PHOTOS: Laiza Manuel; Bong Bernadez; Timothy Joseph from Team Pinikpikan; Baguio-based ultra trail runners
Three Globe runners completed the grueling 165-km run in the mountain ranges of Cordillera – traversing Mt. Pack, the beautiful Mt. Ugo, and the rooftop of Luzon, Mt. Pulag – dubbed as H1 or the Hardcore Hundred Miles, consequently the oldest 100-mile course in the Philippines. The total elevation gain is around 11,500+m which is equivalent to summiting Mt. Apo three times and a half! The whole journey has to be completed under 40 hours, too, for a runner to be called a finisher. Gladly, all three of your Ka-Globe succeeded.
This race completes the "King of the Mountain" series that includes Mt. Pack Ultramarathon (50km) on January 13, 2019, Four Lakes 100 (100km) on February 16, 2019, Pulag100 (100km) on April 4, 2019, and Hardcore Hundred Miles (165km) on May 16, 2019. The K400 is awarded to whoever completes these four race events in the same year.
Du'n sa last 16 hours ko na walang tulog, parang naririnig ko 'yung mga bubuyog at mga langaw na nagbubulugan na parang babae sa likod ko. Parang nag-ha-hallucinate na ako sa pagod at gutom. Tapos pagtawid ko do'n sa isang tulay nakaamoy ako ng pabango ng babae pero wala akong matandaan na may babae sa unahan ko.
We did endure the run, sleep-deprived, and with almost no real meal. Each station is distanced at around 18km which required that we are all self-sustained for around 3-4 hours. With our light vest on, what we have on us included energy bars, rice meals, chocolates, mixed nuts, and one liter of water.
RJ Limyu, from Customer Experience Management (CXM), would ask himself over and over, “What were you thinking and what will get you going?” His realization: “Simply be in the moment, taking one stride at a time, and enjoying the trail scenery. In the end, there’s not much to worry about but gaining strong will.”
"I once read a post saying, 'If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon. If you want to talk to God, run an ultra!' Running a hundred mile undoubtedly made me talk to the high heavens. It’s one of the ways to get closer to the Almighty, achieving greater heights and improving oneself," Bryan Valeros, a Senior Operation Engineer, adds.
On top of the highest mountain in Luzon, Pulag.
Braving both the peak and the cold temperature. They toed the starting line 11PM on a Thursday night and completed the whole course at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon. Imagine that! Me, I believe that the body as a physical case has limits, but what’s inside – the soul, the spirit – is boundless.
When asked why we run, we don’t exactly know the answer. However, we are pretty sure we are always up for adventure and journey to the unknown.
Here’s my collection of wooden statues in the office, constantly reminding me of my three personal favorite words: "endurance", "patience", and "possible"; that when you put them together, it may form a life mantra: It is possible only if we can be patient in enduring life's challenges.
Personal thanks as well to people who have supported us at KM 64 and KM 102, Ka-Globe Kring Borlagdan and Ross Aragdon, a fellow ICONtributor.
Globe Power and Speed is the official running club of Globe. We train all year round every Monday and Wednesday from 6PM to 8PM at "the void" near our basketball court. You can see us run on the streets of BGC wearing our brand shirt.
Want to join us? Contact me, and let's run together!
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About our ICONtributor
Derick Dimla, is a senior engineer from Network Technical Group. His work focuses mainly on network solutions development for wireless Broadband. While his role keeps him at the office, his love for outdoor adventure never runs out of flame. He is a mountaineer, a musician, and ultra-trail runner. He was also the president of Globe Power and Speed (GPS) Running Club (2018-2019). You can see him at 6F every Monday and Wednesday with the other GPS runners.
