Remembering The First Ultra

In November 2010, after years of running events from 5k to the marathon, this runner tried something new.....an ultramarathon.

 

With Vener and, I believe Junrox before the race. 

 

On November 14, 2010, I ran in the Tagaytay to Nasugbu 50 kilometer run on country roads south of Manila.  It was something this runner will never forget.  Below this paragraph is the official results from the race.

 

 https://baldrunner.com/2010/11/15/result-4th-pau-t2n-50k-run/

 

Jovie Narcise (a.k.a. Bald Runner) put on, what was at the time, the fourth version of the event.  Back in that time, ultramarathons were becoming very popular in the Philippines and throughout Asia.  At the time, I did train well enough but only for maybe 30K.  This race was 50 kilometers in length.

 

The course ran from east to west along country roads mostly.  The finish in Nasugbu was in a small park, a perfect setting.

 

The first 25 kilometers went well.  However, the warm weather and humidity began to take its toll over the last 15 kilometers.  It wasn't a matter of knowing what the time was, it was surviving and finishing.

 

The finish was 137th of 159 runners in seven hours, 48 minutes plus.  Definitely, other than surviving, getting through it under the time allowed was on the mind the last five kilometers.  There was a lot of cramping.  I remembered losing roughly eight pounds during the event.

 

Afterwards, there was the photo-op with Jovie Narcise (aka Baldrunner).  He congratulated me and welcomed me to the ultraunning community.  It was definitely an accomplishment for certain.  Doing it in the Philippines was special.  Note - If anyone has the finishing photo, please let me know!  Thanks.

 

Moving on, having some food including a broth of soup was the perfect thing afterwards.  I remember the conversation with Vener afterwards while sitting down.  It was very helpful and was able to get things slowly back to normal.

 

It's hard to believe but the event happened nearly 15 years ago.  I've done two ultras since, both about 90 minutes faster out at Lake Merced.  Of all the races run, this one was the toughest of my career.  Grateful to have done it in the Philippines.