Ang Pagtutuos...PAU "65k++ Ilocos Norte" Run - P2P

"hanggang pagudpud pala tatakbuhin niyo, malayo pa pero kaya niyo yan?"  wika ng isang kapwa ko ilocano sa kahabaan ng provincial highway ng ilocos norte (burgos, ilocos norte)

ang kasama ko sa buong takbo...

Maiintindihan ko kung sabihan man ako ng isang ordinaryong mamamayan na nababaliw o wala sa katinuan kung bakit ako tatakbo ng milya-milya...para saan? para kanino?..ako din, walang konkretong dahilan...maaring enjoy lang, trip lang sabi nga ng iba o kaya im just doing it out of passion...

lakbay lakay by rod apolinario

Ilang araw matapos ang 1st PAU 50K Tanay, napaisip ako, bakit di ko gawing paraan ang pagtakbo sa aking apostulate tulad ng ginagawa ng iba?...enjoy naman ako, parte na ng buhay ko ang pagtakbo, adik na ako dito at mas magkakaroon na ng saysay ang bawat hakbang na gagawin ko kung may direksyon ito...kinausap ko ang aking magulang na tulungan ako na humanap ng mga taong magbibigay ng pledges, swerte at may mga naniwala at nagtiwala...ang mapasaya ang mga bata ng Mission of Charities ngayong darating na pasko...mas lalo akong na-motivate, na-inspire na mag-training kasama ang aking mga kaibigan sa Team CB...salamat coach argo at allan, ang pataasan ng pang-araw araw na kilometrahe natin ang siyang  nagpalakas sa akin...although katuwaan lang, batid ko na seryoso ang bawat isa sa atin

PASUQUIN, Ilocos Norte, August 29, 2010

Km 0, 04:15. mahigit isandaang mananakbo ang nagtipon-tipon sa harap ng munisipyo ng Pasuquin upang subukin ang sarili kasama ang mga kaibigan na taos-pusong handa na magsuporta animnaput limang  kilometro patungong Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte...dama ko ang kaba at excitement ng bawat isa, mainit ang hangin, picture taking, hanggang sa ibigay ang hudyat ni BR, alas singko ng umaga...

starline - pasuquin ilocos norte

Km 3. naging maganda ang aking simula, easy pace kasama ang Team BR Professionals...bilang inspirasyon sa nakaraang PAU Tanay, minarapat ko na sundan ang pace ni kap tere...alam kong mabilis, bahala na kung saan ako bibitaw

Km 6. dahil sa advice ng aking manghihilot, sinimulan ko ang pag-candy ng luya...ayon sa mga eksperto, ang luya ay pwedeng maging liniment sa buong katawan upang magbigay lakas, at maiwasan ang pag-atake ng pulikat (- kuya kim) na lumamon sa akin sa nakaraan Milo Marathon.

"oi, para saan yan?" pepsi

"para wag daw mag-cramps sabi ng manghihilot"  earl

"go!, kung yan ang makakatulong sa 'yo" pepsi

weirdo kung tutuusin pero parang epektib naman..i'll consider it na as my PAU ritual...:) salamat simply_wilnar sa pagsama sa akin sa paghanap ng luya sa bayan ng Pasuquin

Km 16. ramdaman ko ang bigat ng hydration bag na kabibili ko, mahirap palang gamitin, di ko pa tantyado ang naiinom ko, pero slightly nakatulong naman sa first few kilometers...sakto, nakita ko na ang mid-pack support at tuluyang ipinaubaya ito

Km 20. kakaibang pakiramdam nang abot-tanaw ko ng nasilayan ang burgos lighthouse, ngunit dito ko rin naramdaman ang pa-pulikat ko ng mga binti...natakot ako...minarapat kong magdahan dahan hangang sa marating ang Burgos Lighthouse, ang unang check point...

burgos lighthouse

Km 30. nais ko mang iwasan ang trail, di ko na magawang umatras, kailangan kong ituloy ang aking hakbang at makaraos sa mabatong daan patungong Kapurpuraoan Rock...

Km 34. isang sorpresa ang masilayan ang islang-bato na kulay asin mula sa aking kinatatayuan pababa sa baybayin ng Kapurpuraoan...maputik, matalas na corals at madulas na daan ang binaybay ng bawat mananakbo upang makarating lamang sa ikalawang check-point...

astig by rodel argonaut cuaton

Km 35. nasalubong ko ang isang kaibigan na mas lalong nagpatatag sa akin...flashback ng nakaraang PAU Tanay, nagkataon, sa parehas na distansya...

"earl, hug na kita, di na tayo magkikita mamaya sa daan" kap tere

"loko, hinhintayin pa kita sa finishline hehe, kaya natin 'to" earl

kasunod si kate ng Team BR Professionals

"kapit ka dito sa akin, aalalayan kita, tapakan mo lang yan bato, naku hindi yan" earl

pagtapak, lubog...olats, sira ang diskarte, sayang ang moment...

wow ang puti...ng bato

Km 38.5. nabuhayan ako ng makita ko si pepsi, maan at jai na naghihintay pagkalabas ng trail...di alintana ang gutom, diretso na sa aking pagtakbo...baon ang isang slice na tinapay, mountain dew at bottled water...patay di ko nakuha ang aking gamit, walang hammer gel, walang cellphone...

Km 40. tila ba unti-unti na akong nilamon ng hapo papasok ng Bangui Windmill...dehydration, yan ang tuluyan nag-pahina sa akin

"men, dehydrated na ako" earl

"talagang di na-uubra ang gatorade, eto glucolyte, dagdag mo dyan sa tubig" ambo

Km 44. isang estranghero ang sumabay sa aking paglalakad, si chester na tubong ilocos...unang sabak nya sa ultramarathon...di na namin batid ang ganda ng Bangui Windmill dala ng tindi ng init sa mga oras na ito...ala una y media ng hapon, tuyo na ang lalamunan, kumukulo na ang tiyan, hanggang sa marating namin ang ikatlong check-point

"boss kanino yan sarsi?" earl

"sa iyo na lang, wala ng baso kaya tunggain mo na lang, marami ng tumungga dyan" team br

survial, yan na ang paulit-ulit na naglalaro sa isip ko sa mga oras na ito...mabuti na lang at meron akong ka-kwentuhan 

chester puno

Km 48. ang pagdating ng nth wind ang tuluyan nagpalakas sa akin...naglaho na ang mid-pack support...dinaan ko na lang sa kapal ng mukha ang paghingi ng tubig sa support ng ibang mananakbo...kung di ko gagawin 'to paano na? saan ako pupulitin? ayaw ko sa ospital? ayaw ko mag-DNF
"boss may tubig pa ba kayo na-extra, nawawala kasi support ko, kahit yan tubig sa ice chest ok na?" earl

Km 52. kung di makatakbo, maglakad, di naman pinagbabawal...kung di makalakad, gumapang atleast umaabante ka pa rin...

"earl, bilis mong maglakad parang may motor ang paa mo, kahit i-jog ko di kita maabutan" ambo

"ang paglalakad, kasama kasi sa training haha" earl

Km 56. disoriented at suplado...ganyan na ako ng makasalubong nila chelly, lorie at julie, kapwa ko Team CB...dahil kaibigan ko sila, batid ko na naiintindihan nila kung bakit ayaw kong huminto...

"lolo, anong gusto mo" lorie, julie, chelly (sabay-sabay)

"tubig lang o may makakain ba dyan, di pa ako nagla-lunch eh" lolo

"vienna sausage" lorie

"ok ako na ang magbubukas, ang bagal mo eh, nandyan na si ambo...oi pakainin niyo si ambo ha" earl

Km 60. tuluyan kong inaliw ang aking sarili sa pagkanta, napaisip muli...kaya ko ba ang BDM?, nagdadalawang isip na ako...OA na pero ang paghanga ko sa mga BDM finishers ang nagpatatag sa akin, mas mahabang takbuhan, lakaran...mas mainit, mas mahirap...

"gusto kong umiyak pero walang nakakakita sa akin, mukha lang akong tanga" earl

Km 62. ang pag-daan sa arko ng Pagudpod ang tuluyan nagpaluha sa akin, nag-iisa na lang ako...sabay nito ang pag-buhos ng ulan na tila ba handa sa muling pagtanggap sa akin...ang hapo ay tuluyan ng napalitan ng kagalakan...muling nabuhayan ako ng loob, 30 minutes to go finishline na! nasa akin na ang trophy...

Km 65. narating ko na ang munisipyo ng Pagudpod ngunit mataas pa rin ang kompetisyon sa mga kasabayan kong mananakbo, ayaw pahuli, ayaw paiwan...ang Team CB ay nanatili sa aking tabi...

"anak ng, may limang kilometro pa pala, si BR talaga" earl

Km 69. ang natitirang lakas ay tuluyan ko ng ibinuhos, dama ko na ang pamamanhid ng buong katawaan ang bilis ng pintig ng puso, tila ba ayaw paawat sa bilis ng aking mga hakbang patungong sa aking tagumpay...

the last stride

Km 70. palakpakan mula sa aking mga kaibigan at tinitingalang ultrarunners ang sumulabong sa aking pag-tawid sa finishline...tapos na ang pag-hihirap, nasa akin na ang tagumpay...tagumpay ng aking mga kaibigang naniwala sa aking kakayahan, tagumpay ng mga taong tumulong sa akin, tagumapay ng mga batang makikinabang sa aking pagtakbo...

sa wakas

Nagwakas muli ang isang chapter ng aking buhay...ang pakikipaglaban sa aking kahinaan at sa katatagang maisakatuparan ang aking mithiin...iniwan man ako ng eroplano ngunit ang karanasaan ito ay di ko kailan man   maiwan...

bangui windmill replica awarded to me by br

Sa aking mga kaibigan, ang Team CB, Team Boring at Takbo.ph, ultrarunners at supporters, maraming salamat sa suporta mula sa simula hanggang sa matapos ang race...kay sir Jovie Narcise BR, salamat sa patakbo, sa muling paghamon sa amin kalakasan at kahinaan, sa mga surprise route na di mapapantayan...sa mga nag-goodluck at nag-congrats sa FB, sa SMS, sobrang salamat sa paniniwala sa akin...sa mga pledges buhat sa aking mga ka-opisina, kay tito Edwin Ruiz at SARF, taos-pusong pasasalamat sa pagtitiwala sa akin...at sa aking pamilya, mahal ko kayo...

Sa muling pagkikita! Let's get PAU!!!

my sweet victory by yours truly lolo

Team CB UltraRunners by Daie

Official Result: 2nd PAU 70K Run from http://baldrunner.com/

Credits to jeffrey avellanosa and friends for the nice pictures...

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

Subic International Marathon, a Celebration of Life, a Fulfillment of One’s Dream

October 24-25, 2009

SCTEX (Florinda Blanca- SBMA) and Remy Field, SBMA

Distance: 21k++ doc art and cess pacer plus 21k (my 1st half mary)

Total Distance: 42k++

Time: n.a. (marathon pacer)

Time: 2.32.54h (1st half mary)

Yes, SIM was the most tremendous experience in my running career at this point in my life…full of excitement, adventures and challenges…my 1st half marathon and out of town race…the day that i was born to run…with the takbo.ph friends as my godparents

wer na me? hanapin niyo! sim article - phil daily inquirer page A26 - october 29, 2009

A week before the race, I am totally bothered…I haven’t arranged my transpo going to subic neither my accommodation…lucky enough that I still have space at marga’s van and  place to stay at ellen’s house…always, im a last minute person

The group arrived in subic around eight in the morning…no plan what to do next til ellen decided to take us around…doc sherwin, raf, ric and yan (yan, salamat nga pala for reg.)…the generous doctor lend us his everest together with kuya nilo as our driver…had our  pasta and pizza siesta at xtremely xpresso and went back to the lighthouse to rest... 

We were surprised that cess, our bunso had a slight fever…doc art asked me to pace with them for first 10km, if cess can’t make then I am there to assist…I was hesitant at first because I still need to reserve my energy for my 21k debut…”kaya ko ba, pano kung di na ako makatakbo bukas?”…after I saw cess, nahabag ako…I immediately put on my singlet and decided to join them…argo gave me the race kit of nao…baka di raw makapunta, I can use it just in case...before we leave, nao confirmed that she’s coming…I was relieved...we arrived at the startline 15 minutes before the gun start…some were surprised that I’ll be pacing the two in their first 10k…I was happy to see my takbo.ph family cheering for the new marathoners…I appreciate marga’s reminder…”wag magpapakapagod, may takbo ka pa bukas ha”

 

mga kuha along sctx - florida blanca exit to dinalupihan exit

doc art and cess

me, the bandit

jet

I know the reason why I was there…to give encouragement to cess and doc art…after reaching km1, I started to tease cess…”eto na cess, simulan natin…kwento mo sa akin ang talambuhay mo, para pagdating sa finishline line atapos na”

The sun started to set down…I told doc art that I can still run beyond 10k…I update the support team once in a while…2 kilometers after dinalupihan exit, doc art reminded me that I still have my half marathon, to stop and rest for tomorrow…he called pepsi to pick me up…when they arrived, pepsi and carina paced the two...along the way, we met up ellen and took us to her place…God's blessings…I woke up the following morning with no pain at all…

my silhouette along sctx - dinalupihan exit

Race day came…I was so excited…lot of runners were scattered in the oval…we were surprised that it will be a mass start…no marshals roving around…ang gulo…some started to shout their sentiments, others just observed…disappointed for a second but I turned everything positive…I don’t want to ruin my race day, my first half marathon…thought that this was only part of the challenges that I will encounter along the way…I started good but begun to slow down before i reach km5 marker…side stitch had attacked me…I decided to walk and enjoy the place, overlooking subic bay in the hilly route, watching the bats above…another surprised hill, almost a kilometer long uphill…”walang ganito sa  KOTR”

I had a split time of 1.12hr…good enough to reach 2.30hr in the finish line…I saw my 21k batchamates one by one, tracy with tim and luis, rj with bong, followed by julie, yan and lauren, carina pacing michelle, cindy, marga and mccoy…nabuhayan ako when I saw the group cheering for us

I realized that running half-marathon is not easy...i am tired already when when i reached Km13…frequent walk breaks after km16…I continued my run in a slow pace, not minding my target time anymore…

When I saw my takbo.ph family waiting for me at the finish line, i almost cry…I truly appreciate how supportive they are, especially to us, the devirginized half marathoners…i finished the race in 2.33.22...not bad according to them…still, more 21k race for PR

No turn around ribbon, no finishers medal, no finishers certificate…ayus lang…ang importante I did it, we did it…CONGRATULATIONS to all t.ph SIM and Nike+ HR participants...MARAMING SALAMAT!

"I think I'll go home now it's, been the greatest day thank, you for shedding life to my fantasy, throw me a wicked smile the one like yesterday, that threw me up and away, to the evergreen"

Cagayan de Oro Ultimate Adventure

cagayan de oro, city of golden friendship, adventure capital of the philippines, friendly people, progressive city, rich in natural resources...
until now, i can not believe that i was given a chance to visit mindanao, particularly cagayan de oro, misamis oriental…situated in the northern part of mindanao, 1 hour and 20 mins from manila by plane…

me and my friends billeted at mountain suite apartelle in cugman, cdo for 2 days…about 15 mins drive from the town proper…luxurious place with complete amenities…pricey but worth it…
we have our 3.5 hours intermediate course white water rafting which i arranged with 1st rafting adventure phils ...it was an exhilarating experience...very nice panoramic view of the river rocky walls, untouched vegetation and sight of the resting haven of living creatures… absolutely i will return and kick off the the extreme course…another never-to-miss in cdo…two thumbs up to our river guides, madman and mau…cagayan river rapids are unbeatable…love it every time we douse and hit the rapids… one thing i regret is trying the canopy walk and zip lining at macahambus eco-park and spelunking…inexcusable lack of time...

we spent our remaining time at divisoria…known for its night market…i was startled about the ukay-ukay kiosk sprouting the area…incomparable even to baguio’s ukay-ukay… all items are assorted, by types, by brands…also, we visited the famous lim ket kai mall where i bought my souvenir shirt…it’s a vast place, even bigger than megamall…had also experienced riding a motorella, a tryke that can accommodate upto 8 passengers..whew…our stay in cdo is worthwhile but missed to experience 100% of its adventure…definitely , i will return...

ps

i want to thank ms hazel of oro asian for touring us around the city…