The following are the meanings of the word “engage” taken from the Free Online Dictionary:
en·gage (n-gj)
v.en·gaged, en·gag·ing, en·gag·es
v.tr.
1. To obtain or contract for the services of; employ: engage a carpenter.
2. To arrange for the use of; reserve: engage a room. See Synonyms at book.
3. To pledge or promise, especially to marry.
4. To attract and hold the attention of; engross: a hobby that engaged her for hours at a time.
5. To win over or attract: His smile engages everyone he meets.
6. To draw into; involve: engage a shy person in conversation.
7. To require the use of; occupy: Studying engages most of my time.
8. To enter or bring into conflict with: We have engaged the enemy.
9. To interlock or cause to interlock; mesh: engage the automobile’s clutch.
10. To give or take as security.
v.intr.
1. To involve oneself or become occupied; participate: engage in conversation.
2. To assume an obligation; agree.
3. To enter into conflict or battle: The armies engaged at dawn.
4. To become meshed or interlocked: The gears engaged.
In my trail running’s “playground” and in other mountain trails that I run and visit, I always make it a point to greet the people that I pass, meet, and see along the route. It could be a simple greetings of “Good Morning or Good Afternoon” in the local dialect or ask the question “How are you?” (Kumusta kayo?). Saying such greetings must go with a smile on my face. Most of the time, the people I see along the trail would reply positively and I think something is being planted on the minds of this people about me and my companions.
In places where there is a house/hut and family living along the trail, I would make such place as my “pit stop” where I could eat, sit and rest, and refill my hydration bottles from their source of drinking water. I would use and apply the “sardines approach” of building some friendship to such family. I usually talk to the head of the family and tell him about our activity in the mountains, tell him where we came from, request him for a brief stay for some rest and ask if they have a natural source of potable water. After eating our trail foods and refilling our water bottles and bladders, I would give “two cans of sardines” before leaving the place.
Ligo Canned Sardines @ P13.00 Per Can
A can of sardines is like a most treasured “pork ham” for these mountain people, of which I learned during my younger years as a combat officer of the Philippine Army scouring in the forests and mountains in Luzon and Mindanao. And sardines were also our most convenient food ration when we spent weeks in the deep forests and mountains. Sardines is also a form of currency when people in the mountains would prepare and butcher one of their livestocks for me and the rest of my men but such thing happens “once in a blue moon”!
On my next visit to the place of the family during my runs, everything would be automatic and my group would be attended as royal visitors! However, sometimes sardines are too heavy for the next outings and we instead give the family some cash for whatever we would like to eat or harvest from their farm. A fresh coconut juice and soft meat would be a heavenly pleasure for me and my running friends.
Mang Mario, The Farmer
In contrast with the other mountains and trails that I ran and visited, the people that I would meet, pass, and see would be the one who would take the initiative to “engage” me in a conversation! It is either they would ask for money or ask something from me. They would tell me that they have not taken their breakfast or at least, ask from me some loose change/bills for their subsistence. I am surprised why these people would be so brave to ask something to me and my companions. I would guess, it is the fault of the other people who would give something to these people whenever they are being visited in their own locality. In doing so, this mountain tribe would assume that visitors going or passing through their places have the means or cash or food to share to them.
Mang Diego Garcia, The Jungle Survivor Expert (In Black Shirt & Sandals)
If you are a regular trail runner who would pass through the “farm”/orchard/property of the people or locals in the area, you have to respect and befriend them. You can apply my “sardines” approach and pay for whatever you eat and ask from the family. However, if you engage with some tribes who ask for something from you, it is either you ignore their request or give a little from what you have.
In my road runs, I find it more relaxing and comforting when running alone enjoying the scenery of the things that I could see along the road. I would concentrate on my running form and let my legs and feet land on the ground as if they are well-oiled machine pumping until I need to slow down my pace or just simply have my walking breaks. In the comfort of road running, everything is automatic and I could cruise along with my comfortable pace.
In my trail runs, I always have the company of one or two of my athletes/”trainees” as my safety runners or pacers. I don’t run along the mountain trails alone and it is my number one rule in trail running. You may never know when shit happens!
Some of my friends started to ask about my “playground” in trail running when I started posting my pictures on Facebook and they showed some interest in trying to find out about the place and experience what it is like to run in such place. Anybody can go to this place as it is open to the public but one needs to inform the barangay or the village that you are there to run or hike.
It took me some time to figure out and discover a trail loop that ends up to a distance of 18 miles or 28+kilometers which could be extended up to 50 kilometers. But the 18-mile loop is already a very challenging route that would take me 6 to 6 1/2 hours of pure trail running. How I wish I could get the correct cumulative ascent descent in meters/feet on this course.
I really do not invite runners or my running friends to this place. I let my friends do the initiative to personally contact me through Facebook (Personal/Private Message) or simply send me a SMS if they are interested to join me in my weekend trail runs in this place.
Last Saturday, one of the “usual suspects” in my Ultra Races decided to have his Birthday Run in the company of his friends and some of my ultra friends also contacted me that they would like to join me in my weekend runs. So, on that day, our group consisted of seven runners with one pacer and one sweeper, nine runners in all.
We started the run after breakfast at around 7:00 AM. The first 200 meters of the course is an uphill where nobody would dare to run and I usually use this uphill climb as my warm-up hike. After the first kilometer, everybody would cross a river and all our shoes would be soaked and wet. After crossing the river and with a heavier shoes, the group would start to jog and run for a slight uphill within a single-track trail covered with grass.
The trail is a semi-technical trail where you need to keep your sight on the ground and decide quickly where you would want your feet to land. There are streams to cross and muddy portions where you must avoid or let your shoes be buried in deep mud. There are some dogs and there are some herd of cows and carabaos. The cows, even if they are tied with a rope, would run after us during our runs. The carabaos are more calm when their bodies are completely soaked in some mud pools along the route. Just don’t mind the smell when you pass these mud pools!
Seven Runners @ The First Antenna
We usually reach our first stop after 1:10-1:15 hours of running in a nipa shed/hut with benches around it and the registered distance in our GPS watch is 6.2 kilometers. An antenna (weather or radio signal purpose) is located near the hut. We usually have our first picture taking in this place and spend at least 5 minutes of stay in this place.
From this 1st antenna, we go downhill towards another river and after crossing the said river, it is all uphill again. Once we reach a wider trail road, our next goal to reach is the other antenna which is located 7 kilometers away from the first one which is located in a higher elevation. Hence, I call this trail loop as “Two-Antenna” Trail Loop.
Fresh Coconut Juice In Mang Mario’s Farm (Photo By Ronnel Go)Somebody Is Telling Me Some Jokes! (Photo By Ronnel Go)
After the uphills, downhills and some flat areas, we would cross two big streams until we reach the farm of one of the locals, Mang Mario. This is where we refill our bottles with water; have a taste of fresh coconut juice direct from the tree; hydrate & eat some snack food we carried and another chance to take pictures. I usually talk to Mang Mario and his wife and later give him some packs of “Pentagon” Cigarettes, his favorite brand, and some cash to pay for our coconut fruits before we leave his farm. Well, for the past 2 months that I’ve been dropping by in his farm in my runs, Mang Mario and I became friends and he knows what runners would need when we stop in his place. He would offer his benches for us to sit and order his son to pick some coconuts immediately. This is a result of my “sardines approach” in winning some of my friends in the mountains.
Serious Discussions On Trail Running & Ultras (Photo By Ronnel Go)
After one kilometer of uphill climb from Mang Mario’s place, we would reach the 2nd antenna and the scenery of the place where we came from (1st antenna) is just amazing! It calls for another group picture with the antenna and the grassland/mountains around as background!
At The Second Antenna
The next two kilometers will be steeper climbs until we reach the highest point of the course which is registered at 550 meters above sea level. I consider this place as the halfway/turn-around point of the course. The scenery is getting better as we go higher in elevation and it calls for another group picture! This is where we eat the remainder of our trail foods with some “ice drops” which we call “Joy-Joy”. They give joy for the tongue and mouth because of its sweet and cold taste. They are “life savers” when the heat of the sun is almost under our heads!
Closer View of the Runners (Photo By Roy Garcia)
After 10 minutes of rest, it’s time to go down to a “roller coaster” elevation of hills until we reach the 1st antenna but the place all around are grassland where there are no trees to provide us with cover from the heat of the sun. The distance is 7 kilometers from the turn-around point to the 1st antenna. This is where we fight it out with the heat of the sun, from the hot air and from the heat of the ground with what remains in our water/hydration bottles. This is also a stretch of the course where the runners would race with one another to reach the 1st antenna. Well, I usually position myself at the back of the pack with the “sweeper” behind me all the way to the first river/stream that we crossed! This would prevent the new ones to this course not to get lost when one could not see the runner in front of him.
At The Highest Elevation Of The Course
It is good that the house of one of the “cowboys” or cattle caretakers, which is also a friend that I came to develop and know since I started running in this area, is located near the 1st antenna. This is where we can have our re-supply of water which is enough to bring us to where we started.
From the 1st antenna, everything will be relatively downhill and the distance to the first river is 6 kilometers. Reaching the first river is a relief for everybody. We would check our watches and we could not believe that we spent 6 1/2 hours along the course. We thought that we just spent 3-4 hours of having fun in the mountains! It is in this river that we start cleaning our shoes from the mud; cleaning our feet and legs; and simply soaking our tired legs with cold and refreshing flowing water while waiting for the last runner and “sweeper” to arrive.
Cooling Off Our Tired LegsMy Position With The Group In The River (Photo By Ronnel Go)
Ice-cold Coca Cola drinks would be our initial “prize” for finishing the run and followed with a recovery meal which would also serve as another “carbo-loading” feast for the next day’s long run!
What I like with my running friends when they are with me in my “playground” is that I could not hear any words of complaint from them even when there is an intense heat from the sun in the middle of the day or when the trails are slippery during inclement weather/rainy days where some would fall on their knees or butts.
These runners are “hardcore” and “monsters” on the trails!
If you are interested to experience what these runners went through, there will be a scheduled trail running 101 training camp for a day which is strictly limited to only 10 runners. Further announcements on this event will be made through Facebook.
Most of my training runs are done in the mountain trails with the assumption that the mountains in the Philippines are public domain and owned by the government. Some of the other mountains are declared as National Parks but one could see the lack of administration and governance of these parks. I have yet to see a mountain that is well-managed with trails that are well-maintained.
Trails in the mountains start as footpaths of hunters/locals as they look for food in the forest, whether they are wild animals or wild edible plants or root crops. These footpaths usually become as the “passageway or open canal” for the water that comes from the peak of the mountain during the rainy season. The current of the flowing water going down the slope of the mountain would create a more pronounced extraction of earth from the ground. And the cycle continues with the footpaths of more hunters and the flow of water during the rainy season.
Typical Single-Track Trail In My Playground
Once these trails would widen, they give an opportunity for the locals to bring their domesticated animals where they could feed them with the available grass on the slopes. Some would bring their sleds being pulled by their carabaos or cows to bring cut trees from the forest for the construction of their houses and for fuel in cooking their foods.
Now, these mountains are being invaded by “illegal” settlers where they could start to raise their crops and animals. Worst, if these mountains and trails are the regular route of the insurgents and other bandits/cattle rustlers.
Trail Work/Cleaning In Progress
But one thing that I’ve observed in my training along the trails is that there is no accountable/responsible entity that has the job to maintain these trails. It could be the local Barangay unit but it seldom dips its authority in maintaining such trails. The maintenance of these trails are bestowed on the initiative of those locals who have interests in those mountains but not on a regular basis.
What is my point? If one is a regular visitor of a mountain and uses the trail, he/she must be a part in the maintenance of such trail. It is either by volunteering to clean the trail of debris and trash or by preserving such trail by not making another footpath. (Remember that another footpath would result to another “passageway” of water coming from the top of the mountain!)
“Diego Bandidos” As Work Force
So, for this week, I made a commitment to maintain the trails that I’ve been using for my training. This scheduled trail work will be done once in two weeks in my “playground”. We have started to cut some plants and grasses on the sides of the trails and during the dry season, we will try to flatten the trails and make some of them to be wider. I already bought some tools for this purpose.
“PINK” Color Signature In My Trail Events
Lastly, I placed some pink ribbons as initial markers for the turns and bends along the trail with the hope that my friends will not get lost during their runs. More markers/ribbons will be placed in my future runs in the place.
I have high respect and appreciation to the members of the OK-OK Runners Family who are very consistent in joining my Ultra Events and it was a personal decision to join their 2nd Anniversary Run which happens to be a 50K Road Race in the province of Laguna, south of Metro Manila. Although I have opted not to join road races for the past months due to my trail running training, it was time to repay this running group/club for their “loyalty” and good friendship and of course, a good opportunity to meet and “engage” with new ultra runners.
Event’s Ads On Facebook
I was supposed to run 17 miles/27.2 kilometers on Saturday and then 14 miles/22.4 kilometers on Sunday as part of my training program on the trails but I had to make some adjustments last weekend. I ran for 6:30 hours covering a distance of 28 kilometers of trails last Friday; rested the whole day of Saturday; and then joined this 50K road ultra race yesterday, Sunday.
What I like with the race was that the organization and race management were outstanding. They followed my Race Rules and Regulations; they have Aid Stations manned by members of Running Clubs who are Ultra Runners; very punctual with the Start Time; and fast publication of Official Result. How I wish all the other Ultra Road Races in the future will follow their “style” and efficiency.
Delivering A Short Remarks After Giving Me A Certificate Of Appreciation (With OK OK Head, Joseph Pineda)
After a short program before the race where the group requested me to have an opening remarks and race briefing by Joseph Pineda aka OK OK Otek, the race started at 4:30 AM at the Municipal Plaza of Pagsanjan. I positioned myself at the back of the pack trying to maintain a slow pace for the first 3 kilometers. Meljohn Tezon, an ultra runner, paced with me but we were silent and did not talk to one another. We were exchanging the sounds of our breaths as we overtook runners along the way. It was a non-stop run/jog except when I would approach my support vehicle to replace my empty water bottle for a new one. At Km #28, Meljohn “surrendered” to my pace and I was running alone trying to catch other runners ahead of me.
A Very Intense Pace With Meljohn (Lake Caliraya On The Background)Elevation Profile (From Joanne Raquel)
I was actually attacking the uphills and maintaining my running form on the downhills. I did not stop on any of the Aid Stations except for the last one on the last 8K of the course. Support vehicles were not allowed to enter on the said stretch. I started to run and walk from Km 43-47 due to the uphills and intense heat from the sun but I tried my best to reach the turn-around point. From the turn-around point, 2-3 kilometers were downhill to the finish line but I need to fill-up my water bottle on the last Aid Station for my last push.
Smile & Laugh…This Is A Training Run!Run Efficiently & Maintaining One’s Running FormTip: Try To Eat Solid Foods While RunningWho Says That You Can’t Wear A Cotton Shirt In An Ultra?
At Km #42, I was ranked as the 12th runner and I was surprised to know about it. On the last 4K of the course, I was overtaken by two runners and I tried to maintain my pace up to the Finish Line. I finished the race in 6:23:21 hours, with the rank as the 14th runner to finish, improving my Tagaytay To Nasugbu 50K Run last May 2013 by 12 minutes. If not for the more challenging elevation profile of this race, I would have targeted a sub-6 hours finish time.
At The Finish Line With The Podium Finishers
I would attribute this improvement with the following:
1. Good nutrition and hydration strategy during the race. Consumed two 20-oz. bottles of Perpetuem Mix; 6 pieces of GU Gel Espresso Love (one GU taken 15 minutes before start time); 4 pieces of Ube Hopia; 1 Liter of Fresh Coconut Juice; 1 Liter of Coke; and 16-oz. of water every 3 kilometers.
2. Slower pace on the first half and then stronger and more consistent pace on the second half of the course.
3. Not dropping by the Aid Stations (except for the last one) and spending not more than 15 seconds in getting what I wanted from my support vehicle and attending to my personal necessity (urinating).
4. Consistent running workouts with at least one day of recovery/rest every week. I was thinking of this race as a validation on the progress of my training program.
5. Running and hiking in the mountain trails as part of my running workout. My finish time for this 50K Race is equivalent to my time to finish my trail running workout in my “playground” with a distance of 28 kilometers.
6. Core workouts and stretching exercises, at least, 2-3 times a week.
At the age of 61, I am happy that I have the speed and strength to finish this race. But my salute goes to the 67-year old ultra runner who finished ahead of me and placed #9 among the 119 runners who finished the race. How I wish I could run that strong and fast when I reach such age.
Congratulations To OK OK Runners Family! Good Job!
Congratulations to the OK OK Runners Family and the Volunteers for an splendid race management and organization. My salute also goes to all the Finishers who endured the challenging route and braving the heat of the sun. And for those who were “baptized” to the ultra running family, I personally welcome you to this noble sports of honest outdoor athletes.
Almost 3 years ago during the Race Briefing of the 1st Taklang Damulag 100-Mile Endurance Run (TD 100) in Fort Magsaysay, I mentioned about having a choice of preference in ultra marathon distance race for a runner. I intimated that a runner must be able to experience a road and a trail ultra race but I went further to suggest that at a certain point in one’s running career, an ultra runner or ultra marathoner must be able to specialize and concentrate in only ONE kind of an ultra event.
This is the very reason why I started to organize the first TD 100 in Fort Magsaysay and the rest is history. For the past two years, only 10 runners have earned the most-coveted TD100 Silver-Gold Buckle.
Going back on my topic. I recalled that I was “baptized” into the world of ultra running with my first ultra race which was the Bulldog 50K Trail Run in Malibu, California. Much to my delight to come up with a trail run in the Philippines, I had some reservations in trying to discover some trails in our mountains and outside Metro Manila. Instead, I took comfort in the conduct of an ultra marathon race on the road. Thus, the Bataan Death March 102K Ultra came into being.
However, my love for the trails was still in my mind and being assigned in Fort Magsaysay during my military days, I made some meetings and coordination with my former Command/Unit which is based in the said camp which resulted with the 1st TD100 Endurance Run.
It was a satisfaction on my part after the first TD100 event was conducted. Local runners have now a choice of being an ultra runner and be able to test his/her limits of endurance in running. For a road ultra, the BDM 160 serves as the goal. For a trail ultra, the TD 100 serves also as a goal.
I firmly believe that these ultra events serve as “jumping boards” for the local runners to prepare them for more challenging ultras abroad. They are more accessible and more economical rather than having your first “hundred” in another country.
As an advise to the younger runners, you have to try what it takes to be a road and trail runner. But in your later part of your running career when you have the speed and strength, I highly suggest for you to go outdoors and into the mountains and concentrate on the trails.
You have been running and hiking for almost 6 hours along the mountain trails and then suddenly you made a wrong turn to a trail that is not a part of the course and then after running for about 400-500 meters or a few minutes from the turn, you realize that you are lost. You begin to panic and feel frustrated. You make a decision and you seem to be confused. In reality, you don’t know what to do!
Such situation always happen in a training run in the mountains which could be easily corrected and solved by other runners within the group. It is also a situation that happens in mountain or ultra trail races.
I always say that it is a normal occurrence when a runner gets lost on a trail during a race and there is no need to complain to the Race Director/Organizer, most specially in ultra distances. In truth, the runner himself/herself should be blamed for his mistake of being lost on the trail.
In my experience as a trail runner, I have followed “common sense” practices for me not to get lost along the trail and if ever I would be lost, there are also suggested things that should be done.
The following are the “preventive measures” to avoid being lost on the trails and suggestions to correct the situation:
1. Don’t attempt to go alone on a trail that you are not familiar with. Register in the Barangay Hall and get a “guide” if you are new to the place.
2. Run with a group and make sure that somebody in the group is familiar with the trails in the area.
3. Inform your family, relatives, and friends about your activity and always make sure that you bring your cell phone with you.
4. You should orient yourself in the place by knowing where are the North, South, East & West directions. Look around and find structures or key terrain features (hill peaks, mountain peaks, forested areas, grassy areas, water falls, creeks, rivers, sea shore, fences, highway or main roads) in relation to the directions. In short, you should know basic orienteering & map reading.
5. If you are in a training run with a group, make sure that you can keep up with the pace with the runner in front of you. Keeping pace with the runner in front of you means that you could see his/her back every turn of the trail.
6. If ever you don’t see the back of the runner in front of you, you can start shouting at the said runner to warn him that you are lost or tell him to slow down. Don’t be ashamed to shout the guy in front of you or to the rest of the group. It would be a smart idea to always bring a whistle in your trail runs.
7. If you are in a middle of a pack and you took a wrong turn and notice that you are lost, you have to re-trace you way back to the exact point or place where you made the wrong turn. Stay calm and don’t panic. Take a deep breath, rest, hydrate and take some food while waiting for the other runners who are running way behind you.
8. If you can not wait for the other runners behind you to arrive, observe your surroundings and try to find out the right trail by looking on the marks of soles of running shoes on the trail. If you can’t see any marks of shoes because the trail is covered with grass, follow such trail for a few meters and you might be surprised that it could be the trail that would lead you to the rest of the runners.
9. In an “out and back” and “loop” courses, find time to observe your surroundings on the first half of the course even if it will make you slower in your pace. Find time to appreciate the beauty of the outdoors and try to absorb them to your mind. On your way back to where you have started, the things that you observed on the first half will come in handy if in case you think you are lost on the trails.
10. If you are joining an ultra trail race, it is highly recommended to conduct a recon of the course by simply walking/hiking through it. Take some pictures of places where there are turns or physical and/or natural features which you can see along the route like streams, rivers, waterfalls, bridges, unusual plants/trees, grasslands, big rocks, rock formations, huts/houses, uphill & downhill sections of the course and most importantly, establish your own “marker” every 10K of the route.
Take Note Of Waterfalls, Whether They Are Small Or Not, Along The Trails
11. In a well-marked trail race or run, shit happens. Surprisingly, markers or ribbons are altered or stolen by locals or people within the neighborhood, mostly by kids who make fun or play with them. Sometimes, there are also (front) runners who would remove them as part of their “collection of souvenirs”. There are instances also that markers are improperly placed along the route. The worst scenario is when these markers become wet due to rains or inclement weather that the color becomes the same with the surroundings, most especially during nighttime.
12. If there is a website of the ultra trail event, study the details posted and confirm/validate them in your recon/walk-through along the course. Some runners would laminate the data of the trail course printed on a piece of paper and had it handy in their pockets or in their hydration vest.
13. If you don’t have the luxury of time to conduct your recon, look for blogs of finishers of this race and you will find a lot of information that would help you to familiarize yourself with the course and event.
14. If you have friends who have finished this race, try to talk to them or contact them through e-mail or through the Social Media platforms. Ultra runners are very helpful to “newbies” when it comes to getting their experiences in finishing the race.
15. You might also consider joining a friend who trains with you in an ultra race to be a participant of the event. Having a partner in training and in a race is more comforting than running alone.
16. Lastly, if you are not well-trained or prepared for an ultra trail race, don’t make an attempt. You will be wasting your hard-earned money and effort.
During my stay with my family in Los Angeles, California, my “playground” for my trail running are the mountain trails of Griffith Park; Verdugo Mountains; Echo Mountain, and Mt Lukens Trails. My daily runs vary from 7 miles (11K) up to 15 miles (24K).
Typical Trail In My Playground In CaliforniaClean Trails With Bench
The trails are usually wide, clean and dusty. I usually meet hikers and daily cyclists on their mountain bikes on these mountain trails. The elevation varies and very challenging but you don’t have any problems of big rocks, river/stream crossing, or big stones paved along the trails. But because of the nature of the landscape which is considered as desert environment, the place is hot during their summer season and I usually bring a lot of water for my hydration needs. Seldom you could see any streams or rivers or any natural feature where there is free-flowing of water.
Photo Of My Legs On California Trails
There is no advantage of using a specific trail shoes on these mountain trails. I have observed on most hikers/runners on these trails that they are using road running shoes. Sometimes, I use road shoes on these trails and they give me the much needed traction on these trails.
The picture above shows the accumulation of dust that would stick on the back of my legs after my daily workouts on these trails.
As compared to my “playground” in the Philippines, the trails are usually mixture of single-track and slightly wider ones that could accommodate our local wooden sled pulled by carabaos and sometimes, the popularly known “All-Terrain Vehicles” (ATV). The single trails are the results of carabao’s and cow’s established route to the hills and mountains where they could eat grass and some trails would lead to water sources where they could drink or submerged their bodies during hot weather. There are also trails that are established due to the movement or flow of water from the peak of the mountain or hill during the rainy season.
Seldom you could see a well-maintained and well-established trails where the ground is flat, clean and dusty. Single track trails are sometimes covered with grasses and most of them cut through in the middle of tall grasses or what we call “cogon” grasses on the sides of the mountains.
Sticky, Slippery & Muddy Trails Of The PhilippinesAnd Lots Of River/Stream CrossingsWorst Scenario….Landslides!Muddy Trail
During the rainy season (June-October/November), these trails are muddy, slippery, and sticky. It is very appropriate to use trail shoes to prevent one from sliding forward or worse, falling on the ground with your butt.
Streams would suddenly become a river with a strong current during rainy season. It is necessary to run with a companion or bring a rope which can be tied from the point of entry to the river to the other side and used as a “bridge rail” where one could hold so that one will not be swept by the strong current of the water.
It is expected that the muddy soil on the trail would stick on the soles of one’s shoes and would cause you to slow down in running. The added weight of the mud on your shoes would replicate your workout in the gym where your legs would be lifting an addition weight of about 3 pounds. This is one of reasons why I love to run on sticky/muddy trails—it will slow you down but your legs will benefit added weight as if you are doing your strength training in the gym.
There are lots of water streams where one could cool-off their tired legs or simply a good source of water for hydration needs.
But during the dry season, expect these muddy trails to be as hard as an asphalt/paved road but the unevenness of the ground would be very much beneficial in strengthening the smallest up to biggest muscles, tendons, and ligaments of your legs.
Back Of My Legs After Running A Mountain Trail In The Philippines
Thanks to the streams/rivers that I have to cross as I would easily wash my legs before I finally end up with my daily workout.
Now, if you ask me, which one is better—-running in my “playground” in California or in the Philippines? Both are good and the variety of trails works well with me. I would run on the trails in California with a faster time in covering a certain distance but definitely, running the trails in the Philippines would take me a much longer time in covering the same distance.
The most important thing in trail running is one’s ability to appreciate the outdoors, breath unpolluted air, enjoy the scenery and beauty of the surroundings, the challenge of unevenness of the trail, the variation of elevation, “engagement”/talking with the locals, and the joy of running with friends.
As I have announced in my previous post that I am joining the “One Million March” to Luneta Park, I arrived at the Starting Area in front of the Philippine Army Officers Clubhouse at 5:30 AM yesterday even if it was raining. I was joined by the Pascua Family with Retired Master Sargent Pascua from the Philippine Army and his son and daughter. The whole family was using minimalist sandals and Aumel, the son, finished 1st Runner-Up in the latest Fort Magsaysay To Dingalan, Aurora 65K Ultra Marathon Race.
BR With The Pascua Family @ The Starting Area
We left the starting area at 6:10 AM. Walked for about 400 meters towards the Pedestrian Gate of Fort Bonifacio and as soon as we hit Lawton Avenue and posed for a group picture in front of the PA Tarpualin, we were on our way to Luneta Park
Posing In Front Of The Philippine Army Tarp
Graciano “Totoy” Santos, one of the “famous” ultra runners and member of the Philippine Association of Ultrarunners (PAU) was able to catch up with the group after 30 minutes of our run.
The group run through the Lawton Avenue on a westerly direction going to the Domestic Airport until we reached Roxas Boulevard. As soon as we reached the intersection of EDSA and Roxas Boulevard, we were met by Eric and Jessie. Eric is also a ultra marathoner who lives in Metro Manila while Jessie came all the way from General Santos City, South Cotabato (Mindanao). Jessie is an avid reader to this blog and he told me that he was inspired to be involved in running through the posts I’ve published in this blog.
Running Along Lawton AvenueIn Front Of The Philippine Navy/PhilippineMarines’ HeadquartersAt The Vicinity Of Camp Villamor/Headquarters Philippine Air ForceIn Front of the NAIA #3 AirportIn Front of the Cultural Center Of The Philippines (CCP)
On the last 3 kilometers to Luneta Park, we were joined by more ultra runners: Mar Marilag, Benedict Meneses, and CJ Paran. These runners are finishers of the Bataan Death March Ultra Marathon Race and PAU members.
Ultra Runners In Action
We reached our destination, Luneta Park’s Kilometer Post #0, in 1:50 hours for a distance of 13.5 kilometers. The time was 7:50 AM. The only time that we took some short walking breaks was when we had to cross major street intersections like Roxas Boulevard, EDSA, and Buendia Avenue.
Picture With Ultra & Non-Ultra Runners @ Luneta ParkWith Ultra Runner & Blogger Father Picx Picardal
As soon as we reached Km Post #0, we had some “photo-ops” with some celebrities and runners and sharing of stories with the rest of the group.
We stayed at Luneta until 9:35 AM and more people and marchers started to arrive at the Park. As we started to go back to where we started, we were met by more people going to the Park which forced us to just walk the first 1-2 kilometers of our run back to Fort Bonifacio.
Going Back To Fort Bonifacio
It was only when we were approaching the Headquarters of the Philippine Navy that we started to run! Mar Marilag, CJ Paran, Benedict Meneses and Eric joined us but later went on their way to reach their offices and their final destinations.
Taking It Easy Back To The Starting Area
Instead of re-tracing our route to the Park, we decided to turn left at EDSA and reached the Pasong Tamo Avenue where we had to turn right and be able to reach Lawton Avenue. CJ Paran who works at the Office of the City Mayor of Pasay was kind enough to escort us in his turf. At the corner of EDSA and Pasong Tamo, we took a brief break to drink some ice cold Coke for our last 3-Kilometer push to the Finish Line!
Back At Lawton Avenue
At 11:30 AM, we reached our Finish Line and congratulated ourselves for a successful and safe 27K LSD in the busy streets in Metro Manila. It was Graciano Santos’ recovery run after finishing a 50K Ultra Race the previous day and my recovery run also for running along the mountain trails with ultra friends in my “playground” for almost 9 hours the previous day.
A Pose In Front Of Fort Bonifacio/Headquarters Philippine Army
The task has been done for the day—-To keep us counted for the “One Million March”! This event was created and organized through one of the Social Media platforms, Facebook, and as a Social Media user, this is my simple way to be a part and contribution to the objective of the event. Whether the event reached the targeted number of participants of the event or not, it has already sent a message that Social Media is very powerful tool in uniting the people from different sectors of the society in the country. The event was a success!
This government institution and its people had humiliated my Alma Mater, the institution where I’ve worked for almost 38 years, and the organization where I am a member. Personally, I was humiliated also by this institution through one of their “investigations in aid of legislation” and it nearly cost the end of my professional career.
Now, as a retiree and a Senior Citizen, I am going to join this event tomorrow, Monday, as a show of support to the objective/s of this march.
I will be having my Long Slow Distance (LSD) Run from the Parking Area in front of the Philippine Army Officers Clubhouse at the Headquarters of the Philippine Army in Fort Bonifacio to Km Post #0 in Luneta Park. The run will start at 6:15 AM and hope to arrive in Luneta Park on or about 9:00 AM. After a short meeting and “photo-ops” with my ultra running friends and friends on Facebook for about 30-45 minutes, I will be going back to where I started by running.
If you have the time and plan to join the march, you are invited to join me in my run. If you can not make it at the Starting Place, it would be nice to meet you within the vicinity of Km Post #0 in front of the Rizal Monument, across Roxas Boulevard from 9:00-9:30 AM.
This is my way of getting even to these people. See you!
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Bald Runner 
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