Official Result: 1st FKT @ Taklang Damulag
After finishing a 10K Race inside the Fort Magsaysay Complex yesterday morning (Saturday), I invited ultrarunners who joined this race for the 1st Official Fastest Known Time (FKT) Run at Taklang Damulag. The FKT Race started at the Fernandez Hill up to the peak of Taklang Damulag and back to the Starting Line/Area. The race covered a distance of almost 6.3 kilometers.
About to…
Today, the 30th of July, I changed my BLOG THEME to Retro-Fitted.
Why?
Because in about 2 days, I will start a training – one that is a lot more different from what I have done before. It’s in preparation for the biggest event of 2013.
While I intend to join the big events, that would greatly depend on many things. Like how the training will go, etc, etc, etc.
I do like the new theme.
Patiently browse thru the side panels and you’d see the new widgets from wordpress.
May the good Lord bless this plan.
FKT @ TD
Fastest Known Time @ Taclang Damulag.
CLICK Ter to SEE estimated elevation.
@the peak
@about 4:30am, I am already in Baliwag Transit Cubao. Browsing thru the buses and the signs, I asked a Conductor how fast the travel time would be if via SCTEX, and if not. The drop off point would only just be in Cabanatuan Crossing. I was told that it will take about 2 to 3 hours depending on the traffic. The catch however is that the bus will leave at 5:40am, if not 6:30am. That would mean I will be in Fort Magsaysay by roughly 8am if I will take any bus.
@5:11am, Ronnel Go texted me. I texted back and urged to meet him at Munoz so we could follow @ Fort Magsaysay. He is also looking at 8am as the fastest time we could be there.
@6:20am, we met @ 7-11 Munoz. And off we go to Fort Magsaysay via SCTEX. The trip took us forever. LOL
It was already near 9am when we get to the meet-up point in Fernandez Hills inside Fort Magsaysay. Sir Jovie and Madam Rowena came at almost the same time with Bong and Steph, and Danin too.
After a short while we were already at a near formal starting line of racing. LOL
About 4 streams gave us no choice but to dip our shoes.
@ about 41 minutes from gunstart, we we’re already @ the peak.
It was a hard climb. You can tell by the heavy breathes…
sheds for resting…
ascents
By 1:13:02, after stopping my own clock recorded via My Track, I fnished. Can’t wait to see the official result and pictures!
FEATURED ULTRARUNNER #10
JANUS AJUSTO
Just run
People ask why I run, I say..
“If you have to ask, you will never understand”. It is something only those select few know. Those who put themselves through pain, but deep down I know how it feels..”
MY VERY FIRST RACE:
TNF 21 KM Trail run July 25-26 2008
REASON WHY I DO ULTRA RACES :
Running is good for you. Running a lot must be very good for you. It is fun, except for when its not, then it becomes fun when you’re done. You have to dig deep to get it done, but you’re still showered and in bed by midnight, you lie there and contemplate what amazing thing you’ve just accomplished.
At some point, I knew that I’d ask myself why on earth was I trying to run that far – I mean the ultramarathon. I wanted to have an answer—a good enough reason that would keep me going long enough to find out what it was like to complete this kind of run. Believing I was ready to try, and feeling excited about the challenge, had been my main rationale to register for some events. And kidding aside, you can be an expert at removing calluses, blister prevention etc. Camaraderie…you will not find any other events out there where everyone is rallied around such a common purpose and will celebrate your success with the most genuine way even though you just beat them or vice versa. Ultra runners are the amazing athletes but even better people…There you have it. My list of reasons to run an ultra. I guess that means I enjoyed the experience immensely and will be trying another at the next logical opportunity.
Dedicate yourself to the journey because, honestly, it’s about the whole process—not just the race itself!”
Running Statistics – Marathon vs Ultra: 0 -13
MARATHON:
I don’t have any marathons yet but I hope I can do one this year ( wanted pacer )
ULTRA RACES
- TNF 100KM Sacobia
- TNF 100KM Cam Sur
- 1st Valley Trail 50KM
- Fort Magsaysay 60KM
- Western Pangasinan 65KM
- Rock and Clouds 50KM
- 2nd T2N 50KM
- Davao Century 100KM relay
- Fat Ass 36 Hrs
- BDM 102KM
- Tanay 50KM
- KOTM 60KM
- 2nd Valley Trail 50KM
Marathon : still no idea and wish I can do one this year.
Ultramarathon : longer running time/ training. For me it was fun to run an ultra.I have learned a lot of things and I am still learning this craft. The combination of varied terrains, distances and challenges has made ultramarathons one of the most attractive disciplines of athletics. A good reason of ultramarathons is because in ultras you have to think about more than just splits and ticking off miles at a certain pace. I think it reconnects you with running in a way that marathoning doesn’t. Training for and racing ultramarathons also connects you with a new group of friends. Most folks who have crossed over from subultradistance road racing have found a tight-knit but welcoming community. Ultrarunners are often eager to share the trail with anyone dipping his or her toe into the ultra world. Running an ultra also provides a great break from competitive pressures, while still giving you a goal to shoot for. I may not be a strong and fast runner but we run Intense and “We Run to Live”. ( Team Intensity ).
MOST MEMORABLE RACE
With the RD
2012 BDM 102 KM
Very thankful to my co- Team Intensity for the support, and my beloved family esp. my ultra supportive wife Malou.
Heaven!
Bliss!
TEAM AFFILIATION
Team Intensity
I have never met nor featured anyone like this guy. He is a hardcore ultrarunner. Why? Because HE has NONE – not one – MARATHON (yes, 42.195K) at all! He is one of a kind! Well, it’s for me to find out if there’s anyone else in the ultra community who has not done a marathon like Jeje.
He definitely practice and enjoy camaraderie…and the ultra-caring spirit of giving out support. He saved my dry throat twice already:
ONCE in 2nd PAU Tanay, a 50K hard rolling road
…and again, last 2nd Nuvali Trail Challenge, a 51K wet muddy trail. I have already quit – walking my way to finding the next road from the inside trails when Jeje came, and gave me water. Bless him!
You may have never heard of the guy but that’s simply because he is another humble hardcore ultrarunner.
One of Team Intensity’s pride, Jeje is all about perseverance and patience. If it’s passion for the sport you are looking at, here’s one to look up to.
A salute to a great guy!
The 1st Great Bank Fun Run Race Review
July 21, 2012:
It was a rainy night coming from work. I need to go home and get my things and gear up for the race. I tried to steal a nap since I haven’t slept the night before. Lights out.
July 22, 2012:
Then the wife came…and the kids. I stood up and cooked some thing for us. After a short-turned-to-long-chat, we go to bed.
Past 2am and we’re just going to bed…I need to be up by 3am. I already have set the alarm.
Minutes pass by.
An hour…
…and the alarm.
I quickly fixed myself.
Dressed up.
Hurriedly snatched my ultrarunning hydration pack (filled with nothing but dress and small things).
Grabbed the umbrella, and out of the house. 3:20am.
The rain just won’t stop.
I walked to where the buses are…and found no dry road to step at. There…running shoes dipped in flood water. I picked the clearest I could find.
3:54am – the bus arrived. It’s headed to Gumaca.
4:13am – I am already at Alabang, Metropolis. That was fast!
4:48am – found the event site for BMAP’s The Great Bank Fun Run.
Standby for a while waiting for Titanium Runner.
Then he came with Estan, and Beep Beep and we saw Eric and we went to Gloria Jeans for a coffee. For me.
After the coffee, we went back to the starting line.
Program started.
Kikay runner lead the warm-up.
Count down started.
Gunstart @ 6:30am.
I started the usual. Slow.
I intend to jog and hold my pace until I am in the 2nd 5K. Success!
Slowly, I was able to speed up by the 6th to the 9th Km. I am already at top speed by the last Km to the finish line. Thank God!
It was not a super fast run but it was fast already for me. It was not a slow run but rather a controlled one.
Recorded via My Tracks, the route showed a 9.93K. I was able to stop my time after crossing the finish line in 1:00:48. See details below:
It was already a perfect race for me. For so many reasons.
- COOL weather. No heavy run, No scorching sun. Slight drizzle.
- CHALLENGING route. Noticeable character of the terrain = NICE. Rolling up and down. Some asphalt, some concrete.
- NICE loot! The commemorative coin is something I look forward to!
- WARM marshalls. They just don’t fail to shout out a GO!
- WELL marked race route. No reason to get lost anywhere. The signages are enough.
- WELL hydrated race. Water is available right where you ‘d need them.
So, after getting my water near the station at the finish line, I proceeded to find the finisher’s tent.
The Bib and the Commemorative Coin
After changing shirt, and bidding adieu my friends, I went to the fastest ride I can get – the train.
Cheap. Cold. Clean.
..and I thought I could go home fast.
I was at the train station by 8:35am. The sign says that the next train will leave (the train left as I approach the station) by 9:05am. A good 30 minutes of waiting is easy for me.
I even sat and waited with the rest.
While wasting time counting the people that come and go, I noticed the dirt on my shoes too. Poor thing. But reliable! and tough!
Dirty
A couple more minutes passed and nothing came.
There. A delay. The train arrived at 9:20am, and it’s not in a good condition somehow. We reached PACO station at 10:13am.
There goes my earlier thought of a fast ride. And the rain continued to pour hard as I walked home.
Still, thankful to God for the many blessings.
While the sky cries, my heart shouts for joy – having ran a good race, and gone home with a nice coin memento!
Mind you, the coin is a PURE NICKEL 10 peso coin that commemorates People Power Revolution of 1986.
Kudos to BMAP and Without Limits!
DEADLINE
My TRAINING FOR 2013‘s biggest event shall commence on August 1. It will be the training proper.
I already have prepared my TRAINING MIX.
The training plan is also ready.
By then, I will no longer accept clients for coaching – since I will be handling the ones I have now, and I will also be training. Time management is important.
So to all those undecided up to now, you have at least 10 days to decide. Email me at clarionbn@gmail.com or send me sms.
I will have to alter my training for the biggest event. The volume and the intensity will greatly increase.
Training eats time. Coaching eats time. I have to manage my time too.
Preparation is key to almost anything.
I will be preparing myself. I will also be preparing you.
It’s a a win-win situation if handled right.
Time management.
Lots to Consider
Heard about the ARC Grand Slam event?
It’s a dream event for hardcore ultrarunners. Not that I consider myself as ONE, but that it’s an amazing feat worth the effort of, well, pondering about.
There’s just so much to consider about it.
- The Registration Fee. It’s the biggest consideration so far for me.
- The Body’s readiness for the multi-100 miler and the recovery for it. It’s really something that requires a lot of thought. Can anybody be able to recover that fast enough to be ready for the next in a span of how many days?
- The willing crew. Someone up to the challenge too.
Quoted from Jonel Mendoza:
ARC Slam. Nov 17- hardcore hundred miles cebu(road), december 15-taklang damulag 100 miles(trail), january 26-bataan death march 160(road) and february 23-hardcore hundred miles(trail). through the generous support of Joe Matias of A Runner’s Circle, the ARC Slam award will be given to any runner who officially finishes the 4 events in succession and whose name will be forever enshrined in arc’s wall of pinoy ultra fame. this is the only grand slam series this side of the ultra world. good luck all!
A closer look at the the event would be something like this.
- Hardcore 100-miles CEBU. A road race. But people from Manila will have to fly to Cebu first. Get some rest on a cheap motel, and hopefully get a support from there. Hmmm. This is November 17, 2012.
- Taklang Damulag 100-miles. A trail. And a hard one. Last year only 1 person finished this within the cut-off. Yes, it’s that hard. This is December 15, 2012 – a good 26 days after the Hardcore Cebu.
- Bataan Death March 160K. A road race. This is already easy to consider since I have done this twice. I already have the edge of experience. But the question is IF and ONLY IF, I could recover well and good after TD 100. This is January 26, 2013 – a good 41 days from TD 100.
- H1. Hardcore Hundred Miles. A trail. A new route. First of it’s kind up north. May be a familiar route to the KOTM participants, but new to me. This is February 23, 2012 – 26 days after BDM 160.
After my 2nd BDM 160K last January 28, 2012, I was able to run a 50K on March 25, and an 80K on April 21, 2012.
I think the ones who will go for this amazing slam will be the real strong ones.
We’ll see in the near future.
BMAP’s The Great Fun Run Update
Happening on July 22, 2012
ALL FINISHERS will be given a commemorative coin.
LOTS of EXCITING raffle PRIZES such as:
- PAL tickets
- Hotel vouchers
- Watches
- Appliances
- Gift certificates
- Etc!
See more details! CLICK
FEATURED ULTRARUNNER #9
CAMILO R. PARAN JR.
My very first race:
I ran my first 5KM during the Globe Run For Home last March 21, 2010 with the time of 33 minutes. It was my curiosity that drives me to join this race.
My Best time in a marathon:
Manila International Marathon; Official time: 04:39:22
(Kulang daw yung distance pero Personal Record pa rin compare sa first Marathon ko na 4:55:12)
Running Statistics – Marathon vs Ultra: 3-6
3 Marathons:
- Condura Skyway Marathons (Feb 2011)
- Milo Elims Marathon (July 2011)
- Manila International Marathon (Sept 2011)
6 ultramarathons:
- PAU 60K Fort Magsaysay Ultra Marathon Challenge
- PAU 65K Western Pangasinan Ultra Run
- 2nd PAU 50K T2N Run
- Fatass 2012 24-hours category (101KM)
- 4th BDM102K (2012).
- Mayon 360 80KM
The reason why I run:
I started running 2 years ago. I was a volleyball player back then, and during my cross-training days, my gym mate invited me to join a fun run dubbed as RUN FOR HOME 2010. I was encouraged, and decided to join to support the project for humanity. It was then that I decided to be involved in running, for self achievements and also for a healthy lifestyle. It is also a fulfillment for me every time I finish a race. In running, I was able to meet people with common interests but with different profession. The friendship and camaraderie in this small community puts it to the top of my list.
In your opinion, what’s the big difference between Marathon and a 50K ultra in terms of Preparation and Actual Racing?
There isn’t much difference between preparing for a marathon and a 50K ultra marathon. I try to do 40-60km/week (sometimes higher than 60KM) in distance of running for both races to build my endurance. Though for marathons, I might include some speed training, interval and tempo runs with rest day in between. For ultra marathon, I try to do back to back LSD runs or 2 consecutive days of running before resting. It helps my muscles get used to fatigue. Just like what I did before I run my first 60KM Ultra Marathon in Fort Magsaysay last July 2011.
During my trainings, I do 60KM run like the C-loop Challenge. I run in different types of weather conditions and different kinds of terrain. Most of the time, I train alone even in the middle of the night.
In Ultra marathons, speed is not a necessity that is why I train at my comfortable pace. Power walk (known within Team Boring as the ROD WALK) is also a part of my training.
During the actual race, I find full marathons to be in a controlled environment though I’m not looking at it to be easier than an ultra marathon. There are kilometer markers on the route, well-wishers around, marshals/traffic enforcers to guide runners, you have a lot of runner all around that can help/pace with you during the race and of course, water/aid stations every 2-3 km.
For me, ultra marathon is more of a mental game/race since there are factors you have to take into consideration like support crew stops, hydration and nutritional intake. You also have to focus and be aware of the incoming traffic if it’s on a road. During my run in ultra marathon I always focus on my pace and never get affected on who is the strongest runner in front of me. Mind setting is what I do to help me finish the race within the cut-off time even if I am the last runner.
Everybody has their own opinion but for me, ultra marathon composing of about 10-20% of the total participants of full marathons, the friendship and camaraderie in this small community is what matters most.
What is your most memorable race, and why?
The most memorable race for me was the 2012 edition of Bataan Death March – 102K Ultra marathon, after supporting Coach Mar on his Bataan 160K from the previous year. My ultimate goal was to be able to finish the BDM102 with the shortest time possible. I trained hard and gave all my efforts for this event, that’s why I got very emotional after finishing the race in a well deserved 40th place with a time of 15 hours. For me, it was definitely a test of ones strength, capability and will to finish the race. It was also a race that I had full support from MAYOR CJ TEAM (COACH MAR, DOC TOTO, THEI SANGRADOR, HUGO TANDO, KUYA THE DRIVER). Well, the BDM 102 is a self achievement for me and something I am very proud of, but now I am aiming for the BDM 160K edition.
never mind the boy at the background
the afternoon prior to the race
@KM 72 if Im not mistaken
Satisfied and Happy
Mayor CJ Team
7 Most recent races:
- 01.07.12 Fat Ass 24hr Category – 101K
- 03.03.12 4th Bataan Death March Ultramarathon – 102K
- 04.21.12 Mayon360 – 80K
- 04.29.12 Hyundai: Run For A Cause – 10K
- 06.17.12 RUN UNITED 2012 – 21K
- 06.30.12 ANR FUN RUN 2012 -5K
- 07.01.12 PATAFA ROAD RACE (21K)
Team Affiliation:
One of ANR MOA’s pansit session
Team Moa
Team Boring
Team Breathe Hope
I have only a few words for this guy.
- Very patient
- Very cool
- Very compassionate
..and that is just as a person. I have known CJ for quite some time now. He has so much passion for running.
I think this is the first day I met them @ANR MOA
Long run to Tagaytay
Starting Point @ Dasmarinas
Taught them some things @ Vito Cruz PSC Oval
Long Run from MOA to Cavite City
Special Session @ CCP: Taught them some things.
Special Session @ ULTRA: Taught them some things..
My LONE pacer from KM 102 to KM 150 @BDM 160K 2012
(imagine the patience and the strength of this guy)
Train Buddy last Mayon 360 50-miler: Chance passenger able to secure a ticket on a fully booked trip back to Manila.
and yes, he trains so hard it shows on his BDM 102K finish time.
A salute to a great guy!
Motivations of a Finisher
2010
2nd BDM 102
2011
1st BDM 160
2012
2nd BDM 160
2013?
SOON!
