I had wonderful experiences during the V50 Ultramarathon held last April 27 starting at 3am in Valencia:
1) I was chased by a dog in the dead of night which gave me the needed adrenaline rush.
2) I almost fell in a ravine where the road was curving uphill.
3) I thought one among the runners fared, then I realized we were running beside a wall that was blowing off sulfuric steam.
4) I thought my uphill training in Bacolod was enough already but the elevation to the EDC camp in barangay Nasuhi was two times the elevation I had trained for.
5) At around 5am when it was still dark, I started to sprint on the flat road as I was nearing the geothermal plant then I realized I almost injured myself due to the sudden rocky road.
6) It was such an awesome, majestic view of the geothermal plant at the break of dawn. Problem was, I didn’t bring along a camera for a selfie.
7) I stopped by a hydration station where I ate some Curly Tops for energy. From among the barangay folks who were manning the station, I learned that many of those who work at the geothermal plant are also from Bacolod.
8) We were treated to butong water at the turning point. The only problem was that there was no straw. So we drank it like we always would, accompanied by photo documentation by the untiring local photographers.
9) At the Turning Point, I was told that I was running seventh in the race (among 85 ultrarunners). So I was encouraged to pick up my pace even downhill, bahala na if I would develop cramps.
10) As I reached approximately at the 29K mark, I met a male runner going up to the Turning Point, who I thought was on the heavy side. I was thinking that only determination and motivation would take him to the finish line.
So I encourage all others who think they are chubby to take it from this guy! Go out and run!
11) When I was getting tired and started to walk, I saw runners happily having their photo taken. So I sprinted ala-Haile Gebrselassie to join the photo-op. After the picture-taking, I resumed walking as I was running out of air.
12) By the time I reached the finish line after covering 50 kilometers in 5 hours 8 minutes, I was still ranked #7. I was so tired but with the “runner’s high”, a big smile seemed plastered on my face as I was just so happy.
13) The post-race meal was so good with two bottles of San Mig Light. I felt so replenished. Then came McDonald’s meal and lechon! Busog kaayo!
14) Going back home to Bacolod, it was good that we took an aircon bus so we were able to have a good sleep.
15) Our heartful thanks to the V50 organizers headed by Paultom Paras, the town of Valencia, the medics, the people of Valencia, those who gave us food, the firetruck, and all the other benefits I may have missed to mention.
I salute the province of Negros Oriental. Thank you once again.
Kerwin Quinquillera
Bacolod City
