Thursday, February 28, 2013

Salomon XTrail Test Run 2013

 

The trails are calling once again. And what a pull it is making. Arriving at Hamilo Coast for the 2013 Salomon Xtrail Test Run kept me in a pensive feel. What am I going to be in this time? But does it really matter—I just know that what I see in front of me: the cove, the beach, the hot sun, and the panorama of the trails that I, and the others with the trail itch will be running to will be full of a different kind of amusement.

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The Salomon XTrail menu on March 23 offers a 6km, 12km and 24km distances to trail runners who want to bring their fitness level to the next.

Welcomed by race organizers from Salomon led by Janice TaƱada – the brand manager of Salomon Philipppines and the gracious host for this year’s Salomon XTrail Run – Hamilo Coast, treated the runners, media friends, and bloggers to overflowing refreshments, and unlimited delectable food.

The pretty triathlete Pen Nepomuceno, who designed the course dubbed the road-trail route as full of ‘fun’. Showing the elevation and course map, it made me think and I’m sure the others too that it is one heck of a technical trail. Verticals were obviously there. You can’t miss them.

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It’s 10 am and off we went. Pen Nepomuceno took the lead and gave us instructions on how to go about and what to expect on the trails. We were told to have a feel and the vibes of the first 6km of the 24km trail. The sun was excruciating and blinding. Thankful though of the winds from the west Philippine sea. Participants—not minding being fried under the sun, ran and walked by the beach up to the hills and back, appreciating the tranquil blue sea and the picturesque coastline which is something unusual for trail runners.

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The heat would be a big factor on race day especially for those running the 24km distance. One would want to pray for rain or to have iced water at the water stops—all through out the race! The surface were like flaky and slippery due to pebbles, loose rocks and mossy pathways. Just like other runners, I dread the rocky and uneven stairs. You would feel your knees getting the intensity of the impact as you run down.

Challenging as it is and experiencing a bit of the route of the Salomon XTrail made us breathless and keyed up for race day. As we all headed back to end our test run at the white beach of Hamilo Coast, I felt my legs working again, and my lungs telling me that I’m in for a great trail run this March. What a partnership of Salomon and Hamilo Coast. See you all at the Salomon XTrail Run!

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(Photos by Running Atom, Kian Vicera, Romano Cortes Jorge)