First Long Ride

After last night’s Xterra Philippines Press Launch, I had to wake up early this morning for the Team Endure long bike ride in Jala Jala, Rizal? Was I excited? Yes and nervous at the same time, this would be my very first long ride, I would be biking for 30 minutes up to an hour, either at UP ACAD Oval or just home using bike trainer. As early as 4AM, I was already awake, had to wake up Erick since he just arrived home past 1AM giving him only 3 hours of sleep.

Meeting place is at Shell Marcos Hway, almost all our teamates have arrived and was waiting for us and 4 more team members. We had to convoy to the designated parking area at DPWH Morong, one by one the parking area was occupied by the team, checked tires, did a little warm, offered prayer to God asking Him to guide each and every one of us, and we’re off to our ride.

Team Endure with friends

 

We would biking a total of 70 kilometers to and fro, good thing my super hubby Erick was with me all the time, I would get nervous when we were approaching a check point area and cross roads, this is my first ride along side with vehicles, large trucks would sometimes overtake me, with its smoke filling my nose. Some areas have bike lane which I took advantage of. It think it was past the 10K mark when I started to get dizzy, experiencing a terrible headache, had to tell Erick for us to stop for a while for I had to throw up, and loosen my helmet, after that I was totally feeling okay except for some stop for hydration and nutrition.

Upon reaching 35K, the team was nowhere to be found, and we had no way of communicating with them, so Erick decided to go and look for them, I had to wait for him/them for a few minutes and I was able to rest.

Solo picture while waiting for the gang

 

And the team was whole again, we ride back to the parking area taking stop to take picture, buy drinks and eat lunch.

Erick, Dennis, Ellen, RJ and Raff

 

Softdrink break with pretty Z

Lunch never tasted so delicious ever since as we stopped for lunch, the team chatted over lunch. There was still 12 kilometers to go before the parking area, I was tempted to hitch at Rico‘s car, since I already felt comfortable, full and relaxed. But I had to fight over this thought, and also thinking that Erick might get angry. With all my might (by God’s grace) I biked the last 12 kilometers, there was already lots of vehicle at this time and the sun was at its hottest. Every kilometer we biked made me glad, I was eager to get to the finish line (parking area) it helped me motivated to biked. But it was also at this time that both my hands felt nothing, it felt numb which made it hard to adjust the bike gear. But praise God that I made it whole, praise God for the strength He gave me and for the rest of the team, praise God for having friends/teamates who’s willing to lend a hand and support each other, praise God for my dearest hubby who biked beside me all the time knowing that my pace was slow for him, praise God for keeping me safe from the little mishap I had during a turn at a sharp curve, praise God for everything! Now, I had to rest my tired legs and ready myself for a test run tomorrow at Corregidor. 😀

 

A day to remember at Shotgun Trail

Yesterday was run at the UP Oval again.

For today……

It was 3PM when my esposo and I left the house to go to Timberland. As he promised we would run on trail so that I would be conditioned for the event on Sunday. It was a good thing that there was no traffic so we reach the place in less than an hour. We took the route from Commonwealth, Batasan, Montalband. It was a fine day for a run.

We parked beside Aling Tina’s store but it was not open. My esposo said that it usually opens during weekday where there a lot of bikers and runner going to Timberland. We run on the road which is approximately 1.8K. I thought that we would be running in Timberland Heights only to know that we would be running what most of the bikers call the “Shotgun Trail”. I was literally panting and crying for help and I thought that I would die ( 😉 drama). My knees were so weak to go further but I had to push trough. It’s my training, remember.

This photo was courtesy of ratbugasmati69 of motorcyclephilippines.com, I forgot to bring my camera and my cellphone’s image quality is not that good.

I was walking/running/walking/walking/walking/running/walking/walking/walking and walking. I had to gasp for air because the weather there was cold and windy. The dust from the mountain would blew so I had to bow my head so that my cap would cover my eyes. I think the slopes there were about 60 or 70 degrees, just imagine how hard it was.

And my favorite part of the run was going downhill. But of course I had to be very careful cause I might slip and injure myself.  My feet had to act as a brake for I  might roll down (hahahaha). Because of that I had blisters on both of my feet.

I felt good after the 12K run and I think that I’m ready for the TNF Challenge. We finish the run in 1hour 30+ minutes. For tomorrow, we will be running in The Fort, I’m planning on running 10K. This week is really a run-full week. Yehey!

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My esposo just had a bike ride there last Saturday together with his group and he also had a hard time pedalling while going up the mountain, here are some of their picture from their ride.

Biker having a hard time climbing

My very energetic esposo and on always on the go

View from the top

Maybe you should try it sometime. 🙂