Category: Running

Women’s Marathon Idols in the ’80s

On By kingofpotsIn Pictures, Running, Running Heroes1 Comment

Joan Benoit Samuelson: (USA)

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     1979 & 1983 Boston Women’s Marathon Champion

     1984 Winner in the US Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials     in 2:31:04, 2 1/2 weeks after arthroscopic knee surgery.

      1984 First Olympic Womens Marathon Gold Medal with a time of 2:24:52. The only American woman to win the event up to the present.

      1985 Winner in the Women’s Chicago Marathon in 2:21:21.

      2002 American Women’s Record Holder among 45-49 years old with 2:42:28 in Chicago Marathon

      2006 Running partner of Lance Armstrong in the last 16 miles of the New York Marathon

       2007 Training for the US Women’s Olympic Trials set on April 20, 2008 in Boston ( The day before the Boston Marathon). It will be her fourth Women’s Olympic Trials. Her goal is to break 2:50:00 at 50 years old!

Grete Andersen Waitz: (Norway)

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        1978-1988 Winner of the New York City Marathon for 9 times

        1983 Winner of the World Championship Women’s Marathon in Helsinki, Finland

        1983 & 1986 Winner of the Women’s London Marathon

        1984 Silver Medalist in the 1984 Olympic Games Women’s Marathon

Rosa Mota: (Portugal)

        1984 Bronze Medalist Women’s Marathon Olympic Games

        1983 & 1984 Champion Chicago Women’s Marathon

        1982, 1986, & 1990 European Women’s Marathon Champion

        1988 Gold Medalist Olympic Games Women’s Marathon

        1987 World’s Marathon Champion

        1987, 1988, & 1990 Champion Boston Women’s Marathon

Ingrid Kristiansen: (Norway) 

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        1980, 1981, & 1982 Champion Stockholm Women’s Marathon

        1984, 1985, 1987, & 1989 Champion Women’s Fastest Marathon Race

         1984, 1985, 1987, & 1988 Champion London Women’s Marathon

         1986 Champion Chicago Women’s Marathon

Allison Roe: (New Zealand) 

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         1981 Champion Boston Women’s Marathon

         1981 Champion New York City Women’s Marathon

TIMEX Watch

On By kingofpotsIn Runners Accessories, Running, Running Technology1 Comment

Yesterday, I bought a TIMEX Watch at SM City Iloilo which is called “Zone Trainer Digital Heart Rate Monitor” (Product Code: T5J031) with a Complimentary Free Men’s Watch (Stainless Steel Case & Wristband) which cost me less than Five Thousand Pesos.

I used it during my running workout yesterday afternoon with the Digital Heart Rate Sensor Pads fastened firmly below my sternum using an elastic belt that goes around my body.

Based from my age (Max. HR=220 minus 55), I set my Heart Rate Zone between 135 to 165 (lowest & highest peak Heart Rate). After my running and dumbbell/sit-ups/push-ups workouts, the watch registered the following:

Peak Heart Rate—156

Minimum Heart Rate—114

Average Heart Rate—144

Total Calories—255

Range of Heart Rate During Gym Workout—125-135

Since my running workout was an easy run, I was not able to experience the feeling of reaching the Maximum Heart Rate. I have tried reaching my Max Heart Rate on Cardio machines at Gold’s Gym by grasping on their handle bars but I would like to feel the difference while using this TIMEX Zone Trainer Digital Heart Rate Monitor Watch.

Back In Jamindan

On By kingofpotsIn Practice Runs, Runners' Training, RunningLeave a comment

27 December 2007/Thursday Run

From Iloilo City, I have to travel by land to reach my camp in Jamindan and it takes 2 1/2 hours non-stop trip. Immediately after my arrival in the camp, I changed to my running attire and started my stretching exercises.

I started my run at 5:00 PM and finished my run and brief workout at 7:15 PM. I ran along my 2-mile route inside the camp. The following were my elapsed time every round:

1st round—17:41 mins

2nd round—16:17 mins

3rd round—16:33 mins

4th round—17:19 mins

5th round—17:53 mins

6th round—20:39 mins (cool-down run)

Using my 20-lb Dumbbells, I did the following exercises:

3 X 10 reps—Side Lateral Raise

3 X 10 reps—Frontal Raises

3 X 10 reps—Hammer Curl

3 X 10 reps—Dumbbell Squats

3 X 10 reps—Dumbbell Shoulder Press

3 X 20 reps—Dumbbell Pullover

Other Exercises Done:

5 X 20 reps—Inclined, Knee-Bent Sit-Ups

3 X 20 reps—Push-Ups

20 minutes—Stretching

I ran 12 miles or 19.2 kilometers in 1:46:22 hours. My average pace was 8:52 mins per mile or 5:32 mins per kilometer. This was an easy run workout.

Adidas Runner’s Shorts

On By kingofpotsIn Runner's Fashion/Attire, RunningLeave a comment

Finally, I was able to buy a “classic” Adidas Runner’s Shorts from SM City in Iloilo City. It is the same “cut and style” as the one that I had been using in the ’80s. The price was almost One Thousand Two Hundred Pesos but it is worth to have this kind of shorts.

My “cheap” Accel runner’s shorts are giving me problems as they cause rashes on my groin areas whenever I use them in my long runs even if I apply body oil or lotion on my groin and upper thighs. Even the latest New Balance runner’s shorts that I bought lately could produce rashes on my inner upper thighs during long runs. The lower edges of these shorts tend to rub and stick on my inner parts of my thighs when my shorts are wet from my perspiration. The constant rubbing is not noticed while running but the rashes becomes painful when taking a shower after the run.

Yesterday afternoon, I immediately used the newly bought Adidas Shorts and it did not give me any rashes at all after running a distance of 12 miles inside camp.

Lesson?…Being “cheap” is not good!

Wednesday Workout

On By kingofpotsIn Runners' Training, RunningLeave a comment

26 December 2007

It was raining the whole day in Manila. I planned to have a 12-mile run inside Fort Bonifacio and Libingan ng mga Bayani on this day but the weather was really bad for running. Instead, I had a simple workout inside my quarters in Fort Bonifacio which made me sweat a lot!

I did the following Dumbbell exercises with my 15-lb Dumbbell set and other exercises:

         5 X 15 reps  Biceps Curl

         5 X 15 reps  Dumbbell Flyes

         5 X 15 reps  Dumbbell Lifts

         5 X 15 reps  Triceps Extension

         3 X 30 reps  Side Bends with Dumbbells—each side (Left & Right)

         5 X 50 reps  Knee Bends with Hands holding Dumbbells on sides

         5 X 50 reps  Heel Raises with Hands holding Dumbbells

         5 X 30 reps  Push-Ups

         5 X 30 reps  Bent-Knee Sit-Ups

         20 minutes  Stretching before and after the workout.

The Day I Became The Bald Runner

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Marathon Race, Running1 Comment

Another title: The day I completely became bald. 

In 1989 while I was in Los Angeles spending a vacation with my family, I noticed an advertisement in one of the magazines I’ve been reading regarding an establishment in North Hollywood that caters wigs and toupees to “Hollywood Stars”. I jokingly suggested to my wife to visit this establishment. Well, she approved of my suggestion and we visited this place. To make the story short, from the day we visited the “wig store”, I was already wearing my first wig!

However, with the popularity of Michael Jordan, being “bald”/shaved head, it started a fashion trend among men. So, my daughter, in June 1997 while visiting in LA, suggested me to remove my wig and sport a complete bald look and she honestly said that I look better with a bald head!

The day before the PAL-Manila International Marathon in 1997, I completely had my head shaved by my official barber in Camp Aguinaldo.

At the starting line of the marathon at the PICC Complex/Cultural Center of the Philippines, I was wearing a runner’s cap and a sports sunglasses that was clipped on my cap. I was running then with Colonel Alan Cabalquinto and we were both sporting a runner’s cap. We wished each other’s “good luck” and vowed to finish the race.

Col Cabalquinto was ahead of me from the starting line and I just maintained my slow pace for the 1st half of the marathon. When I was at the Shangrila Mall area, the sun was already shining and I removed my cap and put on my Oakley sunglasses. From there, I was already the Bald Runner! Infront of the SM Megamall, on my way to Greenhills (the turn-around point), I saw Col Cabalquinto walking and complaining of a pain on his heel for using a wrong running shoes. When I greeted him as I was about to pass him, he was surprised to see me! He was not surprised why I was still on his back after running for 15 kilometers already, but he was surprised with my new look! He was the first one who appreciated and approved of my being bald!!!

I finished the race comfortably in less than four and half hours. I was “powered” by GO Energy Gels/Pastes and PowerBars which were new food supplements for endurance athletes at that time. At one time while I was running along with a male runner at Gil Puyat Ave on my way back to Roxas Blvd in this marathon, I offered one of my GO packets to him. I became a “salesman” first, explaining to him what I am trying to offer, before he tasted it. We finished together at the same time and he thanked me for the food supplement. I guess, the power “gels” gave him the additional strength to finish the race. 

I will never forget the 1997 Manila International Marathon, it was the day The Bald Runner was born! It’s the day I completely shaved my head & started sporting the “bald-look”, shaving my my head every three days since then. It was the day my friends and other people started calling me “Yul Bryner”; “Kojak” (Telly Savalas); “Mikee Jordan” (small MJ); “Kalbo”; and “Bokal”.

Results: 6th DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Team Relay

On By kingofpotsIn Race Results, Running, Sports ProgramLeave a comment

The following are the results of the 6th DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Team Relay on 16 December 2007 at Bonifacio Naval Station (BNS), Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Teams were categorized as Military and Civilian where each category was divided to Seniors (40 years old and above) and Juniors (39 years old and below). Each team consists of two male and one female runners where each runner runs 7K. The team with the lowest total aggregate time wins.

Military Team (Seniors):

Place      Team                   Members              Time 

1st         Philippine Army    Rey Antoque            1:24:02

                                               Daisy Castillon

                                               Rodolfo Tacadino

2nd       Philippine Army    Elpidio Lucero         1:27:48

                                               Rogelio Adenig

                                               Rosario Sarcol

3rd        Philippine Army    Gemma Padrinas    1:35:22 

                                               Edgar Serrano  

                                               Maximo Ulanday

4th       Philippine Navy     Ronald Despi           1:40:14

                                              Luzviminda Camacho

                                              Roy Vence

5th       Philippine Army    Narciso Maligaya     1:43:17

                                              Merlyn Quillo

                                              Artemio Ladia

Military Team (Juniors):

1st      Philippine Army     Adonis Lobaton       1:14:56

                                             Jujet De Asis  

                                             Anna Vargas

2nd    Philippine Navy     Enate Sayrol             1:24:48

                                            Ballester Sustenes

                                            Vicente Eclipse

3rd     Philippine Navy    Emerciano Jimenes  1:24:54

                                           Ailyn Morillo

                                           Raquel Espinosa

4th     Philipine Army     Ma. Alice De la Cruz  1:25:45

                                           Alley Quisay

                                           Mamerto Corpuz

5th    Philippine Air Force  Jonas Art Bacnagan  1:26:40

                                                 Rovel Canillo

                                                 Myrna Flamiano

Civilian Team (Juniors):

1st     Spearhead Runners    John Higger Quinones  1:21:22

                                                 Theresa Bolloso

                                                 Carlos Jose Pedregosa

2nd   Global Runners           Amelita Arcilla               1:26:03

                                                 Angelo Arcilla      

                                                 Ruel Arcilla

3rd   Global Runners            Genevieve De La Pena  1:36:02

                                                 Andres Tabafa

                                                 Romeo Monis

4th  Happy Feet Runners    Joemar Paras               1:37:36

                                                 Jaymie Pizarro

                                                 Benjamin Chan

5th   Global Runners            Mark Peralta                1:47:49

                                                 Jonathan David

                                                 Maria Fe Dumandan 

Civilian Team (Seniors):

1st    M2 Global Runners    Ma. Luisa Dulnuan     1:33:22

                                                Ricardo Pauig

                                                Gregorio Heray

2nd   Spearhead Runners   Helen Castillo             1:39:07

                                                Ferdinand Espejo

                                                Edgardo Pedregosa

(Note: There were 70 Military and 24 Civilian Teams which participated in the said event)

Christmas Day Run

On By kingofpotsIn Practice Runs, Runners' Training, RunningLeave a comment

25 December 2007

I am still in Laoag City. I started my run at 7:00 AM from the house of my sister in Barangay Dibua South to Dibua North. From Dibua North, I ran through a dirt road that connects the road to Barangay Sangil. From Barangay Sangil and running easterly direction, I reached Bacarra Road/at the road boundary of Laoag City and Bacarra, Ilocos Norte. I ran along the Bacarra Road going back to Laoag City, passing by Barangay Barit, Farinas Bus Terminal, and Divine Word College. I turned right on the road going to the BIR Office & MMSU. I entered the Provincial Oval Track and made one round. From there, I passed by the INNHS and turned right towards Barangay Santa Maria, then to Barangay Pila, and finally to Barangay Dibua South. I finished my run at 8:35 AM.

I covered an estimated distance of 11 miles or 17.6 kilometers with a time of 1:34:47 hours. My average pace is 8:38 minutes per mile or 5:24 minutes per kilometer. I consider today’s run as an easy run.

The food I have eaten and the rest/sleep I had yesterday gave me more power and strength to endure with my easy run today.

(Note: This is my # 100 Post in this Blog since 25 October 2007)

Monday: Rest & Recovery Day

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, RunningLeave a comment

After running for 33 kilometers yesterday, I had the whole day of Monday as my rest day. It is a time to recover my energy, by sleeping more hours during the day and eating a lot of food from breakfast to dinner with—broiled fresh “dalag”; crispy “chicharon/bagnet” mixed with bagoong & fresh tomatoes; “dinengdeng” na malunggay leaves with banana mushrooms; salad “caturay” flowers; kilawen na kambing, kalderetang kambing & pinapaitan na kambing; seafoods from roxas city (shrimps & crabs); kilawen na beef “lumo” meat with papait; and lots of fruits.

These foods were coupled with some bottles (at least, one bottle per meal) of San Miguel Pale Pilsen Beer and Gatorade.

For snacks, I ate freshly-cooked “pan de coco”, “monay”, “pan de peanut butter” from Town Bakery and the famous “soft” Biscocho from Pasuquin. Fresh Buko juice was my drinks.

Monday, Christmas eve, was a marathon day for eating and sleeping!!!

Running will be resumed tomorrow morning!

North Star 10K Run

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Races, Running2 Comments

This is considered as the Pride of the North in terms of Running Events. It was usually held on the last Sunday of December every year since 1979. Unfortunately, the last North Star 10K Run was held in 2002 and it was never revived up to this day due to lack of sponsors and resources.

Mr. Pompey Crisologo and his brother, Danny Crisologo (sports columnist and sportsman who passed away) were the owners and race directors of this event. The Crisologos in Laoag City are the owners of the North Star Marketing, Inc which is the sole distributor of Petron Gasul in Ilocos Norte.

The race event started as a final test for the year-long running workouts to those who practiced running regularly among the youths, professionals and residents in Laoag and Ilocos Norte which was done on the last Sunday of the year. Cadets, Officers & Enlisted Personnel from the Philippine Military Academy would join this race regularly. Even runners from Manila would join as “free rides” were provided by the Farinas Bus Company, being one of the sponsors of the race.

The 10K route starts from the old Suba, Paoay Sports Complex/at the vicinity of the old Golf Driving Range of the Fort Ilocandia Golf Course. From that point, the runners go south along the Paoay Road where the finish line is at the point on the road directly beside the bellfry/tower of the famous Paoay Church at Poblacion, Paoay.

The first kilometer is the only hard part of the course as it is going uphill. After passing the 1st kilometer mark, the course is relatively a smooth downhill and flat terrain up to the finish line. The route is very near to the seashore as sand dunes are seen on your right while the Paoay Lake is seen at your left for the first 2 kilometers of the route. The rest of the route are bounded by rice fields/garlic fields on both sides of the road.

Mr Pompey Crisologo was my “informal coach” in running when I started training for the marathon. As an observer, he would make a critique on my running form and give tips on running training techniques and strategy. He reads a lot and he was way ahead of me in knowing the best and the latest technology in running, to include accessories in running and latest running news at that time.

This morning, I had a chance to see him in his office/commercial establishment and he is still very active and youthful at his age of 72!!! He is still wearing a running shoes with his jeans. Little did I know that he was 52 years old when he finished his first marathon in 1981 with an average pace of 6:00 minutes per kilometer. He said that he is still helping the sports development in the province with a  sports (running) project spearheaded by his business company and the Office of the Governor where they conduct 5K races in the different municipalities in Ilocos Norte and later have a 10K race for the top finishers/qualifiers in the 5K races. The top runners in this 10K race are “spotted” as future athletes of the province and given proper training as well as scholarships for high school and college degrees. He is proud to say that the province of Ilocos Norte had been a consistent winner/champion in Athletics/Track & Field in the Regional Athletic Meets for the past six years.

How I wish this running event would be revived soon with the help of Governor Michael Keon of Ilocos Norte and former Commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission, Director of the “Gintong Alay” and a former athlete/runner.