The following members of the Elite Team Bald Runner won in the top rankings of last Sunday’s 33rd MILO 42K Elimination Race which started and ended at Luneta Park, Manila:
Rene Desuyo—Overall Champion in the Men’s Category for the 42K Race with a time of 2:33:38 hours. He won a cash prize of P 30,000 and Championship Trophy.
Alley Quisay—2nd Runner-Up in the Men’s Category for the 42K Race with a time of 2:37:00 hours. He won a cash prize of P 10,000 and 3rd Place Trophy.
In addition, I am posting the following pictures taken before and during the 33rd MILO 42K Elimination Race:
Hardcore Team with Bald RunnerStretching Exercises Before the Start of the RaceStart of The Race
Race Report: 33rd MILO 42K Eliminations @ Luneta Park/4:25 AM July 5, 2009
Reading a lot of books and blogs of elite athletes influenced me to re-assess my training program after finishing the BDM 102K, BOTAK 42, and the LA Marathon (LAM) in a span of two months. It is said that these elite and competitive athletes adhere to the principle of “periodization” for the marathon and ultramarathon distances and provide a much-needed rest and recovery to their bodies from severe training and competitions. If these athletes/runners who are younger than me by 25 to 30 years had included in their training a period of rest and recovery, how much more for an older runner like me?
After doing a lot of “walkabouts” and “runabouts” in Los Angeles after the LAM, I’ve observed that there was some tightness and pain below my left knee cap and as a result, I immediately decreased my weekly mileage and ultimately embraced the need for a full rest and recovery even if I was already registered for the 33rd MILO 42K Elimination Race. As a warrior, I thought that I could not win every battle where I am going to fight if I am not sure I will not win. However, I thought of going to the battle to try and find out where I need to improve with the thought that if I will loss in this battle, I knew I could win the WAR in the next battle.
And so, at the beginning of the race, my mind was already geared towards the ultimate goal of finishing the race decently and make the MILO Finals goodbye and not included to be a part of my future battles. Last year, I was not able to join the 32nd MILO 42K Eliminations because I was in the United States for my first ultra trail run at Bulldog 50K. But due to my request then to the MILO Race Organizers, I was able to join the MILO Finals with an impressive time of 3:48:32 hours which I think I was then on my “peak period” for the year! It was then that I thought of planning to improve my time with the intention of qualifying for the Boston Marathon as I could make it to the 3:45 hours qualifying time for my age (55-59 years old).
Unfortunately, the BDM 102 and the BOTAK 42K made me a slower runner but I knew I could have a better time at the LAM.
I was already at the vicinity of the former Army & Navy Club (Luneta Park) at 3:40 AM with enough time to pin my race number and do some stretching exercises. Out from nowhere, the Hardcore Team (Jonel, Mari, Jay C, Lester, Kevin, Martin Lorenzo & Odessa) approached me and we had a brief chat and some photo-ops. I saw Jay aka Prometheus Cometh and Vener aka RunUnlimited having their warm-up. In a few minutes, we proceeded to the starting area where the rest of the runners were doing some stretching exercises. Inside the corral, I was able to greet and meet other runner-bloggers, BDM 102K Finishers, and the usual hardcore runners who are always present in almost all the road races in Metro Manila. A certain “Mike” (I am not sure if that’s the name I can recall) from California introduced himself and he gave me the impression that he is in the country to run the MILO 42K as he is also a passionate runner who had finished a lot of marathon races in the US, to include NY & Boston Marathon. He is 55 years old!
As in the rest of past Rudy Biscocho’s races, the race started ahead of the scheduled time and we were off for the race at 4:25AM. The race was totally different from my LAM experience at the few meters from the starting line. A 42K race with about 500 runners as compared to a sea of almost 15,000 runners is a “sign” that I am really back to the reality of running in my own country. However, the advantage is that, I could immediately start my GF 305 without waiting for about 10-15 minutes before crossing the starting line! In Manila, you only miss or wait a few seconds from where you start running before passing the starting line.
For the 1st 10 kilometers, I could still see the backs of Vener and Jay N at a distance and I estimated that I was running at an average pace of 5:45-6:00 minutes per kilometer. But later, Joms Paras, a younger and a fast runner, joined me along my side for almost 3-4 kilometers and I knew that I was already looking for trouble as I was doing a faster pace than what I estimated. Keeping pace with Joms and trying to maintain seeing the backs of Vener & Jay N at the 10K distance was already an invitation for a disaster to happen.
I was very confident to climb those overpass along Roxas Boulevard and was also confident to run up to the Kalayaan Flyover/Overpass without any problems. Well, that was what I thought. As soon as I was about to go down from the Kalayaan Overpass to The Fort area, an early sign of muscle cramps on my left calves started to appear and I had to slow down. I think this was where most of the runners overtook me. At this point, I tried to recall my past running workouts since I finished the LAM. While watching the leading runners going the opposite direction at Fifth Avenue, I tried to “shuffle” and make sure I don’t overstrain my calves while maintaining my running form with the hope of meeting my support crew along Bayani Road for my hard-boiled eggs and oatmeal. I knew I had been religiously taking my GU Roctane since the start of the race, drinking water in every water station, and drinking Gatorade in the provided stations along the way but still I could not figure out why at the early stage of the race I was already experiencing early signs of muscle cramps. I was expecting a sign of cramps at Km 25, not at Km 16!!! Whenever, the pain disappears, I would increase my pace with the hope that I could, at least, improve my finish time.
You could just imagine how desperate I was to spray that cannister of “pain killer” at the “P & G” runner’s booth infront of the Southern Police (PNP) Headquarters along Lawton Avenue!!! The Bald Runner was already dying with cramps and help was not coming!
I guess, my “hot temper” (which I did not show to the ladies at the booth) within me acted as my natural “pain killer” which made those cramps disappear while I maintained a slower pace. All of a sudden, I was already approaching the Heritage Park when the rain started. It gave some relief to my hot body but I knew that my pace was not improving at all.
On My Way Towards Heritage Park/C-5 Turn-AroundAlong Bayani Rd After The Rain/Going Back To Lawton Ave
I met my support crew along the Bayani Road on my way back to Lawton Avenue. As planned, I ate one hard-boiled egg and one pack mix of oatmeal with Gatorade drinks.
After this brief stop, it was already a battle between being DNF in this race or continue to struggle up to the finish. Well, I never had a DNF in my running races and never had a DNF in my military career and much more never will have a DNF in the so-called trip called “Life”. I said to myself, DON’T QUIT! And I could still remember what I learned and always hear from my Officers and Soldiers when I was assigned with the Special Operations Command of the Philippine Army, that goes this way, “Mas mabuting mamatay, Huwag lang mapahiya”! (“It is Better To Die than Live in Shame”!)
Along Lawton Avenue & Back To The FortAt 5th Avenue, The Fort"Don't Quit" Running Form!!! (Photo Courtesy Of Harry Tan, Jr aka Mukhang Guilty)
And so, that was the running “mantra” while other faster runners would pass me along the way. I made sure I would drink water in every Water Station; drink Gatorade in cups in every Gatorade Station provided by the Race Organizers; ask hard-boiled eggs on the last 6 kilometers from my support; swallow my GU Roctane every 10 kilometers; and don’t over stride so that my muscle cramps would not appear.
Mesh V aka My Iron Shoes & Coach Titus Overtook Me at Lawton Avenue (Good Luck On Your SFM!)
People at the Support Stations of different running groups who know me would cheer me but I observed that they were not offering something for me. Of course, I did not ask anything from them in the first place but if these people would have the experience on how it feels to run a marathon, maybe, just maybe, one of them might offer a cup of water or cup of Gatorade drinks to me just to show some spirit of “volunteerism” in a marathon race. It is regrettable that this is another great disparity or difference in running the LAM and our local marathon races. On the other hand, I highly appreciated the support of Hardcore Team’s Ivy and Odessa for offering their drinks & food when I really needed them. Thanks, Guys!
The Face of A "Road Warrior"...In Pain!BDM 102 "Warriors" Along Roxas Blvd (Albert Nama, Jonel, & BR)Another View of These Ultra RunnersOn My Last Kilometer To The Finish Line
Finally, I finished the race in 4:20:45 hours. Nothing extraordinary and it was a challenging fight with myself. Now, I can proudly say that I am Not Qualified (NQ’d) for the MILO 42K FINALS.
After Passing the Finish Line! Tired & Happy!
Instead of looking for other runners and congratulating them for their finish, I opted to display my Project Donate A Shoe tarpaulin in a place where other runners would see and my support crew displayed at least 50 pairs of donated shoes. In less than 10 minutes, all the shoes were gone and were received by runners and by even street/park sweepers of Luneta Park with their happy faces. I was happy that these donated shoes would end up to runners and those “poor souls” who needed them most.
Choosing The Right Shoe That FitsNot Only Runners Were Given With ShoesIn A Few Minutes All The Shoes Were Gone!
To all the runners who were qualified for the MILO FINALS, my warmest congratulations to you! I will be cheering you along the route or maybe I will be putting up a “BEER STATION” for all the runners (if Mr Biscocho & MILO will permit it). Anyway, if you have “bandit runners”, I am sure there should be “bandit aid/support stations”. So, watchout for the “BANDIT BEER STATION”!!!
To all the runners who were not qualified, please don’t run as “bandits”! It is better for you to “volunteer” as aid station personnel for the “bandit beer station”. Your reward for being a volunteer will be the remaining bottles and cases of beer which will not be consumed by the passing runners!!! In the first place, you were the ones who committed to donate those cases of cold beer!!
The picture below may not be the exact brand or apperance that the P & G Runners were using during last Sunday’s MILO 42K Elimination Race. However, I would like to show to my readers how this kind of spray looks like. I really don’t know if such spray is already available in the country. If you happen to see one, buy one and try to spray on your cramping legs during your long runs or marathon/ultramarathon race. Good luck!
It is the brand of a piece of cloth being used by ultra trail runners and runners/athletes participating in multi-stage races in the desert and snow.
I bought two of this which are made of High UV ray protection “Coolmax” material and could be used in tropical countries like ours. In the MILO 42K Elimination Race, I used the blue colored Buff for testing in this particular race, thereby, replacing the bandanas and the bandana with crystals to cool off my nape. I used the Buff as depicted in the following pictures:
As a Headband to prevent my sweat flowing to my Eyes!As A Runner's Cap...As A Bandana to Cool Off My Nape
It can be used also as a baclava, ala-ninja cover to the face, a pirate’s cap, ear muff, hairband, wrist wrap and a bonnet. If I am not mistaken, I saw Albert Salazar aka Run2dmoon and Jael Wenceslao of Team Baldrunner-Professional Group wearing this kind of headgear in their marathon races and “runabouts” in Metro Manila.
I bought the said item at REI Store in Monrovia/Arcadia, California for $ 28.95 + tax.
Unfortunately, this Buff did not make me faster in this particular 42K race. But certainly, I look “cool & hip” using it.
My major road races for this year started with my participation in the 1st BDM 102K Ultramarathon Race last April 5, followed by the BOTAK 42K Paa-tibayan Race last May 10, and lately, my first participation in the Los Angeles Marathon last May 25.
My finish times for the BOTAK 42K and 2009 Los Angeles Marathon were 4:35:10 hours and 4:07:33 hours, respectively. These times were far from my last year’s MILO Marathon Finals time of 3:48:32 hours.
After the Los Angeles Marathon, my training had been reduced to easy runs and tempo runs. My mileage went down and I tried to rest and recover for the month of June after reading accounts of elite athletes on how they train by following the principle of “periodization”.
Although the main objective in my participation to this Sunday’s MILO Marathon Elimination Race is for me to finish with a time of below 4 hours to be able to qualify for the MILO Marathon Finals, it will be a difficult task knowing the humid and hot weather condition in the country. Nevertheless, joining the MILO Marathon Finals in October will not be possible because of conflict in schedule for more important races to join. But at the back of my mind, the target will always be to finish in sub-4 hours in this race.
This Sunday’s Milo Marathon will serve as a “diagnostic test” for another training program and plan for me to run another marathon race before the end of this year.
To all the MILO Marathon runners this Sunday, my Best Wishes & Good Luck to everybody!
To all the “first-timers”, “Don’t Quit”!!!!
Ready To Run A Marathon, Again!!!
Note: Don’t forget to have your deep-muscle massage today!!!
This is how the Kenyans see why they are winning in most of the Marathon and other long distance Races worldwide. This is the very same attitude I want to impart to the elite runners who are under the Team Bald Runner with the hope of improving their performance in long distance running.
I am presently reading the book, “More Fire: How To Run The Kenyan Way” by Toby Tanser which is a continuation of his first book, “Train Hard, Win Easy”, his first book on Kenyan running. In the concluding portion of the book, the author listed 15 ways to adopt a Kenyan Training Method. And here is the list as copied from the book.
1. Injury Prevention—They say the best way to avoid a spear is to stand out of range; this applies to running. Kenyans are excellent at resting up if a possible injury pain is noticed. Do not let that pain get too near you.
2. Simplicity—Kenyan running is very organic, which in itself is the very essence of the sport. Simple methods are executed with imposing intensity. They are focused and concentrated in their running and they could not afford any distractions. It simply means that they have no time for cellphones, Internet browsing, listening to Ipods, or watching the TV or even going to Malls or social parties. They just simply run and train!
3. Group Training—The power of the group never ceases to be underplayed in improving performance.
4. Diet—Try to eat three meals a day. Kenyans rarely eat between meals and seldom have desserts.
5. Don’t look for perfection—Kenyan athletes do not get down or disappointed after a bad performance or session. Being out there and trying, means you are a winner and trains hard again and that is the Kenyan Way.
6. Don’t add up your weekly mileage—Most Kenyans only know their mileage as a need to satisfy Western journalists. The ethic of the focus is to concentrate on the given day.
7. Choose one coach, or training plan, and stick to it. If you chase one chicken, you stand a better chance of catching it than running after two. Kenyans are very good at getting one 12-week program.
8. Block training—The Kenyans use block work with non-active rest periods. Some call this “periodization”. The Kenyans train for a specific race or series of races. After a series of races, the Kenyans then stops running completely. It can be from 2-3 weeks, to one month or more, but the difference is that during this time the athlete does virtually no training; not even cross-training to keep in shape.
9. Don’t push the body when tired—There is always another day.
10. Run off-road—Running on hard surfaces kills the speed and the natural spring of the legs. 90% of their running workouts are done on off-road at an altitude of 2,000 meters.
11. Be optimistic—If you never kick the ball, you will not score a goal. Kenyans are extremely positive individuals.
12. The secret of Kenyan mechanics appears to be in the foot—Kenyans have very strong ankles, with spring-like qualities that allow the body to bound along with an almost jump-like momentum.
13. Kenyans tend to lean toward a lightweight, flexible shoe—If you break your arm, after a month in a cast the arm is weak; hence if the foot is put inside a rigid shoe that does not allow each and every muscle in the foot to work, these muscles become weak.
14. Run to improve running—There is no need to go to the gym or do some cross-training, Kenyans do their running workouts 2-3 times a day.
15. “Nothing comes easy” is another slogan of Kenyan running, but what is achieved by pushing your own limits is life’s richest reward. To collapse out on the roads with blood in your shoes knowing you gave it your best shot is reward beyond words…
I am not telling everybody to follow this list but knowing how these world-class elite athletes train, this list would answer the “why & how” the Kenyans are consistent Champions in long distance running events worldwide.
The Book Bought From Zombie RunnerPicture of Kenyan Runners From the Book On Marathon By Bruce Fordyce
While cleaning the Garage and sorting out the “trashes”, I found this Finisher’s T-Shirt which was of the race packet I got when I ran the FAITH Christmas 10K Race inside Fort Benning, Georgia on December 3, 1983 (Saturday). Although there are no snows during winter time in the southeastern states of USA, the weather is still cold as ice sleet would form on the road or on the ground during the coolest months.
The T-Shirt is still in good condition but it became softer and thinner in texture due to countless washing and drying (with machines). I could still remember that this race was my first International Road Race during the time I had my military schooling in Fort Benning from 25 October 1983 to 10 May 1984. I could still imagine I was wearing a BOTAK runner’s cap, gloves, long-sleeved cotton Hobbie shirt, and running shorts during the run. I was able to finish this race in 43:40 minutes.
I did not put this t-shirt back to the trash bin or will never donate it as it is one of my souvenirs to show my “beginnings” in my running career. It could be considered as a “trash” already but in my mind and feelings, it seems I have found a “gold bar” to keep forever.
2nd GIG Run & BOTAK 100K Paa-Tibayan @ UP Diliman Campus/28 June 2009
Yes, there were too many runners and joggers…and even walkers and bikers at the UP Diliman Campus last Sunday, 28 June 2009. Aside from the fact that there were two major road races (2nd GIG Run & BOTAK 100K) during the day, UP Diliman Campus is becoming a favorite workout place for runners, joggers, walkers, and bikers during Saturdays and Sundays.
This is a good sign that more people are into physical activities and engage themselves into an active lifestyle. If only most of our populace are into any kind of physical activity, we could be resistant to any kind of disease, being healthy & strong, relieve the stress we encountered for the past days and even to the point of having a positive attitude in life.
Last Sunday, I joined the 2nd GIG Run as a part of my personal commitment to support the advocacy of the UP Mountaineering Club to plant trees at Angat & Ipo Dams. If not for the “balding” mountains & hills that surround the said dams, the Philippine Army Detachment providing security to the said installations would had never been “washed away” as a result of excessive water from rainfalls during one of the typhoons. Such incident resulted to the “missing in action” of one of the soldiers up to the present. It is suspected that the soldier got drowned and washed away by the strong current of water coming from the dam. Joining this race is my yearly commitment to honor the “MIA” soldier who happens to be under my Command when I was the Brigade Commander in Central Luzon.
The race started at exactly 6:00 AM for the 10K runners and after a few minutes, the 5K runners started their race. The route for the 10K consisted of two loops arounf the major streets of UP Campus which were very familiar to me. The race was uneventful for the first loop but I became slower on the second loop because of the vehicular traffic as well as the presence of so many runners, walkers, joggers, and bikers along the route who are not part of the road race. The traffic condition was compounded with the slower participants of the 5K runners. Aside from the traffic, I felt my body was sluggish because of “jetlag” and sudden change of environment & temperature.
A Pose With Members of the UP Mountaineering ClubTalking With Some Runners At The Starting AreaAt the Start of the Race
My first loop was timed at 23+ minutes and I tried my best to maintain my pace with the target of finishing the race in 47-48 minutes but due to the reasons above, I finally finished the race in 49:04 minutes (based from my GF 305). It was a slow finish but I was happy to be back to the local running community and be able to talk to the usual runner-bloggers and got to meet the new ones.
After the awarding ceremony of the GIG Run, I had a chance to visit the Start/Finish Area of the BOTAK 100K Ultramarathon Race and I was able to talk to Christian Alacar and Neville Manaois, the Race Organizer & Race Director, respectively, and to some of the early finishers of the 100K race and newly-arrived 50K finishers.
Brief Chat with Christian Alacar, Race Organizer of BOTAK 100KAwarding Ceremony For The BOTAK 100K/50K Finishers
I observed that the conduct of the Ultra race was a very successful one. This is a good sign that ultra distance running is getting a headway in the country. It is a matter of time that more of this kind of event will be conducted on a regular basis. My congratulations to the finishers of the 100K & 50K for being qualified to be called as “ultra runners” and to the BOTAK management for their untiring commitment to promote ultra running in the country.
It was already about 10:00 AM when I finally left the UP Campus and there were still a lot runners & joggers along the major streets of the campus. I was all smiles when I left the campus knowing that more and more people are into running. How I wish that all people must be united to run or jog in order to provide themselves a venue or activity to be involved in an active lifestyle and relieve themselves from stress, thereby making them more healthy despite of what is happening around us.
Finally, after going through my my old notes and files dumped in the garage trying to clean all the trashes, I was able to get hold on to a very simple running magazine published in Georgia, USA which I bought in one of the weekend races I attented to during my military schooling in Fort Benning, Georgia. The magazine is entitled “RUNNING IN GEORGIA”, published in May 1984 with a price of One Dollar.
In the said magazine are articles about running in the State of Georgia and the Results of all Running Races for the past months. I bought then the said magazine because my name was listed as one of the finishers of the road races while I was in Georgia.
On March 10, 1984, barely two months after I finished the 1st Infantry Marathon in Fort Benning, Georgia, I joined the Arby’s 5K Race in Columbus, Georgia. As a result of the race, I finished the race in 19:42 minutes with an average pace of 3:56 minutes per kilometer. Out of the 89 Finishers, I was ranked #39 with the Champion runner finishing in 16:09 minutes. I was then about to reach the age of 32 years old and I believe this was the time when I was breaking the 40-minute barrier finish time for the 10K run. Well, those were the days when I was still young!
By the way, Arby’s is a chain of restaurants featuring roast beef sandwiches. Arby’s was very active in sponsoring 5K & 10K races for the whole State of Georgia during those times.
RUNNING IN GEORGIA MagazineMisspelled Fist Name But It Was Me!The 1st Runner Was 3 Minutes Faster!
If you still remember and was able to use this kind of running shoes in the late 70s and early 80s, you could be within my age group of 55-59 years old this time or maybe you are a little older. In the early 1984, I was using the ASICS Tiger X-Caliber GT and I was able to use the said shoes in finishing three (3) marathon races then. Later, it became as X-Caliber GT II and it was then the start when ASICS used Gel in their running shoes. The X-Caliber GTs just vanished in the early 90s and they were replaced by the GEL models.
Now, Onitsuka Tiger revived these shoes last year/early this year and it is now popular among the younger generation as casual shoes. If Frank Shorter was able to use this kind of running shoes in the 1972 Olympic Games when he won the Gold Medal in the Marathon and make this shoes as the cover of the popular book by James Fixx, The Complete Book of Running in 1977, it is worth to have one of these retro shoes and bring back the memories of the 70s & 80s running “boom”. The ASICS Tiger Ultimate was considered as the “sports car” among the running shoes during those times.
I don’t recommend this kind of retro ASICS Tiger shoes to the “newbies” , “non-hardcore” runners and those who are prone to feet/legs related injuries. However, these retro shoes are highly recommended as casual shoes with your dark blue denim jeans or summer shorts & casual shirts.
I hope to use it in my tempo runs at the track and on the road. We will see how it feels to run again back to the 70s and 80s!
Top View of Onitsuka Tiger UltimateNice Drymax Running Socks!!!
I bought this shoes at the Finish Line Sports Store located inside the Beverly Center Mall in Los Angeles with a price of $ 49.95 + tax.
Bald Runner 
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