Category: Travel

Final Reminders: 2012 BDM 160

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Pictures, Places to Run, Races, Running, Sports Program, Travel, Ultramarathon1 Comment

This is where the tricky part for all the runners. Capas, Tarlac! Once you pass the Capas Public Market, you have to continue running along the MacArthur Highway up to the Y-intersection where you can see on your right, a Highway that goes to Concepcion, Tarlac and the left Highway is the continuation of the MacArthur Highway that goes to Tarlac City. On the middle of these two Highways is a CALTEX Gas Station.

Take The RIGHT Highway (Towards Concepcion, Tarlac)

Take the Highway on your RIGHT and you will surely pass by the McDonald’s Fastfood on your right. Continue for about 20 YARDS and you will see a road junction on your left. TURN LEFT on that road and in about another 20-30 meters you will see the Old Railway Terminal Building of Capas, Tarlac. There is a BDM Kilometer Post and a Shrine/Monument on the right side of the road.

Turn Left On This Road (20 Yards After Passing MacDonald's)

Follow this road and ultimately, you will cross the MacArthur Highway. Be careful in crossing this Highway. After about one kilometer, you will hit the road that goes to Camp O’Donnell and on your left is a CEMETERY. Turn right on the road that goes to Camp O’Donnell and you still have about 14 kilometers to the Finish Line.

Once you reach the Gate of the Capas National Shrine (BDM Shrine), you still have 5 kilometers to go to reach the Turn-Around Point infront of the Philippine Army’s Training & Doctrine Command. The distinct marker for the Turn-Around Point is the DPWH Kilometer Post #118. Once you reach this Km Post, you have to turn-around for the last 5 kilometers of the race.

The Finish Line is inside the Bataan Death March Shrine which is after the last pair of Flag Poles lined up along the wide approach towards the Shrine’s Obelisk. The Raceclock will be beside the usual simple BDM 160 Tarpaulin/Arc. And the RD will be there waiting for you to experience the RD’s BDM HUG!

Remember, the cut-off time of this road race is 30 Hours. Only runners who could cross the Finish Line within the prescribed cut-off time will be declared FINISHERS. This time, there will be NO Unofficial Finishers. Which means that the RD and its staff will no longer wait for runners to reach the Finish Line after the cut-off time had been reached or elapsed. Those who insist to Finish the race after the prescribed cut-off time will be declared DNF (Did Not Finish) on the Official Result of this Race which will be listed soon with Ultra Signup.

If you want to review what happened during the First Edition of this Race, you can read it HERE.

Good luck, ladies and gentlemen! Go! Go! Go! Brave Warriors of BDM 160!

(Note: BDM 160 Briefing & CLP will be held, tomorrow, 6:30 PM, Thursday, January 26, 2012 at the AFP Officers’ Club, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City for the Registered Participants Only. Runners are advised to bring with them their LandBank Deposit Slip (Payment of Registration Fee) for Confirmation. Runners will get their Race Bib/s and Support Vehicle Tarpaulin. If a runner intends to bring his/her Support Crew & Pacer, an additional fee of P200.00 per person shall be paid for the food & drinks.)

BDM 160: “King Of The Road”

On By kingofpotsIn Pictures, Races, Running For Cause, Travel, UltramarathonLeave a comment

BDM 160 Batch #1

History Of Running In Japan

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Races, Runners' Training, Running, Sports Program, TravelLeave a comment

I’ve witnessed how the Japanese run in the Jeju International 100K Ultra Marathon Race (South Korea) and in the Soochow University 24-Hour Endurance Run (Taiwan) in 2010. In the late 70s and whole of 80s, I’ve seen on TV and documentary films how the Japanese long distance/marathon runners dominated the world’s best and popular road races including the Olympic Games. Now, there are also emerging as one of the best in ultrarunning events in the world.

I have the belief that we could also emulate or learn something from them because we have the same built and the same attitude in life. Although long distance running training and competition had been with them for almost 90 years and took them 30+ years to come up with their first Olympic Gold Medal in the Marathon, I have the positive outlook that we can attain such goal in the coming generation of younger runners.

I have discovered an article that had been published in the Running Times Magazine and written by Brett Larner with the detailed description on the history of running in Japan.

Enjoy your day and be inspired by this article: Handing Off The Tasuki by Brett Larner.

“It’s the passion, not the money, stupid!”

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Pictures, Places to Run, Race Results, Races, Running, Sports Program, Trail Running, Travel2 Comments

Race Report: Trail Running 101 10K & 14K @ Dinalupihan, Bataan/January 21, 2012

To some (or most?), organizing a running event is a business affair. I will not tell you the indicators if you want to know if a running event is being organized for the purpose of raising some funds for a certain cause or charity but only to realize that it is simply to rake one’s money for profit. If you are a runner who had been in such races for the past years, you probably know or smart enough to find out what I am talking about.

The conduct of the 1st Taklang Damulag 100-Mile Trail Endurance Run last December 2012 brought me some observations and lessons to be learned. It gave me the opinion that our road runners are not yet fully skilled and exposed to trail running. It is for this reason that I came up with the idea of coming up with a “graduated” exposure of trail running of those who are interested to experience the “outdoors”, meaning, the mountains and other areas outside the city and urban environment.

I want my ideas done and implemented immediately as there is no need for a corporate entity to back me up. In the first place, corporate entities take a lot of time to decide, not unless you are talking to the owner of the company! Who needs them anyway? (They will always tell you to wait for the signing of the contract and keep you waiting even if they have given the contract to another event organizer without even giving the information that they “dumped” you!). Basically, the participation and interest of runners would be enough to support the implementation of my idea.

So, yesterday (Saturday), the Trail Running 101 Series was born! There were six (6) runners who registered for the 16K distance while two (2) runners in the 10K category. Out of the eight runners, one is a lady runner. All of them finished the run and I could see on their faces that they were happy to experience trail running along the vicinity of the “Brown Mountain”, my training “playground” in the mountains of Dinalupihan, Bataan. The following were the results:

14K Run

1. Freddie Mercado—1:43:47 Hours

2. Jael Wenceslao—1:53:15

3. Noel Miano—2:05:12

4. Reginald Tan Bueno—2:43:00

5. Maria Stephanie Atutubo Zamora Hefti—3:19:12

6. Benjh German—3:23:54

10K Run

1. Elmer Oropieza—1:14:45 Hours

2. Igne Pablito—1:15:06

3. Jael Wenceslao—1:33:12

*Jael Wenceslao ran the 10K event after he finished the 14K run.

The next event of the Trail Running 101 series will be on February 26, 2012 with two distances: 16K and 21K runs! The venue/location is still the same but will have the start time to be earlier at 5:30 AM. The registration details will be posted soon in this blog with limited slots for both runs.

Trail Running 101 Batch #1
Lead Runner of the 10K Event
#1 Freddie Mercado
#2 Jael Wenceslao
#3 Noel Miano
#1 Sports Drinks For Runners!
Nice Touch! (Km Post Marking)

Going back on the title of this post, we have proven once again that we simply have the passion to share to everybody the ideas we would like to be implemented for the benefit of the running community. We don’t think about the money we gain or lost, we simply want to share what it is like to run on the “outdoors” and enjoy the beauty of the mountains & be able to commune with nature!

Thanks to all the runners; BR’s Staff; Volunteers; and to John “Jepoy” Avellanosa for those nice pictures!

See you on the next edition of the Trail Running 101 Series!

Trail Running 101: Part #2: “Rules On The Run”

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Runners' Training, Running, Trail Running, Travel10 Comments

Now that you are ready to embrace trail running, there are some rules and regulations; protocols; etiquette; or “GMRC” (Good Manners & Right Conduct) things/actions that every runner should know and follow. These rules boil down to the preservation of the environment and “common sense” in treating our co-runners.

The American Trail Running Association (ATRA) offers a list of “must” to be followed in trail running activities and events. For the benefit of everybody, our trail runners and “would be” ones are encouraged to read this list on the “Rules On The Run”. Please read the link below:

http://www.trailrunner.com/news/trail_etiquette.htm

It is imperative that every trail runner should follow these rules and regulations.

Good luck and see you at the Starting Line!

Trail Running 101: Part #1

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Running, Sports Program, Trail Running, TravelLeave a comment

This is an excerpt from the book, “The Ultimate Guide To Trail Running” by Adam Chase & Nancy Hobbs.

Lisa Goldsmith, two-time USATF Mountain Runner of the Year says: “Trail running requires such an athletic style of running that a lifelong athlete will probably adapt better, say someone who has soccer or some agility sport in their background of experience. That said, I think it behoves a beginning trail runner to do some agility-type training. I am talking about anything from jumping rope to jump squats, running stairs, bounding, skipping, high knee drills, butt kicks; exercise that trains you to lift your feet off the ground with quickness. And, I would remind the runner to not run exclusively on trails as running dirt roads or even pavement will keep leg speed (leg turnover) in the muscle memory. As for racing, I say  “just do it!”. In all sports, I find racing and competing raises my level of skill and helps me find my true edge; racing is where breakthrough are discovered.”

No matter what your running or athletic background may be, the best introduction to trail running is to pick a nice day, find a beautiful gently rolling trail that offers dependable footing, and set off on a relaxed run. Take walking breaks as often as necessary and allow yourself to be carried away by the sounds of the natural environment and the peaceful surroundings. As you move along at a steady pace, absorb the views and breathe the clean air. From your initial experience, gradually build your running fitness and develop your trail running technique and skills.

The problem now is where to find the trails. North of Metro Manila, you can find a prominent mountain while travelling at the NLEX/SCTEX to Tarlac which is the Mount Arayat. I’ve never been to the said mountain but it appears that it is already considered as a National Park and through my readings on the Internet and some Mountaineering resources, the mountain has some trails.

Northwest of the province of Pampanga are the mountain ranges in Porac, Floridablanca, and Bataan which one can see if travelling along SCTEX towards Subic Freeport. Some of the Ultrarunners had experienced going to some parts of these mountains as it is the route of the Miyamit 50-Mile Trail Run. Further down the western side is the location of the “Brown Mountain” where I usually have my trail running workouts.

South of Metro Manila and at the end of SLEX is the province of Laguna. Los Banos is a nice place where one can start looking for trails up to the famous Mount Makiling. A simple research on the Internet will reveal a group of mountaineering clubs in the said area which are good source of information.

On the eastern border of Metro Manila are the mountains of Rizal which are accessible after travelling for 35-50 kilometers. Hopefully, there are still trails in Montalban and Antipolo if they are not yet developed as subdivisions. Sampaloc, Tanay is a very nice place where one could just try to easily find a mountain trail. The place where I had my Tanay 50K Ultra Run offers a lot of trails and I highly recommend this place for beginners.

Northeastern part of Bulacan and boundary with Metro Manila offers also some trails. Nearer to Metro Manila is the La Mesa Dam Trail Park which is also highly recommended for easy trail runs.

If you happen to know a trail near Metro Manila, you can share to us in this blog.

Before you hit the trails and if you are 40 years old and above, find time to talk to your doctor and ask for medical advice if your body can withstand and endure running/jogging/walking along the mountain trails. Of course, the doctor will do some endurance test on you and find out if your respiratory and circulatory systems are efficient for such sports activity. This first step is a must!

On Trail Running Shoes. If you are a beginner, there is no need to buy brand-new trail running shoes. You can use your old road shoes for the mean time and try to observe its performance when you are running on the trails. Stability shoes are more preferred for trail running.

On your running apparel & hydration needs, try to be light as possible as you will experience going up the hill and mountains with an extra baggage. For the mean time, there is no need to bring heavy hydration system as there are water sources along the route. In my running trips to “Brown Mountains”, I usually bring my Nathan SOB Single Bottle Belt which I can refill with water on the springs & streams along the route.

Try to practice some running drills before going to the mountains. For a starter, do some hill repeats to determine how far and how long you can go in an ascending road. Look for an ascending road which would take you 1-2 minutes to reach the top from its lowest part. Slowly jog from the lowest part up to top of the ascending road. Stop jogging once you reach the top and slowly walk to where you started. Repeat the drill up to the time you reach 30 minutes. As you become stronger and more comfortable in reaching the top, you can now increase the time of your drill to 45 minutes. Do this drill at least 3 times a week and try to find out how you progress within a period of at least one month. (Note: Go to McKinley Hill Area and you can find such ascending/descending road for your hill repeats!)

However, don’t underestimate the use of “power/brisk walking” breaks on your mountain trail runs. Usually, trail runners and even competitive ones have to resort to power walks on steep inclines during their runs. Yes, elite trail runners walk during their race! But they have also the mastery on how to run fast on the descending portions of the trails just to be able to regain the time they lost on their power walks. As a beginner, you have to be extra careful on being aggressive on the downhill runs as this will put so much work on your quadriceps muscles and overall balance on your body. Most likely, running fast on the downhill will rub your toenails on the front edge of your shoes and this will result to dead toenails!

Since I started using Heart Rate Monitor in the middle of last year as a means for immediate biofeedback on the intensity of my workouts and runs, I highly recommend that runners who would like to shift on mountain trail running to consider using such device.  In my hill runs, I make sure that my HR would average within the range of 142-150 beats per minute. My average pace might be slower but I have enough strength to last for hours in the mountains and be able to recover for another run the next day.

To be continued.

Good luck! See you at the Starting Line in the Trail Running 101 Runs!

Trail Running Is More FUN
It's Either You Step On The Rocks OR Take A Dip Into The Water

Result: 2012 BDM 50K “Test Run”

On By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Race Results, Races, Runners' Training, Running, Sports Program, Travel, UltramarathonLeave a comment

2012 Bataan Death March 50K “Test Run”/Mariveles To Abucay, Bataan/10:15 PM January 14, 2012 To 7:15 AM January 15, 2012.

PLACE BIB # NAME TIME
1 652 Henry Laron 5:27:19
2 777 Simon Pavel Miranda 5:33:05
3 878 Jerome Bautista 5:53:45
4 693 Almar Danguilan 6:00:29
5 881 Carlito Buenaventura 6:04:54
6 747 Fernando Dellomos, Jr 6:11:14
7 663 Alvin Adriano 6:14:06
8 874 Bob Castilla 6:24:07
9 877 Ernesto Badong 6:28:46
10 696 Ric Adrian Salay 6:36:32
11 695 Miguel De Alba 6:36:33
12 896 Jessie Llarena 6:38:14
13 591 Teodulo Alferez, Jr 6:44:20
14 745 Allan Palomares 6:44:21
15 889 Allan Martos 6:51:04
16 882 Kharl Ocampo 6:59:36
17 686 Alain Cuchas Ilaguno 6:59:37
18 879 Jason Sison 7:05:48
19 698 Frederick Quitiquit 7:08:17
20 887 Wesley Orana 7:09:14
21 890 Carl Balagot 7:09:15
22 654 Chips Dayrit 7:10:58
23 653 Darryl Panado 7:11:01
24 778 Angelo Anillo 7:11:02
25 661 Jorell Paringit 7:13:19
26 694 Dennis Carcamo 7:13:20
27 657 Emmanuel Chavez 7:18:41
28 692 Candy Balaba (Female) 7:19:40
29 894 Mark Anthony Delumen 7:25:41
30 872 Benedict Muriel 7:25:45
31 873 Harold Ramirez 7:25:46
32 892 Ofelia Lorete (Female) 7:27:53
33 665 Mary Jane Villamor (Female) 7:32:08
34 664 Jerome Aragones 7:32:09
35 883 Nap Ocampo 7:36:52
36 669 Don Armand Gutierrez 7:43:16
37 885 Choy Zaguirre 7:43:35
38 689 Jojo Paguia 7:44:11
39 880 Carmeli Ortega (Female) 7:45:11
40 884 Alex Jones 7:45:30
41 697 Maria Stephanie Hefti (Female) 7:55:33
42 875 Vic Delima II 7:56:02
43 876 Ruben Fajardo, Jr 7:56:03
44 662 Jonah Rivera 7:59:59
45 886 Jericho De Jesus 8:06:44
46 667 Jinky Yray 8:07:37
47 748 Perkins Briones 8:09:17
48 871 Russell Sanchez  8:12:06
49 893 Harold Lorete 8:42:59
50 891 Jinkee Guerrero 8:43:27
51 895 Joseph Ligot 8:43:29

See you on the next BDM 52K “Test Run” on February 11, 2012. Assembly Time is 6:00 AM @ BDM Kilometer Post #50 in Abucay, Bataan.

Keep on training!

In Memory Of Our Fallen Heroes In The Name Of Peace & Freedom
2012 BDM 102/160 "Brave Warriors" (Photo Courtesy Of Simon Pavel Miranda)

Reminders: 2012 BDM 102 “50K Test Run”

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Places to Run, Practice Runs, Runners' Training, Running, Travel, UltramarathonLeave a comment

To All BDM 102 Runners:

This “test run” will simulate your run on Race Day, on March 3-4, 2012. This test run will be held tomorrow, January 14, 2012, which will start at the Bataan Death March (BDM) Shrine in Mariveles, Bataan where the BDM Kilometer Post/Obelisk #00 is located. The Assembly Time is 9:00 PM as most of the participants had signified their intention to register On Site. The Registration Fee is P 500.00 as this event will be properly timed and recorded.

BDM Shrine Kilometer Post #00 In Mariveles, Bataan

The Gun Start is at 10:00 PM (the same time for the Race Day). The “test run” has a cut-off time of nine (9) hours for the runners to reach/cross the Finish Line at the BDM Kilometer Post #50 which is located within the vicinity of the Abucay Public Market in Abucay, Bataan.

Participants have to take note of the following BDM Kilometer Posts where critical intersections are located: Kilometer Posts #14; #23; and #32. Once the runners see these posts, they have to TURN RIGHT on the road intersection in order for them to be on the actual route of the Bataan Death March.

As the runners would be staying on the left side of the road, facing the incoming traffic, the BDM Kilometer Posts are located on the right side of the road throughout the route of the event.

Runners are reminded to test the following during the run: wearing of reflectorized vest; race strategy; hydration & nutrition strategy; the positioning of one’s support vehicle & crew; running shoes & kit; use of first aid kit for blisters & other running-related injuries; and the use of one’s choice of lighting system.

Runners should be aware that the road will be dark during the run and there is a possiblity of rain showers and windy environment on the first 20 kilometers of the run. Practically, you will be running on top of a mountain with the wind coming from the sea/coast.

There is a lot of stray dogs on populated areas along the road. Make sure that your Ipod/MP3s volume are not too loud for you to determine the distance of the barking dogs from you. Take necessary precautions for these barking dogs.

There is a lot night spots/karaoke bars along the route and some of the customers could be drunk or surprised to see runners on nighttime. Find time to greet, wave or smile at them before they could say anything. Be friendly and smart.

For safety purposes, try to find somebody who has the same pace with you and at least, you have a companion during the run. Better if you can run with a group. However, remember to run on single file on the left side of the road. If the shoulder of the road is wide enough for two runners abreast, then it is allowed with care and vigilance.

When crossing the road to the other side to approach your respective support vehicle, be sure to stop, listen, and look around for any incoming vehicle before crossing. Support vehicles are also advised to stay on the right side shoulder of the road when on stop.

Remember, the starting area is in MARIVELES (not in Bagac, Bataan where another BDM Km Post #00 is located). The BDM Shrine in Mariveles, Bataan is located beside the JOLLIBEE. You will never get lost once you see the sign of the fastfood establishment.

(Note: For those who are joining this test run without support vehicle, you can take the Genesis Bus or Bataan Transit from their Cubao Terminal. Allocate at least 5 Hours as Travel Time)

Good luck! See you at the Starting Line!

2012 BDM 160 Participants

On By kingofpotsIn Races, Running, Sports Program, Travel, Ultramarathon3 Comments

Number N A M E
1 Gilbert Gray (USA)
2 Paolo Osmena
3 Ronnel Go
4 Julius Cervantes
5 Dindo Diaz
6 Muhammad Sallehan (Singapore)
7 Lemuel Narcise
8 Albert Salazar
9 Caloy Nobleza
10 Carlos Napoleon Ocampo
11 Alfred Delos Reyes
12 Roberto Delos Santos
13 Carlito Buenaventura
14 Arman Fernando
15 Nelson Mallillin
16 Jose Arturo Virata
17 Leo Tugade
18 Kelly Lim (Female, Singapore)
19 Reginald Santos
20 Bong Bernadez
21 Marcos Lontoc
22 Earl Warren Navor
23 Keshia Fule (Female)
24 Mark Anthony Rodica
25 Christian Oting
26 Kenneth Alonte
27 Ferdie Cabiling
28 Heide Acuna (Female)
29 Wilfredo Parcon, Jr
30 Francis Andrew Santiago
31 Rosgar Apolinario
32 Anthony Mark Alindada
33 Bob Castilla
34 Bert Camangonan
35 Chito Vegim
36 Larry Daliwag
37 Jose Duenas
38 Jimmy Ong
39 Cesar Abarientos
40 Jemuel Bayot
41 Carlo Bacalla
42 Christopher Montaos
43 Victor Ting
44 Marlo Guloy
45 Mark Hernandez
46 Kharl Ocampo
47 Junar Layug
48 Emerson Go Tian
49 Rhia Go Tian (Female)
50 Graciano Santos
51 Randy Rubio
52 Terence Chen (Singapore)
53 Samuel Narcise
54 Jonel Mendoza
55 Benjamin Gaetos (USA)
56 Jonnifer Lacanlale
57 John Radich (USA)
58 Benedict Meneses
59 Jose Lorenzo Mina
60 David Buban
61 Noel Hernandez
62 Ellen Abigail Castillo (Female)
63 Mar Marilag

64. Blas Ople Tiangco

65: Ed Yonzon

66. Frederick Gabriel

67. Manuel Dela Serna

68. Melvin Pangan

69. Jag Irasga

70. Rain Ordonez

71. Cenen Milan Jr.

72. Sandy Alentajan

73. Michael Angelo Fabian

74. Vans Cammanong

75. Sherwin Tommy Botabara

76. Paul Pajo

77. Tom Moreno

78. Barry Red

(Note: If ever your name is not included in the list, please resend the scanned copy of your deposit slip as soon as possible to this e-mail address: jovie75@hotmail.com. Please bring your deposit slip to the Briefing & Carboloading Party (CLP) on or about 6:30 PM of January 26, 2012, Thursday at the AFP Officers’ Club in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City).

“The 160 Km Journey” By Candy Balaba

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Pictures, Places to Run, Race Results, Races, Running, Trail Running, Travel, Ultramarathon7 Comments

The 160 Km Journey

by Candy Pastor- Balaba on Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 3:53pm
Last Saturday, the first 100-mile Trail Run in the country dubbed as TAKLANG DAMULAG 100mile ENDURANCE RUN, was staged. Taklang Damulag is a landmark inside the army division in Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.  In recent years, it was used as an impact area for live fire training for canons/artillery guns, and currently being used as a training ground for the Special Forces Regiment.

Race Director, Gen Jovie Narcise (Ret) a.k.a. The Bald Runner is the brains behind the Taklang Damulag 100mile Endurance Event. We learned that this would be the 1st 100mile Ultra Trail Run Event in Southeast Asia. Being a retired soldier, he is familiar with the place and thought that this would be a challenging route for ultra runners who seek for the toughest course. The route has a total ascent of 17,000 feet and a total descent of 18,000 feet. The course will take them to climb Taklang Damulag 4 times which would total 52kms, and twice on a 54 kms outer loop, hence given a total distance of 160kms

Even when the event was only on its planning stage early this year, hubby was already telling me that he wanted to try out this race. He has signed up for the 2012 BDM160 which will be on January, and thought that Taklang Damulag race will be a good training for his BDM 160 (Bataan Death March).  I didn’t think he would be too serious about it, because he has never been too keen on Trail runs.

Fast forward to Dec 17, my son JB and I found ourselves in Ft Magsaysay doing what is most expected from us… to be his support crew.

19 BRAVE WARRIORS

Ultra runs are usually the “no- frills” races. There are no grand pre and post race activities. No prizes, no loot bags.  Its usually just a small group of happy and fun hard core ultra runners that gather on this races. For this event, only 19 brave warriors signed up.  Two foreigners, a German and Malaysian guy who came all the way from Hongkong and China, respectively. The rest in the pack were Filipinos from all walks of life, a doctor, 2 lawyers, a grandson of an ex-president, a writer, entrepreneurs, professors and 2 military officers.  It’s a nice mix of interesting people who share the same passion for ultra running.

DNS AFTER COURSE ORIENTATION

The race briefing and carbo loading Friday night was time for runners to get to know more of each other. Everyone was happy, excited and maybe jittery too on the challenge that was coming their way, especially when The Bald Runner started to brief them on the route (it was not disclosed until Friday night). However, for some unknown reason, one runner backed off immediately after the briefing.  So 1 down, 18 to go.

  NO CREW

As I was unable to leave work that Friday, and Benedict needing to attend the course briefing and carbo loading that day, he had to go ahead without us. I packed all the necessary stuff he would need, gave him clear instructions on all that has been loaded, and promised that I would be there Saturday before noon.

0 KMS

I called up Benedict an hour before gun start. He said he was all geared up and just ready to go. I gently reminded him to take it slow and to just enjoy the race.

53 KMS

Arrived Fort Magsaysay with my older son JB just before noon, my father-in-law with my daughter Icee – who was on their way to Baguio, drove us there.   Shortly after arriving at Fernandez Hill where an aid station was set up, the first 2 runners – Andre Bloomberg and Jones Mortega arrived. Both had their lunch of noodles, boiled sweet potato, boiled eggs and some crackers. They also took time to reload their hydration packs. After more or less 35 mins of doing all these tasks, the runners were back on the trail to proceed with 2 loops in Taklang Damulag.

Benedict together with 4 other runners came 15 min after Andre and Jones left. He told us how he got lost with Malaysian guy – Seow Kung Ng in kilometer 9, which meant an added 6 kilometers to find their way back to the route. Benedict had his lunch, we reloaded his hydration packs, rested for a few minutes and then left again with the 4 runners.

The rest of the runners started arriving 30min after. They all took time to rest, eat, change clothes, tape their feet, prick those blisters (ouuuuch!!), someone even decided to take a short nap.  Everyone seemed to be holding on strong except for 1 runner who looked very wasted, he couldn’t even eat and just took sips from the recovery drinks offered to him.  After a short nap, he got up removed his race bib and raised the white flag.

TAKLANG DAMULAG LOOP

The Taklang Damulag loop has an elevation of 409 meters. To quote Bald Runner, “it is a short course and a very low mountain, but if you think of going up to this mountain for 4 times in a single event, then you have a very high mountain”.  The runners thought of it as an easy trek, and clearly no one expected that it would take them 3 hours to complete 1 loop which was only 13kms. It must have been a tough climb because after Andre’s first loop, I overheard him confirming from Bald Runner if they needed to do another loop and that he hoped he heard it wrong during the briefing to do 2 loops.

83KMS

The 83km- SOCOM AREA is also the Starting and Finish marks.  An aid station was set up so runners can have their dinner, reload their hydration packs, change clothes etc.

Jones came in a few minutes ahead of Andre, but he decided to quit after a bad fall that left him with a sprained ankle. As for Andre, he seemed to be holding on strong.  He left immediately after a quick dinner and after reloading his hydration packs.

Benedict came in 45min after Andre left, he said he got lost again on the 81km mark when he missed a turn which eventually led him to a longer route back to SOCOM area.

After having dinner, a quick wardrobe change (his rubber shoes was soaked, torn and beaten up), he was off to cover the next 83kms. It was already 8:30pm, dark, cold and drizzly. I began to worry now about how he would be able to get through the next 83kms alone. A pacer is already allowed for every runner from this point, unfortunately no one can pace him, I am not prepared to run an 80km distance, neither can our son JB. So, there was no other choice but for him to go alone and run in the DARK, COLD, DRIZZLY, CREEPY TRAIL.

The cut off time for the first loop (83kms) was 15hours. Only 7 runners were able to make it before the cut off. Bald Runner decided to allow those who didn’t make it to cutoff to continue if they still wanted to.

MORE DNF’s

As runners started to arrive at the 83 km mark, the DNF list also started to rise. A swollen knee, sprained ankle, bouts of chills and dizziness, or just totally wasted to continue, were the reasons that 6 runners decided to seal the nail in their DNF coffin.

So from the 83km mark, where the second loop will start, only 7 runners have decided to continue.

110 KMS

Our son JB was supposed to pace his Dad from this point, unfortunately Benedict wasn’t able to spot the car which was parked on the side of the road, so he decided to run and continue to go alone.  We also eventually left the place after staying there for 3 hours, we decided to move to the next aid station which was the Fernandez Hill.

A few kilometers before reaching Fernandez Hill, we finally spot him running in that long dark road. He was glad to see us as he was running out with energy drinks.  JB was all geared up and ready to go, so after reloading their hydration packs, the boys were off to cover the last 45kms.

130KMS 

I arrived Fernandez Hill around 5:40am after I got back from the early morning mass that I attended in the nearby church. I was surprised to see JB resting on a makeshift hammock. He told me that Benedict did not allow him anymore to trek Taklang Damulag as it was still too early and the path was dark.  Benedict left for his first loop to Taklang Damulag at 4:30AM. I got a bit worried, because it was raining and the trail was pitch- dark, wet and slippery.

After a few minutes, Andre arrived.  I was surprised he came in after Benedict. He told us that he got lost on his way to Fernandez hill, and wasted 2 hours finding his way back to the route. He didn’t look good. I could read disappointment in his face.  He didn’t talk much and just sat quite in one corner. After 30 minutes, I saw them pack their bags and asked me if I could give them a lift back to SOCOM. He has decided to quit too.  Paper, her girlfriend, and I tried to persuade him to continue. There was still enough time for him to cover the 2 loops.. He said that after getting lost on his way back to Fernandez Hill, and a bad fall that caused him much pain, he is now unable to think clearly and feels too wasted to continue.

I felt so bad that he had to quit after already covering 130kms. He was really a good and strong runner. Although, he said that this is his first 100 miler, he has also done quite a number of TNF ultra runs around the globe. I wonder what went wrong for him to decide to DNF.

Eventually, I learned that 4 more runners have DNF’ed on the 110km mark, including Malaysian guy- Seow Kung. Seow Kung  is an equally seasoned ULTRA RUNNER, having  done Les Sable in Africa, Amazon Ultra Run, Comrades Marathon. 

145KMS – 4TH LOOP TAKLANG DAMULAG

Benedict was back in Fernandez Hill after 3 hours of trekking Taklang Damulag . He looked fine and was not complaining of anything other than hunger. He was surprised to know that Andre has already quit the race. As of 9AM, we had confirmation that only 5 runners continue to be on the race, with Benedict leading the pack.

Cut off time is 32hours. It was 9AM and Benedict had 4 more hours to cover the last 18kms.   A whole loop to Taklang Damulag is 13kms plus 5 kms to the Finish Line. I was completely in awe with his grit and sheer determination to move on and continue. Everyone was telling him that he could be the only one to finish the race within the cut off time. With all that being said to him, he was all the more determined to GO FOR THE WIN!!!

Benedict also finally allowed JB to pace him on his last loop to Taklang Damulag.  JB acted like a giddy 7 year old who immediately jump up to join his Dad again.

ONTO THE FINISH LINE 

I was back at SOCOM- Finish Line to wait for the 2 boys. I was surprised to see that the runners who DNF’ed were eagerly waiting for any finisher to make it before cut off time. It was almost 12noon, cut off was just an hour away.   The waiting seemed endless, I was getting so worried. Will the boys make it?

Then at about 12:05, 2 guys were seen moving towards the finish line. Everyone started jumping, screaming, clapping and cheering. Finally someone is going to make it before the cut off time.  It was raining outside yet everyone got up, forgot about all the pain in their legs, ran outside and started to cheer on Benedict and JB who was coming towards the finish line. Everyone was asking who he was running along with, I proudly told them, he was our 15yr old son. That gave them even more reason to cheer. My heart melted and tears welled up in my eyes at the sight of our son- JB pacing his Dad onto his glorious triumph. THIS IS ONE MEMORABLE MOMENT THAT WILL FOREVER BE IMPRINTED ON MY MIND’S EYE AND ETCHED ON MY MIND’S HEART. 

 

Benedict raised his tired arms like a “V”.  JB slowed down a bit to let his Papa  cross the finish line alone. But even before Benedict could cross the finish line, he was swarmed by the other runners, gave him high fives, shook his hand and embraced him. IT WAS SUCH AN AWESOME SIGHT!! I WAS ALL BEAMING AND FILLED WITH SO MUCH PRIDE!!!

After 31 hours 11 minutes and 26 seconds …HE MADE IT!!!

As of this writing, Dick and I continue to share stories about last weekend. He is overwhelmed and humbled by all the congratulatory messages he receives everyday, and all the nice words being posted on his FB.

The very daunting feat has earned him blisters, sore muscles, chafed seams, 10 dead toenails, that will last for days, but it has also tattoed his pride with a memory of a great finish that will last him forever.

YOU DID IT POP!!  YOU GOT IT!!!  YOU FINALLY NAILED THAT SILVER BUCKLE!!!

PS:  Benedict was the lone finisher who made it before cut off, making him the only one to earn the Silver Buckle for the 1st 100miler Endurance Event in the country. 4 other runners were able to cross the finish line  with a time of 41hrs. The Taklang Damulag 100-Mile Trail Endurance Run was organized by the Philippine Association of Ultrarunners and was participated in by local and international ultrarunners and is officially considered as the first and only 100-Mile Trail Endurance Run in Southeast Asia.