Striding Farther

"Running is more than a Sport, more than a State of mind, it’s a Lifestyle. Do more. Accomplish more. Enjoy more." 
Hear it straight from Jem, while he makes the stride of his life..

ACTTIVE: How long have you been running?
JEM: I started running August of last year. I got into the gym with the goal of losing the excess weight. I was weighing 184 lbs back then.

Months before I got serious, I was kind of running in a ranch near my place. While trying to maintain my pace, some dogs got so friendly and started chasing me.  That’s when I got my unbeatable record --thanks to the dogs!

Sometimes, when I don't feel like interacting with the dogs,  I hook on the treadmill while watching 24, Smallville and House before hitting bed.

Then I lost 5 lbs...  Five pounds with no sweat, with some playing around!!  I realized I am ready to do serious strides and shed more unwanted weight!!

That day onwards, the lonely road going up to Tagaytay became my training ground. From my place to Summit Ridge Tagaytay is around 10.5 to 11K (counting kilometer posts). I have loved running that route with my buddies, Chip Ingram, John Maxwell and Joey Bonifacio (podcasts).

ACTTIVE:  Are you competitive?
JEM: I compete with myself.  I’ve been running long distance --half and full marathon. I love long distance running.  It kind of test my training preparation, if I did well or if I need to train more.

ACTTIVE: How many marathons have you run in the past?
JEM: TBR Dream Marathon was my first marathon.  It was a very awesome experience finishing 42K on my birthday! Milo was my second full marathon.  Unlike the first, the second marathon was a pain with an injured right leg.  However, I am looking forward to continue running the long distance in Pasig, QCIM and Subic races.

ACTTIVE: What is the most favorite race (not necessarily marathon) you run? Why?
JEM: I have to say, my most favorite race is the TBR Dream Marathon because it was my first time to run a full marathon and it was on my birthday. A very unique gift to myself. That was actually the first time I learned about Chi Running* in my attempt to pace with Lit Onrubia, a chi running instructor. But I only paced with him until the 24th kilometer only. I fell short on training. I did my final long run I think a week before the big day, which is by-the-way a NO-NO, since we’re jumpstarting a new enterprise. However, I had a lot of fun because it was so exclusive.  The runners are either first timers or second timers. You won’t feel the tension of competing with one another. Runners even became friends and running buddies. It felt like a culminating activity after all our training and running clinics --a Graduation. Very organized race  spearheaded by the bull runner herself, Jaymie Pizarro.

ACTTIVE: How do you prepare for a race? Do you follow any specific running program?
JEM: As much as possible, I run in the morning for my maintenance run before I hit the gym. If I cannot run, I do ropes. Personally, I call it "easy-pacute" runs, since my last stretch would be 2-4 rounds around the high school oval where pretty girls are. LOL. Weekend is allotted for LSD (long slow distance). I follow the 3-month marathon training program I got from Jim Lafferty when am engaged in a marathon. This is actually one of the very generous supports of TBR Dream Marathon. Run on time, run if you should. No cheat days. Sweat if you must.

ACTTIVE: How do you approach running a marathon?
JEM: I set my interval at 7-1 (7 minutes running and 1 minute walking). Turning 8-1 after 5 sets then 9-1 if I still can. I usually maintain 8-1 then plateau at 7-1. Marathon is a test whether I did well on my training or not.

ACTTIVE: How many kilometers per week do you run?
JEM: Long runs every weekend, at least 25K from my office going up to Tagaytay then back, usually until Olivarez Plaza or Sonia’s Garden. Short maintenance runs during weekdays, 6-10K depending on my time.

ACTTIVE: Do you cross train or do other sports?
Yes. I swim once a week. I live next to a resort so anytime I want to hit the pool, I can just splash in. I have been wanting to do MTB (mountain bike) though, to prepare for triathlon but I am still not up to the nitty-gritty it requires to set it up, clean and maintain it.  As a substitute, I do my spinning in the gym.  Consistent workout is a must in keeping fit and training for any sport, may it be marathon or triathlon.

ACTTIVE: Do you have any special diet --during the training program, immediately before a race, post race?
JEM: My daily diet consists mainly of oatmeal, any fruit in season, tuna, with occasional inclusion of chicken or pork for my protein source. I prefer “nilaga” (stewed/boiled) or grilled than fried, while grilled taste better for me. I eat rice only when I feel like having it.  It is not staple in my home.

My latest discovery, Century Tuna Bangus --oh man you gotta try it!  I grill the bangus (milkfish) in a sizzling plate with egg then top it with the sauce that goes with it.  Panalo (winner) with oatmeal!

I also take protein shakes after workout. One thing I’ve observed with oatmeal, it’s easier and faster to move than rice which feels heavy on the tummy. I've been wanting to give up Kapeng Barako (native Batangas coffee) but I am having a hard time. And what makes it more difficult is a benefit I learned from a recent reading that coffee promotes running faster (Men's Health magazine).

Before a race, I carboload with two servings of rice, chicken and Marathon Max. Yes, it feels heavy, but it conditions my body to run full tank the following day. Better to run full tank than half empty. Right after a race, I take a lot of water and whatever carb and protein source accessible. I usually rush to McDonald’s for a cheeseburger meal.

ACTTIVE: Do you bring your own nutrition for the race ie electrolytes, gels?
JEM: Yes. My metabolism shoots up easily so I need to replenish my tank before it hits empty. I fill my hydration belt with energy drinks.  Pocari sweat and Gatorade are good choices. I bring at least four Hammer gels (espresso flavor) and a Hershey bar for long distance running.

ACTTIVE: Have you done an out of town marathon/race? Any learning experience that is beneficial to those aspiring to do the same?
JEM: Practice is Key. Always have yourself on training mode even if you’re not joining any race. In this way, your body will get used to high endurance mobility until it becomes your habit then your second nature --as your normal running capacity. Whether you’re running a half marathon or a full marathon, if your body is always on a training mode, what you are only going to worry about is your body clock. Everything else follows. But when you are on training, make sure you are into it. Put your heart and soul to it. Listen to your body.  Adjust your capacity gradually. You are building a strong foundation.  Remember you are going to run for as long as you live not only for a season.

“Fire will test the quality of each man’s work, if the work survives, he will receive a reward.” ~ Paul of Tarsus

CONSISTENCY. Stick to your running schedule. Run if you must even if you don’t feel like it. You are forming a habit. Keep track of your mileage, increase gradually. Do time trials --strive to beat your personal record (PR). Be consistent with your pace whether it’s 5-1 or 9-1. Walk if your interval says you should, even if you feel like running or else it will backfire on you in the last kilometers. Running is more than a sport, more than a state of mind, it’s a lifestyle. Do more. Accomplish more. Enjoy more.

“Run in such a way as to win the prize” ~ Paul of Tarsus

ACTTIVE: What is your ultimate running goal? What makes you run (any motivation)?
JEM:  When I started running, my goal was only to lose weight then maintain a correct form. Then I thought about running a full marathon. I am going to run anyway so why not run like real runners do. I think it’s an acid test to call yourself a marathoner or a recreational runner. Being able to finish a full 42K by foot means a lot.

I have no idea back then that there is such a thing as Ultra Marathon. I hear people talk about it.  And I start to read about it.  My next goal is 102K Bataan Death March Ultra Marathon. Wait, I heard there’s even a 151K Ultra Marathon says the Bald Runner --sounds exciting and interesting!! I love endurance test, the Survival of the Fittest!!

Jem's inspiring words for the active culture:
"To challenge yourself, whether you can give more or give up soon, this keeps you striding farther. If you can outplay yourself by running physically, you can do it also in your family, in your business, in your ministry and in your relationships. Self-fulfillment. New levels of Victory. Behind every mountain is a bigger and higher mountain. To be the best that God created you to be. To make Him proud and see Him smile."

See you guys in 2nd QCIM. Cheers to a healthy nation!

NEXT: *CHI RUNNING
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