Bataan Bataan Ka Part 4

Maging tunay na malaya sang katangi-tanging bata

PAMPABUSOG

Ano yung daladala ko sa takbo? Ipapataba ko yung mga nagamit ko

• Pantakbo: Asics GT-2000 3, Nike Shorts Ordinary, Nike Shorts Royal Blue, Adidas Shorts Orange, Adidas Duramo 6, Nike Lunar Glide 5, Sandugo Sandals, PAF Singlet, Adidas 2009 KOTR Singlet, Ateneo Singlet, UP ROTC Singlet, QCIM 2010 Singlet, RUNNR Elite Socks, RUNNR Fusion Socks, Nike Socks x2, Nike Cushioned Socks, Puma Long Socks, Puma Short Socks, ASMPH Track and Field Warmer, Kix Taekwondo Pants, LP Ankle Brace x2, Energizer Headlight x2, Ace Hardware Reflectorized Vests, Nathan Hydration Belt, Adidas 3-bottle Hydration Belt, Run United 3 Visor, Adidas Visor, Face towels, Bath towel
• Pagkain: GU Gels Caffeinated 10+, GU Gels Non Caffeinated 5+, SaltStick Capsules Decaff, Fitbar Peanut Butter x10, Dewberry Blueberry, RICOA Flat Tops, Bananas, Oranges, Moniegold Candies, Profoods Dried Mangoes, Gardenia Loaf, Lady's Choice Peanut Butter Creamy, Salt, Sugar
• Pamatid-uhaw: Absolute 6L, Gatorade assored 3L, Mountain Dew, Coke, Chuckie, Nestle Milk, Nescafe Espresso Roast, Koinz Ice tubes
• Gamot and Iba pa: Petrolleum Jelly (LIFE SAVING PRODUCT), Sunblock, Salonpas Gel, Celecoxib, 1 cc syringe x2, Mediplast strips, Scotch Brite Sponges x2, Weighing Scale, Omron BP Device, 3M Littmann Stethoscope, Cleene 70% Ethyl Alcohol

Halata na sa kahit anong paglalakbay, sobra sobra ako magdala ng gamit. Madalas na maraming hindi nagagamit, isa sa panahong iyon ay ang unang ultramarathon ko. 

Ito ang baon ko bago tumakbo. 

Bago pa man dumating ang linggo ng aking takbo, sobrang daming bati yung natanggap ko mula sa mga kamag-aral ko sa UP at ASMPH, at sa  mga kapatid ko sa UP Vanguard. Labis akong natuwa sa ginawa ng Transcription Group ko sa Ateneo, 7eleven! Pauwi ako mula sa HIMa class ko nung Biyernes na yon, at sa bus ko binasa ang bawat liham (na nakapost it) ng bawat kaklase ko sa ASMPH 2019 #walangi19. Hindi ko rin malilimutan ang mas naunang liham ng mga kasama ko sa palakasan na Track and Field. Ito yung nagpagana sakin, kasama ng mga last minute na SMS!

Pinakamalakas na laman ng bawat liham ay ito: "Kayang kaya mo, kasi alam namin." Ibang klaseng lakas yung makukuha mo sa bawat linya, sa bawat taong nais magbatid ng ligtas at matagumpay na takbo. At habang ako'y tumatakbo, tila naging maintenance dose ko ng morphine ang mga ito.

-CAT-

 I share my victory with my support crew. In this race, each runner was required to have a support crew mounted on a four-wheeled vehicle. The job is self-explanatory, but the roles may vary from simple handing off of drinks to coaching about the race plan. Vehicles are directed to go ahead of their runners, never trailing the runner or pacing the runner. So it was essential to running the course which didn't have any aid stations that would normally be seen in city races.

The Vanguard family goes to Bataan! My parents were my primary support in this race. Kudos to them who were awake and alert for most of the fifteen hours of my race. My dad served as the driver, coach, the guy with the cold drinks and towel and the veteran in the crew! My mom on the other hand, tended to my aching feet and was my main contact while I was running. Everything I wanted and needed, POOF!!!

My main support crew!

 I also drew strength and aid from three of my batchmates! These folks were my running buddies even before plans for BDM were set in stone. It was difficult for us to commit to this weekend run, because we had an exam on the first day of the week. Luckily, Ateneo celebrated the birthday of Fr. Jett, hence President's Day! They did their magic by taking note of my progress in kilometers and in time, by handing out my food and drinks, and by lifting my spirit after every pit stop. Often, they would insert some exam questions to test my mental status, a.k.a my sanity. Their presence also made me felt secure! Who wouldn't want medical professionals in their team? I look forward TO SUPPORTING THEM WHEN THEY RUN THEIR OWN ULTRA :))) IF YOU GUYS ARE READING THIS. hehe

My medschool classmates, full time support crew! Wet Shorts Running Club represent!!!

I wouldn't have reached the finish line without them!

As much as my own team helped me, other support crews played a big role too! I have never felt so spirited whenever I pass by these teams. It's in the running culture to aid one another, and in this kind of run, I tell you, you can really feel the love. They would gladly offer to refill your bottle with ice cold water, share trail food such as chips and watermelon slices! The best part was the ice cold mist from their pressured spray botles, THE BESTTT!!! There was even one team that poured a dipper of ice cold water over my body during the hotter part of the day. As I ran the course, they would also cheer for me and I guess were amazed too on how fast and young I was compared to the other runners.

Shoutout to those teams, sayang hindi ko nakuha team name and runner's nila! You make running ultramarathons less burdensome. I was with overwhelming gratitude post-race :)