Category: Pictures

Pictures @ 2008 Doc Fit Run

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Races, Running2 Comments

Mark & Wife, who are consistent and regular visitors to this blog. Mark is also a golfer.

Annalene of “Annalene’s Story” who is one of the donors of the Project Donate A Shoe. She was able to influence her family to enjoy running and became regular participants in weekend road races. 

 Marga aka Transition Zero (in red shirt) with Jed & Jenna Segovia; my brother Samie and college classmate who is now a doctor of the Philippine Heart Association, formerly Eva Rimando (on my right)

A pose with Councilor/Doctor Doray Delarmente of Quezon City. She is the only daughter of  PMA Cavalier Delarmente whom I worked with when I was still a Major assigned with the Office of the President. Councilor Doray donated four (4) pairs of running shoes to our Project Donate A Shoe. Thank you very much for your support, Councilor Doray!

Progress Report: 2008 Doc Fit 10K Run

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Races, Running10 Comments

6:00-7:00 AM 25 May 2008 @ UP Diliman Campus

I usually wake up at 4:30 AM when a road race starts at 6:00 AM. It takes me at least 30 minutes to shave my head and face; force myself on the toilet bowl; take a bath; drink my hot coffee; eat at least 5 tablespoonful of oatmeal; drink 250 ml can of Ensure; apply Petroleum Jelly on my inner upper legs/crotch & inner parts of my upper arms; brush my teeth, and finally wear my running kit & shoes. At 5:00 AM, I should had left my quarters and proceeding to the venue of the road race.

My staff and I arrived at UP Campus at 5:30 AM and I immediately had my stretching exercises and slow jogging/warm-up run. After 15 minutes, I was already on my way to the Assembly area. I first met “the loonyrunner” who was having his warm-up run infront of the starting line and I told him about my latest trip to Baguio City and my observations on the proliferation of illegal settlers on areas adjacent to Camp John Hay. I had my initial impression on the loony runner, who was wearing an all-black running kit, that he was well-prepared for the road race as he is familiar with the route plus the fact that I was able to see in his eyes his determination to make good in this race.

A pose with MarkFB, my No. 1 visitor & commentator, five minutes before the start of the race.

After talking to the loony runner and as I was about to enter the Assembly Area, I met Mark and told him that I just bought the Sennheiser MPX 70 Sport Headphone which he recommended. I suddenly felt that I needed to take a “leak” before I enter the starting area and I excused myself from Mark. Mark & I entered the area and I immediately saw the “friends & visitors of Bald Runner”–runmd, nolan, passion runner, and officers and men from the Philippine Army. At this time, I saw at the digital clock that we still have two minutes to spare before the start of the race. I positioned myself at the middle of the pack together with the runners from the Philippine Army.

Then suddenly Coach Rio made the countdown and we started the race. The runners from the Philippine Army dashed away from me at a very fast pace while I maintained my slow pace for the first kilometer. The sky was cloudy and there was not much light from the sun and the weather was conducive to a good road race. I still used my sunglasses while running but I did not bother to glance the readings on my GF 305 from the start up to the finish line. The problem with me with the GF 305 when I am running is that I could hardly see the data on my watch while I am running! I need a “reading glass” to have a clear look on the time elapsed on the dial of the watch!

My running form at vicinity Km. 3, infront of the Oblation.

I depended much on “listening to my body” with regards to my pace and speed for this particular road race. My race pace was an even pace as seen from my time splits in every kilometer:

Km 1—5:21 mins              Km 6—5:09 mins

Km 2—5:00 mins              Km 7—4:54 mins

Km 3—4:47 mins              Km 8—5:12 mins

Km 4—5:00 mins              Km 9—5:10 mins

Km 5—5:02 mins              Km 10–4:55 mins

I know that I was having a slow pace and finish time as compared from the previous races I had at the UP Campus but I did not force my body to the extreme. However, I noticed that my heart beat reached up to 179 beats per minutes on my last kilometer without any feeling of hard breathing or dizziness or feeling that I was too tired and spent after the race. I could feel that my regular supplementary weight training and long runs had contributed this feeling of being stronger for endurance running.

My usual “raised arms” pose/picture few meters from the Finish Line.

I consider this race as part of my preparation for the longer distance road races in the future.

To my fellow runners, I hope to see you on June 15th DND-AFP Half-Marathon Race at Camp Aguinaldo.

Pictures @ Market! Market! 5-Mile Run

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Races, Running4 Comments

6:00 AM 18 May 2008 @ Market! Market!, The Fort  

This was the Start & Finish Area of the 5-Mile Race. In my estimate, there were at least 350 runners who participated in this race. The road was wet brought about by the rains the night before race day. It was expected to rain as it was showering when the race was about to start. The race started at 6:00 AM. 

On my right is Kim from Malaysia who called my attention when I was having my stretching exercises. She told me that she finished six marathons since she started running and also a regular visitor of this blog. On my left is Major Rod Turno of the Philippine Army and the other guy is also a soldier from the Philippine Army. Kim, I hope this picture is not late for publishing and hope to see you in our next road races.

This picture was taken after coming from the uphill portion along the vicinity of the International School. I was about to reach the 3-Km mark. Initially, I was using my Penshoppe Runner’s Cap but I removed it from this point up to the finish line. The Bald Runner should stay as bald while running!

This picture was taken at least 800 meters away from the Finish Line. The guy following me, a foreigner and tall guy, was able to overtake me 150 meters from the Finish Line.

I tried to maintain a faster pace but I wasn’t able to overtake those guys who passed from me on the final stretch of the race. This picture was taken 20 meters from the Finish Line. It was a nice race and the weather was fine. My time was 38:57 minutes for the 5-Mile Run.

Pictures @ 2nd Champion Run

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Races, Running12 Comments

6:00 AM 11 May 2008 @ The Marikina Riverbanks

The following pictures were taken before and during the 2nd Champion Road Race (Run Along Marikina River):

Eric aka Passion Runner and Jo aka The Loony Runner with me few minutes before the start of the race.

After a very slow pace at the start, I was trying to regain the lost time where the road/path was wider by increasing my pace. This was the halfway point where I overtook some of the police trainees and other regular weekend runners.

I was wearing a Mizuno Running Kit which was very comfortable and light. The running shorts did not give me any problems with my groin and inner upper legs. I was using my old reliable ASICS Gel-Cumulus 8 as my running shoes.

This picture was taken 400 meters away from the Finish Line and I was increasing my pace and found out from my GF 305 that I was about to reach 11.0-kilometer mark. I finished the race in 57:05 minutes (Official time results at www.runrio.com). I was surprised about the distance as I was not able to hear the announcements from Coach Rio before the start of the race. I was busy doing my warm-up jogging at the rear area, far away from the Starting Area.

My Last Visit To My Men

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Pictures, RunningLeave a comment

Whenever a Commander visits his units or commands under him, there is a “protocol” to be followed as part of the customs and traditions of the military service. The “protocol” consists of the following: (1) arrival honors; (2) introduction of the officers and key soldiers of the command; (3) presentation of briefing to the Commander on the prevailing situation in the area; (4) snacks or lunch while having  an informal talks with the officers and ranking soldiers; (5) giving of souvenirs/gifts/mementos to me; (6) talk to the men and get feedback from the soldiers; and (7) departure honors.

Since this visit was my last visit to the units under me and I had been regularly visiting them for the past one year and two months, I entirely changed the “protocol” and shortened the activities. I directed the commanders of the units I was scheduled to visit to remove/dispense with the arrival and departure honors; there will be no briefings; and lesser preparation in food (only native chicken tinola & pinakbet/vegetables) to be served; and no gifts to be given to me. Instead, I told them to prepare to have a group picture with me before I leave their respective camps.

So, the “drill” to my visits consisted of introduction to the officers and key enlisted personnel; talk to the men & feedback from the men; a brief inspection of the facilities (I usually visit their bathrooms/comfort rooms to gauge the degree of cleanliness & orderliness of the unit); lunch/snacks; and picture-taking with the officers & men (with headgear and without a headgear!). It is in my Talk To The Men that I tell the soldiers the accomplishments and gains they had done during my stint as their Commander in our fight against insurgency in the area and personally thank them for their efforts and unstinted support to accomplish our mission in the area. Lastly, I challenge them to do some more and support the programs of the government and maintain the highest degree of discipline that makes the individual soldier distinct from other institutions of the government.

The following were some of the pictures taken during my last visit to my units in Panay & Negros Islands:

Before leaving the camp where I visited my troops, I see to it that there is always a group picture with them, with headgear and without headgear! These are my officers and men in Panay Island stationed in Dingle, Iloilo.

Sometimes, I asked to be briefed by looking at the pictures displayed as one enters the office of a command. The pictures show the activities being conducted by the soldiers to solve the problem of insurgency in the area, from combat operations to civic-military operations and development programs. Yes, the members of the Philippine Army are ACHIEVERS! 

One of “Talk To The Men” sessions during my last visit. I was talking with my men in Tanjay, Negros Oriental.

The Battalion Commander usually introduces his officers and key enlisted personnel immediately after my arrival in the camp.

 Another “Talk To The Men” with the Officers and Men of one of the Battalions deployed in Siaton, negros Oriental. This Battalion was instrumental in the clearing of the whole Bohol Province from the insurgents.

These are the young officers and soldiers who cleared Bohol Province and had been in Negros Oriental for the past one month and they are on the right track to clear another guerrilla front by the end of June 2008. 

These are the officers who are leading our Philippine Army troops in Negros Occidental. The officer in black beret is the Commanding Officer of the Scout Ranger Battalion operating in the Central Part of Negros Island.

Another “Talk To The Men” to the Officers & Men deployed in Central & Northern Parts of Negros Occidental. 

I am the “slimmest” and the “youngest-looking” among my officers and soldiers! Ha! Ha! Ha! 

Panaad Sports Complex

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Runners' Training, Running2 Comments

5:03 AM 08 May 2008

Whenever I visit my troops in Negros Island, I always stay in our Army Transient Facility (ATF) which is located inside the Government Center in Panaad District, Bacolod City. About 50 meters from the ATF is the Panaad Sports Complex which has an oval track.

This morning, it was my first time to see and run along the oval track of the said sports complex. I was surprised to see that the oval track is not fully maintained and many portions of the tartan oval had been cut to remove the “bubbles” making the oval track as if there so many potholes.

I started my run at 5:03 AM from a slow warm-up jog from the ATF to the Oval Track. Once I hit the track, I was already on my “speed” mode. I did some interval training runs with the distance of 200 meters and a recovery run of another 200 meters. Basically, I had a speed burst of 200 meters and reduce my pace in the next 200 meters in every round until I finished 25 times around the oval. I did not register my lap time in every 200 meters.

I finished and covered a distance of 10.5 kms with a time of 51:50 minutes. I did not feel any tightness in my breathing or sore/pain on my legs. I slowly had my cool-down routine, jogging two rounds on the oval and later had my stretching exercises. I wanted to run some more and be able to run at least 15 kms for the day but I had a schedule to follow. I have yet to visit another Brigade Headquarters for a Talk to the Men and Breakfast with my Officers.

These were the readings from GF 305 and pictures taken by my staff while I was running at the said Sports Complex:

Distance—10.5 kms                      Time—51:50 mins

Average Pace—5:10 mins/km       Average Speed—11.6 kms/hr

Maximum Speed—16.1 kms/hr    Total Calories—735 cal

Music—Hoobastank & Foo Foo Fighters

Running Shoes—ASICS Gel-1120

I was informed by my security escorts from Negros Island that the facility is almost 15 years old and the oval needs to be repaired. This is one of the Sports Complex in Bacolod City. There are other two oval tracks available within the city.

I hope this place will be repaired soon. I usually start my speed run from this part of the oval track and end at the other side (one-half of the oval) and have my recovery run at a slower pace for the next half of the track. If not for the “potholes” on the track, I could had registered a faster time and pace with my speed runs.

I started very early and I was alone at the track. After thirty minutes, local residents and soccer players started to arrive in the area. Before I ended my workout, the oval track was already full of slow joggers and walkers.

Friends of Bald Runner: Part 2

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Running9 Comments

At last, I finally met Bards aka Banana Running, Mesh Villanueva, and friends, the Tan Brothers! Hey, Bards, I am glad you had a PR best time last Sunday and thanks for your support on my project, to incude Mesh. 

These are the “movers & innovators” of running in the country right now, the Passion Runner and Run Rio who is catching up with Mr Rudy Biscocho as the premier road organizer of road races in Metro Manila. To Passion Runner, congratulations for the “quantum leap” on your PR best for the 10K run and for supporting my project. To Run Rio, congratulations for a “snappy and flawless” road race yesterday and for endorsing my project.

 These are the runners from Malate who had to interrupt my conversations with Mark & Charlie for some pose with them. I am sorry for Mark & Charlie who were left out from the picture taking. Next time, guys!

These are the runners from Amoranto, Quezon City who are also regular visitors to this blog.

These are Lito & Weng Ordaniel (#8214 & #8213) from Contel & Fujitsu and Kristine Quiambao w/ Race for Tubbataha Finisher’s T-shirt of Fujitsu. They are regular visitors of this blog. Thanks & keep on reading. To Marcelo, thanks for the information.

Dr. Tommy Tan and friend from the Fairview Runners Club.

Our Lady Officers of the Philippine Army who are presently detailed with the Department of National Defense.

Running Friends of Passion Runner and Run Rio.

Project Donate A Shoe @ Runnex@25

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Running2 Comments

Captain Ferdie Espejo reported to me that a total of five (5) shoes were donated by the following donors during the conduct of RUNNEX@25 Run at UP Diliman Campus yesterday morning:

1) Annalene M Bautista (“Annalene’s Story)—3 pairs of running shoes

2) Ralph Salvador—1 pair of running shoes

3) Cecil Morella—1 pair of running shoes

On the other hand, six (6) of the donated running shoes were received by the following runners:

1) Jun Ocol

2) Dennis Magtaha aka “Zorro”

3) Adrian Benitez

4) A. C. Tambar

5) Conrad Conde

6) Andrico S Mahilum

Hereunder are the pictures taken with the donors and recipients at the Project Donate A Shoe booth:

This is Ralph Salvador who donated one pair of running shoes. Ralph told me that he finished the 94K Weekend Marathon held last 20 April 2008 at the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway. Thanks, Ralph for supporting the project.

Cecil Morella, the tallest among us, donated his NB shoes which he used to finish his first full marathon, half-marathon, and other road races where he improved at one race at a time. He said that he hopes that his shoes will be given to somebody whose feet is wide as his. In Ilocano term, he described his feet as “Narakab” which brough laughter to my brother and myself. Thanks, Cecil for supporting this project! 

We always see him in almost all the road races in Metro Manila and we fondly call him “Zorro”. He is Dennis Magtaha and he approached our booth and my staff replaced his old and worn-out shoes. 

This is the old running shoes of “Zorro” which was replaced with one of the donated shoes. Note that he used a “big safety pin” to hold on with the torn parts of his shoes. This is “Zorro’s Safety Pin” Solution while the others would use the “Band-Aid Solution”. In my personal and honest opinion, the old shoes of Zorro symbolizes the Sports Program of the Country and we are using a “Safety Pin” to solve, develop, and improve our Sports Program for us to attain the elusive first “Olympic Gold Medal”.

A pose with Zorro and another runner (Bib # 8662) who received donated shoes at the Project Donate A Shoe Booth.

So far, the Project Donate A Shoe had collected 37 pairs of running shoes and distributed 29 . We still have in our possession 8 pairs of shoes for distribution which will be on display in our booth in Marikina this coming Sunday. To all the donors, thank you very much for supporting the project and you were able to make our runners happy and enjoy the sports of running.

My Pictures @ RUNNEX@25

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Races, Running1 Comment

04 May 2008 at UP Diliman Campus

This was the sight of the runners at the starting line when I entered the assembly area 7 minutes before gun time. The front runners were the 10K runners and at the back portion were the 5K & 2.2K runners who were released two minutes after the first running group.

I was with the “senior” runners at the middle of the pack inside the assembly area before the start of the race.

On the road going to the UP Police Office area. 

On the road infront of the Oblation.

Running side by side with Dr. Tan of the Fairview Running Club.

Running on the last stretch of the road race approaching the finish line.

After passing the Finish Line and walking along the chute with RunRio holding the microphone.

A pose at the Finish Line.

Jogging Lane

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Running6 Comments

I was informed by my staff who had been assigned at the Division Headquarters for the passed so many years that former and past Commanders of the Division planned to have a jogging lane at the periphery of the Parade Ground which is basically a flat terrain. Such plan did not materialize due to reasons not known by the oficers and men. In Metro Manila, the Headquarters Philippine Army has a jogging lane at its Parade Ground which had been established in the early 1990s.

After two weeks of closely supervising my personnel with the Command’s Engineering Detachment, they were able to establish a jogging lane along the flat surface of the Parade ground. The jogging lane has an actual distance (measured by meter tape) of 581 meters. I have included this jogging lane as part of my 4-kilometer loop jogging route inside the camp in Jamindan.

Shown in the picture is the Grandstand infront of the Parade Ground with the jogging lane bounded by white painted stones on ts both sides. After the sand and gravel had settled with the ground, the jogging lane will be asphalted later to make it more sturdy from the loosening its ground brought about by rains during the wet season.