2011: A LOT TO THANK FOR. .. 2012: A LOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO!

2011 is the year that we have a lot to thank for because the 83neans, collectively and individually,  were able to elevate our running experience. Let us list down the achievements of the Batch 83 runners:

EXCHANGE GIFT: ULTRAMARATHON MAN BOOK

Christmas is a season of sharing and giving.  Here in the Philippines, a time-honored practice in many a X’mas parties in companies, schools   and organizations is the exchange gift.  As a grade schooler in Iriga City during the Martial Law years, I thoroughly  enjoyed the exchange gift(s).  

Batch 83 at the 35th National Milo Marathon 2011 Finals

Last December 11, 2011, the finals of the 35^th National Milo Marathon was held in Manila.  A select group of roughly 460 runners participated.  

The Bicolano Penguin is getting heavier and December has just begun

You just have to look at the two pictures below to agree 101% with the title of this article.  At the eve of the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2011, I find myself at 163 pounds, 11 pounds heavier than when I finished my 80-km ultramarathon around Mayon Volcano last April 2, 2011.

December 3, 2011: Bicolano Penguin at 163 pounds

SINGAPORE EXPEDITION (S.Ex.) JOURNAL

   Day Three (Dec. 4) : 

Run for A Reason

“We each have a reason to run.  What’s yours?” These words are prominently on display in almost all the ads, posters and other written paraphernalia of the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2011.

SINGAPORE EXPEDITION (S.Ex.) JOURNAL

                     Day Two (Dec. 3):

 Efficient Redemption and Interactive Expo

Redemption time as in time to redeem our  race packs at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre.  To be honest about it, I was a bit apprehensive that the claiming procedure would involve a lot of long lines and waiting time.  Although the releasing started December 1, I expected that a big majority of the 55,000+  registered runners  for the SCMS would claim their respective race packs on this Saturday. Thus, with such a large volume of runners, the all-volunteer SCMS organizers could be swamped.

Fards breezing thru the vast redemption lines of Hall F

SINGAPORE EXPEDITION (S.Ex.) JOURNAL

Day One (Dec. 2):  
Victoria,  BI, and Orchard Road’s Night Life

Prologue:  

At the start of the Year 2011, a year which we referred to as a "Year to Elevate” the running experience of Ateneo de Naga High School Class of 1983, one of the goals we set is to join and finish a marathon outside the country.  As it turns out, given the proximity and timing, Standard Chartered Marathon 2011 became the target event abroad.  Joining me in this Singapore Expedition (S.Ex.)  are my fellow 83nean marathoners:  Ernie “Antonio Banderas” Badong,  Ed “Level-Up Boy”  Balcueva, and Ruben “Fards” Fajardo.   Three other classmates (Bob “Hunk of the Night” Castilla, Noel “Ghibz” Guevara and Allen “Who’s Your Daddy?” Tolledo) were supposed to join, but they got sidetrack given an agglomeration of reasons. So, the Magnificent 7 became the Fab 4 for the Batch 83 S.Ex.  On the ground in Singapore, giving valuable intel and logistical support is my LG-4 classmate Bitoy.  

For this  priceless bonding adventure, we  wrote a three-part journal.  The words and pictures were a collaboration of Ernie, Ed, Fards, Bitoy, and myself.     

FUNd Racing : Fun + Donations in a Run.

Last Wednesday, November 30, I got to join the Michelle EStuar’s FUNd Racing at the ULTRA.  My son, Marcel, was supposed to join me but it got vetoed by the mom via the exams week principle.I got Ron Hemady,  a classmate from the Ateneo de Naga HS 1983, to join me instead. 

VITAMINS + MINERALS

After our 21-km training run in Camp Aguinaldo last Sunday (Nov 27), the 83nean runners were provided by our high school classmate, Art Puncia, a bottle each of Vigor-Ace soft-gel capsules.  Taken One-A-Day, these capsules contain vitamins and minerals which we would need as we train and actually run long distance events like  marathons and ultramarathons.

Vigor-Ace bottle (30 capsules)