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Running in Siargao Island: Garcia, Alegria and Tangbo

June 20th, 2010 journeyingjames 5 comments

Before you read this you may want to check a more interesting post about my BAREFOOT RUNNIN’ ON A VIRGIN BEACH in the same island.

This is a very late post on my last long run before the TBR Marathon. Well, not a long long run. It should be 10K but I just did an 8.5K run because it was too late already. Anyway, I ran on compact dirt, I would consider that a semi-trail run I think. I started running around 5:30pm and ended around 6:40pm including picture-picture.

I did this in Surigao del Norte in the famous island of Siargao, in the town of Sta.Monica, covering 3 baranggays- Garcia, Alegria and Tangbo. Another attempt to run around the Philippines.

Let the pictures tell how the run went:

The running surface is like this all the way through except for the short detour when I went to the beach front.

I actually started at KM54, running towards KM50 and back to KM52.

How would you describe that face?

Going to the left, you would see the coconuts along the way.

KM52, duhhh! LOL

This is the usual scene, coconuts, coconuts and more coconuts.

Philippines being composed of many many islands is abundant of coconuts. The locals get the coconut meat and place it under the sun to make “copra” which is their main source of income.

Copra price is PhP20-25 a kilo.

Locals would look at me and give a “you-are-nuts look” as they are not used to people running in their place.

Approching Baranggay Tangbo. “Tangbo” or “Tambo” is a kind of grass found in wet places or river side used in making local sweepers or “walis tambo.” Maybe this is why this place is called Tangbo.

I visited Danjug Surfing and Fishing Camp. When it is surfing season waves here would be 20ft tall. This is also a place for big fishing game.

Look at that beach shore. How I wish I could stay here or maybe have a rest house?

Describe serenity: An afternoon on a virgin beach while waiting for the sunset and counting the coconut trees. Feeling the sea-breeze and listening to the waves as they gently kiss the quiet shore. No one but you.

I met a surfer and he brought out his surfboard for a quick photo-op.

Runner + Backpacker + Wannabe Surfer = JourneyingJames

Getting dark, time check: 6:10pm

KM50, its pitch black already as they dont have available street lights. I better be going back.

Time check: 6:16pm

The youth I met there. They are cool, I’m hot and dripping wet of perspiration! Shaka hand sign: `m/

Thanks to my shoes, New Balance MR92

Stats during the Run:
Place: Garcia, Alegria and Tangbo, Sta.Monica, Siargao Island (3 baranggays)
Date: May 16, 2010 (Sunday PM)
Distance covered: 8.5 kilometers
Time: 51:00
Pace: 6:00/kilometer
Running Surface: Compact Dirt Road with sharp stones
Temperature: 29°C
Shoes: New Balance MR29
Apparel: Adidas Techfit sando, Reebok shorts, NB Hydration Belt, Handheld light

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Categories: 10K, Running Places, Siargao Island, Surfing, Trail Run Tags:

Globe Tattoo Tiger Race in Pictures (13K with Team Logan)

June 17th, 2010 journeyingjames 10 comments

GLOBE TATTOO TIGER RACE 2010

Burnham Park, Baguio City

June 13, 2010 at 6:00am

3K / 10K / 21K

Race in Pictures

You can read the Full Story on my previous post.

I arrived 5 minutes before the gun start of the 10K because I thought the race would start at Camp John Hay. Anyway, I’m just in time, luckily, I saw Team Logan in no time at Burnham Park.

This is my first time to race in Baguio City and my come back race after the painful left knee injury 2weeks ago.

Justin (a 9-year old with cerebral palsy) is sitting comfortably on his stroller with his parents, Craig and Michelle Logan. They call themselves TEAM LOGAN.

Some runners gettin’ ready to conquer the hills (START/FINISH line).

After some 500 meters. Craig looking good. I enjoyed the Praise & Worship songs playing from Craig’s iPod, what a nice way to start the day. It brought me closer to God.

An opportunity to push Justin. Thanks Michelle for the quick picture.

Team Logan approaching KM3, looking good. Justin is sleeping.

Runners who overtook us.

The route was out and back: Flat on the first 2K, then 4.5K downhill then 4.5K uphill then 2K flat.

What a nice view, love the climate and the challenging route.

Team Logan loves this moment, KM6, the long downhill.

Others are going back already, this is 1.5K before the turn around.

I was able to take our photos in action. Justin on the ride of his life!

Team PNP with their shouts and “HUHHH! HUHHHH!” Can you recognize female runners among them?

This is were everyone wears out. One of the uphills. I think there are around 4 uphills we went through. PUSH! PUSH! PUSH HARDER!

Michelle managing the traffic on the front, Craig drives Justin while I watch their back.

TEAMWORK = DREAMWORK

In front of Camp John Hay, still looking good. The sun has risen, the cold air makes it difficult to breath and the smell of pine tree made the run refreshing and invigorating.

The PNP ladies wait for their comrades, about 2.5K near the finish line.

Almost there! Almost there!

Passersby, Commuters and spectators always give cheer and encouraging words when we pass by them.

So we had a strong sprint finish with all the cameras ‘clicking’ ‘clicking’

I hope that would be published some where else, online or on local newspapers.

At the finish line.

Unofficial time: 1:25 for 13K (6:32/Km). That was fast run with a stroller.

Justin is relaxed and SMILING! He enjoys the outdoors very much. Miss you buddy, lets run again sometime (~hugs~).

What a team, DEDICATION, PATIENCE, PERSEVERANCE, FUN, UNITY, PASSION, LOVE and FAITH.

After the awarding of running event, there is a 30K bike race (roadies and MTB).

Justin is an instant inspiration to everyone.

The organizer, “Ma’am Che”

Some runners posing on the backdrop. Independence Day Tiger Race

Michelle with a Boston marathoner, age 68 after her 21K run.

That’s me (journeyingjames), race bib # 2196

Top 5 Winners of the Kiddie 3K run (First place did it 12:00). He trains with his father regularly at the Teachers’ Camp Track Oval.

10K female division winners, top 5

10K male division winners, top 5

Special Awards

Team Logan

Oldest female runner

Oldest male runner

The honorable lady counselor with some announcements and awarding the 21K podium finishers.

21K female division winners, top 5

21K male division winners, top 5

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Categories: 10K, Baguio City, Photos, Picture, Team Logan Tags:

Running in Baguio City with Team Logan

June 14th, 2010 journeyingjames 8 comments

Event: Globe Tattoo Tiger Race 2010

Venue: Burnham Park, Baguio City

Race Categories: 3K / 10K / 21K

Date: June 13, 2010 Sunday (6:00am)

Note: Pictures will be published on the next post. Maybe the race story in pictures.

This particular road race is somewhat different and unforgettable for a lot of reasons. This is also my come back race after 2 weeks of zero running due to my left knee injury. Anyway, I want to share with you why it was an unforgettable one for 3 first-time reasons.

1. It was my first time to run in Baguio City. Talk about high altitude running without enough time to adjust on the weather. That’s crazy for someone coming out from a bad left knee injury. I arrived at Baguio Saturday noon (I came for a planning retreat and running a race was just a bonus, perfect timing!) and I don’t have a decent sleep. Knowing that the route would be a series of uphills and downhills, I was very cautious to run especially the downhills as not to put much impact on the knees. Good thing that my knees didn’t react that much after the race. It was supposed to be 10K but when Craig measured it with the motorbike, it was 13K. Can you just imagine those first timer running 10K? It was 13K, an additional 3K uphills. Still, I’m thankful I finished the 13K run happy. The banner on the side of Justin’s stroller was a reminder for me to not give up especially on the hills. It says, “KAYA MO YAN…with CHRIST!” (to know more on Justin, please continue reading).

2. It was my first time to run with a “team.” I run with Team Logan. To some who do not know who Team Logan is, they are composed of American couples Craig & Michelle with their 9-year old son, Justin. Craig and Michelle take turns to push Justin on his stroller because Justin has a cerebral palsy. You can check out FrontRunner June 2010 edition for more of their story (only available in the Phils, pp.22-25). It was like Team Hoyt. I first met them during the The Bull Runner Dream Marathon and when they learned that I’m coming up to Baguio for a retreat they told me that there is a race during the weekend. Craig was generous enough to register for me. Initially, I just wanted to run 5K (because I’m afraid my knee would react as I’m not that fully recovered) but he encouraged me to run 10K with them. I took the challenge and just hope that I would finish the race injury-free.
It was unforgettable because during the run, praise and worship songs are playing in Justin’s stroller, it was a spiritual thing for me, just in time for my weekend retreat at Baguio. Also, I was able to reflect on Craig and Michelle’s love for Justin. It reminded me of how I was loved by God too! I was comparing this couples’ love for Justin with God’s love for me. Awe-inspiring!
I enjoyed and was pumped up on having the opportunity to push Justin’s stroller a lot of times during the race most especially on uphills as Craig just did 10K training run earlier the day as he is training for PAU Pagudpod 65K.
I was inspired by the smile that Justin gives whenever we get faster. Seeing lots of people cheering us along the way. Finally, it was great to run with this Team because you appreciate running more- the camaraderie, the joy, the push, the ‘high,’ the sweet serenity it gives you, the joy of crossing the finish line with lots of people cheering and clapping because you just did something impossible for others to do. It was a great encouragement for me and I believe to a lot of runners and watchers in the event too. A reminder that my limitations are set only by myself.
Oh by the way, if you are curious on our finish time, we did that 13K at 1:25 (6:32/km. pace).

3. It was my first time to join a race with a P50 registration fee. Its way too cheap with a race t-shirt and a Globe simcard. Thanks Craig for sponsoring the registration fee. Of course, cheap registration fee means only a handful of marshals, dangerous route ‘coz the roads are not close to traffic, 2 water stations which eventually run out of water after the turn around point, no race results, no freebies or loot bags. But as always, the thing that really keeps you coming back on the races are not the freebies but the friends and runners you met along the way. The experience only runners understand and cherish.

I got a lot of pictures during the race and awarding ceremony. I will post those this week, a race review through pictures. So be sure to visit back.

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Categories: 10K, Baguio City, Running Places, Team Logan Tags:

Nature Valley Run 2010: Injured yet Inspired

May 31st, 2010 journeyingjames 10 comments

Event: Nature Valley Run 2010 (Leg 2 of RunRio Trilogy)

Race Distances: 3K / 5K / 10K / 21K

Race Date & Venue: May 30, 2010 (Sunday) at Bonifacio Global City

Race Organizer: RunRio

Beneficiary: Bayanihang Bayan Legacy Project. 1 Runner = 1 Tree. Trees will be planted at the Ipo Watershed in Norzagaray, Bulacan

More than 9,000 runners showed up last Sunday morning at the Bonifacio Global City to be part of Nature Valley’s advocacy run. It promises to plant 1 tree for each runner.

I don’t have any plan of joining this race for several reasons: (1) I wanted to take a break from running until my left knee has fully recovered; (2) its expensive (P750 for 21K); and (3) I am bored of races held in The Fort.

A 10K RACE KIT AND A BAD LEFT KNEE

Still I found myself wishing to take part because I am one of those people who does everything to save the planet (running to have a tree planted seems great), I would say I like and promote green living. I even tried blogging about having free 21K race kit. Anyway, a day before the event a friend was offering a 10K race kit for free. Wish granted? Yes. Thanks Runnerisms, someone gave her a 21K race kit so she gave her 10K kit. Its like déjàvu of my forced half marathon race last month. Anyway, for the love of running I decided to run.

Knowing that my left knee is still aching after some short runs last week, I still pushed myself to run on my race pace. I can be easily see as I would run on the grass whenever there are grass to run on. It minimizes the impact of the ground on my knees and I love the feeling of running on grass. I was having a great run until I reached KM4, knee is acting up already and I don’t have any option but to slow down. In my mind, I know that I can have a new PR when I reached KM5 but after 7 kilometers my left knee continued to ache, it was painful. I have to slow down and finally walk the last 2 kilometers, pretending to run when approaching Photovendo. I told myself, at least I have good pics. So I finished the run 1:01:18, with an injured left knee.

RACE REPORT

Water Stations are enough, over-flowing 100 Plus drinks and cold water on long tables.

Race Route: It seems that Coach Rio and team are really doing great on plotting new routes. Good job!

Loot Bag and Freebies: Hagen Daz ice cream for 21K finishers, Photovendo and iFlick photos, post-race massage, Games, Onesport mag, Tuna Pandesal, 100 Plus bootle, and many more.

Race Results from Finishline can be seen here.

Race Pictures from Photovendo here, just look for Nature Valley Run 2010 at the bottom. Next time, you should smile at the camera. =) You can also check out the post race photos from iFlick.ph, just be patient to look for your face.

Race Analysis from Runpix here.

GETTING SOME INSPIRATION

It is my first time to really spend time watching 21K runners crossing the finish line. I saw runners from all walks of life trying to live the moment as they approach the last meters of their run. Someone raises his hands in triumphed, 3 would hold each others hand in unity, friends posed a jumpshot, others crying, others all smiles, cramps mean nothing just as he approach the finish line and kiss his hard earned medal, someone even proposed of marriage, most all wet because of the heat, perspiration and constant cold water dabbles on the head and face, Never Run Alone got lots of applause for the nice and fast finish, others having nirvana as they look at the clock knowing they beat their PR, a lot of TBR classmates joined for a recovery, every finish a different story, all half marathoners an inspiration.

Here are some of the photos I got:

Nature Valley Executive Tri Team

Never Run Alone gets lotsa applause

Argonaut and co.

TFC Runner

Mond still strong

some running friends

Running friends from ANR Alabang

Medals for podium finishers

trees that will be planted for our kids future

One Runner = One Tree

If you feel depressed or you know of someone who needs to be inspired bring him/her to a race (especially 21K / 42K) and let him/her watch runners as they approach the finish line. Inspiration guaranteed.

LEFT KNEE INJURY

When I got home I noticed that I cannot climb the stairs. My left knee is really injured. I have to pull

myself up to reached the 2nd floor and I have to go down the stairs backward. Knee is very painful I cannot walk properly.

Is this good-bye to running? I hope not! Maybe I should have a break. How long? I do not know. I need to visit a good doctor and hope that he/she gives me hope that I can still run. After all, I cannot think of any sports that can replace running. How it changed my life and how running help me discipline myself. Lord, I hope this is nothing serious. I hope this is just rest not good-bye from running.

I don’t want this to happened: