Unang Pamumundok sa Mt. Batulao, Batangas

Mt Batulao

November 29, 2009 – Batulao, Batangas

welcome to mt. batulao, nasugbu batangas

gary b., drunkenlily, winceth, silverprex and jayrulezzz - hydrice at the back of the cam 

Two days ago I was invited by cindy aka drunkenlilly to join them in their climb during our small gathering at gilligans-makati, parang usapang lasing pa. without any hesitation, nag-oo ako, not considering the things that I should bring, i am not prepared. i would say it was really an abrupt decision. pagkakataon na to conquer the mountain. sa totoo lang, di ko pa naranasang mamundok. the plan was finalized the same night. the climb was scheduled same day with new balance power run. right after the race, i went directly to pasay terminal to meet the group, cindy, lorie, gary b., pat and carlo. we took the bus going nasugbu batangas. on our way, i felt some pain in my calf, not yet fully recovered with my previous race. when we arrived in batulao, the pain was overcome by my excitement. time to enjoy the walk, the climb, the nature.

i respect the mountaineers the way they respect others especially the locals. iba pala pag-umaakyat. long tiring walk, but making sure that i will enjoy every step I do. daming kwento na may kwenta, tawanan at iyakan (referring to lorie). we arrived at the camp site before 17:00h, prepared our things and built the tent. gary b. and cindz cooked for us. sarap ng adobo at bolognese sausage, rated gary b. 5 stars. syempre after kainan inuman which transformed us from comedy to drama.

malalim na  usapan between pat, cindy and me, same with lorie and carlo, the never-ending laughter man. sa mandaling salita natapos ang inuman at exactly 00:29h. i woke-up later than my expected time. i planned to hit the summit and wait for the sunrise, pero hindi ako nagising. not to spoil my time, I asked lorie to join me to summit. this was our first climb syempre first summit din. hirap pala. eto lang nasabi ko “astig”. isa sa di ko malilimutan sa summit ay ang mangutang kay aling mountain dew. we forgot to bring money, face value na lang pinangtapat namin. we went back to camp site, syempre sobrang kwento kami ni lorie. we packed our things but before we leave of course class pic (takbo.ph ritual). conquering mt. batulao is one of the experiences that i will treasure, same with the people who patiently accompanied me. salamat cindy, carlo, lorie, pat at gary b. sa uultin

summit of mt. batulao

sunrise

ang inutang na mt. dew w/ lorie

my first class pic w/ t.ph on the mountain - di sa race yan

*ang ibang litrato ay kuha ni carlo serrano

New Balance Power Run 2009

New Balance Power Run 2009
November 29, 2009 – Global City, Taguig
Distance: 10K
Time: 58.20mins

the race which has been postponed due to flood ondoy

my first finisher medal

Whew! PR again, a minute earlier that my RotaRun time. I can say that my first finisher medal was really dedicated for this race. New Balance Power Run is one of the races that I really support. It will benefit the Philippine Cancer Society. Also, I would like to give two thumbs up to the organizer for making this event a successful.

class pic

7th ANIMO Run

7th ANIMO Run

November 18, 2009 – MOA, Pasay
Distance: 5K
Time: 41mins

class pic

After I invited my colleagues to try running, only one person gladly joined me, Budz. He’s been my officemate for 4 years now. I thought he is just curious of the sport I am into, why I enjoy every moment of my race, my stories and my photos but after I learned that he just want to know the feeling of crossing the finish line, I encouraged him right away to register and have this run as his debut race. I paced him all the way despite of my eagerness to break my record for 5k (33mins w/ globe run for home). No PR thus I am happy that somebody appreciated the essence of running. Right after the race, I continued my run going to BHS for additional mileage and met the gang who ran with Piolo.

SWAC 3..Swak na Swak

Sheerwill Aquathlon Cup 3

Nobyembre 13, 2009

Mahogany One, Taguig

400M langoy, 7Km takbo, 400M langoy

May mga desisyon na dapat panindigan, mga pagsubok na dapat harapin, mga bagay na dapat pagsumikapan, ito ang mga katagang bumabalot sa aking isipan buhat ng ako'y magpasyang lumahok sa Sheerwill Aquathlon Cup 3. Masasabi kong hindi ako handa na sumabak sa ganitong karera, ni sumagi sa aking panaginip na magagawa ko ang bagay na ito. Ako ay isang runner ngunit hindi swimmer, isang novice na walang karanasan sa ganitong larangan. Dahil sa impluwensya ng takbo.ph lalo nila Rico, Ellen, Raff, Marga, Pepsi, Carina, Ross, Rodel at Mccoy, naging interesado ako na matuto. Maaring ito ang simula upang magpatuloy ako sa aking pangarap, pangarap na maging tri-athlete sa darating na panahon.

swac3 registration (by marga, doc pinks, que, cindy)

marking (by tracy)

ready to swim (wave 2) mga nagmamagaling

Biglaang desisyon, yan ang nangyari ng ma-corner ako ni Rico sa SB upang hingin ang aking kompirmasyon na lumahok sa SWAC3. Sa una, ako'y nag-alinlangan ngunit nanaig pa rin ang aking excitement. Tila ba may pintong nagbukas na subukin ang aking pagkatao, isang adventure na maidadagdag ko sa aking talam-buhay.

freestyle! seryoso?

Dumating ang araw na ako'y nag-duda sa aking kakayahan. Matapos mag-sink in sa akin kung ano ba talaga ang karerang pinasukan ko. 400 metrong langoy, 7 kilometrong takbo at 400 metrong langoy, paano ako lulutang, pano ako lalangoy, saan ko huhugutin ang aking hininga, makakatabo pa ba ako? Ngunit, hindi ito naging balakid upang ako ay mag-quit, fighting spirit sabi ng iba, guts sabi ni coach Mar. Sa totoo lang, di ako marunong lumangoy, malakas lang ang loob ko at sadyang makapal lang ang aking mukha. Pinagsumikapan kong magsanay, tatlong araw bago ang karera. Ilang galon din ng tubig ang aking nainom, isang 15ml din ng omega pain killer din ang aking naubos.

ready to run after the 400m swim

Oras na ng karera, ito na, bahala na si Batman kung ano ang mangyayari. Itinatak ko lang sa aking isipan na i-enjoy ang tubig at ang daan. Halong kaba at kagalakan ang aking nadarama bago ang hudyat. Di pala biro ang aquathlon, kaya bilib ako sa mga lumahok at tinaggap ang hamon ni Sheerwill. Here is my salute!

the host, the commisioner and chicksnimanok awarding me (my 1st medal)

Sobrang nagpapasalamat ako sa mga suporta, hiyaw at encouragement ng mga taong naging parte ng SWAC3, organizers, marshalls, cheerers, photovendoers at participants. Parte din kayo ng aking tagumpay, seryoso!

the marshalls, cheerers and supporters "maraming salamat"

"Masaya ako dahil natapos ko ang karera. Masaya ako dahil dito ako nagkaroon ng unang medalya. Masaya ako dahil may naidagdag ako sa libro ng aking buhay. Masaya ako dahil nag-enjoy lahat. Masaya ako dahil naging matagumpay ang SWAC3"

SWAC3 class picture

*photos courtesy of carlo and mccoy