The SecondWind UP Diliman Playground
August 12, 2009
University of the Philippines Running Route
For many runners and other athletes, the University of the Philippines-Diliman is one of the best and most convenient training grounds. The wide open spaces, numerous trees and long roads make training a real joy. The athletes running, cycling, and playing catch, Frisbee and soccer around the campus can motivate anyone to develop an active lifestyle. There are just so much things to do in U.P. (aside from studying hehe). The several sari-sari stores and kiosks offer food and drinks after a hard training session. While munching on siomai or kikiam, the sunken garden provides a relaxing and energizing view.
Since 1996, I have been running here with my friends and team mates. I could still remember the first time I finished running three rounds of the Academic Oval; it was just like finishing my very first marathon. The long straights and different inclines provide a challenging 2.2km run. When I joined the University of the Philippines Mountaineers (UPM), I was introduced with the 7.5km route, which is used by the UPM for its diagnostic training and induction runs for its applicants. This 7.5km route is really the main training ground for many UPM members as well as other athletes in UP. It’s been part of the training and has been an integral foundation for many runners in the U.P. Diliman area. I really love this route, with its long hills, straights and downhill, providing a very good workout. It trains the runner to attack hills, sprint the straights and adapt to the varying terrains. If you have not tried this route, you are definitely missing a lot. It’s about time to lace up your running shoes and check out this amazing route. Just like in Formula 1, it is time for a flying lap.
Press the start button on your wrist watch; we start from the UPM Tambayan in the North wing of the UP library opposite the NEC Building (refer to the map above). And then run straight up to the School of Economics (turn right), then run towards the College of Home Economics. This is a nice start, because you will see people playing various sports in the sunken garden, giving you some motivation. As your pace gets faster, a slight downhill will greet you before you reach the corner of CP Garcia and Katipunan Avenue. Turn right and follow the CP Garcia road all the way up, reaching Krus na Ligas.
As you run in CP Garcia I try my best to suck in my gut and run like a professional athlete since this road is very traffic and people from inside their cars will look at you for several minutes (have to look good haha). Passing the Math building, you will realize that CP Garcia is a tricky uphill enough to slow you down or sap your energy. Reaching the top your time should be 13-15 minutes. 
Run towards the rough roads and up to the White House and you will exit in a clear road and greeted by a play ground. Turn a sharp left and you will have a clear flat road. Push hard increase your stride. In your left you will see UP College of Architecture, to your right UP police and in front the UP press. This will be the first water stop for the applicants of the UPM. Keep running push hard since a short downhill will greet you.
A quick turn to the left you will see a straight road. I love this road, which is very flat and wide and lots of trees. This road is parallel the University Avenue which is roughly the same length. At the end of the corner you will see the UP College of Fine Arts. Turn right, and increase your stride longer and faster strides (sayang downhill, hehehe). Keep pushing then you will see the two triangle waiting shed or checkpoints and at a distance to your right the UP oblation. Keep pushing then you will reach the UP College of Human Kinetics, which is in front of you. Turn right and go straight. You may have been drained by the time you get to this part. A slight uphill will slow you down all the way up to the Bahay ng Alumni (I remember my first run here, I was so tired and my strength have been all drained, so I started to walk and my friends began pushing my back and encouraging me to run). Turn left at the Bahay ng Alumni, where you will be greeted by another flat road. On your left, you will see the UP Track Oval where you will witness varsity track and field athletes training.
As you begin to develop your momentum and increase your stride due to the slight downhill, you will unconsciously close your eyes as you smell the aroma of food being cooked (daing, sinangag, etc. hehe). This is where the lutong bahay canteens can be found. After savoring the smell, you open your eyes, and then it hits you!! What the heck is that?! Well it is what some people call heartbreak hill. It’s not as long and hard as the one in Boston marathon, but is steep enough to sap the energy right out of your legs. Ayaw ko na!!!! It is a short uphill, but with a sudden elevation that will definitely ruin your pace after that long downhill. After you reach the top of the hill, you will feel really sluggish and feel your heart beating really fast. Your legs will feel like they are glued to the ground and you are sweating like never before.
Another hill greets the runners as they approach the University Hotel. The runners will then exit the U.P. Chapel and see the U.P. Infirmary and Shopping centre (time check should be 34-36 minutes). Keep running as you pass by the shopping centre. Then take a left after the U.P. Cooperative stand. In front of you are students devouring isaw and drinking soft drinks (nice motivation).
The final turn begins; a 50 meter downhill tempts you to speed up and increase your stride. A sharp left turn follows and you see this long straight road with a sharp uphill ending all the way to the U.P. College of Law. You push on and realize that the hill starts very early and suddenly, it becomes very steep. One of my friends called this hill “trying to love again hill” haha (well the first hill was heartbreak hill gets?!? Hehe). As you pound your legs on the road the hill becomes steeper and steeper. You push hard because you just want it to end.
Finally, you reach the top and your time should be 45 minutes. Then you see it is all downhill and you see the sunken garden. Take a right turn and you will have several hundred meters of clear road to your finish line back to the UPM Tambayan. There is a slight downhill and you dig deep and push hard. Now here comes the best part, you swing your arms and then you cross the first hump and hit your stop watch. It is over; you have just conquered the 7.5km.
This route is the backbone of other running routes in U.P. Another 10km and 15km routes are based on this route. A 21km route crossing into Katipunan, reaching Ateneo, still involves this challenging route. For many people, the 7.5km route became a foundation of their training and running career. The 45-minute time is an unofficial benchmark or cut-off time. If you can do it faster, then the better. I have witnessed varsity teams, strong runners from UPM and triathletes complete this course in 32minutes, and sometimes under 27 minutes. Wow! Next time, we will discuss the 10km and 21km route. Keep running and see you at the starting line!
