This government institution and its people had humiliated my Alma Mater, the institution where I’ve worked for almost 38 years, and the organization where I am a member. Personally, I was humiliated also by this institution through one of their “investigations in aid of legislation” and it nearly cost the end of my professional career.
Now, as a retiree and a Senior Citizen, I am going to join this event tomorrow, Monday, as a show of support to the objective/s of this march.
I will be having my Long Slow Distance (LSD) Run from the Parking Area in front of the Philippine Army Officers Clubhouse at the Headquarters of the Philippine Army in Fort Bonifacio to Km Post #0 in Luneta Park. The run will start at 6:15 AM and hope to arrive in Luneta Park on or about 9:00 AM. After a short meeting and “photo-ops” with my ultra running friends and friends on Facebook for about 30-45 minutes, I will be going back to where I started by running.
If you have the time and plan to join the march, you are invited to join me in my run. If you can not make it at the Starting Place, it would be nice to meet you within the vicinity of Km Post #0 in front of the Rizal Monument, across Roxas Boulevard from 9:00-9:30 AM.
This is my way of getting even to these people. See you!
January 25-26, 2014—-2014 Bataan Death March 160K Ultra Marathon Race (BDM 160)
March 1-2, 2014———2014 Bataan Death March 102K Ultra Marathon Race (BDM 102)
Number of Participants To Be Allowed:
***2014 BDM 160 Ultra Marathon Race—-100 Runners
***2014 BDM 102 Ultra Marathon Race—-250 Runners
Registration Procedure For Both BDM 102 & 160 Races:
1. Registration for the 2014 BDM 102 & 160 Ultra Marathon Races starts today, July 1, 2013.
2. Qualified participants may deposit their registration fee/s through Bank Deposit at the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Savings Account # 0296-0673-22 in favor of Jovenal Narcise. The following are the registration fees:
2014 BDM 102 Ultra Marathon Race—-P 3,500
2014 BDM 160 Ultra Marathon Race—-P 6,000
3. Be sure that you are qualified to join the race. For BDM 102 participants, you should have officially finished a Marathon Race (42K) with result on the Internet. For BDM 160 participants, you should have finished any of the past editions of the BDM 102 within the cut-off time of 18 hours.
4. Paid registration fees are NON-TRANSFERRABLE, NON-RECYCLABLE to another running event, & NON-REIMBURSEABLE.
5. Registration will be on a “FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED” basis. Participants will NO longer receive Letter/s of Invitation coming from the Race Director. If you are qualified, just simply deposit your Registration Fee/s; send the photocopy of the deposit slip ONLY to the e-mail address—-jovie75@hotmail.com; and then submit your Medical Clearance or Doctor’s Certificate not later than December 31, 2013. (Note: Do NOT send and display the photocopy of your deposit slip on FACEBOOK or BR’s and BDM Races FB Pages)
6. Once the participant’s deposit slip will be received by the Race Director, the name of the runner will appear on the List Of Registered Runners on the appropriate PAGES (2014 BDM 102 or 2014 BDM 160) on my blog at http://www.baldrunner.com. Such PAGES will be updated on a daily basis.
7. Once the number of runners for each race will be filled up—250 runners for BDM 102 & 100 runners for BDM 160, the REGISTRATION WILL BE CLOSED.
8. If you are intending to join the 2014 BDM Grand Slam, you have to register for both races and don’t expect the Race Director to give you a special treatment/accommodation with regards to instruction #7.
9. Simply write your Name and Shirt Size on the Deposit Slip before sending it to the e-mail address of the Race Director.
10. Schedule of “Test Runs” for the 2014 BDM Races:
January 18, 2014—-1st “Test Run” For BDM 102/Night Run (From BDM Km 00-50)
February 2, 2014—-2nd “Test Run” For BDM 102/Day Run (From BDM Km 50-102)
December 21, 2013—“Test Run” For BDM 160/Night Run (From BDM 102-160)
11. Good luck and train harder. As an advance information, there will be strict implementation of cut-off times on selected checkpoints along the route.
You always hear the usual greetings, “ Welcome to the Dark World of Ultra Running”, when you finish an ultra race. The way I understand the greetings or statement is that an ultra runner needs to run and finish the race at all cost with his/her strength within the prescribed cut-off time which can last till night time or till the next day. It also means that an ultra runner should also come into reality that running in darkness is part and parcel of being an ultra runner.
As I progressed from 50K distance to 100+kilometer distance races and in my personal experiences in my multi-day adventure runs, I learned to appreciate running at nighttime or in darkness. It came to a point that I have to train and run more kilometers in my training during nighttime. Slowly, I am starting to appreciate the meaning of the said greetings.
In the ultra races that I organize and direct, most especially on the 100-miler distances, like the BDM 160 and TD100, I observed that runners have the fear of darkness, moreso, when they have almost completed one half of the course. This is where I received information of runners of declaring themselves as DNF in the race.
Despite the completeness of lighting equipment of the runners, the fear of running in the darkness comes into their minds. What could be the reason why runners have the tendency to quit the race when darkness comes? If you ask me, I really don’t know why!
Some runners are afraid of dogs on the streets and trails during nighttime and I could understand their predicament. But based from stories from ultra runners, running in darkness alone saps the strength and mental fortitude of an ultra runner. Could it be that this observaton is only applicable to Pinoy ultra runners? I personally don’t believe so. I firmly believe that Pinoy ultra runners are brave to run in darkness.
So, how do we deal with the fear of darkness in ultra running?
In my experience as past military commander, darkness is always a friend of the troops. Soldiers move silently under the cover of darkness in order to “surprise” the enemy and ultimately, defeating them. Some runners also adopt such stealth tactics in ultra races when they put-off their headlights to “surprise” their targets as they get nearer and pass them. Always think that darkness is your constant ally during the run. Don’t believe on ghosts or vampires roaming around you waiting to strike you. There are no such things or creatures! If somebody appears in darkness and it is moving, most likely, it is a human being like you or an animal roaming around the place.
In this age of high technology, there are lighting equipment, i.e. headlamps and hand-held flashlights which have high and powerful illumination with lesser use of power/batteries. There are also batteries which can give extended period of constancy for the illumination needed for these headlamps. Get these “high-tech” headlamps and flashlights and use them in your night runs. It is advisable to use them during your training runs in order to find out for yourself if the advertised capabilities of these equipment are true or not. Never use “new” lighting equipment on race day. And bring extra batteries for your headlamps and flashlights. For better illumination on the course, use both your headlamp and hand-held flashlight. The headlamp is focused on the road/trail (where the feet are leading to) and the hand-held flashlight is directed on a wider-angle in front of you covering both sides of the road/trail.
Most of the time, fear of darkness is attributed or caused by human beings or animals you meet on the course of your run. In my experience, I usually wave my hand and start a conversation by greeting the individual with the usual “Good Evening” or saying, “We are in a middle of a “Fun Run” or “I am jogging to this place and I started from this place”. Always start the conversation and try to look them on their faces. But most of all, simply smile at them and show on your face that you are having fun and enjoying the run. As for stray dogs, simply walk and observe the movement of the dogs. Directing the light of your flashlight to the face of the barking dogs could also “stun” them temporarily.
Gaining 100% confidence running in darkness is through running the course on nighttime. If the course is not available or accessible, you can find a place that resembles the elevation or terrain of the course. Try running alone on this course using your headlamp and/or flashlight not once but as many as you can. Repetition of such workout during nighttime conditions the mind to be relaxed and focused.
Sometimes, having a “buddy” who trains with you could also give confidence and solve your problem of the fear of darkness. Get somebody who would be your pacer or somebody who have the same pace and strength as with you. But you must be always prepared for the “worst” scenario if your “buddy” declares himself as DNF. Get somebody as your “reserve” pacer or “buddy” or wait for another runner to pass you and stick with the said runner as you continue your run. Make that runner as your “point man” along the course.
If you are preparing for a 100K or 100-mile trail ultra marathon, running at nighttime should be your friend and ally.
Next topic…Fear Of Coldness…soon!
@Mt Ugo Trail Marathon (Photo Courtesy of Darkroom Running Photographers)
While I was the Division Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, I had two chances to visit the island of Siquijor. First was when I called courtesy calls to the Provincial Governor of Negros Oriental and the Catholic Bishop of Dumaguete City. After my calls, I had a one-day trip to the island of Siquijor but never had a chance to visit other places except its capital town, Siquijor.
The 2nd time was when a newly-designated Chief of Staff of the AFP was honored by the Local Government of the Island being a native of the province. I was the Military Host for the Military Honors given to the former AFP Chief Staff General Alexander Yano and it was a chance for me to get around the island with the Provincial Governor and Guest of Honor. I can still remember that the whole party stayed in a beach resort being operated and owned by the local government which is located at the northeastern end of the island.
The Port Of Siquijor
Five years after that last visit, I decided to visit the island purposely to run around its circumferential road where all the municipalities would be visited. There was no intricate plan whatsoever except for the purchase of a round trip plane ticket to and from Dumaguete City. My visit and run was a low-key activity as I did not bother to call the running clubs in Dumaguete City and my contacts in the military.
While I was on a ferry boat to the island, I decided to call the Philippine Army’s Brigade Commander in the area and asked for some assistance in the island who would suggest a place to stay and where I could rent a multi-cab as my support vehicle. In a few minutes and exchanges of text messages, my arrival, stay, and itinerary in the island were all set and arranged.
After Coordination With The Office of the Governor
As soon as I got out from the ferry boat, a police vehicle with 3 police personnel were at the pier waiting for me. The tallest among them is an Officer, Police Inspector Vincent Paul Dumaguing, who is the designated Operations Officer of the Provincial PNP Command. He hails from Davao City and a graduate of the PNP Academy.
I told Police Inspector Dumaguing about my purpose in the island and he was happy and excited to know it. His relatives happen to be runners, ultrarunners at that, in Davao City. He said that his relatives had been planning to run around the island if their schedule would permit and he was laughing because the honor for them to be the first runners to run around the island would not be given to them.
I requested that I should be brought first to the Provincial Governor or to any of the Local Government Official present in the Provincial Capitol for my courtesy call. It was unfortunate that the Governor was out of the province. But I was able to talk and explain my purpose for my stay and visit to the Provincial Tourism Officer who happens to be a lady. She was excited to hear and amazed that I would be running around the island on the following day after my arrival. I told her also of my plan to bring ultrarunners from around the country in the next few months for them to experience also what I’ve seen around the island. The lady promised to me that she will relay my plan and intention of conducting a running event to the Provincial Governor.
Replica Manor @ P850 A Day
P/Inspector Dumaguing knows those cheap places to stay as I requested him for a “homestay” type of accommodation. Although there is No Wi-Fi connection, you can’t go wrong with a P850 a day for an air-conditioned room which is near to the beach and the owner can cook any fresh food that you can buy from the fishermen around or from the public market. After I settled in my room, the owner of a multi-cab came knocking on my door and we made the deal fro me to rent his vehicle.
Later in the afternoon, I went to the public market to buy my water, soda drinks and food to bring during my run. The police car was my utility vehicle on my first day with P/Inspector Dumaguing as my guide. After coming from the public market, I made a briefing to P/Inspector Dumaguing about my schedule for the run. Time of Start was 4:00 AM at the Francis of Assisi Church Bell Tower which happens to be the Start Area of the Fun Runs being held in the island. My target time to finish was 12 hours for the 75K distance around the island.
A Pose Before The Run With My PNP Escorts
I was fetched by the driver of the multi-cab at 3:30 AM and was brought to the starting area which is 2+ kilometers away. I was surprised to see P/Inspector Dumaguing with four (4) other Police Personnel in their athletic uniform telling me that they will join me in my run! Of course, they will do some relay as they wanted me to run with at least one of them as my guide/pacer or safety runner. I really appreciate their gesture to accompany me during the course of my running.
Four of us started from the starting area at about 4:00 AM and it was still dark. I was wearing my headlight but I observed that there is a motorcycle on the back of us giving us more illumination of the road ahead through its headlight. It was a slow and easy run from the start from Siquijor (The Capital Town of the Province) and the next town to hit was the Municipality of San Juan!
On Our Way To San Juan
San Juan is 10 kilometers away from Siquijor as we run the island in a counter-clockwise direction. San Juan is famous for its many beach resorts as the paved road is just a few meters from the shoreline. This town as compared to the other towns in the island is so blessed because of the abundance of water, from the ground, from the streams, and from the shore. The course is flat on this section and we can feel the cool breeze coming from the sea as we ran. Almost all the Resorts and Diving Spots are located on this town.
A Pose Infront Of The San Juan Police Headquarters (PO1 Emperado, PO1 Cordova, P/Inspector Dumaguing, PO1 Caulawon, PO1 Suan)
We stopped at the Municipal Hall of San Juan and we got inside the Municipal Police Station and I was introduced by P/Inspector Dumaguing to all the Police on duty. I found out later that P/Inspector Dumaguing sent a Flash Message to all the Municipal Police Stations that a “Running General” from the AFP will be running around the island on that day and he will drop by in their offices! Wow! It appears that I will some sort of inspecting their respective police stations for a surprise visit!
The next town is Lazi. This is where uphills and downhills would start but the scenery is becoming better because you have the sea on your right and the vegetation and hills on your left plus it was already daytime! I have to stop at the famous Enchanted Balite Tree which is believed to be more than 100 years old where its roots would be the source of fresh and cold water. This place is a famous tourist spot because of the clear water enclosed in a pond and the magnificent view of the huge tree’s trunk and roots!
From San Juan To LaziThe Elevation Started To Go Up Towards Lazi
I was able to stop by the Lazi Church and the famous Convent which happens to be the biggest in the entire country. After dropping by the Police Station, I was met by a person riding in tandem on a motorcycle. The person was Retired Captain (equivalent to Colonel) Monte in the Philippine Navy who is a native of Lazi and presently having his vacation as Balikbayan as he now resides in Las Vegas, Nevada with his family. I think we had a conversation lasting for about 15 minutes and he really knew me as a runner because we were classmates in one of the Senior Military Schooling/Courses when I was then a Lieutenant Colonel. Of course, he remembers that I was always the #1 in the Physical Fitness Test for the said Course.
Very Prominent Ads Every Before Town. It’s The Town’s Boundary Line
From Lazi, the next town is Maria. This is the more scenic than Lazi and the route is getting more exciting in terms of variety of elevation and the scenery. As I was running farther, the scenery was getinng more beautiful!
Maria is the location of the Provincial Government’s Beach Resort, called the Salagdoong Beach Resort, which is located in a vegetated/forested area and beach. The Resort is located 3 kilometers from the National Highway. I stopped running at the road that leads to the Resort from the Highway and rode at the multi-cab just to see and have a picture of the place. I’ve stayed in this place overnight at the Hotel Agripino when I was in the company of General Yano when he was the Chief of Staff of the AFP.
Swim & Wade On The Beach Every Time You Stop!
At the Salagdoong Beach Resort, we shared with the members of the PNP the simple packed lunch that I’ve prepared for the run. The food was enough for us to continue the adventure run as we had a chance to eat some snacks/bite foods from the sari-sari stores along the Highway.
I resumed my running from the point where I’ve stopped along the National Highway. At this point, the PNP personnel were already tired and they had to relieve themselves one by one but one of them maintained as my pacer/companion.
@ The Salagdoong Beach Resort In Maria, Siquijor
The beach scenery was simply amazing and I was tempted to stop and simply ran towards to the beach and dip my feet and body to the sea water. But I didn’t want to waste my time as I had to finish the run within 12 hours.
The next town is Enrique Villanueva. As practiced in other towns, I had to drop by the Police Station and meet the Chief of Police. The Chief of Police while he was in his car, was able to pass us from the area of Lazi. He could not believe that I was continouosly running and walking from Siquijor up to his municipality. The town’s poblacion is located near the beach/seacoast and from this place, you could see the islands of Bohol and Cebu.
Infront Of The Enrique Villanueva’s Poblacion & Municipal Hall
After a brief talk with the Chief of Police of Enrique Villanueva, I continued my run and walk as the elevation profile started to be rolling in nature, again! I knew in a matter of time, I would be entering the last town of the island which is Larena. Larena was the first capital town of the province when it was promulgated in 1971, however, after a year, the capital town was transfred to Siquijor.
Finally, On The Boundary Of The Last Town, Larena
Larena has also a lot of Beach Resorts to offer as I saw from the different Ads posted along the highway a few kilometers before I reached its Poblacion. Larena is a populated town which is considered as a commercial town with its seaport where most of the RO-RO and other freight ships would arrive and leave the place. I told PNP Inspector Dumaguing not to drop by the PNP Municipal Office anymore as I decided to continue my run in order to meet my target time of 12 hours to reach the finish line in Siquijor.
Getting Nearer To The Boundary Of Siquijor
From Larena, a distance of about 10 kilometers separates me from reaching the place where I started. I really enjoyed the view of the town as I could see another uphill climb from a distance as I left its Poblacion. On my right would be the nice view of the sea with lots of mangrove and a highway with limited number of vehicles plying on it. I could see a lot of motorcyle-riding people including women as if they own the whole highway.
Slowly and surely, I was inching my way towards the Poblacion of Siquijor. My Police escorts were happy that my adventure run is about to be finished and we were expecting and talking of what to order and eat at the place where I was staying once I crossed the finish line.
Finally, On My Last 10K!
I finally reached the place where I started at 4:30 PM, which means that it took me 14:30 hours to run around the island province of Siquijor, to include my rests and visit at the Salagdoong Beach Resort in Maria. As I was being transported to the place where I was staying, I’ve finally decided that I would conduct an Ultrarunning Event in this island as soon as possible. And by the way, the distance recorded in my Garmin Watch was exactly 75 Kilometers!
My Snappy Salute To These Fine Ladies & Gentlemen Of The PNP Siquijor
As a final note, I would like to thank the following PNP Personnel of the PNP Siquijor Command who patiently ran, walked, paced, and shared stories and laughter/fun in this memorable adventure run:
PNP Inspector Vincent Paul Dumaguing
PNP PO1 Jude June Emperado
PNP PO1 Bener Cordova
PO1 Flora Suan
PO1 Chessa Pearl Caulawon
This is my first Adventure Run for the year of 2013. See you in Siquijor soon!
You can “google” the word if you want to know what the word means. These are stone or rocks being compiled or grouped together to form a certain structure. They are mostly made by men on top of mountains or hills or in a certain part of a trail. The cairns could be seen as a pile of stones and rocks or simply some formations of rocks or stones.
In the history of making cairns, there are so many meanings and purposes why people would make these structures. From one continent to another, their purposes are varied. Some are simply markers to signify that you are at the peak of the mountain/hill. Some would point to a certain direction; some would symbolize as a mark of honor to somebody; or some would simply wish good luck for one’s trip or hike in the mountains.
I am not sure if we practice on making cairns in our country. In my peak bagging activities last year, I haven’t seen any cairns on the peaks of the mountains that I visited. I think I might as well start the said practice of making cairns on the peak that I bagged or visited. Well, it takes some extra effort to collect such stones or rocks within the area of the peak of the mountain but the effort is worth if the purpose is well meant and comes from the heart.
So, I’ve started making some cairns on the peaks of hills and mountains that I’ve visited for the past days and weeks. These cairns had been dedicated to special friends in the ultra running community to wish them good luck in their present condition. Miguel De Alba is supposed to join the 2013 BDM 160 Ultra last January but due to an accident during the “test run” last December, he is now recuperating from a broken bone in his right leg. I have dedicated the cairns that I’ve made in one of the peaks of the Verdugo Mountains in Glendale, California and at the peak of Mt Lukens in Arcadia, California.
Cairn @ One of the Peaks at the Verdugo Mountains For Miguel De AlbaCairn @ The Peak of Mt Lukens For Miguel De Alba
In my visit to the Echo Mountain in Pasadena, California, I made a cairn for my good friend, Andre Blumberg of Hongkong, as a symbol of appreciation to the selfless support to my elite ultra runners for their participation to the Vibram Hongkong 100K Trail Run for the past two years. It is also my way of wishing him good luck for his participation in the 2013 Ultra Running Grand Slam in the United States.
Cairn @ The Peak of Echo Mountain (Pasadena, CA) For Andre BlumbergAnother View of the Cairn For Andre Blumberg
If ever you will be visiting on these places where I made some cairns for these gentlemen, you are requested to add more more rocks into them.
As I continue in my peak bagging feats, I will be making more cairns and feature their pictures in this blog. Their purpose will be to honor the “gods” of the mountain for them to keep us away from harm and danger and at the same time wish good luck to our hike/trek on the said mountain. And if you happen to see these cairns, you are enjoined to add more rocks into them.
See you on the mountain trails and peaks in the coming days, weeks and months!
Or it would mean or simply understood as my personal Thirst Tolerance. It is the point where I could no longer tolerate my body not to be able to drink any fluid during a running workout. Beyond this period, I would start to slow down and walk, or sometimes becomes dizzy.
I had been doing this kind of experiment for the past weeks. I’ve done it during daytime and at night time and compared what my body would react during these times and conditions of the day.
Why am I doing this? It is a part of my training for my future adventure runs and hopefully, significantly will reduce the weight of fluid I would carry during these runs. Lighter weight being carried during the run would mean a fresher body that would last for more distance during a certain period of time.
It would also determine my training plan if I need to bring a hydration bottle or system in a workout whether it is a 30-minute recovery run or an hour of daily runs.
As a result of my experimentation, I would last up to 1 hour and 45 minutes without any fluid intake where my workouts would start at 10:00 AM up to Noon time. This is the maximum length of my workout where I could no longer sustain my pace without having to drink water or sports drinks. On average, I would cover a distance of 13.5-14 kilometers for the same period.
On night time, I usually do my experiment starting at 10:00 PM and I’ve observed that I could extend my thirst tolerance/threshold up to 2 hours. Beyond that, I would start to drag my feet and become slower in my pace. On average, I would cover a distance of 17-18 kilometers or slower because of the night/dark environment even if I am using a headlight.
However, before I start these experiment workouts, I must be able to drink at least 2 glasses of water and eat some snacks of fruits, bread, or left-over foods in the refrigerator.
In some clinical studies, it would show that adults over the age of 50 years have higher thirst threshold than the younger ones. It shows also that elder persons have lower water daily intakes of water than the younger ones. But for an elder active person like me, I think I have higher water daily intakes than the younger runners.
I am not telling you to do this kind of experiment in your running workouts. Always remember that, running is an experiment of one. What might be good for me might not be good for you!
Keep on running!
(Note: Don’t ask me how many glasses of water that I would drink every time I finished these workouts!)
In Special Units in the military, you always hear their mantra as, “Train As You Fight”. Among elite runners, their mantra should be “Train As You Race”.
In order to have a quick look and observation on the training & preparation of Gerald Sabal and Marcelo Bautista for the 2013 Vibram Hongkong 100K Trail Run in Baguio City, I have to personally see for myself how their training was on-going with regards to their acclimatization to cold weather environment, altitude training, and feedback about their training program & workout. I went up to Baguio City and see the progress of their training. I had a chance to join in one of their daily workouts.
On my first day in Baguio City, I treated them to a lunch and it was there that I was able to give my instructions about their schedule of training; suggested running route in the city and its environs; and gave them their running apparel/kits and their nutrition needs, courtesy of Andre Blumberg who brought the items from Hongkong to Manila during his participation in the latest edition of the TD 100 Ultramarathon Race.
Gerald, Girlene (Wife of Gerald) & Marcelo @ Good Taste, Baguio City
Gerald and Marcelo were instructed to use the Hammer Perpetuum as their source of nutritional needs during the race in order to minimize spent time in stopping in every Aid Station for their food intake. And they should be used to be taking such food mixture/supplement every time they have their daily workouts until it becomes natural for them during the actual race. I clearly explained to the two runners on how to mix the Hammer Powder with water in their hydration bottles and how the mixture is being consumed during the run.
I asked them to run with me all the way to the peak of Mount Santo Tomas on the following day and be able to start using the Hammer mixture as their food intake during the run. We started at 4:00 AM when the temperature in Baguio City was at its coldest at the Marcos Highway & entry to the Green Valley Subdivision. It was still dark and we were able to use our headlights and hand-held flashlight. The two runners were using their respective Salomon S-Lab 5-Liter Hydration Pack where one bottle is full of Hammer Mixture and the other bottle was full of water. As for me, I brought a single bottle of Simple Hydration filled with water and no gels or Power Bars.
At sunrise, we were already at the peak of Mt Cabuyao and it was cold and windy. We pushed, jogged and brisk-walked, for another 4 kilometers until we reached the peak of Mount Santo Tomas. Before we reached the peak of Mt Santo Tomas, I felt all my fingers were already numbed and could hardly clench my fist because of the cold temperature. The wind had become stronger, producing a distinct loud sound within the surroundings. Marcelo told me that it is always cold and windy as one approaches the top of Mt Santo Tomas. We end up on the building structures and antennae on the peak of the mountain and we had some picture taking moments.
At The Peak Of Mt Santo Tomas (2,250 MASL)
After a few minutes, we started our descent towards Mt Cabuyao but my fingers were still numbed and hard! It was an easy jog in going back to Mt Cabuyao. From Mt Cabuyao, I took some pictures of the two elite runners going down towards Marcos Highway.
My run to the peak of Mount Cabuyao and Mount Santo Tomas officially started my next season of “peak bagging” feats. It is a “short” but long 24K run but it took me 4 hours & 20 minutes for the said workout.
After the workout, I had another chance to get feedback from my runners. They told me that they like the Hammer Mixture and they did not have any stomach issues. I instructed them to use it every time they have their workout until they taper down before the event.
For one of their long runs before tapering, I told them to run the Baguio City-Ambuklao Dam-Baguio City route and be able to use the Hammer Mix during the duration of their run. They were able to follow my instruction and they were able to finish the course in 7+ hours! The feedback was that they liked the Hammer Mix and they did not have any stomach issues.
A good teamwork developed between the two runners for the three weeks that they have trained together in Baguio City. The two shared their strengths and weaknesses and I could see that both runners respect each other. Practically, both runners lived together in one place during the duration of their training.
I can’t consider myself as their Coach & Manager but I think I am a “facilitator” and a “father-figure” to them with regards to their training and preparation for the “Big Dance” in Hongkong. Sometimes, I would still act as a Military Commander & General to them just to stress and give importance to what I am telling them. However, the bottom line of what I’ve been telling them is all about Discipline& Being Focused to their Goal! And impressed on them the mantra, “Train As You Race”!
As these two runners are tapering for the running event and preparing for their departure to Hongkong in one week’s time, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the runners, local & international, who contributed financial support to these two runners and to Andre Blumberg of Hongkong who is the Principal Sponsor for our Pinoy Elite Runners to the 2013 Vibram Hongkong 100K Trail Run. Thank you very much!
Bald Runner 
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