74…The Condura ‘Skyway’ 42K!

” FIND YOUR LIMITS, AND EXCEED THEM!” -selected

Last Sunday, I was able to register in the Condura 42K in ATC Alabang and I’m glad I did since I’m a regular participant of this  event yearly. Twelve of my running buddies here in Laguna will also join, and as early as 2 am on February 7, 2010, we will invade Skyway to run the full marathon.

This will be my 8th   42Ks and 74th races in my 3 year career as a runner.

Also, my 2nd for this year after that unforgettable ’24 Hours Fat Ass Run’ in Clark last January 7, 2010.

And speaking of Race Schedule, I have only 6 races lined-up for me this year. Yeah, too few but very tough and challenging…

-Fat Ass 24 Hours Race in Clark -DONE!

-Condura 42K in Skyway

-BDM 102K Ultramarathon from Bataan to Pampanga

-TNF 100K Trail Run  in Baguio City

-Independence Day 160K Ultramarathon

-Milo Elimination 42K in Manila

Quality not quantity. The longer, the better.

With those tough schedules ahead of me, I must devote myself in training, nutrition, sleep, rest and prayer.

No more basketball for me which can cause injury.

As a cross-training, I will embrace road biking, body building and yoga.

And If time still permits me, mountain climbing and Triathlon are on top of my list.

Reading good books and playing chess would  be my mental training.

Some of my friends advised me to ‘cool down’ and I just told them, it’s my lifestyle. I can’t imagine myself not doing any physical sports in a day and perspiration for me is an outlet to relax and enjoy life as it is. Take away those things and I’m dead.

I have no vices whatsoever, just pure sports and books.

A boring life?

No.

Absolutely not.

For in it, I’ve found the real treasure- THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE!

See you in the Skyway. Don’t forget to bring your e-pass. : D

God be Praised!

Me, at TNF 100K trail run in Clark. This is where I got the logo for this blog.

The Day I Forgot That I’m A Runner…

“If there is no passion in your life, then have you really lived? Find your passion, whatever it may be. Become it, and let it become you and you will find great things happen FOR you, TO you and BECAUSE of you.” -T. Alan Armstrong

Since the Fat Ass 24 hours RUN in Clark last January 7, 2010,  I spent most of my training in biking.  I am ready for another biking adventure today when I realized it has been days that I don’t have a ‘quality’ run, so I changed my attire from a biking jersey to a singlet, from cleats to running shoes, and I did run a 1 and a half hours this morning.

This was the day I forgot that I’m a runner maybe  because…

-That 24 hours run transformed me into something. I passed an ultimate test of endurance and for me, I reached my pinnacle at that point. No more challenges. Nothing to prove. This thought is very deceiving and to tell you honestly, as a mere mortal, I do have a hard time putting this into subjection. No, I’m not bragging about it, but after that 24 hours race, I can no longer see myself running under the 42k category. And since  my feet werestill  at the recovery mode, I’m lazy to run, so lazy…for I knew I cannot run longer than expected.

-Biking gave me some time to relax and enjoy different places, while at the same time, doing an exercise. Imagine biking a 35-55 kms per hour, at full speed, conquering places I cannot subdue while running.

-I like my new group of friends in biking. They are amazing guys full of different stories, very inspiring. At first, I thought that biking is easier than running, but it is NOT! They are different.

-I appreciate the ‘new  kind of execise’ biking has brought into my legs.

-A very good cross training, biking complements with running and vice versa. These two can be identical twins, good friends and a loving mate, inseperable and compatible.

But this morning, I remember that I’m a RUNNER, and once a runner, always a runner.

I made a vow to myself, I bike to run, I run to bike-and offer these two to God.

Congratulations to all who have  joined and finished the BDM test run last Saturday.

My condolence to my running buddy, Rod Cameros, whose  father died today.

See you at the Condura 42k.

God be Praised!

My biking adventure in Nuvali Sta.Rosa Laguna last Friday.

A 97K Today!

“Expect the unexpected.” -Anonymous

I was not able to join the BDM test run yesterday.

I was  affected by circumstances, emotionally and mentally.

Hard to run if  you’re not ready mentally, and so at 10 pm, I sent an sms to my group that I will no longer participate the said test run.

Also, yesterday, I was not able to open this blog and my facebook account and I’m so worried about it.

Good thing to be back after some days of chaos.

I just want to share with you my biking adventure today. It was a 97k based on my speedometer.

The route was indeed so tiring to imagine. Consider this: Laguna-Daang Hari Muntinlupa City-SM Molino-Salawag-Gen.Trias-FCIE-Langkaan Dasmarinas-Manggahan-Trece Martirez City-Naic-Tanza-Malabon-Mangahan-Dasma-GMA-Carmona-Southwoods-Laguna.

Four days straight of biking because I’m relaxing my legs for the Condura 42k.

At the Daang Hari, assembly time 7am.

At Uniwide Naic Cavite

My classmates in biking adventures.

I’m at the leftmost portion, in sitting mode.

At Langkaan Dasmarinas Cavite…

At Don Galo’s Tapsihan in Malabon Cavite. Look at those calves muscle of my biking buddy, Danfer Ferrer. Awesome! : )

Next weekend, we will trek the remotest part of Cavite from Laguna. The place? Magallanes. It’s farther than Maragondon.

Whether biking or running, I have only one goal: Offer those places to God, pray for healing and deliverance, and most specially, SALVATION for the lost.

Thank you SPYDER, for supporting my advocacy.

And to you, Danfer Ferrer for my photographs.

God be Praised!

Joining The BDM102K Test Run…Why Not???

 

“Damage assessment at that point was a slightly bleeding groin rash, a chapped butt crack, some type of minor foot sprain, and two blackened big toe nails! Not too bad, I thought.”  -Mark Crisman after finishing the 2007 Rocky Raccoon 160K Run

Tomorrow, January 23, 2010…will be the BDM ‘test run’ and it will start in kilometer 0 in Hermosa Mariveles Bataan and will end in km 50, in Abucay Bataan and let me share my thoughts why everybody who register for this event or even those who just want to conquer this place  must join the said activity:

1. Good opportunity to reckon the place.

2. Nice to see old and familiar faces, as well as those newbies in ultra-running.

3. Great chance to see those places from km 0 to km 50. Last time, during the first edition of BDM 102, I was not able to view the route, for the race started at 12 midnight.

4. It will benefit the runners for they can do their game plan after the test run.

5. It is an excellent preparation for the Condura 42k.

6. This will give participants the  chance to gauge themselves.

7. It can boost their morale and self-confidence.

8. This will mean another uncharted territoy. Go and conquer it, outside your comfort zone.

9. This is another Ultra-marathon, it is a 50K!

10. By joining this test run, we are complying with the Organizer.

Remember, this is not a race. Have fun, enjoy, chilax. The real battle is on March 6, 2010.

Whatever your strategy is, I’m happy for you.

Congrats and welcome to the ‘crazy’ world of Ultra-running.

See you there.

God be Praised!

My first day of running after FAT ASS 24 hours run. Thank you SPYDER for my sunglasses.

The Day I Invaded The Aguinaldo Shrine By Means Of Biking…

‘Act like a horse. Be dumb. Just RUN.’ -jumbo elliott,mentor to 28 Olympic runners,1949 to 1981

January 16, 2010

91 kms bike

Laguna to Aguinaldo Shrine Kawit Cavite

Aguinaldo Mansion 11:35 am.

I salute a great warrior and a true hero, General Emilio Aguinaldo in his actual final resting place.

I would like to thank the following people for making this journey truly a wonderful adventure:

-Benny, Danny and Ben of TEAM TURBO.

-Benson and Jenny de Lara Tan for a sumptous breakfast that day.

-Security Guard for allowing us enter that shrine eventhough were not wearing a casual attire.

-SPYDER for my sunglasses.

-my family, for their endless support during my biking trip.

Most of all, to our God for protecting me  thrice during that journey. I knew His  ‘Angels’ were with me.When that tricycle bumped me,when I lost my momentum in a zigzag area,and when at full speed,my quick release malfunctioned.That near death experiences made me more dependent and trusting in His Power…

More historic places to conquer soon.

God be Praised!

Endurance Biking…The 91 Kms Way,Laguna To Cavite City.

“Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do.” -Shaquile O’neal

Danny, Benny, Ben and me biked a 91 kms route from Laguna To Cavite City yesterday. We subdued several barangays, Towns and Cities and so proud for our accomplishments. The route was a unique one; from San Pedro Laguna-Carmona-GMA zigzag-SM Dasmarinas City-Gen.Trias-Malabon Cavite-EPZA Rosario-Bacao-Noveleta-Cavite City-Binakayan-Aguinaldo Shrine-Medicion-Imus-Mambog-SM Molino-Daang Hari Muntinlupa City-Victoria-San Pedro…

We started biking at 6:45 am and finished at 2:30 pm, including breaks and some maintenance procedures.

At SM dasmarinas City, at 7:30am…with Danny and Benny.

This is where we took our breakfast in Malabon Cavite with my cute and pretty niece Ayen Tan.

with Ayen’s dad, Benson Tan.

Thank you Benson and Jenny for that delicious breakfast.

Along Noveleta-Cavite City route where Benny’s tire got flat.

with my SPYDER sunglasses, perfect for all occasions.

In Samonte Park in Cavite City with Ben.

At Camp San Felipe

Cavite City…

with Efren Penaflorida, CNN hero of the year.

91 kms on top of 2,568 calories. What a great feeling!

We acomplished almost 75% in conquering the whole province of Cavite by means of biking.

Next target will be Tanza, Maragondon and Ternate.

By the way, we visited Aguinaldo Shrine too that day,and we have galore of photo ops there. I’ll share that next time.

It’s Sunday…don’t forget to go to Church.

Time to rest and commune with the Maker.

God be Praised!

Just to share…

THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE; WE WILL
REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT.
( PSALM 118:24 *NKJV )

We all have days when the last thing we want to do is rejoice.
Days when our situation is out of control, are mood is low, and
we are feeling overwhelmed with worry, guilt, doubt or grief.

When you feel that way why not tell God just how
you feel. Ask Him to help you regain your joy again, and know
in your heart that He will help you. For we have this promise
from God: “I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU.”
SO WE MAY BOLDLY SAY: THE LORD IS MY HELPER; I WILL
NOT FEAR; WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME?
( HEBREWS 13:5 )

The Bible also tells us that our suffering from all these things is
part of our experience as a Christian. For it is written: MY
BRETHREN, TAKE THE PROPHETS, WHO SPOKE IN THE
NAME OF THE LORD, AS AN EXAMPLE OF SUFFERING AND
PATIENCE. INDEED WE COUNT THEM BLESSED WHO
ENDURE. ( JAMES 5:10-11 )

HOWEVER, IF YOU SUFFER FOR DOING GOOD AND YOU
ENDURE IT, THIS IS COMMENDABLE BEFORE GOD. TO THIS
YOU WERE CALLED, BECAUSE CHRIST SUFFERED FOR
YOU, LEAVING YOU AN EXAMPLE, THAT YOU SHOULD
FOLLOW IN HIS STEPS. ( 1 PETER 2:20-21 ) So, REJOICE TO
THE EXTENT THAT YOU PARTAKE OF CHRIST’S SUFFERINGS,
THAT WHEN HIS GLORY IS REVEALED, YOU MAY ALSO BE
GLAD WITH EXCEEDING JOY. ( 1 PETER 4:13 )

Finally remember that tough times never last, but
tough people do! Therefore: REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS.
AGAIN I SAY, REJOICE! Amen. ( PHILIPPIANS 4:4 )

Effective Monitoring-FAT ASS Way.

As we grow as unique persons, we learn to respect the uniqueness of others.” -Robert Schuller

I really appreciate the effective monitoring done by Fat Ass Organizers and its staff. Their system was unique, efficient and convincing.

Let me prove my point.

Here are some pictures…

My race bib before the race…

My race bib after the race… Those black stickers signified the numbers of loops I’ve made in that 24 hours race. A staff was assigned to put that black sticker everytime I reached the 2.2 kms loop. And so with the others. I made 43 loops. You van count it to believe it : )

The List of Runners before the race…

After the race…we were obliged to write the time every loop, while  Boss Red is  meticulously watching  us. After verification, he affixed a red icon as a proof that it was authentic. (Note: I was not able to photograph the last page)

There is a saying that…

He that is faithful in little will be entrusted with much more.

FAT ASS Race was a big success because the people behind this event were true runners. Is there a need for me to elaborate more? : )

See you in the BDM test run this coming Saturday.

LONG is better than short. : D

God be Praised!

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God be Praised!

Priceless Pictures At FAT ASS 24 Hours Race In Clark!

“Keep on climbing!” – The Northface ad.

At Mercury drug monumento, 5am meeting place going to Clark.

arriving in Clark, 7 am.

Our water/Aid station located at 2.2 kms…

Very simple yet so big event tarpauline. You can’t really judge a book by its cover…

I’m not a fan of Jaworski, but this number is God’s favorite…He rested on the 7th day after working 6 full days in the history of creation. It was also my number in the BDM 102.

before the race…I used 3 singlets in this event…an adidas kotr blue, the bdm long sleeve and an adidas long-sleeve.

with Race Organizer Atty. Jon,our friendship started at the BDM 102. This guy inspires me, and one of my ‘angels.’

Where are the others? Where are the brave? : )

with Mam Beth Siojo…Fat Ass Queen! This woman is so strong and her credentials in sports is awesome. Nice to meet you Mam. : )

with Shower of team Clark.

Only few were chosen…

One of the witnesses of this big event, this simple TIMER never fails to monitor our actions, 24 hours non-stop.

a PRAYER  was offered. “Lord, give us the strength to finish this mammoth challenge…”

Boss Red of Team Clark, gave us some instructions. Oh boy, this guy was so systematic and  dependable. He monitored us 86,400 seconds that day. Thank you Sir Red.

wearing my SPYDER sunglasses at 12 noon. From adidas kotr to BDM long sleeve because the sun was so unforgiving…

at around 1:30 pm…

at 12 midnight.

time to apply petroleum jelly and change my socks at around 2am…

timing procedure was so unique and effective, cheaters will have  difficulties in doing their old, shameful tactics. I’ll discuss about this in some of my future article…

at 8:15 am, 24 hours later. These FAT ASSES set a new trend in running history!

I’m proud of my ass, so proud of myself! 43 loops, 94.6 kms…24 hours!

My reward, great and Marvelous.

See you in the 2nd edition of Fat Ass next year, Jan. 8, 2011, gunstarts at 12 midnight.

I’ll start training for it.

Hats-off to you, S’  Albert Sama for being the ‘Fat Ass King.’ You deserved it. And to all the winners/participants in different categories, congrats too.

God be praised!

12 Reasons Why ‘Fat Ass Race’ Is So Special To Me…

“The power of a man’s virtue should not be measured by his special efforts, but by his ordinary doing” -Blaise Pascal (French Mathematician, Philosopher and Physicist, 1623-1662)

Allow me to share my thoughts  why the ‘Fat Ass 24 hours Race’ is so special to me…

1. It was the longest (in terms of time, unbelievable 24 hours) that I have joined in my entire career as a runner.

2. Although it was the longest, first time that I don’t have ANY BLISTERS.

3. No muscle cramps.

4. I knew now what it feels after running more than 17 hours which was my longest time before  prior to this one.

5. I met wonderful men and women, whose passions were also in ultra-running.

6. I was able to conquer ‘annoyances’ when it comes in running in loops. I’m so impatient during the Botak 100K four times loop in the Marikina Riverbanks, but here, I made 43 loops in a 2.2 kms route. This race taught me more patience and acceptance of whatever routes and loops  future races has to offer.

7. First time to enjoy a race like this, so good, so challenging, so tough, with many provisions-ABSOLUTELY FREE.

8. I was able to know deeply the characters of Atty. Jon Lacanlale and Don Ubaldo. Atty. Jon, who  was the strongest runner in that race, with 56 loops equals to 123.2 kms and Don at the 2nd place but they voluntarily disqualified themselves because they  were  the Organizers, thus a different runner emerged as the Fat Ass King and a runner-up, instead of them.This unselfish act was indeed very inspiring, for none of the runners were questioning them but they did it. : ) I just want to proclaim their unselfish decisions to disqualify  themselves in that race although from the very start, we knew that they were both   participants too. They’re men of integrity, their characters are intact. This blog salutes both of you.

9. In this race, I have seen a great female runner, Beth Siojo. She was too strong but a very down to earth individual. I’m glad she was crowned the ‘Fat Ass Queen’.

10. I was so amazed with the kind of special treatment TEAM CLARK has bestowed upon us, runners. In that 24 hours run, we were treated as Kings and Queens. We did not pay  a single centavo for this race, for the Registration Fee was absolutely FREE, and yet, we were provided with every kind of provisions…Noodles, boiled egg, bread, chocolates, lugaw, salted egg, banana,watermelon, salt, softdrinks, gatorade, rice, dinuguan, tuna, coffee, putot kutsinta, candies, pandesal, beer, bottled water, ice cubes, etc. -unlimited, bottomless, available 24 hours anytime of the day and night. And take note of this: There were no major sponsors that support them. TEAM CLARK shared among themselves just to give us a decent and a ‘one of a kind’ race.

11. I became closer to God in that race. Since I’m alone most of the times, I prayed and sung songs of praise while running or in the walking mode. I have so many shortcomings when it comes in my devotional life  in the past months, and that race gave me enough time to re-dedicate myself once again.

12. I can’t forget that place now, and I love it. Clark Parade Grounds, 43 loops in 24 hours equals 94.6 kms. Another Ultra-marathon for me. The distance was nothing, but the TIME which I conquered that day was indeed a RECORD BREAKING! For who can run a 24 hours during practice? : )

Thank you Jeff, Isko and Abet for a great ride.

Thank you, SPYDER, for my eyewear.

Thank you ALL who prayed for me before, during and after this race, specially Bishop Eddie Hernandez.

Thank you Flor for providing my Adidas outfit during the race.

And to my classmate, Cynthia…thank you.

See you at the races.

God be Praised!