Tag: Ultramarathon

Fargo Street & Los Angeles Pinoy Ultra Runners

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Runners' Training, Running2 Comments

Ben Gaetos aka “benwah” made a comment on this blog giving me encouraging words and tips on my preparations for my first 50K ultra trail run next Saturday in the Malibu Creek State Park. Benwah is an accomplished ultramarathon runner together with Carmela Layson and E-Rod aka “Habang Tumatakbo”, successfully finishing almost all the popular ultra trail runs in California. Lately, Carmela Layson won in her age category as Female Champion in the Mt Disappointment 80K/80M Trail Run last 09 August 2008 at the Angeles National Forest/San Gabriel Mountains where Jorge Pacheco (Champion of 2008 Badwater) won as the Champion in the 80-Mile race.

These three Pinoy Ultramarathon runners living in the Los Angeles area will be running the famous Angeles Crest 100-Mile Endurance Trail Run which will be held on 13 September 2008. Continue reading “Fargo Street & Los Angeles Pinoy Ultra Runners” →

Marathon & Beyond

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Runners' Training, Running, UltramarathonLeave a comment

On my first week here in the United States (last July 12-19), I visited the new Barnes & Noble Store at the new Americana Mall in Glendale and bought the magazine-book, “Marathon & Beyond”. It is being published bimonthly and I was able to buy the July/August issue which costs me $ 6.95+tax.

It was my first time to see such running magazine in a book form. It was worth buying. The articles are very informative for beginners and advance runners as they are focused to marathon and ultramarathon races.

I realized later that the magazine has a website at www.marathonandbeyond.com. At the website, the article about Ryan Hall’s Training and transformation into a Marathoner and ultimately becoming the top athlete in the US Olympic Marathon Team in the 2008 Beijing is offered free and I am highly recommending for the runners to read. There are other articles in the Editor’s Choice portion where lots of information, tips and experiences from marathon & ultramarathon runners could be easily accessed as a source of inspiration and motivation to other runners. These articles were published in the past copies of the said magazine-book.

Happy Reading & Happy Running!

“Think Time, Not Distance”

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Runners' Training, Running, Trail Running, UltramarathonLeave a comment

6:47 PM 11 August 2008 (Silverlake & Echo Parks)

The advise of elite runners in ultramarathon trail running is to think of the time of one’s duration to finish the distance but not the distance of the course. Since the terrain of the trail will be more challenging and the elevations will be higher, the pace from my ordinary road runs will be greatly reduced.

The duration of one’s time in trail running will include lots of brisk walking in steep uphill routes; slower pace on narrow trails good for one person; uneven road due to the presence of protruding roots and rocks along the way, the intense heat of the sun, and the time at stop-overs in food/drink & medical stations for replenishments. Continue reading ““Think Time, Not Distance”” →

“You Made It…Good Job”

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Runners' Training, Running2 Comments

7:48 PM 09 August 2008 at Malibu Creek State Park (Bulldog Trail)

After we arrived in Los Angeles from San Francisco, I told my son that I will be running again the Bulldog Trail at Malibu Creek State Park next Saturday (09 August 2008) and will try to simulate the racing condition by starting earlier in the morning. I requested him to bring me to the said park and just drop me there to be fetched at lunch time.

Almost one week after finishing the San Francisco Marathon, I was back at the Bulldog Trail. After preparing for my things (water, electrolytes, GUs, and protein bars) and eating a light breakfast, we left the house at 7:00 AM and due to the traffic at Highway 10 West and at the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), we reached the park at 7:45 AM. I started my run immediately after getting out of the car.

I could see that there were hikers and runners about to start and preparing their gears at the vast parking area. The temperature was already at high 60s and the sky was clear without any clouds and I could feel that the temperature is about to get higher.

As I started my run, I planned to start slowly as I was using a 2.1-liter CamelBak Hydration (additional 5-6 pounds of weight) and thought of  running the 25K loop twice if I still have time before my son’s schedule to pick me up at the entrance of the park. Continue reading ““You Made It…Good Job”” →

BR’s Team @ TNF 100 & Pictures

On By kingofpotsIn Pictures, Running, Trail Running, Ultramarathon10 Comments

Before I left for the United States, Captain Ferdie Espejo told me that our runners in the Philippine Army would like to run in the TNF 100 and they were looking for sponsors who would support them in terms of registration fees, support and miscellaneous expenses. So, I told him that I am willing to support and finance their entry and participation in the said event with the condition that the runners will carry the name of Bald Runner and they will bring home what ever prizes they would earn or win. I wanted the runners to win and get the cash prizes for their respective families and for themselves. Thus, the BR’s Team was born. (Do you think the AFP or the Philippine Army or the PSC/NSA or any corporate entity will give support for these runners with two weeks to go before the race?)

The BR’s Team entered three (3) runners in the 100K Solo Run—Mamerto Corpuz, Esmeraldo Ondoy, and Ellen Tolentino; and one team for the 100K Relay Run consisting of Cresenciano Sabal and Reynaldo De Los Reyes. Three (3) of our runners registered in the 20K and 10K events.

Our BR Team won 1st Runner-Up (2nd Place) in the 100K Team Relay (Cresenciano Sabal & Reynaldo De Los Reyes); Mamerto Corpuz won Third Place in the 100K Solo Race; Esmeraldo Ondoy won Fifth Place in the 100K Solo Race; while Ellen Tolentino was the Female Champion in the 100K Solo Race and Seventh (7th) Overall; Ailene Tolentino also won as the Female Champion in the 10K Trail Race.

The BR’s Runners brought home five (5) Belt Medallions; P 5,000 worth of Gift Check and P 50,000 Check to be encashed this Friday. All of these prizes went to the runners. Spending Eleven Thousand Pesos (P 11,000.00) to these elite runners was a worthy investment for their effort, experiences, and the belt medallions/cash prizes they received.

I was happy to receive the news about how the BR’s Team runners’ accomplishments in the TNF 100 from Captain Espejo (who was constantly sending me text messages) and from the other runner-bloggers who joined the race. I was happier with the thought that I was made to be “an instrument” for these deserving elite runners to experience ultra trail running with the prestigious The North Face as the main sponsor.

The following pictures were taken by Captain Espejo which he sent through e-mail to recap his report to me on the said race:

Eighty-four (84) ultra trail runners for the 100K Solo run and 100K Team Relay run started the TNF 100 Race at 7:30 AM on 26 July 2008 with team runners from Singapore and Hong Kong. 

There they go!

Cresenciano Sabal (right) and Reynaldo De Los Reyes (middle) won 1st Runner-Up in the 100K Team Relay Run finishing 12 minutes behind the Champion Team. They received P 15,000 check as their cash prize.

 Esmeraldo Ondoy receiving his Belt Buckle Medallion for finishing 5th Place in the 100K Solo Run

The BR’s Team with their prize and the our BR’s Tarp

Captain Espejo (left) as the Team Manager of the Bull Runner’s Events Team

BR’s Team Members: From left: Quisay (BR support staff); Ondoy (5th Place 100K Solo Run); Sabal (2nd place 100K Team Relay Run); Ellen Tolentino (Female Champion 100K Solo Run & 7th Overall); Ailene Tolentino (Female Champion 10K Run); De Los Reyes (2nd Place 100K Team Relay Run); and Corpuz (3rd Place 100K Solo Run)

This Is How They Do It Here! #2

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Runners' Training, Running, Trail Running, Ultramarathon1 Comment

The following Heat Training pointers and instructions were sent to my e-mail by the Race Organizers of the Bulldog Trail Run to guide me in my training and preparations for the race on 23 August 2008.

Very nice and commendable effort to make each runner prepared for the event, at least, one month before the race.

Can our Race Organizers do this in the Philippines? Yes, we can do it, too!

Note: Arthur Webb is the ultra running coach of Jamie Donaldson, the 2008 Lady Champion of Badwater Ultramarathon Race. Continue reading “This Is How They Do It Here! #2” →

This Is How They Do It Here! #1

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Races, Runners' Training, Running, Trail Running, UltramarathonLeave a comment

Having registered on line a week before, the following is my confirmation letter to participate in the Bulldog 50K Trail Ultra Run. Please note that this letter was sent to my e-mail address one month before the race day, 23 August 2008. In this letter is a detailed information and instructions to follow on the conduct of the race.

I hope this kind of arrangements or example of professionalism and efficiency will be applied in the Philippines.  Continue reading “This Is How They Do It Here! #1” →

Bulldog 50K Ultra Run

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Races, Running, Trail Running, Ultramarathon10 Comments

Last Friday, I requested my son, John to register me on line for my first ultramarathon trail run which will be held on 23 August 2008 in Calabasas, California. Hereunder is my confirmation to join the said running event. Click the name of the race for the details.

 

This message is generated as confirmation of your recent registration on Active.com. You have been successfully registered for the following:

 

Registration:

Bulldog 50K Ultra Run

Purchase Date:

07/18/08

Category:

Bulldog 50K

Name:

Jovenal Narcise


CLICK HERE for a complete version of this registration.

 

 

 

Wish me good luck!

Pictures @ Badwater Ultramarathon

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Races, Running, Ultramarathon8 Comments

 The following pictures were taken during Day 1 of the Badwater Ultramarathon.

This is the Support Vehicle of Pam Reed where at least 5 big Coleman Ice Chests are intact inside where ice cold provisions are properly organized depending on what segments along the route they are being used. Each participant is allowed one Support Vehicle and one Crew Vehicle with proper and visible markings on the back and sides.

David Goggins (DNF) talking to Lisa Renee Smith-Batchen (Bib #7) from Tucson, Arizona who finished # 67 overall with a time of 47:17:30 hours.

Pam Reed finished #5 overall with a time of 27:42:52 hours.

Jamie Donaldson is the cute lady with a white cap infront David Goggins. She won the ladies category in 26:51:33 hours breaking the women’s record time which was established by Pam Reed in 2002 by 1 hour & 5 minutes. She finished 3rd overall beating Dean Karnazes by almost 20 minutes who placed 4th overall. Read her Badwater recap story in her blog. 

Akos Konya (#2) finished in 2nd place with a time of 23:49:44 hours. Jorge Pacheco, behind Konya in the picture, finished as the Champion with a time of 23:20:16 hours where he improved by almost two hours from his 4th place finish last year. David Goggins (behind Pacheco) declared himself as DNF upon reaching Panamint Springs (Mile Point #72). Dean Karnazes finished 4th overall with a time of 27:11:00 hours improving his time and standing from last year’s event by 4 hours & 20 minutes and from 10th last year to 4th place overall.

Eight (8) lady participants finished on the top 14 overall finishers in the Badwater Ultramarathon.

For more results, pictures and stories, please log on to www.badwater.com.

Brief Chat With Pam Reed

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Pictures, Races, Running, Ultramarathon4 Comments

Ten minutes before the start of the 10AM Group in the Badwater Ultramarathon, I followed Pam Reed to her support vehicle and called her attention and she faced me immediately after she heard her name. The following were the details of our brief conversation:

Bald Runner (BR): Hi, Pam! I am a runner fan of yours from the Philippines who just arrived in the States last Saturday to witness the start of the Badwater Ultramarathon. My wife accompanied me here to Badwater (introducing my wife to her)

Pam Reed (PR): From the Philippnes? Wow, that’s great!

BR: I read your book and it is a very inspiring one. I am advertising it by posting a review in my blog, bald runner.com.

PR: Ha..ha..ha! Thanks! Did you bring your book? I can sign it now before the start of the race!

BR: Unfortunately, no. I prefer to have a picture with you as the ultramarathon woman! Can I have a picture with you?

PR: Sure!

My wife took the picture.

BR: Thank you very much, Pam & Good luck!

PR: You are welcome & Thanks

Pam Reed proceeded to her support vehicle to drink more fluids before going to the starting line.

While Pam Reed was running towards Furnace Creek, I parked the car on the side of the road and took some pictures of her. However, when she saw me from a distance infront of her, she shouted to her crew (who was about to give a water jug to her) and while pointing her finger to me and said, “The guy who is taking a picture is from the Philippines!”

After taking a picture of Pam Reed and after passing on my position, the lady crew approached me and we had a brief chat.

Crew: Are you from the Philippines?

Bald Runner: Yes, I am a runner and I came here to meet Pam Reed and watch the start of the Badwater.

Crew: Pam and I just visited Malaysia!

Bald Runner: That’s good! I hope you can visit the Philippines, too!

Crew: We will!

The following is the picture I’ve taken while Pam Reed was on her way to Furnace Creek:

 

The lady crew of Pam Reed was giving a water jug to her while telling that I am from the Philippines.