Salomon Trail Run 2015. A sweet revenge.

Joining the event last year was a humbling experience for me.  I experienced my first ever DNF in running.  I was able to finish the 32K run though, but 30 minutes beyond the 7 hours cut-off time. While on our way home that day, I tried to think what have gone wrong. In my mind, I had two things.  

First.  I lacked the right amount of training.   Honestly, I was just banking on my mountaineering experience and a number of road runs.  I was new to the sport having joined a single event.   It was finishing the Love a Tree Trail Run 2014, under 32K distance category, that gave me the confidence to register for Salomon Trail Run 2014.  I was so wrong into thinking that because I was able to finish the former, I will also be able to finish within the cut-off time the latter.   I failed to consider that each event is unique and has its own level of difficulty.  Prior to the event, I was only doing jogs (not even consistent) on flat and cement roads when what is better is to actually train on trails.  

the elusive medal

Second.  I failed to study the event, location, and the trail.  Come race day, I was clueless of what to expect trail-wise.  I was again so wrong into thinking that the trail would be just like my first trail run.  I was caught off-guard of the series of steep ascents and descents.  I was not prepared for the intense heat.  I was not expecting to run on the sand.  All these, I could have prepared myself have I done a research.  It was only after, that I learned that it was already the second staging of the event on the same location (Hamilo Coast, Nasugbu) and that Salomon trail run is known and has a reputation of giving its runners a hard challenge, that Salomon trail run is not a walk in the park.

Realizing all these, somehow eased my mind.  DNF happens.  A runner should not be discouraged but be motivated to train harder.  It was for me a learning experience.   I promised to come back this year more prepared and ready to take on the challenge.   

This year, the event was held on a new location at the Anvaya Cove, Morong, Bataan.  Again, the event was well attended with many of the elite Filipino trail runners present.  I was also happy to see some of my friends in running and mountaineering joining the event.  Some, their first time.  

friend Rosalyn, Adrian,& Javee                     (c) Javee

Trail-wise.  If I have to compare, the trail of Anvaya Cove was less challenging than that of Hamilo Coast.  Runners would not end up whining about a series of steep ascents and descents because the Anvaya trail was mild on it.  The numerous river crossings was annoying though but a relief when we started to feel the intense heat of the sun.  The 3 kilometers shoreline was another annoying part of the trail.  How can someone run with speed on rocks and boulders and sand.  But it is part of the Salamon challenge that runners have to endure.  This is not to underestimate, but if I have to rate the Anvaya trail from the scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest, I would give 7.  It is still challenging especially for runners who came unprepared.   However, as compared last year, this year's percentage of finisher was high.

                  reaching the finish line          (c) RP

As usual I stated slow.   Normally I recover from sore legs after about 5 kilometers of running.  However, last Saturday it lingered for a while.  It was only after 8 kilometers that sore legs was gone.  Recovering, my pacing improved catching up with some runners.  The first few kilometers of the trail was a combination of cement road, dirt road, and farmlands.  My game plan was to spent at least 11 minutes per kilometer so that I still have a buffer of 1 hour.  After 2 hours of running,  I have covered more or less 15 kilometers of the route and was averaging 8 minutes per kilometer.  I was pretty well on my game plan.  During the first two river crossings, I was removing my trail shoes.  I was afraid that I might get leg cramps and blisters while running on wet shoes.  However, later on I found it time consuming and decided not to remove it anymore.  Thank God! No blisters nor leg cramps the entire run. 

After 4 hours of running, I was down to the last 8 kilometers of the route.  The 3 kilometers of this was a shoreline.   This was the part of the trail where I spent much time.  I can hardly ran on rocks, boulders, and sand. I think I spent almost an hour on this part.  It was big relief when I was able to get to the other end of the shoreline, a kilometer away from the finish line.  Exhausted, I still managed to run on a very slow pacing.  After a total of 5 hours and 40 minutes of running I  reached the end of the route.  I felt redemption.  


What have I done right to finish the run within the cut-off time this time around?  Well, I trained not just on road but on trail as well.  I study the route through available information online though no actual recon.  I devised a game plan and followed it.  Lastly, I was determined on my goal to finish it.

Congratulations to all finishers especially to all my friends.  I'd like to thank and acknowledge some dear friends, my fellow codErunners Adrian and Rosalyn who trained with me.  Lastly, thank you to the people behind Salomon Trail Run 2015 for another challenging trail running event. Until next year!

my running and mountaineering friends                                   (c) Ella

           

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