Planning Is Everything (Adventure Run)

On March 14, 2010March 15, 2010 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Runners' Training, Running, Ultramarathon4 Comments

In the military, planning is the most important aspect before the conduct of any operation or any activity. Being a former military officer, planning is already a part of my system. In every thing or activity that I do, there is a thorough planning involved as a guide for the execution of an operation or activity. Without any good planning, mistakes, errors and lapses occur every step of the way during the execution of your intended action or operation.

When I finally executed my “adventure run” from Monumento, Caloocan City to Baguio City, I prepared an operational plan for the said activity. In the military, every planner is guided by the letters S-M-E-A-C. These are five letters of each of the following words—Situation; Mission; Execution; Administration & Logistics; and Command & Control. In the said run, I used these words as my guide for my planning.

Situation guided me to find out the prevailing situation along the road from the starting point to the finish line. The weather, road condition, security and peace & order, pollution, noise, and traffic/density of vehicles along the road. Situation simply answered the question—who/which are my friends and enemies along the road? Mission is very simple, to run from point A to point B and be able to document the activity in near “real time” so that my readers could read and see what I did along the road as soon as I had a break or rest. Execution involved my schedule guide to run from Monumento, Caloocan City to Baguio City on a daily basis with an average of 50 kilometers covered within a day. This includes my strategy for my food & fluid intakes and the expected towns/cities where I would end my daily runs or take a mid-day break. Administration & Logistics would deal with my support system from my financial support up to my logistical support in terms of food, accommodation, gasoline, running attire, shoes, supply of ice, availability of Internet load to my SmartBro connection and what hydration system to use in every leg of the run. Command & Control would deal with Communications & Coordinating Instructons with my Support Crew/driver and the availability of access and signal to the Internet. during my “breaks” and rest over night (RON).

As I am used to be travelling to the North through the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) since it was constructed, I did not know what the old MacArthur Highway looks like nowadays. Pedestrians are not allowed along the NLEX and the only option is to run along the old MacArthur Highway. I had to recon the road/MacArthur Highway from Caloocan City up to Mabalacat, Pampanga for two times just to be sure of the exact road to take and to pinpoint towns/cities with convenience stores/fastfoods along the road. I had to make sure that my designated driver/support crew will not get lost along the road as there are tricky overpasses, road crossings and U-turns along the way. My support has to “leap frog” as far as 2 kilometers during daytime and at least 500 meters during nighttime. Driving through or travelling along the route is the best way to orient and find out the situation along the road as part of the planning process. Studying the route through maps is not enough!

In my execution of my plan, I was guided with the two most important Principles of War—Simplicity and Surprise. Simplicity means running alone. I was responsible for myself only. Surprise is exemplified when I did not warn or give any hint as to when I am going to start my adventure run. Nobody would believe that I was capable of starting this event a day after I finished the Condura Marathon. My security along the road was my most concern as I did not want to advertise this event. What was most important in this run is to be able to journalize or document my run through this blog/site on a near “real time” through my accounts and pictures.

I really don’t care if somebody in the future would run this distance in one day or two days. What I’ve proven here in this adventure run is that I could immediately inform my readers what transpired in my run immediately during my “breaks” or rest periods within the day or before I start another leg of my run. If you can run this distance in two or three days and then publish your account in your blog after you finish the whole adventure run, then that’s another view/perspective of the said experience.

Rest Over Night (RON) was the most important factor to be considered in order to have a rested and recovered body before the start of the next leg of the run. During the two occassions that I conducted an actual drive/recon up to Mabalacat, Pampanga, I pinpointed and planned to rest overnight (RON) at the MacArthur Hotel in San Fernando, Pampanga which is located along the highway. However, on the night I stopped my first leg, there was no available room and I opted to look for a hotel at the very center of San Fernando City. I was able to look for one but my standards for a decent sleeping facility/room was not met but I was able to rest/sleep for 7 hours.

On my second night, Mr Blue Pension in Capas, Tarlac was a perfect place to rest. The place has big rooms and I was able to use the Butane-fed Stove I brought to cook additional foods and prepare hot water for my instant oatmeal, coffee, and mami noodles.

On my third night, I checked in at Jijis Pension/Hotel in Carmen, Rosales, Pangasinan. There was a brownout that time but the electricity was restored after 20 minutes. The available room was cozy without any windows but the air-conditioner was perfect. I overslept in this hotel because of the lack of natural light coming from the outside but I was able to sleep the required 7 hours for the night.

On my last night along the road, I stayed at the Five Star Apartelle in Urdaneta, Pangasinan. So far, this was the best place where I had my rest overnight. The place is spacious and each unit has two bedrooms upstairs with laundry & drying areas on the first floor.

As for my meals, I was a loyal customer of Jollibee for the first two days. I had my lunch at Isdaan Restaurant in Gerona, Tarlac on my third day. I had my lunch and dinner at Matutina’s Restaurant in Urdaneta City on my fourth day. And had my breakfast at the Rivervue Restaurant at Saitan, Rosario, La Union.

I had a daly intake of Multi-Mineral & Vitamin tablet, Vitamin C, and Glucousamine. Before going to bed, I had to drink one glass of Ensure.

Lastly, I was protected by Mr Heckler & Mr Koch USP9 from Germany with their 19 powerful 9mm rounds and a spare of two magazines in case of extreme emergency. However, my daily prayers to the Lord had greatly protected me from any harm or injury.

For those who are intending to experience an adventure run, good luck and I hope you can document your experience on a near “real-time” on your blog or site. Always be safe on the road.

FREE Corporate Running Clinic Is Back!

On March 1, 2010March 1, 2010 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Runners' Training, Running, Sports Program1 Comment

2:00 PM February 19, 2010 @ 2GO Office, Old Domestic Airport, Pasay City

Last May 2009, I was invited by Jerome Sese, HR Executive of Aboitiz, Inc as one of the guest speakers in their corporate’s 3K Fun Run at the La Mesa Dam. I delivered a brief speech and suggested to the employees to conduct a running clinic for all the officers, staff & employees of the company in the near future for them to appreciate and learn the scientific approach to running.

After 6 months, I received an invitation from Jerome Sese to pursue the conduct of a running lecture & clinic to all the officers. staff and employees of Aboitiz, Inc as soon as possible. Jerome explained to me that he was assigned outside the Metro Manila area (Mindanao) after the 3K Fun Run last May 2009 and that was the reason why he was not able to make a follow-up on the conduct of running clinic last year.

The first phase of the running clinic was conducted among the personnel of 2GO whose office is located in one of the hangars-turned offices at the old Domestic Airport. The running lecture & clinic started at 2:00 PM with Jerome introducing me to the 36 participants.

Jerome Sese of Aboitiz Inc During The Introduction

My lecture featured the “basics” and principles in training and running. Phases and Tips of Training for a running distance event were explained. However, what is important in this introductory lecture in running is my emphasis on the development and enhancement of good values to each of every participant if they want to engage in a sports called “running”. In essence, I want everybody to set the example to their family, relatives and friends and a source of inspiration if they decide to be serious in running.

36 Participants Attended The Lecture/Clinic

After 1 1/2 hours of lecture, the practical demonstration on the warm-up, stretching exercises, and technical information about running was led by Coach Saturnino Salazar and the members of the Elite Team Bald Runner. All the participants were requested to stand-up and follow the demonstrations being displayed by the Team. Due to the intense heat/temperature outside the office, the actual drills and running form demonstrations were done inside the lecture room.

Coach Salazar Took Over the Practical/Demonstration Portion

After the practical demonstrations, an open forum was conducted. The Team BR answered questions about running shoes, running apparel, nutrition, and other cross-training sports related to running. After the lecture, the members of the BR Running Clinic Team were given gifts and certificates for the services rendered to the employees of the 2GO Company.

Thanks, Jerome and to the 2GO personnel for the wonderful reception and interest in running! Hope to see you on the next road races in the future.

getting even

On February 25, 2010 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Places to Run, Runners' Training, Running, Running For Cause, Ultramarathon2 Comments

This is one of the untold stories during my adventure run from Manila to Baguio City on the 2nd week of this month.

Once I entered the Province of Tarlac, I have observed that the whole province turned to yellow color. All the campaign banners, posters, and tarpaulins displayed along the highway are all colored yellow. Almost all the electric posts, trees and walls lined up along the highway are all filled with campaign posters. I am not sure if the campaign leaders & representatives of the national candidates for the provinces know the provisions of the COMELEC Election Laws.

I found out that a former Congressman in the early 2000 is running for a Senatorial seat in this year’s national election through the posters I saw along the highway. This Congressman was one of those who investigated me and other senior officers of the AFP in a Congressional Inquiry & Investigation about a military operation in Southern Mindanao that went wrong due to the “meddling” of armchair Generals at the General Headquarters. Being the operational commander in the area, my orders to my men were “countermanded” by the Generals sitting their asses in the comfort of their air-con offices in Manila. To make the story short, this Congressman prevented me from reading my prepared statement during the hearing and the said hearing brought embarassment to the whole military establishment due to the Congressman’s “grandstanding” antics infront of the TV camera!

When I saw the face of this Congressman on his campaign posters, it broughk back “bad” memories of the Congressional Inquiry & Investigation. At an instant, I started pulling and removing his campaign posters displayed on the trees and electric posts along the way! As if nothing happened whenever I pass by his campaign posters as I did not stop or slowed down my regular pace while grabbing and pulling his campaign posters. You could just imagine how many posters of this Senatorial candidate I was able to remove from the Province of Tarlac to Baguio City.

Whether my act of removing/pulling his campaign posters was good or bad, I think, I was able to get even with this politician. In the first place, the display of his campaign posters other than the authorized election/campaign poster areas is a violation of the COMELEC’s Election Laws provision. How I wish COMELEC could “deputize” me and other runners to remove those campaign posters displayed in violation of the COMELEC’s Election Laws. That would be an exciting job!

Fourth Day: Mid-Day Run

On February 23, 2010February 24, 2010 By kingofpotsIn Food & Dishes, Insights, Jogging, Runners' Training, Running, Running For Cause, Ultramarathon1 Comment

1. I was not able give my readers a brief description of my run on the 4th day of my adventure run. I was able to post my pictures as “teaser” for what had transpired during the run.

2. I slept late on the 3rd day as I was frustrated to have not reached the boundary of Tarlac and Pangasinan due to the stones/gravel and sand along the sidewalk of the National Highway and finally stopped at Km Post #160, barely 8-9 kilometers to the boundary line. While at the Hotel, there was a 30-minute “brownout” which disturbed my sleep. However, I was able to extend my sleep by waking up late in the morning. I ordered a full breakfast meal and ate it without any hurry.

3. Since I slept in one of the roadside hotels in Carmen, Rosales, I had to be driven back to San Manuel, Tarlac, a 10K-drive, at 9:00 AM. Finally, I started my run from Km Post #160 on or about 9:30 AM. It was already too hot during the day but I was able to endure by incorporating walking breaks during my run. As practiced and done in my previous days, I had to drink water from my Nathan Hydration bottle every 2 kilometers and drink half-bottle of Gatorade every 5 kilometers.

Banana (Lacatan) as The Most Powerful Energy-Boosting Fresh Fruit

4. I was very strong during the morning run because I had a full breakfast with steamed rice, fried eggs, & longganiza (local sausage). After running straight for 12 kilometers, I have to incorporate walking breaks while eating SkyFlakes crackers and Cloud 9 chocolate bites. At 12 noon, I reached the City of Urdaneta and decided to check-in to an apartelle recommended by my friend, Cecil Morella. I had my cold shower and prepared for my lunch. I had my lunch at Matutina’s Restaurant where I ate Pusit Adobo, Fried Bangus Belly, and Pork Barbecue with Rice. After lunch, I was able to sleep at the Apartelle for almost 2 hours.

Be Careful With The Sand & Gravel On The Sidewalks!

Km Post Markings In Pangasinan Are Accurate.

5. At 4:15 PM, I prepared to continue my run from the Apartelle, going towards Urdaneta Poblacion and Binalonan. It was still very hot and the sidewalk was still the same—sand & gravel but I endured the surface of the road and the sound/noise, pollution and traffic of vehicles along the National Highway. Those narrow bridges between Urdaneta and Binalonan are accident-prone areas because the width could exactly accommodate two vehicles abreast with each other. I took extra precaution on crossing these bridges making sure that there was no vehicle crossing on the bridge with me on both traffic. Most of the old bridges don’t have any space for pedestrians on both sides of the road. I really wanted to stop by on those makeshift stores selling boiled corn on the sidewalks of the road between Urdaneta and Binalonan but I was in a hurry to finish my run. The boiled corn being sold there are sweet and fresh. They are produced/harvested locally on those cornfields along the highway. However, I did not miss these boiled corn as I bought some on my way back to Manila. I finally reached Km Post # 192 in Binalonan, Pangasinan at 6:00 PM. I ended my run very early because of a dinner appointment with Rey Jimenez in Urdaneta City.

6. Days before I reached the Province of Pangasinan, Rey Jimenez of Dagupan City contacted and invited me for dinner in Urdaneta through my cellphone and he was a generous host and very persistent to join me on my last leg from Saitan, Rosario, La Union to Baguio City. It was my second time to meet him as he joined the 2010 BDM 50K Test Run from Mariveles to Abucay, Bataan last month even if he did not finish a full marathon distance yet. He is a good runner as he finished the BDM Test Run in 7+hours. During the dinner, Rey showed seriousness in joining me on the next day’s last leg to Baguio City.

7. As scheduled at 6:30 PM, Rey and I met at the Matutina’s Restaurant, the very same restaurant where I had my lunch! Rey ordered the following dishes for the dinner: Inihaw na Bonuan Bangus, Sinigang na Malaga, Lechon Kawali, and Kilawen na Pusit. It was a heavy dinner but it was enough as my food replenishment for the day and “carbo” load for the next day. I told many stories to Rey about my experiences on the road for the past 4 days during our dinner. Rey, thanks for the dinner!

8. At about 9:30 PM, after posting my “teaser” pictures and my day’s evening edition, I immediately went to bed with an intention to wake up early for the last day of my run. I was decided to finish the run on the 5th day in Baguio City.

9. This leg was my shortest run in terms of my daily mileage but it was one of the hardest days because of the heat of the sun and the condition of the sidewalk along the National Highway. I was told that this day was the first day of summer for the year! My total mileage was 32 kilometers. The mileage was short but I was able to conserve my strength and energy for the last leg of my run.

10. On political and campaign posters in Pangasinan, I did not see much posters along the highway. Almost all the barangays along the National Highway from Urdaneta City to the Pangasinan-La Union Boundary has a posted notice from the Barangay Captains that they prohibit the display of campaign posters nailed/stapled on trees and I believe that this notice was strictly implimented. Instead, I’ve seen the following “writings on the walls”:

CLP; 2010 BDM 102 Briefing & Others

On February 22, 2010 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Races, Runners' Training, Running, Sports Program, Ultramarathon6 Comments

To All 2010 BDM 102 Participants:

1. There will be Carboloading Party (CLP) and Final Briefing for all the runners & support crew members for the 2010 Bataan Death March 102K Ultramarathon Race (BDM 102) at 6:00 PM on March 4, 2010 at The Patio of the AFP Officer’s Clubhouse in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. The registration fee is One Hundred Fifty Pesos (P 150.00) per person which will cover for the food and drinks. This will be an all-pasta dinner for every paying attendee. Runners are advised to be on the venue before 6:00 PM as the program will start on time.

2. Race Bib and Copy of the Rules & Regulations will be given during the CLP Party. We will try to minimize administrative activities/requirements before the start of the race on D-Day at Km 00. If possible, we will start the race before midnight of Saturday, March 6, 2010. Assembly Time at Km 00 in Mariveles, Bataan will be at 10:00 PM of March 6, 2010.

3. Runners are advised to send e-mail at bald.runner@yahoo.com to signify if they are bringing their own support vehicle or they are part of a group of runners using only one vehicle. We intend to give banner-tarpaulins for the runner’s support vehicle during the CLP Party. Limited number of tarpaulins was ordered and they will be distributed to runners who sent e-mail message about their support vehicle. There will be no banner-tarpaulins which will be distributed on Race Day.

4. Last day of Medical/Doctor’s Certificate submission will be on March 1, 2010. We will not allow runners to join the race without any Medical/Doctor’s Certificate. We will publish the final list of runner-participants on March 2, 2010 in this blog; www.bataan102.com; and www.bataan102.blogspot.com.

5. For those who would like to pursue ultrarunning/ultramarathon as their sports, I am inviting the BDM “veterans” (those who finished the 2009 edition); those who finished the 2nd BDM 50K Test Run; other ultrarunners; and the Finishers of the 2010 BDM 102 to apply as members of the Philippine Association of Ultrarunners (PAU). The annual membership fee is One Thousand Pesos Only (P 1,000.00) per member which will entitle each member an ID Card, Sport Shirt with PAU Logo, 10% discount from registration fees of Races organized by Bald Runner’s Events, and a chance to participate to the following International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU)-sanctioned races for 2010:

IAU 100K Asian Championships in Jeju, Korea in March,

IAU 24H World Championships (including European Championship) in Brive-la-Gaillarde, France, in May,

IAU 100K World Championships (including European Championship) in Gibraltar in November,

IAU 50K World Trophy Final in Galway, Ireland in August.

IAU Logo

Final PAU Logo — PAU Logo (By Rick Gaston)

“Minimalist” Running (For Men Only)

On February 20, 2010 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Practice Runs, Runners' Training, Running, Ultramarathon11 Comments

“Minimalist” Running is running only with your running shorts or running without a shirt/singlet.

Except for the long hair and the beard of “minimalist” ultratrail runner Anton Krupicka (www.antonkrupicka.blogspot.com), I tried to run at the ULTRA Oval Track yesterday morning “half-naked”, wearing only my running shorts and shoes! Well, after finally completing eightt (8) laps, the lady Security Guard came down at the oval track and cautioned me that it is prohibited to run “half-naked” at the ULTRA Oval Track. Being a “good soldier”, I immediately picked-up my singlet on the sideline and wore it. And continued my run for anothe 5 laps.

I did not bother to argue with the Lady Security Guard asking her as to where her source of authority came from as I don’t see any written rules and regulations in the use of the oval track displayed around. However, I suspect that the “seniors” (men & ladies) walking around the oval track made some complaints with the Lady Security Guard. This is the same experience I had when I ran counterflow with the rest of the runners where a “beginner/newbie” runner complained to the Security Guard that I was running the opposite way.

Is there any rule or regulation or provision from the etiquette of running that it is prohibited to run “half-naked” in road, oval track, and trail runs? I think in all track and field competitions in the oval track, all the athletes should be wearing a singlet or shirt where they could pin their race bibs/numbers in order to identify them during the competition. However, in road and trail runs, I don’t see any provision from the race organizer’s rules and regulations that it is prohibited to run without any singlet or shirt. Most of the ultratrail runners pin their race numbers on their running shorts.

Pb_Hope_2009 — Tony Krupicka (Photo Taken from http://www.antonkrupicka.blogspot.com)

I saw some runners in our local races running on barefoot but nobody is prohibiting them from running. But running without a shirt is something that should be “tested”, most especially running in a country like ours which is hot and humid.

I may not be as young, tall, handsome and fast like Anton Krupicka or have a nice body physique like Derek Ramsey, but we will see if I can run as the “Bald Runner” and at the same time the “Bold Runner” during the Century Tuna Half-Marathon.

See you at the Starting Line!!!

getting back my speed

On February 18, 2010 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Places to Run, Practice Runs, Runners' Training, Running3 Comments

The first thing that I did after arriving in Manila last Monday afternoon was to have a “deep-tissue” massage for two hours. During my adventure run, I did not have any massage along the way and just rested my legs overnight in every leg of the run.

On the following day, Tuesday morning, I had my active recovery run at The Fort lasting for 30:54 minutes and was able to cover a distance of 5 kilometers. My average pace was 6:09 minutes per kilometer but at the middle of the run, I was able to maintain an average pace of 5:32 minutes per kilometer for about 2 kilometer. It was my first step to shift my LSD legs to a faster pace to regain some speed in preparation for the 21K Road Race this Sunday.

In the afternoon of the same day, I joined the BR “speed” training at the ULTRA Oval Track but I was ahead in doing my workouts with the rest of the Team Bald Runner-Professional Group. I did a warm-up run, stretching, and speed drills. Later, I tested my speed by running two repetitions of one-mile run. The first rep was timed at 7:51 minutes with a distance of 1.7 kilometers as I was running on Lane 3 of the Oval Track. The average pace was 4:37 minutes per kilometer. I was surprised that I was not trying to catch my breath after running one mile. After one minute of rest, I did my second repetition on the same Lane 3 with the same 1.7 km distance and I registered a slower time of 8:41 minutes, an average pace of 5:02 minutes per kilometer.

Due to the heavy traffic of runners who are attending a running clinic and the usual runners at the Oval Track, I decided to stop my interval workouts and concentrated on doing stretching and Pilates exercises. Later, I was able to meet and talk about my experiences during my adventure run with the members of the Team Bald Runner-Professional Group.

I did not run on Wednesday morning. However, in the afternoon, I went to the Oval Track very early to continue my speed workout. First, I did my 1.7K warm-up run in 10:04 minutes with an average pace of 5:48 minutes per kilometer. After stretching and short speed drills, I did 5 X 400 interval runs with one minute rest on Lane 2 of the Oval Track and the following were the results:

1st rep—1:46 minutes—4:13 minutes per km

2nd rep—1:47 minutes—4:19 minutes per km

3rd rep—1:45 minutes—4:17 minutes per km

4th rep—1:40 minutes—3:55 minutes per km

5th rep—1:44 minutes—4:13 minutes per km

After a 3-minute rest, I finished my run with a 30-minute steady run where I was able to cover a distance of 5 kilometers. My average pace was 5:55 minutes per kilometer.

Early this morning (Thursday), I had another run at the ULTRA Oval Track with a tempo run. I was able to run a distance of 6 kilometers with a time of 31:08 minutes. It was a good run with an average pace of 5:11 minutes per kilometer.

With all these speed and tempo run workouts after finishing my adventure run, I think I could predict/produce a decent finish time on this Sunday’s Century Tuna Run. It could not be a PR but I am sure that I am getting my speed back again. The goal is to improve my latest half-marathon finish time I’ve registered in the Cebu Marathon last month.

See you at the Starting Line!!!

5th Day: Final Climb To Baguio City

On February 14, 2010February 14, 2010 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Runner's Fashion/Attire, Runners Accessories, Runners' Training, Running, Running Shoes, Ultramarathon51 Comments

1. The plan for the 5th Day was to finish the “adventure run” to Baguio City. It will take me 58 kilometers to run/walk for the this “leg”. I knew that Kennon Road covers a distance of 35 kilometers and the uphill road starts from Barangay Saitan, Rosario, La Union which is the road that intersects with the Main National Highway.

2. For me to finish this “leg”, I need to have a longer time to sleep the night before the 5th day, wake up earlier than the previous days, and start the run before sunrise. The 5th leg is planned to be a continous run/walk from Kilometer Post #192 to Kilometer Post #250. So, I woke up at 4:00 AM; did the “drill” as if I am going to join a road race; and packed my things.

3. It was still dark when I started my run at Km Post #192 in Binalonan, Pangasinan at 5:45 AM. The sidewalk is still the same—full of stones/gravel and sand which made my run slower and had to use my flashlight. I was wearing my TNF Trail Running Shorts; TNF Long-sleeved shirt; TNF Hand-held Hydration bottle; Under Armour Cap; ASICS Gel-Kanbara 4; PUMA Socks; Armando Caruso Buff as headband; Oakley sunglass; and two Bandanas tied around my neck. From where I started, I had to run/walk at least 23 kilometers to the Rivervue Restaurant where I plan to have a decent breakfast with steamed rice! The restaurant is 400 meters away from the intersection of Kennon Road and the National Highway.

@ Sison, Pangasinan Bridge With Rey Jimenez

4. At Km 21, Rey Jimenez of Dagupan City met me along the road and we started to run together. Rey finally believed about my description on the sidewalks of our National Highway as he had seen stones and gravel & sand. After running for two kilometers, we stopped for our breakfast and rest. I ate “tapsilog” with their native chocolate/cocoa hot drink. I really liked the hot native chocolate drink! We stayed at Rivervue Restaurant for about 45 minutes and I think we were the first customer for the day.

5. What is good about running on the road is that you are not affected with those traffic brought about by the repair of some bridges and parts of the road where only one lane is usable by the vehicles. We have to pass vehicles which were waiting for their turn to pass the only lane for both traffic. I am sure the people inside the vehicles were talking about us that we are “crazy” running along the Kennon Road towards Baguio City.

@ Our "Pit & Pee" Stops Along Kennon Road Near The Bridal Veil Falls

6. Cyclists from the South would pass me while I was running on my first 20 kilometer and I know that they are also on their way to Baguio City. We would meet a lot of cyclists also coming from Baguio and later see them going back again to the city. I always wave my hands to these cyclists and they respond also. These “cyclists” are the real ones—they are thin, flat-chested, and with very DARK skin! I just laugh to myself when I compare those regular cyclists I always see doing their “circuit” workouts at the BHS loop.

Rey Leading The Way During Our Walking Breaks

7. Running along the Kennon Road is very tricky and you need to be always on the safe side. Take advantage of the limited space at the sidewalk where you could run/walk. I don’t advise runners to use their Ipods/MP3 when running in Kennon Road or for that matter, when running along the National Highway. A runner should have a keen sense of hearing from the incoming vehicle on both lanes of the road. During this adventure run, I could guess what type of vehicle was approaching from behind based from the sound of their engines, mufflers, and tires!

Rey Jimenez 04 — "Where is the toll booth?" (Courtesy of Rey Jimenez)

Where is the roadside eatery for my lunch?

8. Rey and I ran together on single file. On the first 10 kilometers, I was leading the pace but on the next 10 kilometers, Rey was already the one who was trying to pull me along the road as he would lead me for about 5-10 meters. We had occassional “pit stops” where we replenish our water for our hydration; drink sports drinks; and ate Fita/SkyFlakes with Cloud 9 Chocolate. Each Kilometer Post along the road was a sight of relief as the number of Kilometers to my destination slowly became lesser until it bacame single digit.

Plate of Table Salt with Coke ;"Chicken Joy" & Kennon Pork Sinigang For Lunch

9. After passing the long bridge at the Toll Station, we stopped for our late lunch. Rey and I ate the available food in one of the eateries for “truckers”—home-cooked sinigang na baboy, “chicken joy” & dinuguan with steamed rice. After our lunch, Rey prepared to go back to where he parked his car in Barangay Saitan as he was scheduled for a social function in Dagupan City late in the afternoon. Rey took a ride in one of the jeepneys and I was left alone for my last 11 kilometers to Baguio City. Thanks, Rey for the company and the pull/push for the 26 kilometers that we’ve run together! (Do I have to tell you again that I sang some songs with a Karaoke machine in that truckers’ eatery? hahaha!)

10. The last 10 kilometers took me two hours to run & walk. The “zigzag road” has steep uphill climb and I have to walk and then run again along the flat area. The technique was to brisk walk on the steep climb and then run on the flat part of the zigzag road. The technique had been repeated all the way to Baguio City. On my last 5 kilometer, I was received and met by Carlos, photograper of The FrontRunner Magazine and later was greeted by the family & relatives of Jonel aka Bugobugo/The FrontRunner Magazine. Thanks, Jonel for arranging a simple but meaningful reception as I reached my destination for this “adventure run”. I was informed that you arranged for a welcome party consisting of a band and group of runners from Baguio City to join me on my run/walk from the Rotary’s Lion Head to Baguio City. Though they were not able to wait for me, thanks again for the effort & gesture.

My Vanishing "Breasts" (I mean, "Chest")

11. Reaching the Baguio General Hospital (BGH) was a realization that I’ve finally reached Baguio City. I am glad that the “Slide” area before reaching the BGH have been fixed as this was the “headache” of motorists and truckers going to Baguio City. You always find a vehicle or truck stucked at the middle of the road on this area almost everyday and such occurence always result to a traffic on both lanes of the road. However, I was not spared on this occurence during my run as one of the jeepneys got stucked at the bottom of the steep uphill climb!

12. I finally reached the Rizal Park infront of the City Hall of Baguio at 6:15 PM as I walked entirely along Burnham Park with heavy traffic of vehicles and people coming out and going to the Park and to those who are audience to a political rally at the Burnham Athletic Ground. Practically, I was on the road for 12 1/2 hours for my last day. I ran the 58-kilometer distance for the day with a running/walking time of 9:15 hours. Finally, I reached my destination. I did it. I was able to prove to myself how far I can push my body’s capability beyond its limits where I could run an ultramarathon distance almost everyday for 5 days. I was able to prove it also that I can inform my readers on a “near real-time” with pictorials through the Internet with what is going on with me in my “adventure run”.

Finally, At The Rizal Park in Baguio City

Reward For The Day: Pata Tim, Pancit Canton & Fried Rice

Better View of the "Soft Version" of Crispy Pata

13. This post will not be the end of my “adventure run’s” journal/diary. There are so many untold stories to tell which I experienced along the way and I will try my best to recall them and bring them to you on this blog. I did a lot of things along the way and I hope that such experiences will guide future runners/pedestrians who will embark on such challenge. The challenge is, “if I can do it (at the age of almost 58 years old), you can do it, too”!

14. My sincerest thanks to those who supported this “adventure run”. Your prayers, best wishes and words of encouragement pushed me to my limits. Lastly, my thanks to the Lord Almighty for giving me the strength and “vision” to inspire others. What is next? Keep on reading this blog for more interesting stories and surprises.

4th Day: Evening Edition

On February 12, 2010 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Runners' Training, Running, Running For Cause, Ultramarathon5 Comments

1. I started my run this morning at 9:31 AM. It was late already but I had more time to sleep last night. As seen in the pictures from my previous post, the sun was too hot and it felt like it was a repeat of the 1st BDM 102. From Km Post #160, I stopped at Km Post #180 at Poblacion, Urdaneta City. I had my lunch and had some rest. I was able to run/walk a distance of 20 kilometers in 3 hours!

2. At 4:30 PM, I resumed my run from Urdaneta City and I was able to end my run at Km Post #192 at Binalonan, Pangasinan. I was able to run a distance of 12 kilometers in 1:41 hours. For the whole day’s run/walk, I was able to cover a distance of 32 kilometers.

3. Rey Jimenez, a marathoner from Dagupan City and a 2nd BDM 50K Test Run Finisher, linked up with me in Urdaneta City and he hosted an all-seafood dinner in one of the famous restaurants in the city. Thanks, Rey for the hospitality. He even asked me if he can join me in my run along Kennon Road sometime tomorrow. I hope Rey would be able to push me reach my destination before the end of the day.

5. I still have 68+ kilometers to go before I reach Burnham Park in Baguio City. The last 10 kilometers will be the “killer” leg of this journey. It is equivalent to a “half-marathon” distance because of the steep ascent towards the city. I’ve experienced running from the former Black Mountains Mining Area to PMA when I was a cadet and I am confident that I still know the curves and ascending portions of Kennon Road.

6. Good night & wish me luck & prayers for a safe arrival to my destination.

Third Day: Evening Edition

On February 11, 2010February 11, 2010 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Runners' Training, Running, Running For Cause, Ultramarathon4 Comments

1. It was almost 5:00 PM when I started my afternoon run from Isdaan Restaurant in Gerona, Tarlac. Due to the narrow asphalted National Highway, I had no choice but to run along the dirt road on the sidewalk. Both sides of the road is filled with small stones/gravel & sand. Whenever I stepped on a gravel, my feet would absorb some pain brought about by the uneven ground. It’s really hard to be running on a gravel & sand.

Running Along The Sidewalk Filled With Gravel & Sand

I am Calling This Event as "The Adventure Trail Run" to Baguio City

2. Eventhough I had my flashlight with me, it was so hard to choose where your feet would land on the ground. From Gerona, Tarlac all the way to where I stopped for the day, both sides of the road were filled with sand & gravel. I had to stop my run to prevent myself from being tripped or from any accident that may lead to dislocation of my ankles. I don’t recommend future pedestrians to run along these sidewalks of our National Highway during nighttime.

3. I was planning to reach the Tarlac-Pangasinan Boundary before I stop running for the day. I was short by almost 10 kilometers. I was able to end my run/walk at Km Post #160 which is one kilometer away from the Municipality of San Manuel, Tarlac, the last town of Tarlac before reaching the Province of Pangasinan. It was already past 8:00 PM and the road was too dark when I ended my run/walk for the day.

4. For the afternoon-evening run, I was able to run a distance of 23 kilometers with a pace of 10 minutes per kilometer. I was practically walking on those gravel & sand sidewalk on my last 10K. For the third day, I was able to complete 58 kilometers. And for the past 3 days, I was able to cover a distance of 150 kilometers!

5. More stories & pictures to be posted soon. Good night!!!

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