"on a shoestring"

I woke up excited for Sunday’s challenge. I hurriedly prepared some stuff that would be of help during the run. I arrived at our station (UPLB Main Library) 5 minutes before #6to6UltraSunday Challenge.

After Coach Nick reminded Sunday of what to do, we started to move. It was already 15 minutes pass 6:00am.

Start of the Ultra Challenge, 6:12am

1^st10K Loop: 1:44:17 Warm-up

We had a very easy start. Around KM.7 Arvin had a knee injury that made us walk the remaining 3 kilometers. It was a nice time to get to know each other. I‘m also happy because its cloudy, just perfect for this running feat.

Time: 1:44:17

2^nd10K Loop: Faster

Gideon, our cyclist, escorted Sunday on his 2^nd and 3^rd loop. Gideon said, “Grabe ang ganda ng takbo ni Kuya Sunday sa uphill, swabeng-swabe at tahimik yung paa. Kung gaano kabilis sa flat ganun din sa uphill.” (Unbelievable! Sunday’s pace was nice even in uphill. It’s very smooth and silent. He runs the uphill the same way he runs the flat route.)

Time: 2:36:05 (10K Split time: 51:48)

3^rd10K Loop: Maintain

Sunday was maintaining a nice pace and should he continue to run like this he will finish more than 100Kilometers. During this time, it rained hard.

After 3 Loops, 30K

Time: 3:35:30 (10K Split time: 59:25)

4^th10K Loop: Heavy Down Pour

Sunday had an accident. He slipped at the railroad on towards the old downtown of Los Banos. Making him run-walk the rest of the course. He was limping and having a hard time running. He had an injury at his left foot.

Time: 4:47:30 (10K Split time- 1:12:00)

5^th10K Loop: Injury

Even with injury he doesn’t want to stop running. The determination was still there. He was limping and say’s that he is okay even if we know that he is in great pain. Maybe he doesn’t want to disappoint us.

After 50Kilometers (with Gideon and me)

Time: 6:12:38 (10K Split time: 1:25:08)

Lunch Break: 1:13 hours

Food and Aid Station

Lunch Break after 55 kilometers of running (with Coach Nick and Gideon)

6^th10K Loop: One Step Backward, Two Steps Forward

I joined him on the first 2 kilometers and he is still nursing the pain on his left foot. It was already hot so I offered to lend him my shades. Still he continued to walk-run-walk.

Time: 9:09:31 (10K Split time: 1:42:07)

Sunday nursing his injured left foot

 
Back at our station

We are already worried and talk to ourselves that we tell Sunday to terminate the challenge and find another day next week as the injury in his feet could only worsened the situation.

Left foot injury

When Sunday arrived at the station, he was still smiling but I can feel the pain deep inside. It was a team decision to stop the run and come back next week more prepared.

Many lessons were learned- hydration-and-nutrition-wise, support crew and food intake.

Total Kilometers Ran: 66 kilometers

Total Time of Running: 9:09:31 (including 1:13 hours of lunch break)

DNF- Did Not Finish

We are discontinuing the 6 to 6 Ultra Challenge for now but we promise to finish this next week with better preparation and renewed strength.

We apologize for those people who we disappointed. Sunday wasn’t able to run 6to6, but he was able to run 66.

Thank you for those who monitored the run. Thank you Coach Nick for the sumptuous lunch; Arvin, for the superb support; Gideon for escorting Sunday and the water refill; Andrew for the motorbike service and the rest of the team.

Again we apologize. Pasensya na po talaga.

Until next week…