The Condura Skyway Marathon 2012 - Official Results

I really thought that this would be the first confirmed race for the year. In the last post, it's really the one that didn't have any disclaimer to it. Boy was I wrong.

This is actually the hubby's SECOND race. See, I had thought that he was just doing support for the BDM 50K test run for his running buddy who'll be doing it for the first time. Nuh-uh. He raced it. And despite coming from the running enemy that is the holiday season, he actually did pretty well. He placed 22nd, with an official time of 7:10:58. Official results can be seen HERE.

Okay, back to the post at hand. The Condura Skyway Marathon which is hereby the second race for the year. Unlike the past runs, this one was held at night. Why they did that, I don't know. Chips wasn't too fond of it - he just wanted to run it because he wanted to get back into shape.

For one thing, there's no majestic sunrise. Therefore, no view, no colors, no nothing. Just bouncing reflectors and camera flashes. It basically stripped him out of the beauty he so loved to see when running. I would be able to relate - at least on an aesthetic viewpoint, how would you get that awesome finish photo?

Anyway, he intented to just "run it" and not "race it". But ended up racing it anyway. It's not a PR, but considering that he came from a 4-day seminar and had little sleep (enter playing with Hero), he's really proud of what he accomplished.

Official Results can be viewed HERE.

Unfortunately, he didn't get to plan his recovery as well (enter again playing with Hero) and he totally forgot to ice his muscles when he got home. But really, when you have a little one waiting for you, how could you remember?

And can I just say, the medal is HUGE. It's as big (or even bigger) than Hero's head.

That's Hero obviously not knowing what the hell is happening. LOL.

Oh hello, 2012!

It's been a long while since I posted here! Why? Well, Hero's here! The past months have been a whirlwind of cuteness, eyebags and holiday fat. Chips is actually on this quest to get back into shape. But Hero is just so good at keeping him from going out to run (look at that face, who wouldn't want to stay in?).

We're pretty excited for this year. Especially since Hero can be with me at the finish line once she's big enough. And that would just fall around this year's TNF100 - summer at Baguio with Hero, how fun is that?! I'm also really grateful that BR has published his planned races for 2012 - at least I'd have a reference of when Chips is going to be gone.

So far, here are the runs he's chosen to join:

January 14, 2012—BDM 50K “Test Run” Mariveles to Abucay, Bataan (as support crew)

January 21, 2012—MOUNTAIN & TRAIL RUNNING 101 - TBC

February 5, 2012—Condura Skyway Marathon, "Run for the Mangroves"

February 25, 2012—MOUNTAIN & TRAIL RUNNING 101 - TBC

March 3-4, 2012—4th BDM 102K Ultra Marathon Race (as support crew)

April 21-22, 2012—TNF100 Baguio, 100K 

June 2, 2012—Taklang Damulag 50-Mile Mountain/Trail Run & 50K Run

August 25, 2012—2nd ILOCOS NORTE (Burgos To Pagudpud) 60K Ultra Marathon Run

That basically takes care of half of the year. Though really, I never know when another race decides to show up. Like with a free race kit or something. Hero and I will just be ready with our finish line outfits (swimsuits too, for the Pagudpud run!).

Happy New Year, everyone!

frontRunner's Run to the Clouds (also known as the fabled last race)

When the hubby signed up for this, he said it was going to be his last for the year. I guess it was silently qualified as the last ultramarathon for the year. Because yes, his running mistress managed to squiggle in yet ANOTHER free race (will post about this one separately).

The Run to the Clouds Ultramarathon was held last October 30, up in the Benguet Province. They hole up in Baguio City the day before, where the shuttle was going to pick them up to take them up to the starting line. So while we were dying from the humidity here in Manila, they were enjoying the cool and pine-scented fresh mountain air. 

The race starts at Ambuklao Dam. And finishes on top of this mountain where you see those big radars (in Sto. Tomas) if you're in Baguio City. So the place you'd like to reach after x-hours is actually literally, mountains away. 

photo by Runners Spotted

Anyway, he totally loved this race. A big thanks to frontRunner magazine for organizing it. He raved about the people he met, about the views they saw, about the challenge of the uphills and downhills. Yes, he raved like a madwoman who successfully conquered a super sale (oh wait, that would be me).

photo by Dabobong Delos Angeles

He had discovered the benefits of a ponkan while jogging uphill and of the soups he bought at roadside karinderyas to warm his insides. He also told me while smiling ear to ear about some Baguio locals he chatted up as they biked uphill (visualize: crazy runner beside pedaling biker going uphill). I listened as he laughed about taking a cold shower in some outhouse after he crossed the finish line.

Cold shower. It was 10 degrees. His breath turned to mist every time he exhaled. Yes, he took a cold shower. I would've totally screamed my head off.

photo by Stephen Lopez Felices

The biggie at the end of it: Chips so enjoys runs in Baguio that he says we'll have to take Hero there a lot. YAY. I love Baguio. I'll teach her how to ride a horse. We can be on the horse, ride up the mountain trails and be followed (or alongside) her crazy daddy. Who'll most probably be running along wearing his favorite trail shoes.

you can't stop your husband from running away.

Running is a mean mistress to contend with. She will not let go easily. Even if you're less than 3 months due to bringing a child into the world. Your husband will go with her. Early in the morning. Or maybe for an entire day. Sometimes even overseas.

Yep, that's what my husband did. As I was happily enjoying the balance of my second trimester and up until now that we're nearing the finish line.

There was the 2nd PAU Mt. Pinatubo Ultramarathon (50k). Yep, up and down a mountain it was. And it was trail. Thru rivers and lahar. See, normal people would rent a 4x4 to save hours of sludging. But these weren't normal people. 

Photos by Keshia Fule.

Then there was the Bursa Malaysia Rat Race (4.5k). Uh-huh. Muh-lay-sia. The hubby was gone for around 4 days to fulfill his duties as a Maybanker. Their CEO and some foreign colleagues apparently refer to him as "the crazy one" and they probably said, "Hey, let's get that crazy one from the Philippines to join the Rat Race team." The crazy one said OK. 

The race was a pressure test. So much expectations. So little km's to prove it - 4.5k as compared to the long distances he so loves. I stayed at my parent's home for the time being. Sick with the flu and floating in a queen-sized bed. He did get me a nice gray hoodie from Uniqlo. Yay me. 

Photos by Michelle Looi and Chuah Sakura.

And then there's the Manila International Marathon (which was supposed to be last July or something). He didn't race it. Just wanted to do his ultrarunning pace and finish. From this race he's gone over his goal of reaching his 1,000th km in running races. Which was apparently a goal for this year. I actually miss being at the finish line. I'm such a fan girl (read: future stage mother).

Photo by Alfred delos Reyes 

So YAY. We thought it was over. That's what you think! The mistress, she laughs. Because here comes the frontRunner Magazine's Rock and Road Series 1: Run to the Clouds 50k. 

With a title like that, I doubt that the hubby had strength to resist. Benguet. Mountains. Ultramarathon. Road and dirt road. Oh the wonderful words to invite the crazy people! It's going to be on October 30. He says it's going to be the last race for the year.

Let's see, Hero, let's see. I'm sure you'd like to be taken up the mountains too.

a movie your running other half would like to watch

So I was just browsing through Chuvaness.com, after reading the post on the new Bench billboards (featuring athletes from the Philippine Soccer and Rugby teams).  I was just about to close the tab when I spotted a post on a Japanese Film Festival about to happen at Shangri-La Mall.  The hubby was milling around in the kitchen cooking breakfast when I said the (apparently) magic words:

"Ey hun, there's a film about running."

This was followed by quick queries of when and what.  The film is called Feel the Wind (風が強く吹いている) and it is centered around the Hakone Ekiden, a premiere collegiate relay ultra-marathon.  From the synopsis published online, it tells of how two runners who've left the circuit are inspired to run again and choose the famed ultra-marathon as THE race.  

The race is actually a relay among 10 runners from Tokyo to Hakone.  The race is split into two days with 5 legs on each day.  So the two lead characters recruit 8 more, some of which think they're just insane. The movie is an account of this struggling and unlikely group of runners as they run to achieve the impossible.  The film is based on a novel by Sumio Omori.

Hakone-Ekiden map from http://blog.tokyololas.com/

The Japanese Film Festival runs in Manila (Shangri-La Plaza) from July 1 to July 10.  This specific film shows on the following dates and times:  July 5, Tuesday at 7:00pm;  July 7, Thursday at 1:00pm;  July 10, Sunday at 4:00pm.

For full details about the other films and the complete schedule, click HERE.

BDM 102 2011: our test of patience

We started the post BDM 102 blogging with a rather emotional entry, and some photos.  And now here comes some kind of storytelling.  I'm sure there are a lot of other blogs out there already, so I'll try make this long read worthwhile :)

 

We got to Mariveles at around 7:30PM and unlike the first test run, there were already a LOT of people. So many support vehicles were lined up on the street.  This time, we were three in the support team.  We had a driver, so at least he and Cian could take turns resting.  

Given that we had already done the first 50k test run, we basically already knew what to expect for the first half.  But that really doesn't allay all your fears.  Something could still go wrong.  It was a new day. A different day.  It was raining, and I didn't know how that would affect things.  

Chips had a new race plan.  We reviewed it one last time, made some last minute changes and took our places.  Him at the starting line and us, ready to jump into our support vehicle once they're off and running.  

Up until the 50th kilometer, we were really making good time.  We even had a break at Burger Machine which was uber good.  It was looking on the up and up for the next stretch.

But then again, the universe will really test you.  There comes a point when it seems that a 5k interval would seem longer and longer.  And then you'd begin to question if you should've stopped 2 kilometers before, instead of really meeting him after 5 kilometers.  Maybe he won't notice.  I guess he wouldn't mind.  Better shorter than longer.

There was a part of me that wanted to stop earlier.  Especially when we were over 60 kilometers.  I feel bad for even doubting his capacity.  But as a wife, I would do anything to alleviate pain (I suppose this goes for all other support crews).  To make him feel better, to not have to wait and see if he'd make it.  Hard as it was, I shake this off and just really stop at our assigned marker.  Because you know, I just had to also believe that he really could do it.

The wait is AGONIZING to say the least.  And it gets much so when you're closer to the finish line.  The sun was scorching.  It's like it was screaming summer.  The memory of rain was totally erased from the night before.  It was so hot that we had to buy more ice for our cooler.  And we were even close to running out of his drinks and gels.  We'd park our van under a small shade and wait.  Every time, I would be too worried to even catch a nap.  I'd sit up even before my 10-minute alarm would ring.

Restless, I'd pop the back of the van and sit.  Looking on to see if the next runner would be him.  I don't know if those runners (those who turn out to be not him) would sense a hint of dismay in me.  I'd smile at them, say something like "just a bit more" or "___ kilometers to go".  And then it's back to waiting.  And then you really just think, it's so goddamn hard to be patient.

With less than 20 kilometers to go, it would also be a test of acceptance.  For Chips too, I suppose.  To already accept that the cramps would just not let him run.  We had to endure seeing him walk all that way, when we knew that he really, really wanted to run.  We'd say that it's going to be okay, you can do it.  Konti nalang, finish line na.

Amidst the whirlwind of juggling emotions, rationing what we had and the effort to put on a rainbow of positivity, we make it to the last stretch before the finish line.  We'd be spongeing Chips down with iced water every 1.5 to 2 kilometers just to help with the heat.  So for that last bend, I let Cian get off at the corner with the cooler and sponges.  Chips would like to still finish strong and he'll need that last bit of icy jolt.

I meet BR and other finishers and poise myself on the other side of the finish banner.  It is so relieving to see your runner finish.  So much that all the waiting, the worrying, the wild imagining of what-if scenarios... they all just poof.  Finally, you could really say to yourself that everything's okay.

Our BDM102 run is dedicated to our friend Patti's grandfather,

Dr. Norberto Samson, who survived the Bataan Death March of 1942.

what to do after the BDM 102?

Forget that race diet and EAT SISIG!  The day after the race, Team Chips celebrated by hopping on by to our fave sisig place, Aysee's.  Rice, beer, oily sinful goodness.  Now that's what I call a reward :)

The BEST sisig EVER, with egg and cheese.

Sizzling bangus.

Sizzling hotdogs.

I'm actually salivating as I'm posting this.  LOL.

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5 Things I Learned at the BDM102

Bataan Death March 102k.  March 5-6, 2011.

Watching my husband recover from the run, and flashing back to all those moments spent waiting on the other side of the road, I was inspired to do a different kind of recount rather than my usual anecdotal storytelling (I'll probably do that later).  I'm setting the whiny, yammering part of me aside for a bit.  And I guess, letting the contemplating, reflective writer have a go.

I don't know if anyone would feel that I don't have a right to preach such life-lesson-ish things, being a non-runner.  But at that risk, I would like to write something inspirational (I do hope it turns out to be such).  Here goes:

- One: Do it for the right reason -

Do it for honor.  Do it for passion.  And selflessly so.  When BR gave the briefing that night of the start, he said something about being honest and true to one's self.  I knew that he was implying about cheating.  But that moment said so much more to me.

I would say that if you're doing this to prove that you are better than any of the runners around you, then that doesn't just feel right, doesn't it?  It just rolls off the tongue so wrong, you don't even want to read it.  Do it to challenge what you can do, and to discover how much more you are capable of.  Do it not because you have to do it, do it because you know you are destined to do it.  

 

Even for the support teams, do it not because you know your runner could do better than everyone else.  Do it because you know that it is your role to be the source of strength and inspiration, when your runner and other runners are just about to give up.  Do it because you share the passion.  And do it with as much honor and humility that your runner is filled with, with every painful step he or she takes.

I would think that if you do it for the right reason, you will finish with triumph.  Even if you finish first or last, or did not finish at all, you will feel rewarded.  And grateful.  You will not feel bad that you had to walk, or stop or take longer than you planned.  You will feel what you started with - honored to have run such a historical event, and still filled with passion that you're even thinking of doing it again.

- Two: You are very, very small -

The darkness.  The uphill climbs.  The beating heat.  The beauty that is the world.  It is so much more bigger than you.  Than all of us.  And it will find ways to humble you.  And make you realize that you are in fact, despite all your belief in yourself, something that's very, very small.

If you didn't start out with humility, going through 102 kilometers will I think teach you a thing or two about it.  And make you reflect on how broken you are, and how much you need things.  How much you need really simple things, that you may take for granted or have selfishly called "mine" on regular days.  Like a little shade from a tree.  Or a bottle of water.  Or a few grains of salt.  Or just a bit of sleep so you could see the next marker more clearly.

If you think you are so big, then you could've gone by not needing these little things.  Yep, the world will punish you.  And 102 kilometers of that will bring you to your knees.  No one is that big, not even us who were in cars supporting the runners.

That journey just downright taught us how to be humble and grateful.  For when a cloud decides to stroll away lower towards the earth to block the sun even just for a little bit.  For when other teams offer you an encouraging smile, words and even aid.  For other cars that forgive you for doing multiple U-turns because you missed your agreed kilometer marker.

The world and the life it gives us is amazing.  And it has a funny way of letting us not forget the bigness of it.

- Three: You just have to believe -

Especially if you are doing this ultramarathon for the first time, the fear of not knowing is just overpowering.  It also can feel rather intoxicating, channeling to a sense of excitement and a certain adrenaline rush.

I don't know, but after the 50th kilometer or so, when the body starts getting tired, and senses and reflexes wane, at some point you are just fueled by faith.  A belief that digs so deep that the unknown is forced to melt away.

When the heat of the sun started to just about break everyone down, and my husband said he's just going to walk all the way through, I just had to believe that we will get there no matter what.  Cramps, knots and all.  When he says he'll meet us after 2 kilometers, and I see such pain in him, I just had to believe that I'll see him come around the bend.  And that he may be walking, but at least he's still on his two feet.

I would have to share this belief with him, just in case he doesn't feel the same way.  The last 20 kilometers were the hardest.  And even if I really wanted to push him harder, I also had to believe that what we've done is already enough.

- Four: Know that you have done well -

BR also said during the race briefing to listen to your body.  I think it's very hard for an athlete to not push harder.  Because it's almost instinct to do so until you are completely broken.  It's like you are trained to work beyond everything and to treat pain like it was nothing.

It's excruciating for me to see the hubby walking, squinting because of pain and/or the harsh sun.  I would suppose it's the same for any support crew.  It's like, you really can't do anything more but be there.  And I would think that a runner would like to really run (or jog) rather than slowly walk.  But given how much that anyone's been through - given everything that you've put your body, cramping legs and all, through:

Do not punish yourself or hate yourself or walk in dismay.  Know that you have done well just by getting where you are.  Listen to what the world is telling you.  Through the air flowing through your dry lips.  Through the spasms and aches.  It is telling you that what you are doing is enough.

Not that it's telling you to give up.  Not at all.  Give up is far from it.  What you are doing is enough.  You are doing well.  And from doing well can you only feel that unearthly mix of pride and gratefulness.

- Five:  Be thankful for all the LOVE -

That weekend was filled with it, I would say.  Not the sappy, Valentine's decorated love.  All 102 kilometers were coated with that genuine unconditionality.  You have friends, parents, wives, husbands, brothers or sisters, even cousins.  All together, opening their hearts for this historical event in all of their lives.

I don't know if I could expound so much about it, because that's really what it is.  An overflowing of hearts.  Imagine having to go through this extreme journey for 18 hours.  I can't find any better fuel.  Or any better explanation, of why despite all the suffering and competitiveness, there was so much joy and camaraderie at the starting and finish lines (or whatever kilometer marker you're on, for that matter).

There was just so much love going around, and we were all reveling in it.

 

So to all BDM102 teams, to BR and his crew, congratulations and THANK YOU.  We are all truly blessed.  For Official Results, click on over to BR's blog.

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Thrill of the Trail:TNF100 CamSur

"Hun?" he said.

I think we were watching Criminal Minds or some Discovery Channel show and I was eating ice cream.  

"I think I want to run the TNF100," he continues.  "Is that okay?"

"Okay," I said, "it's your choice... like I can stop you."  Which is true.  If he didn't do it, I can bet all my shoes that he's going to be bummed to the extremes.

"Well, like if there was a good reason for me to not run."

I really didn't know what to give.  Umm, you might break a leg?  You might fall?  You might get sick?  And the most honest one as my good friend Shiela would say, YOU MIGHT DIE?

I left that moment at that and knew that whatever health and safety concerns I may have, I'd have to reserve them.  We went to the TNF store and he told the lady he was running the 100K, even if registration wasn't open yet.  He was the masculine version of giddy.  There was a little girl jumping up and down within that tall shell.

Official Blog here.

So there it is, that's where we'll likely be on Labor Day weekend.  At least I'll just be an anxious, totally unnerved wife for just oh, 30 hours (or whatever cut-off time they decide to publish).  The rest I hope to spend lying on the beach with a recovering and hopefully not-so-skinny hubby.

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the BDM 50k test run.

A long-overdue post, but I'm a stickler for having all the pictures organized first.  Sorry guys!  Anyway, I'll try not to yammer and just get down to the details.  This documents one of the hardest (and yet most exciting) part of being married to a runner... scratch... an ultramarathoner.  That being, staying awake and alert throughout the entire run, for support.  These two days basically screwed up my body clock for the following week.

Team Chips for that test run (last January 15-16, 2011) comprised of myself and Chips' youngest brother, Cian.  We tried to get as much sleep possible beforehand, because we knew that the day would be extra long.  The groceries we had already done, and all that was left to do was get ice.

 

What we had:

• Loads of Pocari Sweat
• Coleman of water
• A couple of bottles of 100Plus
• Energy gels
• Peanuts
• Junk food (more for us, to keep us awake)
• Coke (since coffee makes me sleepy)
• Sponge and ice
• Bananas
• A folding chair
• Highly absorbent sports towel
• Chips' running and break plan

We leave Manila at around 4pm, just in case it was traffic.  None of us knew where the exact location of kilometer-zero was (except for the fact that there was a Jollibee right beside it), so we just had some allowance in case we got lost.  We arrived at said Jollibee at around 7:30pm, which gave us enough time to have dinner and digest, plus inadvertently listen to the nearby local perya band.

I'd call them all insane but they might trample on me.

Runners started to arrive and Chips then got a chance to get his number.  After a quick briefing by BR and a photo-op, everyone assembled for the start.  There were a lot of support vehicles, so at least we wouldn't get lost along the route.  When the horn blew, we made our way to our support vehicle and headed off for the first stop, which was 7 kilometers out, the landing after the uphill climb.

It was fuh-reeezing!  Good thing I was in leggings and had a jacket.  To think that Chips was kidding me about being so wrapped *sticks tongue out*.

Based on his running plan he was actually doing really good time.  Perhaps too fast for the actual 102k, I wouldn't want him to overdo himself.  We were doing a good pace as a support van too, I guess it's just instinct when you're close to a person... you kind of "sense" him coming round the bend.  When we do, we pop up the back of the van, ready his gels, Pocari Sweat to refill his sports bottle, and the Coleman for water.  

Icing the legs at the 42k mark.

At the later part of the race, we start bringing out the iced sponges and sports towel for his legs to prevent cramping.  Having the folding chair really helped as well (we didn't have that during the P2P).  At some point, we actually started to go low on water.  Good thing there were a lot of open bars and Burger Machine stalls where we could buy additional supplies.  I also make a mental note that I'll be sure to buy a burger (with egg and coleslaw) next time.

I would love to know how to help ward the dogs away.  Chips said he had to go mighty slow so this pack of dogs wouldn't run after him.  Maybe during the actual race I'll throw them a bone to distract them or something (if anyone has a better solution, they are most welcome).  By this time we were getting immensely sleepy.  The Coke and potato chips were getting tired.  The same way I cheer the hubby through the last kilometers, I cheer my senses awake as well.  It was SO friggin hard.

That's a five-zero for you.  Get it, get it?

By around 4am we finally reach the 50k mark (WEE!).  Learning for the actual race: don't forget bandages, bring jogging pants for Chips, and bring more stuff that will keep us awake for another 6 hours.  He's officially the 15th out of 77 runners!  That's like super great *proud grin*

Official results here.

Rehydrating at the finish line.

For the 102K day, we'll have to adjust the running plan.  An easier pace, so the energy could still be sustained (at least) throughout that crazy distance.  And a nap somewhere to recharge.  I also take notes on landmarks for directions, aside from filling up his "actual time" beside the calculated time.

The running plan by my OC hubby.

The anxiety for the 102k actually cannot be described.  It's like this bubble of excitement mixed with this ooze of worry.  I personally have no idea if I could will myself to nap during the stops, while I know that I should.  We definitely will need more awakening stuff.  And I surely will have a better camera.

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