Bohol International Marathon 2014

August 24,2014 Poblacion Plaza
4:00 a.m.21.1k 3:30 (not official time)
Stayed at: Isolla Bella Resort

Bohol has been one of my to do list since I started running. For some reason, I backed out last year because as I said in the past, I'm not a fan of travelling esp. at sea. After the Big Quake last Oct 15 2013, I decided to join the BIM 2014 as my contribution to help Bohol in its rehabilitation and to give back to "out of towners" who visit Cebu to join our runs.
I spent hours and hours googling for blogs, maps and accomodations.As recommended by BIM facebook, Isolla Bella was the nearest one, about 800m from the plaza, only 50 meters from the main road. Its easy to locate so I advise this place to newbies.  After I finalized my accomodation (50% downpayment), I paid for the registration fee P1000 then sent my registration thru email. The great thing about BIM is that they always schedule it on long weekends.This actually proves most of the runners are out of towners. So you can schedule an extended vacation and tour the island. Three weeks before the event, I bought an Oceanjet ticket (libre balik) for P800. 8:00 am in the morning Aug 23,  then return Aug 24, 2:00 pm.
A few days after the Talisay run, I repacked again all my stuff. I dont know why my two bags feel so  heavy, I only packed a few. Note: to myself, try to find sunblock and lotion  sachet size. I guess this is one of the reasons why my back is so heavy. On Friday night, I bought 3 Mcdo burgers, 1 for dinner, 1 for breakfast next day and dinner at bohol. There's no mall /fastfood in Panglao.  I felt so nervous on Saturday, I kept praying for a nice weather so I wont vomit during sea travel. It was 6:30 when I went out and say goodbyes to my mom. I arrived at Pier 1 terminal just after 7:00 am, paid P25 terminal fee, had my baggage checked and got my boarding pass. It feels like going to an airport. Then I went to Gate 8, to wait for boarding. 

Pier 1 Gate 8

 The tv was showing Harry Potter 2, Hermione looks cute when she was a kid. Then the guy announced for boarding, My seat number was 27-G. I went upstairs because I thought it was my assignment, I did opt for the cheaper seat. But I was advised to go down to the closed, aircon area, wow Sulit. Good thing I wore my fave green jacket. The seats were full, next to me was a group of koreans/japanese tourists. The movie they were  showing  was that Tom Hanks movie were he was hijacked by black people at sea. The trip to Bohol was 2 hours, It was hard for me to sit that long. I used the CR of oceanjet, it was clean but the faucet for washing hands wasnt working. Good thing I brought the alcohol I bought in Gaisano Tabunok Mall.  Then I saw land, wow We arrived. Honestly,  I was scared and nervous. I tried to read blogs and maps about bohol, but I guess I wasnt satisfied. Thats the reason I am making this detailed account so that every newbie out there who wants to run in BIM will be guided by this blog. When I arrived at Tagbilaran Airport, it was so hot. I noticed large tents for the terminal  and ticketing office of oceanjet & 2 go. There was also an ongoing road renovations, the road was tight & crowded. If bohol wants to invite more tourists, they really need to improve the port. I read that trikes in the ports are expensive, so I walked out of the place. I saw a jolibee billboard and  I was walking  towards it.  I didnt see a nearby jolibee store btw. I saw the guard and asked  for directions.  One  thing you also need to ask is the rates for the trike. I can't hide the fact that I'm an out of towner coz I was carrying 2 bags, I obviously looked like someone who just arrived from the port. Fare from outside tag port to Tagbilaran Community Hospital P10.00. The trike dropped me at the wrong hospital btw, so  I had to walk to the right location, which is about 300 meters. WHen I claimed my racepack, I saw the famous runner, Mary Joy Tabal, yey! Daghan ming taga cebu. I made the right choice.
Getting my singlet/race bib was quick.  I saw in the map that BQMall wasnt far away, so I asked for directions then walked. I like walking because  I can familiarize the streets in the city.  I dont want to get lost next time I come back. Rate for the trike  from the hospital to BQ is P8.00 if you dont want to walk. When i arrived at the mall, I saw the letters B and Q where no longer  in place. Paging BQ. I went inside and looked for a place to eat. I was advised by the janitor to go upstairs for the food plaza. I went up to fourth floor, there was a turo turo/canteen type of food store, I purchased  bangus, rice & saging for a total of  P90. There's a CR  nearby, so I took a pee after the meal. The CR is clean btw.  For a saturday, there wasnt much crowd in the mall. My check in time at the resort is 2pm so I killed time by browsing the stores. I bought a nice blinker, to be attached to the wrist/arm for P155.00  I also went to the grocery to buy 1liter water, hopia and chippy then dropped by the pharmacy to buy decolgen in case my colds return. After asking questions from the guard, I went out to look for a trike for my trip to panglao. When I went out of the store, guys began to crowd near me, really got me nervous. After negotiating with the driver,  (P300) we went off. the trike was pink btw hehe. The trike driver wasnt familiar with the place so we had to  ask questions from the locals people in Poblacion Panglao. The road to Panglao is simple, straight,turn , straight.  I was able to see the road where I will run. The resort offered a van to pick me up, but its gonna cost me P600. I really like riding the trycicle. So there I was, looking for signages then I saw the sign "Welcome to Doljo", about 3 meters before that is the Isolla Bella Signage, yehey! we have arrived. 

Isolla Bela Signage (before Barangay Doljo)

I checked in at the counter, found my room (no. 6), but the aircon wasnt working.  I went out again to get assistance by ringing the bell, the resort was understaffed so they were having problems in attending to every needs of the customers. It turned out that my aircon was unplugged...grrrr the room wasnt ready for guest. When I turned on the faucet, the water was dark, which means this room wasnt used for weeks.  Okey lang, I had 40 percent discount for the place. The bed is big enough to accomodate 4 people, but they only have 2 pillows. Wifi wasnt working. One good thing about the room is the cable tv.  

Double Bed- fits 4 people

Cable tv

I changed my clothes and went for out again a quick tour. Since I will be going out at dawn,  I need familiarize myself with the place. It was really hot and even with the umbrella, my arms began to sting.

Panglao Tower or whats left of it

19th century San Augustin Church

 My only regret was that I should have rode a habal habal so I can view Alona beach. Most of the resorts (cheaper ones) are in Alona Beach, it would be great to see other accomodations in case I come back. I wouldnt mind walking 3-4km to the start/finish line but if it rains, that will be a problem for me. I did see other signages of other resorts I found online but only the expensive ones. I didnt  see Isla Divinna Inn.
I went back to my room, prepared my backpack and caplight, tried to sleep,  watched tv, ate my baon Mcdonalds burger then tried to sleep.

Sleepless Selfie

 I woke up at 1:00 am, then took a shower. Good thing they had hot water because I was trembling with cold and I dont know how to adjust the aircon.  I decided to wear the UP CDR shirt because I didnt like the BIM singlet. It was green &  so plain. I also attached that tag timer thingie in my shoelaces. I love my reflectorized purple shoelaces.  When I went  out, the gate was closed but not locked, the guard was snoring so I just went out and started 800 meters walk to the poblacion plaza. There were dark places on the road, lots of dogs barking.  I just turned on my flashlight, walked and prayed. I was the only person on the road, so I was kinda nervous. I heard the fireworks from the plaza, the 42k  runners had already started the run. Good luck to them.
  I arrived at the plaza just after 3 a.m., I prepared my gear,water, lights, etc then left my bag at the coutesy booth, it was a classroom, about 100 meters from the starting line. I noticed only a few runners, fewer than talisay, I guess less than 200, some speaking in tagalog, some in bisaya. Most of them not wearing the green singlet. At 3:30am warmup  started, they were jumping, dancing and stretching,  I didnt follow them, I did moves of my own. I dont want to tire myself before the run.
At 4:00 pm, there was no gunstart nor fireworks but the host announced the countdown. And then we were off.  I am not familiar with panglao but i did study the route many times. At least you know to turn left/right, go straight, turn back  etc so you wont get lost. Despite the presence of streetlights,  there were so many parts of the road that were dark. Sometimes a streetlight suddenly turns off, this happens to my 3 times. Good thing I brought my caplight. I also had a flashlight but I only use it in case my caplight goes out. I just ran at my usual slow pace, thinking happy thoughts, trying to look at signages, listening to the tsismis of other runners, looking at my reflective shoelaces.  I passed by a foodstation and saw they have cloud 9 chocolates. Unfortunately my sweaty palms couldnt tear at the plastic so I threw it away. I lost precious seconds just by trying to open cloud 9. Most of the water stations had gatorade and I really appreciate that. There were also giving out foams but the water wasnt cold. The sky has already lightened by 5am and I still didnt reach the intersection. I did some sprints to make up the lost seconds. When I returned at the intersection (near church) to turn left going to Daorong, I saw food! woot! woot! hotdogs, barbecues, boiled eggs..But  I promised myself, I will only eat when I return, I dont want to risk a tummy ache. So there I go, run /jog/ walk. The sun was already out so I removed my sunglasses from my beltbag. One thing i observed in the run is the signages, or the lack of it. Its really confusing because I can see signages like "this way, left turn etc" but its not for the runners.  The signages for the runners is a bit similar with other signages on the road. Thats why its important to familiarize with the route. The marshalls are only few,  unlike the runs here in cebu. So you really need to adjust. There was no turning point signage, but there was a water/gatorade station and a girl holding straw (proof you passed the turning point). I was ecstatic to get the straw because this means I can finally get some food. There was still food when I came back, no more boiled eggs though. I took 1 barbecue stick. ..ohhhh so yummy, I wish i could eat some more but you have to think of the 42k runners. Next turning point, Bellavue beach...4k to go..wohhhhohh this time I'm taking it easy, more of slowjog/walking, stroll in the park. I saw some flags, then the sign the  bellavue resort..went inside then to the beach...there was another water/saging station there.. I immediately got my cp and asked the guard to take my pic with the beach as background. 

Bellavue Resort- last turning point

Bellavue Beach

I saw some kids capturing a big fish, poor fishy. After I got the 3rd and final straw, went back , got myself 1 banana, drank 1 cold water than went back towards  finish line, 2k to go. I really wish I could stay longer at the beach, but I need to go back and finish the race. There was a food station along the way so I ate a bit of hotdog, drank a cup of gatorade. I was taking it easy going back. Looking at my watch, it was already 3:30 minutes, I dont care, I just want to enjoy my last few minutes of the run.  When I was nearing the finish line,  I saw lots of photographers,  so  I did a sprint for a nice photo finish. 

Finish Line Photo

Finishers Shirt

Finishers Medal

I'm  excited for the pics to come hehe. After the finish, I got my bag, claimed my snacks, medals, finishers shirt and took some pics. I had to go back to attend mass so I walked 800meters back and forth and arrived at the church 30 minutes late. I was standing most of the time, it was a bit painful but I endured.  After church  I went back and claimed my breakfast at the resort. It was a morning  full of food, my stomach was really bloated with all the food I ate. I feel sleepy and content. I'm going back home to Cebu.
Thanks to BIM for a great experience. It would be 2-3 years before I come back for a run and I hope for improvements by that time.
Comments:
Lack of signages,  bigger one and more distinguishable. Although the route is simple, it would be great if this has been installed.
No timer: Maybe I didnt notice it,  I didnt see a timer.
Accomodations:  Request for more inexpensive accomodations near the area
Food: Provide scissors for the chocolate packs. Also, dont cut the bananas. It looks yucky when the it gets dark
Singlet: Please improve the singlet, add reflectorized material. 
Facebook: Next time please post singlet, medal and finishers shirt. Runners are motivated if they see this. Also inform the runners to use flashlights, caplights, blinkers.
What I loved best during the run: Food Stations and the short run at Bellavue beach
To runners who blog their experiences of running in various places in the Philippines: THANK YOU. Keep on writing.
lastly: Bucket list   CHECKED 
See Images- Back to Sugbo

Riding the trike

Tagbilaran Terminal -only 2 gates

Tagbilaran Port - All Aboard

Inside OceanJet 

Window Seat 31a: I see Sugbu

Talisay City Marathon

Talisay City Hall (new) 4:00 a.m.
21K 3:29:25
where i stayed: GV Hotel Talisay
my first run wearing a UPCDR singlet


After weeks of worrying and hesitating if I should join this run. I did it. I conquered the uphell(s) and downhell(s) of Barangay Linao in Talisay with no major injury, just the usual aches and pains.  Here's the things that happened since saturday.
Commuting to Tabunok Talisay
At 1:45 pm Sat, after a nice lunch at Chowking, I rode 10F PUJ at USC main, then rode the Naga PUJ at Basak Area. . I received a sms from Ben about the shirt. I made instructions to just bring the singlet on Sunday. I arrived at Gaisano Tabunok, GV Hotel is exactly in front of McDonalds so i was walking back and forth looking for the hotel. I was assigned at the 2nd floor, Room 210. The room was okey, I think I like this one better than the one in Lapulapu. No Ants this time but the aircon was facing the cabinet for hanging clothes. Weird, the hanger was banging against the cabinet.Ohhh, no remote control this time, just pindot pindot the tv.   I went out, bought some food, purchased a sock warmer and hankie at Gaisano. Note to self: DONT FORGET TO BRING HANKERCHIEF.

Room 210 GV Hotel

Talisay City Hall

THE RUN

I was able to sleep for 3 hours then I started preparing by 1:00 am.  Breakfast: Waffles  Peanut Butter. My tummy felt so full already, this usually happens when I dont poop everyday. I was shaking with cold after I had a tabo tabo shower then wore my gear. I went out and found the guard sleeping. I had difficulty understanding  what he said so I guess he was still in dreamland. I told him to call a trike,  so he went out and just stood there for 3-6 minutes. I really didnt trust him so I told him if there's any other form of transportation.  As advised by him, I rode a pedicab (P10) then habal-habal. When I arrived I decided to take off my compression socks coz It felt too tight. I left my bag at the baggage counter then started walking. Then a UPCDR runner found me and handed me my new UPCDR singlet...yey! I feel like a ironman participant. Kita muscles and kili kili.
We had a short zumba warm up then the gun went off before 4:00am. First route is going to SRP and  there are still dark areas  in the roads. Good thing I brought my headlight/headlamp.  The run started like any other runs, I get breathless at first, then after 2k I feel relaxed and in the zone.
The hard part was in Barangay Linao, were you can find  2 kilometers uphill and downhill on your way back. I think this is worse than my Talamban Run. I knew I couldnt run uphill so I just kept on walking and walking. Penitensiya mode. I was also passing gas..tooot tooott...nakakahiya.. When I reached the UTurn (2nd one), I couldnt help it, I just had to have a pic taken. Too bad the pic was not able to capture the mountain in the background. I lost some minutes because of the picture taking, but I dont care.  I know I wont be the last runner.
Running back was easier but i took time to look at the green mountains. This will be my first and last Talisay Run so I just want to enjoy the moment. When I reaced the South Coastal Road, it was hot hot hot. So I continued as always until I reached the finish line. Finally,  another run is over. I asked other UPCDR runners for a photo op but they wanted to wait for the others so I claimed my bag and meals, ate my breakfast then changed. I wanted to go home and shower so I looked for a UPCDR runner so say my farewells. Okey thats it, I did it. I'm so proud of myself.

Barangay Linao

UTurn 2

Finishers Medal- and its all mine

FINISH LINE

FAILED SELFIE ATTEMPT

Some comments: I did not see an ambulance or medic or Red Cross. I cant say for the 42k since i havent seen the route. Its just  unusual that you dont see an ambulance during the run since there is a 42k/21k and  the route wasnt an easy one.
Bad news: no Lechon for 21k. One of my motivations to join was this one. Boooooo!
Only few runners in 21k and 5k.  There were more runners in Lapu-lapu. My estimate350 21k, about 200 for 5k.
Program was boring, they should have hired a radio DJ.
I wasnt impressed with the new Talisay City Hall.  The front stairs has shown damage and paint has peeled from some of the buildings. 
Will I join next year's Talisay Run.  My answer: NO. If they offer lechon to 21k finishers. MAYBE.

R399 Live Your Dream 2014

August 10  2014
6k 50: 44 Ayala Terraces

I consider this my berdey run since its usually scheduled near my b-day. I checked my time last year, its 45 minutes for a 6k, hmmmm now I am skeptic about the true time since this is usually my time for 5k. Oh well, I'm feeling a little weakness in my right foot, sa may kiting, so I'm a bit worried. I will try to rest this week.  I have really not much to tell for this run, It was a hot day and they gave rice meals for 3k and 6k.  I didnt even wait for the awarding and games. Pics na lang coz i'm so sleepy na.

my second selfie attempt, and yup, that's my labada as background

Finishers Medal. I like this one better than last year, but the distance is not indicated

race bib

my first attempt at selfie, so serious coz i'm having difficulty with my cp.

Currently packing for my next run, Talisay City Marathon. I will probably be using my new cap and new UPCDR shirt (maybe). Please pray for me, I hope i wont get injured during the run.

my new head gear, notice the tie. guaranteed it will not fly off