Back to Basics

I just found out that my blog site is still active. In this age of social media this might be too old school already but I kinda feel like its gonna be fun doing it again. It may seem daunting & quite challenging given the time one would need to compose & pound on the keyboards. Well for starters this might be just up to here for the moment as it is already 2am and my eyes are already watery. So bye for now. Be back soon as a lot has happened lately. Goodnight.

Mountain Run Series 1 - Sumulong Olalia Cogeo

Since we moved in to our new house in Antipolo, this is the first time I did a long run outside of the village. It's Sunday, Feb.19, 2012 sunny weather. I decided to try to run up Antipolo via Sumulong Hiway. I have biked this uphill climb several times before but never had tried to run it. After my usual oatmeal breakfast and loading up on my usual stuff - hydration belt, ipod nano, garmin 910XT (my new multisport watch with GPS), heart rate monitor and my cellphone (for pics & emergency calls) I headed out the village around 7am. There are a number of bikers already on the road going east some in groups and a few pedaling alone. The uphill head is about 3km from the start and I noticed I was the only one running the route. My heart rate gradually climb as I started the ascend and going beyond the max of 166bpm which I set for my usual tempo runs.

I was running alongside bikers inching their way up to the top of eagle's nest. I kept a steady pace at times slowing down to lower my HR. I got to the top and felt good and decided to run further down the road towards Antipolo center. If I turned around and head home it would be mostly downhill already so I decided to make a loop via Olalia Road towards Cogeo market center. I knew that there would be some uphills from Cogeo to Masinag which would be worth to try. The downhill back to Marcos hway began about 4km to the new SM City Masinag. But the jeepneys were now piling up and the air quality was getting worse. I was calculating my pace and would still have enough time to get ready for the scheduled board meeting with our client in Quezon City. It was still about 2km more to home when I got to Marcos hway. I was running beside the center island in the newly asphalted road to avoid the jeepneys.

The route was great for uphills but the air quality going back home in the Masinag area was bad. Would have to try to do the reverse route next week.



Sumulong-Olalia-Cogeo Long Run by juls9265 at Garmin Connect - Details

Bataan Death March 102 Ultra Marathon March 6, 2011

Pre-Race: March 5, 2011

The original plan to have 4 runners in a support vehicle was splitted into 2 with Yob Red going with me and Dok & Oli together in another car. I picked up Yob, Tony his brother & our driver, Jackie my support and Mizzy as Yob's support. The 'Running for Lolo Pedro Team' met up at Shell Nlex in Balagtas, Bulacan and proceeded to BDM Km. 00 in Mariveles, Bataan via the SCTEX. We got a call from the group of Laarni De Guzman & Tatax Almoro that their car just stalled past the Dinalupihan exit. We advised them to wait for the group of Mot so Arni the runner could hitched a ride to Mariveles. We arrived Mariveles about 6pm and the PNP runners were there already with Jun Cunanan. I thought I forgotmy headlamp so we tried to look for a replacement in the nearby tiangge. Fortunately upon double checking I found my headlamp in my bag. The team headed to the 'Seashore' resto for an early dinner. Each one got ready and dressed up after dinner while the supports were busy preparing for the hydration and food for the runners. We had a short walk towards the BDM Km. 00 beside Jollibee where the check in and starting line was. There was a pre-race briefing by the race director 'Bald Runner' Sir Jovie Narcise, the singing of the national anthems of Japan, America and of course Philippines.

Race Proper: March 5, 2011, 10:10pm

After the group photo ops the race started at exactly 10:10pm. It was an easy slow paced 3km flats before the killer 4km uphills. Yob and I were running alongside Dabobong Angeles a veteran ultrarunner. He ran the 160km just a week ago but had to dnf and now he is again joining the 102km. Some runners taking on the hills while others were just pacing up reserving their stamina. There was a flood of support vehicles after the hills as it was not allowed for them to wait for the runners along the uphill route. The 1st water station was such a relief. From hereon I took a steady pace mindful of potholes that might surprise me. It was totally dark in some parts and the headlamps was such a comfort. At about 15Km the runners were pretty scattered already and in some moments I was all alone running in the dark. Our support vehicle with Yob's brother Michael on the wheel and Jackie Vallejo an AMCI member was my personal support.
I reached the 50km mark in Abucay, Bataan before 5am and after a cup of noodles decided to take a 30min nap inside the car. After the refreshing power nap it would be a walk-run strategy from hereon and instructed the support car to stop at every km. I asked Yob to go ahead with his own pace. I was now feeling some tightness in my calves and soreness in my knees. I tied a tire interior just below my knees to lessen the growing pains. At about the junction of the Gov. Roman highway my legs suddenly froze and the cramps going past my knees. Manny Dela Serna of Timex team handed me a sachet of GU Roctane which I gobbled in a rush. I slowly walked after I packed ice behind my calves under my compression socks. It numbed my legs and I walked cautiously for a few meters up to the Dinalupihan junction. The sun was already slowly heating up and the long unshaded stretch to Lubao, Pampanga is about a 20km straightaway. I told the support car to stop and wait for me every 500m as they poured ice water on me to cool me off. Met up with some of the timex team members for a quick lunch and a change of shoes in Lubao town center. Most of us almost wasted from almost more than 12hours of run-walk. We're almost there but the heat was almost unbearable. We hit the roads again heading to Bacolor. From there I started to gradually picked up my pace for about 6min/km. And from nowhere the thought of being almost there carried me thru to run without stopping for hydration the last 7km till the finish line. I changed into our green uniform just a few meters to the finish line where the 'baldrunner' was patiently waiting. I headed straight to where the team was huddling for water & anything I could eat. I was called back to the finihs line for the handling of the finishers trophy - a miniature replica of the kilometer mark of the Bataan Death March. 17hrs of non stop action testing one's resolve both in body & mind. BDM102 - Checked!!! Next goal - BDM160. Will give it a very long thought. LOL!

BDM Training - Shotgun to Boso-boso & back

After doing a 52km run just a week ago, next long run training was supposed to be at Sta. Rosa - 'reverse Palace to Tagaytay & back'. But the 'General' was not available in the morning of Saturday Feb. 19, 2011 since it was his kid's graduation day. So 'somebody' suggested to do the San Mateo route instead. There were 9 members of Team Lolo Pedro with one very 'able' support. Plan was to start at 5:30am from Aling Tina's store in San Mateo where mountain bikers normally meet-up. I picked up Dok at 5am and there was Chock's car already at Aling Tina's when we got there. With him still catching on sleep were DS and Yob. In a few minutes the other gang members arrived - the major, Arni with Tatax, Oli and Mot. Chock & DS grab a quick breakfast and started off at about 6:18am. The route leader was Oli & Dok being familiar with the place thru their regular mtb rides here. I had not been in San Mateo for a while. I used to frequent this place when I was more into mtb before even joined some races held at the Divine Mercy route.



The climb started at the head of 'Shotgun' hill leading up to the San Mateo landfill. Dok told me that the name 'shotgun' was coined before when there was a shotgun toting guard on horseback who would drive away bikers up the rough roads then. Now it has been concreted all the way up the top but the rise is severe in every sense of the word. Several bikers were inching their way up the top while we mostly walk/run having fun. We chose to do the gravel road towards the top and all the way to 'Roxas' route if I am not mistaken. This led us to the main road of the Araneta/Filinvest property boundary and all the way up to the 'Giant' store where mtb riders converged for snacks & hydration.

When all had their drinks we moved on towards Boso-boso (no idea how far. 'naku malayo po un sir' - the answer i got when i asked some bystanders). The roads are paved but with undulating hills. I was toying with a horse type gallop going downhill (to the amusement of the group) and I found it with lesser impact on the knees plus it was faster. The duck walk of Chock going uphill was equally hilarious.

We were sparsely separated with Oli always on the lead (he ran most of the hill = 'halimaw'). In a short while the junction suddenly became familiar. It was already Boso-boso where we would normally parked our cars when we were hills training with our bikes for the ironman up to the Sierra Madre hotel. We had our rest and drinks again at the Bulaluhan sa Cabading store and after some photo ops we were again back to the route to the 'Giant' store.



My tommy was acting up. Normally happened when I was not able to do my toilet routine early in the morning. I tried to use the toilet at the store but the door was a piece of corrugated sheet one has to lift to cover up the door and it was dark. When we started back, I grimaced in pain and forced some unwanted gas to relieve myself. The time was almost 11am and the scorching sun was getting unbearable. We moved on steadily running on downhills and walking the uphills. The sight of the Giant store was a big relief. I went straight to the toilet to do some bombing runs. Had some group pics taken and was quite rested (& relieved) and the group walked out for the Timberland gate. We again re-grouped at the Timbeland guard post. I went to nearby nursery and was able to find a faucet where I wet my head and cap which was quite refreshing.



The way to Timberland was still the same dirt road we used to bike before. Some shaded areas provided much relief. I ran the whole cemented downhill road from the clubhouse area up to the Timberland gate. Oli was already savoring a bottle of soda when I got to the resto stop. When Mot arrived we went down together at the 'wall'. It was not safe to run this very steep road. Heard lots of accidents here among bikers (Ige Lopez had a crashed here last Saturday moments after we saw each other up at Timberland. Praying for his fast recovery.).

I tried to run when I got to the lower area all the way back to Aling Tina's. There was steaming 'pinapaitan' soup awaiting with iced cold soda. Took us 7hours to cover about 38km of mountainous terrain with almost 4,000 calories lost. I felt like I just did 60km. We capped the day with a couple of beer before we parted ways. I heard some of the gang continued the carbo re-loading at DS place. I slept the whole afternoon.









more pics: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=275115&id=608862180

BDM (Bataan Death March) Test Run 52km

This is the 2nd leg of the BDM test runs. The 1st one was held last Jan. 25, 2011 and was not able to join since my father passed away. The 2nd leg which was on Feb. 12, 2011 started at the 50km BDM marker at Abucay, Bataan and went all the way to the 102km marker in San Fernando, Pampanga.



We rented a van and was promptly at our gate by 2am. After loading my stuff we proceeded to pick up Dok, Yob and Oli and was off to the NLEX Shell Station for our early breakfast. We met there with the group of Mot & Laarni with Suzanne as their support.

Left Shell past 3:30am and headed to the San Fernando exit all the way to Dinalupihan. We took the Gov. Roman Superhiway to Abucay. There were already several runners with their supports converging at the 50km marker. After a short briefing by the Bald Runner we were off just before 7am. Our initial pace was a bit high at 5:30min/km. Told Dok to bring it down to just 6min/km. We stopped for our first break at bdm marker 60km. Then we asked Eric the van driver to wait for us at every 5km. The sun was up and was fast heating up when we reached the Dinalupihan junction (BDM km. 68). Took our chance for a photo group pic with BR and other runners at the monument.
The stretch of straight highway from Dinalupihan to Lubao seemed endless. Left side of the road was a gravel road and I opted to run on the asphalt road taking extra caution of upcoming trucks & buses which would not seemed to notice runners ahead. With me was Meljohn (Boypra) tagging along and i was very thankful to have company pacing each other. Our support van was to stopped every 2km marker from here on. After about 40km we were already in a walk run walk mode. We just targeted to run up to the next bdm marker then walk for about a couple minutes then ran again to the next marker. It was a relief from the busy highway when we were approaching Bacolor town. There were also some shade from the trees alongside the road.

There seemed to be some extra energy left in us when we reached bdm km. 97 about 5km to San Fernando. We managed to run the last 2km left. We reached km 102 after 6hrs 43min. We were all aware that this 2nd leg of the BDM 102 on actual race day would be excruciatingly painful and hoping that the weather would be not that hot.

EPIC RELAY 250KM RACE - June 12-13, 2010

PRE-RACE:



I got a call from Mannie Dela Serna a week before the race that I would be No. 8 runner for the 10-man relay team. I was in Morong, Bataan by the beach for our family outing. A week before we were informed to form 2 teams and the registration fees would be sponsored by Chris Sports but since it was on short notice only one team was formed. I didn't know who were with the team then when I just confirmed with Mannie that I would be joining. We just competed in the TNF100 last April 23-24, 2010 in Baguio and here we are again in a new adventure.


There was only one team meeting a few days before the race just to assign the Legs we were supposed to run. I got Legs 8 (11km), 18(5.4km) and 28 (8.5km) for a total of about 25km. I was also tasked to look for a van for rent. We were allowed to have 2 support vehicles with 5 runners each. I finally got to meet some of the team members mostly veterans of the recent TNF100 with elite runners form the PNP whom we have yet to meet. The official entry name is TIMEX-ROUNCE PRINTING CORP. team. Initially entered as a corporate team but later changed to elite All Men's Category. The runners in van 1 were team captain Mannie Dela Serna (Legs 2, 12, 22), members - Rienzi Del Rosario (legs 1, 11, 21), Manny Torralba (legs 5, 15, 25), Dandi of PNP (Legs 4, 14, 24), Boyet of PNP (legs 3, 13, 23). Van 2 is composed of Maj. Jun Cunanan (legs 7, 17, 27), Julian Confesor (legs 8, 18, 28), Romy 'Doc' Doctolero (legs 9, 19, 29), Oliver Templo (legs 6, 16, 26) and Dioni Carreon of PNP (legs 10, 20, 30). Mannie and Major would take care of the food, drinks and nutrition for the team. Initial contribution to the team coffers would be P2K each for the gas, food, van rental, etc.

Our initial race start was supposed to be at 6am Sat. June 12 but was later changed by the organizers to 12noon of Sat. June 12 under blistering noontime heat. Some teams were to start at 6am and 7am. So we headed for Subic at around 6am on Saturday morning and was at the Lighthouse Hotel for the registration before 9am. We just had a quick breakfast at the nearby Binalot resto and had some time to rest before the gun start at 12noon.

DAY 1:

The starting arch was in festive atmosphere. There were numerous booths from suppliers. A dance number from the Ponstan dancers set the mood of the day. Also to start with us were runners from the other teams - Powerpuff Boys, the Navarra team with a lady Kenyan Runner and Ponstan team. We learned that the other teams were released early in the morning.

After the dance number the race started with the PPB runner leading and the Kenyan tugging along. Not far behind was our runner Rienzi in a comfortable pace. We went ahead and stationed our van near the harbpr before the 1st Runner's Exchange Point (REP) located at the Freeport Oil gas station. We were wondering why it took sometime for the front runners to pass by. We learned from Rienzi that the PPB and Kenyan runners made a wrong turn and went back to the starting line.It was a good 5min difference and head start for our 2nd runner Mannie DS. The mohawk runner from PPB caught up with him but with just a few meters to the REP. Our 3rd runner Boyet of PNP made the hills to Morong gate from Darwins Tavern (about 5.4km mostly uphills) looked so easy and gained more minutes from the PPB runner. This was complemented by a very strong run by Dandi of PNP up to the Anvaya Cove REP.It was downhill from there to the Pawikan station exchange point and the General (Manny Torralba) made steady progress. We went ahead of the pack and waited for our turn at the Pawikan center exchange point. There we saw the Kenyan runners and the other members of the PPB team also waiting for their runners.



After the General had arrived the next runner was Oliver with a short uphill climb to the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant exchange point. No sight yet of the next runner. Major Jun was runner no. 7 and he took off after Oliver. I was already the next runner so I asked to be dropped off the next exchange point already at Brgy. Ulingan about 11km away. It was a bit of a surprise to see a PPB runner reached the exchange point first just minutes before Major Jun. He had gained and overtook Jun and took first place. Their next runner was equally strong as he sped away for the next exchange point 11km away. I never saw him since. Leg 8 was described as intermediate to advanced. It was mostly uphill. The Kenyan runner passed me by about a kilometer to go to the exchange point. The Ponstan runner caught up with me about 300m to the exchange point. We were now running 4th all of a sudden. Dok was able to gain some ground on the Ponstan runner and the Navarra runner. PPB runner was way ahead already. Then with about a kilometer to go the Navarra runner declared injury and was quickly replaced by the Navarra runner. That would be a 60-minute penalty added to the overall team time. Our leg 10 runner was Dioni of PNP touted as the fastest among the team. He took off already minutes behind the PBB and the Kenyan. But he ran so good up Mt. Samat and definitely gained a lot of minutes for the team to keep up with the front runners. It was such a brutal climb even our van's engine was grinding strong and loud. When we reached the top we were about 7min behind the first place. Rienzi was the next runner and he sped off downhill chasing the others. It was so steep that he had side stitches but managed o hang-on. At this point, Mannie DS declared unfit to run due to his allergies and Dioni would take over his remaining 2 legs. After so much discussions, calculations and debates we finally agreed that we still got a chance to take the lead. At this point our van went ahead of the 1st van. We went looking for a gas station and some open carenderia to grab dinner. It was almost 10pm already and most gas stations and shops in Morong town proper were already closed. We were told by bystanders that we could knocked on the Petron gas station nearby and we were lucky that the owner graciously opened the station for us for a refill. Then we got a call from our team captain Mannie DS that we were again in first place running. The PNP runners Boyet, Dondi and Dioni had great runs and recovered the minutes we mere mortals had lost. We were back at the Pawikan center to meet the General and for Oliver to take over the leg to Anvaya Cove. Oli made a steady uphill climb and we were in Anvaya shortly. Just as Major Jun took off a few meters away, we were advised to skip the leg by the race directors Eric Imperio and Daryll De Leon and was advised to already cancel off the current leg and proceed to the next REP which was in Morong Gate to Subic. This was to make sure that all teams would be back to the starting line before the 3 am 2nd day start off. We abided and I was the next runner and was candidly advised by the subic sentries to look out for crossing snakes along the road. It was midnight and the route was mostly downhill to the next station. Dok took off from me and in such a hurry he donned the reflector upside down providing us with some comic relief since he looked like a bishop being chased by a pregnant nun. The Kenyan overtook him just before the exchange point.




DAY 2:

Our runner Dioni was back at the starting line about 1:30am after leg 20 and we were able to sip some noodle soup and a good power nap before the race started again at 3am. I probably dozed off since I was jolted by Major that we need to get back and bring some water to the other van. It was already my turn to drive. I was disoriented but managed to get my bearings back. Then all of sudden we were back in contention. Dioni did a great run after Rienzi and was able to catch up with the SAF runner (the Special Action Forces Team took off 7am Saturday). After a blistering pace by Boyet the next runner Dondi finally grabbed the lead and we were again back in first place. Everyone's spirits were again alive and the captain was barking orders left and right with much amusing displeasure from Major. We grabbed a quick lugaw breakfast by the road at San Marcelino town proper to get us ready for our turns. The turn-around loop was a short 3km run and the General managed to get a good head start punctuated with a sprint run by Oliver. Major took over and the SAF runner was just about 100m away from him but was not able to overtook him. We were kidding him that maybe he gave orders earlier to the SAF runner not to outlast him lest he would be demoted. I took off after Major Jun knowing that he has only about 30m lead over the SAF runner. The next leg was a flat 8.5km run but under a scorching sun with very little shade along the road. Our captain was constantly reminding me & Dok to run like we had never ran before. I felt the burden on my shoulder should I ran a lousy pace. The SAF runner with about 2 km to go suddenly caught up with me but I hanged on to his back keeping paced with him and talking to him. Told him that the Kenyans were just behind us and we should help each other with the pace. He just nodded in agreement. With about a kilometer to go the choco bar I took minutes before suddenly kicked in and I upped the pace a bit and told the SAF guy to keep up. When I turn around to check on him he was slowly losing ground and I pumped some more till the exchange point. Dok was nowhere. He told me later he went to the toilet. Anyway, the transition time was not counted and we would not lose precious time. Dok's turn which was about 11km was already hot and you could feel the asphalt heat burning your legs. I brought a sprayer and was applying mists on him to relieve him of the heat. The PPB runner caught up with him with about 3km to go. Dok was able to hold on and kept a steady distance from him. We were already at the last exchange before Subic town and it was Dioni's turn for the 12km leg back to the finish line. The PPB runner was about 2 minutes ahead and the SAF runner was about 4min ahead. At this point we were at 3rd place. Dioni was very determined to take the lead. We lost him thru the traffic at the Subic town center and when we caught up with him he had already overtaken the PPB runner. A few meters away was the SAF runner already walking and suffering form cramps and Dioni just blew past him.
He tackled the hills of Subic like a butterly with a grim face of a true champ. When we asked what drinks he needed, he said all he wanted were pictures of him running. We totally forgot to take pictures with the intensity of the race. The general's camera was on the other van and I had only my Blackberry running low on batt already for the pics. Then when we were about to enter the Subic gate we got a call from our captain to already proceed to the lighthouse and that we were the first team to reach the finish line and that we would have a victory walk to the finish arch for photo ops with our finishers medals (also doubles as bottle openers). We were not automatically the champion yet since the times had to be computed first for the standings. We were also the first to use the portable field showers for a very refreshing bath and shower.

AWARDING AND EARLY DINNER:


We headed back to Binalot for our lunch and most of us off in the van and at the hotel lobby. The awarding was still scheduled around 3pm and several teams were still arriving. The fun prizes were awarded first. We got the 'best team smiles' award'. The PPB got the 'best uniform award'. Most teams had some sort of awards. We were not still sure at this point that we would getting the All Men's Category Champion's trophy. When our team was called we all rushed tot he stage and our captain had no idea that w bagged the first place. He thought we were 3rd place since we were the first to be called. But there was no 2nd nor 3rd place. Only Champions for each category. The Smart Team were the Corporate champs.

The race was truly epic not just because of the distance but the adventure and team strategy each team had to employ. We were just out there to enjoy this unique experience and were having fun along the way. But when we realize that we were in contention each one put on their game faces and did their share for the team. I admired the perseverance and unrelenting spirits of the elite policemen displaying what true champions are. This was the epic inaugural race and we would be back next year to defend the title.

White Rock Triathlon 08 - a long distance race

After almost 4 months of training, the much anticipated race of the year had finally come. This was also the debut race of the new team I just have joined - the "Gold's Gym Triathlon Team". I would be riding with Carlo and Chock, my team mates. We met Fri am Oct. 03, 2008 a day prior to the race at my place. Vivian my wife offered to cook breakfast for us before we hit the road at about 7:30am. We packed our stuff, gears & bike into Carlo's van while Vivian prepared breakfast. She also cooked for us 'callos' for our lunch. She and the kids couldn't come since it's the kids' exam week already. The trip to Subic was quite a breeze via the NLEX and the new SCTEX highway. Just took us about 2 hours to reach La Papagayo Resort in Bareto, Subic where we were booked. It's about 2km to the race venue - the White Rock Beach resort. The manager Frank Lacson is an elite triathlete and friend who made sure we were all comfortable. Unfortunately, he had backed out due to back pains. We met with our other team mates Ferdi, Karen and Arni with friend Menchu for lunch at the resort. After lunch we headed to the race venue to register and to do our pre-race swim, bike and run to limber up for the race the next day. We made a quick nap back at the resort and prepared our stuff for check-in.

We went back early evening at the race venue for the race briefing and bike check-in. All the stuff at the transition area for the bike and run legs had to be turned over including our tri bikes. We hit the bed by around 9:30pm and wake up call was at 3:30am. I just had oatmeal and bread for breakfast. We needed to be back at the race venue by 5am for the body markings and to place our hydration and nutirition needs in our bikes. Also to pump air in the tires to the desired pressure and making sure all other suff were in place before we headed to the beach for the swim warm-up. Race would start at exactly 6:45am. The swim was 2K long. It's 330m out and back. We needed to do 3 loops then would make a short run to the bike transition area. I was in the middle pack trying to keep my pace steady. One of the big improvements in my training is the swim part so this I kept in mind that I was doing longer swims than this. I glanced at my watch after the 3rd loop and I was surprised I did just as I planned - do a sub 50min swim leg. My swim split last year was 1:08hr and of course that was with minimal swim hours & training.

The bike leg was a 45km out and back to resort for the total 90km distance. I was somewhat dazed and hardly accelerating to my target pace. It was a bit harder on the way back since it was already headwind in the straight aways. I tried as much as possible to stick to the nutrition plan but found it very uneasy chewing on the bars. My legs were getting a bit stiff towards the end of the bike phase and I was just trying to flush it out with power gels.

I started the run phase with my legs already starting to cramp up. I just kept a steady phase since it was already getter hotter by the minute. Whenever I tried to accelerate my calves just hardened up. So I took it slow and made sure I get hydrated whenever I passed by the water & aid stations which seemed to looked like oasis from afar and luckily the organizers had added more of these stations on the run route.

I finished about 6hr19min which is about middle of pack and was elated to improve my time last year for over an hour. It was my first half ironman distance last year and with very minimal training compared to this year where we started to train since last May. I still have a lot to learn in terms of nutrition and recovery and we would be assessing on this race these concerns to further improve our times in the full ironman next Feb 2009 in Langkawi, Malaysia.

Our team mate Ferdi bagged the top place for the age group 25-29 while Carlo was 3rd place in the same group. Arni was 2nd place in her age group 25-29 female. Chock did a solid time as well ahead of more seasoned triathletes. The team has a lot to look forward to and everyone is already excited on the next races.

Some pics of the race could be found in the ff link: http://www.flickr.com/gp/23336516@N04/3H8Ly7

Sunday Long Run - 090708

As usual I was up early. I wanted to sleep a little bit longer but it must be a force of habit so to speak. I'm a morning kind of guy. I'm normally up about 4:30am daily. Would take coffee while reading the news then would work on my docs or check on my emails when no one would disrupt me. It's a bliss. I got to the garage & I cleaned up my bike. Brushed all the gears and removed the tar that clung on the frame. Could not helped not to wash Arni's bike as well. And cut all the excess cable ties, installed my extra bottle holder, brushed off grease off the chain and cogs, etc. It's sparkling clean.

I did some errands in the morning so I decided not to run early. I usually do early Sunday long runs before my family wakes up. But today I woke up refreshed and out of the blue thought of doing heat training (as if the bike+run yesterday was not hot enough!). So I informed the guys who would take on the challenge. Ferdi did not have second thoughts and we were on for an 11am run at UP. He had also some errands to attend to and I also delivered water to some of our dealers before going to UP. It was already about 12:25pm and a little bit gloomy (thank God!) when we started to run taking the first half hour easy. We diverted down to the Balara pools for a bit of downhill/uphill slope training. It was a great training simulation for the hills of Subic. We did 2 loops with hills. The sun was shining ever so brightly and we are feeling the heat of the road on our feet (particularly along the university avenue stretch). Told Ferdi I wouldn't dare take off my shades. We cooled down around the academic oval where it was mostly shaded by the big acacia trees. I got home and had a couple of peanut butter sandwich with Endurox and I dozed off. Got up around 5:30pm and had a cup of coffee. I had second thoughts already if I would still do the swim workout when Ferdi called and asked if I would still swim. Hell yeah!

Iba Ride - Time Trial Sat 090708

Saturdays are usually long bike rides for the training group and we decided to hit the Iba roads once more. Plan was to leave early and bike off from the white Rock resort to simulate the bike leg route for the WRT Long Distance Tri scheduled on October 4, 2008. It's actually a 4 hour ride and we would be getting past the turn-around point in Cabangan municipal hall which is about 45km away. Now is the time to gauge the months of training and big ring power pedalling we have been doing for weeks since May. Also to practice on our nutrition along the way. I got 2 powerbars and 4 gels plus 3 packets of Gu2O for my hydration. We biked off just past 8am heading towards Cabangan town. Chock has a new kick-your-ass bike and was super excited as always. I stayed close to him and we were taking turns in speeding up to almost 45kph in long straight aways. He has no cyclometer yet and I was like his navigator yelling out our speeds every 5 minutes or so. We got to Cabangan in 1 hour 20 minutes. Average speed of 34kph. Not bad at all. We waited for the rest of the group and after a brief rest we headed out towards Iba for another 40 min for our 2 hour turn around point. The head wing on our way back was ruthless. Me and Ferdi sticked together and we were just doing about 25kph at most. But we still managed to cling on to our big rings and powered our way against the forces of nature. We stopped over to hydrate in a store before San Marcelino town and waited for the rest of the group. Carlo came in a few minutes followed by Arni who told us that she got past Chock who was already wasted and red all over. Might be his wide body catching all of the head wind like a sail. Chock thought he forgot his gels but I noticed that a packet of gel was sticking out of his back pocket. He took it and we headed back to Subic town which is approximately an hour away. My nutrition must have been working just fine as I still have fire left on my legs attacking the hills furiously. I think I did a 60kph on the last downhill overtaking a convoy of trucks. After everyone had arrived at white rock resort we changed into our running gears and we hit the road for our 30min brick run. I maintained a steady 5min pace till Papagayo where me & Chock had a quick drink. On our way out Carlo & Ferdi were heading back to white rock. I just hit on the button and took on about a 4:30min pace and could feel the electrolytes had just kicked in. Felt good after the run. We hurriedly took a shower and stopped over at Binalot for a quick lunch. We still had a team pictorial to catch in Makati for the One Sports mag. The photo shoot is another story to tell. Me and Carlo capped the day with a sumptuous feast of Pares and Bulalo (with Litid & Laman) in a side street eatery in Mandaluyong.

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.