FRONTRUNNER Philippines

when information about this race was first relayed to me by no less than its proponent,sir jovie,i had mixed feelings.

at first,i got excited about it and said yes in a breath then signed up to signify my intention to join when the race site came out.

but when sanity started to set in,i realized how difficult it could be.i went through the trusty runner’s world website and mercifully, they had an ultramarathon training program good for 16 weeks.16 weeks? i thought this was absurd.just train 16 weeks for a 102k race?that was around september 2008 then.looking back,at least i had more than enough time to train.

other wordly,weird,trivial,inconsequential and even morbid thoughts would soon follow during my waking hours and even in my sleep(especially after what happened to my good friend jerry after our 52k test run done in high noon).but this is me,still reckless after 45 summers.i gave my yes and there was no turning back.train i must and train i should.

ah, questions,questions and more questions would follow and pop out.sometimes, i would get sweaty just thinking about the race.i would be lying if i’d say this did not scare the shit out of me.i really felt i was starting to get abnormal.fortunately,my fellow runners would text me about feeling adrenaline pumping through their veins just thinking about this one and having the same fears as i did too.i was normal .i was not alone feeling weird.i was in good company after all.

and so barely 5 days before i rub my rubbers for 102 kilometers,one question that lingers on is this-why?

frankly, reality is starting to sink in now.i think the time has come to let the mind game start.

but why indeed?

here is my final answer-why not?

all the hoopla and hype about the condura run 2009 was worth it. this much-anticipated race stirred the emotions of many runners and triggered many plans and strategies.from what i heard,even out of town runners came in droves.this was my first time to see such a race being widely-talked about.in the running circles at least.

a success like this deserves a pat on the backs of the brains behind the event.let’s start with the concepcion brothers,patrick and ton, and then of course the organizer non-pareil himself,the venerable rudy biscocho.congratulations for a job very well done.i can’t say enough of today’s run.and that goes to countless and nameless volunteers and marshals,you all did your best and truly deserve all the runners gratitude.

i just wish though that in the future and if it is possible,lesser distance runners will be provided with another route going to the finish line.somehow,those who wanted a last-minute burst of speed for a strong finish were hampered by the walking/slower-paced 10k /5k/3krunners.just a suggestion anyway.still, this was a helluva run.all the “o.c.-ness ” paid off.

it was fun today to say the least.after learning from my lessons from last week’s  rotary 10k such as the late check-in, this time i made sure i was within breathing distance of the front starters.i got lucky and found my fellow 102k runners,  just about 5 arm lengths away from the elites and, surprise,philip(aka the foreign runner-good to see you bro).

having done everything humanely possible to be able to make this a good run(especially after learning from patrick that results would be published in the philippine star),i made sure i followed my battle plan to the letter.the days leading to today’s race found me feeling the onset of a coughing bout starting tuesday up till the wee hours of today.and this got me worried.no amount of high dosage of vitamin c, calamansi juice and the tried and tested salabat would make the nasty coughs go away.the more i had reason to strictly follow my long-laid plan.

and so i paced my 1st 16k(thanks for the company sir jovie).you would say that it was uneventful save for the skyway portion.i savored the views which i could only previously see on motorcycle speeds and the carless side which i was running on.whoever thought of running along the skyway is a genius.you must be made a saint! posting strategic water stations and the shower truck at the skyway itself was a pretty neat act.and next year,i wouldn’t mind running the condura 42 even if it runs twice over the skyway.to tell you the truth,i was tempted to do a take 2 over skyway were it not for a target time.truth is, if i found my target time way off at turn around,i would have gone back up skyway from buendia.i swear.

on the way back and true to my plan, i started to pick up my speed starting at the ayala/buendia intersection.and carried on till i reached the kalayaan flyover/shell/rizal drive/serendra area where a lot of 21k runners i was running with would weave in and out and zigzag between runners.we could do nothing but make up for lost time and sprinted to the finish line.i noticed that the 3/5/10k chutes were properly marked and the 21k was not, save for a placard-bearing marshal waving it for us to enter the 21k chute.at any rate,i made it.another good effort notwithstanding what i felt was a less than  100% physical condition.

what made today special was the fact that my kids were with me today who did the 5k. and to be with friends and fellow runners just enjoying and savoring each step.

i don’t know with you but whenever i race,i feel kinda sad that i am nearing the finish line because it means the race is at its end.the feeling is ambivalent.while i am happy(especially if i am about to make a personal best),sadness somehow finds it way.

my garmin timed me at 1:40:57.not bad for a sunday’s 21k run with the skyway to boot.my last at december’s montalban 21k was 1:47 +.i survived my coughs.

anyway,again to the concepcion brothers and rudy b-you rock!

thank you for making my and 6,000+ other runners sunday.

onwards to bataan.

21k never hurt this good.

 

 

 

 

all i wanted was to run for my life in today’s rotary 10k at the fort but i got more than this.not that i asked for it anyway.

somehow the thought had not crossed my mind for sometime now but as it is in life,running springs out surprises too.and finally it happened today.

if checking in late as in 1 minute before the start was a portent of things to come,then surely that was the 1st baaaaad sign.lester and i found ourselves packed in the middle part of the starting line crowd unable to move farther onwards.that put undue pressure for me to overtake the runners in front so early on the race which i am not used to.that has not been my game plan eversince.not to start too fast.

at any rate,i had no choice but to run beyond my pace at the very start till up to the old lawton road area where somehow the horizon cleared of runners ahead of me.but by this time.i could feel my exhaustion.so early i thought and it was just 3-4 kilometers into the race.i was spent.short of wasted too early in fact.a few familiar targets were way up front.until we reached mckinley area.somehow,there was a sense of security in me for i knew the area like the palm of my hand.i knew where the uphills and inclines where.but there was work to be done.targets were there for the overtaking.

from the very start something caught my eye.i saw girls in tutus.although one by one,i overtook them,it seemed that they came in droves.just as  i overtook 1 in tutu,another 1 in tutu would pop out infront.they were like a colony of ants.

up until mckinley/accenture area,i was tailing 2 in tutus.familiar with the route,i slowly made my move.on the way back from the british embassy,i overtook  the 1st of 2 in tutus then the other 1. finally,i thought i had all those in tutus in checked.this was not to be.in the uphill fronting the 7-11 store in mckinley where i slowed down.1 in tutu overtook me and boy,she had that look in her eyes(i could see from the side of my right eye as i was tiringly scaling this incline).i did my darn best to keep this tutu in sight while groping  for my plan b( in hindsight,i think there was none) to put into play.after essensa and upon reaching the mckinley stoplight,i darted like crazy downhill.to no avail.this runner in tutu who overtook me in the mckinley uphill was simply charging ahead like a well-oiled machine.till the finish line.and that was all i could do.finish behind her.

so,that was how my rotary 10k went today.i got finally “chicked”.ambushed.waylaid.and before i forget,i would like to congratulate the organizers and personnel manning the stations and route.they did well today.this race was a neat one.take a bow guys!

it is my post-race habit to review what wrong things i did in a race.and today was no different.one, i checked in too late to be able to get at least within breathing distance of the front pack of the starting line.being at the back meant having to go fast early on and it is not good,at least for me.two,i did not taper and rest enough after last weekend’s back-to-back runs of 32k and 51k.i could hardly get my legs to cooperate and put my whole body into a running rhythm.i just couldn’t get my juices flowing no matter how i tried.there was a loose bolt or nut somewhere.nope,these are not excuses.just realities that i have to keep in mind and learn from.and i surely will.

i later learned that the 1 in tutu i overtook for good was leica carpo. and the 1 whom i overtook only to “chick” me later was amanda carpo.familiar names.and from what i heard triathletes.so at least,i took comfort in the fact that i was able to keep pace with fast tutus.freakin’ fast sisters in tutus.thanks for providing me the incentive to run fast.they are boston-bound too so good luck as well.worthy opponents indeed.and i got a pretty neat lesson.if i must say, an “ass-chicking” sunday run.

and for whatever it’s worth or if it is of any consolation at all,i did 43:46 on my watch for this new race course.a new personal standard for me.

but the joy just  isn’t complete.i got “chicked” that’s why and i couldn’t stop talking about it over coffee.and to think they were carrying extra luggage in those tutus.i wonder, if i wore one,will it make me run faster too?where can i get them custom-fit in time for condura 21?

well anyway,i must somehow rejoice or at least find a reason to have a happy sunday after all.my 100k-a-week runs for bataan are finally over.starting tomorrow,the 3 taper weeks start.

but that is another story.not the least bataan 102.

a story i will never tire to tell over and over again is how i got hooked on running.

one saturday afternoon,08 march 2008, my nephew ilo, dropped by my place and casually asked me if i wanted to run on sunday.run what i asked.a 10k race he said.instinctively,i said yes.well, in retrospect,that’s who i am-reckless,as a friend once said i am.no due diligence on my part.just a reckless affirmative.

so on 09 march 2008, i was at bhs for an on-site registration for my 1st race in 22 years as far as i can remember.of course,that last race and the other race i joined then both ended in dnf’s.not too much effort to finish then on my part i surmise.then again times have changed.somehow,i believe i was prepared to go all the way this time.i have been on a diet and a roll towards fitness kingdom since 2003 after i was brought to the hospital twice for hypertensive attacks and a mild stroke.i was an overweight 220-pounder of unwanted fat all over-puffy cheeks,bloated belly,42-inch waist,xl shirts and boy would i huff and puff after a 10 minute walk up the house.pants of baggy legs were the ones that would fit me down there.i was your poster boy for a couch potato.although i did not drink nor smoke,i was a foodie munching till up to bedtime.whatever fancied me,i would eat-no limits.eat like hell,i did.i had too much calorie intake that i won’t even care to count.i did not mind.i love eating then.gorging and splurging on just about anything edible and sweet.

well, too much for that weight-loss thing.

 immediately,i knew that running took a new look the moment i step on that starting line on that fateful morning of 09 march.i could see gadgets strapped onto ears,arms,waists.almost everywhere in fact.running apparel and shoes looked different too from what i last saw in 1987 during my last road race.ilo and i kept endlessly whispering between us…”nakita mo ‘yun,feeling runner talaga ano?”.i was garbed in nike basketball shorts(the puruntong variety), giordano cotton tees,adidas running shoes which i borrowed from my son.that was it and i was ready to go.not having ran competitive 10k nor having finished my previous 2 races somehow did not deter me from going all the way this time and somehow that pump me up.i saw how festive the atmosphere was then and saw some people whom i thought were of my same size 5 years earlier.so we made 4 laps around bhs and as soon as i was on my 4th round,a sense of satisfaction never felt before came upon me.i was going to finish my 1st road race at last-26 years after my 1st attempt.and i did,in 57+ minutes. not bad i thought as i looked back at those who were coming after me.i vividly recall a familiar-looking lady whom i overtook at the last 500 meters who turned out to be gem padilla,the 1990 binibining pilipinas-universe.no way i said to myself that she would finish ahead of me.to this day at the races,i still get to see her though i haven’t come up to her and tell my story-that she was my very first target and that she was what i can say my 1st running challenge.thank you for the company if you are reading this.and for that matter,familiar and nameless faces in other races,to this day,i still get the pleasure of running with.

that was my 1st run done.what a relief.soon enough,i was itching for the next race and the next and the next till i couldn’t stop looking for more.tuluyan na akong nalulong sa pagtakbo.pain and all,i would run through them.rain or shine.running has taken me to subic,san fernando(pampanga and la union),pinatubo,cavite,baguio,nueva vizcaya and of course around edsa and c5 and metro manila for that matter.

and so as i look back at my 1st running year,i recall having ran races at distances of 3 miles,5k,8k,10k’s,15k’s,16k’s,21k’s,25k,1 official 42k,1 bandit 42k, a solo 42k and a group 43k and of course, a run up pinatubo for a 55k, and a couple of test runs at 52 and 51k.not bad i thought for someone who dnf’ed twice in the past.

what a change i have gone through.aside from the additional weight loss and new friends and realignment of funds for expenditures, i have made an unconscious effort to emitting less carbon dioxide.whereas before,i would take a motorcycle trips with my beer and gas-guzzling buddies during weekends to as far as i do not know where,weekends now find me either at the races or training.still on the road, yes, but with zero carbon dioxide emission.sting would be happy to know.

in between,there are those early morning and evening runs and lsd’s.lately,i have indulged myself with speed drills at the ultra under the tutelage of iaaf level 4 coaches to whom i credit my good times so far at 10k(45:02),15k(1:10) and 21k(1:47).not world-class by any measure.let’s forget about the marathon time for now.ok, it is 4:37.it is a work in progress.and i will redeem myself come july at the milo elims.i have dream times.if guys older than i am could do it,why can’t i?

and this thing they call ultramarathon.it is a stupid event they say, but as i have read,it doesn’t have to take a stupid runner to finish it.call me anything but i am in my 24th week of ultramarathon training for the upcoming bataan102k come 05 april.up until then and if i will be lucky enough to survive it, only then will i will able to say that i have been there,ran that.

but let me thank you first my fellow runners who have kept me company on the road during races,take 2’s and training days.without you,running would become a such a dreary activity.of course,my eternal gratitude to ilo for pulling out of my doldrums.i thought i was happy with my iron-pumping days at the gym then.that included the boring times at the threadmill which i foolishly relish to be good times.i don’t mind not having grown as big as governor  arnold.although i am not yet close to the kenyan physique which is my goal now,i am on my way.that goes with my skin tone too.

mercifully,running has brought my weight down from 185 pounds to around 160 these days.and running has made me poorer.i did not stick with my nike shorts and giordano get-up for the 2nd race.i indulged and went on a buying spree to the point that somebody told me that running isn’t free least of all,a cheap sport to be in.well said.

running can be painful yes.but there is just something into it that brings out the best in me.i learn how to pace my life somehow and be less reckless as well.my friend would be happy to know that for sure.i enjoy the sights and sounds of race days as well as the silence during training days.it is hard to start but it is glory once i get going.

so where do is see myself after my 1st running year? mick jagger said that he wouldn’t be caught singing “satisfaction” at age 45.well, he is at least 60 now and IS still singing “satisfaction” with the same zest and gusto since he first sang it.and for that reason,i would still want to be running when i am 60 too.well maybe not as fast as i am going today(at least,i think i am) but i will still be running

passion should have no limits, no?

let the good times run.

say, call me MEEK JOGGER by then.

 

 

as the pile-the-mile training stages for the bataan 102k  seem to descend quickly upon me with each passing day, i found myself at the bhs grounds at around 4am on saturday for an lsd with enrico,arman,myke and jay.we practically went around the whole of the fort area to bayani road then to mckinley hill area and back at bhs for about 4 hours where we were able to finally nail 32k and call it a day at 8am.

and today, sunday ,was going to be somewhat different from our previous runabouts.what could have been a fitting 1st year anniversary run for me had the pasig marathon push through turned out to be our own version of  another of our sunday runabouts.only this time and for the 1st time,we were doing this run for a cause.we would run and we would donate money to the abs-cbn foundation for its sagip-ilog pasig program.

so after my invitation for today’s fun full was posted and text messages sent around, today’s run attracted 27 runners,some first-timers and mostly participants to the oncoming bataan 102k.additionally,a television crew from channel 2 was on hand to document the event all the way.

starting at the u.p. oblation at 5:21am after the usual reminders,we were off and running towards balara.it was my 1st time to pass that area where there were steep downhills(thankfully) and after we passed by the loyola grand villas, we soon found ourselves at the foot of the tumana bridge in marikina.we followed the jogging path parallel to the marikina river till we reach the riverbanks mall then onto c5 then for our 1st pitstop at petron near lanuza avenue.this after 2 hours of continuous running.after our refill stop, we were back at c5 all the way to heritage/bayani road, lawton,mckinley hill for our breakfast at mcdonald’s.at this point,we ran 28k and 3 hours already.after which we went to the backroads of mckinley towards the accenture area then all the way to the british embassy turn around at c5.having done mckinley,we went back to lawton onto serendra then the international school then stopped for another refill stop at 7-11 before going out to kalayaan at gate 1 then j.p. rizal then onwards to guadalupe.finally,we found ourselves along edsa.at this point,the sun was starting to pounce upon us the heat which we dreaded the most.but having done the 52k test run in bataan 2 weeks ago,we knew better this time.after another refill stop at caltex pioneer,we made our way to channel 2 in mother ignacia avenue to turnover our donation.along edsa,we had to fight for running space among smoke-belching buses and the usual pedestrian traffic crowding the sidewalks.all these while we were running and looking for any acceptable shade as it was nearing 12 high noon and it started to get unbearably hot.

finally,after 6 hours of running and 46.84k on my garmin,we reached the abs-cbn foundation office where we were treated for a pitstop treat of ice-cold water,oranges and bananas.after a short speech by sir jovie  and the subsequent acceptance by the deputy director of the foundation and the handing of our donations and the usual photo-ops,we finally headed to where we started at 5:21am earlier.

after running towards quezon avenue,we finally settled for a walk all the way to the oblation.it was such a relief to see the end after 3,314 calories expended,63,648 steps and 8 hours 34 minutes  and 55 seconds spent on the road running,eating,walking and sharing drinks and food and endless stories.

i wish i could describe to you more vividly about how it feels to run 2 lsd’s on consecutive days but i have just run out of energy.please enjoy our pictures instead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and so as i reached another run that fittingly capped my 1st running year,i settled with some thoughts in relation to the conduct of my fellow runners today.if the 52k bataan test run was a test,today was putting to test whatever lessons we learned from that 52k run.for starters, no one charged infront like crazy at the race start.each was testing his own pace.in fact,the lead pack was at most a kilometer away from the tail during the whole run whereas during bataan,the gap was at times 5-7k  apart.and we made at least 4 unscheduled pitstops to refresh and hydrate owing to the searing heat.today also,the groups were closely bunched together reinforcing the fact that it is indeed easier to run these distances with a companion.and we made the most out of every refill and pitstop opportunity.most would wet their caps,shirts,bandanas,drink water and sports drinks,eat chocolates,eggs and bananas and power gels.and we would walk the inclines as we plan to do at the actual 102k run.look for any available shade along the route we did as well.indeed,we learned our lessons well and we put to practice what we learned.and at least for the last 6 guys including me that came in from channel 2 to u.p. we did our walking thing,say wounded and in pain but proud for another truly rewarding run.

and before i end this post,i would like to tell you dudes that i lied in your faces today.yes, i guaranteed a 42.195k but it was not as i promised.it was not even close to 42.195k.we covered 50.8k in all.why,that’s an ultra.congratulations,take a bow! you did well today.and thank you for heeding the invitation.i am sure everyone is itching for the real deal on april 5.

if you have anything aching or whatever that will linger on for days on end,now you know why.no pain,no gain!

see you at the 102K!

ang katanungang ito ay bunga ng malalim na pag-iisip at pagmumuni-muni ng isang lalaking kaladkarin.dumating ang maraming pagkakataon na pati sa kanyang pagtulog at pagkain at pati sa oras ng trabaho ay di niya maiwaglit ang katanungang patuloy ng bumabagabag sa kanyang kalooban.nahihiya man ay lakas loob siyang nagtanong sa akin.kaya’t ako, bilang tunay na kaibigan naman, ay nagpaunlak subalit dala ng aking maliit na kaalaman sa kamundunhan ay aking napagpasiyahan na itanong at isangguni na lamang ito sa may mas higit na kaalaman at dalubhasa at marunong sa ikot ng buhay.sana po ay paunlakan niyo ang aking kaibigang malapit ng mawalan ng sariling bait.

bunsod ng kanyang iba’t ibang napagdaanan na pait,sakit at karanasan sa buhay,ang aking kaibigan ay nagtataka at napansin na bakit mas madami ang mukhang nasisiyahan sa maigsi.na sa kanyang pananaw naman ay di hamak na mas masarap ang mahaba.oo nga’t masakit ang mahaba subali’t pagdating sa dulo ay hindi maikukumpara ang kasiyahang dulot ng pagtatapos nito.ibang klaseng sarap ang mararamdaman pag narating ang dulo ng kahabaan.

ano nga ba ang meron sa maigsi at di hamak na mas madami ang naeenganyong subukan ito?

kayo po,ano po ang inyong masasabi sa pahabaan o paigsihan?

saan kayo mas masaya?

bago po kayo mag-isip ng ano pa man, ang pinapatanong po ng aking kaibigan ay patungkol sa haba o igsi ng inyong tinatakbo sa araw ng ensayo o karera man.

yaman din lamang na pahabaan ang pinag-uusapan ay inaanyayahan po namin kayong muli na sumama sa aming runabout bukas na mag-uumpisa sa u.p. oblation sa ganap na ika-lima ng umaga.kung gaano kahaba at kasakit ay malalaman pagkatapos ng takbo.

once again, you are reminded and cordially invited.whether or not you are joining the bataan ultramarathon or if you simply love running and have time to smell the roses.

on march 8 at 5:00 am, we will take off  infront of the u.p. oblation for our own version of a 42.195k runabout which we are holding in place of the cancelled pasig marathon.and for those joining the 102k ultra come 05 april,this is another good test run for you.

the route will take us to balara,riverbanks,c5,a quick refill stop at petron,heritage park,lawton avenue,mckinley all the way to the british embassy then breakfast at mcdonald’s.then we do lawton,bhs/serendra /internationalschool then onto gate 1,kalayaan,j.p rizal,guadalupe then cross onto the opposite side of edsa to face the oncoming traffic as we run towards channel 2.here,we make a brief stop to give our personal donation for the sagip ilog pasig foundation in the hope that pasig river will be enjoyed once again, if not by our generation then the future generation.after that,we charge towards quezon avenue onto quezon memorial circle then back at u.p. for a cool down jog/walk at the backroads of u.p then finally finish at u.p. oblation.

may i remind you to bring your hydration belts,sunblock lotions,reflectors,caps and cash for the pitstops along the way.and most of all be prepared for surprises all in the name of fun running.

please be on time as we intend to take off at exactly 5:00am.this is a fun run and NOT a race thus we will be running or even walking at times at conversational and fun pace,that is guaranteed.invite your friends.

i hope to see you all in our own version of a hardcore fun full.

no frills,all thrills.

be there or be square.

P.S. channel 2,i was told, is sending a tv crew to cover our run.therefore,be in your sunday’s best!

today marked the 2nd time i did the docfit run at u.p. i remember this run as one of my first races last year when i started to take up running as a stress buster.having run the amadeo 10k yesterday,i purposedly joined today’s race to find out how far i have gone with my endurance and speed training among many other things.of course,i wanted to find out as well how my body would hold out in back to back 10k races.

it was a fun race today especially made good by the presence of my running friends from gold’s gym and fellow 102k ultramarathon participants.it was organized by no less than the afroman himself,coach rio.for all his races that i have ran,i think this one ranks way up.there were enough marshals and road signs and water stations and there was at least order in the claiming of the freebies at race end.take a bow coach.

starting on time and ending with the team bald runner elites dominating as usual,i found my running friends at the finish line and together we did a few extra kilometers,12.5, to add on to our weekend total.it was while running the extras with the gang where i finally was able to do the so-called heartbreak hill of u.p.indeed,it was.it reminded of my amadeo finish line.

also, i was able to drag along my best friend and classmate from grade 1 to high school,arthur manalo,to do his very first race,the 5k.way to go brother! and welcome to the club.i hope the running bug bites you.

this month marks the peaking of my mileage as bataan102k nears.on the other hand,it also marks taper week within 2 weeks.and most of all, march marks something special for me.and that is the reason i am going nuts.lastly, i can smell the bataan102k ultra timebomb ticking so near.i have nailed 768 kilometers so far since the start of the year and i am on my 23rd week of training.

and as a parting shot as we usher in march,if last year i did my first docfit at around 57+++ minutes, today i was able to do 45:02 doing the very same course even though i had to stop and lace back my loose shoelace(first time) which cost me 10 precious seconds at least.not bad to start march.and not bad considering i did another 10k race the day before.it was a good decision to race back to back after all.the legs are holding up and so is my spirit.

indeed, whoever said you can’t teach old dogs new tricks is dead wrong.

old dogs like me can still pull a hat trick.

i am a living proof .

make that, running proof.