CM50 - Race Report

Finally i made it to CM50 race. It’s been on my bucket list since the past few years. This race was a last minute decisions thanks to my hectic work schedule.

Made a new friend here, Tesesa an adventure racer turn ultra  runner from Mexico. It’s nice to be back in Philippines since TNF at Nuvali earlier this year. During the race kit collection at “The Villages” Hotel inside the Clark Freeport area, i was elated to met my Pilipino running friends again. There were many of them, Team Salomon Philipines – Aldean & Majo, Ronald, Cheryl, Chip  Dayrit, Jag, Mark etc. Jan Nilsen was also there, he looked bored. Maybe he couldn't wait to race later that night‘

During the briefimg, Atty Jon the Race Director informed us that year edition was the biggest in numbers of participants. He looked happy with this big turn out. We left quickly after the briefing for mandatory rest before the race start that night at 1 am (Sunday).

The worst feeling in the world is when you started to doubt yourself. I was really disappointed with my failure at TDG 2015. I invested a big piece of my life into that race, I worked hard and train a whole year for the biggest race of my life. As fate would have it, the race was cancelled on the fourth day due to bad weather. Since then, I haven't really run that much. I lost my running mojo, preparation for CM50 was abysmal. Plus i gained 3kg more from my normal race weight, i was in my off season period.

I doubt myself whether I could endure and finish one of the toughest trail mountain race in Philippines. I was informed that there’s 3 toughest trail race in Philippines – TNF100, Hardcore 100 (H1) and CM50.

THE PLAN
I was ambitious, especially with my lack of training mileage. I planned to finish before night fall for my very first CM50. Around 16 hours / 5pm ish local time. The cut-off time for this 50 mile race is 18 hours, it’s considered normal if you DNF CM50 the first time. This year we had a local runner finishing CM50 after his third attempts. That’s how hard this race we considered and you’re advised to do heat training specially before coming for this race.

I did my heat training on midday in Putrajaya,  a week before race day. I stopped my training run after 15 minutes, it was too freaking hot. Suffice to say that i’m totally screwed for CM50.

I was nervous and couldn’t sleep that night before the race. I haven’t felt this nervous for a very long time. Lack of sleep would spell disaster for me later.

Before start of the race (Photo credit: Teresa)

THE RACE
Teresa and i were fetched by Cheryl’s friend from our Hotel that night, thanks Emir for the ride. We arrived early before the race start, after we passed the mandatory gears check and get my bib scan with mobile phone, i moved around to talk with other runners and maybe get some tips from the local.

Aldean said that returning back to finish line would be the toughest challenge, he reminded me not to melt! I haven’t nervous about a race in a very long time, this would an exceptional race if i made to the finish line.

The plan was to finish within 16 hours, to cover the first 40km up to the peak in 7 hours and the final 40km to the finishing line  in 9 hours.

Having technical problem with my Ahon gaiter, thanks to Cheryl and  her friend for this last minute help. The gaiter the most important thing for this race, i kid you not.

START – AS 1 (PUNING SPA) 7km (7km)
The  race started on time at 1 AM local time, we ran on the tarmac for 3km; it was a long steady incline to the trail head. As soon as we hit the trail, it was dusty – reminded instantly the similarity with Leadville trail.

Then we ran down and reach the lahar sand and the wide Sacobia river (2km wide), the water was receding at ankle deep. Your shoes will get wet, just get on with it; tips given to me by Jonel (H1 RD) through our FB conversation. I had Ahon gaiter on my shoes  for this race, magically not one sand entered my shoes at the end of the race. I couldn’t stressed enough the importance of gaiter for this race.

Reached the AS1 less than one hour, i think around 48 minutes. There were minimum support at this AS, only drinks and banana. Grabbed a bottle of Gatorade and refill my stock, took a banana and continued my run.

AS 1 (PUNING SPA) – AS 2 (PASIG-POTRERO) 9km (16km)
It was really dark, i just focused on my running and the trail ahead of me. We ran on tar road again, then there was stair – great now it’s Hong Kong trail deja vu. There was a rope section going down hill, couldn’t see much in the dark but it’s pretty steep going down. I just moved quickly forward and reached another wide river crossings. Passed some sugarcane plantation  after that, i was trying very hard not to get lost from the trail route. The reflector markers did great job, illuminating the the trail route like airstrip runaway in the dark.

I continued running on auto pilot and my mind was somewhere else when suddenly i reached AS 2, it was located in the middle of a junction inside the sugar cane plantation. It’s was just a small AS with one tent and one table. I was quick on the transition, refill my bottles with water and mix it with carbopro before quickly left the AS.

AS 2 (PASIG-POTRERO) – AS 3 (SAPANG UWAK) 7km (23km)
It was still pitch dark when i arrived around the Sapang Uwak Elementary school, after that it’s all uphill to the peak. As i arrived at AS 3, the volunteers quickly asked me whether i had a Drop Bag. I didn’t have one. saved a lot of time here. I was contemplating whether to change into fresh dry socks here, i decided otherwise and  moved on after refill my bottles with water mix carbo pro and another bottle with Gatorade. As i was leaving the AS, i stopped briefly for my bib with attached QR codes to be scanned by the volunteers using mobile phone. Simple race timing solution, just love the idea.

The time was 3:54 am, took me almost 3 hours (2:54 mins) to cover 23km. I have about 2 hours before sunrise, at least 2 hours in cool weather before being roasted by the sun.

Still early in the race, felt stronger before being roasted alive in day time.

AS 3 (SAPANG UWAK) – AS 4 (JUNCTION TO  FALL) 7km (30km)
Now it’s the uphill crawl, more of zombie walk. I was getting sleepy and couldn't walk properly, i was getting slower…damn. Now i couldn’t wait for day time. I’m better off running in day time rather than night time.

I suddenly realised that i’m all alone walking in the darkness, all the other runners left me eating their dust. I looked up and saw the most beautiful thing – a sky full of stars, they seem so bright at night. I switched off my head lamp and stood there in the dark, head up watching and admiring god creation. Same thing that i did last September on Italian’s Alps, watching sky full of stars on snow-capped Italian mountains.

After few minutes in silence and total darkness, i decided to move on. I felt better afterwards, i reached the next AS4 just before the sunrise. I figured it took me about 2 hours to cover 7km from AS3 to AS4.

Sunrise on my summit attack towards Mt Pinatubo

AS 4 (JUNCTION TO  FALL) – AS5 (PEAK) 10km (40km)
I stopped longer at this AS, changed into fresh dry socks and eat more bananas and watermelons for the summit attack. I sat beside a runner from New Zealand, he decided to DNF due to his sprained ankle. He said that his feet landed awkwardly on some rocks in the dark. He finished this race last year and this year CM42, felt sorry for the guy. But that’s life, sometimes destiny wanted you to be humble before getting your due success.

Perfect timing for sunrise at this check point, it was buzzing with the lively volunteers here. One of them wanted me to get going soon and even said that wasted too much time here. That’s a great strategy from the organiser to have the runners to be on their way and not wasting to much time. Before i left, i asked the noisy volunteer how long does it takes to scale the summit and come back down to the AS. He said about 2 hours for the 10km distance. Here i filled another 2 soft flask (500ml each) for the summit run, we were advise to take more water as the are no Aid Station on the peak. So i have with me 4 bottles, about 2 litres. I found out later that i only need 3 bottles, i’m not a heavy drinker.

The climb wasn’t that bad. Not technical with very runnable path. I fast hiked most of the climb and ran most of it. Met the front runners coming back down, these guys are fast. Manolito first, followed by Jan Nilsen. Decided to take out my camera and took photos of the runners. Met Aldean soon after and we did wefie nearing the top. Wish him luck and continued my run.

I reached the peak at 7:17 am (6:17 hours for 40km).

Coming back down was fun coz down hill, like Scottt Jurek used to say “free speed!”. It took me about 1:20 minutes (if my memory serve me right) to reach back AS 4, i was surprised and so did the noisy volunteer. Thank you volunteers for your support and crazy antic.

AS5 (PEAK) - AS 4 (JUNCTION TO  FALL) 10km (50km)
Now it’s getting hotter by the minute, runners now need to go all the way down to the iconic Miyamit Falls where they will be scan  for timing. Total distance about 3km. I quickly went down the steep trail, oh boy  it’s going to be hell coming back! Reached the Falls and met Chip Dayrit who’s in charge of scanning our timing. Took few photos here with Chip, he said i was doing great timing. The time was 8:53 AM

Coming back up i just realised that many local runners left their pack at AS4, so it be lighter. Now i looked like a fool carrying full weight of my pack, lesson learned for next year.

Refill my water and CarboPro mix and left the AS. So now it was very hot. I carried 3 bottles, 2 for hydration and the other one to pour on my head; my cooling down strategy and it worked.

AS 4 (JUNCTION TO  FALL) - AS 3 (SAPANG UWAK) 7km (57km)
As Chip told me earlier during the briefing, the route will look different during day time. Yes i greed, it looked totally different and i felt longer.

Somehow i could still ran some part  of the route, thank CarboPro for fuelling my race. Had two gels for booster, couldn’t eat more gels after gel No.2

Finally reached AS 3, Sapang Uwak just before 11 AM (10:56 AM). Yes they have ice here, what a relief!

AS 3 (SAPANG UWAK) - AS 2 (PASIG-POTRERO)  7km (64km)
My knee finally gave up on me here, from here to finish line i walked more than running.

On realising this fact, i quickly refill my water and left the AS. I saw many runners taking a break and had noodles for their lunch.

I walk – jog – walk throughout this segment. It’s getting hotter, i tricked my mind not to think about the distance and focus on the dusty trail in front of me. My mind was else where when finally i reached a small tent. I thought it was additional AS, i was wrong it’s the AS 2. I was elated on realised this fact. There’s no ice only water her. I thanked the volunteers before left for the next AS, 16 km to go and only two more river crossings.

AS 2 (PASIG-POTRERO) - AS 1 (PUNING SPA) 9km (73km)
On my way wading the  river i saw Jinky, a local runner that had passed me earlier. I think he had about 1 hour lead on me. Now he was walking slowly, i stopped and asked him what happened. He replied that he ran out of water and he peed blood.

I gave him one of my bottle and asked him to finish it, i had another bottle which half full. We walked together for awhile, it doesn’t seem right to me to leave him on his own. Nearing the rope section, we saw a farmer. I urged Jinky to stopped and asked the farmer for water. I wished him good luck and proceed my run, it was getting hotter now. I was sunburned and 10 shades darker! No kidding!

Finally i reached the final AS, it’s near the Korean SPA. What a relief, they had cold lemon drink.

AS 1 (PUNING SPA) – FINISH 7km (80km)
I had about less than two hours to finish sub-15, i gritted my teeth and bear the knee  pain. I walked faster and wade through the Sacobia river, whenever possible i ran and ran. It wasn’t fast but it’s better than walking. Only 4 km on the river section and 3km on the road towards finish line.

If any race could change life and touch the heart. This is it - CM50. The race was tough but I was relentless not to give up ! It was an absolute sufferfest for me, serve me right for not prepared well.

I made it!
I redeem myself once more.
I looked at my watch and it showed 3:41pm.
I finished the 50miler race in 14:41:57 hours.
Rank 47/135
Yes, I finished in day time :)
I doubt myself no longer !

Finish line, greeted by the RD. He said great timing for my 1st CM50 race. I just glad i managed to finish this badass race.

Lessons learned.
1. Heat training is important
2. Gaiter is a must for this race, i couldn’t stressed enough! Ahon gaiter works for me, not one sand entered my shoes. I am amazed!
3. Leave bag pack at AS4 before going down to Miyamit Falls
4. Always hydrate properly, even veteran runners of this race is effected.
5. Bring extra bottle, cooling down strategy – wet yourself periodically.

Gears Used:

• Optic Nerve Sunglasses – Model Vahstro

• Salomon S-Lab XT-6 shoes

• S-Lab Advance Skin3 5Set

• Salomon Exo Calf (White)

• S-Lab Sense Tee M (Sleeveless)

• S-Lab Exo Twinskin Short (White/Red)

• Ahon Gaiter

• Colorado Visor

• S-Lab Advanced Skin 1 Belt Set

With our hard earned medal (Photo: Teresa)

It’s already night time. We waited until the last runner crossed the finish line. That’s how we (the ultra runners) roll.