From the complete results of the 42K-Men of the 2008 Pasig River Marathon (International Philippine Marathon 2008), my Official Time is 4:49:03 hours.
Overall, I finished No. 417 out of 824 finishers.
Tag: Runner
Next Road Race
After telling Patrick Concepcion a.k.a “RunningShield” that I am going to be at the 2008 Condura Run as an answer to his invitation in one of his comments in my Road Races Page, I was thinking of an “alibi” or reason to tell him why I could not join the said race. This is what I hate to myself because whenever I make or utter a statement, I tend to stick to it and do it no matter how things will affect on me and to other people. So, for the past days after the 2008 Pasig River Marathon, I’ve been moving a lot in my camp, inside our Transient Facility, walking within the garden and parking area of our Field Service Support Unit Compound (where we repair and maintain our mobility assets, firearms, and equipment) while making calls to my wife, command staff and unit commanders, get a two-hour body massage (for the price of P 200.00), and lots of walking inside SM City (where I bought 3 DVD movies & ate at Ted’s Batchoy).
However, while I was still in Iloilo City, I got an invitation from my brother telling me to attend to his oath-taking ceremony with the President/Commander-in-Chief for his promotion to Major General (two-star General) on the morning of Friday, 29 February, in Malacanang Palace. As a member of his immediate family and as my younger brother, I have to attend the said occassion. Well, I have a valid reason again to be in Manila and be able to run in the 2008 Condura Run. Hopefully, with a short notice from my staff in Manila, I requested them to have me registered in the said race for the 10K run. Before I left Iloilo City Airport for the last flight to Manila, I just got a word that my race packet is already waiting in my quarters.
As of this date, Thursday, my body and leg pains are gone and can positively say that I’ll be running the 10K race this Sunday.
To my co-runners, I’ll be running as the bald runner, I mean, without my runner’s cap! See you there!
Back To Work!
After the Marathon Race, having done my post-stretching exercises and changed my wet running attire, I immediately left Quirino Grandstand and looked for a place to eat breakfast together with my staff/support team from a nearby fastfood outlet. I rested in my quarters after a cold shower and later had my lunch at Causeway. I spent the whole afternoon sleeping and fixing my things to be brought back to my camp.
At 5:00 PM, I was already on my way to the airport to catch my flight back to Iloilo City and while I was at the boarding area, I was able to post my picture and story about my run at the 2008 Pasig River Marathon. I did not have any limp while walking but my leg muscles were really sore! I still have my intermittent coughing which disturbed my seatmates inside the plane and I had to cover my mouth with my handkerchief every time I cough. A lady passenger sitted beside me was annoyed with my coughing and I tried to smile and said “I am sorry” at her but she just stared at me.
After an overnight stay in our Army Transient Facility in Iloilo City, at 9:00 AM of Monday, I attended a conference presided by the Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas and a staff of the Office of the Presidential Affairs on Peace Process together with the AFP Commanders and PNP Regional and Provincial Directors in the Region VI, in one of the Function Rooms of Hotel del Rio in Iloilo City. Our agenda was focused on the implementation of the Peace Agreement between the Philippine Government and the RPA-ABB (a breakway faction of the Communist insurgents operating in Western Visayas). The conference ended with a lunch and after leaving the Hotel, I was already on my way to my camp in Jamindan, Capiz which is 2 1/2 hours ride by land.
On the following day, rains fell hard in Jamindan but this did not prevent one of my visitors to visit tha camp. I received and entertained a regular officer (Lieutenant Colonel) of the US Marines who is a Filipino. Being an Ilonggo, he had been helping my Command by sending medicines and books for the people living inside the military reservation and camp. He even supported the repairs of one of the primary schools situated in one of those far-flung barangays located inside the military reservation. In the afternoon, I have to send-off one of my Battalions for deployment to Negros Island and gave them a “pep-talk” to inform and inspire them of their actual mission in their area.
For today (27 Feb), I am going to preside and speak as the guest of honor during the turn-over of command of my Military Intelligence Battalion in Iloilo City.
Later this afternoon, I’ll have time to do some brisk walking and slow jogging at the Iloilo City Sports Complex Oval Track.
After dinner, a nice Sauna and Body Massage to relax my muscles at Riviera Spa (Iloilo City) for P 200.00 would be most welcomed!
Tips During the Marathon Race
The following are the tips for runners while running their first marathon race:
1. Drink plenty of water or fluids. Take at least 2-3 “gulps” of water every 3 -4 kilometers. If you don’t have any water or hydration belt, don’t miss every water station to drink. If the weather is hot and warm, you can pour water over your head or body.
2. Start at the middle or back of the pack. Run slowly (within your ability and training) and be conservative on your average pace. To be safe, a 3o-second slower time with your average pace for a kilometer or mile is acceptable. But if you feel you can pick-up the pace on the last 10 kilometers, slowly increase your pace and observe any pain that comes out from your legs or body.
3. Maintain a good running form. “Shuffle” and don’t sprint. Use a short, economical stride, bringing the knees up just enough to move your legs. Use the heel-ball footstrike. Maintain a comfortable breathing rythym. Relax your shoulders and arms. Arms should be swinging not higher than the nipple level and going down on the side of your running shorts. Remember the “talk-test” while running (you should be comfortable talking while running).
4. If you are injured or feeling sick or ill—walk! If the symptom remains and the pain increases, ask for medical assistance. Leave the race! Don’t be a hero for continuing, but you will be considered a fool for insisting. Many people had died already in marathon races.
5. If you have cramps and feel you have reached the “wall”, start to walk and “listen to your body”. Drink more water/liquids, take in your sports gel and walk briskly. It would be better for you to alternate brisk walking and jogging/running and think of finishing the race.
6. Nobody has ever said that running a marathon is a “walk in the park”. If you have trained properly and don’t feel any sickness and have no injury during the race, then you should be able to finish the marathon race. Running the last 6 miles or 10 kilometers is all “mental or an exercise of positive attitude”. Get the support of other runners around you. Find a group of runners whom you can run with during the race and help one another through period of weakness. Keep moving, take one step at a time, one kilometer marker at a time, and show that “big smile” when you cross the finish line!
7. Lastly, do not cheat! Don’t be tempted to ride on a vehicle running/passing along the route. Do not make any shortcuts!
Breaking 10K Hits
21 February 2008
Before 10:00 AM this morning, my blog registered 10,000+ hits in barely four (4) months since I started this blog.
I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to my visitors/readers/friends and to the runners who inspired me to tell my stories about running and other physical activities I’ve been into.
My thanks also goes to the members of my family, my son and daughter, who admire my running and physical abilities and to my wife who is always there to give me the “technical” support.
To Matt & Jovelle, thanks for transforming my blog to a website and for “fixing” my notebook.
To John, thanks also for being a good running partner during your visits in the Philippines.
Bald Runner 