Weekend Trilogy Part 3: P#+@#6!#@ (4th Tagaytay to Nasugbu Ultramarathon Race Review)

What the mind of a man can conceive and believe, it can achieve

A little over a month a go, I thought of something that would be a fitting start for my formal training for BDM 102.  Then came 2nd Michelle Estuar's Fund Racing, 3rd Corregidor International Half Marathon ang the 4th Tagaytay to Nasugbu Ultramarathon.  With no hesitation, I registered for these events.

So there we were, on a great December 2 morning. 13 runners (Me, Chona, Roxanne, Riz, Goldy, Joyce, Joy, Jonard, Dennis, JC, Sir Tony, Sir Ted and Tope) and 8 support crew (Elvin, Rhea, Ralph, Joseph, Rose, Daniel, Jinevee and Aquiz) went to Tagaytay for the 4th T2N.  For most of the runners, it would be the first time they will run an Ultramarathon, only Tope (who was seeking for revenge) and I (who was happy just to run there) were the ones that had already run and Ultra.

As to expect, there were pre race jitters.  Not only was the air full of anticipation but also, you can feel that everyone was nervous.



Everyone was busy preparing themselves

Once everybody was ready, we proceeded to the starting area, made more photo ops and more chit chat. 



The cast of runners



Then, Sir Jovie (The Bald Runner) gathered all of the runners at the starting area, said some words of encouragement and some reminders then counted us off.

3,2,1.... the run started... said a short silent prayer which I normally do, passed through the starting arch, then off we went.

 

Now for this edition of the T2N run, I decided to be a pacer to Chona.  With the last leg of our weekend Trilogy, I was certain that I would not be at my best.  The plan was I would pace her for a whole marathon then I will let her run on her own.

 

Km 1 - 5 (Warming Up)

 

The run was 50km long.  There were plenty of time to speed up.  I made sure for this part of the run that we would not run too fast as to burn ourselves in the latter part of the run.  In this part we would often leapfrog other team mates then they would lepfrog us back again. It was just the start, we have a long way to go.

 

Km 6 - 30 (The Rundown)

 

After the 1st pitstop.  Our legs were ready for some racing.  Our mantra in our minds was P#+@#6!#@ uunahan kita!! Hence the title of the blog.  This part of the race was the smoothest.  We were pacing just right, rolling the downhills and walking the uphills.  We were stopping at the pitstops then running again.  There were even times when we would run the whole 5km segment, stopping just to hydrate at the pit stops.  Things were going great.

 

Pit Stop

Airborn!!!

 

Km 31 - 35 (It's all Downhill From Here)

 

By the 32nd kilometer, things begin to change.  It was always the second half of a Marathon that gets you.  Chona was having some mild pain in her hamstrings.  We had to walk to shake off the pain.  Well, I think that was my mistake, we stayed too long at the pit stops, the lactic acids may have built up.  Added the fact that she was also having stomach problems.  I suggested that she have some massage and painkillers at the 35th km.

 

Km 36 - 40 (Walkathon)

 

After passing the 35th kilometer.  The pain in Chona's hamstring started to worsen.  The pain killer did not help.  So we started walking.  At this point, she would frequently ask how much time has gone and if she would make it to the cutoff time of 9 hours.  Everytime she asked me this, I assured her that even if we walked all the way, at that pace, we would make the cut-off.  This was also the part where Roxanne (who was just warming up), JC, Joy, Jonard, Joyce caught up and went ahead of us.

 

Jumpshot at km 40

Upon arriving the pitstop, Tope also caught up with us. It was also at this point, I decided to drink my energy booster.

 

My Energy booster

 

 

Km 41 - Finish

 

After the last pitstop.  Chona and I decided to part ways.  with my legs still fresh, I ran at my normal pace. To tell the truth this was the part of the route that burned me in the 3rd edition.  I still remember that run, it took me 2hrs to run 8km.  This time, I was fresh, I zoomed through the last kilometers.  This part suddenly became a blur to me, I managed to run that damn last 8km in under an hour.  I had so much juice left in me.  Then there it was, the finish line.  I have just concluded my 3rd Ultramarathon race of the year.



Just before the finish



Do I look tired



After finishing, I got my medal, shirt, food then went to the area where the others were waiting.  Then one by one the last runners of the team arrived.

It was a glorious day for Team Rock and Road, every body finished, Goldy, Sir Ted, Rox, Sir Tony, Dennis, Riz, JC, Me, Joy, Jonard, Tope, Joyce and Chona all crossed the finish line and made the cut-off. 

Yes, a 50k Ultramarathon is what they call "An Entry Level Ultramarathon," but 50k is 50k, no shortcuts, no easy way, no nothing.  You have to dig deep to find the strength to run or walk or even crawl that last 8km.

I was also glad because I finally got my revenge on that last 8km.  But if you have known me fo a while, I was not fully satisfied, I wan't to have revenge on the whole route.  My revenge is not yet complete.  So I'm marking my calendar, on May 1, I will run again, this time, it will just be me vs the route.

Weekend Trilogy Part 2: AMAZING!!! (3rd Corregidor International Half Marathon Race Review)

Time truly goes fast when you're having fun...

December 1, 2 in the morning, I woke up feeling excited.  Today I was going to the third running of the Corregidor International Half Marathon.  I took a bath and then hurried of at our meeting place (It was only Chona and me who was brave enough or stupid enough to do the trilogy).

I arrived at our meeting place and waited for Chona, when she arrived we caught a cab then went on to proceed to Sun Cruises (The terminal for the ferry boat to Corregidor Island).

We got there early so we decided to buy something to eat.  While eating a man seated in front of us, it was the Amazing Betong! (if you do not know who he is, you have been living under a rock).  Out of nowhere, and I was extremely shocked, Chona while eating, said out loud, "AMAZING!!!."  Good thing Betong acknowledged.  (Hence the title of this Blog)

The ferry ride took 1hrs and 45 mins, most of the trip we were asleep. (We needed the energy).

Upon alighting the ferry, we deposited our bags and then proceeded to the starting line.  There were celebrities among the field, there was Bearwin Meiley, Sen. Pia Cayetano and Mr. Kiko Rustia, and the hosts, Betong and Maey.  The atmosphere was great because of the hosts, but when it was time to start the run, the atmosphere changed, well for some, Chona and I was intent on running on what I would like to call a "Picture Pace."

3,2,1.... the run started... said a short silent prayer which I normally do, crossed the starting arch, then off we went.

 

This time words cannot describe what we experienced there so I have posted these pictures that we took.

 

 

Entrance to Malinta Tunnel duh?



Playing as one of the statues



 



Running... yeah right there was a camera pointed at me



 

Reporting for duty Sir!!

 

I have reason to believe they were drinking

 

The exit

 

One of the shorelines the route went through

 

Mandatory jumpshot!!

 



Just read it...



Random trail

 

PPPEEAAACCCEEEE!!!!

 

Mandatory "Stolen Shot"

 

Just goofing around...

Might I say, the two marshalls at the end of this runway were damn crazy!!

 

The tour bus that we did not ride

 



Part of the route



 

Goofing around...

 

I am one with the missiles

 

I want to shoot the picture taker!!

Random foolishness

 

Dunno what to say here... lolz

The ruins

 

Battery repairman

Mandatory backshot while looking at the ruins

 

The Eternal Flame??? Am I correct??

That's my boy!

 

Mandatory looking afar emote shot

But soon, all of the fun has to end.  After all, the route was only 21km...




Mandatory jumpshot at the finishline



 

What a nice medal

Toxicdomask

 



AAAAMMMAAAZZZZIIIINNNGGGG!!!!

Oh, and in case what my photographer Chona looks like, here are her pictures doing the "Running because there was a camera pointed in her direction" shot and the "Mandatory Jumpshot at the Finishline"

She is what you call a "shy type"

 

 

We finished the run just about lunch was to be served, so we had perfect timing...  Lunch was free and buffet style, which was gooooooooooooooodd because we had to carbo load for the run the next day.

Could you guess which was mine??

After eating, we changed clothes then waited for the ferry.  This was the only bad part of the day because our departure was delayed for more than an hour due to technical problems.

We arrived at the terminal just as the sun was about to set, which we cannot pass for photo ops.



Nice sunset

Yes the sunset was the official end of what was a very enjoyable day.  To tell th truth, it may be the run where I had the most fun with.  But as they say "All good things must come to an end." 

 

This also symbolizes the calm before the pending storm which would be the 4th running of the Tagaytay to Nasugbu 50k Ultramarathon.  Yes Chona and I were also registered there and yes, we are a bit crazy.

 

 

So with this sunset, we bid farewell the day that was. 

Weekend Trilogy Part 1: Revenge (Michelle Estuar's 2nd Fund Racing Race Review)

Last year, at the same date and same venue, I ran the first edition of Michelle Estuar's Fund Racing.  At the time, I was nursing a freshly stubbed toe, It was one of the sweetest runs I have done.  Even though I was in pain for the whole 10km that time, I still managed to finish at a respectable time (55mins).  So when the registration for this years edition started, I gave no second thoughts on joining.  To motivate me more, I decided to make a bet with my team mate.

It was a cool November 30 morning, I headed to Philsports Arena (formerly Ultra) for the run.  Upon arriving, I prepared myself for the run.  Then one by one, my team mates arrived.  Among the team that were present that day was Elvin, Tope, Riz, Ralph, Rhea and Chona (who was going to be my running buddy for the weekend).

LOL!

Then, Sir Boy (Running Host) gathered all of the runners at the starting area, Michelle Estuar said some words of encouragement and then counted us off.

3,2,1.... the run started... said a short silent prayer which I normally do, stepped on the starting mat, then off I went.

 

Km 1 - 5 (Warming Up)

 

The route started with a lap of the oval, then we headed out to the streets.  There was an early assault on the route, but with fresh legs, I was able to maintain a fast pace even in the uphills.  I tried to maintain a sub 5min/km pace to win the bet.

 

 

Km 5 - 10 (Smoky C5)

At the 5km mark, we entered c5 road.  Since it was almost 6am, there were vehicles abound, hence it was smoky.  I tried to keep my pace while also playing with my breathing pattern because of the smoke.  To add to the difficulty, the hydration station was few and far apart.

 

 

Km 11 - 13 (Doña Julia Vargas)

 

At every run I join, I make sure to familiaraize myself on the route.  I knew then that there will be two uphill challenges.  First one of which was Doña Julia Vargas Ave.  sure enough there it was, the road was steep and it was starting to get hot.  Needless to say, I was forced to walk in some portions of that part.

 

Km 14 to Finish (St. Martin)

 

Upon leaving Doña Julia Vargas, we headed to the finish line.  But the route to get there means to run through another uphill monster that was St. Martin.  channelling every strenght I have left, I plowed through St. Martin while keeping a good pace, once passed the street there was smooth sailing up to the finish line.

 

 

With my signature pose



Group picture



 

After the run, we ate at Shakey's.  For the other's it was going to be start of their rest before T2N, but not me and Chona.  Our meal at Shakey's served as our carbo loading for the next run which was going to happen the very next day.

 

Oh in case you wondered, I won the bet.

This is Only the Beginning

As of this writing, there would be only 80 days left before the second longest street party start.  The Bataan Death March 102km Ultramarathon or BDM102 for short.  Yes, I will participate in the next years running of the said event.  Call me crazy for doing such but hey... others have done it, so why can't I.

My deposit slip for BDM 102

December marks the start of my training for BDM102.  If I wish to finish within the time I am targeting for, I should make the necessary sacrifices to achieve it.  That means, less mountain climbing, more sleeping, longer runs, strength and conditioning, etc. etc..

For me this stands truer than ever before.

"The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare"

The Bull Runner Dream Team Run Race Review

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by limitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest... - Confucius

Last November 17, Team Rock and Road set out and participated in The Bull Runner Dream Team Run.  We managed to put up 3 team, Team Uwak (Me, Elvin and Dennis), Team Moo (Joy, Jonard and Riz), The Expendababes (Rox, Goldy and Joyce) and Team Netoy (Sir Ted, Daniel and Tope).  For the most of us, it was somewhat of a homecoming, for one it was some kind of a Training Run and the rest was just happy to be there.

Of course I cannot blog about the experience of the other teams.  This is about me and my team's experience.

It was 3am when we arrived at Nuvali.  you can smell the anticipation and excitement in the air.  The team made final preparations near the van then proceeded to the starting area.

Jaymie aka the Bullrunner said a short message then bid us goodluck.  We position ourselves in the front of the field for good position.

3,2,1.... the run started... said a short silent prayer which I normally do, stepped on the starting mat, then off we went.

Km 1 - 7 (Zooooommmm)

As the run started, we positioned ourselves at the front of the pack.  As the it pack slowly separated, we were surprised 2 Powerpuff Boys group.  We knew we could not keep up with these guys, right there and then, it was a battle for 3rd place.

There was about 4-5 teams jostling for position, as we would call them, the Rexona Boys, The Titans, The Milo Group, The Group of a friend and of course Team Uwak.  A group would zoom ahead  then get caught, then another would do the same.  It was still unclear who will take the lead (3rd Place). That was until the 4th km when our Team and our friend's separated from the groups.

By this time, I decided to run at my pace so that Elvin and Dennis may follow (Elvin is a Diesel powered, the longer the run, the better and faster he gets; Dennis on the other hand is a run whatever kind).

After the 6th km, I noticed I was already running alone.  I took a quick look who was at my back, it was one of the Milo guys, Dennis and Elvin was a bit behind.  Reaching the hydration station, I decided to brisk walk and wait for them.  The group of our friend overtook us at this point.  When Elvin and Dennis caught up, they already had a small gap.

Km 8 - 19 (Playing Catch up)

For most of the run, we were playing catch up with the other group.  We would see them in every U-turn and sometimes we would see them in the straight part of the course.  We would run at a pace of 4:50 but would slow down so that the group would be complete. It was about Km 19 when we settled for an inevitable 4th place finish.

Somewhere between KM 10 and KM 12

Km 20 - 21 (A Strong Finish)

By the 20th km we were just running to finish.  When we noticed that the Titans Team was gaining on us.  With what was left in our tanks, we sprinted to the finish line to claim our 4th finish.

We managed to do a jumpshot after crossing the line

Upon crossing the finish line, we waited for the others, they arrived by threes (of course)

Team Moo Riz, Jonard and Joy

The Expandababes Joyce, Goldy and Rox

Team Netoy Tope, Sir Ted and Daniel

I would lie if I said I I was happy and not disappointed with our results.  We could have finished better than 4th place.  But as the saying goes...

"Don't get upset by the results, you didn't get with the work you didn't do"