In Praise Of Late Bloomers!

“I will never be an old man. To me, old age is always 15 years older than I am.”

-Francis Bacon, Sr.  (English Lawyer and Philosopher. 1561–1626)

Ian Fleming began writing the James Bond series at age 45. And so, this inspires me to write something about this topic and perhaps, encourage you not to write as Fleming does but to start a fluorishing career in running although you’re not young anymore. My point here is, running has no age limit.

As a proof, I started running at age 37 but it took me 6 months before I really dedicated my life into it. But I have to admit that it will take me some more years before I can achieve my goal or best PR in this field. I have to accept the sad reality  regarding  my right leg, which was injured severely in a basketball game wayback in 2001, is still experiencing some pain while running at full speed at present. That right leg was literally ‘cemented’ for 32 days and has undergone major therapy before I was able to normally walk again. But I will continue to press on, spend more time in training and forget the past.

If I will just listen to some negative people around, I cannot be a runner. Focusing on that accident plus the fact that my age is somewhat no longer competitive as I started late, will only hamper my progress.

In our community, discrimination in age is obvious. You can see it in job employments where a certain age limit is required. In sports too, many great athletes in the past retired upon reaching the age of 35+.

But that is not true in running.

You can start at any age and stay as long as you want.

I have a friend who never competes in any racing events but everyday, you can see him running at his own pace and he started doing it at age 51. I am so impressed with his dedication.

For the record, the oldest marathoner who finished the Boston 42k Marathon was Pierre Jean Martin, at age 94 with a time of over 10 hours. But the oldest runner according to Guinness World record was Dimitrion Yourdanidis of Greece who finished the 42k in 7 hours and 33 minutes, at age 98!

However, the most successful oldest marathoner is generally considered to be Bhai Fauja Singh. He reportedly completed the London Marathon eight times, the last being when he was 97 years of age.

Bhai Fauja Singh… 

To all of you who started late in this sports, including me, here’s what I want to convey….

Cheers! We have a company.

God be Praised!

Race Report:SPTUSA 21k Race

“I often lose  motivation, but it’s something I accept as normal.” -Bill Rodgers, Olympic Marathoner.

Last night, I called up Conrad and I told him I that can’t make it for today’s race. For yesterday was not a good day for me, my amoebiasis kept pestering me and  I felt I’m not ready for a 21k today. I’m weak, for my food was only rolled oats and banana so as not to aggravate my condition. But Conrad was so persistent and he gave me many motivating factors to run this race.

With the second thought that I might not be able to finish this race, we arrived in the Town Plaza of San Pedro Laguna at exactly 5am. However, some mess occured just before the race started.

My buddies and I were  wearing an Adidas KOTR blue singlet when the Officer of the Sptusa, approached Conrad and he admonished Conrad to wear their singlet. Conrad said he’s comfortable with Adidas but that Officer said even if he wins in the age category, it can be nullified for  not wearing their prescribed singlet.

Very disappointed with the way he was treated, Conrad walked-out and vowed never to join again in any Sptusa race.

As we lined-up to have our race bib number checked, again, another member of Sptusa said in front of me that those not wearing their singlet have no chance in any of the prizes. With that remarks, I said to that guy, “We are not going to wear your singlet, for it was only given only today and we have no time to recon it. It can make a possible painful scar on our tricep brachii.  If you want, we can all go home like Conrad did.” And that guy said that he’s only reminding us of the possible outcome to happen.

The route was hard. You have to run the following route: From San Pedro Town Plaza-San Vicente-Total Gasoline Station-Calendola-Southpeak-Rotonda-Alaska Plant-Puregold-Town Plaza and make it 2x.

POSITIVE SIDE:

1. Adequate manpower and water supply.

2. I have seen two  computers, first time in any San Pedro race.

NEGATIVE SIDE:

1. Their singlet at the back has a big name of a candidate and free size only. I’m not endorsing any politicians especially in a singlet.

2.The approach made to Conrad by that Sptusa officer and later by another  guy  to me was preposterous and unreasonable. We paid a minimal amount and we have the rights to choose our own singlet to wear.

3. The race started late from 5:30 to 6:00am.

4. Both the 21k and the 10k participants ran at 6:00 am.

5. The original route was not followed. We trained for weeks running in Daang Hari, only to find out that it was altered with  different detours.

6. There were inconsistencies. A guy was given an award even if he’s not wearing their singlet. It’s unfair for Conrad!

There were only about some 30 runners for the 21k and the same quantity for the 10k. Since there were very few participants, some winners in the age category especially in the 10k event has no worthy  opponents. Some received their trophies/medals althought their time were not that impressive. As a matter of fact, many runners in the 21k event were able to subdue or overtook  those in the 10k in the first loop , meaning If  we joined in the 10k,  we could be included too in the top 3. Majority of the strong runners chose the 21k instead of 10k.

There were many uphills and two killer elevations for this race particularly in the Southpeak area.

I finished the first loop in 56.45 but my total time was 2 hours and 5 minutes. In my Heart Rate, the following data can be gathered: In zone 2.05, average hour 162, peak hour 184, minimum hour 95, total calories 1758, distance 21.2 kms.

I must say that I’m disappointed with the way those Officers treated us, especially the bad approach they’ve done to Conrad. It can be done with gentle words, for Conrad is 63 years old, maybe sensitive at his age and he felt he was humiliated.  

As I crossed the finish line, and after jogging some 200 meters or so, I saw the President of this Sptusa group and I voiced out my sentiment and my ire on  Conrad’s dilemma. He was nonetheless, apologetic. But the damaged has been done.

I have so many visitors who joined this race for I invited them to come and race with me here in my hometown now but next time, I will no longer entice them to participate. I regretted not running in Baguio City today or the GMA kapuso race.

Unless I change my mind, this race today here in San Pedro will be my last and I wish some of my friends will do the same.

Let’s run in a real race, sanctioned by PATAFA or to any recognized and reliable Race Organizers who will not impose to wear a singlet with a politician’s name at the back. I think  it’s not lawful to do that and there’s a law prohibiting any politicians who will run for office to use a modus operandi like this, am I right?

It’s 5am here.

Before the race..

After the race…

With one of the Fiesta Boys, Ultra-runner George aka Hi Den Kho!

Congrats Henry, for winning in your  age category with a decent time.

We will be having another race this coming Sunday, another 21k perhaps.

God be Praised!

ULTRA Madness!

“I’m a guy who just wanted to see his name in the line up everyday.  To me, baseball was a passion to the point of obsession."  -Brooks Robins, American Professional baseball player.

APRIL 5, 2009 BDM 102 kms Ultramarathon Dennis and me at km 39. MAY 23, 2009  TNF 100 kms Ultramarathon JUNE 28, 2009 BOTAK 100 kms Ultramarathon Those were the memories and as I texted some of my  co-ultrarunners, I missed those hard but happy moments. And this coming November, that  will be the start of a new training program for another Ultramarathon slated in the first quarter of 2010. I’m encouraging YOU to join this quest. That is, if you really love running to the fullest! God be Praised!

Lessons Learned In Baguio City’s 21k Milo Race!

     “The trouble with the rat-race is that even if you win, you’re still a rat.” –Lily Tomlin  (American Actress and Comedian. Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2003.born1939)

Although a little bit too late, let me give  some nuggets of truth in the 21k race held in the ‘summer capital’ of our country, Baguio City held last Aug. 9, 2009.

1. Arrive in the baggage area at least 45 minutes before the race starts, if you don’t have a back-up vehicle. In my case, I came-in only 30 minutes before and there’s some mismanagement in the baggage area department. Even Mr. Rudy B., the Race Organizer doesn’t know where was the baggage area, and I have to roam around some 200 meters searching for it, wasting  quality time. At last, I was able to find it at 5:28am, just in time for me to check-in but the race started at 5:30am. So toxic!

It’s one of the few blunders of Milo in that City, and hoping they will not commit the same deviation in the future.

2. In a cold climate like that, it’s important to wear gloves and if it’s raining, a light raincoat will be of big help.

3. My buddy’s time, Jun was 1.55 but his name does not appear in the website of  Milo’s Official Result. As I investigated it, his ‘bar tag’ was lost along the route, and when he reached the finish line, marshal has no bar tag to detach from his race bib, that resulted from his disqualification for this race. Always, check your race bib and bar tag if it’s still intact, even armbands. It’s the only proof that you’re a legitimate participant.

4. Respect the distance and the route. Some were not able to make it in the cut-off time of 2.30 just because they miscalculated the elevation and the climate.

5. Don’t bring camera with you while you run. Photo-ops can be done during your recon session, but in a race, doing so will decrease your momentum and increase your time. I made that mistake. But if you’re not after any PR or just use running as  recreation, it’s a good habit. At least, documenting it with pictures.

Some souvenirs c/o Jonel aka Bugobugo85.wordpress.com

From left…me, Jonel and the rest of HARDCORE RUNNERS!

God be Praised!

LORD…THANK YOU BECAUSE I’M STILL ALIVE TODAY. USE ME FOR YOUR GLORY. AMEN.

If I Die While Running…

“Dream as if you’ll  live  forever. Live as if you’ll die today.” -selected

It’s still fresh to many the untimely death of an elite runner Ryan Shay, who died while running in a bid to qualify for the Olympics. He ran all his life, was physically fit before that tragedy happened and so the running community can’t believe the horrific ordeal that befell on this gifted man.

And so, I asked myself this question…what if I die while running?

First and foremost, I have no regrets in choosing this sports.

Running became my life and my day is not complete without it.

It’s better to die this way although God forbid it to happen. I still have so many plans, goals, books to read, races to join, kids to supervise…and countless of so many things to accomplish including my mission to share the GOOD NEWS.

However, death will visit us in God’s appointed time and no one knows  when it will be. And so before that day comes, let me share my thoughts on this issue before it’s too late…

If I die while running…

1. Don’t be sad. I’m in a better ‘place.’ While some will weep, I want the majority of you to rejoice because I started as a runner and died as a runner.

2. I want bloggers-runners to defend this sports we love because some unbelievers and skeptics  will antagonize our passion for running because of my death. Tell them that I’m alright and I wish that more runners will rise as a result of what had happened to me.

3. I wish that this blog will continue and hoping that a club carrying it’s name will emerge, so that there’s a continuity for my advocacy.

4. My remaing singlets and shoes should be given to any of my running friends, or to any worthy cause.

5. My body organs and parts must be donated to those in need.

And I want to see  my running friends to slowly jog, instead of walking or riding in their vehicles as they bring me to my final resting place.

And this writing will appear on my tombstone: “This man loves to run and so the Lord took him while running!” -runnerforchrist

God be Praised!

LORD, I AM NOT PRAYING FOR A LONGER LIFE, BUT A FRUITFUL ONE!

A Book For Usain Bolt?

"I just blew my mind and blew the world’s mind." -Usain Bolt

Good news to all bookworm aficionados especially those who are addicted to running…

There were talks about a possible biography for this man, Usain Bolt in the near future. As for the scope of the book or how much of Bolt’s off-tract life might be included, they are still negotiating for it.

Bolt became a superstar in last year’s Beijing  Olympics winning gold medals in world record time. He won again in all three events at this month’s world championship-smashing his own records in 100 and 200.

I cannot wait any longer for this, for I will surely acquire this one. Although reading his biography and learning his techniques won’t make me an elite runner, exploring his vast experiences through reading will always motivate me to continue my quest in this field.

I love collecting books, non-fiction and mostly, true to life stories. While I enjoy reading varied topics, my mini-library was filled with inspirational stories, adventure and endurance, comedy and detective stories.

I am now reading "Buried Secrets: A true story of serial murder" by Edward Humes. This book was a winner of Pulitzer Prize and deals with occultism, magic, voodoo, exorcism, illegal drugs and mass murder. This book has 442 pages, I’m now at page 55.

After that, I’ll read another book, "Into The Thin Air" -ranks among the great adventure books of all time by Jon Krakauer. It’s an adventure story  of mountain climbers in trying to reach the pinnacle of Mt. Everest.

So many good books, so little time.

As a runner, we must not only break a leg in our daily practice but live a balance-life, and reading is another activity worth doing.

I do have a nice practice today-running in 2 hours and 35 minutes with my friends Conrad and Johnny.

Johnny and Conrad.

With Johnny.

God be Praised!

FVR Vs. ERAP In A 57k Ultramarathon?

“If he (Estrada) wants, the two of us could run from Malacañang all the way to Tanay, Rizal. But of course, not really running all the way… some might collapse. I’m giving him a lead of six years of age,” – Ramos told reporters in his office in Makati City. c/o Philstar.com

Reading the headline of the Philippine Star, I smiled over the remarks made by former President Fidel “FVR” Ramos to his successor then, another former President, Joseph “ERAP”  Estrada.

Since ultra-running (more than a 42k race) was dragged into the issue, this is my ‘sharing’ for today.

Well, it all started when Erap called FVR “amoy lupa” or “smelling like soil” in one of the interviews and FVR retaliated by saying those words above.

The two became mortal nemesis due to politics and they exchanged some verbal assaults in the past.

His plan was to challenge ERAP for an Ultra-marathon which will start from Malacanang upto Tanay Rizal.

ERAP knew that FVR had a surgery for a blocked carotid artery, and just recently, warts were removed from his chest.

FVR on the other hand, have the knowledge that ERAP’s kneecap was replaced with a titanium  in a surgery abroad.

While FVR was known for his healthy lifestyle and jogs daily when he was  still a president, ERAP was known for his drinking sprees with friends until the wee hours in the morning while still in the Palace. 

ERAP on the hand, has a commercial showing him ‘running’ and seems fit to run a race.

The race if it will be granted, consists of running, walking and sleeping and it could take days. One or the two of them will collapse along the way, but FVR  is challenging ERAP for this event to see who  is really fit.

FVR is 81 years old while ERAP is 72.

 Both of them intend to seek re-election in 2010.

Let’s wait and see if ERAP will accept the challenge. And if that happens, that’s a good race to watch. They’re no longer competitive at their age, but this one will be a blockbuster event.

Some say that they’re still aspiring to regain their ‘lost power. Whether true or not, I can only say one thing:

Sirs, I suggest that both of you  retire now and shun  from any political ambitions  and let a younger and competent  leader guide us anew in reaching the promise land.

Both of you tasted already how to become a President and I will say- THAT IS ENOUGH!

But I love to see both of you  running, not in politics but in Ultra-marathon.

God be Praised!

After reading “Alive”, I’m  now reading   “Buried Secrets” and hoping to finish this before August 30, 2009 race.

 

 

Tragedy In Camsur’s Ironman 70.3!

“The tragedy of human life consists in our vain attempts to stretch the limits of things which can never become unlimited, to reach the infinite by absurdly adding to the rungs of the ladder of the finite.”-Rabindranath Tagore  (Indian Poet, Playwright and Essayist, Won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913, 1861–1941)

 

I received an sms coming from a dear friend last night that there was a casualty in the  Ironman 70.3 in Camarines Sur held yesterday. I verified it further in the news and realized that it’s true.

 

A relay team bet, Miguel Vasquez, a 53 year old triathlete died in the swim leg of that event.

I’m so saddened by the news, and it’s a big blow for that sports. We, athletes can understand and accept it. However, the unbelieving world, those who are not into any sports- living a stagnant and monotonous lives, have now alibis and reasons not to be involved in running, biking or swimming or in any one of those.

While it’s true that triathlone is a dangerous sports, we cannot deny the fact that there’s only one  fatality in this event. The rest of the 581 participants  finished it with flying colors. In fact, our very own Noy Jopson made it to the top 10 with a time of 4:38:32 and the winner was from New Zealand, Terenzo Bozzone with a magnificent time of 3:51:25, slightly behind him was an Australian, Chris McCormack with a time differential of only 53 seconds.

 

Bozzone and McCormack run toe to toe. Photo courtesy of Philippine Star.com

 

Filipino’s top favorite Allan Macasieb only landed  16th  over-all. He wavered in the stifling heat.

 

Now going back to the casualty, I don’t know Mr. Miguel Vasquez. Maybe, he just joined so that he can earn a title as an ‘Ironman’ or he maybe a seasoned triathlete already. But one thing is sure… he trained for it I believe. He spent many hours training  in swimming, broke a leg in biking and ate his heart out in running, and yet…

 

I emphatized now with his family, friends and co-athletes who knew him so much. It’s painful and galore still cannot accept it.

 

How can an Ironman died like this? Not in our territory please, but it happened. Sometimes, there’s a danger even in our comfort zone.

It only proves one thing- that when it’s your time to meet your Creator- whether you’re swimming, eating, working, running or sleeping- it will happen. But no one knows when it will be!

 

So, don’t be discouraged- It’s only 1:500 ratio. Proclaim to those skeptics and doubting Thomases that it’s better to die moving than in doing nothing!

 

God be Praised!

 

I biked  2 hours and 5 minutes today in Southpeak-Southwoods-Splash Island.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ONLY ONE LIFE, IT SOON WILL PASS…

ONLY WHAT’S DONE FOR CHRIST WILL LAST!

Saying No To A Run Is Sometimes A Wise Decision!

“Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them; a desire, a dream, a vision” -Muhammad Ali 

Our 3 hours and 48 minutes lsd last Saturday was  a combination of easy, tempo run and brisk walking because one of my buddies, Willy-was not feeling well. He decided to just walk after 1 hour and 21 minutes, and I paced him and let our 3 companions continued their route. There was no means of transportation in that place, so we ran very slowly and walked frequently. Willy told me that the night before that long run, he experienced severe stomach trouble but he thought that he will be alright, so he still joined us. I told him that it’s alright not to run if he’s not feeling well. Better rest than to dnf, even in practice.

Last year, I registered in Subic International Marathon but I did not join, because I suffered  from amoebiasis the night before the race.

Also, if you have a slight cold, it’s unsafe to run because you’re immune system is weak. Running then, can trigger more serious illnesses especially if your route is in the area where pollution is very obvious.

Willy was in pain last Saturday, and I cannot leave him.

Listening to your body is very important. It’s another  lesson not only for him but also for me.

Let’s  run wisely and defensively.

Some pictures of that training:

 

My buddy for the day, Willy Eugenio.

We ran/walked with a total of 3 hours and 48 minutes, from 5am until 8:48am.

God be praised!

Nice Car, Dude!

Last Wednesday, I have the opportunity to witness a car show held in Festival Mall Alabang and I think It’s not bad  to share some pictures of those nice and fabulous cars. Maybe you have one of them in your garage…

For the record, the fastest car in the world is the SSC Ultimate Aero: 257 mph, 0-60 in 2.7 secs. Twin-Turbo V8 Engine with 1183 hp, base price is $654,400. Tested in March 2007 by Guinness world records, The SSC Ultimate Aero takes the lead as the fastest car in the world beating Bugatti Veyron.

God be Praised!