After doing a 52km run just a week ago, next long run training was supposed to be at Sta. Rosa - 'reverse Palace to Tagaytay & back'. But the 'General' was not available in the morning of Saturday Feb. 19, 2011 since it was his kid's graduation day. So 'somebody' suggested to do the San Mateo route instead. There were 9 members of Team Lolo Pedro with one very 'able' support. Plan was to start at 5:30am from Aling Tina's store in San Mateo where mountain bikers normally meet-up. I picked up Dok at 5am and there was Chock's car already at Aling Tina's when we got there. With him still catching on sleep were DS and Yob. In a few minutes the other gang members arrived - the major, Arni with Tatax, Oli and Mot. Chock & DS grab a quick breakfast and started off at about 6:18am. The route leader was Oli & Dok being familiar with the place thru their regular mtb rides here. I had not been in San Mateo for a while. I used to frequent this place when I was more into mtb before even joined some races held at the Divine Mercy route.
The climb started at the head of 'Shotgun' hill leading up to the San Mateo landfill. Dok told me that the name 'shotgun' was coined before when there was a shotgun toting guard on horseback who would drive away bikers up the rough roads then. Now it has been concreted all the way up the top but the rise is severe in every sense of the word. Several bikers were inching their way up the top while we mostly walk/run having fun. We chose to do the gravel road towards the top and all the way to 'Roxas' route if I am not mistaken. This led us to the main road of the Araneta/Filinvest property boundary and all the way up to the 'Giant' store where mtb riders converged for snacks & hydration.
When all had their drinks we moved on towards Boso-boso (no idea how far. 'naku malayo po un sir' - the answer i got when i asked some bystanders). The roads are paved but with undulating hills. I was toying with a horse type gallop going downhill (to the amusement of the group) and I found it with lesser impact on the knees plus it was faster. The duck walk of Chock going uphill was equally hilarious.
We were sparsely separated with Oli always on the lead (he ran most of the hill = 'halimaw'). In a short while the junction suddenly became familiar. It was already Boso-boso where we would normally parked our cars when we were hills training with our bikes for the ironman up to the Sierra Madre hotel. We had our rest and drinks again at the Bulaluhan sa Cabading store and after some photo ops we were again back to the route to the 'Giant' store.
My tommy was acting up. Normally happened when I was not able to do my toilet routine early in the morning. I tried to use the toilet at the store but the door was a piece of corrugated sheet one has to lift to cover up the door and it was dark. When we started back, I grimaced in pain and forced some unwanted gas to relieve myself. The time was almost 11am and the scorching sun was getting unbearable. We moved on steadily running on downhills and walking the uphills. The sight of the Giant store was a big relief. I went straight to the toilet to do some bombing runs. Had some group pics taken and was quite rested (& relieved) and the group walked out for the Timberland gate. We again re-grouped at the Timbeland guard post. I went to nearby nursery and was able to find a faucet where I wet my head and cap which was quite refreshing.
The way to Timberland was still the same dirt road we used to bike before. Some shaded areas provided much relief. I ran the whole cemented downhill road from the clubhouse area up to the Timberland gate. Oli was already savoring a bottle of soda when I got to the resto stop. When Mot arrived we went down together at the 'wall'. It was not safe to run this very steep road. Heard lots of accidents here among bikers (Ige Lopez had a crashed here last Saturday moments after we saw each other up at Timberland. Praying for his fast recovery.).
I tried to run when I got to the lower area all the way back to Aling Tina's. There was steaming 'pinapaitan' soup awaiting with iced cold soda. Took us 7hours to cover about 38km of mountainous terrain with almost 4,000 calories lost. I felt like I just did 60km. We capped the day with a couple of beer before we parted ways. I heard some of the gang continued the carbo re-loading at DS place. I slept the whole afternoon.
more pics: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=275115&id=608862180
