Second Chances

December 31, 2011

Photo credit:  Aileen Barrientos

It’s not official until you see your name in the list of runners invited to run the country’s longest road ultramarathon. 

The Bataan Death March 160 organized by retired Army general Jovenal “Jovie” Narcise a.k.a. “Baldrunner” is by invitation only – almost elitist.  It’s one of the many reasons why a  BDM slot (with its promise of trophy, medal and the coveted finisher’s silver buckle) while not necessarily the best ultramarathon in the country, is on the Pinoy ultrarunner’s bucket list.

To qualify for the BDM 160, it’s not enough that you’re able to pay the steep registration fee of P5,000.  You must first and foremost have street cred and street cred means you’ve run at least one 100KM ultramarathon in under 18 hours.  There’s another qualification, although unwritten -- you must not have had the misfortune of crossing the race director or been caught violating the race rules in any of Baldrunner’s events. 

While the first qualification is based solely on  merit as a runner, the second unwritten qualification is more subjective. Still, veteran runners of Baldrunner events learn to keep their heads down and follow Balrdrunner’s race rules to the letter.  The BDM 160 is after all, not just any run-of-the-mill ultramarathon.  It is the longest individual road race crossing three provinces (Bataan, Pampanga and Tarlac) and the only one with historical significance as it traces the path of the infamous Death March after the fall of Bataan in World War II.

Photo credit:  Coleen Digman

In early October, I heaved a sigh of relief after seeing my name once again on Baldrunner’s list of invited runners for the 2012 edition of BDM 160.  This after my heartbreaking finish of 31:08:45 in  the inaugural BDM 160.  The third spot in the women’s podium was mine for the taking after the fourth woman dropped out somewhere between KM 105 to 110.   I missed my shot for greatness by one hour eight minutes and 45 seconds, and I have yet to forgive myself for letting that chance slip through my hands.

Despite my initial failure, I find myself doing back to back long runs and racking up weekly mileage reaching 80 to 100 kilometers per week and 145 kilometers by the time I peak in the last three weeks of December. 

The 2012 edition of BDM 160 will happen on January 28 and 29.  The cut-off time is still 30 hours.  While I’ve no great expectations of a podium finish, I will try my best to shave at least two hours from my record.  But more than besting my personal record, this 100-miler would be my last ultra before finally starting a family and giving baby-making a serious shot. 

Photo credit:  Alex Badayos

This BDM 160 is a swan song of sorts before I retire from running impossible distances.   The more I run ultra distances, the more I realize that it’s not the race distance that intimidates you, it’s the amount of time, hard work, sacrifice and dedication that scare you.  The ultra distance  is more than   just a jealous mistress.  It requires total submission.  It takes over your life.  This is how I know that despite the myth of empowered women having it all – career, family and a passion for running, raising babies and training for an ultramarathon do not mix.

This is why in my second shot at BDM 160 I am going for broke, literally and figuratively.  I’ve taken three months off from the news anchor’s chair at TV Patrol Central Visayas to have more time for running, cross-training and active rest and recovery in three-week cycles.

Photo credit: Louie John Lood (With Eugene and MC Magsumbol)

I want to make it in the official list of runners who finished under 30 hours so that someday when my kids Google BDM 160, after hearing my stories from the road, they will see my name in the roster of road warriors, without need of  footnote or explanation in the race director’s report.

Long Road, High Drama

November 22, 2011

All within the past 12 months Cebu played host to the staging of five ultramarathons with distances ranging from 50 to 65 kilometers. But the Cebu Century Properties 100K Ultramarathon last November 18-19 was a landmark run of sorts for Cebu being, the longest footrace the province had ever seen passing through four cities and eight towns.

So, on a moonless Friday night in Bogo City, Cebu, 160 runners and their mobile support crew waited for the stroke of midnight. Their mission: run-walk a total of 104.5 kilometers of road from the province's northernmost tip all the way to the finishline in Plaza Independencia at the heart of Cebu City in 18hours and 30 minutes or less.

Photo credit: James L. Go

But first they had to cross the 1^st and only checkpoint at kilometer 50 in Catmon town in nine (9) hours or be considered DNF (did not finish). This half-way cut-off made some runners run faster than they should and abandon the cardinal rules of finishing a 100K ultra – pace yourself, don't get sucked in someone else's program and conserve energy.

As the day progressed, the sheer difficulty of running 100++ kilometers was aggravated by the punishing and unrelenting heat courtesy of sunny, blue skies with nary a cloud sight. It was a perfect weather for going to the beach, but for the 160 ultra runners the sunny weather was simply a bitch.

Nevertheless, the aid stations and the mobile support crew made it all seem like a beach party rather than a death march. The aid stations and support crew, were all provided for and manned by volunteers coming from members of Cebu's running clubs like Ungo and Cebu Ultrarunners Club to name a few. Leg rub, neck massage, sponge baths, bananas, chocolates, biscuits, free-flowing ice water, sports drinks and caffeinated sugary drinks are standard fare, but others pulled out all the stops and provided puso, lechon, eggs, humba and ice candy

Runners rolling out the red carpet for fellow runners – without being asked, without being paid, and without discriminating whether you're local or not is something that I've only seen in ultra races held in Cebu. There were runners from out-of-town who had no provision for a mobile support crew and survived only with help from volunteer aid stations. If it were any other 100K outside Cebu, they would not have survived.

Photo credit: James L. Go

 In all of my ultra races here in Cebu, I have always been a recipient of kindness and generosity from the volunteer aid stations of Ungo and CUC. Last Saturday was my chance to give back. Together with fellow ultrarunners Cora Quiamco and Phindy Honasan, we manned the aid station at the 82KM mark in Liloan town right outside the house of Ironman Raymond Bontol, MD. With 18 kilometers still remaining after 11 to 15 hours of constant motion, runners were almost at their weakest both mentally and physically. It is part of the support crew's job to make sure that the runners do not give up after running so far. But what do you say to someone who's sleep-deprived suffering from unimaginable pain and still with 2 to 3 hours of running to do? Our standard line was “malapit na lang, promise” for the out of towners and “duol na lang jud bai” for the locals. Unless they were injured we did not allow runners to linger more than 2 minutes. They kept asking if there was still time to make it to cut-off and we would say -- “Of course there's time – but you have to keep believing!” That's all supporters could do, for in the end, it is still the runner who must will himself to finish and put one foot in front of the other no matter how painful.

Only 118 finished within the 18:30 cut-off, but many others would continue the race even knowing that they would no longer make it the official list of finishers like Richie Al Villagante, who was running with an engagement ring in his pocket and whose ultimate mission that day was to ask for the hand of his lady love Agatha Llamasares who was waiting at Plaza Independencia. 

Photo credit: Team WayPak Runners

After 20 hours of running non-stop and barely able to fold his legs Richie entered the Plaza with a banner announcing to the whole world his proposal and grant gesture of love– “I just ran 102K to marryyou.”  (click link for video).  Then he struggled to climb the stairs of the mini stage, whipped out a red box from his running shorts soaked with sweat and hugged a totally surprised and emotional Agatha while the runners and supporters who have not slept for almost 24 hours cheered, laughed and cried at the same time.

A fitting end to a day filled with triumphs – both of the human spirit and of the human heart.

Fitting Farewell

October 25, 2011

  

Last Sunday, there were three runs happening simultaneously, but runners whether veterans or newbies, knew where they had to be.

The tribute run for the late Melinda Ponce gathered a total of 1,436 registered runners after only five days of blitzkrieg organizing. 

This is made more amazing by the fact that runners were informed about the run mainly by word of mouth, runners chatrooms and online groups, Facebook and the generous column spaces given by runners columnists Max Limpag, Michelle So and yours truly.

There were several tribute runs for Melinda last Sunday.  There was one in Manila, another in Legazpi City and in Tagbilaran Bohol.  The Cebu run alone managed to race P201,020.00 in cash donations plus a 4-year college scholarship from Dr. Yong Larrazabal and his wife Donna Cruz. The cash donations (which came in the form of registration fees) were divided among Melinda’s orphaned daughter Embralaince, Roger Diniega – the husband of the Ponce family minder Anastacia, and two groups working with victims of domestic violence – Lihok Pilipina Foundation and the Haven which is a shelter and halfway house for battered women.

The organizers saw it fit to give part of the proceeds to organizations working with battered women so that Melinda’s death would not be in vain as it would seem that aside from the advocacy for running and healthy living, Melinda’s true legacy is the continuing fight against violence within the family.

Photo credit:  Sun Star Daily Cebu

Runners Go To Heaven

  October 18, 2011

You can shed tears that she is gone, 
or you can smile because she has lived. 
You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back, 
or you can open your eyes and see all she's left... 

You can remember her only that she is gone, 
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on. 
You can cry and close your mind, 
be empty and turn your back. 
Or you can do what she'd want: 
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

--David Harkins

News of ultrarunner Melinda Ponce's gruesome death sent shockwaves among Cebuanos not so much for its horrible details but more so for the senseless waste of life.

She was an inspiration to many runners male or female. Melinda with her unassuming ways, small fast strides and efficient cadence earned the admiration and respect of fellow road warriors not so much because she was a certified ultramarathon champion, but because she embodied all that a recreational runner and after hours athlete can be, if only we worked as hard as she did. This (running) community is family and it hurts to loose one family member especially since her exploits inspire us all to hit the road, says fellow ultrarunner Frederick Angalot.

During the Ungo Runners Friday Night Run last September 30, she spoke to runners about how she was a late bloomer in this great sport of running as she started running at the age of 48 after a hysterectomy and only after much prodding from Cebu's erstwhile road running queen Liezl Getaruelas – Melinda's former gym instructor at Fitness First.

Melinda At Cebu City Marathon 2011, Photo by Sydny delos Reyes

As she shared her daily running routine, it surprised us how simple her secret to success was -- pure and simple dedication, hardwork and consistency. Nothing fancy – just eat well, train well, hydrate well and most important of all, rest well. She told us how she ran every weekday without fail from her house in Tabunoc to the I.T. Park or Cebu Business Park covering 13 kilometers passing through the entire stretch of N. Bacalso on some days or through Labangon and Banawa on others.

But who knew that her daily 13K runs from Tabunoc to I.T. Park was more than just a run but a release from the horrible things that were happening at home?

It leaves me wondering – why do bad things happen to good people? How could a woman as strong and empowered as Melinda Ponce endure so much abuse at home? For those of us who knew of her daily Calvary in the hands of an abusive spouse, was there something we could have done? Is there anyone else amongst us who is suffering in silence from domestic abuse, finding refuge only in running? 

As we mourn the loss of one of our own and grapple with all these unanswered questions, I find solace in the words of Bro. Carlo Bacalla, SDB assuring me that indeed, runners go to heaven: Melinda Ponce has been an inspiration to many women runners. She will continue to shine as an example of hard work, dedication, discipline, and determination. Run to your Creator Melinda Ponce. Your fellow runners will surely miss you. So soon have you reached the FINISH LINE. Enjoy the heavenly medals and trophies prepared for you by the Best Race Director of All. 

Photo taken by Sydney delos Reyes at the Summit 60K Ultra Challenge in Talisay City where Melinda emerged as female champion, a week before she died

A week before she died I spoke to her at the starting line of the Summit 60K Ultra Marathon Challenge Talisay City and told her how she's sure to win the female championship trophy (which she did). When I told her how I was trying to copy her stride so that I could earn a place in the ultra podium someday just like her, Melinda encouraged me to keep trying and to keep pushing until I overtake her someday, because an ultra race is long and you'll never know what the road or trail will bring.

Just hours after Melinda's passing was confirmed, messages of condolences from friends and fellow runners, not just in Cebu but from across the country flooded runners' group chats and forum on Facebook. One message in particular from Leo Aguilar strikes a chord – “May she be remembered for the life that inspired others, rather than the manner by which her life was taken away.”

And so, Cebu's road warriors will honor a fallen comrade with a dedication run called Run for Melinda. It will start and end at the Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu on the morning of Sunday, October 22. A Eucharistic celebration will be offered after the run.

Runners, joggers and walkers who wish to join Run for Melinda may register from October 17 to 22 at Runnr in Ayala or at Clinica Melgar at Rm. 205 Dona Luisa Bldg., Fuente Osmena, Cebu City. The registration fee is pegged at P150.00 but runners may give more.

Lessons from a Summit Challenge

October 11, 2011

Photo credit: Bro. Carlo Bacalla, SDB

Challenge is a word not to be taken lightly. This, in one short sentence sums up the Summit 60K Ultra Challenge – the debut race organized by the Sugbu Ultra Running Enthusiasts (SURE). And what a debut race it was.

There are good races and there are good races, but very few can claim to have set the bar high. The organizers of the Summit 60K Ultra Challenge composed of the hardworking triumvirate – Bro . Carlo Bacalla, SDB as Race Director, Joel Juarez as Technical Director and Rizalde Abapo Velano of Absolute Sales Corporation (who provided what seemed like an unlimited supply of Summit water and 100 Plus sports drink) did not only manage to put together a good race, they've also set the bar high for other ultra endurance races in Cebu as well. The following are the reasons why:

Photo credit: Khrizzie Mercado Enopia

• ·         The start and finish area at the Talisay City Hall had ample parking and security, clean restrooms, a real start and finish arc with digital clock.
• ·         The race started on time (exactly 4AM) thanks in part to Talisay City Councilor Bernard Odilao who came early to the starting area and not make the runners wait for the host city's welcome address.
• ·         Half of the SRP on the Talisay City side was closed to vehicular traffic even if there were only 81 of us.
• ·         As promised, there were hydration and aid stations every five (5) kilometers and roving marshals throughout the route.
• ·         A full force of Talisay City Runners Club members went out of their way to guide participants showing us visitors that, despite what you read in the papers about Talisay City's infamous son (a certain Joavan), Talisaynons are very nice, very welcoming people who were in fact very appreciative of special idiots called ultra runners.
• ·         The race included a relay category, which allowed newbies a taste of an ultra distance event, without forcing them to take on a distance that their bodies are not ready for.
• ·         As runners crossed the finishline, the race secretariat acknowledged through loudspeaker the runner's name and ranking.
• ·         Each finisher got a customized medal plus a customized trophy which showed the runner's actual placing in the race. The certificate of completion had the finisher's name printed on it and last but not least, the finisher's shirt with reflective material good for night runs was worth keeping.
• ·         Finishers were treated to a full meal of puso, lechon, ngo hiong, cold beer and cold water at the finishline.

    However, the best part of the race was the route/course design which was challenging and beautiful at the same time. Even Rick Gaston, a veteran of two Western States 100's (the oldest 100 mile trail ultra) called it a “hard and impressive course”.

Photo credit: Sydney Delos Reyes (Biga Con Pit, Atlas Mines)

It took us through the flat roads of the SRP, Tabunoc and Lagtang in Talisay City, going up to the misty mountains in Manipis Road through Campo 4 to Campo 6 before passing through a portion of Cebu City's Barangay Sinsin. Rough roads led us to (surprise, surprise) the Atlas mines in Lutopan, when minutes before I was just in Cebu City. I really did not know until then that these two seemingly far apart places are right beside connected by hidden mountain roads and trails. There in Loay we ran through 7 kilometers of sand, rocks and mud on one side with a view of lush mountains and the turquoise waters of a small lake inside what use to be the Biga Con pit. As we reached the summit, runners were treated to a view of the Tanon Strait and the island of Negros right across.

Photo credit: Sydney Delos Reyes (w/ Antit Del Rosario)

Just as we thought all the climbing was over as we descended towards Campo 7 passing through Minglanilla's interior barangays, we had to climb once again through a reforested area in Campinsa. Who would have thought that Talisay City had a mini forest! I later learned that even lumads like Frances Seville-Ang who was born and bred in Talisay City did not even know of its existence even if it's just five (8) kilometers from the back of Camella Homes where we descended on our way back to the finishline.

Photo credit:  Dr. Willie Estepa

I went home from last Sunday's race with more than just mileage. The Biga Con pit in Loay, with its juxtaposed beauty and desolation, made me feel like I was the last person on the planet running towards the edge of the Earth. Then it hit me, really hard -- how terrible it is to be doomed to wander the planet alone. Like being blindsided and caught with a punch coming from nowhere, I cried right there in the middle of what was once Southeast Asia's largest copper mine and realized that despite my procrastinating and my million reasons not to have children, deep down I really do want one.

You don't expect races to hit you on an emotional and personal level, but once in a while they do and when it hits home, it leaves you pondering even days after the last trace of muscle soreness is gone. The Summit 60K Challenge managed to do that for me.

Hidden Routes

October 3, 2011

My baby brother Sonnyboy, who loves to bike on mountain trails in between med school exams, has been telling me about the trails of Barangay Budlaan for the longest time.

Listening to him describe his route with streams, a mini river and mountains, right in the middle of Cebu City's busy Talamban area makes the place sound mythical and almost unbelievable, until I ran the 4th leg of Columbia Eco Trail.

Budlaan is well known amongst bikers, but I've never heard of a foot race being held there before. Also, there is something truly hardcore about having to climb mountains and cross rivers to get to the finishline, which is why it piqued my interest and made me sign up for the Eco Trail Run.

There were no more than 100 runners at the starting line early morning of Saturday. I saw the “usual suspects” from the previous leg of Columbia's trail run series and quite a number of trail running newbies like June Rabin of Monster Radio BT 105.9 and Marget Fernan-Villarica.

It was a no frills race.. Runners were required to bring their own hydration system as there was only one hydration refilling station halfway through the route. 

While this would have raised howls of protest (not to mention a bashing on social networking sites) in a road race, I heard none last Saturday. It still baffles me how trail runners accept this with nary a complaint. 

My only explanation is that hydration will not be an issue as long as you are candid with runners from the very start and say -- “Hey, because of the race terrain we have very limited logistics. So, we advice you to provide for your own supplies.” 

Or maybe, trail runners are either just made of more hardy stuff ; or they are just too smitten by the beauty of the trails hidden to most regular people (even most runners) that complaining about lack of water stations seems petty.

To say that the trails and the 2-kilometer river trek were pretty is an understatement. Yes, the 60-degree climb plus 400-meter elevation (as indicated on my Garmin F-305) was a bitch and the descents toe-crushing, but the view from the top was priceless and beautiful beyond words.

Despite the beauty of the trails, the growth of trail running in Cebu is still slow compared to the explosion of road running and racing. There are two reasons why regular roadies, despite the high mileage under their belt can be quite intimidated by the trails – fear of getting lost and getting injured.

 In trail running, runners are expected navigate their way through the lush vegetation with nary a soul in sight relying only trail markers and a few marshals. Runners have to rely on gut. If you feel that you are lost, then you probably are. The only way to find your way back is to retrace your steps and find the last marker to get your bearings. As Tabugok Mountaineer so aptly puts it, “Dili jud day pwede sa Trail Run ang 'puro lakas walang utak"!” 

As for getting injured, I have only this to say: The road and the trail both present equal amount of chances for getting injured. It is not the trail's fault. It's the way we run it and the shoes we wear while running on trail that's to blame if we get injured. 

For those unfamiliar with Budlaan, it's the barangay between Talamban and Busay. Getting there is easy. Just hop on a jeepney going to Talamban and get off at Sunny Hills subdivision where motorcycles wait to take passengers on a 4.5-kilometer ride to Budlaan Barangay Hall. 

Of course you can also help reduce your carbon footprint by running from your house to Sunny Hills then on to Budlaan. When the road forks, your left leads to La Tegola in Busay and the right leads to Pit-os. Just ask the locals for directions. Be sure to bring your own hydration system and energy bars as stores can be few and far between.

Falling in Love with Trail Running

July 22, 2011

After running and racing city streets for the longest time, my legs were becoming road-weary.  I felt the urge for a change of scenery and discover new running routes – off the beaten path.   And so I signed up for the 3^rd leg of the Columbia Eco Trail Run.  I almost knew nothing about the race, except that the starting line will be at the Guadalupe Church and runners will traverse the trails of Barangay Kalunasan.

On Saturday morning I showed up at the starting line, I felt out of place in my in my short split shorts and runner’s long bra.  Almost all the women and most of the male runners were wearing throw-away tights, long sleeves or arm warmers.  We were less than 100 runners.

During the briefing we were told that runners had to bring their own water, the race route was 12.5KM and that the cut-off time is 5 hours.  Five hours for a 12K race?  Why would you need that much time to finish 12.5K?

Three hours and 10 minutes after, I got my answers.  If you’re a new runner, you would probably need all of five hours where more than 50% of the route involved technical ascents and steep down hills, tricky and slipper ridge walk, jungle trek with grass, plants and foliage up to your neck, and two water (stream) crossing.  The tights and arm warmers were protection from mud and nasty cuts during the jungle trek.

When I reached the top of Barangay Kalunasan just before the turnaround point, I understood why the band of runners who showed at the starting line paid P350 registration without any complaints for a race with no water station and with only shirts (and no cash) as prizes for the top 3 males and females.  The view of the city from an elevation higher than the Transcentral Highway was priceless.  As I stood there, my eyes felt misty.  I breathed, took it all in and felt truly happy to be alive and healthy enough to make the climb and see the city that I love like I’ve never seen it before.    

Photo credit: J. Robles 

There will be a 4^th leg of the Columbia Eco Trail Run.  If you wish to experience for yourself the magic of trail running, consider these trail running tips I gathered (albeit belatedly) from the web:

   Run on roads for a while before moving to trails. It helps to have a base level of fitness before you attempt your first trail run.

Wear trail-running shoes, and dress in high-performance running clothes that are appropriate for all potential weather conditions.

Prepare by eating and drinking the proper things before and during your run.

 Run on trails that are suitable to your level of fitness. Choose flat trails if you're a beginner or more challenging trails if you're an experienced runner.

Pace yourself. Save energy for the miles ahead.

 Slow down on steep climbs. Many experienced trail runners "power walk" steep sections and make up the lost time on flats and downhill slopes.

 Stay in control on steep descents - keep your head up, control your speed and avoid obstacles.

 Take water and some gels because it will take longer than you think.

 Leave the trail as you found it.  Don't leave your gel packs, plastic bags, gum, gum wrappers, banana peels or anything else.