Video: Hardwork Backyard with Kumander

I had to bring my Kumander to Team Hardwork's Backyard in Talamban... She loved it!

Video: UtraHamster Run 2014

October 19, 2014, Jubay, Liloan, Cebu.

2-Kilometer loop, 7 hours...

Perfect weather, lechon, ice cream, lots of food...

Photos: Cebu Fat Ass Trail Run 2014

September 21, 2014

One of those rare moments - seeing my name in the sports section of the local newspaper. Not that I'm used to seeing my name in some other sections... certainly not in the headline! You know, where the biggest bad news of the week is often written. But I was lucky to share the page with another Milan, that guy who can knock a cow senseless with one punch. I'm exaggerating but you know who he is so I wont elaborate. I don't know where they got the finish time, but let me correct that coz 18 hours is just way too long for a marathon. I finished in 13:41:25.

That photo pretty much sums up the whole ordeal. We curled up like steamed shrimps the whole time trying to work our way up steep hills like those! I remember one guy saying "kung sinaw pa ang trail, makapanamin man sad ta!" I swear I thought I was done at 15K... cramps, seemingly endless climbs... And they told me it was a freakin' marathon! It was more like an adventure race plus a series of vertical kilometer races...

Not to mention the many times I got lost! Yes, this is a fat ass event - no frills, no marshals, no aide stations, no directional signs either. That photo is the GPS track of the panic attack I went through when I inadvertently took an early left turn. It took me about half an hour to finally spot the correct trail!

I was just happy to see this place again after more than 13 hours in the mountains. Yup, that face means 'happy' too.

And did I mention we went through all these hardship for a PSEUDO BUCKLE?

But I can proudly say I am the first person in the whole world to earn this pseudo buckle! Another podium finish! Sort of...

A lot can be attributed to the Rickey Gates stache I was sporting! Yeah!

So they decided to give me a trophy... a mustache trophy! In honor of The Stache!

And a free MTR42 slot!

Now, I gotta figure out a way to get to CDO for the next race...

2nd Naga Eco-trail Challenge: Wrong Turn

I have to be brutally honest. I was disappointed. Yes, I have the cheek to say I was disappointed even if I did not pay for the entry fee - the slot was given to me by my friends Edward and Jacob. You can judge me later, but for now if you're interested, shut up and read. By the way, Edward and Jacob are not the characters of the Twilight, but our very own huarache-riding masters. Here's how I rate the race.

Woot. The view was amazing. As we left the concrete road, heading to the first part of the trail, it felt just like running in SCH, only cleaner. It starts with a cool view of the City of Naga, and progressed to this grassy NZ-like hilltops. I forgot to check the batteries of my camera so I only had a few photos.

Meh.

Video: Taptap With Giros

May 18, 2014

The Giros wanted to try the Cebu 50 route... I took them to Taptap.

Corriendo El Rio

May 11, 2014

We ran the rio. And I'm not talking about the famous coach with a well-maintained Fro. The river, people, the river. 

I was invited to run the Argao Highlands Endurance Run by my friend, Ritche Nuevo a few weeks back, and he promised a unique trail race - complete with river crossings, a canopy walk and a coal mine tunnel. I don't really buy the "unique" tag line many organizers use but that's not the reason why I decided to take the trip to the south. Not that I need a reason, though... as long as it's a trail race, I'm in! Well, the teaser photos helped in more ways than one. I arrived in the Southern town of Argao the night before the event with my trail addict buddy, Imar. We were expecting a marching band to greet us - cliche. Ritche had a better idea, Jagermeister and beer! Of course that was after demolishing Mimi's (Ritche's wife) lutong-bahay dinner. Not exactly the best pre-race preparation.

Fast-forward to race day. They have a call time... whatever that is. The open ground inside CTU was filled with runners and trail freaks. A lot of familiar faces - Runnilla survivors, and organizers. The usual race briefing took place plus the banana warm up session, while some runners lined up at the baggage check in counter. Yes, they have that too. We took off at around 5:15AM, a little late but its all good... that extra 15 minutes worked to our advantage as the race progressed. It was a fast start. I'm not really sure if it was the presence of the Kenyans and the other elites, or the banana warm up that dragged even the first-time trail runners to a flash-like start. They paid for it not long after. I had my own share of drama early in the race. The beer and Jager we had the night before wanted to come out... though the same cavity they came in! I eventually released a good amount of breakfast-malt-saliva super mix on the side of the road right before entering the trail again. It was a good nine kilometers of gradual climb, part of the 800+ meter total ascent, I'm still puzzled how I survived the smell of puke and beer that long. But I did... I'm hardcore like that. <-- this four-word statement is a lie!

the usual suspects

Then came the most awaited part. The first of 21 river crossings. I don't really know where to insert this in my post but, I just have to! [Allow me to brag] The trail queen, Merlita Dunkin was eating my dust the whole time! Well, not exactly the whole... whole time, but I got photos! Evidence! She went a-zoomin' a few river crossings after, though. So stop me if I give you alibis... I simply got chicked. By the trail queen. In a trail race. Ok, enough. Let's drop it. I was pretty stoked on the part where we have scale a huge rock to get to the other side, then go under it... but you're not done yet until you've crossed to the other side of the river holding on to a rope while doing close-call mini leaps from one slippery rock to another. Whew! Just imagining it let out a few drops of sweat on my forehead. I came out without having to call a medic... or cry, so yeah, you can say I enjoyed it. The sight of the Bugasok falls (I'm not sure if that was the one I saw), was definitely a bonus. I mean, I'm pretty sure everyone noticed another trail to the left which I presume would lead us back to the river, but the organizers opted to make it a bit harder and picked the rocky, almost impassable trail to the right... but the view was amazing! And yeah, I had a buwis-buhay moment there while replacing the batteries of my GoPro. I slipped and and landed on my butt! There were tree branches to stop me from barreling down that cliff, but that gave me enough scare to wipe out that beer-Jager effects I was carrying.

I told you I have proof! That's Merlita chasing me!

Kilian moments

the falls

A couple of kilometers [and river crossings] after, we reached the flatter and more 'runnable' part of the route. I can only imagine the elites tearing up the trails at this point... well, the locals weren't so shy while they told us, the mid packers how fast the Kenyans went in an animated manner. Hasta tae sa baka tamakan, nangabungkag gud! Unsolicited, yes... but the innocence amused me. The perks of trail races. I can't complain about support either. There were emergency exit points, medics, and ample supply of water and food. As if we would run out of water... hello? River? Duh! A big thumbs up to the people manning the water stations, they were amazing! And the marshals too! I was lied to by the marshals several times, that's my only complaint. Especially those stationed a couple of clicks from the finish line. "Duol nalang, sir". I'm pretty sure 2 kilometers is not "duol"! And it was the longest 2K, mind you! But we're cool. I did not want it to end quickly either. The organizers were kind enough to give us bonus mileage, 22K in my watch. That's 22 something kilometers of awesome experience! I mean, there are awesome trail races, but I have to put this race in an entirely different category. If, based on your standards, the dark and muddy coal mine tunnel just before the finish line is not unique, ikaw na! I wont even try to mention the canopy walk... oh ok, I just did, but do me a favor and just use your imagination, will yah? Surprisingly, there were no whiners, unlike in some trail races in the past. Probably because they were fed after finishing the grueling course. Kadako sa puso!

wow

Jodel, one tough dude!

no shower, no problem!

canopy walk

tunnel entrance

Not exactly the gnarly trails I was expecting, more like a river adventure race of some sort. But what it lack in elevation, it made up with technicality. Yes, technicality! This is where I will insert my Kilian moments... well, I had none but in some photos - close enough! And in case you still haven't noticed, this post has a Spanish title, Kilian is from Spain, so feeling ta gamay. [thank you, Google Translate] It was an incredible experience, and I wouldn't trade this race for any road race - pinky swear!

finish line

I don't know about the other finishers, but I'd do it again next year... if there's a 2015 edition.

Add caption

Video: Runnilla: What race?

April 13, 2014

Runnilla Eco Challenge - a trail race set in the mountain Barangays of Minglanilla, Cebu. Wait, a race? What race? While the other runners took it seriously, we did the opposite. Besides, even if we decided to "race", our best effort is only good for 50th+ place. The Giros kept it real. We just wanted a 30-kilometer tour around the mountains of Minglanilla. We took our time and enjoyed the scenery, the sunrise, the butong, and the unlimited single tracks. More importantly, we helped light Calbasaan Elementary School.

 (Available on HD settings)

Vimeo link Click Here

The Giros

Some of our photos here

Video: TTB Liloan Trail-ing

February 23, 2014

A day after doing the xtrerra bike-route on foot, I joined the second group of TTB adiks and ran the xterra run-route, this time. We had a very close encounter with the slitherin'  kind! A huge Philippine Cobra was basking on a rock in the middle of the trail. Nabayot lang mi'g kalit! hahaha

Vimeo link Click here

Photos: Runnilla Recon

March 16, 2014

The organizers of Runnilla Eco Challenge scheduled a test run. I jumped right in! Well it was an Us-fie kind of day.

Us-fie started early

and another...

GJ, and behind us... us-fie

Richard, Master Jacob, me, Imar

this killed Ellen's Oscars selfie

where the chin meets the knees

Suwanghud spared no one

 

 

 

reward: awesome view!

... and butong

pretty trails

the weather cooperates

ups and downs

and more downs

Thank you, Jake, Soybitz, Tony, and the rest for showing us this side of Minglanilla!

Video: TTB Trail Run @ Xterra Bike Route (Consolacion)

February 22, 2014.

We just decided to do a little recon on some parts of the Xterra 2014 bike route... on foot. This was also my first attempt to create an action video with my GoPro. Pardon the shaky takes. hehehe

 Vimeo link click here

Race Report: Cebu 50 (Altra King of the Hill 2014)

So I'm back to writing blah blahs about my running experiences... big deal. C'mon, blogging is free and you only have to worry about grammar nazis here. I'm not into big words, and structured writing, so here's to the future hinawayons... Ay pag buot kay ako ning space!

Let me start with race report - yes, I'm kinda feeling sikat right now so I'll be sharing this like everyone cares about what I write.

March 30, 2014. Cebu 50 - the brain child of Blue Tradio of Sing-Phil. A 50-km trail race set in the mountain Barangays of Cebu City. Three laps of the 17-km course - a mix of single tracks, fire roads, paved roads, and unlimited hills. It did not take a lot convincing for me to sign up for this race, the two major ingredients were present... its a trail race and its long distance. Twenty-something runners signed up but only nine showed up. They have their reasons. That got me stoked big time! I'll surely be in the top ten [if I finish]!

I thought Blue was making a last-minute sales pitch when he posted on facebook that the takers are a "lean" group of ultra-runners... nope, not a joke either. When I arrived at the pick up point at JY Square I saw Neil Nacario, the ultra fit huaracher and Cilu Ouano, the lonerunner - so that's what he meant by lean! These guys are the local ultra predators! Not to mention the Korean Ultraman, Sang Oh, judging by his thunder-calves, he could easily finish the race before sunrise! And the ladies were not Barbies either. Marly and Marilou - they are consistent podium gunners. I did the math in transit while having a beefy convo with the badasses on our way up to Brgy. Taptap, it is clear that no matter how well I perform, I wont make it close to the podium spot. It didn't matter coz my strategy was just to finish in on piece. <<< [take note of that line, you'll see that often!]

After a quick briefing at the Brgy. Hall, we head on to the start line just outside the building. We took off at exactly 4 AM. We all started slowly together, treading that 4-km winding paved [dowhill] road towards Tagba-o, cracked jokes and laughed together, well, except Sang Oh... not a clue of what the jokes are about. From Tagba-o, it was all uphill - a 500-meter steep paved road leading to where the muddy trail starts... still a good 2 clicks of constant ascent to the first peak, what locals call Kampar hill (725m ASL). We were still running as a group until after we crossed a couple of streams... and then, sunrise! The real race started. Neil and Sang Oh started to pick up the pace while I kept a steady pace with that guy from Cagayan de Oro, just behind Doc Willie Estepa and Cilu. The ladies are not far behind us some 10 km into the race right after the aide station. I can still see the leaders on that long uphill towards the second peak heading to the next control point at the City Hall sa Bukid but they quickly vanished on the downhill. I ran alone heading to the river crossing at around 14 km, but felt really comfortable with my pace. Then the inevitable happened... I picked the wrong trail! I missed that huge orange directional arrow painted on a tree! Saw some kids at the end of the trail and ask if I was going the right direction, and they all pointed north... tua ra sila ai! It was Cilu and that guy from CDO attacking the hill. I was reduced to a sigh coz I saw how hard they were working to get to the top and I was still at the bottom of that same hill. On the contrary, it was not a struggle tackling that hill, not a walk in the park either - but my effort was not enough to at least keep them in sight. I stopped trying. I reached the next control point in 3 hours and 11 minutes, and caught up with Cilu, who is obviously taking his time. We left that station and finished the 1st loop together at the Brgy Hall. The Tanods were kind enough to serve us humba for breakfast. Yes, we had full breakfast. You got a problem with that?

Cilu and I, we just finished our humba

A quick refill (and a selfie) and we're off again for another loop. This time we agreed to just stick together because we've already seen how hard this course was, and its very easy to miss those markers because it was still dark when we first passed the first part of the route. The downhill started to feel like hell, so we took a long break at the first station rubbing Omega on our thighs and knees. Thank you, sachet! We ran and walked steadily towards Kampar, and almost every person we met along the way asked us how many more rounds left. The steep downhill from Kampar took its toll on my knees, but I managed to move forward and still pace with Cilu (but not without all that cussing and nagging). The sight of huge black camera wiped away all the wrinkles in my forehead... engaged my core, sucked up the pain and flashed that smile [its almost automatic, really]! It was international ultra-runner/explorer, Wantet behind the lens. She assured us the next station is less than a kilometer away. We reached that station and learned that Neil and the Korean runner took a wrong turn and got lost. That made Doc Willie the lead runner and we're 2nd and 3rd. The plan changed almost immediately when Cilu left the station so quick, with a new target in sight - Doc Willie's lead! I haven't even finished my chocolate bar yet when I saw him on top of the second peak. He gained a 10-minute lead in no time!

Strong pa kuno

While the chase is on for Cilu, I somehow found my strength back after the technical downhill just before the river crossing. Shortly after, I caught up with them on the last ascent of the loop, and the three of us slowly tackled that hill together. 34 km into the race, I found myself in the lead, as I steadily gained distance from Cilu and Doc Willie. I can still see them from on top of the hill heading to the Brgy. Hall. They've slowed down significantly, so I thought I'd take advantage by limiting my time at the aide station. That didn't happen. The first thing I asked from the marshals... naa pay humba? The medics rushed inside with their kit coz they thought I was in some kind of trouble coz the tanods were literally scrambling to get me that humba. Devoured everything on that plate and went on my way for the final loop. While painfully treading the concrete downhill, I was escorted by a race marshal who told me that I had a good 30-min lead. For the first time ever, first place! I was thinking, if I can keep my pace and not hurt myself, I'll be able to hold the lead and win this race. Of course, there were no shooting stars or wishing wells. *wink*

I was ready to drop this race on my way to Kampar and just walk all the way when my knees started to give in. Then I noticed this two kids following me from a distance. I stopped and asked them if they can find me a long piece of wood that I can use as sungkod. They were happy to help and got me a pair of bamboo sticks, a bit longer than a regular trekking pole but they worked. The boys ran with on the flat parts and walked behind me all they way to the foot  of Kampar.

Pacers

I took a quick break and looked back - saw two runners at a steady running pace on the open trail just below the hill. It was Neil and the Korean runner! There goes my first place finish. Its amazing how fast you can attack a hill when you know someone's behind you on a chase. I was up and over that peak in a flash! The journey down was a different story... it was hell. Period. I saw Wantet, the photographer waiting for me at the base, but I was in no mood for an action shot, [heck I was even ready to fall asleep at that point!] so I went on my way and slowly ran the ridge. I stopped and applied Omega on my left knee again, and took a selfie with the cow standing behind me. Yes, that's critical information that i need to share with you guys! The cow didn't like it. He cocked and charged! I took off like a ninja! Whew! Then Neil and Sang Oh came, I was saved... or so I thought. The three of us ran behind the cow as quickly as we could, but still the cow turned towards me! That was so close.

Kill-joy cow!

At the 44th km, I lost the lead to Neil and Sang. I simply couldn't keep up. Even my walking pace slowed down. At the control point heading to the last downhill, Race Director, Blue told me I have a decent lead over the next runner, Cilu and that if I didn't take long breaks, I'll still take 3rd place. So I dug deep and tried to negotiate the last 5 kilometers in a very relaxed pace. That was the most painful 5K in my life! And after almost 12 hours, I was finally treading the last dirt road towards the finish line... and in 3rd place. A small crowd was gathered at the finish line as I was making my way... flashed a smile [still felt sikat] and thanked the tanods and marshals, and asked for more humba after finally touching the tape. It was my hardest 50K. Period.

I've done trail races before and this one is by far the most challenging race I've done. The 17-km course was as beautiful as it is treacherous... and you get to run it in three loops! How cool is that?! In terms of support, Blue did a good job of providing aide stations at strategic locations around the course, there was no shortage of food and drinks but it would be a lot better if there were more solids like sweet potato or banana, but it's ok as it is. The marshals! They're all over the place! They even have walkie-talkies! I bet your Lolo's race doesn't have have that! I'm running out of words here (I need get my mojo back so I can write shorter posts again), so let's just see if Blue can duplicate this race next year... of course, I'm still in!

Some pics:

they kept us safe

Me and Blue

Thanks Wantet, for the beautiful photos!