Category: Marathon Race

Results: 2008 Women’s Olympic Marathon

On By kingofpotsIn Marathon Race, Marathon Race Results, Running6 Comments

I was not able to watch the start of the 2008 Women’s Olympic Marathon yesterday as I was with my family outside the Los Angeles area. However, I was able to catch up with the last five (5) miles of the race on TV.

As usual, an unseeded and not-so popular woman marathon runner to win in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Constantina Tomescu-Dita from Romania, a 38-year old mother to a 13-year old son, won the 2008 Women’s Olympic Marathon in 2:26:44 hours. Her latest achievements before the 2008 Olympic Games were the following: she won the bronze medal at the 2005 World Championship Women’s Marathon; Women’s Champion in the 2004 Chicago Marathon; and 3rd placer in the 2007 London Marathon (Women’s Category).

She is now considered as the oldest Marathon Champion in the history of the Olympic Games.

The following is the complete results of the 2008 Women’s Olympic Marathon.

Lessons Learned: 2008 The San Francisco Marathon

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Races, Runners' Training, Running4 Comments

Evaluation of my Running After The 2008 San Francisco Marathon

After I finished the 2008 Pasig River Heritage Marathon last 24 February, barely four months of slowly building my base, I continued my running workouts without any plan of running a full marathon in the future but I saw to it that I have to improve my race times in the 10K to half-marathon race distances which were held almost every weekend in Metro Manila.

With my retirement from the service and plan to visit my family in the US after retirement in May of this year, I thought of running the San Francisco Marathon which was scheduled at least 10 weeks after my retirement. After sending an e-mail to my son of my decision to run the SFO Marathon on the 1st week of May, my training became more focused to experience my 2nd International marathon after my Fort Benning’s First Infantry Marathon in 1984. My registration to the said marathon encouraged my son and daughter to run also with me and they started preparing for the race. Continue reading “Lessons Learned: 2008 The San Francisco Marathon” →

More Pictures @ TSFM

On By kingofpotsIn Marathon Race, Pictures, Races, Running4 Comments

Please visit www.marathonfoto.com for my running pictures at The San Francisco Marathon. Scroll for the San Francisco Marathon 2008; type my last name; and my bib # 8586.

Sorry, I forgot to remove my cap at the Finish Line!

Enjoy!

“Oh, I Love The Hills!” (2008 The San Francisco Marathon)

On By kingofpotsIn Marathon Race, Pictures, Races, Running27 Comments

Recap of the 2008 The San Francisco Marathon (03 August 2008)

My children and I woke up at 5:00 AM and immediately started preparing for the race. We ate some “left-overs” from the previous night’s carbo-loading dinner from my wife’s relatives consisting of chicken barbecue, spaghetti, sotanghon guisado, fried chicken, and lots of rice cakes. At almost 6:00 AM, we were already at Mission Street brisk walking towards the Starting Line at The Embarcadero. However, we missed the mass start of the last wave of runners by almost 15 minutes. No problem with that because we had our ChronoTrack D-strip timing chip. So, at least ten (10) runners, to include the three of us, started the race with the last wave of runners at least 1 1/2 miles ahead of us. (We found out later that Dean Karnazes started the full Marathon race at least one hour late!)

By the way, somebody shouted “Bald Runner” when I just left the Starting Line and I just looked at him and tried to wave my hand to acknowledge him. Thanks for shouting my name! The race officials were surprised for hearing such words!

This picture was taken before we left our room at the hotel. My kids, being locals in the US, can withstand the low temperature in San Francisco by wearing singlets and I was wearing a full shirt.

As we approached Mile #2 (fronting the Fisherman’s Wharf) , we could see already the tail end of the last wave of runners and my son and I maintained our pace of 6:05 minutes per kilometer. My daughter was left behind us as she was trying to maintain her pace of 12 minutes per mile. As we had our first uphill at Mile #3 and we were already within the runners of the last wave. We started to overtake the slower runners and had a chance to stop to have our picture-taking with the San Francisco Bridge as the background. We also stopped for our first “pee” session at the Mile # 4. I guess, I was about to get my warm-up at Mile # 4 because of the ideal cool weather condition (52 degrees Fahrenheit), foggy surroundings and an overcast/cloudy sky. According to my kids, so far, this is the best weather condition that they had experienced for a marathon.

At Mile # 3 stop for a picture with the Golden Gate Bridge as the background. Note the foggy background  and cloudy skies.

A pose of my son, John Paul.

My son and I had to stop and drink water in every water station as we were carrying at least 3 GUs in each of our hands which were tied with a rubber band and secured on our wrists. We had to take each GU every four to five miles. When we see that there is a water station ahead of us (at least 50 meters ahead), we start taking our GU and drink water as we reached the water station. I did not bring with me my Nathan Water Belt as I knew that the water stations here were efficient. As soon we we left the water station before the Golden Gate Bridge, my son did not know that I barely stopped to drink water and I immediately resumed my run towards more hills along the way.

Once I reached the Golden Gate Bridge, I was already at the middle of the pack and had to overtake more runners with a very narrow space alloted for the runners. One lane of the bridge was dedicated for the incoming runners and another lane was for the outgoing runners from the Vista Point. The bridge has six lanes and two lanes were alloted for vehicles in each direction. In my estimate, the width of the one lane of the bridge is only good for 3 runners running side by side. With this situation, I had to make a quick move to overtake the runners once there was enough space where I could squeeze my body while I was running along the bridge. It was a nice sight to see a lot of runners infront of my lane and at the same time see the runners at the opposite lane. I tried to pick-up my pace when I left the Vista Point, the northern end of the bridge, towards the San Francisco side and I was about to pass Mile # 8. The lane in going back to San Francisco side of the bridge was not as full of runners than the other side and I took this advantage to increase my pace.

This was the sight of the runners while I was running along the Golden Gate Bridge towards the northern side, Vista Point.

This was taken after leaving the Vista Point and going back to the San Francisco side of the Golden Gate Bridge. Feeling the strong winds that blow on the bridge while running was a wonderful and memorable experience.

After leaving the Golden Gate Bridge, I was already towards Mile # 10 and there was an uphill road (along Lincoln Street) where most of the runners started to walk but I just maintained my running form by shortening my strides and taking one step at a time. I knew that if the hill is high, the road after the peak is another easy downhill road and I can gain more speed in the process. I kept on silently saying to myself my mantra, “Oh, I love this hill”, whenever I approached the hills and I can overcome those hills comfortably. Later, it was all downhill towards Mile # 11.

After running along the 27th Street (Mile # 12), we entered the Golden Gate Park and the next six (6) miles were spent running on those snaky and rolling roads of the park. This was where I started to see and hear load music from speakers being played by disc jockeys  at least in every 500 meters. After entering the Golden Gate Park, the Half-Marathon runners had to take another route and got separated from the Full Marathon runners and our road became wider with lesser runners. Running along the said park was a sight to behold because of the manicured grass and gardens filled with ornamental plants. There were a lot of cheerers along the way saying, “Looking good” and shouting encouraging words. There was a continuous ringing of cowbells along the way at the park and most of the streets where we had to run.

Once I got out of the park, I was already hitting Mile # 19 and started to run along Haight Street which is a straight but rolling street with uphills and downhills.  The said street is 1 1/2 miles and I would overtake more runners, taking advantage of my non-stop running when I was faced with uphill parts of the road. When I reached Mile # 21 at Guerrero Street, I was happy that I haven’t felt any pains on my legs. At Mile # 22, where I expected to have some muscle cramps, I was still painless and without any problem but I started to slow down. It was already a warning for my body to take my last GU and drink electrolytes (Cytomax which is available in the water stations). So, at Mile # 23, I took my last GU and maintained my pace.

At Mile # 24, my son, John Paul came at my side and told him to keep his pace and gladly overtook me and he gained more distance from me. From this point, I maintained my 6:30 mins/km pace. From the AT & T Park (Home of the San Francisco Giants), I could see already the Finish Line and I just maintained my pace and finished surrounded by women finishers!

I finished the Full Marathon in 4:36:23 hours without any muscle cramps or any pains on my legs and without walking along the way. This was an improvement from my Pasig River Heritage Marathon last February of this year. I was able to improve my finish time by almost 13 minutes. If not for those photo-ops, “pee” & water drinking stops, and the traffic of runners in narrow parts of the route, I could still improve more my finish time even with those hills along the route.

This picture is for Bards aka Banana Running! Ha!Ha!Ha! While waiting for my daughter, my son and I ate a lot of bananas and potato chips with lots of water and Cytomax while sitting along the sidewalk.

John Paul finished the race in 4:34:02 hours.

Jovelle finished the Full Marathon in 5:41:28 hours, a new PR best for her!

While walking back to the hotel, almost all the people that we met along the way would say “Congratulations” or “Good job” to us and we have to smile and say “Thanks” while trying to walk without any limp.

The race was an unforgettable experience. My kids told me that they love the course and started planning to run the SF Marathon next year. Of course, I will be with them again!

For the complete results of the race, visit www.runsfm.com.

The following data were taken from my GF 305:

Distance—42.94 kms           Time—4:36:23 hrs

Average Pace—6:27 mins/km      Average Speed—9.3 kms/hr

Maximum Speed—15.4 kms/hr    Total Calories—3,145 cal

Average HR—152 bpm                  Maximum HR—168 bpm

Total Ascent—1,525 meters         Total Descent—1,568 meters

Running Kit—The North Face        Running Shoes—ASICS Gel-Kayano 13

Music—ABBA, Beatles, Bee Gees, Bob Marley, Foo Fighters, Debelah Morgan, Julio Iglesias, Barry Manilow & Michael Buble

Pictures @ The SFM Expo

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Pictures, Races, Running3 Comments

The following pictures were taken on Saturday when we picked-up our race packets at the SF Marathon Expo:

These were the portalets aligned at the vicinity of the Starting Line and more of these were positioned in almost all water/medical stations along the routes of the Full Marathon and 2 routes of Half-Marathon.

Dean Karnazes, the Ultra Marathon Man, with my daughter, Jovelle before we reached the Marathon Expo.

Well, talking of coincidence? I have another photo-ops with the Dean K. He said to my daughter that I am crazy! Well, I think we are both crazy!!!

This is San Francisco Marathon’s version of their Project “Donate A Shoe”. Wow! The six (6) containers are 200-liter drums filled to the rim with donated used running shoes!

These are my race bib with my name printed in it and a strip (pasted above my name) of the ChronoTrack D-strip timing chip which is disposable; the map of San Francisco with the route of the course (yellow colored route) and a Finisher’s T-shirt.

My recap of the race will posted later today.

The SFM Expo

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Races, Running6 Comments

We arrived in San Francisco’s Embarcadero where the San Francisco Marathon Exposition was located at 3:30 PM this afternoon after 7 1/2 hours trip (to include lunch & gasoline stops) by car from Los Angeles. Our race packets should be taken from the Expo before it closed at 5:00 PM and after that the issuance of race packets was closed. There is no late registration and issuance of race packets on the day of the race. And this is being strictly followed.

While my daughter and I were on our way to the Expo, we met Dean Karnazes again! We had a brief chat and another photo-ops with him. Dean Karnaze told to my daughter that “I am crazy!” Dean K just finished a speaking engagement at the Expo and he was about to leave the parking lot when we met him.

There was a lot of runners inside three long tents and different stalls offering running apparels, shoes, and gadgets. After browsing some of the stalls, we were able to get our race packets and finisher’s t-shirts without any problem. The volunteers did not ask for our Identification card before they finally gave us our race packets.

From the Expo, we proceeded to the house of my wife’s relatives for a visit and they prepared for a “carbo-loading” dinner for us.

The three of us will be with the 8th wave (the last group) to start at 6:30 AM with an expected low temperature of 52 degrees Fahrenheit and high temperature of 67 degrees Fahrenheit. Ooops, this will be a chilling temperature for me for a marathon race.

We are staying for two days in a hotel which is at least one mile away from the starting line. Jogging towards the starting line will be our warm-up.

Good night..I am going to sleep now!

Read This!

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Marathon Race, Practice Runs, Runners' Training, Running5 Comments

For the past days after reading Dean Karnasez’ book, “Ultramarathon Man: Confessions Of An All-Night Runner”, I’ve been browsing on the Internet on websites that offer information on ultramarathon, ultrarunning, and ultratrail running.

In the course of reading these websites and blogs of accomplished “ultrarunners” and websites of ultrarunning & ultratrail magazines online, I discovered this article which was written in the UltraTrail Magazine in November 2006.

This is another approach of training for the marathon and I hope you enjoy reading this one. Continue reading “Read This!” →

Extreme Running: The Book

On By kingofpotsIn Books, Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Places to Run, Races, Running1 Comment

“Extreme Running” is a book written by Kym McConnell and Dave Horsley. Both of the authors are well-respected ultramarathoners and had been going from one continent to another to participate to these extreme running events, all for their passion to test their body limits and challenge the environment. This book was published in London, UK last year, 2007.

I found and bought this book at PowerBooks (Glorietta) two months ago after failing to locate or buy the book, “The Ultramarathon Man” by Dean Karnasez.

This book takes the reader on a world tour of ultramarathon races. The book is divided into seven chapters looking at each continent’s ultra foot races. Each ultra race has its own history, pecularities, preparations, challenges, strategies, experiences/adventures and the characters/personalities involved in each race. Pictures, maps, race course routes, and other informative notes were included in each page of the book.

To mention some of the extreme running events, the following is the list of some ultramarathon races in every continent in the world:

Europe:

1) The North Face Ultra-Trail Du Tour DU MONT-BLANC (UTMB)—101-mile race (163 Km) in Mount Blanc trails that passes through France, Italy & Switzerland held in the later part of August. Cut-off time: 46 hours. Limited to 2,000 runners.

2) Spartathlon—Athens to Sparta Road Race which has a distance of 152 miles (245.3 Kms). This is the original ultramarathon from Athens to Sparta which the Greek messenger, Pheidippides, took in 490 BC to deliver Athen’s request for reinforcements to resist the Persian invaders. Cut-off time—36 hours. Regular number of participants—300 runners. It is being conducted during the month of September.

Africa:

1) Marathon Des Sables—In Sahara Dessert, East Morocco during the month of March or April. It is a 6-stage course which has a total distance of 220-240 Kms (135-150 miles). Number of participants—700 runners.

2) Comrades Marathon—It is a single stage race in South Africa, covering a distance of 56 miles or 90 kms being held in June. Number of Participants—11,000 runners.

3) Trans 333—It is a single stage race in a desert location which is being held in a different host country each year. It has a distance of 333 Kms (206 miles). This is considered as the “World’s Longest Single Stage Desert Race”. Number of Regular Participants—20 runners. Maximum Time Permitted to complete the race—108 hours

North America:

1) Badwater Ultramarathon—It’s a single stage race from Badwater, Death Valley to Mt Whitney in California covering a distance of 135 miles (217 Kms) which is done in mid/late July. Number of Participants is limited to 90 runners (by invitation only). Time Lite to Finish the race is 60 hours.

2) Wasatch Front 100 Miler—Single stage race in Kaysville, Utah, USA which is done in the month of September. Number of Regular Participants—225. Time Limit to Finish—36 hours.

3) Yukon Arctic Ultra—In Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada which is held in February. Distances are: 42K, 160K, 480K & 736K (26.2, 100, 300 & 460 miles).

South America:

1) Jungle Marathon—In The Amazon Jungle in Brazil. It is a 6-stage, 200-Km (125 miles) road race in October and participated by 80 participants.

2) Atacama Crossing—In Atacama Desert in Chile. It is a 6-stage, 250-Km (150 miles) road race which is participated by by 150-200 runners which is conducted in March/August (alternate by year).

Asia:

1) Everest Marathon—In Nepal; 42.2 km, single stage with approximately 75 participants with 10 Nepalese runners. It is conducted during the month of November.

2) Gobi March—In Xinjang Province, China. The course is 6-stage foot race with a distance of 250 kms (150 miles). It is now on-going this week. Check out at www.thenorthface.com with Dean Karnazes participating in the said race. Number of participants—200 runners.

3) Lake Baikal International Marathon—In Lake Baikal, Listvyanka, Russia. 42.2 kms, single stage with approximately 30 participants during the month of March.

Oceania:

1) Kepler Challenge—In Te Anau, South Island, New Zealand. It is a single stage 60-km run (37 miles) done in December with limited participants of 400 runners.

2) Te Houtaewa Challenge—In 90 Mile Beach in Kaitaia, New Zealand. It is running along the beach with a distance of 60 kms (38 miles), single stage held during the month of March. Approximate number of participants—30 runners.

3) Bogong To Hotham Trail Run—In Mount Bogong, Victoria, Australia. It is a single stage run with a distance of 64 kms (40 miles) held in the month of January. The race is limited to 60 runners.

Polar:

1) Antarctica Marathon—In King George Island, Antarctica. It is a single stage 42.2-km run held in February. It has a limited number of participants to 180 runners.

2) Antarctic Ice Marathon (South Pole Marathon)—In the foothils of Ellsworth Mountains, Antarctica. It is a single stage race with distances of 42.2 kms and 100 kms. It is held in December with a limited number of participants to 25 runners.

3) North Pole Marathon—It is located in 89N-90N, Arctic Ice Cap. It is a singlke stage race with a distance of 42.2 kms held in April. The number of participants is limited to 24 runners.

Tempo Run At The Fort

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Marathon Race, Runners' Training, RunningLeave a comment

5:50 AM 13 May 2008 @ The Fort

I treated myself with a tempo run early this morning after getting the information from my son, John, that I am officially registered to run The San Franciso Marathon which will be held on 03 August 2008.

My goal for this marathon is to finish sub-4 hours. This is a tall order to accomplish but with proper preparation and training, I know I could make it.

After stretching, I started my run with a slow pace covering a distance of 6 kms at an average pace of 6:00 mins per kilometer. For the next 6 kilometers,  I increased my pace but the ascending part at the International School area slowed me for a few seconds from my avarage pace. I finished the tempo run for 6 kilometers  with an average pace of 5:15 minutes per kilometer. In my cool-down run, I ran another 8.5 kilometers with an average pace of 6:45 minutes per kilometer. In total, I was able to run 20.5 kilometers this morning.

I used the 4th Global City 10K route, however, I extended my distance by covering the US Cemetery Circle to Robinson’s Condo at Lawton Avenue and did at least 4 times around the BHS big loop. I finished my run at my quarters inside Fort Bonifacio.

Today’s weather was nice for a long run because the rising sun was covered with clouds. It even had some showers during my last 2 kilometers of my cool-down run. 

I Got My Confirmation

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Marathon Race, Races, Running18 Comments

This is my Birthday Gift from my Marathon Kids!

My son, John, just forwarded a confirmation notice/approval of my offcial entry to participate in the 2008 San Francisco Marathon (SFM) this coming 03 August 2008.

My race bib number is 8586. My son and daughter will be running with me in this marathon.