CUC 100K Ultramarathon 3rd Leg

BAD OMEN?
Hours before my 2^nd century run, things did not came the way I planned it.  Team Hinanggaw (Me, Henry and Toto) have already planned everything and the assembly time @ Henry’s residence was at  2 PM or earlier.  When me and my wife left home, I knew that we would be just on time to be there but a lot of things went wrong.  First, it was the misaligned chain of my motorcycle  that needs a mechanic to fix it.  I don’t have the tools then and don’t want also to exert effort that may tire me more.  Once it was fixed, we were set to arrived 30 minutes late already I just tried to focused on driving safely.  Just about 5 kilometers or so, I felt that the tires were rolling awkwardly, alas now I had a flat tire.  Oh my, “was it a sign that something not good might happen during the race?,” I uttered.

Team Hinanggaw



1st Olango Island Eco-Adventure Ultramarathon

I joined last July 6's 50K ultramarathon with 2 of my colleagues as our final LSD for CUC 100K 3rd Leg on July 27th.  What was supposedly an LSD became very challenging for me to even finish.  Maybe because I did not have proper long distance runs prior to the event.  Or maybe because I was forcefully pacing with my colleagues which I was not used to. 

  Toto, Henry and Me

Siquijor 360 degrees: 75K Ultramarathon

My most challenging ultramarathon run so far.  Going to battle half-prepared could have cost me a DNF in this one.  Luckily I was able to adjust and made daring moves that propelled me to complete the route. 

From Sir Jovie's blogsite

CUC 100k Leg 2

Finally did it!

Two weeks before CUC 100K Leg 1 started, I had to cancel my slot  because of a knee injury suffered from the Bohol 50 Miler Ultramarathon.   I had second thoughts then that quitting was not an option but  I’m glad now that I made that right and most sensible decision.  I could tell now that 100K is not a walk-in-the-park and that long preparation should be properly set-up.

 (support crew duty during CUC 100K Leg 1)

My 1st 80K: Bohol 50Miler Ultramarathon

Did you really run the whole 80K kilometers?

No, not really. But who cares? 

69K LSD turned 53K Bday Run for Papa

Last Friday, I joined a group of "special idiots" for a night LSD run.  It was no ordinary LSD because it was supposedly a special "Linggam LSD Run", a no-joke 69K run that is.  There were only 10 of us who officially registered (6 men and 4 women).

I was not so sure I would be able to complete the run since my longest single-run mileage for the past 2 months was a relatively minute 12.5K easy-run.  To run a 69K distance (though LSD) with this poor preparation was indeed "insane".  But I have to or else it would be too late for me to evaluate if the May 20 Bohol Ultramarathon (50-miler) is doable or not.

We started around 10:20 PM at Ayala Center Cebu going to Gorordo Avenue, then took a left turn to Escario Street, left turn again to Osmeña Boulevard, then left turn to Gen. Maxilom Avenue straight to Carreta which marked our 1^st 5K and our 1^st water station.  Thanks to our very supportive CUC president, Sir Tony Galon, who lead the mobile support team (all our basic needs are there: water, energy drinks, egg, salt etc....).

I was happy to know that no one gets left behind.  We waited for our barefoot runners (two of them: a lady and a male runner) to arrive before we could advance to the next kilometers.  We cannot move on alone since it was already midnight and as precautionary measures, we need to run by buddies or group.  The 1st 15K was okay until I realized were now staying longer than we’re supposed to in our water breaks.  Having to rest for longer period of time I guess drained much of my energy and enthusiasm to meet my pre-planned pace.  I was hoping to finish the LSD by 8am so I could meet up with my officemates for our Moalboal escapade and still have time to rest.  It did not work out though.  Two female runners considered it a day after the 25^th kilometer. By the time we reached the 35K turning point at Danao Fish Port, it was already 6am (more chats that lasted almost 45 minutes).  If not for the rain, I don't know how much more time we'll be resting while eating rice porridge prepared by the ever supportive and generous Danao Runners - a very delicious breakfast indeed.  Another male runner did not continue after the 35^thK stop.

Getting back on the road, I already have doubts – should I finish this race or just ran the minimum requirement for an ultra?  But I just tried to feel the moment and will decide at the 50^th KM which is in Lilo-an at KM18 landmark.  I was pacing with 2 lady runners hoping to get back my 2^nd wind and will just overtake them when ready.  Two male runners now are nowhere to be found, one of them was literally barefoot.  It just came out of nowhere (or maybe just searching for good alibi of not completing the 69K) I remembered that that day way my father’s 53th birthday so why not do a birthday-run for him.  At the 45K stop, I decided to wait for the other runners to tell them that I’m not finishing the 69K run and will quit at the 53K mark.  Unknowingly, all of them were also thinking of stopping at the 50K mark.  So we continued until I saw a buko station and tried his very lip-smacking specially prepared coconut.  It was the first time that I ever eaten+drank a coconut in the middle of my run in fear of having LBM but who cares, I’m now just 8K away.  I could not see the 2 ladies anymore after I’ve finished my hearty snack.

When we meet at the 50K mark, I have to get my bag from the mobile support van and told them that I will just walk my last 3KM.  I arrived at the 53K mark (15KM landmark from Cebu Capitol) at exactly 8:40 am.  That’s 10 hrs and 20 minutes run/walk.  It was time to go home… unworthy of the 69K medal but very happy that I’m now confident to finish the Bohol UltraMarathon injury free.  Those two male runners ahead of us completed the 69K LSD run.  Congratulations to both of you.

UltraRunning Could be Low Cost Too!!!

I just finished my second UltraMarathon last Sunday and it surely was better than the first one.  No post-soreness/injuries, better time, no pressures, so much fun with special ka-idiots and above all (which my wife will definitely agree on this) least cost.

Taxi (Basak – Super Metro Mandaue)                                            =P 100

Water (from ATM or Automatic Tubig Machine)                            =P   10

Mountain Dew (softdrink)                                                            =P    12

Sparkle (softdrink), twice               8php each                               =P    16

Buko Juice (self-served, the guy just handed me his bolo)       =P     15

Finisher Shirt                                                                                         =P   200

Mobile Crew (food, cold sponges, water, 1^st aid, etc…)            =P    150

Lunch                                                                                                      =P      50

Fare (Catmon – Super Metro Mandaue)                                        =P     68

That’s just 621 pesos compared to more than 3 thousand pesos I have spent on my 1^st UltraMarathon.

My 1st Ultramarathon: Pain and Glory

Guess I was way TOO confident to finish this race, even decided to make fun of myself by sporting a "mohawk" hairstyle, only to almost falter at the middle of the run.

After two simulation runs of the actual race course "injury free", I figured that I would be able to beat the 8-hour time limit successfully.  I have taken for granted the fact that the 1st 9 kms will mostly be downhills and it almost caused me everything.  The 10 weeks of training and sacrifices would have been a total waste.  A lot of questions came into my mind on what went wrong and how I should react on the present situation now that I had an injury (I suspect it's an ITBS injury).  All my goals seems to shrink to a bit more realistic one because of my current condition.  At first, I was hoping to finish the race in 7 hours, then to at least reach the finish line ahead of my colleague Henry, then to as long as I can arrive earlier that Atty. Haide Acuña, then ma'am Twinkle Ignacio until such time that I decided to let go of those silly thoughts and just finish the race before 9 hours. 

Thank you Jonel for extending the time limit.

The downhills:  I really don't like the downhills but instead of studying the right way of solving it during the training period, I decided to leave it for the actual race.  Wrong move, almost checkmate!!! 

Going to KM30, that's when I felt so much pain that I almost couldn't move forward.  Even if I tried to walk it off.  It was so painful that it's almost unbearable.  I started asking, "why now when it is already the actual race."  I wanted to scream or cry but for what, but for what? It's no use.  I relied on prayers and thank God, there was no pain when I was running on uphills and on flat surfaces but "what will happen to the rest of the downhills", I feared.  What Bald Runnersaid in his blogs and Jonel Mendoza statements regarding mental toughness were all so true.  I had to endure them all to be victorious.  I had some muscle cramps but it was nothing compared to the pain I felt while going downhills.

The last 12 KM:  There it goes again.  Very steep downhills.  Pain flaring up.  I almost decided to quit but every time I saw my crew  (my 2 siblings: Ian and Niel) who also sacrificed their time and patience, I feel that I am responsible for our success and that is to cross the finish line within the time limit.

I could have beaten ma'am Twinkle on the last 2 kilometers, but it was not important to me anymore at that time.  I still have a sachet of "Gatsby" wax to open and a Mohawk to straighten up.


P.S. Thank you to all Ungo Members who volunteered to support every runners along the race course.  Kudos to all of you.  Your kindness is well appreciated.

Please see pics below and leave some comment:


1. Blog Pic Printed on my Running Shirt

2. "the hairstyle"

3. Pres. Ramon Magsaysay's Statue and Mt. Pinatubo's Engine

4.  Sleeping Quarter

5. Everthing ready?

6. The run

7. With my officemates Henry and Roy at the finishline

8. With my Wife Rina and my Son Zyle

9. With my Crew/Brothers Ian Roy and Niel Roy

10. Mug Shots

11. Recovery Swim (OKOY sa dagat)

12.  Jetski for free

13. Relaxing with wife Rina sa speedboat

14.  Last look at my Mohawk before getting "cleared"