Pulag 100K + 20 – 2023 Edition

With all the photos and videos I took, I guess I can already use Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes’s lines –that “I’ve had the time of my life”–in my first King of the Mountain Trail Run race Pulag 100* last April 2023.

Balete to Cabayo AS: Favorite sunrise during a race

Sa sobrang pag-e-enjoy ay muntik ko pa ngang maubos ang 35 hours na cutoff time.

1. Jogged the runnable parts of the first 30KMs especially the flats of the Balete-Cabayo segment, as per advice (para magamit naman ‘yong training runs!)

2. Had tinola soup (and sayote) in all the aid stations na may pa-rice meal–except in West Kayapa where Ecka of AlterMeatph shared her vegan longganisa and bbq–super thank you!– (lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet pa rin naman)

3. Hiked with different groups na maabutan from Cabayo to finish line. Interesting convos with old and new friends habang nagagalit ang araw, sumisipol ang hangin, nangangalabit ang mga limatik, at nangyayapos ang ulan at lamig. Favorite convo was about the moral dilemma of helping a fellow runner even if it means finishing beyond the cutoff time.

4. Sang and hummed along my worship playlist while praying/meditating in motion–to ward off those quitting thoughts, and ignore the nagging pain in my left knee and minor chafing in both feet

5. Bathed in Poblacion, Itogon before tackling the last 11KM (changed top, washed my cycling pants and bought a new pair of socks) because a philosopher once said: clean as you go

6. Had haluhalo before ascending Happy Hallow trail.

I’ve had the time of my life, it’s the truth, and I owe it all to the Lord for His grace is always enough–lagi Niyang sagot no’ng napapadasal na ako sa pagod at antok

– Salamat sa aking pamilya na napuyat ko pa yata para lang i-monitor ako. (First major race ko na may ganitong live timing technology!)

– Salamat sa mga kaibigang nagbigay/nagpahiram ng ilang mga mandatory running gears. (‘Yan na po ang bago kong love language.)

– Salamat sa mga kaibigang nagbigay ng advice/tips/notes; nag-cheer/nag-asikaso sa mga aid stations; nakasama sa recce; nakasabay sa van/lodging house/actual race; kumuha ng litrato/video

Uulit pa? Yes–bitbit ang mga aral (pero less bitbit na sa vest hahahuhu and more pei pa koa I guess)

*Pulag Ranger Station to Camp John Hay; approximately 120KMs; EG 6430m EL 7410m

Leaving Cabayo Aid Station with a toothy smile

Bongbernadez Photography

56KM for 54 MW [Pasig to Pililla]

I took a back seat and let Google Maps take the lead in our trip to Pililla, Rizal to see its windmills up-close–and this web-mapping service did not disappoint. I had an instant multi-municipality day-trip, on foot, to these parts of Rizal.

1.  Taytay
2.  Angono
3.  Binangonan
4.  Morong
5.  Baras
6.  Tanay
7.  Pililla

56.3KMs: longest road run to date; 8 hrs 57 m; 470 m elevation; 4157 calories

GMaps sensed my need to reach the Windmill Farm at 12 noon, so it offered short cuts–a landfill-ish community in Angono, the maze-like sitios in Binangonan, and the cemetery-laced stretch in Baras.

Manggahan Floodway flooded with silt (?)

Taste of Trail in Binangonan’s tree-lined streets.

Binangonan was giving me the countryside feels with this view. Across the road is an ongoing mass-housing project.

I had an idea that the windmills are up there in the mountains so I just accepted the fact that tackling the last 10KMs would be that challenging at 10 am. The scenic view of the Laguna Lake made up for the uphill struggle.

This 90+m elevation of Binangonan helped me prepare for the ascent to Pililla.

 

 

 

View of the Pililla mountains from Morong. Look closer to see the windmills’ silhouettes.

Selfie after an early lunch #1 in Baras. Forced myself to have a cup of rice and a few spoons of laing.

 

 

Thank you Team Titans Manila teammate, Ai, for the pop-up aid station at KM 40–ice, water, apple juice, and bananas!

Closest I could get to them. Area is temporarily closed due to COVID-19

From the website of alternergy.com : On this site sit 27 wind turbines from Gamesa of Spain, arranged in three clusters. Each turbine stretches up 125 meters, as tall as a 33-story building. In total, these turbines produce 54MW of wind power per year, providing electricity to approximately 66,000 households in Manila.

In my mind, I knew that this was not yet the day to log a 100-km road run. I was physically exhausted (choice of gears might have contributed), and could not enjoy the way down. I was also worried that walking all the way home would make me miss the 8pm curfew of Pasig. So at KM 56, I ended my attempt to break my road run PR, looked for a karinderya, and had ginataang puso ng saging.

Packed a set of clothes for changing in case I would decide to spend the night on the road. This is a perfect area to camp out.

Pililla is a Mecca for bikers and motorcycle riders.

Luck was with me when an LGU-contracted jeepney passed by and gave me a free 2-km ride going to the municipal hall of Pililla. From there, the battle plan was to be in Binangonan by 6 pm–where the Pasig-bound vans were waiting. After 10 KMs of walking, a concerned tricycle driver from Baras offered a 10-peso ride to his destination–Morong Public Market. “May pera ka pa ba, hane?” He was insistent and genuinely concerned–and who am I to decline such kindness? That random stranger was an angel.

 

Trike Ride 1: 20 pesos

Trike Ride: 150 pesos

From Morong, I took another trike ride to Binangonan. I was lucky to be ferried by a chatty driver who is a great Vico Sotto fan, who is not physically fit according to his ECG results, who has been to Daraitan and Jalajala (and recommends that I also visit those places) and who is considerate enough after giving him incomplete instructions.

 

To cut the long run short, I made it back to our house in Pasig at 7 pm–with sore legs, sun-kissed skin, and a full heart.

Note: I was alone for the most part of this solo run #physicaldistancing and was wearing a mask to comply with the health protocols of the government.