3rd BDM | With Just Guts, Balls, a Goal and Grace

OVERWHELMING. been thinking about this since Milo2010. Am I gonna make it to the finish line? Will I be able to outdo myself with “puyat runs” [sleepless runs]? All I got were balls, guts and a goal. Then I got myself injured with Milo leaving me with one month full rest. I did half marathons after, the RunUnited2 [where I met Pastor Junn Besana who introduced me to Real Life Foundation’s goal to raise funds for the scholars through BDM] and my last marathon for 2010, 2nd QCIM.

He was updating me about their plans of running for Real Life Foundation, their training, preparations etc. I was very excited, nervously excited. Am I gonna make it? I kept asking myself. But thinking that I was able to cross the Finish Line with BR in 2nd QCIM and made myself a new PR gave me a jumpstart confidence.

And the training began. I was doing my usual training 10-mile uphill and back, race pace [5-5:30mpk] when I learned that this isn’t a who’s-gonna-get-in-first kind of race, otherwise, it’s gonna be a burnout overkill. Team Real Life set the effective pace at 8:00mpk just enough to be still fresh at halfway, because the race actually starts at KM50 [they said]. Ok that was again, overwhelming. Until 4 weeks prior to race day, I joined Team Real Life for their 8-hour simulation of Heat Training. It’s actually my first time to go beyond 42K so both my knees complained. I did self medication for 2 weeks then tried training again but found myself walking my way home due to the torsion inside my knees. That was torture. Doctor said I need to rest for 3 weeks but didn’t bother listening. Stubborn me tried training again but barely made 4K---that was when I decided to seek the bone doctor’s advice. I did and took some medication [this was one week prior to race day] and gather up my guts and balls and confidence. “I have a goal!” I decided to still push through since I paid the registration fee already so I didn’t have a reason to back out.

6 days before the race day I tried accumulating my mileage and tried adding 34K from base [Amadeo, Cavite] to target [Alfonso, Cavite] and back. Then it hurt really really bad. Medication again and yet again until 1 day before the race day, this is it. I will push through despite the unexpected pain. Saturday morning, I was really really careful about my every step. I can still feel a slight tension on my right calf but still, am pushing through.

I keep on remembering what they say about the first 7KM---horrendous uphill. It actually is! While we were on our way going to KM00, seeing the nasty curve, dark and slippery plus a vehicular accident made me get a lot of deep breaths---“How am I gonna make this?” once again I gathered up my guts, balls and confidence but now with added faith since I can feel the tension in my right leg. I went with Team Real Life who all looks so very excited. We all are.

Then the final briefing: BR emphasized about cheating---that it is more honorable to throw in the white towel than to cheat. He’s actually trying to preserve the integrity of the race. I was clueless at that time what it meant, my attention was nailed on my right calf and I didn’t bother telling anybody about it. I don’t wanna be a casualty. First time to witness three National Anthems sung before the race starts: the Japanese [I was actually expecting a Doraemon kind of melody, sorry that was just me…], the US Anthem and the PH Anthem.

Then the very final instructions: Listen to your body. Surrender if you body says so. I wasn’t really paying attention because I don’t wanna jinx this race by thinking about it and actually be it. Then gun start. We [with Team Real Life] walked at first, vehicular traffic is building up, until I noticed that the ambulance was behind us---meaning we were at the tail end of the race. It’s alright, no worries, we still have 18 hours and a lot of things could happen in 18 hours.

Then the horrendous uphill---that was 7K terrible, terrible uphill climb. Did I mention that it was raining? Add that to the agony, it was dark and slippery---reminded me of King David’s rants against his enemies in Psalm 35---“may their path be dark and slippery.” We were treading on the left side of the road---I was actually updating my fb status via Globe SMS when I noticed that one wrong move to the left side and your dead---it’s a cliff that when you accidentally and stupidly step on the wrong course, that will be the end of you. And the lack of street lights---this is the major reason why I stuck with the team. I don’t wanna get left behind---especially when it is dark and slippery. Imagine, a lot of people died treading that path and it was dark, man, if you get left behind by the pack, am afraid you might flash on your light to some ghosts and cadavers on the roads. Who knows they might ask you for some water and food. I actually am imagining them [the real death march guys/ghosts] asking: “tulungan nyo kooooo, pagod na pagod na kooooo…” “pahingi ng tubigggggg…” ok that was just me scaring myself.

Then the first stop with the support crew, KM07. I asked for some Pork&Beans and tuna from my one-man support crew, Joel. I was kinda hungry at this point so I over indulged. My dinner was just Hopia Mongo from Eng Bee Tin and a can of pork & beans. My digestive system was still fine at this point. Then the following kilometers. We were sticking to our planned pace at 8-9mpk. Everything was ok. Then at around past midnight I felt something wrong with my digestive system that it had to empty recycle bin---not just once but a couple of times until dawn break at KM50. I still don’t know what went wrong inside me but am pointing my finger to GU Roctane. It wasn’t a part of nutrition program during my training but I included it this time, at race day. Bad idea to experiment at race day. Now I know what it means when runners say everything [running gears, nutrition, and hydration] has to be battle tested.

My support team, Betong, my driver and Joel, my main man, was in convoy with P.Junn’s support team. I got left behind by a few hundred yards because of the untimely emptying of the recycle bin. But it’s fine since the streets are well lighted this time. At dawn break, KM50, I saw the support crews parked at a gasoline station---I found the Team once again. But they were wrapping up already so I had to take a very very quick bite---I was really hungry this time. I finish the entire can of pork & beans in less than 2 minutes---I was tracking my resting time. Then off we went. I was treading with P.Ferdie Cabiling at this point, we both pulled over and took Number One, he asked me: “Nakapag-Number Two ka ba?” I replied: “Andami na! haha!” P.F: “Oh man!” then he went ahead since am having a hard time taking a leak and am actually sensing this horrible feeling of emptying the recycle bin again for the nth time. “Not again…” then I saw this gasoline station with a unique name [forgot what it is, starts with the letter A] I signaled to the gasoline attendant pointing to the C.R. and he nodded. Now am blaming the Pork&Beans for causing entropy to my digestive system. I was really running lightly since I’ve emptied the recycle bin a couple of times already. At this point, all I ever ingested were Hammer gels, Gatorade and water and salt sticks. It was fine now. I was really amazed that I can’t feel any tension to both my knees and legs, I think this was at KM55-KM60. Great it is!

I was really very very careful of the nutrition I eat because I don’t wanna get delayed with untimely Number Two. Every time I meet with my support crew, Joel was pacing with me for hydration and hammer gels. Thank you Joel, you’re the man! I always asked them how far I was behind---“mga 200meters boss.”

Lubao, Pampanga. I never thought that it was a very long stretch with the heat of the sun reigning over me. At one of our pit stops with the support crew, I saw P.Junn sitting. I was like “oh no something’s wrong” He’s the fastest hi-endurance runner of the Team, he can’t be like this unless something’s wrong.” I ran/walked with him serving as a rest for my running muscles. We were actually exchanging words when I saw his sons with card signs cheering for him. I was envious. I don’t have any family members with me cheering for me. All I got were my guts, balls, and a goal. He’s an original cast of Team Real Life. He has to finish. I thought to myself, God already provided 500,000 for the scholars and all they need to do is to finish the race. I was thinking, God made it possible already, we just have to do our part. Reminded me of David’s war words with Goliath “for the battle is the Lord’s” it was God’s battle but we need to be present on the battle field. We all gotta finish. We still got time and we still can make it to the cut-off. I chose the win-win option. Sun was shining even more so. This is why we had to do some Heat Trainings. The sun was like very excited to shine, it was as if he took a 2-week vacation for not shining and this is his shining come-back.

With only 25K left, he told me go ahead, he can manage and he will push through until the finish line. That gave me confidence as well that I can finish this all the more although I was observing my right leg for some torsion. This is where my personal journey began. With the heat of the sun on its peak, I saw a runner barely walking, I knew what to do. I was thinking about the proverb that says, “if you help someone get refreshed, you’ll get refreshed as well” [paraphrased] I stopped my support team and asked for some cereal bars and gave him thinking in my heart “Lord sabi mo diba, pag nagrefresh ako ng iba, marerefresh din ako? Sabi mo un diba?”

I left him, I still can run at this point. Then I overtook a runner. This is what I love about ultra. There is no spirit of competition whatsoever. Everyone is helping everyone. When a runner overtakes you, he’ll tap you in the back and encourage you “C’mon bro, onti na lang!’ with a very big smile on his face. I stopped for a little while and exchange pleasantries. Until I told him that I should go ahead. He told me “sige, hahabulin kita!” and true enough after a kilometer or two he overtook me. Then there’s this other runner from FRC. We journeyed the Death March up until the Finish Line.

All the three of us decided to finish the race with integrity since, at that time, I was thinking: am not gonna do this again so better finish it with integrity. We were running/walking at this point. You have to understand that being able to walk at a slow pace, we were able to see whether we overtook some runners or not, whether there were support crews waiting for their runners or not. We were the few runners who saw the roads [which was kinda empty] since KM60. Thing is, we know we finished with integrity.

The last 2K was the super hardest. "Nasan na yung lintik na kilometer post?!?!?!" At the last pit stop with the support crew, I changed outfit already, at least with the head gear. Yes, I looked like the one from Mortal Combat with a summer motif. It comforting to hear people shouting as we approach the finish line. I was kinda shouting inside me: “This is it!!!!!” As I approach the banner, Pastor Ferdie shouted: “Jem, you did it!!! Ako na hug sa’yo!” then I was kinda teary-eyed [it didn’t show because of the shades]. Then the awarding. Then we waited for P.Junn, he was still looking ok as he crossed the Finish Line. Really really glad that he finished. Great job! To Team Real Life, great Job and Well done good and faithful servants! Until the 4th BDM102K Ultramarathon 2012 or who knows, 2nd BDM160K Ultramarathon 2012. To Real Life Scholars---Study Hard! Be Excellent!

Things I learned from this race.
1.       Really, Train Well!
Plan it ahead and stick to your training plan to avoid overstretch and muscle overuse. It really leads to injury and the upshots are not that admirable. Train Well!

2.       Plan your Nutrition, and stick to it or at least be flexible with it!
Having a battle tested nutrition plan for ultramarathon is a must if you wanna finish. You could start by doing an 8-hour test run by yourself, going back to your vehicle at exact distance/time proportions for nutrition and hydration. Let it serve as your simulation for the actual race so you won’t get delayed by any entropy in your digestive system. Btw, this includes taking of salt sticks. Excessive intake of salts may cause water retention overload. [see BDM160K stories] Studies show that a maximum of 8 salt sticks per day is just enough not to lose electrolytes.

3.       Be “very humanely humble” at all cost
I was being friendly to every runner whom I overtake and who overtakes me. I greet them and encourage them because in my mind, I don’t wanna get left behind when it is my time to “screw up.” We need everyone in ultramarathons: fellow runner, support crews and other runner’s support crews. They are actually kind enough to offer you with hydration and nutrition because, really, we don’t want any casualty in ultramarathons. The very valuable lesson I learned in ultramarathon: “Don’t leave any man behind, look out for one another.” Ultramarathon, just like any other race, is all about winning but not winning as an individual, it’s about winning as if everyone has to be the first runner who crosses the finish line. Not about medals, or trophies or even cash prizes---it’ about winning friends and building strong relationships with others. Because you’ll never know who will help you when it is your time to screw up.

4.       Appreciate everyone for who they are.
We all hear people equating running as a life metaphor. It sure is. You reap what you sow. If you train well, you’ll do well. If you take care of your body well enough, you’ll be injury-free. If you’re kind enough towards others, guess what, it comes back a hundred fold. First, I appreciate my 2 support crews: Betong, my driver, who’s awake the entire time waiting for me and carefully following the convoy, thanks man for being patient. Joel, my trustee, I can entrust him with everything: valuables and even money. Joel has been faithfully serving us in the business as the all-around. No one else can do what he does on a regular day and I proved that he can be trusted with more and he has “malasakit” when in the hardest part of the race, he made sure that I don’t go to them or wait until I make signals for him to come. He waited for me and when am already within hindsight, he comes running with nutrition and hydration. My mom who’s been praying for my well being, my dad who’s constantly talking to Betong through phone, monitoring whether am still doing good or not. I appreciate Team Real Life not just for the goal they made and the impact they are about to transmit: Joshua Suarez for spearheading this worthy initiative, for providing an effective running plan and serving as coach to all of us; Paul Pajo, for reminding us when it is our time to hydrate and refuel and for providing “fun” when we were treading the horrendous uphill, that kept me awake; Pastor Ferdie, I look up to him for his determination to finish, since he used to be a runner and he actually is running for his son who has a medical condition. A lot of times I saw him walking but when I asked if everything’s under control he smiled back, put a thumbs up and said “Ayos na Ayos!”----that’s the spirit!; Alden Meneses, for the reflector vests, for the chit-chats we had while treading the dark paths that sure made me divert my attention from worrying about my leg to fun and fellowship; and for bringing his niece, a physical therapist; Pastor Junn, for encouraging me to run with Real Life, for updating me with their trainings, for sending me his nutrition plan, for the ‘long walk’ we had. I was kinda envious when I saw his sons cheering for him. But that sure gave me courage and confidence to finish all the more. Most especially I appreciate him for pushing through the finish line despite the pain.
I appreciate the support teams of Team Real Life: Pastor Junn’s support crew for keeping Betong & Joel in convoy, Ate Maru for always checking if we are still ok and if we can still run; Jekoy & Joey for always encouraging us [P.Junn and me] at every stop that we can still go on and we can make it. Alden’s support crew for always reminding us how far we are behind target time; Joshua’s support crew for the pictures and the cheers and the fun. Paul’s support crew for the encouragement and the cheers---that sure put smiles on our faces and made our grueling strides easier. The 2 runners whom I crossed the finish line with, the one from FRC for the funny jokes and Maj. Jun Cunanan---Nice walking/running with you bro [will extend my training for triathlon soon]. his support team for the oranges and the pictures and the cheers. The support crews of other runners for their cheers, for extending their help, for offering a bottle of cold water, jelly ace, sandwiches. I wish I know their names so I could thank them personally. Man, you’re not gonna find any sport on earth where other Teams look out for one another, except in Ultramarathon. I appreciate Gen. Jovie Narcise for birthing this concept of ultramarathon and the fellowship that goes with it. I appreciate him also for emphasizing the integrity of the race, the cheating, the ethics, the observance of GMRC in the race. Ultramarathon is life changing and character-building. It’s a total paradigm shift where everyone is a winner and you’ll be a different person when you cross the finish line. Thank you sir! My snappy salute to you!

5.       The Power of Encouragement
Team Real Life said that the actual race starts at KM50. You have to be still fresh at KM50. It’s kinda hard when your leg muscles are starting to complain when you muster all your guts just to make the next strides. If you have a broken spirit, you’ll be having a hard time pushing through---that’s why I kept myself thinking about the finish line. My mind was focused to finishing. And yes, I hated it when my system signaled a Number Two but hey, I came all the way from Cavite to Bataan and now to Pampanga to finish. I don’t have any family members or friends with me but the support crews of everyone who cheered on every runner as we pass by their support vehicles---that was enough. I realized when you cheer for someone, when you encourage someone, it means that you believe in him and you share with him a common goal---that you are for him and not against him. That’s why I appreciate the other runners and their support crews for their words of encouragement, for a simple smile, for extending their help, for a simple “onti na lang!” that sure boosted my confidence. “Go!” is a short word but when you say it constantly long enough, it’s enough for you to reach the finish line.

6.       Observe Good Manners and Right Conduct/Character/Ethics
BR highlighted the observance of GMRC during the race and it is really helpful. Runners are kind to other runners, to support crews, to marshalls and to everyone. Practice of GMRC shows humanity and maturity. That you’re ready for bigger things. I’m glad that GMRC and Character are well observed and practiced during the race.

7.       Learn to anchor your lifeline to Grace
I know a lot of people named Grace---some are pretty, some looks nice. But the real grace comes from God. I don’t know how to define it but it is something that happens miraculously---something to that effect. Basta! You’ll know it’s grace. And I finished my last race only by grace. I was feeling a slight tension on my right calf before the race starts but still I pushed through. Faith and Action. I trusted God that I can finish this not by might, nor by power but by his grace [Zechariah 4]. and i did! “My grace is sufficient to you for my power is made perfect in your weakness” ~ Paul of Tarsus, 2 Corinthians.

I was kinda hesistant to do ultramarathons ever again but after waking up the next day and thanking God that am still alive. I think am gonna do it again. I guess we’ll see each other again on 4th BDM102 or who knows the 2nd BDM160K. Godspeed to all of us.