KOTM 2015: OST (Old Spanish Trail) 50K

At first I was hesitant.  It would be a back to back trail run with only a week to rest and recover.  I haven't tried this so I'm afraid of the consequences.  However, my friend Nerissa was diligent in persuading me into joining the event.  Come last day of registration, I found myself enlisting.

OST (Old Spanish Trail) 50 is an ultra trail running event organized by Frontrunner Magazine.  This is my first time to join the three year old event held annually in the wilderness of Kayapa, Nueva Viscaya.  I have been to the place once as part of my preparation for the Coldillera Mountain Marathon.  I did a run on the trail going to Mt. Ugo which is part of the 50 kilometer route.  Though that was just 1/3 of the route,  but judging the trail, I can sense that it would be a very challenging run with a cut-off time of 14 hours.

with Nerissa, Rosalyn & Ma'am Joyce during the race briefing

We arrived in Kayapa a day before the event just in time for the race kit distribution and the race briefing.  With me are friends Nerissa, Rosalyn, and Ma'am Joyce who would also be running in the event.  Present in the race briefing were familiar faces in the ultra running scene in the country.  I was excited to run and share the trail with them.  As the race director continued to discuss what to expect on the trail, I can't help but wonder how will I perform.   There was a mix feelings of nervousness and excitement in me.

The run started at exactly 4 am the next day.  My game plan was to start slow, improve my pacing every 10 kilometers and give it my all on the last 15 kilometers (I was able to execute these except for the giving my all. =)).  Coming from a mountain marathon a week before, my leg muscles have not fully recovered yet.  Though I did some stretching before the run started, I decided to just walk the first 30 minutes to further prepare my leg muscles and my entire body.   The first few kilometers of the route were mostly gradual ascents anyway, so breast walking is just proper.

Other runners started to overtake me and I didn't mind.  To me, 50K is a long distance. Rushing in the beginning is nonsense when towards the end I'll struggle.  I didn't want that to happen to me so I focused on my game plan.  Start slow, get the pacing I'm used to, and sustain towards the end.  I joined the event not to compete anyway, but to enjoy the trail of Kayapa.  I was not expecting a podium finish but just to make it within the cut-off time.

So the first 30 minutes was just all walking for me.  It was a cold dawn with the sky still dotted with stars.  I was even lucky to spot a meteorite not just once but twice.   By the time that we reached kilometer 7, the eastern skies were in crimson and gold.  Minutes later the sun slowly rises and it was beautiful!  I stopped to snapped a photo of it.  After two hours, I reached the first aid station at Bundao.  Water, energy drink, and fresh bananas were available.  I stayed for a while to re-hydrate and refuel. 

the beautiful sunrise

As I continued, I can't help but be mesmerized by the beautiful sunrise.  Just by watching it, I was energized (I believed other runners too).  Many times, I stopped on the trail to take pictures of the view and as well as the runners.  Temporarily I forgot about how unkind the first few kilometers of the trail.  Realizing to take advantage of the time when the sun's heat was not yet a factor, I tried to speed up.  I wanted to reach the second aid station before it gets hot.  

A little past 8 in the morning I reached the second aid station at Domolpos.  Hungry, I enjoyed the spanish bread available at the station.  I think I consumed two before I headed to Mt. Ugo.  The aid station at that point of the trail was a big help because what lies ahead was one of the most challenging parts - the assault to the summit of Mt. Ugo (2,170 masl).  I did the 2 kilometer assault full of excitement because on my first attempt 2 months before the event, I got lost and did not make it to the top.

The trail from the second aid station all the way to the top of Mt. Ugo was approximately 5 kilometers, properly marked with ribbons, and very picturesque.  Pine trees are everywhere.  The view was breathtaking and so was the trail going up.  I made several stops to catch my breath.  I did not see a single runner running his way up.  Reaching the summit at around 9 am I was exhausted.  I lost my interest to take a selfie with the Mt. Ugo marker. Now I felt that my Mt. Ugo experience is incomplete having no photo with the marker.

runners on their way to Mt. Ugo's summit

After resting for several minutes at the summit, I started my way down.  At first I had a good descent until I reached to the part where I had to cross a wooden fence.  When I was about to leap my right leg, I suffered a cramp.  It was just approximately 22 kilometers and I had a long way to go.  Getting a leg cramp at that early made me worry.  Good thing I had with me a  camphor oil.  I applied a little of it to my leg and did a massage.  I rested for several minutes until the pain subsided.  I also added a hydrite solution to my trail water.  I guessed both worked as I did not get leg cramp anymore until the end.

By 10 am I was already on "Old Spanish Trail" (from where the event was named).  An 11 kilometer trail winding on the side of the mountains.  I enjoyed running on that part because aside from having a beautiful view, the trail was runner friendly(mostly downhill).  However, I had to be extra cautious because to my right was a deep ravine. One wrong move and I could be in serious trouble.  Also, another factor at this point was the intense mid-day sun.  Slowly I progressed until I reached kilometer 35 and the third aid station at Kayapa Proper market.  I arrived at around 11 am, an hour ahead of the first cut-off time of 8 hours.

The intense heat of the sun exhausted me that when I saw the aid station I felt relief.  At the aid station a hot chicken-macaroni soup was being served.  There were also water melon, turnips, crackers, and chocolates.  We were told during the race briefing to refuel upon getting to aid station 3.  So I did what the race director told.  I asked for the soup, water melon, and turnip.  I also took the opportunity to pour water to my body and head. I also made sure to refill my hydration pack before leaving.  I rested for about 30 minutes.

runners at amelong labeng

Continuing, the next part of the trail turned out to be the hardest part of the route.  It was a long and steady assault to Amelong Labeng (at high noon!).  Now I understand why the race director told the runners to refuel at kilometer 35.  I was so exhausted at this part that most of the time, I felt like setting down.  Adding to the challenge was the intense heat of the sun.  This was the point that I asked the question I always asks myself when I'm physically and mentally tired during long runs.  That one question that is "Why am I doing this?".   And then a couple of thoughts, mostly negative, entered my mind.  Like not finishing the run, questions on my training and preparation, a clamor for long rest, a craving for something cold and refreshing, a promise to myself that this would be my last run, etc.  But then I tried to battle it out with happy thoughts, those marathons and long runs I was able to finish, the finisher shirt and the medal, etc.  All these I went through during those almost 2 hours assault of Amelong Labeng.  Yes, it took me that long.

my medal and token 

While struggling physically and mentally, slowly I made it to the top.  When I did, I thought it was already over, but to my dismay, the tower (we're told at the briefing that a cellular tower was atop of the mountain) was on another mountain!  Yes, after that long steep ascent, there will be another ascent.  My legs were already heavy and the intense heat was slowing me down.  I struggled yet another to get past that one last mountain where the tower was located.  I did but on a very slow pace.  The good thing was after the second summit, it was all going down. 

By 3:30 pm, I saw myself arriving at the finish line to the cheers of spectators, organizers and other finishers.   After more than 11 hours of walking, running, and struggling I made it to the finish line safe and sound.  It was but again another proud moment for me.  And I guess I will be eating my own words because my heart says yes to the same event next year. =)    

I'd like to thank the event organizer, Frontrunner Magazine headed by the Race Director sir Jhonnel Mendoza for staging the event.  It's a kind of event trail runners would hate and love.  Some would love the view and the trail.  Some will hate the trail.  To me OST50 is one of the most challenging and satisfying trail running event I ever joined.  Yes, I loved it!

      

with the race director sir Jhonnel Medoza

    

Coldillera Mountain Marathon 2015

Last weekend, March 22, 2015, I had the opportunity to join a mountain marathon organized by Coldillera Conservation Trust (CCT).  Considered the highest trail marathon in the Philippines and in East Asia with 60% of the route at 2000 meter above sea level.  The route also passes three provinces namely Benguet, Ifugao, and Nueva Viscaya and three ecosystems, pine, mossy oak, and alphine grassland.  

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. 

  

Gun start of 42K                                     (c) Ms. Pepsi

Gun start for 42K category was at 4:30 am.  I have to wear a long sleeves technical shirt on top of my dri-fit shirt to combat the low temperature.  On the go signal of the race director, all 42K runners of about 200 were set off the trail of Mt. Pulag.  There are those who started strong, while there others who started slow.  I have always been in the latter.  In the first few kilometers I ran but on the gradual assault to camp 1, mostly I walked.  Breathing is really a challenge in the high altitude, so I was listening to my body until I was able to adjust.  By break of dawn, I was already approaching camp 2 and by the time that I get to the top of the radio tower it was no longer dim.  The sea of clouds to which Mt. Pulag is known for greeted the runners.  I was awed! It was beautiful!  

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.  

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.