Running Bananas

After all the trainings and carbo loads, Revo got his first achievement. He won 1st place in the age category of the 20K trail run event in the recently concluded TNF100 at Sacobia, Clark. Not only that, he also managed to finish 5th overall.

Everyone was very excited to join this event. Members of RB who wanted to join reserved our slot early in TNF store at Megamall. Eight members joined this event. Revo, Cocs, Pugs, Rans in the 20K event and Eula, Bhing, Shivaker and Mel in the 10K event. Since this is an out of town event, we decided to have our overnight stay at DM Residente Hotel just like what we did during the New Balance Power race lat year. Nothing can take the excitement away because we know this would be a great event, a different experience from running on the road. Revo and Pugs even bought a pair of trail shoes just for this event. How does it really feel to run off road? – That was everyone’s question in  mind.

The race day came. We woke up early so that we won’t be late expecting that the venue is a bit far from the Clark Development Corporation Main gate. We were already up at around 1 am because we thought that there would be a shuttle service from the CDC main gate to the main venue. When we arrived at the main gate, the security guards at the gate was not sure if there really is a shuttle service. We waited there until, one by one, TNF participants started to arrive. The guards told us to wait because they already told their superior about it. At around 4:20 am, an L300 passenger van with TNF100 banner arrived. There were around 20 of us waiting there and all of us  boarded the van. (Para kaming sardinas dun. :-)). But it’s ok, at least we know that we will not be late.

The race started at 5:30 in the morning. At the sound of the whistle, everyone started to run. At the very start, we could see Revo leading all the runners. He is alone in the lead followed by other elite runners. We were so glad seeing Revo in the lead but also a bit afraid that he could not last this strong. We are even thinking that he might be burned out because of his very strong start yet we believe he can do it. Unlucky for us, we could only see him until before the start of the trail because they were too far away. Revo is really strong! The 1st kilometer is a paved road but after this, the trail started. The start of the trail is like a river where lahar flowed. It is like we were running in the sea shore because of the lose sand. This made the trail run even harder. You exert effort harder because it is more difficult to push off a lose sand than in concrete road. The river made our shoes wet and heavy. Good thing it relaxes me a bit because of the cool water. At the first  5km, I was just following Cocs and keeping my pace not to lose him. My plan was to overtake in the last 5km if I still have enough energy. Pugs does not went with our pace. He told us that he suffered cramps early in the race. I was just behind  Cocs until the mountain part. When I climb this mountain, I lose my energy. Many other runners passed me by in this stage. The steep uphill ate up my energy. I know Cocs was already pulling away. It was fun in this part, though – the mud, the tall grasses and of course, the cow.

At the end, everyone was happy to finish the race. Cocs and Mel placed 24th overall for 20K and 10K respectively. Eula also managed to time 1hr and 30mins on her 1st 10K run. Congratulations to Revo and to everyone for our achievements. I know this would not be the last.

Pictures to follow..

–Rans–

Filed under: Race Events | Tagged: Race Events, races, ReVO, TNF, TNF100 | 10 Comments »