Last June 25, when everyone else was sleeping, Cebuano runners Joel Garganera and Napoleon dela Torre ran all night at the Sundown Marathon – a 100 kilometer ultramarathon in Singapore.
Their goal – to beat the sunrise or the race cut-off time of 16 hours, and they did just that.
Nap, who ran the Great Wall Marathon and the TNF 100 among others in his long list of running credentials, finished the Sundown Ultramarathon in 12:36. Joel, a veteran of 14 full marathons and 3 ultramarathons finished the 100K out and back course of the Singapore Sundown in 13:01:45 with neither cramps nor blisters.
Joel and I share running history. Our first and most memorable marathon was Hongkong 2009. I was forced to DNF at KM 25, while Joel finished his first full Mary missing the 5:30 cut-off by seven minutes because he won’t leave behind his running partner and friend Jonathan Guardo who had suffered cramps. That’s how I remember him as a runner -- loyal and never quits.
After crossing the finishline at the coast to coast ultramarathon last May 1, a soul-crushing 65K ultra passing through the Transcentral Highway, Joel swore to never run an ultra ever again. But as you already know by now, never believe a runner when he says never again – especially an ultrarunner. When the road beckons, it’s just way too hard to resist.
M F: In your past two ultramarathons you swore to never run a race farther than 42K, what made you change your mind and do a century?
Joel: I realized I was not in my top shape when I ran (Coast to Coast) 65K. I was 161lbs and I did not have enough mileage. I thought I already have many marathons under my belt, I could do this. But as it turned, guba gyud kaayo ko ato.
My friend Brandy Llenos, who is based in Singapore is responsible for signing me up for Sundown on the last day of registration. So I took up the challenge. Michelle So (Super balita editor-in-chief) and I deviced a strategy on how to prepare for the race including diet and mileage. We interviewed runners like Bro. Carlo Bacalla, Philip Duenas and others. My diet, mileage. Mitch documented everything in 45 days.
MF: How did you train for Sundown?
Joel: First I reduced my weight, from 161lbs (May 1) to 146lbs (June 25). I totally gave up alcohol, softdrinks and other colored drinks. I did long runs -- Hamster 46K, Leon Kilat’s Retreat 42K, Phuket Marathon 48K, and around twelve other long runs ranging from 20-32km. two weeks prior to the race, I ate protein mostly and five days before the race I did carbo stocking. I rested completely 3 days prior to the race.
MF: You've been plagued by cramps in many of your past marathons. What adjustments did you make in your training for Sundown, where you had a very strong finish?
Joel: My strategy was very basic. I started slow and just enjoyed the run as if I wasn’t in a race. I stuck to my plan of running 2km every 15 minutes, which includes 1-2minutes of walking.
MF: Do you have a list of must-do races before you die? What are they, if any?
Joel: It doesn't matter where, but I want to run a marathon with my entire family, my wife and 3 kids. So dugay-dugay pa gyud ko mamatay.
MF: What is/are your next big race/s?
Joel: I really don't know yet, but for sure I will be joining the Kawasan Falls Marathon and Aboitiz Race to Reduce, I'm still contemplating about Cagayan 55K but it’s too soon. My kids will kill me na gyud.
MF: What inspires you and keeps you running?
Joel: My kids and wife Audrey. They are into running like me. My friends who are into running becauseof me, like Ramsey Quijano and his wife Renee, Brandy LLenos, Hembler Mendoza, Jeff Brillantes and his wife Jenje. They are into this lifestyle one way or the other because of me.
MF: What is your best lesson learned as a runner?
Joel: I had a Liver abscess years ago due to alcohol. I thought that was the end of me. We only have one body and we have to take good care of it and running is one and enjoyable way in staying fit.
MF: What is your runner’s wish list?
Joel: I can’t help but feel envious about other countries wherein their streets are friendly to runners -- wide sidewalk, well paved roads, tress everywhere, no smoke belching vehicles not to mention driver courteous to runners. Haaay mahitabo pa kaha na sa ato-a?
MF: Do you have a message for runners out there (old and new)?
Joel: Just keep on running. It’s good for you and me.
Photo credit: Sun Star Daily Cebu
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