PURPOSE DRIVEN RUNNER

New Vow

2012-01-01T12:00:00.001+08:00

Runners who are born between December 22 to January 19 under the Zodiac sign Capricorn have an urgent need to make resolutions. Hence a resolution to support purpose driven races was posted here in January 2010. I was elated to complete numerous races and conquer immeasurable mileage but will never consider them as credentials. Why? Because there was an absence of purpose other than instant personal gratification. I gave in to the deceptive marketing campaign of some race organizers who abused public trust and bend beyond comprehension the meaning of truth advertising. Some race organizers promote purpose driven races to generate the highest revenue at the lowest cost. Is that wrong? Perhaps when there is a considerable divergence between race fee and race provisions. Are you lost in translation? Let me present an explanation. I am a certified investment analyst and capitalism system advocate. Capitalism is an economic system based on market competition and production ownership that became dominant in the Western world following the demise of feudalism. Critics dispute the claim that capitalism increases market competition and government intervention must be enforced when market competition collapse due to absolute adherence to market competition principles. Based on a Bloomberg Global Poll capitalism is in crisis because there is an emerging wealth distribution and disruptive generational disparities in capitalist economies. Bloomberg Global Poll is based on interviews with a random sample of 1,200 subscribers to the Bloomberg Professional Service that has more than 300,000 subscribers. But capitalism had been adopted by most economies because no other economic system in human history has proved more adept at generating wealth and development. Based on personal observation an average race fee increased from P500 in 2010 to P800 in 2011. Do you want to know how the runners reacted? Runners condemned the race organizers by posting undesirable comments in running blogs and forums! But when the race provisions were disclosed the condemnation became commendation. I was surprised that expensive race fees and exclusive race provisions became an unexpected compromise. It is worth mentioning that market equilibrium had been reached by the race stakeholders and beneficiaries. Market equilibrium refers to an economic condition where economic forces are balanced and in the absence of external influences the economic variables will not change. A price is established through competition such that the amount of goods or services sought by buyers is equal to the amount of goods or services produced by sellers. But some race organizers abused this economic condition and provided substandard race provisions. Can you imagine a renowned race organizer bungled its own race? A race promoted as an international marathon was marred by flawed route, scarce hydration and undelivered articles! Does this race organizer lack common sense or there was none to begin with? I do not need the fashionable race provisions such as timing devices, finisher articles and branded singles. The minimum race provisions such as secured route, accurate result and ample hydration are enough. Thus the new vow is to stop whining and start acting. Stop supporting economic shenanigans masquerading as race organizers!

Rush Hour

2011-12-01T12:00:00.000+08:00

I used to be cynical on marathon training programs as stated in the preceding post. I capitalize on a marathon training program to improve psychological and physiological thresholds but the sudden increase in mileage resulted to severe knee pain whenever the foot strikes the ground. I was diagnosed with iliotibial band syndrome that is one of the leading running-related injuries. Iliotibial band is an external tissue outside the thigh extending from the pelvis to the knee. Iliotibial band syndrome symptoms range from knee joint pain to muscle tissue inflammation where the iliotibial band moves over the femur. This rude awakening made me question the foundation of marathon training programs. Are marathon training programs based on science or grand designs by ostensible running gurus? I do not know the answer but one thing is for sure. Age is catching up on me so psychological and physiological thresholds must be adjusted accordingly. Perhaps there is no marathon training program for general use and we have to decide for ourselves what optimal nutrition and gradual progression will work for us. Then marathon training programs must be customized to our psychological and physiological thresholds to reduce running-related injuries. Despite this cynicism most marathon training programs advocating long run worked for me. Based on marathontraining.com a long run must be at least 16 kilometers at a minute slower than race pace. I consider long run as the best training distance to maintain an ideal maximal oxygen consumption or the maximum capacity to transport and consume oxygen during incremental workload. Furthermore long runs made me complete a 1,200 kilometers annual average mileage. But the current annual average mileage was disrupted by the lingering economic crisis that prolonged work deadlines and harsh weather condition that shortened work schedule. I have covered 1,000 kilometers to date and intend to uphold the 1,200 kilometers annual average mileage. Based on the Philippine weather bureau data the December average temperature is 27 degrees Celsius while average precipitation is 5.71 inches. Perfect! I can expect an ideal running weather condition characterized by a low temperature and precipitation level. But the dilemma is how to finish 200 kilometers in December. That is comparable to 50 kilometers per week or 7 kilometers per day! I am prepared to burn the rubber and conquer the distance. But the combination of long run and short time made me reconsider. Can this be done? A purpose driven runner can but the truth must be told. Christmas season is a runners worst month due to social gatherings that can disrupt running schedule. While we must support those that we consider important we must discard those that we consider inconsequential. Jiddu Krishnamurti once said that time is like a river. You can never touch the same water twice because the flow that has gone by will never go by again. Jiddu Krishnamurti was a renowned writer and speaker on spiritual and theoretical subjects. Thus expect me to be on the road running rather than in the clubhouse partying. If you happen to see a runner during weekends and holidays then it is probably me!

Iron Man

2011-11-01T12:00:00.000+08:00

A centenarian is a person who is or lives beyond the age of 100 years. Centenarian is associated with prolonged existence since the current world average life expectancy is 67. Based on the August 2007 census the Philippines has 7,323 centenarians while the national average life expectancy is 72. Imagine living 28 years more than the national average life expectancy! I believe that centenarians are super humans and deserve reward and recognition. Centenarians showed long lives that we must be inspired of and aspired for! I was elated to learn that Congressman Edcel Lagman authored and pushed for the passage of House Bill 834 or Centenarians Act of 2010 stating that all centenarians will receive cash incentives and tax exemptions from the government. These include P100,000 cash, 50 percent discount and value-added tax exemption on the sale of goods and services to centenarians. Let us hope that the elected congressmen will push for the passage of this bill so that the centenarians can enjoy the proposed benefits and privileges as soon as possible. To be a centenarian is remarkable but to be a centenarian runner is unbelievable! Can you imagine a centenarian runner? Imagination can take us into the unimaginable including a centenarian runner. But when the 2011 Toronto Waterfront Marathon race results was released there was an unusual entry. I was shocked to learn that the oldest marathon finisher was a centenarian! News about this centenarian runner spread across the running blogosphere and became one of the most read sports news based on online trending. Fauja Singh sets a new Guinness World Record as the oldest person to finish a marathon. He completed the 2011 Toronto Waterfront Marathon with a time of 8 hours, 11 minutes and 6 seconds. Guinness World Records is a reference book containing world records of human achievements and natural world extremes. The book itself holds a world record as the most sold licensed book thus earning it an entry within its own pages. It was unfortunate that Guinness World Records refused to include Fauja Singh in its record book due to the absence of his birth certificate to prove his age. But he was able to produce a passport listing his birth date as 1 April 1911 and a letter from Queen Elizabeth II congratulating him on his hundred years. Fauja Singh is the current men marathon world record holder in the 90-plus age group and his marathon record is 5 hours, 40 minutes and 1 second at the 2003 Toronto Waterfront Marathon. I cannot imagine a centenarian runner faster than me by 19 minutes and 31 seconds despite being 60 years younger than him. Fauja Singh can be best described as an iron man. He conquered the unknown and made known to us that we are created equal but what happens next is up to us.

Nueva Camsur

2011-10-01T12:00:00.000+08:00

Camsur used to be in the poverty and malnutrition watch lists of the national government since time immemorial. But through the proactive management of the local government Camsur had evolved into a major tourist destination in the Bicol region. This region is composed of four provinces in the peninsula and two adjacent island-provinces wherein Camsur is the largest in terms of size and population. Based on the Department of Tourism research and statistics division Camsur is the top tourist destination with total tourist arrivals of 2,330,116 in 2010 from 1,566,447 in 2009. Camsur had beaten Manila with total tourist arrivals of 2,296,475 in 2010 from 1,907,816 in 2009. It is worth mentioning that the Advertising Board of the Philippines had decided to hold its Ad Congress in Camsur on November 16-19. Ad Congress will convene the executives of the Philippine major advertising and media organizations. Sports tourism was the main reason Camsur became the top tourist destination in 2010. Camsur was the host venue of the Cobra Ironman World Championship last August 14 and Camsur Marathon last September 25 that was certified by the Association of International Marathons and International Association of Athletics Federation. Camsur Marathon stakeholders were commendable for providing international marathon standard race support such as mobile medical teams, abundant water stations, police-assisted marshals, accurate marathon route and event-dedicated website among others. But what made the Camsur Marathon memorable was the marathon route that traversed the administrative divisions of Malipao, Tagbong, Mataorok and Malitbog. The marathon route became a guided tour that featured the enormous land area and concrete road network of Camsur. Although the undisputed major tourist destination in terms of total tourist arrivals Camsur remains an agricultural province. Based on the National Statistical Coordination Board Region V Division about 80% of Camsur land area is devoted to agricultural production. No wonder the marathon route gave runners a panoramic view of an extensive rice and corn plantation. But do not be surprised to see vast coconut plantation in the future Camsur Marathons. Camsur government will develop a food terminal compound to support a joint venture between Vita Coco and Agrinurture Inc that pledged $5 million for a coconut water packing plant and $10 million for a large-scale coconut plantation. Camsur tourism and agricultural industry can boost the local economy. Therefore it is just logical to support the Camsur government plans and programs. But there is a developing political turmoil as you read this blog post. Camsur electorate is now concerned with the unexpected congressional proposal that will undermine the Camsur economic momentum. Without public consultation Congressman Arnulfo Fuentebella authored and pushed for the passage of House Bill 4728 that is an act creating a new province to be called Nueva Camarines. Congressman Arnulfo Fuentebella is on his third and final term as congressman and most political analysts believe that he wants to maintain political power by running for governor of the new province where his chances of winning is higher. Based on a study by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and Local Government Development Foundation creating a new province will cost the taxpayers P1.2 billion! House Bill 4728 is based on a political mindset that will sacrifice the greater good for the sake of propagating political power. A political adventure in the making!

Camsur Factor

2011-09-01T12:00:00.000+08:00

What is the ideal running temperature? Based on a study conducted by the American College of Sports Medicine it is 10 degrees Celsius. What? A running temperature lower than Baguio with a mean temperature of 18 degrees Celsius? Baguio is an urban area nestled within a mountain range featuring a subtropical highland climate. Elevation ranges from 950-1650 meters above sea level while temperature ranges from 15-22 degrees Celsius. Without question this ideal running temperature is not applicable to countries such as the Philippines that is located along the equatorial belt with tropical climate marked by warm and humid weather conditions. Philippines has a mean humidity and temperature of 74 percent and 28 degrees Celsius respectively. What is then the ideal running temperature in the Philippines? It is unfortunate that there are no location-specific ideal running temperature studies except for the abovementioned. This convinced me to consider heat acclimatization in preparation for the Camsur Marathon on September 25. Heat acclimatization refers to the biological adaptations that reduce physiologic strain, improve physical performance and protect vital organs from heat injuries such as heat cramps, heat syncope and heat exhaustion. Based on the United States Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine heat acclimatization requires a combination of heat exposure and cardiovascular endurance exercise of 2 hours per day for 14 days. A substantial increase in sweat rate is expected during heat acclimatization thus optimal hydration is a must. Camsur is located 450 kilometers south of Manila covering 5,267 square kilometer land area. Average elevation is 407 meters above sea level while weather condition is comparable to the national mean. It is worth mentioning that the Camsur Marathon had been certified by the Association of International Marathons and International Association of Athletics Federation since its inception! Most of the first time Camsur Marathon runners were amazed by the marathon route that followed the international marathon standards. If that is the case then what is heat acclimatization for? While the said marathon route is concrete and accurate shade trees are minimal. I have mentioned in the preceding post that the Philippines has an annual average tropical cyclones of 20 with September being the most active month. But we can never be certain what will be the weather condition on race date. This is the reason heat acclimatization must be included in a runners regimen. But have you noticed someone running at noon? Perhaps not since most runners are heat averse and complexion-conscious. Ask them to run during this time and more often than not you will hear a deafening silence. But the road less traveled seems to be the best road! I chose to run when the sun is up and found that most running places were almost vacant except for some motorists and pedestrians. This gave me an unobstructed venue for heat acclimatization. So if you happen to see a runner during lunch time then it is probably me!

Marathon Finisher

2011-08-01T12:00:00.003+08:00

I believe that completing numerous races and conquering immeasurable mileage are not enough to prepare ourselves for a marathon. A customized marathon training program must be followed to improve psychological and physiological thresholds in pursuant of the 42.195-kilometer distance. I am now primed to chase the marathon dream after completing an extended mileage but the harsh weather condition turned elation into hesitation. Philippines has an annual average tropical cyclones of 20 with September being the most active month. But what made this harsh weather condition unusual were the 5 tropical cyclones in July. While most of these did not make landfall the severe precipitation caused massive flooding in the capital. Beyond question this is not the best time for a marathon! But what convinced me to pursue a marathon last July was the race organizer. National Milo Marathon eliminations leg hosted by Manila in July 31 was a recommended marathon event due to its reputation of providing the best possible race support. It is worth mentioning that for the first time in more than three decades the National Milo Marathon was certified by the Association of International Marathons and International Association of Athletics Federation! Upon registration runners were given a handbook that provided answers to all conceivable marathon questions. This gave me the confidence that the National Milo Marathon will conform to international marathon standards from start to finish. It was raining on the actual race date and runners were drenched before the marathon started. Despite the harsh weather condition the runners were amazed by the organized race venue complete with race provisions. With the gunstart the runners traverse the marathon route covering four cities namely Pasay, Manila, Makati and Taguig it became noticeable that the race support conformed to international marathon standards. There were mobile medical teams, exact distance markers, abundant water stations, accurate marathon route, police-assisted marshals and visible directional signages. I maintained a comfortable pace to conserve energy and reached the 21-kilometer mark ahead of the 3-hour time limit. Spare time gave me the chance to appreciate the marathon route and made it to the 32-kilometer mark ahead of the 5-hour time limit. But out of the blue the mood changed from calm down to dead calm. I was about to shift into high gear for the last 10 kilometers when the dreaded runners dilemma strike - muscle cramps! While there was enough time to beat the 6-hour time limit valuable minutes had been lost due to walk breaks. I tried to increase the pace to compensate for the lost minutes but the pain intensified. I started to run/walk and at the 40-kilometer mark a race marshal said that there were just 12 minutes left to beat the 6-hour time limit. What? Just 12 minutes for the remaining 2.195-kilometers? How can a runner with muscle cramps run under 6-minute per kilometer pace? I was about to concede and pretend it was a bad dream but chose to chase the marathon dream despite the painful muscle cramps. As runners approach the final kilometer the finish line signage became visible and spectators applauses became audible. I pushed myself to the limit and crossed the finish line in 5 hours, 59 minutes and 32 seconds! Sincere gratitude goes to our Creator and through him dreams become real!

Oplan Milo

2011-07-01T12:00:00.007+08:00

A marathon remains elusive after completing numerous races and conquering immeasurable mileage. National Milo Marathon is on top of mind of most runners due to its reputation of providing the best possible race support. For the first time in more than three decades the National Milo Marathon will be certified by the Association of International Marathons and International Association of Athletics Federation! Furthermore it is worth mentioning that the reasonable registration fee is inclusive of a P10.00 donation to a shoes sponsorship program as it hopes to donate 100 shoes to 100 students in 100 schools nationwide or equivalent of 10,000 shoes. I used a marathon training program to improve psychological and physiological thresholds but the sudden increase in mileage resulted to a severe knee pain whenever the foot strikes the ground. I was diagnosed with iliotibial band syndrome whose symptoms range from knee joint pain to muscle tissue inflammation where the iliotibial band moves over the femur. This physiological condition convinced me to reconsider a marathon and focus on recuperation. I was elated to learn that the simplest iliotibial band syndrome treatment turned out to be the best alternative. I used a knee support to reduce knee pain and it worked as expected. But not all knee supports are created equal and most can cause skin rashes after prolonged use. Based on actual experience it is best to use a knee support that is made of breathable material that expels perspiration from the body to the surface of the garment so that the moisture can evaporate. Marathon training continues to maintain maximal oxygen uptake although at a cautious 7-minute per kilometer pace to ensure endurance throughout the marathon distance. Marathon training was close to perfection except for the unwanted guest. The weather condition changed from warm to humid and made running unbearable. I never imagined this to be part of the marathon training but it turned out to be beneficial. Adapting to the changing weather conditions gave me the confidence to conquer the marathon distance. As a purpose driven runner the National Milo Marathon shoes sponsorship program convinced me to become part of a momentous marathon event that will benefit the less fortunate students. I am proud to be one of the estimated 200,000 runners nationwide who will compete in the National Milo Marathon with its first leg hosted by Laoag in July 3 and last leg hosted by Manila in December 11. The fifth leg hosted by Manila in July 31 is an eliminations leg for runners who want to be eligible for the last leg. I have chosen the eliminations leg not to compete with the best marathon runners but to compete with myself and complete the marathon dream!

Finish Line

2011-06-01T12:00:00.001+08:00

As a bona fide runner it is interesting for me to learn where marathon originated. Based on historical records Olympic Games began in Greece in 776 BC until 393 AD when Theodosius purged pagan practices and imposed Christianity as a state religion. Theodosius was the emperor from 379 AD to 395 AD who ruled over the western and eastern Roman Empire. Olympic Games during the ancient period had fundamental religious importance featuring ritual sacrifices honoring divine heroes and mythical kings. Olympic Games returned in the modern period and marathon was one of the original events included therein. The 1896 Athens Olympics maiden marathon was won by a Greek runner named Spiridon Louis with a time of 2 hours, 58 minutes and 50 seconds. Greece is nestled within southeastern Europe and considered as the cradle of western civilization. It is classified as a developed nation with high gross domestic product and human development index. Due to the economic advantages of regional trade associations Greece abandoned its local currency to join a monetary union. But this led to economic adventurism and pushed Greece debt to unprecedented levels. Greece misreported its official economic statistics to conform to the monetary union guidelines but crime does not pay! Based on the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report 2009-2010 rampant political and economic corruption pushed Greece into recession after 15 consecutive years of positive economic growth. What happened to Greece is a lesson in the dangers of economic hubris, regional federalism and financial indiscipline. Greece has the highest government debt in Europe and lowest-rated government debt in the world! Who can imagine that the cradle of western civilization where marathon originated is now on the brink of economic meltdown? Some financial experts believe that a Greece debt default will cause another financial crisis like what happened after Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc filed a voluntary petition for relief in the United States Bankruptcy Court in September 2008. The intergovernmental financial organizations have no option but to provide a financial bailout package to prevent a Greece debt default while Greece has to approve severe austerity measures such as reduced government spending and aggressive privatization programs. But it is unfortunate that a compromise agreement between the intergovernmental financial organizations and Greece remains a work in progress. Some credit rating agencies had threatened to put Greece debt on selective default if bondholders permit Greece to extend the maturity of its bonds. Athens where the maiden marathon was held more than a hundred years ago is now a capital in chaos! As the Greek Parliament voted in favor of the austerity measures thousands of protesters descended on Athens and clashed with riot police. But through the shared wisdom of the intergovernmental financial organizations whose role is to provide financial support to member-nations we can expect Greece to overcome this ordeal and remain relevant. Greece is about to reach its finish line but all ending is a new beginning.

Baguio Sequel

2011-05-01T12:00:00.000+08:00

Baguio is an urban area nestled within a mountain range featuring a subtropical highland climate. Elevation ranges from 950-1650 meters above sea level while temperature ranges from 15-22 degrees Celsius. The lowest and highest temperature was 6.3 degrees Celsius and 30.4 degrees Celsius recorded on January 1961 and March 1988 respectively. Running in this unusual climatic and environmental condition is an inescapable idea for most runners. The idea became real when Botak Baguio gave me the chance to conquer the unchartered terrain of Baguio. But the unusual climatic and environmental condition had been underestimated. I was beset by the wind chill factor and race route slope! Wind chill factor is the felt air temperature on exposed skin while race route slope is the amount of inclination of the surface to the horizontal. I went into walk breaks earlier than expected and 6 minute per kilometer race pace became 8 minute per kilometer brisk walk. It was a dismal running performance made worst by the failure to appreciate the scenic race route. Timex Ironman Triathlon series kept me focused on the race pace instead on the grandeur of Baguio. But this experience motivated me to pursue redemption. I was determined to overcome the unusual climatic and environmental condition despite the insurmountable psychological and physiological challenge. Optimal nutrition and gradual progression combined with hill training was used to ensure a reasonable race pace throughout a 21-kilometer race route. It was commendable that a public-private partnership was instrumental in the creation of the maiden Baguio Run. A public-private partnership is a contract between the public and private sector wherein the private sector assumes the financial, technical and operational risk of a public project. Baguio Run was a public-private partnership between the Baguio government and Renderfarm Graphics that was executed with utmost professionalism from start to finish. A dedicated website was created to provide answers to often asked questions while online inquiries received immediate responses. These were more than enough to convince me that runners can expect the best possible race support. I was not mistaken but the 21-kilometer race route was a picture that painted a thousand words. I was overwhelmed upon learning that the start line and turnaround point was Lake Drive and Kias Road respectively. It was a long and uneven race route that traversed Kennon Road and Loakan Road. But as dawn broke and runners hit the ground running the adage a picture paints a thousand words became trivial because one word had been enough to describe the race route. Outstanding! I cannot bring to mind another race route with the triple convergence of high altitude, low temperature and uneven landscape. Baguio Run was sweeter the second time around and redemption was accomplished. I have conquered the unchartered terrain of Baguio in 2 hours, 27 minutes and 16 seconds!

Dream Chaser

2011-04-01T12:00:00.001+08:00

Marathon was one of the original running events in the 1896 Athens Olympics. There were six marathon distances during the first seven Olympic Games until it was set at 42.195 kilometers by the International Amateur Athletic Federation in May 1921. International Amateur Athletic Federation Competition Rules 2009 - Rule 240 states that a certified marathon course must be 42.195 kilometers but not more than 42 meters or 0.1%. Based on the said rule a certified marathon course can be extended by one meter per kilometer when there is doubt in the measurement to ensure that it is not short. Without question a marathon is the runners ultimate dream. It is the most coveted distance among running events and a testament of runners success. Marathon World estimates that there are more than 500 annual marathons held in 65 countries that include the prominent members of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races such as Berlin, Boston and London marathons. A runners bucket list will not be complete without a marathon. But the marathon dream remains elusive after completing numerous races and conquering immeasurable mileage. I am confident that a marathon is achievable provided that optimal nutrition and gradual progression are integrated in a marathon training program. Nutrition must be modified to enhance glycogen reserve while mileage must be increased to build endurance. Glycogen is the molecule made by the liver and muscles that functions as the secondary long-term energy storage. I used a marathon training program to improve psychological and physiological thresholds but the sudden increase in mileage resulted to a severe knee pain whenever the foot strikes the ground. I concede that the marathon training program was done in haste and consequences had been dire. I was diagnosed with iliotibial band syndrome that is one of the leading running-related injuries. Iliotibial band is an external tissue outside the thigh extending from the pelvis to the knee. Iliotibial band syndrome symptoms range from knee joint pain to muscle tissue inflammation where the iliotibial band moves over the femur. This rude awakening made me question the foundation of marathon training programs. Are marathon training programs based on science or grand designs by ostensible running gurus? I do not know the answer but one thing is for sure. Age is catching up on me so psychological and physiological thresholds must be adjusted accordingly. Perhaps there is no marathon training program for general use and we have to decide for ourselves what optimal nutrition and gradual progression will work for us. Then marathon training programs must be customized to our psychological and physiological thresholds to reduce running-related injuries. When we wake up in the morning we have two simple choices. Go back to sleep and dream or wake up and chase those dreams. I chose to chase the marathon dream despite the insurmountable psychological and physiological challenge. It will be a long and winding road towards the marathon finish line but with proper preparation and divine intervention nothing is impossible.

Walk Lane

2011-03-01T12:00:00.001+08:00

I chose to chase the marathon dream despite the insurmountable psychological and physiological challenge. It will be a long and winding road towards the marathon finish line but with proper preparation and divine intervention nothing is impossible. I give high regard to the runners before me who conquered their psychological and physiological limitations to reach the marathon finish line. I read running blogs to learn about the marathon training programs that made them lean and mean. While searching for updated running blogs a new Guinness World Record became a top blog post. Kelly Gneiting weighing 400 pounds sets a new Guinness World Record as the heaviest man to finish a marathon. He completed the 2011 Los Angeles Marathon with a time of 9 hours, 48 minutes and 52 seconds. Guinness World Records is a reference book containing world records of human achievements and natural world extremes. The book itself holds a world record as the most sold licensed book thus earning it an entry within its own pages. News about Kelly Gneiting spread across the running blogosphere and became one of the most inspiring marathon stories ever told. I was elated upon learning that someone with an unusual physiological characteristic finished a marathon and created a new Guinness World Record category. Grand human achievements are commendable and deserve due recognition. But we must read beyond the headlines because the devil is in the detail. Spin doctors present selective figures while creative writers go outside the bounds of professional literature to persuade public opinion thus it is prudent to remain a skeptical reader. I was taken aback upon reading the complete details about the new Guinness World Record category. Kelly Gneiting ran 13 kilometers but walked 29 kilometers! This is a great feat because not everyone can finish a marathon. But he walked 70% of the race route and was declared an official marathon finisher? Does the end justify the means? Marathon training programs include walk breaks for energy conservation and endurance retention. But walk breaks mean sporadic walking not continuous walking. Race organizers must implement a curfew time to ensure that those who will reach the marathon finish line will be an official marathon finisher beyond reasonable doubt. National Milo Marathon had implemented a curfew time and such can be used as benchmark henceforth. Several world records that were once included in the Guinness World Records had been removed for ethical reasons. By publishing world records in a category Guinness World Records may encourage others to beat that record even at the expense of their own health. I believe that the Guinness World Records must reconsider the heaviest marathon finisher category unless it wants to encourage others to beat that record despite the adverse health consequences that it can bring.

Gold Rush

2011-02-01T12:00:00.001+08:00

Gold has been valued by most societies throughout the ages due to its positive symbolic meaning connected to the values held in the highest regard in the societies in question. Great human achievements are often rewarded with gold in the form of medals or trophies to symbolize perfection. Philippines holds the unusual record of having the most Olympic medals without a gold. Two silvers and seven bronzes. Philippines began participating at the Olympic Games in the 1924 Amsterdam Olympics but an Olympic gold medal remains elusive. Why? As mentioned in the preceding post the Philippine Sports Commission proposed an annual budget of P740 million from the P1.645 trillion General Appropriations Act for 2011 but the Department of Budget and Management slashed it to P168 million. While the proposed annual budget for the national sports development program cannot guarantee an Olympic gold medal it can somehow improve the welfare of the national athletes and increase the chances of winning. There is no question that the Philippines has potential Olympic gold medalists among its population but the absence of a reasonable national sports development program makes this trivial. Suntok Ginto is a fundraising campaign of the Amateur Boxers Association of the Philippines for amateur boxing to help the Philippines win its first Olympic gold medal. Amateur Boxers Association of the Philippines is the national sports association for amateur boxing under the Philippine Olympic Committee and duly recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Amateur Boxers Association of the Philippines believes that through the generous financial support of the private sector an Olympic gold medal is within reach. Suntok Ginto hopes to acquire the best available coaches, facilities and equipment for the Philippine Boxing Team. Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association can benefit from a similar fundraising campaign in its quest for an Olympic gold medal. Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association is the national sports association for amateur track and field under the Philippine Olympic Committee and duly recognized by the International Olympic Committee. The exponential growth of running made known some recreational runners who are qualified for international competition. Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association can invite them to become members of the national training pool and prepare them for future international competition. With the best available coaches, facilities and equipment these runners can compete with the fastest in the world. But like the other national sports associations the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association does not have enough financial resources to prepare runners for international competitions. While the Philippine Olympic Committee had given them an extra P14.55 million this amount is intended for its 2011 Southeast Asian Games operational expenses. It is unfortunate that even with a supplemental budget the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association still needs the generous financial support of the private sector. I believe that it is our moral obligation to provide financial support to the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association rather than whine about its mediocre historical performance. The race stakeholders can include the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association as one of its event beneficiaries. Who knows running can bring home the elusive Olympic gold medal.

Fund Rant

2011-01-01T12:00:00.001+08:00

A national sports development program budget is dependent on the annual appropriation passed by Congress. Thus most sports enthusiasts were elated when Republic Act 10147 – P1.645 trillion General Appropriations Act for 2011 was signed into law on 27 December 2010. This is the first national government budget that was prepared using the zero-based budgeting approach with accountability provisions integrated within the General Appropriations Act text. A national government budget is a fundamental instrument for development as it guides the economy towards optimal growth and permanence. It enumerates the plans and programs of the national government for implementation and the manner of funding them based on the expected income and projected expenditures within a fiscal year. It is formulated within the context of the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan and the identified priority areas in the Medium-Term Public Investment Program. The latest national government budget made me optimistic that the Philippine Sports Commission whose main function is the formulation of policies for the national sports development program will receive a decent share. Based on Republic Act 6847 – Philippine Sports Commission Act a portion of the tax imposed on stamps, lotto draws, horse racing and casino operations must be remitted to the Philippine Sports Commission and represent as the National Sports Development Fund. A deficit in the said fund must be covered by an annual appropriation passed by Congress. But it is unfortunate that the national sports development program is not the utmost concern of the national government. Philippine Sports Commission proposed an annual budget of P740 million from the P1.645 trillion General Appropriations Act for 2011 but the Department of Budget and Management slashed it to P168 million. Imagine an annual budget for the national sports development program equivalent to 0.0001% of the total national government budget? No wonder our quest for an Olympic gold medal remains elusive since time immemorial! Philippines began participating at the Olympic Games in the 1924 Amsterdam Olympics but the highest Olympic medal that the nation won thus far were two silver medals in boxing. Almost nine decades had passed and the national government remains numb to the importance of a national sports development program. But please do not get me wrong. I am not saying that if the proposed annual budget for the national sports development program will be approved then an Olympic gold medal is guaranteed. There are no guarantees whatsoever but a decent annual budget for the national sports development program can somehow improve the welfare of the national athletes and increase their chances of winning Olympic medals. The national government serves as the main advocate for the promotion and development of sports by formulating policies and priorities. But if the annual budget for the national sports development program remains at dismal levels then we can expect more national athletes to moonlight at amateur sports competitions where the financial remuneration looks more certain!

Green Silence

2010-12-01T12:00:00.001+08:00

This blog had been created to share random opinions on distance running excluding those that involve running-related products that can be construed as an endorsement. But there are innovative running-related products worth considering due to their advanced technical specifications. The multi-awarded footwear organization for sustainable development projects – Brooks has introduced the first biodegradable running shoe midsole: BioMoGo. Biodegradable means that the product is capable of decomposition through the action of microorganisms. A traditional Ethylene Vinyl Acetate midsole can last up to 1,000 years but BioMoGo enhances midsole biodegradation once it encounters the triple convergence of elevated microbial load, adequate moisture and low oxygen of an active enclosed landfill. While conventional degradation pathways such as sunlight, water and heat can leave behind hazardous byproducts BioMoGo has been tested to ensure that its biodegradation byproducts are not harmful to the environment. Successful tests against the strict guidelines of the European Union and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development demonstrates that BioMoGo byproducts are not toxic and zero net gain in greenhouse gases as a result of biodegradation. This material change will save more than 30 million pounds of landfill waste in a 20-year time period or enough space to cover more than 1,200 football fields with running shoes. How can we assure that BioMoGo will biodegrade according to its claims? BioMoGo biodegradation has been validated by several scientific studies. The data that was collected in these scientific studies was used to extrapolate the time it will take for BioMoGo to completely mineralize as per standard microbial metabolic estimate protocols. The data further demonstrated that BioMoGo biodegradation is safe and happens in a reasonable time period based on the method of disposal. BioMoGo made its debut in July 2008 and is now available in most Brooks shoes. Brooks was commendable for making BioMoGo an open source technology despite the valuable intellectual property of its technological application to footwear. Brooks decided to share it with other footwear companies to create a larger impact to people and environment. Brooks promotes BioMoGo based on the guidelines that the United States Federal Trade Commission created for biodegradable products. BioMoGo meets the definition for biodegradable plastic wherein the degradation results from the action of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and algae. Brooks Green Silence is the latest running shoe with BioMoGo combined with biodegradable insoles, water-based adhesives and post-consumer recycled packaging. Brooks Green Silence is not just a regular environmental product innovation but a remarkable running shoe that provides what a runner needs. A superior cushioning system that can withstand tremendous impact and durable outsole material that can endure harsh terrain. Although its premier color combination of red and yellow bearing a resemblance to Ronald McDonald shoes surprised most runners including me the Brooks Green Silence is worth a screaming buy!

Risk Watch

2010-11-01T12:00:00.000+08:00

We were taken aback when a runner died during a recent race event. The running blogosphere and social networking websites started posting questions on who is at fault. But the relevant question that must be asked is what causes cardiac death associated with distance running. It is unfortunate that despite the long debate among runners the reasons behind the cause of cardiac death associated with distance running remain obscure. I am elated to learn that there are several scientific studies that we can use to understand the risk of cardiac death associated with distance running. Foremost among them was the study conducted by the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation and published by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in August 1996. Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation tabulated 215,413 runners records that competed in the annual Marine Corps and Twin Cities marathons held on a cumulative 30-year period. The result was four cardiac deaths due to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease although none of the runners had experienced prodromal symptoms or documented heart disease. The risk of cardiac death associated with distance running is 1 in 50,000 or 1% of the annual overall risk associated with living with or without heart disease. The study concluded that the risk of cardiac death associated with distance running is low and suggests that routine screening for cardiovascular disease is not reasonable. But while the study conducted by the said foundation concluded that the risk of cardiac death associated with distance running is low nothing was mentioned that it can be eliminated. The risk of cardiac death associated with distance running remains and must be an utmost concern. Distance runners who died became headline news because such tragic event was considered unusual. Jim Fixx who wrote a running book died at the age of 52 due to arteriosclerosis or hardened arteries while Ryan Shay who competed in the United States Olympic marathon trials died at the age of 27 due to arrhythmia or abnormal heartbeat. Distance running must be considered an extreme sport as it pushes a runner beyond his physiological threshold. Thus a runner must have an optimal nutrition and gradual progression to reduce the risk of cardiac death associated with distance running. But it is disheartening that most novice runners take desperate measures to receive the coveted finishers medal despite the clear and present danger. The risk of cardiac death associated with distance running is low but it will increase if novice runners focus on instant gratification rather than gradual progression. Race stakeholders must implement a sustained information campaign to educate the running community about the risk of cardiac death associated with distance running. This will serve as a constant warning to novice runners that joining distance running without optimal nutrition and gradual progression is a dangerous proposition.

Never Bandit

2010-10-01T12:00:00.001+08:00

The best things in life are free including running and the health benefits that come with it. Just wear your running shoes and the road ahead is yours to conquer. But running for free ends where race event starts. Novice and professional runners embrace the formation of race events due to the provision of appropriate race support such as secured race course and accurate race results. Race events are open to those who are amenable to its terms and conditions the foremost of which is the registration fee. Organizing and managing race events has its innate cost and this rationalizes the registration fee. It is worth mentioning that most race events are organized for charitable purposes and that makes registration fees a must! But there are runners known as race bandits who join race events and make use of the race support without regard to the registration fee. A bandit is defined as a person who does not follow rules and regulations to take undue advantage of others. This act is despicable as it constitutes a culpable violation of the race event terms and conditions. Profiling a race bandit is simple. He is more often than not in proper race dress code but does not have a race bib. A race bib must be worn throughout the duration of a race event as it certifies that the bearer is a registered runner. Race bandits are not entitled to benefit from the race support. But such is not enough to prohibit them the benefits of a race course. Race bandits can find a way to enter a race course and merge with registered runners. It had been argued that a race course is a public domain and therefore for public use. But this argument must not be taken in absolute terms. A public domain can become private in interim or in perpetuity provided that there is an agreement between the concerned parties. Premium race events with prohibitive registration fees is another reason cited by most race bandits. But if a runner cannot afford the registration fees then it is best not to join to express his discontent. Race bandits take undue advantage of the registered runners and deprive event beneficiaries what is due to them. The proliferation of race bandits is a menace to the future of race events and must be an immediate concern. Race stakeholders have the obligation to prevent race bandits but the burden must be on the race organizers who are in charge of enforcing the race event terms and conditions without prejudice. Race bandits must be apprehended and penalized with a fine that is worth more than the registration fee. This will serve as a deterrent and eliminate race bandits once and for all. There are a multitude reasons to run but there is no reason to be a race bandit!

Leap Race

2010-09-01T12:00:00.001+08:00

It is unfortunate that most runners do not care who the race organizers and event beneficiaries are provided that the registration fees are acceptable. I believe that the advocacies of the race organizers and event beneficiaries must be our utmost concern. I do not mind an expensive registration fee as long as the race organizers and event beneficiaries are legitimate organizations with proven track record. I was in the University of the Philippines Diliman for a training run when a member of the University of the Philippines Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants gave me a brochure of its race event. The amateurish brochure design made me question the character of the race organizer. But based on its organizational website it is a duly recognized student organization that promotes academic excellence and outstanding leadership among its members. A recipient of the Gawad Chancellor Award – Most Outstanding Organization and the Most Outstanding Local Chapter award given by the National Federation of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants. These unquestionable credentials convinced me that the race organizer can provide the best possible running experience despite the logistical challenges that beset most race events. I was elated upon learning that the race event will be for the benefit of the Long-Term Educational Assistance Program (LEAP) – a scholarship program for the less fortunate Filipino students in search of quality education from the University of the Philippines Diliman. A reputable race organizer and commendable event beneficiaries were a perfect combination! This had solidified the decision to support the race event and make a positive impact to society. I went to the nearest registration area to register for the longest race distance segment. The instant race package provision was a welcome surprise! But what surprised me the most was the race route map. Redundant route? Is this correct? The registration area personnel gave me a nod confirming that the race route map was accurate. Long race distance segment runners must run three times around the 6-kilometer race route to complete the required race distance. I paused for a moment as the decision to support the race event entered a crossroad. Average race support, reduced marketing budget, minimal corporate sponsorship and simultaneous competing outdoor activities made this race event least favored. But a sincere desire to support race events organized for charitable purposes pushed me to join it. I believe that we must run for a cause and not for applause. What we can do to the educational needs of the less fortunate Filipino students is more important than what a race event can do for us. What made this race event more engaging turned out to be the race route. I was amazed by the unchartered road networks other than the renowned academic oval. The long inclined road gave me an unexpected cardiovascular challenge while the surprising turns made me appreciate the panorama. This race event made a quantum leap from zero to hero! It was able muster the running community to support a charitable cause and gave a memorable running experience.

The Fort

2010-08-01T12:00:00.001+08:00

I was a research analyst at the Philippine Stock Exchange when the national government implemented a privatization program to broaden private ownership base, promote favorable business environment and augment government financial resources. This gave me the chance to be at the vanguard of mergers and acquisitions when Fort Bonifacio was privatized. The task was to determine the optimal price per square meter of Fort Bonifacio using the best available valuation models. I knew that Fort Bonifacio deserved a premium valuation based on its competitive advantage compared to other proximate locations. It has the distinction of being a premier residential and business district alternative to Makati City. Property companies formed consortiums and pushed the envelopes beyond reasonable valuation to outbid the competition. After the bidding war ended the Metro Pacific Corporation consortium won with a bid of P33,283 per square meter or equivalent to P30.4 billion that generated P25.8 billion for the national government. In partnership with the national government the Metro Pacific Corporation consortium incorporated the Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation to oversee the master planning of Fort Bonifacio. It is worth mentioning that Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation used to be the largest corporation registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission with a paid-up capital of P71.2 billion. But high financing cost convinced the Metro Pacific Corporation consortium to divest its business interest in Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation in favor of the Ayala Land Inc-Evergreen Holdings Inc consortium. It is apparent that Fort Bonifacio has the potential to become a premier residential and business district once privatized. But who ever thought that it will become a premier race event venue? The wide open spaces, paved road network and accessible commercial establishments made it so. What concerns me is the burgeoning construction in Fort Bonifacio. It has been noticeable that most wide open spaces in Fort Bonifacio are now enclosed with perimeter fences to support new construction projects. Based on the corporate disclosures issued by listed companies with business interests in Fort Bonifacio, construction activities will increase due to the prevailing low interest rates, stable material prices and high consumer demand. Soon these wide open spaces will be gone and race events will be displaced. Race stakeholders have no choice but to prepare for the inevitable and consider alternative race event venues. But the corporate social programs of the Ayala Land Inc-Evergreen Holdings Inc consortium had given the assurance that this will never happen. These companies had sponsored several race events that received positive reviews from the running community. Run United and Run For Home were considered commendable race events due to its superior race support and relevant social programs. But it is prudent to manage our expectations so we will not be disenchanted once business interests overcome social concerns.

Mass Cues

2010-07-01T12:00:00.003+08:00

Body Mass Index (BMI) was invented by a Belgian polymath named Adolphe Quetelet during the course of developing social physics. BMI is defined as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters producing a unit of measure of kg/m2. The ease of measurement made BMI the best alternative medical diagnostic tool to determine weight classification such as underweight, overweight or obese. Based on the BMI international classification, a BMI of 18.50 to 25.00 indicates optimal weight while a BMI lower and higher than the optimal weight range means underweight and overweight respectively. BMI has been used by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the standard for measuring weight statistics and classifying sedentary individuals with an average body composition. But some members of the medical society questioned the relevance of BMI because it is dependent only on weight and height and does not take into account factors such as muscle mass, water weight and bone structure among others. It had been argued that BMI makes crude assumptions about the body composition and overestimate body fat on those with more lean body mass like athletes while underestimating body fat on those with less lean body mass like elders. The correlation between BMI and health risks has been apparent but the interpretation of BMI in relation to health risks may deviate for other populations due to disparate body composition. WHO addressed this issue by proposing population-specific BMI but available data does not indicate a suitable BMI optimal weight range. WHO agreed to retain the current BMI as international classification and proposed methods that countries can use to make decisions on the definitions of increased health risks for their population. WHO suggested the best possible solution to make BMI an applicable medical diagnostic tool to all populations regardless of body composition. I was surprised to know that the Philippines continue to use the BMI without an iota of modification to the definitions of increased health risks as proposed by the WHO. I have an above average bone structure and lean body mass due to weight training that made me heavier than usual. But to be classified as obese based on a BMI of 26 kg/m2 by our corporate medical examiner was unacceptable. I breached the BMI optimal weight range by a point and I am a sumo wrestler? I demanded an explanation from our corporate medical examiner and I was given an immediate medical reevaluation. The verdict was a weight reclassification from obese to overweight but justice was not served because the questions hounding BMI remain unanswered. Mathematics is an exact science and numbers do not lie. But when equation variables have been determined limited then the result is erroneous. BMI is a vague means of estimating body fat and a population-specific BMI must be pursued. All men are created equal but each one is exceptional.

Tree Logic

2010-06-01T12:00:00.010+08:00

Most race events are organized for the benefit of legitimate charitable causes but selecting those that are bona fide seems insurmountable. What makes the selection process daunting is the presence of some race events using bogus charitable organizations and deceptive marketing campaign to entice the public. But there are race events with genuine advocacies whose purpose is to muster the running community into action towards a project that will benefit the present and future generations. These include the Nature Valley Run for the benefit of environment conservation through reforestation to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. Nature Valley will donate one tree seedling for every runner who joins the Nature Valley Run and the tree seedlings will be planted at the Ipo Dam watershed in Bulacan to support its reforestation program. Ipo Dam is a gravity concrete dam located 7.5 kilometers downstream of the Angat Dam that serves as an intermediate intake before water is diverted to the Novaliches Portal and La Mesa Dam for treatment. It is a vital link in transmitting water from the main source to the treatment plants before being supplied to an estimated 12 million Metro Manila residents. But its importance has been neglected by most stakeholders since time immemorial. Based on a joint study by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the 6,600-hectare Ipo Dam watershed is 70% denuded due to illegal logging, kaingin farming, charcoal making and expansion of informal settlements within the area. Most experts believe that it will require a minimum of 1.5 million tree seedlings and will take 20 years to complete the Ipo Dam watershed reforestation program. Rapid growth in population, urbanization, industrialization and commercialization has contributed to an overall increase in water demand but has not led to a parallel improvement in water quantity. Unsustainable water supply will be certain unless we realize the importance of our watersheds and implement an effective watershed management. I consider environment conservation as an immediate concern among the multitude of charitable causes supported by race events because environment degradation is one of the ten threats identified by the United Nations High Level Threat Panel. The High Level Threat study is considered by most in the intelligence community as the best intelligence estimate with respect to the future of human and environment. It is worth mentioning that reforestation costs are lower compared to other environment conservation measures. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has concluded that reforestation costs are modest in most tropical developing countries including the Philippines where the average price of a tree seedling is just 100 pesos. A small amount for the benefit of environment conservation through reforestation but a gigantic leap towards sustainable water supply. One runner is equivalent to one tree and together with the other Nature Valley runners we made the Ipo Dam watershed reforestation program a success!

Rest Code

2010-05-01T12:00:00.001+08:00

It had been surmised that physical activity is imperative for maintaining the best possible physical and physiological condition of a human body. Even ancient physicians and philosophers like Siddhartha and Hippocrates showed adherence to this correlation despite the absence of empirical data. There are anecdotal evidences supporting the notion that intense physical activities enhance both the physical and physiological condition of a human body at an above average rate. But intense physical activities have immediate consequences. Microtrauma in a form of microtears on the musculoskeletal system of the human body is a direct result of intense physical activity like running. Most microtraumas can lead to performance loss or musculoskeletal injuries unless optimal rest is applied. Thus a prudent training schedule is a must for complete muscle regeneration and sustained maximal oxygen consumption. But unreasonable excitement besieged most runners upon announcement of new race events and they resume training even with fresh microtraumas. This is a clear and present danger to the physical and physiological condition of most runners! No wonder musculoskeletal injuries are now a regular topic in the running blogosphere. I consider a week rest an ideal duration for microtrauma healing, complete muscle regeneration and musculoskeletal injury evaluation before entering another race event. I remained steadfast to this routine rest despite my remarkable physical and physiological condition since birth. This condition enabled me to develop a Herculean complex and credence that I am unbreakable come what may. But this persona found its nemesis when I succumbed to fever after the Earth Run. The dilemma was how to overcome an elevated body temperature in an extreme weather condition. It is worth mentioning that the El Niño phenomenon increased temperature beyond normal levels and made my situation unbearable. What went wrong? Was it poor nutrition, preparation or execution? The elusive answer convinced me to consult a doctor who knows best how to diagnose variances in the physical and physiological condition among adults. The recommendation was a two week rest and medication. I was relegated to a couch potato while the running community conquered the miles. The good news was the prescribed rest and medication worked as expected. I was fortunate that this medical ordeal happened on a most opportune time. The subsequent two consecutive long weekends gave me the chance to run and gain mileage. A trial run taught me how to become accustomed to running after a long absence and I was able to complete a 10 kilometer run at 6 minute per kilometer pace. This gave me the confidence to pursue gradual mileage training and aim for a decent 21 kilometer race time. I am set for another race event neither for a podium finish nor for a personal record. But to show to the world that it is not how far you fall but how high you bounce when you reach the bottom.

Ritual Mileage

2010-04-01T12:00:00.003+08:00

The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer for the annual observances during Holy Week of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These include private penance, passion reading, church visitations, street processions, solemn disposition and other religious activities. Penance is the most common way of commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ during Lent and its sacramental meaning applies to activities from confession to absolution. It had been considered a punishment because it involves a public demonstration of harsh discipline. This had been abolished by modern Catholics while penitential acts inspired by the passion of Jesus Christ that a believer imposes upon himself such as flagellation and mortification of the flesh have become rare. The influence of pastoral theology and psychology has changed the practice of penance throughout the centuries to penitential acts such as fasting, praying and volunteerism. Many modern Catholics consider the observation of Lent to be a choice rather than an obligation and the traditional religious activities are no longer mandatory under the threat of mortal sin. I am one of the modern Catholics practicing penance in a manner that is deemed odd. A 10 kilometer run through the avenues of Ortigas in Pasig City and Katipunan in Quezon City is my penance during Holy Week since 2006. But the recent Holy Week was underscored by a 21 kilometer run that traversed the cities of Pasig, Quezon and Mandaluyong. Running alone in an urban jungle packed with road rage motorists and perpetual traffic congestion is a dangerous proposition. This makes adherence to traffic rules a must to minimize running injuries and to maximize running mileage. I have used physical simulation and online information to determine the safest routes, exact distance, weather forecast and convenience store locations. I have decided that the circumferential avenues of Epifanio Delos Santos and Eulogio Rodriguez Junior were the safest routes because of minimal intersections while Pasig City was the ideal halfway turnaround point because of numerous convenience stores. It is worth mentioning that the geographical location of a halfway turnaround point is of vital importance because this is where most runners may need to recharge, rehydrate and replenish basic running supplies. The onset of the El Niño phenomenon had decreased the chance of precipitation to zero but increased humidity and temperature beyond normal levels. The sustained variation in climatic and environmental conditions for an extended period of time will make running unbearable. This made optimal hydration an utmost consideration in particular when running in unfamiliar places where hydration replenishment will be needed. I am fortunate that most urban areas and the chosen 21 kilometer route were abandoned by vacationers during Holy Week. The absence of motorists turned the roads into a virtual runners lane and made this ritual mileage a momentous success. But my comprehensive planning and complete execution will not be possible without the divine guidance of the greatest race marshal watching us from a distance - Jesus Christ.

Baguio Agenda

2010-03-01T12:00:00.003+08:00

A whole host of mathematical models and immense volume of scientific data emphasizing the physiological benefits of altitude acclimatization and altitude training fascinates me. Altitude acclimatization is the physiological adaptation to the less dense air and low atmospheric pressure of high altitude environment while altitude training is a method used to enhance athletic performance in high altitude environment. Interest on altitude acclimatization and altitude training originated after the 1968 Mexico City Olympics at an elevation of 2,300 meters and introduces the question of why athletes from high altitude countries tend to dominate endurance events. The New World Medical Dictionary defines high and low altitude as an elevation above and below 2,400 meters respectively. Based on the research Living High-Training Low that was published by the Journal of Applied Physiology in February 1997, it was concluded that living in high altitude environment increases red blood cells while training in low altitude environment increases maximal oxygen consumption upon returning to sea level environment. Below average oxygen level in high altitude environment decreases the amount of oxygen in the blood. This forces the kidneys to secrete more hormones called Erythropoietin that stimulates the production of red blood cells from the bone marrow in order to increase hemoglobin saturation and oxygen delivery. The average life span of a red blood cell is 90 – 120 days. The enhanced athletic performance at sea level environment is noticeable on those who have prolonged exposure to high altitude environment and had trained at low altitude environment because their blood still contains the extra red blood cells. But the physiological benefits of altitude acclimatization and altitude training are not free from risk. Below average oxygen level in high altitude environment decreases the amount of oxygen in the blood that may lead to altitude sickness and progress to high altitude pulmonary edema or high altitude cerebral edema. Therefore, gradual altitude acclimatization and proper altitude training is a must! The year that was had ushered in a multitude of disorganized race events that forced me to have a passive role and subdued expectations in future race events. But euphoria beset me upon learning that the Botak Paa Bilisan will be held at Baguio City on March 28. The city is best known for its elevation of 1,500 meters and mean normal temperature of 18°C. Running in an environment that is characterized by low temperature, moderate altitude and uneven landscape is a tempting idea despite the physical pressure presented by the new climatic and environmental conditions. But no mountain is high enough for someone with an unwavering determination to have a positive impact wherever he goes. Even with the considerable cost of hotel accommodation and transportation I have decided to join the Botak Paa Bilisan to support the homegrown sports apparel company and local tourism of Baguio City. Baguio agenda includes a sustained sea level environment training, gradual altitude acclimatization and moderate altitude training prior to race day. This agenda is my operational plan to conquer the treacherous terrain of Baguio City and finish Botak Paa Bilisan with a decent race time.

Conquer Condura

2010-02-01T12:00:00.006+08:00

Who will ever think that an electrical appliances manufacturer can become a premier race organizer and ardent ecotourism promoter? Concepcion Durables Inc that manufactures freezers and refrigerators under the brand name Condura will conduct its third annual Condura Run on February 7. Condura Run has been a marine environment conservation advocate since its inception and its new beneficiaries are the dolphins of the Bohol Marine Triangle comprising the islands of Panglao, Balicasag and Pamilacan. Bohol Marine Triangle is considered a biodiversity hotspot for dolphin conservation because of marine pollution, commercial fishing and rampant ecotourism. Pamilacan came under public scrutiny when its dolphin hunting practices were made known. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources issued Fisheries Administrative Order 185 in December 1992 prohibiting the trade, possession, exportation and transportation of dolphins in any form or state. The successful promulgation and implementation of the said administrative order transformed Pamilacan from dolphin hunters to dolphin lovers. Pamilacan is now a major tourist destination and can be considered as the dolphin watching capital of the Philippines. Pamilacan Island Dolphin and Whale Watching Organization and Pamilacan Island Boat Operators and Spotters Association were formed to institutionalize ecotourism as an alternative employment for the former dolphin hunters. But the emerging ecotourism is now threatened by the unregulated dolphin watching operators that conduct tours without proper training on how to interact with the dolphins. These unregulated dolphin watching operators comprise the majority of current dolphin watching operations in Pamilacan and present an apparent menace to sustainable ecotourism. Based on the research conducted by Professor Lemnuel Aragones of the University of the Philippines – Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology – it was concluded that there is an increasing number of potential ecotourism hotspots in the Philippines and warned about its dangers to the dolphins. He emphasized that dolphin watching must be conducted with high standards of professionalism or it will be unsustainable. Concepcion Durables Inc is commendable for demonstrating good corporate governance and total quality management through full corporate disclosure. Condura Run website provides the information that the public needs to know and answers the questions that the public wants to ask. This gave me the assurance that the public can expect an organized race event with superior race support and value proposition. Condura Run is a race event with a holistic corporate social responsibility. Fifty pesos of the runners registration fee will go to a fund managed by the Concepcion Durables Inc that aims to preserve and protect the dolphins of the Bohol Marine Triangle. The fund will be used to benefit the project and not to cover operational or administrative cost. This had solidified my intention to join the Condura Run and show my unwavering support to its marine environment conservation advocacies. I am prepared to finish the Condura Run 21K in 02:15:00. Breaching the target race time will be taken in stride because what matters most is my sincere participation to run for the dolphins and promote sustainable ecotourism.

Fresh Start

2010-01-01T12:00:00.004+08:00

Romans named the first month of the year after Janus who is the god of beginnings and declared January 1 as the start of the New Year to synchronize the calendar with the sun. Janus was depicted with two faces capable of looking forward and backward in unison and became the ancient symbol for resolutions. The tradition of resolutions began in 153 B.C. and has continued up to the present time. A resolution is a commitment to improve that a person makes for him to become a desirable member of society. Based on quirkological experiments most resolutions are about health, career, finance, education and relationships. Quirkology is a term coined by Professor Richard Wiseman of the University of Hertfordshire to refer to unusual psychological research. Resolutions commence on January 1 of the New Year and remains until completed. In reference to health as the foremost resolution this is the best time for runners to improve speed and endurance. Those who were born from December 22 to January 19 under the Zodiac sign Capricorn have the most urgent need to make new resolutions cum birthday wishes but mine will be nothing new because it must have been done since I started running on a regular basis. I went beyond a one per month race quota with notable race times but it was something I was not proud of because it was done without any specific purpose other than instant personal gratification. The year that was had ushered in some race events that were organized under the disguise of renewed corporate social responsibility and the intense bombardment of its marketing campaign tested my core values as a runner. I had succumbed to the vicious contagion of irrational exuberance that besieged most runners upon notice of new race events and I was ashamed to admit that I joined most that do not have an iota of purpose other than income generation. Most race events are organized for the benefit of charitable organizations and promises to donate a fair share of the income. But I was taken aback that the fair share of the income was not fair enough! The amount was minuscule and disproportionate to the total income generated by these race events. Most race organizers exercise an apparent grave abuse of discretion and bend beyond comprehension the meaning of charity! It is unfortunate that charitable organizations in dire need of financial resources have to accept this inconvenient truth to survive in this material world. The sole purpose of most race organizers is to generate the highest possible income at the expense of the charitable organizations. This economic adventurism must be discouraged to restore the social relevance of race events. I do understand the fundamentals of capitalism but I cannot allow myself to be used by the rogue capitalists to perpetrate their unethical business objectives. Hence I am declaring a resolution that I will execute the principles of a purpose driven runner and will serve as an advocate of race events organized for charitable purposes.