Camsur Marathon 2010 - My Personal Experience

Camsur Marathon 2010 is now history. September 26^th 2010 was a big day in Camarines Sur. The local government and organizer made sure that no stones were left unturned that the day shall be a great success.  The result…..it was what was expected… a great success!

I have in the past written that any project, event, program that is envisioned locally cannot be a success without the support of the local government. Camsur Marathon 2010 had not only the support of provincial and city government, but, it has the full support of ordinary and well meaning people of Naga City. To you guys, there will only be but one direction and that is for the prosperity of Naga City. Congratulations!

The event generated 17400 registered runners. Majority of the number of participants are from Naga City. I asked the local people and they said that most were “requested and/or required” to participate either from local government offices, schools, private companies. It is not “hakot” as what we normally associate with, as these participants are “registered paying participants” and not “paid participants” (big difference in meaning). I was surprise that some people I have talked even said that those that were short of registration fee were provided by cash advances on salary deduction just to participate. However, these same people were unified and one in saying that they need to contribute their own share of sacrifice and input for the benefit of the province and local government itself. This is what I call a noble gesture of the local people of Naga as all efforts need to come from all direction. One local taxi driver justified the action based on their local experience that the people of Naga will eventually be the recipient of blessings. He made example of the tourism/job that has been generated by the “Ironman”, CWC , and now the “Camsur Marathon” should the latter be a success as the former. They already have a working model to pattern their efforts.

On my personal experience in my participation in the 21K run, The Camsur Marathon 2010 will be something to remember personally for so many reasons namely-

• -       registered and got my race family race bibs/dtag as early June only to misplace all items. Thanks to Coach Rio and Jon Teves was lucky to obtain replacement bibs/dtags although costing me a sum. I now can confirm my memory weakness.

• -       First time to travel by Bus, eight hours travel time. Found out that we have quality and comfortable buses that service the road. Got over my scare to commute by provincial buses in view of recent news accidents. The aircon was so cold and the lazyboy chairs were relaxing. There was even a CR onboard. The cost was reasonable P980/person.

• -       It was a family fun event. A short vacation with my wife HERMIE, son DAX, daughter in law PAMELA and youngest son DENNIS. (Sorry for Dawn/Alex who are in Moreno Valley Ca.)

• -       After so many cancelled/no show my wife HERMIE did her first 5km run. A milestone in the family if you know the efforts that has been made in the past to no success.

• -       My daughter in-law PAMELA registered her 21k PR of 02h31m (unofficial) Hopefully my son gets to improve he is still on the 5k level.

• -       My most unforgettable experience was my participation in the 21k. My time was one of my worst 3h00m19s (unofficial) but it was the cheers and the applause that I have received during the event that will keep me smiling on my own. The first 4k I was on my running mode but after that I shifted to my race walking mode. Race walking is already pretty strange to most, but, the barrios that we passed by on the 21k route in Naga were so amazed on the movements of race walking that I was like a celebrity being given applause and high fives that I could not barely respond. I had even other runners with me enjoying the cheers and applause.  Dave McGovern an authority in racewalking once wrote to me “ Dear Amado – if racewalking is not popular in the Philippines it’s your job to make it so! By walking in the local races you are a visible ambassador of racewalking. Don’t be afraid to be vocal. Let people know about the health benefits of racewalking….”  In Camsur, I think I just did that and had five feedbacks from individuals wanting to learn and adapt the same.

• -       The food and hotel MANSION SUITES at CWC was great the Presidential Suite was very cheap for P3000.00 after an upgrade. 

• -       The tri-cycle drivers, taxi drivers, waiters, cooks, shuttle service drivers, receptionist and the people of Naga were friendly and always with a smile.

• -       As in everything there is a DOWNSIDE… it was waking up so early during the race day at 2am for a shuttle pick-up at 3am with a gun time of 5am. I never had it so early like this, but, life in this world is not perfect.

Again, Congratulations to Coach Rio and his team, Governor Villafuerte, the local government of Naga City, the Police/Military, and most especially to the people of Naga.

Dementia - Lost Five Race Bibs And D-Tags Camsur

Dementia (taken from Latin, originally meaning "madness", from de- "without" + ment, the root of mens "mind") is a serious loss of cognitive ability in a previously unimpaired person, beyond what might be expected from normal aging.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), also called Alzheimer disease, Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer Type, (SDAT) Primary Degenerative Dementia of the Alzheimer's type (PDDAT), or simply Alzheimer's, is the most common form of dementia.

I got the above definitions in the web and I am afraid that I might be losing my memory!

Camsur Marathon is just a few days away and it is no secret that I have been excited to participate in the said event that I have registered myself and my family, five of us, as early as June. I have already posted twice about the marathon and the preparation for travel and accommodations. I was in possession of our race bibs and d-tags in June and in as much that it was still months before the event I just place the packets in my cabinet.

Last Sunday 19Sep10, I retrieve the packets and distributed the singlets to the different member of the family, however, I held on to the race bibs and the d-tags fearing that they might lose/misplace/forget to bring them when we do leave for Camsur. I even wrote on the back of the bibs our names so that the numbers will not be interchanged. On Tuesday 21Sep10, I was looking for the envelope where I placed all the bibs and d-tags. I started looking from 5am to 8am then continued from 4pm to 8pm. God I cannot remember where I placed them! I was already getting mad of why I cannot remember. I have emptied cabinets and drawers and the family also assisted me in looking for the items to no avail.

By 8:30pm I have already surrendered and told the family that in as much that we have already paid for the transportation and accommodation we better go ahead and even though we do not run there are a lot of things to do in Camsur. Before sleeping, my last action was writing an email to Coach Rio if he could assist me in getting a replacement number/dtags as late as it was and that I was willing to pay for the replacement cost. When I woke up at 4am the following day I saw an email from Coach Rio endorsing my request to Jon Teves to facilitate my request for replacement bibs/dtags. There was also another email followed by a text message from Jon Teves that I may collect the replacement bibs/dtags at CWC before noon of Saturday.

Coach Rio and Jon Teves, thank you very much for your assistance and accommodating to my request although it is going to cost me, I have only but myself to blame.

If you think my early symptom of dementia is only of the above incident, well its not and the worst is when also last July when I cleaned my cabinet I got a garbage bag and threw items that I was not in need of. At that time, I removed my Garmin 310xt from my wrist and placed it somewhere. After a day I was looking for my Garmin 310xt but could not find it. I tried my best to trace what I did the day before. I almost went crazy looking for the item but also in the only to surrender to have lost the item. On the hind side, I could only assume that I could have also placed the Garmin 310xt on the garbage bag. I have now a new Garmin 310xt but then it cost me the replacement.

God I hope that these are not early signs of an Alzheimer's disease.  

We will be leaving tonight for Camsur and the only thing I wish to forget and have a dementia are problems at work and wish only that the family have a great vacation and run on Sunday.

RUNNING SAFE

Running/racewalking early in the morning has been my habit since 2007 and it has been part of my daily life. I have chosen the specific time between 4:30-6:30am as it provides a kickoff for my daily chores putting my mind and body ready for the day. Further, doing your run at this time of the day has a lot of advantages as the weather is cooler and the streets are still not as carbon polluted as when there are already many vehicles on the road.

However, the biggest risk is SAFETY. When I say “safety” I am not referring to safety in running that you have control of such as, running opposite the traffic, wearing luminous gears, running with hydration, or others of the likes. Instead, what I am concern is safety of the road from “trill seekers”, “drunks”, “thieves”, “muggers”, “high on drugs”, or simply “those that have no better things to do in life”.

I was shocked and angered to read from JONEL MENDOZA aka Bugobugo’s blog titled CHEAP SHOT  (read as well the comments of readers which is very interesting) that he had a very untoward incident last 11Sep10 wherein some stupid bugger threw a raw egg on him while he was running hitting him directly, a “cheap shot” indeed. What on earth was the purpose or satisfaction did the guy have? What is his mentality or state of mind that drove him to do such thing? Your guess is as good as mine. Such an incident like this is what I am more concern on safety in running.

I had my own share of untoward experience in the past. Sometime last December 2009 I wanted to try different areas in Metro Manila for my daily run and it was then that I decided to try Quezon City Memorial Circle. I arrived the area at about 4:15am and parked my car at the Quezon City Hall proceeding to run along the inner perimeter of QCMC, which is sparingly lighted, but in as much that it is a very busy street even on early mornings, I thought I was safe from hooligans, I was wrong. I have not even completed one lap while within the vicinity between North Avenue and Quezon Avenue Extension that I was surprised by a “flying paper bag” of “what have you” inside which almost hit me and landing just inches from my side. Shocked, I looked around and saw a speeding FX with noisy men inside. I was about to shout back when the FX stopped about 100 meters from me. I thought these guys really want to have “fun”. My anger immediately turned to fright. I stopped and positioned myself in the middle of the road so that all the vehicles passing by have a clear view of me. It was then that the FX knew that I did a safe and preventive move, rather than being exposed, the FX moved on. I must admit, it still took me a good 10 minutes to recover from my shocked. I had my doubts to continue my run, but told myself that doing so will just make those guys successful in their intention. I continued my run, until I finished 5 loops for a 10km distance. However, it was a lesson learned by me from then on.

For the above reasons, I stopped my street running in the early mornings and returned to ULTRA for my daily morning run. However, with the closure of ULTRA since early August for early morning users to give way to ASIAN GAMES athletes, I have no other recourse but go back to the street. The safest area is Fort Bonifacio.

To Run Safe, I now keep on the well-lighted area of the Fort from 4:30 to 5:15 am before venturing the outskirts of the Fort from 5:15am onwards. It is also quite reassuring to see ample security along the intersections. I must admit that the drivers within the Fort are more disciplined (maybe because of the securities posted). However, if I am not time pressed, I now start my run at 5am.

Nothing much we can do from these kind of people, but just exercise due diligence and AVOID them as possible. If confronted, move on and do not even bother to react. Turning your back is not an act of cowardice. We runners have better things in life to deal with and a fruitful life to spend.

Be safe in your runs.

Camsur Marathon 2010 - Travel Arrangement

It was as early as June 25, 2020 when I first blogged “The Camsur Marathon 2010 – Registered and Race Packet Issued”  to show my excitement and anticipation for this coming event. And now with only over a fortnight to go travel arrangement for the family needs to be finalized.

In the past month or so, accidents involving BUS TRANSPORTATION has been hugging the local headlines causing numerous death to passengers. Needless to say, there is still that much talked about BUS HOSTAGE CRISIS last 23Aug10. I do not know for whatever reason but INCIDENT/ACCIDENT involving public bus transportation doesn’t favor the present local travel scene. With this at the back of my mind, I tried to consider other alternatives as air travel or driving owns transport to Camsur. However, economics, practicality and convenience still tip in favor of bus transportation by a great margin.

The Camsur website provided me with a list of different Bus Companies (Penafrancia, Isarog Bus Lines, and Philtranco) that run a regular service from Manila to Naga. After much consideration, I decided on using PENAFRANCIA TOURS  for their Lazy Boy Coach which on the Camsur website showed to cost P750/passenger. However, the messenger whom I asked to buy me the ticket at their terminal in Cubao QC called me that the cost for one way travel is P980/passenger. According to the bus company, the P750 was only a promotional price when Camsur was still beginning their operation, but, now that they have a lot of tourist and the place is well established they have gone back/increased to P980. Another issue I was confronted was that they would not sell return ticket in Cubao as return tickets need to be purchased only from their point of destination (Naga) to avoid double/over booking of bus seats. Anyways, solution need to be done so I tried to find a friend who knows a friend who lives in Naga and buy our return ticket in Naga so I can be assured that my family has a definite return date. This I am still in the process of finalizing. Those who may want to consider the same travel arrangement may want to visit the website of PENAFRANCIA TOURS complete with video and details of where to get their tickets.

With race packets issued, accommodations arranged (Mansion Suites)  and onward travel tickets issued (PENAFRANCIA TOURS) I am on my way to CAMSUR MARATHON  schedule for September 26, 2010.

1st Malacca International 12 Hour Walk - Dec. 11-12, 2010

Today 30Aug10, I received an email from Mr. KHOO CHONG BENG, Deputy President of RACE WALKERS ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIA extending their invitation to foreign participants for the 1^ST MALACCA INTERNATIONAL 12 HOUR WALK 2010 which is scheduled to be held at St. Paul’s Hill A-Famosa Malacca Malaysia from 8pm of 11Dec10 until 8am of 12Dec10.

It was in September of 2008 that I was introduced by email to Mr. Khoo Chong Beng by Capt. Ferdinand Espejo who coaxed me to participate in a 12 Hour Race Walking which eventually I did participated the 1^st Putrajaya International 12 Hour Walk 2008 on 13-14 December 2008. I officially completed the Men’s Category 12 hour event at 45^th place completing 62 km out of 263 competing men from Malaysia, Belgium, Ghana, Singapore, Hongkong, Japan and Philippines (solely represented by me). There were as well 175 registered female participants so its open to both gender.

I would like to encourage walkers, runners and those who are looking for a great adventure to try this 12 Hour Walk. The Rules and Regulations for the event is quite simple. The race circuit is a 1km loop. All participants starts on a Saturday at 8pm and last until 8am the following day. You CANNOT RUN/JOG but can only WALK ( there will be judges along the loop either to penalize or DQ a participant for violation) during the 12 hour period it is up to you when to take your rest, eat, drink, relieve yourself or just take a sleep rest. Each participant has a timing chip and every 2 hours a distance summary for each individual participant is posted in the track.  The event is of endurance and stamina and how to keep yourself awake during the night. To add trill you continue walking even if it rains (which normally it does). 

With cheap airfare between Manila and Kuala Lumpur either by Cebu Pacific or between Clark and KL via Tiger Airways the event is great incentive to participate. Those interested can download Entry Form which provides even early bird discounts.

What are you waiting for?

Have You Been To A RUNNING DATE?

With the increasing popularity of RUNNING to people of all ages, goals and motivation for each individual person is as varied as any under the sun. Others have embraced the sport for the physical challenge, others for medical reasons, others just for fun or the pure love and pleasure of the joy in running and the social friendship that it brings.

However, a very unique and impressive purpose or motivation that I have observed during the races that I have participated at is RUNNING DATE. We are pretty much aware of “Blind Date”, “Lunch Date”,  “Dinner Date, or whatever kind of usual DATE there are between two people in love or two people in the process of getting to know each other with the ultimate driven purpose of LOVE.

Yes, people of all ages have been having RUNNING DATES wherein a guy and gal instead of going to the usual date venues they have now embraced RUNNING DATE. For me this is great and wonderful, its not only healthy but you have the full attention of your partner for at least one and a half hour to a full two hours for a 10K event.

Today during the MILES FOR SMILES, I had a very close encounter of such date. I was entered in the 16k event and upon reaching the 15^K mark I came close to two very loving young couple who were entered on the 10K event and were by then on their 9K mark. It was a sight to behold that I could not help but take a picture of the couple. As I was on my race walking mode then, they went passed by me only for me to meet up with them 300 meters to the finishing line. It was then that I decided to approach both couple and show them the picture I have taken and commented that they are a sweet couple. They had the same sweet smiles to acknowledge my comment. I then informed them that I shall blog on them of their “sweetness” which has gotten a much bigger smile from both. As it was still a race event for me, I then overtook them and left the couple in their sweet time to cross the finish line. I did not have the time to ask their names, but, when IN LOVE you need no identity as we were either once in the same road, now on the same road, or had been always in the same road.

The Miles For Smiles Event today was a successful event, it was well organized and handled. My congratulations to the event organizers and sponsors. I shall not go in detail of how the event was handled, instead just provide a mark of 8.5 out of 10. My only minor comment is that the 16k distance just recorded a 15.5K in my Garmin 405. It was a great morning having completed the distance in 01h55m44s.

With what I have observed the event was really MILES For SMILES. It is great to be IN LOVE!

8th Avenue At The Fort And My 37th Wedding Anniversary

When the Ultra Oval Track was closed for public usage for the early morning hours daily (4am-9am) last 09Aug10, I had no alternative but revert to my good old reliable Fort Bonifacio streets considering the closure of Ultra will be until December 2010.

For training and exercise purposes, the streets of Fort Bonifacio it is of no doubt a favorite venue to most metro runners considering that the place is safe to any early morning runner and that the quality of air in the streets is quite fresh, carbon dioxide free as the vehicular traffic in the area is not saturated. Further and of primary importance is SAFETY. Runners are assured of road safety and undesirable elements of the society as practically every corner has a stationary or roving traffic/security personnel.

Of lately, a new route that is becoming popular to early morning runners/joggers/walkers at Fort Bonifacio is at the 8^TH AVENUE starting from the 32^nd Street at the LEXUS SHOWROOM all the way to just before the KALAYAAN Gate of Fort Bonifacio. The street was just completed and is a 6 lane wide road, newly asphalted and is still closed to traffic, as such, is becoming very popular to runners being free from traffic and the air quality being fresh. One single loop is 1.50km as measured from my Garmin 405. You can either limit yourself within 8^th Avenue and do as much loop as you deem required to meet your mileage or when you get tired of the scenery you may want to exit and proceed to the usual routes in Fort Bonifacio and return to 8^th Avenue to have a diversified route that will suite your personal needs.

One minor disadvantage of the area is that from 4:00am to 5:30am (while still dark) the streetlights are not working so you will have to make do of whatever natural lighting there is, although it is quite acceptable. The plus factor of the area are SAFETY, soft asphalt road, fresh air and a good number of other runners to motivate you during your run.

Meantime, I herewith share with you photos taken of the place;

On another subject, today is a very special day for me as it is my 37^th wedding anniversary. God I am old! 37 years gave us three children and 3 grandchildren. It seems only like yesterday and I still love my wife HERMIE. I pray that we reach our 50^th anniversary still alive and healthy. 

Happy 37th Wedding Anniversary to my wife Hermie........

Ultra Oval - Closed 4:00am to 9:00am Until December 2010

To all early morning users of ULTRA Oval Track, the management has declared the oval track CLOSED from 04:00am to 09:00am EVERYDAY from 09Aug10 to December 2010.

The oval track will be for the exclusive use of PATAFA athletes that will be training for the Asia Games.

This is a sad news for all early morning users (afternoon users is mostly RAINED OUT).

However, an alternative venue is as shown above. The route is making use of the access roads within the compounds of the DECS and PSC. Start at the ticket booth proceed east PSC Dorm area (ex-Brent) turn left at the Colombo Plan Bldgs. and proceed to the way to entry gate of DECS passing the motor pool area, make a u-turn back to PSC gate, turn right along the outer perimeter of the oval track, turn right at entry gate of oval track and proceed until the back entry of the Ultra Stadium, make a u-turn back to the ticket booth area. 

PROS

a)   Hilly route good for stamina and endurance training.

b)     Well lighted and safe route on early morning compared to running on public  roads.

c)      It is FREE. The oval usage fee is P35.00 so you have a good saving with no parking fee.

CONS

a)    The road surface is UNEVEN you need to be very careful.

b)    Try to avoid the motor pool area of DECS as there are two dogs that will try to intimidate you. However, when daylight sets in the dogs no longer will try to run after you.

A single loop is 1.45km

Cross Training With Golf

With no road race scheduled last weekend in Metro Manila, I decided instead to play the game that was once the center of my sports life GOLF.

It has been three years now that golf has taken a backstage in my sports life after having picked up running/race walking. Not that I have totally abstained myself from the game, it is just that while I use to play six times a week, now it is about once a month only. Running/race walking has taken my time five times a week, at least.

Last Saturday 07Aug10, I was back at the greens at Tagaytay Highlands with my regular golf buddies. Having not much of a practice, I had to make a hard negotiation for handicap index with my playing buddies. As the game moved on, I found myself to have better stamina and concentration. However, there is no denying that I have lost my crucial short game and touch due to lack of constant practice. After 18 holes, I submitted a 16 over par game not my usual good game, but, good enough to win me the bets amongst us. Moreover, it has given me the confidence that I still can manage a decent game. But, what is astonishing is that I can walk the course even how hilly it was, which unlike before I need a golf cart to ensure I will be able to last the 18 holes.

To my golf buddies, Nonoy Carpio and Jimmy Lardizabal, I guess a "Thank You" is in order for your “donations” that I shall now make use as registration fee in my next 10 road races! I guess a golfer/runner combination will be your waterloo. 

I had a great time guys and the bragging rights at that!

Discovery of the Day - Takbo.ph Caption

While I was trying to find a worthwhile thing to do this coming weekend, I visited Takbo.ph “LIST OF RACES” site and I came across two (2) discoveries.

Since the start of the year 2010 there have been races in Metro Manila every weekends either on a Saturday or a Sunday. Surprisingly, this weekend there is NO race scheduled within Metro Manila. This is my first discovery of the day.

For my 2^nd discovery and of great importance, on the site LIST OF RACES when you click on any specific race schedule I took notice of the following footnote on the bottom page -

TAKBO.PH SUPPORTS RUNNING EVENTS IN THE PHILIPPINES
NO TO BANDITS. NO TO CHEATERS

I could not find this entry on any other page of the website (only when you click to get details on a specific race event). I personally like this reminder. I do not know when was this made but in as much that the post reminder is way below the page it is not so visible nor noticeable that visitors might have not taken notice as well. The reminder/caption is worth a thousand words and spells out the advocacy of the community.

This is what Takbo.ph is all about.