“Tumirik Si BR!” (BR Got Stucked!)

On November 9, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Pictures, Runners Injury, Running, Running For Cause63 Comments

2009 Philippine International Marathon: A Run For The River 42K Marathon

After joining the Subic International Marathon and the ADIDAS “KOTR” Half-Marathon two weeks ago, I rested for one week with only one running workout. But for the week (6 days) before the Pasig River Marathon, I started to do my long runs where I was able to run a total of 78 kilometers and had two days of rest before Race Day. My first mistake!

On the last kilometer before the Finish Line at the Subic International Marathon, I was attacked with “muscle cramps” on my left calf muscle but it disappeared after running lightly until I reached the Finish Line. As there was no pain during my trip back to Manila, I was comfortable in joining the next day’s ADIDAS KOTR Half-Marathon with a plan to finish the race at my own pace. After the race, I felt that there was a “pain” in one of the inner muscles of my calf and I decided to have a massage. More daily sessions of massage was conducted to my legs and they relieved the pain as I pushed to build-up my mileage for the week before Race Day. I did not wait for my “strained” muscle to “heal” before doing my long runs and tempo run for the week. My second mistake!

After shaving, shower, and preparing my running kit, I went to bed at 8:00 PM on the night before Race Day and had my alarm clock set at 3:00 AM. I arrived at the Luneta/Quirino Grandstand area at 3:45 AM and did my stretching & slow jogging immediately. Before entering the Starting Line Area, I was able to talk to the ABS-CBN Foundation officials, Finishers of the 1st BDM 102, my friends & supporters of my road races, runner-bloggers, runners from other Running Clubs, and readers of this blog.

The race started at 2 minutes before the scheduled time of 4:30 AM, a sign that the Race Director is Mr Rudy Biscocho. I went with the flow of the runners beside and infront of me. My GF 305 registered an average pace of 5:56 mpk for the 1st kilometer and I was comfortable with the pace. I was trying to expect a Water Aid Station in between 2K & 3K mark but I was surprised that the first Water Station was located on top of Del Pan Bridge which is at the 4+K mark. I took a cup of water and made a sip after taking my first GU Power Gel for the Race. I continued the race and relied with the assistance of the Race Marshals positioned in intersections as the traffic was building up on the surrounding street of Luneta Park. I also relied on the runners infront of me in order to be in the right track of the course. For the past Pasig River Marathon editions, I became one of the “lost runners” along the streets surrounding the Luneta Park due to lack of race marshals on the early part of the race.

Crossing the bridges were memorable during the race because each of the Water Aid Stations was located on top of the bridge and at the same time the location of the Relay Stations for the Relay Race runners. I was feeling okey and comfortable passing along the Jones Bridge and McArthur Bridge where I was running at an average pace of 5:30-5:40 kpm . It was at the approach of the Ayala Bridge that my support team met me and started giving me water and Gatorade drinks in ice candy plastic bags. Gerald Sabal, one of the early relay team members who finished his 2-kilometer run joined me and paced me from this point.

After crossing the Nagtahan Bridge, at the Km-15 mark, I started to feel a pain on my left calf muscle, the very same muscle that I had problems after the SIM and ADIDAS KOTR runs. I tried to slow down at first to find out if the pain will subside as what I’ve experienced in my previous long runs before the race. However, the pain would not disappear and I tried to keep my pace faster thinking that the pain would completely cease. I don’t advise this “technique” to the “newbies”! Even after a few yards of talking to my left leg, the pain would stay! I started to limp and slow down with my pace. As soon as I saw my support staff and vehicle, I stopped and asked one of my elite athletes to apply pressure and massage to the affected area and it gave me relief from the pain.

So, I continued to run and forced the pain to go away from my legs by running as fast as I could. After passing the Lambingan Bridge, I felt that the pain started to spread on the side of my lower leg and no longer at my left calf muscle. As my left foot would strike the ground, it caused an unbearable pain for the whole of my left leg that I have to take a light footstrike to the ground. The pain was still there and my left leg could no longer force my body to move forward. I decided to stop in one of the Waiting Sheds and had my lower left muscles massaged by my Elite Team runners. After a brief massage, I tried to alternately jog and walk until I saw my support vehicle and I was offered my usual Instant Oatmeal at the halfway mark. At this point, my GF 305 registered a distance of 19.63 kilometers with a time of 1:58+ hours!

My Pit Stop Along Pasig River @ 19.6K Mark

As my leg-in-pain was being massaged, I saw a lot of runners passing me and asked what is happening. I answered them that I have a strained muscle and told them to continue their running. Some offered help, sports drinks, water and food. Thanks, guys for the show of concern and offers of assistance. I will never forget your faces!

After finishing my Oatmeal snack, a decision must be made! Do I have to DNF or Finish the Race? In my entire running career and adventures, I never experienced a DNF. I told my Elite runners who were assisting me that I really “walk the talk” because I always tell them to finish every race they have started and don’t want them to be dropping their race once they know that they could no longer place on standings where there are no cash prizes to receive. So, I made my decision to finish the race even if it will take me a longer finish time. This is the time to prove what “warriors” are made of!

I removed my wet bandana from my neck and tied it around my upper left calf muscle to relieve the pain I felt everytime my foot strike the ground. I got some relief by doing this. I took my GU Roctane Sports Gel & drank a lot of water as I started my brisk walking up to the Finish Line. I need to walk a distance of 22 kilometers from the Mandaluyong side of the Pasig River up to the Finish Line. My walking pace started at 10:30 mpk and making it fastest at 8:45 mpk along the remaining parts of the route. More of the slower runners would overtake me and I could see in their faces of their disbelief that the Bald Runner is walking briskly instead of running fast towards the Finish Line. Well, you can not win them all, as they say! There are ups and downs in running and I am trying my best not to be a DNF in a Road Race where I started.

After crossing the Pasig River at Guadalupe Bridge

As I passed the Guadalupe Bridge, I was thinking that Mr Amadao Castro, Jr aka Reinier6666 would pass me and I was planning to encourage him to walk with me up to the finish line as I knew he planned to end his race before he trurns right towards the Pioneer Street. But instead of him, I was overtaken by Eugene, one of my sponsors in my advocacies, and the Team Logan with lots of runners from takbo.ph. As I was about to end my walking along Pioneer Street, I was overtaken by Polo Tri athletes who were also brisk walking! And then suddenly, something went wrong with my stomach that I have to drop by the Jollibee branch at Brgy Oranbo, Pasig City to use their Comfort Room. It was my first time to experience such situation in a Marathon Race even if I took an Immodium tablet hours before the start of the race.

At the Shaw Blvd, I was able to talk to a lady runner from the ABS-CBN Foundation who is a part of a relay team. I observed that she was running with a cotton T-shirt and a thick cotton jogging pants, running with sneakers and not a running shoes and holding a hand towel. She would stop after running a few yards, taking a lot of walking breaks and I could see on her face that she is just forced to run in the said relay. She finally stopped at the Relay Station where another runner would start after the lady handed a loop-string with a big Card tied around her neck.

From Shaw Blvd, runners would turn left towards Canley Road up to the C-5 Road which is a steep downhill street. I would walk briskly and faster on downhill parts of the route but I had a hard time walking on uphill approaches as the pain on my leg would be unbearable. As I turned right at the C-5 Road, I observed that there was a designated lane for the runners and the lane was strictly guarded by the Pasig City Traffic Enforcers and other Race Marshals from vehicles. I really commend the Race Marshals and the Traffic Enforcers in every City that the runners had passed through. Everything was orderly and the runners felt that they are really the King & Queen of the Road during Road Races!

@ Shaw Blvd, Pasig City With A Glass of Gatorade

Even if the roads I was passing through are familiar with me because of my past “runabouts” and road runs, I had more time to see the details of the places and the things I see along the streets while walking. However, the heat of the sun was making its toll to a lot of the slower runners. Walking along the C-5 Road and along the streets of The Fort offers no shade to the runners and it was like my experience with the 1st BDM 102. I had to drink water and Sports Drinks alternately coming from my support staff while the water I am getting from the Water Stations would be poured to my head and body.

As soon as I reached The Fort area, I made another Pit Stop to eat hard-boiled eggs and had my legs massaged for the last time. I removed the Bandana tied around my left leg and used it as my cap which I have to pour cold water in every water station or when I felt I needed some cold water to cool off my head and body. While I was at the Kalayaan Flyover, I was able to talk to a runner who was wearing a Buff on his neck, CW-X tights, and arm warmers with body tattoo design, He was telling me that the heat of the sun slowed him down and I suggested to him to pour some water on his head and body every time he is in a Water Aid Station. I left him as I was going down the said Flyover towars Buendia Blvd!

While walking at the Buendia Blvd, I was able to join the group of Nickko Nolasco and Atty Red Samar who are both 1st BDM 102 Finishers and other two runners. Later, members of my Elite Team aboard on their respective motorbikes escorted us from this point. They informed me that the Team placed 1st Runner-Up (2nd Place) in the 20-Man Relay Team and I was happy! Also, walking with Nickko and Atty Red was enjoyable as we started to exchange stories about the next BDM 102 and running/training. Nickko would always have the honors of finishing last among the members of the “Team Hardcore” in every Road Race and he would like to maintain such record.

Joined Nickko & Atty Red of BDM 102 Finishers @ Buendia

Before reaching Roxas Blvd, I saw Sam, The Running Ninja and another runner at the side of Buendia and I encouraged them to join our walking group. I asked Sam to share some stories as we continued our brisk walking. In the end, I was the one sharing to him strories on how he will prepare himself for his participation in next year’s BDM 102. As I glanced my GF 305, we breached already the 5-hour elapsed time! Nothing to worry afterall after having these runners around you with only one thing in mind—to finish the race!

Lots of Stories With Sam, The Running Ninja @ Roxas Blvd

As we reached the vicinity of the Aristocrat Restaurant along Roxas Blvd, a Race Marshal with a handheld radio warned us that we still have 25 minutes to reach the Finish Line or else we will be considered DNF for the race. From here in my estimate, we still have 2.5 kilometers before reaching the finish line and I started computing if we have a chance to reach the finish line before being declared as DNF. I forced my body to finish this race up to the last 2.5 kilometers with a decision of not being DNFd for the race. Not at this point, I said to myself! So, we started to slowly jog. From a pace of 9:00 mpk while brisk walking, we managed to have a pace of 7:45 mpk pace and we maintained that pace. My escorts of my Team Elite on their motorbikes would cheer us up to make our pace faster and beat the deadline and cut-off time! I would shout at Sam & Nickko whenever they stopped and forced them to continue jogging.

Finally, Sam, Nickko and I finished and crossed the Finish Line at the same time with my GF 305 time of 5:52:31 hours!!! We congratulated each other and we were approached by the Race Officials to get our race stubs! More runners from the takbo.ph and the Team Hardcore would approach us and were surprised why I was walking more than one-half of the race distance. I told them that I had a strained muscle on my left calf muscle which slowly affected other muscles. I never had “muscle cramps” but a muscle-related injury because of some mistakes in my training! For the first time, “Tumirik Si BR” but the “warrior” attitude is still there—to finish a battle until the end!

Yes, "We Are Building Champions In Life"

If you are wondering why I am wearing a running singlet with the MILO colors, together with the Elite Members of Team Bald Runner, the explanation will be in another post. Henceforth, this will be my official racing singlet and for the Elite Team Bald Runner in the next road races to come.

Roselle aka Running Diva Finishing Her 1st Marathon & Awarded With My "1,000-Km Club" Shirt

My personal congratulations go to the finishers of this PIM: A Run For The Pasig River, most especially to those who experienced their first Marathon Race. In comparison on the previous 8 editions of this Marathon Race, this is the most attended Road Race so far with a very noble advocacy to clean the Pasig River.

At present, I am under R-I-C-E treatment!

Finally…

On November 7, 2009November 7, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Pictures, Races, Running3 Comments

I got my Race Number for the ABS-CBN Foundations’s Philippine International Marathon: Pasig River Marathon this morning at the Foundation’s Office in Quezon City. There was a long line of runners and most of them were angry that they were made to go to the Foundations’s office to retrieve their Race Packets after they were promised to get their packets from the place where they have registered.

As published by the ABS-CBN network, there are 21,000 registered runners for the 3K, 5K, 10K, 42K, 42K/20-man relay and 42K 40-man relay races. From the registered fee of P 250 per runner, the Kapit Bisig Para Sa Ilog Pasig earns an amount of P 5,250,000.

I don’t think I will wear the singlet that goes with the race packet. It is colored aqua blue and it is “heavy”!

We’ll see if the ABS-CBN “Kapamilya” Stars will be there to run with us, even for the short 3K Run.

The race strategy is to run comfortably and enjoy the company of other runners and be a part of this noble project to clean the Pasig River. I will give the honor to my Elite Team Bald Runner to race for me as they will compete in the 20-man relay in the 42K Race.

See you at the Starting Line!

Statement From SIM’s Race Event Manager

On November 6, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Marathon Race, Races, Running12 Comments

The following is the Official Statement of the SIM’s Race Event Manager which I think, is also speaking in behalf of Chief Supt. Samuel Tucay PNP (Ret.) in order to explain the complaints of most of the runners during the counduct of the Marathon Race:

Feedback, Assessment, and Areas of Improvement of the Subic International Marathon

Despite the threat of an impending typhoon “Ramil” , the just concluded Subic International Marathon attracted a record number of participants. Fortunately, Typhoon “Ramil” spared all our marathon runners from a deluge. The sun even shone brightly the next day to warm thousands who participated in the other running events.

The feedback has been mixed. Some gave praises while others gave certainly valid criticism. We take all feedback at heart because we want to constantly improve the conduct of the Subic International Marathon (SIM) until it is at par with the prestige of the Tokyo Marathon, an event similarly recognized by the Association of International Marathons and Long-Distance Runs (AIMS) of which the SIM is a listed and accredited member.

There were several firsts in the conduct of the SIM. First of all it was conducted on the newly constructed Subic-Clark- Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). A four lane portion of the road was closed for public access for the first time to allow runners a breath-taking view and a pollution free environment for their Marathon. Studies have shown how detrimental it is for the health of the runners to breath polluted air when their need for oxygen is greater.

Expectedly, the closing of these lanes created pressure for the lanes for motor traffic. What was not expected was support vehicles carrying water for water stations traveling along the lanes for the motor traffic being prevented by the Expressway patrols from crossing the expressway to supply the stations.

The Expressway patrols correctly pointed out the safety issue of support vehicles doing a counterflow and the danger of being sideswiped by physically bringing jugs of water across the metal barriers between the lanes.

There was water for the runners. More than enough water was inside the supply trucks and vans traveling during the run. Water was supplied by Pocari, Dr. Pi, and even locally bought purified water. Chuck Crisanto closely coordinated with Dr. Lim to repeatedly send vehicles laden with Dr.Pi water to supply the stations. However, the assiduous manner by which the expressway police held on to their duties may perhaps explain why some designated water stations had no water for the runners, or if they had, they were not resupplied after the lead packs had used them.

Starting at the half-way mark there was a plan to make boiled bananas available on the stations to provide a needed boost. The bananas were actually cooked in the morning and were loaded in the vehicles of the hydration teams. Few , however, reached their intended destination.

When the Chief of the Expressway police was informed in the evening of the situation, he gave the order for his patrols to allow the hydration teams through.

For some water stations, they were resupplied when the expressway patrols bent their orders.

There are important lessons which we had to learn the hard way. One is better coordination with the Expressway patrols who also have the duty of looking after the safety of motorists affected by the marathon’s closing of several lanes. Another is a better water resupply plan for runners not in the lead pack. Earlier prepositioning of water especially after the half-marathon mark seems crucial.

Another first of the Marathon was its late afternoon start. This was to avoid having the runners run under the burning heat of the sun, and to finish off during the cool evening. Lighting the way after dark was estimated to be supplied by the standing lights of the expressway, and where the expressway ended, by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). During the day, electricians of the SBMA placed lights inside the tunnel which they estimated to be pitch dark after seven p.m.

It still is unclear why along the route why some of the standing lights of the expressway had no power. The lights were tested in the morning of the run. We are still checking if the generators encountered any mechanical trouble.

Emergency measures were actually conducted. Volunteer support vehicles and race marshals parked their cars by the shoulders and opened their head lamps to serve as light beams. The tail pack benefited from the lights of the vehicles which served as the sweepers. However, the widely spaced distribution of the runners along the route ensured many would not benefit from the emergency lighting scheme.

The darkness was more pronounced when the runners ran beside the forest or on roads where even village lights were absent. It is not beyond us to conclude that the hydration teams missed seeing some of their water stations in the dark. As the runners entered Remy field, we noticed few held torch lamps or head attached flashlights. Many came unprepared for a night run. One New Yorker who has been an 18 time Ironman finisher said this experience was totally wild!

Running a Marathon is challenging enough, running a night marathon is an extra challenge which we feel we can quickly gain competence with the lessons hard-earned.

For one thing, we feel it is necessary to have many small stand-by generators at hand. Markers should be in neon or reflective paint. Blinking cones could help, as well. The route can be lit. The lesson is to be redundant in the lighting fixtures.

For those who ran the Marathon, they may have not been aware that we had in place many safety measures.

Volunteers from REACT provided radio communication regarding the status of the run and of the runners themselves. Personnel of sponsors strewn along the route gave text updates. SBMA Ambulances were at hand. In fact, they picked up an exhausted Kenyan female runner who collapsed along the way (She got up the next day and won in another race). A Korean medic even attended to finishers who had cramps or hamstring problems by massaging their legs.

Volunteer Cyclists from the various cycling associations of Subic were on the road to serve as monitors. The Philippine National Police and the SBMA police enforcers sent their mobile units for escort. Perhaps, in the next conduct of the Marathon, we could borrow a helicopter from the armed forces to provide a bird’s eye view of the runners.

Despite the difficulties experienced by all of the runners, none of them was exposed to the danger of being sideswiped by a vehicle. All finishers were properly documented , their time recorded and quickly given their medals upon crossing the finish line. The recognition of the top winners in the male and female division were promptly held at 9:00 p.m. in the evening.

The Subic International Marathon is about the runner and not the sponsors. Our sponsors allow us to have the means to create a running event which otherwise simple runners cannot afford. The low entry fee of the runners was subsidized. Gen. Sam Tucay did not want the entry fee as a barrier for anyone who wants to run.

More importantly , the Subic International Marathon story is about the people who volunteered their resources and efforts in so many ways. No runner has the means to repay their generosity.

One criticism we had this year was that the free beer for all finishers was missing. Mea Culpa. Anyone who finishes a Marathon is a winner who truly deserves a cold beer or drink to celebrate.

We profusely apologize for all those who have been inconvenienced in one way or another in the birth pains of the Subic International Marathon.

This year we counted 100 foreign participants. Next year, running clubs from Korea, Sri Lanka, and the U.S. West Coast will send their teams. Part of the success of the run is the friendship it creates among all who are interested in sports, health, fitness, and love of our country.

We thank all who have sent their comments, feedbacks, and gave both solicited and unsolicited pieces of advise. We promise to do better.

Adi de los Reyes (sgd)

Events Manager

Thanks, Adi for having the “balls” to come up with this statement. I hope my readers will understand your predicament and limitations. However, let me have the following suggestions to the Race Event Manager and to the Race Director:

1. Rehearse, rehearse, and rehearse—I told to Adi De Los Reyes about this suggestion to conduct a “test run” or “rehearsal run” with a group of runners, at least one or two months before the D-Day in order to apply what is in the written plan and find out and anticipate problems to occur during the race. All the personnel involved, to include the highway patrols and the volunteers, should be present. If you want excellence in whatever you do, you have to rehearse and practice to perfection. We, as runners, also train for excellence and perfection in the way we run on race day and there is no reason why the RO and the Race Event Manager could not practice also their services to the runners.

2. Lots of PNP Personnel—I suggest you use one-half of the strength of the police cadets and police personnel as your “work force” to act as your route marshals, water aid personnel, assistance to the highway patrol, light dome operators, or people manning the generators along the way or maybe “holders” of lanterns along the route or maybe “chearers”. There is no need to make “hakot” to the PNP personnel to show that you have a lot of runners for your Marathon Race. There is no need to make “paporma” to your sponsors at the Starting Line showing that you have a record-breaking number of starters but along the way, you have “cheaters” and “whiners’ and worst, you have “thieves” of runners’ supply of water, food, and other “freebies”. If you have prepared boiled bananas, water supply, and chocolate bites on the road, how come most of the runners did not see these items being given by the volunteers. It’s either they were purposely not given or simply “stolen” by unscrupulous people.

3. Unfunded “Cash Prize” Checks—Not because somebody among the winners received the wrong amount of check, it does not mean that you have to direct the bank to suspend all the encashment of the issued checks. If there is a problem with a single check, do not make a “sweeping” directive for the bank to stale all the checks given as prizes to all the winners. The bottomline is, don’t issue a bank check without any fund because it reflects on the image of the Major Sponsor of the Event.

4. Ask the “Hardcore” Team—If you want a truckload of ice cold beer, better ask the “Hardcore” Team. If you are lucky, the “Hings” group would also support you with Ice Cream that goes with the Ice Cold Beer! You can only have this combination of “goodies” at the Finish Line of the MASTERS Run.

5. Start Planning NOW!—For an International Marathon to perform well in all its administrative and operational aspects, you have to start planning NOW for the 2010 edition. Written Plans with Nice Drawings and Powerpoint Presentations are nothing if there is Lack of Implementation. I am also a Race Director and I know what I am talking about. Let us give what the runners should deserve in a road race.

2009 Philippine International Marathon For Pasig River

On November 4, 2009November 4, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Marathon Race, Places to Run, Running, Running For Cause16 Comments

ABS-CBN Foundation’s PIM Pasig River Marathon

I’ve been calling Mr Rudy Biscocho through his cellphone and sending him txt messages since last week but I did not receive any return call or replies from my txt messages. Well, the No. 1 Race Director is always busy planning and preparing for his incoming race. Anyway, I was able to register to run in this race last Monday with the promise that I will get my Race Packet on Friday.

If you are interested to read about my experience and assessment of this race when I finished it last year, please browse to my posts for the month of February 2008 in my Archive. If you are joining and planning to finish this race, please read also my post about “Lessons Learned” on the said Marathon event.

This Marathon Race was part of the programs/projects under the Clean and Green Foundation which was a creation of the National Government to clean and restore the beauty of the Pasig River. This Foundation consisted of different institutions of the government as well as Private Corporate Entities and Non-Government Organizations. However, despite its presence and mandate, it was only the Marathon Race that created awareness and much hype to the public on efforts to clean the Pasig Rive. Unfortunately, the Foundation was abolished last year without informing the public the reason behind it and later the task/mandate to clean the river was accepted by Ms Gina Lopez of the ABS-CBN Foundation with the Project called “Kapit Bisig Para Sa Ilog Pasig” for the next 7 years. I am just wondering if the money and resources that the Clean and Green Foundation had collected from the public for the past 8 years had been properly transfered to the new Project Administrator. ( Do you remember that One Peso Campaign for the Pasig River? If you watch a movie in Movie Theaters, One Peso of your Admission Fee goes to the said Foundation!!! And that was one of the “ways & means” where the public could contribute to such Project).

For the eight years that the Marathon Race was conducted, the name had been changed occassionally, but it was only last year that the race course was changed. For the 1st seven editions of the race, they started at Intramuros and ended up at The Fort. I was able to join and finished two editions of this Marathon Race on its original route. For last year’s edition, it was changed where the Starting Line was located at the Marikina Riverbanks and ended up at the Luneta Park. I can surmise that MMDA was able to influence the planning of the said race being one of the government institutions behind the Clean & Green Foundation.

(Note: Whoever was the person who designed this Poster/Symbol/Logo for the said event, please take note that you copied the “running figures” on the emblem/symbol/logo or poster of the City of Angels Half-Marathon. Look for the similiarities at www.cityofangelshalf.com or below)

Logo of the Annual City of Angels Half-Marathon in Los Angeles, CA

Now, the ABS-CBN Foundation changed the Marathon Race name, route, scheduled date and the Race Organizer! As early as January of this year, ABS-CBN Foundation finally considered the conduct of this Marathon Race as part of the Pasig River Project and I was able to talk to Mr Rudy Biscocho about his consultations with the ABS-CBN peole. However, it was too late already to push through with the said marathon with a limited time to prepare. It would be noted that the Pasig River Heritage Marathon was covered with an Executive Order signed then by former President Fidel Ramos for the Marathon Race to be conducted on the last Sunday of every February. And the Clean & Green Foundation did not deviate from that promulgated scheduled day! It was only in the later part of the 3rd Quarter of this year that the Marathon Race was announced to the public that it will push through on November 8, despite the presence of 3 scheduled Marathon Races for the month of October.

I made a high overall rating on this race last year as the Race was organized/directed by the group of Gay Maddela. They did a good job with the basic requirements for the runners even if runners would compete with the vehicles along the streets.Runners would run along the streets with the flow of the traffic, either running on the outer edge of the street or along the elevated sidewalk. Almost all the barangays along the route volunteered to assist the runners and race marshals were located at busy street intersections making the runners as priority in giving the “right of way”.

For those who will be participating in this race, the Race Director for this event is Rudy Biscocho of RACE and the Event Management Team is Gran Obra, Inc. After a thorough explanation about the responsibilities of these two different entities in my previous post, I hope complaints about the conduct of the said race will reach the proper person/s. The Major Sponsor in this race is the ABS-CBN Foundation under Ms Gina Lopez.

By the way, there is a Relay Race Competition introduced in this race. A group of 20 runners for the Marathon Distance? And another group of 40 runners for the Marathon Distance? If this relay race will be done along the route, it will create a lot of “chaos, problems, and nightmares” for the Race Organizer. I never heard or read about its “mechanics” or procedures for this race. If the prize is right, I might as well allow my Elite Team to compete in this relay event.

With regards to my question for the past days as to the Cash Prizes expected to be awarded to the Winners, the Major Sponsor, Race Organizer/Race Director, and Event Management are silent about this matter. Can anybody answer me about this?

What to expect during the race and along the route? And my personal suggestions (If you are running SOLO for the Marathon Distance)

1) Most of the streets are not well-lighted as the race starts at 4:30 AM

2) Prepare to inhale different types of odor along the route aside from the “smog” brought about the vehicles & factory emissions. The smell of Pasig River is always there!

3) Beware of those “bombs” scattered along the Lambingan Bridge. Don’t litter your empty packs of Sports Gels, Sports Bars, and empty bottles of water & sports drinks. Don’t expect for Portalets along the way and don’t add to those “bombs” along Lambingan Bridge!!!

4) Be vigilant always on vehicles running on your sides and when crossing intersections especially when there are no marshals.

5) On the original route (Intramuros to The Fort), runners would be lost for the first 2-3 kilometers! I hope the Marshals will be deployed earlier this time.

6) If you want to finish with a decent time, provide your own support team and preposition them on the different bridges (Note: I copied the list of places/bridges from the blog of roselle aka running diva)

7) Don’t look or expect for Kilometer Markings along the way, select points stated below as your Benchmarks/Checkpoints. Just hope that the distance was measured accurately.

8) Don’t think that you will have Water Stations every 2.5-3 kilometers. I am sure that there will be places where there are no water stations.

9) If your stomach is sensitive, do not get any water or food from anybody, except on designated Aid Stations provided by the Race Organizer.

10) This is a “very hard” course, considering the terrain of the route.

11) Bring some Cash for your pocket or belt just in case you need to buy water or food along the way. Please, Do Not Use It for your Taxi Fare so that you can make a “shortcut” to the Finish Line or “cheat” on the course.

12) Lastly, do not expect an “International” or “World-Class”-standard Marathon Race in this event. (ABS-CBN Foundation is new in running!) What do you expect from a Registration Fee of P 250.00? Do not whine on this race! Just enjoy your run, make this as your long run workout and have fun. This is a nice way to remind yourself that you are a part of this event/advocacy and have contributed in a noble project to clean the Pasig River. Consider yourself as a “warrior” and a “hero” after finishing the race.

Another View of the River Makati City Made A Park Out of The Pasig River Banks

In Guadalupe, Makati City with Parks On The Banks of the River

Race Route (Copied from Roselle’s Blog aka Running Diva)

Point 01: Starting Line to Pasay, turn around in Pedro Gil
Point 02: Delpan Bridge, km 4
Point 03: Planetarium, km 6
Point 04: McArthur Bridge (Post Office area), km 8
Point 05: Ayala Bridge (before going down), km 10
Point 06: Nagtahan (between KFC & Wendy’s), km 12
Point 07: Zamora, Pandacan (in front of Benny Abante tent), km 14
Point 08: Icasiano Health Center (Pedro Gil), km 16
Point 09: Lambingan Bridge, km 18
Point 10: Barangay Hall (Hulo), km 20
Point 11: JP Rizal (entrance of Rockwell), km 22
Point 12: Robinson’s Pioneer (parking of tricycles), km 24
Point 13: KFC, Oranbo, km 26
Point 14: C5 Bridge (after the bridge), km 28
Point 15: Market! Market!, km 30
Point 16: Jaguar Buendia, km 32
Point 17: Petron (Buendia corner Makati Avenue), km 34
Point 18: Grepalife Buendia, km 36
Point 19: Buendia U-turn slot, km 38
Point 20: Quirino Intersection, km 40
Km 42: Quirino Grandstand (Finish Line)

See you at the Starting Line!

Sponsors or Runners?: 2009 SIM’s Blah Blah Blah & Pictures To “Grab”

On November 2, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Marathon Race, Races, Running19 Comments

This is what I call the Race Organizer’s Dilemma. What is more important, getting more money/profit for your Race or looking for the welfare of your runner-participants? It is a choice of making your Sponsors happy because of their exposure brought about by the event or satisfying the basic needs of your runner-participants so that they will get the worth they have paid for and they will keep coming back for the next edition of the race. In the early days of running during the late 70s and whole decade of the 80s, I could still remember that there was only “one guy” who orchestrated the planning, marketing and actual conduct of the marathon race. It was the RACE ORGANIZER!

Nowadays, during my meetings and consultations with Mr Adi De Los Reyes of E-Ventologists and during the media launching of the 1st QCIM, I found out that there are “two important big bosses” in our present marathon races which I observed also in the planning, preparation and conduct of the 1st Quezon City International Marathon and the SMART 2nd Subic International Marathon. These are the Race Event Manager and the Race Director. The Race Event Manager is responsible of looking for Sponsors and making some Contracts or arrangement with such Sponsors with the end-view of properly marketing the said Sponsor-Corporate entitiy to the public and to the runners. This is where the financial and services/product contribution or support will come in to make the Marathon Race a success. On the other hand, The Race Organizer is the one responsible in the conduct and implementation of the road race. He is responsible on the technical, administrative and logistical support to the race and to the runners & support personnel. This is where detailed plans and implementation on the appropriate volume of water supply needed for the race; the number of cups; the number of tables needed in Aid Stations, the number of Aid Stations, the number of Route Marshals needed and their placements along the route, the availability of timing devices, acceptance of registration forms and processing them; preparation of race bibs and other administrative matters. All the minute things and details in the conduct of the race are the things the Race Organizer should take care—plan and implement! These include, the results, the measurement of the course, and the implementation of rules and regulations that cover the conduct of the race. In short, the Race Event Manager looks for the money and makes sure that products of the Sponsors are well-exposed while the Race Organizer is the one who takes care and look for the welfare of the runners who paid their respective registration fee with the hope that they are treated well during the race.

SIM Pic 01

SIM Pic 04

During a particular major marathon race, the RUNNERS are the Kings and Queens on the Road!!! Depending on the distance of the Road Race, the runners actually “own the road” during the race. As a veteran runner, I consider the following basic components of a road race which most of the runners would like to be satisfied—(1) Hydration—provide Water Aid Station at the Starting Line/Finish Line and every 2.5 to 3 Kilometers of the route. Runners need a lot of water and water cups; (2) Accurate Distance—Do not conduct a Half-Marathon Race if the actual distance is 17+ Kilometers. Runners prepare or train for an specific distance in a Road Race. It could be a 3K, 5K, 10K, 10 Miles, 15K, 20K or Half-Marathon. If a race is not properly measured, the runner feels that he/she was shortchanged! (3) Digital Clock/Timing Device at The Finish Line & Race Results—Every runner competes with himself and with other runners. The finish time is the most important parameter that measures the performance of every runner. (4) Safety & Route Assistance—This is the reason why there are Route Marshals along the route. They are also on the road to make sure that the route is clear from any vehicles and provide protection to the runners. This includes also Medical & First Aid personnel who sees to it that proper medical attention must be given to runners with medical or health problem during the conduct of the race.

SIM Pic 14

SIM Pic 02

SIM Pic 03

I really don’t care about the “freebies” being given by the Sponsors at the Finish Line! I only need the usual Certificate and/or Finisher’s Medal and a “cold” water or Sports Drinks after crossing the Finish Line! And if I win in any category, I would like to be awarded of my prize during the awarding ceremony and not after a day or days or a week after the road race! Finally, the race results should be published immediately.

With the conduct of the SMART 2nd Subic International Marathon on the other weekend, most of the runners to include myself complained about how the race was conducted. Almost all the complaints point to the responsibility of the Race Organizer. I wonder what Retired Chief Superintendent Samuel Tucay, the Race Organizer of the said event being the Father/Founder of the Subic International Marathon, is thinking right now on how to satisfy or “damage control” the angst and frustrations of the runners who competed in the Marathon Race and those who participated on the next day’s “side events”. Sam, my friend, we need an Official Statement from you!

SIM Pic 06

SIM Pic 08

SIM Pic 09

SIM Pic 10

The first person whom I gave my feedback about the Marathon Race after the Finish Line was Adi De Los Reyes, the one whom I’ve been meeting before the conduct of the race. He voluntarily explained to me the reasons why there were lack of water supply and other support needs for the runners as something went wrong on the “coordination” made between the SCTEX officials and to the security personnel of the highway as more supply of water and sports drinks were not allowed to enter the highway during the race. They got approval for the deployment of six (6) lighting domes but only two (2) were deployed during the race. Somebody forgot to place the Kilometer Markings along the route as these were prepared and available at the Registration Office at the back of the Remy Field. However, he could not explain to me why they lack the supposed number of water aid stations and how come the water tables were too short for 700+ runners. Despite my frustrations, I still congratulated Adi and the SMART Sports’ officials for coming up with a different concept of Marathon Race outside Metro Manila and for their corporate support in road running. Since I did not receive any cold Beer at the finish line, I decided to leave the Remy Field while the other runners were arriving and prepared for the next race the following morning, the ADIDAS King of the Road Half-Marathon at The Fort.

SIM Pic 11

SIM Pic 12

SIM Pic 13

As I was leaving the Subic Freeport, I could still see lots of runners limping, walking, and slowly jogging along the route up to the Tipo Tollway Booth without any lights or illumination on the road. I was very luck that I was running among the first one-thirds of the runners that I was able to drink a cup or two of water in every water station and did not have any problem at all due to the support I got from my Support Team. I realized that the runners after me were not able to get the much-needed water supply in these water stations. Starting last Monday, I was already reading a lot of negative things about the conduct of the SIM from the runner-bloggers and from other runners.

Through more meetings with Adi and exchanges of e-mails with the officials of the SmartSports, I suggested to them that the Race Organizer must issue or publish an Official Statement in order to explain the reasons why there were so many complaints from most of the runners on the conduct of the Marathon Race. An apology and a promise of improving on the next edition of the race would suffice and dampen the angst and apprehensions of the runners.

Instead of an Official Response or Statement coming from the Race Organizer, I received the following e-mail from Mr Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, Head of the SMART Sports:

SMART SPORTS THANKS SIM 2009 RUNNERS AND ALL PARTNERS

At the outset, we at Smart Sports would like to extend our congratulations to all the runners, most especially to the marathoners of the recently concluded Subic International Marathon 2009. However, it has come to our attention the numerous comments of the participants of SIM 2009 regarding the technical aspect of the race and if there are shortcomings we will make it a point to discuss this with the race organizers. Rest assured to the running community that all these comments, feedbacks and suggestions are carefully being reviewed and will be kept as reference for other marathons Smart will be supporting.

Allow us to take this opportunity to share with the running community the reasons why Smart Sports decided to support SIM:

1. We are a sponsor. Much the same way we will be when we sponsor other marathons

2. We believe in the transformational advocacy of the Philippine National Police through its program director Ret. Gen. Sam Tucay and Chief PNP Jesus Verzosa

3. We realize that through SIM, we will be able to identify Filipino runners that can represent the country in international races. Kudos to the only 2 Filipinos (Hernanie Sore and Alquin Bolivar) to make it in the top ten who gave every ounce of willpower for flag and country

4. We simply want to promote a sport where hundreds and thousands of passionate Filipinos love

5. Sports tourism: to showcase the beauty of the Philippines. Particularly the beauty of SCTEX and Subic Bay

Since Smart Sports has committed to support Philippine marathon in the long run, we ask for the running community’s understanding and patience as Smart is very new to this. Smart has already pledged to support several international marathons for 2010 and we assure the running community that through partnerships with seasoned race organizers, we will make these marathons enjoyable and memorable which running enthusiasts (both local and foreign) can look forward to each year.

Smart – we’re helping sports… we’re helping running…

Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat!

Patrick “Pato” Gregorio

Head – Smart Sports

Thanks “Pato” for coming up with this Statement. There is no doubt that the running community appreciates the interest of SMART Communications in supporting the conduct of road races in the country in the coming years and beyond and possibly, in support to our Elite Runners/National Pool of Runners just like what you are doing to Basketball, Boxing, and Taekwando. We also know that your Chairman & President Manuel V Pangilinan (MVP) is requested by our Country’s Leadership to help and support for our Quest To Our First Gold Medal In The Olympic Games and your decision to promote and support running is the “right direction”.

However, this statement will not satisfy the “bad” experiences of most of the runners in a marathon event which is dubbed to be an “international” sports event and the “most prestigious marathon race in the country”. The running community needs an official statement from the Race Organizer as runners do not blame any Sponsor for a lackluster or “shabby” treatment to its runners and the poor conduct of a running event. Runners will always praise and commend Sponsors because they are the sources of the additional logistics for the runners and Cash Prizes for the Winners!

I personally endorsed (my first time to endorse a Marathon Race in this blogsite) this Marathon Race because of technical and personal reasons and I can safely say that I was able to influence a lot of the “newbies”, the competitive, and the “hardcore” ones to join this race because of its unique concept. Although I was not paid to do the endorsement and for those “consultations” with Adi De Los Reyes, I really wanted to help in promoting running in the country, of which I’ve been doing since I was designated as the Project Director of the DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap-Marathon in 2005.

I just hope that your “Boss” or MVP is getting the “true picture” of what really happened during the SMART 2nd Subic International Marathon. “Pato”, please tell him to browse the blog of the Bald Runner if he wants to know more about Running where he is investing his CSR activities in Sports Excellence. Better yet, it would be nice to bring the Bald Runner to the “Boss”/MVP.

Meeting With Adi & Patrick "Pato" Gregorio

Meeting With SmartSports Officials Weeks Before SIM 2009

So, we go back again to the basic question, as a Race Organizer, whom are you going to satisfy the most? The Sponsors that give you the money & additional logistics and advertise your event or The Runners that pay the Registration Fee? Road Racing is a Business Endeavor and that is a fact! If you want to take more profit out of the event, you can get as many Sponsors you can gather to support the event who will subsidize on your winners’ prizes; logistics like water, sports drinks, water cups, tables, tents; use or rent for timing clocks & results; race bibs & singlets; medals, certificates, and other “freebies”. Sponsors also maximizes the awareness and interest of the public to support the said event. On the other hand, the Race Organizer can also get as many registered runners as he can because more runners means more profit also! As the runner-participant registers to a road race and pays his registration fee, he/she is assured that he/she will have enough water & water cups during the race and assured of safety & medical attention while running along the road as he/she knows there will be marshals to protect and show the route of the race and medical team to assist in case of emergency incidents.

In Major Marathon Races dubbed as International Marathon Events, there is only “one and only one boss”. It is the Race Director or what we are known to call as the Race Organizer. So if a Race fucks up, it is the responsibility of the Race Organizer to explain to the runners the reason/s why things happened. That’s the plain and simple way of conducting a race!

Have you observe that most of the road races that fucked up last year and this year, the Race Organizer did not have the “balls” to explain to the runners why things happened with so many complaints from the runners? It was always the Sponsors who made such “statements” to explain this and that to the runners but you never heard a single statement of apology from the Race Organizers. You know who these people are.

It is about time to think and decide deliberately before you register to a road race which is advertised as an “international event” or being dubbed as the “most prestigious road race” in the country. Think before you compete in a road race.

Lastly, I am still waiting for the publication of the Official Race Results! Hopefully, the results will be published on SIM’s website by tomorrow, Tuesday, as promised by my friend, Adi.

(Note: Photos of 2009 SMART 2nd Subic International Marathon were taken from www.ceburunning.com)

SMART Sports Statement

On November 1, 2009November 1, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Marathon Race, Races, Running3 Comments

I would like to post the following statement from Mr Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, Head of SMART Sports with regards to the conduct of the Subic International Marathon last weekend:

SMART SPORTS THANKS SIM 2009 RUNNERS AND ALL PARTNERS

Allow us to take this opportunity to share with the running community the reasons why Smart Sports decided to support SIM:

1. We are a sponsor. Much the same way we will be when we sponsor other marathons

2. We believe in the transformational advocacy of the Philippine National Police through its program director Ret. Gen. Sam Tucay and Chief PNP Jesus Verzosa

4. We simply want to promote a sport where hundreds and thousands of passionate Filipinos love

5. Sports tourism: to showcase the beauty of the Philippines. Particularly the beauty of SCTEX and Subic Bay

Smart – we’re helping sports… we’re helping running…

Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat!

Patrick “Pato” Gregorio

Head – Smart Sports

I hope that the results of SMART’s discussion with the Race Organizer as regards to complaints of the Marathon Race runners will be likewise provided to the running community.

My First Early Evening Marathon Race

On October 30, 2009October 30, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Marathon Race, Pictures, Running7 Comments

Race Report on SMART 2nd Subic International Marathon

4:30 PM October 24, 2009; Floridablanca, Pampanga Exit @ Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX)

This is the only Marathon Race that I endorsed and made an article in this blog because of its unique route, its advocacy, and my personal reasons. I cited a lot of reasons in my previous post about this marathon race.

Being a friend to the Race Event Manager, Adi De Los Reyes and the Race Director & Founder of the Subic International Marathon, Retired PNP Chief Superintendent Samuel Tucay, I admit that I was constantly consulted through personal meetings, telephone calls and SMS exchanges weeks before I posted my article endorsing the said Marathon Race. Mr Adi De Los Reyes and I had regular meetings where I made so many inputs on technical matters like the distance in between water aid station, the number of water aid stations, presence of kilometer markings, the availability of bite foods and sports drinks after the 20-Km mark, the serving of Draft Beer to the marathon finishers once they cross the finish line ( an idea that I suggested to Adi after witnessing the conduct of the 1st MASTERS 15K Run inside Camp Aguinaldo), and lastly, the availability of lights and illumination devices along the route where street lights are not available or installed as part of the highway. Plans and Powerpoint Presentations were sent to me through e-mails on the details on how the race will be implemented and I was impressed how Adi and his people prepared for the said race.

My Elite Team Bald Runner and Support Staff left Manila before 11:00 AM and went directly to the Remy Field in Subic Freeport. As we were passing along the stretch of SCTEX, I briefed my Elite Runners on the general terrain of the route and what to expect along the route to include the estimated point along the route where darkness starts. I even told them to take extra careful on the uphill condition before the Tipo Tollway/Booth as the space reserved for the runners is very narrow and take precaution while running inside the tunnel. I even warned them on the steep downhill portion towards the streets of Subic Freeport and ultimately towards the Remy Field. We tried to estimate the Kilometer markings from the Tipo Tollway towards the Finish Line for the appreciation of the Elite Runners if in case they want to make some burst of speed towards the Finish Line in order to overtake the runners infront of them.

After checking on the Finish Line at Remy Field, we proceeded to Jollibee for our meals before the start of the race. It was already 2:00 PM when all the members of the Elite Team Bald Runner took their meals before the start of the race. After our meal, we left some of our athletes inside the Base and the rest of the athletes served as the support crew of our elites running the full marathon distance.

After some confusion along the SCTEX highway towards the Starting Area, we missed the Floridablanca Exit and we have to take the next exit which was another 15 kilometers away! However, we reached the Starting Area at 3:45 PM and we had enough time to greet and meet other runners from Metro Manila. It was a nice get-together marathon race with the 1st BDM 102 Finishers; members of the Team Hardcore; takbo.ph people; visitors & readers of this blog; the Executives of SMART & SMARTSPORTS; runner-bloggers; 1st time Marathoners; the Kenyan runners; Chief Supt Sam Tucay; Adi De Los Reyes; MASTERS runners; and other runners coming from the different provinces and regions of the country.

At The Starting Line

Instead of stretching and having warm-up jogs before the race, the spare time before the race was spent by talking to everybody, greeting other runners, getting to know other runners, and most of all, lots of time for photo-ops! After our Race Bibs were counter-checked, we were surprised that all the runners should also dip their right index finger to an indelible ink, similar to the ink being used by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) as a sign that the runner really started at the Starting Line. Very interesting preventive measure to catch cheaters but I really don’t know if some of the runners took a ride in some of the vehicles allowed along the route, most especially when it was already totally dark along the route. Since I was warned beforehand that I will be leading the Oath of Sportsmanship among the Runners, I stayed near the the pick-up truck where the EMCEE was located. After the Invocation, Singing of the National Anthem, and Short Talk by the Race Organizer, I was called to lead the said Oath. The Oath was in English but I have to translate the whole long oath to its simplest terms, “Huwag Mandadaya” (Do Not Cheat In This Race!). After a few words from the Race Organizer, the starting gun was fired and we were off!

Few Seconds After The Start

Team Hardcore & BDM 102 "Warriors"

My personal objective in this race, being my 5th Marathon Race for the year, was to break my 33rd MILO Marathon FINALS finish time of 4:03:55 hours and have a time of sub-4 hours. However, at the back of my mind, my target time was to break my 32nd MILO Marathon FINALS time last year of 3:48:32 hours and shave some minutes from this time. The plan was to finish the 1st 10K in 52:50 minutes; half-marathon in 1:52:00 hours; and finish the race in 3:47+ hours or less. I was thinking positively about this very daring goal despite my marathon finish at MILO two weeks before this race; a slow Half-Marathon finish time at the 1st QCIM a week before this race; and I have only two tempo run sessions before this race. Well, who says that you need to taper before a Marathon Race when I am presently training for my 2nd BDM 102 or maybe my first 100-miler in the United States? Nice idea!

Junrox, Ilustre, Melvin & I Running Together

From the Starting Line, I immediately settled to my own running space and running pace as I saw the leading group of Kenyan runners blasting their pace at least 200 meters ahead from where I was located. After negotiating a long curve as we turned left towards the outbound lane from the SCETX, I was with a group of runners consisting of junrox aka tiger boy, runner ilustre from the Fairview Runners, and a group of PNP runners. I started to glance my GF 305 after running for about 2 minutes and I was glad that I was running within the pace of 5:33 minutes per kilometer. Junrox, Ilustre and I started to talk about the course, about the notion that the course is 85% downhill as posted by one of the runner-bloggers who made a recon of the route weeks before the race. After one kilometer of the race, it was downhill and my body tend to be pulled by the gravity and I took the advantage of making my pace faster. On the next two kilometers, I was already running at a pace below the 5-minute per kilometer pace. On our first gradual uphill, I was telling Junrox that there is an illusion on the actual terrain of the route if one is observing while riding inside a car as compared when you are actually walking or running on the said highway. Surprisingly, I was maintaining my pace on the 5:05-5:15 minute pace while running the first uphill climb of the route.

Our Running Group @ The 1st 10K

Running At The Back Of The Group

I finished the first 10K in 52: 39 minutes, a few seconds faster than the planned time. Junrox and I started to have a mini-race between the two of us where we alternately lead each one another from the Km-10 point and onwards. As we raced one another, we started to pass other runners and chase the runners infront of us. However, we increased our distance from the runners trying to keep up with our pace. My GF 305 started to register a pace of 5:25-5:35-minute per kilometer pace from Km 15 up to Km 20 and Junrox started to run a faster pace as he was ahead of me by 10 meters. My slower pace could be attributed to the dark environment and not being able to see a complete picture of what is on the ground and what is infron of me. I think my legs and mind hesitated and the fear of the unknown while running in the dark greatly contributed to my slow pace. Even if I brought my lightest handheld pin light to intermittently light the ground at least 1-2 meters ahead of me, this situation slowed me down. My legs were still strong and I felt no pain or soreness while running.

My Support Group Where I Needed Them Most!

As we got nearer to the Subic Freeport, the strong headwind meeting the runners was another factor that made this race a challenging one. The strong winds was coming from the sea! It might be a significant factor that affects the pace of a runner when running against the wind but I tend to force my body to bend forward from the waist and dock in order to lessen my body resistance against the wind. The headwind, the darkness, and the lack of water and water aid stations contributed for my slower pace after passing through the Halfway Mark.

After the halfway mark, I observed that there were at least two water stations which were not placed or positioned at all! As I was infront and ahead from most of the runners, I had no problems of getting at least two cups of water in every water station table. However, I have observed that the length of the tables/water station were too short!!! If 3-4 runners stopped at the same time infront of these water stations, there would be no more space for the other runners to squeeze in to grab a cup of water from the table. But what was a glaring sin or omission from the Race Organizer is the fact that, there were no water stations on a place where the runners needed most. This is the long uphill climb towards the Tipo Tollway.

While running alone in the dark from Km 25 up to Km 32, I was thinking of what happened to those “consultations” and “suggestions” I discussed with Adi De Los Reyes. I knew Adi was very responsive to my suggestion and a regular reader of this blog but I was not satisfied with what I saw during the race. At least 36 hours before the start of the race, I made a post in this blog warning my readers to bring their headlamps and handheld mini-mag light/flashlight as darkness will meet the runners after one-hour of running. I did not see long water tables and the Sports Drinks/Pocari Sweat drinks were mixed with the Water Aid Station that I made a mistake of pouring a whole cup of Pocari Sweat on my head! Where are those bite foods, more sports drinks, Cloud 9 Chocolate bites and FITA salted cookies that I suggested placed strategically on places after the Halfway Mark? How come it is only the place leading to the Tipo area and the tunnel where there are illumination and lights? There were no lined vehicles to light up the route and there were no enough light domes to privide lights to the route. Everything went wrong on the Support Services for the runners from the Halfway Mark up to the Finish Line. I just said to myself while running that there was nothing new to expect in this race. Instead of ranting and complaining silently, I shifted my concentration on making sure to finish this race in less than 4 hours without any issues and injuries.

Not that I don’t trust our Race Organizers, most especially in Marathon Races! As “road warriors” my team competes and is prepared for the battle at hand. Since I have competitive Elite Athletes with the sole and focused objective of winning the race, my team provides a Support Group that “leap-frog” every two kilometers ahead of our runners and the support given to my runners are very exclusive and specially prepared for them. My support team provides them with Sports Gel, Sports Drinks & cold water in ice-candy plastic bags and sometimes food at the halfway mark! Aside from GU Roctane Sports Gel that I take every 10 Kilometers, it is a must that I eat one serving of hot oatmeal and hard-boiled egg. And I did that at the halfway mark of this race! Eating while doing my “brisk walking” break which took me for less than a minute. My Support Team even served hot coffee for my elite runners during the race!

As I entered the Tipo Tollway, I was confident that I could make it in sub-4 hour marathon finish. My pin light helped me a lot on that downhill dark portion where I increased my pace at 5:30 minute per kilometer until I reached the streets of Subic Freeport. As I approached the Km 40 mark, my left calf muscle started to have cramps as I increased my pace! I started talking silently to my calf muscle to relax and don’t make my legs to stop running while making my pace slower. I still maintained my running form with my left foot hitting the ground lightly and not applying any force on it. My right leg did a lot of the hard work but after running a distance of 200 meters, my cramps just disappeared. The 200 meters gave me an average pace of 6:30 minutes per kilometer pace but after my recovery from the cramps, my succeeding pacing registered a 5:45 mpk pace on my next kilometer. My last 500 meters to the Finish Line registered a fast pace of 5:00 mpk!

I finished this race in 3:58:09 hours, a decent sub-4 hours finish (based from my GF 305) with an average pace of 5:45 minutes per kilometer which I consider the most challenging Marathon Race I’ve experienced for this year.

Still Smiling & Happy At The Finish Line.

After crossing the finish line, I was waiting for the race volunteers to serve me a cold Draft Beer, instead, I was greeted by runner-bloggers and runners who were at the Remy Field Oval Track. Being frustrated not seeing a Draft Beer Station, I just left the Area and proceeded to our support vehicle and prepared to leave for Manila.

I dedicate this Marathon Race to Mamang (my Mom) who died after I finished the 1st Subic International Half-Marathon last year. I am sure she must be proud of me with her “friends” in heaven!

(Note: I will be writing about my detailed observations and assessment on this race in my next blog post)

“Pacer & Support Crew” @ 1st QCIM

On October 27, 2009October 28, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Marathon Race, Pictures, Races, Running6 Comments

5:00 AM October 18 2009; Quezon City Circle @ 1st Quezon City International Marathon (1st QCIM)

Weeks before the conduct of this race, I was requested by the Race Organizers to have the members of the Elite Team Bald Runner as “Official Pacers” for beginners/”newbies” for the Marathon Race participants. Since almost all the members of my Elite Team will be running the said race and the Mt Mayon Trail Race, I could not provide any of my runners for the said task. Actually, I did not have any plans of joining this Marathon Race after my scheduled run with the 33rd MILO Marathon FINALS and my participation in the SMART Subic International Marathon (SIM). I really wanted to rest and recover after the MILO Race and plan to have a faster pace for the SMART SIM.

My plans changed completely when my daughter arrived from Los Angeles, California for an 11-day vacation in the country. She wanted to experience a road race in Metro Manila which is a longer race that her brother, John Paul, had experienced last January of this year. Knowing that her brother finished the Resolution 10K Run last January at MOA-PICC Grounds, she wanted to have a longer distance than what her bother experienced. So, I immediately registered her and myself for the QCIM Half-Marathon Race.

I knew that running with my daughter will entail some adjustments with my running style, plans & strategy. First, I accept that I will be the official Pacer and Support Crew for my daughter aside from being the “bodyguard” to her during the run. Second, from a race pace speed, my pace would be a 50% of my total effort as my daughter’s best time for the half-marathon is 2:11+ hours but I was ready that we will go slower than this time because of her lack of mileage training and her lack of adjustments with the weather and humidity here in Metro Manila.

A Pose At The Staring Line — A Pose At The Starting Line

My daughter arrived in Manila on the early morning of Tuesday, 5 days before the race, and I think we had only 2-3 occassions where we had a running workout together along the Bonifacio High Street Loop; Lawton Avenue to C-5 turn-around point and McKinley Hill Loop run before the Half-Marathon Race day. During our runs, I’ve observed that she was sweating heavily and running out of breath due to the temperature and humidity despite our slow and comfortable pace. We did some runs in the morning and in the late afternoon towards evening. However, in our last running workout, she was able to run a longer distance and she could maintain a steady pace despite the warm temperature. While we had our workouts, we talked about our plans & race strategy for the Half-Marathon, to include our hydration and nutrition plans for the race.

: The Crowd & Runners of the Half-Marathon Race

At 4:50 AM of October 18, we were already one block away from the Starting Area as we decided to alight from our vehicle on the first road block towards the Quezon Circle. As we were walking, I saw Kim Ong asking us if we need a ride and we said that we just walk towards the assembly area as our warm-up for the race. Once we reached and entered the coral area for the runners, I was approached by Mr Disini, President of the RUNNEX & Councilor Doray Delarmente and I introduced my daughter to them. I met and greeted more runners while a group stretching session was being conducted to the runners. My daughter and I settled at the middle of the pack and waited for the starting gun to sound off. At exactly 5:30 AM, the starting gun went off and we started jogging.

It was still dark when we proceeded to the UP Academic Oval and I became the “tourist guide” to my daughter telling her about those weekly road races being held at the UP Diliman Campus. We had a slow and comfortable pace as I chat to my daughter trying to determine if she can cope up with the pace. I made sure that she was the one dictating the pace and sometimes prod her to increase her pace. As we approached the Commonwealth Avenue, the surroundings was becoming brighter and that we could see a lot of runners for the 10K & 5K running along the said avenue. After turning right to Commonwealth Avenue, I was surprised to see the vast expanse of the road entirely for the runners only. It was a different sight to behold while at the left side of the road was full of vehicles not to be moving at all.

Mark Parco Took This Picture Before The Halfway

I ran conservatively in terms of my pace and the way my foot strike the ground. I knew that the cemented road was hard to the feet and the legs and I tried to be light on my pace as much as possible. Many runners would overtake us along the way and I would greet them and smile at them. More of the faster runners who had reached the turn-around point on the road that goes to the Batasan Pambansa would greet me during the race. We just maintained a comfortable pace of 7:30-7:45 minutes per kilometer.

We did not have any problems with our hydration from the Water Stations. I am sorry to say that the tables were still small and that it could only accommodate a number of water cups eventhough the Race Organizers placed a lot of Water station tables along the way. I made it a point to increase my pace whenever I could see a water station way ahead of us and pick-up at least two cups for the two of us. This ritual had been repeated every time there was a Water Station that we passed.

While we were running, we had to briefly stop and take some pictures to my daughter as she was happy to see the students cheering the runners and those bands along the way. She was happy to have made some pose as her remembrance in joining this 1st QCIM Half-Marathon. I had observed that my daughter was enjoying the experience along the Commonwealth Avenue with all those cheering and bands but she became more silent and serious when we finally entered North Avenue and back towards the Finish Line. The heat and the humidity was taking its toil to us as we maintained our pace along this road. I was surprised to see illegal settlers on government lots near the Veterans Memorial Hospital with the SM North EDSA as the background. It had been years that I was able to pass along this road. I hope that something will be done to get rid of these illegal settlers in government lots reserved for government offices & institutions.

While running, it was my duty to carry the GU Roctane/Energy Gels for my daughter as I wore my Fuel Belt with Pouch. She was able to finish at least three pieces of GU Sports Gel. What was good was that we did not have any problems with the supply of water and water cups on the Water Stations along the way. I did not hear any complaints from my co-half-marathon finishers about the lack of water along the route as compared to the complaints I heard and read on the runners who finished the marathon race.

Passing The Finish Line After 2:42+ Hours

The presence of kilometer markings along the way made comfort to us runners most especially on the last 4 kilometers. The overcast sky made the slower runners like us to be covered by the intense heat of the sun and finished the race without any problems related to heat injuries.

My daughter and I finished the Half-Marathon race in 2:42:29 hours based from GF 305 with an average pace of 7:37 minutes per kilometer. The distance registered 21.35 kilometers. After passing the Finish Line, we got our respective Finisher’s Medal and Certificate. After some photo-ops inside the Quezon Circle, we started to proceed back to our vehicle and changed our wet running apparel. Although my daughter was too tired after finishing the race despite of lack of mileage, she managed to smile and happy that she was able to finish her 1st International Road Race which is a Half-Marathon. She told me that she ran the said race as a “bragging rights” to her brother, John and officemetes/clients & friends.

Walking Towards The Awarding Of Finisher's Medals

As an assessment on the conduct of the 1st QCIM, I firmly believe that we could bring back the glory and exposure of running during the late 70s and the whole of 80s when the national government and the local government entities were at the forefront and directly involved in the conduct of road races as big as an International Marathon Race. It can be done! The participation of the Kenyan runners was also a commendable effort on the part of the Race Event Management to make the event truly an international race.

There were so many complaints about the lack of water and water station along the marathon route but this could be improved in the next edition of the race with the hope that this event will be continued and sustained in the years to come. I just hope that the Race Organizer/s have the courage to explain and answer the concerns of the runners during the race through their websites and/or blogs of affected runners.

Congratulations to the City Government of Quezon City, Race Organizers, RUNNEX, and to all the Finishers of the Race who most of them came from the different cities of the country.

Running Is Like Eating My Dinner

On October 25, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Half-Marathon, Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Races, Running23 Comments

For the month of October 2009, running and finishing road races (marathon & half-marathon) is like eating my formal dinner in a fine restaurant.

The 33rd MILO Marathon Finals last October 11 was for my Starters/Appetizer! I finished the race in 4:03:55 hours.

The Quezon City International Marathon Half-Marathon on October 18 was for my Salad & Hot Soup! I finished the race as a “pacer & support crew” to my daughter, Jovelle with a time of 2:42+ hours

The SMART Subic International Marathon was the Main Course/Entree. The race started at 4:30 PM yesterday and I finished the race in sub-4 hours as planned with a time of 3:58:09 hours!

The ADIDAS King of the Road Half-Marathon Race early this morning was the Fruit Salad/Dessert. With barely 3 hours of sleep after coming from Subic Freeport, I finished this race in 2:01:08 hours!

The incoming Pasig River International Marathon on November 8 would be my Hot Coffee before I end my dinner!

To those who have finished the past races for this month and were able to attain their goals, my congratulations to you! And for those who will be running the New York Marathon, Pasig River International Marathon, SC Singapore International Marathon, and other Boston Marathon qualifying races in the United States, I wish you the best and injury-free finish!

See you on the road!

See You At Subic!

On October 23, 2009October 24, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Marathon Race, Running4 Comments

The SMART Subic International Marathon tomorrow afternoon will be my 5th Marathon Race for the year. After finishing the 33rd MILO Marathon Finals with a time 0f 4:03+ hours two weeks ago and completing the 1st QCIM Half-Marathon with a slow pace, finishing in 2:42+ hours, I think the Subic International Marathon will be a race to go for a faster time.

I plan to finish the race in sub-4 hours and find out if I can have chances in competing in a Boston Qualifier Race in the future.

I was requested by the Race Event Organizer to lead the runners in reciting an Oath of Sportmanship before the start of the Marathon Race. It is a good and commendable idea to remind every runner that they should run honestly and maintain the integrity of the race. I don’t want to elaborate on this issue as there are runners who could not understand what it means to be honest in road races.

To all the runners, rest well today and tonight and we will see each other at the Starting Line tomorrow afternoon. Good Luck!

Note: It should be noted that darkness starts at 5:30 PM. In the absence of street lights along the course and illumination provided by the Race Organizer, it is advisable to be ready with your head lamp or mini-maglite flashlight, just in case.

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