Trail Running at the Camaya Coast Aquathlon Challenge

The 10th and most difficult

My initiation into trail running came with a scenic view sugarcoating a MEAN route. Picture a sunny beach day set against a hilly green backdrop. Absolutely perfect for suntanning, isn't it? But definitely not so for running! Especially if sandwiched in between scorching beach runs is a rough uphill terrain with an uneven ride down.

This was my 10th official run race, and my first on surfaces other than concrete and asphalt. Before this, the most difficult race I ever encountered was the 10km Makiling Challenge. Second to that would be the 21-km Condura Run.


Almost DNFIt certainly did not help that I favor running in the rain more than under the sun, and my training runs tend to be scheduled in the evenings. Nothing in my running history came close to something like sweating it out under a blazing-hot mid-morning beach sun. No wonder, just before reaching the uphill turnaround of the first loop (there were three), I found myself alternating between praying for God to give me a push and talking to myself to give it a go.

I just felt WEAK. The heat was sapping my energy. I've had heavy legs before- knee pains even. I know hot it feels to run short of breath or hear my pulse throb wildly. But I have never felt WEAK in any of my runs. Almost thought of dropping out...


Lost and outrun
It helped that after the turnaround on the first loop, it was mostly downhill runs. That was not yet the end of my troubles though. I took a wrong turn and was poised to stray further had one of the marshals and Cathy not spotted me. She gained an advantage there and sped off while I scrambled back. Was this the race where I would be outrun by Cathy?I could almost imagine her blog screaming with this headline: "Cathletic finally outran Jihan!"

I must have prayed hard enough- alas, it was not yet to be :-)


Major blooper!
Part of the race instructions was for each participant to shout, "I love Camaya Coast!" whenever we pass by the pavilion. When it was my turn, I mindlessly shouted, "I love...Anvaya Coast!" The organizers were stunned. Realizing my very grave blunder, I stammered, "Sorry, I'm just out of my mind". Where is the eject button when it is most needed? Or rewind perhaps?

On the 2nd and 3rd loop of the run, my body seemed to have adjusted. I quickly mastered the technique of cooling myself best: simply pour water on the head, face, nape, arms and legs. I also started paying attention to how I fared within my gender category. On the 3rd loop, I kind of figured that I might make it to 2nd place :-) As for Cathy, she did very well, too, and finished on the 3rd spot.

Jihan, Ziggy and Cathy at the awarding

One cool gang for company in one cool place

Jihan, Ziggy, Rico, Bong, Ian, Cathy & Ellen

The better part of the Camaya Coast experience was enjoying it with fellow MPGer Cathy and Takbo.Ph pips who did the aquathlon challenge. Ziggy made history by placing first in his age group, Rico was a hit at giving kayaking lessons to me and Cathy, while Ian was kind enough to let another blunder of mine slip. I confused him with another blogger from Takbo- and I had the gall to actually ask, "Umm, are you **runner?". He mildly replied with something like, "No, I'm Seabiskwit". To think that I was actually reading his blogs and occasionally commenting, too!

Bong was the cool dude whose ears pricked up when he was being addressed with a polite "po" (Wehehe!), and Ellen, of course, was our star photographer! Ron, another MPGer, was also there to conquer the trail run with us.

My ultimate takeaway?
Nope, it's not my 2nd place finish. Or the Speedo shirt (my brother claimed it right away as soon as he laid his eyes on it). I have always loved to swim but have not pursued it... I was certainly inspired by the aquathloners...perhaps I can take it up, too, in a few months.... :-)

We will see.


**********I must say the event was decently organized. Thanks much to the sponsors/organizers who put it together. Can't wait for the next one!