My cellphone-cum-alarmed clock woke me up exactly 5am. Was too lazy to get up so I hit “snooze” and fell back to sleep. It again sounded the alarm after 5 minutes so I finally got up to wear my running clothes. Yeah I didn’t take a bath, who’s gonna smell me after all*laughs*. I intend to run all the way so physical contact with any human souls has been ruled out. I also didn’t take a breakfast. After wearing my running attire and applying petroleum jelly to strategic areas of my body to avoid burning sensation after a run, I hit the road running around 5:17 am.

After a kilometer, I went to 711 to buy 2 bottles of Gatorade and 3 cheap chocolates. I put one bottle’s contents on my Nike Hydration belt and carried the other one as I run. After passing  Waltermart, SM Dasma then Robinsons Dasma ( yeah we do have more malls that government hospitals in this part of the world!) I knew that I already ran 4 kilometers. I noticed that it was only this period where I began to perspire. Seeing PCU Dasma, I knew I’m already on my way to the 7th km.  At this point, I began more observant of my surroundings. If you’re running around this area, you will notice the following:

* There would be mais vendor every 5 to 10 meters. Your eyes will feel uncomfortable as the smoke coming from burning woods which they used to cook mais will start to annoy you. Be sure to wear your shades however its dark to at least block some of them coming into contact of your eyes.

* There’s a shop called “Dogbero” which is a parlor-cum-barbero for , what else..DOGS!

* There are fewer sari-sari stores along this 5 km stretch of the road so be sure you have supplies in your hydration belt.

* People were looking at me as if I’m an alien. I did expect this as this place is not a running city. And yes, I was running alone in that road all the way.

I continue running until I reached Petron station which is just a few meters from Silang intersection road. I bought Gatorade and rest for 5 minutes, satisfied knowing I was able to finish half of the task. The first 2 kilometers going back is a downward hill and I found myself running at 3km pace. I slowed down a bit and started to notice the sun starting to pierce through my skin. It was a tough race going backhome due to more vehicles  starting to appear on my left + the carbon monoxide they emit getting through my lungs. I probably stop 4 times on way home to shield my nostrils from inhaling pollution.

Seeing the gate of our compound was a relief! Check my clock, I was able to finish 20km in 2 hours and 27 minutes. I sat on my sofa and few minutes later, I started to feel a burning sensation on my chest. I removed my t-shirt, checked by chest and I realized I have what every men feared most when running..N.I.P.P.L.E  B.U.R.N!!

Now what are the things I’ve leared today:
* I did great on putting petroleum jelly on “strategic” parts of my body, but I forgot to put one on my chest. Need to apply gel there too!
* I wore my Condura t-shirt during this run and I noticed that the paint section of the shirt rubs on my chest, hence nipple burn! Next time, make sure to wear a nice singlet, or those running shirts from Adidas or Nike.
* If you should start your 20km run in the morning, its better to start earlier to avoid the sun. Next time I’ll start at exactly 5am or even earlier.
* Avoid risk of injury when trying to run on a downward hill by running correctly. I heard that most runners ended up injured when running  most on downward hill.
* Apply sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun

In all, it was a great LSD despite my nipple burn! Let this be a lesson to all male runners!

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Tags: Dogbero, Gatorade, Hydration Belt, LSD, Sunscreen