An Interview with the Grumpy on 1st Cebu Ultramarathon

EARL QUERO, also known as LoLo had recently finished his third ultramarathon 50K race last Saturday, November 27, 2010 in Mt. Manunggal, Balamban, Cebu. He took up running two years ago after getting weary in doing gym workouts. He is not a keen sportsman thus running seemed like an apparent choice for him which he enjoy. Also, it is part of his adventure in exploring the Philippine Island. Yes, for the love of travel.

LoLo, took the time to talk about his adventure with the successful 1st Cebu Ultramarathon, Cebu.

Casper: What's up?

LoLo: I'm doing good. It seems that I can moderately move my legs now, better than the other day.  Not a  walking robot anymore. But I still have a slight pain in my ankle, quads and singit. I cursed using the stairs for 3 days.

Casper: How's your Cebu Ultramarathon?

LoLo: It was fun and tiring. So far, the toughest 50K route. I was really surprised! Mt. Manunggal killer hills pinned me down. The race started late. Almost 25 minutes from the advised gun start. But I enjoyed it. A simple program and photo-opt held at Magsaysay crash site before the race start.

Casper: How will you describe the route?

LoLo: Challenging! more than I expected. I thought it has the same elevation as Tanay but I was wrong, steep uphills and downhills. The first 15K eaten-up my energy. It was a heaven and hell. I appreciated the sceneries, great mountain views. Also, I experienced here running above the clouds, winner!. The last 8K was purely gradual downhill but too late to recover. The sun was up, so talo pa rin. Cebuanos are lucky for having Mt. Manunggal, It is a gift!

Casper: Who's with you by the way?

LoLo: I'm with my fellow takbo.ph ultrarunners. Doc Sherwin, Ronald, Rod, E77en, Lorie and Tayet. We all finish the race except for Lorie and Tayet who need to catch-up with their late afternoon flight back to Manila.

e77en, tayet, lorie, me, doc sherwin, ronald and edward ting

the sunrise

Casper: How did you feel during the race?

LoLo: As always, I am excited and nervous, same feeling with those who is about to experience their first ultramarathon. It was my first time to run a long distance race without (vehicle) support. I looked it as a personal challenge. I am prepared but I set on my mind to ask help to others if needed. I have bottled water and gatorade and foods that will feed my hunger anytime. Last minute, I decided not to use my hydra bladder to maximize and measure my fluid intake. 

I started good in an easy and steady pace. I walk on the uphills same with the steep downhills. It is a must in doing an ultra distance race. I managed not to force my quads and knees in the first half. I ran back to back with Ronald, the VFF king of the road. When we reached Km 25, I asked him to go ahead,  I can't run anymore because of the stomach cramps which infiltrated me. If I want to take a break, I stop and buy my fav soda in the stores along the road. I was already tired and exhausted when I reached Km 30, I'm thinking of not finishing the race and declaring  myself DNF. 

team ungo ultrasupporters

Still a long long way to go. 20K is 20K! My energy regains everytime I pass by the UNGO aid station. Their cheers keep me going and motivated. They offered drinks and snacks. Like Team CB and takbo.ph support group, taas ng energy. The last 8K is gradual downhill but I didn't push too hard, chillax lang as long as I finish the race within 8 hours time.

Casper: What's inside you bag?

LoLo: bottled water, gatorade, 3 hammer gels, 1 pack salt capsule, knick knacks chocolate biscuit, nature valley energy bar, vienna sausage for my lunch, team cb singlet, extra socks, phone and wallet.

Casper: Do you have nutrition plans? Any pre-ultramarathon rituals?

LoLo: Avoid trying anything new. Normal carboloading with friends, its fun! and hydrate your body well. Enough sleep is recommended, though it is hard to do it.

Casper: What did you feel after the race?

LoLo: Hungry


tomguts

Casper: Any Cebu Ultramarathon highlights?

LoLo: A lot of course. The route, the people I've met along the road, the lady runner whom I handed my water after learning that she was exhausted and about collapse but overtook me before crossing the finishline, the cheers of UNGO support crews, my ultra-friends who's been with me the night and after, the capitol, the barefootrunners, the finisher's memorabilia, the shirt, the fun, the hardship and victory



huarache and vff

Casper: Would you let me do it?

LoLo: No, ghost in an ultramarathon?

Casper: What will be your next ultramarathon race?

LoLo: BDM102

 

bataan death march 102 ultramarathon



Casper: Any people that you'd like to thank?

LoLo: My family for continuously believing in me, Doc Sherwin for sharing his room, Ronald and Chlaire for the support and taking us to Mt. Manunggal, ultrarunners e77en, Rod, Lorie and Tayet, wuhoo! great to see you at the startline, Team UNGO for the cheers and waters and to all takbo.ph and team cb friends for the good-lucks and congrats, I really really appreciate it.

rod, me, doc sherwin and ronald

Casper: Is there anything else you would like to add?

LoLo: Congrats to all finishers who conquered Mt. Manunggal especially to the virgins no, welcome to the ultrarunning world and to Frontrunner, Jonel Mendoza, for the successful 1st Cebu Ultramarathon, it was a FUN FUN FUN run.

*all pics were grabbed from ronald, james l go, yendys delos reyes, joel pascual, irene vildisola

Boom Boom PAU - The 1st PAU 50K Ultramarathon

1st PAU 50K UltraMarathon
May 9, 2010 – Sampaloc, Tanay Rizal
Distance: 50K
Time: 7Hrs 32Min

"I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith" 2 Timothy 4:7

w/ Sir Jovie Narcise aka Bald Runner

I never thought that I'm gonna run a race longer than the distance of a traditional marathon earlier than next year, my target date. It was an abrupt decision which i know may ends into disappointment and frustation "if" I fail. I ran my first full marathon 3 months ago, had my longest lsd around 45km a month after, few short-distance run with my friends and even experienced runner's blues when my sister went home for a vacation. I don't have any plans of running an ultra distance this year. I know it requires mind setting, body conditioning and proper training. I know I'm not yet ready for it.

THE GOOD NEWS. Few days before holy week, I was informed by a friend that Mr Jovie Narcise aka Bald Runner who was also the man behind the success of BDM102 is organizing an ultramarathon, a 50K race. Yes, I am a fan of BR. I am fascinated on how he organize a race, saludo ako! I know he will again surprise the "crazy" runners a route with never-ending-story.

GOTTA FEELING. Felt excited after I heard the news. Since I don't have any experience in running an ultra distance race, I approached my fellow runners and asked for their opinion. 99% of them encouraged me to put on my shoes and run. I was hesitant to take the risk and push my dreams beyond the limit but I know myself and I trust my running friends. I believe, running an ultramarathon is an achievement more than a full marathon. I once was a witness how the warriors of BDM102 took the challenge and honoured afterwards, they were my inspiration and want to follow their path.

ATRAS ABANTE. 9 weeks to train for ultramarathon race? not enough but my confidence remains, pressured but excited . I spent most of my weekends running with Team CB before going to work, hitting the hill of J. Vargas and St. Martin, spared my off for long run under the heat of the sun, hence training period still not enough. Honestly, I am much prepared doing my first marathon, Condura than PAU.

RECON. short for reconnoiter; to inspect or survey in order to gain information for military purposes (dictionary.com i-phone app). Familiarizing the route in an ultramarathon race is not necessary but recommended. By observing and studying the place, you may strategically plan what you will do during the race proper. A week before d-day, I asked my nanay and kuya to accompany me to Tanay for ocular visit. I was surprised with the endless uphills going to Sierra Madre resort where the finishline is positioned. "magkano ba binayad mo at mag-papakahirap ka? doblehin ko na lang" joked by nanay. I remained silent until we reached the resort. "nay, di mo ba kayang triplehin?, nalula ako sa dinaanan natin" yelled by me. I sent text message to my running friends who will do PAU and informed them about the killing uphills. Rather than receiving a neg feedback, i was bombard with encouragement, pushed and boosted that we can do it and nothing can stop us.

INSOMNIAC. Last day of countdown, Wilnar invited me to hear mass in Our Lady of EDSA to ask for guidance and injured-free race. Afterwards, we met Emil in Cubao, did our last minute shopping and went straight home. I was restless, nervous and queasy the whole night thinking if I'll make it, fluttered on my bed from time to time and not realizing that it was already time to get off my bed and prepare for the race. 3 hours to go, cramming whew...

 my ever supportive family who believed in me

GONNA GET-GET. I am proud to say that I am blessed with a supportive and loving family. Yes, they were the one who supported me in my first ultramarathon. My ate even prepared adobo because she thought i'll stop for lunch during the race. We arrived in Tanay around 4:20am, 40 minutes before the gun start. The race venue was filled with veterans and neophyte ultra runners. My excitement leveled-up when I saw my takbo.ph family, both supporters and runners roaring to hit the road and getting ready to face the challenge. Great to see my ultra ex(tra ordinary)-virgin classmates, decipher, dadyoushi, ambo_kulet, prince, aaron, ronnel, carinz d flying boar, tayette, teray aka el capitana and running diva.

the bdm warriors w/ us the pau-tanay leg conquerers

RUNNING THE HILLS. Inexpensive startline, no digital clock, no fireworks, no timing chips, a simple "start" sign written in tarpaulin  but who cares...running in one of a kind route is priceless and that BR can offer. The race started at exactly 5:00am, since I didn't ask anybody to pace with me, my plan is to run in my own pace targeting to reach Km13 in 1hr45mn, Km20 in 2hr35mn and Km35 in 4hr30mn to be safe and reach the finishline within the 8hrs cut off time. During the race, I find el capitana's pace works for me that's why I kept a close eye on her. This made me focused and motivated, with Argo, Team CB's coach alongside. Upon reaching Km15, I told them to go ahead, there I began to slow down to conserve energy thus continued to maintain an average pace of 7mn on downhills. I crossed path with el capitana in Km33 giving me a hug which made me cry. I was surprised that I'm on the right time reaching Km35,  gaining my energy back after the turn around. I tried to run the last 15Km but the hills defeated me. I decided to walk and enjoy the beauty of nature, overlooking eastern Manila and Sierra Madre. I dashed the last 500M, finishing the race strong, full of determination. Until the next PAU, 1 down 2 more to go!

speed vs. altitude (endomondo i-phone app)

minute-maid shot by Daniel Callante

my niece, waiting for me at the finish line - go tito jay!

the grand finish line "i like"

the finishers


placed 53rd out of 104 finishers ending the race in 7hr24mn57sc. src baldrunner.com

* to my family, your presence made me strong the whole race, thanks for believing in me...glad to celebrate my victory and mother's day at daranak falls, tanay

* to team cb, thanks for training with me, one of the best

* to my ultra classmates, congratulations! see you in ilocos norte

* to takbo.ph (pepsi, marga, dox pinx, karen, edwin, rod, mccoy) and the ultrasupporters, salamat!

* to BDMrs, inspirasyon, huwaran, nag-iisa at natatangi...

* to BR, thanks for the great race...we enjoyed...til next PAU

- photos courtesy of rod, mccoy, pepsi and marga