Eat, Pray, Run in Dumaguete – Part 2

Posted On December 13, 2010

PRAY

The first thing I have to take care of when I arrived in Dumaguete is getting my race kit.  But it was not until the following day that I was able to get it.  The first day was mostly walking around the city or staying in the hotel to sleep or watch TV.

(Admin note:  I can’t find the pictures for this part.  I’ll update this blog again for the photos)

The second day, I went to Robinson’s Mall again to get my kits.  There were very few runners claiming so it went fast.  I arrived at the booth, gave my name and instantly, I got my kits.  They were expecting me since I called up the day before.

I was also able to meet Paultom aka dgterunner.  We have never met but Paul has been visiting Takbo.ph since it started in 2008.  We only met online first at the Metro Dumaguete Runners Club website and later at Takbo.ph Forums.  But we have never met in person yet even though he has joined a few races here in Manila already.

Paul is the organizer of the Dumaguete Marathons and other fun runs in the city.  It was his invitation in the Dumaguete Marathons since 2008 that made me plan to finally run here in 2010.

Paul told me that he will be going around the route that afternoon.  I thought it will be a good idea to be familiar with the route before the event.  I asked if I can join and he said yes.  We met right after I got my kits at Robinson’s and proceed to check the 31.5K route.

During the ride, we talked about running in Dumaguete, how the event is being organized, the other activities the Metro Dumaguete Runners Club are doing, and other races they plan to organize in the future in Dumaguete and Siquijor.  The future of running in Dumaguete is just as exciting as the route I am seeing.

Race day worries

But there were two things I am worried about.  One is the weather and the other is the race itself.

It was hot in Dumaguete since yesterday. I arrived here at around 8:00 am the previous day and it was very hot already.  My training run has mostly been in the evening.  I have not trained for a hot weather.  Gun start for the 31.5K is 5:30 am.  I predict that I will finish it at about 4 hours which mean I would finish by 9 or 10 in the morning.  That will be burning hot already.

I was worried about the race.  I don’t expext to be pampered in this race like how big races are being organized in Manila.  I don’t expect sports drinks or loot bags or race photos or booths.  But it is not the loot bags or the race photos I am worried about.  It’s how the race will be organized.  Will there be enough water?  Will there be enough marshals along the route to guide the runners?  Will there be enough signs to give directions?  Will it be safe to run on the roads?  Will it rain?

That’s why when Paul was showing me the route, I would often ask if there will be a directional sign here?  Will there be a marshal there?  Who is providing the water?  What if this happens?  In all my questions, he confidently assured me that they are well prepared for the race.

I always believe in prayer.  And that night, after preparing my stuff for the run,  I prayed for two things.  One will be for a good weather.  I prayed that it won’t be that hot during the race.  I even prefer it to rain.  And I prayed for the organizers, the marshals, the officials and the entire race.

I closed my eyes and waited for my alarm clock and the hotel wake up call.

RUN

I woke up an hour earlier before the gun start.  Robinson’s Mall which is the start and finish area of the race, is just a kilometer away.  This is what I like with Dumaguete.  Everything is just less than 15 minutes away even by walking.

When I stepped out of the hotel to start my walk to Robinson’s Mall, I smiled because my first prayer was answered.  It was raining.

Starting area the Robinson’s Mall Dumaguete

I arrived at the starting area just 10 minutes before the gun start.  I should have planned to arrive earlier since I need to deposit my things at the baggage counter.  Good thing the place wasn’t crowded yet and there were many volunteers at the baggage area.  With 5 minutes to go, I was at the starting line already waiting for the gun start.

KM 1-8

The first eight kilometers was a run from the city to the hill tops.  It was mostly on concrete which passed by the major road.  There was no road closure thus I was running beside tricycles and cars.  It was still early so there were few vehicles yet.  And I am used to walk besides the vehicles in Dumaguete.  They don’t drive fast so I don’t feel alarmed running beside them.

Skies are still cloudy at the first 5KMs.  It was raining a little when we started.

I sticked with the plan to run for six minutes and walk for one minute.  I was running slowly since the last thing I want to happen is getting injured.  I still have a one 42K and one 21K event on December.

KM 8-14

It starts to get muddy from here.

At KM9, the route gets interesting.  I was away from the city and into the exotic barrios of Dumaguete.  Few houses, tall coconut trees, goats, grazing carabaos, cows, chicken, ducks, turkeys and a lot of other farm animals.  There was lush vegetation that I can probably complete the song bahay kubo.  In the backdrop is a scenic view of Mt Talinis.

Jinoe:  Hey kid.  Can you tell me where to make a shortcut?

Kid:  Meheheheeeeh !!!

But this is the most difficult part of the race.  It was a very steep uphill run.  The road was dirt, rock and mud that even bike marshals have to walk and push their bikes. Eigthy percent of the time, I was walking.  The only time I can run, is when there was a short flat terrain or a downhill only to be greeted by another climb.  It was a trail run.  A difficult trail run for me.

Where is he getting the energy to run this steep uphill?  I have to know.

KM 14-21

Everything that come up must go down.  Finally the downhill.  It was a slow accent but a fast decent.  There would be a steep downhill which has an angle of depression of about 70-80 degrees.  This was a scary downhill run between KM14 and KM 16.  After that, the downhill was gradual and manageable.

This will be a fast downhill run.

My favorite part is passing by the river at KM18.  We didn’t really cross the river but just passed by it.  I decided to go down and have my picture taken.  It took about 3 minutes and about 5 runners overtook me because for my vanity.

I have to have a picture here.

KM21-31

Kilometer makers are everywhere.  They not really at the exact location but it guides you where to make the turns.

We’re almost out of the country side.  Roads are now concrete and almost flat.  I was hoping I could speed up a bit to make up for my walks.  At first I was able to maintain a continuous run for six minutes, then I was slowing down to running for three minutes only.  It was obvious that I got tired from the uphill and downhill runs.

Passing by the Siliman University Church.

By KM25 my left foot was hurting.  I was walking more for several minutes and then run to catch up with some runners before me.  We were already in the main road of the city.  I was able to overtook them but eventually they caught again and went ahead of me.  I didn’t bother to push myself since I need to be in a better condition for the QCIM.

MORE PHOTOS OF THE DUMAGUETE MARATHON

Dumaguete 3Q Marathon Complete

I finished the 31K run at 4:22:58 according to my Garmin 405.  I haven’t seen the official race results yet.

It was a slow run for me.  I wasn’t exhausted but my legs are tired from the run to the mountains.  Sometimes, I was wondering if actually I signed up for a trail run.

A dirty Brooks Glycerin 8 after 31 kilometers of running.

Overall, I was satisfied with the run.  While the Dumaguete 3/4Q Marathon lacks the grand festivities and loot bags we experience in Manila, it was well-organized in many of the essential aspects in a running event.

There was a simple festivity at the finish area.  The Rice is Life Cookfest showcases different food and delicacies made from rice.

Rice is Life Cookfest at the finish area.

There was security and medical support on mobile.

Marshals were plenty even at the mountains.  Despite a rough and muddy road, there was bike support even if they have to push their bikes on the mud.  Water and bananas were available in several water stations.  There’s at least one water station in every 2 kilometers (or even less).  The water station volunteers religiously stayed on their posts probably even to the last runner.  This proves that Dumaguete is indeed a City of Gentle People and even more.

But the route was not gentle at all.   It was a crazy climb that made me exhausted.  Elevation was like up to 70 degrees in some areas.  It was that steep.  I love it.

Look!!! This graph is a bit exaggerated but that was a crazy hill indeed.

I am sure the organizers for the Dumaguete Marathon will be planning a better one next year.  Hopefully, it will get more support and funding.  I’m sure it can deliver a great running event.  Now, aside from the Cebu City Marathon, the Dumaguete Marathon is something to look forward to in the Visayas.

MORE PHOTOS OF THE DUMAGUETE MARATHON