More than a month before the religious festival, I knew semana santa would be the perfect time to conquer the Sta. Fe-Bantayan route--I will have me some company (planned to drag along running buddies) and I got more than a couple of days (the family would not be happy if I just visit for a day or two and yet still sneak in time for running).
Lex and Pol were as excited as I am. I decided to have it on Good Friday so the brother and sister in law can join (they will arrive a day before). When we picked them up from the pier on Maundy Thursday, the bro hinted his preference for trail running(he brought trail-specific shoes). No, thank you, my shoes are dirty enough. His wife, Anne, didn't bring her pair so maybe she could just drive behind us and provide the needed hydration, I jokingly suggested.
Early morning Friday, I got the sleepy "diliiiiii" reply from Kuya when I told him it's time to don those running shoes. Tsk3x, enough for the planning.
I and Lex met Pol as we were walking from the town plaza towards Brgy. Ticad. We were officially off and running as soon as we stepped on that bridge fronting the old movie house.
Except for the flattened-out frogs, snakes, and other roadkill, I am loving the change in scenery; no other joggers/runners, just a few trisikads and tricycles.
We were halfway past the cemetery when we saw a man bolting out of Village. He donned the same running singlet I had on--that of the recent Citigym fun run. Pol sprinted and overtook the guy who did not hesitate to join us to Sta. Fe.
To make the long story short, I made it the around10 kilometer (just the boys' estimate considering the time) of cemented road in one piece. Enough with estimates, I have to have a Garmin
! One hour and seven minutes without walk and water breaks. Not bad, eh? It was our new friend's (Ronald or Roland?) first time to run for about an hour, too.
