Subic International Marathon - My first 42.195K race

There's always a first time so to speak. Since last year I was alreay contemplating of doing a full marathon. For the last 2 years I was into duathlons & triathlons but never a full marathon. I learned last October 2007 when I joined at the White Rock Triathlon that there would be a Subic International Marathon dubbed 'Live your dream' sometime January 2008. No details yet at that moment. Since I just did a half ironman (2K swim 90K bike 21K run) so why not a full marathon then. My friends say it's just one leg on a full ironman (4k swim 180k bike 42k run). So I made up my mine to join and so are my training buddies. When the website for the registration was up I signed up immediately and started training. I joined the 25K New Balance Run at Clarkfields Pampanga last November 25, 2007 and it felt good. I said to myself I'm halfway to a full marathon. I tried to run 3 to 4 times a week for about an hour per session. News came that there would also be an international marathon at Clark (aptly dubbed 'Race to the Future') to be held Jan. 13, 2008 just a week before the Subic marathon. I suggested to my buddies that we also joined the Clark marathon but only for the 10K distance as tune-up to the Subic full marathon a week after. I broke my personal time for my 10K (Old PR = 56'. New PR 50:53'). I thought I was ready for Subic.

I left with my family for Subic last Saturday Jan. 19, 2008 and we stayed at the La Playa Papagayo where the manager is an elite triathlete, Frank Lacson. My buddies (Bong, Carlo & Chock) left very early so they could bike and check out the route. We arrived just before 4pm and checked in. My son Jan and I had some swimming and kite flying at the beach up to sun down. I did one swim loop at the bouy about 150m and back. Frank Lacson and his 9 yr. old son swam (drafting behind) to nearby island about 850m and back. He said they do this once or twice a week as part of triathlon training.

A running mate at Veterans in Quezon City told me to bring along some honey during the race for the glucose boost. I also gave my buddies their small plastic bags to try it out for themselves. My goal for my first full marathon was to run under 5 hours. But as my buddies had seen during their bike earlier most of the route has killer hills. Long steady uphills after the first 10K and very long uphill back after the turn around. I said I'm still sticking to my goal of sub 5 hours. We woke up at 3am to a pre-arranged breakfast of coffee, bread and pasta. Then we headed to the race start venue at 4:15am. There was already a crowd of runners gathering and checking in at the starting line. My family would be following later in the morning at the finish line at Remy Field quadrangle. The 42K would be starting off at 5am while the 21K would be at 6am. Bong would be doing his 1st 21K. Carlo and me would our our 1st 42K while Chock would be his 2nd full marathon. After a brief warm-up run around the tennis courts we proceeded to the starting line just seconds before the starting gun went off. It was still dark save for the street lights which were getting fewer towards the first 10K. I spotted a lady runner in a fitness first tri team uniform and paced with her. She was Arni (Laarni Anenias). Read about her in the fitness first egroup as a strong runner. I introduced myself as a new fitness first tri team recruit and if I could paced with her. I was able to stay with her pace till the 18th km where I slowed a bit on the downhill part towards Ocean Adventure turn around. Never caught up with her on the uphills going back. But I think I shedded a great time pacing with her. Her goal was also to finish sub 5hours but at the rate she was going she could easily do a sub 4 (Later learned from her after the race that she did about 4hr 30'. She ran-walked the last 5K).

The sun was up and scorching for the last 10K. I psyched up myself that I would be almost there. Every kilometer seemed so far and water stations were running out of water. Most runners in front of me were already walking. A couple of runners from the army were already taking it easy taking photos of each other with the port of Subic for their background. When I made it to the last 5K I glanced at my watch and I thought I still have more time to hit sub 5. A runner named Noni from the army ran along side me and was trying to keep pace with me. I told him if he was okay and he said he had cramps already but could still run. Iasked him he had power gels for his cramps. He gave me a strange look wondering what it was. Most of these army cadet guys were running on pure adrenalin. So I told him that we would just run-walk the rest of the way to the finish line to stabilize our heart rates down. So we ran for about 300m then would walked for about 15-20 seconds . We did this and we were over-taking runners who were walking already. Some would ran with us but would eventually fade away. When we saw the Subic yatch club I told Noni that we were near already. But we were a bit surprised that we still have to negotiate a whole block and enter at the side gate of the quadrangle. That would be almost 2K more. When we hit the last bend I could already hear the screams of my son & daughter. I saw my wife pumping her fist signalling me to hurry up. Oh if she only knew what I went thru. They ran across the field to the finish arch to meet me. Jan ran with me a couple of meters to the finish line. I did 4hours 45min. and reached my goal.

Whooah! I lived my dream!

Note: some pics at http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b397/juls9265/Subic%20Marathon%20012008/

Golden Wedding Anniversary - Val & Beth

I was looking forward to this momentous day which is the 50th wedding anniversary of Tatay & Nanay, Val & Beth. Recently got a text joke that goes 'What's the most impressive example of Tolerance? - Golden Wedding Anniversary.' Kidding aside, watching a young couple in love is joy, but watching an aging couple in love is bliss. When a couple has cherished their marriage for 50 years, it certainly calls for a celebration. So preparations were made as early a year ago with my four sisters (Cynthia, Issa, Cathy & Aning) taking charge. The boys helped out too in their own special ways.

My son Jan (6) and I took the bus trip to Bicol on Friday night. Unfortunately my wife Vivian & daughter Janinna (14) couldn't make it. We arrived early morning the following day and took a tricycle to my folk's place about 15min away from the town proper of Tabaco, Albay. The wind was so chilly as the tricycle sped on its way. Jan had to duck his face under my jacket to ward off the cold. He said to me later on that we don't take the tricycle again. It was a pleasant surprise when we got off the tricycle to see the compound all spruced up for the big event later in the day. I could already hear the familiar voices of relatives who I learned later came all the way from Dumaguete and Manila. The family of Auntie Baby & Tito Iking Catacutan flew in Friday morning. With them was daughter Lorilie with cute son Ari. Lablab the daughter of Glen and wife of Jasper was also with them. Great to see them after quite some time. The last time they were here was the time of Lola Lisa's interment about 3 years back. The family of Tito Hoel & Tital Cecille from Pasig was in full force together with Tito Lionel & Tito Butch took the bus and arrived Friday night. With them was Roselle with her husband Pei and 2 kids, King the son of Ritchelle (now in UAE), Ronron and Rilette. Woooh, they were just little kids when I was staying in Lola Lisa's house in Boni, Mandaluyong during my UP college days in the 80's. The Catacutans stayed in the main house while the Celda's were in the 2nd floor of Cris' house. Jan & I stayed in Aning's house.

The coffee tasted so good while we milled around and updated on each other at the back of Cris' house amidst the chirping of the birds Cris is breeding. Around mid morning the caterer arrived and already started setting up their things and decorating the whole front yard and make-shift stage. The LCD projector Issa borrowed seemed not to be working and we hurried to the town center to borrow another unit. I thought of the minor seminary and talked to Fr. Nick the rector who was very accomodating to lend us their LCD projector. Marlon the husband of Cathy quickly worked on it and was able to set it up in no time. We had a hearty lunch of adobo and pili (with husk softened in hot water - 'nilanta' in bikol) which our uncles were craving for. It is also our initiation for newly arrived guests to take a taste test of this peculiar delicacy. Initial reactions would be that it tasted like 'wood'. But if you get used to it you would be coming back for more. After a short siesta we all get ready for the 3pm wedding at the parish church. Jan and I had a quick cold shower. No hot water so we were jumping like fish out of water. Whew, that certainly awakened all my nerves in there. We didn't bring anymore our barongs as these were all taken cared of by Aning. Sit back, relax, be cool and enjoy the wonderful day. I was totally impressed with the coolness and the preps our sis did. The grand daughters were all splendid in their gowns while the grandsons stunning in their barongs. We had a great time picture taking inside and outside of the main house.

The weather was wonderful. They said it had been raining for the past days but today the sun was up and brightfully cooperating. The church is just a stone's throw from our place but there was a big cart they had decorated with flowers and pulled by a carabao that would take the bride to the church. Oh I loved this part. Some of the apo's rode with Nanay on the cart to the church which was beautifully decorated. Simple yet elegant. Most of the guests and sponsors were there already and of course the whole barangay came to witness the event. First of its kind in our place. The groom exitedly waited at the altar while the bride marched with all the apo's as minor sponsors. One of the sponsors and a close family friend Tio Lex Quijano jokingly said to Tatay if he was really sure going thru this the 2nd time around. He still has a few minutes to think it over. Hahaha. The wedding was solemnly celebrated by Fr. Kims and the homily was an inspiration to carry you on to your own 50th wedding anniversary. I was a veil sponsor with my sister Cynthia. The children's choir sang great hymns throughout the ceremony. Nicole the eldest daughter of Pebs my brother (not able to attend because he's in Dubai at the moment) rendered a wonderfull tagalog song 'Sayo Lamang' with her cousins all around her. This was the first time I heard her sing in front of people and she exuded that confidence and stage presence. I overheard people and friends commenting on how wonderfully she had sang the piece.

The couple then rode together on the carabao cart and Jan was so exited to ride back to the compound. It was like a float in the Manila filmfest. The compound was all ready for the reception. After the traditional flower shower, eating of cake & wine drinking of the couple - dinner was ready. There were 2 buffet tables and most of the tables for 10 easily filled up. The caterer did a great job and everybody had their fill while a band was singing old love songs. The kids also had a dance number after which there was a slideshow presentation. The message of Manong Marion and family who are now residing in Canada was also shown. They were not able to make it but they are truly one with us in the celebrations.

After most of the guests were gone the videoke was set up using the LCD projector on the wall and the wow magic sing Tito Hoel brought along. The singing lasted way past midnight. It was only abruptly stopped by a brownout at around 1:30pm. But the stories, dramas and drinking went on by candle light. Me and Jan hit the sack around midnight. I awoke in total darkness and I thought I got so drank I lost consciousness.

I was up early and there was already the usual crowd at the back of Cris house. Kids were getting ready for the beach. We had coffee while reminiscing the past day's event. Cris said Tito Lionel urinated in the room next to the toilet during the brownout. It was the room where the Catacutan's where staying. Tita Baby was up early washing up the sheets. Tito Lionel had no idea. He even said that he went straight to bed and didn't mind the singing which was getting all the more off tuned as the night went on. 'Basta ako pag lasing diretso na tulog', he proudly declared. Cris and the rest of the group had a hearty laugh.

There was already a jeepney waiting after we had a quick breakfast. They would all dropped by the cementery first to visit Lola Lisa before going to Bacacay beach. I rode with Cris on his bike since I had to get our reservation for the trip back to Manila later in the day. Most of the beach resorts in Bacacay mostly owned by the Morales family wre destroyed and wiped out by the super typhoon Reming that hit Bicol in October 2006. There was one though that have opened and have huts we could take shelter and have our stuff and food. All had a great time in the beach with the water so calm and shallow that all the kids enjoy. Games were held versus families with kids and parents participating. After lunch we all packed up and went home for we all have to catch up our trips back to Manila. We got home early morning and brought Jan to school while I went straight to a client's meeting in Ortigas. I was able to close the deal for a new project. What great way to start the year! Cheers!!!

Pictures posted and videos posted at the following link: http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b397/juls9265/Golden%20Wedding%20Anniversary/pre-wedding/

My First Olympic Distance Triathlon

I was a doubtful starter for my first olympic distance trialthlon (1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run) at the 1st Iba Invitational Triathlon at Iba, Zambales on April 14, 2007. This was because of my erratic training schedules specially for the swim part which needs a lot of improvement. I joined the sprint distance (750m. swim, 20k bike, 4.5k run) adventure extreme tri last Dec. 2006 and survived the ordeal. So I thought I could do the olympic distance. Why not.

I was supposed to leave with my friends Fri before noon but had so many things still to do related to work. So I just asked my friends to bring my bike & stuff and plan to catch the shuttle bus leaving at 5pm or take the Victory bus to Iba late night or early am the following day. It happened that a friend and fellow participant called up and told me I could take a ride with his wife who would be leaving at 4am on Sat. So I coordinated with his wife and she would picked me up along the way near my place. No hazzles on the rendevouz in the morning and we were on our way with my friend's wife behind the wheels. We were in Iba in record time. No traffic along the way that early and the new North Expressway was smooth as silk.

The race would start at about 1pm and we got ample time to relax and prepare our gear. We checked out the water about noon time and was surprised to see that the waves and swells are getting larger by the minute. I was taken abacked for a while but regained composure with the thought that I got friends with me to this and also their first times. So when the starting gun went off I swam with all my might but taking it easy since this is just the first leg of the race. We still have to negotiate the 40K bike and the 10K run under sweltering afternoon sun. The water was getting hotter towards the end of the swim. I was one of the last out of the water and off to the transition area for the bike leg. The bike part was relative flat but it's the hottest part of the day and I was still thinking of conserving energy for the run part. The run went around the town thru the busy traffic and off to the bike route part which is less congested. People are cheering on and egging along the sides. Some where heckling others were just mumbling local dialects and I could not discern what it was. I must be too exhausted by then to notice. I was able to overtake some and felt good about it knowing I still have some reserves left. I gave it all when I saw the final bend and the finish arch. I finally made it and a sudden gush of relief & satisfaction enveloped me.

After dinner I decided to ride home with a friend who had to be back also that night. We took a quick snack at the Subic area and had to drop by the gas stations for coffee to keep my friend awake throughout the trip. We got to our place past 2am and I was already totally wasted. I was awake for almost 24hours already. But no regrets and actually looking forward for the next race which is the Subic International Triathlon which is also an olympic distance race. This is would be in about two weeks time.

In the Eye of a Super Typhoon – a first hand account

Dec. 3, 2006,

I scheduled a trip to Bicol a week before for a meeting with our client not knowing that there's a typhoon brewing and headed towards Catanduanes. It's been a busy week for us with bid estimate preparations for 2 projects and last week was my only chance to visit the project in Bacacay. I checked the projected track of the typhoon Reming (international name: Durian) in the internet (www.maybagyo.com) and it was headed to the Quezon & Aurora provinces with probability of hitting Manila. There were still bus trips and I thought that it's still safe to travel to Bicol. My former teacher in the minor seminary, Fr. Jun Barquez, was also heading home with a worried look on his face knowing that Tiwi town was very near the path of the typhoon. He told me that the town mayor already called him up to request to make ready the church as an evacuation site.

The bus arrived in Tabaco City around 6:30am. Fr. Jun said he would just let the typhoon passed by at the convent of town's church. My brother Cris picked me up. The weather was still gloomy with light easterly winds. After breakfast at my parent's house in San Vicente, I texted my client that I would just let the typhoon passed by and we would proceed to the site. Cris would be taking me to the site and he would be going to his office (DAR in Legaspi) as they have visitors from Manila. News said landfall of the typhoon would be in Virac, Catanduanes at around 8 to 9am. It was already signal 4. The wind started getting strong at around 8:30am. It continuously grew stronger with gustiness that toppled trees and roof of houses nearby. The roof of my sister’s house at the back of my parent’s house started flying one by one. Marlon, my brother-in-law transferred to the big house carrying his two kids wet and cold. There were sheets of roof coming from the ricemill nearby. The wind suddenly died down at around 12noon. The sky brightened up and the rain stopped. I went around the compound and started taking pictures while putting back toppled bonsai pots strewn all over the ground. People started pulling back the tin sheets and some were nailing these back on their roofs. There were already people on the road and most of the electric poles were toppled down. I chanced upon my kumpadre Aldrin and he said their whole roof was blown away. I entered their house and saw things all wet & scattered around. A pot of rice was still hot on the stove. Their kitchen roof was totally gone including the roof framing.

When I went back home there was a whooshing sound coming from the southwest. Bong, my bro-in-law asked me if it’s the river that he was hearing. Suddenly, there was an upcoming strong wind with rain. It was just at this moment that I realized that the momentary lapse of about an hour was the eye of the typhoon passing by right above us. The wind this time was twice as furious with heavy rain. It was white out all around. Visibility was just about 5 meters. I could hardly see the houses of my brothers. The roof of the house was vibrating and water was being forced in like from a power washer. The tin sheets that were scattered in the other side during the first salvo of the wind were now going back to the front lawn. I was just hoping that the main roof would hold on. I could hear the flapping of the ridge roll coupled with the whistling sound of the tin sheets. The tailwind lasted for almost four hours. I got tired and was able to get a nap sitting on a chair. When I woke up before 6pm the wind had died down. The roof of the main house was still intact. The tall pine tree in the front yard was uprooted. Branches and trunks littered the whole compound. Trees still standing up had no leaves left. Cris’ house held its ground. His washing machine & bicycle were blown away meters from his house. The carport of the house of Pebs, my younger brother was totally gone. Jalousie windows were blown off the frames. My sister’s house roof at the back of the main house sustained heavy damage. She’s a nurse working now in Oman. It was his husband’s birthday last Fri, Dec. 01.

I was awakened by the barking of the dogs at 3am. Daniel, one of my brothers was checking around the compound for the damages. He couldn’t sleep in his in-laws house since it’s full of people who had taken shelter when their houses were gone. The house was only one left standing intact in the neighborhood. People were very early collecting whatever left of their belongings.

I borrowed my father’s motor bike and went to town hoping to find some means to contact my wife in Manila of whom I was sure was dead worried already. With electric poles toppled, cables were all over the road making it very difficult to navigate even on a motorbike. The destruction was just everywhere. Even the roll-up doors of shops were blown off. Gas pumps at refilling stations were toppled from the base. Glass fronts & alum./glass windows were wiped out. I passed by the minor seminary where all of us 5 siblings took our secondary education. The entire roof was blown off even the newly installed ones. The alum./glass windows of the chapel and study hall were also blown away. The rector showed me the newly repaired pergola totally collapsed and the back fence that just gave way to the battering of the tailwind.

When I got back home I was informed by one of our house helps that Daniel our brother had just been into an accident. He was on his way to town with his wife and 4-yr old daughter when his head caught up a cable lying across the street. He lost control and his bike tumbled over. They were immediately taken to the nearest hospital. We were all worried since there was no power and maybe no personnel at hospitals. We found him in a small hospital in town already being treated by a doctor who was my grade school classmate then. My mother, sister and brothe-in-law were also there to attend to them.

I told Cris I needed to check in Legaspi City if there would be bus trips or plane flights to Manila. We took off on our father’s motor bike since it would be impossible for his car to navigate the fallen trees and power lines along the way. The road about 3 kilometer before Legaspi was virtually wiped out. It was sand and boulders on where villages and houses used to be. We passed by a house being digged up by a group of men. A guy said that about 15 persons were trapped inside as one survivor managed to get out and look for help. Power poles were uprooted and strewn all over the road and we snaked our way under the power lines. Cris said these were just newly restored after Typhoon Milenyo. It took us about 2 hours to get to the city proper. Houses were still filled with muddy water. No flights yet until about a week as the control tower was damaged. No bus trips yet since the buses were submerged in flood waters. We were informed that no buses have yet arrived from Manila as roads are still impassable due to fallen lines and lahar flow. We proceeded to Daraga to get gas but there were lots of people lining up at the only gas station opened. We saw along the way the lahar flow in Daraga totally wiping out villages. There were just too many sand & boulders scattered everywhere. Houses and cars were buried in the hardened sand. The long line of buses and cargo trucks that came from the Visayas continued to pile up as the road is just being cleared up by a lone bulldozer.

I told Cris if I could get a ride to Naga I could get a bus ride from there. My backpack is still in Cris’ house. He said he’ll just send it to me when the bus trips returned. Not much stuff in there since I was supposed to leave for Manila on Thu night. After a late lunch in Camalig, Cris spotted a van turning around and it was heading back to Naga. I took the van and I was able to get in a bus ride for Manila in Naga about 4:30pm. Cris sadi he’ll just return to Legaspi and sleep over at his office. I was only able to get a cellphone signal in Gumaca, Quezon. I was able to get home at 1:30am. It took a while before I was able to sleep thinking of the many families left homeless and people who were buried or swept away to the sea.

It would take some time before the whole region could get back on its feet. I hope the government and politicians would get their acts together and unite to hasten the repairs and rehabilitation works.

Pictures & videos posted at http://www.photobucket.com/. Username: typhoonreming. Password: reming.

Julian C. Confesor

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CMG Duathlon 2 at Clark

Last Sept 10, 2006 I joined my 3rd duathlon race at Clark. It's organized by the Clark Multisports Group (CMG). The event was a 5K Run, 30K Bike, 5K Run inside Clark near the Duty Free grounds. I brought my family the day before and stayed at the newly opened Clark Hostel.

The run stage was a 2.5k loop going a little downhill first. The bike route was a 10k loop with an uphill section that would make you feel you're busted already.

Looking forward for the next race at White Rocks Triathlon where i would be in a relay team to do the 20K run stage.

it's been a very busy day today. Started the day very early. Brought Ninai to school at 6am and then Jan to his school at 7:30am with Vivs. Have to go back to the house since she forgot to bring along the homework of Jan. Was just a bit late at Jan's school in Katipunan.

First day

This is my first try & start of my own blog.