Tag: Run

Critique: Runnex@25

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Races, Running2 Comments

So far, this is one of the most organized road race that I had joined/participated since I started and revived my running since November of last year. I was impressed due to the following reasons:

1) Road Race Organizer and a Runner—This is the advantage of being a runner and at the same time the road race organizer. A road organizer must be able to act or fill in the shoes of a runner for him to know the needs and feelings/things in the mind of a runner while he/she is running a race. Coach Rio knows all of these and I really appreciate what he is doing to improve or upgrade the level of road competition management in the country. How I wish more of these kind of road races, properly advertised and known, be brought to the awareness of our neighboring countries and make them part of the tourism program of the goverment. Has anybody thought of having a road race in those many “festivals” that we conduct in almost all the provinces in the country? 

2) Publication of “Reliable” Official Results—I really salute and commend Coach Rio for the very fast publication of the results few hours after the race. I guess, that was at least 12 hours after the race. I emphasized the word “reliable” because there was no discrepancy from the readings I got from the digital clock at the side of the finish line and the readings from my GF 305 when I crossed the line and as compared from the published official results. I know this will be later improved once we will be using an individual “timing chip” making the results faster to be published.

3) Registration & Race Packets—The registration is very efficient and the race packet is complete. At last, I have a finisher’s singlet for the race that is well-fitted on me. And the design is very nice.

4) Punctual Time of Start—I am very particular and observant on time. I am a punctual person and it had been a habit to be in the place of activity at least 30 minutes before the scheduled activity. The race started on time and the staggered system of releasing the 10K runners from the other distance-runners made the road race very orderly.

5) Nice Venue for Running—UP Diliman Campus is a perfect place for running because of the asphalt/smooth concreted roads and shades brought by the century-old trees. But what I don’t like in the campus are those weekend joggers/runners and cyclists who mix with the road racers and sometimes run counter with the flow or direction of the road race. During this race, I nearly bumped a mother and child running on the opposite direction towards my direction on the last curve towards the finish line. Sometimes other runners would pass over me and try to distract my concentration on the last hundred meters from the finish line only to find out later that such runner is not a registered runner in the race but a weekend runner!

6) Excellent Service Support System—What can I say? From portalets to water stations, from marshalls to security police and guards and other basic needs to a runner were there. Except for the absence of kilometer markings and lots of trash bins/bags for the empty water bottles and other trash that were littered on the sidewalk and lawns of the UP Campus.

On the negative side, the distance in the 10K run was not accurate but the discrepancy was very minimal. I hope this will be corrected with some minor adjustments.

Overall Rating—99.9%

Congratulations to Coach Rio!

Back On Training

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Runners' Training, Running12 Comments

06 May 2008

Yesterday morning, I planned to have a long run but I woke up late and felt tired from the Runnex@25 10K race. Instead, I took my time fixing my things as I am preparing to vacate my quarters at least 60 days after my retirement date, which is 17 May 2008. I am still authorized to stay in that government quarters up to 17 July 2008 but I opted to leave and turn-over the keys to the new occupants before the end of this month.

While I was at the airport waiting for my flight back to Iloilo City, I posted the pictures which my staff took after the 10K run at UP Diliman and I was able to upload all the pictures very fast because of the nice and reliable Internet connection at the PAL Centennial Airport.

As planned, I had my 20+K long run inside my camp in Jamindan. I made some additional distance on my usual routes (4K loop/2-mile loop) and added more hills to my workout. I started at 6:34 AM and the sun was already shining hot but most of the roads were still covered by the shadows of tall trees planted along the roads. Some portions of the route are still cold and some are starting to build some heat. After running for three kilometers, my sweat was already dripping to my socks and shoes.

I had to make a water stop every 5 kilometers, drinking at least a glassful of water. My run was a consistent slow run and I felt that I was able to recover and gain more strength after last week’s rest & recovery and tapering mode. I did not notice that I was already running for about 2 hours and reaching my distance to 20 kilometers. Well, I have to stop and I don’t want to miss my breakfast and at the same time delay the things that I have to do in my office.

This afternoon, I will start my “last visit” to my subordinate commands and units; to my commanders and officers; and my soldiers in the battalions and companies in Panay, Negros, and Cebu Islands before I finally retire from the active military service. Hopefully, I will be able to “run” some distances while I am on this trip and post some of my “running” pictures on this blog. I will keep you posted, guys!

These were the data registered in my GF 305 in this morning’s run:

Distance—20.7 kms                    Time—2:11:15 hours

Average Pace—6:20 mins/km      Average Speed—9.5 kms/hr

Maximum Speed—14.2 kms/hr   Total Calories—1,507 cal

Average HR—153 bpm                 Maximum HR—165

Total Ascent—1,023 meters        Total Descent—1,055 meters

Music—Earth, Wind & Fire; Flyleaf; Hoobastank

Shoes—ASICS Gel-1120

Friends of Bald Runner: Part 2

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Running9 Comments

At last, I finally met Bards aka Banana Running, Mesh Villanueva, and friends, the Tan Brothers! Hey, Bards, I am glad you had a PR best time last Sunday and thanks for your support on my project, to incude Mesh. 

These are the “movers & innovators” of running in the country right now, the Passion Runner and Run Rio who is catching up with Mr Rudy Biscocho as the premier road organizer of road races in Metro Manila. To Passion Runner, congratulations for the “quantum leap” on your PR best for the 10K run and for supporting my project. To Run Rio, congratulations for a “snappy and flawless” road race yesterday and for endorsing my project.

 These are the runners from Malate who had to interrupt my conversations with Mark & Charlie for some pose with them. I am sorry for Mark & Charlie who were left out from the picture taking. Next time, guys!

These are the runners from Amoranto, Quezon City who are also regular visitors to this blog.

These are Lito & Weng Ordaniel (#8214 & #8213) from Contel & Fujitsu and Kristine Quiambao w/ Race for Tubbataha Finisher’s T-shirt of Fujitsu. They are regular visitors of this blog. Thanks & keep on reading. To Marcelo, thanks for the information.

Dr. Tommy Tan and friend from the Fairview Runners Club.

Our Lady Officers of the Philippine Army who are presently detailed with the Department of National Defense.

Running Friends of Passion Runner and Run Rio.

Project Donate A Shoe @ Runnex@25

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Running2 Comments

Captain Ferdie Espejo reported to me that a total of five (5) shoes were donated by the following donors during the conduct of RUNNEX@25 Run at UP Diliman Campus yesterday morning:

1) Annalene M Bautista (“Annalene’s Story)—3 pairs of running shoes

2) Ralph Salvador—1 pair of running shoes

3) Cecil Morella—1 pair of running shoes

On the other hand, six (6) of the donated running shoes were received by the following runners:

1) Jun Ocol

2) Dennis Magtaha aka “Zorro”

3) Adrian Benitez

4) A. C. Tambar

5) Conrad Conde

6) Andrico S Mahilum

Hereunder are the pictures taken with the donors and recipients at the Project Donate A Shoe booth:

This is Ralph Salvador who donated one pair of running shoes. Ralph told me that he finished the 94K Weekend Marathon held last 20 April 2008 at the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway. Thanks, Ralph for supporting the project.

Cecil Morella, the tallest among us, donated his NB shoes which he used to finish his first full marathon, half-marathon, and other road races where he improved at one race at a time. He said that he hopes that his shoes will be given to somebody whose feet is wide as his. In Ilocano term, he described his feet as “Narakab” which brough laughter to my brother and myself. Thanks, Cecil for supporting this project! 

We always see him in almost all the road races in Metro Manila and we fondly call him “Zorro”. He is Dennis Magtaha and he approached our booth and my staff replaced his old and worn-out shoes. 

This is the old running shoes of “Zorro” which was replaced with one of the donated shoes. Note that he used a “big safety pin” to hold on with the torn parts of his shoes. This is “Zorro’s Safety Pin” Solution while the others would use the “Band-Aid Solution”. In my personal and honest opinion, the old shoes of Zorro symbolizes the Sports Program of the Country and we are using a “Safety Pin” to solve, develop, and improve our Sports Program for us to attain the elusive first “Olympic Gold Medal”.

A pose with Zorro and another runner (Bib # 8662) who received donated shoes at the Project Donate A Shoe Booth.

So far, the Project Donate A Shoe had collected 37 pairs of running shoes and distributed 29 . We still have in our possession 8 pairs of shoes for distribution which will be on display in our booth in Marikina this coming Sunday. To all the donors, thank you very much for supporting the project and you were able to make our runners happy and enjoy the sports of running.

Official Race Results: Runnex@25

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Races, RunningLeave a comment

Hey, the results came in very fast. The official results in this morning’s RUNNEX @ 25 Road Race can be seen here. Thank you very much, Rio!

I finished # 66 among the 503 finishers in the Men’s 10K race with an official time of 48:48 minutes. I also finished # 7 in my age category (Category “E”–50-59 yrs old). Not bad..

I need to go back running on the road early tomorrow morning!

My Pictures @ RUNNEX@25

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Races, Running1 Comment

04 May 2008 at UP Diliman Campus

This was the sight of the runners at the starting line when I entered the assembly area 7 minutes before gun time. The front runners were the 10K runners and at the back portion were the 5K & 2.2K runners who were released two minutes after the first running group.

I was with the “senior” runners at the middle of the pack inside the assembly area before the start of the race.

On the road going to the UP Police Office area. 

On the road infront of the Oblation.

Running side by side with Dr. Tan of the Fairview Running Club.

Running on the last stretch of the road race approaching the finish line.

After passing the Finish Line and walking along the chute with RunRio holding the microphone.

A pose at the Finish Line.

RUNNEX Road Races

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Running6 Comments

A day before the Runnex @ 25 10 K Race will be conducted, I am trying to recall my first race at UP Campus.

I’ve posted my story on “Time Stealer” where there was a big discrepancy (again) on the time registered on my wristwatch and the official results of the race. At that time, I was still using my old reliable Casio Pathfinder watch. The 27th RUNNEX Executive 10K Run was held last 02 December 2007, which was six weeks after I seriously revived my running, and I registered a time of 52:07 minutes. However, the official results showed that I had a time of 52:39 minutes and I had somebody next to me with a time of 52:42 minutes. One of my staff was able to take a picture of me, at least 100 meters from the finish line, and there was nobody at my back which has a distance of 3 seconds from me! Well, this was my first experience on my observations of faulty timing system in our road races in the country.

Surprisingly, in this RUNNEX 10K run, I was able to improve my time by almost 3 minutes from my time with the Animo Run which was held a week before the run. I became to doubt whether the Animo Run was more than 10K or the RUNNEX Run had a shorter distance or I really improved on my performance. We’ll see the answers tomorrow after the run from my GF 305.

Looking at the route in tomorrow’s RUNNEX 10K run, the organizers slightly changed the course (start/finish and direction of the race) but the roads to be covered are the same with the first race I joined. I just hope that they measured the route accurately. The course is relatively flat with very low ascent as compared with the hills in Bayani Road. McKinley Hill, and the portion of the road infront of the Heritage Park. The roads are relatively covered with trees except at the wide road infront of the Oblation. This was where I saw a runner crossing the center island at least 20 yards before the turn-around point.

The 10K course will be a 2-loop run and I am anticipating again to have a faster pace in the 1st loop and decreasing my pace for the last loop. For those who are planning to have negative split time on this course, this will be a nice road race to test your endurance & stamina to push harder on the 2nd loop. Well, for me, I am trying to be consistent with my even-pace strategy for this race. I must admit and as seen in my running workouts for the past two weeks, I did not have any “speed or tempo” runs.

I am sure this race is well-supported with prestigious corporate sponsors as in the past. I could remember that I brought home a lot of sports drinks and many give-aways after the race. The suppor system in the RUNNEX races are really superb and outstanding.

To my fellow runners, good luck and see you tomorrow!

To those who are willing and planning to donate their old running shoes or any rubber shoes, please bring them with you and our booth will be there to receive your donations. Thanks!

Tapering

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Runners' Training, Running2 Comments

After having almost daily long runs last week, I feel that my body needs some rest and recovery. Ever since I finished the Pasig River Marathon last 24 February up to the present, I never stopped my running workouts for rest and recovery. Moreso, I don’t follow the word “tapering” which is one of the basic principles in physical training for better performance most especially in endurance sports like running.

For this week, I started to learn how to “jump rope” and do some running “drills”. Actually, I did it only once for this week for my leg muscles to slowly adapt to such activities. I reduced the distance of my daily running workouts with a slower pace. I had also a “deep muscle massage” to the calves of my legs which are already hard as “rocks”. The “deep massage” made me shout for the pain as the massage was done on every strand or fiber of my calves. I had to endure the severe pain that was felt with the pressing and kneading through the inner parts of my muscles with the purpose of making my calves as pliable and soft as possible. The massage took for hours. It was only this week that I was informed that I have soldiers in the camp who were trained in reflexology.

I had more sleep this time to include naps in the afternoon. I did more of my stretching during the day.

I hope that by reducing my mileage for this week, having more time to rest & sleep, and having a “deep massage” will give me some positive results in my next road race.

Lessons Learned @ 4th Bonifacio Global City Run

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Races, Running4 Comments

1) I will always stick with my GF 305—It seems that the timimg system available in the country is already old and unreliable which I think had been the technology since I started running in the early 1980s. It would be better for me to concentrate my time with what I read in my GF 305 watch. I hope the RFID technology will be able to catch up with the race organizers soon.

2) Even-Pace Strategy—So far, I had a nice result by following this race strategy. I did not force myself to run hard and fast in the first half of the race but instead run conservatively and picking up my pace if I felt comfortable of doing so. I just have to control myself and be relaxed once the race starts.

3) “To Look or Not To Look”—I purposely forced myself not to look at my GF 305 during the race until I was on my last 400-500 meters from the finish line. Had I looked at my watch on the halfway point, I could had increased my pace if my avarage pace was not on the planned targetted pace. However, I was glad that I was within the average pace all through out the course.

4) Stay Focused—I started to have a “negative” thoughts when I thought the lead runners were taking a different route as compared to what I’ve seen in the route map and what I had conditioned in my mind as the actual route. It took some time before this negative thing was flushed out of my mind. I was glad I had my MP3 and had some music to relax my mind. 

5) “Start the Conversation” & “Always Smile”—Mark told me at the Starting Area that most of the runners know me as the Bald Runner but they were just shy to approach or greet me. I was glad I started a conversation with a couple, Lester & Margarette, who were standing beside me before the race started. Next time, I have to check-in early at the Starting Area and make some conversations with the other runners and approach them with a friendly “smile”.

6) Recovery and Tapering—I guess, I need to follow this basic principle of recovery and tapering. There is a need to rest and recover for some days and let the running muscles, blood vessels, heart and the lungs to relax and heal due to excessive use. I hope that by tapering I will become stronger and faster in future road races.

7) New Outfit—This is becoming a habit—to dress well and be a “running fashion model” in every road race. This is one way of getting even with those faster guys who have full hair on their heads!

8th DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Half-Marathon

On By kingofpotsIn Half-Marathon, Jogging, Races, Running13 Comments

The DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Running Club, Inc is announcing the conduct of a Half-Marathon and 5K running events on 15 June 2008 at Camp Aguinaldo Grandstand. The Half-Marathon race starts at 5:30 AM while the 5K race will start at 6:00 AM.

Details and flyers of this race will be available at the 2nd Champion Run on 11 May 2008 in Marikina City.