Fit and Run.Info

I’m glad to have covered the 2011 TNF100 in CamSur where I was invited as part of media and I have friends who I admire in finishing their respective distances. See you or, even, run with you in the next editions!

Nap, 100K

Nino, 100K

Kelly, 100K, 6th Women

Francis, 100K

Merlita, 100K, 1st Women's Category

Blas, 50K

Lana, 22K, 2nd Women's Category

Resting along the route

Alright, this is yet another oxymoron. Anyhow, allow me to put some context. I’ve always romanticized Baguio as the abode of the gods, where the tired clouds, like huge cotton candies, crawl down to rest and quietly fly again at dawn. A tranquil place of motley flowers and a refreshing sea of greens. A pathway perfect to trudge after a cleansing downpour, and play with pine cones, even golf balls, and pine needles amidst magnificent sights.

This is the Baguio I’ve known. The Baguio I’ll always treasure. The nostalgia of my dreams.

Since my childhood, I’ve always looked forward to heavenly vacations in Baguio. I am glad that these dreams turned into memorable realities. Biking and endless swinging at Burnham. Cotton candies, ice creams and skating in John Hay. Counting lights that dotted the hills before bedtime. Innocently asking why a “smoke” comes out of my mouth as I wake up. And the knitted sweaters and blankets and bonnets that would want me to sleep forever. This is Baguio, my personal Olympus.

Fast forward. So when I learned that the next TNF100 is in Baguio. My heart pumped so much excitement. However, since I just finished the BDM 102, I tempered myself. I knew, I still needed to recover and wouldn’t have time to train afterwards. But one day, I passed by TNF at G4. I was surprised to see my fellow BDMers on the list. Later, I was informed that many more signed up. Eventually, including Team Blas. Kelly is to fly from Singapore and TR has gotten a leave.

Are you signing up, I was asked. Oh no, not now, I’ll think about it, I quipped. Then rushed out of the store before any hasty decision took place. But the pull of Baguio is just too strong and irresistible. Few days after, I went back to register. Are you signing for 11 or 22?, was next question. Hmmm… can I try, 100?, was my quick response. I got a blank stare in front of me. I was told that only few finished the TNF100 last year and that the trail this time is difficult. And what more, the fee is P2K compared to P500 in the 11 or 22KMs. I sensed that TNF wanted me to realized what I am signing for.

I pondered for a while. Then I nailed a big decision, I’ll sign up for 100KM. Thanks to BDM102 and my mountainous 2009 for my renewed confidence. I may fail eventually, but at least, I’ll give my best try, I kept convincing myself.

Upon signing up, I left everything to fate. I never joined any races after the BDM or ever did any serious long run. In fact, I had an easy climb to Mt. Pinatubo for recovery. Later, I found myself jogging around Sampaloc lake in San Pablo then off I went to an 8-day backpacking trip during the holy week and just before the TNF, a weekend beach-bumming in Calaguas Island and Bagasbas beach. And what did I get? Blisters for running barefeet in the white powdery sand and bruises as I stumbled on a nylon used to anchor a boat . Oh no, this is not supposed to be? Not just before an ultra race. But it happened already.

Nothing else can be done. I can only accept my fate and retired to my tent when it rained hard. I was already musing, is this a prelude to my TNF escapade? Shall I instead back out?

Ok, I dreaded the thought of visiting a Sports Doc not because I fear to be admonished but because I might not be allowed to run. Instead, I self-medicated. I asked forgiveness from my body and pleaded that it heals well and fast enough for the TNF.

The body is not a thoughtless machine. It is an amazing entity in itself. It is self-sustaining. It responds properly. It cooperates like a faithful companion. I vowed to give it a day-off before the race. So I was in Baguio a day before the event.

Apart from attending to some personal concerns, I likewise planned to visit a sick friend who was diagnosed with a stage 4 cancer. We spoke over the phone instead. She was in pain but still wished me well for the run. This time, I acceded to her invitation to stay at her Burnham Suite unit just a few meters from the TNF Base Camp. There could be no perfect place but nearest the Base Camp. She has always encouraged me to visit Baguio but I never had the chance till the TNF.

There must be a right time for everything. Nothing is purely coincidental. She was happy that I finally did. I am likewise thankful for her kindness. I couldn’t easily grasp for answer when she asked me, how do you deal with pain? I can only introspect, pain in the body may not necessarily bring sorrow to the soul. Somehow, I was expecting to let her know my stories on pain management after the race. But this will never happen again since she has happily faced and escaped pain victoriously.

My TNF race was somehow loaded with thoughts of life, friendship and death. The last time I was in the City was during the wake of my friend, Jerome, who fell down with his motorbike at Marcos Hi-way in 2008. At his wake, I was with Devorah, a US Citizen, and Leonie. As destiny would call it, Devorah likewise died last year due to an illness and just now Leonie. I trekked Mt. Sto. Tomas with Devorah and spent much time in John Hay with Leonie and Jerome. The TNF 100 follows John Hay to Loakan Airport down to Camp 6 up to Mt. Sto. Tomas and Mt. Kabuyao and back.

And what more. A few weeks back, Paeng, a friend in the office, also died. And before he did, he told me, to take care and enjoy. He held my hand and I Knew it was goodbye. He likewise died of cancer being a second-hand smoker. Before, I left for TNF, I received a how are you? message from Doc Cely, my friend’s wife. I can only excitedly tell her about my run. I likewise assumed that my departed friend is happy with my TNF100 like he did with my BDM102.

These circumstances really brought back memories of timeless friendships during the race. The trail likewise made me reflect on life. Life is short. It must be spent in a worthwhile way. It must be enjoyed.

THE TNF BRIEFING

I bought so many food and Gatorade supply for the race. When I deposited them at the TNF station, I was asked, are you going on a picnic or a race? I can only laugh in response. It was here that I met more trail runners from AMCI, UPM, Team Blas and the rest of the BDMers. It was an instant reunion of sort.

I was likewise visited by my Camiguin-based friend Rosalie who happened to be in Baguio that time. We sipped some hot lemongrass tea at Cafe by the Ruins after our briefing at the City Hall. I shared her victory when she received the acceptance text message from Fullbright to attend a two-year scholarship at the New York University. She likewise humbly allowed me to browse a book featuring Artists who can change the world. There are three Filipinos, I think, in that book and Rosalie is one of them. Her happiness is infectious. You enjoy your run and am sure you can make it well, she continued, see you at Times Square on new year’s eve.

Part 2

My race bib

I just got my race pack for the Globe Run for Home 2011 from Coy of Globe. Thanx bai!

The pack consists of the race bib, I’m 9668, timing chip, singlet (this time, it fits me), an antibacterial alcohol and powdered milk pack. Yeah. Powdered milk. Come race day, I will be shooting too after I run. For those who haven’t registered yet, today’s the last day. Click on the link above for more details.

Globe’s most awaited race, Run for Home 2 (2011 edition) will finally happen this 27 March at Bonifacio Global City!

Runners can chose from 5 race distances: 3KM, 5KM, 10KM, 15KM and 21KM and there’s even a special treat for group registrants. For every five racers who will sign up and running on the same distance category, the fifth race pack is free, thus saving you some fee.

Now, one might notice that the registration fee is quite steep, eg. for 3KM, it is at P650. What? You might wonder and curse to high heavens that races in Metro Manila needed a cap. Hold your horses though. Before you tweet out your anger, just remember that this race is for a cause. Proceeds will be for the benefit of, chose your charity:

• Gawad Kalinga
• Habitat for Humanity
• Virlanie, and
• Haribon Foundation

Its all for a good cause and its way better than just sipping that overpriced coffee at Starbucks. This also includes Photovendo images as well as runpix analysis. What’s more, its a by Coach Rio.

Want more information like routes, etc.? Head on to the Run for Home 2 website.

Registration is extended! Register online until March 20, 2011 or at the 4/F Cinema Lobby Greenbelt 3, Makati City and the Globe Store, G/F Trinoma Mall, Quezon City until March 24, 2011.

Check gallery here

Almost 1,700 images of runner portraits (2,200+ total) were taken during the Cebu City Marathon 2011 and its now online! Finally! All photos were shot in Osmena Boulevard (Jones Ave.) near the vicinity of Landbank and Cebu Normal University.

Because of the sheer volume of images, I am just doing a quick convert from the RAW file after a brief contrast adjustment so don’t expect too much of a beautiful photo. Edited version are also available.