Finishing the TNF100 Baguio
Part 1
In time for the TNF100 in CamSur, I’m posting the write up I requested of Francis Hortelano, who I interviewed before for his BDM102 2010 experience.
The Race proper
By 8:30pm, I was back at my room. Took dinner. Fixed my things and then slept. By 12 midnight, I woke up and couldn’t get back to sleep. I spent some time at the veranda just reflecting on what will transpire within 30 hours the moment I get out of the Unit. I conditioned my mind running through the 100KM maps. Just doing so was already tiring. But I kept a pledge: No turning back.
Soon after, I showered and got ready for the race. I went to the starting line for check-in at 2:30am. Let’s get in on. We were probably around 300 to begin with since both 50 and 100KM runners depart at 3AM. After the gunstart by Mayor Rey
Bautista and the DoT Director, the runners frantically secured their places. We were like a swarm of fireflies headed to the
hills.
Initially, I was wearing my Petzl headlamp but upon arrival in John Hay, the pitch dark and thick fog overpowered its glow. I stopped and used my more powerful Led Lenser lest I would also stumble on pine roots and roll over a ravine. I had to step-No-step-Yes to avoid the scattered horses’ wastes. And eventually used a trek pole to ease my acrophobic tendencies.
The trail run alone within John Hay is knee-pounding. I had a sigh of relief when we arrived at Loakan Airport. The air was refreshingly cool and the sun is yet sleeping. Going down to Camp6 is a bit tricky and treacherous. Kennon Road down below is ones destination with a slight mistake. The tireless marshalls carried petromax on their shoulders to ensure that the dangerous cliffs are well lighted. Morning has broken when I arrived at the Zigzag Road. I was basically with mountaineers at this point.
Crossing the hanging bridge at Camp6 is a signal for our ascent to Mt. Kabuyao. The Bued river is almost dry and the mountain was burnt. The trail dust is therefore mixed with ashes. Since I am wearing shorts without any gaiters, my legs soon looked like I was headed for an Ati-Atihan contest. I thank God for the perfect weather, otherwise, if it rained, my hands and face would have perfectly fitted a Maskara festival too. Anyhow, I remember running through another hanging bridge.
I dared not look down. I fixed my vision ahead. Otherwise, I would unnecessarily tremble. When will scientists develop a pill
for acrophobia?
I took my breakfast along the trail. Then passed through some vegetables gardens of bell pepper and tomato and then potato and then carrots. Oh yes, there were also Baguio pechays. Then some flowers too. All these beautified the already scenic trails that we were navigating. At times, I would stop and just gaze around the horizon. Everytime I felt tired, the TNF banners splattered across the trails reminded: Endure the trail. Not the endurance that makes one suffer. In fact, the trails only increases the endurance threshold of ones body.
Since there was a cut-off time atop the mountain, I pushed a bit. The summits are always the penultimate dreams of mountaineers. There is a different high when one is on top of the world. Only breathtaking views and far away from the maddening metro-noise. Upon reaching the radar at Sto. Tomas, I had lunch. Again, I paced with my fellow mountaineers till I was certain that I met the first cut-off time. I think, we were three hours ahead. Soon after, I had to relax and enjoy the views. At this point, my fellow mountaineers have gone ahead. The descent back to camp6 was another 3 hours.
Three hours in solitude is a rare reward. I can be extroverted but I am also comfortable being alone. Such solitary moments are meaningful instead of empty. I can listen to myself. I can watch my thoughts. And I can plan clearly. Enjoying oneself is truly empowering in ultras. If one is afraid of being alone. That’s the end.
I had the chance to look back and thank from my heart all those who had been understanding and supportive to my activities. I likewise quietly sought forgiveness from those whom I’ve hurt knowingly or unknowingly. Ultra-running can only make one more humane in many ways. Ultra-running provides a lot of time to contemplate on so many things that can readily be taken for granted.
The descent from the German house to Camp6 is a bit technical. I had to aid myself with ropes so as not to fall. Thanks to the Marshalls for preparing them. At certain points, the trail is already overused hence chances of sliding is high. Thanks to my reliable pole for keeping me balanced. Prior to reaching Zigzag Road again, I was distracted by a loud roaring sound. Sounded like a tempest of sorts. Later on, I was awed by a landslide. Rocks and boulders madly crushing each other down at the fastest pace. It was an apocalyptic sight. Soon after, silence. Deafening silence. Everything finally settled down.
Such poignant scene became a powerful metaphor for me. No matter how crucifying the situations are… to the point that it feels like the end of time, everything balances in the end. Everything becomes stable once more. The point is: Just don’t easily give up. Soon enough, this had to be my battlecry in finishing the race.
I safely arrived at the hanging bridge once more. Buti naman at naka-smile ka pa na bumaba, was the complement of the tindera at Kennon Road. Dahan-dahan lang po ako ate, my thankful response, napakaganda po dito. Next challenge is the ascending climb back to Loakan. I was trekking with a runner who fell and so limping on every stride. Soon, I was with Ron, a fellow BDMer. He has DNFed in the past two TNF’s. Hence, determined to make it this time.
On our uphill climb, we found Kelly from Singapore. She requested us to alert the marshalls and the medics. She was hyperventilating, I feel so dizzy and I am seeing stars in front me, said Kelly. I brought out my first aid kit. She chose to take one chewable bonamine. Kelly is a seasoned ultra-runner across the globe, but this one is different, she explained. I wouldn’t want to leave her but she told me to go ahead and go on with the race. Sunset has set it and it was starting to drizzle. I was worried a bit. I haven’t seen Blas at all in the race. I thought, he must be informed of Kelly’s condition. But as I went on, I met the marshall and the para-medics to aid her. I felt secured that she is safe. Ron and I had to push ahead.
My rest stops would soon become frequent. I drank some yakult at a sari-sari store. My stomach refused to take in water and Gatorade anymore. It must be too drowned by them after 16 hours.
Terestial Naughty Fairies
I soon found myself going through Scout Barrio and John Hay’s trail for more than three hours all by myself. l switched on my headlamp again. It dawned on me that it was the second night of not sleeping and still in constant motion. I just steadily focused on every step. Slowly but surely. Till I had surreal experiences. I was sensing that I was trekking with others when I certainly am alone. Sometimes, I felt someone was behind me. At times in front or far ahead. I reasoned out, I must be too tired. I must be hallucinating already. I crashed all my fears though. I must be tough at all cost.
But wait, didn’t I also do my craziest teenage mischief in Baguio when one summer at midnight, after a birthday party, my friends and I decided to “ghost hunt” along rumoured haunted houses and places? And all we got was sleep deprivation. We would scare ourselves to death at nearing footsteps and the slightest of sounds. Till the security guards supposedly protecting those houses would shout, anong ginagawa nyo dyan? We would run inside our getaway car and rush away. We then taunt the person who got scared the most and laugh to our hearts content. Since then, I never believed in ghosts.
Back to the TNF, I decided to sleep instead of struggling. I prayed that the snakes won’t lie next to me. Snakes, I won’t stay long. I just need a rest, I pleaded. I slept with my headlamp on hoping that fellow runners or marshalls would notice me. But no one did.
I soon woke up and it was around 10 PM. I started trekking anew. I soon met runners who are already back for their second loop. You still have enough time, was their encouragement, but please find a companion when you take your second loop. They were trekking in fours or fives. I quickly got out of John Hay and then met also the AMCI team for their second loop. I arrived safely at Base Camp. I was told I can take dinner and afterwards resume by run. Since I felt very dirty, I decided to go to Burnham Suites instead. Took a hot shower. Changed clothes. Ate dinner and again, I decided to sleep. I left it all to fate, if I still hear the alarm. Otherwise, I am safely back to bed and that should be perfect.
Trudger Night Freak
But yes, by 12 Midnight, I woke up. Laced another shoes and with a new outfit this time, the organizers didn’t even recognize me when I told them #721 is ready to go. Are you sure, you still wish to go? was their very polite remark. I smiled back and said, yes. I again started trudging till I reached the Hospital at Military Cut-off. The Marshall was a bit concerned that I am alone but I assured him that I would be fine. He accompanied me up to the old gate of John Hay.
From there I caught up with Paolo, a BDMer who was trekking with Jubs and his friend. Less than 100 meters after, the friend of Jubs couldn’t make it anymore. Paolo asked me to move ahead and they will just catch up. To combat my surreal experiences, I played on a song from my mobile phone. It was recorded by my friend Jerome who passed away. I was surprised that the lyrics contained, do you hear the child who wants to run with wind… and you’re running safely to the ends of the world. At that point, I was but a free child running with Baguio’s cool breeze to nowhere.
Soon after, only Paolo and Jubs arrived. Three of us were then trekking when we met Red, another BDMer, who was lost twice in the trails. Red and Jubs walked ahead while Paolo and I were taking our time. They would wait for us after the long descent at the US Embassy. We soon met the group of Tobias and Mercy of AMCI, the group of Sir Jonel and another AMCI Team (Yob, Manny DS and Manny T.) If Red was lost and I had surreal experiences, Sir Manny T. later informed me that Yob had been telling them that they are five trekking together. They had to shake and remind him that they are just 4. They would find out that Yob is trembling. Such is the TNF. It would alter your state of mind to the brink.
Jubs, Red, Paolo and I soon arrived at Loakan Road. We rested for a while. Till Paolo exploded a bomb, guys I think, you need to go ahead. My legs are already very painful. I started making some calculations. Guys we have a lot of time, it is still 7 hours to go. We can still do it. Jubs added, Paolo you can join us till the airport and decide from there. Paolo acceded to the idea. But the pain has grown into intolerable level already. Upon crossing the airport, Paolo declared that he is quitting and it is only around 3:15am. Our cut-off is 10AM back to Base Camp.
It was pitch dark and I was uneasy to leave Paolo behind. I called the attention of the Marshalls to look after him. You are determined to proceed. So finish it. Don’t worry about me, said Paolo. Red and Jubs are now out of sight. I had to catch up.
I was experiencing my second wind at this point. I felt so strong once more. Eventually, Jubs, Red and I caught up with two Skyrunners. They were three initially but one already DNFed. So there we go, another long and winding trail of Loakan. We had to wake up the Marshalls everytime we passed by their tents. They must be dead-tired logging-in our bib numbers. It was almost 5:30am when we were back at Scout Barrio. We had to trek faster to avoid the trail congestion. The 22 and 11 KM runners were already trail running.
Temperance Nobility Fortitude
At this point, I was very relaxed already. I knew, I would make it to the cut-off time and so I had to enjoy early the morning walk in John Hay. It was night time when I had my first three rounds. My companions have already gone ahead. It was inspiring to meet the fresh runners of the day. Many of them were already saying congratulations when they learned I am on my way to the 100KM finish line. One even stopped and asked, I am already hard up with 22 how much more with 100? But one said, wow, I will also try that. It again dawned on me that I was already running/trekking for two days due to their persistent questions. Their energy was so uplifting. I managed to run with them for the last three kilometres to the finished line.
I didn’t know that there is a separate lane for 11, 22 and 100. I was signalled to take the lane of the 100. I was happily running alone in my lane and the people likewise shared the happiness. The Race Director, Neville Manaois, soon congratulated me. I really couldn’t recall much what happened afterwards, I just found myself being tossed in the air by fellow mountaineers for a job luckily and happily done. Soon after, some 22/11KM runners wanted to have their pictures taken with me. I am not used to this, so I quietly faded away and went back to my room to eat fruits, bathed and rested. I didn’t even bother to go down for the awarding ceremonies. I just watched from the veranda.
At 3PM, Baguio was drenched with rain. I woke up. Gazed at the horizon. Look above and Thank God. I may have experienced a hell of difficulties the the City of Pines but the experience only made me stronger.
Baguio will forever be my paradiso.
I'm Estan Cabigas, a freelance photographer blogger and traveler. I just started to seriously run last 2 March 2010 and for the past few months, I've improved greatly in my running as well as lost pounds in the process. I'm gunning for a full marathon by 2011. I shoot races as well.
My flagellant image is Editor's Choice in the National Geographic Magazine May 2010 issue.
