TNF100 Baguio Benguet Philippines 2014 - When in Doubt, Just Do It!!!!

"This is going to be a long one, my dear."

I believe life is an individual journey. Be it going for ones career path or personal dreams, achieving financial freedom or spiritual growth, running a longest race or climbing the highest mountain, in the end what matters most is  ones choice, the decision one makes which path to take. But I also believe that whatever path one will take, it is always best to be traveled with  people  especially those who matters to you most: family, friends, life coaches and mentors, business partners, loved ones. They are the support group that gives more meaning to what one is aiming for. They are the people who stick with you no matter what happens, they are the people who cheers you up when you are down, they are the people believe in you especially when you yourself is having doubt.

The same thing goes with running. It is a very individual sports yet it matters a lot to have a support group who will be there in training sessions, run with you side by side on races or waiting for you at the finish line, will be there with you savoring the victory or sharing the pain, disappointments and frustrations or joy and happiness during and after the race.

Photo credits to Blue 

TNF100 Baguio Benguet 2014 - Will I Really Do It?  
I run in almost all the TNF races in the country, who will not support them, I have them as my major gear in almost all my climb expeditions especially my high altitude alpine climbs. I am just an avid fan. From the 25km distance on the muddy trails of Batangas way back 2008 and 2009  to the 100 kilometer on the mountain slopes of Camsur on 2011 up to the rugged terrain of the mountainous area of Baguio Benguet  year 2012 and 2013. I have been there in almost all the races and here I am again this year, my 3rd year of running the same distance on the same trail. I was suppose to run this race this year with a friend, the very reason I thought of running this for the 3rd time, with a running partner, who volunteered to be  my pacer and his pacer as well with one goal, we will cross the finish line together. But that did not happen. When I found out  that my friend cannot make it,  I was having second thoughts if I will really do the race again this time. 

With that, it took me a while to decide to finally join the race. The last minute decision made me become creative on where I can possibly get a 100km race bib. It became a bib hunting for me. But God was just too kind, He led me to the right people. I was able to confirm that I can run 2 days before the race and it was my wish, a 100km distance. I did not expect much on how I will perform on this race. As I am seriously working on my speed, I have been running shorter distance on the road for more than two  months now. In fact this very race is a deviation from my training runs. My last trail run was 32km Salomon Race almost a month ago. I only hope my muscle will remember all that I went through on this very same trail having to run this for the third time. 

A the race briefing 

Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

With the race held first week of May as compared to the last two years that it has always been on a 3rd week of April, it has been raining up North especially in Benguet area several days before the event. Whether this was an effect of the climate change or it was already rainy season on this side of the country, I had to be prepared for whatever condition come race day. Anticipating the rain, I prepared two sets of jackets (water repellant and gortex), trash bag and rain coat, 2 sets of headlamp, waterproof all my things inside the hydration pack and brought lots of trail food (1 set I carry with me while the other spare is at the half way mark). Mind setting become part of my preparation. How do I do it? I always associate the projected weather and terrain condition to what I had been through in my races and expeditions in the past. This time, I imagine that this is going to be as wet and cold and wild as climbing Mt. Halcon, one of the toughest mountain in the country. And just like Halcon, it is also expected that there will be blood sucking leeches on the forest area, so a rubbing alcohol spray is always at my reach in my hydration pack. 

Race Day

Excited.  I came to the starting line excited especially that I know I will be running and sharing the trail with lots of friends, with some elite runners both local and international. Three of the famous race directors of the country will also be doing the race. Rare moment. The weather was not cold as I thought it will be, it was not raining too. Thank God. As soon as we were released, I was just taking my own slow pace, warming up my body, catching up my breath. From the road to the trail, I share the race with other runners especially those of my same pace. It's dark, the trail was slippery and wet and some parts were muddy. I just have to be extra careful and....the trail signs... I don't want to be lost again just like last year....at this early part of the race I was one of those who made a wrong turn. The weather was cold enough for a good start. Few runners catch up with me, I catch up with others as well. I was with Daphne and other runner friends on this part of the trail. I arrive Aid Station 1 earlier than I expected. 

 I was approaching AS2 almost day break. It is always breath taking to see the silhouette of the contour of the mountain from peach dark  black until the green mountain slope with pine trees slowly become visible with vast mountain ranges with mountain peaks standing above the sea of clouds. Such view always fill my soul. This makes every mountain trail running always a spiritual experience for me. I can't help but shout with thanks for giving me another chance to be one with nature again. From AS2 to AS3 is mostly uphill, covering several mountain hills mostly on the trail between pine trees. I was with my friend Rashel. It is always fun running on this part of the trail, pushing a little harder on the ascends. The winding uphill rough roads with loose rocks and some cemented parts is always a sign that I am almost to the next station, but of course I have to endure with more and more going up, up and up. If one will look back where he is coming from,  the elevation is getting higher and one can see the community a bit lower where the trail is coming from. A sign of almost at the aid station is the house made of galvanized roof, it has sari sari store that has food and soda that one can replenish before finally reaching the aid station. Just like last year, I did not stop on this place for food, I just want  to tackle the next uphill road. I was with my friend Mercy too. 

Photo Credit to Sir Remo

AS3 is such a refuge. The ice cold drinking water was a great relief,  had to refill my water bladder and gatorade bottle. The help from friends in the station is so heartwarming, more so when a yellowcab pizza was being offered and a slice of pomelo from other support crew. After a bowl of arroz caldo, who can say no to  an offer of such kind of pizza at the middle of Benguet? I grab two slices and bring it with me, eating while walking to the next part of my adventure. It gets warmer as the sun started to get higher.  I am so looking forward on this part of the trail. This is going to be at the Philex Ridge passing through several mountain slopes until it goes to the open mountain range before it enters the mossy forest before it reaches the next aid station. See, I know too well of the different parts of the trail already. For some parts  of the trail I was with my two lady friends Rashel and Mercy again, until Mercy went ahead of me and I catch up with Mommy Del. What a privilege to be sharing the trail with this great lady runners. They are my inspiration.

Photo credit to Taddy 

The Philex Ridge as always is stunningly beautiful. Seeing my climber/photographer friend Nix, who always take pictures at a certain aid station in the past two races is now assigned much earlier than I thought he will be. It was nice seeing him again. The mossy forest is much slippery and wet as I expected it to be, the rope is again situated at areas were it is needed most. As always,  I prefer using my two bare hands and my butt on tackling this part of the trail rather than using the rope. There were no leeches as I thought earlier. After the forest is the slow ascent on the side of the mountain before it finally reach the next aid station at the vegetable plantation. And I catch up with ultra runner champion Alfred too.  It is getting warmer now as oppose to the rain that every one anticipated. I grab chocolaite drink, bread and banana, refill my water and leave.

The next 12 kilometer distance will be on the hardened rough road and cemented one. This is the famous notorious relentless downhill part of Ligay exposed to the sun. I walk on my own, Mercy followed, and she is just really fast on this part of the trail, she went ahead of me. I catch up with one foreign runner at the community which I decided to take a sip of a glass of soda even if I know it might not do good to my stomach. After few meter of chit chatting with him. I asked him to go ahead, I need to go off trail and do my thing, nature calls and I cannot hold it anymore to the next aid station, I need to poo.  After that was a big relief. I just run and run and run all the way down to Kenon Road. The heat was agonizing, they said it reached 39 degrees or a little less. But no matter what the temperature was, all I know it was just really scorching and suffocating hot, hot and hot. And I had to run side ways, I don't know how I ended up running like that but it worked for me and other runners followed how I did it too.

I arrive AS5 12:45pm, my earliest among the 2 races in the past. All I asked when I arrived was ice cold water, ice cubes and just pour on myself. It was just really hot. Mercy and Yob and other runners were already resting. I had to look for my support crew, Ariel Toto and the group. They are situated few meters away from the main aid station. I tried to look for Des and Mam Shai but they were not around. I saw Madam Rowena and BR's support crew too. Seeing the halo halo is once again very tempting to eat some. But I learned from last year, I need to eat solid food first before any halo halo. I requested one but only after I ate rice and grilled chicken. My suppose to be 20 minute rest was shorter, 10 minutes, bringing my gortex jacket, replacing my headlamp, bringing more food and another 3 capsule of Coquinone, 1 pair of Essentials, Hepasil and Active Calcium, I decided to leave. To my surprise Mercy was still around and we leave for the next station together.

Together we tackle the heat on the mountain slopes of Andolor to AS6. It was  just terribly hot. I can feel the heat sapping all my energy. I cant help but stop and catch my breath as I sweat endlessly. At the covered area beside the flowing creek, another sub aid station is located with water available. There is also a free flowing water from the open water pipe. I take the opportunity to wet myself again. As we push further on all the uphill, I need to poo again. I had to ask Mercy and (oh I forgot the other runner) to just go ahead. I had to do my natures call again. With this I had to tackle the rest of the trail to AS6 on my own. I was getting weaker. After the covered trail inside the forest is a rough road, I know I am getting closer to the next aid station. Though it is still hot but at least a little air makes the condition much easier. The road is a rolling uphill and downhill until one final push of uphill before reaching the next aid station, I did not see Mercy anymore but Charm was there and other male runners. I had to refill my water, eat as much food as I can and tried to get a 5 minute power nap. Putting my feet up I tried to get some rest until Yob arrived. He went ahead, I need to visit the toilet again. This is not really good. I left after I had my 3rd poo.

From AS6 to AS7 is the longest of all the stations. It is still day time. I had to tackle the road part of this trail on my own. At some part I had to sit down and rest, I decided to take another rain soul as my energy gel, I can feel the energy rushing to my body. Before reaching the trail,  it is the road that I had to deal, rough road and cemented one. I know too well where is the next curve and the next bend, the next down hill the next uphill. Until it reach to another sub aid station.  It has ice cubes which makes me so happy. I put on my hydration bladder, refill water. As it will get dark very soon, I bring out my headlamp  and continue with my journey now on my own. Approaching the trail is the start of the never ending ascend, the agonizing uphill on the trail. I was with two more runners. After the first long uphill push I decided to rest with them, another 5 minute power nap, I just lie down on the ground near the farmland on the bushes. I was exhausted. Then tackle another ascend. Slowly I go until Sam Lapena catched up with me. I switched on my headlamp, slowly pushing myself up using my trekking pole. Andrew catch up with me and we go together up in the next mountain slope. I decided to take another nap when I reach another sub aid station while Andrew proceed. After another 5 minutes I push myself to do it on my own at first,  then slowly few more runners catch up with me, including female runners.

As I know the trail to well, I lead the pack, it was dark and with our head lamps I can see how it was. It started to drizzle. I put on my jacket and my disposable plastic rain coat. Until the rain gets harder. Towards the ascend of the 7th aid station, the highest point of this race, I had to stop making the group advance over me. I was just too sleepy. I decided to sit down beside the road on the grass. As I proceed I was already wet, on my own. I had to tackle the rough road part, before it goes to another sub aid station. Andrew was there, I decided to join him, since there were medics, I asked them to put liniment on my legs but they were hesitant, my legs are covered with full tights. I just said, just rub it on my tights. After that we proceed. At first I was with Andrew until he went ahead. It was a heavy rain with lightning and thunderstorm. I said to myself if the lightning will struck me,  for sure I will be hit by it. I was wet and cold and I can see leaches. At some point I decided to sit down again, take a short nap. Then push and push further, upward. I can see the light of the tower but I know how far it is still. Until finally I reached there. Some of those who went ahead of me was just there resting at the aid Station, I wanted to push ahead but the medics hesitate to do some limatik check on me first before I proceed. True enough there were few leeches on some parts of my body.

From AS 7 to AS8 is just a 2.5 km distance, but a very steep downhill rough road with rocks and stones on this very wet and slippery condition. The other side of the road is a deep raven which I almost fell last year by walking on auto pilot mode. This time around, I had no option but really to be alert despite my being wet, cold, weak and hungry. Few more runners catch up with me, including Mommy Del and Sexy George. The one ascend on a road before reaching AS8 is also agonizing, but I just have to endure. I learn after the race that some part of this route had landslide that road maintenance personnel had to hold some runners for several minutes for safety purposes.

AS8 is cold and I am on my several layers, I am hungry. I had another bowl of arroz caldo and decided to get inside the house with the fire place on. Several runners were there, one is in IV due to hypothermia. I decided to take a 10 minute nap. It was a little past 10 yet. After my nap I decided to leave. When I went out, it was too cold. Whow. This is not good. I decided to leave without even peeing. I have to tackle that steep long descend on this trail. Long, very long on a slippery dark terrain. Very dark, very cold. As I move faster, with all my layers it feels warmer, I had to remove my outer most layer, my disposable rain coat. I had to stop at the sub aid station of campers, they offered me food, which I did not hesitate of taking, then I pee right next to their tent,  then I proceed. The marshals reminded me to be extra careful, there are holes on the trail which they ended rescuing the runners who overshoot the steps earlier. As I move down I can here George and Mommy Del on their way. George move ahead of us and I stick with Mommy Del and Tads. We move together, in unison. I was alive, my blood flows freely, adrenalin all over. It was a continuous run all the way down to lowest most part of this valley. The drop is just too high that we have to deal, slowly the lights of the community down below appears much clearer and bigger until sound of the vehicle can be heard. A bark of a dog is a sign that indeed there is already a community and we are almost there.

Upon reaching AS9, I was exhausted. I forced myself to take some food. With the suggestion of Mommy Del to take a 15 minute nap, I joined them. Then proceed with my adventure. Upon reaching the part where it is all uphill, right above the community on the way again to the forest towards PMA, I was just really too sleepy. Looking at the blinker still far up away from where I am, I decided to step aside and sit down on the ground beside the trail. I was just too sleepy. I take another 5minute nap. Then I decided to proceed. Towards PMA, I take another rest before tackling another uphill. After this part I know it will be much easier  with a combination of uphill and downhill trail. Other runner whom I run with on this part has been asking if this really is the right trail, how come Loakan Airport took so long, how come no trail signs visible. It is still dark. I know too well of this place already and I am very sure that this is really the right trail.

AS10. Finally, I know this is just another push and I will be at the finish line. I tried to take some food, drink a little and proceed. BoyP was with me on the tarmac part, until he went ahead of me. I was all by myself on the uphill road towards Camp John Hay. The street is well lighted, it's still around 4:00am, I was on my own. I encounter two men who went down from a cab. As I pass by them, they noticed me, one asked me how come I am walking this late. Scared, I am scared of drunk people. I have trauma of drunk people, or shall I have trauma of the smell of a liquor. I walk fast, run and walk on the uphill part hoping  they will not follow me. Thank God they did not. Another uphill part a dog, very vigilant of watching his territory. I was trying to scare him with my walking sticks and headlamp and shouting at the dog,  all the more he stayed at the middle of the road to the direction where I am going. No, I cannot stand with dogs. I had no choice but to wait for another runner. And I thank God two runners came, my kompare. I was with them until inside John Hay . They were kind enough to wait for me especially on the uphill part. Until they went ahead of me again.

After several kilometers of the trail inside Camp John Hay will be another road outside the compound towards the football field. It' almost day break now. I enter once again inside John Hay to the part of the trail that will be used by the 22km runners. I was running the trail now all by myself up to the uphill part to the Yellow Trail. It was past 5:00am already. I know I am almost there. Until I come across the 22km fast runners. Now with runners on counter flow with my direction, I had to be extra careful not to bump into them and fall o the ravine. I am almost there but not really there yet really. I know too well how many more turns on the yellow trail it will take me before really reaching the finish line. The sight of the Le Monet Hotel makes my heart really so happy. Runners cheering photographers and spectators clapping, I can hear now the sound from the finish line.  I am really tired, wasted, hungry, sleepy but very fulfilled, happy, victorious. I rush towards the finish line.

I cross the finish line with so much joy. I cannot hold my tears. I know I finish much earlier this time than the past two years but my rank in the female category has gone much lower now. I don't care. Really, this year, I may not have achieved my original goal of running this race with someone else, that thought that I will share the trail from start to finish with someone and get a hug perhaps at the finish line, a crazy thought of those simple things that means a lot to me, but really I am so happy. I am really glad I push to do the race. One thing I learned, when in doubt, JUST DO IT!!!!!  Along the 100 kilometer distance that I traveled over 27 hours, I met a lot of runners of the same passion whom I share the trail with. That was more than enough for me to be elated  with so much joy aside from finishing the race on my PB, 2 hours 12 minutes much earlier than my last PB on the same race.

Thank you to all the runners whom I shared the journey with, I thank all the support crew, marshals and spectators who were kind enough to help me go through the pains and the joys. I thank those who made this race possible. To Dexter, Ariel, Daphne, Diane, Jon Las, Andrew, Ronnel. To Pedro, Oco and Ai as well. To  TNF PH, you always makes me so special. To Singphil, for your generosity. To all my family and friends who send their well wishes and words of encouragements thank you. And I thank God for giving me once again the strength to enjoy what I love most doing, be one with nature and push myself beyond what I can imagine. Where ever TNF PH will be next year, Baguio Benguet trails will always be close to my heart.

Indeed, running is a very personal thing but it is always fun to be shared with people whom I share the same passion, the love of running and freedom to explore. I thank those who inspire me to push beyond what I can imagine. And I am also always grateful to know that in my little way,  with what I am doing I am able to inspire other people to pursue their passion in life.

TNF100 PH 2013 - A Repeat with a Twist

I can't ask for more, God gave me the strength to finish the race despite my physical condition at that time. It may be a stubborn call for me to proceed knowing how tough the course ahead of me. But I made it and will always be thankful and grateful.  

A day before I left for HK100 this year, a friend from TNF informed me that the registration for this year's TNF100 has been open and they invited me to be part of the early registrants. Without hesitation I give it a go. Few months after,  I realized, what had I put myself into again. Being one of the  33% and  the last and 6th female finisher of the same course and the same race last year, I know exactly how difficult this race is going to be. But there is always this side of me that wanted to test myself again how far I can go. I got myself into it again, I might as well face it just like how I did it last year.

I did my usual routine, training runs several months prior to the race, but I know it was not as often as the preparation that I did last year. I even did not log longer mileage at this time. And weeks before the race, I had several nights of lesser sleep and more so on the night before the race. Our original plan of where we are going to stay turn out to be too far from the starting line which we decided to do a last minute search for a place where we can stay for the night. A very dear friend came to the rescue and offer his place, a 3 hour of not so good sleep is much better than no sleep at all.

An hour before the gun start,  we finally arrive at the starting/finish ground at Camp John Hay. Another gathering of runners who said yes to the challenge of running the 100km distance, majority are familiar faces whom I run with last year and few new faces aiming to finish this famous brutal route of TNF race. After I finally settle my things, my big bag to the baggage counter, gear check and race check in, final bladder unloading which is just at the dark side of the activity ground behind the bushes. Finally, I am ready at the starting line waiting for the final count down. Few picture taking with running friends, one interview by a TV Channel and few good luck wishes to friends running the same distance. 

I really cannot describe what I exactly feel at that moment.  More than the excitement, I am more anxious for the race to start so that I can get over with it soon and be over with the race a day after. A thought of finishing earlier than my time last year came to my mind, why not, I can go for an earlier finish this time. As soon as we are released, the usual, I just do my slow running pace on the familiar trail still on the wee hours of the night with the illumination of my headlamp as my only light to make a sure landing on the familiar trail inside John Hay. I started to enjoy as soon as I get my rhythm. The weather is perfect, the coolness of the place is just right for a start of the run.

After 40 minutes I pass by the very first Aid Station, still dark, I continue on. The first 8.4km is over and I am way ahead of my an hour and a half projected time on this part. Almost 10km to the next Aid Station,  though I reach the station much more earlier than last year, at this time I am just really very conscious that I should do it faster. And despite my faster pace as early as going to Aid Station 2, I can already feel the effort of pushing myself ahead than enjoying the beauty of the place. Running on my own, I sometimes catch up with other runners and sometimes other runners catch up after me. As I move to AS3, I can already feel my push on all the uphills and I feel like it's longer this time compared last year. I feel like the road goes on forever, I stop at the house for a cold soda just how other runners did. A minor stop from a rolling road is a good break on this unending road.

As I reach the most awaited Philex Ridge, the trail on my way to AS4, this part of the course really never fails me. Despite my push to move faster, one will never pass this part of the course without noticing the beauty of the place. It's just simply beautiful. And thank goodness, we are greeted by a cloudy morning, this part is an open and exposed ridge, the morning sun is hiding behind the clouds. The fog continuously move from one side of the ridge to the other making the view surreal. I continue with my steady pace but if last year I was just running like a child, this time I notice every kilometer of the distance, I vividly remember where will the next uphill slope be  even before going to the next covered part.

I am too conscious with my hydration and the hammer perpentum that my friend Amy left for my use, aside from my elete drink give me so much pleasure. I like the milky taste of it. So I am alternating the hammer perpentum as my main drink with my chia seeds with drops of elete electrolyte solution on one 500ml bottle and plain water on the other bottle. My food intake on the other hand though was not too often as noticed. It is just a  bite of cookie and chocolates in between stations. I reach AS 4 10:30am, exactly the same time as last year. I grab some food again (pan de coco is my favorite at this time), and thought of pushing further, eating while slowly trudging the unpaved road now slowly exposed to the sun. At this time, the sky cleared and the sun is already out. This is going to be a 12km mostly graveled  downhill road. I remember how I suffer on this part last year.

Even before reaching the most downhill part of this route I can already feel the heat of the sun. As soon as  I arrive the house that I ate solid meal a year ago, I asked for ice cubes, of course they do not have one, I forgot this part of Benguet do not have electricity yet.   I settled of pouring cold water on my head from the free flowing water in the faucet and drink very small amount of coke just to quench my thirst and craving of it though I know I should not take any of it. I did not take the offer of  eating solid food at this time. Few more minutes I proceed with my run walk pace.

And I come to the downhill part of the open road of Ligay. It's hot, as expected the road is uneven, steep, downhill, compact with gravel and stones. I just maintain my steady pace with so much care, I cannot run any faster, I have to be extra careful, I always aim to be injured free. Lots of thoughts going through my mind. I have to deal with the terrain for I am already here. And when I saw a runner in front of me bringing out his umbrella, I thought I should have brought my own, it could have helped with the situation. Until I reach the paved part, it's a mixed emotions, I know I am finally near the mid point of the course but the scorching heat of the sun is really killing me. The heat that comes from all directions, above, from the ground and the reflection from the bushes and the trees, just how it was a year ago.

I finally reach Kenon Camp 1 a little over 2pm, a little faster than my time a year ago, I am burned, hungry, thirsty and tired. As  I approach the aid station, I can see Des waiting for me. I can't wait to sit down and have something cold to drink. He said our things are at the right most part of the area. At the tent where most of the runners ahead of me are resting including my friend Allen and my dear friend  Merlita. I wanted to stay with them but even before reaching that part I already see an ice cold water and ice blocks at the water station, I refill my water bottle, asked for ice cubes and pour ice cold water on my body. It was really too hot. I asked for halo-halo, and it is available, I've been wanting to have one few hours before this time. As I reach the area where my midway drop bag is, I compose myself, refill my electrolyte drink, change my rain jacket, brought bonnet and gloves, and add more food to prepare me for the next half of the race, all of this while eating my halo halo alternating with pan de coco. It just really feel so good eating something very very cold. What I did not foresee is that I did not have anything solid yet since the very last aid station almost 4 hours ago.

 The pan de coco just cannot sustain me that long. After my toilet break which finally feels relief after doing number two, Des and Shai forced me to take rice and chicken. As I do not have the appetite anymore, I force myself to take some bites of the chicken but not even a spoon of rice. After few more minutes I left. That was not even 15 minutes of break.

At almost 3pm I proceed. This is going to be a long slow uphill exposed trail still under the scorching heat of the sun to AS6. I just take my own slow pace pushing uphill. The ice cubes that I brought with me that I put on my buff at my nape helps cool me down while exposed to the heat of the sun. An in-between sub station is situated with readily available flowing water is a big relief as well. Few meters upon entry on the road is another sub station with medics waiting for the runners, I asked for another set of ice cubes for what I carried already all melted away. Now on the road a little past 4 in the afternoon, a bit cooler than earlier. I just make a slow pace run. This is still going to be few kilometers on the rolling road. Upon reaching AS6, I grab another block of ice while refilling my water bottle and grabbing some bites of fresh banana. After few minutes I proceed. Now almost all on an uphill road.

The unending uphill road starts my uphell journey. Already tired, I can feel my energy starting to get low. I tried to boost it with some chocolate bites but to no avail. This will be my 5th time on this trail, I know exactly where it will led into, the turns, the ups and downs, the forest and the hills, the switch back on the mountain slopes and the several wooden gates that I have to cross over. I met  Ate Josaw early on and she nicely asked what I need she offered chocolates which I refused, egg and boiled camote which I grab the egg and slowly eat while trudging the unending uphill road. As it gets dark, so is my energy really getting lower and lower. I traversed the first uphill part inside the forest, all by myself. I accepted to myself that on this race I have to be ready to face the trail in the dark ALONE. True enough I did. Despite the darkness, I prayed I will not encounter any snakes on the trail. I do not know what to do if I will encounter one. I was literally alone with the sight of the blinker that serve as my guide, and the reflectorized ribbons ahead of me keep me company. Still the usual event flaglets that serve as the main trail signs are a big help. I did not see any light from a headlamp infront nor behind me. It just simply means I am on my own.

As I was finally out of the forest and face the switchback trail on the mountain slope under the big pine trees, I really felt sooooooo sleepy, very sleepy. I tried to push myself but to no avail, until at the flat area that is a very good place to rest, I decided to stop. One group of runners catch up with me, they are Ariel's group. They advised to me to take gels, any gel that I have. I tried to swallow the entire one sachet, it helped. It's a struggle, I have to make sure the slimy substance sinks into my stomach otherwise I will vomit it. Ariel gave me a menthol candy which is a big help of putting another flavor to the taste of the gel. Few more minutes they have to advance, it is just too cold for them to stay. As much as I wanted to stay, I move slowly with them, being the last runner on the group. Until few more kilometers, I pass by the group of Sir Jonel, taking a rest on the grass beside the sub-station with marshals on tent. I forced myself to swallow few more gels, and decided to lie down with them. It was cold, but the sky is bright with the glittering of the starts. Few more minutes they move. I decided to move with them.

Then we noticed the group of Ariel came back, they thought they were on a wrong trail. Two groups of almost 10 runners on the trail. As usual I am on the tail end until the group of Sir Jonel move ahead. I am left with Ariel. On our way down to the trail towards the road to Sto Tomas peak, Ariel is just too  sleepy as well. I welcome his request for a rest, I needed more minutes of nap. We did, take something solid first then a nap for 5 minutes. It seems like it was just too short. But I have to move on with him. A slow ascend on the rough road, until I reach the last intersection before it enters the road to the peak. It is getting cold. I decided to put on my jacket, and while the others decided to move Ariel and myself decided to take another nap, 10 minutes. Another sub station is set up and is watching on us. Even if I still want to stay longer, I cannot, it's getting colder on the open and I won't have no one with me on the trail. One of the marshal give us a cookie which I accepted. I slowly eat the cookie while trudging the uphill part on my slowest pace. I am just really very tired and sleepy.

This part towards AS7 is going to be a slow ascend and in my case a very slow ascend. I am way ahead the cut off time, Ariel is nowhere to be seen and I catch up with one runner who paced with me. Upon reaching the water station of AS7, I vomit again, all water. The marshal got alarmed, he wants to assist me to the medic area, but I told them I will be ok, I just have to let it out. True enough I feel better after I vomit. I drink water and proceed down. Major Ron catch up with me, he said we are going to take a nap at AS8 and zoom ahead. This will just be a 2.9km to AS8 but on a downhill rough road with gravel and stones. One doctor assists me which I insisted no need for him to do that for I will be fine. He needs to assist other runners as well at AS8 which he really has to go down. I proceed ahead of him, until he stopped where his 4x4 car is parked. I told him I wish to take a ride with him but of course I cannot do that for I am still on the race. He went ahead, on his car while I continue on with my snail pace walk.  Until Alen catch up with me on the road. At first we were together, until he went ahead again on the last kilometer. I was already on my auto pilot mode, eyes closed with trekking pole served as my guide while moving forward. Several times I noticed I am already at the side of the road, but one instance that scared me the most was when I was already only a meter to the cliff of the road. Oh shoot, this is not going to be a safe thing for me. I forced myself to keep awake, and move until finally I reach the most awaited AS8. Lots of runners, lots of volunteers, lots of medics and most of all variety of food to choose from. A line of chairs were set up for runners to rest while taking break and eating. The chicken sothanghon soup was a very big relief but I did not take any other solid food. I decided to bring with me boiled banana.

I thought I should trek down with Alen, the next 8km part is the most treacherous of all. I cannot afford to be alone on this trail on this ungodly hour of the night, if I have a choice and I choose not to,   I decided to join him even if I feel like I have not really rested well yet. We are way earlier than my last year's schedule. And we proceed. The terrain did not change, it is still the same, the steepest descend. This will just be a 7.9km distance but on a long unending steep descend all the way down to AS9. Last year we did this almost 5 hours. We move faster at this time. I don't want to be left behind but since Alen also does not want to injure himself, we both agree we will just take it really slowly. Until few more runners over take us, really they are just hopping going down. It becomes monotonous and boring after a little over 2 hours of unending going down. After a little over 3 hours we finally reach the next aid station, AS9. I try taking some solid food again, I know how high the push is to the next and last aid station. But even before I can swallow the boiled banana, I throw it up again. Alen witness it, I am really struggling putting anything into my stomach, tried coco bread, but feel the same.

And we proceed to the very last stretch of the race, still dark. Alen and Chin An patiently join my pace, me being the last among the three. Alen patiently waited for my snail pace while Chin Ann slowly move forward until as the day breaks no matter how I push myself faster, I just cannot. I realize this will be Alen's second and revenge race, he cannot afford not to reach the finish line just because of me. Being familiar with the terrain and on our second day break on this race, I ask Alen  to go ahead as I will continue on my snail pace. I have enough time ahead of me to finish the race but with my condition I am not too sure how far my legs can carry my weight, honestly, I just really feel so weak. What I have in mind is for as long as I can move forward, I will force it until I will reach the finish line. But such thought and push is not an easy ordeal at all. With nothing on my stomach for several hours already, I feel just too weak but I have to continue on. 

The last 11km seems like forever especially that part of the Loakan Airport, I still have so much time left but with my condition I really do not know how far my feet can be on the ground thus how much further I can go. Upon entering John Hay, the shorter distance runners has been released and I will be sharing the same route with them on a counter flow direction. With an hour left to do the remaining 4km distance to the finish line I am hopeful I will make it. But at some point I have to assert myself with other runners whom I share the single track trail on a counter flow direction to please let me pass first as I am dying to move forward and be at the finish line still standing. I know how the trail exactly goes on this part, the remaining uphills and downhills, the bends and the turns, on  my mind I just have to endure a little longer I now know without any doubt I can cross the finish line still within the cut off time. My God, it was never easy to reach the most awaited part, that feeling when one can already hear the voice of the event announcer, the cheer of the crowd, I know too well I am just few steps away from the finish line. Tired, drained, wasted, burned, sleepless yet all of the pain are gone seeing that I still manage to drag myself within cut off time with a bonus for finishing 7th on the Female category and number 100 among the 108 finishers.

It was tough, I did not imagine myself to be at my worst condition on this race but it happened. I know I have lots of lessons to learn but I am still thankful to God for giving me the strength and will power to endure despite my condition. He gave me the strength again at this time but I know I need to work on how to improve on it for my future races. I thank the marshals and support at the aid stations, they have been a great help, I thank the fellow runners for giving me the inspiration to push forward, for enduring with me and for keeping me company, I also would like to acknowledge those runners who followed my blog and recognized and said words of encouragements along the trail, you all are an inspiration. It is such a heart warming feeling to know that in little way my past experience inspire and help others to do the same feat that I am doing. See you again all on the trail and/or on the road. 

This year's TNF, I discover another favorite food that would be tasteful even on the longer hours of running, Pan De Coco. No boiled ripe banana and sweet potato at this time. As always, I would like to commend the organizer of this race. The free bus ride left on time, though we are still 30 minute late to the race briefing. But nonetheless, we still arrive on the race briefing venue with the last part of the briefing and enjoy the free flowing carbo loading party (CLP) after. The starting/finish ground is now much bigger giving the runners and organizers alike enough space to move around. The stations are well stocked with food, drinks and cold drinks (with ice cubes on accessible areas by vehicle), the mini sub stations in between are very big help in the evening where I was alone most of the time and on daytime when the heat of the sun was just unbearable. The trail signs are endless, infact the first half is even over kill, the assistance of marshals on the critical points are very helpful, the blinkers and reflectorized ribbons and tapes are a big help. The food at the finish line help me to have something even on a very slow intake. 

All in all, I got the price I paid for this race, infact I gained more in return. Aside from the addition of points gained to qualify me to international ultra races, another running lessons learned and more friends gained, honestly I have got more than what I paid for. Bus free ride back and forth to Baguio from Manila, a free hydration belt, a technical running tee that fits well on me now, a carbo loading meal, a gift certificate worth 2,000.00, and a medal with 7th place on Women's category engraved at the back on it. Indeed, God is so great.

I'd like to thank the people who believe in me, my sponsor brands who never gets tired of supporting on my ultra races: Sing - Phil Sports Inc (PH) and Sing Phil Enterprises (SH), Elete Electrolytes, Altra Shoes, and SLS3 Compression. To all my friends and family who never gets tired of supporting and praying for my safe race and most of all to God for all the strength. To God be the glory. Til my next adventure.  

Running with the Trail Run Legend - Iker Karrera

A week before my TNF100 ultra race, I was lucky and privileged enough that I got invited as part of the team that will join the Salomon International Athlete Iker Karrera and Salomon Brand Ambasador Edu Martinell to run with them on the trails of Tagaytay Highlands. It was on a weekday, Tuesday to be exact,  but without hesitation, I said go.

Actually, on all those events about their visit in the country that are open to us, I take the chance and opportunity to join. Early morning of Tuesday, I join the group of bloggers and media personnel that will cover this event in one bus that will bring us to Highlands, we will be joined with the two stars as well.

Looking at the participants who will join the run, I am among the few female and not fast runner. I am sure I will be among those who will run on the last among the pack. Upon arrival at Tagaytay, we are treated to a welcome drink and light meal prior to the short program with presentation by Edu and a question and answer portion. 

We are all excited to start the run.  I can't believe I will be running with one of the best ultra trail runner in the world. Retracing the Salomon route excites me as well. A week before my ultra race, I will have a chance to run one more time but I thought I should do it on a relax pace. I do not want to sprain any joints or strain any muscles on my legs. With just three days left, there wouldn't be enough time for me recover if something will happen.The group is lead by the resort's runners, they are the ones who set up the trail.

We started on the road then lead to a trail. I first position in front of the group,literally running with  the elite and fast runners, our very own Kian and Ige and of course the star of this event, Iker and Edu. After a short single trail, we are lead to a road again, which we are welcomed by the media people who decided not to run with us but rather ride the vehicle. Few more meters, I am now left at the back of the group, it's ok. This now leads to a familiar trail, the start of the Salomon trail that we used few weeks ago. Upon the uphill, I am now left behind, good thing my rock climbing friend Marie was there to run with me. I did not push harder to catch up with the rest of the group but I still catch up with them on the downhill, I still see the lead pack from a curve. I am not that far. Until they just run on speed, I decided to take my own sweet pace again. We ended running on different sub groups. The sun is getting higher, it's getting hotter, on the road that leads to the uphill route, the guide decides to ride the available ride. Not what I thought how our run will end but nonetheless it was sweet. The fact that I was able to run even that short is already heaven for me.

We come back to the hall of the resort, change and continue the media interview over lunch. We become part of the few runners interviewed as well and the sweetest of all, we have a chance to chat with Iker and Edu, precious moment. We head back to Manila for the rest of the day.

In the evening, there was a Meet and Greet at High Street,  at this time open to runners interested, I still join the event and give up my Tuesday adination session. The following day was a close presscon at ROX which I joined too. I told you, in whatever way that I can join them, I will. I just did not join the Baguio leg anymore for I go there late already. I just saw and chat with them right after I cross the finish line of the 100K distance of the TNF100 race. It's great to think that I ru the same trail that this great athletes run too. I may have done it longer and slower than how Iker did it but just a thought that he runs the same trail that I did already made trail running so inspiring.  

Here is an excerpt about Ike as posted by Alex. I just want to have a copy of it.

I was born and raised in a hamlet of Amezketa within Aralar Natural Park in the foothills of Mount Txindoki. Since childhood I have moved in the bush and always running, is where and how better I feel. Studied the career of Agricultural Eng...ineer. When studying the race started running asphalt racing, but when they began organizing mountain races in the area, I saw it was mine. I participated in some races, mountain marathons and was in the selection Basque mountain races. I like new challenges and let plantearme careers to devote more climbing and mountain climbing, until I returned to the ultra trails, because they felt it was a subject that had yet to be developed. I like the mountain in all its dimensions and increasingly people and cultures of mountain people interest me more. So far as I can collaborate with the Foundation Felix-Baltistan. Without doubt, the past 2011 Iker 'exploded' as an athlete, getting second place in the UTMB just behind Kilian. Story taken from Salomon Europe and Iker himself.

TNF100 Baguio-Benguet Philippines 2012

I come at the starting line of  this race with so much excitement, finally the several months of  waiting has now come to an end, there will be no other day but this one.  But I am scared at the same time. Knowing the difficulty of the race course and knowing what I am putting myself into, I just hope my several months of physical training and preparation will be enough for me to survive this ordeal and finish the race within cut off time.

Familiar faces now slowly fill up the ground near the starting area,  the atmosphere is festive and fun, runners for 100K are slowly gathering at the starting line as the gun start is almost approaching. To ease my feeling of anxiety, I take pictures with friends, greet and wish other runners good luck, and most of all go the bathroom several times. I have my monthly woman thingy again, another challenge to deal with aside from the very challenging course of this race. The weather is not as cold as I expected it to be even at this wee hours of the day. My game plan for the race: take my steady pace, push a little harder on flats and minor ascend and descend slopes, take advantage of the daytime, be extra careful on the sketchy part so as not to injure myself, stick with other runners as the dark will come and most of all enjoy and have fun no matter how difficult things may be.

As soon as we are released to start the most awaited race, I just follow the runners in front of me where they are heading, especially on the first few kilometers on the road. As I am still warming up, I just do my slow steady pace, other runners run after me, and sometimes I over take other runners as well. Until we enter the familiar playground, the eco trail. This starts the unending trail mostly single track of this course. I just follow where the runner in front of me leads, trying to take the chance to overtake on those areas that I can, but it's just really very minimal especially that it is still  dark. I just enjoy the trail. I am closely running with my friends, sometimes am ahead of them, there are times I am at their back. As early as inside John Hay less than an hour after we are released, I am one of those who made a wrong turn. Good thing one marshal noticed us and give us direction to go down and be back to the right track. That is almost 300 meters of distance wasted. We go on running the single trail  after more than 30 minutes we pass by AS1 still dark and the table with drinks are not set up yet. Running at 8.6k still dark,  I wouldn't need any hydration yet.

As the light of the day slowly breaks the darkness of the surrounding few hours after we started,   I just continue with my run now outside John Hay. As early as here one can see that  this is going to be a hot sunny day.  I am just enjoying the view, the beautiful mountain ranges as far as my eyes can see, the cool breeze, the smell of the pine trees. The single track trail leads to a rough graveled road which leads to AS2, the 19th kilometer mark of this course. As early as this station, the marshals already told me that I rank 6th among the female contingents. Being lost on the first few kilometers inside John Hay, I lost track of my female friends Jules and Rash, I wish they were among the 5 who run ahead of me. My friends I am with on most part of the trail are already waiting for me at the station enjoying the cold water. I decided to just hydrate and continue on with my adventure. Even if I leave the station ahead of my friends they still catch up with me at some point. I am just not performing well on the road, so I decided not to waste my time. After one rest stop with them towards an uphill rough road, there and then I decided I should go on. I ask one of  them to help me pull out my pair of trekking stick, this has become my third and fourth leg  from then on until the end of the race. We run together on the road until we are lead on the trail again, under the shade of the pine forest at first a rolling flatland until it leads to an ascend. This marks the  start of the many challenging ascends of the course, our very first approach to the first major peak of this course, Mt. Kotkot, the very first steep ascend of the many ascends that we will make on this course. While my friends stop at the flatland after an ascend, I decided to just go on without taking any rest. Together with my effort of pushing myself on the uphill part is my conscious effort to hydrate and nourish myself too. Even on eating some power bars, I still continue with my trek and making a faster stride on downhill parts.

Finally the trail leads to a road that leads to AS3, the 30.3km mark of this race. It's 8:18 in the morning, I've been on the trail for 5 hours now only covering 30 kilometers.  I asked for a cold water, refill my hydration bladder while eating fresh banana, steam sweet potato and hydrating as well. I can hear other supporters offering sandwhich to other runners, I can't help but wish I hope they offer the same to me but anyway I just make use of the banana and sweet potato that is available at the station. Bringing extra banana and sweet potato as my reserve food I left without even resting my legs. As I continue on another group of supporters few steps near the station offered some food and a pack of assorted mix nuts and candies. I drop by to look what they have, I decided to grab the hard boiled egg,  deeped in salt,  I swallow the whole egg, I wish to carry the pack of mix trail food but I do not have space anymore, my two hands still holding the banana and sweet potato while I am still holding my trekking sticks. The ladies just laugh at me when I said I wish I have two more hands to carry more food with me. As I made a turn on the road, the scene looks familiar to me, this now is the place I started my recon few weeks ago, I am now at Sitio Batuang on my approach to Ampucao.

Thank yu BoyP for this picture.

I continue on, make a right turn to an uphill road that leads to an uphill trail. I feel so happy reaching this part of the trail for I always look forward reaching this far, I love this part of the course, the scenery, the mountain slope, the ridge. I know this will also start the brutal ascend to Ampucao Peak but I just deal it with so much joy. I am alone now, there are other male runners infront of me and behind me, I just continue running, now mid morning at this open slope of the trail the sun is also getting higher and brighter, it is getting hotter. My goal is to be out of this mountain ridge soon to the covered part of this course, to the forest area. It took me almost two hours on this part, the scenery is just really beautiful, I see some runners taking pictures  on the safe area, I did not bother to stop and take pictures. I just bring out my camera on the uphill approach along the ridge, at least have a souvenir of the place on actual race and continue on.

Entering the forest is so much fun for me, I just continue running like a child slowing at the descend and ascend part. I did not bother to use the rope on the two descend parts with rope, I just use my hands to balance on the ground while going down. And because the ground is loose,  the soil is powdery, my hands now is dusty which becomes sticky a my hands sweat as I continue on the trail. I was closely trekking with a Singaporean runner Chee Ming Tay. As I reach the second house with flowing water from the hose, I stop, wash my sticky hands and refresh by pouring cold water on my head. The marshal at this part happily informed me 15 more minutes to the next aid station. But ofcourse with legs starting to get sore after almost eight hours of run, that 15 minutes takes longer. The uphill trail is now exposed to the direct heat of the sun, been longing to reach the vegetable area where the next aid station is. Indeed I reach this part more than 30 minutes after, such a big relief.

Thank you Nix for this picture.

The aid station AS4 is exposed to the heat of the sun, I grab cold water, banana and sweet potato again. This marks the 42.1km of the race.  I see familiar faces, my mountaineer friends are part of the marshal and station support. Seeing familiar faces and hearing their words of encourangements while on the midst of the race is just very inspiring. I grab extra food and carry with me. This is going to be a 12.5 kilometer road run mostly  sharp descend on direct heat of the sun up to the next aid station. It's almost mid noon now. I just follow the road, making a faster stride on the flat and descend and a brisk walk at the uphill part of the road. Reaching the store at El Dorado Cooperative at Ligay is such a big relief after several kilometers from the last aid station, it's just really very hot. And the host of the house cook food for the runners. With out hesitation, I ask for food, rice and pinikpikan (chicken in soup). I pour water on my head again, while waiting for my order. Now almost 9 hours on the trail been sweating, I also wanted to change sanitary napkin, but that will take so much of my time. I have been thinking of changing at AS5. I eat my food standing, in as much as wanted to sit down, I just cannot, otherwise the chair will be all bloody red. Other runners are there too eating including Chee Ming Tay, Zean is at the other store drinking soda, I decided to take real solid food.

After having a sip of the hot soup from pinikpikan and several spoon of rice, I continue with my adventure on this part of the road. Zean followed, we walk together, he has an upset stomach which caused him to slow down. I just continue with my run walk run walk technique, running on those parts  that I can. It's really terribly hot  on this part of the course, hitting almost 40 degrees celcius. I just thought this will already be part of my heat training for whatever desert race that I might be lucky to join someday. 'How more hot will it be there?' I thought. Most of the guys that I am trekking with on this part take refuge on the shaded area and even rest at the bench along the road, I decided not to. I know how far this part of the trail is and I know how difficult the never ending descend is so I just continue on. I can feel the blistering heat of the sun on my entire body, I just hydrate and hydrate and hydrate.  I pray to God I wont suffer from heat stroke on this temperature. Other runners who are with me  keep on asking how far it will be, what signs will there be that we are almost there. I told them if we will hear vividly the sound of  vehicles passing by and the cemented road. But that did not happen very soon. Upon reaching the curve towards the sharpest descend of the paved road, I know we are already there. I am just so happy reaching AS5 despite the heat of the sun. This is the 54.6km mark of this race, the midway and a cut off of 14 hours or 5:00pm is imposed on this station. Those who will not reach on this part by that time will be disqualified to continue the race.

Thanks Rax Cha for this picture

It's 2:00pm. I am very glad and happy seeing familiar faces of friends that are part of the marshals on this station. I look for something cold to drink. Sadly the water available at this point is not cold, the cold water, banana and sweet potato is still a bridge away. I make use of whatever is there. I went to the store to buy the coldest drink, a soda and ice candy. God, it's just really very hot that I need something cold. In as much as I wanted to sit down, I just cannot, I need to change. Janice asked me what I need,   I just want to hydrate first, I feel like this is the very first business that I should do on this station. She gave me the news that Iker Karrera is on the lead but I also receive the bad news that my friend Jules DNF at AS4, that  news made me sad. I just wish the rest of my friends will be able to make at this station on time. After having enough cold hydration and been able to pour water on my head, as my drop off bag has been handed to me, I just go directly to the rest room, time to do the second most important thing: change shirt and change sanitary napkin. What  a relief.

Thank you Rax Cha for this picture

Janice, Jho, Aris and other marshals check on me if I am doing ok. I am doing good and fine. I appreciate a lot Janice's offer some real food while the other marshals make an effort of transporting some water and food from the other side of the river in order to give us some food.  More and more runners arrive, some of them are my friends and my running mates. I eat, hydrate and soon leave. It's still hot, the sun is still high but I got to keep moving otherwise I will not have the enthusiasm to continue on. My friend Zean was so weak that he decided not to continue on the race at this part. So many bad news coming I decided to leave and start my adventure again.

Thank you Rax Cha for this picture

The next part is going to be a brutal ascend to Andolor. As I continue on, some runners are resting at the river, while some followed me, Doc and Bert are there too. I decided to stick with them,  in few more hours from now I know it will already get dark. They become my trekking buddies from then on. After the minor ascend we are lead to a single trail that is a never ending steep ascend. It really took us a while to tackle this part until we reach the road. I know we are almost at the house that offers cold drinks. We decided to take a rest buy some cold refreshments and continue on, the next station AS6 is just few meters away. At this time we know it really is just few meters away. This marks the 64.7km distance of the race, I am now more than 14 hours on the trail. It is here that I just really need to use the rest room, nature calls. I might as well do it here rather than on the bushes at night.
 

And it is a big relief after that, now I have to add water on my hydration pack, get banana and sweet potato despite my not so fan of it anymore, I begin to wish for another kind of food on the next station. The Baguio runners catch up with us here as well. Before we leave, the marshals tell us that the cut off to the next station is 12:00MN. We all know that it is 1:00am but instructions has been sent from the basecamp that it has been changed, though we are confident that we will reach Mt. Sto Tomas ahead of the new cut off time. We left the station complaining why change the rules at the middle of the race. When you are already tired and social skills has been depleting due to fatigue, hearing such change is not a very good news. But despite that we continue on with our headlamps already out. It will get dark very soon.

Now we tackle the long road again, what we thought  to be just a short distance from how we remember it the last time we are here, at this time the stretch on the road is just really taking us long. It is now dark and all our head lamps are already on. We have been waiting for the right turn to the rough road that leads to the single ascend trail. When it's dark and legs are already tired, that did not happen soon as well. Few kilometers before the final turn is a sub-aid station of all lady marshals offering us water and bread before we tackle the start of a long never ending ascend on the road and on the trail. Finally we see the blinker signaling us to turn right. The group of Baguio runners are already way ahead of us. I am now with seven other runners and being the only female of the group I make sure I will be at the front part of the group. As it is already really dark and we are leading to a rough road each one of us now has to be conscious of the trail signs so that we not make a wrong turn. Doc take the lead while I follow him making sure that we see the signs to the right trail. After  the rough road ascend is now the first part of the 4 ascend segment of this stretch of the mountain slope. It was just here that I realized that this has 4 segments of ascend, I cannot remember it to  be like this on our recon day. We decided to stick together, Doc being the leader, I followed him to make sure  that we will see the trail sign for the right trail and Bert being the sweeper making sure that all of us are able to follow. This really is a long stretch of ascend and each  segment of ascend has a flatland that served as our rest area and there are sub-aid stations as well to make sure that runners can be guided to the next trail. Though when asked about how many more kilometers, they are not so well knowledgeable about it.

It's getting cold despite our being in motion, some  members of our pack decided to put on their jackets, I just put on my gloves to contain the heat of my body. As we finally reach the wall of boulders, I know we are almost there. The trail now leads to a rough road that finally leads to the summit of Mt. Sto. Tomas. It is me who has been to this part of the course, Doc just keep on asking me how long it will be. All I remember is just an uphill trek. At this time the bushes are just really tall, this part of the trail has not been cleaned and cleared. Each of us are just being mindful of the trail sign and I know we are on the right track, just follow the light of the tower. Doc trek ahead of the group, I now make the lead, just when we arrive at the 2 towers I thought this will be the aid station already but no it is not. We continue on, another sub aid station on the vegetable area greeted us, but still this is not the aid station. We continue on, until finally and finally we reach AS7, the 73.7km mark of this race. It's 11:00pm. As much as we wanted  to refill hydrate and eat, the marshals told  us we need to rush to the next station to reach there before the cut off time. We are already tired, exhausted, and hungry. We do not want to argue anymore, we left and target to reach the  next station on time. We have so much time at hand but because this is rough road again even if this is all the way a descend road, I just want to make my pace a fast and consistent one. The mountain slope to the radar is very visible despite the dark surroundings. We just target to reach that part on time. And we did, we are still way earlier than cut off time. AS8, the 76.6km mark of the race. There are more marshals here, and my wish of having more variety of food has been granted. An option of hot coffee or chocolate is available. Wow, heaven...hot drink on a cold  temperature. Perfect timing. And aside from banana and sweet potato, an option of rice and viand is available. I just sit down on the cemented road, keeping myself busy refilling my hydration pack while drinking hot chocolate and eating rice, the viand is pork so I opt to eat my left over fried chicken. After few minutes, Doc signal us to leave. Just before we left my batch mates Jepoy and Alen arrive. It's good to know that the two of them reach AS8 just before the cut off time.

The next part of the trail is the brutal sharp descend to Camp 6, the marshal told us that for a normal trek this will take 5 hours to the next aid station. We just hope it will  not take that long for us on this part. At this point of an elevation of more than 2,200 meters above sea level  we are going to do a sharp direct descend to an elevation of around 900 meters above sea level down to Camp 6 at Kenon road. Because I haven't been to this part of the trail I really do not have any idea how difficult this is going to be.  And just the same formation, Doc take the lead, I followed and the rest followed. Our trek started at  the right side of the radar, just before reaching the downhill slope another  sub aid station waited for us giving us instructions to be really extra careful on this part of the course, never to go near the 'caution' yellow ribbon for it's really dangerous, it is a raven. Passed 1:00am, it's really dark, we can only see the trail through the light of our head lamps, down below we can see lighted community. There are no much pines trees on this part but rather bushes, the  sharp descend is with loose gravel and soil, I can understand why, this has been the trail of the 50K distance earlier in and out. We just continue  with our descend very mindful of every trail sign ahead. But at another sub aid station, one runner ahead  of us for several minutes had one leg on blood told us he has been beaten by a snake. My goodness,  on this slope part of the mountain, it's dark, cold and we are very tired, that is the very list that we wish to hear. At one point Doc negotiated me to lead the  trail, of course I did not agree, I am as nervous as he is. We just continue on, now there only three of us trekking together. The rest of our trekking buddies are just really far from us. The descend just really take like forever. What made the situation worst  I feel so sleepy on this part. I know I need to fight for it, I cannot afford to be  left behind by my running buddies now and besides I do not have the luxury of time any more, and it is in this part of the trail that I  haven't recon before. I first  wash my face with water, it only work for several minutes. I decided to bring our my music, it helps but I can still feel my sleepiness. I cannot do the counting of the boy bawang and the spicy peanut, I have trekking poles on my both  hands. I decided to bring out my stay alert chewing gum.  I despise the taste  of this but I do not have any choice...there it  keeps me alive and awake again. Thanks to that.

It take us almost four hours to reach at AS9, the  84.2km mark of the race. Though it's still dark we know we have to keep our pace faster, after the brutal descend will be another brutal ascend. We still have 15 kilometers to the finish line. And because we are at a lower elevation now, we all know that this is going to be another brutal ascend too. But before that happened, we need to do the maze inside the community passing a walk way, a hanging bridge again and several houses, literally it's like a maze. And we wake up the community, dogs here and there has been barking and barking. Until we are lead a paved uphill trail until it goes to the forested area again, and it's all uphill. Doc is on a faster pace now, surprisingly Kuya Mimis followed us until he trek ahead of us. I stick with Bert. I cannot trek much faster on an uphill anymore. Been eating the food that I have but really I just force myself to take something. I have been on the trail 26 hours now.

Thanks Ati Pie for this picture.

It is day time again, we are now on the mountain slopes to PMA, from the trail we are now on the road but few meters after, we are lead back to the trail, now another ascend. After that many grueling ascend and descend just on our last 15 kilometers to the finish line we still have another ascend to do. Where is the love. As much as we wanted to rest, I just cannot do it anymore. I just want to finish it. Doc and Kuya Mimis is just way ahead of us already, I am now with Bert and Chito. Upon entering the slopes of PMA, I know the trail here for I have done this part before. But because the trail signs are on the reverse side, that made me confuse as well. I keep on asking Bert if we are on the right track. After sometime Chito just take his big strides I am now left with Bert.

Dad, I made it to the finish line.

Entering the road to Loakan is now AS10, the 89.9km mark. We are really almost there. We have to deal with the remaining 11 kilometer road now up to the finish line. I force myself to take another power gel even if my throat cannot swallow it anymore. Gado is ahead of us, Kuya Mimis just run his biggest stride,  Doc is nowhere to be seen. I am with Bert. A road upon crossing the runway is another up hill that leads to a downhill part, it is really long until we enter the side of John Hay. Finally we are almost there, I thought. But no, that did not happen soon. We have to do several turns on the trail inside the camp, I decided to take a faster stride, though I know we have enough time, I've been longing to see the finish line. Bert is just closely running with me at the back, besides I do not want  to take a big distance away from him for I do not want to get lost at this part. But what made me so confused was after the football field, as we enter John Hay again, we are lead to the trail of the 11K runners on their way back. I am not too sure if I made the right turn, all I meet are runners of another distance, I continue running but really uncertain, until I meet friends running this distance telling me that Doc is just few meters away. Thank God I made the right turn.

As I am almost at the water station I shouted where the next trail is, and it leads to an uphill trail again. After the ascend the trail leads to yellow trail, we have been to this trail early part of the race. No marshals to assure me if I did the right turn, I slowed down, waited for Bert, and he said there is no other trail either. Until finally we reach the slope at the back of the hotel where we enter earlier. Bert's child and wife is waiting for us, now I can say we are finally almost there. Upon reaching the side of the hotel I can now hear familiar voices cheering it's 300 meters more to go. I just take my biggest stride in order to reach the finish line. It's now hot and I am already hungry. I have been awake more than 30 hours already, and been in the trail more than 29 hours already. All I can think of are the faces of my friends waiting for me at the finish line. God, what an amazing feeling crossing the finish line. Indeed, it's not just the marshals are waiting for my crossing of the finish line but my dear friends and fellow runners too. TNF100 2012 Official Result
 

Finish 51st among the 55 finishers, the 6th  and the last female to cross the finish line. I did it in 29 hours 28 minutes and 25 seconds. My longest run so far and my toughest I can say. The trail was tough, I do not have much to compare for this is just my third 100K trail run but others said the same, that was the hardest yet among the TNF 100K series. It was brutal, we experienced the best the the trail can offer, the steepest of climbs and the sharpest of descends and the grueling heat of the sun that reached almost 40 degrees Celsius made it all challenging. I conquer the pain that I slowly feel in my legs, the chafe and rashes on my legs, on my back and in front with sheer determination and a fierce will. I congratulate all the top placers, all the finishers and most of all  I salute all the 165  100K runners who dared to even begin the race, I admire all the runners who brave themselves to join this race, hearing their stories and seeing their achievements also inspire me to do more. I also salute those who brave to run the 50K distance and other shorter distances as well.  I thank all the marshals who one way or the other help us go through the ordeal, I thank the organizer for a kick - ass trail, that made me push myself beyond my limits. I thank my TNF/ROX/Primer friends who help me go through this race, I thank my friends who patiently waited for me,  I thank my trekking/running buddies who stayed with me until the finish line and  most of all I thank God for giving me the physical strength, determination and the will power to go through that tough trail despite my condition.  What a great feeling conquering the trail of this race,  indeed, I really feel so much at home when I am on the trail and so close to nature no matter  how difficult the condition may be.   'til the next adventure.
Pictures:TNF100 2012 Baguio-Benguet Philippines Series 
Sports Unlimited Video Coverage: TNF100 Baguio Benguet 2012 
Pictures thru Sports Unlimited: TNF100 2012 as Captured by Sports Unlimited 

I'd like to quote what the organizer put at the back of the token for this year's TNF 100 race finishers: 


The barrel man will no longer remind you of an overrated Filipino souvenir. It is the indestructible force inside you. The kind who braves a taxing long trail and makes it to the finish line without falter.  Alongside some of the nation's finest runners, you are a validation of the resilience of our tough ancestors.

You have broken boundaries and are now part of the legendary The North Face 100, which happened last April 21-22, 2012 in Baguio-Benguet, Philippines. Since it's first run in 2008, it has become a runner's most anticipated challenge to conquer.

The North Face 100 ultra trail running is a series held in several countries: Thailand, Taiwan, China, Australia, Singapore, Japan and the Philippines. This year's Philippine leg is vying for 3 points in the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc qualifying system. This puts The North Face 100 Philippines among the elite trail running courses in the world.

On this race, I just focus on my speed,  with a goal of taking advantage of the daytime, I just  continue my pace. I bring with me my camera but I did not take so much picture of the beautiful scenery that I pass along the trail. I did not  rest on each station too long and did not even rest on those slopes that has rest areas.  Despite my being so sleepy I did not take a nap.  I feel like every single minute of my time is very precious that I just need to move forward. Together with my pace and rest management, I consciously hydrate, eat as much as I can and never wait to get hungry. Though at some point I do not want to eat anymore due to fatigue and physical stress I just force myself to swallow something for I know how important food is for me to finish. The banana and the sweet potato is such a big help in my nourishment on this race too. I slowly feel the sore on my legs, I already have one blister on the left foot, I can feel the chafe on my waist due to the garter of my tights and on the garter of my tank top and even on the sides of my boobs,  I feel like I need to change another sanitary napkin on the 80 kilometer mark, but I did not mind all of those uncomfortable feelings. With the finish line on my mind, I just continue despite all this.