On Foot from Tagaytay to Nasugbu, Batangas: 4th PAU 50K Ultramarathon, November 14

My aim for this year was to only complete Runrio Trilogy. And, looked where it brought me, not only one ultramarathon race, but three.How did I make it possible for me? Oh well, there were key persons who influenced and never stopped egging me on to try one. I was the skeptic, but somehow their confidence in me, gave me the courage to venture into ultra distance running.

Trying out the 50K race sometime in May, I would say, was never part of my plan, but some sort of a personal challenge to conquer fear of running beyond the 42K distance.

After I finished my first ultramarathon, I’ve come to realize that indeed it was possible as long as you put your heart to it, even if training would never be that easy, and where goals or reasons why run that distance in the first place, were put to test.

Ultra distance running can be daunting with its physical and mental challenge and I couldn’t agree more. The formula that worked for me, every time when in a race, was a personal mantra, “You’ve done 42K, a full marathon, what’s 8K added to it as warm up. Reach the finish line!” Funny, strange, but it worked for me.

If you asked me of my thoughts while running an ultramarathon, well, sometimes there were none, sometimes they were just random thoughts like “I prayed.” “I recalled experiences in the past, both good and bad.” “I enjoyed the view.” “I admired Mother Nature.” “I pondered on my experiences as a runner?” “I don’t know.” “Not sure.” And the list would go on and on.

Running an ultramarathon wouldn’t be easy but the reward, as you reached the finish line, ah, would be cherished forever.

Going back to my story, the Tagaytay-Nasugbu race, I opted to do it this time on my own sans any volunteer crew. The only support I had then was the drop bags I left with the race marshals at KM20 and KM40 aid stations. Since I hardly use hydration belt or fuel belt, I had only a bottle of water, hand held, and some GU gels, to last me until KM20. One of the best things running an ultramarathon is, even when done guerilla running, support will always be there.

How I tackled the race? The only strategy I could think of then was to run the first thirty or so kilometers within the range of six to six thirty pace per kilometer. I crossed my fingers.

I was doing alright but I got sidetrack with a series of kidney break and looked for a place to relieve myself. It was a good thing there were hotels and inns along the way.

The route wasn’t as difficult as Tanay. Quite the exact opposite in terms of terrain, most of it was downhill. Plus, the weather that day cooperated.

As I reached Nasugbu, I couldn’t help but smile and felt like one of the brave persons in history as I saw the welcome arch. Inscription reads “Maligayang Pagdating sa Lalawigan ng Magigiting” (Welcome to the Province of the Brave).

Within the twenty or so kilometers, it was here where I had to slow down and paced with Aaron or Aron, a member of Team Boring of Takbo.ph. Aaron is a strong and fast runner. He was one of the finishers in the recently held PAU 70K Ultramarathon in Ilocos Norte. I paced with him until he told me to run ahead.

I was somewhat confident I could finish the race within six or so hours, but as I was about to run past another runner, my attention was caught when he suddenly called me by my moniker, so I decided to slow down and chatted with him for a while. During our conversation, he made mention of some blog names, known in running community such as The Bullrunner, Jazzrunner, Baldrunner, among others. I learned he drew inspiration to run his first ultramarathon, the 4th PAU, also from blogs that he read and followed. I paced with Macky until at the bend, across Shell Gasoline Station in Nasugbu.

I ran ahead, supposed to hydrate, but opted to run the rest of the kilometers instead. Running Diva, during the last two hundred meters, on her way to the finish line. Many thanks to Vener aka Run Unlimited for the photo below.