To join a running event in my home province Bohol is always a dream and I am glad it became a reality during the Tagbilaran Ultramarathon 2023. Thank you to the husband who is looking for races that he can run for his Bataan Death March 2023 training.

Early morning nagtambay sa pier 1 for an hour ang mga early bird and departed Cebu City at 9:20am. Checked-in at Aliria AirBnB, quick lunch at Hangout, free carbo loading at Kew Hotel while race kit claiming and before pre-race briefing (lami ang carbonara). Rest/Sleep at 5pm to 10pm the most crucial and helpful rest of the day and leave for the race at 11:30pm.

The gun start for 50km was on October 7, 2023 11:59, while 25km was at October 8, 2023 2:00am. While Ge and I waited for our race to start we had coffee (wala man diha ang unli coffee na gisulti so we went to 7/11 instead) Had too many free wise choice protein bars and fitbar kay manguli na ang nag display so kami gipahurot hahaha. Goofed with RD Richard while the time was ticking.

I feel good and can run some more but I watched my pace because
1.) I’m still nursing my left foot na natapilok.
2.) It’s my first time to do a long run w/o my leg compression. So, nag amping gyud si inday na
dili mag cramps and injury.

The aid stations were 5km to 6km apart, so as a prep I brought 3 Gels, 1 salt stick, and a 350ml pocari sweat and tanan wala gyud magamit hehehe. Maybe because it was not hot and humid so dili ra kaayo uhaw and the aid stations are filled with food and drinks that can sustain until the next aid station. The AS had banana, watermelon, hardboiled egg, salt, sweets, coke, water, pocari, and one station has biko and adobo na bisayang manok. As much as I wanted to eat more dili gyud kay para iwas side stitch. I just ate enough to recover and sustain for the next 5km.

The abundance of marshal especially sa mga eskina is great maong wala gyuy masaag. If naa man gani kay makapangutana ka ug ngano? hahaha. Pero ang marshal mo sulti lang na layo pa ma’am or sir ang next aid station hahaha.

There are very ngit2x na parts lang gyud that marshal would be helpful for scary cats like me, so I tried to wait for a companion. There is one runner guy I asked to run with me but he told me to go ahead instead, so off I go running in the dark with my little blinker that serves as light. My fault is that I did not bring my headlamp ( naa ra sa AirBnB) as I thought I would be passing in this area na lamdag na.

Thank God pagbalik nako from last aid station I found someone to run with me. His name is kuya Nonie Pelong which is rank 7th sa 50km and 1st sa iyahang age category 30-39. Kuya Nonie is from Carmen, Bohol but iyahang kagikan is Negros. Daghang salamat kaayo kuya. Wala gyud ta naka pa picture.

I can say that I had a great run. By far my best condition ran second to ang sa Mayon 360. My planned pace is 7:30 until 20km then notch up to 7:00 in the last 5km. I believe nasunod raman xad akoang game plan.

Thank God almighty for the strength, safe run, and good weather. Thank you, babe Jamès, for the guidance. Thank you friends Gerald , Dale, and Vince sa pagpabudol and making the experience more fun. Hinaot mabudot pamo next time. Thank you RD Ace Jess Ejoc and RD Richard for a highly organized running event.

Other memories during the Tagbilaran Ultramarathon 2023
* Wala nako nag video 17km to 20km kay dili gyud makita akoang kagwapa sa kangitngit sa route. Gamit kaayo ang blinker from James S.

* Wala naxad naka video from 20km to 25km kay nalingaw na ug tabi and pang good morning hahaha.

* I am happy to be able to pass by Dauis Church where babe and I got married. Plus sa unahan naa ang ever supportive wife ni Dongkee si Mayang who gave us pocari na dako kaayo ug tabang during the race.

* 10km turning point at the blood compact site, pirti gyung kaon sa aunty hahaha. Gigutom ang ferson. I had biko, adobo na native chicken, and watermelon with salt.

* 20km last turning point and aid station naka cr ragyud and nakig tabi pa while waiting ug kuyog balik kay ngitngit hahaha.

* 21km natagboan nako si banana but wala na capture sa video or photo kay pulos nagdali hahaha. Competitive yern.

* Also, with us is ang nabudol ni Dongkee si sir Chief Dionilo Tapang 52/54/56 hahaha years old from Duero. Who is also a family friend. Sa race gyud ta nag abot sir.

* Also met inspiring people and runners during the Tagbilaran Ultramarathon 2023. Sir Wilfredo Rinante is the oldest 50km runner at 72 years old. I am excited to imagine running at that age.

* Equally inspiring person during the race is mommy Maridel Muring. At 62 she still lives a super active lifestyle na lupigan pako. She finished 50km with a smile and at a decent time.

* Unexpectedly this Disney princess banged 5th place in the women’s 25km with an official time of 3:11:02. A 1 millisecond away from the 4th place and 22 overall ranks in the 25km.

* Post-race meal is a breakfast buffet at Kew Hotel plus unlimited Bee Farm ice cream and lechon. The most generous post-race meal ever. Did I tell you that cold beers are also served at the finish line.

It is such a good vibe to run sa akoang yutang natawhan my province of Bohol. Tagbilaran Ultramarathon 2023 is highly recommended to those who want to run an ultra or want to join a running event in Bohol next year and in the years to come.

Watch here on Facebook for the whole race video experience.

Some photos are from:
Arnold’s Photography
Bulabog Photography
Pitik ni Jhay
NovemberJphoto

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