Friends of Bald Runner

On April 22, 2008April 24, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Running9 Comments

The following pictures were taken after the 4th Bonifacio Global City Run last Sunday, 20 April 2008 infront of the Project Donate A Shoe Booth. I consider these weekend “road warriors” who had posed with me as the “Friends of Bald Runner”. If I can not recall all their names, it’s because the Bald Runner is already old to memorize each one in the pictures. So, please leave a comment on this post so that I can identify you on a nickname basis on those pictures where I could not identify you.

Annalene (“Annalene’s Story”) and her daughter, Faye.

One of my daily visitors, Nolan V Llanora.

RUNMD, a regular visitor of my blog and my brother, Samie.

Also a regular reader and visitor who checks my blog in the morning and in the evening, Jun Cruz from Pangasinan.

The couple, Lester and Margarette Choayap, who were beside me at the Starting Area conversing each other only to be surprised with the blast of the starting gun. This couple donated a pair of running shoes to the Project Donate A Shoe. To Lester & Margarette, thanks for supporting the Project Donate A Shoe.

I forgot the name of this fellow runner.

These are the members of the Philippine Army Running Team who are Senior Officers assigned at the Headquarters Philippine Army. On my right is Colonel Noel Miano of the Office of the Chief Ordnance and Chemical Service of the Philippine Army who is also a “passionate” weekend “road warrior”. He brought with him four (4) of his subordinates in the 10K Run.

The runner on my right is Ray and these are his running mates. From left is Grace, Jun, Ray, Josh and Sonny. I hope to see you again in the next road race. Good luck and keep on running.

On my right is Colonel Oscar Lopez of the Philippine Army, a “passionate” runner who encourages all his subordinates in his office to run and he leads his soldiers to weekend road races in Metro Manila. Except for my brother, these runners are his subordinates.

Colonel Noel Miano on my right with an unidentified lady runner who finished the 10K run.

This runner was wearing a “national uniform” with the colors of our flag and our flag itself. I guess this runner is also with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

DATC (in sunglass & headband), one of my regular visitors to this blog. He was one of the donors of the Project Donate A Shoe during the 4th Bonifacio Global City Run.

These are lady soldiers from the Philippine Army who joined the race.

Pictures @ 4th Global City Run

On April 21, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Races, Running3 Comments

I really do not know these celebrities at the front of the pack at the Starting line. Maybe, these are our “elite” runners with “single digit” race numbers.

The race started on time at 6:00 AM 20 April 2008 infront of the ANTA Store. I visited the ANTA Store the day before the race to get a copy of the road map of the race and to browse on their display of sports apparel.

For a change, this is how I looked with my running outfit. I was a “commercial model” for the Nike outfit in yesterday’s 10K Run. This picture was taken at the last kilometer to the finish line.

A few meters from the finish line with the sight of the digital clock readings of my time as it registered 47:00 minutes. I was thinking of passing the finish line before the clock turns to 48:00 minutes.

I could not recall if I felt like “throwing up” or trying to pick up my pace as I approached the Finish Line!

Unofficially, my time as I glanced the digital clock at the Finish Line was 47:52 minutes. I was glad I finished the 10K race below my target time of 48:00 minutes.

WordPress Failure!

On April 20, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, RunningLeave a comment

There seems to be a problem with WordPress on the Uploading of Images from the Media Library to Postings on the Blog. Much to my desire to upload and post the pictures taken in this morning’s 4th Global City/ANTA Run, pictures of the friends of the Bald Runner, and the Donors/Recipients of the Project Donate A Shoe, there is a failure in the WordPress system. WordPress members entire the world are complaining for the past days about this problem. I hope this problem will be resolved soon.

I will post the pictures once the systems failure will be fixed. Thanks!

Project “Donate A Shoe” @ On Your Mark Run

On April 16, 2008April 16, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Running2 Comments

This is Levy Ang (w/ race number) who donated his running shoes after the On Your Mark 10K Run at The Fort last Sunday, 13 April 2008 infront of the Porject “Donate A Shoe” Booth. Thanks, Levy!

Major Rod Turno is handing over one of the donated shoes to Recipient Jimmy Sales after The On Your Mark 10K Run at The Fort last Sunday. The shoes was donated by Levy Ang. Thanks, Levy!

Recipient Rey Embolode showing his old running shoes and the newly-donated running shoes given by Zhon Marc Bello.

My brother, MajGen Samuel Narcise, receiving the donated shoes from Zhon Marc Bello. Thanks, Marc for supporting the Project “Donate A Shoe”.

My staff was able to receive two (2) pairs of running shoes and immediately turned them over to Jimmy Sales and Rey Embolode after the On Your Mark 10K Run held at The Fort last Sunday, 13 April 2008.

To Levy and Marc, thank you very much! You made our less-fortunate runners happy, as seen from their smiling faces, and inspired them to keep on running. May God bless you always.

Pictures: On Your Mark 10K

On April 13, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Races, Running14 Comments

I was talking to one of the runners, MSgt Lando Ugay, of the Philippine Army before the start of the run.

Miraclecello/Cecil (with his back on the camera) and company of mountaineers at the starting area.

At the Starting Line

Another picture at the starting line.

The 5K and 10K races started at least two minutes before 6:00 AM. Both races started at the same time.

At far left is Zhon Marc Bello who donated his running shoes to the Project Donate A Shoe after the race. On the right side is my brother who joined in the 5K race with his wife.

I stayed briefly at the booth of the Project Donate A Shoe after the race and had a brief talk with my brother.

On my way to change my wet running kit, Don, one of my regular visitors/readers called my attention and he introduced himself. In his comment, he asked me about the Garmin’s outlet here in the country. Now, he is wearing a brand-new GF 305 which he ordered in the US. With Crecensiano Sabal nearby, we had a pose at the parking area. Congrats to C. Sabal for winning the 10K race. Don, welcome to the GF Club! Keep on running, buddy!

No pictures of me were taken by my staff while I was running the 10K run. I reminded my staff again to take at least one picture of me while I am running. I need to have a “feedback” on how I run and be able to evaluate my running form.

To my fellow weekend “warriors”, I will be seeing you again at the 4th Global City 10K Run at The Fort.

Keep on Running!

45:33 mins @ On Your Mark 10K

On April 13, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Races, Running12 Comments

5:57 AM 13 April 2008

The On Your Mark 10K and 5K races started at the same time at The Fort barely two minutes before 6:00 AM. As planned, I was wearing an all-new runner’s kit with my newly-broke in ASICS Gel-Kinsei 2 (“top of the line” on ASICS Running Shoes which I bought early last month) and my MP3.

I am using my bulky but reliable Sony Vaio Clip Earphone with my “cheap” Samsung MP3. My new IPod Classic (barely one month old) is now for repair because it got wet from my sweat while I was running in Jamindan. It is covered with one year warranty but the Apple Store here in the country would make me pay for the repairs & replacement of battery. I’ll just wait till I will visit the USA and send it to Apple for the immdediate replacement of my unit.

After donating four of my running shoes, I am now using one brand of running shoes which is ASICS. I bought this ASICS Gel-Kinsei 2 after having some pains on the rear end of my right foot. This shoes made me run better and it gives me stability on my heels. This is the first time that I used it in a road race after using it during my running workouts for the past four weeks.

For the first five kilometers of the race, I did not check my GF 305 for I knew I was comfortably running with my training pace of about 5:00 minutes per kilometer. A few meters from the 6-Km point, I was tempted to look at my watch and I saw that my elapsed time was 27:35 minutes and I was surprised that I was running a faster pace as planned. I tried to pick-up my pace and make some “speed play/fartlek” on the last 4 kilometers but my pace would make my breathing harder and I resort to coughing as if I am going to “throw-up”. This is a warning sign that I have to “listen to my body” and slightly relaxed my pace and concentrated on my running form.

On the last 3 kilometers, it was a test of endurance and “mind over body”. The music on my MP3 helped a lot to relax my mind and inspired me to run harder. It was “Bob Marley’s Greatest Hits” who was my companion entire the course. Some runners would overtake me on the last two kilometers but I just maintained my fastest pace that my body was capable of. All the runners that overtook me were at least 20 or 20 + years younger than me and that’s fine with me. On this part of the race, I was not fighting with the other runners but I was fighting with my own self.

I knew I could reach the finish line in less than 48:00 minutes based from the readings I got from my GF 305. I did a little sprint on the last 500 meters and I was in the company of Gabriela Calma, who beat me last Mizuno 15K Run and Rene from Gold’s Gym.

As I crossed the finish line, the clock at the finish line had a different reading which I deduced that something went wrong with the race clock. So, I stopped my GF 305 and saw that I finished the race in 45:33 minutes! It was only when I was uploading my data from my watch to my PC that I noticed that the distance registered was less than 10 kilometers. The distance was short by almost 600 meters!

This is a picture after crossing the finish line. I was surprised with my time and I thought I improved a lot. I was using my Nathan Water Belt and I did not want to be holding those bottled water available in every water station along the way, while I was running.

Well, whether it is short or not, I can see that I was able to improve my time even if I will add 2:30 minutes to my unofficial finish time. The following data were taken from my GF 305:

Time—45:33 mins Distance—9.45 kilometers

Average Pace—4:52 mins/km Average Speed—12.3 kms/hour

Maximum Speed—17.4 kms/hr Total Calories—692 cal

Average HR—168 bpm Maximum HR—172

Total Ascent—208 meters Total Descent—202 meters

To all the runners in this morning’s race, congratulations! Keep on running!

I will post the other pictures in my post tomorrow.

President Ramon Magsaysay & Mt Manunggal, Cebu

On April 11, 2008March 15, 2022 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Pictures, Running2 Comments

This time, I am posting a story on the life and death of President Ramon Magsaysay who is unknown to most of the runners, seniors and younger ones. I was barely five years old when he died. My recent visit to Cebu City and Mt Manunggal gave me the idea to share what I’ve seen in this historic place.

President Ramon Magsaysay was the 7th President of the Philippines and the 3rd President of the Third Republic. He was elected as a Member of the House of Representatives in 1946 in the lone district of Zambales and later re-elected for a second term in 1949. He became the Chairman of the National Defense Committee in the House of the Representatives and on August 31, 1950, he became the Secretary of National Defense during the administration of President Elpidio Quirino in 1950 at the height of the Hukbalahap and insurgency problem in Central Luzon. Due to intrigues and “power play”, he resigned as Secretary of National Defense on February 28, 1953. He was urged by the different sectors of the society and the masses for him to run for the Presidency. According to public opinion, the only way to solve the problem of communism/insurgency was to have a good governance and a government that serves the people. And that governance lies on the presidency and leadership of President Ramon Magsaysay. According to President Magsaysay’s opinion, a corrupt government and a bad administration are the causes on the rise of communism & insurgency. He later became the presidential candidate of the Nacionalista Party and won the presidency with a landslide victory over the incumbent President Elpidio Quirino.

He was the first President who used the Barong Tagalog during his Oath-Taking Ceremony. He was the staunch supporter of the United States in its fight against communism. He made Malacanang Palace open to the public and literally making it a “house of the people” and created a machinery/system of the government to hear and solve the complaints of the ordinary people and masses. He personally showed acts of integrity by paying services done/given to him. In one instance, he was invited by the Philippine Air Force to ride in a demonstration flight of a new plane and he asked for the operating cost of the flight per hour and immediately signed a check for the payment. He encouraged the people to have their own business through open access to loans and government subsidies. During his administration, the military was able to arrest most of the leaders of the Communist Movement in Metro Manila and its top leaders surrendered to him, practically ending the insurgency problem of the country. Continue reading “President Ramon Magsaysay & Mt Manunggal, Cebu” →

3-Day Stay in Cebu

On April 9, 2008April 9, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Military, Pictures, Running1 Comment

02-04 April 2008

I attended a one-day Command Conference on Legal Matters and a two-day seminar on Media Relations at the Central Command Headquarters in Cebu City from Wednesday up to Friday with our Unit Commanders. I was the Guest of Honor and Speaker during the Opening Ceremony of the Media Relations Seminar last Thursday morning. I also visited my troops deployed in Balamban, Cebu on Friday morning as part of my regular visits and assessment of our troops in the area. On my way back to Cebu, I visited the crash site of the plane of former President Ramon Magsaysay in Mount Manunggal.

I stayed at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel during the duration of my stay in Cebu. I was able to use their gym on a daily basis.

The lobby of the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel in Cebu City.

A picture during my speech as the Guest of Honor and Speaker during the Opening Ceremony of the Media Relations Seminar with all the Philippine Army Brigade and Battalion Commanders in Central Visayas.

A regular visit and talk with to men in the field is one of the basic duties of a Commander and a Leader in the Philippine Army.

There are so many things you have to explain and inform to the men about the policies of Higher Headquarters and the overall Campaign Plan of the Command for Central Visayas in solving the problem of insurgency and serving as a “partner” of development in the area.

The National Historic Institute’s Marker in Mt Manunggal, Cebu where the plane, Mt Pinatubo, the President Ramon Magsaysay boarded with 26 other people on the fateful early morning of 17 March 1957, crashed. I will be writing a separate post on my visit to this very important and historic place.

More Pictures @ Mizuno Infinity Run

On April 4, 2008April 4, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Races, Running4 Comments

Posing for a picture with Totoy Santos of Hapy Feet Running Club before the start of a race is becoming a ritual.

The running Senator of the country, Senator Pia Cayatano with her security detail. It was nice to be seeing her in every road race.

It took me to practice a lot in Jamindan on how to drink water from a bottle while running. As much as possible, I don’t stop to drink on water stations during road races. It was unfortunate on this race that I did not wear my Nathan Water Belt. Practically, I had to hold a bottled water while I was running on this race.

The problem with this picture was that I did not use my “hill bounding” technique. I was forced to use small steps in running over the uphill portion from the Heritage Park to the Bayani Road. I will improve on this some more in my future road races.

Another picture with the strong “lady in pink” runner. She finally overtook me along the uphill portion at the Essensa area and politely said, “Excuse me”.

A pose with Mark near the “Donate A Shoe” Booth. Finally, we met in person. Mark is my number #1 “commentator” in my blog. Thanks for the comments and additional information.

I forgot the name of this runner. Anyway, he approached me and told me that he is a regular visitor of this blog. He is a member of the Fairview Running Club and I can recall that he joined/finished the 7th DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Half-Marathon last 09 March 2008. Major Rod Turno, a member of my staff in the Project “Donate A Shoe” is seen at the back.

A very promising weekend “road warrior”, Taki, who is improving his finish time in every race he joins.

A brief meeting and conversation with my “blog inspiration”, The Bull Runner. I told her, in due time we will be signing a “book deal contract” with Random House or Barnes & Noble Publishing about running in the Philippines.

My running & gym workout friends/buddies from Gold’s Gym Glorietta, Rene and Doc. These guys are really good and consistent “road warriors” in every weekend road races.