Running and Walking SG's Twilight Ultra Challenge 2012

...and no, no fanboy or fangirl ran as Edward or Bella, respectively.

1st loop (Photo by Running Kaki)

Purple haze began to spread across the languid sky. In a while, the sun will come up and illuminate the vast wilderness cloaked in darkness. Err; we were not in the wild. But we were wild about one thing--running or walking as many loops that we can. Never mind that some of us didn't have enough sleep. Never mind if some of us--especially me--didn't have enough training. Never mind if after this race, we will all be embodiment of pain. 

PAU Fort Magsaysay 60K Ultra Marathon Challenge: Surviving on 'Ice Water' and Big Charity

Me and Sir Jovie at the Finish Line

I am accused of being wordy. And I am. The original title should have been: PAU Fort Magsaysay 60K Ultra Marathon Challenge: Surviving on 'Ice Water' and Big Charity. And singing some Fleetwood Mac Songs in My Head.

No, Charity is not a person.

I am running out of reasons to say on why I run a race. Words are failing me miserably. I want to channel George Mallory and use the because-it's-there alibi. But I've used that before. So let me chalk it up to experience and camaraderie. Not bad, huh? 


Wait, and then there is my dad who was celebrating his birthday on that day. That explains why I was wearing a Milo singlet for my dad who's a namesake of the famous energy drink.

With some help from the ever generous Team Intensity, getting to Fort Magsaysay was almost hassle-free. The only hassle that presented itself mostly in the race was my lack of sleep. And being undertrained. And I know it's a wrong mentality, but I threw caution to the wind and joined the madness.

As soon as fireworks were set off, off we, a hundred plus runners, scrambled like mice in a maze. Some dashed off while some of us took it slowly conserving lots and lots of energies for the 60 kilometers of pavements to tread. 

The plan was to run/walk with a 6:1 ratio for the first 40 kms. Then, 5:2 on the next 10 and then 4:3 on the last 10 kms. But that didn't happen. 

Blame it on the uphills and the sweltering heat. And the exhaustion. And the hunger. And so on and so forth. Alright, I'll stop the griping.

Route

I started slowly being faithful to the planned walk/ratio up to the 4th kilomer. Then, we faced our first big uphill. Then, there was this downhill so steep that if I lost control I'd probably be rolling like a barrel. The rest of the route is sloping with great views of the lush countryside. From Palayan City in Nueva Ecija to Dingalan, Aurora, our eyes were treated to lots and lots of greens. 

I should also mention that the route is pretty much straight forward with almost an nonexistent room to get lost. But that doesn't apply to me since I have a proclivity for being lost. But luckily, I didn't get lost this time.

Support crew and surviving on ice water and alms

I was adopted by Team Intensity from the onset of the race and was with them til the fourth kilometer. Till I lost them. Or they lost me. Not sure which came first. Then, I got worried from then on. 

Good thing, I was bringing some pesos with me and bought water, softdrinks from numerous sari-sari stores as I see them in the road. 

Ice water. Not sure who thought of calling them ice water or ice tubig. But this is basically water placed in a tube plastic used in making ice, placed in the freezer and are sold before they turn into ice. 

And then there was charity. I was practically begging for water, ice and other provisions. Kindhearted support crew shared with me what should have been for their runners. I remember getting water and Pocari from Jonel Mendoza, Team CB and Team Ungas. A fellow runner named Eric who made me eat his dust shared with me his salt and banana. 


The Walking Rod and I Am Number 26

I was treading on long enough doing a mixture of run and walk but for the most parts, walk until I only had 15kms left. And that's when it happened. My right knee started to hurt that made walking even difficult. I rallied on until I saw a huge stick and picked it up to aid me in my walking. I looked funny but who cares? I threw it away upon seeing the finish line which took forever to appear. Then there was the imprinting on the number 26. When I knew I was finishing 26th, I rallied on so that no one would overtake me. A friend of mine was born on a 26th and got married on the 26th of July. So, thinking about it being a perfect gift for her made me think stronger even when I was on the verge of giving up. And soon enough, crossing the proverbial finish line after being baked under the Nueva Ecija sun for 8 hours and 43 minutes could never be sweeter. I was welcomed by Sir Jovie aka Baldrunner, posed for some pics and rested for a bit.

Soon after, Kharl a member of Team Intensity finished and we had lunch while waiting for the other team members. After a while, Arman and after a longer while, Jeje and Nap arrived. Victory was all around.

Coincidentally, this is my last ultra-race in the Philippines before moving elsewhere. And it could not get any better. 


I did mention about Fleetwood Mac playing in my head. There are two songs. Songbird and Landslide. But between the two, the latter gets me more with the lines 'But time makes me bolder, Children get older. I'm getting older too."


PS. I would have not made it to the finish without the help of the following people:
Arman - for letting me hitch in his auto
Team Intensity (Jeje, Kharl, Nap, Arman and their support crew, Mitch and Malou) for adopting me into their team. Hope to run with them again if I get to visit Manila.
Team Ungas, Team CB (Maridol), Jonel, Eric for generously sharing me their provisions

Thank You Tuesday: Team Intensity

Me with Team Intensity (From Left to Right: Kharl, Je, Me, Arman and Nap)

I just finished my fourth ultra run this year at the PAU Fort Magsaysay 60K Ultra Marathon Challenge (details to follow). I have always been a solo runner but this time it felt good to be a part of tight group of runners. I wouldn't have finished the race if not for the kindheartedness of the support crews and the other runners. I thank them big time for that. But the biggest thanks would go to TEAM INTENSITY of Alabang for adopting me in this race. I didn't get to abuse the goodies in their support crew vehicle but for them to look out for me in the race already counts a lot.


So, this Tuesday, I am thanking Team Intensity. Till the next ultra run! 

Finishing The Valley Trail Challenge...Or Maybe Not

They made me eat their dust. hmp.

I wish I could have hanged on a little longer. I wish I didn't miss that final turn. But...oh well...


I was welcomed by a soft drizzle as I exited the gorgeous home of my colleague in Cabuyao, Laguna. Despite the excruciating pain she was feeling, she graciously hosted me so I won't have to worry about commuting in the wee hours of midnight from Makati to Nuvali, Laguna. It was an easier commute than I expected.  


And now, Nuvali. This sprawling landscape of trail and concrete has lately been a favorite venue for races. Nuvali offers fresh air and a break from the old, tried and tested running routes of Manila. Prior to this, I was a Nuvali virgin and was looking forward to break in to this new running haven.

Nuvali, Nuvali High

On to the Next One: frontRUNNER ‘The Valley Trail Challenge’

To make my running career a bit more interesting, I resolved to more trail runs or out-of-town races. This Saturday June 18th, I'll be running my second trail race in Nuvali, Laguna through frontRUNNER magazine's The Valley Trail Challenge. I signed up for the 50K category. It was only yesterday that I found out that there are additional 7.5kms to the route. Whew! With the insurmountable heat we are experiencing now, I hope I can heck it.


Time to get some provisions for the race. See you on the road!

TNF100 Camsur 2011: My First Trail Ultrawalkathon err, Ultramarathon (Part 2 of 2)

Me displaying my running Oscar

Running Oscar

We treaded upward to the next aid station. We sat down when we got there and asked for some water. Robert was already saying that he can’t go on anymore. And then in just a few minutes while I was busy changing the batteries of my headlamp, Robert just fainted. It was a good thing the marshalls were quick to respond and was able to revive him. He already told the marshall that he won’t go on. The next challenge was to get him down to the clearing for the ambulance to pick him up. He was tall at 6’4” and said he was 80 kilos. There were about ten people who took him down in a stretcher. I was just fervently praying that he gets help ASAP and nothing serious happened.

TNF100 Camsur 2011: My First Trail Ultrawalkathon err, Ultramarathon (Part 1 of 2)

Getting jittery before the race

It was the height of naivety.

First, I never did a trail run. I am a road runner. Second, while the endurance of my first road ultramarathon helped me with the endurance and all that, a trail ultramarathon is far different. And last, what the hell was I thinking?

I did finish it though. It was not a strong finish. But it was a good one. 

With Roch before racestart

TNF100 was supposed to be my break into ultramarathoning. But as luck would have it, Mayon 360 came around calling. I remember likening TNF100 as the main course and the Mayon 360 as just the appetizer. I could go without the appetizer but still went with it anyway. I was almost in taper mode after the run in Albay with 21 kms as the farthest I have run. That was for a month! I basically slept my way to the start line.

On to the next one: Bitoy's next ultra - TNF 100 Camsur

After much hype, TNF100 in Camsur is a go on Saturday, Apr 30th. This is supposed to be my first ultramarathon (100 kms) but I was too weak to resist the fantastic race called Mayon 360. This is the most expensive race in the Philippines I have ever joined. The registration fee amounts to P3,500. That's steep considering it is just a local race. Good thing I registered early and got a free roundtrip bus ride to Camsur and a cool sun visor cap. 


I am not sure but I feel undertrained for this one. The longest run I had was in the 80km race I did in Albay. But the difference is that the Mayon run was a road race while TNF 100 is a trail one. We are given 30 hrs to finish and since it's my first trail run, I wish to finish it in 24 hours. I don't have any concrete plan yet but I plan to bring sufficient provisions with me and will play it really really conservatively.


Whenever I venture into a new territory, I always feel jumpy and jittery. I know I should think positive and all that sunshine-y whatchamallit. Anyway, just to display my jumpiness, I would jump (sorry for the pun) to my wish list for Saturday's race:


1. Not to be dehydrated or suffer heat stroke or my stomach to act funny (that's a top priority)
2. Injury to spare me
3. Safety to be always by my side
4. A perfect weather meaning the sun to be a little gentler.
5. Not to get lost.
6. My fighting spirit to prevail when the going gets a lot tougher.
7. Enjoy the race and the beauty of nature along the way.
8. Safety for my fellow runners.
9. To be armed with the prayers and thoughts of my loved ones to carry me through the race.
10. The Lord to lead me through it and to the finish line. 


That's all for now. I have to resume packing and wish me luck! 

Race Review: Mayon 360 A 50 Mile Run for Climate

Name of Race: Mayon 360 A 50 Mile Run for Climate
Date of Race: April 2nd, 2011
Venue of Race: Albay Province, Philippines
Organizers: JCI Legazpi, etc.
Will I do this again?: Yes


Pros:

1. Route - Lovely route. The major come-on of this race was the chance to circumnavigate Mayon Volcano. It is the first race that promised to do that and it did deliver. The route was challenging with several uphills but equally rewarding with the lush countryside view it provided the runners.

Bitoy's First Ultra: Mayon 360 A 50 Mile Run for Climate (4 of 4)

finally!

Crossing the Finish Line

In about a kilometer to the finish line, I've asked one marshall on bike if the finish line is far. He said I'm close and decided to bike beside me while I run. He did basically pace me. I thought the last couple of signs were misleading. The last mark I saw said I was only 250 meters away from the finish line. I took note of it but after my Garmin  already posted 250 meters of movement, the finish line was not yet there or even close. It was a good thing the marshall kept assuring me that it is already near. Some more baby steps and I am really close. A line of army friends lined up the path to the finish banner. Hearing the cheering of the small crowd was like, pardon the cliché, music to the ear. And finally, I crossed the finish! I was awarded my finishers' medal and certificate, posed for some pics and I thought I was floating on air for some few seconds. I am now an ULTRAMARATHONER!

Bitoy's First Ultra: Mayon 360 A 50 Mile Run for Climate (3 of 4)

After the 40th km mark

Past 40 kilometers, I planned to change my run/walk ratio to 5:2 and then shift to 4:3 after 20 kms more. This somewhat gave me more time to rest my legs and take a breather. Another thing was I was getting a bit bored. I love the countryside but the silence was making me sleepy. I wore my earphones and soon, I was lipdubbing while running or singing along when I was on walk breaks.

During the orientation, I overheard some runners talking about having lunch in Jollibee. Now, Jollibee, as you all know is the quintessential Pinoy fastfood. This was the one thing on my mind for the past couple of hours. I was thinking of the juicy burgers and fried chickens and those crispy fries. These taste better than the mini-bars of Cloud 9 I've been munching. I thought it was just a few kilometers after the 40 km mark. But I was wrong. I saw the sign of the happiest bee in the world approximately at the 53rd mark. All the exasperation seemed to dissipate into thin air upon entering the store and smelling the langhap sarap aroma of the food on the counter. Never mind the curious stares of the other patrons. I ordered my spaghetti and took a seat upstairs. The spaghetti was gone faster than you can say the word. I rested for a bit to refresh. The sun was getting hotter and it will get hotter and hotter as the afternoon ripens. After a very long toilet break to do stuffs that are 'TMI' to mention, I left the store and headed back to the dusty road of Tabaco City.

Bitoy's First Ultra: Mayon 360 A 50 Mile Run for Climate (2 of 4)

Race Day

How was my sleep? It was staggered. I found myself waking up multiple times during my five-hour sleep checking that it was still early and I didn't miss the event. I finally got up at 2 in the morning, ate a quick breakfast (two slices of raisin bread and a bottle of Gatorade), showered, dressed up, prepared my baon like energy gels and granola bars and off I went to the starting line in Penaranda Park, Albay.

A quick program and the gunshot signaling the start of the race was heard. No, there was no gunshot, I think the host just counted down and then we scrambled like lab mice in a labyrinthine maze. I kid, of course.

Bitoy's First Ultra: Mayon 360 A 50 Mile Run for Climate (1 of 4)

I feel so grateful that two milestones of my running career took place in a couple of my favorite places. In December 2010, I finished my first full marathon in the Sin Capital of the world, Las Vegas. Just a few days ago (the 2nd of April to be exact), I upped the ante and survived the 80-km ultramarathon in Legazpi City circumnavigating what is dubbed by most as the world's most perfectly coned volcano, Mayon Volcano.