Lessons From Camp Amihan

Posted on 24. September 2019 by Franc

Camp Amihan was an intimate trail talk and trail run session last September 22, 2019 at Camp John Hay. It’s nice to see fresh legs on the trails and impart a little bit of knowledge to the next generation of trail runners.

Previously on Trail Academy

We started Trail Academy last year and had two sessions in John Hay and 1 in Timberland. For 2019, we had the first session in Timberland last May 2019. Camp Amihan marks the return of Trail Academy to Camp John Hay Yellow Trails. While Trail Academy is now on its 5th staging over the past two years, we retained the intimate feel of the event with each pace group (Walkers, Moderate and Fast) being led by pacers.

Camp Amihan

Trail Academy returned to its roots at Baguio City for Camp Amihan with a Camp Out last September 21, 2019 and the regular trail talk and run on September 22, 2019. The event started at 6:30 am with the opening remarks and trail sessions led by Don Santillan on the following:

  • Avoiding Common Running Mistakes
  • All Weather Running
  • Training Secrets and Racing Hacks
  • Power of Positive Thinking on Races

Camp Amihan is presented by Trail Academy with Amihan Sports Gear as the title sponsor and supported by Amego, Lightwater, Vitamin Boost, Gu, Brooks, Drymax, Pinoy Trails, Coros and Active Pinas with John Hay Management Corporation and CJH Development Corporation as venue partner. For the price of P450, each runner had an Amihan Shirt, Cap and a Jade Belt. The event also launched Amihan’s new vest, The Samat and Amihan’s Flagship Race Amihan 50 Trail Ultra.

And The Lessons

I opened the event on behalf of Pinoy Trails and was also the lead pacer for the walkers wave. We had an easy time on the pace but we also had to insert several pit stops for talks in between.

The Trail is for All!

This is the very foundation of trail academy. Everyone, young and old and at whatever fitness level can hit the trails. To some extent, it has lower impact on the body yet can be a challenge especially on the inclines.

Surface Management

As we were starting our run, one of the participants, Rox said that since they were new that they were spending more time looking at the surface than the views. This leads us the importance of familiarity and trail time. The longer we are in the trails, the faster we react to the changing surface and terrains. It’s similar to how mountaineers can develop into good runners because they react faster on the trails. It’s one fun part of trail running, a huge part. Think of it as a chess game, where you have to plan your moves several moves ahead.

Climbs

Up next is how to manage the inclines. There are inclines that’s run-able and there are steeper ones, we’d rather power hike to conserve energy. We can use poles. We can lean forward a bit on the climbs to open up the lungs. We can even use our quads on the climbs to activate the upper body. We can also divide the climb into manageable sets. The key is to keep moving.

Pacing

Pacing is also another important part of the run. It helps that you are familiar with the course so you can conserve your energy on the climbs and attack on the descents. Think of it as having your own power meter you have to manage during the duration of the run as we you bonk, it would be harder to recover.

Course Familiarity

Familiarity is also important so it helps to get the GPX settings of a course especially when it involves time management. I made an example of our previous day hike at Mount Ulap, where I advanced every time people were taking photos and would rest on the next hot spot. By the time, they came I am fresh for the next climb. That helped me look strong on the climb but it was more on taking advantage of the knowledge of the course. GPS Watches like Coros and Apps like Amego can also help you on the navigation part.

Nutrition

Of course, I can’t give an experts view on nutrition but share some of my experiences on nutrition and injuries. Nutrition has been more of by feel for me as I don’t load up too much before a race but I use gels, bars and electrolytes to balance it up during the race. It’s best to try it when you train. I also use Lightwater as part of my daily drinks as its electrolyte component can help improve water absorption in the system.

Descents

We met up with the rest on the red fire hydrant at the upper part of the trails with the moderate group so it was a joint session. For descent, balance is key so it helps to use your arms to keep your balance. It also helps to remain aware of your surroundings if there are branches, twigs or rocks you can hang on to for support.

Dismissal

We all proceeded back to the event area and Scout Hill for drinks provided by Lightwater and Vitamin boost and some snacks. We also had some raffle items as an added treat to the runners. Til the next sessions of Trail Academy.

Photos From Nathan Modales and Cesar Leona Lesena jr of Active Pinas

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Be Race Ready With Potatoes USA

Posted on 4. September 2019 by Franc

Running a race is just a portion of the battle. The bigger chunk goes to those weeks of trainings and nutrition. Nutrition is the fuel that drives athletes to perform and be consistent on the road to athletic goals.

Running a Race

They say running a race is life changing. For me, it’s the training or the journey part that builds your character into a stronger person once you cross a finish line. You start with the build phase until the you reach your peak condition on race day. What happens in between is what’s important as you consistently log in the mileage of training, strengthening and mind conditioning.

The process in between requires consistency, dedication and proper nutrition. It’s not a one-way street where you just get stronger and stronger each day until your reach your peak. Your fitness journey is like a valley wherein you have to go to periods of recovery in time to climb your next peak. Nutrition helps you to be consistent throughout the whole process.

Nutrition in Training

Nutrition is a such long topic that’s best left for experts but let’s cover 3 items on nutrition that you get to encounter when you train.

  • Carbohydrates – They provide energy for your muscles and fuel for your brain.
  • Potassium – They are needed for proper muscle, cardiovascular and nervous system function.
  • Calories – They are the source of energy.

What’s a good sources of these items? You would get a good mix with Potatoes USA.

A by-the-numbers look at how potatoes can power athletic performance*:

  • 26 grams of carbohydrate: Count on the quality carbs in potatoes for optimal mental and physical performance.
  • 110 Calories for Energy: Easily digestible and more energy dense than any other popular vegetable, potatoes are a good choice to fuel the demands of racing a triathlon.

*Source: https://www.potatogoodness.com/performance/

Potatoes USA

Carbo-loading has been a normal habit for me before a big race or a big workout.  I need to have enough fuel to sustain the rigors of the workout.  There’s also a common misconception that carbo-loading equates to pigging out.  Like anything else, proper nutrition requires balance.  You consume too much, you feel bloated and when you consume too little, you end up low on energy.

In search of the right mix of nutrients, potatoes trump other options. They’re a high quality, nutrient dense source of carbohydrates and potassium.  Carbohydrates are the energy source for our muscles and the brain, and we quickly burn our carbs when we workout.  Potassium is needed for proper muscle, cardiovascular and nervous system function.  It helps the system function better and is also an electrolyte that helps improve water retention in our system to avoid dehydration.  Though bananas have been common in most race, potatoes are a better source of nutrients with a higher potassium content.

Potatoes are a healthier addition to our basic carbo-loading ritual.  They are even easier to prepare and add to meals.  I simply boil or roast potatoes. They keep me energized for a workout and give me enough energy for the regular day to day routine.  Since training is a cycle, potatoes can also speed up the recovery process from the strains of training and get me ready for the next set of workouts.  

Aside from potassium, the potatoes are also an excellent source of vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant vitamin that helps protect cells from damage and maintains a healthy immune system. It can help fight off colds and viruses.

Potatoes are also a good source of Vitamin B6 and contain protein and fiber.

With only 110 calories in each medium U.S. potato, athletes will find a highly nutritious, low-calorie superfood that can be consumed daily. These power-packed potatoes are readily available in local supermarkets.

Follow Potatoes USA

For more information on U.S. potatoes, and how it can power up physical and mental performance, visit the Potato Goodness website or like and follow Potatoes USA-Philippines on Facebook.

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Worth the Dirt at Mafate Mudfest

Posted on 30. August 2019 by Franc

Mafate Mudfest was a character-building race for the runners and for us as well. It was a series of challenges but at the end of the day, it’s worth the dirt.

Mafate Mudfest

If you asked me two months ago about Mafate Mudfest. It was people enjoying the wet muddy trail on a rainy season. Despite it being tougher, participants would find the kid within them to enjoy the steep slopes, unlimited ascents and basically earn their way towards the finish line. The universe did conspire to give us a race we truly wanted and give the runners a memorable race experience. Worth the dirt indeed.

There’s so much we put into races that it never feels like routine. We embrace the challenge and sometimes, whine about it but each passing struggle gave us a better appreciation of the outcome. It will never be easy but it will always be worth it as long as we keep people dirty, healthy and happy.

Sponsors


When it comes to sponsors, we as blessed as the downpours that came before race day. We have Hoka One One as the title sponsor with its Mafate line at the helm, which was a perfect mud slugger for the event. Timberland Heights has been a home for our events and recons for over a year now. The views and trails of Timberland never grow old because we always discover new routes and new ways to appreciate it. With Hoka comes the support of Toby’s, Runnr, Oofos, Ziv and Fuelbelt. Of course, we also have Amihan Sports Gear as our gear partner and Globe also provided the tents for the Aid Station and Staging Area.

In terms of nutrition and hydration, we’re loaded with the usual generosity of Lightwater, Vitamin Boost and Emco Musli, Vitargo manning the aid stations. We also had Kaffea for coffee and ice cream, Fitbar, Black Mamba, My Daily Collagen, Partea.

For registration, clock and timing, we had My Runtime as Registration, Garmin for the Clocks and Race Tech for timing.

We also had Glairold Recella, Active Pinas, CN Creatives and Graphical Beginnings as volunteer photographers. Video coverage was handled by A&J Visuals and Spektra Productions.

The Route

The route was a bit tricky for Mafate Mudfest. With so many races happening at Timberland, we wanted a different feel of the race. So instead of taking the usual route, we opted for the steeper climbs and descents and a higher elevation gain. We also switched the start area for faster access of the trail. It was a much tougher route and when you add water, it’s a total adventure.

We also had several rounds at the trail at various weather conditions and it felt safe though remains challenging. We also have a back up route just in case the continuous rains made the trails not passable. I remember when we had one of the recons and I was describing the route to those joining, I keep saying the word, “paakyat”, uphill, etc. Hope you enjoyed the race!

The Weather

I think the weather was one of the bigger challenge in selling the race with a lot of people shying off the race on rainy months. At the same time, we wanted to tell people that trail running is an all-weather sport. Once you start getting comfortable with the traction of your shoes and take in the few slip and slides, it’s fun to run at this time of the year.

We were monitoring the weather all week and if worst comes to worst, we had a back up date just in case. We had a fun recon in the rain on August 21 and the rains continued days after. One day before the race, it was drizzling and raining at some time during the day though it was much worst around Metro Manila. It was as if the universe conspiring in giving us a total mudfest. We made sure that our setup would have enough spaces in tents for the participants just in case it would rain all day but thankfully, it didn’t. Race day, the weather was much better with only a few drizzle during the day so I guess we were blessed.

The Race

Photo by Graphical Beginnings

The race went even better than expected with the weather really cooperating. It was nice sending off one distance after another and we were comfortable with our markings since we had different colors for different distance, directional markers and marshals in key intersections. So that’s three reasons not to get lost during the race.

It was also fun seeing kids joining the race and when we say kids, it’s not the 8-10 years old joining the race but it was the 4, 5, 6 years old joining the race this early. It’s always our wish that we can really hold bigger kid races just to bring back the times where kids can get dirty and have fun.

We went with premium inclusions all the way with quality singlets, trucker caps, towels, mess bag and medal that they can keep as a remembrance of this race. We also had several videographers and photographers there to document those priceless moments. More than anything else, it’s those moments in the trail that we’d want to create for people to see and appreciate the outdoor lifestyle.

Hope you had an epic adventure at Mafate Mudfest.

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Hoka One One Speed Goat 3 vs Evo Mafate

Posted on 30. July 2019 by Franc
Evo Mafate vs Speedgoat 3

I’ve been alternating Evo Mafate and Speedgoat 3 this year. Both have been an excellent addition to the armory and here’s my take on these two Hoka Trail Shoes.

Read About

Time to Fly

I’ve been a fixture on the trails on weekends. I’m way past the phase of running fast on the trails but I still am passionately enjoying my time with the dirt. So I usually go on 10 – 24 kilometers on weekends depending on the trail or if I’m preparing for something. Here’s a comparison of two of my dependable partners.

https://www.facebook.com/HokaOneOnePH/videos/2311165325629670/

Speedgoat 3

Finishing Translantau 25K

Speedgoat 3 has been my go-to race shoes and it’s also the shoes I’ve used in finishing Translantau 25K earlier this year. Having transitioned from Speedgoat 1 to Speedgoat 2 then to Speedgoat 3, it didn’t take long for me to feel comfortable with the new Speedgoat. In a nutshell, SG1 gave a better ground feel but SG2 was more cushioned. SG3 is a combination of both with a soft cushy feel with a better ground feel.


Since I’m not a fast runner, it also means I have more ground time whenever I’m on the trail so it helps that it soft on the heels with its enhanced heel support to reduce wear and tear. It’s also more compact than the previous Speedgoats reducing unnecessary movement when you run. It’s slightly heavier than previous Speedgoats at 10.3 oz but it makes up for the weight with a better fit.

I’m comfortable with the traction of Speedgoat 3 across all trail surfaces with its vibram megagrip outsole and multi-directional lugs. I’ve been to rocky and stony surfaces at Hong Kong, Muddy treks at Timberland and Capananan. It also remains comfortable on road. It’s mesh upper gives a more breathable feel and also functions as drains to river treks. One drawback of the Speedgoat 3 is that it does have a compact toe box so you can just go half a size bigger if you need more space.

Evo Mafate

Evo Jawz

Evo Mafate is a more muscular version of Evo Jawz. Evo Jawz had the best traction that I’ve tried on the muddiest treks including a rainy day race at Mount Ayaas last year. The drawback is that it’s not designed for longer distance runs since its minimalist and is not as durable as other Hokas. So when you ask the shoe Genie to give you a shoes that has the traction of Evo Jawz and the built of Speedgoats, then you have Evo Mafate.

If Speedgoat 3 is my go-to shoes on a sunny day, Evo Mafate is my go-to shoes on a rainy day. It’s a mud slugger with its vibram megagrip outsole, aggressive lugs and rubberized composition that can go on the muddiest surface and retain traction even on wet rocky terrain. Since it rains a lot, I’ve shifted to Evo Mafate and it just gives me more comfort to move around on wet and muddy trails. I’ve gone to enjoy a mud-slugging day on the trail since it’s a lot cooler and the lugs just keeps me grounded.

One drawback is that it’s not as soft and cushy as a Speedgoat but its still good to go. Let’s just say, I’m just so used to that soft and cushy feel of Speedgoats. It’s lighter than Speedgoat 3 at 9.6 oz and retains a good ground feel. The upper fabric of the shoes is just built for the wet trails with faster drainage and more breathable feel. It also has a wider toe-box than the Speedgoat 3.

My Weapon of Choice

I’d go with the Speedgoat 3 as my race shoes since I would always go for that soft cushy feel but when on rainy days and muddy trails, it’s Evo Mafate for me.

Categories: My Thoughts | 1 Comment

Massage Guns Equips You to Beat the Pain Away

Posted on 18. July 2019 by Franc

As we train our way through the bigger battles, we accumulate some stiffness all over the body and it impacts our mobility. Muscle pains and stiffness is Public Enemy Number 1 when it comes to reaching our athletic goals and it’s time to Bring in the Big Guns… Massage Guns!!!

Massage Guns Philippines

There’s nothing more life changing than chasing athletic goals, whether it’s chasing a first 10K sub 1 time, going for your first 21K or 42K distance, venturing into multisports or even just trying to outlast your way through a 50 kilometer trail run. I’ve chased each goals one by one over the past few years and if there was one thing in common, it was that I had to endure muscle pain and stiffness along the way. Recovery is always part of the process.

Massage Gun V1

Having those stiffness in your legs is like running with weights strapped on your legs so you have to find away to loosen them up. For me, I usually go for foam rollers, myotherapy, dry needling, massage and others regularly. Then there’s Massage Guns! Massage Guns is your handy tool to help you on recovery as it increases blood flow, clears lactic acid, breaks up scar tissues and knots and increases your mobility

Massage Gun V2

Massage Guns is now in the Philippines and they have to version to choose from. Massage Gun V1 retails at P16,999 while Massage Gun V2 retails at P21,999. Yes, I know it’s a bit pricey but so is getting injured or having treatments and as they say, your body is your temple. You owe it to yourself to treat it well after going through the rigors of training. Crossing those finish lines are priceless.

For more information and orders you can visit the following:

  • Website: www.massagegunsphilippines.com/
  • Facebook: @massagegunsph
  • Instagram: @massagegunsphilippines
  • Email: recoveryphilippines@gmail.com
  • Office: 10F vOffice One Global Place Taguig, 1632, Philippines
  • Office number: +639664637210

Massage Gun V1 – P16,999

V1 brings you 6 speeds ranging from 900 – 2700 strokes per minute you can choose from to slowly loosen up those tightness. It operates with 2x Lithion Ion Batteries that can work for a full hour combined. It also comes with a large ball for warming up, a soft ball for multipurpose use and a cone for trigger points.

Massage Gun V2 – P21,999

Massage Gun V2 operates on high torqued brush-less motor to provide a quiet and relaxed atmosphere. It operates on 3 speed (1,800, 2,400, 3200 strokes per minute) with 8 different attachment including a unique Double Ball™ attachment perfect for riding along your calves, shins or spine. It has a battery life of 4 hours of usage.

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Carbon X Debuts at Hoka All Star Run in Subic

Posted on 4. June 2019 by Franc
Hoka All Stars Test out the record breaking Hoka One One Carbon X Shoes

Carbon X is a game changer for Hoka One One with a cushioned, lightweight and responsive carbon plated sole designed to bring in the speed in each run. It made its debut on Philippine soil via the Hoka All Star Run at Subic Bay on June 1, 2019.

Carbon

Athletes all around the world stayed tuned in for hours for Project Carbon X last May 4, 2019 where Hoka Global Athlete Jim Walmsley set the new world record for the 50 miles and Hoka Relay Team breaking the 100 kilometer world relay record. At the helm of the record breaking event was the new Hoka One One Carbon X Shoes. Carbon X, a racing shoe that embodies the impossibly-cushioned, impossibly-lightweight construction pioneered by Hoka.

Hoka Athletes

With a record-breaking shoes comes the growing anticipation for various athletes from road runners, ultramarathoners and triathletes to test out Carbon X. Hoka All Stars, which is a collection of athletes and ambassadors from triathlons, ultramarathons, road and trail running, finally got to try out Carbon X last June 1, 2019 at Subic Bay for the Hoka All Star Run.

Hoka Ambassadors Cai Gecana and Vanj Endaya

The Hoka All Star Run was part of the Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 weekend but before the main event was Hoka’s Carbon X Time to Fly. The different ambassadors and athletes of Hoka One One Philippines were introduced and got their own pair of Carbon X shoes. The common theme was the athletes and ambassadors were overwhelmed with glee as they slowly unboxed their shoes.

Hoka Road and Trail Ambassadors Mai Bautista, JC Igos, Icar Hiponia and Noy Gentoleo.

It was time to fly for the record-breaking shoes as everybody went on a test run. With an impossible cushioned feel, Carbon X is among the shoes that does not need much break in period. It’s also impossibly lightweight at about 8.5 ounces and has carbon plate partnered with Meta-Rocker geometry for more explosive and responsive stride and returns. Carbon X has a meshed upper to ensure more breath-ability to keep feet fresh even on the long runs.

Sprints

What’s a speed shoes without the sprints? To highlight the effectiveness of Carbon X for speedier run situations, there were several one on one sprint challenges just to give the athletes the feel of comfort and responsiveness of the shoes on speedier conditions. Despite the intimate feel, the sprint had participants rooting for each other. After the run, the Hoka All Stars were both impressed with the Carbon X and excited on how it would help them improve on their runs and chase new records. After all, what’s a record breaking shoes without chasing new running goals?

I’m also excited for Carbon X as its stays true to the Hoka Maximalist cushioned feel yet remains impossibly lightweight at just 8.5 ounces. In terms of progression, I’ve got to appreciate how the cushioning of Hoka can really save a lot of wear and tear on the legs . It also didn’t take a lot of getting used to as each stride is soft and cushy yet gives a powerful return with its meta-rocker geometry promoting mid-foot landings. Well that’s my first impression and I hope to do a more comprehensive review when I gain more mileage with the shoes.

Carbon X is available online via Tobys.com (https://www.tobys.com/collections/hoka-one-one-carbox-x).

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FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Champions in Boracay

Posted on 30. May 2019 by Franc

Japan reigned supreme in the Women Finale for FIVB Beach Volleyball Tour with Satono Ishitsubo and Asami Shiba topping the All- Japan Finals Match while Thai Team of Narongdet Kangkon and Banlue Nakprakhong topped the Men’s Category and preventing a sweep by Japan of the top prizes.

All-Japan Women Finale

BORACAY –  Satono Ishitsubo and Asami Shiba made short work of Sakurako Fujii and Minori Kumada, 21-14, 21-18 to capture the gold medal in an all-Japan finale Sunday in the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Boracay Open presented by Globe at the White House Beach Station 1 here. 

Shiba capped their unbeaten run with Ishitsubo in the four-day tournament organized by the Beach Volleyball Tournament with a drop shot to foil Fujii and Kumada’s bid to extend the match.   Chalking up their second career victory, Shiba and Ishitsubo displayed their superior skills on offense and defense that made them No. 86 in the world in front of a packed Sunday crowd that filled the beachfront in this island resort’s first sporting event since last October’s reopening.       

In the semifinals, Japan assured of winning a second straight Beach World Tour women’s gold in the Philippines as Ishitsubo and Shiba swept Brittany Kendall and Stefanie Weiler of Australia, 21-16, 21-17, and Sakurako and Kumada topped Tjasa Jancar and Tjasa Kotnik of Slovenia, 21-15, 18-21, 19-17. Kendall and Weiler nipped Jancar and Kotnik, 24-26, 21-13, 15-13, to claim third place.

The Philippines matched its fifth place finish in the Manila Open last year behind Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons. The country has shown improvement in the Beach World Tour, with Bea Tan and Dij Rodriguez making it to the Round of 12, while Jackie Estoquia and DM Demontaño putting up a tough fight against the tough Russian pair of Ekaterina Filina and Ekaterina Zazhigina before exiting in pool play.

Thai’s Rally to Get Men’s Gold

Narongdet Kangkon and Banlue Nakprakhong of Thailand took the men’s gold by topping Japanese qualifier Yuya Ageba and Nobuaki Taira, 19-21, 22-20, 15-8.   The Thais rallied in the second set after their opponents first reached championship point to force a decider which they dominated.      

Ageba and Taira overcame Simon Baldauf and Maximilian Trummer of Austria, 21-17, 16-21, 15-12, in a thunderstorm-delayed semifinals while Narongdet and Banlue thwarted an all-Japanese men’s final with a 18-21, 21-18, 19-17 win over Jumpei Ikeda and Katsuhiro Shiratori. Ikeda and Shiratori rallied from a set down to outlast Baldauf and Trummer, 16-21, 26-24, 16-14, and clinch the bronze medal.

The event was made possible with the collaboration of Beach Volleball Republic And FIVB together with its partners E-plus , Globe, Havaianas, Royal Air, Chic n Honey, Mikasa,One of a Kind Marketing, MASA Ati School, LGU of the Municipality of Aklan,Boracay Island Water Company, Foton Philippines,  Standard Insurance , Boracay Foundation Inc., DILG, DOT, DENR, White House Beach Resort , Azalea Home Of the FIVB Ph National Team and LVPI. ABS-CBN is the media partner for this event.

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Behind the Scenes at Itogonia 2019

Posted on 29. May 2019 by Franc
Second time at the 8K route this weekend

Itogonia 2019 was another round of suffering over the high altitude and terrains of Camp John Hay and Itogon made even tougher by the rain.

Itogonia 2019

Race briefing over bonfire

Itogonia 2019 felt more like a festival this year with more distances and events during the weekend. I always liked Camp John Hay as a venue area as it’s an accessible trail location and has a “sleepy hollow” feel that’s nostalgic and doesn’t grow old. The kit claiming was at the Forest Bathing Entrance near Scout Hill while the race briefing was at Illi ay Cordillera, which is just beside the manor and nearby Scout Hill and Bell House.

With Maica

Illi ay Cordillera had a nice intimate local feel for the race briefing over a warm bonfire on a cold afternoon. RD Don discussed the key junctions for the different categories. We then returned to the kit claiming area to set up the Pinoy Trails booth. It rained in the afternoon and that changes the dynamics of the trail in an instant.

The Race

For this year, I was purely supporting the race and didn’t officially join the race. The race setup was great with A-Boards being assembly areas as well as border to give runners a better feel of the finish line. We were there before the 42K runners, which would be a first time category. This one is especially challenging since the runners have to scale Mount Bidawan, have a vertical trail after and also have the long climb back to Baguio from Itogon.


With Papi Jonel

Up next was the 32K distance, which remains challenging with the fast and technical descent at the start of the race, the climb to the spillway and the long climb back to Camp John Hay.

With Rons and Celso Nebre

16K also shared the challenging climb heading back to Camp John Hay. Before the 16K were launched I decided to revisit the 8K route which was freshly marked before the race. The 16K, 32K and 42K routes all take the upper part of the Yellow Trails while the 8K route will be taking the lower part of the Yellow Trails. I was just in the trails two days before and it’s a different feel because of the rains.

With Naima

After about 30 minutes in the trails, I was surprised to see a pack of 16K runners sharing the route since the markings were purely 8K blue at this point. I immediately reported the case to the RD so they can resolve it immediately. Come to think of it, it was just the same distance heading to the Itogonia entry point whether you take the upper or lower trails. I even directed some runners who seem to miss out on following the markers.

16K, 32K and 42K runners direction arrow

Once I reached the area near the steep fire road, I noticed no one was there to direct the runners though there were markers and directional signage. There were; however, an alternative route near the signage, which I blocked off with twigs and branches. I decided to stay in the area until I am sure that all the 16K runners were directed to the right course.

Running in the USA

I then headed to the steep climb, which I was able to breeze to because I was fresh from waiting for all the runners at the lower part. Normally, I would huff and puff my way through this steep climb as some stretches are about 15-20% inclines. Up next was the Embassy area and the Forest Bathing Trail heading to tree top adventure. This is among my favorite part of the trail because you can see the mountains of Itogon from a higher vantage point.

I made the turn at the red fire hydrant and then I was on my way back. At this point, the lead pack of the 8K were already on this stretch and they were really fast. I headed back to the upper part and saw the recon team of the group replenishing markers just to ensure that those returning from the Itogon sections are properly guided. This was the easy part as it was mostly flat except for the final climb back to the event area.

Once back in the event area, I gave my inputs on my observation and most of them have been addressed already. I stationed myself at the Pinoy Trails booth or at times assisting in various chores. By 11 am, the rain came and it came pouring real hard. While running in the rain is a hard thing, getting the program in play while it rains is equally difficult especially in an outdoor environment. We were able to award the 3K distance before the rain and had to halt the 8K awarding until the rain weakened.

Soaking in the rain

So we resumed the program and slowly awarded all the prizes. Hats off to the volunteers and marshals who got soaked in the rain and yet were still in high spirits and performing above the call of duty just to make sure that the race goes on. It would be fun running in this weather especially with the additional slip and slide that comes with it.

Naima finishes strong on her 32K

The top finishers were really fast but for most runners, we had to play the waiting game. The cutoff time were sufficient but was still a challenge especially with the rain. Early in the afternoon, I moved back in to the trail to welcome runners back to the finish line. It’s one of the best vantage points when you want to see the anticipation, the passion and the shift from a state of fatigue to the joy of victory. Most runners were running on muscle pain, cramps and fatigue but you can see their face beam with pride on overcoming such a tough race.

Maica finishes her 32K distance

It was also nice to see friends and hear about their stories. It was not an easy trail as I’ve seen the route first hand in the recons. The distance felt longer than their actual distance because of the climbs and the technical aspect of the race. I had less involvement this year compared to last year but glad to see how Don’s team improved a lot in terms of staging. As one participant told me, it was one-of-a-kind experience and I guess that’s the ingredient of an epic race. As Kahlil Gibran once said:.

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.”

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It’s Ph vs The World in FICB Beach Volleyball World Tour in Boracay

Posted on 21. May 2019 by Franc

Top Philippine Beach Volleyball Teams gets to test their mettle against the world’s top team as the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour goes to Boracay on March 23-26, 2019.

FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour

Beach Volleyball Republic (BVR) returns in blazing fashion to host the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Boracay Open 2019 featuring 48 teams from countries all over the world from May 23 until May 26 at the White House Beach, Boracay Station 1. The games will be shown on ABS+CBN S+A.

Twenty-eight teams will be competing in the Men’s Division while 20 pairs will dispute supremacy in the Women’s Division for the tournament that is being held in the country for the second-straight year.

The Philippine contingent for this year is composed of three pairs for the Men’s Division and five for the Women’s Division

Competing in the Women’s Division are Negrense pair Dij Rodriguez and BVR founder Bea Tan; UST’s Genesa Eslapor and Belove Barbon; Iloilo’s DM Demontano and Jackie Estiquia; the Iloilo and Negros connection of Fiola Ceballos and Patty Orendain; and the team of Bernadeth Pons and UAAP Beach Volleyball queen, Sisi Rondina.

Leading the battle in the Men’s Division is the Cebuano pair of Jade Becaldo and Mike Abria. They will be joined by the likes of teammates Ranran Abdilla and Jesse Lopez and the pair of James Buytrago and Anthony Arbastro, who hails from National University (NU) and University of Santo Tomas (UST) respectively.

Winning teams will earn points and get a shot at joining the prestigious FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Finals.

The FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour is the new system which employs star points for the biggest circuit of beach volleyball in the world. Teams that accumulate certain points from competing in tournaments that enables them to earn star points over a total of 47 tournaments in a calendar year.

Aside from the three-day tournament, BVR is also spearheading a beach cleanup drive at Boracay along with a Sandroots Beach Volleyball workshop with the players teaching aspiring youth about the sport.

BVR had another calendar year in 2018, where it successfully staged nine two-day tourneys, visiting provinces and their breath-taking beaches in Ikthus beach, Ilocos Sur, White Beach, Puerto Galera, Sta. Ana Cagayan, Bantayan Cebu, Blue Beach Dagupan, Legaspi, Gran Ola Surigao, Lio Beach El Nido, and Dumaguete, while also holding a National Championship tourney and a FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour leg.

Bea Tan, one of BVR’s founders expressed gratitude to the organizations and athletes that believe and support in BVR’s mission to grow the sport in the Philippines and that one of the biggest achievements for the girls who built BVR was the holding of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour leg for the second year in a row.

“We’re looking at this FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour as a long term project. We want to annually be able to hold this big tournament here which is not only an opportunity for our beach volleyball aficionados but for the international community to take notice of the Philippines’ potential as a beach volleyball hub,” she shared.

For news and updates on the tournament, head to sports.abs-cbn.com or follow @abscbnsports on Facebook and Twitter. Follow @BeachVolleyballRepublic on Facebook and Instagram, and @bvr_ph on Twitter.

The event was made possible w the collaboration of Beach Volleball Republic And FIVB together w it’s partners E-plus , Globe, Havaianas, Royal Air, Chic n Honey Mikasa and One of a Kind Marketing. And Abs cbn being the media partner for this event.

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Pinoy Trails Camp Out and Hoka Shakeout Sessions

Posted on 17. May 2019 by Franc

Trail Academy turns one and what better way to celebrate the milestone by opening up its 2019 calendar with Pinoy Trails Camp Out on May 11, 2019 and Hoka Shakeout Sessions on May 12, 2019 at Timberland Heights.

Trail Academy

Hoka Trail 101 – May 13, 2018

It was last year that the crazy idea of expanding the trail talks we conduct to have an outdoor feel and incorporate a mini run with it. I’m just glad several crazy people had the passion to give back to the community and joined in the advocacy. Trail Academy hopes to attract more people to try out the trails by giving them some know-how and experience on the trails. 1 year, 4 Trail Academy Sessions and we’re just getting started.

Hoka Shakeout Sessions is powered by Trail Academy, Pinoy Trails and Active Pinas with Hoka One One as the Title Sponsor and Timberland Heights as the Venue partner. The event is also sponsored by Lightwater, Vitamin Boost, Emco Muslu, Vitargo and Runnr.

Pinoy Trails Camp Out

We tried camping last month at Adventure Farm at Timberland Heights and I really recommend it as a secure outdoor hub for camping especially for kids. Kids should really experience the feel of the outdoors. A camp out at Adventure Farm can come with movie night out, bonfires, grilled meals, barbeque, smores and a chance to enjoy the night lights and the stars from the high vantage point of Timberland Heights.

It was an early start for us on May 11, 2019 as we did the markings for the trails and had a fun time hanging out before we started pitching our tents in the afternoon. The Camp out was the perfect place to bond with coffee, drinks, meals and a lot of stories among the participants. By night time, we went to the higher vantage point to appreciate the city lights and had bonfire. We spent the night with a lot more stories before calling it a day.


Hoka Shakeout Sessions

The fun part with Trail Academy is that it’s not as toxic setting up as an actual race. You can enjoy the camp out, wake up early and do the event set up. While the event was free, we still wanted to come up with a good staging for the participants. The village was ready by 5:00 am and it was more on the execution part. With about 200 participants, the registration took about an hour to complete in time for the talks to start at around 6:30 am.

Trail Talk

The event was opened up by a short intro on Trail Academy from me as Pinoy Trails and some information from Leo Libuna of Quorum Group for the Hoka Brand. UTMB Finisher and Hoka One One Ambassador Joseph Sibal had a talk on race preparation with knowledge gained from joining several International races and key local races.

The participants got to enjoy Lightwater, Vitamin Boost, Emco Musli before and after the event. JB Serrano of Vitargo Philippines gave a short talk on nutrition and the need to replenish nutrients in our system during a run. Speedgoat Challenger Champion Zha Malana gave a women specific talk on her experiences in running and the different aspects of running. Hoka One One Ambassador and consistent podium finisher Noy Gentoleo gave a talk on how to train and maintain a work life balance, which is common dilemma for most trail runners.

The pacers led the warm up and it was time for the run. The participants were grouped into different pace groups: Fast for elite / experienced runners, moderate for those who wants to go on a tempo pace and walkers wave for newbies.

Trail Run

The runners were slowly released in waves with the fast wave starting things up, followed by the moderate and then the walkers wave. The runners started at spine road and had to descend to the waterfalls in Timberland before a long climb heading to the scenic Table Top, where you get to see the mountain ranges from a higher vantage point. They then descended to base 2 of Timberland and headed to the rolling trails along Roxas Loop all the way to the Glades before going back to the spine road.

It was a short but challenging course especially since its been raining lately on some trails were muddy. The climbs were also challenging but the rewards in terms of scenic vantage points was worth the effort.

Table Top

The runners all reconvened at the Spine Road for the closing ceremonies and also some raffle where the grand prize was a Hoka One One shoes. That wraps another Trail Academy Sessions and see you in the next sessions.

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