Pictures @ Coffee Run
Category: Pictures
“Goma” & Team Bald Runner
Earlier this month, Richard Gomez, a famous actor in movies, TV, popular product endorser through advertisements, and a sportsman was having his running workout at the ULTRA Oval Track. After his brief workout, we had the chance to greet and talk to him through the efforts of Coach Salazar. I’ve known “Goma” as a Basketball player with other movie stars like Philip Salvador when I was still assigned in the Headquarters Philippine Army. The Philippine Army’s Basketball Team composed of Officers was always engaged in friendly match games with the basketball team of actors at the Phil Army Gymnasium.
As everybody knows, Goma is an athlete and had won medals in Fencing in the National as well as in the Southeast Asian Games. He is also an outstanding golfer who hosts the annual “Goma Golf Cup”. Lately, he is into Baseball. I was surprised to know that he was also a track athlete before as he competed in the sprint events like 100, 200 & 400-meter runs.
I personally told him about the program of Team Bald Runner and our advocacy to promote long distance running in the country. He gave us a word that he will be joining the Team Bald Runner for his training in long distance running.
Bald Runner’s Kids @ Bulldog Trail
My kids, John Paul and Jovelle are starting to love trail running at the Bulldog Trail in Malibu Creek State Park in Calabasas, California. This is my daughter’s first experience in the said trail. Aside from their regular trek to Mt Wilson Trail routes, they have plans to join their first trail race along this famous Bulldog Trail 25K loop. Hereunder are their pictures in last weekend’s run to the said trail.
The New Warriors Of Bataan
6:30 AM 22 February 2009 @ Bataan Death March Kilometer Post # 50 in Abucay, Bataan
All the runner-applicants for the 1st Bataan Death March 102K Ultramarathon Race to be held on 05 April 2009 were asked to join the 52K “Test Run” from Km Post # 50 to the Finish Line in San Fernando, Pampanga as a requirement for each runner in order to orient them on the actual route and have them experience the feeling of running under the heat of the sun and over the “hot” paved/cemented roads of Bataan and Pampanga. The “test run” was announced through my posts at www.bataan102.com and this blog. Other runners reached to them through the words and information from the other runner-bloggers and the “Hardcores”.
As the race organizer for the ultramarathon event, I had to make coordination for the support requirements of this event, to include the conduct of this “test run”. This includes security, logistics, administrative and other miscellaneous requirements. Aside from those runners who have the capability to provide themselves with their own suport system, I also prepared a general support vehicle which served as our “mobile” Aid Station throughout the duration of the “test run”. An ambulance with a Medical Team was also available courtesy from my brother who is now the Commander of the Light Armor Division of the Philippine Army based in Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac. My staff prepared 100 bottles of Gatorade; 100 bottles of Propel Drinks; 100 pieces of Sponges/Foams; Cloud 9 Chocolates; lots of boiled sweet potatoes and bananas; hard-boiled eggs, and packs of Sky Flakes. Runner-participants Arman Fernando & Jonel aka Bugobugo85 donated 500 bottles of bottled water.
My staff and I left Manila at 4:00AM yesterday morning with all the prepared logistics support for the “test run” and the personnel needed. We arrived in Balanga City just in time for the opening of Jollibee where 12 of us had our breakfast. At 6:30 AM, we arrived at the pre-designated assembly area which is a 6-km drive from Balanga City. There were almost 20 runners and their support vehicles were already there. Some of the runners had to take the bus from Pasay City as early as 3:00AM just to be able to be at the place before the assembly time. From one group of runners to another, I had to personally greet and ask their names of the new faces I’ve seen in the area. I tried as much as possible to extend my thanks to each runner for their support and attendance to this “test run”. At 6:45AM, all the runners were already prepared and we had to get and list their names for accounting purposes.
I requested the runners to gather around for my personal briefing for the “test run”. In my briefing and remarks, I personally extended my thanks for their support in this ultramarathon event and told them the very purpose of this “test run” and warn them on the preventive and safety measures to make this run as a success and meaningful to each one of us. Details of the route and the support arrangements were explained to them. We had an accounting of the runners and the “test run” consisted of 38 runners with two (2) Japanese runners—Norio Tanaka and Hiroshi Takei. Three of the 38 runners are not runner-participants for the Bataan 102K Race. Coach Salazar led a simple stretching exercises. We had a photo-ops at the Kilometer Post # 50 and then Coach Salazar (again!) led a simple prayer for everybody.
The run started at 7:23 AM (GF 305 time) with me leading the group of 38 runners with a slow and comfortable pace. The sun was already shining and the sky was cloudless when we started the run and it maintained to be cloudless throughout the run. The running group ran with the traffic making sure that each runner whould run along the very edge of the paved road or along the dirt road on the sidewalk. After running for five minutes, Albert Salazar aka Run2Dmoon, Hiroshi Takei and a lady runner overtook me with a fast pace and after ten minutes, Victor Ting, a 63-year old and 30-year veteran of road racing and another companion runner overtook me and these runners led the group and later went ahead of the group for almost 2 kilometers.
My plan for this tes run was to maintain an average pace within the range of 6:45 to 7:00 minutes per kilometer; brisk walk at least 5 to 10 minutes every 12-15 kilometers; and spend at least 3-5 minutes stop on the “mobile” Aid Stations to eat and drink; have my “bandana” dipped on the cold water; and place a soaked foam/sponge on my upper back & clipped with the upper edge of my white Patagonia long-sleeved shirt. I decided not to wear my Nathan Water Belt or my TNF Water Pack but I saw to it that I have a water bottle tucked on the “small on the back” portion with my tight compression shorts and have the option to have another bottled water on my hand.
The test run went well as planned where our “mobile” Aid Station had be prepositioned every 2.5 to 3 kilometers along the route. Our Ambulance was positioned at the back of the last group of runners. Our staff had to check each runner as they pass on our “mobile” Aid Station and they had to monitor also how far are the lead runners. As the runners had completed 10 kilometers and about to reach the boundary of Orani and Hermosa, Bataan, the runners’ location had stretched within the range distance of 4-5 kilometers of the race route. I was beginning to suspect that this “test run” was evolving to be a road race for everybody! I was in the company of Jerry aka High Altitude, Norio Tanaka, Mari Javier, Gene Olvis, Rollie and Ralph “Raffy” Salvador along the stretch from Abucay to Hermosa, Bataan.
After running 17 kilometers, I saw one of the lead runners walking and I had to walk with him and started to ask how & what he feels on the progress of the run and the effect of the heat of the sun to his body. The runner answered that he is okey and just needed to walk. Talking while walking with runners was my way of advising them of hydrating and feeding themselves with the food needed to fuel their body. After 5 minutes, I was back on the road, running towards the junction of the Dinalupihan-Subic Road where Km Post # 68 is located.
The next 15 kilometers along the highway from Dinalupihan to Kilometer Post # 83 was the hardest part of the run because of the heat of the sun and the overstretched location of our “mobile” Aid Station. From every 2.5 to 3 kilometers of distance where the Aid Station would prepositioned itself, it became to almost every 5-6 kilometers. The lone “mobile” Aid Station became two after the pick-up of Jonel aka Bugobugo85 volunteered as support for the slower runners. At this point, the span of the spread of the runners almost covered a range of 6 kilometers when we reached Kilometer Post # 75.
The faster runner were directed to stop and rest and wait for the other runners at the Petron Gas Station in Guagua, Pampanga where the Original Razon restaurant is located. At this point, we were already at the vicinity of Kilometer Post # 91 and we still have 11 kilometers to go before the Fnish Line. The first 25 runners were treated with the famous Halo-Halo at Razon’s courtesy of the Bald Runner. We had at least a 45-minute rest in this area and I just kept my GF 305 running to get the overall elapsed time for the duration of the test run. As we resumed our last leg of our test run from this point, my GF 305 registered an elapsed time of 5:46+ hours.
The last 11-km stretch was also a hard part of the run but each runner had to condition into his mind that this is just a simple 10K run for him. It was already about 1:00PM and the heat of the sun was really taking its effect to every runner as our strides became shorter and our breathing became faster. Our “mobile” Aid Stations were there in every kilometer along this last segment and we had to drink a lot of water and Gatorade in order to last up to the Finish Line. Finally, along this stretch, every runner could see from a distance the next Kilometer Post marking as he passes one kilometer marking until the last kilometer post on the Highway which is Kilometer Post # 101. Seeing the grounds of the Pampanga Provincial Capitol was a sight of relief as it would be almost 200 meters before the Finish Line.
I finished the “test run” in 8th place with an elapsed time of 6:52+ hours (including the 45-minute rest at Razon’s). All the Thirty-five (35) runner-applicants finished the “test run” with more time to spare before the 9-hour decent time to finish the run. Without the mandatory 45-minute “rest & stop” at Razon’s, each of the runner must have registered a faster time.
My congratulations to the finishers of this “test run”. I now consider and pronounce you as the “new warriors of Bataan”. You had passed the test and you can have the bragging rights as an “ultramarathoner” or ultra runner in the country. I know most of us had learned some lessons in this run and I hope you can continue to train and prepare for the final race on 05 April 2009.
My sincerest thanks to those people who have helped and supported us in this “test run”. May you help us some more in our advocacy to promote ultramarathon events in the country and at the same time commemorate events in the history of our country for the benefit of our heroes and to the younger generation.
08 Feb ’09: Midnight To Sunrise Run
This run was really for the hardcores and “crazy runners”. This was my first time to exprience this kind of running from midnight to sunrise and this event had brought us to another level of running experience.
Albert aka Run2Dmoon (http://run2dmoon.wordpress.com) had invited the participants of the 2009 Bataan 102K Ultramarathon Race for a Midnight To Sunrise Run/6-Hour Run for the past weeks at the MOA-PICC-Luneta and Back Loop. The Hardcores missed the first scheduled run as the group had a “runabout” from UP Campus to Antipolo and back. So, the next scheduled practice run of Albert for the midnight run was fully attended by the registered participants of Bataan 102K and “guests” from across the seas.
As scheduled, the participants were already at the Blue Wave along Macapagal Avenue at 11:30 PM last night. I observed that the hardcores were punctual this time even if Jerry aka High Altitude had to come all the way from Silang, Cavite. The companions of Albert in last week’s Midnight Run were already at the assembly place. For the first time, I met Norio Tanaka, a 61-year old Japanese runner, who had been a permanent resident in the country for the past 10 years and married to a Filipina. Runner Rollie, who came from Tagaytay, was also there. The CAMANAVA Runners, Atty Jeffrey Abenina and Francisco Lapira Jr were there ready to run at least 10X around the loop. And for the first time, I met in person, Albert aka Run2Dmoon, the author and host for the said run. Kim O’Connell and Coach Jo-Ar were also there complete with their support vehicle. Of course, you would not miss the Hardcores/Team Bald Runners & Power Runners led by Jonel aka Bugobugo85 who had been always present in our past “runabouts”.
Of all surprises, my Pinoy Ultramarathon Trail runner friend, Ben Gaetos was also there ready to join us for the said run. Ben Gaetos and his wife just arrived last Friday evening from Los Angeles, California and with only two hours of sleep, he was with us for the 6-hour run. This guy is really “hardcore” par excellence! Just imagine how this guy (51 years old) finished the famous and challenging 100-Mile Angeles Crest Endurance Trail Run last September 2008 in 30 hours! (with 3 hours more to spare for the 33 hours cut-off time). The Angeles Crest 100-Mile Endurance Trail Run is one of the four “Westerm Slam” ultramarathon trail running events in the USA.
After a briefing from Albert and myself, we started the run at exactly midnight. From Blue Wave, we ran along Macapagal Avenue towards the PICC area, passing at the Film Center Building, Sofitel Hotel, Coconut House, Folk Arts Theater, CCP and towards Roxas Boulevard. At Roxas Boulevard, we passed by Baywalk and the US Embassy Area. We turned left to Quirino Grandstand at Kalaw Street and passed infront of Manila Hotel and waited for the slower runners at Km Post #0. After some photo-ops, we were back to our run towards Manila Hotel-Quirino Grandstand and back along the Roxas Boulevard. After running a distance of 13+ kilometers, we were back at the place where we started, Blue Wave.
After a few minutes of replenishing our water in our hydration packs, we decided to run along the MOA Grounds. At first, Albert led the group with what he calls the C-loop covering the perimeter roads of the MOA. The said C-loop had a distance of 7+ kilometers and after running through it, my GF 305 registered a distance of 20+ kilometers. After running 20K, we decided to have our first “pit stop” and ate spaghetti & yam burger at Jollibee. After our food & water stop, we were back on the road and ran along a loop at the MOA grounds which has a distance of 3.85 kilometers. At this point, I missed counting the number of rounds on this loop as my mind was focused in finishing at least 42 kilometers for the run.
Two of our hardcore runners, Dr Joe aka The Loony Runner and George Dolores aka The Talkative Runner, joined us while we had our first C-loop run at the MOA grounds. All in all, there were 23 participants in this Midnight To Sunrise Run.
Jose Mari Javier & Charlie Chua of Team Bald Runner, Tanaka, Raffy, Albert, Ben Gaetos, Rick Cabusao and the CAMANAVA runners were with me during the early rounds but they later increased their pace and went ahead running along the said loop. As we got nearer to our 6:00 AM deadline, we were also nearing our goal of finishing 42K. With only few minutes left before the deadline time, I decided to walk along the loop for my cool-down until we were back to where we started. I was able to finish (by running & brisk walking) a distance of 46+ kilometers with an average page of 6:30 minutes per kilometer. All of us did not complain of any “cramps” during the run which was a good sign that we could last for more kilometers after running six hours.
To all the participants in this run and to Albert, thanks for the company and the invitation. Congratulations for a good and fufilling run! Guys, if we were able to run at least 45 kilometers for the past 6 hours, I am assuming that we could also finish another 45 kilometers in 7-8 hours! This means that you need to finish the remaining 12 kilometers in less than 4 hours in order to finish the 2009 Bataan 102 Ultramarathon Race within the cut-off time of 18 hours. To Kevin and Anne, thanks also for being the “official photographer” of the group.
To Ben Gaetos, thanks for the “gifts”, most especially to the 100-Mile Angeles Crest Endurance Run T-Shirt. This morning, you met the future ultramarathon runners in the country and I am sure some of these runners will be joining the ultra trail events in the USA in the future. These guys consider a marathon race as their “snacks” and I could see in their eyes for more running challenges and ultra run adventures in the future. We look at you as our “inspiration” in ultramarathon running. See you on the Bataan 52K “test run” on 22 February 2009 in Balanga, Bataan. Enjoy your stay in the country!
As I’ve Promised…
As I’ve promised on my answers to the different comments of my readers regarding the availability of a Tarpaulin Signage to remind the runners, joggers and walkers using the ULTRA Oval Track, I am showing on this post the pictures of the signage. I think there is no need to explain about the following pictures. I would like to take this opportunity to thank QuickSilver Running for the suggested idea. Also, to those who commented positively and negatively for my actuation as the “oval track marshall” sometime this week, thanks for your comments and I got your “message” and hope that you got my “message”, too!
Once the two other signages will be available, they will be officially donated and turned-over to the caretaker/administrator of the ULTRA Oval Track.
1 Feb 09: Update On “Project Donate A Shirt”
Jay Nacino aka Prometheus Cometh donated nine (9) pieces of his Finisher’s T-Shirts last week while we were having our “speed” training at the ULTRA Oval Track. Most of the shirts were not even used as they were still in their plastic bags!
After the Happy Run 15K at The Fort last 25 February, Jerry Karundeng aka High Altitude donated eight (8) pieces of his sports shirts and Finisher’s T-shirts.
Rene aka Jazzrunner also donated a T-Shirt for my Project.
To all the donors, thank you very much for your support! Your T-Shirts will be donated to the families of GK communities in Laoag City and to the families of the farming community of Barangay San Lorenzo, Iguig, Cagayan.
1 Feb 09: Update On “Project Donate A Shoe”
For the past months, Jonel aka Bugobugo85 had been telling me that a group of his former classmates in High School based in the United States will be arriving in the country and part of their itinerary will be to donate a “balikbayan box” full of “used” running shoes to my Project Donate A Shoe. The scheduled day for the donation was set at the Happy Run last 25 January 2009 at The Fort.
After finishing my race at the Resolution Challenge 10K Run at the Mall of Asia, I had to immediately proceed to The Fort to meet the classmates of Jonel for the proper acceptance of their donated shoes. As soon as I arrived at the Finish Area of the Happy Run, the tarpaulin of the Project Donate A Shoe was already set and I started to see the arrival of runners, runner-bloggers, and members of Team Bald Runner who just finished the 15K run.
The University of Santo Tomas SIGMA BETA FRATERNITY-Society of Builders Inc. members, Hans Lopez, Sherman Hernaez, and the Volunteer Doctors from the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California, USA donated twenty-one (21) pairs of “used” running/walking shoes and one (1) jogging pants to my project which I accepted from them in the presence of Jonel and Major Espejo. Thanks, Jonel and to the members of SIGMA BETA FRATERNITY (UST) for the support! Mabuhay kayo!
My friend, Felipe Dumpit aka Kinderdorf Leben, also donated one (1) pair of his “used” Mizuno running shoes while I awarded him with his “1,000-Km Club” Finisher’s T-Shirt.
My son, John Paul, also donated his Brooks Running shoes which he used in the 2008 Los Angeles Marathon, 2008 San Francisco Marathon and 2008 Los Angeles City Half-Marathon. He also donated the ASICS Lady’s Running Shoes of my daughter/his sister, Jovelle, which she used in the same Marathon & Half-Marathon races that John particpated and finished.
On that same day, thirty (30) donated shoes were received by the same number of runner-recipients who were able to replace their “old & torn” running shoes.
Hardcores Beat Cyclists! (From 13, Now 23 Runners On “Runabout”)
These series of “runabouts” started last December with only four runners. Now, on its fourth (4th) event, the number of runners had increased to twenty-three (23) runners, to include my son, John. This runabout had been scheduled weeks ahead but the final route was only decided on the early part of this week. It was Jonel aka Bugobugo and Rico of Power Runners who finalized the route, making sure that Reinier6666’s question of the distance of Marcos Highways must be answered. Even if there is a scheduled road race at UP Dilman Campus this morning, the “hardcore runners” wanted a longer distance run along the major roads of Metro Manila. So, the schedule was set at 5:30AM as the “jump-off” time.
My son and I arrived infront of the Oblation, UP Diliman at exactly 5:23AM and I saw a number of the runners waiting for the others to arrive. We were not able to leave from our starting point on the scheduled time because we had to wait for Jerry aka High Altitude as he was still in Cubao after taking a bus from Silang, Cavite as early as 3:30AM. As soon as we were complete, we had a briefing from Rico about our route and what to expect along the way, making sure that the group should always run together on the left side of the road, facing the traffic and identify the prominent places along the way where everybody should stop to wait for the slower runners. After the briefing, we checked on our hydration packs & belts, started our watches, and we were off from the UP Campus towards Masinag Market. The twenty-one (21) hardcores started the runabout.
It was too dark when we started the runabout and the faster runners went ahead of the group. I did not notice that we were already running along the Katipunan Avenue and we were out of the UP Campus. The group was later divided into three distinct groups as the faster runners could be seen at least a hundred meters ahead of us. We were on the middle group who were maintaining a pace of about 5:45 min/km to 6:15 min/km pace. A few meters on our back was the slower group being handled by Jonel and Lester. Along Katipunan, we met two runners going towards the UP Campus who happened to be Randy, one of our members of Team Bald Runner, and asked him to join us together with his companion. Thus, making us 23 runners for the whole “runabout” group! As we turned left to one of the major streets, I could see that we were going towards the Marikina Riverbanks (and running above it and the river) and SM City Marikina. As we ran along the wide Marcos Highway, I did not notice that we were about to cross the boundary of Marikina and Antipolo.
While running along the Marcos Highway, as the day became brighter, my son asked if what he was seeing ahead of about 500 meters, an uphill climb. And I said “yes” and he answered, “Oh, my God”. We kept our pace and running side by side until we went towards the first uphill, not knowing that running along the Marcos Highway was already running slightly uphill. After the first uphill climb, we could see Masinag Market and the first group was already resting and waitng for us and the other runners at the corner before reaching the said Market.
Most of the time, the younger runners (as I am the oldest in the group!) would asked me if the place where they were resting/waiting was already the “turn-around” point for us to go back where we started. As always, I make the distance of the route longer and make the running experience more memorable. This morning, as the younger runners asked me where we should go, I told them that we should reach the road leading to the Valley Golf Club and have our pictures taken at the “Golf Ball”. After a group picture at the Masinag Market, we turned right and proceeded to the “Golf Ball”. I did not expect that this road would make our “runabout” a memorable one.
This was now the most interesting part of the run. The hardcores were able to prove that runners on this uphill road are faster than those cyclists going up to the peak. Most of the cyclists were resting halfway on the road and the others were trying to push hard on their pedals just to keep up with the pace of the runners. Nobody from the cyclists were able to keep up with our running pace up to the time we reached the “Golf Ball”. I know that this road is a favorite route of the weekend cyclists and other elite cyclists and I could see on the surprised eyes and faces of these cyclists to see a group of runners treading on their turf. Moreso, with the presence of our lady runners, Dess, Margaret and Jonie! The cyclists could not believe that they were seeing fast and strong lady runners!
While having a photo-ops at the “Golf Ball” (Valley Golf Club), I asked the runners to reach the peak of the road and pace with the rest of the cyclists and from there, we will have to turn-around and have our “pit stop” at McDonalds-Masinag Market. So, the runners raced again with the cyclists upto the peak and we stopped at the Gate of a Memorial Park. After another photo-ops, it was time for our breakfast/”pit stop”. Going down from the peak to Masinag Market was a fast one but we had to be careful as more cyclists were going up as we met them on the left side of the road.
The “pit stop” at the McDonalds was a much-needed rest and time to replenish our spent energy through food and liquids. The 7-11 Store adjacent to MacDonalds was the source of our sports energy drinks and bottled water as replenishment to our hydration packs. After almost 30 minutes and making sure that everybody had their food and water, we started the last leg of our run back to the Oblation.
I was at the back of the fastest group and we were going at 5:30 mins/km pace along Marcos Highway. Jay aka Prometheus was the one leading the group. We felt the heat of the sun as we reached the road fronting the SM Marikina and all the way along the Katipunan Avenue. Some of us slowed down but we knew that in a few meters, we’ll be entering the shaded campus of UP. As we entered the campus, the fastest group kept on jogging towards the finish line, after running one round along the academic oval. I joined Jerry aka High Altitude and Jay Lee Cu-Unjieng walked the last 800 meters towards the finish area.
I did not use my GF 305 due to faulty battery and instead, used my old and reliable Casio Pathfinder Watch. It registered an elapsed running time of 2:47+ hours. The runners with GF 304 registered a distance of almost 27 kilometers. In my computation, we had an average pace for the runabout in 6:00+ mins/km.
We finished the run with stretching exercises, gulping lots of “taho”, more pictures, and stories to share. I will let Jonel share you the story with our photo-ops with “Zorro”. All the runners, to include the new ones, were happy to experience the event. We were out of the UP Campus at 10:00AM.
To the Hardcores, thanks for another running adventure! As I said, who needs a race organizer when you could run with a group on a Sunday morning where you could run as fast as you can and enjoy the company of “friends” who are crazy about running. We should run more “runabouts” in the future. How about a “runabout” from Heritage Park to Enchanted Kingdom and back?
The Hardcore’s next “run adventure” will be a 6-Hour “Midnight to Sunrise” Run at the MOA Grounds on February 8. If you are a registered runner for the Bataan 102K Ultramarathon Race, you are encouraged to join us. See you there!
Latest “1,000-Km Club” Finishers/Members
The following are the latest runner-bloggers who completed running 1,000 kilometers as they enrolled with the “1,000-Km Club”. Each of them was awarded with BR’s “1,000-Km Club” Finisher’s T-Shirt. Congratulations and welcome to the Club, guys!
Bald Runner 
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