DISTRIBUTION - Fat Ass T-Shirts

Okay, I just received a SMS from Don asking me to announce to all and sundry that the distribution of FAT ASS commemorative tee-shirts will be done on 14 February 2010 during the TNF Thrill of the Trail at Nuvali (http://www.thrillofthetrail.ph/).

Here is the preview of the shirt's layout:

Cool huh? So just head out to Nuvali Sta. Rosa Laguna on 14 February 2010 and look for our boss - Don.

Cheers and good luck on your racing,

Jon

FAT ASS commemorative T-SHIRT

Ok, I did not expect my co-organizer Don to be that altruistic. So I delayed this announcement for 2 days just to be darn sure he was not hallucinating or something. Well, he was not.

So folks to add another level of enjoyment or high to your achievement during the run, Don is requesting all the official participants of FAT ASS 2010 (please refer to the Official Results) to please register your name and t-shirt size in this particular portion of the blog if you want to have the shirt or not. It is that easy like:

NAME:       pig                                              SIZE: "fat" (just kidding :)

Those who do not register will not receive any unless Don himself says otherwise. He is the boss now. So come on, let us have your name and size. I'll start off in the comment section.

Cheers!

Jon

P.S.


Please inform the others about this. Aside from this blog, I will send emails to all the runners who gave their address.

FAT ASS ... looking back

As the date for Fat Ass came closer and closer, somebody asked me if I was not tired yet. I said if it is your passion, you will never get tired.

How true. I still wonder where I got all the energy since December when I juggled between family, household chores (our yaya left), 3 kids all going to school, training for upcoming ultra races and Fat Ass. So go figure.

Most of you are perhaps wondering how we conceived Fat Ass. Well, we had been toying since last year with the idea of doing a really looong run of at least 160 kilometers. This was especially true after BOTAK 100K race last June 2009. There was a lull and we were kind of bored. The decision to finally hold a long run was when I proposed to hold a Fat Ass event in one of those party moments with friends both here in Clark and Manila. The "spirit" made us do it without any idea on how.

I first came across the concept for Fat Ass in a web article http://www.coolrunning.com.au/fatass/joeoakes.shtml and various fora but paid no attention to it.

So to cut the story short, we finally managed to set a date, venue and time. The date should be normally right after the holiday season before all those oily food becomes sub-cutaneous fat under one's skin. One thing was clear though. The run must adhere to the spirit or concept of what Fat Ass is all about - FUN.

We did understand that there was no need to put up an aid station but we agreed amongst us that we would have one although we did require runners to be self-sufficient. After all, there is no registration fee. All those food and drinks during Fat Ass were donated by the organizers, members of Team Clark, 1 locator (bottled water) and runners themselves from different running groups like Pinoy Ultra Runners (PUR), Camanava, Team Hardcore, etc. Secondwind Running Store with PUR donated 2 TNF hydration belts (really cool), socks and bags which we raffled off. We hired 2 utility personnel to assist us and they had to be paid as well. In sum, we pooled our resources so runners could have one unique experience.

One thing I noticed was that almost all runners were happy after finishing the run. Just take a moment to see all the pictures. Everyone seemed glad and if you were there, their joy was not so much that the run or their ordeal was over but everyone had fun doing it. I think this is what makes this event unique from all the races we have joined. There was camaraderie and that subtle understanding and empathy that one knew what the other was going through. Eveyone knew each other's nickname. There was a connection, a bond. No one cared what running group you belonged to or what PRs you got in races. So I think this is somehow unique in low key events such as this.

Our dilemma now (at least mine in the meantime) is how to maintain that camaraderie and uniqueness of Fat Ass assuming more runners will participate in 2011. The better query is: is it even possible to achieve the same in a large number of participants?

As for food and drinks, these can be easily solved through sponsorships or if this fails, by just going back to one of basic rules of any fat ass event - no aid. Meaning, runners to bring their own food and drinks.

Now, how to survive a time event of 24 hours? I am no expert on this but I have joined races where I finished in more or less 24 hours (TNF100, '08 & '09) and the longest is 30 hours plus change - Oxfam Trailwalker 2010 in Hongkong (very challenging route). (This reminds me to complete my post on Oxfam soon).

What made Fat Ass in Clark unique was that it was done in loops. Most races and some fat ass events are done in one long loop or point to point routes. Prior to the event, I heard runners mumbling on how they would ever survive the utter boredom of running in circles. Well, they did survive. The weather and environment also played a major role ... as always in any endurance event. Ronnie commented on the absence of air pollution or at least very minimal compared to race venues in Metro Manila. Runners also saw families, children, dogs, and folks from all walks of life enjoying the loop with them. Lending a kind of family feel to it so to speak.

Wait, I am disgressing. So what is the best trick to tackle a time event of 24 hours? Drum roll please.... DO NOT SLEEP :) No sleep = more mileage.

Cheers and see you in 2011!

Jon

Pictures during FAT ASS

Hello folks. Here are some of the pictures during the Fat Ass Run. My apology if they are not posted in the proper order. Anyway, enjoy!

Cheers,

Jon

Taken hours before the start. I particularly like this because it represents "the calm before the storm". Banner is small but cute :)

Aid Station. Still quiet with recreational walkers and joggers around.

Fat Ass Organizers - Don and Jon

Fat Ass King - Boni for 12 hours receiving his Certificate

Fat Ass Queen for 12 hours - Precy

This is Joseph "Joen" Soriao. Amazing feat (81.4k) for an ultra newbie. Fat Ass was his training run for BDM102.

Fat Ass finishers in all categories.

Runners showing their fat asses which would not be fat soon :)

Don! Get your ass on the lane!

Guess who? This is behind the checkpoint.

Ronnie de Lara  in one of those brief breaks. Early morning. No, it was not his beer bottle :)

Post-run beer bash courtesy of Don! Cheers!

Asst. RD Red on the ground rules and mechanics.

Fat Ass King Albert for 24 hours (114.4k)

Fat Ass Queen Beth for 24 hours (94.6K). She even slept.

Off they go, the 12 hour runners!

At 8 PM, the 12 hour runners with others.

At 2AM, the 6-hour runners. Very competetive.

Panoramic view of Clark Parade Ground

Guess who? No, he is not a mummy or in a coccoon! :)

Showing it off again! :)

At 8AM, the 24-hour runners. Looong way to go! Isko "The Hunk" Lapira raising his hands.

Rinna Fuentes on her first attempt to go the distance.

Billy "longhairago" with his certificate.

Hey, Jeff, stop working! :)

The 6-hour runners - Meyo, Gilbert and Sir Willy.

Our kids at play as well.

Simon (6 hours), Romy, Ronnie and Don on a break.

Seconds before the gun start for 24 hours.

Boss Red on the loop recording.

Haha. Fat Ass King Albert and runners showing their behinds!

24-hour runners from left, Jon, Romy, Don, Isko, Ronnie, Jeff, Abet, Albert, Beth, Mendell and Rinna

24-hour runners in a different pose.

FAT ASS Official Results

Here are the results during the Fat Ass Run 2010:

As mentioned before, this event was never intended to be a race in the strictest sense of the word. We do, however, know how to give recognition when and where it is due.

Thus, the following are the FAT ASS KINGS and QUEENS of 2010, respectively:

         24 HOURS:                                 12 HOURS                               6 HOURS

     Albert Sama (114kms)           Bonifacio Dalisay (72.6)           Jerry Guiao (48.4)

     Elizabeth Siojo (94.6)            Priscilla Hernandez (59.4)        Blesilda Gimeno (33)

These are the folks to "outdo" in 2011. So keep on running those fat asses!

(There were no 18-hour runners who showed up. We decided this particular event will no longer be included in 2011. Hence, the categories will be 24, 12 and 6 hours only.)

Pictures and other details very soon.

Cheers,

Jon

Post-FAT ASS Run Message

Thank you to those who participated during the FAT ASS run last Saturday. It was a pleasure to see you finish the event you chose... and have a great time as well!

Our biggest kudos, however, goes to the volunteers who supported the run literally with their time, money and dedication. We owe to you the success of the run. Thank you so much. We will give due recogntion later on.

Results, pictures and other details of the run will be posted later today. You can, however, read the initial recap of the run from Ronnie - one the 24-hour runners at http://runnerforchrist.wordpress.com/.

Recover well and good day.

Cheers,

Jon

Additional Details for FAT ASS Run

We have inadvertently omitted in the last post several details which we think are very important as well. Here they are:

BREAK: Runners who take a break and leave the designated loop will have to return to the same spot before proceeding. If your break will take longer as usual, please advise the checkpoint personnel accordingly.

DRINKING BOTTLES, CUPS, ETC: To avoid unnecesary litters during the event, runners will have to bring their own bottles, cups (for coffee), etc. and use them for refill. We have seen too many plastic litters (cups, bottles) during and after races. It is time to help the environment. 

RUNNING CLUBS' BANNERS/TARPAULINS: Running clubs or groups whose members are joining the event may hoist their banners near the checkpoint for promotional purposes. We are working on having the event (at least the closing ceremony) covered by a local TV station here. Please coordinate with the checkpoint staff.

We hope that covers everything for now. Thanks and see you all!

Cheers,

Jon

Final Details for FAT ASS Run

DATE: 09-10 January 2010

START TIME: 8AM (09 January 2010) for 24-hour runners, 2PM for 18 hours, 8PM for 12 hours and 2AM (10 January 2010) for 6 hours.

BASICS: No awards, prizes, registration fees, pre-race jitters, etc.

WHERE: Clark Parade Ground at Clark Freeport Zone, Philippines. Check this map for direction:

DISTANCE: 2.2KM runner's lane (loop) inside the Clark Parade Ground.

MAP: Please check this map for important details:

DIRECTION & LOOP: Start of the run for 24-hour runners will be counterclockwise and every 6 hours, runners will have to reverse their loop. Runners joining the 18, 12 and 6 hour runs, will be in clockwise, counterclockwise and clockwise directions, respectively. In this way, all runners will be going the same direction and can pace or keep each other company. Most importantly, this direction will have the sun behind runners.

NIGHT RUNNING: The area of the loop in front of the Clark Museum is not well lit even as we tried in time to rehabilitate the lampposts before the event. Runners may want to bring their headlamp as the loop is UNEVEN asphalt lane. Please be careful at night by watching your footing.

RUN BIB: All runners will be provided with and will wear a number bib for their chosen event.

CHECKPOINT: There will be only 1 checkpoint with staff and volunteers. Runners' loops will be recorded on a white board, log sheets and using stickers.

There will be MINIMAL provisions like banana, water, boiled eggs, salt, etc. at the checkpoint. Brewed and/or instant coffee will be served during the night portion of the run. Some friends will be donating food for a small post-run breakfast which will coincide with closing/awarding ceremony.

Again, runners will be responsible to bring their own food for himself and his crew, if any, for the entire duration of the run.

CREW & PACER: They are allowed but pacers are not allowed to carry anything for the runner to encourage self-sufficiency. No need to carry anything anyway since it is only a 2.2KM loop.

FOOD & FLUIDS: “BYO”-style – meaning bring your own.

TENT: Runners can put up their own tent if they so wish ideally in the designated area as shown in the map. Several tents however will be put up and runners can use them. Please share the same with other runners as these are limited in numbers.

RESTROOMS: Three (3) comfort rooms will be open for the entire duration of the run as shown in the map. The Aerobics Gym has shower rooms so runners can use them while the others are good enough for calls of nature. The other restroom is right behind the checkpoint at the tennis court. Should the Good Samaritan (a donor) finally decide to donate the use of portalets, we will field them strategically along the route for easy access to runners.

BREAK: Runners can always take a break and even sleep but should bring their own sleeping mats, etc. The CDC Aerobics Gym can only accomodate few runners at a time who need to nap or sleep.

SECURED PARKING LOT:  The parking lot is the only area where all runners and their respective crew should park their own vehicles which is very convenient for runners. This is just a few feet away from the camping site (tents).

GEAR: It is cold during the night and early morning in January… at least in Clark. So plan accordingly.

CERTIFICATE: Cool certificates will be given at the end of the run. No worry. We will be generous in giving out these to runners to acknowledge their effort regardless of their time, loops made and/or distance.

LAST LOOP BEFORE CUT-OFF TIME (8AM) - The last completed loop before the cut-off time will be considered as the official recorded loop. Uncompleted loop will not be counted. 

WAIVER: As standard in all Fat Ass runs of this nature, all participants will sign a waiver before running.

Runners are advised to come at least 30 minutes before their chosen event to register, sign a waiver and get their run bib.

If things will all work out fine, a formal, big, organized championship event called CLARK 12 & 24 will follow on November or December of 2010 and another Fat Ass run (a different kind) will take place during the first week of January 2011 as a matter of tradition.

Hope to see you all on Saturday. Have fun...always!

Cheers!

Jon

(P.S. The Fat Ass logo is taken from http://www.coolrunning.com.au/fatass/joeoakes.shtml)

Final Details for FAT ASS ... to follow

The final details for FAT ASS run will be posted either tomorrow or at the latest on Wednesday. Not much has changed though. We are working on some map showing the location of checkpoint, comfort rooms, camping site, parking area, portalets, etc. and another map showing the direction to Clark Parade Ground  Also, we finally figured out how to record every loop the runners make without spending a fortune on timing chips and mat.

After all, this run is free. No cost at all to runners.

Cheers,

Jon

FAT ASS Run - Registration & Inquiry section

For registration and inquiries, please get in touch with the following FAT ASS staff :)
Jon - +63 916 6404407 - atty.jonnifer@gmail.com
Don - +63 920 9216150 - don.ubaldo@gmail.com
Those participating are advised to post their name, their chosen event (time category), email address, contact number and blog name, if any, in this particular section so we can make the necessary preparations like number of tents, whether bigger parking lot is needed, among others (shirts?). If you are not sure on the event, it is ok. You can just post your name here and show up during the hour of your chosen event, register and run. We don't mind at all.
You may also post your queries, concerns and whatnot here.We will try to address them immediately.

Lastly, runners are allowed to spread the news in their blogs. We'll certainly appreciate it and thank you in advance.

Cheers!

Jon

FAT ASS - 6 hour event now included and additional details

Some runners requested for a 6-hour category and so...

6-HOUR FAT ASS RUNNERS: They will start at 2AM of Sunday, 10 January 2010 in clockwise direction.

DIRECTION & LOOP: Start of the run for 24-hour runners will be counterclockwise and every 6 hours, runners will have to reverse their loop to avoid overuse injuries. Runners joining the 18, 12 hour and 6 hour runs, will be in clockwise, counterclockwise and clockwise directions, respectively. In this way, all runners will be going the same direction and can pace or keep each other company. Again, this is just a suggestion as runners can choose to run in any direction they see fit.

COLOR CODING: All runners will be color-coded or any other form of identification based on their category.

PICNIC GROUND: There is a public picnic-children ground (with toilet) across the Parade Ground where runners and/or their crew can camp and, ahem, hold BBQ and beer party. But do not quote me on this :)

Hopefully, runners can pool their resources together or sponsors will come forward for our finisher shirts and logistics.

If you finish this run and somebody call you "fat ass", you have every reason to be proud :)

Cheers,

Jon

Details of Fat Ass Run in Clark - 12, 18 & 24 hours

It is called FAT ASS RUN in Clark. Here is the link how it came about - http://www.coolrunning.com.au/fatass/joeoakes.shtml .

Here are the details:

BASICS: No awards, registration fees, pre-race jitters, aids, etc.

DISTANCE: More or less 2.2.KM loop around Clark Parade Ground.

RUNNING LOOP: Runners are encouraged to run on the asphalt loop around the parade ground and even on the grassy area parallel to the road except the inner perimeter of the parade. Reason – inner perimeter is not 2.2K in distance anymore. Runners are responsible to record their loops.

CHECKPOINT: There will be only 1 checkpoint. Runners are advised to meticulously record their loops. Or they may opt not to as we recognize some runners just want “time on their feet”, so to speak. No worries.

STAFF: There will be one person in checkpoint booth to record the number of loops for each runner or at least countercheck it. Runners are encouraged to bring their own log if they so wish. Ballpen or pencil please.

TIME: For 24 hours, the start is 8AM of Saturday, 18 hours – 2PM and the 12 hour at 8PM. This way everyone will finish about the same time (8AM) of the next day (Sunday) and thus, more festive and everyone can have a BEERday and BBQ!

CREW & PACER: They are allowed but pacers are not allowed to carry anything for the runner to encourage self-sufficiency. No need to carry anything anyway since it is only a 2.2KM loop. What the heck anything goes!

FOOD & FLUIDS: “KKB”-style – meaning bring your own.

TENT: Runners can put up their own tent if they so wish ideally in well-lit areas.

BREAK: Runners can always take a break and even sleep. They can do anything as they please except litter the environment and cause unnecessary noise and distraction to other runners and bystanders. Runners who left the loop to answer the calls of nature must go back to the same spot/point before proceeding with his run. This is self-explanatory.

SECURITY: We will coordinate with CDC police for added security. Designated parking areas will be announced later on.

MERRY MOOD: You can have fun except keep the noise or sound to a minimum. Some runners don’t want any distraction.

NON-FAT ASS RUNNERS: We are sharing the loop with them so due respect should be given as well. These include leashed and unleashed dogs walking about.

GEAR: It is cold during the night and early morning in January… at least in Clark. So plan accordingly.

BATHROOM: We will coordinate with CDC to open several clean and accessible comfort rooms.

Your suggestions, corrections and reactions are most welcome.

Now, you have one good reason to eat those irresistible oily dishes and other yummy food during the holiday!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

In beer,

Jon

Fat Ass Run in Clark - 12, 18 & 24 hour

Probably, one of its kind on this side of the planet. FAT ASS run of 12, 18 and 24 hour will be held on 09 January 2010 in Clark, Philippines. For emphasis, this is not a race.

This is a good way to celebrate the New Year and of course, lose all those unwanted pounds due to holiday binging. Also, a good long run for upcoming ultra races early in 2010 without the hassle of registration, fees, pre-race jitters and whatnot.

More details to follow. Let me know who is interested and your suggestion, if any, as well.

Cheers!

Jon

P.S.
I know I have not posted my Oxfam report.