Follow Up From Yesterday

I've received several e-mails from around the country and world regarding URLs for a couple of local running clubs as well as other running information.

I've updated the table on the right of the blog called Informational Running Sites. Please feel free to check it out.

Also, as soon as I get information regarding last Sunday's Run And Walk For The Hungry Mile And 5K, I'll pass it along.

Local Road Race Results from November 15th

I've received an e-mail on this so I wanted to pass this on.

At the DSE Rockaway Beach 5K yesterday, Grant Johnson (18:22) and Lisa Penzel (21:52) were the men's / women's winners. A total of 118 participated on a clear and crisp morning down in Pacifica, about a 20 minute drive from San Francisco.


Results are now at http://www.dserunners.com/ for viewing.

As soon as I receive results (e-mail or website) from the Run And Walk For The Hungry Mile And 5K, I'll pass them on. The run was held in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.

Local Schedules And News

Hello everyone.

I deleted out the blog entries from 2008 and realized that one of the entries is something that a number of people come to this site for. I've reinserted it on this blog entry.

The Dolphin South End Runners @ http://www.dserunners.com/ has over 40 runs per year. The club just released the schedule for 2010. For three dollars (members) and five dollars (non-members), it's one of the top bargains in the San Francisco Bay Area. The DSE was one of the reasons I got started in the sport.

Since I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area, Lake Merritt Joggers And Striders @ http://www.lmjs.org/ has their races on the fourth Sunday of each month. Like the Dolphin South End Runners, the same race fees exist. Unlike the DSE, the club has their races beginning at the New Boathouse at Lake Merritt with the 5K and 10K (two loops) run each month. The 15K is run during every other month beginning in January each year.

Also, there is the Runner's Schedule @ http://www.theschedule.com/ that has listings locally, nationally and internationally. Please check it often as it is updated.

Finally, the Pacific Association USA Track And Field @ http://www.pausatf.org/ has a schedule of Track And Field, Road Racing, Ultra Running, Race Walking, Masters T&F and Cross Country events throughout the year.

In other running news, last Friday, the Boston Marathon closed their registration other than through a charity. This is the earliest that this has happened possibly other than the 100th edition. Also, the Paris Marathon has closed their entries. Marathoning is definitely becoming more popular than ever!

Runner's World December Issue

The December issue of Runner's World may be one of the best issues ever. Possibly outside of the 100th Boston Marathon issue, this one will one day be a collector's item. There are two covers. The newsstand issue has Steve Prefontaine and the subscriber issue has Grete Waitz. The two are among two of the greatest runners in history.

The issue also mentions things like the top races, best books, best time of the day run, etc.

Runner's World named Grete Waitz and Haile Gebrselassie as the best female / male runners of all time. (Editor's note - On Facebook, I believe I said that according to Runner's World, it was Steve Prefontaine. I regret the error there).

What are your thoughts on this? No one can go wrong on their answer but we will agree that we enjoy the sport and that this issue is a must read.

By the way, my two are Joan Benoit Samuelson and Haile Gebrselassie. Have a good weekend everyone!

Final thoughts

It was really nice to see Per and Dennis stop by the Merrell store where I work on Thursday afternoon. Though they were there for a brief time, it was nice to see them. Their two plus week vacation here in the United States is winding down and they'll be headed back to the Philippines on Friday afternoon.

There are a couple of things that I wanted to clarify on my blog from my conversation with Dennis. Dennis latest marathon in Fresno was actually his second 42K. His first one was in Singapore last year (believe it was called the Sundown Marathon) and was contested in 90 degree temperatures. I was correct in saying that he did get a personal best in Fresno.

The other item had to do with the two e-mails that I received not to run marathons anymore. The e-mails came from here in the United States. As far as I'm concerned, I agreed with a response that my friend Rod mentioned. I'd like to move on. I plan to do at least another marathon next year in my home town and we'll see what happens there.

Finally, it was great to see Per, Dennis, Rio and Wilbert visit during the past couple of weeks. I wished there had been more time in spending with you. However, there is November 2010. That's all that needs to be said there. Per and Dennis - please have a safe trip home!

For those in the Philippines who read my blog and are running in the Timex Run this Sunday, good luck to all of you. To the rest of the world, good luck if you're running and racing this weekend!

Looking Ahead

Virtually, the 2009 racing season is over with the completion of the U.S. Half Marathon a couple of Sundays back. I'll be in a couple of more races this year as tempo runs but nothing serious. The focus right now is 2010 and the Kaiser Permanente Half Marathon as the first serious race.

Despite a year where my hours at work were cut and then, the New Balance store closing at the end of April, I was fortunate to endure what could have been an empty season. The training was better and so was the race results. Also, after five months of unemployment, I'm back working again and the future appears promising.

Last Sunday while talking with Rio at the airport before his flight. my goals are to improve on all of the distances of races ran in 2009. There's also the 32K that I'll debut in come November 2010. That should be an interesting distance and am looking forward to the opportunity. Also, the race schedule has some first time races and it would be interesting to see how these events will turn out.

Have a good weekend everyone!

One's Redemption

Hello everyone. After recently reading one of my favorite runner-blogger posts, this post needed to be written.

All of us who have been running have had an off race or a bad day. We're human. The greats from Haile Gebrselassie to Michael Johnson to Grete Waitz to Paula Radcliffe have had them.

Recently, in reading some of the blog entries, some of my running-blogging friends have experienced just that.

Also, some have had some redemption like my friend Bards in the Philippines. Her performance in the ING New York City Marathon was an inspiring one for all of us. I know that I've congratulated her on her blog and will again congratulate her here.

Reading about Roselle (Running Diva), finding out about Dennis (Running Fatboy), and the two running and completing their first marathons is an inspiration as well. Dennis and Per setting a PR in the U.S. Half was inspiring!

For those who have had an off day recently, I've encouraged them to keep enduring. There will be better days ahead, believe me!

Anyway, the experience at the Silicon Valley Marathon a couple of weeks ago was a mixed one. Though I completed the first marathon run since 2005, the time wasn't what was hoped for. With the training and sacrifice, qualifying for Boston wasn't in the cards.

Yet, after posting the blog entry, I received a couple of e-mails mentioning that maybe I ought to stop running marathons and one that I should stop running competitively.

Obviously, it got to my head for a few hours but eventually, I printed a copy of the e-mails and have them on the bulletin board. They're still there as this post is being done as a reminder. The same day of the e-mails, I learned that I would be scheduled off on the weekend of the U.S. Half and immediately signed up. Having my friends from the Philippines and Seattle was relaxing as well. Yet, there were still some doubts on whether I could still run competitvely.

The redemption came 1:39:50 after the start of the U.S. Half Marathon. That morning, the fire was in the eyes and I was focused. However, the confidence came back during the last workout the previous Friday when I ran the last three miles of the course during a five mile training run.

Since the U.S. Half, I've been planning next year and what races I would like to do. Definitely, the full schedule is not out yet for 2010 but there are several races already on the calendar. Recently, I added a 32K race in November that I'll be doing while on vacation in the Philippines. That is a must!

What will the critics say now? Have a good week everyone!

One Year Ago Today

Finishing the VSO Bahaginan 15K at Ft. Bonifacio, Philippines. Thanks once again to BroJ who took this wonderful photo!

Wow, how time flies! It was one year ago today when I landed in the Philippines. Within 24 hours, Oknoy and Mon provided a tour of Manila. Jay picked me up at the hotel and drove me to the start of the VSO Bahaginan race. Then there was the reception before the race started, the race itself and then the reception at breakfast afterwards. The 11 days that followed was the most enjoyable vacation that I've ever taken. Definitely, I'm looking forward to nexr November when we can do this again.

I've received the official results via http://www.marathonguide.com/ for the Two Cities Marathon (not yet out on the website). Since my friends - Rio de la Cruz and Greg Brown gave me their okay to post their results, I'll do it on this site. Rio's net time was 3:05:47, a Boston Qualifier and 21st overall! Greg's net time was 4:55:32 and this was his 181st marathon completion! Just a few minutes ago, I e-mailed Rio (he's still on his flight back to Manila) to let him know. Marathon Guide gets the results of most marathons from around the country and the world quicker than anyone that I know. I have a link to them so please check it out when you can.

Dennis QuePe completed his first marathon sucessfully as well with Per providing great support, I'm certain. We're looking forward to his recap. Congratulations to Dennis, Rio and Greg and to everyone who participated!

What A Sunday!!!!

Early on Sunday morning, I officially learned that the half marathon time at last Sunday's U.S. Half Marathon was indeed posted as 1:39:50. This is a 2010 New York City Marathon qualifier and a sub-seeded position in next year's Bay To Breakers 12K.

From my apartment, I went down to the Dolphin Club and volunteered for today's DSE Embarcadero 10K. In order for me to qualify for the Mongo Trophy at the end of the year, I need to volunteer twice. I have met the other qualifications.

It was nice seeing some of the runners and they made it a point to congratulate me on last week's race. It's been a long climb back to being healthy and running with some quality. I worked on the course being at the 5K turnaround point. Nearly 250 people participated on a beautiful San Francisco morning.

While volunteering, I couldn't help but think about what's happening with the Philippine International Marathon in Metro Manila and the Two Cities Marathon in Fresno. I had friends running in both events and was wondering what happened. I was getting bits and pieces from abroad with Roselle completing her first marathon, Luis (Gingerbread Man) breaking 50 minutes for the 10K and Joseph nearly running a sub-five hour marathon. Congratulations to all of you who ran.

About six o'clock Sunday evening, I met up with Rio de la Cruz at SFO airport. After talking with him by phone earlier, he actually caught an earlier flight about an hour before and was walking around the airport looking for me. The airport security system has changed so much over the last year that it's difficult waiting for anyone on a flight from another city.

Though there haven't been results posted yet on the Two Cities Marathon website, I'm pleased and happy to tell everyone that Rio qualified for the Boston Marathon, his second qualifier in eight days with a 3:05+ clocking! Rio did this despite hamstring cramps starting at mile 18 and continuing off and on during the rest of the race. He mentioned that the course was great, the organization was fantastic and they had food and refreshments afterwards. The course started and finished at Woodward Park in Fresno. Also, I mentioned that he needs to apply soon because Boston is almost filled to capacity. Finally, he did mention that he saw both my local friend Greg Brown and Dennis during the race. Hopefully, I'll get times for both or hear from them soon.

After dinner at the airport, Rio and I parted ways and will see each other in mid November 2010 in the Philippines. Rio has this 32K race that I want to run. The vacation, originally scheduled for early 2010 has been pushed back due to my new job (I'm not blaming it) but I would like to take three weeks next year.

In the meantime, I noticed Wilbert (Mind Of A Traveler) has posted a blog entry which will soon read and Dennis has posted a couple of times. Hopefully, I'll see Dennis and Per this week before they head back for the Philippines. It was great seeing all of you here and hope to see you again when I return.

Have a great week everyone!