Franc Ramon

Double Terrain Challenge

Posted on 7. August 2017 by Franc

Wet and Wild 10K Double Terrain Challenge

It was a wet and wild Double Terrain Challenge with Unli-Putik and Unli-Ilog. True to its name, it was a challenge indeed and a really great way to enjoy the trails of Tanay in a bit wilder condition.

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Double Terrain Challenge

Post Race Lunch

I’m starting to get the hang of being a weekend warrior once again. Been through the route of Double Terrain Challenge twice before the race. One was a rainy day hike at Mount Paliparan last year and a recon hike on a sunny day a few months ago. It’s a totally different experience on wet and dry conditions. The last time we did the recon for the hike, it took us 2:30 on a walking pace and dry trails so I should shoot for a shorter time for this one. It’ll be a challenge this time as it’s been raining lately, which just means trail conditions would get wilder on race day. When it comes to trail running, you can be in the same route several times but it will always be a different experience.

Race Route and Elevation Profile

Race Route and Elevation Profile Powered by Suunto Spartan Sports WHR

Race Routes at Brgy Cuyambay Basketball Court and goes on a rolling descending trails to Tuuy for the next 5.5 kilometers. The race shifts to about 1.5 kilometer of river treks to Tung-Tong Falls before heading on a steep uphill for the 8th kilometer before heading to the finish line

The Race

Start of the Race – Photo by Jose Ramizares

I was the designated driver for this one, picking up Maica at C5, Jose and his friend at Quezon City and Master Del at Marcos Highway. It was a long drive to Tanay but we arrived before 5 am, catching the 25 Kilometer gun start and an hour before our own gun start. It was foggy and rainy heading to Tanay, which meant that it’s gonna be a wet race. I felt relaxed during the race since I am familiar with the race. I’ll be using my Hoka One One Speedgoat 2 for the first time and Suunto Spartan Sport WHR for GPS Tracking and Heart Rate Monitor.

Nice Seeing Carla and Jami of Dans during the race

The race started at 6 am and I started walking on the first few meters just to keep my legs warmed up. I started to speed up after a few meters before hitting the trails and. After just a few minutes, I knew this was gonna be a longer race than I expected. It was a really wet and muddy trail with some parts that can reach around the shin level. In 10 minutes, my shoes was all muddy and it was a drag for all of the runners as they lined up on some solid surface. I joined some of the runners in braving the mud and to cross to the other side of the trail where there wasn’t a queue.

Trail Chick Maica of Team Smart joined us in the run.

It was a really slow start because of the mud but we just kept on moving. 2nd-3rd kilometers were also muddy but we took advantage of some solid descending stretches to run. Compared to my past two times at this trail, this was the wildest in terms of surfaces. The drag was energy draining but I really wanted to make a good time on the first half of the race as the second half of the race would be the tougher part. It also started to rain, which was refreshing though it made the trails a lot more slippery. Even if the surface was challenging, I still appreciate moments like this because it keeps my mind active on the trail as I adjust on the trail surfaces. Running on the descents and keeping a steady pace on the climbs.

Just curious if this is the Hoka One One Speed Goat. – Photo by Jose Ramizares

Kilometer 4 and 5 was my Time to Fly. Since Hoka One One Speedgoat 2 is a downhill running shoes, I started to speed up on the descent. With a really cushioned feel and stable support, the blitz on the descent was not painful on the legs and the knees and the traction was also excellent to keep me from slipping. I am usually cautious on descents but after being slowed down by he muddy kilometers, I just wanted to make some time to catch on my time. Having a shoe with good traction and support can really give you confidence on the trail especially on wild conditions.

Time to Fly – Photo by Chard Akol

Arrived at aid station at Kilometer 5 in less than an hour, which was within my target time to reach the half way point knowing that the second part was the real challenge of the race. I took one hopia at the aid station, hydrated and of course one photo at my favorite spot in Tuuy.

My favorite spot in Tuuy with the Majestic Mount Pailparan at the background. – Photo by Chard Akol

It was a quick stop this time as the plan was to go consistent. The next two kilometers were river treks. Since it was raining the past few days, the water was a bit deeper and the currents were a bit stronger. My goal here is to stay steady and keep my heart rate low as I know once I hit Tung-Tong falls, it’s gonna be a pure climb. The river trek was a lot more difficult than expected as instead of just river crossings, it was walking / running against the currents. The river stretches were longer and deeper compared to the last time I was here. There were also a lot of boulders that added to the difficulty.

Trail Weaponry at its Finest – Hoka One One Speedgoat 2

How difficult were the river stretches for me? It took me faster to climb the steep ascent than trekking the river. It was nice seeing a lot of familiar faces and friends as we were meeting the 25K runners who are doing the reverse of our loop. It takes time to figure out my steps on the rivers and the boulders. I also slipped sideways on one of the bigger boulders, hitting my hips. Good thing, I was able to hang on to something or else, I could have fell off the boulder. I stood up immediately and was back on course. At kilometer 7, we hit Tung-Tong falls.

It was really nice influencing Amanda Fernandez of Solar Sports and Sparta to try out trail running and she also had a really memorable experience too.

There was a queue at the foot of Tung-Tong falls since the boulders were a bit slippery, we had to wait for the 25K runners descending the falls on the ropes before we came out. Safety first. It took a few minutes before having our turn to trek the falls and after a several level of the falls, we were on the steep climb. There were ropes, which gave a mental imprint on the difficulty of the climb. It was dry the last time and we manage to ascend the steep part without the ropes. The rope was helpful now since it’s a lot more slippery and given the degree of the ascent. I took the climb with several efforts at a time. I took around 20-30 seconds rest after several steps as my heart rate was rising fast. I’m starting to get the hang of managing my effort based on my heart rate based on Suunto Spartan Sport with Wrist HR.

Back on track – Photo by Jose Ramizares

It was a welcome relief after hitting the top of the climb. I still need to work on my climbing skills and reduce my rest breaks but I did make some progress compared to racing two weeks ago. It was back to the muddy trails and it was uphill this time. It was dragging once again and the part with the soft mud had me sinking almost knee deep. I couldn’t pull my leg out of the mud that I had to pull the back strap in my shoes to lift it. I tried to go for more solid mud grounds after that. I slowly made my way to the paved part and made a run for the finish line.

Finished! – Photo by Diwata ng Bicolandia

I finished the distance at 2:08, faster than our recon time the last time. Given the trail conditions, I’m happy with my time and I’m glad I pushed myself harder this time. Crossing the finish line is such a great feeling and I’m glad I’m doing this a lot more often now. Congrats to the Be Trail Ready Team for a great race.

Mission Accomplished

Categories: My Runs | Tags: August 6, Double Terrain Challenge, Hoka One One, Speedgoat, Tanay, Trail Running, Trails | 36 Comments

CM Challenge 2017

Posted on 31. July 2017 by Franc

Colorful 10K done.

It’s a colorful kind of dirty for me at Color Manila Challenge 2017. This time it wasn’t just about color powders but a bunch of obstacles as well. CM Challenge also came with a challenging rolling route using the McKinley West and Bayani Road Area. Of course, the run is just an appetizer for the wonderful color display at the Color Manila Festival. #ColorManila #CMChallengeAccepted #ILoveColorManila

CM Challenge 2017

Running with Z and Que for this one. – Photo by Que Gavan

I’m slowly switching back to the running lifestyle. Funny that I’ve always been on the trails and this is just my 3rd road run for the year. I just appreciate the slower pace at the trails plus the view that comes with it. Well, it was a last minute decision to join CM Challenge being given media slots last week. Two reasons I joined Color Manila. First, it’s Color Manila – it’s a really fun run at a very relaxed pace. 2nd is that it’s on a rolling course of McKinley West and Bayani Road. It’s one of the rare hilly course that can really help you work on those climbing skills. It should be a fun way to get my mileage this week.

Race Route

The race starts at McKinley West and heads out to Lawton, Bayani Road and a short section of C5 for the u-turn slot before heading back to McKinley West on mostly ascents in Bayani Road and Lawton.

The Race

Nice seeing Maica of Team Smart at CM Challenge.

I opted for the 10 kilometer distance since I’d love to try the route at Bayani Road again. McKinley Hills and Bayani Road were among my favorite training area before because of its hilly terrain. I’ve been to all the Color Manila Runs but this would be my first time to try the CM Challenge version. I came in early just to avoid the rush once the roads are closed since Milo Marathon would be occupying some of the roads from MOA to BGC including Lawton which is part of the race route. The mood was so chill that it didn’t feel like a run would be happening this morning.

Chill for the run.

I went with fellow bloggers Que and Z, who was planning to just do 5 kilometers but was able to convince them to join me in the 10K distance on a very relaxed pace. It helped that they ran out of 5K kits at the media tent too. The plan was to just go on a relaxed paced on the run. The group were separated into waves so there won’t be too much congestion on the obstacles. We placed ourselves in the middle waves. At gun start we made our way to the course and to the obstacles.

Inflatables

First we had to pass by the inflatables followed by obstacle color stations. The Pink one had us crawling. The green one had us going through the middle of the walls. The yellow one was a short wall climb. This all happened at the first 800 meters of the race before entering the Lawton area, which was also a portion of the route of the Milo Marathon. It was nice seeing some friends doing the Milo Marathon here. We took the chance of the descent to run heading to Bayani Road.

Color Me Green

Bayani Road gave us so many memories of races and training on this road. I used to run this stretch from McKinley Hill to Bayani Road until c5 at night. The route felt creepy at night especially it included the Libingan ng mga Bayani stretch, which was eerily silent at night. The other part of Bayani Road that we like is that it’s a rolling course. It’s not an easy one because of the climbs but this is the course I like. I like that it uses more muscle groups, quads on the climbs and calves on the flat and descent. We did a run walk on this part.

With Maica again at C5.

We took advantage of the descent to speed up heading to the c5 area at around the 4th kilometer. It was fun at a fast paced on the descent and it’s a good thing that the legs was cooperative for today. We were really running with no structure but we made some mini challenges like sprinting some stretches. It was my first time to hit the c5 area in the Bayani Road. There was about a 500 meters stretch in c5. One thing I noticed in the Bayani Road and C5 stretch, it was concrete. I guess, I’ve been running for so long already that I know the difference of running on asphalt and concrete.

We shifted to the grassy part to reduce the strain of the concrete grounds.

Concrete is a bit harder on the legs. On our way back, we took the grassy stretch in Libingan ng mga Bayani just to reduce the strain of the concrete grounds. The race has a new character on the way back as its mostly uphills. While we were walking some stretches, we challenged ourselves to run on the climbs. It felt exhilarating to run that steep 200 meters on the way back. We’d resume a relaxed pace again and look for another challenging terrain. We also run the last 500 meters heading to kilometer 7 before making our way back to Lawton.

Fun at the Color Stations.

We were surprised that there were still some runners being launched at this time at Lawton. We’re back at McKinley West area for the final 2 kilometers. There was a u-turn at Le Grand Avenue before heading back, which we also run just for the fun of it. After the u-turn, we’re heading back to the obstacle area with several more obstacles, the crawl at the orange station followed by the blue station. There was a climb at an inflatable followed by the slide before heading to the finish line.

Find the Hidden Franckee – Photo by Z Villarin.

We took the last few obstacles and then headed for the finish line looking like a colorful espasol at the finish line. I enjoyed the really chill pace as well as the challenges both from the race and our small challenges along the route. It was such a colorful way to add-on my training mileage for the week.

The Colorful Kind of Dirty.

Of course, the highlight of any Color Manila Run is the Color Festival so I’m leaving you with such a colorful visual display to cap off the event.

Categories: My Runs | Tags: 10K, CM Challenge, Color Manila, July 30, McKinley West, Running | 31 Comments

Salomon Xtrail Run Pilipinas 2017

Posted on 25. July 2017 by Franc

12K Worth of Muddy Trails

The Path of Most Resistance is “Putik.” Salomon Xtrail Run Pilipinas 2017 had a muddy twist this year with a wet and slippery course along Subic’s vast forest reserve. It’s gonna make you question your will, your sanity and your physical capabilities but once you’ve surpassed the difficulties, you know you had one hell of a memorable race.

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Salomon Xtrail Pilipinas 2017

Salomon Xtrail Pilipinas is not your usual feel-good race. It belongs to the category of a feel-tough race and is a league fn its own when it comes to degree of difficulty. Among my medals earning my two 24K Salomon Xtrail Runs in 2015 and 2016 would be among the most hard-earned ones as those were against tough terrains at rigid cutoffs. Even my first 12K Xtrail in 2014 had me at my limits at that time. Crossing a finish line in a Salomon Xtrail course is always a test of will power, physical limits, endurance and yes, sanity. This year, I decided to downgrade distance to 12K owing to a much busier schedule and even the drop of distance, I expect to go through a tough time especially since it is muddy season times and it was raining the whole day before the race.

Race Route and Elevation

Powered by Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR

Race starts at Maritan Highway and takes 2 kilometers of concrete along El Kabayo Road before entering the trail head. The route goes on a climb to the third kilometer before it goes on a rolling descent on the next two kilometers. The race then goes on a steep climb for a kilometer heading to the 6 kilometer u-turn mark before heading back along the same rolling terrain.

The Race

So Close for the 32K Championship

Since Salomon had a late gun start this year with 12K having a gun start of 1:30 pm, the media shuttle left for Subic at 7:30 am. I guess, this is one thing I like about this year’s race. I didn’t have to wake up early. Honestly, I’m under trained for this event but I’ll just try to be as consistent as I can get to finish the race. I’ll just run by feel and enjoy the course and yeah, just find a way to survive the muddy trails. The rain can really change the dynamics of the trails since the mud can be an added drag plus the slippery descents can be a lot tougher to hurdle.

It’s Time to Start!

We had our gun start a few minutes before 1:30 pm to leave some separation between the 6K gun start. It was nice seeing so many familiar faces like people from Nuun dirt school, Dans and fellow runners and bloggers. It’s among the most anticipated trail events of the year and you would practically see so many familiar faces on this race joining the different distance. As the race started, it was a two kilometer road run, which would probably be the easiest part of the trail. I joined the regular run pace at the start but had to slow down by the second kilometer since my heart rate was high and my shin splints is back. I shifted to a run walk set heading to the trail head. This would also help me ensure that I would have a more relaxed heart rate entering the trails.

Hello Dirt Schoolers!

The trail starts with a climb and a really muddy climb at that. Each step was a drag and each stride became heavier with the accumulation of mud in the shoes. Talk about the path of most resistance. Mud + Uphill Climb = Path of the Most Resistance. I tried to stick to my strategy of just being consistent on the climbs. One step after the other though it was really exerting a lot of effort on my part, which caused me to tire faster than the usual. I’m also having pains in my lower back on the climb. On the day I didn’t bring my trekking poles, I get such a challenging climb.

Muddy Times at the Trail – Photo by Jose Ramizares

The climb was mentally challenging and physically draining so when I hit the top of the hill, it was such a relief. Well, until I saw that people were converging on the steep and slippery descents hanging on the bamboo shoots and bushes. Ok, so much of the plan for blitzing the descent. I also got several cuts from hanging on the bamboo shoots. I went with the pace of the group on the descent and when the grounds were a bit firmer, I shifted to brisk walk to catch up on my time.

Picture Taking Break

When the path was separated for the 6K and the 12K, the first thought in my mind was, why didn’t I join the 6K distance. Well, I joined the 12K so I must strive on. After 3 kilometers the grounds were a bit firmer with a mix of descents and flat portions. I took the chance to recover a bit here and speed up a little. The next two kilometers was smooth sailing but I was reserving energy since I know it was an uphill climb heading to the u-turn slot.

It was nice seeing Charlle who was also a part of the Eat and Run adventure in Bacolod. She finished third among females in the 12K distance.

The last kilometer to the u-turn slot was the toughest part with the climbs seemingly endless and the trails shifting back to being slippery. It felt really exhausting but the trail must go on. I took breaks when needed to and it is this part that I am starting to meet most runners coming from the u-turn slot. Funny how one runner would say, it’s just 500 meters away and after doing several hundred meters, another runner would way it was 500 meters away and so on.

Tired. – Photo by Jose Ramizares

It felt like the longest 500 meters ever. I guess when you don’t train much just be ready to suffer. No excuses there. I just tried to held on, one effort after another. After I while, I reached a long stretch of stairs and that was the real sign that the u-turn is nearby. I took a few steps and rested a bit before taking another set of steps until I reached the top of the stairs and from there it was 100 meters to the u-turn slot and water station.

Mang Ramon has to be among my trail idol. At 60+, he still frequents the trails and was even leading me for most parts of the trail.

I took my energy gel on the u-turn and after drinking water, I headed back to the trails. The next kilometer was much smoother since it was a descent. I tried to recover here and also try to speed up. It was back to rolling terrains, for moderate climbs, I tried to speed up and for steeper ones, I had to mix it with a climb and a rest. Then there’s the really long steep climb back to the last 3 kilometers, which I did slowly just willing myself that this was the last of the tough part portion.

Meeting friends after the race.

It was down to the last 3 kilometers and it was also back to the muddy trails. This time I just went fast on the descent just relying on the traction of my Salomon Slab Sense 6 (I should have done this on the earlier descent). It felt like skating on mud and it was fun in some way plus I know the tough part was over. After hitting the road on the last 2 kilometers, I made another push heading to the finish line to finish the race.

It’s another unique and memorable Salomon Xtrail Run for me. It was such a sufferfest, which is my way of saying, I had fun! Great job Salomon for giving us another one-of-a-kind trail experience. Definitely, the path of most resistance is “Putik.”

Categories: My Runs | Tags: July 23, Salomon, Salomon Xtrail Pilipinas 2017, Subic, Trail Running, Trails, xtrail | 31 Comments

Soleus Cross Country Challenge 2017

Posted on 11. July 2017 by Franc

Back racing after 3 months

It was nice to be racing again. 3 Months away from the competitive environment of a trail race and it felt that I’m starting over again. It really helps that I’m in a familiar course and a really festive environment at Soleus Cross Country Challenge 2017 to help me endure the rigors and pains of a race once again.

Soleus Cross Country Challenge 2017

Pre race – Photo by Jack Morales

3 months away from races. That’s the longest time I haven’t raced for the past 7 years. There’s a shift in priorities and I’m again in a period of re-invention. I’m trying to build on my business though I still make it a point to hit the trails or the gyms on weekends. I’ve been missing the competitive environment. I’m jittery too that I may run out of gas in the race. The good part was that this was my second time at this race and 4th time at this course. I actually joined Team Soleus on the recon of the 21K distance last April even if I am only doing the 12K distance for the race. It’s a familiar territory and I could probably map out the course profile in my mind already. It’s just great to be back and let’s see how the story of this race unfolds.

Race Map and Elevation Profile

Race starts in Mount Sinai and goes over 2 kilometers of rolling terrain before entering Casile trails, which is about 4 kilometers of descent covering more than 400 meters of elevation drop. After the u-turn in the bridge, the race goes on a climb back to the finish line.

The Race

Sleepy – Photo by Reggie Cruz of Running Photographers

The day started early for me since I took the shuttle, which leaves at 2:30 am and reaches the venue before 4 am, which is more than 2 hours before gun start. I got my raceyaya timing chip and had to wait for the time. I was really sleepy at this time. It was nice to see familiar faces once again though I’m trying to stay low-key for the race. As the daylight came, we were treated to a really nice view of the mountains surrounded by the sea of clouds.

Sea of clouds

After a long wait, it was gunstart for the 21K and followed by our (12K) gunstart at 6:20 am. There was a dance warm up handled by the ever reliable Soleus people. It was a descent to start the race so I just tried to go with the flow and run on the descents and recover on the flats and ascents.

Fast start – Photo by Reggie Cruz.

I took this pace until I felt that familiar sting on my shin. Shin splints. I guess I’ve been so rusty that my legs had to adjust to the impact and rigors of running. I opted to use the second kilometer to warm up the legs by switching to a brisk walk pace. It would be better to slow down now than when I hit the 4 kilometer descents. The second kilometer had a few short climbs so the walking pace was just perfect.

Photo by Reggie Cruz.

There was a few meters of concrete before the long Casile trails. I decided to reserve my energy on the sweet descent. After the second kilometer I started speeding up. I used a run-walk set just to make sure, I don’t over strain my muscles. Gravity was on my side this time. The surface was a bit rocky and slippery. I tried to retrace firmer surfaces like the path which the motorcycles take.

Nice to see these Soleus Mamaws in the Casile.

This was the long and winding descent. This is the part to attack and just hope you still have energy when you get to the climbing part of the race. The kilometers were moving fast since it was free fall. I had several bad landings but good thing Hoka One One Speedgoat has excellent cushioning to reduce the impact of each stride. The perks of using a shoes that’s designed for downhill running.

Attack!!! – Photo by Reggie Cruz

Well, I’ve always be a klutz but that never stopped me from enjoying the trails. I just tried to focus on the surface and react on the shifts in trail conditions. The rocky part was the hardest as one misstep can lead to sprain or falling down. I just tried to use the firmer surfaces except when I needed to overtake.

Time to Fly – Photo by Reggie Cruz.

On the long descent, you also get to appreciate the views as you get to see the mountains at some vantage point. In no time, I was on my way to the base of Casile and about to go to the u-turn at the bridge.

Hanging Bridge – Photo by Jack Morales

I made my way to the bridge and on the way back I started running towards the other end of the bridge. This was a selfie hot spot so there are some congested stretches along the bridge. The real race begins at this point. It was time to climb. I took out my trekking pole and set my mind to “don’t-you-dare-give-up” mode.

Second half of the race – Photo by Jack Morales

It’s now a mental battle. Since I am familiar with this climb, I made several mental note. The first kilometer is the steeper part and the next 3 kilometers is a climb but has a few flat sections for recovery. I took a short hydration break at the store before the climb and it was time to climb. I went on a slow and continuous climb. I set a pace I can maintain without stopping. Since I haven’t used my poles in months too, I was relearning how to use it once again. At first, it felt like it was dragging me but later on, I rediscovered how to give me an added push.

Climb time – Photo by Jose Ramizares

I felt slower than I usually am on climbs but the good part was I never stopped on the climb. It was physically exhausting and it was a continuous mental debate to stop and just take it easy. The tougher side won and continued to push me towards the end of the climb. The last two kilometers was back on the rolling terrain. I just went at a consistent pace since I wanted to reserve energy for the final climb to the finish line.

To the finish – Photo by Jose Ramizares

I finished the race at 2:45 and I’m just glad to be back. This was always a challenging course because second half of the race is pure climbing but somehow, I look forward to challenges like this. It makes the finish even more satisfying. Ok, It’s time for some breakfast!

Categories: My Runs | Tags: Casile, Cross Country Challenge, July 9, Pintong Bukawe, Sinai, Soleus, Trails | 37 Comments

#TaleOfTheTrail Tung-Tong Falls (Brgy Cuyambay, Tanay, Rizal)

Posted on 4. July 2017 by Franc

#TaleOfTheTrail visits the 10K loop for the upcoming BTR Double Terrain Challenge on August 6, 2017. It’s a run-able loop featuring various views of Mount Paliparan. The route also has a river trail stretch heading to Tung-Tong Falls before it goes on an uphill journey. It’s newbie friendly… for most parts.

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Race Details for: BTR Double Terrain Challenge

Tale Of The Trail

After being away for a week in Taipei, I’m back! The first thing I did was to look for a trail this weekend. I was able to tag along the Be Trail Ready Gang to explore the 10K distance for their upcoming race on August 6, 2017. It starts at Brgy Cuyambay exploring the Paliparan trails heading to Tung-Tong Falls. We did a version of this trail before by climbing Mount Paliparan, which was a bit more technical compared to this one. The trail is newbie friendly and after being busy for a week with work, there’s nothing like a feel good trail to kick my return to the trails.

Map and Elevation

Map and Elevation Powered by Suunto Ambit 3 Sports

The route starts at Brgy Cuyambay Hall in Tanay, Rizal and proceeds directly to wide dirt tracks with rolling terrain to Tuuy at Km 5. The trail shifts to river treks with a mix of dirt tracks, river crossings, rocky paths and stony boulders heading to Tung-Tong Falls at Kilometer 7. The route shifts to a steep uphill climb for a kilometer before going back to rolling terrain heading back to Brgy Cuyambay.

Trekking Tung-Tong Falls

Destination Tung-Tong Falls

I met up with the Be Trail Ready Gang headed by DBB at Jollibee PhilCoa at 6:30 am before heading out to Tanay. They’ll be having a race called Double Terrain Challenge on August 6, 2017 at Brgy Cuyambay, Tanay, Rizal. We made our way to Tanay and arriving at Brgy Cuyambay around 8 am. If you’re taking the main road in Tanay, the road to Barangay Cuyambay is the road downward in front of Pico De Pino.

Wide dirt tracks for most part of the course.

The area is a familiar course for me since we did a reverse of this the last time we did Mount Paliparan. When we passed by this loop before it was muddy and running but it was really run-able. We started our recon mission from Cuyambay Barangay Hall and we immediately entered the trails. It was wide dirt roads for most part of the way. We went at talking pace since we had a lot of common plans with the BTR Gang when it comes to trail running. We do hope that some of those plans become a reality for the benefit of the community.

Tuuy

We barely noticed the time and we have already done half of the distance. We were in Tuuy. I find this place somewhat of a Switzerland kind of a view without the Alps, of course. The background is Mount Paliparan and it was beautiful. 5 kilometers done and I can say this was the run-able section of the trail. There were short climbs but it was still tolerable. We had our break for some food and fresh buko juice before we resumed the recon.

Same view of Tuuy a few months ago.

We resumed our run. This time it was on river treks with a mix of dirt roads, rocky paths, river crossing and some stoney boulders. We were a bit slower here because the surface was more technical and you have to plan out each of our step. There is also a slow ascent already at this point. I like routes being a bit technical because it keeps my mind thinking. It feels like a chess match where you have to plot your moves a few steps at a time. The area is a bit covered and the boulders was bit of a challenge.

A little bit of bouldering.

It took another 2 kilometers of river treks to reach the highlight of the 10K loop which was the Tung-Tong Falls. It’s in the 7th kilometer of the loop and it’s a really nice falls with a large basin of water for a dip. You can even jump at the top of the falls if you’re brave enough.

Tung-Tong falls.

We took a dip here and some even dived from the top of the falls. The water in the basin is cold, which is just perfect if you want to get refreshed from the heat of the sun. It’s also an excellent place to rest as the next kilometer would be a climb.

After a short swim in the basin of Tung-Tong falls, we went back to the trail. The first 7 kilometer was a breeze and this was the part that the route would slow down as the 7th kilometer is a really steep climb. It’s one steep climb after another so we took this one slowly but surely. It’s called Double Terrain Challenge after all.

Steep Climb

Anytime, you’re coming from a river or a falls, expect the the trail to go upwards. The steep climb is the section I love to hate yet somehow, I always look forward to this challenges. It defines the race and gives it a more lasting imprint. I take it one effort after another as I would rest after surpassing a steep section of the trail.

One effort after another

It took several efforts of digging deep and pushing myself. That was an exhausting climb but I do enjoy those huffing and puffing moments. The best views comes after the difficult part and I’ll let the photo below do the talking.

The scenic view after the climb.

We rested in a hut while awaiting the rest of the group. After the hut, it was back to the rolling wide dirt roads. We then headed back to the Barangay Hall to wrap up the recon. Yes, I can say that this one is a newbie friendly course. It has its share of challenges but it’s a doable course for the newbies just get ready to dig deep at kilometer 7. We finished it at around 2:30 and their cut-off time is 4 hours. We were in talking pace the whole time.

See you at BTR – Double Terrain Challenge

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Categories: My Travels | Tags: August 6, Cuyambay, Double Terrain Challenge, Tale Of The Trails, Tanay | 29 Comments

Cirque Du Soleil: Toruk Takes Flight in Manila

Posted on 26. June 2017 by Franc

If you love the movie Avatar, you’ll even love Cirque Du Soleil. You’ll get to learn about the Mythology of Pandora and be impressed by acrobatic display and overall story of the lives of the Na’Vi and the quest for the Toruk’s First Flight. It’s available at the SM MOA Arena from June 23 – July 2, 2017.

Cirque Du Soleil

Avatar was one blockbuster film years back. Toruk is a prequel and a more detailed view of the world of Pandora. At first, you just get to see a blank canvass in the MOA arena but once the show starts the world of Pandora unfolds right in front of your eyes. The performers make the acrobatic display seem like a piece of cake all in the guise of telling the story of the different tribes of the Na’Vi. The show seamlessly evolve from one part of the story to another with an impressive display of acrobatic, puppetry, effects, songs and dance. There was also a mobile app that have interactive feature that gave the audience a better feel of the show.

I was lucky enough to be a part of the premiere night of Toruk, the First Flight, last June 23, 2017, 8 pm at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. It’s my first time to watch a Cirque Du Soleil show so I’m not speaking as an expert in the field but just part of the regular audience who was awed by the visual displays and overall entertainment. I also won’t be spoiling any part of the story as I would highly recommend you to witness the show live and be entertained.

You really need to watch the show intently to appreciate the story line. Just watch the show and it would feel that you’re in the Pandora watching the quest and seeing the different tribes. Each tribe had a distinct feature and seeing each tribe gives you a wider perspective compared to the Avatar movie. Toruk is a prequel to the movie and shows how much bigger Pandora is compared to the movie.

There were puppetry and costumed animals involved as part of the story and it was just fun to watch. It was great to see the MOA arena transform from one scene to another. Among my favorite when the Arena transformed into an ocean and it did feel like one too. There was also a part where the side of the stage transformed into a cliff in the rains with landslide while the Na’vi struggled to climb as part of the story. Every scene is just amazing as it can transform in an instant as part of the story.

The story, scenes and the entertainment just evolved seamlessly in front of you. The mobile app also became a part of the effect as it had some light effects and color shifts to highlight some of the scenes. The songs and the dances were critical part of the story and gave Toruk so many aspect to appreciate. There was the acrobatics, to the effects, the performance and the music.

The show had an interlude in between to setup Act 2 and also to fully absorb the first part. Act 2 gets even better as the storied quest reaches a climax heading to the end of the story. At this time, you’d be glued to the show already and you start rooting for the characters in the hopes that they eventually fulfill their quest. You can feel the struggle and the shift in the moods and in the end, we get to see a satisfying but bitter-sweet conclusion. Hats off to the cast, who also got their tremendous amount of applause and appreciation on their final presentation.

Get to learn to speak like a Na’Vi.

You can also get to learn a portion of their language in the poster above. You still have a few days to catch a rare chance to explore the Pandora via Toruk, The First Flight since it’s still showing from June 23 to July 2, 2017 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. It’s an experience that you have to personally witness so catch it while it’s in town.

zola’u niprrte!!!

Categories: My Thoughts | Tags: Avatar, Cirque dU Soleil, Na'Vi, Pandora, SM Mall of Asia Arena, Toruk | 28 Comments

Run Comfortably with Drymax Socks

Posted on 23. June 2017 by Franc

Keeping your feet dry can really save you a lot of trouble with blisters and irritation. It keeps the feet comfortable as you make your way to the various surfaces (including wet ones). Drymax socks can keep your feet dry with a moisture eliminating fabric embedded in it. It also adds more cushion with a dual layer as part of the built of the socks Drymax is now available at Runnr stores.

Drymax

I got my first pair of Drymax socks late last year and it has been my go-to trail socks since then. At first, you’d be awed by the demo above and wonder how does one keep the water of the feet. Having your feet wet, especially on the early part of the trail and road runs could lead to blisters and irritations. Those little discomfort can accumulate and end up causing you a race or not being able to finish a trail. Having a good pair of sock matters especially on the trails as you get through different surfaces and also waters.

Muddy trail, who cares? Right?

Of course, the best way to try a new technology is to just go out there and get your feet dirty. Even before Drymax came, I’m really picky with my socks as there were races I had to deal with blisters and that’s a not a really good story to experience. The trails can really be wild and give you a lot of different surfaces. Muddy trail can drag your feet and even enter your shoes. River crossings can really get your feet wet and prolonged water exposure can lead to blisters. Soft rocky trails can have some debris on your shoes and can make it uncomfortable.

River Crossings can be fun!

I’ve been to a lot of surfaces with the Drymax socks including muddy trails and river crossings. Surprisingly, my feet was still dry. You’ll feet the water enter the foot but the wet feel isn’t there since the moisture is kept on the outside layer of the socks. I’ve been so used to the comfort of Drymax socks that when I wore ordinary socks and passed by a grassy surface with morning dew, I felt the moisture creep in the feet. That’s already a big difference.

I was so impressed by the comfort of Drymax socks that I got several more pairs when I saw them in Singapore. It was also good since it was on sale at that time. I’ve been on the trails for the most of the past few months and my socks is Drymax. I also like that it feels softer on the foot with its double layer construction. That’s specially helpful with the numerous steps I take on a trail run as it reduces the impact of each foot strike. It serves as a compression with a better fit and arch band support. The double layer construction also serves as a protective pad, which would keep the feet comfortable even when debris enters your feet.

Another aspect I like about Drymax is its durability. The first pair I had since last year still feels as good as new and I’ve been in the trails almost every weekend since then. There’s another good news when it comes to Drymax since it’s now available at Runnr Stores, which also means I got myself another pair of socks. The Lite Trail Running socks sells within the P500 to P600 price range and is definitely a good buy with its durability and effectiveness.

The trail is best enjoyed when you got to experience the different surfaces and with Drymax, I just worry about the run. It’s a comfortable socks that will keep your feet cool and dry even on the wilder trail conditions. They have also specific socks for running and triathlon.

Categories: My Thoughts | Tags: Drymax, Running, socks, Trail Running | 37 Comments

5 Coffee Places to Try in Baguio City

Posted on 20. June 2017 by Franc

Baguio has the perfect coffee weather and is now a home of a lot of excellent coffee places. While I don’t get to spend most of my time at home, I got a chance to coffee hop lately to come up with a list of must try coffee shops in the city and nearby.

Check Out

Another 5 Coffee Places to Try in Baguio City

Life is like a cup of coffee

If there was one thing common about my frequent visit to my hometown lately aside from exploring the trails, it was coffee. I was able to try several coffee shops in the city. The routine was simple, hit the trails in the morning and then find a coffee shop in the afternoon. It also just so happens that Baguio has been enjoying a really cool, foggy and rainy weather as of late. That’s the perfect ingredient for seeking warmth from a cup of coffee. I’ll narrow it down to 5 cafes though I’ll be mentioning some by categories.

Old reliables – Cafe by The Ruins and Choco-late de Batirol
Value for Money – Viscos and Citylight
Scenic Cafe – Cafe in the Sky
Hang-out locations – Sessions, Sessions Gallery and Coffee Library

5 Cafes to Try in Baguio

BZA Homearts Cafe

BZA Homearts Cafe is located at #37 1st Road Quezon Hill, Baguio City. The cafe gives you a nice living room setting with fireplace filled with Rhinestone Artworks all over the place. It’s a bit remote but it gives you a lot of IG worthy photos and a really relaxing atmosphere with its laid back and homey ambiance. Food varies from burgers, pasta, chips and some meals and they boast of some hot and cold coffees with excellent presentation.

Facebook Page: BZA HomeArts Cafe

Mount Kalugong Kape-an / Cafe

Technically, the cafe is not in Baguio since it’s in La Trinidad. It’s a few kilometers away from Baguio and is located at Mount Kalugong. It’s a kilometer’s climb from the foot of Kalugong Road (Near Benguet Memorial Service) but it also gives you the overlooking view of La Trinidad along with the rock formations in Mount Kalugong. They serve a wide range of coffee and really delicious cakes. It’s a good stop when you hit the trails or when you just want to have an excellent view along the mountains.

Facebook Page: Mt. Kalugong Kape-an / Cafe

Arca’s Yard

Arca’s Yard is located at 777 Tiptop, Ambuklao Road, Baguio City. It’s a hang-out place that has been converted into a mini museum, library and cafe. The place is filled with artworks and their library is soon to open. They have a generous serving of meals and cakes that matches well with their coffee. The thing that stands out with Arca’s Yard is the view of the mountains and the pine trees especially if you’re located by the porch or near the window.

Facebook Page: Arca’s Yard

Coffee and Pine

Coffee & Pine is newly opened and is fast to climb this list. Every corner of the place is just IG worthy. It also has an overlooking view of the mountains and the pine trees. They have a good mix of cakes, meals, sandwiches which is also well presented. They have their regular line of coffee and also have some unique mix of their own. I got to try the Blueberry Cheesecake coffee and its just coffee and dessert rolled into one. It’s located at 15th Street Outlook Drive, Baguio City.

Facebook Page: Coffee & Pine

Cafe Yagam

Cafe Yagam tops my list of must try with its Cordillera theme complete with wooden chairs and tables. It has a fireplace and bonfire area for the cooler months. In terms of meals, you can go safe with their burgers or really check out their Cordillera meals, which I may say is really rich in taste and flavor. They have coffee options and I like that they have slow brew available with beans that have been sourced in the Cordillera. Cafe Yagam is located at 25 J. Felipe St., Baguio City (near Hotel Elizabeth).

Facebook Page: Cafe Yagam

Coffee and the City

BTW, Afternoon Fogs have been common in my previous visits in Baguio City.

Well the list could go on and I could even do a part 2 of this in the future. What’s your favorite Cafe in the City?

Categories: My Thoughts | Tags: Arca's Yard, Baguio City, BZA Homearts Cafe, Cafe, Cafe Yagam, Coffee, Coffee & Pine, Kalugong Kape-an | 32 Comments

Anker is Now Available at Maximus Athletes Shop Cafe

Posted on 5. June 2017 by Franc

I’ve lost count on the number of times that I was on a trip and had limited sockets for my devices. There were also those times I’d be outdoor on the field or even on a long hike and ended up being battery empty. I’m glad that I’ve found Anker power ports and power bank to make sure I am able to power up my devices. Anker is now Available at Maximus Athletes Shop Cafe at Sparta Complex, 126 Pioneer Avenue, Mandaluyong City.

Anker

Checking in on a local hotel and find out that there are limited sockets to charge devices?
Getting into a foreign country with a different socket and can’t request too many adopters?
Going on a remote location on a trip with no available electricity?
Going on a long drive or trips with no available charging devices?
Spending a whole day on field and you have to keep your phone available for that crucial business call?

These instances happens so many times that we end up with empty devices we can use to contact people or for emergency purposes. I got too experience them too.

I travel a lot, whether for work, for recreation and even for a race and more often than not, there are limited electric sockets. I also commonly encounter the different power socket on international trips. Of course, I also get to tick off those bucket list locations and long hikes with limited or no power source. Then there’s those long drives and whole day field assignment where I try to conserve my phone’s battery for business calls and emergencies. The list could go on, I actually have limited number of available sockets too at home so I just alternate charging my devices.

I found Anker a few months ago and it solved all those dilemmas. Anker has power ports, power banks, car charging ports, cables and audio devices. Of course, there are other power charging devices so what sets Anker apart.

Anker has built in Power IQ. The Power IQ component of each Anker product help manage the flow of power to your devices enabling it to charge faster and at the same time, stop when the device is fully charge. This also solves overcharging issues.
It also has a multiple protect feature to keep devices safe from power surge and other short circuit issues.
With a faster charging time, it keeps the device more mobile and not being plugged in to chargers and ports all the time.
Multiple port to charge more devices faster.
More product options depending on your needs.

Here are some Anker Products and features:

Power Ports

There are Power Ports that can charge 4 to 5 devices at the same time. It really helps when there are limited sockets since there are more charging devices in a single Power Port. It also uses Power IQ to efficiently manage the flow of power and also not to overcharge your devices.

The main difference between the 4 ports and the 5 ports is that the 5 Ports has 2 ports with two Quick Charge ports, which can charge 4 times faster. If you are just a regular user, the 4 ports should be ok but if you are a power user, it might be better to go with the 5 ports.

PowerPort 4 – SRP 1,790 (Available in Black and White)
- 40W 4-port USB charging hub for phones, tablets & more.
- Fast Charging Technology
- Capable of charging 4 devices at the same time
- Surge protection, temperature control and more advanced safety features keep you and your devices safe.
- Compact look

PowerPort 5 with Dual Quick Charge 3.0 – SRP P2,790

Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 delivers charging speeds up to 4X faster than standard chargers. Anker’s proprietary PowerIQ and VoltageBoost combine to deliver the fastest possible charge to non-Quick Charge devices.
Anker’s exclusive MultiProtect system provides surge protection, short circuit prevention, temperature control, and more to deliver unbeatable protection to you and your devices.

Powerbanks

With more features in our phones, tablets and other devices comes the need for more energy. Anker has several variants with 5,000 mAh, 10,000 mAh and 20,000 mAh. Each devices usually would need 3,000-4,000 mAh for full charging so you can do multiple cycles of charging depending on the capacity. Some Anker powerbanks also have a faster charging speed, which would be a factor when you are a power user.

PowerCore Slim 5000 – SRP 1,590

Slim and sleek, the Power Core Slim 5,000 carries enough juice to charge your devices once or twice depending on your device. It’s also uses PowerIQ that has adaptive, max-speed charging for any device (up to 2A).

PowerCore 10000 – SRP 1,690

Power Core 10,000 is just about the size of a Credit Card and can charge your devices 3 to 4 times. It uses both Power IQ and Voltage boost to manage the power transfer and speed up the charging of devices. Also comes, with Anker’s Multiprotect System.

PowerCore Speed 10000 QC – SRP P2,290

PowerCore Speed 10000 QC has enough juice to fully charge your phones 3 to 4 times at an even faster pace. It charges devices 80% faster than regular powerbanks since it uses 3 distinct fast charging technologies. It also comes with surge protection, short circuit prevention, temperature control, and other advanced safety features keep you and your devices safe.

PowerCore+ 10050 – SRP P2,690

PowerCore 10050+ has enough juice to charge your device 3 to 4 times and charges even faster with its Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 port. It also recharges faster than other powerbanks. It also has Power IQ and Voltage Boost for faster charging and power allocation and also has the Multiprotect System of Anker. PowerCore 10050 also comes in Pink, Gold and Black.

PowerCore 20100 – SRP 2,990

PowerCore 20100 has two ports and capable of charging 7-8 cycles of your device. That’s probably enough power to charge your devices for a week. It also uses the Power IQ and Multiple protect technology to keep charging fast and safe.

Other Devices

Anker also have Power Drive car charges prized at P690 for Regular Car Charger with 2 Ports and P1,390 for Fast Car Charger 2 Ports that uses the same technology of their power ports. They also have Apple MFI certified Powerline Lightning Cable priced with P790-P990. They also have cables for other micro USB devices too.

Available at Maximus Athletes Shop Cafe

Anker is now available at Maximus Athlete’s Shop Cafe located at Sparta Complex, 126 Pioneer Avenue, Mandaluyong City.

Categories: My Thoughts | Tags: Anker, Car Charger, Power Bank, Power IQ, Power Port | 29 Comments

#TaleOfTheTrail MacRitchie Nature Trail and Reservoir Park (Singapore)

Posted on 31. May 2017 by Franc

MacRitchie Nature Trail and Reservoir Park

MacRitchie Nature Trail and Reservoir Park was a breath of fresh air in Singapore. It has long run-able trails on rolling terrains with a Tree Top Walk showing a higher view of the reservoir.

Tale Of The Trail

Unplanned! This how this Tale of the Trail starts. I was on a business trip but I decided to come a day earlier just to be with friends in Singapore. I had a small window on Sunday morning before I transfered to our designated hotel. It was a good thing I brought my Hoka One One Speed Instinct and a few running clothes. I always bring some running gear just for chances like this. I didn’t bring any hydration bag. I just used my Oakley pack-able bag to store a bottle of water and my other stuff. With a short window, I was planning to walk 45 minutes and go back the next 45 minutes to be home by noon. I took a cab to MacRitchie Reservoir Park to save time. Alternatively, you can take the bus to the park.

Map and Elevation

Map and Elevation powered by Suunto Ambit 3 Sport

Starting at MacRitchie Reservoir Park, it’s about 500 meters of paved paths going around the reservoir before entering the trail head. There’s about of 3 kilometers of ascending trails to the intersection. There’s another 2 kilometers of ascending trails heading to the Tree Top Walk. The trail descends for the next 2 kilometers where you can either head back to the old trail or take the outer trail, both of which takes another 5 kilometers back to the Reservoir Park.

Trekking the MacRitchie Nature Trail and Reservoir

After arriving at MacRitchie Reservoir Park, I immediately saw a lot of runners either cooling down or warming up for their run. The park opens at 9 am and I arrived at 10 am, which leaves me about two hours. Initially, I’ll just do whatever I can in 45 minutes and head back after. I started my walk from the reservoir park and a short climb after, I was at the reservoir. There were a lot of activities available at the reservoir from fishing, water sports and of course, hiking. I entered the trail head 500 meters into my walk.

I entered the trail head and I immediately felt at home with the forested trails. It was covered trails, dirt roads, rolling terrains which is slowly ascending. The place was filled with hikers and runners. The trails were run-able. I seriously would want to try a pure run on this loop sometime again. I started my walk slowly as I was just following the pace of the hikers. I’ll push the pace later.

The trails were about 3 kilometers from the trail head. It felt cool because it was covered by the forest. The ascents were spread out just right so it didn’t feel too tiring. There were also several descents along the way. It was also a cool morning so I didn’t have to hydrate much especially since I’m going at a very relaxed paced. I’m really enjoying the rich green view. The plan was to reach the end of the trail stretch and head back. Maybe I can do the tree top walk some other time.

Seeing Macaques is so normal in this trail.

I’ve reached the intersection in 45 minutes and I can now head back but I saw one road, which was just a kilometer away to Upper Thomson Road. It’s possible to do this loop and just take this way back and still be home by noon if I take the road back. I went on the trail heading to the tree top walk, which was another 2 kilometer stretch of ascending trails. I tried to push the pace a bit and I was now running on some stretches. It was still on covered trails, passing through a golf course and a little bit of road stretch.

I noticed people in front me rest 500 meters heading to the Tree Top Walk. I went on because of the time constraints. It was a steep 500 meter climb heading the tree top walk. The tree top walk was a 250 meter walk on suspended bridge with an overlooking view of the reservoir.

You can just see a glimpse of the reservoir, which is because of the rich forest reserve of MacRitchie. It was slower at this stretch as it was on suspension bridge and everybody was enjoying the view from this vantage point. There were also Macaques on the suspension bridge.

Hello There!

The bridge and the trail was one way from this point. After the bridge, there was a short descent followed by a longer climb on wooden stair paths. I took longer strides on the wooden paths just to finish this stretch faster. It was then descending wooden stairs and paths for the next kilometer and after one more kilometer of dirt roads, there were two alternative path. One lead to the old trail, which is about 5 kilometers and another which takes you to the outer trails and is about 5.5 kilometers. I took the way back to the old trail since that had an option for me to exit earlier given my time constraints. I’ll do the other loop in the future.

I went back to the old trail. I activated the navigation mode of Suunto to track back the old route until I reach a familiar area. I reached the intersection again and I had two options to take the exit which is just a kilometer to the main road or go back to the old trail, which is another 3.5 kilometers. By my estimate, it would take me 20-25 minutes longer on the old trail but I like the idea of finishing 12 kilometers for the weekend. I went with the old trail and since it’s mostly descending I just went on to run some stretches to finish the trail faster. I ended up finishing the whole loop including the stops and the sight seeing in two and a half hours. Not bad for a weekend hike.

I went back to MacRitchie Reservoir Park and I was already soaking in sweat. Well, an easy walk turned out quite a workout already and I’m glad even if the time was short, I was able to sneak in another Tale of the Trail. I took a cab back and it was time to prepare for the work part of the trip.

Read About:

Categories: My Travels | Tags: MacRitchie, Nature Reserve, Park, Reservoir, Singapore, Trail | 41 Comments

It was a wet and wild Double Terrain Challenge with Unli-Putik and Unli-Ilog. True to its name, it was a challenge indeed and a really great way to enjoy the trails of Tanay in a bit wilder condition.

Read About:

Double Terrain Challenge

Race Route and Elevation Profile

The Race

CM Challenge 2017

Race Route

The Race

Read About:

Salomon Xtrail Pilipinas 2017

Race Route and Elevation

The Race

Soleus Cross Country Challenge 2017

Race Map and Elevation Profile

The Race

Check Out

Tale Of The Trail

Map and Elevation

Trekking Tung-Tong Falls

Read About:

Cirque Du Soleil

zola’u niprrte!!!

Drymax

Baguio has the perfect coffee weather and is now a home of a lot of excellent coffee places. While I don’t get to spend most of my time at home, I got a chance to coffee hop lately to come up with a list of must try coffee shops in the city and nearby.

Check Out

Life is like a cup of coffee

5 Cafes to Try in Baguio

BZA Homearts Cafe

Mount Kalugong Kape-an / Cafe

Arca’s Yard

Coffee and Pine

Cafe Yagam

Coffee and the City

Anker

Here are some Anker Products and features:

Power Ports

PowerPort 4 – SRP 1,790 (Available in Black and White)

PowerPort 5 with Dual Quick Charge 3.0 – SRP P2,790

Powerbanks

PowerCore Slim 5000 – SRP 1,590

PowerCore 10000 – SRP 1,690

PowerCore Speed 10000 QC – SRP P2,290

PowerCore+ 10050 – SRP P2,690

PowerCore 20100 – SRP 2,990

Other Devices

Available at Maximus Athletes Shop Cafe

MacRitchie Nature Trail and Reservoir Park was a breath of fresh air in Singapore. It has long run-able trails on rolling terrains with a Tree Top Walk showing a higher view of the reservoir.

Tale Of The Trail

Map and Elevation

Trekking the MacRitchie Nature Trail and Reservoir

Read About: