Jinoe Gavan and the people of takbo.ph endorsed me as the Special Guest in the conduct of the Aboitiz Transport System (ATS) 2009 Fun Run which was held at the La Mesa Eco Park last Saturday morning, starting at 6:00 AM of 16 May 2009. After phone calls and exchanges of SMS and e-mail messages, my attendance in the said activity was set through the invitation of Jerome Sese, the HR supervisor of Aboitiz Transport System. I consider that I was a Special Guest of the activity since I was the only one outside the Aboitiz Group who was invited to grace the affair.
Jerome wanted me to speak among the officers, staff, and employees of the Aboitiz Transport System, which is a conglomeration of 3-4 different companies involved in transport, shipping and messenger services, about running and inform/invite them to join the weekly road races in Metro Manila. I was informed also that the HR Group of Aboitiz is conducting such activity as a result of a personnel health audit report among its officers, staff, and employees that shows that most of them have hypertension, arthritis/gout, diabetes, and early signs of overweight. As part of the solution for these illnesses, the HR group deemed it wise to conduct such activity and at the same time provide a “team building” activity for everybody.
Backdrop of the ActivityStart of the 2-Km Fun RunMelvin Pangan, Winner of the 2-Km Run. He is a "Weekend Warrior" In Road RacesThe Other Runner-Finishers
After a short warm-up and stretching exercises, the activity started with a 2-km trail run inside the La Mesa Eco Park. After all the participants finished the fun run, simple breakfast was served consisting of arroz caldo, taho, and fruit juices. Breakfast was followed with a program where the participants were grouped by their respective companies. Cheering and shouting were done by each group through the signal/cue from the Emcee. There was fun and joy among the participants. It was followed by an aerobics/dance exercise led by 3 professional fitness instructors which almost took 30 minutes. This part of the program was very challenging to the participants as most of them sweat it out more than their 2-km fun run.
Cheering Competition Among The Participants30-Minute Dance Exercises Dance Instructors/Instructress Leading the Participants
After the dance exercises, I was called for my part to tell everybody about my advocacy to promote running/walking . I told them briefly on the basics of developing and motivating them to be involved in endurance sports like running and brisk-walking. I advised each company to come up with a core group of runners/walkers and I will visit their respective offices to conduct a more detailed running clinic for FREE as soon as they are prepared. For the meantime, I advised them to visit my blogsite to find out more of the projects I’ve been advocating for the past years. I invited them to join the weekly road races in Metro Manila but I told them to start from the shorter distances first before going to the longer ones. It takes time for their body to develop their endurance in order to finish such races without being prone to any injury.
A Brief Talk About Running & Invitation to Conduct Running Clinics
My talk with the group was very brief but I encouraged them to take care of their health and be an example/model to their family in terms of adhering to an active healthy lifestyle in order to prevent them from being inflicted with the so-called “lifestyle illnesses” due to lack of exercise/physical activity. It was followed with the awarding of the top 3 finishers in the 2-km run where I assisted their officers.
Top 3 Winners of the 2-Km Fun RunGroup Picture With Aboitiz Transport System (ATS)With Melvin Pangan, the Winner of the 2-Km Run
After the last messages from their officers, the activity ended at about 9:30 AM. I had a nice time visiting the La Mesa Eco Park for the first time and walk along its trails and get around the different facilities of the park. I highly recommend to everybody to visit this place and enjoy a nice scenery of a nature’s park.
Thanks Jerome, Melvin and to the Officers of the Aboitiz Transport System (ATS) for inviting me in this activity and for their hospitality.
Tomorrow, March 8 is supposed to be the schedule for the first marathon race of the year for the yearly Pasig River Heritage Marathon. Runners were expecting this marathon to push thru since December but it was followed with a news last January that the race had to be postponed to a later date on the last quarter of this year due to lack of time to prepare the event.
As this was a chance for the participants of the 1st Bataan Death March 102K Ultramarathon Race to qualify for the requirement for each participant to finish at least one marathon finish, I deemed it necessary to push thru with this running event and encouraged (not required) the Bataan 102K participants to join this run as part of their training run in preparation for D-day on April 5.
Through the good ideas and planning expertise of Jonel aka Bugobugo85 and the Hardcore/Power Runners, we decided to have this run as a continuation of our regular “runabouts” in Metro Manila. Tomorrow’s “runabout” will be our 5th event where we started with only four (4) runners and steadily grew to 30+ “hardcore” runners in our last “runabout” to Antipolo.
Assembly time of our “runabout” will be at 4:30AM infront of the Oblation at the UP Dliman Campus. We will start at exeactly 5:00AM. The “runabout” will take the runners to Balara-Marikina Riverbanks-C-5-Exit to SLEX-go back to Heritage Park-Bayani Road-Lawton-The Fort Area-JP Rizal-Guadalupe-EDSA-Mandaluyong-Cubao-ABS-CBN Compound-Quezon Blvd-Quezon Circle-UP Diliman.
What is unique in this “runabout” is our plan to drop by the office of the ABS-CBN Foundaton to donate each participant’s share or contribution for the “Kapit-Bisig Para Sa Ilog Pasig”, a project of the ABS-CBN Foundation to revive the glory and clean water of the Pasig River. Since this run has no registration fees collected from each runner, I encourage each participant to contribute the equivalent amount for the registration fee to join a local marathon race for the said project (maybe , P300-P500 each). It is a part of the plan to collect such donation from each runner once we arrive at the ABS-CBN Foundation office. I am sure our contribution will create a big impact in our desire to clean the Pasig River.
For those who are new or “first timers” in our “runabouts”, this running event is a “group run”. The faster runners would wait for the slower ones in pre-designated points along the way. Each runner must have his own hydration belt or pack with her/him as we have our “pit stops” in every 12 to 15 kilometers to replenish our water bottles/packs and sometimes eat some food. Our favorite “pit stops” are Jollibee, 7-11, and MiniStop Convenience Stores. Each runner must have Cash as the run “pit stop’s” is strictly a “KKB” affair (“Kanya-Kanyang Bayad”).
After coordination with the Deputy Director of the ABS-CBN Foundation for the group to drop by their office as part of this “runabout” and see to it that somebody from the Foundation will be receiving the donation of the runners, this “runabout” is slowly becoming an “event to remember” for the participants and for the ABS-CBN Foundation. Why? The following are the reasons:
1) ABS-CBN is sending the TV Crew to cover this event starting at the Assembly Area, UP Diliman Campus and during the “runabout”.
2) The TV Crew will see to it that the runners will be “camcorded” running/crossing the Pasig River at C-5 and Guadalupe Bridges.
3) ABS-CBN Foundation had prepared a simple program/rites to welcome the runner-participants in their office compound.
4) As a gesture of our plan to donate our contribution to the project, ABS-CBN will be pinning logos/stickers to each of the runner-participants during the program.
5) ABS-CBN Foundation requested and prepared a “pit stop” for all the runners in their office compound.
6) Aside from the suggestion of Jonel aka Bugobugo85 to wear your “best” for this running event, runners are encouraged to wear yellow-colored running shirt, if you have any.
I hope the Hardcore/Power Runners and the participants of the Bataan 102K Ultramarathon will be able to join this 5th edition of our “Runabout in Metro Manila”. And let us have fun, laughter and nice stories to share during this run!
For those who would like to join us and be part of our effort to contribute in the “Kapit-Bisig Para Sa Ilog Pasig” project, you can join our run along the way and be with us at the ABS-CBN Foundation Office Compound.
Good luck to everybody! Mabuhay kayo at Mabuhay ang Ilog Pasig!
After the Bataan 52K “Test Run”, I was not decided yet to run the Coffee Run at Amadeo, Cavite as I wanted to put more time to run on the road with long and steady runs. Yesterday, during the “speed” training session at the ULTRA Oval Track, I found out that the elite members of Team Bald Runner will be joining the said race. This made me decide to run on this race and be with the company of Jonel aka Bugobugo85, Jan Imperio, and Ismael Ilagan of Team Bald Runner.
After coordination and arrangements, our convoy of three vehicles left Manila at 4:45 AM today and arrived at the Town Plaza of Amadeo, Cavite at 6:00 AM. We had enough time to register and look around the Poblacion. We tried to look for the advertised free coffee as the place is known as the coffee capital of the country plus the fact that the town is celebrating their Pahimis Festival. We found out that the coffee was being brewed and the people were prepared to serve every guest in the town. The place was cold and breezy that I had to wear my sports jacket while talking with the other runners. The air was fresh and clean in Amadeo and we enjoyed drinking our coffee with hot pandesal at the Town Plaza where there were tables and chairs for the guests.
As we waited for the race to start, more runners arrived from Manila to include members of the Fort Striders Club, Fitness First Runners, and members of Team Bald Runner (Professional Group). I was able to talk to Runner For Christ, Jazz Runner, runners from Sta Rosa, Laguna who reminded me that I gave them some of the “donated shoes” from Del Q, the members of Fort Striders, and foreigners from Orange County, California. Thirty minutes before the start of the race, we had our jogging/warm-up along the roads of the Poblacion and prepared ourselves for the race.
The race started at 7:56 AM after a short speech from the race organizer and host of the road race. There were about 250 runners who joined the race which consisted of a 3K, 5K, and 10K race. All the race distances started at the same time and it was very orderly. The race did not have any complications. The route was a straight downhill along a single road up to a distance of 5 kilometers and the remaining 5 kilometers towards the finish line was an uphill climb. For the rest of the distances, the turn-around for the 3K was located at the 1.5K and the 5K’s turn-around was located at the 2.5K and the water stations were located on these turn-around points. Cold water and strings were abundant and there were no problems for the runners in getting their cups of water and strings.
My race strategy for the 10K run was simply to finish the race as I was not confident with my “speed” training for the week. As soon as the race started, the downhill was so tempting to be fast for the 1st half of the race but I controlled my pace as I wanted to reserve my strength for the uphill climb on the last half of the race. For the 1st half, my average pace was 4:25 minutes per kilometers, however, on my way back to the finish line, I had an average pace of 5:15 minutes. The race was a unique one because of the route and I enjoyed it. I finished the 10K race in 47:11 minutes placing # 20 overall among the finishers.
I would say that the race was perfectly organized and executed. There were no frills but the basic needs of the runners were all provided to include medical assistance/ambulance and security by the PNP. The awarding were all done without any hitches or complaints. The people of Amadeo were friendly and appreciative of the runners as we passed their houses during the race.
I am sure I will be back next year to Amadeo for their 2nd Coffee Run because of the unique & simple route to break the monotony of the usual routes in Metro Manila.
Congratulations to the Elite Team Bald Runner for winning most of the podium awards and Thanks for the Support from the Professional Group of Team Bald Runner led by Jonel aka Bugobugo85, Jan Imperio, and Ismael Ilagan.
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.
John Paul & Jovelle at Bulldog Trail-Malibu Creek State Park
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.
Camanava Runners--Jun Lapira, Jeff Abenina, & Bert Henson
Tarpaulin Signs For Support Vehicles
Final Briefing From the "General" To His "Warriors"
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.
"Warriors" Were Attentive To Receive Their "Mission"Stretching Exercises Led by Coach SalazarGroup Picture With Bataan Death March Km Post # 50Another Group Picture With The Bataan 102 LogoCoach Salazar Leading The Prayer Before The Run
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.
The Run Started With Me Infront Of The Group At The Orani-Hermosa Area With Norio Tanaka Behind Me
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.
At The Lubao-Guagua Road/National Highway At Vicinity Km # 75
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.
Eating Halo-Halo at Razon's in Guagua, Pampanga
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.
Group Picture Before Starting Our Last 11K Leg
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.
Finally, At The Finish Line, Bataan Death March Km Post # 102 With The Hardcores--Mari, Armand, Jerry aka High Altitude & Jonel aka Bugobugo85Our Guest Ultra Runner Ben Gaetos Who Had Arrived From Bangkok Before The Run
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.
The Ultra Runners Of The Philippines/"New Warriors Of Bataan"
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.
The Bataan Death March 102K Ultramarathon Race will start inside the Bataan Death March Park where the Kilometer # 00 is located. All the participants will run along the cemented and asphalted National Highway towards the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. The first 3 kilometers will be flat as the road starts its ascending or uphill part towards the peak of the mountain. Runners will experience running along a winding uphill road for the next 4 kilometers until the road reaches its peak at Km # 7+. The runners are advised to wear and put on their headlights or flashlights on this winding road as there are no sidewalks along this road. However, once the runners would have cleared the mountain road, the highway will be wider with wide sidewalks on both sides of the road.
As one of our Major Sponsors in this race, all PETRON Gasoline Stations’ Comfort Rooms will be open for everybody in case of personal necessities while running along the route of the race.
At Km Post # 23, runners will take the right turn towards the town of Limay and Orion before going back to the Roman Highway.
At Km Post # 32, runners will again take the right turn towards the town of Pilar and City of Balanga. At the City Proper of Balanga, Km Post # 44 is located at the City Park but it is located along the street one block away (parallel) from the old National Highway where you are running. Don’t go to the said street where Km Post # 44 is located, just continue running towards Abucay along the road where you are. Km Post # 50 should be near the Gaz Xpress Gasoline Station & Abucay Mega Market.
As runners leave Hermosa, Km Post # 67 will be at the intersection of the road going to Hermosa Poblacion and the Roman Highway. Km Post # 68 is located at the World War II Monument & Park in Dinalupihan where the road going to Subic Bay Freeport intersects with the National Highway.
From the Dinalupihan Crossing, runners will be running along the National Highway for almost 15 kilometers. Runners are advised to take extra precaution while running along this segment of the race route due to the presence of fast moving vehicles. Km Post # 82 could be seen at the vicinity of the Lubao Bridge and after passing this bridge, Km Post # 83 would be at the intersection of the National Highway and the road going to Guagua. Turn right towards Guagua until you reach the Poblacion. Runners must skip going around the park in Guagua as all runners could immediately turn left to a road that connects to the road that goes to Bacolor. Poblacion Guagua is where Km Post # 90 is located.
If you see a Gasoline Station on your left where the first Original “Razon” Restaurant/Eatery is located, a runner has still 11 kilometers to go before the finish line. The restaurant takes only 5 minutes to prepare for your Palabok & their famous Halo-Halo
before you can proceed with your last segment of the race. I suggest you taste or eat these recommended orders from the said restaurant during the race!
After some short bridges and sights of lahar/open fields on both sides along the way, the road will be flat with the remaining kilometer posts visible on the right side of the road until you reach a blue-colored km post which indicates Km # 101 & located infront of a factory. Few meters ahead is towards the Provincial Capitol and infront of the Pampanga Provincial Capitol, there is a small alley on the left side of the road and the runner must turn left towards this road. 60-70 meters from the turning point is the Finish Line of the Race.
Good luck to the participants. See you this Sunday morning in Abucay, Bataan.
My staff was able to display three (3) tarpaulin signs to warn the users of the ULTRA Oval Track on the proper use of the track. Two of the signs were positioned on each of the entrances towards the Oval Track after one has to come down from the uppermost level of the Oval Track Grandstand. The other sign was located at the edge of the Oval Track where the members of the Team Bald Runner usually start their “interval” speed training.
With all those three tarpaulin signs I had my staff ordered, made and displayed for the past days, I am happy to note that there was a “big” improvement on the orderliness among the users of the oval track. Last night, Tuesday, can be considered as the busiest day/night of the ULTRA Oval Track where you could see the participants of the NIKE Running Clinic and the Team Bald Runner’s “Speed” Training sessions busy with their warm-up, drills, and speed runs. In addition, the oval track was filled also with high school track & field athletes, corporate runners and joggers, triathlete, muay thai practitioners, soccer players, and simply slow runners and walkers. Despite the full capacity of the Oval Track, I was glad that Lane 1 was free from anybody except for the fast runners who are doing their “interval” speed training.
The members of the Team Bald Runner were happy to experience that their speed runs were no longer distracted or obstructed with people jogging slowly and walkers on Lane 1. Seriously speaking, I was able to reduce my average pace and speed in my speed runs by 5-8 seconds per lap. I am sure that the other members of my team were also able to reduce also their time, pace & speed because of a clear Lane 1.
Yes, the audience (users of the oval track) is now listening and I know that other groups of runners had benefited the proper use of the oval track as their speed runs were not distracted by people who are “ignorant” on the proper use of the oval track. As I left the premises of the Oval Track, I told the lone female security guard stationed at the Grandstand that I am donating and leaving the two tarpaulin signs placed on the two entrances to the oval track and requested her to advise every user of the oval track to read the posted signs before he/she enters the track.
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.
At Rizal Monument, Luneta ParkRizal Monument At Night
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.
The Finishers
Rico, BR, Ben, Jerry, Arman & Rollie
Ben Gaetos Giving An Angeles Crest 100-Mile Endurance Trail Run Finisher's T-Shirt
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 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!
Two More of This Signage Had Been Ordered To Be Placed On The Entrance To The OvalCoach Salazar Will Be Responsible In Displaying This SignageTing, GiGi, Maj Ferdie Espejo & Coach Titus With The Signage
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.
After 5 months of observing the runners and walkers at the ULTRA Oval Track, I had to do something to inform those who do not know the unwritten etiquette in using the oval track. In short, I became the Oval Track Marshall for tonight at the ULTRA.
Yes, I need to become an asshole tonight just to inform those slow runners and walkers who are using Lane 1. As soon as we started our “speed” session for our one hour of 85% Lactate Threshold as our “menu” for this night’s training, I started shouting those who are walking on Lane 1; tapping their shoulders to walk or jog on the outer lanes if their pace are slow as I tried to pass them; telling them that there is an etiquette in using the oval track; and sometimes telling them that if I pass them on my rounds, it means that they are slow runners. Sometimes, I became rude to those joggers/walkers who would insist on going back to Lane 1 even if they have a slow pace.
I have observed that those whom I’ve shouted were using their Ipods. Most of the walkers/joggers do not know such etiquette in using the oval track. After 2-3 laps of consistently warning those slow runner/walkers who are using Lane 1, my run was no longer distracted and Lane 1 was clear for me up to the time I finished my one hour of running. How I wish this will be the start of better use of the Oval Track where Lane 1 or 2 would be clear for the faster runners.
As I finished my run, I smelled that somebody was smoking. Yes, my sense of smell is very sensitive to the smoke of a cigarette which I got when I started my runnng in the 80s! I looked up at the Grandstand to see 2 gentlemen in their barong shirts smiling at me while I was shouting at them that the ULTRA Compound is a “No Smoking Area”. I don’t care if these people are VIPs but the big sign is there at the Grandstand that the place is a “No Smoking Area”. I have to call the attention of the Security Guard and I was supported by one of the audience (wearing a Barong Shirt) who together with the Security Guard approached the 2 men whom I’ve observed to be smoking. The 2 gentlemen had to put off their cigarettes.
My coaches and other running coaches in the oval track had been telling their runners to abide by the unwritten etiquette in using the oval track but there are still runners/walkers who do not know about this. I told my runners and coaches that effective tonight I will be the Oval Track Marshall whenever I have my running workout in the said place. As I left the Oval Track, I told the lone Security Guard that I will help her in the implementaton of the proper use of the oval track and to see to it that the “No Smoking” policy shall be followed.
As they say, don’t just wait for something to happen, do it and make things happen!
Bald Runner 
You must be logged in to post a comment.