Immortality – UPDATED

This is an EDITED and UPDATED RePost

Sometime in October, 2009, I retired my shoes at about 1,200 kms ++ of mileage. I intended to use it on casual walks by then. See the old blog here.

However, upon various travels and adventures at races with my NEWTON, I noticed how painful my feet are after the FULL Marathons. So it made me want to try again the retired one. I will definitely not use the NEWTON on an ultramarathon – my mind keeps on shouting…

…so I ended up reactivating in full service my retired shoes. And I am awed at it’s performance. Add to the 1,200++ the 102K, the 50K and some small races ranging from 5K to 21K. The shoes now have a whacking 2,328 mileage.

7 (now 8 and counting) 9 Full Marathons to date, and 2 Ultra Marathons (now 4 ultras namely – BDM, 1st PAU and 2nd PAU, Err…2nd BDM, 1st, 2nd and 4th PAU (that’s 50-70-50) I could only look back. I don’t change shoes in a race. No matter the distance. I start and end with what I wear. Happy to brag that in both shoes, I dont get blisters.

See the events with my shoes.

For the 4th PAU 50kms, I used the Pegasus +25 again.

Jumped and Stomped the Finish Line

For the 2nd PAU 65Kms + 5K Ultramarathon, I used my Anta Running Shoes.

50KMS 1st PAU Run 05.09.10. Finished in 7:47:50. In my NIKE Pegasus +25 at the finish line.

Biggest event: 102KMS Bataan Death March 2 International Ultramarathon 03.06.10 to 03.07.10 @ 17:54:10. In my NIKE Pegasus +25 a few meters to the finish line.

#09 42.195KMS 2nd QCIM December 5, 2010. IN my NEWTON Shoes. Easy run. Fast Time. No cramps. Just some minor build-up in my tendons.

Commercial RUN: @ the UNILAB 2 32K last November 21, 2010. I used my ANTA shoes.

Personal Pacer duty for Atty Morgan

#08 42.195KMS 34th MILO Marathon Manila Eliminations July 4, 2010. In my NEWTON Shoes. Again, the cramps.

#07 42.195KMS Condura Run 2010 Marathon February 7, 2010. In my NEWTON shoes. See how I cramped.

#06 42.195KMS Cebu Marathon – January 10, 2010. In my NEWTON shoes. See how I jogged while Ge is sprinting a few meters to the finish line.

Commercial: 32KMS Bald Runner’s RIZAL DAY RUN – December 30, 2009. In my NEWTON shoes. Near the finish line with Ziggy.

#05 42.195KMS Philippine Int’l Marathon – November 8, 2009. In my NEWTON Shoes. With the gang at a nearby fastfood after the race.

#04 42.195KMS SUBIC Int’l Marathon – October 24, 2009. In my NIKE PEGASUS +25. With the gang a few minutes and meters at the starting line.

#03 42.195KMS Quezon City Int’l Marathon – October 18, 2009. In my NIKE PEGASUS +25. With the beauteous Nene a few meters after crossing the finish line.

#02 42.195KMS 33rd Milo Marathon – July 5, 2009. In my NIKE PEGASUS +25. While passing the Takbo.Ph aid station…a triumphant sound of excited friends!

#01 42.195KMS BOTAK PAA-BILISAN – May 10, 2009. In my NIKE PEGASUS +25. A classic shot with Doc’s Sherwin and Roy.

Lessons LEARNED (not necessary remembered)

Pause for a while to enjoy the view. I did just that in the 1st PAU Run.

This shoe is immortal. Like the deity in it’s name.

Eat this in your run – it will save your life.

Yes. That is Marby’s DICED HOPIA. My favorite. (Am I seeing a sponsorship now?) It’s soft, and bite-sized. Easy to carry. Yet, filling! (Music played on the background)

Focus. It’s as important as the training you’ve done for any race. Play the video in your mind. All the recorded trainings you’ve done. Try it. It’s just in your head!

Consistency in training is the key to long-term success. Gradually improve. Gradually train. No injury is always a priority.

To taper? Reduce mileage, but not intensity.

Use the shoe you are comfortable running with. It’s really a romance of comfort and durability.

Don’t be intimidated by long distances but don’t underestimate it too. Preparation is the key. If you are not prepared, and you feel it – don’t go. There’s always next time.