RACES
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PCTR Chabot Trail Run
February 20, 2011
Ran the 30k event, got real muddy and had a great time. It felt good to race again. Getting back into shape for the longer races!
Race Report
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PCTR Pirates Cove
March 19, 2011
I was supposed to run the 30k for this event as well but changed my mind on race morning and stepped up to the 50k. Had a great race and it was unexpected. I felt good for pretty much the entire time. It was sloppy with the mud and rain but I kicked butt, my own especially. Cracked that whip for the entire race.
4:48:35 for 5th Place.
Race Report
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American River 50-Mile
April 7, 2011
Disappointed that I just missed going under 8 hours but had a great. Fun race, great support!
8:05:22 for 64th out of 612 finishers.
Race Report
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Quicksilver 50-Mile
May 7, 2011
After AR50 I just kept on training hard and ran Quicksilver on tired legs. I definitely felt the wear and tear but had an unexpectedly good race. I was up and down the entire race but finished strong. Glad I did it.
8:24: something for 11th
Race Report
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Western States 100
June 25-26, 2011
Came away with another finish over 24 hours. Yaaaargggghhh! One day, one day! Besides that it was a great tie with friends, those running as well as crewing, volunteering and spectating. A great event.
24:50 something...
Race Report
More Photos
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San Francisco Marathon
July 29, 2011
First marathon in 7 years. Woohoo I forgot how fun they can be, painful too - all that asphalt. Fun time and as hilly as San Francisco is, it's nothing to the hills we run ever weekend in the Marin Headlands.Paced Jennifer Pattee, did a poor job at it but she did get her sub-4 goal.
3:56 something...
Race Report
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Cebu Summit 60k Challenge
October 3, 2011
My first Ultra in the Philippines! It was hot and tough and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I wasn't properly prepared for this race what with all the sight seeing and eating I had been doing the four weeks prior but it was a chance I couldn't pass up. I'd love to come back in better shape and give it another go.
Race Report
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Quad Dipsea
November 26, 2011
Love, love this race
5:47:11 Slower than in years past but considering the fun I've had in the UK and the Philippines, not running much, I'm happy with it. Love this race! 8 finishes down, 2 more to go for the 10 year jacket.
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VOLUNTEER, CREW OR PACE
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Pacing at Miwok 100k
May 5, 2011
Paced buddy Bradley Fenner and was a witness to his amazing strength, determination and stamina. He had been injured earlier in the Spring and couldn't run for 8 weeks. Despite being under trained he finished and finished strong. Amazing performance.
Report
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Crewing and Spectating at San Diego 100
June 11-12, 2011
Love San Diego 100, ran it the last 2 years, out this year because of Western States. Nevertheless I joined a group of friends to crew and pace. I was supposed to pace my buddy Randy Katz but he came down with food poisoning two days before the race. After he dropped he and I returned to the course to keep track of friends. We got to see Larissa Polischuk finally finish a 100 miler. A great time
Report
Videos
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Crewing and Pacing yet again at Javelina Jundred
October 15-16, 2011
My fourth time at this race and still a crew and pacer. One day, one day I am going to run this race, at least once! Another great time made even better by my buddy John Branderhorst, joining us for his first 100. A group of friends came to support and we had a grand ol' time in the Arizona dessert or is that desert... I always forget. That's okay, running this race is always a treat, some of the 100 milers may beg to differ though :)
Friday, October 07, 2011
Booo!
And I'm back! So I've been gone, yes I know that much has been obvious. What I mean is that I've been "gone, gone". I'm not in the country. I left for London early September and now I'm in the Philippines. Before anything else I'd like to send a big shout out to my man Scott Berge who is taking care of my place while I'm gone. Dude you are the best!
I was in London to visit my girlfriend, she's in a master's program there and I'm here in the Philippines to visit family. It was my grandmother's 94 birthday the other day, quite a reunion for the family. She raised me until I was 12 and like the rest of the family we are especially treasuring the time we have left with her.
Got to do some running in London, flat but enjoyed it nevertheless and I got to do some running here too in the Philippines, also flat but humid and warm. Here in the Philippines, it's been loop courses, not a lot of places to run in the places I've stayed at, the streets are not safe because of vehicle traffic and stray dogs. To be honest the running has been at a bare minimum. I only manage to run every 2 or 3 days or so. I'm so off my rhythm, have to consider other people's schedules and I've been working on my freelance work at night. I've also been um… indulging in the local foods I miss so much. Ah well, nevertheless this hasn't stopped me from signing up for a 60k this coming Sunday:) What the hell, as long as I don't pass out from the heat, finish in a decent time and still make my plane back to my hometown I'll consider it a huge success. I just hope I don't embarrass myself. Some runners here consider me the most experienced Filipino ultra-runner. I don't know if that's really true and if it is it won't be for long. More ultra races are being organized in the country and those who have the means travel internationally for races.
The running scene here is booming including Ultra's! It has been for the last 4 to 5 years. Runners have become celebrities and more celebrities have taken up running. A gal whose blog I use to follow is now on billboards and posters endorsing products. Good to see. She also helps a lot of runners get started with her programs. Through the years I've made friends with her and other Filipino runners, ultra and non, through blogs and Facebook. It's been 3 years since I've been back to the Philippines and I've been wanting to meet some of them. Some I've lost touch with over time which is a shame. If I was here longer I could take the time to track them all down. Anyway I did manage to connect with four runners last week and one of them, Jonel Mendoza, invited me to run a 60k at a neighboring island. Lots of islands here. It's only a 30 minute turbo prop ride away but far enough that they speak a different dialect (77 dialects in the country), thank God for English because frankly my proficiency in the national language is suspect and spoken with an American accent.
I was in good company that evening, accomplished gents with a lot of passion for the sport. Jonel Mendoza runs races all over the country is the editor in chief of FrontRUNNER magazine - a great running mag with lots of ultra content. Jonnifer Lacanlale and Simon Sandoval finished UTMB with Simon going on to run the Berlin Marathon three weeks later. I've always wanted to run Berlin since I visited the city so many years ago. Doc Peter, I forgot his last name:), is a doctor from the University of the Philippines who has also participated in UTMB twice. He has had the opportunity to travel for work and has run the Grand Canyon. I promised to take him to the Marin Headlands when he visits. Only thing that could have made it better is if Jovenal Narcise aka the Bald Runner had been able to join us. He is a retired two star army general who has been tirelessly working to grow the sport of ultra in the Philippines. He travels to the U.S. frequently and applies the things he's learned to the ultra scene here. He is the RD for the Bataan Death March which started as a 102km (63 miles) race that was extended to a full 160km (100 miles) this year the winner of which broke 18 hours. It's a road ultra but the Filipinos are getting faster every year! He has since organized another 100-miler, it will be the second for the country, that is primarily trail with hills and a stream crossing. It will be a loop course, in an Army base, but safer. It's a wilder environment here and I'm not just talking about the kind of animals that walk on four legs. The Bald Runner is busy in California, he is set to run the Dick Collins Firetrails 50-mile - my favorite 50 mile under it's new but accomplished RD, Julie Fingar, who also organizes two other incredibly popular ultras, Way Too Cool 50k and the American River 50-mile.
So my current shape; not a lot of running - vacation schedule, plumpier - is that even a word?, slower and not acclimated to heat and humidity. Awesome right? This has the makings of an epic run or epic failure. Well I just couldn't pass up on the opportunity, it will be my first international race after all and an ultra at that and furthermore at a place I've never been. The run starts off in the midst of a town complete with dusty roads and crazy traffic but we will make our way to tree covered fire roads and HILLS! I miss hills and I miss trail. I think this is the first year of the event. Not sure though. If it is it just adds more incentive for me to finish well and by well I mean just finishing looking decent. I'm sure.
Wish me luck or say a prayer if you are so inclined. I will need all my so-called experience to make it through this one gracefully. I've never been the kind of runner who just winged it at events. Like in college, I spent a lot of time studying and working to make up for lack of God given talent and skill.
I was in London to visit my girlfriend, she's in a master's program there and I'm here in the Philippines to visit family. It was my grandmother's 94 birthday the other day, quite a reunion for the family. She raised me until I was 12 and like the rest of the family we are especially treasuring the time we have left with her.
Got to do some running in London, flat but enjoyed it nevertheless and I got to do some running here too in the Philippines, also flat but humid and warm. Here in the Philippines, it's been loop courses, not a lot of places to run in the places I've stayed at, the streets are not safe because of vehicle traffic and stray dogs. To be honest the running has been at a bare minimum. I only manage to run every 2 or 3 days or so. I'm so off my rhythm, have to consider other people's schedules and I've been working on my freelance work at night. I've also been um… indulging in the local foods I miss so much. Ah well, nevertheless this hasn't stopped me from signing up for a 60k this coming Sunday:) What the hell, as long as I don't pass out from the heat, finish in a decent time and still make my plane back to my hometown I'll consider it a huge success. I just hope I don't embarrass myself. Some runners here consider me the most experienced Filipino ultra-runner. I don't know if that's really true and if it is it won't be for long. More ultra races are being organized in the country and those who have the means travel internationally for races.
The running scene here is booming including Ultra's! It has been for the last 4 to 5 years. Runners have become celebrities and more celebrities have taken up running. A gal whose blog I use to follow is now on billboards and posters endorsing products. Good to see. She also helps a lot of runners get started with her programs. Through the years I've made friends with her and other Filipino runners, ultra and non, through blogs and Facebook. It's been 3 years since I've been back to the Philippines and I've been wanting to meet some of them. Some I've lost touch with over time which is a shame. If I was here longer I could take the time to track them all down. Anyway I did manage to connect with four runners last week and one of them, Jonel Mendoza, invited me to run a 60k at a neighboring island. Lots of islands here. It's only a 30 minute turbo prop ride away but far enough that they speak a different dialect (77 dialects in the country), thank God for English because frankly my proficiency in the national language is suspect and spoken with an American accent.
I was in good company that evening, accomplished gents with a lot of passion for the sport. Jonel Mendoza runs races all over the country is the editor in chief of FrontRUNNER magazine - a great running mag with lots of ultra content. Jonnifer Lacanlale and Simon Sandoval finished UTMB with Simon going on to run the Berlin Marathon three weeks later. I've always wanted to run Berlin since I visited the city so many years ago. Doc Peter, I forgot his last name:), is a doctor from the University of the Philippines who has also participated in UTMB twice. He has had the opportunity to travel for work and has run the Grand Canyon. I promised to take him to the Marin Headlands when he visits. Only thing that could have made it better is if Jovenal Narcise aka the Bald Runner had been able to join us. He is a retired two star army general who has been tirelessly working to grow the sport of ultra in the Philippines. He travels to the U.S. frequently and applies the things he's learned to the ultra scene here. He is the RD for the Bataan Death March which started as a 102km (63 miles) race that was extended to a full 160km (100 miles) this year the winner of which broke 18 hours. It's a road ultra but the Filipinos are getting faster every year! He has since organized another 100-miler, it will be the second for the country, that is primarily trail with hills and a stream crossing. It will be a loop course, in an Army base, but safer. It's a wilder environment here and I'm not just talking about the kind of animals that walk on four legs. The Bald Runner is busy in California, he is set to run the Dick Collins Firetrails 50-mile - my favorite 50 mile under it's new but accomplished RD, Julie Fingar, who also organizes two other incredibly popular ultras, Way Too Cool 50k and the American River 50-mile.
So my current shape; not a lot of running - vacation schedule, plumpier - is that even a word?, slower and not acclimated to heat and humidity. Awesome right? This has the makings of an epic run or epic failure. Well I just couldn't pass up on the opportunity, it will be my first international race after all and an ultra at that and furthermore at a place I've never been. The run starts off in the midst of a town complete with dusty roads and crazy traffic but we will make our way to tree covered fire roads and HILLS! I miss hills and I miss trail. I think this is the first year of the event. Not sure though. If it is it just adds more incentive for me to finish well and by well I mean just finishing looking decent. I'm sure.
Wish me luck or say a prayer if you are so inclined. I will need all my so-called experience to make it through this one gracefully. I've never been the kind of runner who just winged it at events. Like in college, I spent a lot of time studying and working to make up for lack of God given talent and skill.
From left: Jonel Mendoza, myself, Jonnifer Lacanlale, Simon Sandoval and Doc Peter.
With Jon. I started trading emails with this gentleman 2-3 years ago. Back then 100 miles was just a dream for him, he has since three, all in different countries, with another scheduled at the end of the year. He is just getting started.
Friday, August 05, 2011
Hometown 26.2
Scott, my neighbor and weekday running partner.
Jen and I crossing the Golden Gate Bridge back to San Francisco. We crossed over and crossed back. Here's something I've never done before, run the bridge on the road.
Jen and I shortly after finishing the race.
Devon at the finish. She took third, paced by her Nathan.
I made out last weekend. Jen, a friend from my Thursday morning trail run group, hooked me up with a free race entry to the San Francisco marathon. It was such a last minute thing, I got confirmation of entry the afternoon before the event. Well it ended up being a really fun time. I enjoyed most of it and it's been too long since I ran my last marathon. The last time I entered a marathon was back in 2004, quite some time. The idea was to run with Jen and pace for the entire race. I'm not in racing shape but I knew I could complete the distance without killing myself. Her goal was to come in under 4 hours which was within my capabilities.
The weather was perfect. I mean it was shorts and t-shirt weather at 4:30 in the morning. I picked up my friend Scott and we walked down to the waterfront. I expected it to get breezier and colder by the water but it was pleasant and we would enjoy great weather for the rest of the day. The first 10 miles just flew. Jen and I ran at a great pace, talked a lot and enjoyed ourselves. Shortly after the bridge however I would lose her on a long downhill when she took off and I had to stop twice to tie my shoelaces. Eventually I caught up with her at Golden Gate Park. I ran ahead of her after catching up but eventually I lost her again. Thinking that she was still behind I ended up waiting for 12 minutes in the park. Finally when I started running again I caught a glimpse of her as the course looped back on itself - she was more than a mile ahead! This was around mile 17 or so and I would use most of it to catch back to her. I wasn't happy to be running so hard but I was also pleased that I was running well with no major issues. It felt good! Eventually I caught her, a mile from the finish. In the end she didn't need me as she paced her race superbly. She did it! She got it done! About 50 yards from the finish line Jen starts hauling and we run past Scott who was struggling. I yelled at him to follow us into the finish, "c'mon Scott! Follow us!! It was Scott's first marathon and he has been wearing his medal to work all week. We all crossed the line at 3:56. What a day.
Afterwards we hung out for a bit on the sidewalk and then eventually headed to Perry's. Thanks again to Jen, she secured us entry to where the elites and upper level volunteers were given the VIP treatment. Free food, free beer and a free rubdown = awesome. It took a lot of self-discipline not to go crazy on the breakfast menu however. It was delicious and there was plenty of it but I kept it under control. I did avail myself of the free rubdown and got to catch up with other friends.
So despite my horrible pacing skills and having to run hard just to catch up I had a great time, a really great time. I've never run the San Francisco marathon and it was good to finally check that item off my list. Run my own city's marathon - check! I felt great afterwards. I even went to TRX class that afternoon (I had a free pass for a week and wanted to make the best of it.)No lingering fatigue or issues now. I was so psyched that I signed up for another ultra this month! I feel good. I am officially recovered and back in the mix.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend.
The new medal looks great in my lamp of medals and trinkets.
Friday, July 29, 2011
A Month Later
Oh yeah, Brett Rivers, showing off his new Western States buckle. The dude ran a 17:38! This was at a wedding a couple weeks after WS.
The initial recovery was longer than usual but faster than I expected. Let me explain. Usually I'm back out at the end of the week after these 100s shuffling about and working my legs back to normal. The year I ran Kettle Moraine 100 and Tahoe Rim Trail 100 (6 weeks apart) I was back out doing long runs the following weekend. This time no such foolishness. The posterior tibial tendon strain kept me from running even 7 days after the race. The way I could feel it "bite" when I jogged for reached for things in the cupboard really had me worried that I tore it. Fortunately I did not do anything major and by the following week I was able to do a workout on the spin bike and do some light jogging. Five weeks later I am feeling very, very good although I don't have all of my speed back yet. I have been taking it easy so that's probably why. I ran real trails for the first time yesterday morning with my Thursday morning group and felt great - two hours in the Marin Headlands. So yeah I'm back, mostly here than there.
Enjoy more pictures from the event. If you are a Facebook friend you've seen these already. I have no concrete racing plans for the rest of the year except that I want to do well at the Quad Dipsea again but that isn't until November. I'm already booked for three pacing duties, one next weekend at Headlands Hundred, the second at Javelina and the last one at the Northface 50-mile. I have more pacing events than running events right now! Depending on how the early part of August goes I may run the Headlands 50k. It is hosted by my running club (Tamalpa) and is back on the scene after being cancelled the last three years. I will be there running or volunteering but I really want to run it. It was my first ultra so many years ago and I know the course like the back of my hand. I'd like to run it again even though I may not necessarily race it. I also may be running the San Francisco Marathon this weekend, all depends if a friend can get me a free pass to run it with her. We shall see.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
For the photoset click here. Special thanks to Steven Bin who took pictures with my camera while I was running. Here's a few images from the set.
Stan Jensen, faster on the draw with his camera. Friday at race check in.
Larissa Polischuk, Brett River's main squeeze and one of my training partners. She's sporting her new San Diego 100 buckle and a shirt I designed for Brett's race. Brett did tear up the course like a monster, his first time too.
The gang, waiting for runners to come through. Photo by Steven Bin.
Leaving Michigan Bluff at mile 55. The next 25 miles would be my best miles of the race. Photo by Steven Bin.
Unhappy at this point at mile 93, wasn't going to break 24 hours and feeling like poop. Crewchief Jessica looking a bit worried. Photo by Steven Bin.
The track finally! Sad to come in after 24 hours, extremely happy and relieved just to finish. Photo by Steven Bin.
Done! Photo by Steven Bin.
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