Barefoot Running

Honestly, I am intrigued with so many runners advocating barefoot running.  I am awed by their guts to run WITHOUT any protection on their soles.  And I can't help but think how does it feel?  I'm guessing with my oversensitive soles that I'll be suffering from blisters a few kilometers after.

Last Saturday was an opportunity for me to experience running barefoot, thanks to the ever innovating Sir Jovie Narcise aka Bald Runner.  Familiar faces graced the late afternoon event at the Grandstand and Parade Ground of the Philippine Army in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

With my compadre, Doc Topher Montaos
Photo courtesy of Barefoot Running Philippines

It was such a bliss at the start, running through paved asphalt and concrete.  We were like kids who were careless playing without shoes or slippers.  But when we reached the outer part of the Grandstand, the uneven asphalt felt like running through rock salt or monggo (that's mung beans for my foreign friends).

The 3.2km of mixed fun and agony was finally over after 28:28 minutes.  Many suffered from blisters.  And as expected, I got small blisters on the balls of my feet.

My congratulations again to the Bald Runner!  Click here for official results.

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BDM 102k Recap

Here's my recap of my 73 Km run in BDM 102K Ultra-Marathon last March 6 to 7, 2010.

Photo courtesy of Ley Gripal

Around lunchtime, somewhere in Dau, Pampanga...

Photo courtesy of Emil Ancheta

Doc Art's car accidentally bumped another vehicle. Damage was nominal in Doc Art's car...

Photo courtesy of Tin Sayson

And so was to other vehicle.
But the vehicle owner acted like it was super duper major damage!
Oh well...

Photo courtesy of Tin Sayson

We spent more than an hour trying to settle the situation.
In boredom, we started goofing around...

Photo courtesy of Emil Ancheta

We're supposed to be sleeping, not solving...

Photo courtesy of Emil Ancheta

After almost 2 hours, we're finally on our way to our resort in Abucay, Bataan...

Photo courtesy of Tin Sayson

And got our much needed rest.

Photo courtesy of Emil Ancheta

While preparing for take-off, we took some time sharing stories, and planning for the race.
Last thing before take off is pictorials, of course.Photo courtesy of Emil Ancheta


We arrived in Km 0 Mariveles, Bataan around 9:45PM.

Photo courtesy of Emil Ancheta

Gun start was fired at 11:30 PM.

Photo courtesy of Emil Ancheta

And the foot race begins.

Photo courtesy of Emil Ancheta


It was pitch dark in most parts of the route.
Road was concrete, winding and rolling.
I walked every uphill, and ran downhills.
Sprain on my left foot appeared at Km 33.

Photo courtesy of Emil Ancheta

I was with Mar aka Pojie aka Forefoot Runner when I reached Km 50.
We were just a few minutes late than our target time.
I know I can still make it within the cut-off time even with the sprain.

Photo courtesy of My SM Family

I quickly changed to my heat gear.
And had some photo ops with Jigger and my SM family.

Photo courtesy of My SM Family

Breakfast was handed over to me, and enjoyed it as I continued with my race.
I was already walking, and very confident that my pace will still the cut-off.
Mar even told me that my walk pace was fast, as he was behind me run/walking.

Photo courtesy of My SM Family

I got reunited again with Jigger at Km 64.
He wanted to call it a day, for he was injured even before the start of the race.
I told him not to quit, and that we could still make it.
Blisters on both feet appeared at Km 66.

Photo courtesy of My SM Family

I tried to treat it immediately, while its still small.
Bought a band aid in a store, and resident Lisa who happens to be a nurse helped me.Photo courtesy of My SM Family


Unlike my sprain, the blister pain was unbearable for me.
While having our lunch at Km 70, I had my blisters checked for the 2nd time.
Blisters grew in size, as big as the old Peso coin.

Photo courtesy of My SM Family

At this point, I told Jigger to go ahead.
I called on my support crew, and asked for my slippers.
BDM Race Staff checked our condition, and was cleared.
Time was still enough for us to finish the race.

Photo courtesy of My SM Family


At Km 73, I stopped in 14:11:14.
I sent a text message to the race director, Sir Jovie Narcise aka Bald Runner and submitted myself to the DNF (did not finish) list.
Photo courtesy of Marvin Pangan

Remaining supplies was shared to my friends who are still in battle.
Proceeded to Km 102 to congratulate the finishers.
Praised and thanked God for the great experience.

Photo courtesy of Emil Ancheta

We reached our hotel in San Fernando, Pampanga around 7PM.
I easily fell asleep.
Here's a picture of my sprained left foot...

Photo courtesy of Emil Ancheta

And my blisters.

Photo courtesy of Emil Ancheta


Praise God for a weekend full of love.
But I have to admit, I have an unfinished business in Pampanga.
I'll be back for 2011 BDM 102k Ultra-Marathon!

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T minus 24 days, and counting...

It's 24 days to go before my marathon debut in Subic, Zambales. The recent personal and Typhoon Ondoy events are disheartening, but I must not lose focus on my training.

Over-trained? Rest!

I felt like the quality of my recent training runs are declining. Here you will read that I resolved to get back to heart rate monitor (HRM) training. After the ROTARun, I got sick and spent the holiday resting. The following day, I skipped my 8k easy run, and went to the neighborhood spa for some foot spa to treat my blister in my right pinky toe (which I regret, you'll know in a bit) and body massage pampering.


Come Thursday, I really felt strong, and resumed my training by running a 5k tempo. I was like an animal that got out of a cage! Hehehe... However, after the run, I got (not one but) two new blisters, this time at the balls of my feet (one on the left, and another on the right). Julius was right in his reply to my facebook shout. Foot spa removes all the callouses that protect your feet from blisters!

Friday, I learned something new from The Fit Mommy in solving blister problems. So I hurried to Toby's to get my tape and experience its benefits. After office, as I was preparing for my 8k easy run, this guy named Ondoy came and scared the blisters in me. Again, I skipped the run, and went home to rest.

Saturday, me and my buddy Rafa planned to go to Subic to recon the race route and do some ocular in our accommodation, but Ondoy spoiled the day and went all out, flooding Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces. No one was spared. Our house got flooded for the first time, that prompted me to create a small canal from our gate, to allow water to flow out of our place. This made my back and arms sore like hell. Good thing, the New Balance Race the following day got canceled because of the Ondoy aftermath, and I got to rest (again!).

Physical Inventory

With all the things that happened last week, I can't help but do a physical inventory during my rests, of what I have, and what I could still do, to pursue my marathon dream.

Immediately, I went back to the drawing board, and fixed my training plan. With 24 days left, I'm positive that my dream is still feasible. I just have to train wisely with the aid of my HRM, to avoid under or over-training.

My Present Maximum Heart Rate

The simplest formula to defines one's maximum heart rate (MHR) is 220 minus age. Thus, my present MHR should be 188. However, my Suunto HRM had a different formula that yielded a slightly higher MHR of 190 when I plugged in my age.

Actually, there are a lot of schools of thought to determine MHR. But as I've said earlier, I need to be wise and simplify everything. So I'll follow 190 MHR for my training.


Tuesdays and Fridays are strictly for EASY RUNS

Using an HRM, easy runs are defined as training at 65 to 70% of one's maximum heart rate. I need to sacrifice speed at the moment, to allow my body to recover, perfect my running form, and build endurance at the same time. I've learned that running at this pace develops my smaller leg muscle groups that are meant for endurance runs.

Thursdays are for TEMPO or SPEED INTERVALS

Again, with the HRM, tempo is defined as training at 88 to 92% of one's maximum heart rate, while intervals are at 95 to 100%. This would address the speed issue, and allow me to execute the running form I'm practicing during easy runs, at a much faster pace. At this pace, its the turn of my larger leg muscle groups to function and develop.

Sundays are for LONG RUNS

Still with the HRM, long runs are defined as training at 75 to 85% of one's maximum heart rate. These runs will serve as "practice runs" for my marathon race.

NO RUNNING on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays

I need to treat these days "holy" to allow my running muscles rest completely. I will also spend these days training other parts of my body, like the core and upper body.

My Run Today

So how did I fair earlier? Today, my training plan ordered an 8k easy run. Using my uncalibrated foot pod for a perceived distance, I finished my run in 1:10:36. Pace was 8:50 min/km, and average heart rate at 143 bpm. Yep! I missed training inside the easy run zone by 5%. Tsk tsk tsk! How can that be? I'm incredibly slow already!

Well, the only explanation that I could think of is that I'm not well rested. I still need to spend some more time resting (and sleeping), for my heart to fully recover, and lower my heart rate at a faster pace.

I also tested the tape that promises zero blisters. At first, I felt awkward, but soon I get used to it and felt like nothing was there. Yep, (the fit) mommy knows best! No blisters!

That's all folks. Time to rest and get some sleep. Hope I fair well next time, wish me luck! =)

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