Better late than never. Due to persistent demand from the “hardcores” and “concerned” runners, I am going to post the pictures in the last “Patakbo sa Kabundukan” 21K Run last December 21, 2008, the last road race for the year.
At the Starting Line with Philip aka Foreign Runner stands out from the rest of the runners before the start of the race.
I was with Coach Salazar, Lester, and Jonel aka Bugobugo85 from the start to Km-10 point
I was with Lester at the Km-12 mark but he left me when we reached Km-17 point with his blisterng pace.
Jonel and George after coming from the turn-around point near Wawa Dam
MarkFB with his Vibram-5 (Barefoot Running Shoes) was ahead of us from the start up to Km-15 point
Group picture after the awarding ceremony with the members of Team Bald Runner. These guys are really “hardcores”!
The pictures, the scenery, and most of the awards were taken by the elite members of Team Bald Runner but I still evaluate this run as “the worst road race for the year 2008”.
Sometime in Septemper 2008, I featured the Race Reports of Ben Gaetos and Carmela Layson for joining the famous Angeles Crest 100-Mile Endurance Run in 2007 in this blog. Last year, these two well-known Pinoy ultramarathon runners finished the 2008 Angeles Crest 100-Mile Run (again!) with more hours to spare before the cut-off time of 33 hours.
After knowing and meeting these two fine ultra runners while I was in California last year, I had maintained regular contact with them through e-mails and they became my adviser/consultant for the preparation/s of the 1st Bataan 102 Ultramarathon Race to be held in April 5, 2009.
It is fortunate that Ben Gaetos, an architect with the Department of Public Works in Los Angeles City, will be visiting the country next month and he will be joining the “test run and clinic” for the participants of the Bataan ultramarathon event on 22 February 2009. His presence will surely give the participants the needed “inputs” for them to survive and finish the race within the cut-off time of 18 hours.
To the “Hardcores” , Team Bald Runner and future ultra runners, let us give a VIP welcome/treatment to our friend, Ben, during his visit to the country. By the way, he will be donating one Balikbayan Box full of “used” running shoes from Carmela Layson, from him and from the members of his running club in California.
Welcome home, Ben!
Ben with the Ultramarathon Man, Dean Karnazes at the December 2008 Catalina Eco Marathon
Ben at the turn-around point on top of Mt Baldy, California.
Mt Baden-Powell Trail as part of the Angeles Crest 100-mile Endurance Trail Run
Carmela Layson during a 100-Km run in California
Ben dedicated his 2008 Angeles Crest 100-Mile Race Bib to BR. Thanks, Ben. I hope I could qualify in 2010 or 2011!
Ben & Carmela (both in eyeglasses) with the Finishers of Mt Disappointment 50K/50M Ultra Trail Run in 2008. Ben & Carmela finished the 50-Mile Race while David Goggins finished the 50K Race. Guys, I hope I could run this race this year! You will be my “pacers”/crew!
Last week (5-11 January), without being conscious about the number of kilometers I’ve ran the whole week, I was able to increase my 80-105-kilometer average weekly runs to 127 kilometers. Let me explain how I was able to run such number of kilometers.
Last Monday evening, I ran 20.3 kilometers at the ULTRA Oval Track where I was running alone for the first 10K with an average pace of 5:10-5:15 mins/km. For the last 10K run, MarkFB joined me and we were running at an average pace of 5:30 mins/km. I was surprised that I was still strong during the run even if I had a “runabout” at EDSA the day before. I think I got my strength and was able to recover after resting the remaining dayof Sunday after the “runabout” and sleeping early in the evening.
I had a “double run” on Tuesday where I ran a fast 30-minute continous run in the morning and another interval speed runs in the evening. In the morning, I was able to run a distance of 6.6 kilometers in 31:52 minutes with an average pace of 4:49 mins/km. In the evening, I did 5 X 400 at an average time of 1:36 minutes per lap with 1 1/2 minutes of rest in between laps. These laps registered an average pace of 3:45 mins/km. Unbelievable!. After five-minute rest, I did a 30-minute speed run at 100% effort. I was able to finish 5.9 kilometers with an average pace of 5:06 minutes/km. The evening speed run was part of our regular “speed training” with the Team Bald Runner. To include my warm-up runs, I was able to run 17.3 kilometers for the day.
On Wednesaday, another “double” run for me. My morning run was devoted to my “active recovery” run where I was able to run 5 kilometers in 31 minutes with an average pace of 6:31 mins/km. I was running within my 70% effort. In the evening, I joined the regular speed training classes and we did 5 X 1,000 meters at our best effort or 110% effort where I averaged a time of 4:40 minutes per kilometer. After the speed interval run, we had a 45-minute run within our 80%-85% effort. I finished the 45-minute run with a distance of 8.26 kilometers and with an average pace of 5:39 mins/km. Total distance covered for the day was 19.8 kilometers.
On Thursday evening, I did a “pyramid” speed run (3K-2K-1K-2K-3K) with an average pace of 4:50-5:00 mins/km. To include my warm-up, jogging in-between laps, and cool-down jog, I was able to run a total distance of 14 kilometers.
On Friday, I had my “active recovery” run after my warm-up run. The run lasted for 32 minutes where I covered a distance of 5 kilometers. Total distance for the day was 6.7 kilometers.
On Saturday morning, the Team Bald Runner went to the ULTRA Oval Track in order to attend to new students for our speed training but nobody came. Instead, I started my run later in the morning with the sun already shining. I tried to experience the feeling of running with the heat of the sun on my body. I was accompanied by Coach Salazar for a 15K run. We were able to finish the run in 1:18 hours with an average pace of 5:14 mins/km. I was able to consume the water inside my 2.0-Liter TNF “bladder” during the duration of the said run. This proves that I should need a lot of water to hydrate myself while running under the heat of the sun. This run was part of my training for the Bataan 102 Ultramarathon Race. The total distance was 16.8 kilometers.
The Hardcore Group’s “Runabout” along C-5 Highway Loop came next the following day. We finished 32.1 kilometers for that day.
This was my first time to reach this number of kilometers for a week in my running workouts. I felt tired and wasted after the “runabout” last Sunday and I did not mind not being able to watch the movie “Baler” as I opted to rest and sleep for the rest of the day. I started to feel pain on some of the muscles of my legs and knees but through regular massage and more intake of protein drinks, these pains are slowly fading away. For this week, I slowed down with my mileage and hopefully will be able to recover for another PR time this Sunday although my weekly road races will be my assessment/evaluation tool if I am really improving with my time as a result of my “speed” training with the Team Bald Runner.
See you at the PSE Bull Run this Sunday morning.
“Real warriors” never surrender; they fight up to their last breath!
I’ve known Jody since the later part of November last year when he inquired about the Team Bald Runner’s “speed” training while he was having his workout at ULTRA. I later found out that he is a friend of the early students of the speed training and he is also a triathlete who wants to improve his speed in running.
Chuchay Maronilla Donated Two Pairs
After the NB PowerRun 25K in Clark Freeport, I’ve heard the name “Chuchay” from the lady members of Team Bald Runner as well as from runner-bloggers who described her to be a very fast runner and a “beauty” who deserves a “second look” from everybody whenever she joins a road race. Well, what I’ve heard about her were confirmed when I saw her doing her running workouts and later donated two pairs of her slightly used running shoes last night at the ULTRA Oval Track.
Jerry Kurendeng of Indonesia aka High Altitude
After heeding to my “joke” for any member of the Hardcore-Bandit Runners to donate their shoes if I could pass anyone of them along the way during last November’s MILO Finals Marathon, Jerry aka High Altitude seriously considered my “joke” and he donated his Mizuno running shoes after arriving from his Christmas vacation in Indonesia after staying for 5 years in the Philippines. You should check his latest running adventures in Bandung, Indonesia in his blog at www.highaltitude.wordpress.com.
Javy & Ana
Javy aka Tri’n Hard/Positive Split and Ana Olives of Team Bald Runner donated seven (7) pairs of shoes to my Project Donate A Shoe after our speed training session at the ULTRA Oval Track last January 6, 2009. Javy has greatly improved his speed in running after a month of speed training with the Team Bald Runner. He is presently a competitive triathlete. Check out his blogsite at www.positivesplit.blogspot.com.
To all the latest donors to this project, thank you very much for supporting this project and please don’t forget to always wear the “ONE” wristband (www.one.org) I gave to you, to signify that you are part in the worldwide advocacy “to fight poverty and make it a history”.
As of Thursday, January 8, 2009, the following participants to the Ultramarathon Race were able to register and pay their respective registration fee of Two Thousand Pesos (P 2,000) each:
1) John Frederick Abenina
2) Albert Henson
3) Francisco Lapira Jr
These three (3) participants are members of the CAMANAVA RUNNERS.
As of Monday, January 12, 2009, the following runners had posted comment/s that they are joining the said event and a reserved slot was made for them as part of the 100 participants:
1) Constante C Mendoza
2) Joe Babsa-ay
3) Albert Salazar
4) Jay Nacino
5) Atty Jonnifer M Lacanlale
6) Christian David Alacar
7) Caloy Nobleza
8) Norberto Mortel
9) Gem Padilla
10) Ronald Declarador
11) Jun Jaranilla
12) Mighty Mike
13) Kim O’Connell
14) Kim O’Connell
15) Jerry Kurendeng
16) Enrico Tocol
17) Odessa Coral
18) Martin Lorenzo
19) Arman Fernando
20) Jay Lee Cu-Unjieng
21) Atty Regidor I Samar
22) Ralph Jerome G Salvador
23) Hermogines Olvis
24) Bald Runner
25) Team Bald Runner (Elite)
26) Team Bald Runner (Elite)
27) Fort Striders Club
28) Fort Striders Club
I have reserved at least fifteen (15) slots for runners coming from other countries. There are still Fifty-Four (54) slots to be filled-up until March 15, 2009.
For those who could not post a comment to this site, you can send your message to my e-mail address at jovie75@hotmail.com.
This is the third edition of Jonel’s (Bugobugo85) organized “runabouts” in Metro Manila since the BHS to Luneta Park and back outing. Since then, our “runabouts” were our way of finding the answers of distances from one point to another. This particular run at C-5 was our way of finding the distance from the southern end of C-5 Highway to the Marikina Riverbanks (Starting Area of last year’s Pasig River Heritage Marathon). The decision to run at C-5 today was made after we finished our EDSA “runabout” last Sunday.
Having been late for 10 minutes at the assembly area (Shell Station near the SM Hypermart/Tiendesitas), I was surprised to see a group of runners exceeding more than 6 people waiting for me and eager to start the run which was in contrast to the past runs we had. After greeting the old and the new “urban runners”, I found out that I was the 13th runner! Without much further time to waste, we had our brief stretching and crossed the pedestrian fly-over to start our run, going towards the southern end of C-5 and running against the traffic.
Our run started slowly as it was still dark at 5:45 AM. I was asked to lead the run with a pace ranging from 5:45 mins/km to 6:30 mins/km and the urban runners, old and new, were strong and agile running along the sidewalk and edge of the highway. Instead of running under the Pasig River Flyover, I led the group towards the narrow sidewalk (about one foot in width) along/on top of the Flyover, telling each runner to experience ala-“Fear Factor” running and balancing along the uphill portion of the Pasig Flyover. After passing those elevated U-turns and construction sites, we were already approaching Market!Market!..McKinley Hill..Heritage Park..Libingan ng mga Bayani..and after 58 minutes we reached the toll gate towards SLEX. The distance from Shell Tiendesitas to the Toll Booth is 10.45 kilometers.
The Hardcore Urban Runners (BR, Charlie, MarkFB, Martin, Arman, Kevin, Nico, Dess, Rico, Dr Joe aka The Loony Runner, Michael, Jay Lee, Jonel aka Bugobugo85)
At the background is the Toll Booth towards SLEX. These runners were the “faster” hardcores, having reached the southernmost part of C-5 Highway in 58 minutes. From left, Martin, Jay Lee, Arman, Michael, Dr Joe aka The Loony Runner, Charlie, MarkFB, & BR.
After waiting for the “slower group” and resting for about 10 minutes, we started our run towards Tiendesitas and to Marikina Riverbanks. We crossed the highway and ran against the traffic. The runners below were the ones on my back while we were on our way on a southern direction back to where we came from. These runners were fast and alert. They are really hardcores!
While aprroaching Jollibee after we passed the C-5 entrance to McKinley Hill, I decided to have our “pit stop” at the said place. We were able to reach the 15-Km point when we stopped at Jollibee. Some of the runners ate their breakfast and some just simply ate their Power Bars. We replenished our water bottles and Camelbak bladders with water after our breakfast. After some photo-ops, we were back on the road and I led the group again.
From Jollibee, we ran a constant pace all the way to where we started at Shell Tiendesitas to wait for the slower runners. At this point, my GF 305 registered 24 kilometers. After 5-10 minutes, we started our last phase of our run to Marikina Riverbanks and back to Shell Tiendesitas to finish the run. It was decided to run under the C-5-Ortigas Flyover in going to Marikina and wait for the slower runners at the Marikina Riverbanks.
I consider these hardcores as the stronger ones during the run to Marikina Riverbanks. At this point, my GF 305 registered 28 kilometers. After five minutes of rest, we continued our run back to where we started but we decided to run along/on top of the C-5-Ortigas Flyover before reaching our Finish Line at the Shell Tiendesitas. The run along the Flyover was the hardest part of the run because of the uphill climb and the absence of elevated sidewalk on the road.
Finally, we were back to where we started at Shell Tiendesitas with the “Survivors” for the 32K “runabout” along the C-5 Highway loop. My GF 305 registered a running time of 3:10 hours but the whole “runabout” took us almost five hours to include those pit stops and waiting time for the slower runners. We were running an average pace of 5:55 mins/km throughout the whole run with a total ascent of 1,260 meters. Again, these guys are really strong and hardcore runners. Well, I was not surprised as we are all preparing for the March 8 Philippine Marathon for Pasig River and this 32K long run speaks well of our seriousness and proper preparation for the said race. And by the way, the March 8 Marathon will be a part of our another long run in preparation and training for the 1st Bataan Death March 102K Ultramarathon Race Event.
Guys, thank you very much for the company and the challenging course for yet another significant “runabout” in Metro Manila. What’s next? Are we serious to find out the actual length of Ortigas Avenue and Extension all the way to Valley Golf Club and back for our next “runabout”? See you at the ULTRA Oval Track for our “speed training” sessions!
1. This race will definitely be open to 100 runners/participants only. Each participant should have finished at least one (1) marathon race within one year prior to the scheduled ultramarathon event.
2. Leaving your intention to participate in this race event through our Comment & Feedback at www.bataan102.com and by stating your name, age, e-mail address and contacting number/s will entitle you a reserved slot among the 100 runners.
3. Registration Forms will be available on this site soon. However, registration will be accepted at the Project Donate A Shoe booth during the PSE Bull Run Race on 18 January 2009 on January 18, 2009. Henceforth, Project Donate A Shoe booth in every weekend road race will be the registration booth for this ultra run event.
4. Last day of registration will be on 15 March 2009. No late registrants will be accepted.
5. All registered participants are encourage to join a “test run” and at the same time. This “test run” will serve as an ultramarathon clinic on 22 February 2009 in order to have a group run from Balanga, Bataan to the Finish Line (San Fernando, Pampanga) covering a distance of 52 kilometers. Details will be posted at this site and at http://www.baldrunner.com.
6. Other details of this race event will be posted as soon as necessary.
7. For your training program reference(s), please visit http://www.baldultrarunner.wordpress.com.
8. We will try our best to have this event sanctioned by PATAFA (even if PATAFA have not created a dedicated committee for ultra running events in the country). We sent e-mails to the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU), an entity under the IAAF, for them to include this event in their race calendar for 2009 last month but we received no reply from them yet.
9. During the actual race event, we encourage each participant to have their support crew and pacer after Km Post #7. It could be the whole family in a car or van or friends on bicycles or motorcycles.
10. We will not remind you about “honesty” of running on the said ultra event. Please remember that you will not be cheating the race organizers but you will be cheating yourself. I firmly believe that ultramarathon runners are matured and decent breed of serious runners.
11. Since you have decided to join and participate in this historic event , I want you to be proud to be a part of this ultramarathon race event that depicts an important part in the history of the country and the entire world.
12. This is an ultramarathon race event (solo event) and not a relay run.
13. The cut-off time for this ultramarathon event is further adjusted to eighteen (18) hours.
14. Participants will be responsible for their respective transportation to the Starting Line and from the Finish Line to Metro Manila.
The idea of conducting a Running Clinic was conceptualized during a brief visit of the Coaches of Team Bald Runner and myself at the office of the Reinier Pacific last month. Amado Castro, Jr, the President of the Company who is a runner and race walker, requested us to visit his office for final “tips” and suggestions for his participation to a 12-Hour Race Walk Competition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was in this meeting that Mr Castro suggested the idea of conducting a Running Clinic to all of his staff and personnel. Due to the holiday season, the running clinic was finally set on the afternoon of January 8, 2009.
So, this plan was realized yesterday afternoon at the training room of Reinier Pacific. The running clinic started at 2:00 PM with a brief introduction from Mr Castro as to the background and purpose of the said running clinic. The lecture was divided into two parts. I presented a lecture on the WHY? part of running while the two coaches of Team Bald Runner, Major Ferdie Espejo Jr and Coach Saturnino Salazar, presented a lecture on the HOW? part of running with the proper training aids.
About 30 staff and personnel of the company attended the running clinic. The running clinic lasted for about 3 hours to include the time for open forum and additional information about running. The second part of the running clinic will be the ACTUAL RUNNING demonstration and practical exercises at the ULTRA Oval Track on Thursday next week. The second part of the clinic will consist of conducting proper warm-up and stretching exercises before and after the run; and the running proper.
The overall objective of this running clinic is to offer to everybody to engage in physical activity and exercise, through running/jogging/walking in order for the company to be more productive by having a healthy mind and body among its personnel. On the side of the Team Bald Runner, it is our advocacy to encourage more people to embrace a healthy lifestyle through walking/jogging and ultimately to running and be competitive to oneself.
Ladies and gentlemen, this running clinic is FREE! If you are a part of a group or a community intending to form a running club, we can schedule a 2-part running clinic (2-3 hours of lecture and another 2 hours actual demonstration on the oval or on the ground). If you are interested, just leave a comment to this post or send an e-mail to jovie75@hotmail.com.
While running alone at the Rizal High School Oval Track during the Holidays, I’ve been wondering if there is such thing as an Athletics Hall of Fame, Museum & Library in the Philippines. When I visited the office of PATAFA at the Rizal Stadium last year, I was sad to see the framed pictures of Lydia de Vega and Elma Muros winning in their respective athletic events placed on the walls of the said office without any semblance of orderliness and they are showing signs of fading. I thought that there should be an appropriate place for such memorabilias that show our history in Athletics and there should be a “system” to honor these athletes who had given honor & pride to the country in international competitions. I wonder if the other Sports Federations have also such facility where they can showcase their history and honor their top athletes in the past and in the present. Such an idea and observation had given me another project/program for this blog to dwell into.
Initially, I will be getting information on our past athletes on Athletics from the readers and from other runners who had knowledge on the history of Athletics to include road racing in the country.
If you have any information, please send them to my e-mail address: jovie75@hotmail.com. Thanks for your support.
Bald Runner 
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