The North Face 100 in Beautiful Baguio

TNF's race has become one of my favorite race. They continue to give us the value of our money. The first race I joined by TNF was the Thrill of the Trail in Nasugbu, Batangas, since then I have become a fan of trail running. Though it may be hard and is prone to injury, I enjoy it even more compared to road race. Next was in Sacobia, Clark Pampanga, wherein we were able to run on lahar grounds. Almost all my experience with TNF races is memorable. The last Thrill of the Trail I joined was in Nuvali, Sta. Rosa Laguna. Lots of river crossing was given to the runners, and was also my first casualty of trail run but managed to finish.

This time TNF100 brings the excitement of trail running in Baguio City, my third home and my favorite vacation spot. Running in high altitude gives runner a new experience, though most of us have joined or run the streets of Baguio City, this race would be on trail. For the 50K and 100K participants, they would be climbing mountains. Erick joined the 50K category which at first had many issue on whether he would run since SUBIT is just a week away from it. But at the end, he decided on pushing through with the trail run.

April 23, Friday

We left Manila at 8AM, thinking that there is still enough time to reach Baguio City for the briefing of 50K and 100K runners. And so we did manage to reach Baguio City safe and on time.

Ultra-runners Jonel Mendoza aka Bugobugo, Jeffrey Abenina and Isko Lapira

With Wilnar Iglesia who joined the 100K category

Runners who joined the 50K and 100K had a briefing at Baguio City's multi-purpose hall, which was graced by the City Mayor Reinaldo Bautista, Jr. carbo-loading followed the event.

Mamaw of TNF

April 24, Saturday

Erick and I were woke up at 1AM, I helped him get ready for the race. We double checked the mandatory items, his hydration and food that he would be bringing for the race. Since the race would start at 3AM, we left the house early, there were lots of runners when we arrive, you could almost feel the excitement accompanied by the cool breeze of dawn.

The brave runners of TNF100

Pose with Erick, Fatima and RG

At exactly 3AM, the runners were sent off. Cut-off time is 18hours for the 50K runners and 30hours for the 100K.

Erick's target finish time is 10 to 11 hours, and since he has his phone with him, we would be able to communicate on how he is doing, where his exact location, or whether he is near the finish line. It was past 10AM when I went to the start/finish area. There were at least 7 or 8 50K runners who finished the race already.

It was a minute before 12Noon when Erick reached the finish line, he logged in a good time of 8hours 59minutes 32seconds, it was better than expected.

Erick relieved that his 50K is over

This is how Erick looked like after the grueling 50K

Photo op with his proud parents:

And then our turn:

Family Picture

Erick was then treated to a sumptuous meal, he ate all that he can, and same as for me for I still have an 11K trail run to finish the following day. After that we went back to Burnham Park to watch other runners crossing the finish line.

With Joyce and Jai

April 25, Sunday

It's my turn, sometimes I think that I have a lot of things to prove, my husband being a "mamaw" sort of give me the pressure that I need to do well. But don't get me wrong, I proud of Erick, of how he had improved a lot, maybe it's the fighter in me. So for every run I try to give my best, regardless of the situation.

My run would start at 6AM in the gate of Old John Hay, Erick drove me there and there were many runners when we arrived at the race area. I positioned in front of the pack, not that I'm fast but it's much harder to overtake runners when you're in the end of the group.

With Rose whom I met before the race, she won 2nd in the 11K female category

The race route would lead us to the trail of Camp John Hay all the way to the yellow trail then back to Burnham park.

on my way back to Burnham

I get to finish the race in 1hour 29minutes 59seconds which was way better than my last 11K trail run. I thank God for keeping me and Erick away from harm and supplying us with all our needs.

With the 50K mamaw and 11K runners

With Helen Tacling of Cagayan De Oro's UniFruti trail runners who won first at the 100K female category

God is good! Erick won 10th place at the 50K male category along with other Takbo.ph people.

Erick won 10th, Carly 9th and Jai 9th at the 50K category and Nao 7th at the 100K. Missing is Joyce who won 4th. (Showing off their medals)

The race was a blast, you could see the accomplishment in every runner, finish or DNF. I just hope that this won't be the last TNF100, I hope that there would be another next year. Thank you so much for such a wonderful race. :) And let me finish this post with this poem;

Beautiful Baguio [Baguio March]

All hail, ye, Baguio City, beloved home so dear
We praise thee, we serve thee, wherever we may be
We're proud of your beauty, long live we sing to thee
Baguio City pride of our country, we pledge our loyalty.
Beautiful Baguio with mountain so grand
Crowned with green pine trees and sashed with moss so fine
Num-rous white lilies and flowers all kinds
Bedecked you mountainsides beneath the foggy skies
Beautiful Baguio united we stand
Willing to offer our hearts and our hands
Great mountain city with treasures abound
You are jewel of our dear mother land.

SUBIT 2010

I'm back from slumber! Yay! (No excuses). This race have been much talked about in the Takbo.ph forum, for some reasons, like it's an International Triathlon event and prestigious athletes from all around the world would be joining this event. Again, I was not the one joining, it's Erick (wonder when will my first post be about my first multi-sport). Though I know how to swim, just thinking of swimming in an open water gives me the creeps and makes my heart beat faster.

The Subic International Triathlon 2010 was a two-day event, Day 1 was for the Mini and Sprint Distance, elite and age-group would be competing for the top 3 position. And Day 2 was for the Olympic distance or the standard distance. Erick and most of his team mates were competing on Day 2. So Day 1 started and ended with bonding and fellowship with runner/friends.

Photo Op at the Finish Line with Team Endure

Family Picture (Thanks Brado for the pictures)

With Team Endure at Pista sa Barrio

DAY 2:

Woke up at 2:30AM, I will not be joining but Erick's alarm woke me up. :D

Triathletes getting rid of jitters by smiling

They left at 4:30AM to go to Dungaree beach where the swim leg would be, where would also follow to cheer and support them. We arrived at the beach past 6AM, good thing Erick's wave haven't started yet.

Getting ready

It was a sight to behold seeing so many people in the water at the same time swimming as though they were fish getting out of a fishnet. ;)

Erick getting out o the water (red swim cap)

He finished his swim leg with an official time of 31:27

After the swim leg, we went to T2 in Waterfront Road, to wait for Erick at his bike loop which he finished in 1:19:55.

Then off to run leg.

The heat of the day and Erick's lack of recovery from the TNF's 50K trail run may have put a toll on him. This was the first multi-sport race that I saw Erick walked at his run leg. I knew there was something wrong but I can still see the will in him to finish the race in his target time.

Erick still fighting to finish strong :)

Erick walking on his 3rd loop :(

Erick on his 4th loop on his way to the finish line

Praise God for being so faithful, Erick finished his first standard distance triathlon in 2:44:48. :)

A pose after the race: Congratulations to all the finishers! :)

_______________________________

James 1:4 (New International Version)

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

BDM - Brave, Daring Men and Women (Part 1)

This is where it all started

At 11:00 PM last Saturday, March 6 2010 the KM00 of the Bataan Death March was filled with runners and alike. It marks the start of the BDM race which was the brain child of Sir Jovie Narcise aka "The BaldRunner". Almost all were excited, most especially the runners, for they would be conquering a total distance of 102K in 18hours.

It took me a long time to write about the BDM race, it's because I'm still in awe of the courage I saw when a lot of runners joined this race. Sure, I was not in their shoes literally but I had witnessed their hardship of running the full course. I even saw the camaraderie in runners and support, some support crew would even offer their help to runners whom they are not supporting. A total of 142 registrants joined the race, some of them joined the 1st BDM race last year and a lot were newbies. But veterans or newbies they have set the same goal and that is to FINISH the race no matter, within the specified cut-off time.

Erick with fellow BDM runners Sir Totoy, Abby, Chris, Wilnar and Dhenz

The Brave warriors of BDM

Since most of the participants were already at KM00, Sir Jovie decided to start the race earlier than announced, Bro. Ronnie aka RunnerforChrist led the prayer. Both the American and Philippine National Anthem was sung, the Stars Spangled Banner was led by Sir Jovie. He instructed all the support crew to head to KM07, since the road leading to it, is narrow and steep, in order to avoid traffic at this route and just let the runners occupy the road, and that is what we did.

KM07

We waited for Erick here first, he said that he would just be walking from KM00 up to this point considering that it's mostly uphill. And he also strategized on how he would be conserving his energy to finish the feat. And so we did wait, two men from the Army arrived first at this point followed by other runners who were really psyched up for this race. I think it was after 40minutes when Erick arrived at KM07, I together with Ryan (Erick's brother) assisted him, replenishing his 2 Nathan bottle with water and Gatorade. He would be running with Vener aka Run Unlimited, which I agreed, running with a buddy makes it all different. Erick would be telling on what station we would be waiting for him, so that he can get supplies if he needed to. Next stop would be KM10.

Erick and Vener on their way to KM10

KM10

Both of them were taking it easy, they wouldn't want to rush and end up with an injury. They would be running 92 more kilometers, Erick asked for boiled egg and salt this time, I think he got hungry. He would be instructing us on what KM point we would be waiting for him, whether it would be after 5 kilometers or more. So that when he arrived there, we would be ready on what we will give to him. The key to a successful team work is communication, and even days before the race, I have made myself ready that Erick might get angry and grumpy. I have told him that since it was his moment, so I won't mind if he gets mad or shout at us, but since we communicated well, we have avoided this scenario which I was thankful for. :)

KM15, 20, 25, 30

Stations that we waited for Erick, I  forgot what we did and what time they arrived at this point, so please forgive me. I'm still in the process of urging my ultra husband Erick to write his story on the BDM, I do hope that he would, it's a different story from what I 'am sharing, this post is from a support crew's point of view, I hope to post one from the runner's view.

Pose with my (ultra)man =)

The rules of the BDM stated that runners would be running on the left side of the road which is considered as the safe side for runners and we the support crew would be waiting for them at the right side. But Sir Jovie allowed the runners to run on the right side so that they would approach their support easily. Erick and I have already talked on what to give him at certain point station. We would be convoying with Vener's support crew headed by his wife Christy, which I had the pleasure of having her company.

KM35

My eyes were beginning to shut at this point and I can see Mr. Sandman, I felt so sleepy. I was looking for a carinderia open to have some coffee, I think it was already past 4 in the morning. I was thankful that we saw one, we bought pandesal, and I was alive again. Coffee is my steroids, my day is not complete without one and I cannot write without one cup or two. :D

We offered pandesal to runners approaching us, Erick borrowed my watch and I have no way of checking what time it was when he got here.

At KM35 with Vener

Next stop would be KM40, it is at this station when Wilnar Iglesia and Chris Iblan of Takbo.ph approached our support vehicle asking for anything that is hot. For the past kilometers these two young men have been in front of the pack, they are both strong runners, finishing some run in the lead. The look on Chris was alarming, he really looked like that he is not well, this got us worried. We offered him banana and boiled egg hoping that he would be better soon, as in soon, since the race is still 62 kilometers away. While Christy and I are chatting, we learned that he had water intoxication, I googled it and learned that:

"Marathon runners are susceptible to water intoxication if they drink too much while running. This is caused when sodium levels drop below 135 mmol/L when athletes consume large amounts of fluid. This has been noted to be the result of the encouragement of excessive fluid replacement by various guidelines. This has largely been identified in marathon runners as a dilutional hyponatremia. Medical personnel at marathon events are trained to suspect water intoxication immediately when runners collapse or show signs of confusion." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_intoxication)

Let us stay safe and make it a point to listen to our body.

On the other hand, both Erick and Vener were still in good shape, Erick once again asked for hammer gel, boiled egg and salt, when I told him about Chris condition he too got worried.

KM50

BDM's aid station is located here at KM50, lugaw, boiled eggs, boiled bananas, crackers would be served to runners at this pit stop. It was past 7 in the morning when Erick, Vener and Cesar Abarientos reached this station.

Nearing the KM50 post

Look at the smile of their face

Lugaw is one of Erick's fancy food during and after a run. As what was promised, foods were available at the KM50 which every runner took advantage of.

Photo op with Coach Salazar while enjoying their lugaw

Pose at KM50

Antok na ako =)

Erick changed his clothes here, so that he would be comfortable running since the sun is almost up.

Since most of the bloggers are having their post in parts, I would be doing the same. Will post stories from KM50 onwards. ;)

Alaska IronKids - Playtime

Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

When we dedicated our children to the Lord, we have embraced this verse from the Bible with our heart. We promised and prayed that the Lord guide us and help me and Erick as we nurture the life that God has entrusted us. Being a parent is a gift from heaven that we must be proud of, not everybody has given the opportunity to be one. We have been blessed to have wonderful twins, Rebeccah and Rachelle. It's every parents obligation to give their children adequate standard of living, nutrition, and play. They must never be neglected or abused.

That is why last Sunday, we gave our children the right to play by registering Rebeccah at the Alaska Ironkids run. Rachelle was not feeling well so we opted not to register her. Prior to the race day, Rebeccah had been all excited about it, asking me what shall she wear, should she be training and will she be having her own carbo-loading? I think it had registered in her mind things that Erick and I usually prepare before a race day. She also went to sleep earlier that she used to.

Race Day:

Rebeccah woke up early, she ate cereal and had a nice warm bath. At 6:30AM we left the house for Manila Polo Club, we wanted to see the children under the other age categories. The race was a success, there were a lot of participants.

The 6 to 8 years old category was called the main event, the race of the millennium, it was exciting to see the little boy and girls attentively listening as their race briefing was held and how they inch their way to the starting line. My pretty baby was under this category, the parents were asked to leave the cordoned area, and most of us parents were proud of our kids that none of them cried and asked for their mommy or daddy.

6 to 8 years old category

500 more meters to go (laki ng kalaban nya)

almost there

a few meter to go

Finish line

Rebeccah finished her first official 1K Alaska IronKids run at 5minutes 43seconds, making her 7th overall in the female category. Not bad for her first race, thanks to her daddy/coach. After the race we treated our children to their favorite breakfast meal at Mcdo, what a way to start a day.

More pictures from the race:

Photo op with our Ironkid :)

Erick and Beccah

Breaskfast time

Playtime ulit :)

My kids would be joining the next race for the Ironkids and they are both excited. See you there. Kids play hard too! :)