It has been a while since my last LSD and this time around I got to run one of my most anticipated locations: Commonwealth Ave.  It was a long overdue run that was held back because of a lot of events and this time I got to finally execute the plan into action.  That LSD was also part of my preparation of the forthcoming Condura Run where I’d be having my first half-marathon and self-assessment on my current level.

My route started at almost 6:22AM in front of Commonwealth Market which is the closest landmark along Commonwealth Ave. from home.  I started southwards on the following the path of traffic.  I chose this path because it seemed to be the “better” side of the road.

My path southwards was virtually uneventful.  Commonwealth Ave. now has wide sidewalks so there are spaces to run onto; unfortunately road works are still in progress so you can’t expect it to be consistent all throughout the road.

I wanted to start southwards because I wanted to make the Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC) part of my route.  It is a major landmark not only for Quezon City but for the Philippines as well since the circle contains the Quezon Memorial Monument which is like the Philippines’ very own obelisk.  Being a native of Quezon City it would be a sin for me not to run the circle at least once, and now I did.

QMC is slowly being developed into a full-pledged park, like Rizal Park, and as it is now it attracts a lot of people especially during the weekends including joggers but the most recognizable group here are the cyclists.

After completing QMC and looking at my mileage I realized that I may fall short of my target 21K so I decided to run on the “outer” side of Commonwealth Ave., still following the path of traffic.  Very early on this side showed its challenges—right after the University of the Philippines signage are the road works so there are a lot of distances where I was running on the side of the road itself.  This side also had more pedestrian overpasses to cross and longer market-front area (a.k.a. forced walk zone) so my initial assessment on which side was easier to run onto was right.

After the Litex area it was an easy run.  Upon entering Fairview, Commonwealth Ave. gradually loses width to less than half from its widest but the sidewalks are still in place.

I’ll admit that all throughout this northward course I made some “unwanted” actions: walking—and quite a lot of it.  It was gradually an uphill course from Philcoa with only some downhills so I really felt drained and before I knew it I just saw myself walking.  When I reached Regalado Ave. I felt the temptation to take that road as a shortcut.  My only motivation to continue the course of Commonwealth Ave. was that I may not run this route again in a long time, and I may fall short of my target distance.

Upon arriving at Mindanao Ave. it started to drizzle.  For the most part of my northward course it was cloudy, sparing me from the sun, and this drizzle was a relief to cool me down and motivates me to finish quickly.  Even if it was just a drizzle it was enough to soak me and my GF405 (which really hates water) which later started acting up (again).  I wasn’t aware of my actual distance when I arrived at the parking lot of SM Fairview since my GF405 is acting up, so I had to do my best to pump out the water that went in it and luckily the stop button worked after several tries thus ending my LSD.  About a minute later I was able to see the final toll:

Time: 02:29:46
Distance: 22.32K
Elevation Gain: 562M
Total Calories: 1,560 C

Trivia

• Commonwealth Ave. is at least 12K.
• The jogging trail outside QMC is about 1.8K.
• Philcoa to Commission on Audit is a gradual climb from 47M to 104M.
• Litex Ave. to Regalado Ave. returns the elevation back from 100M to 47M before climbing again to 83M in SM Fairview.