The Barefoot Monster Captures the Beauty of the Horizon in Mt. Marami

"Pinulikat...sumakit ang tuhod...inatake ng ulcer...Naiiyak na ako kase ang dami ng runners na nauna sa'kin," This how the Barefoot Monster Anthony Noriel Fodra narrated to his besfriend Runner Rocky the hardships and challenges he had experienced taking his second Mt. Marami trail race called The Beautiful Horizon. But of course, in the end, our very own barefoot monster landed successful with flying colors in the finish line!

For three consecutive weeks, Anthony or Tonyo conquered three consecutive long distance races. These are the 60K Luneta to Tagaytay Ultramarathon, the 50K relay in Tagaytay to Maragondon Ultra, and this 30K trail race in Mt. Marami Silyang Bato. 

The trail race began 4am of March 6, 2016 with a cutoff time of 10 hours. Tonyo together with one of his Team Road and Trail Runners (RTR) teammates participated in this running event organized by New era.

Tonyo Prepping Up for the Trail Race

A Tough Barefoot Monster Before the Gun Start

Anthony Carried the Banner of Team RTR

The challenges of Tonyo took place on the mountain range of Maragondon, Cavite. Mt Marami, Mt Mataas na Gulod, Dos Picos, Mt Palay-Palay and Pico De Loro were part of the menu where trail runners tested their toughness. 

Well if in the first leg of Mt. Marami trail race last August 2015 were mud and rain were encountered by the runners, this time, an extreme heat of the sun tested the patience of the runners.

"Parang disyerto...," Tonyo and one of my runner friends described the totally of the route.

Oops... check out below how our barefoot monster projected as an action star taking his rapel challenge climbing the mountain:  

And Then the Fight Begun...

"Tinalo pa si Tom Cruise ah..," we commented seeing Tonyo's action-packed photo. 

In the middle of the race, Tonyo felt the hardships because of his aching legs. "Siguro dahil sa sapatos ko kaya sumakit 'ung paa ko," he shared. Don't get us wrong, Tonyo was wearing shoes in the full trail race. Baka kailangan na niya talagang mag-transform into a barefoot monster while taking the race? Do you think?!

The Barefoot Monster Seems Doing an Action Film in This Scene

Landing on a Dessert Mountain...

But despite of the heat of the sun, mala-disyerto at matarik na mga bundok, aching legs and stomach, Tonyo still managed to conquered the race! Wow ha, parang superhero lang! Di napatumba ng mga kalaban..!

Ok, these below photos proved to us how our barefoot monster overcome and surpassed the hardships and challenges:

Ngiting Tagumpay When the Bareffot Monster Reached the Top!

Capturing the Beauty of Silyang Bato on Top of the Mountain

Hmmm...The Fear had Conquered!

But wait, seems that may isa pang kalaban...! Ayun oh, the fear of height, meron pa ba?! Teka lang bestfriend, bakit nakikita ko pa rin 'ung nginig ng tuhod mo while you're on the peak of the mountain?! Seems that pilit pa din 'ung ngiti, hahaha! 

Finally, here na talaga...heto na ang tunay na ngiting tagumpay...when he already crossed the finish line! Yehey!

The Sweetest Thing When You Crossed the Finish Line After Series of Hardships

After finishing his trail race with less than 8 hours, Tonyo posted his fresh selfie in his facebook account. And yes, it seems that wala lang sa kanya 'ung mga hirap na pinagdaanan niya! "Ang galing ng camera," I jokingly commented

Well, here are the three consecutive long distance races our very own barefoot monster conquered making him stronger, tougher, braver, and an inspiration to every runner:

Anthony The Barefoot Monster Conquered Three Consecutive Long Distance Races

Next week, March 13, the barefoot monster will rest for the meantime in running. Instead, he will go trekking with his Runtipatikos friends in Mt. Ulap, Benquet. And of course after next week (March 20), he will return in running with yours truly Runner Rocky and his Team RTR teammates taking the 27K Tayak Hills Challenge, another exciting trail race to conquer!

Once more, congratulations Tonyo for this another milestone in your running career. Runner Rocky and our running community were really proud of you! More new mountains and more new roads to conquer very soon! 

Leaving you with an inspiring quote from Edmund Hillary: "It is Not the Mountain We Conquer, But Ourselves!" (Runner Rocky)

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