TNF100 2014 Baguio Benguet

TNF100 2014 'Unexpected and Memorable: My very first Ultra-Trail Run', May 3 - 4, 2014 (Baguio - Benguet)

My very first - Ultra-Trail marathon

‘It’s all in your mind – physical game? yes it is but rather a mental toughness’

The day I've been waiting for almost 2 years since I learn to do Trail Runs already arrived. After months of hard training; traversed all kinds of mountains up north and down south of Luzon; ran to different sort of trails and managed to survive and adapt to the very hot sunny or very wet rainy weather - All the things I learned and experienced are now put again into a reality and this help me survived my very first ULTRA TRAIL MARATHON ever - The North Face 100 ‘2014 Baguio – Benguet Philippines.

@ Summer Place Hotel Baguio - race briefing 

I did carbo-loading a week before the date of the race mostly sweet potatoes and pasta as a preparation for this. I tried to have a good sleep within that span of week but sadly my work schedule doesn't permits. I only have Friday as my only approved vacation leave for that week before the race.  As a graveyard shift employee I can hardly sleep in morning and busy completing and packing my gears. Straight from my shift I took a free bus ride (those top 5 registrants in each TNF stores) to Baguio. We arrived at Summer Place Hotel in Baguio at past 2 pm just right for race briefing and for drop off bags. After the briefing we headed to our transient house at Baguio Townhouse. That night I drunk one liter of Gatorade as I always do the night before the race. I learned this one as a substitute for water melon that contains a lot of amino acid that helps to recover from soreness faster for the next day workout. I also drunk one can of beer in which helps me to fall asleep faster. After 4 hours I woke up and had a final check for my gears and took bath and prepared myself for the race.

@ the starting line Camp John Hay

We were 6 in our group who ran 100km. 2 were repeaters and 4 of us were first timers. We arrived at Camp John hay the starting and finish line of the race at past 2 am an hour to go before the gun start. The race started at exactly 3 am and I decided to run with Warren and try to cope up with his pace. From starting line to aid station (AS01) the elevation is mostly flat with 20% roads the rest was trail of about 8.4km. We managed to reach the Aid Station (AS01) at 4:30am. Going to AS02 is mostly downhill of 9.9km. I reached AS02 at 5:36 a way ahead and faster than I thought it would be. I re-fill my bladder there and continue my run. For me the challenge begun going to AS03 for it was all uphill. I’m still working with my uphill strength and that time I strive hard just to maintain my pace.  AS03 was the first station where first cut-off time will be impose. I reached AS03 at exactly 8:10 and it was almost 3 hours early for 11am cut-off time. There I saw Elmer one of my colleagues who was already on his way to AS04. I took a rest there ate ‘Lugaw’ and have my legs massage with pain killers. I resume running after 15mins.

@ the ridge going to AS04

Going AS04 seems easy to me. Although it’s a mix of up and down hill I manage to maintain my pace. The view of trails from AS03 to AS04 particularly at what they called ridge was breathtaking. I can describe it like Mountain ridge just like in New Zealand. It is the top most of the ridge and cattle farm also exist there. After that ‘Lord of the Rings’ view like trails here goes the mossy forest. And at the end of the mossy forest I reached the AS04 at 11:36am and that time I already ran 41km. Second cut-off time, going to AS05 first half of the race, I thought to myself it would be easy since it is full course of downhill. But to my surprise that was the reason of my feet injury. It was totally 12km of downhill a 12km of cemented road. Also another mistake I did was when I decided not to refill my water bladder at AS04 for I thought going down to AS5 was just that easy. It was high noon and you can really feel the sun on your skin with barely shades along the way. Overall it took me almost 3 hours to reach the AS5 the lowest point of elevation (200masl) at 2:15pm. This time I already ran about 53.9km. I decided to take a good rest there, had my quick snack, took a bath and changed clothes.

Done for the first half and I’m facing now the last half and the true state of the game. They said the true start of the race was after the AS05. And it really was, for I‘m to start the 10km of purely uphill before the last cut-off time at AS08. As I said before uphill was my weakness and that time I am still working on a plan on how I’m going to manage my pacing. I struggled much on my pace from AS05 to AS06. As a result, I covered about 3 hrs. until I reach AS06. But upon reaching AS06 there goes another story as I met these 4 guys who raised my bar up and the reason why I finished this race.

Before I never knew what I’m capable of until I met this ‘astig’,  new, awesome and full of motivation guys who pushed me to my very own limit, to my very own strength and to my very own will to continue what I started. I owe this one to them - Cristopher, Heinrich, Jay and Ace. I really glad and thankful for them for all the efforts from the beginning they adopted me and made part of their company. Going to AS07 from AS06 was a ‘hell’ storm. Literally, we faced a storm of heavy rains, strong winds and a blast of thunders and lightnings . It's like a bit of Antarctic. It was past 7pm that time and I can imagine having been push already from first 50km and hardly survived it and now we are facing this trough out the night? Imagine chilling colds, winds, the bruises, injuries and blisters I already had since the beginning plus a brutal course of trail all uphill in the middle dark night. I never been into this, not even in my training before and it was really my first time to endure all of this and I'm glad I did survived it. I just thought to myself if I was alone that time maybe I will just quit and return to AS06. I was lucky that I was able to join the company of these 4 guys. I remember that night we were only hundred meters away to AS07 and I felt like giving up already. I told to these 4 guys that they can leave me for I was too sleepy and chilling that time. I could though that I just can't do another step and I felt like I was just a big burden to them. But having that all - they don't give up on me instead Heinrich told me that if I'm going to rest there alone no one would ever wake me up and might miss a chance to finish the race. There we took the continuous uphill pace. By that we were able to reach the AS07 at past 11pm. From that point I decided to run it from AS07 to AS08 since it was only 2.9km and trail was mix flat and downhill. We reach AS08 exactly at 12mn, an hour before the cut-off time of 1am.  We took our nap there for about 15 mins but that really didn't help. I can’t even sleep for I’m freezing in cold. We resume our run after 30 mins going downhill to sAS09. The trail going to AS09 was purely downhill of 7.6km.

I was relaxed then for I though the remaining course of the race will be just all downhill and flat. As to my surprise there will be just last assault that I have to endure. The trail form AS09 going to AS10 the last aid station. The trail leads us to residential houses positioned hillside up to the very peak. At first I try to cope up to the pace of these 4 guys but at the end I just decided to be left out and tell them that I was just behind them. I felt like all of my strength and energy were exhausted that time that I can barely walk. I managed to reach the AS10 by 5:30 am and luckily I met them again there. In the last station we still have 3.5 hrs. to cover the remaining 11km of race. Cristopher told us that even we just walk at continuous pace we were able to reach the Finish line before the cut-off time of 9am. But I don’t take that as assurance. I decided to run the remaining km with the strength I still have despite of  all the aches I felt the injury I have on my feet, blisters and extreme exhaustion , I said to myself It will be now or never for this was also the last TNF100 in Baguio.

Along the trail, it was still mix of flat and mostly uphill part of trail. I met the 22k runners that time just started their race. It was the moment when someone congratulated me, cheered up for me and felt proud when they saw me and know that I’m a 100km runner. It was a good feeling when someone tells you that and treat you like you’re already a champion by just doing the 100km race. I was nearly approaching the finish line when I suddenly saw my Saltiks colleagues as they do their 22km run.  I barely cry that time every time I saw each of them.  Hundred meters to go when I met again Ma’am Tess - few of the elite runners like Ma’am Cheryl whom I admired most for their passion on this sports. Ma’am Tess and I decided to finish the race together holding hands as one as we approach the finish line. It's a blast of emotions when you see lined up of people cheered up for each finisher. And I can say all the suffering, pains and hard work are paid off. I finish the race at 7:54 am I was 1 hour beyond the cutoff time of 30hours.

Just arrived at the finish line and snap shot of our banner.

I learned a lot from this race and this would not be possible without these great people who inspire, motivate and provide great excitement on how this world of Ultra running is (nakilala ko sila along trail during my training and during the race. Ma’am Tess, Ma’am Cheryl, Sir Jorge and the 4 awesome guys “The Pasyal/Pogi Team”. Maraming salamat po for everything, I know mgkikita kita pa ulit tayo kahit saan saan sa Road man o sa Trail haha. For my Family, EMS and Saltik Outdoor family and for my one and only Pre,, Yannie Dequito who above all have all the support and paniniwala na matatapos at kaya ko tong TNF100 na to. – Woohooo!

Ma'am Tess and company a random running buddies along the trails.

My Saltik Outdoor Family

My 'Only Pre'

Heading to finish line with Ma'am Tess behind

It was my very first time and TNF100 Baguio was the most difficult of all series in Asia. One of my running buddies (Henrich Perez) once said “I can almost felt everything a human body can feel, extreme heat, chill for colds, hunger, muscle cramps, exhaustion, fatigue, boredom, so much fear, hallucination, and you name it. But I CANNOT TURN MY BACK TO THIS!!! I can’t simply fall or make myself DNF from this because falling before I can thank HIM is unacceptable. Still holding on that HE's always there...indeed that's why I CONQUER THIS! Thanks be to God!!!” and indeed it was the same way I felt during the race. Thank you Lord!

 – My very First Ultra marathon – And I did break all boundaries.

And I’m proud to say that I’m not a runner anymore- I’m a ULTRA-RUNNER!

SALOMON XTRAIL PILIPINAS 2014 'My First Official 32K Trail Run' - April 12, 2014 (Hamilo Coast, Batangas)

@ the 32km race map before the gun start.

As compare to my previous trail runs, this was entirely different and really test my strength, mindset and capacity as a runner. This was my very first 32K and the farthest official trail run I did and I learned a lot on this. I want to share it with you.

Do not underestimate.

I really shouldn’t underestimate it by just looking the race maps. You never know what kind of trail it is until you see and experience it.

Always be prepared.

Having one water bottle on the race is not a good idea. Remember it is a trail run not just classic road run where water station overflows. Better to have a 3 liters water bladder at your pack and lots of power bars and goodies. You never know where the next water station is and when you get hungry.

Keep walking or if you can, running.

Even if you thought you are so tired and exhausted unless you already have injuries, just keep walking. You may not know it but it will add up at the end in the finish line. Just keep pushing you self-uphill. Slow pacing but constant is the key of many elite trail runners in finishing their race.

Always be kind.

Just be kind to everyone and treat everything (plants and animals) good. I learned this one in the race that if you are going to overtake or pass someone you should said this phrase “On Your Left” or if you like “On Your Right” as a courtesy to the one in front of you. “Sorry or Excuse” is just simple words to say if ever you just bump another runner. You may not know when and where you need a ‘Hand’ in case of accident.

What makes this race more especial, well in every run I did is that when I run along with my "Only Pre". The race was the 'best’ in terms of trail running. My category was 32K Mountain Run and indeed it was a mountain run.  Traversing for almost 10 peaks! I must say that I should be proud of myself. I got a chance to cross the finish line before its cut-off time of 7hrs. Although I didn’t have a chance to get a medal for some certain issues, still I feel great with my first 32K ‘almost’ Ultra marathon race.

Overall performance: Salomon Xtrail Run 2014 - Results
Distance – 32KM
Time – 06:49:25
Pace – 0:12:47 min/km

Running with 'My Only Pre' <3

My SALTIK Outdoor Group Family!

Salomon Xtrail Pilipinas 2014 venue - Hmailo Coast, Batangas

Why do people do trail run?

Why do people trail run? We do...
* To appreciate and enjoy nature
* To challenge ourselves
* To have fun
* To know our limits
* To have a good workout

The bad part, we...
* Sweat so much like we never did before
* Get so tired, we're dragging our feet and cursing the trail
* Crave for water, cold water
* Get hungry
* Burn under the sun
* Get dizzy and feel like passing out

The really good part, we
* Stay positive
* Have so little but still have something to share
* Experience camaraderie
* Have really good stories to share and laugh about with friends after
* Have carbo-loading pass before and after the run

Credit to MS. Grace Tagapan - Salomon Trail Run 2014

Mt. Manabu Circuit, Mt. Malipunyo and Mt. Maculot Trail Run Training – March 23, 2014 (Batangas Province)

@ the summit of Mt. Manabu (Grotto)

@ the summit of Mt. Malipunyo (Grotto)

@ the rockies (7-11) of Mt. Maculot

I must say this really defy my ability physically and psychologically in terms of my training capabilities as a person. As mostly my running buddy do always the schedule and venue of our training.

And this time as he said must be the ultimate of all the training we did before. So we decided to do our trail run training to these mountains of Batangas in different locations in a single day again. And this is no ordinary training to me for I suffered much pain and injuries, even goose bumps or creepy feeling on one of the mountain we climb, to be particular in Mt. Malipunyo. We did the combination of Road- Mountain-Road-Mountain run.

Here’s my Itinerary for out last trail run training for TNF100 2014.

Overall performance: 43.91km in 12.72hrs

02:00 – Meet up at JAM bus station Buendia

02:18 – Ride a bus bound to Tambo, Lipa (we decided to take this going to Manabu because the             usual route going there in which the drop-off point is Fiesta Mall still not available that             time.)

03:42 – Arrived at Lipa CM Recto Mcdo via jeep from Tambo Lipa – final prep.

04:15 – Start run via road to brgy Sta. Cruz, Manabu jump-off

05:33 – Arrived at jump-off, brgy. Sta. Cruz (9.96km)

06:43 – Arrived at Mt. Manabu peak - it symbolized by Cross – Grotto (2.70km)

07:00 – Start descend

07:08 – At Stn 05, Tatay Tino Alamid Coffee

07:34 – Arrived at jump-off (2.55km)

08:10 – Start run going to Mt. Malipunyo jump-off

08:45 – Arrived at carinderia brgy. Talisay – eat breakfast (4.01km)

09:22 – Resume run

11:24 – Arrived at campsite

12:00 – Arrived at summit (6km from carinderia)

12:20 – Start descend

13:55 – At carinderia again (6km)

15:21 – Resume run/walk to Fiesta Mall highway

15:21 – Arrived at highway

15:37 – Ride bus bound to Cuenca

16:00 – Arrived at 7-11, Cuenca

16:30 – Start run from 7-11 to Rockies

17:57 – Arrived at Rockies

18:42 – Finally at the very summit of Mt. Maculot

19:37 – Arrived at Grotto via traverse

19:54 – Arrived  at jump-off (traverse 7.5km) End of Training J

  

Mt. Tapulao (Birthday Climb, Training Climb and Friendship Climb) – Mar. 08, 2014 (Palauig, Zambales)

@ the entrance of 'mossy forest' going to KM18 (Summit)

SALTIK and STOIC Mountaineers @ jump-off

Century tree @ KM18 (Summit)

Mt. Tapualo climb was first intended to be our trail run training, but we decided to make it both (My training buddy Melvin) as our “Birthday Climb and Training Climb with a bonus of meeting other group mountaineers. As my first time to this mountain, I can say that this was really tough (MACHO CLIMB as other says) given its big loose rockiest trail in about 15km all uphill.

Here’s my itinerary for the overnight climb:

Overall performance: 36km in 2 days – 8hrs ascend; 1.5hr back en fort bunker to summit (KM18) and 4.25hrs descend.

Day 1

02:10 Leave Cubao - via rented jeep (425 per pax)

08:25 Arrived at jump-off point; register at welcome center (P30), final preparation.

09:15 Start trek

12:30 Arrived at first water source

13:30 Arrived at second water source lunch

18:35 Arrived at Campsite “Bunker”

Day 2

07:00 Start trek to summit

07:45 Arrived summit (KM18)

08:40 back to campsite

12:00 Start descend

16:15 Arrived at jump-off – End of Climb/Training J

For more detailed itinerary go here ->> Mt. Tapulao - Itinerary

Eastern Mountaineering Society - Batch 11