Don’t you just love it when you break the monotony of your everyday routine? Well, yesterday wasn’t too far fetched from the usual, but it definitely was unconventional.
Archive for the 'Long Runs' Category
24
Mar
11
Unconventional
21
Jan
11
2010 in Pictures
2010 was the year running took a backseat from my list of activities, but in between my great hiatus there were some interesting events that transpired. Here’s a look back at how 2010 was for me:
January
The highlight for the first month of 2010 was my return to running with a 50K test run of the Bataan Death March (BDM) Ultramarathon (first 50K of the actual route).
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With our support crew (courtesy Gail Consolacion)
I just returned from one of the best experiences of my life, in one of my favorite places in the Philippines. I sure have a lot of stories and pictures to share, but for now here are some select few photos that I could share while I cook up my narrative:
At Terminal 2 (Manila), bound for Laoag International Airport (August 27)
27
Aug
10
runningpinoy: Season 3 Preview
Goodness gracious! I didn’t realize that my second season (anniversary) of running had just passed last August 17! And as of that date I accumulated a total of 2,012 kilometers (since August 17, 2008, my first ever race). I’ve no idea though how much of it was earned during the last 12 months, but it’s at least 1,000 kilometers. So I guess that wraps up my second season of running!
During weekends when I don’t do races I usually have a preferred northward route from our home to SM Fairview, a 6K course via Commonwealth Ave. and Regalado Ave. Last Sunday though, I decided to change course and head southwards, still originating from home but this time towards SM North EDSA (also via Commonwealth Ave., then via North Ave.), a slightly longer course at 9K. Living in Quezon City it’s quite inevitable that you’d end up in a mall. 
Completed your first marathon? Congratulations! Now what?
Running is one of the most addicting sports there is with all its benefits, relatively lower risks, and not to mention practically free, and the marathon may be the “holy grail” of long distance running. Completing a marathon is definitely a life achievement, but for many people finishing just one is simply not enough.
My first ever marathon finisher’s medal via the 33rd National MILO® Marathon (Manila Eliminations)
As of August 10, 2010 I’ve completed 10 marathon distance or longer races (3 of which were ultramarathons of at least 100 kilometers) and some more long runs. Despite having done it that many times marathons never get easier, or shorter, that’s why it’s never something to take lightly. So what keeps us going through that 42.195K over and over again?
The adiNation of Runners (aNR) Philippines is a running club with a goal to provide members with value-added training and special privileges to train and motivate them to achieve new fitness levels. Here in Metro Manila aNR is staged initially in four locations: Ayala, Alabang, Ortigas, and Bonifacio High Street. This program co-presented by takbo.ph.
Exclusive privileges:
- aNR adidas specials
- aNR running clinics
- Coaching advice from the running clubs
- adidas product highlights
The pilot run of the Ortigas Group was held last night in Pearl Drive in front of the University of Asia and the Pacific, headed by Luis (The Gingerbread Report). Although there wasn’t much publicity about the event there was a good set of runners that joined the event.
Some of the participants of the pilot run with group head Luis (white visor)
Some orientation
The Ortigas Group runs every Wednesday nights (headed by Luis, 7PM onwards) in front of UAP, and Saturday mornings (headed by Rodel “The Argonaut,” 6AM onwards) in front of Tiendesitas and would cover various routes around Ortigas Center.
aNR Ortigas Group in action...
Joining the Group Run is free and you don’t need to be adidas gears to do so. Just drop by the assembly area before the run starts, fill up the form, and you’re done! You also get a “passport” that your group head would sign afterwards which you should keep for future runs. Only one signature per week thought is allowed.
You can sign-up before the start of the run
More pictures from last night’s run can be viewed here via takbo.ph on Facebook. For more information about aNR Philippines visit http://adination.takbo.ph/ or for the regional site visit http://www.adination.com/.
One of the toughest ordeals I have ever faced—Bataan Death March (BDM) Ultramarathon 102—is almost here. One hundred two kilometers of roads, one hundred two kilometers of history. One of the races I dreamt of joining when I was just doing my 10Ks is finally coming true, driven by all the love and support my running family provides. I would like to thank all our support crew, the ladies and gentlemen that serve as wind beneath our wings for without them I would not be able to seek this dream. Thank you for helping me make my dream come true!
22
Feb
10
BDM Test Run 2: Recon
February 21, 2010 together with some fellow BDM participants we returned to Mariveles, Bataan to continue where we left off from our last test run. Most of the group weren’t able to join the previous test run so we started at +Km00.
Single-file as stated in the rules
Bataan Economic Zone
On the way to the base of the mountain
The start of the steep ascent (with one of our support vehicles)
Right: Km 3 BDM marker
Common sign around this area
There’s also this one
Still climbing
To BR: Sir could we request that you ease the rule about staying on the left side of the road, particularly between Km 4 to 6?
It is much more dangerous to stay on the left side from Km 4 to Km 6 as these were the steepest part of the route, there are no areas for pedestrians, there’s a deep ditch, and it has a lot of blind curves. It was very dangerous during daylight, what more during night time?
Close calls
For everyone
We initially planned to run just the first 7K of the route but due to good weather we extended it further until +Km10. Cramming for mileage?
Downhill after +Km7
From +Km10 we headed off to +Km50 to take some pictures, and after a brief stay went on our way towards +Km87, the final 15K of the BDM route. We decided to run this final leg to give us some idea and feel of the route. But before we got there a lot of unexpected twists greeted us.
Group shot at +Km50, courtesy Jet Paiso
Under Construction
Unexpectedly a lot of road works greeted us on our way to +Km87. What’s alarming was that typical of Philippine construction sites there’s not much room for pedestrians as half of the road was being constructed and the remaining half for vehicles. This was in +Km68 and +Km82.
To BR: Would the “keep left” rule remain even if there’s no space on the left?
Road works; taken from the back seat of our vehicle
More road works, +Km84
+Km87, still under construction
To summarize road works are in +Km68 followed by one before +Km82 all the way to +Km90.
Expect roads to be like this
Beyond 90
After managing the confusing roads at +Km90 it’s pretty much “easy” on the way to +Km101, in fact if it weren’t for the blazing sun and the shade-less road it would’ve been nice. Finding +Km102 (San Fernando, Pampanga) gave us some interesting challenge and arriving there gave us some idea of what to expect on race day. Hopefully during D-Day itself we arrive in a good condition as we were during this test run.
Former San Fernando Rail Station: the finish line for BDM102, the beginning of the ordeal for Death March prisoners, the end of lives for many.
Death March historical marker
Brief history from the historical marker: At this railroad station of San Fernando, the Filipino and American prisoners of war who had been marched all the way from Bataan to Pampanga, in one of the ghastliest forced marches in history, were loaded like cattle on boxcars where, because every compartment was packed to the limit, many suffocated or were crushed to death during the trip to Capas.
San Fernando Railway Station historical marker
Why so serious?
After everyone arrived and got settled it’s time for some group picture with the BDM +Km102 marker.
Presenting the Bataan Superbods! 
Of course you probably know by now that right after that shot we all “scrammed” towards the nearest restaurant for lunch! It was already about 3PM so you have some idea how famished we were! Ahhh, the ultra-life!
On Saturday, January 23, 2010, the second running of Bataan Death March (BDM) 102 Kilometer Ultramarathon will be having its “test run” for participants to familiarize themselves with the first half of the infamous route which will be faced on D-Day in darkness. The route will be from Km 0 in Mariveles, Bataan to Km 50 in Abucay, Bataan and the run to start at 6:30AM.
For those who are a little concerned about finishing the 50K Ultramarathon within eight hours, I made a time of arrival list that should be adhered to strictly to make it at the said target time. An eight hour 50K run has an average pace of nine minutes and 36 seconds per kilometer (9:36) so there’s so much room to do walk-runs (often referred to as the Galloway Method). At this pace you should complete a marathon in about six hours and 45 minutes. Here is the list:
| K | ETA |
| 1 | 0:09:36 |
| 2 | 0:19:12 |
| 3 | 0:28:48 |
| 4 | 0:38:24 |
| 5 | 0:48:00 |
| 6 | 0:57:36 |
| 7 | 1:07:12 |
| 8 | 1:16:48 |
| 9 | 1:26:24 |
| 10 | 1:36:00 |
| 15 | 2:24:00 |
| 20 | 3:12:00 |
| 21 | 3:21:36 |
| 25 | 4:00:00 |
| 30 | 4:48:00 |
| 35 | 5:36:00 |
| 40 | 6:24:00 |
| 42 | 6:43:12 |
| 45 | 7:12:00 |
| 46 | 7:21:36 |
| 47 | 7:31:12 |
| 48 | 7:40:48 |
| 49 | 7:50:24 |
| 50 | 8:00:00 |
To make this plan successful the time listed under ETA should be the latest time of arrival. A faster arrival time would of course result in a much faster finish time but if you want to take it easy you can wait to just before the ETA to reach your target.
To the participants, please refer to the guidelines of the test run.
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