Fit and Run.Info

This is the second part of the interview I did with Francis Randy Hortelano. Read part 1.

FaR: How was your BDM102 run? What were the difficult moments? Were there situations that might have led you to give up?

FRH: When d-day came. I had an ultra-mediocre aim: finish a little over 50KM and that’s it. I can’t afford to push further since I was in-charge of an important office activity the following day. Hence, I couldn’t afford injury, much less, get so tired that I can’t even walk to the event venue.

With the hard and painful lessons I learned from the test-run, Condura and Century, I managed to tame my feet during the first 50KM. I ran slowly yet steady. True to being a mental-sports, I managed to crush my fears of running alone in the dark, doubting myself and being competitive. I couldn’t care less if I was the last runner. I was merely enjoying every stride with the overwhelming support of fellow runners and support crew. Upon reaching my initial aim, 55-60KM, I was already celebrating, overly satisfied of breaking my own record. Nevertheless, I was also experiencing my second wind. Oh, God! where did it all come from?

The support crew of Titanium Runner (TR) who likewise adopted me were all excellent. TR’s mom was such a constant cheer. Estan (ahem, that’s FaR) and kuya were not just generously giving out water, gatorade and offering food but their words of encouragements uplifted the weary spirit to the nth power. Our manong driver can’t also be outdone. He managed to be  an alert zombie all night and defied sleep the following day. The other support crew and fellow runners were all out in their support too. I was so high in the midst of all these kind people. Even the poor selling some fruits and water along the Roman high way only made me prouder as a Pinoy Runner.

Anak, halika, buhusan kita ng tubig.

She didn’t even accept my offer of payment afterwards. My heart melted,

…galingan mo. Kaya mo yan. Ingat sa daan

were echoing in my ears. I would have easily dismissed the kindness of my friends and all people who naturally cared for my welfare but experiencing unlimited and unconditional support from people I’ve never known was too horribly-humbling and sweet.

True, even if I would have wanted to quit with the thoughts of work already flooding my consciousness, these people have provided the much-needed strength and fortitude to continue.

FaR: Unforgettable moments?

FRH: The feeling of enormous safety, strength, patience, endurance and tolerance to pain, sun, sand and gravel allowed me to reach the finish line. Winning the battle of the mind is what makes me sentimental everytime I look back. It’s an indelible memory telling myself this everytime I wish to surrender,

…you are not alone in this journey. Whatever you are going through is what your fellow runners have experienced or are experiencing with you. If you just bear a little longer, slowly but surely, you are guaranteed to reach the finish line.

Since I conditioned myself not to be too tired, I dreaded the thought of consuming all my energy. So I’ve been pleading extra support from above everytime I pass all His sacred houses along the journey. Asking help is not my usual self. I’ve always prided myself of being self-sufficient. Self-reliant. Self-contained but BDM is an ultimate ego-breaking experience and discovered how low my self-trust is. I thought I was confident enough but far from it. I briefly panicked for help when told time was running out. My fellow runners were already exhausting all their energy to beat precious time fastly ticking away. But where does aid really come from? I was already running for 16 hours. 10 hours of which is under the mercilessly 41 degrees of heat. I’ve almost consumed all hydration and food available. No sleep. Tired. I sat down and removed my shoes. I can’t. I can’t anymore. I can’t afford to be absent was an automatic mantra or an easy escape to the unfathomable process I willingly plunged into. Just as my doubting-self almost won, TR exclaimed,

c’mon, you are almost there and then rest afterwards. The cut-off time is maliciously smiling at this point. I told you so, you can’t.

All of a sudden, another wave of energy came in. Oh yea, to this day, I still couldn’t figure out where it was coming from. I laced my shoes once more and never allowed other thoughts to exploit my mind. I just ran and ran. Then a fellow runner, GBM, cheering everyone on the course, let’s party, let’s party. Tears of joy. Tears of thanks. Tears of relief got shielded by my shades. No need to panic. There is a lot of time to spare and I just passed 100KM. True to my covenant with my body, I slowed down and walked to the finish line. Afterwhich, I didn’t want to move anymore. I was begging for muscle recovery and be ready for work the following day.

FaR: Insights on the whole BDM102 event?

FRH: It is so easy to slide back to comfort zones when one feels the discomfort and pain. But how does one really know when he already exceeded his limit if he does not push further? This is BDM. It is self-discovery in action. You can only be a better person after this event.

FaR: What are your future plans? Will you run in future ultramarathons?

FRH: Honestly, I was just begging for just the finish line please and even for just once. I stopped joining races after the BDM.  But probably, I’ll join the Philippine Association of Ultrarunners. Let’s see. If permitted, I may join another ultra soon.

FaR: Any advice for the aspiring ultramarathoner or for newbie runners out there?

FRH: Running is a calling of sorts. We run to be physically fit, to test our limits, to discover ourselves. Running is like a vocation.

We need to dedicate some precious time for training to mitigate risks. We spend precious pesos. We adopt a relatively healthy lifestyle. And meet all sorts of opposition, especially one that come from our love ones or closest friends.

You are just wasting time. Money. Energy. Are you crazy? What’s the problem with you?

These and more will be the usual song from those who care.

From a docile kid, you could be labeled stubborn instead of tenacious. Courting death instead of life. Be prepared to be criticized. And all these thoughts will visit you in doing ultras.  But remember, you have a mind and a more powerful God. Be sensible though when to train. When to stop. When to push. The guidance of a  sports doctor will be of great help.

FaR: If you can add others that might be interesting for readers related to the ultramarathon, so much the better:

FRH: Running the road of life will never take away your energy. It is ready to re-fill you upon reaching  your limit for the day. Oh yes, running the road of life will bring you death. Death to old patterns of self-defeating thoughts—I can’t  to I can.

Running will make you win. Stronger. Better. Your thoughts can make the rest of the difference. Run for a cause. The BDM will not just make you prouder of yourself. You will also intensely feel pure gratitude to the valiant countrymen who offered their life for the freedom we are experiencing today. Run well before running runs away from you! It is never a waste when you invest for your own fitness in the first place.

Most of all, enjoy your runs. If eventually, you’ll discover that running isn’t for you, then find out what can genuinely bring smile and satisfaction on your face. The point is: LIVE a happy life.

Check out also MiracleCello’s post on Francis.

Francis Randy Hortelano is an employee of an insurance agency at the central business district in Makati City. He was one of three runners that I supported during the last Bataan Death March Ultramarathon better known as the BDM102 finishing 79th at 17:33:20. He is also a lacto-vegan.

FitandRun (FaR): Can you give a short background of yourself?

Francis Randy Hortaleza (FRH): I am a courageous soul who loves to learn by experimenting through the outdoors, like traveling and lately running. I may not be the fastest learner but good enough to unwillingly merit monikers from people who care and care less: Flash, Northstar, Dalai, Bro and FR. I can be a meticulous planner but likewise surrender to fate when things don’t materialize as I wanted.  That would explain why I can also be a sign person. A newbie mountaineer but running took a front stage after my induction with AMCI (FaR: AMCI Mountaineering Club, Inc).

By the way, more than anything else, I am more remembered by people with my plant-based food and baons wherever I go. They can have amnesia of everything about me but never what’s on my plate.

How can you run with such? Where do you get your protein? Ha? Are you afraid of getting hungry, why all the food in your bag? I’d like you to meet, hmmm….uhmmmm… my colleague who only eats fruits and veggies.

There you go.

FaR: How is it being a vegetarian runner? Does being one make a difference? Advantages and limitations?

FRH: I may not be in the pink of health all the time and my endurance level may not be consistently high, even then, my fitness level could have been worse if I am not a lacto-vegetarian for almost two decades now. To some, bringing baon is a monstrous hassle. Once it becomes natural though, no big deal at all. I believe that each individual is accountable to their health and happiness. I feel fit and happy with this meal. I will only quit otherwise. I am comfortable with what I eat and equally comfortable with others’ choices. Since as a kid, respect has been emphasized by my elders. If it can’t really be avoided, the dining table must not be a battleground between the consumers of veggies and the other living species.

What I only wish to demystify is the notion that veggie runners can’t do hard-core activities such as the BDM, mountaineering or other strenous endevors. I am no elephant, carabao or horse. Our common denominator is not speed, patience or endurance. It is just in eating leaves.

FaR: Have you always been active? Why running? Can you give a brief background of your running history?

FRH: Hahah. Nice question. The scars all over my body are loud proof of how active I am from mountain climbing, spelunking, biking, skating, among others. Include my visits to sports doctors and subsequent therapy sessions!

Why running? I had been passionately playing some racquet sports but when I had rotator cuff tendinities, my range of motion was limited. I had therapy for some time but never got back to my best shots. I ended up feeling frustrated and wasn’t enjoying my games. So I took it as a sign to move to another sport, mountaineering!  I passed by a mountaineering shop one day and saw an open-climb poster. I got curious, asked and then joined. That climb got me bruises but I vowed to properly prepare for future treks.

I enrolled in a Basic Mountaineering Course (BMC) that required trainees to pass a 15-KM run in two hours (or 8 minutes per KM). That was  over 8 months ago and did my first kilometer at Ultra. I was such a loser and finished it at around 14 minutes. But our training program was designed in such a way that even non-runners can eventually make it. In my batch, all of us  eventually passed the 15-KM test.

FaR: Does running complement being a mountaineer or the other way around?

FRH: Oh yes, a lot! Running provides the endurance that mountaineers need and the other way around. Without an enduring spirit, one will only have endless struggle along running courses and mountain trails.

FaR: Why did you join the BDM102 Ultramarthon?

FRH: After the BDM, a non-runner friend cornered me and whispered,

I heard that you ran 102 KMs. I am your friend. Do you have any problem? Why are you committing suicide?

My friend was so concerned and I knew it wasn’t a joking remark. I quipped,

there are battles that only I could figure out. BDM is one of them.

And assured that I am mentally sane. When we parted, I had the best laugh of my life.

Running the BDM to the uninitiated is just too terrifying. Mind blowing. Incomprehensible. Why? Why not? It can be done by sane humans. If it can’t be, then there should be no ultras at all. There are a few who dare try.

I am one of those who merely wanted to experiment, simply needed some affirmation to test my limits. I deliberately sought to break my comfort zones and needed some shaking to break some self-imposed barriers. In short, I just wanted to see what is beyond me– the usual, already complacent self. I wanted to shatter the ugly internal sounds of: I can’t. I can’t. I can’t.

Seriously though, I must be thirsty for some sense of achievement. My life may have plateaued to a great extent and was in dire need for an interesting experience. The been-there-done-that psyche has not been helping me at all. I took it as a sign to explore. I don’t sulk in an empty corner who will just allow things to happen. Oh yes, I am always the explorer for answers. The BDM came as a timely solution to my waning enthusiasm.

FaR: Is it difficult to do the ultramarathon? What were your preparations (in terms of psychological, fitness and logistical)?

FRH: It is never easy but definitely making it is possible. As long as you enjoy what you’re doing, then everything seemingly impossible becomes possible. Looking back now, the real ultra battle is in the mind. No matter how you train and supported properly, if determination is weak, you will  surrender to the sun, the sand, the gravels, the ascents, the cars, the smoke, the body.

I joined the 50-KM test run in January with the sheer joy of experimenting. Like a little child escaping from his parents, I sneaked through Mariveles, Bataan on a bus with some few cash, an ID, fuel belt and tons of courage. I aimed to just try and if I can’t, I planned to quickly hop on the bus back to Manila. My mediocre aim wasn’t granted. I later found myself pushing to the finish line. No pain, no real gain. I had my shares of walks and runs, of aches and low spirits but mentally-focused on every stride. With much patience, every step and every breath were valued. With the big hearts of fellow runners and support crew who were all strangers to me, I reached the finish line. Briefly, I could hardly walk but I understood that my muscles were slowly adjusting to the new distance. This also made me realize that I should not have ran the uphill climb. I dearly paid for my speed tendencies. (FaR: kilometer 4 – 7 is an uphill climb).

I joined the Condura full marathon soon after. Again, I was conditioning my muscles to run slowly on a steady pace but somewhere along the way, the stubborn tendencies (of speed) appeared almost automatically. Again, I paid for it. I had my shares of all sorts of bodily aches and pains. O ano, you ran again?, would be a casual comment of the therapists when they treat me. But like the supportive sports doc, they could only provide much needed help. Hahah. I also did the half-mary in the Century-run.

Read Part 2

During the Cebu City Marathon 2010 and Condura Run, I coincidentally photographed Blas Tiangco and it was in this circumstance that he invited me to photograph also the runners of the then upcoming Bataan Death March Ultramarathon (BDM102) by being part of his support crew. I readily accepted.

Check this two part interview I did with the 31 year old Blas. To date, he has finished five marathons, finished 81st in the BDM102 and blogs on life, work and running at Midnight Pencil.

Part 1

FaR: How was your BDM102 run? What were the difficult moments? Were there instances that might have led you to give up?

BT: I enjoyed my entire BDM102 run! The only thing that I hated about it is the heat of the sun in this El Niño weather phenomenon. It really felt like I was being baked along the road and it really weakened me especially during the 60k up to the 90k distance. Did the thought of giving up cross my mind? NO. Never. I did mention something to the support team when I was taking a break, but it was only meant as a joke. Deep inside, I knew that I was determined to see this through.

I kept reminding myself that I was running for the memory of our fallen heroes in WWII. I was running in memory of the men who have influenced my life the most and have passed away. I was running because the road gives me a sense of serenity in spite of the heat, pollution or the fast vehicles that were passing by. And yes… I was motivated to finish the race because a day before the run a good friend baked no fudge brownies for me that I left in my refrigerator back in Manila! I am determined to taste them and eat them when I get back home from the ultramarathon!!!!

FaR: Unforgettable moments?

BT: One, singing the Philippine national anthem before the start of the race. I felt a tear roll down my eye as I sang the lines …

Duyan ka ng magiting. Sa manlulupig, di ka pasisiil.

It’s translated that my country is a place of the valiant, and though conquerors come and go it will not be overcome. I have never cried singing our national anthem before. I guess reading the history of the Death March at KM 0 and envisioning what it was like for the soldiers to walk 159 kilometers just made me appreciate more the sacrifices that they made for our freedom.

Two, running through the hilly parts of the route in the dark. It was my first time to run in the dark using a flashlight. It felt great to hear the sounds of nature such as the crickets, to see the stars shine brightly above and to feel the rush of blood flowing in my veins.

Three, to have my picture taken at the finish line with my mother. I felt like I just graduated from school and that my parents were there to cheer for me!

On the lighter side…

I was really looking for a place to crap and at around 7am, I asked one of the women in one of the houses at KM 55 and then they allowed me to use their bathroom. I was carrying this load with me for more than an hour and just kept looking and looking since I needed the clean water to clean my stuff and all that, and I also didn’t want to just do it in a corner of a tree. At that time, it was already daylight.

FaR: Insights on the whole BDM102 event?

BT: About a month ago, I realized that the cliche that life is a race and a marathon is true. Having finished my first ultramarathon, I now see that even though each person has a different race and calling in life; we still have to face death at the end of it all. Death can either be final for most of us, or death can leave a memory that reminds other people around us and even a nation that there is something worth dying for. The difference is in the choices we make now towards ensuring that what we are doing makes a difference in the eternal memory of our loved ones left behind.

Another is that though runners run alone or with fellow runners, they cannot do it alone. Without the ample support team of people handing out water, without the encouragement from friends coming through mobile phones or even listening through music via MP3 players — these things make or even break a runner.

That said, we all have a role to play in this race called life. Like you, you have chosen to take the role of a photographer documenting events as you see it unfolding and trying to freeze time in the pixels of your camera. For me, my role is to keep showing others that if I can do it, so can they. If I can change something in my life, so can they. If I can rise above my own problems and challenges, so can others. I hope that somehow I am able to do this as this relates to the final insight I want to share related to a song.

On the 60th kilometer, I listened to music to help encourage me to run further and faster. The song The Shadow Proves the Sunshine of Switchfoot was playing and the heat was already getting to me. In my personal blog, I have been very vocal about my faith in God. It is what sustains me. It is what helps me run further. But I admit that I am not perfect either and I feel that I am not the best representative of the faith that I profess in. I am easily angered. I am easily led astray and betrayed by my own thoughts. So while I was running listening to this song, the sunlight that was shining down made me see my own shadow that seemed to be outrunning me. Thus, like the shadow of my runs I can never outrun my past but need to face it head on to be in the present. The sunshine proves and brings light to everything that I am and not. Yet at the same time, these things are what makes me better at moving forward in life as I know that even with the greatest of limitations can come forth the greatest of victories.

FaR: What are your future plans? Will you run in future ultramarathons?

BT: I am gearing up for one marathon each month starting July till December, in preparation for the next BDM which I heard will have a BDM150 and only 50 will be selected for it. I hope to be one of the 50 contenders. I would like to finish that one first before joining other ultramarathons outside the country. In fact, I would like to do one road ultramarathon and one trail ultramarathon each year starting 2011 aside from doing at least seven marathons a year. Seriously though, I would really want to make our country proud and win one ultramarathon event abroad!

FaR: If you can add others that might be interesting for readers related to the ultramarathon, so much the better.

BT: 70,000 soldiers mainly Filipinos walked the stretch of 159 kilometers from Mariveles, Bataan to Capas, Tarlac during WWII that became known as the Death March. Only 40,000 of them made it alive and bore children and raised families who have third generation children some of whom are now runners here and abroad. Of the runners that did the BDM102, there were a few who were direct descendants of those who toiled the heat of the sun and the battering of the Japanese. And of those remaining alive, most of the Filipino war veterans living in the Philippines barely have access to the basic necessities of life such as ample medical coverage.

I hope and pray that this ultramarathon will not become “just another ultramarathon”. I hope that we will keep remembering the sacrifices that our brethren did in the name of freedom. I am also hoping that somehow in the years ahead, this ultramarathon would come to benefit these war veterans or even other families or disenfranchised groups in Filipino society.

FaR: What advice can you give to aspiring ultramarathoners and other runners especially those who are just starting?

BT: One, have a goal. Any goal is better than having no goal. In any aspect in life, one needs to have one. For example, when I started joining formal road races, I only wanted to be healthier and feel better about myself. That all changed and became better at it. So this leads to my next point.

Two, make your goals specific and optimistic. Mine were not specific at all before. I just wanted to be healthier. But one can be healthy even with minimal exercise! Thus, I went back to my childhood memories. I suddenly recalled that I wanted to join a marathon. It took another good friend, Moses Mendoza, who kept sharing his passion for running that re-ignited the spark of doing a marathon for me. Having specific goals helps one create a training program to follow. Furthermore, having a goal helps one ensure that we keep to the program on most days of the month.

I added that one has to be optimistic because along the way, there will come opposition. It comes in strange forms. It can come from your family. It can come from your closest friends. It can come from your colleagues. Before running became an in thing, most people think runners as crazy individuals who have nothing more to do with their time. And until now, majority of people still think that way. Don’t ever let that get to you! Just keep running and keep at it!

There’s Takbo.ph, an online Filipino community of runners out to support runners and newbies! Join the group! Join the weekly runs! Do whatever it takes to just make it out on the road! So you only managed to do ten minutes of running this week? That’s great news! So up the ante to 15 minutes next week until you reach 30 minutes in about a month or so. Just don’t ever let other people bring you down no matter what because most of these people will never understand what it feels like to run. And most of them are just envious of people who finally manage to live healthier.

My third and final advice is this …. make running an avenue to clear your thoughts and feelings. Whenever I feel bad and down, I have a tendency to eat more and just sulk or stay in bed or even just go around walking around the mall. But I’ve discovered that I feel much better after doing a 30 minute run than going around the mall. So when one is angry, put on those running shoes and run as fast as you can!!! And when you’re happy, put it on and share your joy with your friend who could run along with you. When you feel depressed and the rain is literally and figuratively around you, lace up and feel the rain drench you as your soul feels the soothing balm of water on your skin and the cool breeze nurturing your spirit and run slowly. Do whatever it takes to run, to walk or even crawl. So when you reach a crossroad in your life that you need to think through, think it through while running on the road. Some of the best ideas I have at work are born out of my runs. At the end of the day, it’s a great thing to be able to manage one’s emotions and also live a healthy lifestyle.

During the Cebu City Marathon 2010 and Condura Run, I coincidentally photographed Blas Tiangco and it was in this circumstance that he invited me to photograph also the runners of the then upcoming Bataan Death March Ultramarathon (BDM102) by being part of his support crew. I readily accepted.

Check this two part interview I did with the 31 year old Blas. To date, he has finished five marathons, finished 81st in the BDM102 and blogs on life, work and running at Midnight Pencil.

Fit and Run (FaR): Can you give a short background of yourself?

Blas Tiangco (BT): I am pesco-vegetarian for almost 10 years now and I work as a business continuity planner/risk manager for a business process outsourcing company in Metro Manila. My passions in life include teaching, traveling, writing and lately… RUNNING!

FaR: Have you always been active? Why running? Can you give a background of your running history?

BT: Active? Hmmm, I guess on and off thing. I love the outdoors and climbing mountains. I love the feel of the sun, especially during the early parts of the day [but not the noontime sun!] and I just enjoy the sounds of nature too.

My mother was most instrumental in my running history. I remember very well the first time she bought me my first pair of Nike running shoes in 1988. I was in fourth grade and Nike was already all the rage back then during my childhood. I saw the print and television ads for the shoe and kept dreaming that somehow, someone would give me that pair of running shoes. When she returned from her trip to the USA, I was pleasantly surprised that she bought a pair of running shoes for me, slipped it on immediately and kept running around with playmates the entire day! The best part about those shoes was not that it was the latest model, nor because it was Nike — but my mother was sensitive to what I wanted without me telling her.

Over the years, I still kept running in school up until college. I trained a few months with the UP Track and Field team but gave it up because the discipline was just too much for me. I didn’t like the fact that I had to wake up early and train in the morning and evening. From then on, I was just doing leisurely runs instead of training hard for road races and competitions. I also dropped out of the UP Track Team training pool. When I started working, I totally forgot about running and took up mountaineering instead. It still required me to do runs, but not as much as running for a marathon.

Fit and Run (FaR): Does being a pesco vegetarian affect one’s running?

Blas Tiangco (BT): Being a pesco vegetarian (fish and vegetables) indeed affect one’s running though I would like to qualify it further. About two decades ago, people say that performance is 80% running and 20% nutrition. Now the thinking has reversed and that nutrition is more important to follow than the actual exercise program. I don’t really know if this is true, but I can tell you that I feel stronger now than before I changed my diet. I think the one thing that I enjoy about it is that I don’t have to worry too much about eating too much fat since the only fat that I eat comes from fish, which is considered as good fat.

One thing I can share about diets and running, what one eats before a race affect one’s run. It’s best to eat something light before a long run and then eat something heavy just after it. A good combination of carbs and a little protein before running and after running is what one needs.

FaR: You told me about some implants in your leg that you have. What are these?

BT: Ten years back, I had a knee injury in my right leg that affected the anterior cruciate ligament [ACL]. It was a complete tear of the ACL for me and that meant that my knee was now unstable. I had to undergo an operation and at that time, the best solution was to harvest part of the patella and make it into a new ligament. But to keep the new ligament in place, they had to use titanium alloy screws to keep it in place. Thus, I now have titanium implants for the rest of my life.

These implants have permitted me to do running again. Furthermore, I also need to keep running — for the muscles surrounding the knee that put the new ligament in place strong. So in a way, the operation became a blessing as it has allowed me to be in this sport. So far, I do not really feel it affecting my runs. Although during the cold months of December to February, I do notice that my knee tends to stiffen up a bit but there’s no pain and hopefully, none so far in the years ahead.

FaR: Why did you join the BDM102 Ultramarthon?

BT: I joined because it fell on the month of my first road race anniversary year. But as the months inched closer to race date, I started to reflect upon the history of the Bataan Death March. I was reminded of death itself, as the race date fell on the birthday of a good friend who had already passed away. Most of all I was reminded of many verses in the Bible that pertained to running a marathon and running a race to win. All these things, I have written in my blog entry and reminded me that running has become my form of worshiping God, my act of prayer as if each step that I take is like a prayer banging on the earth that goes to heaven and reaches His ears. So all these things are the reasons that made me join. I wanted to know what God has in store for me on the road to the finish line.

FaR: Is it difficult to do the ultramarathon? What were your preparations (in terms of psychological, fitness and logistical)?

BT: Having just finished my first ultramarathon, at 102 kilometers at that — I can say that it is indeed challenging to do an ultramarathon. I detest using the word difficult because it sounds negative. I am a naturally negative person to begin with and it is only my faith in the invisible God that has enabled me to transcend my state of gloom and doom. It is a daily battle, much like it is a daily decision to get out of bed and start walking or running. And the battle of the mind is the first plain that needs to be conquered in preparing for a race; whether it be a short one, like a 10k, a 42k marathon or an ultramarathon.

Preparing for the BDM was challenging too. Working in the night shift and sometimes doing double shift duty [as most part of 2009 I was technically a one-man department], carving out time to run every week seemed nearly impossible. But like I said earlier, the battle of the mind is important to conquer and so I told myself the moment I signed up for the BDM that I will finish that race, and will prepare for it. So I made it a point to put in my journal and calendar certain times of the day each week to run and joined many races in 2009 during weekends too. These helped me stay focused because there’s something magical that goes on during organized road races. The energy is just so positive among fellow runners regardless of one’s speed in finishing the course! I guess that positive energy rubbed on me and that also helped sustain me with my running schedule.

During one of the company sponsored runs that we had, I won first place for the company division! [10 Mile Power Mile Market! Market!] This totally shocked me and my officemates because they were expecting another person to grab it. None of them knew that I was passionate about running and that a week before the race, I just finished my first marathon, in the sweltering heat of summer 2009! [Botak 42k Marathon] That became a shining beacon of hope for me. It made me see that anything is possible. It encouraged me further to just push more and made me more confident about myself.

I guess the hardest part of preparing for an ultramarathon is the strength training program. Most runners don’t like lifting weights. It takes awhile for them to get into this routine. For me, it was the thought that I will be doing the BDM pushed me at least twice a week. Still, I think it was just barely enough to prepare me for the race.

This year, I will definitely up the ante with my strength training program. As for logistics, I learned that no matter how much one prepares for an event — there are things that just comes up. Friends that suddenly aren’t available to help out, other budget concerns like stretching one’s budget to make it to the next payout. Still, I think I would have to go back to my first line of thought — that the first battlefield is in the mind. I said to myself that I will join this race, I will finish this race and I will finish it strong.

Part 2 in following post.