Takbo Mo Buhay Ko Run - All You have to Do is Start with the Very First Step

Barefoot Running!!!! At long last bucket list checked for me. I did it on a race, a 10km distance, for the very first time.

Inspired by a friend, I have been walking and running barefoot on my own for almost 2 years now. Following few leg exercises to avoid injury in the transition, I walk barefoot and run on the streets of the Central Business District in he country, in the province, inside the office, at the mall, on the rough road, pebbled trail, sandy terrain and seashore. And just recently, a runner friend  shared his secret ingredient on the success of his races, his weekly training routine. To my surprise he included barefoot running or walking as part of his recovery activity after a hard long run. Then most likely this should be working for him as well.

Almost to the finish line. 

Few friends told me running barefoot or on minimalist is a fad, other's said it's not effective. Here is my stand on it, I believe it is a case to case bases, depending on the person's situation and need. I know of a friend running barefoot/minimalist works well for him and so ironic he gets blisters when wearing a regular running shoes with socks. While another friend can only run ultra long distance races  wearing  the elevator shoes or Hoka shoes for he got a knee injury  long time ago due to a rock climbing accident.

My very first barefoot race, podium finish. 

In my case, I want to explore, I want to experiment. Running is a continues learning process for me, especially on how I can improve my speed.  Barefoot running has been effective to me when I am recovering from an ultra race. I observed, my sore legs and feet recover faster when walking barefoot after a day or two. So, I guess, this thing is also working for me.

I have been wanting to try running barefoot on a race, that moment where I do not have a choice but to run on designated route whether it is comfortable or not, that moment where I do not have the option but to finish the race and not use and put on my slippers or shoes or stop and take a ride because I am not comfortable running barefoot anymore but rather I had  to push to the finish line no matter what my condition is.

With Miss Gia and Miss Anna, first and second place on 10km regular female category. 

The Race and Race Route

A charity run, Takbo Mo Buhay Ko (Your Run My Life), for the Yolanda victim in some parts of Iloillo includes a barefoot category of a 10km distance. This will be my great chance to run barefoot and at the same time I know my registration fee will help the people who needs it most. I always patronize charity races, I always wanted to help even on my own little way.

Race starts in one of the vacant parking space of CCP beside the seawall, then goes to Roxas Boulevard towards airport road passing two fly overs (Buendia and EDSA) and turns around at Naia Airport Road, then goes all the way to  Luneta with a turn around a little after KM 0 then goes back to CCP. A very familiar route for me.

Not bad, despite my late start. 

Race Day

Few days before the race has been very hectic and tiring series of activities for me. An event which I need to be awake so late for a couple of nights did not give so much rest and sleep even the very night before the race. I had been contemplating if I will really run the race. I will just play it by ear if I get up early come race day. Which I did but was still really tired. Been thinking if I will really run,  very tempting to just stay longer in my bed, get few more hours of sleep and let go of the run. Until I decided to force myself to leave, put on my running attire and run. But alas, I was really running late for the gun start. As I reach the starting line, 10km runners were already released. Oh well, I'll just follow and catch up with the rest of the runners. Leaving few of my things and my pair of slippers  at the baggage counter and passing by the starting line, I am already running over 5minute late from gun start.

I can hear some of the marshals, especially my running friends cheering and encouraging   me, "Habol, Habol" (catch up, catch up), I just smile back.  I will do my very best to run as fast as  I can especially on this very first adventure on barefoot running. True enough a little over 500 meters approaching  the very first fly over, I already catch up few runners at the very tail end. First water station appears but I did not get any water yet. One thing I noticed, I can sense some uncomfortability at the middle toe on my left foot. I can sense a blister brewing that part. I had been very careful where to land my feet. The stretch of Roxas Boulevard that is part of the race route has been newly asphalted which is to my advantage.

Counting few more water stations, I stop and grab a cup and drink. One thing I noticed though, if I spill water on my feet, it's not comfortable and it becomes slippery. On the half way mark I can feel another uncomfortable feeling on the right foot just below my big toe. I can feel another blister forming.

Thumbs up. 

As I run longer, fast runners are already coming back and that includes runners on barefoot. I can now see more less where I stand. There is no way I can catch up with the first and second lady barefoot runners, they are way way ahead of me.  I still push a little faster, approaching the second turn around point and I was over 7km mark already, I am already sure both feet with uncomfortable feeling earlier is now having a full blown blister. It has become challenging especially on that part that there are hardened pebbles on the asphalted road.

I had to endure. Just a little more push and I know I will get to the finish line. I know what I am feeling at that moment is nothing compared to where the funds raised on this race goes to. As I approach the finish line, I did not think of my race ranking anymore, all I thought is to get over with the pain and finish the race. To my surprise my running time is an hour and 8 minutes and I placed 3rd on female barefoot category.

I finished the race and came home with two big blisters but I was really very happy.  Another bucket list checked for me and at the same time I help people in need at the Northern part of Iloilo. Indeed, I am glad I decided to just do this race despite the fact that I never had so much training on barefoot running lately.

It was such a liberating feeling running so bare on the road. I know it is still along way to go for me on barefoot running or even on improving my speed on running, but I always believe I can always start with the first few steps and hopefully will go a longer distance one day.  I am excited thinking what will be the next one, will it be a barefoot on a longer distance on a road,  a trail? Running barefoot around Taal Volcano Island? No...that is too ambitious for me to even think of doing.  :)

My next adventure? TNF100 100km distance. No not in barefoot but having two big blisters from this race, it worries me if I will ever survive fine on such long distance. It's for me to find out.

I come across this two year research study on barefoot or minimalist running. I was never scientific and never did much research on this matter in the past and I can say nothing more simplier the way it was described than how it was explained on the attached article. I hope this thing in running will help me too someday. Two Year Clinical Study on Minimalist Running

Salomon X-Trail Mountain Run 2014 - Short but Rock

Picture courtesy of Miss Jackie. 

This is one of the few races that I have that I did not think of what am I doing to myself while at the middle of a brutal course, I never question myself why do I have to go through another tough race, and most of all I do not have to drag myself to push to the finish line. I was just exploding with so much joy, my heart body and spirit was just having fun running from one peak to the other, traversing the unrelenting uphills and dealing the direct descends of trails covered with loose rocks, dry leaves, roots and vines, traversing the boulders and rocky dry river bed and the coastal line, and the sandy and pebbled shore while experiencing the excruciating summer heat of Hamilo Coastline. I was just glad I am back on the trail after more than a month of pounding the road. 

It was one tough race. Beautiful scenery with ridiculous hills.  It offers some serious trails that connects the several trail courses within this area of Batangas. Some parts are difficult and a bit technical. It's a  short distance race yet it has  lots of variety of terrain that a runner can ask for. From the rolling road of more than 5km inside the Pico de Loro development to the  surrounding hills down to the shoreline, it is an action packed race rolled into one. It also has a tight cut off time that sets the bar higher for runners to perform very well. It is one beautiful course that a trail lover will be very happy to run less the traffic of people though. 

So did I come prepared to make it to the finish line within cut off time? I am not sure if the answer is Yes. Thinking it now I can say it's a No. Coming from an 80km LSD the week before this race (Mayon360), though I did one recovery run and a tempo run on the weekday after Mayon, I can say I really did not come on fresh legs. Bringing my hydration pack with 2liter bladder, I only fill it with 1 liter of water thinking I will refill it along the way. I had few grams of mix nuts, 2 mini pack toblerone and 1 small piece of cloud nine (these are trail food that are left over from my previous races which I had been thinking while on the race I should have brought more) as my reserve food hoping that there will be some in the aid stations. I also had an empty water bottle that I think I should refill with Gatorade drink as I go along the race that will provide me some salt, mandatory gear of whistle, headlamp and sachet of sunblock and wet ones. I brought my camera and mobile phone this time. That's what I have in my hydration pack. As I wanted to run light and free again. This has become my slogan lately. 

Photo courtesy of Miss Abigail. 

So what helped? 

I am very much aware of the 7 hour cut off time for the 32km distance with a mid cut off time of 4hrs at km 18 but I have no idea at all how tough the trail will be. I miss running this race last year on the same trail. I take a look at the race elevation profile before leaving for the race but  I did not put much attention to it. I know it  is jagged, there will be several hills,  so I thought I will just push the best that I can while putting much attention to my physical condition as I go along the race. Again this is another run that I did not bring with me any wrist watch. I'll just play it by ear, if a marshal will pull me off the race course then so be it, was all I had in mind. My top most priority, to hydrate well, eat a little, run safe  and have fun. 

Traffic? That's part of the adventure.
We may not like it but it's all up to us how to go through it.

As I hit the road with the rest of almost 400 runners for 32km distance (they said 375, not sure of the exact figure though) I just run on my comfortable pace. Lots of friends running this distance so as I warm up on the road going to the Marina Bay turn around point, every now and then I can hear runners greeting or calling my name exchanging good mornings, good lucks and take cares. 

Before entering the trail to the Relay Tower and the start of the traverse of the several hills, I stop at the second aid station and thought of filling my bottle with Gatorade, but because the queue to the 2 Gatorade containers is quite long, I decided to just refill my bottle with water. This starts my being so conscious of my water intake though been thinking I do not have enough source of salt in whatever food I have at hand. 

First few kilometers of the trail is wide until it goes to a single track with rope.  This part starts the few sections of the trail that has a highway traffic of runners waiting for our turn to cross the rope section. It's a gully on both sides, so there is just to way for me to bushwhack on either side to make a slow progress.   I had no choice but to stay with the pack of runners and wait for my turn. Of the several sections that has rope as much as possible I did not use them but rather push on the uphill on my own, sometimes on the side of the trail to overtake other runners. 

Photo credit to Kuya Mar 

The entrance  to the Relay Station also starts my run free mode. The trail brought back great memories of my mountaineering days when we just had to push persistently on tough ascends and run with all our might on the way down even with heavy load of pack back then. The same goes on this very race. I push persistently on all the ascends and never stop at all and  run on the descents without minding the loose ground and just rely in the few tree trunks and branches that I can hold while jumping like a monkey. I remember my mountaineering buddies, Jepoy, Ayin, Aaron, Kuya Mar, Momoy, Ging, Chic, etc. The same exact feeling came all over my senses this time. That started my just run as far as I can mode as if I am not on a race this time.  It trudged several hills that I guess covers around 9 peaks, goes to several Powerline entrances,  to dry river beds with big boulders then pass by a cove and shoreline under the heat of the sun but with so much joy. I did not even think of how many kilometer distance I had covered.  

But few safety rules flashed back on my mind as I go along the course too. 

Hydration

As it gets hotter and really humid, I need to hydrate as much as I can to avoid dehydration especially that I sweat too much in every ascend, it was just too hot and humid and there was no wind. I wish I brought with me my foldable fan. So in every opportunity that I can refill with water, I stop with calculated move, put much ice cubes on my hydration bladder before filling with water (that gives me 2 liters of water to make sure I have enough hydration as I do not know how far  the next aid station will be), fill my handy empty bottle with ice cold water too and insert it in between my shirt and hydration pack at the back and pour water to myself before leaving the station. That has become my routine for several stations. Thank goodness there was still enough water in each station every time I pass by. My heart goes to the runners who said there was no more water when they pass by the station. 

Photo credit to Miss Jackie. 

Nutrition

This gives me so much worry. As I exerted so much effort going up, I consume so much energy, I cannot live on hydration alone. My little mistake, hoping that there will be solid food provided in the station I only brought so little trail food. After passing by several stations with none and trudging several peaks already, I know I need to eat if I want to survive on this kind of terrain. I decided to bring out my trail mix of nuts and dried fruits. I live with two more toblerone and 1 cloud nine chocolate bars until the finish line. Thank goodness I survive with very minimal food. 

Safety on the trail

Most of the ascends and descents are on a single track trail, others  on rocks and boulders on the dry river bed and seashore, some parts are with ropes. Safety first comes to my mind. On the ascends I just push continuously without rests (at all, I realized I never take a rest at all on this race, I never sit down even every after hard push in every ascend), slowly but surely is my rule. As traffic develops I go a little off trail, slowly overtaking others on areas that I can. I never wait until the trail clears with runners infront of me for that will eat up my time. The same goes on my descends, as much as possible I run but on calculated risk especially on the part with loose rocks and soil. Jumping from one tree trunk to the other or slide a little I overtake runners in front if possible. That I think gives me a little edge of pushing a little faster. Just my tip, in going down one has to be very sure of your footings, look ahead and make a decision of where you land your foot next. This is one thing that I learn in mountaineering that I know can  be learned in trail running as well. 

On the rocks at the dry river bed and shore line

I treat this part with super extra care. I am always very cautious on boulders for it might be too slippery or I might land on not stable rock so I put much care, I sit down using my butt if I need too. I don't want to jeopardize my safety especially on this remote area with less immediate access to medics. It was a big relief when I went out that section safe and hope that there will be no more on such kind of terrain. 

The Sand and the Heat 

I am thankful I always use my trail gaiters in all my trail runs. It helped me save time clearing my shoes from sand and pebbles. At some point I wish I used my full desert gaiter though but I realized half gaiter worked fine. How I approached the sand? I just push a little,  gliding each foot forward as I land the sand. The desert sand is much more challenging than this one, all I thought. The heat is given so I just hydrate hydrate and hydrate. And probably my heat experience in Mayon 360 helped me a lot this time. 

Running through the coast line hearing the voice of the program that is going on at the finish line is a mental challenge. I thought I will already cross the finish line. But not. We have to traverse the coast line going to the last part of the course, the last uphill which I call it the bonus part of the course. It was already hot and humid. Without any idea what time exactly it is and what distance I covered, I just run the shore with myself splashing on the sea water. I was just too lazy to bring out my mobile phone to know the time. I know I am almost there. And I welcome another uphill with fun, I have no other choice but to go through it. I was tired but I am having fun and surprisingly I can still run on the downhill and the flats and back to the sand. Another kilometer on the rough road and the road as we go around towards the finish line, yet again, I still have the little strength to do it on a jogging pace and not walk. Clueless of the time, I cross the finish line in 6 hours and 42 minutes. I did it within cut off time. 

So what really helped?

I am lucky I run 32km, I thank Barry for his generosity. I feel 24km with 5 hour cut off time is really tight. This is what I thought about making it to the cut off time. This is just my opinion for I feel this is what works with me during the race. 

It is not enough that a runner can run fast. I saw lots of runners who can run faster than I do in so many road races that did not make it to the cut off time on this race. One has to manage several aspects while on the race: speed, hydration, nutrition, the heat, the varied terrain. On the ascend one can be very slow but push continuously, take advantage of the descend with extra care. Move ahead from the runner  infront if there is a chance rather than wait for the trail to clear. Ropes are there to assist in going up and down but if one can manage to go without it, it will always be faster to move. Anticipate to bring more than enough hydration for one will never know when is the next aid station. Just like in a mountain trek, better have more than run out of water while on the trail ,  there will be no stores available that you can refill not unless there is a stream along the trail. 

The heat. Heat training is the key but while at the race, just hydrate, hydrate and hydrate. More importantly, listen to your body. If one feel like you cannot push any further then stop and rest and resume if you still have time. Eat. Replenish your nutrition. The kind of terrain on this race needs much more energy than traversing a flat trail. Going up and down eats so much energy that one needs to eat little food while on the trail. Traversing all the uphill reminds me of Lambingan trail doing the Makiling Circuit, the flats always reminds me of my UP Payasso2200.

Running is like life. We can always learn things as we go along, take note of what works and learn from those that did not and move on. 

Call it luck, or my training paid off, I am glad I joined this race, it brought back so many good trail memories with a bonus of finishing within cut off time. No blisters, no dead to nails, no chaffing.   No acid reflux, no dehydration, no stomach cramps, no bladder concerns, no peeing of blood. Thank you and thank God. 

My Arsenal:
Salomon cap and sun glasses
Gregory hydration pack with 2 liter water bladder
500ml empty water bottle that I refill along the way
Nike tank top
Pink Champion technical shirt (thank you Carmel Lim)
TNF 3/4 compression tights
Pair of Trail Gaiter (thank you Amy Wong)
Feetures pair of socks (Thank you SingPhil)
Altra Lone Peak Running shoes (Thank you SingPhil)
Glide (Thank you Andy)
Sunblock

4th Mayon360 Ultramarathon 2014 (50mile Road Race) - The Beginning of My Re-Learning Process

Running ultra races over the past three years is a continues learning process for me. I have my own share of triumphs and defeats, joys and frustrations along the way. I come to learn so much about myself, got amazed with what I can do beyond what I imagine I can. I am blessed I am able to run that long for I know not all can despite their desire and will to do it for their body cannot endure the extreme activity that the sports is asking for.

 I learn to adopt techniques as I go from one race to the other. There are those that worked for me the first few races that does not work for me anymore now. Along the way there are also things that I developed that I wish I did not. One concern is my nutrition and hydration. I become so sensitive with my nutrition and hydration that after over two years of running,  a taste of a gu gel or any gel is not acceptable to my stomach anymore. I cannot take any kind of soda even if I wish to. I have to be very diligent with my food and hydration intake otherwise  I will develop acid reflux along the race. Though I learn how to deal with it, I know if I want to do longer on this sports I have to address it.

I use to tape my toes on my races in the past,  now I no longer do it with very minimal or no blisters at all. But my speed did not get any better, infact I feel it is getting worst, I got slower than before. I wish I had the same fresh legs the day I started running 3 years ago, no pain on the knees, hamstring, calves, etc. That condition leads me to my next move in the field of running: work on my speed and study my nutrition and hydration.

Early month of March I promised to really work on my speed, one thing that I know I have to do if I will really aspire to do tough long races in the future. With that,  I know I had to work on my core, do more short distance races, speed works and intervals and lessen my ultra races. But barely one month of doing such with the help of my few running mates, I have to make a decision if I will join a race that I have been wanting to tick off from my list, running through the most perfect coned volcano in the world, the Mayon360 Ultramarathon. My stubborn self won and I decided to join. The 80km distance will be too long of an LSD to cover my total mileage for the week.

My goal in mind? Take an easy pace, study my nutrition and hydration, survive the heat, test run the Altra Intuition1.5 road running shoes and Feetures pair of socks  and most of all HAVE FUN. Compared to my other ultra races of almost the same distance, this time I came at the starting line on a very less expectations and less running gear. I want to run light and run free, so I only bring my 320ml hydration bottle, small sachet of wet ones and enough amount of cash. No hydration belt, no power bars, gels and chocolates, no chia seeds, electrolyte drink nor nutrimeal, no watch, cellphone, camera. There will be aid stations every after 5kms on the stretch of the race course and some support vehicles that we can always ask for food and water. The specific vehicle that I ride with will also be around though I am not sure if I can have it available if needed. I also did not study the race course, the elevation profile nor the area where it will be most hot and exposed to the sun. This race is known to be hot and humid, it reached 41degrees C last year, others said. Without much heat training the past weeks, my mental conditioning on race day was 'I experienced the extreme heat of a desert race in Arizona and Utah without the luxury of so much supply of water and ice cubes to cool my body, I overcome the microwave temperature of Dinalupihan in BDM102,  I should survive the heat again this time with out much trouble.  

An hour before the gun start, we were already at the starting line. Lots of runners, over 700 with over 400 from the 80km solo category and 300 spread to the two sets of relay. It's overwhelming to see several familiar faces, and most especially toeing the starting line with some of the few elite runners in the country. The cash prize is a very good attraction that this race draw more runners every year. How I wish I can have my share but ofcourse that is only in my dreams. Even if cash awards will be given to top 30 and first 5 female, I still cannot grab a portion of it.  All I am aiming this time  is to finish with in the cut off time. That will be more than enough for me as I  am doing my LSD anyway.  

As soon as the 10 second countdown ended to one, I just run on my own pace on the streets of Legazpi with enough light from the street posts. 4:00am is still dark. Thank God I decided to bring my headlamp, that saved me from the streets with far apart lighted houses and street light posts, buses and vehicles are rushing fast so it is always best to stay on the safe side and better be alert not to move to close to the white outer lane of the highway. I was feeling comfortable with my speed, though no wrist watch with me to monitor my time, I am pretty ok as I pass the first aid station to the next, it is still dark. I barely drink the water on my hydration bottle, I hydrate from the first few stations. What worries me though is that solid food will only be served at kilometer 20 aid station. I really wish I can survive as I do not have any food with me. True enough before the day breaks I reached the aid station with food. The start of my  boiled bananas, hard boiled eggs and chocolate diet on this race.

As I go from one station to the next, I really did not think of the time, I just run if I want, walk a little if I feel like I need to. As the broad day light come,  I just enjoy the view, at first Mayon Volcano is on my right, until it is nowhere to be seen until it will appear again. It has always been like that all through out the course. There are some parts that is uphill which I welcome it with so much joy and same goes with my downhill. One thing I noticed, I become so patient with the flats now as compared on my past road long races. One little achievement for me there.

I celebrate success as I pass by every after 5 kilometer aid station. I see to it that I grab food, drink water and this time I tried few sips of soda, just very tempting (Sprite and Coke) really hoping that it will not give me trouble on my stomach. As I go on, there are times that I feel like peeing, I stop at the back of waiting sheds and at barangay halls but thrice at the aid stations I just sit down and pee on my running shorts, have water ready to pour on myself. Yakky? I just have to learn to do it.   As the sun is up and shining  the mercury started to go up as well. I started to pour water on myself which slowly made my shoes and socks wet. I asked for ice cubes if available and put it on my headwear, my usual strategy when it is too hot, balance in my head while running. What is so amazing on this race, in between stations, people prepare pail of water where runners can pour to cool our body, others prepared ice candy which I really welcome it with so much joy, I got 6 on the entire race.

The festive ambiance at each aid station bring so much encouragements as I go along the race. Volunteers, marshals, fellow runners especially on the relay either waiting for their turn to run or just finished running and just waiting for their ride back to the finish/starting line and spectators are just there to help which lightens the atmosphere. Aside from banana and egg, I live with suman that our support vehicle prepared, I see to it that I always have that in my hand alternating it with boiled banana. Before mid day, I welcome real food of rice and fired fish, though I did not eat much.

As I run beyond 60km and it gets really hot and humid, clueless of the time, I just push a little harder. I can feel my skin is already burned, just run a little further. I was with the company of Del for several kilometers now, I always welcome running with the company of other runners for most of the time on most of my races I run on my own. Having her is such a blessing, my another first experience. We push together, most of the time she's at my back but at some instances she's infront of me. But at kilometer 70 I lost her, and as I move a little longer at times I look back hoping to see her from a distance, the street is at its highest heat,  but nowhere to find her. I wish to cross the finish line with her. This part also starts the unbearable heat of the sun, I feel it was just too hot. I started counting the kilometer posts kilometer by kilometer. Reaching the 75km aid station was such a big relief, hydrate some ice cold water was such a big joy, I go on with the hope that it will not take me longer to the finish line, seeing the last 2 kilometer sign was suppose to be a big relief but not. As I become so accustomed with the distance despite the absence of a watch, I can already determine more or less how long  a kilometer distance is, the last 2 kilometers seems to be taking forever, the sight of the finish line did not come soon. There were still many more electricity posts to count and some unofficial aid station along the way, one with ice candy that I grab two more pieces, my 6th now. Until the last turn came, I remember this will be the last one, a run around the Astrodome before reaching the finish line.

I was just too glad I cross the finish line still on day time for I do not have my headlamp with me anymore. And my run free mode is a success. I did not even bother to look up and see what my official time as I cross the finish line. I only realized that after several minutes of moving around after the race. It was fun, I conquered another ultra on a really relaxed manner. It was one good race that I highly recommend to others. Its one well organized race supported not just by the LGU but also by the locals and the local community. Runners will survive even without support vehicle, aid stations are full of hydration and food, a good heat training for future races, and most of all a well coordinated event.

I achieved my goal, I did not push much, I had a happy stomach and gallbladder and no acid reflux this time, few sips of soda is a big leap of success for me on this race, had sunburn but not dehydrated. I survived with no blisters on my feet despite my wet shoes and socks, Altra Intuition and Feeture socks is great.  I salute all the finishers, my hats off to the race organizer and my huge congratulations to all the podium finishers. Really, all of you are my inspiration.

I thank the people who made my journey on this race enjoyable, memorable and  possible. To my Ayala Triads family (Sir Zaldy and Mam Gia and the rest of the company) thank you for all the coordination and fun, to Fairveiw Runners Sir Larry, if not because of your encouragements I could not have run this race, Sir Lao for the transportation and accommodation with the company of  Sir Joey, Nina  and Del, that was one great weekend, thank you for your warm welcome despite our first time being together, to Sir Miles, thank you for being our support during the race. The nutrition and hydration helped me a lot finish this race.  Thank you SingPhil Ltd./Inc, to Altra Shoes, Feeture Socks and Elete Electrolyte Drink for supporting my races and expeditions. To my family for all the unwavering support, to my number ONE supporter and fan, Xie Xie, every distance is dedicate to you, thank you for all the encouragements and believing in what I am capable of doing. And to God Almighty, you never fail to give me strength to endure, thank you. Dios Mabalos.

Next stop will be on the trails of Hamilo Coast.

6th Bataan Death March 102KM Ultra Marathon 2014 (BDM102)

Bataan Death March (BDM) Ultramarathon  is a commemorative race tracing the route where around 70,000 Filipino and American soldiers were forcibly transferred by foot from the battle field of Mariveles, Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga during the World War II. Thousands of Filipino and American prisoners of war died before they could reach the final destination at Camp O'Donnell. This race, BDM as famously known by  most runners in the country is at its 6th edition this year. 

I had been part of the race for several times in the past, twice to be exact, as support crew/pacer in both BDM160 and BDM102. I witness how tough the race seeing from the experience of others but I never thought it will be that challenging as I add my  own BDM102  experience to my running adventure. For some,  it take six months to a year to prepare for the race. One friend of mine compare BDM race to a wedding preparation, one year in a making. The physical and mental preparation, the support crew and support vehicle as the entourage , the food and hydration as the food in the reception, to decide on what running gear to wear as the wedding gown and the 102km distance as  the long aisle that everybody will walk through and be part of. Mine was a different one, a photo finish event. 

BDM102 was not on my list of races to run this year. I know I will be able to run it one day  but not very soon. Mid week before the race date,  our mission (together with my other two friends) was just to convince a friend who registered but decided  not to run it anymore, mission accomplished for us but with a package of me having to run the race as well. Coming from a mountain trail run of the same distance the weekend before the race, I know it was a foolish decision to do such. I haven't really recovered from the race last weekend yet. But my stubborn self gave it a thought and finally said, why not. I come to the starting line on a half support crew half runner mode. I really do not know if I can run the race, I cannot even get excited with the thought that I am going to run it. 

Thirty minute before the gun start my race bib was finally handed to me, this is it, I will be running BDM102km in few minutes. I had to rush to get myself ready for the race. I was finally standing at the starting line now as a runner, not a support crew. Lots of familiar faces, 300 starters. And to my surprise there were around 6 of us from H1P1 race that also joined the race including Mr. Sang from Korea. My game plan, I know this is not going to be an easy race for me but I will just take my own pace and enjoy the route. I know my friend Kat with Bren,  as I share the support vehicle of my friend Bernard, will  take care of my needs as I go along the distance. I will just take things one at a time, distance by distance. 

Gun start at 10:00pm of March 1, all runners at its reflector vest for safety, the first 2km is flat which is a good warm up and it goes to 5km uphill, which was just fine with me. I take my own relax pace as I started climbing the ascend part, it wasn't as humid as I expected it to be. Kilometer by kilometer I go, Kat  and Bren has been doing great in handing me my nutrition and hydration from time to time.  Runners catch up with me, I sometimes catch up with others. I wanted to take advantage of the night time so I just went on with my own relax pace.  I started to sweat as I move further, everything seem fine except for one thing. I just had my monthly period a week ago and I still had my very minor discharge but I did not wear any pad on the race anymore. As I slowly move a little longer I can feel a little discomfort on my private part, looks like a chafing started. This is my first time to experience such on the many ultra races that I had in the past. I did not mind it but I never thought this will become a major discomfort towards the end of the race. 

I reach 50km mark (midway) 7:00 hours after gun start, it was still dark. I decided to take a 15 minute nap, elevate my legs but wasn't really able to sleep but at least I was able to rest. I loaded my hydration bottle with water, drink my favorite Coco Quench hydration drink and eat a little and off I go again. The road was dark and I felt cold. The breeze from the rice fields and the trees were cold. I have to run on a faster pace a little bit to warm up my body temperature. Slowly from dawn to dusk I witness the break of the day. This is going to be a hot day as I saw the horizon.  I slowed a bit on my pace, I got hungry, and can now feel the mercury going up. It gets warmer. I am now on the busy highway of Bataan, seeing clearly the other runners, the support crew and the rest of the community wondering where we come from and where we are going.

As I move further, I was getting slower, it was getting warmer. My feet slowly get wet, but no signs of blisters, thanks to the injinji socks. Its my legs that I can feel the soreness, my calves, my quads, my right knee aching. I really do not know which one that was giving me discomfort but I know I am not getting any better. And as I started to sweat continuously and water drips up to my feet, I can feel discomfort on my private part too. As I enter the 15 kilometer stretch of Dinalupihan highways after running of over 60km distance even at mid morning, I started my routine of applying sunblock on my exposed skin, ice cubes wrap on my neck with buff head wear  and ice cubes on top of my head under my salomon cap, regular spray and pour of cold water on my body. I survive on  freezing cold water melon and Coco Quench drink. I know this is going to be the most difficult part of my adventure, the scorching heat of  the sun. I can feel I was placed on a huge mircowave oven at its highest temperature. It was a torture seeing the long stretch of the highway, so straight,  so flat without any curve and so hot. Hearing runners' word of encouragements as they pass by me really lifts my spirit and all the more from the support crew, my own and those from other runners,  who offer their supplies, food, water, etc.

At some point I decided to change shoes and socks hoping that it will help my slow snail pace pick up a much faster pace as I just want to get this race over with and be done with it but still to no avail. I was just too slow, alternating with brisk walk and jogging pace. My tough race a weekend before is now calling its toll on my not fully recovered body. All the discomfort I felt, the chafing on my private part got worst that I can feel it every time I move faster and every time I pour water on my body, my legs getting more painful. Time passes by, mid day, I was still on the stretch of Pampanga. A bright cloudless day, others said it was 32 degrees C, others said it reach 39 degrees, but there was just one thing I was sure off,  it was just too HOT and this is part of the challenge.

My hope of a much earlier finish was not a realistic one anymore, I just take my own time, walking, jogging just making sure that my legs will get me through until the finish line within cut off time. Having been to this route twice in the past, I know too well the curve, the bend, where to turn left and right up to  the finish line. I know I am not going there very soon, while at its hottest part of the day, I just move a slow pace forward together with other runners with the support of the crew from different runners. All of them were just too kind to offer help to each and every runner that will pass by them.

At some point, while trudging the long street under the scorching heat of the sun, it dawned in my mind how hard what our soldiers went through during the war, I may not have any of my immediate relative who took part of that  ordeal during the war, but I am sure they went through worst than what I  experience during the race. I also think those  runners who joined this race from the very 1st edition up this race, and most especially those who did the BDM Grand Slam each year. Really my salute to them for this race is not an easy feat. This year's edition may have been much much warmer as compared last year or even in the past editions due to the dry spell that effected not just the country, but really my  respect to all of those who did this race in the past.

I cross the finish line with a time of 17 hours and 17 minutes with so much lessons learned from the race.  One thing I realized BDM race is not only about the runner, it is a community of runners and support crew that make dreams a reality. I know I could not have made it and cross the finish line without the help of great people along the way. I'd like to thank Bernard for sharing his support team with me, Kat and Bren for taking care of my needs, to my Ayala Triads family for all the support and all the support crew who in one way or the other helped me on my journey. I thank God for keeping me safe while on the race, I thank Him for giving me the patience to finish despite all the discomfort. It was indeed a very long uncomfortable aisle for me but I am glad I finally make this a check of my list.

BDM is about helping each other, its about a runner with a dream having to run through the historical route  and a group of support team that tirelessly and selflessly share their time and strength just to make the mission fulfilled.  It is also a race about endurance, perseverance and patience. One thing that may help a lot in finishing to those who dream of doing this in the future aside from the hard training months prior to the vent, it will also help if one will crew first on the same race, or join the trial run that is organized by the Race Director and at least do your own trial run. Do not be ashame to ask for help from the crew of other while on the middle of the race. And please do not cheat, do not ride just to save time and finish within cut off time. Please show respect to those who suffered first during the Fall of Bataan way back April 9, 1942 and to those who run the race in the past editions.

Again, let me say this, thank you so much Katrina Constantino for literally my strength on this race. Indeed you make dreams happen to those people who believe in themselves. Thank you too Bernard Enriquez for sharing your resources to runner like me. Thank you Rica Mendoza for always being there. To the Race Director, Sir Jovie, thank you for giving me a chance to run this race. It was indeed an epic one.

And my adventure will continue. Next stop will be another road run but a shorter one.

BDM102 2014 Race Result

The Art of Pacing

Why your next long run should be someone else’s race

A runner and his pacer approach Thorp Mountain, mile 84, at the Cascade Crest 100 in Easton, Washington. Photo by Glenn Tachiyama.

One part coach, one part babysitter and one part therapist, pacers can play a crucial role in helping ultrarunners reach the finish line, by keeping them awake, fueled, on course, moving forward and, if possible, in a positive mindset.

For elite runners, a pacer may literally “set the pace.” For the rest of us, a pacer is there to provide company and a psychological boost. In some races, such as the Leadville Trail 100, pacers are permitted to “mule”—that is, carry and provide supplies to their runner between aid stations—though this is not the norm. (Know the race’s official rules ahead of time.)

Here’s a primer to get your pacing career off the ground.

Why Pace?

Beyond the selfless joy of helping a friend accomplish something, there are many compelling reasons to be a pacer. First, you’ll get to run as much as half of a race course without shelling out an entry fee. (Some races may ask pacers for small donations to offset resources consumed at aid stations.)

If you’ve never run an ultra or a particular course before, pacing can be a terrific way to try it out before fully committing. Even if you have no interest in completing an ultra yourself, pacing allows you to be part of the high-energy scene.

As a pacer, you’ll run on fresh legs, while your runner will likely be fatigued and moving relatively slowly—so it may feel like an easy, relaxed training run to you.

Ahead of Time

Beforehand, set expectations with your runner. Racers run the gamut from laid back to high maintenance—so, if your runner has a book of instructions for you, better to know that in advance and prepare accordingly.

Ask your runner: What are your good-, best- and worst-case time goals? Would you prefer I run in front of or behind you? Do you like to talk when you run, or do you prefer quiet? Do you have allergies or medical conditions? What else can I do to help you reach your goal?

Pace-Day Tips

Being able to “read” someone well is key. You’ll need to gauge whether your runner prefers positive encouragement or tough love, whether humor will be a bane or boon during rough moments. If possible, do some long runs with your runner before race day.

Be prepared to be selfless. Keep an eye on your runner’s food and water intake; remind him, as needed, to replenish. If a time goal is at stake, monitor the time, be efficient at aid stations and keep stops to a minimum.

At some point, your runner is likely to want to quit. Your job is to prevent that. Be encouraging, be strong and don’t for a minute let your runner doubt your confidence in his ability to finish. On the other hand, monitor for warning signs that he should stop, or at least rest significantly and/or replenish calories. Know the difference between “Agh, everything hurts, I’m so miserable, when will this be over?!” and a firm, “I need to stop.”

Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Dress warmly. If you do bonk, best to let your runner go on without you—and don’t take it personally.

Find Yourself a Runner

You might already have a friend in mind. Or, if you’re game to jump into the adventure of a 10-to-50-mile run with a (likely) tired, grumpy stranger, online race message boards and Facebook groups are great ways to find rogue runners to pace.

If all else fails, don’t be afraid to park yourself at an aid station and announce your availability to pacer-less runners as they come through. You might just make someone’s day!

Yitka Winn October 22, 2013This story originally appeared in our October 2013 issue. 

16 Astounding Backpacking Trips

posted on February 6, 2014 at 2:37pm EST

Arianna ReboliniBuzzFeed Staff

1. Tour du Mont Blanc — France, Italy, Switzerland

Flickr: akunamatata / Creative Commons

Flickr: masondan / Creative Commons

Flickr: akunamatata / Creative Commons

Length: 105 miles (170 km), seven to eleven days
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
When to go: July–September

The TMB is considered Europe’s classic long-distance walk, and therefore also one of its most popular ones. The loop circles Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps, and passes through sections of exposed rock, wildflower plains, and views of awesome glaciers. The distance covered every day can be relatively low, but the significant climbs and drops (when combined, roughly 33,000 feet) can make those days pretty strenuous. Camping is permitted, but the route offers plentiful accommodation — and according to experienced hikers, exploring the villages along the way is part of the fun.

2. Torres del Paine — Chile

Flickr: bugmonkey / Creative Commons

Length: 62 miles (100 km), eight days
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
When to go: November–April

The Torres del Paine (aka “the towers”) refers to the twisting granite monoliths that reach 10,000 feet into the sky and around which this circuit loops. These towers are just part of the surreal landscape this Patagonian trail offers, alongside vast blue glaciers, jagged cliffs, subpolar forests, wildflower fields, and exotic wildlife including condors, guanacos, and sometimes even pumas. Huts are available, but usually crowded (especially during summer months, when the sun sets at 10 p.m.), and camping is generally considered the better option.

3. Laugavegurinn Trail — Iceland

Flickr: beefortytwo / Creative Commons

Flickr: easysleazycheesy / Creative Commons

Flickr: easysleazycheesy / Creative Commons

Length: 34 miles (55 km), four days
Difficulty: Intermediate
When to go: June–September

The Laugavegur hiking trail might be Iceland’s most popular, and for good reason. It’s one of the few routes that offer pure, unadulterated wilderness, passing through desolate valleys, cascading waterfalls, glaciers, and volcanic landscapes that will make you think you might actually be on a different planet. It’s even rumored to be the spot that J.R.R. Tolkien visited right before penning his Lord of the Rings trilogy, so it might be the closest you’ll get to Middle Earth.

4. Kalalau Trail — Hawaii, U.S.

Flickr: karlsjohnson / Creative Commons

Flickr: screamingbrocoli / Creative Commons

Length: 22 miles (36 km), two to three days
Difficulty: Strenuous
When to go: Year-round

This short but strenuous trail travels along the coast of the island of Kauai, providing the only land access to the rugged terrain. It begins fairly simply (and day hikers will often travel just the first two miles) but the trail becomes less maintained as it crosses over major streams, through lush valleys, and along narrow ledges. The struggle is rewarded with surreal views, not least of which comes from the spectacular Hanakoa Falls.

5. Queen Charlotte Track — New Zealand

Dmitry Naumov / Shutterstock

Flickr: adrasha / Creative Commons

Flickr: devilcrayon / Creative Commons

Length: 44 miles (71km), four days
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
When to go: Year-round

This south island trek between the Marlborough Sounds is considered one of New Zealand’s most popular “tramping” tracks. The path itself is well-maintained with only minor climbs but offers spectacular views of the glassy water and skyline ridges. It’s a wonderland for those interested in New Zealand’s greenery, offering access to the lush beech forest, nikau palm groves, and other native foliage.

6. Jomolhari Trek — Bhutan

Flickr: tlupic / Creative Commons

Flickr: coyote-agile / Creative Commons

Length: Up to 66 miles (106 km), eight to twelve days
Difficulty: Strenuous
When to go: April, May, October, November

The Jomolhari (also Chomolhari) is a sacred mountain in the Himalayas that borders Tibet, China, and Bhutan. The trek, which generally requires a guide, travels across remote valleys and high mountain passes, but some of the most remarkable sites are of the traditional Buddhist and Himalayan culture: the Dzongs (Bhutanese fortresses), museums, local homes of yak herders, and the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery. It’s a high-altitude hike (maximum altitude of 16,076 feet) so acclimatizing days are usually necessary, though the breathtaking views make it all worthwhile.

7. Inca Trail to Machu Picchu — Peru

Flickr: ewarwoowar / Creative Commons

Flickr: emmanueldyan / Creative Commons

Length: 30 miles (48 km), four days
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
When to go: May–August

The Inca Trail is based on the network of stone-paved roads created by the ancient Incas and actually comprises three overlapping routes varying in length and level of difficulty (the longer routes climb to over 13,800 feet). Located in the Andes, the trail passes through fog forest, alpine tundra, prehistoric stonework, hopefully some llamas, and leads finally to the famed ruins of Machu Picchu. Since the trail is such a popular destination, the Peruvian government has placed strict limits on the number of people who can hike it at once and has forbidden independent hikes.

8. Gates of the Arctic National Park — Alaska, U.S.

Flickr: paxson_woelber / Creative Commons

Flickr: kryptonic83 / Creative Commons

Flickr: alaskanps / Creative Commons

Length: 13,238 square miles (34,287 square km), as long as your provisions last
Difficulty: Strenuous
When to go: June–August

The entirety of this national park lies north of the Arctic Circle, making it the northernmost national park in the U.S. It’s also the second largest at 13,238 square miles, comprising portions of the Brooks Range Mountains, the Arctic foothills tundra, boreal forest, and six Wild and Scenic Rivers. Exploring this harsh terrain is for the bravest and most experienced backpackers; the park is not accessible by road, and its only trails are those made by herds of caribou, leaving campers dependent upon maps, compasses, and GPS. The upside is that you’re unlikely to encounter other trekkers — other than, you know, the grizzlies, wolverines, foxes, and caribou.

9. John Muir Trail — California, U.S.

Flickr: ifl / Creative Commons

Flickr: 23856328@N02 / Creative Commons

Length: 210 miles (339 km), 21–24 days
Difficulty: Moderate
When to go: July–October

Winding through the Sierra Nevada, this sunny route is considered to be one of the best segments of the Pacific Crest Trail. It runs from Yosemite Valley to the summit of Mount Whitney, passing through some of the country’s most magnificent national parks: Yosemite, Kings Canyon, Sequoia, as well as the John Muir Wilderness and Inyo and Sierra national forests. Traveling north to south (a popular choice since the southern half is generally more remote) has a total ascent of 46,000 feet.

10. The Dingle Way — Ireland

Flickr: oneeighteen / Creative Commons

Flickr: 13382424@N00 / Creative Commons

Length: 112 miles (179 km), nine days
Difficulty: Moderate

When to go: Year-round, though heavy rain and sleet can occur November–February

Ireland has over 30 long-distance well-serviced walking trails, but the diversity of the Dingle Peninsula’s landscape is what makes it an especially remarkable choice. The path travels from one lively village to the next, passing through golden beaches, rugged cliffs, dusty plains, evergreen forests, stone ruins, and fields that are greener than you even thought possible. Trekkers will share the route with wild horses, goats, and sheep, and there’s even a decent climb in Mount Brandon (3,123 feet).

11. The Long Trail — Vermont, U.S.

Flickr: scottmccracken / Creative Commons

Flickr: xo1 / Creative Commons

Length: 273 miles (438 km), 26–30 days
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
When to go: May–November

The Long Trail is the oldest long-distance trail in the U.S., constructed in 1912 and running the length of Vermont. It travels along the main ridge of the Green Mountains, covering almost all of its major summits, and briefly coincides with the Appalachian Trail. It’s a rugged backcountry trail, passing through streams, alpine bogs, hardwood forests, crystal ponds, and tons of greenery. It also offers close to 70 shelters, albeit fairly primitive ones.

12. Lukla to Everest Base Camp — Nepal

Flickr: makemydinner / Creative Commons

Flickr: makemydinner / Creative Commons

Flickr: makemydinner / Creative Commons

Length: 70 miles (113 km), 16 days
Difficulty: Moderate
When to go: March–May, September–December

You don’t have to summit Mount Everest to take in its absurd beauty, and this journey through Nepal’s Khumbu district to the base camp is a great way to do it. The loop gives you views of four of the highest peaks in the world (Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu) and offers a satisfying blend of natural and cultural sightseeing, taking you past glaciers, rivers, swing bridges, prayer wheels, and Buddhist monasteries, and stopping nightly at friendly Sherpa villages. Keep in mind, though, that even though you’re not summiting the mountain, the climb to the base camp itself (17,590 feet above sea level) is about 8,800 feet.

13. The Overland Track — Australia

Flickr: blackbeltjones / Creative Commons

Flickr: 17665235@N03 / Creative Commons

Length: 50 miles (82 km), five to six days
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
When to go: October–May

The Overland Track is one of Australia’s most famous bush walks, making the Tasmanian Wilderness just a tad more accessible. The track extends from Cradle Mountain to Lake St. Clair (Australia’s deepest freshwater lake), passing wild rivers, alpine plains, glassy tarns, temperate rainforest, and craggy mountains. The trail is well defined and includes some well-kept boardwalk, and huts are scattered throughout. Those who want more of a challenge can wander off onto one of several side tracks, including a summit of Mount Ossa, Tasmania’s tallest peak.

14. Cinque Terre — Italy

Flickr: evocateur / Creative Commons

Length: 7.5 miles (12 km), one to two days
Difficulty: Easy
When to go: April, May, September, October

Cinque Terre, which translates to “five lands,” refers to the five small coastal villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. The villages are connected by a network of individual trails, the most popular of which is the Sentiero Azzurro: a mostly level trail which passes through terraced hills, vineyards, and groves of olive trees, running alongside the coast and its cliffs. The trip can be done in an afternoon, but it’s worth taking your time and savoring each unique stop. Those looking for a challenge (or something a little more remote) can branch off to some of the lesser populated, more difficult climbs.

15. Gunung Rinjani — Indonesia

Flickr: borderlessworld / Creative Commons

Length: 14 miles (22 km), three to four days
Difficulty: Strenuous
When to go: May –October

Only the bravest souls take on Mount Rinjani, an active volcano and, at 12,224 feet, Indonesia’s second highest. The summit requires a guide (and even then is still sometimes deemed too unsafe) but there’s always the alternate, less strenuous route to the crater rim, which still gives the best views of “the cone” — which looks like a miniature volcano surrounded by a lake. Either way, the trip takes you through hot springs, caves, steep climbs, possible interactions with monkeys, and almost unreal starry night skies.

16. North Drakensberg Traverse — South Africa

Flickr: martie1swart / Creative Commons

Flickr: rickmccharles / Creative Commons

Length: 41 miles (65 km), five to six days
Difficulty: Strenuous
When to go: March–May

The Drakensberg is the highest mountain range in South Africa (peaking at about 9,850 feet) and its hike doesn’t follow a defined trail. From the initial ascent on shaky chain ladders to the crowning Amphitheater (a 3-mile-long, up to 3,280-foot-high wall of rock), and up finally to Cathedral peak, the hike passes barren plateau, red basalt cliffs, caves both massive and claustrophobic (some of which are decorated with prehistoric drawings), cascading rivers and waterfalls, and the huts of Sotho herdsmen.

The original link: The Astounding Backpacking Trips