The Tough TNF

For weeks, I was mourning the loss of the opportunity to join The North Face 100. In fact, as I’ve said, I ran the Robinson’s Buddy Wellness thinking of how much fun all the other runners were having at TNF in Batangas. Little did I know that I should’ve been glad I didn’t join (only because I’m not a mud-loving, rock climbing type of girl.)

Word is out that it was a tremendously tough course reserved for the more experienced runners. There were four river crossings, dilapidated bridges and snakes! They say it was more of an adventure race than a marathon. For the 100km, of the 90 teams (including relay) that joined, I heard that only 30-40 crossed the finishline. An HK runner who finished the Gobi Desert Ultra Marathon didn’t finish either.

But, despite the toughness of the course, there were runners that did finish and conquer the trails. All of them deserve a big congratulations and a warm cup of hot chocolate:

- The first runner for 100km crossed in at 13 hours male and 15 hours female.

- A Singaporean couple joined for the relay. The first was the man who arrived late in the afternoon. The woman should have been next, but it was too dark already and the course was dangerous. So, the man ran another 50km loop to accompany his partner.

- Jeremy Go, my unofficial editor in this blog, who I met only a few weeks back and came across as an unassuming guy (who I thought at that time was a newbie runner) finished the 100km beating the 30 hour cut off time by 10mins. While other runners had quit and gone to sleep, he trekked throughout the night without anyone to accompany him.

- My friend Annie won the 20km despite it being her 1st trail run. She split four times and ran through slippery, narrow trails yet came out unscathed. Congrats again Annie! I’m so proud of you.

How about you? What’s your story? Would you do this again?

Posted on 07.28.08 to 3 Race Announcements. Tags: Running, Trail Running, Ultramarathon. Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 31 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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31 Responses to “The Tough TNF”

GO JEREMY GO!!!! Congratulations dear!

marga said on Jul 28 08 at 1:24 PM Reply
Hi tbr,

Didn’t think getting muddy and dirty was going to be much fun too, until we did yesterday’s race.

Arrived at 4:30am in Evercrest, and and dami nang tao at that time. The weather was great too – chilly and windy (which is a great change from running in sometimes heatsroke-y weather in normal road races in Manila).

Did the 10k (which now seems like a fun run compared to the 20k and 100k) in a challenging course that was muddy, at times quite steep, but very fun. Most of the time you’re looking down because a misstep could mean a nasty fall (on your butt, or of the course), but when there were clearings it was great to look around at the view. And it helped that everyone running was game – no one (around us at least) was complaining. Instead comments were good-natured and loko-loko =)

Overheard during the race:

- “%!@$#!, Bakit ba hindi nalang ako nag-stay sa bahay para makapanood nang DVD nang tuyo at masaya?”
- “Ay, ayyy, i’m falling, ayyyy I’M FALLIIING!!!”
- (from a kind, smiling lady living near the course): “Naku iha, malayo pa ang almusal ninyong lahat!”
- “Sino ba ang may pakana nito? Ha? Ha? Iharap ninyo sa ‘kin at sasaktan ko!”

Except for the delayed race start (which was because kits were only distributed before the race), the organizers did a great job. There were the aid stations in their designated areas, the route was well-marked, and several marshalls were around (to inform you where you’re at already, and for help).

Hope they bring this back next year, and that there will be more organized trail runs. In addition to being more forgiving to the knees (I don’t have the normal discomfort I usually experience after a road race), the trail was also a great playground for adults – you’re allowed not only to act goofy, but you can also play in mud all you want like a kid =)

bassfish05 said on Jul 28 08 at 1:42 PM Reply
Congrats to Annie..!!! I was on the trail taking pics. I saw her running the muddy track and she was all over the place. lol!! This is the different Annie whom I admire with her smooth almost rhytmic running form.

tone said on Jul 28 08 at 1:50 PM Reply
It was a GRUELLING race … literally.

I was up all night for 24 hours and some minutes. My last decent meal (solid food) I had was around 7:30 PM with the other 100K solo runners (whom I met along the trail and vowed to stick together no matter what, two guys named Eric, Paolo, Ken [50K relay] and later on, Crow). We all crossed the finish line together. Eric was teary-eyed when he reached the line as I knew he rubbed his inner thigh raw and perhaps bleeding already. (Sakang na lumakad sa sakit.)

We devoured 5 packs of instant mami noodles with 6 eggs + coke+ coffee in one of the “tindahan” along the way. One runner almost quit (I will never mention his name) had I not told him that the solution was simply to eat. He was glad he did as he found renewed strength in our shared dinner. After the meal, the next 12 hours we had to grit our teeth and bear the unspeakable pain, the last 20k being the most unbearable. (Imagine your feet running in wet shoes and socks for 24 hours!) Every step was a searing pain! What happened after this was history.

As they say, the glory is in the difficulty.

CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE!

KEEP RUNNING!

atty. jon said on Jul 28 08 at 1:52 PM Reply
Jerremy was really amazing!!! I was with him for the first part of the run. Without any hesitation he ran and walk the course at night alone. His accomplishments was very humbling. Sad to say when he reached the finish line there was no more people there nor any banner. However his friends was there and I was there to hand him his Pinoy Ultra Runners uniform. We are humbled by you jeremy!!! Congratulaitons. Thats what ultramarathon was all about.

neville manaois said on Jul 28 08 at 1:53 PM Reply
Jaymie, maybe you can feature Jeremy’s story in a separate post. Tindi ng ginawa niya. Hats off to the editor

Levy said on Jul 28 08 at 2:35 PM Reply
Haha, di naman as amazing as you make it seem. Gusto ko lang talaga matapos. Grabe na ngayon respect ko for ultra runners, especially yun mga natapos ahead of me! I was in ridiculous amounts of pain the last part! Salamat talaga sa medics sa LP3 who at 3am treated my blisters, that’s right, blisters as in more than 1 as in my whole foot is covered in them. !I can’t even walk straight today!

Hats of to the winner, yun ang magaling, not in this lifetime can I imagine running that course that fast! I seriously wanted to quit so many times, especially everything the course would go from the relative comfort of paved roads to the muddy, rocky, slippery portion I now know so well. Good thing yun stubborness ko paid for something (see mom, may point pala kaya ginawa ni God matigas ang ulo ko.)

Thanks to Neville and the team for the support! And of course to Grace, Ray, Nina and for meeting me in Caleruega and running the last stretch with me!

Next TNF Jaymie ikaw naman tumako, ako naman magblog! Haha

Jeremy said on Jul 28 08 at 6:13 PM Reply
Marga, to think you were so worried about Jeremy when he signed up. Kayang kaya pala!

Tone, yup sounds like Annie! haha.

Atty Jon, a big big congratulations to you! Thank you for sharing your story. You are an inspiration to all of us.

Nevile, thank you for the updates. Congratulations to you and to the rest of the Pinoy Ultra Runners!

Levy, good idea. I’ll ask Jeremy. thanks!

Jeremy, the fact is you finished it on your own despite all the challenges and the blisters…ouch. Congratulations for such a great feat! Pa-interview naman? Pinoy ultra runner ka na ngayon

thebullrunner said on Jul 28 08 at 6:46 PM Reply
man oh man! or is it WO-man?!! Daym, Annie went by me like bayong Frank! Fast and strong! I was hearing really heavy and fast breathing from the back which sounded clearer as seconds passed by till she just flew by me… i think she was within her 90% max HR! and i bet she maintained the pace til she reached the finish line! WOWzer. Great Job Annie =)

It was a great race =) hard but fun. Signed up for 20k but honestly, after the 10k, i didnt want to continue coz my feet hurt already =( i was thinking to myself, “this aint worth it!” i was afraid to get injured kasi.. but then again, i was really having an awesome time =) so i continued to compile dirt all over my body =) lalo na sa trail shoes ko na super HEAVYgat na =P very fulfilling 20km =)

KUDOS to all 100km finishers and to everyone who participated =)

drew arellano said on Jul 28 08 at 7:31 PM Reply
wow tnf runners! hats off to you guys! incredible!!!

mond said on Jul 28 08 at 10:09 PM Reply
jaymie, i really admire people like jeremy and the other runners who finished the ultra (100K) race with bare support of aid stations and absence of each runner’s crews/pacers. please extend my congratulations to jeremy and to our pinoy ultra runners.

kingofpots said on Jul 28 08 at 10:35 PM Reply
Hi! Jaymie,
TNF 100 was one hell of a race! when they said its going to be a trail run -they weren’t kidding! it made the last all terrain race i joined a few weeks back like a walk in the park compared to this race. dirt road is an understatement we’re running through corn fields, valleys, across a river, cogon grass, cow dung, mud, more cow dung and more mud! it was raining that day also but it was a happy bunch of runners despite the fact that the race started 2hours behind schedule. Its nice to hear “hello G’morning” or “excuse me passing through” or “ingat, madulas dyan” from the participants. (they didn’t leave their manners back in manila-but some left their trash along the way-but thats another story) I recognized your friends Ben, Mon, Coach Rio and Vince of Active Achivers i was behind them at the start of the 20k. You asked if i’d do it again? Just post it in your list of races for 09′ and i’ll sign up with a smile. Hope you’ll be able to join it next time just for the experience. I’m gald i did.
Keep on running Bullrunner.

Earplugs said on Jul 28 08 at 11:30 PM Reply
it was a tragic run for me and my buddy….my buddy got injured as in badly injured! he dislocated his right ankle and fractured a small bone in it. we’re running almost 3k of the 20k when it happened, he suddenly fell on the trail and shouted in pain as we saw his dislocated ankle… i decided to run back 1.5k to the 1st water station to seek help from the people there because we both left our phones and no assistance in sight, other runners we’re shocked as they saw me running backwards and they even asked if i already completed 1 lap…as i reached the 1st station, i asked the guys to seek help from the camp and send some assistance. 1 guy ran with me to get back to my fallen buddy and i had worry thoughts of what happened to him since i left him all alone to seek help, i was really hoping that some runners are helping him. when we reached the place, i saw him sitting on the side and 1 guy lend him a phone to contact our peers. we’re so thankful for that person for the help but we can’t afford to sit and wait somebody to come. fortunately a farmer offered his horse to carry my buddy to the nearest water station, we had to bring him up to the horse but it was not that easy because of his condition and the horse was very shaky and intimidating…. good thing we were able to bring him up and we walked more than a mile back to the water station. the medical team was already waiting there and immediately placed him in the stretcher and did 1st aid procedures. we transported him back to the camp using the pick-up and transferred him to the ambulance and brought to the nearest hospital. my buddy even told me to complete the race for us but i refused because of my concern on him and i got traumatized…after some medical examinations, he must undergo an operation this week to put a brace on the fractured bone….. running long distance again is very questionable as his doctor confirmed but he’s very determined to run again and go back on that trail and complete it!

dirk said on Jul 29 08 at 9:12 PM Reply
im grateful to those runners who offered help and showed concerns… thank you so much!!

dirk said on Jul 29 08 at 9:17 PM Reply
Great trail! Friendly locals along the route!

Pinoy Runners said on Jul 29 08 at 11:18 PM Reply
Hi Sir Bull Runner. Thank you for your kind words. I hope your runners did well, I remember seeing one of them looking for his relay partner who was long delayed daw, I hope they found each other.

Jaymie, surely there are more deserving stories out there than mine. Hehe. Go find the guy who won and ask him what drugs he was on! I want some of that.

Jeremy said on Jul 29 08 at 11:28 PM Reply
I finished the 20km trail… yes the trail was muddy and difficult but was worth all the steep ascents and descents. The view at the top was awesome….. I had a great laugh when I saw my son and nephew were at the last km stretch of the run ( whew, they finished their 10 km; i was wondering if they managed hehehe). My son shouted… mama, what took you so long? we are all waiting for you….you are the only one left …we are here to push you ! It felt so good to be “ribbingly pushed” by a 10 yr old son and a 13 yr old nephew! Both boys ran the 10km with nephew’s dad(brother-in-law) while I ran the 20 km with 2 sisters-in-law….galing no?
Dirk, i saw you run back… i saw your buddy… the whole time i was afraid it would happen to me (kinda slowed me down too hehehe)… saw you guys again (your buddy on stretcher and en-route to ambulance)when i finished the first 10km… a few meters into the 2nd round i heard the ambulance’s siren…. i prayed hard for you guys. hope all will be well soon.
I also caught up with a guy with two north face walking canes…. I could feel his pain he was walking with two stiff straightened legs already…. is that Jeremy ? whoever it is, congratulations for pushing yourself beyond the limits to the finish line….
Lugs, my dear friend, you missed this one !

allyn said on Jul 30 08 at 12:35 AM Reply
Hubby missed this one too as he was in a reunion with batchmates somewhere out there ! :> He couldn’t wait for updates…. in fact, he wants to go there with us who went there for a 1okm trail-trek-run…. I think we should make sure of relatively fine weather a few days before we go …lest we encounter slippery muddy marshy-like trails !!!!

allyn said on Jul 30 08 at 12:39 AM Reply
I saw the stricken runner after the first water station, or I think that was him anyway. He was sitting calmly beside the trail, as if recovering from cramps, as a wave of 10K runners passed. He did not ask for help but I heard him ask to use somebody’s mobile phone. I told him I was not carrying one and so I did not stop. I hope he recovers fully.

Great stories all around. However those praying for the absence of mud in the future would be severely disappointed, because trails are trails and mountain environments in this country are predominantly wet, whatever the time of year. Think rainforest and break it down into two words

miraclecello said on Jul 30 08 at 8:15 AM Reply
Almost 30 hours for a 100k. Wow! That’s just amazing perseverance. Hahaha wow I still can’t get over it. I know how that feels, to be out on a course, wet and muddy past 24 hours. Ouch! What an athlete though, I bet he shows the same kind of determination outside running. Galing, sounds like a real epic run, sorry to hear about the injuries. As for the high attrition rate, ganyan naman talaga in ultra. On the last ultra I did only 64 out of the 111 of us that started the 100-mile finished. Oh e-rod was there, we missed each other cause he was doing the 50k, they have a later start. The weather was not even a factor, sunny and no humidity, no rain.

Congratulations on all the runners who started the first TNF in PI, finish or no finish. The hardest part is starting sometimes.

rick said on Jul 30 08 at 2:20 PM Reply
One of the persons who helped your friend belongs to TEAM CLARK – Billy San Juan

atty. jon said on Jul 30 08 at 2:39 PM Reply
hi TBR,
I did miss this one!
had a great time reading all stories here it’s almost i was there, too!
right now figuring out how to join nike+ human race here in Vancouver as I am confined at home performing “housewipe” duties for hubby kasi been too long in Manila without him there, and with my illicit affair with running almost every weekend hehe…
bahala na… I miss everything in Manila!
allyn, job well done!!

lugs said on Jul 30 08 at 3:20 PM Reply
amazing…really amazing…i’m still awed by the TNF runners and what they all went thru…cant wait to hit the timberland trails this weekend for a”friendlier terrain”…question is will it be bike or run?

mond said on Jul 30 08 at 8:41 PM Reply
Mr. Jeremy Go, in response to your message, “Jaymie, surely there are more deserving stories out there than mine. Hehe. Go find the guy who won and ask him what drugs he was on! I want some of that.” – the guy who won the 1st TNF 100K solo is Pepito ‘Pito’ Deapera. He’s one of our finest members of the Team Lucban.

You may be kidding when you mentioned that you want to know the drugs he was on – I guess, we should not see it that way because we do not want to give a notion that our running circle is in drugs. You may not mean it that way; however, it would be nicer if we avoid the said idea within the runner’s world as we do not want our community to be tainted with drugs just like what is happening in other sports discipline. Don’t get me wrong because I see running is fun, fulfilling, and I agree with Bull Runner that “Running is simply bliss, euphoria, victory, and genuine happiness rolled into one.”

Let’s just appreciate what our fellow runner has accomplished this last TNF. He finished his first lap (50K) at 1:13 PM. Race started at 7:30 am and he crossed the finished line at around 8:40 PM (partida, naligaw pa sila). FYI, he is a born runner , a duathlete, consistent in the podium (you can check for his name in several duathlon races), and he is born and he lives in Lucban (in the foot of Mt. Banahaw) which makes the course his ‘playground’ just like the recent TNF’s course.

Congratulations to Pito and to my fellow TNF Ultra Runners and to all with brave souls who crossed the finish line. Kudos! Keep on running peeps! Bull Runner, hope to see you in the next TNF Race!

mharlo pua said on Jul 30 08 at 11:35 PM Reply
Dear Sir Mharlo,

I’m sorry if my off hand comment caused you some unease. I certainly did not mean to take the reputation of your team mate and the running community into disrepute. I now realize what I meant to be a light joke and compliment of how strong your team mate was ill advised.

The issue of doping in sport is very serious and I should not have taken it lightly. I am rightly chastened and will refrain from uttering such remarks in the future.

Please accept my sincere apology to you and your teammate and please give him my heartfelt congratulations for the win he truly deserved.

Jeremy said on Jul 31 08 at 1:35 AM Reply
Drew, nice bumping into you. Glad to know that you have absolutely no post-race aches and pains! Congrats!

BaldRunner, soon it’ll be your turn! Best of luck!

Earplugs, thanks for sharing your story. There’s a whole lot of mud and dung in there but I’m sure you still had a great time. Congrats!

Dirk, that’s awful. I hope your buddy will recover quickly and let’s all cross our fingers that he’ll be able to run long distance again. Thanks indeed to other runners who helped.

Allyn, wow it was a family experience. Congrats to all of you! I hope your husband can join you next year.

Miraclecello, congratulations on your run!

Rick, congrats on your race too. Wait, I can’t get over the fact that you’re speaking in taglish. hahaha

Lugs, hope you’re enjoying your runs over there!

Mond, run run run!

Mharlo, congratulations to you, Pito, and the rest of Team Lucban! Thanks also for your reminder

thebullrunner said on Jul 31 08 at 11:48 AM Reply
Apologies are accepted I hope that are running world continue to grow especially the ultrarunners. Let us all keep on running! Congats to you and all ultrarunners! See you on the road.

mharlo pua said on Jul 31 08 at 11:22 PM Reply
During the TNF 100K solo, I swore I would not do it again.

But now, I would not hesitate doing it again as I intend to set a new PR.

KEEP RUNNING!

atty. jon said on Aug 01 08 at 10:27 AM Reply
atty. jon, sounds like you’re hooked!

rick said on Aug 01 08 at 6:24 PM Reply
Hi everyone!

Thanks for running with us! Results are now available at http://tnf.mobile-synergy.com. We hope to see you again next year for a bigger, better and more fulfilling TNF100!

Til then, hit the trail and NEVER STOP EXPLORING!

TNF100_info said on Aug 04 08 at 11:18 PM Reply
Till the next trail!!!

Thanks TNF100_info.

Idnod said on Aug 05 08 at 7:14 AM Reply