Baguio Day One: Camp John Hay Run

We were to spend 4 days in Baguio for Holy Week. I packed 5 sets of running clothes. Just to be sure, right? Running in cool weather—with the El Nino heat of Manila—was an opportunity that this runner wanted to take full advantage of.

DAY ONE: 10K | CAMP JOHN HAY

I run in Camp John Hay every single time I’m in the City of Pines. But, this being the first time that I’ve visited Baguio completely injure free; I had the liberty to roam the camp and go where my feet took me.

-Entering Camp John Hay –

From Baguio Country Club where we were booked, hubby and I ran towards Camp John Hay. We took our regular path in the Camp making an immediate left after the guard house, which is a steep and long uphill, more torturous than the deadly McKinley Hill that we urban runners are used to. I know that this hill is where many of our elite athletes run their intervals. An ex-National team member friend of mine said that they used to run 30 reps up this hill. Hubby and I could hardly catch our breath when we reached the top. No reps, just one climb!

We rolled down towards Mile Long and attacked more hills as we ran towards the Manor. We made our way toward the other gate of Camp John Hay passing Figaro and the horseback riding area. We decided to stay within the confines of the Camp and turned around at the end, where the other gates was, and proceeded towards the mini golf. It was a pleasure to run in the secured residential area where the Baguio cottages always make me want to abandon the city and live in this city instead. We passed by the Pet Cemetery and made a mental note to tour the kids there later on.

– Love these roads! –

We ran down again towards the Manor passing Mile High.  We then took a deep breath and attacked another uphill climb as we made our way towards Starbucks and Cantinetta. It was here that I decided to just walk and enjoy the view of the golf course on both sides. Upon reaching the top, we entered another residential area. This is where hubby and I parted ways as hubby cut his run short to rest before our long run the following day.

– Entrance to one of the residential areas we ran in –

I completed a total of 10km. As I was making my way out of the village heading back to Baguio Country Club, the guard told me: “Ma’am, iniwan ka an ng kasama mo!” Pleased with my run in such beautiful scenery, I replied with a smile: “Okay lang. Mahaba pa takbo namin bukas.”

NEXT POST: DAY TWO: 20KM around Baguio City