Thursday, June 27, 2013

Rene, the JazzRunner's Tips on How to Train for your First ULTRAMARATHON

Thank you so much Rene for the following tips you gave me.

According to Rene in his own words:

Wala namang pinagkaiba ang training sa 50k Ultra at 42k Marathon.  Halos pareho lang. (There’s no big difference in training for a 42k and 50k)

1.  Habaan mo lang mga week-end long runs mo (make your weekend runs longer) and do a couple of back-to-back long runs.  Ex:  25k Saturday then 30k Sunday (kung kaya) or else one long run lang.

2.  Dito papasok si Galloway training which I'm sure you are familiar (TBRDM).  Sa actual race, ALWAYS walk the uphills then Galloway the flat and downhills.

3.  Do some cross training once a week (lunges/squats/sit-ups/push ups/weights/core,etc.) which will tremendously fight the fatigue and strengthen the muscles in your legs!  Kailangan ito sa Ultramarathons!(these are needed for Ultras)

4.  Minimum of 4-5 days a week ang training, including your long runs.  Make 10k minimum during week-day. 

5.  Organize your support team now.  Vehicle, personnel, at least 3 people including driver, preferably RUNNERS!   Don't worry, support vehicles tend to support other runners during the race. This is another topic kasi very crucial ang gagawin nila.  They are there to support you not only physically but mentally and emotionally also.  Anna or other ultra runners can help you with the mechanics of a support team.

6.  Don't forget to EAT during the 50k race (bread, bananas, biscuits, gatorade, etc.).  Anything that your support team will offer you, take it!

I will add more to this during the course of your training.  You have 18 weeks to train so start na TOMORROW!

I might join this run. If not, might help support runners including you!

Good luck on your training.


 

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Life Begins at 55!




5 years ago, I dreamed of running 5k and after I did it, I thought that was IT.

Runner bloggers urged me to try 10K but I just shrugged my shoulders and in my mind, told myself "I will never run beyond 5k!"

Then it happened.  What I thought impossible before became possible!

I ran my first 10k at a very comfortable pace (during that time when my waist was still 27 inches hah hah . . .) and finished at 1 hour 10 minutes.

10k was the perfect distance for me then.  No pain, no sweat (well, a little).

After 1 year, 10k became a "walk in the park" (naks yabang!)

Time to level up.

When I crossed the Finish Line at the Condura Skyway Half-Marathon last February 2010, I surprised myself when I strongly felt that I could still run another 21k!  I excitedly told Ate Ella -- "Yon lang ang 21k?  Pwede pa akong bumalik at ulitin ang tinakbo ko!  I am ready to run the MARATHON!"

I was among the first batch of TBRDM (The Bull Runner Dream Marathon) held last May 22, 2010.  But before this, I managed to run 2 more Half-Marathons  -- 1 in March and 1 in April in preparation for my first 42.195k.

Fast forward to the present:

I turned 55 last June 6 and my birthday wish is to run (drum rolls please!) . . . 50 km!!!

As of this writing, my eyes are set on Rizal to Laguna Ultramarathon which will be on Nov. 3, 2013 (exactly the last day of mourning for my father who passed away last Nov. 4, 2012)

I ran my first 5k at 50 (5 km at 50 years of age)

This year, it will be 50k at 5 (50 km after 5 years of running)

That's my first birthday wish.

My second birthday wish is to encourage YOU to join me.

Please say Y-E-S!