New Route.........

(RIIIIIIIINNGGGGG)
(RIIIIIIIINNGGGGG)
(RIIIIIIIINNGGGGG)


"Good Morning Mr. Chan! This is your wake up call."


I think I did set it a bit too early! It's still dark outside. However I can smell the fresh provincial scent of the streets, the already cool November breeze......

Got down at about 5:30am already..... I did my usual stretching routine and walked for my warm up. I have totally no idea where to go. The front desk at the hotel didn't really have an idea where its good to run. They however assured me that its way safer here than it is back in Manila. :)

Since she was the 4th person who told me that detail since I arrived here, I think I got pass the scared stage and now on my way to just the concerned stage. And besides I can't skip training today. I need the mileage.

Coach Jo sent me an SMS. The day calls for a good 40 minute 80% run. Too bad though, I couldn't find any hill nearby.

Realization for the start of the day..... I was really in the province! At 5:30am there were only a few people outside and just as many tricycle doing rounds at the plaza. I took off at a really easy pace. Trying to just feel every stride and push off. It felt good! After a quick check on my watch 7 minutes had already pass. I increased my pace, still focusing on every stride.

I ran on a 2 lane concrete provincial road. I think I was heading towards the container yard area. There were a few uphill sections but were really short and mild. So I turned up the pace a bit more and tried the usual follow the bike in front. :) I guess the local thought I was sneaking at his back so he instantly gained speed on the slight downhill section.... Oh well, time to bring down the pace a bit. I passed by a couple of heavily armed army checkpoints as well.

After 21 minutes, I headed back to the same direction. I guess I lacked in the preparation for the route. I should have asked more people where it was best to go. I was really hoping I'd be able to see those fisherfolks carrying huge tunas on their shoulder. :) I guess I was kind of disappointed. But at least I was able to carry on my training.

I stopped by the plaza for some strider session. I found that they closed about 150m of the road right in front of the city hall. It was still early enough for me not to be noticed that much by the employees so I made it into my own striders track. :) After a few reps a cool down walk around the plaza and it was again time to hit the core! :)

General Santos City isn't that scary. I think it was just all this bad media hype that got me really concerned about the security of the place.