Filipino Olympian Eduardo Buenavista and reigning Milo Marathon women’s champion Mary Grace Delos Santos bested 45,000 runners including elite racers from Southeast Asia at the championship leg of the Adidas King of the Road 2012 in Singapore.
Buenavista, who represented the Philippines in the 2004 Athens Olympic marathon ran 16.8 kilometers in 53 minutes 12 seconds, while Cebu based Delos Santos clocked 1 hour 1 minute 52 seconds. The runners-up from Thailand were clearly outclassed as Sanchai Namkhet for the male category clocked 55 minutes 7 seconds and Natthaya Thanaronnawat for the female category in 1 hour 4 minutes 18 seconds.
In a statement relayed via Adidas, Cebu’s very own queen said her achievement at the Adidas KOTR finals will serve well to boost her confidence as she defends her crown at the Milo Marathon finals on Dec. 9 in Manila.
“I’m really proud to win again in Singapore’s championship race after coming first in the Manila’s leg. I have even achieved my personal best for today’s run. The Adidas KOTR races have served a great use in training for my next event, a full marathon in Manila in December. I would welcome coming back next year and competing at Adidas KOTR again,” said Delos Santos.
Adidas King of the Road is a running series held in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Singapore. The Lion City hosted the finals last Oct. 28 with the 16.8k race originating and ending at the city’s newest attraction, Gardens by the Bay.
100 Miles North and 100 Kilometers South
On Nov. 17, Cebu will host two ultramarathons in the 100 category. The Hardcore 100 of Frontrunner magazine will test runners endurance as they traverse 160 miles around Cebu’s northern towns.
On the same day, Cebu Ultrarunners Club will host the second leg of its 100 Kilometer race series, traversing Cebu’s southern towns. The 2nd leg of the CUC 100 is hosted by the beach town of Alcoy.
Whether it’s in kilometers or miles, running in the 100 zone will require patience, an effective race strategy, fortitude and courage. Here are a few tips that will take runners from zero to a hundred, one inch at a time on race day.
Walking is your friend. It will increase your chance of finishing an ultramarathon. Power-walk the hills, run the flats and downhills. Find your ideal run-walk intervals during your long runs. On race day, implement the run-walk ratio you practiced during training.
Run smart, not fast. The secret to a successful and joyful ultramarathon race is in your pacing strategy. Coach Jenny of Runnersworld recommends that you break the race into three parts: run the first third where you can’t hear yourself breathe, effort is light and easy. In the second part you will start to hear yourself breathing but still running at a moderate and controlled effort. In the third and last part, you can hear yourself breathing but you know you are in the last part of the race and have the energy and stamina to push hard to the end.
Plan your fuel. Because you will be out there longer, fueling for an ultra is much different than a marathon. Eat real food instead of relying on engineered food like gels, bars and liquid food. Find the right balance of fuel for you while training and learn the hydration system that works for you. Sports drink alternatives: Try mixing Hydrite (oral rehydration salt) or Dextrose powder, Tang and water (when the ultramarathon is held during the day or when heat training.) At night, go low on the salt. No salt sticks or salt tablets at night.
Remember to:
-Make a race plan. Know it by heart, but be prepared to adjust and adapt to actual race day conditions.
-Make a checklist of everything you need on race day. Pack days ahead of the race.
-Clip your toenails. Buff your feet and toes a week before the race. Get to know your feet intimately. Know the hot zones or blister prone area. Practice taping those areas with Leukoplast.
-Rest well before the race. Sleep at least 8 hours before race day, 12 hours if you can.
-Stay positive, even when your body hurts everywhere. Do not whine. It saps your energy. Think happy thoughts.
-Listen to your body. Live to race another day.
-Ditch the MP3 and run on the LEFT side of the road ALWAYS.
-Be kind to your knees. Glide on sandy sidewalk, run on grass when there’s grass.