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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–

I just found this useful to other runners so I’m sharing this one.

This utility lets you tabulate all your running stuffs like shoes, hydration belts, singlets, caps, etc.

To download just click this link My Running Gears

If you have comments or suggestions, feel free to post.

So after a good treat of boxing match, I had to rest again to prepare for our afternoon long-run. This time, only three of us will be there; me, Cocs and ReVO. Other RBs were unavailable for the whole Sunday. We arrived there around 5:30pm. By that time, the weather seems a little unusual for summer and it seems theres a huge chance that it would rain. The three of us planned a continuous 2 hour of running. We calculated that we should make  8 laps (17.6k) where we had to have a pace of not faster than 15minutes per lap.  Btw, one lap of the UP loop is about 2.2k.

After about 3 laps, we can feel that the pouring of the rain is inevitable and we quickly took-off our singlets so that it would not get wet in the rain. We put it in Coc’s vehicle and we all decided to finish the planned mileage no matter how heavy the rain would be. The good thing about the rain was, it refreshed our legs that it feels almost like starting again where we still have lots of energy. We were all shouting like kids when the rain poured very heavily. It was our first time to experience this and that was a great feeling. While running, we counted few other runners who were unwilling to stop just because of the rain. There were a total of  9 of them, 2 females, 6 males and a dog. These guys are truly hardcore.

When we finished 8 laps, it was already past 8pm. We had a quick food stop at one of the stalls that we frequently go and we ate pancit canton while sipping a cold fruit shake. It was really an awesome experience though the downside of this was our body were itching like crazy because of the insects (higad)  and other objects  that fell on our body during the run.

-pugs

At the Powerbooks

While waiting

Mr. Chuck Crisanto, Mr. Mateo Macabe, and Ms. Joy showing some stuff from SportsAde

Kristel Autencio from Vibal Foundation started the talk and presented the Takbong Pangarap Team. The team shared their thoughts of their dreams and their preparations for the said event. They also gave some short talks about their past runs and experiences. The Trans-USA will not be all about the honor and glory of the team but the pride of the Filipinos and for the benefit of the Social Division of the Philippine Heart Center and the Anti-TB Program of the Inner Wheel Club of Quezon City District 378.

Mr. Chuck Crisanto

Ms. Joy Rojas

The Takbong Pangarap Team

Pugs, ReVO, Mat, and Mel

ReVO, Mat, Joy, Mark, and Mel

Good luck to the Takbong Pangarap Team!
Have a safe trip and a safe run.
We’ll take note of the things you told us. We’ll wait for your return and listen to all the experiences you’ll have in the Trans-USA.

It changes somehow as the person faces and sees the reality. The path they’re taking, and how their life being shaped. Fulfillment after fulfillment the dreams are getting bigger, higher and deeper meaning. Dreaming for one’s self sake to the dreaming for the benefit of the others’. Dreaming for one’s self achievement to the dreaming for the pride, glory and honor for the others.

Takbong Pangarap/Trans-USA Run 2009, the 5,000 kilometer cross-country run across the United States of America to be attempted by Joy Rojas. On her 44th birthday, May 11,2009, Rojas will begin a journey like no other. An ultramarathon from Eagle Rock, California and continue through Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey towards New York City. An attempt as the only Southeast Asian woman to have ever accomplished such Trans-USA. Cesar Guarin became the first Filipino to run across America in 1987, he traversed the country from east to west. All in all, approximately 182 men and 11 women have run across the world’s fourth largest nation.

Running the 5,000 kilometers approximately in 100 days and take 20 days of rest, through 12 states. Joy Rojas will be accompanied by her trainer and running partner Mateo Macabe as well as team manager Chuck Crisanto. Mat will act as Joy’s pacer and navigator. Taking turns with Chuck in driving the Takbong Pangarap support vehicle, Mat will run and bike alongside Joy for some parts of the route.

Joy who has just finished Hakbang Pangarap, her Trans-Philippines run in 2005 which she covered 2,000 kilometers from Davao City to Pagudpod in 46 days.

When it was done, I thought, “That’s it?”. Then I realized that maybe running across the Philipines didn’t have to mean the end of a dream, but the start of many others,” Joy tells.

Aside from living her dream, Joy wishes to help others’ dreams come true by running to raise funds for two beneficiaries: the Social Division of the Philippine Heart Center and the Anti-TB Program of the Inner Wheel Club of Quezon City District 378.

The Takbong Pangarap has relied on donations, volunteer assistance and a few corporate sponsorships. The team is also hoping that Filipinos from all over the world will extend their help. This is not just Takbong Pangarap Team’s dream but the dream, pride and honor of every Filipino. This is an athletic feat as difficult as climbing Mt. Everest, running as hard as the punches received in a boxing match.

Takbong Pangarap: “No limit to the Filipino spirit!”

To know more details you may visit this site POC.net Takbong Pangarap
Or go directly to related posts shown below:

Even to Nasugbu, there’s no such thing as “been there, done that”
POC launches Takbong Pangarap channel
Takbong Pangarap FAQs
Joy Rojas joins World Tuberculosis Day Fun Run
Crossing countries, carrying dreams

Sunfest 2009 will accept payments for the Fun Run from April 16 to April 24 at the Ground Floor, The Bellevue Hotel, North Bridgeway, Northgate Cyberzone, Filinvest Corporate City. Look for Jema Suan of Swire Travel. Schedule as follows: Mondays to Fridays – 9:30 am to 5:30 pm and Saturdays – 9:30 am to 12 noon. We will release the race bib and Offical Receipt of the Foundation upon your payment.

Runners map to follow.

Details for registration
Duration: April 16 to 24
Where: Ground Floor, The Bellevue Hotel, North Bridgeway, Northgate Cyberzone, Filinvest Corporate City
Person to look for: Jema Suan of Swire Travel
Schedule: Mondays to Fridays (9:30 am to 5:30 pm)
Saturdays (9:30 am to 12 noon)

You may download the registration form here.
Sunfest Fun Run Registration Form

Details of Race Event
Distance: 3K/5K/10K
Date: April 25, 2009 (Saturday)
Time: 6AM
Location: Ayala Alabang Village
Registration Fee: P250
Deadline of Registration: April 24 (Friday)
Contacts: Cherry Bautista
Tel: 5685777 to 80 or 7721020
CP: 09178804200

While doing the stretching, a very light rain drizzling on us. “What? No it can’t be!” I said. We continued our plan and that’s it. It cannot stop us from running across this road.

Run Forgia! Run!

At this point, we’re just walking. Not to stress out our precious Forgia. She must run with us the next day.

As we arrived in SM Baguio, things were settled like “What to buy?”, “Where we’ll have our dinner?”, “What’ll be our breakfast tomorrow?” and “Hey we have no electricity?”

At SM view deck.

The Sunset.

Covered with darkness. Brownout remember?

After some rest and picture taking, we went to the supermarket to buy the goodies and stuffs. The recipes needed for my nachos. But not all, we’re on a tight budget. Our breakfast and some for our midnight snack. We also bought some candles to light us during the night. Oh my it was brownout all over the city.

We set off to have our dinner at Good Taste. The city was covered with darkness, there were lights but not so bright enough. Generators over there, candles over there. We were walking almost like a blind. As we were walking, we’re careful not to have sprains. Then we reached Good Taste café and restaurant!

At Good Taste.

Well just right after getting a place in Good Taste, the electricity was back again. So the worries were gone and all we have to do was to eat and enjoy the dinner.

Bird’s Nest Soup.

Spicy Chicken.

Pancit Canton.

Lechon Chopsuey.

Fried Rice.

If you’re looking for a resto with a tight budget, this one is best for you. It may look a simple dish but the taste is worthy for their name. This is also one good place to have carbo-loading. The appetizer, Bird’s Nest soup. Hmmm. Hmmm. Hmmm. Oh where am I? That’s what will happen to you. A superb soup and can’t wait to bring out the main dish! The chicken? Forget about gravy, best with the spicy sauce. The pancit? It may look pale and have less seasoning but it’s not. Once it touches your taste buds, the full flavor of pancit bursts out. The chopsuey? You might just say, “It only differs because of the pork lechon.” One thing only, if you’re not a veggie lover, try this one you’ll love it.

To be continued…

-= ReVO =-

As we set foot on Baguio’s grounds, we already felt the coldness even if the sun’s rays were striking on us. The cold wind was whispering to our ears and told us “Welcome to Baguio!”

The arrival, around 6:30 AM.

We walked along Utility Rd till we reached Session’s Delight Bakery and Restaurant and had our breakfast there. We walked again to Burnham Park to stay awhile and wait for our time-in at the house we rented located at Mines View.

Walk, Walk and Walk.

As we were walking, I just noticed a statue reading a newspaper.

The Burnham Park.

In this park you will notice a few runners, it was like UP oval. Unluckily, too shy I was to ask or interview a runner. Just really like UP, plenty of taho vendors. The difference was they’re all strawberry flavored taho.

Taho everyone?

As you see, the taho was so delicious and so yummy!

While waiting, RB mini concert was held and led by none other than master musician Mel.

Mel and RB mini concert emcee, Cocs.

Mel and singer, ReVO with the cameraman, Rans.

After some few hours of waiting, we went to our rented house and unpacked our stuffs. Since it was around 12NN, we decided to have our lunch at JC’s restaurant in Mines View Park. It has great views! “Ate” the one who serviced our lunch kept on singing and she always shared her smile on us. Rans said “People here love to sing and they like more of country musics”.

At the house.

At the view deck of JC's.

After the lunch we decided to have a short rest. We planned also to have a short run that afternoon. Pugs took a nap while me (ReVO) and Mel continued our concert. Apparently, the rain poured hard with some lightning and thunder because of our singing. But it didn’t stop us. The electricity were even cut off though. I was losing hope, and decided not to rest but rather be observative. Looking out of the window, I saw a dog looking back. Hmmm to be chased again? I called the dog and it looked so cute. Flipping his ears, responding to my call. I guess he was just welcoming us.

Pugs resting and reading.

Cocs singing to reverse the weather.

The dog at the window.

To be continued…
go to The RB Baguio Road Run 09 report Day-1 Part2

-= ReVO =-