Pst! Wanna run Condura 2011 for Free???

Take a peak at The Hotlegs Runner blog for more info...

Run Condura 2011 for Free!!!! Woot!!!

On My Own... Almost (1st Cebu 50K Ultramarathon - Part 1)

Listed below are the things that helped me finish this race...

Mga binili sa ruta…
2 Coke Solo (panalo ito)
1 Mountain Dew (mas panalo... proven na since BDM 102)
1 skyflakes (pinilit ko kumain, dahil KM35 na di pa din ako nagugutom)

Mga binigay ng iba-ibang support crew…
3 bananas
1 slice of watermelon
Unknown liters of water
Unknown liters of gatorade
Water baths from support crews
Water baths from houses along the route

Binaon ko…
Camelbak with 1.5 Gatorade (Sinubukan tipidin… umabot naman hanggang KM40)
P150 worth of coins (para may pambili or *gulp* pamasahe)
Road-Id (baka mag-collapse)
2 cellphone (baka maligaw)
5 choco mucho, pero 1 lang ang nakain... (di ko pa naubos)

At puso… puso ng ultramarathoner… x_X

KaRUNungan 2010 Update

KaRUNungan 2010 Manila will be held on November 28 at the Meralco Compound in Ortigas. A total of 5,000 runners are expected to join the event.

For more info visit www.knowledgechannel.org/karunungan or contact Nicole
Garingan at (632) 910-2131

Resort World Manila's Grand Fiesta Run 2010

The Grand Fiesta Run 2010 is near! Resorts World Manila (RWM) located in will bring back the “fun” in fun runs on November 28 in Newport City, and everyone’s invited to join! Prizes await winners, and participants get a shot at the amazing raffle prizes!


Come in your weirdest and wildest fiesta-inspired costumes, or suit up and grab your briefcase for an unforgettable rat raced theme run. Prizes await for the Best Dressed, Most Unique, Biggest Group/Company, and Wildest Costume.

At stake are fabulous Reward Points from Resorts World Manila that will make sure that you and your friends will have a memorable night at the first integrated tourism destination in the Philippines! Awards and corresponding prizes are as follows:


For those who want a bit of a challenge may opt to join the 3K, 5K, and 10K categories.

Runners may select their finish chute for the chance to win prizes such as shop, movie, spa, hotel, and cruise gift certificates.


Not only that, incredible raffle prizes await the participants. RWM will be raffling off a 3D/2N stay at Resorts World Sentosa for four (4) with free tickets to Universal Studios OR a cruise for two (2) to Singapore and Malaysia and back to Singapore.

Winners of the raffle will be brought to their destinations via the Resorts World Manila private jet! How’s that for living the high life?

Registration fee for the run is Php650.00 for all race categories.

Interested parties may register before November 22 at the following:
Chris Sports in MOA, Glorietta, and SM Mega Mall
R.O.X Bonifacio High Street
Resorts World Manila Tour Counter
Gun starts at: 6:00AM for 10K, 6:05AM for 5K, 6:10AM for 3K, and 7:15AM for 1K.

Bring your families and friends on November 28 for one truly unforgettable fun run!

Grand Fiesta Run 2010

Test your mettle on the race track this November 28 at the Grand Fiesta Run 2010.



Part of the Grand Fiesta Manila 2010 celebration, this event showcases early morning fitness festivities at Resorts World Manila.

Have a fab time in the 3K, 5K and 10K race categories and heat up your soles at the new race route at Newport City. Fun runners can join the 1K Rat Race, amp up the challenge by coming in their in their office attire or most colorful, fiesta-inspired outfits and get the chance to bring home exciting prizes.

Join the race and get a chance to win in the raffle for a three-day, two-night trip for four to Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore, with complimentary tickets to Universal Studios. The lucky jetsetters will be flying aboard Resorts World Manila’s private jet.

DISTANCE REGISTRATION FEE ASSEMBLY TIME GUN START
10K P650 5:00 a.m. 6:00 a.m.
5K P650 5:00 a.m. 6:05 a.m.
3K P650 5:00 a.m. 6:10 a.m.
1K P650 5:00 a.m. 7:15 a.m.

Race Date: Sunday, November 28, 2010
Registration: October 27 to November 22, 2010
Registration areas: Resorts World Manila; Chris Sports branches at SM Mall of Asia, SM Mega Mall and Glorietta; and R.O.X., Bonifacio High Street.

Sign up and suit up for Grand Fiesta Run 2010 and race your way to a relaxing getaway at Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore!

For registration inquiries and delivery of race kits, call WWWExpress at 793-1777 or 852-7210.

Knowledge Channel's Run for Knowledge 2010

Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI) launches KaRUNungan 2010, which aims to help generate awareness and support for the continued resource and learning gaps in the Philippine education system. The funds it will raise through this campaign will be used to produce instructional shows in English, Science and Math, using "virtual" teachers on air. KCFI wishes to help the majority of elementary and high school students, who are still unable to attain adequate mastery of their lessons.

Through KaRUNungan 2010 and various running events, KCFI enjoins the growing
Filipino community of runners to champion the cause of Philippine education, and give Filipino students their second wind that will help them reach the finish line. As KaRUNungan 2010's theme says, "Every Learner, A Finisher."

Karunungan 2010 Manila will be held on November 28 at the Meralco Compound in Ortigas. A total of 5,000 runners are expected to join the event.

For more info visit www.knowledgechannel.org/karunungan or contact Nicole
Garingan at (632) 910-2131


Sidebar on NY:

Runners taking part in the ING New York City Marathon 2010 can go the extra mile by dedicating their run to helping marginalized public school students. They can do this by asking friends and supporters to donate $1 for every kilometer they reach on November 7.

Why Do I Run, Again?

Not that I stopped running. I'm just thinking, why I started.

You see, I'm not really much of a runner. My built is not that of a runner. I have big calves which I don't see on fast runners.

Well, I walk fast. That's it.

So, why did I start running? To lose weight. Period.

If I can be a fast runner in the process while losing weight then it'll be a plus.

Why do you run again?

Bring It!

Tired of the monotonous flat roads during races? Why not try mixing it up with obstacles...

Oh.. so you've already tried it with the wall, hurdles and low crawl?

Okay, then let's throw in a scaffolding maze...

darn it!!! who farted!!!

a balance beam...

but you have to agree, that's one cute cat... =p

and a tire dump...

i farted!!! woohoo!!!

Easy? Nice! Then join The Men’s Health Urbanathlon which will be held on November 7, 2010, Sunday, 5:00 A.M. at Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig City.

Registration for the Men’s Health Urbanathlon is up to October 26, 2010 only. The registration fee for the race is P500.00 and includes a race shirt, drink stubs from Gatorade, food stubs courtesy of Century Tuna and an issue of Men’s Health magazine.

Distances/Categories: 5K (Men's/Women's) & 10K (Men's/Women's)

Registration centers: R.O.X., 360 FITNESS CLUB, SUMMIT MEDIA OFFICE.

Last... take a wild guess on who's going to Marshall this event. Ye Yeah!!!

We Didn't Start The Fire

Yup, we never did.

But many of us helped keep the fire burning.

Now, the fire starter seems out of sight.

Da hu? Sorry, I can't say.

People close to me might have an idea.

But i'm not telling.

I'll treat this as a Note To Self post...

Let's keep running.

Let's keep our own fire burning...

Bakit Kami Malayo Tumakbo?

Ilang beses ko na narinig ang tanong na iyan

Di ko alam kung kayo ay nasisiyahan

Alam ko na mabilis kayong tumakbo

Kitang-kita naman sa listahang ginawa nyo

Pero, kaya mo bang sumabay sa amin?

Try mo lang... Tignan natin kung iyong kakayanin.

Siguro akala mo kami'y mayayabang

Hindi po, ang mga pangyayari ay nagkataon lamang

Nagkataon lamang na mas masaya kaming tumakbo ng malayo

Kaysa sa makipaghabulan sa oras at makipagmabilisan sa maraming tao

Kami ay natutuwa sa narating ng bilis ninyo

Baka pwedeng matuwa din kayo

Sa amin na malayo ang tinatakbo

Hindi kami nakikipag unahan kanino man

Hindi rin naman kami nakikipag-paligsahan

Ang aming mga sarili ang aming kalaban

Kaya, utang na loob walang pakialaman

Pero, bakit nga ba maikli lang ang iyong tinatakbo?

Ikaw ba ay natatakot sa mahaba, at baka ito'y di makayanan mo?

Huwag kang mag-alala pag iyong sinubukan

Kami ay laging nasa paligid at handa kang tulungan

Hindi naman kami mga suplado

Kami ay handang tumulong, nakita mo na ba kung paano?

Tara na, sa amin ay sumama

Alam kong gusto mo din, kaya't tama na ang drama

*Bow... aytenkyu...

2nd QCIM - It's ON!!!

Paging Team Boring, Marga and her pacers (parang banda lang =D), and Marathon runner wannabes... This is it!!!

Start training, NOW!!!

Barefoot Running Anyone?

Since I started running, I only saw a handful of people ran barefoot. I was always in awe. Admiring on how tough they were. Silently praying that they don't step on any sharp objects.
(I was about to put a picture depicting a foot with a sharp object... and I almost fainted... )

Anyhow... eto na lang.

asteeg!!!

But still, just looking at that picture and thinking of things like "what if magkamali siya ng tapak???" Whaaaapaaaakkkkk!!!!

Good thing an Italian company based in Albizzate got bored and came up with an idea to make a glove like shoe. And the VFF was born.

Over a year ago, a runner friend and original takbo.ph hoff Ronald Declarador gave us a glimpse of what could be the next best thing to running barefoot. He even let some of us try it. And with that I became an instant fan of the VFF's.

I already tried to purchase one online, but since the internet is not the place to look for security I scratched the idea. I tried to ask a friend to buy for me instead during her US vacation, but no dice. Frustrated... what I did was read articles on the benefits of running barefoot and running on VFF's.

"We have all been born barefoot. A long time ago, people have lived and survived without using protective footwear. But, today, because of technology and the many changes it brought, wearing shoes became an essential part of life. But beyond all the protection and the style shoes provide, we seem to have forgotten the significant benefits and sense of freedom being barefoot brings.

Shoes were first invented thousands of years ago—way back when people used to live in caves. Back then, they used animal hides and leather laces to protect their feet from the rough terrain. Millennia passed and the concept of shoes evolved in countless ways from its design, material, and even its uses. It became a necessity to shod oneself. However, no matter how things change, most people still prefer to do a lot of things barefoot. It is all because being barefoot is very comfortable. But, aside from the unrivaled relaxation being barefoot brings, it also has a considerable number of benefits, not just to the feet, but the body as a whole.

Doing activities barefoot brings a lot of advantages to the body’s flexibility and mobility. It allows people to exercise, stretch, relax, and strengthen muscles they normally don’t get to use when wearing shoes. Barefoot running also corrects the way people run—making them land on the balls of their feet—as compared to wearing rubber shoes which gives the tendency to land on the heels first. Landing on the heels of the feet releases more pressure and shock to legs and knees. Doing things barefoot also improves range of motion in ankles, feet, and toes because of movements that are more natural and free. It also heightens body awareness since the body has the sense of being freer than being shod. Balance and motion agility are also developed because doing things barefoot further stimulates the neurons and nerves that are essential to lower body movement. And because there are no heels to torture the foot heel and the ankle, it enhances natural posture and the alignment of the spine. And, most especially, it is much easier to relax and stretch after a workout if someone is barefoot.

Countless health benefits have been associated with being barefoot. That is why athletes, to attain better health and movement, prefer to do their sports without any footwear on. It is because when barefoot, movements become the movements of a child—playful and sensitive, yet purposeful and confident. A person experiences the unbound joy of stepping, hopping, and running across any surface on earth, simply to get from here to there. This is the reason why a lot of sports enthusiasts prefer to deal with their activities barefoot.

Numerous runners have been hitting the tracks without any shoes on because the benefits of running barefoot have long been supported by scientific research, coaches, and athletes who’ve offered ample evidence that training without shoes allows you to run faster and further with fewer injuries. Motion studies demonstrate that when running barefoot, one naturally lands on the forefoot, directly below the center of gravity. This results in optimum balance, increased stability, less impact, and greater propulsion.

Indeed, undertaking activities barefoot has a lot of benefits and advantages for the body. However, the feet—most especially those of the more active people—need to be protected from the many possibilities of injury. That is why some footwear are developed to mimic the feel and freedom of being barefoot. A good example would be the Vibram Five Fingers which is a proof that many people prefer to do things barefoot. With a slot for each of the toes, it actually gives all the freedom and feel of wearing no shoes on.

Many other innovations in footwear have been introduced into the market to make our feet as comfortable and relaxed as if barefoot. It is because it takes no genius to agree that—aside from the benefits of going barefoot—the feet has taken the humans a long long way and they deserve a break and the freedom."

And finally the VFF's is available locally.... woot!!!

Sounds interesting? The Vibram Five Fingers store is located at Level R1 Bridgeway in PowerPlant Mall, Rockwell. For inquiries, call (02) 513-1449 or e-mail marketing@barefootwearinc.com. You could also visit the official website at www.barefootwearinc.com.

Me, Myself and the Road

It was my first time to run without my Garmin since I got one last year.

And you know what? I actually like the feeling.

Nothing to monitor my pace, my heart rate, my distance, no nothing. Just me, myself and the road.

And now, I'm thinking of letting my Garmin go...

is it bye-bye Garmin time?

Okay... don't get too excited... I'm still thinking about it pa naman... =P

How To Properly Tie Your Shoes

Your shoe rubs one spot on the top of your foot?
Your big toenail turned black?
Your shoe is too tight along the top of your foot?
Your toes feel cramped?
Your heel slides up & down?

Well, it's either your shoes are not the right fit for you or you're just doing it all wrong...

i don't need that... i'm rich!!!

If you're not Mike, why not check out this topic with videos from runnersworld.com on how to Custom Tie Your Shoe Laces.

Topic too boring for you?

Maybe we can learn a thing or two from this guy...

Now... if he can do that while running, I'll give him a Team Boring t-shirt. =P

BORED!!!

Me, Rania, Edwin, Vic, Cindy, Poj, McCoy, Jet, Doc T, Aaron

BORED!!!

Si Master lang and di masyado gumalaw... =D

Exercising Our Hearts

Team 5 Voltes 5!!!

Emi, Elsa, Joy, Alex, Me, Jean, Rodel

(not in pic: Nolan, Ley, Tina, Dess)

There is no better exercise

for your heart

Than reaching down

and helping

to lift someone up.

-- Bernard Meltzer

July 25, 2010 was an extra-ordinary day. It was the day where altruism was shown at its best. Team Boring did not run the Takbo.Ph RunFest. No, we did not boycott the race. We just felt that the event was the right time to give back to something that we all love.

Team Boring was early at the venue... in fact as early as 12AM. We were that early to run the 5K route of the race... para hindi kami gaano ma-inggit sa mga runners.

After we finished our 5K run and certified it as exact (naks!), we then waited for the volunteers of each team.

To Team 5 volunteers who came...

Alex Aquino, Nolan Ariola, Dess Coral, Rodel Eugenio, Emi Flores, Ley Gripal, Tina Narvaez, Elsa Rubias, Jean Serafica, Joy Vargas.

You made our tasks easier... Kahit may na-late... what matters most is that you all came. Hindi biro ang gumising ng maaga para mag-traffic... kung hindi dahil sa inyo, baka hilong-talilong ako kahit kapiranggot lang yun area natin...

and to the other Teams and volunteers...

Thank You!!!

To Takbo.Ph and LeadPack (Jinoe, Doc Lyndon & Ian)... Congratulations for a successful RunFest!!! Maraming Salamat po!

Till next race...

Palms Run Club & The Palms Fun Run & Roll

Got an email from Reggie Mendoza, Marketing Officer of MIZUNO.


Hi Bloggers,

Mizuno is partnering-up with The Palms Country Club for two events- The first is the Palms Run Club, held every Saturday starting July 17, 2010 at 6:00am with trainer Patrick Josson.


The second is The Palms Fun Run & Roll, kid's 1K; 5K & 10K, registration comes with a Palm's club day pass which inclusive of an all you can eat buffet as well as a concert.



See you there! --

Reggie Mendoza
Marketing Officer

Top 5 Reasons To Run! (According to my wife)

5. It’s the trend, IN ka pag tumatakbo ka!
Rod -- I disagree...

4. Para me dahilang gumala kapag weekends.
Rod -- I disagree...

3. Para makakita ng magaganda at seksing chicks na tumatakbo.
Rod -- Next...

2. Para masarap ang tulog.
Rod -- at masarap ang kain... Next...

1. Pagod ka na at masakit ang katawan pag-uwi, bawal kumilos he-he.
Rod -- Uy... hindi na ngayon ah.

Question: Ang endurance ba na dinedevelop thru running e sa running lang din nagagamit?
Rod -- Ayos noh, teh??? May follow-up question ka pa. Bibili pa naman sana kita ng VFFs...

Here I Go Again

Exactly 16 days today (May 12) since I last ran. I’ve never been so idle this long.

Rewind to April 29

Annual physical examination time. I was hoping that the Doctor will give me a thumbs up sign that I'm on tiptop shape. Thinking that I'd be healthy since I've been running regularly for 2 years already. Well, I was wrong.

The Doctor checked my BP and it read 170/120. But I kept my fingers crossed as she checked again. But it only confirmed the first BP reading.

After that, I already know what will follow.

Doctor: You have to go to the ER. Your BP is too high.

So, went to the ER I did.

My wife accompanied me to the Makati Medical Center. She filled up the usual documents.

Another Doctor checked me. Then they gave me a medicine to lower down my BP.

After almost an hour of resting, the Doctor checked again my BP. It read 150/100.

Ayos! So I tought.

As I was being given prescriptions, my wife suddenly asks the Doctor.

Wife: Doc, pwede po ba sya tumakbo?

Doctor: ???

Me: ???

Doctor: No strenuous activities until you’re completely checked.

Me: ?!?!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!

Wife: Wahahahhaha!!!! Di ka makakaalis ng bahay!!!!

Me: Saksakin nyo na lang ako!!!!

Goodbye PAU… =(

I could have ignored the Doctor's orders if I wanted to. I've done it last year when I was checked with a BP of 200/140. And ran my first 42k, 4 weeks later.

Heck, I ran BDM with a systolic level higher than 180. My diastolic, never mind...

But then again, I think this will be the best time to really control my BP. If I really want to run more and live longer. This is the right thing to do.

Tomorrow, I'll return to the hospital to do a series of tests. Including running on a treadmill. Woot!!!

But… I just hope that this will soon be over. I need to run. I already missed the 1st PAU. I'm not going to miss the next one.

2nd BDM 102 - Part 2 (Extra Push)

March 6, 2010

We finally arrived at the very posh Villa Imperial. Tried to get some shuteye. But wasn't really able to sleep. I just laid there while trying to keep my mind off with the impending race.

At 6PM, Doc T, Poj, Gab and I went to the nearest church to ask God for guidance and strength for us to finish the race.

Then some photo-ops back at Villa Imperial...


By 8:30PM, we were on our way to KM0 in Mariveles Bataan.

Before our group went down from our vehicle at KM0, Mar and Marky offered prayers for all the participants.

The atmosphere was festive at KM0. I had goose bumps looking at the mix of participants and support crews. It was overwhelming...

big bee staring... scary...

Team Boring!!! Woot!!!

takbo.ph peeps!!!

thanks to

Mark Castillo
and
Brando Losaria
for the pics!!!

While waiting for the race to start, I just felt that something was missing.

Flashlight, check... Garmin, check... Timex watch, check... RoadID, check... Race bib, check...

Weird... I have everything I need for the race.

30 minutes before the gun start, I called up my wife to check on the kids. Then she gave the phone to my youngest, Justin.

Me: Hey... bat gising ka pa?
Justin: Dad, tatakbo ka?
Me: Yup... mag-sleep ka na.
Justin: May medal?
Me: Meron medal...
Justin: Yehey!!! May medal ulit ako!!!

All of a sudden, I felt complete... I felt ready.

That was the one thing missing, that one extra push from Justin.

Something to fuel me to finish this race...

'to be continued...

2nd BDM 102 - Part 1 (The Birth)

March 2, 2010

• CLP / BDM Support meeting @ North Park, Market Market
  
• Doc T was problematic because suddenly they have no support vehicle for the race
• Doc T's problem was solved as we welcomed and embraced him to our group
  

The atmosphere was very festive and the participants were very enthusiastic.

see??? enthusiastic kami... =D
(standing: me, pojie, gab)
(sitting: argo, jet, vic partially hidden)
thanks to Doc Marvs for this pic

• Moved to next door TOSH for a more serious meeting with our group
• 2 bottles was the order of the Doctor for the night! Hindi pwede uminom si Jet!!!

March 4, 2010

• BDM 102 CLP & Final Briefing @ Camp Aguinaldo, QC.
• Original bib # 133 was mistakenly given to someone else. Got a favorite number instead.

thanks to Marky for this pic

• Went to Rob Galleria after to meet with the group again. You just can't have too many meetings...

March 5, 2010

• Went with Vic to get the support vehicle
• Went to grocery to buy additional supplies for the race

March 6, 2010

• Woke up 5AM to buy ice and stack gatorade, water, pocari
• Picked-up Gab, Cindy, Pojie, Marky
• Waited for Vic @ McDo Muñoz
• Still waiting for Vic @ McDo Muñoz
• still waiting....
• and waiting...
• finally....
• Picked-up Doc T from his house in Bulacan

Since the travel was loooooonnnnnggggg. The group exchanged stories about the race; the preparation, the hydration, the people. That's how 'bored' we were.

And so... Team Boring was born...

Ang haba noh??? Yun lang pala dahilan kung bakit may Team Boring???

'to be continued...

Am I Real

I was supposed to get bib #133, during the CLP for the 2nd BDM 102. But for some reason, someone else got the number. No worries there as I was given a new number. A very special number. One of my favorites.

214, or Feb 14 is Johann's birthday.

It's also his hospital room number when he was born. (wala lang.. para may masabi lang.. =p)

rock on!!!

It's also the title of a favorite Rivermaya song.

Am I Real...

Well... we'll see after March 7, 2010. =D

Breaking the Jinx

Just thought of writing this down to break the jinx...

A while ago, I talked to my wife informing her that I'll be home late. Because I have to attend the BDM support group meeting at Market, Market.

As I was about to put the phone down, my wife told me to go home early because I sound sick on the phone. True, I have colds right now. But I still feel okay.

Then my wife goes on telling me the last time I was sick and there was this one race I missed. The race was the SIM last 2009. I was really looking forward to that race last year. And even helped some of my friends to register early just to get the early bird discount.

Now.. here comes the BDM 102 this coming March 6-7. I wont miss this for anything. Good thing that I got the colds this early as I'd be A-Okay by D-Day.

Keeping my fingers crossed!!! Wish me luck!!!


Or should I say.. WISH US LUCK!!!

LSD at Century Tuna Superbods Run

I was not able to sleep well the night before the Century Tuna Superbods Run.

I picked-up my daughter from a school concert which was supposed to end by 10pm. But instead it ended @ 11pm. No worries then, as I have no plan to improve my 21K pr on this event. The plan was to do an LSD and include it as part of my BDM 102 training.

And so I set my phone's alarm to 3:00AM because I don't want to be late for this race. And guess what, I woke up even before the alarm went off. I chicken-slept (tulog-manok... tama ba?).

My veggies... I'm not yet fully charged, not even half charged.

So I went to my usual business on a race day... drank two glasses of cold water... ate a peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwich... took a bath... dressed... fixed my race kit... and I'm off.

I was at the site before 4am. Enough time to chit chat with friends and even insert a warm-up. Yup... insert a warm-up. You see, I don't really warm-up before a race. I stretch a bit though. Pwede na ba yun?

The race was supposed to start @ 5:20AM, but for some unknown reason it started 10 minutes early.

As I was positioned near the faster runners, I tried my best to keep pace with them. I averaged 5:10mpk on my 1st 2Km and when I saw that I was going too fast, I slowed down a bit.

I tried to maintain a 5:30mpk and hydrate at every 2nd water station.

And when I felt I was running at my comfortable pace, I totally ignored my gps watch and just went with the flow.

But when I reached Km 15 after exiting Heritage Memorial Park, I took a glimpse at my watch.

I've run 15Kms for 01hr26mins... so I thought; it's possible to have a new PB and even a sub 2.

I paced with Doc Pinky up to Km 17. Slowed down when I saw my HR shooting up to 90%. But when I reached KM19 and saw my time @ 01hr52mins, I said “Goodbye Sub-2”.

Good thing Ace & Pojie was there to give a push. A new 21K best is still possible.

But with less than 1K more to go to finish line, my hands suddenly felt numb. And when I checked my HR, it was already at 95%. So I told Ace & Pojie to go ahead and I’ll just walk to the finish line.

When I turned left going to the finish line, I saw Sir Jovie egging me on and the official time. 02hrs03mins!!! And so I made a mad dash towards the finish. Completely ignoring my HR which shot up to 104% when I finished. But it was all good!!! It was a great feeling to know that I have improved. I got a new 21K best (02:03:55) and a medal. Woot!

LSD? Taper????


About the Race:

The race was huge and the atmosphere was festive. But the distribution of the medals, loot bags, etc needs more improvement. Falling in line to get the freebies after a long run was not a good sight.

But for me, the race was a success with a few minor hiccups.

My BDM Test Run Experience

Last Saturday, January 23, 2010 70 runners joined the “Test Run” for the second serving of BDM (Bataan Death March) 102.

KM0, Mariveles, Bataan (01/23/2010)

It was a mix of seasoned and newbie ultrarunners. And though it was just a “Test Run”, the atmosphere at KM0 post in Mariveles, Bataan was more festive than some of the races I’ve joined.

As you may have read stories of the "Test Run" from other runner bloggers, I would just like to share with you what worked for me and what I've learned from this experience.

What Worked For Me:

Walk / Jog the Uphills

wow!!! flat!!!

Run the downhills

Run / Brisk walk the flats

Enjoy the view

dun kami galing!!!

Minimize breaks

Keep heart rate in check

Eat a chocolate bar every 10Km

Hydrate and eat banana at every support group stops

Sing... well LSS actually to MJs Don't Stop Till You Get Enough. Nice power song eh?


Lessons Learned:

Get enough sleep at least two days prior to D-Day

Train… Hills… Train… Hills… Train... Hills...

I’ve never used petroleum jelly before… now I think it’s a must especially if you plan to run long distances

Use sun block

Wear sunglasses

need I say more???

Be extra alert… especially when crossing the streets.

Respect the distance.

Although we have a support group that will tend to our needs. We need to be self sufficient as much as possible.

Carry the following:

• food & hydration

• extra money

• cellphone

• ID
  

• List of important contact numbers

• flashlight

• first aid kit

also...

Acknowledge the people who will greet you along the way.
Give high fives or thumbs-up signs as they are your unknowing support groups. They will keep you on your feet.


to Gail, Tere, Marga, Angel, Carina... THANK YOU for the SUPER SUPPORT!!!

to Sir Jovie, thank you for organizing this event. Now on for The Real Thing!

special thanks to Carina and Gail for the pics!!!