“West To East”: 2nd Day’s Adjustments, Hills & Heat

On March 19, 2011 By kingofpotsIn Food & Dishes, Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Practice Runs, Runners' Training, Running, Travel, Ultramarathon4 Comments

12:45 PM March 16, 2011/Barangay Seselangen, Sual to Barangay Socony/Crossing, Bugallon, Pangasinan

I started my adventure run for the 2^nd day at 12:45 PM/Noon. You can just imagine what it is like to start your run at this time of the day. I did not have to worry because I prepared for this kind of situation for the past weeks that I had my “heat” training at the Remy Field Oval Track and the roads inside the Subic Freeport.

For the 2^nd day, I need to make some adjustments with my attire. I have to use the regular running shorts so that people along the way would not have the impression that I lost my bike or make myself as the center of attraction among the younger and older women along the road. I believe that Pangasinan is famous for cyclists that spectators think that if an athlete uses a compression shorts, he/she is a cyclist. I used my old reliable ASICS shorts with a red-colored ASICS technical shirt which have the latest technology of a sports shirt. My running cap (by Headsweats) was the one that I used in my first BDM 102 Race in 2009 which has a cover on the nape portion. As seen on my pictures, the cape on the back keeps on waving and flying because of the headwind I met during the run. The inexpensive NIKE soccer socks was transformed to a running socks with calf sleeves, all in one! And I like them. The feeling when you use this kind of socks is the same with using those expensive calf sleeves! In order to have a lighter stride, I used my ASICS Gel-LyteRacer which is a Racing Shoe with Stability. I was also using those cheap arm sleeves to cover my arms from the heat of the sun and they work pretty well.

More Efficient & Better Attire For The Heat & Hills Starting Point For The Day

After the usual photo-ops from the starting line’s last kilometer post on the previous day, I started my run slowly, trying to warm-up my legs and my body. I usually do not have stretching exercises before starting my daily runs for the Adventure Run.

"Sel-lang" in Ilocano Means Crotch (Singit)

Although it was hot, I was meeting a strong headwind as I approached the mountains/hills of Sual, Pangasinan. There were lots of rolling terrain before I started my climb towards the ever-famous Sual Zigzag Road where the only restaurants in the place were located in the 70’s and 80’s. On top of the Zigzag Road, you could see the Sual Cove with the South China Sea. Without any problems, I was able to reach the peak and the distance of Poblacion Sual is reduced to only 2 kilometers and I was able to cover 9 kilometers from the place where I started. Those were tough 9 kilometers towards this place.

On this day’s run, I decided to run on the right side of the road with me travelling with the traffic. It got some relief from my left knee as I was able to balance my foot strike on the ground. I felt more comfort on my legs when running on this side of the road. I guess, this is a major adjustment that I did in this run. I was also very accessible to my support vehicle which would be waiting for me every 2 kilometers.

On this day, I also carried a small plastic bottle filled with water on my right palm which was also comfortable as I was used to carrying those Ultimate Direction Hand-held Water Bottle.

Roller-Coaster Road Going To Sual, Pangasinan

From the Sual Zigzag Road Peak Towards The Poblacion

Why go to Cebu City when Danggit is available in Sual, Pangasinan? LOL!

While passing along the Poblacion of Sual, I was able to inspect the stores that sell dried fish and fresh fruits. My crew was able to buy some of those ripe mangoes. I was surprised that most of the stores sell Danggit which is the dried fish famous from Cebu City. I really do not know if they are cheaper here but it costs P 450.00 per kilo. After running for 2 kilometers from the Poblacion of Sual, what was infront of me was the place where I stayed overnight, Covelandia Beach Resort. The place occupies a lot of space as seen from the road I was running through!

Jogging With High School Kids Who Were Going Home

A few kilometers more and I was able to reach the Poblacion of Labrador. There was traffic on the main road as most of the high school students were leaving the school and going back to their homes. While having my walking breaks, I started some conversation with the kids and it was relaxing! As I resumed my run, some of the kids joined me in my jogging and they were laughing and having fun. After a few meters, the kids stopped and it was timely that I was near my support vehicle. I had the chance to have some photo-ops with these kids.

A Pose With My "Pacers" & Future Runners

The road from Labrador to the next town of Bugallon is clear from so much traffic of vehicles. I am lucky to observe if there is one vehicle that I meet or pass me within the span of 5 minutes. As I looked around, I could see the sea on the left and the mountains on my right with rice fields. It was refreshing to see the things around me. After crossing so many small bridges and waving to people milling around on the corner of the streets, I was on the road with some kids on their bicycle trying to escort on the right side of the road.

I finished my run at 5:45 PM at Barangay Socony/Crossing, Bugallon, Pangasinan. I was able to cover a distance of 30 kilometers. After the photo-ops at the Kilometer Post, I entered in one of the carinderias and ate my early dinner of sinigang na native na baboy! Wow! The food and broth were great!

Duration of Running: 5 Hours

Distance: 30 Kilometers

Average Pace: 6 Kilometers Per Hour

Weather: Sunny & Hot with Light Headwind

Food & Water Nutrition: No Change from the Previous Day

Running Apparel: ASICS Shorts & Technical Shirt; NIKE Football Socks; Ice Bandana; Headsweats Runner’s Cap; Sunglass by Ray-Ban; Local Arms Sleeves

Shoes: ASICS Gel-Lyteracer

Tylenol Tablet: None

Expenses:

Hotel Accommodation @ Covelandia—-P 2,500.00

Food (Dinner & Breakfast)—P 1,300.oo

Fresh Fuits (Mangoes)—P 100.00

Ice—P 50.00

Gasoline—P 1,000.00

Dinner @ Carinderia—P 150.00

Total Expenses For The Day: P 5,100.00

(Note: Covelandia Beach Resort has NO Wi-Fi Connection!)

To be continued…

“West To East”: 2nd Day @ Covelandia

On March 18, 2011March 18, 2011 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Practice Runs, Runners' Training, Running, Ultramarathon4 Comments

March 16, 2011

Covelandia Beach Resort in Labrador, Pangasinan is located 13 kilometers way ahead from the place where I stopped on my first day of my running adventure. You have to pass by the Poblacion of Sual, Pangasinan before reaching this place. If you are coming from Manila/Dagupan/Lingayen, you can reach this place before reaching Sual, Pangasinan.

It was already 6:45 PM of Tuesday when we entered the Beach Resort and it was already dark. I could only see the lighted portions of the place and what was important was for me to take a cold shower, change my clothes and have my dinner. Of course, the place is more expensive than Mang Ador’s Place (Cocos Beach Resort) in Barangay Ilog Malino, Patar Road, Bolinao due to the first class amenities and ambiance of the place. Overnight stay cost us P 2,500 for the De Luxe Room with BIG beds and nice pillows, linens and towels!

The plan was to maximize our stay here up to check-out time at 12:00 Noon the following day and just relax in the cottages and restaurant near the beach area. We did exactly what we planned to do—took shower, slept for 10 hours, have dinner and breakfast, and relaxed at the restaurant/beach cottages of the resort. We spent P1,300 for the food we ate here.

At exactly 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, we left the place and proceeded back to Barangay Seselangen, Sual, Pangasinan for the start of my second day of running adventure. At 12:45 PM, I was back on the road!

Coffee Shop, Parking Lot, & Administration Building (Left to Right)

To be continued…

“West To East”: 1st Day (Conclusion)

On March 17, 2011March 19, 2011 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Military, Pictures, Places to Run, Practice Runs, Runner's Fashion/Attire, Runners Accessories, Runners' Training, Running, Running Shoes, Travel, UltramarathonLeave a comment

1st Day: March 15, 2011 (Bolinao Beach to Barangay Seselangen, Sual, Pangasinan)

I had my lunch, rest and sleep at the Caltex Station in Barangay Banog Norte, Bani, Pangasinan. I found out later from the owner that the place is called Prima Vista. The place has a restaurant, nice garden, Nipa Huts, clean Rest Rooms, and Gasoline Station. I had a brief conversation with husband-wife owner of the place. And they are nice and hospitable and they are both graduates from the Colleges in Baguio City. I told them that I am also a graduate from Baguio City and had been assigned in the area in the late 70s and early 80s, and then later as part of my Area of Operations in the 2003-2004 when I was a Brigade Commander. Now that I am retired, I am revisiting the area by running from Bolinao up to Mangatarem, Pangasinan. They wished me good luck. These guys are great, too!

Sinigang na Malaga & Mountain Dew (The "Nectar" of Ultrarunners)

At 2:45 PM of Tuesday, I left Prima Vista to resume my run towards Alaminos, Pangasinan which is 10 kilometers away. Those 10

Leaving The Boundary of Bani, Pangasinan

kilometers were hard on my left knee because the pain was still there but I maintained my Galloway ratio of 20:5 on the level/flat parts of the road but had to disrupt the ratio whenever the road goes uphill. I had to force myself to brisk walk on uphill portions of the road whether it is runable, steep, or medium-steep grade.

Uphill Terrain Going To Poblacion Alaminos

In one of my walking breaks as I was about 2 kilometers to Alaminos, I saw a lady wearing a t-shirt with the print—“Vote Maki Pulido!” I approached the lady who was watering a garden in front of their house and asked what elective position did Maki Pulido had ran during the elections. Unfortunately, the lady did not know Maki Pulido! After 200 meters, I met an old lady carrying a 2-3 year old kid and tried to ask the same question. Yes, I got the answers I needed. The lad said that Maki Pulido ran for Councilor of Alaminos, Pangasinan but she lost! If you don’t know Maki Pulido, you are not watching GMA TV7 News! There is no need for much explanation as this is not a post on politics but I am glad she did not win! No wonder I could not see her anymore with GMA TV7 News! (Note: After a brief research, Maki Pulido ran for a seat in the House of Representatives as Congresswoman but she lost. She is now back as a journalist of the GMA TV7’s Reporter’s Notebook.)

I Need To Rest...@ The Poblacion of Alaminos

After 1 ½ hours, I was able to reach the Poblacion of Alaminos and there was traffic on the main thoroughfare, Quezon Street, with vehicles as well as pedestrians who are students coming from the different schools at the center of the town. Those high school girls were giggling whenever they see me approaching them and I was surprised to know what could be the reason why they are laughing at me. Some bystanders would ask me where is my bicycle is and why I am not riding on it. Hmmm. I concluded that most of the people in Pangasinan identify a cyclist if he is using a compression/biking shorts! And those girls were giggling because they might think that I lost my bicycle and I caught them looking on my crotch area! Well, it could be the latter observation why these young girls were laughing at me.

I walked the stretch of 2 kilometers which is the whole stretch of Alaminos’ business area along Quezon Street. I tried to run and jog while there was still pain on my left knee but he pain was still tolerable. At this point, I was able to cover a distance of 50 kilometers but the surrounding was still bright and I wanted to be on the road until it was totally dark. My final goal was to reach the Poblacion of Sual which was 16 kilometers away! I made my rough calculation and it would not be possible to be running in the dark as I approached the zigzag road before Sual’s Poblacion. I tried my best to run, shuffle and walk until I could feel exhaustion on my body and tried to observe the pain on my left knee.

@The Boundary of Sual & Alaminos...I Remember My Friends In Legazpi City

Before sunset sets in, I decided to end my run for the day at Km Post #327, 11 kilometers away from Poblacion of Sual. My left knee needed some rest and we still need to look for a place where we could sleep. With the recommendation of the owners of Prima Vista, Covelandia Beach Resort was the place to look for a rest overnight!

Last Km Post For The Day @ Brgy SESELANGEN, Sual, Pangasinan

I was able to cover a distance of 55 kilometers with almost 9 hours of actual time with my feet on the ground. It was a nice run as a part of my training for endurance and heat training. My left knee was able to hold on due to my regular intake of Tylenol Tablet 500-mg every 3-4 hours. (Note: I took only 3 tablets for the whole day!) My water hydration every 2 kilometers; Gatorade Drinks every 1 ½ hours; and constant intake of solid foods were perfect for my nutrition and “feeding” of my body. I made sure also to urinate at least once every hour during the run. My salt intake for the 1st day came from the Pork Adobo and Sinaing Na Tulingan (cooked with salt, pork fat and dried kamias fruits) I ate for dinner at the COCOS Beach Resort. These foods were part of our “baon” for the running adventure.

After dinner at the Covelandia Beach Resort and a massage from my support crew, Marlon, I was already sleeping soundly at 9:45 PM.

The following are some of data during the 1^st day of the run:

Weather: Cold in the morning with breeze; Sunny & Hot at mid-day and getting cold in the late afternoon. Low at 26 degrees Celcius to High at 36 degrees Celcius.

Average Pace: 6 kilometers per hour (kph)

Shoes: ASICS Gel-Kanbarra 4

Socks: Black Puma Sports Socks (Applied ASICS “Chafe Free” Creme Courtesy of A Runner’s Circle (ARC) Store

Apparel: Under Armour Compression Shirt; New Balance Compression Shorts; Fort Ilocandia Golf Course Cotton Golf Cap; Ray-Ban Sunglass; Nathan Hydration Belt with Salt Water from Bolinao Beach & Bandana

Expenses:

Beach Resort Accommodation—-P 1,850.00

Gasoline (From Manila)———— 2,000.00

Lunch w/ Drinks @ Prima Vista——–800.00

Gasoline (From Bolinao-Sual)—– 1,300.00

Ice—————————————- 100.00

Total————————————- P 6,050.00

Another post will be published about the place called, “Covelandia Beach Resort”

To be continued.

“West To East”: 1st Day Pictures

On March 17, 2011 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Practice Runs, Runners' Training, Running, Travel, Ultramarathon4 Comments

(Note: At last, I am in a place with a Wi-Fi Connection!)

Brief Chat With The Tricycle Drivers @ Crossing Going To Anda

Trying To Reach My Support Vehicle On The Right Side of the Road

Bringing The Carabao To Pasture @ Bolinao-Anda Boundary

Nice Future "PAU Trophy" Design @ The Background

One of Those Downhill Roads Where I Met A Pro Cyclist

Finally, Infront of the Bani Municipal Hall

My Upperclassman @ The Academy & Municipal Mayor of Bani (He was out of the office!)

To be continued…

“West To East”: Conversation With Mang Ador

On March 16, 2011March 16, 2011 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Running, Travel, Ultramarathon3 Comments

Conversation With Mang Ador: (As I entered a Beach Resort Compound. An old guy, whom he introduced later as Mang Ador, was sitting on a stool while I was still inside the vehicle)

BR: Manong, Yan na ditoy ti Administration Office yo? (Where is your Admistration Office?)

Mang Ador: Apay, Apo (Why, Sir?)

BR: Saludsudek koma no mabalin ti ag-check-in ditoy. (Would like to ask if it possible to check-in here)

Mang Ador: Wen, mabalin. Siak ti Manager ditoy. (Yes, you can check-in. I am the Manager here)

BR: Mano ti ibayad ko, Manong? (How much will I pay?)

Mang Ador: Two Thousand Pesos ti maysa a Cottage nga mabalin ti uppat a tao. (P2,000 per cottage which is good for 4 persons)

BR: Awan ti tawar na? (Any discount?)

Mang Ador: Kitam pay nga umuna san to agsarita ta. Diay ti cottage yo. Mabalin kayo nga ag-park diay abay na. (Please look at it first before we could talk on the price. There is your cottage (pointing at the cottage. You can bring your car and park thereat)

The cottage has a tiled and clean veranda that I had to walk barefoot on it and the room which elevated is clean. I said, “Cool”, this place is nice. It has a place where the occupants can cook and a bamboo dining was also there with plastic chairs.

My haggling for the price ended up to P 1,800.00 when I told him that I will be leaving the place before 6:00 AM the following morning. (I guess, he was able to glance at my “Bull Ring”! hehehe!). After paying him, I requested Mang Ador to cook for us our Rice for our dinner which he charged us with P50.00.

Our conversation resumed as I tried to get more information about the place. Still talking in Ilocano but I have to translate the conversation in this post to English.

BR: Who owns this place?

Mang Ador: He is a foreigner, from Sweden!

BR: A Swedish? I am sure he is married to a Filipina from this place.

Mang Ador (MA): Yes, you are right.

BR: How did you end up as the Manager of this place?

MA: I was the one who endorsed this place for the Swedish and his wife to buy as they had been looking for a place where they could develop a beach resort.

BR: So, you were the realtor of this place before it was purchased. How much was your “commission”?

MA: I did not get any commission but the wife told me that she and her husband would designate and assign me as the “Manager For Life” and my family would stay with me here in the place.

BR: Wow! Cool! That’s the best deal.

MA: Yes, money could just be spent in a few weeks or months but the future of my family is already settled.

BR: So, your wife and children are the ones that maintain and secure this place.

MA: My wife died already. And I am happy that I have 8 children who are helping me here.

BR: Did you marry again?

MA: Never. But I have a girlfriend!

BR: A-ha! I guess, she could be half of your age, Mang Ador?

MA: No, she is old already. (I found out later that the girlfriend is 42 years old)

BR: By the way, how old are you, Mang Ador?

MA: 68

BR: 68? You look young and strong with such age.

Mang Ador smiled at me.

BR: How much do you receive as your pay/allowance being the Manager? And do your children receive also some Pay/Allowance?

MA: I receive a monthly pay of P7,000 and my children who work here receive P3,500 each per month.

BR: How I wish I could stay in those more expensive Beach Resorts up ahead but I just need a place to sleep overnight and your place fits my needs.

MA: Oh, those places are very expensive! One regular room will cost you P4,500.

BR: Well, maybe next time, I would be able to see those places.

But at the back of my mind, this particular place will be a place where I could visit again because of Mang Ador’s hospitality and honesty. There’s no fancy and 5-star service and ambiance of the place but if you want a quiet and relaxing place along the beach of Bolinao, this place is highly recommended. This is a nice place where I could write a book. (Do I sound like Journeying James here? Hahaha!)

At 5:45 AM the following morning, I left the place and started my run. It was still dark and Mang Ador was still sleeping soundly knowing that he guarded us the whole night while we were sleeping. It was one of his sons who unlocked those padlocks on the gate of the compound when we finally left the place.

Mang Ador would never know that I was in his place to start another Running Adventure. But knowing that there are great people in the province who are satisfied to be staying in the province with a peaceful environment, clean air, fresh food, and willing to give service to visitors, this is something that we are proud of. Living in the province is better than living in a stressful city/urban environment and I could see on the happy face of Mang Ador.

The name of the place is COCOS Beach Resort! Look for Mang Ador and this guy is great! And the place is great, too!

Ooppps! Let us go back to running…

To be continued.

“West To East”: 1st Day (Unedited)

On March 16, 2011March 18, 2011 By kingofpotsIn Food & Dishes, Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Practice Runs, Runners' Training, Running, Travel, Ultramarathon7 Comments

(Note: The Internet connection in Western Pangasinan is weak or it might be the signal of my SmartBRO is the culprit.)

From Manila, my support crew and I travelled to Bolinao, Pangasinan at noontime and were able to reach the place at 4:30 PM after an easy cruising speed on the road. A brief tour of the small town followed where we tried to find a place to rest and sleep for overnight.

After going to two places near the town, we decided to go the place where those nice beach resorts are located. One kilometer from the “more expensive” beach resorts are located, we dropped by a place which is very simple and clean. There seems to be no people in the area and we asked an old guy for questions of trying to find out where the administration office is located. To my surprise, the “old guy” is the administration office and the manager. Well, the price is cheap and we were the only customer in the place plus the basic amenities were all available. Mang Ador, the old guy was so accommodating that his sales talk was that the cottage we were going to stay was the same place where Jericho Rosales stayed a few days ago for a filming/shooting event to the point that there are posters stapled on one of the posts indicating that a filming group was there. More stories and conversation with Mang Ador in my succeeding posts.

We slept for the night and woke up at 4:15 AM on the following day, Tuesday. After scooping seawater along the beach, I was ready for my run and started from our beach cottage. It was still dark but the headlights of my support vehicle provided me with the much needed light along the cemented road that goes to the National Highway. It was a 9K distance and I made sure that this initial part of my run will be my warm-up!

I adjusted my strides as short but quick in tempo and I was comfortable with the pace. Since I did not have a Garmin Watch, I depended on my hand held Stopwatch with bigger dial and numbers. I strictly followed the Galloway Method where I have to do 2-3 minutes walk after a 15-minute jog. I kept on shuffling making sure that I have a consistent short and quick movement of the feet. In one hour and 15 minutes, I reached the National Highway and it was already almost 7:00 AM.

I stayed on the left side of the road, jogging and walking, making sure that I follow the Run-Walk-Run that I planned to do to conserve my strength on the later part of the day. My plan was to reach Bugallon, Pangasinan which is a distance of almost 70 kilometers from where I started but as I progressed along the road and went through those rolling terrain and the heat of the sun to come, I knew it was just a wish. I thought that a distance of 50 kilometers for the first day was already enough to shake off my legs and observe how my body would react.

Aside from the Galloway Method which I strictly followed, I also made sure to walk those uphill climbs no matter how steep is the climb is. If the road is ascending, it’s the signal and time for me to start my walking break. I did it religiously throughout the whole day. However, if the road is plain and flat, I still follow the 15:3 ratio for my Galloway Method. In my rough calculation, I was running at a pace of 7:30-8:00 mpk which is good for a LSD workout. I took time also to have my pit stops to drink and eat.

I have to drink water every 2 kilometers where my support vehicle is waiting for me as I’ve instructed my support crew to be “leap frogging” me for 2 kilometers along the way. It was a constant and repetitive thing to do to drink a sip of water every two kilometers and it was a “must” in my strategy. For every 1 hour to 1 ½ hours, I have to drink one-half bottle of Gatorade. As for my food intake, I eat anything (Nature Valley Sports Bar, Chips Ahoy Cookies, and ripe bananas) and I don’t have any intention of taking in those Sports Gels. It had been my personal observation that it is better to eat solid foods in this kind of running workout.

As I got nearer to the 35-km mark of the distance that I covered and about 2 kilometers away in reaching the town of Bani, Pangasinan, my left knee started to have pain. I was already running for 4 hours plus. I know this thing will happen as a result of the injury last December of last year. The heat of the sun was also punishing to the body plus the hot breeze/wind on the road were the ones trying to slow me down on the road. I have to walk some more and drink water. Every 3 hours from the start, I’ve been taking in one (1) Tylenol 500-mg tablet just to prevent and anticipate the pain that might crop up from my torn muscles in the past but my left knee just gave way.

After 3 kilometers, I stopped for a brief rest which ultimately became my lunch stop at 11:15 AM. It was a blessing in disguise that the Caltex Gas Station has the amenities of a Rest Area ( a Restaurant, A Garden, Rest Rooms, and Bamboo Cottage) and a Wi-Fi but the Internet connection is still weak though! We stayed here for 3 ½ hours and I was able to sleep and rest after a lunch of Sinigang Na Malaga, Fried Chicken, and Calamares! The owners of the place were very kind and hospitable. Of course, they are Ilocanos. Later, I found out that the place is located in Barangay Banog Norte in Bani, Pangasinan. In Ilocano, “Ban-nog” means “tired”. It’s a fitting description of my present condition during the run!

To be continued.

Still Dark At 5:35 AM at The Beach Area Before The Start

Yes, The Billboard Says It All. Always Believe in Him!

“West To East”: A Running Adventure

On March 15, 2011 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Runners' Training, Running, Ultramarathon4 Comments

8:00 PM March 14, 2011/Bolinao, Pangasinan

After finishing the 5-day Adventure Run from Manila to Baguio City in February of last year, I was already thinking of another route where I could do another Adventure Run traversing and running along the roads of Luzon.

After researching and playing/browsing with the Google Map, I have entertained the idea of running from West to East, meaning, running from the western most part up to the eastern most part of Luzon. The distance is approximately the same with the distance from Manila to Baguio City but it could be farther and more challenging as the route offers more undulating and rolling terrain than the first adventure run that I finished up to Baguio City.

Why am I doing this? The reason could be that it is because I want to have fun and give meaning to life by running all possible routes in the country. I could be “opening the gates” for more possible routes for future adventure runs. I could be promoting the scenery of the towns, provinces and cities and its people that I will be passing and seeing through the “eyes/lens” of my digital camera. Or better yet, inspire more people along the way that running is good for the body and health. And for my readers in this blog to be inspired on what a retiree and almost senior citizen could do for the love of running.

Of course, my friends in the running community would also suspect that this is just a preparation for a bigger event to come in my adventure runs. Yes, they are right! I have that desire also to run from the very north tip of Luzon all the way to southernmost tip of the archipelago with the support of friends and corporate sponsors with the end-view of promoting running down to the “grassroots” level.

Many runners before me had done this feat but their accomplishments are still questionable up to this day based from my own standards or from what others would do to prove that they have done such feat. I have yet to see journals, diaries, pictorials, and other readable evidence to prove that these runners were able to run what they say they have run through. It is easy to say that you have run this part of the country without even showing to your readers any evidence or journal what each runner had gone through during the run. I would like to know the details, like: what was your daily mileage; what did you eat during the run; what is your hydration strategy during each leg or day; how many days did you rest during the span of period that a runner covered a certain distance; where did you rest and stop for the day; where did you rest over night; and how much did you spend for the adventure; and many more detailed factors/data to be known in order to pull off successfully in this kind of multi-day stage runs. Without these detailed facts, such feats/accomplishments are just “allegations”.

Let me go back to my plan. I will be starting in Bolinao, Pangasinan at the sea shore of the South China Sea and eventually proceed to Tarlac Province, running along the Carlos P Romulo Highway. From Tarlac Province, I will be proceeding to Nueva Ecija and ending up to the southernmost municipality of Dingalan of Aurora Province and specifically ending along the seashores of the Pacific Ocean. I will try to bring a bottle of sea water from the South China Sea and pour the said sea water to the Pacific Ocean. As there is no significant difference between the sea water of the South China Sea as to that of the Pacific Ocean, it will be a “tangible symbol” that I carried something from the West to be brought to the East. It would give meaning to the phrase, “West Meets East”.

What is the significance of my 2^nd adventure run? The answer is very simple. I just want to prove that a runner could easily and efficiently document his run on a near-real time situation through a blog in the Internet with the aid of a GPS watch (I will be using a stopwatch this time!), digital camera, laptop computer or a cell phone, and a driver with a support vehicle. The documentation should be a some sort of a diary of the runner so that his/her reader is easily transported as if he/she is a part of the run and be able to feel the joy, fun, and hardship that the runner had gone through during the run. This is the gist of the run! It has no political ends and purpose but it simply sends the message that there is integrity in everything we want to do and for the things we want to impart to other people.

So another running adventure begins with the following pictures!