Explore the Beauty of Northern China - Yunnan Qiubei Marathon 2014

Are you interested of exploring Norhtern China by foot? Come join us in Yunnan Qiubei Marathon. This is going to be an exciting event on trails, hard paths, bridges and road on the magnificent landscape of Yunnan province.

And here's a good news, to avail a discount of USD15.00, you may use discount code: YUNNANCJBPH

That is on top of the USD50.00 dollar discount for the month of July.

•Home page: http://yunnanmarathon.com/?run=10
•Register: http://yunnanmarathon.com/register/?run=10
•Race Information: http://yunnanmarathon.com/race-information/?run=10
•Travel & Tours: http://yunnanmarathon.com/travel-tours/?run=10

The World's 7 Toughest Races

As posted in Marathon Training Schedule Blog (just want to have a copy of it).

So you’ve run a marathon?  Think that makes you tough?  Think again!

Some 500,000 Americans proudly brag about their extraordinary marathon experiences. But considering the very tough and tiring and even torturous marathon races that take place in the world, the American marathons are like an easy stretch. Some races are so tough runners have died running in the heat. To give you an idea about how the world is toughing up on marathons, here is a look at seven toughest races in the world.

7. Idatarod Trail Sled Dog Race of Greater Alaska

Idatarod Trail Sled Dog Race is held in Greater Alaska. More than 60 teams enter each year. Each team has 12 to 16 dogs and they have to slide 1,161 miles of sharp-toothed mountains and thick forest from Anchorage to Nome.

This route is a historic one that was once used for mail services and supplies to mining camps in the Alaskan interior. The race is tough due to the extreme cold; contestants have to bear a minus zero temperatures, can get visual injuries, and even freeze to death. The race draws contestants due to the big prize money it offers, a handsome $72,000, for the winner plus other prizes such as cars and trucks.

6. The Raid

The Raid is a very popular adventure race. The qualifying process for this race is quite intricate. The world’s top professional teams compete to enter the race. The elimination races are held in several countries.

The Raid Championship will commence in September in the French, Italian and Swiss Alps. Contestants go through five days and nights of physical and technical challenges valleys, mountain lakes and rocks, including the Massif of Mont Blanc. The Raid consists of running, biking, paddling and climbing over 360 miles.

5. Inca Trail Ultra Marathon

The Inca Trail ultra-marathon race is a tough endurance challenge for marathon runners. The race is not very long but what makes it tough is the Trail that goes through the Peruvian Andes to Machu Picchu.

Runners have to go through tough trail conditions, and get dizzy sometimes. The 27.5-mile course is made up of thousands of stair steps. Some of these steps are cracked and angled while the rest are smooth. The access to the trail is limited, but the race attracts runners from all around the globe. Runners have to sweat their way over the Dead Woman where they can run across the locals and tourists with backpacks.

4. The Tough Guy Race

The Tough Guy Race is meant for tough guys only. It was designed by Billy Wilson, a former Grenadier Guardsman. The Tough Guy Race is rated as the world’s hardest one-day endurance marathon. Perton, near Wolverhampton, England serves as host to the event that attracts thousand of competitors each seaso.

Most spectators describe the race as a torturous one. The race requires runners to finish a cross-country run before completing the assault course. Runners crawl through mud, climb obstacles, pass by flames, barbed-wire, smoke-bombs and even electric charges before they get to the finish line. Each participant has to sign a “death warrant” to accept the risks involved in the race.

 

3. The Barkley 100 Mile Run

Compared to The Marathon of Sands, The Barkley 100 Mile Run is a bit easier, but is still considered as one of the toughest ultra-marathons globally. Each year Frozen Head State Park, Tennessee plays host to the tough Barkley 100 Mile Run. What makes this marathon tough is the course that consists of a 20 miles long loop that has to be completed five times.

The limited time frame and no stops for refreshment, makes this marathon even tougher. Runners have to deal with 16,500 meters of vertical climb and they have to look for 9-11 books and tear off their pages as proof completion. Till date only 8 runners have been able to finish the race within the required time limit.

2. Le Marathon des Sables of Morocco

Of all the foot races in the world, Le Marathon des Sables is rated as one of the most difficult ones while also being the most expensive. The race is held every year in southern Morocco, and is also called The Marathon of Sands.

Each competitor pays a fee of $5,000 to enter the race. Participants wearing the backpacks with all their stuff are required to run through a hot 254 km piece of the Sahara Desert. They run through the intense heat and are allowed water at specific points. The race is also a lot of fun as the runners get to stay in tents and sleep in sleeping bags. Marathon runners who are ready for some heat and have a $5k can fly over to Morroco for an athletic adventure.

1. The Badwater Ultramarathon – The World’s Toughest Race

The ‘world’s toughest foot race” the Badwater Ultramarathon is a 135 miles long race held in heat of mid July. Cotestants run through terrain that goes through 280-feet below sea level in the middle of Death Valley to 8,360 feet at Whitney Portals located at Mt. Whitney.

What makes the race tough is the temperature that can go as high as 130 degrees, dealing with craggy highway, and the motorists. One can enter the race by invitation only and it is limited to only 75 runners. Most participants are known athletes, tri-athletes, mountaineers who have already proved their mettle. The race is so tough that the as many as 30% runners can never make end the race at their first attempt.

So what do you think?  Agree?  Disagree?  Completed them all?  Let me know – let me hear you!

BRING IT ON. 

My Wish List (Shopping of Races)

After several times of visiting a place for the first time by joining a race, it has become part of our practice to make the event a reason to travel, hitting two birds with one stone as they said. That becomes one of our criteria every time we travel, good thing I find friends who like the same thing, not just the touristy trip but maximizing the time that we have. 

And just this morning, here we are again, making a list of what we want to do in the next few years. I myself know I cannot do all of it due to two main reasons, my financial and physical capability. But as I always said, who knows in the future miracle will happen. And besides it's just inspiring to look forward knowing that there are so many things that we can aspire for and do in the future. 

Petra Marathon

Petra Marathon & Ultra Half Marathon - "Run back in time"

Take the trip to incredible Jordan and the unique city of Petra for a fantastic marathon adventure.

Petra, an ancient city carved in the sandstone mountains, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was elected as one of the ‘New 7 Wonders of the World’ in 2007. Runners can look forward to astonishing sights and a challenging course through a unique landscape.

The next Petra Marathon will take place on 8 September 2012 – the 200th anniversary of the re-discovery of Petra which I am not to sure if I can join on this one this year. And now we are thinking of really joining this race, there's  just something about Petra that we really become obsessed of. Just want to share the results from few years races: Petra Marathon Result 2011  Ptera Marathon Result 2009

Grand to Grand Ultra 
Grand to Grand Ultra Photo Gallery 2012
This will happen Sept. 23 to 29, this year.

The course covers approx 160 miles (257 km) over 6 stages in 7 days.
Participants will encounter a mix of desert and other terrain including hard packed sand, soft sand, sand dunes, forest trails, shallow river crossings, rocky roads and slot canyons. The starting line is situated at the north rim of the Grand Canyon with breathtaking vistas at an altitude of 5324 feet (1623 meters). Campsite 1, which is your campsite on the evening before the start of the race, is close by.
The finish line is on the summit of the Pink Cliffs of the Grand Staircase and provides participants with a rewarding view back over the course that you will have just completed. From an altitude of 9360 feet (2853 meters), look back over the cliffs and enjoy the most amazing panoramic landscape of your journey framed by hoodoos and two billion year old rock formations
Throughout the course, you will trek by geological mesas, buttes and cliffs and enter into a series of unique canyons, hollows and valleys. Part of the long stage will have you cross the majestic coral pink sand dunes. You will cross a tributary of the Virgin River, which you will follow before taking you into an isolated slot canyon. Keep an eye out for wildlife and flora along the route including the endangered California Condors, big horn sheep, mule deer and unique cacti.
Be prepared for a unique experience which few people on earth will ever see, never mind hike and run through.

Racing the Planet

What is the 4 Deserts?

The 4 Deserts is the world's leading rough-country endurance footrace series. A unique collection of world-class events that take place over 7 days and 250 kilometres in the largest and most forbidding deserts on the planet.

Competitors are challenged to go beyond the limits of their physical and mental endurance. Racing self-supported in the most inhospitable climates and formidable landscapes, they must carry all their own equipment and food and are only provided with drinking water and a place in a tent each night to rest.

The series, named again by TIME magazine in 2010 as one of the world's Top 10 endurance competitions, comprises the Atacama Crossing in Chile, the Gobi March in China, the Sahara Race in Egypt and The Last Desert in Antarctica.

 Ultra Trail Mt. Fuji 

Mt. Fuji is the most sacred of mountains to the Japanese people. It is surrounded by millions of people living in the large cities located in the Tokyo, Kanagawa, Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures and is also considered to be a symbol of Japan. The ULTRA-TRAIL Mt. FUJI is a 160km race taking racers through the beautiful trails around the perimeter of this sacred mountain. It will be one of the largest trail running races in the world and will be an utmost challenge that will test the human limits.

Although the race was postponed for one year due to the devastating earthquake that took place in Japan on March 11, 2011, I am very pleased to announce that the race will at last be held in May 2012. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my deepest appreciation to the many people who provided their cooperation in making this race possible.

To all the participants taking on this challenge, I truly hope that this race will be a chance for you to take a great leap forward and explore your possibilities. At the same time, I hope that it will not just be a competition to see how fast you can run, but a chance for you to truly enjoy and appreciate the nature, culture, history and people of the beautiful Mt. Fuji region.

I hope that this race will be one of the greatest challenges in your life and I will pray for your success in completing this great endeavor.

 Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon

The deep recesses of the Sierra Madre Mountains in Northwestern Mexico form a gnarly maze of twisting gorges known as the Barrancas del Cobre, or Copper Canyon. This vast labyrinth stretches for 28,000 square miles in an intricate web that could envelop the state of West Virginia. In this crude earth labyrinth the Tarahumara, or Rarámuri, keep their antiquated customs alive.

Much of the Rarámuri still live as their ancestors did more than 2,000 years ago in adobe huts and even caves. A reclusive, solitary people, the Rarámuri represent a very minimalist culture. Men dress in simple, neon-colored blouses paired with coarse, plain-woven fabric skirts. The women adorn themselves in long, flowing ankle-length skirts that boast colorful and feminine floral prints. On their feet, the Rarámuri use simple huaraches – sandals made from scraps of tire and cow leather.

The remarkably primitive lifestyle of the Rarámuri leaves them with only one real way to navigate their crude, wild terrain: to run. Their name literally means “the light-footed ones.”

And my list continues, I just do not know when it will stop:

The Last Wild Race - Patagonia

The PATAGONIAN EXPEDITION RACE^® is a true expedition, taking teams of four through lands previously unknown to the human eye. Racers receive minimal assistance as they traverse through the pristine southern Patagonia by means of trekking, climbing and related rope work, kayaking, mountain biking, and back country navigation. They often cover hundreds of kilometers without seeing a soul.

Imitating the journeys of our Indian forefathers, competitors advance over plains, mountains, glaciers, native forests, swampland, rivers, lakes and channels; guided only by mind and spirit but driven on by physical stamina and experience.

Every edition features a unique route. Past racers have found themselves in the Southern Continental Ice Field, the Strait of Magellan, Torres del Paine, Tierra del Fuego, the Beagle Channel and Cape Horn. The land is diverse, the challenge real, the adventure untamed.
Athletes from Australia, Canada, USA, México, New Zealand, South Africa, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Japan, Russia, Spain, France, Germany, Turkey, Great Britain, Czech Republic, Colombia, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile have already taken part in this experience. In nine races we have covered over 5600 kilometres.

More important than distance however, has been the adventure and exploration of one of the most untouched and isolated places in the world. We have been inspired by the magical landscapes and fauna, while being pushed to new heights by nature's obstacles and unpredictable weather. The PATAGONIAN EXPEDITION RACE^® changes lives.

The North Face Endurance Challenge

TRAINING & RACING TIPS

So you're prepared to tackle The North Face® Endurance Challenge and explore the outermost limits of how far you can run. Take a deep breath, because now it's time to train.
Whether you are taking on the Gore-Tex® 50 Mile distance or the 5K, you can’t start training and planning for race day soon enough. There are many different ways to approach endurance training, some prefer to follow the guidance of a training plan or to run with a local running club.
The North Face® worked with Carmichael Training Systems (CTS) to develop official training plans for the Endurance Challenge Series. Get expert training plans with The North Face® Training Tracker, powered by Training Peaks™.
Along with an expertly designed training plan you will get:

• Guidance and motivation from the daily planned workouts
• Daily e-mails with your next workout to keep you on track
• Maps and routes to view, share or create your own
• Confidence from tracking your fitness
• Encouragement from friends on Facebook® or Twitter®
• Compatibility with your training device (Garmin, Timex, Polar, Suunto, iPhone, Nike, etc)
• Nutrition tracking to monitor your diet
• Learn more about the Training Tracker

The North Face® is sponsoring community running clubs in each of the Endurance Challenge Regions. Visit the Running Club section to find out which clubs in your community will be focused on the Endurance Challenge as well!

And the list includes those that we have been wanting to do since before: 

 Tuscany Crossing 2013

The Val d’Orcia, or Valdorcia, is a region of Tuscany, central Italy, which extends from the hills south of Siena to Monte Amiata. It is characterised by gentle, carefully cultivataed hills occasionally broken by gullies and by picturesque towns and villages such as Pienza (rebuilt as an “ideal town” in the 15th century under the patronage of Pope Pius II), Radicofani(home to the notorious brigand-hero Ghino di Tacco) and Montalcino (the Brunello di Montalcino is counted among the most prestigious of Italian wines). It is a landscape which has become familiar through its depiction in works of art from the Renaissance painting to the modern photograph.

With it’s rolling hills, mild and dry climate, rugged trails and bucolic backdrop it is a perfect venue to run a fast and unforgettable 100k/50k.

Lost Worlds Racing is partnering with experienced local organizers to bring you what will be one of the most beautiful and memorable race locations in the series!

More race information and route details coming soon! Registration prices and info for residents of Italy coming soon.

Interest in the race location is already very high and we will be limited to 200 international entries due to permit restrictions. Join us at the  Tuscany Crossing in 2013 but make sure to reserve a space soon!

 Everest Basecamp Marathon 

The Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marthon is "probably the most adventurous trail run in the world." This adventurous journey takes you to the base of the classic south face of Mt Everest in Nepal .

During the trek up to Everest Base Camp, you will pass through the Everest National Park crossing through Namche Bazaar, Khumbu's Sherpa capital and Buddhist monasteries of Pangboche, one of the oldest in the area and the amazing  Thyangboche monastery, re-built after being burnt to the ground. From the summit of Kalapatthar (5545m/18200ft) you will enjoy the unmatched views of Nuptse, Everest and Lhotse. This marathon itself is a part of trekking. This is the only trip apart from mountaineering expeditions that has overnight camping right at the base of towering Mt Everest near the notorious Khumbu Icefall. We guarantee total satisfaction of the experience as we have been conducting this great event every year since 2003.

The Ancient Khmer Path - Cambodia Ultra 2012 

Another one which I think would be great to join is an ultra marathon in Cambodia. Aside from the scenic place it's within Asia. Plane fare could be affordable and it could be one of the best way to visit this beautiful place. I just hope registration fee would be reasonable.

As I said, this is just my wish list.....if the universe will conspire, so be it. 

Vinta UltraMarathon 2012

I haven't been to Zamboanga. So when my friend Rica posted a race on this place I said go, even without putting much thought about it. This will be my cool down to my HK100 kilometer trailrun a week ago in Hong Kong, a 50K run cool down, I thought. But will this really be a cool down for me?

Rica found a friend who can offer an accommodation and transportation for us to go around the place prior to the race. That makes me so excited that I decided to book for my flight and pay the registration fee for the event.

Vinta Ultra, we said, aside from the run we will search the famous Vinta of the Zamboanga Peninsula, it turn out this colorful sail boats only come out on a special occasion every October. Anyway, we just enjoy our stay in the city by savoring the place's yummy seafoods and visiting beautiful places without thinking so much of the race. Upon showing the race map to our hosts, they said it's going to be a far distance away from the city without also telling us of the terrain. I got excited thinking I get to see more places on this race. 

The first two days we spend going around the city and eating  so much yummy seafoods, without even thinking of the race on the last day of our stay in the city. It seems like we are here for the sightseeing and not the race itself. 

With almost healed legs, the sore on my legs that I've been feeling the past few days after my HK100 a week ago is now totally gone, probably the walking around the city also help recover. My right leg has one dead toe nail, one small blister and a minor pain on the knee which I did not feel anymore as well, I am now ready to face another challenge. 

The past days, just when we wish for a cloudy rainy not so sunny day, that did not happen, so it is expected that the race day will be another bright sunny day.  Saturday, I have again my monthly period, something I did not expect on this race, I did not prepare for it but good thing I bring with me full tights,  even if I have in mind using  shorts due to the weather, I have no choice but to have long tights despite the hot sunny day. I do not want another bloody legs on this run.  Sunday come, it's already our long run day.  There are 4 of us coming from Manila who lives together in Lyne's house for this race. Wake up earlier than the ring of my alarm clock, prepare and get ready for the event. We all agreed this will be an easy pace for us, just a cool down for me and Zean, the very first ultra for Rica and a slow race for FR as well.  Zean and FR promised to take the race slowly and pace with us. After taking breakfast, my stomach started not to feel too well. I have to go to the toilet twice before the race started for nature calls. So a super good luck to me, doing an ultra road run with an upset stomach and having my monthly period. 

As we arrive more than 30 minutes  before the gun start, there are already few runners around at  the starting area.  Upon claiming our race bibs, we take some pictures, relax, meet other runners both from the city and others from Manila, and I do another visit to the restroom. Surprisingly Sir Carl from Smart and Ariane are there too, though Sir Carl is not running, only Ariane. We are released at exactly 5:00am. A super goodluck to us, we really do not know what we are  putting ourselves into on this race. 

The first 14 kilometer is just following the highway from the gun start at Golden  Orchid Hotel going to Ipil. It's still early, the sun is not out yet and  I am glad we do not have to share the road with so many motorists. The four of us just take a slow pace, sometimes I am on the lead with FR. Zean and Rica is just following us at the back. I enjoy the view, as we run further distance, it leaves the city structure and it becomes more of the wider horizon of trees and plants. We take note of several newly build subdivisions, the designs are just so modern. Upon reaching the 8 kilometer mark, a water station is already available, though we are not hungry yet, Zean decided to get water and pack of chippy, yes chippy, upon the request of Rica. Service to the highest level.

After several kilometers, the sun is already up, and another support crew is waiting, bringing some ice candy. At first I thought of  not taking one, I am still ok, not hungry, not warm. We continue with our highway adventure, another water station appeared, at this time with cracker and water. I thought of not taking anything yet, I can feel my stomach not really   on a very good state. My sanitary napkin is still ok, what is not ok with  me is my stomach, I got so conscious that whatever I'll take will upset my stomach,  so I only drink water, not even gatorade. 

The 14 kilometer marker is the turn left sign going to Barangay Guisao.  The sun is already up, bright and shining, a sign of a bright sunny day ahead of us. We still  run together, the four of us. From the highway, the turn starts with a downhill road followed by an uphill one until it reaches a community, with more trees, rice paddies, vegetable plantation,  bushes and grass. It becomes greener and  there are now less artificial structures around and less vehicle pollution, something I love to see.  At the 16 kilometer mark is another turn left going to the mountain slopes of the area. We hydrate again at this mark, eat some crackers and drink more water. I can feel my stomach is already starting to get upset again. I did not think about it and just focus on my pace. After few kilometers of flat is already an uphill road with times that it goes down a bit but goes to another uphill as well. At times it's rough road. It's at around kilometer 20 that I can feel I really need to use the restroom. Nature calls and I really cannot stop it anymore. I tell the group to just go ahead and I will stop for a toilet break. I asked one house, at first the lady is hesitant, they do not have a clean toilet, I don't mind, I even want  to do it in the bushes anyway. So there  it goes. After several minutes I resume my uphill adventure now just alone, passing by some runners sometimes. There are some photographers riding a car or motorcycle that pass by and took pictures of us. Most of the time we greet locals and they are amazed how far we have been running. At one community there are several children bringing some flaglets forming two lines greeting each runner that will pass. I did not get a chance to take picture of that but it feels great to see them. I hope I inspire them to go into running when they grow up someday.

taken from zean's album

After few kilometers I catch up with my running mates. There are already few runners coming back and saying we are almost to the 25kilometer turn around point. But ofcourse that did not happen soon. At this time most of the road is now down hill, to the next down hill up to the next super down hill. I can imagine how this will be on the way back. I run last among the four of us, I do not want   to put so much pressure on my knees and might get injured on the downhill road. As much as I wanted to race til the bridge, I just really cannot. The turn around point is already visible but it's still a downhill run. After few minutes, finally reach the station, hydrate, eat cracker again take some pictures, then decided to leave after FR ahead of Zean and Rica.  The sun is totally out and it's just shining to it's brightest. I  think  of stopping somewhere and use the toilet again. But after several minutes Rica and Zean catch up with me, I tried to move faster on the uphill road but I just really cannot. I keep on thinking at some point I will ask again a house where I can use the toilet or just do it in the bushes. But I continued running. 

taken from zean's album

There are few runners who did the half relay that finished the first half and now on motorcycle going back to the starting/finish point, some of them  asked me if I am ok, what do I need, I forgot I needed some  more tissue paper, I almost consume what I brought on my first toilet stop. Oh well, I only thought of asking one after the first vehicle asked me. I thought I should ask on the next support crew that will come.  As I deal with the downhill road, it's now becoming very hot. I pass by some male runners, other pass by me too. At some point a support vehicle is park on a downhill road asking if I need water, banana, gatorade, ice. Having the tissue in mind, I asked for it. Unfortunately they don't have. I just asked some electrolyte drink and more ice. I  have been thinking my worst scenario if I run out of tissue paper and if ever  nature calls again, I might use my precious headware which I do not want that to happen. I am thinking I cannot take more solid yet. And off I go with my adventure going down. Zean and Rica is not  within my sight anymore, I am sure  they are far ahead of me already. At some point I wanted to ask again at the house where I asked first for a toilet break, but I thought I can still wait for it until some time. 

taken from Zean's album

I just take my time going down, I know I am almost the 16 kilometer station. It's already hot, I already wish I brought with me a small towel where I can wet with ice cold water at the water station and put on my head. Most of the time I just run on the side portion of the road, until from a far I thought  there is a meter long stick without me realizing it's a snake. I am less than a meter close to it. To my surprise I shouted and that scared the snake, it comes to an attack position, without looking back I rush to my fastest pace without thinking the pain in my legs. That was my closest encounter of the a snake and it scares me to death. After few kilometers I already reach the 16 kilometer marker and to my surprise my running mates are at the sari sari store waiting for me while drinking soda. I hydrate more and refill my hydration bottle and get some crackers. I feel I need to eat, I am just really afraid to take my energy gels it might upset my stomach more. Finally I use the rest room after Rica did and she offer her wet ones. So kind of her, unfortunately the sari sari store did not sell any tissue paper. 

After my toilet adventure we started our way back to the main highway, now on a scorching heat of the sun. There are few kilometers left on the local road before a right turn to the main highway, there are still trees on the sides, so our approach is run for the next shade, when on the shaded area we walk  then run again as we come to the next exposed area. It's really very very hot. But upon reaching that signage of the main highway, it was just really totally a blistering heat of the sun that greet us. Totally hot all over. We are like bread baked in an over with heat coming from the sun  above and heat below from the ground. Still our approach is to run to the next shade but on the highway there are just really very minimal shade. We just continue with our walk jog approach. Upon reaching kilometer 14 I started to take one pack of Gu energy gel. With only cracker, one piece banana and 3 candies on almost 7 hours of on the road, I can now feel my sugar level going down. I need to have something despite my stomach condition.

After sometime on a never ending highway road going back to the starting/finishing line, to our surprise,  buko for sale. FR already stop for one and we thought of stopping as well. I am hesitant of getting one but I thought the water of the buko will help me hydrate. After finishing it, I can now feel I need to go to the toilet, it's not later but now. We are on the middle of a highway with out any house, it's bushes beyond the highway fence. I step over the below the waist fence and find my spot among the bushes, nature calls,  hearing the vehicle pass by or the voices of some runners that also take some buko did not bother me at all, I just need to do it on that place. It was a relief after that break.

And off we continue  with our adventure on the highway under the heat of the sun. I can now feel my  face, arms, shoulders totally burned from the sun. I just pray nothing will happen to me, I am so afraid I will get dehydrated from lack of fluid intake or even very less solid for the past several hours. And aside from that I was thinking the heat might be too much and heat store might strike. I am just thankful to the vehicle crew who offers water, that gives us time to hydrate and wet our head to cool a bit. At the kilometer 8 marker, I was thinking we are almost there, 42K done, 8K more under two hour time. With this we just focus on our way back, after Rica stop to a gasoline station for a toilet break which I did not do, I started looking for the next gasoline station, we pass by three but all on the right side, nothing on the side of the road where we are. I am so tempted to asked on some stores, clinics and even karenderya for a toilet break but I just continue. Until we pass another water station on the right side of the road just beside a gasoline station. We decided to take a water break, but I  go straight to the toilet. When I come back Zean and Rica waited for me. So happy to see them.

from Sir Carl's album

We continue having Zean on the lead me at mid and Rica at the back. After the wet market of fresh sea foods I know we are almost there, but ofcourse that did not come soon as well. There are still several intersections we pass. The weather cooperates, some clouds cover the sun making our last stretch of run less irritating to the skin, though I am already totally red, my skin is now bunred. After passing by the intersection of Jollibee and Chowking, I know very well we are almost there, but the tall building of the Golden Orchid Hotel is still not visible. It's really like taking forever to the finish line. When I see the Marcian Hotel, I know we are almost there, until the marker of the finish line is just visible several meters away. Yahoo, finally we are done. 8 hours 35 minutes of running under the heat of the sun.

I am so glad to cross the finish line with my running mates, Zean and Rica, FR finish few minutes ahead of us. The organizer of the race Jonel is also there waiting before we cross the arch of the finish line with Sir Carl. And surprisingly our support Cherrye, Leni, Joji and Claudien are there too. It's just feels great seeing them cheering for us as we cross the finish line.

I survived my first road ultra and finish the run injured free and thankful nothing happened to me despite my condition. Rica did a strong finish too, she is fast  and strong despite this is her very first time to do such long race in that heat and terrain condition. I'd like to commend Zean and FR for staying with our pace despite the fact that both of them can run faster and finish way ahead of us. So thankful.

I'd like to congratulate the Zamboanga Runner's Club and Front Runner, for a successful event. Their constant monitoring on the runners especially on the way back to the finish line really is a big help. Job well done.

Another adventure conquered. 

Planning a Dream to Reality

EBC Basecamp

Been wanting to do EBC but it was  a one acquaintance in FB  that ignites my long  interest of doing it. I admire those friends of mine who does Nepal, Annapurna, Tibet, EBC, I thought I know I can do that one day but really no concrete time when.

Until one FB acquaintance encouraged me to do the Everest Marathon that happens every 29th of May. That sounds great. And what a great coincidence, one of my close friend and climb buddy Jeffrey Ledsema commented on my post that doing the Everest Basecamp has been his long dream. I really never thought that he'd be interested of doing a long expedition like this for in our past expeditions he never really showed interest. With this, all the more I got excited of pushing organizing the trip.

Everest Basecamp Marathon, high alti race

As I look for possible outfitters that would handle the fourteen day trek before doing the marathon, I come across a Filipina who married a Nepalese who happen to own a guiding company. Wow, this is such a small world and since my inquiry with her, she becomes close to me already as if I know her for a long time now.

View in Nagarkot (1,940MASL)

The trip will happen next year yet but doing the planning for this trip really excites me. This really sounds crazy, I am still bound for a major expedition this coming December yet here I am planning for another big expedition for the following year.

I just hope everything will turn out fine for this trip.