“Trail Running have at least three of the four following characteristics: (1) surface should be unpaved; (2) have natural obstacles that may include but are not limited to rocks, tree stumps, tree roots, dirt, gravel, mud, moraine, leaves, grasses, ice, snow, and creek/water crossings; (3) have a significant gain or loss of elevation; (4) include scenic vistas. Some mountain races include a portion or an entire route on pavement; however, these races provide scenic vistas”…from the book “The Ultimate Guide To Trail Running” by Adam Chase & Nancy Hobbs
Scenic Vista; Elevation Gain & Loss; Unpaved RoadRocks & Sun-Baked TrailBigger Rocks & Water CrossingsBetter-Looking Trail With Softer Ground
One of the basic principles in endurance sports is consistency. Running, being an endurance sports, needs a consistent attention and focused training.
In simple terms, consistency means once or twice a day; 7 days a week; 30 or 31 days a month; or 365 days every year!
You might not believe but there is a group of runners who runs every day, even in inclement weather (they use the treadmill!). They are called the Running Streakers! For them to be called as streakers, they should run a minimum of one mile every day, whether they are sick or not. These guys are really the hardcores of running!
I haven’t heard of any Pinoy Group of Runners who would fit this kind of group of runners. However, if you browse on the Internet, you will find out that there are lots of groups with their respective “Medal Standings”.
Now, we go back to consistency in running. Whether your goal is to finish a 3K, 5K, 10K or in any distance, your main consideration is your consistency in your training. It means that you have to go out and do your “30-minute” rule for the lesser distances and do your easy long distance runs for the 10K and more distance races on a daily basis! In simple terms, consistency is daily runs!
What is good about running everyday is that you could easily adopt any kind of training program for any distance race.
If you want to improve in your road and trail races in the coming year, make this as your New Year’s Resolution—-RUN EVERY DAY!!!
There is ONLY ONE Finisher within the cut-off time of 32 hours in the “Taklang Damulag” 100-Mile Endurance Trail Run.
Dick Balaba’s Official Finish Time in the Inaugural TD100 Trail Endurance Run is 31:11:26 Hours. So far, a “Course Record” to be broken by future endurance runners! Congratulations to all the runners, “volunteers”, BR Events Staff, 7th Infantry Division, SOCOM, Special Forces Regiment of the Philippine Army and ultra friends who supported the conduct of this historic event in the country. It is official that TD 100 is the FIRST AND ONLY 100-Mile Trail Endurance Run in Southeast Asia!!!
Dick Balaba, Champion and the ONLY Official Finisher of the 1st TD100
I did not qualify for the 35th MILO Finals this time as I did not have the time to qualify in the regional/provincial races. But with the start of my training season for my next year’s running events to attend to, I need to join road races which can serve as my training runs and make them as my guide in my training preparations. Thus, QCIM and MILO Races were part of the training program to build-up my endurance.
At the 3rd Quezon City International Marathon which was held a week before the MILO Finals, I opted to join the Half-Marathon event and I finished it in 2:20:50 hours. It was really a long slow distance run for me to start my training period. I was happy with the result.
After a one-day rest, I started to resume my “30-minute” daily runs; maintain my “30-minute” swimming drills at least 3 times a week; two visits at the gym where I did some light weight lifting (deadlifts, dumdbell exercises, and lunges) and stationary cycling for “30 minutes”. A massage on Friday evening and some brisk walking on Saturday completed my tapering for this event.
As in past MILO Finals, there was a festive mood at the Starting Line and I positioned myself at the farthest back among the Half-Marathon runners. I thought and planned of doing ala-Dean Karnazes style in this run—an LSD run from the back of the pack and slowly gaining some speed along the course with the objective of passing as many runners as I can along the route until the finish line. I have observed this kind of approach in running when I joined the Los Angeles & San Francisco Marathons with Dean Karnazes in the past years.
As soon as the Gun was fired, I started to walk brisky from the back and I was sure I was the last runner. I started to ring my mini-cowbell continuously which brought the attention of the MILO VIPs on the stage. Coach Rio, the Race Director of the Event, approached and greeted me. I thanked him for giving me the complimentary race packet for the event.
It was a very slow start for me as it was still dark and with lots of runners infront of me. As soon as there was natural light, runners would recognize me and I got a lot of greetings. Some runners would recognize me and see me in person for the first time and tried to start some conversation. Others would try to pace with me. Others would make me as their “target”.
At the Km #9, I briefly stopped and walked after I was fed up hearing the sound of dangling keys and coins from one of the runners behind me. The runner asked me why I stopped and I answered him that I could not stand the noise from his noisy keys & coins! When the runner was about 50 meters away infront, I started to run again. At Km #11, I passed the runner and increased my pace. I would never see him again.
On those fly-overs, I would pass more runners! I asked one of the runners who was pacing with me to pass two runners in triathlon suits as we attacked the fly-overs. The other runner nodded and we attacked the fly-overs and I left him halfway on the uphill portion while I overtook the two triathletes. I never saw the runner and two triathletes after that incident.
Believe me, I was having fun during the run. I overtook more runners in the Aid/Water Stations as I would not stop because of the handheld “Sprint” Nathan Bottle on my left hand with my cowbell on my right hand. To add more fun to the run, I would ring my cowbell to most of the ultra runners whom I would meet along the route. I even cheered to the top Pinoy runners using my cowbell. In short, I was running and at the same time cheering everybody with my cowbell!
At The Last Kilometer To The Finish Line
Soon enough, I was nearing the Finish Line. I tried to be relaxed as much as possible after I thought of those previous deaths in running events. One runner died last year in the MILO Finals Half-Marathon; another runner died in the Los Angeles “Rock N Roll” Half-Marathon last October; two runners died in the latest Philadelphia Marathon (one is in his late 20s and the other is a triathlete in his mid-40s); and another runner died in the latest SC Singapore Marathon. All these deaths happened on the last 2 kilometers of the race and/or after crossing the Finish Line. I found out later in my readings that experts would suggest not to “sprint” or do your “extraordinary fastest pace” on the last 800-1,000 meters of the race. Such action might do harm to the heart’s functioning. Don’t pay attention to what the EMCEE is telling to all the runners that “you are almost there” which would trigger you to start sprinting to the Finish Line. Runners should be calm and relaxed as one approaches the finish line!
What could be more relaxing than having a smile, ringing my cowbell, and waving my other arm/palm to the other runners and crowd as I approached and crossed the Finish Line? None! I finished the race in 2:09:25 hours which is a great improvement from my QCIM Half-Marathon result. After I got my medal, swags, and certificate, my day was complete!
Ringing My Cowbell Near The Finish Line
I found out later in the results that I placed #343 overall among the 1,432 runners who finished the race. I could not believe that I was able to overtake/pass 1,089 runners during the race. So far, so good!
So far, MILO Marathon is still the premier marathon race in the country! Congratulations to Nestle, Phils and RunRIO for a job well done!
Note: Thanks to Angelo Lagumbay & Angelo Maravilla for the Pictures
Last year, I finished the 2nd QCIM Marathon in 4:30+ hours and I liked the very challenging route where runners would experience running inside the UP Complex, on the wide and rolling terrain of Commonwealth Avenue and within the La Mesa Dam Area. I did not have much training in preparation for this event as I wanted to experience running through the whole course. You can read my Race Report here.
As a QCIM “loyalist”, I really wanted to join the Full Marathon but due to my rest and recovery after joining the 1st Bakersfield Ultra Marathon Madness (BUMM) 32-Mile Trail Run in Bakersfield, California, I had “zero” training for the said distance. Instead, I decided to join the Half-Marathon event. I treated this race as part of my “base endurance” training in preparation for future events in the coming year. This is an event that would “kick start” my incoming season of running. (Note: If you noticed in my pictures that I was wearing a Running Visor, that could be a hint for a serious training to come!)
The race started at 4:30 AM and I focused on my plan to treat this event as a LSD run. I always remind myself at the starting line to stay relaxed as much as possible during the race. My first 5 kilometers were very relaxing as I joined most of the average runners at the back. I was averaging a pace of 7:00+ minutes per kilometer on those first 5 kilometers and I was having fun!
Sometimes I break some time-tested “lessons learned” in running. Whenever, I run the QCIM, I always use newly-bought running shoes and most of the time, these shoes are not categorized as running shoes on paved roads. Last year, I used the New Balance MT 101 trail running shoes and it passed the test on my feet and legs. No soreness, blisters and injury using a light, thin-soled, and almost “zero-drop” trail shoes. Last Sunday, I used the New Balance XC 700 which is considered as a Cross Country Running Shoes. It has some rounded-tipped “spikes” on its sole which one could feel as it is being used for the first time. However, after a few pounding on the ground, the feet would be used to the feeling and it would eventually disappear.
Relaxed and Having Some Fun!
From Km 6 up to the Finish Line, I gradually increased my pace within the 6:20 minutes to 6:50 minutes, average pace per kilometer. I barely took a glance on my GF 305 watch as I was running on how my body feels during the run. Basically, I was having fun and tried to be relaxed as much as possible. My first two swimming lessons had greatly contributed on my ability to run on a more relaxed manner! For the first time, I was surprised to experience the feeling of being relaxed throughout the run. No pressure, no competition, no whining, no “target” time to think of, no cursing on the lack of water cups on the Aid Stations and no “target/s” infront to overtake. The feeling was just like running as if I was alone in a trail and enjoying the views around!
Near The Finish Line
With such experience and relaxed running, I did not know that I was already approaching the Finish Line! Finally, I crossed the Finish Line with an official time of 2:20:50 hours. It could be my slowest Half-Marathon Race but the feeling of running relaxed and following/focusing my race plan was a great experience.
Another Finisher's Medal in Running
Thank you, RUNNEX, SMDC and Quezon City for a successful conduct of the 3rd QCIM Marathon.
Note: Thanks to LeStSky Runner and Pinoy Fitness for the Pictures they posted at Facebook!
In any kind of sport or game, whether it is for casual exercise or for competition, every one should know the “rules of the game”. Most of the competitive sports have a set of Rules and Regulations in order to maintain good order and efficient conduct of a game or an event. Without these rules and regulations, the event will never be called a “sports discipline”.
If a person would like to engage in any kind of sport discipline, the first thing to do is to find out its rules and regulations. The Internet is full of information on this matter and all you need to do is to input/type the topic you want to research on your browser or in Google and everything is there for you to read and download. It is very easy and fast.
By following these rules and regulations, it will be easier for you to appreciate and improve on the sport/game you want to learn or concentrate in. Do not wait for the other practitioners/athletes or opponents to remind or warn you about its rules and regulations. Prevent yourself in an embarassing situation with the pros.
In running, there are rules and regulations that should be followed also. However, they are very easy to comprehend and follow as they all boil down to these words—Common Sense, Fair Play, Honesty, and Courtesy. There are also running events that are very unique from the usual 5K, 10K, 21K or Marathon Races where you have strict duties and responsibilities of support crew and pacers. (Note: There should be no Support Crew and/or Pacers in Marathon/42K Races). Usually, support crew and pacers are included in ultra running events and they have some responsibilities and restrictions on how they would be able to support their runners. If you want to know more of these, you can browse on the rules and regulations of the Badwater Ultramarathon (for Ultra Road Races) and/or the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run (for Ultra Mountain Trail Runs).
At present, I am now trying to read every word of the Rules and Regulations of a Triathlon Event as published in Triathlon Resources in the Internet. They are very long and very specific but knowing the details would be the first step to really appreciate the sport.
Depending on your goals why you want to engage in running, the first requisite to be successful in running is to have a discipline.
It is an attitude that plays within the confines of what is in between one’s ears! It’s all in your brain!
Whether you are following a training program to finish a certain distance of a road race or not, discipline plays the greatest role in one’s ability to accomplish and attain such objective.
How does anybody develop a discipline in running? Start with your goal. Make a “personal contract” to this goal. Visit your family doctor to find out if you are healthy to do some endurance activity that affects the functioning of your heart, lungs and other parts of your body. If you have the “go” signal from your doctor, go out from your “comfort zone” and take those “baby steps” towards running.
Make sure to allocate at least 30 minutes out of the 24 hours in a day to keep your body moving. That is only 2% of the whole day and it is a “piece of cake” and a very short time spent as compared from one’s time reading your friends’ status on Facebook. You can start by walking at a leisurely pace in any place until you are comfortable in including short jogs within the span of 30 minutes. If this ritual is done everyday, your body will be able to adapt and you should be able to maintain the momentum.
It is not important on how far you can walk/run in 30 minutes, what is most important is your attitude to go out and have those 30 minutes spent on moving your legs & feet on the ground.
Everyone should be able to include walking/running in one’s activity on a daily basis and if you can do this, it is a very good example on the application of discipline.
Remember, discipline is the key and the most important aspect in any kind of endeavor, sports, and, of course, to running.
I was surprised when Jael Wenceslao, one of the 1st BDM 160 Finishers, posted a picture on Facebook a portion of one of the pages of the latest edition of the Runners World Magazine Philippine Edition. Since I have not seen the actual page or have with me a copy of the said magazine, my information was based from the status posted by Jael.
BDM Ultramarathon: Dream Race
It appears that a survey was conducted by the Magazine to Pinoy Runners and the result showed that the BDM Ultramarathon ranked with the two most prestigious Marathon Races in the World—Boston & New York City Marathon.
I was overwhelmed with joy and at the same time worried that my vision to make this race as the “Comrades Ultra Marathon” in Asia is coming to reality at a faster pace as compared from my personal conservative expectations. I could not imagine how the race would look like when you have at least 500 runners or more in it. As of now, the race takes its form by increment and maintains to be a road race by invitation only.
As an expression of gratitude and a way of giving back to the community, most especially to all the endurance athletes in the country, I am offering FREE ENTRY to all PINOY FINISHERS of the 2011 KONA IRONMAN to the 2012 Edition of the BDM 102K. In addition, PINOY FINISHERS in the 2011 TNF Ultra Marathon Mont Blanc 100-Mile Run; ultra runners former PNP Director Samuel Tucay (Ret.), Fr. Robert Reyes, Cesar Guarin, Joy Roxas, and Fr Picx Picardal will be invited also for free entry in the said event.
If you think you are considered as one of the TOP 5 Pinoy Runner-Bloggers, please contact me as I might as well give you a FREE ENTRY to the 2012 BDM 102K which will be held on March 3-4, 2012.
Thanks for your support. Let us make BDM Races known throughout the world!
Bataan Death March (BDM) is in the Philippines and not in any other country!
Bald Runner 
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