Update #1: 1st MASTERS 15K Run

On August 21, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Races, Running6 Comments

I ran the whole race route this morning at exactly 6:10 AM and I observed that the sun was already above the horizon.

Although most parts of the route are shaded with trees, there are still parts of the route which are exposed to sunlight and it will add some heat to the runners. I could predict that the heat of the sun on exposed parts of the route will be become a problem for the runners.

Due to this observation, I am adjusting the start of the race earlier and the race will start at 5:30 AM, instead of 6:00 AM. We will adjust also the Assembly Time at 5:00 AM. An earlier start for the race will be more beneficial to all the runners.

An appropriate written notice about this adjustment is already in the Race Kits to be distributed.

Our registration booth will be available at the vicinity of the BOTAK Run’s Finish Line at the UP Diliman Campus. Race Kits will be available for distribution upon acceptance of registration form & fee.

We are encouraging participants to register early as we have prepared limited number of race kits.

An Invitation: 1st MASTERS 15K Run

On August 13, 2009August 18, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Places to Run, Races, Running7 Comments

Last 16 November 2008, a group of MASTERS runners conducted the 1st 10K MASTERS Run at Fort Bonifacio. I was not able to participate in that race but I was informed that the race was a success.

For this year, the Bald Runner’s Events is coming up with a longer distance run for the MASTERS which will cover a challenging 15 kilometers of paved roads.

As a starter, MASTERS are those runners from the age of 40 and above for the Men’s Category and for those 35 years old and above for the Women’s Category. The age categories will be grouped every 5 years of age, both for the Men’s and Women’s.

The 1st MASTERS 15K Run will be held inside Camp Aguinaldo on September 6, 2009. The race will start at 6:00 AM infront of the GHQ Grandstand. The race will cover two (2) loops of 7.5-kilometer loop inside the camp.

The registration fee is P 100.00 per runner. Our staff will start accepting registration to this race during the KR Urbanite Run this Saturday evening. Just look for the Bald Runner/Project Donate A Shoe Banner/Tarpaulin in one of the designated Parking Areas. Each runner must be able to bring their ID for verification of their printed Birth Date on their Card.

Race packets (race bib, rules & regulations, and map of the route) will be available for distribution starting on August 23 in any of the racing venues in Metro Manila.

There will be no singlets or Finisher’s T-shirts as the registration fee will defray the cost of race packets, water/hydration needs, trophies & medals, and Finisher’s Certificate which will be mailed to the runner’s address.

Since we do not have any “marketing people” or PR means to ask for sponsors for this race, this race will be a “no-frills” race but each runner will be assured of a safe race route & parking areas, a challenging but fast course, accurate course distance, lots of water, a race timer (sponsored by reinier6666), and more fun & running experience.

If there are “Good Samaritans” out there to support or sponsor this race, we will be glad to accept whatever help you can give to make this race a memorable one. Please feel free to post a comment on this post. Our staff could also be contacted at this landline telephone number—497-6442 for more details of this event.

To make this race something unique and for us to bring back the “good old times” of running in the late 70s and the 80s, “friends” of BR will be donating lots of beer for all the runners!!! Beer will be served at the Finish Line (and in the Aid Stations)!

See you at the Starting Line!!!

First 5K Run At Ateneo Campus

On July 26, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Races, Running10 Comments

Run For M.E. @ Ateneo De Manila Campus; 6:34 AM 26 July 2009

Almost 5 weeks before this race, Sir Amado aka Reinier 6666 called me through the phone asking me my approval for him to finance the registration fees and uniforms of my Elite Team Bald Runner to join and compete the 5K Team Run at the RUN FOR M.E. I immediately accepted the offer and gave him the personal data of the team members for their registration. Coach Salazar was able to organize two (2) teams of 5K runners and the members prepared for the race.

I was a member of the Team Bald Runner (Reinier) and Mr Amado Castro, Jr was a member of the Team Bald Runner (Pacific). Some of the elite members of Team Bald Runner ran the 10K distance. Actually, I had some reservations for me to run the said distance as I never ran a 5K road race race since I started this blog.

Days before the race, we received the team’s race packets and uniforms. The aim of the team was to get the first place despite the fact that the college and university’s varsity track & field teams will field their respective runners. The pressure was on us to make sure that we are fielding our best runners for each of our team.

The teams were already at the starting area one hour before the start of the race and had their respective warm-up and stretching exercises. It was also a time to meet friends and other runners while waiting for the signal to assemble at the starting line. The 5K Team Run was scheduled to start 5 minutes ahead of the 10K and 3K Run Run. And after a brief explanation of the race, the race started as scheduled.

Knowing that the race will cover the roads inside the Ateneo Campus, I did not bother to ask or look for the route of the race. I knew that the 5K distance will take one loop of the different roads inside the campus. I was also confident that the Race Director of this run knew how to properly manage the said race. The race strategy for me was to just follow the faster runner infront of me and maintain an even pace as fast as I could.

Teams Bald Runner Before The Race With Reinier6666 (2nd From Left)

Hardcores & Reinier 666 (On my Left side) — Hardcores & Reinier 6666 (On my Left side)

At The Starting Line With The 5K Runners

The first 3 1/2 kilometers consisted of rolling uphill & downhill roads; a flat run along the campus’ grassy oval track; and the remaining flat roads towards the finish line. There was only one problem along the course—slippery roads most especially on the first two kilometers of the route. I had to shorten my strides as the lugs protruding on the front sole of my Newton shoes had the tendency to be slippery on the wet roads. I saw two of my running friends who were victims of those slippery wet roads along the course trying to finish the 10K race despite their wounds and painful rashes.

I can recall that I was able to pass runners along the rolling hills; along the oval track; and later on the last 800 meters to the finish line. I finished the 5K run in 22:57 minutes (based from my GF 305) with an average pace of 4:47 minutes per kilometer. I placed #41 among the 5K runners and I was entitled to receive a T-Shirt for the first 50 runners in the 5K race.

The Far Eastern University Track & Field Team won the First Place and received a Trophy and a Cash Prize of P 10,000. The Team Bald Runner (Reinier) where I belong, won the 2nd Place and it received a Trophy and a Cash prize of P 7,000. The Team Bald Runner (Pacific) was awarded the Third Place Trophy and a Cash prize of P 5,ooo. However, after some time, it was found out that the Race Organizer and Race Officials admitted that they committed some “lapses” as there were other runners from other teams whose finish times were not properly recorded and included in the master list of finishers. It turned out that a running team from Marikina City registered a faster aggregate time than the Team Bald Runner (Pacific). Even if the Trophy and Cash prize were already awarded during the ceremonies, Coach Salazar and I immediately brought back the Trophy and Cash Prize to the Race Organizer/Officials so that these award & prize would be awarded to the deserving winners. Our other team landed in fourth place without any prize. The Race Organizer of the Race would call us “The Gentlemen & Honest Runners” Team.

In the 10K race, Alcuin Bolivar and Marecil Maquilan, won 4th Overall (Men) and 2nd Overall (Women), respectively.

After resting for 5 minutes after I finished the 5K race, I ran another round of the 5K course for my easy run with an average pace of 6:30 minutes per kilometer.

After changing to my dry shirt and shorts, I had a chance to meet and talk to other runner-bloggers and awarded the BR’s “1,000-Km Club” Finisher’s T-shirts. Finally, the best part of the day was the moment I received my prize for winning a pair of NIKE Zoom Structure Triax+ for my comment on The Bull Runner Magazine from The Bull Runner herself! Thanks, Jaymie!

Receiving My Prize From Jaymie (The Bull Runner)

TBR Receiving BR's "1,000-Km Club" Finisher's Shirt

This race was memorable because of three reasons:

(1) For the first time, my team was fully supported through the initiative of a Corporate Head, in the person of Mr Amado Castro, Jr aka Reinier666 of Reinier Pacific. I hope more Corporate Heads would also involve themselves in supporting our elite long distance runners. Who’s next?

(2) My first time to enter the Ateneo de Manila University Campus and get to have a tour inside through a 5K run.

(3) My second 5K road race since 1984 (after 25 years) and my first 5K road race since I started this blog.

Overall, the conduct of the race was satisfactory.

Elite Team BR @ GLOBE RUN FOR HOME & M.O.V.E. Manila Run

On July 20, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Race Results, Races, Running, Sports Program1 Comment

The following were the standings of the Elite Team Bald Runner in yesterday’s road races that were held in Metro Manila:

Elmer Sabal—2nd Runner-Up, Men’s Overall, 21K with a time of 1:13+ hours

Marecil Maquilan—1st Runner-Up, Women’s Overall, 21K Run with a time of 1:28+ hours

Alquin Bolivar—Champion, Men’s Overall, 10K Run with a time of 32:28 minutes

Gerald Sabal—2nd Runner-Up, Men’s Overall, 10K Run with a time of 34:00 minutes

Frankreadear Indapan—2nd Runner-Up, Men’s Overall, 5K with a time of 16:15 minutes

Anna Vargas—Champion, Women’s Overall, 10K MOVE Manila Run @ UP Diliman

Reynaldo De Los Reyes—2nd Runner-Up, 10K MOVE Manila Run @ UP Diliman

The Elite Team Bald Runner members who won in the MOVE Manila Run which was held at UP Diliman were able to receive their cash prizes, medals and gifts during the awarding ceremony after the race.

2009 Badwater Ultramarathon

On July 14, 2009July 14, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Races, Running, Ultramarathon1 Comment

Before participating the 2008 San Francisco Marathon, I purposely went to the United States ahead of time in order to witness the start of the 2008 Badwater Ultramarathon and finally meet in person Dean Karnazes and Pam Reed after reading their respective books about their experiences at the Badwater Ultramarathon.

On this very moment, the 32nd Edition of the race had just started. The popular elite ultrarunners had just passed Furnace Creek after starting the race at 10:00 AM (PST). To review my post last year, please click here.

For those who are interested to know the progress of the race, please click their Live Webcast here. You can follow the progress of the race through Facebook and Twitter.

Anf finally, for those who are planning to join the 2nd BDM 102 this coming March 6-7, 2010, please read the rules and regulation of the Badwater Ultramarathon as this will be the basis of the New BDM 102 Rules & Regulations which will be strictly applied in 2010.

I am predicting Jorge Pacheco and Jaime Donaldson to win and defend their titles as Champions in the Mens & Ladies’ Overall Categories with better finish times.

Jaime Donaldson & Jorge Pacheco At The Start of 2009 BW (Photo Courtesy of www.badwater.com) — Jaime Donaldson & Jorge Pacheco At The Start of 2009 BW (Photo Courtesy of http://www.badwater.com)

“Elite Team Bald Runner” Prevails

On July 12, 2009July 13, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Race Results, Races, Running1 Comment

After I officially formed and organized the Elite Team Bald Runner for the past one year, the members are still trying their best to improve their training and performance towards the quest for excellence in long distance running.

In today’s road races, the following are the results:

A) 2nd Tic-Takbo at UP Campus:

Elmer Sabal—Champion Overall & Men’s Category in the 18K Distance at 56:48 minutes. Received P 4,000 Cash & Medal

Marecil Maquilan—Champion Overall Ladies Category in the 18K Distance at 1:11:25 hours. Received P 4,000 Cash & Medal

Rey De Los Reyes—3rd Runner-Up Overall & Men’s Category in the 18K Distance at 1:05:08 hours.

Alquin Bolivar—1st Runner-Up, Overall and Men’s Category in the 6K Distance at 17:45 minutes. Received P 2,000 Cash & Medal

Gerald Sabal—2nd Runner-Up, Overall and Men’s Category in the 6K Distance at 18:05 minutes. Received P 1,500 Cash & Medal

B) MILO Half-Marathon Elimination Race in Tarlac City

Anna Vargas—Champion, Overall Ladies Category at 1:28:00 hours. Received P 10,000 Cash Prize and Trophy. She is qualified for the MILO Finals.

2009 Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run

On July 10, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Race Results, Races, Running, Trail Running, Ultramarathon8 Comments

The first time that I heard and read about this particular Ultratrail endurance run was when I got a copy of the book “Ultramarathon Man” by Dean Karnazes which became a Number One Bookseller at one time. Practically, almost one half of the book was devoted to the author’s quest to qualify for the said race, train for it, and finally described how he was able to finish his first 100-mile race in this event. It is very detailed to the point that everything was described on how a first-timer would experience running a 100-mile endurance run. Dean Karnazes joined this particular race for the first time in 1994.

I guess, this book entirely opened the awareness of most of the runners to try and experience what it takes to run an ultra race along the trails of the mountains. Personally, the book also inspired me to try running an ultra distance at the Bulldog 50K last year. And I went further by going to Badwater, California to witness the start of the 2008 Badwater Ultramarathon, meeting and talking to Dean Karnazes and Pam Reed for the first time; taking some pictures of the ultra athletes; and observing how they ran along the first 25 miles of the course.

And because of my readings, observations, and experience about ultra races, the Bataan Death March 102K Ultramarathon Race (BDM 102) became a reality!

You might be wondering why I am posting the results of this particular endurance run. Aside from reading it from Dean K’s book and had inspired me to tread to ultra distance running, it is one of my “dreams” to run at least one 100-mile endurance run in my running career and who knows this dream would come true! Not necessarily qualifying and running for the Western States 100-Mile in the future!

The following is the article/post taken from the Ultrarunning Magazine Online (www.ultrarunning.com)

Koerner, Ortiz Win at Sizzling Western States

Auburn, California, June 28—Hal Koerner successfully defended his championship and Anita Ortiz won her first 100-miler under blistering conditions at the Western States Endurance Run which finished here today. Koerner dueled with Dave Mackey for most of the first 55 miles before pulling away in Volcano Canyon, stretched his lead down an oven-like California Street loop, and won the race by nearly half an hour over a spate of challengers.

Ortiz, a mother of four running her first 100-miler, lead most of the way, holding small leads over Beverly Anderson-Abbs until Devils Thumb (mile 47.8). Ortiz stretched her lead to twenty minutes on the trip through rugged Eldorado Canyon and was never seriously threatened thereafter. Krissy Moehl overtook Anderson-Abbs around mile 83 and finished second. Three-time winner Nikki Kimball struggled most of the day, but toughed it out to take fourth.

The race for second among the men was spectacular, with three runners leaving the Highway 49 aid station (mile 93.3) within seconds of each other and a fourth runner departing four minutes later. Eventually, Tsuyoshi Kaburagi of Japan won the epic battle, nudging Jez Bragg of Great Britain for runner-up honors, with Jasper Halekas of Oakland garnering fourth and Kevin Sullivan of Andover, Massachusetts fifth. All five runners were under 17 hours, the most ever in the 36 years of this event. Kaburagi’s time of 16:52:06 set a new masters course record. Seven-time champion Scott Jurek ran third for much of the first 40 miles, but was 10-20 minutes behind and never really in the mix. Jurek dropped from third to seventh by Devils Thumb aid station (mile 47.8) and dropped out there. Early leader Mackey also dropped, at the Rucky Chucky River Crossing aid station (mile 78.0).

The race was held under extremely hot conditions, with temperatures peaking at 99F on Saturday. For the later finishers, Sunday was even hotter, with Auburn reaching 103F. The heat had a deleterious effect on both times and finishing rate; only 238 of the 399 starters (59.6%) finished the race within the 30-hour time limit.

Men
1. Hal Koerner, 33, Ashland, OR, 16:24:55
2. Tsuyoshi Kaburagi, 40, Takasaki, JPN, 16:52:06
3. Jez Bragg, 28, Warwick, GBR, 16:54:26
4. Jasper Halekas, 33, Oakland, CA, 16:56:26
5. Kevin Sullivan, 38, Andover, MA, 16:59:33
6. Zachariah Miller, 33, Ann Arbor, MI, 17:34:12
7. Leigh Schmitt, 36, Conway, MA, 17:49:37
8. Eric Skaden, 37, Folsom, CA, 18:22:44
9. Mark Lantz, 43, Gold River, CA, 18:45:56
10. Andy Jones-Wilkins, 41, Ketchum, ID, 18:46:52

Women
1. Anita Ortiz, 45, Eagle, CO, 18:24:17
2. Krissy Moehl, 31, Seattle, WA, 19:26:02
3. Beverly Anderson-Abbs, 45, Red Bluff, CA, 19:53:14
4. Nikki Kimball, 38, Bozeman, MT, 20:55:43
5. Caren Spore, 41, Davis, CA, 21:17:22
6. Meghan Arbogast, 48, Corvallis, OR, 21:33:36
7. Elizabeth Vitalis, Livermore, CA, 23:11:31
8. Jamie Frink, 36, Folsom, CA, 23:37:15
9. Jenny Capel, 36, Reno, NV, 23:49:27
10. Connie Gardner, 45, Medina, OH, 25:34:16

For more information about the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, visit its website at www.ws100.com.

Buff: How To Look “Cool” In A 42K Race

On July 7, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Marathon Race, Pictures, Races, Runner's Fashion/Attire, Runners Accessories, Running5 Comments

Buff Headwear @ MILO 42K Elimination Race/July 5, 2009: Part 2

It is the brand of a piece of cloth being used by ultra trail runners and runners/athletes participating in multi-stage races in the desert and snow.

I bought two of this which are made of High UV ray protection “Coolmax” material and could be used in tropical countries like ours. In the MILO 42K Elimination Race, I used the blue colored Buff for testing in this particular race, thereby, replacing the bandanas and the bandana with crystals to cool off my nape. I used the Buff as depicted in the following pictures:

As a Headband to prevent my sweat flowing to my Eyes!

It can be used also as a baclava, ala-ninja cover to the face, a pirate’s cap, ear muff, hairband, wrist wrap and a bonnet. If I am not mistaken, I saw Albert Salazar aka Run2dmoon and Jael Wenceslao of Team Baldrunner-Professional Group wearing this kind of headgear in their marathon races and “runabouts” in Metro Manila.

I bought the said item at REI Store in Monrovia/Arcadia, California for $ 28.95 + tax.

Unfortunately, this Buff did not make me faster in this particular 42K race. But certainly, I look “cool & hip” using it.

My 3rd Marathon For 2009

On July 3, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Pictures, Races, Running2 Comments

My major road races for this year started with my participation in the 1st BDM 102K Ultramarathon Race last April 5, followed by the BOTAK 42K Paa-tibayan Race last May 10, and lately, my first participation in the Los Angeles Marathon last May 25.

My finish times for the BOTAK 42K and 2009 Los Angeles Marathon were 4:35:10 hours and 4:07:33 hours, respectively. These times were far from my last year’s MILO Marathon Finals time of 3:48:32 hours.

After the Los Angeles Marathon, my training had been reduced to easy runs and tempo runs. My mileage went down and I tried to rest and recover for the month of June after reading accounts of elite athletes on how they train by following the principle of “periodization”.

Although the main objective in my participation to this Sunday’s MILO Marathon Elimination Race is for me to finish with a time of below 4 hours to be able to qualify for the MILO Marathon Finals, it will be a difficult task knowing the humid and hot weather condition in the country. Nevertheless, joining the MILO Marathon Finals in October will not be possible because of conflict in schedule for more important races to join. But at the back of my mind, the target will always be to finish in sub-4 hours in this race.

This Sunday’s Milo Marathon will serve as a “diagnostic test” for another training program and plan for me to run another marathon race before the end of this year.

To all the MILO Marathon runners this Sunday, my Best Wishes & Good Luck to everybody!

To all the “first-timers”, “Don’t Quit”!!!!

Note: Don’t forget to have your deep-muscle massage today!!!

Too Many Runners & Joggers…

On June 30, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Races, Running, Ultramarathon8 Comments

2nd GIG Run & BOTAK 100K Paa-Tibayan @ UP Diliman Campus/28 June 2009

Yes, there were too many runners and joggers…and even walkers and bikers at the UP Diliman Campus last Sunday, 28 June 2009. Aside from the fact that there were two major road races (2nd GIG Run & BOTAK 100K) during the day, UP Diliman Campus is becoming a favorite workout place for runners, joggers, walkers, and bikers during Saturdays and Sundays.

This is a good sign that more people are into physical activities and engage themselves into an active lifestyle. If only most of our populace are into any kind of physical activity, we could be resistant to any kind of disease, being healthy & strong, relieve the stress we encountered for the past days and even to the point of having a positive attitude in life.

Last Sunday, I joined the 2nd GIG Run as a part of my personal commitment to support the advocacy of the UP Mountaineering Club to plant trees at Angat & Ipo Dams. If not for the “balding” mountains & hills that surround the said dams, the Philippine Army Detachment providing security to the said installations would had never been “washed away” as a result of excessive water from rainfalls during one of the typhoons. Such incident resulted to the “missing in action” of one of the soldiers up to the present. It is suspected that the soldier got drowned and washed away by the strong current of water coming from the dam. Joining this race is my yearly commitment to honor the “MIA” soldier who happens to be under my Command when I was the Brigade Commander in Central Luzon.

The race started at exactly 6:00 AM for the 10K runners and after a few minutes, the 5K runners started their race. The route for the 10K consisted of two loops arounf the major streets of UP Campus which were very familiar to me. The race was uneventful for the first loop but I became slower on the second loop because of the vehicular traffic as well as the presence of so many runners, walkers, joggers, and bikers along the route who are not part of the road race. The traffic condition was compounded with the slower participants of the 5K runners. Aside from the traffic, I felt my body was sluggish because of “jetlag” and sudden change of environment & temperature.

A Pose With Members of the UP Mountaineering Club

Talking With Some Runners At The Starting Area

My first loop was timed at 23+ minutes and I tried my best to maintain my pace with the target of finishing the race in 47-48 minutes but due to the reasons above, I finally finished the race in 49:04 minutes (based from my GF 305). It was a slow finish but I was happy to be back to the local running community and be able to talk to the usual runner-bloggers and got to meet the new ones.

Under Armor Shirt; CW-X Tight Shorts: & ASICS Hyper-Velocity Speed 3

After the awarding ceremony of the GIG Run, I had a chance to visit the Start/Finish Area of the BOTAK 100K Ultramarathon Race and I was able to talk to Christian Alacar and Neville Manaois, the Race Organizer & Race Director, respectively, and to some of the early finishers of the 100K race and newly-arrived 50K finishers.

Brief Chat with Christian Alacar, Race Organizer of BOTAK 100K

Awarding Ceremony For The BOTAK 100K/50K Finishers

I observed that the conduct of the Ultra race was a very successful one. This is a good sign that ultra distance running is getting a headway in the country. It is a matter of time that more of this kind of event will be conducted on a regular basis. My congratulations to the finishers of the 100K & 50K for being qualified to be called as “ultra runners” and to the BOTAK management for their untiring commitment to promote ultra running in the country.

It was already about 10:00 AM when I finally left the UP Campus and there were still a lot runners & joggers along the major streets of the campus. I was all smiles when I left the campus knowing that more and more people are into running. How I wish that all people must be united to run or jog in order to provide themselves a venue or activity to be involved in an active lifestyle and relieve themselves from stress, thereby making them more healthy despite of what is happening around us.

More power to the runners!!!

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Koerner, Ortiz Win at Sizzling Western States

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