrine at Km 00 in Mariveles, Bataan is 10:00 PM of March 6, Saturday. And for those who have not yet received their race packet, they have to be in the assembly area earlier than the scheduled assembly time. As I have announced, the race will start early as soon as we can account for everybody to be present at the starting area.
For those who were not able to get their banner/tarpaulin last night, we will give you whatever is available. It will be given on a “first come, first serve” basis. My staff will be at the Assembly Area at 9:00 PM of March 6, Saturday.
Good luck and have a safe trip to Bataan! See you at the Starting Line!
FREE Corporate Running Clinic Is Back!
2:00 PM February 19, 2010 @ 2GO Office, Old Domestic Airport, Pasay City
Last May 2009, I was invited by Jerome Sese, HR Executive of Aboitiz, Inc as one of the guest speakers in their corporate’s 3K Fun Run at the La Mesa Dam. I delivered a brief speech and suggested to the employees to conduct a running clinic for all the officers, staff & employees of the company in the near future for them to appreciate and learn the scientific approach to running.
After 6 months, I received an invitation from Jerome Sese to pursue the conduct of a running lecture & clinic to all the officers. staff and employees of Aboitiz, Inc as soon as possible. Jerome explained to me that he was assigned outside the Metro Manila area (Mindanao) after the 3K Fun Run last May 2009 and that was the reason why he was not able to make a follow-up on the conduct of running clinic last year.
The first phase of the running clinic was conducted among the personnel of 2GO whose office is located in one of the hangars-turned offices at the old Domestic Airport. The running lecture & clinic started at 2:00 PM with Jerome introducing me to the 36 participants.
My lecture featured the “basics” and principles in training and running. Phases and Tips of Training for a running distance event were explained. However, what is important in this introductory lecture in running is my emphasis on the development and enhancement of good values to each of every participant if they want to engage in a sports called “running”. In essence, I want everybody to set the example to their family, relatives and friends and a source of inspiration if they decide to be serious in running.
After 1 1/2 hours of lecture, the practical demonstration on the warm-up, stretching exercises, and technical information about running was led by Coach Saturnino Salazar and the members of the Elite Team Bald Runner. All the participants were requested to stand-up and follow the demonstrations being displayed by the Team. Due to the intense heat/temperature outside the office, the actual drills and running form demonstrations were done inside the lecture room.
After the practical demonstrations, an open forum was conducted. The Team BR answered questions about running shoes, running apparel, nutrition, and other cross-training sports related to running. After the lecture, the members of the BR Running Clinic Team were given gifts and certificates for the services rendered to the employees of the 2GO Company.
Thanks, Jerome and to the 2GO personnel for the wonderful reception and interest in running! Hope to see you on the next road races in the future.
DZMM’s Takbo Para Sa Kalikasan 10K
As far as I can remember, this is my first time to join this yearly road race whose advocacy is to protect the environment. Basically, this is the yearly road race that promotes the improvement and cleaning of the Pasig River which started in 1999. This road race is sponsored by the ABS-CBN Foundation.
I decided to join this race last Wednesday as my “diagnostic test” run to evaluate my speed after finishing my “adventure run” from Caloocan City to Baguio City on the 2nd week of this month. I realized it is my first time to run a 10K road race in Luneta-Roxas Boulevard area since I started this blog. My previous races in Luneta-Roxas area were part of full Marathon races that I’ve joined in the past.
Having arrived at the Luneta area very early (one hour before the scheduled starting time), I had my warm-up and stretching with a plan to run at my best effort for this race. I was able to brief the members of my elite team and then proceeded to the starting area. I was surprised to see a lot of runners for the 10K, 5K and 3K races. I heard that there were 8,000 runners who registered for this event. I was able to meet also other runners like Sir Amado aka Reinier 6666, members of the takbo.ph, and “newbie” runners who are expecting me to conduct their Corporate Running Lecture and Clinic in the coming days.
A simple program was conducted before the start of the race with no less than the Vice-President Noli De Castro as the highest government official promoting this race. Ms Gina Lopez, President of the ABS-CBN Foundation, was also there to grace the occassion. Well, it was a running event where the “stars” of the said network were also in attendance. Piolo Pascual, Jake Cuenca, Maricar Reyes, Enchong Dee, Nina Corpuz, Ariel Oreta, Cory Quirino, and Winnie Cordero were there to participate in the event. Piolo Pascual ran the 10K race; Jake Cuenca ran the 5K race; and the rest joined the 3K run.
After some short speeches from the VIPs of the ABS-CBN, warm-up/stretching exercises, and briefing from Mr Rudy Biscocho, the race started at least 3 minutes before the scheduled time. You expect an early or a punctual start of the race if Mr Rudy Biscocho is the Race Director of a running event.
As the gun was fired (actually, a sound effect of an explosion), I immediately placed myself infront and tried to find an ample space among the front runners. After one kilometer, I glanced at my GF 305 and it registered an average pace of 4:47 mpk. It was a good start and an early pace before I started to perspire. I tried to maintain my pace and never glanced at my watch until I reached the halfway/turn-around. Few meters away from the turn-around point, my watch registered a time of 24:18 minutes and again tried to increase my pace.
As soon as I reached the 5K Race turn-around (2.5K from the Finish Line), the road became full of runners & walkers. Moreso, when I reached the 3K Race turn-around point, more runners would fill the road that I had to look for a way or space to overtake these slower runners. The presence of the slower runners and walkers in the lesser distance races made my average pace slower.
I finished the 10K race in 47:37 minutes based from my GF 305 (unofficial time). The following were the kilometer splits for the 10K race: 4:47/4:30/4:39/4:40/4:51/4:50/4:57/4:56/4:53/4:46. The distance was measured accurately at 10K with my GF 305. My average pace was 4:45 mpk with an average heart rate of 168 beats per minute.
I am satisfied with my performance with this race. I know I could be faster if I put more time with my speed-endurance workouts. From the result time, my average pace per mile is 7:40 minutes. With progressive training and additional time for my supplementary weight training, I will be focused to qualify for this year’s MILO Marathon Eliminations on July 4, 2010. My finish time at the Century Tuna Half-Marathon of 1:47:51 hours and my time in this race are already good references for my training program in my next Marathon Race.
Alley Quisay of the Elite Team Bald Runner won as Champion in the Hall of Fame Special Award for winning and defending his title as the winner in last year’s 10K Race with a time of 32:13 minutes in the Men’s Division. Jujet De Asis and Frank Indapan of Elite Team Bald Runner won the 1st & 2nd Place in the 10K Race. They received their awards and prizes from Vice-President Noli De Castro.
The road race was orderly conducted with part of the Roxas Boulevard closed from any vehicle and all the basic amenities/support for the runners were available. Instead of the water being served in cups, bottled water was available and given to all the runners in every Water Station which was located every 2.5 kilometers.
Congratulations to ABS-CBN Foundation, Mr Rudy Biscocho & staff, and to all the Finishers for a nice and orderly running event.
getting even
This is one of the untold stories during my adventure run from Manila to Baguio City on the 2nd week of this month.
Once I entered the Province of Tarlac, I have observed that the whole province turned to yellow color. All the campaign banners, posters, and tarpaulins displayed along the highway are all colored yellow. Almost all the electric posts, trees and walls lined up along the highway are all filled with campaign posters. I am not sure if the campaign leaders & representatives of the national candidates for the provinces know the provisions of the COMELEC Election Laws.
I found out that a former Congressman in the early 2000 is running for a Senatorial seat in this year’s national election through the posters I saw along the highway. This Congressman was one of those who investigated me and other senior officers of the AFP in a Congressional Inquiry & Investigation about a military operation in Southern Mindanao that went wrong due to the “meddling” of armchair Generals at the General Headquarters. Being the operational commander in the area, my orders to my men were “countermanded” by the Generals sitting their asses in the comfort of their air-con offices in Manila. To make the story short, this Congressman prevented me from reading my prepared statement during the hearing and the said hearing brought embarassment to the whole military establishment due to the Congressman’s “grandstanding” antics infront of the TV camera!
When I saw the face of this Congressman on his campaign posters, it broughk back “bad” memories of the Congressional Inquiry & Investigation. At an instant, I started pulling and removing his campaign posters displayed on the trees and electric posts along the way! As if nothing happened whenever I pass by his campaign posters as I did not stop or slowed down my regular pace while grabbing and pulling his campaign posters. You could just imagine how many posters of this Senatorial candidate I was able to remove from the Province of Tarlac to Baguio City.
Whether my act of removing/pulling his campaign posters was good or bad, I think, I was able to get even with this politician. In the first place, the display of his campaign posters other than the authorized election/campaign poster areas is a violation of the COMELEC’s Election Laws provision. How I wish COMELEC could “deputize” me and other runners to remove those campaign posters displayed in violation of the COMELEC’s Election Laws. That would be an exciting job!
Fourth Day: Mid-Day Run
1. I was not able give my readers a brief description of my run on the 4th day of my adventure run. I was able to post my pictures as “teaser” for what had transpired during the run.
2. I slept late on the 3rd day as I was frustrated to have not reached the boundary of Tarlac and Pangasinan due to the stones/gravel and sand along the sidewalk of the National Highway and finally stopped at Km Post #160, barely 8-9 kilometers to the boundary line. While at the Hotel, there was a 30-minute “brownout” which disturbed my sleep. However, I was able to extend my sleep by waking up late in the morning. I ordered a full breakfast meal and ate it without any hurry.
3. Since I slept in one of the roadside hotels in Carmen, Rosales, I had to be driven back to San Manuel, Tarlac, a 10K-drive, at 9:00 AM. Finally, I started my run from Km Post #160 on or about 9:30 AM. It was already too hot during the day but I was able to endure by incorporating walking breaks during my run. As practiced and done in my previous days, I had to drink water from my Nathan Hydration bottle every 2 kilometers and drink half-bottle of Gatorade every 5 kilometers.
4. I was very strong during the morning run because I had a full breakfast with steamed rice, fried eggs, & longganiza (local sausage). After running straight for 12 kilometers, I have to incorporate walking breaks while eating SkyFlakes crackers and Cloud 9 chocolate bites. At 12 noon, I reached the City of Urdaneta and decided to check-in to an apartelle recommended by my friend, Cecil Morella. I had my cold shower and prepared for my lunch. I had my lunch at Matutina’s Restaurant where I ate Pusit Adobo, Fried Bangus Belly, and Pork Barbecue with Rice. After lunch, I was able to sleep at the Apartelle for almost 2 hours.
5. At 4:15 PM, I prepared to continue my run from the Apartelle, going towards Urdaneta Poblacion and Binalonan. It was still very hot and the sidewalk was still the same—sand & gravel but I endured the surface of the road and the sound/noise, pollution and traffic of vehicles along the National Highway. Those narrow bridges between Urdaneta and Binalonan are accident-prone areas because the width could exactly accommodate two vehicles abreast with each other. I took extra precaution on crossing these bridges making sure that there was no vehicle crossing on the bridge with me on both traffic. Most of the old bridges don’t have any space for pedestrians on both sides of the road. I really wanted to stop by on those makeshift stores selling boiled corn on the sidewalks of the road between Urdaneta and Binalonan but I was in a hurry to finish my run. The boiled corn being sold there are sweet and fresh. They are produced/harvested locally on those cornfields along the highway. However, I did not miss these boiled corn as I bought some on my way back to Manila. I finally reached Km Post # 192 in Binalonan, Pangasinan at 6:00 PM. I ended my run very early because of a dinner appointment with Rey Jimenez in Urdaneta City.
6. Days before I reached the Province of Pangasinan, Rey Jimenez of Dagupan City contacted and invited me for dinner in Urdaneta through my cellphone and he was a generous host and very persistent to join me on my last leg from Saitan, Rosario, La Union to Baguio City. It was my second time to meet him as he joined the 2010 BDM 50K Test Run from Mariveles to Abucay, Bataan last month even if he did not finish a full marathon distance yet. He is a good runner as he finished the BDM Test Run in 7+hours. During the dinner, Rey showed seriousness in joining me on the next day’s last leg to Baguio City.
7. As scheduled at 6:30 PM, Rey and I met at the Matutina’s Restaurant, the very same restaurant where I had my lunch! Rey ordered the following dishes for the dinner: Inihaw na Bonuan Bangus, Sinigang na Malaga, Lechon Kawali, and Kilawen na Pusit. It was a heavy dinner but it was enough as my food replenishment for the day and “carbo” load for the next day. I told many stories to Rey about my experiences on the road for the past 4 days during our dinner. Rey, thanks for the dinner!
8. At about 9:30 PM, after posting my “teaser” pictures and my day’s evening edition, I immediately went to bed with an intention to wake up early for the last day of my run. I was decided to finish the run on the 5th day in Baguio City.
9. This leg was my shortest run in terms of my daily mileage but it was one of the hardest days because of the heat of the sun and the condition of the sidewalk along the National Highway. I was told that this day was the first day of summer for the year! My total mileage was 32 kilometers. The mileage was short but I was able to conserve my strength and energy for the last leg of my run.
10. On political and campaign posters in Pangasinan, I did not see much posters along the highway. Almost all the barangays along the National Highway from Urdaneta City to the Pangasinan-La Union Boundary has a posted notice from the Barangay Captains that they prohibit the display of campaign posters nailed/stapled on trees and I believe that this notice was strictly implimented. Instead, I’ve seen the following “writings on the walls”:
CLP; 2010 BDM 102 Briefing & Others
To All 2010 BDM 102 Participants:
1. There will be Carboloading Party (CLP) and Final Briefing for all the runners & support crew members for the 2010 Bataan Death March 102K Ultramarathon Race (BDM 102) at 6:00 PM on March 4, 2010 at The Patio of the AFP Officer’s Clubhouse in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. The registration fee is One Hundred Fifty Pesos (P 150.00) per person which will cover for the food and drinks. This will be an all-pasta dinner for every paying attendee. Runners are advised to be on the venue before 6:00 PM as the program will start on time.
2. Race Bib and Copy of the Rules & Regulations will be given during the CLP Party. We will try to minimize administrative activities/requirements before the start of the race on D-Day at Km 00. If possible, we will start the race before midnight of Saturday, March 6, 2010. Assembly Time at Km 00 in Mariveles, Bataan will be at 10:00 PM of March 6, 2010.
3. Runners are advised to send e-mail at bald.runner@yahoo.com to signify if they are bringing their own support vehicle or they are part of a group of runners using only one vehicle. We intend to give banner-tarpaulins for the runner’s support vehicle during the CLP Party. Limited number of tarpaulins was ordered and they will be distributed to runners who sent e-mail message about their support vehicle. There will be no banner-tarpaulins which will be distributed on Race Day.
4. Last day of Medical/Doctor’s Certificate submission will be on March 1, 2010. We will not allow runners to join the race without any Medical/Doctor’s Certificate. We will publish the final list of runner-participants on March 2, 2010 in this blog; www.bataan102.com; and www.bataan102.blogspot.com.
5. For those who would like to pursue ultrarunning/ultramarathon as their sports, I am inviting the BDM “veterans” (those who finished the 2009 edition); those who finished the 2nd BDM 50K Test Run; other ultrarunners; and the Finishers of the 2010 BDM 102 to apply as members of the Philippine Association of Ultrarunners (PAU). The annual membership fee is One Thousand Pesos Only (P 1,000.00) per member which will entitle each member an ID Card, Sport Shirt with PAU Logo, 10% discount from registration fees of Races organized by Bald Runner’s Events, and a chance to participate to the following International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU)-sanctioned races for 2010:
IAU 100K Asian Championships in Jeju, Korea in March,
IAU 24H World Championships (including European Championship) in Brive-la-Gaillarde, France, in May,
IAU 100K World Championships (including European Championship) in Gibraltar in November,
IAU 50K World Trophy Final in Galway, Ireland in August.
“Half-Naked” @ Century Tuna 21K Run
The race started 12 minutes ahead of schedule and I liked it. I checked-in very early at the starting line thinking that I could meet some friends as I stayed at the middle portion of the runners. A number of runners greeted me and after a few seconds before the starting gun was fired, I moved at the front area talking to some of the elite runners.
As soon as the gun was fired, I removed my singlet and threw it to my staff at the sidelines and started my GF 305 as I passed the lined up carpet for the RFID Champion Chip tied on my right shoe lace. From the starting line, I was running “half-naked”. I started too quick so that I could not be bothered with the rest of the runners. Immediately, I was able to maintain an ample space where I could run at my pace without being crowded by other runners. It was still too dark that I could not identify the faces of those runners who would pass me and those who are on my sides.
At the first 5 kilometers, I could sense that I was running faster than 5:00 mins per km and tried to slow down to preserve my strength for the second half of the race. I tried to maintain my pace at 5:00 to 5:15 mpk but my pace would reach up to 5:30 mpk when I ran uphill and during my brief run at the Heritage Park.
At Halfway, I was joined by Jonel & Junrox but Jonel went ahead of us as he increased his pace at Lawton Avenue. While inside the Heritage Park, Natz joined us up to near the Finish Line. The picture above was taken by one of the takbo.ph peeps. Thanks for the picture.
I started and finished the half-marathon race “half-naked” as what I promised to do in my previous post. Nobody cautioned me. Nobody from the road marshals tried to stop me. But I received a lot of cheers from bystanders and audience once I entered the Heritage Park. I also received favorable comments from my runner-friends as I met them along the route. Maybe it’s because I am totally different from the others or maybe, I looked “funny” as an old bald man running “half-naked”! hahaha! Other runners would ask me if I am the father of Derek Ramsey! Yes, you are right, dude! hehehe!
I finished the race in 1:47:51 hours (unofficial time) based from my GF 305. My average pace was 5:06 mpk and the distance registered at 21.1 kilometers. My finish time is a big improvement from my Cebu City Half-Marathon by almost 10 minutes.
This race gave me so much confidence that I am back in road racing again after my injury last November 2009. Basing from the result of this race, I could already train for my next full marathon and try to qualify for the 2010 MILO National Marathon Finals. The previous Condura Marathon last February 7 was considered as a long run without so much speed-endurance and it prepared me for my “adventure run” from Manila to Baguio City. The objective in the MILO Marathon Eliminations is to be able to finish the race in 3:45 hours!
On the winners of the different races, the Elite Team Bald Runner did not win any place in the top 3 runners of the 21K Race. The race was won by Ed “Vertek” Buenavista and two Kenyan runners were ranked 2nd & 3rd Place. In the 10K Race, Alquin Bolivar & Frank Indapan of Team BR won 2nd & 3rd Place, respectively. In the 5K Race, Gerald Sabal & Jujet De Asis of Team BR won 1st & 2nd Place. In the ladies category, Cora Salcedo of Team BR won 3rd Place in the 3K Race.
Bald Runner
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