Sunday
February 28, 2016
I joined a recon run for the upcoming PDL 42 event organized by Conquer Absolute Mountaineering Club. It was a blast and it also marked my 3rd sumitting of my mother mountain, Mt. Palay-palay.
With no knowledge of how to go to the event venue, I joined the recon run to familiarize myself with the route and procedures of the event. I found out that the assembly point (Maragondon Elementary School) was just a quick walk away from the highway. Maragondon-bound buses can be boarded at Coastal Mall Terminal.
Once at Maragondon, I realized that it was also the finish line of the T2M Tagaytay to Maragondon Ultramarathon. I was able to find a few friends from my team Run Direction. Congratulations to all the finishers.
The recon run started and we traversed through about half of the route, from Maragondon proper to the DENR Station in Pico de Loro and up to the campsite. We decided to hike up the summit as well, since we were already there.
The runners who attended the recon run were headed by the Race Director, sir Jigs Meneses, podium finisher Daphne Codilla, and other top runners. Basically I was the slowest in the group and the only one not having run the course in last year’s edition.
I found out that the course was very challenging, even now I am a bit nervous and still doubtful if I can finish within the cutoff. But the view along the trail itself is wonderful. I cannot wait to run this.
It was humbling and inspiring to run with the monsters of the trail. Along with running half the race route, I was more motivated for the actual event. They say “work hard until your idols become your rivals.” Well, I don’t think I’ll ever get to the point where they’ll consider me as a rival, but to be running in the same race as them already makes me proud of myself. Thank you mam Daphne for the pictures as well.
Now, it’s taper week. Time to close the week with some carboloading as well as making sure my legs recover and stay primed and ready for the actual race.
Godspeed, trail runners!
-jgzn
