Pictures @ The “Boodle Fight”

On December 18, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Pictures, Running12 Comments

The following are the pictures taken in last night’s “Boodle Fight” with Team Bald Runner and other runners. For more description of the said event, please read Bugobugo’s latest post:

Cris Sabal and the rest of our elite athletes prepared for the proper arrangement/presentation of the food.

Lester, in addition to the food he brought, he took the initiative to bring sardines and a can opener for the activity.

After Philip delivered his brief Prayer Before Meals, I made the command to start the “Boodle Fight”!

“Boodle Fight” is really a fight for the food infront of you!

These guys are not only “hardcore” in running but also “hardcore” in eating!

Lester, one of the sponsors of Team Bald Runner, receiving his gifts. Lester also handed me lots of “gifts” for the elite runners of Team Bald Runner. Thanks, Lester!

Philip as he received his share from the Team Bald Runner

Coach Rio, our special guest, received some gifts, too!

Coach Rio’s Team & Coaches also received a Wall Calendar

Philip aka Foreign Runner donated his ASICS Gel-Kayano 13. Philip, sorry for the camera!

Mesh donated her slightly used Newton’s Distance Racer; two pairs of Mizuno Shoes; and five (5) finisher’s singlets/t-shirts

Mesh aka My Iron Shoes was awarded her “1,000-Km Club” Finisher’s T-shirt. She completed the distance while running the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. Congratulations, Mesh!

Jay aka Prometheus Cometh, who arrived later after spending Wedding Anniversary with his wife.

Invitation To A “Boodle Fight”

On December 16, 2008December 16, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Running1 Comment

The Bald Runner is inviting the Hardcore Group, “Speed” Training Students, incoming and members of Team Bald Runner to a “Boodle Fight” as a simple Christmas Party for novice and competitive runners. The activity will be held at 7:00 PM tomorrow, Wednesday, 17 December 2008 at the vicinity of ULTRA/Philsports Oval Track.

To the other runners, if you have time, you can drop by the venue of the activity and join us with the elite runners of Team Bald Runner. If you have not joined a “boodle fight”, this will be a nice experience for you!

This is a simple “pot luck” party and you can bring your share from steam rice to any viand and dessert. Bottled water, Gatorade, Propel and canned soft drinks will be accepted. No beer or liqour, please!

See you! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Christmas Party With The Fort Striders

On December 16, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Pictures, Running1 Comment

When I am Not Running, I Must Be Talking to the Running Clubs & Groups!!!

After finishing the MILO National Finals Marathon at Luneta Park, I was approached by one of the officers of the Fort Striders Club, Inc and he invited me to their booth. The members were so kind enough to offer me drinks and sandwich which I accepted. During our conversation, Col Mandar (Ret), one of the founding fathers of the club, asked me if I could be their guest of honor and speaker for their Christmas Party and I immediately accepted their invitation. Last week, while I was running along the BHS loop, the Fort Striders runners called my attention and they handed me their official letter of invitation with the attached program of the party.

So, last Friday evening, 12 December, I attended their Christmas party which I was informed to be their fifth Christmas Party since they started holding such activity. The party was held at the Max’s Restaurant at the Starmall and scheduled to start at 6:30 PM. Through my knowledge and observation, this running club was created when the Global City/The Fort established its road network and the first few buildings had their occupants. I knew also that most of the members then were active officers and enlisted men of the Philippine Army and the Philippine Air Force. I am glad that most of the members now are still the same soldiers whom I personally knew and the members of their family. These soldiers were my runners when I led them as the Battalion Commander during the conduct of the AFP Battalion Run Competition (a group of 317 officers & men running in a battalion formation, in perfect alignment, running uniform, running in cadence with the proper chanting, from UP Balara to Camp Aguinaldo, a 7.5K distance) as we won the Championship in 1999. The Philippine Army won again in 2001 where I was the Team Manager and Coach. Unfortunately, this running competition event among the Major Services of the AFP, to include GHQ & PNP, as part of the AFP Anniversary every December, was scrapped in 2002. I will make a separate post about this event in the coming days.

Having arrived early for the party, at least 30 minutes, before the scheduled start of the program, I was able to talk to the members who arrived early, who were mostly retired soldiers. Of course, our topic of conversation was about running—their members finishing the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon and the incoming races in Metro Manila. At this point, I was introduced to the members who arrived at the venue one at a time. To my surprise, my friend Kim and her husband, Patrick arrived at the party. Little did I know that Kim is an active member and supporter of the club. Kim, Patrick, Captain Espejo and I were seated in one table and we talked more about running in the Philippines. It was an appropriate time to personally convey my congratulations to Kim for successfully finishing the Singapore Marathon. Congratulations again, Kim!

Patrick, Kim, & Capt Espejo during our Dinner

While dinner was being served, the program started with the usual protocol—invocation, singing of the National Anthem, and Opening Remarks by one of the members. The highlights of the program was the awarding of plaques to the members who had supported the successful conduct of their Club’s sponsored & organized road race which was the 4^th OctoberFest Run at the Global City. The President of the Club, Engr Eric Ongkoy also presented the Annual Accomplishments of the Club, their attendance to this year’s road races, and their other outings/activities.

I officially inducted the new set of Officers of the Fort Striders Club

I was kindly introduced briefly by the President of the Club but I guess, the Biodata that I prepared and submitted to one of their members did not reach him. Anyway, I was glad he did not receive my Biodata because simply reading reading it might bore the audience. It was a long biodata! The brief introduction made me decide to have my speech longer!

Ever since I was a Commander, I never read my speeches but I usually compose my message and thoughts while running and try to deliver them extemporaneously to the audience. Delivering a speech is very easy and simple, most especially if the topic is very familiar to my heart and mind. My speech was a brief-collated version of my posts with the Bald Runner’s blog and I hope my readers in the audience were not bored and did not doze. The conclusion of my speech was a challenge to every member of the Fort Striders Club to encourage everybody to run and be the instrument to make the running community grow bigger. Running must be an “end” and “means” towards a healthy and strong nation where every citizen must nurture that Sports is a Source of National Pride.

While delivering my speech…

Received a Plaque of Appreciation from the Club

After my speech, the Club awarded me with a Plaque of Appreciation and it was my cue to also give my donation/support to the club.

What made the Christmas Party more enjoyable and exciting was the activity after my speech. One of the officers of the Club conducted an “auction” of road race/marathon souvenirs bought from Australia and Singapore and the proceeds go to the fund of the Club. A head visor was auctioned at P30.00. A beautiful finisher’s singlet from a Marathon Race in Australia was auctioned at P200.00. Kim O’Connell got one singlet for the price of P300.00 but I was surprised that she donated the brand-new shirt to my Project Donate A Shirt! Thanks, Kim for the gesture of support! A Finisher’s Medal for the 2008 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon was also auctioned to the members for less than P500.00. There were other items which were auctioned where all the members were interested.

After the auction, I realized that the night was getting late and I asked the officers, members of the Club, Kim and Patrick for me to go ahead of them as I knew they still had some activities to do as part of their Christmas Party.

As I left the place of the party, I got an idea of taking the initiative of “reaching out” to the different running groups and clubs to impart the advocacy of the Bald Runner and also encourage communities to form/organize their respective running clubs or groups.

The year 2009 will be a busy year for the Bald Runner!

Long live and three cheers for the Fort Striders Club, Inc…hep..hep..hurray (3X)!!!

Another 39 Seconds Improvement

On December 14, 2008December 16, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Races, Running10 Comments

UP ICTUS Centennial 10K Run @ UP Diliman–14 December 2008

I did not run last Thursday and Friday because of the rains and Friday afternoon was supposed to be my scheduled running workout with the Team Bald Runner’s “speed” session but I had to attend to a Christmas Party of the Fort Striders Club, Inc as their Guest of Honor and Speaker. I will post a separate story about this party with a well-established running club in Metro Manila. The rainy situation of Thursday gave me the chance to go back to the gym for the second time this week and another gym workout last Saturday early evening. My gym workout this week was my way of coming back to strengthen my core and upper chest muscles after almost three months of not going to the gym.

Without any running workouts for the past 3 days, I felt I was sluggish since last night after my gym workout. I woke up at 4:15 AM and did my pre-race preparations before proceeding to the UP Campus in Diliman, Quezon City for the UP ICTUS Centennial 10K Run. I arrived at the Assembly Area at 5:20 AM where my staff, Captain Espejo, handed my race bib. After a brief warm-up run and stretching, I could hardly perspire (maybe, because of the cold weather) but it took me two times to pee before I entered the starting area. Before the race started, I saw some of the student-runners of Team Bald Runner’s “speed” training and I knew this road race was their “evaluation” run for them to find out if their training is really working.

Maintaining his good reputation of starting his races promptly on the scheduled time for the race to start, Coach Rio fired the starting gun at exacly 6:00 AM for the 10K run. As compared to last week’s 25th RUNNEX 10K run, I started my run slowly making sure not to pass over or slower than my 100% effort (4:51 mins/km pace) and be able to have a “negative” split time for this race.

After running for the first 100 meters and trailing about 20 runners infront of me, the road marshall stationed infront of the Oblation directed us towards the Entrance Gate of the Campus while the rest of the runners ahead of us just continued to follow the road towards Roxas Road, missing the distance of about 200 meters! This incident slowed me down but I kept on my relaxed pace although I was already cursing in my mind why Coach Rio would change the route on the race day which was totally different from the race route published on a paper enclosed with the race packet and the same race route published in his website. Sometimes, it derails the strategy of a runner if a sudden change in the route is implemented few hours before the start of the race. However, this was a minor problem as I kept my pace faster than my 100% effort.

My pictures were all “blurred” because I was too fast for the automatic shutter speed of my digital camera!

I hope PhotoVendo has better pictures of me running this race.

Except for the jeepneys and other vehicles passing along Quirino Road and along the road in-between Palma Hall & College of Education and lots of joggers and slow “walkers” along the Academic Oval Road that slowed down most of the runners, the race was orderly, well-managed, and filled with the required water stations along the race route. Going around the 5K-loop for the second time was never a problem as I could see the students in our “speed” sessions were gaining distance on me and I was happy that they were running faster this time!

As I passed the finish line, I pressed the Stop button of my GF 305 and it registered a time of 48:28 minutes but the distance registered 10.39 kilometers. It is almost one lap of the Oval Track extra distance for the 10K race. Last week’s 10K race had an extra distance of about 240 meters with a finish time of 48:32 minutes with an average pace of 4:44 mins/km. For today’s race, my average pace is 4:39 mins/km. From my computation, I could have finished today’s 10K in 46:45 mins which is an improvement of 39 seconds from my adjusted time in last week’s 25th RUNNEX 10K Run.

A surprise PR finish time of Jonel aka Bugobugo85 for this race! The “speed” sessions really work and produce postive results.

I was surprised to hear the voice of Jonel aka Bugobugo85 on my back as I tried to mingle with the other finishers barely few seconds after passing the finish line. He said that his “speed” program is really working and he personally thanked Captain Ferdie Espejo for his “quantum leap” of improving his finish time for the 10K race. Congratulations, Jonel!

Philip aka Foreign Runner, BR & Capt Ferdie Espejo during the awarding of the “1,000-Km Club” Finisher’s T-Shirt

Philip aka The Foreign Runner, another student of the “speed” session, improved again his finish time and won the Championship Overall Category for the 10K Race. I also awarded him his much-delayed and well-deserved “1,000-Km Club” Finisher’s T-shirt.

I went home happy because of my improvement but I could had been happier if there had been awards for the Age Category which I was hoping to get another podium finish. Well, there are more road races to come!

Hardcore Group/Team Bald Runner Members

Bald Runner with Dingdong “Sergio” Dantes after the 10K Run

Philippine Sports Stakeholders Conference

On December 13, 2008December 16, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Sports Program1 Comment

Due to my daily running workouts at the ULTRA Oval Track, I was informed that an important conference about Philippine Sports was scheduled to be conducted within the middle of this week. After my confirmation that the said conference was open to the public, I decided to attend this one as an observer even if I will be missing my daily running workout.

The conference was some sort of a public seminar/lecture to all the stakeholders of Philippine Sports—School’s Physical Education Teachers, School’s Sports Coaches, Heads and members of the different National Sports Federations, Athletes, National Coaches, Sports Administrators in the Local Government Units from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, Members of the Media, Sports Volunteers, Sports Instructors, PNP, AFP, and the Public. The seminar/conference was held at the ULTRA Sports Arena for the whole day last 10 December 2008.

The conference started with an opening program where the Guest of Honor and Speaker was Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II, the Chairman on the Senate’s Sub-Committee on Sports Competitiveness. In his speech, he stressed that the main problems in Philippine Sports are: the lack of sports infrastructure and the lack of financial support. To drive his point, he made comparison of the cost of one daily breakfast-food for an Olympic Champion Michael Phelps to the prevailing financial support to a Filipino athlete. It seems that Phelps’ breakfast for two days is equivalent to one month allowance for a Filipino athlete. He stressed also that there should be a long-term program for sports and its development on the “grassroot” level which needs the overall collaboration of every citizen and institutions of the government and the private sector.

During the Plenary Session, the following speakers presented their respective lecture:

Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez of the Philippine Sports Commission—“Lessons Learned From PSC: Successes and Failures

Mr Manuel Pangilinan, Chairman of PLDT—“Sports Development and Private Individual Patnership: A Model For Success”

Hon. Ronaldo Puno, Secretary of the Department of Interior & Local Government—“Building A Sporting Nation Through Sports For All”

Hon. Jesli Lapuz, Secretary of the Department of Education—“Investing In The Future of Sports Through Grassroots Development”

Chairman Emmanuel Angeles of the Commission On Higher Education—“Professional Preparation In Pursuit of Excellence In Sport”

Hon. Jose Cojuangco, Jr, President of the Philippine Olympic Committee—“Working Towards The Olympic Dream: call For Partnership”

PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez and his 3 Commissioners with Capt Espejo & BR

The Plenary Session ended with the signing of: Sports Commitment Of Unity and Support for the Philippine Sports Insitute.

The participants were invited to the Philippine Sports Institute for the Blessing and Inauguration of the Philippine Sports Intsitute’s Facilities with Mr Manny Pangilinan as the Guest of Honor.

Personally, I’ve enjoyed listening to these speakers’ lectures and insights on Philippine Sports in order to find out what is really the prevailing situation and future plans in our quest for excellence in sports. This activity/event was an opportunity for me to meet old friends in the sports world and also to be able to “network” with other sports practitioners and supporters.

I would say, there is “hope” for us to excel in sports and bring us towards that elusive first Gold Medal in the Olympic Games if only we “cooperate and support” each other.

“It Seems I am Running Slower”

On December 11, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Practice Runs, Runners' Training, Running8 Comments

I am on my third week of my “speed” training with the Team Bald Runner and it seems that I feel that I am running slower but after uploading the data from my GF 305, I am surprised that I am getting faster every time I have my running workout!

I have received some comments from the readers of this blog that what I am writing are very “technical” in nature. Well, for a runner to improve his finish time, he or she has to be aware of his time down to the last seconds and also on the precision of distances being run during training as well as in road races. Running is a very technical sport and that is the reason why we compare ourselves with other runners through our finish times within a certain road race distance. The finish time is the “bottomline” in road racing. It is not how much pain you feel during and after the race; it is not the amount of water, bottles of sports drinks and packets of GUs and sports bars you consumed; it is not the number of pounds or kilos you shed off from your weight after running a race; it is not about your running kit and shoes; it is not how many runners you passed by/overtaken during the race or vice-versa; it is not who and how many runner-bloggers you saw before, during, and after the race; it is not about your injuries; it is not about knowing other runners during races; it is not about meeting your running friends; it is not the number of miles/kilometers you run to prepare a road race, and lastly, it is not about those food you ate along the way and those “breakfast” after the race. Remember, a competitive runner is being judged and evaluated by his finish time in a certain road race distance.

After last Sunday’s 25th RUNNEX Executive Classic 10K Run at the UP Campus, I had my “active recovery” run at the ULTRA Oval Track last Monday morning for 30 minutes with 70% effort where I should be running a pace of at least 6:56 mins/km, almost 7:00 mins/km pace. Instead, I was running comfortably within my 80%-85% effort (5:42 mins/km) and I thought I was running slow!

On Tuesday morning, I arrived very early at the ULTRA for my easy endurance run but I was warned by the Security Guards that the Oval Track was closed for the whole morning because of an official activity in the area. I guess, the President was scheduled to speak to a group of government officials on Anti-Corruption. From the ULTRA Oval Track, I had to go to the Bonifacio High Street/The Fort for my workout. From the BHS loop, I went running along the streets of Global City until I reached McKinley Hill up to the C-5 Highway entrance and went around the roads of the said area before going back to the BHS. I was able to cover a distance of 12 kilometers. I thought I would have an average pace of 6:30 mins/km for the said run considering the terrain of Global City and McKinley Hill. But I was surprised to see the data from my GF 305 that I ran an average pace of 5:54 mins/km which is within my 80-85% effort.

On Tuesday evening during our “speed” session at the ULTRA, my “speed-group” was directd by Coach Ferdie Espejo to run a “pyramid” interval run consisting of running 3K-2K-1K-2K-3K, with a recovery jog/walk of 1 -1:30 minutes in between distances. We were asked to run within our 80-85% effort. The result was that our group had an average pace within our 90% effort and higher for the whole “pyramid” workout and we were still smiling after the workout!

Last Wednesday evening during our “speed” session again at the ULTRA, my “speed-group” was directed to run 5 X 400 meters within our 100% effort with 1:30 minutes as recovery jog/walk but it turned out to be enough time for us for our “water breaks” and brief runs to the CR. The average pace of our group was faster than our pegged “speed limit” and went beyond and faster than our 110% effort. We were running an average time of 1:40 minutes per lap! After finishing such interval run and resting for 5 minutes, we had to do another 30-minute run within our 80-85% effort but we finished with an average effort of 90-95%.

I really appreciate what the coaches of Team Bald Runner are doing to the participants of this “speed” training. The coaches are exposing us to our lactate threshold through our interval runs and at the same time improving our endurance capability with those endurance runs with our 80-85% effort. As a result, all of us are improving in our finish times and our bodies are slowly adapting to our endurance limits in every speed session. I told Coach Ferdie Espejo about my “feeling” of running slower but such feeling is contrary to what the numbers say—a faster time results on my GF 305. He was laughing as he asked me and my “speed-group” to have another “diagnostic test” by next week.

My classmates at the “speed” sessions are just silent but they are smiling and happy from the results they are getting from their speed workouts. I know from their smiling faces and remarks that running, afterall, is fun!

Yes, running as a competitive sports is very technical…and it is fun!

Update: Donate A Shoe (Dec ’08)

On December 11, 2008December 11, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Running, Running Shoes2 Comments

A British National visiting the country for the 3rd time and a runner, Ian Hardie Darlington, donated one (1) NIKE Air running shoes last Sunday before the 25th RUNNEX Executive Classic 10K run started in UP Diliman Campus.

darlington-12

Mr Dalington with Coach Ferdie Espejo, Jr & BR at the UP Campus

Cathy Bacosa, one of the runners of Team Bald Runner’s “Speed” Training at the ULTRA Oval Track, donated one (1) pair of ADIDAS running shoes last Friday after her oval track workout.

Cathy donating her shoes after her speed workout at the ULTRA Oval Track.

Ting Pascua aka Running Ma, a regular runner at the ULTRA Oval Track, donated one (1) pair of ADIDAS running shoes and 10 pieces of Finisher’s T-shirts and singlets last Monday morning.

Ting aka Running Ma had to take a break during her regular morning workout at the ULTRA Oval Track to donate her shoes and Finisher’s t-shirts & singlets.

Amado Castro, Jr of Reinier Pacific, a runner and race walker, donated (again!) three (3) pairs of NIKE shoes; one (1) MERRELL shoes; one (1) MIZUNO running shoes; and one (1) NEW BALANCE shoes. The shoes were given last Monday afternoon.

In a span of two weeks, Amado Castro Jr of Reinier Pacific had already donated six (6) pairs of running shoes

As of this date, the Project Donate A Shoe was able to receive a total of one hundred one (101) pairs of running shoes from runner-donors and was able to give a total of ninety-two (92) pairs of these donated shoes to those runners with “old” running shoes. Nine (9) shoes will be available for distribution during the incoming weekend road races.

To the donors, thanks for your support!

Marathon Finish Time Challenge

On December 11, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Running13 Comments

Is there anybody from the Pinoy Runners who ran the Singapore Marathon who was able to beat my MILO National Finals finish time of 3:48:32 hours? Please leave a comment and your Team Bald Runner T-Shirt and 2009 Wall Calendar will be given to you.

Open For Membership #2

On December 9, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Runners' Training, Running, Sports ProgramLeave a comment

After I have opened the membership of Team Bald Runner to everybody, I received positive feedback and application for membership from runners in the team’s blogsite at www.teambaldrunner.wordpress.com. My staff was able to make a list of the applicants and their respective e-mail address.

As I met and talked to some members of the Hardcore Group and friends for the past days, I got good comments and possibilities for new “ideas” and “services to offer” by Team Bald Runner.

As response to such feedbacks, I have added “Pages” to the site and for us to answer some of the concerns of the applicants. Please find time to check them and leave your comment/s.

A Walk To The Podium (Again!)

On December 7, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Races, Running18 Comments

Race Report: 25th RUNNEX Executive Classic 10K Run @ UP Campus

This famous race among professionals and executives was my second race last year after resuming my running career after years of not joining road races and running long distances. It was my first time then to run inside the UP Campus and I planned to improve my time from the 2007 Animo Run held at Mall of Asia with a time of 55+ minutes for the 10K race. In last year’s RUNNEX Executive 10K Run, my Casio Watch registered a time of 52:07 minutes and placed No. 22 overall. I did not win any award or raffle gift after the race.

Last month, I requested my staff to register me for this year’s 25th RUNNEX Executive 10K Run with the thought of improving my last year’s finish time for the 10K distance and at least, have a chance to be called to the stage for the podium honors. After those “progression” runs and speed runs at the ULTRA Oval Track, I know I could attain my objectives for this race. I wanted also to surpass my 100% effort (as a result of my speed’s “diagnostic” test run) which is translated to 4:51 mins/km pace in this road race.

With Amado aka reineir6666, the Race Walker who is slated to compete in a 12-Hour Race Walking Event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this coming 13-14 December 2008. His training included daily 2-hour intense race walking at the ULTRA Oval Track and weekend road races in Metro Manila. Good luck, Amado!

I arrived at the UP Campus at 5:35AM and I started to have my warm-up and stretching. A group of runners from the Fairview Running Club called my attention and requested some photo-ops with me while I was having my warm-up. It was nice to see these runners who had been serious in their training and always present in almost all the races in and outside Metro Manila. I also had a chance to meet, chat, and have some photo-ops with Amado, the Race Walker; Annalene aka The Meek Runner and her husband. After some announcements and information about the UP Campus and about the route of the race, the National Anthem was played and we were warned that the race would start in 5 minutes.

At the Start Area, I was beside Totoy Santos who was one of the top 10 finishers of the 10K race.

As scheduled, the 10K race started at 6:30AM and the other lesser distance runs started later after few minutes. As soon as the gun went off, I immediately took my running space and started to maintain my 100% effort pace only to find out that my GF 305 was registering a faster pace. My pace became faster at 4:28 mins/km on the 2nd kilometer and I felt comfortable. Runners who overtook me on the 1st kilometer slowed down and I just maintained my pace with the thought of not slowing down less than my 100% effort speed. My 100% effort is pegged at 4:51 mins/km and I don’t want to be slower than this pace during the race.

I was about to finish the 1st 5-K loop at this point with a pace of 4:29 mins/km

As the race progresses and the 10K runners would run twice in a 5K-loop, my GF 305 registered a time of 23:00+ after the 1st loop and I was confident that I could improve my 10K finish time and maintain a pace faster than my 100% effort. Two runners from the 34-44 yrs old age category passed me before the Km-6 mark and I tried to keep pace with them up to the finish.

This picture was blurred as my pace was faster than the shutter of the camera!

A day before the race, I went to the UP Campus to run one loop of the race and I was surprised to see my GF 305 registered a distance of 5.12 kms and from there I expected that the distance of 10K race would be longer. True enough, I finished the race in 48:27 minutes for the distance of 10.24 kms (GF 305 data) and placed No. 15 overall. However, after deducting my time in running the excess of 240 meters, I could have finished with a time of 47:19 minutes! Comparing from my last year’s results—finish time of 52:07 and placing No. 22 overall—this road race resulted to a faster time, shaving my time by 3:40 minutes and placing among the top 20 overall finisher.

Looking at the data registered by my GF 305, I finished the race with an average pace of 4:44 mins/km which had surpassed my 100% speed effort of 4:51 mins/km and minimum/maximum Heart Rate of 158/170 bpm. I think Coach Ferdie should give me another “diagnostic speed test” for a new finish time goal.

A pose at the stage/podium as Champion in my age category with Mr Disini, the President of the RUNNEX Club

To top it all, I won as the Champion (again!) in my age category and earned another walk to the stage for the podium honors and a Champion’s Medal.

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