After a Few Weeks as a Workaholic

Finally, the few weeks of all work has ended. Now comes the milder, more usual loads of work. After more than two weeks of no (serious) running (my last run: Batulao), I decided to go on a long run last Sunday. My last run was more than a week ago. And I wouldn't even call it a run. More like jog-walk with a ratio of 1mile jog:1mile walk. Not good.

Starting at 053o Sunday morning, me and my friend RJ went on a 25km long run. The first 15kms, going round the usual route passing a back road to the Tagaytay City rotunda, were no problem except for a few stitches that I was expecting. At the rotunda, we turned back north, heading down the Aguinaldo hi-way back to Silang (11km). I started feeling exhaustion settling in less than 5km later. My plan was to run until my legs give and it seemed really close now. I was determined to push some more. Downhills are somewhat difficult in their own way. The pounding of your feet and the energy you use for control contribute to the overall difficulty. I got to the point were I could only run a few hundred meters and go back to a walk. We did one last push toward the AIIAS campus (some 250m). I was really out by now it was even an effort to go on walking. We finished the run in 2hrs 56mins.

Last time I ran this same route (except all the way down to Silang which is around 27km) it took me only 2hrs 40mins. And here I was 2kms short and all ready out. Since we were already out of water, we walked to the library for a drink. My plan of going home on foot was really far from my mind now since I just felt like sitting down. I decided to pass by Auntie Beth and Ate Jenn before heading home (by jeep now), fortunately today was Auntie Beth's birthday and they were eating breakfast (nearly 9 in the morning). The gave a plate of macaroni cooked like spaghetti, i guess, siopao, and a banana. I actually just asked for a banana and got away with a meal!! haha. after talking a bit and eating, I said farewell and walked out the door. I felt renewed. Must have been the food. I scratched the "jeepney" idea and continued home on foot. Now I know the feeling of renewed energy during a run. It will come in handy one day.

Since I'm back to my regular schedule, I've decided to step up my training. In the few weeks that I was stuck with work, with no time to train, I got out of shape so fast. At least maintenance training is required. I will work with 25kms every Sunday for my long runs. Maybe cycling now and then. And stepping up with my parkour technical training too.

A Few Weeks as a Workaholic

I've been stuck with work the past days.  Staying in the office til the late nights (latest at 11+ PM), I do nothing the whole day but (1 1/2) wake up, (2)eat, (3)go to work, (2)eat, (3)work, (2)eat, (1)sleep. On a daily cycle. 3 basic activities.

So far, I haven't had anytime for training in anything.  But I try to fit in a few pushups when I can, some muscle ups, run around a bit (jog around that is).

I'm literally tired.  To keep me going, I say to myself, "I am an endurance athlete.  I train Parkour. I have a strong mind."  It does keep me going.

Well, what is the use of a strong mind with a week body? Well, if the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, you've got an issue.  You can get yourself seriously injured by not having enough physical capacity for a certain task.  Also, it takes half the time to lose shape than to get in shape.

I would think I AM out of shape and I seriously need to get back to training.  After a few weeks as a workaholic.

Batulao Run 2 - Keep Exploring

Photos: Group Pics

Photos taken by Mr. Tripod

(Top) At one of the peaks of Mt. Batulao, Nasugbu

(Bottom) In front of Evercrest Clubhouse

Waking up at around 6am Sunday morning (Sept. 2, 2008), I started preparing for what was to be a "trail" exploration. I went to bed at around midnight after arriving from a swimming trip from Calamba but I was ready to run. I was the last person to arrive at the meeting point and Baldrunner's car was waiting at the side of the hi-way in front of AIIAS. Jerry (HighAltitude) & RJ were already there. We rode all the way to Evercrest, Nasugbu were we were going to start our run.

Our planned trail was to take one loop around the TNF100 10km and traverse Mt. Batulao. The weather was pretty cooperative as we started at around 0800. Cloudy sky, a refreshing breeze, light drizzles -- it was perfect. The trail was quite muddy but nothing compared to the TNF. We were making good progress til after the bridge. We must have missed a turn somewhere because we started heading down again to a second bridge. I didn't remember a metal bridge during a TNF and the path leading down to that bridge was insane!! Anyways, with the words of Baldrunner, quoting The North Face slogan, he said "Just keep exploring!" So we went on. We managed to follow a path leading to the national hi-way and started on the road back to Evercrest. That was around 10kms.

It started drizzling before we got to Evercrest and started pouring when we got there, so we took cover under the front of the Evercrest Club, took pics and chatted. After the rain stopped, we decided to continue to towards Batulao. The trail was also muddy that way. The clouds started coming down onto the mountain and completely covered it. We stopped for a while at the jumpoff for some buko.

While at the buko stop, some mountaineers approached from the peak. Around 30 of them. After the bukostop, we decided to make for the peak. The peak was still covered with clouds, and judging by the weather, it wouldn't be safe to assault the summit. We stopped at two peaks before Camp 8 and were quite satisfied already so we made our way back down.

It started getting hot since it was around lunch time and I just had a peanut butter sandwich before leaving home. We headed back to AIIAS and had a session of carbo-reloading with baked potatoes together with BR & his company.

We missed Ibanrunner in this run. He had to finish some class requirements. Hopefully he'll get to join us the next time around.

Extended Birthday

Thanks to Oyette (who missed out on Yellow Cab last week), my birthday has been extended to a week!! ^^ Last night she gave me (well, me & my sis) her "peace offering" a choco-mousse cake. Really nice cake! Just pictures for you right now... sorry! :P

 

As much as I would like to preserve it. . . .
Nice, Nice, Nice Cake! ^-^
Thanks Oyette!!!

How About “Bataan Death March Memorial Ultra Run” In The Philippines?

Original Post: How About “Bataan Death March Memorial Ultra Run” In The Philippines?


The reason why I conducted the “first and only Bataan Death March Challenge” in April 2000 held along the exact route where the event occured because I was challenged why in the world would the ROTC of White Sands, New Mexico, USA celebrate such event in their desert where a handful of US World War II survivors from that State would be supported and commemorated. Also, there are three other places/States in the US where they commemorate this famous Bataan Death March.



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Rebounding Fun Run

Photo:  Before the Run
Photo taken by Arne Carpena
Me, Ed, Jimmy, Franz, RJ before the 13km run to Yellow Cab, Tagaytay.


Ok, I may be the worst kind of goal-setter.   I didn't even come close to the 40+ km run I was planning!  I could blame it on the weather.  The weather last week has been bad with a typhoon to the north end of the Philippines.  There was not a day when ground was dry and sky was clear.  And there always was rain and wind.  The night of my planned run, September 10, 2008, Ed got to my house at around 7pm on his bicycle (he came in the rain).  We were to meet RJ Almocera (thefirstgrader.blogspot.com)  in AIIAS at 8pm. The rain was pouring but I was trying to be optimistic about the rain stopping.

20:30 PM it was still raining!! When will it stop!! I've been carbo-loading and hydrating for this run for days!!!


...the rain didn't stop.
I texted RJ that we would try at midnight and I went to bed.  Waking up at 2300, I prepared my stuff despite the downpour.  Ed was already deep in sleep and there wasn't any sign that he would wake up.  I didn't even bother waking him up.  I was waiting for the rain to stop.  At 0000, the time I planned to finish, I was still sitting at home waiting for the rain to stop.  When my patience gauge hit low, I decided to scrap the plan, I texted RJ and left Ed sleeping and went to bed.


The Fun Run
September 11, Ed and I talked over breakfast about just running to Tagaytay via the highway in the evening.  It was not a bad plan, we would invite friends to join.  We got Jimmy Park and Francis to join us.  Our plan was to run to - guess where?  Yellow Cab!  Yes!  This was probably the only motivation that would get this guys going - the thought of pizza at the end of a run.  Well, to me it was just another 10km run to the rotunda and another 3 to Yellow Cab.

The Fun started at 8 PM.  With Francis on the bicycle, we started running.  I was on the lead with the headlamp and Franz stayed on the rear with the reflective vest.  Arne, KC and Lorjean also came along but in a vehicle.  My Dad, brother and sister also came in a van.  Quite a support group huh?  Haha.. it's still really fun to think of it.  Jimmy and Franz have never run such distance before so they were taking turns on the bike.

Photos:  During the Run
Some photos on the Aguinaldo Hi-way.  It's really dark please forgive the weather.



After around an hour and twenty minutes, we reached Yellow Cab at around 9:30 PM.  A party was in order.  Yellow Cab was supposed to close at 10 PM but they waited for us - their last customers.

Photos: After the Run.
Tired and exhausting BUT IN YELLOW CAB!! ^_^

Although I fell short, far short of my goal, I'm really glad to have friends.  As Ed said, it was my birthday, Arne came out, and Franz exercised.  What a fun night!!  There will still be another time for me to break the 42km barrier and I'm all for it.

After the eating, I mounted on my bike and rode home (I didn't have enough).  Total distance travelled was 28km.  A duathlon! Haha.

Disappointed but nevermind

In a previous post Building for the Full Marathon Stage 1: Distance I was preparing myself for a full marathon before my birthday.  That is Thursday, September, the 11th.  It's a disappointment that the 42km I was looking at (Subic Marathon) wasn't real.

Doesn't matter! I'm still going to go on my goal.  On Wednesday, me & my friends are going on a little trip.  The plan is to start at around midnight and run my usual route.  AIIAS-Tagaytay rotonda via back road-Maharlika-Tagaytay rotonda-Tartaria-Pooc-Silang.  My friends (Ed & Arj at the moment)are going to be my "support team" at this.  They'll be carrying my stuff.  It's going to be a little long in my calculations.  The farthest distance ran so far was 25km.

I may seem a little irrational at the moment but I've given it much thought.  This is just a goal I want for myself.  When I've published this, there is no turning back.  Next entry will be a report on my craze.