Filipinos get ‘high’ with skyrunning

Filipinos get ‘high’ with skyrunning
By Rome Jorge, Lifestyle Editor

The air is thin, making every breath all the more precious. Humid with mist, the fog renders perspiration superfluous and makes clothes cling viscously to one’s dewy body. Beyond the canopy of the rainforest, the wind reveals itself to be a bracing chill. But not that it matters; every sinew burns with adrenalin. Far from just an automatic and instinctive motion, each step necessitates strategic placement. The next foothold is a knee-high ledge of craggy volcanic rock. A majestic panorama presents itself with every bend on the trail. The mountain’s pinnacle beckons. But that’s not the end of it all. The thrilling run back downhill awaits next. And going slow may not be an option. Gravity makes sprinting down the steep trail all but irresistible.

This is skyrunning—where athletes run mountain routes of 2000 or more meters altitude and where trails can be as steep as 40-percent inclines. It is a new sport; the International Skyrunning Federation (ISF) was founded in 2008. And already Filipinos are making their mark. A related sport—mountain running—is the term used for trails below 2000 meters altitude.

The Philippine Skyrunning Association (PSA) is a nonstock, nonprofit organization promoting the sport of skyrunning (high altitude running) in the Philippines. PSA is recognized by the ISF and is acknowledged as the official ISF member-organization in the Philippines.

The PSA was formed after Filipino athletes participating in the International Kinabalu Climbathon of 2007 in Malaysia—part of the ISF-sanctioned World Skyrunning Series—found themselves to be the largest foreign contingent. It was but natural that these pioneers unite.

Nina Patricia Dacanay—25-year-old triathlete, adventure racer, Team David Salon member and Kinabalu Climbathon veteran—is president of PSA.

She recalls: “It all started in 2007 when I felt a personal need for something new, a new goal to set. I think maybe it was a quarter life crisis. But whatever it was, the 21st International Kinabalu Climbathon [this was only one of several peaks for skyrunning around the world] soon came to my attention. Along with only four other Filipinos [Mon Marchan, Ige Lopez, Kath Rabe and Cel Canovas] as travel companions, we joined the race. The mountain was majestic and the experience, exhilarating. I finished the race but it was the first race I ever doubted I could complete because of the challenging terrain and the cruel cut off times. There were two: the first at the peak and another at the finish line. I was wowed by the international athletes who completed the course in half of the cut off time. It was then when the sport of skyrunning and the circuit called the World Skyrunning Series—the annual world event of skyrunning—came to my awareness. After my experience in the Mount Kinabalu Climbathon in 2007, I had such a great and uplifting time that I wanted to be part of enabling other Filipinos to experience what I did.”

It’s easy to see why high altitude running appeals to Dacanay and a burgeoning number of skyrunning enthusiasts. Unlike mountaineers encumbered by heavy backpacks and loads of gear, skyrunners enjoy the majesty of the great outdoors while freely reveling in their athleticism. Unlike marathoners plodding circuitous routes in the cities, high altitude runners enjoy a goal and a challenge set by nature herself.
Instead of trudging mindlessly, the trails they face require dexterity and forethought.

The right stuff

Many skyrunners have previous experience in other sports. Dacanay reveals, “My athletic background and training is more on middle and long distance running. I was in the track and field varsity team of Ateneo de Manila. During my college years, I was introduced to the Philippines’ mountainous outdoors as a member of the Loyola Mountaineers. And now, as I venture into women empowerment through an all-female multi-sports team—Team David’s Salon—I see skyrunning as a combination of all of my past athletic experiences. It comes full circle and I’m glad to be able to share it with other fun-loving, talented nature/mountain-lovers and runners who comprise the Philippine Skyrunning Association.”

Such athleticism all comes into play with skyrunning. Dacanay reveals what it takes to be a skyrunner: “It’s advantageous to have a background in running or mountaineering. Good foot coordination and balance, strong knees that can handle the downhill pounding once the route goes down. Leg, core and arm strength would also be a plus. Other skyrunning venues/routes require some upper body strength in pulling one’s weight up using ropes/chains to gain access to higher ground. Also, it would be important to note that fear of heights would present a big impediment to the sport. However, it’s been refreshing to see some friends and members who claim to have faced their fear of heights head on by trying out skyrunning and mountain running.”

She explains how to prepare for the sport: “Training for skyrunning only differs from marathon training in two aspects: venue/terrain and altitude. The venue for skyrunning is more on trail running and with altitude. Stair climbing and mountain running would be good ways to train. And because of the altitude difference, it’s also important for the skyrunner to study how his or her body reacts to sudden increases and decreases in altitude. More importantly, it’s important for a person to know how to manage altitude sickness.”

Champion adventure racer, Filipino skyrunning guru and fellow PSA member, Miguel Antonio “Ige” Lopez, also suggest biking as a good way to a strengthen the knees, which are prone to wear and tear during downhill running where gravity compounds the impact of one’s stride. Skyrunners and mountain runners who are not confident in sprinting downhill break themselves with each step instead of letting gravity help them as they bound down the trail are much more prone to this type of injury.

There are shoes specifically designed for sky and mountain running. These combine the lightweight and flexibility of running shoes with the support and the all-terrain tread pattern of hiking boots. According to Lopez, the best ones flex well at the toe but offer rigid support from the heel to the arch. They feature lugs at the sole that not only grip but also easily shed mud to prevent buildup.

Lopez also recommend socks that are a bit higher than those in vogue for marathon running to prevent pebbles from entering the shoe. To totally prevent such discomfort, he notes that mountaineering gaiters can also be worn.

For steep climbs where supporting one’s self on all fours may be necessary, ski poles and gloves can be useful. Though organized competitions do offer drinking stations, a backpack hydration system is a worthwhile investment, most especially for training. Besides such personal water supply, a separate water bottle filled with energy drink as well as a stash of energy bars or trail mix of GORP (granola, oats, raisins, and peanuts) can be helpful for very long distances.

Dacanay notes, “There’s not much difference between regular distance running and skyrunning in terms of gear. What would probably be a little unique is the need of some skyrunners to wear warm clothes to manage the cold climate at high altitude and the gloves to protect the hands from the cold and from getting wounded while climbing up ropes/chains. Although not considered as gear, medicine to manage vertigo and altitude sickness is also important.”

The splendor of the mountain awaits. The trail beckons. All it takes is putting one foot in front of the other.
For details, www.pinoyskyrunners.multiply.com.