5th Valley Trail Challenge 50K

It’s part of my running life that someday I will sign-up for a trail running event. But I never imagine myself running an ultra on trail and to be honest I’m a road runner. It never crossed my mind running an ultra trail as I was relying more on my support when I’m running an ultramarathon on road. But this time there’s no turning back I registered myself in 5th Valley Trail Challenge 50K organized by RD Jonel Mendoza of Frontrunner. The place was in Nuvali, Sta. Rosa. I have chosen this event for my first ultra trail run. With amazing views and scenic trails, Nuvali is the perfect training ground for a trail run. Runners will find a variety of trails and terrain throughout Nuvali. Maybe because the place was familiar for me even thought I never run that trail. Sometimes we have this instinct even when you never run on that place but nears your comfort zone it gives you courage and motivation to try a different experience and cultures in running.

I have this mindset that once I register to a certain event I review everything from maps, aid station, and even visit blogs and read race review. This time even what they’re wearing and what kind of brand I will buy or use for this kind of running.

Time flies and there’s no turning back. As usual, first time trail runner show up early at the starting line but I am not thinking that I’m going to run all 50k… I mean run all 50k. That’s not realistic for me as I know my body and limits. I have this plan to walk all the ups, run the downs and run the flats as I can. I’ll just going to enjoy this experience much more and learn a hell of a lot more as well.

3-2-1!!! off we go and I have reached the first AS-1 I didn’t stop as I still managed to run comfortably. Now we entered the second trail, this time I passed by 5 more runners and distance myself. Now I am running alone in the trail, so this is how it feels like running alone in an unfamiliar place without anyone to run besides you it’s just you and the trail. 1 hour have passed I noticed one runner and It was Alfred delos Santos. I ran with him until AS 2 but while reaching AS 3 we got lost and noticed another runner joined us, it was Wilnar Iglesia and Richard and a minute have passed another runner joined us and it was Thomas Combisen. We are all lost at the wide construction site as we are having hard time recognizing the markings but with each others help we have found the markings leading to 25K turn around. Thanks also to the Nuvali guard who guided us and remind us of the 20ft. deep canal.

A big relief when I reached the 25K turn around for 50k, this time I ranked 8th overall unofficial just based on the other runners who’s counting how many already reached the turn around. As usual familiar faces leading the pack Thomas Combisen followed Graciano Santos then Wilnar Iglesia. But after kilometer 32 I decided to changed my socks as my forefoot is developing blisters which gives me hard time to run and getting lost 4 times. Training your body to power hike and walk fast is some of the most important training you can do as an ultra runner. Actually, I did not bothered whether I am in top 10 or 20 my mindset was to learn more and experience the pain in running on trails. To be honest, I really did enjoy the trail run where you are one with nature. The sound of crickets, cows, goats, and most specially when you are greeted by sunrise on top of the hills, is just priceless and not to mention all the land mines (cow manures).

Little by little I have reached the last Aid Station leading to the finish line. I was too tired because of the heat and the blisters in my forefoot. But I’m excited to crossed the finish line and to see my son Elijah, this is his first time to see me crossing the finish line. We have planned this but he is more excited than me, reminding me of my race every week. I ran and walk the last 3 kilometers to the finish line with foreign runner as we are both really tired and I am gasping for air as the sun is already up and giving me hard time to run conservatively.

All in all it was a very well organized event, markings are visible at every corners and junction as the Race Director reminded us before gun start. The race volunteers are all very helpful to assist us.

Thank you to RD Jonel Mendoza for organizing this 5th Valley Trail Challenge. To all his staff big thank you for giving your weekend time to assist us. To all frontRUNNER sponsors, Big thank you! Also the Nuvali guard who guided us in some critical trail. To all fellow trail runners congratulations!

To my nephew Carlos who’s with me in all my ultramarathon you know the drills as always. Special thanks also to George Dolores for some tips in running my first ultra trail run. To Phen Avanzado and his running friend nice to see you on the trail. It was a great honor and pleasure to meet and run with known ultra elite in the country like Alfred delos Santos, Wilnar Iglesia, and Thomas Combisen. Lastly, Congratulations also to my wife Sheryll who finished her first 12K run at Energizer Run in Filinvest.

“What you are afraid of is never as bad as what you imagine. The fear you let build up in your mind is worse than the situation that actually exists.” ~Spencer Johnson

All set for my first Ultra Trail Run. Nervous to be honest…

1 minute to gun start.

3-2-1 off we go!!! I have reached the 25k turn around for 50k. we walk and run the last 3km to finish line as we are both tired. He just told me that he finished last week TNF100 ultramarathon. Congrats!

sweat and hungry!

My son Elijah handed me a cold water but too shy to walk with at the finish line. Awesomenesssss!!!! mission accomplished!

Thank you RD Jonel Mendoza on my first baptism on trail.

Darn love this photo. Nice shot Carlos.

George Dolores my friend was surprised when he saw me at the finish line. He didn’t know that I registered in this event as we always talk about the TNF100. But I choose the Valley Trail Challenge for my first ultra trail.

With George Dolores. Balis ng panahon ang liit liit mo lang nung sa Parish Youth pa kami. LOL! Thanks George sa mga tips!

My son said when will be my next ultra and he promise that he will join me crossing the finish line. Congratulations guys! and thank you to all frontRUNNER sponsors!