Pilipinas Mountain Running Series - Leg 2

After getting lost slightly going to the starting line in Licao-Licao, we arrived rather sleep-deprived for the second leg of the Pilipinas Mountain Running Series of Thumbie Remigio, whom we also know as the head mountain rockstar of UPM. It's been three weeks since I was last here at Mt. Balagbag, for my training with a weighted pack.

nervously excited mountain rockstars

The last real race I joined was the last White Rock Triathlon in 2013, which was cancelled because of rough weather. I stopped joining races after that because of the massive shin-splints that plagued me for months before and after, and just concentrated on climbing mountains. I didn't have a lot of expectations on this race, except to not be injured.

Help Rebuild a School in Nepal

October is approaching at light speed. I don't think I'm 100% ready yet. But I'm super excited, not just for the mountains, but for the other project we have planned.

Romi thought it would be good idea to help out in some way the communities affected by the two big earthquakes that hit Nepal earlier this year. We had a fund-raising drive just a week after the disasters struck, and we were able to send a modest sum, which went to the initial relief work by our friends in the field. But we could do more.

A Typical Workout Week

With the traffic and all the big and small problems in the country not going away any time soon, having a routine that de-stresses you is becoming more and more important. Without physical exertion, all that pressure inside you will slowly crush you until you get sick. 

As October gets closer and closer, making sure that I'm in peak form is a priority. Good thing I can rely on the U.P. Mountaineers for some motivation. My typical week is segmented into a) domestic duties and taking care of the dog; b) work and trying not to get fired, and c) physical training.

Tuesdays. Mountain rockstar training (MRT) is going well. Master Thumbie celebrated (in advance) his birthday with us with a lung- and gut-busting workout. Two days after the workout, I could still feel the burn on my obliques, which I hope would translate to a stronger core. 

Alternative Commuting

Normally you set out to have an adventure. But sometimes, the adventure comes to you.

If you're in the Philippines and haven't been living under a rock in some remote island, or just awoken from suspended animation, you are probably well-aware of Metro Manila's transport woes. Almost everyone you'd talk to will say that getting to and from work is getting worse every day. 

must bike to work more often to spare me from the hellish traffic

Since I moved residence last year, daily commute is pretty much unpredictable. On a good day it takes me an hour to get to work. On hellish days, the travel time doubles. Taking the MRT is definetely out of the question. That's one contact sport I don't want to play.

Last Monday I went to work a bit earlier than usual, hoping to arrive on time for once. Because of an accident in C5-Bagong Ilog, I was stuck in Katipunan Avenue for nearly an hour. I was already late, and it looked like I still have an hour's worth of driving ahead. So I turned back and filed for half a day's leave. The funny thing was, I had an inkling to just bike to work that morning, but was too lazy to push through with it. Of course I ended up bike commuting anyway. It still took me almost an hour to weave through Katipunan traffic.

At least on the bike, you know you have a way to escape being stuck on the road.

Rockstar-ing in Balagbag

I was planning a "solo" dayhike in Tarak Ridge last Saturday, but instead I found myself lugging a heavy pack up to the helipad of Mt. Balagbag, while the mountain rockstars ran/hiked ahead of me.

with the uncles

A Day of UPM-SAR Wilderness Training

(Having a puppy sure does take a lot of my time. I meant to post this a week ago, but after work, training and taking out doggie poop, sleep time is what's left - D)

Two Saturdays ago, I finally stepped into a forest setting, after months of mostly urban activities. This is the third session for the UPM-SAR Team 3, and we were in Alfonso, Cavite for their training on mountain search and rescue. Where better to learn about patient extraction and transport than in an actual wilderness, right?

how to rig a safe Tyrolean traverse line