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

New 21 km PR

Last Saturday, November 14, 2009 I posted another milestone in my running career when we had our long run which started from Merge point to Banaoang View-deck back and forth. We started our run at 5:06 AM. After running for 2:05:09 hours, my watch registered a distance of 21 km with an average pace of 5:56 mins/km. Nine (9) minutes faster than my previous record. (Whew!) Congratulations to me!!!!

Start of an Unending Process

After two weeks of recovering from my second marathon, I can feel that my body has fully (?) recovered from aches and pains which the full Mary has inflicted. I have already started my easy short runs a week after October 18 with my spouse. The running fever has again invaded me.

Running a marathon is addictive! Once you have started doing it you can no longer say no to it. It has a secret ingredient that every runner enjoys that no matter what it brings. Indeed running is full of mystery in itself. I cannot explain why we keep on running, enjoying every step, pushing ourselves to maximum, punishing ourselves, yet the more pain, the better we become.

Started my daily workouts last week, speed works, tempo runs and 26 km run last November 7. For this week I did easy runs, 10k race pace, speed intervals and 21k long run with a time of 2:05:21 hours, whew! What a feeling! Come December 20, 2009, my group TARAYEM (Metro Vigan Runners Club) will be having our 42.195 run which will start at Merge point in Bantay, Ilocos Sur to San Juan, Ilocos Sur back and forth..

To date I have already logged more than a thousand kilometres since I started running October last year. One year has passed and lot of stories to tell and to treasure. Running indeed has no ending, the process is just continuous, it always the start of an unending process......

My 2nd Full Mary....

After having weeks to months of training for my 2^nd full marathon, finally the long wait is over, the big day, October 18, 2009 came and I have no more recourse but to go on with my mission.... to finish my second marathon race, the 1st Quezon City International Marathon. Woke up 2AM on that fateful day, our team TARAYEM was billeted at Crown Plaza Apartelle along West Avenue, Q.C. Took a quick shower, ate some boiled eggs, noodles, banana, and hydrated myself with water and Gatorade. After an hour of preparation, my group headed to QC Memorial Circle....

Upon arriving at the starting area, had some glimpse with some runner bloggers and noticeably the presence of Kenyans doing their warm up drills. I saw familiar faces that I once met during the Milo eliminations last July. I bumped on my running buddy Steve Mendoza a.k.a. Runningchilipepper, had a brief chat with him before the stretching exercises. We wished each other good luck. Then the countdown before the race begins, five...four...three...two...one, go!!!!

I started the race following the 5 hours and 30 minutes pacers with my Kumpadre- Edward Villareal who ran his first marathon. Our run was relaxed hearing the stories about running by our pacers Arman and company from Team Hardcore. We exchange ideas with no specific topics, anything under the sun just to calm down our nerves in our leg muscles.

Then we reached East Fairview wherein we made a right turn in a subdivision. After a while we noticed a lot of soldiers in full battle gear that signifies our presence at “La Mesa Eco-Park”, wow... it was really nice to run with nature view, inhaling fresh air that somewhat rejuvenates my exhausted lungs. The scenic view somehow distracts my attention to the hilly course. I took some videos using my cell phone to capture the memories of the race. Just before the turn around, I met Bards, a.k.a. Banana Running and we exchanged greetings.

After a while I felt stomach discomfort maybe due to over hydration but as minutes go by, the uneasiness persists and I can feel, I know that it’s a call of nature...oh men! I have to leave organic souvenir to this historic La Mesa Dam! After a quick hide in the bushes, I was able to relieve myself as I shouted success! Thanks to Edward for he acted as lookout and waited patiently on the road.

Then we finally finished the nature course of La Mesa Dam going to the polluted air of Lagro, Novaliches. Here you can see a lot of vehicles around passing, lot of runners walking, water-less water stations! This time we saw one of our team mates, Jessie having his walk breaks. I shouted, Jess sabay na tayong tatlo. The absence of water at water stations really made runners fuming mad at the race organizers. Its good thing I had a chance to see “Michael of Second Wind Running Store” who acted as support group for their team. When he saw me he immediately handed water and Pocari sweat, thanks a lot Michael!! He never hesitated to offer us help along the way.

Upon reaching Fairview, I told Edward to go on. This time sunog na si Jessie. Edward is not keen on leaving us but I told him it’s okay just move on and enjoy the race cause I need to motivate Jessie who is in distress. He was about to give up but I told him we must finish the race and disregard his goal time. We did a run-walk strategy just to ease the pain that he was experiencing. Thanks God my legs were still in running condition. We reached Mc Donald’s Fairview as my sister Carole was anxiously waiting for us. It was a nice brother and sister reunion on the road. She pampered us with Gatorade and ice tea. After a brief chat, she wished me good luck and we bid goodbye and continued our quest.

Km 30 to the Finish Line... As we continued running, I remembered the words of one runner friend George Corpuz “that the race begins at kilometre 30”! Indeed he was right, my knees started to slow my strides, my mind kept on pushing my body, pushing my legs to respond. As kilometres go by the leg pains started to develop, the intensity increases when I try to speed up. At this point, I was running alone, with no running buddy on my side, no one to talk to, and no one to lean on. I kept telling myself to go on, to enjoy every moment, to feel the pain positively, to bear the burden. I was praying hard that God will help me realize my mission. Then all of a sudden, the pacers for 5:30 hours (Team Hardcore) are on my side uttering words of encouragement, motivating every struggling runner along the way. Then I can visibly see the three angels of Quezon Memorial Circle indicating my nearness to the finish line. As we entered the circle I was able to maintain running with the pacers hoping to sustain the pace. The agony started when we reach North Avenue going to SM North where I can no longer lift my legs to move on. The pacers left me because I can no longer run. I was crying then hoping to release the much needed adrenaline left in my system. I kept telling myself that I can do it but I need to be patient, willing to give my best shot. As I made my turn around at SM North my legs slowly giving in, wanted to surrender, can no longer push to my inner limits. Oh my God, so near yet so far! The misery has elevated along the Trinoma turn around point. Here you can see runners turned walkers. Then as I patiently making my last moves, I finally saw the 41 km marker and I know that I will be running my longeeeeest one kilometre ever. As I crossed the wide street approaching the finish line, I felt relieved, the feeling of distress vanished, and my tears were flowing involuntarily. I thank God for helping me all throughout the race; He was my invisible running buddy. "Tears streamed down my face as I crossed the finish line. I was a new person, a runner, a marathoner”.

The First Marathoners of TARAYEM!

From left to right; Jun Kagaoan, Lymuel Pascua, Jessie Ancheta, Julius Lagasca & Eddie Espiritu, photo taken last July 5, 2009 at the finish line of the 33rd Milo Marathon Eliminations at Quirino Grandstand, Manila.