2008 Bataan Memorial Death March

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Marathon Race, Marathon Race Results, Races, Running2 Comments

The 2008 Bataan Memorial Death March was held on 30 March 2008.

In the later months of 1999, I’ve been fascinated and surprised that a sports event among the US military and civilians is being held yearly to commemorate a very important part in the history of World War II that happened in the Philippines in a place called White Sands, New Mex.ico, USA.

As the Chief of Training for the Philippine Army, I conducted this kind of sports event on the second Sunday of April 2000 with the same rules & regulations & format but with a distance of 25 kilometers along the actual route of the Bataan Death March. The sports event was a success but that was the first and the last of it.

Since then, I’ve been browsing on the Internet on the yearly results of this event and even interviewed some of our soldiers who attended military schooling near New Mexico who were required to join in the event.

This is one of my plans after retirement from the active service to experience running a marathon on this special event. Maybe, I’ll give it a try on next year’s event (2009).

However, if there are any interested individual/s who would like to join me and experience this marathon event, we could form into a TEAM to represent our country. Maybe, this TEAM will be the first one to represent our country.

Please leave a comment if you are interested and we will talk about the details of our planning, preparation, training, and support system.

The following were the results of the 2008 Bataan Memorial Death March in every Division/Category Continue reading “2008 Bataan Memorial Death March” →

Project: “Donate A Shoe” @ Paranaque City

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, RunningLeave a comment

Captain Ferdie Espejo and our staff at the DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Running Club, Inc put up a “booth” at BF Homes Subdivision in Paranaque City on a Sunday morning, 06 April 2008, during the Run For Life 3K & 5K Fun Run. My staff were able to distribute the remaining seven (7) pairs of running shoes from the total of 14 running shoes collected since this project started.

Hereunder were the pictures taken by Captain Espejo as an update of this project.

The Collection/Distribution Point of the Project was on top of a Car parked near the Start/Finish area of the Run For Life 3K & 5K Fun Run at BF Homes Subdivision, Paranaque City

A collection of “old, torn & worn-out” shoes from the runners of Paranaque City and Las Pinas City

Recipient Antero Ocariza of Paranaque City showing his old running shoes with Captain Ferdie Espejo.

Recipient Danilo Sanchez of Las Pinas City with his old running shoes and Captain Ferdie Espejo

 

Recipient Jhun Bautista of Las Pinas City with Captain Ferdie Espejo with his “old & worn-out” running shoes.

Annalene’s Story

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Running8 Comments

I am posting the comment/story from Annalene which she sent yesterday morning in one of the comments to my post on “Pictures: On Your Mark 10K Run”.

hi bald runner! congrats for finishing the 10k oym run with better time!

i am a frequent visitor of your blog but too shy to introduce myself (maybe in the global run this Sunday i will approach you) but with what i witnessed yesterday in the Bayani Run in MOA, i think i need to… (we joined that race instead of the OYM because Bayani was announced ahead of time).

BTW, going back to the real purpose for posting this, i noticed that there was this guy (i was not able to get his name) running without shoes. He joined and finished the 10k run with his bare feet. Initially, i reacted that maybe that is his style to be noticed.

After the race, while waiting for our certificates, i saw him in front of the church trying to get something….. well, he got his package wrapped in plastic bag, it was his pair of shoes, not for running but a totally dilapidated, torn rubber shoes with holes on the sides. He wore it without socks either.

My daughter approached him and even congratulated him to ignite a conversation but he left in haste.

Maybe, just maybe if i will spot him again… i will try to get his name and contact number and refer to your project donate a shoe.

Your project can really help less fortunate runners like him…

Annalene, thanks for sending this comment and observation on some of our fellow runners who are less-fortunate to buy and use a better running shoe. I am a “tough-hearted” guy but after reading your story, I was shocked and sad..and I could feel the pain and discomfort the “barefoot runner” had to endure in running the 10K distance. Would you believe I nearly shed some tears from my eyes after reading your story? Your story really inspires me to pursue this Project: Donate A Shoe with more attention and vigor.

I have to meet you this Sunday at The Fort. I’ll be at the Project Donate A Shoe Booth after the race.

To my fellow runners and visitors of this blog, if ever you can spot any runner in barefoot or wearing old and torn running shoes. please lead them to our “booth” or get their “race number/s” so that we can trace them through their addresses and find ways to provide these runners with better running shoes.

On the other hand, to those fellow runners who are more blessed and have old shoes in their cabinets/lockers, I am encouraging you to donate them as more of our countrymen need the things you don’t use as these become “brittle” and rotten if they are not being used regularly.

Lessons Learned: Mizuno Infinity 15K Run

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Races, Running4 Comments

1)  Nathan Water Belt—It was a wrong decision not to bring my Nathan Water Belt with me for this 15K race. Since I am not fond of stopping by at water stations in races, I will be bringing my own supply of water through my water belt in my coming road races.

2)  Tapering—Three days before the road race, I was still running almost the entire length of the course. My hill workouts in Jamindan were not yet enough that I had to run through the McKinley Hill segment for almost three times on the week before race day. It could had been better if I just relaxed and rested few days before the race.

3)  Massage—I usually have at least two sessions of body massage on the week before the road race. On this particular race, I had only one massage session. My left hamstring muscles were still tight and feeling some pain even after I had pre-race stretching and warm-up on race day.

4)  More Speed Runs— There is a need to put more speed runs in my running workouts in preparation for races with a distance less than the half-marathon. I was tragetting 1:15:00 hours as my finish time but considering the hills and heat of the sun, I was satisfied to finish the race below 1:17:00 hours. My official finish time was 1:16:53 hours. It means that I had an average pace of 5:08 mins per kilometer or 8:15 mins per mile for the 15K run.

5)  Need For Longer Warm-Up—I have been feeling a pain on my right foot which disappears after running at least one kilometer in my running workouts. This slight pain always make me run at a slow pace at the start of the race but when the pain disappears, I have the tendency to pick-up my pace. For this race, I had only a short distance to warm-up and was running at a very slow pace on the first two kilometers of the race.

6)  Tendency to Run Fast—I had the tendency to run fast on the first half of the race. I really wanted to run an even pace of 5:00 mins per kilometer and it made me run fast for the first 5 kilometers of the race after I noticed that I was running at a slower pace.

6)  Apply More Oil/Petroleum Jelly—I applied body lotion on my thighs but my running shorts produced skin rashes on the inner side of my upper legs. Next time, I have to apply more body oil/petroleum jelly on my upper legs when using the regular running shorts.

7) Need for Hill Running Techniques—It is not enough to train and have your running workouts on hills. There are techniques and drills to be followed to make “hill running” to the runner’s advantage. Following the “Lydiard’s Method” is one of the most practiced “drills” on hill training. I need to do more of these drills in order to have that confidence to run in any hills in Metro Manila.

I Reduced My Weight But…

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Running1 Comment

For the past two months, I was able to reduce my weight but I had observed that there were some pains on my right foot, most especially on the “corn”/hardening of the skin that developed on the rear end of my right foot. The “corn” grew through the years since I’ve been in the military due to the wearing of my military combat boots. I thought the pain was a foot injury brought about my running which I get more comfort when wearing running shoes which has stability control on the heels. I thought I had Achilles tendonitis. I had to take some day rests for the pain to subside but I found out later that the pain disappears after stretching and warm-up jog for 5-8 minutes.

Two weeks ago, a day after the Mizuno Infinty 15K Run, one of the joints at the base of my right big toe became swollen and painful. I went to Cebu with a swollen toe joint but I can managed the pain and walked straight with my combat boots on. On my second day in Cebu, I’ve observed that the pain became more severe and painful. I recalled that I ate a lot of red meat and lechon the night before in a dinner tendered by the Commander of the Central Command, AFP.

On the next two days of my stay in Cebu, I shifted to seafoods and vegetables on my diet. I was surprised to observe that the pain on my right foot disappeared and the swelling subsided. Immediately, I browsed the Internet and researched on “gout and arthritis”. Based from my readings and symptoms, I got gout and arthritis! Accordingly, my sudden reduction of weight and too much intake of foods high in uric acid and fatty foods were instrumental in my “on and off” pains and swelling with my right foot. 

For almost two weeks, I’ve been strictly taking in foods rich in fibers, carbohydrates, seafoods, and chicken. As a result of “no pork, no beef, and no legumes/beans” intake on my diet, the swelling and pain on my right foot had disappeared. Goodbye, pinapaitan, dinuguan, chicharon bulaklak, “bagnet”, longganiza, lechon, sisig…and San Miguel Beer! 

Pictures: On Your Mark 10K

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Races, Running14 Comments

I was talking to one of the runners, MSgt Lando Ugay, of the Philippine Army before the start of the run.

Miraclecello/Cecil (with his back on the camera) and company of mountaineers at the starting area.

At the Starting Line

Another picture at the starting line.

The 5K and 10K races started at least two minutes before 6:00 AM. Both races started at the same time.

At far left is Zhon Marc Bello who donated his running shoes to the Project Donate A Shoe after the race. On the right side is my brother who joined in the 5K race with his wife.

I stayed briefly at the booth of the Project Donate A Shoe after the race and had a brief talk with my brother.

On my way to change my wet running kit, Don, one of my regular visitors/readers called my attention and he introduced himself. In his comment, he asked me about the Garmin’s outlet here in the country. Now, he is wearing a brand-new GF 305 which he ordered in the US. With Crecensiano Sabal nearby, we had a pose at the parking area. Congrats to C. Sabal for winning the 10K race. Don, welcome to the GF Club! Keep on running, buddy!

No pictures of me were taken by my staff while I was running the 10K run. I reminded my staff again to take at least one picture of me while I am running. I need to have a “feedback” on how I run and be able to evaluate my running form.

To my fellow weekend “warriors”, I will be seeing you again at the 4th Global City 10K Run at The Fort.

Keep on Running!

45:33 mins @ On Your Mark 10K

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Races, Running12 Comments

5:57 AM 13 April 2008

The On Your Mark 10K and 5K races started at the same time at The Fort barely two minutes before 6:00 AM. As planned, I was wearing an all-new runner’s kit with my newly-broke in ASICS Gel-Kinsei 2 (“top of the line” on ASICS Running Shoes which I bought early last month) and my MP3.

 

I am using my bulky but reliable Sony Vaio Clip Earphone with my “cheap” Samsung MP3. My new IPod Classic (barely one month old) is now for repair because it got wet from my sweat while I was running in Jamindan. It is covered with one year warranty but the Apple Store here in the country would make me pay for the repairs & replacement of battery. I’ll just wait till I will visit the USA and send it to Apple for the immdediate replacement of my unit.

After donating four of my running shoes, I am now using one brand of running shoes which is ASICS. I bought this ASICS Gel-Kinsei 2 after having some pains on the rear end of my right foot. This shoes made me run better and it gives me stability on my heels. This is the first time that I used it in a road race after using it during my running workouts for the past four weeks.

For the first five kilometers of the race, I did not check my GF 305 for I knew I was comfortably running with my training pace of about 5:00 minutes per kilometer. A few meters from the 6-Km point, I was tempted to look at my watch and I saw that my elapsed time was 27:35 minutes and I was surprised that I was running a faster pace as planned. I tried to pick-up my pace and make some “speed play/fartlek” on the last 4 kilometers but my pace would make my breathing harder and I resort to coughing as if I am going to “throw-up”. This is a warning sign that I have to “listen to my body” and slightly relaxed my pace and concentrated on my running form.

On the last 3 kilometers, it was a test of endurance and “mind over body”. The music on my MP3 helped a lot to relax my mind and inspired me to run harder. It was “Bob Marley’s Greatest Hits” who was my companion entire the course. Some runners would overtake me on the last two kilometers but I just maintained my fastest pace that my body was capable of. All the runners that overtook me were at least 20 or 20 + years younger than me and that’s fine with me. On this part of the race, I was not fighting with the other runners but I was fighting with my own self.

I knew I could reach the finish line in less than 48:00 minutes based from the readings I got from my GF 305. I did a little sprint on the last 500 meters and I was in the company of Gabriela Calma, who beat me last Mizuno 15K Run and Rene from Gold’s Gym.

As I crossed the finish line, the clock at the finish line had a different reading which I deduced that something went wrong with the race clock. So, I stopped my GF 305 and saw that I finished the race in 45:33 minutes! It was only when I was uploading my data from my watch to my PC that I noticed that the distance registered was less than 10 kilometers. The distance was short by almost 600 meters!

This is a picture after crossing the finish line. I was surprised with my time and I thought I improved a lot. I was using my Nathan Water Belt and I did not want to be holding those bottled water available in every water station along the way, while I was running.

Well, whether it is short or not, I can see that I was able to improve my time even if I will add 2:30 minutes to my unofficial finish time. The following data were taken from my GF 305:

Time—45:33 mins              Distance—9.45 kilometers

Average Pace—4:52 mins/km    Average Speed—12.3 kms/hour

Maximum Speed—17.4 kms/hr Total Calories—692 cal

Average HR—168 bpm              Maximum HR—172

Total Ascent—208 meters        Total Descent—202 meters 

To all the runners in this morning’s race, congratulations! Keep on running!

I will post the other pictures in my post tomorrow.

D-1 Day: On Your Mark 10K Run

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Races, RunningLeave a comment

Goal—Be able to run and improve my previous time of 49:37 minutes for the 10K Race during the Condura Run. At least, to have a finish time of 48 minutes will be a nice goal for this run.

Strategy—Run slower on the first 5 kilometers at 5:00-5:10 minutes per kilometer pace and slowly increasing the pace on the remaining 5 kilometers. Try to apply “speed play and tempo runs” on the last 5 kilometers. I will try also sprinting at the last 500 meters of the race to the finish.

Support Services & Running Kits—I’ll be using my Nathan Water Belt and I will not be stopping at the water stations. My runner’s kit will be all-new–Nike singlets; Nike running shorts; and my newly “break-in” ASICS Gel-Kinsei 2 (my 1st time to use it in a road race). My GF 305 will be my “guide & target opponent”. I am not yet decided if I am going to have some music along the way through my MP3.

Others—More time to stretch and do warm-up jogging before the start of the race. Concentrate on my “running form” during the race. Run tall, run relaxed, run naturally.

To my fellow runners, see you tomorrow at the “On Your Mark” Run at The Fort. Good luck!!!

President Ramon Magsaysay & Mt Manunggal, Cebu

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Pictures, Running2 Comments

This time, I am posting a story on the life and death of President Ramon Magsaysay who is unknown to most of the runners, seniors and younger ones. I was barely five years old when he died. My recent visit to Cebu City and Mt Manunggal gave me the idea to share what I’ve seen in this historic place.

President Ramon Magsaysay was the 7th President of the Philippines and the 3rd President of the Third Republic. He was elected as a Member of the House of Representatives in 1946 in the lone district of Zambales and later re-elected for a second term in 1949. He became the Chairman of the National Defense Committee in the House of the Representatives and on August 31, 1950, he became the Secretary of National Defense during the administration of President Elpidio Quirino in 1950 at the height of the Hukbalahap and insurgency problem in Central Luzon. Due to intrigues and “power play”, he resigned as Secretary of National Defense on February 28, 1953. He was urged by the different sectors of the society and the masses for him to run for the Presidency. According to public opinion, the only way to solve the problem of communism/insurgency was to have a good governance and a government that serves the people. And that governance lies on the presidency and leadership of President Ramon Magsaysay. According to President Magsaysay’s opinion, a corrupt government and  a bad administration are the causes on the rise of communism & insurgency. He later became the presidential candidate of the Nacionalista Party and won the presidency with a landslide victory over the incumbent President Elpidio Quirino.

He was the first President who used the Barong Tagalog during his Oath-Taking Ceremony. He was the staunch supporter of the United States in its fight against communism. He made Malacanang Palace open to the public and literally making it a “house of the people” and created a machinery/system of the government to hear and solve the complaints of the ordinary people and masses. He personally showed acts of integrity by paying services done/given to him. In one instance, he was invited by the Philippine Air Force to ride in a demonstration flight of a new plane and he asked for the operating cost of the flight per hour and immediately signed a check for the payment. He encouraged the people to have their own business through open access to loans and government subsidies. During his administration, the military was able to arrest most of the leaders of the Communist Movement in Metro Manila and its top leaders surrendered to him, practically ending the insurgency problem of the country. Continue reading “President Ramon Magsaysay & Mt Manunggal, Cebu” →

More Pictures: Project “Donate A Shoe”

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Running, Running ShoesLeave a comment

The following pictures were taken by Captain Ferdie Espejo, one of my staff/officers with the DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Running Club, Inc., who is supervising the Project “Donate A Shoe”, together with Major Rod Turno of Camp Aguinaldo.

Major Rod Turno turning-over a donated shoe to one of the lucky recipients.

 

The gentleman on the right donated his running shoes. The lady elite runner on the middle was the recipient of my Nike Air Max trail running shoes.

Bards aka “Banana Running” giving one of her shoes to Major Rod Turno. Mesh Villanueva, on her right, also gave her running shoes to the project. Thanks, Bards and Mesh for the support.

Eric aka “Passion Runner” giving one of his running shoes to the Project Donate A Shoe through Major Rod Turno. Thanks, Eric!

 

One of the lady runners who donated her old shoes signing the Deed of Donation while Don Fernando Zobel looking and holding his Deed of Donation for donating his running shoes he used in the 15K run. Don Fernando, thanks for the donation and for proudly wearing the “One” Wristband.

 

One of the donors of running shoes with the “One” Wristband.