Tirad Pass

BFP Piddig chief Edison Reyes waves the banner of the Bad Circle Runners at the Tirad Pass Peak in Gregorio Del Pilar, Ilocos Sur. (Photo courtesy of Bad Circle Runners)

A local historian in Gregorio Del Pilar, Ilocos Sur called the recent LSD of the Bad Circle Runners a “mission impossible”.

LSD is short for Long Slow Distance. It is a form of endurance training in running to improve cardiovascular function, energy production, skeletal muscle capacity and utilization of fat for body fuel.

LSD is performed at a constant pace of low to moderate intensity over an extended distance or duration. In order to add an element of fun in the said training, it is usually done in group in a mission-like fashion.

But, as mentioned above, our Tirad Pass LSD was viewed as an impossible task—or at least, bordering to impossible. 

Well, here was our route: From our starting line at Brgy. Paltoc in San Emilio, Ilocos Sur, we ran a 16 kilometer-super uphill to the Del Pilar Municipal Hall. From the municipal hall, we climbed around 10 kilometers of rocky trails and cliffs to reach the Tirad Pass peak. The peak is more than 1,100 meters above sea level. There, BFP Piddig chief Edison Reyes waved the banner of the Bad Circle Runners. Then we climbed down through 10 kilometers of treacherous trails back to Del Pilar Municipal Hall.

According to residents of Del Pilar, some other groups have already climbed the peak, but it was their first time to see runners who run kilometers of super uphill first before proceeding to the historic Tirad Pass.

They said that Tirad Pass is one of the deadliest peaks in the country. That’s why conserving energy is a must before climbing it—an unwritten rule that the Bad Circle Runners unintentionally disregarded.

During our trek, we have confirmed that our mission was a “mission impossible” indeed. But with GOD's help and protection, the Bad Circle Runners made it and survived with only a few cramps and scratches.

When we finally arrived at our finish line after almost 12 hours, we were met with appreciative smiles and congratulatory pat on the back from the residents and visitors of Gregorio Del Pilar, Ilocos Sur.

Well, we didn’t have to tell them—they knew by mere looking at our eyes—that our LSD was not only for the sake of sports, it was done to honor our heroes. Filipinos who sacrificed their lives in order to secure the freedom that we are enjoying today.

***

BARD NOTES: Happy birthday to Provincial Treasurer Josephine P. Calajate!

Happy bard-reading to Governor Imee Marcos, Laoag City Mayor Chevylle Farinas, Laoag City Vice Mayor Michael Farinas, Dr. Castor Bumanglag, Dr. Miramar Bumanglag and PNB Laoag Manager Metty Guerrero.

Happy reading also to the members of the Bad Circle Runners and to the employees of AMA Laoag, PNB Laoag, DEPED Laoag and Vertext.