Life is a Highway

Pinoy Pride!

2011-10-31T02:17:00.000+08:00

Thanks to the guys at the Facebook page "Filipino Runners in the NYC Marathon 2011," on November 6, I will be running the ING New York City Marathon clad in this:

Front

Back

To the guys behind the FB group, thank you for adding me and for putting this one together. It would be an absolute honor to cross the finish line with PILIPINAS proudly emblazoned across my chest.

Pinoy Pride WILL be alive at the New York Marathon!

Sunday Afternoon Musings on the New York Marathon

2011-10-16T16:10:00.000+08:00

Less than three weeks to go before the 2011 staging of the largest marathon in the world - the ING New York City Marathon. Together with my wife, Bam, I'll be departing for New York on November 4. This will be my first extended vacation in almost three years, so the respite is definitely needed.

Marathon Day is on November 6, so I'll have only two days to somehow regain my bearings and get over the jet lag. For others, this could be a considerable challenge. In my case, though, I believe I am well-equipped to overcome this. Jet lag shouldn't be too much of an issue because I am used to doing long runs in a sleep-deprived state. And when I say long runs, I'm not talking simply of 20 or 25-kilometer weekend LSDs, or even just marathons. I'm talking about really long runs - ultras. I've ran several ultras (and marathons) on zero sleep, and somehow, I managed to finish all of them in decent fashion. And so, I think it could even be an advantage that I'd be doing the NYC Marathon before my body actually adjusts to the time zone. It will be just like any other late night or early dawn run for me.

Another potential issue is the cold. NYCM is a cold marathon, and I happen to be a runner from a tropical country. This could easily turn into one of those fish-out-of-water situations. It's a good thing I have done a few runs in comparable climate, so I more or less know what to expect. I did a few runs in Milwaukee during my business trips there last year, including one in November 2010. During one of those runs, the temperature was at 4°C - almost similar to the average temperature in New York in early November. I just have to wear the right gear, and I know I will be fine.

Believe it or not, I am not yet that excited about NYCM. I am excited about the trip and the much-needed vacation (we'll also spend a few days in Florida and meet up with family in California), but I'm not doing cartwheels over NYCM yet. Maybe it's because my focus has shifted to running road ultras, so marathons no longer excite me as much as they used to. Don't get me wrong, though - I feel blessed that I will be able to see all five boroughs of New York on foot together with thousands of runners from all over the world. NYCM is one of my dream marathons, and to be able to live that dream, it's just priceless. I am looking forward to visiting the Marathon Expo and picking up some gear and souvenirs, catching the Parade of Nations, running through Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan, crossing the finish line in Central Park less than five hours after I leave the starting line on the Verazzano Bridge, and a very festive marathon weekend. Come to think of it, I am actually more excited than I'd like to believe.

So... I'm logging off and shutting down for now. Time to haul my ass off the couch, head to the mall, and buy a Philippine flag patch that I can stitch onto my beanie!

The Crossroads

2011-10-03T02:05:00.001+08:00

Two and-a-half years ago, I gave up an excellent paying job with a big law firm because of a very simple reason: I burned out. After four and-a-half years of logging an average of fourteen billable hours a day, I got tired, and I wanted my life back. I lost count of the number of times when I actually cried because I simply had so much work. And I wasn't just being a pussy back then. The workload simply overwhelmed me, and I wilted. And so, I walked away and left the big firm, grimly determined that there would be no looking back.

Convinced that I was doing the right thing, I took a massive pay-cut and joined a small firm. From an office that had close to 60 lawyers and that probably was (and still is) the highest-paying in the country, I moved to one that had 13 lawyers, and that would pay me roughly one-third of what I made in the big firm. Still, I was confident because the small firm was ran by people I trusted, and because, after all, I was not a stranger to life in a small firm. You see, before I joined the big firm, I started my career in law in another firm. Let's call it the medium-sized firm, because it had 25 lawyers. I spent close to four years with the medium-sized firm, and there I formed lasting friendships. Eventually, the medium-sized firm split up into three firms, one of which was the small firm (this is getting confusing, no?). I was going to be with good friends who also happened to be darn good lawyers. How could anything possibly go wrong?

Four months into my stint with the small firm, it was already evident that I made a huge mistake. Almost everything was wrong. Still, I only say almost because there was in fact one thing that went right: I got hooked on running. I had been running on-and-off since my law school days in the late '90s, but because I had a lot of spare time at the small firm, running gradually became an integral part of my day-to-day life. It also became the one constant that helped me make sense of my stay with the small firm. The justification back then was, "I may not be raking it in, but I am adding anywhere from five to 10 years to my life expectancy." It might sound lame to some, but to me, it made perfect sense, and it made my days at the small firm a lot more bearable.

My stint with the small firm was short-lived: it lasted for only all of 11 months. Still, the seed had already been planted, and that brief misstep played a crucial role into molding me into the runner - the person - that I am today.

And so, I left the small firm and embarked on my first stint as an in-house attorney. After toiling in law firms for close to a decade, I felt that it was time to move on and explore a different side of law practice. In March 2010, I took the position of regional commercial counsel for a US-headquartered multinational company. In this role, I provide commercial legal support to the Asia-Pacific operations of a Fortune 75 company. The ride has been awesome thus far, and I can confidently say that moving to this job has been one of the best professional decisions I have ever made. What makes the whole thing much sweeter is, my schedule has allowed me to take my running to a whole new level. The numbers don't lie: since switching jobs in March 2010, I have completed eight full marathons and seven ultramarathons, including the Bataan Death March 102k Ultramarathon. And I'm not even done yet, because six weeks from now, I will be running the New York Marathon. What's good about my current job is, it offers me balance.

Lately, however, things have been a lot different. During the past few months, the workload, the day-to-day grind, my life - they have become strikingly similar to the ones I had at... the big firm. I haven't been pushed this hard since my days at the big firm. I resented it at first, but then, I did some soul-searching and have come to the realization that I am not getting any younger. If I want to get to where I want to go, things cannot and will not be easy. Too bad for me that the only thing I'm good at is lawyering.

Now, let me fast-forward this a bit. After some consultations, an exchange of emails, and a lunch meeting last week, I have before me a standing offer to re-join the big firm. I'm not going to lie - this turn of events has gotten me extremely excited. At the same time though, I am also scared shitless. I still have not forgotten why I left the big firm almost three years ago. Do I want to go through that all over again, perhaps for the rest of my legal career? It's worth considering because, while my current work might take me where I want to go, a return to the big firm will provide a surer path.

If I return to the big firm, this much is certain: the runs will be few and far between. During my previous stint there, I had to content myself with one-hour work-outs on a treadmill during lunch break. Some might find it absurd, or even downright stupid, that I even think of running at this juncture, when I am on the brink of making a decision that could very well secure my and my family's future. Well, they just don't get it, and I don't need to explain anything.

The big firm has given me until mid-November to clear my mind, sort things out, and make a decision. During the discussions, nothing was sugar-coated, and I was told that life at the big firm hasn't changed one bit. The hours are still long, the pressure is still tremendous, and the stress is constant. If I decide to return, I can re-join the big firm in January 2012. Perfect timing, it seems. BDM 160 - my first attempt at a hundred-miler - could very well be my last hurrah. Finish it, and I go out in style. And then I can go back to busting treadmills. C'est la vie.

In the Heat of the Moment

2011-08-23T02:53:00.000+08:00

What I have come to love about ultras is that each run inevitably presents a different challenge. For instance, during BDM 102, it was the sheer enormity of the task at hand. At Mayon 360, it was the unsupported run. At Fort Magsaysay, it was the hills. And the list continues to grow, because at the Western Pangasinan 65K Run last Saturday, it was something else yet again. It was the heat.

I left Pasig at 10:30 p.m. of Friday. I had been told that I should make it to Bolinao by 2:30 a.m., latest. A single missed turn in Camiling, however, turned what was supposed to be just a four-hour drive into a six-hour Tour of Pangasinan, and I made it to Coco's Resort with barely 30 minutes left before ~~gun~~ cow bell start. So, this was how it was going to be: I would run 65 kilometers immediately after a six-hour car ride and with zero sleep. Bring it on.

The run commenced five minutes ahead of the announced 5 a.m. start. We filed out of the resort as the first few rays of the sun gave the sky an almost surreal grayish orange glow. Daybreak was upon us, and the early morning chill gave no one the faintest idea of what was ahead. The plan was to run-walk at a 20:5 proportion, at 8:30 mins/km, for the first 40 kilometers, and then adjust as may be necessary from Kilometer 41 onwards. I ran by feel, and I was doing a relaxed pace that I have grown accustomed to for longer runs.

By 6:30 a.m., the sun was already lording it over the cloudless Pangasinan sky. And I thought the sun came out too early back during Fort Magsaysay. That the route was an endless asphalt highway with hardly a tall tree to create any shade only served to raise the degree of difficulty a couple of notches higher. The common conversation topic among us runners as we passed each other was, how insane the heat was. And it only got worse as the day wore on. For the first 30 kilometers, I was able to get by with going in for a pit stop every five kilometers. By around 9:30 a.m., that interval was no longer realistic, and I asked my support vehicle to leap-frog me by only three kilometers at a time, or else I might pass out.

Believe me when I say that it was hot as hell. It was unlike anything else that I had ever experienced. During my rest breaks, as I stepped into the shade, it felt as though my skin was burning. I neutralized the heat by regularly dousing my head and nape with ice water, slipping ice cubes under my compression top and shorts, sticking ice under my armpits, and running a cold towel across my face, arms, and legs. Except for dousing myself with water, I never had to do any of these during BDM or any of my previous ultras. I brought five bags of tube ice from Manila, and yet, by 10 a.m., I already had to instruct my driver to buy more ice because our supply was running low. That should give you an idea of how much ice I consumed, and how badly I needed to cool off.

On my way out of Bolinao, around 7:30 a.m.

I persisted despite the heat because I generally felt great. But something strange happened at Kilometer 43, where I noticed that my hands felt numb. By that time, I think I had already been running for close to six hours, with four and-a-half under the sweltering heat. I put down my hand-held hydration bottle and looked at my hands, and for the first time, I noticed how bloated and puffy they had become. My hands had gotten so fat that I could not even remove my wedding band from my left ring finger. I also noticed that I wasn't sweating at all, and that my stomach felt bloated as well. What immediately came to mind was Jonel Mendoza's ordeal during BDM 160, and it scared the living crap out of me. I didn't think it was the onset of hypernatremia because I had only been taking water and 330 ml of Pocari every 10 kilometers, and I wasn't taking salt sticks. I also didn't think it was dehydration because I was hydrating properly, if not actually a bit too much. I had no idea what the hell was going on, so I got my phone from the car and called my good friends Din and Carrie Cordero. Carrie is a registered nurse and a runner as well, so I figured she would know what to do.

Fun in the sun

I didn't want to slow down too much, so I still walked briskly under the scorching sun as Carrie asked me some questions to find out what condition I was in. In the end, she advised me to be very alert and to quit if I notice that the bloating is worsening. And so, I went on. Still, at the back of my mind, I was already toying with the idea of calling Sir Jovie to tell him that I was dropping out. Thoughts of what would have been my first ever DNF swirled in my head. But I was making good time, and except for my bloated hands and the heat, I was feeling great. And so, I decided to go on. As a precaution, I asked my support vehicle to trail (but not shadow) rather than leap-frog me. I tried running at a faster pace in the hope that I would work up a sweat. That worked a little. I also tried forcing myself into taking a leak a couple of times. Now, that one didn't turn out very well. During each attempt, the discharge was deep yellow in color and didn't add up to more than a few drops. It also felt very warm and caused a sharp, burning sensation.

With my hands bloated and the difficulty I had with urinating, I didn't know what the hell to think. Was I dehydrated or was I over-hydrated? I wasn't really sure what it was anymore, but a couple of things were certain: my legs still felt great, and I was on pace to reach Kilometer 50 in less than eight hours. I made a pit stop, allowed myself to cool off, downed a can of Mountain Dew, and I was on my way. I resolved to ride the thing for as long as I could, but would stop at the first sign of bigger trouble.

So, off I went. I hit Kilometer 50 in about seven hours and 40 minutes - 20 minutes faster than I did at BDM. At around noon, the running gods finally showed us some mercy. Rain clouds started to form and began covering the sky. It was as though someone pulled the plug on the sun. Freed from the shackles of the stifling heat, I was able to run for longer stretches, buoyed by the prospect of a sub-10 finish. With my second wind upon me, I again began hitting a 7-7:30 pace. I passed a number of runners during this stretch. As I reached the zig-zagging portion of the highway somewhere at Kilometer 59, it became apparent that most of the remainder of the route would be going downhill. From out of my weary legs, I was able to squeeze a two-kilometer stretch of running at a 6:15 pace. And along the way, I passed four more runners.

I crossed the finished line in the town of Sual to the sound of sparse applause and the clanging of Sir Jovie's now-famous cow bell. Nine hours and 58 minutes after I left Bolinao, I completed the PAU Western Pangasinan 65K Ultra. Check out the look on my face as BR informed me that I was Finisher No. 29:

This is, by far, my best performance in an ultra to date.

For my effort, I received another shiny and huge-ass PAU medal. It just NEVER gets old. Only in PAU races.

As BR shook my hand and awarded me my medal, he noticed that I was warm and that I wasn't sweating. He suggested that I get an ice bath right away, and so I had to improvise and did just that. I used up almost the entire contents of my Coleman ice chest. It helped a great deal. During the drive home, I had chills and had to turn the A/C off. And then, out of sheer exhaustion, I blacked out and fell into a very deep sleep. It was the first time I had a shut-eye since I slept Thursday evening. After about an hour or so, I was awakened by a full bladder. Through out the entire stretch of the SCTEX, we had to pull over four times just so I could bless the grass lining the SCTEX shoulder. Four times in a 30-minute span, after having gone just twice in the last eleven hours. And each one of the four seemed to go on forever! As my body finally succeeded in ridding itself of all the excess fluid, I noticed that my bloated hands gradually returned to their normal size. I made it out of Western Pangasinan alive and kicking.

For now, I will rest and recover for a few days. I can't take too long, though, because the PAU Tagaytay to Nasugbu 50k run is just a little over three weeks away. I have to get back on the road soon, and, trust me - I will do just that.

New York In The Distance

2011-08-12T01:54:00.003+08:00

The New York Marathon is barely three months away, and I am in the midst of making logistical arrangements for the trip. The main priority is lodging, and I am very fortunate that this has already been taken care of. It so happens that Bam has an uncle who lives in Staten Island. Walking distance from the starting line, to be precise. Talk about luck. So, on marathon morning, I will wake up, have breakfast, head out the door, and walk to the starting line. How's that for convenience? I have heard and read stories about how difficult it could be to get to the starting line, so this definitely erases a lot of potential hassles.

The second lucky break came in the form of very good friends who recently moved into their newly-purchased Manhattan apartment... right in the vicinity of Central Park. As fate would have it, their place is just couple of blocks away from the finish line. We'll be staying with them from the 6th until we fly out to Florida on the 9th. Another problem solved - no commuting after the marathon. And no hotel expenses, too. With a little help from my friends.

We've also already started looking for flights to New York. We plan to arrive in NYC on the morning of November 4th - two full days before marathon day. That will leave me with enough time to pick up my race pack and visit the marathon expo to pick up some cold weather gear.

Training-wise, I have no qualms about admitting that I am not doing anything special at all. Marathons, ultras, and weekday runs in between. No specialized training. No speed work-outs. I'm just enjoying my runs. There will be no attempt whatsoever to set a marathon PR in New York, and I plan to make a 42-kilometer fun run out of it. If I cross the finish line under 6 hours, I'll be fine. I will walk home in my finisher's shirt, with a medal dangling around my neck and a smile plastered on my face.

It might not sound like it, but I am not yet overly excited about the marathon. While I am looking forward to the trip and spending time (and getting drunk!) with friends and family, for some reason, I haven't really been giving the marathon itself that much thought. As a matter of fact, I am more worked up over the PAU Bolinao to Sual (Pangasinan) 65K Ultra Marathon, which is just a week away. Maybe it just hasn't completely sunk in yet that I will be running THE ING New York City Marathon. I'm sure I'll get there as marathon day draws nearer.

Three Runs and a Birthday

2011-08-01T00:24:00.008+08:00

Three runs and a birthday. That just about sums up the highlights of my five-week hiatus from keeping this blog updated. So now you know. Just because I don't blog doesn't mean I don't run.

June 26: Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2011

The last time I wrote an entry, I was in a hotel room in Kuala Lumpur, recovering from a spirited but thoroughly disappointing showing at the 2011 KL Standard Chartered Marathon. Hubris was the word of the day, and in Malaysia, I learned quite a few of things about myself as a distance runner. Emboldened by the KL route's reputation as a flat PR course, I thought I was already strong enough to nail a 4:20. That would have meant chopping off 15 minutes from my current personal best of 4:35 (Condura, February 2011). And I brazenly went after it, too. With only mileage build-up and no speed training to hang my hat on, I opened with splits of better than 6:15 mins/km. Heck, I even did a few kilometers under 6 minutes. The route was as good as advertised, and I kept the thing going until Kilometer 30. After that, everything went downhill - figuratively, that is. I ran head first into the wall at Kilometer 31, and survived the last 11 Kilometers via random turns of running and walking. Alright, it was mostly walking. As proof of my fine start, I still had a chance at a sub-5 finish up until Kilometer 40. It was not meant to be, though, and I finally made it back to the finish line at Dataran Merdeka after five hours and seven minutes.

The 5:07 notwithstanding, I enjoyed the KL Marathon immensely. As a matter of fact, I enjoyed KL more than I did the Singapore Marathon, and I'll very likely do KL again next year. Sorry, no pics. I ran alone and do not want to over-pay to buy some off of Marathon Photos. No Garmin stats, either. Having a hard time transferring info from my 310XT to my notebook.

July 16: PAU Fort Magsaysay 60k Ultra Marathon

Three weeks after KL, I was standing behind the starting line of the Fort Magsaysay 60k Ultra Marathon. This was the second offering of the Philippine Association of Ultrarunners (PAU) for 2011. I ran with my friend Din Cordero, and our support vehicle was very capably manned by our driver Mang Laynes (who also drove my support vehicle at BDM - so he does know his ultra support stuff), and Din's indefatigable wife Carrie. The route went from Fort Magsaysay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, all the way to Dingalan, Aurora. Let me say this about the Fort Magsaysay Ultra: If boxing has a pound-for-pound champ, Fort Magsaysay has got to be, kilometer-for-kilometer, the toughest local road ultra run. The route was mostly concrete, not asphalt, so harder on the knees and legs. Practically the entire route went uphill, and at a couple of points, the elevation reached nearly 1,000 feet. It was also extraordinarily hot that day, and the sun was already out full-blast at 7 a.m. Along the route, I had chats with fellow 2011 BDM 102 veterans, and we all agreed that it was not that hot when we did BDM.

Din and I were going for a sub-9 finish, but our hopes were dashed by the second highest climb that came during the last five kilometers. It was also unfortunate that Din's shin started bothering him somewhere along Kilometer 50. Still, I would have to say we finished strong. I was able to salvage a sub-10 finish (9:43:54) - good enough for 62nd out of 101 official finishers - while Din was just a few minutes behind at 10:01:32 (67th place). For our efforts, we each came away with a cotton finisher's shirt, a huge-ass medal that showed our finishing rank (typical Bald Runner), breath-taking sights, and memories that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. A few pictures from that awesome run:

Posing before the 5 a.m gun start

Break of day

Yapping away

Long way back, long way to go

Coming in for a pit stop, somewhere in Laur

Check out the green backdrop

At the finish line with BR

Taking a breather before the drive back to Manila

July 21: Happy 36th Birthday to Me

A year older, and I'd like to believe also a year wiser, a year stronger. The best birthday gift I received this year? Check out this adizero Tempo and New York Marathon-themed birthday cake that my wife Bam surprised me with. Sweet!

July 31: 35th Milo National Marathon (Manila Eliminations)

Just two weeks after the Fort Magsaysay 60k Ultra, Din and I were at it again, this time at the 35th Milo National Marathon (Manila Eliminations). The plan was to run Milo at an easy ultra marathon pace. Neither Din nor I planned to chase personal bests, and we simply wanted to use this marathon as a training run that will form part of our build-up for the longer runs and ultras ahead. A sub-5 would be nice, we both agreed, but we weren't going to kill ourselves chasing it. Another reason why we had to conserve our energy was because we wanted to do another eight kilometers after we cross the finish line, so that we'd end the day with an even 50 Kilometers. Milo + 8k = Ultra Milo. Yummy.

I'm no longer hot about joining races in the city, but I joined Milo because I've never done the MOA-Roxas Boulevard-Buendia-Fort-Back route before. What's more, it was a chance to do another "supported" LSD. That it was raining for most of the run - my first full marathon under the rain - gave the race another unique twist. I was concerned, however, about my back. I was having lower back spasms just a couple of days back, and up until Saturday evening, I wasn't sure that my body was at 100%. I actually sent Din a message over BBM that at the first sign of trouble, I wouldn't hesitate to drop out and log a DNF. I ended up running with a stabbing pain in my lower back for most of the race, but thanks to two Ibuprofen capsules taken at Kilometer 23, the ordeal became bearable. Goodbye, Ultra Milo.

With Din suffering through a recurrence of shin splints and me battling back spasms, we weren't able to sustain our sub-5 pace and instead aimed for a modest 5:15. By Kilometer 39, though, I told Din to go ahead because my condition no longer allowed me to jog for more than a few meters at a time. Din went ahead and crossed the finish line at 5:21:36, and I made it barely two minutes later at 5:23:09. After bringing my time down for each of my first six marathons, my time has gone up in both my seventh and eighth. This would likely be my last Milo Marathon, as Condura is the only Metro Manila marathon that I will consider joining going forward.

* * *

The past five weeks have been a blast, but I can't help but get even more excited about the days ahead. Next up are the PAU Bolinao to Sual (Pangasinan) 65k Ultra Marathon on August 20, and the Tagaytay to Nasugbu 50k Ultra Run on September 17. For October, there are talks of a 70k ultra from Bacolod to San Carlos City, and November has the New York Marathon. And hey - don't even get me started about next year!

Perfect Ending

2011-06-26T23:47:00.001+08:00

For the fourth straight week, I was able to meet (actually, exceed - by two kilometers) my target mileage. I'm not about to give myself a pat on the back, though. I aimed for 60 Kilometers this week, inclusive of my participation in the Kuala Lumpur Marathon. With the 42 Kilometers already in my pocket, getting at least another 18 was a cinch. I could have gone for at least 80 to 85 this week, but I held back because I do not want to risk sustaining any fatigue-related injuries now, not with my next ultra just three weeks away.

A quick look at how the past week went:

Monday, 20 June: Rest day.

Tuesday, 21 June: 10-Kilometer run completed in 1:07. Complete stats are in my Garmin F305, which I left in Manila.

Wednesday, 22 June: Rest day.

Thursday, 23 June: 10-Kilometer run completed in 1:09. Complete stats are in my Garmin F305, which I left in Manila. Pounded the ULTRA track while Typhoon Falcon was pounding the metro.

Friday: 24 June: Rest day.

Saturday 25 June: Rest day. Flew to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with my wife Bam. Claimed my race pack for the Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon.

Sunday, 26 June: Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon completed in 5:07:17 (Garmin time) at an average pace of 7:13 mins./km. An immensely enjoyable run. It felt good to stand behind the starting line once again. My shins, which had been giving me some problems of late, held up nicely. Separate post to follow.

I am thinking of cutting back a bit on my mileage this week to allow my body to recover fully. I will probably shoot for just 40 to 50 Kilometers this week, spread over five days of running, with no run exceeding 15 Kilometers. With the way the past four weeks have gone - 92, 60, 75, and 62 Kilometers - I think I can use a bit of down time.

I am posting this summary from the comforts of our hotel room in KL, with the Petronas Twin Towers gleaming right outside our window. It truly is a sight to behold. We'll be here for a couple of days more, to take in some much-needed. And then on Wednesday, it's back to the grind.

Inspiration Found

2011-06-21T22:45:00.009+08:00

I am and have always been a fan of good and insightful writing. I always get a high from reading works written in simple and coherent prose, whose words are carefully chosen and exude an air of unmistakeable sincerity. Those gems really drive the point home and always - always - inspire me.

If you appreciate that sort of writing as much as I do, you might want to check out Dakota Jones' blog, Living the Dream, one of these days. Dakota is an American ultrarunner, a young up-and-comer (he's only in his early 20s) that is starting to make a huge name for himself in the US ultrarunning scene. I stumbled upon his blog one day as I was clicking the links on Bald Runner's blog roll. I have been hooked ever since and I always look forward to his next post.

Check out Dakota's entry entitled "Revitalized." Very insightful stuff that captured a lot of the thoughts that had been swirling in my head but which I have been unable to express with enough clarity. His race account for the recently-concluded Miwok 100 is also a very inspiring piece. The sort of stuff that you ought to read the night before a big race.

I went searching for inspiration, and I think I may have just found it in the writings of an enormously gifted young runner from half-way around the globe.

Speed Can Wait

2011-06-20T22:01:00.001+08:00

Five more days to the Kuala Lumpur Marathon, five more days to my longest run since that 50-miler nearly 11 weeks ago. Now that KL is just around the corner, I finally feel a little anticipation welling inside me - sort of. I still find it odd that I am not too worked up over my next marathon, especially considering that it will be held in a country that I will be setting my foot on for the very first time. I will even confess that, over the weekend, my wife Bam and I seriously considered cancelling the trip altogether. As it turns out, neither she nor I have been too hot about seeing KL, after all. But hey, the trip will push through, the show will go on.

Speaking of going on, one thing that has been going on is my preparation for the Philippine Association of Ultrarunners (PAU) Fort Magsaysay 60k Ultramarathon, which will be held on July 16 in Nueva Ecija. For the third straight week, I was able to meet (actually, exceed) my mileage target, with 75 Kilometers ran during the week of 13 to 19 June. I did all my runs at my usual ultramarathon pace. But really, that's just a fancy-sounding way of saying that I ran at a shamelessly slow pace. The Galloway walk breaks also made a comeback of sorts, as I re-incorporated walk breaks in my daily runs. My main accomplishment for the past week was getting my body re-accustomed to the grind of running almost everyday.

A summary of how the week went:

Monday, 13 June: 15-Kilometer run completed in 2:04:25 at an average pace of 8:17 mins/km. Splits were 8:36, 7:36, 7:28, 7:57, 8:27, 7:57, 8:38, 8:36, 8:01, 7:25, 8:15, 8:20, 8:05, 9:55, and 9:02. I felt good all through out the run. Not bad at all, considering that I did 20 Kilometers just the previous night.

Tuesday, 14 June: Rest day. I attended my sister's birthday dinner. Stuffed myself silly with Peking duck cooked two ways, but only to motivate myself to run my ass off for the rest of the week. Yeah right.

Wednesday, 15 June: 15-Kilometer run completed in 2:01:22 at an average pace of 8:05 mins/km. Splits were 8;39, 7:00, 7:35, 7:31, 8:31, 7:41, 8:32, 7:52, 8:54, 8:04, 7:48, 8:23, 7:29, 8:58, and 8:20. No effort whatsoever to pick up the pace.

Thursday, 16 June: 17-Kilometer run completed in 2:20:02 at an average pace of 8:22 mins/km. Splits were 8:45, 7:59, 7:30, 7:38, 8:39, 7:39, 8:41, 7:42, 8:33, 7:33, 8:31, 8:12, 8:38, 8:53, 8:10, 8:52, and 10:54 for the last kilometer, which I walked. I wanted to do 20 Kilometers, but I was already starving and suffering through a splitting headache by Kilometer 17. I should have taken a heavier a snack before the run.

Friday, 17 June: 15-Kilometer run completed in 2:06:19 at an average pace of 8:21 mins/km. Splits were 8:22, 9:10, 7:56, 7:39, 8:31, 7:23, 8:11, 7:46, 7:47, 8:16, 7:10, 9:40, 7:36, 9:26, and 11:28 for the last kilometer, which I once again walked. I felt really tired after this run, probably an effect of the heavy mileage that I have been logging for the past three weeks. No serious issues, though, and I knew I would feel better with a full night's rest.

Saturday, 18 June: 13-Kilometer run completed in 1:44:06 at an average pace of 7:59 mins/km. Splits were 8:06, 7:50, 8:38, 8:37, 7:18, 7:41, 6:58, 8:17, 7:41, 8:15, 9:18, 7:17, and 7:34. Surprisingly, I felt strong after this run. Must have been the rain. I was tempted to stretch the run to 15 Kilometers, but my wife and I were meeting some friends for dinner. Definitely felt strong all the way.

Sunday, 19 June: Father's Day was also a rest day. Some things, such as running, will always have to give way to more important things, such as family. A Son Never Forgets.

All told, it was a very satisfying week. My daily runs are becoming longer in terms of both distance and duration, and I am once again becoming comfortable - both physically and mentally - with spending hours upon hours on my feet. Good ultra training. I know that I will eventually have to throw a bit of speed work into the mix, but that will have to wait as I simply am enjoying these easy runs at the moment. And it's all good, because I am making good progress without burning myself out.

With a full marathon scheduled for the coming weekend, I am tempted to experiment and go for at least 85 Kilometers this week. Unfortunately, this might not be the best time to risk sustaining an injury, what with a highly-anticipated ultra set to happen in a few weeks. I will play it smart and aim for 60 Kilometers instead.

A Change of Pace

2011-06-15T21:43:00.011+08:00

The Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon - my seventh full marathon not counting ultras - is less than two weeks away. I must admit that I am cramming for this one, and come race day, I am hoping that stock knowledge will see me through. As far as I can recall, this will be the first marathon where I will not be putting pressure on myself to finish with a personal best time. For my first six marathons, the goal had always been to improve in measurable terms. Said differently, the goal had always been to finish faster. And I had been rather successful, too, as my finish time improved from one marathon to the next. During my maiden marathon back in February 2010, I finished in 5:42. It was a hellish experience that almost made me give up on marathons altogether. But I persevered, and somehow, I was able to bring that time down to 4:35 by February 2011.

The improvement has been painstakingly slow, to be sure, but the journey has truly been one big joy ride. What did I do to chop off more than a full hour off my marathon finish time? Simple: I trained for an ultra marathon. I incorporated full marathons into my training and treated them as long training runs. Obviously, it worked. My marathon times went down and I finished my ultra. It's not rocket science and it's a proven formula, that's why I'm doing it again. And so, the coming weeks will be quite busy: KL Marathon on June 26, a 60-Kilometer ultra in Nueva Ecija on July 16, the Milo Marathon on July 31, and then a 68-Kilometer ultra on August 20. I'm sure I will be signing up for other races in September and October, and then there will be the New York Marathon in November. All these races, and that's telling only half the story. The real goal is to run - and finish - my first 100-miler in January 2012. Hopefully, I'll get there, one road race at a time.

But for now, there is Kuala Lumpur to worry about. My goal had originally been to finish in 4:20. After all, it has been said that the KL route is a PR course. Unfortunately, the painful truth is, I am not prepared to chase a personal record right now. Barring any fortuitous event, I will finish, without a doubt. But a 4:20? Impossible - for now. For the third week running (pun intended, as always), I have been training to run long and far, but not fast. I am anything but fast right now. Just check my previous posts. And so, the goal for KL has been scaled down. Tremendously, as a matter of fact. I just want to finish KL in one piece, take in the sights, add another marathon to my race log, and get stronger for the longer races ahead. And of course, I should have fun doing it. After all, it will be my first time in Malaysia.

Come From Behind

2011-06-12T22:39:00.004+08:00

For the second straight week, I stuck with the program and achieved my target mileage. After doing 92 Kilometers last week to formally bust out of hibernation, I aimed for a more conservative 60 to 65 kilometers for the week of 6 to 12 June. I started off on the wrong foot and opened the week with not just one, but two missed runs, but quickly got back on track via that glorious 15-Kilometer run last Wednesday. The week ended with today's 20-Kilometer easy run that gave me a total of 60 Kilometers for the week. All in all, it was a good week, and I am again getting used to running almost daily.

A quick glance at the week that was:

Monday, 6 June: Work forced me to ditch my planned 5-Kilometer recovery run. That, and my body also craved a day off from running.

Tuesday, 7 June: Second straight "runless" day. Some of our company's global officers - including one of our biggest guns - were in town, and I took them out for dinner and a couple of drinks. The couple of drinks were followed by a couple more, and then a couple more, and then a couple more, and then a couple more, and then a cou... oh, you get the idea. To cut a long story short, I got piss drunk. Not cool.

Wednesday, 8 June: 15-Kilometer Hangover Run completed in 1:50:10 at an average pace of 7:18 mins/km. Splits were 7:46, 6:31, 6:48, 6:37, 6:40, 7:01, 6:38, 5:58, 6:12, 6:15, 9:45, 7:32, 9:00, 8:13, and 8:16. Notice that I picked up the pace from Kilometers 2 to 10. I wanted to check if I could still run at a pace that's a bit faster than ultra pace, and I think I did a decent job. I enjoyed this particular run immensely, so much so that it served as the inspiration for my previous post.

Thursday, 9 June: 13.5-Kilometer run completed in 1:36:15 at an average pace of 7:07 mins/km. Splits were 7:04, 7:23, 7:19, 6:54, 6:47, 6:25, 6:27, 6:23, 6:23, 6:08, 7:23, 7:42, 7:13, and 12:34 for the last 500 meters, which I walked. I wanted to go for 15 Kilometers but it was getting late, and I had work to do. Again, a portion of the run (Kilometers 4 to 10) was done at a pace that is relatively faster than my usual pace nowadays.

Friday, 10 June: 11.5-Kilometer run completed in 1:18:09 at an average pace of 6:47 mins/km. Splits were 8:01, 6:48, 6:01, 5:57, 6:02, 7:17, 6:52, 6:46, 6:50, 6:30, 6:51, and 8:10 for the last 500 meters, which I again walked. After three days, my total stood at 40 Kilometers. I was able to make up for my missed runs earlier in the week by increasing my mileage for the past three days (I had originally planned to do only 10-Kilometer runs). This set me up nicely for my planned 20-kilometer weekend run.

Saturday, 11 June: Rest day. The highlight of the day was a yakiniku buffet dinner with my family to celebrate my mom's birthday. The fat, cholesterol, and sugar intake left me with no choice but to do that long-ish run the following day.

Sunday, 12 June: I came thiiiiis close to giving up on today's run. Last night's family dinner was followed by drinks with friends that lasted until 4 a.m. I got up at 10 a.m., drank buckets of water, went back to bed, and woke up for lunch at 12:30. I spent the rest of the afternoon getting a haircut and watching my Ateneo Blue Eagles beat the living hell out of the San Beda Red Lions. The game ended well past 5 p.m., and I was simply in no mood to run. Too late to do 20, I was convinced. And then, my conscience went to work, and I asked myself this: Does this week really deserve to end this way? Does my hard-fought 92-Kilometer week deserve to be followed by a 40-Kilometer let-down? Ah, rhetorical questions. Don't you just love them?

Within a few minutes, I was dressed for a run and determined to meet my number. The Ultra oval was closed, so I resolved to instead do five laps around my four-kilometer Valle Verde route. That meant that I would have to go up St. Martin Street five times. St. Martin is that street between the Ultra complex and Valle Verde Country Club. Very steep. Instant hill repeats. Excellent workout.

I completed 20 Kilometers in 2:40:08 at an average pace of 8:00 mins/km. This run gave me 60 Kilometers for the week. Mission accomplished. They say that the best runs are usually those that you nearly give up on but eventually end up doing and finishing. I must say that I believe that 100%.

Another week of running is upon me and, this early, I am already staring at a couple of challenges. I won't be able to run on Tuesday and Sunday because of family gatherings to celebrate my sister's birthday and Father's Day. That means I will only have five days to run for this week, with no guarantee that I will have time to do a long run. Just the same, I will work with the hand that I have been dealt and go for a 70-Kilometer week.

Heaven is an Oval

2011-06-08T22:30:00.001+08:00

The full version of the title goes like this: "Heaven is Having a Track Oval All to Myself on a Rainy Afternoon."

Work reared its ugly head yet again and kept me off the road the past couple of days. Today was different. I worked from home and made sure to free up a couple of hours in the afternoon to do that which I love. The weather was perfect. I felt the gentle chill as light rain fell from the sky. The elements demanded that I head out for a run. Other days like this would typically find me in the sack, hypnotized by the sound of the rain. Not today.

On this rainy afternoon, I turned to an old friend for company. From the deepest recesses of my shoe closet came my old adidas Supernova Sequence, fairly worn but still highly reliable on days like today. After months of hibernation, it was finally time for the aged warriors to get reacquainted with the surface of the nearby oval.

The 1.3 Kilometer jog from my place to the Ultra complex is always a treat, but today, it was more than that. It was glorious. Amazing what a little rain can do. It was enough to convince me to do 15 Kilometers, five longer than the planned 10. The equation was very simple: 1.3 Kilometers out plus 12.4 Kilometers on the oval plus 1.3 Kilometers back equals an afternoon well-spent.

The cliché that goes "It's worth the price of admission" is a nice way of saying that one got one's money's worth. Whoever made up that line must have been thinking of an afternoon like today's. Thirty-five bucks to get in and run on an old and beaten oval. Fair enough. Only this time, my thirty-five bucks bought me a whole lot more. For on this afternoon, I was the solitary soul that did laps on the tartan track under the pouring rain. For all of one hour, 55 minutes, and 10 seconds, I was the master of my universe

At around 6:30, the loud rugby folks took the field. The silence was no more. The afternoon was nearly spent. As dusk bled into night, I made my last lap around the oval that was made resplendently scarlet by the rain.

On a day like today, it was good to be a runner.

Getting it Back

2011-06-06T01:51:00.008+08:00

I could have have also called this post "Fast Track," or "Kick Start," or maybe even "Force Feed," and each alternative would have been just as appropriate. For the week of 30 May to 5 June - my first week of serious running after two months of rest and sporadic workouts - I logged a total of 92 Kilometers to surpass my original target of 82 Kilometers. Now, I can confidently say that I am back. Boy, I am SO back. My fitness level is close to where I would like it to be (or, at the very least, is somewhere in the vicinity of where it was before I went on break). My lungs, knees, and feet apparently still remember how to perform for hours upon hours. In a nutshell, it's all good.

This was how the week went:

Monday, 30 May: My first day back at work. 10-kilometer run completed in 1:12:52 at an average pace of 7:16 mins/km. Splits were 7:59, 7:29, 7:02, 6:46, 6:51, 7:23, 7:21, 7:18, 7:43, and 6:44. Not bad.

Tuesday, 31 May: 10-Kilometer run completed in 1:19:20 at an average pace of 7:51 mins/km. Splits were 8:03, 7:23, 7:35, 7:32, 7:32, 7:44, 7:42, 7:51, 8:13, and 8:37. Slow but sure.

Wednesday, 1 June: 10-Kilometer run completed in 1:14:28 at an average pace of 7:26 mins/km. Splits were 8:36, 6:57, 7:28, 7:17, 7:09, 7:18, 7:40, 7:12, 7:14, and 7:35. Uhm, what does Fartlek mean?

Thursday, 2 June: 15-Kilometer run completed in 2:05:00 at an average pace of 8:18 mins/km. Splits were 8:01, 7:23, 7:09, 7:13, 8:28, 7:54, 7:41, 6:30, 6:14, 6:54, 9:47, 10:09, 10:24, 9:55, and 10:42. This was my longest run since the Mayon 360 50-Miler back in April. I was a wreck after this run and I actually ended up walking the last five kilometers. Not disheartening at all, because my goal was simply to spend at least two hours on my feet. Mission accomplished.

Friday, 3 June: 10-Kilometer run completed in 1:14:28 at an average pace of 7:26 mins/km. Splits were 8:33, 7:25, 7:35, 7:16, 7:12, 7:37, 7:17, 7:09, 7:17, and 8:19. Same old, same old.

Saturday, 4 June: Rest day. Loaded up on carbs - including beer(!?!) - for the following day's LSD run. Registered for the PAU Fort Magsaysay 60K Ultra (set for July 25 - four days after I turn 36!).

Sunday, 5 June: The big one. I went on a long run with my friend Din Cordero. Din recently completed his first full marathon at theTBR Dream Marathon, is preparing for his first ultra (the Nuvali Trail 50k during the last week of June), and is eyeing BDM 102 next year. This dude trains like a horse and his improvement has been rapid and remarkable. A minimalist runner, he promptly hit a sub-5 at TBR in his VFF Bikila. This time around, he tried out his new VFF trail running shoes (sorry, forgot the model's name). We started at 2 pm to get some heat training in. The route spanned my BDM secret training ground: Valle Verde 2 - St.Martin/ULTRA - Julia Vargas - Tiendesitas - C-5 - Green Meadows - Temple Drive - Corinthians/EDSA Monument - White Plains - Ateneo Campus - Katipunan - UP Campus - back. Very challenging, rolling route that featured a lot of inclines from end to end. We did it Galloway-style and used a 20:5 run-walk ratio, the same ratio that I used for Mayon (where I finished 80 kilometers in 12:45). We covered a grand total of close to 37 kilometers in 5:02:00 at an average pace of 8:18, inclusive of walk breaks. For the run segments, we averaged 7:00 to 7:30 mins/km. We flirted with the idea of extending the run to 40 kilometers but ended up ditching the plan eventually, because it was already getting late. Still, this was easily Din's longest training run to date.

After our run, Din immediately BBMed his wife Carrie to report: mission accomplished. I told him that, what he should instead tell Carrie is this: Mission accomplished, with still a lot left in the tank. That was exactly how I felt. Yes, I was tired and my legs were sore, but I felt like I could have gone for maybe seven to 10 kilometers more but likely at a reduced pace. In short, the run was a success. I was on my feet for five hours (six if we include the pit stops), and I finished without any issues. I did suffer a splitting headache during the latter part of the run (which might have been hunger-induced), but other than that, it was all good. I wanted to jump start my training, and after the week that was, I was able to do just that.

Tonight after work, I will go on a very easy 5-kilometer recovery run. The goal for the week is a scaled-down 60 to 65 kilometers, with a 20-kilometer run at LSD pace on Sunday. It is comforting to know that after two months of very little activity, I did not give back whatever gains I realized during the course of my BDM and Mayon training. At the risk of sounding cocky, I will dare say that maybe I have already gotten to a point where I can "turn it on" when I have to, when I want to. And that, my friends, is a sign of progress.

The miles are piling up and the words are flowing. Oh, yes. I am so back.

With a Sense of Purpose

2011-06-02T00:32:00.006+08:00

That was how I jumped back into training a couple of days ago, after a couple of months of down time.

Alright, maybe it still isn't quite as rigid and structured as the word "training" would suggest, but considering where I had been during the months of April and May, it really is not a stretch. Three straight days of running. Not of the ultra variety, but just three easy-paced 10-kilometer runs. For others out there, it is nothing to get too excited about. But for me? The last three days have been nothing but solid. The last time I had work-outs like the ones I had the last three days was when I was preparing for BDM.

"Focus" is the buzz word for me these days, as far as my running is concerned. After eight weeks of kicking back and drifting aimlessly, I am again working towards a goal. Having completed the 2011 BDM 102 in less than 18 hours, I hope to be invited to the big dance in 2012: the Bataan Death March 160k Ultra Marathon. BDM 160 is the race that will separate the men from the boys, and I hope to be good and ready in case Bald Runner comes calling. Trust me, it is never difficult to get up for a shot at personal history, or perhaps, even self-discovery.

The road to what hopefully will be my first 100-miler is long, yet it is filled with opportunities for me to improve. There will be marathons. There will be ultras. There will be weekend LSDs. And then, there will be the weekday runs in between. It's always easy to get psyched for a race, but I have always maintained that the short weekday runs are the ones that really forge discipline in a runner. Running during weekends is usually easy, but running as the sun sets on yet another stressful day at work? It poses a different challenge altogether.

The target for this week is 82 kilometers, spread over six days of running. Five weekday 10k runs and a 32k LSD on Sunday. I have logged 30 over three days thus far, and I am eager to claim the balance.

My eyes are definitely on the prize.

No Explanations

2011-05-28T01:54:00.003+08:00

I started joining road races back in 2009. My very first was the Kenny Rogers Urbanite Run, where I ran 15 kilometers. Urbanite happend some time in August '09, and for the remainder of that year, I went on to do six more races. Five were staged in Metro Manila (i.e, the Fort, McKinley Hill, Makati CBD), and only one was staged out-of town (Subic). Back then, I did not really care where I ran. For as long as I had a race to run, my weekend was made and I was happy.

In 2010, I ran a total of 14 races, and had a DNS in one. Of those 14, 12 were in Metro Manila. Of the 12, nine were held at the Fort, or had a portion of the route go through the Fort. Of the two that were held outside the Metro, one was held out-of-town (CamSur), and the other was held out of the country (Singapore).

The CamSur race - my third full marathon - started the fire. I was never the same after CamSur. All of a sudden, I was no longer hot about racing at the Fort or the Makati CBD. And so, as 2011 rolled in, I found myself joining even fewer Manila races. The addiction was further fueled by my new-found interest in ultra distance running. And so, my race log for 2011 looks like this: a marathon in Cebu, three ultras in Bataan and Pampanga (BDM and the two test runs), and then another ultra in Albay. Only one Manila race thus far - Condura. Next up is a marathon in Kuala Lumpur, an ultra in Nueva Ecija, and then that huge marathon in New York later in the year. Only one other Manila race on my radar as of this writing - Milo.

It's mind-boggling how much my running horizon has expanded (literally!) in such a short span of time. A number of non-running friends and acquaintances are amazed at the amount of time, resources, and effort that I invest in doing what I do - all for the love of an activity that they perceive as boring. All for the sake of joining races that I could never win. And then, they ask, "Why?" Once in a while, I go through lucid intervals and attempt to supply an explanation, provide some rhyme and reason, for what they term as "madness." Each time I do that, I do so knowing that, while some of them will probably get it, a lot of them very likely won't. And so, more often than not, I just keep my mouth shut. After all, I don't have to explain anything. This is the path that I have chosen. This is what I have become. This is my passion.

So, the next time someone asks me why I do what I do, maybe I will just say this:

"Wait 'til I start hitting the trails."

Catching Up

2011-05-21T01:05:00.007+08:00

It's good to be back. It has been almost a month since my last entry, and even that was not really an entry. It was more like "posting for the sake of posting." I succumb to that every so often.

What have I been up to lately? From a running "perspective," not much. I did luck out and made it to the 2011 ING New York City Marathon via the lottery. On my first try at that, so VERY lucky indeed. Other than that, my running has been relatively stagnant. My last two races had been the BDM 102k last March and the Mayon 360 50-Miler last April (damn I miss them ultras!), and after those, nada. After Mayon, I went on a two-week break from running to let my aching shins heal. The hiatus was followed by two weeks of every-other-day 10-kilometer runs. I was starting to get my groove back when everything came to a grinding halt once again as I had to spend a week in China on work-related travel. China was all meetings, eating, and drinking. There was even quite a bit of smoking. But, there absolutely was no running (I did bring a set of running clothes - just in case). And since I don't cross-train, no running meant no exercise, which, in turn, meant plus four pounds. Nice.

This week, my conscience ate me up and I finally communed with the road once again. Three consecutive days of running, with last Wednesday's 12-kilometer doozy being my longest run since Mayon. Despite the roller-coaster ride, I think I still have the endurance for longer runs. Thank God that endurance is always one of the last to go. I'm starting to build momentum once again and I feel I'm onto something here, so much so that it's time for another... vacation. Five days in Boracay with wifey and some very good friends. Sigh. I'll never get my running mojo back.

Looming in the horizon is the Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon on June 26. I will have to do a bit of cramming for that one, and perhaps rely on some "stock knowledge." Good thing my good friend Din Cordero, who is in the midst of preparations for his first-ever ultra run (at the trails of Nuvali in June), brought up the idea of a long run. That got my juices flowing, and the result is a 32k (with gusts of possibly up to 40k - wink, wink) LSD scheduled for May 28th. I am all amped for that one, to say the least.

The schedule will begin to pick up after the KL Marathon. Two weeks after KL, I will be doing the PAU Fort Magsaysay 60k Ultra. A must-do run, if there ever was one. After Fort Magsaysay will be the Milo Marathon, which will officially usher in Manila's marathon season.

Right now, the big one is the 2011 NYC Marathon. Quite honestly, though, it hasn't even sunk in yet - despite the fact that the registration fee was already charged against my credit card and already showed up in my latest statement. Maybe it's because November 6 is still so far away. In any case, I have already started scouting for a hotel, and my wife Bam has already told friends at the Big Apple to expect us in November. Plus, I have updated my Blackberry Messenger (BBM) status to say this: "NYC Marathon Training starts in June." Maybe that will help me get the Empire State of Mind. Or maybe not.

And so, just when it seems like I'm starting to get my mojo back, I will be going on yet another break. This will probably be the last, as summer's almost done anyway. It will only be for five days, though, and next weekend's LSD will hopefully jolt me back to reality fast. It's definitely good to be back, and I can't wait to pick up from where I left off. Absence indeed makes the heart grow fonder.

Time to finish this glass of wine and hit the sack.

Start Spreading the News...

2011-04-29T00:12:00.003+08:00

If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere...

click image to enlarge

It's up to you... New York, New York!!!

The Way of the Cross, Ultra-Style

2011-04-23T01:15:00.001+08:00

Guimaras island has - get this - a 70-kilometer version of The Way of the Cross. The route spans the circumference of Guimaras island, and each of the Stations of the Cross are spaced approximately five kilometers apart. A news program on ABS-CBN the other day featured an old woman who has been doing the ritual for a few years now. If I heard it correctly, her annual Lenten sacrifice consists of walking the entire 70-kilometer route in two to three days. No, she did not have a support vehicle. From the video footage, it seemed that the route traversed a well-paved and scenic highway, a la Mayon 360. I'm not being sacrilegious or anything here, but I must admit that my interest has been piqued.

Paging Bald Runner...

Unfinished Business

2011-04-20T02:01:00.005+08:00

When I got home from work yesterday, a surprise was waiting for me on the kitchen counter. It was a white envelope, and it bore the logo of the Singapore Sports Council. The parcel made its way to our place via snail mail. I eagerly peeled off the flap and pulled out the content - my Certificate of Participation from last year's Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore. It was nicely laminated, and on it was etched my official finish time: 4:56:42. I smiled as I read the certificate. It was, after all, a memento of my very first sub-5 marathon finish.

Singapore 2010 was (and will always be) special because it affirmed my slow but sure improvement as a runner. While other more gifted runners can nail a sub-5 right off the bat, yours truly needed all of four tries before finally bagging one. Singapore was followed by Cebu, where I did a 4:50, and then Condura, where I finished in 4:35. I was on a roll, but somehow, all of that got lost in the haze of my preparation for my first ultra. Looking back, it now seems surreal that I had actually been treating marathons and shorter ultras as training runs for the Bataan Death March 102k Ultramarathon. I did Singapore in December, Cebu and a 50k test run in January, and then Condura and a 52k test run in February. March featured the big one - BDM 102, and a couple of weeks ago, it was the Mayon 360° 50-Miler. With a plate that full, it was almost inevitable that my marathon roll would be - as it had in fact been - unceremoniously swept under the rug. This, despite the fact that, as I trained for BDM, my marathon times went down as well.

That first ultramarathon definitely had an addictive effect. Yes, I have fallen head over heels in love with ultra running. Yes, I now enjoy running at a constant 7:30-8:00 pace more than I do at a 6:00-6:30 pace. Yes, I now appreciate a 12-hour, 15-hour, or even a 30-hour cut-off, rather than a five- or six-hour limit. I am not built for speed, and in ultra running, I just may have found my niche as a recreational runner. This does not mean, however, that I have given up on my goal of improving on my personal best for a marathon finish. My PB currently stands at 4:35, set at Condura last February. I recall that my real goal then was a 4:30, hence my finish was actually five minutes off the mark. Maybe it is now time to take care of unfinished business.

My next race is a marathon - the Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon on 25 June (no ultras for me until July). Because it will be my first time in Malaysia, I originally thought of running KL with my trusty point-and-shoot on hand, and at shameless picture-taking pace. This would mean sticking to 7:30-8:00 min/km and settling for a sub-6 finish. I hatched that plan right after Mayon, while my shin was swollen and my entire body was badly craving a break from running. Those were probably my feet that were doing the planning, because now, after I have had over two weeks to fully recover from the 50-miler, I am just raring to settle the score. To hell with a sub-6 marathon. The goal for KL will be a 4:20.

Now, let me see... how do I do those speed drills again?

Experiencing Mayon at 360° (Part 2 of 2)

2011-04-15T19:42:00.007+08:00

Kilometers 41 to 60

I made it to the half-way point in 5:46:10. I finally got out of the climb from Kilometers 26 to 37. What goes up must come down, so it was all downhill from Kilometers 38 to 53 - literally. It was already well past 10 a.m. by that time, and the sun was beating up on us mercilessly. I was so grateful for the cool head wind that somehow tempered the heat. Still, I started dreaming up what a treat it would be to have a support vehicle stocked with drinks and food during this stretch. While I was dreaming it, other runners were living it. I watched with mild envy each time the support vehicle of other runners sped by. No time to mope, though. I joined this 50-miler knowing fully well that the heat would be a formidable foe, and that I will have to rely on sari-sari stores, aid stations that were spaced five kilometers apart, two 200 ml flasks, and my waist pack. I craved the challenge of doing an "unsupported" ultra run. Looking back, I think I did fine, as I never got dehydrated, felt hungry, or hit the wall at any point.

The terrain during this stretch was exactly the same as that during the first 40 kilometers. The highways were well-paved, no potholes at all. The shoulders were the same way. It truly was a road runner's dream. Contributing to the rustic and provincial feel were kilometers of unmilled rice strewn along the roadside, which forced me run on the highway. Good thing vehicles were few and far between, so the risk of being side-swiped by a speeding bus was very minimal.

Why can't Manila roads be this well-paved?

Unmilled rice lined the highway's shoulders

You would have thought that the paved roads and the 10-kilometer downhill stretch would have allowed me to recoup some lost time and quicken my pace. It was not the case because of two factors: the heat, and my right shin. It was hot as hell. As you will see from the photo above, the sun was at it full blast. While I would have preferred to run on the left shoulder and against the flow of traffic, I reluctantly headed over to the right just to avail of the occasional shade afforded by the small trees that lined the road. It was not enough though, and the heat forced me to slow down. It was also during this stretch when I started taking Hammer Endurolyte capsules (for electrolyte replenishment) and taking regular sips from my flasks. The second issue was my right shin. The sensation had progressed from discomfort into full-blown pain. It did not help that I was going downhill, and each time I tried speeding up, I felt a sharp pain in the area between the foot and the shin. The pain did not keep me from running, but it sure as hell kept me from speeding up.

Slowing down

I hit 50 kilometers after nearly seven hours and 20 minutes. That was almost 40 minutes faster than when I hit 50 during BDM 102. It was a very good split by my standards, specially considering the elevation profile of this route as compared to that of the BDM's. I stopped at the aid station at Kilometer 50, which served up some bananas, Pocari, chocolates, and eggs. I had a Pocari and a banana, and I refilled my flasks. It was a very brief pit stop. I did not want to spend too much time resting because I did not want my shin to tighten and become a bigger problem than it already was.

The heat of the moment

Tabaco City - straight ahead!

Long way to go!

Mayon not visible through the clouds

Save for the bothersome shin, the segment from Kilometers 51 to 60 was quite an uneventful stretch. This portion of the route was relatively flat. It definitely helped my shin and allowed me to pick up the pace. I was still doing the 20:5 run-walk proportion and I still felt strong. Why didn't I do this at BDM (I did 10:2 there)? My splits for this stretch, inclusive of walk breaks and stops at 2 aid stations, ranged from 7:56 to 10:56. I had hoped to reach Kilometer 60 in less than nine hours, and I did - with less than two minutes to spare. Talk about a photo finish!

Just do it.

The Homestretch: Kilometers 61 to 82

With less than a half-marathon to go, I still felt very strong. My legs were sore but were by no means exhausted. I don't remember feeling that good after 60 kilometers during BDM, so I was quite confident that I was poised for a strong finish. My prize for getting three-fourths of the route out of the way: more uphills. Shit. For those who are planning to do this run next year, here is the route's elevation profile, charted via Garmin Connect:

Can you say "hill repeats"?

So, there I was, confronted with another five-kilometer climb. Of course, at that time, I did not know that the incline would go on for five kilometers, and I had the moxie to actually harbor thoughts of a sub-12 finish. Slowly, however, I realized that that was wishful thinking. I asked a group of boys along the route how far the incline went, and their answer said it all: "Mahaba pa kuya, hanggang doooooooooon!" With my bubble burst and my parade completely rained on, I reverted to the original goal: to finish my first 50-miler in 13 hours or less.

With a stabbing pain in my right shin and the mid-day sun still toasting me, I was rudely reminded that I was doing a very long run. I wasn't sight-seeing, and I wasn't doing a 30-kilometer LSD at the Fort. I was doing a 50-miler in Albay. As I began my uphill climb (literally - again), I felt for the first time that I was already a bit tired. By then, I was already so sick of taking pictures of Mayon volcano. All of a sudden, it felt just like any other race, and the only thing on my mind was to make it to the finish line.

Rocking the Terrorist Look

It goes on and on

Like ice-cold Gatorade for a weary ultra runner...

... and then back to reality.

Somewhere between Kilometers 61 and 70, I was forced to abandon my 20:5 run walk ratio. I could no longer ignore my painful shin, and I needed my walk breaks. I settled for a 10:2, and I slowed down even more. The aid stations and roadside stores that used to pop up at regular intervals disappeared all of a sudden, and I was forced to rely on the generosity of other runners who had support vehicles. At Kilometer 68, with both my flasks empty and no other source of hydration in sight, Bald Runner appeared from out of nowhere and pulled over to check on me. I was walking when he found me. The good general got out of his SUV and gave me a couple of bottles of water. There is a God. He then went on his way and I went mine. You saved me there, BR. Thank you, sir! After 10 hours and 45 minutes, I made it to Kilometer 70. My splits for Kilometers 61 to 70 were very telling: 13:50, 10:31, 11:20, 9:02, 9:33, 9:40, 11:11, 9:27, 9:13, and 13:10.

10 kilometers to go!

I had a little over two hours left to achieve my sub-13 50-miler finish. At that juncture, I had completely given up on a clear-cut run-walk routine. I ran when I could and walked briskly when I couldn't. I was far from being spent, but the pain held me back. At Kilometer 74, I approached an ambulance stationed by the roadside to ask for some liniment or muscle spray. The medics had some in stock, and they also gave me a free massage for my aching shin. The massage relieved me of some pain, and I was able to resume jogging.

At Kilometer 76, I chanced upon a memorial that had - what else - the Mayon volcano as its background. I just had to stop for a picture, aching shin and all.

Six more kilometers to go. Six, because we were told early on that the actual distance added up to about 82 kilometers. On I went with random bursts of running and more frequent walking breaks. I was practically dragging my right leg as my shin strangely felt numb yet unnervingly painful at the same time. By Kilometer 79, the pain had become debilitating, and I was left with no choice but to walk. You know that running mantra of Murokami's? "Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional." That right there sums up what an ultra runner's mindset ought to be. It was also the thought that I kept on repeating in my head as I trudged through the last four kilometers. I was in god-awful pain, but I simply refused to suffer. Nobody forced me into doing this run, so I was determined to enjoy every single kilometer of the journey. And so, I resolved that I was not going to allow myself to suffer these precious last few kilometers. I remained pleasant by smiling at the people I passed, and politely greeting the elderly folk along the route. At one point, I had to stop and lean against a light post, because a very sharp pain shot through my shin and almost made me lose my balance, but I shrugged it off and plugged away. For recreational runners like me, an ultra won't be an ultra without some pain. My splits for the last four kilometers were hideous - 11:43, 11:42, 10:59, and 17:55 - but I relished every single step that brought me closer to the finish.

Finally, after rounding out the last few corners of this awesome 82-kilometer fun run, I took off my headwear and my bandana to expose my beaming face. I crossed the finish line limping, but I knew I still looked good for my finish line photo!

Out of 69 participating ultra runners, 59 made it back to Legazpi City within the 15-hour cut-off. I was Finisher No. 33.

Mayon 360° 50-Mile Ultra Marathon - DONE in 12 hours, 48 minutes, and 22 seconds!

With BR, the Race Director and tireless PAU boss man

With a member of the organizing committee

A big thank you to the organizers, Sir Jovie the Race Director, and the wonderful people of Albay province. It was a hell of a run. I'll definitely be back in 2012!

Experiencing Mayon at 360° (Part 1 of 2)

2011-04-08T03:49:00.004+08:00

My participation in the recently-concluded Mayon 360° Ultra Marathon was an off-shoot of the BDM 102 high. I decided on joining the Mayon 360 five days after BDM, while my legs were still sore and I was still walking with a slight limp. Part of it was me thinking that it was a chance to do an ultra without having to put in "separate training," but a larger part of it was me simply longing for a BDM-like experience once again. BDM weekend went by all too fast, and Mayon 360 was a chance to re-live some of that atmosphere, if only for a fleeting span of 80 kilometers.

Kilometers 0 to 20

April 2, Saturday, 4:00 a.m. It wasn't crowded at all at the starting line over at the Peñaranda Park. Only 69 ultra runners showed up for this historic event, and that included two of our friendly neighborhood Kenyans. So, they're now doing ultras, too, huh? I bet they'll never do the BDM races, where the biggest prizes are pride, a silver buckle, and the RD's hug. Sorry, digression there. The Kenyans' eyes were definitely on the prize. Me? I just wanted to run and maybe make a bit of personal history on the side. After all, it was supposed to be the first ultra run around the full circumference of the world-famous Mayon volcano.

By 4:30 a.m, we were off. Again, the inimitable feel of a "small" and intimate race. I opted to position myself at the tail end of the pack, as I did during BDM. The plan was to run at a comfortable 7:30-8:00 pace for 20-minute intervals, and then go on a five-minute walk break. The weather was chilly, and I found it rather difficult to break a sweat. It was dark in certain areas, and lighting came only from cars and buses that whizzed by (we ran along the national highway - hardly any street lighting). Had I known that it was going to be that dark, I would have brought along my headlamp. Good thing other runners brought theirs, and I paced with some of them during the really dark stretches. It was also fortunate that the road was well-paved, so there was practically no need to watch out for potholes. It was exhilarating to be running in the dark, in unfamiliar territory.

As I passed (and skipped) the first aid station at Km 5 in Daraga, I got to thinking about hydration and nutrition along the route. Unlike other runners who drove from Manila (I flew), I did not have a support vehicle this time around. All I had was a waist pack that held some supplies and Bald Runner's and the organizers' assurance that necessary food and drinks would be provided along the route at five-kilometer intervals. Still not wanting to take any chances, I stocked my waist pack with some essentials - GU gels, cereal bars, Gatorade powder, extra socks, Bodyglide, some Ibuprofen (Alaxan FR), some Hammer Endurolyte capsules, two sachets of Hammer Recoverite, and cash. Buttoned to the belt were two 200 ml. plastic flasks. The damned thing must have weighed at least five pounds. Had I known that the route would be dotted with roadside sari-sari stores and that food and drinks would in fact be sufficient, maybe I would have settled for a hand-held water bottle instead, and a smaller pouch with fewer supplies.

Daybreak came at around 5:30. I had already covered around 11 kilometers by then, and the 20:5 run-walk ratio seemed sustainable. This stretch featured a rolling course, and at the highest point, it gained a maximum elevation of 173 meters. According to my 310XT, this was somewhere along Km 9 (For those interested and who are planning to do this race next year, I will post the full route's elevation profile later on.). It was also around this time when I had my first glimpse of the Mayon volcano in the pale morning light. By this time, most of the runners were settling into his or her preferred pace, and the small bands that ran together in the darkness were breaking up one by one. I was very mindful of my right knee and ITB, which became very sore during BDM. I was also cautious with my left leg, which had a bout with shin splints just fairly recently. All in all, however, I was running without any issues and simply having a good time. Here are some photos of this portion of the route. Some of these are blurred because I took them while I was running.

Early glimpse of Mayon volcano

Dirt and grass shoulders provide respite for the knees

No gravel or pebbles on the roadside. Nice!

From the photos above, you will see that the shoulders of the highway consist of dirt and grass. No gravel or pebbles, unlike the shoulders of some portions of the Roman Highway in Bataan and the MacArthur Highway in Pampanga. Given the type of surface, running along the shoulders actually felt good for my tortured knees and shins.

I eventually reached the municipality of Guinobatan. After skipping the first aid station, I passed by the ones located at Kms 10 and 15. These first few aid stations served up only water and some chocolate bars (Cloud 9), and one of them, if I'm not mistaken, had boiled bananas (saba). I sped up a bit during some portions of this stretch, and I hit a 6:20-6:30 pace for a few kilometers. It was a combination of factors, I guess. The weather was cool, still no sun, and I was pain-free and raring to explore the unfamiliar route. As daylight broke, I got a better glimpse of my surroundings. I definitely liked what I saw.

Next town, please.

Damn wires spoiled the view.

Clean and living rivers

Right on time

Kilometers 21 to 40

I hit the 20-kilometer mark 17 minutes before my target time of three hours. For the first quarter of the distance, I went slightly faster than my target pace. The aid station in Km 20 did not have any food, so it was a good thing that I got a banana and some chocolates from the one in Km 15. I wolfed those down because I was already feeling some hunger, and the next aid station that will have some food was still five kilometers away. At my pace, that meant running for 40 to 45 minutes more. I was not tired at all, but the banana and the chocolate worked wonders and gave me an energy boost. I also took in one caffeinated GU gel, as I strangely felt a bit sleepy. Still no issues up to this point, and at 7:13 a.m., I reached Ligao City. Situated there were the next three aid stations, at Kms 25, 30, and 35. At the aid station in Km 25, I took in a couple of hard-boiled eggs with some salt, a banana, some soda and water. I also refilled my flasks with water.

The first half of this portion of the route - Kms 21 to 30 - brought us through green rice fields. The sun was already up as it was already past 8 a.m., and the absence of trees meant that there would be nothing to shade us from the sun. It was at this point where I had to bring out my shades and my Nike solar sleeves. Solar sleeves with UV protection are normally used by golfers (I bought it at a golf store in California), but are also quite perfect for runners like me that hate using sun block. Still no issues, and my pace hovered in the 7:00 to 9:00 range. Everything around me was green and refreshing, and once again, I felt very fortunate to be running outside the tired routes of Manila. I already sound like a broken record by now, but let me say this once again: You'll NEVER experience anything like this in Bonifacio Global City, Makati, Roxas Boulevard, or the MOA complex.

The road stretches on and on

Green everywhere

Life is a Highway

Saturday stroll

Pit stop at Km 30

I made a pit stop at the aid station in Km 30. There I had a banana and one of my cereal bars. I also made myself some Gatorade using one sachet of the powdered Gatorade concentrate that I had in my waist pack. As I took a break, I noticed that the area between the foot and the shin on the front of my right leg was throbbing. It was just mild discomfort rather than bothersome pain at that point, but I was a bit concerned. The discomfort felt awfully familiar, and it was a sensation I was very familiar with. It was the onset of shin splints. Oh no, not again. My 310XT showed that I had only been running for 4 hours and 10 minutes. I still had a very long way to go. I can't get hurt yet.

Still on target

I had an hour and 50 minutes to cover the next 10 kilometers. Up until that point, except for the usual and expected soreness, it had been an issue-free run thus far. Little did I know that the most challenging stretch of the Mayon 360 route was just around the bend. As a matter of fact, though I did not realize it, it had already started four kilometers ago. The highlight of this stretch was the steady incline that went on for almost 10.5 kilometers. It began at Km 27 and kept on going until just before Km 38. According to my 310XT, the ascent reached its apex at around Km 37.5, where the total elevation gained was approximately 289 meters.

Two words to describe this 10-kilometer stretch: Pleasure and pain. The incline was brutal, but somehow, I hardly noticed it because I was enjoying the scenery and terrain (not to mention that I just walked briskly through the really steep parts). It was a winding mountain road reminiscent of the zig zag path in Mariveles early in the BDM route. Sure, I slowed down a lot, as shown by my splits that ranged from 7:18 to 11:18, but this was also the part of the route where I kept on giving myself a pat on the back for joining this race. The following photos speak for themselves. Definitely no captions needed.

A kilometer before the highest point of this ascent, I received my prize: A spectacular and postcard-perfect view of the centerpiece of this ultra marathon, the Mayon volcano. It was indeed a sight to behold. At that point, I was no longer sure as to what really it was that almost took my breath away - was it the climb, or the view?

I took several shots and finally went on my way. I nearly forgot that I still had a race to run. I made one final stop at Km 37 for a picture break (I had to have at least one decent souvenir shot along the route)...

... and then I went on to accomplish my goal of reaching Km 40 in six hours or less. I was able to accomplish that, and after 5 hours, 46 minutes, and 10 seconds of running, I was already half-way through the Mayon 360° Ultra Marathon. I was on pace for a sub-13 finish.

Almost one marathon down, almost another marathon to go. And still more than nine hours left on the clock!

(To be continued)

Thank You, Albay!

2011-04-03T23:59:00.004+08:00

If you can't go through it, go around it.

I completed the 80-kilometer run around the Mayon Volcano - the Mayon 360° 50-Mile Ultra Marathon Race - in 12 hours, 48 minutes, and 22 seconds. It was a hell of an experience. This is one race that ought to be in every ultra runner's calendar for 2012, and which I will gladly participate in year after year.

Thank you very much to the organizers, Bald Runner the Race Director, and the kind people of Albay province. I had a wonderful time. My Mayon story and more photos of the route to follow as soon as my swollen shin stops disrupting my train of coherent thought.

In an Ultra State of Mind

2011-03-30T23:43:00.013+08:00

It has been more than three weeks since I completed BDM 102 - the Bataan Death March 102k Ultramarathon. It has taken quite a bit of time, but I can now say that I have already fully digested what the accomplishment really means to me, as well as the countless lessons and learnings gathered over the course of running and walking for close to 18 hours straight. During the BDM CLP, Bald Runner related that a number of bloggers who finish the BDM inexplicably stop blogging, or go on some form of hiatus. I think I already know why.

Surprisingly, I finished BDM without any major issues. The swelling in my right knee (which I later discovered was actually brought about by a mildly inflamed ITB) never lingered. My troublesome left shin never flared up. I walked with a bad limp during the four days immediately following BDM weekend, but after that, I was fine. The only casualties of war were three dead toe nails, which I somehow wear as a collective badge of honor, my Purple Heart. I stayed away from running for a total of 10 days only, and since I resumed running over a week ago, I have already logged a number of very enjoyable and extremely relaxed short distance runs - a 5k, four 10k's, and one 15k. I say "enjoyable" because, for the first time in almost six months, I am running without the spectre of a 102-kilometer run hovering over my shoulder. I have rediscovered the joys of the 10-kilometer weekday run after months of force-feeding myself with 15 and 20k almost daily.

Don't get me wrong, though. I had a blast preparing for BDM. It helped that I was able to incorporate a total of four wonderful marathons into my training, and each one was a doozy - CamSur, Singapore, Cebu, and Condura. It might have also helped that my training wasn't scientific at all. I did not follow any specific program, and I merely focused on spending hours upon hours on my feet, and building my base mileage. I did back-to-back weekend long runs, but those did not happen every single weekend during the run-up to BDM. As you will see, there was nothing scientific about the whole routine. I just kept these two rules in mind: First, that I had to run a lot . Second, that I had to have fun doing it. During the times when it was becoming too much of a chore, I rested for a few days and waited for my body to crave a run once again. Maybe the ultramarathon purists and those who race ultras will never agree with my method, but for people like me who simply want to run, have fun while doing it, and finish, the strategy was effective. Hey, I finished within cut-off and without injury, didn't I? Just run a lot and have fun doing it. It need not be complicated at all.

My BDM finish helped confirm what I have been suspecting for quite some time now: I enjoy running long distances more than I do short and middle distances. I guess this is, in a way, an inevitable function of my resignation to the fact that I am not and never will be a fast runner. I was not gifted with winged feet and boundless athleticism. I do not have the physique that will allow me to do a sub-4 marathon like it was nothing. What I do have are legs and feet that can withstand hours upon hours of running, and an abundant passion for actually doing just that. I also think my personality and mindset are perfect for long distance running. I am never afraid of doing things alone, and I always doggedly, stubbornly try to accomplish goals that I set for myself. The last essential ingredient is endurance, and fortunately for me, that is something that can be cultivated (and I think I've already done that), and need not be innate.

Despite all these realizations, I still do not consider myself an ultra runner. I still have a very long way to go - literally and figuratively - before I can even think of considering myself an ultra runner. To my mind, finishing a couple of runs that exceed the marathon distance does not automatically make one an ultra runner. I think it takes a hell of a lot more than that. Some would even argue that ultra running is in fact a way of life. What I am, however, is simply someone that finds joy in running for hours, and that is grateful for having been given the ability to do so. And that is a distinction I will readily claim.

The Bataan Death March 102 Km Ultramarathon Experience (Part 2 of 2)

2011-03-17T03:06:00.003+08:00

Back in Business: Km 51 to Km 60

I was back on the road by 6:24 a.m. of Sunday, 6 March. I burned around 32 minutes during the Abucay pit stop - 12 minutes over budget. Based on my calculations, I still had about nine hours and 28 minutes to finish the balance of 52 kilometers within cut-off. Very doable, or so it seemed.

Somewhere in Abucay, Bataan

Upon hitting the road, I walked for a couple of minutes to get loose and warmed up again, before resuming to run at an 8:30 pace. I adjusted my gait to favor my right knee, as I was worried that the sharp pain that I experienced from Kilometers 40 to 49 would return. It was uncomfortable, to say the least. It then occurred to me that keeping up the unnatural gait could strain my left shin, which had yet to recover fully from its own bout with an injury. And so, I decided to run "normally" to test how my knee would respond. No pain. I ran for eight minutes straight and I remained pain-free. Good thing I had that long break. I was hitting a 7:00 pace at my preferred 8:2 run-walk ratio. Beginning at Km 52, I registered splits of 8:27, 8:17, 8:12, 8:35, 8:46, 12:32, 8:36, 10:07, and 9:00. These were better than my splits for any previous 10-kilometer stretch. After almost 10 hours of running, I was unexpectedly turning out negative splits, and was able to overhaul the one-hour backlog from the Km 40-50 segment. I was back in business.

Back in business

As my support vehicle caught up with me (they stayed behind at Km 50 to have breakfast), I gave them a thumbs-up and signaled for them to go ahead and take a two-kilometer lead. "I'm good," I said. And I really was, and it was going to be that way for the next ten kilometers or so. This particular stretch of the BDM route - Kms 51 to 60 - was quite scenic: green fields, hay stacks, cows grazing lazily like it was a Sunday (wait a minute, it was a Sunday!), with the rising sun serving as a fitting backdrop. It was a scene lifted straight from a postcard. I felt great as I ran with the light morning breeze gently blowing against my face. My confidence was soaring once more. All of a sudden, the first 50 kilometers seemed like a distant memory. I breached the 60-kilometer mark in 9 hours and 58 minutes. My reward? Two 500 mg Alaxan FR capsules at the next pit stop.

It's Getting Hot in Here: Km 61 to Km 70

As seen on TV!

During our drive to Bataan the night before, I told Bam that a part of me was hoping that the sun would go all out on Sunday. My reason? I wanted to have the "full BDM experience." BDM won't be BDM without the sun and the heat. The talk of last year's BDM was the 40-degree heat, and my masochistic side wanted to have a piece of that. Well, my prayer was answered (sort of) as the sun was already lording it over the Bataan skies by 7:30 a.m. A bit unexpected, as it was raining most of Saturday. The heat was tolerable at first, and I did not need to put on anything more other than my UV-protective compression sleeves and shades. The heat did not seem to have any significant effect on my pace, as I was able to registered splits of 9:28, 9:08, 14:52, 8:33, and 10:47. This already included walk breaks and pit stops, so I wasn't doing too bad.

By around 9 a.m., things started to get too hot for comfort. The sun took me up on my dare and was beating on us from its perch on the cloudless sky. I needed additional insulation as my solar sleeves and cap were no longer getting it done. From my duffel bag, I pulled out the Solartek cap that I bought in Subic. Amusing but true - my chances of survival rested on the wide brim of a god-awful looking headgear.

Thirty minutes later, the heat started taking its toll on me. My pace dropped significantly beginning at Km 65, and for the next three kilometers, I registered splits of 10:02, 11:21,and 9:09. I was already walking more than I was running. Vehicular traffic had already picked up, and the speeding buses regularly sprayed us runners with black fumes. The whole experience was sloooowly becoming unpleasant, but at least I was still pain-free.

Alaxan-powered!

Km 67 - Dinalupihan, Bataan, 9:20 a.m.

The heat was already getting to me in a major way, and this became evident somewhere along Km 68, still in Dinalupihan. I had just completed a very brief pit stop where I downed an entire 330 ml bottle of Pocari Sweat. Feeling somewhat refreshed, I instructed my support vehicle go ahead and leap-frog me by two kilometers. My specific instruction was for them to wait for me at BDM Km Post 70, which was a few hundred meters before the Bataan-Pampanga boundary. My vehicle left as instructed, and I was going to be on my own for the next two kilometers.

I returned to the left-hand side of the road and resumed my run. It wasn't too long after that when I noticed that I felt somewhat light-headed. I slowed down to a walk in an attempt to regain greater balance. Not working. I then told myself that I better cross over to the right-hand side of the highway while I still can, and not wait until I passed out. The challenge was that I had no way of calling my vehicle back, as I did not have a cell phone with me. You know the feeling right after you stare directly at a camera flash at very close range? I was already on the brink of that. I could have sworn that my vision was beginning to dim, and I was already seeing imaginary amoeba-like objects floating before my eyes. As soon as I reached the other side of the road, I gathered my composure under the shade of a small tree. It was hot as hell beyond the shade. I rested for a couple of minutes, and when I felt somewhat certain that the worst of that episode had already passed, I resumed my walk. It was a veeeery slow walk. After a couple hundred meters, I stumbled upon another runner's support vehicle, a dark green Isuzu Highlander - a virtual oasis in the middle of the desert. I asked for some water (I received some in a large, ice-cold bottle), said thank you, and went on my way. Good Samaritans - where would we all be without them?

Without returning to the left-hand side of the road (sorry, BR!), I walked the rest of the way to the rendezvous point at BDM Kilometer Post 70. If I was going to faint, I wanted to faint where other support vehicles would find me. I drank some of the water and poured the rest on my weary head. There were to be no more dizzy spells until I hit the milestone. As soon I was reunited with my support vehicle, I downed a can of Mountain Dew and ate - inhaled - a chocolate bar (Chocomucho!).

Reunited and it feels so good...

As I sat under the shade of my vehicle's hatched door, I asked myself, "What the hell happened back there?" It was a rhetorical question, of course. It was definitely the heat, the exhaustion, and the fact that I was doing what I was doing in a sleep-deprived state.

Everybody livens up for pictures

After 11 hours, 45 minutes, and 24 seconds of running and walking in uneven proportions, I made it to the 70-kilometer mark. I wouldn't say I was still very strong at that point, but I knew I still had more than enough left in the tank to go all the way. I was already feeling some mild discomfort in my injured shin, but I was certain that it was just the strain caused by exertion, and not the recurrence of shin splints. Lost amidst my dizzy spell was the fact that, as early as four kilometers ago, my right knee already felt numb and had some swelling. I knew something wasn't right.

Bored to Death while Marching: Km 71 to Km 80

It was almost 10:00 a.m. of Sunday. I had one of my longer pit stops in Km 70, as I readied myself for one final push. The next long break was going to be somewhere along Km 80-80 in Guagua, Pampanga. The sky was annoyingly clear and totally devoid of clouds. There was no chance in hell that the day would suddenly turn overcast. If I was going to have my first BDM finish, I will have to do it under the sun. You asked for it, you got it. Now, deal with it.

On to the next province!

I did not have fond memories of Pampanga from the last test run. Pampanga was notorious for only one thing - and it sure as hell was neither sisig nor halo-halo. To my mind, the province was notorious for its national highway with unpaved and uneven shoulders. I vividly recalled how the gravel-strewn shoulder tortured my inflamed shin during the second BDM test run. Back then, I winced in pain each time I stepped on a stone or a pebble that forced my left foot to hit the ground awkwardly. I loved Bataan for its even highway shoulders and interior streets, but I flat-out dreaded Pampanga.

To minimize the risk of re-injuring my shin, I decided that I would walk when the surface was uneven, and sneak in a run whenever the highway was clear. By doing this, I thought, I would also be able to rest my legs in preparation for the homestretch. I had all of six hours to cover the last 32 kilometers, so I had time. I can walk for most of the next 17 kilometers and then run-walk the last 12. It sounded like a good plan, so I went ahead and traded running for very brisk walking. By that time, BDM 102 had already turned into one big walkathon. It was amusing because, although I was walking, I was still able to overtake around five other runners. A couple of runners whom I chatted with actually planned to just walk all the way to San Fernando.

Fighting the heat, or breaking the monotony?

The stretch from Km 71 to Km 80 was an extremely boring one, and the fact that I walked most of it only aggravated the situation. It was during this stretch when, to amuse myself, I sang New Wave songs from the '80s aloud. More to Lose, I Don't Like Mondays, Shake the Disease, Bizarre Love Triangle --- name it, I belted it. Out loud. Anyway, nobody could have heard me as I was in the middle of the highway, with buses whizzing by. I also stopped looking at my Garmin and used objects along the route as determinants of how far I would run. Run up to the next gigantic electric post, run up to the next pakwan or alimasag stand, run up to the dump truck. I was already sick of glancing at my Garmin, so I had to get creative. But really, it was amazing how bored I was. Were the heat and the distance already driving me mad? Was the lack of sleep making me delirious? I didn't think so. But I was bored to death. All of a sudden, the initials "BDM" took on a whole new meaning for me: Bored to Death while Marching. That was the point where BDM 102 became a mind game of sorts, I guess, and also where I felt really glad that I was so used to running alone. I was still sane when I got to Km 80, and my Garmin read 13 hours and 40 minutes. The injured left shin was holding up well, but the right knee was really numb and could have been mistaken for dead. And it was hot as hell at 11:50 a.m.

Falling Apart: Km 81 to Km 90

I had roughly four hours and 20 minutes to cover the remaining 22 kilometers. I was feeling pretty good, and the 10-kilometer walk worked wonders on my previously flagging energy. With renewed confidence, I set my sights on a sub-17 finish.

To boost my chances of meeting my target finish time, I decided to abandon my plan to go on an extended pit stop and break for lunch. I opted instead to take my meal on the run. Spam pandesal, chocolate flavored suman, and fresh fruits were on the menu, and I had them in installments. They say hindsight is always 20:20. Looking back now, I am convinced that my decision not to break for lunch actually cost me more in terms of lost time as a result of forced slow-downs in the last few kilometers.

Eat...

.... and run!

By the time I finished "lunch," I was almost out of Lubao. The gravel-strewn shoulders were no more as the route finally led me off the highway. I was finally going to enter the paved interior roads of Guagua. I heard my shin breathe a sigh of relief. This was somewhere in Kilometer 83. Only 19 more to go.

Re-charged

Numb right knee and all, I finally resumed running. It felt fine at first, and if I remember correctly, I was even hitting a 7:00 pace - remarkable under the circumstances. It did not last too long though before things started to fall apart. From out of nowhere, my dead right knee was jolted back to life when a sharp pain emanated from inside the joint (I know of no other way to describe it) and shot through the outer side of my thigh. The sensation literally made me stop dead in my tracks. I leaned against one of those gigantic electric posts and tried to stretch it out, but to no avail. I tried random run-walk patterns, where I ran until the pain was no longer bearable, but I stopped the routine when the pain I felt at one point was so sharp that I almost lost my balance. The emotional surge from Km 81 was gone by then, and from targeting a sub-17 finish, I was reduced to calculating whether I could make it within cut-off if I walked all the way to San Fernando.

It was also during this stretch when I struck up separate conversations with fellow runners Tess Geddes from Canada and Ellen Castillo. The common conversation topic was, were we going to make it within cut-off? Ellen was particularly concerned, as her Garmin had already died and she was trying to tell the distance using the BDM kilometer posts. I told her that the kilometers posts were inaccurately placed, and that they were almost two kilometers behind in actual distance. I knew this from the last test run, but at that point, with my bum right knee killing me, I too was no longer very sure. I was beginning to doubt even my own recollection. Again, a mind game.

I went ahead of Ellen after she went on a pit stop. Somewhere during this stretch, Rico Villanueva, well-known in the running and multisport community as the athlete behind the blog By Sheer Will, found me. Rico was scouring the route for friends and acquaintances who were still at it, still doggedly trying to get to the train station. We exchanged pleasantries from opposite sides of the street, he on his bike, and I, hobbling like a newly-circumcised penguin. He wished me well and went on his way. Little did I know that Ironman Rico would eventually play a critical role in this unfolding BDM photo finish.

And so, I went on. It was not looking good - I could barely walk and my knee was awfully painful - mahapdi in the vernacular. From the following pictures, you would be able to tell that I was hurting:

Somewhere along this stretch, the confluence of assorted feelings and emotions - pain, exhaustion, heat, sleep deprivation, hunger, frustration, thirst - got the best of me. And before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face. I could not recall the last time something like that happened to me, let alone during a run. I never saw it coming. And for the first time ever, after close to 15 hours of continuous running and walking, I asked myself this question: "Why the fuck am I doing this to myself?" Mind game. I slowed down and composed myself. Instead of trying to find the answer to the question, I told myself to just stay in the game, and to remember the short prayer that I whispered somewhere in Lubao. A son never forgets. And I was again on my way.

It felt like forever, but I finally cleared this 10 kilometer stretch. My 310XT was almost dead. I would have wanted for it to go all the way to Km 102. It would have been a nice souvenir. I turned the watch off at the Km 90 mark. I took all of one hour and 50 minutes to cover Km 81 to Km 90. The display read 15:34:08.

With Angels On My Shoulders: Km 91 to Km 102

I had a little under two and-a-half hours to cover the last 12 kilometers. Pretty tight, considering my knee's condition and the state of mind that I was in. At the Km 90 pit stop, I took two more Alaxan FR capsules and sprayed some vapo-coolant on my troublesome knee. I wasn't even attempting to run anymore, because each time I did, it felt as if my right leg would fall off. According to my 310XT, my very slow walk yielded splits ranging from 11:00 to 13:00. At the rate I was going, there was no way I was going to finish within cut-off, and I was facing the prospect of getting to Km 102 in 18 hours and 15 minutes, or somewhere in that vicinity. But hey, I had come that far and I had a promise to keep. I replaced the 310XT with my trusty old F305 and set out to finish the race.

I was already resigned that I would have to hobble the rest of the way when, from out of nowhere, appeared marathon-running couple Billy and Marian San Juan, together with their barefoot-running friend Mike Galas. I met Marian at last year's Camsur Marathon, and Billy at the last Rizal Day Run. The couple crewed at the 2010 edition of BDM 102, so they definitely knew their stuff. As early as the Rizal Day Run, Billy and Marian offered to be on my support crew for BDM, but I was dyahe and did not want to rob them of their weekend. And so, I told them that Bam and our driver would be enough. I would later on learn that, after meeting up with another finisher-friend at Km 102, they decided to scour the route and look for me. Amazing.

Marian immediately made her presence felt by "commandeering" my support vehicle and guiding Bam and our driver on how to better support me the rest of the way. Bam and the driver had been doing an awesome job since the night before, but at that point, it was imperative for my support crew to adopt a more aggressive (rather than passive) approach. As it turned out, during the final 10 kilometers leading up to Km 102, Marian would see to it that I got the best support possible, playing the role of de facto crew chief to perfection.

Billy, for his part, continuously barked out instructions and motivation from their vehicle. From proper brisk walking form, to the pace that I should be aiming for, and finally to raising my pain threshold. Billy made it perfectly clear that he would not let me quit. Obviously, the drill sergeant approach worked.

As if Billy and Marian weren't enough, Rico returned somewhere at Km 94 and delivered the coup de grace. This guy, I swear to God, is one of the world's greatest motivators. Sheer Will did it all - from taking charge of locating the next kilometer post, to delivering motivational gems along the lines of "if you don't finish, we don't finish," to racing back and fourth between me and my support vehicle to let them know in advance what I will be needing at the next pit stop. And that's not all. At one point, Ironman Rico actually converted a group of tricycle drivers and street kids into impromptu pep squads! Truly unbelievable, the gifts this guy has. I've been reading in blogs how generous and giving he is, and now, in the biggest race of my life to date, I was benefiting from that generosity first-hand.

And so, the stage was set for the last 10 kilometers. Everyone in my reloaded support team showed tremendous heart in setting me up for a memorable ultramarathon finish. How does one repay heart? I know of only one way: By showing some heart as well - or maybe a lot more, but definitely nothing less. It must have been adrenaline, or perhaps simply not wanting to disappoint the people that were rooting for me, but somehow, I was able to will my tired body and aching legs to run once again.

My right knee still hurt like a bitch, and at one point, the pain almost drove me to tears. Strangely though, it didn't seem to matter anymore. I just wanted to keep on running and to finish what I started. Each time I stopped because I could no longer take the pain, Billy and Rico would take turns pushing me, cajoling me to dig a little deeper and to give a little bit more, for just a little while longer. Bam and Marian, meanwhile, saw to it that I was well attended to, in terms of physical support. Heck, even Mike got into the act and started running barefoot a few paces behind, imploring me to finish strong.

The team was rolling like a mean and well-oiled machine, and the results were unbelievable: for the last six kilometers, I logged splits ranging from 8:00 to 9:00. That was no longer just me. That was us. What happened next, I will let these photographs re-tell:

By the grace of God, I made it to Km 102 in 17 hours, 49 minutes, and 32 seconds, just a little over 10 minutes under the mandated cut-off time of 18 hours. My effort made me the 108th runner to cross the finish line. After me, only four other runners made it within the alloted time.

After the second test run last February, I told BR that I will not have my picture taken with the iconic BDM Kilometer Post 102. I explained to BR that I wanted to earn my first ever photograph beside the historic milestone. By crossing the finish line, I believe I had finally earned the right not only to pose beside the white obelisk, but to plant a huge kiss on it as well. I hope I didn't make Bam jealous.

To my wonderful and wondrous support crew - both the originals - Bam and Mang Laynes - and the reinforcements - Rico, Billy, Marian, and Mike, thank you. From the bottom of my heart, my soul, and my aching knee. This one's for all of us.

Photo courtesy of Vener Roldan. Thanks a lot, bro!

See you in Mariveles next year!!!

The Bataan Death March 102 Km Ultramarathon Experience (Part 1 of 2)

2011-03-14T02:04:00.008+08:00

My first BDM 102 experience lasted for all of 17 hours, 49 minutes, and 32 seconds. Truth be told, it was a largely uneventful exercise, which normally would be the case if one would run and walk for almost 18 hours straight. But BDM finishes are destined to be remembered, for one reason or another. Thanks to certain individuals and the crucial roles they played on that fateful Sunday afternoon, this humble BDM finish had a saving grace, and somehow became more memorable than I could have ever imagined.

Last-Minute Hitches

My issues during the days leading up to BDM 102 were well-documented. I developed shin splints on my left leg after the Condura Skyway Marathon on 6 February, which I aggravated by running the second BDM Test Run (52 kms) less than a week later on 12 February. At that point, my body might have already been telling me to ease up a little, and I did not listen. I paid a very steep price as my grotesquely swollen leg kept me off the road for two full weeks. Thanks to the wonders of modern medicine and physical therapy, I was cleared to resume running five days before BDM. Doc's send-off message for me was, "I'll see you after your ultramarathon." Nice one, doc. Thanks a lot.

The Team

For my first triple-digit distance run, I was going to be back-stopped by a lean and mean support crew: old reliable Mang Laynes, our family driver who was with me for the two BDM test runs, and my wife Bam, whose extensive running credentials consist of a 3k run at last year's Globe Run for Home. That was it. I was confident that I could survive BDM with just the two of them manning my support vehicle. Under the circumstances, Mang Laynes and Bam did a fantastic job. They got me to the finish line in one piece and within the 18-hour cut-off...with a little help from some friends. More on this later.

We hied off to Mariveles at 3:45 in the afternoon of Saturday, 5 March.

Km 0 to Km 50

By 8:45 p.m., we were at Km 0 in Mariveles, Bataan. The atmosphere was festive. Runners of all shapes and sizes - all very serious ones - milled around and mingled with family, friends, and fellow runners. It was unlike anything I have ever experienced at the starting line of an over-priced and commercialized half-marathon at the Fort. There was an unmistakable air of competition that night, but there also was an undeniable feeling of camaraderie. No wonder ultramarathoners keep on coming back for more. I was getting an education in Ultramarathon 101 right there and then, and I gladly soaked in every single moment.

With an hour to kill before gun start (only, there was no gun), I had time to do a bit of stretching here...

... and pose for posterity there.

A brief program followed - the singing of three national anthems (US, Japan, Philippines), an invocation by Tess Geddes (grand daughter of a true Death March survivor, and who would eventually make it to the finish line four minutes ahead of me), and finally a few words from the patriarch of local ultra running, Sir Jovie, good old BR, the Race Director.

At exactly 10:10 p.m., BR sent us off with a countdown. No fireworks, no music blaring from speakers, no fancy LCD screens, no hired pep squads. That was just the way hardened runners - ultramarathoners - liked it. It was just us and our respective support crews, the road, and the elements. And just like that, our trek to the old train station in San Fernando began.

It was a chilly evening - perfect ultramarathon weather. For a while there, I was worried that the rain would not stop, as it was raining for most of our drive from Manila to Bataan. I did not relish the idea of a rainy evening run for several reasons. For one, it would be very cold. Secondly, running in wet shoes and socks could lead to blisters, which could, in turn, make the rest of the run very uncomfortable, or even knock me out of the race. Non-stop rains could also flood the shoulders of Roman Highway, and force us runners to run on the highway itself. That would have been rather dangerous, considering how dark the Bataan evening was.

Fortunately for everyone, the rain stopped. It drizzled from time-to-time but there were no unwanted downpours. The cool draft kept all of us fresh and strong as we ran under the blanket of darkness. The rain also seemed to have kept the stray dogs and drunks off the route, which made for a very peaceful, almost serene, night run. The blinkers and headlamps of runners flickered like fireflies. Convoys of support vehicles traversed the race route and gave us runners a reassuring sense of safety and security. Believe you me - one can never ever experience anything close to the atmosphere that night by running in the big city. Only in Barangay BDM.

Making my way out the Mariveles Ecozone

Still in Mariveles, Bataan

A convoy of support vehicles makes its way out of
the zig-zag path in Mariveles, Km 3++

When I did the first BDM Test Run a few weeks back, I covered the first 50 kilometers in 6:48:28. This time around, my goal was to get to Km 50 in seven hours. That would mean arriving in Abucay, Bataan at a little past 5 a.m. I could then go on a 20-minute break to have a quick breakfast, stretch, change my shoes, and put on some dry clothing. The plan was to be back on the road by 5:30 a.m. and still have 10 and-a-half hours to cover the remaining 52 kilometers.

Kilometers 1 to 40 were generally problem-free. I was strong all through out and ran without any issues. The recently-injured shin was doing fine and was never bothersome. The cool draft kept me refreshed. I was more or less familiar with the route, having done the first test run just a few weeks back. I was perfectly aware of the critical junctions in Kilometer posts 14, 23, and 32. After getting out of the famed zig-zag stretch in the first six kilometers, I employed a run-walk strategy with an 8:2 ratio - run for eight minutes and brisk walk for two minutes. For the run segments, I kept an 8 to 8:30 pace, and for the walks, 9:30. For hydration, I turned to water and Pocari, and for nutrition, I had GU gels and bananas at regular intervals. I walked almost all uphills (and there were a lot in the Bataan segment) to conserve my strength. I was being very conservative as I wanted to have enough juice left for the home stretch. The idea was to be fresh at 50.

Everything was going according to plan, and I was right on schedule. However, shortly after clearing Km 40, I started feeling a mild, sharp pain in my right knee every time I pushed off it. The pain was almost negligible at first, but by Km 42, it was becoming too bothersome to ignore. For the first time since clearing Km 7, I was forced to abandon my 8:20 run-walk ratio in favor of a knee-friendly 4:1. The pit stops, too, grew longer. The result was a tough 9-Kilometer stretch that saw me register splits of 11:20, 9:09, 10:16, 13:11, 9:31, 10:57, 10:35, 10:33, and 9:57. Buoyed by thoughts of breakfast and a stool - rest - I was somehow able to pick up the pace at Kms 48 and 49, for splits of 8:48 and 8:32. I made my last pit stop at Km 48, at which point I told my support vehicle to go ahead to Km 50 and prepare my breakfast.

By the time I finally reached Km 50, it was almost 6 a.m. I was not discouraged, though, because I knew I still made it in good time. Even if I were to slow down tremendously the rest of the way, I was confident that I would still have more than enough time to clear the last 52 kilometers and finish within cut-off.

As the night bled into a new day, I pulled into the plaza in Abucay, Bataan, the site of BDM Kilometer Post 50, to take in some much needed rest and nutrition. At that juncture, I had already been running and walking continuously for close to eight hours.

Breakfast in Abucay

As soon I reached my support vehicle, a stool was already waiting for me. Man, it felt good to be seated and off my feet after almost eight hours of non-stop running and walking. I immediately took off my shoes (I ran the first 50 kilometers in my Nike Zoom Structure Triax 12) to let my feet breathe. No blisters at all, thanks to the right pair of socks (Nike dri-fit cushioned running socks), band-aids on my big and small toes, and duct tape covering the balls of my feet. Ice packs were immediately strapped to my knees and the lower portion of my shins. I was still feeling strong, and had it not been for my troublesome right knee, I would have made it to Km 50 on schedule, if not sooner.

Breakfast consisted of rice, pork adobo, Spam (regular, not Lite - I needed the sodium), fresh diced fruits (mango, pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe), and water. As I wolfed down my meal, the only thing that was going through my mind was whether my right knee would give me a tough time the rest of the way. That would definitely be a problem because a bum knee could force a DNF. I tried my best to perish that thought and instead savored the meal that was my just reward for running through the night.

Breakfast at Km 50

With my crew chief, biggest booster, and No. 1 Fan

Morning had come by the time I finished breakfast. As I rested, other runners were still slowly trickling in for their first extensive rest after running non-stop for over eight hours. The scenes around me were reminiscent of pit stops in F1 races - a runner would come in, and the support crew would immediately work the runner over. Talk about being being spoiled.

Breakfast was followed by some stretching, a wipe-down with ice-cold water to wake up and refresh those tired muscles, a change of shoes (I changed into my Nike Zoom Structure Triax 14), and slipping into light-colored running attire that would help repel the sun. After all, it was already well past 6 a.m., and the sun was already up.

Thirty-two minutes after I came in for a brief rest, I was again ready and raring to hit the road, to finish what I started. I had 52 kilometers more to go and a full day of running ahead of me, and I felt strong and rejuvenated. The rest and nutrition lifted my spirits, and I was energetic once again.

Fresh at 50!

I overshot my arrival at Km 50 in Abucay by a little over 40 minutes, and my planned 20-minute rest was extended by more than 10 minutes. By the time I was ready to hit the road again, my Garmin showed that I had already consumed eight hours and 32 minutes. That meant that I still had nine hours and 28 minutes to negotiate the remaining 52 kilometers. I was still confident because, during the second test run, I covered that distance in only seven hours - and that was with an injured shin.

The ride had been smooth thus far. The recently-healed shin felt good and had not given me any problems. The question now is, can my right knee hold up and go the distance? The answer was about to come as the real challenge of BDM 102 began to unfold.

It is DONE.

2011-03-07T21:52:00.001+08:00

I finished the 3rd Bataan Death March 102k Ultramarathon Race in 17:49:42, just a little over 10 minutes under the mandated cut-off time of 18 hours. My effort made me the 108th runner to cross the finish line in San Fernando yesterday. After me, only four other runners made it within the alloted time.

I am still at a loss for words right now, as it should be when one experiences something that one knows will never happen again. I hope to share my story in the next few days.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.

On to Mariveles!

2011-03-05T15:24:00.005+08:00

This is the deep breath before the plunge.

In about an hour, I will be heading to Mariveles, Bataan to take part in what some people had described as a life-changing experience. My participation in the 3rd Bataan Death March 102-Kilometer Ultramarathon Race, BDM 102 in local runner's parlance, will be the culmination of almost six months of preparation. I don't know whether I have sufficiently trained for this test, but I believe I have done enough to justify even just standing behind that hallowed starting line. I know in my heart that I have done enough to at least give myself a fighting chance of finishing this thing within 18 hours.

At this distance, they say your feet can only take you so far, and that, at some point, your heart will have to take over. Well, if that indeed is the case, then maybe I have what it takes to make it all the way to that old train station in San Fernando, Pampanga. No dedications this time around. I claim this one for myself.

God bless the ultramarathoners of the 2011 BDM 102.

Ask And You Shall Receive

2011-03-01T01:14:00.002+08:00

With just four and-a-half days 'til prom night, my doctor finally gave me the green light to give it a go. On Saturday, the 5th of March, I am going to take part in the country's second-longest solo road race, the Bataan Death March 102 Kilometer Ultramarathon Race. This is my just reward for abstaining from running and attending daily treatment and therapy sessions for two full weeks. From the reaction of my doctor and the attending PT, I could tell that I made a quick and somewhat unexpected recovery. The power of wanting it badly.

Doc's clearance notwithstanding, I don't know if the injured tissues in my left shin have recovered fully. He said that shin splints, particularly one as severe as the one that struck me, could take anywhere from six to eight weeks to heal completely. I did my healing in a little over two. All I know is that I am pain-free at the moment, and doc has said that I can do it. That's good enough for me. I do realize, however, that I am in a very precarious position here. The injury may or may not come back during the run. And if it does... let's just say I'd rather not think about it for now. It won't come back. Mind over matter.

Today will be another rest day - a little more time to heal. I will try and get my legs back with a 5k run tomorrow and on Thursday. I don't know what level of conditioning I'll be in, but I'm confident that the drop would not be significant. If anything, I'm hoping that the two-week rest will serve me in good stead come the later stages of the run.

Prior to the injury, my goal was to cover the 102-kilometer route in 17 hours or less. Given where I am right now, I'd be happy to just finish pain-free. Finishing within the cut-off time of 18 hours will just be gravy.

The road warriors of BDM 160 had their fun last weekend. Now, let us have ours.

Wanting It Badly

2011-02-17T20:49:00.001+08:00

To this day, I still almost nod in agreement each time I recall the classic words of my old professor in Criminal Law: "There are only two things in life that you pray you will never have to do twice: To get married, and to take the Bar exams." I remember that our entire class laughed when we first heard the line. It sounded more like a punchline back then, especially to us clueless freshmen who had no idea of what law school and life really had in store for us.

By the time I was wrapping up my fourth and last year in law school, I already knew that my professor's words had been true all along. I can still recall how, while I was taking the Bar exams back in '02, I was extremely careful about all the things I said, did, and thought --- in the hope of attracting enough good karma to help me hurdle what arguably is the toughest licensure exam in the country. After four years of the Socratic Method, tens of thousands of pages read, countless cases digested, and six long months of living like a hermit as I prepared for the Bar exams, I was sure as hell that I did not want to take the freaking test more than once (and I never did - one click!).

It was pretty much the same way when my wife and I were preparing for our wedding back in '04. Given the amount of preparation and sacrifice that we both poured into making sure that everything would work out right on our wedding day (we saved up and spent for everything), we knew that we had to steer clear of anything that would and could ruin the event. I recall that we observed practically every bit of superstition with a shrug of the shoulder, and just reminded ourselves that "we won't lose anything naman if we do it."

Over dinner last Monday, I confided in my wife and told her how dejected I felt over the possibility of missing BDM 102 because of my injury. And why wouldn't I be? She and I both knew how much time and effort I poured into preparing for the damn thing. I was not able to follow my training program to the letter, but we both knew that I did put in as much time into training as my body and schedule permitted. We both knew that thoughts of BDM consumed almost each of my waking hours, and that hardly any conversation passed without me blurting out something relating or alluding to BDM. I told her that I cannot recall ever having wanted something this badly since my Bar exams and our wedding day. She believed me completely.

And just like that, it felt like I was back in law school, listening to my Crim Law professor deliver his prophetic line. Except only that I wasn't laughing.

With Fingers Crossed and Bated Breath

2011-02-16T18:24:00.002+08:00

I received some very positive and encouraging news today when my x-ray and CBC (complete blood count) results revealed that I have neither a fracture nor a soft tissue infection in my lower leg. Doc ordered these additional tests last Monday after he noticed the very bad swelling in the region between my ankle and shin on my left leg. He wanted to rule out the presence of a fracture and any bone or tissue infection, and to make sure that I am receiving the right form treatment. Now that those possibilities have been discounted, we are back to the original diagnosis - tibial perostitis, more commonly know as shin splints (albeit a very severe case). And so, the treatment continues - daily therapy, target-specific stretching exercises, anti-inflammatory cream, rest. LOTS of rest. Did I miss anything, doc?

This is my first-ever running-related injury, and it has come at the most inopportune time. My biggest race to date - BDM 102 - is less than three weeks away. As a friend had very aptly analogized, the healing and recovery process has become a race in itself. It has become a race against time, a dash to see whether my nearly 36 year-old body can recover soon enough to allow me to participate in the madness that I have been preparing for during the last five months. Will I make it within the cut-off time? We'll see. I do know this, though: The possibility of having all that effort go down the drain had sapped the life out of me. It had me completely deflated. And so, today's bit of good news comes like a tonic that has lifted my spirits. I am now cautiously optimistic that I will be at the starting line in Mariveles, Bataan on March 5th.

My heart-felt thanks to everyone that wished me well and gave me encouragement during the past couple of days. Special mention goes to my good friends Din and Carrie. Hope I didn't ruin your V-Day date by flooding you with messages on BBM last Monday. : ) You guys are the best.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

2011-02-13T16:33:00.005+08:00

THE GOOD: I've been cleared medically to take part in the insanity that is BDM 102. Got my clearance a couple of days ago, and everything was perfectly normal with the exception of my cholesterol level. It sat on the borderline between normal and you-have-to-do-something-about-this. Blame it on my genes. But hey, I was cleared for BDM, so absolutely no fretting here.

More good news. I completed the second BDM 102 test run yesterday, from Km 50 in Abucay, Bataan to Km 102 in San Fernando, Pampanga. I covered 52 kilometers in seven hours and two seconds. Very good heat training. I was also able to try out my gear, as well as my nutrition and hydration plans. Now that I've done both halves of the BDM 102 route, I already have a clearer picture of what to expect on D-Day - the critical turns, the terrain, the climate, the over-all atmosphere of the race. For those interested (or just plain curious) in the statistics of my two BDM test runs, please click here and here.

I have trained hard, I have ran the actual route, I have medical clearance, I have completed the registration process. Only one more thing left to do before showtime, and this brings us to...

THE BAD: I have to heal and recover. I have shin splints - a very common running injury. I first felt some pain below my left shin and above the ankle after last weekend's Condura Skyway Marathon. Knowing that I will be doing the 52k test run this weekend, I rested all of last week and did not log a single kilometer. I guess it worked because the pain went away, only to return at Km 10 of yesterday's test run, while I was somewhere in the town of Hermosa in Bataan. At that point, the discomfort was still very bearable (almost negligible, actually), so I decided to push forward. I did notice though that I felt the discomfort when I walked, and not when I ran. This condition persisted until around Km 20, when, for some reason, the discomfort completely vanished. I thought all would be well until the pain (no longer just plain discomfort) came back at around Km 26. From that point on, it became a struggle for me just to put weight on my left leg. What made it worse was the fact that I was running on very uneven surface - the gravel-strewn shoulder of Roman Highway. During this stretch, wifey (who was in my support vehicle) and I had the following exchange as I was in for a pit stop:

Me: It hurts like hell every time I step on a large stone. The uneven surface is just killing me!

Wifey: So why don't you get off the shoulder and run on the edge of the road instead?

Me: Uhm... because it would hurt more if I get side-swiped by a bus.

By Km 35, the pain was almost debilitating. I was already hobbling badly when I ran and it was worse when I walked. I won't lie here - quitting did cross my mind. A lot of times. After all, it was just a test run, not a race. I seriously considered calling the troops back in. Obviously though, I did not quit, and I plowed on in this condition for the next 17 kilometers. Maybe it was courageous of me, or maybe it was downright stupid. I don't know. I guess it was a little of both, but perhaps it's bit more of the latter.

THE UGLY: I am hobbling right now and couldn't even walk straight. I had my injury checked by Dr. Gilbert Tan at the Pain and Rehab Care Clinic in Megamall, and he confirmed that I do have shin splints. Absolutely no running or jumping for the next two weeks. Therapy sessions everyday during the same period, which by the way started this morning. In all likelihood, I will still be able to do BDM 102 three weeks from today, but there is no assurance that the pain will not flare up during the course of the run. Fair enough. Good thing I already experienced running through the pain yesterday. At least I already have some practice on that. If pain flares up during BDM and I decide to run through it, would I expose myself to any risk of a more severe injury? Doc said no. I have all the assurance I need. Doc said a very extreme and highly improbable scenario would be, that I'd develop a stress fracture. He also said, however, that nobody develops a stress fracture overnight. So, if I began feeling pain only last week, it couldn't be a stress fracture. He went on and discussed medical terms that lawyers normally do not understand (unless the lawyer is also a doctor), but I had already heard enough. Sorry for having tuned out, doc.

So, it's settled. Absolutely no running and therapy sessions everyday (thank God for company-issued HMO cards) for the next two weeks. Doc says I also have to use orthotic arch supports because I am severely flat-footed, to help ease the stress on my calves when I run. You got it, doc.

Oh well. There goes tomorrow's recovery run...

Over the Top

2011-02-09T00:22:00.003+08:00

First off, a big congratulations to all the men and women behind the Condura Skyway Marathon. From the head honchos over at Condura (brothers Pat and Ton Concepcion), to the tireless Race Director (Coach Rio) and his crew, all the way down to the last marshall and aid station volunteer --- all of them contributed to churning out a marathon that this running-crazed metro of ours can be truly proud of. It seems that the team left no stone unturned in its drive to ensure that the event would be a spectacular success. This, coupled with the innate uniqueness of the Skyway route, are more than enough to make the Condura Skyway Marathon one of Southeast Asia's "must-run" marathons. It's right up there with the Cebu City Marathon, and surely deserves to be called the country's premiere running event. Hopefully, events like the CCM and the Condura Marathon would boost the country's stock as a preferred marathon destination in the region.

On a personal note, I am pleased to share that I was able to record a new personal best for the marathon distance. I did not meet my target time of 4 hours and 30 minutes, but I wasn't way off the mark either. I finished with a chip time of 4:35:46 - an improvement of almost 15 minutes from my previous PB of 4:50:04, set at CCM last month. Average pace was 6:27 mpk. My run had juuuust the right amount of suspense, too, as I hit Km 37 somewhere along Buendia with a time of exactly 4 hours. That left me with 30 minutes to complete the last five kilometers - very doable even for an average recreational runner like yours truly. I thought I could pull it off as I still felt strong at that stage, hydration and nutrition along the route was more than adequate, and the sun was neatly tucked behind thick clouds. And so, I gave it the old college try. As it turned out, a pace of 6 mpk was no longer sustainable, and I missed my goal by five minutes. No shame in all of this, however, because nobody that knew me when I was younger would have ever imagined that I would one day finish a marathon, let alone finish one with a time somewhere in the 4:30's range. Heck, it was the proverbial suntok sa buwan (punching at the moon), but somehow, I managed to do it by taking the Skyway. Statistics of my run here.

And for the record, the son never forgot.

Another saving grace was the fact that I continued my streak of bringing down my finish time, one marathon at a time. My finish times thus far are 5:42 (Condura, Feb '10), 5:20 (Milo, Jul '10), 5:18 (CamSur, Sept '10), 4:56 (Singapore, Dec '10), 4:50 (Cebu, Jan '11), and now, 4:35. It's obvious that my training for BDM 102 has allowed me to continuously improve. I don't think I've become faster, but I've definitely gotten stronger. Peaking at the right time? We'll see. My advice therefore to aspiring marathoners is this: The best marathon training is ultra distance training. : )

Now that my marathon streak is over (for now), I am back to being a newbie as I continue preparing for BDM 102. I'll be doing the second BDM test run on Saturday, from Km 50 in Abucay, Bataan to Km 102 in San Fernando, Pampanga. This 52k run will be my longest run ever before I tackle the real thing on March 5, and also doubles as only my second ultra distance run. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will be hot and humid on the day of the test run, as that will be the only way for the test run to simulate the conditions that I expect to face at BDM. May the next few weeks be fruitful and productive for me and for all BDMers, veterans and neophytes alike, 102 or 160. Showtime is just around the corner, my friends.

First Things First

2011-02-05T13:12:00.001+08:00

The gun start of the Condura Skyway Marathon is just hours away, but for some reason, I am not yet fully engaged. Right now, I just don't have the degree of focus that I recall I had as I approached previous marathons. Proof: I am not even writing about Condura now. Admittedly, I am already looking ahead to what the future holds after tomorrow.

Perhaps too far ahead, actually. There is the BDM 52k Test Run next Saturday. Less than three weeks after that, will be the real thing: BDM 102. After BDM (if I still have legs and feet), I will be doing the Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon on June 26. Before KL, though, some time around the end of April or in early May, will be the New York City Marathon lottery. I am a lottery hopeful, and I will finally find out whether I will be hitting the Big Apple in November to run one of my dream marathons. Of course, sprinkled in between all of these will be the Philippine Association of Ultrarunners (PAU) ultra runs and other ultramarathons that I also hope to experience this year, and perhaps a few other destination marathons here and abroad.

But for now, there is a race that must be run. The Skyway looms large and proud in the horizon. I must train my sights on the task at hand rather than day-dream about races and runs that have yet to pass. I am just an average recreational runner - no room for error and definitely no margin for hubris. A marathon is a marathon, 42.195 kilometers is 42.195 kilometers, no matter where and when it is run. Respect the distance, as the learned veterans say.

May the gods of running smile upon all of us tomorrow, and allow us to cross the finish line and see what lies beyond.

Give Batman a Break

2011-02-02T16:30:00.005+08:00

If it were up to me, I would require anyone who will be taking up running for the first time – regardless of distance – to seek prior medical clearance. Running is a strenuous activity that, literally, is not for the faint of heart. This point cannot be stressed enough especially in the light of the current running boom.

I started running back in the late ‘90s during my law school days in UP. Back then, a long run consisted of three laps around the Academic Oval, and an hour on the treadmill passed for a regular workout. I ramped things up only after I had an executive check-up a couple of years ago. The check-up included the whole shebang – ECG, 2D Echo, treadmill stress test, chest x-ray, complete blood chemistry, medical history and physical examination, etcetera, etcetera. The results were very positive, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Earlier today, I went to a diagnostic clinic near my place of work to find out what tests need to be done for me to obtain medical clearance to do BDM 102. The medical clearance is a requirement for BDM (Bald Runner has always observed a “no medical clearance – no run” policy for BDM), but I would have sought one voluntarily even if that had not been the case. BDM is not a walk in the park, and to simply say “bahala na si Batman” would plainly be idiotic. After all, I am no longer a spring chicken, having seen all of 35 (and pushing 36!) summers. I should give the Caped Crusader a break.

After I informed the receiving nurse of my purpose for seeking medical clearance, I was told that what I specifically need is a cardio-pulmonary clearance. She then referred me to a cardiologist. It so happened that the cardiologist is also a recreational runner who regularly does 10k runs, so he knew what BDM was all about. His first question, which he asked half-jokingly (I think), was “sigurado ka ba sa gagawin mo?” (Are you sure of what you are about to do?). I answered yes, naturally, and asked him to please have me go through all tests that would sufficiently gauge my fitness to do BDM. The good doctor obliged, and ordered that I go through something very close to the whole shebang – ECG, chest x-ray, urinalysis, and complete blood chemistry. He emphasized that he wanted to see my creatinine, glycogen, sodium, and blood sugar levels. I asked for more, and requested that he also check my cholesterol levels - just in case. Thank God for doctors who are also runners.

As of this writing, I already have the preliminary result of my ECG. I was told that I had a slow heart rate, but that this was expected given how frequently I do cardiovascular workouts. I asked the doctor whether that was good or bad, and he answered without flinching - it was expected. All test results will be in by tomorrow, and I’ll have the full picture in a couple of days.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that everything would turn out okay (I never take anything for granted). It would be a shame if I had to pull out this late in the day. If and when I already have that medical clearance in my hands, I will have taken my first step towards crossing the finish line by the old train station in San Fernando.

In Heat

2011-01-31T00:40:00.005+08:00

With only five weeks to go before BDM 102, it's time to take heat training more seriously. No back-to-back long runs for me last weekend, as I'm on taper mode right now for next weekend's Condura Skyway Marathon and the BDM Test Run 52k the weekend after that. And so, I restricted myself to a 10k run on Saturday and a 20k run on Sunday. The Saturday run was crap because the sun was hardly out. It was very cloudy, hence there was hardly any heat to train with. So much for heat training.

Sunday, however, was a completely different story. The sun was out and there were hardly any clouds in sight - perfect heat training weather. I ran the same route that I ran the day before. I parked my vehicle near Muji and Serendra in Bonifacio High Street, and this served as the starting point. From there, the route passed through the road where the Lexus dealership is located (behind St. Luke's and S&R - don't know the name), the vicinity of I.S. and the British School, and then the "border" of BGC and Kalayaan Avenue, before heading back to the starting point. A round trip spanned almost 10 kilometers, and I did two trips and loose change to get to 20 kilometers. I picked this route because there were no tall buildings that would block the sun. My car served as an aid station that served up Gatorade, bite-sized chocolate bars, and Hammer Endurolytes electrolyte capsules. The 7-Eleven store at the Philplans Building near Kalayaan served as the second aid station, and there I took only water. I ran under the heat of the sun for almost 2 hours and 30 minutes, from 10:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Good heat training!

The run was productive for several reasons. Obviously, it allowed me to experience running under the sun for an extended period. It also allowed me to test the apparel that I will be using on D-Day - a white, long-sleeved New Balance running top in Lightning Dry technical fabric, which has a Sun Protection Factor rating of 20. I was also able to try the Endurolytes capsules (took them for the first time) and a prospective hydration plan. Most importantly, though, the run made me realize that I am not a complete stranger to running under the sun and in hot weather, after all. I am not a very fast runner, and I always finish my marathons with the sun already out. Who would have thought that my late finishes would one day prove useful? Certainly not me.

I hope to do more heat training in the remaining weekends before BDM. Right after I finish the Condura Marathon next week, I plan to run an additional 10 kilometers just so I would experience running under the late morning sun after having already completed 40+ kilometers. The week after that will have the 52k BDM Test Run, which will start at around 7 a.m. and which I expect to finish seven hours later at around 2 p.m. - definitely plenty of heat right there. The rest of the remaining weekends will be devoted to shorter "sun runs" as I taper for the big day.

Banana Boat SPF 70 will be my best friend for the weeks ahead!

Same Old, Same Old

2011-01-25T00:57:00.000+08:00

In a little less than two weeks, I will be running my sixth full mary: the Condura Skyway Marathon. Condura is special for a number of reasons. For one, it marks my first anniversary as a marathon runner. Condura 2010 was my very first marathon - the rite of passage that I had to endure in order to reach the next level. More significantly, however, Condura 2010 was both a tribute and a prayer. I dedicated my first marathon to my father, who, to this day, continues to miraculously defy the ravages of an affliction that can be stayed but can no longer be beaten. I ran Condura with a deep sense of purpose that I never had in any of my succeeding marathons - and it led to the irony that my slowest marathon finish remains the sweetest yet.

At Condura 2011, a lot of things will be different. I will be traversing the Skyway no longer as a first-time marathoner, but as an ultra distance runner training for a 102-kilometer ultramarathon. The target finish time will be a more aggressive 4:30, and simply finishing within six hours will no longer be acceptable. I will no longer be clad in the silly-looking apparel I had on last year (racing tights, iPod, a belt bag that held food and SPF 70 sunblock lotion!). On race day, I will be up to 14 pounds lighter, healthier, better-conditioned, better-trained, better-prepared. What a difference a year makes, indeed.

Oh-so-many changes, but one thing remains the same: I will run Condura 2011 for my father. No more DIY race bibs this time around, but the cryptic words that I wrote on my back almost a year ago are now indelibly etched in my heart, mind, and soul - not the least bit dulled by the passage of time.

A Son Never Forgets.

Crossing the Line

2011-01-21T00:52:00.001+08:00

As I was stuck in traffic on my way to work yesterday morning, I started browsing through the files in my Blackberry, looking for stuff to delete. I came across the photo above - a random shot that I carelessly took during one of my walk breaks at last weekend's BDM Test Run 1, a.k.a. my first ultrarun. Only now have I realized how symbolic the image actually is.

It is the first kilometer post beyond Km 42.

And another journey begins.

Natural Evolution

2011-01-16T19:52:00.012+08:00

BDM Km Post 50 in Abucay, Bataan, at 4:36 a.m.

Yesterday, I completed my first-ever ultra run: the BDM 2011 Test Run 1, which also doubled as a Philippine Association of Ultrarunners (PAU) 50k Run. My finish time (Garmin) - 6:46:29 - was far from stellar, but I'd like to think that it was quite decent considering the challenges posted by the route (Mariveles to Abucay, Bataan - mostly rolling terrain, blanketed in total darkness) and the fact that it was my first foray into ultra distance running. I finished my maiden ultra run barely six days after doing last weekend's Cebu City Marathon.

The last couple of days before the run were also less than encouraging, as I was in Singapore from Thursday to Saturday morning - the day of the run! - handling a very stressful contract negotiation. Saturday morning saw me taking a 9:40 a.m. flight out of the Lion City. From there, it was a whirlwind of activity. I landed in NAIA at 1:10 p.m., was home and packing my gear and supplies by 2 pm, and was en route to Bataan by 4:15 p.m. At 8:30 p.m., I was finally standing at Km 0 in Mariveles - very closely resembling a total wreck and running almost purely on adrenaline (no Red Bull or Cobra for me), anxiously waiting for the start of the next big test.

Banana break at Km 45

Six hours, 46 minutes, and 29 seconds later, I reached the BDM Km Post 50. Average pace was 8:07 min/km. For the first 30 kilometers, I used a Galloway run-walk ratio of 8:1, which I adjusted to 7:1 for Kms 31 to 40, and finally to 6:1 for the last 10. Statistics of my run here. I survived my first ultra run - as well as the murderous inclines, the complete darkness that seemed to go on and on, the stray dogs (it seemed like there were hundreds of them!), some drunks along the interior roads, the taunting members of the third sex, and the practitioners of the world's oldest profession plying the red light strip along Roman Highway - and I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT. I'll never join another overpriced half-marathon in BGC again.

With the promotor himself - BR - at the finish point.

More than being just a "regular" ultra run, this one was in fact a test run for the first half of the BDM route. The purpose of the run was to prepare idiots like me who are insane enough to run 102 kilometers or, worse, 160 kilometers in the dead of our country's tropical summer. The run achieved this purpose very convincingly. Here are some of my most significant learnings from this experience. I know, a lot of them are common sensical, but it was just fantastic to see them "work" during an actual run:

(a) I now know that, in colder climate, running 102k is very doable. Come BDM in March, the distance won’t kill me, but the heat and humidity will. Heat training will be critical.

(b) Walk all uphills and run when it is flat. Galloway is the way!

(d) You won’t survive BDM without a headlamp or flashlight of some sort. If you're afraid of the dark, just stay home and don't even think of doing this.

(e) The fewer runners being supported by a single support vehicle, the better. But a ratio of one runner per vehicle is best.

(f) Having the support vehicle chase (but not shadow) the runner (rather than the vehicle leap-frogging) is a viable strategy. In my case, it worked to perfection. My vehicle gave me a 10 to 15 minute lead before catching up to meet me, and we repeated this routine through out the run.

(g) When stocking up on supplies, include an allowance for other runners who may need support while their own vehicles aren’t around. You should do this for them because you would want them to do this for you. You'll never know when you will need to look to other runners' crews for provisions.

The aftermath

And just like that, I entered the next stage of my continuing evolution as a runner.

Next up for me is the Condura Skyway Marathon on 6 February, and then the BDM Test Run 2 52k on 12 February. But for now... a two-day recovery period.

Sigh.

Coming Up Short

2011-01-11T00:34:00.002+08:00

It is said that good things come to those who wait. If that indeed is the case, then I guess I will have to console myself with the prospect of better days ahead.

In my previous post, I came out with the stated goal of finishing the 2011 Cebu City Marathon in 4:45. It was rather ambitious of me, to tell you frankly, considering that I have gone sub-5 only once before - and it happened only last December. But hey, we all have the right to aim high (or perhaps more appropriately - dream big). If I nail it, good. If I don't, well, redemption could be had on the Skyway next month.

Alright, I'll get straight to the point - last Sunday in Cebu, I came up short. I finished the Cebu City Marathon in 4:50:04 (Garmin time), a new personal best and an improvement of six minutes over my Singapore time, but way off the mark by a full five minutes. For a while there, I thought I had it in the bag. Up until Km 35, I was shamelessly flirting with a 4:30. A 4:30! And then - ~~shit~~ Mango Avenue happened. Fueled by adrenaline and hubris (and Roctane!) - and in full pursuit of a 4:30 finish - I ran the inclines instead of walking them. And the outcome was... cramps on both my thighs almost every 200 meters for the rest of the way. To say that Kms 36 to 42 were a struggle would be a huge understatement. Those last six kilometers were even worse and far more excruciating than the last three kilometers of my maiden marathon. More than the physical pain though, as I was hobbling my way through Salinas Drive, what tortured me mercilessly was the notion that I had the 4:30 well within reach, and I just let it slip away. At Km 40, I reverted to the original goal: 4:45. The original prize had become but a mere consolation. Still, it was not to be. My quads refused to cooperate, and even the 4:45 vanished. So, with the finish line in sight, I mustered whatever juice I had left and sprinted. I could still salvage a 4:49 and loose change - and that would still look loads better than a 4:50. But, well, you already know the rest of the story - I crossed the line five seconds too late. Voila, a bittersweet personal best - 4:50:04. Statistics and splits of my run here (the race distance was fairly accurate - the SRP Tunnel just screwed up the readings).

Now that I've gotten all of that off my chest - let's talk about the marathon itself. Let me say this: The Cebu City Marathon was as good as advertised. Actually, it was waaaay better. Fireworks at the starting line, a very festive atmosphere, aid stations every 1.5 to 2 kms, overflowing water and energy drinks and abundant food items (banana, crackers, chocolates) at the aid stations, bands, performers, loudspeakers, and cheering sections at almost every turn, countless race marshalls that actually knew what they were doing and that were very polite, a scenic yet fairly challenging route, ambulances and first aid stations, full support of the local government, fantastic-looking finisher's medal --- I can go on and on and on. The Cebu City Marathon was THAT GOOD. I have done five marathons thus far, all within the last 10 months - Condura, Milo, Singapore, CamSur, Cebu, and I can say with all objectivity that Cebu was by far the best. Of the five marathons under my belt, if I were to choose just one that I would run again in 2012, it would be Cebu, hands down. Yes boys and girls, Cebu was that good. It really was. You want to run a world-class marathon? We have one right in our own backyard. Just head down south. Thank you, Cebu. I will definitely be back next year.

Pardon the digression --- but I never meant for this to be a feel-good post. I will claim my 4:30 at the Condura Skyway Marathon next month. After what I went through in Cebu last Sunday, I know in my heart that it can be done. A wee bit too cocky? Perhaps. But so what? It's a free country.

Riddle Me This

2011-01-06T01:22:00.003+08:00

This definitely is not the way to spend taper week.

Only three days to go before my next race, the 2011 Cebu City Marathon, and I'm wracking my brain over two critical details that could make or break me during my fifth mary. It's kind of annoying, really, because I should already have established a set routine by now. I am no longer a marathon newbie, and, as a matter of fact, I already have certain well-formed habits that have carried me through four injury-free marathon finishes. But with only about a hundred hours before my next full, I find myself in uncharted territory because I will be running my first ultramarathon less than six days after I complete a full marathon. After Cebu on 9 January, I will be doing the Bataan Death March Test Run 50k on January 15. BDM TR 50 will trace the first half of the BDM 102 route, spanning 50 kilometers from Km 0 in Mariveles to Abucay, Bataan.

Here are my issues:

First - Do I race Cebu, or do I run at picture-taking pace and conserve my legs for the following weekend's ultra? During last week's Rizal Day Run, I sought Bald Runner's advice on how I should tackle Cebu. Being an ultramarathon virgin, I am totally clueless on how I should handle the two races given the relatively short time interval. BR's advice was simple and made a lot of sense: Take it easy in Cebu and have just enough juice to finish BDM TR 50. He said the Cebu route is relatively easy, so he doesn't foresee that I would need to push myself all that much. Logical and uncomplicated approach --- and then good ol' BR threw in the monkey wrench. I did't know if he was kidding, but he said the magic words: If you can improve your marathon PR by five to ten minutes, that should be fine.

Oh boy, here goes nothing. My original plan - my goal - was really to chase a 4:45 finish in Cebu. This would be an improvement of almost 11 minutes over my 4:56 finish in Singapore last month. And I know in my heart that it is very much feasible, as I did 35 kilometers in 3:47 at the Rizal Day Run just last week. I mulled this over while I was doing my easy run a while ago, and I think I already have my answer: I'll go for 4:45 in Cebu, recover during the five-day lull (i.e., do a single 5k recovery run two days after Cebu, as well as regular stretching routines), and then run BDM TR 50 at a relaxed pace. This plan is somewhat consistent with another nugget I picked up from one of BR's older posts.

Second - What shoes should I wear? It's almost absurd that I am asking this question just days before my fifth marathon. Again, I have BR to thank for my dilemma. In this post, he noted that a lot of the participants in the Soochow 24-Hour Endurance Run were wearing stability shoes and/or shoes that provide cushioning. This got me thinking- again. For my first three marathons, I ran in my recently-retired adidas Adizero Tempo. For the fourth (my PR marathon), I wore the adidas Adizero Mana. Both the Tempo and the Mana are lightweight stability shoes (I overpronate) - almost minimalist and very close to the ground, ergo, reduced stability and cushioning. However, because I will be doing a marathon (at my target marathon race pace of 6:20-6:30 mins/km) and an ultramarathon only five days apart, I think I will do my body a huge favor and wear full-on stability trainers for both races. I would have loved to run these two events in my adidas Supernova Sequence, but the poor soles (pun intended, as always) have already breathed their last breath. And so, a blast from the past (i.e., my shoe cabinet) shows up and saves the day. Back from the grave (and covered in dust and cobwebs!) came my Nike Zoom Structure Triax 12 - my very first stability trainers that I ditched over a year ago after I became an Adi guy. I have been doing a lot of training runs in them lately, and I ran the Rizal Day Run in them at my target marathon race pace last week. Felt great after the Rizal Day Run (35k @ 6:30 pace), thanks no doubt in large part to the Triax. During my 10k training run on a tartan track a while ago, I ran in the Adizero Mana just so I'd have some basis for comparison. Suffice it to say that I'm now kicking myself for not having given the Triax a chance in any of my previous marathons.

And so --- this, too, is almost settled. I will go with the Triax for Cebu and for BDM TR50. And maybe even for Condura and BDM TR 52 next month. And maybe even for BDM 102 in March! And then the Triax can go out in style.

Riddle solved.

Can't wait to hit the streets of the Queen City of the South. Taper week sucks big time.

Running with Murakami

2011-01-02T15:39:00.002+08:00

I am a huge admirer of the works of the Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami. I have read a couple of his works - the ground-breaking Kafka on the Shore and the critically-acclaimed The Wind-up Bird Chronicle - and I must say that I am hooked. I have stocked up on a few other Murakami titles for me to read as soon as I'm done with my flavor of the season (2666 by the Chilean novelist Roberto Bolano) - Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the Word, Sputnik Sweetheart, and Norwegian Wood. I make it a point to pick up one of his works each time I get lost in Fully Booked, for fear that they would run out and I would not be able to find copies when the time comes that I already feel like reading them. Talk about panic-buying.

A few days ago, I picked up yet another Murakami opus - What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. Sports Illustrated describes the international bestseller as "a brilliant meditation on how his running and writing nurture and sustain each other... with spare, engaging prose... Murakami shares his runner's high." The book was written by Murakami in 2007 while he was training for the New York City Marathon. I have a gut feeling that this book will serve as my personal good luck charm - my rabbit's foot - as I await the results of the 2011 NYC Marathon lottery.

I'll sink my teeth into the book tonight. It is only 180 pages long, so I should be able to finish it in PR time. I'm off to a fine start for 2011, so expect a synopsis to follow very soon.

As I Look Back With Pride at 2010

2010-12-30T16:30:00.001+08:00

I admit that I have somehow grown a bit tired of blogging. I still regularly visit other running blogs to keep abreast of what's going on in the local running scene, and I still constantly update some pages of Life is a Highway (i.e., Race Log, Marathon Log, Personal Bests, Mileage), but I just could not find the energy to blog regularly (or even post comments in the sites that I frequent). The spirit is still very much willing, but the flesh is just too damn lazy. Guess which one wins out on a regular basis.

Still, it just would not feel right if I didn't close the year with one last post. After all, 2010 has been a great year for me. The past year has given me and my family a lot to be thankful for, and I know of no better way to celebrate these blessing than to look back in tribute at the year that was, Highway-style.

Allow me to start off with the trivial stuff (which unfortunately is the central theme of this site) - running. In 2010, I accomplished a lot of feats that I never would have thought were within my abilities to accomplish. Thanks to Garmin Connect, I can proudly rattle off a few statistics:

In 2010, I did a total of 142 runs, inclusive of races, training, and "fitness" runs. I ran for a total of 240:32:51 (hrs:mins:secs), covered a total distance of 1,980.14 kms, and burned a total of 169,326 calories. Each run lasted an average of 1:41:58, spanned an average distance of 13.94 kms, and was done at an average speed of 8.2 kph. My longest single run covered 42.57 kms and lasted for 5:42:06 seconds.

Over the last 12 months, I ran and finished a total of 14 races, consisting of four full marathons (including my first on foreign soil!), two 32k runs, seven half-marathons, and one 15k run.

From a debut 15k time of 1:53:24 on 15 August 2009 (KR Urbanite - my very first race!), I recorded a personal best time of 1:26:20 on 11 April 2010 (Mizuno). From a debut half-marathon time of 2:23:10 on 25 October 2009 (Subic), I recorded a HM personal best time of 2:03:52 on 24 October 2010 (KOTR). From a debut marathon time of 5:42:37 on 7 February 2010 (Condura), I recorded a marathon personal best time of 4:56:42 on 5 December 2010 (Singapore).

These are all very modest numbers that the most hardened runners and speedsters would probably scoff and sneer at, but from my humble personal perspective, these statistics glow like gold. Who would have ever thought that a former heavy-smoking, binge-drinking, overweight non-athlete would one day be capable of churning out these figures? Certainly not me (or my wife!). For this alone, I will always look back at 2010 with pride. I don't know how long my health and my body would allow me to keep this up, but I do know this: I will give it my best shot and most valiant effort ALWAYS.

But as hard as it might be to believe, the "running" part was merely the cherry on the sundae, the icing on the cake, the gravy on the turkey - WHATEVER. I could have logged zero runs and zero kilometers in 2010, and the year would still not be a tad less remarkable. For me, 2010 drew its sheen and shimmer from the things that really matter: Family. Togetherness. Life. Health. Stability. Change. Opportunities. Possibilities.

As we usher in 2010, I say a silent prayer of thanks, and make a simple wish that the coming year would be even better and kinder to us all. Happy New Year, everyone. Here's to the long road ahead, and to the endless miles that we all will be running in 2011!

Done!

2010-12-05T16:04:00.001+08:00

After four tries, I finally nailed my first sub-5 marathon. I finished the 2010 Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore in 4:56:42, with a gun time of 4:58:40. My previous personal best for a marathon was 5:18, set at CamSur last September. Details to follow in a separate post.

No time to let up - the Cebu Marathon is just a little over four weeks away.

Thank you, Singapore!

Here We Go

2010-12-04T21:53:00.000+08:00

Here's to good weather, an enjoyable, safe and injury-free run,

and giving it everything you've got!

Are We There Yet?

2010-12-04T00:07:00.001+08:00

My first day in Singapore. Not my first time to visit this city state, but my first time to come here for a race - my fourth marathon and my first-ever on foreign soil. Wifey and I are staying at the Mandarin Orchard Singapore - about a hundred meters away from the Full Marathon starting line. It doesn't get any more convenient than this.

After a nice brunch and settling into our hotel room, we headed to Marina Bay to pick up my race entry pack. The entire process was a breeze - a computerized database of registered runners, countless volunteers to man the booths, very spacious venue. No long queues at all because today and tomorrow are devoted to foreign runners who have yet to pick up their race packs.

Outside the race pack collection venue

No sweat!

Asics singlet and the personalized bib - nice!

Game on!

One more full day of R&R before the big race. Best of luck to all my fellow Pinoy marathoners who will be pounding the streets of Singapore on Sunday. Here's hoping that everything would turn out well for all of us, so that, come Sunday night, the brewskie would taste juuuust a little bit better!

Five Weeks In Review

2010-11-29T23:01:00.012+08:00

I can't believe that it has already been over a month since my last post. An erratic schedule, work-related travel, and a much-needed vacation all played key roles in keeping me away from the blogosphere. That said, I'd be lying if don't admit that my extended silence was actually due to sheer laziness. For some reason, I simply haven't been able to squeeze enough juice to bring myself to compose even just a short post. Blogging burn-out, perhaps? I definitely think so.

The fact that I haven't been blogging of late, however, does NOT mean that running has also taken a backseat. Quite the contrary, the past month has been loaded with a fair bit of running and other running-related activities. What had I been up to during my blogging hiatus? Quite a lot, actually...

1. I have been running, of course. Work and other activities have kept me from consistently meeting my target weekly mileage of 90 to 100 kms, but I think I've been logging some fairly decent numbers. Despite my erratic schedule, I somehow managed to register 223.9 kms between 26 October and 27 November. My runs included a 32 km race, which I extended by another 6 kms to reach a total of 38 kms, a 30k LSD, a 21k LSD, six 15k tempo runs, a couple of 17k easy runs, and an 11k easy run. As part of my preparation for BDM 102 in March, I have been doing longer runs. After the Singapore Marathon on 5 December, I will resume doing back-to-back long runs on weekends, and once again ramp up my weekly mileage to the 90 to 100 km range.

2. While I was in Milwaukee for work, I revisited one of my favorite running routes - the banks of the Lake Michigan - and did a leisurely 17k run.

3. Before returning to Manila, I spent a few days with my brother and his wonderful family in Elk Grove, California. To burn all the burritos (and my sis-in-law's awesome beef caldereta - thanks, Ate Jen!) and flush out the beer, I eagerly did a 20k LSD - my first time to run in my kuya's neck of the woods.

4. I convinced wifey to get me a "belated birthday / advanced christmas" gift - a Garmin 310XT. My trusty F305 (wifey's gift from last Christmas - I have an extremely supportive wife) is still working fine, but it doesn't have the battery life to withstand 18 hours of continuous running. Simply put, I found the 310XT's supposed 20-hour battery life impossible to resist. The latest handy excuse - I need it for BDM. :)

5. I did a bit of outlet shopping in Vacaville, CA. From the New Balance Factory Outlet, I picked up a long-sleeved New Balance running top in NB's Lightning Dry technical fabric. The tag says it's UV Protective - perfect for running under the sun. I also found a New Balance Reflective Safety Vest - which means I won't have to wear a MMDA-looking reflectorized chaleko come March. From the Adidas Factory Outlet, I got an Adizero running cap and a Climawarm pull-over running sweater - which turned out to be made in the Philippines! For NYC Marathon 2011? We'll see. And lastly, from the Nike Factory Outlet, I stocked up on Dri-Fit no-show running socks (in royal blue) and got this cool shirt:

6. Last weekend, I ran the Unilab 32k Run - by far, the best-organized race I've ever ran in my almost two years of racing. RunRio just seems to keep raising the bar for the quality of local races. Here's hoping the bar would at least stay where it is, if not raised even higher. I finished in 3:26:41, with an average pace of 6:27/km. I was quite happy with my time - it showed that I'm gradually getting stronger. After crossing the finish line, I ran an additional 6 kms to log 38 kms for the day.

7. I finally satisfied myself that the Adidas Adizero Mana are GREAT racers. I said in an older post that I'd come up with a review, but I never came around to doing it. I've used the Mana in a couple of 15k tempo runs on a tartan track, a 25k LSD, a half-marathon, and a 32k race extended by an additional 6 kilometers, and I can't say enough good things about these babies. No need to wax technical here - the Mana are indeed heaven-sent and are a worthy successor to my greatly-revered but semi-retired Adidas Adizero Tempo. I will definitely run my next few marathons in them, starting with Singapore next week.

8. This next one has got me REALLY excited. I applied for the ING New York City Marathon 2011, to be held on 6 November 2011. I'm a first-time lottery hopeful, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I would get drawn on the first try. It's just like the Bar Exams - you want to nail it on the first try. NYC is one of my dream marathons, and to run it would be an absolute dream come true. It would also be good to once again visit the city where wifey and I spent our honeymoon six years ago. :)

9. And lastly, I have been waiting very anxiously for the 2010 Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore. It's just five days away - 5 December 2010. Can't wait to run my fourth marathon and my first-ever outside the Philippines. Check out the video of the route below, and then tell me honestly how you can not get excited. The immediate goal remains the same - to finally nail a sub-5 finish. The long-term goal is grander - to become stronger, better-prepared, and better-seasoned for the very long road that lies beyond the marathon distance.

And there you have it. Everything I could have possibly written about during the past five weeks (if only I had been a bit more diligent), capsulized in a single post. Here's hoping that it won't take me another five weeks to come up with the next one. It definitely feels good to be back, and perhaps the long hiatus was exactly what I needed to realize - and admit - that I did miss blogging, after all.

You Reap What You Sow

2010-10-24T15:43:00.004+08:00

For the past five weeks now, I have been ramping up my training with the goal of peaking into ultramarathon shape by March 2011. It actually started the week before the CamSur marathon, and I have not slowed down since. I have been making the most of whatever free time I have by gradually building up my base mileage. To achieve this, I have replaced my usual 10k weekday runs with longer 15k runs. There's greater regularity too, as I now run five to six days a week. These include the obligatory back-to-back long runs on weekends. Two weeks ago, I logged 75 kms for the week including back-to-back 20 km runs, and the following week, I logged 90 kms with back-to-back 22 and 23 km runs. Work was a bitch last week, but I still managed to cough up two consecutive 15k weekday runs. The plan is to regularly log at least 100 kms per week by the third week of November, with back-to-back 32k ++ runs on weekends.

It has only been a few weeks, but I am already getting some initial returns on my investment. At this morning's Adidas King of the Road Half-Marathon, I set a new personal best of 2:03:52 (Garmin time) - an improvement of almost six minutes from my previous record of 2:09:44. And it actually could have been better. Twice along the route, I was forced to take unscheduled walk breaks due to the sheer volume of runners going in opposite directions. Now that I think about it, I can honestly say that a legitimate shot at a sub-2 half-mary just got away from me. Still, it was one hell of a run. I was only planning to treat KOTR as just another LSD incorporated into my ultramarathon training, but I instead ended up with a new benchmark for the 21k distance. Details of my run here.

While I am obviously happy with the new PB, I draw even greater satisfaction from the fact that, finally, the hard work seems to be paying off. The hours of plying sidewalks under the sun and through the smog, the countless rounds on a tartan track under the pouring rain, the discipline and passion. Nothing has gone to waste, after all.

This is what it's all about. It's small victories like this that keep me going, and that drive me to push harder. And if everything goes according to plan, I will cross that finish line at that old train station in San Fernando, Pampanga on March 6, 2011.

Adidas Adizero Mana 5 and the Heart of a Champion

2010-10-01T13:19:00.002+08:00

My Ateneo Blue Eagles finally nailed the elusive three-peat yesterday. To celebrate my alma mater's accomplishment, I got myself the sleek and light-as-a-feather Adidas Adizero Mana 5 - in Ateneo Blue, of course. These are classified as lightweight stability racers, and are designed for a mild over-pronator and mildly flat-footed runner like me.

The flyer said these shoes are designed to make you go "crazy fast." I don't need to become crazy fast. I just need to become faster. I know, I know. It's not the shoes, it's the training, and perhaps even the genes. I'm no elite, though, and I'll gladly accept any advantage that comes my way. But please make it come in blue and with three stripes. :)

I have two months to break these babies in before my next marathon, the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore on 5 December. That ought to be enough time for me to find out whether the Mana can send my current race shoes, the adidas Adizero Tempo, to retirement.

Test runs and shoe review to follow.

And to the Blue Eagles - you have again made us old-timers proud. One Big Fight!

Source: http://bleachersbrew.blogspot.com/ by Rick Olivares

I Ran Like A Rock Star!

2010-09-28T00:55:00.004+08:00

Had a great 23 hours in CamSur (flew in Saturday 3 pm, flew out Sunday 2 pm) over the weekend. Now I can say that provincial races - if properly organized - are MUCH better than races in snobbish Metro Manila. The scenery is picturesque, the air is pristine, no motorists that get furious over road closures, and awesome crowds that line the route.

Ah yes, the CamSur crowd. I have been racing for over a year now, and not until last weekend have I ran before spectators that were as warm, friendly, and hospitable as the people who lined the CamSur route. They smiled, cheered, clapped, waved, and greeted runners with a warm "Good Morning!" They manned the hydration and aid stations with the zeal and zest of true volunteers, and gave all passing runners a lot more than an energy boost or an adrenaline rush. They waved flags, carried hand-made signs, gave words of encouragement, reached out to give low-fives, and made even an average runner like me feel like a frigging rock star. If only to experience all of these, every runner ought to have a CamSur race in his bucket list. My only regret from the weekend is that I did not have a camera with me during the run to take pictures of all the friendly faces that lined most of the 42-kilometer route.

As mentioned in my post-race mobile post, I finished the CamSur marathon in 5:18. Still way off my sub-5 goal, but it's totally fine - no skin off my back at all. Sub-5 marathon or not, this first-time CamSur visitor had a grand time running through the fields and the friendly villages. Special thanks to Marian, a fellow 6:1 Galloway marathoner who paced with me throughout the run, and who will in all likelihood nail that sub-5 before I do.

Here are some souvenir pics from my wonderful 23 hours in CamSur. Cebu, can you top this in 2011? I'm going to find out for myself.

Laying out the red carpet - band and dancers at the runway to welcome runners.

The mandatory "self-portrait" - in the shuttle to the hotel

Runners are welcome at the Avenue Plaza Hotel

Gear up!

Carbo-loading at Grissini's with pizza and pasta, plus some beef carpaccio for protein

Never go to bed without chamomile tea and chocolate sans rival

A few meters to the finish line

Marathon No. 3 - Done!!!

With Bam, my ever-supportive wife

Post-race Pinoy brunch at Red Platter -
inihaw na liempo, inihaw na pusit, sinigang na salmon belly, and steamed white rice

Thank you, CamSur! You deserve a medal, too!

CamSur, Done!

2010-09-26T11:24:00.002+08:00

I finished the CamSur Marathon in 5:18 (Garmin / chip time). Still no sub-5 for me, but a new PR nevertheless (by the skin of my teeth!). Still, I am very satisfied because I still made very good progress in a number of ways.

Details to follow in a full-length post. For now, I will enjoy a post-race meal with wifey. Have to be in the airport in an hour!

Congratulations to all finishers!

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Sent via BlackBerry

Another Shot

2010-09-25T12:16:00.002+08:00

At the airport right now, waiting for our flight to Naga, venue of my third shot at a sub-5 marathon. I did a 5:42 back in February (Condura) and then a 5:19 last July (Milo). I thought I had a legit shot at a sub-5 at Milo, but my chances were dashed by the amazing shortage of water or any form of hydration during the last eight kilometers. Frustrating indeed, but hey, that's part of the challenge. If anything, Milo inspired me to work harder towards improving my time.

And work harder I did. My tight schedule notwithstanding, I've done the best I can to build up my base mileage and squeeze in long runs. There are still so many other things that I could have done, but under the circumstances, I think I did a decent job of giving myself another legitimate shot at further bringing my time down. If I nail the sub-5 on Sunday, I can set my sights at a 4:50 or even a 4:45 in Singapore in December.

Godspeed and best of luck to all CamSur participants on Sunday. May our feet be swift and our lungs strong, and may we all reach the finish line safely.

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Sent via BlackBerry

Finding Out

2010-09-22T23:49:00.009+08:00

I finally received an invite to the (in)famous Bataan Death March 102 KM Ultramarathon Race, more popularly known as BDM 102, on 5-6 March 2011. BDM 102 is definitely one of the most gruelling races this side of the running world, perhaps second only to the soon-to-be-staged BDM 151. As with other ultra runs, this race will separate the men from the boys. Let the cream rise to the top, they say.

As of this writing, I have yet to do even a single run spanning an ultra distance. A couple of ultra runs were held in the past couple of months under the auspices of the Philippine Association of Ultrarunners (PAU) (i.e., Tanay, P2P 65K), and a couple more are scheduled for the coming months (i.e., Pinatubo 50K Trail, Tagaytay to Nasugbu 50K). So many chances for me to finally experience my first ultra, but work has always kept me, and will continue to keep me, from finally graduating to ultra runs. And so, my longest runs to date have only been the two full marathons that I completed earlier this year.

For the more seasoned runners, my marathon finish times could be considered pedestrian at best - a 5:42 at Condura and a 5:19 at Milo. While stronger runners gun for sub-4 marathons, I am aiming for a very modest sub-5 (I still get two shots this year at CamSur and Singapore) --- while using the Galloway run-walk method.

My average weekly mileage ranges from about 50 to 60 kilometers only, and this already includes my weekend LSDs that typically span 20 to 32 kilometers only.

As of this writing, my base mileage stands at only 1,878.36 kilometers, accumulated over an observed period of approximately 14 months.

After I finish long runs that go for 30 kilometers or longer, my legs still hurt like a bitch and I spend the next day walking with a slight limp.

An average recreational runner applying for and getting invited to BDM 102. That, my friends, was the easy part. But showing up at the BDM 102 starting line, and then actually running and finishing BDM 102 within 18 hours? Now that's an entirely different story. There is a logical reason why only a very select few ever get to complete even just a single ultramarathon.

Given all these, what in the world was I thinking when I applied for a shot at experiencing - suffering - BDM 102? Do I honestly think I have even an ounce of what it takes to actually finish, or better yet, survive, a 102 kilometer run under the blistering inferno that is the scorching summer sun? Am I a fool for even entertaining the idea that I can actually pull it off?

There's only one way to find out. I did get invited by the good General, didn't I?

Not Enough Time

2010-09-18T02:09:00.005+08:00

Work has been a total bitch.

It has been awfully quiet here for over a full month already. Life is a Highway turned one on August 31, and not even a whimper was heard. Ah yes, work has been a bitch. Really fun, but what a bitch.

I have been running very diligently, though. Not too many long runs, but I have been racking up the miles, nevertheless. Working and running. The story of my life.

CamSur Full is just a few days away - a week, to be exact. I'll do one last long run tomorrow - possibly 32k - and then it'll be taper time. And then maybe, just maybe, I'll have some time to come up with a decent post. Work = bitch.

Off to bed now. Wait, have I already told you that work has been a bitch?

Running the Gauntlet

2010-08-14T16:09:00.002+08:00

According to reference sources, the expression "to run the gauntlet" has 15th century military origins and means "to race, as a punishment, between parallel lines of men who thrash one as one runs." "The knight was forced to doff his clothes and run the gauntlet." In idiomatic terms, the phrase has come to mean, invariably, "an onslaught or attack from all sides," or "a severe trial; an ordeal."

Beginning on the 26th of September, I will be running (pun intended) my own version of the gauntlet as I go through what I have just realized has become a rather hectic fourth quarter running/racing schedule. This is what I have in my race calendar so far:

26 September - CamSur Marathon - 42k

10 October - 10.10.10 Run for Pasig River - 21k

24 October - Adidas King of the Road - 21k

7 November - New Balance Power Race 25k

13 November - Subic International Marathon - 42k

21 November - RunRio Trilogy: Leg 3 - 32k

5 December - Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore - 42k

Three full marathons, two races that exceed the half-marathon distance, and two half-marathons thrown in for good measure - all in a span of a little over three months. Of course, in between these races, there will also be the now-customary (read: mandatory) weekday training runs and weekend long runs. If my wallet can overcome all of these, then so can I!

CamSur training has started, and by tomorrow afternoon, I will have logged 65 kilometers for this week alone. I'm loving every minute of it, and my body is holding up thus far. I ~~hope~~ expect to emerge from this happy mess a stronger, smarter, and better-seasoned runner.

Taking It Too Far

2010-08-10T23:44:00.000+08:00

You know you're addicted to running when...

...you buy a certain brand of bath soap just because its name has the word "marathon" in it.

Liar, Liar...

2010-08-10T00:12:00.000+08:00

This post is long overdue.

Work and other activities have kept me preoccupied that I've hardly had any time to blog. Thankfully, I somehow still find time to run. And since I don't have much time, I'll keep this entry short.

I mentioned in one of my previous post that I was going to take it easy at Rexona and shoot for a 2:20 finish. Well, I lied. I knew all along that once the gun goes off, my competitive (ambitious?) side would take over and I'd end up going for a personal best anyway. My best time for the half-marathon distance currently sits at 2:09, which I set during the Unilab Run last March. And I thought I had a fighting chance at a new PR, too, what with Rexona's fast and flat MOA-Macapagal route.

To cut a long story short, I ran and ran and ran (actually, ran and walked - Galloway style) until reality bit me in the ass in the last few kilometers. My lack of training and poor conditioning reared their ugly heads and gave me no choice but to slow down. No PR for me, but I still managed to cough up a respectable 2:14:08 (chip time) - good enough for 423rd place out of 1,252 21k runners. I was also grateful that I completed my run without any injuries. If anything, the Rexona Run served as a good jump-off point for my training for my next full marathon, CamSur on 26 September.

No more races for me until the big day on September 26. The next few Sundays are already ear-marked for LSDs, rain or shine. See you in CamSur!

How This Runner Got His Groove Back

2010-07-31T15:59:00.004+08:00

The last time I hit the road for a race was on 4 July, the Milo Marathon. After Milo, I went on a three-week hiatus from running. Some of it was necessary (i.e., recovery), and some of it was totally involuntary (i.e., work, other commitments). In hindsight, however, I would say that it was a much needed break from running. It was all good.

Too good, even. As in, "way out-of-hand" good. During the long lay-off, I did not engage in any form of exercise or physical activity to keep my fitness level up. Let's just say I simply felt lazy and enjoyed the surplus of free time that used to be gobbled up by running. The cherry on the sundae was my relapse into an old - and very bad - habit: Smoking. Yosi Kadiri paid frequent visits, and we rocked it like it was going out of style. Who can blame us? The brewskie was just too damn good. And while we're at it, throw in a missed race, why don't you. I skipped the takbo.ph runfest because it was held the morning after my belated 35th birthday inuman with my closest buddies.

This past week, I cleaned up my act and finally laced up my running shoes. A 5k last Monday, 8k Tuesday, 10k Thursday, and another 5k yesterday. There was some huffing and puffing at first, a few pains and some soreness here and there. Don't ask about my times. The rust was obvious, but I think 28 kms spread over four days did the trick. And tomorrow, my participation in the Rexona Run 21k race will formally mark my re-connection with the running world. They say it will be a flat and PR-inducing route. Given my relative lack of preparation, as well as a fitness level that is just absolute crap right now, I'll leave the competitive spirit in the closet and settle for a safe, relaxed, and injury-free run. That sub-2:05 half-marathon can wait, and I'll have to stay happy with my 2:09 personal best - for now. Lord, please make it rain tomorrow.

Tomorrow's half-marathon will also mark the start of my preparations for my next marathon, CamSur on September 26. After tomorrow, my Sundays will again be reserved for the LSDs that will propel me to that elusive sub-5 marathon finish (positive-thinking!). All told, I've got my work cut out for me in the coming weeks. Wifey will understand (I hope).

Absence does make the heart - and feet - grow fonder.

Good Things Come in Small Packages

2010-07-20T17:39:00.001+08:00

Look at what Mr. Postman brought in while I was away...

Now THIS is how you celebrate running.

See you on Sunday!

Heading Home

2010-07-18T07:11:00.003+08:00

I can't believe how quickly the last eight days have passed.

It's almost midnight and it's my last night in the UK. I spent over a week here and I never got to log even a single run. Not one. My work load all week was brutally unforgiving, and I never found the time to head out on the road even for just a 3k or a 5k "sight-seeing run." Today would have been perfect for one, but I spent the day doing the tourist-y stuff around London. Today was my only free day, and I definitely wanted to make the most of it. A run along the banks of the River Thames - apparently a very popular running route for the Brits - would have been magnificent, but I simply did not have the time. That's another item for an ever-growing bucket list

This early, I already have my sights set on coming back next year with wifey for a vacation. A number of my colleagues here are veteran marathoners themselves, and they invited me to join them for the London Marathon 2011. It sounded like a plan to me, but guess what --- the lottery is already closed. Oh well. The story of my life.

For now, it looks like it's going to be you and me once again, Manila...

Whoever Goes to Farnborough?

2010-07-13T04:06:00.001+08:00

It's my third day here in Farnborough, England. It's about 40 minutes away from London. I am here for work and will be staying here until the 18th.

On my way to the office earlier today, I passed an enormous open field that was surrounded by what seemed to be a jogging/bike path. It's only a couple of kilometers away from my hotel and is just begging to be explored. On may way back to the hotel, I saw a good number of runners and bikers getting a nice early-evening work-out. You could just imagine the envy I felt as I passed them as I was decked in a suit and leather shoes instead of a Climacool top and my NB 760s.

I haven't fully recovered from my jet lag and today was a long day of meetings and calls at work. I would have wanted to go for a run, but as they say, "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." I think I really am getting old. The good news is, the sun here does not set until 9:30 p.m. As a matter of fact, 10 p.m. here looks a lot like 6:30 p.m. in Manila - the late stages of dusk. I can get in a one or two-hour run even if I leave work at 7 p.m. What's more, the weather here at this time of year is just perfect, and in the late afternoon it sits at a very comfortable 15 to 18 degrees Celsius.

I hope to get in a good run after work tomorrow. I'll try to bring my point-and-shoot with me so I can snap a few pictures to post here. I say "try" because, apparently, this part of England is not "tourist-y"" at all. I tried snapping a few pics when I went out for a short walk yesterday afternoon, and people were looking at me in a funny way.

I just can't wait to do my very first run on this side of the globe. It's also going to be my first run since Milo so it's going to be at a very easy "picture-taking" pace. An overly-delayed recovery run, I suppose. Hopefully, I'd be able to post some pics and take you guys along for a ride. After all, whoever goes to Farnborough anyway?

The Fly in the Ointment: Dishonesty at the Milo Marathon

2010-07-08T01:18:00.025+08:00

In my previous post, I snuck in a teaser for what I thought would be the topic of my next post. I wrote that I have another Milo story to tell, and that it was going to be a story of heart, passion, and love of the sport.

This is not that story.

On the contrary, this is a story of cowardice, dishonesty, and utter lack of respect for the sport of running.

As I was rounding out my third and final loop around the Macapagal-CCP segment of the 42k route (I think it was at Kilometer 33 or 34 in front of Star City), a green Mitsubishi L-300 van stopped in the middle of the road. The passenger door opened and about six or seven "runners" wearing uniform orange singlets and white Milo race bibs (i.e., 42k race bibs) alighted. They were all laughing. They shouted "salamat" to the driver and resumed their "marathon."

My intial reaction was, I wanted to confront them and find out exactly what they were doing (or better yet, what they've done), but I restrained myself from doing so lest I wrongly accuse them of something. Still, as I was plugging away during the last eight kilometers along Roxas Boulevard, on the brink of collapse while being fried by the late morning sun, the scene just kept on playing over and over again in my mind. It went on and on until I finally crossed the finish line, where all of those thoughts were washed away.

I thought I had completely forgotten about that scene until today, when I learned from several running blogs (i.e., Bugobugo, Running Pinoy, Jazzrunner) that the Milo Marathon was in fact marred by the dishonesty of some "runners." Little did those dishonest bastards know that they will get caught, and that they will be exposed.

A quick glance at the race results would show that a number of marathon "finishers," although having their Finish Time, Chip Time, and 15k splits recorded, did not have data for their 26k and 37k splits. The figures are quite revealing because, if you consider the 15k splits of these "finishers" and do a bit of analysis, you will instantly realize that their Finish Times are plainly and simply bullshit.

Let's take a look at one example. Say, for instance, Runner No. 40632. This guy's Finish Time and Chip Time was a stellar 3:44:08. Strangely though, this guy registered a 15k split of 2:54:50, but did not register splits for 26k and 37k. And so, we'll have to do a bit of math here. Given this runner's Finish Time and 15k split, it would seem that he ran the remaining 27.195 kilometers in only a little under an hour. Holy crap! Ang bilis!

Let's try another one. Another finals "qualifier" with incomplete splits is Runner No. 40939. Finish Time 3:19:00, Chip Time 3:19:00, 15k split 2:45:14. No splits for 26k and 37k. If we add these figures up, it would seem that this guy ran the last 27.195k in only a little under 34 minutes! And the Philippines doesn't have an Olympic gold medal yet?!

One more. Runner No. 40368. This fella is the 34th-ranked "finisher." Finish Time 3:38:02, Chip Time 3:37:53, 15k split 2:39:14. As usual, no 26k and 37k splits. This dude is a tad slower than our two other examples - he ran his last 27.195k in a little under an hour. Siguro hindi uminom ng Milo.

Compare their figures with those of a true finisher's - Wilnar Iglesia. Wilnar is a known speedster and a notorious halimaw in running circles. Wilnar had a Finish Time of 3:30:59, Chip Time 3:30:51, and a 15k split of 1:14:09. His 15k split is over an hour faster than those of the Three Stooges', but he finished the marathon behind Moe and Larry, and just slightly ahead of Curly. Heck, even I had a faster 15k split than those guys, and I crossed the finish line almost two hours after they did! What's wrong with this picture?!

I combed through the results and compiled the names of the 42k "finishers" who had the most questionable statistics (i.e., absurd finish times relative to their respective 5k splits, incomplete splits). Here, ladies and gentlemen, is your Honor Roll for the 34th Milo Marthon (drumroll, please):

Runner No. 40939
Runner No. 40368

Runner No. 40632
Runner No. 40938
Runner No. 40661
Runner No. 40660
Runner No. 40211
Runner No. 40489
Runner No. 40221

In the spirit of fair play, I challenge these "finishers" to explain how in hell they were able to pull off their amazing marathon finishes. A simple comment on this post will suffice. I always get a kick out of having prominent running personalities visit my blog, anyway. If they don't feel like explaining anything (or, if they do not see the need to explain anything), they can instead just come out in the open and simply say they've done nothing wrong. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and believe them. I might even shake their hands if I run into them on the road one of these days. That is, if I can catch them. These guys are waaaay too fast for an average recreational marathoner like me.

If you want to have more fun and would like to know what these gods look like, go to Photovendo by clicking here and simply enter their bib numbers (you know the drill). As you will see, a number of these "finishers" were wearing the infamous orange singlet. It's best that we familiarize ourselves with these running luminaries. These are world-class marathoners. They ought to be celebrities. They're running gods! Runner No. 40661, especially, is a CLASSIC. He did a two-man relay on marathon day - as in, two different runners wore the same bib at different segments of the race! Check out the pics here and have a good time.

Now, you may be asking why I am making such a big deal out of all of this. Well, I'll tell you why.

I'm doing this because, after months of busting my knees and training for this marathon, after almost collapsing due to dehydration and heat exhaustion during the last eight kilometers, I chose to stay the course and somehow managed to finish the race with my integrity intact.

I'm doing this because of fellow runners like Jet Paiso, who got injured during the marathon yet chose to carry on and finished what he started, even if it meant taking all of SEVEN hours to complete the damn thing and crossing the finish line long after the cheering crowds have left.

I'm doing this because I personally witnessed an old, bent, and shabby-looking runner, evidently bereft of material advantages in life, almost crawling to the finish line wearing only one tattered shoe (it wasn't even a running shoe!) while carrying the other one in his hand, because it apparently lost its sole during the run.

I'm doing this because, somewhere along Kilometer 25, I and another runner attended to an old and battle-scarred marathoner who collapsed in the heat of the late morning sun, and stayed with him until help arrived.

I'm doing this because I've just learned that a 21k runner collapsed as he was only a kilometer away from finishing the race, and was then rushed to the hospital where he remained unconscious until he passed away yesterday due to multiple organ failure. May his soul rest in peace.

I'm doing this because, by their acts of dishonesty and lack of integrity, these "finishers" are making a mockery of all the ideals that the sport of running is supposed to instill in all of us.

Mahiya naman kayo sa mga sarili ninyo. Sana hindi na lang kayo tumakbo.

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For: My Milo Marathon Experience

2010-07-04T23:37:00.004+08:00

It has been over 14 hours since my Milo Marathon debut came to a conclusion. And yet, as Sunday bleeds into Monday, my heart is still racing (pardon the pun) as I try to recall and put down into writing some of the events that transpired during the marathon weekend that was. I joined Milo hoping to find redemption at 42.195 kms. The weekend had come and gone, and while I have yet to find redemption, I made it out of Sunday with great optimism that it just might be right around the corner.

Allow me to ~~regale~~ bore you with an account of my run. I came into the Milo Marathon with the publicly stated goal of achieving a sub-5 hour finish. I believed in my heart that it was feasible because of the relatively "easy" route, my perceived level of preparedness and fitness, and my high level of motivation.

My plan was to maintain an average pace of somewhere in the vicinity of 7 min/km. This seems easy enough, even for an average recreational like me. The challenge, however, lies in maintaining this average pace using my chosen strategy for middle- to long-distance runs: the Galloway run-walk method. For this marathon, I stuck to my usual 6:1 run-walk ratio. During my walk breaks, my pace normally drops to 8:30 - 9:30 min/km. I therefore need to do a 6-6:30-ish pace during the run segments in order to pull up my average pace to my desired 7 min/km.

Everything went perfectly according to plan from Kilometers 1 to 18. I had a great warm-up and pre-race stretching, and my body was loose. The sun had yet to rise, and therefore heat and humidity were not yet factors to be contended with. Hydration and nutrition along the route were plentiful, as water and Gatorade stations alternated on the roadside. Hammer gels and sliced bananas were being given out at one station along the Macapagal loop. All these positives helped me produce a strong start, and this was evident in my splits: 7:36 7:22, 7:10, 7:08, 7:16, 6:51, 7:14, 6:59, 7:04, 6:42, 6:58, 6:49, 7:02, 6:50, 6:36, 6: 45, 7:01, and 7:07. All told, I cleared the first 18 kms in 2:06, with an average pace of 7:08 min/km. So far, so good.

My pace tapered during the stretch from Kilometers 19 to 32, but I was still in good shape. By this time, the heat and the humidity were already rising and were starting to become game-changers. At times, the monotony of the route somewhat caused me to tune out and lose just a little bit of focus, just a little bit of edge. Hydration, however, was still plentiful, and that definitely helped. I was still sweating profusely - a good sign that I was well-hydrated. My legs, knees, and feet still felt fine, no blisters or chafing anywhere. Unlike in Condura, there were no cramps. I failed to register a single 6-something split during this stretch, but I was still doing fine. My splits for this segment were 7:12, 7:05, 7:33, 7:19, 7:47, 7:29, 7:25, 7:31, 7:52, 7:55, 7:46, 7:45, and 7:56 . I cleared the first 32 kms in 3:53:10, with an average pace of 7:57. Not quite the average pace that I hoped to have by this point, but a sub-5 finish was still within reach.

And then, it all came crumbling down. They say you will hit the dreaded wall somewhere past Kilometer 32. I rammed into the damn thing at Kilometer 36. Or better yet, the damn thing rammed into me. Kilometer 33 was a prelude of things to come as I laid a big fat egg with my first 8-something split of the run - an 8:09. I somehow was able to recover during Kilometers 34 and 35, registering splits of 7:43 and 7:49. But these were to be my last gasps at my sub-5 target, which was steadily slipping out of my hands.

By Kilometer 36, the monotony of the route became more pronounced as most of the 21k runners were already on their way back to the finish line. The sun was already dominating the cloudless sky and was mercilessly toasting the 42k runners to a crisp. Still, I was optimistic because I made it out of Macapagal Highway - all three loops of that extremely boring and arid stretch - in one piece, and in relatively good shape. Still no cramping, no blisters or chafing, no injuries of any sort. My legs were already sore but were still perfectly capable of doing a bit of running. I got back onto Roxas Boulevard having already burned 4:16. I still had 43 minutes and 59 seconds to cover 6.195 kilometers and complete the marathon in less than five hours. I needed to average 7:00 k/min the rest of the way to safely assure myself of a sub-5 finish.

Six kilometers in 43 minutes and 59 seconds, at the tail-end of a marathon. With sufficient motivation, the right amount of effort, and adequate hydration, it was very achievable. As I got out of the CCP Complex and set foot on Roxas Boulevard, my eyes wandered and scanned the route for the next water or Gatorade station. I was already wilting because of the heat and my throat was bone-dry. I badly needed a drink. To my amazement and indignation, however, each hydration station that I passed was packing up and already calling it a day. One by one, they were closing shop, literally leaving the remaining marathoners hanging out to dry. It was time to man up for the grind that was the remaining six kilometers of what had been a very promising race.

To conserve my energy, I tried adjusting my run-walk ratio to 4:1. However, with no hydration to sustain me, I was forced to abandon this strategy and simply resorted to random run-walk patterns. The goal was no longer a sub-5 finish, but simply to SURVIVE AND FINISH. The heat and humidity were off the charts, and I was already seeing imaginary black spots floating before my eyes. I was in Kilometer 38 and I had already slowed down to a walk. I was on the brink of collapse, and I was no longer looking for a water station. I was already scouting for an ambulance or paramedics that could attend to me in case I blacked out. During this stretch, what kept me afloat were the encouraging words of fellow marathoners who either passed me or walked side-by-side with me - total strangers who were also going through the very same plight that was staring me in the face.

Finally, I made it to the US Embassy. Only a little over a kilometer to go. I stopped at a deserted hydration station and, out of desperation, scooped up some ice cubes scattered on the table. I pressed these against my nape and the top of my head in an attempt to bring my body temperature down. Man, did that help! The cooling sensation brought me back to my senses, and I realized that I only had a kilometer more to go. The boost was enough to deliver me to the finish line and a 5:19:52 finish (Garmin time), for an average pace of 7:32 min/km. I finally made it home. Click here for Garmin data of my run.

Home sweet home!

Although I did not achieve the sub-5 finish that I coveted, my performance at the Milo Marathon is still cause for great optimism. I am not into moral victories, but I have always been a "glass is half-full" type of person and I always try to find the silver lining in any situation. And in this case, a lot of positives were evident. For one, I improved on my marathon finish by a full 23 minutes. The 5:42 finish I had at Condura is now down to 5:19. Another positive is the fact that, unlike in Condura, I did not cramp up. This means my base mileage is, at the very least, already sufficient (I was sitting on 1,489 kms coming into this race), and that my muscles are getting accustomed to long distance runs. I also believe I'm starting to figure out the marathon distance, i.e., how to pace myself, the proper hydration and nutrition plan, etc. And lastly, I draw strength from the fact that, strictly speaking, I did not hit the wall. There was no wall for me to hit, but the absence of hydration during the last eight kilometers simply forced me into submission. I can only speculate what my time could have been had there been even just some (never mind adequate) hydration during the last eight kilometers.

Tired, but NEVER beaten.

I'll be taking the next couple of weeks off to recover. There will probably be very little to no running for me at least for this week, and I'll probably ride the stationary bike at the health club just to keep my fitness up. I'll be leaving for the U.K. for work next Saturday, and I hope to do some short runs while I'm there. When I get back on the 19th, I will begin training for my next full marathon, CamSur, which is scheduled for September 26. I hear it's going to be a fast and flat course for that one. I say, that sub-5 barrier is just about ready to be breached.

I'll leave you with a few more pics from my awesome Milo Marathon weekend. I still have another Milo story to tell - a story of heart, passion, and love for the sport - but that deserves a separate post of its own.

Mission accomplished!

With wifey at the finish line

On to the next marathon!

Deciding Factors

2010-06-30T23:35:00.002+08:00

Only three more days to go before the big day, and I still have a number of decisions to make regarding my gear for the Milo Marathon. For instance, do I wear the Milo singlet, or should I stick to my usual Adidas Response Climacool shirt? The rules say runners must wear the official singlet, but I also know that this rule is not enforced strictly except perhaps for those who intend to qualify for the finals. I'll most likely stick to what I am most familiar and comfortable with and wear my Adidas top, but a part of me is seriously considering wearing the singlet. I never wear official singlets for races, but the quality of the Milo singlet (and the mere fact that it IS a Milo singlet) has gotten me thinking. But then again, I've never tried wearing the Milo singlet during a long run, so I have no idea whether it would cause chafing and whether it becomes heavy when wet. In contrast, my Adidas tops are tried and tested in these respects, so there's at least some certainty there. Remember the basic rule: Never try anything new on race day.

Another dilemma: Do I bust out the CW-X Ventilator tights, or do I go classic and wear my trusty Nike running shorts? If Milo had been held a few months ago, I would have gone with the tights, hands-down. At Condura last February, I ran in my CW-X Pro tights. Lately, however, I have been going back to the basics and have been enjoying running with minimal gear on - base layer apparel, shorts, shirt, socks, shoes. It has been months since I last ran a race in tights. As a matter of fact, I've also ditched the iPod, the hydration belt, and all other abubots that runners nowadays seem to love wearing during runs - and running has never felt better. And quite honestly, I could not feel the difference between running in tights and running in shorts. The tights would be an advantage when running in extremely cold whether (which I realized during my runs in Milwaukee last month), and is great for recovery. But as an in-race apparel? I must say the jury is still out on that one (at least as far as I am concerned). I'll most likely run Milo in shorts and then wear the tights post-race for faster recovery, but we'll see.

Also, do I wear my usual white Nike Dri-Fit running cap or my black 2XU run visor? I love my white cap to death, and it has almost become my trademark, but the run visor offers some distinct advantages. Because the run visor leaves the head exposed, I won't have to take it off each time I pour water on my head during the run. Also, the run visor will not trap heat in my head as I run, and can help keep my body temperature down. I'll probably wait for race day to resolve this one. If it's rainy on race day, I'll go with the cap. If it's sunny, I'll go for the run visor.

And last, but definitely not least: Do I wear my favorite running shoes, the Adidas Adizero Tempo, or do I go with the rising star of my shoe cabinet, the Adidas Supernova Sequence? Now this is a tough one. For the past few months, I've been wearing the Tempo only during races. For short training runs and speedwork, I have been using the New Balance 760. For LSDs and easy runs, I have been using the Supernova Sequence. For the past month, however, I have been using the Supernova Sequence almost exclusively. As a matter of fact, I have only worn the Tempo twice - for the Independence Day half-mary and a 10k tempo run at Ultra last week. The Tempo still feels GREAT, but a recent 30k run in the Supernova Sequence got me thinking. The Supernova Sequence provided fantastic stability and great cushioning, and simply felt awesome over-all. It would also make great sense for me to wear heavier stability trainers because I plan to run Milo at an average pace of 7:00 k/min anyway. But then again, turning my back on the Tempo would almost be blasphemous. I'd be lying though if I say that the Supernova Sequence performs just as excellently as the Tempo. And so, as you can appreciate, I have a head-scratcher before me just a few days before D-Day. If I can't resolve this through rational means, I'll probably toss a coin or something, and jujst leave this matter to chance. This just goes to show how confident I am that, whichever pair I run with, I know I'll be in good hands.

To the uninitiated, these issues may seem trivial or mundane, if not downright silly. But runners who are worth their salt would attest that these issues are far from petty, and making the proper choices can determine whether Milo would be a comfortable and fulfilling conquest of the marathon, or just another excruciating and meaningless five hours on the road.

Running Against Time, Running Back in Time

2010-06-24T00:02:00.005+08:00

The Milo Marathon - my second full marathon - is less than two weeks away. I must admit that, in terms of training, I am not where I was hoping I would be this late in the day. A lot of factors have conspired to keep me from training as religiously as I originally wanted. Unavoidable factors, actually, such as work, travel (for work), family obligations, and countless other things. Oh well. The story of my life.

It has become a race against time, these past few weeks of my marathon training. I won't say I'm cramming though, because I'd like to think that my training for my second marathon began the minute I hit the road after recovering from my first marathon. And that was back in February. Although I have not been following a structured marathon training program, my average weekly mileage has increased significantly since Condura. Prior to Condura, I was probably averaging only 30 to 40 kms a week. Post-Condura, that figure has gone up to approximately 45 to 60 kms per week. My Sunday runs have also become longer. Post-Condura, 20, 21, 25, and 30 km runs have become regular weekend fare for me. I've also added a good variety to my training runs. I've been doing a combination of tempo runs, hill repeats, intervals, and LSDs. The benefits have been evident, as my times have significantly improved.

Conditioning-wise, I'd also like to believe that I am significantly better. This time around, I'll be running the marathon at least 10 to 12 pounds lighter. A better and healthier diet has brought my weight down (from 195-196 lbs to 183-185 lbs) without robbing me of energy and strength. I've significantly cut down on smoking, so much so that I'm now down to being a weekend smoker. I'm now a non-smoker six days a week. The regular runs (four to five times a week) have built my endurance considerably. I am also completely injury-free, unlike during Condura where I ran three weeks following a month-long lay-off due to a swollen right knee. You can just imagine what that did to my conditioning. Given all of these, I'd like to believe that I am entering my second marathon in much better shape than when I did Condura.

The prospect of completing the Milo Marathon in five hours or less is getting me all excited. I laid a big, fat egg at Condura with a 5:42 finish. I hope to improve on that, and the smell of redemption on July 4 has gotten me all pumped up.

But then, aside from my personal redemption at the full marathon distance, do you know what else I am hoping would happen on July 4? I'm hoping that it would rain. I ran under the pouring rain during my 30k run last Saturday, and again during my easy 10k run at ULTRA yesterday. Call me sentimental, but running under the rain brings back so many happy memories of when life was so much simpler. Of life's simple pleasures. Rain during the marathon would remind me of times gone by - as I run against time and test the limits of the person I have become because of running.

The Independence Day Half-Marathon: Worst Race of the Year?

2010-06-12T12:10:00.004+08:00

The Independence Day Half-Marathon was simply terrible. A total mess.

There's just no other way of putting it. I should have followed my gut and just skipped this race. I had very strong doubts about joining this race because I was not familiar with the event organizer and the race director. Maybe I'm just not in the know, but I think the people behind this road race are relative newbies to the "race organizing" scene. Lest you think I am being too harsh with my opinion, consider these:

1. The 10k, 15k, and 21k runners had ONE AND THE SAME gun start. I have already joined a good number of races - both "big" and "small" - and this is the first time I've experienced something like this. It was simply chaotic.

2. The race route was not cordoned off. Runners had to play patintero with vehicles in a number of stretches. I even heard that a runner got hit by a car somewhere in Lawton Avenue.

3. There were hardly any marshalls, and in the few instances where there were any around, the poor souls were practically clueless about the route and oblivious of what was going on.

4. Km markers were few and far between. At least five runners asked me about the distance. I was fortunate that I had a 305, otherwise I most likely would have been the one doing the asking. This, in my opinion, is the most serious flaw of this race. As I was doing my post-race stretch, I overheard a group of at least seven 21k runners openly discussing how they probably ran only 18k because they did only two loops instead of three at the closing stretch of the 21k route. I didn't think they did that on purpose, though. They got lost because there were no Km markers (only directional signs) in critical points, and the marshalls were as helpful as fire hydrants. I myself almost missed out on a loop because a marshall prompted me to proceed to the finish line one loop early. I checked my 305, and at that point, it showed that I had only covered 17.76k. I made a u-turn and did another loop to complete the 21k distance.

5. A lot of 21k runners who either got lost or missed a loop STILL crossed the 21k finish line. This could only mean one thing. The "official results" of this race would be crap. Utterly useless and unreliable. Good thing I don't see myself as competing with other runners whenever I join races. I never entertain any illusions that I would ever get a podium finish in this lifetime or the next, that's why I compete only with myself, the clock, and the course. That's what's great about this sport.

6. There was a shortage of medals. I had mentioned in one of my previous posts that I am a sucker for finisher's medals, and it really irritates me when there is a shortage. It's simple, isn't it? Number of registered runners = number of medals. For some reason, however, some geniuses still find a way to screw it up. I couldn't care less about singlets - I almost never wear them anyway - but I want my medal. And here's the cherry on the sundae, the icing on the cake, the gravy on the KFC Chicken, whatever: The group of 21k "finishers" who admitted running only 18k (see No. 4) ALL HAD MEDALS HANGING AROUND THEIR FRIGGING NECKS. They only did 18k so they ended up crossing the 21k finish line way ahead of a lot of other legit 21k finishers (including me) --- and they had the balls to claim their finisher's medals! Where's the integrity in that? And they call themselves runners?

Anyway, some people at the finish line got my name and mobile number and said they'll contact me for the delivery of my medal. We'll see.

7. The water stations were too short. Proper spacing and just the right number, but waaaaay too short. As in, just-one-or-two-monoblock-tables-long short. They were also inadequately manned. Most of the stations I passed as I was outbound were crowded. Runners had to stop - as in a full stop - just to get a drink. You can just imagine the precious minutes that the long queues added to the finish time of legit finishers (never mind the bogus finishers - they don't count).

8. The 21k route was extremely boring. It's bad enough that it was held at the Fort. But making runners do three loops around one segment of the route? That's rubbing salt on an open wound.

The Independence Day Half-Marathon is a classic example of how NOT to organize and manage a race. It's sad because the race had so much promise - a rare Saturday race, an admirable theme (patriotism), very cheap registration fee. But then again, that might actually be the rub. It was dubiously cheap for a Fort race. What's that cliche again? You get what you pay for? There you go.

Let me put in a little disclaimer, though. Not all "small" races are like this, and my experience at this race would NEVER discourage me from joining "unbranded" races in the future.

Still, the day was not without redeeming factors. Call these the day's saving grace:

1. I think I'm getting my mojo back. I finished 21k with a gun time of 2:13:26 and Garmin time of 2:13:05. It's four mintes off my 21k PR, but still an improvement of nine minutes over my last half-mary (2:22, Nature Valley). Maybe my dinner the night before the race (spaghetti with meat sauce - Pinoy style - and fried chicken) and my pre-race meal (double cheese burger, GIANT cavendish banana, Gatorade) did the trick. You see, I've greatly reduced my intake of carbs and meat. Over the last three months or so, my diet has helped me lose 12 pounds (prepping for BDM hehehe). In my last few runs and races, I noticed that I tended to fade during the homestretch due to obvious loss of energy. I loaded up big time for this race, and I think it paid dividends. I can only speculate what my finish time would have been like had I not gotten lost and if the water stations had been longer. Maybe I could have set a new PR, or even gone sub-2:05. But then again, it is what it is. I am happy with my 2:13:05 finish.

2. Ice cold, absolutely free Pocari Sweat flowed like water along the entire the race route.

3. The heat and humidity were tolerable. It seems summer is finally, really over. Perfect marathon weather!

And last but not least...

4. I finally have an angas Bald Runner 1,000 Km Club shirt. As of this writing, I'm sitting on 1,397 kms. Not bad, considering that I started logging my runs back in July 2009 only. Thanks a lot to the Jedi Master, the one and only Bald Runner, Sir Jovie Narcise.

With a shirt like this, who needs a medal? :)

This is my last race before the grand daddy of local races: the 34th National Milo Marathon Manila Eliminations on July 4. I'll never qualify for the Finals, but I think a sub-5 hour 42k finish is definitely within reach this time around.