Tag: Bald Runner

A New Direction, New Stories

On By kingofpotsIn Fashion & Jewelry, Fitness, General Information, Insights, Lifestyle2 Comments

Starting today, February 11, 2021, this blog will be anything under the sun. Aside from running and my outdoor lifestyle and experiences, I will be making some stories of anything I can think of, whether it is about fashion, food, news and current events, my personal opinion on events, and maybe some repost of things that I want to share to my readers.

I think this will a way and good reason for me to write again in this blog. As I grow and become older, I have been not so consistent with my daily runs as my runs had been transformed to hiking/walking in my backyard and within my playground. After I have finished a 4-month “virtual race” last year, I had to rest and instead of going back to running, I have managed to do some hiking for the past months. Such hikes would last up to 2 hours as my longest duration and on regular basis, a short hike lasting for one hour. Sometimes, I would carry a backpack with weight in it for more effort and challenge.

Since September 2020, I became interested with Heritage Boots which by chance was able to discover them on Facebook. After one month of reading and researching about the history of Heritage Boots in the Internet, I became interested in them. Luckily, there is a popular brand which is the “Red Wing Shoe” that is locally available in my country. Through a Facebook Page, I finally decided to try the said brand and bought one pair of boots.

With my subscription with You Tube and being able to revive my Channel, I found out that there is a lot of videos about the Red Wing Shoe Heritage Boots. Maybe, this could be one of the reasons why I finally decided to buy my first pair of such brand. On October 9, 2020, I bought my first pair of the said brand with their Iron Ranger Model 8111. I have posted two videos of this particular Heritage Boots Model in my You Tube Channel since then. I will post a link of these videos in the next days to come.

Having bought an Iron Ranger 8111 Amber Harness (colored brown) in an Authorized Store of the said brand in Metro Manila had given me the comfort and peace of mind of getting the right size for my feet. Sizing of new users of the Red Wing Shoe is always the most discussed topic in the Internet. Whether in FB Pages, Groups and Internet Forum, this “sizing” topic (how to get the right size) would always flood the comments section in the You Tube Channel and other Discussion Groups. Because I was able to try different sizes in the said store, I was able to zero-in my right size. Just like in any other International Shoe Brands, I shoe size is 8D! Most of my Signature Brand Shoes are size 8D except for my Corcoran Jump (Combat) Boots which is 9D, the Combat Boots that I used on the last 10 years of my active military service. I think I will have a separate story about my Corcoran Jump Boots which is also considered as one of the Heritage Boots that is Made In The USA.

Since my purchase with my first Red Wing Iron Ranger 8111 Amber Harness, my interest now is being directed to Heritage Wear or Vintage Wear and their respective stories that go with them.

As I don’t want to create another blog site for this topic (Heritage & Vintage Wear) and for my personal opinion and other things that I could think of, I decided to use this website just to continue with my subscription with WordPress. So, practically I am back to blogging again.

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2017 Revel Canyon City Marathon Official Video

On By kingofpotsIn Fitness, Health, Insights, Jogging, Lifestyle, Marathon Race, Pictures, Places to Run, Race Results, Races, Runners' Training, Running, Sports Program, TravelLeave a comment

A few weeks after I finished the 2017 Revel Canyon City Marathon Race, I received an e-mail telling me that my Official Pictures and Video are ready to be uploaded. I was surprised to receive such message, most especially, when such documentation service from the Race Organizer had provided such to all the Finishers for FREE! This is the beauty and advantage of the Revel Races being held in the US. Most of their races are downhill, lesser in number of participants, Boston Marathon Qualifier, cheap as compared to others, no lottery, and free pictures/videos. They have also high quality “swags” like Finisher’s T-Shirts and Medals. At one time, they gave a Free Pair of Goodr Sunglasses.

The following is the video of the Race and it is personalized for me as a souvenir for the race. It is unfortunate that the 2017 edition was the last edition of this Marathon Race in Azusa, California. The Race Organizer had transferred the venue to Big Bear, California and I missed to join it last year.

Thank you for watching this short video. And thank you for dropping by.

Have a nice day!

What Is Success In An Ultra Race?

On By kingofpotsIn Fitness, Health, Insights, Jogging, Lifestyle, Places to Run, Races, Runners' Training, Running, Trail Running, Travel, Ultra Marathon, Ultra Running, Ultra Trail Running, UltramarathonLeave a comment

As I was browsing on my past posts/stories in this blog yesterday, I came across with this “insight” which I have written on February 14, 2014 (Valentine’s Day) and never was able to publish it in this blog. I was wondering what could be the reason why I was not able to post this as this post answers the BIG “WHY” I have been to ultramarathon and thus, creating an iconic Ultramarathon Event in the country which is the “Bataan Death March 102K Ultramarathon Race”. And this is my insight as an ultra marathoner (road and trail) and a Race Director and Organizer of Ultra Running Events which up to now is still true and applicable up to the present.

It is almost SIX years when I started to float the idea of conducting an ultra marathon race in the country and in this year of 2014, it will be the 6th edition of the Bataan Death March 102K Ultra Marathon Race. On hindsight, I have been thinking why I organized this kind of road running event and slowly made it as something to be proud of among runners in the country.

It all started when I saw a website of a marathon event that is named after the Bataan Death March which is being held in the desert of White Sands, New Mexico, USA. I saw this website when I was still in the active service in 1999. After a year, I implemented the same concept of the race among the units of the Philippine Army and made it as a Team Competition to include the US Army & Marines contingent based in the country. Although the race covered only 25 kilometers of the Bataan Death March Route, it became a success even if we did not ask for any Registration Fees from the Team Participants. It was simply sponsored by the Philippine Army, through my Office as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Training and Education, G-8. In simple terms, I was the Chief Trainor & Educator of the Philippine Army nationwide!

If I can still remember it right, I only gave Trophies to the Top Three Teams and there were NO Finisher’s Medals and Finisher’s T-Shirts. Our office and my staff gave packed lunch to all the participants and we parted ways as happy competitors and runners. In the same manner, our civilian guest runners were just treated with the said packed lunch at the finish area.

Sadly, when I got transferred to Mindanao for a Combat Commander position, my BDM efforts just died and forgotten.

Fast Forward. Retirement and the Freedom to Run in any place and time of the day gave me a more focused attention to the Ultra Races that I’ve organized in the past. Of course, my being a Retired Major General of the Armed Services had also helped me in my coordination with the AFP, PNP, and the Local Governments. And whenever any of my ultra races is being concluded with all the finishers enjoying their triumph and victory, I always get a heart-warming feedback of “Congratulations For a Successful Event!” from the other runners, friends from Facebook, and from the thousands of followers of my blog.

It is a very humbling feeling when I get such feedback and it is already enough “compensation” for the preparation, coordination, risk, sleepless and tiring moments just to be able to monitor the safety of the runners and the progress of the race.

Personally, success to me in every race, is NOT in the number of registered runners. I would be happier if I have lesser in the number of runners whom I personally know and who would stick to follow my Race’s Rules & Regulations. Furthermore, I would be happiest when I hear stories among my runners on how they help each other in order to finish the race. These ultra runners whom I usually call “the usual suspects” are aware that the registration fee that they have paid to join the event is NOT enough to pay for my “Talent Fee” for seeing to it that they are safe and secured during the event.

But, most of the reasons for a Successful Event is attributed to the Competing Runner himself/herself. In ultra races, a runner can not “fake’ his performance backed with lackluster training and preparation. It takes a lot of pounding on the ground, discipline, determination, positive attitude, and critical problem solving if an ultra runner wants a decent finish in a race without any injury or “issues”. So, if a runner registers a Course Record Time for the event, it becomes a motivation for the others to work harder in their next training & preparation. Success for a runner is being able to overcome one’s inner demons, pain , suffering, and other personal challenges!

Success does not mean profit or money that a Race Organizer would earn from each event. Since I am not being backed up or sponsored by any Corporate Entity, a runner’s registration fee would be spent for the Podium Finisher’s Trophies, Finisher’s Medals, Finisher’s Shirts, Certificates, Race Bibs, Tarpaulins, Payment For Marshals & Event’s Staff,  Ambulance/Medical Team Services, Planning & Coordination, Timing Services, Food For Runners at the Finish Line, and Travel Expenses. Sad to say, I am not being paid for being the Race Director!

To tell you the truth, I am getting richer from my “tax-free” monthly pension and “tax-free” interests of my investments and rentals to my properties. Even without organizing or directing ultra races, I will be happy and contended sitting on my rocking chair while listening my music from my Bose Sound System and scrolling/reading your Facebook status on my MacBook Air and Apple iPhone!

Success, therefore, to me in races is developing friendships and maintaining those friendship so that in every race, a runner would learn something for him/her to be a better person. Better would mean stronger, healthier, more matured, more friendly, and have a better outlook in life.

The highest level of success is when ones experience as a Runner and Race Director/Organizer is being shared to others and such experience becomes an inspiration to emulate. And this blog has that main objective to share my experience to everybody.

Success Is Being Healthy At The Age Of 62
Success Is Being Healthy At The Age Of 62

Thank you for reading this article. I hope you enjoyed it and have the motivation to challenge yourself to run and adhere the outdoors for the greater good of a healthy lifestyle. Please subscribe to this blog for more updates and stories. Thank you!

Life Expectancy

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Running, Travel, Ultra Marathon, Ultra Running, Ultra Trail Running, Ultramarathon6 Comments

Life Expectancy

Life expectancy is defined by Wikipedia as the statistical measure of the average time an organism is expected to live, based on the year of its birth, its current age and other demographic factors including gender. Life expectancy is commonly confused with the average age an adult could expect to live. Life expectancy differs from maximum life span. Life expectancy is an average for all people in the population, including those who die shortly after birth, those who die in early adulthood, and those who live unimpeded until old age. Maximum lifespan, on the other hand, is an individual-specific concept—maximum lifespan is therefore an upper bound rather than an average. 

Various factors contribute to an individual’s longevity. Significant factors in life expectancy include gender, genetics, access to health care, hygiene, diet and nutrition, exercise, lifestyle, and crime rates. Japan has the longest life expectancy of 82.84 years in 2010 while Mozambique has 41.37 years in 2010. The rest of the list of life expectancies of each country can be searched on Wikipedia or Google.

The reason why I thought of writing in this blog about this topic is when I saw a Facebook post in one of the FB Groups where I am a member. This FB Group consists of Retired Officers and Soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, of which I joined in the later part of 2019. In the said FB post, with the premise that the Life Expectancy of Filipinos is 68 years old, attached in the post is a List Of Retired Generals and Senior Officers who died before and after reaching the age of 68 years old. I was surprised that some of my Seniors, as well as, my Junior Officers had joined the List. May their Souls Rest In Peace! I am just sad that they did not enjoy their Retirement Benefits to the fullest.

As I am few months away, actually 4 months, from reaching the age of 68 years old. I feel good and happy that I am blessed to be healthy and active. However, as I “googled” the Life Expectancy of the Philippines, I found out the latest statistics/survey as seen in this picture that I grabbed:

Life Expectancy Of The Philippines

It is indicated that the Life Expectancy of the Philippines was 68.73 years old in 2000 and had steadily been increasing through the years up to 71.28 years old for the current year 2020. It appears that I still have an additional 3+ years “bonus” to live to reach the age of 71 years old.

It is very easy to say that I can project myself to reach this age and still be standing, healthy and active. But there are things that could be done to ensure that I could reach this age. In my past experience, I could say that the following reasons or tips made me as healthy and active as of today:

  1. Exercise everyday: My exercise consists of running or hiking on a daily basis for a minimum duration of one hour. 80-90% of my workouts are easy runs just to be able to perspire and let my heart do some cardio-vascular effort. I purposely hike with a weighted backpack once a week to strengthen my leg muscles, see the scenery/outdoors, and the best and quick way to perspire.
  2. Eat Simple but Healthy Real Foods: Most of the time, I eat a cup of steamed rice and one viand that has soup, vegetable, and meat/fish/chicken, all in one soup bowl. I end up eating a bite of chocolate or any fresh fruits available. If there is a chance that I could eat fresh vegetable salad, I would gladly grab the opportunity.
  3. Hydrate: I regularly drink water before, during and after my daily exercises. I even drink water regularly whenever I am reading some articles on the Internet, reading a book, or simply watching the Netflix. I make sure to take my body weight before and after my workout and closely monitor how much body liquid I have lost during the workout. I would immediately drink the equivalent weight that I have lost.
  4. Sleep Eight (8) Hours Every Night: Whether I sleep late or not, I should be able to sleep 8 hours during nighttime. If I can not make it or lacking for one or two hours, I would take a nap after lunch during daytime.
  5. Do Some Strength Training Exercises: Simple Dumbbell exercises with Light Weight; Leg Squats; Push-Ups; Sit-Ups; and Step-Ups are my main strengthening exercises which I do, at least, three times a week.
  6. Do Some Stretching Exercises/Yoga/Pilates: I usually concentrate my exercises with the strengthening of my Core Muscles through planks; some Yoga and Pilates poses. I usually do them as additional exercises during my Strengthening Exercise workouts.
  7. Take A Crap Ever Day: This should be a daily habit for me. I can not go out to run or hike or get out of the house for some errands if I can not sit “on my throne” once I take my hot coffee in the morning. My mood for the day depends on this habit. Every thing is light/easy and positive if this is done early in the day.
  8. Ignore Bad Vibes: There are lot of things to read on the Social Media that promotes Bad Vibes or things that are negative in nature. Most of the time, the sources of these negative stories and comments have nothing to do but spread such lies, inuendos, fake news, and information without any basis or evidence. These people are just happy to say bad things to other people and I really don’t understand what is in the mind of these people. There is only ONE Strategy to adopt in order to deal with these people: IGNORE! 
  9. Always Stay Positive: Because I ignore those Bad Vibes and negative comments, I always make it a point to think the positive way. What is important is that I know myself, I know my strengths and weaknesses, and I keep to myself my plans for the future. All my posts in Social Media are facts, my activities, and things that I like. Always staying positive leads to the next topic. 
  10. Don’t Stress Yourself and Simplify Things: For the past days, I have been reading the comments and exchange of comments among the members of a FB Group whose members are all AFP and PNP Retirees. The topic is about the delay in the availability the Monthly Pension for January 2020 in the ATMs. Some of the members are patient and understanding but most of them are angry of the situation. I just smile as I read the comments. In situations like this, I always say that “this is not yet the end of the world, why worry?” Politics? I don’t even dip my finger to politics. I really don’t care! As long as I receive my monthly pension, get my dividends to my investments & rentals to some properties and push through with my running activities, I really don’t care what is happening around. It is not yet the end of the world! How to simplify your life? Don’t mind the business of other people. Never dip your finger to the life or problem/s of other people. As they say, things happen for a reason! If something happens to you, deal with it. Don’t broadcast it on Social Media.
  11. Plan Ahead: Last November 2019, I have already made my schedule for 2020 and beyond, hoping that I am still healthy and active by then. However, they are still categorized as “Secret”. Hahaha!
  12. Enjoy What You Have: What else can I ask for? I am trying my best to control myself looking for places and running events where I could join in the future aside from those events where I have already registered. I am also controlling myself looking for things to be added in my collection of watches, pocket knives, business suits, and boots. I guess, I have to stop collecting them now and invest in precious metals that have the potential to increase in price in the future. 
  13. Drink and Eat Rich In Protein: As my muscles are shrinking as I grow older, I need to drink more fresh milk, soya milk, and eat more eggs! It is noteworthy to say that I don’t have any medication or maintenance medicine. Having said that, I could eat anything in moderation and make sure that I monitor my body weight regularly. I drink beer during occasions and social events but never I would allow myself to be drunk. Instead of paying for my medications (which there is none), I would spend for the service of a Professional Sports Coach to my Running as he closely monitors my training to include my Rests and Recovery. I think this is the best investment where my money is going as I am getting better, stronger, more active, and healthier.
  14. Socialize From Time To Time: As I am writing this post, one of my classmates in the PMA just died due to heart attack. We were born in the same month of May and year (1952). He should be 68 years old this coming May. We were both long-distance runners when were cadets and he was a good rival in our cross-country events as he was a member of another Cadet Company. During our early career as Officers of the AFP, we would compete each other in our Annual PMA Alumni Athletic Meets and would saw him in weekend road races in Manila in the early 80s. I have been faster than him since we were cadets. The last time that saw him was in the middle of last year during a meeting with a group of Retired Generals of the AFP in Camp Aguinaldo and I personally warned him of his “heavy” weight, thus, encouraged him to bring back his running days through walking every day. I really don’t know if he followed my advise then. I might have socialized much with my runners for the past years but I would meet my classmates and contemporaries from time to time. Most of those Generals whom I have worked with and had worked under me are now the “bigwigs” in the present administration. I guess, it is about time to visit them one by one and say “Hello” to them! In essence, I have the young ones and the old ones as my friends. And that makes my life a better and a wonderful one. 

I am A Trail Runner & Hiker

 

Running Predictions For The Year 2020

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Pictures, Races, Sports Program, Timed Events, Trail Running, Ultra Marathon, Ultra Running, Ultra Trail Running, UltramarathonLeave a comment

Running Predictions For 2020

Based from what I have been reading on Social Media and other written articles about running for the past days since the start of the year 2020, I have the following personal predictions about running in the local setting in the country as well as in International Running Events:

  1. Running Events will steadily increase in numbers: With the positive results of the 30th ASEAN Games where the country became the Host and the Overall Champion in the Medal Tally Results, running as a basic sports will be embraced by the citizenry as a form of exercise; as an endurance sports; as a part of training for other sports discipline; and as a part of a healthy style of living. Almost all the weekends of the year will be filled with scheduled “fun runs”; long distance running events, such as half-marathon, marathon, and ultramarathon races. Short and Middle distance races like 5K and 10K races will always be there and it is predicted that more “newbies” will join such races.
  2. Trail Running Events will increase throughout the country: As per my observation with the scheduled races at the Facebook Group “Trail Running In The Philippines” (TRIP), trail running events, whether they are short in distance or ultras, have increased in numbers and I think for 2020, more events will be staged in almost all the regions/provinces in the country where there are mountain trails. However, trail runners will tend to choose which one to join due to financial constraints or depending on what would be their goal in this selected sports. Some competitive trail runners will be joining the Local Trail Running Events with ITRA points for them to qualify in International Trail Running Events. With more of trail running events for this year, the “old” trail running events will have a decrease in participants not unless the same people who have finished the event will continuously support the said event.
  3. MILO Marathon & MILO Regional Qualifying Races are still the Number ONE Running Events In The Country: Aside from its stature as the Most Prestigious Running Events In The Country, it rewards our Local Elite Runners with Cash Incentives and Travel Expenses support for the MILO Finals Marathon Race. MILO/NESTLE as a MultiNational/Foreign Corporation in the country had been promoting Running as a Sports for the longest time for the local populace. Nobody from our Local Business/Corporate Brands or Institutions had the courage to dig deep from their “pockets” to provide a constant and continuous goal to promote healthy lifestyle through running to the local populace. MILO Runners will also increase in  number despite the fact that schools are required to bring their students to join the shorter races. For the competitive and average runners, there will be an increase in the number of runners who would like to qualify for the MILO Finals as it is becoming a symbol status for runners to be a part of the said event. Qualified for the MILO Finals had been a “bragging rights” for the average and competitive runners in the country.
  4. With more Running Events, Runners Will Remain With Slow Finish Times: With the advent of the Social Media, runners will be satisfied in joining and finishing the race event that they have joined. Pictures of runners with their Finisher’s Medal will be the usual post/status on Facebook without mentioning their Finish Time. Actually, this practice had been with us through the years and more “newbie” runners will follow this practice.
  5. Slow Finish Time Runners Will Compose Most Of The Runners In International Marathon Events: It is common in my observation that Slow Finish Runners (Sub-5-Hour & Sub-6-Hour Runners) in Marathon Races will consist most of our Runners who will be joining the World Marathon Majors Events. Their reason could be “Bragging Rights” to have joined these events as they would post their Finisher’s Medals on Facebook and other Social Media platforms. I could not understand why these average and slower runners are the luckiest persons in Race Lotteries in World Major Marathon Races. This prediction is the main reason why the Runners from the Philippines remain as one of the slowest finishers in Marathon Races as compared with other nations.
  6. But More Average and Competitive Runners Will Try To Qualify For The Boston Marathon: It can not be denied that the Most Prestigious Marathon Race In The World is the Boston Marathon and its qualifying times had been faster than before and there is a number of minutes as buffer time if a runner just qualified for his time, to make sure that he is in for the race. Hopefully, more of our Local Elite Runners will be able to qualify for the said race. For those slower runners who are active in the Social Media, they will take the window of opportunity to get in to the event as Charity Runner/s as they have the money and influence to raise for the funds needed.
  7. UTMB Races Will Remain As The Goal Of Local Trail Runners: Through the past years, the number of Pinoy Runner (Local and Foreign-based) Applicants for the UTMB Lotteries had been increasing and as a result, more Filipinos are joining the UTMB Races. The creation of Trail Running Events in the country with ITRA points had considerably increased the number of qualified Trail Runners for the UTMB. It is predicted that more Trail Running Organizers/Race Directors will advertise their races with ITRA Points as a “come-on” for those runners who plan to join the UTMB Races, as well, in other International Races. However, with financial and logistics constraints, there will still be qualified applicants to the UTMB Races who would not be able to join such events.
  8. More “Copycat” Ultramarathon Races Will Be Created: There is a tendency of Local Ultra Race Director/s to copy or outdo other RDs Routes for Road Ultramarathon Events. What is worse is when they do a “Reverse” version of what other RD had adopted as his route in his events. This bad practice will continue showing disrespect to the other Race Director/Organizer. Some RDs will also conduct farther distances for their Ultra Events with the purpose to outdo the performance of other ultra athletes. With the popularity of “Fake News”, there will also be “Fake RDs and Fake ROs” who will spend money for advertisement, send Personal Messages to invite their FB Friends, promise Prizes, Raffles, and other Incentives for the Podium Winners, attract runners with Commercial Sponsors and give “Free Kits” to Runner-Influencers.
  9. Ultramarathon Races and Popular Running “Trends” Will Continue To Be Copied By Local Race Organizers: I think I am the Race Director that started the famous “Beer Mile” in the country and since then, it was copied by others as a “fun run” and it did not prosper to come up with a some sort of National Course Record among the runners. A Fat Ass Road Run was introduced every January and it became popular for runners and I guess, there will no more of this event this year. I also introduced Fat Ass For Trail for a single edition and I was not able to get more participants that I have stop the concept. As the Backyard Ultra in the US is becoming popular, some Local Organizers had conducted their own version of this event. Hopefully, this event will thrive and grow within this year. As for the IAU concept of “loop runs” to establish Record Runs in 24 Hours and other Running Timed Events, these races are not palatable to the liking and taste of Local Runners as compared to other Asian Countries and if we have some races of this kind, I predict that we could not be able to compete and be at par with these countries.
  10. More Ultra Race Organizers and Race Directors Will Be Dreaming That Running Events Are Lucrative Business: This is “self-explanatory”.
  11. Lastly, there will always be a “Cheater” in Every Race! 

One Of The Famous Logos Of BaldRunner

Goodbye, 2019!

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Places to Run, Race Results, Races, Runners' Training, Running, Sports Program, Travel, Ultra Marathon, Ultra Running, UltramarathonLeave a comment

This is my first post for the year 2020. I am sorry for my readers and followers to this blog that I was not regular in making or posting my stories about my races and training. I was concentrated in my daily posts and readings on Facebook that I forgot to publish my stories in this blog. Hopefully, the New Year of 2020 will change everything as I will make sure to make a regular post in this blog.

For the meantime, I would like to post the list of races that I have finished for the year 2019. In the coming days, I will make a story or Race Report on each of these races (except for those which I have posted already in this blog).

  1. Boston Marathon: The 2019 Boston Marathon is the 123rd Edition of this Most Prestigious Marathon In The World. I was able to qualify for my age (61-65 years old) in the 2017 Revel Canyon City Marathon Race with a time of 3:46+ and I had to wait for two years to be able to join this prestigious race. I will post a separate story about my experience in the said race.
  2. REVEL Mt Charleston Marathon: I joined this race two weeks after I completed the 2019 Boston Marathon with the thought that I could qualify again for the 2020 Boston Marathon with my present Age Category of 66-70 years old. I failed because of the heat after the 13-Mile mark up to the Finish Line. However, I will still make a detailed Race Report about this experience in joining a Marathon Race in Las Vegas, Nevada.
  3. MILO Half-Marathon Race In A Suit: This could be a FIRST in the History of Running in the Philippines’ MILO Marathon/Half-Marathon where a participant would run in a Business Suit. I finished the race but I was not able to qualify for the Finals. I posted a story on Facebook and in this blog about this experience.
  4. Lavaredo’s Cortina Trail 48K Run: After a year, I have to return to Cortina D’ Ampezzo, Italy to complete the Lavaredo Trail Course and finish the last 48 kilometers of the route. I was able to finish it with barely two minutes before the Cut-Off Time. This experience showed my tenacity and grit to finish this race. It was a wonderful experience and I need to share my story about this in my incoming posts in this blog.
  5. The North Face (TNF) 50K Philippines: After three years of being absent in the Philippines’ Trail Running Events, TNF Philippines revived its iconic trail running in the country. I opted to join the 50K race to test my endurance in the month of October after having some break/rest after I have finished the Cortina Trail 48K in the last week of June. With not much of training and preparation, I used this race to evaluate myself and I was able to finish it within the prescribed cut-off time. More details of this race in my Race Report.
  6. The North Face (TNF) 50K Hong Kong: I was one of the late registrants of this race and I think I was the only Filipino who came from Manila who joined this race. I guess, some of the local Filipinos who planned to join this race backed-out on the last minute because of the prevailing situation in Hongkong. I forced myself to join this race to evaluate my training and present status of my body if I can finish this race. With hardwork, patience, and grit, I was able to finish this race, two hours before the prescribed cut-off time. I was happy with my performance in this race and it provided me with a more positive attitude to join more trail running events in the future despite my senior age. For the sake of the Local Trail Runners, I will post a story about my experience in this race soon.

It is nice to be back in this blog as I promised myself to make a habit to post a story in this blog about anything that I could think of but the main focus will still be about running. Some of the future intervening stories in this blog will be about my hobbies, daily activities, and my collections. I promised myself also to write and post, at least, once a day on anything that I could think of.

Note: This is my 4th day not being able to update my Facebook Wall; not making any LIKES and COMMENTS in the posts of my FB friends. Presently, I am regularly posting my thoughts on Twitter and pictures on Instagram. Hopefully, I will transform this blog as my Facebook Wall.

2019 MILO Half-Marathon In A Suit

Blogging Reboot (2016)

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Practice Runs, Race Results, Runners' Training, Running, Sports Program, Trail Running, Travel, Ultra Marathon, Ultra Running, Ultra Trail RunningLeave a comment

Starting with this post I am back again with my blogging.

Thinking back almost nine (9) years ago, I started this blog to document or journalize my daily running activities; write Race Reports in my running events (whether I am a participant or a Race Director); try to remember and document my previous running experiences; and re-post whatever running resources or information I have read in the books that I’ve purchased and read and what I’ve read in the Internet. Sometimes, I would post my personal opinion on what has transpired in the running world, whether it is within the local or in the country and in the international arena.

So, I am going back to what I know about blogging——sharing and letting my readers know what is happening to me in my running workouts, activities, and adventures. From time to time, I would also share things that are important or worth knowing in the field of running (specially on ultra running).

However, this blog will remain as the main source of information on the Ultra Races that I organise and direct.

I will not be competing with my Facebook account but in essence this blog will be “What is on my mind…about running”.

Now, it is time to go out and run!

Trail Running In Kayapa, Benguet, Philippines
Trail Running In Kayapa, Benguet, Philippines

Sixth

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Runners' Training, Running, Sports Program, Travel, Ultramarathon3 Comments

I reached my sixth year of blogging last October 25, 2013 and I am becoming more lazy to write something about my training, running thoughts, and my running races. It could be that I was too busy and focused with my training and/or conducting my ultra races as the Race Director or had been out of the Metro Manila area for the much-needed and more reliable Internet connection.

On the other hand, Facebook could also be the main culprit as I had more time making my daily status or reading other friends’ experiences on their running adventures and training. I am going back again to my bad habit of using my Facebook Wall and FB Group Pages as my mini-blog, thereby, forgetting my principal responsibility to update my blog. This is the very reason why I was not been able to be productive in writing and posting my stories in this blog. The past year, my sixth year, could be my lowest productive year in this blog and I could see it in my blog summaries that it was my “worst” in terms of the number of posts and the number of “hits”. However, I am still happy and satisfied that my followers are still increasing in number.

Accidentally, I was able to browse something in the Internet that motivated me to write again. I was able to see, at a glance, on a website that says or advocates writing “something” at least 500 words every day, without any edits, and by just simply writing anything and posting it in the Internet. So, here I am trying to remember and recall the things that I have to post for the past months of last year and try my best to write and post a 500-word story/essay on running every day.

My blog has now transformed into an ultra marathon site as I don’t write about much on marathon and lesser distance races except for trail running. The focus and concentration of my posts had been on the ultra marathon races that I have organized and directed from the yearly Bataan Death March Races (BDM 102 & BDM 160) and the PAU Ultra Races in the different parts of the country. Clearly, my blog had become a source of information of those runners who are runner-participants in my ultra races, to include registration procedures, rules and regulations of races, and their official results.

I also had the chance to bring two elite ultra runners to the Vibram Hongkong 100K Trail Ultra on the early part of 2013, with the help and support of Andre Blumberg of Hongkong, and they performed well that they are both qualified for the lottery for the prestigious 2014 Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run. But no matter how good my intention and plans for these two local elite ultra runners, there are still people who try to bring you down and derail your plans. It brought myself into reality that no matter how talented and good our runners are, they have also their weaknesses in terms of their behavior and attitude when they are no longer on the road/trail running in a race.

As I go on with my seventh year as a blogger, this blog will go on and on until my race stops. And that race is called LIFE.

Going Strong To My Seventh Year Of Blogging
Going Strong To My Seventh Year Of Blogging

Blog’s 2012 In Review By WordPress

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Race Results, Races, Runners' Training, Running, Sports Program, UltramarathonLeave a comment

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

About 55,000 tourists visit Liechtenstein every year. This blog was viewed about 320,000 times in 2012. If it were Liechtenstein, it would take about 6 years for that many people to see it. Your blog had more visits than a small country in Europe!

Click here to see the complete report.

“Take Five”

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Running, Sports Program, Trail Running, Travel, Ultramarathon7 Comments

This is the most popular jazz composition of the late Dave Brubeck, who just died few weeks ago before reaching the age of 92 years old and also the famous jazz pianist who led the Dave Brubeck Jazz Quartet known throughout the world. Listening to the rendition of “Take Five” simply brings back the music of Dave Brubeck in to my mind.

“Take Five” and the Dave Brubeck Jazz Quartet had started the proliferation of contemporary jazz music and inspired others to love such kind of music.

Last October of this year counts as my Fifth Year Anniversary in blogging and thinking of where I am right now blows my mind of reminiscing the past years of trying to share my experiences and adventures in running to my readers. This blog evolved by itself from a daily journal of my runs and training/preparations for my incoming races which turned to narration of detailed Race Reports of each race that I joined. I am sure that these Race Reports were accepted by Race Organizers as feedback to improve on their future races. Ideas brought about as a result of my experiences, observations, and researches made through journals, books and other resources in the Internet gave birth to plans. And these plans were brought to action.

Early next year will be the staging of the 5th Bataan Death March 102K Ultra Marathon Race (BDM 102) and this event is my gauge on how far I’ve been into serious running and blogging. It is also my gauge on how far has the running community in the country had been influenced and inspired to train, prepare, and experience what is like to finish an ultra marathon distance. And it seems that runners see this event as the “Holy Grail” of running experience and accomplishment. This event transformed me into Race Organizer and Director for Ultra Running Events in the country. And I was able to inspire and influence others to do the same and spread the conduct of ultra running events in other parts of the country.

I’ve created an Elite Team of Runners and made them as Champions and Podium Finishers. I’ve created a Sports Federation for Ultrarunning in the country and we are ably represented in Ultra Running Events in other countries sanctioned by the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) by bringing some of our elite runners to these events. Other local ultrarunners are finding their way to join ultra running events in Asia, Europe, and the USA. But what is most important is that we are slowly transforming the country as the center/mecca of ultrarunning events in ASIA and Southeast ASIA through the Bataan Death March 160K & 102K Ultra Marathon Races (BDM 160/BDM 102); the Taklang Damulag 100-Mile Endurance Run (TD 100); West Coast 200K Multi-Day Stage Run (WC 200); and other ultra events that are staged/scheduled almost every month in the country.

Soon, an ultrarunner can have a choice of at least two (2) ultrarunning events in a period of one month! Race Organizers in other parts of the country are sprouting fast for the past years and most of their races have qualifying points for most of the popular ultrarunning events in the world. All of these occurrences in ultra running are unprecedented and more runners are attracted to the challenge and determination to finish such events.

So, where is this blog going for the next FIVE years? It will still be a blog, of course! It will remain as my journal of my running experiences and adventures here and abroad. I will also feature my thoughts, ideas, plans, observations, and things/persons about running and ultra running. It will also continue as the resource of ultrarunning in the country.

Just like the music “Take Five” and the Dave Brubeck Jazz Quartet, this blog will continue as a “pioneer” in running events/adventures and as inspiration for others to explore what they are capable of in terms of endurance and determination.

In simple terms, this blog will always remain about RUNNING.

Bald Runner (Photo By Jojo Brito)
Bald Runner (Photo By Jojo Brito)