More Pictures @ Mizuno Infinity Run

On April 4, 2008April 4, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Races, Running4 Comments

Posing for a picture with Totoy Santos of Hapy Feet Running Club before the start of a race is becoming a ritual.

The running Senator of the country, Senator Pia Cayatano with her security detail. It was nice to be seeing her in every road race.

It took me to practice a lot in Jamindan on how to drink water from a bottle while running. As much as possible, I don’t stop to drink on water stations during road races. It was unfortunate on this race that I did not wear my Nathan Water Belt. Practically, I had to hold a bottled water while I was running on this race.

The problem with this picture was that I did not use my “hill bounding” technique. I was forced to use small steps in running over the uphill portion from the Heritage Park to the Bayani Road. I will improve on this some more in my future road races.

Another picture with the strong “lady in pink” runner. She finally overtook me along the uphill portion at the Essensa area and politely said, “Excuse me”.

A pose with Mark near the “Donate A Shoe” Booth. Finally, we met in person. Mark is my number #1 “commentator” in my blog. Thanks for the comments and additional information.

I forgot the name of this runner. Anyway, he approached me and told me that he is a regular visitor of this blog. He is a member of the Fairview Running Club and I can recall that he joined/finished the 7th DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Half-Marathon last 09 March 2008. Major Rod Turno, a member of my staff in the Project “Donate A Shoe” is seen at the back.

A very promising weekend “road warrior”, Taki, who is improving his finish time in every race he joins.

A brief meeting and conversation with my “blog inspiration”, The Bull Runner. I told her, in due time we will be signing a “book deal contract” with Random House or Barnes & Noble Publishing about running in the Philippines.

My running & gym workout friends/buddies from Gold’s Gym Glorietta, Rene and Doc. These guys are really good and consistent “road warriors” in every weekend road races.

Results: 7th DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Half-Marathon (Part 2)

On April 4, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Half-Marathon, Jogging, Race Results, Running1 Comment

227 3048 Edwin Alzate 2:04:55

228 5000 Cesar Arriza 2:04:55

229 2053 Al Masamoc 2:05:04

230 2011 Marvin Romero 2:05:05

231 5012 Warren Nieto 2:05:16

232 3020 Lief Victor Astudillo 2:05:40

233 4070 2:05:44

234 3021 George Dolores 2:06:05

235 4011 Jenie Heyasa 2:06:28

236 2090 Franklin Murao 2:06:40

237 3052 Arvin Arcilla 2:07:09

238 5005 Jose Asuncion 2:07:15

239 2032 Ricardo Mandeoya Jr 2:07:43

240 5022 Charlie Malate 2:08:04 Continue reading “Results: 7th DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Half-Marathon (Part 2)” →

Results: 7th DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Half-Marathon

On April 3, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Half-Marathon, Race Results, RunningLeave a comment

To my fellow runners, this is a partial list of the official results of the 7th DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Half-Marathon held last 09 March 2008 at the Villamor Air Base. The list ended up to Miraclecello/Cecil and I have to encode at least 70 runners more to complete the list. Hopefully, the list will be completed tomorrow.

1 2054 Eduardo Buenavista 1:06:18

2 2069 Cresenciano Zabal 1:07:06

3 2094 Irinio Raquin 1:09:06

4 2065 Alley Quisay 1:09:50

5 3578 Reynaldo De Los Santos 1:10:21

6 2095 Ben Alejandrino 1:10:47

7 2096 Jhonny Espana 1:11:05

8 2070 Bonen Monecillo 1:11:06

9 376B Bong Samoya 1:12:49

10 4051 Rodolfo Tacadino 1:13:08

11 419B Hernandito Pineda 1:13:59

12 3059 Lorenzo Daniela 1:14:00

13 398B 1:14:27

14 352B Isidro Beduesola 1:14:50

15 360B 1:15:04

16 4048 Esmiraldo Ondoy 1:15:45

17 2049 Juniephing Tobias 1:16:30

18 2037 Warlito de la Cruz 1:17:16

19 4023 Warlito de l;a Cruz 1:18:32

20 4054 Jonanthan Galo 1:19:12 Continue reading “Results: 7th DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Half-Marathon” →

Are These Guys Crazy?

On April 2, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Marathon Race, Races, Running14 Comments

Last Monday evening, while reading the newspapers, I found an advertisement entitled “94K Weekend: Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway Event” to be held on April 18-20. And some of the events to be held on those days are–94K UltraMarathon event; 42K Marathon event; and 10K Run event–all devoted to running. The other events were about cycling, motor biking, and others not related to running. I did not mind about this ads and I just said to my mind that this something new.

When I visited The Bull Runner’s blog, I found out that in one of the comments where I asked “where is the next race ?”, Atty Jon answered my question with a recommendation to run the 94K Marathon on April 20 and he linked the 94K Weekend website in his comment. I checked on the The Bull Runner’s schedule of running events and I found out that she posted it already with the other running events for the month of April.

Checking on the 94K Weekend website, I found out that the events are really scheduled as advertised. Well, my reaction on this was that the guys who thought of including running events on this 94K weekend event were crazy! These Guys Are Really Crazy! Are these guys had experienced running in road races?

Runners are not “super humans” to prepare and join in a 94K UltraMarathon or 42K Marathon event in 19 days!!! They even stated in their brochure on line that the water stations in the marathon event will be positioned every five (5) kilometers!!! What? These people will kill their runners! The registration fee is very cheap to entice runners to join the event but I think this is also a “cheap” running event even if they posted big amount of cash awards for the winners.

Another sign that the marathon is not well-planned is the fact that the marathon event will start at 5:00 AM. The planners/organizers do not know that it is already summer time and the sun rises at 5:45 AM. If they start at 5:00 AM, the runners will be fighting the heat of the sun after running 8 kilometers which is barely 1/5 of the distance. A combination of the heat of the sun and the far distance in between water stations will give serious problems to the runners. Running along an elevated highway/expressway without any trees on the sides or any shade from the sun and with the heat of the sun and the pavement during summer is something “crazy & unbelievable” to think about.

To the planners/organizers of the 94K Weekend, I suggest you do your “homework” properly and plan at least one year ahead.

As for me, I will not join this inaugural rendition of this 94K Weekend running events.

Cycling Shorts vs Running Shorts

On April 1, 2008April 1, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Runner's Fashion/Attire, Running18 Comments

Miraclecello/Cecil, one of my regular visitors, asked me to write about the merits of using a cycling shorts or a regular running shorts in a road race. I tried my best to make a research on this one on published articles and running references but I haven’t seen any resources that deal on this topic. So, this a new thing to tread on and I’ll try my best to give my opinion on this one from my personal experiences and observations.

In my observation in past sports events and athletics events as seen on TV, Sports Magazines, and actual events, the cycling shorts or tight-fitiing shorts which has a leg length of at least six inches from the groin area or the length goes up to few inches above the knees, are used in shorter distance runs in oval tracks (i.e. 100-meter dash to 10,000-meter runs). Seldom you could see elite marathon/ultra-marathon runners using these tight fitting cycling shorts. I can surmised that this kind of shorts impedes ventilation to the groin area and upper legs, thus, this is not preferred to be used in longer distance runs like marathon and ultra-marathon races. The regular running shorts are used to these kind of races.

Most of the triathletes use the cycling shorts because they can use it in swimming to cycling then to running without removing from their body, thus, minimizing their spent time in the transition phase in between events

In my experience, using the regular running shorts in 10K, 20K, half-marathon and marathon races produces “chaffing” or skin rashes on the inside portions of the upper legs as the wet seams of these shorts stick to the skin and rubs the skin as the legs move during running. The cycling shorts don’t produce any “chaffing” or skin rashes as the upper leg portion is covered due to the longer length of the inseams. However, “chaffing” is prevented with the application of baby oil, body lotion, or petroleum jelly on the inner portion of the upper legs.

In last Sunday’s Mizuno Infinity 15K run, my New Balance running shorts produced some “rashes/chaffing” on the inner side of my upper leg due to the wet seams of my short that tend to stick to the skin. The body oil and lotion that I applied on my upper legs were not enough to prevent the “skin rashes”.

Also, in my experience, the cycling shorts absorbs more perspiration/sweat coming from the upper body, thus, preventing the sweat to flow towards the legs and your running socks. As compared to using the regular running shorts where most of my perspiration flows towards my running socks making my feet wet, creating a hard rubbing between my wet socks and my feet. This creates some blisters to my feet in longer distances. Petroleum jelly applied to the feet before wearing your socks would prevent any blisters to the feet.

Using tight cycling shorts could be aerodynamically more advantageous to elite athletes in shorter races or dash runs in the oval tracks and they don’t restrict natural leg movements while running. The regular running shorts could create restrictions in the leg actions while running and could produce more air resistance due to its loose appearance.

Lastly, using the tight cycling shorts need a “bold face” from the user as it invites others to look what and how big your “boil” in between your legs. If you don’t want to create suspicious faces from people when they look at your tight cycling shorts, better use the regular running shorts.

Bottomline? I highly recommend using the regular running shorts in longer distance runs (half-marathon to ultra-marathon) and using the tight cycling shorts in shorter distance runs.

Project “Donate A Shoe”

On March 31, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Running, Running Shoes5 Comments

This concept or project of donating my old running but still reliable running shoes and encouraging others runners to donate their old shoes was born out from my observations of seeing young and senior runners participating in weekend road races, most especially in the 2008 Pasig River International Marathon last February 2008, who were seen with tattered and worn-out running shoes, walking and limping on the side of the road. So, I decided to post the pictures of my old running shoes to let the other runners know if they are in need of my old shoes or share the information to other runners and maybe, ultimately, make my offer reach to the needy ones. The comments of The Bull Runner, Banana Running, Quick Silver Runner, Mark, Cecil/Miraclecello, Benov, Datc, and others from that post inspired me to push through with this project through the help of my Officers & Staff of the DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Running Club, Inc. And I am glad that this project was later endorsed by these bloggers in their respective posts.

As promised in my succeeding post (Collection Point), my staff was able to set-up a “Collection/Distribution” Booth for this project at the Mizuno Infinity Run. Initially, I donated four running shoes and the following “good-hearted runners” shared their old shoes, too:

1) Don Fernando Zobel—He removed his running shoes, ASICS GT-2110, and donated them to the project

2) Bards Bathan aka Banana Running—Gave her Mizuno Wave Inspire 3.0

3) Mesh Villanueva—Gave an Adidas Adizero

4) Duane Santos and Eric Pasion–NIKE Max-Air

5) Jenny and Ninoy Leyran—Two (2) New Balance Shoes: NB 614 & Abzorb 900

6) Mark Bata—Three pairs of running shoes: Nike Air; Adidas Torsion; and Adidas CC Cushion

In total, my staff was able to collect thirteen (13) pairs of running shoes! Six (6) of these were given to the following recipients:

1) John Cervantes

2) Nonito Ubay

3) Genevieve De La Pena

4) Claudio Enero Jr.

5) Eduardo Medina

6) Vicente Polinan

Three (3) of my old shoes were taken by three among the recipients. The remaining shoes (7 shoes) will be brought to the next road race next weekend for display/distribution to qualified recipients.

Genevieve De La Pena got my Nike Air Max.

This is how a “tattered and worn-out” running shoes looks like which the owner exchanged with a better one after using it in the Mizuno 10K Run.

This might be the lightest and most ventilated running shoe in the world whose owner does not even know the importance of support, stability, torsion control, and comfort that the latest running shoes provide to the legs and body.

These are some of the donated shoes. The ASICS GT-2110 at the right was the running shoes of Don Fernando Zobel.

One of the recipients of the donated running shoes trying his size with his “new” running shoes.

This project will continue as long as there are road races and we will make that our “Collection/Distribution” Booth will be a permanent fixture in all of the future road races in Metro Manila.

To all the donors and “future” donors to this project, thank you very much! We wish you more blessings and successes in your life!

Last Two Bibs; Route & Last Run

On March 29, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Practice Runs, Races, RunningLeave a comment

27 March 2008

I registered personally at the Mizuno Store at Bonifacio High Street Mall after lunch today. The staff at the store told me that I am getting the second to the last bib for the 15K run. In one minute, I got out of the store and I am officially registered to run the 15K. While I was filling up my registration form, another guy entered the room and he got the last bib.

While looking at the zeroxed copy of the route, it confirmed the information I got from my officer yesterday. While I was going back to attend the closing ceremony of the seminar which I attended, I planned already to have my last practice run for the week before the race day on some portions of the route after the seminar.

Glancing at the course, the 15K route will be a hard one with so many hills along the way. My target of finishing the race in 1:15:00 hours would be a hard task and I could force my body to its limits. Well, mentally, that is still the target/objective but in reality, a 1:17:00 to 1:18:00 hours would be a decent time to finish the 15K run.

The strategy is to divide the course in three 5K runs. First 5K will be with a comfortable pace; the second 5K will be a faster one and the last 5K will be covered at a 2-mile run pace. The hilly portions will be at Bayani Road after the PA Golf Course; from the Heritage Park to Bayani Road; from the Golf Course along the Bayani Road up to the back of the Philippine Army Grandstand; McKinley Hills area; and the Essensa road. The difficulty on these hilly portions should be countered while running along the downhill portions of the route, which means that I have to increase my pace on the descending portions. The McKinley Hill part in going back to Lawton Avenue towards the finish line will be the “Killer Hill” in this race!

At 6:00 PM, I was already having my stretching exercises. I started from running workout from my quarters towards the Libingan ng mga Bayani, running along the outermost roads inside the park; went out and ran towards Heritage Park and C-5 Highway and back to Bayani Road; ran along Lawton Avenue towards McKinley Hill and was able to reach C-5 exit; and made a fast run in going up the last hill towards Lawton. From Gate 1 of Fort Bonifacio, I had my cool-down run towards my quarters.

My last practice run was a slow one but I was able to run in 1:29:03 hours with an estimated distance covered of 15 kilometers. I used my Timex Watch w/ HR Monitor with a 150-160 bpm and 1,060 total calories burned.

D-4 Day: Mizuno Infinity 15K Run

On March 28, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Practice Runs, Races, RunningLeave a comment

26 March 2008 (8:32 PM-9:25PM)

I’ve been in Manila for the 6th Philippine Army Physical Fitness Test Challenge yesterday and for today and tomorrow, I am attending a seminar/meeting among the Commanders of the Philippine Army. On Friday, I will also attend the 111th Founding Anniversary of the Philippine Army in a Military Parade and Awarding Ceremonies.

While attending a dinner with the Commanders, one of the officers from the Headquarters Philippine Army who is also a weekend runner told me that he had registered already for the Mizuno Infinity 15K Run. Well, I told him that I have yet to register in one of the Mizuno Stores in Makati with the thought that I’ll be registering at the Boifacio High Street Mall. I asked the officer about the route and he told me the general route of the 15K Run. He told me that route covers Lawton Avenue, Bayani Road, Heritage Park, Mckinley Hill Area and The Fort area.

After dinner, I immediately changed to my running attire and had a “run through” or course familiarization on the hilly portions of the course. Actually, it was not a course familiarization but a review on the route as I am familiar on most of the portions of the route. I did “fartlek” runs on the flat/plain portions and hill “bounding” exercises on the ascending portions of the route. I also practiced “belly breathing” on the hilly portions.

The following data were registered in my GF 305:

Distance—8.63 kms Time—48:39 mins

Average Pace—5:38 mins/km Average Speed—10.6 km/hr

Maximum Speed—13.6 km/hr Total Calories—634 cal

Average HR—160 bpm Maximum HR—170 bpm

Total Ascent—324 meters Total Descent—357 meters

Running Shoes—ASICS Gel-Kinsei 2

“ONE” Wristband

On March 27, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Running3 Comments

One year ago today, I started giving this “white” rubber wristband to my officers and to a selected number of my troops who were directly involved in armed firefight/encounter with the armed insurgents in Central and Western Visayas. I even gave this wristband to the Governors and local government officials; to the Catholic Church’s Bishops; members of the media; and friends of the Command. The Governors of Aklan and Iloilo are wearing proudly this “ONE” Wristband up to the present.

In December 2006, during my visit to my family in Los Angeles, my daughter gave me this wristband, explaining to me that there was a Music/Rock Concert that was held in Los Angeles where most of the celebrities, VIPs, and Hollywood Stars were wearing this white “ONE” wristband and wearing this kind of wristband was the “in-thing” that time. Unknowingly, such wristband is a symbol of an advocacy to solve poverty and make poverty a history.

I used this “white” wristband to explain to the recipient that wearing it is a symbol that he /she is committed to support our mission to solve insurgency as solving poverty greatly affects the overall improvement and maintenance of peace and order in the area.

I’ve been wearing this “ONE” Wristband for one year and you could see it in my pictures in all my road races. I’ve been wearing this wristband with my military uniform, too!

The famous “American Idol” finalists and judges last year were wearing this “ONE” Wristband as they sponsored a support/aid to the poor communities in Africa. During the last Senatorial Elections here in the country last year, the opposition senatorial candidates used this “white wristband” as part of their campaign’s platform, but after the elections, they changed this wristband to a better looking and more expensive bracelets. And the worst is, you seldom hear them “trying” to help solve the problem of poverty. Please correct me if I am wrong on this observation.

Anyway, I still have 100 pieces of this “ONE” wristband (Made in USA) and I am giving a piece of this to every donor of an old/used running shoes. These wristbands will be available for the first 100 donors. I will be the one who will personally give this wristband.

I hope to see you at the Mizuno Infinity Run.

6th Army Physical Fitness Test Challenge

On March 25, 2008March 25, 2008 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Races, Running8 Comments

25 March 2008 (5:00 AM-7:00 AM)

Last night, I took the last flight from Iloilo City to Manila just to be able to participate in the 6th Army Physical Fitness Test Challenge, being the author/originator of this event which started in 2000. For unknown reasons, this event was not conducted in 2006 & 2007 PA Anniversary. I am glad that the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, Lt Gen Alexander Yano revived this event as he is an athlete and lover of sports. One of his priorities as soon as he assumed the leadership of the Philippine Army was to enhance the physical fitness of the soldiers and improve the physical fitness facilities and equipment in every Division/Command nationwide. My Division/Command in the Western Visayas is recipient of this program.

General Yano sent me a text message last night at 11:00 PM, which I read when I woke up at 4:15 AM this morning, telling that he revived the conduct of the Army Physical Fitness Test. It is subtle message that he is personally attending the event. He knew that I was responsible in the creation of this pysical fitness event and he was inviting me to join.

When I arrived at the Philippine Army Grandstand at 5:00 AM, two sets/groups of participants (25 persons per set) had already finished their Push-Ups and Sit-Ups events. I was surprised that my registration form was prepared already and all I had to do was to pin my race number/bib. I joined the third set/group together with my brother, Maj General Samuel Narcise, the Inspector General of the Philippine Army, and some of the Officers and Enlisted Personnel.

A pose with my brother before the start of the 6th Philippine Army Physical Fitness test Challenge.

We started with the Push-Ups event for a time limit of 2 minutes only. I did 65 repetitions in 2 minutes!

Starting position…Once the Umpire says “GO”, you have to stretch/kick your legs to the back.

And down with your body and legs to the ground as one..the fist of the “counter” (one who counts your repetitions) must be touching your breast to count as one repetition. The upper arms should be in line with your back when going down.

You can rest only in this position with your body still straight…but I did not rest and I did 65 repetitions continuously.

After almost 5 minutes of rest after the Push-Ups event, we were led to the next station for the Sit-Ups. This is the starting position. The guy holding my feet pressing them to the ground with the help of his knees is the one who counts your repetitions.

In order to count in a repetition, the whole back of the body should be touching the ground. I did a very fast repetitions on this event. I counted mentally up to 70 repetitions but the “counter” only counted 62! I guess, my counting was faster than his counting. No complaints though!

The Sit-Ups event has a time limit of 2 minutes also. This is the only allowed resting position but it is suggested that there should be no rest while doing this exercise as you will lose your momentum. On record, I finished 62 repetitions!

Our group started in the 2-mile run…with my brother and the officers and men of the Philippine Army..

After finishing the 2nd round/lap…

Finishing the 2-mile run after 3 laps…Remember always, Don’t forget to smile once you pass the finish line. I finished in 14:56 minutes for the 2-mile run (3.2 kilometers). The following data were taken from GF 305:

Distance—3.25 kms Time—14.56 minutes

Average Pace—4:36 mins/km Average Speed—13.0 kms/hr

Maximum Speed—15.8 kms/hr Total Calories—239 cal

Average HR—165 bpm Maximum HR—169 bpm

Lt General Yano, the Commanding General of the Philippine Army (at the center), ran the 2-mile run with the last group of particpants. My brother and I joined him during the run and he finished in 18:21 minutes!

As a result of the 6th Philippine Army Physical Fitness Test Challenge, I was awarded with a Medal as the Champion in the Executive Category (which means, 50 & above years of age!). Not bad for a Major General of the AFP, retiring in 52 days from the service. My brother was also awarded with the 2nd Runner-Up Medal in the same category.

Total Distance Covered—7.5 kilometers (to include one lap of cool-down jogging). It was a nice tapering workout in preparation for my next road race on Sunday.

Running Shoes—ASICS GEL Kinsei-2

I hope to see you at the Mizuno Infinity 15K Run this Sunday!…And don’t forget to bring your old shoes for donation!

Bald Runner

Tag: Running

More Pictures @ Mizuno Infinity Run

Results: 7th DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Half-Marathon (Part 2)

Results: 7th DND-AFP Gintong Pangarap Half-Marathon

Are These Guys Crazy?

Cycling Shorts vs Running Shorts

Project “Donate A Shoe”

Last Two Bibs; Route & Last Run

D-4 Day: Mizuno Infinity 15K Run

“ONE” Wristband

6th Army Physical Fitness Test Challenge

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: