Road to CamSur Marathon 2011

For almost three months, I had to recover from a toenail injury which I got from TNF 22K++ semi-trail run. My training for my first full marathon started on July 3 or thirteen weeks before the CamSur Marathon 2011.

From July 3 to September 18, I covered roughly 372.84KM. The 162.8KM or 43.7% of which were from twelve races I joined in. My training mileage was only 210.04KM

WEEK ONE: 16KM

I did 16K at South Star Drug Run for Wellness 2 (7.3.11). It was my "come back run" since the I Run for Ina 10K Run last May 7. I clocked at a time of 1:38:43 or 6:15mins/km covering the Plaza-Pacol-and-back route.

WEEK TWO: 28KM (2 runs)

My 1:01:27 or 6mins/km results at Dalagan para sa Karahayan (7.10.11) was two minutes shy of the record I set in 10K at Hyundai Run for a Cause. The route was tiring psychologically doing 2 loops around downtown Naga from Bicol Access Health Center in CBD2. The weather was fine. It rained before the gunstart and after the awarding ceremony.

At CamSur PNP-sponsored Run for Peace (7.16.11), I clocked at 1:41:56 or 5:45mins/km. The 18K run started at PNP Provincial HQ in Concepcion Grande to Del Rosario, Cararayan, Balatas, San Felipe, Peñafrancia, Concepcion Pequeña and back via Villa Grande Subdivision. See route map. Finishers were rewarded with a medal at the finish line. Most runners participated in shorter categories.

WEEK THREE: 15KM (1 run)

At Rinconada Eco-Uphill Run (7.17.11) in Bula CamSur, I did the 15K. It was not my first back-to-back run. (In October last year, we did the Daralaganan sa Bombon (~11K) and 34th Milo Marathon 10K.) My time here was 1:32:xx or 6mins/km. The race started a bit late but it was fun. We had boiled bananas, macaroni soup, sinuman, sweet potatoes at the finish line, and I got a shirt from one of the sponsors. Similar to the route the other day, we had to take a detour as we thought we were few kilometers away from the finish arc. With Mother Seton Joggers at the photo.

WEEK FOUR: 20KM (2 runs)

I did about 11K on Sunday. There was no other race for this week except for the for 3K run at Ignatiana Fun Run (7.29.11) in ADNU. There, I managed to set a PR at 0:15.xx or 5mins/km, and did an extra 6K easy run after the race.

WEEK FIVE: 28KM (2 runs)

I did 15K at 6:30mins/km on Sunday in preparation for the next run. At Pilgrimage Run (8.6.11) in Gainza, CamSur we joined the 15K which was actually shorter since I crossed the finish line at 1:18:xx. It could be 13KM. In the photo taken by Prez Ed are Jhun R. and sir Mhentz (left) of NSO Runners.

WEEK SIX: 24KM (3 runs)

At Run for Dan (8.7.11) held a day after the Gainza run (another back-to-back run), I was late for the gunstart but I was able to catch up. The route was 3.5KM from Plaza Quezon, Liboton, Peñafrancia Ave. and back.

On Tuesday, Mhentz and I did 10KM recon of the route of Canaman run. I recorded a PR for 10K at Canaman Historical Trail Challenge (8.13.11) in my turf. Based on my watch (I stopped the clock at KM10. Actual distance was over 400m.), I set a 0:58:58 or 5:45mins/km record. Out of more than thirty 10K runners, I finished 12th.

With Rumel (left) of SHARP Phils Runners with other running buddies at the benefit run for Dan and Canaman run.

WEEK SEVEN: 33.3KM (2 runs)

I covered 12KM from Canaman to Basilica and vice versa (6.5KM at ~7mins/km, 30 mins break, 5.5KM at ~7:30mins/km). It started at 6:30AM and arrived at 8:30AM.

At NSO Run for Quality Statistics (8.20.11), a 21.3K-run from Panganiban Ave. to Pacol and back, I secured the LAST finisher's medal. I finished 30th at 2:17:50 or 6:30mins/km, a personal record for 21K.

WEEK EIGHT: 44.8KM (4 runs)

My mileage for this week hit the 40KM mark. I started the week with a 4KM run (~6:30mins/km). On Thursday, after realizing that I only had exactly 1 month to train, I was able to make 19.3KM (9:45mins/km) even if it was raining. See route map.

I Run for Ina (8.27.11) was a 21.5K-run from Penafrancia Shrine to Pacol, the a loop in downtown Naga and back to the shrine. I recorded 2:22:00 here, or 6:30mins/km. I paced with sir Mhentz from start to ~KM15 at 6:30min/hr or slower, and increased my pace until the finish line. It was the first time I completed a half-marathon race without walking! Could not get enough, I did another 4KM from northbound terminal to home after the race. Yay! With NSO Runners and Sonny of Gym Runners of Olympia.

WEEK NINE: 48.1KM (2 runs)

On Monday, a national holiday, I was on the road for over 5 hours. As early as 4:15AM, I hit the road. From home to Avenue Square which is 4.2KM, I jogged at a pace of 11:15mins/km. I took 28 mins break and warmed up. From Avenue Square to Pacol, Cararayan and Basilica, Alfred and I covered 17.2KM at 8:30mins/km. I decided not to ride going home. From Basilica, I took Taculod road which is 5.7KM with at the speed of 10:15mins/km. Total distance covered: 27.1KM.

On Tuesday, Caceres Runners Club decided to do the revised Milo 21KM route. I did the Galloway technique here. My pace was 8:30mins/km including 15+/-mins break with the team. Since July 3, I had been using the New Balance shoes. For this run, I tried the Adidas which gave me an injury. Or was it because of my back-to-back run, I am not sure. Some of my teammates also suffered injuries from this long run.

WEEK TEN: 66.08KM (4 runs)

It was the the peak of my training but certainly not the toughest yet.

For the second time, I did not walk during the race. Before the gunstart of 21KM at 35th Milo Marathon (9.4.11), I was experiencing plantar fasciitis but the pain was gone around KM4. My game plan here was similar to what I did at I Run for Ina. My pace in the first half of the race was 7mins/km. Based from the official results at the Milo website, I crossed KM10.5 at 01:13:03. I increased my pace at the turning point but made sure I finish the race strong. And I did at 2:20:36 or 6:30mins/km.

With the Santoses at the finish line. Breakfast with Team Caceres at Jing's place.

Cross-training. On Tuesday, I tried swimming (300m) at Metro Naga Sport Complex. On Wednesday, I did 10KM at 8mins/km from home to Basilica via Matiway and 5 loops in Basilica. On Thursday, I was back in the pool (150m) and did 2KM in the oval.

On Saturday, I covered 33.08KM in 5 hours and 30 minutes with Alfred, Sonny, Mhentz and Riz at some points of the run. See route map.

I posted at Dailymile: "Easy run and speed work every other 30mins until KM14. [Carolina with Alfred] Uphill. Easy run and walk until KM18 then rest for 5mins. [GSP site - turn around] Downhill [with Sonny and Alfred]. Easy run and 2-min walk after every 20-15mins then 10mins rest at KM24.75. [Panicuason] Heat of the sun became punishing. [Carolina to Pacol] Washed arms and face at two water pumping stations. Started to feet [sic] the weight of the feet. [San Felipe] Easy run and 5-min walk after every 10-5mins with speed work until KM31.5. [Sonny's place] Then 5-min rest. Walking until KM33.08. [Felix's place]"

I got a new pair of shoes from Felix for my training and short distance runs. What a treat for doing such a very looong run.

WEEK ELEVEN: 41.9KM (4 runs)

Couldn't get enough of the long run we had the other day, together with Alfred, Sonny, Mhentz, Olsen, Riz and her officemates, we went to CamSur Watersports Complex from NSO Office.

I posted at Dailymile on 9.11.2011: "Adding more kilometers to our weekend mileage before tapering for the 2011 CamSur Marathon on the 25th. Approximately 4 hours including about 30 minutes rest and sight-seeing at CWC." I covered 21.24KM.



Tuesday was an easy run from home to Basilica, istambay for few minutes, went home via Taculod (jumped on cousin's motorcycle at KM10.)

On Wednesday, with Nong2 and Jec, we joined the UNILAB Healthcare on the Road Naga City Adventure Challenge (9.14.11). It was a 14.7K run/walk/ride (approxiamately 8KM was on foot).

On Thursday, Nong2 and I had a 13.9KM easy run from home to basilica via hi-way and Matiway, to Panganiban to Bagumbayan. It had been a long since I ran in the rain.

WEEK TWELVE: 22.42KM (1 run)

The day after Fluvial Procession, I had my last run before I took some rest for the BIG DAY. It was 3 hours and 30 minutes run at 09:21min/km pace. See route map.

I posted at Dailymile: "LSD. Started at 7:15 [waited for Nong2 who did not show up] from home to Magsaysay. Walked to Basilica, to Eternal Garden where I saw Jing. Returned to Basilica weaving through a sea of devotees. Continued running along Magsaysay until CWC. Tried the final KMs of CamSur Marathon route: Lago del Rey, CWC and Capitol Convention Center. A skeleton of the Start/Finish arch is up. Walked until I reached the national highway. Got sun burn."

I had flu and sore throat after this run. At CWC, I had ice cream on stick as a treat. At home in the afternoon, I bought my self a mug of sorbetes.

Upcoming: The SYMMETRIX Run (5.22.11)

Sixty-Niners Fraternal Klan Inc. is sponsoring The SYMMETRIX Run, a 25km multi-pavement run (road, gravel and trail) from the town's proper to Mt. Asog's crater lip and back. This will happen on Sunday, May 22 in Buhi, CamSur. Registration fee is P500 inclusive of singlet, bib, energy drinks and finisher's medal.

PRIZES: 1ST PLACE- P6,000; 2ND PLACE-P4,000; 3RD PLACE-P2,500

There will be 6km fun run-walk. Registration fee is P250 inclusive singlet, bib, drinks, snacks and souvenir token.

REGISTRATION CENTERS
Buhi, CamSur:

• SUREPLUS STORE in San Buena, Buhi, CamSur
• LITSKIKAY STORE AND RESTAURANT in San Buena, Buhi, CamSur

Iriga City:

• ABEN MARKETING in Hi-Way 1, San Miguel, Iriga City

Naga City:

• TRI N' RUN MULTISPORTS HUB in 41B Mayon Ave., Naga City

Legazpi/Daraga Area:

• DARAGA PAINT CENTER& GEN. MERCHANDISE in Baylon Bldg., Daraga, Albay (052) 483-3713 (Registration forms will be available here starting May 2, 2011)

FINISHER'S MEDAL and ROUTES

Photos: Binamban Fest Fun Run

Participants in Binamban Fest Fun Run held on May 2, 2011 in Bombon, CamSur have uploaded their photos.



Check out the rest of the photos at Jing's album here.

Sir Mhentz who just ran 21~27K in TNF100 CamSur, did a 14K recovery run. See his shots here.

Ed, race organizer, has the awarding photos.

TNF100 CamSur (5.1.11)

PRE-RACE. Couldn't sleep. Still wanted to watch Sports Unlimited. Decided to take sleep, about four hours.

Was up at 2. Had hot coffee, or was it oatmeal I forgot. Needed to be at Ato's before 4. Was so early. Jogged over 1km to the hi-way. Waited patiently for a ride to Naga. Texted Ato who thought the starting line was at CWC, and kept me waiting at least by half an hour. Saw a cab with some TNF100 participants, it even slowed down to pick me up. Past 4, saw Jun and buddy going already.

Arrived at CWC ready for the worst: DNS. But we were just on time. Met clubmates and other buddies. Photo ops.

Checked in, jumped on the army truck. Got transported to the camp. Sun was up, not a good sign. No enough time to warm up. Armies and trainees greeted us. Chopper was covering the start. Bang!

RACE. Annoying belt bag, exact shoe size, wind by chopper too low. Hard to run, jogged.

Very long gradually ascending road of earth, not the kind of "trail" I was expecting. Water station, Mt. Isarog finally. Reached A2, I supposed. Tsk tsk minus ~4km of "trail-forest run." Entered the forest, excitement.

Cool, moist, green, nature, quadriceps, arms, sweat, leaves, itchy. Wore armsleeves.

Relaxed, no competition, wanted to take my time. Some overtaking, familiar faces, never saw again. Smiles. Race on.

Trees with red and white route markers. Hand held Gatorade to the back of my shorts. Needed to use two hands. Narrow paths, some rocks. Bamboos, ropes. ~50 meters narrow canal, passage going up. Whew!

Marshals in the woods. Going down, crater? Sound of a waterfalls. Could be the highest point in the routemap. Ato overtook, bad. Nel taking photos and vid. Roadblock. Time to catch up. Guy ahead almost lost. Hey! look, routemarker. Went up, everyone followed.

Back on the road. Toes hurting. Banana. Paced with others. Hot. One by one, runners caught up. Reached A3.


Locals in upper Pili speak Rinconada? amazed. Carabaos, farmers, dogs, banana trees. Banana leaf, shield against the sun.

Familiar surroundings, back in Tinangis - A1. Marshals, armies, people again. The longest part.

Unending earth road, corn fields on the side. Thirsty soil, beating sun. Marshal-shooter. Ran. Walked. A townmate, walked, talked, few kilometers covered.

About ten runners overtook, still got energy to jog. Unending road. Watched them disappear.

Motorcycles, other vehicles. Annoying. Dusts.

A sari-sari store. No bottled water. Cold water in a plastic bag to cool myself. Avoided to get thighs, feet wet. Lessons.

Sensed of the hi-way. Got energy to run. Fair weather. Hi-way, finally. Probably running for just over 4 hours. Police traffic, for me? Looked around, no other runner there. About five vehicles stopped, ran with smiling face.

Energy drink needed. None. Found one at Capitol entrance. Two runners caught up momentarily, another approaching. Race on.


Jogged, walked, jogged, gulped, ran. Very hot pavement. One overtook, "4:36" now. Walked until Lago before the last turn going to the finish.

TNF100 CamSur is all set

TNF100 CamSur starting line arc at CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC).

Photo by Joan

TNF100 Camsur Singlet

Here is the TNF100 Camsur singlet for the 22km and 11km trail runners. Quality-wise, it is so thin like you would not put it in the washing machine after the race. As to the design, I like it than the tshirt for the ultramarathon participants.

Photo by Nel

Here is the official jersey for the ultramarathon events, the Authentic TNF Tektee Shirt (Vaporwick Fabric).

24 slots for TNF100 CamSur up for grabs!

Dispatch Magazine announced that, together with The North Face and the Center for Outdoor Recreation and Expedition (CORE), it is giving away 24 slots for the TNF 100 CamSur Event happening on April 30 - May 1, 2011.

Ten (10) slots for the 11km category
Ten (10) slots for 20km category
Two (2) slots for 50km category
Two (2) slots for the 100km category

To qualify, you must be:
1. At least 18 years old and physically fit for the category you are registering for.
2. A resident of Naga, Legazpi or CamSur in Bicol. Valid I.D’s with home address (e.g. postal ID, driver’s license, SSS ID, TIN ID) must be provided as proof of residency.
3. Currently enrolled in a public school (e.g. highschool, undergrad, post-grad, vocational) and must provide any of the following as proof: school ID with validity period, certification from the school’s registrar’s office or recent report/course card.

Send a scanned copy of the required documents at admin@dispatchmagonline.com or through fax at (632)567-0648 addressed to Dispatch Magazine. Then email them the reason why you deserve to be given the slot. Indicate your complete name, address, telephone and mobile numbers and date the required documents were sent to us. The Dispatch Magazine Editorial Team and CORE (Center for Outdoor and Recreational Expedition) shall screen and select the deserving entries. Some of the entries will be posted to the official facebook fanpage and blogsite.

The winning results shall be announced at www.dispatchmagonline.com and at our facebook fanpage. An official email from admin@dispatchmagonline.com shall be sent to the winners for race kit claiming details. Hurry for the deadline is on Wednesday, April 20, 2011. Goodluck!

I learned that at CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) in Pili, CamSur, registration fees are cheaper at P2,000 for 100km and 50km categories while it is only P500 for 22km and 11km categories.

Photo by Adonis Gonzales

Upcoming: Binamban Fest Fun Run (5.2.11)

If you want to have a recovery run or do a side-trip a day after the TNF100 Asia Pacific Series CamSur, the local government unit of Bombon, CamSur will have the Binambam Fest Fun Run. Home of the local delicacy called binamban and a breath-taking three centuries old leaning belfry, the sub-urban town of Bombon is just 15 minutes drive from Naga City.




The fun run which features three categories namely 3km, 6km and 14km, aims to raise the awareness of the locals on waste management. Registration fees are as LOW as P350 for 14km, P200 for 6km and P150 for 3km. The fees include: the official singlet and bib, binamban pack, and a 14km finisher's medal which is made of marble! Aside from the top prizes, consolation prizes await for the top 20 runners.

Major Prizes:
14km Male - 1st P1500; 2nd P1000; 3rd P500
14km Female - 1st P1000; 2nd P700; 3rd P500
6km Male - 1st P700; 2nd P500; 3rd P300
6km Female - 1st P700; 2nd P500; 3rd P300
3km Male - 1st P500; 2nd P400; 3rd P300
3km Female - 1st P500; 2nd P400; 3rd P300

Consolation Prizes:
14km Male/Female - Top 10 P200 each; Top 20 P100 with pin badge
6km Male/Female - Top 10 P200 each

Here are the route maps:
3km category

6km category

14km category

Last October 2010, LGU-Bombon held the Daralaganan sa Bombon Run which was organized by Municipal Councilor and Caceres Runners Club President Eddie Alteza. He is one of the most generous local race organizers, I must say.

Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope that PNoy will declare Monday a holiday!

Updates: TNF100 Asia Pacific Series CamSur

Organizers of TNF100 Asia Pacific Series CamSur held a press conference last week. Registration, route maps and other details can be found at the official website.

Here is a GOOD NEWS to the early 50km and 100km registrants!



Aside from getting free round trip from ROX to CWC (first 100 only), you will also get a TNF visor as bonus. Top 50 finishers in each category will also receive a visor.


Official jersey for the ultramarathon events is the Authentic TNF Tektee Shirt (Vaporwick Fabric) and a TNF100 Visor for those lucky and tough ones.

Photos from Tnf Ph in Facebook

Route maps: TNF100 Asia Pacific Series CamSur

Route maps for TNF100 Asia Pacific Series CamSur has been released at the official website.

All categories except for the 22km will start and finish at the CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC). The starting point for the 22km will be at the Deer Farm situated at the foot of Mount Isarog!









You can use also use Wikimapia to study the route and get familiarized with the terrain.

Good news! It was also announced that the registration has been extended until April 27, 2011. As stated in the website, registration fees are at “early bird” rates and may increase without prior notice.