Trailblazing

Multiple Choice.

After a year of training, what do you do when you think you can’t run your first 42k marathon?

1. Accept the fact that not all runners are built for the 42k.
2. Stop running, get into new sport!
3. Eat, drink and be merry!
4. Join a trail run race.

Suggested answer: d. Join a trail run race.

I thought I would be ready for the full marathon come the Manila leg of the Milo Marathon in July. Unfortunately, that is not the case. With an average of 30-35 km per week I don’t think I’m physically prepared to endure the full marathon yet.

In the mean time, I gave in to the invitations (and a little bit of peer pressure) of  runners/bloggers to join a trail run. I’ve seen the entries of my friends on the recent TNF in Clark and I envy them. Running along the rough, lahar-covered Clark, Pampanga terrain is definitely something out of the ordinary.

I found out that the next trail race would be on June 21. It’s the Men’s Health All-Terrain Race to be held down south at Sta. Elena in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. The MH All-Terrain Race is a trail and bike race plotted on a 15k course. According to the organizers the trail has never been opened to the public and is specifically designed for the event by the Gran Trail Cycles and Sta. Elena. Trail runners can choose to run the 5k, 10k or 15k. Participants in the bike race must finish a maximum of three laps. This race is organized by finishline.ph, the same group who did the Greenfield City Run. I enjoyed the scenic 21k Sta. Rosa landscape in that race. This time, I’m looking forward to running on and off the road in a course never been traversed before.

But what shoes do I wear for this race? I have the Salomon Ascend and the Tech Amphibian but both are not designed for running on trails. The Ascend is my climbing shoes and the Tech Amphibian is my light trekking pair. Some runners would use regular road running shoes for the trails but my experience in climbing and trekking suggests otherwise. One slip on the moist grass might cause a sprain, fracture or worse! So I guess I’m off  to the shoe store again to get a new pair.