In Jon's words (one of the organizers, an ultra-runner and a friend) - "It is the only running event which is free of registration fee, no pre-race jitters, no hassles, relaxed atmosphere and yet you would find yourself in the company of some of the competitive and/or veteran ultra-runners. Camaraderie is certainly the defining quality which binds ultra-runners."
I wasn't sure if I wanted to be a part of this madness, but I didn't want to leave the opportunity of meeting so many runners either. A total of 160 runners registered for different categories. The run started at 6:30am at Stotsenburg Park, Clark. The rule was simple - you register every loop (of 2.2K) you complete with the race marshal. Apart from that there were no rules. One could take a break, go home, sleep, rest, eat, go to the casino (which is right opposite the park) and come right back!
The weather was good and there was a lot of energy, enthusiasm and excitement on everyone's face. Families/support crews had set up camps, arranged food and drinks and music was playing at full blast. It almost felt like a picnic. It continued to be pleasant till around 8am but it got terribly hot after that. Thankfully the breeze continued to be cool. I ran very slowly throughout, walked as little as possible and took plenty of breaks to hydrate myself. I got to talk with a lot of "serious" runners along the way and found that for most of them this was a test run for the Bataan Death March - a 160/102K run scheduled for next month. Having never done heat training before, I was dog tired after 11 loops but wanted to complete 30K (14 loops). Camilla Brooks, an ultra runner and winner of the Mt Pinatubo trail challenge in the female category decided to pace me to get me to finish my last 3 loops. I finished my 30.8K in 5 hours 42 mins. I was tempted to do another loop in the remaining 18 minutes and make it 33K, but decided against it owing to my persisting knee problem. I'd rather be in the game and enjoy it longer than burn myself out over petty milestones. Knowing your limitations is just as important :)
Camilla, winner of 12 hour category (38 loops!)
I had one of the most sumptuous meals after the run - chicken adobo (a popular Filipino dish) with rice, prepared by Albert - winner of Fat Ass 2010 (24 hrs), race marshal, ultra-runner and a friend. Rinna (winner of Fat Ass 2010, 12 hrs), Albert, Red and Jon - my friends and race marshals - made the run special for me by being there and constantly encouraging me to keep going on. Precy, who also ran and did 30 loops in 12 hrs, was also there for me throughout the run and was very encouraging, as always! It was simply the best running events I've attended and seen so far. The atmosphere, the mutual respect and kinship among participants, and most importantly the strength and endurance of 12/24 hrs category runners that I saw is just amazing! This experience has certainly strengthened my love for the sport. I will carry on...
Camilla, winner of 12 hour category (38 loops!)
Red, me, Rinna, Jon, Bong (from the left) Precy, Albert and his three sons (at the back)
(from the left) Eugene, Precy, Albert (at the back), Pratim, Rinna
2 comments:
Very well done Anupriya!!
I am also getting motivated to start running seriously :)
that would be awesome :)
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