1st back-to-back [run] part 2: busko challenge

It was a day of a lot of firsts.  It was my first time to run a 42-k relay. It was my first time to travel to Tarlac just to run.  It was also my first time to run back-to-back two days straight.

After the bull session in Nuvali, Chris, Edward and I headed back to Chris' house in Cavite to rest and to prepare for travel to Tarlac. It was a very long drive but thank god for highways, we got to Hacienda Luisita just a little after 4PM.  Honorable Lyle, the director of the race, met us there to bring us to our hotel.  He billeted us at L Square Hotel, a posh new place along the highway. I have to say, Hon Lyle really knows how to take care of his guests. He took care of dinner and the accommodations, and even paid for the run's registration fee. Wow! Another free run! (Salamat Lyle!).  After dinner, he showed us the race route: where the forks in the roads would be, the turns, dark scary-looking places. After the tour, we went back to the hotel to rest.

The gun start for the 42k relay was at 4AM.  We got to the starting line by the municipal hall a few minutes before the start of the race. Only a few people joined the 42k relay.  There were about 10 people at the starting corral including myself.  I couldn't help but to feel out-of-place.  All of them looked like serious veteran runners. It was clear to me and my relay team that we were just there for the experience and the training. I'm used to running with big crowds. It makes me feel invisible; me and my pace unnoticed. I guess most newbie runners like me are insecure about their pace. This time it was different. I was visible. That was another first.

gopher with the other serious veteran runners

(photo credit: Busko Challenge FB)

It was still dark when we started running. I told my team, I'll probably finish by 2 hours. They went back to the van to get some more rest. Meanwhile, I was running in the dark. During the first part of the race, I had a motorcycle escort. I overheard them talking that I needed one because I don't have reflectorized gear and might get hit by the few vehicles passing by.  My motorcycle escort left me after I crossed the bridge over Tarlac river. The road was more lit by that time.  I was pressured by the presence of the escort, instead of my usual 2:1 run-walk pace, I did a 5:1. Haha.  By the time the escort left, I changed back to 2:1.

It was a good thing, Hon. Lyle already showed us the route.  It made the unfamiliar road less intimidating as I watched out for the landmarks that were pointed out to us the night before.  It was also fortunate that I brought my hand-held flashlight.  There were areas that were still dark. Midway to the 7km turn, it started to rain. By that time, I could no longer see the other runners.  It was scary and lonely running alone in the dark, in the rain and in an unfamiliar place.  There were dark areas with clumps of high grass and big trees along the side of the road. I found myself chanting tabi-tabi po as I went past them.  Not sure what I more scared of, coming across supernatural beings or NPA's that were rumored to be occasionally roaming the area. Anyway, I ran on.  I needed to go back in two hours for the team.  When I reached the turn, I noticed that there were runners behind me.  Initially, I thought, "Wow! I'm not the slowest".  Only when they ran past me did I realized that they were probably the 2nd runners of the other teams.  Oh well.

 42k-relay teammates

The sun had already risen when I reached the finish line. I finished 14k in 2 hours and 12 minutes. That's an average of 9 mins and 4 sec per kilometer, a minor improvement still worth celebrating ! Yey! Edward was our second runner and he was off the second I crossed the finish line.  Since it took me 2 hours to finish my part of the relay, Edward was already running with the 3rd runners of the other groups.  The cut-off time was 4 hours for the relay. Thirty minutes or so after Edward started, Hon. Lyle told Chris to already start running. He allowed this since we were not aiming to win anyway.  Edward finished his 14k after 1 hour and 40 mins. By the time Chris came back, the organizers were already finished awarding the winners and were already packing up. Again, it was clear to us that we joined the race just for the experience and what an experience it was!  Running on tired legs; running in the the dark while raining in an unfamiliar place; I was not sure how I was able to finish the race. Haha.  But I did. It was a test of physical endurance and mental will. This is a run I will not likely to forget. Fun run number ten!

After checking out of the hotel, Hon. Lyle, ever the gracious host, brought as to Monasteryo de Tarlac for sight seeing. A perfect way to end a tiring, challenging but fun weekend. Thanks again Honorable Lyle and congratulations! Hope to run in your event again if there will be one next year :)

  

ever gracious host, Hon. Lyle, touring us at the Monasteryo de Tarlac

happy 2014!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here's to better health, more runs and more stories to tell in 2014.

Kampay!

1st back-to-back [run] part 1: bull session at nuvali

As part of the bull university training for the TBR Dream Marathon on February, the TBR team organized several long slow runs for the TBR dreamers called Bull Sessions. The runs were progressive in nature in terms of time and distance, and well-spaced in between the start of the training and marathon itself.  I have missed the first two bull sessions but I was able to join the third one in BGC. Running with the TBR community is  a wonderful experience.  I got to talk to the other dreamers and got inspired by their stories. I also learned a lot for the pacers and the coaches.  That particular bull session was also special because it was converted to One Run: walk/run for the victims of typhoon yolanda (Teachincally, my 7th fun run!). Donations in cash and kind were collected during the event. We got to train and help people at the same time. That is why I promised myself that I would not miss the December bull session set in Nuvali, the actual course of the marathon.

during the 3rd Bull Session at BGC

(photo credit: Photo-Ops)

 running with the 1:1 pace group

(photo credit: Photo-Ops)

Early this year, Royson, Edward and I were invited by Honorable Lyle to participate in a 42k relay in Tarlac he was organizing.  Hon. Lyle is a friend from college and a veteran runner.  He was actually one of the people who encouraged us to join TBR and run our first marathon.  We said yes to Hon. Lyle to join the 42k relay without consulting our schedule. It turns out, the 42k relay in Tarlac was the day after the Bull Session in Nuvali. Yikes! We couldn't choose which run to prioritize so we decided to run both. Crazy idea! Later on I read in a running blog that running on tired leg is part of a marathoner's training. Running two days back-to-back was not a crazy idea after all.  We realized that this would give us the opportunity to feel what it's like running the latter part of the marathon when all your muscles are already tires and aching.

The Busko Challenge organized by Hon. Lyle and his HS batch

(photo credit: Busko Challenge FB)

Near the race day, Royson begged off because he had to fly to Bacolod for a speaking engagement.  He was replaced by Chris, a fellow TBR dreamer, for the 42k relay.  Chris lives in Dasmarinas, Cavite. Since we would be using their van to transport us to Nuvali and later on to Tarlac, we decided to stay over their house in Cavite the night before the Nuvali run. We left their house at 3AM and arrived at Nuvali a little after 4AM.

4th Bull Session Announcement

(photo credit: The Bull Runner)

By 4:30 Coach Lit assembled the group for briefing and then we were off. During the last bull session I was part of the 1:1 run-walk group.  This time I joined the big 2:1 group.  Quickly, I found myself at the trail end of the group. I couldn't keep up with the rest. No matter, it was still an improvement and by the first hour I got into my groove.

Nuvali is such a challenging route.  I had difficulty with the all the uphill runs and uphill/downhill turns.  But the place was so peaceful and quiet.  It was also well lit. I had no use for the hand-held flashlight that I bought. It's good that I go to experience Nuvali now.  I know what to expect come race day.

By the second hour, I was completely separated from the 2:1 pack.  All I can see were the other 2:1 runners that, like me, were part of the group's trail end.  I also lost all sense of direction. I was confident that by after 120 minutes we were running towards the starting area.  Only when I got to the uphill loop at the end of the route did I realize that I we were running away from the starting area and still had to run back. Haha. Twice, I had to stop to stretch my left gastrocs. It was threatening to cramp on me. Fortunately, I got back to assembly area without incident after 3 hours.  The group were already doing cool-down stretches.  Edward and Chris were already there waiting for me.

According to the other dreamers we talked to, we ran a total of 16 km.  Frankly, I thought we already hit the 20 km mark. All those uphill runs must have messed my judgement. Haha. We went back to Chris' house to rest for a while before traveling to Tarlac for the other run.  Not-so-crazy idea. Haha.

The last bull session will happen in January. That will be the last time we get to practice in Nuvali before the marathon.  Next time I'll be more ready. :)

pace 2:1 doing a group wave for the camera

(photo credit: Photo-Ops)

gopher near the start of the wave line

(photo credit: Photo-Ops)

[upcoming run] 7-eleven run 1000 [updates]

I asked the organizers of the run thru their facebook account about the rule:

2.10, “A runner may NOT use a personal music system, e.g. iPod, or a radio communication device, including a cellular phone, whilst running. 

Here is their response:

We cannot allow music gadgets for safety purposes, as runners might not hear the instructions from marshals. Thank you.


I told them that I understand where they are coming from however i explained that a lot of runners, including myself, use music to help them run. Music is a good form of motivation especially when running long distances and that some runners even use their "personal music systems" to time their running pace. I asked them if the rule be strictly implemented?

No response yet.

Hmmm... what to do? What to do?

st. luke's [run] for wellness

I think the universe is conspiring to make my return to running a lot easier.  Just like with my come-back run, I didn't have to pay for the registration of my second run for December.

Last December 07, I joined the St. Lukes Run for Wellness with my some of my co-faculty. Mia, one of the senior faculty members distributed free Run for Wellness prepaid cards at the office.  They were from her husband, Ricky who works as a medical consultant at St. Lukes Global. (Thanks Ricky! Thanks Mia!)

Wow! Another free run! Fun run number nine! Who could say no to that? After we registered online, Mia and Ricky even picked up our running kits for us.  Yey!  Too bad they ran out extra large singlets.  I got a large instead.   Later, I read in the running fora that a lot of runners didn't get the singlet size they reserved.  Hmmm... must be a miscalculation on the art of Proative, the run organizer. Anyhow, it was still a free run and also a charity run for Yolanda, so no complaints here :).

I ran 10k with my friends Edward and Chris.  Both of them had a faster pace than I do but because of recent musculoskeletal pains, they both decided to run-walk 2:1 along with me. Chris eventually ran ahead of us. We also had other friends in the race, Mia, occupational therapists Krizza and Dane, and running newbie, Rom, but they ran under a different category. Having someone to converse with while running is really a big help.  It keeps my mind from thinking about the distance I still have to run or the small aches i feel here and there. Near the end of the race, Edward and I met David, a chatty law professor from Fatima on his comeback run after several years of hiatus. Turns out David also knew some of TBR dreamers we've also met in the run.  Small world indeed.

with Edward and David

(photo credit: Sherwin Guzman of Photo-Ops)

TBR dreamers 

(photo credit: We Run for Good Health)

The run featured blue powder stations which we tried to avoid as much as possible. Haha. Spoil sport, I know. But we weren't able to avoid all of the stations and eventually got hit near the finish line.  That stuff was difficulty to remove but at least it smelled good unlike the "colors" they used in Afterglow.

We crossed the finish line after 1 hour and 36 minutes (according to the finish line timer; the organizers haven't posted the official results yet).  It was easier for me to stick to the 2:1 pace because I was running with another person. When we went back to the assembly area, we weren't able to get loot bags anymore because the organizers already ran out. Perhaps we ran too slow. Haha. We just took a few pictures and left to eat breakfast.

My running pace has improved and I didn't feel very tired and wasn't aching all over after the run unlike the after the first few fun runs I joined. The training is really paying off.  Yey! :)

with Edward, Chris and Rom after the run

 breakfast of the champions:
celebrating Rom's first run with a hearty breakfast

(photo credit: Edward Gorgon)

[upcoming run] 7-eleven run 1000

As part of my preparation for the Bull Runner Dream Marathon on February 16, I need to run a half marathon in order to gauge my readiness for the main event.

My TBR friends and I decided to join the 7-Eleven Run 1000 on January 19.  We have heard good reviews about the 7-11 run last year and it is a chance to run along Cavitex. I'm exited! 

The registration process described in their website seemed easy enough. Runners can pay at any 7-11 branch after registering online. However, I had a hard time registering.  Most 7-11 branches seem to be disconnected from 7-connect which allows a particular branch to process the registration.  Fortunately, my friend Roy found a store near his place which was actually connected to 7-connect.  Running back and forth to different 7-Eleven branches can be tiresome and frustrating. It would have been better if they just identified specific stores where runners can actually register.   

Anyway, I'm already registered. We are just waiting for the running kits to be distributed.

Below are some of the details of the run from their website:

Race Route

Assembly area: Bradco Street, Aseana City

Start and finish: Aseana Business Park, Pasay City

Race Kit

singlet, race bib with timing chip, stubs for drink, bag and finisher's shirt

Race Categories, Gun Start and Cut-off Times

Finisher's Medal and Shirt

nike we [run] manila

After a long hiatus, I joined another fun run. Last Dec 1, I was part of the Nike We Run Manila. This was fun run number eight.

It was actually a birthday gift from my flat-mate and fellow TBR dreamer, Chris (Salamat Chris!). It was the first time I experienced registering to a run using a prepaid card. So Cool! We registered as running buddies since having one is a requirement by the event.

On the day of the run, I almost didn't go.  I was still recovering from my cough and cold and wasn't feeling 100%. I also had work deadlines to finish.  But the run was a birthday gift and I couldn't say no to a birthday gift. :)

We got a text from RunRio to come to the venue at 1PM to avoid the traffic.  Deciding that it was sound advice, we left Manila early and got to Marikina a few minutes after 1PM. We avoided the traffic but we had to wait three hours for the run to start. Prior to going to the race venue, we stopped by the house of Chris' lola and picked her up for lunch. We ate at Krung Thai, an authentic Thai restaurant a few blocks away from the race venue (Sarap!). I saw a few runners having lunch there too.

After lunch, we headed to the race venue. It was packed! There were so many runners and all of us were running the same distance. By 3PM, the announcers told us to proceed to the starting line.  Even though we still needed to wait an hour for the race to start, we were already part of the second wave! I think there were three waves in total.

so many eager runners waiting for the event to start

with running buddy Chris

After an hour of waiting, the race started. I did a 2:1 run-walk ratio, something I learned from my TBR training. It was refreshing to run along the streets of Marikina.  The air was not-so-polluted; the residential sights were a big contrast compared to the buildings of the usual fun run routes; and the cheers of the residents themselves were enough to lift anyone's tired spirit.  The streets were narrow though.  Too many times I had to weave around some of the runners and walkers to get past them. There were adequate hydrations stations.  The stations were as long as one city block with Gatorade and water. Unfortunately, even if there were huge garbage containers at the end of each hydration station, most of the runners still chose to throw their cups on the street. Tsk tsk. I wonder how the Marikina government reacted to that.

I crossed the finished line after 1 hour 58 minutes (1 hour 49 minutes according to my timing chip). My usual pace is 10 minutes per kilometer. So I guess that's not so bad considering I'm not that well during the time of the run. :)

It took me less than a minute to get my finisher's shirt and water bottle. They were that organized.  Kudos to RunRio and Nike for this well-organized event but I hope they choose a different venue next year.  A lot of people had trouble getting to and home from the venue; the streets were too narrow for 15 thousand runners; and based on what I heard  from different fora, a lot of residents were negatively affected by the traffic redirection. If not for that, it would have been a perfect running event.

Run Gopher at the finish line 

(photo credit: JRLO of the Running Photographers)