I'm a Trail Runner: Merrell Adventure Run

I had read from a blog somewhere that if you find on the road running monotonous, you should try trail running. Hmmm, I still haven't gone tired of running on the road. I still haven't ran a full marathon. I'm still a newbie! But, I would want to try trail running too [partially inspired by JazzRunner].

Hit it! We registered ourselves to 5K trail run of Merrell Adventure Run [and had chosen this event and the National Geographic Earth Day Run over our company outing]. Yeah right, call me an addict! It's my pleasure, LOL!

I really don't prepare for my first trail run. I just bought and break in my Adidas Trail 16 shoes around a month ago; and I had my regular Wednesdays hill runs with my adiNation Ortigas family. I believe those helped.

The 5K trail run had a cut off time of 1:10 to be awarded a medal. I am really that confident that I can be able to wear that medal right after crossing the finish line. But I was wrong. Why? Let me tell you the story...

We were early birds at Wawa Dam, Montalban. The rays of the sun ain't visible yet. But we already enjoy the vicinity and took pictures. It was kinda cold there though.




As the sun is slowly making its way above the heavens; I am having butterflies in my stomach. I am really unaware of what could be in store for us with this trail run.

At the starting line

I told my cousins to pace with me. "If I told you to run, RUN." As the trigger was pulled, we run. But my cousin Irish seem to be really not fit for a continuous run; so she let me run and leave her behind. I continue to run [a slow one] until such time that I will be welcomed by the narrow climbs so that I won't be piled up with a number of runners uphills.

Honestly, what I really expected was just a hill as high as the Buendia Flyover. But I was surprised with this:

And I ain't seeing the top yet

Whew! There's no turning back now. Go MinnieRunner!

Taking picture of myself. Do I look scared?

Runners I left behind

Then off we go. Before we proceed, let me proclaim, "I'm afraid of heights!" So while climbing the mountain, I am trying to put a courage potion in my heart. Feels like a wrong step would already cause my life. Thanks to my Adidas Trail 16 shoes. I believe my shoes give me balance.

"I'm on top of the world!"

I mean, on top of the mountain which I am just looking from below moments ago. And since I had no companion while on that very moment, I just tried taking pictures of myself, alone. But I just can't take a good shot. As I saw a couple of friends doing picture taking, I asked one of them to have a shot on me.

The man behind me is his friend

Thanks Kuya!

Then off I go again.

Just when I am already at the hype of going down, we found out that we're lost! Lost in the mountain! And oh, we just cannot contact anyone from Merrell. No signal. What are we suppose to do?

Hey Carabao, are you the marshal or something?

See? We're totally lost!

Good thing, someone already found the right way. So off we go, back to where we saw the last 5K mark. But we just can't get over with the time that we had spent going on the wrong way. Goodbye medal! *sigh*

The succeeding path were a combination of ups and downs. So I never really knew if we're getting nearer; or we're getting even higher. While traversing the path, we runners were asking each other. "Did we already cross the river?" "It's El Niño, maybe the river is in drought."

Upon reaching the grounds. I thought I'd be running like a Kenyan for a podium finish, only to see this:

What?! Looks like we're only about to start.

Okay, so we really gonna cross the river. Hmmm, if I would be seeing someone removing his shoes, I will remove mine.

Ahhh.. A sigh of relief. I need not take my shoes off.

But hey, I was wrong. That was just a teaser! Or an appetizer?

Oh yeah! Submerged my shoes! I bought it to get wet anyway.

After crossing the river [that made me feel refreshed], we have to run [but I prefer to just walk] on stones and sand. I looked at my shoes, oh no?! But I have to go on. There's a race I need to finish. And this one's fun fun fun! I had a couple [or was it three] more rivers crossed that allowed me to wash my shoes though.

We have to cross a bridge. And you can see what's at the bottom. It would definitely make my knees weak. Oh no! Don't look down!

Wawa Dam!

I had passed by a number of locals on the way; especially on a short tunnel. And they did a very nice gesture of cheering us. "Go ate, kaya mo 'yan" And I never failed to give thanks. I remember someone even asked me, "Ate, hidni ba nakakapagod?" I answered, "NO!"

And just when I am already seeing the finish line, RunningAtom advised me that I still have to turn right. What?!

Rocks! I should be careful. I still have a 10K run tomorrow morning.

I'm scared! It's slippery!

After that scary route, we still have a river to cross, and an uphill to climb. And finally...

Ohh.. flats...

From here up to the finish line, I run, run, and run. And yes...

I survived! But its a little over 5K. And I now have the bragging rights of calling myself a trail runner.
I'm a Trail Runner!!!

Pictures and more pictures...

With Nicole of Agatep. Thanks for the ride, the meal, the shirt, the Phitem bracelet, and everything :)

Mine, Irish, Madz, Pedz, and Juvy

James, sorry for posting your pictures late.

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