frontRUNNER Magazine - The Valley Trail Challenge

I am a newbie in the world of ultra-marathons... after finishing 4 ultra distance races and dnf'd on the 1st 100 miler in the country. I think it's about time to rest my knees from the pounding of the cement... And that is why I'm going to try the trail...

The Valley Trail Challenge @ Nuvali, Sta Rosa, Laguna

Nagsawa na ba kayo sa paulit-ulit na kalsadang tinatakbuhan ninyo dito sa Metro Manila? Batung-bato na ba kayo sa tigas ng sementong kalsada?

Di ba’t panahon na para subukan ninyo ang ibang klaseng kalsada, ruta at mga bagong tanawin?

You are cordially invited by frontRUNNER Magazine, Ang Pambansang Babasahin ng Mananakbong Pilipino, to the The Valley Trail Challenge that will be held on June 18, 2011 at Nuvali, Sta Rosa, Laguna.


For those who have done the marathon, don’t you think it’s time to test your feet for an ultra marathon? And for those who simply love the outdoors, a 25-kilometer category awaits you.

The route is generally runner-friendly, having a rolling but mostly flat terrain(single and double track dirt roads), and only around 5% will consist of concrete roads. This route offers reprieve from constant pounding on hard surfaces. One loop will consist of 25 kilometers with the start and finish lines situated at the vicinity of the Evolving Center. The course will bring runners to the peripheries of the NUVALI complex which will offer participants majestic views that only nature and NUVALI can offer.

And in the true tradition of trail and ultra running, this race will be a no frills, all thrills race where runners, despite the presence of three aid stations (at Kilometers 9, 20 and 25 – first aid, water and electrolyte drinks), are strongly advised to be self-contained and sufficient, meaning, runners are required to carry their own hydration kits and nutrition supplies. Additionally, it is also recommended that they bring their own first aid kit (cotton balls, antiseptic solution, band aid strips and anti-biotic ointment).

A final briefing and race packet distribution shall be held on June 14, 2011, 6pm at ROX, Bonifacio High Street.

Experience the peace and serenity of your run without the distractions of pre and post-race fanfare.

We hope to see you share the trails with us.

Bring your cameras too!

RAIN or SHINE.

(thanks to Mr Jonel Mendoza for the blog material)

for route pictures, please visit this link --> http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=56568&id=1787791680&saved

On My Own... Almost (1st Cebu 50K Ultramarathon - Part 1)

Listed below are the things that helped me finish this race...

Mga binili sa ruta…
2 Coke Solo (panalo ito)
1 Mountain Dew (mas panalo... proven na since BDM 102)
1 skyflakes (pinilit ko kumain, dahil KM35 na di pa din ako nagugutom)

Mga binigay ng iba-ibang support crew…
3 bananas
1 slice of watermelon
Unknown liters of water
Unknown liters of gatorade
Water baths from support crews
Water baths from houses along the route

Binaon ko…
Camelbak with 1.5 Gatorade (Sinubukan tipidin… umabot naman hanggang KM40)
P150 worth of coins (para may pambili or *gulp* pamasahe)
Road-Id (baka mag-collapse)
2 cellphone (baka maligaw)
5 choco mucho, pero 1 lang ang nakain... (di ko pa naubos)

At puso… puso ng ultramarathoner… x_X

My BDM Test Run Experience

Last Saturday, January 23, 2010 70 runners joined the “Test Run” for the second serving of BDM (Bataan Death March) 102.

KM0, Mariveles, Bataan (01/23/2010)

It was a mix of seasoned and newbie ultrarunners. And though it was just a “Test Run”, the atmosphere at KM0 post in Mariveles, Bataan was more festive than some of the races I’ve joined.

As you may have read stories of the "Test Run" from other runner bloggers, I would just like to share with you what worked for me and what I've learned from this experience.

What Worked For Me:

Walk / Jog the Uphills

wow!!! flat!!!

Run the downhills

Run / Brisk walk the flats

Enjoy the view

dun kami galing!!!

Minimize breaks

Keep heart rate in check

Eat a chocolate bar every 10Km

Hydrate and eat banana at every support group stops

Sing... well LSS actually to MJs Don't Stop Till You Get Enough. Nice power song eh?


Lessons Learned:

Get enough sleep at least two days prior to D-Day

Train… Hills… Train… Hills… Train... Hills...

I’ve never used petroleum jelly before… now I think it’s a must especially if you plan to run long distances

Use sun block

Wear sunglasses

need I say more???

Be extra alert… especially when crossing the streets.

Respect the distance.

Although we have a support group that will tend to our needs. We need to be self sufficient as much as possible.

Carry the following:

• food & hydration

• extra money

• cellphone

• ID
  

• List of important contact numbers

• flashlight

• first aid kit

also...

Acknowledge the people who will greet you along the way.
Give high fives or thumbs-up signs as they are your unknowing support groups. They will keep you on your feet.


to Gail, Tere, Marga, Angel, Carina... THANK YOU for the SUPER SUPPORT!!!

to Sir Jovie, thank you for organizing this event. Now on for The Real Thing!

special thanks to Carina and Gail for the pics!!!

56 + 46 = 102

Training for next year's BDM 102?




Game?!? =D

Conquering KM0-KM56... at last...

Sunday, December 6, 2009 @ 1AM

While some of our friends were in Baguio, Corregidor and Singapore either sleeping or preparing for their respective races that day. A dozen running souls were at the KM0 in front of Dr Rizal’s monument getting ready to start the much anticipated repeat of the Luneta to Tagaytay LSD.

This LSD repeat was a test for me as I did not finish the distance on my first try.

KM0-KM8
1:07AM, after the pep talk and prayer led by Mar aka Pojie we started the run.

We ran at the right side of BayWalk up to the CCP where we decided to transfer to the left side of Roxas Blvd since it was safer and well lighted.

Upon reaching the corner of EDSA, the group again transferred to the right side of Roxas Blvd until we reached the Uniwide Coastal Mall footbridge.

More than an hour of running. We took our 1st break at 7-11 NAIA Road. After a few minutes, we continued our run now in Quirino Ave positioning at the left side of the road where it was safer.

KM8-KM16
Passed Paranaque River Bridge, St. Andrew’s School, St. Paul’s College and San Dionisio Chruch then making a quick pit stop at 7-11 Kabihasnan. After which we ran again in Quirino Ave.

Passed St Joseph Parish (Bamboo Organ Church) in Las-Pinas City then the boundary of Las-Pinas / Cavite. Took a break at Jolibee Zapote Kabila branch where Pojie and I ate breakfast.

No sign of ITB yet. So far, so good.

KM16-KM31
After a 10min break we continued our run. I was surprised to see that the Bacoor to Imus road was well lighted and was freshly asphalted. Thumbs-up to the Senator from Cavite and DPWH for the good work. Last time we ran here it was pitch dark and very unsafe. And blinkers from my fellow runners ahead of me gave me a head ache.

GAS STATION, BACOOR/IMUS AREA

el capitana: power nap

el capitana: power nap pa din!!!

We made two more stops before reaching KM31, WALTERMART DASMA.

WALTERMART DASMA

Paul, Angel, Eric and Raff stopped at this point. This is where my ITBS showed up the last time. And I was assessing myself if I should continue or make a u-turn at KM35 and run back home just to complete the 56K.

KM31-KM42
After passing the KM35 marker and ITBS nowhere in sight, I decided to move forward going to Tagaytay.

After Doc T and I bought noodles and pinipig ice cream at 7-11 Dasma we were greeted by the cool and fresh air of nearby Silang.

DOC T: are we there yet?!?

KM42-KM46
Along KM45 we were greeted by a familiar face.

Hardcore runner Jerry Karundeng saw us and gave me, Tere, Sam and Jun, Gatorade Tiger drinks. Jerry just came back from a mountain run in Mt. Batulao that morning and saw us runners invading his playground. Hehehe! Thanks Jerry!!!

KM46-48
KM48 was our last pit stop. I removed my Camelbak hydration and relied on a bottle of Gatorade. The buses there was a nightmare as they were really driving dangerously fast.

KM48-KM54
At this point I was like in cruise control. Speed walking more than running.

GAB & SAM

may gaaaaaadddddd.... ang laaaayyyooooo....

KM54-KM56
The last 2K of the run was the real killer for me. Good thing Gab was with me as we psyched and pushed each other to finish the last stretch. It felt like there were metal balls chained in my legs.

Mark's inspiration... next to Bea of course... =p

But when I saw the rest of the guys waiting for us, cheering at KM56, I know I have won this battle.

the group @ KM56

KM0 - KM56 finishers(Gab, Mark, Me, Doc T, Sam)
(glenn not in pic... tumakbo pabalik ng manila =p)

The route according from GF305

Till the next…

thanks Doc T for the pics


LSD QUOTE OF THE DAY:

Somewhere in KM48 from a Buko Vendor (BV)

BV: Nag-jo-jogging pa kayo? Tanghali na ah.
Gab: Oho... papunta kami Tagaytay... galing pa kami ng Luneta...
BV: (Imagine Tito, Vic & Joey) HAAAAAAA?!??

gusto nyo tumakbo ng mabilis?!?

Ultra ba? Do the Tarahumara!

Posting the "The Painful Truth?!?", led me to more internet searching about the Tarahumara tribe.


From WIKI:
"The Tarahumaras' word for themselves, Raramuri, means "runners on foot" in their native tongue according to some early ethnographers like Norwegian Carl Lumholtz, though this interpretation has not been fully agreed upon. With widely dispersed settlements, these people developed a tradition of long-distance running for intervillage communication and transportation. The long-distance running tradition also has ceremonial and competitive aspects. Often, male runners kick wooden balls as they run in "foot throwing" competitions, and females use a stick and hoop. The foot throwing races are relays where the balls are kicked by the runners and relayed to the next runner while teammates run ahead to the next relay point. These races can last anywhere from a few hours for a short race to a couple of days without a break. The Tarahumara also practice persistence hunting, using their ability to run extremely long distances (sometimes as far as 160km) to catch animals such as deer; the animals eventually tire and slow down, and the Tarahumara get close enough to the animal to kill it."


From WORD OF MOUTH:
"This is the perfect time of year for runners. Not too hot and not too cold for a jog around the block, or to lace up and hit the trails. The more adventurous amongst us train for marathons. Yet even 26.2 miles is just a warm-up for the Tarahumara Indians. Members of the tribe run hundreds of miles at a time across the jagged terrain of Mexico’s Copper Canyon, without injury or exhaustion or fancy running shoes."


From FITNESS SPOTLIGHT:
"What Can The Tarahumara Indians Tell Us About The Importance Of Running Long Distances?
The simple answer: A LOT! If you’d like some clarification on just how much though, read on. From a Lehigh University term paper on Ultra Marathon Running comes a bit of information. The Tarahumara live in a rather rugged mountainous area with deep canyons, making travel by wagon and horseback difficult or impossible. That means foot travel is the mode of transportation. But why walk when you can run?"


From TOTAL WELLNESS CONSULTING:
"The Tarahumara Indians of Mexico are one of the few tribes in the world that live well into their hundreds. Another amazing feature of this tribe is that they are well known to be incredible distance runners. In fact, they are able to run more than 100 miles at a time, even in the 60s! In the 1993 Leadville ultramarathon, the winner was a 55 year old man from the Tarahumara tribe.

What’s even more amazing is that they don’t even wear shoes. They simply run in sandals that are attached to the feet by a few simple pieces of leather. And the best part – the runners in this tribe are almost all injury free! So what’s their secret? How can they run so long, in such heat, while only wearing sandals and being?"


There's a lot more in the net to learn about the Tarahumara tribe and all I can say is...

Hindi pa pala ako adik... mas matindi ang mga ito...

Ultra ba? Do the Tarahumara! Uy, Rhyme!!! =)

The Painful Truth?!?

I was toying with the idea running with slippers or even on barefoot. I already saw a few people running barefoot in races. Looking at them run seems so graceful yet so painful.


But searching the internet for answers if running with slippers or barefoot is okay, yield me a surprising find...

Here's an excerpt:

"Then there's the secretive Tarahumara tribe, the best long-distance runners in the world. These are a people who live in basic conditions in Mexico, often in caves without running water, and run with only strips of old tyre or leather thongs strapped to the bottom of their feet. They are virtually barefoot.

Come race day, the Tarahumara don't train. They don't stretch or warm up. They just stroll to the starting line, laughing and bantering, and then go for it, ultra-running for two full days, sometimes covering over 300 miles, non-stop. For the fun of it. One of them recently came first in a prestigious 100-mile race wearing nothing but a toga and sandals. He was 57 years old.

When it comes to preparation, the Tarahumara prefer more of a Mardi Gras approach. In terms of diet, lifestyle and training technique, they're a track coach's nightmare. They drink like New Year's Eve is a weekly event, tossing back enough corn-based beer and homemade tequila brewed from rattlesnake corpses to floor an army.

Unlike their Western counterparts, the Tarahumara don't replenish their bodies with electrolyte-rich sports drinks. They don't rebuild between workouts with protein bars; in fact, they barely eat any protein at all, living on little more than ground corn spiced up by their favourite delicacy, barbecued mouse.

How come they're not crippled?

I've watched them climb sheer cliffs with no visible support on nothing more than an hour's sleep and a stomach full of pinto beans. It's as if a clerical error entered the stats in the wrong columns. Shouldn't we, the ones with state-of-the-art running shoes and custom-made orthotics, have the zero casualty rate, and the Tarahumara, who run far more, on far rockier terrain, in shoes that barely qualify as shoes, be constantly hospitalised?"

Ouch!?!?

For the complete article, CLICK THIS!!!