The Trail Running Mistress

Quote for the Day

2012-02-09T11:06:00.001+07:00

Photo courtesy of Rajat :) "The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare."-Juma Ikangaa, 1989 NYC Marathon winner Crazy excited to start training once again! Opportunity to personally see your beauty, chance to meet (and support!) the best of the world and doing a marathon I considered impossible for someone like me. You bet I'm going all out on this one! Birthday month is

TRM Diaries: Walking at Bagasbas Beach (February 5, 2012)

2012-02-05T17:53:00.001+07:00

Photo by Sir Ben Resigned to rein in any desire to run, I decided to do at least an hour walk everyday, wherever I shall be. Today after about 12-hours of boat and land trip from Masbate City to Daet City, I enjoyed an hour walk (no running, promise!) at the very windy Bagasbas Beach. I realized that clouds and people watching can be quite interesting and fun. Looking forward to my early

TRM Diaries: Active Rest at Masbate City (February 4, 2012)

2012-02-04T17:59:00.000+07:00

View from Masbate City coastal road Photo by Gines :) It's been a couple of weeks since the Subic Marathon and you can imagine how restless I feel with not a single run logged in since then because of my knee and ankle tendinitis. Stationary bike gives a good workout but I can't do it when I'm on travel for work. I admit I got a bit desperate especially since I've been feeling pudgy with all

TRM Diaries: Pre-Climb Notes On The Apo Skyrun (August 14, 2011)

2012-02-01T20:43:00.004+07:00

My adventurous guide, Jason :) I just had a pre-climb meeting with my 17-year old guide, Jason (AKA Wowie). He said he's been climbing the country's highest summit since he was 8-years old. It brought me some comfort knowing that Mt. Apo is literally his playground. He was even honest in saying that nowadays he is no longer challenged in scaling Mt. Apo so was interested when he found out that

Road Runs: On Injuries and the Subic International Marathon (January 22, 2012)

2012-01-23T23:24:00.005+07:00

Let me say it right off the bat, the Subic Internationation Marathon whipped my ass so bad that I expect I shall be limping until the end of the week...if I'm lucky. And I'll be meeting up with my ortho with my tail between my legs. I anticipate some serious scolding. *Sigh!* I admit, I'm completely at fault. My friends were right, I was just being stubborn. Let me backtrack a bit. Like waaay

Trail Runs: Crazy Fun at Mt. Tagapo! (January 15, 2012)

2012-01-23T22:15:00.001+07:00

Cosplay at the summit! ;) With my serious training mode the day before at Mt. Maculot (read about it here), I was looking for a chill trek at an easy nearby trail the following day. I eagerly signed up when I found out that PSA friends Cha and Kat planned a Mt. Tagapo climb as a birthday surprise for a friend. The only catch is that we need to wear miniskirts and knee-high socks as part of the

Trail Runs: 2 Loops at Mt. Maculot (January 14, 2012)

2012-01-19T21:18:00.003+07:00

Photo by Ivan :) It's been a couple of weeks since the new year started and I could feel the withdrawal symptoms kicking in. I haven't been able to have quality runs for various reasons but one thing was certain, I was desperate for some mileage particularly where I can enjoy fresh mountain air. It was such a relief that BFFEE Christine (http://www.jovialwanderer.com/) planned the Mt. Maculot

Trail Runs: Bakun Trio Video (December 26-27, 2011)

2012-01-02T12:08:00.000+07:00

Quote for the Day

2011-12-29T10:06:00.001+07:00

Mt. Tenglawan Summit with friends. :) Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear. ~Ambrose Redmoon

Trail Runs: Bakun Trio (December 26-27, 2011)

2011-12-28T17:05:00.005+07:00

View from trail to Mt. Tenglawan When friends first brought up the idea of running at Mt. Tenglawan, Mt. Kabunian and Mt. Lobo or more famously known as Bakun Trio, I admit I was intimidated. I have no idea if my body can hold up doing such physically demanding activities consecutively. I even considered backing out because I wasn't sure if my injured knee would be able to take the guaranteed

Trail Runs: Beach Running at Potipot Island (December 21, 2011)

2011-12-23T10:53:00.002+07:00

Thanks to Malyn for the picture. :) Work brought me to Zambales and was delighted to find that their highway is made with the more forgiving asphalt instead of concrete. I intended to run from Candelaria to Sta. Cruz as part of my midweek training. Unfortunately, I was strongly discouraged by locals due to safety issues. Plan B was run at the fine white sands of the nearby Potipot Island! I

Trail Runs: Shotgun-Blue Zone-Giant-Wall-Timberland Gate (December 17, 2011)

2011-12-22T12:30:00.002+07:00

Rainbow connection with Chieko, Rome, Carlo, Kian, Mia, Glenn and Mariel ^_^ Finally got the chance to run the famous bike routes of Rizal! Shotgun has been known to instill fear in the hearts of many bikers more so runners like me: 4kms of relentless uphills. The only downside for me is the concrete road but I gave my best effort and fared better than I thought I would. Or maybe my lungs and

TRM Diaries: Top 10 Favorite Trail Running Adventures for 2011

2011-12-15T13:19:00.001+07:00

2010 Holiday Skyrun at Mt. Ugo with PSA Friends (photo by our guide) It’s 10 days before Christmas and perfect time to share with you all my 10 Favorite Trail Running Adventures for 2011. So many adventures to choose from so it was tough to pick only 10 but it needs to be done so let's have some fun on the trails, shall we? :) 10. Camaya Coast Aquathlon and Trail Run (March 26) – Beach

Trail Runs: Recovery at the CJH's Yellow Trail

2011-12-14T12:56:00.003+07:00

Views from the Yellow Trail :) I first ran Camp John Hay's Yellow Trail at Baguio City during my 22km run at The North Face 100 last year. I immediately fell in love with the sloping uphills and downhills lined with pine needles and offering majestic views of nearby summits. Now, after a skyrun at any one of the Cordillera mountains, friends and I find ourselves at the Yellow Trail or what we

Road Runs: Corregidor International Half Marathon (December 10, 2011)

2011-12-12T15:44:00.003+07:00

With Kian and Mia. PSA reprezent at CIHM! ^_^ The dream: 2:30 or less. Realistic goal: Do better than my Nathan Ridge Run time of 2:38 (read about it here). The only thing that totally ruined the game plan was the lack of sleep. The best I can do was less than 3hours of non-consecutive sleep. I've survived runs/races with far less snooze but with the series of physical activities I've been

Road Runs: 42.5km Banaue to Bontoc Highway Run (December 3, 2011)

2011-12-07T18:07:00.002+07:00

Meet the Team: Me, Carlo, Roland, Mariel, Kian, Mia, Luke and Luke's dad. So this was the plan: About 63kms of concrete road (with a bit of dirt roads) from Banaue to Sagada. But due to numerous stops made by our bus and traffic at Sta. Fe due to road construction, we arrived Banaue really late. Had to resort to Plan B: 42.5kms of concrete roads. Like I said in a previous post (

Trail Runs: San Francisco, Surigao del Norte (November 24, 2011)

2011-11-29T08:41:00.002+07:00

With the RB Placer guys. :) Work took me to Surigao del Norte again last week. But instead of going to the islands, we went around the mainlands. Even before going there, I already told myself I will do everything I can so I can sneak in a run preferably on trails. Fortunately for me, I had the support of our program partner in the area. They found a nice dirt road located at the inner

Road Runs: Five Things I LOVE about the Nathan Ridge Run! (November 20, 2011)

2011-11-24T19:48:00.008+07:00

1. Unforgiving steep hills that pushed runners to their limits! Thanks to www.pinoyfitness.com for the picture! :) 2. Fantastic views at Tagaytay Highlands...and Midlands, too! ;) Thanks to The Sweet Life Runner for the picture! :) 3. Eco-friendly, clean water stations free from usual scattered plastic cups! Let's do it this way, people! Thanks to Cheryl for the picture. :) 4. Had

Skyruns: PSA Pilipinas Akyathlon on February 18, 2012!

2011-11-23T17:01:00.007+07:00

PlLIPINAS AKYATHLON®: The Philippine International SKYRACE™ 18 February 2012, Saturday, 6:30am, Mt. Ugo, Itogon, Benguet, Philippines EVENT INFORMATION This is the Philippines’ first international SKYRACE™ (high-altitude mountain trailrunning race) and is part of the 2012 SKYRUNNER™ World Series Trials. “Akyat” in the vernacular translates to “climb.” Pre-register to this race by emailing (1)

Road Runs: My Cagayan Valley Sunset Run (November 17, 2011)

2011-11-19T06:22:00.002+07:00

Photo by HB :) It was almost 4PM and after a long day of touring the northern part of Cagayan Province, we made a mad dash to Peñablanca where the Callao Caves can be found. We wanted to make sure we had enough natural light to fully enjoy the second largest cave network in the country. And this where I got to chance to do a bit of training. J To get to the first chamber, we had to climb 184

Road Runs: Thoughts on Road Runs

2011-11-14T15:14:00.004+07:00

My own San Juanico Bridge Full Moon Run To state the obvious, I am a trail runner. Don't get me wrong. I gave the roads a shot. In fact, like most running enthusiasts, I started this whole love affair on concrete and asphalt. But I just can't seem to find that "chemistry. Something was missing. It wasn't as fulfilling as I thought it would be. Sometimes, it was downright painful and I came

Skyruns: Gunung Gede Skyrun (November 5-6, 2011)

2011-11-08T11:42:00.005+07:00

Skyrunning at the mouth of Gunung Gede craterPhoto courtesy of Rashel :) I absentmindedly booked a flight for Jakarta last June 2011 during a seatsale offered by a local airline. I figured I haven't been to Indonesia so it would be a good opportunity to check it off my list of ASEAN neighbors to visit. Little did I know that a more awesome adventure awaited me at the Land of Volcanoes. Rashel

TRM Diaries: I Dream of Roraima

2011-11-04T10:57:00.003+07:00

If there's anything this whole adventure at Kota Kinabalu has taught me, it's that there are no boundaries or limits to what I can do in pursuit of my dreams. And so I decided to finally unleash my ultimate dream summit. Ladies and gentlemen, I dream of Roraima. Photo credits to TLMELO Understandably, most friends who share the same love for mountains dream either one or all of the seven

TRM Diares: 10 Reasons Why I LOVE the 25th Kinabalu International Climbathon 2011

2011-11-02T18:00:00.006+07:00

1. Third time's the charm! Finally reached the summit of Mt. Kinabalu during our training climb! Photo by Cheryl :) 2. Reached farther than last year during race day! From Km. 6 last year to Km. 7 this year. Photo courtesy of Cheryl :) 3. Had the highest and sweetest high five with PSA batchmate Mia at Km. 7! Wooot!!! Photo by Cheryl :) 4. Crossed the finish line strong...and even able

TRM Diaries: FINALLY!!!

2011-10-25T06:39:00.001+07:00

Thanks for the summit photo Cheryl! :)

TRM Diaries: Chasing After Dreams

2011-10-17T09:31:00.000+07:00

Photo by BFF Ron This week I go chasing after dreams. And I'm giving it my best shot. I'm coming back for you, babe! <3

Road Runs: Challenging and Eco-Friendly Nathan Ridge Run, Coming This November!

2011-10-10T06:25:00.003+07:00

Bloggers took on the challenge of the Nathan Ridge Run test run! Are you hungry for scenic and challenging routes? Then the Nathan Ridge Run slated on November 20 is definitely for you! Nathan Performance Gear (Nathan) offers a different take on road runs at the picturesque Tagaytay Highlands where beginners to elite runners will get their hearts pumping with race routes filled with uphills

Skyruns: Mt. Apo Skyrun The Second Time Around! (October 2, 2011)

2011-10-03T12:29:00.010+07:00

Registered and ready to dance! ^_^ My friend Josiah said it: : "What's crazier than doing a Mount Apo Daytrip Skyrun? It's to do it again!" But truth be told, I'm just feeling super grateful to be able to have a successful skyrun at the commanding Mt. Apo and this time I was able to do it with PSA friends, Jay and Cheryl. We started around 2:45am with our guide, Jason. I immediately noticed

Trail Runs: Dream Come True at Bud Bongao! (September 27, 2011)

2011-09-28T14:54:00.001+07:00

Photo by Sir Che, LBP FOAD I've always dreamed about reaching the southern-most province of the Philippines. Locals have a belief that visitors have never truly reached Tawi-Tawi unless they've scaled Bongao's Peak. And so that's what we did. I felt a certain kind of emotional and spiritual-fulfillment unlike any other once I got to the summit. Perhaps it is part of the mystery of Mindanao's

Road Runs: Zamboanga City Training (September 21-25, 2011)

2011-09-28T12:24:00.003+07:00

At Pasonanca Park :) Photo by HB Fresh from an intensive training during the Mt. Pulag skyrun the previous weekend, I wanted to take advantage of my momentum. I was at Zamboanga City for work and the first thing I inquired about was where I can have good uphill running in the city. I was referred to Pasonanca Park. I secured a city map and noted the route going to the park. It was a pleasant

Skyruns: Mt. Pulag Skyrun (September 18, 2011)

2011-09-22T10:19:00.007+07:00

The Team ^_^ The Philippine Skyrunning Association (PSA) recently conducted the Mt. Pulag Training Skyrun last September 18, Sunday. It is the latest among a series of training trail runs in preparation for the upcoming 25th Mt. Kinabalu International Climbathon 2011 also known as "The World's Toughest Mountain Race." The MIT soar at the summit of Mt. Pulag The Pulag skyrun team was

Trails: Lake Sebu Loop

2011-09-15T19:35:00.001+07:00

Read related blog post: Running Around Lake Sebu. For pictures of the trail, check out TRM at Facebook.

Trail Run: Running Around Lake Sebu

2011-09-15T10:47:00.003+07:00

Lake Sebu: Where clouds float alongside water lilies. :) Lake Sebu, South Cotabato is located in the Allah Valley Region. It is home to the T’boli tribe also known as the dream weavers and brass makers. It is where 3 placid lakes can be found with Lake Sebu as the largest at 564 hectares. It is surrounded by rolling hills and its mountains are filled with forested areas. Estimated elevation of

Trail Runs: Spontaneous Mt. Maculot Adventure (September 4, 2011)

2011-09-05T19:22:00.002+07:00

Fans of spontaneity! :) Mia and I were texting Saturday night and it turned out we were both down with the blues and needed some serious fix for fresh mountain air. We decided to indulge our whims and invite friends to a spontaneous trail run the following day. It was only Kian who replied and since he was in the Batangas area, we decided to get our trail fix at Mt. Maculot. We didn't really

TRM Diaries: Reflections

2011-09-05T18:24:00.000+07:00

Where has this TRM project taken me? Over rainbows with friends. :) When I started this blog, I told myself I will always be honest with everything I write here. Successes and disappointments, road blocks and how I overcame them. Or not. I'm fortunate enough to chronicle so many adventures and by the skin of my teeth, always manage to come out, if I may say so, a stronger person. And all with

Skyruns: Mt. Apo Skyrun (August 14, 2011)

2011-08-15T14:24:00.004+07:00

View of Mt. Apo from Lake Venado I never ever thought that going up Mt. Apo was going to be easy let alone do a skyrun there. It’s the granddaddy of all Philippine summits after all. I did my homework and read up on online information about climbing Mt. Apo. I got in touch with the Kidapawan Tourism Office and made inquiries about it. I also got in touch with friends who successfully

TRM Diaries: Dead Toenails Are Beautiful

2011-08-05T19:40:00.003+07:00

Having my toes checked by medics after doing 50km at TNF 100 Photo by Chrissy Fernandez Yes, you read it right: dead toenails are beautiful. Limping my way down Mt. Pundaquit Photo by Kian Vicera Due credit is given to my PSA friend Kian for the statement. The first time I heard it was after a back-to-back Salomon Trail Run and PSA Anawangin Trail Run last November 13-14, 2010. We were on

Road Runs: Milo Marathon Manila Eliminations (July 31, 2011)

2011-07-31T15:40:00.005+07:00

Photo by Josiah Sicad Hello, world of PR! :) For the unfamiliar, PR or personal record is a much sought after goal for runners particularly marathoners. After the success of my Cebu Marathon finish last January (read about it here), I didn't really plan on doing another 42km this year. What changed my mind was the fact that the Milo Marathon was held on my birth month and this year is a very

Trail Runs: PSA Pico de Loro Trail Run (July 23, 2011)

2011-07-27T10:36:00.006+07:00

Photo by Mon Marchan I did a couple of trail runs at Pico de Loro before and I always managed to survive with just a bottle of 500ml energy drink. So for the PSA Kinabalu Training Run last Saturday, I did the same. Photo courtesy of Noel Miano I was able to run most parts from the DENR station until Alibangbang Park (before start of assault trail) except for a quick compression stop at

TRM Diaries: Milo Marathon Manila Eliminations Battle Plan

2011-07-17T10:03:00.003+07:00

I've already signed up for my second marathon this year and there's no turning back. Unfortunately, I've saved my training to the last minute so now I'm in panic mode. It doesn't help that my weekdays are spent traveling on the road limiting my time for actual runs. Regardless, I decided to make the most of what little time I have left. My battle plan for Milo Marathon Manila Eliminations on

Trail Runs: PSA Batulao Trail Run (July 10, 2011)

2011-07-11T08:40:00.005+07:00

Photo by Nina Dacanay Kinabalu Climbathon training has officially begun! Photo by Cheryl Bihag The promise of wet and muddy trails did not deter us from pushing through with our run yesterday at Mt. Batulao located at Nasugbu, Batangas. We started our run at Evercrest Hotel around 8:30am. I thought I was doing some serious training before but the experience at Batulao totally changed my

TRM Diaries: Going The Distance

2011-07-08T07:45:00.002+07:00

Photo by Chrissy Fernandez Flashback December 28, 2008: My friends and I first attempted a day trek at Mt. Tarak Ridge located at Mariveles, Bataan. I remember feeling intimidated at first but I ended up having loads of fun because of the wonderful and supportive company. Unfortunately, another thing I remembered was the stabbing pains on both knees. I knew I was out of shape but I survived

TRM Diaries: Why I Joined the Philippine Skyrunning Association (PSA)

2011-06-28T17:32:00.004+07:00

First PSA General Assembly :) Last night, the Philippine Skyrunning Association (PSA) had their first General Assembly. It was a wonderful opportunity to get to know members better. One of the things we talked about was why we joined PSA. I answered that mostly it was because of the awesome people who compose the team. And it’s true. A big factor why I fell in love with trail/skyrunning is

Trail Runs: FrontRunner's The Valley Trail Challenge (June 18, 2011)

2011-06-21T20:01:00.003+07:00

Sad for the DNF? Think again! :P Photo by Tristan Firmalino I guess you can say I had it coming. I did everything that a runner should NOT do before an ultrarun: Not clock in sufficient mileage during training; Not get proper nutrients days before race day; Not train under anticipated conditions of the race route (e.g. high humidity, intense heat of the sun); Not get

Trail Runs: Beach Running!

2011-06-16T15:53:00.001+07:00

Photo by HB I was supposed to climb Mt. Parker but incessant rains the whole week made the trails extremely dangerous. I was advised to forgo my plans and schedule it for another (much sunnier) day. With nothing to do and the gloomy weather to consider, I decided to head to Gumasa White Beach located at Glan, Saranggani Province. I figured if I was going to get wet, might as well do that while

Trails: Mt. Parker

2011-06-08T11:14:00.001+07:00

Work will once again take me back to South Cotabato. This time, I'll try to take the trail that leads to one of the cleanest lakes in the country: Lake Holon (Lake Maughan). Weather permitting, this is going to be one of the more enjoyable trails I'll experience. Mt. Parker information thanks to the Pinoy Mountaineer: LAKE HOLON (MT. PARKER) T'boli, South Cotabato Jump-off point: T’boli LLA:

Trail Runs: Why I Love MakTrav (June 5, 2011)

2011-06-06T12:45:00.003+07:00

Reasons why I love the Makiling Traverse (MakTrav) that we did yesterday: 1. I did it with my bestest climbing buddies BFFEEs Chrissy and Tanny. 2. The views are absolutely breakthtaking! 3. There are roped segments that made it extra exciting! 4. We were able to wear baby Nicolette's shirt for a cause during our climb. 5. Lush vegetation throughout the trail. 6. I was able to do a bit

Xhi Effect: Getting Back on Track

2011-05-24T19:28:00.002+07:00

Must have another strong finish! Photo by TNF Ph at Facebook One thing I learned about myself during recovery after a big race (e.g. 50km trail run) is that I find it hard to get my groove back. I suppose it’s because I had an excuse to relax and forget training for a while. And before I know it, 3 weeks has passed and I’m still taking it easy. It isn’t entirely bad unless you’re like me who

TRM Diaries: TNF 100 (50km Run) Picture Story

2011-05-23T10:27:00.004+07:00

Thanks to Chrissy, Estan, Kelly, Ricardo, TNF Ph and Cam Sur for the pictures! 1. 50km Race Start Line Photo by Estan Cabigas 2. Gun Start: 5AM Photo by Cam Sur at Facebook 3. First waterfalls at Mt. Isarog Photo by fellow 50km runner 4. Maneuvering across slippery boulders Photo by Estan Cabigas 5. More obstacle

TRM Diaries: I Run For You

2011-05-10T10:49:00.002+07:00

I am an ordinary runner who is able to accomplish personal feats because I am fortunate to have wonderful people around me. I am able to do more in every run because of each and every one of them. I would like to take the time to send a shout out to all who inspire me to literally go the extra mile! For my cousin Xhi who first asked me to run again and registered me to join a 5km run despite

Trail Runs: The North Face (TNF) 100 CamSur (April 30-May 1, 2011)

2011-05-03T07:05:00.006+07:00

PSA represent at TNF 100 CamSur! So proud of everyone! ^_^ Photo courtesy of Cha Javier I was so nervous for my first 50km trail run at The North Face (TNF) 100 CamSur that I had nightmares about it the week before. Up to gun start last Saturday early morning I was a bundle of nerves, giggling anxiously, trying to make fun of a situation I know I have no control over. Here are some thoughts

Trails: Mt. Isarog

2011-04-27T08:24:00.002+07:00

I'm taking on The North Face (TNF) 100 CamSur! I've thought about it for the longest time. I had to deal with schedule, budget, training and confidence issues until finally, I decided to throw everything out the window and just do it! I'll be joining the 50km race category and I have one thing on my mind: to finish the race with a smile on my face! TNF 100 never made it easy for anybody and

Skyruns: Hungduan Climbathon 2011 (April 16, 2011)

2011-04-17T16:15:00.007+07:00

Hungduan Rice Terraces Mt. Napulawan is famous for its “cardiac trail” and I experienced firsthand why it was notoriously known as such during the Hungduan Climbathon 2011 held yesterday. There were few runners willing to take on 16-kilometer race at the monster that is the 15th highest summit in the country. The brave few who took on Mt. Napulawan that day. ;-D Photo by Meyo Rodriguez We

Skyruns: Matutum Destiny (April 3, 2011)

2011-04-07T08:50:00.004+07:00

Pineapple fields leading to Mt. Matutum I first laid eyes on Mt. Matutum way back in 2004 and it was love at first sight. I don’t know if it was because it is home to the wild civet cat, the Philippine tarsier and the Rafflesia Manilla; or maybe because it is such a rare sight to see its peak since it is almost always covered by clouds; or maybe because it is where I can find the sweetest

Trail Runs: A Taste of the Malindang Mountain Range (March 20, 2011)

2011-04-05T10:49:00.004+07:00

“Mukatkat ka Malindang ug mubalik isa ra kaadlaw?” One of my friends based in Oroquieta City was asking if he understood correctly: I wanted to climb Malindang and come back down in the same day. It was a foreign concept even to local mountaineers and guides. And what I wanted to do sounded crazier to them. I said I wanted to go up and down in half a day. I had to explain several times that

Trail Runs: Camaya Coast Aquathlon and Trail Run (March 26, 2011)

2011-03-27T09:59:00.002+07:00

Cheers to Camaya! Photo by Chrissy Fernandez Summer is here! My favorite season refused to be ignored during the Camaya Coast Aquathlon and Trail Run held at Camaya Coast, Mariveles, Bataan yesterday. It was definitely sunshine and blue skies all the way! Happy as I was of the great weather, I realized combining it with an extreme trail run may not have been such a good idea! Hehe! The

TRM Diaries: Trail Running Contradiction

2011-03-23T22:21:00.006+07:00

"I CAN!" Photo from www.widbox.com Is there a way to train your confidence like you can train your body to get stronger? In all honesty, I’m insecure about my trail running. It may not seem like it on the outside especially since I've been exploring trails seriously and joining races ever since the year started. Some friends even told me I got stronger already since last year but personally,

TRM Diaries: Challenges of Trail Running in Mindanao

2011-03-22T07:47:00.000+07:00

Kalinuban Forest Trail, Hoyohoy, Tangub City Photo by Mang Cesario, my guide. Alright, I admit. It’s not all fun and games for me whenever I trail run in between work trips. It’s actually very difficult for me to trail run in this part of the country because of the following reasons: Peace and order situation remains a constant issue. Hectic work travel allows me minimal time to

Trails: Mt. Napulauan

2011-03-21T08:08:00.001+07:00

Brought to you by the local government of Hungduan and the Philippine Skyrunning Association (PSA), the Hungduan Climbathon is a 21-km mountain running race traversing the historical Mt Napulauan in Ifugao Province, starting from Bokiawan Information Center, will pass through the world-famous rice terraces, ascend to the peak, and descend to the finish line at the Municipal Ground, Poblacion

Trail Runs: Going Tralala! (March 11, 2011)

2011-03-18T08:20:00.002+07:00

Photo by Ben Maputi After the Kitanglad race, I had my heart set on Mt. Dulang-Dulang for my next visit to Mindanao’s Land of Mountains. I got in touch with Ben, a trail running friend based in Malaybalay City, to see if it was possible to achieve my dream during my upcoming trip. Unfortunately, safety issues forced me to forgo my plans but it was not enough to discourage me to explore

Trail Runs: Decided on Hibok-Hibok (March 9, 2011)

2011-03-13T21:42:00.009+07:00

Happy to be at the summit of Hibok-Hibok ^_^ “Desidido ka na ba?” Ronald, my guide, asked me while looking directly into my eyes. We were at the lobby of my hotel and it was almost 1:00PM. My guide wanted to know if I was sure I wanted to climb Mt. Hibok-Hibok despite the probability that we will be able to go back down after dark. Plus, the top of the mountain was covered in thick clouds

Skyruns: Kitanglad Rugged Mountain Race (February 27, 2011)

2011-03-07T07:04:00.004+07:00

Happy and clean at the start line. I try to brace myself for the worst possible scenario whenever I go on a climb or trail/skyrun. For the upcoming race at Bukidnon, I nursed an injured knee just to make sure I am able to join. But there was absolutely no way for me to prepare for the vicious combination of the incredibly muddy trails, steep assault, continuous downpour and biting winds at the

Trail Runs: Mt. Matarem and Mt. Iraya

2011-03-03T13:23:00.003+07:00

Clear day at Mt. Iraya. Lucky! ^_^ I knew my friend Jay and I were in for a treat when we decided to climb Mt. Matarem and Mt. Iraya, both located at Batanes province. Although not so high, the difficulty of both mountains lies on the narrow and steep trails. It was definitely a challenge I wanted to take on and see how far I’ve improved since I started seriously exploring my passion for the

Trails: Mt. Matarem and Mt. Iraya

2011-02-14T11:24:00.006+07:00

I'll finally check off Batanes from my must-visit places in the Philippines! And I'm taking the opportunity to explore the beautiful mountains of our Northernmost province: Mt. Iraya (North) also known as the "mountain of winds" and Mt. Matarem (South) known for its rugged contours and steep trails. Excited! ^_^ Mt. Iraya and Mt. Matarem information thanks to the Pinoy Mountaineer: MT. IRAYA (

Trails: Mt. Kitanglad

2011-02-10T07:37:00.001+07:00

I've been traveling to Mindanao for years and now for the first time, I'll finally be able to discover one of Mindanao's glorious mountains: Mt. Kitanglad! And the best part is that it's a skyrun! Woohoo! Kitanglad Rugged Mountain Race, here I come! Mt. Kitanglad information thanks to the Pinoy Mountaineer: MT. KITANGLAD Impasug-ong, Bukidnon Major jump-off: Sitio Intavas,La Fortuna,

TRM Diaries: Be A Skyrunner!

2011-02-02T07:02:00.002+07:00

Tired of the usual road runs and want to take it up to the next level? Bored of your regular workout routine and looking for a new challenge? Or are you like me who want to merge the love for mountaineering, running and traveling in one go? Join the Philippine Skyrunning Association (PSA)! Application period for 2011 is now open. Push your body to the next level, enjoy fresh mountain air, savor

Skyruns: Pilipinas Akyathlon (January 29, 2011)

2011-01-31T12:02:00.006+07:00

Photo courtesy of Alexander Cenzon One of the things that people love about running is that at the end of the day, you compete against yourself. You try to see whether you've done better than the last time you slipped on your road or trail shoes. Some may not be as vocal or outwardly competitive against other runners but secretly, I think all runners dream of a podium finish. And I admit that

Quote for the Day

2011-01-25T08:05:00.001+07:00

BFFEEs Jules, Tanny and Chrissy ^_^ ‎"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit." ~Albert Schweitzer Thanks for the amazing friendship Chrissy and Tanny! Cheers to more climbs, trail runs, travel and adventure! Love you both! Group hug!

Trail Runs: Lost at Ampacao (January 22, 2011)

2011-01-24T12:14:00.005+07:00

Trailblazers: Chrissy, Ceejay and myself It was my first time to get lost on the trails! Wait, let me back track a bit. After a hearty brunch at the Yoghurt House and freshening up on the day of our arrival at Sagada, we started our Mt. Ampacao traverse at around 1:30pm. The climb to the summit was very short but it was a steep uphill making it challenging. I tried to push for a faster power

Trails: Mt. Sto. Tomas

2011-01-19T12:47:00.002+07:00

PSA will hold the Pilipinas Akyathlon: The Philippine Skyrace on January 29, 2011 at Mt. Sto. Tomas, Baguio City. Naturally, this will be another opportunity to run and enjoy fresh mountain air so I'm definitely in! You can check race map and race course profile at Pilipinas Akyathlon Race Course. Mt. Sto. Tomas information thanks to the Pinoy Mountaineer: www.pinoymountaineer.com Mt. Sto.

Road Runs: Cebu Marathon Picture Story

2011-01-17T15:06:00.006+07:00

Thanks to Emer, TJ, Karen, Jo, Estan Cabigas and Marvin Pangan for the pictures! 1. Got my race kit the minute after I landed at Cebu City. 2. Dinner at Abuhan with friends before the race. Photo by TJ Isla 3. PSA and friends represent at the Cebu Marathon 2011 Photo by Karen Simbulan 4. Assembly Area Photo by Jo Tan 5. Marathon? Just

Trails: Mt. Ampacao

2011-01-14T14:46:00.008+07:00

My BFFEEs and I will be doing our annual Sagada trip on January 21-23, 2011 to commemorate the beginning of our love affair with this delightful little town. The great thing about this trip is that we're bringing more friends who are also outdoor enthusiasts. One of our main event this year is to traverse Mt. Ampacao starting at Brgy. Ambasing and leading us eventually to the chocolate-colored

Road Runs: How I Finished My First 42km With A Smile

2011-01-12T06:47:00.006+07:00

My PSA Friends: Tito Willy, TJ, Ria, Emer, (me), Mon and Gilbert. Thanks guys! ^_^ I am happy to report that I finished my very first full marathon—all 42.195km through the streets and colors AND smells of Cebu City—with a smile on my face. Here are 21 thoughts that led to my happy finish: 1. Start: Wow! I’m really kicking this off my bucket list! Wait, must slow down and stay away

Quote for the Day

2011-01-05T12:13:00.004+07:00

Cebu Marathon 42km Registrants Success isn't a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire. ~Arnold H. Glasow New Goal: Have fun and survive. Armed with prayers and support from family and friends, I'll definitely burn bright at Cebu! Thanks for the love, everyone! ^_^

Xhi Effect: Reality Check for Cebu Marathon 2011

2011-01-03T06:19:00.004+07:00

Alright, I admit I did not follow the training program that Xhi gave me down to the letter. I have my excuses but none are acceptable. But I did have some good runs the past couple of weeks particularly the 29-km skyrun at Mt. Ugo, Itogon, Benguet and this Sunday’s LSD at The Fort area covering about 25km. With the Cebu marathon around the corner, the question now is: Do I think I did enough for

Quote for the Day

2010-12-30T08:55:00.005+07:00

Photo by Estan Cabigas Love is a sweet tyranny, because the lover endureth his torments willingly. ~Proverb You murdered my toenails, caused me unbelievable physical pain and made me question my sanity many times over. But you also made me believe in myself, rise above my limitations and find overwhelming joy in life. There will be no lover like trail running. Keep the surprises coming in

Skyruns: PSA Mt. Ugo Induction Skyrun (December 26, 2010)

2010-12-29T12:39:00.008+07:00

Sunflowers and one of the crazy cows of Mt. Ugo Photo by Cha Javier Cha and Mia's PSA Induction Skyrun was held at the picturesque Mt. Ugo at Itogon, Benguet. Apparently it was the first time that a group attempted to do a daytrek of the Tinongdan-Tinongdan trail which turned out to be a total of 29kms and not 24.6kms. Locals thought we were crazy to even think it was possible to cover the

Trails: Mt. Ugo

2010-12-21T09:06:00.003+07:00

Yahoo! PSA will be having a holiday skyrun and I'm definitely joining! High altitude running is seriously addicting---love, LOVE it! ^_^ We'll be doing the Tinongdan trail of Mt. Ugo at Itogon, Benguet covering a total of 24.6km from the jump off to the summit and back. This will be my longest skyrun by far and I'm excited to try it out with my darling Salomon! Mt. Ugo information thanks to the

Trail Runs: Got Hitched at Batulao!

2010-12-20T07:27:00.008+07:00

With My Trail Running Significant Other...I heart you! ^_^ Photo by Chrissy Fernandez Apart from the opportunity to bond with my very good friends and enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature, I had another agenda for this weekend’s trail run—to test my newly purchased pair of Salomon Speed Cross 2 at the old and new trails of Mt. Batulao. I must admit that my last trail running shoes scarred my feet

Quote for the Day

2010-12-17T08:07:00.003+07:00

www.cartoonstock.com "Many people shy away from the hills. They make it easy on themselves, but that limits their improvement. The more you repeat something, the stronger you get."- Joe Catalano Honestly, there are days when I can't help but ask why I put up with all the pain. And then the answer comes: Trail running is HAPPINESS! ^_^Deep breath, fingers crossed...GO!

Xhi Effect: Pain Is Relative...So Is My Sanity

2010-12-14T08:22:00.004+07:00

Picture from www.sidekickstudios.com The second week of my training program for the Cebu Marathon 2011 started with a bang. Xhi made me do several complicated sounding combination exercises involving weights which annihilated any plans of my shoulders and arms to have an easy, relaxing evening. Here are some thoughts going through my head last night: Do I need to call my insurance company

TRM Diaries: The Week That Was

2010-12-13T06:36:00.003+07:00

It was a very productive week indeed! Apart from work, work AND work!, I was fortunate to do other MORE enjoyable activities: ^_^ 1. Adventure Zipline at the Seven Falls of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato 2. Fun Run 15km turned 20km run at EcoRun 2010, Taguig City 3. Family Bonding Daddy's Girl ^_^ 4. Party! PSA Christmas Luau 2010

Quote for the Day

2010-12-08T18:54:00.003+07:00

http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2008/10/mt-apokapatagan-kidapawan-traverse.html "Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So...get on your way!"- Dr. Seuss Everything begins with a state of mind. And my mind says, "Wait for me, darling. I'm coming!" ^_^

Xhi Effect: The Low Down

2010-12-06T02:51:00.001+07:00

http://www.cebumarathon.com/ This week only allowed me to do a slow 10-km run, an hour of boxing class, some weight training and a short trail run because I was thoroughly bothered by intermittent dry cough. But regardless of my performance this week, I am forced to move forward and do better in the upcoming weeks as Xhi finally gave me my 5-week training program for the Cebu marathon on

TRM Diaries: What Matters More

2010-12-06T02:35:00.001+07:00

BFFEEs ^_^ We were supposed to go to Mt. Batulao this weekend but since Christine had to be in Carmona, Cavite for work, she instead invited Tristan, Mors and me to run in the bike trail near the area where they will be conducting paragliding sessions. And considering that we haven’t been together in a while now, we all decided to troop over to Carmona for a quick trail run, watch paragliding

Trails: Mt. Batulao

2010-12-01T09:47:00.003+07:00

I will be trailrunning with my very good friends at Mt. Batulao this Sunday. I haven't been to Batulao since a decade ago and I heard there's a new trail so it will be nice to discover something new about a familiar destination. http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/08/mt-batulao-811.html Mt. Batulao information thanks to the Pinoy Mountaineer: MT. BATULAONasugbu, BatangasJump-off point:

Skyruns: PSA Mt. Pulag Induction Skyrun (November 28, 2010)

2010-11-30T11:41:00.017+07:00

Jay and Rashel...on our way to the Kabayan Jump Off Point I knew we were doing a Pulag skyrun in one day but I got far too excited and failed to pay attention to the details of our itinerary. I thought we were just doing a one-day skyrun at the Ambangeg trail which is the easiest among all the Pulag trails. I was shocked to find out the day before our actual skyrun that we’re traversing the

Quote for the Day

2010-11-25T10:02:00.008+07:00

Photo by Kian Vicera "Your legs will forgive you...eventually." - Christine Luff Will my toenails forgive me too??

The Xhi Effect: Meet My Unofficial Trainer

2010-11-24T07:34:00.007+07:00

Xhi and me at the Run 2 United last 21 Nov 2010 No, I am not referring to the life giving energy that unites body, mind and spirit. But those words may easily be used to describe my best cousin. She has a way of moving people particularly towards health and fitness. And that's what she did to me back in 2008. She moved me towards running. I was horrified to find out she registered me to run

Trails: Mt. Pulag

2010-11-22T10:33:00.012+07:00

OMG! I never imagined I'd actually be able to climb Mt. Pulag this year! And to do a trail run there is such a big bonus. And a much bigger bonus is that the trail run is the PSA Induction Climb for newbies. Triple hits on my Wish List! Yahoo!!! I super love PSA for organizing this activity on Nov 27-29, 2010! And thank you so much for allowing me to become a member! ^_^ Oh shoot! Must train

TRM Diaries: My Running BFFs

2010-11-22T07:46:00.002+07:00

Running BFFs Jay, Christine, Ron and me. We miss you Tristan! @ UP Diliman on 21 Nov 2010 The great thing about having running friends is that it doesn't matter if you have different backgrounds or varying levels of athleticism. What truly matters is that you're willing to support each other's goals plus have fun at the same time! Let's keep TRY-ing BFFs! ;-D

TRM Diaries: Change is Definitely in the Air

2010-11-18T11:54:00.005+07:00

Everything you now do is something you have chosen to do. Some people don't want to believe that. But if you're over age twenty-one, your life is what you're making of it. To change your life, you need to change your priorities.- John C. Maxwell To prove that I am serious about my pursuit of becoming a better trail runner, I AM making changes in my life: I had a talk with my boss and requested

Trail Runs: PSA Anawangin Adventure

2010-11-17T07:44:00.002+07:00

Natural High! =D Mt. Pundaquit is a relatively easy trail considering the short distance and low elevation. But what makes it challenging is the terrain itself. Slippery moss-covered rocks, several river crossings and narrow trails lined with sharp cogon grass wind up towards the summit. The lack of shade can be brutal on a clear day because of being exposed to the merciless sunshine. We found

Trail Running Tips: My Salomon X Trail Run Experience

2010-11-15T12:43:00.012+07:00

Last leg of the race: mud running! Photo by Christine Fernandez Let me say it first, I DID IT!!! Despite the lousiest start I ever had in the races I joined (road and trail), I finished the 24km Salomon X Trail Run last November 13, 2010 (Saturday) by the skin of my teeth! The 24km route was very challenging with the continuous uphills, river and mud crossing plus the afternoon sun beating

TRM Diaries: YES! I CAN! =D

2010-11-15T09:39:00.003+07:00

I can always look at this to remind me that YES, I can do it. And YES, the pain is totally worth it. =D I'm so glad Kian Vicera, PSA Core member, took this video of me. Big thanks Kian!

The Trails: Mt. Pamulaklakin

2010-11-12T07:15:00.004+07:00

Race map thanks to Salomon Pilipinas: Salomon X Trail Run Race Route November 13, 2010 And to make things a little more exciting, just heard from friends who attended race orientation that there's a cut off at Km. 20 (3-hours). Time to dig deep and put in monster effort.

The Trails: Mt. Pundaquit (Anawangin Cove)

2010-11-07T14:10:00.001+07:00

Some information on Mt. Pundaquit (Anawangin Cove), San Antonio, Zambales thanks to the Pinoy Mountaineer: http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2008/04/anawangin-cove-via-mt-pundaquit-464.html ANAWANGIN COVE VIA MT. PUNDAQUIT San Antonio, ZambalesMajor jump-off: Brgy. Pundaquit, San AntonioLLA (summit): 14 53'59" 129 94'24", 464 MASLLLA (cove): 14 52 41 120 04'04", 0 MASLDays required / Hours

TRM Diaries: Finding What Works

2010-11-06T12:20:00.004+07:00

Whenever the opportunity presents itself, I try to browse other blogs and websites about running. I was very happy to find a lot of sites that offered helpful insights specifically on trail running. I realized a lot of things I was doing wrong (like thinking I can survive a 21km trail run with just a liter of water) and things I have to do to become a stronger and faster runner. Unfortunately,

Skyruns: Mistaken Identity at Kinabalu

2010-11-04T20:43:00.009+07:00

Photo by Tristan Firmalino “Runner coming!” I heard one of the tourists climbing up Mt. Kinabalu say as I approached them at a brisk pace going down the mountain. I was heading back after my failed attempt at the summit. I thought the tourist was referring to a skyrunner who was seriously preparing for the upcoming “World’s Toughest Mountain Race.” Because I did not want to ruin the skyrunner’

Trail Runs: PSA Trail Run at Anawangin (November 14)

2010-11-03T14:41:00.005+07:00

I'll be joining a PSA organized trail run with the Pinoy Skyrunners and other trail run enthusiast at Anawangin, Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales on November 14, 2010 (Sunday). Philippine Skyrunning Association