The TNF100 Challenge – Part 2

Here are some pics I took after the TNF100 race.

IMG_0059with Tiffin who finished her first trail run with 1hour 10mins.  🙂

IMG_0084The ever fit Gigi

IMG_0060Ultrarunner Mikey and Erick

IMG_0087Erick with fitmommy

IMG_0093with Mr. Leo Oracion

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My pitiful Merell shoes

IMG_0106Hubby trying his new cleats

IMG_0109Dhenz the “Running Pinoy” who did his 100K solo

IMG_0118Check out time na! (with Echel)

The TNF100 Challenge – Part 1

The long wait is over, TNF100 has arrived…

‘Twas the day before….

The wheels on our car go round and round on that Saturday afternoon as we drive to Clark, Pampanga. Everything has been well planned, our running gears ready; our cooler if fully-packed of hydration drinks, power gels and lots of water; and the bananas already ripe. Our racing spirits in-tuned with the anticipated event.

We arrived at the hotel at 3PM, rested for a while and decided to go to the race area so we could survey the trail. But as soon as we arrive in front of Expo Filipino and parked our car, huge drop of rain started pouring and winds were almost tearing the race area, it was like being in the middle of a storm. We opted to stay inside the car and waited for the rain to be over. And as soon as it was, this is how the race area looked like:

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IMG_0013It looks like a storm hit this place

Hubby and I were concerned with the runners in the 100K category. We thought that with a wind that strong and that heavy downpour they would be worried of a very muddy and slippery terrain, add to the rising water level on the river rising. 😦

After that rain, we still went to the trail area and walk/run (lakbo) some kilometers, we didn’t get to see the way leading to trail so we just run on the river. We were on our way back to the area that night when we saw Glenn Mundo running for the finish line, we stop for a while so that we could cheer for him and chat for a while. He was the one who told us that Coach Rio is thinking of postponing the race due to what happened earlier. Coach Rio did what any responsible organizer would do, analyze the situation and act and I admire him for that. We stayed for a while in the race area and talked to runners who finished their first loop in the 100K. We saw Mikey, Glenn, and Bro. Ronnie (RunnerforChrist), finally I get to meet him. We left the area after a couple of minutes for we have to sleep early for the big event.

‘Twas a very special day….

I ‘am used to preparing everything needed during the night before a run, I don’t want to miss and forget anything that is needed. Woke up around 3:10AM, drank some coffee, eat instant noodles, change from pajama to running attire and off we go to the area. There were lots of runner attendees who also stayed at Holiday Inn since they were giving discounts for the accommodation in collaboration with the TNF100. The shuttle bus going to the site was already in front of the hotel lobby and lots of runners were already on board.

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It was obvious that we were super-dooper excited for the race (along with many runners), we arrived at the area early, something that we don’t usually do. 😀 Some runners were warming up, chatting with friends, the racing atmosphere is so high that you are immediately drawn to it. Gigi the FitMommy was also there, who was doing her 20K trail run and said that she was nervous but knowing her the run was nothing to her. 🙂IMG_0036

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The 20K runners went first and after 10minutes the 10K were off. It was around 1.5K of road before heading to the downhill portion of the Sacobia bridge leading to river. There was a slight traffic at this portion because it was muddy and some runners prefer to go down safely rather than go down fast risking injury. The run was fun, we were made to cross river and run on water, I was running with wet, dirty and muddy shoes. It was a bit irritating running like this for almost 75% of the race, but it was really fun. You can tell that almost all the runners were having a good time and was really happy of joining this race that day. Sure it was a hard course but I’m happy to have done it and will join again next year. Check some pictures I took while I was on the trail.

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I finished the race with an official time of 1:30:58. It was slower than my last TNF but this course is way too hard than that.  My esposo placed 7th overall in the 20K with official time of 1:55:12. I was just wondering why he didn’t won in his age category “A” (18-30 y.o.), instead the runner with Bib#7074 won (age 21) with a time of 2:03:03, is the AGE the first basis when choosing the winner for the age category or the finish time? I think it’s the finish time so why did #7074 won instead of my hubby. I already sent inquiry to runrion.com but haven’t receive any reply yet.

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But still overall the race was well organized, Coach Rio and Vince did a very good job. They are really good with their job, they deserve an applaud. Congratulations to you and your team!

Next post will be photos from the TNF100 race. Keep running everyone and congratulations to all the participants and finishers especially to those who joined the 100K solo/relay race. Finish or DNF, still I salute you. 🙂

TNF100

Yipee! I survived the TNF100 and it was a blast, I will post my story on the said event as soon as possible as I finish with other things that I have to prioritize. Congratulations to all the participants and finishers, and I salute all those who joined the 100K solo and relay, you have my utmost respect, either you finish or not you will always be an ultrarunner to me and for that I really admire your courage.

And to Coach Rio and Vince, congratulations, galeng nyo talaga mag organize ng race. Coach Rio, thanks for the photo-op.

In preparation for the TNF100

Hubby and I will be joining the 10K and 20K event at the TNF100 this coming Sunday and it has been a week-long training. May it be running or cross training I’ve exerted much effort for the said event. Earlier today, my esposo and me are on the road on our way to Timberland Heights to run on it’s trail. We left a little bit late so we were running under the scorching heat of the sun. I did 1 loop and 2 loops for my hubby. The loop was approximately 8K of mud and dirt, and there were a lot of uphill. The loop was combination of trail and road, but at least I get to tune in my feet with trail for today.

Tomorrow, we will be leaving early for Clark so that we recon the trail route early before we check-in at the hotel. I hope that it wouldn’t rain that much and may we have a good running weather on the event day.

To all those who are joining the 100K solo and relay, my prayers are with your, may the Lord keep you safe. May you finish it with a good time and of course injury-free. See you all this Sunday and let us enjoy the race. 🙂

TNF100

To those who are taking the TNF100 challenge this week, here’s an update from Pinoy Ultra Runners site which I think would be very helpful to us in preparation for our trail run this coming Sunday:

10KM

10k-colored

Based on the map the 10km runners would be running roughly 30-40% of the course on the Sacobia River.  After which runners would climb a steep hill leading to a flat trail.  Most likely the dirt trail would be established since there are several communities nearby.  It might be very muddy or dusty depending on the rain fall.  After this road a gentle downhill will lead runners to a concrete roads going back to the finish line.  Try to sprint here so you can overtake and get the best possible time.  You will have five water stations, based on my estimates it would be spaced from 2km to 3km apart.  You can bring a hydration pack so you can skip the water stations and finish the course at slightly faster time.  If you’re not a fuel guzzler, a hydration belt with water bottle would also suffice.     Elite runners won’t bring anything, since they want to be as light and nimble as possible.   It may be a 10km distance but since it’s a trail it would feel a bit like 15km or even more.

20KM

20Kwhole

Will follow the same route as the 10km but it will extend past the Haduan area where an old bridge is located.  Runners would then climb a dirt road and follow a narrow trail used by the local communities.   Based on the map this trail will be flat but very challenging surrounded by tall cogon grass.  Runners then will reach Gate 4 and exit back to Sacobia river, try to hydrate as much as you can the terrain can sap a lot of fluids and energy.Remember you still have a long way back,  try to stay positive and kick in that second wind.


Bring any type of hydration system (pack, waist, and hand) it may slow you down but
at least you wont run out of fuel.  You might also want to bring energy bars or gels giving you that extra energy to overtake the runner in front of you.  For those who are new to trail running the surroundings will really drain your reserves.  The Sacobia river will sap your energy and the cogon surroundings and blazing sun will definitely sap all of your fluids.  The sand will create lots of glare so you might want to bring a pair of sunglasses.  Remember to pace yourself, let lead runners guide your way.  Try to overtake runners before entering a narrow trail and don’t stop during hill climbs.  My estimate is,  20km trail will be like a 25-30km road.


eIMG-0156Nice!

Visit the Pinoy Ultra Runner site to read more about this. See you all this Sunday.

Esposo's Dilemma

Lately my esposo has been facing his own dilemma (a situation requiring a choice between alternatives). He really wants to buy his own training watch but knowing him, he would have a lot of options to choose from, and then he would research on it and decides later on what to buy.

Here are his choices:

1. Polar RS300X

RS300X

2. RS300X G1

rs300x_g1

3. Garmin 310XT

garmin 310xt
He just joined his first duathlon in Nuvali just a couple of weeks ago and would have finish with a better time if his bike cooperated with him. And he will be trying his first triathlon this coming June in Clark. And he also had finish his first marathon in the Botak Paa-Tibayan. So for these three “FIRST” that he had accomplished I think he really deserve the treat of training watch.

One thing I’m proud to say is that my esposo dragged me to this sport (or may I say any sports that he would like to, I think he’s planning to buy me a bike soon 🙂 ) I have found running good for me and I’m enjoying it.

But still I told him that it would be his own decision on what to buy. Since, he has been putting huge effort with his running and biking, I think he deserves to treat himself once in a while. If you have any insights and suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it. 🙂

Esposo's Dilemma

Lately my esposo has been facing his own dilemma (a situation requiring a choice between alternatives). He really wants to buy his own training watch but knowing him, he would have a lot of options to choose from, and then he would research on it and decides later on what to buy.

Here are his choices:

1. Polar RS300X

RS300X

2. RS300X G1

rs300x_g1

3. Garmin 310XT

garmin 310xt
He just joined his first duathlon in Nuvali just a couple of weeks ago and would have finish with a better time if his bike cooperated with him. And he will be trying his first triathlon this coming June in Clark. And he also had finish his first marathon in the Botak Paa-Tibayan. So for these three “FIRST” that he had accomplished I think he really deserve the treat of training watch.

One thing I’m proud to say is that my esposo dragged me to this sport (or may I say any sports that he would like to, I think he’s planning to buy me a bike soon 🙂 ) I have found running good for me and I’m enjoying it.

But still I told him that it would be his own decision on what to buy. Since, he has been putting huge effort with his running and biking, I think he deserves to treat himself once in a while. If you have any insights and suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it. 🙂

Botak Paa-Tibayan Race Result???

Just checked the Botak Paa-Tibayan Race Result and I was wondering if it is accurate? As I entered the finish line I know that it was 1hour and 19minutes but in the race result I finished in 1hour 13minutes. There is a 6minutes discrepancy, but it didn’t only happen to me. My hubby finished his first marathon according to his watch in 4hours and 31minutes but they posted 3hours and 56minutes. How did that happened? (Hmmm… dagdag-bawas eh…)

Are they in different timezone? I think it should be the organizer’s responsibility to publish the correct and accurate finish time of runners. Some of us don’t have stopwatch to check our time, so the organizers owe it to the runners to post their accurate finish time.

There are many of us who are trying to beat our finish time and keep published race results like me. I think this is the first time I encountered something like this. Hmmmm….

A Special Day

Tomorrow we will be celebrating Mother’s Day. And it’s special for me because I dearly love my mother and I’m a mother myself. I had my gift early, this is what I first laid my eyes as I enter our bedroom:

tnf_abkz_newtaupe_08Yes,  my very first North Face bag from my loving husband, (mine comes in color black and brown can’t find my usb cable kaya hindi ko ma upload yung totoong pic). I love the color brown so I really love my new bag and I go gaga over sling/messenger bag. I typically use this kind of bag simply because it’s more comfortable. My husband is romantic in his own ways, he is also thoughtful even at times in a rude way, but one thing is for sure, I ‘am blessed with a wonderful husband, I hope and pray that we will grow old together until we both lost all out teeth. 😀

He also has these kind words from the card that he gave me that made tears flow from my eyes:

“For being a wonderful wife and best friend, and for being a good mother too!”

Happy mother’s day!