PARANAQUE RUNNING CIRCLE: Versatility & Inclusivity in Practice

One Sunday morning in an island in the MIMAROPA part of the Philippine archipelago, Charlito Capison crossed the finish line of the 1st 50K Puerto Galera Ultramarathon with a time of 4 hrs & 31 mins.  

MORE ON MARVELOUS HARRY

Two days into the  posting of the story on Harry Mediavillo of the Paranaque Running Circle, I have been receiving messages and comments attesting to his  wonderful running exploits. 

B2B @ MMP: Conversation with Harry

“Sino po tatakbo bukas (Sabado) sa MMP? Sino po kaya puwede magturo sa penguin ng 7-km "wall to wall" loop diyan sa MMP?”

NINO'S BACKYARD: Traversing the Hills of Inorogan & Ilian

“Do you want to run with me in my backyard?”

ARC CommUNITY LSD 32Kms: Long & Slow & Up & Down

There were at least 6 fun runs in the Metro Manila area scheduled for  October 19. But there was no doubt in the minds of runners from the more active running clubs which running event they would join on that early Sunday morning.

LOPEZ LINK October 2014 Issue

Got the latest issue of the Lopez Link.  Voila!  

ALTRA INSTINCT 2.0: Intelligently Cool

The ALTRA footwear was founded by Golden Harper in 2009 and when it released one of its first models, the Instinct, many observers  called it ugly.   

DC2DC TK ULTRA 60: No Ordinary Fun Run (September 6-7)

“Basta Kapwa, Hayahay.”

A day before the actual running, Team Kapwa Davao posted a good luck message in facebook to all participants saying the aforecited words of encouragement.

DC2DC TK ULTRA 60: No Ordinary Race Briefing (September 5)

The email I received from TK  Davao last September 1 indicated that the venue for the September 5 race briefing and carbo-loading is the Pantawan Hall at the Grand Regal Hotel. 

LAGUNA TO QUEZON 50K: Orly’s 1st, BP’s 13th Ultra

The Bicolano Penguin survived its 13th ultra marathon when I  crossed the finish line at Lucban, Quezon of the Laguna to Quezon (L2Q) 50K Ultra Marathon last August 24.  Man, was I slow. 

QUEZON DAY ULTRA MARATHON 2014 (QUMAR 70K)

Blogger’s Note:  

There is an old saying that “Lightning never strikes the same place twice.” This saying was on my mind on the night of August 16 as I texted Race Director Rodell Mendoza informing him that the Bicolano Penguin would again be unable to run the  QUMAR 70Km ultra. It happened in 2013 (due to an injury)  and it is happening in 2014 (due to a sick family member).  Bullshit that old saying.  It is a myth.  I felt bad doing a DNR (did not run) on an ultra marathon close to a history afficionado’s heart as it celebrates the greatness of one of our country’s beloved presidents.Good thing my fellow 83neans Bob Castilla and Ernie Badong, together with newfound running friend Mark Hernandez, decided to push thru, intent on representing Row5Runnin (when you put on the shirt, you become the shirt). In this adventure, they were ably supported by Naomi  and Orly.  Here is a brief yet sweet  account by Mark.      

2nd BEDOK RESERVOIR ULTRAMARATHON 2014: “A walk in the park…. literally”

Blogger’s Note:  

This is an article by my Ateneo de Naga HS Batch 1983 batchmate and friend, Bitoy, who has worked  abroad in a handful of Southeast Asian countries, most notably Singapore and Vietnam. The two of us were rowmates (by virtue of our diminutive stature)  and classmates (by virtue of our family names) in our section LG-4 in our first year in high school. Back then, the intrams name of our section was “Desiderata” and reading thru this article of Bitoy, one cannot help but think that he is living the spirit of the  timeless poem by Max Ehrmann. He continues to go after for things that he desires in his own silent yet efficient way (he is an engineer after all). He may not be  loud but his actions speak louder.  With his survival of the 2nd Bedok Reservoir Ultramarathon last August 16,  Bitoy is the very first 83nean to have conquered an ultra abroad.  

ALTRA PARADIGM: A Challenge to Hoka’s Dominance in Maximalism

Mention the word ‘Paradigm” and one conjures up the idea of a “paradigm shift” which,  as defined by Oxford,  means a fundamental change in approach.

DC2DC TK ULTRA 60: Q & A with the Organizer

Since 2012, I have harboured the desire to run an ultra marathon each in the Visayas and Mindanao. 

THIRD WIND: A Reason for Running Beyond 30 Minutes

“THE ESSENTIAL SHEEHAN” is turning out to be a treasure trove of running concepts and running experiences. On page 113, I discovered an intriguing idea. The idea of a third wind.

SUNGAY CHALLENGE ULTRA: Stories from the Front, the Middle and the Back Rows

In my article on the recon run for the Sungay Challenge Ultra (http://bicolanopenguin.blogspot.com/2014/07/sungay-challenge-ultra-marathon.html?utm_source=BP_recent), I succinctly postulated that the attraction of this ultra will have to be the 9-km breath-taking ascent up Tagaytay City thru  Ligaya Drive.

ALTRA TORIN 1.5: Hitting the Right Spot

Two articles are the reason why I decided to order the Torin 1.5, my second Altra after the Olympus.

SUNGAY CHALLENGE ULTRA MARATHON: “Breathless” Recon Run

No doubt, the allure of the Sungay Challenge Ultra Marathon scheduled for July 13 is the 9-km “uphell” ascent that is referred to in the google map as “Ligaya Drive.”  

More UNDER ARMOUR for the Better

There is already an UNDER ARMOUR store in Manila, Bonifacio Global City to be exact, but poor little old me haven’t been there. 

INDEPENDENCE DAY ULTRA MARATHON: Fire Over Cold

“Ite,  inflammate omnia”

In English, “Go set the world  on fire.” These were the words being used, on the  morning of June 14,  by the lively Fr. Jboy Gonzales of the Ateneo High School Campus Ministry as he exhorted  the parents to “burn baby burn” in being partners with the school in nurturing a culture of warmth among the students and the community. 

INDEPENDENCE DAY ULTRA: Recon Run in Ternate-Maragondon

Yet again, Run Mania has come up with an ultra that is rich in history. 

MIZUNO RIKUNDO SHIRT: A Lucky One

Last Sunday, fellow 83nean Ernie handed me a couple of running shirts. 

2014 SUNDOWN MARATHON: Send-Off

Reputedly the largest night marathon in all of Asia, the Singapore Sundown Marathon will have its 7th running this May 31-June 1.

LOPEZ LINK May 2014 Issue: An Exultant Photo of BP’s Mayon 360 Inside

After three days of my wife being in an out of the hospital, I was back in my Sucat office Friday. 

7TH T2N: My 1st Ultra with the Penguin

Blogger’s Note: 

This article by newly-minted ultrarunner, Marl Dario, is part of the series that the Bicolano Penguin (BP)  is doing on the 7th edition of the ever-popular Tagaytay to Nasugbu  ultra marathon.  The Bald Runner refers to  the T2N as “where ultra marathon running addiction starts.” The wise general  is correct and I am guilty of being a fellow pusher to this addiction, albeit to a much lesser degree.  The BP has had a few recruits to this addiction and the latest willing convert is Marl. Actually, it was a request for help and I gladly took up the ultra adventure with him. Marl is an officer  in Energizer Philippines and it would be an honor for me to be of assistance to an officemate of my wife. By and large, the said company has been good to my wife who has been an Energizer employee longer that she has been a mother to my son. Also, Marl is a fellow TBR Dream Marathon alumni having tackled his first full marathon this  February 2014 in Nuvali. By guiding him in his maiden  ultra marathon adventure, this 2010 alumni  hopes to make proud our idol Bull Runner who encourages all to “pay forward.” Marl finished the T2N with a time of 8 hrs & 12 mins, placing 90th out of 113 finishers.  In the 2 months we have shared the journey with him, Marl has shown  positive passion for running in particular and for life in general.   No doubt, his confidence and intellect will power him to whatever long distance he desires in the future. Here is his T2N story.   

How It All Began

A couple of months  back, I saw this invitation on Facebook  calling out for ultra runners and ultra runners wannabes  for the 7th Tagaytay to Nasugbu  Ultra Marathon.