Tuesday, January 20, 2009

My Takes on the TNF Thrill of the Trail

First of all, this post wasn't supposed to come first this year.  There was supposed to be a Happy New Year's post, a New Year's resolutions post, a "what-I-did-til-now" post, and another post.  But right now, those will come after this.

If you want to read about the TNF Thrill of the Trail, read it from my friend's blog - HighAltitude.

I'm posting to pour out my disappointments of not being able to join this run! Well, not a fault on my part mind you.  I was looking for a way to register for this run.

After hearing about this run last year from Jerry, I've been looking forward to it.  I went to TNF-MOA to get my trail shoes fixed and asked them about the registration - this was 2 weeks after I heard about it.  And guess what - they said the registration was closed!! Well, they had a poster of the run for all to see, and here I was hearing that the registration was closed! I was disappointed wondering how this race closed registration so soon?!

Then I remembered the complications in last year's TNF run, how, despite closing of registration, they allowed on site registration and it messed up the results.  I thought it was fair that only a certain number of people be allowed for this run.  But still, I was disappointed.

Forgetting about it, it came back when Jerry mentioned it a few weeks ago, then discussing with my friend RJ about not being able to register, I found out that he had the same issue.  It was worse though because he - some one who won 3rd in his age category - didn't get a chance to register!!! Why isn't a placer given special privileges in this kind of thing?  I, too, ran in the TNF100 20k and did pretty well finishing at 2:01:xx..  Then, topping this off, hearing that joining a running workshop, a week before the race, gives you the opportunity to register!!  It is just NOT FAIR!! Well, I heard that the registration was done on an invitational kind of thing.  But still!!  I don't think you should deny people their right to experience the thrill of the trail.  And this is after you advertise it to the public..

Hopefully I will get to run in the next trail run.  Congratulations to all who ran this race. Congrats to Jerry for finishing 7th overall.

Note: I heard that the Philippine Marathon will be postponed.  I hope it will not.  I'm training for this run, and having this kind of news just puts me off my rhythm.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aldwin, Happy New Year my friend! Sorry that you didn't enter TNF and I agree with your comments on it.

Regarding the marathon, I hope that the organizers get their act together and have it. Please take care and have a good week ahead!

aLdZ said...

Thanks sir wayne..
I heard now that the marathon is really postponed to later this year. I'll just train for the half on march.. :)