Category: Marathon Race

Weakest Link

On By kingofpotsIn Books, Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Runners Injury, Running19 Comments

My Observations and Insights on Running and Heatstroke:

1. In the summer of 1971, two of my classmates died due to heatstroke after participating in a 10K run in Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City (Nueva Ecija) as a “fun run” with the Special Forces of the Philippine Army where you don’t see any Water Aid Station along the route. The race started late in the morning as most of my classmates finished under the heat of the sun. I saw with my own eyes while two of my classmates convulsed and crawled on the edge of the road, few kilometers from the finish line until they were picked up by the Camp Hospital’s Ambulance. Four of my classmates were evacuated at the Fort Magsaysay Hospital but the two of them were able to recover after a day of rest at the hospital. One of my classmates won the “fun run” as he had been a seasoned runner before he entered the Academy.

2. I saw how my two classmates convulsed and sedated inside the hospital. After a few hours, one of them died. On the following day, the remaining serious patient was transported to V. Luna Medical Center using the Ambulance but after his arrival in Manila, my second classmate died also. The doctors and medical staff at the hospital informed our Tactical Officers that our classmates died due to heatstroke! I don’t have any information if the said incident was fully investigated by the Philippine Military Academy and AFP authorities then. However, my deceased classmates were brought by the PMA authorities in their respective places/towns and they were buried with full military honors and their respective parents received death benefits due to a dead soldier/officer of the AFP. Case closed!

3. Two of my classmates who recovered with the case of heatstroke on that fatal day in the summer of 1971 were very lucky. One of them retired from the PNP two years ago as a two-star General/Police Director while the other one was dismissed when we were on our second year due to failure in Academics but had pursued/finished his College studies, worked in one of the telecommunication firms and now resides in the United States with his family. Both of them had never attempted to train or run in any of the road races since this incident.

4. Fast forward to the last week of January 2009 (last year). Jerry Karundeng, an Indonesian studying in the Philippines, joined the “50K test run” in preparation for the 1st edition of BDM 102. He is a strong runner but he is also a “hard-headed” runner that he did not follow my advise and “tips” while we were running on the course. He was wearing a black shirt, did not drink in every hydration station, was not carrying a hydration belt, and his pace was too fast in relation to the hot condition of the day. His mind was so conditioned to use Pocari Sweat as his sports drinks while my staff was serving Gatorade as I believed, they have the same use for hydration in endurance sports. Jerry finished the “test run” but on his way to Manila while aboard a vehicle, he started to experience “signs & symptoms” of heatstroke. Thus, he was brought immediately to a known Medical Center in Makati. According to my interview with Jerry, the Doctor/Medical Staff who attended to him did not believe that he just finished a 50K run under the heat of the sun! He was given with IV fluids immediately with the thought that he was dehydrated. Jerry was lucky that his body systems stabilized and had undergone some blood test in the said hospital. He was released on the same day that he was brought to the hospital and he was able to commute from Manila to Silang, Cavite. A day later, he consulted their resident doctor in their school and showed him the results of his blood test, the resident doctor explained to him that his blood sodium content was way below the average level. It was a conclusive evidence that Jerry was on the verge of being a victim of heatstroke. (Note: You can read more of the details of Jerry’s experience in his blog at www.highaltitude.wordpress.com)

5. On August 23, 2009 after the CAMSUR 70.3 Ironman’s last athlete reached the Finish Line, the Race Organizer admitted to media reporters that one of the participants, a Senior Executive and Owner of a Corporate entity, died during the triathlon event and he admitted also that a thorough investigation was being conducted. The news was reported on line and in the printed edition of the Philippine Daily Inquirer as soon as possible and it was featured at TV Patrol a day after the event. (Note: This is the exact opposite of Remus case where PDI reported his case on line and its printed edition exactly 14 days after the marathon event!!!). However, up to this time, nothing had been officially published if the casualty was a victim of heatstroke that resulted to a heart attack. 

6. In the 34th MILO Marathon Manila Elimination last July 4th, Remus Fuentes died two days after he was diagnosed as a victim of heatstroke which led him to succumb to a fatal heart and organ failures that resulted to his death. After a few days, Alexander Landera from Cebu City fainted or collapsed in the middle of a road race held in the same City where the race was held in the evening. He was brought immediately to the hospital to be treated. Unfortunately, when he regained consciousness, he started to be incoherent, confused, hallucinating, and thought that he was still in the race. Due to multiple wounds and loss of blood as a result of uncontrollable actions on his part, he died. Both runners were victims on separate road races, belong to different ages and running backgrounds, races held in different locations, different race distances, different weather conditions, and different parts of the day when their respective races were conducted (Remus’ race was in the morning while Alexander’s race was in the evening) and despite such factors, both runners died due to heatstroke! However, in Remus Case, the father was able to document his observations on what the Doctors/Medical Staff had done for his son’s treatment in the Hospitals where his son was admitted.

7.  So, what am I trying to say in this post? With my observations, researches and interviews, I firmly believe that our Doctors/Medical Practitioners could not distinguish if an endurance athlete (runner, ultrarunner, cyclist, triathlete, swimmer or hiker/mountaineer) is a victim of heatstroke or dehydration. Anybody could say that he or she is a “running expert” and say to high heavens and to all the media and Internet outlets/sites all the things and advises as preventive measures from being a victim of heatstroke and dehydration but what should be addressed is on the correct and appropriate treatment of heatstroke. I think, the problem lies on how our Doctors and Medical Practitioners in Hospitals react and treat endurance athletes who are victims of such mentioned heat-related injuries. This is the “weakest link”!!! Correct me if I am wrong, our Doctors (who are not seasoned/competitive runners) do not know how to deal with such cases!

8. In the book “Lore of Running” by Dr Tim Noakes on page 235 states that, “the major factors causing heatstroke during races are: environmental conditions; the speed at which the athlete runs; and individual susceptibility, including whether or not the athlete has preacclimatized to running in the heat. If longer distances races (5K and above) have a prevailing temperature condition of greater than 28 degrees Centigrade, heat injury will occur to a significant number of competitors, regardless how much amount they drink and sponge during the race or how they are dressed. Adequate fluid replacement during racing is only one of the many factors that reduce the risk of heat injury; it is certainly not the only factor and may not even be a very important factor. Aside from “hot and humid” temperature as one of the factors that determine the rate at which an athlete loses heat, clothing is also considered because the more clothing people wear, the less heat they will lose by convection and sweating. The athlete’s state of heat acclimatization (training to heat exposure) and state of hydration (not allowing yourself to be dehydrated) also determine the rate an athlete loses heat from his body.” It could be weird but Dr Noakes believes that only certain people are prone to heatstroke and it could be hereditary, too!

9. In Dr Noakes’ book (which I consider as my “Bible” in Running), a heatstroke victim has a body temperature of more than 40 degrees Centigrade; he/she breathes heavily; and has a rapid pulse rate of 100 or more beats per minute. A heart attack victim has a weak heart beat & pulse rate and the patient does not breath. In a heatstroke patient, a rectal temperature reading should be administered first to find out the exact body temperature of the victim. If the temperature readings indicate a result of 40 degrees and higher, the victim’s torso should be submerged in a tub or container full with ice or ice-water for the duration of 3-6 minutes until the temperature decreases to the normal level of body temperature. After the body temperature has dropped to its normal condition, IV fluids and other blood tests can be administered to check if the victim is dehydrated or if there is kidney damage or organ failure.

10. In simple layman’s term, diagnosing and treating heatstroke is very simple. But according to my favorite author and strategist On War, Carl Von Clausewitz, “The simplest things are the hardest things to do”! And be always safe and careful from the dangers of the sports and way of life that we love and enjoy but always remember that, “Shit Happens” when you least expect it from happening.

MILO’s Official Statement (???)

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Marathon Race Results, Race Results, Races, Runners Injury, Running11 Comments

I am not sure if this is the “real” Official Statement of Team MILO/NESTLE, Phils as a result of the death of Remus Fuentes on the July 4th MILO Marathon Manila Elimination Race. One of the BDM “veterans”, Albert Salazar, sent a comment in my previous blog stating the following statement which he indicated as taken in one of the links with MILO Philippines’ Facebook account. In the said link, the following statement had been posted in their PHOTO ALBUM Page. I really don’t know why they have to take a picture of the said statement and have it posted in their Photo Album. They could have simply sent to the e-mail addresses of the runner-bloggers and other interested parties.

I’ve been waiting for this Official Statement as I requested from Team MILO/NESTLE, Inc to send it to my e-mail address in order to give them a chance to explain their side of the incident. Up to this time, I have not yet received such copy in my e-mail address. Anyway, whether the following statement was not signed or not, the fact that it was posted at MILO, Phils Facebook Account, it needs to be posted in this blog in order to get the side of Team MILO/NESTLE, Phils and its Race Organizer. Hoping it is the real one!

After reading this statement and the side of Remus family, the runners who participated in the 21K and the Marathon (42K) Race and my readers will be the judge.

STATEMENT ON MILO MARATHON

We are deeply saddened by the passing away of Mr. Remus Fuentes, a participant of the July 4, 2010 MILO Marathon held in Luneta, Manila.

We reached out to Remus’ family as soon as we were informed. Our deepest sympathy is with his family during this most difficult time.

We assure participants that all the internationally recognized precautions had been taken by the organizer for the Manila leg of the MILO Marathon, specifically:

On hydration stations, according to the International Association of Athletics Federation (lAAF), the rule is, for a race longer than 10 km, refreshment stations shall be provided at approximately every 5 kms along the race route. For mass races in a tropical country like the Philippines, the same IAAF rule recommends to have water stations every 2.5 km, The Manila leg of the MILO Marathon had water stations installed every 2 km along the race path, and in between each water station, there were Gatorade stations to ensure every runner had the opportunity to hydrate as necessary. On average, there was a hydration station around every 1 km of the 21K race path. In total, there were 13 water stations, 10 Gatorade stations, 2 sponging stations, and 1 banana station strategically Iocated throughout the 13.5 km race loop.

On first aid, all MILO Marathons are fully equipped with first aid teams to attend to runners needing assistance. In the Manila race, for instance, there were 7 roving ambulances plying the 13.5 km race loop, 15 medical stations, 5 teams of first aiders on bicycles, and nearly 500 marshals – policemen, traffic aids, and radio communicators – manning various points of the race path. These marshals were equipped to immediately contact first aid stations and ambulances with trained crew and rescue facilities.

Like any vigorous sport, the marathon involves a certain amount of risk, especially for those who participate in longer distance events such as the 21K and the 42k. We would like to remind all runners who plan to participate in the forthcoming MILO Marathons to adequately prepare before the race, ensuring that they are properly conditioned mentally and physically. This includes undergoing the necessary training getting enough rest, properly hydrating, and eating the right food.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Remus Fuentes at this very difficult time.

(Note: Copied from MILO Philippines Facebook’s Photo Album)

R.I.P. Remus Fuentes

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Races, Runners Injury, Running10 Comments

The following is the Summary Report on the death of Remus Fuentes written by Rudy Fuentes, father of the victim, as gathered from witnesses, his personal observations, and insights. Obviously, this is just one-side of the story and I am still waiting for the Official Statement from Team MILO/NESTLE, Phils and the Race Organizers. I will reserve a post in my blog for such statement.

However, the fact & reality remain…A runner died due to running/participating in  a road race and the running community should be aware and well-informed on the effects of this sports and we have to learn some lessons from this incident and prevent this from happening in future road races.

REMUS FUENTES died of multiple organ failures as result of heatstroke secondary to severe dehydration two days after he ran the 21K in the recent 34th Milo Marathon last Sunday, July 4, 2010.

His death was the result of fatal mistakes, incompetence and negligence in the event organized by Organizing Team.

Photo Provided by Mr Rudy Fuentes

My son, 37-year-old Remus ran the 21K together with a running buddy when he collapsed at 19.9 kilometer mark. There was none of organizer’s ambulance nor marshals to respond in the incident. Policemen hailed for a taxi and they, together with his buddy, assisted in bringing him to the nearest hospital, Ospital ng Maynila. At the ER, the diagnose was suspected heart attack. My wife and me, upon being informed by his younger brother, Roy Fuentes, who also ran the 21K, rushed to the hospital and saw that Remus in coma, had seizures and struggled breathing in spite of hand-pumped oxygen and dextrose attached. His body temperature was 40 degrees C and when asked, the medical attendant told us he had fever. She introduced paracetamol intravenously twice at interval of about 15 minutes. Remus continued having seizures even until the arrival of Medical City doctor & ambulance attendants that we have arranged for his transfer. The Medical City doctor attending said his status was unstable, contrary to the earlier advice to her by the Ospital ng Maynila ER doctor. They rushed him  with the ambulance to Medical City at about 11:30 AM. There, a  series of tests were done, including blood chemistry, CT scan, etc. Cardiologist told us his heart was strong and no intervening medicine was necessary. Blood Chemistry results showed positive findings on creatinin level, an indication of  kidney failure. They suspected liver failure too. To stop his seizures, Remus was put on full sedation for 12 hours. Kidney functions further deteriorated after 36 hours. Blood pressure and heart rate went erratic. Doctors attending him in the ICU asked our permission to do dialysis and blood transfusion to stabilize his blood pressure.  Seven hours later, ICU nurse woke us up and asked us to rush to the ICU. We saw 18 medical people around him, several taking turn doing the CPR. Failing to revive him, the doctor asked our consent to stop the CPR after 15 minutes. We begged them to continue hoping for a miracle. 30 minutes further, doctor told us again that all numbers in the monitoring board “were bad” and asked again the consent to stop the CPR. Finally, we relented. Few minutes later, his heart rate monitor went flat. All these happened in front of his mother and me. We lost Remus 48 hours after he collapsed into coma which he has never recovered. His young wife and his eight-year old son took the news very badly.

About Heatstroke:

It usually happen in extreme sports like basketball, football, boxing and marathon.

Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical condition. The person’s cooling system, which is controlled by the brain, stops working and the internal body temperature rises to the point where brain damage or damage to other internal organs may result. The body temperature, usually at normal 37 C, goes up during the exertion of effort as result of the increased heart rate. When it reaches 40 C, the person is in danger of getting heatstroke. Above 40 C and mostly at about 42 C, the person can collapse into unconsciousness.  If nothing is done within few minutes, he can slip into coma and brain damage may occur. The proven first aid response for heatstroke is cooling the body rapidly in whatever means to the level of below 40 C before bringing him to a hospital.  Ice and water is the best way to do this, the same way it is done for a child having high fever who has convulsion.

Another way of understanding heatstroke is comparing it to the performance of car engine. At idling, the engine temp is low and safe. At sustained high speed, engine temperature increases rapidly but because of the cooling system, the heat is continuously dissipated in the radiator and safe temperature level is maintained. But when the water in the radiator is gone, Undissipated heat will rack up the engine temperature and ultimately exceeds the safe limits. At this condition, engine breakdown will occur in minutes starting with broken piston rings, rods, pistons, etc.

With the human body, perspiration cools down the body so hydration by drinking water is essential. Without water, perspiration stops and body temperature goes to critical level and into heatstroke and then organs and brain begin to fail.

Big obvious difference between human body and car engine is that you can always overhaul the engine but you cannot do that on the human body.

Why Heatstroke is More Dangerous in Marathon than in other Extreme Sports?

In basketball, the player exerts extreme effort only in bursts, stopping or slowing down intermittently which slows down heart rate and cools down the body. At timeout, they drink to replenish lost body water hence you always have the waterboy. Heart stroke is rare but ask any PBA player what they do when a player collapse. They don’t move the body but cool them off with water or ice before bringing him to the hospital.

The same is true in football and in many similar sports.

In boxing, in between rounds of three minutes, boxer rests and drinks water. We can only wonder what will happen if the rule of the sport is drastically changed and will only end when one is down and out.

In Marathon, the risk of heatstroke is much higher for the following reasons:

  1. The long distance runner aims for shorter time as a goal and therefore motivated to keep a sustained effort, not unlike cars at high speed in the highway.
  2. Furthermore, the target minimum time set by the organizer adds more to the motivation to run faster. The cut-off time added more pressure to the marginal marathon runner, meaning if you are used to run above the target time, the tendency is to do better time, probably at pace unproven by your body in practice. (Milo Marathon set the target for 21K medal at 2 ½ hours or less. Remus collapsed at near 20th km. with time of 2 hours 10 minutes when his previous record was 2 hours and 27 minutes. ).
  3. The more critical factor is that the hydration management is not in the control of the runner. He has to rely on water availability at the water stations provided and planned by the organizer along the route. ( In this 34th Milo Marathon, several runners including Remus brother, Roy and Remus running buddy asserted that practically there was no water to drink in the last 2~3 kilometers before the finish line, a fatal failure for Remus by the organizer when they changed the route resulting in merging and over-traffic near the finish line. There were record 28,000 runners on that day and the organizers failed to anticipate the complexity of hydration management. Milo’s last year marathon participants were well below 10,000 runners.)
  4. The correct life-saving response for heatstroke depends on few knowledgable people who may happen to be around the person. To mitigate this, the organizer deploys ambulances with water & ice for cooling heatstroke victims and is expected to respond within minutes. In addition, marshalls are provided along the route to assess runner situations continuously. (Obviously, the organizer failed again on this aspect because Remus was helped by policemen and his buddy instead. By this time, Remus is probably already brain damaged as evident by his seizure at the hospital. No Milo people knew of Remus case on that day until Roy, his brother, sent an email informing the organizer of the incident in the next morning)
  5. The Sun Factor adds to the danger in Marathon. Running under the heat of the sun in tropical country like ours cannot be underestimated. To minimize the effect of the sunheat, Marathon run is planned to finish in the early morning avoiding the heat at later time. Organizers usually take this into consideration. (Milo organized the 21K to start at 5:30 AM , a departure of common practice of  other marathons which started at 5:00 AM.  Remus collapsed at about 7:57 AM. Roy, who is a better runner than his brother Remus, complained that it was unusually hot that morning even if he was able to finish it earlier in 1 hours 45 minutes )

Clearly, Marathon is an extreme and dangerous sport even to the young, healthy and trained runners. This is not the “fun run” many people confused of.

The organizer has clear life-and-death responsibility to make sure that the conditions the runners will run under item 3, 4 and 5 above are done properly. Obviously they did not do their job properly in the 34th Milo Marathon. In my opinion, being the father of Remus, Milo Marathon Organizer have failed my son. It is their incompetence and negligence of their duty that results in the death of Remus …an unneccesary death.

About Remus:

At the time of his death, he was an IT project manager of Hewlett-Packard (HP) responsible in computerizing big companies like Unilab, Coke,  etc. including installation of hardwares (servers, etc.) and software system. He used to work for Intel for 10 years before he moved to HP 3 years ago. He graduated in Computer Engineering. He left a housewife, Takako and two children, Raphael, 8 years old and Therese, 4 years old. Raphael is enrolled at La Salle Greenhills. He played basketball with his brothers regularly on weekends. He has been running since his high school days in Lourdes School of Mandaluyong. He has run many 10Ks and two 21Ks before these, the “Freedom Run” in June 13 and “Nature Valley” in May 20 only this year. He has no history nor complaint of illness and he lived clean.

My Questions for the Marathon Organizer:

  1. How many died in the 34th Milo Marathon last July 4? Is it true that there was another runner at 42K who collapsed at 33 km and later died?
  2. How many runners collapsed in that marathon due to heatstroke who later survived but now are no longer the same person as before due to partial brain injury? At Ospital ng Maynila, we saw a 2nd runner brought in unconscious and woke up later but he can no longer recognize his family. Do the Organizers knew this? What happened to him. Are there more?
  3. Is it true that another 36 year-old runner, Fidel Camson, who ran the 42K 31st Milo Marathon in November 2007 collapsed near the finish line, brought to the Ospital ng Maynila and died later of undetermined cause? If true, what did they do to avoid a repeat which apparently did not happen in this 34th Milo Marathon? If true, why do they still keep the same Marathon organizer for 10 years until now?
  4. Do they keep tally of deaths in the 34 years of Milo Marathon? Do they study the statistics and establish how many died of heatstroke, the preventable one?
  5. What is the corporate culture of the Organizers regarding its respect of the value of life? Upon knowing the death of my son Remus, A Senior Vice President of the organizing team, who head its Beverages Business Unit went to see me and among other things, he told me that the Marathon is continuously improved and but sometimes “lapses occur and they will learn from these lapses”. Lapse is defined as  a ‘mistake’. People learn from ‘error’, a deviation from being correct but a ‘mistake’ is caused by a fault: the fault could be misjudgment or carelessness.  We learn from ‘error’ but we take action on ‘mistake’ and more drastic action when people die of this ‘mistake’. So death in my son’s case is a mere  learning process for this person? Is this the culture that pervades in their Organization? or only in him?
  6. Is the measly “humanitarian” offer to help the family shoulder medical & funeral expense to the family had become an SOP too often? Was it their expectation that as appreciation of this help, the family will keep quiet about the whole thing? Do they really think that the waiver signed by the runners protect them from being liable? Do they know that this waiver won’t apply if negligence of their duty as organizer can be established? 
  7. What did the Organizers do, if any, to keep the news of Remus death from appearing in the media even after one week? Not one news item of his death appeared in the newspaper, TV or radio. Could  the news  of “ HP Manager Died of HeatStroke during the Milo Marathon” not interesting to the public? Were they afraid that the bigger news is when the subline “Father charged Milo Marathon Organizer of Incompetence and Negligence” which may damage the public image of the company?

The answers to these questions will help enlighten the public whether Milo Marathon is safe or not for the runners. To the runners, their parents, wives and relatives…they all better ask these questions before the runners decide to run in Milo Marathon.

Last Words from Remus Father:

I am not condemning the sport but the organizer who failed to make sure runners will not die of heatstroke, when the risks can be greatly minimized with proper route planning, hydration management and quick medical response. I am condemning the contribution of the apparent culture of the sponsor of diminished value of human life as indicative of its senior executive’s attitude that my son’s death is a result of lapses. My hope is something good will come out of Remus death and as result of improved organizing of the marathon run,  few lives will be saved from heatstroke. My other hope is to get justice and for the Organizing Team to  answer for his untimely death. I am working on it.

Rudy Fuentes, Father of Remus

Death!

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Races, Runners Injury, Running17 Comments

This post should have been published in my blog last week.

Last May 28, 2009, I posted a blog entitled “What If…?” and I made some predictions on what the public or the running community reaction would be if in case there is a case of death of a runner caused by joining a marathon or road race. Reading back at the said post, I think my predictions did not happen and will not happen now that we have a reported case of death in a road race.

A day after the 34th MILO Marathon Manila Elimination Race, I got an information/status update from Facebook that a runner died during the race. It was confirmed by other runners that there was such a case of death on the said road race.

Reading back on the posts/blogs after the MILO Marathon from takbo.ph and other runner-bloggers who participated in the said race, the topics that I’ve read were all about frustrations, cheating, injuries, lack of medals, lack of hydration needs on the last 10 kilometers of the race and prevention of heat-related injuries or cases…but nobody tried to inform the running community about the case of death during the 34th MILO Marathon Manila Elimination Race or wrote a detailed account about the death of this runner. What I’ve read is about the death of a (Malaysian) runner in the Kuala Lumpur International Marathon last month! Why do you have to blog and re-post the death of a Malaysian runner and keep silent on the death of your co-Filipino runner? I think that is not fair! 

I wonder why nobody among the Filipino runner-bloggers wrote about this Filipino runner who died at the 34th MILO Marathon Manila Eliminations? I wonder also why the traditional media outlets in our country kept “silent” about this incident. I hope one or two runners who tried to help the victim would be able to say something about this case or maybe, an officemate or co-running club member would be able to say something about the person…maybe, his name, age, number of years of running, and health condition before the run. A simple interview with the family, relatives and friends would be better to find out the background of this runner. I hope the frontRUNNER Magazine will do its work to find out the details and write about this case so that the running community will be aware of such cases in running.

Or maybe, the runner died because our Medical Support are not properly trained or well-equipped to react appropriately to running cases and injuries such as this. The same case that happened to my former classmates who died due to heat stroke.

I may not be an investigative reporter or member of the CSI but a detailed information about this case should be heard from Team MILO/NESTLE, Phils and the Race Organizers on the details to answer the questions WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHO, WHY, and HOW…and the ACTION TAKEN by the people responsible on the said road race.

Guys, this is NEWS! The public, especially the running community, deserves to know the TRUTH! ( This is the “overused” line you always here from the media! Right?). We have to learn something from this case with the hope that we could prevent this thing from happening again.

Cheating, Death, Frustrations, Redemptions, Happiness, Friendships, Betrayal, Power, etc….the Marathon Race offers a lot of DRAMA…like LIFE!

(Note: While trying to find details about this death and while waiting for the Official Statement from MILO/NESTLE, Inc, I happened to discover the Official Statement from Mr Rudy Fuentes, the father of the casualty, posted on the Internet. I will post the Official Statement of MILO/NESTLE, Inc. soon).

On Cheaters: USATF Rules & Regulations

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Marathon Race Results, Races, Running2 Comments

I copied the following article from the USATF Rules and Regulations on Road Racing. I hope Race Organizers and Runners should be able to be aware of the following rules and regulations and information about cheating in Road Races. This may be an old version of the rules and regulations due to the absence of RFID timing chips being mentioned in the article. Anyway, this is a very good source of information so that we are more aware and vigilant on the actuations of other runners in a race. Let us continue reporting and exposing these chearers.

VERIFICATION OF PERFORMANCES

Cheating in road races is more common than most people realize. The more attractive the awards or the greater the attention winners receive, the more incentives there are for cheating. Cheating is easier to get away with in a large race vs. a small race where everyone knows everyone else.

Types of Cheating

Cheaters can be highly original and may show considerable imagination. The dumb cheaters are easily caught; the 2:16 marathon by a 60 year old for example. The smart cheaters can be hard to catch. We can only look at a few of the more common types of cheating.

Course Cutting

Course cutting may simply involve the runner ducking down a side street to join the race and “saving” some distance. Out-and- back courses have serious problems in this regard. It is very easy for the out-going runner to join the returning stream of runners.

Course cutting may involve a runner “dropping” out of the race at perhaps 25 km, only to “rejoin” the race at 35 km. The intervening distance is often covered by automobile but runners have been known to use city buses and subways.

It is often rather difficult to distinguish between runners who have taken a legitimate toilet stop from those who are cheating. You may wish to assign monitors to locations on the course where you have porta-johns. The cheater may enter via your porta-john, entering the race as he/she leaves the porta-john, just like any real runner.

One imaginative course cutter was accompanied by his friend riding a bicycle. Every five miles or so, they would trade places AND shirts. He managed to “improve” his time sufficiently to qualify for Boston. Note that he was “checked” thru each checking station along the way! Video-tape could have caught this cheater if the time were taken to check the video-tape that carefully. This was only found out much later when the “story” was related by a runner who observed one of the switches.

Failure to Start at the Start

The easiest way to cut the course is simply skip the first part of the race. How many marathoners just run the last few miles of the race? You’ve seen them, the ones that aren’t sweaty, bouncing along coming into the finish as though they’re out for a stroll.

The dumb cheater doesn’t know when to “enter” the race. This gives you the 2:16 marathon by the 60 year old. The smart cheater figures he/she can run 7 minutes per mile for a couple miles. The runners finishing just under three hours are usually doing 7’s forthe last couple miles. They measure back from the finish, two miles. They wait for 2:45 on their watch and jump in when the time is right. They run their two miles in 14 minutes, finishing in 2:59. They don’t stand out since they are running the same pace as the other finishers. The dumb cheaters are getting passed by runners doing 5:30’s while they are doing 8’s.

Wave starts are highly conducive to cheating and need to be monitored VERY closely. Otherwise, the runner can “improve” by starting with an earlier group. Color-coded and number blocked bib-numbers PLUS lots of monitors help here.

Impersonation

Impersonation may be one person running for another or simply a person misrepresenting his/her age to take advantage of weaker age group competition.

Inadvertent number switching, e.g., husband and wife, occurs quite frequently. When handing out two or more race packets to the same individual, use magic markers to clearly mark the envelopes e.g., “HIS” and “HERS.” Different colored bib-numbers for men and women AND separate finish lines help reduce this problem.

Pre-registered runners may choose, for whatever reason, not to run the race. The temptation is there for a second runner to compete WITHOUT paying an entry fee by “borrowing” the registered runner’s bib-number. The impersonator may simply show up and pick up the bib-number for the runner who is registered and run with that bib- number. You may wish to request identification or signatures from runners as they pick up their registration packets to reduce this problem.

You also may wish to permit reassignment of a bib-number for a minimal fee. In this way, you can preserve the integrity of your coding system for the awards search and the integrity of your race results by correctly identifying the runners.

Course Monitoring

The first step is to identify potential problem areas on your course. If you run the same loop three or more times, you will need to record times for each runner for each loop. If you have an out-and-back course, you will need to record turn-around times for all the runners. If your course has inter-connecting or nearly connecting loops, points of intersection between different streams of runners present intractable problems. Intersecting streams of runners should be AVOIDED. Change your course.

Points where you have spotted potential problems should be monitored. At least one monitor should be assigned simply to record bib-numbers for any runners observed leaving the course in the vicinity. If you record the bib-number and the time the runner was observed leaving the course, knowing the location allows you to check against their finish time (if they finished) to see if they “speeded up” unduly.

The best way to monitor a course is by video-taping at certain check points along the course. Choose a section where the runners are making a right angle turn. As runners make such a turn, they will tend to “line up” so each can run a shorter path around the corner. Station the video-camera outside the corner and film as the runners round the corner, in effect presenting their bib-number to you.

The 1984 San Francisco Marathon video-taped their turn-around point at 30 km. The first 100 finishers were checked. Ten were disqualified for not passing through the check station.

Another way of checking is to use a standard voice tape recorder and read bib-numbers as the runners pass by. If another worker is reading times every 5 or 10 seconds AND the split is a standard distance, e.g., half way in a marathon, you will have split times recorded for many of your runners. This is a nice addition to your race results, plus a good method for verifying performances.

A method you might consider for large race where prize money is awarded to masters runners is to create a “prize money” classification. You might charge a dollar extra to be in this “special” group but allow anyone to enter who wishes. Give this group bib- numbers of a distinctive color that may be easily spotted and distinguished from the normal bib-number. Have a number of teams along the course to spot and record these “special” numbers as they pass by. This will give you a much smaller list when you verify award winning performances.

Start Check-In Procedures

One way to prevent your runners from starting your marathon at the 40 km mark is to have a start check-in and controlled holding area until the starting gun. The Honolulu Marathon checks runners off on master lists as being present at the start. Bar-code scanning as runners enter the starting area is another method used by the New York City Marathon.

The Tucson Marathon has used a dual pull-tag system, one pull- tag is collected when the runners enter the starting area; the other is collected at the finish. One year, eight of 500 “finishers” failed to check in at the start and were disqualified.

Bay-to-Breakers also has a cordoned off starting area that seeded runners may enter but may not leave until the starting gun goes off. As runners enter, a worker with a special color water-proof marker makes a colored check or ÔX’ on the runner’s bib- number to indicate that they were are the start.

Video-Tape the Finish

Video-taping the finish not only provides answers to who- finished-in-what-order questions but also serves to identify runners visually as they finish. Many errors result when runners use another runner’s bib- number. The video-tape usually can tell you if a man ran with a woman’s number or a 25 year old ran with a 60 year old’s number.

Awards and Disqualifications

If you give awards that have commercial value or are cash awards, you should ANNOUNCE the award at the ceremony but MAIL the award after you have had a day or two to check to determine if the performance is valid. One marathon disqualified three award winners. unfortunately, the trophies had already been given out.

If you disqualify a runner, you may expect problems. Some are honest enough to admit they cheated (although dishonest enough in the first place to cheat) and return trophies, etc. Roughly 10% of the cheaters will try to out-bluff you. Even in the face of documented evidence that they cheated, they will still maintain their innocence and will threaten to sue you.

The methods you use to substantiate cheating need to be pretty solid. If you have teams recording bib-numbers, the runner may claim his/her number was covered at the time or the recorders simply missed it because he/she was running in a pack. The same is true for voice tape recording.

Even video-taping can be questioned. If you do not have a built-in record of the time on the video-tape, the runner could argue that the recorder was not operating when he/she passed and therefore you missed him/her. With a time record, you can document the videotape record and, if need be, use it in a court of law.

If you disqualify a runner, BE SURE he/she cheated. If you KNOW the runner cheated, be sure you DISQUALIFY that runner. If no action is taken against cheating, your awards will go to the cheaters and the sport suffers. Remember that the cheater is cheating someone else of something that is rightfully theirs. There is no such things as a “recreational” cheater or “cheat-for-fun” because cheating demeans the entire sport and everyone is the worse for it.

Source: USATF Rules and Regulations

Race Report: 34th MILO Marathon Manila Eliminations

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Marathon Race Results, Pictures, Race Results, Races, Running, Ultramarathon20 Comments

4:08 AM July 4, 2010 Km 0 Roxas Boulevard/President Macapagal Avenue

Brief Background

I did not run the 2008 MILO Marathon Manila Elimination Race but I was able to find a way to join the MILO Marathon FINALS held in November where I registered the fastest time so far after reviving my regular running activities since I retired from the government service. I registered a time of 3:48:32 hours at that time. For that year, it was my third marathon race after finishing the Pasig Marathon in February (4:49+) and the San Francisco Marathon in August (4:36+). I can still recall that I put more mileage in my preparation for this race and lots of “speed” training at the ULTRA Oval Track up to the point that I was able to schedule three (3) “speed” sessions every week. However, since then, I could hardly improve my time with the hope that I would be able to reach the time of 3:45 hours for a Boston Marathon Qualifying Time for my age.

For last year’s MILO Marathon Races, I did not do well as my time was not able to breach below the 4-hour qualifying time. Such performance could be a result for having developed a slower pace to finish ultramarathon races (50-102K) which I joined for last year plus the fact that I was getting one year older! But in last year’s Subic International Marathon, I was able to register a finish time of 3:58+ in the month of October.

For this year, my objective was to qualify for the 4-hour time making my Jeju International 50K Ultramarathon Race last March 27 as the start of my preparation for the Marathon Manila Eliminations. I said to myself that a 10-week preparation for the race would be enough where a gradual increase in mileage towards the last 4-5 weeks before the race shall be attained. As I did not follow a structured training schedule for this race, the guide for my training was to “listen to my body” as I did at least one (1)  interval speed run session at the Oval Track; one (1) tempo run; one (1) LSD; and one (1) recovery run almost every week during my strengthening phase. Six weeks before race day, I had my runs to the “Brown Mountain” trails and I was able to increase my weekly mileage up to more than 110 kilometers for two succeeding weeks until I slowly decreased my weekly mileage up to the race day. Aside from proper nutrition and hydration with Gatorade, I had weekly body massage and stretching exercises.

Race Proper

On the day of the race, I woke up 2 hours before the scheduled start time and did the necessary “ritual” that I’ve mastered before in any runnijng event that I competed. Everything was smooth and efficient as I arrived at the race venue at least one hour before the start of the race. After the usual greetings and photo-ops with other runners, friends, and members of the Race Organizers, I was ready to enter the Starting Area.

With Team BR-Professionals At The Sound Of the Starting Gun

I observed that I started to perspire a lot without even doing the stretching exercises being performed as part of the opening program. It was a sign of the “heat and humidity” of the day. It was a warning also to hydrate properly during the race. Being a “veteran” runner. I already know the “drill” and not to be “hard-headed” during the race. The key to survival is to be able to drink & hydrate in every Aid/Water/Gatorade Station.

BDM 102 "Veterans" & "Hardcores"
With Team MILO/NESTLE at The Stage

There was a long pause during the opening program where I was able to talk briefly and have photo-ops with other runners and the Team Bald Runner-Professionals (BRP) when all of a sudden the crowd was surprised with the sound of the starting gun without even warning us with a “countdown”! Well, sometimes small or detailed things as practiced are forgotten in major marathon just like this. The crowd’s reaction was to start our run! My GF 305 watch registered the start time at 4:09 AM.

Km 0 to Km 10. The first 3.5K was flat that I was able to register an average pace of 5:56 minutes per km for the first kilometer and I slowly increased my pace up to 5:40 mpk before reaching the 2K mark. Knowing that my support staff had been stationed in critical points along the route to supply me with the needed hydration and solid foods (suman, fruits, boiled eggs, and sports gels) along the route, I purposely passed the first few Aid Stations and continued with my average pace which reached as fast as 5:30 mpk. I was able to finish the 10K distance in 55:26 minutes and I was happy that I was within my goal to finish way faster than the 4:10-hour qualifying time for my age.

Looking Good, Dude!

Km 11 to Km 20. On the second loop, my legs were still strong to pass over the two Flyovers along Roxas Blvd and I was still maintaining an average pace of 5:30 mpk and was confident that I can still make my pace much faster one if I wanted it. At this time, I was regularly provided with water and Gatorade by my Elite runners who acted as my pacers and my staff who prepositioned themselves at the President Macapagal Avenue. Aside from being supplied with cups full of water and Gatorade, I had with me on my closed fists additional water placed in small “ice candy” plastig bags. I think I did not have any problems with my hydration at this point. I also ingested the Sports Gels provided by the Race Organizers every time I was able to complete one loop of the 10K route within the route.

Km 21 to Km 30. As I was about to reach Km 26, I felt a jolting sensation on my right hamstrings and I know that if I maintain my pace of 5:30 mpk, the sensation might lead to some pain and then to muscle cramps. I slowed down from this point and tried to observe and listen to my body if the hamstring issue will disappear. For the next kilometers up to Km 30, my average pace was a “see-saw” where alternately after every kilometer, my pace would register the fastest pace from 6:15 mpk up to the slowest pace of 6:57 mpk up to Km 30. I know, I can still manage the slight pain but it made me slower, hoping that the pain will disappear.

Drink, Drink, & Drink Some More Water & Gatorade!

Km 31 to Km 40. From Km 31 to Km 32, I can still manage to control the pain on my right hamstrings but at the middle of Km 32, I started to feel another pain on both of my quadriceps. These signs made me reduce my pace and ultimately started to do some brief brisk walking just to give comfort to my legs. But I tried to manage to go back to running after 10 seconds of brief walking. At this point, my pacers started to regularly douse me with cold water and told me to take small steps just to be able to lift my feet and knees from the ground. Once I reached the last 6K of the race, I was already struggling and trying to fight the pains on my legs. At Km 39, I already knew that I would not be able to qualify for the MILO Finals as my pace registered an average pace of 7:40 mpk. I asked for ice cold bottle of Coke but it gave me a short “boost” to relieve the pain from my legs.

Struggling To The Finish Line With Michelle Estuar In Good Form

Km 40 to the Finish Line. Despite knowing that I could not qualify for the Finals, I tried my best to increase my pace and I was successful to prevent myself from walking and surrender from thinking of being a failure in this race. I was able to bring back to a faster pace for the last 2 kilometers and reached the Finish Line without any injuries.

I finished the race in 4:25:13 hours (Official Time) with a registered distance in my GF 305 of 42.4 kilometers. My average pace for the entire race was 6:15 minutes per kilometer.

Finally, Near The Finish Line!

Lesson #1:  Heat, Humidity, and the Quality of Air

It is already a fact that the hot weather, very humid condition, and the poor quality of air in Metro Manila are the top “nemesis” for long distance runners. I have predicted that the “all-comer” Marathon Record Time set in Metro Manila in 1982 by Waldemar Cierpinski in 2:14:27 hours will never be broken by a Filipino or international runner because of the warmer average of temperature that we have as compared in the 80s and the worst quality of air that we have at present because of our non-implementation of our Clean Air Act and the proliferation of vehicles in the metropolis. Even the visiting Kenyan runners and the elite athletes were not able to breach below 2:30-hour finish time except for the record set by Ed “Vertek” Buenavista few years ago at 2:18+ hours. During last Sunday’s race, one of my elite athletes complained that the weather was too hot that contributed his unusual experience of having muscle cramps on the last 10K of the course.

Lesson #2: Unsual Race Course

I was surprised to learn during the brief presentation of the route before the race started that the marathon runners had to run along the Flyovers at Buendia and EDSA for the “fourth time” before turning around towards the Finish Line. This surprise part of the route was already considered as “punishment” to all the runners. I had no problem running along these Flyovers for three times but the fourth and last time brought so much pain and torture to my cramping legs. Well, that is what we get when the “thinkers/consultants” and Race Organizers of MILO/Nestle, Phils are not seasoned “marathon runners”. If these people would ask my suggestion and feedback about this race, I would tell them to scrap this route and bring back the original one. However, it would be better for them to ask a selected group of seasoned runners to “test run” their planned route before implementing it to the public and find out the necessary feedback. I think this is “doable” in the next editions to come.

Lesson #3: The “Dumb and Stupid” Runners

I thought the 3-loop course and the presence of RFID Timing Chips would eventually eliminate reports and observations of “cheaters” from taking advantage to those who are honest in the race in past editions of the MILO Marathon Race. I was wrong! The result of the Marathon Race had glaringly showed the absence of “complete” split times of almost 42 runners but were able to register their finish times. It shows and proves that these runners made a “shortcut” and did not pass on two different “sensors” along the route. In addition, I’ve seen discrepancies in the recorded split times wherein a slow runner on the first and/or second splits would register a very fast pace on the third and last splits despite the challenging weather (heat & humidity) condition and the lack of hydration supplies on the last 10K of the course. I just hope also that nobody among the runners registered an “improper” birth date to make them older! In my lectures/clinics, I always emphasize to my audience that running develops good values to each and every individual and the most importantly of them is HONESTY.

Lesson #4: Hill Repeats, Not Hill Running

As I reviewed the journals of Arthur Lydiard, he highly recommends Hill Workouts & Repeats as part of the Sharpening Phase of a Marathon Training. Instead of doing Hill “Repeats”, I did Hill Running or running on top of the “Brown Mountain” on a once or twice a week basis. My workout in going to BM further strengthened my legs and my aerobic capability but it did not improve the “survivability” of my running legs on overcoming those repeated runs over the Flyovers along Roxas Boulevard. My mountain running did not duplicate what I really needed to surpass those “speed bumps”. During the last 8K of the race, these “speed bumps” became “speed obstacles” for me to qualify for the Finals.

Lesson #5: Wrong Choice of Race Strategy

In other words, I was overconfident in this race. I opted for the even-pace strategy with an overall average pace of 5:55 mpk but I registered a faster pace at 5:30-5:40 mpk up to the point that I reached Km 30. I’ve observed that I gave so much pressure to myself when I adopted this kind of race strategy and never taking into consideration the effects of the weather and the realiability of support from the Aid Stations. This kind of race strategy had worked well with me in my Marathon/Ultra Races in the USA and in South Korea. I am sure that the colder weather had greatly helped me well to finish with better times.

In my past good marathon races here in the country, I adopted the “negative-split” race strategy where almost half of the race was done with an easy and slow pace and later slowly increasing my pace on the last half of the race. I applied this strategy in this year’s Condura Marathon, last year’s Subic International Marathon and in the 2008 MILO Marathon Finals. I guess, I’ll have to stick to this kind of race strategy in my future marathon & ultra races.

Lesson #6: Remember the term “Collapse Point”

I discussed the term “Collapse Point” in one of my past posts. It is the point or distance along the marathon course where you hit your “Wall”. To determine your “collapse point”, you have to find out the total of mileage (in miles or kilometers) for the past 60 days prior to race day and divide it with 20. The result is your approximate “collapse” point. In my case, I was able to run a total of 646 kilometers, 60 days before D-Day. After I divided it with 20, the result is 32.3-kilometer point. This was the approximate point where I started to slow down, breaching past the 7:00-mpk pace as my average pace. After this point, I started to “brisk walk” and my goal to qualify for the Finals started to collapse! It shows that my total mileage before the race was inadequate and lacking.

Lesson #7: Age Factor

As I am getting older, I need all the “tricks” in maintaining a competitive level in running. Balance and Moderation are the keys to an injury-free condition for me to be always ready to train to a marathon or ultra race wherein I can compete within my age category or even to the younger age categories. Running will always be an “experiment of one” and there is no such thing as “miracle pill” to make a person into a fast and strong runner within a limited period of time.

Lesson #8: Ultrarunners’ View of a Marathon Race

Eversince I started to join and run ultramarathon races, I’ve considered a Marathon Race as a part of my training in order to find out my endurance level. Do you remember that I started my Manila to Baguio City Multi-Day (5-Day) Run after a day of rest from finishing the Condura Marathon last February of this year? Do you remember that I participated in my first 50K Ultratrail Run at Bulldog Trail Race in Calabasas, California barely two weeks after my San Francisco Marathon? I survived and finished such ultra runs because of my preparations for the Marathon Races that I joined prior to such events. An ultra runner friend of mine would jokingly say that a marathon race is considered as his “tempo run” workout for an ultra running event. And I believe him. In addition, it is not acceptable ( in a blunt term, it’s a shame) when a runner walks in a marathon race, but when a ultrarunner walks in a race, it’s the “smartest” move he can depend on in order to finish the race! After finishing this Sunday’s MILO Marathon Race, I can say that I have the endurance to finish another ultramarathon race/event in the future!

To all the Marathon & Ultra Runners, see you at PAU’s “P2P 65K” and CAMSUR Marathon!!!

Good Job, BR!!!

DNQ

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Marathon Race Results, Pictures, Races, Running26 Comments

MILO Marathon Elimination Race, July 4, 2010

…Did Not Qualify!

Yes, I did not qualify for the 34th MILO Marathon Finals to be held on December 12 of this year. I am trying my best to recall what happened during the race and still making an assessment about my training and preparation for this marathon race. Hopefully, get some lessons to share during the race and in my training.

I finished the race in 4:25:12 hours (unofficial) based from my GF 305. I could be a “veteran” runner but I was not happy of what I’ve accomplished. But I am still proud that I was able to finish this race without any injury.  This is my 19th Marathon Race and so far, I’ve have not yet experienced any DNF in my career as a runner.

I will be posting my Race Report about this race in my incoming post with more details. I had my 30-minute recovery run this morning and I am ready for my next race, after a brief “rest & recovery” period from intense training. Actually, my training and preparation for my next race started in yesterday’s MILO Marathon Elimination Race! Wish me luck!

For the meantime, I would like to express my congratulations to all the Qualifiers and Finishers. You did well and you have shown the courage and determination of a “warrior”. To Team MILO and the Race Organizer, you did great for the race with the hope that nobody got seriously injured or hospitalized due to the heat exhaustion. I salute you for making this marathon race as the most challenging one, so far! You maintained your reputation as “the most prestigious marathon race” in the country. Additionally, your “Help Give Shoes” advocacy is a success!

To my readers, those who prayed for my safety and for those who cheered & supported me along the way, my sincerest thanks to all of you! After all, I am a mortal just like everyone else. The battle cry for next year’s MILO Marathon Race…BOUNCE BACK!!!

On My Last 8K To The Finish Line

3 Loops

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Pictures, Races, Runner's Fashion/Attire, Runners Accessories, Runners' Training, Running, Running For Cause, Running Shoes10 Comments

After I found out that the 34th MILO Marathon Elimination Route was changed into a different route where the 42K runners will have to undergo a 3-loop run within the course, I planned to recon the place, most especially that portion of the race route.

At 7:30 AM, last Sunday, I started my run at a certain point within the loop course which have a direct access to the MOA grounds and located along the Pres. Macapagal Avenue.  From this point, I went westward towards the PICC Complex by turning left going to the old and abandoned Film Academy Building; turning right towards infront of the Philippine Plaza Hotel and went all the way to the Folk Arts Theater before turning right towards Roxas Boulevard.

I turned right at Roxas Blvd and did not dare to run along the flyovers at Gil Puyat/Buendia Blvd and EDSA but instead ran along the flat road of Roxas Blvd. Running along Roxas Blvd gives you the tendency to run fast while inhaling the smoke from all forms of vehicle passing the area; smell of garbage & drainage; and the dust of the road. I turned right at the Aguinaldo Blvd (Airport Road) before finally turning right at the Pres. Macapagal Avenue and ending my run where I started along the said road.

My GF 305 registered a distance of 10.4 kilometers with an elapsed time of 1:01:32 hours and an average pace of 5:55 mpk!

I have nothing to complain about the 3 loops every runner for the 42K race would undertake as long as it will result to an accurate distance for the 42.195K race. The relatively flat terrain of the course where the Flyovers will be considered as “speed bumps” (on flat streets) will be an advantage for the runners. For those who will be supported with their own family/friends’ Aid Stations, they could select a place where they could wait for their runner to pass without having the problem of following or “leap-frogging” with their runner. This loop system will also a nice way to keep an “eye contact” or good sighting to your “target” for this race due to the straight direction of the key roads of the route. I’ll be glad that runners within my age range will also use me as their “target”! But for the younger runners, I’ll be happy to see them way in front of me because they will be qualifying for a faster time!

MILO Marathon Elimination Race Route

In my race strategy for this event, I’ll have to visualize that I’ll be running along the oval track with each lap measuring to 11-12 kilometers per lap, instead of 400 meters. I should be able to complete each loop in 1:10 hours or less and finish the remaining kilometers in 40 minutes or less in order to be able to qualify for the  MILO Marathon Finals and register a Finish Time of 4:10 hours or less. This could be my most conservative strategy for the race but depending on the actual situation, my body condition, and external factors, I could go for a faster time. Having prepared for this race since the last week of March 2010 and my training in the mountains had given me the confidence of a nice result for this race.

Despite my long runs had been within the range of 25-30 kilometers, I tried to compensate the need for longer LSDs by training along the mountain trails and “sharpen” my training through hill workouts. Another bold experiment that I’ve done for the past months is the ability to sustain my pace without drinking any water or sports drinks on my 10K or less distance workouts. I tested and evaluated this experiment when I participated in the latest NB Trail Adventure 15K Run at Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna last June 20, 2010. It did not affect me whether the Water Stations were not consistently positioned along the route.

I’ll be using the MILO singlet provided for this race; running shorts (“RMWRS!”); DryMax Socks; ASICS Gel-Tarther Shoes; Oakley Sunglass; and my Bandanas!

Always remember, when you run the MILO Marathon Race, you have to give justice to this event as the “most prestigious marathon race” in the country. Do your best and prove to yourself and to everybody that you are a “RUNNER”!

See you this Sunday! Good luck!

I'll Be Donating These Shoes! My Race Singlet On D-Day
You Will Never Miss Me During The Race!

“Green”

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Pictures, Races, Running, Running For Cause, Sports Program9 Comments

If you are a runner in the Philippines, the color “green” signifies the MILO Marathon Race! 

Last Thursday noon, June 24, 2010, I was one of the few “runner-bloggers” who were invited by MILO/Nestle, Phils to attend the media launching of the 34th MILO Marathon for this year. I think only four of us were there who were outnumbered by the newspaper/print publications, radio, and TV media personnel & reporters—Kikay Runner, Bugobugo85 aka frontRunner, The Bull Runner and I. It was really an honor and privilege to be a part of this memorable event. 

The event started with some personal chat and greetings with the members of the TEAM MILO under the leadership of Mr Afnan Ahsan, the new Senior Vice-President, Beverages Business Unit of NESTLE Philippines. Lunch was served immediately at noon time. 

Race Route: 34th MILO Marathon Elimination Race/July 4, 2010

 As soon as the attendees had their lunch, the formal presentation of the media launching of the event started. What impressed me most is the presentation of the TV commercial film, “The Gift” for MILO’s project HELP GIVE SHOES. I can relate with this new advocacy of MILO because I’ve been a witness of runners in marathon races who are still using “old and tattered” running shoes and I was able to do something, at least, to solve the problem. My personal observation led me to come up with my “Project Donate A Shoe” which I started by donating four (4) pairs of my slightly used running shoes. Little did I know that my readers have the same observations too that they started donating their used shoes to my project. So far, I have received and distributed a total of almost 1,000 pairs of used running shoes coming from my friends in the country & abroad and my readers residing in Great Britain, United States, China, Japan, and the Middle East! 

Team MILO/Nestle, Phils During The Media Launching

 After the prepared presentation about the 34th MILO Marathon Event, the key members of Team MILO were presented to everybody and they emphasized the importance of their advocacy by sticking “footprints” on the wall. Key figures in Philippine Sports (PSC & POC), Race Organizer, and MILO Executives were seated in front of the audience as each of them were asked some questions and clarification and the Press Interview/Open Forum started. 

When a reporter who is not a runner ask a question, most likely, the question is a dumb and stupid one. They don’t read the written Press Release given to them once they enter the venue before they ask a question because the answer is already on those printed pages. Almost all their questions start with the word “Why?” However, I was impressed when a recreational runner-reporter asked the question, “Why MILO thought of such advocacy (Help Give Shoes) now, after 33 years of conducting a nation-wide running events?” Well, the Team MILO answered that they have the same observation as I have expressed in this blog. 

Team MILO Marathon with TBR & BR!!!

This year’s 34th MILO Marathon Elimination is totally different from the past yearly event because of their “Help Give Shoes” advocacy for the underprivileged children; the introduction of qualifying times according to one’s age category; increase in registration fees but with better quality of race singlet, finisher’s t-shirt & finisher’s medal; better support services to runners in terms of safety, hydration (water & Gatorade), food replenishments (fruits & sports gels); increase in cash prizes for the winners; accurate timing with the use of the RFID Champion Chip; and a new race course (which I will discuss in my incoming posts).  

“Green” means the Environment! “Green” means MILO! “Green” means GO! Run the MILO Marathon! 

See you on July 4th!

Lighter

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Practice Runs, Running3 Comments

It is supposed to be entitled “Thinner”!

Most of the people, friends, and other runners had the same observation of me when they saw me for the past few days. Most of the time for the past 2-3 months, I’ve been always going to the province outside Metro Manila and training with my elite team. Seldom my friends and other runners would see me in the usual places where runners would do their workouts in Metro Manila.

Last week, I weighed myself naked and I was surprised that the weighing scale registered 136 lbs! During the start of my training in preparation for the 34th MILO Marathon Eliminations on the last week of March, I had a weight of 143 lbs. It was my weight when I participated in the Jeju International 50K Ultramarathon Race. After this ultramarathon race, it marked the start of my training.

The reduction of my weight by 7 lbs could be attributed to my regular runs to the “Brown Mountain” (BM) and long steady distance (LSD) runs along a hilly paved road during weekends. I have also joined the elite runners in their training which included two running workouts a day—hard training in the morning and another recovery run in the afternoon. In between such workouts, it included at least 2 hours sleep after lunch.

Even if I slept 7-8 hours every night and eat a balance diet in my food intake, it appears that I consume more calories when I run and I was able to burn more of my body fats!

Having said that the ideal weight for a runner (male) competing in a particular race is equivalent to his height in inches multiplied by 2, it would be best to apply this formula to myself, 67 inches X 2, is equivalent to 134 lbs! It appears that I have to reduce another 2 lbs in order to meet my ideal weight for the MILO Marathon. Well, I think my present weight of 136 lbs is already enough for me.

Actually, I really don’t worry about the observation and comment of my friends about my being thinner this time as the MILO Marathon is fast approaching. I always think that this condition is only temporary. It is faster for me to gain weight than shaving off those unwanted fats from my body. I am looking forward already to my rest & recovery (one month) after the race before I start again for my training for the 34th MILO Marathon Finals scheduled on December 12, 2010 with the hope of finishing the elimination race in less than 4:10 hours.

Whether I am thinner or lighter, I hope this will be an “edge” for me to register a faster finish time in a marathon race this time.

See you on July 4th.

Latest Pic @ frontRunner Clinic (June 24, 2010). Photo Courtesy of frontRunner Magazine