Tag: Team Bald Runner

“Team Bald Runner” Won @ TNF Trail Run; 2009 PSE Bull Run; & 2009 Sinulog Half-Marathon

On By kingofpotsIn Half-Marathon, Insights, Race Results, Running, Trail Running8 Comments

Team Bald Runner Isidro Vildosola won as the Champion in the The North Face’s 20K Thrill of the Trail last Sunday in Nasugbo, Batangas. Because of the disqualification of the 2nd, 3rd & 4th finishers for not wearing a single TNF item/attire, the number 5th runner and Team Bald Runner member, Mayo Rodriguez, won the 1st Runner-Up. Finishing 3rd Runner-Up was another Team Bald Runner member, Jerry Kurendeng aka High Altitude. Due to the limited number of runners accepted for the trail run, the Team Bald Runner was not able to field its women runners and it made Cecil Morella aka Miracello very happy in telling me the breaking news that his AMCI lady climbers swept the ladies overall top podium finishes. Congratulations to the Team Bald Runner and AMCI Mountaineers! (Note: Jerry Kurendeng and Mayo Rodriguez are presently attending the “speed training” sessions with the Team Bald Runner who both improved their respective PR best times in the said trail run)

On the 2009 PSE Bull Run, the following members of Team Bald Runner won in their respective categories:

10K Men

Alley Quisay—1st Runner-Up (Overall)

Elmer Sabal—-2nd Runner-Up (Overall)

Reynaldo De Los Reyes—7th Place, Overall

Cris Sabal—11th Place, Overall

10K Women

Ailene Tolentino—Champion

Marecil Maquilan—1st Runner-Up

Anna Vargas—2nd Runner-Up

5K Men

Gerald Sabal—1st Runner-Up (Overall)

Bernardo Desamito—3rd Runner-Up (Overall)

Jujet De Asis—5th Place, Overall

Rey Antoque—16th Place, Overall

Last Saturday, 17 January, Rene Desoyo of Team Bald Runner won 1st Runner-Up in the Mizuno-Asia Miles Sinulog Festival Half-Marathon held in Mactan City, Cebu

(Note: For more pictures at the TNF Thrill of the Trail, please visit www.highaltitude.wordpress.com) and for pictures at the 2009 Sinulog Half-Marathon, please visit Cebu Sports Blog.

How Does It Feel To Run 127K In A Week?

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Practice Runs, Running7 Comments

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!

Pictures @ The “Boodle Fight”

On By kingofpotsIn Pictures, Running12 Comments

The following are the pictures taken in last night’s “Boodle Fight” with Team Bald Runner and other runners. For more description of the said event, please read Bugobugo’s latest post:

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Cris Sabal and the rest of our elite athletes prepared for the proper arrangement/presentation of the food.

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Lester, in addition to the food he brought, he took the initiative to bring sardines and a can opener for the activity.

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After Philip delivered his brief Prayer Before Meals, I made the command to start the “Boodle Fight”!

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“Boodle Fight” is really a fight for the food infront of you!

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These guys are not only “hardcore” in running but also “hardcore” in eating!

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Lester, one of the sponsors of Team Bald Runner, receiving his gifts. Lester also handed me lots of “gifts” for the elite runners of Team Bald Runner. Thanks, Lester!

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Philip as he received his share from the Team Bald Runner

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Coach Rio, our special guest, received some gifts, too!

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Coach Rio’s Team & Coaches also received a Wall Calendar

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Philip aka Foreign Runner donated his ASICS Gel-Kayano 13. Philip, sorry for the camera!

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Mesh donated her slightly used Newton’s Distance Racer; two pairs of  Mizuno Shoes; and five (5) finisher’s singlets/t-shirts

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Mesh aka My Iron Shoes was awarded her “1,000-Km Club” Finisher’s T-shirt. She completed the distance while running the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. Congratulations, Mesh!

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Jay aka Prometheus Cometh, who arrived later after spending Wedding Anniversary with his wife.

Another 39 Seconds Improvement

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Races, Running10 Comments

UP ICTUS Centennial 10K Run @ UP Diliman–14 December 2008

I did not run last Thursday and Friday because of the rains and Friday afternoon was supposed to be my scheduled running workout with the Team Bald Runner’s “speed” session but I had to attend to a Christmas Party of the Fort Striders Club, Inc as their Guest of Honor and Speaker. I will post a separate story about this party with a well-established running club in Metro Manila. The rainy situation of Thursday gave me the chance to go back to the gym for the second time this week and another gym workout last Saturday early evening. My gym workout this week was my way of coming back to strengthen my core and upper chest muscles after almost three months of not going to the gym.

Without any running workouts for the past 3 days, I felt I was sluggish since last night after my gym workout. I woke up at 4:15 AM and did my pre-race preparations before proceeding to the UP Campus in Diliman, Quezon City for the UP ICTUS Centennial 10K Run. I arrived at the Assembly Area at 5:20 AM where my staff, Captain Espejo, handed my race bib. After a brief warm-up run and stretching, I could hardly perspire (maybe, because of the cold weather) but it took me two times to pee before I entered the starting area. Before the race started, I saw some of the student-runners of Team Bald Runner’s “speed” training and I knew this road race was their “evaluation” run for them to find out if their training is really working.

Maintaining his good reputation of starting his races promptly on the scheduled time for the race to start, Coach Rio fired the starting gun at exacly 6:00 AM for the 10K run. As compared to last week’s 25th RUNNEX 10K run, I started my run slowly making sure not to pass over or slower than my 100% effort (4:51 mins/km pace) and be able to have a “negative” split time for this race.

After running for the first 100 meters and trailing about 20 runners infront of me, the road marshall stationed infront of the Oblation directed us towards the Entrance Gate of the Campus while the rest of the runners ahead of us just continued to follow the road towards Roxas Road, missing the distance of about 200 meters! This incident slowed me down but I kept on my relaxed pace although I was already cursing in my mind why Coach Rio would change the route on the race day which was totally different from the race route published on a paper enclosed with the race packet and the same race route published in his website. Sometimes, it derails the strategy of a runner if a sudden change in the route is implemented few hours before the start of the race. However, this was a minor problem as I kept my pace faster than my 100% effort.

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My pictures were all “blurred” because I was too fast for the automatic shutter speed of my digital camera!

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I hope PhotoVendo has better pictures of me running this race.

Except for the jeepneys and other vehicles passing along Quirino Road and along the road in-between Palma Hall & College of Education and lots of joggers and slow “walkers” along the Academic Oval Road that slowed down most of the runners, the race was orderly, well-managed, and filled with the required water stations along the race route. Going around the 5K-loop for the second time was never a problem as I could see the students in our “speed” sessions were gaining distance on me and I was happy that they were running faster this time!

As I passed the finish line, I pressed the Stop button of my GF 305 and it registered a time of 48:28 minutes but the distance registered 10.39 kilometers. It is almost one lap of the Oval Track extra distance for the 10K race. Last week’s 10K race had an extra distance of about 240 meters with a finish time of 48:32 minutes with an average pace of 4:44 mins/km. For today’s race, my average pace is 4:39 mins/km. From my computation, I could have finished today’s 10K in 46:45 mins which is an improvement of 39 seconds from my adjusted time in last week’s 25th RUNNEX 10K Run.

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A surprise PR finish time of Jonel aka Bugobugo85 for this race! The “speed” sessions really work and produce postive results.

I was surprised to hear the voice of Jonel aka Bugobugo85 on my back as I tried to mingle with the other finishers barely few seconds after passing the finish line. He said that his “speed” program is really working and he personally thanked Captain Ferdie Espejo for his “quantum leap” of improving his finish time for the 10K race. Congratulations, Jonel!

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Philip aka Foreign Runner, BR & Capt Ferdie Espejo during the awarding of the “1,000-Km Club” Finisher’s T-Shirt

Philip aka The Foreign Runner, another student of the “speed” session, improved again his finish time and won the Championship Overall Category for the 10K Race. I also awarded him his much-delayed and well-deserved “1,000-Km Club” Finisher’s T-shirt.

I went home happy because of my improvement but I could had been happier if there had been awards for the Age Category which I was hoping to get another podium finish. Well, there are more road races to come!

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Hardcore Group/Team Bald Runner Members

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Bald Runner with Dingdong “Sergio” Dantes after the 10K Run

Open For Membership #2

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Runners' Training, Running, Sports ProgramLeave a comment

After I have opened the membership of Team Bald Runner to everybody, I received positive feedback and application for membership from runners in the team’s blogsite at www.teambaldrunner.wordpress.com. My staff was able to make a list of the applicants and their respective e-mail address.

As I met and talked to some members of the Hardcore Group and friends for the past days, I got good comments and possibilities for new “ideas” and “services to offer” by Team Bald Runner.

As response to such feedbacks, I have added “Pages” to the site and for us to answer some of the concerns of the applicants. Please find time to check them and leave your comment/s.

Open For Membership

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Runners' Training, Running6 Comments

The Team Bald Runner is opening its doors to non-elite runners to include beginners effective today. The youngest applicant should be at least 12 years old.

The primary aim of the Team Bald Runner is to promote running to everybody and guide each member to attain their personal goal by adhering to the concept of “training as a group” with IAAF certified coaches who will develop each runner’s potentials to be able to adhere to an active lifestyle and also be competitive in running.

I would like to emphasize that the Team Bald Runner is non-profit group, however, we will be asking each member for a membership fee which will cover the costs of training, uniforms, and other administrative needs for the group. The annual fee is P 2,000.00 which could be paid on installment basis, P 500.00 per each quarter. I hope that we could come up with a quarterly publication for the Team in the future.

Please feel free to send your comments. For those who are interested to join, please visit www.teambaldrunner.wordpress.com and register through your comments stating your name, age, and e-mail address. If you are living overseas, we can communicate with you through e-mail and send your running workout/program.

Team Bald Runner Beats RP’s ASEAN Games Gold Medalist

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Running10 Comments

Gerald Sabal, one of the elite runners of Team Bald Runner, won as the Champion in the the ABS-CBN 101.9 FM “Run For Life” 10K Race at the Global City, The Fort  held last Sunday. He was able to beat Rene Herrera, who placed 1st Runner-Up in the said race. Rene Herrera won the Gold Medals in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in the Vietnam’s South East Asian Games in 2003 and in the Manila’s South East Asian Games in 2005 and also a medalist in last year’s Bangkok South East Asian Games. Herrera is presently training in Baguio City as part of the RP Athletics Team for the 2009 SEA Games. Sabal registered a finish time of 32:35 minutes.

Gerald Sabal is 23 years old and a native of Sultan Kudarat in Mindanao. He is presently taking up BS Education (Major in Physical Education) at the University of the East. His latest accomplishments were the following: Champion in the 5K & 10K Run at the 2008 New Balance Power Race held in Clark Freeport. His time in 5K was 15:42 minutes. His training is presently being handled by Captain Ferdie Espejo, Jr.

As per request of QuickSilver Runner, who is based in San Diego, California and Finisher in the 2008 Kona Ironman last month, I’ll take this opportunity to give a brief background of the members of Team Bald Runner.

Cresenciano Sabal—29 yers old from Sultan Kudarat and taking up BS Computer Management. He is the defending Champion of the Milo National Marathon; Queen City International Marathon: Pasig River Heritage Marathon; and Clark Freeport International Marathon. His best time in the marathon is 2:21:58 hours; 21K in 1:05:00 hours; and 10K in 31:58 hours.

Jujet de Asis—He is from Koronadal City in Mindanao and 4th Year College. He placed 1st Runner-Up in the 2008 New Balance Power Race 25K Run with a time of 1:24+ hours. He is also a consistent top three placer in 10K to 20K races in Metro Manila.

Bernardo Desamito—33 years old and a native of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. he is in 3rd year college. he is the defending Champion of the 2008 Philippine Marathon; Cebu Sinulog Marathon; 2008 New Balance Power Race 25K Run; 2008 Adidas King of the Road 16K; and 2008 Yakult 16K Race. His best time in marathon is 2:22:44 hours; 21K in 1:08 hrs; 10K in 30:52 mins and 5K in 14:54 mins.

Marecil Maquilan—22 years old and a native of South Cotabato in Mindanao. She is presently taking up BS Education Major in Physical Education. She is the Women’s Champion of the 2008 Adidas King of the Road 16K Run and the 2008 New Balance Power Race 25K Run. Her best time in 10K is 37:58 mins and 5K in 18:52 mins.

Ailene Tolentino—19 years old and a native of Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao. She is 3rd Year in College. She is the defending Champion of the 2008 Queen City International Marathon; Pasig River heritage Marathon; Clark Freeport International Marathon. her best time in marathon is 3:05:37 hours; in 21K is 1:18:58 hrs; in 10K is 37:56 mins; and in 5K is 16:59 mins.

Ellen Tolentino—24 years old and a native of Cagayan de Oro City. She is defending Champion of the 100K The North Face Ultra Trail Race last July 2008.

Reynaldo De Los Reyes—37 years old and a native of Balasan, Iloilo. Champion in Every Nation 10K Race last Saturday and 1st Runner-Up UNICEF 10K Race last Sunday.

Michael Embuedo—25 years old and a native of Bataan. Champion in 20K Walkathon at the National Open TF Championship from 2006 up to the present.

Elmer Sabal—26 years old and a native of Sultan Kudarat. He is the Champion of the 2008 1st Mayon Trail Run. His best time in marathon is 2:28:56 hours and best time in 5K is 15:46 mins

Isidro Villasola—32 years old and a native of Libungan, North Cotabato. Gold Medalist in the 1,500-meter run during the 2007 4th ASEAN Paralympics Game in Bangkok, Thailand and 1st Runner-Up in the The North Face 100K Ultra Trail Run last July 2008.

Saturnino Salazar—47 years old and native of Ivisan, Capiz. National Record Holder of 50K Walk and IAAF Level IV International Coach

Ferdinand Elpidio Espejo Jr.—IAAF Level IV International Coach in Middle, Long Distance & Race Walk; ITU Level II Coach in Triathlon; and UCI Level II Coach in Cycling. His best time in marathon is 2:44:48 hours; 10K in 34:12 mins; and 5K in 16:58 mins.

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Team Bald Runner at the 2008 New Balance Power Race. From Left to Right: Ferdie Espejo, Ailene Tolentino, Marecil Maquilan, Bernie Desamito, Ellen Tolentino, Jujet de Asis, Elmer Sabal, Gerald Sabal, Rey de los Reyes, Satur Salazar, & BR (Sid Villasola & Mike Embuedo were in another race in Metro Manila and Cris Sabal was on-training in the mountain trails of Cebu in preparation for the 2008 Milo National Marathon Finals)

SFrunner & Team Bald Runner

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Running3 Comments

I consider Wayne aka SFrunner as the No. 1 foreign visitor/reader and “commentor” of this blog from the day it was created. We had an understanding to meet each other during the Expo Fair for the San Francisco Marathon and on the day of the race itself for him to personally give me his brand-new ASICS Gel Landreth running shoes for my Project Donate A Shoe. Due to some unavoidable circumstances and commitments to relatives living in San Francisco, our meeting did not materialize, however, we continued communicating with each other through this blog.

Finally, after the VSO Run last Sunday, Wayne dropped by at the Projects’s booth to formally turn-over the shoes which he brought all the way from San Francisco, USA. It was my first time to see and talk to him in person. His effort to support my project became an “eye-opener” for him to see the “realities” in running in the country, most especially, when he saw the runner/recipient and the old shoes to be replaced by the shoes he was donating. “Yes, Wayne, we still have good and competitive runners who could not afford to buy a brand-new running shoes. And I am not ashame to tell you and let your eyes see the truth and reality”

From the moment I saw the eyes of Wayne when the runner/recipient was wearing his donated shoes, I saw fulfillment and happiness in his eyes and immediately concluded that this runner from San Francisco is serious in his pronouncements to help my project or in any way he could help the less-fortunate runners. We had a brief conversation, photo-ops and introduced him to more of the “runner-bloggers” who were visiting the booth before he joined the Happy Feet Runners for a breakfast at Chowking at The Fort.

Last Wednesday morning, I tried to contact him in his hotel with a “good news and special scheduled itinerary” for him to make his stay in the country more memorable. However, for the whole day, my staff was not able to contact or locate him. I knew that he was busy with the other “runner-bloggers” invitation to go around Metro Manila. My staff was able to contact him on the evening of Wednesday and the “special scheduled itinerary” for him had to be cancelled because of limited time and change of schedule. Anyway, if “Plan A” is not successful, there is always “Plan B” as fallback position or option!

“Plan B” was to invite Wayne for a lunch yesterday (Thursday) with the members of Team Bald Runner at Dampa, Paranaque. I was glad I was able to get a “window of opportunity” for the tight schedule and limited numbers of days of Wayne’s stay in the country. We picked up Wayne in his hotel at 11:15 AM and we arrived at the place after 30 minutes. After introducing the members of the Team Bald Runner and their coaches, it was time for the lunch proper. I explained to him the marketing concept at Dampa where customers had to buy fresh foods from the “wet” market nearby and have the foods cooked and served in any of the restaurants.

During lunch, Wayne was able to get a lot information and feedbacks from the elite runners ranging from their social, geographical, and educational background up to the “realities” in sports management in the country, most especially in Athletics, and reasons why a country which is considered as the No. 15 most populated nation entire the world could not produce a single “Gold Medal” from the past Summer Olympic Games. Well, I guess, Wayne was “overloaded” with staggering “realities” in Philippine Sports and of course, with the Filipino foods and fruits prepared for lunch. On the lighter side, I told Wayne how my staff were trying to locate him the whole day of Wednesday and explained to him about the “special scheduled itinerary” for him which we had to cancel before business hours closed for the day. Anyway, I told Wayne that such “invitation” is still open and available on his next trip to the country.

After lunch, I gave him a “1,000-Km Club” Finisher’s T-shirt and a runner’s “button pin” from Jinoe/takbo.ph. We had more photo-ops inside and outside of the restaurant where we had our lunch.

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“Gout-free” lunch at Dampa (Paranaque) with Wayne, Capt Espejo & Team Bald Runner

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The lady runners of Team Bald Runner were absent due to official schedule & commitments

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A “1,000-Km Club” Finisher’s T-shirt and Jinoe’s runner’s “button pin” were given to Wayne after lunch.

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From left: Isidro, Mike, Wayne, BR, Capt Espejo, Coach Salazar, Elmer Sabal, & Rey de los Reyes at the Dampa Parking Area.

Wayne, see you on Sunday at Clark and Happy trip back to San Francisco!

FREE Speed Training For “Hardcores”

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Runners' Training, Running9 Comments

Team Bald Runner is inviting runners who have been training/running continouosly for one year for a “free and personalized” speed training lectures and speed workouts at the ULTRA Oval Track every 5:30-7:00 PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This is open to everybody, male and female, who are in competitive running and would like to improve their PR Best times in every road race. This training will start on 18 November 2008.

Captain Ferdie Espejo Jr and Coach Saturnino Salazar, both Level 4 IAAF trained-coaches, will conduct the said training and to be assisted by members of Team Bald Runner.

Runners are advised to prepare P29.00 for payment to Philsports/ULTRA for the use of the Oval Track.

Duathletes & Triathletes are also encouraged to join this training.

“Team Bald Runner” Performance

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Runners' Training, Running6 Comments

Here is the list of performance of “Team Bald Runner” in last Sunday’s road races in Metro Manila and neighboring areas:

At the VSO “Bahaginan” Road Races:

Gerald Sabal—1st Overall Male/15K Run

Bernardo Desamito—1st Overall Male/10K Run

Maricel Maquilan—1st Overall Female/15K Run

Ailene Tolentino—2nd Overall Female/15K Run

Ellen Tolentino—1st Overall Female/10K Run

Michael Embuedo—1st Place, 30-39 yrs old Age Category, 5K Run

Ferdinand Elpidio Espejo Jr—1st Place, 40-49 yrs ols Age Category, 5K Run

At BF Homes 5K Charity Run: Isidro Villasola—1st Place Overall

At Bacolor, Pampanga’s 10K Run: Reynaldo de los Reyes—1st Place Overall

The following runners did not run for this week’s races in preparation for next week’s NB Races and Milo Marathon Finals: Elmer Sabal/Cresenciano Sabal/Jujet de Asis.