They said it was 85% trail and they didn’t lie. What they forgot to tell us was that it was a long, winding and rolling trail to the finish.
After the starting gun was fired, we only had about 500m of paved road before we hit the trail. I saw the pictures during the press launch. I knew we would be running in a path cleared for the event but I really thought it was going to be a straight path. Surprise. The trail twisted and turned. Sometimes it snaked up and sometimes it snaked down. Planning was out of the question for me. I just kept on running. Garmin was still out of commission but I figured I was hitting 630ish.
I knew I should be cutting corners and running straight but I just couldn’t. It was a snake run for me. I was just laughing to myself. I felt silly and dizzy.
After a couple of kms, I set a goal. I wanted to overtake at least one female runner. I was able to overtake 3 but lost ground during the last 3kms and 3 female runners easily passed me. Hay! As I told Ysmael, my mamon breakfast was only good for 13km. 
Love/Hate the race this morning. Loved the route, hated that I lost steam at Km13.
I had a hard time this morning but now that I’m out of the kugon trail, have showered and about to get a foot massage, I can say that I really had fun this morning.
Congratulations to MensHealth and Finishline.ph! Looking forward to your next race.
Only downside to this race was the security. Camera equipment was stolen from the car parked beside us. Lapse on security, yes. But fellow runners, let’s also keep our stuff safe. Leaving valuables on your car seat is an open invitation for the thieves out there. Ingat na lang next time.
Quiz: Can you guess my women’s category ranking in this race?
Click here for the race results.
13Nov2009 - all my bags are packed im ready to go ... 
8 responses so far ↓
kingofpots // 22 June 2009 at 12:05 am |
congrats for another trail run finish. you are really getting stronger. another robbery case during a race? something has to be done about this problem. good luck & see you soon!
thanks BR. This one was challenging. Trail na trail ang dating. The robbery was unfortunate. But as we were discussing sa parking lot, we have to take precautionary measures din. Leaving expensive equipment on the car seat was a bit careless. I wasnt paying attention to the security but when we arrived at around 430am I dont think they have deployed guards at the parking area yet.
moljcy // 22 June 2009 at 10:49 am |
ako, hilong hilo sa route! but it was muddy and fun! hehe
di na ako nababading masyado sa putik now. konti na lang hesitation. i loved skipping down the downhills.
mari // 22 June 2009 at 11:24 pm |
les, i know your secret
ay may secret? ano?
Bro J // 22 June 2009 at 1:52 pm |
Ibang level ka na talaga! Kailan ang TRI?Congrats!
Tri? di ko try yan.
lonerunner // 23 June 2009 at 1:22 am |
oo nga siguro runners should compute for thier own personal torque and horsepower… at di lang puro PRs. Nice concept!
lalo kung si Mari ka …. kasi sya ay Machine! hehe
markfb // 23 June 2009 at 9:30 am |
Hmm, sa auto lang ata applicable ang torque. Pwede pa lets just count calories burned? haha
ay naku, feeling after km10 it was so hard to make the turns, legs gone dead.
calories burned, pede. but lets not count calories consumed at postrace breakfast. *yum*
m8parco // 23 June 2009 at 2:40 pm |
This race was pure horsepower. You really cannot get into a rythm because of all the turns and the terrain.
it was a tough course talaga. legs still sore. hay … so, tara, trail ulit tayo. hehe
Ray Abenojar // 25 June 2009 at 12:07 pm |
Hi Bards!
Congrats on your conquest of the MH trail Run!!!
More conquests to follow…
It’s very disappointing to know that thefts occur in a gated, “exclusive” location