impromptu 5k

June 12, 2011

Here is the best way to run a 5k race in the Philippines: have a duffle bag, it doesn’t have to be heavy but make sure it is awkward, in the bag you can bring stuff like a camera, water, cell phone, umbrella, snacks; shorts that chafe, not a lot just enough to irritate; 2 shirts on; and a stomach full of bread and hot chocolate, the race will provide these; oh, and don’t bring an iPod or anything like that. Then just go for it.

Last Wednesday, not even a full week into school (post on school later) I was told there wasn’t going to be school on Thursday because of the parade to kick off fiesta (post on that later), and we would be participants in the parade (post on this much later).

I showed up bright and early and the teachers took me under wing and off we walked. During the parade I was asked if I would do the Walk for the Cause on Sunday (that is this post, today). It was from the farthest barangay to the municipal hall. A very long way they stressed. I said sure, why not. They said it started at 6 and I’d need to bring 150 pesos for the fee and shirt.

Saturday night I found out that 6 was a joke and I should leave around 5:30. I showed up at the municipal hall, paid my fee and found out that the mayor had the shirts. When he showed up the shirts he had didn’t have a print on them, which was fine with me. Especially since everybody’s shirt ran during the event. Then in true Filipino event style we waited and waited, then about 6:15 we piled into a vehicle and drove to the start site.

There they shoved pan de sol in my hands and Milo--chocolate powder drink served hot, think of Swiss Miss without the flavor. I started to look around and people were decked out for this walk. Which is surprising because, to be honest, Filipinos don’t do much walking. So we lined up just around 7, the mayor said something, and then started us. Everyone started running! Nobody told me about the running! Luckily I’d been doing a pretty good job of running (post on that later), so I got into stride and went with it.

Apparently the running was just something you do at the start, because everyone started walking very shortly after. However I was feeling good and thought why not. I quickly passed the whole police unit and any girls that had been in front of me, and there were just a few people in front of me.

One of the things I was most excited about this walk was the chance to really see what I always fly through on the jeep, so I had brought my camera with me. I stopped to walk and take lots of pictures (hopefully I’ll post them here, internet allowing). I said good morning to everyone and trotted along. I was glad I’d brought a water bottle because it was hot.  After it was said and done I ended up finishing with the running-old-man contingent, which was fine with me. They talked to me and kept tabs on me, then when it was over all introduced me to their wives and told about all their children living in the US. 

The main memory of this “walk” was how hot it was. It started almost a full hour after I’m usually coming home from my run. I sweated and sweated. Several people told me how beautiful I looked with my rosy cheeks and sat me down in a chair in the shade. I just wanted to go home and bucket shower, but no one would let me. Because, of course, there was a program. It was something to do with the Independence Day. There was a character talking slow-grandma Filipino, and then three adults pretending to be grandkids, talking in slow-baby talk Filipino, turns out baby talk is annoying in all languages. I tried to pay attention, but it was soo hot, and I was kind of in a glaze. Then I noticed everyone was staring and me and laughing and the Grandma was saying something about America. Then she was saying something about Abraham Lincoln. Then there was this girl in a shirt skirt, and tiny little top, wearing a paper hat with stars and stripes on it. Then New York, New York started playing (but not a good version) and she started dancing a burlesque-ish dance to it.  It was embarrassing, and hot, and I was so sweaty, and apparently my cheeks were still beautiful and rosy. The rest of the program wasn’t that bad, they had some traditional native dances and other things.

After the program, they still wouldn’t let me go home. We went to someone’s house and ate. Luckily the food was good, but it was hot. So very hot. We stayed for a couple hours then took a trike back to town. Luckily on the way home it rained and we all got pretty wet, and it cooled things off a great deal.

What a weird day.