Run for Your Life

More information?

2008-09-01T04:37:00.000-07:00

The Pinoy Ultra Runners moved to another blog address. Visit us at www.pinoyultrarunners.multiply.com or follow this link. See you there.

Another Running Aid

2008-09-01T04:34:00.000-07:00

Running Aid

2008-08-06T06:44:00.000-07:00

Ultra Marathon 101

2008-05-14T07:48:00.000-07:00

Send us your name and contact details at the email address provided above. See you there and lets start your first ultra marathon.

The North Face 100

2008-05-01T03:46:00.000-07:00

Team Pinoy Ultra Runner, will be training for this event. If you want to train with us and get to know about ultra marathon please email the team at pinoyultrarunners@yahoo.com At least two and a half more months to go before this big event. Yes!!! It can be done. See you at the starting line.

Subic-Clark-Tarlac Ultra Marathon

2008-04-25T05:49:00.000-07:00

(Preparing for the long journey ahead)

The Pinoy Ultra Runners, (Neville Manaois, olive Cortez, jose De Vera, Andrew Chinalpan, Pen Nepomuceno, Jocelyn Saw and new recruits, Wellington Yao, Gilbert Mabasa, Raul Padillia, Al Viado, Paolo Punsalan and Dean Cunanan) arrived in Clark in preparation of the activities for 94k weekend to inaugurate the newly built Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway SCTex. Dubbed as the longest highway in the

Philippines

the Pinoy ultra runners were tasked to run the 94kilometer road. At exactly 4pm the team started its ultra marathon at the Tarlac toll gate, to make things more interesting we were tasked to start carrying a torch that will be rallied across the highway by different runners. The summer heat was draining the runners which slowed down the pace. At kilometer 25 the runners were doing their own pace pushing themselves to reach the halfway mark. As night time arrived and portions of the highway soon vanished in the dark making running a bit difficult. Most of the runners were just followin the white painted lines on the road. The repetitive view and the calmness of the surroundings also posed a huge challenge to the runners.

(Michael one of the many support crews that made the run possible)

(hehehehe Hero pose?!? Mabigat yung torch)

(Masaya pa dahil maaga pa eh)

(It was an enjoyable moment for new and old members)

(Walang magawa si Pao, Kata and Lizette mga support crews namin)

(Salamat Josaw)

Despite being veteran runners the team still encountered pains, difficulties and the usual “why am I here” syndrome. Reaching the halfway mark in Clark the team started to prepare for the 50km journey ahead. Devouring chicken and pork adobo the team nursed their legs in the cold road waiting for that burst of energy to continue. At the halfway point members took turns to weigh in. To no surprise some of the members lost 5 pounds of body weight while others still maintained its original weight. In the halfway, the team could never have made it without the numerous marshals and support crews of the pinoy ultra runners dragged all the way from the comforts of their gimmick back in Manila ”Salamat talaga sa inyo”. They made sure we drank Pocari Sweat’s, devoured meals and making us more miserable by sleeping or enjoying their hot meals. Team sponsors were also there making sure we were okay and our morale is high.

The lead pack slowly exited our pitstop and started to complete the 50km stretch. Olive, Dean, Willy and Gilbert, attacked hard in the front. The rest of the runners were still nursing the cold muscles and pushing down the adobo deep in their stomachs. The last part of the run was really difficult, the dark horizon, ghost stories from fellow runners and the cold winds were preventing a joyful run. Some of the runners were walking and enjoying the solitude and counting falling stars(my last count was 15). Support crews were working with the runners at every 2 kilometer distance. Most of them would play and ride the bikes and some of them would just enjoy the highway, by cooking, sleeping and just playing around the expressway.

(1st place Olive Cortez 2nd Place Willy Yao and 3rd Place Dean Cunanan Congratulations to you all!!!)

It was a humbling experience for all the runners. Time was very slow and we could see the stars and moon move in different corners. The runners were also amazed with the beautiful highway how it went through hills like laser beams of Japanese Animae hero’s hehehehe. It was really a marvelous feat of engineering. When sunrise arrived the whole area was alive again. Like any ultra marathons most of the runners found strength and started running like it was an ordinary training day. Around 5:30 am news erupted in the teams communication center that Olive reached the finish line and Willy was a few kilometers back along with Dean(Hare!!! natulog kasi) and Gilbert. Crossing the finish line in second place was Sir Willy who was still smiling and cheering. He arrived at around 7am completing the ultra marathon in 15 hours. Hot on his heels by a few minutes was Dean. Then Gilbert with an impressive finish soon followed in fourth place with full of energy to spare.

(Pinoy Ultra Runners with BCDA officials who made this run possible)

The 10kilometer mark greeted the runners and all were already exhausted and sleepy. By now the lead runners were resting and hydrating “ang lakas nila talaga”.The remaining runners were spread out in 15-30 minute distances as they approach the 2 kilometer uphill stretch. Seeing the toll gate the team celebrated, and was elated. The organizers created a resounding welcome, with media, local officials, a full marching band(this is a first for us) and dozens of spectators. The team was overjoyed and humbled by the experience. The new recruits were so happy since they have completed their first ultra marathon. For the veteran runners it was just such an amazing experience crossing the finish line. Like the ultra marathons in the past the team has organized and participated, the finish line was most rewarding since friends, relatives and love ones were all there happy and proud of our accomplishments. It was truly an unforgettable 94kilometer weekend.

(The best support crew, thanks guys wouldn't be able to finish without you)

(A truly amazing 94k weekend)

Thank you to all the people who helped and organized and gave us the opportunity to run the 94kilometer highway and be part of this historic occasion. BCDA, Media Meter, Subic and Clark. Our sponsors ROX and the North Face who was always present all throughout the teams ultra marathons and other projects. We couldn’t have done it without you. To the new recruits, Al, Dean, Raul your really amazing athletes, Doc Paolo, a terrific finish for your first marathon and ultra marathon, your program works, Willy and Gilbert, its been an honor running with you two. You’re the strongest runners in my book. Josaw and Andrew thank you for being there, Jose salamat nahatak kita ulit. Olive, tangal ka na sa team ang bilis mo hindi ito sprint group ultra marathon eto hahahaha. Your really fast. Pen… no comment hayup ka that was the longest walk I've ever done. Hahahaha. Congratulations you finished your 2^nd ultra. The last lines of gratitude are reserved to our support crews, and most of all my head marshals. Michael (dami ko na utang sa iyo the best ka), Godfrey, Pao, Lizette, Kata, Macky, Fritzie and my brother Jonathan. It was an amazing marathon since you were all there. You are part of the team and we finished it because you were there. Congratulations Pinoy Ultra Runers a job well done. It was a memorable 94k weekend.

Run for Your life: Subic-Clark-Tarlac 94 KM

2008-04-07T20:25:00.000-07:00

The Pinoy Ultra Runners are back on the road with new recruits. This time the team will run the Subic-Clark-Tarlac, 94Kilometer Expressway. It will be part of a series of activities to inaugurate the opening of the newly built expressway on April 19-20. Bazaars, outdoor activities, exhibition bike rides, as well as invitational bike races will be on Saturday. Moreover a 10km and 42kilometer run will be on Sunday Morning. The team will start running in Tarlac which is the start of the expressway around 4PM Saturday and hopefully reach the end of the highway in Subic around 9AM Sunday. It will be a difficult run, with scorching heat, varying temperatures, concrete surroundings, limited shade, as well as the long distance. However it’s an opportunity the team cannot pass. Like in the past this will be another “Run For Your Life” signature series in which funds collected by the run will go to a charitable institution. See you at the 94k weekend.

Bataan Death March Memorial Ultra Run

2008-04-07T20:19:00.000-07:00

The month of April is a very interesting month for us. Next week the team with new recruits will attempt to run the 94km stretch of the newly built Subic-Clark-Tarlac expressway as part of the 94k weekend activities. This April 8 at 5PM Pinoy Ultra Runner Beth Siojo, will run from Bagac all the way to Clark Pampanga ending at 9AM the next day. The 102 kilometer ultra marathon is for the Bataan Death March Memorial Ultra Run. A capable talented runner and founding members of the Pinoy Ultra Runners, Beth will negotiate hilly terrains and as well as the sweltering summer heat. But no one will doubt nor stop this powerful veteran ultra runner. The team is very proud of Beth and will be praying for her success and safety. Go Beth!!!

Beth preformed strong in the Banaue-Sagada run. A veteran of numerous ultra marathons.

"I will be running continuously an estimated 102kms from km 0 or the start of the Death March from Bagac, Bataan and end at the Clark Cemetery in Angeles via Porac. Boy and Dan will crew, friends will join parts of the run leg in various places. Prepare the karaoke for an all-night sing a long the road." Read more of Beth's amazing journey here.

Go!!! Beth!!! Go!!!

Josaw and Sagada

2008-04-07T20:12:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago Pinoy Ultra Runner Jocelyn Saw “Josaw” ran the Banaue to Sagada 60km trail. It was somewhat a revenge run for Josaw and a personal challenge. Along with some of her friends she was able to successfully and safely reach Sagada. Congratulations Josaw!!!

The run was hotter than the earlier run in Sagada by the team

Josaw was accompanied by Thumbie and teammate Beth

Congratulations Josaw!!!

Breathtaking Pictures

2008-02-11T19:18:00.000-08:00

Breathtaking images from Nards. Ang galing talaga!!!

Support crews prepare for the long day ahead

Preparing for the final assault to Sagada.

Dani Dematera, negotiates the long uphills

Olive Cortez, enjoys a warm snack at Mt. Polis

Dr. Peter Rivera on his first ultra marathon, amazing performance Peter!!!

Amazing!!!

2008-02-10T14:29:00.000-08:00

Jose and Pen, new members of the team

Strong performance for the runners and bike support

Jut got back from Manila and I have to get ready for work hehehehehe. it was an amazing weekend. the Pinoy Ultra Runners completed the 65Kilometer run from Banaue to Sagada route. The fast runners completed the whole run in less than 9 hours(Andrew, Dani, Beth, Olive) while the rest of the team completed around 10 hours(Peter, Jose, Pen). It was such an amazing experience for everyone. Another good news, is we have raised a considerable amount of financial donations for Kythe, just need to collect it. Thank you to everyone who supported our run and our cause. Ill write more of our accounts later. In the mean time check out some of the images of the run in our multiply website.

Banaue to Sagada

2008-02-04T06:38:00.000-08:00

After the success of the “Run for Your Life” 100KM ultra marathon last year, the Pinoy Ultra Runners are once more back on the road this February 9, 2008.
The challenge is to run through the picturesque landscape of Banaue all the way to Sagada.
This passion for running will once more help raise awareness of and raise funds for children with cancer.
Support the run and help change lives a kilometer at a time.

You can support the “RUN FOR YOUR LIFE” Campaign in many ways.

Here’s how:

1. Pledge Php 500.00 for every kilometre that the runners will run. Funds raised will go directly to Kythe Foundation’s cancer fund and child life program for chronically-ill children. Minimum of 5 Kilometres entitles you to a TNF 10% discount voucher.

2. Donate directly to Kythe Foundation at these receiving areas:

• via” Kythe Inc.” BPI-Family Bank, east avenue branch. Account number 6031-0529-02.
• Or visit any North Face Stores and donate through the Share the Passion Campaign.

Pledge now! See you at the RUN!

The Final Stretch

2008-02-03T06:40:00.000-08:00

After several weeks of planning and several months of planning. The Banaue-Sagada Run For Your Life is a few days away. as always yours truly is sick or getting sick a bad case of nervousness or I am just a hypochondriac. Work, planning, and managing the team and the run has taken its toll. Pretty exhausted, i do hope i can get to the starting line. All i can do is pray hehehehe. The team had its final meeting earlier and we were all upbeat and excited about the run. Some of my team mates are sick or gona get sick yikes!!! Nevertheless we are ready to go. Logistics are already complete, bus, hotel reservations are already booked, gears and sponsors have given us everything we need, and most of all we have already started to collect funds for our beneficiary Kythe. its going to be an interesting week for all of us.

February 7 Thrusaday

Team leaves Manila for Banaue

February 8 Friday

Team reaches Banaue around 6AM
Check logistics, gather food, plan our run and pray hard hehehe

February 9 Saturday

5 am start running
I really don't know what time it will end hehehehe
Party time? Finish line "I hope"

(Front: Josaw, Beth, Olive, Pen. Back: Dani, Neville, Jose)

We have a total of nine runners: Neville Manaois, Elizabeth Siojo, Olive Cortez, Dani Dematera, Peter Rivera, Jose De Vera, Jocelyn Saw, Andrew Chinalpan and Pen Nepomuceno. A strong bike crew which will provide support in terms of food and drinks. Several guest runners and most of all several representatives from The North Face and R.O.X. Its going to be an interesting week, hehehehehe.

R.O.X Run

2008-02-02T08:31:00.000-08:00

Last week the Pinoy Ultra Runners conducted its training runs at Fort Bonifacio. Our short run started at our headquarters in the huge R.O.X building. We accompanied several runners as part of the teams exposure for our Banaue-Sagada run this February 9. It was an interesting experience talking to the runners based in the Fort Bonifacio area. These strong and veteran runners gave the team a good workout plus interesting stories about their running in Fort Bonifacio. As a testament of the support of R.O.X to the teams run, they have decided to run with us. Brand managers and staff of R.O.X decided to run with us for several loops around the area. Not only do these people know outdoor products they can also run fast hehehehe. Thanks for the overwhelming support and most of all the interesting stories hehehehe.

(Thanks for joining our training runs)

(The managers and staff of R.O.X. Who sprinted the first part of the run hehehehe)

(Our friends in R.O.X showed us how managers run hehehehehe. Thanks Trisha and Clyte, your faster than Henry and Romi hehehehehe)

The Run

2008-01-22T21:36:00.000-08:00

(Pictures courtesy of Denise llanos dee)

Nestled between the towering mountain landscape is Banaue. At 1200 meters it is surrounded by spectacular and complex rice terraces. One of the most popular destinations in Northern Luzon is also touted as the "Eight Wonder of the World". Roughly 8-10 hours away from Manila, Banaue will be the starting point of the Pinoy Ultra Runners: Run For Your Life Marathon for the benefit of Kythe patients.

On February 9, 2007 the runners will negotiate hilly terrains and the cold and wet mountain winds of Banaue-Sagada. However the long and winding roads, the fresh air and the beautiful landscape will inspire and help the runners reach the finish line in Sagda. A tranquil town on top of the mountains, Sagada stands 1477 meters high. Its nature and cool mountain winds is unspoiled and an ideal setting for reflection and relaxation. A fitting finish line for the run.

The ultra marathon will most-likely begin at the area near Banaue Hotel in the early hours of the morning. The cold weather will definitely bother the runners as they climb the steep hill. According to the information provided to the team Banaue starting line all the way to Mt. Polis will be 20 kilometers uphill. Paved roads and dirt roads have to be negotiated. Headlamps, hydration packs and windbreaker jackets will be essential.

After reaching, the summit of Mt. Polis the team will replenish its hydration packs and energy gels while eating rice meals. Then the team will begin its run uphill and downhill towards the busy town of Bontoc which is roughly 30 kilometers away.

(Bontoc will be hmmm sort of half way point)

Reaching Bontoc the team will meet up with other UP Mountaineers and friends and will attack the last 12-15kilometer uphill trail run to Sagda. According to one of our runners the weather there is really cold and its been raining for quite a while, so the roads are slippery and muddy, a real challenge for the team. Banaue-Sagada run will provide an interesting and dramatic background for the team to raise funds for Kythe and its patients. Help change lives a kilometer at a time.

Banaue-Sagada: Run For Your Life 08

2008-01-21T15:03:00.000-08:00

Banaue-Sagada Run

2008-01-20T20:28:00.000-08:00

First Time

2008-01-20T20:11:00.000-08:00

(Wow!!! Models!!! Thanks to Boy Siojo for the pictures)

Last Friday members of the Pinoy Ultra Runners had their pictorials at R.O.X (Recreational Outdoor Excahnge) in Bonifacio High street the Fort. It was a different experience and the team was not used to it. We were used to running together, planning our ultra marathon and usual gimmick but never a photo shoot! Hehehehehe. It was a lot of fun and it made the team look like a professional team with the uniforms and other stuff. But for the most part the team enjoyed this welcome break. We had fun going around R.O.X looking at the different equipment and trying on different gears for the pictorial!!! Sana amin na lang yung gear hehehehehe!!! Thanks to the staff of R.0.X as well as Dino, brand Manager of Columbia our photographer, Ken of The North Face for organizing and accommodating us, Roel Chan marketing Primer Group for all the support and help.

(R.O.X provided a great back ground for the pictures of the team. Before the Ultra Marathon, R.O.X will be displaying our pictures as well as information about our run and other activities like pact runs.)

(ROX is really huge!!! Three floors of outdoor equipment at reasonable prices. An amazing store that would cater to anyone who dreams to have adventure outdoors.)

(Nice uniforms!!! Dani, smile please!!!)

The Subic Marathon

2008-01-20T19:19:00.000-08:00

Josaw, Pen, Me, Olive and Ige.

The Pinoy Ultra Runners decided to run the Subic Marathon as a training run. As always when we say training run members of the team will try to face off with other runners of the pact. The end result will be a standard racing marathon for most members. For some it will be a training run for the next ultra marathon. The team arrived Sunday morning sleeping during the 2-3 hour drive from manila courtesy of Boy Siojo. Accompanied by support Jan and Levi the team readies for another memorable run. The race was straight forward long challenging terrain but nice cool weather and scenic landscape. Beth and Olive were in the front doing a magnificent run, Jose and Josaw(her first marathon congrats) was in the middle and brining up the rear was Me and Pen(also her first marathon and longest run ever). It was straight forward training. One thing that caught my attention were the Kenyan’s my my!!! I saw them in the television but nothing will prepare you for the speed these guys can unleash. These Kenyans are very amazing, like gazelles being chased by lions in the Serengeti.

During the New Balance 25km last year I was introduced to Sir. Willy. A powerful runner, energetic, 50 something runner. He competed in the Clark Marathon last week and now he is doing another one here in Subic, amazing!!!! This was his 40th Marathon. Hmmm a future Ultra Runner? I think he said yes. hehehehe.

The Kenyans!!! They came out suddenly!!! A blistering pace which tore the field apart. Even the camera had a hard time capturing them. Wow!!!

Josaw and Jose. Consistent and strong and will be finishing their first ultra in several weeks. congrats on the marathon Josaw.

Me and Pen. Strong performance from this multi talented athlete, powered by determination and of course Levi as a support crew she was able to finish her first marathon and longest run ever. Ganda ng Jersey!!!

Beth and Olive, finishes the race a little over four hours, not bad. lack of sleep and nervousness hehehehe made it a little tricky for them. Olive will be biking next day!!! Hahahaha. Peace Olive.

The race was well organized, and we were really happy, the marshals and supports were well provisioned and it was a tough marathon course. For Pen and Josaw the hardest part was the last 5-7kms. And the most agonizing part of them all was the half loop run around the oval which seems like forever. The team finished with smiles and full of energy, but very hungry. Well we really need that energy, the next Run for Your life Marathon is a couple of weeks away. To all who joined the marathon congratulations and see you again in the starting line.

kythe

2008-01-14T05:13:00.000-08:00

Kythe is a non-stock, non-profit organization that provides psycho-social care to children in hospitals, especially the chronically-ill and children with cancer. Kythe pioneered the Child Life Program in the Philippines. Trained Child Life professionals, along with Kythe volunteers, provide various services to children and families, which include education, preparation and distraction for medical procedures as well as therapeutic play activities inside and outside the hospital. Support programs for families, especially parents, are also made available. Kythe's aim is to provide support during the illness of a child, which is a most trying time in the family.

Kythe is currently affiliated with eight (8) government and charity hospitals around the country, namely:

AFP Medical Center (AFPMC)
National Children's Hospital (NCH)
National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI)
Philippino Orthopedic Center (POC)
Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC)
UST Charity Hospital (USTH)
Davao Medical Center (DMC)
Tarlac Provincial Hospital (TPH)

Kythe continues to work for more support so that more joy can be brought to more children and more hope can be felt by more families.

For more information about Kythe, call 376-3454 or visit their website at kythe

Weekend Wet Run

2008-01-13T20:36:00.000-08:00

Saturday was a dreadful day for running. Despite the wet and cold weather Beth and Josaw decided to continue its training run on the roads leading to Sierra Madre resort. Popular for bikers with its steep hills and winding roads the girls powered on and try to complete a 20km route uphill and downhill. Both runners enjoyed the sights and cool weather. For the two runners the difficult part was not the uphill but the downhill portions since it pounded heavily on the runners knees. At the end of the day the two girls had a good training run, for a bigger challenge up ahead for the team.

(Eat and drink a must for any long runs)

(Beth and Josaw reaching the Cottages)

I can go the distance

2008-01-05T06:46:00.000-08:00

The past several races was preparing me for another big event. It was a way to distract me and made me miss running for long hours. The increase in run distance by the ultra running team could only mean one thing we are targeting another epic run. We are doing lots of races to basically expose the team but for the most part we are doing another way of training. Race to train. Joining triathlons and runs to basically train since we are quite bored with the usual routes and routines. But what are we training for, well we are still planning it, but we wanted to challenge ourselves once more.

Time to start our long runs, probably to stop myself from getting bloated for Christmas. Or allow me to eat a lot during the holidays. We have already made plans for a target run for January or February. The only thing we can do is to increase our mileage. Keep running. The cold weather is here!!!

UP Triathlon(Pasmathon)

2008-01-05T06:36:00.000-08:00

The UP mountaineers organized a sprint triathlon. I was excited since this was the first place and first time i joined a triathlon. Racing back in UP brought back my newbie days in the world of triathlon. A lot of UP mountaineers joined also adding extra fun for the race. The weather was perfect and the race course was set. Beth my team mate in the Pinoy Ultra Runner joined in for her first triathlon. Amazing race, nice way to end the year a perfect triathlon. The distance was short making the race real fast and more enjoyable. Moreover most of my friends were there. Mabuhay ang UP Mountaineers. Congratulations to all!!! Pictures courtesy of Dennis website.

(Reminded me of my first triathlon, I was using a heavy Mt. Bike. I look confused and tired before. Now i look exhausted hehehehe)

Urbanathlon

2008-01-05T06:18:00.000-08:00

(Hector "kulang sa pansin", Me"Sleepy" Macky "first run")

The year is about to end and I really want to end it with a bang!!! There were still several races lined up. The New balance 25km run was over. I realized that i need to do some running again. Well i cant complain it was a training run. So i finished the race the slowest training pace. Base run, i had to start from scratch. But i was in no mood to train just yet. I wanted to so something fun and unusual hehehehe. Eventually i ended up joining the Men’s Health Urbanathlon. Yehey. A 10km run with obstacle courses. I was able to dragged my friends and a newbie runner. I told them i will pace them and lets just have some fun in the run.

It was a cold and wet morning. Several hours before the race, powerful rains drenched the whole area. Upon reaching fort Bonifcaio i saw quite a number of people stretching and filling out registration forms. Familiar faces greeted me and i saw a bunch of UP mountaineers some of which were my batch mates. All of them were actually marshalls of the race!!! Hi!!! Mia and Alex.

I was eager to race not only to pace my friends but basically to have fun. No pressure and enjoy the obstacle course. Hehehehe. Also another main reason is to display our team uniforms to expose the North Face Ultra running team. After last minute briefing, the race was off, my friends and i stopped in front of our relatives!!! What else picture taking hehehehe.

The race was not what we were expecting. A full 4-5km loop then go through an obstacle course. The run another loop again. We were actually expecting the whole course to be full of obstacles hehehehe. I was actually also expecting it would be a run like the first part of James Bond Casino Royale when he was chasing the bomber all around a construction site. Jumping buildings and going through other obstacles. A parkour type of race. Hahahaha. But it was really fun, since i was with friends and family and for the most part there was no pressure at all just have fun. Hehehehehe.

(Hector, Frenzy Condom ad yan!!!)

(Congrats macky on your first 10km)

In the end it was a break from the monotony of running. I had a blast, spent time with love ones and for the most part another race completed for the year. Cheers!!!

New Balance 25KM

2008-01-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

Its been a while since the team ran together. Last time we ran together was the 100km run last July. Maybe the training and hardships pushed the runners to do other sports and huwag na muna magkita hehehehe. But it was really fun to run alongside with the team. We eventually decided to do race in order for us to train hehehehehe. Race to train was the new motto of our team. We decided to target the New Balance 25KM run in Clark Field, last November. We got to Clark Sunday where we devoured the local cusine and dined at the AFC or Angeles Fried Chicken hahahahaha. At night the team got some rest to relax for the run next day. As for me I hanged out with the “best support crew” and drank several bottles of beer. Hehehehehe. A big no no for a race next day. But I am not racing I am just going to run to train hehehehe, and show our new uniforms. Hahahahaha

(Olive, Beth and Me. "Nev's this unifrom is eh ultra runners eh hmmm eck!!!)

(Jan cabanos, thanks for the pics!!!)

Sunday arrived the team woke up around 4AM to prepare the race at six. We ate our meals(power bars and fig newtons hehehehe, while olive ate the chicken from AFC), relaxed, prepared our gear and freshened up. After a few hours we were already at the start line.

It maybe just me but i somehow feel that beth, olive and me were all nervous. It was just another 25km run . There was no pressure we just have to run. Hmmm what could be the reason. I tried to enumerate in my head.

1. We were not that prepared and trained.

2. We were so exhausted from the ultra marathon that we completely ignored running. Hence our confidence dropped.

3. This was a race in Clark and we knew the course was difficult.

4. Our uniforms, and we were presented as a team.

Most likely the answer will be the last one. We were all a little bit shy wearing our new team uniforms. But we all know we were there to train, for some race, but for the most part generatesome exposure for the team. The race was off!!!

(As usual Beth powered through the course!!! Go Beth Go!!!)

In the end Beth and Olive won!!! They were in the top three in their respective age groups. Maybe its the pressure from the uniforms. Hehehehehe. Nah they are just really fast and strong. As for me hehehehehe, several minutes and light years behind them. Congratulations girls!!!!

(Congratulations Olive. Another strong performance)

(We all agreed the race course was really amazing. Long hot climbs in the end)

(Congrats Beth and Olive, Nev's saan medal mo? hehehehe)

Team Uniforms

2008-01-05T05:53:00.000-08:00

Team uniforms are here. And what can i say. Amazing. I feel like a professional athlete. Thanks to my brother for the uber nice and cool design of our uniforms. Thanks for Roel and Ken for the jersey sponsorship. ROX and The North face. ROX is the biggest outdoor sports store in Southeast Asia. It basically specializes on everything you need to face the outdoor. Its three floors, will cater to any sports enthusiast. Cant wait for it to be fully opened. Thanks again guys!!!

Revisiting Triathlon

2008-01-05T05:35:00.000-08:00

After the ultra marathon, i was depleted in all levels hehehehehe. Not only from the run but also from the stress of organizing and managing the run. I was planning to rest for the whole year. Since it was difficult first and second quarter at work. I was teaching five sections, and i was also teaching new subjects. So its pretty hard to read and take time to study. I just really want to relax and enjoy. Eventually my best friend hector told me he wanted to race in the half ironman white rock triathlon. He needs a coach and a training partner. Hmmmmm, Sige game ako!!! There goes rest and relaxation!!!

Half-Ironman!!! A 2km swim-90km bike- 21 km run. Last time i joined one was several years ago. Its gona be difficult getting back to triathlon. My road bike is crap and my swimming training is more pathetic. But it would be nice to join and visit the sport again.

After spending for a new bike and investing in my swim hector and i found ourselves in Subic getting ready for the race. I haven’t trained much because of work and i wont be racing much sasamahan ko lang hector hehehehe. I was able to bike for three-four weekends swam a kilometer or two and run hehehehe, still lazy due to the ultra marathon. I was in the starting line and i realized that the race was very organized. Triathlon has gone a long way from the races i joined before.

I'm here nothing to do but race, in the process i also received a tri suit from Andrew!!! Thank You so much!!! Epic is the brand and specializes in cycling, running and outdoor sports. The tri suit was very good, nice fit and excellent materials. Thanks again Andrew. And the race was eventually started.

(Mike in Yellow - The best support crew, Hector in Green really nervous to race, Me in Red- Here we go again)

(Me, TJ, Myles and Hector "Swim? What swim, I Thought it was Bike and Run!!!!)

(Hmmmmm this is long!!!)

Ack ang hirap lumangoy!!!! It was a difficult swim for me!!! The current was strong and there were so many fast swimmers. Emerging from the swim in the transition area I gave hector instructions for the bike and tell him to hydrate and i will watch out for him in the bike. Next thing you know i forgot we were racing probably because i got used to adventure races taking time in transition points. But this was triathlon dapat mabilis!!!! Ack transition time 5minutes, others were only 30 seconds to 1 minute. O well who’s counting.

The bike was okay, i was enjoying the roads and enjoying my new cheap bike hahahahaha. After the turn around point i knew i was way behind the pact, i duno i just cant kick in the high gear moreover im watching out for my sponsor hector hehehehehe. Return back i knew i had to make sometime so i can catch up some people in the run. In the bike-run transition same thing happened i was not mindful of my time. I waited for my friend and was eating my energy bars sitting down hehehehe.

(21km run why does it feel like 42km hehehehe)

(Finish line, whats the next in our list sponsor?)

When the run started i realized that i was really running strong. Its not a fast time but i was expecting a much slower pace. The ultra marathon gave me the confidence, i was running hard and strong. I was able to catch up people in the turn around. I was finally enjoying the triathlon. It was the last discipline and for the most part no more flats or mechanical failures. I was able to climb the hills with ease. I was really expecting to have a difficult time. But i was feeling good. Last stretch i saw the finish line!!!! And sprinted and yehey triathlon done!!! Amazing year!!! Hector crossed the finish line and was ecstatic “Yes!!! I can cross out triathlon sa list ko na things i need to do before 30!!!” hahahaha. Amazing race, most of all “i really enjoyed eating!!! And recovery, Yellow cab New York’s finest!!!!

Here We Go Again

2008-01-05T05:02:00.000-08:00

Wow last time i uploaded an entry was September. Hehehehe. Well the past few months was really difficult in terms of training and schedules. I am exhausted. However that doesn't mean the team and I aren't doing anything. Highlights of what we have been doing will be posted. Hehehehe. As you can see we are increasing our training and updating our website and blog. That means only one thing we are about to embark another epic project. Ouch my knees suddenly jerked hehehehe. What could it be. Well we are not yet sure, but I see another ultra just around the corner. Hopefully we can execute this properly. Start running.

7.5 KM

2007-09-02T07:56:00.000-07:00

For many runners, cyclist and other athletes the University of the Philippines-Diliman is the closest training ground. Its wide open spaces and numerous tree sand long roads makes running a real joy. It is a place to unwind and organise your thoughts. You will see other runners and athletes which provide you the much needed motivation. Since 1996 I have been running here with my friends. I could still remember the first time I completed three rounds of the academic oval which is measured 2.2Km, it was just like finishing my first marathon. When I joined the UP Mountaineers I discovered the 7.5km route. It was the route used by the UPM for its diagnostic, training and test runs for applicants. Moreover members use it to just improve their fitness increasing their speed or finishing at a faster time. This 7.5km route is really the backbone for many UPM members as well as other athletes who train in UP. I really love this route, long hills, long straights and downhill’s provides a very interesting and good workout. This route provided me the necessary skills and base for my trainings. Lace up your shoes and its time to check out the 7.5km route. Just like in Formula 1 its time for a flying lap. Hehehehe.

We start of from the UPM tambayan in the North wing of the UP library. Run straight up to the School of Economics then run towards the College of Home Economics. Here you will witness people playing Frisbee, football, and other sports in the sunken garden. AS your pace gets faster a slight downhill will great you before you reach the corner of CP Garcia and Katipunan Avenue.

As you run in CP Garcia I try my best to suck in my gut and run like a professional athlete since this road is very traffic and people from their cars will look at you for several minutes (have to look good hahahahaha). Passing the Math building you will realize that CP Garcia is a medium distance uphill enough to slow you down. Reaching the top your time should be 13-15minutes.

Run towards the rough roads and up to the houses you will exit in a clear road and be greeted by a play ground. Sharp left and you will have a clear flat road. Push hard increase your stride saying ang speed. In your left you will see college of architecture to your right UP police and in front the UP press. This will be the first water stop for the applicants. Keep running push hard.

Straight road, i love this road flat and wide and lots of trees. End of the corner you will see the college of fine arts. Turn right longer faster strides (sayang downhill, hehehehe). Keep pushing then you will see the two triangle checkpoints and the UP oblation. Keep pushing then you will reach the college of human kinetics.

Pushing hard the first part will now drain you at this part, a slight uphill that will slow you down up to the Bahay ng Alumni. I remember my first run here, I started to walk and my friends started to push my back and encourage me to run. A flat road greets you and you will see the you track oval another motivation for the runners in you. But you will also see people eating and resting. You ask yourself “Why am I doing this!!!” hehehehe

As you begin to develop your momentum, and increase your stride due to the downhill. You will smell the aroma of food being cooked(daing, sinangag, etc hehehehe). Then it hits you!!1 What the heck is that!!!! Well its what some people call heartbreak hill(its not as long and hard as the one in Boston marathon). It’s steep enough to sap the energy right out of your legs. Ayaw ko na!!!!

Reaching the top of the hill you will feel really sluggish and your heart is really beating fast. Legs feel like they are glued to the ground and your sweating like never before. I remember one event, when I reached the top the water break was there. There were four glasses and one of which is water the rest are beer!!!! Hahahahaha. There was also food however “panay polvoron and espasol” hahahahahaha. It was so much fun!!! Hehehehe one person thought the cups contained water and doused himself but it was beer hahahahaha.

Another hill greets the runners then you exit the church and then you see the infirmary!!!! (time check should be 34-36 minutes)Hahahahaha. Keep running as you pass by the shopping centre and left to the many dormitories while seeing people devouring isaw and drinking soft drinks. You ask again “why!!! Why huwhy!!!”

The final turn begins as you increase your pace then another hill greets you as you near the college of law. One of my friends called this hill “trying to love again hill” hahahahahaha(well the first hill was heartbreak hill gets?!? Hehehehehe). As you pound the road the hill becomes steeper and steeper. You push hard because you just want it to end.

Finally you reach the top, your time should be 45 minutes. Then you see its all downhill and you see the sunken garden!!! Yehey. Push push push!!! Right turn and you will have several hundred meters of clear road to your finish line the UPM Tambayan!!! This is the best part, slight downhill, you dig deep and push hard. You swing your arms and then you cross the hump and hit your stop watch. Its over!!! Yehey!!!

I really love this route, so many problems solved, so many decisions made and so many ideas realized in this 7.5km route. For the most part the 45-50 minute run gives you enough time to talk with other people and enjoy running. Talk about running shoes, your next race, what ever. So when will your try it? Hehehehehe . Keep running. Sama ako!!!

Mt. Pinatubo!!!

2007-08-16T06:49:00.000-07:00

Here we go again! The Pinoy Ultra Runners team decided to start training for another fund run by the end of the year. Training schedule is still being fixed but the whole team is excited. After several weeks of individual training the team decided to do another group run. For this run we have decided to do trail running and put into good use our mountaineering, mt biking, adventure racing skills to good use. Moreover make the most of our runs and our weekends. For this long run we have decided to run the trails in Mt. Pinatubo!!! Hehehehehe.

Our planned run will start off from the jump off point in Sta Juliana. This trail run is roughly 26 kilometers to the crater of Mt. Pinatubo. From there we will just relax take pictures and run back to Sta Juliana. It will be an interesting run, last time I did this was during my initial introduction to adventure racing back in 2000 or 2001? hmmm. Early this year a bunch of UPM including me decided to bike this course. We weren't able to follow the correct trail since the Philippine Air Force was using some areas as target practice for the new recruits hehehehe. Sensing we were all wearing red we decided to find another route one which is really unbikable hahahaha. In the end our epic Mt. Bike ride in Pinatubo ended in a 52km bike push. We started to bike around 8am and retruned back to Sta Juliana around hmmm, 11pm hahahaha.

Well no more bikes now, only hydration packs and energy bars. Hope it doesn't rain and once more no more target practice for the Air Force. hehehehe. This run is much needed by the team since we haven't really seen each other for several weeks. Well this is a training run anyway, if we don't finish it or too lazy to do it we might just rent a 4x4 jeep hehehehe. A bunch of UPM will be joining with us. Sigh, another long run. I so miss my bike hehehehe. I hope this pushes through or I will be stuck again in the road for the next several weeks. Come run with us.

Mt. Pinatubo here we come.

Let the Rains Begin!!!

2007-08-08T08:08:00.000-07:00

What a way to start a training week!!! Ang lakas ng ulan. When the heavens open up and I lace up my shoe the rains will pour in agad. I am like a formula pit crew boss, looking for any signs of clear weather to send my machines out for a test drive. So far none "maski 1 hour lang!!!" road bike grounded, Mt. Bike tamad mag linis semi-grounded. Running yup did a few hours but still the rains are too strong. So might as well sit back, catch up on my reading and check the exams of my students hehehehe sorry guys.

Running this past few days made me rethink about the things essential to running. The Ipod Nano and Nike+ is already mandatory to keep me from getting bored from the long runs. But rains are here tago ko na muna hehehe. Here are some additional things I find essential when I do extra long runs, rain or shine.

1) This cool Hand bottle The North Face gave us - Its light and easy to use. It attaches in your hand and comes with small pockets to stash some extra cash to pay for your taxi or jeep kapag ayaw mo na tumakbo. I prefer using this than using a hydration belt since its less bulky and lighter. Plus it acts like a dumbel parang boxer hehehe. Its still a hit and miss for people. My other team mates don't like it since ang hirap daw tumakbo. Well mas mahirap mauhaw hehehehe.
2) A shoe wallet- I carry this shoe wallet from Nike(given to me again) which contains sometimes my Nike+ transmitter when I am wearing other shoes like TNF. The shoe wallet also acts as an insurance policy. It contains some cash for me to replenish my water bottles. But for the most part it is used as an identification. We run alone most of the time day or night. We might get into accidents or faint suddenly. My shoe wallet basically contains a piece of paper, with the words ICE(In Case of Emergency) written is my name, address, blood type, and home phone as well as relatives cell phone number. Just in case god forbids knock on wood something happens to me. They know who I am and who to contact. A piece of mind for my mum and family. Not a bad idea right.

3) Shoes- Rainy season is here, I think it is the the best time to invest on running shoes. Well because its gonna get ruined from the constant wet weather. So just use old running shoes or something. I am currently using the shoes issued to us by TNF. And man I am really loving it. I have some problems though with its lacing system but its definitely the best for me running on and off roads and sudden wet and dry weather. The traction and cushioning is excellent. What I like about it is the several water channels for water to drain out. Keeping my feet dry most of the time.

4)Newspapers- Well aside from getting your daily dose of information old newspapers are my best friend during this rainny seaon. After a long wet run, I rinse my shoes(mahal kasi at wala akung pera pambili hehehehe) with water clean put all the dirt and chemicals that can disolve the bonding of the sole. Next aside from the time and tested leaving your shoes at the back of the refrigerator. I stuff old newspapers inside the shoe. After several hours replace it with a fresh batch. Removes significant amount of evil water and moisture hehehe.

5) Vitamins-During the 100km run superman Dani Dematera told me he drank vitamins(im not sure what brand) every four to five hours yikes!!! Well after a long run, our body needs help to recover. We should eat a lot and as an insurance. I take extra vitamin C. I'm not really sure how many milligrams can the body only absorbed. Since its water soluble the execs will be excreted out. Hmmm ill check on that with my doc or my nutritionist aka sister hehehehe.

Aside from the earlier things I mentioned in my blog wala na akung maisip. I, sure ill think of something in the next run hehehehe. The rain is really pouring hard, crap my run pa bukas, and may Mt. Bike race weekend. hehehehe. Well small price to pay para mapuno ang dams natin and generate electricity. Tigil na ulan!!!!

Here we go again!?!

2007-08-08T07:52:00.000-07:00

Training again!!! This what my mom said several weeks ago. Also another person told me "Running again so no more time for me again!!!" hehehehe. Training really taxes a lot of your time. Well for me it’s not exactly training it’s more of a life style a way of life. Several weeks have passed since the 100km and I feel great. For the past several weeks I started to ride my mountain bike which misses me as well as my trusty road bike. I laced up once more and started throwing Frisbee discs in the UP sunken garden.

As of now we are still computing and still receiving donations for Kythe. We are pretty happy since we have raised a considerable amount of donations for Kythe given the limited time we have in organizing and executing this run for your life project. I’ll find exact details on this next week since we will be joining Kythe when they visit children with cancer. I am really looking forward to this.

I started running again. Yehey!!! Ran a total of 30km last week and 20km this week so far. No pressure just enjoying the runs. Quite gloomy and I ran in the late afternoon just before dinner. Haven’t done this for a long time. Ran the 7.5km diagnostic run of the UPM and went straight back to my aunts restaurant named COMBI near UP.

I ran not because of training for the next ultra marathon which is scheduled several months from now. But I ran because I just needed to make sense and organize my thoughts. Busy work and I still have yet to process the plans for the next run for your life. Running for me is like my burning bush and my Archimedes bath tub “Eureka I have found it”. Training again, well running again creates a sense of structure for me and relaxes me. It’s just like visiting an old friend you haven’t seen for quite a long time. I just feel that the road is happy that I paid him another visit and that it shares my joys and pain in running.

Training will start soon and the team is thinking some interesting ways to improve our project. I just thought of an interesting line for the project. “Helping save lives a kilometer at a time”. Hehehehehe. So many good plans can’t wait to do it again. Why run an ultra? I already forgot my answer. Maybe I need to refresh my memory by putting myself through it again. Hehehehehe. Time to run, bike, swim, wake up early, Nike+, water bottles, petroleum jelly, Gatorade and above all time to have some fun. See you in the road.

Marshal Page

2007-07-30T18:10:00.000-07:00

My infinite thanks to my friends who became marshals for the ultra marathon. They were very professional and understanding. Walang mga bayad mga ito!!! They stayed from the start till the end. Most of them are UPM and close friends, they really made this project worth finishing. My hats of to you for doing a good job!!! Proud ako maging UPM hehehehe!!!

It was an honor to finish this run, marshals pa namin mga coach ko sa UPM. From Casper, Bernie, Winston, Denise and Bernz(susunod ka na!!! swim 20km hahahaha). Ang Sarap ng tawa ng lead marshal Romi and Boy(natatawa siguro na mahihirapan kami sa rota hehehe)

We always looked forward to rest stops. From a distance we can see the UPM somewhat partying. Parang gimick na rin talaga!!! It was such a long time since I saw so many UPM present in so many locations. The running team actually feels sad leaving the rest stop since masyadong masaya, plenty of food, drinks, and stories. In this picture Karla batch 98(Batch mate ko!!!! sa UPM, nasan si Carlo???) gives us one of the best snacks!!! melons and oranges bathed in a sea of ice!!! Panalo Talaga!!! Mabuhay Batch 98!!!

(King Salamat!!! Boy Salamat Amazing planning talaga parang adventure race for you guys)

(salamat sa The North Face!!! Ganda ng Jersey ng Marshals!!! Parang Tour de France)

(Kahit saan, nandun sila, they provided us everything we need)

Henry: Bilisan mo diyan Neville! Gutom na kami!

AS the crowds disappear from the Milo Marathon, the runners still need to finish several more kilometers. For me seeing the finish line was an awesome sight. The very marshals that guided us all night was waiting for all of us! It was the best welcome the team could ever had. This run was amazing vecause you could share it with the people you have been with for a very long time!(Henri, George, Karla, Casper, Pen, Nards and the rest maraming salamat)

Mas masaya pa yung mga tao makita ako makatapos than me seeing the finishline. Well maybe because all of them are exhausted and hungry hehehehe. When I crossed the finish line the first thing they gave me was a glass of cold beer!!! Perfect!!!(Bernz salamat, ito talaga gusto ko sa UPM hehehehe, exhausted and dehydrated, BEER PA!!!). It was really that organized, pinapayungan pa ako ni josaw hehehehe(di pa siya pagod after running 60km). To all of you who helped and participated in the run thank you very much.

(Romi at Roel Salamat, Henri next time ka na wala ka pic hehehehe)

The last lines of gratitude are reserve to Romi Garduce, Roel Chan and Henri Nakpil. Without you this wouldn't have been possible and worthwhile. On behalf of the team Maraming Salamat sa inyong lahat!!!

Ultra Marathon part 2

2007-07-25T20:53:00.000-07:00

The Milo Marathon begins, Aray masakit na!!!! hehehehe. The first stretch of the Milo Marathon was really difficult. I can't move much and my muscles are already sore. I was no longer smiling since I could see the ambulance at the back waiting for me to call it quits. Running in Roxas boulevard was really tough the overnight running on EDSA pounded my feet and knees. I was real glad Hector was there to pace me and my two marshals were the recipients of my profanity hehehe. I was running and walking the first 10km, I knew I had to devour a lot of food in order to finish this run. I was scoffing down "apat na nilagang saging", one power gel, sports drink, and handful of peanuts. Nearing the start of Buendia something real bad happened, my wing man hector suddenly called it quits. I forced him to run but his face looked like one of the riders of the Tour de France who can't quite catch up with the leaders up the mountains. He basically cracked mentally. He told me nev's i done!!! i can't ask him to go another mile he paced me through the night and he ran already close to 65 km( good accomplishment since his first marathon was this year only). In my head I wanted to scream like Achilles in the movie Troy!!! Hector! Hector! hahahaha.

(Romi tumakbo ka nga)

I was really demoralized seeing ambulance pass and I heard the top runners are already returning. It dawned on me I was the last runner and i couldn't see the fields of green runners over the horizon. The sun was already up and bearing down on the runners Crap!!!! hahahaha. Swallowed three more bananas and I was off!!! For some strange reason the so-called second wind kicks in. I really felt strong "parang di ako tumakbo the night before". Maybe because its a new day or maybe the weather and the early mornings reminded me of the training runs we had several weeks ago. Maybe its the adrenaline rush I had realizing I was the last man in the marathon. I was really okay, like a brand new runner,. To top things of I drank two cups of Mcdo coffee and i was already an energizer bunny. Full steam ahead!!! I knew that sudden burst of energy wont last long, so i started to sprint the whole stretch of Buednia, desperately trying to catch someone. Finally i saw three runners, they were my carrot in a stick!!! faster you fool. I was flying hehehehehe, ang galing talaga ng kape!!!! At this point I also thought about the purpose of this run. that I shouldn't quit since this run is for cancer patients. the faster and longer i run the more i will inspire people to help. This gave me another boost!!! My suffering in the run is nothing compared to those kids fighting cancer.
Finally i passed two runners and saw the greatest sight of all kalayaan Flyover!!! I saw Beth and Olive!!! Yahooo, they were my proverbial Burning Bush!!!! my kasma na ako!!!, I surprised them and we ran together up to the fort, where my third wind(kung meron ganun) kicked in. Beth and Olive also kicked up the pace sensing the turn around is near. Running once more, the sight of green runners made me realize I was back in the race and was back of the pact!!!! Reaching the second turn around I was feeling good but my legs was saying "psst hinay-hinay lang mahaba pa ito at my kulang ka pang 12km!!!! hehehehehe). Nearing the Libingan ng mga Bayani I saw some of my relatives running and I saw Dani!!!! hahahaha. Magkalapit lang kami?!?(Idol ko talaga ito the first 15km of milo he was just several minutes behind the leaders hahahaha, ang bilis niya). Fatigue soon set in and he started to run slow which is actually a walk for me hehehehe.
Running back to kalayaan flyover I saw Olive brisk walking, still showing off her infectious smile. I said to her "Olive sorry nahatak kita dito!!! hehehehe"(Shes such an amazing person trained only for three weeks for this run). I saw Chi-Chi walking as well yet upbeat however Coach Kiko called it Quits already sayang!!!
Nearing the flyover Roel was there and he gave me the best gift of all, nope its not a North Face Gore-tex jacket worth 10k!!!Even better a bowl of rice and burger steak!!!! I wanted to cry hahahahaha!!! My UPM batch mates Karlo and Carla feed me cold melons!!!! Paradise!!!! I devoured them easily while pushing it down with softdrinks. Salamat talaga!!! Time to run, back in Buendia, I was already tired, I was running and walking accompanied by a 50 or 60 year old man who claims he ran 70 marathons. Wow!!! In the last part of Buendia, I saw the official time, I have several minutes before the race ends. time to hustle, the only part I was running was during stoplights and interesections, nakakahiya kasi pinapahinto mga sasakyan tapos naglalakad ka hehehehe.
In Roxas Boulevard i saw Dani, i ran as fast as i could slap him in the back and said"lets walk to the finish line" hehehehe. This was not a race we just need to finish. We both walked to Quirino, and ran the last 200 meters to the finish line. Wala ng tao and they were already dismantling some of th structures. Yehey Tapos na kami!!!! But wait!!!

We waited for the rest of the team to arrive, Chi-Chi called it quits so it was up to us four to complete the run. We still lack 12 km!!! the night before we screwed up our pace. As team captain i made an executive decision to shorten our run in Quezon city and start making our way to Qurino Grandstand. I was affraid that we might not have enough time, and might miss the start of the marathon. Our team already created and measured the route even before the milo marathon and they also kept other members up to date about the run(Salamat Ninoy, Bunny and the rest). We started running and walking to CCP complex and going around that area. Sikat nanaman si Romi at nakilala siya ng mga tao and nag-pa-picture pa sila hehehehe. After 6km it was time to run back to finish the run. 6km!!! ang haba pa!!! my head hurts, the two girls wore slippers and iced their knees, and devoured bananas and rush sports drink like there's no tomorrow. The sea breeze made things hotter and more difficult to move. Reaching Quirino Grandstand it was finally over!!! Yehey. Our head Marshal Boy Siojo said "Men kulang pa ilang meters!!!" hahahahaha. Ayaw talaga kami patapusin. I can see the UPM members cheering and drinking beer, sabi ko ayan na yun di ba!!!!

We were told we need to run one round along the perimeter of Quirino Grandstand crap!!! I started to run!!!! Medyo naiiyak na ako sa pagod. natuwa pa ako kasi si Henri and Romi started to run with me as well. In the final bend, i can see the Seafood Warf!!! it was the finish line 20 meters to go, I saw the UPM made a makeshift finish line. they were all cheering!!!! I sprinted and crossed the finish line with both arms up!!!! Yehey 100km!!! They clapped and cheered and gave me beer. Hahahaha. I was really happy and exhausted. Dani arrived next running the final 20 meters. Gave him a pat on the shoulder and a bottle of beer. Olive arrived with her enigmatic smile, a few minutes after, Beth arrived as well exhausted but delighted. It was finally over!!!
It was an interesting and amazing feeling. When I crossed the finishline there were no crowds, no television cameras, no banners, posters nor structures of the finishline. What i saw was more rewarding than that . What i saw was the UPM marshals, friends, and relatives as well as the people who took part in making this project a succes. All of them sacrificed their time, effort, and sweat just to see the dream of six people come true. It was truly an amazing feeling, to see your friends who helped you all the way waiting patiently in the finish line. Its these very people that made this ultra marathon memorable and worth finishing. No crowds, no fancy affair only a group of friends congratulating you was the best finish line the ultra marathon team could ever receive. Maraming Salamat!!! Start running.

Ultra Marathon Part 1

2007-07-23T20:24:00.000-07:00

Race Day, arriving at the UPM Tambayan was such a relief. The whole week before the run I was nervous, getting sick, busy with work and for the most part busy training and organizing the run. So being in the starting line was really awesome for me a 100km from now it will all be over. However the 100km is really long but hey sometimes "the journey is the destination". I was overwhelmed with the support that I saw. "Ang Daming UP mountaineers na nagpakita" either as support crew, marshals or was just there to cheer. I was glad my Batch 98 UPM was there(Salamat Carlo at Karla). The whole tambayan was covered with a sea of yellow jerseys which was the uniform of the marshals. Roel Chan even went further by filling the whole tambayan with banners, and a huge The North Face balloon about two floors tall hehehehe. The reason for doing that is to force us to finish the run hehehehe. Nards slamata sa mga pictures ang galing talaga!!! Buti walang picture yung gumagapang kami hehehehe.

There were several people from the media sector but most of the people were our friends and relatives. It was really an intimate and personal affair. No fanfare only close people cheering us and wishing us well in our journey.It was truly an awesome sight for me. Salamat sa inyong lahat!!! I was also shocked to see that my siblings and parents were there to see me off. Interesting since I never really told them about the run. I just told them babalik ako sunday ng hapon hehehehe. I was happy my brother was there since I wanted to show him how proud I am that his poster designs were printed in posters and t-shirts and other materials. Basta ang daming tao!!!! Ang pogi na unifroms namin!!!!!

Around 7 pm we were already preparing for the run picture taking, talking to people, and organizing the run. After the prayer we proceeded to the starting line. I was so nervous!!! Then after 4 weeks of training, three weeks or organizing, two weeks of meetings, 1 week of being a hypochondriac and being nervous, the run started!!! Yehey!!! Two loops around the academic oval with a relatively slow pace. At this point the manual about ultra marathon I have prepared in my head was thrown out of the window. The pace of the team was difficult to maintain. Mabagal at mabilis, well we can't do anything about this now. So I made an executive decision to set free the runners and run your own pace but we will have compression stops every 10km during or refuel stops.

It was a difficult run for me, the week long stress and the week long worrying and planning caught up to me. The night before the run I was having a mild throat infection, which worsened during the run itself. However I know I am always like this during a race so I really didn't pay much attention. Dani, olive and Beth were running like horses ang bilis talaga nila!!! They were accompanied by other upm runners who were our guest. Also TJ and Robert was present, salamat sa inyo. The UPM yellow marshals made all the difference, they shielded us from the traffic, feed us and entertained us as well. They are really heroes of this event.

We eventually reached the Fort, curious onlookers were wondering "sino ito" and why the heck it was so traffic, and why do we have thirty bikers hahahaha. I was actually happy to hear one person saying"Yan yung 100km Run for Your Life" hehehehehe. From the fort we made our way to EDSA, when I struggled with my pace, I was falling behind, I'm not really sure why. Luckily I have my good friend hector from Nike who paced me like a domestique in the Tour De France. Halfway in EDSA I was shocked to see that Roel Chan was also running, hehehehehe, na -bore daw sa car. Yan ang brand manager!!!! The best talaga.

Reaching the People Power Monument we started to regroup and i told them the gameplan. The marshals were so helpful they iced us gave us water and food. The event was really well organized, we have ample drinks courtesy of Rush!!! Luckily it was Rush because it was the same energy drink we were using during our training runs. After making a short pits stop we started to run again to reach Quezon Avenue. The team was still upbeat, the pace was high and we were still organized. Hmmmm, at this point I was wondering what will happen to the milo marathon. Karla at Carlo Corpuz the best talaga yung melon at ice hehehehe. The other marshals also enourgaed us and keep our morale high, Wee at Alpha salamat na kinakamusta niyo ako lagi hehehehe, Bernie, Casper and George salamat sa pag-asikaso, Romi at Henri tumakbo nga kayo!!! Winston salamat sa tubig at Rush, Clyte and the rest of the TNF people salamat sa pictures hehehehe. (Mamaya ko na pasalamatan yung iba)

While running i was eating hamburgers from mcdo and siopao hehehehe. For some strange reason I don't want to eat energy bars, and fruits, nagsawa na!!! hehehe. That quarter pounder was really something gave me the energy to push. The team already finished an ultra-marathon meaning we already went beyond the 42km mark. Runing in Manila I was glad to see more UPM(Kats, Roldan ata, Mike 3k, sorry di ko matandaan yung iba) they really gave me additional boost. Touch!!! ako hehehehe.

In Quirino grandstand we were minutes away from the milo marathon. We changed uniforms, I took a semi-bath to remove all of the salts. We attached out numbers and walked towards the starting line. There I meet some friends and asking kung what kilometer are we? 2 minutes to the start of marathon and I was so worried. I truly believe this was the most difficult part since the heat was there and this was a marathon race. I told the team, okay lang di niyo tapusin marathon basta maging top place kayo ten kilometer race hahahahahahaha.

At 430AM the marathon started!!! Lord Help me!!!! Romi sira ulo ka talaga!!!! hahahahaha.

Recovery

2007-07-23T05:46:00.000-07:00

Ill write a report on the run in the mean time visit the upm website. The only thing I can write about now is recovery hehehehe. Posted above is the log in my Nike+ and Nano. The batteries of my Nano ran out and my workout was semi saved, so I just decided to take a picture and post it and Ill just find out a way to post it at Nike(sorry Roel hehehehe). The batteries died at 97KM nakakainis!!!! hahahaha.

According to my nano I burned 9,000 calories hahahaha. Thats the Recommended Daily Allowance of a normal person in 4 days. Well this means I can eat a lot. After the run I devoured some pasta and some supplements, which I later found out that I am allergic hehehe. After which I went straight to bed. Today upon waking up, I noticed the adrenalin is gone and I was a mortal again no longer an ultra-man hahahaha parang Japanese superhero. Early morning I devoured one can of spam, eggs, three cups of rice and a bowl of fruits. I went to work struggling going down stairs hehehehe. At around 10AM I was eating again a bowl of Katsudon from the cafeteria.

After class I devoured 5 waffle dogs hahahahaha. I know there is a scientific way to recover like using mixtures coming from popular brands like power bar specifically designed for recovery. But too expensive and I would prefer lechon kawali better hahahaha. Before I went home I dropped by at my relatives restaurant known as "Combi" in maginhawa Q.C. which they have good and affordable meals. I ordered three rice bowls. Chicken, meatballs and liempo. Hahahaha.

I finally arrived home and was really sleepy. I felt like an anaconda already full and ready to rest and stretch out in the sun. Next thing you know it was dinner time, four chickens and mother of all recovery pizza!!!! Hahahahaha. I know there is a better way to recovering from the ultra. But at this point I would rather want something tasty to eat. I'm already exhausted eating bananas, energy bars and energy drinks hehehehe. I want lechon and beer hahahahaha. Don't worry my sister who is a food technician is taking care of me. hehehehe.

This is one of the things I was really looking forward too. Eating a lot!!!! Thinking about my run in Buendia during the milo marathon, made me devour two shawarma. hehehehe. As of now I have to sign out and start sleeping just have to finish this buffalo wings. Hello Tuesday kainan ulit!!! Hmmm saan kaya tomorrow, I want a Mongolian all you can it hehehehehe. My next blog will talk about the run. Time to eat again.

Initial Thank You

2007-07-23T05:27:00.000-07:00

As of now I have yet to find time to write about the ultra marathon yesterday. There are so many things to talk about so many things to say. Most of all so many people "na gusto kung pasalamatan". To begin with Romi Garduce for introducing and believing that I can make an a fool of myself. Henry Nakpil for being dragged in this project and making it happen. Roel Chan brand manager of The North Face which made this project possible. His skills and resources made this run very memorable as well as exciting. Boy Siojo who organized the marshals and made everything safe and secure. To Kythe foundation for allowing us to be part of your advocacy and cause. To the UP Mountaineers without you, this wouldn't have been memorable(ill name all of you in my next blog maraming salamat talaga). I'm really proud to be part of this organization. The UPM marshals really made a difference and without them di ko magagawa itong run. Also those people who cheered the runners and giving us encouragement and support (eto na muna masakit pa ulo ko hehehehe)

To the runners thank you, Dani, Beth, Olive, Chi-chi, Kiko, Hector, Bob A, Josaw, Peter, Tj, Robert and the rest. Thanks for making it a successful run. I'm really proud you were there to take part in this event.

To all my friends and family members who also took part and supported this event. Ill have a much longer acceptance speech next time, my mind is not functioning properly all of a sudden. Time to sleep.

Ito na lang muna

Yahoooo!!!!!!

2007-07-22T06:45:00.000-07:00

I'm mentally exhausted and I have yet to prepare for work tomorrow. All I can say is what an incredible feeling. More to come.

Too find out more on what happened from our run, ill post comprehensive account. But here is a preview.

http://upmountaineers.blogspot.com/

Thanks for all the support!!!

Kainan na!!!

Uniforms!?! This is Serious!!!

2007-07-18T19:18:00.000-07:00

Last night, Me, Chi-Chi, Beth and Danny arrived in Studio 7 of ABS-CBN to be interviewed on News Central to promote the 100km run for Your life (this is really my Rubicon river). Accompanying us was the extraordinary brand manager of North Face Philippines Mr. Roel Chan (Salamat Roel, Ken and Clyte). It’s really interesting and worthwhile to work with these people who also became good friends of ours. They were professionals and they really looked after the needs of professional and would be athletes like us. They provided us with ideas as well as man power to organize this run. Well they were no stranger to these types of events anyway they have a long history of supporting athletes in achieving their goals. Tatapusin namin ito maski huli kami hehehehe, para matuloy yung ibang projects hehehehe. Basta ang masasabi ko “Never Stop Exploring” hehehehehe. On to our program, fantastic uniforms pala, mukha talaga kaming team hehehehe. “Ang Po-Pogi!!!”. This was also the first time I personally talked to Chi-Chi who just arrived in Manila yesterday morning, hehehehe mas mukha siyang trained kaysa sa aming lahat hehehehe. We were all freezing ang lamig sa studio 7. Vince Rodriguez who needs no introduction was there to assist us and encourage us with our run. Thanks Vince sama ka na!!!!
Finally it was our turn; the team looked real cool with star trek like uniforms(ngiti naman danny). Female extraordinaire Tricia Chongbian introduced us and asked about the Run. The team took turns answering the questions such as when will the run be, can anyone join, the route, how can they donate, and how was this conceptualize. I think the team did well and we definitely sent our message to support the run to help Kythe and its projects to help children with cancer. We need more help so I hope people will donate more to Kythe. Eventually we thanked Vince and Tricia for the time and we were off to plan our run. Malapit na!!!!

Rubicon and the Route

2007-07-18T19:07:00.000-07:00

Crossing the Rubicon

Several days ago I was teaching my students about the chapter on Roman history when Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon river. His actions basically declared war with his arch enemy Pompey and the Roman senate. “Alea iacta est” which means "The die is cast" was believed to be the very words Julius Ceasar echoed in the Rubicon. I told my students that this event is used so many times in literature and throughout history to state the idea of PNR or Point of No Return. As I uttered those words I realized it was already Wednesday and I suddenly felt butterflies in my stomach and I wanted to say the words “Yikes” Malapit na yung run!!!!

Wednesday was the point of no return for me, this means I can’t get sick, injured and the likes. However people at home and in the office are sick or in the verge of getting sick. Lord!!! huwag ako magkasakit hehehehe. This is the difference between professional athletes and weekend warriors like me, professional athletes knows how to handle the rigors of training and racing. They are so accustomed to the stress that builds up before a major race. I could just imagine the pressure of the riders in Tour De France and Formula 1 drivers since there races are stretched out for over long periods of time. Ang galing nila!!!!

Training is not really about the race but its also preparing you for the stress full days before the race. I have raced before and got sick days before race day so why am I so jumpy all of a sudden. Maybe because a lot of close friends of mine invested a lot of their time and effort just to make this run work. Moreover I am not only a participant of the run but one of the organizers as well. I can just imagine the stress organizers of triahtlons, runs and adventure races go through. Galing nila!!! O well we can’t do anything about it and just let the days pass and hope for the best. So what to do now, well I told my runners just do the normal things you do during the week and treat this 100km run as a training run. Don’t do anything silly hehehehehe, like new exercise or training just do the same things or do your routine. This means that to work, hmmm kamusta na kaya bike support namin? Hehehehe. Tama nay an trabaho na !!!!

Here is the tentative route of the run. the team is still fixing it. We will be repeating some routes also.

Tambayan - Santolan cor Katips (via AS likod, Pres. House, CP Garcia, Katip)
Santolan - Libis/Jollibee (via White Plains, Green Meadows/Christ the King)
Libis - Fort Access Road (via C5)
Fort Bonifacio - EDSA cor Ayala
EDSA - Guadalupe
Guadalupe - EDSA cor Q. Ave
Q. Ave - UP Oblation
Acad Oval
Oblation - Circle/Commonwealth
Circle - EDSA/Q. Ave. (via Visayas/Mindanao/North. Ave/Agham)
Q. Ave - Quirino Grandstand
Milo Marathon

Napagod ako sa kakasulat hahahahaha.

Malapit na!!!

2007-07-13T20:24:00.000-07:00

The team went for a 2-3 hour run today roughly around 22-23 kms around the busy streets of Ortigas and Libis and back to our home base at UP Diliman. After slurping a few gallons of Rush, Gatorade, water and sprite we started to do our stretch and talked about the long run ahead. I reassured them the logistics and the man power is already there and we are just waiting for Saturday to start running.

I slowly went through my checklist to check my runers and guest runners. "Lahat ba meron Insurance or health card" hehehehehe. Meron sir!!!! "Nag file na ba kayo ng leave after the run!?" Yes sir! "Bumili na ba kayo ng isang katutak na pain killers!!!?" Yes sir isang box!!!! hahahahaha. Mag baon kayo maraming pasensya at kuwento mahaba yung takbo next week!!!!

The most nerve wracking part for me on any race or big event is the final weeks since I have the tendency to think too much about it and i get stressed and I get sick. I do pray hindi ako ma-dengue, flu, colds, injury, etc. Hehehehehe. Past few runs were aborted due to sudden illness of mine. Hypochondriac ako!!!!

Everything is a go. We have already raised funds but we still need more. So people start donating please to kythe, its really a worthy cause. If this ultra marathon works I am planning another one several months from now, I'm not sure about the details and the route but ill post it here once I start craving again for long runs.

The run will be this Saturday!!!! I really don't know what to expect. I am anticipating rain so added challenge. It is interesting how the run works, because it will examine two interesting ways of training. hehehehe. To begin with we have a month to prepare for this because a certain Romi mistakenly thought the run was on August. I am not sure if there is a manual or training guide for ultra marathon in 1 month hehehehe.

So this ultra will test two types of training, two of the members due to schedule constrains decided that they will run three or four times a week, short runs around 2-3 hours or around 20 km. while other members decided on a training involving lesser days of training but 1 long run roughly around 6-7 hours. I wana see what training works well discounting other factors katuwaan lang. You cant beat my Kungfu hehehehehe.

For the next several days we will be having a carbo loading party and also taper runs. The team is really excited and plus our support crew. We have invited several cyclist who will accompany us through the run. we will be running while they eat and drink and party at every control points hehehehe.

The North Face shoes are really holding up. The fit is muy muy bien!!! I don't have any complaints whatsoever. For some people it might take some getting used to and some people might see it as too heavy. Your feet will be well protected and cushioned. The team really loved the lacing system its really cool!!!!

Finally, when i was running today i listed four things i hate when I am running.

1. Your running fast and some car slows down beside you and ask for direction. "Sir nasan ba yun?"
2. You are running hard in the early morning and you run by a house cooking breakfast(the smell of tuyo, fried rice, bacon, coffee, etc, hehehehehe) makes you real hungry.
3. Sudden urge to go to the bathroom.
4. Looking at your watch and realize wala pang 1 hour run mo!!! hehehehe.

Malapit na, this weekend more plannings, meetings and eatings, bukas ulit short run lang with the whole team para masanay lang sa pact run!!!

2007-07-11T02:44:00.001-07:00

2007-07-11T02:42:00.000-07:00

Let the Games Begin

2007-07-09T20:52:00.000-07:00

Since the campaign is out might as well reveal our plans. We are still debating kung saan kami tatakbo at dadaan but its for sure it will be around Metro Manila. The target date will be on July 21-22. We will be running in the evening on July 21 for 60kms then proceed to Quirino Grand Stand to finish the last 40kms by joining the milo marathon. Yikes!!!! This is gona be a very interesting run, after all. The goal is to run 60km and the rest of the 40km hmmmmm bahala na hehehehehe. This is for a good cause anyway so we will complete it. The team is predominantly composed of UP Mountaineers.

The people joining the ultra marathon team are the following, Danny Dematera, Kiko Santos, Beth Siojo, Rachito Abellanosa, Olive Cortez, and Neville Manaois. We will also have guest runners who will be having their own fund raising for their own charities or cause. These people have been training with us but is not yet ready to do a 100km(parang kami handa hehehehehe). Our support crew will be our friends and co-members from the UP mountaineers providng us with bike escorts and for the most part motivation to run. Best of all they can pull us to the finish line just in case we collapse and di na kayang umabot sa finish line hehehehehe.

Pictures in this blog highlights what we look like after 50km, in UP Diliman, we still have 50km to go. And all of you guys need to do is to donate to help cancer patients. Please visit http://www.kythe.org/

Next update ill post some of the team members profile. Spread the word and start helping out.

Last Long Run

2007-07-09T20:22:00.002-07:00

Last weekend July 7, the team finished its last long run, since taper na dapat kami, some might argue that we can push it up to next week but it was the only weekend the group can run and due to work hirap na magahanap ng common schedules. It was an interesting run, daming kuwento and we talked about the problems in store for us for the next couple of weeks. We ran for almost seven hours waking up and started running around 3-4 AM, hehehehehe.

We were also able to test our new gear, specififcally our The North Face Running shoe, designed by ultra marathon man himself Dean Karnazes. I'm quite happy with the shoes with the boa lacing system, a mechanism at the back which you turn pulling the cables to secure your foot. cushioning was also good. Fresh from out of the box, used it and ran for 6 hours, no problems. I am quite impressed, for my other teammates they were skepticall at first but they got the hang of it as the hours went by.

The campaign for the 100km run is out, and people have started showing interest and also started to donate. So please start supporting this project it is really a good cause. We can really do a lot of good with this run.

We will be running throughout the week and a short run over the weekend. Hmmm, short run malamang mga 30-40km hahahahahaha, short run ba yun??? Ill probaly invite the promoter of this run Mr. Romi Garduce hehehehe. Ano romi takbo tayo!!!

Final na talaga sponsors are here, donors are here and most of all the runners are here no time to back out. Hmmm i should have stick to badminton hehehehehe.

Run For Your Life!! Teaser

2007-07-03T16:12:00.001-07:00

Quoting from one advertisement "When was the last time you did something for the first time?" People start donating or join the run and race funds hehehehe. Support our cause. This activity is really sudden however, we will be having more activities after this, this is just to jump start these kinds of project. The team will be planning more runs, like run in Mt. Pinatubo, Banaue to sagda hehehehe, bagiuo???(kaya kaya hehehehe). Start running. Pahamak talaga itong kaibigan ko. I'm getting tired sick just thinking about the run. i hope I dont get sick or I am so dead. hehehehehe

100km?!?

2007-07-02T20:48:00.000-07:00

As i prepare for my next class, I realized its already july 3!!! 19 days to go hehehehe. 100km is:

1) UP academic oval is 2.2 km so 45 rounds hehehe
2) North Luzon Expressway I think is 90km
3) Half of Baguio trip
4) 13 times the 7.5km UPM route in UP

Hahahahaha, mahirap ata ito. The team manager just informed me na wala ng atrasan hehehehe.

more to come...

Hirap mag run

2007-07-02T05:42:00.000-07:00

Some of the runs we did over the weekend. Hirap talaga mag run....

Hehehehe

2007-07-02T05:36:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago I was runing in U.P. then suddenly a runner approached me asked if I was a UP mountaineer, I said yes he then started to ask if I knew the people who were organizing and running an ultramrathon. Wanting to see whats his take on the run I said no!!! His answer is enough to send me laughing with amusement and at the same time send chills in my spine. His answer "Naku hindi nila kakayanin yun eh ako nga hirap hirap mag-run, 100km pa yun impossible nila gawin yun ilang lingo na lang". hehehehehe. Maybe he has a point.

Saan niya nakuha balita tsk tsk tsk, pati target date alam niya hehehehe.

Anyway, long runs again..later i will post the final details of the run, decided na tuloy ang run and the fund raising, I am really excited.

Dani slow pace lang!!!!

2007-07-01T17:34:00.000-07:00

Sunday run!!!

Just ran today, sira ulo talaga dani!!! Well dani, olive and i did a long run. Dani was the one pacing and olive followed and me at the back. The pace was quite high!!! Considering we are trying to develop long slow runs and develop our slow twitch muscles. Pero itong si dani at olive niratrat yung first 12km, our time 1 hour. Then hydrate, then ran a steep hill then went to ateneo and back to u.p. a total run of 27km at 2 hours 20 minutes. Hahahahaha. I know for some this is okay but i haven’t been running sprint workouts and we still have 30km to go after this. Arriving at the car, dani started to remove his shoes hahahahaha 27 km lang pala siya!!!!! Kakainis. Hehehehe, panalo ka talaga dani. Idol pa rin talaga kita sa run, I can still remember our runs in u.p. oval at 8mins per round after 1 round my whole body was covered with salt from the sweat. Hehehehe. Olive and i did our route and I still continued to do some more. Ang hirap mag train next week dapat buong team sumama na.

The powers that be!!!

2007-07-01T05:40:00.000-07:00

The powers that be!!!

What I really like about endurance sports is you can eat almost anything, and a lot at that too! I don’t mind eating 3-4 cups of rice and a ton of ulam. In Dean Karnaze's book, he was so hungry he asked a pizza store to deliver him pizza in some part of the highway, he also told them not to cut the pizza in slices. When the pizza arrived he rolled it up like a burrito and ate it at one go hehehehe. According to my nike+ thingamajig, I burned around 3500 calories in my 42km run. Not bad considering the calories we need for day to day activities is something like 2,000. So that means I can pig out. Biggest mistake though, I went to the market and the grocery after the run. Patay, ubos pera ko hehehehe.

During runs, we also need to eat so our body will be accustomed to eating during running. We have to manage and train the way we eat so we can maximize our energy and calories. I have a big problem though. Energy bars are mostly chocolate covered or very sweet. This means I cant eat them hehehe. For several years now I have been allergic to chocolate and the like. Some kind of throat problem. I have to be inventive with the food I eat, fruits, candies, bread, etc. For this ultra marathon, we have to eat and hydrate every 10km so we will keep our energy and calories up.

A Small banana (mahal ang energy bars hehehehe)

Two spoonfuls of tuna (heavy on the stomach)

1bottle of sports drink or water

Eat vigorously, and start running hehehehehehe.

For the past few days it seems to work, I feel full of energy on the run. Sometimes i devour a can of fruit cocktail, a piece of apple or something. After the run, kahit ano basta high protein and calories at masarap. I remember after a race with Romi and Henri, we would devour crispy pata, sisig, lechon and push it all down with cerveza negra hehehehe. Natural, sama ng pakiramdam namin. Hehehehe.

Run for your life

2007-07-01T05:30:00.000-07:00

The Cause...

The team decided that we should anchor this project not only completing a 100km but also for a serious and worthwhile cause. We knew that this run can generate some interest and maybe we can use it to help promote a cause. After doing a 30km run several days after the project got approved, the team started to talk about, a worth while cause for the run. We were thinking of something in common, then we started to focus on matters concerning health since its basically a run. Then like a burning bush we have decided to dedicate this run to raise funds to help people diagnosed with cancer.

It was agreed upon because we have all some sort of experiences with cancer. Just recently I have been with individuals who are fighting cancer, and I just feel so helpless when they get attacks or in pain. It pains me to see that I am just looking and cant do anything. The rest of the team also have friends who died or fighting cancer. My best friend lost a relative from cancer. Recently i just saw a lot of hardships from people fighting this disease and trying their best to live a normal life.

I wish I could really do more. Maybe this run, can generate
some funds to help some worth while organization helping people fight cancer. Deciding to offer this run for cancer patients gave us some sense of purpose. That we are running to return something back to the community. The next day while running for an hour i started to think about our cause. It occurred to me a very interesting line I read in one book while preparing my lectures for my history class. It talks about our goal in life is finding something we are really good at and what makes us happy and using it to help other people. Wow philosophical, and thats only 10km ill be Aristotle, or Plato when I reach 100km. Hehehe. I am glad we are doing this.

Romi takbo ka din!!!

2007-07-01T05:21:00.000-07:00

For some strange reason, I've always been on the move these past few weeks and haven't had the time to update my blog. So what I did was just type it then paste it later when I have time to surf the net. So if I drop a ton of blogs on one date, you know the answer. Actually, this record is for me so ill know the answer.

Finally we have ironed out the details.By 'we' I mean me and the rest of the ultra team, and Romi will take the credit, hehehehehe. Seriously, we have already decided on what to do. We will run 100km with around 5-7 people. This run will take place here in Manila. To make things more interesting, we will run 60km and then run a full marathon race event, specifically the run in July 22 Milo marathon(which romi thought was on August). It is a daunting task because Milo marathon is just several weeks away and while i am writing this entry, our milage is still meager.

Our objective is set, and my team mates are....hehehehe. Hirap kami magahanap ng team mates! We wanted people who can run on a moment's notice, preferably someone we know para madaling kausapin, strong enough to drag my sorry assss!!!! Hehehehe. So we started to recruit runners from the u.p. mountaineers, someone I climbed with, raced with or hang out with, bahala na basta gustong tumakbo hehehe.

I'll attach the profiles of the team, but in the mean time, we have, coach Kiko, Beth, Dani, me, and my best friend Hector. We have also recruited Chi-Chi all the way down south of the Philippines and we are still negotiating with two more people to join us. We have also invited several guest runners, such as Bobi A. , josaw and kung sino sino pa. Basta game na talaga ito!

Training have been set and all the members have been briefed. While I am writing this we are still talking to people that can be part of the team. Let the trainings begin. We are all working and have own commitments, so i told the team that I know you love running so I don’t need to keep track on your mileage. However i will be persistent with my invitation to do long runs either Saturday or Sunday. To develop a common pace and to update everyone about the project.

run some more

2007-07-01T05:20:00.001-07:00

Train train train some more.

Somethings wrong!!! Hehehehe I am getting sick and weak rather than strong(natural, masyadong mataas mileage per week and too sudden). Walang base, hehehehe kala ko kayak o hehehe. Well I don’t really know f there is a handbook to run ultra in 2 months hehehehe. Ill try to attach my long run distances and times using nike plus and ipod nano. Long runs every weekend other runs di ko na ni record dahil nakalimutan ko nano. Hehehehe. MP3 players are a big help to running when my running budy is not around. My songs are very wierd, from eye of the tiger, sound track of bay watch, you know my name in the casino royale sound track, and my favourite game by the cardigans. Hahahaha lahat nun pang motivate tumakbo at parang hinahabol ka.

Training long runs is becoming more difficult, busy kasi mga tao. We don’t have a common time to run together. A few days from now, i have to decide if we can finish the 100km along with the team. Have to report to romi. Hehehe. Keep running.

My Gear

2007-07-01T05:18:00.000-07:00

Gear essentials!!!

Running is one of the simpliset sport. Just run!!! Technology, cool rubershoes, etc, are there to help you reach your target goals but also to help you be more comfortable and prevent you from injury. After starting my training and running 50km I have found these gears indespensible. I need them at all cost .

1) Running buddy (Hector Salamat)

2) Good pair of socks

3) Lots of food(Junk food hahahaha)

4) Seamless apparel

5) Petroleum Jelly

6) My ipod nano (sobrang bored na ako, music helps the miles passby) What songs hehehe Eye of the Tiger!!!!

7 ) Above all sense of humor

8) Inspiration hehehehe(meron na ako!!!!)

More to come as I put more milage.

Me Do An Ultra?

2007-07-01T05:16:00.000-07:00

I could still recall several weeks ago when we have decided to push through with this ultra marathon 100km. I could still remember what I was reading that time, Romi Garduce showed me this book ultra marathon man. It basically chronicles the life of Dean Karnazes who ran almost 350miles single push(I think). I was already familiar with Dean Karnaze's exploits even before reading the book. Well I read the book because Romi Garduce, ran almost 15km after reading that book hehehehe something that he will never do. The first thing that caught my attention is the caloric breakdown of food at the back of the book. Dean consumed burned and consumed almost 30,000 calories in only 3 or 4 days if my memory serves me right. A normal human being would consume only 2,000 calories a day. The first thing that entered my mind, was “I want to run ultra marathon because I want to eat a lot and never gain extra pounds hehehehe.” Definitely this once more sparked my interest to do an ultra.

Ultra marathon is any run event which goes beyond the 42.5km marathon. The first time I encountered and understood the word marathon was way back in my grade school days. Unlike other people they knew it was a 42km run or something but for me It was the battle ground of the Persians and the Athenian. Legend has it Pheidippides, a free Greek ran the battlegrounds of Marathon to Athens to inform the Athenians had vanquished the Persians. Upon arriving he dropped dead from exhaustion Wow!!! Moreover some historical text suggest he also ran from Athens to Sparta which is roughly 130miles!!! In two days with shield, helmet, and military uniform!!!

So the team is complete and we just need to train problem is we only have 4 weeks, my last long run was during the pasig marathon, after that only 20km tops hehehehe. However the team is happy and upbeat and believes we will have a hard time hahahaha.

I started to actually ask myself why run an ultra. I have some answers these question why climb, why run marathon, why do triathlons etc. I found those answers while running, biking, or climbing. So why do an ultra 100km ill get back to that when I finally completed one I hope its gona be soon. Biggest problem though despite having a memory of an elephant, when clarity and wisdom arrives to answer those questions, i finally see the finish line with joy and happiness I somehow forget the answers why i invest myself in these things. Thats why I keep doing it again with the hopes that wisdom or state of nirvana would be embedded in my head and I will have the capacity to answer "why do it?" if somebody ask.

Why run the 100km. Top ten reasons in the top of my head 1) jump start my sluggish monotonous athletic lifestyle 2)Create some regiment and structure in my daily grind 3) Preoccupy my mind and to create distractions 4) Something to blame why I am sick, lazy to go to work 5)Because i wasn’t able to answer the meaning of life and how many dimples does a golf ball have while running a 42km 6)To prove I can do it and further push my limits 7)Inspire other people to run 8)Because its there (applicable ba yun) 9) I want to do something with my life 10) To bring the news to my friends that the Persians have been defeated hahahaha, honestly to show them if I can do it so can you. I think I want to run an ultra so I can make the most out of my life and the blessings god has given me. I am guided by the phrase "What you are is gods gift to you, what you become is your gift to god". Running an ultra will help me appreciate life more and hopefully inspire others.

I could still remember after thinking about this list, next day I started my crash course in running 100km. Laced up my shoes and started running. Why do I want to run an ultra marathon, ill probably know the answer when I accomplish one I hope(lord help me!!!). But for now, my answer is “run forest run”.

Start training

2007-06-28T19:30:00.000-07:00

It has finally begun well it should have started several months ago but this is a crash course in ultra running. This blog is intended actually for me so when I read it again I would know how stupid or silly I was conducting this run. Hehehe. Several weeks ago romi approached me and several runners about the possibility of doing an ultra marathon, the idea caught my interest since Its something I really wanted to do and basically to jump start my interest once more in sports which I somewhat desperately need. So romi approached different people runners from the upm, and I started to look for people too. It was difficult because of the time frame given which was on august which will coincide with another run. So that means three months training. So we need people who already knows what they were doing and is crazy enough to take part in this activity.

After so many “sira ulo ba kayo”, crazy and kulang sa oras to prepare, we were able to recruit several athletes of different ages and sizes hehehe. Well all of them are my friends and I am confident with them because I joined races with them and climbed mountains. Nevertheless the team is already set and romi needs to convince them more. In the end we are all set. What could possibly go wrong!!!

Well a lot, if my memory serves me write all our projects became turned horribly wrong and became footnotes in our personal history. I’m not saying it failed and we weren’t able to accomplish anything. What i am saying is those projects were always accompanied with near mishaps or funny incidents and the likes. Little that we know this ultra marathon(100km) project will provide more humor.

After two weeks of training and planning I just found out the race that we plan to join was not in august but it was the third week of july( Romi!!!! Sira ulo ka). Romi got his schedules wrong he was looking at the website of the the run which was updated three years ago wahahahaha. O well “how hard can it be” Crap!!! After realizing this some of the team had some doubts about training and if they can make it on the july schedule moreover mahirap na mag recruit ng ibang tao!!!! Hehehehe. Let the games begin!!! Ultra marathon 100km in 6 weeks!!!! Hehehe.