Hardcores Beat Cyclists! (From 13, Now 23 Runners On “Runabout”)

On February 1, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Practice Runs, Running19 Comments

These series of “runabouts” started last December with only four runners. Now, on its fourth (4th) event, the number of runners had increased to twenty-three (23) runners, to include my son, John. This runabout had been scheduled weeks ahead but the final route was only decided on the early part of this week. It was Jonel aka Bugobugo and Rico of Power Runners who finalized the route, making sure that Reinier6666’s question of the distance of Marcos Highways must be answered. Even if there is a scheduled road race at UP Dilman Campus this morning, the “hardcore runners” wanted a longer distance run along the major roads of Metro Manila. So, the schedule was set at 5:30AM as the “jump-off” time.

My son and I arrived infront of the Oblation, UP Diliman at exactly 5:23AM and I saw a number of the runners waiting for the others to arrive. We were not able to leave from our starting point on the scheduled time because we had to wait for Jerry aka High Altitude as he was still in Cubao after taking a bus from Silang, Cavite as early as 3:30AM. As soon as we were complete, we had a briefing from Rico about our route and what to expect along the way, making sure that the group should always run together on the left side of the road, facing the traffic and identify the prominent places along the way where everybody should stop to wait for the slower runners. After the briefing, we checked on our hydration packs & belts, started our watches, and we were off from the UP Campus towards Masinag Market. The twenty-one (21) hardcores started the runabout.

The "darker" ones were not visible! Photo-Ops Infront of the Oblation

Another picture before the start of the "runabout"

It was too dark when we started the runabout and the faster runners went ahead of the group. I did not notice that we were already running along the Katipunan Avenue and we were out of the UP Campus. The group was later divided into three distinct groups as the faster runners could be seen at least a hundred meters ahead of us. We were on the middle group who were maintaining a pace of about 5:45 min/km to 6:15 min/km pace. A few meters on our back was the slower group being handled by Jonel and Lester. Along Katipunan, we met two runners going towards the UP Campus who happened to be Randy, one of our members of Team Bald Runner, and asked him to join us together with his companion. Thus, making us 23 runners for the whole “runabout” group! As we turned left to one of the major streets, I could see that we were going towards the Marikina Riverbanks (and running above it and the river) and SM City Marikina. As we ran along the wide Marcos Highway, I did not notice that we were about to cross the boundary of Marikina and Antipolo.

The "Sweepers" of the Group with Jonel, Lester & Margaret

While running along the Marcos Highway, as the day became brighter, my son asked if what he was seeing ahead of about 500 meters, an uphill climb. And I said “yes” and he answered, “Oh, my God”. We kept our pace and running side by side until we went towards the first uphill, not knowing that running along the Marcos Highway was already running slightly uphill. After the first uphill climb, we could see Masinag Market and the first group was already resting and waitng for us and the other runners at the corner before reaching the said Market.

Most of the time, the younger runners (as I am the oldest in the group!) would asked me if the place where they were resting/waiting was already the “turn-around” point for us to go back where we started. As always, I make the distance of the route longer and make the running experience more memorable. This morning, as the younger runners asked me where we should go, I told them that we should reach the road leading to the Valley Golf Club and have our pictures taken at the “Golf Ball”. After a group picture at the Masinag Market, we turned right and proceeded to the “Golf Ball”. I did not expect that this road would make our “runabout” a memorable one.

This was now the most interesting part of the run. The hardcores were able to prove that runners on this uphill road are faster than those cyclists going up to the peak. Most of the cyclists were resting halfway on the road and the others were trying to push hard on their pedals just to keep up with the pace of the runners. Nobody from the cyclists were able to keep up with our running pace up to the time we reached the “Golf Ball”. I know that this road is a favorite route of the weekend cyclists and other elite cyclists and I could see on the surprised eyes and faces of these cyclists to see a group of runners treading on their turf. Moreso, with the presence of our lady runners, Dess, Margaret and Jonie! The cyclists could not believe that they were seeing fast and strong lady runners!

While having a photo-ops at the “Golf Ball” (Valley Golf Club), I asked the runners to reach the peak of the road and pace with the rest of the cyclists and from there, we will have to turn-around and have our “pit stop” at McDonalds-Masinag Market. So, the runners raced again with the cyclists upto the peak and we stopped at the Gate of a Memorial Park. After another photo-ops, it was time for our breakfast/”pit stop”. Going down from the peak to Masinag Market was a fast one but we had to be careful as more cyclists were going up as we met them on the left side of the road.

Going Down Towards McDonalds-Masinag Market

The “pit stop” at the McDonalds was a much-needed rest and time to replenish our spent energy through food and liquids. The 7-11 Store adjacent to MacDonalds was the source of our sports energy drinks and bottled water as replenishment to our hydration packs. After almost 30 minutes and making sure that everybody had their food and water, we started the last leg of our run back to the Oblation.

I was at the back of the fastest group and we were going at 5:30 mins/km pace along Marcos Highway. Jay aka Prometheus was the one leading the group. We felt the heat of the sun as we reached the road fronting the SM Marikina and all the way along the Katipunan Avenue. Some of us slowed down but we knew that in a few meters, we’ll be entering the shaded campus of UP. As we entered the campus, the fastest group kept on jogging towards the finish line, after running one round along the academic oval. I joined Jerry aka High Altitude and Jay Lee Cu-Unjieng walked the last 800 meters towards the finish area.

A "Taho Treat" Dedicated To Bards! Happy Birthday!

I did not use my GF 305 due to faulty battery and instead, used my old and reliable Casio Pathfinder Watch. It registered an elapsed running time of 2:47+ hours. The runners with GF 304 registered a distance of almost 27 kilometers. In my computation, we had an average pace for the runabout in 6:00+ mins/km.

We finished the run with stretching exercises, gulping lots of “taho”, more pictures, and stories to share. I will let Jonel share you the story with our photo-ops with “Zorro”. All the runners, to include the new ones, were happy to experience the event. We were out of the UP Campus at 10:00AM.

To the Hardcores, thanks for another running adventure! As I said, who needs a race organizer when you could run with a group on a Sunday morning where you could run as fast as you can and enjoy the company of “friends” who are crazy about running. We should run more “runabouts” in the future. How about a “runabout” from Heritage Park to Enchanted Kingdom and back?

The Hardcore’s next “run adventure” will be a 6-Hour “Midnight to Sunrise” Run at the MOA Grounds on February 8. If you are a registered runner for the Bataan 102K Ultramarathon Race, you are encouraged to join us. See you there!

Response To My Critique @ 2009 PSE Bull Run

On January 30, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Running10 Comments

Race organizers’ response to Bald Runner’s comments on the Bull Run 2009

First of all, we appreciate all the comments made regarding the conduct of the PSE Bull Run 2009. Below are our answers to the said critique:

Water stations were positioned in several spots along the route as well as at the Start/Finish Line. The water station at the Start/Finish Line is located at the far end of the finish line, left side facing the finish line arch.

Road marshals were stationed at every turning point and street intersections. They were riders and personnel from Fort Bonifacio Development Corp. But we will still assess the performance of our road marshals in order to improve the management of vehicle traffic while the run is ongoing.

PSE owns the area where the start/finish line and program was situated. That is the reason for the selection of the said area. Given the significant increase in the participants for this year, it is best that the PSE considers other area/s for their race.

The digital clock is mounted just below the trusses of the starting/finish line arch. Some runners may not have seen the clock mainly because of its height. Positioning of the clock will be further reviewed so as to ensure its visibility to all runners.

We, Argent Network International Corp./Full Shot Advertising, are the organizers of the Bull Run this year. Our company name is visible in all our promotional materials such as flyers and tarpaulin banners and in promotional activities such as TV guestings. Furthermore, during the race day event itself, the main persons behind our company (Pablo Cay and Gay Maddela) are repeatedly acknowledged by the emcee. We would want to know the specific circumstance/s that we have been “notorious for not being able to look for the safety and welfare of the paying runners and walkers.” PATAFA officials are present because they are in-charge of the technical aspect of the run. That is, the measurement of the course distance and result officials.

The content of program after the race was a decision made by the race owner – which is the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). We have already communicated this with PSE.

The announced registration period will end a 2 days before the actual race event which is January 16, 2009. But due to the influx of runners wanting to register, the runners reached beyond the projected numbers thus, the race bibs ran out. With this situation, we have to declare an early closure of the registration. But we officially closed the registration on January 15, 2009, Thursday and not a week before the race day.

There had been a remiss in the releasing of the race packets, which include the race bib and singlet. Production of the singlet was delayed thus, the race bibs were released even without the singlets. There had been cases of missing race packets. This we have to improve on. Reasons for the delay are internal between our company and PSE. Rest assured that we would review our registration and releasing procedures and implement a more efficient process in our next races.

There are assigned color codes for each race event – 10k (blue ), 5k (green), 3k Open ( violet )and 3K PSE (red0. But due to the increase in the number of registrants, we were forced to transfer race bibs of one event to another event. In order to ensure that the runners run the event where they registered in, we have added measures to identify such runners. These added measures were communicated to the technical group.

Certificates of Completion were distributed at the Secretariat Booth situated beside the Technical Booth. Distribution was announced by the emcee. Most runners were able to get their certificates.

The VIP tables were set-up for the VIP guests of the PSE. These were not intended to discriminate anyone but to accommodate the event sponsors, PSE officials, among others. In most races, race owners do not give runners food. Discretion on such matter rests on the race owners.

We agree that walkers should not be mixed with runners in one route. The race owner and the race organizers did not anticipate the huge turnout of fun runners because previous years records show a low trend for such type of race participants. PSE and the next race organizer of the event will consider this in their future race events.

Two or Three Days Rests

On January 29, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Runners' Training, Running9 Comments

Last week, I had a 3-day rest (Monday to Wednesday) from running and resumed my running on the morning of Thursday at the ULTRA Oval Track. I did a 10K run at the oval within my 97% Lactate Threshold with an average pace of 5:03 minutes/kilometer. On the following day, Friday morning, my son and I ran the route of the Happy Run 15K with 79%-80% Lactate Threshold with an average pace of 6:10 minutes/kilometer. However, during our scheduled “speed” session on Friday night, Maj Espejo gave us the usual instruction to run 75% of the distance we are going to run for the Sunday’s race at our 100%-110& Lactate Threshold. So, for the members who were scheduled to run the Happy Run 15K, they ran 11 Kilometers at their race pace and I ran 7.5 kilometers at my race pace for the Resolution Challenge 10K Run and finished it with an average pace of 4:48 minutes/kilometer. On the early morning of Saturday, I was back at the ULTRA Oval Track for my 30-minute “active recovery” run with a 70% Lactate Threshold or with a slow pace of 6:30 minutes/kilometer. Well, last Sunday, I finished the Resolution Challenge 10K Run with an average pace of 4:32 minutes per kilometer, barely missing eight (8) seconds from my 110% Lactate Threshold.

This week, I had another 2-day (Monday & Tuesday) complete rest from running. I went to the gym after lunch yesterday for a 0ne-hour workout for my upper body and “core” muscles. After a short shower and changing my attire for running, I was already on my way to the ULTRA Oval Track for the Wednesday scheduled training. During our training session, the coaches gave us more new “jumping & bouncing” drills and “new” speed drills we had never experienced before. Our coaches keep on surprising us with their “gimmicks and techniques” wherein they explain the importance of each drill for us to improve our finish time and running technique & form. The best part of such explations is that our coaches deliver their point in English! I can say that almost 100% of the members keep on improving their finish time because of the “message/voice” of Coach Salazar which keeps on repeating to our ears & brains during weekend road races! Here comes now the best part—our “main course” for the day! We were directed to do 5 X 400 meters with 1:30-minute rest in-between interval at our 110% Lactate Threshold. That is just the starter. After 3-minute rest after finishing the 5 X 400, we have to do 2 sets of 15-minute runs with 3-minute rest in-between the sets within our 110% Lactate Threshold, too! There was no need to complain as we knew our coaches were leading us to a new and higher level of running performance. As my GF 305 was not working because of spent battery power, I really did not know how fast or slow we were running on those laps and sets. However, what I knew was that I became stronger and faster after those two days rests and did not have any leg pains or soreness even if I had my gym workout before this speed training session yesterday.

On these two or three days rests, I went to the province, away from the polluted air of Metro Manila. I just enjoyed the fresh air and the nice cold weather in Laoag City last week and in Cagayan Valley last Monday & Tuesday. No running but just a short walk to have a glimpse of those vast fields newly-planted with rice. Just breathing the fresh air around; enjoying the fresh foods which were home-cooked and sometimes, served “raw”; and resting and relaxing for the rest of the day during these days made me recover my tired muscles and I know my body is ready again for more running “adventures” in the coming days.

To all the runners, I suggest you take also a 2 or 3-day rest and drive/fly away from the noise, crowd, traffic and polluted air of Metro Manila and re-charge yourself. Just relax, eat, and breath the fresh air around you.

Also, to most of the runners who want to improve on their speed and finish times in their future road races, you should know your Lactate Threshold and be able to use it in your training. You should know the answers of the “WHY” you are doing those repetitive interval runs of 100, 200, 400, or 800-meter or other speed runs on the track and your “fartleks” in your road runs. Not knowing the reason/s why you are doing something to improve your running is not good for your training.

(Note: For those runners who do not understand or don’t have any knowledge about Lactate Threshold, join or visit our “speed training” sessions at the ULTRA Oval Track, our coaches will be glad to explain it to you. If interested, our coaches will be glad also to test and find out your Lactate Threshold. For our schedules of training, please visit www.teambaldrunner.wordpress.com)

25 Jan 09: Latest “Team BR” Performance

On January 27, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Race Results, Races, Running2 Comments

At the 2009 Resolution Challenge held in SM Mall of Asia (MOA) 10K Race, Elite Team Bald Runner’s Cresenciano Sabal won the Championship with a time of 30+ minutes. Another Elite Team BR’s Alley Quisay won the 1st Runner-Up with a time of 31+ minutes. Rene Herrera, Gold Medalist in the past ASEAN Games 3,000-meter steeplechase placed 2nd Runner-Up. This is the second time in road races that members of Elite Team Bald Runner defeated a member of the RP Athletics National Team. In the Female Category, Ailene Tolentino and Anna Vargas of Elite Team Bald Runner won 1st Runner-Up and 2nd Runner-Up, respectively. The Female Championship in the 10K went to Mercedita Manipol of the RP Athletics National Team.

In the Resolution Challenge 5K Run, Gerald Sabal of Elite Team Bald Runner won the Championship with a time of 15:55 minutes. Oher members of Elite Team BR, Rene Desuyo and Jujet De Asis won 2nd Runner-Up and 3rd Runner-Up, respectively. In the Female Category, Marecil Maquilan won the Championship.

At the Happy Run 15K which started & ended at The Fort, Jose Mari Javier of Semi-Elite Team Bald Runner placed 6th Overall and won 1st Place in the Age “C” Category (30-39) with a fast time of 1:08:10 hours. Mayo Rodriguez of the Semi-Elite also placed 5th Overall with a time of 1:08:01 hours. Another Semi-Elite Team BR member, Jonel Mendoza aka Bugobugo85 who placed 12th Overall with a time of 1:08:20 hours and barely missed getting 1st Place in the Age “D” Category by 40 seconds from the 1st Placer. Coach Saturnino Salazar also finished the 15K in 1:08:40 hours while pacing and reminding the members to be “light & fast” with their midfoot strike and stride frequency.

The rest of the Competitive Team (about to become Semi-Elite) Bald Runner members: High Altitude, RunMD, Tri’N Hard, Banana Running, My Iron Shoes, BroJ & Baby, Jay Lee Cu-U, Jody Jacinto (whose finish time is in the Female Category), Nino Ramos, Charlie Chua, Gold’s Gym’s Power Runners, and the rest of the “Hardcore-Concerned” Runners, were able to improve their PR times in the 15K distance. Congratulations, guys!

My 2009 Resolution: Register Early!

On January 25, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Races, Running10 Comments

The Simpler, The Better!!!

The Bald Runner is just an ordinary runner and pays attention to announcements that The Happy Run had closed its registration as early as Thursday afternoon. So, there is no point of forcing the issue even if my staff were trying to communicate with the race organizer for the accommodation of my son who is visiting from the United States and myself. But I was surprised to learn that the elite members of Team Bald Runner are running the Resolution Run at MOA. So, I decided to run with the elite team for the Resolution Run this morning together with my son.

My son, John and I arrived at the MOA grounds at least one hour before the start of the race as Maj Espejo handed to me our race packets. The surroundings was still dark but the breeze coming from the sea was so refreshing and cold that I had to wear my sports jacket while having my slow warm-up jog along the wide streets at the back of the MOA. I decided not to bring my water belt this time and planned to slow down at least on two water stations for my “water breaks”.

The race started at 6:04 AM with about 500 runners where all the race distances (10K, 5K & 3K) were mixed together. But I found out that there was no problem with the mixed start at one time as the street was too wide for all the runners. I have to say that the EMCEE and the Public Address System were better than the last two races I’ve joined. The voice of the EMCEE gave some sort of a relaxing mood for the runners and the music (hip-hop) were pleasing to my ears. There were no program and speeches or unnecessary remarks from the EMCEE. He just announced that there are 40 seconds before the start of the race and before we knew it, the EMCEE just said “GO!” and off we went to our 10K run.

I was serous in my run while my son was having fun! — I was serious in my run while my son was having fun!

Finally, We Got Separated From The Main Group

The route is relatively flat and fast as it went along the road parallel to the Promenade area at the back of MOA and the route took us to the PICC area up to the Sofitel (Philippine Plaza) Hotel and made our turn-around infront of the Film Academy Center Building where the marshalls gave us one ribbon colored blue and took my water sip on a water station located near the turn-around point. Going back was easy but we have to pass along the road where the “Globe” is located infront of MOA. The presence of the plying buses and vehicles made most of the runners to slow down as we tried to run directly as much as possible to the next corner or pavement of the streets. This is the only disadvantage I could see in running wide streets, it is hard to visualize which part of the road you have to run in order to mnimize distance up to the next road where you need to turn (to the left or to the right) towards the finish line. When I knew that I had only the last kilometer ahead of me before the finish line, it was the only time that I looked at my watch and I was surprised to see that my GF had registered 40+ minutes. On the last 400 meters, my son passed me and reached the Finish line at 43:18 minutes (in his GF 405) and I finished the race in 43:30 minutes (in my GF 305).

John Passing The Finish Line In 43:18 Minutes. He admitted that this is his 1st 10K Race in his running career after finishing the Los Angeles Marathon For Four (4) Times.

The distance registered in my GF 305 was 9.6K (short by 400 meters). Even if I ran an additional 400 meters with my average pace for the last kilometer, I could have finished the race in 45:15 minutes. My average pace for the said race was 4:32 minutes/kilometer (as compared to my last week’s pace of 4:37 minutes/kilometer in the PSE Bull Run). Which means that I was able to improve my time for the 10K distance for almost one minute for this race. Whoaaa! Another PR again!

A Picture After The Race. Finally, This Race Made My Son As An "International Runner"

So, for those “stalkers” to the Bald Runner, if only I could have joined you in the Happy Run 15K, you might not have any chance of passing me along the way. According to my Pace Race Chart, with my 10K Finish Time today, I should have finished the race in 1:07:40 hours. Ha! Ha! Ha! Even with those hills at the Happy Run, I’ve really prepared and practiced on the same route last Friday morning together with my son.

Evaluation on the 2009 Resolution 10K Run

The Good

1) Nice EMCEE and Public Address System with good music. The sounds were pleasing to every runner’s ears!

2) Wide streets with less traffic.

3) Abundant water station & water supply along the route and at the start & finish line.

4) No unnnecessary program before the start of the race.

5) I still consider the start time as punctual.

6) No “traffic” of runners at the Finish Line

7) I got to know more runners from the Manila area. More runners are calling me “Idol”.

8) It was a simple and decent race. No “commercial booths” for runners. I simply call this race as “Run, Finish, & Vanish” Race!

9) Definitely, there were no “walkers”.

The Bad

1) I did not see any digital clock/timer.

2) Lack of Marshalls at the PICC Area as there were so many turns along the streets.

3) As always, no kilometer markings.

4) I did not know if there was a booth where I could claim my certificate of completion.

The Ugly

1) There were so many runners making “shortcuts” on the streets of the PICC area.

2) Some of the lady elites got lost on the 5K turn-around point.

3) The foul odor as one passes the bridge along the Macapagal Avenue. My son’s sense of smell was “jolted” by the stench on the said river. He said that he nearly “threw-up” while running along the bridge.

Overall Rating For The Race: 85%

Lessons Learned:

1) Register early in a race where I plan to run.

2) “Speed” Training is really producing its results on my road races.

3) Recovery & Body Adaptation—After reducing my weekly number of kilometers I’ve finished from 127 kms to 72 kms last week, I further reduced my running totals for this week to 65 kilometers for my body to recover and adapt to the training. However, the “speed” training session last Friday afternoon (even if it was raining hard, remember?) prepared me for a faster pace in today’s race.

4) Supplementary Weight Training—I had two workout sessions at the gym this week where I concentrated my time to my chest, shoulder, and core muscles.

5) Protein Drinks & Vitamins & Good Diet—All those pains and soreness simply vanished by consistently taking my protein drinks, Vitamins, and proper diet with more vegetables, fish, and “tofu”.

6) Massage—I did not have my massage for this week. I could not imagine what could had been my time if I had my regular massage for this week (before the race).

7) Racing Attire—Using a runner’s short with side-slit or running compression shorts during this 10K race did not make any difference at all in terms of comfort and speed.

1st Corporate Running Clinic (Part 2)

On January 23, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Runners' Training, Running, Stretching3 Comments

A week after the Team Bald Runner speakers conducted a lecture on the “Whys” of running among the staff and personnel of Reinier Pacific last January 8, it was time for the practical exercises and demonstrations on the proper way to do warm-up and stretching exercises before the actual run, demonstrate and do running drills, and the actual demonstration of running form where each of the participants were to perform. The demonstration and actual practice were handled by Major Ferdie Espejo Jr, Coach Saturnino Salazar and the rest of the Elite members of the team Bald Runner. The exercises started at 3:30 PM last Thursday, 15 January at the ULTRA Oval Track.

Personnel Formed as a "Platoon" of Trainees (Picture Courtesy of Reinier6666)

Almost 25+ participants went through the warm-up by jogging along the oval track, then stretching on each muscle of the body involved in running, runnng drills were demonstrated and performed in order to show the correct running form and the correct contact of the foot to the ground. These drills made the participants to sweat and catch their breaths but it was shown in their faces that they were enjoying and having fun with the corrections they were getting from their coaches.

Proper Way to Land the Midfoot To The Ground as Demonstrated by Coach Salazar (Picture Courtesy of Reinier6666)

After the drills, the coaches divided the participants into three (3) groups for them to do a “team building” exercise through a relay running where the fastest to finish a certain distance will win. To make the competition more interesting, the President of the company, Mr Amado Castro, Jr offered P 1,000 pesos for the team who will win. In the end, the group with the best renditon of a cheer and the fastest to run a distance in a relay among its members won the said prize.

Stretching of Muscles Were Properly Sone To Avoid Injuries — Stretching of Muscles Were Properly Done To Avoid Injuries

Team Relay Competition Among The Employees

Clinic Ended With A Group Picture With Team Bald Runner

The 1st Corporate Running Clinic was a success and the Team Bald Runner have again contributed in its objective and advocacy to motivate and influence more people to run and engage themselves in an active physical activity to improve their health and well-being. Few days after the practical exercises, four of the employees of Reinier Pacific enrolled in the Team Bald Runner’s “speed training” for formal and progressive training on running.

To, Mr Amado Castro, Jr aka Reinier6666, thank you very much for allowing my team to spread our advocacy of running through your staff and employees.

Once again, for those who are interested to invite us to your offices to lecture to your staff and employees on the proper way to run and train to join road races, the Team Bald Runner is offering its services for free! Please leave a comment to this post or send an e-mail to jovie75@hotmail.com for the details of the running clinic.

Project Donate A Shirt @ GK Bacsil

On January 21, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Running6 Comments

A few weeks after I launched the Project Donate A Shoe last year, I started another project where I encouraged runners to donate their Race Finisher’s T-Shirts which I know are just washed and folded in their closets after being used only once. So, I started donating my collection of Race Finisher’s T-Shirts which I dubbed as Project Donate A Shirt. Such shirts had been donated to families residing in Gawad Kalinga Communities in Laoag City—GK Bacsil and GK Talinga-an.

After collecting 50+ pieces of assorted Finisher’s T-Shirts from DelQ in California and from runner-bloggers & members of Team Bald Runner for the past months, I visited GK Bacsil in Laoag City this mornng after a short notice and coordination with Mr Robert De Los Santos, the Project Director. I donated these donated shirts to the wives of the different families residing in the said GK as their husbands were already tending their respective crops and some were already working outside their respective houses.

Collection of Finisher's Shirts To Be Donated

A "Pray-Over" Concluded the Donation by the GK Project Director

Race Report: 2009 PSE Bull Run 10K

On January 20, 2009January 20, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Running12 Comments

Being the first road race of the new year, 2009, I really intended to join this road race irrespective who the race organizer was. After almost one month of no road race, I was excited to find out if my preparations during the Holidays in terms of my mileage and speed workouts will produce positive results in my finish time. Those past three weeks of training were full of mileages and kilometers covered that I reached my record of 127 kilometers per week run a week before the road race. The six days before the race were made as recovery days as I reduced my mileage by one-third and saw to it that I did a speed run covering 75% of the distance for race day with my race effort last Friday evening (two days before the race). I was able to run 7.74 kilometers in 35:58 minutes with an average pace of 4:38 minutes/km. On the following morning, I did a 30-minute run with 70% race effort but I need one more thing to do before the race. I got my massage after lunch on that day and completely rested the whole night.

Few weeks before the race day, I had the dilemma on what to choose to do—to personally meet my arriving son, John Paul, from Los Angeles at the Centennial airport or choose to run the first road race of the year in order to test the results of my training preparations. Choosing what to do last Sunday needed a lot of brainstorming on my part. In the end, I chose to join the road race and instructed my staff to meet my son at the airport and bring him to the Finish Area. My son’s plane arrived on the same time that the road race started! The moment I saw my son after I finished the race at the vicinity of the Project Donate A Shoe booth, he said, “The Bald Runner must run the 1st road race of the year and he must not miss it”. Thanks, John!

I woke up at 4:30 AM last Sunday and prepared for the run—shaved, took a bath, relieved myself from any toxic/waste matters in my big intestines, finished my coffee, ate cereals, and toasted bread with sandwich spread. I was brought to The Fort with the same vehicle that will meet my son and I was already at the Starting Area at 5:20 AM. At the starting area, I was surprised to be greeted by the Officers and Enlisted Personnel of the Philippine Army who were assembled doing their warm-up exercises. Even the Generals around were there to greet me. I was happy to see these guys whom I’ve been with during my military career. After locating the elite members of Team Bald Runner and Maj Espejo, I immediately had my warm-up jog on those vacant streets of The Fort where I saw Mari Javier, a student of the “speed” training, also doing his warm-up jog. We greeted each other and prepped him that he should break his best time in 10K in this race. Mari was my running buddy last Friday’s speed run and on the previous day for the “active recovery” run of 30 minutes with 70% effort at the ULTRA Oval Track. After 20 minutes of warm-up and stretching, I knew I was ready for the race and proceeded to the corral area.

The lady Senator Pia Cayetano in pink infront of all the runners at the 10K race starting line.

I was talking with the foreigner-runner with a stroller and his handicapped kid before the start of the 10K race.

In the corral area, I saw Amado aka Reinier6666 and his family, Jay aka Prometheus and saw and greeted other runner-bloggers, I was greeted by Mark from Nottingham, England who later donated 16 pairs of “used” running shoes from his running club in England, but I had a nice time talking to a foreigner-runner whom I saw in last year’s Subic Marathon pushing his “special/handicapped” kid in a special stroller while running the race. The foreigner lives in Baguio City and the kid had grown bigger, making the runner push a heavier kid this time! I was too near the stage and to those powerful big sound speakers that I could hardly understand what the other runners were saying to me. I just prayed that the program would end immediately and have the emcee shout the word, “GO”. This emcee even made a mistake of mentioning the race as the “2008 PSE Bull Run”. Well, as soon as I heard the word, GO, I started my GF 305 and took my short stride making sure not to step on others shoes and legs.

I was approaching the Bayani Road intersection towards the Gate of the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

I hope the Race Organizer would be able to see this picture where runners were “sandwiched” with all types of vehicle along the Bayani Road. Where are the Road Marshalls?

I immediately placed myself within my running-comfort space after almost 100 meters from the starting area and I felt relaxed with my pace. Little did I know that I was running a 4:33 minute/km pace on the 1st kilometer which was much faster than the average pace I had during my last Friday’s pace and the terrain was uphill! Once I hit Lawton Avenue, I was running an average pace of 4:24 minute/km pace for the 2nd kilometer! However, I became faster on the 3rd kilometer where I timed in 4:13 minutes! I knew at this point that I was committing a grave mistake of not being conservative on my average pace for the 1st two kilometers. I planned to be faster in my pace after hitting the halfway mark as I wanted have a “negative split” on this race. On the 4th kilometer, I slowed down to 4:40 minute/km pace but on the way down towards the Heritage Park, I got a time of 4:38 minutes. On my way back to the Finish Line, I got the following time in every kilometer. My sixth kilometer was timed at 4:40 minutes but I slowed down when I was running that last uphill portion before reaching Gate 3 of Fort Bonifacio which is near the St Michael Chapel. My 7th klometer was timed at 4:57 minutes. However, a runner from the Fairview Running Club ran with me along the Bayani Road and I was able to increase my pace, finishing my 8th kilometer in 4:48 minutes. On the 9th kilometer, the runner from Fairview slowly went ahead of me while Coach Salazar, my official photographer on this race, was constantly shouting at me “to lift my knees some more and be light on my footstrike”. Those reminders made me finish the 9th kilometer in 4:44 minutes. Although I was overtaken by a young triathlete on the last 500 meters, I still managed to finish the last/10th kilometer in 4:31 minutes.

Towards my last kilometer of the race. The runner in gray on my right finally passed me on the last 500 meters from the Finish Line.

I finished my 1st road race (10K) in a PR best time of 46:17 minutes with an average pace of 4:37 minutes/kilometer. My race effort was best described on how my heart functioned where I had an average HR of 163 bpm and a maximum HR at 168. I could have exerted more effort as I was not able to reach my fastest speed training workout with a Max HR of 172 bpm. Neither did I reach the supposed target goal of 110% of my race effort which translates to a 4:21 minute/kilometer pace. On hindsight, I could have targetted finishing the race in 45+ minutes had I exerted an extra effort. Well, I think the presence of “walkers” from the end of Bayani Road towards Lawton Avenue all the way to the Finish Line had contributed for my being slow for the last 2 kilometers.

My son came directly from the Airport to see the Bald Runner.

BR, my son John Paul, my brother General Samuel Narcise and Pam Castro (back shown)

Lessons Learned:

1) It’s “harvest time”—The “speed training” at the ULTRA Oval Track and my shift to “speed-endurance” training on the oval track are starting to show its results.

2) Familiarity of the Route—Generally, I am familiar with the route but with my almost daily workouts at the ULTRA Oval Track, I lacked some actual practice sessions on the actual route.

3) More hills, hills, hills training—My trainng this week is geared towards more hill training as my body tend to slow down on the uphill portions of the route. The same route will be expected on this Sunday’s Happy Run 15K Race.

4) Sticking to a Planned Race Strategy—My excitement to produce a PR time on this 1st road race of the year (plus the hatred to the Emcee since I heard him in last month’s Patakbo Sa Kabundukan! yes, he was the same guy!) had made me out of focus to my pre-planned strategy.

5) (New) Newton Racing Shoes—For the first time, I used my Newton Racing Shoe in a road race which I bought when I visited USA last August 2008. Not only did it make me almost fall (forward) on my face to the ground but it gave me that consistent midfoot and light footstrike throughout the race. Somebody asked me if it could be used for running a marathon distance. My answer was “yes’ as it was used by the 2008 Champion of the Kona IRONMAN World Championship Triathlon, Australia’s Craig Alexander.

My running legs and Newton Racer Shoes

6) Less Weight, Faster Time—Many of my friends who have never seen me for months were surprised of my thinner and leaner body. Well, I just told them that I am now a “professional masters runner” who keeps on improving my finish time in every road race where I compete. Yes, it’s a proven fact, the lesser your weight is, the faster your finish time in a road race. I guess, I don’t need to explain further.

7) More exercises to my Core Muscles—The high mileage I did for the past weeks made me forget to strengthen my core muscles as I experienced “side stitches” during my last speed run last Friday.

8) Massage—The one and half hour massage with a professional masseur last Saturday made my muscles relaxed and pliable during the race. I did not feel any soreness or any pain in any muscle of my legs after the race.

9) Fashion Statement—I always prepare well with my running attire for road races because it is through my “looks” where I could send the message that I always mean business, to compete with myself and with the digital clock. So, for those younger runners who would like to beat me during road races, please remember that I am about 57 years old and I just run to bring back my glory days in the early 80’s and find out if I can still run a 42-minute 10K race. So, if you are in your 30s or 40s, you should be there running kilometers ahead of me and not trying to stalk or follow right behind me and try to wait for the chance or opportunity to overtake me. Ha! Ha! Ha!

“Ladies, Kids, & Children”, see you on this Sunday’s 15K run!!!

Lastly, congratulations to the members of Team Bald Runner and to the students of the “speed” training” (which means, you have not paid yet your membership fees! he! he! he!) for their “smiles” on their faces. Be proud of your accomplishments because you worked hard to follow your respective program. Wishing you for more PR best times in the road races to come.

“Speed Training” & 2009 PSE Bull Run

On January 18, 2009January 18, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Running18 Comments

This is just “teaser” of the race report I will be posting soon about the conduct of the 1st road race for the year 2009.

As usual, the Project Donate A Shoe Booth (luckily, I was not “bumped-off” this time!) became the “meeting place” of the Hardcore & Concerned Runners and members of Team Bald Runner. There is only one thing I could say about these runners, who had been religiously training in our “speed training” for the past weeks at the ULTRA Oval Track—they were showing their happy faces as all of them have broken their best PR times for the 10K & 5K Runs. Congratulations to the members of Team Bald Runner! The “speed program” really works! Our thanks to Major Ferdie Espejo, Jr. and Coach Satur Salazar for their efforts in seeing to it that we always follow our respective “target goal” program.

I finished the 10K race in 46:17 minutes. Another PR to start the year.

How Does It Feel To Run 127K In A Week?

On January 15, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Practice Runs, Running7 Comments

Last week (5-11 January), without being conscious about the number of kilometers I’ve ran the whole week, I was able to increase my 80-105-kilometer average weekly runs to 127 kilometers. Let me explain how I was able to run such number of kilometers.

Last Monday evening, I ran 20.3 kilometers at the ULTRA Oval Track where I was running alone for the first 10K with an average pace of 5:10-5:15 mins/km. For the last 10K run, MarkFB joined me and we were running at an average pace of 5:30 mins/km. I was surprised that I was still strong during the run even if I had a “runabout” at EDSA the day before. I think I got my strength and was able to recover after resting the remaining dayof Sunday after the “runabout” and sleeping early in the evening.

I had a “double run” on Tuesday where I ran a fast 30-minute continous run in the morning and another interval speed runs in the evening. In the morning, I was able to run a distance of 6.6 kilometers in 31:52 minutes with an average pace of 4:49 mins/km. In the evening, I did 5 X 400 at an average time of 1:36 minutes per lap with 1 1/2 minutes of rest in between laps. These laps registered an average pace of 3:45 mins/km. Unbelievable!. After five-minute rest, I did a 30-minute speed run at 100% effort. I was able to finish 5.9 kilometers with an average pace of 5:06 minutes/km. The evening speed run was part of our regular “speed training” with the Team Bald Runner. To include my warm-up runs, I was able to run 17.3 kilometers for the day.

On Wednesaday, another “double” run for me. My morning run was devoted to my “active recovery” run where I was able to run 5 kilometers in 31 minutes with an average pace of 6:31 mins/km. I was running within my 70% effort. In the evening, I joined the regular speed training classes and we did 5 X 1,000 meters at our best effort or 110% effort where I averaged a time of 4:40 minutes per kilometer. After the speed interval run, we had a 45-minute run within our 80%-85% effort. I finished the 45-minute run with a distance of 8.26 kilometers and with an average pace of 5:39 mins/km. Total distance covered for the day was 19.8 kilometers.

On Thursday evening, I did a “pyramid” speed run (3K-2K-1K-2K-3K) with an average pace of 4:50-5:00 mins/km. To include my warm-up, jogging in-between laps, and cool-down jog, I was able to run a total distance of 14 kilometers.

On Friday, I had my “active recovery” run after my warm-up run. The run lasted for 32 minutes where I covered a distance of 5 kilometers. Total distance for the day was 6.7 kilometers.

On Saturday morning, the Team Bald Runner went to the ULTRA Oval Track in order to attend to new students for our speed training but nobody came. Instead, I started my run later in the morning with the sun already shining. I tried to experience the feeling of running with the heat of the sun on my body. I was accompanied by Coach Salazar for a 15K run. We were able to finish the run in 1:18 hours with an average pace of 5:14 mins/km. I was able to consume the water inside my 2.0-Liter TNF “bladder” during the duration of the said run. This proves that I should need a lot of water to hydrate myself while running under the heat of the sun. This run was part of my training for the Bataan 102 Ultramarathon Race. The total distance was 16.8 kilometers.

The Hardcore Group’s “Runabout” along C-5 Highway Loop came next the following day. We finished 32.1 kilometers for that day.

This was my first time to reach this number of kilometers for a week in my running workouts. I felt tired and wasted after the “runabout” last Sunday and I did not mind not being able to watch the movie “Baler” as I opted to rest and sleep for the rest of the day. I started to feel pain on some of the muscles of my legs and knees but through regular massage and more intake of protein drinks, these pains are slowly fading away. For this week, I slowed down with my mileage and hopefully will be able to recover for another PR time this Sunday although my weekly road races will be my assessment/evaluation tool if I am really improving with my time as a result of my “speed” training with the Team Bald Runner.

See you at the PSE Bull Run this Sunday morning.

“Real warriors” never surrender; they fight up to their last breath!

Share this:

Race organizers’ response to Bald Runner’s comments on the Bull Run 2009

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: