Stills from the Recent 34th Milo Marathon Elims

Pictures 1, 2, 3 & 4 Courtesy of Photovendo

My 5th Marathon Race

After 8 weeks of marathon training, finally the green day came.... It was a nice time to run once again the most prestigious marathon event of the country.

Game plan: To finish the race in 4 hours and 50 minutes. How did I arrive in this figure? I studied the race route of my previous marathon (Condura Run for the Dolphins) and compared with the new route of Milo marathon. In my assessment, the race route of Condura is more difficult than that of Milo. I’m quite confident that I will be able to beat my Condura time of 4 hours and 57 minutes.

After my warm up drills, I found myself inside the 42K corral chatting with runner friends. At exactly 4:09 AM I was already crossing the starting line with my running buddy Edward. When we reach Km 5, my Garmin watch keeps on beeping due to my high heart rate. I know that it signals that my body have not been fully rested during the past days prior to the race day. I haven’t experience this during my training days. I can’t increase my pace since I was bothered by the heart rate alarm that keeps on beeping. I keep myself relax by maintaining an average pace of about 6; 40 min/km till kilometer 21.

To make the story short, as I was nearing kilometer 30 the agony started. I begin to slow down and I feel exhausted. It’s good that Edward was still running with me despite the fact that I repeatedly said to him that he may go ahead but he said we will finish the race together. Before we finish the third loop, we were already doing run-walk strategy.

Then came the final stretch of Roxas Blvd. It was again the longest distance of the race because of too much exhaustion. The heat of the sun, the temperature was like rubbing salt to an injury. Walking is more conducive than running during this moment. Time is of the essence, I need to go to beat my previous marathon time. Finally at kilometer 38, I gave up my goal time. All I wanted is just to finish the race. I had no cramps in my legs but I was too tired to speed up.

Finally, after 5 hours and 7 minutes I found myself in the finish line. Thanks God I made it again! My time may not be impressive but I’m lucky enough I have no injuries after the race.

"Five marathons have been conquered, a lot of lessons have been learned....and most of all a lot of running friends have been found along the way."

"Marathons are addictive; you will do it again and again no matter what it brings..."

My 8 Weeks Marathon Training

Almost a year ago when I finished my first marathon during the 33rd Milo Eliminations(July 5, 2009) in Manila wherein I registered a time of sub- six hours (5:44 to be exact). It was a grueling experience but worth remembering! As they say, first love never dies! When I did my second marathon in October during the 1st Quezon City International Marathon I finished the race with a time of 5 hours and 29 minutes. It was a better experience than my first! Last December 20, 2009, our running group TARAYEM had our marathon which we started at Merge Pt., Bantay, Ilocos Sur to San Juan, I. Sur back and forth and I ended the run in 4 hours and 52 minutes with a distance of 42.305 kilometers. I did my fourth marathon last February 7, Condura Run for the Dolphins and I finished the race with a time of 4 hours 57 minutes with a registered distance of 42.400 kilometers. Yes i did! I finished four 42 when I was 42 years old! And the rest is history...

Come July 4, 2010 will be the 34th Milo Eliminations in Manila. I will be joining again and I hope this time I will be included in the list of finishers (sub 5 hours) and will get 42k medal. Seven weeks to go before the 4th of July, seven weeks of marathon training. Seven weeks of patience, discipline, focus and dedication....

WEEK 1

May 10, 2010, 4:59 AM : 11.47 km, Time 1:15:59:07, Average Pace 6:38 min/km, Calories 741 May 11, 2010, 5:23 AM : 5.41 km, Time 31:14:99, Average Pace 5:47 min/km, Calories 357 May 12, 2010, 5:12 AM : 5.11 km, Time 34:59:21, Average Pace 6:51 min/km, Calories 312 May 13, 2010, 5:22 AM : 10.65 km, Time 1:03:36:89, Average Pace 5:58 min/km, Calories 700 May 15, 2010, 5:08 AM : 18.30 km, Time 1:54:15:44, Average Pace 6:51 min/km, Calories 1189 Total: 50.94 kilometers

WEEK 2

May 17, 2010, 5:01 AM : 10.02 km, Time 58:55:28, Average Pace 5:53 min/km, Calories 653 May 18, 2010, 5:07 AM : 8.78 km, Time 56:04:14, Average Pace 6:23 min/km, Calories 572 May 19, 2010, 5:26 AM : 5.06 km, Time 39:56:17, Average Pace 7:53 min/km, Calories 296 May 20, 2010, 5:17 AM : 10.01 km, Time 1:04:30.19 Average Pace 6:26 min/km Calories 657 May 23, 2010, 5:58 AM : 10.44 km, Time 1:16:29.32 Average Pace 7:19 min/km Calories 661

Total: 44.31 kilometers

Week 3

May 24, 2010, 6:07 AM : 5.12 km, Time 29:36.57, Average Pace 5:47 min/km Calories 338 May 26, 2010, 5:57 AM : 10.38 km, Time 1:10:23.43 Average Pace 6:48 min/km Calories 681 May 29, 2010, 5:00 AM : 23.02 km, Time 2:28:36.05 Average Pace 6:27 min/km Calories 1516 May 30, 2010: Gym- core strength work outs

Total: 38.52 kilometers

Week 4

May 31, 2010, 5:16 AM: 10.10 km, Time 1:02:35.01, Average Pace 6:12 min/km, Calories 662 June 01, 2010, 5:25 AM: 6.06 km, Time 34:47.43, Average Pace 5:44 min/km, Calories 391 June 02, 2010, 6:17 AM: 8.16 km, Time 56:52.55, Average Pace 6:58 min/km, Calories 516 June 02, 2010, 5:10 PM to 6PM Gym June 04, 2010, 5:16 AM: 15.08 km, Time 1:35:45.66, Average Pace 6:21 min/km, Calories 981

Total: 39.40 kilometers

Week 5

June 7, 2010, 6:27 AM: 7.12 km, Time 46:15.30, Average Pace 6:30 min/km, Calories 460 June 8, 2010, 5:26 AM: 10.04 km, Time 1:06:06.45, Average Pace 6:35 min/km, Calories 651 June 9, 2010, 5:20 AM: 6.32 km, Time 39:25.09, Average Pace 6:14 min/km, Calories 405 June 10, 2010, 6:07 AM: 5.11 km, Time 37:21.78, Average Pace 7:18 min/km, Calories 313 June 12, 2010, 5:09 AM: 21.16 km, Time 2:19:41.32, Average Pace 6:36 min/km, Calories 1400

Total: 49.75 kilometers, Time 5:28:49 hours

Week 6

June 15, 2010, 5:07 AM: 11.27 km, Time 1:09:07.95, Average Pace 6:08 min/km, Calories 730 June 16, 2010, 5:14 AM: 7.10 km, Time 46:06.95, Average Pace 6:35 min/km, Calories 433 June 17, 2010, 6:40 AM: 5.08 km, Time 33:45.07, Average Pace 6:39 min/km, Calories 315 June 19, 2010, 4:39 AM: 26.31 km, Time 3:01:45.53, Average Pace 6:54 min/km, Calories 1704

Total: 49.76 kilometers, Time: 5:30:45 hours

Week 7

June 21, 2010, 5:09 AM, 5.19 km, Time 33:46.55, Average Pace 6:30 min/km, Calories 339 June 22, 2010, 5:22 AM, 5.82 km, Time 39:01.32, Average Pace 6:42 min/km, Calories 360 June 23, 2010, 6:45 AM, 5.37 km, Time 37:30.76, Average Pace 6:59 min/km, Calories 339 June 24, 2010, 6:49 AM, 5.09 km, Time 35:50.78, Average Pace 6:28 min/km, Calories 325 June 25, 2010, 5:17 AM, 10.20 km, Time 1:07:15.46, Average Pace 6:36 min/km, Calories 649

Total: 31.67 kilometers, Time: 3:30:25 hours

Week 8

June 28, 2010, 6:56 AM, 5.16 km, Time 32:44.12, Average Pace 6:20 min/km, Calories 327 June 29, 2010, 5:30 PM, 5 km, Time 29:23.94, Average Pace 5:53 min/km, Calories 329 June 30, 2010, 5:21 AM, 6.02 km, Time 41:58.74, Average Pace 6:59 min/km, Calories 376

1st Viva Vigan Heritage Run

Another summer spectacle unfolds in Vigan from April 30 to May 5, 2010- the Viva Vigan Binatbatan Festival of the Arts! The festival was crafted in 1993 as an effort to nurture the pride of Biguenos on their identity as residents of this unique and historic city. With the collaboration of the LGU and the private sector, it metamorphosed into one of the biggest and most colourful attraction in the North, drawing crowds from all over the Philippines and abroad, who come to celebrate a city festival in a setting replete with history and heritage, cultural treasures and reminiscences.

This year’s festival marks another milestone of the city of Vigan with the inclusion of the “1st Viva Vigan Heritage Run” which will be held on May 2, 2010 with a theme “A Run for a Clean and Honest Elections”. The event is sponsored by the city government of Vigan headed by Mayor Eva Marie S. Medina. This race is being organized by passionate runners from Vigan, TARAYEM (Metro Vigan Runners Club). Race categories: 3K, 5K, 10K, 15K

What to expect from this race?

• Very affordable registration fees

• On-line registration allowed

• Accurate race distance

• Kilometre markers

• Directional signs

• Road marshals (Police, Traffic aides, Barangay Tanods)

• Clean in-house rest rooms situated every 3 km

• Abundant water stations (every barangay)

• Experience running on a cobblestones along the Heritage Village ( all race categories)

• Running alongside a river that connects to the South China sea (15K category)

• A glimpse of Baluarte ni Chavit (10K and 15K category)

• Carbo-loading party on May 1, 2010, 6PM in front of Vigan city hall(local carbo-rich delicacies)

• Souvenir shirts

• Enjoy the weeklong Viva Vigan Binatbatan Festival of the Arts

Umaykayon makipagrambak diyay Vigan!

1st Viva Vigan Heritage Run

VIVA VIGAN HERITAGE RUN 2010 BINATBATAN FESTIVAL “A Run for a Clean and Honest Elections” 5:00 AM, May 2, 2010 Vigan City Hall, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur Race Organizer: TARAYEM (Metro Vigan Runners Club)

Objective: To create awareness on the health benefits of running and to promote and showcase the tourist spots of the City of Vigan through this road race.

RACE CATEGORIES 3K Kiddie Run, (12 years old under) • Male • Female

5K Fun Run (13 years old to 18 years old) • Male • Female

10K Adventure Run (Open Category) • Male • Female

15K Le’ Tour de Vigan (Open Category) • Male • Female

PRIZES:

3K Kiddie Run (Male, Female) • 1st Prize: PhP 1, 500.00 plus trophy • 2nd Prize: PhP 1, 000.00 plus trophy • 3rd Prize: PhP 500.00 plus trophy • 4th to 10th placers: Medal

5K Fun Run (Male, Female) • 1st Prize: PhP 2, 000.00 plus trophy • 2nd Prize: PhP 1, 500.00 plus trophy • 3rd Prize: PhP 1000.00 plus trophy • 4th to 10th placers: Medal

10K Adventure Run (Male, Female, Open Category) • 1st Prize: PhP 3, 000.00 plus trophy • 2nd Prize: PhP 2, 000.00 plus trophy • 3rd Prize: PhP 1000.00 plus trophy • 4th to 10th placers: PhP 400.00 each plus Medal

15K Le Tour de Vigan (Male, Female-Open Category) • 1st Prize: PhP 4, 500.00 plus trophy • 2nd Prize: PhP 3, 000.00 plus trophy • 3rd Prize: PhP 2000.00 plus trophy • 4th to 10th placers: PhP 500.00 each plus Medal

Registration Fee: 3K: Free 5K: P30.00 10K: P50.00 15K: P80.00

Deadline of Registration: April 30, 2010 Registration areas: Vigan City Health Office Mon-Friday from 8AM to 4PM c/o Dr. Lymuel Pascua or Mr. Jessie Ancheta, Planet Sports General Merchandise, Plaza Maestro, Vigan City, Bantay Bread at Brgy. Boquig, Bantay, Ilocos Sur or download registration form and fax it to (077) 722-3838.For inquiries please call/text Dr. Jun Kagaoan (0917) 568-0800, (0922)824-1313