One of my to-do-list on this race event is to compose my report/blog about my race experience once I got access to the internet. Two days has past, I am still amazed by this challenging route,now I will share my experience on this DRAMATIC Ultra category of LUUM3.
I already have the list of the races that I will be joining from January to March 2014 since last year, all this races are outside Manila and mostly are 1st timer races except for Subic International Marathon '14 that is my second time but with the highest category of 42k for this year. I opt to register on LUUM3 because of this reasons: it's in the province and it's close to nature, it's a first time in this event and because it's a very challenging route as per the organizer.
I need to have a lot of energy after the U-turn. A bridge was seen 1km from where I was, and I think the only confirmed flat part of the route. Here I met more elite runners coming from the Bagulin town. I still do my ultra pace even on this flat surface to save more energy for the come back on those mountains.I stopped at the aid station in Bagulin town.I load up with all the available nutrition, refill my hydration bottle, massage my legs with OPK and cool down with water bath.Then it's time to move again.Payback time?, we will see. The difficulty of the race was intensified by the heat of the sun.
Rest for a while.
The point that I was waiting to be in this race is the left turn to Botanical, because it's close to finish line already, and there it was. I still have a lot of energy left to go for a strong climbed on that hill.
Race category: 50k
Actual distance: 55km
Time finish: 8:30"59" (35th out of 78 finishers)
I already have the list of the races that I will be joining from January to March 2014 since last year, all this races are outside Manila and mostly are 1st timer races except for Subic International Marathon '14 that is my second time but with the highest category of 42k for this year. I opt to register on LUUM3 because of this reasons: it's in the province and it's close to nature, it's a first time in this event and because it's a very challenging route as per the organizer.
.JPG) |
| Welcome to the province of La Union |
With my experience in races in the previous years, I lately preferred to register in races in the provinces, mostly those races that I haven't join before. It's a new experience and escapade specially if it's the first time that I'll be coming to that place. Mostly, races in the province are not crowded, less polluted and not so many vehicle that blows horn to runners along the route. On the race day, me, my wife (21k participant) and my brother (50k runner) prays for our safety throughout the race before going to the race venue/START. The race start was very simple, countdown after a briefing and then, GO! After just a 100m of the route, the warm up on hills starts, early turtle run activated on this early part of the race. After reaching the capitol building, I do the usual catch up run on the downhill like what I did in my previous races. Then, flat surface before reaching the what they called wicked mountain of Cadaclan where we will have the 1st U-turn, at the Botanical garden. And
WICKED as it was warned, and it really was. The inclined was so difficult and all I can do is walk in the uphill. Going back after the U-turn, it was a down hill, thought it would be easy to have a negative split but it wasn't. When I met with an official, immediately asked the official if the 21k runner needs also to take the same U-turn at the Botanical garden and I was relieved when he say no, 21k runners will only pass that route when they are going for the FINISH line. I immediately send a message to my, "ni medyo mahirap pataas, makisabay ka sa iba ne". I also passed my wife along the route and I tell her some tips to climb the last part of the route. I also tell her that no PR this time, just enjoy and be safe. After minutes of chatting, she already asked me to go ahead since I still have a lot of distance to run. The up and down of cemented routes were countless and some curve are really sharp at the edge of the mountain that are almost a blind side. The route was so quiet, so few vehicle are passing us (mostly are race officials), I can here the sound of owls, geckos and goat...very quiet. After running for more than 3 hours, I am expecting that I'll be meeting 50k runners whom already coming from the 2nd and last U-turn but nobody was. And when I met the leading runner, the road starts to become dusty and rough. The difficult cemented road was just a warm up of the race route.
 |
| going to 1st U-turn |
 |
| one of those wicked dusty uphill |
From that dusty step, I witnessed what the race organizer means about the 3x passion, 3x the route difficulty and hardship and 3x jaw-dropping scenery. The road seems so long and never ending, dusty, rough and tough inclined one after another. This are the part that makes my battle so dramatic. At this point, I miss my son, I miss my daughter, I miss my wife, I miss my family, I miss my car, I miss my bed, I miss my house. Then, start to meet more runners coming from the 2nd U-turn, a sign that the U-turn is already near. My legs are still ok. I'm saving my energy and taking all the nutrition provided by the race officials.
 |
| less traveled bridge of Bagulin |
I need to have a lot of energy after the U-turn. A bridge was seen 1km from where I was, and I think the only confirmed flat part of the route. Here I met more elite runners coming from the Bagulin town. I still do my ultra pace even on this flat surface to save more energy for the come back on those mountains.I stopped at the aid station in Bagulin town.I load up with all the available nutrition, refill my hydration bottle, massage my legs with OPK and cool down with water bath.Then it's time to move again.Payback time?, we will see. The difficulty of the race was intensified by the heat of the sun.
Now, it's more of a passion and a mind over matter. One way is to enjoy the scenery that surrounds me.
Another way is to enjoy the company of other runners and new running friend.
Enjoy the simplicity of the community. Appreciate life, life is good.
Rest for a while.
Meditate.
 |
| me and my 50k trophy |
Slowly with some stops along the inclined, I was able to complete this race using more than 3x of my strength, more than 3x of my effort, more than 3x of my determination, more than 3x of my inspiration and more than 3x of my faith. I crossed the finish line and can't believe that I did it. It was really a memorable race. Until now, I am still out of words to express how happy I am to complete this race. So thankful to the organizer for this wonderful and awesome event, more power to them (iRunner). This race is dedicated to my love ones, friends and running community for all the inspiration and motivation. Thank you Lord for all the guidance you given me all my life. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
 |
| me and my wife (with her 21k trophy), Congratulations! |
Actual distance: 55km
Time finish: 8:30"59" (35th out of 78 finishers)
