Run United Philippine Marathon: October 2, 2016

Since my passion for running started through trails, I generally favor trail races over road runs. Trail running provides you an opportunity to get closer to (or even be one with) nature. To add, its softer and varying surfaces take away the boring and monotonous attributes of running. However, road running is equally fun and exciting as it provides a different battleground (hell yeah, speed!) so this article will not contribute to the trail vs. road running debate. I'm writing this to convince myself to take on the challenge of training for road marathon again and stay off the trails in the meantime

Perspective check, I think road running is a perfect venue to really exercise mental discipline - the discipline to still stay the course despite pounding on the same pavement for five hours or so (and still have that extra energy for increasing speed or mileage). I've completed two road marathons without proper training - those were just plain diversions from trail running. So this year, I really want to train and improve my marathon time. And what better race to show off your road running prowess than joining this year's Run United Philippine Marathon (RUPM)! RUPM is the last leg of the Run United trilogy. The trilogy is jointly organized by UNILAB Active Health and Run Rio, with RU 1 featuring 21km as the longest distance, afro distance (32 km) for RU 2, and full marathon for RUPM.

Unfortunately, I was not able to join the first two legs of Run United but it's never too late to experience the Run United fever with RUPM. I promise to complete the trilogy next year though.

RACE INFORMATION

RUPM will be held this October 2, 2016 at the SM MOA grounds. Aside from 42k distance, RUPM have lower distance categories from 5K, 10K to 21K.

REGISTRATION SCHEDULE

Online Registration: Open from August 1 to September 11, 2016 through these websites: www.runrio.com or www.activehealth.ph. For claiming of race kits, runners who registered online have an option to have their kits delivered or picked up. Online registration incurs additional fees of Php 150 for delivery and process and Php 50 web admin fee.

In Store Prepaid Card Selling:Open from August 1 to September 11, 2016 in selected Toby's and Runnr stores. Kits will be claimed from September 16 to 25, 2016 at the store you selected when you registered

Late Registration:Open from September 12 to 25, 2016 only! late reg can be done both online and in-store (selected Toby's and Runnr stores). Kits will be claimed from September 28 to 30, 2016 at the RUNNR store BGC.

RACE SINGLET and FINISHERS' SHIRT

Another thing to look forward to in RU races are their well-designed singlet and shirts. They are made from Chaf-Redux technology so you can use them as your official racing uniform for succeeding races.

Here's the singlet and finshers' shirt for the RUPM:

Amihan Crosswind Vest: Product Review

Contributor: Richard Akol

I used this AMIHAN CROSSWIND VEST as my weapon in conquering Mt. Batolusong Trail Run- 25km distance and it helped me land a podium finish! It is but perfect for those who want to keep it fast because it is slick, light and stable!

My trail friends know that I like to keep my hydration as light (even bare) as possible - no heavy hydration pack, a simple hydration bottle will do. Before, I always carry a simple hydration bottle, even in ultra races but I've noticed that I can't sustain my speed and energy beyond 30km with that bottle. So I decided to carry a hydration bag. But my concern is that it might affect my performance since it's an added weight. Good thing, AMIHAN CROSSWIND VEST is slick, light, and comfortable that i don't feel like i'm carrying one. Some hydration bags don't keep up with your pace because it keeps moving or bouncing especially on downhills but this one is really stable so you dont have to worry about that annoying bouncy feeling!

You also have to commend its amazing storage capacity making it perfect for longer distances, too. It has two big pockets in front for your essential (the pockets are bigger than those in Amihan fastrak). It also has a room for two bottles ( up to 500ml each) in front to provide you enough hydration.

Support Amihan products and support local!

For more info, please check their FB Page: Amihan Sports Gear

7/11 Trail 2016

7/11 Trail 2016, MTB Race,

Timberland Heights, San Mateo, Rizal

February 21, 2016

My first off-road/mountain bike race. Held in Timberland Heights, the course features 35km with 920 meters of climbing of mostly single track and technical trails (http://www.trail711.com/#/race-info)

As a newbie biker, I don't have much confidence in this race so I chose a lower wave, with a more generous cutoff time. The race has 12 waves perhaps to accommodate the number of bikers, with the faster bikers on earlier waves and the slower ones in the last waves. I chose wave J with a cutoff time of 4:15

Here's a description of the course (copied from http://www.trail711.com/#/race-info)

km 0-1.5: Wall 2 is a wide concrete road that narrows into fire road at the end. With a 10% grade, it serves to separate riders before the singletrack.

km 1.5-5: Blue Zone Undulating singletrack rewards a brief climb with killer views of the city, before dropping down through a rhythmic series of switchbacks and berms into a stream. We added a new 800m technical section that will reward practice.

km 5-9: Blue Zone Harder Dense foliage helps with the singletrack climb up the mountainside, but the 100m 15% grade section is still hard to clear. After this, be rewarded by the new section added for the race - almost 2km of what feels like a natural pump track.

km 9-13: Ka Vergel is accessed via the Araneta nursery gate (closed until race day), the rutted climb out of this motocross hangout will be smoothed before race day, but many will likely still push the 300m that steepens to 14% grade in some places. You can rest a bit on the rolling, mostly downhill 3km fire road towards Sapinit Road.

km 13-18: Pintong Bocaue/Araneta Gentle fire road climb towards Pestano, then into the Pintong Bocaue gate of the Araneta property for a singletrack descent towards their Pineda gate.

km 18-21: Coliseum - connects Pineda gate to Wawa-bound singletrack by going way down, then up, into the valley in between. Technical track with off camber sections and a rocky stream crossing that can be ridden with practice.

km 21-25: Sapinit Climb/Roller Coaster - Rutted fire road with natural berms and rollers. Exit closed until race day, exit via Ka Vergel during practice.

km 25-27: Roxas Boulevard - Cliffside former cement road with views of the Sierra Madre, then up a singletrack connector to basic.

km 27-28: Chapel - Natural singletrack descent, then up through the gravelly, rutted fire road out of nursery.

km 28-30: New Green Zone - Canopied singletrack just behind basic that drops gently down through a series of bermed turns, then climbs, less gently, back up.

km 30-31: Old Roxas Through a construction site, then a short climb up overgrown fireroad.

km 31-33: Trail 1000 Black Diamond A rocky, loose, and rutted fall line descent 1 km long that many walked in the last race, but rideable with practice. Then a tough but relatively short climb to the clubhouse, and a short downhill and sprint to the finish.

The COURSE MAP

my rewards for finishing the difficult course of 711 trail race!

Ultra Trail Mount Batolusong 50km Mountain Run in Tanay, Rizal

ABOUT THE RACE

The event known as DBB Mountain Rockstar Trail Run is part of MGM Trail Running Series. It features three race categories:

1. 12 Km race

2. 25 Km race

3. 50 km race (Utra Trail Mt. Batolusong)

Race Information:

Date: August 7, 2016

Starting/Finish Area: Barangay Hall of San Andres, Tanay Rizal

Start Time: 4:00AM (50km) / 5:00AM (25km) / 5:30AM (12km)

Cut Off Time : 12km (6hrs) / 25km (9hrs) / 50km (15hrs)

Race Map and Elevation Profile (scream hardcore!)

Trophies for Podium Finishers!

Finishers' Tokens- beautifully crafted medals and very useful cap and headware!

RACE REPORT

This is my 8th trail run with ultra distance (beyond 42km) and by far, the hardest mountain run for me.

The inclement weather, which made the trail muddy, slippery, and dangerous, was a major factor. Still, sans the rainy weather, the route itself is really difficult given that you have to summit 6 peaks! The first 25 km of the route requires climbing the 3 peaks of Mt. Batolusong, namely Rangyas peak, Susong Dalaga, and Radar. These 3 peaks were so wicked that I thought the second half could not be worse but I was wrong. A week before the race, I was injured from a road marathon so I thought of finishing just the first half of the race (meaning, climbing just Mt. Batolusong and going back to the starting line, which is also the end of 25Km course). My foot extensor and plantar worsens everytime I tackle the uphills because of the extra effort I had to exert to have a good grip so as not to slip in the muddy ascents of Batolusong.

After the last peak, i.e., radar, the last uphill was short and gradual followed by last 3km of downhill and flats going to the finish line of 25km course. The easier course helped reduce the pain in my extensor and plantar and when I reached the finish line, I decided to continue with the second half of the 50Km course (km 25-50).

Going back to starting line/KM 25 mark

Photo credits: Ken Agsaway

At the starting line/KM 25 mark

Photo credits: Jaja Ferrer

The first 5km of the second half of the course featured flats to mild uphill of wide fire roads, which gave me a feeling of optimism and confidence that I'll finish the whole course within the cutoff time. I was the last runner to leave km 25; the others behind me already DNF'd so I was alone in my journey from km 25-km 30.

Few kilometers after KM 30, I started to enter a single, muddy and slippery track of Mt. Natad, which means suffering again. The ascents were gradual but never ending. After a few ascents, the sweeper of 50km was able to catch up to me. Sweeper Kevin helped me picked up my pace- climbing Natad alone is exhausting and boring and that means more time wasted to rests and food breaks. It rained so hard while we were inside Natad but because of the forest covers we were not soaked from the rain. At the foot of Natad was another aid station, which also marked km 42 of the course. The marshal mentioned that there were no more uphills for the remaining 8km, just a manageable elevation and wide fireroad until the finish line. But I guess he was joking because just after around 1km of wide road, we were greeted by another aid station with marshals who instructed us to turn right to climb Mt. Cayabu and Mt. Maynoba. What???

Mt. Cayabu features a steep ascent with stair trails. After that seemingly endless ascend, we had to go down a bit to climb another equally steep mountain, Mt. Maynoba, which features two peaks – Peak 1 and the Summit. Huhuhu. Since I had no choice but to complete the course since I’m almost there, I just prayed hard and each line of the prayer I uttered helped me climb a step further. Dasal lang talaga, as per Tita Alma Moreno. After reaching the summit (highest peak of Mt. Maynoba), we had to pass through the rolling hills and this meant tackling minor yet exhausting uphills. You got to hate the word rolling after you finished 3 major climbs. After the rolling hills, you’ll go all the way down going back to MGM trail (the first major ascent of Batolusong before reaching Rangyas). This MGM trail is rather dangerous because of the muddy single track and portions where you have to use a rappel. After crossing a few streams, I reached the finish line beyond the cut-off but still I’m thankful to have finished this race in one piece. Other than my extensor and plantar, I felt no other injury – no cramps and blister despite the number of rivers we’re required to cross.

Congratulations to the organizers, DBB Delos Angeles and the entire members of the MGM Productions. With their route, you’ll not feel shortchanged! The registration fee is all worth it! The aid stations were also well-supplied – have the right to claim it because I was part of the last pack and when we reached the last aid stations, they still have hydration and food. The marshals are also very accommodating and motivating. If you want to experience hard core, you've got to try this UTMB Pinoy version!

Climbing to Duhatan

Photo credits: Active Pinas

My finisher's medal ! So worth it!

for more info, go to: DBB Mountain Rockstar 2016 FB Events page. You may also check the FB page of MGM Productions of MGM Mountain Run for their future trail races. Sulit ang races nila! From the route to the aid stations to the finishers' tokens (medal, shirt, freebies). Well- marked ang race course so you don't have to worry about getting lost. XOXO