“Officially” in any racing events means an organized, sanctioned, public, regulated, recorded, and verifiable. So any distances covered during training does not count as official.
Ultramarathon is any distance beyond 42K.
I unofficially broke pass my 42K mileage last January 31 when after being inspired by a runner-friend, Lester Glenn Tabada who was to run 44K as his salute for the fallen 44 SAF of the Mamasapano incident, I decided to extend my planned 20k run to 44K as a runner’s way of saluting our fallen heroes.
I officially entered the “world of ultramarathon” (borrowing the words of my classmate Mon Quiocho, an ultrarunner) when I finished the 54K category of the Cebu50 Trail Ultramarathon last Saturday, March 28, 2015. And it’s indeed a whole new world beyond 42K!
Yes, I did prepared for Cebu50, building up my mileage upto 49K before the race. I also heeded the advice of the Race Organizers to have a base training for steep inclines/declines wherein they recommended for training the route from JY Square in Lahug going up to Zipline area near Cebu Tops.
I wanted to do a reconnaissance and a run through of the race route but due to limitations, it did not happen.
So with limited knowledge of the race route, I checked on the internet for writer stories about Cebu50 and feeling blessed, I found Boying Milan’s blog post reporting his run for this course last year. For a bonus, he also have a video post showing some parts of the course. These helped me very much in my preparations for the race.
After reading Boying’s race report, I formulated my plan. I planned to tag along someone who already ran the course, especially during the first loop when it would still be dark.
Race day came and I saw one familiar face. It was Boying from last year’s race! Wow! my jitters has somehow calmed down. I also met Rose, the runner who run after runners and their stories. I also approached the oldest runner and introduced myself. His name is Ed Eduria, 6o years old, wow! And what a surprise! Ed also was military man and a fellow scout ranger!
Ed Eduria, ultrarunner at age 60… a fellow Scout Ranger!
Gun start! (no gun actually, no shot fired, heheh)
Brave Warriors at the Starting Line
First loop. There was immediately a strong lead group that was formed. I attempted to chase them up but I was reminded to play my game plan. So I scanned the runners and looked for Boying, found him, and I was glad that he was running a comfortable pace chatting along with other runners. After negotiating the first downhill and uphill section of the course, a second lead group was formed, with Boying, Randy (Rolando), Eljun and me (doing my best not to lag behind). After a while, Jodel from the lead group joined us. We found out from him that the lead group took a wrong trail, and got lost. However, with 7km more to complete the loop, the lead group that got lost was able to cope with our group, overtook us and regained the lead.
View from one of the peaks of the course (photo from Marvin Lui Canada)
Finishing the first loop, I found out upon arriving at the main station that AJ from the lead group was running only for a single loop.
Second loop. Two foreign runners and Randy went off from the station for their second loop. I took time to rest and rid off my socks with pebbles. I was not that confident yet to take on the course so I waited for Boying. However, Jodel asked if I’m ready to go, I automatically said yes, I and went on with him for our second loop. After navigating the down hill paved route and turning left, a local on motorcycle told us that he saw one of the runners, a foreigner, went ahead instead of turning left. We asked him if he could go after the runner and help him back on the course, and he agreed. We later found out that the foreign runner who got lost, withdrew from the race. That leaves two runners ahead of us.
Jodel was very good navigating the course for us. We chatted as we enjoyed every bit of what the trail has to offer. I watched him, a veteran trail runner, how he managed the technical parts of the course and I learned by imitation.
Jodel on top of Kampar Hill (mountain range on his background is Mt. Manunggal where President Magsaysay’s plane crashed on March 17, 1957)
me running down Kampar Hill (mountain range on the fore ground are part of the course)
We arrived at the main station and found out that Micheal from Switzerland, the remaining foreign runner ahead of us was only running for two loops. So that there was only Randy on the lead, as he was no longer on the station.
Micheal celebrating with friends at the finish line (photo from Marvin Lui Canada)
We took time taking our lunch. I was elated to see Cora Quiamco, my ultrarunner neighbor together with some other runners supporting the event. And yes, I even had a cup of coffee, courtesy of one of the lady runners who caringly fixed me one.
Third loop. Rodel and I left the main station together, but after the first downhill section of the course Rodel let me go ahead as he paced himself down a bit nursing his quads. We bid each other farewell just like good old buddies even if we have just known each other for 4 hours. It’s just amazing what trails could do in forging bonds among runners!
I ran alone for the rest of the third loop. It was equally exhilarating if not more than compared to running with a buddy. I immersed my self with my surroundings; the spectacular mountain views; flower gardens, corn and other crops arrayed beautifully on mountain slopes; oblivious farm animals; and warm smiles of local folks; while negotiating the wonderful trails.
I was very happy when I finally reached the finish line! Officially breaking pass 42K barrier! Finally an ultrarunner!
Finally an Ultrarunner!
I am a God-believer and so I thanked God, who created the mountains with its peaks, ridges and slopes; and who created and designed us people with legs to climb these mountains.
I thanked God for the organizers for coming up with this event bringing people closer to nature, where the mountains stand proud challenging brave warriors to experience the presence of God.
I thank God for the people whose paths He allowed me cross. To Blue, Rose, Ed, Boying, Jodel, Randy, AJ, and Eljun thank you, it was a pleasure meeting you guys.
And syempre I thank the Lord for my wife Lovie, children Ren and Darah for their love and care. They are my number 2 reason why I am running.
I have great admiration for runners who run races with long distances or increased difficulty continually pushing their limits. These are warriors who already know what to expect and what to do in any eventualities during the race; either to bring themselves successfully to the finish line or know what point during the race to declare DNF.
And so, in whatever running event, I consider all runners winner the moment they took the first step from the starting line. DNFed to me is immaterial; what matters more is for a warrior-runner to survive and live to run another day.
To all CEBU50 Trail Ultrarunners 2015, congratulations!
To God be All the Glory!
Caleb 85@85 