It was a well attended trail running event with many of the elite and famous faces in trail running present. A considerable number of foreign runners joined too. Two categories, the 11K and 42K were participated in by runners. I ran in the 42K category together with friends Adrian, Rosalyn, and Javee.
We arrived at Badabak Bokod, Benguet before noon of March 21. Runners must already be there a day before for the race kit distribution and race briefing. The briefing is scheduled at 4 in the afternoon so after eating our lunch, we took the opportunity to rest. The race director JP Alipio, conducted the briefing. It went smooth and he was clear on all points that runners should remember about the run. I could see on everyone's face the excitement for the big event the next day. With the sun setting, a group photo op ended the briefing. A free dinner followed after.
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| Gun start of 42K (c) Ms. Pepsi |
From the peaks of Mt. Pulag, runners have to go down to the mossy forest, another beautiful part of the route. I guess this is the part of the trail where I had my fastest pacing. It's because the trail aside from being wide and covered with trees, is mostly going down. One would really love running in this kind of terrain. After more than 3 hours of running, I arrived to Danggo, the lowest point of the trail, the first food station and the halfway of the route, blooded. While on a stiff descent, I unintentionally held on to the bush on the side of the trail. My right pointing finger was cut by a blade like leaf. A medic nursed my cut while I was resting and eating my trail foods.
I think I stayed a little bit long in Danggo that my momentum died. Resuming, I had to walk and it has been walking for almost the entire second half of the route. The second half was a contrast to the first half of the route. It is mostly uphill in different degrees. This is where I started to get leg cramps and stiff muscles. This is where stronger runners, male, female, young, old, started to overtake me one by one. I lost count how many of them.
I tried to eat and re-hydrate when I get to the second food station at Balete. I was praying for more energy to sustain me until the end. As I continued the journey, I tried to run but after about four steps I grasped for breath. Alone in the trail exhausted is mentally torturing. A lot of things are going into my head even the thought of not finishing the run. I tried to think of beautiful things and happy memories hoping to forget all the body pains. It worked momentarily but not for long.
On a snail pace I progress until an acquaintance named Osnay caught up with me. We agreed to pace each other. At that moment I learned to appreciate the importance of a pacer or a companion especially on the last few kilometers of a long run. Together we walk, run, and rest if we felt the need until we get to the last water station. We are down to the last seven kilometers of the route. It is in this point that I gained my second wind.
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| proud finisher =) (c) sir Nik |
The last two kilometers is a climb back to Badabak. I expect it to be hard, surprisingly, it is just moderate. After the climb, I emerged into the path leading to the finish line. It was a big relief! Finally, after more than 8 hours it will be all over. Arriving to the finish line with the crowd cheering on is one of the nicest feelings. The entire route is one of the toughest so far, and I couldn't be more proud of myself finishing it. All of us were able to complete the route with Adrian arriving first, then me, Rosalyn, and Javee. I finished 62nd out of 192 finishers.
Lastly, I would like to commend the race organizers headed by its race director JP Alipio for a well organized event. Everything is well taken cared, from the runners, to the trails, to the local community. Kudos! I'm looking forward to the next edition of this event.
As always, to God be the glory. I'm thankful that except for the minor cut, no other untoward incidents of serious concern happen. Moral support extended by friends and teammates are well appreciated too.
