1st Antique 100/50-Mile Ultra Marathon Race

On October 2, 2013October 7, 2013 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Running, Sports Program, Travel, Ultramarathon1 Comment

1st ANTIQUE 100-Mile & 50-Mile Ultra Marathon Race (1st PAU Grand Slam of Ultra Marathon Races)

The following are the details of the 1st ANTIQUE 100-Mile & 50-Mile Ultra Marathon Races:

Starting & Assembly Area: In Front of the Provincial Capitol of Antique In San Jose De Buenavista, Antique

Time of Assembly & Processing of Runners: 10:00 PM October 4, 2013, Friday

Time of Start/Gun Start: 11:00 PM October 4, 2013, Friday

Route of the Race: From San Jose De Buenavista To Caticlan, Malay, Aklan (Along the Antique-Aklan Highway) Via Nabas, Aklan.

Finish Line For 50-Mile Race—-Tibiao Bridge, Tibiao, Antique

Finish Line For 100-Mile Race—–Army Transient Facility (ATF), Caticlan, Malay, Aklan

Cut-Off Time For 100-Mile & 50-Mile Races:

—100-Mile Race: 30 Hours

— 50-Mile Race: 14 Hours

Intermediate Cut-Off Times For The 100-Mile Race On Checkpoints:

Kilometer #40—-6.5 Hours

Kilometer #80—-14 Hours

Kilometer #100—-18 Hours

Kilometer #120—-23 Hours

Kilometer #160—-30 Hours

Intermediate Cut-Off Time For The 50-Mile Race On Checkpoint:

Kilometer #40—-6.5 Hours

Qualifications/Requirements: Must have finished a 50K Ultra Marathon Race & Medical/Doctor’s Certificate

Registration Fees:

50-Mile Race: P 2,500.00

100-Mile Race: P 6,000.00

Registration Period: September 17-October 4, 2013. (NO Registration On Race Day)

Awards: Trophies For Top 3 Overall and Top 3 Ladies (For both Races); Finisher’s Medals; Finisher’s T-Shirt (Long-Sleeved For 100-Miler); Certificate of Finish

****Gold/Silver Belt Buckle For The 100-Miler Finishers

****PAU Grand Slam of Ultra Marathon Races

Registration Procedure: Deposit the Registration Fee to the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Savings Account #0296-0673-22 in the name of Jovenal D Narcise. Send the photocopy of the Deposit Slip to e-mail address: jovie75@hotmail.com and then bring the said deposit slip at the Starting Area on Race Day.

The following are the Rules and Regulations of the Race:

1. Maintain The Integrity of the Race. Runners and their respective support crew are “deputized” to report any infraction of the rules and regulations of this event. Immediate investigation will be conducted for any report received by the Race Director. If found and proven guilty, the runner who committed the infraction will be immediately Disqualified.

2. All runners must stay on the farthest left side of the road. If there is an incoming traffic, runners must be prepared to immediately side-step to the shoulder of the road.

3. All runners will be on “single file” while running or walking on the farthest left side of the road.

4. All runners must have a support vehicle. However, two runners can share a single support vehicle.

5. ONLY Four-Wheeled Vehicles are allowed as Support Vehicles. Bicycles and Motorcycles/Tricycles are NOT allowed as Support Vehicles for the runners. “Spotters” deployed by a team or group of runners are strictly NOT allowed. Runners using “Spotters” on bicycles or motorcycles will be immediately Disqualified.

6. Runners must ALWAYS carry with themselves a hydration bottle or belt even if they are being supported by their respective support vehicle. Anybody caught running without any hydration bottle or belt will be automatically disqualified.

7. On night running, it is MANDATORY for each runner to use headlight and/or hand-held flashlight and a reflectorized vest. Not being able to use these equipment during the night run portion will be automatically disqualified. “Flashlight” or Lights from Cell Phones are NOT allowed. “Blinking Lights” are not considered as personal lighting system of the runner during the race.

8. Half-naked running will NOT be allowed.

9. Race Bib shall be always visible on the front portion or part of the body/apparel of the runner.

10. Support Vehicles should NOT “shadow” their runner on any time of the day and even during nighttime. Support Vehicle must be able to “leap frog” their respective runner. It is the responsibility of the participating runner to advise or instruct the driver of the support vehicle on the rules and regulations of this event.

11. Support Vehicles should park on the right shoulder of the road when waiting for their runner. Any runner with a Support Vehicle parked on the left shoulder of the road shall be automatically disqualified. There will be No Warnings to be issued by the Race Marshals.

12. Runners are not allowed to enter their Support Vehicle to sit, rest, sleep, or change their running outfit. There are gasoline stations and waiting sheds along the road where each runner could sit or rest and change their outfit/apparel or relieve themselves due to the call of nature.

13. The Cut-Off Times and the Intermediate Cut-Off Times will be strictly enforced for both races. (Please see above on the details of the event for the said Race & Intermediate Cut-Off Times)

14. In case of emergencies, runner must be able to contact the Race Director at Cell Phone #0918-965-9895. State your name, race bib, location and nature of emergency.

15. In case of DNF, immediately send the report to the Race Director through the same Cell Phone Number (CP# 0918-965-9895) by stating the following: Name, Race Bib Number, Km Post or Name of the Place He/She Stopped, Reason/s, and if the runner needs immediate medical attention.

16. Finish Line for the 50-Mile Race is at the Tibiao Bridge in Tibiao, Antique. Awarding Ceremony for the Finishers will be done in the finish area.

17. Finish Line for the 100-Mile Race is at the Army Transient Facility (ATF) in Barangay Caticlan, Malay, Aklan. Runners will take the road going to Tabon Port and then turn right on a road going uphill to the Transient Facility.

ANTIQUE 100-Mile Finisher's Buckle — ANTIQUE 100-Mile Finisher’s Buckle

Good Luck To All The Runners!

Route Description: Naic To Nasugbu 50K Ultra Race (Road)

On September 26, 2013January 1, 2019 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Races, Runners' Training, Running, Sports Program, Travel, Ultramarathon4 Comments

I was invited by JC Igos and the members of the Team Cavite Endurance Sports Enthusiasts (E.S.E.) last month to run and recon a route for a road ultra marathon event in their province. We agreed on a scheduled date but due to my participation in last Sunday’s Clark Miyamit 42K Trail Marathon, I asked them to postpone the recon activity on a weekday.

Today, I was accompanied by Rico Laplana and Enrique Sundiang aka DaBull Runner to recon the route aboard my personal vehicle. I measured the route through my GF 305 GPS Watch as we started from the Petron Gasoline Station at the junction of the road going to the Poblacion of Naic, Cavite and the road going to Maragondon, Cavite. We went to the direction going to Maragondon, Cavite. After a few kilometers, we reached the junction road going to Puerto Azul and Caylabne Resort/Philippine Marines Tarnate’s Beach Training Camp. We took the left road going to Caylabne Resort/Philippine Marines’ Training Camp.

Starting Point @ Petron Gas Station In Naic, Cavite

This part of the route is simply amazing and serene—-no traffic, no vehicles, and the road is surrounded by forest and thick vegetation with some water falls on the sides of the road. We passed by the DENR and trailhead in going to Pico De Loro. We were on a mountain road and the air around is so refreshing!

Nice Road, Fresh Air, Challenging Route, Shaded Road, & Green Scenery

Junction Going To Kaybiang Tunnel/Nasugbu

Uphill Road To Kaybiang Tunnel From The Junction

Then, we came into a tunnel where workers were busy installing lighting system into it. I was amazed by the engineering works done in this tunnel. It is more modern and wider/bigger in space than those tunnels in Corregidor, Subic or in Marin Headlands in San Francisco, California!

And after coming out from the tunnel, we were met with a beautiful scenic view of the South China Sea with Corregidor Island and the coasts of Cavite and Bataan! We can’t resist not to have a picture with the view of the sea as the background!

I was able to take some pictures of significant views along the route.

More scenic views of the mountain and the sea as we passed by the so-called “Boracay of Cavite”.

View Of The "Boracay Of Cavite" — View Of The “Boracay Of Cavite”

Another View Of The "Boracay Of Cavite" — Another View Of The “Boracay Of Cavite”

After some hilly, steep ascents and descents in the mountains that surrounds Pico de Loro, we came to a flatter portion of the route as we reached the entrance to Hamilo Coast Resort. After 3-4 kilometers of flat road, another steep inclines and declines would meet us as we got nearer to the Poblacion of Nasugbu, Batangas.

From the place where we started to measure the route (Petron Gas Station in Naic, Cavite) to the Plaza Roxas of Poblacion, Nasugbu, Batangas, the GF 305 GPS Watch registered a distance of 52.8 Kilometers. It registered also a Total Ascent of 1,250 meters and Total Descent of 1,220 meters.

Some fine adjustments on the location of the Starting Area and Finish Line will lessen the distance and come up with a 50K distance road ultra event.

Having measured and recon this route, I am already thinking the possibility of having the following ultra events in the said area:

1. 1st Naic To Nasugbu 50K Ultra Road Race

2. 1st Tagaytay To Naic 102K Ultra Road Race

I am really excited to actually run these routes in the future and come up with these two separate ultra events for everybody to experience.

My special thanks and appreciation to JC Igos, Rico Laplana, Enrique Sundiang aka DaBull and to the Team Cavite E.S.E. for sharing this route and for suggesting that the events shall be part of the yearly regular races of the Philippine Association of Ultrarunners (PAU).

Keep on running!

(Note: Scheduled Dates for these Ultra Races will be posted on this blog’s 2014 Ultra Races’ PAGE)

Dogs & Snakes

On September 22, 2013 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Runners' Training, Running, Trail Running, Travel, UltramarathonLeave a comment

These are the two most popular potential “enemies” of ultra marathon runners in the country.

On the roads, the famous street dogs or what we fondly call as “askals” (Asong Kalye) are the number one “attackers” of runners. These dogs usually bark and run after you on daytime or nighttime. If you are not alert and don’t do some immediate measures to thwart their attack, most likely they will bite your legs.

I had been a victim of a dog bite when I was running at nighttime during one of my adventure runs in San Narciso, Zambales. I am glad I was using a calf sleeve that the bite did not puncture my calf muscle. It was a wound and scratch but I still need to have the dog bite treated immediately. I cancelled my run and went back to Manila for the much-needed medical attention on the next day.

On the mountain trails, the snakes are the most popular creature that you can see crossing your path or even meeting you head-on while one is running. They are even seen hibernating on the branches of big trees in the forest. As always, whenever I go on my daily trail runs, I always see a snake at least once a week or the most, two times a week crossing a few meters in front of me. However, my latest encounter was a snake that was coming head-on directly to my legs! I had to immediately jump from the trail and stopped. The snake’s body diameter could be at least 1 1/2 inches, about one meter long and it is colored black. I am not sure what kind of snake it was but I was glad it did not bite my leg.

Since the time I’ve been bitten by a dog, I stopped using my iPod and headphone. I became smarter in dealing with astray dogs along the streets that I have to stop, walk and try to avoid getting nearer to a dog few meters before the location of the dog. I also prepare to hold my water bottle and be able throw it to the dog if there is imminent act of attack or just simply pick up a stone on the side of the road.

Treatment on dog bites are very expensive but they are also readily available in hospitals and famous drugstores. You need injections for anti-rabies and anti-infection and such injections are being administered on scheduled dates or interval of days. There are also vaccines that would prevent one from being infected by rabies.

I’ve never been bitten by a snake but there are preventive measures to undertake. Expect snakes to be present in cooler and thick vegetation. Do not attempt to thread on thick vegetation without any trail. Always keep your feet on the cleared trail. Be alert when hiking/running on thickly shaded trails, most specially in forested areas or virgin forests. Be alert also for snake encounters on the early morning or early evening as these are the times when I usually encounter them in my “playground”. In case of snake bite, this could be helpful—http://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Snake-Bite

I may not be superstitious but I usually consider my encounters with snakes as my “lucky” moments. And most of the time, I regard the snakes as the “gods” that guard the mountains and the nature thereat. So, if I see a snake crossing or heading to my direction, I don’t have the intention of catching it or playing with it. These creatures deserve some respect from us.

Dogs are considered as the men’s/women’s best friends and snakes are mysterious and beautiful but when you are in the outdoors always stay alert and show some respect to these creatures.

Keep on running!

RD’s Report: 2nd PAU Nationals 110K & 50K (Guimaras)

On September 19, 2013 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Race Results, Races, Running, Sports Program, Travel, Ultramarathon1 Comment

The primary objective of the Philippine Association of Ultrarunners (PAU) is to promote the sports of ultrarunning/ultra marathon races, whether they are on roads or trails. It is also a way of bringing the sports closer to the grassroots with the hope to discover new and younger talents and potentials as elite runners. It also serves as a contribution in the Sports Tourism Program in the locality where the event is being held. Such events and presence of runners from other regions and countries would bring added income and economy to the local establishments and at the same time for the runners to explore the site of the event.

The PAU Nationals, for the second year, had been held in Guimaras Island Province which has a 125-Kilometer Circumferential Highway on the outer edges of the island. It is accessible from the long distance runners from the islands of Panay and Negros, where potential elite runners are residing. Rene Herrera, our Olympian 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter runner, hails from the Province of Guimaras.

Through the help of Dick Balaba, PAU Runner of the Year 2011, who is presently assigned in the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army whose Area of Responsibility covers the Island Provinces of Western Visayas, my trip arrangements and courtesy call to the new Provincial Governor, Honorable Samuel Gamurin, were scheduled and implemented without any problem.

Courtesy Call/Meeting With Governor Gumarin

My staff and I were received by Governor Gamurin in his office and immediately gave instructions to his Provincial Administrator, Provincial Tourism Officer, and the Provincial Risk Reduction Management Administrator who was the Action Officer during the conduct of the 1st PAU Nationals in the province. With a short notice, the 5 Municipal Tourism Officers were called for a meeting with the Governor giving instructions for the support for the event, to include the PNP and the Philippine Army Reservist/Reserve Force in the province.

Governor Gamurin fired the Starting Gun at Midnight of Friday in front of the Provincial Capitol and he event went to the extent of manning the first Aid Station at Km #10, asking and giving food to the runners, and later inspecting the rest of the Aid Stations along the route.

The Barangay Captains in places where Aid Stations were located were properly supervised by the Barangay Captains themselves and their Councilors. PNP elements were also stationed in the Aid Stations and some selected points along the route. Critical intersections were covered by the Philippine Army Reservists and they served as Marshals. Roving patrols and checkpoints were also manned by the PA Reservists.

The 50K runners were ferried from the 50K Finish Line back to the Provincial Capitol aboard specially-built vehicles for tourists along the rest of the circumferential road of the island. This is an improvement from last year’s experience for the 50K runners where they were ferried by military 6 X 6 trucks!

The Governor and First Lady, Vice-Mayor Cecille Gumarin of Buenavista, Guimaras awarded the Trophies, Medals, Finisher’s Shirts and Certificates to the Podium Finishers of the 50K and the Overall Top 3 Runners for the 110K Race.

Podium Finishers With The Governor & First Lady

Even if I prepared packed lunch/dinner for all the runners, the Provincial Government prepared also another set of packed lunch/dinner with one ripe Guimaras Mango for all the Finishers!

Before the Governor left the Finish Area, he promised to fully support the next edition of the race where he suggested that the event will be a part of the Octoberfest in the province. He said that there will be lots of beer for the runners and Rock Bands on Stage near the Provincial Capitol. This is something that ultra runners would like to experience after finishing the race.

There was a 100% finish rate for the 50K runners while 3 runners declared themselves as “Dropped/DNF” among the 27 starters for the 110K race. A total of 50 runners started in front of the Provincial Capitol of Guimaras.

The Course Record in the 50K Race was broken by Marianito “Jun” Ramirez, Jr of Iloilo City with a time of 5:03:28 hours , improving the time by 7 minutes.

The Official Result of the Event is posted at: https://baldrunner.com/2013/09/16/official-results-2013-pau-national-championship-110k50k-ultra-marathon-race/

I would say that the mission/objectives of PAU were satisfied with the conduct of this event. New potentials/talents were discovered among the runners in the area. Sports Tourism for Guimaras was promoted and the presence of the runners and their family & friends had greatly contributed to the economy in the area.

See you next year in Guimaras! Keep on running!

Note: Additional pictures of the event can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/baldrunner/media_set?set=a.10201423731048885.1073741853.1043179758&type=3

2014 Ultra Events Schedule

On September 17, 2013September 17, 2013 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Races, Running, Sports Program, Trail Running, Travel, Ultramarathon2 Comments

I just created a PAGE on this blog for all the scheduled Ultra Marathon Events in the country and other selected international ultra running events for the year 2014. I listed some of the yearly PAU Races and BR’s Events; and also the Ultra Races of Jonel Mendoza/Frontrunner Magazine.

I would like to invite all Ultra Race Organizers/Directors to post their events and respective details/links on the Comment section of this PAGE. Events posted on the Comment section shall be included in the list of events for easy reference to interested runners.

I hope that this PAGE will serve its purpose as the repository of scheduled ultra marathon events in any part of the country for the year 2014.

Thank you!

Picture Of The Week #20

On September 17, 2013September 19, 2013 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Running, UltramarathonLeave a comment

Since All Ultra runners are branded as “Crazy & Stubborn”, they need to be treated here in this mental institution!

Rehabilitation Center For Ultra Runners/ Ultra Marathoners (Thanks To Leo Primero II)

Keep on running!

Official Results: 2013 PAU National Championship 110K/50K Ultra Marathon Race

On September 16, 2013 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Race Results, Races, Running, Sports Program, Travel, Ultramarathon2 Comments

Result: 2013 PAU National Championship 110K Ultra Marathon Race (Guimaras)

September 14, 2013

RANK	NAME	TIME
1	Jovel Alla (Champion)	12:20:46
2	Alfred Delos Reyes (1st Runner-Up)	13:48:49
3	Ilmar Philip Elardo (2nd Runner-Up)	13:56:19
4	Daniel Earl Celis	14:58:46
5	Jonathan Tahumar	15:07:30
6	Dante Adorador	15:14:29
7	Rommel Deslate	15:33:59
8	Ernie Abanco	16:26:00
9	Kent Ryan Lampago	16:34:45
10	Arthur Chu	16:36:37
11	Michael Dauz	17:18:28
12	Rocky Go	18:36:06
13	Mylene Pura (Champion, Women’s)	18:40:46
14	Bernadette Schlueter (1st Runner-Up, Women’s)	18:46:47
15	Katherine Villaflor (2nd Runner-Up, Women’s)	19:17:04
16	Jinky Yray	20:02:54
17	Cleo Gevero	20:20:42
18	Benj Tuble	20:40:24
19	Adrian Aquino	21:30:44
20	Ramie John Tuando	21:42:48
21	Laurice Rogel	22:05:39
22	Stephanie Hefti	22:07:05
23	Januarius Padilla	22:07:07
24	Katrina Constantino	22:19:52

Result: 2013 PAU National Championship 50K Ultra Marathon Race (Guimaras)

September 14, 2013

RANK	NAME	TIME
1	Marianito Ramirez, Jr (Champion, Course Record)	5:03:28
2	Charles Antido (1st Runner-Up)	5:12:09
3	Jerry Peralta (2nd Runner-Up)	6:07:35
4	Louie Estember	6:51:37
5	Allan Bulos	6:54:46
6	Jeld Yap	7:03:19
7	Mary Gold Dela Cruz (Champion, Women’s)	7:03:44
8	Rafael Rafinian	7:05:36
9	Jay De Jesus	7:06:11
10	Frances Patingo	7:06:29
11	Jonathan Zarraga	7:17:37
12	Ted Famatiga	7:24:00
13	Nielito Tupas	7:28:03
14	Pyt Trimanez	7:36:34
15	Romel Catalan	7:41:28
16	Lyra Palma (1st Runner-Up, Women’s)	7:41:30
17	Gina Pugma (2nd Runner-Up, Women’s)	7:46:52
18	Emmanuel Leo Lim	8:18:12
19	Onyx Parcia	8:47:14
20	Pearl Magahum	8:47:15
21	Nenet Naranjo	8:59:48
22	Jeffrey Natividad	9:11:52
23	Johnny Young	9:11:53

Congratulations To All The Finishers!

PAU Logo Medal

Running With Friends

On September 10, 2013 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Practice Runs, Runners' Training, Running, Sports Program, Trail Running, Travel, Ultramarathon3 Comments

In my road runs, I find it more relaxing and comforting when running alone enjoying the scenery of the things that I could see along the road. I would concentrate on my running form and let my legs and feet land on the ground as if they are well-oiled machine pumping until I need to slow down my pace or just simply have my walking breaks. In the comfort of road running, everything is automatic and I could cruise along with my comfortable pace.

In my trail runs, I always have the company of one or two of my athletes/”trainees” as my safety runners or pacers. I don’t run along the mountain trails alone and it is my number one rule in trail running. You may never know when shit happens!

Some of my friends started to ask about my “playground” in trail running when I started posting my pictures on Facebook and they showed some interest in trying to find out about the place and experience what it is like to run in such place. Anybody can go to this place as it is open to the public but one needs to inform the barangay or the village that you are there to run or hike.

It took me some time to figure out and discover a trail loop that ends up to a distance of 18 miles or 28+kilometers which could be extended up to 50 kilometers. But the 18-mile loop is already a very challenging route that would take me 6 to 6 1/2 hours of pure trail running. How I wish I could get the correct cumulative ascent descent in meters/feet on this course.

I really do not invite runners or my running friends to this place. I let my friends do the initiative to personally contact me through Facebook (Personal/Private Message) or simply send me a SMS if they are interested to join me in my weekend trail runs in this place.

Last Saturday, one of the “usual suspects” in my Ultra Races decided to have his Birthday Run in the company of his friends and some of my ultra friends also contacted me that they would like to join me in my weekend runs. So, on that day, our group consisted of seven runners with one pacer and one sweeper, nine runners in all.

We started the run after breakfast at around 7:00 AM. The first 200 meters of the course is an uphill where nobody would dare to run and I usually use this uphill climb as my warm-up hike. After the first kilometer, everybody would cross a river and all our shoes would be soaked and wet. After crossing the river and with a heavier shoes, the group would start to jog and run for a slight uphill within a single-track trail covered with grass.

The trail is a semi-technical trail where you need to keep your sight on the ground and decide quickly where you would want your feet to land. There are streams to cross and muddy portions where you must avoid or let your shoes be buried in deep mud. There are some dogs and there are some herd of cows and carabaos. The cows, even if they are tied with a rope, would run after us during our runs. The carabaos are more calm when their bodies are completely soaked in some mud pools along the route. Just don’t mind the smell when you pass these mud pools!

We usually reach our first stop after 1:10-1:15 hours of running in a nipa shed/hut with benches around it and the registered distance in our GPS watch is 6.2 kilometers. An antenna (weather or radio signal purpose) is located near the hut. We usually have our first picture taking in this place and spend at least 5 minutes of stay in this place.

From this 1st antenna, we go downhill towards another river and after crossing the said river, it is all uphill again. Once we reach a wider trail road, our next goal to reach is the other antenna which is located 7 kilometers away from the first one which is located in a higher elevation. Hence, I call this trail loop as “Two-Antenna” Trail Loop.

Fresh Coconut Juice In Mang Mario's Farm — Fresh Coconut Juice In Mang Mario’s Farm (Photo By Ronnel Go)

Somebody Is Telling Me Some Jokes! (Photo By Ronnel Go)

After the uphills, downhills and some flat areas, we would cross two big streams until we reach the farm of one of the locals, Mang Mario. This is where we refill our bottles with water; have a taste of fresh coconut juice direct from the tree; hydrate & eat some snack food we carried and another chance to take pictures. I usually talk to Mang Mario and his wife and later give him some packs of “Pentagon” Cigarettes, his favorite brand, and some cash to pay for our coconut fruits before we leave his farm. Well, for the past 2 months that I’ve been dropping by in his farm in my runs, Mang Mario and I became friends and he knows what runners would need when we stop in his place. He would offer his benches for us to sit and order his son to pick some coconuts immediately. This is a result of my “sardines approach” in winning some of my friends in the mountains.

Serious Discussions On Trail Running & Ultras (Photo By Ronnel Go)

After one kilometer of uphill climb from Mang Mario’s place, we would reach the 2nd antenna and the scenery of the place where we came from (1st antenna) is just amazing! It calls for another group picture with the antenna and the grassland/mountains around as background!

The next two kilometers will be steeper climbs until we reach the highest point of the course which is registered at 550 meters above sea level. I consider this place as the halfway/turn-around point of the course. The scenery is getting better as we go higher in elevation and it calls for another group picture! This is where we eat the remainder of our trail foods with some “ice drops” which we call “Joy-Joy”. They give joy for the tongue and mouth because of its sweet and cold taste. They are “life savers” when the heat of the sun is almost under our heads!

Closer View of the Runners (Photo By Roy Garcia)

After 10 minutes of rest, it’s time to go down to a “roller coaster” elevation of hills until we reach the 1st antenna but the place all around are grassland where there are no trees to provide us with cover from the heat of the sun. The distance is 7 kilometers from the turn-around point to the 1st antenna. This is where we fight it out with the heat of the sun, from the hot air and from the heat of the ground with what remains in our water/hydration bottles. This is also a stretch of the course where the runners would race with one another to reach the 1st antenna. Well, I usually position myself at the back of the pack with the “sweeper” behind me all the way to the first river/stream that we crossed! This would prevent the new ones to this course not to get lost when one could not see the runner in front of him.

It is good that the house of one of the “cowboys” or cattle caretakers, which is also a friend that I came to develop and know since I started running in this area, is located near the 1st antenna. This is where we can have our re-supply of water which is enough to bring us to where we started.

From the 1st antenna, everything will be relatively downhill and the distance to the first river is 6 kilometers. Reaching the first river is a relief for everybody. We would check our watches and we could not believe that we spent 6 1/2 hours along the course. We thought that we just spent 3-4 hours of having fun in the mountains! It is in this river that we start cleaning our shoes from the mud; cleaning our feet and legs; and simply soaking our tired legs with cold and refreshing flowing water while waiting for the last runner and “sweeper” to arrive.

My Position With The Group In The River (Photo By Ronnel Go)

Ice-cold Coca Cola drinks would be our initial “prize” for finishing the run and followed with a recovery meal which would also serve as another “carbo-loading” feast for the next day’s long run!

What I like with my running friends when they are with me in my “playground” is that I could not hear any words of complaint from them even when there is an intense heat from the sun in the middle of the day or when the trails are slippery during inclement weather/rainy days where some would fall on their knees or butts.

These runners are “hardcore” and “monsters” on the trails!

If you are interested to experience what these runners went through, there will be a scheduled trail running 101 training camp for a day which is strictly limited to only 10 runners. Further announcements on this event will be made through Facebook.

Keep on running!

Andre, The “Grand Slammer”

On September 9, 2013September 9, 2013 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Race Results, Races, Running, Trail Running, Travel, Ultramarathon2 Comments

(Note: This post is to make tribute to an ultrarunner who sponsored and hosted two of my Team Bald Runner’s Elite Athletes’ participation in this year’s Hongkong 100K Ultra Trail Run)

While we were having lunch in one of the hotels in Hongkong a day after the HK 100 Run last January of this year, Andre told me that his goal for this year is to participate and finish the 2013 Grand Slam of Ultrarunning in the United States. When I asked why he was going to aim for such feat where an ultrarunner has a limited time to recover in between races, he answered, “I am not getting any younger and I will try to focus my training to finish all the races”. I just replied to him that how I wished I was still young and be the same with his age. Andre is 43 years old.

The Grand Slam of Ultrarunning in the United States consists of four (4) of the oldest 100-Mile Trail Runs which one has to finish within a span of 10 weeks from the last week of June to the 1st week of September (a week after the US Labor Day). Basically, it covers the whole summer season in the United States. One has to finish the following races in the following order: First, Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run in California; Second, Vermont 100-Mile Endurance Run in Vermont; Third, Leadville Trail 100-Mile Endurance Run in Colorado; and Fourth & Last, Wasatch Front 100-Mile Endurance Run in Utah.

Andre @ The Finish Line Of Wasatch 100 — Andre @ The Finish Line Of Wasatch Front 100 (Photo By Paper)

This Grand Slam of Ultrarunning started in 1986 and after 28 editions, there are only 254 ultra runners who finished the said series. Andre Blumberg placed Hongkong as one of the few countries represented among the list of finishers in this series. He is the first Hongkong resident to have done it!

Congratulations, Andre! Good job, my friend!

Here is the result in this year’s Grand Slam Series of Ultrarunning: http://www.run100s.com/gs13.htm

Group Picture of the 2013 Grand Slammers of Ultrarunning (Photo By Paper)

For more details on the statistics and how to join the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning in the United States, you can visit these links: http://www.run100s.com/slamstats.txt and http://www.run100s.com/gs.htm

If you want to read about the more popular “drama” in this year’s Grand Slam of Ultrarunning, please find time to read this: http://sharmanian.blogspot.com/2013/09/wasatch-front-100-finale-of-grand-slam.html

Ultra Runners Get Stronger As They Become Older (Photo By Paper)

After browsing the pictures taken by Paper, wife of Andre, on Andre’s Facebook Wall, I saw this picture of a 73-year old finisher of the Wasatch Front 100-Mile Endurance Run. The guy is Hans-Dieter Weisshaar, a German ultra legend with about 150 finishes of the 100 miles distance, also a Grand Slam Finisher in the years 2000, 2003, and 2005, at his age, I feel inspired to be able to reach this age and still running ultra marathon races! (Note: The runner beside him is Chihping Fu of California who is one of this year’s Grand Slam Finishers!)

After all, Andre was right. We, the ultra runners, are not getting any younger and we try to challenge our limits of physical endurance and spirit in our training and races. This defines our endurance sports which we dearly love and respect.

Keep on running!

Shoe Reviews: New Balance MT 101 & INOV-8 Mudroc 290

On September 8, 2013 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Running, Running Shoes, Trail Running, UltramarathonLeave a comment

New Balance MT 101 Trail Shoes

I bought this pair of trail shoes from Zombie Runner Store in November 2010 and I am still using them in my trail running. This pair of shoes might have reached more than 800 kilometers for almost 3 years that I’ve been using them. However, I am not sure if this kind of model is still available in the market.

This trail shoe is durable and it is only today, after running 28 kilometers of trails, that I’ve seen the glue of the sole to the uppers starting to open up at the right toe box. For the price of $85.00 then, it is worth using it where I did not have any injuries or any problems with my feet and legs.

The shoe is very light, for a weight of 7.2 ounces in size 9.5 inches, and considered as “minimalist” trail running shoes. Even if it is soaked with my sweat or wet due to river/stream crossings, the shoes is still very light. The water that would enter the shoes could be easily extracted or dried up due to the porous nylon upper mesh. Due to its lightness, I would usually use it for my speed interval workouts at the oval track and tempo runs over paved roads.

The elite ultra trail runner who designed this particular model uses it without socks. However, I never tried using this shoe without any socks. Even if I used socks with it, the toe box is very wide and it gives a plenty of room with my toes which is the most that I like with this model. As compared with the other trails shoes that I have, this has the widest toe box.

The treads on the soles are not suitable for the muddy and sticky trails in the country, although they are good in running on rocks. The treads are very durable and they are responsive in hardened and dried trails. The shoe has a toe-heel drop of 10 mm according to its manufacturer’s specifications but when I use it, I feel that the drop is less than what is stated.

Since it has a wider toe box than the other trail shoes that I have, I usually tighten the laces to feel a well-snugged fit to my feet. In doing so, the lace would still be very long after doing double-knot tie. To keep it from “flying” on the sides of the shoe, I would insert the exposed lace under two criss-crossed laces over the tongue of the shoes.

My plan is to have the sole and uppers to be stitched with one of the local shoe repair shops and have it handed down to one of my elite runners who have wider toes.

This particular trail running shoe model is highly recommendable.

INOV8 Mudroc 290 Trail Shoes

I bought this pair of trail running shoe in one of the local shoe stores, Athlete’s Foot Store, which was sold On Sale last February of this year. I bought it in less than P 3,000 and it was the only one left in their inventory. Buying it was a good decision.

It was my first time to use this brand of shoes and it was only when I bought it when I started to browse in the Internet trying to find out about the specifications of the said model. Mudroc 290 is tagged as the Original Mountain Trail Shoes and it is really true!

The first thing that strike me was the color. It’s black and I liked it. Second is the lacing system where there are no holes on the uppers but nylon strip sewed on the sides of the shoes and it has two holes/slots on top of the tongue where the laces would pass through. I guess, it is a breakthrough in a new kind of lacing system where it keeps the uppers and tongue in a snugged fit to the fit and keep the debris from entering the shoes while running.

Third revelation for this trail shoes are the treads on their soles. They are much thicker and more aggressive/pronounced than the New Balance MT 101.

It weighs 10.2 ounces/290 grams (thus, the numbers attached to the mode’s name) and has a toe-heel drop of 6 mm. It is also considered as a “minimalist” trail shoes but is far heavier than the NB MT 101. Additional weight is put into the shoes when it is wet after crossing some streams/rivers and it takes time to make it drier while running which is the only negative observation I had with this pair of shoes.

I immediately put on lots of mileage on this shoes when I prepared/trained for the 2013 TNF 100K but on the first few times that I used it, I would loosen the tightness of the shoe laces as the back portion of the shoe would rub on my right achilles tendon which resulted to some pain most specially on steep ascending portions of the course. However, after using it for some time, the heel counter’s cushioning had loosen up and it did not bother my right achilles tendon.

As the name of the model would imply and describe, the shoes is really perfect for wet, muddy, and sticky trails. I never had any experience of slipping or dropping on my butt on slippery trails using this shoes. This shoes really rocks on mud!

As compared with the New Balance MT 101, the toe box is very narrow but it fits well with my feet as I want my trail shoes to be well-snugged to prevent debris from entering the shoes.

In conclusion, these two trail shoes are very good choices where one would use in different environment conditions—if the trail is wet and do your workout during inclement weather, the INOV8 Mudroc 290 is the best choice; and if you want to run faster on dried or sun-baked trails, the New Balance MT 101 is the lightest shoes for your run.

Keep on running!

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