EXTRA CHALLENGE at the Valley Trail Challenge

After finishing 50K in the TNF 100 Camsur last month, I’ve always looked forward to running in another trail. I thought roads are always there anyway so I should take advantage of trail runs which are rarely being offered.

Before I continue, let me first congratulate Mr. Jonel Mendoza, the Frontrunner and rest of their team for such a successful race. Thank you for your hard work and effort to provide runners with a new and exciting route; and sufficient hydration and Nature Valley energy bars. It also felt like a gathering of friends sharing the same passion for adventure.

VTC lived up to its title. It was challenging indeed. In fact it was one of my difficult races not only because of the long distance but also because of the extreme heat, the rolling hills, the trail that’s more challenging to my knees and the tendency of getting dehydrated. But more than these, there were other challenges I had to overcome to finish it.

CHALLENGE 1: INJURY

When I heard about the Valley Trail Challenge, I got excited and thought I should join despite recurring pain on my right knee which I tried to disregard but was too painful I could not simply brush aside. It weighed on me in all my runs and got me frustrated especially during races. I felt like dragging it all the time even when walking. After doing half marathons every week before the VTC as part of my training, I decided to take a rest the week before. I drastically reduced my mileage and did cross training instead. I mustered all courage to resist the temptation to run to give my knee a break and a chance to recover. While I think that I deserved some pat on the back for not being too hard headed, I also recognized the mistake of refusing to see a specialist to have it checked which I should do soon. Anyway, I think that rest helped me finish the VTC.

CHALLENGE 2: LACK OF REST AND SLEEP

Although the knee had the chance to rest from running, I had not. That week was one my busiest weeks at work. I had to do back to back travels with just a few hours of sleep to meet deadlines and handle events. The day before the race, I even came from Mindanao and only had three hours of sleep which made me more worried about how I’d perform in the race.

CHALLENGE 3: ANXIETY

As usual, as in other races, anxiety overwhelmed me before the start. On our way to Nuvali, I kept on sighing because of being too nervous.

When we got in the race area, I met a few friends and chatted with them to try to release the tension. I was so anxious my hands were feeling cold.

With friends before the race (L-R) Jesus Roque, Chinky Tan, Elma Gabriana, Shiela Compendio, Ronnie Gabriana, David Buban, Jose Leorenzo Mina

CHALLENGE 4: GETTING LOST

When the gun was fired, I ran with the pack and along some friends. We took the first kilometer slow and easy but after warming up I felt the adrenalin rush to run faster so I did.

I was having the time of life, enjoying the ability to run that fast again after being stalled for almost a month because of injury until I heard someone shouting from behind saying that we were heading towards the wrong route. I had to run back and did it a bit faster since I was told that we lost 1.6K already. I thought I should compensate by sprinting. While I was so engrossed in recovering my lost mileage, I was also starting to get worried I might burn out too early in the race so I slowed down.

At that time, I didn’t have any idea about my rank. That was the last thing on my mind. I thought a bunch of female runners were already ahead but after the first water station, I was informed that I was running second.

It was good news but also an added pressure. I thought I should maintain it which meant I could not go as easy as planned.

To be able to run faster, I left my assault pack with a friend who was at the last kilometer before the base camp so I'd be load free and since I was starting to get blisters on my shoulders. I took the risk of not taking it and just brought along with me a 500ml bottle of water.

Since the third placer was just too close I tried to run fast to have enough lead and rest in the next kilometers. While most runners stopped, took some rest, changed shirts and shoes at the base camp, I did not. I was so in a hurry, I just grabbed a bottle of Pocari, refilled my water bottle, got a bar of trail mix and headed off.

Tired even before the first half

CHALLENGE 5: GETTING LOST. AGAIN!

Maybe because of too much rushing, although the second half was just the same route as the first, I still got lost. One of my weaknesses is not having a sense of direction so when I got confused about where to go and was pointed by a marshal to go straight instead of going right, I did. I was with two other runners finding our way in that area where no signs and no other runners were.

I got very frustrated, at the verge of crying and almost gave up. I hated my self, all I wanted to do was just go back and stop. So arrogant of me!

I think I spent almost ten minutes roaming around. Since I got lost again, I tried to compensate by sprinting, this time with my legs already tired and weak. I knew I’d feel terribly bad if I didn’t make it just because of getting lost so I pushed myself so hard.

When I finally ran past the then second placer and had a few meters lead, I was happy I could finally do what I'd been wanting to do which was to run at a relax pace or even walk. But when I reached the water station, the marshal informed me that I was the 3^rd placer and the 2^nd one just left. Like a rabid dog, I wonder what got into me but what I did was run fast and looked for the 2^nd placer. Again, after getting ahead of her and having some lead, I started walking since my legs were so exhausted especially with the heat.

Last K before the finish line. See that pressure and exhaustion on my face?

CHALLENGE 6: KEEPING THE LEAD

While walking, a woman ran ahead of me but I was then willing to let go of being a second placer since I was already drained to catch up and was beginning to experience cramps. But at the water station, I saw her resting so I took advantage to go ahead. I ran and ran and ran to keep my lead and then jogged and walked after a couple of kilometers.

When I thought I could already rest, someone from behind called my name and asked if I was trying to keep a place since the woman next to me, he said, was just meters away. So even if I was already wasted, I ran at my race pace again until I crossed the finish line.

With the organizer, Mr. Jonel Mendoza who handed the medal for being the 1st runner up among the female finishers

CHALLENGE 7: WAS IT RIGHT?

I placed second, took that huge medal and gift packs home but wasn’t completely happy as everyone thought I should. I felt disturbed with the way I behaved in the race, with how competitive I’ve become and how arrogant I’ve been. Was it right that I missed the beauty of the trail because I was so engrossed with winning?

I wasn’t sure if it was right that I tried to outrun those women and felt good after. I wasn’t sure if it was right that I took that much pressure just to have a podium finish. I wasn’t sure if the level of my being competitive was still right or if I’ve crossed the line of arrogance.

I was happy that I took the discipline to rest for my injury; that I was able to strike a balance between work and trying to get some rest for the race; that I didn’t give up despite getting lost, the heat, the exhaustion, the cramps and all; but I was faced with the greater challenge which was to reflect about what kind of person I’ve become. The more important challenge that bothers me until now.