Running

By Jesus A. Garcia, Jr.

RUNNING was part of my training during my cycling heydays. I never missed to run at least two or three (and sometimes four) kilometers once every week during my intensive workouts in preparation for the big race, particularly the Tour of Luzon. Running helped me a lot to improve my breathing especially the mountain climb stages of which the Cordillera mountains of Baguio City are the most critical and crucial stages to win the Tour. Cycling virtuosos and pundits say that a cyclist without a mountain climbing prowess will never win the world’s top three big races, the Tour de France, Giro de Italia and the Vuelta Espana.

I believe them. It’s on the record. It’s also happening here in the Philippines since the birth of multi-stage racing called the Tour of Luzon in 1956 and up to now.

Actually, I joined once a 30-kilometer foot-race in 1982 that started and ended in Dagupan City plaza which participated in by big guns in Philippine long distance marathon race. I knew that the complete distance was too much for me so I just ran ten kilometers and got a time of 40 minutes and 20 seconds. Not bad at all for me, a non-marathoner.

Like the Russian cyclists who were multi-gold medalists during 1960’s Olympics and world championships especially in the team-time-trial events and in the velodrome races, I also swam, did some light weightlifting and played basketball once in a while to wake up my other lazy veins that were not seriously active during my bike riding and jogging. I found out that playing basketball perked up my sprinting capability and played a major role during my first triumph in 1973. Remember, I won four of the ten stages, and all in sprints, that eventually propelled me to the championship. That’s one for the books, ‘ika nga.

Last April 24, a foot-race was held here in Dagupan City that lured close to 200 runners for men and women. Dubbed as “Takbo Ang Simula Sa Pagbabago” was organized and sponsored by ABS – CBN network. I directed the race, my second in my life. Assisting me was my nephew Terry Aquino, Jonathan Ortega, Kori Quintos, area manager Gemma Gacas, Marivic, Joan and other hardworking ABS-CBN people and my staff. The 3.3 kilometers event was dominated by the San Carlos City runners. (See related story on this page) No wonder, the San Carleans are dominant in this distance during the annual Region 1 PRISAA Games.

Congrats to you guys. San Carlos townspeople should be proud of you.

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Kudos to cyclist Baler Ravina of Asingan for winning the 15th Engr. Fidel D. Ginez Cycling Classic held April 24 and pocketed the P20,000 top prize. 2009 Padyak Pinoy champ Joel Calderon of Guimba, Nueva Ecija placed second and good for P15,000. Manaoag son Ericson Obosa landed third worth P10,000. Tarlaqueno Joseph Millanes and Bugallon pride Renier Clauna finished fourth and fifth and received P3,000 and P2,000, respectively. The 168-kilometer open race attracted around 100 riders including many aging riders of eastern Pangasinan. They joined the road battle just for fun and did not finish but received and incentive prize of P300 each from Engr. Ginez.

Kudos also to Mangaldan cyclist Ariel Flores for winning the all-amateur Sual town fiesta bikefest held on April 28 and bagged the P5,000 top prize. Visiting Olongapo City cyclist Rudy Roque finished second for P4,000. San Fabian stalwart Rene Esteban, John Mark Mendoza of Olongapo City and Rustom Lim of Guimba, Nueva Ecija placed third, fourth, fifth and received P3,000, P2,000 and P1,000, respectively.

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