After 42 Years

On January 7, 2013 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Practice Runs, Runners' Training, Running, Sports Program, Travel4 Comments

It was on April 1, 1970, April Fool’s Day, when my life completely changed and I was then about to turn to the age of 18 years old. I entered the Philippine Military Academy, leaving my ambition to become a doctor from the University of the Philippines, to become a future officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

During the first two months of “Beast Barracks” (soldier’s training from civilian life), all of us would wake up every morning to run in formation for 5 kilometers or 30+ minutes after we have done repetitions of the “Army Dozen” Exercises. (Note: You can google “Army Dozen” Exercises to find out how the workout is done). I did not have any problems with those early morning exercise routines during the early months of my cadet hood.

However, there is a very famous running loop inside Fort Gregorio del Pilar/Philippine Military Academy Compound in Loakan, Baguio City which starts at the Sun Dial/Fountain that goes south to the Jurado Hall or swimming pool area and goes north passing through the left side of the Borromeo Field/Grandstand passing by the Kitchen of the Cadet’s Mess Hall and following the road that goes to the Gate of the Camp and then going back to Melchor Hall by passing the Nakar Hall, Chapel, PMA Hospital and then back to the Sun Dial/Fountain. We were told when we were cadets that the loop has a distance of 5 Kilometers.

When I was a “plebe” (first year cadet/fourth classman), I was a member of our Company’s Cross Country Running Team and we would run that loop every other day and that would serve as our training for the incoming Cross Country Event in our Cadet’s Intramurals. I did not have any records on how fast I could complete the loop during my cadet days. For three years as an upperclass cadet, I’ve been running on the said loop on a regular basis, at least, three times a week.

I would run through the loop almost everyday when I was already a Major when I was assigned as a Tactical Officer and a member of the Academy Staff in the mid-80s but I would not recall how fast I could run the said loop. I would neither dare to run the same loop for the second time in a single workout. I would rather choose to run longer by going out of the Gate of the Camp towards the direction going to City Proper and then back to the Camp or simply run and go back to my quarters at the Navy Base in Baguio City after office hours!

Last month, I was able to go to Baguio City to monitor the progress of the training/preparation of Marcelo & Gerald with regards to their participation in the incoming 2013 Vibram Hongkong 100K Trail Run. I stayed at Nakar Hall, inside PMA Compound, during the duration of my stay in Baguio City. On my first day in the camp, I tried to reminisce those days when I was a cadet and an officer assigned at the PMA by running along the 5-Kilometer Loop.

I started my run in front of the Nakar Hall and went to the direction going to the Chapel and descended towards the Officers Quarters Lane and turned right towards the road that leads to the back of the new Academy Administration Building. I went to the “Slope” and had my picture taken with Mt Santo Tomas-Mt Cabuyao Range as my background by one of the cadets who took his time and attempts to guess what PMA Class I belong. From Jurado Hall, it was an easy run to the Gate of the Camp and I did not have any walking breaks as I “attacked” the once dreaded “Cardiac Hill” where the monument of General Del Pilar is located. As I finished in front of the Nakar Hall, my Garmin Watch would register a distance of 4.88 Kilometers! I was surprised! The loop lacks some meters to make it a 5K distance even if I took an extra distance by taking the road that goes to the back of the new Administration Building.

At "The Slope" With Mts. Santo Tomas & Cabuyao As Background — At “The Slope” With Mts. Santo Tomas & Cabuyao As Background

I was not happy with the result of my run. I need to find an extra distance to make the loop as 5K distance. So, I started to run again by taking the same direction with my first loop. Before I reached Jurado Hall, I decided to go down to the PMA Shooting/Firing Range which is located behind Jurado Hall. It is a descending road all the way to the shooting range and I knew I would be forced to have my walking breaks as I go back to Jurado Hall. But on the contrary, I managed to continuously jog all the way back in front of Jurado Hall. I was breathing heavily and I was surprised of what I’ve done!

I continued my run to the Gate of the Camp and then completing my second loop in front of the Nakar Hall. I got what I wanted as I registered a 5K distance for my 2^nd loop plus some hundreds of meters as bonus. I ran an extra one kilometer plus some extra meters for my cool-down run to complete a distance of 12 kilometers as my total mileage for the day.

I have proven three (3) important things in this run. First, the PMA 5K Loop is not accurate as I found later that it was measured on those days by the kilometer reading/odometer of one of the vehicles of the Command. Second, it was my first time to experience running two loops inside PMA in a relax mode where I registered a time of 1:20+ hours for the 12K workout. Third, I may not be as fast as I was a cadet or a Major on this loop but I could be as strong and even a smarter runner at the age of 60 years old!

Hopefully, I would be back again to the hallowed grounds of my Alma Mater every year to run more 5K loops and be able to reminisce those days of cadethood and service to the country.

Result: 2013 BDM 160 Test Run

On January 5, 2013 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Practice Runs, Race Results, Races, Runners' Training, Running, Sports Program, Travel, UltramarathonLeave a comment

2013 BDM 160 Test Run

5:00 PM December 22, 2012-5:00 AM December 23, 2012

BDM Km Post #102 (San Fernando, Pampanga) To Capas National Shrine, Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac

Distance: 58 Kilometers

Cut-Off Time: 12 Hours

RANK	BIB #	NAME	TIME
1	510	Lao Ojerio	6:28:56
2	518	Jerome Bautista	6:33:44
3	511	Simon Pavel Miranda	6:34:47
4	516	Ferdie Cabiling	7:13:55
5	515	Junn Besana	7:14:23
6	528	Henry Laron	7:27:37
7	508	Bobby Go	7:50:48
8	662	Allan Paul Vargas	8:17:37
9	512	Bob Castilla	8:38:52
10	505	Joe Ben Salitre	8:39:00
11	509	Jay De Jesus	8:59:00
12	506	Orlando Ylaya	8:59:01
13	513	Roger Villareal	9:23:30
14	514	Francisco Tuvera	9:23:41
15	502	Marx Villamora	9:48:56
16	503	Edgardo Delas Alas Jr	9:48:58
17	504	Johnny Tarroza	9:49:09
18	583	Ernesto Badong	9:56:06
19	890	Ruben Fajardo Jr	9:56:12
20	517	Ronaldo Robles	10:24:37
21	519	Bong Leano	10:24:46
22	555	Jinky Yray (F)	10:52:22
23	556	Hazel Arnaiz (F)	10:52:31
24	557	Chari Sevilla (F)	10:52:31
25	520	Carmeli Ortega (F)	11:21:56
26	521	Nelson Val Caro	11:21:57

Recce/Recon

On December 28, 2012December 28, 2012 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Practice Runs, Races, Runners' Training, Running, Sports Program, Trail Running, Travel, Ultramarathon2 Comments

Recce is a British English term while Recon is a North American English/Australian English term of the word Reconnaissance. The word is defined as:

“Reconnaissance is a mission to obtain information by visual observation of other detection methods, about the activities and resources of the enemy or potential enemy, or about the meteorologic, hydrographic, or geographic characteristics of a particular area”. (From Reconnaissance: US Army Field Manual 7-92; Chapter 4)

In ultra trail running, the conduct of reconnaissance on the race course is a “must” if one has to establish full confidence to finish the race or even establish a better performance in the race. For elite and/or top-rated ultra runners, they make it a point to run through the course as part of their recce/recon. The “race course” is the “enemy” for every runner and he/she needs all the data about the enemy and defeats it at all costs. Conducting a recon run is no longer a “secret” among Champions. It is the Way of the Champions!

When brothers Gerald and Cresenciano Sabal won as Team Champion in the Mt Apo Boulder Face International Challenge last March of this year, I personally asked Gerald Sabal to consider competing for the 2013 Vibram Hongkong 100K Trail Run (HK100) and improve the past performance of the Pinoy elite runners in the said race. I got a positive reply from Gerald and the support of Andre Blumberg from Hongkong continues for the exposure of Pinoy runners in international running competitions.

In order to gain confidence and familiarity of the HK100 trail course, I brought Gerald Sabal to Hongkong last July this year with Andre Blumberg as our Host and Guide. We had a night run and a day run in two successive days along the second half and most difficult portions of the course. Our recce/recon was very fruitful as Gerald was able to experience the climate and to see for himself the condition and elevation of the course.

Took A Picture Of The Famous Bamboo Snake Along The Course

Marcelo’s continuous winnings in my ultra races in every month and for being the Champion in the 1^st PAU National Championship in Guimaras, Andre Blumberg of Hongkong asked me if Marcelo could also join Gerald Sabal for the 2013 HK100 Trail Run. I immediately approved of the proposal. So, for the 2013 HK100 Trail Run, Andre Blumberg of Hongkong had sponsored for the Registration Fees, Round-Trip Tickets and Accommodation for Gerald Sabal and Marcelo Bautista. Andre Blumberg had been consistently the “Good Samaritan” of our elite Ultrarunners.

Always Behind These Two Fast Trail Runners

If you are wondering why an international runner, as an individual, is the one who have been initiating and offering support to our elite ultrarunners to international races, I am also wondering why? Instead of asking him why he is doing this support, we should ask ourselves and our corporate entities in the country why we are not supporting our elite runners to international exposure.

Two weeks ago, Andre Blumberg came to the country to participate in the 2^nd edition of the Taklang Damulag 100-Mile Endurance Run and he brought with him running kit/apparel, equipment, and nutrition for Marcelo and Gerald. The two runners had been adapting and “breaking-in” on the nutrition & equipment provided by Andre as they are now training in Baguio City/Benguet Province. Their “new” nutrition is giving them better performance in their training.

The "Good Samaritan", Marcelo, & BR @ 2nd Taklang Damulag 100-Mile Endurance Run — The “Good Samaritan”, Marcelo, & BR @ 2nd Taklang Damulag 100-Mile Endurance Run

For the past two weeks, Gerald and Marcelo had been training hard in the mountains in Baguio/Benguet (Mts. Cabuyao & Santo Tomas); stairs running & repeats at the Lourdes Grotto; trail running loops at the Camp John Hay Complex; speed drills & stretching workouts; and LSDs to Ambuklao Dam and back to Baguio City. Such training is geared towards teamwork, nutrition & hydration strategy, pacing, dependability of running equipment, high altitude, strength-endurance, and most of all, running in a cold environment.

Gerald and Marcelo had been consistently running in Baguio City/Benguet when the temperature is at its lowest (starting at 2:00 AM up to 6:00 AM). Going up to the peak of Mount Santo Tomas on the early morning (4 AM) on Christmas Day gave them a cold temperature with gusty winds experience, the same situation they will experience at the peak of Tai Mo San (900+ masl), the highest elevation of the HK100 course! So far, their acclimatization training had been very successful. Their cold environment is geared towards being able to run with light apparel with the 8-10 degrees Celsius temperature on Race Day.

Gerald & Marcelo @ The Peak Of Mt Sto. Tomas (2,260 MASL)

Teamwork! Gerald & Marcelo Descending From Mt. Sto. Tomas

The two runners will arrive in Hongkong with at least two days to recon the course and acclimatize to the prevailing climate/weather in the area. There will be NO special foods (5-Star Hotel Buffet) for them before the race and no NEW running kit/equipment to be used for the race. More sleep and rest will be waiting for them in Hongkong prior to the conduct of the race.

Target goal for the two runners? Hoping and praying that they will land on the Top 15 Finishers and with a Finish Time of Sub-11 Hours.

Let us join hands in supporting Gerald and Marcelo in the 2013 Hongkong 100K Trail Run and to their future International Ultrarunning Races!

To Andre, thank you very much for being the “Good Samaritan” to our elite ultrarunners!

Picture Of The Week #10

On July 31, 2012 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Practice Runs, Runners' Training, Running, Trail Running, TravelLeave a comment

Sand Dunes Running

On July 9, 2012 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Practice Runs, Running, Trail Running, Travel, UltramarathonLeave a comment

“Marathon Des Sable” In Ilocos Norte/April 10, 2012

The Sand Dunes in Ilocos Norte had become a tourist attraction since the early 80s with the construction of the Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel and for being a popular site for movie shooting location of so many local as well as foreign films in the past. The complex had been planned to be the location of a world-class tourist destination; a sports haven; an entertainment and gambling paradise; and an export processing for industrial and manufacturing firms. But due to political developments, everything (all the plans) had to be buried in the sand with only the Fort Ilocandia Resort Complex; a Golf Course; an International Airport; and some road systems opened and paved as projects that had been realized as part of the grand plan for the place.

The Sand Dunes of Ilocos Norte remain to be untouched except for the endless tracts of 4 X 4 all-terrain vehicles. I thought that if all-terrain vehicles could navigate and create paths on these desert and sand dunes formations, runners and pedestrian adventure seekers are not far behind to experience what it is like to have fun in running and hiking on the sand dunes of Ilocos Norte.

So, a plan had been hatched to run, jog, and walk along the said sand dunes and relive the history of the place.

Visiting My Mom’s Grave Is A Yearly Activity

I visited the tomb/grave of my mother in Laoag City and offered a prayer on her supposed to be 87th Birthday last April 7, 2012 but I made my trip on April 9. On the following day, I was scheduled to run along the Sand Dunes of Laoag City up to Paoay, Ilocos Norte and if time permits, I could extend my run up to the Currimao Beach. The plan was to come up with a route along the Sand Dunes which can cover a distance of a Marathon (42.195 kilometers).

My Running Friends/Companion In This Adventure Run

Dr. Chester Puno of Bad Circle/Team KIMAT and Running High Specialty Running Store of Laoag City, Rogelio Alcaraz Alejandro Jr of Team KIMAT, and my nephew Duckie joined me in this recon run. The run started at the City Hall of Laoag City at about 6:15 AM and our direction was to reach Barangay Gabu as we passed along the Laoag Bridge by going South and then to the West. Short conversations while we were running made our run effortless as we maintained a steady easy pace.

The view of Laoag River and Barangay La Paz, Laoag City

We had a brief stop as soon as we reached Barangay Gabu where we met familiar faces as residents of the place. We had also some photo-ops with the mouth of Laoag River as it exits on the South China Sea. After a short run from the populated area of the Barangay, we reached the entry of the Sand Dunes of Laoag City which is considered as the northernmost portion of the area.

Looking as far as the eyes can see, I can see the tip of the southernmost part of the Sand Dunes which happens to be called, Culili Point, a small hill which is already a part of the next town, Paoay. I told to the group that after running for almost 9 kilometers from Laoag City, we have to reach the said Culili Point and find out if we could run along the beach up to the next town, Currimao. But I told them that we had to make a pit stop at the eateries along the beach of the Fort Ilocandia Resort for our breakfast.

So, we continued our run along the beach and the sun was about to be seen on the eastern horizon. Running on the sand dunes with the heat of the sun in Ilocos Norte could rival with the heat which I experienced when I visited Badwater, California in 2009. It was so hard to run as our feet would land on the loose ground and have our leg muscles exert some more force to lift them for the next step. Running would later become slower into jogging and ends to brisk walking.

After more than one hour of jogging along the sand dunes, we reached the area of the Fort Ilocandia Resort Complex and it was time to have our breakfast in one of the eateries along the beach. We ordered breakfast meal with fried eggs and corned beef and we were surprised that our meal had the native rice as part of the breakfast order. We were really hungry and enjoyed our meal. We also replenished our water supply on our hydration system and had a brief rest after our meal.

Culili Point was always on our sight as our destination before proceeding to the beach of Currimao. From the Fort Ilocandia Complex, the heat of the sun was already taking its toll on us as we continued our run-jog-walk along the beach. There are group of fishermen who were pulling their fishing nets from the sea and some of them were resting in temporary makeshift. It was nice to talk to these people as they were surprised that they saw us to be running along the beach at a time when the sun was already almost on top of us.

A Water Well At The Sand Dunes. It was our Savior from the Heat & Dehydration!

We rested on this makeshift as we unlaced our running shoes to remove the sands that were inside our shoes. The longer we ran on the sand, our shoes became heavier as the finer sands would enter on the mesh of the upper part of our shoes and from our ankles. Nobody from us were using gaiters and there was no way we can prevent the sands from entering our shoes. Later, it became a ritual to have brief stops along the route in order to remove the sand from our shoes.

Finally, Culili Point On My Background With 2 Kilometers More To Go

Our conversation with the fishermen led us to know that there are water wells on the sand dunes where we can re-supply our water supply. We looked for the water well and it was refreshing to pour more water to our heads and bodies for the needed cooling effect to bring down the heat of our bodies. From this water well, our target destination was within our grasps.

But sometimes the heat of the sun would play on us. We thought the distance to the Culili Point would be estimated to be one kilometer from us but in reality it took us forever to reach its foot. It took us almost 30 minutes to cover the last kilometer up to the peak of the hill. My companions took a pit stop at its foot while I just went directly to its peak without resting.

The all-around view from the peak of Culili Point was beautiful! The Currimao Beach was on my sight in the south, the South China Sea on my west and the Sand Dunes on the north and east directions. After some photo-ops with my companios on top of the Culili Point, I decided to end the run and find a route that goes back to the highway that would lead us to Paoay.

We had been running for the past 6 hours and we have yet to reach the highway. Our run towards the highway was very challenging as there were uphill climbs and soaring heat of the sun. After almost 3 kilometers, we reached a populated area where we stopped for more water to douse our hot bodies. We have to hydrate ourselves and take some of our power bars just to fight fatigue to our bodies.

Lots Of Mountain Peaks To Be Bagged On The Background

I am glad one of our companion’s friend fetched us on the said barangay aboard a car and it was a great feeling to be sitting in a car with the air coming from the shaded portions of the road. If not for the car that fetched us, we had another 3 kilometers to run and jog just to be able to reach the paved road leading to the town of Paoay.

To replenish ourselves with a lunch, we were treated with hot bulalo meal and other ilocano recipes in one of the eateries in Paoay. The lunch and the ice-cooled soda drinks were enough reward for our sand dunes adventure run.

The Reward: P 35 Pesos Worth Of Hot Bulalo!

The recon run registered a distance of 25 kilometers which took us almost seven (7) hours of fun and adventure. I promised myself to be back and extend my run up to the beach of Currimao and if possible, come up with an ultra running event in this place.

See you at the Starting Line!

“Did Not Peak” (DNP) @ Mt. Apo

On June 18, 2012 By kingofpotsIn Alternate Sports, Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Practice Runs, Runners' Training, Running, Trail Running, Travel1 Comment

5th “Peak Bagging” Experience (April 6, 2012)

A simple ads on Facebook did the trick on me when a group of climbers posted an itinerary of a climbing event towards the peak of Mt Apo, the highest mountain peak in the country with an elevation of 2,956+ meters above sea level which was scheduled during the Holy Week. After a phone call and coordination with a friend in Davao City, I decided to try an approach towards the peak of the mountain which is new and not-so popular among mountain climbers. Reservations had been made with regards to my accommodation and transportation needs and everything was a GO!

Bansalan Trail (Bansalan, Davao Del Sur) Climb To The Peak of Mt Apo is a yearly activity (this is the 2nd year) being organized by the Tourism Office of the municipality in cooperation with mountaineering groups in the Davao Provinces. The itinerary of the climbing event spans for 4 days! The event started on the early morning of Holy Thursday with the participation of 300+ climbers and marshals. I was among the registered climbers but I opted to start the trek the following day, Good Friday! I was thinking that I can “run-peak bag-run” the mountain!

Although I left Davao City very early in the morning of Friday, I was delayed with so many “snags” once I arrived at the Bansalan Municipal Hall—the Tourism Office was closed; the Tourism Officer was called in their house to attend to me and receive my registration fee; it was Good Friday and there was only one eatery opened to serve food; the food order & service at the eatery was very slow. Finally, we were on our way to the trailhead which is another 20+-kilometer ride from the municipal hall.

With 6 kilometers more to go before reaching the trailhead, our vehicle just stopped and had a mechanical trouble! I had to ride on those motorcycle “habal-habal” just to be able to reach the trailhead which they call “Pluto”. I realized later that all the sitios and populated areas within the trailhead are named after the planets and stars of the galaxy.

I got the services of a guide who happens to be a “former” driver and worker in Manila for about 10 years and married to a lady from Pangasinan. Our trek started at 11:00 AM and we traveled fast and light! But the first kilometer was so steep that it took us 45 minutes to cover it! It was a sign that the trek will be a difficult one! The first mountain that we trekked was full of vegetable gardens just like those mountains in the Cordilleras where they are planted with carrots, cabbage, and radish. But after the first mountain, we entered to a place where you have tall grasses, reeds and later forest!

As compared with the trails in Luzon, the trail in Bansalan towards Mt Apo is a “beast”! It has all the combination of challenges and hardships, moreso, when it started to rain when we reached the forested area. They are foot trails/single-track and muddy which was brought about by the 300+ climbers that passed ahead of me. There are big trees that fell down due to natural causes and we have to do some detour from the established foot trail. The grasses along the sides of the trail had grown so tall that they completely cover the trails. In short, these trails are not maintained and they are usually used by the locals in the area. The Bansalan Trail is not a “tourist-friendly” trail and it is best for the “hardcore trail runners/trekkers” who are looking for challenges and risky adventures! And I guess, I consider myself as a “hardcore”!

After 4 hours of trekking (this is my first time not to be able to jog or run in any point/location towards a mountain peak), my guide and I were able to catch up with the tail of the climbers. One of the climbers recognized me and he was surprised to see me! We had some short conversation and some photo-ops. I had to pass their group and was able to reach the middle part of the group as we reached what they call “Lake Jordan”.

At this point, I had been trekking for the past 5 hours and I could see the full view of Mt Apo’s Peak. I told my guide that we have to rest and assess our chances of reaching the peak of the mountain on that day. We ate our energy bars and took some pictures while resting. I still have enough water in my Camelbak and enery bars to last for another 5 hours.

The next target to be reached by the climbers is Camp Reyes where they will spend the night and try to reach the peak of the mountain on the following day, Saturday. I was informed that I could reach Camp Reyes through power hiking in 1 hour but I would still have 2-3 hours to reach the peak. So, I made the decision to make my turn-around at this point. I was not fully equipped for the colder temperature (no tent, lack of food and water in going back to the trailhead for me and guide, and thicker jacket) as we went higher in elevation. It became colder as it rained in the mountains!

At Lake Jordan, the distance we have trekked covered 7.1 kilometers from the Pluto Trailhead and my GF305 registered an elevation of 2,428 meters above sea level. We still have another 530+ meters of elevation to trek for as to be able reach the peak of the mountain. It was a good decision to turn-around at this point. There will always be next time for Mt. Apo!

Our trek back to the Pluto Trailhead was more challenging as it rained some more and the thick mud kept on sticking to my trail shoes which made it heavier. Before we reached the last mountain from the trailhead, it was already becoming darker and it was already nighttime. With my headlight and hand-held flashlight, the guide and I were able to reach the trailhead with a slower pace making sure that we don’t slide or trip on those slippery descent and fallen trees which we have to walk on.

If my counting is right, I fell five (5) times on my butt on those slippery descents and bumped my head on fallent trees’ trunks & branches for three (3) times but I got no injuries or sprain on my body. Well, those are just part of the adventure and experience.

Finally, I reached my ride at the trailhead at 9:30 PM and reached Davao City before midnight. What a day to spend the Good Friday! This could be the longest day in my “peak bagging” feats so far!

This is my first “DNP” but it is worth the risk and adventure! I will make sure that I will be more prepared and smarter next time! This could be my first “DMB” (Did My Best) “peak bagging” so far!

Mt Apo, I’ll be back!

Random Thoughts (After TD50)

On June 6, 2012 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Places to Run, Practice Runs, Races, Runners' Training, Running, Trail Running, Travel, Ultramarathon1 Comment

In the United States, June 6 is declared as their National Running Day. In some of my previous posts in this blog, I mentioned about coming up with the same concept in order for the citizens to adhere to a healthy lifestyle by engaging to any kind of sports. The following was the exact words from my previous post:

“It will take a real “sportsman or sportswoman” among our politicians to think and “lobby” for a “National Sports Week or Month”. There is already a party-list group at the House of Representatives which is called “PBA” (Partido ng Bayaning Atleta) but I am still waiting for them to be heard or seen in our national sports endeavors. Well, this could be a good idea for the PSC and POC to indulge if they are really sincere in discovering new “talents” and developing our sports program in the “grassroots”!”

Those people who are responsible in making or declaring a “National Running Day” for the country will always defend themselves by saying that “there is no need for such day or celebration because runners run everyday”!

oooOOOooo

I would like to personally thank those who greeted me on my 60th Birthday through Facebook, SMS, e-mail, and telephone calls. Instead of running for 60K, I was contented to run for 60 minutes on my birthday towards the peak of a mountain. There was no party or grand celebration for this day. I was contented to just pray that I will have more years to enjoy running on the roads and trails. Finally, I got my Senior Citizen’s Card!

oooOOOooo

Taklang Damulag Ultra Trail Races (TD 100M/50M/50K) will remain to be the most challenging trail running event in the country. It will remain to be a challenge for the hardcore runners. I am proud that the 1st TD 100-Mile Trail Run made those runners who DNFed as stronger, smarter, and faster trail “experts” in their succeeding races here and abroad. It also started a trend of mountain ultra trail runs in the country.

oooOOOooo

I always IGNORE non-ultrarunners who make their opinion and/or observation about the sports I love and promote. Being the Founder and President of the Philippine Association of Ultrarunners (PAU), I should be the one who should be refuting or arguing the statements of these people. But it would be best if these people will accept my personal invitation to join in next year’s edition of the Bataan Death March 102K Ultra Marathon Race which I will send to them on the 4th week of this month. I think eight (8) months will be enough time for them to prepare and train for such invitation.

oooOOOooo

I am happy that more marathon runners are slowly “crossing the fence” to the world of ultrarunning. I am happier that more runners are also shifting to trail running. After posting my “peak bagging” adventures, I’ve observed that my ultra running friends and other runners have started to go to the mountains, too! Some of my friends are wondering why I am always “peak bagging/peak hunting” almost every week. Well, the answer is that I am preparing for my next ultra trail run. It could be before the year ends or finally participate in next year’s TNF 100.

oooOOOooo

I am supposed to join in this Saturday’s San Diego 100-Mile Endurance Run but I missed the on-line registration at Ultra SignUp by a few hours as I did not expect the influx of interested runners. I was surprised that the slots were filled-up as soon as the registration opened. Even if I appealed to the Race Director with an e-mail and FB Personal Message, my request to be included was not granted. Lesson learned: Be fast with your Credit Card and Stick to the Rules and Regulation of the Event!

oooOOOooo

This site will remain as a running blog. More ultra running events here and abroad will be featured in this blog as more of our local runners are interested to know what is happening in the world of ultrarunning. Actually, some of our runners had been consistently joining ultra trail running events outside the country. Jonnifer Lacanlale, Simon Bolivar, Jael Wenceslao, Paolo Osmena, Garry Garcia had been consistently joining ultra running events outside the country and have been our ultra “ambassadors” to represent our country. I have a prediction that more of our local ultrarunners will be following their footsteps in the years to come.

oooOOOooo

Starting tomorrow, June 7, BDM 102 Finisher and ultrarunner Mac Milan will be starting his “multi-day adventure run” from Davao City to Cagayan De Oro City covering a distance of 250+ kilometers. He promised me to have his run “journalized” through a blog and will try his best to update us with his running experience. Good luck and have fun, Mac!