My kids, John Paul and Jovelle are starting to love trail running at the Bulldog Trail in Malibu Creek State Park in Calabasas, California. This is my daughter’s first experience in the said trail. Aside from their regular trek to Mt Wilson Trail routes, they have plans to join their first trail race along this famous Bulldog Trail 25K loop. Hereunder are their pictures in last weekend’s run to the said trail.
6:30 AM 22 February 2009 @ Bataan Death March Kilometer Post # 50 in Abucay, Bataan
All the runner-applicants for the 1st Bataan Death March 102K Ultramarathon Race to be held on 05 April 2009 were asked to join the 52K “Test Run” from Km Post # 50 to the Finish Line in San Fernando, Pampanga as a requirement for each runner in order to orient them on the actual route and have them experience the feeling of running under the heat of the sun and over the “hot” paved/cemented roads of Bataan and Pampanga. The “test run” was announced through my posts at www.bataan102.com and this blog. Other runners reached to them through the words and information from the other runner-bloggers and the “Hardcores”.
As the race organizer for the ultramarathon event, I had to make coordination for the support requirements of this event, to include the conduct of this “test run”. This includes security, logistics, administrative and other miscellaneous requirements. Aside from those runners who have the capability to provide themselves with their own suport system, I also prepared a general support vehicle which served as our “mobile” Aid Station throughout the duration of the “test run”. An ambulance with a Medical Team was also available courtesy from my brother who is now the Commander of the Light Armor Division of the Philippine Army based in Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac. My staff prepared 100 bottles of Gatorade; 100 bottles of Propel Drinks; 100 pieces of Sponges/Foams; Cloud 9 Chocolates; lots of boiled sweet potatoes and bananas; hard-boiled eggs, and packs of Sky Flakes. Runner-participants Arman Fernando & Jonel aka Bugobugo85 donated 500 bottles of bottled water.
My staff and I left Manila at 4:00AM yesterday morning with all the prepared logistics support for the “test run” and the personnel needed. We arrived in Balanga City just in time for the opening of Jollibee where 12 of us had our breakfast. At 6:30 AM, we arrived at the pre-designated assembly area which is a 6-km drive from Balanga City. There were almost 20 runners and their support vehicles were already there. Some of the runners had to take the bus from Pasay City as early as 3:00AM just to be able to be at the place before the assembly time. From one group of runners to another, I had to personally greet and ask their names of the new faces I’ve seen in the area. I tried as much as possible to extend my thanks to each runner for their support and attendance to this “test run”. At 6:45AM, all the runners were already prepared and we had to get and list their names for accounting purposes.
I requested the runners to gather around for my personal briefing for the “test run”. In my briefing and remarks, I personally extended my thanks for their support in this ultramarathon event and told them the very purpose of this “test run” and warn them on the preventive and safety measures to make this run as a success and meaningful to each one of us. Details of the route and the support arrangements were explained to them. We had an accounting of the runners and the “test run” consisted of 38 runners with two (2) Japanese runners—Norio Tanaka and Hiroshi Takei. Three of the 38 runners are not runner-participants for the Bataan 102K Race. Coach Salazar led a simple stretching exercises. We had a photo-ops at the Kilometer Post # 50 and then Coach Salazar (again!) led a simple prayer for everybody.
The run started at 7:23 AM (GF 305 time) with me leading the group of 38 runners with a slow and comfortable pace. The sun was already shining and the sky was cloudless when we started the run and it maintained to be cloudless throughout the run. The running group ran with the traffic making sure that each runner whould run along the very edge of the paved road or along the dirt road on the sidewalk. After running for five minutes, Albert Salazar aka Run2Dmoon, Hiroshi Takei and a lady runner overtook me with a fast pace and after ten minutes, Victor Ting, a 63-year old and 30-year veteran of road racing and another companion runner overtook me and these runners led the group and later went ahead of the group for almost 2 kilometers.
My plan for this tes run was to maintain an average pace within the range of 6:45 to 7:00 minutes per kilometer; brisk walk at least 5 to 10 minutes every 12-15 kilometers; and spend at least 3-5 minutes stop on the “mobile” Aid Stations to eat and drink; have my “bandana” dipped on the cold water; and place a soaked foam/sponge on my upper back & clipped with the upper edge of my white Patagonia long-sleeved shirt. I decided not to wear my Nathan Water Belt or my TNF Water Pack but I saw to it that I have a water bottle tucked on the “small on the back” portion with my tight compression shorts and have the option to have another bottled water on my hand.
The test run went well as planned where our “mobile” Aid Station had be prepositioned every 2.5 to 3 kilometers along the route. Our Ambulance was positioned at the back of the last group of runners. Our staff had to check each runner as they pass on our “mobile” Aid Station and they had to monitor also how far are the lead runners. As the runners had completed 10 kilometers and about to reach the boundary of Orani and Hermosa, Bataan, the runners’ location had stretched within the range distance of 4-5 kilometers of the race route. I was beginning to suspect that this “test run” was evolving to be a road race for everybody! I was in the company of Jerry aka High Altitude, Norio Tanaka, Mari Javier, Gene Olvis, Rollie and Ralph “Raffy” Salvador along the stretch from Abucay to Hermosa, Bataan.
After running 17 kilometers, I saw one of the lead runners walking and I had to walk with him and started to ask how & what he feels on the progress of the run and the effect of the heat of the sun to his body. The runner answered that he is okey and just needed to walk. Talking while walking with runners was my way of advising them of hydrating and feeding themselves with the food needed to fuel their body. After 5 minutes, I was back on the road, running towards the junction of the Dinalupihan-Subic Road where Km Post # 68 is located.
The next 15 kilometers along the highway from Dinalupihan to Kilometer Post # 83 was the hardest part of the run because of the heat of the sun and the overstretched location of our “mobile” Aid Station. From every 2.5 to 3 kilometers of distance where the Aid Station would prepositioned itself, it became to almost every 5-6 kilometers. The lone “mobile” Aid Station became two after the pick-up of Jonel aka Bugobugo85 volunteered as support for the slower runners. At this point, the span of the spread of the runners almost covered a range of 6 kilometers when we reached Kilometer Post # 75.
The faster runner were directed to stop and rest and wait for the other runners at the Petron Gas Station in Guagua, Pampanga where the Original Razon restaurant is located. At this point, we were already at the vicinity of Kilometer Post # 91 and we still have 11 kilometers to go before the Fnish Line. The first 25 runners were treated with the famous Halo-Halo at Razon’s courtesy of the Bald Runner. We had at least a 45-minute rest in this area and I just kept my GF 305 running to get the overall elapsed time for the duration of the test run. As we resumed our last leg of our test run from this point, my GF 305 registered an elapsed time of 5:46+ hours.
The last 11-km stretch was also a hard part of the run but each runner had to condition into his mind that this is just a simple 10K run for him. It was already about 1:00PM and the heat of the sun was really taking its effect to every runner as our strides became shorter and our breathing became faster. Our “mobile” Aid Stations were there in every kilometer along this last segment and we had to drink a lot of water and Gatorade in order to last up to the Finish Line. Finally, along this stretch, every runner could see from a distance the next Kilometer Post marking as he passes one kilometer marking until the last kilometer post on the Highway which is Kilometer Post # 101. Seeing the grounds of the Pampanga Provincial Capitol was a sight of relief as it would be almost 200 meters before the Finish Line.
I finished the “test run” in 8th place with an elapsed time of 6:52+ hours (including the 45-minute rest at Razon’s). All the Thirty-five (35) runner-applicants finished the “test run” with more time to spare before the 9-hour decent time to finish the run. Without the mandatory 45-minute “rest & stop” at Razon’s, each of the runner must have registered a faster time.
My congratulations to the finishers of this “test run”. I now consider and pronounce you as the “new warriors of Bataan”. You had passed the test and you can have the bragging rights as an “ultramarathoner” or ultra runner in the country. I know most of us had learned some lessons in this run and I hope you can continue to train and prepare for the final race on 05 April 2009.
My sincerest thanks to those people who have helped and supported us in this “test run”. May you help us some more in our advocacy to promote ultramarathon events in the country and at the same time commemorate events in the history of our country for the benefit of our heroes and to the younger generation.
LIST OF RUNNER-APPLICANTS FOR BATAAN 102 ULTRAMARATHON RACE EVENT:
1) Jerry Karundeng (Indonesia)
2) Kim O’Connell (US/Singapore)
3) Norio Tanaka (Japan)
4) Hiroshi Takei (Japan)
5) Jerome Cartailler (France)
6) Lucas (Singapore)
7) Baldwin (Singapore)
8) Andy Ho (Singapore)
9) Henry Yang (Singapore)
10) Constante Mendoza
11) Jonathan Babsa-ay
12) Albert Salazar
13) Jonnifer Lacanlale
14) Christian David Alacar
15) Jeffrey Abenina
16) Albert Henson
17) Caloy Nobleza
18) Norberto Mortel
19) Gem Padilla
20) Ronald Declarador
21) Jun Jaranilla
22) Mighty Mike (???)
23) Coach Jo-Ar Calvadores
24) Enrico Tocol
25) Odessa Coral
26) Martin Lorenzo
27) Arman Fernando
28) Jay Lee Cu-Unjieng
29) Bald Runner
30) Isidro Vildosola
31) Reynaldo De Los Reyes
32) Ellen Tolentino
33) Francisco Lapira Jr
34) Regidor Samar
35) Ralph Jerome Salvador
36) Hermogines Olvis
37) Dionisio Potonia
38) Regie Boljoran
39) Marlin Bongcaras Marilag
40) Vincent Tongson
41) Boyet Bernardo
42) Fernando De Lara
43) Mario Salumbides
44) Jayson Fabricante
45) Ruel Enerio
46) Dennis Enriquez
47) Felipe Nama
48) Ernie Ledesma
49) Michael Sudario
50) Ivy Macainan
51) Cesar Abarientos
52) Glendell Tanag
53) George Dolores
54) Rene Abacan
55) Eduardo Navarette
56) Eric Socrates
57) Roberto Manzano
58) Charlie Chua
59) Filomeno Duterte IV
60) Richard Poquiz
61) Albert Sama
62) Robert Quibado
63) Noel Hernandez
64) Edilberto Severino Jr
65) Roel Ano
66) Vicente Cuerez
67) Benjamin Garcia Jr
68) Edizon Ticzon
69) Darry Bado
70) Genea Padilla
71) Larry Luciano
72) Lawrence Trinidad
73) Susan Maglaya
74) Pepito Deapera
75) Melchor De Lara
76) Alan Giba
77) Jose Mari Javier
78) Arman Abalos
79) Don Ubaldo
80) Edwin Bien
81) Ezekiel Mangune
82) Ricardo Cabusao
83) Willy Suarez
84) Raiza Tulan
85) Regie Boljoran
86) Eric Alvia
87) Bonifacio Dalisay
88) Aniceto Grimaldo
89) Victor Ting
90) Alipio Narciso
91) Jessie Ano
92) Rey C Antoque
93) Rodolfo M Tacadino
94) Romeo M Marquez
95) Alvin Canada
96) Mamerto Corpuz
97) Adonis Lubaton
98) Andrico Mahilum
99) Cresenciano Sabal
100) Esmeraldo Ondoy
101) Randy Gumahit
102) Bowen Montecillo
103) Elmer Sabal
104) Alley Quisay
105) Leomar Mirasol
LIST OF PAID PARTICIPANTS:
1) Constante Mendoza
2) John Frederick “Jeffrey” Abenina
3) Albert Henson
4) Francisco Lapira Jr
5) Jonathan Babsa-ay
6) Kim O’Connell
7) Coach Jo-Ar Calvadores
8) Regie Bolljoran
9) Dionisio Potonia
10) Roel Ano
11) Ricardo Cabusao Jr
12) Norio Tanaka
13) Arman Fernando
14) Aniceto Grimaldo
15) Jessie Ano
16) Henry Yang
Team Bald Runner’s Performance last weekend, 14-15 February 2009:
a. Milo Marathon (Batangas elimination)-
This is the first pre-requisite for each participant for the 1st Bataan Death March 102K Ultramarathon Race to undertake and complete and as such, this will be a “test run” for everybody. A “test run” in the sense that it will determine if each of the participant has the endurance, will-power, and attitude to finish a 52-kilometer distance run under the heat of the sun. For those who had been training for this ultramarathon event since last year, you will be running along the last half of the distance of the ultramarathon event on the very exact place or route of the race.
The assembly time will be at 6:30AM on 22 February 2009. The meeting place or assembly area will be at the Bataan Death March Kilometer Post # 50 located along the old National Highway in Abucay, Bataan. To be specific, the assembly area will be at the vicinity of the GAZ Xpress Gasoline Station and the Abucay Mega Market in Abucay, Bataan. If you will be coming from Balanga, Bataan, just take the old National Highway from the City Plaza and proceed towards eastern direction for about 6 kilometers and the Km 50 Post would be visible on the right side of the road. The “test run” will start at exactly 7:00AM. Why? This is estimated time that most of the runners/participants must have finished the first 50 kilometers of the race, from Mariveles to Balanga or Abucay, Bataan.
The finish line of the “test run” will be at the Old Railway Station in San Fernando, Pampanga which is the same finish line during race day. The Bataan Death March Kilometer Post # 102 is located near the old building of the railway station and near the National Historic Institute’s Marker which is a red-painted big rock.
For those runners who have the capability to have their personal support vehicle/crew and pacers, they could bring such support with them during the “test run”. However, they are discouraged from riding to their vehicles and “leapfrog” from one place to another up to the finish line. We will adopt a “honor system” during this run. Better yet, as agreed, this will be a “group run” where the faster runners would wait for the slower runners up to the finish line. The purpose of this run is to acquaint yourself with the terrain, weather, and the actual route of the race.
There will be road marshals on specific road turns most especially when the runners reach the towns of Lubao, Guagua, Bacolor and the City of San Fernando. Extra safety precaution will be observed by each runner while running along the route as there is a limited space along the sidewalk. Runners are encouraged to run on the left side of the road, facing the incoming traffic.
With the benevolence of some of the runner-participants, free water and sports drinks will be available along the route. If plans permit, boiled sweet (camote) potatoes and boiled bananas will be available also to all the participants along the route. However, for contingency purposes, participants are encouraged to bring with them cash as there are available convenience stores along the way.
Ladies & Gentlemen, treat this “test run” as one of our Sunday’s “runabouts”. Good luck & see you at the Assembly Area this Sunday.
6:00 AM 15 February 2009/Power Run 15K/10K/5K @ SM Mall of Asia & PICC Grounds
Yesterday, I posted my predictions about today’s road race. Actually, I forgot to mention the lack of kilometer markings for the said race and instead posted a corrected version of my post in my blogger site (www.baldrunner.blogspot.com). I made those predictions to warn other runners to expect that this race will not be as perfect as they wanted to be. Except for the “perfect weather” for the race which I did not specifically stated, although I was expecting a hot, sunny and humid on the last half of the race, all the things I’ve predicted about the road race came true!
The Good
1) Simple Program & Punctual Start—This is what I like with road races managed by MX Sports. The Emcee just simply announced the remaining minutes before the race starts and repeatedly informed the runners that the race starts at exactly 6:00AM. The race started at exactly 6:00AM as registered in my GF 305 watch with a simple countdown from the Emcee and a simple “fire” sound from a track pistol.
2) No Problems & Hassles During Registration—I registered last Saturday and it was so easy. I observed also that the race organizer was accepting the registration of participants minutes before the start of the race within the assembly area. However, I was not able to get a hard copy of the road race route which I expected to be a part of my race packet. I depended much on the race route published by runner-bloggers and takbo.ph download copy of Jinoe. By looking at the race route, I was already expecting some “chaos & confusion” during the said race.
3) Nice Emcee & Sound System—So far, I like the way the Emcee delivered his message in order to inform the runners about the start of the 10K & 15K races. The sound system was also pleasing to my ears and the background music made me sway and stretch my body and legs.
4) Fast Course—This is a flat and fast course and I predicted a PR best time to the students (“speed” training) and members of the Team Bald Runner in their respective road race.
The Bad
All my predictions were true! There was “chaos, confusion and lots of whining” along the road from the runners. Running two loops at the PICC Complex created the first confusion among the runners. When the runners were back to the MOA Grounds after coming from the PICC Complex and Macapagal Highway, another confusion occurred where I saw two top contenders for the 15K were lost. Instead of being ahead of us, they were actually going opposite to our direction. It was too late when they realized that they were on the wrong road as they joined us. On the last stretch of the race, all the runners were complaining about the extra distance they had to run.
Some of the runners were confused as most of the roads at the MOA Grounds did not have road marshalls. One runner who was mad about the situation, when he saw me coming, shouted and requested me to write a very long critique for this race. Another runner even shouted, “we just follow Bald Runner and for sure we’ll not get lost to the finish line”. Hehehe! I really like that! Another runner would always shout to every Security Guard and Road Marshall manning in some of the intersections that their race was confusing and he was complaining of the high cost for the registration fee. A lady runner (who was running third overall in the women’s category) ran beside me and she was also loudly cursing for the confusion and lots of turns along the way. I spoke to her in a nice manner and said, “Don’t Waste Your Energy Complaining, Focus Your Mind On Finishing the Race With More Strength”. Another runner who ran beside me even suggested for me to organize a road race and bring back those road races I had conducted when I was the Chairman of the DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Half-Marathon Road Races. Thanks, dude! You can experience how the Bald Runner conducts a road race if you join the 1st Bataan Death March 102K Ultramarathon Race this coming 05 April 2009.
Since I’ve predicted those things that will go wrong on the day of the race, I just concentrated my mind in finishing the race. Just when I’ve expected to have a dash on the last 700 meters before the Finish Line as my GF 305 registered a distance covered at 14.3 kilometers, a road marshall directed us to turn right to a road where the 15K runners had to get their 3rd and last straw at the end of this road and then back to the road that leads us to the Finish Line. I was sorry to frustrate the lady runner beside me when I told her that we still have 700 meters left to go before the Finish Line.
No pictures of me (running along the route) taken by my staff. Even my staff who had been taking my pictures during road races was also confused about the route of the race. Because of those so many turns and roads we had to go through inside the MOA Grounds, my staff was not able to locate me and decided to just wait for me at the Fnish Line.
The Ugly
1) Longer Distance—I predicted that these race would lack a hundred meters for the supposed 15K distance or at least, accurate to the nearest 50-100 meters, plus or minus. However, my GF 305 registered a distance of 16.8 kilometers! We ran an extra distance of 1.8 kilometers.
2) Runners Competing With Vehicles On the Route—I thought I would not experience what other runners had experienced before in road intersections where pubilic utility jeeps would just cross your path and stop infront of you. I exactly experienced that kind of situation at the vicinity of the “Globe” fixture infront of MOA. There was no road marshall on that particular intersection and the driver of the jeep “competed and raced” with us to cross the intersection and made a quick U-turn. Instead of making a quick U-turn, the driver simply stopped and his jeep blocked our way few inches from us. It could had been a case of a “runner bumping a jeepney vehicle” and not the other way around if we did not stop! Sometimes, such case distracts one’s momentum and pace.
3) No “Freebies” At The Finish Line—After finishing the race, I was trying to look for bottled water or sports drinks at the vicinity of the Finish Line but my staff informed me that there was no water or drinks available. I did not see any “Certificates” being given to the runners at they complete the race.
4) “Donate A Shoe” Booth Got Bumped-Off (Again!)—While I was busy distributing the donated shoes to those runners with “old and tattered” shoes, our “makeshift” booth was surrounded by Security Guards of DJA Security Agency of MOA for the simple reason that the race organizer was following/implementing a “policy” where my booth was not allowed to operate in the said area. I really did not understand why “these people” would question the presence of my booth even if our intentions/objectives are clear and noble (to help other people) and that we don’t earn any income from this advocacy. Hey, guys, your actuations will not stop us from pursuing our advocacy (even without media exposure) as we have plans of going to the suburbs and provinces around Metro Manila in order to help other runners. To the Race Organizer, if we made some “lapses” or did not coordinate with you in our desire to distribute those donated shoes we received from our benefactors, we are sorry for not coordinating with you but a simple consideration for allowing us to distribute those shoes would had been a very positive points for you. Guys, my project had been around for the past one year and if you don’t know about this “Donate A Shoe”-thing, you probably do not read or visit this blog. Well, if you want to improve the way you conduct your races and know the “voice” and feedbacks of your paying runners, you better start visiting/reading this runner’s blog.
5) Quality and Smell of Air—The quality and smell of the air each runner breath while running is very poor.
6) Lastly, very expensive registration fee—I usually hear this feedback from the runners beside me during the race. I really don’t mind the cost of the registration fee if the race organizer provides safety along the route, abundant clean drinking water, and for the benefit of a certain “cause” to help the less-fortunate ones or for some “noble” programs/projects.
The Best
1) Thanks For the VIP Treatment—As I entered the Starting Area, runners came to me for “photo-ops” and I received more greetings from the other runners as we waited for the race to start. As I was running, more runners would greet me whether I was trying to overtake them or while the runners would pass on me or while these runners were staying/running beside me. Guys, thanks again for those greetings while we are on the road race. I hope my “hand wave” and simple words of “thanks”, “banat!” and “malapit na ang finish line” to you would be enough to acknowledge your greetings. As a matter of request though, please stop calling me “General”, just simply call me “BR”, “Bald Runner”, or “Sir Jovie”.
2) PR Best Time For 15K—My running friends would always ask me when will I stop registering a new PR every time I join a road race. I always answer them with a smile and tell them that I am doing my running workouts regularly and prepare for a marathon or an ultramarathon race to come. My last 15K road race best time was 1:14:43 hours during the VSO Bahaginan 15K Run held last November 2008 at The Fort. For this morning’s 15K Race, I finished with a time of 1:20:03 hours with a distance of 16.8 kilometers as registered in my GF 305. The average pace was 4:45 minutes per kilometer which was within my target goal for the race. By simply deducting my elapsed time for the excess of 1.8 kilometers, my unofficial finish time for the 15K race would had been 1:11:14 hours which is an improvement from my VSO run by almost 3:30 minutes.
Lessons Learned
1) “Speed” Training by Team Bald Runner works well and slowly adapting to my body capability.
2) There is a need to continue with my supplementary weight training and have my gym workouts at least twice a week.
3) There is no “secret formula” for runners to improve on their finish times as they grow older. As the famous Dr George Sheehan would say that running is an “experiment of one”, I am still on the process of “experimenting” on how I could improve my finish times as I add more year/s to my age. Since I don’t follow any training program, a combination of speed, endurance and hardwork are the key ingredients to my preparations. Whether it is on the training, nutrition, medicine, supplementary weight training, Cross Fit, P90X, and mental positive attitude, what is important is to allow the body to adapt and recover from training and actual road race competitions.
4) Stay Cool & Relaxed but Fast in Road Races. I have already an inkling on what to expect during the road race through my predictions. I have already conditioned myself that the things that I’ve experienced during the Resolution Challenge which was held last month would happen again because of my impression that the race will be managed by the same race organizer. After running for the first few kilometers, I already knew that my predictions were coming true and just maintained and focused my efforts in coming up with another best finish time for the 15K distance.
To the members of the Team Bald Runner, congratulations on your respective PR best time on the said race. Everybody is getting faster!!!
I just finished my 30-minute “active recovery” run on the ULTRA Oval Track and along the roads surrounding the track and my mind was busy thinking of the race tomorrow at the MOA Grounds & PICC Area. Based from my experience and observations during the Resolution Challenge 10K Run, I am anticipating that the same experiences will be repeated and I just hope that the race organizers were able to correct their deficiencies in the said run. I am coming up these predictions:
1) More Runners Attending This Race—As this is the only race scheduled for this weekend, I predict that more runners will participate in this road race. More runners means more excitement and fun!
2) Chaos, Confusion, & More “Whiners”—Reviewing the published race route for the 15K & other distance races, a runner will be confused following those arrows along the streets at PICC Complex and MOA Grounds to include some portions of the Macapagal Avenue. If the road organizer will not deploy more road marshalls and signs, I predict that most of the runners will get lost. I encourage the participants to review the route or if not, go to the exact route and conduct a visual “reconnaissance” or run/walk through.
3) Nice Sound System & Emcee—This is what I’ve observed when I ran the Resolution Challenge last month, the “sounds” are tolerable and the Emcee’s voice was pleasing to my ears.
4) Water & Hydration System—There will be water stations along the route but I predict that the water supply will not be enough. So, for those running the 15K race, I suggest you bring your hydration belt aside from the fact that the race will be starting at 6:00AM which I think will be a late start time for the 15K runners.
5) Road Race “Cheaters” or Road Race “Shortcut” Runners—I hate to mention this but I’ve observed that some runners with the “middle group” are making some “shortcuts” at the PICC Complex area. I predict that this thing will happen again as the runners will be doing two loops at the said area. I hope the race organizers will have a way to determine if runners had completed two loops on the said portion of the route.
6) More Ribbons or Straws—I don’t want to count the number of turns a runner would pass on this race. I think the route has more turns than the number of kilometers that each runner will run. I really don’t know how the race organizer will determine if a runner had passed the numerous turns along the route. I am expecting that more straws will be placed on my neck before finishing the 15K race.
7) Runners Competing With Vehicles—Even if the roads will be wide for all the runner, I predict that vehicles plying on these roads will be there competing with the runners. I suggest that runners should be extra careful during the race and be vigilant/observant on their surroundings. This is the very reason why I don’t use my Ipod or MP3 player while running. Macapagal Avenue is a wide road but every runner should be extra careful while running on this road and crossing on its intersections as there are no prescribed speed limits on this road.
8) Accurate Race Distance—I just hope the race organizer had corrected this problem. Anyway, I still predict that the race distance will not be accurate.
9) Record-Breaking PR Road Race—As most of the runners of the Team Bald Runner’s “speed” training and the Hardcores/Power Runners will be participating in this road race, I predict that the students of our “speed” training will be proudly “barking” their new PR best for the 15K race after the race. Guys, I am really proud of you and advance Congratulations! Prepare to treat us for a Jollibee breakfast after the race!!!
To all the runners, Good Luck and Have Fun. Happy Valentine’s Day to Everybody!
My staff was able to display three (3) tarpaulin signs to warn the users of the ULTRA Oval Track on the proper use of the track. Two of the signs were positioned on each of the entrances towards the Oval Track after one has to come down from the uppermost level of the Oval Track Grandstand. The other sign was located at the edge of the Oval Track where the members of the Team Bald Runner usually start their “interval” speed training.
With all those three tarpaulin signs I had my staff ordered, made and displayed for the past days, I am happy to note that there was a “big” improvement on the orderliness among the users of the oval track. Last night, Tuesday, can be considered as the busiest day/night of the ULTRA Oval Track where you could see the participants of the NIKE Running Clinic and the Team Bald Runner’s “Speed” Training sessions busy with their warm-up, drills, and speed runs. In addition, the oval track was filled also with high school track & field athletes, corporate runners and joggers, triathlete, muay thai practitioners, soccer players, and simply slow runners and walkers. Despite the full capacity of the Oval Track, I was glad that Lane 1 was free from anybody except for the fast runners who are doing their “interval” speed training.
The members of the Team Bald Runner were happy to experience that their speed runs were no longer distracted or obstructed with people jogging slowly and walkers on Lane 1. Seriously speaking, I was able to reduce my average pace and speed in my speed runs by 5-8 seconds per lap. I am sure that the other members of my team were also able to reduce also their time, pace & speed because of a clear Lane 1.
Yes, the audience (users of the oval track) is now listening and I know that other groups of runners had benefited the proper use of the oval track as their speed runs were not distracted by people who are “ignorant” on the proper use of the oval track. As I left the premises of the Oval Track, I told the lone female security guard stationed at the Grandstand that I am donating and leaving the two tarpaulin signs placed on the two entrances to the oval track and requested her to advise every user of the oval track to read the posted signs before he/she enters the track.
Lessons Learned: 12MN-6AM/Midnight To Sunrise Run
1) Sleep Before the Run—I admit I was not able to sleep in the afternoon and early evening of Saturday, although I planned and forced myself to sleep and lie on my bed. But the excitement of running my first midnight to sunrise/6-Hour run made me awake thinking of how I would be able to last the run during the time where I am used to be sleeping and snoring soundly. The last few hours before going to the assembly area were used in thinking all the detailed preparations for the run from the running attire to what I was going to use for my hydration pack and the food to take. It was only in this run where I did not write a list of things to prepare. In almost all my races, I prepare a checklist and have each item checked if it is already in my bag or already worn them on my body.
2) Ultra Running Needs A Lot Of Logistics—For this particular run, I did not bring my support system. I depended much to my hydration pack with water and cash to buy food and other needs in open convenience stores. I was fully concentrated in running that I forgot to take or buy any sports energy drinks and brought along with me my GU ROCTANE sports gel which had been very effective to me in my long runs. After eating a Jollibee Spaghetti & Yam Burger at the 21-Km point, I forgot to drink any sports drinks and just drank water every time I completed two loops of the 4.25K-loop at the MOA grounds. I really appreciate the other runners who brought their own vehicles with their coolers filled with bottled drinks & water and bananas. Guys, thanks for sharing me your “baon”.
3) Slow Start, Strong Finish—I need to discipline myself on this one. I have the tendency to pick up the pace when I am running with somebody on my sides. Norio Tanaka, a Japanese married to a Filipina, is a very fast and strong runner at the age of 61 and he just had his angioplasty last November 2008. Norio had been with me for at least two loops and he ran very strong. Charlie Chua was also strong and the rest of the members of the Team Bald Runner and Power Runners. The presence of these runners made me ran faster to catch up with Ralph and Albert who were steadily maintaining a pace of 5:20 minutes per kilometer. But in the end, my pace became slower as I tried to observe my body and leg muscles if there are any aches, pains, and soreness while running within the 32 to 38 kilometer distance. With 15 minutes remaining before the deadline at 6:00AM, I decided to brisk walk for one loop as my cool-down exercise. Next time, I need to start slow and preserve my energy for more strength on the last phase of an ultra run event. I will let the faster runners get ahead of me with the thought of catching them on the last segment of the run.
4) Running Apparel—I anticipated that the running weather would be cooler and windy at the Seaside area and that was the reason why I wore a NIKE with semi-turtle necked collar & long-sleeved shirt. The shirt kept me warm throughout the run even if it was completely wet and damped with my sweat. I really liked the shirt because it maintained my body temperature and I did not feel any coldness even if the wind would blow towards my body. However, the shirt produced some rashes on my armpits and on the inner parts of my upper arms. I need to apply Body Glide on my upper arms if I will be using this running shirt again. The ASICS Gel-Kinsei 2 gave me the much-needed comfort to my feet during the 6-hour run and I did not have any blisters or soreness on my legs.
5) Always Think That This Was Supposed To Be a Group Run—The Midnight To Sunrise Run was supposed to be an easy, slow, practice, and group run. Initially, it was a very relaxing run on our way to Luneta Park and back to Blue Wave where people along the way would be surprised to see us running along Roxas Boulevard. However, when we started running around the MOA grounds, it was already a test of endurance and sometimes, a test of speed among the runners. I am guilty of that kind of tendency of running faster or picking up the pace when running side by side with somebody. Whenever this happens, the strategy in finishing an ultramarathon event is always in jeopardy and I hate this to be happening. This was supposed to be a group run where everybody would be talking and sharing experiences with one another. I hope that such runs would be more time to know more about us and be able to think of ideas for better running performance and plans for our future “crazy” running events.
6) “No Retreat, No Surrender”—Running an ultramarathon event is not an easy walk in the park. Finishing an ultra running event is something you could be proud of because not everybody could run as “crazy” and strong as you are. This is where you will test the limit of your endurance and mental attitude. So, don’t ask yourself, why you are running an ultramarathon event whenever you are preparing for it because the answer of the “why” is that we are all “natural-born runners”. Ben Gaetos mentioned that ultramarathon is running in a “dark world” because of its purity and simplicity as one could imagine a lonely runner treading its way in the middle of a mountain trail or forest in the middle of the night as he/she spends more hours running/walking before reaching his destination. The other point is that running under the heat of the sun will somehow make us darker in complexion. In short, ultra runners don’t “whine”, they just run to fnish the race and have fun!
To: Albert aka Run2Dmoon, I will see to it that I will finally award your “1,000-Km Club” Finisher’s T-shirt the next time we see each other. Due to my excitement to join your workout, I forgot to bring your T-Shirt.
Bald Runner 
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