173 Days: www.bataan102.com

For those who are interested to experience and participate to the Inaugural Bataan Death March Tribute 102K Ultramarathon Race on 1:00 AM 05 April 2009, please visit our website at www.bataan102.com. This site had been posted last Friday, 10 October 2008. The Bald Runner’s Event is aware that there are things to be fine tuned and improved on this website and we need your comments. This site would not be possible without the help of Eric aka The Pasion Runner. Thanks, Eric!

Please post your comments and your desire to participate in this ultramarathon event by stating your name, age and contact number or e-mail address at the Comments page. Registration Forms “on-line” will be available soon. Continue reading “173 Days: www.bataan102.com”

191 Days: “Running Generals” (Part 2); Gym Workout; & Update On Bataan Ultra Run

After coming from a 2-hour workout at Gold’s Gym this morning, I received a SMS from LT GEN Alan Cabalquinto (Ret.), a “running general”, my partner in past marathon races, my former “boss”, and my “idol’ as a commander and a leader in the Armed Forces of the Philippine, informing me that he just read my post about “Running Generals” which I posted during the early days & weeks of this blog. The said post was a “tribute and honor” to the members of the AFP who rose to the rank of General (Star-Rank) who had the passion and commitment to running. Lt Gen Cabalquinto (Ret) was glad to know, through this blog, that I had kept the faith and love in running. In return, I was happy to inform him of my project on the Bataan Death March Ultra Run and I was glad to know that he sees to it that running is still a part of his daily activities. Sir, my snappy salute to you! How I wish our active military and police Generals have still the attitude and strength to show to their officers and men that they are really good “examples” and “models” of physical fitness, not in words but in deeds. Continue reading “191 Days: “Running Generals” (Part 2); Gym Workout; & Update On Bataan Ultra Run”

196 Days: Laoag City Milo 21K Elimination Race

6:00 AM 21 September 2008 in Laoag City

Instead of starting infront of the Provincial Capitol (as published in the newspapers), the Milo Run started along the Ablan Avenue near the Provincial Sports Complex. About 40 runners for the 21K waited for the arrival of the Governor of Ilocos Norte, Hon Michael Keon, the former Director of the Project Gontong Alay and President of the Philippine Olympic Committee as he was late for almost 40 minutes for the 6:00 AM scheduled start of the 21K Race. Anyway, the race started without any problems and the road marshalls were all posted in key intersections as the race proceeded to the main street of Laoag City, Rizal Street, going all the way to the east, towards the direction of the Municipality of Sarrat. Continue reading “196 Days: Laoag City Milo 21K Elimination Race”

199 Days: Libingan; ULTRA Track; & “Running Shoe Guru”

Yesterday morning, I called up the Commanding General of the Philippine Army’s Support Command (ASCOM), who happens to be my underclassman in the Philippine Military Academy, to reconsider their policy of preventing runners from using the streets inside the Libingan ng mga Bayani. His command is the one directly supervising the upkeep of the Libingan through a Council Board. I requested that runners and walkers must be allowed inside the cemetery as the rolling hills and streets are very challenging and the most accessible route to civilians, soldiers and retirees who would like to engage in physical activities. I told him also that the runners are very responsible people who are just after a quiet road, free of traffic, and full of challenging hills and don’t have any desire to litter or conduct informal picnics/meeting inside the establishment. I was assured by the Commanding General of ASCOM that he will bring this matter to the Libingan ng mga Bayani Council Board for their consideration. Continue reading “199 Days: Libingan; ULTRA Track; & “Running Shoe Guru””

201 Days: Ben Gaetos & Carmela Layson

This post is a tribute to the two (2) Pinoy Ultramarathoners who are well-knowned among the ultra runners in California. They just finished their third (3rd) participation to the most challenging ultra trail running event, Angeles Crest 100-Mile Endurance Run, which was held last Saturday & Sunday (13-14 Sep 2008) with hours to spare before the cut-off time of 33 hours.

The following was the race report of Ben Gaetos on his 2nd Angeles Crest 100-Mile Endurance Run in September 2007: Continue reading “201 Days: Ben Gaetos & Carmela Layson”

201 1/2 Days: 16K @ The Fort

6:00 PM 15 September 2008 @ Fort Bonifacio & The Fort

Yesterday, at 6:00PM, I did 16K run along Lawton Avenue and along the outer streets of The Fort up to the old Gate 1 of Fort Bonifacio and back to the main streets of The Fort. I finished my last 4 kilometers running along the Bonifacio High Street (BHS) Loop. I was able to join other runners in the said loop. I was happy to see more runners this time doing their practice runs in the said loop, most especially during nighttime.

I started to have some conversation with a guy (mid/late 20s) who tried to overtook me but I was able to keep up with his pace but when he started answering my questions, he just peeled off and took another route in one of the cross streets of BHS. I later found him looking tired after few minutes and could not keep up with my pace when I passed him. I later found out that he is preparing for a duathlon race this coming October. Continue reading “201 1/2 Days: 16K @ The Fort”

202 Days: 1st Day of Training For Bataan

I am formally starting my ultramarathon training for the Inaugural Bataan Death March Memorial 100K Ultra Run which will be held along the route where the event happened in World War II, not in any other place in the world, on April 5, 2009.

All my incoming road races on weekends will be part of my ultramarathon training. I should be able to run 50-60 kilometers this week.

The Bald Runner is back!!!

5K Tempo Run

After a rest and recovery for four days, I did a 5K tempo run yesterday early evening around the neighborhood. For my warm-up first kilometer, I did 5:38 mins. I did my 2nd Km in 5:05 mins; 3rd Km in 5:01 mins; 4th Km in 5:04; and ending my 5th Km in 5:12. Overall, I finished the distance of 5.02K in 26:09 minutes with an average pace of 5:12 minutes per kilometer.

Not bad! On Monday, I will be starting my 30-week ultramarathon training for the 2009 Inaugural Bataan Death March Memorial Ultramarathon Run. My next ultramarathon training will be geared towards my first 50K/50M Mt Disappointment Endurance Run in August 2009.

My prayers and best wishes to Ben Gaetos and Carmela Layson, our Pinoy Ultramarathoners residing in Los Angeles, for their 3rd/4th (?) participation to the Angeles Crest 100-Mile Ultra Trail Endurance Run which will start at 6:00 AM tomorrow. GO, GO, GO, Pinoy Ultra Trail Runners break the 30-hour time!!!

How About “Bataan Death March Memorial Ultra Run” In The Philippines?

The reason why I conducted the “first and only Bataan Death March Challenge” in April 2000 held along the exact route where the event occured because I was challenged why in the world would the ROTC of White Sands, New Mexico, USA celebrate such event in their desert where a handful of US World War II survivors from that State would be supported and commemorated. Also, there are three other places/States in the US where they commemorate this famous Bataan Death March. Continue reading “How About “Bataan Death March Memorial Ultra Run” In The Philippines?”

Lessons Learned: Bulldog 50K Ultra Trail Run

1) Intelligence (“Know The Enemy”)—I had the chance to run through the 22K distance (except the last 3K) for each loop of the trail run distance on two occassions; my first time one month before race day and the second time two weeks before the race day. These practice runs along the trail route starting at 9:30 AM and 7:30 AM on each run gave me the needed knowledge and information as to the overall profile and condition of the route. Through these practice runs, I was able to gain confidence and finally plan for my race strategy. Running through the trail route gave me 50% chance of finishing the race.

2) Do Your Homework—I had to make a research on the Internet and from books and magazines available in order to get as much information I could about running an ultramarathon. The book “The Ultramarathon Man” by Dean Karnazes had greatly influenced me to take my body what it feels to experience and finish the ultramarathon.  Printed magazines on Ultra Trail Running and books about ultramarathon had also helped me by reading the experiences of ultramarathoners who were just like anybody else—they started too as beginners. “Tips” and words of encouragement from my blog visitors (Ben Gaetos aka Benwah, Quicksilver, and Eric aka Habang Tumatakbo) were very helpful. Thanks to these ultra friends! Continue reading “Lessons Learned: Bulldog 50K Ultra Trail Run”