Mt. Ayaas: Run 2 Me
- garciaaprilg
- Sep 25, 2018
- 3 min read
Run 2 Me 2018 was my second trail running event and I again joined the 10Km category. Compared to the first one, (see https://garciaaprilg.wixsite.com/emoteranggala/single-post/2018/09/13/Sandugo-Road-to-Trail-Challenge) this one was pure trails which I prefer the most so, I had fun. Although it was muddy and slippery, the trail was soft so it wasn't that painful to the joints. I heard though that in the 21Km category, there was a road part so it was painful to their knees. If you prefer the trails over the road then you will definitely agree with me.
Mt. Ayaas was a mountain that has about three ascends. So on the way up most of what I did was to only hike. I was only able to really run on the descend except on the muddy part because it was difficult to keep your balance. The cut off time for hte 10K category was 4 hours. And I was able to finish at 4 hours and 2 minutes. I thought I wouldn't get my medal because I was 2 minutes late of the cut off time. Only to find out that the cut off time was extended to 4 hours and 30 minutes. Perhaps because of the traffic after the gun start. We were in traffic in the beginning because first, it was still dark, the gun start was at 5 AM. Second, it was muddy, hence, the pace. Then third, there were too many 10K runners. When the light broke and we no longer needed our flashlights, we were able to increase the pace.
I am a strong follower of the LNT Policy so I got disappointed when I saw several trail munchies wraps being thrown on the trail so I disappointingly picked them up. I think I was able to pick about 6 to 7 chocolate wrappers along the trail. So please, always practice LNT. Let us respect Mother Nature.
When I reached the uphill hike, some runners were already on their way down. As per usual courtesy on the mountains, fellow runners greet the others by a "Good morning!" or "Ingat po kayo" (Take care.) But I was tired and kind of disappointed so I wasn't able to greet back. However, when I reached the summit and saw the horizon which I really love marveling at, my mood changed. That's how nature affects me. It's like lifting a heavy baggage off my shoulder and everything feels light and happy. I took a rest on the summit for a bit and took some photos. I would've stayed there if I didn't notice that I only had an hour and a half left to descend. So I headed back to the trail and continued with the run-walk-run. Contrary to my ascend, I felt really delightful to greet runners "Good morning!" and "Ingat po kayo" (Take care) with a smile. A wide smile that was. Some of them greeted back, some didn't. To which I understand because maybe because they were also tired. I kept running on the 5Km way back to Wawa basketball court. When I arrived there, I got my medal then got all the freebies and meal. There was a free dirty ice cream or what we call sorbetes. I got two of those by the way haha it was nice to have something cold and sweet after a tiring run.
It was a fun trail run and I can't wait for the next one.
Watch and relive my trail run with relive. ;)