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Bro. Carlo Bacalla, SDB, spoke about ultrarunning and his experiences at last Friday night's run. CLICK TO ENLARGE.

I made it a point to join the usual Friday night run with the ungo runners as I was in Cebu last week. As always, its fun and a good opportunity to touch base with Cebu based run enthusiasts.

The number wasn’t as much as I expected (some scheduled an LSD the following morning) and there were several new faces and familiar ones that I have seen only on dailymile.com and Facebook.

Guest speaker was Bro. Carlo Bacalla, SDB, who spoke about his experiences, joining ultramarathons, the preparations and the mindset, this, peppered with witty quotes that made his presentation engaging and interesting.

Below are the few images during the run. These will also be uploaded to Fit and Run facebook page later.

VIEW THE GALLERY

Runners preparing for the morning run.

Route map. CLICK FOR LARGER MAP

Running through the twin bridges of Mandaue and Mactan was an experience! The views and seascapes were just so amazing that I can’t help but remember my Macau run. Unfortunately, because of the rains and drizzle before we started, I decided to just leave my camera.

It’s my first time to join this early morning run with the ungo runners, a welcome change from the usual Friday nights  that the informal group have. Initially, the planned route is 13KM distance that might have taken us to the three bridges, including the newly opened Cansaga Bay Bridge going to Liloan. However, since we started late, around 30 minutes because of the rains, we cut it short and just decided to do a 7KM loop (see map). There were just about 10 of us as many joined the Fitness First race.

How was it? At first, I was daunted with the ascent and descent of the two bridges but in reality , the gradual inclination is good and not as taxing as I thought it would be. However, after a few meters from the descent, my lower shins were hurting that I have to walk for a few minutes so that it will subside. When I also ran along the cement sidewalk, it wasn’t also good since my shins were also in pain due to the harder surface.

I didn’t join the rest when they headed to the market as I was still planning to shoot the Fitness First race and just did the loop above.

After the 10K with Vinson and Froi

10K loop that we did last night

Dagan ta unya gabie? (Let’s run tonight?)

Vinson, a runner friend, typed on the small screen at Facebook chat window inviting me to a 10K night run. That was last 24 May and the previous day, I just had my second 5k race.

I was tempted. The longest distance prior to this was just around 7K. Initially, I was hesitant since it will be the longest yet and because I just ran the previous day. I was also thinking if I can make it but it was just too hard to resist that I said yes. I was crossing my fingers and excited at doing this long run.

The initial plan was to start at Ayala Center in Cebu, head to IT Park then Gorordo Ave. We will then turn right along Escario St. and then to Jones Ave. before turning at Abellana and back to the starting place. We, however, agreed to start and end at IT Park.

Being with another runner is better than running alone. Other than having run related conversations, the challenge of keeping pace with a faster buddy is better. It somehow pushed me and, actually, was kind of pleased with my performance. Of course, there was a point that I had to walk but briefly. Froi, another runner and Vinz’s close friend joined us on the way back starting at Fuente Osmena.

That was the seminal 10K run that I had and felt great about it. My second came two days later. This was followed with a much longer run from MOA to KM 0 in Luneta with friends from Smart at 12k! Right now, as I’m preparing for my first 21K in CamSur, I’m doing weekly training runs three times a week with a starting average distance of 10K and progressing every week.

I’m now very much addicted with running!

I was able to join the 11th Ungo run last Friday!

It’s good to be back in Cebu again and that only mean one thing: Friday night runs with the ungo runners! I’ve really been addicted now with running and its much more fun if you have a bunch pounding the pavement from the Sun-Star office near USC to either Asiatown IT Park or Banilsad Town Center, a distance of between 5 – 9 kilometers.

Another treat is that before the runs, there is usually an invited speaker who will talk about running or their experiences or give tips and advice. Last Friday, runner/blogger/triathlete Reel Bontol and Kenneth Casquejo of Runcheck gave a talk on road safety while running.

One thing that I’ve really observed each time I join is that the group is now growing. Several new faces and in the FB page of Ceburunning.com there are several who post asking if they can run with the group even if they are newbies and this says much about the burgeoning running community in Cebu, a good development.

For last Friday, we just followed the traditional route which starts at the Sun Star office, turn left at R. Landon, turn right at Jones, on to Fuente Osmena, the Capitol, veer right to Escario St. then left at Gorordo Ave., JY Square, Salinas Drive and ended at Asiatown IT Park. This was also the route we took during my first ungo run.

The photo gallery of this night run has been uploaded.

11th Ungo night run gallery now up!

Gallery here

Check out the latest ungo Friday night run images taken last 21 May with the runner/blogger Dr. Reel Bontol and Kenneth Casquejo giving the talk to the participants. Route was from Sun-Star office to Asiatown IT Park via Jones – Escario – Gorordo – Salinas Drive.

Photos now uploaded at Fit and Run Facebook page.