Registration and Orientation Day

October 21, 2011, it's my older brother's birthday. I send my birthday greetings through email message since I do not have any means of calling him. Thanks to the free wi-fi that this lodge offer despite the fluctuating signal, it is already a big help to keep  us all in contact to our loved ones being away on this beautiful remote yet technologically updated place.

One day left before the race. Most of us feel the pain in the muscles of our legs. This is the effect from the training run that we did two days ago. Such a not good idea to do it few days before the race without enough time for recovery. We tried to put whatever ointment and oil available to the hope that it will ease the pain come race day.

This is our Registration and Orientation Day as well. The plan for the day is a breakfast meeting with the Benguet Officials after which we will proceed to Liwagu Hall for the Registration then come back for the Songs of Kinabalu Concert and attend the Orientation. The usual thing, we ate breakfast before leaving our lodge, a bus will pick us up today, not our usual routine of going to the park. It's a mini bus designated by the Sabah Tourism Board to the official Philippine delegates.

We did have a long table for breakfast at the restaurant right across the park, I did not really eat breakfast, I am still ok with the food that I ate before leaving the lodge, that in little way already save me little ringgit for the remaining days of my stay in Kinabalu. After the introduction, it was really the officials of Benguet and PSA that has a business dialogue, to have the Benguet officials a thorough understanding what they are suppose to expect on this trip which I guess is already clear on their minds before coming here. PSA just thank God that after several years of convincing them, this year they finally send officials to witness the event.

After the breakfast meeting, most of us decided to go ahead  to pick up of our race kits. We are not complete though, Auntie accompanied Kat to get a feel of the trail, she arrive late with Luke who really wants to reach the summit despite what happens, this is just his ultimate goal on this trip. Mayan, Erl and Jessie not around, only to find out they went ahead, do a trek on some of the trail near Liwagu Hall while waiting for the opening of the registration. Upon arrival at the hall,  registration tables are already set with personenl on each desginated pick up area for the three race categories. We meet other runners, and organizers, the famous Datuk is there, he is the man behind all the success of this event for several years now.

And we also meet the star athlete of this race, the winner last year and the fastest to ever run this race in 24 years,  Marco Gasperi, everybody's asking for a photograph of him. I do as well. After several minutes, the 3rd placer last year and the fastest runner in Nepal is there too, Sudip. Sounds funny, I haven't done this back in our place, even in my teen years when we are being brought to see the shows of the famous stars at home. This starts the festive atmosphere of the event, and meeting the runners who showed their skills the past years is just really a great honor.

After getting our race bibs we decided to go back to the restaurant for lunch. Some of our teammates are already there. Kat from her training climb is already there as well as Mayan, Erl and Jessie. Our plan is to take lunch., go back to our lodge, take a rest, go back to the park to witness the concert while waiting for the Orientation.

Most of our teammates decided to rest while I wanted to watch the concert together with Mayan and Erl, we walk again the highway to the park. We are already late from the concert but it's ok, we are just taking our time.

Upon entrance of there park, there are already other runners, you will know they are also part of the event, the green bag that they are carrying is what the organizers distributed to the runners. It's also there that we meet China and Olya, they are from Hongkong but from two diffirent countries. Upon reaching the concert ground, Nina and Mon are already there. I saw the Benguet officials as well. We settled on the seat near Nina and Mon, listen to the local Malaysian music played by local artists with local musical instruments. The concert ended with the participation of the audience by a dance, we joined, just when it was about to end, the rain drops. We are literally dancing under the rain. We take a refuge at the Gymnasium where the orientation will be held few hours more, but due to the heavy down pour of the rain, we decided to just stay inside. 

I am excited about the orientation, I do not know what to expect. I do not have any idea how big the race will be when it comes to participants, though this orientation will only be for the Women's Open and Veteran category. As the rain continue to pour the gymnasium is slowly filled up with runners. It's a huge one with chairs prepared for athletes. Datuk once again is there earlier making sure that the technical aspect of the orientation is ready before it will start. Some of the runners our dear PSA officials know, they had been doing the race for several years now. Our PSA uniform catch much attention from the crowed, PH is one of the biggest delegates on this event. 

The orientation started with a film showing,  what the participants to expect, how the route will be followed  by Datuk's rules in English and Bahasa. The orientation ended with meeting other participants and of course picture taking, we Filipinos love to do. Only then the ordeal of the race sink in to my mind. This will be a tough ordeal that all of us in Women's and Veteran's category will deal tomorrow morning.

After taking our dinner that take more than an hour before it was served and having to bring some extra food for dinner we proceed to our individual rooms. My roommates are already there, most of them already on the running attire for the following day. I feel like I need to move faster and finish what I need to prepare so that I can get enough sleep before the race starts. I fix first my hydration pack, I decided to bring my hydration pack, I let go of my first plan of racing with only a heap fuel, I feel so expose to danger having to bring just that, without enough space of the rest of my provisions for the race.

And having been able to used Kim;s hydration belt, I am already comfortable with the weight. I know this will not be any problem at all. After that I need to put on my running attire, but when I saw Cha put on some caty tape (?) just to ease the pain on her legs, I decided to put some as well. I asked her to help me put some on my back, and when Jules enter the room, she wanted the same as well. Imagine three ladies on compression pants lowered up to the knee just to put some tape, what a funny sight to look, kat keeps on laughing at us. But our thoughts were, if this will help us reach the summit without having to experience so much pain, then why not.

We ended the night having in mind that we are going to do the race the following day bringing our high spirits and with so much prayers. We will run with joy and make a strong finish no matter what happens.

Summit Training Day

Oct 19, it's the team's summit training day. All of us that arrive Monday together with the others that arrived earlier except Rom and Marlita joined this training climb. Rom feel that he'd rather reserve his energy on the race day for he wouldn't have enough time to recover if he will do the training climb this late. While Merlita has been to the summit three times since the time they arrived a week earlier. On my part, after four days from my TNF SG ultramarathon, I feel my legs are already better, I cannot feel the sore any longer. With the cold temperature and the wind that never stop blowing, we wake up earlier than our wake up call for the training run. As we peep at our terrace while preparing, it's really foggy and the jagged rock face of  the summit is all covered with clouds. This is going to be a cold day, the wind is still blowing.

After we are all set, bringing all the possible things that we will be needing on this run inside our indivual hydration packs off we start our trek along the side of the highway of Kundasang. It's going to be more than one kilometer walk to the park entrance and another more than five kilometer uphill walk to the gate of Timpohon. Our target is to be there before the gate opens at 7:00am. We arrive earlier than the target time, enough time to take some pictures, eat some food to replenish energy and final visit to the rest room. The gate opens passed 7:00 am, we register and off we go with our business of the day, to get familiar with the trail and be acclimatized with the altitude. I climb this mountain more than a year ago, though not through this trail going up, at least I am still familiar with how the terrain goes. My focus at this time is to get a technique on what approach to do on the big steps of stairs. I tried to do small steps at this time looking for possible steps in between the bigger steps. The lead pack of the team already out of sight, I am now with the mid pack, going ahead of the others. Our target is to be at the summit on or before the turn around time of 1:00pm.

I arrive Laban Rata after 2 hours 30 minutes, that is the best that I can push at that moment. It was after Laban Rata that I really take my time climbing on the stairs. I can now feel the altitude hitting my head. It took me longer to cross the steps of wood and rocks before reaching the rope. It was getting colder, so I put on my jacket. To my surprise Jessie is right behind me. Only to find out he stop by Laban Rata to eat a 45MR buffet for he is just really hungry. At first we continue trekking together until he went ahead. I meet some climbers going down from the summit, others asked if I am training for the race and wish me good luck, on this situation hearing such well wishes it uplifts my spirit. I just continue with my going up, thinking it is only this way that my body will be familiarize with the altitude. I am now all alone on this part of the trail. Until one runner appear from behind me again, at this time wearing shorts and his shirt tied on his waist, not on. It's already foggy and getting colder. Wow, I am all covered with my jacket and my gloves on while this guy is shirtless.

He passed by me while I just continue with my slow pace. I concentrate on my trek, being alone and feeling the drizzle as the fog pass where I am situated, I am thinking will it still be safe to proceed, if there will be a heavy down fall of rain at what point will I turn around. I am still far from our cut off time so I just go. I think if it will be dangerous then probably some ranger will ask me to go down at some point. I just continue  with my trek when I meet the man that passes me not a long time ago. So I started the conversation by saying 'whow, you're so fast' and he replied 'no i only reach up to KM8, i don't want to go any further on this weather without any jacket with me'. Our conversation continued a bit longer until I said ok then, good luck on Sunday. I do not know him at all but with his look I know he is on the men's open category. As I trek further I realized his accent is not American, it seems like he just learn English not a long time ago only to know when I was with the group already he is Kilian, one of the star athlete on the this race and one of the best athlete in Salomon team. I did not even ask for a picture of him on the rock face.

I know the lead pack already reach the summit and I hope I will encounter them on my ascned while they will be going done, but I did not. I continued with my trek on the rock face, foggy, no view and cold. I hold on to the rope on the stiff parts, alone I struggle the high altitude, I feel cold and sleepy. Until before reaching the KM8 signage I notice Mon already approaching with Nina and Jules behind him. I am glad I saw them, I waited for them to give a little enthusiasm  with my trek. It's just too difficult to trek alone. Upon reaching the signage, the view cleared, the summit already visible and the rock formations beautifully towering from the distance. I can't help but bring out my camera, getting a picture of Mon first, after a while Nina and Jules arrived which Jules thought I am already on my way down. She beg to wait for her so that a picture of her will be taken. I said I will go with you up to the summit.

Nina continued with her trek while we take pictures, she feel she needs to continue walking. We followed, and I just really take it slowly. I can already feel the altitude hitting me. Upon reaching the vertical rock face, I literally crawl up to the summit. It was difficult, because of the high alti, the wind blowing,  without proper meal yet and my colds keep on flowing. I really had difficulty breathing. I just sit down below the signage of the peak while Zean take pictures, I bring out my camera again and managed to take pictures as well. We replenish food again, after several minutes it's already 1pm and our turn around time.

We started our descend, and for others even if they were almost near the summit, all complied to the turn around time. We started our descend, at fist on a slow pace, I am with Erl and Nina as our lead while others are ahead and there are those behind us. At first we just take the going down on a relax pace especially on the stairs, until when we reach the less stairs area, Nina started to run, Erl and I followed. It becomes a run going down until we reach the gate. We are asked to be there before 4:30 and we did it, we log out 3:59pm. Others are already ahead running on the road up to the real finish line, a 4kilometer down hill run from the gate. I am hungry, and already imagining food while still on the trail, I have to pee, I rush to the toilet, I already run out of water too but I still have gatorade, enough to hydrate me until we will arrive to the restaurant. Luckily, upon passing the gate, there are some cars and one bus standing by, we asked if we can have a ride, which they allow us. Some teammates behind us was able to catch up on the bus too.

Really hungry, we decided to take our super late lunch at the restaurant right infront of the park entrance. I do not have the energy to go  to Uncle's place anymore. Josaw and Roland are already there eating their order. I ordered two sets of food one rice meal and one bowl of noodles. I know it will be too much for my size but I am just really hungry.  We share our expereince on the climb while waiting for our food, and most especially each one's encounter with Kilian. Others had a photo with him, Jules asked a hug from him, while I said to myself, an opportunity to ask a photo from him at that moment is gone but I still have several days to do that.  As we are about to finish our plates of food Rom and finally Rashel arrive, my first time to meet Rashel, she's pretty, gourgeus, tall and friendly. Now part of the team arrive and still waiting for more on the evening. After eating we decided to start trekking, this will be another more than 1kilometer walk to our lodge and despite being tired we just have to deal with it, there is no other way that we can reach our place.

We arrive the lodge still dry for it did not rain but it's really cold. We meet Merlita along the highway bringing food for the Bukidnon boys. And there is cooked food in our room, chopsuey and tinolang manok. A good dinner probably. Few minutes after we arrive, it rain a heavy down pour. Thank goodness we are already inside our rooms when it happen. I just hate being wet on this kind of temperature. It's just really too cold. During dinner, others went out, I decided to just join with Merlits having dinner on the food that has been cooked, change and having fun with the other members of the team. Our room becomes the kitchen of the lodge while Nina's becomes the business center, it is nearest to the wifi are which gets the strongest signal. The group chatted for a while with Rom and Mon are the entertainer of the team, really no dull moment of this team. We just keep on laughing as we convine together. Other members of the team are expected to arrive about before mdnight which I did not notice anymore.

When all is settled, they are done with their massage session and we are done with our cleaning, and done with checking updates on the net, we settled on our cosy bed, I am at the second deck of  the bed, having me difficulty sometimes going up and down with my sore legs but manageable. It's still early but we already have nothing to do, the wind and rain is blowing and pouring outside, no street lights and it seems like no one is roaming around the street. That's just how this place is, so silent and serene. I learn to love it as days goes by.

From the City of Kinabalu to Kundasang

October 18, this is my day, it's my birthday. But really this is just a relax day for us. No one even know in the team that it's my day. We wake up 6:00am, my legs are still aching from my 50K TNF SG trail run 3 days ago. So I decided to just walk along the streets of Kinabalu with Jules, the others decided run, part of the training run before the race. After one hour of walk, we proceed back to the hotel to eat breakfast and prepare our things. We will be leaving for Kundasang, the town where Mt. Kinabalu is after lunch. 

Pack our things, and went back the mall to do some final grocery for our supply in Kundasang, our home for the next six days. We also had to buy one box of drinking water each, as our water supply up to the race day. At first we scout for an outdoor shop, only to find out it's still closed, all of us just peep on the glass wall curious what items are inside. We decided to just go back to the mall and buy our needed groceries, I just take my time walking, I can still feel little pain in my legs from the long race that I had. Trying to keep myself hydrated and nourished, I am always conscious that I should take some food once in a while. Thanks to Josaw and Jules for having with me a crispy crepe, it really taste good and replenished my food supply.

The others had to buy some groceries while I already have my supplies, I just join them for lunch at this time. Not so hungry yet but we need to eat for it's going to be an almost two hour travel from the city to Kundasang. Glenn hired a van for the group which is a comfortable ride for all of us. It's day time trip so I got a chance to see the place, though it's foggy and cloudy, we cannot see the mountain. A 15 minute stop over at the view deck to pee and stretch,  we proceed with our trip. We arrive Ceasar's Lodge still bright, we settle to our rooms and proceed to Kinabalu Park to get insurance for our training climb the following day. The park is more than a kilometer walk from our lodge, and it's going to be that routine on our entire stay at Kundasang, there is no other way for us to reach the park from our lodge but to walk not unless we can hitch a ride.

After settling our climb insurance, Jules decided to do a trek from the park office to the gate of Timpohon, the entrance gate of the race. She invited me to join her. At first I was really hesitant of doing this, I am not too sure if it will be a wise decision to force myself to take a more than 5 kilometer walk with the condition of my legs. I just take it slowly but with Zean and Rom, ofcourse I need to keep up with their pace. It's almost all uphill road, but at least I got familiar of how the road part will be on the race, where the finish line will be and where the start point will be. It's not going to be an easy one, though this is going to be a downhill part on the race day.

It's getting late and started to get dark, we only had one headlamp and a flashlight on my celphone. We pass by the Timpohon view deck, it's really foggy and the jagged rock on the summit is not so visible, two foreign nationals were there too, only to find out they are Kilian's photograpers documenting his race. Kilian's name is very popular even in our team but I really do not have any idea who he is. After several shots at the view deck we proceed to the gate. It's still a long uphill trek. We reach Timpohon gate still with enough light to see the rock face. It's Zean's first time to see it, the three of us already been to this place and knows how it exactly looked like. Took few pics and we proceed down.

It's already dark. Jules and myself stayed at the middle while Rom on the lead and Zean at the back. Rom just trek fast, I think he even run on the dark, while Zean just trek slowly behind us. We check on him from time to time, he is just really too silent, unusual because the two of them were loudy talking our way up. We just keep on moving on the peach dark road, hearing different sounds while walking and seeing few fireflies along the way. We had to rush back to the entrance of the park then a walk on the side of the road to MT Restaurant. The rest of the team are still at the restaurant, others already done eating while others are still waiting for their food. The three of us ordered our food and while waiting it is where we hear Rom really worried how he will tackle the trail and Zean voiced the same sintement. I think to myself, I'll just enjoy the trail.

We eat our dinner, and on our way back to our lodge it is a light less highway of Kundasang, it is already cold, really cold. I can't help but run and do brisk walk, in that way I wont feel so much colder. Upon arrival at Ceasar's, my plan of fixing my things for the next day's summit training run was set aside, I receive a text from Chris and upon checking my FB, only at Ceasar's that we have a wifi but we need to go out near the registration hut that we can get a signal. So I brave myself on the freezing temperature just to be able to read and answer my brother's messages, mom wants to call me and greet and the kids too wants to greet me. Ay, that makes me sad, I wanted to hear them on my special day, only at this time I realized that today is my birthday and all I wish is to talk to the kids. I tried to ask Glenn to borrow his phone with Malaysian number but unfortunately it's low bat. I tried to download ym on my netphone but I am not successful as well. Freezing outside, I give up the thought that I can talk to them. I just send a message back to mom, kuya, chris and the rest of those who greeted on my birthday.

I went back to my room and prepare my things for the early run the following day. I was the only one awake, and despite being inside the room and with many layers of clothe on, it is still very cold. I can hear the wind  whirling outside. It's going to be very cold tomorrow. Good night Kundasang.