the beginnings: the first time i learned of bataan 102, i immediately decided that i will join. however, i only started running again late september last year. late january, i came up with the weekend warrior battle plan to jack up the distance i can cover in a single run. the days went fast. it was race day already and i didn’t felt physically prepared but i was single-minded to finish this race.
fool on the hill: my strategy was to take it easy and heed ben gaetos advice. with the rain before the race, i thought that it would be cloudy when the sun comes up. and so i went like a stupid newbie. i ran all the uphills and blazed through the long downhill. i was running without lights. and with just pale moon light, my feet fell on cracks and i loose balance but managed to avoid injuries. i hummed/sang “i’m yours-mraz’ to control my pace. on most of the downhills, i felt laughing because of the jiggling sensation.
salvation army: i didn’t plan to have support mainly because i cannot afford it. but with the adventourism/curiosity on running of the vitalez boys, they suddenly decided to lend a hand. w/o having dinner, breakfast, lunch and sleep they supported me wholeheartedly. the ultradriver drove for 21 hours using a tamaraw fx w/o aircon, others rotated every 20k on the bike and there was one who ran the last 32km. they made me felt like a king. providing what i need at my command. they were also generous to other runners that i caught up or passed me by.
a question of integrity: nearing 40km, a veteran runner from rfm (sunkist) caught up with me. noticing that i had a support on bike, he told me to ride the bike for awhile. i immediately smiled and replied that we ultramarathon runners are ‘maginoo’ (gentlemen). there’s no sense in reaching the finish line if you didn’t earn it honestly. you won’t be cheating others but you will only be cheating yourself. yes, you can have the trophy and the medal but that would only remind you of not doing things the right and honest way.
saving private ryan: around 65km, i can no longer ignore the discomfort i was feeling from my private. at first i was only peeing from time to time with only a few drops. but rambo came and drew first blood! it was a sharp pain. i am not prepared for this kind of disaster but i am hard headed enough not to quit. to remedy, i drank more than i can take which caused me to slow down. also, i poured cold water directly on my thingy. it tricked my system that i can pee and the pain went away. after a few more kms, i was able to pee with ease.
the iron(board) man: after 70km, war with the heat of the sun was getting tough. at first i can settle for just using the mist spray. but i couldn’t stand it anymore without pouring water all over my body except my legs and feet. before i reach another km, my shirt and cap were already dry. my stomach cramped many many times which forced me to walk but i immediately jog once the pain subsides.
ultra force: i can already sense that my support team was already tired, but they didn’t bother to stop to rest or eat. i felt ashamed everytime i walk as it extended the time of their suffering. my legs and feet had enough pain that they went automatically moving except when my stomach cramps. as we near the last 7km, the ultra force emerge to help me reach the finish line. at 50km i was on 20th position but in the end i still manage to place 14th. it wasn’t a strong finish because of wrong strategy, but it wasn’t bad for a rookie eh!
phoenix: we need to die a thousand deaths first before we can be reborn as an ultramarathon runner. early on, i already had blisters. ran on pitch black. i had a hundred or more stomach cramps. urinated blood. chased by crazy dogs. inch away from speeding vehicles. thirsty as a camel. hunger pangs. headache. and many more i just decided to ignore. i ran bataan death march but it didn’t kill me…it only made me stronger!
