I Ran For Brewed Coffee

This was a race i discovered way back 2009, the Amadeo Coffee Run, a small, laid-back race located in Amadeo, Cavite just 8 km east of Tagaytay City but with the same cool weather permeating its environs. If you wanted hot, piping brewed coffee just before the race, this was the place to be as we found out on our first outing that year (read it here). Little did we know that Amadeo is dubbed as the coffee capital of the Philippines.

The Coffee Run had its re-incarnation this year and the Takbo Para Sa Kapihan (Race To Save Coffee Trees) was held last Saturday, February 18, in conjunction with their Pahimis Festival, a gesture of thanksgiving to God practiced by the local townsfolk more than a century ago which showcases the town’s coffee industry.

When Ana Bautista (themeekrunner), a native of Amadeo tagged me in my FB account a week before to join this race, i was eager to go and even invited my Meralco running group to join .

SLEEP-DEPRIVED

The night before, i had attended the grand launching of Coach Rio’s Riovana Store at High Street, The Fort but left early at 10pm to attend another party nearby. Party we did.. drinks, sing-along and stuff until i realized that it was almost 1:30am already! I had to meet up with Tonet who was going to fetch me at home at around 2:30am so i had to rush home, pronto! Arrived home at 2:00am, just enough time to change, freshen up and put on my running gear. There was no time to doze-off even for a few minutes as Tonet arrived at exactly 2:30 am. Ugh! This means i was going to run the 21k with no sleep at all!

We proceeded directly to Betty’s place in Pasig where  we would meet the rest of our group and proceed in one van to Amadeo.  I planned to take a nap during the 1 hour trip to Amadeo but the buzzing of chit-chats and laughter from around me was ringing my ears so the planned nap went pfffftt!

We arrived at Amadeo at around 4:30am, proceeded to the registration tables and registered. The P350.00 reg was reasonable enough for the 21k race. No brewing of coffee yet this time as the sponsors were still setting up their tents and tables. We were immediately hauled into a covered court area where a welcoming speech was made by an organizer and the national anthem was played.

My group: Leo, Betty, Tonette, Sylvia, me and Chito

Pre-race photo op with our hosts, Anna (middle) and hubby, Jun (extreme right)

At the start

RACE:

We still had cool breeze when we started at about 5:30. There were only about 50-60 of us doing the 21k  and as we only intended to treat did as a long training run, the others just took off and disappeared from our sight in less than a minute.  The first few minutes of the route was still dark although we had the headlights of an ambulance providing us the lights as we were at the tail-end of the runners.

The terrain was mostly flat during the first few kilometers although there were a few short sections that went uphill, specially along residential areas when people were curiously watching us but when you greeted them the usual ‘good mornings’, their curious looks magically transformed into warm smiles as they greeted back.

Taken at around the 5km mark

I manage to keep up pace during this early part of the run until we reached the national highway when i began to struggle during that long stretch of slight uphills.  Sluggish may be an understatement as my legs were practically dead that i had to drag my feet at certain portions when it didn’t feel like going up the long inclines.  I really felt the effects of not having any sleep at all!

To make matters worse, i was wondering why the organizers  had to set up the water stations at the right side of the road when the rules set by them  specifically stated that we were suppose to run on the left side facing traffic. So we had that added burden of crossing the highway to get to the water stations. Big risk, considering the those big trucks and other vehicles were going at full speed and didn’t even bother to slow down as they reeled past us!

Off the highway, we turned left and ran to some scenic plains and coffee farms and the sights were marvelous. People weren’t really mindful but some would ask how many kms we were running. The soft, cool wind was blowing into our heads and this really helped me gain a second wind.

The last 4 kilometers was a slight downhill back on the highway and i felt very pleased with my pace which i picked-up a bit. I picked-off some runners as i sped along the highway towards the fork. At the 20km mark, i sped up significantly and launched into a wild drive at maybe a 5:00 minute pace. Upon approaching the fork road, i glanced into my watch, the distance  was already 21kms and suddenly realized that there was still a good 700 meters on the final stretch so i kind of regretted having to change to a faster gear early. But pride wouldn’t let me slow down so i had to maintain pace and hold it until i reached the finish line.

Based on my Soleus GPS 1.0, the distance covered was 21.72kms although at first glance, i though it to be at 21.27kms. Eyes must have been fuzzy. My time was 2:40 and i though it a decent enough time inspite of the numerous walking breaks i took. At the finish, the smell of brewed coffee was percolating inside the tent so i helped myself with a cup-full instead of the usual water!

Over-all, the race was superbly organized–the water stations were adequate with overflowing Sports drinks on the side, marshals were in their positions and directional signs were all over the place ensuring that no runners would get lost. An ambulance was always present along the course and paramedics always raising a thumbs up indicating if we were ok so we could thumbs-up him back. However, they could look back at that oversight of having the last water stations on the wrong side of the road.

With Anna, our host treating us to a hearty breakfast. Thanks, Anna!

After the race, we rushed to the home of Anna’s aunt, a few hundred meters away from the finish where we partook breakfast of Chicken Arrozcaldo, Puto, Hot Pandesal, boiled eggs, a local sugary flat bread and some more of those hot, freshly brewed coffee! What a treat!

In summary, we all had a great time and it’s nice running an out-of-town-race once in a while to experience some fresh air, cool temperature, the town folks and heaps of freshly brewed Amadeo coffee!

NOTE: Watch out for the Amadeo-Tagaytay Infinity 42k Marathon coming soon! This is going to be a “cool” marathon!

LSD Midnight Run…For Cory

As part of our preparation for the 1st QCIM this October and the BDM102 Ultra Run next March (yes, many are already “secretly” training for this ultra), i decided to join the LSD (Long Slow Distance) run with a number of friends from the Takbo.ph group. The run was going to be from Km Zero (Rizal Park) up to Tagaytay City for a total distance of 56 kms which will pass through the towns of Bacoor, Imus and Dasmarinas in Cavite. It was also going to be the first time that many of us would be starting the run at 12:00 midnight.

My plan and training schedule was to complete about 31-32 kms only and after that, listen to my body if i could extend it a few kilometers more. Yesterday was also a significant day since we woke up to the news that former President Cory Aquino, the world’s icon of democracy had passed away after a battle of colon cancer. That afternoon, Pojie ( forefootrunner ) texted me to wear a yellow shirt for this run. He probably wanted to have some significance for this run, yellow being the color that people wore during the struggles that Pres. Cory underwent to restore freedom and democracy for this country. So this run will have a theme…An LSD Run For Cory:-)

The group met at McDonalds, U.N. Avenue as we set up our hydration belts and energy snacks we would be bringing during the run. James (blueman168) provided a support vehicle and a driver where we could place our bags and other carry-overs. He also provided 2 large coolers full of energy drinks and food. (The gourmet egg sandwiches was a winner, James. Thanks!)

At 12:00 midnight, we started to jog to the starting point at KM Zero as we were still to meet other runners who were joining. At this point, everybody was now pumped up, not for the run to start– but to have pictures taken! When all were present, we divided into 2 groups, the faster group we branded the “Halimaw” group led by Dennis (runningpinoy) who would be running at a 6:00-6:30/km pace and the group that i ran with, at a steady average pace of 7:15/km pace.

The run along Roxas Blvd. was literally a storm, as the high waves along its shorelines were whipping the baywalk promenade as gusty winds and the cold breeze were on our backs as storm “Jolina” was in a very foul mood. At the boundary of Macapagal Ave and the entrance to the Coastal Road, we turned left via an overpass to Airport Road and made a brief stop-over at a 7-11 store which would be our first of several stops to various convenience stores along the route.

At first, it felt unusual, if not a bit strange running on almost barren streets at 1:30am. However, at this time, there were still signs of life as the few people who were still awake or had just come out from the many beer joints along the way were looking at us in wonderment, glancing at their watches to check what time it was and why these running freaks were running at an unholy hour! Running in darkness, away from crowds, traffic and the mundane responsibilites of life can help you relax, stimulate your senses, disconnect you from everyday stress and there’s a great sense of purpose for each individual runner, to focus and conquer the long distance ahead, together–as one.

We would sometimes run as a group, in pairs and sometimes alone. We would chat anything worth talking about and at times fall silent as we just listened to the steps of our feet, each one respecting their moments of silence and meditation. We passed the towns of Bacoor and Imus and at each of these towns there were several stops which provided us an opportunity to re-group, replenish our bodies with food and laughter and bond together. Ahh.. such is the life of a long distance runner.

Part of the dasmarinas group

At the break of dawn, we finally entered Dasmarinas and it would be just 3 kilometers away before we reach the first major stop point at Waltermart and rendevouz with a new group who will be running the last 25kms on the way to Doc Erin’s house in Tagaytay City.

Finally reaching Dasmarinas, Cavite

Doing some stretching at the Waltermart, at the end of my run

As i mentioned earlier, my training schedule called for a long run of 31kms. Though i thought i was still good for another 5-6 kms, I decided againts going further so i decided to call it a day. Moreover, i wanted to catch up with my other running group (Runnex) who were having their running clinic at the ULTRA in Pasig but finally decided against it too.

Time and distance of my run

All in all, i ran a total of 30.86kms in 4hours and 22 minutes (actual running time). It was a great weekend for me and for all of us. I’m sure a lot of us are limping around today (specially those who pursued the whole distance to Tagatay City) with very sore and tired legs. But the run was fruitful, all in the name of Tita Cory!

You will always be remembered!

(Pics courtesy of  Rodel. Thanks!)

Coffee, Tea or Run?

It was a spur of the moment decision to run yesterday’s Amadeo Coffee Run in Amadeo, Cavite, a cool and quaint town lying in borders with Tagaytay City.  Coach Meriam received an e-mail invitation from one of the race organizers to join its first ever organized race in Amadeo and decided to join it after our Thursday morning 1 hour LSD at UP.  Since Max, our regular training partner had to go to an official meeting on race day, Saturday,  it was just Meriam and myself who will be joining this race.

We didn’t want to bring both our cars to the venue so we decided to just use Meriam’s SUV for the trip. We met up at Starmall, Shaw Blvd at about 4:45am and rushed to the venue because we were still going to register on-site. We arrived in Amadeo a few minutes past 6am. What was surprising for us when we got off the car was the relative cool climate, a spin-off from the cooler city of Tagaytay which is just a few kilometers away. We immediately went to the registration area, paid our entry fees and got our singlets. Lucky for me, there were XL sizes available.

As we were doing our warm-up stretching exercises, the race organizers announced that the race would start at 8:00am sharp. By manila standards, the race time would be way, way too late as the sun would be hanging above our shoulders by then. As we waited, we helped ourselves with what was apparently Great Taste (the brand) coffee in boiling pot then transferred to plastic pitchers and finally served in plastic cups. the large advertisements of the brand are all in the kiosks serving it. So why would race organizers of this town which prides itself as being the coffee capital of the Philippines be serving commercial blend coffee? The runners joked about this with the pretty ladies serving this coffee and ribbed with them that we would have preferred the ready to mix 3-in-one concoction. i had about a cup and a half of these while waiting. i don’t usually drink any coffee before a race and this would prove to be a near disaster for me at the latter part of the race.

Meriam finally deciding what to wear on race morning. She is almost, always in a quandary on what to wear a few minutes before race time. It will take another 10 minutes for her to decide whether to wear sunblock or not!

The starting line, just in front of the provincial capitol

The race started promptly at 8am and the first 300 meters is a sharp downhill so many of the runners started fast. I ran an average of 6min/km for the first 3 kilometers so thoughts entertained that i might be able to go for a 60-minute 10k, or so i thought. My last 10k was about an hour, eight minutes at last November’s New Balance run at Clark. At the turn-around 5km mark, my time was 28:30 which in my estimation would not be enough to do 60 minutes because the return route was mostly uphill. Disaster struck at the 6th kilometer when i felt some palpitation on my chest, my legs began to feel heavy and breathing became laborious. Must be some of the coffee i took as my heart-beat was pulsating more than my average while running. Moreover, the heat of the sun was definitely a bane so in order to control the sluggish feeling, i slowed down to a jog then walked some. It was then a combination of running, jogging and i walked when i got drinks from the stations.  It was like this for the rest of the way until the last 300 meter steep uphill. my watch registered 1:05:58. Anyways…

Meriam did a lot better, her time in the low 50s and placing 8th-overall among the 10k women runners!

Meriam posing with Liza Yambao, runner-up in the 5-k ladies division and runner friend of Happy Feet running club who placed 10th in the 10k mens division

Meriam recieving her 8th-placed award from an Amadeo town official

With hardcore ultra-runner and co-blogger Jonel aka bugobugo85

Jonel & Meriam in front of Provincial Hall

Fronting the food/coffee stalls

To celebrate’s Meriam getting a podium finish, we set-off to Tagaytay market to eat their famous hot-piping bulalo, rice and fruits.

Showing off her 8th place miniature plaque at the Bulalohan Market in Tagaytay City

Over-all, the race was well organized, lots of water stations, warm encouragements from the local folks who lined up the streets to watch. It would have been better had the race began much earlier to avoid the searing heat. We’ll definitely come back next year. Next time there will be no coffee  nor tea before a race. Just run.