“Running is a road to self-awareness and dependence.. You can push yourself to the extremes and learn the excruciating reality of your physical and mental bound or coast quietly down a unique path watching the world spin beneath your feet. But when you are through, exhilarated and exhausted, at least for a moment everything seems right with the world.”

October 26-27, 2013

The service van started picking up each member of the team at exactly 5 in the afternoon. There was a little bit of delay with the itinerary because of the DPWH’s infinite road re-blockings. But when we already got out of the metro, reaching Pililia, Rizal was already airily.

At exactly 1:27 in the morning, the Road Eaters Running Club’s service van finally reached Pililia Municipal Hall. This is where the participants had to verify their registration for the race and also for claiming their bib. Immediately after the registration, all the Road Eaters’ participants conditioned themselves and prepared their running paraphernalias from headlamp to hydration bottles to their energy gels; they are now ready.

The grounds where the gun start took place is full of enthusiastic and voracious runners. From the “elites” down to the “rookies”. Few minutes before the start, we had the chance to take photos while sending them well and goodluck wishes!

The club’s representatives for the first Rizal to Laguna 50K Ultra Marathon were BJ, Jeck, Jerome, Kevin, Kirk, Luther and Marvin.

The support crew were Josh, Lyvia, Jessica and Ray.
 

KM 7: GPS FAIL

The support crew immediately moved inside the van as soon as the race started. They were supposed to stop at KM 5 but ended stopping at KM 7. The GPS (Global Positioning System) failed to assist them because there was no internet connection in the mountains of Rizal. The option of the team was to rely to ‘Kuya Ake’, the service van driver. He uses the van’s speedometer to measure the road’s distance. Now that they have a human GPS, they were now patiently waiting for the first Road Eater to come. But guess who did they saw first? As usual, it was Amos of the Ultra Snail Brotherhood (Team USB). Lyvia was really happy to see him (well, she’s always happy to see him); the first Road Eater to cross the 7th kilometer line was ‘Ultra-robot’ Kevin.

Immediately after Kevin left, Jerome and Jeck came. Third were BJ and Marvin. Fourth was Luther who felt slightly knee pain and last but not the least, the stronger-than-ever, Kirk. Now, they can move to the next stop.
 

KM 15: DIFFERENT PACE; DIFFERENT NEEDS

As a tradition, when the support van moved to the next stop and saw a running Road Eater, it’s either the van will honk or cheer them loudly.

Jerome and Jeck came in first followed by Kevin. The three Road Eaters decided to run together after this stop. After several minutes, BJ and Marvin came. BJ asks for pizza while Marvin tried to take a nap beside the road… in supine position. Fourth was Luther, who felt knee pain, so Ray decided to put some heat liniment on his knees and then Kirk.
  
KM 26: HALFWAY THERE

The support crew also needed to take a rest, so Lyvia and Ray took in-charge of the support team while Jessica and Josh soundly sleeps. Lyvia and Ray sat on the road while eating, talking and laughing while waiting for the first Road Eater to pass by.

After 30 minutes, Jerome and Jeck came, and then followed by Kevin. Cramps and sprains were already felt by our dear Road Eaters. Lyvia offered food while Ray sprayed heat liniments to their legs and knees to prevent further injuries.

BJ and Marvin came and they stayed a little longer, they needed to eat and charge up for the next half of the race. After they left, Luther came and asking for some iodized salt. But unfortunately, the crew doesn’t have any salt with them. He stayed a little bit longer also to charge up.

After a while, the mighty Kirk came. The support crew noticed that this guy is getting better and stronger. He actually runs effortlessly. He didn’t stay longer because he wants to reach BJ and Marvs. He also asked for iodized salt which is unfortunately the crew doesn’t have.

KM 36: PHANTOM OF PAIN

It was already pass-6 in the morning when the support van reached KM 36. Josh and Jess were already awake. Josh prepared the breakfast for the support crew and service van driver. He wants everyone to eat their breakfast so that they will have enough energy until the end of the race. Lyvia and Ray are still hunting iodized salt. Luckily, they found this mini sari-sari store nearby that sells salt.

This is one of the hardest stop as the support crew saw their fellow club members suffer in pain. Now, the support team are working hand in hand for the runners’ different type of needs. Lyvia and Jess in charge for the food and refreshments while Josh and Ray acted as the Physical Therapist of the team.
 

KM 46: ALMOST THERE

The support van stopped in between the town of Lumban and Pagsanjan. The crew doesn’t want to waste every single minute; they offered pizzas, sandwiches, water and Lyvia’s cold jelly to all passing runners.

They also had time to take some photos within the area while waiting for the first Road Eater to come.


Jerome and Jeck were the first Road Eaters who reached the support van’s last stop. These two needed less attention as they looked completely okay. Several minutes after they left, Kevin came. Josh offered to change his water and sports drink, Lyvia offered pizza while Ray offered him a massage.

Third were BJ and Marvin who also needed some stretching and massage. They stayed a little while as they have 3 more hours before the cut-off. Josh and Ray rendered massage to both of them.

Kirk was the fourth one who came and asking for immediate attention. His blisters appeared again (Yes, like the ones appeared during T2K Ultra Marathon) that prevents him from running properly. Ray immediately applied antiseptic solution on the blister area and covered it with sterile gauze. But Kirk noticed that it was too bulky so he asked if it can be covered by leukoplast alone.

Lastly, Luther came with visible pain all over his face (But mind you, he still manages to smile. Incredible, isn’t it?) Even though he is not in good shape, he is still determined to finish the race.
  
KM 50: THE FINISH LINE

Before the support van arrived at Sta. Cruz Municipal Hall, three strong Road Eaters already finished the race. The first one was Jerome (6:55:26), runner-up was Jeck (7:35:57), and the third one was Kevin (8:00:53).

Josh had to leave the other crew to find the Jerome, Jeck and Kevin. Lyvia, Jess and Ray decided to clean and arrange the service van so that later on, all the finishers can relax and sit comfortably.

After a while, they saw BJ and Marvin running towards the finish line. Everybody was cheering for them. Fourth place goes to BJ (8:20:07) and fifth goes to Marvin (8:20:46).


Now, the Road Eaters gathered near the finish line patiently waiting for Kirk and Luther.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It was Kirk running towards the finish line! Everybody was really proud of him! He’s at 6th place (8:54:30).


The Lanzones Runner is coming! Luther finishes the race (9:17:28) and ranked 7th among the other Road Eaters!



This race only proves that this team is really competitive (despite of their lack of training and sleep). All the participants were able to conquer their fuss and throe towards their triumph and that is something this team can be proud of. Now, everyone is looking forward for the second leg of this ultra trilogy.

Congratulations to all the finishers! Rest well and recover!


Writer/Contributor: Ray Sarmiento