1. After singing some songs at the Resto where I had my lunch and posting my story about my running experience this morning, I prepared for my afternoon run. By simply wiping my whole body with my bandanas dipped in cold water, I was able to remove some of the dirt to my body exposed to the elements and at the same time cool down the temperature of my body.
2. After 3 1/2 hours of rest, I changed to a new set of running apparel—NIKE White Compression Long-Sleeved Shirt; New Balance Compression Shorts; 3 Bandanas (one for my head sweat stopper & 2 were tied on my neck); PUMA Black Socks; white cap; Ray-Ban Sports Sunglass; ASICS Gel-Kayano 14 and my Nathan Hydration Belt.
Another Set of Running Attire. Shell Station Personnel @ Tabang Were Kind & AccommodatingRice Fields Are Slowly Shrinking Due to Commercial & Housing Establishments
3. I started at exactly 4:00 PM. I entered the center of Malolos City and I was surprised to see the wide roads infront of the Provincial Capitol and the presence of so many commercial establishments on its sides. The place is completely different when I was a Brigade Commander with Bulacan as one of the provinces under my area of operation/supervision. My pace this afternoon was faster than the one I had on the start of this run. I was able to continously run for the first 10K with a time of 1:05 hours with an average pace of 6:30 minutes per kilometer. I was able to sustain the pace up to 13K mark as I started to take picture of the scenery along the way.
One of the Commercial Establishments in Malolos, BulacanOoopps...Wrong Wall To Display Campaign Posters! Hahaha!
4. For the afternoon run, I was able to run a distance of 19 kilometers in 2:27 hours to include the “walking breaks”. My average pace was 7:45 minutes per kilometer and average heart rate at 130 beats per minute. For the whole day, I was able to run & walk a distance of 46 kilometers. I left the road before 7:00 PM to look for a place to take a shower, eat and stay for the night.
Crossing The Bulacan-Pampanga BoundaryLast Kilometer Post For The Day
5. I was able to consume or pay for the following items during/after the run:
2 Bottles of Propel—-P 36.00
2 Liters of Bottled Water—P 54.00
1 Kilo of Lacatan Bananas—P 47.00 ( ate 3 pieces of banana)
1 Kilo of Ripe Mangoes—-P 50.00
Dinner/Food—-P 160.00
Hotel Accommodation (One Night)—P 630.00
6. So far, there are no “issues” or injury during my first day of my adventure run. Sleep is badly needed now!
1. Today is the first day of my “adventure run” from Manila to Baguio City. I started at Km Post #10, which almost one kilometer away from the Bonifacio Monument in Calocan City, at 6:20 AM. I started late in the morning purposely to have a clear view of the road and the environment while I started my run.
"Adventure Run" Dedicated To The Team Bald Runner
2. After a few kilometers, I was approaching the City of Valenzuela. At first, I was running against the traffic but because of the sunlight and the heat of the sun, I transfered to the other side of the road, taking advantage of the shade provided by the buildings along the road. The city streets are dirty and dusty. The traffic along the McArthur Highway was too slow because of the jeeps and cargo trucks. Almost all the restaurants and bars along the road are named after the late General Douglas McArthur!
3. The City of Meycauyan, Bulacan came next and the streets are far cleaner than the streets of Valenzuela City. All the drainage covers along the sidewalk were properly marked with “Project of Mayor Win”. Nice project and projection on the accomplishment of the City Mayor!
Drainage Cover @ Meycauayan, Bulacan
4. What reminds me of Marilao, Bulacan is the SM Mall which I had the chance to drop by at the said establishment when I was still a Brigade Commander in Central Luzon, six years ago. At this point, the road became wider and the traffic was no longer busy.
@ Marilao, Bulacan Infront of SM
5. I had my late breakfast at McDonalds in Bocaue. I ordered burger with pancake and hot chocolate. I rested here for one hour and read the daily newspaper. No worthy news to read. Everything was about politics and the national election/presidentiables blah, blah, & blah!
6. Almost all the electric posts along the way are full with posters of candidates for the president and local government officials. I’ve noticed that you see the faces of the candidates with their “best smiles” in their campaign billboards and posters but in reality when you meet them in person, you seldom see them in their “campaign smile”.
A Welcome Banner in Guiguinto, Bulacan
7. In Bocaue, Bulacan, I’ve noticed that the game of Jueteng is prevalent. In one of the street corners, I saw a collector of bets accepting money from one of the bystanders.
8. So far, these are my expenses and consumption:
Gasoline—-P 1,500.00 (Full tank which will last up to Baguio City)
Gatorade—2 Bottles—P 32.00
Water For Drinking—2 Liters—P 30.00
Breakfast @ McDonalds—P 150.00
One Pack of SkyFlakes—P 5.00
Cloud Nine (2 Bite Sizes)—P 3.00
Lunch @ Malolos, Bulacan with Softdrinks—P 100.00
9. For this morning run, I was wearing an Under Armour Runner’s Cap, one ala-Buff by Armando Caruso (P 69.00) as my head sweatband, NIKE White Long-sleeved shirt, NIKE Compression Shorts, ASICS Gel-Kinsei 2 with Hane’s Athletic Socks. On my left wristband is my GF 305 while my right wristband is my GF 405. The GF 305 tells me the elapsed time and distance while my GF 405 tells me the actual time of the day. My hydration is my old and trusted Nathan (SOB) Hydration Belt.
10. I ran through the following places along McArthur Highway: Valenzuela, Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, and Guiguinto, all of the province of Bulacan.
11. I just had my lunch and I am now resting while singing the Karaoke in one of the retaurants here in Malolos, Bulacan. I will resume my run later this afternoon.
I’ve never missed the Condura Run since the time such road race was conceptualized by Patrick and Ton Concepcion and you can consider me as an avid fan and supporter of this run. Even if I was injured last November’s Pasig Marathon and sidelined for almost six weeks of no running workouts, Condura Run was scheduled as my first Marathon Run for the year.
The Cebu City Half-Marathon last January 10 and the Midnight to Sunrise Run for the BDM 102 participants last January 31 were my “training runs” in preparation for the Condura Marathon. I set my mind that the objective of this run was to be able to finish it in less than 5 hours or better, in less than 4 hours & 30 minutes. Condura Marathon is my preparatory run for my incoming “adventure run”.
I checked-in at the coral area 20 minutes before 4:00 AM and I was able to meet the BDM 102 “veterans”; the “usual” faces in marathon races; Officers & Enlisted Personnel in the AFP; the “newbies”; and brothers Patrick and Ton Concepcion. Actually, it was my first time to meet Ton in person after so many exchanges of e-mails as I tried to impart some of my insights about the Condura run few months ago. I greeted most of the runners, smiled, and wish everybody good luck for the run.
First thing that I admire in this race is the punctuality of the gun start! The race started at exactly 4:00 AM after a brief “fireworks”. My plan was to maintain a pace of 6:00 minutes per kilometer for the whole run and expected to finish the race in 4:15 hours.
1st Marathon For the Year!
The second thing that I like in this race is the challenge of the race course. Everybody who finished the marathon would agree that the course is far more challenging than the race course of marathons outside the country. I think the Condura course is more challenging than the San Francisco Marathon! The course will always be in the minds and the “main topic” in the sharing of stories among the marathon finishers. The uphill climb towards the Camp Villamor/NAIA 3 Exit of the Skyway was the “killer” in this course!
The Face of a Road Warrior
The first time that I glanced my GF 305 is when I reached the 10K mark and I found out that my time was 1:02 hours. My 10K run was slower than what I’ve planned by 2 minutes but it did not bother me as I maintained my even pace. When I reached the 20K mark, my time was already 2:01+ hours and I was able to pick-up my pace. However, once I hit the turn-around at the Skyway, I made my pace faster and I was passing one runner from another.
On My Last 2 Kilometers
It was funny that whenever I join a runner or a group of runners, somebody always asked me what was my prevailing pace and I immediately told them that the pace was 5:45 minutes per kilometer (as what I saw on my watch)! But I became guilty of not telling them the accurate pace when I came to realize that after uploading the data from GF 305, my average pace on my way back at the Skyway was a blistering 5:05 minutes per kilometer!
The third thing that I like in this race is the abundance of Water/Sports Drinks Station and long tables full of water cups. I am just happy that, slowly, the quality of races are getting better with regards to the basic support for the runners. I can consider the influence of the runner-bloggers as the main reason for this improvement. The Race Organizers and Sponsors are already “listening” and “reacting” to the basic needs of the paying runners! As for the Condura Run, they did a wonderful job on this matter. I hope they will remove those unnecessary guys who are handing those cups to the passing runners. It would be better to just simply leave those cups with water on the table and let the runners approach the table and grab their own water. With regards to Sports Drinks, I am a Gatorade-user and I am not used to Carbonated Sports Drinks during the run and so I was not able to drink the 100 Plus Sports Drinks offered at the Aid Station.
Passion, Patience, Focus & Determination (Photo Courtesy of Jaja Galvez-Suarez)
At the 30K mark, my GF 305 registered a time of 3:00 hours flat and I was happy! No cramps, no issues, no pain, and no problem about my support. I stopped briefly to eat my instant oatmeal, fresh banana, and hard-boiled eggs as these will serve as my “fuel” for the last 12 kilometers of the run.
The last 10 kilometers was a long steady run pace with my Elite Team Bald Runner who finished their respective races. My Elite Team Bald Runner lone entry for the Marathon Race, Elmer Sabal, won 1st Runner-Up with a Cash Prize of P 40,000. Other members of the Elite Team; Alquin Bolivar won 1st Runner-Up, Alley Quisay won 2nd Runner-Up, and Crifrankreadel Indapan won the 3rd Runner-Up for the Half-Marathon; and Cora Salcedo won 2nd Runner-Up in the 5K Race, Women’s Category. My Elite Team had improved a lot since I transfered their “training camp” in the Sierra Madre Mountains.
@ Kalayaan Flyover Towrads The Fort
Due to the heat of the sun, I slowed down and there was no reason to speed up my pace on the last 5 kilometers. I have to preserve my body and not to exert a lot of effort on this part of the course. I need to recover quickly after this Marathon race and be able to prepare for my “adventure run” which I intend to start in the coming days.
I finished the Condura Marathon in 4:17:12 hours (Official Time) with an average pace of 6:08 minutes per kilometer and average heart rate of 153 beats per minute. I finished #130 out of 593 finishers. I ranked #11 for the runners 50+ years old. I was able to attain my objective for this race and ready to embark on my “adventure run”.
@ The Finish Line With Macky aka Gleeman's Tale (Photo Courtesy of Macky)
To those who experienced their “first” marathon, congratulations for finishing the race, most especially to those who were trained under our running clinic and BR’s “speed training” at the ULTRA Oval Track. Our coaches, elite athletes, and staff are proud of your accomplishment.
Lastly, my congratulations to Patrick & Ton Concepcion, Condura, sponsors and to all the volunteers for a great job!
Yes, I am going to run the Condura Marathon at a slow pace! Hopefully, I could finish the distance in less than 5 hours or better yet, in less than 4:30 hours. There is nothing to prove this time as my mind is fixed to enjoy the experience and be a part in the history of the first Condura Marathon.
My last Marathon Race was the Pasig River Marathon last November 8 and I got injured before the halfway. Despite the injury, I finished the race in sub-6 hours barely walking more than one-half of the course. Practically, I only have 6 weeks preparation for this race where my training was geared on my recovery and trying to regain the strength of my legs.
I have no pressure at all for this race. I know the “drill”. I know the limits of my body endurance and I can easily “listen to my body”. My last long run was in last Sunday’s Midnight to Sunrise Run with the 2nd BDM102 participants at the UP Loop where I was able to run almost 43 kilometers with brief “pit stops” and water breaks. And for the past days, I’ve been tapering and controlling my urge to run farther.
The Condura Marathon will be my preparatory run for my incoming “adventure run” from Manila to Baguio City. I hope I could recover fast so that I can start my run immediately.
The PMA Alumni Homecoming Week is fast approaching. Most of the alumni will be going to Fort Gregorio del Pilar in Baguio City where all the classes of the Academy will be honored by the cadets. While the rest of my classmates and my Co-Cavaliers will be riding in the comfort of their Vans, SUVs, and cars, I will be running & walking all the way to Baguio City!
The adventure run is not a “popularity gimmick” or a charity “gimmick”. I just want to prove that I can record or “journalize” such event in this blog on near “real-time” with the advent of the wireless Internet connection using my old notebook, digital camera and my GF 305 watch. I will post my location, my experience/story, and pictures on the course. It means that publishing my post in this blog will be my “rest/break” during the run.
I published my proposed schedule in my previous post but it will just serve as my “guide”. I might run further than the scheduled number of kilometers for the day. Do not think or have the impression that I will be running the whole day. The plan is to run early in the morning, rest at the middle of the day and then run again late in the afternoon. I might also incorporate an evening run in one of the days of my run.
I don’t mind if my friends and readers will join me in one of the “legs” of my run as long as they bring their support system with them. Or maybe, it would be better if they run with me and leave their support for the run.
Let me take this opportunity to thank those who sent me words of support and for those who made their “pledges” to support this “adventure run”. For those who are interested to send their “pledges” of support for this run, please send your e-mail at jovie75@hotmail.com.
Last year, I joined a “Midnight To Sunrise” Run with the rest of the 1st BDM 102 participants through the invitation of Albert Salazar aka Run2DMoon. My account on this running experience with 20+ other runners could be reviewed in my post last year.
For this year, the running experience was initiated by Jonel aka Bugobugo85/FrontRunner Magazine with the UP Diliman Loop as the venue. A group of 30+ runners joined the said run as part of their preparation for the 2nd BDM 102 which will be held on March 7, 2010. The run started at 12:08 AM after a briefing and photo-ops courtesy of FrontRunner Magazine.
Although I will be the full-time Race Organizer and Race Director for the 2nd BDM 102, I joined this run because of the following reasons:
1) My last LSD before the Condura Marathon—Yes, I am joining the Condura Marathon this coming Sunday. I am not thinking of any PR this time as I will treat this Marathon Race as another LSD run.
2) To Assess My Recovery From Injury—As part of my recovery from my injury, I’ve been building-up my endurance base and sthrengthening my legs. My running workouts are limited to long runs and tempo runs. I only did one session of interval training since I recovered from my injury. In this run, I was able to prove that my legs are in good condition.
3) To Assess The Need of Supplementary Weight Training—During my recovery, I renewed my regular visits to the Gym. My workout at the Gym were geared towards strengthening of the leg muscles, core muscles, and my upper body. After two weeks, I could feel I am becoming stronger.
4) Preparation for an “Adventure” Run—This run is a part of my planning/preparation to an “adventure run” which will start after finishing the Condura Marathon. I would be running a distance of a full Marathon Race everyday which I think is “doable”.
At 6:08 AM today, I was able to run 43 kilometers and my running time was 5:07+ hours. The rest of the time was spent for “pit stops” to eat, hydrate, and attend to the “call of nature”. I strictly followed my strategy for a slow steady pace, drink water/Gatorade every loop (2.2 kilometers), and eat solid food (boiled eggs, boiled bananas, and bread) every 12-15 kilometers.
1. On D-Day, all the Support Vehicles will proceed at vicinity Km Post #7 to wait for their respective runners once they drop off at the Starting Area at Km Post #00.
2. All runners should maintain a single file along the route of the race. This rule was violated on the first 7 kilometers of the route.
3. Runners are not allowed to approach their support vehicle, except when they want to rest. Their support crew should be able to hand in their needs while they are on the left side of the road. Proper coordination between the runner and his/her support crew spells a lot of difference in an ultra race like the BDM.
4. It is no longer allowed to leave the route to eat and buy drinks in convenience stores and fastfood restaurants during the race. Advise your support crew to buy the needed food or items and let him/her give you along the way. Better yet, plan ahead for your hydration and food intake and have these items stocked in your support vehicle. However, in case of emergency, like going to the restroom, this will be an exemption.
5. The race on D-Day will start at exactly 12:00 Midnight of Saturday, March 6, 2010.
6. Each runner shall be responsible to provide its own first aid kit, headlight, flashlight, reflectorized vest, and extra batteries during the race. The use of reflectorized vest and flashlight/headlight is highly recommended on the first 5 hours of the race as it will be dark along the way.
7. Train your bowel movement for the early part of the race as most of the gasoline service stations and restaurants will still be closed. We don’t have the luxury to deploy portalets along the route. Better yet, take some immodium/diatab tablets before the start of the race.
8. We intend to have an Aid Station at Kilometer Post #50 where we will serve hot arroz caldo, hot noodle soup and boiled sweet potato/banana/eggs exclusively for the runners. The halfway mark will serve also as the only “drop bag” area along the route.
9. We don’t intend to impose any proper attire for the race. Runner can use his/her prefered apparel for the race. The Race Organizer will not be giving race shirt or singlet for the event. Make sure that the race bib will be displayed visible on the front of the runner’s shirt or shorts. Runner will not be penalized for running without a shirt, provided that his race bib is pinned on the front part of his shorts.
10. It is suggested that runner can use light-colored or white shirt during the race as these colors don’t absorb so much heat from the sun. Provide yourself also with lots of sponge which can be soaked to cold water and used as sprinkler of cold water to your head and body. Better yet, get a bottle sprayer which you can fill with cold water and have your support crew use it to spray you with water while you are running. This is not a joke, from time to time, spray or pour cold water on your core & groin areas, too!
11. For further advise and tips in order to finish the BDM 102, please refer to my previous posts on my experience about this race. Browse also the blogs of Bugobugo85, run2dmoon, runnerforchrist, and other runner-bloggers.
12. Remember, your main objective in this race is to be able to finish within the 18-hour cut-off time and enjoy the experience.
BDM Km Post #00 to Km Post #50/6:00 AM 23 January 2010
1. At exactly 6:00 AM yesterday, a group of 70 runners and their support crew assembled at the BDM Shrine where Km Post #00 is located. It took me at least 30 minutes to brief the runners on the rules and regulations and the “critical” Km Posts to be aware of along the route so that they will not get lost.
2. I was overwhelmed by the number of runners as less than 30 runners signified in this blog to join the test run. Those who are registered to run on race day were given the priority for the prepared race bibs and the 50 race bibs that I prepared were not enough. Some runners who were not registered to run the BDM 102 were allowed to run during the “test run”.
3. After some pictorials and last instructions, the test run started at 6:35 AM. The 1st 7 kilometers of the course was very challenging to everybody because of the continous uphill zigzag route for about 4 kilometers and the strong winds on top of the mountain posed another challenge that forced the runners to run slower.
Combination of BDM Veterans, BDM "Newbies" & LSD RunnersThe RD Announcing the Last InstructionsVeteran Gene Olvis Leading the Group Only To Get Lost at Km#321st Timer Oscar Sanez & Veteran Jonel aka FrontRunner MagThis is a Violation During D-Day! Runners Should Be On Single File
4. Kilometer Posts #14, 23, and 32 are the “critical” points that every runner should remember. It is on these kilometer posts where every runner should turn right in order to trace the actual BDM route. I made sure to wait for the runners on these critical points along the route and guided them. Six (6) runners on the lead group did not notice the marked Km Post #32 and I was able to catch up with the 5 runners and directed them to go back to the crossing on the said Km Post.
Strong Winds Met The Runners at Kms 7 & 8
5. On race day, these “critical” points shall be manned with marshals and they will be marked with lighted orange cones. Another marshal shall be positioned at least 50-100 meters before these crossings to warn every runner to turn right on the road with a lighted orange cone.
Arman Fernando Edged Junrox Roque Before Km Post #50. Top 4 Runners are from "Team Hardcore"
6. As I said in my briefing before the test run, every runner’s finish time shall be recorded and posted as this will serve as their “guide or benchmark” on how they would be able to deal with the last half of the BDM 102 ultra race on 6-7 March.
2ND BDM 5OK TEST RUN
23-Jan-10
NAME
TIME
1
Arman Fernando
5:14:29
2
Junrox Roque
5:14:30
3
Jonel Mendoza
5:22:00
4
Gene Olvis
5:27:40
5
Chris Iblan
5:29:32
6
Wilnar Iglesia
5:29:32
7
Ralph Salvador
5:37:50
8
Mari Javier
5:59:40
9
Oscar Sañes
5:59:40
10
Jay Nacino
6:01:20
11
Totoy Santos
6:02:23
12
Ben Saludario
6:02:30
13
Vener Roldan
6:03:15
14
Isko Lapira
6:09:50
15
Tina Narvaez
6:10:42
16
Dennis Ravanzo
6:15:09
17
Jomar Galauran
6:20:00
18
Alvin Adriano
6:25:40
19
Albert Salazar
6:25:50
20
Wency Jael
6:28:44
21
Eric Bullena
6:33:00
22
Jerome Cartilier
6:41:03
23
Ed Yonzon
6:59:32
24
Richard Poquiz
7:07:25
25
Willie Suarez
7:12:25
26
Ramon Gillego
7:19:36
27
Francis Santiago
7:27:49
28
Francis Hortelano
7:27:49
29
Rod Apolinario
7:30:15
30
Glen Tañag
7:31:00
31
Joseph Soriano
7:36:36
32
Mylene Buenafe
7:37:44
33
Aya Isip
7:42:30
34
Raiza Tulan
7:42:30
35
Jay Cu Unjieng
7:42:30
36
Odessa Coral
7:42:30
37
Ric Cabusao
7:42:44
38
Ernesto Balolong
7:43:00
39
Gregorio Torres
7:56:20
40
Eugene Tariaga
7:56:40
41
Jag Irasga
7:57:09
42
Ray Jimenez
7:59:49
43
Jeff Avellanosa
8:00:47
44
Francis Esteban
8:02:08
45
Samuel Narcise
8:02:10
46
Abby Jocson
8:11:18
47
Mara Montaos
8:22:45
48
Benedict Meneses
8:31:23
49
Emiliano Burgos
8:31:23
50
George Dolores
8:44:40
51
Nicko Nolasco
8:44:40
52
Kim Oconel
8:48:32
53
Roel Anu
8:48:32
54
Lemuel Narcise
9:08:00
7. Out of the 70 runners, 54 finished the test run. I did not announce this before the start of the test run but I have planned this all along. All the Finishers will be awarded with their respective “Certificate of Achievement” for having the “guts and mental toughness” to “go beyond their limits”.
BDM 102 Veteran Jerome From France Finishing The Test RunKim Finally Finished Her 1st 50K UltraGeneral Samuel, my brother, Finishing his 1st 50K Ultra, the Only Active General of the AFP who officially finished an Ultra Distance
Congratulations to all the Finishers! Good job! Keep on training for the Race Day!
1. Do not think or plan of cheating in my race because I will expose you and disqualify you in my future races.
2. Ultramarathoners or Ultrarunners are supposed to be veterans of road races and they should set a good example to the younger runners. Ultramarathoners are noble men and women.
3. The new Rules and Regulations of the BDM 102 are supposed to check or prevent runners from getting or thinking the idea to make “shortcuts” of the route or take advantage of riding in their support vehicles during the early part of the race under the cover of darkness. Beware, there will always be somebody who will see you! On D-Day, time stations and checkpoints to distribute “bands” will be deployed along the route.
4. BDM 102 is the only road race in the country that awards “quality-made” medal and individual trophy to every finisher. Be sure that you deserve to receive these awards and prouder to show them to your family, relatives and friends.
5. BDM 102 is the most expensive road race in the country in terms of registration fees and support expenses for each runner. This is the only road race that provides a “Get Together Party” among the participants a few days after the race. Although the party is free, runners are encouraged to bring additional food and drinks to make the party more enjoyable and memorable.
6. My “running-friends” and “friends” from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are the cornestones of support/sponsorship in this ultrarunning event. We no longer beg or ask from our sports leaders, politicians, and corporate brands in order to support this particular road race. We will just wait for their contributions/support. This race will never be used in the name of Politics.
7. The “test run” is set for tomorrow morning. Assembly time is 6:00 AM at the BDM Shrine’s Km Post 00 in Mariveles, Bataan. The run will end at Km Post #50 in Abucay, Bataan. The “test run” starts at 6:30 AM. A simple briefing will be conducted prior to the start of the run.
8. The participants in the “test run” will observe the new rules and regulations for the 2nd BDM 102. I will allow those runners without support vehicle to join the “test run”. However, the use of support vehicle will be strictly implemented on D-Day.
9. Runners will see “red ribbons” tied on BDM Km Post markings where they will lead the runners to turn right on road crossings. Red paint spray will be used also on the asphalt/concrete road to show direction of the route.
10. Ambulance and additional drinking water will be available during the “test run”, courtesy of my brother Samie, to support all the runners.
11. When you think that you can not make it to the finish line, think positive. Always think of the integrity of the race.
1. Having been a runner since the 70s, I used to buy old issues of the Runners World Magazine & Runner’s Magazine to gain information about the scientific approaches to endurance running and to know the marathon/running personalities in famous road races in the world. Although there was a “running boom” in the 70s & 80s, running-related articles were published in newspapers and sports magazines.
2. There had been weekly Sports News broadsheets and Sports Magazines then, but most of the pages were filled with basketball-related results and their teams & respective athletes and Golf Tournaments. Running-related news would fill the Sports Pages in broadsheets due to the MILO Marathon; Manila International Marathon; PAL-Manila International Marathon; Pasig River Heritage Marathon; Magnolia Half-Marathon and the lesser-distance races sponsored by corporate brands. In short, running news were limited about the road race and the winners being published in Sports Pages of broadsheets.
3. Since the 70s, the United States had published additional running magazines aside from the Runner’s World Magazine like Runner’s Magazine, Running Times Magazine, Marathon & Beyond Magazine, Trail Runner Magazine, and Trailrunning Magazine. Other countries would also publish their version of the Runner’s World Magazine. But nobody from the local scene had ventured in the publication of a running magazine.
4. Now, for the first time, a new full-sized Runner’s Magazine is published locally in the country. The Front Runner Magazine is the “brainchild” of Constante “Jonel” Mendoza, Jr, popularly known as “Bugobugo 85” among the runner-bloggers. For a cheap price of One Hundred Twenty Pesos (P 120.00), anybody can gain a lot of information about running and fitness in a single magazine with pictorials, “no-non-sensense” and “direct to the point” articles and list of road races. It features places in the country conducive to running, training tips, nutrition, supplements, medical tips to prevent injuries, and elite athletes & race organizers in running as well as celebrities and VIPs in our society who adhere to running as their favorite sports.
5. The magazine is being published every two months and it was first released to the public in Cebu City, in time for the Cebu City Marathon last January 10, 2010. I hope that the released copies in the Visaya will filter down to the Mindanao area. The magazine is already available in Fully Booked Stores and at the Second Wind Running Stores in Metro Manila. Hopefully, this maiden issue of the magazine will filter down to the different provinces in the country and it will serve as a “jumping board” for the public to adhere to running as the “cheapest & most accessible” sports where anybody could excel or maintain an active lifestyle.
6. I am highly recommending this first and “only one of its kind” running magazine locally published “for runners by runners”. The 80-page “maiden” issue of the Front Runner Magazine is predicted to be a prized “collectors’ item” for runners.
Cover Story: "Vertek" Buenavista: ASEAN Games Marathon Gold Medalist
Bald Runner
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