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.